Toxoglossa 2018/05/10(Thu)20:22 No. 883756 ID: 7816e7
File 152600897140.png - (142.83KB , 500x700 , 5-2.png )

A round, off-white sphere of inflated leather drops out of the sky and lands in the sand with a subdued bounce. The sudden movement causes Mr. Ochre to shield himself with his book; his squawk of distress alerting his retainer, Agrippa.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/10(Thu)20:22 No. 883757 ID: 7816e7
File 152600897821.png - (132.15KB , 700x500 , 5-3.png )

He lowers his shield at the sound of soft footsteps. A familiar voice calls out, "Sorry about that Mr. Ochre! Are you okay?" A pair of mousey feet arrive at the edge of his beach towel and retrieve the ball.

Mr. Ochre adjusts his glasses and his composure, his feathers settling as the tension leaves his body. "Quite alright, my dear. Merely startled, that’s all. I must say, thank you for extending the invitation to this 'beach day'. It has been quite some time since I permitted myself a day in the sun."

"We're glad you came!" Casey smiles, "You sure you don't want to play?"

"I, uh, what-what game are you playing?"

Toxoglossa 2018/05/10(Thu)20:23 No. 883758 ID: 7816e7
File 152600898461.png - (160.83KB , 500x700 , 5-4.png )

A distant voice calls out "STRIP DODGEBAAAAAAAAAALL!" Gabe pumps his arms enthusiastically. "LOSING SIDE GETS NAKED!"

"I think only Gabe is playing that game, Mr. Ochre." Casey explains. "The rest of us are just playing dodgeball."

>>883758
Gabe sure is losing alot for someone who can make portals.

strip dodgeball gogogogogogo

Are we sure it's not dodge stripball?

If Gabe wants to get naked he should just get naked. No need to lose so badly.

Anyway it's a friendly game, no one's getting anything that can't be healed in a couple seconds.

>>883765
>no one's getting anything that can't be healed in a couple seconds.
Unless it’s a male getting hit in the balls by the ball. That might take more than a couple of seconds to be healed! >.<

I dunno, strip dodgeball sounds pretty good. I think you need to come up with some good extra incentive to play along, though.

hmm, no one but Gabe wants to play strip dodgeball?

perhaps if he brings up an incentive, like a prize to the winners of strip dodgeball that will make people want to play it.

>>883758
Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgeball! Dodgebaaaaaalllll!

Gabe is just the speedo type

BEACH EPISODE WOOT

You idiots, you play VOLLEYBALL at the beach!

>>883773
BLOOD! i mean, DODGEBALL!

>>883792
Right? What would Tom Cruise say?

>>883812
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmuhSeiWV00

>>883788
The hotsprings episode was like episode three? this anime is plowing through all the fanservice achievements

Toxoglossa 2018/05/11(Fri)19:27 No. 883853 ID: 7816e7
File 152609204833.png - (128.80KB , 700x437 , 5-5.png )

“I believe I will spectate for now, thank you.” Mr. Ochre smiles and puts his book aside: a small volume titled Languages of the Wild Age.

“Okay, let us know if you want in!” Casey runs back to the pitch, tossing the ball to Delilah as she re-enters her team square.

Mr. Ochre sizes up the teams. On one side Gabe, Delilah, Miki and Raithe. Mr. Ochre mentally assigns them to Team Red. Making up the other team is Casey, Kol, Caleb, and Nixxy: Team Blue.

The spectator thinks back to his school days, remembering a few rules. He recalls that a player is out when they are hit by a throw, and the ball goes “dead”, or contacts the ground. If the ball is caught and held, then the thrower is then out. If a player is hit and then the ball is caught, the thrower is then out.

Mr. Ochre recalls being fairly good at the game: his slight build making him hard to hit and being able to read his opponent’s tactics based off of his body language as well as his unique experience of color. Sadly, his throwing and catching ability was underwhelming, even at a young age; resulting in him usually being the last member of a team and an easy victim for more callous opponents. A certain part of him never fully recovered, leaving him with an instinctual full-body cringe at the sight of an incoming dodgeball.

Nixxy bounds with glee, ”A wager? To bare the skin? Such fun! Are we game?”

“Uh, I mean, I suppose I’m in.” Caleb scratches his chin, “But if we’re playing for stakes, are we playing for real then?”

“With magic? I suppose.” Casey shrugs, “But no using portals inside the boundaries, Gabe. I don’t want you cutting someone accidentally.”

“Yeah that’s fair,” Gabe nods.

“Uh, can I still play even though I don’t wear clothes?” Raithe twists in the air a little self consciously.

“Don’t worry about it, dear!” Miki waves at him reassuringly.

Currently its red’s turn, Delilah has the ball and can pass to another member or throw.

Blue Team has made a terrible, terrible mistake just by not being the team with Gabe on it.

Place a portal over Nixxy, waaay up, and one connected to it out of the field but close enough Delilah can toss it through.

TEAM COLD IRON TAKES NO PRISONERS.

>>883853
Blue team has 2 selkies. That seems maybe a little unfair.

>>883859
>Blue Team has made a terrible, terrible mistake just by not being the team with Gabe on it.
Not really.

Casey has a really long reach with her magic tentacles and, if someone on her team gets hit and she reacts fast enough, she could easily grab the ball before it hits the ground to save her teammates and get the thrower out.

>>883853
have raithe make a fire ball and throw it through a portal and back at your foes

>>883853
Don't throw right away. Get the other team confused with some quick passes first.

>>883862
>2 selkies
Nixxy's a kelpie, actually. Caleb is the only selkie here.

I can see this getting quickly out of hand if magic is allowed. Can be good or bad if it does.

>>883880
>Nixxy's a kelpie, actually. Caleb is the only selkie here.
Whoops, my bad.

But still, 2 shapeshifters on the same team seems a little unfair.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/12(Sat)09:00 No. 883938 ID: 7816e7
File 152614083909.png - (87.08KB , 700x500 , 5-6.png )

As the red team passes the ball around to get warmed up, Mr. Ochre does a little mental calculation of the players stats.

Red Team

Delilah
Str- 7
Dex- 3
Mana- 5
Ability: Aura Cannon- Use mana to give herself +3 on a Str roll.

Gabe
Str- 2
Dex- 7
Mana- 3
Ability: Spirit Gate- Use a gate to give a thrower +2 on a Dex attack; or reroll any missed attack into an attack on an opposing player using the thrower's stats.

Miki
Str-5
Dex- 5
Mana- 4
Ability: Cheer- Give a team member +1 for a Str roll.

Raithe
Str- 3
Dex- 7
Mana- 4
Ability: Flight- Fly up high to get +2 on any Dex roll.

Blue Team

Casey
Str- 4
Dex- 6
Mana- 3
Ability: Aura Tentacles- If a team member is hit, use your tentacles to give a target +2 to Str and Dex rolls to catch the ball. Or use your tentacles to bind a target to impose -2 on a Dex roll.

Kol
Str- 5
Dex- 5
Mana- 5
Ability: Spirit walk- Possess a teammate and give them +1 on a Str roll.

Nixxy
Str- 6
Dex- 4
Mana- 5
Ability: Shapeshift- Change shape to get +3 on a Dex roll.

Caleb
Str- 7
Dex- 3
Mana- 2
Ability: Transform- Change into fey form to get +2 Str for one round.

Each round involves an attack and defense phase for both teams.

Each attack phase: The attacking team chooses attacker, one character ability, a target and whether to make a Str or Dex attack.

During the defense phase: The defending team chooses an ability to help the target. Then the attacker and defender both roll D10s and add their Str or Dex stat, the higher total succeeding.

On a failed Dex attack, the attack misses. On a failed Str attack, if the defender succeeds an additional Dex roll, the target catches the ball and the thrower is out.

On a successful hit, one other character may catch the ball by succeeding BOTH a Str and a Dex roll against the thrower.

A character may only use an ability once per round and requires 1 mana point per use.

I have no idea how well this is going to work, so lets play it by ear. I figured people needed something a bit more gameified to help things along.

Attack phase: team red

>>883938
Delilah use your ability and STR attack Kol

Toxoglossa 2018/05/12(Sat)10:00 No. 883948 ID: 7816e7
File 152614442875.png - (104.85KB , 700x500 , 5-7.png )

Delilah winds up and her arm crackles with energy, "HEADS UP!" She warns as the ball becomes a blur and fires towards Kol.

Defense phase: team blue

Uh, realize that you are all too powerful for this to have been a good idea.

Actually use Casey to Aura Tentacles Kol for a catch.

Kol: It's coming in too fast so lean back so the ball pops up.

Nixxy: transform and use your increased speed to catch the ball as it falls back down.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/12(Sat)12:54 No. 883977 ID: 7816e7
File 152615487895.png - (138.97KB , 700x500 , 5-8.png )

Kol braces himself.

Deliliah rolls
4 + 7 + 3 str = 14
Koll rolls
2 +5 str = 7

The powerful strike lifts Kol off his feet and he lands in the sand slightly dazed. The ball soars up into the air and as it comes down Nixxy tries to catch it. Casey extends her tentacles and tries to grab the ball on its way down.

Nixxy rolls
9 + 6 + 2 Str = 17
5 + 4 + 2 Dex = 11

Delilah rolls
6 + 7 = 13
10 + 3 = 13

The ball slips through her hands and goes dead in the sand.
"Sorry Kol, those are the breaks. Gotta lose the trunks!"

Attack phase: team blue

Caleb, throw at Raithe.

>>883977
Nixxy get spirit walked to hit raithe

>>884019
This.

>>883977
Caleb transform to hit Delilah

Toxoglossa 2018/05/13(Sun)12:41 No. 884132 ID: 7816e7
File 152624049058.png - (74.63KB , 441x700 , 5-9.png )

Kol gets up and brushes himself off, "Finnnne." he tugs at the drawstring and drops trou. There's a collection of "Aw yeah"s and a whinny from Nixxy. Kol blushes slightly as the beach air hits his nethers.

"Oh my!" Mr. Ochre reaches for his book again, and ruffling his feathers. He hesitates and decides against it, adjusting his glasses to better spectate.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/13(Sun)12:41 No. 884133 ID: 7816e7
File 152624049474.png - (130.99KB , 700x500 , 5-10.png )

Nixxy grabs the ball and winds up, "A throw for me? Is good!" She stops as a glow sparkles behind her.

"How about a hand there?" Kol's spirit form extends its aura. Nixxy feels herself being puppeteered, adding to her strength.

"Hay, can he do that? He's out right?" Gabe asks. Everyone turns to Mr. Ochre as an impartial judge.

He sputters with the sudden attention and thinks aloud, "Well, Kol didn't get to do anything before being knocked out, so it might be more fair to allow those with abilities that affect others to still use theirs even if removed from play. But tactically it changes the nature of the game, making it less useful to target supporting team members…" His feathers ruffle. "I suppose as long as they aren't directly catching or throwing the ball it should be permitted?"

Everyone shrugs and goes back to playing.

Nixxy's hooves scrape for purchase in the sand and her eyes narrow on her target. She winds up with a flourish of her tail and lets fly at Raithe with a strength attack.

Defense phase: team red.

>also, please designate which team member will catch the ball if the attack is successful.

>>884133
Miki cheer on Raithe and Gabe prepare to catch the ball

>>884133
Raithe: Tail whip that ball right back.
Gabe: Be prepared to catch.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/13(Sun)15:24 No. 884158 ID: 7816e7
File 152625027396.png - (103.60KB , 700x441 , 5-11.png )

"You got this Raithe!" Miki pumps up her partner with a boost of praise.

Nixxy Rolls
10+6+1=17 Str
Raithe rolls
9+3+1=13 Str

Raithe twists in midair to take the brunt of the attack, but without leverage, the ball bounces right off of him. Gabe moves to catch it.

Gabe rolls
7+2=9 str
4+7=11 dex

Nixxy rolls
2+6=8 str
6+4=10 dex

Gabe gets under the ball and stags it comfortably as it lands!
"Gotcha! Sorry Nixxy!"

Toxoglossa 2018/05/13(Sun)15:24 No. 884159 ID: 7816e7
File 152625028180.png - (112.77KB , 700x500 , 5-12.png )

The kelpie pulls at the cord around her waist and her "garment" slips to the ground. She stretches out on the borrowed rug and poses. "Mmm, enjoy prize Gabe! You play game for Nixxy later?" Her tail flicks languidly as she settles in to watch the rest of the game.

Caleb says something to himself in a Fae tongue and Nixxy winks.

Attack phase: red team

>>884159
raithe fly up an blind them with the sun to hit caleb

Kol and Nixxy, engage stripball auto-balance mechanism: distracting the opposing team from the game.

>>884161
>>884206
These.

>>884161
oh yeah Dex attack

Toxoglossa 2018/05/14(Mon)16:07 No. 884338 ID: 7816e7
File 152633924301.png - (110.98KB , 654x700 , 5-13.png )

“Let me throw!” Gabe tosses the ball to Raithe, who takes off in a vertical climb. Everyone shades their eyes as they try to follow him, but he’s soon lost to the blinding glare of the sun. As they blink away spots, a dark shape grows larger in the sky, barreling straight for Caleb.

Defense phase: team blue.

>>884338
transform you hunk

>>884338
Dodge. Let it hit the ground.

>>884338
Tank mode, Caleb. Catch that sucker.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/15(Tue)19:33 No. 884529 ID: 7816e7
File 152643803214.png - (117.96KB , 700x500 , 5-14.png )

Caleb squints into the glare and instinctively transforms into his fae form. His shoulders hunch and his muscles flare. He rears up, both arms out, ready to catch the oncoming missile.

Caleb rolls
5 + 3 = 8 Dex
Raithe rolls
8 + 7 + 2=17


Unfortunately Caleb can't catch what he cant see. The ball bounces off of his enormous shoulder. Casey tries for the save.

Casey rolls
10 + 4 = 14 Str
9 + 6 = 15 Dex

Raithe rolls
4 + 3 = 7 str
7 + 7 = 14 Dex


The Binder jumps and snags the ball out of the air and lands lightly.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/15(Tue)19:33 No. 884530 ID: 7816e7
File 152643803669.png - (93.88KB , 500x700 , 5-15.png )

Raithe returns to the ground in a flutter of wings. "What happened? Did I get him?"

"Casey caught it dear: You're out."

"Aww, oh well. Um… so what do I do now?" The salamander looks down at himself. "I'm already naked."

"Go sit over there and look nude, honey!"

The elemental lands on the sidelines and hugs his tail to himself in a way that lends itself to the imagination. "Like this?"

Miki leers at him, "Awww yeah. That’s the stuff… "

Attack phase: team blue.

Miki's distracted! Take the shot!

>>884531
Yeah! And it looks like Dex is Casey's thing.

>>884529
Hey, Caleb, you’re supposed to take your clothes off after you’re knocked out, not before! I guess that’s what happens when you don’t buy the stretchy clothes, they tear right off of you when you transform!

.....not that I’m complaining or anything, just thought I’d point it out. Also, stripping before getting knocked out isn’t against the rules, soooooo feel free to continue the rest of the game while naked! ;3

>>884530
>Attack phase: team blue
Casey, use your tentacles as a trebuchet/catapult/slingshot/rubber band of doom and fling the ball at Miki while she’s distracted with admiring Raithe!

Take down the baker. NO MERCY!

>>884529
Casey bind Gabe
Caleb, Aim for Mikki

Toxoglossa 2018/05/16(Wed)18:17 No. 884665 ID: 7816e7
File 152651984624.png - (110.15KB , 500x700 , 5-16.png )

Miki turns to go back to the game and stops. She looks down, finding a tendril of aura poking out of the sand and wrapped around her ankle.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/16(Wed)18:17 No. 884666 ID: 7816e7
File 152651985135.png - (118.73KB , 700x500 , 5-17.png )

She spots Casey sporting a predatory grin as her binding spell pours out of her hand and into the beach.
"Don't get too distracted now!" Casey palms the ball and launches it at the baker with a dex attack.

Defense phase: team red.

oh NOOOO i mean if she fails at least we get to see her cute dick but NOOOO

>>884666
Can Gabe create a portal to intercept the ball and launch it straight into the sky? Make it easier to catch.

Miki try a dex-based dodge.

>>884671
Maybe he could try to throw it back at her? Or at someone else?

>>884671
Now you're thinking with portals!

Toxoglossa 2018/05/17(Thu)20:55 No. 884843 ID: 7816e7
File 152661574889.png - (90.78KB , 700x581 , 5-18.png )

Gabe makes a portal behind Miki, "Quick! Duck!"

Miki rolls
3 + 6 - 2=7 dex

Casey rolls
7 + 6 = 13 dex

Miki ducks down but, being rooted in place she still makes for an easy target. Casey's strike bounces off of her with a slight squeak.

Gabe rolls
2+2=4 str
3+7=10 dex

Casey rolls
4+4=8 str
3+6=9 dex

Gabe reaches out to catch the ball but it sails over his head and out of bounds.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/17(Thu)20:55 No. 884844 ID: 7816e7
File 152661575551.png - (98.68KB , 500x700 , 5-19.png )

"Gotta keep your eye on the game!" Casey winks. Miki feels a tug at her waistband as the binding spell pulls her swimsuit free. She relinquishes her top as well and heads for the sidelines, "Oh well, that was fun!"

Attack phase: red team

Gabe go get the ball, then dunk it through a portal off to one side of Casey that also has a straight line to Caleb.

>>884844
Gabe make a portal for Delilah to make a strength attack at Casey

Toxoglossa 2018/05/18(Fri)17:28 No. 884980 ID: 7816e7
File 152668969053.png - (76.17KB , 700x523 , 5-20.png )

Gabe takes the ball and grins at the remaining two blue team members. He fakes a throw and chest passes directly out of bounds, right as a portal opens up behind Casey.

Defense phase: team blue.

>>884980
Casey: tentacle-assisted back-flip over the ball! No need to hit it, if you dodge, it's already flying at the other side.

here's an idea. use a tentacle to force the ball up and then catch it on before it hits the ground.

>>884980
Lmao just smack it back into him.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)15:52 No. 885129 ID: 7816e7
File 152677036347.png - (121.31KB , 500x700 , 5-21.png )

Casey extends her binding spell uncertainly, half turning at the sound of the gate.

Gabe rolls
8+7+2=17 dex

Casey rolls
3+6=9 dex

The ball baps softly against the back of her head. Caleb dives to catch it.

Caleb rolls
10+7+2=19 str
6+3+2=11 dex

Gabe rolls
3+2=5 str
1+7+2=10 dex

Casey manages to extend an aura tentacle just before it hits the ground, giving Caleb the second he needs to scoop up the ball.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)15:52 No. 885130 ID: 7816e7
File 152677036675.png - (83.16KB , 700x500 , 5-22.png )

"Fair's fair!" Gabe drags them down with exaggerated slowness. He snaps them free and struts over to the sidelines with a swish of his tail. "You got this Delilah!" he calls over his shoulder.

Attack phase: team blue

Casey, pass the ball to Caleb. Caleb, power throw that ball.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)16:30 No. 885136 ID: 7816e7
File 152677265578.png - (86.23KB , 700x500 , 5-23.png )

"Let me handle this!" Caleb takes the ball back and winds up, muscles shifting like boulder under the selkie's skin. "You ready for this?"

Delilah claps her hands and holds them out, ready to catch, "Bring it on big guy…"

Defense phase: team red.

Delilah, stand your ground and get ready to catch!! You're super tough, you can resist the impact!

>>885136
Miki, Cheer Delilah! She can do this!

>>885138
This.

>>885138
Muscles Vs Muscles who will win!

>>885138
Then shouldn't she use Aura cannon too?

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)19:02 No. 885171 ID: 7816e7
File 152678172070.png - (155.54KB , 800x444 , 5-24.png )

Caleb lets fly with a blaze of leather directly at the healer. Delilah squares her shoulders and mana flares along her arms.

[b]Delilah rolls
8+7+3=18 str

Caleb rolls
4+7+2=13 str

Delilah rolls
9+3=12 dex

Caleb rolls
3+3=6 dex

Delilah's heels dig a long pair of trenches in the sand as the ball slams into her. A wave of sand is thrown up by the force of the impact and as it clears she stands strong, ball clasped firmly in her hands.

She allows herself an "Ow."

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)19:02 No. 885172 ID: 7816e7
File 152678173917.png - (94.29KB , 500x700 , 5-25.png )

Caleb nods, acknowledging his defeat. He returns back to his terrestrial form and drapes his skin carefully over a massive forearm before heading for the sidelines.

Attack phase: red team

>>885172
Miki cheer her on for the finale and Str hit her in the Casey. Casey use those tentacles to defend.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)22:46 No. 885215 ID: 7816e7
File 152679517470.png - (131.16KB , 700x500 , 5-26.png )

"Wooo! Go Del!" Miki gives Delilah a boost from the sidelines, "Bring it on home!"

Casey draws her aura out to catch the attack, but as she does the last of her mana falters and fades. "What? Not now!"

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)22:46 No. 885216 ID: 7816e7
File 152679517998.png - (83.06KB , 700x500 , 5-27.png )

Delilah launches the ball, pouring her strength into one final strike.

Delilah rolls
3+7+1=11 str

Casey rolls
2+4=6 str

Casey manages to bring her arms up to protect herself but the strike still knocks her into the sand. With that the match ends

Toxoglossa 2018/05/19(Sat)22:46 No. 885217 ID: 7816e7
File 152679518270.png - (117.68KB , 500x700 , 5-28.png )

Victory: team red!

Casey slips out of her swimsuit, "Nice match!" Her and Delilah share a high five in celebration of both sports and nudity. "We'll have to play again sometime!"

>>885217
Delilah try to suplex Caleb

So
Losers group hug?

>>885217
Now Delilah decides to strip so that she can join in on the nude fun!

>>885217
This calls for a celebratory cuddlepile!

Cecil: be the challenger that appears

...you people are pretty crazy strong huh.

>>885217
I'm sure a certain bird dude and servant dude is gonna wanna nude up after this as well.

Well now that the festivities are over, I have a curiosity.

Caleb appears to have a form more in-line with your average "mortal" that isn't so...best-mode-ey.

Does Nixxy have a similar form?

>>885274
>best-mode-ey

My keyboard is mutinying all over the place today. Beast-mode-ey*

So now losers gotta do whatever the winners want.

TEAM COLD IRON IS SUPREME

VICTORY SCREECH

>>885299

Losers can't put on their clothes for the entire day.

any winners who had to strip can put their clothes back on if they want, but it is optional ;).

>>885304
This guy has the right idea!
Wait, now that i think about it, is is permitted to be naked in this beach? Isn't it a public beach?

>>885325
It'll be more lewd if nudity isn't allowed ;)

Toxoglossa 2018/05/21(Mon)18:30 No. 885463 ID: 7816e7
File 152695262510.png - (114.06KB , 700x500 , 5-29.png )

After some debate about what to do next, Gabe suggests a swim. Delilah hesitates for a minute before stripping out of her suit and splashing after the skinny dippers. Not at home in the water, Miki and Raithe sneak off somewhere for some private post-game celebration.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/21(Mon)18:30 No. 885464 ID: 7816e7
File 152695263073.png - (150.29KB , 700x500 , 5-30.png )

Worn out and drained of mana, Casey pads across the hot sand and sits with Mr. Ochre under his umbrella. “Thanks for officiating! Can I share your towel?”

“Why certainly, Ms. Leander.” Leans back in his chair, “That was quite the performance, well played!”

“Thanks!” She lays back on her elbows, “You sure you don’t want to join them?”

The bowerbird scans out over the sea where some kind of wrestling match has sprung up between Kol and Gabe. Positioned on Caleb and Nixxy’s shoulders, they struggle for the upper hand as the surf pounds them both. “I appreciate the offer, but I don’t believe I’m... quite comfortable with that just yet.”

He smiles, grateful to be included, “Besides, I do have my book.” He holds up the volume, already well read and bookmarked with a rainbow of colored tabs.

>>885464
ask to see the blue tabs.

ask about book. So many bookmarks! How come?

Take a look! A book look!

Looks a good book.
What is about?

>>885467
Reading Rainbow?

Yeah do that

Book has lost it's meaning. Investigate it anyway.

>>885464
So many friends you've made by the unique way you do things. Be proud!

Toxoglossa 2018/05/22(Tue)18:03 No. 885612 ID: 7816e7
File 152703742346.png - (147.54KB , 700x485 , 5-31.png )

Casey leans over and examines the plethora of colored tabs dotting the pages, “Looks like a good book. What’s it about?”

“Its Biliasco's The Comprehension of Color. An analysis of the written language of the pre-Moot Point civilization. As you may know, the Old City was once built upon the ruins of an even older city. Our own Augustine Moot first exposed the structures, accidentally, in her greatest moment. In the chaos of those days, not much time was afforded to the preservation or study of these ancient structures, and unfortunately much was lost.”
“This book is a study of the remaining frescoes and murals; analyzing the language of these lost people, much of which has proven difficult to translate. The leading theory is that color factors into understanding as much as form. I’ve been interested in examining the ruins, due to my own rather unique perspective on color, but alas have not yet made the pilgrimage. There are rumors of creatures that inhabit the ruins and I... couldn't help but feel concern for my own safety.”

Interesting! Why don't you ask us for help whenever you're ready to take the trip? I'm sure everyone would be interested in learning a little history.

Hey maybe your group could serve as an escort? You've got two strong fey, a fire elemental, and a bunch of support crew.

>>885612
Well gee, if only you had some friends who could keep you safe from monsters to ask for help.

And you didn't think to hire us again? You know we're free right now, right? I mean, our schedules are. Still gotta eat.

>>885612
Now this has the makings of opportunity written all over it. See if maybe this pilgrimage can become a group mission.

That sounds like a nice trip, and i am sure that everybody would love to go with, if you don't mind the company, that is.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/23(Wed)18:42 No. 885798 ID: 7816e7
File 152712613110.png - (113.31KB , 700x451 , 5-32.png )

“Ooh, we could go with you! It’s been ages since I’ve visited the Old City. My parents used to take me there on camping trips!”

Mr. Ochre beams with delight, “Why that would be splendid! A guide who’s a Guide! I would certainly appreciate the company!” He signals for his retainer, “Mr. Agrippa, we’ll need supplies for an archeological study: We’ll need tents, bedrolls, canned rations, lamp fuel,...”

Toxoglossa 2018/05/23(Wed)18:42 No. 885799 ID: 7816e7
File 152712614879.png - (135.58KB , 700x500 , 5-33.png )

A few days later a boom ripples the surface of Lake Augustine. A few wading birds take flight as four figures step out of the gate. “You sure you have everything you need?” Asks Casey.

“Oh yes: the pack has a spacial charm. It actually carries much more than it appears.” Mr Ochre shoulders the frame of his backpack and looks out at the scenery.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/23(Wed)18:42 No. 885800 ID: 7816e7
File 152712615335.png - (107.63KB , 700x428 , 5-34.png )

A serene stillness fills the air. The lake: a perfectly circular mirror nearly 3 kilometers wide, is ringed with silent stone structures. The city sits mostly overgrown, its alleys choked with vines and grass, while the more transient building materials give way to the centuries. On one side of the lake, an aqueduct ends abruptly at the edge of the water and trickles a slow, endless stream.

>>885800
For a place overgrown and being taken back by Nature, it almost seems.. lifeless here.

>>885802
I hope it's nothing so ominous. Can we hear birds? I mean, fauna.

>perfectly circular 3 km lake
>aqueduct abruptly terminates at boundary
So... we're looking at the site of an ancient detonation of some kind. It wiped out everything in a 3 km sphere.

What is the story of this place? Who knows it?

So, where does Mr. Ochre want to investigate first? Where's the best example of this colorful language he wants to look at here? Over in that large building on the far side of the lake?

>>885815
Nah, if there was a explosion of such magnitude it would have left a crater with a raised lip and blasted flat everything on the periphery. This looks more like... A spatial magic mishap of colossal proportions. Like a whole sphere or cylinder of the city was teleported away or totally annihilated or sent to the Ghost Zone. That'd explain how the aqueduct looks like it was cleanly cut, similar to when Gabe's portal sliced those pine tree trunks when he opened it over the seaside cliff.

Does Gabe think the clean cutout of the lake looks like it could have been caused by Sending magic? Does Mr. Ochre know anything more about the lake? Is it a smooth half-sphere all the way down or is the rock at its bed clean cut? Oh, if Nixxy or Caleb came along they could investigate the lake bed easily.

>>885820
yup yup
What I wanna know is wheres the cave man why is this place still abandoned? Certainly the stone buildings could be repaired, roads rebuilt and so on this could be quite a beautiful and interesting village, or even a tourist town or vacation spot for rich people if nothing else.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/24(Thu)18:33 No. 885938 ID: 7816e7
File 152721198974.png - (90.58KB , 700x500 , 5-35.png )

Gabe steps up to the edge of the lake and stares out across the surface with uncharacteristic reverence. “Wow... My first time seeing it...”

Mr. Ochre joins him, scooping up a pebble and tossing it to himself, “You’ve heard the stories, though right?”

“You don’t get to be a Sender without hearing about the Great Gate. Still... I can’t imagine what it would take to pull off something like this...”

“Desperation, apparently. In the face of certain doom, Madam Augustine gathered all that she could in the center of the city and moved them to safety. Those fateful few rebuilt their lives in the place we call home, forever thankful of her service.” He sighs, “Supposedly she hated the statue: she said it reminded her of those left behind...” He flicks his wrist and the pebble zips out of his hand, sketching a staccato of ripples across the reflection.

“Does anyone know what kind of ‘doom’ they were fleeing?” Kol swats as an insect pesters his ear.

“Records are sketchy, but this is the end of the Wild Age we’re talking about. A great many forces felt the ebb of raw magic from the world and moved to seize as much power as they could, while it lasted.” He shrugs. “Elementals, Vampire Lords, the Fae Court, and other, stranger things ravaged the land, competing for scraps of a dying era.” He brushes his hands off, “So! Ms. Leander, where would be the best place to go to find our way beneath the city?”

Toxoglossa 2018/05/24(Thu)18:33 No. 885939 ID: 7816e7
File 152721199394.png - (131.60KB , 500x700 , 5-36.png )

“Across the lake, at the base of the temple.” She sets off, balancing at the edge of the water and hopping from stone to stone, “The lake covered up a lot of the ruins, but there are ways underground by the grand plaza.” She smiles, “My parents did research on the ruins, actually. They used to bring me here as a kid. It was seeing the lake for the first time that I knew I was going to be a Guardian someday.” She chuckles, “They were mortified, but supportive. I think they wanted me to be an academic.”

Grand temple huh? Temple to who?

Are Casey's parents still doing archaeological work and did they find out anything notable in their time working around and under the Old City and Lake Augustine? How much have ruin raiders stolen and destroyed of the archaeological record here?

Have there been any serious attempts to drain the lake, either through mundane or magical means, to get access to the flooded ruins and tunnels? What about diving expeditions?

What happened to the section of the Old City sliced out by the Great Gate? Did it end up where Moot Point is and formed the center of the new city or did it land nearby? Are there buildings from the Old City in Moot Point?

>Supposedly she hated the statue: she said it reminded her of those left behind...
How many got left behind and what're the odds we're gonna get accosted by one of their ghosts or worse?

>>885939
How clear is the water? Can Kol project and see down there?

yeah lets go waken an ancient evil woooooo

Toxoglossa 2018/05/26(Sat)15:35 No. 886265 ID: 7816e7
File 152737413381.png - (131.01KB , 500x700 , 5-37.png )

Casey leads them around the edge of the lake, hopping lightly from stone to stone as though she were a kid again. Even through the weathering of the ages, many bricks are still etched with the unnatural, smooth surface of a portal cut.

Mr. Ochre squawks as a reed covered island raises an irritable head and slips under the water. The mata mata retreats until its lost in the jumble of dark shapes just visible from the surface. The ancient ruins look alien compared to the more modern buildings, capped with stone arches and serpentine statuary.

Mr. Ochre settles his feathers, and chuckles anxiously “Oh, my, such an impressive specimen. I’m suddenly reminded of how thankful I am not to be traveling alone. D-do you think there are more like that?“

Casey stops and thinks, “Mmm, probably not, but you never know with places like this. Just keep an eye out if you decide to go swimming.”

“Duly noted.”

Toxoglossa 2018/05/26(Sat)15:35 No. 886266 ID: 7816e7
File 152737413744.png - (167.40KB , 700x500 , 5-38.png )

After some time they come to the remains of the grand plaza at the base of the temple. Rows of columns litter the edges of the cobbled courtyard, framing what was once some kind of public forum or parade grounds.

“Who’s the temple to?” Gabe asks, staring up at the ruin.

“Melek Taus,” Casey explains, “It’s always been a site of some importance, and rainbows are pretty common in the valley nearby. According to my parents even the ancient city worshiped some form of rainbow deity here.”

“How’re your folks doing, by the way?”

“Pretty good. Last I heard, they were up north uncovering the remains of a Fae megalith structure.”

"I didn't know they felt that way about you being a guide." Gabe kicks a pebble down the causeway, watching it skitter across the stone tiles. "Why didn't they want you to become one?"

"Its not that they're exactly opposed to it, but archeologists find ghosts to be a pretty handy source for information. Sending them is a bit like burning a historical book." She shrugs, "Its why I've been trying to document all the spirits we deal with; so they're not forgotten."

"Ohhh, that's what you’ve been up to? I thought that was just a journal."

>>886266
look for mythical treasures!

Peek into some buildings as you walk!

>>886266
Looks like a big-ass break in the wall at the bottom of the temple there. Entry point?

>>886266
Is the damage to these buildings simply erosion? Could it have been a beast?

>>886266

Somehow I feel it's that, too. Imagine: 'Today Gabe and Kol were being adorable little nerds again and thinking I couldn't hear them going at it in the garden. Gabe's so cute when he's bottoming. Anyway, that spirit we sent off today was originally a librarian who was bound to the site after--'

Yeah, that feels about right.

Toxoglossa 2018/05/28(Mon)15:42 No. 886667 ID: 7816e7
File 152754732397.png - (192.21KB , 500x700 , 5-39.png )

“Let’s head for that break in the wall. We can set up camp there.” Casey points towards the base of the temple.

“You think its safe there?”

“Should be. Whatever damaged the temple left a long time ago.” She hesitates, “Probably”

They cross over the ruined causeway, hearing only the drone of small insects and distant birdsong on the air.

As they pass into the darkness of the broken temple, Mr. Ochre pulls a small storm lantern from his backpack and lights it. He adjusts a valve and holds it aloft, casting brilliant light into the cavernous space. As he steps forward a mural comes into view and he gasps.

“It- its beautiful! Oh the illustrations don’t do it justice! These pigments are so vibrant they could have been applied yesterday!” He sets down his backpack and rummages through it, pulling out a set of watercolors and a small, bound journal. He opens the book to a blank page, licks his brush and begins to sketch.

>>886667
calm down befoe you smear the wall Mr.Ochre. :3c

What do you think it means? I'm guessing it's worship-related but that's hardly a shot in the dark.

>>886676
>These pigments are so vibrant they could have been applied yesterday!
That's a warning flag: either it WAS painted recently or it's enchanted with something. Few paints last for centuries in the open air.

That includes nuclear waste. Please step back.

Hehe, that looks kind of like Raithe, only way more feathery.

Were those symbols beneath it a pictographic language of some kind? Has any ever of the pictographs ever been translated?

>>886667
What is that depicted? Wind elemental?

>>886667
How far does this mural go?

>>886667
Very pretty, is that perhaps a couatl?
Are the symbols below anything anyone present understands or do they seem to be decoration?

>>886667
Those symbols. Some sort of language? Can we translate them?

Toxoglossa 2018/05/29(Tue)16:28 No. 886823 ID: 7816e7
File 152763650651.png - (174.83KB , 700x640 , 5-40.png )

“That’s not Melek Taus, is it?” Kol points out.

“No,” Casey indicates the walls around them. “The larger temple was just built around an existing, older one. That kind of thing used to happen when one civilization would conquer another one. Just slap a new coat of paint on something and call it yours.”

Mr. Ochre looks up from his painting, “Its a small mercy they didn’t have this mural destroyed. I wonder how much is still standing...” 

Gabe eyes the twisting coils and rainbow feathers warily, “So, if thats not Melek Taus, who is it?”

Mr. Ochre adjusts his glasses and examines the inscription around the edges. “It appears this is ‘He of the flashing feathers, gift unto the land so great is his blessing, joyous blue of the perfect sky, one thousand years may he watch over us’.” He taps his beak, “Great fates, its a Coatl! An air elemental! It’s very rare for them to interact with earthbound mortals, in fact very little is known about them! What on earth was it doing here?”

>>886823
Perhaps it liked the praise of being worshipped.

Judging from every other spirit we have run into?

It was probably getting some down here.

It was probably wandering around down here so it could sleep around with some of its fans. What elemental monster could resist?

It mentions a blessing, and they got worshipped for that, so something to do with that. Maybe we can find other murals!

>>886823
You know it just occurred to me, with how vivid and well-made that mural is (and how it's eye seems to be looking AT Ochre) the couatl might be inhabiting or looking through it's own depiction thar...

Either way, it looks like this place might be a good source of info on a rare creature, we have a cool(er) place to explore now!

>>886823
>>886827
>>886830
>>886834

Yeah .......... I have a feeling he was totally getting some tail(s) through some very intimate "worship."

he was probably an ass and that's why everyone ran away

Toxoglossa 2018/05/30(Wed)17:56 No. 886994 ID: 7816e7
File 152772821112.png - (111.59KB , 700x494 , 5-41b.png )

“Knowing some of the spirits we’ve run across: taking in some earthly delights?” Gabe shrugs.

“I don’t know if that’s exactly behavior befitting a deity...”

Casey bobs her head as she thinks of a few myths off of the top of her head, “Actually... You might not be far off.”

“Yes, well-“ Mr. Ochre clears his throat, “Erm, shall we carry onward?”

Gabe slouches, “Aw man I thought we were gonna set up camp! My feet are killin me!”

“I told you that you should have put on shoes.” Kol pats him on the shoulder.

“Nah man, that goes against my whole vibe. I didn’t become a Sender to end up wearing shoes like some... not... Sender...guy.” He shrugs, “Walking is like all things: only good in moderation.”

Kol sighs, “How about this, Gabe and I stay here and set up camp. You guys want to go ahead and poke around?”

“That’s fine by me. I know my way around pretty well.” Casey hefts her satchel, “You okay with that Mr. Ochre?”

“I- I suppose so. I don’t expect us to stray too far, but I simply must see the other surviving murals...”

Together they stray into the dark, lantern held high. Behind them, Gabe opens a horizontal gate and a collection of snacks, cushions, bottled drinks, bedrolls and other amenities spills out onto the temple floor. Kol mutters something about not making a mess. 

Toxoglossa 2018/05/30(Wed)17:56 No. 886995 ID: 7816e7
File 152772821767.png - (143.75KB , 700x448 , 5-42.png )

It isn’t long before the light reveals another mural, this one depicting the air spirit in flight above the valley. Below the creature is the unmistakable arc of a rainbow, and further below, tiny figures engaged in a difficult to identify activity.

Mr. Ochre brings the lantern closer and reads the inscription, “On this year Flashing feathers, Joyous blue of the perfect sky did gift his people with a bounty of... some unit of measurement of grain, presumably a large amount of it. It appears his function as a rain god allowed this culture to prosper for a time.”

As his lantern is held aloft, a draft blows over the mantle, causing the flame to brighten and flicker.

No mention of "great is his blessing"?

>>886995
Hey wasn't there a stillness in the air before? Where is this wind coming from?

>>886997

Might've been an earlier mural, and the very one that earned him the moniker 'Great is his blessing', since they got a great blessing of grain (the related symbols even look alike). This is also a smaller mural, further inside the old temple, so we might be seeing the murals in reverse. The gratitude probably got religious'd harder and harder over time as it visited them or did favors for them and their culture prospered, so the bigger and better displays might be in the outer sanctum (or any refurbished inner sanctums - those tend to be important no matter what).

It seems like each name is related to some sighting or favor it gave them, maybe? And that first mural was like... a portrait made just to honour it, itself. Or maybe the first one added the 'Gift Unto the Land' title, it ust failed to specify why in particular.

That... or we missed a mural somewhere.

>>887000
No, I think you're right. We need to go further in, to see the start of these murals.

>>886995
one dude is clearly masturbating there, and the other is in doggy style. I am 95% certain this rain deity was a vouyer.

Ask him if he'd be able to keep his hands off the air elemental if it was the blue color he likes so much.

>>887004
That.....yeah, that looks like what’s happening.

Following that draft seems like a decent idea. Might indicate another way into the tunnels. ...Except, how did it effect the flame? Storm lanterns are built specifically to keep winds from messing with their flame, right? So how'd this breeze get inside the lantern? ...Air magic? Is something trying to guide you?

>>887004
Eh, maybe the one on the left is masturbating, but for the right one to be getting it doggy style there'd have to be another person giving it to them, so I doubt that.

I do notice that the character on the right looks like they have something that looks like a trunk sticking out of their face. Are elephant people a thing in this world?

>>887014
Pretty sure that's an arm. These might be bird people, like Mr Ochre.

Looks like they're making pottery. Anyway what are the chances that the blue of this Coatl is the same blue as "The Blue".

Toxoglossa 2018/05/31(Thu)17:15 No. 887091 ID: 7816e7
File 152781214390.png - (147.97KB , 700x500 , 5-43.png )

“Where’s that breeze coming from?” Casey leans towards the wall and sniffs, “Its fresh. That’s weird...”

“Maybe there’s an opening ahead?”

“Maybe, I say we follow it.” She takes the lantern from him and holds it out in front of her, gauging the direction of the flow.

Together they follow the wall to what was once a corner of the vast temple structure. Built into the foundation is a stone head of the Coatl deity, its fangs bared in a snarl that has been slightly dulled with age.

"I remember you…" She prowls towards the grimacing god, "You scared the shit out of me as a kid. I thought you'd bite my hand off if you got the chance…" She kneels down to look between the teeth, "I told mom and dad that you used to talk, or groan or something. They, of course didn’t believe me."

An unmistakable flow of air pours from the gaping maw, just as audible as a cat’s sigh. As Casey leans down to examine the current, something gleams in the lamplight: a piece of metal twisting gently in the air, set deep within the monsters throat.

>>887091
Use tendrils to grab that thing.

>>887091
Looks like a link of a chain. Giver tug with your tendrils. If there's any amount of give to it, stop. We don't want to do anything without informing everybody.

Chain uvula? Grab it! Or caress it? Touch it.

Oh no! Actually, can you hang the lantern from it??

>>887091
Stick your head in there and blow that little bit of metal.

Give it a tank with tendrils. Maybe the lantern thing works but there's nothing in the murals like a fire, I don't think.

>>887091
looks turnable

Toxoglossa 2018/06/02(Sat)19:20 No. 887312 ID: 7816e7
File 152799244247.png - (132.06KB , 512x700 , 5-44.png )

"You don’t seem so scary now," Casey eyes the dangling metal, "Still, I think I'd prefer keeping all my fingers." She extends her aura and reaches it into the opening. The end of her spell touches the chain and a surge of magic pours into the statue.

Casey stumbles back instinctively, her aura snapping back to her hand. "There was a binding spell on that!"

"T-there was? Binding what?" Mr. Ochre stammers

Toxoglossa 2018/06/02(Sat)19:20 No. 887313 ID: 7816e7
File 152799244557.png - (80.38KB , 700x500 , 5-45.png )

As if in answer to his query the wall rumbles with the sound of stone grinding. A number of heavy thumps emerge and a section of wall slides into the ground, revealing a stone staircase. Casey shines the lantern into the opening, "Woah…Mom and Dad never found this." The seething wind is even stronger coming from the passage.

"How curiously sophisticated. I wonder how one resets the mechanism?" Mr. Ochre examines the edges, admiring the crisp edge to the stone that hid the passage. "It seems like quite the invitation, don't you agree?"

>>887313
Better tell the others and advance as a full group.

I think we want our portal mage with us in case the door closes behind us.

>>887312
>Binding what?
>>887313
>The seething wind is even stronger coming from the passage.
Judging from how much wind is coming from there, maybe someone binded the Coatl in there?

>I wonder how one resets the mechanism?
With our luck, I wouldn’t be surprised if as soon as we step in there, the door is going to shut behind us.

We should at least tell the others so that they’ll know where to look if it does shut behind us.

Yep, get the others. Hopefully Gabe has cleaned up his mess by now.

>>887313
better place a gate beacon up here before heading down

>>887312
I wonder if there's any other secret entrances down the hall.

Stick together.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/03(Sun)19:37 No. 887491 ID: 7816e7
File 152807987876.png - (144.24KB , 700x500 , 5-46.png )

"We might want to let the others know before we go into a secret passage." They leave the door open and trace their way back to the campsite.

As the pair approach they spot a small, well contained fire and a simple tent made of lashed poles and large sheets. From within the tent emerges the sound of a pair of familiar voices panting with exertion.

"Oh, um maybe you should wait here Mr. Ochre…" Casey suggests, blushing slightly.

>>887491
hey Gabe you smuggling a sausage across the border?

>>887491
Hey boys, I hate to interrupt but we found a secret passage down the hall. There's a piece of enchanted chain inside the mouth of the statue that opens up a hidden door. If it closes behind us please by all means, come after us.

Five minutes! We were gone for five minutes! And this is a church!

You gonna just stand there or are you gonna join in?

This might sound too cuntish, but you could use your soul tendrils to "accidentally" poke someone's ass in the tent.

We leave you two alone for like five minutes in the temple and you're already on your knees "giving praise".

"You two gonna be done soon?"

Toxoglossa 2018/06/05(Tue)18:23 No. 887819 ID: 7816e7
File 152824819218.png - (138.67KB , 700x500 , 5-47.png )

Casey parts one of the tent flaps slightly and peeks her head in, "Hey guys."

Kol barely pauses his thrusting, bouncing Gabe forwards, "Hey Case. Sorry we got started without you. What's up?"

Casey smiles as Gabe writhes on his hands and knees, surrendering little moans each time Kol hilts himself inside. "Oh no, its fine. Mr. Ochre and I found a secret passage into the temple and we were going to go explore it. If we're gone too long do you think you could come look for us?"

"Sounds exciting!" Kol grins. "Yeah, I should be able to Spirit Walk through the walls if we can't find you." Gabe's ropey tail lashes back and forth frantically between them.

"Okay, the entrance is by the big scary snake head down the corridor. I'll mark it off on the floor for you guys. Have fun~." Casey gives them a little wave and Gabe waves back before being forced down to the bedroll by Kol's hips.

She rejoins Mr. Ochre in the dark, "They'll catch up. Their just a little busy at the moment."

"Oh my." The bird murmers and they walk together in silence for a moment, listening to the quiet roar of the lantern and the distant "umf, umf, umf" from the campsite. "Soooo… You mentioned something about a binding spell on the statue?"

"Oh yeah, only someone with binding magic could unseal it. I didn't know spells like that could last so long: most examples of that kind of magic faded at the end of the Wild Age."

>>887819
Oh, interesting. Think Spirit Guides/Guardians were involved? Hmmm... If we get stuck, we should keep in mind other types of magic.

>>887819
>Okay, the entrance is by the big scary snake head down the corridor. I'll mark it off on the floor for you guys.
You’d better make it an obvious mark that they can’t accidentally mistake for one of these ancient inscriptions already in the temple!

>Binding spell
With the amount of wind that was coming out of that secret tunnel, I’m thinking that the Coatl got binded down there.

How sure are you that the binding spell WAS that old? Maybe someone's been down there recently and just locked the doors behind them.

Duke 2018/06/06(Wed)00:53 No. 887880 ID: b38f01

>>887819
So Mr. Ochre, what experience do you have with magical creatures?

Well there's sure to be some interesting stuff down here. Keep an eye out.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/07(Thu)18:50 No. 888171 ID: 7816e7
File 152842263153.png - (168.62KB , 700x500 , 5-48.png )

“How curious, binding magic predating the Spirit Guardians...”

“Unless the spell was added recently.” Casey postulates.

“Oh? Do you think so?”

“Its possible. A binder may have found that passage recently and attached a spell to the mechanism to keep it sealed.”

“That raises a number of questions, doesn’t it?”

“True. Why put a spell on something that’s already hidden? What did they find that needed to be sealed? Who sealed it? Also, there’s another possibility: there's a source of mana feeding the spell.”

“For that long? What kind of source?” 

“How much experience have you had with magical creatures Mr. Ochre?” Casey asks abruptly.

“Oh! Um, aside from your acquaintances, almost none. I had a dryad as a tutor briefly, but other than that my experience is entirely academic. Why do you ask?”

“Elementals aren’t like mortals, they’re primal forces animated by raw mana. With the fading of greater magic from our world, most of them have grown weaker since the end of the Wild Age. If the elemental that lived here was powerful enough to be considered a god...”

“...Then it might still be here, feeding the spell?” They reach the entrance to the secret passage and Mr. Ochre looks down the stairwell apprehensively, “So either a Binder came here recently and cast a spell to seal something down there, or its an old god bound by ancient magic for reasons unknown.”

Casey arranges a few loose bricks into a crude arrow, and joins him at the entrance. “I know, exciting isn’t it? Shall we?”

>>888171
time to meet the fuck boi god

Last one to get pasted by the ancient deity is a party pooper!

Let's get going!

>>888171
Watch that first step! We don’t want anyone to trip and comedically fall all the way down the staircase!

WOOOOOOOO LETS DO SOMETHING STUPIDDDDDDDD!!!!!
Sex with an ancient sealed evil is a goooooooooooooo!!!!

Keep your steps light. See if you can put a spare brick in the doorway to keep it from sealing entirely

Toxoglossa 2018/06/09(Sat)21:04 No. 888420 ID: 7816e7
File 152860345806.png - (139.00KB , 700x500 , 5-49.png )

“We can hardly turn back now, can we?” Mr. Ochre grins, suddenly full of bravado. “Not in the face of such mysteries!” He steps down into the dark and Casey follows, lantern held high.

They descent the staircase for several minutes. A spiral of turns corkscrews deep beneath the temple, the wind steadily increasing as they venture deeper. The base of the staircase opens up to a long narrow corridor, its walls unadorned and built with a slight upward slope, taking them to the heart of the complex.

The wind grows stronger, physically pushing them back and tugging at their clothes. Casey hands the lantern to her companion, “Hold onto this, I think there’s something ahead… it looks like sunlight!”

Toxoglossa 2018/06/09(Sat)21:04 No. 888421 ID: 7816e7
File 152860348638.png - (169.21KB , 700x700 , 5-50.png )

“What? But we’re underground!” Together they shuffle down the hallway, advancing in spite of the steady pressure backwards. They step out into a large, airy chamber. Made of fine stone masonry and well lit by some source unknown. At some point water found its way through the structure and, combined with the light source, led to the growth of a fine carpet of moss across most of the brickwork. At one end of the chamber a large serpentine shape is carved into the wall and positioned over a dais, on which lies a large earthenware pot. A powerful current of air circulates the chamber, whipping at their ankles and filling the air with the smell of wet stone and moss.

>>888421
Welp, better go check that mosaic

>>888421
Where's the sunlight coming from? Look up.

Check out the pot, and look for any more readable text that might give you an indication of the purpose of this room.

>>888423
>>888425
Do all of the above.

>>888420
Anything on the walls?

Look at the smile on that mosaic , are we gonna get another goofy spirit friend?

>>888421
yell out "wanna fuck?" see if that does anything besides echo.

Well, this is relatively nice. Now, if I remember my tales of pulpy adventure, a large pot is exactly the place a serpentine demidivinity could curl themselves up to snooze a few centuries away. So I'd say investigate that.

But carefully, and politely. Someone might live here! Better knock on something and announce yourselves, ask permission to come in and if you get no answer ask if anyone's there. If still no answer that should be license enough.

This must have been one of those rooms where you put important things in small altars. Like that vase thingy. What are those other stairs for?
Where do they lead?

Toxoglossa 2018/06/10(Sun)19:14 No. 888525 ID: 7816e7
File 152868328059.png - (151.13KB , 544x700 , 5-51.png )

"Great Fates, what a chamber!" Mr. Ochre descends the mossy steps, taking care not to slip, and approaches the platform.

"Where's that light coming from?" Casey cranes her neck to examine the ceiling. A strange glass pyramid is set into the brickwork, shining with a natural-looking light. Somehow, either by magic or cleverly arranged reflections, it's transferring sunlight from the surface to the chamber.

She shuffles down the stairs, enjoying the soft, natural carpet and joins her companion at the end of the chamber. "Can you read what it says?"

The bird waves a hand in frustration, "… Sort of. I can make out the form of the glyphs, but the moss is obscuring the color. Its just nonsense without it." He picks at the surface carefully, "It could take months to properly reveal the full meaning of the design. Clearly, this room is dedicated to Flashing feathers Joyous blue of the perfect sky, but the meaning is quite a mystery."

At the mention of the serpent god's name, the two adventurers turn, hearing a sound from behind them. "Did that pot just say something?" Casey cocks an eyebrow and points at the suspicious urn.

>>888525
oh its a djinn

>>888525
Go ahead and stick your head in there.

>>888525
Huh. The mural looks like some binding magic was at play here..

Get closer and say hello. There's something in there.

>>888525
Well obviously the Coatl has been sealed into that urn. And it must be a powerful seal, considering there isn’t a lid on the jar to prevent it from just letting itself out.

You a friend of this guy, pot?

Politely ask the pot to explain what that mural means.

>>888526
well that's annoyingly possible-sounding.

>>888525
Also, the smoke/mist from the pot seems to be getting blown by the wind maybe?
Keep your eyes peeled and wits about you, don't unseal any ancient entities without thinking it over and exploring a bit.

Get closer to the pot and say the name again. Be quiet otherwise, so you can hear.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/11(Mon)18:37 No. 888604 ID: 7816e7
File 152876747351.png - (143.45KB , 388x700 , 5-52.png )

Casey approaches the vessel, “Hello?” The container remains silent. “Say his name again!”

“What? Oh, okay...” Mr. Ochre clears his throat and repeats, “Flashing feathersJoyous blue of a perfect sky. Of course that’s a literal translation, I-“

His discourse on the ancient language trails off as a rolling mist bubbles up from the lip of the pot. It fountains into the air, building shape like a thunderhead. Great coils of feather and scale glitter in the storm. A powerful downdraft scatters the mist as four powerful wings beat the air, revealing the form of the ancient coatl.

An imperious voice booms against the walls of the chamber in the clear intonation of a question.

"What'd he just say?" Casey whispers.

"I- I- I- I believe it translates, roughly, to 'Who dares?'" The bird stammers.

>>888604
ignore big and mean and blue for now. go comfort Mr.Ochre and help him calm down maybe point out the nice blue on loud and showy.

Kneel, bow, something! Show some respect! Keep your head down and introduce yourself.

>>888604
Mere explorers.
We mean no disrespect if for any reason we appear to offend, our knowledge about you/this place is limited.

>>888604
Wave cheekily and introduce yourself.

Show respect, ask Mr Ochre to explain that you are exploring these ruins.

sacrifices here to give you pleasure

Who wants to know?

Lower your heads and say it's not about daring. You saw his story upon the walls and we're interested.

Heeey... there's some weird blue bindery stuff going on with the pot he's in. That might warrant investigation.

Also, its eyes are -really- blue. Like, Mr. Ochre blue. Hmm.

>>888608

This - don't cower, but introduce yourself and show him interest bordering on the worshipful. I mean... it's an ancient Coatl! That speaks the ancient language! That's an amazing find any way you turn it. If he's upset, uh, it could be for any number of reasons. Maybe they trapped him in here and he's real miffed. Maybe he willingly let himself be trapped so he could be with his people for 'a thousand years', as the earlier mural stated, and he's grumpy he hasn't been called on in literal ages. Maybe he's prideful and we're doing his invocation wrong... it's possible. It's an elemental that was once considered a god! It could have weird priorities.

How fluent are you in the ancient tongue, Mr. Ochre? If you can, say that we're visitors/pilgrims interested in his story/legend/tale. Ask if he's been here for all these years - we didn't know he was still around. Be brave Mr. Ochre! This is the find of a lifetime! I'll protect you if it tries anything.

You want some fuck?

Mr. Ochre, introduce yourself as respectfully as possible, and maybe explain what year this is. Casey, go for the nonverbal introduction by bowing and showing off your aura-tentacles.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/13(Wed)18:01 No. 888799 ID: 7816e7
File 152893808592.png - (154.37KB , 700x700 , 5-53.png )

“Can you speak his language?” Casey whispers.

“Not exactly. There are no records of what their language sounded like!” Comes the whispered reply.

“Then how did you understand him?”

“I- I don’t know? It had a color to it that I could understand!”

“A color? Okay, so can you speak to him in color?”

“I can try.”

The great serpentine head ping-pongs back and forth as it follows the hushed conversation with reptilian patience. Finally, Mr. Ochre clears his throat. “Ahem, um, Greetings. We are explorers, drawn by the murals depicting your greatness to your presence. My name is Cecil Ochre.” He bows on slightly shaky legs. “This is my comrade, Casey Leander, a renowned Spirit Guide.” Casey bows as well, extending her aura and letting her binding spells coil in the air.

Flashing feathers joyous blue of the perfect sky beats the air and rises up, barking a question directly at Casey. "╗»║╒╗┬°⌡╬┌┼╨╓╘╩╒]°╬╧═╚╬┌╒┘?"

“Er, I- I think he wants to know if you’re a priestess.” Mr. Ochre translates.

>>888799
When a god asks if you're a priestess, you say "YES"!

Priestess probably get to help the god take in earthly delights, you know you wanna

Probably?? With all the time that's passed you're likely the closest modern analogue there is to one, so maybe you could try to get that across.

>>888799
Uh, maybe you should ask for clarification first.

>>888799
You're a guide, assistant, and protector of spirits and you wield powers that would appear divine to outsiders, so you probably fit the bill.

>>888799
make a ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

>>888815
Addendum: If he specifically means one of his priestesses, then you're going to have to explain to this "god" that his religion is kaput.

Good luck with that.

Not exactly. You might be something similar though.

I think we should avoid lying to the god of an ancient and potentially lethal era.

>>888799
Spirit Guide, not a priestess!

>>888811
Yes, get clarification!

>>888851
I agree because good lord you do not want to piss off someone like this guy!

>>888852
Also, this language barrier is very inconvenient!

Well, by the classic definition of a priest/priestess as someone who leads a religious community in their rites, rituals and festivals, then... no?

You communicate, intercede with, guide and occasionally fight spirits and other supernatural powers, which is closer to being a shaman. Shamans and priests overlap in their duties a bit but generally shamans are required to actually do more stuff themselves directly and their relationship with the spirits can be possibly antagonistic as well as positive.

So ask Mr. Ochre to say you're a shaman.

Something like that.

Not yet, you are not.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/14(Thu)16:06 No. 888934 ID: 7816e7
File 152901756009.png - (106.65KB , 700x422 , 5-54.png )

“I don’t think I’m really a priestess. Can you tell him I’m more like- like a shaman?”

Mr. Ochre translates for her, and watches the creature’s face break into a grin. The coatl chuckles like the rumble of distant thunder,"└╥╡│╢∙ ╬║┘«° l┼╟┌╩ ╢┤ ╓─┬┼╝°"

“He says he has no love for priests. Something about a cage?”

“The pot! There’s a binding spell on that pot!” Casey points to the thin layer of mana around the neck of the bottle. "And look!" She points to the base of the stone mural where a kneeling figure is displayed, clearly extending its aura to encompass the tail of the snake god. "You said they rarely interact with mortals, right? They must have captured him so that they could use him whenever they wanted!"

"A god in a bottle, how fascinating…" Mr. Ochre

>>888934
lets let it out then could be fun see about testing the binding spell with your own Casey

>>888934
Any way to remove the bindings?

>>888934
We should probably tell him how many years have passed.

>Captured
Oh boy. I want to let him out, but I’m afraid that he’s gonna want to get revenge on the people that trapped him. And since they’re not here anymore, he’ll shift his anger onto their descendants or, if those guys aren’t around, he might shift his anger towards the nearest town, which happens to be Moot Point.

We have to make sure he’s not going to go all “vengeful god” on us before we let him out!

And we should also let him know that we don’t enslave spirits like him anymore, we all live together peacefully!

>“The pot! There’s a binding spell on that pot!”
Who in the group is the expert on binding spells? Let’s go get that person. Actually, let’s go get the others anyways because they’re gonna want to see this!

Just let him out, morally it seems like the right thing and practically speaking a lack of hesitation in freeing him will make more of a positive impression than worrying about it first, plus his binding serves no purpose any more. If he causes trouble, your society seems like it has people that can deal with him pretty well, but he seems pretty friendly. Like he's captured here but the depictions so far seem to indicate his captors thought pretty well of him.

Tell Mr. Ochre to fill him in on what you know of history since the time when he was probably captured, while you inspect the spell and get ready to break it.

So, you can probably undo that binding, right? Before you do, ask if the coatl would be willing to explain everything that happened here to some scholars and magistrates, so that the key events will not be forgotten and those responsible may be found and brought to justice.

Don't mention that they're probably all dead from old age until some actual full-time linguists and historians have gotten involved.

How about exercising some caution before popping the binds on a Coatl that may or may not hold a grudge against the priesthood of Melek Taus. Since they took over and built over his temple, it's possible they were involved in his binding. But even if they didn't and he doesn't have a beef with them, who knows who else he may still be angry at out in the world. And y'all have no idea why he was bound down here either. It could have been for valid reasons like him being a threat.

A compromise would be to carry his pot out of this place so he can see what the world is now and be questioned and his questions answered. That way he can be brought back here relatively easily if he misbehaves. Not breaking his binds also means that the binding enchantment can be studied. A bind that could hold a god is something many spell scholars would love to have a look at.

We could tell him that we could see about breaking the binding spell. This place has old magic so I might take a little bit of time to figure out. Hopefully that buys you enough time to figure out what his intentions are. Maybe slip in the deal of his freedom for his forgiveness.

Toxoglossa 2018/06/14(Thu)20:08 No. 888953 ID: 7816e7
File 152903210567.png - (156.18KB , 700x500 , 5-55.png )

"We should undo the spell, right? We can't just leave him here!"

"I- I suppose we should try. I definitely have some concerns, but I believe it is our duty to see him free." Mr. Ochre nods.

Casey cautiously approaches the pot, "Tell him I'm going to try… oh and maybe make sure he's not going to, like, go on a rampage or get revenge on his captors or anything…"

Mr. Ochre's translation prompts a much longer response from the coatl, one that takes a while to parse. "I… I believe he is asking who is there left for him to take revenge upon. Something about seasons? Er… the fall? I believe it’s a metaphor for the end of the Wild Age: he could sense the change in the world and… knows that his people are long gone… He was a bit more poetic than that, but I get the picture."

"Good enough for me." Casey nods and climbs onto the dias so that she can kneel next to the pot. She reaches out and makes contact with the seal using just her fingertips, sending little trails of fire whipping across the ancient surface. For several minutes she is locked in concentration as she fights the magic of the old priests. Finally, with a frustrated sigh she breaks contact, "Urgh, its stuck…"

"Stuck? What do you mean?" Both the bird and the snake stare at her expectantly.

"Its- its like I have the key but the lock is rusted. I don't know if its because its old or because of the design… I can feel it give but I can't break it." She blinks and sets her shoulders in determination, "I'm going to have to force it. But… I need mana, like a lot of mana. More than I naturally generate on my own."

Well..
You could always just ask nicely.

>>888953
ask the spirit

>>888953
I think we should have Mr. Ochre go run and get Kol and Gabe to help.

I’m not sure it would be safe for Casey to borrow mana from a creature that’s from the Wild Age. For all we know, the Coatl’s mana could be very different from the type of mana that Casey is used to using and it could hurt her! Maybe even damage her ability to use mana!

>>888956
But if the Coatl tells us that it’s safe, then yeah, go ahead and borrow some of his mana.

>>888953
Well, pass that information onto the Coatl. I'll bet he can pump you full of all kinds of mana.

>>888953
Hmm, I know where you can get some. Mana oil! Gabe could fetch you some, if our selkie friend is still harvesting it.

Or the wind elemental I guess. We do know it's possible for elementals to ah, "donate" mana.

Ask Mr. Ochre to inform the Coatl of the stuck binding spell and that you'll need a whole lot of mana to force it open. Much more than you can generate naturally. ...Or perhaps even more than you'll be able to contain in your body without... rupturing something... if you got mana from a outside source. Could end up like trying to squeeze the flow of a water main through a garden hose. You'd need extra reinforcement to attempt this then. But all this really comes down to just how much mana will be needed.

Better go get Gabe and Kol and get 'em up to speed on the situation. It'll be prudent to have their assistance if and when you attempt forcing the binding spell. Plus, they'd be disappointed if they got left out of all this.

Now, what places could you possibly get enough mana from? The Coatl might be able to provide all or some of it, but if it'll take a lot it'd diminish him. Another possibility is Caleb's mana oil, but you don't know if he's been harvesting abyssal reapers after his husband's spirit passed. Caleb is also quite a bit away and you don't know exactly where so Gabe can't just open a portal to him. Third possibility is calling Nixxy using her pearl and asking if she could provide some mana or add her own force on the binding spell.

>>888962
Even if he isn't still harvesting, I think we can ask him for the favor.

When you find something rusted shut inside a sealed room in a culturally-significant ruin, I think bringing it intact to a lab where it could be disassembled properly is a more responsible course than immediately reaching for a crowbar.

>>888962

Oooh. That's right. We do have a Sender, so it could be as easy as a quick call to see if he's got any left over or if he kept making any. That way Casey gets to taste some of that blegh-ass fish oil, too!

I mean, we could ask flashing feathers joyous blue of a perfect sky, but who knows how much mana he's got left after ages stuck in a bottle and being used to power wards 'n stuff? That's a concern, really. Will he even be alright if we release 'im? The world's not as mana-saturated as it once was... it might be that being bottled up is also keeping him, well, more as himself?

Then again he might be okay with becoming something less as long as it means becoming something free.

You could ask him, then, but I wonder if he might be suspicious of people asking for his mana. Perhaps... well, he's bound to the pot, right? Can you two just pick up the pot and bring it back up with you? That'd be a nice starting gesture to earn some trust from him, maybe. Though if he's aware of things happening outside (maybe he can feel things through the air?) it might not be a problem.

>>888980
Yeah, you're right. It'd also make sense with Casey being the daughter of archaeologists for her to preserve a ancient binding spell for study before opening it rather than bust it open first.

>>888987
Bringing the pot the Coatl's bound to out of here makes sense. Then it can be brought in for study before popping the binding spell, and when that happens it can be brought to where there's a large fixed source of mana rather than having to bring a mobile source of mana here. The pot looks pretty heavy though, but that just means Kol gets to show off his muscles. Bringing the pot to the surface so the Coatl can see the real sky for the first time in a age would probably be appreciated by him.

>>888953

Probably resistant to sky-noodle mana, if it's designed to keep him penned in.

Can Mr. Ochre contribute without causing any potential harm?

Toxoglossa 2018/06/16(Sat)20:22 No. 889140 ID: 7816e7
File 152920574103.png - (124.92KB , 700x609 , 5-56.png )

"How do you intend to do that?"

"Well, we do have a rather large source of mana right here in the room." Casey stands up and indicates the elemental. "If you'd be so kind as to ask him to lend me some power?"

"Oh dear, its one of those situations isn't it? I rather thought it might be…" He clears his throat and addresses the serpent, "Oh gracious Flashing feathers Joyous blue of the perfect sky, my colleague believes she can undo the spell binding you to this place. She humbly requests for you to bless her with your mana to aid her abilities…" he adjusts his glasses, "How was that?"

Toxoglossa 2018/06/16(Sat)20:22 No. 889141 ID: 7816e7
File 152920575359.png - (0B , 700x500 )

The coatl rolls his head in confusion, then suspicion before dawning on understanding. With a lazy flap of his wings, he swings underneath Casey and lifts her up in a coil of muscle, bringing her face to face with the god. "

╫╝╗° ╙Γ┌╦ ┘ ╔╛╦╧╦╘╫ ╖│╡°?"

"Bow- no- pray, life, seed? Oh! Oh my, he's asking whether you intend to… er- worship him…" Mr. Ochre ruffles his feathers .

>>889141
does he mean fuck? cause I can do that.

>>889141
*Cheeky grin*

Oooooh, I think I do.

Uh, wait, he said he didn't like priests. Is this what the priestesses did to him? Is he okay with this? His expression doesn't really seem to indicate either way.

Roger Wilco!

Oh, is THAT kind of lending mana. We can do that.

Suggestion 2018/06/16(Sat)21:44 No. 889159 ID: 91e86c

If shy bird is shy, tell him you understand and he can go. You need no more words to complete this ritual.

>>889141
Only if he's willing, of course.