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Post by Gar on Dec 8, 2019 13:51:26 GMT -6
OOC: Quick recap. A coalition of slave traders operate out of the southwestern seas. They attack unsuspecting ships with long range dark magic, eclipse, and capture the surviving sailors. At one point these dark pirates attacked and captured Gar, bringing him to a slave auction. From what Gar could tell, there were three main figures running the trade. The first was a warrior with a golden ring piercing his nose, Bullring. The second was a dark robed elderly man. Gar would come to know this man as Black Bart. The third was entirely covered by a cloak and hid any standout features. Gar was purchased by Bullring who he eventually overthrew and seized his fort along with his land. Black Bart didn’t take kindly to this, so he responded with an attack. The attack consisted of sailing ships filled with bonewalkers and revenants into Gar’s harbor. Furthermore, there is reason to believe that the dark pirates attacked a ship of Gar’s close friend Aeos.
Gar decided to fight back in full. That is, after he found where Black Bart’s base was located. While searching for this mysterious location, Gar came across a Cyclops, another dragon and learned of larger enemies. Arum. Nonetheless, comparatively small enemies still posed a threat, so Gar continued his search. He read a book in Nabata. This book told of a ship so large, other ships could easily use it as a port. It was a mobile base of sorts. Gar concluded that Bart must be in possession of one of these ships. This explained why it was so difficult to find. Gar changed his scouting strategy and found that he was indeed correct. With his target in sight, Gar was finally ready to bring an end the second of three figures heading up the southwestern slave trade.
IC:
“Lookouts on high alert. We should see a ship that big easily." Gar frowned. "But these waters aren’t friendly, they could have any number of surprises waiting for us.” Simply based on the enemy’s line of work, they had to know people were looking for them. Surely, they had some amount of preparedness.
Off the northwest coast of Caledonia a gigantic enemy ship sailed. It was large enough to make any typical vessel look like a rowboat in comparison. Multiple masts allowed it to sail, but on the main mast was a singular flag. A black flag with a man stained purple. That ship came into Gar’s sight. One. Dead. Man.
“Of course.” Gar spoke mostly to himself. No one sailed on this side of the Isles. Too dangerous for Etruria’s patrols. It wasn’t lucrative or intriguing for the adventurers. It was the perfect place to hide. Wise place to set a ship so... Grand. Gar analysed the behemoth of a vessel.
It was truly a feat of craftsmanship and engineering. Gar did not admire the ship in his view. On the contrary, Gar was enraged by the very sight. “All hands-on deck! Their dark deeds end today!” Gar’s small fleet grew close. He knew what was coming next. A volley of eclipse magic was certain to rain upon them. Gar’s three ship fleet spread apart. He assumed the opponent had these weapons, born of darkness. The captain had seen them before. He was prepared. The two auxiliary ships had hired a group of priests. They raised barrier staves and placed them to the deck of their ships.
As for main ship, Gar himself took the wheel. He spun it once. A missile of dark energy pierced the water off the starboard side. “Sails up!” Water flew into the sky as the crew managed their ship. The crew deftly maneuvered the ship. The captain spun the wheel the other direction for a moment, before catching it abruptly against his forearm. The ship proceeded barely avoiding a second eclipse strike. “Bring ‘em down! We’re boarding that ship. Now!” The crew unfurled the sails and the ship started to pick up speed. Gar left the wheel and called up to the crow’s nest. “How’s our fleet?”
Lookouts in the crow’s nest called down to Gar. “No losses captain! Now’s our chance!” The small fleet closed the distance quickly. “Perfect. Give the order to board the ship. Grab a dark mage or two if you can and regroup once we’ve claimed the deck.” Before there was a chance for a second volley, Gar’s ships had begun boarding the enemy vessel. Grapple hooks, ladders, hull punctures and planks. Whatever it took to get Gar’s people onto their ship. Gar’s pirates poured upon the target. It was quickly becoming clear that Gar seemingly had overwhelming forces on the deck of the giant ship. Their ranged fighters were no match for Gar’s close combatants once they had gotten face to face. He could hear his mates shouting. “They weren’t prepared! Let’s gut this giant!”
Gar exhaled on his own ship. He gripped his weapon. Junzentaru. Fight for the righteous. Xigshaw. Fight to prove your strength. Whatever, it was time to fight. Gar crossed the deck of his ship and began boarding his enemie's ship.
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Post by Gar on Dec 14, 2019 3:47:23 GMT -6
Gar climbed his way up to the deck on the giant ship. The floorboards were slick with blood already. That was to be expected. The shreds of dark cloth mixed in were a new sight. Gar hadn’t had many fights with dark mages. Dark robes mean dark magic. Gar’s crew had tossed most of the deck’s former occupants overboard already. That was too fast though. The amount of bodies that Gar had assumed would be here were disposed of too quickly.
It was all too easy. “Take the deck! Nothing more!” Gar could smell the enthusiasm in his crews’ hollers. Something still was amiss. The deck had been claimed. A few of the pirates wanted more action. They looked to Gar awaiting orders. Gar wasn’t going to blindly send them exploring unknown territory. Gar thought back to the lost crew and the cyclops. Not again. Not without reason. The captain had to think deeper.
The enemy didn’t think we’d pass a single volley of dark magic? Bart never seemed a fool. I can’t believe this is all they had for us. Gar scanned the deck. His crew was already telling tales of their exploits. The captain wasn’t comfortable. They must have contingencies. Deeper plans.
Think of Bullring, how he operated his mine. He had traps. He had workers, fortifications and guards. He manned them all with slaves. Black Bart needed slaves for some reason. Why? Where are his numbers? The only thing Gar could connect between the slave trade and black magic was amorality. He exhaled. The captain knew he was going to learn more today.
Gar announced an order. “Remain cautious! We’re dealing with every dark mage here.” Gar swallowed his hesitance and glanced at floors beneath his feet. “We’re going into the depths of this beast.” His next statement was mostly for himself. “ Beings of darkness, skulking in the shadows….”
Gar was lost in his thoughts for a second. A mate knocked him on the shoulder to get his attention. Gar turned to see two mates holding a defeated enemy. “We got one o’ these witches for ya.” Gar nodded. The mates carried a bloodied man in dark robes. “Well done. Bring em back to the ship and keep a close eye. I’m sure I’ll have some questions once I’m done here.” The crewmates dragged the dark mage off. Gar continued contemplating his entry strategy.
A scout climbed himself up over a grappling hook in a timely manner. “If I counted right, the ship looked four levels deep.” He panted after exhausting his energy climbing. “This being floor one that is.” Gar patted the scout on that shoulder.
“ We’’ll have to brave all of them.” Gar hadn’t had to fight thus far. He still had a moment to ask for June’s opinion.
How would you like to proceed?
Their dark arts stand no chance against our strength. Opposing righteousness is foolish. But let them come. Surely June and Xig were in agreement. It was truly time to fight. Gar gripped the axe and took a step down the stairs.
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Post by Gar on Jan 17, 2020 14:51:38 GMT -6
Gar descended the stairs. A number of his crew followed, prepared with their weapons and torches to illuminate the dark. The stairs outlet into a wide hallway. Rooms were on both sides of the corridor. From the looks of it, these were the crew’s quarters. Approximately, halfway down the length of the hall was a vertical metal grate, inlaid with a door. There was little light and Gar had to squint, but he made out the rest of the floor’s qualities. Continuing down the hall were a few more rooms, then a second metal grate. The design wasn’t too uncommon. Plenty of ships had brigs below deck. This one seemed quite large though. That area must function as a holding cell. For their slaves no doubt. Past the holding cell was a set of stairs, descending deeper into the ship. That was the only way down, so that’s where Gar was headed.
The captain proceeded down the hallway and peeked into the first one on his right. It was empty. A few empty hammocks swung with the rocking of the giant ship. He noted an open footlocker with dark robes inside. A tome laid open on the floor of the room. They must’ve been in a hurry. I’m glad we got the drop on them.
Gar continued down the hall slowly, cautiously. He was being backed up by some of his mates, but even that didn’t put him at ease. Too much was unknown about the situation. Too many questions. There was only one way to answer them.
All the rooms in the first half of the hall came up empty. Aside from some clothes and scattered belongings that is. “I guess their whole crew met us up top eh?” One of Gar’s crew suggested an explanation. “Aye seems that way.” Gar had to agree, given the evidence. “’cept their captain.” A frown came to Gar’s mouth but he nodded. That was quite worrisome. Black Bart was capable of some truly nefarious deeds.
Gar examined the grate in front of him. It effectively cut the whole level of the ship in half. It looked old, but sturdy. The only way through was the swinging door in the center. The door had a lock, but it was open. The captain gently pressed on it. The door creaked eerily on its hinges.
Gar took a breath and entered, followed by a number of his mates. Only a few had made it through when Gar heard some rumblings from the rooms. Footsteps quickly approached him. Ambush! Gar readied his axe just in time to block an overhead swing from an old cutlass. He heard metallic clang of weaponry from his sides as his mates had engaged with their attackers as well.
Just like that silence had given way to chaos. Grunts and noises of effort began to fill the floor, echoing off the walls. Gar swung his axe at his ambusher, mainly to create space and assess his situation. The assailant hopped back, out of Gar’s long reach. The captain’s eyes darted around the room. One of his mates had failed to ready himself in time for the surprise onslaught. He laid bloody on the floor. On this side of the gate they were outnumbered, but given enough time to trickle in through the doorway, they could swing the number advantage to their favor and make quick work of the enemy.
Gar’s attacker made another overhead swing, which Gar again blocked. Gar could see at a glance that they were malnourished. The enemies wore rags and metallic collars around their necks. They weren’t fighters of any skill, they were desperate slaves. If his men could survive the initial surprise attack, they could overwhelm the foes with numbers and superior skill. It was just a matter of time.
Click.
Amidst the hollers and noises of combat, Gar heard one sound through it all. A man managed to lock the gate behind Gar and his crew. They were cut off from their reinforcements. Retreat was no longer an option. They had to fight. Gar scowled, quickly ditching his previous strategy. It was approximately seven on five at this point, and they no longer had any chance of increasing their numbers. Gar needed a moment to convey his orders.
He stared his attacker in the eye. [Daunt] The enemies backed up for a moment, shakily evaluating their decisions and attacks. “Circle up. Fight defensively, they’re untrained and weak. They’ll make mistakes and give openings. To those outside, find a way to break that lock and back us up.” There should be some thieves with lockpicks somewhere in his crew. His crew did exactly that, circled up to cover each other’s flanks. Then the enemy regained their bravado and charged forward. Gar blocked a third overheard strike and kicked at his assailant’s knee. The man crumpled to the floor clutching his leg.
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Post by Gar on Jan 18, 2020 0:21:03 GMT -6
Gar’s attention left the man on the ground and he shifted to support the crewmate to his right, clockwise. He was taking on two attackers, somehow managing to parry their swipes. Gar intercepted the one closest to him, capturing his attention. The enemy was maybe a half decade older than Gar was. He held a certain distance in his gaze, even when engaged in close combat. “ This is for your own good.” He heard another ambusher speak from the opposite side of their circle. “ We can’t let you proceed. We cant.” He also heard the gruesome sound of his crewmate getting gutted to his left. Another enemy voice spoke. “ We’re all dead anyway. Save yourself the trouble.”
Gar tried to keep a mental tally of the fight. Six on four. Now would be a great time to have June’s old powers. Gar’s weapon once held the ability to bolster his forces while inhibiting the enemies. The captain couldn’t think about that at this juncture, however. Gar wanted to press back to change the tide of battle, but he knew he had to follow his own advice. If he over extended, he would be leaving his mates at a further disadvantage.
The enemy that had felled the mate on Gar’s left set his sights on the captain as well. That wasn’t great. Emaciated or not, their weapons were still sharp and certainly posed a threat. Gar’s first opponent rose his cutlass high enough to expose the bottom of his elbow. Gar quickly jammed his off hand into the bottom of the man’s elbow, throwing him off balance and forcing him to pivot to regain his footing. The second assailant took the opportunity to lunge forward with a thrusting strike. The heel of Gar’s boot bit into the floorboard as he tried to backpedal away from the strike. The thrust continued and pierce Gar’s coat, shallowly nipping into the flesh of his torso. Gar ignored the sting of pain, knowing that his enemy was far too stretched out to appropriately react to any retaliation. The berserker brought his axeblade down upon the head of the man. The blow connected, splitting the skull and sending the man to the floor. It was unfortunate, but it had to be done.
The berserker’s attention turned back to the man he had previously thrown off balance. By the sound of it his mates were winning their engagements as well. His opponent was visibly uneasy and unsure after seeing what had transpired with his fellow ambushers. Gar could tell that these people weren’t his true enemy. If he could get away without killing them, it would be for the best. He spoke. “One chance, throw aside your weapon.”
The only remaining enemies were the hesitant man in front of him and the one with the broken knee from earlier. The enemy was clearly outnumbered. “I’m s- sorry.” The man cast aside his rusted weapon and fell to his knees. “ Please… Go no further. It’s, its.. ” The man began sniffling and wound up in tears, unable to finish his plea.
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Post by Gar on Jan 19, 2020 19:47:22 GMT -6
Gar tilted his head toward the two slaves that remained. His remaining troops gathered them up and dragged them to the still-locked gate. He turned his head toward the touched his finger to his wound. It was shallow, but it definitely bled enough to upset the berserker. He had half a mind to set the whole ship ablaze, but there could be more slaves, more innocents on board. Gar didn’t want that on his conscience.
The captain turned to the gate. There was a group of three people watching a fourth fiddle with a lock. Gar watched for a moment longer before a satisfying click released the lock. The door creaked open again. Gar nodded his approval toward the locksmith. His crew began to move through the gate once again. The ones he had fought with dragged the two surviving slaves above deck.
The captain moved to check the remaining rooms. He wasn’t going to be ambushed again. Three rooms were empty. One wasn’t. Two women hid three children behind them. Each clutched a dagger. An old man sat propped in the corner of the room a cutlass laid in front of him. They each wore a metal collar, same as the ambushers. Gar shook his head. “There was a reason why you didn’t join that ambush. You either don’t want to fight, or you simply can’t.” The women tightened their grips on their daggers and reapplied their daggerlike gaze on Gar. The children shrunk down and the old man opened an eyelid just to close it again. This kind of negotiation isn’t my strong suit. And I’m not about to risk taking a poke from a dagger. The captain waved to some of his mates, specifically the clerics he had hired to protect the ships. One approached slowly.
“Do you need some assistance? I see that you’re bleeding.” Gar turned his head to speak but kept his eyes on the room of people.
“That’s nothing, I do need help though. Do you think you can talk to these people? I imagine they’ll be more receptive to your words over mine.”
“You know… I took a job as a cleric, not a wartime negotiator.”
Gar rolled his eyes. “Then I’ll pay you for both, can you just help?” The cleric smirked and nodded. The scene even managed to bring a small smirk to a couple of the children’s faces. The cleric entered the room with hands raised. Gar moved along to the second metal grate. It was right in front of the descending stairs and of course, it was locked.
“Oi lockpick!” The thief who had managed to pick the last lock jogged over. “What’ll it be captain?”
“Looks like it’ll be more of the same.”
“Yup, sure looks that way.” The thief began to examine the lock. He nodded and brought out his small tools. He made a face and he dug around in the keyhole. The thief was focused but still able to talk. “ You know… I could show you how to do this one day. Might put myself out of a job, but teaching a man like you could be kinda fun.”
“Appreciate the offer but I’d rather just pay you.” Gar rubbed his brow with his thumb and first two fingers. Paying for mercenaries, clerics, thieves. The fort treasurer is going to be cross with me. “ I don’t have the patience to fiddle with locks all day anyway.”
click
“Days keep getting shorter huh?” The thief deftly spun his tools around his finger before placing them back into his kit. He then smugly bowed back and swung his arm outward.
“Boarding party, on me!” The thief fell back as pirates and mercenaries joined up with Gar. Enough levity, the descent had to continue. Gar led the way down the steps.
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Post by Gar on Jan 25, 2020 1:58:30 GMT -6
Gar was quite literally in the dark about the contents of this next room. Sight was difficult, but the smell was enough to overwhelm all senses. It was a pungent cocktail of blood, decaying flesh and something else. Bile? Gar wouldn’t be surprised if some people lost their lunch after experiencing this odor.
The captain explored the area directly around the staircase. Each step Gar took slid slightly before catching on the grime. Gar could tell that this was the worst of it. The deepest of Black Bart’s dark deeds occurred on this floor. The captain could feel it in the air. The air, thick with history.
The captain’s boot kicked something that rattled down the hall into darkness. Maybe it was scurrying away. Too dark to know for sure. Gar paused for a moment to make sure nothing came from the noise. His breath was being heavily monitored by his consciousness. He wasn’t sure his shaky exhalations were due to fear or the smell.
Gar didn’t want to keep exploring. He was uncomfortable here, to put it lightly. Gar moved to his right, leaving the relative safety of the staircase to find a place more… bearable. He shuffled along the side of a wooden wall for what felt like an eternity. He eventually came across a room. A room with a metal grate locked in front of its entrance. Another jail cell? Gar peered past the metal grate.
The berserker’s brow furrowed at what he saw. It was a revenant, chained to a wall. Gar shook his head and looked back toward the doorway’s lock. It wouldn’t be a threat so long as that lock held. But why hold a revenant captive? Not like they can give up any information.
Gar moved past the room, still hugging the right wall for now. He would surely explore the opposite side in time. For now it was safety first. He didn’t want to risk another lock in. As the crew scraped against the right wall, they came across another locked gate. This one contained a bonewalker. It held no weapon and it wasn’t moving. Is it… dead - dead? Why is it locked up? What is going on in this hell of a ship? Again, Gar passed by the room.
The captain continued toward the next room. This one was open. Gar entered hoping to find some kind of answer to his many questions. All he found was a long table with a stained cloth laid upon it. To the side of the cloth was a tray of tools. A small knife, a hammer, some gadgets that Gar couldn’t figure the use of and a needle. What’s this? An infirmary? I don’t see any healing staves… Gar assumed the stains on the cloth were blood and chose not to investigate any further.
He was too unnerved; Gar spoke to his crew. The captain spoke in a rare whisper. “Go back upstairs. Get the ships ready to get out of here.” Gar’s mates left almost thankfully. They took their torchlight with them. That was fine. June could produce light as well. Gar took another couple steps to the next room. This one was also open. This had to be where the smell was coming from. Gar wished he still had his bandanna to cover his nose.
Gar waved his weapon, creating a hardlight source so he could examine the rooms contents.
He immediately regretted that choice. His eyes met the lifeless bodies piled upon one another inside the room. Gar was forced to turn away as he gagged, hard.
The pirate’s thoughts were racing. Too many questions too fast. But. It all came together. Suddenly. Abruptly.
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Post by Gar on Feb 16, 2020 6:15:46 GMT -6
Gar tried to retreat. He tried before he slipped and fell to his hands and knees. He wretched. He had to move, but his gut wasn’t done yet. Gar stumbled a couple more crawling steps before he wavered and puked again.
The captain felt a harsh grab at his shoulder. His body reacted instinctively. He swiftly shrugged it away and turned to meet his attacker face to face. It was corruption reanimated. A revenant, arms outstretched and teeth clicking together in a sickeningly arrhythmic fashion. The undead were only real threats in close quarters. That said. They were close, and the berserker had no certain way out. Gar shoved the closest menace away, trying to gather his thoughts.
Slave collars. Every one of them. … Again. The desiccated bodies of the past room had the same collars worn by the slaves on the floor above. Same as the one Gar wore when he was captured years ago. It all came together in a disgusting fashion.
That bastard. He. He was using the slaves as test subjects. Twisting them. Torturing them, trying to turn them into revenants. Does Bart fancy himself some type of necromancer?
Gar wasn’t prepared for this. Mentally, emotionally.
“What could bring someone to do something this sickening?” Gar spoke before he could finish thinking. No one could hear him, and he had to find a way out of here before he got torn apart. He spent too much time figuring it out. The undead were approaching him. The berserker pivoted around the stairs to make more space. His only option was to run deeper into the darkness. He ran, almost certainly toward more tricks and more monsters.
Gar waved a hardlight shield with his axe on the opposite side of the hall. The revenants came toward his side. The berserker was able to duck under a gap beneath the staircase to meet his hardlight shield. It was a brief moment of relative safety.
Gar inhaled and placed his shoulder against the hardlight. The otherside had a number of revenants and bonewalkers. This was the only thing that made sense. With an exhalation Gar pushed the hardlight construct. Slowly at first, then he started gathering momentum. He started moving quickly past the grasping arms of the undead.
The captain had almost made it to the opposite end of the floor when the shield dissipated into light particles. Gar fell through the particles and hit the deck. He punched and kicked the undead away, trying to regain his footing. He continued scrambling away from the threat of the undead wave. He tripped and fell upon yet another body. His eyes darted toward the obstacle. Dark robes, tattered, revealing blood and viscera beneath.
That cleared up one more mystery, the ease of the assault on the upper deck. The sorcerers were being attacked on two fronts. Outside, by Gar and his troops. Inside by a number of escaped undead creatures.
Before Gar could fully process that revelation, the revenants fell upon him. He was pinned to the floor by the weight of the undead. He shifted and reached out desprately. He found a downward ledge and yanked leading himself to fall. The berserker slid out of the undead's grasp and threw himself down half a flight of stairs.
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Post by Gar on Jul 31, 2021 5:47:54 GMT -6
Gar took a moment to regain his breath. He took another moment to regain his bearings. He laid sprawled out at the bottom of a stairwell, in a ship, with zombies soon to follow. Gar slowly rose to his feet. There was no moving backward, all he could do was press on. Opposite the stairwell were more bars that resembled those of prison cells. Certainly that was a defensive measure to keep the undead experiments out.
Gar pressed against the bars. They creaked open slowly and eerily. Gar closed the gate behind him, still conscious of the moans from the floor above.
It was impossibly dark in this room. On this final floor. In the depths of the cursed ship.
Gar tapped into his light axe's power. The glow of the weapon revealed the floor immediately before him, but not much else. Gar's eyes fell upon papers at his feet. Ink laden papers covered the floor. He knelt down to pick a few up. His eyes examined scrawling's that filled page after page. None of the writing meant anything to the captain. He cast the pages aside and walked further.
"Allow me to explain." Gar heard a creaky voice at the end of the room.
"Are you responsible for... all this?" That's what Gar wanted to know. That's all he needed to know. The berserker raised his weapon; his light source, in an attempt to make out what laid before him. From the darkness emerged a frail figure. The robed man seemingly floated his way. Gar squinted his eyes to make out the approaching figure. It was a man, a man who appeared elderly but somehow had some amount of youth in his movements. It was as if he was older than his years. The man lifted his head into the light of Gar's weapon. The enemy was paler than moonlight, unnaturally so. His eyes sank back into his skull as if he hadn't slept in a year. The whole persona was off-putting to Gar.
" I am... But... we all share a portion of the blame."
Gar was in no mood to hear the explanations of those he deemed monsters. He lifted a leg to take a heavy axe swipe at the would-be necromancer. But his leg caught in the air.
"So simple."
Four light runes shone through the papers on the floor. Gar quickly realized the papers were strewn around to cover the traps. It was too late, Gar was locked in place.
"Once again.... Allow me to explain...." Gar shifter his posture to hold his weapon in a defensive state. He was at the mercy of the dark magician. That said, he began testing the potency of the runes with his feet. Gar's enemy turned his back and continued to speak.
"Any layman can see Elibe is in a losing battle. It's the living against the dead... It stands to reason that the living won't... survive." Gar saw the man's robes ripple, perhaps in laughter. " As it stands, every death will lead to more deaths... unless..." The wicked man whipped his head around again to face Gar. " We can figure out what creates the monsters. We can learn what guides them. We can beat them at their own game, given the correct...materials. Its a simple matter of... experimentation."
"Guess you got it all figured out then eh?"
" I could never expect a..." The robed man examined Gar from toe to head and back down. "brute like you... to understand"
" Such a perfect sample you were on the sale block. You know, that lady wanted you, but we got outbid by that Bullheaded slaver." Bullring was the man who enslaved Gar. He remembered three people bidding on him. He had now learned that this necromancer was the second and a hooded lady was now the third. Gar shifted against his light rune detainment.
"No matter though. Thanks to you're... righteousness... my masterpiece of an experiment will begin regardless" The robed man approached Gar, flashing a scalpel against the dull light in the room.
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Post by Gar on Aug 1, 2021 6:21:16 GMT -6
Gar reached to strike at his foe, but his arm was caught by the light runes. A chill crept along his skin. Enough to make Gar shiver. It was as if the temperature had dropped by thirty degrees. The berserker shook it off.
" You can feel it can't you... your body can sense it. You're going to die. What does that feel like?" Gar grunted. He didn't have a true response, nor did he have a plan to deal with his detainment. Light runes only last for a limited amount of time right? His weapon's voice, June, wasn't able to confirm at this time. Gar's best bet was to keep the man talking. At least he had to try.
" Your plan makes sense, ya know." Gar shoved the tip of his axe into the wooden floor to allow it to stand upright. He relaxed his shoulders in order to play a character. "If there were a way to combat the undead. Why not turn their own magics against them? Its brilliant really."
" A review from your perspective is next to meaningless." Gar could see the man's ears perk up regardless of his words. Based on the response he could buy some more time. He just had to keep talking.
" Aye, a wise strategy indeed. Even so, I noticed some flaws." Gar's stomach turned. He would much rather silence the man with a blow from his weapon. Unfortunately, his hands were tied by the light runes.
"Naturally there will be flaws, I can't be expected to be perfect. I have so much work to do after all." The robed man spoke as he dipped his scalpel into a jar of inky black liquid. Gar had to assume that liquid was some type of paralyzing agent. Either that or a potentially lethal poison. The enemy walked closer to Gar, scalpel in hand. He moved the surgical blade slowly to Gar's neck. " So tell me, what would you suggest I do?"
Gar shifted to move his neck away from the small blade. He was trying his best not to panic in this situation. "Well you see..." Gar had nothing to say immediately, he stalled with a few words. " Consider this..." The would be necromancer leaned his knife closer and again, Gar shied away and closed his eyes. " Dragons." The necromancer froze. Gar opened an eye to see his enemies' wheels turning in his mind. Gar may have just broken a promise or two, but it was the only thing he could think of to avoid getting his neck cut open.
The necromancer grinned. " Oh. Dragons. They do exist! If only I could get my hands on one. I have many designs for a resurrected dragon. It could save our damned world!" Gar questioned if he had made a huge mistake. He would have to fix this quickly, but later. For now he was still alive. " What an outstanding idea. What better physical specimen than a dragon? Who needs a broken pirate captain? Certainly... you know one... Bring one to me... and you live."
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Post by Gar on Sept 26, 2021 5:46:06 GMT -6
There was a pause in the discourse. Gar had been presented with an ultimatum. That being, either die or show this psychopath where he could find a dragon. Specifically one that this man could detain and abuse. He blatantly had ill intentions toward anything he could place his hands on. Or course Gar didn't want to choose either. but he gave it a thought. Maybe Gar would be better off dead. He hadn't been thinking about the implications of an undead dragon when he opened his mouth.
"I can't say any more." That clearly wasn't what the robed man wanted to hear. He threatened Gar once again.
" Teach me... or die. Do dragons... live.. still?"
Gar's breath was shaking. Perhaps it was due to the chill of the hull; being so far below deck. He was still detained, next to powerless, subjected to a psychopath's will. Yet apparently, he had managed to buy some more time by bringing up the potential of dragons still existing. Gar felt bad about breaking his promises, but it was a gamble. Gar was betting on himself to survive this, and to kill this man who has caused so much grief.
"Aye. I know some. Dragons are elemental you know, those of wind, lightning..." The robed man turned his back and began to write notes with his scalpel on a piece of parchment. He interrupted Gar with a tinge of excitement in his voice. "Fire?" Gar pause for more than a moment. He gave a belabored sigh and then gave a defeated answer. "Aye."
" We be mates though. The dragons and I. Some of them that is." Gar had to talk even though he knew the man wouldn't care. "Please don't hurt anyone." Gar felt his acting start to become too melodramatic.
The necromancer scribbled with his scalpel, dipping it back into the poison ink after every few words." You're... a wealth of knowledge. I must... keep you." Gar furrowed his brow. For some reason that possibility upset him more than dying. Gar needed to escape soon. He shifted his foot against the detaining runes. They certainly felt less powerful than the last time he had checked. The fading power of the light runes instilled Gar with all the power he needed to continue.
" So... disloyal you are." Gar clenched his jaw at that accusation. That was one thing that he certainly placed his pride on. " So valuable... I'll use you to... find the specimens i need." The robed man approached Gar with his scalpel in hand. His defenses clearly were open. The man must've felt as if Gar was no longer a threat. "With this experiment... I will save the world. "
"You'll never have the chance." He struggled against the runes, pitting his strength against them. They dissipated into a puff of dull light particles that filled the room. Gar's gamble paid off; he broke free. He threw a solid fist toward the robed man's gut. It connected through a mist of light particles from the fading line runes. Gar smiled as his main hand reached for his weapon.
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Post by Gar on Oct 1, 2021 15:14:11 GMT -6
Gar's shoulders turned slowly as his fist connected with the enemy's abdomen. The man was so frail that it felt like his frame was lifted from the deck from the impact of the blow. Gar's other hand was already reaching for his weapon. He had previously dug the tip of the axe into the ground at his side. Gar heard what he believed to be an exhalation of air from the man's lungs, but after a moment he recognized it as a string of words. His eyes darted to the deck below his main hand. A mass of dark magic had started to gather. It looked as if it were inky water, yet somehow darker still. Gar had the sense to retract his arm and take a step away from the black magic.
As Gar retreated, the black water rose from the deck in a sphere. The sphere then expanded in a quick pop, sending a force throughout the room. Gar rose an arm to shield himself from the force field. He was still knocked away and his weapon was sent even further. Gar was upset with himself for placing his weapon down in the first place. The man returned to a neutral state, after taking a second to recover his breath. Gar noted this. After taking one punch and casting one spell, the robed man needed a moment to recover.
"Heh... I must be a fool. Distracted... by my own ambition... But, can you blame me?" The question was rhetorical but Gar had an impulse to answer. Even so, he refrained. He had to focus on getting his weapon. The enemy made deliberate moves to stand between Gar and his axe. Gar understood the move. To defeat the would-be necromancer, Gar needed his weapon. To regain his weapon, he would have to get past the dark magic user and his inky, forceful magic.
"I am no fighter... but should I find myself engaged in battle... I have... contingencies. " Gar assumed as much. No one this blackhearted could go long without making enemies. To survive they would have to be strong enough to fight and win. Without the dull glow of the light runes it certainly was dark. Gar's eye's were adjusting, but it wasn't optimal to try and fight a man fully clothed in black. Just another reason why Gar needed his weapon. He could use it to create hard-light structures that could function as lanterns.
Gar made a move, pushing off the deck with the toe of his boot. He ticked into a sprint toward the man, lowering his shoulder to either knock him down or force him out of the way. Gar's foot fell into a pool of inky liquid that he hadn't noted previously. The pool grew and exploded like a mine. Gar was blown up and away with such force that he felt his flailing limbs graze the ceiling before he crashed back down to the deck.
Gar grimaced, he was slow to rise. That was the kind of hit that Gar hadn't felt in a while. The kind that he wouldn't be able to take many more of. By the time he had regained his footing, another inky sphere had begun to form before him.
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Post by Gar on Jan 22, 2022 4:36:12 GMT -6
The dark orb gathered power before Gar's eyes. He didn't have time to think, he just had to move. [Celerity] Gar sprinted away as fast as he could while the orb exploded. The berserker rose an arm to protect his head. As far as he had run, the force of the dark magic explosion still lifted him off his feet and into the side of the ship. The hull creaked with the impact of his body.
Gar slumped against the wall for a moment. His eyes refocused through the darkness, they fell upon the frail dark mage. The evil man was breathing heavy again. Even heavier than the previous time. No time to lose. Gar dashed forward. He knew there would be dark magic mines in his path again. Gar used his enhanced speed to dive straight at the necromancer. He left the ground and almost flew at the figure, in order to avoid any floor traps. Gar's arms wrapped around the dark mage's thin frame and drove him to the ground with a crunch.
Gar had a chance to pin the man to the deck and give him a shot or two but he opted to move toward his weapon. Gar gripped his holy axe which he immediately used to produce a hard light layer. The light was harsh. Even Gar had take a second to readjust his eyes. His opponent was still on the ground. His body was hunched over, but mostly obscured by his robes. Gar moved forward but he was stalled by his opponent's voice. "I'm no fool... I know it's over." The evil man suddenly looked so pitiful as he coughed blood out onto the deck. That much damage came from a single takedown?
Gar grunted as he swung his axe back and forth to create more hardlight lanterns. The light illuminated the rest of the room. Every wall was covered with notes. Pages were ripped from tomes that laid strewn about. Apparently, this was a library of sorts. Or maybe it used to be. He suspiciously made his way toward the necromancer.
"all I wanted... was to save them all...this all was for..." The man coughed harshly." do you really think... you can save them?" Gar took a knee next to the man. Up close he could see a large amount of blood seeping from the man's clothes. "We will." Gar placed both hands on his axe and swung down with an emphatic force.
" We have to." Gar didnt know exactly what Black Bart knew about the troubles of Elibe, but he knew there were plenty. Zombies, Beasts... Arum. Maybe they could've worked together. Gar exhaled. This had to be done. Things could've been different, if only the enemy hadn't resorted to such monstrous means. Or is this what it takes to do battle? Apparently, the strength of the upcoming foes is unfathomable. Stronger than armies, stronger than dragons...
The hardlight structures flickered away. Leaving Gar in the dark and in his thoughts.
[End Thread]
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