Æthelweard blinks, mulling the question, then chuckles;
"Surprisingly good old chap... Feel like a fog has lifted... and surprisingly hale..."
He brushes off his ash mantle, then looks around him;
"Was all this the giant's doing?"
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Coated in ash, the tall lanky man stands... squinting toward Max as he approaches. His voice is weary and questioning; "M-Maxwell? Bouddica's bones can it be you?!"
Dutch Whispers:
Dutch's hushed words bear the warm tone of an acquaintance; "Eat me? Eoten tried it once before Prof, in a past yet to come. Didn't take then. Won't now. Besides we're old friends, or at least we will be." The Professor stands perplexed at whatever Dutch imparted. His bushy brow raising quizzically as the man continues to outline the what and why of his meeting with Eldritch. At the mention of exterminating vampires, he looks nervously toward the others; "Look Old Boy. Regardless of the prowess of our assembled might, this sounds something my other would revel in. Perhaps I should conjure him, so whatever folly you are all about to embark on, the brute is involved from the start. Personally I have little compunction to join the legions of Tepes or his sires..."
Professor brow furrows as he takes in the words and countenance of the newcomer; "Excuse me old chap. You say we won't remember... this all sounds like we are to be mind-wiped or some nefarious method you secret service dark ops people use! I would like to forewarn you if that is your intent Master Dutch... while I, being a humble academic will succumb... you may unlock the oaf... my other. He will not be as malleable, and will likely eat you for trying." He tips the nod to the Agent of ARCADE; "Forewarned and all that eh since we're on the same side!"
The Professor merely hangs back in awe of the prowess of their Good Knight.
The Professor watches impassively as the pumpkin dissolves, before commenting on the discussion; "Insane indeed, but then what is not when it comes to the supernatural heroics of Eldritch eh? If we are dealing with vampyres or their ilk, then might I suggest the giant would be a better companion? While my knowledge on myth and lore is substantial, our Good Knyght here capably forearmed on such matters..." Æthelweard chuckles to himself rather gruffly for such cultured scholar...
Peering down at the pumpkin, Æthelweard waves off Gracie's suggestion to contact Cesarina; "No need to contact her Gracie. I recall an essay by Alexandru Balan entitled Monștri, spirite și diavoli din Balcani... quite a brilliant read it was too... but I digress." He gestures toward the suspicious squash, then continues; "Balan wrote that among the folklore of the Romani, a sort of "vampyre pumpkin" exists. When a pumpkin is kept too long in a home, they gain a sentience of sort... draining good fortune and mental fortitude from the home's denizens! Not a particular threat and be destroyed by immersion in boiling water, then sundering with a wooden implement..." Quite pleased with himself he straightens his back with a wince; "So easily dealt with I would say. Mystery here is which ambitious vampire put it here in the first place, and for what nefarious purpose eh?"
What has the brute to say? Monster In The Mirror: His reflection is a burly brute, mirroring his own hair colouring and with the same golden eyes.
Æthelweard looks up from his examination of the strange missives at Max's conversation; "Isn't it always urgent dear boy? Best we make haste I say!"
"... I'm at the museum Maxwell. Give me a call back when you can lad... Your message piqued my interest somewhat." Æthelweard clicks off the phone and reaches for his pipe; Of course the lad would be busy... Still I've left the message. He'll no doubt materialise out of thin air, with a story to tell... The Professor packs the plug of tobacco as mulls the Eoten's words from earlier. He catches his reflection in one of the glass doors of his anteroom office. The brute was right. He did look younger, and walked a little straighter. Perhaps the door did swing both ways. Perhaps there was hidden benefits to a more... congenial... arrangement with the giant. Sparking his pipe, the scholar returned to his desk and his work. "Perhaps you shall pay me a visit soon Maxwell... Or perhaps it shall be the Eoten who comes knocking..."
Hunter Museum of Natural History; Basement Level C Æthelweard stands before the restroom mirror, his lanky frame bowed as he grips the sink with his long, thin hands. Sweat beads on his brow and he looks up to meet the gaze of his reflection. What he sees is not the face of a scholar worn by years in research, nor the lean frame hunched by years of scrutinising and archiving. No, the refection before him is a towering brute, impassive in its simmering rage. The Professor meets its hard stare, with his own. Identical golden eyes meet; the mortal’s lined with age, wide in fear. The monster’s framed in daubed wode, constricted in anger. Stammering, Æthelweard addresses the creature before him. ”I… I… am sorry. Please. Understand the incantation was supposed to set you… us… free.” The giant’s glare remains unchanged. ”Maxwell wields much more power now. Such a spell in his hands would allow you to free of me… of this mortal prison.. And I could continue my precious work, safe in the knowledge, that you were… unfettered.” The brute’s heavy brow furrows at Æthelweard’s words, but nothing is said in reply. Still perturbed, the scholar continues, his voice shaky; ”Y-you are too d-dangerous. Maxwell trusts me, so trusts you. Oz cannot see for his own shadows. Cesarina and Gracie both I think, know the threat you hold. I c-cannot risk them… not for a folly. At the Maw you… almost succumbed. Were it not for my voice, then you would have listened to the Devourer’s hungry w-UGH…” As he speaks the scholar stands a little taller, his words a little more defiant. Words cut short by the corded forearm as thick as a man’s leg than reach through the mirror, gripping Æthelweard’s throat. The scholar futility claws at the iron grip that threatens to crush bone and throat. Then it speaks. Voice deep and rumbling;
The giant smiles menacingly, but does not release its grip;
Æthelweard had ceased his struggling, perhaps resigned to this strange death. Yet the words of the ogreish creature rung true. While his eyes had turned golden to match the monster’s, the colouring of its hair had become pale, flecked with his own light brown colouring. Of late he had felt more hale than in years… Perhaps in recognition of the erosion of its own brutish nature, perhaps borne of frustration with the mortal it held fast, the giant’s anger spills over into a bellow as it roughly releases its hand.
Minutes, perhaps hours later Æthelweard comes to, across the room from the sink and mirror where he stood. His is alone, save for the incessant buzzing from the phone nestled in his jacket. Sore, he rises, long fingers reaching for the device as his golden eyes survey the mirror. It is shattered, like a wide hole was punched through it from the inside. His gaze flicks to the phone. [3 MISSED CALLS: MAXWELL]
Duty, it would seem, calls…
Beneath a pile of Sub-Terrans the lanky Professor is easily pinned, as he struggles against the creatures outwith and within. As the troglodytes snap and stab, the academic yells for help, except it is not a plea that comes forth, but a bellowed single word...
"Oh my. I come in peace! Venio in pace! Pax! Frith! No bloody need for that! P-P-Please! You'll w-wake him!
Beset by the stunted creatures, Æthelweard takes a spear thrust to the ribs, but his augmented form weathers the blow. Fee However as he flails in panic, his long limbs tangle and he trips over himself before scrambling frantically backward... FIE The trio surge forward, seeking to overwhelm the lanky Professor! FOE
Apologies gang - work this week (bunch of offshore call-offs, meetings about aforementioned call-offs) and conducting my teams appraisals has stymied me and emptied the energy reserves. Hope to get a post up tonight/Saturday morn.
Non taken - Gracie is your PC after all :) That is just awesome DQ - you've got her perfectly!
More Eldritch Heroforgery for you all. My take on Gracie (two versions; one with arcane armour and one sans magic). DQ - scabbard options don't do the blade justice, so skipped on that - artistic license etc. Wan't sure if her armour glowed like Calesvol? Regardless have tried to do our good knight justice:
Old habits die hard and the archaeological magpie in Æthelweard is momentarily drawn to the gems and ancient artefacts. "Quite the trove, worth a inves-" He snaps out of it as the team are assailed by the troglodytes, then freezes (ironically) in place when Pyre makes his presence known. "Oh my. The fiery elemental fellow... Not him again!" The Professor's panicked voice harkens back to when he last saw Pyre, and the change that came soon after. His hand moves instinctively to the ancient stone at his neck, thin fingers gripping through the fabric of his shirt as an equally ancient incantation forms on his lips...
Some more of my misappropriated time, this effort (hopefully) improving on ST's take on the Sub-Terrans:
Continuing the Heroforge offerings... I humbly present the good Professor's giant alter-ego: EOTEN! Drew from my old Marvel faves of Ulik the Troll and Sasquatch, with a dash of Slaine and Celtic+Old English mythlore.
Back at his museum office Æthelweard obtains a change of attire; disposing of his tweed suit for identical ensemble but with reinforced elbow patches. Once changed he gathers an old satchel, placing in it his British Archeological Assocation thermos flask and a flashlight. From the exhibits he “borrows” a pith helmet, Webley & Scott flare pistol and an antique police belt lamp. The lanky academic then returns with Max, joining the others for the coming expedition. At Max’s prompt he nervously nods, hand straying absentmindedly to the stone Eotenheorte around his neck; ”Girded as I… We.. can be I suppose old chap… Onward to Agartha!"
Have finally nailed down Æthelweard/Eoten... As per his origin Æthelweard discovered the petrified heart of Cornish Giant Cormoran. It's magic activated by his giantish bloodline, and in tandem with the ancient incantation allows him to transform into Eoten. The Eotenheorte artefact gives the Professor immunity to disease, increase in toughness (so he's less squishy when I run with him over Eoten in-game) and regeneration whilst on the mainland of Albion (Great Britain) Sorry its taken so long Tumbler :) Getting back to Heroforge, agree Echos' has some skills. Need to raise my game lol...
Æthelweard surpresses a smile at Gracie's self control, then nods at the agreed course of action; "Blimey indeed Grace. Domain of the Under King, all sounds very Jules Verne I must say. Well over the years I have accompanied numerous expeditions; the Cumbria Hills, Isle of Orkney and even the Lascaux Caves! Though I dare say this will be a little more perilous?" He once again, the Professor looks at his countenance with a degree of disdain; "I have... ahem... suits of identical fashion back at my office. I've found that bulk buying is most economic over the years. Can pick up my tea-flask, pack and cagoule. "
Æthelweard tips the nod to Max, then smiles weakly at the understanding displayed; "I am fine as I can be Maxwell. Your collective concern and clemency is admirable... and appreciated." Trying to remain dignified with an ichor covered countenance, the Professor focusses on Gracie's question and account; "A trinity... indeed. I have done my own research of course, and this was a driver to having to secede from actively summoning Eoten. The giant is, as Ser Grace rightly says, a primal force. It would seem The Devourer is also from an ancient time. I believe that giants and titans of lore who were possessed by this entity became more voracious and monstrous in their behaviour and appearance... Hence perhaps their unsavoury reputations in myth and lore... but I digress..." He pauses again, as if mulling his own words; "The creature exists to devour and consume. Mortals and gods alike. The Devourer itself is only one aspect of the greater being named Vhoka the Destroyer; the legendary Eater of Gods, an primordial troika that destroys all in his path, consuming it so it may be reborn anew. This much was revealed to me by studies and the ancient wisdom of our erstwhile Titan ally Briaereus. It was he too who furnished me with the Waters of Lethe to sedate Eoten, and ergo The Devourer." The Professor flashes a warm smile at the mention of the Hundred Handed Titan, before his brow furrows again; "The Devourer could sense these Bloodstones you mentioned; taste their presence like a snake to its prey. They are somehow connected to its greater self, Vhoka. As for who would have the hubris to attempt to bind such a monstrous being I do not know, though with your aid It would seem we have stymied whatever plan they had. As for Eoten, it is likely the brute is also free from The Devourer's dominion. However until l summon him anew, we cannot be sure..."
As a total aside thought I'd share some of my creative whims in Heroforge: Rest of Eldritch is being formed and are at various stages of WIP, but above two were "easiest" markers to start with. @Echos: Hope I've done your dread vision justice :)
Æthelweard's eyes widen in horror at Gracie's words, and stutters a shocked response; "Ate... Devoured... First time? Yes. No..." Crestfallen, the lanky academic seems to shrink into himself, and his voice becomes wearier; "You have all witnessed Eoten. A giant, by definition can be brutish and belligerent. The hunger... the need to devour has arisen before. When we fought Bres and his formorians seven years ago..." His mind wanders, as if recalling the events; "I suppressed that hunger to consume and destroy within Eoten, then with Maxwell's help learned rituals and techniques to allow my other to fall into quintessence. When the elementals attacked that distant voice roared back and I was helpless..." The old man's shoulders slump as he rubs his temples; "Eoten is still with me, but only his voice. No other... at least not at the moment... By the Gods... does this mean I am responsible for that poor agents demise?"
Distastefully disgorged, the Professor weakly nods at Gracie's concern, then leaning on Cesarina he rises unsteadily to his feet. "My thanks. Mistress Villa isn't it? Burdens? Indeed our gifts are so oft so. The incongruity of it all I suppose..." He shoots a concerned look at Oz and the glistening oil he is splattered in, then wrinkles his nose at the state of his own bile coated countenance; "Balderdash! Perfectly good suit and brogues ruined!" Æthelweard pauses, rubbing slime from his furrowing forehead; "So what in the name of Boudicca happened? Last thing I remember clearly was those elementals attacking the exhibit. Then I... changed... became The Giant... but, not like I normally do. Not like before..." The old academic's voice trails off as the gravity of what occurred seems to come creeping back to his cognisance...
Apologies gang - battered at work. Abnormal service should resume in a day or so. Please bot me as/when/if required.
Sorry gang - work's stymied my posting this week. Decks cleared, so should get something up tonight.
In the ward plethora of machines and medical doodads hooked up to Æthelweard burst into a cacophony of bleeping and alerts. Upon his bed the Professor’s lanky form begins to jerk and naturally shift. Old limbs elongate and swell with vitality and mass. Veins upon his skin dance and snake. The bed groans as a withered form is replaced with one much more… substantial. At his wrists the bindings placed by the UNISON agents strain against inhuman thews...
Max (and Gracie if present): While you are wholly familiar with the Professor changing into his brutish alter ego Eoten, what concerns you is the metamorphosis from mortal academic to ancient giant normally requires the academic to utter the mythic phrase of FEE! FIE! FOE! FUM!. As Æthelweard clearly was still comatose, someone or something else has triggered the transformation!
Growth & Confined Spaces: SOURCE: POWER PROFILES p.160 One of the limitations on Growth is the difficulty of using it to full effect indoors! If a growing character reaches the limit of the available space and keeps growing, make an automatic Damage Resistance Check for the material of the surrounding space against the character’s modified Strength rank. If the material breaks, the character bursts out of it and continues growing. If the material successfully resists, the growing character is compressed and must resist the material’s Toughness rank in damage. Check again each round the character grows until the material breaks or the growing stops (which typically happens if the character is stunned or incapacitated).
More to come on the Professor's transmonsterification but figured it better to allow others to react/act etc. Quick system question - as he transforms but has his hands bound, how can Eoten break free? Simple STR (Damage) vs Toughness (for Bindings/Shackles)? Wanted to factor in the mechanics without hijacking the system :)
Somewhere the Professor sleeps. His eyelids heavy, breathing calm. This somewhere is a good place. Warm. From his past perhaps. A family seat at happier times… Content he snoozes on, despite a nagging thought that someone, elsewhere is moving him, speaking in an echoey tinny tone; disturbing the blissful slumber… ”Let someone else answer, I’m far too tired!” He frowns, the distant feeling now irritating, his internal tone now less polite; ”Someone deal with that damnable racket please! Tell them to call back tomorrow.. I’m trying to enjoy forty winks here!” Somewhere, something answers…
Lying still upon his bed the Professor yawns, his mouth opening unnaturally wide; revealing jagged teeth akin to that of a shark…
First post done. Call back to our erstwhile Hundred Handed Titan and utilisation of ye olde Instant Sedation trope of a sort. Will re-read the gameplay and see what pops when he wakes.
Before. At the Museum: As the attack upon the museum raged, Æthelweard stumbled through the double doors. The clamour of battle and the threat of the burning man’s fiery ire filling his senses. Shaking, the Professor tried to compose himself. In his minds eye was the ever present pounding from within. A dull, repeated thud that he knew would soon take the form of words… FEE! FIE! MY TYME IS NIGH! Summoning strength, the academic countered with a whispered word, one taught to him by young Maxwell. The student who was the teacher when it came to matters macabre… ”Foe. Fum. Thou shall not come.” The pounding in his temple receded enough to gather his thoughts and peril at hand. He hears the shouted warning and incantation from a deep voice. Blinding light flashing beneath the door… The mystic chap Kathar. The one who had addressed him as Keeper of the Devourer. The one who knew. Still shaken Æthelweard backed further into the room, looking for a way out. A way back to the bowels of the museum he called home… With each stumbling step, the pounding returned… FEE!
The old academics legs give way and he slumps behind the counter in the museum’s restaurant… Grimacing he again attempts to stymie the thumping bellow in his head; ”Fum. Foe. F-f-fie…” As he speaks the words, the old man’s long frame is wracked with a familiar pain… One he had likened to perhaps a victim stretched on an ancient torture implement… Wrinkled brow a sheen of sweat, he looks down as his legs seem to elongate with the cracking of sinew… His shoes, his best brogues, split as six toed feet belonging to no man burst free… Suppressing a scream he reaches into his top pocket. Hurriedly fishing with lengthening fingers… then grasping the small bottle within. Its label reads BONAFIDE LETHEAN WATER. A gift from an old friend. The titan Briareus, whose words he focussed on in the face of the bellowed mantra: ”Listen Prof. The big guy gets outta hand, you pop this. Water from the River Lethe. Procured from Hypnos hisself. Was owed me a favour… story for another time. Anyways. This stuff is potent with a capital P. No dippin’ yer Earl Grey in this savvy? Will send the you and El Gigante into dreamland. Sleep o’ the dead… ‘cept you should survive… Hangover'll be a doozy tho'.” Through ragged breath, he flicks the top of the bottle free, sending it ricocheting across the room. Then downs its content, vaporous waters gulped through jagged teeth… Then distance… everything dulls. Volume lowers...
I HUNGER MORTAL. PLEASE. FEED ME... ...Pain recedes and sleep envelops…
Am still here - discussed way forward with our esteemed GM. Æthelweard's reintroduction was somewhat of a damp squib, but I'm working on a couple of posts to explain the lack of engagement by the good Professor when the FF attacked. Will also expand on the mythos of the game a little and hopefully allow me to (re)reengage in a more fruitful and contributory fashion.
Apologies all - slammed at work again - weekly rusher. Should be back on track by Friday.
As the recognition of the flaming figure dawns on the Professor, Pyre's threat baulks the panicked academic and he stumbles through the nearby double doors... "N-no... P-Please leave before its too l-late..."
Enjoy the travelling and break from the grind DQ :)
Æthelweard barely has time to extend a hand in greeting toward Caeserina and Win both, when the elemental beings make their presence known! As he takes stock of what is occurring a gamut of emotions play across the scholar's face in seconds; shock, a flicker of anger, then fear...
"Oh my! Oh no... This won't do... Not here in my ho..Museum! I have to warn them!" The lanky Professor shoots a concerned look toward Kathar, then begins moving down the corridor toward the flame wreathed figure.. before pausing at large double doors to address the burning interloper in a wavering voice; "Fiery Jinn or whatever you are! Best leave here by Jove! You know not what you provoke!"
Æthelweard listens intently to the rapid-fire introduction of Oz; "Quite the saga regarding your naming Master Searle. I can assure you however that Oswald sounds more classic that American... As for your father. Yes, we conducted field research together of a sort. He was a good man. Better than most." Better than me. The tall academic's head bows a little as he retrieves his long fingered hand from Oz's enthusiastic grip... At Grace's greeting his eyes lighten again and he smiles fondly; "Miss Grace. How very good to see you again. Still fighting the good fight I trust?!" ... a smile that fades when Kathar addresses him in a old tongue. Æthelweard eyes the man before him warily, clearing his throat awkwardly before answering; "Professor Æthelweard Langfellow; Curator Extra-Ordinem to be precise. I oversee the Museum's archives and oddities..." The lanky curator leans in, also replying in the same ancient language; Old English: "Bound to me, but I am not bound by it. I have learned to become deaf to its hunger..."
Æthelweard flashes a weary smile at Max's introduction; "Hardy a mentor in the truest sense. Alas Maxwell's responsibilities and my... research means our communications are somewhat fleeting. I try however to advise and assist whenever petitioned." The lanky academic then nods toward Oz, extending his long fingered hand in a greeting; "Pleasure to meet you Oswald... A good Anglo-Saxon name. Your father named you well. One of his many aptitudes..."
As Max pauses on his circuit to survey the assembled guest and patrons, he becomes aware of a tall figure at his shoulder. The voice in impeccable received provocation and odour of pipe smoke unmistakably heralding the presence of his old internship tutor - Professor Æthelweard Langfellow: ”Dashed good to see you again Maxwell. It has been what, two years since that... unfortunate business with that... succubus HellQueen*?” The lanky professor, stoops against the railing. Not significantly aged since he last counted himself amongst the ranks of the Eldritch team, but definitely wearier. Max notes the old academic still wears the same wrinkled suit he taught him in years ago. His official name badge bearing the Museum’s logo states: PROFESSOR LANGFELLOW - CURATOR EXTRA-ORDINEM. Clearly for the Professor some things have changed, whilst others stood still. ”Quite the shindig is it not? All come to see the curios and paraphernalia of both Eldritch the man, and Eldritch the ensemble… Quite the unnecessary distraction to those with research to carry out dear boy! However needs must. I’m under strict orders to at least show face and extoll the virtues of our exhibits…” The old scholar pauses, squinting as takes in the countenance of the those drawn to the exhibition; ”Ahhh. The usual supplicants and authorities are drawn, like ghouls to the boneyard. I see that damned fool Orrington is here, no doubt spouting his usual drivel… and why, Miss Grace also! Excellent. Glad to see you still keeping company that has both a strong arm and smart mind Maxwell!” *Eldritch Team Up #3: Eoten Mess
For what its worth I'm immensely enjoying the scenes of late . Great story telling and plot interplay :)
Aye makes sense folks - his original form was (I think) Growth 4 w/Enhanced Strength and Stamina augmenting. Jab's builds have been a great source. Right - going to crack on and shoot for being ready to rejoin sooner than later!
Returning to work this week has stymied my progress on Eoten, but I'm getting there. So Eoten in his true form is potentially much more giantish (is that a word?) than ogreish... Thinking he'll be Growth 6-8 sitting at 20+ foot tall. However also realise this limits his ability to engage or be used in buildings etc that aren't grandiose citadels and the like. Had mulled having his FEE FIE FOE FUM! mantra essentially tying into stages of Growth? FIE = Growth 2 etc... Mechanically might be more of a pain in the rear to track, and it doesn't sit as well in my mind's eye. Another idea is him having a Shrink 4 effect from innate magic (bestowed by Druids and Merlin) which allows him to drop down to a more manageable size? Moot of course if ST doesn't think being a BIG'UN will be a problem! Have also come up with another complication: As servants bound by the Druids of Albion & Merlin himself, the Eoten/Giants will also be compelled to heed the words of a Master Mage :) Thoughts and musings would be appreciated.
Only if it comes with the zhhzzzhhwwoooo sound made when Lynda-Carter-Wonder-Woman jumps. ;) Of course. Prerequisite :)
Absolutely makes sense GKG - brings the cinematic depiction of Wonder Woman's fighting style very much to mind.
Excellent - thanks all for the input and patience :) The good Prof is done and dusted. Be a fun change of pace in circumstances more applicable to guile and knowledge o'er the giant's blunt force. Eoten next... Down the line he'll be sure to contribute to the Nexus pointage.
Perfect chief - figured as much, but wasn't wanting to presume. Church could easily have someone in the Museum or access data relating to Æthelweard's role. As such Cesarina would be aware that since the events of 7 years ago, the good Professor had taken on a specialist curator role within Hunter's Museum and that appearances by Eoten have been even dwindling. @SD: An "Exorcism" style power would be cool - "casting out" any dark magicks or absorbing them to augment herself?
Any final thoughts on above gang? Max has interjected, but am keen to gauge any other thoughts before I commit Æthelweard's re-intro to canon :)
@Max: Immunities make sense from an immediate point-of-view; almost like his Amulet is responding to the need to protect him further (sort of like a symbiotic sentience - old school intelligent magic item, type thing). Couple of quick ones on Auld Eoten - am mulling giving some of his powers Flaws like Fades, Tiring or Unreliable in some way. Want to try and mechanically capture the feeling that the ancient giant is getting old and no longer an apex powerhouse. Any thoughts/input would be appreciated (and to the potential linkages I previously posted).
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