Fighty

"Knowledge is the root of arrogance. Secrets are the stumbling blocks of the proud." Ringworld Part 1 of the Guardians Series Prologue The misshapen Kanohi sat on the iron table, its blank eyes staring soullessly up at the onlookers. The Turaga of Water eyed it with a mix of wariness and weariness; the mark on it had been etched into his memory just as it had been etched upon the mask. It was an elegant, curving "S" shape, with a scythe coursing through the middle. Delmar had seen it before, so many ages ago. The eight elders sat noiselessly around the table, none daring to utter a word. At length, the Vortixx Arima spoke up. "This doesn't mean anything," she declared matter-of-factly, although her timorous tone stated otherwise. "Hundreds of Matoran know the mark, don't they? This could just be an elaborate prank designed to scare us." "Sixteen dead bodies say it's anything but a prank," the Turaga of Stone declared solemnly, his face ashen at this unwanted discovery. "There have been twenty-eight murders in my province over the last three weeks!" Arima cried, bristling a bit. "And I know for a fact that they were committed by the Blades. But what do you have? A couple of symbols and the testimony of some half-witted tohunga? It's baseless conjecture!" "They're back," the Matoran of Air interrupted, his voice firm. "The sun told me so yesterday." An uncomfortable silence followed. "Well," Arima replied smugly, "that settles everything now, doesn't it?" "You'll remember, Arima," Delmar began, looking over at her with his moon-rimmed spectacles. "That one time when Uderu predicted a bomb threat because the 'sea spoke to him.' You laughingly ignored it, and we all know how that turned out." Arima's smug grin turned to a sour grimace, and she bit her tongue. Once more the council plunged into tacit, contemplative thought. "We can't take this risk," the Toa of Fire said finally. "If the Shadow Lovers are back, and they really are responsible for these murders, then we can't just sit back and hope they don't exist. We need to hunt them down and end their terrorism before they gain enough traction to bring our republic into a state of war." Six of the other elders nodded their heads in agreement. Arima still looked unconvinced. "If you ask me, it's a waste of resources that could be better spent on another cause... like exterminating the Blades." Delmar glanced over at her once more, a sad smile starting to form on his lips. "Arima, do you think I want this? Do you think I fervently desire for the Shadow Lovers to return? They, who are responsible for so much heartbreak and sorrow? Let it never be said of me that I am a wisher of violence! My only wish is to protect my people, and to insure their safety." Arima became silent, not reassured but knowing it would be foolhardy to argue further. Delmar looked around at the panorama of faces gathered in the room, all of them solemn and grim. "My friends," he said, steel entering his voice, "let's end these traitors once and for all." History Many ages ago, the Matoran arrived on the mysterious island of Mata Nui. Their origins, as well as the origins of the island, are unknown.The Turaga, six Matoran-like beings, assimilated the Matoran into six groups corresponding to their element and proceeded to populate the island.Two months after the Matoran made landfall, ferocious beasts known as Rahi attacked them, devastating their villages and leaving many wounded or slain. These Rahi, as would be revealed later, acted under the command of the shadow master, Makuta.Makuta’s crusade against the Matoran lasted for many months. His Rahi became a daily peril for the villagers, and in response they constructed feeble armies and fortresses to deter the attacks.The Matoran’s hope was steadily declining, but at length six Toa arrived upon the island and helped to fend off the insatiable Rahi. For a few weeks, the attacks stopped and the Toa ingratiated themselves into the Matoran society.After this brief pause in his onslaught, Makuta once again struck the Matoran, except this time he did so with Rahkshi, his powerful sons of shadow. The Rahkshi were even fiercer opponents than the Rahi, and the Toa themselves seemed unable to defeat them.In a desperate gamble, the Toa and the Matoran armies engaged Makuta in battle at his base, the temple of Kini-Nui in the heart of the island. The battle lasted for days, but the allied forces of the Matoran at last triumphed over the king of darkness.Joining Makuta at this battle were his heretofore unseen Matoran supporters, the 'Shadow Lovers.' One of their number - a Ta-Matoran named Tanuuk - slew three of the Turaga (Vakama, Nokama and Onewa) by stabbing them in the back. He was himself slain by Turaga Matau and has been known postmortem as the Betrayer.At this historic Battle of Kini-Nui, Makuta met death at the hands of the six Toa of Legend. The Rahi, released from their bondage, dispersed and ceased their attacks on the Matoran. The Rahkshi, fatherless and without purpose, retreated into Mangaia. The Shadow Lovers, now traitors to their own kind, fled into hiding, but not before their leader, the Po-Matoran Onerus, was captured and publicly executed.Free from the blight of Makuta, the Matoran colonies were now able to live in peace and prosperity. Three Matoran - Jaller of Ta-Koro, Hahli of Ga-Koro and Hewkii of Po-Koro - were chosen to replace the fallen Turaga as the leaders of their respective tribes.Having fulfilled their destiny, the six Toa of Legend requested to sail away from the island of Mata Nui to investigate their origins. Reluctantly, the Council of Elders consented, and the Toa's departure was met with many tears.Some hundred-odd years after the Toa's exodus, the Matoran discovered the underworld - a mysterious, expansive land that sat right underneath their own. There they found many strange and awe-inspiring species. The compliant ones - namely, the Skakdi, the Vortixx and the Steltians - were allowed passage to the surface. The bellicose were kept at bay in the underworld.A tri-century after this Great Discovery, the Great Deluge occurred. Pieces of the underworld's ceiling broke off and floated to the surface. The ensuing floods utterly demolished the underworld, killing thousands. The new islands formed by the Great Deluge were added to Mata Nui, which was renamed Magno Nui after its increased size.Seventy years after the Great Deluge, conflict once again struck Magno Nui. Verigos, the Steltian governor of the Nu-Wahi province, rallied many of the underworlders in a coup against the original Mata-Nuians. The Blades of Fate, as this rogue confederacy was called, stood poised to conquer the Matoran forces. As if in response to this, the Red Star, a mysterious fixture in the Magno Nui sky, cast storms of lightning upon the Matoran, creating eighty-odd new Toa. With these newfound warriors, the Matoran and their underworld allies easily quelled the Blades' rebellion.Seven-hundred years have passed since the Blades' uprising. The Matoran government, under the oversight of the eight elders, has strengthened. Industry is flourishing. Prosperity abounds.And yet, in the shadows, evil still lurks. The Blades of Fate have returned, albeit as a corporation of crime and villainy. The Shadow Lovers too have come out of hiding, stronger than ever, and with an impossible plan to resurrect their master, to release him from the grip of death itself... Gameplay In this RPG you will play as an inhabitant of the massive republic known as Magno Nui. You may join a faction, or you may roam the island on your own as a mercenary or a sojourner. The path is yours to choose; will you be a conformist, or will you strike out on your own, gaining followers, perhaps even forming your own faction over time? The choice lies before you. If you choose to be neutral, then enjoy yourself wandering around Magno Nui and its islands; however, if you choose to join a faction, then you will be given special missions by me that will have a certain goal and will last for a predetermined duration of time. You can ignore these directives if you wish, but doing so could be detrimental to your faction. The outcome of missions - whether successful or disastrous - will affect how the story of Magno Nui progresses. As role-players, you will have total freedom over what you wish to do in Magno Nui. The only things that I will control as game-master are as follows: [*]Faction leaders, important characters (NPCs).[*]Faction missions and directives.[*]Predetermined events, which will happen either at a preset time or as a reaction to a role-player's action. Factions Republic of Magno-NuiThe all-encompassing government of the colossal island Mata Nui and its surrounding islets. The Republic is governed by eight elders, one from each province, elected every ten years. The elders serve as the republic's legislative branch as well as the heads of the two military branches. The Republic's judicial branch is headed by the Valigamut, a forty-member supreme court. The only branches that will concern the role-players, however, are the two military branches detailed below: [*]The Magisterium - The traditional military enforcers of Magno Nui, the Magisterium contains Toa, Matoran, and all known underworld races. Each member of the Magisterium has a universal authority to make arrests, as well as a license to kill if necessary.[*]The Archaeum - This branch of the republic has been considered unnecessary by some, and a laughingstock by others. Its members have been tasked with the preservation and study of ancient artifacts, in addition to the investigation of supposedly paranormal events. There are no Toa or underworlders among its ranks - its agents are entirely Matoran. Many of them still hold to the worship of the Great Spirit, a religion that most see as antiquated. In addition to their weapons of choice, standard equipment for Archaeum agents is as follows: Mind Rings, which enable telepathic communication between all Archaeum members, Vanishing Serum, which, when consumed, turns the drinker invisible for three minutes, Redeux Potion, which, when drunk, teleports the drinker to the gates of Archaeum Tower, and finally the Thought Bomb, a cranial implant that allows Archaeum agents to detonate themselves at will. The Archaeum have regained importance and authority in the wake of the Shadow Lovers' return.The Blades of FateFollowing their catastrophic defeat at the hands of the republic, the surviving Blades went into hiding, cowering in darkness and licking their wounds. They hid in various slums and grottos across Nu-Wahi, and for decades were too scared to venture out. As the manhunt for the Blades ebbed, however, they soon found the courage to regroup. They held secret conferences all over Nu-Wahi, contemplating their future and their leadership. Eventually, they chose a domineering Vortixx known as Lord Skalt to be their leader. They also concluded that a full-frontal assault on the Republic would be suicidal; instead, they decided to operate in the shadows, degrading the Republic as an ever-growing crime syndicate. Attracted by the Blades' quest, assassins, counterfeiters and all manner of scum began to join; Verigos's once-righteous crusade has since become a haven for theives and murderers. They strike at the Republic with their crimes, operating either under contract or out of spite.The Shadow LoversBetrayers, murderers, oath-breakers all... the Shadow Lovers have dwelt in Mangaia for centuries, biding their time until they were once again strong enough to challenge the Matoran. It seems that that time has now come; following the orders of their self-proclaimed regent, Vanum, the Shadow Lovers have at length made their presence known on Magno Nui, perpetrating random and disturbing acts of violence. But the Shadow Lovers are not content to exist only as a terrorist sect; no, they have a far more menacing goal: to resurrect their fallen master, Makuta. Their respect for him is borderline idolatrous; indeed, some do worship him as a deity. Vanum has even begun to make arrangements for Makuta's return: namely, he has regained the Rahkshi's obedience and reclaimed the Kanohi Kraahkan, the hallowed Mask of Shadows. The most terrifying development in the story of the Shadow Lovers, however, is how they themselves have grown in power. While they were once regular Matoran, they been transformed into something different by drinking " the blood of the father" - a mysterious green substance, the composition and source of which are known only to Vanum. The original Shadow Lovers, and all of their recent initiates, now stand at two bio tall, have much darker armor, have preternatural speed, strength and dexterity, can wield the elemental power of shadows, and possess one of Makuta's original powers. Artifacts All across Magno Nui, there are secrets that have been dormant for years, relics of a bygone era... some hold inestimable powers; others bear curses too foul to give voice to. They have been labeled "artifacts," and it is the sole duty of the Archaeum to collect and protect them. But with things that are so powerful, there will inevitably be other interested parties... Aor CrystalsThese mysterious crystals have been found buried deep within the firmament of Mata Nui. They are found primarily in tube-like veins that weave all across the island. The crystals are unstable and unpredictable when exposed to oxygen, making them incredibly difficult to mine. All the crystals contain copious amounts of energy. Some strains of the gem have properties that initiate unique effects when applied to living organisms - namely, teleportation, invisibility, explosive combustion and, in the case of intelligent organisms, telepathic output. Since these crystals are dangerous when exposed to oxygen, they can only be handled and manipulated in pressurized environments. The Archaeum use chemically and mechanically altered Aor crystals to power the majority of their tech. Igni'kannThe origin of this ancient tract is unknown; some of the Archaeum suspect that it's older than the Matoran themselves. It details the location of an item that has the ability to heal any wound, even to undo death itself. At some point in Mata Nui's history, the scroll broke into several pieces. The Archaeum possess three of these shards, but there are an indefinite amount of them still scattered across the island. Characters of Note (NPCs) Name: Rexut.Race: Toa of Fire.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: A stocky, short Toa of Fire with silver armor and a bright silver Kanohi Kadin. Powers: Elemental power over fire, Kanohi Kadin, preternatural swordsmanship.Weakness: Nimbly built; can't withstand blunt force very well.Equipment: Rexut wields a one-handed, two-edged short sword with a leather-covered hilt and a ruby pommelstone. He also carries a round copper shield with serrated edges; it is quite aerodynamic, and Rexut often uses it as a projectile.Bio: Hundreds of years prior to the current day, Rexut was a simple construction worker, using the lava flows to create strong, smooth huts for the residents of Ta-Koro. Even through the times of the Great Discovery and the Great Deluge, he kept to his job, preferring a simple, hard-working life to a life of adventure. All of that changed upon the rebellion of the Blades of Fate; Rexut was one of the Matoran transformed into a Toa by the Red Star's mysterious power. When the Blades marched upon Ta-Koro, Rexut was the first to defend his home, launching into battle with unrivaled courage. He led the charge into the Blades' ranks, dexterously scything them down like so many stalks of wheat. His many years spent handling tools gave him an instant advantage in battle, as he wielded his sword with skill and efficiency. For his brave leadership, Rexut was awarded the position of the Commander of Toa. Later on, this position metamorphosed into "Executive Head of the Magisterium." Finally, upon the passing of Jaller, Rexut was elected as his replacement in the Council of Elders. Rexut still retains his position as head of the Magisterium. Name: Delmar.Race: Turaga of Water.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: A thin, wiry Turaga, standing about half-a-bio tall. His face is wizened and withered, and his brilliant blue eyes sit encased behind a pair of half-moon spectacles.Powers: Limited control over the element of water, Noble Kanohi Iden. He also has limited and vague powers of precognition. Weakness: Extremely old and frail; inferior in combat.Equipment: His Turaga staff, through which he can channel his elemental powers. He also carries a scimitar, although he cannot use it with much skill. Bio: To begin with, Delmar was an oddity. A male Ga-Matoran was almost unheard of at the inception of Mata Nui, but the young Matoran took his differences in stride and didn't think twice about this conundrum. Even from his youth, Delmar was a smart Matoran, with a vast knowledge and a biting wit. He became Turaga Nokama's right-hand Matoran, helping her to plan out and annex the different areas of Ga-Koro. Delmar became many things - a politician, an architect, a teacher. But the one thing he didn't plan on becoming was a warrior; but when the Red Star let loose its storms, that's exactly what happened. Upon becoming a Toa, Delmar rushed to Ta-Koro to defend the Blades' imminent attack. There he paired with Rexut, and the two of them carved bloody lines through the ranks of the Blades. Afterwards, he returned to Ga-Koro and resumed his life as normal, except now serving as a guardian for his home. Following a devastating tsunami on the Ga-Wahi coast, Delmar drained his Toa power and reverted to his Turaga form in order to heal dozens of crippled Ga-Matoran. Upon Hahli's death, Delmar was almost unanimously chosen as her successor in the Council of Elders.Name: Uderu.Race: Le-Matoran.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: A short, broad-shouldered Le-Matoran with a dazzling gold monocle over his left eye. His armor is entirely dark green.Powers: Very limited control over the element of air, skilled marksman.Weakness: Easily outmatched in hand-to-hand combat.Equipment: Seeing as he's head of the Archaeum, Uderu carries all of the standard Archaeum equipment. In addition to this, he carries a poison blowpipe which doubles as a bo staff, and a polymorphic cloak that allows him to be easily camouflaged.Bio: Uderu is eccentricity incarnate; everything about him seems exaggerated. He wears a pair of spectacles that is much to big for his head. He's constructed towers and towers of books in his Archaeum office, in addition to the dozens of bookshelves he already has. He rises and meditates every morning before proceeding to hunt Kewa for his breakfast. He sleeps inside an apparatus that hangs upside-down from his office ceiling. And, perhaps most bizarrely of all, the Le-Matoran love him. Even in his youth, Uderu was extremely popular - he was a masterful comedian and a splendid hunter. But following the advent of the Blades of Fate, Uderu's legacy rose to nearly astronomical levels. Despite being woefully outmatched, Uderu marched to the frontlines of the Ta-Koro army to face the oncoming Blades horde. Armed with only a poison blowpipe and some smoke bombs, Uderu haphazardly charged the opposition, dodging their attacks and making quick work of them like a seasoned assassin. Of the hundred-thirty warriors that fought for Ta-Koro that day (eighty-one of them being Toa), Uderu came in twelfth in kill count. For his unbelievable performance, he was chosen as head of the Archaeum, which was newly formed at the time. Uderu accepted the position with immeasurable glee. After Turaga Matau perished, Uderu was chosen as his successor in a landslide vote. Uderu still holds his position as head of the Archaeum.Name: Odahii.Race: Turaga of Stone.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: Far bulkier than Turaga Delmar, Turaga Odahii is also slightly taller, standing at about 3/4 of a bio tall. A deep scar runs diagonally down his right cheek.Powers: Limited control over the element of stone, Noble Kanohi Kakama.Weakness: Odahii harbors an inexplicable fear of large bodies of water, i.e. seas, lakes or rivers.Equipment: His Turaga staff, through which he channels his elemental powers, and a pair of limestone nunchucks.Bio: Odahii is the very epitome of reluctance. He eked out a very simple existence in the early days of Po-Wahi; he worked as a sculptor, carving busts and statues and, if required, pillars and bricks for houses. He was a skilled artist, and would be happy to sculpt from sunup to sundown. Thus, when he was transformed into a Toa by the Red Star, he was none too happy about it. Some think that he channeled this frustration into pure battle-rage when he faced the Blades of Fate at Ta-Koro; he came away with the highest kill count, slaying nearly 1,000 of their number with a rusty halberd and his trusty nunchucks. Some expected him to become a warrior after this historic battle, but instead he went right back to sculpting. When Hewkii died, and for lack of a better candidate, the Po-Matoran chose him as their representative Elder. He accepted the position, albeit half-heartedly.Name: Elik. Race: Toa of Ice.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders. Appearance: Lanky and slightly disproportionate; his feet are extremely large, his hands no bigger than a Matoran's, his legs extremely long and his arms short and bulky. He wears a pearly white Kanohi Pakari carved into the shape of a Great Kanohi Iden.Powers: Elemental power over ice, Kanohi Pakari. Weakness: Elik relies mostly on brute strength in combat, not skill. Thus, a more dexterous opponent can usually outmaneuver and outclass him. Equipment: Elik carries three tomahawks bearing the following affectionate names: Skull-chopper, Head-cleaver, and Brain-juicer. His real joy and pride, however, is his battle-hammer, which he has inexplicably named Henri the Indefatigable.Bio: Elik was always battle-hungry; even as a youth, he would brawl whenever he could, simply to prove his mettle as a fighter. He grew strong and skilled as a result; he was a legendary wrestler all across Mata Nui. When he became a Toa, however, he really got to satisfy his bloodlust. He dashed to Ta-Koro with his aforementioned weapons, eager to spill the blood of any Blades he found. He must've posed an intimidating figure to the Blades; he was adorned with strange headdresses and bracelets made from Rahi bones, and warpaint coated nearly every inch of his body. And although he lost to Odahii in kill count - a fact he's still sore about - he won the award hands-down for most gruesome kills. Some of the tamer ones are as follows: He pulverized a Steltian's skull, sending his brains sailing for hundreds of feet before coming to a halt. He shattered a Skakdi's ribcage with the flat of his hammer. Finally, he ripped out a Vortixx's spinal column and beat a Skakdi to death with it. He won his people's undying respect, if more out of fear than love. When Turaga Nuju died, he was chosen as his successor in the Council of Elders, narrowly beating out a milder candidate.Name: Suvoko.Race: Turaga of Earth.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: A humble-looking, bespectacled Turaga with a slight paunch. He is the shortest of all the elders, standing at only 1/3 of a bio tall.Powers: Limited elemental power over earth, Noble Kanohi Mahiki. Weakness: Suvoko is very inexperienced in physical combat, preferring to deal with his foes mentally instead.Equipment: Turaga staff through which he can channel his elemental powers, and a dagger.Bio: Before becoming a Toa, Suvoko owned a hardware store in Onu-Koro. He was a sly character and a brilliant salesman, often making monumentous gains on second-rate items. Although he was a notorious cheapskate, he was also a dedicated worker and would always get the Onu-Matoran what they wanted, if for a higher price than they would have liked. For this reason, he gained the begrudging respect of his fellow Matoran, and became something of a miniature celebrity in Onu-Koro. When the Red Star unleashed its lightnings upon the Matoran, Suvoko was one of the few Onu-Matoran struck by it. He was extremely reticent to take up the mantle of a warrior, so it took much arguing from his fellow Onu-Toa to persuade him. At the battle of Ta-Koro, he did not face the Blades in a full-frontal charge, but rather hung back and used his illusions to confuse and disrupt the Blades' offensive. Unlike Odahii, Suvoko did not return to his profession after the battle, but rather took up the role of a politician in Onu-Koro, making subtle power plays against Turaga Whenua regarding the future direction of the city. After Whenua's death, Suvoko ran a slick and beligerent campaign that almost single-handedly won him the election for successor. Since Suvoko has gained control of Onu-Koro, he has been an outspoken opponent of the city's mining industry, preferring instead to turn Onu-Koro into a commercial attraction.Name: Lady Arima.Race: Vortixx.Gender: Female.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: Tall, imperious and imposing. Her hair is pulled back into a braid that runs down her back all the way to her waist. Powers: Physical dexterity, stealth, forceful negotiator and manipulator.Weakness: Lady Arima is very proud, and can be easily baited into acting before she ought.Equipment: A tall battle-spear that stands at least one bio taller than she does. A third of its length is comprised of a steel blade. She also carries smoke bombs and sulfurous red powder that causes its victims to cough nigh uncontrollably.Bio: Before the Great Discovery, Arima worked as a craftswoman in Xia, one of the underworld countries. She worked alongside her male compatriots to rebuild their broken world, which had apparently once been glorious but had fallen into disarray. In addition to being a skilled craftswoman, Arima was also a vicious warrior. Whenever her foundries were attacked, she defended them fiercely. Her fellow craftsmen deeply respected her, and she acted as their intensely loyal protector. When the Great Discovery occurred, Arima led her followers to the surface-world, albeit with reticence. Her proficiency as a stateswoman and a regent were soon noted, and she was appointed to be one of the aides of Verigos, the governor of Nu-Wahi. She caught wind of his treacherous plan against the Mata-Nuians and fled Nu-Wahi, siding with the Matoran in the battle of Ta-Koro. After the Blades' crushing defeat, Arima skillfully talked them into giving up their rebellion and submitting once more to the Matoran government. For her acts of fealty and bravery, she was awarded the position of governor of Nu-Wahi.Name: Jejuna. Race: Toa of Electricity.Gender: Female.Allegiance: Republic of Magno Nui; Council of Elders.Appearance: Slightly taller than Rexut, but not as tall as Elik. She wears bright gold armor that clashes slightly with her yellow exoskeleton.Powers: Elemental power over electricity, Kanohi Komau.Weakness: Jejuna is guilty of naivete, and can be easily fooled. Equipment: Katana, lasso.Bio: Originally, Jejuna grew up as a member of the Ta-Koro tribe, believing herself to be a female Matoran of Fire. Needless to say, her attractiveness, coupled with her proximity to so many males, made her quite the heartbreaker in Ta-Koro. What made her even more desirable was her untarnished spirit; Jejuna was a wide-eyed dreamer, spending her time fantasizing and writing novellas instead of toiling away like her fellow Ta-Matoran. She seemed absolutely content and happy all the time, and not once could she bring herself to criticize someone else. She was, almost entirely, perfection. Thus, some considered it a great loss when the Red Star transformed her into a Toa. After all, nowhere was innocence more often lost than on the battlefield. Nevertheless, she emerged from the battle of Ta-Koro more energized than ever, and with a newfound sense of adventure. Bidding farewell to her home, she roamed Magno Nui, seeking out conflict wherever it dwelt. She became a wandering vigilante, fighting evil independently of the Magisterium. When the governor of Ka-Wahi was assassinated, she threw her name in for consideration as his successor, seeing the gubernatorial position as just another opportunity for adventure. With no other candidates daring to take over the infamous island, she was given the job by default.Name: Lord Skalt.Race: Vortixx.Gender: Male.Allegiance: Blades of Fate. Appearance: Shorter than Arima and slightly thinner. He has bright green eyes and serrated white teeth. His armor is entirely black slave the green breastplate and gauntlets that he boasts.Powers: Skilled swordsman and marksman, highly developed sense of sound.Weakness: Lord Skalt is fiercely arrogant, often ignoring flaws in his plans or weaknesses in his defenses. He also has a troublesome tendency to underestimate his opponents.Equipment: Two-handed, double-edged broadsword and a launcher that shoots explosive Madu fruit. Bio: In the days before the Great Discovery, Skalt worked as a craftsman in Xia. Although he was a fine worker, he was a sociopath at best. He absolutely despised his coworkers and at one point tried to drown one of them in molten iron. The foreman of the foundry, Lady Arima, immediately discharged him, and the governor of Xia banished him from the island. He sailed off to the island Odina, where he fell in with a group of mercenaries. He developed a talent as an assassin, and soon made a business of it. When the Great Discovery occurred, he opted to travel to the surface-world once he learned that Arima was heading there. He bided his time in Nu-Wahi, looking for a prime opportunity to assassinate the Lady. He tried at one point, but failed humiliatingly and retreated, hiding away for many years before he resumed his work as a hitman. When the Blades of Fate were formed, he was one of the first to sign up, both to satisfy his bloodlust and to get back at Lady Arima. When the Blades were routed at Ta-Koro and Verigos was slain, Skalt took it upon himself to nurture the Blades back to health. He is their de-facto leader, and he bears the title "Lord" as a taunt towards Lady Arima. He has set up the Blades as an amoral crime syndicate, but he has a long-term goal of overthrowing Nu-Wahi and slaying Lady Arima.Name: Vanum.Race: Mutated Matoran; "Shadow-lover."Gender: Male.Allegiance: The Shadow Lovers and, ultimately, Makuta. Appearance: Vanum is entirely black, almost darker than shadow itself. His eyes are a dull green, but in times of anger they glow a magnificent crimson. His face is nigh indistinguishable, and he wears a helmet that is reminiscent of a Kanohi Kualsi.Powers: Significantly enhanced speed, strength and agility, control over the element of shadows, the ability to slow the movements of nearby enemies. Weakness: He is extremely averse to light, preferring to work at night whenever possible.Equipment: He wields twin battle-axes.Bio: Vanum was once a simple Onu-Matoran who mined iron ore in the outskirts of Onu-Koro. He was always ambitious, and talked constantly about what he would do differently if he were Turaga Whenua. He invented dozens of schemes and plans that he was sure would weaken Makuta's stranglehold on the island. However, one day Vanum's minecart broke and he went flying off the rails, landing on the hard, black rock hundreds of feet below. It was then that he was approached by none other than the Master of Shadows himself; Makuta claimed that he would spare Vanum's life, upon the condition that he would visit him every day henceforth in a secret chamber near Onu-Koro. This Vanum did, with the original intention of killing Makuta. But Vanum was soon seduced by the pronged words of Makuta; before too long he was an avid disciple of shadows, changing his plans from Makuta's downfall to the Turaga's. Upon Makuta's urging Vanum gathered a group of Matoran and brought them to Makuta, who quickly turned them as he had with Vanum. The group became known as the Shadow Lovers; a fellowship of Makuta's followers. They elected one of their number, the fierce Po-Matoran Onerus, as their head. After Makuta's downfall at the Battle of Kini-Nui, Vanum fostered the remaining Shadow Lovers within the secret chambers of Mangaia, where he found many hidden secrets and scrolls. It was he who discovered the formula for the "blood of the father," and he too who plotted Makuta's resurrection. Time will only tell if the latter will succeed. Locations ^Click above for a full map of Magno Nui!^ Ta-Wahi Ta-Wahi is a vast stretch of land that is multifaceted in its uses and appearance. On the shores of the lava flows, and in the areas nearer the volcano Mangaia, the ground is grey and ashen and the air is thick with smoke. These subregions are populated mainly by Ta-Matoran, or any other being sturdy enough to brave the fires and the sulfur. On the other hand, there are also many plains in Ta-Wahi, which are home to verdant crops fed by bounteous volcanic soil. Finally, there are the beaches, long stretches of white sand that border a voluminous blue sea. These regions are the most temperate of any in the Magno Nui mainland, making them prime real estate for Matoran looking for a life of comfort. [*]The San'durst Vineyards - These vineyards, originally pioneered by a Toa of Plant Life named San'durst, encompass much of Ta-Wahi's greener areas. These vineyards are privately owned and operated, and they produce some of the most decadent fruit known to Magno Nui.[*]The Fire-tongue - The largest lava river in all of Ta-Wahi. [*]Ta-Koro - A heavily fortified lavaside city. Four stone walls encompass it, their parapets lined with Madu launchers. The Fire-tongue flows through its center, with cool obsidian bridges superimposed over it. The most definining features of the city are its Magisterium tower, a tall spire in the northwest corner of the city, its library, one of the vastest in all of Magno Nui, and Maora's tavern, a sprawling complex of buildings that house fiery liquors of all varieties. [*]The Iron Crown - A hexagonal iron penitentiary that sits in the widest berth of the lava river. The most compliant prisoners are chained to the top of the penitentiary, where they live out their sentence raising buckets of lava on a pulley system. Other prisoners have to work inside the prison, within suffocatingly heated rooms. Unruly prisoners are tossed down onto the lowest level of the prison, where the floors and the walls are all white-hot with lava.[*]Ta-Mesa - A lavaside shantytown southwest of Ta-Koro. It is a prominent dock for lavaships or other travelers, and has a notoriously high crime rate. Its economy relies mainly on smuggled goods and liquor.[*]The Ascans - A collection of dozens of old, decrepit stone huts that lie alongside the Fire-tongue. Their origin is unknown. Nowadays, they act as the home for poor Ta-Matoran or ascetic hermits.[*]The Great Telescope - A mysterious observatory on one of the crags overlooking the Ta-Wahi beaches. It is currently being manned and protected by a handful of Archaeum agents.Ga-WahiUnlike Ta-Wahi, Ga-Wahi's climate is singularly suited. Its beaches are vaster than Ta-Wahi's but are regularly plagued by storms and tsunamis. The wet climate extends further inland, where one can find a bevy of swamps and marshes. Some thick jungles also jut out of the region's landscape, fed by near-continuous rainfall. The region is also splintered by hundreds of streams, rivers, brooks and lakes. This expansive wetness, while distasteful to some, makes Ga-Wahi one of the most prosperous regions in the whole of Magno Nui. [*]The Ilian Fields - "Fields" is something of a misnomer here. In reality, these fields are marshy plains that are covered in a bio of standing water. While this would be detrimental for normal crops, its actually ideal for growing waterbound plants like kelp and watercress. It is also a prime location to raise fish and other water-breathing Rahi. Thus, these fields are dotted by various farms, which are fenced off by a holey mesh, so as not to mix the plants and the plant-eating Rahi.[*]Naho Bay - The largest bay in all of Magno Nui, Naho Bay is an immense body of water. Its shores are dotted by numerous shantytowns and docks, in addition to the region's capitol, Ga-Koro.[*]The Hura-Mata River - The largest river of water across Magno Nui. It feeds off into numerous streams and brooks that spread throughout Ga-Wahi.[*]Fagu Swamp - A nasty, mostly unexplored bog that houses many terrible varieties of Rahi. In addition to having countless sinkholes, most of the plants that grow in the swamp are highly toxic. A small village has been built above it, supported by trees and log pillars in the tradition of Le-Koro, albeit more dangerous. A minute Magisterium office sits in this village, with the sole aim of developing biochemical weapons from the nasty toxins of the swamp.[*]Ga-Koro - A sprawling complex of huts, schoolhouses and towers, Ga-Koro is not exactly what one would call a metropolis. Unlike Ta-Koro, Ga-Koro is militarily inadequate, boasting only footsoldiers and a few squadrons of archers scattered throughout. Most of the buildings are extremely close together, and vendors make the cramped streets nigh impassable. Despite this, Ga-Koro is one of the most economically booming cities in Magno Nui, thriving not on commerce but sheer agricultural output. The most prominent features of the city are its auction house, a crowded rectangular hall on the seaside border, and its university, which has over sixty professors.[*]Serenity - A collection of schoolhouses deep within Ga-Wahi. The professors here are extremely stern, punishing overt tomfoolery with instant expulsion. It is where extremely devoted students go to perfect all the standard practices of the laws and sciences.[*]Black Kan's Hand - Originally the hideout of a Skakdi pirate named "Black Kan," this ramshackle wooden building, built atop a murky marsh, now serves as a meeting-place for members of the Blades of Fate. Its existence is known only to the Blades of Fate, and it is one of their most closely guarded secrets.[*]The Wall of Triumph - A tremendous stone wall that lines the southern shore of Naho Bay. It acts as the main military center of Ga-Wahi, boasting both a Magisterium and Archaeum garrison. Its parapets are lined with long-range ballistae, catapults, trebuchets, and Madu launchers to debilitate enemy ships.[*]V'rushka - A mysterious jungle which is home to many species of carnivorous Rahi. It is mostly unexplored. An Archaeum outpost sits on the edge of V'rushka.Le-WahiNearly the entirety of Le-Wahi is covered in thick, oppressive overgrowth. There are only a handful of areas where one can see sunlight touching the ground. The floor of the jungle is extremely treacherous to maneuver, and thus only soldiers or warriors are wont to do so. The main proponents of the economy are hunting, of which the Le-Matoran do much, and commerce. Le-Koro is home to some of the most talented artists and musicians in the whole of Magno Nui. [*]Skywatch - Skywatch is Le-Wahi's most noteworthy military outpost. It's octagonally-shaped, crafted entirely out of logs and wood, and held together by extremely adhesive pine resin. It is also airbound - it's held aloft in the sky by seventeen hot air balloons, and anchored to the ground by one massive weight the rests on the forest floor. This weight is heavily guarded by a bevy of Madu launchers. Numerous rope ladders run from the ground to Skywatch, serving as reliable but easily severed modes of transportation. Skywatch has both an Archaeum and a Magisterium garrison. It also has a Gukko force that is comprised of members from both military branches. Needless to say, parachutes are mandated equipment for all Skywatch officers.[*]Le-Koro - This treetop village stands suspended over the jungle, held in place by resin, ropes, pillars and prayers. It's extremely expansive, covering over one-third of Le-Wahi's total surface area. It is protected not by a massive military force but by classic Le-Matoran cunning. Much of Le-Koro can be sent crashing to the ground if it gets invaded, via special remotely detonated explosives. Numerous towers dot the city, which are alighted by watchful archers and marksmen. The most outstanding features of Le-Koro are its music hall, where many musicians have proven their mettle, and its game preserve, a small area annexed for the sole purpose of hunting and selling game.[*]Archaeum Tower - Although it is in Le-Koro, Archaeum Tower is notable enough to be described separately. Archaeum Tower is the tallest structure in all of Magno Nui, although it technically stands lower than Skywatch. Its entirety is covered by Madu launchers and ballistae. Its foundation is surrounded by a circular wall, with only one gateway. Only Archaeum agents and Elders are allowed inside of the tower.[*]The Den - This is another of the Blades' notorious hideouts on the Magno Nui mainland. It consists of a hollowed out chamber inside of a massive cedar underneath Le-Koro. It is accessible from only three entrances: a linear chute that begins at the top of the cedar, a tunnel from Onu-Wahi that leads up from the bottom, and a hidden doorway that stands about 1 bio off the forest floor. The Den is normally used as a hideaway for hunted Blades, while Black Kan's Hand is used as a meeting-place.[*]Le-Vadu - This is truly an oddity in Le-Wahi: a village that sits entirely on the Le-Wahi jungle floor. Le-Vadu is the shantytown that borders Lake Kanae, the largest lake in Le-Wahi and one of the largest lakes in all of Magno Nui. Le-Vadu's economy rests almost entirely on the fishing industry that the lake facilitates, but it does also house some taverns and a theater in which down-on-their-luck musicians can perform.[*]Agrippa Castle - Named after the heroic Toa of Stone that built it, this mighty stone fortr

Yeah, I thoroughly expect to be trounced but I thought that I might as well throw my entry atop the heap to gain some feedback. My main trouble is coming up with a title. All of my ideas sound utterly retarded.

So, I tried to change my avatar and it didn't work. I uploaded a 200px x 200px image and it worked. If you go to my profile, that image should be displayed as my profile picture. However, my actual avatar that you see in posts and on the forum index has not changed. Any suggestions?

Just played this game for the first time yesterday...... <3

Well, I'm going to be marathoning it to get my entry finished and tuned up on time. Expect it at approximately 11:58:59 PM on Wednesday. =P

Done. Could I (hopefully) count on your review of Elegy for a Fool when it hits?

Alright, here's my review of Epoch of Despair by the epic EmperorWhenua.To begin with, the prologue is adequately enticing, and it definitely made me interested in the overarching story of the RPG. It's not a very original premise, honestly - times of prosperity abound, then something happens, then everything gets deathy, people go on a quest to save the universe, yadda yadda yadda - but it's a sufficient one and in hands as competent as yours it's likely to succeed. Plus, I don't know the intricacies of the plot like you do, so perhaps you have some devilish twists up your sleeves, eh? Only time will tell I suppose.I must note that I love the Toa's names. That doesn't really have anything to do with the RPG, but I had to state it. Did you derive them from Latin or were they more random than that?So, this is a quasi-sandbox RPG, then? As in, the players are the main proponents of the plot, with you occasionally butting in to add direction? I like it. Admittedly, sandbox RPGs aren't my favorite, but as long as they work I'm okay with them.The map is beautifully rendered. It's sufficiently informative while also being an aesthetic delight. Really, excellent work on that. Did you make it on Photoshop, or are you a Power-point wizard like bonesii? The descriptions of the locations, while not very vivid, gave me a satisfactory mental picture of each region. Although, the following sentence kind of irked me: I believe you meant to say against all odds there at the end. At all odds doesn't quite work. That's the only glaring error I saw as far as grammar goes.To be honest, this RPG was seeming a bit bland until I got to the "Organizations" section. You gave me a great sense of all the different factions that inhabit Kini Karda, and they all seem very unique. I definitely appreciate how you don't fall into the classic tradition of having a clear-cut "good" and "evil" faction. I much prefer having a collection of factions which are well-intentioned and just have different goals and worldviews, and that's exactly what you've done here. Also, warrior monks. Freaking warrior monks. Heck freaking yes. How has this not happened yet?The NPC's are well-described and believable. Oddly, when I was reading through them I kept picturing Arrys as Dumbledore and Basilli as Francis Marion.I assume that you will regulate these "Kanoka-powers," yes? I mean, after all, 'Reconstitute at Random' is a Kanoka disk but you wouldn't want someone to have that power. Admittedly, it has a 50-50 chance of being useful, but it has too much room for abuse in my opinion.Character sheet and faction sheet look good. You definitely do encourage adherence to the rules; those are some good rewards you've got there. Punishments are standard, but if they ain't broke why fix 'em?One problem that may not necessarily exist but I still perceive is that this RPG is going to have a slow start. I mean, none of the factions are stated as being actively at war with each other, nor do they have reasons to be at war with each other, so that means that there won't be much initial conflict at all. That's tolerable, but conflict for me is one of the driving factors of RPG's and one of the chief reasons I play them. Having to build up to a point where I can engage in PvP is a little annoying, which is one of the reasons I didn't like Cradle of Civilization that much. But maybe you do have some initial contact planned? Overall, I'd give it an 8.5/10. It seems like it's going to be a great RPG, but it's not my personal cup-of-tea. If it won, I'd play it, but I don't know if I'd vote for it. Also, I need to make some updates in my Book of Awesome.EmperorWhenua...... +5 for warrior monks. ... +30 for Bay of Hodor.

Right now I'm leaning Techna, Epoch of Despair and whatever Captain / Lloyd have up their sleeve.And my own of course, but if I get knocked out those are the ones I'm going for.

Alright, since that response was filtered let's try some rewording...Thine entry hath caused me to soil mine trousers.

My entry should be dropping in sometime within the next couple of weeks. Inevitably, I'll be blown away by Captain/Lloyd, Parugi, EW, Levacius, TPTI or Kal, but it'll be good to get feedback and whatnot.

+1,000 to that. I just can't wait for that fad to die down.The meme has been fuelled by the dark flames of the self-proclaimed boss of the Internet that is too evil to even mention. That is why it cannot die.Not that I have any problem with it.Anyway, my pet peeve would be bad grammar. I don't really care about people starting sentences with 'And', but it's rather annoying to see some people forget capitalisation and full stops.grammar; is for' scrubs. e.e. cummings for the win.But I would say posting short stories. Unless you're already popular on BZPower, it's unlikely that you'll get more than a few posts on something that you've spent hours working on.

Legit, dude. I'm like the exact opposite - I did great in critical reading and writing, but I sucked in math.

Discuss the dreaded standardized tests here. I'm a sophomore in high school, and I just got my PSAT results today. I got a 205, and I scored in the 98th percentile of college-bound juniors, so I felt reasonably happy with myself.

I dabbled but I never got into it hardcore. I mained Nunu and I was trying to save up enough IP to buy Teemo, another one of my favorites, but I lost interest and got too busy.Has that Dominion update taken effect yet? Because that looked pretty awesome; I was considering getting back into LoL solely for that.

The montage at the beginning of Up was one of the most masterful moments of cinema ever. Seriously. It was only about five minutes long, and it evoked more emotion than most feature-length movies I've seen.So, I would consider Up to be their best movie with Toy Story 3 as a very close second and Ratatouille as my third.

Fighty gasped for air as the absolute zero block of ice formed around his head. It froze him entirely, sealing his fire-pores shut. His throat was dry and cold, an uninhabitable place for flame. Try as he might, he could not melt the ice with his funkalicious flame. His attacker froze his feet down as well, and used a downdraft to pin Fighty to the ground. Fighty was helpless - near death, unable to use his greatest tool - fire - and at the mercy of his opponent. But his opponent was anything but merciful.The attacker, the dancetastic Toa from earlier, simultaneously hurled his Reignbringer and Diamond Pickaxe into his heels. A deep, bloody roar tore from Fighty's maw, along with a deadly eruption of rainbow flame. Fighty screamed as blood poured from his wounds - both the fresh and the reopened ones. His body was covered with blood, arrows, and ice. With one last grunt of exertion, Fighty reached up, grabbed ToD out of the sky, and slammed him into the ground, pulverizing his bones. With one flexion of his thumb, Fighty burst ToD's skull, spilling his brains like oatmeal. Then, Fighty tumbled over, his decimated purple tongue lolling dumbly out of his mouth. Fighty's green eye finally began to close, and the last of his energy, Fighty whispered."I'll be back."And then he breathed his last.ooc: So, Fighty has been slain by ToD! With much help from all of the other fighters, of course. I saw some great teamwork on display here, guys.Sorry for all the confusion that took place this round, and I apologize moreover if some of you felt cheated or punished unfairly. Naturally, this is a new thing for Bionifight and I think iBrony handled it very well. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to come back to Bionifight for a little while. I really enjoyed my time here, and I hope you guys had fun, too. At the end of the day, that's all Bionifight is about: having good, old-fashioned, genocidal fun.

Fighty gasped in dismay as his scaly armor began to peel open, exposing his fleshy hypodermis. He glowered at his opponent, who still held the bowstring taut in willful defiance. A jet of red-hot, multicolored flame leapt from Fighty's maw, rushing towards Tavahka at an impossible speed.

I realize that I should've taken more time to examine your guys' profiles and see what you were packing, but I was pretty busy and I guess I justified it by saying "I'll just figure out whatever powers they have when they attack me." I guess I didn't really count on resistance powers.So, in any case, since I feels bad, I will resurrect TM with 1/10 health. I don't think iBrony would mind, considered that I kind of disregarded your powers and auto-hit you to death. So, TM is back in the fight for a little while!ic: Fighty stared down to look at the little figure who was even now aiming an arrow at him. Fighty roared and started towards him, claws outstretched and ready to strike.

You're immune to psionic attacks? Hmmm... I'd be in favor of you being resurrected with 1/10 health then, I suppose. I should wait for iBrony's permission.Sorry, I didn't have quite enough time to read everyone's bio and figure out their powers.ic: The electricity surged across Fighty's water-laden hide, scorching it. The pain buried deep under his skin, and his whole body reverberated with the shock. He swayed on his feet for a moment, and then collapsed, blood seeping from every orifice on his body. He pulled himself back up with a deafening roar, once more coating the coliseum in red-hot, rainbow-hued flame. The attack had not killed him, but Fighty was now realizing how close to death's door he really was; he would have to fight back viciously if he was to survive.

May enter this one. I've never had much success, but why not at least try?

A massive jungle suddenly grew all around Fighty, enveloping him and tearing him with vicious thorns and briars. Anacondas leapt into his mouth, cutting off circulation to his tongue and ravaging his uvula. His heels were torn and blood poured from them in gallons. His right eye, having taken significant damage, finally burst, its white-hot contents spilling out and burning down half of the makeshift forest. It also washed over Squishy's fresh corpse as it lay on the ground, utterly spent from the attack.Fight bellowed with rage and a massive swath of rainbow flame shot from his maw, consuming the forest in front of him. The coliseum was now filled with burning undergrowth. Fighty tore through it, looking for his opponents even as blood rushed from his gaping heels and his recently-gouged eye. His vision through his left eye was misty at best, but he could still perceive ToD running in the distance. Fighty chucked his halberd at him. It scythed through the overgrowth until it clipped ToD on the shoulder. It gave him a nasty gash on his right shoulder-blade, but otherwise unaffected him.ooc: hey, portalfig? I'm a dragon. If there's anything that's fire-proof, it's a dragon.

iBrony, your word is law, bro, but I did not intend to kill Nujanii in my last post. I could have, admittedly, but I wasn't intending to. So, if he's still dead that's all fine and dandy with me, but if it's possible could he be resurrected on maybe 1/10 health?

I do try to read every post in the topic, kanohi_master, but there were a lot and inevitably I missed a couple. What can I say? I'm only human dragon.IC: First off, Fighty was hit by the delayed blow from the Psionicannon. It shot through his senses like a million power lines going out at once. It left him dazed and he trembled on his feet, briefly incapacitated by the blow. Also, Fighty punched himself in the jaw on accident, and swallowed a bunch of groovetastic awesomeness that ToD launched towards him. It burned, like vodka... except more boogiefunkic.In addition to the minor head trauma and burned throat syndrome, Fighty was also beset by arrows, weakening disks, and anti-gravity measures that Nujanii and Squishy had simultaneously enacted. Also, the majority of Fighty's opponents were levitating.Fighty growled with rage. He was not going to be bested by a ragtag group of Toa. Summoning the insoluble angst of Kurt Cobain once more, he lashed out at his opponents psionicly, creating a screeching psychic howl that immediately drowned out any semblance of coherent thought. His enemies fell from the sky to the ground as the scream took its toll.Fighty could only maintain the depression-inducing howl for a few moments, but it was enough. He enveloped TiN in his gaping paws and twisted his head like the top of a screw. It popped off, veins and nerve endings dangling in the wind. He incinerated it with fire, and then turned to Nujanii.Fighty twirled his halberd above his head and brought it down on Nujanii. It cleft his foot in twain. Fighty discarded him and hurriedly moved on to his next victim, knowing that they wouldn't stay stunned forever. He rushed towards TM and held him between two fingers. He flexed them. As he did so, he shattered TM's lumbar vertebrae, paralyzing him from the waist down.Fighty took a brief hiatus for Zywiec porter and cucumber sandwiches as his opponents came to their senses.

Fighty knocked TiN away, angling him towards the far coliseum wall once more. He was consequently beset by a host of enemies; separately they would've been no more than a nuisance, but combined their powers proved rather... problematic. Fighty felt one starting to hack at his back ankles and he roared. He swirled around, knocking TM flat with a lash of his tail. He bathed him in a current of rainbow fire, a veritable kaleidoscope of rampant destruction. He then noticed the Garai-wearing figure that had stabbed him in the eye, furious, he impaled him on his halberd and brought it crashing to the ground, deeply lacerating Nujanii's leg. Fighty snorted a rainbow fireball at him, which caught him squarely on his temples. Fighty then gripped the halberd and swung it, sending Nujanii soaring across the length of the coliseum.Fighty looked around wildly, bloodlust beginning to boil in his eyes. He found Squishy standing near him, trying to figure out what to do. Fighty swung his halberd and brought it down hard upon Squishy, cleanly slicing through his arm at the shoulder. The severed limb dropped to the ground amidst a fresh pool of blood.Fighty then noticed a groovetastic Toa trying to gouge out his eyes with a Diamond Pickaxe. Fighty hated to attack someone with such terrific dance moves and such a fashionable choice in pickaxes, but he had no choice. He threw an upppercut into the Toa, putting all his force behind. The power of the blow sent the Toa rocketing into the stratosphere.

Fighty caught Squishy in his mouth, coating him in his rainbow-colored acidic saliva. He batted Tavahka effortlessly away with his tail, but Cole struck his left eye. Fighty roared, sending Squishy flying out of his maw along with a torrent of rainbow flame and a rush of deafening sound. Tears immediately sprung to his yellow eye, which turned red from the pain. Fighty snarled and looked upon this new enemy with a look halfway between malice and "i-am-going-to-freaking-kill-you."Fighty rushed towards the newcomer, reaching out with one massive talon that enveloped him entirely. "No one does that to me and lives, mortal!... No one!" Fighty slammed his talon against the ground, applying massive amounts of pressure to the newcomer. Fighty was almost sure that he heard a few ribs pop. He grinned; if no one came to rescue this newcomer, he would either die from asphyxiation or from not having any more bones in his body.