Myriana was startled when the machine began to shift and open up and promptly shifted back into gaseous form for her own protection. She floated outside just in time to see Galah'ad and two other spirits appear. One of them was a lovely elven woman and Myriana couldn't help but think it was too bad she was a ghost, that took all the fun out of meeting her.
Seeing everyone was safe, at least for now, Myriana condensed back into a solid form and said, "Galah'ad!" In her relief at seeing him again she forgot he was a ghost for a moment and tried to jump and grab him in a hug. Unfortunately this led to her falling right through him instead and landing with a thump on the ground.
Myriana sat up and looked around blearily a minute before she realized she was inside of Galah'ad's form. She quickly scuttled back from him and stood up as she said, "Sorry, nya."
Desseer waited with concern as Myriana delved into the construct. He was excited and surprised to see the lights and activity resulting in the three emerging.
Desseer approaches and gives the lady a bow, "I am Desseer Arnalc. It is an absolute pleasure to be graced with your presence madam." He then bows to the man, "And a true honor to meet you Warlord."
The Warlord moves forward a few feet hovering before Desseer. "An honor to meet you as well. Galahad told us that you, Seeds of Slaughter, would welcome us into your fold. Though we would like to find out the condition of our societies. If you have some mean to help us with that we will gladly accept. Otherwise soon we will be off heading to said family."
Galahad chuckled watching Myriana jump right through him, a bit saddened over not being able to hug his friend back
"No worries, it's good to see you too"
Desseer nods deeply, "As you wish. But I will require an interview of sorts before you join our fold in earnest. It is for safety I assure you."
"Glad we got that sorted with minimal violence." So'ren lies.
"Pleased to meet you, Tearsu, Morgrave. If you survive your interview with Desseer, you may find we're not all bad." she smiles.
So'ren then jumps back on Breaking Dawn. "Myriana, you want a ride back? If not, I'll probably go check on the farm and see how it progresses."
Relieved that Galah'ad forgave her Myriana moved over towards where everyone was gathered and began to watch the ghostly elven woman for whatever reason. Not seeming to notice herself doing it Myriana licked on of her hands and brought it up to start rubbing at the fur of her ears like a cat. She continued this until she heard So'ren ask if she wanted a ride back.
Myriana's grooming paused as her ears twitched for a second. Her gaze left the elven ghost and turned to So'ren as she thought for a second. She didn't get physically tired, not so far anyway, and probably couldn't since she wasn't really alive, that didn't mean she wouldn't enjoy the chance to relax after all that was happening. After a moment she said, "Sure!" As she went towards Breaking Dawn, Myriana asked Soren, "What farm are you talking about?"
Fyr stands back franklin her 6 foot long scorpion to her right and Jimmy skittering about her body. She waves and sighs as she waits for them to depart the plains that seemed to alter her mind.
He looks among you and states again, "Do you have some means to help us with finding out about our families?"
Looking back from where she was waiting on Breaking Dawn Myriana called back to the spirit's question and aid, "I have no magic that can do that nya." She grinned and said happily, "But if you can get me close to where they last were I should be able to find out nya. I like to talk to people and people like to talk to me nya so it should work out."
Myriana's brow furrowed as she realized something important and added, "You might need to teach me the language first nya but I am a quick study so that shouldn't take long."
"Oh, yeah. It's a nice little abandoned place I found. I have some of my team working on fixing it up. We can swing by before I drop you off if your want to see it." So'ren offers Myriana.
"My magics are not suited for tracking people down, either, but Myrian\s right, if its a matter of gathering information rather than magical location, we should be able to help."
"I suppose that is a good point," Desseer muses. "Warlord, do you know where we are? And, if you would not mind, Lady," he turns to address the other, "the same question to you."
The elven ghost shakes her head, "No, I don't know of a Mandrake Forest or these swamps. My lands were deserts, the Desert of the Two Sands. It is unique in that the Yin and Yang affect each other there daily. Typically through death but sometimes just energies."
She would wait and follow the group once you take the lead after the warlord.
With this new information Myriana looked to So'ren and asked, "Should we follow them? It sounds like we might be close to where his lands are, or at least were nya. It would make more sense to go there now with the others." She paused and looked at the elven ghost and then added, "Or maybe we can find out a direction where her lands were and try to help her find them nya."
Desseer closes his eyes for a moment to get his bearings and update the map in his head.
He then lifts off with his demonic wings and follows the warlord.
"Yes, I think we should know if his lands are close to ours." So'ren agrees, and guides Breaking Dawn to follow th ewarlord.
"Forts?
Galahad looks surprised at the sudden jolt of excitment from the warlord and quickly leaps in the air, flying after his guildmates following Morgrave.
The group easily catches up to Morgrave after a few miles he has stopped midair looking down. You can see the edge of the forest in the distance to the North. Below him are some ancient ruins.
Then he slowly begins his descent.
The ruins have been overgrown by the Mandrakes. You can barely see the semblance of a structure at ground level, all the walls lay upon the ground in scattered debris.
Myriana sat sidesaddle in front of So'ren as they followed the spirit of the warlord after having shifted her wings away since she wouldn't need them for the moment. She was just getting really comfortable and starting to purr when they arrived at their destination. She pouted a bit but sprouted her wings again and started flying low above the ground as she saw the warlord's disappointment and began top search the area for clues.
Seeing the ruined state of what he assumes to be the fort that Morgrave had mentioned, Galahad watches the frustrated warlord with a certain pity for both him and the location
"I assume this place was important to you? It seems that someone or something did a number on it"
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He sighs and states, "Aye, it was my Southern fort, one of six. Looking at the state of it I have been in that contraption for at least several hundred years. My sect is likely decimated, I was the major powerhouse of my Sect. I think we can head to my secret cliff base, if any of them still exist it would." He then continues looking.
"I see, my condolences then"
Galahad says, with pity towards the warlord and yet a little annoyed, if those two were indeed trapped for well over a century then likely everything they told him was horribly outdated. Still, they definitely knew more than he and his friends just by the sheer fact that they were natives to this world, so he might as well try to find out as much as he can. Getting into their good side wouldn't hurt either.
"What you guys say? Wanna try to check for the secret base? - He asks his guild mates.
Desseer remains silent amidst the revelations. Galah'ad has more rapport with this one, he think to himself.
"Being trapped like that..." So'ren trails off. "Must be frustrating. We have been transported into this land with little knowledge of its geography. I think most of us are willing to escort you to your base, and maybe along the way you can fill us in on what you remember about the area."
Myriana was startled at what she spotted as she surveyed the place from the air. She looked to where the warlord's filmy form was and called out, "Hey! Mr Warlord! I think I found something nya!" She circled the area as she waited and when he came nearer, she said, "This area here, nothing has grown over it and nothing is touching it, is it important?" She flew around the perimeter of the strange area.
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Upon Myriana's observation he stops his grid pattern and quickly comes over. With a grin he says, "Only one way to find out! Then he disappears into the floor. He comes back up and nods, "Yes its one of my treasure chests, can on of you dig down around this spot? Or I can possess someone to do it."
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"Sure Soren, though if the mage kings continued to run amok then my inforation will be sorely out of date." As you travel East he talks about a hill over the next bend with glorious glistening trees, but they are both missing. A stream that had run dry. A thriving city that is a Necropolis now. So unless it is sweeping knowledge you are looking for he can't help.
She offers to clarify, "I don't remember these lands nor how I came here. I fear many of my memories were taken as fuel for that monster." She follows towards the rear of the group.
"I found what I was looking for, immortality. Though my poison master class is wasted upon this form." She says more to herself as if it was a fleeting memory.
Desseer's mind triggers at the lady's words. 'CLASS!? He maintains his composure though and moves closer to the ghost lady.
"My lady," he says quietly and respectfully focusing a more intense gaze upon her, "Something you said has piqued my curiosity. What did you mean by poison master class?"
As he asks this he concentrates on disguising his casting with straightening his clothes, hair, and taking longer blinks. He attempts to read her mind.
She looks at Desseer like he is an imbecile but spells it out for him, she states in her haughty voice, "Just that, when I was alive I was a specialized ninja using alchemy and thus poison for my craft. I was able to store and produce some venom as well."
Desseer is about to ask a follow-up question but the sudden emergence of the metallic gauntlet compels his attention.
After quickly backing away he calls out, "Warlord! Is that you?"
Galahad looks amused and surprised for a moment at the ghostly woman's words, if she meant classes in the same way that they understood it, then this world itself has a living RPG style system and considering how their abilities and magic were still working in the same way, this world's system was at least very similar to YGGDRASIL's. He knew that master poisoner and ninja were both classes that existed in there, but he still needed to know if the woman's skills worked in the same way as in the game. But knowing that people in this world also had classes was a huge discovery at the very least.
Before he could say anything the bursting of metal from the ground called his attention, Galahad jumped in the air and raised his shield as he looked upon the unfamiliar gauntlet and shouted
"Everyone! Watch out!"
Fyt dances nervously as she watches. Her legs readily dancing in nervous energy. She pulls her heavy crossbow and looks at the gauntlet. She loads the bolt and quickly looks about for a good ambush spot.
"In case it isn't.... " Soren casts [i[haste[/i] on the group once more.
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The hand makes a fist and goes back into its hole to push more of the cobbles, rock and debris out of the hole. Once a few more of the larger rocks are moved you can see two gauntlets working together. Then a metallic hollow voice comes from the hole, "Hey you guys out there? You going to give me a hand or will I be pissed as you all aim your attacks at me? This is Warlord John Morgrave."
Galahad gives a sigh of relieve
"Damn, you got us by surprise Morgrave, maybe a heads up next time you decide to suit up?" - He says, lowering his shield
"Is that a construct armor?" - In YGGDRASIL, constructs that worked like suits of power armour could be built through crafting skills, he wondered if it was the same in this world and if that was the case how strong was this one?
"Aww poo, I was eager to kill it" Fyr says her face contorted in a decilish grin.
Myriana was surprised by the appearance of the metal hand bursting through the ground and was as ready to fight as the others when she heard the voice from it. It seems the warlord had an alternate body of sorts on hand. She wasn't sure what she could do to help until she remembered one of her most useful spells.
Myriana dropped down to where the warlord was trying to extricated himself and said, "Hold still nya, I need to get a hand into that space." Once she did she chanted and gestured with her other hand and from the hand she stuck in the hole below a pall of grease shot out to coat the cavity and make ti easier to get the suit of armor free.
Myriana then flew back up and around behind the warlord, looking for a good handhold, and grabbed on. She said, "I'll try to help lift you up, just don't expect much from me nya."
Holding the metalic hand she casts grease into the hole, then you lose grip and he slides down into the hole again.
"Wait, you're really stuck in there?" - Galahad says, supressing a chuckle
He watches Myriana try to pull the huge construct from the hole and flies close to them, watching as the hole is too small for the construct to pass
Galahad lowers himself close to the hole and watches the stone
"This stonework has seen better days, wonder if I can use my telekinesis to try and break it apart... What do you think, Morgrave? Maybe as a fellow incorporeal being Lady Tearsu could help using hers as well?"
Galahad and the elven ghost both apply their telekinesis and within moments the hole is five feet wide.
Galahad thanks Lady Tearsu for her aid and then calls out
"What about now Morgrave? Wide enough? We can do it again if you need to"
She nods.
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His metallic hollow voice echoes from below, "Yes widen it another 5 feet then I can push up the chest."
After they tear more of the floor up, the chest is pushed up along the greased side. Using the telekinesis you help pull out the chest. It is a majestic piece of work. A cherry red chest with gold lining its edges. It does not appear to be a normal chest, Morgrave pulls on the handle and it opens and then extends.
Morgrave grabs a few things and then waves to the chest as he steps away putting on the items he claimed.
"Wow!" - Galahad exclaimed, the treasure chest that Morgrave brought was about as luxurious as a Greater Treasure from YGGDRASIL, but regardless of how realistic the game was seeing one up close, in real life, was a different story.
"This is beautiful Morgrave, your companions surely kept a lot of good stuff."
He reaches his ghostly hand towards an item he was very familiar with, a belt of incredible dexterity. The item looked incredibly similar to the one who existed in YGGDRASIL, some could say frighteningly similar, the coincidences between this world and the game only pilling up more and more. He took it and added it to his Grave Trappings via the inventory, glad that he still had slots in them, the item taking the same shape as his incorporeal body
"If they were able to store things like these around them I can only imagine the tricks your new body has. You said it was permanent? It must be quite good for you to give up all the advantages an incorporeal form has"