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Post by jarahamee on Oct 18, 2022 9:55:18 GMT -6
As John looks beyond the gates of the town, the winding road climbs the increasingly treacherous mountainside, ascending to the top of an even higher hill. Large stone steps outline the path up the hill. Many different roads snake about, combining as they ascend. John can see the silhouette of a large, vaguely rectangular-shaped structure on the very top of the hill.
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 18, 2022 16:47:03 GMT -6
[ Ash wants Vince to take the medicine. ]
"I just need... I can walk. I... think I lost a lot of blood. I wish I could sleep. And eat something." Ash opened his eyes and pushed himself up a little, looking up at the others. He was trying not to think about his ruined wing, about what that would mean for him in the future. His crest trembled and he looked at the ground again. "But... But I'm not bleeding anymore. It... just hurts. I can walk. You should... You should take the medicine. You're more useful, you can fight..."
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 18, 2022 17:43:41 GMT -6
((OOC: At Ash's request, Una offers Vince the bottle. Items: Mysterious bottle.))
Una's outstretched hand--which clutched the bottle securely--pendulum swung from Vince to Ash to Vince again.
"He's right, John," she said. "Humans are the deadliest killers on Earth, but WE are also delicate. OUR systems succumb to many venoms. Take this bottle. Live, my friend, and if you feel indebted, repay it by fighting at our side. Humans are strongest when they work together."
She wasn't sure what else would convince him.
"And we love you and would be very sad if you died."
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Post by beastly on Oct 18, 2022 18:00:39 GMT -6
((Vincent is uncomfortable. He grabs grapes for Ash, then drinks the bottle and prepares to head out on the road.)) ((Items: tooth, shovel, knife))
Vincent frowned at Ash as he spoke. He was the only one of them that seemed comfortable with violence, besides the fox. He could protect them better, in theory. And this hurt. He was loathe to make decisions based on such a thing, but it hurt.
He watched Una swing the bottle, then gently took it from her, averting his eyes at the last part off her speech. He didn't know how to respond to that, and would have blushed if he hadn't started to grow pale from the venom. Sheepish for a murderer, he nodded.
"Uh. Okay."
He held the bottle awkwardly, looking behind himself at the grapes, then went to retrieve some for Ash. After offering the poor dragon man some, he drank the liquid and offered Ash his arm for support. Time to head out, he gestured with the shovel.
"We should leave."
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 18, 2022 20:40:27 GMT -6
Vincent drinks the Mysterious Bottle of liquid. The terrible burning feeling from the wound in his chest stops. He does not feel normal but the wound seems to have stopped aching, and he feels less weak. His chest is less sore, and he no longer feels as bruised. Perhaps his broken ribs have mended.
Vincent is Wounded but is no longer Poisoned.
Beyond the gates of the town, the winding road climbs the increasingly treacherous mountainside. Large stone steps, laid as if for giants, scale its grass-slick sides, goat trails moving here and there through the brush alongside it. The steepness and narrowness of the flat, worn stairs makes the journey feel longer, and creates weariness in the bodies of those who clamber upward.
As you ascend to the top of the hillock, you find yourselves outside a great stone fortress. The crimson light of the moon lends an unnatural look to the cold, craggy towers and impressive highest of the walls. Each basement stone is massive, easily the size of a man and many times the weight. The walls are about 30 feet tall on all sides, the crenelated tops of the walls reaching out and into the sky, punctuating its surface. The entire structure appears to be surrounded by a deep groove dug out of the ground around the castle. (A).
A wide drawbridge, made of heavy oak, crosses the moat’s depths(B). The heavy gate beyond appears to be open, and the entire structure is oddly still and silent. The soft whistle of wind can be heard over one’s footsteps.
Looking down into the moat, one can see faint movement in the depths of the dark liquid at the far bottom, but little else besides its twice-deep darkness and soft splashing. The moon’s faint light reflects upon you.
The mummy follows after the others, carefully holding a candle. It hands the torch to one of the others. When they pass over the drawbridge(B), it leans over to look at the water, and then pulls back and moves on to follow the others.
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Post by indeath on Oct 19, 2022 2:35:05 GMT -6
(( August walks past the gate, he asks Leo where everyone is. Items: Spade, candle, holy balm.))
August had solemnly taken a candle from one of the graves, making a small prayer before they continued to the castle. He looked at it with a sense of determination, this king had left his people to be slaughtered. At the very least he needed a stern word. It wasn’t how you ran a country. A king was just beholden to his people as they were to him. At least that’s how it should be. It was sad how many rulers ignored that part. He was glad that everyone of his group had survived the tussle.
He strode across the drawbridge trying to stay close to the middle. He didn’t like the movement in the water. Were they laser-sharks or some kind of serpent? He didn’t want to find out.
He passed through the gates, hairs on the back of his neck rising. It felt fitting if the king too had met his demise. It felts like being on a top notch gothic horror set. Ru would have fit right in. He held the spade in his right hand just in case.
“… Leo do ya know where everyone is?”
He spoke quietly but in the eery night it felt like yelling.
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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 19, 2022 3:43:31 GMT -6
[OOC: John goes back to grab a candle, in case it's needed, then heads off to the castle. He also crosses the drawbridge and investigates past the open gate.
Items: Candle, bladed implement.]
While his head was poked out of the gate and he could hear the conversations behind him, John felt his eyes roll skyward. Bleeding hearts much?
He glanced over his shoulder to see if the group were planning to move, only to see August taking a candle from the graves. The fox thought back on their first 'puzzle' and wondered if the candles would end up being used again going forward... Better to be prepared, he supposed and trotted back to pick up another candle; since he carefully gathered the candle with his jaws, he shifted the blade he'd used on the Manticore to be carefully gripped by his tail.
Afterwards, he made his way up to the castle and after eyeing it with suspicion for a while (why was the gate open? Where was everyone? These places had killing grounds for invaders for a reason) the Kumiho made his way across the drawbridge just a short ways behind August and Leo. After all, there wasn't really anywhere else obvious to go. Such a grand structure was at least, hopefully, the climax of this whole damn affair.
Slinking his way through the gate, ears rapidly swivelling to detect any hint of movement or danger within, John investigated through the gate to see what they were working with.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 19, 2022 11:08:26 GMT -6
On the other side of the bridge, within a sort of antechamber appears a mechanical device. Within, on the side facing the exterior of this structure, is a large wheel (C), and a lever(D). On the opposite side is another door, apparently made of heavy wood and steel, though it swings open and outwards (E).
The space beyond, inside the castle, appears abandoned(F). There are suspicious stains here and there within, and here and there, piles that seem to be cracked and yellowed bones. A few suspicious, oddly circular stones reveal themselves to be yawning, toothy skulls sprawled around the relatively open, trampled courtyard.
A skeletal figure is slumped against a wall. It clutches a decaying leather book. The leaflets it contained have come loose from the binding and lay scattered around it.
Farm implements, tables and chairs, boxes and barrels are strewn around this space in a mess. It makes it difficult to quickly discern what might be of interest to those who huddle within its walls.
Despite the confusing presentation, one is able to see a stairway that seems to ascend up the walls on either side of the entrance (G, H). One would also note that there are several entrances to the towers on each side of the fortress, and what appears to be a walkway over the top of the structure.
There is a raised central dais with what seems to be a reliquary(N). It is protected by a lattice of metal, and thick glass on every side. Within, very faintly, one can see what appears to be a gold and glass box within, and inside that, one might think they could see what appears to be something moving. Or perhaps it was a trick of the shadows. The protective casing is too thick to pierce with the tools you have at hand. There is an elaborate looking lock on it which appears to need a key.
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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 19, 2022 12:59:40 GMT -6
[OOC: John investigates some of the strewn pages that have come loose from the leather book.]
No arrows had rained down upon them, or armed guards charging forward with swords or spears drawn. No, indeed, the inside of this place was just as empty as it had appeared from the outside. All were dead, if the scattered bones and skills were anything to go by.
Still, there was something of immediate interest and certainly a mite more appealing than climbing the nearby towers. Especially given the hill he'd had to climb to even get up here.
Picking his way over to the decaying book and it's skeletal owner, the fox carefully placed a paw on one of the strewn pages to hold it down while he gave the contents a once over. He repeated the action with a number of other pages, trying to ascertain what may have once been written and how difficult it might be to put the pages back in order, as he would likely need to, now they had escaped their leather bound confines.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 19, 2022 14:52:11 GMT -6
As John looks through the journal entries, he finds that most are faded and ruined by water. Faintly he can make out the outlines of various terrifying monstrous creatures, and some that look rotted and ruined like their companion, the Pilgrim Mummy.
The final entry appears to have been protected from the elements by the book's cover. It reads;
They are here. I can hear them climbing the walls, clawing at the gates. I have to remember. Close the Portcullis. The gate is strong and they cannot squeeze in. Lock and bolt the wooden front gate. Oh I hope it holds them. Drop boiling oil or heavy stones upon them from the walkways of the castle, and through the murderhole. If they dare to come within reach, we might have hope to harm or kill them. Shoot arrows through arrow slits. Those with thin skin might fall. I cling to hope, yet I know they are coming. They are relentless and hungry. I can hear them now, howling, scratching, yowling. They are coming.
The mummy turned to August, flat mask as blank as always. They then examined the environment, before wandering through the gate, and then over to a grey, dusty skull. It then gestures to the skull and gestures around. It otherwise seems to be as puzzled as the party. Perhaps it was interned here before this structure had been built.
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Post by indeath on Oct 19, 2022 15:05:53 GMT -6
((OOC: August investigates H staircase. He’s not afraid of cardio! Items: Spade, balm, candle.))
“Poor souls, guess no one was havin’ a good time.”
It seemed like they needed to figure out what to do here like the other places. August took the right staircase (H) since murderfox had the book covered. He held the candle out in front. Poor architecture could be as deadly as a monster. These monsters seemed as long dead as their victims but August had seen enough horror films. Heck his own unlife had taught him that not everything stayed dead. He didn’t like breaking a horror movie rule but maybe someone would follow him. Otherwise he was ready to skedaddle at the first sign of danger.
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 19, 2022 15:08:19 GMT -6
[ Ash accepts Vincent's help and tries not to worry. Once at the fortress, he looks through the implements on the floor for anything useful. ]
Ash accepted the grapes and ate them slowly, hoping they would impart some vitality in him. He smiled a little as the hunter drank the vial, inclining his head in a slight nod. It's better that way, he's the more useful one, the protector. He told himself this again and again, trying not to worry that he would continue to hurt. His one use, flying as a scout, had been taken from him. He was dead weight now. He tried not to think about that.
When the grapes were gone and Vincent was healed, Ash accepted the help up, as well as the support. He flattened his scales against his body as best he could, not wanting to poke the man.
He walked with the others, trying not to slow them too much, ascending the stairs with some difficulty until they finally reached the fortress. Once inside, he drew away from Vincent to lean against one of the walls. He didn't want to be in the way if the man needed to do something - and likely he would. After a moment he half-slides down into a crouch to look through the implements on the floor. Maybe there was something useful?
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Post by beastly on Oct 19, 2022 15:24:50 GMT -6
((Vince looks around. Determines the box needs a key, but he doesn't like it. He reads the note and speculates, then suggests the others be wary. He follows August.)) ((Items: tooth, knife, candle))
Vincent trudged along with the group, hackles metaphorically raised, and feeling particularly protective of Ash, as they grew closer to the great castle. He liked none of this. It was too quiet, and as they moved farther inside the signs of death only served to make him more uneasy, gripping the candle a bit tighter.
He looked around, and the shadow(?) of movement caught his eye within the box. He gave it a grim look over, determining it needed a key. Were there something inside, should it even be released...? He looked around, and saw the vampire, August, head off into another area. He made a mental note, and went to peer over the fox's findings. The fox would be unable to vocalize what he found, after all.
Reading it, he grimaced. It sounded like something out of a zombie film. Could it be they were attacked by the undead? Or the peasants revolted? Something had happened here.
"Be on your guard."
Vincent spoke aloud to the others. It felt louder to him, just from the surrounding quiet. Maybe it was paranoid, but they had already encountered two different kinds of undead here. After a moment of thought, he decided to follow August.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 19, 2022 15:44:16 GMT -6
((OOC Una tries to lower the portcullis Items: Candle))
Before Una left the village, she tied her tunic around her neck like a cape (it might be useful as bandages, so she didn't want to get it too muddy by dressing again) and took a candle from the grave. "Thank you for the gift," she whispered. If only the little flame could burn forever.
During the long and grueling walk, Una kept an eye on her friends, and an ear on the noises around them. Her thoughts wandered to bittersweet places: she became fixated on candles. They were metaphors for life, weren't they? By necessity, a candle had to vanish as it burned. There was no way around that, aside from magic, which could prolong but not entirely preserve life.
Eventually, even gods died. Or so she'd heard, in the lyrics of ancient, tragic songs.
As they crossed the moat, she peeked into the water. At the first sign of movement, Una gasped and giggled. If the manticore and screeching sky beast were any indication of this country's wildlife, she didn't want to meet whatever swam in those dark waters!
She took in the antechamber with curiosity, and raised an eyebrow (a human sign of interest) at the instructions. Slowly, Una crouched beside a human skull and lifted it up to the candle light.
"Did they make it through the door, my friend?" she asked the skull. "Or was it ... open ... when you died ..."
With wide eyes, Una ran up to the wheel (C) and lever (D). Could one of these lower the metal portcullis? She experimentally PULLED THE LEVER with her TEN human fingers.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 19, 2022 19:43:57 GMT -6
August and Vincent ascends the stairwell to the upper level (H) and finds himself on a walkway between two towers (J and K). The doors are closed, and it is unclear if they are also locked on this level, as they were on the ground floor.
Ash looks about at the things strewn across the floor. He does not find anything of interest during his inspection of the abandoned debris in the courtyard except more skulls, and some very rusted and rotten farming implements.
The skull does not answer Una. She pulls the lever, and hears a promising CLICK. The great wheel connected to the chain on the other side makes a soft CHINK sound, and rolls in a half-rotation before stopping. The portcullis itself also moves down slightly, before stopping suddenly.
In the distance, the group hears a strange, baleful howl.
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