"We aren't completely unreasonable. Mistakes happen. Nobody blames you for that." The red haired woman adjusted her glasses as she stared at the group of black armored Minotaur that were too scared to move from their spot. "And I liked you guys though. You have those big muscles and are totally hunky." Someone with wide eyes and pink hair wrapped in pigtails spoke before frowning. "But then you went and tried to take things for yourself. If I'm smart enough to know that, did you think, you'd fool everybody else?" "Eli. I should apologize. It was my fault for expecting anything from trash." A man with light brown hair stared at the pinkette who seemed already off in their own world, only to be tapped on the shoulder by someone with short green hair who hasn't spoke yet. "Sir Zander. Please give us another chance." The largest of the Minotaurs put their hands on the floor and their face downwards while staring at the brown haired man. "It's already past that point, I'm afraid." The red haired girl raised a hand that caused purple energy to lift their entire group from the ground like they were rag dolls. "You did however, give great service up until this point. As a reward for you....I shall grant you something." With a swipe of her hand she forced the group to the windows of the room where they desperately tried to cling on the edges. "All the land you can grab on the way down." There screams died down eventually, though there was no sounds that could be heard of their bodies hitting the bottom. "Well, that's too bad. Now we still need new people...hey, maybe we're going about this the wrong way." The pink one voiced their thoughts to the group who gave a look waiting for them to continue. "We've been just trying to use dumb muscle, right? Cool. They're all really sexy. But what if we used people who are smarter instead?" "....you're thoughts aren't without merit. There are a few clerics who are promising and some in the magic department who might be qualified to help. Though it would help to keep at least a few who can fight a little." The red haired one agreed. "Let's not risk anyone too special....or let them know there is an opportunity." The green haired one voiced their concerns and the brown haired man proceeded to walk out of the room. "We'll draw up a new list then. Work smarter this time. I'll have the imps issue their summons and some temporary black cards for this floor....let's just hope that these ones aren't going to be stupid enough to end up having to take an early severance package."
An armoured woman stared coldly at the spectacle in front of her. “Ahm!” A woman moaned as the big orc pulled her by the hair. She was completely naked, with her hands bound behind her back and a blindfold covering her eyes. Her huge tits started swinging wildly as the man standing behind her began thrusting into her snatch. “Come on.” The Orc shouted. “Tell me where the treasure is and I might consider not to fuck you senseless!” SLAP! “AH!” the woman moaned lustfully as the big hand slapped on her ass-cheek. “Message!” The armoured woman's attention turned to the newcomer. She grabbed the paper. “Good work. You can join the fun.” she waved in the direction of the pair. The imp grinned and flew up to the woman. The orc grabbed her breast and squeezed it roughly, forcing her to groan loudly. That was when the little creature thrust his dick into a woman's throat, effectively gagging her. “Yhm!?” A surprised groan escaped the woman, as the little creature grabbed her by the hair and started thrusting into her mouth. The armoured woman tsked at the sorry sight of the woman fucked by two creatures and opened the message. Her eyes widened slightly, at the sight of the black card and the contents of the message. With a sight, she started walking up to the trio. “That's enough, we will finish here. I'm sorry, but your fun has to end now.” “Hey! But I just started!” The imp protested, turning annoyed to the armoured woman. A moment later, his body fell on the ground cut vertically. “Wha-at?” The orc took step back, allowing the woman he fucked, slide from his dick. He still held her, by her hair, ready to use her as a shield. “I was not talking to you, trash.” the armoured woman said coldly to the Imp's body pieces, as she sheeted her sword “Sir Zendar called us.” “The Lord Zendar called for me? What would he want from me?” The orc wondered. “Not you.” The armoured woman answered. annoyed. The orc turned to her, baffled – only to, next second, impact the wall on the far end of the room with a loud crunch. The woman whom the orc fucked, slowly lowered her fist and took the blindfold off. She briskly walked up to the armoured woman and took the message from her hand. She read it and smiled. “Finally, sir Zendar has a need of me. Zee” She turned to the armoured woman. “have my clothes prepared. I have a meeting to attend.” “Yes, my captain.”
So, just to give people a better jump off point of where to begin: Cera(Moonblack): It's a relatively quiet day. Magic research in the library hasn't been as thrilling as it once was. Covering the same tomes and repeating the same experiments near hundreds of times, would start to wear anybody's patience. A couple of the initiates ask their questions to you and after giving them an answer, they gladly ignore it and run into the exact problems that you told them how to avoid. Flipping through another page, your concentration is broken when something thuds hard into the desk you're working at. Looking at it, it's a petite blonde initiate, whose name you remember as Melanie. "Um...Miss Cermadille? Lady Atis asked that I give this to you and told me to tell you that she said...she said..um.. "I have use of you. The card enclosed gives you access to the private ward of the hospital. I have my hopes that you will use it and quickly, lest you have wishes to take cleaning the toilets into your daily duties." Melanie shrinks back a bit, not really sure of what you're reaction will be to the message she's relaying. Kralthanlaghan(Nemo): Gliding through the air across the skies, there isn't much to see that's any different than usual. It's been what feels like months of just being on standby. In actuality, it's probably been only closer to one or two, but the waiting is starting to get to you a little bit. You have better things to do than just fly around territory that you already with the back of your claw. Your flight has to come to an abrupt halt at a black winged figure comes from above and stops right in front of you. It's a little tricky to stop on time, but you manage it and come almost chest to chest with a rather young looking man with the wings of a crow. "Hey. You're that Kratlth..Kral...you're that dragon. I got this letter for you. Seemed pretty dam important too. Eli told me to give this to you too." The crow man opens a brown satchel to display what looks like a shiny black card made for one of those mechanical elevators. "Yeah...Eli actually wanted to give it you personally, but was kind of scared about losing it for the fourth time. I don't know the full story. But Eli also said you have to kind of jiggle it or else it doesn't work. And it's only for the top private floor of the hospital ward." The crow man shrugged, not being completely interested in it. However, you're smart enough to understand things better. The card isn't the only unusual thing. That is a name that you remember, even if you two have had no prior contact. Eli, is supposedly one of the heads of the medical division for reasons that nobody is quite sure why. "So...out here all alone? That's got to be pretty dull." The crow seems content on making small contact, apparently completely unaware of how important the thing he delivered must be. Dromani(Merkos): It's painful. This peasant militant group that you were "rewarded" with babysitting is a pain for everyone involved. Trying to hold a conversation with any of them is wasted. You wouldn't treat them like they were stupid, if they weren't. This village is at least out of the way from the crowds of the city, but without anything worthwhile in it. Most of them, seem to have it out for you and you pretend not to hear the things they call you behind their back. It's not a complete loss. There is a select couple of studious types who at least know how to read some books. Most of it is relative polite conversation, but a couple seem to stare at your alternate form in a way that seems beyond professional boundaries. The one who does it most is a black haired girl, by the name of Helen. She's studying to become a witch, though no one in her village realizes that. Today, however she arrives with a different expression than normal. One of almost admiration. "I knew you were too good to be wasted on a hovel like here. This seal is from Madam Ash's office." The envelope she holds, is one she correctly accessed as she places it in front of you. "Powerful friends, looks, and brains. Why would they ever stick you here in the first place? Do you think that they're going to promote you to something better? Maybe, you would need a right hand, then? Someone you know is a cut above the rest of this unwashed filth?" Even without superior intelligence, it wouldn't take a genius to understand what she's getting at. Shesten(Generic): Kobold raiders. A couple of years ago, that would have been the joke at every adventurer's drinking table. Cut to today, and every would-be hero with survival instinct would rather risk dealing with trolls than your Kobold gang. Raiding isn't actually all too common for soldiers of darkness within the Moonlit Sea itself. Mainly, because most if it belongs to the empire anyway. Not to mention that a good number of areas that don't, aren't known for their fighting ability and swear fealty anyway. It might not be the most battle packed stay in the outskirts, but it is nice. Sitting back in the tribe chief's chair while he fills up your cup with his best drink and watching his sons and daughters have to present a chest of their gold as tribute. Not a bad day. Or it shouldn't be. If not for Key'lin. That stupid shit is always trying to find a newer way to kill your mood. Today, it looks like he managed it as he strides in holding a paper that he's already ripped a hole in with his claw. "Shesten, the shit chief! You are being called by that human knight, Zandel or whatever the hell it was." That was more information that you seriously expected him to provide you with. You're busy taking another sip of your drink, which he takes a sign as to keep talking. "You leave. That leave squad to me. I run squad well. Prove I better. Get three times tribute too." Two of the kobolds beside you can't help but laugh a bit, and even the peasants don't look completely concerned about his claims. Why would they? This always end in the same way. (OOC): So, that should give some of you a jump off point to start. Majus already started without one, that's fine. Just trying to make it easier for people to know how to start, is all.)
It took her some time, but now clean, and with her usual get up – thigh-high boots and skimpy dress that showed of her cleavage and bare arms, Carmen made her way to the place she was summoned to. The black card allowed her access to the place out of her reach. Normally only those of rank of knight and above could enter these halls. She was escorted to the waiting area, by one of the guards and left alone. Sir Zendar called her. The thought was enough to make her shudder and get goosebumps. She could feel her hard nipples pushing the material of her dress and her sex juices started slowly flowing down her tights. Just thinking about him, made her... She bit her lip wondering, how long she will have to wait for the man.
To the casual observer Cera would appear to be concentrated on the tome open on the desk in front of her. She is concentrated, but on something else entirely. The open tome is one she has read many times, to the point she can recite most of it with her eyes closed, and is being used as an excuse for her to take a short break from the boredom of her current research. Her real thoughts are on the initiates – she's trying to decide which one to call to her room later, and with what excuse. There are quite a few to choose from: Elena, Lily, Melanie- Cera's concentration is broken when something thuds hard into the desk she's 'working' at. Looking up she sees one of the initiates she was just thinking of – the petite blonde Melanie. The elf makes a mental note of the girl getting her name wrong again, and then listens patiently to the message. Cera remains silent after hearing the message and slowly closes the tome she had been 'reading'. Then she smiles at the petite girl. “Thank you for letting me know... Melanie, correct? What a coincidence, I was just thinking about you.” And about a number of other girls. She adds in her mind as she reaches and takes the card the girl has brought her. “I don't want to keep lady Atis waiting, so I will go and see her right away.” She says as she gets up from her chair. “Just two things before I go. One, return the tome I was reading to its proper place. If I do not find it there the next time I look for it, or if I find that it has been damaged in any way... you better have a REALLY good excuse, or else I will personally choose your punishment.” She commands in a cold and harsh tone, before adding in a much warmer one. “And second, there's something I want to discuss with you.” Though it is likely not what you expect. “Come see me tonight in my quarters. If I am not there, assume you are to come and see me tomorrow night, unless I give you different instructions.” She pauses to smile at the girl one last time. “Now, if there's nothing else, I will be going. Like I said, I don't want to keep lady Atis waiting. See you tonight, Melanie.” Without further delay, with the card in her hand, Cera leaves the library and heads towards the private ward of the hospital, wondering what lady Atis might require of her to summon her like this. Good thing my dress is presentable. It's not every day I get called by lady Atis, and to a place that is normally off limits for someone like me...
Ascending the stairs, things don't seem much different than they usually are. Much of the castle looking more belonging too angels and fairies then it does for those of darkness. Spoiler: Normal? However, upon your ascension things begin to flicker. Spoiler: Also normal? You were pretty sure that you were heading up, but find yourself moving downward on a stone case. It's only for a brief second, before it changes back into it's golden look as if nothing was there. It wouldn't be a surprise to anybody if this castle was under powerful illusion magics, but it's the first time, you've ever seen that happen. Clearly, whatever is keeping it all together is weakening in power. But the moment of seeing it is lost. You are left facing upwards and climbing stairs. But not the ones that you started with. There are now at least five differently split branches. It's likely part of some natural defense mechanism but it's also hard to imagine this was completely intentional. A tingling is felt where you keep your black card. It vibrates as if trying to pull in the direction of the middle left one. Looking at all your other options, they all seem identical. Other than the one on the far end of the right, having a long haired transparent woman in lavish silks smile at you as she leans on the railing, beckoning you over with her hand, wordlessly. Ooc: Not sure if I should try doing these things one at a time or wait until everyone is done and respond in one super long post.
What the- what just happened? Cera blinks in confusion as the castle around her changes for a brief moment, and then goes back to what she knows, but not quite the same as before. Great. Just great. Cera sighs as she sees the five different set of stairs she can follow up. The black card is apparently trying to guide her in one particular direction. Who – and what – is she? The elf wonders as she sees the transparent woman. An illusion? A ghost? Some sort of test prepared by lady Atis or someone else? Something else? She wonders as she examines the woman in the lavish silks. Maybe I'll find out... but later. Now is really not the time to get distracted. Sorry, mysterious lady. Cera quickly makes up her mind, gives an apologetic smile to the long-haired woman, and follows the lead of the black card. (OOC: That depends on the situation. Sometimes one large post is best, other times, it's better to answer one without waiting for the rest. So do whatever you think is best for the specific situation.)
Shesten rolls his eyes and stands up from his throne. He walks over, grabbing the piece of paper from Key'Lin's hand without a word before turning around and walking away to his chambers, silently fuming as he reads the letter. He gathers up the valuable trinkets scattered through his chambers: gold goblets, a collection of jewellery taken from an overconfident noblewoman, and some coins. He puts them all into a large pouch, at his belt, then puts on a travelling cloak. Next is the barracks - "Vrakin, Je'Klin, Vraral, Fealka, Lozli, Ruhrar, follow me. Everyone else..." He wonders silently about killing Key'Lin. "Remain together, collect tribute. Do not go insane." He leaves with his minions, gathering them and Key'Lin in his private chambers.
Dromani closes the book he was 'reading'. Reading being relative as he often opens up a book he has memorized and uses it to hide himself catching a few winks of sleep. Asleep, but always listening...even in his alternate form as he is now. Such ability as it is lets him respond as easily immediately from waking as if he was never asleep. He opens the envelope and examines the letter and black card within before standing up from his desk and examining Helen briefly. "Alas, my dear. You have been one of the very few high points of this assignment. However, The letter is from Madam Ash. She may not appreciate tag alongs and I cannot guarantee your safety. " He puts a hand on her shoulder...albeit a bit closer to the base of her neck. After the brief moment of intimacy, he begins collecting his books and tucking them into his oversized pouch to prepare to leave. "Your current skills may be more suited here."
Kraltha had never mastered the ability to hover so she had to do some very difficult and complicated aerial maneuvers to stay in the vicinity of the bumbling mumbling oaf delivering the pass card. Once he explained what it was she took it carefully and swiftly and tucked it securely into a slot in her satchel which was snapped shut behind it, "You have my thanks for a job adequately performed... What is your use name, crow-san?" Kraltha asked.
Cera(Moonblack): Deciding to stick with what is most likely the safe choice, you follow where the card wants you to go. After climbing the stairway for a while, you take in some of your surroundings to notice that the three of the staircases are gone, except for the one on your left that seemingly cuts off at absolutely nowhere. Finally, approaching the end, you can see the door way. It's pulsing with clearly magical energies of every variety, and the sound of it's energy flowing is loud. It can even be heard from multiple places. While the other stairways are no longer noticeable, there remains two identical doors at roughly the same height as the one you're standing by. Undoubtedly where the others ones would have ended. The card seems to react almost instantly to the door, as the energies die down and it opens by itself. Stepping inward, is into a golden circular room where a purple haired woman was standing wearing a very revealing dress. Along side her was an armored woman who seemed torn between trying to stand at attention but also desperately trying to stay interested in waiting here. The only thing of real note to the room with a massive reinforced black door that clearly radiates magical reinforcement of every stripe that would even be able to be picked up on those who aren't magical. This is not the kind of place they just want anybody to be walking into. "Second UBEP arrived. Someone will be with you momentarily." The voice echoes everywhere in the room and is indistinguishable in origin. Who or what is saying it is difficult to determine. Kralthanlaghan(Nemo): "What? You want to know about me? Eh. My parents couldn't resist the opportunity to name me Hawk." He has a slight smile indicating that he takes it in humor, but also indicating how embarrassing it was for someone of the crow-tribe to be named that. While not seeming too sharp, he does pick up on your difficulty at hovering and gets the idea to move out of the way to fly along and talk with you on your route. "Well, I'm not anyone you really need to know too much about. I just make sure things get where they're supposed to go. What in the hell Eli wants with a dragon though....I mean a female dragon....it's beyond me." From the way he implies it, it does comes across that he actually knows the doctor supposedly well despite his lack of awareness of their actual importance. It might be possible to get information from him since it's none too far from the actual castle and arrive on time. Dromani(Merkos): "...I am not without feeling disappointment, but I think you are correct. Additionally, the envelope also had this. I didn't trust those idiots to hold onto it, in case it broke." Reaching into her clothes, she displays a very small gem with a strange red horned symbol and an impish smile on it. An emergency extract link to the castle. Not something they just hand out under any old situation. Even then, they only get one use. From the look on her face, she seems to understand that much. "Technically, you could use it and get there on schedule...but I doubt they'll just give you another one. The wind currents around here are strong, at least. You could take those and arrive relatively quickly since it's pretty much a straight shot if you can fly...but it wouldn't be as fast as warping. I don't doubt whatever you decide, of course. Were it up to me, I wouldn't wish you to leave. If you're ever back in the area for some unfortunate reason...I'll be sure to take care of you." Helen gives a smile before handing the gem, and waiting to see what you might do. Shesten(Generic): Key'lin remains aggressive, proud, and completely unaware of the danger around him. As if he hadn't given enough reason for his death, you can make out the glimmer in between his claws that shines for a little bit. It's not a gem. Not the way he thinks it is. It's a hard line extract token. It is easy to deduct that he saw it along with the letter and thought he would keep it for himself. Yet, he still tries to look at you like he's the one calling the shots. Taking stock of the room, the other kobolds don't feel the same way. Even the ones that you know for a fact, have it out for you, are at least smart enough to shut up. They're all too aware of how this ends for people like Key'lin. The ones that do support you, half gesture to their weapons while trying to look casual, but hold eye contact, to make their suggestion clear.
"I have never been one to use such baubles frivolously. It may come in handy in the future. Besides, it'll be nice to stretch my wings again." The sphinx carefully tucks the gem inside his pouch before heading outside. Dromani makes sure there's plenty of room around him before shifting into his true form. His voice deepening to a low boom. "I will be sure to take you up on your offer should I be in the area. Take care. I have put more work into this place than it probably deserves. I would hate for something to happen to it." With one final acknowledgment towards Helen, Dromani leaps into the air and spreads his wings and pushes into the air and out of the village. Aiming towards the castle. Unlike the more aerodynamic bodies and wings of other creatures, Sphinx bodies are stocky and heavy. They heave with muscle and have great difficulty over long distance travel. Thus he quickly climbs to attempt to catch a favorable wind current so that he can glide and have the element perform most of the work. Hopefully, it is enough to arrive before the flight becomes tiresome.
Shesten nodded and prepared to go for his own sword, either to block Key'Lin's futile attempt to kill him or to finish the job. Lozli began to weave fire around her wand. Ruhrar cross-drew daggers. Je'Klin, the group's strongest, unslung his longsword, and Vraral slid a bolt into her crossbow. The others stood back...
When she steps through the door Cera finds herself in a golden circular room where two other women are already waiting. Guess I am not the only one that was summoned, or the first to arrive. “Good day.” She politely greets the other women before she examines the room. To her disappointment there isn't much of interest. Just the massive reinforced black door, clearly enchanted in various ways. Nothing else – no chairs for her to sit in, nothing on the walls or the floor, and nothing to even hint where that strange voice had come from. 'Someone will be with you momentarily', huh? Well, let's see what this place's definition of 'momentarily' is... Cera remains standing, waiting to find out why she has been called. As she waits she keeps switching her gaze between the door she came through, the reinforced black door, and the other two women already waiting in the room.
"I see, do you know the Doctor then, at least as an acquaintance? If I am to work with her I would prefer to know more about her than I currently do, so that there are fewer misunderstandings..." Kraltha asks, none too subtly. Subtlety was not Kraltha's strong suit. Meanwhile the landscape whipped passed below them drifting meadows, swamps, mountains and other component skerries of the dream realms. How Kraltha wished she could return home to hers, but alas, for the moment, it was held in the hands of the dark lord's enemies.
Cera(Moonblack) + Carmen(Majus): Not much for you at moment. Stand around and look pretty, if you want. Kralthanlaghan(Nemo): "Doct..er?....What? Eli?" The crow person has a rather skeptical look. "I think that you're probably just thinking of someone else. But the one who gave me the letter? Yeah...we know each other...but then....I wouldn't really be the only one. Eli's always nice....and is really friendly. Just...just...if you do something stupid, at least admit it. Even if it's not your fault. Eli REALLY doesn't like people who try blaming other people for doing something wrong. But then...Ash is a lot like that too." Hawk paused, not sure if he was explaining enough. "Yeah...I don't know about doctor or anything like that...but annoy Eli and that will probably end up with Ash putting her boot up your ass. Ash is not the kind of person you want to piss off. But...really. You'd pretty much have to be trying to actually piss them off...or as far as Ash goes....getting her anymore pissed off than usual." Dromani(Merkos): The wind currents are powerful and effective at carrying you the majority of the distance easily. The castle comes in view over the horizon, but it's not the only thing that gets your attention. The whizzing sound of energy streaks past you as a stray electric bolt misses. The source of it, is a white swirling vortex like orb at the top of a stone tower. Clearly, some sort of anti-air weapon. Taking stock of your options, it would be possible to land, seeing the entrance way to the first gate none too far off. You can make out a few people standing at attention in armor at the ground, observing what you're doing, and trying to scramble to prepare a type of phalanx outside the entrance, seemingly intending to bar it. The air current might be possible to ride to the entrance, but it would be difficult to keep in the draft properly too do it while needing to avoid weaponry. Being knocked out of the air would mean a very long drop. Shesten(Generic): Key'lin scrambles for a club, but has no time to even make it a hit before he's ripped apart from the pack. A few seem thoroughly satisfied, while a couple of others just seem to be bored as Key'lin's body hits the floor as pathetically as he lived. "Well.....that wasn't boring. Now what?" Je'Klin asks, while extracting his long sword from the Kobold's chest.
Maybe I should have checked the transparent woman after all... Oh, well, too late to change my mind now. Besides, I'm sure in the long term ignoring her will prove the right decision... probably. Cera continues to stand in place and look pretty as she waits for something – anything – to happen. (OOC: Guess it's time for me to wait and watch the show as the rest of the group tries to reach the meeting place.)
Let's assume that you may have been vaguely aware of who these people are prior, despite not having met them personally, but not aware of extensive background details about them. Same would apply to most unless directly stated otherwise.
I land not too far from the entrance...not wanting to risk death by engaging with the anti-air defense or the guards and briefly curse my lack of claws or hands capable of fine manipulation before transforming into my Alternate Form. Reaching inside my pouch, I pull out a bath robe to cover my naked body as i verbally engage the guards. "good evening Gentlemen, My name is Dromani and I believe that I am expected" I briefly flash the black card invitation and wait for their response (OOC: yes I changed to first person, because reasons.)
