I apologize for my lack of posting. Things are... not good. I'll post tomorrow.
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Bora, meanwhile, actually makes some effort to make good on her roving party idea, laughing as she leads them off and drinking as she can.
Bora actually had no clue what to do at this point... but she wasn't about to let that stop her! As soon as she got their attention, she grinned even wider as an idea came to her head. "Come! Follow me! As a great sorceress, I have determined this entire city needs cheer! So let's have a roving party that moves across the entire city!" And with that she picks and direction and heads off purposefully in it, hoping the entire crowd follows.
I was actually waiting for others to post before I posted >.> Posting too frequently always strikes me as overrunning others. I should have a post up in a few hours. I also have a lot on my plate for today.
Bora looked to Naneko, frowning. She had been keeping quiet for a bit, but now knew what she needed to do. But she also made certain to speak quietly. "What were the reasons for the kill? Was the kill simply because they could? Self-defense? Or did they kill to stop an evil? We do not know enough details to judge them, and I would prefer not to have the blood of an innocent man on my hands if I could avoid it. We need more information. And it may be possible for them to atone. If they can atone, I would rather they have the chance to learn from what they did and grow from it. After all, we all make mistakes. Every single one of us is here because of a mistake in the past, and every single one of us was granted a second chance. Our mistakes may not be the same as the one the monks are guarding, but the fact they happened and the fact we have our chance means we should grant it to others where possible. Because it's the right thing to do." She then looks to Roland and nods. "I'll lead them off to drink and celebration. I know you, of all people, understand justice far better than any of us. I trust in your decision making." Then she turned to the crowd, that mad grin appearing on her face and hands raising above her head. "A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE! COME, CROWD, AND LET US DRINK AND BE MERRY! MY COMPATRIOTS WILL HANDLE THINGS WHILE WE CELEBRATE! COME! TO ALCOHOL AND MAKING THE DARK FEAR US WE GO!"
Bora shook her head to Naneko and pointed to the elf. "Whatever is going on, it's what the elf is shouting about that is the cause. Not the monks. Trouble brews a cocktail that spreads upon the winds. Let us hope this cocktail is not potent." She looks to Dorrigan and smiles. "Any way we can help?"
Bora grinned, pulling her badger mask out of her pack and slipping it on. "You guys ask why they are fighting... I'm going to find out." I need as big an entrance as possible, and nothing says big entrance quite like things blowing up. Hammer, nail, all that pizzazz. She looks around for an empty spot where no person or object would be within range of one of her bombs going off. If she finds it, she quickly mixes a bomb and throws it at that spot, grinning when it explodes. And then she looks back to the crowd, grinning madly. "I AM THE GREAT SORCERESS MOLINANKO BOUNCEALOT! I HAVE COME BECAUSE I HAVE SENSED FIGHTING AND I KNOW WHAT DARK MAGICS THAT DRAWS! WHY ARE YOU FIGHTING, WHEN DRINK AND GOOD CHEER FORCE VILE MAGICS TO FLEE INTO THE NIGHT?" She really didn't care if they didn't believe she could use magic, and didn't bother to even try to make it believable. "I SAY DOWN WITH DARK SPIRITS! LET US RESOLVE THIS FIGHT AND DRINK UNTIL THE DARK FEARS OUR NAMES!"
Even I'm going to admit that Bora isn't quite right in the head... but even I don't know if she's actually, truly crazy or just a very talented actor who forgot she doesn't need the character anymore. And it's entirely possible that both are true. Though, Bora isn't going to stop the maniacal laughter. She's not even aware that it's maniacal, really. She's a bit dense about herself in a few areas :P Poor Roland...
Bora got a sheepish look on her face at Roland's scolding of her and let go of the poor man she had accosted. "Sorry about that. I sometimes get a little caught up in the moment." She coughed and then took a step back, an embarrassed look upon her face. "So, um, please accept accept my apology." I hope he doesn't flee. I wouldn't blame him if he did.
That poor guard. He's utterly like, "What is this? I don't even..."
Bora paused, twitching just a bit. Did she just call me mad? Bora then turned, staring Naneko in the face, wide unblinking artificial eyes glowing with the pure power of insanity. "'Madwoman?' You call me mad? You dare call me mad? They called me mad for daring to do my research! They called me mad for daring to do it alone! They called me mad for my successes! They called me mad because I was unwilling to give up even after having sight stolen from me! And you dare call me mad! YOU WILL RUE THIS DAY! YOU WILL RUE IT HARD! Because I'm about to show you what madness truly is! YOU WANT ME TO BE A MADWOMAN, SO I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU MADNESS! I WILL GLUT MYSELF WITH THE PURE ESSENCE OF INSANITY AND DANCE IN THE ELDRITCH SHADOWS OF STRANGENESS INCARNATE! And I will do it tonight, while breaking up that crowd, just so you can watch and know the terror of what you have unleashed! And then you will rue calling me mad! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" And, assuming she has not been punched yet, she turns to the person Roland had encountered, assuming he had not fled in terror. If he had, she grabs the nearest passerby. Either way, her smile has the full force of her madness in display and is as wide as it can be. "Show me to this Korovan's Vale! And then watch in awe as a lunatic calms the fray! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Bora grinned at the mention of a fight, and grinned wider as Roland mentioned heading to where it is. "Breaking up a drunken fight? Now this is going to be fun! Bwahahahaha!" She moves to follow Roland out the door, intent on finding the place and helping deal with the fight. "So, have you got a plan? Because I think I might..." Just need to draw as much attention to myself as quickly as possible in the most shocking way possible... and then declare mysef a sorceress or something and declare peaceful celebrations stop bad magic. Along with alcohol. Might work...
Bora sighed. "I had hoped we would delay dealing with her. We must watch her for contradictions. And she may not be who she says she is." She shrugged, then looked to Dorrigan. "I will have to speak to the mage later. I hope I can in time. I need to head with the group to meet our 'employer.'"
Bora nodded to what the man said, then gave a wave hello to Amy. "You look like you had a lot of fun." She grinned. "Hear any stories of moving objects?" She winked to Amy, to let the silent woman know she's joking, then looked back to Dorrigan. "I hope not as well, but given the past couple of days, please pardon me if I'm a wee bit paranoid about things like this. For all I know, I'm about to be attacked by a flying squirrel made of flames or dancing bar stools. Maybe even feline minstrels who want a song battle during an actual battle." She shrugs. "It's been a weird couple of days." Then she considers. "Would the mage happen to like some explosions to go along with his show? As long as they're a safe distance from him and are not hitting anything flammable, I can do it easily. Wait, perhaps I should ask the mage..."
Bora's face fell at finding out the shops are closed. And then she sighed and nodded. "So, for four days, we just have to avoid getting into any fights..." Bora then tilted her head as she considered the last two days. "Do your healers offer a discount for frequent customers? Just in case." She waved hello to Naneko, smiled as the woman laughed, and then waved hello to Gavin. I think we're missing one... "Has anyone seen Wise Woman?" Oh, wait, they don't know the nicknames I use... "Our silent party member. The one who doesn't talk, but always seems to be drinking tea or the like... A lot more powerful than she seems."
Bora made it a special point to set up the alchemy lab in a room they had where it had space as soon as she got up the next morning. Meals were skipped for now; she could finally get back to working again! She was glad to finally get it out of her backpack! Sadly, she still needed supplies... She wandered out, no longer as burdened as she was, and looked to the pair here. "I happen to need supplies for alchemy purposes. Is there a place I can get some?" She looks to Roland. "How's Ragey doing?" Huh. It seems I've nicknamed her after all.
Bora looked through the masks and paused a moment. There was a badger mask. It was somewhat stylized, and the lines were somewhat crude, but it was unmistakably the face of a badger. She picked it up and looked at it, then flipped it over and held it up to her own face. Perfect fit. I was just thinking about badgers... Okay, this is weirder than half the stuff that comes out of my mouth. She looked around a bit, then mentally imagined a couple of the uglier men from her home town dancing around a pole in women's underwear just to give bad mental images to any telepaths that might be eavesdropping on her thoughts, and then shrugged and walked off to follow Roland while holding the mask. I probably shouldn't be out in public much... Besides, I need to see if they have space so I can set up the portable alchemy lab.
Amy's actions were not unnoticed, though Bora had chosen to spend the time being mostly quiet. Bora hmms as she notices the interactions, but says nothing. She also notices how what Kerrig says on the time scale almost seems to contradict itself in the same sentence. She purses her lips. Note to self... Ker... Um... Kar... um... Ms. Pantsfire and the Masked Merchant don't seem to like each other. Methinks the jolly mercantile is going to be a good friend. She then smiles to Dorrigan. "Can you tell me more about the history of this festival later? I need to rest, though. Long road, full of peril." Yay! I can interact like a normal person instead of like a rabid badger wearing a pink dress!
Bora chose this point to speak up. "Very. We woke up in the woods with no idea of how we got our enhancements or where we are. The past couple of days have given a reasonable basis for a 'shoot first, shoot again, care later' attitude."
Bora crosses her arms as she sees the man running off, celebrating. "In my defense, after the last two days I feel a little paranoia is more than justified."
Bora watched quietly, up until she heard the man's reply. The family? Oh %$#%! Big trap! She reaches to tap Amy's shoulder, motions to follow, and then starts edging away from the merchant, toward the wilderness. All the while, she's working out how to tell Roland it's a trap. Blast it.. How do I... And then an idea occurs to her. "Roland, we might want to hurry. Remember that story I told you... about the man shouting 'It's a trap?' And that was about as subtle as a gold-plated brick to the face.
Bora blinks. Bwa? Festival? Yep, probably a trap. She then smiles to the man. Well, if I'm going to play a sucker, I might as well say my lines. "Could you tell me about the festival? And about the town itself? Sadly, the guide that helped us get here was not very forthcoming on information." Of course, we never asked...
Bora stopped and looked at the city itself. Nice. Safe. Seems to be clean. No machinery. Probably a trap. "A nice, safe-seeming meeting got us all dumped in the woods. A nice, safe jaunt through the woods got us chased by a madwoman. A nice, safe valley got us into a fight that nearly killed Naneko. A nice, safe cave lost us our guide. Before us is a nice, safe city." Bora then looks to the others. "Who votes we blow it up and rebuild on the ashes?" Bora then raises her hand. If the group decides otherwise, she merely shrugs and follows them to the city itself.
Bora nodded. "It is not any surprise to me. He's a Hekajin, and he's probably not welcome in the city." She sighs. "I'm ready to go when the others are."
Bora raised an eyebrow at Naneko's raging reply. And they called ME mad? They'll rue the day for it twice! And twice more! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! She then finished eating, before putting things away and grabbing her alchemist's equipment. It was time to prepare things for the day anyway. "I was close to an explosion that could have killed me, but left me blind. I had the skills to make something which could have repaired my own sight... but because I hadn't prepared it, I spent time locked away in a hospital, trapped in a veil of darkness while knowing that what I needed was just beyond my grasp..." She glances over. "For me, the difference between that hospital room and death is nonexistent. I jest because I have been effectively dead already and I am determined to live as much as I can with whatever time I am given in this second chance. Comedy is part of it. After all, anyone can die in combat; not many are brave enough to laugh in the face of Death itself after barely surviving. Some say only the mad do it." And then she smiles coldly as she continues to create bomb preparations; they were always first on her list now. "And anyone who seeks to return me to death is in for a very nasty surprise." She frowns. "Sadly, what I make cannot help you at this time. I need supplies for more... permanent forms. What I produce to heal with loses its power when it leaves my hand otherwise. But you can bet that my first goal will be to make certain that, next time, a fall in battle will be a lot less of a risk." She grins again, broadly, as she holds up a bomb preparation. "And then those who threaten us will rue the day they dare try! They will regret crossing our paths and learn to respect our arts! And learn I'm not mad! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" Bora coughed and, embarrassed, returned to mixing bomb preparations. Then she would begin to mix elixirs; one of cure light wounds, two of ant haul. Just like the day before. One of the Ant Hauls would be downed immediately.
Bora yawned as she came awake, though she did not say anything this morning. Merely munched on bits from another trail ration. Then she looked over as Naneko awoke and smiled. "Welcome back to the world of the living. You missed it; you took out the mother, but we had to deal with a fabulous beauty pageant that followed. My, how they moved! How they swam! Sadly, they had no grace, so we were forced to veto them one after another. And the contest ended in disappointment when the last contestant admitted their own lack of skill and withdrew." Then she grinned. "So, naturally, we kept the contest prizes for ourselves! You got first prize... the blade and a necklace! And some money, of course. The rest of us took runner-up prizes." Cue ragey woman looking at me like I'm nuts in ten... nine... eight...
Bora smiled to Gavin. "This will be enough. Thank you." She picked up one of the amulets and looked at it. These things are odd... I shall have to examine one later. But, I doubt it would hurt me. And then she slipped it on, then leaned back and sighed. "I think I owe our guide an apology. I suspect he's had life rough and my words to him were harsh. Plus, we did come out of it alive and the city is before us..." She paused for a moment, remembering something. "And he did warn us we should get away from the woods quickly... f*%&. You think those things were minions of the creature hunting us? If so, no wonder he took off like he did... we barely handled it and we're a lot better armed than he is." She stretched a bit and mmmed. "And we learned some of our various talents. You guys learned I can make and use bombs for combat, Roland is an excellent shot, Naneko could probably get in a boxing match with a bear and come out okay..." She then looks to Amy. "And I know better than to disturb your tea." She gave Amy a knowing wink. Her gaze returns to Gavin. "Not certain of your talent yet. I bet it's not one I want to cross, though. After all, the rest of us are dangerous individually, and I doubt whoever employed us would shift the paradigm for even one member. And it's entirely possible they dropped me in because, well..." She grins madly. "I can see again... and I bet they knew exactly how I'd react." But this is also dangerous territory... Roland and Rourke should not have headed out alone. Then turned to watch for the others and any sign of trouble, all the while keeping an ear to the conversation. She tried not to show any sign, but any close examination of her face would show she was worried.
Bora smiles once everything is grabbed and gathered... even more so once Amy stabilizes Naneko. Though, she frowns at the idea of staying within the valley. "Considering our time here so far has proven rather sour, I am not as inclined to trust this valley. There could be more mothers. More daughters. Fathers. Sons. Invisible plague rats. Let's see if we cannot exit this place quickly." She then looks to Rourke. "Perhaps you know of any more dangers we should watch for?"
Once they start to move, she keeps her eyes open, looking around to see if she can see anything else coming.
Bora looked over at Naneko and cursed, then walked over. She glanced down and frowned, then shook her head to what Roland said. "If I had any skill in medical that could have helped, I probably wouldn't have been in the hospital in the first place. I can make a healing elixir, but it loses its power as soon as it leaves my hand." She frowned. "In fact, I don't think it has any power on others... I need to research how to change that." She then looked to the other two. "Either of you have any skill at this? I'm liable to do a worse job."
Bora curses beneath her breath and takes a step towards Naneko. Then, she aims again, throwing a bomb at the daughter due west of her.
Then she curses more as gunfire rains down upon the group. "This is getting ridiculous... How many of these things are there?"
Bora smiled and relaxed as the mother fell, then looked to Naneko to see how she's doing. We did it! We're going to get out of this alive! And then the scream started. Rourke, I am going to beat you to death with your own fists if you knew this would happen. "Bloody son of a... this is looking like a trap!" She waited for a target, until Roland fired at one. That was all she needed; with what swiftness she could manage, she mixed a bomb and threw it at the daughter directly East of her, hoping the increased distance won't be a problem.
And then she curses as it misses. "Anyone else up for finding a more defensible position?"
I'm still here! Just dealing with a real-life problem.
"Hey, other guy! Move as well! You're close enough to be hit by an explosion!"
Bora's reaction to the light show was a little different. Ooh, shiny... I wonder if I can get a bomb to do that? And what did she do?
Interesting... I wonder how long she's been able to use magic? And then she turns back to the battle. "Hey, um..." What was her name again? "Hey! Ragey girl with the sword! back away from it! You're within explosion range! Maybe I should give these people nicknames so I remember what to call them... If Naneko backs away, Bora quickly mixes and throws another bomb at the creature, laughing maniacally when it explodes.
If Naneko doesn't move, Bora curses and pulls her dagger out of its sheath, ready to charge the first moment it makes sense.
Yeah... methinks this may not be good for the party...
Bora curses as soon as the misshapen mother creature appeared. "What kind of horrible creature is that?!?" She then hunches, prepared to attack, aiming to toss a bomb at it as soon as it's twenty feet away. "Naneko! Duck!" Once Mother is within range, she rapidly mixes and tosses the bomb, cursing and hoping she doesn't catch Naneko in the blast. Please don't hit the others... please don't hit the others... please don't hit the others... This is why I work alone!
Oh crap... I think I missed... Please don't hit the others!
"Last chance to surrender!" As Bora speaks, she's grinning like the madwoman she truly is. Bwahaha! Stuff blowing up properly! I love it!
Naneko and Bora approach intimidation differently... Naneko intimidates with dazzling displays and shouting. Bora intimidates with explosions. Working together, I can see these two intimidating entire armies into submission :P
Yeah, I believe these people are friendly about as much as I believe the ground is made of cheese. Bora motioned for the newcomers to approach, all the while giving Roland a look and nod. I hope he understands what that means. "Please, feel free to join us! I have a special drink I believe you would enjoy! Please, feel free to.."] And then Naneko begins to rage, shouting at them. "F%$^!" You know, maybe I could aid her... While Naneko is busy raging, Bora provides the only aid she can: She slips her hand behind her, pulls out the chemicals necessary, rapidly mixes a bomb, and then throws it at the nearest of the three.
"Hahahahahaha! Surrender or burn, infidel scum!"
Bora narrowed her eyes as the two newcomers entered, trying to figure out exactly what they are.
She then glanced around even more and pondered what reason the hunter could have for not entering the valley, then glanced around at those with her. Great. I bet this place hides something even worse than the hunter. Then she turns her eyes to the newcomers. "Tell me... what is down here that scares the one hunting?"
I think WJS has the right of it, though I would say that a chaotic good character would accept official channels if those channels lined up with what the chaotic good character is trying to accomplish. Basically, I would say Batman is chaotic good.
At Amy deciding to head down the vines, Bora made an executive decision and headed to follow. And then she spotted Amy holding out a hand. What in the world is she...
If Bora identifies it, she notes it for later. If not, she makes a mental note to ask Amy about it later. "I'm taking my chances with the creatures. Anyone else following?" And then Bora attempts to climb down the vines...
Amy, I am enjoying how your character moving vines is messing with Bora's head unintentionally XD
Bora frowned as she spotted the claw marks around the warrens. This is going from bad to worse. Her eyes glanced around, spotting a tree they could knock down, and then the vines... The moving vines... What in the... "There are claw marks on those warrens and moving vines... And it sounds like some kind of invisible predator. Rourke, I think I speak for everyone when I ask this: What the f%^& is down in that valley?"
Bora grinned at the words he said. One of the reasons, huh? I bet you know a lot about another.
She then glances to Naneko as she follows the group out, nodding to what Roland says. "They know the lay of the land. We do not. It's better to find out more about them before we engage." She then looked around, trying to figure out if a gorge would actually exist in this area.
Welcome back!
Bora cursed, but was ready. "Okay, let's move. I don't want to wait around for her to get here." She then looks to Roland. "Now we know why the caravans are so heavily guarded."
Bora cursed as soon as she heard the noise. She immediately stood and headed to her sleeping area, to grab her bag and begin mixing elixirs. Two of Ant Haul and, after a moment of thought, one of Cure Light Wounds. At hearing it's a call of challenge, she curses even more. "Rourke, does she raid caravans?" She's still mixing the elixirs when she hears that bit about packing up. "Hold on... I'm making certain I don't slow us down." As soon as she's done, she walks over and rattles each tent and sleeping bag to wake up the occupant, then packs her own stuff, downs an elixir of ant haul, and pulls her backpack on. She would have used explosions to wake people up, but didn't want to draw the attention of whoever it was that had that horn... explosions tended to be hard to miss, after all. She also makes certain to keep the chemicals for a bomb close at hand. "Alright. I'm ready."
Bora smiled, and then moved on to the next topic. "If not, all we need is raw supplies for it. Hopefully, most towns will have the raw supplies. Producing our own may be a bit dangerous, so we should test the first batch before using it. But it may be our only option if the town is small enough." |