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Post by Jack on Oct 12, 2020 8:47:59 GMT -6
What… what is that smell? Is that gas? Oh no! The cavern you are in is full of slowly seeping natural gas. Not only do you risk explosions if you are not careful with sparks and open flames, but if you stick around for too long, you will surely pass out from lack of oxygen!
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Post by Xentus on Oct 14, 2020 17:36:15 GMT -6
Xentus watched the motions of digging and witnessed clawfuls of dirt being flung from under the gargoyle. Varus was onto something for sure. Perhaps the source of the thrumming? Now that would be a treat. He'd never naturally found a magic source in the mines before. Perhaps once or twice while roaming about the strange mansion, but he didn't have much interest for them before he knew what they were. In his possession now was a prismatic crystal. It was a beautiful specimen, but from his research, he'd need to garner more before it was possibly to do anything with it.
After waiting a few moments longer, there was some clattering to be heard coming from that small hole the gargoyle dug. The sound of minerals bumping into each other. In the dim light of the crystal torch, Xentus could see a couple of cool-toned gems sprinkle themselves along the bottom of the hole.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 14, 2020 17:46:43 GMT -6
And the gargoyle emerged with a brilliantly green crystal within its mouth. It pulsed softly, radiating a color that his eyes couldn't quite focus on. Interesting. Very interesting. The hollow eyes of the gargoyle stared at the leopard while the stone being clutched the crystal in its claws, then took a moment to examine it. Even the latent magic within it was strong enough to pulse with energy. An energy that the gargoyle was oddly attracted to. To have it for itself.. If only. It couldn't use the crystal in its current state. And as expected, the leopard wanted it. A clawed hand was extended toward the stone gargoyle, expectantly awaiting its reward. Fine. The crystal was handed off as the leopard commanded the gargoyle to give it. And with little fuss, Varus went back to retrieve the rest of the gems stored in the other treasure hoard. Xentus twirled the crystal in his claws, admiring the chaotic beauty.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 14, 2020 17:52:33 GMT -6
When it came to the arcane, the leopard wasn't very well learned. Magic was difficult to research without a direct source. And even with a direct source, tapping into the power wasn't easily done. He'd looked into the process.. The crystals needed to be forced into a node. A process that was taxing on the body, soul, and mind. But, all of that effort put in to create a node was well worth it, for it is with the node that one could harness the power of magic for themselves. Such a prospect wasn't favorable to the leopard at first. He wasn't one to dabble too quickly into the unknown. Some of the creatures in his keep were magical, and he had hoped to research them first. Use their magic for his own purposes. His beasts were fond of him, generally. But, after having the time to mull on it, why couldn't he have both his own magics and the magics of his creatures? His eyes glanced back over to Varus, watching as it procured a small haul of gems.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 14, 2020 20:10:20 GMT -6
What if even Varus held some kind of latent magics within it? It seemed to look the part - with the runes inscribed on its body. But even he could tell something was missing. He hadn't done much research on gargoyles and their capabilities, but there was something odd about those empty, hollow eyes that he felt were a missing link. An audible hum sounded from the leopard's throat as he pondered for a moment. But in the end, he decided to save any inquiry for when he was able to properly study and research. Now was a time for exploration and spelunking.
The crystal was tucked away into a safe pocket of his pack, then his attention was turned to the collection of gems before him. All were tinted in cool hues, greens, blues, and purples. Appealing to his personal tastes if he had to admit. Now, to see what they had here exactly..
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Post by Xentus on Oct 14, 2020 20:16:12 GMT -6
The green one immediately made him think of jade.. Why were green gems always jade to him, he wasn't sure. But, no, he'd seen this kind before. Some variety of jasper, he determined upon closer inspection. The others.. He wasn't the most certain. The deep purple crystal appeared to be some kind of amethyst, but it was so nicely shaped that it struck him as odd. Like it had already been cut and processed, leaving behind this beautiful stone. But, amethyst was still amethyst. A variant of quartz family and thus none too valued. Pretty, though.
"Excellent finds, Varus", the leopard praised the gargoyle, flashing it an appreciative smile, "This one will stow these so that we may continue venturing forward, yes?" The stone being had nothing to offer to the warden's motives. Varus clicked his beak, ready to move on. The treasure here was found, and it would be on the hunt for more.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 15, 2020 3:28:47 GMT -6
The leopard strapped back on his pack and straightened out, eyes glancing down the hallway that awaited. The looming darkness was ever present around them. The soft glow from the crystal torch kept it at bay, but it couldn't reveal what lay beyond the murk. They'd only find out once they proceeded. Xentus beckoned for Varus to follow. His clawed hand scraped against the dirt wall, leaving scratch marks as a trail. Perhaps it would be needed.. And perhaps not. The mine shaft descended further down into the earth, a shallow set of steps carved into the ground leading into more murk. Xentus was sure to keep a slow pace, not only to keep an eye out for more promising mining spots, but also to stay aware of their surroundings. He didn't trust this place to stand firm while he ran about it. Upon coming across a form in the path, there was the aftermath of a cave-in to the right.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 15, 2020 3:39:54 GMT -6
Proof that he should exercise caution. The rubble remains looked thin enough that he could dig his way through it. If this mine shaft was caved in, there could be something waiting beyond the wall of stone and dirt. Another path, treasure, skeletons. He mused on the idea for a moment. Part of him wanted to dig through, the other wanted to travel the clear path. He sighed.
"Which way, Varus?", he asked his companion. The gargoyle might not understand, but it was still a source of comfort. Something to talk to and reason aloud with. The stone being, of course, offered no suggestion. Its hollowed eyes merely stared at him, waiting for whatever choice he made. It barely even acknowledged that there was some kind of choice to be made here. In the end, it was either go further or turn back. And it didn't look like the leopard was interested in turning back.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 15, 2020 3:45:04 GMT -6
A hum sounded from the mammalian's throat. Well, there was no harm in doing things the easy way. He'd done enough digging for the moment, he felt. The pile of rubble could be poked at later. To the right they went. The tunnel didn't lead very far before turning a sharp left, then once more. The choice of this odd turn only to end up going the same direction was an odd one, but there was probably some reason or another. Tunnel worm burrow in the way, perhaps? Or particularly hard stone to cut through. The later was the more likely option. The inquiry didn't linger on the leopard's mind for much longer.
The path descended further, once again. He wasn't sure how deep within the earth he was at this point. The prospect was unnerving.. That above him, hundreds of tons of dirt and stone rested. And at any moment, could decide to collapse as the result of a quake or fault.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 15, 2020 3:49:00 GMT -6
A subtle grimace settled itself on the leopard's muzzle for a brief moment before getting shaken away. No, he didn't need to think about such a horrid thing. It was a concern that could make anyone unnerved for a moment. He continued along, giving the occasional glance behind himself to ensure Varus was keeping up. There wasn't too much to worry about with the gargoyle. It seemed rather placid and willing to stay nearby. It might linger a little too long mid-step as it observed their surroundings, but it was hasty enough in returning a few steps behind his own.
While running his fingers against the wall, there was a sudden absence of wall to trace. Xentus found himself alert, head turning to meet another hall of darkness. If the trend of rooms past continued, this hall likely would lead to another set of chambers that may or may not be flooded.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 15, 2020 3:53:52 GMT -6
They were further down, which to him meant the likelihood of coming across entire flooded hallways was growing higher. While he did have his water amulet on, he somehow wasn't favoring the idea of taking a swim to explore the murky, underwater depths of an abandoned mine shaft. He pursed his lips at the thought. Ah he could always turn back and go elsewhere. Right. With the shake of his head, Xentus cleared his thoughts from wandering at the moment and wandered down the short hall which fed immediately into a room.
And immediately he was faced with water. Not even a step into the room his toes felt the saturated dirt. The light from the crystal torch illuminated the glistening black water. There was a crate floating in the center of the area that might contain something of interest.. But otherwise, the room was vacant. Varus scanned what little dry path remained, beak poking into pockets in the wall.
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Post by Nadia on Oct 15, 2020 7:35:55 GMT -6
A lone gem glimmers.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 19, 2020 2:48:00 GMT -6
For the sake of satisfying his curiosity, the leopard decided to wade into the water and retrieve the crate floating in its center. This place was abandoned, so he didn't expect to find anything like sunken treasure. But who knows what a careless worker might've left behind? Tools was the most likely answer. The lure of mystery was one too strong to resist. Xentus didn't think anything ill might be awaiting release from within the crate, but it was entirely possible. A few tentative steps to test the water.. It was chilly, but not biting. He cast a careful glance to Varus, who was now watching him curiously, then he locked onto the target. The water here flooded a good portion of the room and apparently eroded away the floor, as it increased in depth as he waded further in. When he reached the box, the water level was to his knees.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 19, 2020 2:53:48 GMT -6
He didn't enjoy having wet pants, but it was an unfortunate sacrifice. They'd dry out.. Eventually. Or maybe become muddied once he began crawling about the dirt and muck. Maybe he should've taken them off.. There was no shame in trotting about without clothing, in his opinion. Such an act was usually excusable for the beast-kinds. For the sake of seeming civil among human-kinds, he wore minimal clothing. Besides, he thought his purple silks suited him well. Loose and comfy to wear. Tight fitting clothing irritated the short fur of his. While his mind was busy dwelling on his clothing choices, the leopard's claws gripped the soaked wooden box and his legs began trekking backward to drier ground. Whatever the contents the box had was fairly light. Or it was simply empty. Varus crept up to settle beside the mammalian, the stone being's interest piqued about this since the warden went through the trouble of retrieving it.
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Post by Xentus on Oct 19, 2020 3:11:34 GMT -6
Well, now to answer the question: what's in the box? The soaked wood which composed the crate looked easy enough to pry apart with a bit of grit and effort. He could opt to smash it open as well, given the array of mining tools he brought with him. After taking a brief moment to consider his method, he settled on the preying approach. His yellow claws dug into a seam between the boards and pulled. It was.. A lot tougher than he wanted to admit. The gargoyle watching him tilted its head as if to question the warden's lack of strength. But with a bit more effort, the wood did eventually begin to warp and allow entry into the interior of the box. The first thing he noticed was an acrid scent that made his nose wrinkle. Something rotten? Or something living and disturbed.. He didn't enjoy either possibility.
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