A Clash of Spirits - RPLOG
Participants
Date
19/11/476
Log
Later morning deep in the swamps, the air starting to warm from the heat of the sun despite the rapidly approaching winter. Following the last expedition and the discovery of an ooze-covered hunk of stone and creator steel in the area, the royal ranger service has quickly moved into the area in the last few days and established a cordon. Several academics and clergy move within said cordon, doing their best to examine the fallen creator artifact as best as they can while keeping a healthy distance, the foul reek rising from the altar of stone and creator steel probably the least of one's worries. There's an atmosphere of tension about, that's for sure, but one can hardly feel otherwise with this sort of operations going on, especially with what one hears about Spirits these days.
Remembering what happened last time in the swamp Angus came prepared, walking up to one of the rangers in his dragon form. "Good evening." He greats, checking to make sure that his musket is loaded as he looks around to the others.
Falx mainly came along because he felt he should, seeing the possible danger. Plus he does want to use his magic on someone instead of just protecting a boat. Nonetheless, he notes the fact that Angus, Issi, and Alef are here, all those he has already made acquaintence with. That makes it easy.
Issi would like to get closer if the other beings would let her, but they wouldn't despite her not able to smell anything unless her tounge left her mouth. So for now she makes herself useful as a scout hiding in the grass close to the rest of the group. Why was she here after last night? Morbid curiosity mostly.
Alef walks steadly around the cordon, wearing her wading overalls and boots once again, the young mage moody and grumpy as she walks. Despite her earlyer eagerness to assist with the investigation, now that shes actually here its like shes expecting trouble at every moment. using her staff to support her movements through the muck.
Indeed, everyone appears to be on edge, especially those who're familiar with the situation, but that's only to be expected. Some of the rangers look distinctly nervous, especially at the state of the local flora. However, given the lack of any immediate regative reaction from the dripping, oozing slime that wells up from seemingly nowhere on the creator artifact, some of the academics have relaxed somewhat and have actually drawn a bit closer to the thing, even going as far as to prod it with a long pole. The fact that said pole sokes, hisses and chars as it comes into contact with the ooze is enough to deter them from actually touching it or trying to collect samples, though. Some of the rangers let their attention wander enough to question Angus, Alef and Sylera about their past experiences, clearly feeling a little more relaxed now.
Angus smiles at the questions, answering everyone of them that are thrown his way. "hello Falx, Alef. Come to investigate this thing?" He greets before walking up to watch the academics poking the thing with a wooden pole, whistling as the pole seems to hiss and charr after contact.
Issi starts to physically move back away from the thing, watching the pole burn and char. They were right to be wary. Whatever ooze that thing is emiiting it doesn't look like it would be good for anyone's health. Unfortunately this also means the viper is now crouched down in swamp muck, and thankful they aren't wearing anything massively absorbant.
Falx continues to watch the pole and the strange ooze, though back a bit to keep himself from being able to get touched by the strange substance. He looks up at Angus, and doesn't really respond other than a nod, keeping his eyes mostly on the slime. He's curious as to what it is, and perhaps if it has any useful applications. He does, though, also go over some math in his head, preparing for any sort of possible encounter.
Alef nods to Angus and Falx. "Yeah. Iv been told not to do much if any magic, but I heard another group was being sent here... I just couldn't stay away this time. not in good conscience." Sighing lightly. "So im here." Nodding as she answers the academics questions as best she can, frowning as they continue to test it, uneasy around it, as if expecting that thing to reform in responce.
Siyu is in the back, he heard creator tech and just had to come see, of course he wouldn't knwo what to do with it, but the young crafter at least would see if there's any scraps to be had, or adventure. Acidic ooze? Just pouring from an artifact though, that's odd, "I wonder if it's producing it from the soil or somthing..." he tugs on an ear, not sure what it could be. Not as much an academic as a craftsman so he just watches.
From behind the group comes the pattering of feet as another figure joins them, resolving into Sylera the betta. "Sorry I'm late got caug-." She pauses as what the group has already discovered comes into view. "Oh my... I sure hope it isn't the artifact itself making that..."
"No, it's not meant to," one of the machine priests says in reply to Sylera's statement. "There's something wrong here - it's like divine mathemagic, only not so. We can't get a handle on it, nothing we do seems to work. It may come to it, but we may have to destroy this thing, if anything we do to it can even touch it in the first place. It's certainly proving resilient to anything we can throw at it.
The words, though, are quickly cut off as a shout comes off from one side of the perimeter. It appears that the rangers have spotted movement, but they're not quite sure what it is. Still, since everyone friendly is present, when one rules out the impossible, there's only one thing left...
Angus tilts his head a bit as he stares at the artifact, wondering if there was anything they could really d to help cleanse it. Then there was a shout, his head turning in its direction as he brings his musket up to his shoulder. Cautious as he startes to walk forward.
Issi makes their way forward behind Angus, staying low to the ground and ready to break off into a sprint elsewhere if need be. The best thing she has on her, besides maths is a well kept dagger. It was better than hitting things with a branch.
Falx nods at the response to Sylera, taking in the simple statements. If it were divine mathemagic, perhaps he'd be able to do something about it, but nonetheless, it probably isn't, so not much to do. However, the sudden shout instantly catches his attention, and first looks towards it before turning, continuing his preparation in his equations.
Alef frowns "If everything youve tryed has failed its obviously resisting your efforts. attempting to destroy it will only provoke a simaller reaction. Unless you are SURE you can take it out in one go it wouldnt be recommended." her attempt to share her thoughts is cut short as the call goes up, raising her staff to defend as she holds back near the rear of the group.
Siyu tuns his head around as he's towards the back anyway and therefore closer to the perimeter, Moving now to make sure his back is towards the middle of the group, "Uh...I wonder what that could be..." he mummers getting ready for a fight, not quite sure what is coming.
Sylera grips her staff tighter at the mention of mathemagic. That was one question answered though it raised a new one, whose? She starts to carefully skirt the edge of this... Anomaly to observe but the shout draws her attention away from the thing and towards the disturbance. Staff raised.
