It takes Aurex several moments to realize that "Rex" is referring to him. He looks down at the corpse for a moment, sniffing it, then shakes his head.
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Aurex fixes a withering stare onto Zikomo, clearly telling him to join his brethren in bowing. After a suitable pause, Aurex speaks. He commands. Aurex makes sure to stress the hierarchy carefully. HE is the one in charge of these two-legged-frog-people, but he did not place himself above or below the rest of the party. Although he knows that when he gains his full power he will be leagues above any of them, for now he will bide his time and play the equal.
Aurex roars, eyes wild with rage and hatred. He grabs the bloodied corpse of Kumanda and shakes it, violently showering the frog-like creatures with the blood and gore of their former leader. He roars.
*Sweating in non-respectable AC* Despite how menacing Aurex is, he is in fact a trumped up animal companion that could likely be dueled and beaten by any party member.
The creatures pause and take a step back, looking at their now bloody leader...
Aurex knows at these close quarters, this muscled frog-creature should have no trouble landing blows. It is likely only Nate's magic that is thwarting him. His vicious assault continues, him roaring as the fire starts to burn in his mouth.
Aurex's eyes dilate as Kumanda lands on top of him. He roars, tearing into the creature with tooth and claw!
Aurex watches the frog-men with a mixture of curiosity and disgust for a moment, but when their leader announces he will ride Aurex, there is no amusement from the dragon. Only a deep, smoldering, terrifying anger. His chest begins to glow dimly as if magma is burning it's way out, and his lips split to reveal his teeth. He is not amused.
It appears Aurex's threat was not bluster, for the glowing continues to brighten, and he opens his maw. A withering inferno blasts from his mouth, viciously blasting forward with pressurized air through the center of the group.
"Bring him. He will make no change to my title." Aurex growls.
As a heads up to all of my games: I am traveling from Friday-Monday and will likely be unable to post very much, please DMPC me as needed. My posting will return to normal on Tuesday.
"You think slaying nine men is praiseworthy? I felled more than that in moments my last time in battle." A classic power struggle, the strong one is being usurped by the religious one. "He looks for weapons, to slay Kumanda Slays-Nine-Men, for he hears the Father of his brood and it demands him do so." Aurex's mouth splits open and reveal his teeth. "Your prayers have been answered, for we are here. You have new leaders. Show us Kumanda."
Ooh damn Errisaigh that if a fat intimidation bonus!
Aurex glares at Raaven, staring right at him despite his invisibility. He turns back to Zikomo. "I am Aurex, you are right to be in fear and awe of me. I am wondrous and terrible, but I may find use in helping if you are of worth to me. Tell me of Zikomo, and the ones with you. I would know all." Aurex blows fire from his nostrils into the air.
Aurex stares at Jack, then Raaven, then a repeated series of deep exhales combined with sputtering of flames ushers from his mouth, and after a moment it becomes clear he's chuckling. Aurex moves himself forward, allowing the creatures to see his imposing form. "Step into the light, one-who-hears-the-father. I would see who I talk with."
Aurex returns to the others with his scouting done. "There is another staircase when you can climb to the second floor. There is also an opening on the third floor that requires flight to reach. I don't know how you plan on getting up there."
Aurex grumbles, turning to go back outside. "I will look for other entrances."
Once Aurex pressures Nate into getting Grumble off the edge of death, the dragon huffs with a look at the infernal ogre. His strength surpasses even mine. I must be careful to not betray him without an advantage. Like Grumblejack, Aurex is exhausted and leans against the largest treant corpse. "We need healing before continuing." He growls over the group.
Aurex stalks around the creature, shaking his head and growling at it.
I AM NOT DEAD YET, LIVING TREE!
Aurex feels his limbs weaken from the monstrous blows. I was wise not to fight this alone before. His instincts scream at him to flee while his spine is still intact, but he clenches his teeth as the magic washes over him. They are not giving up on me, and I can't grab Nate in time. I'll have to trust they can keep me alive. He roars, tearing into the head treant!
OOPH, Aurex can't take another round of that. Even one more hit would likely drop him.
Aurex roars as he crashes forward, throwing his full body weight into the sentient tree!
Well played, sentient kindling. Normally Aurex delights in twisting the logic of would-be do-gooders, but this treant was too wise to be distracted by his games.
Aurex growls in amusement. "I have been as a wolf in these woods, doing no harm except capturing what game is required to sustain me. Even when I saw one of your brothers earlier I fled to avoid conflict, you presume much to think I am here to cause harm."
Aurex expresses an emotion he rarely ever does; surprise. He seems somewhat amused by his 'two-legs' comment, and if he wasn't in such a foul mood he likely would have chuckled at it. Still he cocks his head in curiosity, raising it to give Errisaigh back his personal space. "I like this human." He says simply.
Aurex snorts, scorching a small circle of grass and leaves. "For now. It would do well to keep him busy, despite any complaints about assigned tasks. Threats help, and don't be afraid to strongarm him." He glares at the larger, more intimidating members of the party. "Within reason." He stares off into the forest. "I have been keeping below the treeline as to not drawn any unneeded attention. What I have seen is that game is plentiful and the predators are strong. Massive burrowing creatures and walking trees. I could avoid them with speed but you slow creatures will not be so lucky. I would stay vigilant, and be prepared for resistance." Aurex finally turns his attention to the newcomer. He stalks forward and looms over him, lowering his head to be a hair's breadth away. He takes a deep inhale, then exhales nearly-scorching air over Errisaigh. "You are obviously one of us, else they would not bring you with them. What should I know of you, two-legs?"
Aurex smolders, but after a moment releases his claws and lets Nate stagger to his feet. "We have mentioned Nathanial's broken mind. You have only seen it while I had dominance over the various personalities fighting for control. Each of the seven a real person, cultists who tortured him until his mind was altered into this state."
"It is only Nate's shell, we speak with Menas." He growls, blowing hot air over Nate. "This is why I should have stayed with you on the boat! My presence keeps these cultists in check, but without me it is a free for all."
The tree branches rustle, and the scattering of birds and small wildlife foretell the arrival of a powerful predator. Things go silent for a moment, the chirping of the birds and the singing of the insects lapsing into silence. The air warms very quickly, bringing those present to sweating in an instant as the air shudders from the heat. Suddenly an immense presence is felt, and behind the party looms the spiked red dragon, who somehow managed to get very close despite his bulk. Aurex does not look amused. Ignoring the others he moves forward, not caring if they have to scatter to avoid him, getting up to Nate. Nate rolls his eyes and tries to turn away before Aurex knocks him to the ground, taking a deep inhale before giving a sharp exhale that scatters leaves for twenty yards, seeming as if he has found something. He growls at Nate, seeming more upset about whatever state his partner is in than the new member of the group. "Menas..." He growls, still holding down the surprisingly disinterested-looking Nate. "It was the ship ride, wasn't it? Not enough going on, the disinterest, you f#&&ing snake."
GM: Aurex keeps his distance. There would be a time to raze and burn trees, but it was early. Soon. After Nate is better.
tSH: Aurex cocks his head at the moving tree. Something heavy in its branches? Or is the tree itself rising? Aurex uses the distraction to keep his mind off of Nate, moving over to investigate.
GM: Aurex wakes and feels alone. Deathly alone. The connection is gone.
Aurex roars and coats the walls in fire as he goes from dead asleep to wide-awake in an instant. Damnit, f@##, s&%&ting hellfire! I told them to not keep him from me this long! Burning piss-ants those stupid two-legged... Aurex continues to offer colorful swears as he masters his temper, not wanting to destroy his current abode. Alright, take stock. One thing at a time. Make a plan. Food. Aurex's belly rumbles. You can do nothing if you starve. Keep to small game or you'll draw attention. Aurex leaves the lair, moving to find more deer, which to him seem a good middle ground between small enough that the locals wouldn't notice but large enough that it would fill his belly. As he travels his mind races. Who is it, which one of you torturous f@@+e...ah, Menas. Not as bad as Jahrim, but worse than Narsius or Rubani. Alright, as long as he doesn't get too much attention it shouldn't be a problem...and the others are seeking to avoid attention anyways, right? S#%#, I hope he doesn't attack them.
GM: Aurex snorts his amusement as the creature attempts to follow him. Track a dragon in flight. Best of luck. But with a twinge he remembers he shouldn't fly too high or far less he is seen by the locals, which would cause quite a stir indeed. He grumbles and starts dipping down into the trees, trying to lose the creature.
GM: Aurex crouches low to the ground upon hearing the crashing through the woods. When he sees the immense creature he snarls. I would get severely injured if I attempted to fight that. Not a good idea with Nate not around. Although... Staying low, the spiky dragon sneaks closer to the hunt.
The Shining Host: Aurex settles into the cave, ripping down a few trees and dragging in some boulders for a makeshift nest. Normally he would try to find something already present out of laziness, but his mind was buzzing with worry for Nate; he had never been away for so long, and his grip had already been loosening. Having something to do helped keep him distracted.
"This vessel will be in Farholde tomorrow Aurex, your human will make it that far I am sure. Remember to stay out of sight until the Knot is clear of that city." Aurex looks unhappy at the Cardinal's decision, but grumbles and does not challenge it. Once the meeting is finishes, he flies off into the night, glancing back at Nate before disappearing from view. GM:
Aurex snorts, eyes locking onto Nate. The human goes rigid for a moment, then gets into a more relaxed posture. "I think Nate is not travelling well on the water. Perhaps he should fly with me the next few days." Aurex suggests, looking to Thorn for confirmation.
Aurex does his best impression of rolling his eyes; the bickering of the two legs was fruitless. If one threat did not suffice, either shed blood or admit your bluff.
The Fire-Axe seems like a good creature to keep on one's side...perhaps even above Thorn. Aurex muses, only to himself of course. A forest! Ah, a place where I can truly make a lair and be myself, free to stretch my wings and burn what I please. But as Thorn goes into the details of their mission, he gets focused very seriously on the matter at hand. "This sounds...a dangerous task. High risk high reward. Of course, it seems what we signed up for in the first place. Tempting a demon from an old asylum filled with corpses for a supernatural blight...ancient and powerful forces at work." Aurex warns.
Normally Aurex would be amused by Tiadora's jabs, but he simply grunts his response and waits for the others to enter before sticking his head in behind them. Nate follows dumbly.
Aurex looks at Tiadora with the usual Will I be able to participate in the talk? look.
Aurex nods to Tiadora. Although he hadn't quite figured out how the pecking order was going to work out between the two of them, he liked the creature thus far. Cruel and malicious, but within reasonable measure. His kind of stock. "There will be much blood and fire in the future. I will make sure for this journey my only kills are ones requires to eat." He says in agreement to her plan for subtlety.
Aurex nods in approval at Tiadora's words. Perhaps this was not a foolish alignment after all. He looks at Nate and narrows his eyes. How much longer will you hold though? He wonders. "Am I going to need to go in disguise again?" He inquires of Tiadora.
Slaughter. Triumph. Kingdoms. Aurex looks at the box of platinum ingots. And a horde. Plans are well underway. The dragon crashes down next to the party, shooting a glance in Nate's direction with a snort before looking at Tiadora. "Meet the newest amongst the faithful of Asmodeus." Aurex says with more than a little amusement.
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