+- Court of the Fallen (https://cotf-rpg.com)
+-- Forum: Out of Character (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=26)
+--- Forum: Important (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=27)
+---- Forum: Archives (https://cotf-rpg.com/forumdisplay.php?fid=38)
+---- Thread: [PQ+] how hard can it be? (/showthread.php?tid=9818)
how hard can it be? - Dantalion - 07-16-2024
[say]"Hey, thanks for sticking around for a bit,"[/say] Danta is saying to Flora as they head deeper into the Outer Brambles. [say]"The Inner Quarter is protected from all this void shit, but everywhere else is still a little hairy, I guess. People keep sending letters to me Kiada about some Wicker Woman... thing? out here that's causing problems. I swear they said it's a tree though, so who fucking knows."[/say]
All Danta does know is that he's had enough petitions for him to sort it the fuck out to come and take a look, and since the Doubletake has come to visit on guild business, he's bribed her with a date with Asta favour of her choosing to come and check it out en route home. Speaking of Mr Tall, Dark and Monstrous, the Maverick glances back at him and grins. [say]"Maybe there'll be some other stuff worth hunting on the way, mm?"[/say]
Welcome to the PQ+ to hunt down a Voidroot Wickerwoman! Please post your character arriving and we'll get started!
1. Flora
2. Astaroth
RE: how hard can it be? - Flora - 07-16-2024
[say]"Of course. What are co-rulers for if not so that you can abandon them as soon as someone offers you a good time?"[/say] Flora trills in response. Nudging Danta affectionately, the Doubletake glances over her shoulder at Asta and flashes him a smile. [say]"Happy to bring up the rear, are you?"[/say] She calls, nearly asking him how he found the view.
Quite when Flora had become rather strong, the queen didn't really know. It was sometime after her twin's death, but possibly as late as when she took over Torchline. Regardless, for the first time in a good long while the Doubletake felt entirely prepared for this little adventure, what with her fingers covered in rings that were more than just fashionable, and with her poison-covered daggers sitting comfortably in a pouch on her belt.
RE: how hard can it be? - Astaroth - 07-16-2024
It’s a rare occurance for the butcher to dress down, but here he is in all of his fashionable glory, shirt sleeves rolled up, no tie in sight — in fact, the top button is unbuttoned. The rest is fairly status quo, a nice pair of jeans the shirt is tucked into, but given the added movement, well, Astaroth’s paired it with a set of black suspenders that match the shirt garter on his biceps to keep the sleeves up easier.
After Flora makes her comment to the Maverick, he tacks on a; “[say]Wicker is another word for pliable twigs, darling.[/say]” He drawls with a knowing grin, though he’s never seen one before either, so who’s to say who’s right?
As both Danta and the Doubletake refer to him, his dark gaze focuses on each one in turn (truly happy to be surrounded by so many blondes — he’s a simple man). “[say]I cannot wait to find out.[/say]” Is offered initially to Danta, before his grin widens and a hint of mischief flickers on his face as he regards her. “[say]I have truly nothing to complain about, Flora, dear.[/say]”
RE: how hard can it be? - Dantalion - 07-16-2024
Would you shut the fuck up? is what Danta almost smiles back at Astaroth, though instead he merely turns to their lovely travelling companion and gestures to her. [say]"Woman is not another word for tree though, the last time I checked. Or would you say that Flora is looking very wicker these days, Asta?"[/say] Raising his eyebrows in an expression that begs to say no, I didn't think so. Anyway, whether or not their target is a plant or a lovely lady, it's been causing all sorts of trouble for travellers through the Brambles, so here they are.
Gesturing up ahead between two large oaks that have been marked with the blade of an axe, Danta nods. [say]"Apparently it can be found through there. Do you think it's best if we just head straight in, or shall we scout around a bit first?"[/say]
Danta has found the entrance to the grove where the Voidroot Wickerwoman is supposedly found. Do we scout the place first, or go straight in?
RE: how hard can it be? - Flora - 07-16-2024
Raising her eyebrows, her aqua eyes rife with mischief, the Doubletake glances over her shoulder at Asta as if to ask yeah, would you say that about me? or better yet perhaps, what would you stay instead?
Perhaps emboldened by the fact that her parents were only a thought away or simply because she was the way she was, Flora hardly needed to consider the Maverick's question. [say]"It's just a tree."[/say] She points out, nodding her head between the two oaks. [say]"It isn't like it's going to sneak up on us. As long as we keep our eyes peeled we should know it before we get close enough for it to do any damage."[/say] The queen points out, perhaps a bit cockily, but that didn't necessarily make her wrong.
[say]"And, there's no need for any of us to go in first."[/say] Pulling a ring from her pinky, the Doubletake held it up to the light before tossing it onto the ground. Instead of bouncing in the mulch, a tide jaguar suddenly emerged. Snarling under its breath, it turned dark midnight blue eyes towards the Doubletake and huffed.
Flora says they should go ahead and tosses down her Tide Jaguar ring!
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Signet Ring | A signet ring with the insignia of a Tide Jaguar When thrown, becomes a full-grown Tide Jaguar with the same HP as the user. The animal cannot do physical damage to others, and lasts 3 rounds or until it is killed. Can only be used once per thread.
RE: how hard can it be? - Astaroth - 07-16-2024
“[say]No, but perhaps woven into the shape of a lovely woman.[/say]” Astaroth mutters, rolling his eyes as he trails after the duo in front of him, content to let the pedantic thoughts lie where they are, especially as they approach an entrance, signified by the two oaks marked by an ax blade. Out of the two companions of his, he is the tallest and he clearly scans it over the top of both of their heads, taking Flora’s comment as gospel in that moment.
He draws up beside her other side, head tilting as he watches the ring appear, smirking slightly to see it form a tide jaguar that focuses on the Queen. Truthfully, the butcher is delighted to see it, and turns his sharp toothed grin over toward her. “[say]What a wonderful trick.[/say]” He compliments, before he turns back toward the entrance, flashing a wink toward Danta as he snaps his fingers and fire appears (a boost in his strength lately), and holds onto it just in case anything decides to drop from the trees above. “[say]I vote we see what it finds before we make our approach.[/say]”
Astaroth hangs back to let the tide jaguar go in first, but he sparks some fire that he holds in his hand as a protective measure in case anything appears!
Fire Manipulation: Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
RE: how hard can it be? - Dantalion - 07-16-2024
[say]"You're the shape of a lovely woman,"[/say] Danta drawls back at Astaroth as if it's some sort of gotcha!, before Flora distracts him with good points and a fucking tide jaguar springing from one of the rings on her fingers. [say]"I have to agree,"[/say] he says with a smirk towards Flora. [say]"How many other cats do you have up your sleeves?"[/say] Or on her hands, as the case may be.
With a quick glance at Asta and an impressed widening of his eyes to see the fire so readily jump to life at the other man's will, the Maverick conjures a similar flame in his hand and holds it aloft so that they might also have some illumination in the shade of the trees.
And so in Flora's jaguar goes first, with the two Ancients and the Accepted at its heels. Within, a well-worn trail leads the way for a few easy minutes, before it suddenly branches into three directions. [say]"Well, they didn't mention this, or give a map,"[/say] Danta mutters. [say]"Which way?"[/say]
Do we go down the left, centre, or right pathway? Yes, we can split the party if you like ;D
Danta is also using his fire to create some light for them:
Fire Manipulation: Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
RE: how hard can it be? - Flora - 07-16-2024
[say]"And I've got more where that came from."[/say] Flora purrs indulgently up at Asta, before shooting a haughty look across her shoulder at Danta. [say]"Maybe if you'd taken me up on things before, you'd know the answer to that."[/say] She sniffs, before looking between the two ancients with their flame-tipped fingers. [say]"That's hot."[/say]
Letting the panther lead the way, though it couldn't physically affect its environment, certainly nothing ahead would know that, least of all a tree. [say]"Well, my guess is that animals know to stay away from something like this, so..."[/say] Waving her hand for Danta and Asta to draw near and illuminate the ground, the Doubletake squints at the earth to try and figure out which looked the least recently walked upon by animals.
[say]"...that way?"[/say]
Flora uses her INT 1 to go down the path that looks like it has the LEAST amount of animal traffic.
RE: how hard can it be? - Astaroth - 07-16-2024
“[say]Mmm,[/say]” Astaroth hums (very much sounding for the moment like a semi truck horn) to Danta’s drawl, before peering at the Maverick from Flora’s other side with a raised brow to punctuate her point even if he has zero idea what they’re talking about.
The flame is sparked with a hint of arrogance that Danta follows up on, listening to Flora’s compliment with amusement overcoming his face as he walks along with them, both Ancients offering light to scan the ground ahead of them as they trail the tide jaguar.
Keeping it equally aloft, Astaroth steps forward to offer Flora visibility in her search for the more overgrown path, content to agree. “[say]I shall follow your lead.[/say]” He hums to the both of them with a too toothy grin, keeping the fire still in his palm as he aims to take up the rear again, trailing after Flora and with the tide jaguar in their lead.
Asta offers the fire to help Flora see, then chooses to follow Flora’s path behind her as an added boost of protection from anything behind them!
Fire Manipulation: Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
RE: how hard can it be? - Dantalion - 07-16-2024
Clever Flora is clever. And whilst Danta does have a proclivity for one of the pathways (the one listing to the left and wending off into the undergrowth seems particularly enticing), he's not so hard-headed as to disagree with the majority when they're on the hunt for some woman-shaped wicker horror, or whatever other hellish image springs up in his mind at the thought of the creature.
[say]"Sounds good to me."[/say] And so off they go towards the right-hand path, with the tide jaguar padding away in front, followed by Danta with an orb of fire hovering before him, then Flora, and Astaroth protecting their backs with yet more flames. Very hot, indeed.
The thing is, though, whilst the presence of the void may have frightened away most of the wildlife, animals are not the only thing present in the Brambles; other creatures live here, blissfully ignorant and equally as tainted by the purple infection. And so it is that, as they walk, a Void Tangleweed bumbles into their path, warped tendrils dragging across the earth.
The group chooses the right-hand pathway, but ooop, a Void Tangleweed has appeared in the way! What'cha gonna do about it?
Tangly Boi: 100/100
Void Tangleweed (uncommon - Hollowed Grounds): The normally spherical and sentient Tangleweed has been corrupted by the void. Its limbs, once resembling branches, now writhe with shadowy tendrils. Touching the Void Tangleweed not only induces numbness but also opens a temporary connection to the void, causing unsettling visions and hallucinations.
RE: how hard can it be? - Flora - 07-16-2024
The Tide Jaguar pauses, hissing a warning before dropping its head and flicking its tail animatedly as the Void Tangleweed rolls across their path. Coming to a halt several feet back, Flora reaches for one of her daggers and adjusts it in her palm. [say]"To be fair, that is a sentient plant, so I wasn't entirely wrong."[/say] She murmurs, having apparently picked the wrong way.
Oh well.
Throwing the feather-shaped dagger, Flora aimed for the center of the tangle, rather hoping that her blade would get stuck inside of it so that when she inevitably recalled it, it would do as much damage coming out as it would going in. Despite the difference in their respective heights, Flora still, politely steps aside to make it that much easier for Danta and Asta to, presumably, start yeeting fire at the creature.
Flora throws one of her daggers then slides out of the way.
Type: Grey | Style: Offensive | Level: Mastered
Deadly Plumage | Three iridescent feathers capable of being used as projectiles. Razor sharp, they will recall themselves to the user's palm at will up to a range of 30ft.
Type: Dark | Style: Offensive | Level: Basic
Star Poison | A poisonous coating on each of the Deadly Plumage daggers
Regional Score bonus: +3 in all shrine visits, drops, PQ+s, KQs, etc. (You must post this at the bottom of any post where a +3 should be included)
RE: how hard can it be? - Astaroth - 07-16-2024
Flame remains, crackling in the palm of his hand, watchful for anything that might come through the pathway, dark eyes peeled for precisely some kind of feminine shaped tree. What appears, though, is one of those awful tentacle creatures that he had seen not that long ago with Danta back by Peekaboo Rise. Fire seemed particularly useful at that point, though, so it’s immediately what Astaroth prepares to do.
Flora immediately springs into action with her feathered blades (something beautiful and deadly that the Butcher deeply appreciates), and wonderfully slips out of the way enough for Astaroth to step up into the space opened, gathering more of that fire to project it immediately to the Void Tangleweed, aiming to char and burn its reaching arms, nose wrinkling at the dread that suddenly burns in his stomach the closer to it they get.
Astaroth steps up into the space and shoots out his fire at the tangleweed, aiming for its arms mostly!
Fire Manipulation: Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered
The world is new to you, and you to it. During PQ/PQ+/KQs/Drops, you roll with advantage on luck-based rolls and receive an extra name during drops. (In order to use this, make sure to note the ability at the bottom of each post)
RE: how hard can it be? - Dantalion - 07-18-2024
Having been busy scrunching his nose at the sight of the Void Tangleweed - not that it's a new sight, given what he and Asta came across at Peekaboo Rise - Danta is a little slow on the uptake when it comes to attacking the thing. Still, as a feather and a fireball shoot past, he wisely sidesteps out of the line of fire before joining with his own assault of flames, focusing on the bottom portions of the Tangleweed where it tries to grapple its way forward.
And it seems as though Flora and Astaroth are a very good team - perhaps this is a promising prelude to their date? - as both of their attacks go off without a hitch, causing the creature to shriek(?) and tumble back down the pathway a bit. The resulting movement unfortunately causes Danta's fire to miss (that's what he's saying anyway), but it matters little in the end; the creature dies with a keening sort of shriek, collapsing into a mess of tendrils and dark... not exactly blood, but gods, what are they even made of?
[say]"A team effort,"[/say] Danta announces, despite having contributed nothing to said effort (though not for lack of trying), and he gestures for them to continue down the pathway.
Danta sucks but luckily Flora and Asta are able to take the Tangleweed down!
Tangly Boi: 0/100
Let's keep on keeping on!
RE: how hard can it be? - Flora - 07-21-2024
[say]"Oooooh, we make a good team."[/say] Flora purrs as she glances at Astaroth, bouncing her dark eyebrows approvingly. With her aqua eyes still on the ancient, she lifts a hand and recalls her feather dagger into her hand. Immediately it races from where it had landed before fitting itself perfectly in her palm. Lifting her eyebrow as if to insinuate what other sorts of things might fit just as perfectly between her fingers, the Doubletake turns back to Dantalion with a laugh.
[say]"I guess that doesn't count, huh?"[/say] She wonders breezily, before eyeing her feline counterpart just before it disappears. Plucking up the ring and tossing it down again for the jaguar to reappear, Flora glances between her tall counterparts with another lift of her eyebrows.
[say]"No sense in backtracking."[/say] She suggests, nodding her head down the path for her jaguar to continue scouting.