05-14-2017, 02:22 AM
The foursome of Liberators spent but a few more moments evaluating the state of the fallen magus’ remains and the wreckage that their clash had wrought before moving on. Other such hazards would likely meet them on their path through to Nebula’s bastion, though they could not spare the time to worry about what could happen if the integrity of the verse was of any concern. With each passing second, the corruption spread.
The group moved in silence, save for the heavy footfalls of their more heavily armored participants. The rhythmic cadence of their trek was punctuated only by the occasional cheerful whistle of their designated hacker, or delicate whisper between the dreamer and her new friend. The forest at large seemed to hold its breath, the leaves themselves daring not even quiver upon their branches. A mixture of uneasiness and apprehension crept over them in equal measures as they listened to the increasingly rapid beep of their respective scanners.
“Seems like we’re getting closer to...whatever it is.” Hiro poked at his Liberator Aide, noting tiny blips on the radar steadily nearing their location. He couldn’t be sure what each mark indicated, but he regardless knew they’d be in for a scuffle.
“We should be on our guard,” the bounty hunter stated, readying her arm cannon. She hoped that the group didn’t need to be told to keep ready, but she was nothing if not careful. This held true especially among new...acquaintances.
Another moment passed as tensions mounted, the shrill pings of the aides beeping out of sync. Okor had raised a single ebon claw to silence his own when their devices all ceased chiming without warning. It was then that they heard the noise that the scanners’ alarms had been blocking out.
“Is that...a dog?”
The group followed the trail around a corner just in time to catch sight of a medium sized mutt, its attention drawn toward a humble cottage in the center of a clearing. Blood dribbled from the animal’s ear, its shaky legs barely keeping the poor creature standing. It failed to notice the arrival of the Liberators as it continued to bark frantically at the open front door of the building, slowly backing away from the innocuous hut. Though it made a big show of itself, the weakness in the pup’s yapping showed more fear than aggression.
Before any of the newcomers could near the frightened critter, its assailant made itself known. The lone front window suddenly shattered, a murky liquid splattering across the clearing toward the dog as if thrown out by a disgruntled housewife. The canine let out a whine as the discarded pitch-colored liquid began to gather of its own accord, shaping itself into a three-foot-tall ‘pile’ as a child might gather sand at the beach. Long shards of glass bubbled to the surface, arranging themselves into a ghoulishly fanged maw.
”Darkling,” Okor rumbled, feeling the familiar intoxication begin to wash over him. He’d make quick work of the strange mass. ”Where...is its commander?
The foursome’s attention quickly snapped away from the frightened dog and the goo pile as the the cabin’s front door was separate from its hinges and flung across the clearing toward them. Samus raised her arm cannon in the knick of time, reducing the heavy plank to splinters with a well-aimed shot. A moment later the source of the aggression stepped into view, crashing through what remained of the doorframe and taking chunks of wood and plaster with it. A vaguely human-shaped mass of muscle and organ, nearly eight feet tall and six feet wide, stomped slowly toward them on thick, bulbous legs. The monstrosity lacked a ‘head’, instead replaced by a long, glittering tentacle, forming a ghastly trio alongside a similar pair that stood in where arms should be.
“What is that?” Hiro inquired, wrinkling his nose. “It looks like some kind of meat golem.”
Sinnah suddenly let out a cry as the previously ignored gelatinous pile surged forward, enveloping the yapping dog in an instant. The puddle seemed to overpower the animal immediately, wisps of vapor emanating from its loose from as it digested the meal. The group stood in a mixed state of disgust and surprise as the vapor dissipated and the entity split down the middle, reshaping into twin gooey dog-like masses that then turned to face them.
”The odds are shifting quickly,” Madotsuki said, knife at the ready. They couldn’t afford to wait any longer with the three monstrosities before them.
“Four-to-five now,” Samus noted.
The group momentarily pulled their mixed attention away from the towering abomination and the pair of gelatinous fiends to look toward the hut’s shattered doorway. A cloaked figure stepped forward, soon casting off the tattered garment as he made himself known. An older gentleman, quite nearly bald save a patch of white hair on either side of his head, dressed in the dusty formal attire typical of a scholar. Typical, that was, save that the left sleeve had been entirely shredded by a bulging mass enveloping his arm from the shoulder down. The mass looked metallic, a smooth and dull gray down to the elbow and a shimmering gold from elbow to hand. The limb was approximately three times as large as it should have been and looked to be just as flexible as a normal limb as he raised a finger toward the group. Dark mist swirled in his eye sockets as he let out an animalistic snarl, signalling his compatriots to attack.
The group moved in silence, save for the heavy footfalls of their more heavily armored participants. The rhythmic cadence of their trek was punctuated only by the occasional cheerful whistle of their designated hacker, or delicate whisper between the dreamer and her new friend. The forest at large seemed to hold its breath, the leaves themselves daring not even quiver upon their branches. A mixture of uneasiness and apprehension crept over them in equal measures as they listened to the increasingly rapid beep of their respective scanners.
“Seems like we’re getting closer to...whatever it is.” Hiro poked at his Liberator Aide, noting tiny blips on the radar steadily nearing their location. He couldn’t be sure what each mark indicated, but he regardless knew they’d be in for a scuffle.
“We should be on our guard,” the bounty hunter stated, readying her arm cannon. She hoped that the group didn’t need to be told to keep ready, but she was nothing if not careful. This held true especially among new...acquaintances.
Another moment passed as tensions mounted, the shrill pings of the aides beeping out of sync. Okor had raised a single ebon claw to silence his own when their devices all ceased chiming without warning. It was then that they heard the noise that the scanners’ alarms had been blocking out.
“Is that...a dog?”
The group followed the trail around a corner just in time to catch sight of a medium sized mutt, its attention drawn toward a humble cottage in the center of a clearing. Blood dribbled from the animal’s ear, its shaky legs barely keeping the poor creature standing. It failed to notice the arrival of the Liberators as it continued to bark frantically at the open front door of the building, slowly backing away from the innocuous hut. Though it made a big show of itself, the weakness in the pup’s yapping showed more fear than aggression.
Before any of the newcomers could near the frightened critter, its assailant made itself known. The lone front window suddenly shattered, a murky liquid splattering across the clearing toward the dog as if thrown out by a disgruntled housewife. The canine let out a whine as the discarded pitch-colored liquid began to gather of its own accord, shaping itself into a three-foot-tall ‘pile’ as a child might gather sand at the beach. Long shards of glass bubbled to the surface, arranging themselves into a ghoulishly fanged maw.
”Darkling,” Okor rumbled, feeling the familiar intoxication begin to wash over him. He’d make quick work of the strange mass. ”Where...is its commander?
The foursome’s attention quickly snapped away from the frightened dog and the goo pile as the the cabin’s front door was separate from its hinges and flung across the clearing toward them. Samus raised her arm cannon in the knick of time, reducing the heavy plank to splinters with a well-aimed shot. A moment later the source of the aggression stepped into view, crashing through what remained of the doorframe and taking chunks of wood and plaster with it. A vaguely human-shaped mass of muscle and organ, nearly eight feet tall and six feet wide, stomped slowly toward them on thick, bulbous legs. The monstrosity lacked a ‘head’, instead replaced by a long, glittering tentacle, forming a ghastly trio alongside a similar pair that stood in where arms should be.
“What is that?” Hiro inquired, wrinkling his nose. “It looks like some kind of meat golem.”
Sinnah suddenly let out a cry as the previously ignored gelatinous pile surged forward, enveloping the yapping dog in an instant. The puddle seemed to overpower the animal immediately, wisps of vapor emanating from its loose from as it digested the meal. The group stood in a mixed state of disgust and surprise as the vapor dissipated and the entity split down the middle, reshaping into twin gooey dog-like masses that then turned to face them.
”The odds are shifting quickly,” Madotsuki said, knife at the ready. They couldn’t afford to wait any longer with the three monstrosities before them.
“Four-to-five now,” Samus noted.
The group momentarily pulled their mixed attention away from the towering abomination and the pair of gelatinous fiends to look toward the hut’s shattered doorway. A cloaked figure stepped forward, soon casting off the tattered garment as he made himself known. An older gentleman, quite nearly bald save a patch of white hair on either side of his head, dressed in the dusty formal attire typical of a scholar. Typical, that was, save that the left sleeve had been entirely shredded by a bulging mass enveloping his arm from the shoulder down. The mass looked metallic, a smooth and dull gray down to the elbow and a shimmering gold from elbow to hand. The limb was approximately three times as large as it should have been and looked to be just as flexible as a normal limb as he raised a finger toward the group. Dark mist swirled in his eye sockets as he let out an animalistic snarl, signalling his compatriots to attack.
Quote:Encounter: Mad Alchemist!
The only one here actively corrupted by the influence of Nebula is the alchemist, standing in the doorway. His corruption (and natural abilities) give him the following statistics:
Stats: 2/4/1/2
Proficencies: Physical Strength, Ranged Proficiency, Ranged Materialize, Remote Control, Debuff
Powers: Survival, Regeneration (Basic)
Left arm gives him powers to alter his environment alchemically, creating all manner of effects and allowing him to attack or defend from odd angles. On top of that, it's a sturdy, powerful bludgeoning tool.
The giant meat golem has the following aspects:
Stats: 3/5/0/0
Proficiencies: Physical Strength
Powers: Survival, Healing, Hive Mind
It has absurd defensive and regenerative abilities, and is capable of healing its allies. It's neither fast or agile, or particularly smart about how it fights, but it's tough as nails.
The giant glob of slime has the following tricks:
Stats: 1/4/3/1
Proficiencies: Physical Strength, Debuff
Powers: Survival, Malleability, Disassemble, Hive Mind
It is highly acidic to the touch. Fights primarily by flinging portions of its acidic body at targets, trying to consume them. Immediately takes on the properties (and general shape) of things it consumes, gaining new tricks or facets to its abilities.
Contend with this poor, corrupted man and his horrid experiments. You have six days and one post, up to 1200 words each, to do so. Happy hunting!