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Post by Sparky on Dec 9, 2020 2:59:15 GMT -8
  [Refs]
Smoke filled the air, clawing at the sky like the black fingers of death. Heavy footfalls trudged through the ashen remnants. Gaige heard from nearby townsfolk that this was solely on the shoulders of a small group of bandits. Chasing profit at the cost of the world around them. Of course the man already knew that. Rumors floated from town to town, village to village. A noble adventurer faced them and gave them hell, but couldn't finish the job. Some rumors stated she was killed, others that she managed to flee.
Blue crosses cut through the wall of smoke. The man's mask was tough and could filter many dangerous particulates out, but even this was too thick for it to function without aid. Tubes connected to either side of the mask, now. A cannister of oxygen settled on his back. Hatred boiled in his gut. Twisting, knotting itself in his throat. Each exhaled breath chattered his teeth.
Mental clarity wasn't required.
Only enough to function. No more. No less.
He could feel the warmth of the flames as his steps led him deeper into the forest, deeper into the blaze. Apparently the loss of one of their own didn't hinder these men much. Good. It made the hunt more fun. The man's heavy gauntlets worked and strained on the handle of his axe. A small glass cannister was attached to the side, sloshing with a thick, black liquid. With his next footfall, embers shattered out of the burned husk of a stick. The man's eyes wandered, watching them flitter upwards. Like fireflies. Something in the back of his mind tugged at him and stopped him from reaching out to grab one.
Focus. A voice chastised. Gaige didn't recognize it, and yet it felt familiar.
The lights of the mask flickered off, and a pulse radiated around him. The earth stained and outlined a deep gray. Flames blossomed in the distance, a hateful orange. Amongst the chaos, the brute searched with each forward step. Hunting. Sensing. Searching. The red signs of life. The red, spiteful color that stunk of sin. The taste of bile that saturated them. Pulsing with corruption. Begging to be relieved of their rotted life.
They were deserving. And they would be punished. Their penance was already set in stone, and Gaige's axe would be the guillotine who would absolve them of their cursed lives. The deaths of the bandits would be their atonement and may the gods have mercy on their wretched souls. They would be the only ones who could, as unfortunately, Gaige was incapable of doing so himself.
How many lives, how many lives? The young man's mind sang. How many had been taken by these men? How many had been ruined? Five men, one dead. Four left. Even with one gone, the destruction they wrought sent pulses of fury driving up the brute's spine. The hunting pulse continued to radiate outwards. In Gaige's Mind's eye, his axe glowed with the word Devour. It hungered. And so did he.
Spell name: Prey Sense
Spell Main Element: War
-Spell Sub Elements: N/A
Affinity Strength: 2
Function: The caster heightens their senses like a predator, allowing them to seek out their target and hunt them down efficiently. The stronger the affinity, the further away they can sense their target, increasing by 2 yards per affinity level.
Availability: Open |
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Post by swiftyuki on Dec 20, 2020 0:54:00 GMT -8
To many, the raging smoke lasting this long was uncomfortable but started to become part of daily life. They grew accustomed to the smoke-filled air. It didn’t excuse the health complications that many faced due to it now though. Many fell ill, others that could still work did so with masks over their faces to avoid the irritation that smoke brought with its presence. The remaining brothers of this bandit group mourned their lost brother, the largest of them all lost to some nobody of a girl. They razed the forest, expanding their territory, leaving a blackened mess behind from the center. Charcoal and ash littered the ground, remains of trees poked out in a graveyard of soft spikes that would crumble from anything that hit it. Remains of animals in charred flesh and black-tinged bone blended into the scenery with poses of struggle while they failed their escape from the inferno. The fires edged closer to this small village, the sky stained a solid black and red, the only light they had came from the fires or any lighting available in the village. The sun was a stranger, the sky was constantly an angry night that threatened to steal someone’s breath and put them to sleep. It wasn’t hard to find these bandits, they all seemed to group together to keep the force of the flame burning with a strengthened blaze in whatever direction they desired. Moreover, the shouts they signalled with each other gave them away. For Gaige, these voices echoed but were much clearer to hear over the roar of flames. They thought they were safe from harm after fending off one fighter. They hadn’t been bothered since and grew cocky. Four flickers in human form appeared in view. They weren’t fully clustered, but they were within earshot of each other. Gaige found the pack, so what was his next move? Continued from the previous bounty-
Enemy - HP Left
4a - 23
4b - 40
7a - 52
7b - 8
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Post by Sparky on Dec 20, 2020 10:22:13 GMT -8
[Refs]
Like a predator stalking it's prey, Gaige searched for the weakest link. Less tactical, more primal. The loss of one brother hadn't stopped their terror. In fact, despite the death, these men seemed more confident then ever. Oh what a shame that Gaige had to give them a reality check. The behemoth's grip on his axe tightened, red mist trailing behind him as he stepped onto a fallen tree. He loomed above the weakest of the brothers.
With flames at his back, the only other light came from the glowing crosses. Crosses that now glared down towards the man. Red mist drifted up from the sides of his mask. The static distorted reality. Punctuated by an increasing bloodlust. This bloodlust was palpable, a gruesome presence. A growing pressure in the air. An air of fear. Of overwhelming hatred. It was a murderous air of intimidation, that had broken many stronger enemies before them.
Gaige gave the man only a few brief moments to fully register that he had arrive. Just enough time to let the dread sink in. The carved word "Devour" upon the brute's axe began to glow as raw energy twisted and cracked around the blade. It raised up. Up above Gaige's head. The mercenary fell upon his pray. Muscles strained as the restrictive chains shattered, unleashing the young man's raw fury. The Red-Line blotted out all mental limitations, replacing it with a singular directive: Destroy.
Crashing down upon the bandit with a heavy swing, Gaige aimed to sink his axe into the crook of the man's neck and carve straight through. If the blade met flesh, the raw war magic would rend the blood and bone in it's path, tearing and breaking in a visceral display of gore. It would not be noble or clean like a hot knife through butter. Instead it would be horrific and brutal. Splintered bones and shredded meat left behind, as the magically enhanced weapon mutilated it's once-living victim. Trying to parry the full force from the barbaric psychopath would be like trying to block a dragon's claw with a wooden sword.
If the poor, wounded bastard was somehow lucky enough to dodge the first swing, Gaige would reorient his stance, axe head spinning in the air to allow him to press in with a heavy upwards swing. Gaige was a relentless force of nature. pressing forwards with an unwavering determination towards ending the man's life here and now.
Spell name: Overwhelming Presence
Spell Main Element: War
-Spell Sub Elements: N/a
Affinity Strength: 3
Function: Caster enhances their physical capabilities, emitting a presence of sheer intimidation. Enemies that fall to the intimidation risk being frozen by fear or turn and run. While the force of the caster's physical capacity can be enough to crack the ground with every step, or crush items in one's hand, this is not an offensive skill.
Availability: Open
Spell name: Eviscerate
Spell Main Element: War
-Spell Sub Elements: N/A
Affinity Strength: 5
Function: The user floods their weapon with raw war energy, using it to utterly shred through their target brutally. This is a ferocious and barbaric spell, neglecting any sort of refinement for pure, unrestricted violence. Many casters wind up coating themselves in the viscera of their victims, and only those who dedicate themselves to the art of slaughter have been known to utilize this skill.
Availability: Open
Invention Name: Vapor-Drug: Red-Line
Curator: Unknown
Description: A red vapor stowed in a vial, when inhaled the drug acts as a boosted combat drug, enhancing physical capabilities to an extraordinary level. Nicknamed a "Vial of Massacre," taking this drug turns the inhaler into a living weapon.
Maximum number produced: 40 (Made to order)
Affinity Strength Required: N/a
Availability: Technically Illegal, Open in special circumstances |
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Post by swiftyuki on Dec 26, 2020 1:12:23 GMT -8
It was almost terrifying how silent Gaige's kill was against the roar of fire. No time for a scream, no time for a reaction. There was only a sense of dread that spread through the area. The eldest truly did seem to be the brains behind it all, turning around on his heel to see the form of what looked like a person, two blue X's glowing against the red and a pink vapor staining into orange and carrying a glow of its own. At his feet was a body, but it seemed to blend into the mess of the floor. The eldest could recognise though, this was where was one brother was stationed. "KILL HIM!", roared the eldest, though he seemed to be frozen where he was. What the hells was this man? He could tell it was magic inciting fear, but he was unable to break from it. A fast glance around showed another brother poised but also shaking in place. However, it seemed the only other brother remaining of the three, let out a cry and forced himself to move, the steps started slow but the man seemed to gain in confidence now that he was moving. He threw his arms forwards, releasing a series of fireballs at Gaige, some going astray in case the man tried to dodge. Who was this person anyways? Who cared? He needs to be dead.
4a and 7a frozen in place
4b-
Spell Name: Flame Volley
Spell Main Element: Fire
Spell Sub Elements: N/A
Affinity Strength: 4
Function: The caster fires off a mass of 10 projectiles in a frenzy, each being able to ignite flammable objects if not snuffed out (clothing, straw, etc.). Not very accurate.
Availability: Open.
Enemy - HP Left
4a - 23
4b - 40
7a - 52
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Post by Sparky on Dec 26, 2020 1:32:47 GMT -8
[Refs]
It was a brutal kill. leaving the younger sibling in two separate, gorey pieces. It looked less as though he'd been sliced and more as if he'd been ripped in half. Without turning his body, Gaige's mask turned to the other three to meet the rallying cry. But even with all of the gusto the eldest brother shouted with, only one could muster barely enough strength to move. Like an emotionless machine, the goliath turned. Fireballs danced around him but didn't even come close to singing.
The fear combined with the inaccuracy of the spell left much to be desired.
He was met with silence. Gaige stood still for what felt like an eternity. Looming as an impossible figure, the grinning mask taunting them as the fire crackled and roared around them. A stream of red mist hissed from the mask, and like a puppet, the big man shifted around. Unbalanced as he took a step. Then a surge of energy as he found his footing proper and stormed forwards faster than he should have been able. A vicious, inhuman roar bellowed from his lungs. Trailed by borderline demonic laughter. In seconds, Gaige came upon the "brave" soul, and drove his axe downwards, aiming to split the skull and carve down further.
It didn't matter if the first was still alive either through a split second dodge or a lucky miss. Gaige turned towards the next youngest and leveled the double barrels of his shotgun. It roared to life with a shot to the chest. If either brothers were still alive, the final shell was meant for them, the shotgun barking it's fury over the flames. If neither survived, then Gaige's ire would turn towards the eldest. A hiss of red.
"I am here... to punish the deserving..." His head rolled and lowered back to glare down at the brother. "Your life is forfeit."
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Post by swiftyuki on Dec 30, 2020 22:22:21 GMT -8
The man charging was as good as dead. His tombstone dropped on him like a guillotine. A sad attempt to dodge while charging and afraid just sealed in his fate. A step to the side was enough to miss his skull, but with a slight adjustment of Gaige's grip and change in the angle was enough to secure his strike on the poor sod before him. The shock was enough for the brothers to break out of their fear response and default back to sheer rage. Though, while the action happened, all they could see in the mere seconds that appeared to last for ages beyond, the brothers was in horrific slow motion as the next one of them fell in two places. One side on his knees, the other kissing the ground with a gaping mouth and a fountain of blood flooding out of the newly found detachment. This man would pay. The remaining youngest, while now able to move, was faced with a new challenge of pain in the right leg as he collapsed onto the ground. When he looked, his leg was a mere liquid. Oh, wait that was blood. His leg was actually blown off quite a distance behind him, trailed with a spray of blood, only visible as a glimmer in the flames. It wasn't long as this man also felt weak, not only to seeing the sight of a fellow brother beheaded before him but also the sight of his leg shredded off by the spray of metal pellets shot forth from a barrel. The last thing he was saw a blue of blue and pink in the orange light and suffocating clouds of black. The final brother hissed under his breath, arms lighting aflame. His bit his lip hard enough to force it to create a thin line of red on the side of his mouth. He was angry. He was alone. It was now a battle between him and this freak show. One would surrender to the flames. With a raise of both his arms, he flung them to his sides, the fire ensnaring them shooting off and building up into creatures born of the element themselves. He still had some friends to play with, even if he had to make them himself. One was a creature that ground up the scorched earth into a mass of molten lava, sparking into flames here and there. It was easily the size of a large bull, a hulking creature that seemed to constantly melt but retain its shape. The other creature sprouted flaming wings and was much lighter in frame. It burst to life as a flaming angel. It was humanoid but its fire was too bright to really discern its features. It was fast too, darting around to flank Gaige and throwing waves of fire at him to burn him or force him to back off. The larger creature, although sluggish, seemed to go straight at Gaige, gathering up earth underneath and preparing to launch balls of molten earth at him, roughly the size of a large watermelon. As for the mage himself, he took a position between the two, alert and also releasing attacks of pure fire towards him. It was a volley of fire, thrown with a disturbingly steady hand this time as the volley of flames seemed to have a narrower mark than last time.
4a and 4b are dead
Enemy - HP remaining
7a - 52
Spell name: Golem Construct
Spell Main Element: Arcane
-Spell Sub Elements: [Varied]
Affinity Strength: 5 (at base)
Function: The user can cast magic on a series of objects or elemental resource to create a golem. Depending on the user's home element and material used, the golems have various abilities they can use within their limited spectrum. The golems are typically used to aid in tasks or combat, but can also serve as a personal guardian.
Spell name: Elemental Familiar
Spell Main Element: Arcane
-Spell Sub Elements: Varied
Affinity Strength: 7
Function: An advanced form of arcane magic, the user can create a familiar of their respective element to fight alongside them. The forms can vary from that of animalistic creatures to a person. They have similar elemental capabilities as golems, just not as strong as they appear as a 'lesser creature'.
Spell Name: Flame Volley
Spell Main Element: Fire
Spell Sub Elements: N/A
Affinity Strength: 4
Function: The caster fires off a mass of 10 projectiles in a frenzy, each being able to ignite flammable objects if not snuffed out (clothing, straw, etc.). Not very accurate.
Availability: Open.
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Post by Sparky on Dec 30, 2020 23:54:24 GMT -8
[Refs]
The waves if flame washed over him, slamming and staggering the man. Despite what should have been massive damage that would have put anyone else on their ass, however, the behemoth was still standing. Barely scathed. Despite the stagger, he managed to sidestep enough that the trailing fireball didn't directly impact him. He felt the heat on his skin, but no pain reached him. The massive beast was still charging, but despite the hits, the man charged forth.
Blasts of fire screamed past him but didn't even come close to touching a single hair on his head as he leapt atop the golem and sprung off of it, roaring above the flames as he arched above the final brother. The blue in the eyes of the mask shifted and darkened into a deep crimson glow as red traces of mana surged off his form and pulsed in his veins. His scream was ethereal, and the world in his mind felt slow.
Shotgun still in hand, he swung it around and fired the final shell towards the last brother. Allowing the momentum of the swing to carry it out of his hand, he brought it up to wrap around the handle of his axe. Both hands, held above his head and ready to be driven down into the final victim. Three dead. Massacred without even a hint of mercy. Gaige wanted to cleave the final brother in twain. Just as he'd done to the others.
Their blood glinted in the light of the flames. Off his mask. His wrists. His axe.
For the bandit, who was stuck watching everything in real time, the the man's sudden surge would be shocking to say the least. Of course, magically enhanced individuals had a tendency to be more terrifying, but this was less like a person, and more like a deranged animal. Whether he dodged or not, whether axe met flesh or the ground, the incoming impact was going to be immense.
Spell name: Hyper-Violence
Spell Main Element: War
-Spell Sub Elements: N/a
Affinity Strength: 6
Function: The caster trades mental control for extreme physical enhancement. Endurance, strength, and speed are all increased, and having given up all control of themselves, the caster is sent forwards in a bloody streak. This spell is one of pure, bestial mania, and is a skill that is usually enhanced in someway by combat drugs. Pain no longer registers, and as a result, this spell is dangerous for everyone involved from enemies to allies, to the caster themselves, as they take such an immense amount of physical harm without ceasing that by the time the spell ends, they are left a tattered mess.
Availability: Open
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Post by swiftyuki on Jan 2, 2021 11:47:45 GMT -8
The shotgun made more than its mark. The man found himself staggering back and letting out a harsh hiss beneath his breath. Teeth clenched, he powered through it. It was behemoth versus behemoth. Two raging monsters enshrouded by flames. A growl and a silent command of will and the flaming familiar darted behind Gaige, aiming to hit his oxygen tank. What good were you to rely on a timer within the smoke if that timer was suddenly gone? Not like this intruder needed his lungs to be functional anyways, considering he was already using something else for support from the looks of things. Might as well put this poor idiot out of his misery with a new medicine, a new sedative. One with a permanent solution. With that thought in place, the fire mage commanded the golem to take the hit of his axe, evading the attack successfully. The axehead itself started to glow a soft orange, indicating that its metal was being superheated into its melting point, but the process for that remained slow. Cocky with his tactic, the fire mage only stayed put to taunt Gaige, not even bothering to attack when his familiar was doing that for him.
Familiar is casting fireball
Enemy - HP Remaining
7a - 18
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Post by Sparky on Jan 2, 2021 14:45:04 GMT -8
[Refs]
Gaige didn't even have to make an effort. As he dropped down to avoid the fireball, two empty shotgun shells flew up. The movement was rapid as he reloaded the weapon and clicked it back shut. The world around him moved at half the speed it normally did, but even then, the sudden arrival of the golem that'd once been back behind was surprising. Or it would have been surprising if the man had the ability to process that emotion. Unfortunately, the only thing that filled the man's mind was the simple need for destruction. Of others. Of the world. Of himself.
The shotgun snapped backwards and forwards, firing out the two blasts towards each construct, with the empty shells flying out as he dodged to the side. Reloaded. Launched forwards towards the final brother. Gaige could smell the weakness. Golems aside, the man simply wanted to have a discussion with the last man. On the merits of his corpse being put into the dirt a little earlier than the bandit might have initially wished for.
And Gaige's shotgun was a very persuasive talker.
It barked its argument once more, as the free hand twirled and spun the axe. Glowing red veins surged with magically enhanced rage and adrenaline, muscles tightening around the weapon. It glowed from the warmth of the last enemy, but the head was still sharp. Gaige reeled back and let out a bestial roar as his muscles forced his weapon to scream as it whipped through the air, dragging trails of smoke and fire behind it as it crashed upon the final brother.
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Post by swiftyuki on Jan 3, 2021 7:30:38 GMT -8
The familiar took the hit, it was too close for comfort with the shotgun to really avoid it properly. The pellets broke its form, leaving the left side of its upper half a flickering flame as it was struggling to keep shape. The other seemed to be unbothered by the pellets, the black dots sinking into its flesh slowly while changing colour to a bright red orange tone. It rose a molten limb to slam down on Gaige, but the boy was lucky this thing was slower.
Gaige's shotgun was a persuasive talker indeed. The pellets met their marks, a spray so dangerous that it riddled the man with small beady spots of black oozing out a deep red stain over his skin and clothes. The man stood there but didn't speak or scream. He was purely silenced, not in awe, but because he was dead. The familiar exploded in a burst of flame. The golem itself seemed to reach out, wishing to relish more of its time on the surface but instead collapsing and cooling into blacked rock. The man was the last to fall of his brothers and the summons, only being up long enough for everyone else to collapse, regardless if that was in his control or not.
His fall was somewhat graceful, collapsing to his knees and then slamming face-first into the ground. As for the fires, when word was let known of the deed, it's likely there will be some fire control mages out to contain the flames that currently ran free.
Make a claims topic
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