[PQ+] seems shady

DEIMOS

While Caido maintained a tangible thread of peace throughout the last several seasons, it didn’t mean the creatures of its sanction agreed. Upon receiving multiple reports from different perspectives and passersby, Deimos knew some action had to take place amidst the Oerwoud. Upon further review, and mulling over the pragmatics of their last ventures, he also sent word to both Iskra (easily done in their shared region), and Jack (figuring he’d be willing to commit more maiming on creatures).

With determined meeting times and a chosen area, they could eventually collaborate at one of the more massive rocks along the Tanglefoot portions of the warm and humid world. He’d long since put away any additional layers from Halo back into his bag, hardly necessary in the constant elevated temperatures, despite the early morning haze. Zuriel snorted nearby, a swish and flick of her tail before pondering over some decent looking leaves, and Belial remained hovering over the Warden’s shoulder, waiting to take flight at the slightest direction. Taking out his notes from letters, he began to address each in turn. “Thank you for coming to help. Seems there have been some cockatrices attacking travelers coming through here. Figured we could take care of that.” Either by chasing away or annihilation, and one could figure it’d be hinting at the latter.

Much like they’d done before, there were paths laden ahead – though instead of any foreboding semblance of dread and spectral ghosts, like they’d had in King’s End, nothing about these seemed suspicious. One promised water – the idle churn of a lake nearby, the bank surrounded by the enticing aroma of sweetgrass’s vanilla, and the other, long, thick veins and massive flowers, the call of birds an ongoing song. "We can pick a way and see what we find." An inevitable churn, as always.

--

Welcome to the Abandoned specific PQ+ to hunt down some cocktatrices. This must be completed by December 9th.

Please post your character arriving, what they’re bringing, and pick a path!

Path One: Lake and sweetgrass
Path Two: Flowers, birds, vines.

1. Deimos
2. Iskra
3. Jack

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

Deimos is correct, and Jack is more attracted to the idea of straightforward violence than usual these days. His reply comes swiftly, confirming his attendance, and as the determined day and time comes upon them he leaves the Ark hovering a safe distance overhead and approaches the meeting point on foot. Arriving with his hands buried in the pockets of his Kingmaker coat as usual, he offers a nod to the Sword and busies himself in the lighting and smoking of a cigarette while he listens.

"How much of a problem you reckon the mud is gonna be?" he asks; the humidity is already stifling, hence the minimal layers he wears beneath the protective leather of his coat, and whilst things aren't as insane here as they seem to be in King's End and the Grounds, he has no doubt there will be some bullshit to contend with.

"I'm pretty partial to the lake, myself," he adds around the cigarette, nodding in its direction.

---

Jack arrives, bringing everything except Seven with him, and chooses the lake path!

ISKRA

Leave your words underneath my feet
Leave these demons that haunt my street
I'll find my way out and never look back

He'd agreed easily when Deimos offered a similar task as before, more than eager to keep testing his mettle against the world, especially as the results continue to reward him with improvements. Slow and steady work, not unlike felling a tree, but more more exhilarating to leave bodies in his wake than just lumber. The one upside to both his parents being dead is neither of them are around to say told you so. A delicate silver lining if ever there was one.

Pulling the hood back on his rain jacket as they all arrive and settle, not needing any addition of things to trap heat here, but choosing the water proof layer to keep him dry at least. His hands fold across his chest while he listens, one boot idly lifting to scrub at an itch on the back of the other leg. Goose has been left at home, much to the dog's dismay, because Iskra's liable to set the house on fire if he has to keep cleaning mud out of the mutt's coat every damn day. He already had to swat out an ember over it yesterday. "Big chickens?" he asks of cockatrices, perking up at the thought of Mel's twenty foot chicken story making a reemergence for them, smile tipping in with excitement at the idea. He is not well versed on things that don't live in Halo and Torchline, his natural tendencies only extending so far.

"Place as wet as here...probably an annoying one," he mutters under his breath with a glance towards Jack, letting no small disdain for the messy nuisance go unknown. His sentiments about preferring memory snow have only been solidified each time he's had to face down the muck.

Glancing at either option for continuing, Iskra finds himself agreeing with the captain. "Makes sense an animal would be near a water source."

---

Iskra brings everything in his profile except Goose and he has a wooly cloth in his pocket to activate his lightning magic.

Iskra chooses the lake route

I was born just to drown
So bury my dreams
'Cause it's all in my head

DEIMOS

Deimos snorted at Jack ’s inquiry – nodding his head in agreement with Iskra. “Would not surprise me if it becomes irritating,” or naturally got in their way in the process of hunting down the actual creatures they were there for. Taking long strides as each of them decided upon the lake, his eyes immediately began to study the surroundings, always on the alert for some chaos to come springing out of nowhere.

Iskra’s question made his brow arch, there’d been some story about chickens before, but these weren’t quite up to par with the simplicity of the usual fowl. “More of a combination of lizard, bird, and bat. They can turn you into stone should they get ahold of you.” Hence the concern.

As they came upon the lake, it wasn’t as clear as the rest of the Oerwoud’s initial presence. While the sweetgrass remained a fixture along the embankment, the waters were shrouded in mist, a constant, pervading essence of fog and ether. Wouldn’t something want to hide and lurk in there? “We can probably get rid of this,” and he gestured towards the elemental decree – already beginning to summon his Mastered Air to do just that.

Meanwhile, Iskra would feel something else approaching…or perhaps hear what sounded like hoofbeats behind him.

--

Help clear out the mist or investigate the noise!

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

ISKRA

Leave your words underneath my feet
Leave these demons that haunt my street
I'll find my way out and never look back

It's a disappointment to hear they won't be facing off with chickens larger than life, but the threat of turning to stone adds a bit of razzle dazzle to the whole affair that keeps his interest piqued. Maybe they could catch once and turn it upon the mud. Unlikely, but the idea tickles him nonetheless.

The lake is a touch eerie, although not unpleasant with the vanilla scent wafting along the subtle breeze, the air otherwise thick and oppressive with heat and moisture. "A bit spooky," he remarks, not trusting the lingering veil. Figuring the mist would not dissipate kindly under any swaths of flame, just likely make them all more miserable for it, he does his best to scan the area that they can currently see.

That's when he hears it, a faint rhythm. It's almost like a heartbeat, the jungle's pulse on display. That isn't quite right though, it's too fast for that, and it's getting louder. "Shh, you hear that?" He tilts his head, pointing with a finger towards the approaching hooves, and begins to turn towards them with a creep to his step. Warily he summons a ball of flame to his hand in readiness for something violent to break through the mist.

---

Iskra alerts them to the noise and starts to move slowly towards it, fire magic at the ready to attack

Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action

I was born just to drown
So bury my dreams
'Cause it's all in my head

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

Razzle dazzle isn't how Jack would describe the danger of being turned to stone by some weird hybrid creature, but whatever gets Iskra hard, he supposes. The Captain's footsteps are quiet and careful in the undergrowth as they head towards the lake, his gaze flicking down to ensure he avoids any mud traps or snarls of vine conveniently place to trip him up. And when the lake comes upon them, like Deimos, he also gathers his air magic around himself, directing it in a fan across the surface of the water to try to get some semblance of visibility.

Glancing towards Iskra as the alarm in the other man's thoughts and voice becomes apparent, Jack raises his eyebrows to the Sword as if to ask whether going towards the sound is a wise idea. And until he knows, he's perfectly content to stay put and keep to his chosen task, thanks.

---

Jack helps to clear out the mist! He opts not to investigate the noise, and keeps quiet so as not to draw attention.

Air manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control the air. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action

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). Residents cannot be cursed at shrines in this region.

DEIMOS

Between Jack and Deimos, the combination of Mastered Air maneuvers left the fog to billow away, further and further until it seemed to soften elsewhere, away from the expanse entirely. Thus, of course, it led to the revelation of the rest of the surroundings.

The lake itself appeared pristine – barely a ripple except for the incantations whipping above. There were several rock formations amidst the sweetgrass, and some large palm trees nestled nearby. If they weren’t hunting for a known irritation, it might’ve been something tranquil and serene.

At Iskra ’s insistence though, the Sword turned back toward the Abandoned, and his eyes widened, shifting slightly as the animal took shape, watching them steadily from a nestled portion and curve of the water, hovering, sea-star esque but quite a bit larger than most of its ocean dwelling counterparts. “That is a River Star,” he rumbled lowly, keeping Belial close at hand as the peryton began to snarl. And while the beast remained there, likely trying to figure out if they were going to be a meal, he tilted his head, studying, supplying information while they decided what to do. “Carnivorous, of course. Probably will not attack unless we do.” Arching his brow, he gestured to the others. "What would you prefer?" He knew of his own inclinations - but would wait while they had the opportunity.

--

Decide what to do about the river star!

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

ISKRA

Leave your words underneath my feet
Leave these demons that haunt my street
I'll find my way out and never look back

The sound proves not to be the hammer of the jungle's heart or the clatter of hooves signaling any doom or dismay. Just, a toothy star, like some villainous award. Iskra's fire snuffs out as his raised guard relaxes a touch. "Doesn't seem too threatening," he suggests with a shrug towards Deimos and Jack. If they went about culling every creature from the world they could be here all day, and while not inherently opposed to spending his hours doing such, the star doesn't inspire nearly the same thrill as the not-chicken they're hunting.

"No signs of the cockatrice here?" He peers around the area now cleared of mist, looking for some signs of things turned to stone that might guide them. "Seems we should keep hunting for it."

---

Iskra says we got bigger fish to fry

I was born just to drown
So bury my dreams
'Cause it's all in my head

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

Content with the work they've done on the mist, Jack has fully committed to leaving Iskra to his fate - whatever that might be - when Deimos speaks up, the Captain glancing over his shoulder to arch an eyebrow at the carnivorous sea star lurking ever-so-ominously nearby. And the urge to zap it from existence is a very strong one at first, Jack biting at the inside of his cheek to tamp down the prospect of some needless violence.

But honestly, he shares Iskra's outlook on the matter, if only because there might be something better and more satisfying to hunt down later on. "Leave it," he agrees. "Unless someone wants to walk under it and let it drop on their head. But then you might be on your own. Where next?"

---

Jack deletes all his previous attack agrees to leave the star alone and asks where they should head now.

DEIMOS

Despite the bloodthirsty portions of some of them (Deimos himself included), with the vote cast, he nodded, swinging his attention elsewhere. The river star would remain lodged in its sanction, not bothered with unless it opted for provocation first.

“All right,” casting a glance, his eyes swept across the scenery. Cockatrices wouldn’t be submerging themselves in the water, but there were always the trees and rocks nearby. “We can investigate this spot, and see if anything is there.” It wouldn’t be far apart to split the party, and they’d be in view of one another consistently and constantly. And if nothing came about it, at least they had the other path to wander through.

--

Investigate a section of the lake area! Deimos will take the last one.

Options:
- A group of palm trees near the water
- A section of rocks near the water
- Overgrowth, brush, and bush several yards away from the lake

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

ISKRA

Leave your words underneath my feet
Leave these demons that haunt my street
I'll find my way out and never look back

He would have jumped the star if the vote swung that way, no ecological savior, but with everyone in similar enough mind to unload on the true problem at hand he makes no move towards the elements. "I got the rocks," he offers, figuring it best if he avoid the more flammable areas of this area where possible. Since his lightning is still so short-range, he's not too keen on relying on it and putting himself right beside the creature that can also turn him into something inflammable.

Though, beating arounded bushes here, neither metaphorically nor literally (since he took the rocks), he does have one hand on the woolen cloth in his pocket because I have to use both elements in this thread at some point, relying on the shock to be his buffer if he does find anything. Can't exactly poke around from a distance, after all. Stepping on a few stones to peer fully around the larger ones and into crevices between, Iskra searches among what he hopes isn't a self-made quarry for the beast.

---

Iskra picks rocks and plays I spy

I was born just to drown
So bury my dreams
'Cause it's all in my head

there exists a tipping point between gods and monsters

"I'll take the undergrowth over here," Jack calls in response, and as Iskra heads out to prowl around the rocks for anything cockatrice shaped, the Captain meanders towards the scrub and swaying reeds. He has no idea if the creatures are even able to hide in something like this, but on the offchance that they're laying extremely low, he sends out a pulse of air magic at full radius to find out.

The resulting magic sets the grass and brush to rustling violently as a gust of air fans through them, spooking a few squirrels and the odd toad out and towards the lake or treeline. As for if it manages to surprise anything else? He plans to wait and see.

---

Jack chooses overgrowth and sends out his air magic to try and spook anything hiding in there!

Air manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control the air. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Grey | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action

DEIMOS

They each dispersed to their own chosen locations - Iskra headed to the rocks for a quick inspection. Poking about, stepping on, and peering around larger boulders would reveal only a few lizards popping through the cracks, glaring at him as they shuffled and skirted away to the undergrowth, but certainly not a single cockatrice to be seen.

Deimos walked to the palm trees – figuring they’d be easy to decipher. Glancing upwards to see if anything had lodged itself there, only one bird drew its eye to him and then looked away, wholly unbothered with the Sword’s presence. Even as Belial flew overhead, the peryton spied upon nothing, which made the hybrid wonder if they would have to double back and head towards the other paths and lanes, tucking the sigh back into his chest in a long, extended breath.

Jack, however, made a discovery. Whether it was because he utilized his Air magic or simply fortune, the blast of enchantments did spook a resident of the undergrowth. Immediately shooting forward, a salamander in one claw, was a combination of lizard, bird, and bat, wings outstretched and beak clicking. It flew forward, then swung around, spying the Captain with beady eyes – unleashing a screech before striving to divebomb straight at his face with an all mighty screech.

--

Jack found a cockatrice – yay! It's currently headed towards his face.

think about this
you have the ability to survive anything

ISKRA

Leave your words underneath my feet
Leave these demons that haunt my street
I'll find my way out and never look back

Each flash of scale inspires the potential of the beast they search for, but after the initial flare of maybe, it quickly fades into the rather ordinary lizard that it is. It continues enough that he begins to grow a touch lax, not quite believing each rounded corner or crevice to have the potential of what he seeks any longer. He remains thorough though, occasionally glancing up towards the others to see if they're in a similar boat or not.

The screech that Jack unearths with his wind however, has Iskra's head snapping up and around. "You found it!" he calls out brightly, relieved more than worried for the time being that the search is at an end. That's short-lived once the trajectory of the creature is clear. "Oh, shit," he breathes, and yanks then for the heat that pulses like an unending presence inside him now. Not particularly wanting to melt Jack's face off (although, it poses an interesting would you rather—torn up or melted off?), and not so green as to whip fire right towards them, Iskra he instead directs flame with purpose.

It's a quick flare that rushes up the reeds, catching like a pillar that climbs up in front of Jack, out of arm's reach, but tall and hot. It's meant to change the temperature of the air, enough to offset the aimed flight of the cockatrice with any luck. He snuffs the fire out with an urgent yank, flame swallowing back into nothing until embers are all that lingers, quickly dimming to soot. Thankfully the grass is such wet and fresh growth it has some resistance to immediately burning, but he'd prefer to keep the warmth from erupting through the terrain in a reckless gallop.

---

Iskra uses fire near Jack and the cockatrice to try and heat the air and fuck it's flight up

Fire Manipulation (Abandoned/Hybrid): Can create and control flames. Must be within a 30ft radius.
Type: Dark | Rank: Mastered | Cost: Action

I was born just to drown
So bury my dreams
'Cause it's all in my head