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Unity: "We are Unity," Unity chorus, then continue in single voice, "We are a strange being, we are quite accustomed to questions." "We are... a creation of an insane human who sought to subvert nature for his own purposes. Now we are more inclined to defend nature, though we are part human in amongst all the other parts." "So you might say we are both city creature and wilderness creature. We've got a little bit of quite a bit in us, after all." "Though the wilderness calls us strongly."
Unity: "So we now see," Unity reply, glad to see that they weren't speaking to something that couldn't talk back. That would have been... awkward.
"If we might, we are a stranger to this forest. Would you be willing to tell us anything of it? Surely you must know much about it."
Unity: Mildly surprised that their speculation is correct--though the more they get familiar with this world the less surprised they are at such things--Unity hesitate a moment in deciding on their next action. After a moment they spread their wings and bow their heads in what they hope looks like a gesture of respect.
"We do not mean to bar your path. We only were curious what was causing the great movement of trees here," they say.
Unity: Unity try to move slightly to one side of the path the oncoming... whatever it is seems to be taking. Are there... walking trees? That would explain the lack of different smells. Hopefully they don't object to Unity's presence if so, a walking tree sounds rather dangerous.
Unity: Sniffing at the air, they're curious when the sight and sound of movement is not matched by smell. Cautiously, they trot up the ridge, wondering just what could cause such a thing here... but aware that they're in an ecosystem they're unfamiliar with.
Glad it went well!
Once away from the clearing, Unity look every way, debating. They still have daylight, and if they're quick they can probably get out of the... feathered bear thing's territory while she's still taking care of her eggs. So they slip deeper into the woods, feeling a bit of satisfaction at the resolution of the situation without bloodshed.
Unity dip their heads to the mother in a sort of half-bow, slowly backing away until they leave the clearing.
Unity back out of the clearing, not wanting to make the mother think they're a danger to her eggs, but lingering long enough to make sure nothing further happens to them.
Unity laugh at the men's attempts to be intimidating. "Oh we're not talking about ourself. There's an angry mother you've separated from her eggs coming for you." They shrug. "Don't believe us if you choose, but you look poorly equipped for fighting what laid those eggs. You could probably kill her, but how much of your own blood would you lose doing it? Why not just walk away and find a meal that won't cost you blood?"
Seeing the situation, Unity fairly quickly feel like they understand the truth of the matter. They trot into the clearing, aiming to position themself somewhat between the beast and the men. "You seem to have a rather furious beast coming your way," they comment. "We would suggest leaving the eggs and getting out of here quickly." They grin toothily at the group as they speak.
Sorry that Unity have been stealing the spotlight. XD
Unity are surprised when the creature leaves, having been convinced it was about to attack. They don't attack, but they debate a moment. What could have drawn its attention? Warily, they follow in its wake--not quickly, just following its trail.
Convinced the creature is about to attack, Unity tense and prepare to pounce!
Unity are unimpressed. They spend a moment looking over their opposition.
Unity rear up their forelegs and snarl back, tensing to strike if this creature doesn't back off.
Unity hadn't come out here to pick a fight, but after the frustration of the disgusting chupacabra being inedible, they find they're not at all disappointed by finding one. At least if this one is edible. And a dangerous creature this close to people was probably a tragedy waiting to happen. At least that was a usable bit of justification for themself. They crouch low and growl, ready to meet whatever's coming their way.
Unity don't particularly want to meet people. Around here they'd probably... misinterpret their form. They cautiously follow the sound of the animal cry, wondering if they'll end up interrupting something's hunt.
They trot off into the woods, sniffing at the air and looking warily around them.
I'll see if I'm in the mood for any character creation. When's the deadline? A little over a week so before next Monday?
Unity is currently disguised as a local, so they leave town without issue. Once outside they go down the road a while before slipping off and resuming their hexapodal form, which obviously ends their disguise. They head for the most wilderness area they can find, curious again about what the wild places of this world hold.
In disguise, Unity will slip out of the city to the countryside again.
Unity consider Zellgato's offer. "We might go beyond the walls of the city again... a disguise would help us get out without drawing attention, yes. Thank you."
"They know us here, so I think it would be rather pointless to use a disguise," Unity state as they head towards the exit hatch. "I'm sure everyone with power or authority here on Tarokh is well aware of you."
Unity dream of stalemate They are eating the goat god. The goat god is eating them. Each heals from what it consumes from the other. Together they are as an Ouroboros, caught in an eternal cycle of consumption and regrowth. But it is not perfect. With each cycle, they are each a little smaller. Shrinking, shrinking, shrinking away... Unity dream of reigning They lay on a great stone, as one after another, animals come before them. The weak, they cull and eat. The strongest, they merely scratch, that they may copy their strengths for themself, before sending them on to breed. Those in between are turned back, to try again to grow stronger. It is a responsibility that has grown tiresome, but who else is ready to take it on?
Without any further contributions to offer, Unity go off to take a nap. Though on their way, they realize they could really use a shower after the nastiness of the chupacabras, so they do that first.
"We're not exactly going to be able to contribute to all the engineering talk," Unity comment, "But if you need some extra hands to move something heavy, let us know. Otherwise we may as well go take a nap."
Unity settle down on their (rear) haunches to listen, not having anything to add to the engineering discussion.
"That sounds reasonable to us," Unity agree.
Unity debate silently within themself for a few moments. "A weapon." "And a stealth system." "We think these are the first two priorities."
"We still need a weapon," Unity growl. "While we definitely agree with being evasive and perceptive, having no weapons whatsoever seems a dangerous thing. Of course, our opinion might not be the best. We are a zookeeper and a collection of beasts, not a military strategist," they add with a grin.
"You're rather more than 'just' a pilot, Henri," Unity respond. "We don't think most pilots would have gone through the things you've experienced and come back for more, not to mention how you're able to work with this kind of tech hands-on."
Unity grin over at the tech. "And no doubt we ourself would sound like that if you hadn't met us," they comment.
"We like the idea of fighting that thing we saw on foot even less," Unity say. "And it needs to go." "We can't imagine anything good is coming of it indirectly devouring the blood of millions of goats from many worlds. But we do have other priorities right now."
"Well, it turns out chupacabras taste disgusting even to us, and apparently might be created by a giant goat god to feed it goat blood so... not much of a vacation, frankly," Unity reply, trotting over to Henri. "Speaking of which, how's arming the ship going?" "Stealth certainly sounds good," they add. "It seems like you've been enjoying your time here?"
Verve laughs as if Unity have made a joke, sees that they haven't, and looks concerned. "A gigantic bloodthirsty goat god? Perhaps we should keep a closer eye on chupacabra infestations in the future. Henri is in the enclosed bay down there, if you'd like to see him." "It was quite a shock to see," Unity agree. "Enough of a shock that we decided attacking it alone was a very bad idea." "An armed flying ship seems like a much better idea for dealing with it, so talking with Henri sounds like a *great* idea!" They nod at Verve. "We'll go see him now."
Unity take a moment to steady themself before exiting the cruiser. "It was certainly more pleasant than, say, a burst of machine gun fire," they reply with a toothy grin." "The chupacabras shouldn't be a problem any more," they continue, "Though we did get a sample of an odd band of stone that seemed, based on the Sword's reaction to it, to be related to how they got here." "We also got a glimpse of a gigantic bloodthirsty goat god that was eating the chupacabras when we had a brief glimpse through a momentary portal."
Happy birthday!
Unity do not leap into combat with the... goat-god. The chupacabra were patheticly weak compared to them, but not only are there millions of them here, that creature must be large enough it might well be able to fit *Unity* in its mouth. No, better to take this material back, perhaps to plan a future expedition with companions to confront this threat. They head back to the cruiser and report their success.
Unity are immensely disappointed in their prey's near-inedibility. They turn from it in annoyed disgust and get back to their work.
Unity examine the odd vein of white rock carefully, trying to identify if there's an active portal. If they don't find anything, they try to cut out a sample with their claws and take it back to the cruiser.
Unity try a few bites of Chupacabra to see if it's any good. They've not had much occasion to hunt something they can eat, they're not going to pass up the opportunity now. Once they've either determined this prey is not good to eat or they've eaten their fill, they head back to where the chupacabras had been lairing and draw the Sword of Truth, wondering if there is a portal of some kind in the area.
Unity growl at the single injury they take and attempt to deal more in return.
That kind of thing is where I like 2e's archetypes :D I'm having some computer issues, posting may be sporadic on my part.
Unity wheel in the air and fly back to the approximate location their remaining prey went to ground. They sniff at the ground and look for tracks.
Unity, completely unimpressed with the chupacabra's ineffectual efforts, bite and tear their prey.
Unity get above their prey and then drop, claws outstretched.
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