"Well... It's not that I prefer carrying it like this, it just prefers clinging to me. I can somehow sense its emotions, and now it's being rather shy. Which seems to make sense, as it was 'born' just a few hours ago," Andochtuir explains. "Maybe I should say 'created' instead of born. Born feels a tad awkward..."
At Torra's request, he extends the hedhehog-like animated ball of prickly hair for her to pet. "I... see no problem with that?" Andochtuir says, and holds up the sentient ball of hair for her to pet. "You seem, ah, rather eager. Do you have a name in mind for it?" he asks, amused over the dwarven woman's enthusiasm.
"Is-is it painful?" Yuto asks with worried eyes at Andochtuir "We-we should ask the gods, perhaps Koya or Spivey can he-help you like they did with Teruko..."
"Is it painful to have a beard? Interesting question. I would argue it depends on your sense of style compared to those around you," Andy responds, completely serious.
Then his expression breaks and he laughs. "No, but thank you. I don't sense any ill effects to myself. As of yet, that is."
Running a finger gently along the 'back' of the creature, Torra declares "I will name it Mimosa!" she cocks her head, studying it. "What does it eat?"
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Riftun nearly falls over upon seeing the bizarre spectacle of Andy pulling off his own beard which had suddenly attained sentience. "A-A-A-Andochtuir! Wha- How..." The boy sputters on for a bit, mouth agape.
"W-Well, it doesn't seem harmful at least... I think I would rather my scars not gain sentience of their own however." Riftun giggles.
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Teruko just stares. "You accidentally created a sentient beard." Out of all the strange things that have happened on this journey this might possibly be the strangest. A feeling that only intensifies as Torra starts gushing over the mass of hair and names it...Mimosa?
Although as the tiny 'head' pokes up and the beard starts resembling a hedgehog, she has to admit it is kind of cute. In a very unsettling way.
"I do hope you weren't attached to being either clean-shaven or having a beard, as it seems that decision is no longer yours to make. You'll have to ask Mimosa every morning if they wish to stay on your face or not." Her lips twitch. "Although perhaps you can negotiate if there's a look you'd prefer for the day."
"I'm, ah, sure 'Mimosa' will be useful to us in some way," Andy tries, seemingly to convince himself as well, and throwing Torra a completely lost look that silently asked how she's settled on that name in particular? "After all," he continues, trying to bluff his way out of the teasing,"Many great inventions were brought about by chance!"
"Just don't ask me which ones about now. Please? Science has to be begin somewhere..." he silently asks the gods of pity and social etiquette, knowing full well he was in for a long, long trip devoid of any mercy from them...
The appearance of the newly named Mimosa startles a chuckle out of Ameiko. "Well, uh," she manages between what are slowly transforming into giggles, "I guess you've got your facial hair under control. Or someone does, at any rate."
She takes a deep breath, looking back at the castle. "Alright, let's go."
The party advances through the gatehouse, and into the courtyard.
Andochtuir and Yuto notice something is amiss - blurred greenish figure unlike anything they've seen before.
"The-there is something..." Yuto barely has time to notice something approaching from the east of the courtyard, he steps forward and sets his feet decidedly to protect Teruko raising his shield.
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Yuto reacts quickly to the oncoming blur, readying his weapon and shield to protect his fellows.
"Beware." Shalelu says a heartbeat later, repositioning herself and drawing her bow as she goes.
The blur continues forwards, darting around Yuto's katana - by the time his blade is where the creature should've been, it is already past him, thrusting at Andochtuir. The half-elf doesn't even realize it's at his side before the sword is in and out of him, and it takes a moment for it to even register that he's bleeding from a painful stomach wound.
"hmyesyoulldofinewon'tyouyoureprettyenoughtoworkformymasterpiece." The voice is impossibly fast, and tremendously difficult to unravel.
Andy grunts at being struck, and shifts backward to tro try shielding the others! "Damn that thing is quick! Stay behind us if you can!" He calls out and drinks his mutagen!
Despite Andochtuir's quickness in attacking, it's still not fast enough, as the small creature ducks under his fauchard, darting into his reach and finding a gap in his plate to exploit. Despite this, he manages to drink his mutagen. His muscles swell and clench uncomfortably and his mind is twisted with his new physical might, distracting him somewhat from any higher thinking.
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It all happens in a flash, Yuto raising his defenses standing ready to guard the Kaijitsu's with his life, Andochtuir calling out to the others to get behind him, the blood spilling from the half-elf's armor as the little entity finds a gap in his plate, and Riftun's instant recognition of the creature.
"Oh! Oh no shoot a quickling ummm e-everybody stand back I'm gonna try something new I've been working on! Not sure how it will go!" The boy calls out as his nerves begin to spike.
He reaches into his bag of spell components pulling out a handful of ground mica and holds it up to his lips where he whispers some arcane words into it then tosses the dust into the air which is now glowing a bright beautiful blue.
The dust swirls through the air past the party and crashes into the ground behind the quickling where it explodes into a massive cloud of beautiful blue glitter and seemingly the shape of many Desnan butterflies fluttering about within.
Issuing a sigh of relief, both that the spell had gone right and that the creature's natural invisibility should be nullified, Riftun turns to call out to Torra. "Now Torra! Lay into it while I've got it distracted!"
"A wh- oh, okay." Clearly there was not time to think, only to act as Riftun directed, as apparently he knew what this thing was and Torra hadn't the faintest. The dwarf gathered her power, aiming to push it back from her friends a little.
Yuto looks up and down, then finally back looking for the estrange creature who moves just two fast "Oh no, it is not possible to track it down, is just too quick!" the young man though looks marveled at the brilli-brilli display offered by Riftun.
Trying to focus, he steps back to slash at the creature.
And raises his weapon to protect any attacked ally.
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Riftun unleashes his spell, causing a burst of gold-glowing dust to erupt around the quickling, who shrieks, covering her eyes as she staggers away. Her form is quite clearly outlined, but there is still an uncomfortable blur with how swift she moves, even in her newly blinded state.
Yuto moves forwards to engage the quickling swinging his katana at the blinded creature. Despite some of the glittering blur nearly throwing his aim off, he manages to cut into its flesh... which is oddly resilient, turning most of the attack aside.
The earth rattles and shakes as Torra concentrates her power, before she blasts at the creature with a heavier than usual projectile. The quickling's bones crack audibly, and she shrieks in agony, but her feet keep her where she is.
Shalelu keeps back, her eyes narrow, keeps her bow ready to fire should the heroes need it.
Ameiko begins to sing a cheerful little ditty about the foolish whimsy of fey.
Badly injured and blinded, the golden blur looks to be ready to dash across the courtyard, and while Yuto can't quite get his katana around in time, Andochtuir's cold iron pole arm flicks out, bisecting the creature and leaving it to die slowly on the ground.
Ameiko lets her song peter out, before looking at the group with a grin. "Well done, everyone! I barely had the chance to start up."
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In what is arguably an act of mercy, Andochtuir brings down the Fauchard on the creature's head the next moment, saving it from slow bisected death. A normal person would go into shock and pass out in moments, but who was to say the same would hold true for a quickling?
"Indeed. Well done, everyone," He growls, the improved mutagen's effects changing his voice to an even deeper one, laced with something primal, like a predator on the hunt.
He look at Riftun. "An impressive spell. Take away their sight and they fall easily, their weakness exploitable."
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Yuto looks a bit still in shock as he asks to none in particular "What was that creature?" he kneels to examine the remains, taking from it anything that might be of use.
"Yes, tha-that was impressive Riftun, I-I had never seen such a show displayed! And thanks for that song too Ameiko!" the young man says enthusiastic.
While the group chews the aftermath, he observes attentively, and ready to protect the group wherever they want to go next.
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Truth be told, Torra is a little relieved that it was Andochtuir who killed the creature, and not her. Not for the first time, and likely not for the last time either, she wishes there was a better way. But not much you can do when something rushes at you and stabs you, no?
"Where was it hiding? Where did it come from?" And what was with this place, that it attracted all manner of strange creatures that would attack without provocation? "Do you think all these creatures fought each other? Or are they just fighting us?"
"I'll have to be quicker to keep up with you all." Ameiko replies to Yuto, a gleam of excitement in her eyes. "But you're welcome. I'll try to keep things going when we've got the chance, but I suspect you won't need my help at all."
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Teruko lowers her hands, fight over before she could even consider casting a spell. "You were quicker than me this time Ami. Fortunately my assistance wasn't required." She smiles at Riftun. "An impressive spell indeed. It's a good thing you learned it."
"I doubt these creatures fought each other much. Most likely the ones who didn't get along simply didn't encroach into each other's territory. Basic alliances of the 'you don't attack us we won't attack you' variety. It is strange this quickling moved into the courtyard though; he wasn't here before. Perhaps trying to expand his own territory?" Shaking her head, she stops speculating for now and pulls out her wand. "Let me take care of that injury before we proceed."
Yuto nods to Teruko "Y-yes, it was most probably that." the young man swallows with difficulty "I-it is a matter of na-nature. Mo-monsters tend to lurk on the corner left empty by civilization. Ju-just enter a dun-dungeon or cave not inhabited and you will find all kind of errand monsters with in"
"It is not go-going to ta-take long for Brinewall to get full o-of new mo-monsters lured by its shadows..." Yuto frowns "I-I would not be surprised if th-the new monsters are more powerful than the old ones even..."
The eldest Kaijitsu grins at Teruko. "Well, Teru, I suppose that means I've still got some of the old instincts left." Her smile fades. "Not that you should worry too much. Everyone was surprised, except for Shae over there and our two guardians."
Turning to the samurai, Ameiko hits Yuto's shoulder lightly. "Don't be too pessimistic, Yuto. The work you've done here makes the area surrounding Brinewall that much safer for the few people who live around here. That's what matters."
"Don't try to take on the whole world's problems." Shalelu agrees. "It will only cause you more pain. Do what you can, when you can."
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Riftun blushes fiercely at all the praise being heaped on him for his new spell. "I-I well um, th-thank you all so much. I-It really wasn't anything y-you guys did all the hard work as usual." The young bard fidgets about pressing his fingers together and looking to the side with embarrassment.
"I had just been thinking a lot about all the trouble we had with the ghost corbie a-and how she was always able to slip away to menace us again and agai. I-I wanted to make sure nothing like that could happen again and so I go to researching magic that may help. A-At first I had some issues but then I remembered the spell Kikonu threw at us and delved into that. I did decide to put my own little twist on the spell though." The red-headed boy explains as he kicks at the rocks at his feet.
Yuto tries to smile back at Shalelu and Ameiko but he just cannot "We-well, let's finish th-this tour quickly. I-I do not want to remain he-here more than necessary" he places himself defensively by the Kaijitsus looking around nervously.
The young man remembers Kikonu's last fight "You have a knack for magic"
The two women nod. Ameiko looks at the party. "Where to first? The stables, right?"
With that she begins making her way towards them, stopping outside the doors to look at them carefully. "Ugh. Lots of webs here already..."
Shalelu twitches her ears in exasperation, before moving to join the younger woman.
Yuto follows the woman trying to rush past her "A-ameiko Sama, this is dan-dangerous place! B-be careful with those we-webs"
The Tian holds high his katana while looking around nervously, expecting more troubles to harass the party "Wh-what else do you need to see? We-we cannot settle the fortress again if we are to start a journey to the east"
"I'm not sure." Ameiko looks to Yuto, her smile brightening her face. "I just want to see some of the places here, is all. Besides didn't you say you hadn't explored everywhere? Just another hour at most, and I think we can be done here."
Andochtuir smiles at the interplay between the sisters and Riftun's shy response over the praise. "There are unexplored sections. The roof of the stable, for one. And I believe the central section of the fort. Let's comb this through and see if we can find anything useful for us or the caravan."
He checks his bloodied side and finds the wound healed entirely from Teruko's earlier touch, and nods to her in gratitude. Then he begins heading towards the stables as the closest building the group hadn't fully covered yet. "And with both Ameiko and Shalelu here as well, if I were a monster, I would go and take a brief vacation instead of hanging around."
"Andochtuir and Torra had good points earlier, when they talked about the possibility of other magical items being hidden here. I doubt any remaining treasures would be anywhere near as powerful as what we found in the vaults, but any little bit could help." Teruko grimaces at the sight of the webs but moves into the stables anyway. Over the past few days she's had far worse things than spider webs in her hair.
Ameiko grins at Andochtuir, and Shalelu nods in agreement with Teruko. The two quickly scan over the door.
"No traps." The elven ranger says aloud, and Ameiko shoots a glance at her before shaking her head.
"Beat me to it." She says aloud.
Inside is... well, it can only be described as a webbed nest. Strands both thin as normal spider-silk and as thick as a human child's thumb are spread across the inside of the stable.
"Ugh." Ameiko grimaces. "I'm not sure we'll be easily able to get around in there, especially if we have to watch out for traps."
"I think this is where the creature that attacked Yuto was living," offers Torra, not getting too close to the sticky webs. "We could try to burn the webs, but that might light the whole place on fire, what with the wood and the straw."
"Y-yes it was most pro-probably living here..." Yuto gulps and moves nervously as Ameiko puts out the webs "Pl-please, can we end this and go back to the caravan? the-there is no purpose on risking our lives here... what if there is another of those beasts, they nearly killed me before, wh-why to risk our lives so needlessly?"
The Tian keeps moving after the noble woman, very nervous by each step she takes on the fortress, and looking to protect every angle of possible attack as they advance through.
"Spiders are predators... I wonder if it hid any useful possessions of its victims here, somewhere. I agree searching it might take a while, and burning the web seems dangerous. Perhaps someone among us could sense the presense of magic and we can decide from there?" Andochtuir offers, as he tries to experimentally cut a strand of spider web with his Fauchard.
Teruko dutifully begins scanning the room for magic. "Before we were caught off guard, low on resources, and already injured. We also didn't have Ameiko and Shalelu with us. I doubt there's anything left in this castle that's worse than what we've already faced." She pauses in her scanning to study Yuto's face. "We'll be careful. However I hesitate to call being thorough needless. A random tucked-away scroll we find now could be the difference between life and death later."
Shalelu nods approvingly at Torra's remark, a faint smile tugging at the edges of her lips.
The web splits beneath Andochtuir's efforts, though it's not without resistance. Ameiko shrugs at Yuto. "As Teru says, there may yet be things of use - though I was thinking more knowledge and the like than actual magical effects. If there's anything dangerous here, we'll face it together."
The work is unpleasant, but working together, the party manages to clear out the stables without encountering any traps.
"Hm, I thought ettercaps were known for their trapping tendencies." Shalelu looks bemused.
There's little of value here, however - just a few bones... and a finely crafted , if somewhat rusted spear forged from cold iron.
"Less interesting than I'd hoped, but may prove useful." Ameiko muses.
If she is a disappointed at the findings, Torra doesn't show it. Instead she nods her chin towards the main doors of the ground floor, beyond which she remembers lies the throne room where Kikonu was staging his strange play.
"Shall we go in there next? There were a few unexplored spots if I recall correctly."
"These are just the stables. There's certainly more interesting sights inside." Teruko's nose wrinkles. "And smells. You might want to wear a handkerchief over your face."
Andy chuckles at the mention of smells and, after shaking off the spider webs on himself - again, it seemed - leads the way there alongside Yuto.
The heroes make their way north to one of the entrances to the keep proper that they haven't been through. After a quick scan, Yuto opens the door, revealing a large number of ruined bunks, heaped into a nest-shaped mound in the center of the room. The all-too-familiar stench of the troglodytes lingers in the room.
Ameiko peeks over his shoulder, curious, and her brow furrows at the stink. "Oof. I'm starting to regret this already." Despite the words, her tone's almost cheerful. "Shall we press on?"
With no threats obvious, the party continues inwards, circling through the familiar rooms of the keep before opening a door in the south of the throne room, and revealing a small hallway - inside are two more doors. The first opens into a surprisingly clean privy, while the second is far worse.
Four stone pillars support the roof of this large hall. What appear to have once been wooden cages lie in shambles throughout the room. A heap of rags and furs in the middle of the room seems to be some sort of makeshift bed, while a large heap of partially eaten birds, squirrels, and wild turnips mounded nearby reeks with the stink of compost.
Shalelu's eyes narrow. "I suspect this is where the ogrekin you saw were laired."
"Careful Ameiko Sama" Yuto sheathes his katana and raises his shield while trying to cover his nostrils with the free hand "We do not know what illnesses might have left those ogres in here!"
"Le-let's keep moving, the sooner we e-end with this palace tour the e-earlier we return to sa-safety" the Tian looks back to the corridor listening to dangers "Where to now?"
"Looking at this, it's a miracle they it didn't eat your friend as well, Riftun," Andochtuir adds, grimacing at the festering pile of gore.
He turns to Yuto. "Well, I was only here for the latter half. Logically, I'm not sure of exactly which rooms have yet to be explored," he responds apologetically.
The heroes proceed eastward into the ballroom, opening the doors on the eastern side. Inside is a small hallway, with four more doors - one each on the north an south walls, and two directly across the hall to the east.
The two doors on either side are untrapped, and each leads into a storeroom.
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Glancing about the room Riftun turns notably green at the pungent scent left by the ogrekin in the form of both their mess and the general stink of the creature's themselves which somehow clung to the space despite the days since the creatures' passing. Still the bard has to hide a smile at Ameiko's obvious enjoyment.
So this is what she's like when out adventuring? It suits her.
"No doubt Kelda would have been too tough to chew." Riftun jokingly replies to Andochtuir's concern. It wasn't unreasonable to worry, but the bard knew first hand that Kelda was not someone to take her fate lying down.
"I-It'll be alright Yuto. I think we've dealt with the majority of the threats here a-and with Ameiko and Shalelu here now I feel we're much safer than before." He nods gratefully towards Shalelu and mutters the words to a simple spell.
His eyes flash blue as he scans around the area in search of any hidden magic before they continue on their way.
"As for where to next... it would be nice to revisit the ballroom."
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"Yes, with Ameiko here perhaps we can use it for the purpose it was intended! Have a little party."
Torra smiles wistfully, daydreaming about grand balls and sweeping gowns, no doubt. "Oh, and there was that wonderful dress we found! Do we still have it?"
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"Oh, it wo-would be wonderful to have a ball he-here if thi-this is ever restored. I-it looks creepy now though..." Yuto observes at the still fresh blood, the shadows and dusty atmosphere of the fortress at current.
Noticing something, the Tian brings out of its hiding place a quiver with twenty-one bolts, one of which is wrapped in red silk "Wh-what might the red silk mean?"
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Andochtuir raises an eyebrow. Even his newborn beard seems to slightly detach itself to look around the group as if to silently ask: 'really?' "So... the plan is to have an impromptu dressup ball in the middle of an abandoned castle occupied by demons, ghosts and ogres, while there may yet be more of them lurking about?"
He tries to maintain serious composure, but between Ameiko's cheery way of going about things and and Riftun and Torra apparently already on-board with the idea, he just shakes his head and laughs softly. "...I suppose it will make a great story for later, if nothing else. Yet, could I still suggest we finish clearing out the immediate area of threats first?"
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Riftun can tell that the red-silk wrapped bolt is, indeed, magical once Yuto brings it to his attention.
Ameiko waves her hand to the east. "There's still a few doors left, before we go back..." She carefully checks over the doors for traps, before nodding and cautiously opening it. Immediately the scent of some sort of preservative hits the heroes.
It's impossible to tell what this room may have originally been used for, as the walls and floor are decorated with countless preserved animals and creatures, ranging from small birds and forest creatures to fearsome predators. Several of the displays look uncomfortably fresh or humanoid in shape.
"Ugh." Ameiko's voice is gutturally disgusted.
Shalelu gazes at the horrific room grimly. "There are some dead humans and elves among them." She observes. "Probably unfortunates who passed by on their journeys north or south."
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"Yes, with Ameiko here perhaps we can use it for the purpose it was intended! Have a little party."
Riftun smiles at Torra's reception to his suggestion his own heart in a flight of fancy about ball gowns he'd love to try. His cheeks go flush at the idea of dancing with a partner and he smiles pleasantly whilst staring off into nothingness.
"Yes, it really would be lovely wouldn't it?"
"Oh, and there was that wonderful dress we found! Do we still have it?"
"Oh! Oh! I-I think we still have it around here somewhere! It would look simply lovely on you! He chimes.
"Oh, it wo-would be wonderful to have a ball he-here if thi-this is ever restored. I-it looks creepy now though..."
"I-It's nothing a little prestidigitation couldn't clean up." Riftun nods decisively as he mutters the words to the spell and clears a random section of the keep of years of gathered dust.
"So... the plan is to have an impromptu dressup ball in the middle of an abandoned castle occupied by demons, ghosts and ogres, while there may yet be more of them lurking about?"
At this reality check Riftun blushes in embarrassment and stares at the floor. "W-Well, right maybe afterwards... i-it was silly of me to suggest.
-------
Riftun examines the bolt cautiously before handing it over to Teruko. "Teruko I think you might get the most use out of this. It will burn your foes a-and if you get a really lucky shot off it may even explode! So umm, d-do be careful."
Riftun covers his mouth in revulsion at the sight of the mangled bodies before them. "Th-This is horrible! Just awful! These poor people... After we've finished clearing the rest of this place I would appreciate if you'd help me bring them outside where we can construct a proper pyre to see them off respectfully... leaving them here like this. I-It would be absolutely disgraceful!" He manages to fight through his nausea to request.
Yuto covers his eyes with his shield, not wanting to look "That is a-aweful... I cou-could have done without it"
The Tian nods in approval to Riftun's idea of not leaving the bodies here "Let's move them out and go home. W-we might avoid a few be-becoming u-un-un-undead"
As they work on the bodies, an idea crosses his mind "Wh-whom these people might be? Are they recently dead or just preserved li-like that?"