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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 22, 2022 17:35:00 GMT -6
[OOC: John is a good boy and fetches the bow and arrows to bring back to Vincent.]
John felt a small growl of irritation rise to the back of his mouth, his lip curling with distaste at the state of the armoury.
Still, it wasn't a completely wasted trip.
While the fox couldn't use a bow in his current form, he was willing to bet the Hunter could. So, after gathering the bow and arrows together, he carefully placed his candle on the floor and worked the tip of his muzzle between the bow and string until he got it over his head. While he didn't like the feel of it round his neck, at least now he wouldn't drop the bow.
He also wasn't particularly fond of how this... fetching behaviour was likely to be interpreted. It made bile rise in the back of his throat. But there was nothing for it, someone else had to use the bow.
The quiver he managed to pick up by sliding the strap to the back of his teeth, after which time he had enough space at the front of his mouth to pick up his candle once more.
With an eye roll and a shudder at himself for designing to packmule himself up this way, John began making his way back towards Vincent.
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Post by indeath on Oct 22, 2022 18:53:02 GMT -6
((OOC: August sasses and readies a rock to drop on the leader once it starts its climb.))
“These ain’t the same rocks! We ain’t the same victims! Ya messin’ with the wrong vampire! I ain’t gonna go down so easy, indigestion will be the last of ya problems…”
August brought the rock up so that it was above the lead creature and waited for it’s head to be in the right position before dropping the rock down. He would let it climb up enough distance so the fall was greater. Not so close that it could dodge. It was all about the timing. Hopefully the others would bring over more weapons.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 22, 2022 19:37:44 GMT -6
((OOC: Una calls the others and then carries a second rock up the stairs to August)).
Una squinted down at the creatures.
“What big teeth you have,” she mused.
They were climbing up the gate; she remembered the old journal’s warning. They’d get in, unless …
As August grabbed the first stone, Una ran to the guardhouse doorway. She didn’t want to be food to a beast of the land! Or the sea, for that matter.
“They’re climbing the gate, boys!” She shouted, as loud as she could. “They’re hungry! Hurry, hurry! Help us!”
Then, Una grabbed a second rock for August and carried it up the stairs.
“They want to eat me, Auggie!” She exclaimed. “I shall throw myself into the moat before that happens!”
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 22, 2022 19:58:32 GMT -6
[ Ash requests Vince's assistance in getting the pot and oil into position where they might be used against the monsters. He will try to roll the pot over there. ]
"We can... burn them with this. I... I have torches, and Una's flint. Can you help me with this?" Ash looks to Vincent, gesturing to the pot and the oil. "I... perhaps I can roll the pot if you carry the oil? There should be a place to heat it over there I hope..."
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Post by beastly on Oct 23, 2022 1:20:56 GMT -6
((Ooc: Vincent agrees with Ash. When John comes up with the bow he awkwardly slings it over his shoulders, as well as the quiver. He thanks the fox, and starts walking towards the sounds of the monsters and the others)) ((Items: tooth, oil, bow, quiver, arroes(5), candle))
The scruffy hunter nodded at Ash, face set in a grimace.
"Yes. Like the journal."
When the fox ran up with the arrows and bow, Vincent's eyes flickered with a violent energy. Yes, they could use these, certainly.
"Oh, this is... very good. Thank you."
Crouching, he took the quiver and slung it over his shoulder, and did something similar with the bow. Then, he heaved the oil up.
"This is good."
He started walking towards the sounds of the monsters, keeping pace with Ash.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 23, 2022 1:36:28 GMT -6
The clouds billow away from the blood moon’s light, bathing the dark fortress’ stone walls with red, deepening its shadows. While the castle was not yet in true disrepair, the extent of its neglect could be seen with better illumination; cobwebs and rats, dreary moths and other creatures that fed on detritus were gathered here. It must have been abandoned for at the very least, months, if not years. The mist thickens and gathers within the moat and around the base of the castle’s walls, helping to shroud the creatures in darkness.
Ash began to drag the cauldron towards the guardhouse (L), moving quickly after Una beckoned him. Meanwhile, John fetched the bow and arrows (x5) for Vincent to shoot at the enemy. Vincent picks up the bow and arrows, and carries a singular pot of oil to heat up and douse the monsters with.
Meanwhile, Una carries a second rock for August to throw, and August readies his attack, aiming for the nearest creature who had transformed. The one who he suspected had been the leader, and who Una knew had the key. And what timing they had;
As the others gathered, moving, the Lead Creature began to climb up the great portcullis, moving with surprising speed. Its clawed fingers were nimble and its quadrupedal gait aided its swift climb. It moved erratically, making it difficult to judge where one should throw their rock to best strike its body, and knock it off, even though it was considerably larger than a man. There was an unnatural look to its transformed appearance, its yellow eyes had a feverish maddened look to them, and its red tongue lolled between slack jaws filled with crooked fangs. Its long snout was curled in a snarl.
“I’ll eat you first…”
It growled at August.
Worse, the others creatures, emboldened by their leader’s ascent, had begun to climb themselves. Two of the Beasts on either side of the Leader creature began to climb to either side, granting room to allow it to move or fall back unimpeded.
The lead creature reached the top of the portcullis, hesitating for a moment as its clawed fingers found their way in the stonework.
From their proximity, August could see its terrible, unnatural face clearly. Luminous slit-pupilled eyes stared back into his own, thick saliva dripping into grizzled fur. It curled back its lips, and as if dared, continued its ascent, moving with a near spider-like ease as it traversed the side of the castle.
And then…August dropped the great stone down upon it.
He might have doubted it would hit at first, but the rock, after a singular bounce against the castle wall, fell true. The great stone struck the Lead Beast directly on the shoulder, and there was a terrible CRACK of impact. It cried out, a horrible baying wail, before both it and the stone plummeted to the ground, with a second, much wetter-sounding crunch.
The stone landed directly on its side, and though the creature was still moving, dark blood pooled around its body, and it did not seem to be capable of moving in any singular direction. Its jaws opened in silent agony and it let out a second, more terrible baying sound, loud enough to wake the dead themselves.
The Lead Beast is dead. There are four remaining Beasts.
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Post by indeath on Oct 23, 2022 4:48:19 GMT -6
((August apologizes for killing the leader. Sasses. Then drops a rock on another beast. (Roll: 58) Items: Rock, holy balm, spade on the ground nearby.))
“Lawdamimbo! Sorry…”
August winced as the rock made contact and the leader met a grisly death at his hands. Still the monster wanted to eat him and his friends. It didn’t deserve his pity, he’d feel guilty about it later. The red moon didn’t help, making him think of blood it made him feel a little hungry if he was honest.
“Told ya so! See! Do ya wanna meet the same fate as ya boss? It’s not too late ta rack off before ya corn gets creamed into tomorrow!”
He took the second rock and aimed for the closest were climbing up. It was an age old battle vampire vs werewolves. Except this vampire doesn’t sparkle!
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 23, 2022 6:27:21 GMT -6
[ Ash sets up the pot and searches for fuel for it. ]
Ash's progress was slower than he would have liked, but he managed to get the pot over to where the others waited. Still, even if it had taken him too long, they hadn't been idle. He flinched a little at the crunching sound after August dropped the first stone onto the creatures, his scales shivering with discomfort. He could just imagine the impact, the bones breaking - he didn't need or want to see it. It wasn't the same as hunting, it wasn't the same as the idea of killing the manticore - though he hadn't seen that either from where he had hidden. These creatures would suffer as they died, and the thought made his stomach turn. Still, the monsters needed to die so that they could live.
He kept well clear of the murderhole, moving to set up the pot so that it could be heated. They had the flint and tinder, but like as not they'd need more fuel than just that. He searched for some furniture that could be broken to serve as fuel.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 23, 2022 9:26:42 GMT -6
The mummy joins those in the gatehouse. While it is too weak to lift stones, it helps gather scattered wood and brings them to the fireplace. It also moves the kindle into place to help fuel the coming fire. It then waits for Ash to light the flame.
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Post by hadopelagic on Oct 23, 2022 15:26:21 GMT -6
((OOC: Una throws a rock at the highest climber. Items: Candle and skull (at her feet)
When the first beast fell, she sighed. Despite all his talk, he really was unworthy. But that was the way. The braggadocious were overcompensating, eight times out of ten. They'd never beat the quiet hunter.
"He has a special key," she told August. "The men in this castle died trying to protect it."
Una put her skull friend on the ground and then fetched a third rock.
"I don't think they'll listen, Auggie," she sighed. "The hunger is too great. Like an irresistible lure."
She used her tunic as a sling to steady the rock over the head of the second nearest climbing beast.
"I'll sing to you as you die," she promised; it was the only kindness she could offer them.
Una released the rock (ROLL 72), and as it fell, she continued singing O Virtus Sapientiae. She'd been singing it in the muddy little stream -- that seemed like days ago, but it was still night.
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Post by beastly on Oct 23, 2022 16:31:54 GMT -6
((Vincent approves of the murder. He gives the oil to Ash, then takes a spot at the murder hole. He drops the arrow once(1), then fires it for real(76). ))
((Items: tooth, candle, bow, arrows(4x) ))
Vincent made his way to the commotion as fast as he could manage without completely leaving Ash in the dust. When they made it to the others, he set the oil down as the dragon man started to set up the oil, then grimly approached the scene where August and Una were throwing rocks. He peered down at the grizzly mess, grimacing at the approaching monsters. He spared the two a nod of approval, they were doing well, despite their hesitance with the manticore. They were apologizing and singing, but they were still fighting. Another look at the body, and he took the bow from his shoulder.
The hunter readied the first arrow, trying to steady himself, hoping he still was a decent shot. It'd been a year or two since he'd last held a bow, a gun was so much easier to conceal. Still. Looking down at the monsters sparked a cold anger, and he fired- dropped the arrow on the stones next to him. His fingers had fumbled, and he blinked down at it. He took another breath, picked it back up, glared into the luminous eyes of the cat-like monster on the ground, and let loose the arrow a second time.
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Post by kilnarak on Oct 23, 2022 16:35:18 GMT -6
[ Ash pours the oil in the pot, then lights the fire beneath it to get it started. ]
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Post by tsukikoko on Oct 23, 2022 22:38:12 GMT -6
[OOC: John attempts to roll a second jar of oil to the Guardhouse.]
Though one of the creatures had fallen, others still remained. There were only a handful of large stones, hardly any arrows in the quiver and a single jar of oil had been brought to heat up.
John would really rather they not all be scratting around desperately trying to kill a creature getting into the Guardhouse with them, due to a lack of supplies.
While he certainly couldn't lift one of the oil jars, the fox wondered whether he might be able roll one.
Not wanting to dislodge the lid, he carefully planted his paws against another jar and pushed. Should he be able to move it, the Kumiho would maneuver another jar towards the group.
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Post by jarahamee on Oct 24, 2022 0:52:30 GMT -6
The clouds moved to cover the moon again as the winds picked up, muting the intensity of the red light that had poured down upon the hill, fortress and Beasts. Soon, the creatures were shrouded in darkness once more, only their luminous eyes visible as they made their way up the sides of the fortress, limbs folded unnaturally like a spider’s as they climbed. The terrible clawed fingers found their way into the crevasses between the crumbling stones, and they ascended with concerning speed, steadily, surely. As they approached, those gathered in the guardhouse could hear the rasp of their breath, the soft snuffle as they searched for prey. The two others, undeterred by the death of their leader, moved on all fours to begin their ascent. August raised a stone and drops it on the closest beast that ascended the wall. This one had a short face, large eyes, and smaller, more needle-like teeth. The fur was sparser, thinner, more like a diseased animal, the fur was dark and matted, revealing pinkish skin in some places. The creatures’ fore-paws had strange long digits and an odd, wrinkled pattern to their flesh, especially in the region of the wrist. Its eyes were filled with hunger and cruelty. August and the Beast(2) exchanged gazes before the rock struck it. The large stone glanced off its shoulder. There was a loud crunch, and it gave a great screaming yowl. The Beast(2) slid down the side of the fortress, several of its cruel, hooked claws breaking off as it skidded, its hind leg slamming into the top of the portcullis. It cried out, infuriated, and then continued its climb, one limb dangling limply as it did so. Una follows suit with the third of the five large stones. This one directly struck the Beast(3) which had been flanking the Lead Creature. This Beast(3) was covered with ragged black hair, and had a long, gaping snout and what appeared to be five limbs It made a great baying howl as the stone struck it directly on the back, and the impact appeared to dislodge it completely. It fell off the side of the fortress, hitting the ground hard. The impact seemed to stun it, but the stone fell away from its body, and before too long, it rose again, whimpering. “Its… We need more…” Ash prepared the pot, pouring oil into it, then lighting a fire beneath. As combat rages, the oil begins to heat, bubbling and sizzling. It would be ready to use shortly. Vincent took aim with the bow. One of the arrows misfired, the second he managed to shoot directly down at the fourth Beast(4). The second shot rings true, and Vincent fires the arrow down at one of the creatures who had joined the tower’s assault. The grey-pelted beast hisses, its wrinkled skin giving it a hideous, almost human appearance, even in its transformed state. The arrow pierces through its open mouth. It makes gurgling sounds, and claws at its face, losing its grip, and falling off the wall. When it lands, it moves to correct its fall, but instead lands directly on top of the portcullis, twisting a leg behind. There is a terrible CRACK and the rest of the body twists in the other way. The creature writhes, clawing at its face and screaming in agony. It appears unable to fight further.
Only one Beast(5) appears to be completely uninjured, and is making good progress climbing the wall. It progresses beyond the portcullis, and scales the wall.
John rolls one of the jars of oil from the northern portion of the fortress, to the gatehouse.
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Post by beastly on Oct 24, 2022 7:02:11 GMT -6
((Vincent is satisfied that beast 4 isn't a problem for the moment. He takes note of the oil's status, then fires 2 arrows (29, 66) at beast 5)) ((Items: candle, arrows(2), tooth, knife))
Vincent looked upon the results of his work with cold satisfaction. That wouldn't be climbing up to kill them, not anytime soon. Hungry werebeasts, hungry manticores... he glowered at the rest of the creatures. There were three left that were an active threat. He looked back at the oil, back at Ash. Soon they could use it.
He squinted down at the uninjured monster's terrible eyes (beast 5), and let fly two arrows. He only had two left after firing, and he took a deep breath.
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