鉄 Tsukihara Forest || South-West Branch

[Ergo War]

Meissa scanned the forest out of habit as their walk through the snowy forest continued. She felt ill at ease, though she wasn't sure if it was because she was still piloting this body that wasn't her own, because they were likely to get attacked at any moment by unknown assailants, or just because the conversation had died. It felt like she should revive it, but at the same time, she knew that talking too much could give their position away if it hadn't already.

That was when she caught a streak of light in the corner of her eye. Her attention snapped to it immediately. Without any conscious input from her, the body she was riding in shifted into a combat stance and drew its katana. One breath later, the light was hiding behind them. From what she could make out through the cloud of frost now rolling in, the entity looked a bit like some of the sprites she'd seen in her time as a Medium. Exactly why it was here was a question that would have to wait, as a hideous shriek of a cry drew her attention elsewhere. Her first thought was of mountain lions, but that theory would be dashed as quickly as it formed.

Three hellish hounds ran toward them. Meissa calmly noted that her side was not only down in numbers but also in unfamiliar terrain, whereas these creatures seemed all too intent on killing her and Katsu, presumably to get at the green thing. Fleeing wasn't an option, given the fact that they were surrounded and they were probably next on the menu after the green thing anyway. Katsu mumbled something she didn't catch, but her body mumbled something as well.

Meissa pointed her katana toward the one charging her down, then raised it above her head. A wintry gust escaped from her lips raced along the blade's edge like a second skin, causing it to hum faintly in the cold night air [Vacuum Blade, D, +0.5 power]. Katsu's shield raised up, but in the dark of the night she could still see the dancing flame of the hound's skull through the liquid barrier. As the beast approached, her blade struck downward at the one part of it she could pinpoint [C-Rank slash]. Logically, she understood that the other two were likely already coming for them, but turning away from the beast before her would be foolish. She just had to have faith in her partner's shield and deal with things as they came.

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Izumi (Meissa)
Race: Human || Classes: Warrior // Skald
Casting Methods: Weapon Medium, Chanting
Rank: C || Armor: Medium [D-rank, Scale 15] || Element: Wind, Fire
Stats: Power [2] || Agility [4] || Intelligence [3] || Mana [5]
Mana Pool: 490/500 || Stamina Pool: 385/400

Abilities:
• Human - Start with one [1] additional ability up to C-rank (or D-rank if custom).

• Shadowborn - Born with the unique elemental control of Shadows, the Shadowborn gains mastery of the Shadow Ruler spells. Shadows are nasty things when Mana is used to give them life, allowing the Shadowborn to bind, strangle, or even possess opponents. In return for this, unless control is asserted the user's shadow becomes like a living thing, taking on a similar shape to the user but with contorted, differentiating features that range from nightmarish to cutesy. It definitely appears to have a personality of its own, but otherwise it has the same limitations of any other shadow, requiring a connection to its owner at all times. Bright light reduces the effect of Shadow Ruler spells by one [1] rank.
• Focal Point Vision - By focusing on an object for one [1] activation the character may place an unseen "focal point" upon the object. These focal points allow the cahracter to switch their "sight" to that location, as if they were there. This grants two [1] Focal Points, allowing the character to split their vision between the two points, or to use both eyes on one point. A Focal Point can only be maintained for a maximum of ten [10] posts of use, meaning it may remain indefinitely unless actively accessed.
• Wind Points - Grants the ability to unleash wind spells and talents from the Focal Points given by the above Evo. Without Focal Point Vision this Evo cannot be taken.
• Extra Focal Point - Requires Focal Point Vision to take. This Evo grants two [2] Focal Points, though each time this Evo is taken the cost increased by one [1] Point.
• Grounded - Born with the natural ability to resist one [1] sense targetted by an illusion. This reduces the cost of Mind Blank by one half [1/2] rank.

• Juggernaut - The Juggernaut utilizes posture, breathing, and precise movement to fight. When selecting this discipline the Juggernaut gains access to one [1] of the following three “Words”, which can be activated by setting aside a reserve of forty [40] mana. This cost reduces by ten [10] mana per two [2] experience ranks, starting at D-rank. The character may invest a second point into this Discipline at B rank to select a second word. There is no duration for their effects, and can be maintained indefinitely until switching to another. However, it takes one [1] activation to activate the new effect. Only one [1] can be active at any time.
→ The Word of Restoration: A combination of breathing and careful movement, the Word causes one’s natural mana and Stamina reserves to recover more quickly. Your recovery rate increases by one [1] step. Likewise, healing techniques used on you are considered one [1] rank stronger in effectiveness, and natural healing time is reduced by one fourth [25%].
• Omen - The Harmonics focus of the Skalds, the Omen hyper-focuses on recovery abilities. Firstly, the Skald may perform Harmonics and change their effect to include an area between one [1] and twenty [20] meters in radius, affecting all who the Omen intends to help. If the Harmonic Ability already includes an area of effect the range instead is doubles [2x]. Secondly, the Omen gains the innate ability to sense and detect Corruption, as well as gain a general feel for just how much, and which of the three [3] types, the afflcited has. This sense of supernatural in original, and "pings" up to fifty [50 meters in radius, with an additional ten [10] meters per Experience Rank. Finally, the Omen is granted an additional two [2] Skills per Experience Rank beyond D - rank specifically for medical-based skills.

• Magician [D-rank] - Half [.5] rank increase to physical speed
• Magician [C-rank] - [5] Stamina reduction to cost of Simple and unnamed physical attacks (minimum of [5])
Hold the Note - The Skald practices maintaining their songs. Decreases the upkeep cost by five [5] Mana, to a minimum of five, per two experience ranks. [-10 total at C]
Loudspeaker - The Skald spends some extra time practicing their songs. Increases the range of Quickstep, Ode to Recovery, Bloody Chanty, and Bulwark Ballad by five [5] meters per two experience ranks. [+10 meters at C]

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Current Goal: Arguing with some locals.

Mana: 350/350
Stamina: 150/150
Experience: 4325
Money: 890

Abilities Used:

Shikigami:

• Canto (Steel, C, love): Inhabiting a rough wooden bird totem. Appears as a palm-sized bird with very angular features and feathers that have a distinct metallic sheen.

Beads of the Overflowing Chain (Max. 25):

1. 100/100
   
2. 100/100
   
3. 100/100
   
4. 100/100
   
5. 100/100
   
6. 100/100
   
7. 100/100
   
8. 100/100
   
9. 100/100
   
10. 100/100
    
11. 100/100
    
12. 100/100
    
13. 100/100
    
14. 100/100
    
15. 100/100
    
16. 100/100
    
17. 100/100
    
18. 100/100
    
19. 100/100
    
20. 100/100
    
21. 100/100
    
22. 100/100
    
23. 100/100
    
24. 100/100
    
25. 100/100 (inside Canto)

Inventory:

• Clothing: Reinforced Clothing (D-Rank, Scale 5/5), Weather Clothing (includes a white cloak)
  
• Weaponry: Senbon x30 (in a bundle on her belt, below her backpack)
  
• Backpack:
  
  • Skinning knife
    
  • Oiled Waterskin
    
  • Blanket
    
  • Journal x2
    
  • Pen x2
    
  • Mess kit
    
  • Sewing needle
    
  
  
• Bedroll (tied to the bottom of the backpack, blocking sight of the senbon from behind)
  
• Spool of steel wire (28 meters; clipped to the side of the backpack)
  
• Loop of steel wire (2 meters; wrapped around one wrist)
  

Dreamatic

Majestic Sugar

Royal Taorito

 

[Dreamatic]

≡ All in the night seemed still, aside from the soft sounds of the wind. She remained where she was in silence, intent on watching those before her from the trees, as an icy camouflage of snow swept close around her form. The irritating sensation of her own blood thirst was proving enough to cause a strain, yet Celeste managed to reign in a sense of control over herself by directing her thoughts elsewhere. She knew better than to outright attack those who outnumbered her. Celeste had always veered towards acting with strategy over impulse, even if her senses currently nagged at her to do otherwise. She felt certain that with patience, a solution would possibility present itself.

The faint shimmer of gem-like crimson shards reflected off her porcelain skin, remnants of the crystal prison she'd recently emerged from. As far as how many months or years Celeste had remained there, or how she had managed to become trapped in a shell of crystal, were all still mysteries to her. Perhaps the one thing Celeste could be thankful that her blood thirst provided, was that it drowned out any remaining tiredness from her extended slumber, and instead invigorated her senses to push forward.

From where she watched, now only a few yards away, she caught sight of a fleeting green light that swiftly approached those whom she was tracking. However, Celeste barely had any time to study it until she heard the unnatural echoing of wolf-like howls fill the air. After spending time entrapped in crystal, it was enough for Celeste to at first think her hearing was betraying her, for these howls did not sound like any she could remember hearing before. Now suddenly on guard, her vibrant red eyes quickly scanned her surroundings, as she tried to pinpoint where exactly these strange howls came from.

A moment later, as a trio of beastly creatures crashed through the undergrowth, Celeste dropped into a defensive crouch, watching from her camouflage of snow. When the creatures began to attack the pair, she quickly formed a strategy in her mind, knowing that the situation could act as an opportunity to obtain blood. A rigid code of honor locked into her mind acted as a solid mental barrier to prevent the impulse of attacking alongside the beasts. Instead, Celeste hoped to scavenge for blood in the aftermath of the attack-- Or perhaps take some from the beasts themselves, at least enough for her to manage her thirst.

Knowing she'd have to increase her proximity to where the attack was happening, Celeste crept close along snow to help conceal her movements, as she gradually began to move closer at a stealthy pace. She watched as the female from the group swung her katana towards the beasts, able to track each of their movements clearly through the darkness, thanks to the gift of night vision that her kind beheld.

In this moment, Celeste lightly traced a pattern into the snow, which now held a faint silvery glow as she extracted small amounts of ice from her current environment. The ice began to rise upwards as shards, quickly twisting together in spirals until they morphed into three separate spikes, each one narrow yet jagged in form. Celeste swiftly hurled the spikes forward in the form of projectiles, each one sent towards a separate beast, their sharpened icy points aimed between the shoulders. She could only hope this would be enough to at least draw some blood, as she swiftly climbed upward to the branches of a tree, morphing her camouflage to now subtly appear as pine needles.

☽ Location: Hiding in tree branches xxxxxx Current State: Bloodthirst xxxx ☾ Company: Those whose names she does not yet know


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Mana: 95/100
Stamina: 100/100
Blood Points: 15/100

Spells Currently In Use/ Actions:

1. Hada no Kamereon [ Chameleon Skin ]
Rank: E
P/S. Sense: Sight // -
Base Duration // Upkeep: 6 Posts // 5 Chakra
Source: Visual Phantasm
Description: Forming Chakra in the area around them, the user creates a basic Genjutsu whose purpose is to help blend their body in with whatever surroundings are available. The illusion is not perfect how ever and higher ranked Shinobi are far more adept in seeing through the Genjutsu.

2. Ice Manipulation
Rank: E
- Small amounts of water to ice [up to about 10 gallons; a puddle, small fish tank, a sink full]
-Current application of use: Extracting naturally formed ice from the environment (10 gallons worth in water), and shifting it into three 20inch spikes to fire as projectiles


Inventory:

• Weapons: Falcata Sword, Repeating Crossbow, One Dagger, Arrows [20/20]
• Attire: Super Light Armor [Formfitting black leather armor and laced boots], Weather Clothing [Long silver cloak with a hood to block out the rays of the sun], Normal Attire [A short black silk dress], Ruby Amulet
•Silk satchel of Supplies: Rope [40 meters], Whetstone, Bedroll with light-blocking fabric, Waterskins [2], Soaps [4], Glass Vials [3], Ancient Journal


Ergo War
Majestic Sugar
Royal Taorito

 

[Royal Taorito]

Majestic Sugar

Ergo War

Dreamatic

There was a solid crack as the blade met the creature's mask, causing its form to distort and fall apart. However it did not break, and instead the hound seemed to merge with the watery shield that surrounded the pair, its liquid body becoming one with it. Blackness slowly began spreading from where it had met the shield, although a faint sizzling sound could be heard, and the creature cried in pain.

Riled by their ally's panic, the other two changed course, and rather than aiming for the pair within the water, they dove at the water themselves. Upon collision with it, blackness spread from their locations as well, and the shield seemed to begin to... pull away from the two it protected? It was beginning to change shape.

In the same instant, Celeste's icy spikes collided with the watery form, causing it to stagger but not collapse. The sizzling of its form intensified as the caustic nature of the liquid began eating through the lodged spikes, and the now combined creature itself slowly turned toward Celeste, pulling the free space the other two had tighter around them. Three stone masks met as one to focus on the vampire, six glowing eyes fixated on her.

Hound 1: Merged
Hound 2: Merged
Hound 3: Merged