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IC: Kalzok and Vekus

On 8/25/2024 at 7:29 PM, Ghosthands said:

"Hmph. I would expect the carvings themselves to be of more use than one crystal from what I presume are thousands," Rhuvok replied dismissively. "But if you must examine it, we have a Reader somewhere amongst the equipment."

On 8/25/2024 at 7:29 PM, Ghosthands said:

Rhuvok snapped his fingers at some nearby workmen and sent them off to fetch the box containing the Reader. He then turned back towards the door, pulled a notebook from a fold of his robes, and began noting down the long passages of runes that snaked across the carvings.

By the undying flame... I thought I was a prickly sorcerer...

The thaumaturge kept his mouth shut and waited for the Reader to be brought over. A marvel of engineering and precision, despite its more recent, revere-engineered provenance. Kalzok had not had time to extract all information from the crystal- and in all honesty this was not the optimal time. The Lesteri surveyor had done her part finding the entrance lock, so it was a waste of time looking through the crystal for a way past, and an even longer shot that it might elucidate the traps within.

Still, pride is a tougher beast than most, and Kalzok sat down and began to access the crystal, his actions slow and deliberate, the very image of a grim seer with a clear idea of what exactly he was looking for. And who knew, perhaps 'Twisting' through the crystal's data might get something useful anyway, by sheer fortune. The Shades know stranger things have happened here...

On 8/25/2024 at 7:48 PM, a goose said:

The good news is, I have a lead on how we open this thing – there are six pressure points on these carvings. We identify where they are, and what order to press them, and we’re in.

On 8/26/2024 at 8:11 AM, a goose said:

This Lord Jehaeros wasn't just anyone, and he was buried with the knowledge he gathered in life. Safe money says we're looking at riches and secrets: the grave-robber special. That means whoever built this knew we were coming, and they'll have prepared accordingly; one wrong step, and this very quickly becomes your kind of job.

Vekus awaited with the ten-foot pole in her hands. She wondered if she should say something- this expert seemed prickly about her expertise. The enthusiastic Kaiakan, Rezena, did not fill the Seeker with much confidence in this specific situation, but that kind of single-minded dedication to application of force was the kind of thing that always had a place in these times.

On 8/27/2024 at 5:46 PM, Rahisaurus said:

"You said tomb, eh? Heh. Don't worry, I bet no zombies" - he drew out the word, waggling his fingers mockingly - "ever seen a gun like this. Blasts anything in a 2-bio radius from the impact, even makes a funny little round hole in the floor". He raised his pride-and-joy with a grin.

Vekus frowned at the skull-masked Lesteri's words.

"The zom;bii of old tombs do not fear pain- even a launcher like that is no guarantee against the single-minded will of the undead, or numbers." She knew all too well the perils of dealing with accursed things of the dark- working with the Nakihl and the Broker brought one to many strange places.

"And there's the traps... you can't blast your way out of a spike pit, or a teleportation ring, or a false-floodwall." Ah, memories. Bad memories, but still.

 

OOC: kinda just made up "twisting" being like "browsing" or "leafing through" the data in the crystal

@BBBBalta @a goose @Ghosthands @Rahisaurus @BULiK

Edited by NorikSigma
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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

On 8/25/2024 at 9:51 PM, Nato G said:

“…but that’s not the kind of leader these warriors want. They want to fight strangers and die glorious deaths for the sake of someone else’s mad plan. They want a leader with murderous intent and expansionist ambitions. I don’t have that. I don’t know how to give you that.”

The clanking colossus turned to look over the courtyard, passing judgement. "Rule two..." he mouthed, turning back to T'harrak."

He let his posture relax some, no longer seeming so monolithic standing over the tinkerer. "I ain't asking you to. I know what this warrior wants," He grumbled, unknowingly experimenting with the third person. "I'm smart enough to know I ain't smart like you. And enough to know that dyin' in glory's comin' for all some day."

The bruiser grimaced. "'bout the only thing I am smart like you on, is I aim to enjoy much time as possible 'fore I get there. Don't get me wrong, fightin' strangers is 'xactly my idea of a good time. But that nonsense... nah, not my scene."

A pregnant pause hung between them before Sohmak spoke again. "I'm dead serious. Ain't never been more serious. I don't want no advisor, I want a boss who's not gonna kill me before I'm good'n'ready. Whatever you want for this joint, that's what I want. And what I want's gonna be what they want. They want somethin' else, they'll hafta take it from us." Us, he noted. A twinge of embarrassment. He wondered if it was visible on his face. Hoped it wasn't. Attempted a diversion in case it was.

"From these." He flexed. With an infernal high whirr of hidden servos, the damn showboating motormouth flexed. In fairness, raising the Sluggers aloft gave the illusion Sohmak was now twice as tall as the typical Skakdi. An image to make a typical Skakdi think twice.

"Not dyin' sounds good to me, how do we make it sound good to them?" Sohmak flashed what was becoming a trademark grin. He really believed in his plan. More than that, he'd begun to believe in T'harrak.

 

OOC: @Nato G

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

The longer Sohmak spoke, the more T’harrak struggled to come up with compelling counterpoints. His enthusiasm, his faith, was frustratingly infectious.

Five minutes ago she’d been ready to bend both neck and knee to the next warlord to come waltzing up to the island, and now she was being offered the keys to the kingdom by someone who had the strength and motivation to help her keep it. She’d never coveted control or conquest, but it was a hard offer to refuse now that it was being made. Ideas already bubbled, unbidden, in the back of her mind. Avoiding needless bloodshed while also keeping the warriors sated... it would be a balancing act, but there were ways to make it work. 

“We make it sound like they’re preparing for a fight,” she said, the beginnings of a classic Skakdi smile forming on her face. “Tell them we’re expecting a counterattack from Fort Garsi. Who knows? There might actually be one coming. Turning this place into the most defensible self-sustaining settlement this side of the Rift should keep everyone busy for a few days. Time enough for us to come up with some more long-term ideas.”

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On 8/28/2024 at 5:58 PM, NorikSigma said:

"The zom;bii of old tombs do not fear pain- even a launcher like that is no guarantee against the single-minded will of the undead, or numbers." She knew all too well the perils of dealing with accursed things of the dark- working with the Nakihl and the Broker brought one to many strange places.

"And there's the traps... you can't blast your way out of a spike pit, or a teleportation ring, or a false-floodwall." Ah, memories. Bad memories, but still.

IC (Broker NPC: Rhuvok) [Burning Steppes digsite]

The Raven looked up from his scrivening.

"Tch. 'Zom;bii;'," he repeated derisively. "You should not concern yourselves with such ideas. The dead do not rise of their own accord; such things are merely puppets of some outside influence, be it Skullworms, Gloom-Ghasts, or those fanatics in their 'Barrowfort'. As we have already established, the tomb is sealed. No creature has entered it in millennia, therefore, nothing capable of raising the dead lies within."

He pointed his stylus in Vekus' direction.

"On the other hand, you are quite right to be concerned about traps. They are almost certainly present at a site like this, and most likely perfectly preserved to boot."

He looked around at the group, directing a particular glare towards the more gung-ho members.

"I suggest you all watch your step."

 

On 8/25/2024 at 12:48 PM, a goose said:

She held the dish up, facing the carvings, and began to move it around, closely watching the readout. If there were panels or buttons hidden in these carvings, she’d know where they were soon enough.

Sure enough, the grainy image on the device's screen began to sharpen, and beneath the monochrome image of the door's surface a number of fainter shapes began to appear: six thin channels in the rock, containing what appeared to be thin metal rods, turning a right angle upward about a foot beyond the surface and disappearing upwards towards the door's summit.

They connected to the surface of the door in one area only, which matched where Aden had seen the ancient Lesterin elder press to open the door. That area was covered by what could only be a map of the ancient Lesterin Isles: an archipelago of eleven islands, each one a contoured shape of gold, arranged on a crystal sea carved with sweeping waves and many-masted ships. On the radar screen, Aden could just see that the six mechanisms in the rock connected with six of the golden isles...very much as if they were in fact buttons. 

 

On 8/28/2024 at 5:58 PM, NorikSigma said:

Still, pride is a tougher beast than most, and Kalzok sat down and began to access the crystal, his actions slow and deliberate, the very image of a grim seer with a clear idea of what exactly he was looking for. And who knew, perhaps 'Twisting' through the crystal's data might get something useful anyway, by sheer fortune. The Shades know stranger things have happened here...

The Reader's mechanisms responded obediently to Kalzok's practiced fingers; well-oiled gears turned this way and that, moving the struts and arms which in turn moved the lenses and shuttered Lightstone capsules that produced the necessary beams of light, directing them precisely through the crystal encased in its socket. The beams refracted into rainbow colours in the crystal's depths, and shone through the other side in the form of letters (and the occasional diagram) projected onto a raised board like that of a writing desk, where their secrets were revealed.

This crystal was titled 'Chronicles of the Archive-Keepers, Volume 23' and appeared to be a record of the activities of a group tasked with maintaining the tomb (or as it was apparently properly referred to, the 'Archive-Mausoleum'). Most of the entries dealt with rather mundane activities of cleaning and other maintenance, but Kalzok noticed several that indicated a rather more interesting duty of these 'Archive-Keepers': receiving visiting scholars, and granting them access to the tomb.

Two entries in particular caught Kalzok's attention. Both concerned difficulties with individual scholars, who it seemed were frequently absent-minded (several other entries also expressed the Keepers' frustration at the scholars' tendency to forget their instructions). The first seemed immediately useful, as it concerned the operation of the door:

Fourth-day of Second Neap-Tide, Wood's Moon, 3193
Deputy Chief Keeper Suhlik

Received Under-Scholast Inlohk yesterday, visiting from Oshan. Instructed him in all the Ways, and he was most insistent he had understood them fully. Escorted him to Reading-Chamber Three for his studies and informed him he could make the Ways alone from now on. He returned safely by nightfall. However, this morning he came to us angrily, having failed in the Way of Entry, claiming we had not told him the correct order. Reminded him that the answer lies upon the door itself. His embarrassment was plain to see.

The second was rather more foreboding.

First-day of First Spring-Tide, Salt's Moon, 3244
Chief Keeper Esruhn

An unfortunate tragedy occurred today. Our guest from the Isles of Thought, Nezuri, has been killed. This was her fifth day entering the Archive-Mausoleum; on each previous day she appeared to remember the Ways perfectly, and professed to have no difficulty following them; but today she did not return. We found her in the Passage of Blades, her body separated into several pieces. We are not yet sure what went wrong: whether her memory of the Ways failed her, or her small stature made disabling the Mechanisms too difficult (regrettably, they were not designed with non-Lesterin in mind). Either way, she failed to pass them, and they did their work all too well.

I shall sail to Lamo-Lyco-Oshan at first light and to explain the situation to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I pray to Mata Nui this does not cause a diplomatic incident with the Thought-People. In the meantime, I shall impress upon the acolytes the importance of ensuring that our visitors fully memorise the Ways, and fully understand the dangers of the Archive-Mausoleum. Our forefathers designed this place and its Mechanisms to protect the Archives from uninvited guests for all perpetuity, in accordance with Lord Jehaeros' wishes. The Mechanisms must be understood and respected, and the Ways followed, lest further tragedies occur in future.

OOC: @NorikSigma @a goose @BBBBalta @BULiK @Rahisaurus

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IC: Kihr [Burning Steppes, Digsite]

The hired gun appeared to gain interest in the archeology once the Reader had been brought over. He watched Kalzok twist through the crystal's entries, occasionally puffing his cigar.

Edited by BULiK
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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

"Make this into a proper fort, just like those Garsi geezers." Sohmak scowled, remembering how the world fell to pieces around him at their command. He began rehearsing his 'address' under his breath.

The brawler chuckled, low, bassy. "See? Already a better plan than that Heu:Nii. You was built for this, T'harrak."

He straighted up his posture again, towering above the tinkerer, above just about anyone of Fortress Razorfish;Vaa, once more. "Anythin' else you want me to add, boss?"

 

OOC: @Nato G

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IC: T'harrak Fort Razorfish;Vaa

The first time Sohmak had called her "boss", in the chaos and bloodshed of their retreat yesterday, it had startled and unsettled her. She hadn't felt deserving of it then. She still didn't now. But this time, with her head clear and Sohmak's confidence urging her on, she felt like she could become deserving of it. 

"Put them on patching up our walls first," she said, gesturing to the hole Sohmak had punched in the stonework earlier. "Fix and reinforce everything. I'm going to inventory our supplies, try to figure out what weapons and tech we lost yesterday."

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

He grinned and restrained an earnest laugh at T'harrak's indication. "My home makeover not to your likin', eh?" He nodded; his orders, thus their orders, clear.

Sohmak turned to leave, giving one last look over his shoulder, towards the warlord-in-shadow. "Oh, boss... don't take anythin' I say personal. 'member, all just showin' off."

With that, the warlord-in-light strode to the edge of the overlook, clawed feet thumping loud as he approached the courtyard. If that didn't draw the throng's attention, the loud CLANG-CLANG and shower of sparks from the Sluggers striking together did.

"AL-RIGHT, ROTTERS!"

A captive audience.

"King's dead." He held his arms, his huge exo-gauntlets wide, an invitation to take a swing.

Silence. A wicked smirk. A look to kill.

"Long live the king."

CLANG-CLANG.

"Zanakra reached too far, too fast. Made that big shooter of 'ers look like a love tap. Surprised she weren't DEAD sooner!" An honest-to-Irnakk guffaw, summoned from deep inside, the dark pit every Skakdi holds buried in their being. To laugh at another's death was unfamiliar to Sohmak, uncomfortable.

He snapped back to attention. "And worse, Zanakra made you look like CHUMPS!" He turned his head and spat. "Zanakra weren't gonna let you die in glory! You was stepping stones to 'er!" He spat again, with genuine anger towards the woman who nearly got him killed; everyone killed, needlessly. Burying her legacy was only partially showmanship.

"And WORSE, you ran! You fled! You're a band of cowards and sooks!" He ran, he fled. He dared anyone to challenge this hypocrisy.

The Bite of Irnakk's Tooth cast his gaze back to T'harrak, addressing the Tahtorak in the room and unsure quite how to spin it.

"The geek told you to run. 'Full retreat.' You might not like it, might make you feel sick to your stomach... but you're alive, and annoyingly, cowards get another shot. You might thank 'er when you get finally that death in glory you're cravin'."

He met the tinkerer's eye with a sinister sneer. "Don't worry, I'll be keepin'er on a tight leash." A promise of protection, in the veil of a threat.

Back to working the crowd. "Now, we gotta clean up Zanakra's mess! Garsi'll be gunnin' for us, and when they come knockin' we gotta give as good as they did, better than they did! Make this land..." he hoped he hadn't paused too long coming up with the right word. "In-hos-pitable. Make 'em regret runnin' up on us. Make 'em cry."

CLANG-CLANG. Sohmak raised a Slugger to the open sky, the crisp night wind whistling over the walls of the fortress.

"We ain't cowards and sooks! We ain't gonna be easy prey! We ain't gonna be tread under Garsi's foot, or anyone else's! WE ARE RAZORFISH;VAA!" The roar of his warcry echoed around the fortress, the delta, Spineless Bay.

The immediate response was rather more scattered than he had hoped, but his speech was enough to begin raising the spirits of most of the fort's doomers. He set about pointing to groups and shouting orders, 'reinforce the stonework', 'more spikes on the walls', 'fix that bloody hole'. Soon the courtyard was a flurry of activity, Skakdi laying down weapon and taking up tool, loosely organised but organised all the same. Keeping them occupied would keep them from picking any holes in his image.

Sohmak allowed himself a smile, relieved more than anything. No one saw how he shook. He took a few steps backwards, letting the light of the torches guide him, and ascended the throne.

"Geek!" He barked, before T'harrak had a chance to shuffle away to the storerooms. As soon as his face turned from the courtyard his features softened, a cheeky smile spreading wide.

"How'd I do?"

 

OOC: @Nato G (NPCs are yours to bunny, your fort after all 😋) @Smudge8 @ARROW404

Edited by Techn0geist
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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

For all of his misgivings about being fit to lead, Sohmak was a skilled spokesman. He’d appealed to the fear, pride, and outrage of every Skakdi present, and it had gotten results. Already the warriors were bustling about, taking up their tools, fetching stone and lumber from the storerooms to begin making repairs.  

T’harrak was under no illusions about her ability to garner the same reaction. Sohmak had been right. He was the perfect figurehead.

Repairs were a temporary distraction, though. Structurally, the Fort was already in good condition. There’d been no battles here in T’harrak’s time. What damage there was had mostly been inflicted by negligence and irresponsible inhabitants: the cracks and craters in the courtyard inflicted during training sessions and Sarke matches, the damage to the walls dealt by stray blasts or demonstrations of strength. But patching it all up would keep the warriors busy for a while, keep their minds focused and their hearts motivated long enough for T’harrak to come up with a more long-term plan.

She already had a few ideas in mind. There were plenty of lessons to be learned from the battle at Fort Garsi, brief and brutal though it had been. There was more to defence than strong walls.

Sohmak’s call pulled her away from her thoughts.

“Perfect,” she grinned back. “You were right. We can make this work.”

@Techn0geist

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IC: Aden (The Burning Steppes Dig-Site)

“I have the buttons – here, on the islands. Just have to work out the order,” she said, scratching her chin and examining the relevant carvings.

OOC: @ digsite peeps

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IC: Jojax-Fort Razorfish;Vaa

Jojax slowly climbed out from under the bed as she started to calm down. There had been no more sounds of shattering rubble, so she assumed things were safe. She absent-mindedly grabbed her dad's mask off the table and hooked it on to her belt. As she tiptoed down the hallway she heard someone in the throne room. 

  "And WORSE, you ran! You fled! You're a band of cowards and sooks!""

Jojax slouched. It hurt even more  to hear someone saying what she's been thinking.

"You might not like it, might make you feel sick to your stomach...but you're alive, and annoyingly, cowards get another shot."

She shrugged. It was true, but that didn't get rid of the terrible feeling in her gut.

"We ain't cowards and sooks! We ain't gonna be easy prey! We ain't gonna be tread under Garsi's foot, or anyone else's! WE ARE RAZORFISH;VAA!" 

Jojax let out a half-hearted cheer along with the rest of the crowd.  As Sohmak started barking out orders she just slouched against the wall, until two other Skakdii approached her. 

"Hey, Sarke-for-brains" said the taller of the two. "We're headin' down to that rockey beach to find some rocks fer fixin' the wall. Yer super strength "

Jojax shrugged, "Yeah sure why not." The other two turned and walked down the dusty road to the beach. Jojax ambled a few steps behind them. They seemed to be in go spirits joking and jabbing at each other. Jojax reached down to scratch her hip and felt...

They reached the beach shortly and set about grabbing stones. Jojax quickly picked up a stone the size of her torso, and was about to head back when one of the others shouted at her. "Hey, I think this one's more fitting for your aptitude "

Jojax turned. He was standing next to a large egg shaped boulder, almost twice his height.

"Yeah, why not." She tossed the rock she was holding and walked over. She crouched and wrapped her hands around the base, and gave a mighty heave. 

HHHNNGGG!!!!

The Boulder didn't budge. She could hear the other two choking back their laughter. "Why don't ye use yer mask?"

"BECAUSE!" Jojax shouted as she continued to struggle.

"Do you need assistance?"

"NOPE, I'M JUST FINE!"

"Welp," said the taller one, "Were gonna take these back an' then come fer more. Let us know if you change yer mind."

Jojax continued to struggle and shove and lift and strain, but the rock refused to move a milibio. In her frustration, Jojax gave the stubborn stone a mighty kick.

Crack! 

Jojax jumped backwards, clutching her throbbing toe. Without even thinking about it she grabbed her mask, placed it on her face, and kicked again.

CRACK!!!

A fissure tore it's way through the boulder, slicing it almost perfectly in half. Jojax grabbed half of the rock and hurled it into the sea. It sailed through the air and landed with an impressive splash. She stood there for a moment, then turned and picked up the other half of the rock and began to walk back to Fort Razorfish:Vaa

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

The brawler wasn't expecting relief to wash through him with T'harrak's approval, though he welcomed it all the same. He crossed one leg over the other, bringing a hulking Slugger up and resting his cheek on it. "Won't lie, this is a nice chair. Can't 'ave you standin' around though, I'll get the boys to bring a little stool up for ya." The banter flowed like wine.

The twin warlords surveyed the work for a time, fortress denizens scurrying back and forth from task to task, mesmerising in its own way.

"Boss," Sohmak said, breaking their contented quiet, "after you've finished your inventoryin', I've got a favo—"

CRACK.

Teeth set tense against each other. Thoughts of Fortress Garsi.

"Nah..."

SPLASH.

"Nah nah nah, already?"

Sohmak leapt from the throne, then from the overlook, landing with a dulled but heavy thump in the courtyard below. He rose to his full, towering stature, having only attracted the attention of the few Skakdi closest to him.

"...as you were, lads. Stay sharp." Awkward pauses and dramatic pauses were so very alike.

Sohmak came now to the hole he'd smashed in the fortress wall, night wind still blowing through. He peered out and down to the river, expecting landing craft, a rocket barrage, stone-brown jaws of a Skak:Dii war-god to close on them all. Instead his gaze was met with a rather less dramatic sight, and a rather more melodramatic one. The ingress of cool twilight air was momentarily halted by a loud sigh.

"JOJAX! A word!" He met the wrestler halfway to the fort, striding with purpose towards her. He decided "[name], a word" would be a catchphrase, the implication of a reprimand to follow. Some other Skakdi lugging stones towards the fortress gave only glances in their direction, deciding it would be best not to disturb the "boss" at such a time.

Once he was sure they would not be interrupted, Sohmak again let his stern features soften. He couldn't help but feel... responsible for Jojax since saving her from the failed assault, despite their rocky start. He would never admit it to her face, but he couldn't shy from demonstrating it.

"How ya holdin' up, kid? You were pretty banged up back there, sure you're good to be haulin' like that?" Condescension and concern, like pauses, are a similarly fine line. Given their short history, he hoped Jojax would hear him erring on the latter side.

 

OOC: @Nato G @Smudge8

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

For the second time in less than an hour, T’harrak’s hand inched instinctively towards her launcher. The sound of splintering stone was all too common in a place like this. It had never been comforting, but now it was outright alarming.

She followed Sohmak as far as the wall, relaxing once she saw who and what was responsible for the sound. A part of her considered following Sohmak the rest of the way; Jojax was the first friend that T’harrak had made at the Fort, and the only Skakdi here other than Sohmak that she supposed she could trust. If she needed help, or someone to talk to-

A pair of excuses executed the thought before it could finish forming. Jojax had nearly been left behind in the retreat; she wouldn’t want anything to do with the coward who’d abandoned her. And Sohmak was already on his way; he could handle a warrior’s woes better than T’harrak could.

Moreover, her mind was a mess. She’d endured more stress in the past two days than she had in the past two decades. Yesterday’s events were as harrowing as the future was daunting, and she didn’t want to dwell on either.

The armoury. Taking inventory. A distraction, small and simple. Something to focus her thoughts.

No different from telling the warriors to patch up the fort.

She turned away from the wall and headed inside.

Edited by Nato G
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OoC: I'm back! Sorry I didn't reply sooner, I didn't realize people were still posting, (thank Geardirector for the heads-up there), and for some reason I didn't get notifications I'd been pinged in this thread specifically, so I thought it was dead. 

IC: Gashril - Fort Razorfish 

The former crew of the Tahtorak outpost didn't cluster together as one might have expected them too. Instead, they dispersed among other members of the fight to commiserate with them. None of those who had survived had sustained any serious injuries, themselves, but their numbers had taken a serious hit. 

Gashril grieved outwardly, but much as she liked some of them, she had long accepted their mortality- as had they all. Still, these deaths were pointless. They had put up a good fight, but she realized they had gone too far in faking their loyalty to the fort's former leader. Played out too far, taken too many risks. And for that matter, Mandokk had been wasted too. She had watched through his eyes, as he was harpooned, then dragged into darkness. The offer for security to defectors had been bait, as she had suspected. She would check in with Mandokk periodically, but she doubted they would head from him again. Such a waste. 

Her mind was drawn to the here and now as Sohmak demanded a word with T'harrak. Her brow furrowed. T'harrak had shown sense when she called the retreat, and the fact others followed her order meant she did command respect around here. She had been ready to cast her blade behind her, but it seemed Sohmak had other ideas. 

She resisted the urge to follow, but not the urge to eavesdrop. Closing her eyes and leaning against the wall, she 'borrowed' T'harrak's eyes and read Sohmak's lips as he spoke. Then as she replied, she swapped to his eyes- a practice she was well-versed in. She couldn't make out every word, but she was confident she had understood their idea. Sohmak would be the face, and T'harrak the brains. Credit where it was due, she hadn't expected the Slugger to cook up a plan of the sort. Or take up a mantle of leadership, counterfeit or not. He was a Sarker, after all. 

She consciously kept her grin from her face as Sohmak came out and made his speech. Now, how should she use this information? This was not adverse to her plans at all. Well, "her" plans. Mission, more like. T'harrak remaining behind and leading from the shadows. How very Lesterin of her, hiding behind a mask. Almost Nakihl. 

As repairs on the fort began, she pointed two directionless-looking individuals to a place to make themselves useful, and assisted as well. Mindless work while her mind was busy. 

A crash from outside drew every ear. Then Sohmak inadvertently set everyone at ease by bellowing for Jojax. She chuckled and set back to work, but realized a few moments later, that T'harrak would be alone now. She mulled it over a moment. Yes, this was the moment. 

She set her work down and first checked the main hall. Not there. Her workshop? "T'harrak," she said as the tinkerer came into view, her tone almost like that of someone receiving an unexpected but welcome guest. "A word?" she asked with a teasing grin. 

@Nato G

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

As she made her way towards the armoury, T’harrak’s own words echoed in her ears, the memory of a conversation she’d had the last time she’d walked this route.

"Why would someone pretend to be a warlord anyway? I mean... what's the point? I could understand someone using it as a short-term ruse, maybe... but to spend the rest of your days living a lie, adding fame to another's name while yours is never known..."

It felt like a lifetime ago.

It had only been yesterday.  

And she had her answer now.

"T'harrak. A word?"

She turned back to see Gashril behind her. For a moment, T'harrak felt a small thrill of relief at the realisation that the Tahtorak Encampment survivors hadn't abandoned the Fort after yesterday's events... but there was something in Gashril's tone and demeanour that left her unsettled. Given their grim circumstances, she sounded too friendly, too eager. The thought of a Bog Snake sizing up a potential meal was suddenly in the forefront of T'harrak's mind. 

"Gashril," she said, forcing a smile. "What can I do for you?"

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6 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

As she made her way towards the armoury, T’harrak’s own words echoed in her ears, the memory of a conversation she’d had the last time she’d walked this route.

"Why would someone pretend to be a warlord anyway? I mean... what's the point? I could understand someone using it as a short-term ruse, maybe... but to spend the rest of your days living a lie, adding fame to another's name while yours is never known..."

It felt like a lifetime ago.

It had only been yesterday.  

And she had her answer now.

"T'harrak. A word?"

She turned back to see Gashril behind her. For a moment, T'harrak felt a small thrill of relief at the realisation that the Tahtorak Encampment survivors hadn't abandoned the Fort after yesterday's events... but there was something in Gashril's tone and demeanour that left her unsettled. Given their grim circumstances, she sounded too friendly, too eager. The thought of a Bog Snake sizing up a potential meal was suddenly in the forefront of T'harrak's mind. 

"Gashril," she said, forcing a smile. "What can I do for you?"

@ARROW404

IC: Gashril - Fort Razorfish 

The Shrill Blade had taken a moment to decide how to broach the subject. Start positive. "First, I just wanted to reiterate what I said during the retreat: it was a smart move." She relaxed her smile, her voice earnest. "Garsi was a ****show, and retreating cost us nothing." She paused, closing that statement. "Second, I wish to reveal a card I had kept close to my chest until now: my vision power. Which will lead into my reason for coming to speak with you here." She tapped her temple. "I 'borrowed' you and Sohmak's vision. Which is why I know you're still the one calling the shots. Again, I approve."

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

Her brow furrowed. She’d never heard of a vision power that let someone borrow another’s sight… but she was still inclined to believe the story. Given that Gashril was a De-Skakdi, claiming she’d simply enhanced her hearing to overhear their conversation would have been a far more obvious and believable excuse.

T’harrak relaxed somewhat, now convinced that this at least wasn’t leading into some kind of revenge for helping recruit Gashril’s people in the first place, or for giving the order that had resulted in several of them being left behind.

But still, her cynicism lingered. In a handful of sentences, Gashril had given her compliments, approval, and information. Such gifts weren’t given freely on Zakaz. Which could only mean…

“You want something.”

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4 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

Her brow furrowed. She’d never heard of a vision power that let someone borrow another’s sight… but she was still inclined to believe the story. Given that Gashril was a De-Skakdi, claiming she’d simply enhanced her hearing to overhear their conversation would have been a far more obvious and believable excuse.

T’harrak relaxed somewhat, now convinced that this at least wasn’t leading into some kind of revenge for helping recruit Gashril’s people in the first place, or for giving the order that had resulted in several of them being left behind.

But still, her cynicism lingered. In a handful of sentences, Gashril had given her compliments, approval, and information. Such gifts weren’t given freely on Zakaz. Which could only mean…

“You want something.”

@ARROW404

IC: Gashril

Gashril hadn't exactly been trying to hide the fact, but T'harrak had discerned that much, which already put her ahead of several 'leaders' she'd had the displeasure of meeting. 

She nodded. "I want what every Skak:Dii worth their spine wants. Our powers back." A cryptic response, so she didn't linger on it. Folding her arms, she continued. "The Tahtorak bunch is made up of muscle still possessing enough brains to recognize an idiot when they see one. You- technically Sohmak- are the fourth... fifth leader we've thrown out weight behind. Up until now, we've found some loud morons, and some more cunning ones, but all were bent on their own glory- sight not extending beyond capturing forts. All ended up killed by that shortsightedness. We want more. A new Irnakk:Dii, who will restore our powers to what they were in the time before time. You and Sohmak... You're not the 'more' we're looking for, but you could become it." 

She shifted her weight, skipping to the point. "So with that being laid out on the table, here's why I approached you: Sohmak surprised me today. In a good way. For my part, I think he can be trusted, but just in case, I wanted to give you this information: I know who's really calling the shots. You know that I know who's calling the shots. But Sohmak doesn't. That information might become useful some day. It's up to you what you do with it. I'm investing in you, hoping you can become what the Skak:Dii need. And I'm here to help that process."

She paused to take a breath. "I'll shut up now, as I'm sure you have questions."

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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

For several long seconds, T'harrak just stared at Gashril, trying to decide if the other woman was insane, inebriated... or somehow enlightened.

Every Skakdi who'd survived long enough to serve a warlord knew how to combine powers with another. And many - Gashril herself included - possessed technology that would allow them to access their powers to some extent. Which meant that whatever goal she was pursuing went beyond technology or unity. The kind of spiritual powers the Nakihl spoke of. And given that Gashril had managed to gather a group behind her in pursuit of that goal, she was either extremely charismatic, or she actually knew something. 

The thought was tantalising. 

T'harrak had spent most of her existence making do with less. She couldn't lay waste to her enemies with her gaze alone like other Skakdi could. She wasn't strong enough to best other warriors in a straight fight. Her channelling tools were only useful for making things, not breaking them. The thought of having more... of being someone who helped give more to all Skakdi... it was enticing beyond anything she'd dared imagine before.

Yesterday, she'd been content to serve as a simple armourer. Today, she was a warlord in all but name. Tomorrow... who knew? 

"Getting these people killed chasing a mad dream would be just as wasteful as letting them die at Fort Garsi," she said, forcibly smothering the embers of ambition that were starting to smoulder within her soul. "So... before I agree to anything, I'd need you to prove to me that this dream isn't mad. How could we get our powers back?"

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On 9/20/2024 at 2:06 PM, Nato G said:

IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

For several long seconds, T'harrak just stared at Gashril, trying to decide if the other woman was insane, inebriated... or somehow enlightened.

Every Skakdi who'd survived long enough to serve a warlord knew how to combine powers with another. And many - Gashril herself included - possessed technology that would allow them to access their powers to some extent. Which meant that whatever goal she was pursuing went beyond technology or unity. The kind of spiritual powers the Nakihl spoke of. And given that Gashril had managed to gather a group behind her in pursuit of that goal, she was either extremely charismatic, or she actually knew something. 

The thought was tantalising. 

T'harrak had spent most of her existence making do with less. She couldn't lay waste to her enemies with her gaze alone like other Skakdi could. She wasn't strong enough to best other warriors in a straight fight. Her channelling tools were only useful for making things, not breaking them. The thought of having more... of being someone who helped give more to all Skakdi... it was enticing beyond anything she'd dared imagine before.

Yesterday, she'd been content to serve as a simple armourer. Today, she was a warlord in all but name. Tomorrow... who knew? 

"Getting these people killed chasing a mad dream would be just as wasteful as letting them die at Fort Garsi," she said, forcibly smothering the embers of ambition that were starting to smoulder within her soul. "So... before I agree to anything, I'd need you to prove to me that this dream isn't mad. How could we get our powers back?"

@ARROW404

IC: Gashril

T'harrak's initial reaction made Gashril wonder if she had been too forthcoming. But there!- It was gone in an instant, but she had seen a spark of ambition. Of course she had. Tinkerer though she was, T'harrak was Skak:Dii. 

Unsurprisingly, Razorfish;Va's new leader showed showed more of her good sense in response. Although Gashril was mildly surprised she went straight to asking for evidence. She hadn't actually anticipated that. 

She tilted her head, clearly expressing her surprise at T'harrak's words, and held up a hand. "A wise policy, but I'm not actually proposing we do anything. Not for a long while anyway. I didn't come here to recruit you yet, just to make you aware you have my support. Even against Sohmak, if it comes to that."

She let the statement land, before quickly getting at what T'harrak wanted to hear. She had seen a spark of ambition, and didn't want to smother it. "But you did ask a fair question. We've dug up one piece of physical evidence. The rest is built on inferences. And I don't know how to get our powers back. But know how to find out." 

@Nato G

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

A part of her was eager to ask further about the piece of evidence Gashril had mentioned. But the fact that she’d simply mentioned it in passing and not offered to show it off suggested she didn’t have it on her person, or wasn’t willing to share it.

By her own admission, Gashril didn’t have all of the answers, and wasn’t yet ready to act on what she knew. So whatever it was, wherever it was… it could wait.

T’harrak had more pressing priorities than her curiosities.

“Perhaps we should bury this for now, then,” she said. “And... see what grows?”

Metaphors were good, she decided. Vague and mysterious (especially with dramatic pauses thrown in), but with an imposing edge to them. That was nice and leader-like, wasn’t it? Zanakra had dabbled in wordplay. Sohmak had already given himself a catchphrase. Maybe metaphors would be T’harrak’s leadery thing, at least when she was speaking with the few who knew about her real role. 

“I trust you’ll keep me informed if your research… bears fruit.”

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11 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

A part of her was eager to ask further about the piece of evidence Gashril had mentioned. But the fact that she’d simply mentioned it in passing and not offered to show it off suggested she didn’t have it on her person, or wasn’t willing to share it.

By her own admission, Gashril didn’t have all of the answers, and wasn’t yet ready to act on what she knew. So whatever it was, wherever it was… it could wait.

T’harrak had more pressing priorities than her curiosities.

“Perhaps we should bury this for now, then,” she said. “And... see what grows?”

Metaphors were good, she decided. Vague and mysterious (especially with dramatic pauses thrown in), but with an imposing edge to them. That was nice and leader-like, wasn’t it? Zanakra had dabbled in wordplay. Sohmak had already given himself a catchphrase. Maybe metaphors would be T’harrak’s leadery thing, at least when she was speaking with the few who knew about her real role. 

“I trust you’ll keep me informed if your research… bears fruit.”

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IC: Gashril 

The De-Skak:Dii nodded. "One more thing: You are the first leader I've entrusted this information with. Not because of the promise you show- or not just because of that. But also because I think you may be the best suited for this task, if it bears out. The plan... or concept, really, is to use technology- your specialty- to go underwater- which Fort Razorfish would stand to benefit from even if this doesn't work out. Underwater defenses, for example. Because wherever the answers lie, they are below the surface of Kvere;Ivi." She let the implication stand. To dive too far beneath the lake was all but a death sentence. Dozens, if not even hundred across the centuries had tried and never been seen again. But everyone knew the legend. Everyone knew of the Vortixx who had gone into the lake, and what had happened after.

Ooc: don't know what happened with the color, but I can't fix it on my phone, so ignore it. 

Edited by ARROW404
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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"A... bold plan," she replied, caught off-guard not just by the significance of the scheme, but Gashril's confidence that T'harrak could somehow manufacture something to assist with it. Tinkerer though she was, her expertise extended mostly to najin powder, weaponry, and boats, the three technologies that mattered most to the denizens of the island fort. 

But already, she found herself contemplating the possibilities. Reaching the lake was a non-issue; it would be easy enough to sail upriver. Reaching deeper than anyone had managed before was where the difficulty lay. She'd heard that some divers used air bladders to stay underwater longer, but surely someone would have tried that by now? Maybe- 

She forced herself to stop. This was a puzzle for the future. 

"I might recommend focusing your research on finding out where other attempts went wrong," she suggested. "Or learning more about what the Vortixx did. Assuming you haven't pursued those avenues already."

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9 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"A... bold plan," she replied, caught off-guard not just by the significance of the scheme, but Gashril's confidence that T'harrak could somehow manufacture something to assist with it. Tinkerer though she was, her expertise extended mostly to najin powder, weaponry, and boats, the three technologies that mattered most to the denizens of the island fort. 

But already, she found herself contemplating the possibilities. Reaching the lake was a non-issue; it would be easy enough to sail upriver. Reaching deeper than anyone had managed before was where the difficulty lay. She'd heard that some divers used air bladders to stay underwater longer, but surely someone would have tried that by now? Maybe- 

She forced herself to stop. This was a puzzle for the future. 

"I might recommend focusing your research on finding out where other attempts went wrong," she suggested. "Or learning more about what the Vortixx did. Assuming you haven't pursued those avenues already."

@ARROW404 

Gashril nodded again. "Of course. But we'll be working for and with you and Sohmak in the meantime." She glanced aside as a member of the fort passed within eyeshot. "We've been standing here too long," she noted. 

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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"Best we part ways, then," she said, once the passing Skakdi had faded from earshot. "I'm sure we'll have plenty more to discuss in future."

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3 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"Best we part ways, then," she said, once the passing Skakdi had faded from earshot. "I'm sure we'll have plenty more to discuss in future."

@ARROW404

"Of course. I'm at your disposal whenever is convenient. And I leave the question of including Sohmak in this or not up to you." Sohmak had made a good impression on her, and including him eventually would naturally happen as long as he stayed alive and leading. But there was wisdom in dividing and spreading out power and knowledge too. She didn't mind either way.

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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"I'll give it some thought," she said. She started to walk away, but stopped and turned back. "I appreciate your honesty, and trust. I haven't gotten a lot of that in the past... and I wasn't expecting any after how yesterday went." 

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

He went to move and support Jojax on seeing her face pale, hesitating when he heard the infernal whirr and saw the hulk of the Slugger gauntlet entering his view. Even now it was easy to forget the damnable things. Sohmak settled for holding his arm out, something to pull herself up with should she collapse.

"Just checkin' on ya," A bossly pause, "don't need my men strainin' themselves. Y'should be restin'."

Sohmak pondered silently, aloud. "What d'you remember? 'bout the attack, I mean?" He couldn't help picturing Krex atop his bike, the grenade lofted high. "D'you remember gettin' back?"

 

OOC: @Smudge8

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21 hours ago, Nato G said:

IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"I'll give it some thought," she said. She started to walk away, but stopped and turned back. "I appreciate your honesty, and trust. I haven't gotten a lot of that in the past... and I wasn't expecting any after how yesterday went." 

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IC: Gashril

Earnest gratitude was something Gashril was not used to, and wasn't exactly sure how to react to. Nor did she particularly feel she deserved it. Especially since she hadn't been completely honest. Just mostly. 

"That's the problem with the 'traditional Skak:Dii way'," she muttered. "The ones who could actually make things better get spat on." She shook her head, dispelling the thought. "Eh, never mind. I'll leave you to your tinkering."

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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

“Thanks,” she said again, nodding at Gashril before turning away and continuing on towards the armoury.

Praise and promises pursued her the entire way, the whispered words of her newfound confidantes seeming to taunt her as they echoed endlessly inside her stunned skull.

The ambition and eagerness she’d felt earlier was fading fast, replaced by an overwhelming sense of panic and bewilderment. It was too much, too quickly. Yesterday, her biggest concern had been making sure the Najin dust she manufactured was stable and safe to handle. Now she had responsibilities and secrets, the future of the entire fort in her hands, and her own fate resting upon the whims of two far stronger Skakdi who undoubtedly had agendas of their own.

It felt like a dream. Or a nightmare. She kept expecting to wake up back outside Fort Garsi at any moment, drowning in the mud and blood. Her encounters with Sohmak and Gashril were surely nothing more than the deluded illusions of a dying mind, born from T’harrak’s own feelings of being powerless and unappreciated. But after pinching her arm several times as she walked, the world around her remained unchanged.

This was her new, ridiculous reality.

She entered the armoury and slammed the door behind her, firmly shutting out the rest of the world. She slumped against the coarse wood, her breaths coming short and shaky, her hands curled into white-knuckled fists. There was too much to think about: preparing to fend off a potential reprisal from Fort Garsi, coming up with a way to expand the Fort’s influence without getting Skakdi senselessly slaughtered, trying to help Gashril with her goals… where was she supposed to start?

Relax. Focus. She screwed her eyes shut, trying to steady herself. Short-term goals. Keep your mind busy.

“Take inventory,” she muttered, reminding herself why she’d come here in the first place. She opened her eyes, and looked around the room. “What do I have? What can I use?”

She didn’t need to make a full count to know the Fort still had plenty of Najin dust. Aside from some spare rockets for the Cordak launcher, Zanakra hadn’t taken anything from the supply of projectiles and powder. The launcher itself was gone, though, either destroyed or in Fort Garsi’s hands by now. Also lost was the Eccentric Rock that Ahuum had taken. The Firework Revolver was missing as well, but was hopefully still in Jojax’s possession. Only the Lightstone Rifle remained hanging on the wall. The other weapons arrayed around the room weren’t anything especially impressive, just simple blades and launchers, in varying states of disrepair. Most warriors kept their preferred tools on their person; these were just spares. Still, everything had its use…

She stepped back, replaying yesterday’s events in her mind. Firepower wasn’t their problem. It was the fact that no one had used it. Aside from the opening salvo from the Cordak launcher, Zanakra’s party had engaged almost exclusively in melee tactics and elemental feats against a group of fighters who’d specialised in traps, ranged attacks, and mounted combat.

The slaughter that had followed spoke for itself.

T’harrak turned away, brow furrowed in thought. It hadn’t been Fort Garsi’s weaponry that had so effectively routed their attackers. It had been their tactics, and their use of the terrain. There was plenty to be learned from that.

Perhaps… yes, that could work! She burst out of the armoury, excitedly hurrying towards the nearest staircase that would take her up to the battlements.

The terrain was the answer to all of her problems.

The island had everything she needed.

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IC: Gashril 

Satisfied with the encounter, she returned to the spot she had been working on prior. The conversation had taken an unexpected turn. Initially, she'd only planned to get into T'harrak's good graces and win her confidence by becoming her backup in case anything went awry with Sohmak. T'harrak's responses had been unpredictable, though, and led to her divulging more than she had planned- but not more than she was willing to part with. Her true higher-ups would be okay with it. 

Really, her only concern for the moment was if T'harrak could handle the pressure. Her reactions and questions had been far out of the way of a typical Skak:Dii, even adjusting her expectations for an unblooded tinkerer. She felt her assessment of her had only been partially on the mark. Three possibilities presented themselves:

1. T'harrak lost her nerve and called things quits with Gashril. 

2. The backing of Sohmak and Gashril would go to her head, she would get too big for her breeches, and get killed.

3. She would prove her mettle, lead from behind, and prove an asset. 

Scenario 3 was of course ideal, but she was no stranger to 2, and 1 wouldn't be too different. Everything was happening within acceptable parameters. Still, her watcher would need an update. She had felt that sensation of being watched- the same vision power she had, used on herself- until she had laid down to rest the night before. That was where she would resume contact. 

As she made her way there, her thoughts turned to Sohmak. From what she had inferred, he was actually new to the fort, himself. She ought to ingratiate herself to him as well, but less directly than with T'harrak. He was less significant to the plan than the tinkerer. But he had a good head on his shoulders, and had all the qualities for the new Irnakk Zakaz needed that his counterpart lacked. Keeping him around was beneficial. 

Her biggest concern regarding him was that his leadership would be tenuous. His speech had been uplifting, but there was bound to be ambitious hot blood in the fort, eager to challenge him. His rule had to be solidified, and his underlings unified. She had a couple of ideas how to do that. 

As she reached her cot, she closed her eyes and triggered her vision power. Report first. Sohmak was still out talking with Jojax anyways. 

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IC: Jojax-Fort Razorfish;Vaa

Jojax felt a twinge of guilt seeing Sohmak genuinely trying to help.

"Listen kid, you can't let 'em see ya when you're weak. It ruins the persona, and worse, others might take advantage of you. So you got to suck it up."

"F...f...FINE!" She snapped. "...I'm fine..." She gathered up what street she had left and began to hobble back up to the fort. Leaving behind the boulder, and Sohmak's outstretched hand.

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  • 2 weeks later...

IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

The brawler let his arm drop, staring through where the wrestler had been standing. He pondered.

"Heh." If these were the kind of holdouts to his 'reign' he could expect going forward, maybe things were to go smoothly after all. He would try again later with Jojax. For now, Sohmak made back for the fortress. Still had something to ask his warlord-in-shadow.

He felt an unexpected swell of pride seeing all the Skakdi, his Skakdi, potting about the grounds; making repairs and reinforcements, taking stock of available resources. Some were even becoming jovial, a stray joke drifting above the courtyard, followed keenly by raucous laughter. The Spineless Slugger could close his eyes and be back in the clubhouse in Irnakk's Tooth for a few precious seconds, were it not for the night's chill.

Those that weren't so jovial, the layabouts and no-hopers, he felt a certain satisfaction in telling to get off their lazy behinds and contribute something dammit, bellowing like righteous thunder. He would conceal a devilish grin as he continued on his way.

Among the busybodies Sohmak sighted the remaining Tahtorak bunch, Gashril's crew, and he was glad for it. He made a note to thank her for their continuing loyalty.

Finally he reached the armoury, poked his head through the door and frowned; no T'harrak in sight. Not without a lead, however, his keen ears pricked up; down the corridor and up the stairwell, the unmistakable sound of excited scampering. Must've just missed 'er, assuming it was her. He followed.

Serendipitously, he emerged onto the battlements to find a certain tinkerer with a twinkle in her eye. His query was forgotten again, replaced with another curiosity.

"A-hem," he announced himself, assuming she hadn't already heard his claws thumping up the stairs, "what's got you all in a tizzy, geek? Find somethin' hot in the arsenal?"

 

OOC: @Smudge8 @ARROW404 @Nato G

Edited by Techn0geist
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IC: T’harrak – Fort Razorfish;Vaa

Sohmak found T’harrak perched on the parapet, already in the midst of using a spyglass to peer out across the island. Her gaze wasn’t directed towards the shore or the sea, but inland, towards the foliage-shrouded peaks that dominated most of the landmass.

She let out a startled yelp at the sound of his voice, so engrossed in her investigation that she hadn’t heard his approach.

“Nothing that I didn’t already know about,” she replied, turning towards him. “But what happened yesterday got me thinking. Fort Garsi used the terrain to their advantage. We should be doing the same. There's so much on this island we can use." 

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

He chuckled at T'harrak's yelp, hardly becoming of her station, then leaned over the parapet beside her and turned his attention toward those same peaks. This was beginning to fall outside his wheelhouse.

"Think I'm pickin' up what you're puttin' down... you say it first though." He was not.

 

OOC: @Nato G

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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

"Think about what happened back at Fort Garsi," T'harrak said, excitement creeping into her voice despite the grim subject matter. "They'd sculpted the terrain, turned the whole thing into a trap. We took the path of least resistance up to their doorstep, and they were able to drop the entire hillside on top of us." 

She gestured out towards the sea of greenery. "We can't do quite the same thing they did, but we can still use all of these resources to our advantage. Stone for barricades and fortifications, wood for ships and catapults... and getting our warriors out there mining rock and felling trees will leave them less inclined to sit around clobbering each other for fun." 

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BZPRPG Mercenary Group - The Outsiders - Description - History - Base

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

Sohmak took umbrage with that last comment, standing tall now. "Oi, clobberin' each other for fun's got its place, even 'ere. All well'n'good puttin' up walls and catapults but the folks behind 'em can't be gettin' soft, warriors is warriors for goodness's..."

A pause, a deep breath, and again he came down to her level. "I see your point. 'bout usin' the trees and rocks, I mean." Sohmak turned now, walking to the other side of the battlement and looking down over the central courtyard, Skakdi like ants from this high up. "We can have both, gotta have both. No random acts o'violence, though. We'll organise us some Sarke and other trainin' drills if you think we need 'em. s'good for keepin' our lot sharp, swear it." The fighter looked over his shoulder to T'harrak, the twinkle now in his eye. "Good for the soul, too. Vent some heat in there, everyone's chillin'."

He thought he may already know her answer but allowed his curiosity another win. "Ever tried it?"

 

OOC: @Nato G

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IC: T'harrak - Fort Razorfish;Vaa

“Obviously I’m not saying we should ban Sarke or anything like that,” T’harrak quickly amended, already imagining the rioting that would result from such an announcement. “But you haven’t seen the way these guys would fight when they had nothing better to do with their time. They’d leave the courtyard and each other completely wrecked. Before you got here yesterday, Jojax smashed a guy into the ground so hard that last I heard, he was still unconscious. I haven’t thought to check up on his condition today.”

She followed Sohmak to the other side, her gaze drifting down towards the courtyard, its cobblestones marred with the cracks and craters of countless “friendly” sparring sessions. “Stress relief… practice… it all has its place, but not when it leaves our own people unable to fight.”

At his last question, she just laughed. “I've done my share of training, but Sarke... willingly trapping myself in an enclosed space with muscle-bound brutes who like breaking each other's faces for fun? No thanks.”

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BZPRPG Mercenary Group - The Outsiders - Description - History - Base

Ghosts Of Bara Magna - Ash Tribe - Precipere - Kehla, Somok, Skrall, Gayle, Avinus, Zha'ar

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IC: Sohmak - Spineless Bay, Fortress Razorfish;Vaa

Sohmak's eyebrows lifted, and he glanced again at the courtyard. From down below and in amongst it, he had seen what he thought was scattered wear, weathering and damage from simple age, though he'd not known the fortress was far too new for that. Now from on high, almost the whole construction in his view, he had the full picture; myriad scars borne from the ultimate expression of 'rough-and-tumble'.

He whistled, impressed, then adopted a late grimace. "Ancestors forbid that poor sod expires, though. I ain't abidin' rulebreakers."

T'harrak's laugh summoned his own, and her answer brought the compulsion to clap her on the back; he resisted, lest he blow her torso wide open. "Half everyone says the same thin' 'fore their first bout. I can find ya a small fish down there, a light snack for the bosswoman, eh?" He could at least give her what he thought was a gentle elbow under the ribs.

The wind whistled over the parapets. It was a clear night.

"'ey," Sohmak started, pivoting, "'bout Jojax... you should check up on 'er. Weren't givin' anythin' away when we chatted earlier. Dunno if she 'members how she got back. I feel it though, she's hurtin' somewhere, 'er body or 'er pride. Call it fighter's...in-tu-i-tion." His eyes unfocused over the courtyard, the blurry forms of warriors and workers scurrying beneath the pair. "Guess all's a bit like that..."

Snapping back to lucidity, he brought his gaze to the tinkerer once more. "She ain't trust me easy, on 'count of the needlin'. Stakes were lower then, right? Now I'm boss, well, you're—anyway, we gotta get 'er on side. Say what ya gotta, she'll listen to ya." He pursed his lips over his tombstone teeth and blew air idly. "Our deal stays hush, 'course. Guess I'm an 'ypocrite like that." The brawler tried his best to look apologetic.

 

OOC: @Nato G

Edited by Techn0geist
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