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Post by Tom Bombadil on Aug 18, 2009 2:01:53 GMT
OOC: I had been under the impression that the ash was too thick for us to see the beast. *shrug*
"It's alive!"
Hell, it is! Babur gaped at the lump of mass thrashing about before them. The two missing people were with them; the Argonian and Dunmer, he figured. They were certainly capable of holding their own, this was apparent. They appeared to be fighting with vigor, surprisingly, considering how battered they must have already felt beforehand.
Majulin acted instantly. Babur and Reese did not; he had no idea what was going through Reese's mind, but he himself was once more deeply regretting the loss of his weapon. He had his petty knife in hand (he had not put it on his person for lack of a sheath of any kind), but, judging by the manner in which the hardy old Redoran was slammed to the ground by the beast's claw, he didn't think it would have done him much good anyway.
"Strike the flanks, the claws won't reach you, he's blinded!" The mer's words made Babur do a double-take, followed by a brightened expression. Fluid ran from the colossus's eyes. Blind it was indeed.
Looking about him desperately, Babur took a few bounding steps toward a head-sized stone he saw wedged in the ground not far from them. Wrenching it from the ground with some difficulty, he charged the beast, improvised weapon in both hands. He had to check his speed - he had no eye protection now, and was running on sand. With impaired vision and movement, he was dangerously close to a false step, which he could scarcely afford.
He made his target one of the beast's legs on its right side. For a brief moment before contact, he considered the likelihood that his endeavor was quite possibly futile. All the same, he would rather sustain the chance of being useful, however slim, than sit back and open the potential of being thought of as complacent. With the loud sound of rock-on-chitin, Babur's stone slammed into the mudcrab's leg, which bounced back in recoil. Had the Orc not come in with his shoulder pointed towards his target, the rock would have probably hit him in the head in the recoil.
The crab took notice. It stepped to the side to take a swing with its claw at whatever had just assaulted it. It was a clumsy swing, but all the same, it caught Babur in the back, knocking him into the leg he had struck. He stumbled to the ground, scarcely being able to pick himself up before the crab moved its legs again; getting cut by one of the sharp ends of that thing would surely make quick work of his skin.
Quickly, Babur once more took aim at the same leg, this time trying to strike the more tender joint specifically. The blow landed, and the crab buckled slightly in his direction. Elated, he turned his head just enough to shout to Majulin. Blast it all, what was his name? "The joints, Dunmer! Cripple it further!" Babur moved hastily further towards the back of the creature. He sought another leg, this time further back.
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Post by DarkNova50 on Aug 18, 2009 5:09:21 GMT
Upon seeing the writhing, vehement mass of whatever Oblivion spawned menace they were now facing, Terra let loose a bitter Elvish curse, her voice lost on the winds of the violent ash storm. How the hell does something even get that big? she thought to herself, scowling as the others each made an attempt to subdue the horrific aberation.
Her first impulse was to let loose a salvo of magical attacks; ice, fire, shock, they all seemed to work rather well on the beast's smaller counterparts. As the tips of her fingers began to crackle with bursts of arcane energy, however, she made out a pair of figures through the ash, grappled with the massive mudcrab. It was the Hlaalu, and the Argonian from earlier!
Those idiots! Terra thought angrily, holding back her barrage. She couldn't afford to attack the creature now, not with those two grabbing onto it; she was just as likely to hit one of them as their attacker. The Altmer scowled, wracking her mind for some alternative...some way that she could help the others combat the damned bulk...
As the Orc of their group attacked the great crab, striking one of its legs and causing it to stagger, Terra quickly devised her own plan of action. She couldn't strike at the marauding behemoth as Majulin or the Orc could, but she could certainly ease their own efforts against the thing.
"The joints, Dunmer! Cripple it further!" It wasn't long after the Orc roared these words to Majulin, making another violent rush at the beast, that Terra's hands flared a bright crimson, twin streaks of ruby red light racing towards the enormous mudcrab. The twin teardrops wouldn't actually harm whatever they came into contact with, not physically, at least. But, they would considerably hamper the speed of whatever they struck, hopefully making the task of the others less strenuous.
Luckily, the spell slammed into the shell of the great crab, waves of red light washing across its form. It let out a feral screech as its movements were dramatically slowed, the spell robbing the beast of its natural speed.
"Now!" she roared to Majulin through the storm. "Kill the damn thing!"
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Post by FC4 on Aug 21, 2009 4:23:19 GMT
The leg's chitin cracked, and the crab was further crippled plainly as it tried to circle and strike at the opposing Orc. Majulin watched carefully in his crouched position, spear poised over his shield, not admiring the Orc but taking aim instead.
The crab visibly slowed as streaks of red light collided with it. Majulin was as confused as the crab as to just what it was and what it did, but considering how sluggishly it moved Majulin guessed and then stopped caring.
The battle had to be fought, and with the slowness of the crab, now was the time to strike. Rising from his crouch and flipping his grip on the spear, he swung back his shield arm for balance and threw the javelin. The ash storm buffeted, but the spear flew well enough, catching in the joint that served as a shoulder for the claw facing Babur.
Not pausing as the beast screeched out -suddenly less able to use that claw- Majulin smoothly drew his sword and charged, answering the cries of his companions. Coming around the other side of the crab, it slowly tried to turn with the threat, but jerked and cried as Majulin's sword dug into the flesh just beneath the carapace. Majulin dragging his sword across the underside of the shell, until he reached the leg and drew out his blade.
Spinning around the leg, he slammed his blade edge into the crab again. With two wounds so close to the joints of its claws, the crab would not be likely to use them well. And that's what Majulin was aiming for, as his sword cut into the beast to the other leg.
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Post by Vicorva on Aug 22, 2009 11:27:19 GMT
OOC: The crab should by rights be nearly dead, its been attacked so much. I suggest no attacking posts are made until Vrek and Chaos get to have a shifty at it. IC:
When the others appeared and started battering the massive crab, Dark-Feather felt so much relief she almost slipped right off the crabs back in the sudden calm she felt. The situation was no longer dire; these folks, at least, could hold their own against the beast.
And as Majulin delivered a flurry of blows to the beast, and as Babur smashed it with a rock, she could sense the fight leaving the crab. It was running out, it was almost finished.
"Just keep holding on," she told Artmer as the crab shuddered against the force of the attacks. She didn't like to think what would happen if they fell off and were either trampled by the crab or sliced to bits beneath Majulin's flashing sword.
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Post by Chaos 303030 on Aug 23, 2009 4:24:47 GMT
OOC: Sorry, I was sporadically and unpredictably cut off from my internet for a few days now, Im really sorry for the inconvienience. Err, I give the next poster permission to kill the crab, since I don't exactly have too much time at the moment.
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Post by Vrek on Aug 23, 2009 5:09:58 GMT
Reese watched the rough dance of battle through the grain of ash. He didn't watch for a place to strike, or think of a spell to cast. If he tried to help now, he would just get in the way. Instead, he watched how the others would fight alongside one another.
The Blade smiled as the gigantic crab-beast gave it's last sluggish flail before collapsing, the brutal attack finally having run it's course. Everything grew quiet, but for the harsh shout of the storm around them. But the wind no longer carried along the sound of battle. The beast was indeed dead.
The group's teamwork was rough, but it was there. Reese grinned under the shirt he held covering his mouth. With a bit of practice, they may just come togethor as smoothly as the gears in a clock. He rushed forward, to the side of the monster on which Artmer clung, then helped him down from his place, and kept him steady when he stood on flat ground. After that he offered his hand, and helped down the Argonian girl.
Once everyone was down and finished collecting their things from the battle's aftermath, Reese gathered the group togethor. "How is everyone? Anyone hurt at all?" He paused for a minute, waiting for people to give their responses, then continued, "Artmer, Majulin. Do you two think we can find that town in the storm?" The question was mostly rhetorical. They didn't have the luxury of time to huddle up and wait for the storm to pass. Though they had begun their journey less then half a day ago, Reese could already feel Valenth breathing down their necks.
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Post by webster52402 on Aug 23, 2009 19:14:04 GMT
OOC: Sorry about the delay. I've been mad busy the past few days, and though I've had opportunities to drop in and keep myself caught up, writing takes a bit more time. xD
IC: Artmer hung on for dear life as the others came rushing out of the ash storm, without so much as a word in their direction. To someone like Artmer, who had been entirely focused upon just staying alive as the crab turned and twisted, trying to shake both he and Dark Feather off, this was surprising to say the least. Not only surprising, but rather humbling as well...
The group that came rushing out of nowhere handled the crab like it was little more than a stepping stone in their paths. From his high up position on the back of the thing, he had a perfect vantage point from which to watch the battle. Or at least, what WOULD have been a battle, for someone like him. Yet, when they approached, they handled it with such ease, that it made Artmer die a little inside.
As the thing slowly came to a shuddering stop, and finally rested upon the sands, Artmer slowly released the dagger hilt that he had been clinging onto. As he dropped to the sands, he was a bit more surprised to feel a bolt of pain from his left hand as it grazed along the rocky shell of the crab. Hissing, he danced back a few steps, before lifting his hand - bent shield and all - up to inspect it.
The flesh on his left arm, above where the shield bent in a brutally tight bracer, was starting to discolor itself, turning from a light, ashy color to a deep black. The shield was constricting the blood flow to his hand and upper arm, leaving it without oxygen. Though it was numb for the moment, whenever he reached out to brush the fingers of his other hand along it it would send crackles of pain lancing up his arm.
Somehow, the sight only upset him further. His first injury here, was from a creature that the others had handled without so much as breaking a sweat. Again.
Mumbling a soft 'Thank you' to Reese for helping him to the ground, he turned away from the group, tucking his left arm against his stomach where he could hide it in the folds of his robe. As he walked, he reached out with his right hand and pulled his longsword - which had been still stuck in the leg of the creature up until its death - from the weakened chitin and slackened muscle that had previously held it in a death grip. It was the only thing that had kept him alive besides Dark Feather, after all.
He ignored Reese's questions, knowing that he wasn't the best person to answer them. He didn't know if they could find the town in the storm or not. He may be familiar with Morrowind's landscape, but not ALL of it. He may be able to lead them to Balmora, if they managed to get close enough to the city, but as is... Dark Feather was the scout of the group. And Majulin undoubtedly traveled more than he had as a warrior.
Upon reaching the other side of the beastly crab, Artmer slipped between two of its massive legs - each of them seemingly as big around as one of his legs - and sank to the ground, resting himself against the creature. This side was the one that was getting the worse of the ash storm, he noted with some distaste, and the jar of him plopping to the ground caused his wounded arm to give a protesting throb, but he bit his pain back.
Resting his blade across his lap, he moved his now free hand to the twisted, bent shield that ringed his arm. Its metal was still cool to the touch, though its previous smoothness was marred by the dents that the crab's claw had made in it. But, it focused Artmer's thoughts - even if not in a good way - and allowed him to work on recollecting himself. It was simply too much, too fast...
OOC: Feel a bit rusty, but I'll work that off.
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Post by Vicorva on Aug 24, 2009 12:54:53 GMT
There was a low grating sound as the crab collapsed and Dark-Feather's claws slid along its back. Her muscles were tight and sore with exhaustion, still tensed from the long cling. She accepted Reese's hand without only a close-lipped, half-hearted smile and staggered to the floor. The first thing she did was collect her boots, to hide the clawed, scaly feet that so segregated her from the men and mer.
As she pulled them on, she kept her eyes low. They had come in like a whirlwind, taking the beast down with barely an effort. The best she had managed to do was cling on its back like a tick. She felt pathetic, utterly useless.
Ash had gathered around her left ear, wedged between it and her horn. She brushed it away and then set about collecting up her small number of arrows- the only weapons she had. Pulling them out of the crab's eyes and mouth was not pleasant, and she mourned to find that only one was useable. She stowed it into her quiver, which looked as pitiful as she felt and wrenched the dagger from the crab's shell, working it into her boot. It had proved useful once, and might do so again.
Reese spoke about finding the town, and didn't even think to ask her. While Majulin and Artmer might be natives, finding her way through horrible weather and conditions was her specialty. She said nothing. If either of the dunmer wanted her assisstance, they would ask.
Not that they would.
She sat on the downed crab and carefully unstrung her bow, to coil the string carefully in an oiled skin and slide it into her pack. Holding the bow loosely in one hand, she closed her eyes and tilted her head up to the sky.
What is your plan in this? she wondered. What part can I possibly play in this story? All I can do is see things. I'm a pathfinder, a pattern-spotter. Not the elite of any trade. What purpose do I serve?
She knew that the Gods asked only that their people were involved, were there, representing them, but she didn't know why it was. SHe opened her eyes, and looked out around the group, pushing away her sadness, for it served nobody, least of all her. She would just have to wait and see.
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Post by FC4 on Aug 24, 2009 18:15:07 GMT
Majulin jerked his silver sword from the underside of the crab's shell, pulling out the slime and blood covered sword and giving it a small shake in the ash storm's winds. Ash was collecting already in the grooves and rough surfaces of his Bonemold helm -yet another small design of Dunmeri origins- as it whisked over the curved, aerodynamic head gear. His shield arm parted the folds of his robe, the other sheathing his sword in a flurry of ash and cloth that covered him, leaving some of the nuisance ash within his robe.
Reese addressed him, and Artmer, but Majulin did not immediately respond. Rather, he moved towards his chitin spear, jutting from the front of the massive crab. Pulling it out, he held the butt of the spear to the ground and his shield at his side, looking over the group.
And this was just a giant mudcrab. The weakest of the greater threats of this island. To Majulin, the battle had been foreboding. One of them had used magic, likely Terra; but how much could she sustain using? Babur was now weaponless, yet effective with improvised weapons, so was most hopeful. But Artmer, Reese, that Redguard; how useful would they be in a fight? And that Argonian, she'd likely blinded it. But was that simply luck?
Majulin had to admit to himself, he was worried about how they would face down Valenth, like this. "I am afraid finding direction will not be easy in this storm, even for me." Majulin reported back to Reese loudly, to remain clear over the storm's winds. "Our only best bet is to try to retrace our steps back to the shore, and head north from there. However, we will sacrifice valuable time this way." As he spoke, the winds flailed his robe about him, and it covered over his shield. He let it remain beneath the ashrobe, as he gripped his spear tight and inhaled.
"I am a soldier, Sera, not a scout. Trained in battle, not in orientation. I know the land, but that does not mean I know where we now reside."
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Post by Vicorva on Aug 29, 2009 19:12:56 GMT
*BUMP*
Pay attention!!!!
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Post by Tom Bombadil on Sept 7, 2009 14:09:04 GMT
OOC: Sorry to make an OOC post, but I need to clear something before posting. Chaos, is the sun's glare still visible through the ash storm?
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Post by Chaos 303030 on Sept 8, 2009 14:48:39 GMT
OOC: Hurray. Apparently this didn't die while I went down to Florida. I think it would still be visible, as a brighter spot, but not quite clearly. Frank is more of a lore buff, if there is any regarding that however.
Good news! The school year begins (for me) tomorrow, so no more spontaneous vacationing!
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Post by FC4 on Sept 8, 2009 16:09:51 GMT
OOC: Just basing off of storms of real life and how the ash storms worked in the game, I gander that you could see a yard or so in front of you with moderate clearance, better if with a goggled helm like Majulin. However, the sun would probably just cast a brightness upon the ash storm, being only like Chaos said, an dimly lit spot in the sky, and hard to spot.
I'm kinda waiting for others, considering Majulin is quite useless right now.
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Post by Chaos 303030 on Sept 26, 2009 16:44:01 GMT
Further down the beach, creaking and moaning could be heard, as well as dull, sand-muffled thuds. Clinking metal could be heard, and shuffling footsteps began to move ever closer. For a well trained ear, or someone experienced in the sounds of the world, it would be just possible to puzzle out that the sound was a search party, tossing over and rifling through the corpses scattered across the beach. Hisses broke through the whipping winds, short and commanding. The fire began to flicker, and the ash storm seemed to close in on the small group. A chill filled the air, the type of chill that reaches deep inside of one's self and makes their spine tingle with an ever-present threat of some terrible fate. The footsteps draw close, and the fire flickers out of existence. Now is the time to act; do you stay and fight, or flee for your lives?
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Post by Vicorva on Sept 27, 2009 7:07:09 GMT
Dark was still sitting and wallowing, feeling extremely sorry for herself. But then a strange clanking noise seemed to be carried to her, her ears perking up and picking it out even through the sound of the ash storm.
She stood up, and sniffed the air, but all she could smell was ash. Her tail swished nervously, but her ears remained fixed on the sound. "I think there's someone coming!" she said, interrupting the discussion of who should lead. Her wide, dark eyes were fearful.
In their current state, with Artmer wounded and Dark-Feather now more or less weaponless, with the others still worn out from the wreck as well, they desperately needed to move on.
"Look," she said, still facing the sound, eyes working on over time to try and pierce through the ash, to see the shapes of the pursuers coming. She had no time for dread or worry; it was time to escape, and Dark-Feather's instincts understood that all too well.
"Look," she said again, "We're somewhere on the bitter coast, judging by the terrain here, and there are a lot of... um... there are a lot of paths on the coast, and it should be well signposted. I think we're also east of Seyda Neen."
She turned to look at them all. "I know its a lot to ask, but... follow me!" She checked her pack and slung her bow over her back, and then began to march off through the red air and ash, eyelids lowered, head down slightly, taking them further into the inland.
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