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 Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 7:58 am
Wolframite just stared in disbelief that he found himself coming back into a circle, but even more in disbelief that they had been attacked just as he arrived and were not only missing their things, but also several members. This wasn't even good. They were on a search party for a youma, but now it changed to finding their own members. He could only blame himself for not being present, and decided he should probably stick with the group from this point on. Well, at least he still had some energy obrs in case anyone got hurt.
Following the drag trail and cringing at the idea of being dragged through jagged rocks, he even felt it worse when he saw the river. Well, a river of something. Nothing in the Rift had that sparkling clean appearance to it. This didn't either.
The only options were the jagged, slippery rocks, and the water. Most sensible people chose the rocks, but Wolframite wasn't good with hopping from rock to rock. This was because he had a depth perception issue and even more-so with sharp objects. He didn't want to go blind because he fell.
Water at least meant he could plant his feet on something firm as long as there was ground. Seeing as the youma had carried their captives through the water, he could ony assume it was at least not acid. Taking that, he started to go through the water to check how deep it was but stuck close by the bridge in case he was needed.
Option 1
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:08 am
There were three main factors to explain what happened after the group's near-unanimous decision to cross the bridge of jagged stepping stones:
1. As Negaverse agents many of them were plenty experienced with youma, and were aware they could take on just about any appearance
2. They were in the Rift, the place from which all youma originated, and
3. Not a single one of them had stopped to consider the possibility that some of the rocks they were now clumsily stepping all over weren't actually rocks.
Needless to say... stepping on a wild monster when it was taking a nap was not a good idea. The group would begin to hear a growling noise, and feel the rocks shift and rumble under their feet, but it was far too late -- the dark waters splashed and sprayed around them as the youma they had awoken violently rose up from the river.
Do you still have some energy? If it wasn't stolen by the humanoid youma from before, then consider yourself lucky. Your pack is the only thing it takes away, and then it irritably tosses you to the side of the river you'd been meaning to reach before stomping off.
If you don't have any energy, then you suffer the same fate as your comrades from earlier. The large youma drags you off, snarling with such volume that your own voice is drowned out by it.
If you did not reply to this round, you were also carried away.
Wolframite would find the wade across the river to be perfectly safe. He would come out of it with a flaky rash on his legs that would itch for days afterward and refuse to be calmed by any treatment he tried for it, though.
CYOA -- ROUND 4
As the bulky youma passes you by -- it looks something like a gorilla with a mane of mossy river rocks -- you could almost swear that some of its angry snarls were actually angry words. It's all very difficult to make out, but among the creature's growls are vocalizations that sound like "sleep," "human," and... either "mayonnaise" or "mayor." Both seem equally unlikely, but there's no real time to have a debate about it. You have to follow that monster!
It walks too fast for you to keep up, but it does leave behind a trail of heavy footprints that layer over the drag marks you were following earlier. Soon enough the tracks lead you to a simple stone gate.
A guarded gate. There's a pair of humanoid youma flanking either side of it, both the color and mottle of a slightly overripe banana and with extremely reptilian faces. It's obvious that in order to find your companions, you have to go through the gate as well... but you doubt your chances of them just plain letting you through.
1. Approach the guards and try to talk to them. That other youma could almost talk, and these two look a little more intelligent. Besides, you outnumber them! Surely you can muscle your way through if it comes right down to it.
2. Try to sneak around the gate. It's obvious the locals of this forest are NOT friendly. Best to avoid them when you can see them.
Please reply by 8pm CST!
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 8:32 am
s**t, s**t, shiiiit! That was the thought that crossed Labyrinthite's mind when the rocks they were crossing turned out to be a freaking youma! As the rocks began to rumble he tried desperately to maintain his footing or at the very least, hold onto what turned out to be the mane of the youma as it ripped his pack from him and tossed him like a ragdoll on the other side of the river.
He hit the ground on his side roughly, sliding and inch or two across the ground before he made the effort to roll over on his stomach before pushing him up off the ground and back onto his feet.
He let out an audible groan as his muscles ached from being tossed around. He mused that he was lucky to only get a few bruises while others were carried off. Once he saw the others get up he started after the youma. He tried running at first only to find that the gorilla youma was much to fast for him.
Huffing he came to a halt as he glanced back at his comrades. "We've lost so many people already," he groaned. "We really, really need to stick together and I don't know about you guys but I don't think we should just waltz right up to them," he paused to inhale. "I say we try to sneak around."
(Option 2)
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 3:45 pm
He was RIGHT there, and yet it seemed most of the group that were jumping about on the rocks had just upset a group of youma who were resting. Wolframite nearly feel into the water when the waters splashed about and suddenly youma rose out of the water and picked up their unwanted passengers and dragged them off, making a even bigger trail in the direction they were already heading. Wolframite was slowed down by pushing through the waters and stepped out onto the shore with a deep frown set on his features.
"This is getting ridiculous." He stated, and looked to what few remaining in his party were left. "We need to get them before who knows what happens to them." At least as they were passing by him in the river, they seemed to be discussing. Not hard considering that some youma could talk. That meant they could be talked to.
As they followed, they went to a large gate, further proof of intelligence. These weren't wild animals living in a cave, but youma that were taking hostages for a reason. While Labyrinthite suggested to sneak, Wolframite continued to frown. "I'm not sneaking about as if I'm the criminal here. They spoke and have guards. These aren't the actions of some wild animals. If you listened to General-Queen Tanzanite, she already informed us these youma were once soldiers. We just need to state our case."
And that was what Wolframite intended to do. He didn't sneak, but walked slowly up to the soldiers. He gave them a curt bow, and rose his hands up to show he was, currently, unarmed. "My name is General Wolframite. I'm an officer under General Queen Tanzanite, and some of our party has been taken through this gate."
Option 1
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:01 pm
Waltzing right up to them or trying to sneak around them; it proved not to matter at all. In the first case they were noticed, and in the latter case their reception was less than warm. In retrospect, it was a bit of a gamble to assume that there were only two guards around -- backup fell on them swiftly, and soon they were being held with their arms wrenched behind their backs, in front of the two yellow lizard-youma as they coldly stared the Negaversers down.
"And all of your party made the choice to invade our home," was the cool reply from the guard on the left. "It's only natural you face the consequences. Or did you think we'd stop on bended knee to any human who's lucky enough to come this far alive?" Her tail lashed furiously. "Leaving your ugly footprints all over our forest, tapdancing like fools on one of our brethren when all he wanted was some peace and quiet... we don't even owe you the kindness of showing you the way out."
It began to become apparent that coming back empty-handed was the least of their worries. Judging by the viewpoints the guard was expressing, it would be worth celebrating if they came back at all.
The one on the right spoke next, her voice just as irritable as that of her companion."Your Tanzanite must have told you the way things work around here if she let you come this far." A steaming huff of air puffed out her nostrils, a clear expression of exasperation and disgust. "She knows that anyone who comes to our domain has to follow our rules. Explain to us why you're even out here in the first place, and we might let you and your friends live if you have good enough reasons."
There were no eliminations for round 4! So if you're still around, you better start explaining yourself... and fast. Those guards look pretty impatient!
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Posted: Sat Sep 24, 2011 9:50 pm
They weren't ambushed like before, but quickly surrounded and this time, Wolframite felt he would be the one dragged to wherever the others were. At least it meant he'd find out where they had all gone, but that also meant he'd be in whatever pickle they were in. He was GENERAL for darn-it's sake. He should be watching over all of them, and here he was, armed by only a few remaining officers and winding getting them all caught. He had to do something, and quick!
What would a good General do in this situation? Lie their way out of it and work the situation to their favor? HAH! The youma probably knew other youma from closer to the entrance of the Rift. This had to be a small neighborhood after all, right? And if youma could talk, youma could gossip. That and Wolframite wasn't very well trained with lying as he was with his own weapon. Speaking of, with this many youma around him, he doubted they could fight their way out. Who knew how many could be called in for backup, and they already had their hands behind their back. This wasn't the time or place to start making up lies, bluffing, or trying to just bulldoze his way through. He certainly didn't have that sort of muscle to throw around. Not when there could be other officer's lives at risk for rash actions.
Nervous, what little confidence he had when he first strolled up to the gate was lost and with it all eloquence in speech. "I'm sorry we went through your woods and that my party went walking on the backs but we were only trying to to over the river and were going through the woods to find a great youma in order for us to help us fight the Zodiac senshi that are creating a wall to take over Earth and put all it's people in jeopardy." He took a big breath. "And in no way were we trying to disrespect anyone and cause trouble or interlope on your private property or walk on anyone and I take full responsibly for the actions of my party as I should have been keeping watch over them as their superior officer." Was he nervous? Oh, what ever gave you that idea?!!
Option: Hyperventilating while spewing out explanation word vomit
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 1:35 am
God damn, it seemed like nothing was going their way during this trek. When they were rounded up, he stood struggling not to fidget as they began to scold, threaten and question them. He stood rigid like a statue trying not to call his weapon or let his hands curl into fists. Appearing ready to attack would not do them any good, hell it'd probably get them in a lot more trouble.
He let Wolframite and Sassolite speak before even considering to offer his own words. Was this the proper time to keep ranks in check? He couldn't be sure but he let it lie as it was. He was quiet, he had been the whole time, but listened intently before deciding to offer his own.
"We don't mean to intrude, at least not like this..." he trailed off, brow crinkling with confusion and concern as he tried to find the proper words to explain themselves. "We were sent on a mission, we didn't mean any harm. Not intentionally, it was an accident...going across that youma's back. We can be," he sighed tugging at his hair, "somewhat blind to what is not obvious."
Ugh, why was this so difficult.
"We only wish to find the one that can help us stop the senshi from rebuilding and maintaining the "Surrounding" of theirs," he offered giving them a weak smile. It wasn't very great but the others had said more than enough. He didn't have much to offer but if it came down to it, he wouldn't let Wolframite shoulder all of the blame.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:22 pm
Surprisingly enough to both the search party and the guards, the explanation provided by Wolframite and Labyrinthite was enough to peak their interest. The apology cause them to relax a hair -- no doubt they weren't expecting the humans to treat them with any sort of respect -- but they still remained disdainfully on guard... however, mention of the Great Youma and their desire to find it made them perk considerably. After the Negaversers were done talking the two guards whispered amongst each other for a moment or two. The conversation ended with them nodding at each other, and then they stepped aside, allowing them passage through the gate. "You may pass..." one said. "I highly doubt your ability to restore and pilot the Great One, but we shall see..." The change in scenery as they passed through the gate was unexpected and abrupt. Instead of more forest, they stepped out onto a stone walkway that, while ill-maintained, was in somewhat better shape than the one they had been using earlier. The road branched this way and that: rows of houses in one direction, a tavern in another, and little marketplace stands here and there. It was an abandoned village, except not quite so. Moving across the roads and filtering in between the buildings were dozens of youma, all walking on two legs, all going about almost-human-seeming business. The forest had only been a part of their domain; the outskirts. The epicenter of their activity was this town. Everyone was brought to the center of the town by guards -- not just Labyrinthite and Wolframite, but everyone who had been captured previously. However, Labryinthite and Wolframite were the only ones with the privilege of being allowed to walk instead of getting unceremoniously dragged over the cobblestones and dropped in a heap next to them. There they were made to wait for a few minutes, but that was plenty of time for them to notice something very important... It was enormous, easily bigger than even the gorilla youma some of them had mistakenly stepped on. Smooth obsidian with a red sheen to it, it was propped up on a pedestal like a trophy or monument of the town, and out from it was pouring a dark power so incredible that it was almost visible to the naked eye. There was no questioning that this was what they were looking for. But how would they convince the townsfolk to let them take it? ((The next round will be posted shortly. In the meanwhile, feel free to post your character looking around or getting their bearings together -- everyone who initially signed up may post! If you try to approach or touch the fossil a guard will stop you and pull you back before you get close enough.))
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:31 pm
Despite the manner in which their second kidnapped party [Howlite, Osumilite, Sugalite, Hematine, Serandite and Sassolite] was handled, Howlite bore no grudge for the youma, instead following their orders without anger. It made perfect sense, their reactions to the invasion. In fact, once she found the entire group together again, she relaxed considerably, running a hand through her short, pale hair as she cast a look about.
This time, she stuck close to Fluorite's elbow, though her interest lay in the township itself. It wasn't a shock to her, as if might've been to some. They could communicate and cooperate, which was one of the most compelling factors to create a society. Why shouldn't they?
At this point, she realized that their tactics should have been as ambassadors, not explorers, and it was with that in mind that she caught sight of the relic. Fascinating.
If that wasn't what they were looking for, she'd be damned. Her fingertips found Fluorite's side, pinching slightly to get her attention. They were still under guard, of course, but that didn't mean they couldn't be friendly.
"Lovely place," She flashed that wide grin at their closest captors.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:44 pm
Fluorite hated her life. Seriously. She was just about to buy all of the cds My Chemical Romance had put out and play them all on repeat.
Fluorite was tiny. If this hadn't been proved yet, this would be evident by how the youma that held her was not dragging her, no, but instead easily lifting her by her hood by one massive, spiny arm.
And then dropped her right beside Howlite. Fluorite cringed, but landed on her two feet, and brushed some dust off her uniform.
She wondered who would be stupid enough to try to snatch the shiny without permission. Not her, through.
"Yeah... Lovely." She couldn't wait to be outta there. Should have stuck to gathering energy.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 6:07 pm
Sugilites glasses had cracked. She knew that when she powered down and re-powered they would be whole again, but for now as she looked around, the world was a fractured and confused mess in her left eye. When the youma had risen out of the water and grabbed her, splashing her with the foul muck, she had almost sighed. Of course there had been surprise, but also a small feeling of resignation. Her luck had held once, but you could only use so much each day.
Now tired and bruised, she was resigned to whatever happened. The loss of her shoes, dropped as she had been grabbed, made it easier for her to attempt to stay upright as she was dragged across the ground, but it was hard to see that as a good side. It was hard to see.
As the dragging stopped and she was dropped carelessly to the ground, Sugilite sensed the power. A blind man could have. Getting to her knees and taking a moment to clean herself up, hair being tucked into place and skirt being smoothed, she closed her left eye to hide the distraction of the shattered left-world, and looked up towards the source of the power, the jawbone.
It was beautiful.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:45 pm
Relief flooded through the pink haired teen when the youma seemed to accept their explanation and almost welcomed them in. They were skeptical still, and truthfully he couldn't blame them. They had trespassed on their lands, intentionally or not and had broken whatever rules they had in place. It was a privilege and a gift to be allowed to walk instead of being dragged like the others.
He did his best to not look at his comrades as they followed the youma.
When the others were dropped he exhaled briefly letting his amber eyes scan over the heap of agents. As far as he could tell, they were okay which was good. He had been worried that something worse had happened to them, especially those that had been taken originally.
He looked away when something caught his attention out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head first, then his whole body followed and he stood there in awe before the obsidian object. He stepped towards the object resembling an antler, wide-eyed and curious but careful to not get too close.
It was obviously what they wanted and it was obviously important so he stayed back though he longed to dart forward and touch it.
Now how would the acquire it.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:55 pm
While the sight of the relic was indeed a fascinating thing to behold, some of the Negaversers present may have also taken notice of some shifting activity in the background. The youma of the town were slowing and stopping in their tracks to watch what first appeared to be the humans in the middle... but a figure parting through the crowds, and the number of eyes following it, proved otherwise.
"So, we have a new batch of humans who want to restore the Great One," the figure said as it moved through the crowd. "What a joyous thing it would be to see our pride and joy take to the skies again... however, is this a task your Negaverse is worthy of?" Placing a gender to this voice proved completely impossible. It was comprised entirely of rattle and rasp and hissing, with hardly anything resembling a tone ascribed to it.
This new youma, too, was humanoid, at least in how it stood upright and had a clearly defined head and body. From there it was definitely a monster, however. It was tall and slender, and hunched over, with shoulders draped over by cicada-like wings in lieu of a cloak or cape. As a matter of fact its entire form was distinctly insect, right down to compound eyes and a lower jaw that resembled a wicked pair of mandibles.
It stopped front and center in front of the group, and nodded to the reptilian youma that had brought them in. "Guards," it said. "Gather the testing materials. As for you humans... if you manage to pass, this will be your first trial of several."
The guards dispersed, only to return a few moments later with bundles of supplies. Among them were charcoal sticks, simple brushes of faded horsehair, colored pastes that would serve for paints or dyes... and a canvas for everyone.
"Show us you know what it means to be a child of Metallia! If you can prove this, then great power awaits you!"
FINAL ROUND -- INSTRUCTIONS
In order to prove your worth, the youma of the village have tasked you to capture the essence of their kind in a way that pleases them. In order to accomplish this, you must use Microsoft Paint or some other graphics program to draw a picture of what your Negaverser feels are youma at their most noble. Quality does not matter here as much as a proper depiction does!
You must use any of the youma that have been described in this game as the subject matter for your image. Otherwise they might suspect you're making something up...
Everyone can participate in this round! Your work of art should be posted here by 7pm CST tomorrow.
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Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2011 11:36 pm
It had been a blessing that they weren't all murdered then and there, and despite his lack of any real refined speech, it was genuine enough to be seen as the truth and they were released, much to Wolframite's relief. He didn't know what he would have done otherwise aside from trying to explain to Tanzantie why he managed to get the entire search party captured and had tried to assault a dozen youma unarmed.
Instead, they were allowed access into an actual youma ...town? Considering he had only seen Youma slinking about in the crumbling castle and in the hallways of the Negaverse, he hadn't been so well acquainted with youma of a higher intelligence and more of the feral sort that were driven by the need to collect energy and kill anything that got in his way. True, he did have Aragwain who did process his own somber intellect, but to see an actual down the same structure as any other culture was - well, it made him think it was rather strange but also amazing. It sent his mind wondering what exactly they would trade, what jobs they had created, and how it was even structured. They certainly couldn't have any sort of agriculture, or money, or much of anything for that matter. Still, he guessed even youma would like to be together. They were....had been human after all. They had also been here for a very long time. Enough to gather together and make their situation a bit better.
Entering the town, they were reunited with their kidnapped companions, and soon brought to what they exactly had been looking for. Now what exactly it was, he wasn't sure, but it spoke Great Youma in enough levels that there were almost flashing Looney Tune Signs pointing "THERE IT IS!" at it.
But it wasn't that easy to just be given the item. They had to prove themselves, and Wolframite stood, nodding, and deciding to keep quiet unless spoken to.
The trail was not one he expected. Instead of speaking more on the subject or being given weapons, art supplies were dumped out before them. This was even more chilling to Wolframite than a spear. Lacking any real talent in the area, he looked up and wished there had been another way. It seemed being called 'Children Of Metallica' meant the youma actually saw them as such, and the only way the children could communicate their intent was through crafts.
Still, he was in no position to talk back. He was, however, a General in the position to make orders. An order he never thought he'd make to the other officers. Turning about, he faced the officers. "You heard hi..um.." What gender was it? Did he even get a name? "Right. Everyone, pick a utensil and try." He at least would.
Sighing, he took some colored paints and a brush and did his best. The only thing that really inspired him was the guards, the commanding officer, and the town. That spoke the most to him, and that was what he drew. 
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