Toru Nui

IC: Skrall (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Marketplace) - Be Careful What You Wish For

Skrall began mulling it over. The scout’s comparison of him to a poorly-handled Spikit seemed to indicate that he believed that he only wanted to crush the Renegades because they were closer, not because they were… repulsive. They treated their slaves abominably and won them through foul means. The Skrall did not do such things… not in the same way, which was the crucial difference. There was no similarly between the Legion and the Renegades apart from something of a shared origin, nothing more. Nothing.

As for his proposed strategy of attacking the tribe with the food first, this too sickened him. He would have vocally objected, but the Special Operations Skrall had commanded silence, without outright saying he was commanding silence, which was also insulting.

Defeating the south by starving them would lack honor, especially since… Skrall searched for the right word. It was apparent that most of them were servants, but were not slaves, but also not warriors. They had those strange circular pieces of metal with little value to barter among themselves with. How very strange. The deaths of these people would stain the Legion’s conquest. Surely, their target should instead be…

He froze as he contemplated the implications of what the scout proposed. A victory through such dishonorable means was bad enough, but then there was the tribe with the water, and the tribe that forged using lava, using the metals from the other two tribes. The southern tribes could only survive independently of each other through trading and their games. His eyes go wide in realization. There was no feasible way for the Skrall to achieve an honorable victory without either conquering every tribe at once - which clearly, none of his brothers here would have any confidence in - or by striking at their hub, the city known as Atero. A city full of those who were not warriors.

Skrall decided he preferred thinking with his sword.

@Burnmad @a goose @BULiK @oncertainty @Vezok's Friend @Nato G @Mel

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Her Understanding

“Yes. I think I do understand.” Taldrix said, nodding her head. “You came to us, and not the tribes, because we are easier to control. None of that democracy garbage in the tribes, where you win based on how well you can lie and how much wealth you can throw around. You came to us, because if they helped you, you’d have to give them their share. They might even have tried to destroy the ruins, if it conflicted with whatever religious nonsense is being peddled nowadays. And the Skrall would never listen to you, being so far up their own backsides that their meals are recyclable.”

She tapped where Ferrum is on the map. “I also understand that you were so interested in Ferrum’s plague because it happens to be close to where these ruins are. We’ll be at risk of contracting it the more we operate in this region, so we need as much information on it as we can…” She turned to the Ghost. “This would be my reasoning if I were you, at least, sir.”

@a goose

IC: Maxas and Vraek (Streets of Tajun) - If You Need Instructions on How to Get Through to the Hotel…

“Oh, think nothing of it. I should…” Vraek trailed off, scanning the crowd. Where was he? He was never this late before… was he held up? Or did he have one of his schemes hatched?

Vraek noted how dark and less oppressively warm it was getting. She turned back to Jeizmel. “We should retire for the night, it’s getting late.” Hopefully this time there would be less of a hassle with her reservation at the Arena Hotel. “I will see you again, I’m certain. Goodnight, and… keep yourself safe.”

The Ice Glatorian then turned on her heel to leave - and almost tripped over a nervous Water Agori, who very quickly ran way.

“Ah! Hrmph.” Hopeful that nobody saw that apart from Jeizmel, Vraek began wading through the crowd to the hotel…

@That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Skrall (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Marketplace) - Mixing Work and Politics

Skrall took only a little sip of the water ration handed to him, to conserve it.

“The fact remains - the Renegades are a blight upon these sands. They may not steal primarily from the Skrall, but they do steal from the southern tribes. When Roxtus conquers the south, as it must, they will most likely begin stealing from us. Whereas, the opposite would be true - conquering the Renegades would perhaps make the southerners…” He struggled to find the right word. “Less hostile?”

@a goose @Vezok's Friend @Burnmad @BULiK @oncertainty @Mel

On 4/8/2024 at 10:26 AM, Nato G said:

Vamprah was responsible for Odina (I guess he sucked at his job, since he clearly never did anything about the Dark Hunters).

I've always imagined that the real reason why the Shadowed One hated the Makuta so much was because Vamprah - for his own amusement and to keep the Hunters from getting too full of themselves - kept breaking into the fortress, wrecking up the place and scaring people.

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - That Two Minute Training Match Lasted Almost One Year

“That is correct. I don’t believe we’ve wasted any serious amount of time. Although…” Lutenus’ cybernetic eye whirred around, as if taking stock of the position of the sun and clouds in the sky. “I believe it would be prudent to leave as soon as possible.”

The eye then snapped to face Mard and Ahmoa, his face following after a short delay. “Thank you for your service, gentlemen.” He then trudged over to them to hand back the dulled axe to Ahmoa.

OOC: I realized upon re-reading earlier posts that Lutenus asked earlier what the price was for an hour, and Mard pointed towards a sign with the prices, but at no point did Lutenus actually give them any money, though he did fetch some coin out of his pocket when he asked. I’d like to say he did give them the money, I just forgot to mention it.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - The Old Country

“You’re looking for something in the canyons.” She said aloud, looking over the map. “You believe that there might be remnants of the old civilization out there?”

Was he really only assuming control of the Gatherers just to search for answers? What happened to his people, and if he’s the only one left? What would he do if he wasn’t the last of his race, and found more of them out there? Would he abandon his position among the Gatherers to join them? No, no, anyone with his intelligence would never give up power that easily.

But what if his fellow Great Beings didn’t care much for the Gatherers? After all, their very name implied that Agori were lesser beings. Taldrix couldn’t blame the Ghost for disliking that epithet. But at least it wasn’t sanctimonious slander like ‘Bone Hunter’ was. If it were bones she was interested in, she’d have stayed in Roxtus.

In any case, she couldn’t trust that whatever the Ghost was spending precious manpower and resources to find existed, and that it wouldn’t be bad for her if it did. ‘Answers to the questions that plagued them both?’

Well. They’d see, wouldn’t they?

@a goose

IC: Skrall (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Marketplace) - He Is Not Immune to Propaganda

Skrall didn’t seem convinced by the ‘quicksand’ explanation. Depravity was weakness. His comrades did not seem to believe in the Black Legion’s invincibility and infallibility - not to the same extent as their superiors did. Perhaps that was why they were their superiors - this lack of confidence was potentially holding them back from elevation to what would otherwise be their proper place.

As opposed to himself, of course, whom he was fairly certain was always going to die as one of the Warrior-class - preferably in combat, though that should go without saying. Once more, he looked with sadness at those who were once his brothers, enslaved to the will of the vile Renegades, who now would most likely perish ingloriously in forced servitude.

Not that Skrall had a choice in servitude anyway. But servitude to the Black Legion was superior and vastly preferable, being to the benefit of all Skrall - and eventually, all people - and not the Renegades. There was an obvious, clear difference.

And it was obvious. There was no doubt. It was obvious…

What were they talking about? The possibility of the Renegades ambushing them as they left for the south? He decided to focus on that. If he thought too much about what he knew to be true, he started to foolishly question it.

@Vezok's Friend @a goose @BULiK @Burnmad @Nato G @oncertainty

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Happy Endling

Not the last survivor, then - the last descendant. Did he kill any others that might have lived? He seemed a little too happy at the prospect that he might be an endling - the last of his race. It was possible that he was right to do so, if the Great Beings were as powerful as the myths claim, that power would inevitably be used to lord over the Agori. Specifically, the Agori known as Taldrix. But then, here he was, leading the Gatherers. So it was likely that no one in this scenario was an innocent party. Except the Agori known as Taldrix.

That Agori examined the table before her…

@a goose

IC: Xyde (Iron Canyon) - On the Menu

Xyde had been expecting some snide comparison between their people and the carrion birds perched above them, but it didn’t seem to be coming. At least, not for now. Perhaps later. Or if anyone was thinking it, it was being kept to themselves. Perhaps that was a little harsh, but then, so was the environs.

They wondered if this was how livestock felt, surrounded by creatures that only saw you as a potential future meal. If they could understand their situation at all, of course.

They felt the need to glare defiantly at the scavengers above for a few moments, before trudging along, following the others. 

@a goose @Nato G @~Xemnas~ @Burnmad @oncertainty

IC: Maxas and Vraek (Streets of Tajun) - A Gnawing Feeling

“Call me Vraek, please…” Jeizmel’s vocal disapproval of their leader did not go unnoticed. “But yes. The games won’t start for some time I think…” She then scanned the crowd. “Hmm… no Skrall.” Or Lutenus, for that matter. But he’d be here soon, no doubt. They’d all be here…

Something gnawed at her, and she couldn’t keep herself from asking. “Pardon me, but…you will be cautious without me?” Though Tajun’s own dangers were many, she wouldn’t put it past Metus to try and silence his detractor.

Maxas did his best to integrate with the crowd - a Water Agori in Tajun wasn’t unexpected, after all. No one would dare try to accost or assassinate him in front of so many witnesses…

Wouldn’t they?

@That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Unreliable Narrator

It was often said that there was some sort of cataclysm that turned a supposed paradise into the wasteland they knew now. ‘Punishment for our sins,’ she had heard it said. Personally, she had thought that the world was always like this and places like Tesara and Tajun were just exceptions. The ‘tribes’ hoarded food and water for themselves, but of course, the Gatherers were the bad guys, for doing what they didn’t need to do to survive, and would do in an instant if they did need to.

What was she doing again? Oh right - learning ancient lore. “Then… what happened, sir? Are you the only one left?”

It was important to remember that this information was not necessarily true, or even accurate. The Ghost was no doubt telling the version of the story where he comes across as the good guy… or, as ‘good’ as a Gatherer would care for. The fact that he seemed glad that his own race was gone disturbed her. Obviously, Taldrix herself was happy to hear that - supposedly - there was no more of him. But these were HIS people they were talking about - HE should not be happy.

@a goose

IC: Maxas and Vraek (Streets of Tajun) - Scum and Villainy

Vraek and Jeizmel arrived with the convoy to Tajun.

“Now, the Village of Water may look serene and peaceful, but in truth, Tajun is…” Vraek made certain nobody else but Jeizmel could hear this next part, leaning downwards to whisper. “Tajun is second only to a Bone Hunter encampment in unscrupulous dealings. This is the centre of the cybernetic conversion craze and various criminal organizations.” She seemed serious about this. “Stay close to me, it should discourage them from stealing from us. Conventionally. They may try to scam us, so don’t buy anything.”       

There was a very nervous Tajunian walking quickly across the street.

@That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Skrall (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Marketplace) - The Simple Solution

Skrall beheld all those he could see. His fellow Skrall - no, not Skrall anymore, now treated with less dignity than a beast of burden. He found himself almost physically ill with rage… but not at the not-Skrall. At least, not this specific not-Skrall. For them, he felt… pity.

“Why does the Legion negotiate with these creatures?” He asked the others, whispering. “The Renegades are weak, preying only on those weaker. The full might of the Skrall would destroy them easily.”

@Mel @a goose @BULiK @Burnmad @Nato G @Vezok's Friend @oncertainty

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Sinister Surveillance

Oh.

Oh this was even worse.

“Right you are, sir.” She put it on without visible complaint. Couldn’t kill him now, those two goons were right outside, and there was no knowing what sort of strange Great Being powers he might have.

Anything she’d like to ask him, he said?

“If you don’t mind me asking… you ARE a Great Being, are you not?”

@a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Practice Makes Perfect

Lutenus takes Lorqua’s hand. “I believe we’re as good as we’re going to get for now. I believe if we depart now we shouldn’t have any trouble finding a convoy. How do you feel?”

@oncertainty @Daniel the Finlander

IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero, Near the City Gates) - Departures

“Good question. Come with me. I know all the best convoys.” Vraek began taking Xani to a place she knew a convoy would take off from…

OOC: I don’t actually know anything about this, let’s just warp to Tajun and say we took a convoy.

@That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Skrall (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Marketplace) - This Place Reeks of Evil

Skrall had never seen civilization beyond the encampments of the Legion. His contempt was evident.

These people were… disgusting.

Skrall wasn’t quite certain why.

@BULiK @Burnmad @oncertainty @Nato G @Vezok's Friend

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Non-Negotiable

Ah. He was adamant on this. Weaning her off the Spice.

Unacceptable. He would have to die.

“Very well, sir. I will endeavor to abandon Spice entirely.”

@a goose

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Abort Mission! Abort Mission!

“If you’ll excuse me.” Maxas quickly walks out of the workshop, but trying to make it look like he wasn’t walking quickly.

@a goose @Jesse Pinkman

IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero, Near the City Gates) - Bystander Syndrome

Vraek was… a little disconcerted, to say the least, by Xani’s treatment of her Spikit. Despite this, she said and did nothing.

Desperate to brush that aside, she turned to Jeizmel. “Well. In any case, we should be leaving soon ourselves. I’ll hire myself out to a convoy. I can pay for your transportation, if necessary.”

@Daniel the Finlander @That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Beware My Stinger Tail!

“...The Sand Tribe.” Taldrix realizes. “But that sort of degradation would have to happen over several generations. According to our Aula Agoria, her lackeys have been dying in mere weeks from this disease.”

@a goose

IC: Xyde (Iron Canyon, Elevator) - Ground Floor

Xyde was present on the elevator with Gayle and the others, having made certain that Salwa was fine, and had someone look after Zin and Zyn while they were away. The elevator was buckling a bit, they noticed. How long had it been since it was last maintained?

Interesting how the Fire Glatorian would be the one in charge. Xyde supposed that nobody trusted the Preciperans to guide them through the canyon. For whatever reason.

@Nato G @a goose @~Xemnas~ @Burnmad @oncertainty

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Conspiratorial

That look! It was obvious - she was in on it! Whatever it was - it was bad!

“Oh. Well, I’d have to check my calendar if I’m free around that time…” He trailed off. He made a suspicious glance at Karak, then realized that his open suspicion would make him suspicious and stopped. “I don’t want to take up any more of your time, I’ll be going now.”

@a goose @Jesse Pinkman

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Oh Right, My Boss Is an Alien

“No, it appears that the disease afflicts all demographics. Let’s face it, there’s not enough biological differences between us and the Iron Agori to say it only affects them…” She paused for a moment. “I’m not sure how different yours would be to ours, though. I wouldn’t take any chances. She also mentioned that Ferrum’s telegraphy station was ‘malfunctioning’ at the same time, apparently they weren’t able to get word of this out to the other Atero tribes. I doubt that was a coincidence. Apart from that-”

I watched nearly a dozen miners succumb to this plague.

“...Miners. She singled out miners in particular. Many in Ferrum are miners, but… nothing like this dream disease has ever been recorded before. Perhaps the source is underground? But, er, that’s mere speculation, sir.”

@a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - The Problem With Writing Competent Characters Is That YOU Have to Write Them

DEACTIVATE.

Clever girl.

Now, Lutenus could say ‘I do not’ and continue… but he needed to be in ideal condition for the actual fights. He had already taken a spear to the chest and other miscellaneous minor injuries, liable to increase even if he did win the bout.

His profession as a gladiatorial combatant would be far simpler and easier if he didn’t have to bother about…

“I do.” He said. His cybernetic eye squirmed a bit as he said this.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Spice

“...Three days.” Taldrix confessed. Even admitting that there was a problem was like pulling out one of her own teeth, but she suspected that the Ghost would do something far worse than impromptu dentistry if she wasn’t straight with him.

“It doesn’t affect my work, I promise.” Which was technically true, Taldrix made sure to destroy anything she wrote down under the influence of Spice before it could be read or distributed.

He wasn’t about to… tell her to stop, was he? She needed the Spice. The Spice must flow.

@a goose

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - Teatime

Taldrix shuffled nervously. She almost always had her spice on her, but - oh, he meant tea.

He did mean the tea, right?

How would he even know-

“I cannot say for certain, sir.” Taldrix tentatively takes a sip of the vaunted Teseran tea.

@a goose

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - First Impressions

Tea?

Whatever Taldrix had been expecting, it was not this. He was too… polite. Far too polite to command the respect of the likes of Crucius, Kast and Trem. There had to be something quite vicious concealed behind it.

She’d better drink his tea, or suffer his wrath, probably.

“I wouldn’t say no to some, sir.”

@a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Spear Me the Gory Details

Unfortunately, while the cybernetic implant lodged in Lutenus’ cranium could think faster, his body had to move at regular speed. As such, though it was predicted, he was unable to evade Lorqua’s attack. The javelin hit him in the side of his ribs, but did not go in very far. “Graagh!”

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, the Tower) - The Management

Oh.

Taldrix sat down, as instructed.

“Sorry to disturb you, erm-” Was ‘boss’ too informal? Was ‘my lord’ not formal enough? “Sir, but it’s about the item Crucius retrieved from outside Ferrum.” She offered her notes for his inspection.

@a goose

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside the Tower) - Guards!

Oh no, not these two. These two might actually be able to read. The paper Crucius gave her would only let her pass if the Aula Agoria was dead or dying, and that unfortunately wasn’t the case… but then, these two would likely never go near her cell. By the time Crucius got back from meeting with Metus, he’ll likely be too busy being bossed around by the Ghost to question how precisely he got the info about the disease.

She wordlessly flashed the signed paper from Crucius at the two. “My papers are in order. I have important information from the boss, extracted from our most recent item.”

@a goose

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Unfortunately, Time Is Not on My Side

Maxas cautiously handed the device back to the receptionist. OK, this wasn’t working, he needed an out… “Erm, would it be possible to schedule the surgery at some later date? I don’t want to miss the Games.” And it’s true, being the most widely attended event in the wastelands, no one would dare try to have him killed surrounded by so many witnesses.

@a goose @Morgan Yu

IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero, Near the City Gates) - Fortunately, Time Is on Our Side

“There’s no cause for concern. So long as we leave sometime today, there’ll be more than enough time to prepare for the Games.” Well, Vraek wasn’t entirely certain of that, but they were in no danger of showing up too late for the matches at least.

@Daniel the Finlander @That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold) - I’m Taking It up With the Management

Taldrix made her way to the chambers of the Ghost. Screw Crucius - if this dream disease was real, the whole stronghold needed to know about it.

@a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Appreciation!

“You noticed!” Lutenus jokes, before becoming serious again - ACTIVATE - and attacking Lorqua with his axe. Aiming without any intent to seriously wound, of course.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Xyde (Precipere, Guardhouse) - Exit, Stage Left

“OK, let me see what the damage is this time…” Xyde went off to look over Salwa…

@Nato G @a goose @Burnmad @~Xemnas~ @oncertainty

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Quick, Pretend You Know What You’re Doing

“Hmm. Hmmmm.” Maxas pretends that he’s examining the machine carefully. “Yes, yes… ah… do you have anything…” He had to think of something that wouldn’t seem out-of-character, in case Celrys’ secretary reported his activity to Scodonius or Berix. “Anything that can reduce dehydration out in the desert?”

@a goose @Morgan Yu

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Enemy Weapon Get!

Lutenus flips around the javelin now in his hand so the sharp end is pointing at Lorqua, and throws it at her.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - I Knew That Would Happen But I’m Still Mad About It

Oh, of course. It took all of Taldrix’s willpower to not sigh wearily or roll her eyes or otherwise demonstrate her failure to be amused. “Well then. I’ll see you some other time.” Taldrix takes her leave… and makes a note to record her dreams from now on.

Just in case.

@a goose

IC: Xyde (Precipere, Guardhouse) - Medical Emergency

“While under ordinary circumstances I would help in these precautions…” Xyde replied to Somok, and then turned their head to Tueris, addressing his concern. “I believe the Iron Tribe is in greater need of medical attention. At present, it appears only Salwa needs help, but I can look her over before we leave. Another minor illness contracted from scouting I should imagine, as the elder says.”

@Nato G @a goose @Burnmad @~Xemnas~ @oncertainty

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - User Error

What was this… devil box? Maxas desperately tries to make sense of the technology laid before him while also trying to not seem suspicious and also trying to avoid the Glatorian of indeterminate village’s gaze.

@a goose @Morgan Yu

IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero, Near the City Gates) - You Will Pay for This

Vraek handed Xani the requested sum. “Yes. Unlike some in Iconox, I will pay for goods and services rendered.” Of course, this is a barb at Metus and his administration, not necessarily at anyone present.

@Daniel the Finlander @That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - Getting Our Story Straight

“I see.” She wasn’t sure how much she believed the item’s story, but it was the story they were going with. “That’s all for now, I think. Unless there’s anything else you’d like to share?” Taldrix steeled herself for the possibility of childish nonsense being spewed at her.

@a goose

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Hopeless With Tech

Oh no it was one of them from the inn - don’t make eye contact. Be calm. Breathe. Breathe normally. That will make you calm.

What was this… device? Maxas grabbed a seat as suggested, and turned the dial…

@Morgan Yu @a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Clash Dialogue

DEACTIVATE.

Discarding his empty Thornax Launcher, Lutenus moved to grab the main body of Lorqua’s javelin with his spare hand, and tried to overpower Lorqua. “You asked for it.”

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - J’accuse

Oh great. There’d be more of this. Nothing could ever be painless, could it? Certainly not what she was about to ask.

“Perhaps this is mere psychological projection, but I personally find it rather odd that you - the leader of your tribe - are the apparent sole survivor of this incident, or at least the only one to have fled your village. Do you have any explanation for this?”

To be honest, this… this dreamless plague, it sounded a little far-fetched. But if Taldrix was willing to accept the possibility that her boss was a Great Being, this couldn’t be dismissed entirely out of hand.

@a goose

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Celrys’ Workshop) - Modify and Sever

Outside the main Celtech building, Maxas collected himself. Technology in-and-of itself was not evil. But not only did arena matches now rely on whomever could afford the most expensive technological toys, Celrys himself, despite his grotesque nature, was just another cog in the machine that was the Tajun underworld. That, and the act of replacing your body parts with unliving contraptions by someone who most undoubtedly was not a legal medical practitioner was… disconcerting. Maxas kept having to discreetly see a physician to make sure no one had discretely cut out one of his organs or implanted some malevolent gizmo while he slept since the practice became more prevalent. A different physician each time, of course. Couldn’t afford to tip off Celrys that he was onto him.

He entered the building, and tried to make it seem like he would rather not be here. “I would like to browse your wares… if that’s… possible.” Was there a way to browse cyborg weaponry? He hoped that it didn’t involve ‘trying out’ the merchandise.

@a goose

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Back! Back, I Say!

Lutenus re-engages the logic machine in his brain - ACTIVATE - but too late to do anything about the spear being swiped at his leg. The machine refused to let him do anything other than emit a growl of pain, before swinging the axe again - more to drive Lorqua back than actually harm her.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - Symptomatic

“Symptoms… dreamless self-aware sleep… lethargy… paranoia, violent tendencies…” Taldrix finished scribbling down. “That’s not good - three out of four can already be found here.” She commented, letting Somnii hear her contempt for her fellow Gatherer out loud.

“So, one or two weeks from infection to death, though longer cases are known… infected enters a comatose state, from which death soon follows. I assume you’ve only recently been infected, due to your lack of symptoms, beyond the dreamless sleep you described, which cannot be observed from the outside.”

@a goose

IC: Xyde (Precipere, Guardhouse) - Ah, Fresh Victims!

“I would like nothing more, in case the Iron Tribe needs medical assistance, but…” Xyde then turns to the investigation team. “I don’t think it’s my call to make. Would you allow me to accompany you to Ferrum? You understand that we’re not the bogeymen Vulcanus makes us out to be. I’m hardly going to steal your organs while you sleep like they do in Tajun, so I’ve heard.”

@Nato G @a goose @Burnmad @~Xemnas~ @oncertainty

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - Successful Counter

Lorqua’s shield slammed into Lutenus’ axe-wielding arm, sending him off-balance. He staggered backwards, trying to regain his footing, open for an attack…

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Vraek (Streets of Atero, Near the City Gates) - How to Quickly Make Decisions You Will Regret Later in Just One Easy Step

Now, Vraek did in fact, have a sizable amount of money on her person. What fool would dare attempt to rob a Glatorian of Iconox, after all? She could feasibly afford any one of the items here… the question was, of course - which one?

“Hmm…” She couldn’t afford to be indecisive in front of Jeizmel, so she pulled out an old trick her mother taught her in order to avoid such scenarios. “I think… that one.” She pointed randomly and intended to commit to whatever was at the end of her finger - a necklace.

@Daniel the Finlander @That Matoran with a Vahi

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - One Over Her

Cocky little princess, wasn’t she? Now, this wasn’t Taldrix’s first Rock Steed rodeo, she knew that the item was only doing this out of some vain hope of escape, to tell the world of the Gatherers’ new leader. And ‘vain’ was clearly the right word for her. Did she truly believe she was ever getting out of the stronghold? As far as the world was concerned, she was already dead, so there was no daring rescue on the way, nor was there any inclination to ransom her. And from the sound of it, she’d be dead of the plague eventually. Even if she could escape, she’d never make it to any other spot of civilisation - if you could even call the tribes civilised - before her end came. And if this could get her further standing with the Ghost and knowledge of his true nature…

“...Alright then.” She said, after a moment, softening her demeanour. “Sorry about earlier, usually the new ones who aren’t afraid don’t waste any time about how I’m ‘the scum of the sands’ and so on and so forth, I thought you’d be the same. I’d shake your hand, but, uh… I really don’t think it’s a good idea to touch you.”

@a goose

IC: Dornak (Streets of Atero) - A Busy Night of Doing Nothing

OK, so far, no Skrall. Dornak looked around him, peeking his head out of his Thornatus. Was his inactivity drawing attention? None that he could see…

He probably shouldn’t have expected the Skrall to arrive straightaway. They probably had important Skrall business… now that Dornak thought about it, why would they even bother participating in the Games? And now that Dornak thought about it more, how official was his agreement with the Rock Tribe? Was there a ‘do not maim’ bulletin on him?

As he determined earlier, he couldn’t just go north - there was nothing up there but Roxtus and the Bone Hunter Stronghold, and thus, it would be suspicious for anyone to go there. His only value to the Skrall was that he was not openly affiliated with them, he could not afford to be exposed! But he could also not afford to be seen to do nothing all night, especially when the action was with Tajun…

Then again, not everyone was leaving right away, and so, neither would he. As for his present inaction… Dornak decided to get some shuteye. It was getting dark as it was.

He was going to need it.

IC: Maxas (Tajun, Maxas’ Hut) - Orange Is Sus

And so, following this enigmatic and irrefutably suspicious Iron Glatorian from a considerable distance back to his ‘home village’ of Tajun, Maxas saw them head towards the direction of the Celtech building. Of course he had something to do with this.

Maxas parked his Kaxium in the driveway of his home. He then looked painstakingly throughout the premises for the slightest hint of forced entry, or some manner of trap. There was none… none he could see, at least. And he knew better than to relax at this - that was just how Berix and his underworld masters wanted him to react, to lower his guard before they would strike truly at him.

In any case, he would now have to brave whatever horrors awaited him in Celrys’ laboratory and butcher shop hybrid in order to find the truth behind this. There was little doubt in his mind that Ferrum’s abrupt silence was but a part of a grander, sinister design, and that this Glatorian knew something about it…

By the Lord of Water, Tajun nights were cold.

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - Trade Offer

There was a brief silence as Taldrix mulled it over… unbelievable. She only came in here to check up on her and verbally demean her a little, just to get the item acclimatised to her new environment and vent a little frustration on her own part. And now, she was seriously considering… what? An alliance, of sorts?

Well. You didn’t need to be allies to listen.

“And you want… what, in return?”

@a goose

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - A Dangerous Pastime, I Know

Just what she was afraid of - the stupid brat was now thinking. A dangerous pastime for slaves. One that could cost Taldrix her job if something went wrong. And since Taldrix’s job was her life… she tried to conceal her sudden burst of fear.

A chance in tactics was in order. “What are you proposing, exactly?” She asked, swallowing all contempt for the girl in the cell, trying to come across as impartial to hide her stake in this business. “Feign illness and get him to inspect you personally? What happens to you when he finds out you’re not really sick?”

Well, more importantly, what would happen to Taldrix, but somehow, she doubted that the prisoner held any more regard for her life than she did hers. ‘Morality’ was a scam, after all. Made the weak feel better about not being strong enough to just take what they want. No doubt this offer to ‘help’ was spawned from the persistent delusion that escape was feasible, that somehow she was one of the small exceptions to the countless items the Gatherers had accumulated over their long history. There were occasional successful runaways, yes… again, small exceptions.

In her brief panic, she had managed to completely overlook the mention of a plague…

@a goose

IC: Xyde (Precipere, Guardhouse) - The Guest House

“Somok, I-” Xyde began as they absent-mindedly entered, only to notice the copious - and perhaps dangerous - level of outsiders in the room. “I see we have guests. To what do we owe the pleasure?” They could tell that a number of them were Vulcanians. Oh, joy.

@Nato G @a goose @Burnmad @~Xemnas~ @oncertainty

IC: Lutenus (Outskirts of Atero, Training Ground) - The Best Defense Is a Good Fence

Target was now upright against the fence. DEACTIVATE. Lutenus had to regain control for a moment, if only to ensure he did not inadvertently have his axe chop through the arena’s barrier and thus damage their host’s property. He swung his axe in a way that wouldn’t endanger the fence and probably wouldn’t seriously damage Lorqua. Probably.

@oncertainty @Techn0geist

IC: Taldrix (Bone Hunter Stronghold, Outside Somnii’s Cell) - Big Mouth

“Maybe he’s really, really ugly.” The fact that she was holding a conversation with the item was now becoming a bit of a problem. It made the Gatherers - and her - look weak. If not for Crucius’ explicit instructions, she would have had someone beat the attitude out of her several times over, if not do it herself.

“You should pray I don’t find out what he looks like. Because the only way I’m allowed to see him is if you are dead or dying.”

Oh #### she should not have said that-

@a goose