If you don't mind, I need to get right there, Anophth says, pointing to the mound of dirt.
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Since it ignored Anophth, then Anophth decides to return the favor. He walks around the room looking for an exit.
Hey little guy! Do you talk? Anophth asks.
Well, f#$%. Went through the flame last time. Lest see what the door has to tell us, shall we? Anophth says to no one in the room. He steps into the red portal.
Anophth: Huh. Where is everyone? Hello? Hellllooooooo!? Anophth calls out.
Anophth heads up the stairs.
Anophth fires another arrow, but he's distracted in trying to find a way to get away.
Let's find out! Anophth says, jumping in the green portal.
Of course I saved you, Anophth says, We Goblins gotta look out for each other. Anophth winks at her and gives a half smile. Anophth stands up and offers her his hand, to help her up, as well. After she stands, he turns to Dramm and says, I'm guessing this whole tower thing happened to him, and he believes sacrifice will help him somehow. It is a full moon, after all. Whatever it is, I'm sure we'll find the answer there.
It's a Skinchanger! Anophth calls out. Use silver! He fires his bow, launching another arrow.
Anopth rushes to the woman and starts to drag her away from the bear.
Yes we are, Anophth says, knocking his bow and loosing an arrow.
It's either chaos magic, or the Fey are involved somewhere. Or both. How far do you think we are from that old fey dungeon we found? Any connections to this?
Oh, give it some time. The seeds have been planted.
So am I! Chosen by one of the most powerful Fey! And the Goblin King is quite the trickster; he'll definitely pretend to be a God and alter your form. Just on a whim! Because that's the kind of a~#!&~+ he is! From now on, I declare you all honorary Goblins!
The Gods? You know the Goblin King isn't a god. He's just very powerful. And looks like you've been accepted into his company! You are now like us goblins, shifting and changing at his will! That's how I got only one eye! And why they call me Anophth! he says, beaming.
Good discovery, Dramm, Anophth said. Let me grab all my equipment and we'll be off. Anophth closes his shop and locks all the doors, as he no longer has any employees to look after it while he's gone.
Well, f!~!. Anophth said to himself, as he got up to follow. On the way, he asks Uruuna, Who are these people? Have you seen them before? What can you tell us going in?
I haven't seen him, Anophth says. He didn't show up for work today. It's a shame, because I had a lot planned for him. I'd talk to him about responsibility, but I haven't been the best role model for that.
Anophth Level 4. +4 Health. Gain 1 Spell: Compel (Rank 2)
Gain 2 gold crowns from adventure. Lifestyle. Getting By (Free). Purchase Comfortable, minus cost of Getting By. (1 SS).
It had been a wild few months for Anophth, and he was looking forward to life returning to normal. Back to the shop. Back to the grind. With Uruuna and Nutmeg pretty much running the shop, they had kind of turned it more into a curiosities for kids. This seriously hurt Anophth's business while he was running it, as every child who came in to his store was immediately afraid and uncomfortable around d him, which in turn made the parents leave without buying anything. This was going to have to change. He picked up and reorganized his store, bringing in new curiosities and other things to sell. He turned the theme to something darker, more adult, and more risque. Not long after, Nutmeg stopped showing up to work. And Uruuna seemed to be more absent than usual. This suited Anophth just fine, as he could use some time to himself. But at the same time, he wanted to help fix up the new Manor and didn't like his employees not being around. Anophth poured what little profits he made into the house, and even spent his nights and weekends there. Studying at the Manor really helped him. After controlling that demon, he focused on the why and how of it, learning as much as he could and trying to see if he could use it in any other fashion. After weeks of study and practice, he finally got it. He couldn't just compel demons - now he could compel anyone. Granted, the additional challenge of it meant he couldn't try it as often as he would like, and it didn't work as long as before, but still, it was a major accomplishment. It was a step forward.
I AM IN CONTROL! Anophth screams, his vocal cords burning in defiance. His fists are balled tight, knuckles as white as a sun baked beach. THIS IS MY CITY! MINE! AND YOU WILL NOT HAVE IT! As Anophth screamed, the demon ripped through flesh and sinew, tearing through skulls, ripping out veins. Blood painted the floors, the walls, the ceiling. DO YOU HEAR ME? YOU SHALL NOT HAVE IT! As the demons separated the head of the last cultist, the room became quiet. The only sounds were Anophth's heavy breathing and the sound of rain as the blood dripped back down to the floor.
Explain myself? F~#@ you, Inquisitor. Anophth sneared that last word. I've done nothing but protect this city. I've risked my f~*$ing life, lost my best friend, been turned into a f@&!ing rat, have a good damned demon infest me and whisper dark secrets into my head, and through it all I've f%~!ing sacrificed and protected this f#@*ing city. I've nearly died ten times over for Crossings. And you have the gal to ask me to explain myself? Where the f@@* were you when I came begging for help from the Martyr? Every good damned priest I've been to has told me the same good damned thing: "Just be a better person." F~&# you! I've got a g%* d#!ned demon inside of me! And the only people who've even listen a f$%*ing finger yo help me are right here with me now. Where you there? F@&! no! Where the f#+~ were you? Where the f++# were you when Father Gregory went missing? Huh? Where the f*$$ were you when the Patchwork Man took his eyes and wore his skin? Where the f*!~ were you while he laid in the hospital barely alive? He's still there, you know! Suffering. Mind f~#~ing gone. And you're here questioning me? ME?! Where the f*!* were you when the other people went missing? Did you even know? Did you even care? Did you even lift a good damned finger for them? For the downtrodden and the diseased?! For the broken and the damned? No! We did! The f@!+ing six of us, right g*+ d++ned here. Where the f+$~ were you when the councilman's daughter went missing? Were you laying traps for the Brotherhood, infiltrating their island? Did you eliminate them? No! We did! The f#~%ing six of us right here. Where the f**@ were you when some g@$ d~#ned Bloody Bones got loose and slaughtered that farmer? Who f+%%ing took care of that? We did! We diced deep into ancient elven crypts and rid the world of that threat! Where the f!!$ were you? WHERE THE F@$+ WERE YOU? Anophth raged at the Inquisitor, and as he screamed, the demon charged forward, claws and teeth extended. It moved with unnatural speed. The demon rushed past Anophth straight for the Inquisitor's throat, but stopped just shy, growling and gnashing its teeth. Anophth stopped screaming. You want to question someone? Anopth asked, his voice still rough, but his tone was normal. Question that. You have until I wake up tomorrow. Better kill it before then, because after that I can't hold it back anymore. And if you want to help me, Anophth said over his shoulder as he walked away, then get this f+@~ing demon out of my head. Later...: Whoooo! Anophth yelled, one hand on a hat, the other on the collar wrapped around the demons neck. Anophth was standing on the demons back as the demon was jumping and bucking about the room. Finally, Anophth lost his grip and flew backwards, landing on his rump. F&%&ing six seconds! Beat that, TaBog! Dramm? You're up next!
What is that?! Anophth calls out, firing an arrow at it.
NO! I AM IN CONTROL! Anophth yells out upon seeing the demon.
Casting Compel Demon. Anophth takes damage.
Know anything about that? Anophth asks the cultist, gesturing towards the false glass heads of the "dwarves." Meanwhile, he knocked an arrow to his bow and fires at the head.
Anophth leads the cultist back to the group. Now that I've separated you from those other guys, I need to let you in on a secret. There's a Plant within the Brotherhood. A traitor. And not just one. These s!##heads are planning on turning in everyone to the Crusaders of the New God. We've selected you because we know you're Loyal. Those other guys? They're with Them. Makes sense, doesn't it? They've always acted a little weird. I know you've seen it. Anophth nods along with his words to entice the cultist to nod along, planting the seeds of doubt in the man's mind. But not you. You're one of the good ones. One of the ones we can count on. Now me, Anophth says, I've been sent in to root them out before all hell breaks loose. Or rather, before they have a chance to stop all hell from breaking loose, if you know what I mean? And that's why I need you. This is going to make you go places. A shot at the top. I just need your help in rooting out the traitors. Whatdya say? A chance to lead the Brotherhood and rid the world of some filthy Crusaders? Take it in a direction of you're choosing? Or back to being a pawn and likely dead at the hands of some f%*$ing priest?
Anophth sets his bow against the wall and adjusts his coat. He grabs his walking cane and taps it down once, letting it echo. You, he whispers.
Yes, you. Orders come from above. You're needed. With me. Now. The rest of you, to the front door. City guards be here soon. Come on now, up to it. Kip, kip. He knocks his cane against the floor with the last two words for added emphasis. After that, he turns and walks back where he came.
Anophth barely ducks the shadows hand as it swipes at the Goblin, and he swings upwards towards the living darkness as he stands back up.
Here comes the second! Steel yourselves! Anophth calls out.
Anophth grabs his cane to attack the shadow.
Move back full movement to lure them towards our group.
I'm good with that. Let's draw them in. As soon as he's in position, Anophth will channel his demonic passenger and to enhance himself.
Anophth heads back to report. Chanting up ahead. Also, more of those shadows things, and no natural light to he found anywhere. They'll be much more dangerous in there.
Anophth continues down to his right to see if he can find anyone or the box, still sneaking.
Anophth shushes everyone and moves to the edge of the hallway, sneaking to see what's in the next room. His bow is ready to draw back.
Anophth tries to grab the spell out of the air.
But misses. He fires his bow again.
And misses again.
Geeze, TaBog, you didn't even give them a chance before trying to kill them. Prejudice, much? Anophth says, teasing Bog. Despite his words, Anophth, too, draws and fires an arrow at the one TaBog shot.
Breathe... Anophth thinks to himself. You are in control.
Anophth is still emotionally shaking, but visibly calms when Dramm speaks to him. I am in control, he says as he grabs his cane and swings it down on the demon. But his muscles are still pumped full of fear and the impact is not as strong as he would have liked.
More demons.. more demons.. Anophth mutters. No no no No No NO no. He closes his eyes. Then he opens them again. Nope. They're still there. Damn. Steeling himself, he pulls back his bow string, hoping against hope it'll be enough before they get to him.
Shaking in his boots, the shot goes wide and scatters down the hall, clacking against the flooring.
Anophth heads towards the right.
The creatures drive into Anophth's mind, reminding him of horrors past. No, no, no, no, no.... he mumbles to himself. Anophth hooks his cane to his belt and pulls out his bow to fire an arrow.
The shot goes wide.
Ouch! F$!!er! Anophth yells out at the demon, as he disappears from sight. He whacks it back, reappearing.
Anophth Disappears again when the demon attacks him. Taking advantage, he immediately strikes at the demon.
Anophth returns to the land of the seeing.
Anophth Disappears as soon as he gets bit, completely gone from sight. The zombie likely doesn't even notice, as it is still grabbing him, but from all other perspectives, Anophth is gone. Invisible, he smacks the thing that bite him.
Once Anophth strikes the creature, he returns to visibility, standing exactly where he was.
Did you see that! Did you see That?! It's not a plague, it's demons! They're being controlled by demons! Anophth grabs his cane and strikes at one.
Anophth draws back the string and lets loose an arrow, aiming for the head.
I am in control, Anophth whispers to himself in the dark tongue, as he draws on the demonic power within.
Edit....
Anophth puts on his new leather armor, that he got with help from Dramm. Knocking am arrow in his new bow, he says, Come on. Let's see what's going on. The city needs us. With that, Anophth heads in.
The dead? Walking? Well f&!+ me. Ok, before we go in, let's be properly prepared. What can we wear to avoid to use to keep the disease at bay? What types of weapons are best against these the dead? Should we stock up on torches or other sources of fire? Ranged weapons? I'd like to have something to use at range. All I have is my walking cane. Do we have any potions that can help with the disease? What's the best route to the origin. I'm guessing there's something there causing all this. Do we have any flares to signal for help? What else am I missing?
Woah. That was unexpected. Any leads? Whose house exploded?
Anophth watches in amazement and horror at the ritual being cast. He is surprised that he didn't experience any pain like he was expecting - other than the average to the iron nails - but still, it was emotionally draining to watch his friend go through it. Anophth rushed to Dramm's side when he collapsed, Dramm! What happened?! What's going on?! As the hours passed, Anophth paced around, anxiety building up in him over Dramm's state until he finally woke up. The next day, Anophth decided he needed to go away for a while. It was all too much for him to handle. Between the demonic possession, the loss of his strength, the loss of his ratness despite retaining the fur, and all the magically induced pain - it was all too much. That day,he bought his tickets. He took a caravan to Sixton and then the rail down south to the Confederacies, where he spent a few days in each of the nine cities before returning. The entire trip was spent carousing and partying and re-learning how to love life. Along the way, he talked to anyone and everyone he could, slowly building his confidence back up. Picking up his old habits and skills, he traded everything he could: secrets, goods, promises, knowledge, lies, half truths, money, loans, anything. He picked up the dark tongue from an orc woman he befriended (maybe a little more than just friends), staying with her for several weeks of his trip. And he discovered how to protect himself and his friends from the pain of magic, stealing spells right out of the air and throwing them back at their source. By the time he got back to Crossings, he felt like his old self. He had a smile on his face, which could be seen because he was shaved. Despite the rest of the fur on his body, Anophth now shaves his face and head almost daily.
Anophth stares at Dramm with a hard look. No. he says, flatly. You will not prevent me from helping you. I will be there, side by side, for every moment of it. I don't care if it breaks every bone in my body. You will let me help.
Bunch of stuff: Losing Shape Changer. Losing +1 Str and -1 Int. Losing silver sensitivity. Gain New Language: Dark Speech Level up!
Story Development: Gained new tricks and abilities by talking to a bunch of people and learning their secrets while traveling across the empire. Attribute Increase: +1 Agility, +1 Int
Magic You either discover a new tradition or learn one spell from a tradition you have already discovered. New Tradition: Enchantment. Gain a Rank 0 spell. Tempt. Trade old spell for new spell of same rank. Trading out Favor of the Demon Lord (rank 1) for Charm (Rank 1). Steal Spell. When a creature within medium range casts a spell, you can use a triggered action to attempt to steal it. Make an Intellect attack roll against the triggering creature’s Intellect. On a success, the cast spell has no effect. If your Power is high enough to cast the spell, you gain one casting of that spell. You retain this casting until you expend it to cast the spell or until you complete a rest, at which point the casting fades from your mind. Once
Lifestyle: Wealthy
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