IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets |
IC: The Sun Never Sets, IC thread for The Sun Never Sets |
Mar 4 2012, 06:27 AM
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#151
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
The agitated dog; the watcher's flight, and Smohalla's subsequent wince; the ensuing silence.
Stogie opens his mind to the astral, seeking as much information as he can, and the wider range of perception it affords. His teammates off to the left, Jake off to the right and the wolves behind. All these stand out from the suffusing glow of the forest. Not far from them, though, the glows from a thousand living things meld into a haze almost impenetrable. Stogie draws back the perceptions enhancement from Jake. Sorry, boy, I think I need this right now. You sniff and listen. |
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Mar 4 2012, 10:07 AM
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#152
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 318 Joined: 22-September 11 From: Columbia Member No.: 38,630 |
Ellesar's instincts are screaming at him. Something's coming to kill you! Just like old times. This feeling was all too familiar. In fact it's probably due to that familiarity that he is able to remain calm in such a situation.
The others are obviously startled, and with good reason. All except for the shifter of course. Perhaps this had been nothing more than a plot to lure the group out into unfamiliar territory. It's a trap! That pesky voice again. Ignoring it, he stands and turns to face the trees where the unknown target is assumed to be. His breathing begins to slow, relying on his old training to stay collected. His thoughts begin to focus. Let us see where this leads |
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Mar 5 2012, 04:03 AM
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#153
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Momentarily stunned by the disruption of his will, Smohalla steadies himself on the log.
Shaking his head to clear it, he looks to the wolf shifter. You do not seem concerned about what is approaching. Why is that? |
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Mar 5 2012, 08:39 AM
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#154
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,293 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Seattle Member No.: 37,075 |
The shifter has not been completely obtuse. Stogie's words roused him and he watched the foray of watcher with detached interest. He meets Smohalla's question with what might be interpreted as a raised eyebrow. The wolf sighs before shifting back into human shape, sitting on his boulder with his arms around his knees in front of him.
"I do not have anything to fear," he says. "And nor do you," he adds to Smohalla. "Nor you," he says to Jake, figuring that he'll understand. His gaze turns to Stogie and Ellesar. He doesn't say anything but the lack of words clearly indicates, Now you on the other hand... He considers the scene for a moment, deciding whether to trouble himself. He looks to Stogie and Jake, his astral vision studying the connection between them. It interests him, and whatever talent Stogie has with animals seems to rubbing off slightly on the shifter, however subtly. He shrugs. "I do not know the name of it in your language. Nor any language, for that matter. It will stay under the tree cover, if it can. It prefers the night, but perhaps it is hungry enough to hunt during the day." The shifter opens his hands, presenting you with the situation. |
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Mar 5 2012, 09:18 AM
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#155
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
A being that only attacks those with no animal-nature...
Smohalla muses on this for a moment. His gaze also turns to Stogie and Ellesar. If we can do so without seeming like prey running from the predator, we should leave it's hunting grounds. |
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Mar 6 2012, 07:46 AM
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#156
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"I agree. Let's remain vigilant, and once we have rested we should move on. I'm glad it is not interested in Jake. I am concerned about returning later in the day, though.
"Given what our guide says, I suspect this thing wants to consume not just our flesh, Ellesar, but our emotional strength as well. Something it can get from metahumans only. "Jake, you got any idea where this thing is?" Stogie queries through their mental link as well. |
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Mar 6 2012, 10:08 AM
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#157
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Smohalla smiles slightly at this.
I feel very rested already. The current danger has worked miracles on my tired body. |
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Mar 7 2012, 03:47 AM
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#158
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"I see your point. Maybe a minute or so to see if the thing is actually hungry enough to attack now would be useful. When we start moving, we may be going into thicker vegetation, and be easier prey.
Stogie turns to the shapeshifter. "Are we close to the Sisters? And will the way be through dense vegetation?" |
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Mar 7 2012, 07:24 AM
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#159
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,293 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Seattle Member No.: 37,075 |
"If the Sisters were close, we would not have stopped here," the shifter replies. You don't detect any sarcasm in his tone; maybe he hasn't learned it yet.
"This animal usually hunts at night. If it hunting during the day, it must be hungry. I do not think it will leave the trees until the sun has passed but I do not know. As for our own path, we must return to the trees or wade up the river a great distance. But it will surely track us along the shore and wait for nightfall. We are halfway to our destination, unless, of course, your journey ends here." You're almost positive that it's sarcasm this time, but nope, just the facts again. The shifter looks calm and straight-faced, like all of this is just a normal everyday occurrence in the forest. You look up and down the river. Besides your small clearing and one or two others like it, the forest pushes up against the shores of the river. You have a small rocky beach to defend but it's only about 25 meters before the vegetation begins and 50 meters before there are overlapping walls of of trees that look much more foreboding than they did a moment ago. |
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Mar 7 2012, 08:38 AM
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#160
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 318 Joined: 22-September 11 From: Columbia Member No.: 38,630 |
Ellesar's face remains unchanged as he turns his head to stare at the shifter. "Do not think we will lose our lives so easily, wolf." The last word he says with an obvious bite to it, clearly not enjoying the situation.
"I would rather not be forced into another battle," Ellesar continues, "if one of you have a better idea that is. Otherwise this may get messy." |
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Mar 8 2012, 02:25 AM
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#161
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Our options seem to be to continue, or to stand and fight.
I suggest we continue to our meeting with the Sisters. I am sure our guide will do his best to warn us of any impending danger. Likewise, I will do what I can to give us advance warning. Smohalla finishes what for him was a very long speech, and looks at the others. |
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Mar 8 2012, 07:10 AM
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#162
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"Well, it looks like I get to choose between pressing on to meet some angry women who might want to blow me up, and staying around to be dinner for a thing that wants to consume my soul. Story of my life." He packs up quickly and rises, looking down the river clearing. "I'm ready. Let's see if we can move away from this infected hunter's territory."
He whistles for Jake, who wastes no time coming to his side. Jake looks over his shoulder at the woods. "Yup. You keep a good watch, boy." Unslinging his Enfield shotgun, Stogie takes a moment to replace the clip with the somewhat clumsier drum. To no one in particular, he muses, "Too much pepper makes any meal unpalatable." |
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Mar 9 2012, 03:03 AM
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#163
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Infected hunter? Yes, that feels correct.
Smohalla glances sharply at the wolf shifter. He says: I find it strange that you would allow an infected creature to roam free. These...things...are as much an abomination as twisted magic is. |
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Mar 9 2012, 07:24 AM
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#164
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,293 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Seattle Member No.: 37,075 |
The shifter shrugs passively at Smohalla's barb. "It does not eat what I eat, and it does not try to eat me. As such, I find that I can coexist with it very readily."
He stands up and steps off his rock, his feet hitting the pebbles lining the river shore. "Am I an abomination to the squirrel and to the deer? Are you an abomination to the hare and the mouse? Or has our magic given us our nature? I do not see his situation as any different. He has his prey and we have ours." The shifter walks up from the shore, heading toward the woods. "And besides," he adds, "he's bigger than me." With that he shifts back into his wolf form, his massive paws hitting the ground with a thud. He stops at the treeline and turns his head back to the group, wondering if you will follow. |
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Mar 9 2012, 07:39 AM
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#165
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Smohalla smiles slightly at the wolf's reply.
Closing his eyes for a moment, he gathers his will and sends out a summons. They will need help, if they are being hunted |
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Mar 9 2012, 03:00 PM
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#166
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
Stogie heads up the incline of the clearing to follow the wolves. Jake, stay by my side and keep alert. Like I need to tell you that, huh buddy? His shotgun is at the ready. Still astrally aware, he sees the spirits arrive. "Good idea, Smohalla."
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Mar 10 2012, 08:25 AM
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#167
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 318 Joined: 22-September 11 From: Columbia Member No.: 38,630 |
"Infected hunter?" Ellesar asks with an inquisitive look. His hands unsling and load his Remmington almost mechanically. "I don't think I've ever heard of such a thing."
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Mar 10 2012, 10:24 PM
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#168
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"HMHVV affects metahumans differently. It does nasty things to trolls and orks. The gist of it is that you and I, Ellesar, are the preferred food of what I think is out there. Not just our flesh but the essence of our spirit, our soul if you like. Our guide here doesn't see anything wrong with it, and I can understand a forest hunter's perspective, but if I'm the food, the food intends to fight back."
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Mar 11 2012, 04:00 AM
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#169
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
I will do my best to make sure you are not food.
Smohalla pauses for a moment. It would be devastating to Jake. I cannot allow that. |
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Mar 11 2012, 06:03 AM
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#170
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"Yeah, thanks, chum. I love you, too."
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Mar 11 2012, 08:16 AM
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#171
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Smohalla turns to follow the wolf.
He hopes his turned back hides his smile. As he walks, he keeps his senses alert. |
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Mar 11 2012, 08:39 AM
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#172
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Moving Target Group: Members Posts: 318 Joined: 22-September 11 From: Columbia Member No.: 38,630 |
"Thank you for your support Smohalla. I have no plans to give up my essence, spirit, soul, or anything else for that matter. If this fiend is hungry it had best look elsewhere." Ellesar goes silent for a moment. "I assume that this HMHVV decreases the intelligence of its host."
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Mar 11 2012, 11:34 PM
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#173
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Old Man of the North Group: Dumpshocked Posts: 10,088 Joined: 14-August 03 From: Just north of the Centre of the Universe Member No.: 5,463 |
"Usually, but it can be a deadly mistake to count on it. And it could be able to wield magic, too."
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Mar 12 2012, 04:49 AM
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#174
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,473 Joined: 24-May 10 From: Beijing Member No.: 18,611 |
Hearing this remark, Smohalla comes to a slow stop.
He lets the others file past him, waiting for the tail of the group. His magical senses pick out each companion on the journey, including the wolf shifter. He allows his innate magical defenses to flow to each pinpoint of light in his enhanced vision. Having done what he can, he continues on with the rest. |
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Mar 12 2012, 06:53 AM
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#175
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Runner Group: Members Posts: 3,293 Joined: 1-September 11 From: Seattle Member No.: 37,075 |
Smohalla closes his eyes to concentrate his energy and attention on the astral. He pulls forth three small forms, his hand reaching up to tug them out of the astral energies swirling around him like a vortex. The first one is more fragile than he intended, but still serviceable. The second and third look just as he wanted. He gives them each a quick nod of his chin and, in turn, they zip in the direction he gives them.
The fourth spirit will be more demanding, or so he thinks. He inhales deeply and locks his breath, stretching his arms toward the wall of trees and vegetation before him. He rolls his hands, one over the other, beckoning the massive astral powers that reside in the vitality of the forest. His features harden, his hair begins to feather, his chin and mouth phase into the semblance of a beak while his eyebrow stretch to complete the shamanic mask. All at once he throws his hands behind him with a cry and the forest explodes forth with a shimmering green monster. In shape and size it is clearly inspired by the shifter, but in appearance it looks like the forest come to life. Patterns of plants and leaves warp and weave across its surface as it trots to Smohalla and sits at his feet. Smohalla is heady with his accomplishment. It is perhaps the finest spirit of this sort that he has ever summoned, and probably the best he could ever reasonably hope to summon. Far from being taxed or winded by the experience, he is invigorated. On the astral, the thrill of success is clear in his aura. The spirit is deeply tied to him, and will obediently do whatever he asks, many times. The spirit, for its part, looks pleased to have been called forth by such an accomplished practitioner as Smohalla, and bears no grudge or ill-will toward him for its commanded services. The shifter studies the new arrival on the astral. He looks a little nonplussed that his equal has been conjured out of branches and brambles. His estimation of the group grudgingly improves. |
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