Prepare for the #LodanRespawn2024 Existing characters may choose to be displace from/have memories of different timelines, thereby allowing returning members the option to retcon their whole character. These changes are the result of the "Unnatural Fog" plot device that is running between now and the Respawn. The plot is simple: no matter where your character is, that place is shrouded in a thick fog that suspends time, but not thoughts or memories, so even if they're repeating the same day over and over again, they continue to remember, so each time feels like a new day. For those retconning OCs; this is where new versions of themselves have the opportunity to replace the old versions. Official lore and tree updates will be announced asap
Jak was a little stunned by all the rush, and before he knew it, the Nightstalker had lunged at his new recruits. As Danny ran into the woods, Jak was going to help the others inside before running after him, until he noticed Lefiruc standing to fight. Well, this was just balmy. Unlatching a small canteen intended for alcohol from his belt, he quickly whipped off the cap as he confidently walked towards the old man and the beast. "Oy! Ugly!" he shouted at the beast, and whipped the flask through the air so the water inside sprayed out in a wave, and freeze instantly, sending sharp ice shards into the beast's eyes. After doing this, Jak realised it was probably not the brightest idea. The beast just seemed to get more angry. Simultaneously, he heard a scream - similar to that a frightened rabbit makes - emitted from somewhere behind him. Jak's knees wobbled and he turned just in time to see it was flaming Benji, and not another beasty. At least that was a little less to worry about. Clairee's voice rang clear in his ear, and reminded him not to use magic. Well, yeah, now he'd be reminded. "Clairee!" he called after her as she disappeared into the woods in pursuit Danny. "..Make sure ya both get out in one piece! Or something o' the like."
Post by Lefiruc Storm on Apr 24, 2014 22:44:46 GMT
Lefiruc blinked as he found the weight being relieved from his body as Tyrell first tackled the creature and then young Benjamin punched the beast with fire, and then Jakobi, quite cunningly the old man had to admit, sprayed a series of ice shards into the beasts eyes. "Best laid schemes o' mice and men." he mused to himself before he took his sword, aiming to plunge it into the beasts humanoid chest whilst it thrashed and raged in its confusion from the multiple strikes from multiple areas. "Yaaargh!" he roared as the blade sunk into the monster's flesh, before he brought it back out in a downward slash to the right, the beasts blood splashing into the grass. He watched as the creature collapsed to the forest floor before it died. Lefiruc panted a little before he sheathed his blade, turning it back into an unassuming looking cane which he then leaned heavily upon.
He looked around himself at those that remained, chuckling softly before regarding Jakobi. "My apologies Mister Frost for barking those orders at you earlier. Old habits die hard I'm afraid." he said, bowing his head before looking to the other two lads. "Well done lads." he said, once he was sure Tyrell could see his lips.
"I'm afraid however we are not quite finished... firstly there is the matter of the creature that took after young Daniel, which Miss Clariee has gone in pursuit of." he said before focusing on his fellow winged Anders. "If you can find some more energy in you after that bout with this creature," said Lefiruc as he poked the corpse with his cane cautiously, just in case the beast was playing dead, "I dare say those two could use your assistance. Plus you can reach them faster than we shall." said Lefiruc before he looked at Jakobi and Benjamin. "Now then lads, we have a fresh Shadow Beast corpse... I for one feel the desire to see what exactly makes these creatures tick, so to speak. Mister Frost, do you perchance have somewhere inside that could be used as an abbatoir or examination morgue?" he asked, gesturing towards the M.I. headquarters, his intent for the two strapping young men quite clear as he leaned on his cane for support, looking every inch a weak old man.
Post by Tyrell O'Callaghan on Apr 25, 2014 1:15:34 GMT
Tyrell hung on while he was thrown around as the beast wailed and thrashed about. The blow from the searing fire on the beasts side must have hurt it badly with how it reacted and then the mix of ice shards that Jakobi rained down on its two remaining eyes. The final blow dealt by Lefuric send the beast backwards to crash on the ground. As it fell, Tyrell's eyes widened and he removed his bloodied hand from the third eye socket to push off the beasts back so he could land on his feet beside the fallen monster. When everyone seemed to gather their wits about them, Tyrell looked to the eldest man and saw his words directed to him then gave a nod. True, he would have an easier time then the rest of them in scouting for Danny but now he needed to see if he could find Clariee as well. She was out there alone. He could only hope those two had found each other and were safe. As he took into the air, he raced up into the sky above the treeline and went in among the branches where there was a nice path between tree top to tree top. Occasionally he had to dodge left or right but it was manageable. His flight speed was gravely cut in half since his wing span had a tighter fit among the tree branches but he hurried on. Finding this hopeless, he broke through the treeline to be above the forest then paused to think where might Danny be by now. Flying up here was much easier and he in no time he reached a spot he estimated the boy might have gotten to by then. This was like finding a needle in a haystack but he kept his cool as he broke into the forest's canopy once more. This time he waited and listened to see if he could hear Danny coming or if he was near.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on Apr 27, 2014 18:52:22 GMT
Danny let out another yelp as he slid underneath the night stalker's leap. Okay Danny... you've been here before. You can do this. The boy turned and scrambled up a tree as fast as he could before he took a leap to the trees next to his location. The night stalker swung one of its massive arms and shattered the branches Danny had just been on. He leaped again, and this time was able to track where the night stalker was moving. Danny just barely heard the beating of wings and rushed further into the woods, away from the flying shadow beasts and away from the night stalker.
Jak dropped his flask on he ground by his feet. It was empty now, so it was quite useless to him. He'd pick it up again when they.....came back. "Morgue? Ah, 'fraid not....there's a cellar, it's cool in there with a large space on the floor.....but I think we've got more to worry about right this moment. Best be going after our Danny, going headlong into the woods this time o' night when we know there are beasties about is a dangerous thing to do." he beckoned for Lefiruc to follow him, as he bounded into the forest behind Tyrell. At times like this, Jak wished he was adept at fire magic, or part feline Ander so he could see better in the pitch dark. The forest floor was a mess of stones, fallen branches and gnarled roots--running fast through the growth was easier said than done. He heard faint crashing in the distance, it was sure to be the shadow beast. Speading up, he hoped that no one had been hurt, and wished they wouldn't go so deep into the wood..
Post by Benjamin Williams on Apr 29, 2014 3:05:15 GMT
Benji swallowed deeply, Trying not to lose his supper. Glad to be doing anything but touching a dead beastie, he ran after Jak. Only after did he register what Jak had been saying... Now he was in a dark, creepy forest he knew had terrible monsters in it. And he couldn't see a thing. Then his foot hit something on the ground. "ah ah aah-ah-ahh!" He turned and fled. His face hit into something hard. "gah! ooohh...." his nose really hurt, he put his hands out in front of himself and found that it was a tree he'd run into. then he rubbed his sore nose. it was wet. Am I bleeding? He began whimpering. "ah-ah- JAAAAAAAKKK!!!!!!"
"drat it Danny..." why was he running further away? And how did that little brat move so fast? She worked her wings to gain some altitude and crested the top of the trees. She'd have to follow from this height if she wanted to keep up with the boy. So long as her wings were out, they were too big to move gracefully through the small spaces Danny was ditching through. No sign of the shadow beast at leas- no wait!
There it was, breaking branches and moving in the same general direction as them. Clairee pushed herself forward, a sheen of dampened sweat slicking her face as it was met with the refreshingly cool night air. Once she thought she saw a slight movement in the trees, she dove in. There was the kid. She landed carefully on a nearby tree.
"Pst! Need a lift?" She flicked her thumb over her shoulder to indicate her wings, then the sky. "the skies the limit," she whispered eagerly, impatient to get them out of here.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on May 4, 2014 16:01:13 GMT
The sound of beating wings drew closer and closer as Danny fled through the woods. Great. Just great. First the Night stalker and now some flying monster. Danny dodged and jinked this way and that to try and lose them, try and get some distance from them. No good... they were both getting closer. Danny hopped down to the ground while he still had time and looked around for half a moment. The boy found what he was looking for when he lifted a sharp edged rock to his hand, which he removed the mitten from, and slashed his palm. Blood oozed out of the wound as Danny did his best to completely coat the rock. Once he was satisfied, he chucked it as far as he could in the direction he most certainly would not be running, then caked his cut palm in mud to stifle the bleeding. Danny scrambled back into the trees and kept his running retreat. He leapt and landed on another tree branch where he paused to catch his breath when the flying monster landed in the tree right next to his. He knew her... Danny jumped right over to the winged girl without a moment's hesitation and clung to her for dear life. Danny wrapped his legs around her waist and clung to her shirt as he buried his face in her chest with his eyes squeezed tightly shut. "Get me out of here..." Danny sounded on the verge of breaking out into tears, his acting completely gone from both his voice and his mannerisms.
Jak swung around, hearing Benji's cry. "Benji? You alright, mate?" he trotted towards him, and tried to look for something that could yield water, should the need arise to fight, or if Benji was cornered. "C'mon lad, we'd best be after Danny before he gets himself too far into the wood." Jak crossed his fingers that all this commotion wouldn't attract all the horrors the forest had to offer at this hour, and made his way deeper into the wood, but it was no good. He swore quietly under his breath, trying to find something he could use to light his way. Grasping a small fallen branch, he fished through his pockets until he drew out a match, and, groaning a little, ripped off a section of his scarf. He wound the fabric scrap around the top of the branch, and flicked the match across the sole of his shoe. Sadly, he didn't have any kind of propellant or alcohol to soak it in, but he lit the fabric anyway. Immediately, a small ring of light lit around him, illuminating the forest floor and trees close by. He gulped, and began to run faster toward the direction he thought Danny had gone, and prayed that the light wouldn't attract any shadow beasts. It was a risk he was willing to make, he couldn’t very well lose three new Guild members the night they join, could he?
"My thoughts exactly," Clairee murmured as Danny clung to her. The boy was surprisingly lighter than she had expected, which was a relief. She gave her wings two heavy swoops to gain lift, then used a narrower pull to zip up out of the tree branches. Once they cleared the tree tops she shot out her wings wide and they coasted into a low drift. It was harder to maintain than at a higher altitude but with a passenger in her arms she couldn't very well soar up to the moon, no matter how light the kid was. "That was both stupid and brave, what you did down there." She spoke quietly as she peered over Danny's shoulder. He was wrapped so tightly around her with his head ducked low and his face covered by both his scarf and her shirt. Ever since they met he'd made the hairs on the back of her neck rise in agitation but now, having lost his cocky edge, she almost felt sorry for disliking him before.
Below a red light blinked and was gone. She watched the ground pass by underneath them, and then it was there again, a small red flame, flickering between treetops and then gone again. But it was moving closer, or more aptly, they were moving closer to it. Clairee strained to listen for sounds of threat, or sounds of voices - wondering if that firelight was the flame starter, Bengi. Would they really be that quick and willing to attract more trouble?
Last Edit: May 6, 2014 16:31:19 GMT by Clairee Donya
Lefiruc sighed as the youngsters charged on into the forest. "Did he not hear me earlier when I said I couldn't run? Oh the selective memory of youth." he said with a slight chuckle, before his eyes caught the movements in the forests edge. "Oh bother..." he muttered under his breath as he began to slowly back up towards the main building, his eyes scanning not only the forest but also the skies. Come on, come on... where are you all...
Post by Tyrell O'Callaghan on May 6, 2014 22:52:00 GMT
In his safe haven among the trees Tyrell saw nothing. He waited several minutes longer before he could not anymore. The large black wings he bore brought him back up above the skyline where he spared a glance and spotted another figure. Bewildered, he made his way to the figure hoping it was Clairee and not another beastie with wings. Luckily it was her and he too spotted the little light beneath. As he approached her he called out to her, "Clairee!" He could see just barely the figure of Danny clutching onto her. He slowed his flight and stopped to hover in the air near her. The flame below... his eyes widened and he looked back in the direction of where the headquarters were. They didn't follow did they? Into the woods? They should have just gone inside where it was safe. The dark haired man clenched his jaw then looked to lady winged ander. "Lefiruc is elderly and I do not mean to be rude but he would not be foolish enough to go into those woods since he can't move all too fast. If those are our friends then we need to get out. Can you take Danny back to the headquarters? I will try to get those two out if I can." He darted down into the tree line then and into the woods before landed on the ground with a thud. As he stood he found it was indeed the other two. "She got Danny so we have to get out of here. Are either of you afraid of heights?" This was dangerous grounds. It was dark and communicating was hard.
Post by Benjamin Williams on May 7, 2014 2:25:17 GMT
Benji heard some people speaking, but he couldn't make out what they'd said. If he was correct, he'd heard Jak yell something, and just now that Tyrell chap. " What?" He yelled. Wait. He can't hear me. Ahead he saw a small light. That doesn't look big enough for him to see me. He felt around for something he could burn, and found some dead leaves and a stick. He gripped them tightly, and focused. At once the leaves caught fire, and lead onto the stick. That should do. He walked toward the two.
Post by Danny Ravensdale on May 7, 2014 16:16:42 GMT
Danny peered around from where he was holding Clariee when he heard Tyrell speak. Confused as to what he was talking about, Danny glanced around before spotting the fires. "No..." The boy immediately let go of Clairee and fell straight down. The boy had a lot of practice controlling his falls and was able to get his feet under him. Before he hit the ground, he made a jump off of a pearl platform that appeared beneath him. He landed lightly on his feet and was running towards the fires before he'd even been on the ground for a breath. Danny tore straight at the group and tacjled Jak as soon as he was close enough. The boy scrambled to quickly put out the fire. "No! No! You've got to be the stupidest people in the history of stupid people! Why did you do that? Why? It's just as bad as using magic! Idiot!" Danny scrambled to his feet and began running back towards the main building. As he passed Benji, he swung his hand out and clocked the boy upside the back of his head. "Put that out and follow me!" Why? Why were they such idiots? Danny was quickly disappearing into the woods. Every so often, he looked back over his shoulder with his luminous blue eyes to try and guide the group. Not fun in the slightest...
And here she was, just about to agree to Tyrell's plan when Danny relieved her from the burden of carrying him. Her muscles appreciated the decrease in weight but her head screamed with fury. She'd just gotten him OUT of there! Why was he diving back in? Suddenly she remembered how much she disliked the runt and she cursed under her breath as she folded in her wings and followed the platform jumper back toward the forest floor.
The kid was quick on his feet, not even pausing mid step as he touched down and trotted off, snaking out a hand for Benji along the way. Clairee looked down at the rumpled Jak that Danny had tackled in his mad dash to put out the firelight. She reached out a hand for him. "Since I've been freed of my earlier passenger, care for a lift?" She hated being on the ground right now. It made her feel fidgety. There was STUFF down here in the trees, hiding in the dark, living in their shadows. There were THINGS here that wanted to eat them, and she just wanted to get the hell out of their reach. She locked her gaze on Jak. "How 'bout it?"