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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 13:33:04 GMT -6
FangedRelevant Skills/Traits: Rabbit's Luck Magical Awareness Feel The Node Mason Rank 3 Gem Caller Looking For: Order Crystals Mining Tools: Companions: Phi Level: 16 Loyalty: 18 Stats: Stamina: 3 Strength: 4 Resistance: 4 Dexterity: 4 Mentality: 5 Special Abilities: Fly, Opposable Thumbs, Bioluminescence, Light Immunity, Shadow Resistance Moves: Bite of the Divine, Foxfire, Illusion, Intangible Body, Holy Light Casper Level: 2 Loyalty: 2 Stats: Stamina: 6 Strength: 5 Resistance: 4 Dexterity: 5 Mentality: 5 Special Abilities: Ethereal, Glide, Shadow Resistance Moves: Spectral Bite, Terror, Chilling Aura, Roar, Shadow Meld, Shadow Strike Fanged had decided to brave the quest board once more. She had taken a bit of an odd group out for the trip to the quest board. Casper hadn’t been out in a while, same with Phi. She didn’t usually take two pets out to do a quest, but she felt a bit guilty that she hadn’t spent time with them in a while. She led them to the quest board, glad that both creatures were eager to follow her. They reached the quest board early in the day. Fanged had left early wanting to get there before the rush of people could join. Casper shimmered in the morning light as he stepped closer to the quest board. The Balgor could be intimidating, so it was a good thing there’s weren’t people around to get scared by him. Fanged scanned the quest board, her eyes catching one that asked the quest taker to go down to the mines. It seemed like the ideal quest to take. She glanced over at Phi. The mining familiar cross was watching her with her head tilted to the side. She seemed curious, but hung back while Fanged read the quest board. The woman stepped back and grinned. (Phi 16 1/5, 18 1/5 | Casper 2 1/5, 2 1/5) 1
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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 14:26:57 GMT -6
“Looks likes we’ll be heading down towards the mines,” she announced.
Phi perked her head up at the word ‘mines’ and she suddenly looked very eager. Casper tilted his head, not quite sure what his companions were so excited about. Fanged beamed at him, excited at the opportunity to show the Balgor down into the mines. She was in a great mood today and was ready to tackle this quest.
“First, I’ll need my trusty tools!” she exclaimed.
She led Casper and Phi back to her kennel where she gathered up her tools and set out for the mines. They should reach the mines before mid-morning. They walked to the mines quickly and when they arrived, Casper glanced around in amazement. The ghostly Balgor was not afraid of being underground. His ethereal nature meant that tight spaces and the possibility of cave-ins had no impact on him. His purple body blended into the dark walls of the mines, but his bright glow made it easy for Fanged to keep eyes on him. Phi looked at home as they walked through the entrance of the first tunnel they would head down. Casper was immediately intrigued by the gloomy atmosphere and their dark surroundings.
(Phi 16 2/5, 18 2/5 | Casper 2 2/5, 2 2/5)
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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 16:25:26 GMT -6
It took her a while for her eyes to adjust to the darkness, at least as well as they could. Casper and Phi both didn’t struggle with the dark like she did. She moved quickly to switch on her flashlight, needing the tool to aid her eyesight. Phi and Casper waited patiently for her to adjust to their surroundings. When Fanged felt more comfortable, she moved to take the lead. She hadn’t been aware that Sarane could live down in the mines. She was used to gem familiars and the Karzik, but she’d never seen a Sarane down here.
“I wonder what type they are?” She had a few of her own. Her one brown had hatched from an egg she had found. His markings reminded her of a bald eagle and she had affectionately named him Falco.
She felt endlessly curious and a little wistful that she hadn’t found one down in the mines yet. Phi moved silently, doing her best to avoid getting herself too dirty as she navigated the terrain. Casper moved gracefully, leaping over rocks and showing off a bit. Fanged moved quite normally, focused more so on keeping herself from tripping than from looking cool.
(Phi 16 3/5, 18 3/5 | Casper 2 3/5, 2 3/5)
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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 20:49:55 GMT -6
She didn’t know the first thing about hunting Sarane. She had some knowledge about tracking, but she had never had to track Sarane specifically. After all, she hadn’t even known for them to be lurking out in the wild! She looked over at Casper, confident that the Balgor would be able to protect them if it came down to it. Phi was silent and calculating. She was studying the area around them, trying to find the path that would lead them where they wanted to go. She tilted her head, watching and observing with a sharp eye. Fanged watched her with interest, wondering what she was checking for.
Phi suddenly jerked forward, intent on following something. Had she caught scent of a trail? Fanged decided to follow her for now and Casper slunk close behind them, bringing up the rear. She felt safer with Casper watching their backs. The Balgor was intimidating and his ghostly appearance served to frighten those susceptible to the supernatural. Fanged had been frightened of the Balgor too once, but that had been before she had gotten to know him. She regarded him now, watching as he playfully leaped around the tunnel. He was in a good mood and Fanged was glad for that.
(Phi 16 4/5, 18 4/5 | Casper 2 4/5, 2 4/5)
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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 21:51:20 GMT -6
Phi was determined and she set a fast pace in order to cover more ground. Fanged glanced around, feeling a little lost. What type of habitat would appeal to a Sarane that lives underground? Phi clearly had some idea about what they were looking for, but Fanged didn’t have the same instincts. Casper brushed past her, his ethereal body glimmering as it overlapped her own. The concept of their bodies overlapping was odd, but she didn’t feel anything. Casper glanced around wildly, his predatory instincts kicking in as he searched for the creature scent that had caught his attention. Perhaps he had scented Sarane.
“Do you even know what a Sarane smelled like?” Fanged questioned jokingly.
She supposed any wild creature scent would catch his attention. It didn’t necessarily have to be the right scent. Phi had an idea of where she wanted to go and Fanged would have to blindly trust her judgement. She followed Phi as she turned the corner, disappearing into a hidden tunnel that Fanged hadn’t even seen. Casper followed eagerly, his tail flicking with excitement as he entered the smaller side tunnel. Fanged sucked in a deep breath when it was her turn to enter the tunnel too.
(Phi 17, 19 | Casper 3, 3)
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Post by Fanged on Oct 30, 2020 22:40:10 GMT -6
She moved her flashlight in front of her, offering the steady glow of light to comfort her. She braved the darkness, keeping her eyes fixed on her creature companions as she moved further into the tunnel. They offered her a sense of strength that she did not possess alone. She found herself relaxing even in the unfamiliar territory. She strained to see much in front of her and ultimately decided to focus on watching Casper’s ethereal form. Phi led them forward, her head raised high as she marched on dutifully. Fanged kept an eye out for any signs of creature tracks. She had some skill in tracking, so she should put that to use.
“If you see any signs of creatures, please slow down so I can get a chance to inspect them!” she told her companions.
They might not understand her words properly, but speaking her thoughts out loud always helped Fanged focus. Phi turned back to look at her, determination glittering in her eyes. Her companions seemed to understand that they were on a quest and were eager to prove themselves in completing it. When they reached another fork in the road, Phi considered their options for a moment.
(Phi 17 1/5, 19 1/5 | Casper 3 1/5, 3 1/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 2, 2020 11:12:46 GMT -6
Fanged watched as the Raikiri worked out the different factor that would influence each path. Fanged knew some of the basics for choosing the correct tunnel to head down, but she knew that her mining familiar would be naturally talented at that. She wouldn’t need to rely on trial and error as much as the woman had to. Casper watched intently. His eyes were focused on the distant darkness. He seemed to have a preference for which tunnel he wanted to choose, but the choice was ultimately up to Phi. After a few additional minutes, Phi had made her decision.
“Looks like we’re going left,” Fanged remarked to Casper as the Raikiri dipped down the left most tunnel.
Casper scrambled to follow her, glad since that was the tunnel he wanted to choose anyway. The Balgor moved with purpose. Him and Phi appeared to be getting along quite well. Fanged wasn’t surprised. They both had a strong work ethic which translated well down in the mines. The woman followed her two pets, close at their heels. The tunnel twisted and turned, structured like a winding snake. Phi had no qualms with this pathing, but Fanged found herself growing a bit nervous.
(Phi 17 2/5, 19 2/5 | Casper 3 2/5, 3 2/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 2, 2020 21:40:46 GMT -6
She had a bad feeling about things to come. She gestured for her companion pets to stop while she worked things out. She took a moment to breathe and truly take in their surroundings. If there was something off about them, she was going to figure out what that was. Casper moved closer to her, stepping so lightly across the ground that she wasn’t even certain if his paws had touched the ground. She supposed that was only natural for an ethereal creature. With her focus intent on their surroundings, Fanged finally noticed what had been bothering her.
“Are those bones?” she questioned. “Seems like they’re scattered across the length of the tunnel. Of course, that’s what’s so unnerving.”
She shuddered as the piles of bones grew numerous as she glanced down the tunnel. At least they appeared to be the bones of small animals. However, this looked like it was only the beginning of the bone stash. Casper was completely unphased with the graveyard. That likely had something to do with the carnivorous nature of the Balgor. Even if Casper didn’t eat conventionally, that seemed like an instinct that would be ingrained in their DNA. Phi was more wary, but Fanged assumed it was the grime of potential gore that bothered her.
(Phi 17 3/5, 19 3/5 | Casper 3 3/5, 3 3/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 2, 2020 22:39:46 GMT -6
Both of her pets deferred to her to take the lead as the bones grew even more numerous. Phi had slowed her pace, hesitant to step across the bones. Casper followed close behind Fanged though he never picked up enough speed to pass her. His ethereal body shimmered under the light of her flashlight as she used it to scan the area. Fanged took a slow pace she drew closer to the end of the path they were taking. The carcasses grew larger as they drew closer to the end. Fanged passed by a pile of bones that look like they came from a creature the size of a Galabex.
“I wonder where these bones came from. Are they from outside? I don’t think these creatures normally dwell down here,” she remarked.
Casper stopped for a moment to sniff at the pile of what they could only presume to be Galabex bones. Phi followed them, keeping her distance from the piles of bones. Well Sarane could certainly be large enough to hunt creatures like this, she felt like she was getting close to the area she needed to be. She didn’t quite know what object she was meant to retrieve.
(Phi 17 4/5, 19 4/5 | Casper 3 4/5, 3 4/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 2, 2020 23:28:49 GMT -6
Her only description of the object had been “You’ll know it when you see it.” There wasn’t much she could do to change that except trust her instinct. She supposed that this object must be unique and valuable and that would have to be enough for her to find it. Casper was riled up at the sight of all the successful hunts. He licked his lips as though anticipating hunting for himself. It was not necessary for him to hunt, though Fanged did not know if he would be able to hunt other ethereal beings. She didn’t quite know how that sort of interaction would even work.
“I suppose we ought to look for where the nests would be located. Surely this isn’t a single Sarane responsible for all this carnage. Or maybe it is? And in that case, we’ll need to be extra careful.”
Casper flicked his ears forward at the sound of her words. The Balgor could be silent! That was his specialty! Phi was also quiet as they walked forward. She took extra time to carefully place each foot, avoiding the troublesome spots in their pathway. Fanged took her flashlight and swept it around the area, trying to spot a nest.
(Phi 18, 20 | Casper 4, 4)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 3, 2020 0:08:33 GMT -6
Their pathway turned a corner and Fanged found herself facing even more bones. They must have been amassed over a number of years. Some of the bones were so old they were hardly more than dust. She had never seen anything like it before in the mines and she was certainly glad of that fact. She kept her ears open and alert. Casper too raised his head to listen for any signs of the creatures that had committed this massacre. Phi was silent and her gaze was intense. Fanged suspected that Casper had the best hearing of the trio, but that didn’t make the Raikiri a slouch.
Phi stepped forward with a renewed confidence. Her eyes were sharply narrowed as she scanned the area around them for the creatures as well. However, this place appeared long abandoned. There were no signs of life. The bones around here were much too old. Not even an ounce of flesh remained on them. If they wanted to find the nests, they would need to find where these creatures were actively living. This seemed like an old spot. One that was long abandoned. She was glad they hadn’t run into any of the massive beasts, but they would need to find them to complete the quest.
(Phi 18 1/5, 20 1/5 | Casper 4 1/5, 4 1/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 3, 2020 16:38:47 GMT -6
They continued on in silence. Fanged was slightly fearful as they moved away from the abandoned territory. She desperately hoped that this item could be found among the ruins, but alas, it would not be found around here. Phi assumed the lead once again, moving a bit quicker once the bone piles had dispersed. Casper slunk along the tunnel, moving silently behind her. Fanged took up the rear, her observational skills sharp and her eyes focused on any signs that might indicate the presence of living creatures. Their movements were filled with purpose. Phi did her best to lead them to areas where she thought would be ideal for predatory creatures to settle.
“Guess we’ll need to be on the lookout for fresher bones and a protected area with access to fresh water,” she speculated aloud.
She didn’t know how one was meant to track a place like that, but she hoped her creature companions could provide some insight into that. Casper raised his head to sniff the air. She wondered if he was trying to catch a scent of Sarane, or even simply of something alive. Phi watched him, waiting for him to pick up a scent that would be worthwhile to pursue.
(Phi 18 2/5, 20 2/5 | Casper 4 2/5, 4 2/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 3, 2020 22:26:55 GMT -6
It took Casper a few moments, but soon he pricked his ears forward and inhaled deeply. He then began to walk forward, his attention focused intently on the strange scent he had picked up. Phi followed him closely, using the Balgor’s senses to guide them through the underground. He moved with a swift purpose and Fanged found herself forced to pick up the pace so that she wouldn’t lose him in the darkness. They continued on like this for a while, passing by many side tunnels and caverns, sticking to the one path that Casper was intent on following. Soon, the sound of running water could be heard.
“An underground river! That would certainly be a necessary component of the ideal place to live here,” Fanged muttered.
She was instantly on alert. They had to be close to the nest that she was meant to find. It was the area that made the most sense. Now they just needed to find a cavern filled with the remains of prey. They had already found one, finding another shouldn’t be too difficult. The difficult part would be dealing with anything alive that they might find. Getting in a fight down here would assure their doom.
(Phi 18 3/5, 20 3/5 | Casper 4 3/5, 4 3/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 14, 2020 13:25:57 GMT -6
Fanged made sure that Phi and Casper slowed down as they approached the river. They could use the river to mask themselves from any Sarane that might be lurking in the area. She didn’t know quite enough about Sarane biology to know the best methods to hide from them specifically, so her strategies would involve her general tracking and hiding knowledge. Fanged took the lead now. Phi was a bit hesitant to be in this area and Casper stuck close to her heels. Her two companions were aware of the potential dangers of their expedition. After all, they had seen firsthand the destruction that Sarane were capable of.
She scanned the ground, looking for any signs of footprints of fresh blood. Bits of fur or bone would also be good for indicating if there were Sarane present in the immediate area. She wished her sense of smell was stronger. Tracking by scent was possible by creatures, not so much by her. As they moved away from the river and towards the cavern, Fanged prepared her pets in case there were Sarane present close by. She made sure they stepped silently and tried to be as unassuming as possible in the potentially dangerous space.
(Phi 18 4/5, 20 4/5 | Casper 4 4/5, 4 4/5)
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Post by Fanged on Nov 15, 2020 16:05:05 GMT -6
Venturing deeper into the cavern was certainly unnerving. Fanged found herself on edge, more so than usual at least. She caught sight of the signs she was looking for. Bones littered the floor of the cavern fresher than the last ones they had seen had been. Casper followed close behind, his ears pricked forward intently as he observed the bones as well. Phi hung back a bit, not wanting to get her feet dirtied by the grime that clumped on the ground. Fanged rolled her eyes and pushed some of the bones out of the way so that Phi would have a clear path to walk. She was still hesitant to move, but she managed to take a few steps forward.
“Keep quiet,” she whispered to her pets as they moved.
She tried to make sure to follow this advice herself. It was certainly difficult and involved her avoiding accidentally stepping on top of the many bones that were present within the cave. Casper luckily was pretty naturally silent. Phi was also careful enough that she didn’t make much noise either. Fanged focused on herself, moving forward with extra caution. She kept herself pressed against the side of the tunnel wall, using it for extra protection.
(Phi 19, 21 | Casper 5, 5)
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