The Muck Pond

[Nalaris]

Deimos

7" 2' (or is it the other way around?)
Red eyes
Black exoskeleton
A humanoid/insectoid cross, he has a powerful exoskeleton that covers his entire body except his face, which is black but made of flesh, and his hands, which protrude from the exoskeleton like a knights fist from his armor. He has two pincers just above said hands, gossamer wings that can only be used for a short time as he's rather heavy, and human eyes, except that they are pure red with the pupil in the center.

When he emerges from the bubbling mass that is the Muck Pond, a short shriek from the heat of his own creation emits from his throat and he looks around, looking for other signs of life...(don't know what's going on, only that someone needs to get to some temple, and some other one is being stalked by a wizard, and that the cat got eaten by Beezelbub, but since Deimos just emerged from the Muck Pond, I think that's an advantage. Hopefully the Muck Pond didn't dry up or anything in the pages in between).

[Fleegle]

(Schme is correct, it's not the wizard that is dangling from a chain, it's the ball he's holding. A good way to describe the ball OOC is like one of those things you put loose tea leaves into when you're making tea... if anyone knows what I'm talking about, not sure what they are called)

(For Schme)

Bassus stroked Felinibis, who was still asleep, recouping from the night's battle.
"You don't think they got the message, MushBall? You know, this war stuff really isn't my cup of wine. Speaking of which, Jilly, won't you be a dear and bring me some wine?"
Jilly nodded and brought the decanter over. Nobody had been able to discern where exactly the wine was coming from; it seemed as if the decanter was always full of wine.
"I'm right over here, MushBall!" Briker responded in mindspeak. He crawled up a leaf not far from where MushBall was. "I hope you won't think me a coward, but I've decided to stay here in the forest. I feel at home here, and I've had enough adventure already to last me a lifetime! Besides, if those Pink Ones decide to attack again, I'll be on hand to do what I can."
Felinibis puffed his nostrils in his sleep, the gust of air nearly blowing Briker off his leaf.
"Mushy, are you going to stay here in the forest with us too?" Yanisha queried, a note of hope in her voice.
"MushBall, my boy! Have some wine! You deserve it, after your performance last night! What wonderful powers you were given..." Bassus chimed in. Jilly obediently jogged over to MushBall's side, decanter and cup in hand.

(For El_Skwidd)

Ilosep grinned. "You're looking at him. Has somebody been doing my bragging for me? If by powerful you are refering to my job of handing out fates, well, I'm really just acting as a messenger. However, I am a god, and as such I am immortal. Also, I'm the God of Judgement, so that grants me certain powers. But the fates, those are already in you, I just... bring them to the surface, if you will."

(For Nalaris. Welcome to the Muck Pond!)

The only other creature in sight when Deimos emerged from the pond was Andrik, composed of a similarly tough exterior.

(OOC: To bring you up to speed, Nalaris, the landscape has changed as well since the first post. Indeed, the Muck Pond is still there. The tree is gone, or at least it's been cut down and thrown aside near the cave entrance. The cat is long gone as you know, the soaring bird (Urdast) is not in the area right now, and the mouse is presently hiding somewhere in the cliff-face. I think that's just about it. If you're unclear about anything, use the OOC topic or send me a PM)

[Leo Luncid]

The creature is what seemed to be a construct, mostly made of stone, and the rest metal. It is about 5'10", it's humanoid body is only partly symmetrical due to the flexible grey wiring made of a certain metal appearing out of it's body and into it's body, like human blood vessels, flowing here and there. Where the humaniod head should be there seems to be what looked like an aged iron military helmet, sharpened at it's chin and sphered around the head nicely. One thin horizontal slit appear at where one can see through should he or she is to be wearing the helmet, and where one can only see the darkness within from the outside. It's stone formed like muscles of a decently strong man, with the texture rough as a rock would expect but seem to function like normal human skin. It has no body part to indicate it's gender, but overall it's body seems to resemble somewhat of a man.

The construct has small cracks as openings for it's wire-like vessels visible on his body, legs, arms, and neck; the rest of it's surface stone remains unbroken. It's hands has five fingers but seemed to look like a shiny smooth black gauntlet completely made of metal with scales to allow flexibility on it's fingers. On the ends of it's legs appear to be black, smooth and able to shine as well; they look like simple shoes that sharpen down at the front then around where the rest of the creature's foot should be.

Out of character: Just thought to restate my appearance since Nalaris just came here. Welcome, Nalaris.

Andrik had already been sighting Deimos before he had his eyes met with the construct's. The animated figure still stayed where it's standing, erect and nearly motionless, the helm making occasional angles at Deimos.

[Nalaris]

Deimos starts towards the metal and stone creature. Looking around, he see's nothing else living...

"What are you? Who are you? And is there anything else here alive?"

[AoM]

In mindspeak: "Tek, get up and distract him. Do that cartwheel trick you just learned... just get him to look at you."

[Razorlance]

"Cart...? oh, that... okay, hope you know what you are doing." He then, suprisingly quickly, pushed himself up onto two limbs and rocked himself over onto the another to get himself moving he aimed past the wizards current direction of gaze then turned to start continously circling him, making sure to keep a good distance from the wizard. "Say the word Ao and I'll head back towards the bridge, that should give you time to act while his backs' turned"

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance)

The wizard was indeed distracted by Tek's cartwheel. The sudden movement startled the already jumpy wizard, who swung his device around and tried to get a fix on Tek. A high-pitched sound echoed in the mountain air, followed by a "phwump" sound. Tek careened into the air, off the mountain path, towards the waterfall. He collided with the mountain face only a few feet from where the water poured. Thanks to his climbing ability, he was able to clutch onto the rock face. However, the spray from the waterfall had made the rock nearby very wet, and Tek began to slip. Not willing to give up his grasp, Tek slowly slid down the mountain until he came to rest on a ledge about 10 meters below the mountain path.
As this was happening, the wizard became quite distracted. He quickly peered behind him to see what had happened to Tek, but could not see him and presumed that he had fallen to his death.

(For Nalaris and Andrik)

A mouse darted out from a hole at the base of the cliff, and cautiously sniffed at the air. It darted over to where the Tagus remains had been, sniffing at the bloody soil.

[El_Skwidd]

Shaakh crunches his eyebrows together, and then sighs.

"Ohhh, now I understand. What Ithicus said makes more sense now. Well, then, mighty Ilosep, I am sorry to have doubted you. What must I do next?"

[Leo Luncid]

Andrik shook it's emotionless head at a slightly downward angle as it approached Deimos around the Muck Pond. It stopped at the creature's arm length, and pointed at the plains of the wheat-like plants, and then at the old stone structure before it's path connecting here. The sound similar to the grinding between smooth rocks began to occur as the construct made it's movement, ending in it's sight at Deimos. It overall never said anything vocally.

[Nalaris]

"Can't you speak? What about the fields, the building...ah, to heck with it." With that, Deimos marches off following the path to the stone building.

[AoM]

((ooc: I would have liked to get an action in edgewise before the wizard blasted my partner, but I guess I'll make do))

As the wizard was distracted and trying to aim with Tek's cartwheeling, Ao had already righted himself and started to close the short gap between him and the wizard. When the sorcerous blast hits Tek, Ao assumes the worst. Angry beyond measure, Ao swings his fist right into the wizards' midsection with all his might.

Assuming the punch momentarily incapacitates the wizard, Ao intends pummel the wizard right off of the mountain side. (If the wizard isn't all that phased by the the initial strike, Ao will be doing his best to disarm the wizard of his precious little trinket, and then continue to lay a beat down on this guy.)

[Schme]

MushBall looked from his friend too the cup of wine, starring at it in deep thought. As he contemplated the red liquid, what came over him was a feeling of disgust. He remembered how the wine had clouded his thinking, how it had put him unconscious for such a long time, wasting days of his short life. What if he’d been unconscious during the invasion? What would have become of the forest? And he could never have fought off the invaders had he been full of that mind numbing concoction?

He pushed the cup away gently, shaking his head. “No, my friend, no. I thank you most graciously, but I really mustn’t.”

He went on. “No, I’m afraid I must be off, my friend. As you must know, the gods have great plans for me, and I must do all I can too fulfill them. And to do that, I cannot remain here. Sadly, I must depart.”

As usual, his mumbling made his words sound much less charismatic and serious than he’d intended them too be, although he did not realize this.

He looked regretfully at Yanisha. “I’m afraid I must depart, most beautiful of nymphs. As much as I’d like too, I cannot forever remain here. There are great things in store for me, and I am powerless to resist destiny. And so, my lovely treasure, I must be off. Fear not. I’ll no doubt return someday. But now, I must go, and carry out what the gods have planned for me. It is written.”

And so, MushBall stood, and taking up his walking stick, he prepared to leave.

“Bassus” he said. “Again, I thank you for your great hospitality. You are the greatest lord I’ve ever encountered, and you will always be dearest friend in my heart. Felinibis, it was an honor to fight alongside you, and I salute your skill and bravery. Good on you. Nymphs and forest dwellers, servants and subjects of Bassus, I bid you goodbye. Best wishes to all of you. And now, I must bid you all farwell. Goodbye, dearest friends! Thank you for all you have done for me!”

And after waiting a moment to hear anything his friends had too say, he set off, heading back on the forest path in the direction of the village.

[Razorlance]

As Tek flew though the air from the wizards blast and headed towards the waterfall he thought the worst, but readied himself to cling to anything solid he came into contact with. The brief journey through the waterfall was a strange sensation for Tek, cut short when he hit the rock on the other side and started scrambling to keep a grip until he slid down to the ledge.

Initially stunned, then bemused, I hope that wizard thinks I'm dead now he thought. He stayed perfectly still for while incase the wizard saw him, or if he could see him, think he was dead. He then remembered his fate and mindspoke to Ao, "I am okay and behind the waterfall, did it distract the wizard?"

[Fleegle]

(For El_Skwidd)

"Just come inside and stand before the podium." Ilosep motioned towards the platform.
Ilosep squinted and peered into Shaakh's eyes. "Aha! I thought I recognized it. This is not your first life, you know. Your essence previously belonged to a two headed fellow named Vex and Xev. You may have noticed the burial mound when you were coming up the path... that's where your previous self was laid to rest, after fighting with some disgraceful creatures just north of here. Wasn't around for very long, but he seemed a decent fellow, or fellows, if you will. Let's hope you can live up to his honour."
Ilosep shuffled up the steps and took his place behind the podium, then began to rearrange his parchments. "Well come on then, come inside."

(For Nalaris and Lumin)

As Deimos marched up the pathway, a little lizard-girl peered at him from the side. She scowled at him as he passed. He presently reached the foot of the Temple, where a young nude woman stood at the bottom of a set of wide steps. Just inside the archway, he could see Shaakh's serpentine tail trailing out, and farther within an old man stood behind a podium, evidently waiting for someone.
"Ah, another one!" the old man shouted. "This will be a busy day for me. Well, come on then, come inside, I'll do both of you at the same time. Is that young woman still standing out there? Get her to come inside, too."

(For AoM and Razorlance. Razorlance, you're not really far enough away that you needed to use your fate, but no matter.)

Ao's rocky fist made contact with the wizard, knocking him backward with great force. The wizard fell on his rump, sending up a puff of dust. His device flew from his hand and landed close to Ao, but he still clutched onto his tin ball-and-chain. The wizard was now perilously close to the edge of the mountain pass, mere inches separating him from a nasty fate.

"Whatever you do, don't destroy that device he dropped," Kikkik cautioned. "It looks like it might be useful for clearing the debris blocking our way."

(For Schme)

Yanisha seemed close to tears as MushBall told her his plans. "Oh, MushBall, don't leave me. Please let me come with you!" As she uttered the last sentence, she quickly looked over at Bassus, as if she had said something wrong. "Oh, my lord, may I have your permission to leave the forest, to be with my Mushy?"
Bassus looked uncharacteristically solemn for a moment. "If you wish it, my dear. You do know the consequences of leaving the forest... but if you make that choice, I will not stand in your way."
He sighed. "So, then, I suppose I'll be saying goodbye to two of my dear friends. But dear Briker, he has chosen to remain. This is cause for joy!" Bassus held his cup up in a toast, lightly splashing wine onto the forest floor.
"Indeed, I will remain." Briker mindspoke. "Take care on your travels, MushBall. My thoughts will be with you. Do come back and visit sometime though!"

[AoM]

Ao will attempt to grab the wizards arms and pull them away from his ball and chain and then hang the wizard over the mountainside.

"Tek, you're okay? What happened? Don't worry, I've got this wizard..."