(The Drunken Fish) Possibilities (Open)

by **Eryss Waldu** on June 25th, 2011, 3:43 am

[In response to the darkness of the basement Eryss would transform the res that he had summoned, and left hovered inches in front of his outstretched palm, into a small fire that he could cast onto the basement floor and let shed some light on the area. It wasn’t enough fire to be considered dangerous, the flames were maybe the size of a small bonfire, but after he had cast them down they should have been able to illuminate some of the surrounding area and make it easier for him to see what was what in the vicinity. Being honest with himself Eryss had to admit that this place seemed almost more like a dungeon than a basement and he wonder just what it was used for.]

[While he wasn’t a herbalist Eryss did recognize the bags of miza and looking back over his shoulder to ensure that he was still alone his greedy fingers would stretch out, he didn’t look inside the bags, before pulling them back to deposit inside of his cloak. He’d secure them to his belt underneath the cloak and then continue on unaware of what went on in the house on the main floor. Leaving the herbs behind he’d close the chests he’d had time to look through and move on, further into the basement, where he’d soon be able to make out another door and what seemed like more vivid scratching on the walls of the basement. His curiosity was aroused though the Wizard was not one to be rash and he decided to take precautions before advancing.]

[Quietly he’d lift his hands and make intricate motion with them, it appeared as though he were making gestures and signs, to help with the incantations of his magic. Eryss hadn’t be hasty with his djed but not had he been entirely prudent, his shield still woven intangibly around him he had cast a total of three times two of which were minor and one that was not, he was mindful enough to want to keep control and not overgive himself. When Eryss heard footsteps and turned to look over his shoulder to see Kiara coming downstairs it proved advantageous to him, his eyes seemed to shine with a malevolent light just then, and he would beckon to her with a hand before pointing towards the door...

“Good. Good. You’re here. If there is danger I will draw its attention and subdue it while you move in for the kill.”

...clearly he wanted to be ready and it was better if the both of them decided to act as a team. Kiara was still one that he trusted very little but he was willing to work with her and well if it meant they would successfully be able to complete the mission.]

[Approaching the door after saying his piece to Kiara Eryss would walk ahead and motion for her to stay a few steps behind him, he could hear the soft sounds of crying and the rattle of chains accompanied by a rougher voice but that didn’t move him to action, when he made it to the door opened it and shoved it wide. Inside he’d see the man, the Konti children and it all started to make a little more sense in his mind; his eyes may have even widened momentarily at the realization not of what was occurring but what these children might have been used for. Of course he could be completely off as well.]

[With hands raising shoulder width apart after the door had opened and Eryss saw the scene he would emit res from both his palms and begin to mold it together. Igniting the res from his left hand he transformed it into fire blazing hot and raw, intensely bright and spitting with the desire to consume all it touched, and transforming the res from his right hand he seemed to create what appeared to be earth and stone, shards and whole pieces of it. Using the elements, fire and earth, Eryss would combine them into a collage that spiralled into itself until it became an orb of heated earth that concealed the hot flame inside. Lava. Magma. Hurling it ahead when it was complete he’d aim for the center torso of the Nuit while trying to miss the children.]

[Throwing the heated orb of rock and flame at the Nuit it would likely crack on impact with whatever it struck, if that be the Nuit or anything else, Eryss had hoped that the magma he meant to create would act as a adherent to the exterior of its target and continue to burn through it continuously long after the original blow had worn off.]

[Stepping aside after he had made his attack though Eryss would move backwards out of the doorway and out of the way so that Kiara could make her way inside and attack the same man while he was, hopefully, caught unaware. Shouting as he did so...

“Kill him! Quickly before he can recover!”

...just the look of the man had told Eryss that he and Kiara should end him as quickly as possible so as to avoid a prolonged battle. As he moved back to allow Kiara an entrance he was already calling to mind another attack if this initial barrage couldn’t finish off their opponent but he wanted to be optimistic that they had the element of surprise.]

[Upstairs Eryss was quite obvious to everything that went on, he had no idea about anything on the roof and the people in the carriage were also unknown to him.]

OOC :

by **Cass** on June 25th, 2011, 4:11 am

Cass rushed out of the back door and flew up into the sky. Cool clean night air smacked her face as she looked around, trying to spot the fleeing man. The sounds of fighting had pretty much come to an end causing Cass to assume that the others had successfully taken care of any other enemies. A quick glance to the roof showed Cass that Darian was busy, locked in battle with the guard. But she noted that the guard was no longer wielding a bow but a blade. A foolish desicion but Cass was certain Darian could handle the guard. Turning her attention away from the house Cass took a moment to debate her choices. She could either chase down the last guard or let him escape and help the others search the house. But Cass didn't see much of a point of searching the house when five others were doing it. And there didn't seem to be any other threats roaming about.

Very well then, she'd chase down the last guard. Her mind made up Cass flew off away fromt he house, rising higher up into the air so she could see better. It didn't take too long before Cass spotted the fleeing man. Not wanting to waste anymore time than necessary away from the group Cass swooped down low, beating her wings furisouly to catch up with the sacred guard. As she drew closer she shot her arms out, extending her claw-like fingers out as far as they could go. She would drop her arms down, trying to catch the guard by his shoulders. If she was successful she would dig her talons into their shoulder blades, trying to dig her way through any armor the man might have on. If her grip held Cass would lift the fleeing man up and hurl him up into the air and watch as he fell. If not she would continue to try and catch the fleeing man with her hands.

by **Darian** on June 25th, 2011, 4:53 am

The whole world went so very slowly as his blade sunk into the man's chest as he moved into the strike with a since of purpose, and he watched blankly as the life fled the man's eyes. For some odd reason sight disturbed him, and that made him irritated even more, and planting his boot on the man's chest he kicked him off the end of his blade cursing him all the while. He wasn't the first man Darian had ever killed by far, and was most certainly not the last, but the way he moved himself in front of his blade out of some misguided sense of honor troubled him and in a effort to put such ethical thoughts out of mind he simply kicked the corpse muttering. " This is why I don't deal with you honor above all else types, you’re all so petching stupid " he spat, and kicked the corpse again for good measure before wiping both sides of his blade on the worn armor of the dead man, and then stooping low to search the body. He wasn't looking for any valuables, or the like, that stuff he could keep as he was getting paid for the job anyways and it would simply just weigh him down. What he was searching for specifically was any personal items of not on the man that would link him to anybody, and more importantly the key to the door he had previously locked, and once he had pilfered all he could he would take the man's gladius, putting it in its scabbard before putting it in his belt loop and rising to his feet.

The smoke seemed to be pouring a bit thicker from the front of the house and he sighed, shaking his head disdainfully as he walked towards the stuffed animal that the man had gestured to earlier. Faintly he noted the tell-tell clip clop of horses feet on cobblestones as he stuffed the animal into his pack to investigate later, and was started to peer over the edge of the roof. His vantage point didn't much matter though as he couldn't help but feel a itching in the back of his head, like he was being watched, and before he could observe anything of note, he spun around the see overdressed woman, and surprise showed clearly on his face. How in the petch did she manage to sneak up on me so well, I must be getting sloppy he cursed at himself, but plastered a unassuming smile as he nodded towards the woman, picking up the longsword from where he had left in leaning against the wall, and holding it easily to the side in his firm grip. " Sorry, but my companions have as much stealth and finesse as a bull in a tavern " he said in a neutral tone, an eerie grin remaining on his face, and he noted her lance with a hint of perceived amusement.

by **Kiara Killraven** on June 25th, 2011, 6:16 pm

The woman clad in the black ink like leather armor followed the older man down towards the basement, staying far enough back so that anything that saw him would have a difficult time spotting her before she had had enough time to access the situation and decide if it was worth risking her life for. As with Eryss, she didn't trust the rest of the group. They were partners in crime however and she did understand the concept of mutual survival. Kiara continued to sneak behind Eryss for a few moments, sticking to the shadows where her armor melded with the dark. She watched him hide away the bag of money but she didn't think anything of it. She was already getting paid. There was no sense in being greedy. At least not with a mage that could likely fry her before she could utter the words.

Kiara walked out from the shadows, checking over the papers for a moment before following Eryss. She could read common but such things that were written down on the paper for simple gibberish to her. As she heard the noise from the next room over she instinctively pulled out one of her daggers, holding it in her hand tightly as she moved over to the door behind Eryss. As the door burst in from the force Eryss exerted on it, her eyes were quickly drawn to the scene towards the middle of the room. They looked as if they were konti children. They would indeed be extremely valuable when sold on the slave market. Likely worth enough to employ a small army if need be. It would certainly make sense why Reacher would want them to take care of this mess and take the "packages". Eryss didn't seem to hesitate, attacking the man almost as soon as he squared his target. Anyone else but perhaps Cade would have likely scolded the man for his rash attack, considering his target was so close to the children. Kiara had grown up in Sunberth. She could care less if they got caught in the crossfire. But all of that was far from her mind. As with Eryss she sensed something just wasn't right here. His words were unnecessary. As he moved his body she was already through the door, darting through the dark room with both her daggers drawn now. As she entered the room she found that a small scent of decay wafted about the room. As she moved in closer she would feint towards the thing's throat with her right dagger before pulling it back and attempting to force the other one between the thing's ribs on its exposed side if it attempting to block her attack. She would attempt to stay away from the magma that might be littered across the ground or still sticking to this nuit.

by **Cade** on June 26th, 2011, 5:57 pm

"Cor!" Cade called out to the girl that followed him into this mess. He felt responsible for her safety and had all intentions of keeping her that way with this new threat coming at them. He looked upon the crossbow wishing the wielder would of dropped the quiver of bolts as well. Such a weapon would of been useful to Cade and the farmgirl. A weapon of such design was built for untrained people with the simplicity in load, draw, aim and shoot. The barbarian only growled at its now uselessness as he entered the hallway facing the burnt entrance, sword in hand. He heard and spotted the two entering the front door.

" COR! BEHIND ME NOW!" The barbarian ordered as he readied his blade, squaring off to duo that were advancing in. His battle instincts were always true, the very mere order for Corinth to be behind him was to have his back covered. The savage would have the wall to his right and to his left to prevent the two from flanking him. His longsword was ready to weave a web of death before him once the two came up him. Most thought of him as a dumb savage but he was more then that, he was battle sound and always aware of his surroundings to the best of his skills. The elements around him have saved his rugged hide more times then he could count and with the enclosed hallway, he hoped it will be true today as well.

The two were impressive in their own right, just by sight alone for the barbarian and he knew right there and then this was going to be a test of his ability. A sadistic grin formed his mouth as he welcomed such a challenge. He was more then a brute, he was a warrior always in search for those to match or better him. " COME DOGS......COME MEET MY BLADE!" The barbarian taunted in his deep toned myrian accent that was almost more of a growl. He was ready, his blade low in the fools guard and his body bladed to support his defence and offence.

Cade would be focused on counterattacks to slay the two for he could not afford to bullrush headlong at them and open corinth up to be attacked. No, he will wait for them to make the move first and hopefully they would make a mistake and have his blade make home in their torso.

OOCAntar is out of town right now and won't be back tell monday. he said we can continue on with out him.

by **Antar** on June 28th, 2011, 2:31 am

While he was unsure how everyone had disappeared in the ten second span of time it took for him to think, Antar went about securing the perimeter as the others began their searches after taking roughly another ten seconds to regain his fired arrows in order to see if they were still useworthy. One , fired into the gut of one goon was broken, but the arrowhead was saved, the other fired into the first goon's shoulder was still pliable, so back in the quiver it went. He took the time to gather the enemy's weapons, possessions, and armor, broken and all and shoved them into a burlap sack.

It was a rough job, he wasn't quite caring to look at the particulars of what was found; there were no noticeable markings on the men for any gangs or roving bands , no keys to holding cells in their pockets. No assignation that they had been men at all with names and faces and identities. No vials of poison for the crossbow wielders bolts, nor extra ammunition. Apparently the man only had two arrows. It was a shame, because the farm lass could have used it. There was the dagger which had struck him across the face, in somewhat useable condition. And the broken rapier. His mind wondered what type of person ever carried around only two bolts for a weapon anyways ?

If they had been full sized arrows he might have used them anyways.

In less then a minute the job of field stripping the corpses was done, and he was only left with more questions, but in that span of time he was forced to consider what had happened to the rest.

It was at this point outside, through the destroyed windows, a whinied neigh of a horse caught his attention. Sinking back towards the stairs to the second floor, Antar notched an Arrow and began to concentrate. He gathered the smallest portion of his djed to his fingertips, using his mind to coat just the arrowhead's metal tip, As the first group of enemies entered by the front, he fired the bolt towards the first one. Triggering it's core just as it reached the edge of his area of control as the arrow sped towards the target, now with it's head now ensconsed in a burst of heated flame. Without waiting to see if it hit, Noth made his move towards the second floor,ducking behind available cover of the stairwell's top whilst readying another arrow from his quiver.

He was following the second rule of being an archer- Fire, and Move. Fire and move. Steadying his aim, Noth gazed down the stairwell, waiting for a new target to appear if an enemy rushed to follow after him. If it came to it, he'd fire this second arrow, and move farther back into the hallways of the second floor, keeping his distance as best he could from any enemy which followed until he could regroup with the others.

by **Corinth** on June 29th, 2011, 11:49 pm

Day 1 Summer 511 AV

Corinth dropped the random various trinkets down and pulled out her small dagger. She could feel her racing heart beat in every part of her body. Obediant and immediately she rush behind Cade. He was very big and Cor was not. She felt protected but she knew that she couldn't be a burden. She tried to keep her frame of mind clear. Taking deep breaths she looked ahead at the approuching men and back up to Cade. breathe, just breathe.

OOChey everyone i'm SO sorry, i was without internet until today :/ and for the next two weeks i'll only be able to get on, on saturdays... if i take forever to respond just write on without me. if anything Cade can like reference my movement i suppose. sorry again

by **Darren** on June 30th, 2011, 11:03 pm

The two in the front of the house waited for the better part of a chime before moving close to the door. The first arrow was replied with a grunt of anger as the Isur pulled the arrow out of his chest, a look of contempt on his face as he tossed it aside. The fire from the arrow was a bit of surprise but as it nearly fizzed as it reached the two he shrugged at the inept show of magic. If anything the fire help as the wound slight mood was cauterized. "You want this?!?" the Isur shouted out as he beat his chest proudly, "Come and get it yourself! If your man enough!"

After waiting for another chime the two resumed their advance towards the house, a less then amused demeanor hastily went close to the door. Moving simultaneously the two came across Cade and Corith through the flames before the Isur started the preceedings. Yelling out a fierce battle cry he swung a long strike aimed at the two as the Symnestra backed him up. Following the weapon's path he was soon upon Cade and Corinth as she sent out a dagger before she struck out at Cade almost simultaneously. Aiming to only punish him slightly to his response she would continue onward as she ran up the side of the wall.

Below Eryss and Kiara was already engrossed in combat. The Nuit peered back slowly at the fire emitted from the other side of the room and hissing as he saw a lava ball hurtling towards him. He stepped to the side as it shattered into a multitude of pieces behind him. It's flames hurting anyone in the general vicinity, the Nuit and Konti alike. Cries of pain flew from the Konti children's lips as the Nuit quietly took off his burning coat revealing his extra, elongated arms as his set of darkened eyes peered at the two before him allowing a hateful glower to show. Some of his arms were singed from the attack as well but that would have to dealt with later. When Kiara rushed towards him he stood motionless as he waited for her strike. The nuit's eyes followed the woman's movements before it was necessary to attack, when the time came a myriad of hands shot out as it barred Kiara's attack. Clutching at her arms and neck he stopped the her strike mid-flow as the nuit mimed a quick one-two combination.

Four pairs of thin arms struck out at Kiara as the hands holding her released her grip. Behing him he was still busy at work moving the prisoners away. A set of arms and even another face on the back of the Nuits head as he started to pace away from the ground. Walking backwards as he moved the child from the fight it looked was easy to see the man had a limited mastery with multitasking using Morphing. In any case the Nuit was just starting with the morphing, taking off his shoes he murmured indecipherable gutter speak as he continued to change his form. More arms started to form alongside another pair of legs, an awkward vision of multiple limbs with only one torso though it looked like the nuit could manipulate that also. A few pairs of the morphed arms looked limp as he walked back towards the two, sending out a flurry of light, stinging projected punches at them.

“Something amusing?” The woman asked as she brought the lance to attention. “I don't like that face” she growled as she pushed the tip of the lance towards Darian's head. Starting a leisurely offense towards the young man, the lance gave her a rather distinct reach advantage and she was going to take advantage of it. Gripping it tightly under her left arm she was able to send out piercing, focused stabs at Darian alongside a few swipes when he thought of closing in. Chuckling at the her opponent throughout the exchanges one would think she was just toying with him. Switching up her style now she started a more intense routine as she switched lance arms throughout the proceedings. Stabs coming from all direction alongside with a few swipes when prompted the moves were starting to go further then Darian's skill threshold would allow. “What's the matter? This is too much for you?” she cackled. If she had anything else up her sleeve Darian would really need some help.

Turning the corner Cassandra would be predisposed as she looked for the sole survivor of the initial group. The man already went opted to hide but indications of his earlier escape were easily seen throughout one street. All ending in another house, whether the man is holed up inside or escaping though other means have yet to be determined. Though what looked to be signs of life inside the building were occasionally shown have yet to be determined. Mustering up her resolve she went inside to take care of the last loose end of Reacher's plan like she planned. Inside she would confront the other man, armed with only a knife the scared man was not going to be too much of a problem. But one shouldn't underestimate a cornered rat as the man rushed at Cassandra.

oocQuite a bit of room for interpretation when I responded to your posts, so I went ahead and did the same. I'll be gone for a few days, maybe a week so don't be too focused on posting too fast. Rather try rereading/revising before posting so I have something nice to come back to.Take care for now and keep up the good work.

by **Eryss Waldu** on July 10th, 2011, 2:38 am

[Downstairs Eryss had watched as Kiara rushed passed him to attack the Nuit, its multi limbed torso becoming obvious as it grappled with the white haired killer and proceeded to throw several fists at her, and while he had been ready to call another attack to mind he decided that instead it may be better just to let this one go. Indeed, Eryss was no coward but neither was he stupid, this had started to smell like a set up to the Wizard who backed away from the room just as a flurry of light, stinging punches were thrown between both him and Kiara; projected at them by the Nuit. Avoiding them wouldn’t happen and taking a few stinging blows to the chest and face he would stumble away from the door with a moan, cursing the entire time underneath his breath; there would undoubtedly be bruises from the blows later on.]

[After he had been struck by the projected blows Eryss would begin to emit his djed after transforming it into a gaseous res that slowly began to disperse around him and he would call out to Kiara saying...

“Enough! Let’s go Kiara. Quickly!”

...and then he was turning around and making his way back towards the stairs that had lead him down into the basement. Eryss was a callous soul after all and he cared nothing for the Konti children even though they were likely doomed to be a part of some archaic experiment, he had already taken a small bag of coins from downstairs to compensate himself as well, and so leaving them behind was a small matter to him. In fact what difference did it make who had them whether it was Reacher himself or this Nuit and whomever its associates were; it was extremely likely that everyone wanted them for their own designs so denying one side or the other likely wouldn’t spare the children.]

[As he moved back towards the stairs Eryss would begin to quicken his pace to a bit of a run. Djed still emanating from his as a gaseous res the Wizard would pay no mind until he reached the stairs leading to the main floor again and began ascending them. When he did this his movements occurred much more slowly and he allowed the res that he had been creating to spread across the area surrounding the staircase much more thoroughly than he had before as he climbed. Metallic copper began to leave a taste in his mouth and he knew that he was exerting himself now but he only had to do it a few moments longer to complete his task and so even if blood began to rush into his eyes to further signify his strain he would bear the burden.]

[At last as Eryss reached the top of the staircase he would move out slowly, Kiara hopefully on his heels and away from the Nuit as that was her business, and rounding the corner barely he ignited the res that he had filled the staircase with so that it became a veritable inferno behind him that engulfed the entire area leading down into the basement and ensuring that no one would likely follow him out unscathed who wasn’t there already.]

[Muttering again then Eryss would move away from what remained of the entrance that lead downstairs, the staircase now likely awash in flames, and move back towards the main room or foyer where he heard sounds of a battle coming from. When he came around the corner he could see Cade fighting with a woman whom he couldn’t identify and what looked like an Isur but remaining focused Eryss would only shout to his associate, saying...

“Out the back Cade! We are done here. Antar, covering fire!”

...surely the archer must be in the vicinity still and if he wasn’t in combat that meant he could lay down some fire so that Cade and Corinth could both make their escapes if they were quick about it. Truly he hoped that Cade hadn’t gotten sentimental about this woman if she couldn’t run as fast as he could or fell behind.]

[If everyone followed his direction there was now a change of plans. Withdrawal. They had come and killed the initial guards that were looking after the residence but Reacher had failed to explain all the ins and outs to them which now, as Eryss saw it, voided their contract with one another. Surely Kiara and Cade would agree with him about that once they both knew what the other did which was of the Nuit in Cade’s case and the woman and Isur in Kiara’s. Time to leave. Leaving altogether Eryss had to doubt that anyone would actually try to stop them, the house was still burning after all so it was in everyone’s best interest.]

by **Antar** on July 10th, 2011, 9:51 pm

Antar shook his head in negation at the bellowing voice of the Isurian calling him a coward from below. That wasn’t how Archers fought. There was no way he'd close quarters with such a brute, especially if the creature was capable of shrugging off a longbow arrow at such close range. Arrows shot from a longbow were known to penetrate up to four inches through platemail at such ranges, and worse; the fireball he had conjured should normally have ignited its core on impact with the skin, creating a blast of pressure that would have carved out a golf ball sized hole of flesh with a compression wave. The fact that it seemed the Isurian was almost unharmed or unfazed by such an attack could mean only three things: either the brute knew no meaning of pain; his armor was enchanted, or in the worst case scenario, the Isurrian was a Flux user capable of strengthening his body to limit the damage of an arrow.

All such things did not bode well; for it reinforced the idea in Antar's head that their own group was way out of their league.

And that meant it was time to disengage, and flee.

When the shouts for covering fire was made, Antar was already implementing a different approach to a distraction, taking aim out one of the second stories windows to fire two quick bolts at the horses tethered up to the carriage this new band rode in upon. A wounded horse, tended to be loud, with an unmistakable sound that carried and echoed in a wide area. Moreover, horses when wounded, even mortally, tended to stay on their feet to run for few miles, and the clattering of the carriage after them would prove enough of a noise to hopefully warrant more than a passing concern..

If the brouhaha of the wounded horses running off with the carriage trailing behind was disconcerting enough to sound like reinforcements coming; those on the first floor might be given a moment of hesitation by the enemy in order to allow them time to withdraw.

With both shots fired towards the center of mass of the tethered horses he had hoped to have better then even chances of one making its mark. One shot would normally do the trick, it wasn't likely an experienced archer would miss a parked horse, but he wanted to be sure.

Turning towards the access way to the roof, Antar sprung forward with a kick to door, two inches above the lock in order to break it. As far as he was concerned, If he couldn't gain access to the roof, he'd let himself fall from the back windows to meet up with the others. Moving as quickly as possible, Noth began to flee.