Difference between revisions of "The Strangest Tour Yet - RPLOG"
From Rusted Promises
(Auto update) |
(Auto update) |
||
| Line 10: | Line 10: | ||
3/6/478 | 3/6/478 | ||
=Log= | =Log= | ||
| − | <div></div><br> <br>It is a warm and overcast day topside, but in the depths of the undertunnels it is a peculiar mix of cool and humid, due to the surrounding earth and the effect of the steam vents further in. Here at the tunnels entrance, one of the Royal Rangers is pacing, nervously waiting for the Freeswords and eyeing a cloaked, armored figure resting in a dark corner. The ranger outpost, just to the north, is well lit by glow crystals but the tunnels are only revealed by intermittent glow panels, most flickering or not even on.<br> <br>Fenris saunters easily along the dark tunnels, a little, glittering figure splashing along at his feet. "Hello!" he calls amiably, "I'm here to help Heather out in the Undertunnels, if she will have me along." The big tiger wears little in the way of armor, aside from a thick, sturdy wrap around his waist that protects his vital bits and a set of interesting silvery bands on his wrists and biceps. He seems to have similar bands around his ankles. Curious. As are a few of his other strange accessories, but his smile is certainly genuine.<br> <br>Iorek follows along behind Fenris, trying to catch up with his friend. He stops just short of him "Hey Fenris, I came to help too!" The canine is wearing a chain shirt with bracers on his wrists, well worn with his defensive blade fighting stance on his left arm. Looking out in front of Fenris for the contact, he waves, his tail wagging with anticipation.<br> <br>Zuri moves up after Iorek, patting down his equipment as he walks along towards the entrance to the tunnels. He pauses a moment to tug his padded jacket into place, the new garment still not quite fitting the Salamander well enough. He spots the ranger and sprints the last bit of distance, hopping excitedly from foot to foot.<br> <br>Kazel slowly enters the area, casting a keen eye over her surroundings, each of her hands resting on the hilt of one of her two swords. The graceful bat is wearing a black dyed leather armor that looks rather heavy for the material and equally black leather boots. She nods in the direction of the others before saying, "Kazel. I heard assistance is required?"<br> <br>Bao lacks his usual swagger underground. The big sea lion wears a peculiar coat of rings studded with fishhooks on the extremities. He's got an unstrung shortbow slung over his back, along with and an array of short and long blades. At the sight of the gathering freeswords, he flexes his outsize hands and nods amiably. "Allo. I heard we got somethin' of an expedition in the works?" <br> <br>The ranger on guard huffs with obvious relief as the Freeswords arrive, then gestures at the cloaked person hunched over examining the wall. "Look... just... keep her safe." His tone drops low. "And if something happens, -I saw nothing-," he adds, then scurries for the outpost. "I heard my name spoken?" Heather calls, rising up to her feet and approaching the party. Creator Heather, which explains the guard's nervousness! The tall, muscular woman extends a gauntleted hand towards Fenris, murmurs something quietly, then speaks louder in an oddly accented voice. "You are here for the party?"<br> <br>Fenris takes Heather's offered hand in his own and says something to the Creator, though it probably sounds like silliness to the others listening. "And yes," he says, "We are most definitely here for the party. How can we be of assistance, Heather? The undertunnels can be dangerous without a specific goal in mind, but I am sure that we can get you where you want to be."<br> <br>Iorek looks between Fenris, Zuri and Kazel excitedly, not knowing where to start talking to his friends. However, he turns around towards Heather and looks stunned as he has never been this close to a Creator, his jaw hanging open as he just stares.<br> <br>Zuri gawps at the Creator, much like the labrador being next to him. The small salamander has met a few up close, but each time he meets a new one the fascination is obvious. He leans onto Iorek and whispers. "The two of them seem to be good friends...", referring to Fenris and the Creator.<br> <br>Kazel blinks and smirks lightly, this just got interesting. The bat had never met a Creator before as well, but has read enough to not be caught as off guard as Iorek. She does not say anything for now and just crosses her arms before her chest and waits to see how this develops.<br> <br>Bao can't help putting a hand on the hilt of the dirk at his side--not out of threat, but for reassurance. A Creator! That is an odd thing to find indeed, and Bao cannot help comparing this 'Heather' to the illustrations he has seen around Promise. Confident in his blades--if little else at the moment--Bao defers to the tiger. Somebody else is captaining this ship, and there's nothing the sea lion can add to small talk with a Creator.<br> <br>Heather's smile widens as Fenris greets her, replying in kind - the only recognizable word being Fenris' name. Then she says something else, seems to listen for a moment, then makes a face. The expression is quickly replaced with another smile though, and she turns to the others and gestures down the tunnel. "Warden Parson is only giving me short time, but I am wanting adventure with Promise Beings. We will walk a patrol and look at a few rooms. This ruin is fascinating." Heather kneels them, collecting a steel shield and her spear, then gestures down the hallway.<br> <br>Fenris seems a little taken aback by what the Creator has to say, but recovers himself quickly and babbles something back to the woman. "We are happy to accompany you, Heather," he says, then turns his smile on the rest of the group. "You heard the lady," he says, "Let's get moving!" He gently reaches over and closes Iorek's mouth with a finger. "Manners, Iorek, Manners," he chuckles, then leads the way into the dark, waving a hand at his little golem that frolics at his feet, causing it to glow with a gentle, white light.<br> <br>Iorek breaks out of his stun as Fenris touched his chin with an akward chuckle "Oh...uh, right, I'm right behind you buddy... though I'm starting to really doubt this 'I'm just a musician' thing.... We're going to need to have a chat." he smirks at the cat and slaps Zuri on the shoulder "Let's go little buddy." he grins to Kazel and follows along<br> <br>Zuri giggles at Iorek's words. "No such thing as 'only a musician', indeed. Told you Mister Fenris has been everywhere and seen everyone and done everything.." He keeps pace with the labrador being, his eyes still on Heather to observe her cautiously. "Not sure what to expect from these tunnels..."<br> <br>Kazel silently follows behind the others, her hands once more on the hilts of her blades. She keeps scanning the tunnels thoroughly as she walks, on the lookout for danger to the group and the Creator.<br> <br>In the interest of preparedness, Bao draws the dirk on which his hand had rested, though he keeps it low and to the side. "Adventure," he mutters with a forced grin, "with a sodding Creator." He smoothes his whiskers with his free hand before moving quickly to take up a position on the group's left flank, ready to get stuck in as soon as a problem presents itself. | + | <div></div><br> <br>It is a warm and overcast day topside, but in the depths of the undertunnels it is a peculiar mix of cool and humid, due to the surrounding earth and the effect of the steam vents further in. Here at the tunnels entrance, one of the Royal Rangers is pacing, nervously waiting for the Freeswords and eyeing a cloaked, armored figure resting in a dark corner. The ranger outpost, just to the north, is well lit by glow crystals but the tunnels are only revealed by intermittent glow panels, most flickering or not even on.<br> <br>Fenris saunters easily along the dark tunnels, a little, glittering figure splashing along at his feet. "Hello!" he calls amiably, "I'm here to help Heather out in the Undertunnels, if she will have me along." The big tiger wears little in the way of armor, aside from a thick, sturdy wrap around his waist that protects his vital bits and a set of interesting silvery bands on his wrists and biceps. He seems to have similar bands around his ankles. Curious. As are a few of his other strange accessories, but his smile is certainly genuine.<br> <br>Iorek follows along behind Fenris, trying to catch up with his friend. He stops just short of him "Hey Fenris, I came to help too!" The canine is wearing a chain shirt with bracers on his wrists, well worn with his defensive blade fighting stance on his left arm. Looking out in front of Fenris for the contact, he waves, his tail wagging with anticipation.<br> <br>Zuri moves up after Iorek, patting down his equipment as he walks along towards the entrance to the tunnels. He pauses a moment to tug his padded jacket into place, the new garment still not quite fitting the Salamander well enough. He spots the ranger and sprints the last bit of distance, hopping excitedly from foot to foot.<br> <br>Kazel slowly enters the area, casting a keen eye over her surroundings, each of her hands resting on the hilt of one of her two swords. The graceful bat is wearing a black dyed leather armor that looks rather heavy for the material and equally black leather boots. She nods in the direction of the others before saying, "Kazel. I heard assistance is required?"<br> <br>Bao lacks his usual swagger underground. The big sea lion wears a peculiar coat of rings studded with fishhooks on the extremities. He's got an unstrung shortbow slung over his back, along with and an array of short and long blades. At the sight of the gathering freeswords, he flexes his outsize hands and nods amiably. "Allo. I heard we got somethin' of an expedition in the works?" <br> <br>The ranger on guard huffs with obvious relief as the Freeswords arrive, then gestures at the cloaked person hunched over examining the wall. "Look... just... keep her safe." His tone drops low. "And if something happens, -I saw nothing-," he adds, then scurries for the outpost. "I heard my name spoken?" Heather calls, rising up to her feet and approaching the party. Creator Heather, which explains the guard's nervousness! The tall, muscular woman extends a gauntleted hand towards Fenris, murmurs something quietly, then speaks louder in an oddly accented voice. "You are here for the party?"<br> <br>Fenris takes Heather's offered hand in his own and says something to the Creator, though it probably sounds like silliness to the others listening. "And yes," he says, "We are most definitely here for the party. How can we be of assistance, Heather? The undertunnels can be dangerous without a specific goal in mind, but I am sure that we can get you where you want to be."<br> <br>Iorek looks between Fenris, Zuri and Kazel excitedly, not knowing where to start talking to his friends. However, he turns around towards Heather and looks stunned as he has never been this close to a Creator, his jaw hanging open as he just stares.<br> <br>Zuri gawps at the Creator, much like the labrador being next to him. The small salamander has met a few up close, but each time he meets a new one the fascination is obvious. He leans onto Iorek and whispers. "The two of them seem to be good friends...", referring to Fenris and the Creator.<br> <br>Kazel blinks and smirks lightly, this just got interesting. The bat had never met a Creator before as well, but has read enough to not be caught as off guard as Iorek. She does not say anything for now and just crosses her arms before her chest and waits to see how this develops.<br> <br>Bao can't help putting a hand on the hilt of the dirk at his side--not out of threat, but for reassurance. A Creator! That is an odd thing to find indeed, and Bao cannot help comparing this 'Heather' to the illustrations he has seen around Promise. Confident in his blades--if little else at the moment--Bao defers to the tiger. Somebody else is captaining this ship, and there's nothing the sea lion can add to small talk with a Creator.<br> <br>Heather's smile widens as Fenris greets her, replying in kind - the only recognizable word being Fenris' name. Then she says something else, seems to listen for a moment, then makes a face. The expression is quickly replaced with another smile though, and she turns to the others and gestures down the tunnel. "Warden Parson is only giving me short time, but I am wanting adventure with Promise Beings. We will walk a patrol and look at a few rooms. This ruin is fascinating." Heather kneels them, collecting a steel shield and her spear, then gestures down the hallway.<br> <br>Fenris seems a little taken aback by what the Creator has to say, but recovers himself quickly and babbles something back to the woman. "We are happy to accompany you, Heather," he says, then turns his smile on the rest of the group. "You heard the lady," he says, "Let's get moving!" He gently reaches over and closes Iorek's mouth with a finger. "Manners, Iorek, Manners," he chuckles, then leads the way into the dark, waving a hand at his little golem that frolics at his feet, causing it to glow with a gentle, white light.<br> <br>Iorek breaks out of his stun as Fenris touched his chin with an akward chuckle "Oh...uh, right, I'm right behind you buddy... though I'm starting to really doubt this 'I'm just a musician' thing.... We're going to need to have a chat." he smirks at the cat and slaps Zuri on the shoulder "Let's go little buddy." he grins to Kazel and follows along<br> <br>Zuri giggles at Iorek's words. "No such thing as 'only a musician', indeed. Told you Mister Fenris has been everywhere and seen everyone and done everything.." He keeps pace with the labrador being, his eyes still on Heather to observe her cautiously. "Not sure what to expect from these tunnels..."<br> <br>Kazel silently follows behind the others, her hands once more on the hilts of her blades. She keeps scanning the tunnels thoroughly as she walks, on the lookout for danger to the group and the Creator.<br> <br>In the interest of preparedness, Bao draws the dirk on which his hand had rested, though he keeps it low and to the side. "Adventure," he mutters with a forced grin, "with a sodding Creator." He smoothes his whiskers with his free hand before moving quickly to take up a position on the group's left flank, ready to get stuck in as soon as a problem presents itself.<br> <br>Heather moves with an easy grace, as though she were used to the heavy armor she's wearing. The plate armor seems to be made well enough, although a trained combatant may think the embellishments and embossed patterns along the side make it more of a parade suit and not something to wear into battle. Her hair, long and a dirty shade of ashen blond, is tied back and the only visible Creator device she has is an object perched just behind her ear. "So you are..." she trails off, murmurs a word, then nods. "Heroes for hire? What is it like?" she asks. She keeps a wary eye on the side tunnels the group passes, head tilting at the sound of servitors skittering in the distant darkness.<br> <br>"Heroes for hire?" Fenris says, mulling the words over and rolling them around in his mouth, "Sure, that sounds fair. Some are certainly more heroic than others. It is exciting. Especially in a place like Promise. Always some new adventure to be had." The tiger saunters along the wide tunnels at the Creator's side, part of his attention on her, and part on the surrounding darkness, wary for machine servitors and roving bands of Lost. He gabbles something unintelligible to the woman as they walk.<br> <br>Iorek is staring at Heather again while she walks away, trying to figure her form out, looking at her hair... that weird thing in her ear, but decides he needs to focus, putting his hands on his swords and checkout out the area around them. he giggles quietly "Hehe, I'm a Hero."<br> <br>Zuri smiles brightly. He peers sideways at Iorek and nudges him with an elbow. "We do what we need to do, what we must." He giggles. "Just like it says in the First Text, we all have a place and a part to play, all equally important regardless of our specific calling.<br> <br>Kazel shrugs and rolls her eyes at Iorek. "It is not much different from any other kind of freelance work, I would think, Miss Heather." The bat decides to take the right flank and too draws her weapon, a sword made from dark metal, with her left hand. Her right one is still resting on the hilt of her other blade.<br> <br>Bao chuckles. "I only been called 'hero' by dockside ladies looking to part me with my coin. But I guess I get to help folk a good bit. There's always something they need a blade for out in the hinterlands. And my House appreciates both the good publicity and not having to foot my bills." The sea lion's eyes and ears rove the halls. No matter how competent the Creator or his fellow Freeswords seem, the place is still dangerous, and not one with which Bao is terribly familiar.<br> <br>The Creator woman's reaction is delayed, but then she laughs happily as she finishes sorting out the answers. "I explore," she says, nodding to the tiger. "And there are no places like Promise." She pauses then, turning her head towards one of the side tunnels, and in one of the moments of quiet the group can pick out the sound of wind and steam, quiet at first but growing louder.<br> <br>Fenris perks up his ears as he follows after the Creator woman. "Steam wraiths," he says, putting a hand on Heather's shoulder, "Hold tight, they sound like they are coming this way. Nothing we can't handle." He steps just ahead of the Creator woman, ready to defend her if neccessary, but sends his glittering little otter golem up ahead, a glowing bauble, flitting down the tunnel.<br> <br>Iorek pauses along side the Creator lady at Fenris instruction to hold up, drawing his swords and concentrating his senses up ahead.<br> <br>Zuri doesn't know what a Steam Wraith is, but whatever it is it can't be good. He sets up a defensive position near the group's flank, ready to leap into action.<br> <br>Kazel nods in agreement with Fenris's evaluation of the situation and draws her second blade, a shiny, richly decorated sword that is a huge contrast to the gloomy one in her primary hand. As Zuri moves to the flank, the bat takes a few steps forward, coming to a stand close to the Creator and Fenris, where she adjusts her stance and readies herself.<br> <br>Bao fastens the top button of his vest before drawing a second blade--this one nearly an awl in its narrowness. He flips his dirk into an overhand grip. "Elementals." The sea lion rolls his shoulders and settles in just behind Kazel, Fenris, and Heather, ready to assist wherever needed.<br> <br>With a gust of hot air, a trio of wraiths burst out of the side tunnel and fling themselves at the party, hissing with steam. The elementals have a vaugely humanoid upper body, congealed of boiling water and scraps of debris from the abandonded facility; their lower body is an amorphous tail, and each is surrounded by a small cloud of steam. They even have vaugely recognizable faces, mouths open with what would be a hateful snarl if they had teeth or lungs. The first of the wraits, however, is stopped cold as it slams into a sudden blue light around Fenris; the next one swipes at Iorek, barely missing the canine with its claws but enveloping him in steam for a breif moment before it lashes at Bao. The third wraith tries to catch Kazel, who is likewise barely missed by the claws, but again surrounded by hot steam. From down the tunnel behind the group, two more wraiths throw themselves at the party; Zuri dodges out of the way of one, and the other is caught on Creator Heather's shield. The woman winces at the sudden heat, but she stands firm, then drives the wraith back with her spear.<br> <br>"Kawauso," Fenris calls calmly, had lowering from his silvery gauntlet and the wardstone that activated his shield. The little otter shaped golem whirls on one of the attacking wraiths and opens its mouth wide as a bolt of Creator fire shoots forth! |
| + | "Are you alright, Heather?" Fenris asks, then continues, "They are elementals, but can be driven off or dispersed by even ordinary weapons. Keep them at a distance." The feline draws something from his belt, pointing at another attacking wraith and looses a bolt of Creator fire of his own.<br> <br>Iorek panics as he is surrounded in a gust of steam, leaping back he takes up a defensive stance and watches the nearest wraith, wincing at the pain from the burns. He feels with his short weapons it would be best to fend them off than attack<br> <br>Zuri watches from the sidelines as the steam-things barrel into the group, and narrowly dodges one of them as it rampages towards his position. The small salamander thinks similarly to Iorek, going in daggers swinging might be too close for comfort. Instead he quickly visualizes a memorized phrase of Divine Math to cause a few flaming projectiles to appear near him. One by one he flings them at the wraith engaging the Creator, seeking to protect her first and foremost.<br> <br>Kazel grits her teeth as the steam hits her, but shrugs it off rather easily thanks to her own latent inner warmth of the phoenix. The bat takes a quick step back and points the sword in her right hand at the elemental that tried to attack her and an electrical discharge shoots from the tip of the weapon at the creature.<br> <br>Bao grunts as the steam envelops him. He's had worse, though, and knows how to hit back. The sea lion whips his knives through a warding X before thrusting both blades at his opponent's chest. He doesn't have to kill it, just slow it down and set it up for what comes next. | ||
Revision as of 19:18, 3 June 2015
Participants
Date
3/6/478
Log
It is a warm and overcast day topside, but in the depths of the undertunnels it is a peculiar mix of cool and humid, due to the surrounding earth and the effect of the steam vents further in. Here at the tunnels entrance, one of the Royal Rangers is pacing, nervously waiting for the Freeswords and eyeing a cloaked, armored figure resting in a dark corner. The ranger outpost, just to the north, is well lit by glow crystals but the tunnels are only revealed by intermittent glow panels, most flickering or not even on.
Fenris saunters easily along the dark tunnels, a little, glittering figure splashing along at his feet. "Hello!" he calls amiably, "I'm here to help Heather out in the Undertunnels, if she will have me along." The big tiger wears little in the way of armor, aside from a thick, sturdy wrap around his waist that protects his vital bits and a set of interesting silvery bands on his wrists and biceps. He seems to have similar bands around his ankles. Curious. As are a few of his other strange accessories, but his smile is certainly genuine.
Iorek follows along behind Fenris, trying to catch up with his friend. He stops just short of him "Hey Fenris, I came to help too!" The canine is wearing a chain shirt with bracers on his wrists, well worn with his defensive blade fighting stance on his left arm. Looking out in front of Fenris for the contact, he waves, his tail wagging with anticipation.
Zuri moves up after Iorek, patting down his equipment as he walks along towards the entrance to the tunnels. He pauses a moment to tug his padded jacket into place, the new garment still not quite fitting the Salamander well enough. He spots the ranger and sprints the last bit of distance, hopping excitedly from foot to foot.
Kazel slowly enters the area, casting a keen eye over her surroundings, each of her hands resting on the hilt of one of her two swords. The graceful bat is wearing a black dyed leather armor that looks rather heavy for the material and equally black leather boots. She nods in the direction of the others before saying, "Kazel. I heard assistance is required?"
Bao lacks his usual swagger underground. The big sea lion wears a peculiar coat of rings studded with fishhooks on the extremities. He's got an unstrung shortbow slung over his back, along with and an array of short and long blades. At the sight of the gathering freeswords, he flexes his outsize hands and nods amiably. "Allo. I heard we got somethin' of an expedition in the works?"
The ranger on guard huffs with obvious relief as the Freeswords arrive, then gestures at the cloaked person hunched over examining the wall. "Look... just... keep her safe." His tone drops low. "And if something happens, -I saw nothing-," he adds, then scurries for the outpost. "I heard my name spoken?" Heather calls, rising up to her feet and approaching the party. Creator Heather, which explains the guard's nervousness! The tall, muscular woman extends a gauntleted hand towards Fenris, murmurs something quietly, then speaks louder in an oddly accented voice. "You are here for the party?"
Fenris takes Heather's offered hand in his own and says something to the Creator, though it probably sounds like silliness to the others listening. "And yes," he says, "We are most definitely here for the party. How can we be of assistance, Heather? The undertunnels can be dangerous without a specific goal in mind, but I am sure that we can get you where you want to be."
Iorek looks between Fenris, Zuri and Kazel excitedly, not knowing where to start talking to his friends. However, he turns around towards Heather and looks stunned as he has never been this close to a Creator, his jaw hanging open as he just stares.
Zuri gawps at the Creator, much like the labrador being next to him. The small salamander has met a few up close, but each time he meets a new one the fascination is obvious. He leans onto Iorek and whispers. "The two of them seem to be good friends...", referring to Fenris and the Creator.
Kazel blinks and smirks lightly, this just got interesting. The bat had never met a Creator before as well, but has read enough to not be caught as off guard as Iorek. She does not say anything for now and just crosses her arms before her chest and waits to see how this develops.
Bao can't help putting a hand on the hilt of the dirk at his side--not out of threat, but for reassurance. A Creator! That is an odd thing to find indeed, and Bao cannot help comparing this 'Heather' to the illustrations he has seen around Promise. Confident in his blades--if little else at the moment--Bao defers to the tiger. Somebody else is captaining this ship, and there's nothing the sea lion can add to small talk with a Creator.
Heather's smile widens as Fenris greets her, replying in kind - the only recognizable word being Fenris' name. Then she says something else, seems to listen for a moment, then makes a face. The expression is quickly replaced with another smile though, and she turns to the others and gestures down the tunnel. "Warden Parson is only giving me short time, but I am wanting adventure with Promise Beings. We will walk a patrol and look at a few rooms. This ruin is fascinating." Heather kneels them, collecting a steel shield and her spear, then gestures down the hallway.
Fenris seems a little taken aback by what the Creator has to say, but recovers himself quickly and babbles something back to the woman. "We are happy to accompany you, Heather," he says, then turns his smile on the rest of the group. "You heard the lady," he says, "Let's get moving!" He gently reaches over and closes Iorek's mouth with a finger. "Manners, Iorek, Manners," he chuckles, then leads the way into the dark, waving a hand at his little golem that frolics at his feet, causing it to glow with a gentle, white light.
Iorek breaks out of his stun as Fenris touched his chin with an akward chuckle "Oh...uh, right, I'm right behind you buddy... though I'm starting to really doubt this 'I'm just a musician' thing.... We're going to need to have a chat." he smirks at the cat and slaps Zuri on the shoulder "Let's go little buddy." he grins to Kazel and follows along
Zuri giggles at Iorek's words. "No such thing as 'only a musician', indeed. Told you Mister Fenris has been everywhere and seen everyone and done everything.." He keeps pace with the labrador being, his eyes still on Heather to observe her cautiously. "Not sure what to expect from these tunnels..."
Kazel silently follows behind the others, her hands once more on the hilts of her blades. She keeps scanning the tunnels thoroughly as she walks, on the lookout for danger to the group and the Creator.
In the interest of preparedness, Bao draws the dirk on which his hand had rested, though he keeps it low and to the side. "Adventure," he mutters with a forced grin, "with a sodding Creator." He smoothes his whiskers with his free hand before moving quickly to take up a position on the group's left flank, ready to get stuck in as soon as a problem presents itself.
Heather moves with an easy grace, as though she were used to the heavy armor she's wearing. The plate armor seems to be made well enough, although a trained combatant may think the embellishments and embossed patterns along the side make it more of a parade suit and not something to wear into battle. Her hair, long and a dirty shade of ashen blond, is tied back and the only visible Creator device she has is an object perched just behind her ear. "So you are..." she trails off, murmurs a word, then nods. "Heroes for hire? What is it like?" she asks. She keeps a wary eye on the side tunnels the group passes, head tilting at the sound of servitors skittering in the distant darkness.
"Heroes for hire?" Fenris says, mulling the words over and rolling them around in his mouth, "Sure, that sounds fair. Some are certainly more heroic than others. It is exciting. Especially in a place like Promise. Always some new adventure to be had." The tiger saunters along the wide tunnels at the Creator's side, part of his attention on her, and part on the surrounding darkness, wary for machine servitors and roving bands of Lost. He gabbles something unintelligible to the woman as they walk.
Iorek is staring at Heather again while she walks away, trying to figure her form out, looking at her hair... that weird thing in her ear, but decides he needs to focus, putting his hands on his swords and checkout out the area around them. he giggles quietly "Hehe, I'm a Hero."
Zuri smiles brightly. He peers sideways at Iorek and nudges him with an elbow. "We do what we need to do, what we must." He giggles. "Just like it says in the First Text, we all have a place and a part to play, all equally important regardless of our specific calling.
Kazel shrugs and rolls her eyes at Iorek. "It is not much different from any other kind of freelance work, I would think, Miss Heather." The bat decides to take the right flank and too draws her weapon, a sword made from dark metal, with her left hand. Her right one is still resting on the hilt of her other blade.
Bao chuckles. "I only been called 'hero' by dockside ladies looking to part me with my coin. But I guess I get to help folk a good bit. There's always something they need a blade for out in the hinterlands. And my House appreciates both the good publicity and not having to foot my bills." The sea lion's eyes and ears rove the halls. No matter how competent the Creator or his fellow Freeswords seem, the place is still dangerous, and not one with which Bao is terribly familiar.
The Creator woman's reaction is delayed, but then she laughs happily as she finishes sorting out the answers. "I explore," she says, nodding to the tiger. "And there are no places like Promise." She pauses then, turning her head towards one of the side tunnels, and in one of the moments of quiet the group can pick out the sound of wind and steam, quiet at first but growing louder.
Fenris perks up his ears as he follows after the Creator woman. "Steam wraiths," he says, putting a hand on Heather's shoulder, "Hold tight, they sound like they are coming this way. Nothing we can't handle." He steps just ahead of the Creator woman, ready to defend her if neccessary, but sends his glittering little otter golem up ahead, a glowing bauble, flitting down the tunnel.
Iorek pauses along side the Creator lady at Fenris instruction to hold up, drawing his swords and concentrating his senses up ahead.
Zuri doesn't know what a Steam Wraith is, but whatever it is it can't be good. He sets up a defensive position near the group's flank, ready to leap into action.
Kazel nods in agreement with Fenris's evaluation of the situation and draws her second blade, a shiny, richly decorated sword that is a huge contrast to the gloomy one in her primary hand. As Zuri moves to the flank, the bat takes a few steps forward, coming to a stand close to the Creator and Fenris, where she adjusts her stance and readies herself.
Bao fastens the top button of his vest before drawing a second blade--this one nearly an awl in its narrowness. He flips his dirk into an overhand grip. "Elementals." The sea lion rolls his shoulders and settles in just behind Kazel, Fenris, and Heather, ready to assist wherever needed.
With a gust of hot air, a trio of wraiths burst out of the side tunnel and fling themselves at the party, hissing with steam. The elementals have a vaugely humanoid upper body, congealed of boiling water and scraps of debris from the abandonded facility; their lower body is an amorphous tail, and each is surrounded by a small cloud of steam. They even have vaugely recognizable faces, mouths open with what would be a hateful snarl if they had teeth or lungs. The first of the wraits, however, is stopped cold as it slams into a sudden blue light around Fenris; the next one swipes at Iorek, barely missing the canine with its claws but enveloping him in steam for a breif moment before it lashes at Bao. The third wraith tries to catch Kazel, who is likewise barely missed by the claws, but again surrounded by hot steam. From down the tunnel behind the group, two more wraiths throw themselves at the party; Zuri dodges out of the way of one, and the other is caught on Creator Heather's shield. The woman winces at the sudden heat, but she stands firm, then drives the wraith back with her spear.
"Kawauso," Fenris calls calmly, had lowering from his silvery gauntlet and the wardstone that activated his shield. The little otter shaped golem whirls on one of the attacking wraiths and opens its mouth wide as a bolt of Creator fire shoots forth!
"Are you alright, Heather?" Fenris asks, then continues, "They are elementals, but can be driven off or dispersed by even ordinary weapons. Keep them at a distance." The feline draws something from his belt, pointing at another attacking wraith and looses a bolt of Creator fire of his own.
Iorek panics as he is surrounded in a gust of steam, leaping back he takes up a defensive stance and watches the nearest wraith, wincing at the pain from the burns. He feels with his short weapons it would be best to fend them off than attack
Zuri watches from the sidelines as the steam-things barrel into the group, and narrowly dodges one of them as it rampages towards his position. The small salamander thinks similarly to Iorek, going in daggers swinging might be too close for comfort. Instead he quickly visualizes a memorized phrase of Divine Math to cause a few flaming projectiles to appear near him. One by one he flings them at the wraith engaging the Creator, seeking to protect her first and foremost.
Kazel grits her teeth as the steam hits her, but shrugs it off rather easily thanks to her own latent inner warmth of the phoenix. The bat takes a quick step back and points the sword in her right hand at the elemental that tried to attack her and an electrical discharge shoots from the tip of the weapon at the creature.
Bao grunts as the steam envelops him. He's had worse, though, and knows how to hit back. The sea lion whips his knives through a warding X before thrusting both blades at his opponent's chest. He doesn't have to kill it, just slow it down and set it up for what comes next.
