Damon again turns to the Belmont
you have come to fight this curse as well yes? Tell me, why is it you, or we, cannot put an end to this for good?
Dimitri remains calm, anyone can spout words. "I am as much afraid of you as my own dear mother. Hopping on a boat seeking adventure and treasure is no talent," he looks at the masked one, "We shall see what talent she has when the time comes." Deciding to give one piece of advice to this girl he looks at her again, "Whatever you may have learnt in school, undead are not to be trifled with."
She nods, "Of that i am quite aware, i wouldn't have boarded if i did not know how to defend myself. Now,...with that settled, whom do i have the pleasure to be speaking to?"
"Just a simple monk here to see to the removal and safekeeping of any dangerous magic item or artifacts the world must be shielded from." He opens his arms wide revealing his outfit, "I am unarmed and unarmoured and mean no one here harm. You can call me Dimitri."
A clicking of metal against metal can be heard as a young woman strides down the steps into the depths of the ship. She is wearing simple traveling leathers with a white cotton tunic. Her silvery blond hair is tied back in a loose braid keeping it out of her face. Across her back is slung a large spear with a cloth covering it's blade and a suit of armor bound together for ease of carrying. Her eyes float over the room as the occupants explode into a frenzy. She happens to spy an open seat at the table of the Metal Giant and moves to sit near him.
As Astrid nears the table her eyes adjust to the light and she finally notices the stoic mask the man wears. Her eyes go wide and her mouth opens slightly. "Landskentch. I thought them nothing but a myth - an old fisherman's tale." She quickly sets her face as a mask with her thoughts a chaotic mixture of fear and curiosity.
As her pause starts to grow uncomfortably long, she quickly pulls up a chair next to the man, trying to save what little face she had left in this situation; "What's your story?" she asks.
Damon, a night hunter. Myself, I have come to rid the curse of deasise upon my teacher, signs point it linked to this castle, I also come on a quest to end this evil for good if I am able, and to acquire any items that will aid in my quest, or that must be destroyed.
The way he adds that last part on gives off a hint that that part wasn't necessarily in his job description from his order.
He looks over to the two bickering.
if you are a monk, being unarmed wouldn't matter. I'd wager you could snap her neck as if it was a chicken bare handed, though someone with a blade, or two, may pose a problem. No offense meant to you madam, but you do seem quite frail.
He looks over the girl as a woman comes down the stairs, carrying a full set of armor.
The hell? Is it raining jackasses up there? I thought I was the last one up top that wasn't crew!
At first Doppel was taken aback by this woman's forwardness. Not many had the courage to simply approach him, let alone share a table with him. In fact, the monk Dmitri had left shortly after the Landsknetch had taken his seat. He takes a moment to consider his reply, but his train of thought is interrupted by Damon's quips. "Your words make you a fool hunter." he snaps, voice still an unwavering monotone "Unless you truly failed to notice my form behind you on the stairs. He as well" he says, indicating Cain sitting silently nearby. "Save your bile for the castle, that goes for both of you" directing that last statement at both Damon and the monk Dimitri.
After pausing to once again collect his thoughts, the Landsknetch once again returns his attention to the girl: "You may call me Doppel. I come seeking an end to this wretched fortress and all those who inhabit it. Nothing more"
"As the Landsknetch says, for the castle. We will be there soon enough." He gives a reluctant bow and retreats away from his current position back to where he had previously been sitting, his pack waiting for him. He sits and observes once again. Bad luck having him here, I don't like it.
Lizzie nods as the armored bear of a man introduces himself.
"Well met sir Doppel, i'm Lizzie, as to my "aim" mister Dimitri referred to, i hope there is literature within the castle that gives insight in magic to stave off undead. One can never be prepared well enough. As a departed respectable man once said to me; "sometimes the solution to the problem lies within the most risky location and is worth the endeavour. That and to provide any medical aid the group might need."
She briefly looked at the other woman, not many years between them, she suspected. Ah, from the looks i'd reckon a paladin-ish type, things sure are going onto a risky and interesting path.
Astrid turns to Damon, "Best be more wary - a lazy eye will get you killed in that castle far faster than anything else." She smiles brightly before turning back to her conversation with Dopple
Astrid shakes her head a bit, wondering why she had even feared the worst, "Doppel it is - and a worthy cause as well! I am Astrid Brahms. I've come to end Dracula's cruel Necromancing - as the Goddess wills." She presses a hand to her chest over her heart.
hey hey guys, I included myself in that term too. don't get your hairbraids in a twist. He gives a grin
At least, it seems several of us have come here with the intent to end this evil for good. Just one question. How are we going to do it? I imagine if it was easy, a group like us would have done it long ago. killing normal vampires I have done, and most undead are childs play. But Dracula? If it is even him still, or even just an essence of him. well, That is power.
He ponders on his words a minute.
Yeah, power. Can't wait to be the one to take it out, heh heh. This may be fun yet. Astrid, just save some undead skulls for me to bash in ok?
I've come to end Dracula's cruel Necromancing
There's "that category", for the vile. What she doesn't see, like most if not all here, it is merely a means to an end. Can a blazing torch not be used for the cruelty of arson as well as the saving bonfire in a cold night?
Speaking softly and with a neutral face, Lizzie answers Damon's question as best she could.
"How to beat the greatest of vampires? Permanent death would perhaps be too high a goal, banishment for a timespan probably at best. I'm merely speculating this, but removing as many underlings and minions is a start, he'd be like many rulers. Troops to delay or wear down the foes, us in this case, before he'd be forced to do it himself."
She pauses.
"As i mentioned before, i wish to find literature that could provide clues, so to potentially undermine his powers. An anti-venom is made from the serpent's own venom is it not?"
"How are we going to do it?"
"Destroy everything." responds Doppel flatly. You imagine that even without the voice-altering features of the Landsknetchs mask those words would have been curiously devoid of feeling.
Astrid gives a soft laugh, patting Dopple on his massive shoulder "I like this one! Dracula may be powerful, but he undoubtedly has the same failings as all of his kind do. We shall destroy him and return the Glory of Light!"
Destroy everything huh? Aren't we a part of 'everything'? Astrid manages keeps her smiling face, even as darker thoughts cloud her mind.
The drunkard in the room just casually looks around as everyone talks about killing Dracula and destroying his whole entire castle. "I'm jus' here to deal wit' mah brother... soon's that's over, I'm catchin' the first ship out." he explains.
Ironically at the mention of destroying everything, the Belmont perks up. "Dracula is not so easy to destroy. The castle itself is honestly the real enemy. So long as that structure stands, he can be revived. It's essentially a Phylactery, akin to how a lich works, only... far larger. The whole thing is made of such powerful necromancy."
The paladin's passionate, but she's taking it too lightly i reckon.
"Interesting, but that raises a question. Why not construct siege engines and bombard it to ruins?"
"Dracula is not so easy to destroy. The castle itself is honestly the real enemy. So long as that structure stands, he can be revived."
"Brick by brick then, it matters little. I will see the whole thing torn asunder by my end."
Just then Astrid delivers a hearty thump on the Landsknetchs shoulder. He turns his blank gaze to her in response but otherwise remains silent.
Lizzie adresses Astrid, trying to get a read of the character.
"Astrid, where are you from? You seem a paladin to me, are you of a specific order or church?"
"The first crusade, 1200 years ago, against the castle was done with siege engines." he says with a sigh. "They all died when the dread wraiths emerged from the rubble, which, let me warn you, immediately began to put itself back together." he says as he grips his holy symbol.
bringing down buildings is not my strong point, I'll keep the horrors dead, maybe find Dracula himself and put him down. But I'll leave the wall crumbling to others. Blade and bow have limited use against pure stone walls.
He gets up and walks to an open area of the cabin where he can train.
He draws the twin blades on his hips snapping them forward to meet at his chest, joining them into one, he twists the joined blade around in a lethal dance, unjoining and joining them repeatedly for the entirety. Twirling them in circles and complex maneuvers when separated.
While he does this he continues his speech. hpmh, this'll show em how proficient I am. And Its only a glimpse
but likewise. How do you propose to get the siege equipment and supplies needed all the way there? Safely? As he says, personally I've never fought a wraith, but my order has warned me of them. I feel that in 1200 years fact has merged with myth, perhaps it is not as deadly or impossible that the story makes it out to be. After, who spread that take if they all died?
Dmitri listens, watching the Belmont with interest. The drunkard, while he could him use as a good shield, would be unreliable at the first hint of a sighting of his brother. He mentally scratched the man off his list.
They must have some idea of how to destroy it. Maybe that's why they have moved again.
"Belmont tell us your plan that we may aid you."
"If I had a suggestion, it'd be that you lot avoid the castle entirely, and let me handle this. There doesn't need to be any more bloodshed than there's already going to be. I just wish I could tell the others that are on their way here the same thing, but as always, it's just going to be another massacre." he says in a doomsaying manner.
do not underestimate me and do not look down on me. I'm far stronger than you think, and only getting stronger. I'm not the one attempting to seal what my ancestors caused.
Damon spits as he takes offense at the Belmont's suggestion of his weakness. Not missing a beat in his training dance.
"A little late for that," Edwyn interjects in a drab tone, though it did not suggest any sense of disagreement. Truth was, he had half a mind to jump ship himself, if he were not certain doing so would kill him almost immediately. As far as he was concerned, they would all be better off following Belmont's advice. The cloaked man huddled against a wall as though searching for warmth, though an endure elements spell had ensured that he would not freeze to death. Granted, there were other causes for discomfort on the ship. Present company included.
The Belmont raises his head at the statement. "It's not a matter of strength." he says as he stands up off of the wall and approaches Damon. "Dracula didn't become the pinnacle of all vampires because of the Belmonts! We tried to prevent him at every chance, and we succeeded, every time. We lost more and more people, every time." he explains letting go of his holy symbol.
"We'll succeed this time, too, but, that doesn't change the fact that this time is different... This time there are variables." he says as he looks around the room. "Lots of them. And they're all you folks." he says with a scoff.
(Belmont)>.> Probably well meant, but dismissal is rude and a potential path to demise.
(Damon)<.< I knew someone saying that, he died. It'd be a shame if this guy'd die in vain trying too much to prove himself.
"Gentlemen, getting pent up or gloomy thoughts, won't that break concentration? We'll see what happens when it does, we might even surprise one another."
She gives an assuring smile to Damon.
"No." says Doppel sharply "The Belmont is right. Blood will be shed, waving it away is only a liability. The only thing of value is conviction. Everything else is merely a means to end. No amount of fancy bladework or shrewd planning will prevent the inevitable. When the time comes for the Castle to collect its pound of flesh, can you deny it? Just how far will you go to get what you came for? What will you give up to succeed?"
"Your pride?" shooting a glance to the Belmont
"Your sanity?" looking now to Damon
"Your life?" finally coming to the young witch Lizzie.
Still casting his gaze at those around the room he continue: "Friends, family, wealth, comrades: it will all be stripped away from you in time." For the first time since coming below deck the Landsknetch rises from his seat and up to his full height, turning again to face the Belmont. "So feed that hate, Belmont. Let it burn and grow within your chest. Cling to it like a drowning man amid a storm. It will never leave your side, even when all else has failed. No blow may fell you, no temptation sway you, so long as its fires rage within you."
"As for the rest: steel yourselves now while you have the chance, lest a time come where you wish you had."
Rage + 12 CHA = ???
Keeping her ever polite attitude, she calmly responds to the firm but true words of the armored hulk.
"No need for misunderstanding, i have no desire of hastening my passing, sir Doppel. Your view though is correct however, we all live and die and it will be stripped. Young though as i am, i have seen people die of hasty decisions and pride, alongside victims of foul murder. But let me assure you, i will do everything i can to keep our lives."
Despite her reserved polite demeanour, she is obviously "dead" serious about this.
Damon smiles, finally getting a human reaction from the Belmont.
hmph, your right, this time is different. This time the blood collected will be his. I will say it again, don't count. Me. A. Weakness.
He stopped his practice when he was approached By Belmont.
Damon turns towards doppel after his calm outburst
well I'll be, that's two human reactions in one go. And you may let your love, your mind, what have you. You may let it be stripped away, you may lose your memories, what makes you human and who you are. I don't plan to. I'll tackle the trails of this castle, and I plan to keep my sanity and my life doing so. I'll succeed, my conviction is unquestionable, my will unwavering. I will brave this trail, and like all others come out better for it. I'll not lose myself to rage again, I'm to good for that.
Damon casts a glance around the room towards everyone stating on doppel and ending on Belmont.
protect the weak and innocent, stand against any evil, hunt the wicked and the cruel, slay the vampire, werewolf, and demon. This is my vow, our vow. We are unwavering, we are the night hunters, we fear no darkness, but let those that dwell within it fear us.
He recites one of the oaths he was taught when he was younger. A way to remember.
The Landsknetch waits, unresponsive, for Damon to finish speaking before responding:
"Then you will continue to be a danger to yourself and those around you. Constantly at odds with yourself over useless ideologies; hesitant, always questioning, unable to act with confidence. How will you fight the enemy without when you are at war with the beast within?"
With a sigh Doppel sits once again. "It matters not. As it stands the only one you fool is yourself. Preach to me not of your sainthood, oh hunter of the night. Speak you of peace when you know only violence? Of knowing no fear when you won't even face what lies beneath your skin? You'll soon see the truth, one way or another."
Damon Yells
What know you of me?! What know you of my trials?! I have battled the beast within, I have seen it, seen myself with naught but rage, anger, hate and spite. It poisons you. You speak of emptying yourself to that hate, that rage which blinds you? No, It is my Ideologies, my loved ones, my vows that give me strength. It is these that let me stand against the dark. Pure rage is for the weak If allowed to guide you.
He takes a breath,
Yes, anger is power to be used when necessary but, it is those things which you mock that give me true power, give me confidence, that give me conviction. It is those things for which I fight that give me the strength to stand above the rest. Because of them, I cannot allow myself to fail. I know only violence, so that others may know peace.
whether they deserve it or not...
he turns away from Doppel with a sigh. If you believe in nothing, you will fall for anything
He turns towards the small woman.
Aye, if you believe that death is truly the end. Though I for one don't believe that. Though I know not what to expect.
In my opinion, the best question to always ask yourself is this. What is it you fight for, and why?
Damon takes a seat in a chair across from the woman with about 100lbs of metal on her back.
Okay so please keep all Ooc in discussion chat from here on in. Any questions you might have, feel free to ask here and now before we get started so that you might finalize your things.
In regards to the question that Doppel asked; Yes. Yes you may. Although none that give you extra attacks, or just flat out don't fit with your character's visage.
Then I'm swapping out Reactionary for Finish the Fight (Half-Orc).
Looking forward to playing with you all.
Sweet. I am here and ready to go. I have ceased altering things on my sheet and have everything locked in finally.
Sorting a few misc use items to inventory.
Spare change is nice when not using armor or big weapons.
Edit; i added the lvl 3 spells i forgot :)
Did something happen to Damon?
work. lol. adding my selected spells now-
He caught frostbite and is now an icecube.
:)
GM, Lizzie is keeping her poppet stashed inside her sleeve and some needles within the ribbon she ties her hair with, if that's okay with you.
Doppel, the Masked man has a save of 17 on Endure Elements, as well. Also keep OoC in discussion.
So am I up top right now? I'm having some difficulty discerning where the deck is from the map.
Top map is bottom floor. Bottom map is top floor.
Just to clarify, the spot you guys are in is actually closer to an engine room, somewhat. Basically it's a wide open area that leads above to the actual deck. I'm really bad at boat layouts. Terrible with castles too! But in this particular case it works out in my favor. (The map is enormous.)
No kidding :)
With us being little specks, if you host it all at once.
You've seen my example boat layout, that was no picasso either ;)
Well, what's on deck i wonder.
Well, what's on deck i wonder.
Icy Death?
Come now sir Damon, there's a heatstone for comfortable warmth to fight in.