Graded [Fallen Blossom Shrine] Falling to Rise, Part 2 (aka No Rest for the Weary)

[Orikanyo]

Matatsu Ko



​

"What'd I say? never say die eh?" the young man smirked, happy he knew he was correct that the woman wasn't out of the equation yet. "..But wanted the tree stuff..? that just ate a person..? seems kinda freaky..." the young man scratched his ear, wincing abit.. or.. maybe it was like when you pet a dog and they get a little dopey from getting a good scratch..? Either way, he looked at the tree that was currently still likely digesting it's meal...

"...Well.. Food for food i guess...? The black vein certain looks evil though... Anyone know anything about evil trees?" he young man walked on forward, abit behind Indicus for now, observing the strange fruits that bore on the branches....

"...Maybe it eats murderers and such..? Probably has bad karma... or some sort of possessed tree... Why are folks surrounding it?" he looked at the crowd surrounding the tree and shouted.

"OI! You lot! you just saw it ate somebody don't go near it lest yea find yerself taken to! Go on get! Wheres your sense of self preservation!" the boy barked yet again to the crowd, though he doubted anybody would have noticed. "tsk, if any of ya'll get eaten next I'll just tell yea I told yea!"

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

gmimperfecti Orikanyo Elvario saxon Shadow Dancer Shawazama

Yukan kept a skeptical eye on the tree while at the same time watching the healing process. It seemed for now that he and Indicus had been too swift in their judgement as she was holding on with some healing at the moment. He gave Ko a bit of a nod of confirmation at his comment about being right.

He was glad that Ko had made that judgment call earlier, even if his initial impresion of him was a bit ronin like, which would probably be a good thing if he helped them out, he seemed tough enough and skilled at combat, certainly more than the experience that Yukan had.


Of course Yukan didn't have the faintest clue that Ceylan was holding back his healing abilities to remain under cover. Instead Yukan was reasonably impressed that he was doing as well as he was. Nevermind the shrine maiden who was able to use her healing magic to great effect in combination with Ceylan. When Sawazuki started speaking up however, Yukan refocused on her and tried to make out what she was saying, and just as he was about to try to get more out of her, it seemed like she was having a hard time staying with it, but thanfully Ceylan translated well enough.

Yukan looked a bit confused when Ceylan came to the conclusion she wanted something to drink from the very malicious looking tree from what they had seen so far, but he had seen and heard stranger things perhaps. Was that some kind of heart beat sound coming from the tree? He wasn't entirely sure what it was it was almost like it was part animal and part plant.

"Sawazuki I need you stay here with us, please. It isn't your time yet." He said, sounding like he was trying to reason with her and it was her choice, he really wanted the youth to survive if it was possible it could be heard in his voice, it was one of concern and pleading almost.


Yukan then saw Indicus agree to what Ceylan asked and make his way over to the tree. So he looked over with and said, "Indicus, Matasu is right, if you feel that you must, becareful, it's clear that the tree has no qualms at trying to consume the living, so I have no reason to believe that if it's given the opportunity it wouldn't try again." Truthfully he hoped that Matasu was right and that it only ate the immoral of the world. Yukan then stood up seeing that the healers were doing there thing and he had done al ot of what he could do at the moment action wise more than likely, he turned to the avian scouts who were mixed between Tengu and owls it seemed mostly. He then tapped into leadership F

"Whiteclaw and scouts, I need you to continue to keep vigilance on the surrounding area and that especially tree, it consumed the assailant of Sawazuki, should any other hostiles appear we'll need your ranged support available."

Yukan couldn't afford to pay too much attention to Sawazuki's healing he realized, there was so much going on around them that a moment notice something drastic could change, so he needed to be with it so that someone else's life wasn't actually claimed as a result. So he withdrew his Yari, and looked over at the tree watching Indicus with antiquation and a bit of worry, wanting to be ready to jump into action if he was needed.

 

[gmimperfecti]

A lot was going on and the team was just on the outskirts of the town. Behind them was a small copse of trees and beyond that was the majority of Yukan's forces, 3 groups of spear minions. In a way, it represented a more traditional path towards a commander's goals. Lead the spears forth towards the objective his commander had given him. There would be losses; there always was in war. However, that path was perhaps a veneer to something deeper, darker, and vaster than the childish quests of his youthful dreams. This other path was not a path at all! That's the problem with the road less taken. This way was of Nirupādhika, The Mirror and The Way. The self was the compass, the guide through which integrity lead to the way. It was said this was the true that all great rulers realized and kept hidden. Many fell lost on their journey. Even a moment's distraction could spell disaster!

Those who had come and gone, and those who remained found themselves swept up in this eddy. All of them at a cross roads. Do you burn the ships so everyone is forced to move forward or maybe keep a bridge or two just in case?

A head was a tangled knot that only grew more tangled with each moment.

Sawazuki lay upon the ground, blood about her mouth as some figured out how to stabilize and perhaps bring her back from the brink. What would it take? Who was she really? Was she a rice farmer's daughter who happened to be born with beauty and poise? Was there more to her tale of trying to protect her family and perform a "joke" on Indicus at the behest of the "witch" or "succubus"? Why had the fanny pack ninja shot that flaming bolt at Indicus and stabbed Sawazuki in the stomach with a poisoned, rusted blade? Why was the ground so clean, even though she had bled so much? Or had she? Was this another illusion? Another mystery?

"I'll do whatever I can, Sawazuki, please hold on." He diligently got to work assisting where Ceylan how he wanted him too, every now and again looking towards the tree to make sure that it wasn't going to do anything problematic, ready at a split second to take his Yari out.

He kept using his [Divine Healing E] on her to ensure she'd last long enough for whatever was about to happen to work out. “I'll do my best to keep her stable. Can someone please check if there's anything growing on the tree that she might be talking about? Fruits, nectar, sap, anything. The tree seem ominous to me, but it's the only thing I can think of.” He admitted, hoping the others would check the tree whilst he kept her as stable as he could.

Spoiler: What Ceylan sees and knows

Ceylan's Healing was supernal at the upper echelons of most societies, even if he didn't flex his full magical prowess, he know just about everything there was to know about the body and how it could go wrong. He realized that the ground was absorbing not only all the blood spilled but according to his Divine Senses he knew that it was the "corrupted" black leyline that ran back from beyond the rice farm, through the copse, and down toward the tree that was "sucking" in now. Whereas before the flow of the leyline had mimicked the flowing pulsing of arteries, pushing black "essence" away from the tree, now the leyline acted more like a vein, drawing crimson "essence" towards the tree.

Everyone that was near Sawazuki saw something quite interesting! Especially if they were paying close attention to the ground around Sawazuki. Almost impossible to see, thinner than hair, white cilia emerged from the ground, worming into any exposed flesh! To those whose hands, knees, or body was touching the ground they would feel a cool, menthol like tingling following by a faint but growing dizziness.

---

Indicus stood before approaching the tree and trying to figure out what on it that Sawazuki was telling them about or warning about.

"...Maybe it eats murderers and such..? Probably has bad karma... or some sort of possessed tree... Why are folks surrounding it?" he looked at the crowd surrounding the tree and shouted.

Gyoubu grunted, watching the tree and the people approaching it. "It is an odd thing. It's been around for ages. Longfeather told us to leave it be," she shrugged, "He said it was a miracle." She wrinkled her nose. "I don't understand arcanum but nature has a cycle. Some folk call it a corpse tree.


Beyond and down the path towards the tree, Indicus and Ko, Whitefeather, and the rest of the scouts rushed forward. What they saw was confounding, small buds formed and burst open in an explosion of blue leaves. It rapidly spread over the whole tree. The leaves scintillated in shades of vivid blue. The thick chrysalises were soon bursting open, thickening and expanding to form dark purple plums.

The throng of ten onlookers about the tree stared in fascination. A look akin to awe on their faces. Each plum was succulent and had the most amazing odor. The skin of the plums were translucent and gleamed like glittering, living jewels that inspired a [Fascination, Resist vs 6 Effectiveness, failure watching enraptured].

Spoiler: What Indicus sees

As Indicus approached the tree at a rapid pace, he saw a hole on the back side of the trunk, large enough to stick ones hand inside. Inside there was a glittering of silver and something about it resonated with him. It was hard to figure out what was inside the hole though!

---

"Whiteclaw and scouts, I need you to continue to keep vigilance on the surrounding area and especially that tree, it consumed the assailant of Sawazuki, should any other hostiles appear we'll need your ranged support available." Yukan couldn't afford to pay too much attention to Sawazuki's healing he realized, there was so much going on around them that a moment notice something drastic could change, so he needed to be with it so that someone else's life wasn't actually claimed as a result. So he withdrew his Yari, and looked over at the tree watching Indicus with antiquation and a bit of worry, wanting to be ready to jump into action if he was needed.

Whiteclaw; however, turned and leapt high again, cursing and called out, "Commander, the 3rd Spear's Second Yari is making haste towards us from the nearby hills. They are flying the Orange flag: Intent to attack if we don't surrender."

The flag system was a way for the Republic to lead and command larger armies, so it was common for a flag bearer to be amongst the teams going on a hunt. Indeed, Tadakatsu had been training the three units of spear minions on the meanings and responses while the rest of Yukan's group was at the Geisha House. Yukan knew the system well with his etiquette and soldier training.

The unit approaching was making haste and would arrive soon. Indeed their timing was suspiciously fast! What had they been doing in the nearby hills that they would return at just this time? Regardless they were three units of spear minions, one unit of scouts, and a logistics core that would arrive in several rounds. The hills around the city were tricky in that way, easy to hide in the leeward side to spring up to surprise a foe. This one had been only three hills away.

 

[Elvario]

Ceylan
​

Mentions: Ko Orikanyo | Yukan TheTimePiece | Indicus Shadow Dancer

Ceylan took Indicus' water canteen and tried to give Sawazuki something to drink with it. ”Thank you.” He replied on her behalf. Perhaps some water would allow her to speak of what she wanted.

Then again, Ceylan also had to agree with Ko. “You're right. I'm not sure of it either.” He had to admit. “Perhaps the tree can give back some of the life-force it took from others?” That was his best bet, assuming his interpretation of Sawazuki's words hadn't been wrong from the get-go.

Ceylan didn't care much for who or what Sawazuki was at the moment. He mostly cared for how to make her get better. As he noticed what the ground was doing, he instantly sprung to action. “We need to keep her off of the ground and move her away!” He'd shout, as he tried lifting her up on his own (although hopefully getting help from someone). “The tree is sucking in her blood and life-force as well, through the corrupted ley-lines.” He concluded, feeling worried by his own conclusion. He wasn't sure how much the others would understand, yet for as long as they got 'sticking near the tree is bad' then it'd be enough.

Perhaps there really was a way to get that life force back by drinking from the tree, but Ceylan wasn't going to stick around to find out, especially not with someone so weak in his care. To make matters worse, it felt like his own strength was being drained as well... He'd need to call in some aid to ensure he could carry the wounded further away from this tree and the ley-lines it had corrupted. He attempted to use [Summon Celestial F]. He vividly recalled how he'd once been blessed with the presence of Valhyr and Hymn though it. Whilst he wasn't sure if his call for aid would be answered once more, he deemed it important enough to try. Were he to succeed, he'd ask whatever he summoned to aid him in moving the injured Sawazuki away from the tree.

Summon Celestial F– Summon Creature F, Religion F, Energised F – Character attempts to summon a creature from the heavenly/divine planes of existence to aid them. Has a 30 ft search range. - Grade F – 0 Post Cooldown.

For now, however, he'd attempt to keep healing Sawazuki in the hopes of being able to simply outpace the drain from the tree well enough to keep her alive with Divine Healing E.

Divine Healing E - Magic Affinity E, Magic Range F, Magic Targets F, Healing E, Religion E, Energised E - Character channels the powers of the gods to heal significant injuries. - Grade E - 0 Post Cooldown.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

As Indicus inspected the tree he noticed the hole in it with a silver glittering so when the magical plums tried to draw his attention he only needed to prick his palm with a claw to break free his survival instincts reminding him that unknown magical fruit was never to be trusted on top of everything he focused on the hole in the tree as he had only moments before the wave of killing intent behind him got close. And so for better or for worse Indicus stuck his hand in the hollowed out hole in the tree hoping the familiarity meant that whatever it was it would not kill him at the very least.

OOC: gmimperfecti
Resist: INT E, Survival F, palm prick (I probably will have to make this into a proper skill lol), sixth sense (Danger) F, Focused elsewhere.

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

Orikanyo gmimperfecti Shadow Dancer Elvario

Everything was going about as poorly as it could go in that moment it seemed. It had been a battle for Sawazuki to stay alive right from the get go and continued to be. Yukan stood near watching all that was unfolding around him now, This plant life was acting in a disturbing fashion. Gyoubu's explanation only helped so much. The information about it being a good idea to leave it alone wasn't lost on Yukan when he saw or more accurately felt what was going on. As soon as Yukan felt the strange dizzy sensation and saw signs of the Cilia and he heard Ceylan speaking he opted to make his way over and try to help him Carry Gyoubu even at the expensive of what he was expereincing when it was clear that Ceylan wasn't going to be strong enough to manage her himself. He'd then curse under his breath in beastial.

"Gyubou watch out the ground is tainted." He spoke out.

"We need to get to a surface above the earthen floor " He said looking around for an elevated rock or log they could stand on. If the Celestial summon was successful Yukan was quite surpirsed to see what was unfolding, and he'd let it take care of her since it seemed like Ceylan knew what he was doing

If the celestial summon was not successful then he'd continue to try to assist Ceylan by carrying her out of harms way.

"Sawazuki stay with us." He continued encouragingly despite how drained he was feeling. The news only got worse however as Yukan looked up over at Whiteclaw who had jumped up and told him the most unfortunate news. Yukan knew that they had it out for him jockeying for these positions of power. Well he could play the game too. H had gone to training and they could get the high ground in this engagement to engage the spears.

But just as he was going to respond to the scout squad leader, he saw that a many of them were distracted by whatever was going on with that tree. This wasn't going to do, they needed to prepare.

Yukan not being impacted by it probably due to being farther away. He'd bark out however seeing how enraptured everyone seemed to be., he then continued with Leadership F "ATTENTION Get away from thattree! We have approaching hostiles and this whole area is suspectible to this forest, Get to higher ground off the forest floor immediately. We have lives on the line here and we will not be surrendering. If the 3rd spear wishes encroach on our operations then We'll make his forces pay dearly for it. Scouts! Get your ranged weapons ready, and surpress fire on anyone who gets within range, logistics get ready to assist, we'll draw them here and let the forest take it's toll on their ranks as it has for us and we'll pick them off if we must if they don't get the message. However, we have a duty to protect the innocent and injured so this must be maintained. If we're lucky they'll realize now is no time for war games when they see that we have a common hostile threat to combat." Yukan declared defiantly. If they thought that he was going to surrender just because his whole unit wasn't with hi they had another thing coming, he was going to use exactly what he had learned in training if he had too. Surrendering could not only put his position on the hunt at risk but would also lose him face which he was not planning on losing. They too would have to deal with whatever the forest was doing and maybe,

 

[Orikanyo]

Ko Matatsu



"...Ah...? Ah..." it... was beautiful... As if the tree was... Glowing... It was so horrible before but now... Surely it wasn't all too bad right? A sword could be beautiful, if still a thing of death. Surely...

...hmm...?

Voices...? Get away...? Why would he need to the... Hrmm...?

So much shouting... Ugh... It hurt his ears... Get away from the tree... But... He winced, hard, all the sudden... His thumb, he had unsheathed his sword abit unthinking and planted his thumb upon the blade. Red spilt from the opening, he immedately sucked on the wound... He remembered, that while sword as beautiful... the danger is plentiful...

Like a razor sharp petal of a flower, to look but never touch...

A sword is like a flower... Was this an answer to his master's question?

...He had to... His ears kept twitching, more yelling! The tree, the tree!

The... Tree was.. drawing him in!? Its fruit!

He would draw the blade of mithril, holding it before his eyes, seeing his reflection in the perfect sheen of the sword... He focused, meditatively, to try and take control back... In the basics of all things there is a connection, to influence another there is a connection, metaphysical and physical...


He will sever this connection!!!

Inescapable Death, Weapon Mastery E, Multidimensional E, Penetrating E, Accurate E, Hot Shot E, Incurable E, Contact E, Blight E (razor sharp), Continuing E (Bleed), Penetrating E, Accurate E. Beasts that think themselves immortal are a pain to all swordsmen, this technique exists as the bane against all that think themselves untouchable. Grade E Action 1

He would strike the bond between him and the fruit, attempting to sever even desire!

 

[gmimperfecti]

For now, however, he'd attempt to keep healing Sawazuki in the hopes of being able to simply outpace the drain from the tree well enough to keep her alive with Divine Healing E.

Ceylan’s healing helped to keep Sawazuki stable, feeding her vitality while the tree drained it in equal measures. Gyoubu helped as well and it seemed like the pair was making progress out heading the tree.

"Gyubou watch out the ground is tainted." He spoke out.

“Ack!” Gyoubu grunted, ripping at the cilia which had burrowed into her fur while she was working. “It is…” she looked at it while she’s back peddled. “Cool. Long Feather said not to feed the tree, but I’d heard rumors about it…” She lifted a foot which had a few cilia working through it, “Thirsty. Ugh. I’m all for the cycle of life, but I don’t want to be a part of it!”

"We need to get to a surface above the earthen floor " He said looking around for an elevated rock or log they could stand on.

There were a few rock out croppings amongst the hills leading from from the copse of trees by the rice farm 200 feet to the [Corpse Tree].

Yukan and Gyoubu looked between the rocks and Sawazuki prone form.

To make matters worse, it felt like his own strength was being drained as well... He'd need to call in some aid to ensure he could carry the wounded further away from this tree and the ley-lines it had corrupted. He attempted to use [Summon Celestial F]. Were he to succeed, he'd ask whatever he summoned to aid him in moving the injured Sawazuki away from the tree.

Light. Like the sun bursting from a fixed point a few feet from Ceylan light shinned in dazzling brilliance. To look upon the celestial light was to feel the warmth of pure love and the embrace of open acceptance.

The [Corpse Tree] down the hill and along the path shrieked. Or at least something like the sound of a kettle of water boiling, a high pitched ear splitting hissing whistling sound came from it. Those nearby took a soul-sonic attack ((at Effectiveness 4 or take 1dmg and deaf)). Eight of the ten of those entranced fell to the ground, clutching their bleeding ears.

What emerged from Ceylan’s summons was a hound archon to those who knew of the mysteries of the divine. Or just a large, regal, ripped dogman to those that didn’t know better.



Tall and regal, the Hound Archon dropped to a knee the instant its eyes fell upon Ceylan. He lowered his head and placed the orichalcum blade into the earth. The touch of the holy blade made a hissing sound as the solar metal burned away at whatever was beneath the soil. The result was more shrieking by the [Corpse Tree] and the cilia nearby retreated.

“Lord of Light, you grace this humble servant with your attention. How may
Aurichal, serve you?”

Upon being told what to do, Aurichal rose, hefting Sawazuki in one massive arm, leaping into the air, and landed fifty feet away on an outcrop of granite. He gently placed Sawazuki upon the ground. He raised his hand gathering a gleaming more of sun light [F - Aid: Mote of Vitality +1]. This he placed upon Sawazuki’s brow. The mote dissolved covering her body in glimmering sheen for a few seconds. It seemed to help, Sawazuki’s eyes fluttered open.

Then like the setting sun, his brief three actions were spent and Aurichal faded away.

If the Celestial summon was successful Yukan was quite surpirsed to see what was unfolding, and he'd let it take care of her since it seemed like Ceylan knew what he was doing

Gyoubu, who understood quite well what Ceylan had done and the fact that the hound Archon was so subservient towards Ceylan. She stood slack jawed for once at a loss for words.

And so for better or for worse Indicus stuck his hand in the hollowed out hole in the tree hoping the familiarity meant that whatever it was it would not kill him at the very least.

A voice whispered in his ear. “The test is simple. Remove your hand from the box and you die.”

The voice was quiet but filled with warmth. A soft chuckle sounded. “What’s in the hole?”

“Pain.” The voice laughed in Indicus ear.

And Indicus felt the pain of the silver substance eating away at his flesh. It was the same stuff as before. Some sort of moon silver acid that ate at mortal flesh and the minds of the weak.

“An animal caught in a trap will gnaw off his own leg to escape. What will you do?”

Having been exposed before, Indicus felt a transmutation going on. Something within his core was resonating…telling him the flames within him were false. They were illusions human preconceptions had fostered upon him. Flame was not the essence of the moon. Pale white, reflecting the light of Sol but transmuting it. Indicus saw that the flame was but the beginning. He caught a glimpse of what should come next for a childe of the moon.

“Hahaha,” then voice said, “Just kidding whoever you are. Enjoy as promised.”

The illusion of pain faded. Indicus held six vials of ice cold quick silver. He could tell these were of the light side of the moon, they were intended to uplift. It was conveniently the same number as the number of male Tanuki from Sawazuki family who had been tortured…….

He would draw the blade of mithril, holding it before his eyes, seeing his reflection in the perfect sheen of the sword... He focused, meditatively, to try and take control back... In the basics of all things there is a connection, to influence another there is a connection, metaphysical and physical...


He will sever this connection!!!

Ko severed. His blade was useless. It was metal and sharp, sure but it was just a thing. It didn’t matter. There was no sword or there was one, what did it matter? Who care? Ko cut with his mind. The principle of the sword.

Ko cut through the illusion of creation itself not with a blade but with Nishkriya, The Sword and Glory. What he saw was enlightenment itself, and he severed his relationship with the [Corpse Tree].

For a moment he saw the tree as it was. Dark and twisted, pregnant with bodies of the sacrificed. Its roots went deep, wrapped around something huge like a giant egg that the roots were embedded in. There was no grass or people, but in the distance he heard the baying of nightmare and something came rushing at him, blinking through the mindscape held between Ko and the Tree, now severed. For a moment he saw something that would haunt his nightmare. Then he was back and whatever it has been faded like a dream from his waking mind.

Leadership F "ATTENTION Get away from thattree! We have approaching hostiles and this whole area is suspectible to this forest, Get to higher ground off the forest floor immediately. We have lives on the line here and we will not be surrendering. If the 3rd spear wishes encroach on our operations then We'll make his forces pay dearly for it. Scouts! Get your ranged weapons ready, and surpress fire on anyone who gets within range, logistics get ready to assist, we'll draw them here and let the forest take it's toll on their ranks as it has for us and we'll pick them off if we must if they don't get the message. However, we have a duty to protect the innocent and injured so this must be maintained. If we're lucky they'll realize now is no time for war games when they see that we have a common hostile threat to combat."

Those that could, four bystanders and the units under his command moved to do as he said. Whiteclaw and their Scout unit traded 15 arrows with the coming units. The advantage was to Yukan. Several of the arrows hit the rushing spear minions, dropping them to the ground. A few were healed but almost an entire unit was wounded.

 

[Elvario]

Ceylan
​

Mentions: Yukan TheTimePiece |

With Ceylan's focus on his patient, he wasn't sure what the tree was up to (other than probably nothing good), as he realised the effects of his healing were decreasing as quickly as he got it in. Still, they at least managed to keep up and keep Sawazuki alive. At the mention of a certain name, Ceylan's ears perked up. “Longfeather, you say?” That was the person he was meant to meet up with right? The one that had asked him to keep a low profile. “I'd wish to meet him, if he seems to know more about this odd tree.” He said, figuring out this tree might've been the reason Longfeather wished to meet in the first place.

His summons were answered once more, which made a feeling of relief wash over him. To his surprise, the tree reacted far more violently than expected. With no way to defend himself (speed/vitality F= 1 Effectiveness, no armour, no defence ability), he could feel his ears start to bleed and hurt as well. He could, however, undo the effects of it. Normally, he'd prioritise others more than himself, but losing his hearing would make it more difficult to keep helping others in the long-run as well, so he used [Divine Healing] on himself, Sawazuki, Gyoubu, Yukan and whichever 2/3 others were nearby enough to benefit from it.

Divine Healing - Magic Affinity E, Magic Range F, Magic Targets F Healing E, Religion E, Energised E - Character channels the powers of the gods to heal significant injuries. - Grade E - 1 Post Cooldown.

Ceylan was surprised by the tone at which he was addressed. He kept believing himself to be the servant of these divine beings, even though he summoned them, yet in the end they addressed him as if they were the servants. He'd not argue with it, however, as the Hound Archon was quick to bring Sawazuki to safety and seemed to even manage to aid her more.

That left Ceylan at an impasse. He believed he'd be able to cleanse most of this curse, but definitely not at a level of ability that would keep his cover 'low' in any way shape or form. As he looked at Gyoubu, he realised he was already failing that part. What should he do? Make up an excuse? He didn't exactly have a good one. Actually, no, he did. “I am merely favoured by the heavens, that is all.” He said, referring to his [Holy Child] title. To a degree, it was true, as he still wasn't sure why they were so subservient towards him in general.

That's when he made up his mind. “I'm afraid I won't be of much use in this battle, getting caught up between clans. The best I could offer is healing, afterwards, but if they fight in this forest, they'll just end up feeding this tree. I won't be able to help all of them in such a scenario, so my only option would be to deal with the tree itself. Could you tell me how or where I can find Longfeather? I'd like to discuss this tree.” Truth be told, he had no clue why these Tanuki were battling one another whilst this cursed tree was growing wild here. Had the other group planned on abusing it to catch this Yukan off guard? That was a reasonable conclusion.

Either way, his battle wasn't against Tanuki, it was against this corrupted tree. Perhaps, however, he could convince Yukan of the same thing. “Yukan, I'm not sure what your reason for war is, but I must ask you to do whatever you can to arrange a cease-fire. If you fight here, the tree will devour all corpses and grow stronger and more corrupt, to a point we won't be able to deal with it any-more. In a worst case scenario, someone is purposefully orchestrating for this all to happen.” There was one more option. Ceylan could attempt to stop the battle single-handedly, but once again, that would likely reveal what little remained of his cover.

In the end, order to beat the tree, he needed to know why this Longfeather needed him to keep a low profile, which would in turn allow him to decide if it was worth breaking said low profile and to cleanse this blasted tree already. All things considered, he hadn't expected to grow sick of it this quickly, yet that's what happened.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus flinched when the first voices came his eyes darting around searching. Then soon after the pain arrived, it felt as if his hand was in acid slowly dissolving away bit by bit. Indicus bit back a scream. Though through the pain somehow that familiarity came back a kind of ancestral instinct instructing him guiding a power within his chest. Indicus shut out the world focusing on the feeling. Instincts telling him his dragon fire is more then fire his strengths did not lay in pure destruction but misdirection.

Images flashed before him an indiscernible figure walking the streets watching some guards. With a casual use of their power the guards left their posts shouting after some unseen figure.
Another image played in his mind another figure this one more feminine fighting a group, with a small stream of flame copies of themselves emerged attacking with the pupet master when they struck an enemy was hit though no sign of a wound could be seen, the afflicted would scream as if they lost a limb. Images and scenes like this played back to back without pause fascinating Indicus to a point he couldn't feel the pain as well as pushing something to the forefront of his mind still just out of his grasp but it remained closer then ever.

Then suddenly the pain and the visions stopped and he felt a weight in his hand. Pulling his hand from the hole he held six cold vials of the silver substance he saw before. Indicus quickly stashed the vials in his pack and looked at the events around him. He saw a small army in the distance, the dogkin priest talking to Yukan and the first blows against the charging spearmen.

Indicus thought to the vials before shaking his head and readying himself for a fight.


gmimperfecti Elvario

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

gmimperfecti Shadow Dancer Orikanyo Elvario Shawazama

Yukan could see that everything was going to hell in a handbasket real fast. He was equally surpirsed however when Ceylan was able to bring forth the summon however upon reflection, it was no easy feat that someone could bring something from another plane there with them of all places. It made Yukan realize that Ceylan was perhaps more skilled than he had been initially letting on, his eyes widening some when it all connected in his mind about exactly what he was witnessing. He also noticed the strange happenings with Indicus and Ko, but he couldn't exactly head over there and risk himself getting incapacitated in such a dangerous area such as this.

Yukan thankfully felt the healing effects of Ceylan which no doubt helped with the way the tree was trying to attack him as well as the others.

With Republic of Kuridan Culture F responded to Ceylan, "I can tell that you aren't one who frequents the battlefield around these parts then, Favored Priest, I greatly appreciate someone of your caliber assisting of our group here healing Sawazuki and the others. I agree the tree is a much greater concern. However this is not intended to be a fight to the death for the signs are all there to suggest it's a skirmish to showcase battle prowess. With all of that said, it would be dishonorable for me or this unit to readily retreat and show our backs to the enemy. The last I saw of Elder Longfeather was at the Shrine of the Fallen Blossom. Once we get out of this mess I'm certain you can meet with him."

Yukan spoke loud and clear all of what he said was true. Yukan felt the need to explain to the priest, perhaps Ceylan's area of dwelling was much less militant than Yukan's own.

"They showcased aggression so it was only appropriate that I reciprocated their aggression, now that they've seen what we're capable of, we need to work on getting a distress signal to them, because a cease fire and collaborative front must be taken against this menace."

Yukan agreed. With Yukan's knowledge of Culture of Republic of Kuridan F, Yukan felt confident in his assessment of the situation because had The third wanted to fight Yukan to the death he would have come out and formally challenged him, and they would have had a time and place to meet either 1v1 or with their men to settle things, but that was not what was transpiring here, which was good for them.

Yukan went into Leadership F "We must Relay a distress signal to the rest of the Third Spear's forces who are present to indicate to them that now is not the time for skirmishing and we need to communicate the dire need to join forces!" Yukan proclaimed to anyone who wasn't too preoccupied with the tree to see if they could get any kind of assistance.

 

[Orikanyo]

Ko



​

....He saw it... What... He saw was... It... Whatever it was. Within the blink, the wake of a strike, he saw something he should not have. He saw a place of death, a being of morbidity... Death... This tree was a demon... It must be destroyed...

He... However had found a new sword, or state of the sword, that which severs. His attempt, and success, at severing the connection between him and the tree brought fruit terrifying... But enlightening...

Bringing his guard up he centered himself, he eyed the tree, and the ground beneath his feet... Those veiny things from earlier... How would he deal with such a creature...

If this tree fed on blood...

...Could it bleed...?

...He shall see to it that it does.

A moment to center himself, that is all he needed... Was whatever that rushed him still there? Protecting this egg?

He had to rush.

He eyed incoming fire, distancing himself from the incoming arrows but circling around the tree, keeping it at distance and observing the ground... The beast rushed at him, but he knew not from where.. This tree... Looked like an egg... Perhaps the body within it now was being used to feed it, perhaps it's roots went further...?

His eyes went to the ground, eyeing the ground as he went for another vector of attack, he would trust hos instincts to deflect incoming blows.

• Defiant Edge, Weapon Mastery F, Deflect F, Flare F (Hearing), Drain Strength F, Penetrating F, Accurate F. A aggressive defense, the sound of which sends the opponent's ears ringing and damage their ongoing strength. Grade F Actions 2

Actions
Move
Ability defensive contingency

 

[gmimperfecti]

He eyed incoming fire, distancing himself from the incoming arrows but circling around the tree, keeping it at distance and observing the ground... The beast rushed at him, but he knew not from where.. This tree... Looked like an egg... Perhaps the body within it now was being used to feed it, perhaps it's roots went further...?

A four of the arrows from the oncoming force peppered around Ko, but his sword made a series of deafening roars, cracking the arrows and sending a booming rapport in response to the affront. Interesting, of all the volleys of arrows, they were thickest towards Ko!

Indicus thought to the vials before shaking his head and readying himself for a fight.

Indicus not only had no problem retrieving the vials, the tree didn't seem to bother him much. He was able to withdraw back towards Yukan and the rest of the logistics unit without any cilia or anything else strange. Probably the weirdest moment was when he passed near where Ko had used his sword to "severe his connection" to the tree. That area felt cold and distant but in a way that resonated? Just like when Indicus was tracking with scent and survival, he felt another sense within him stir.

Ceylan's ears perked up. “Longfeather, you say?” That was the person he was meant to meet up with right? The one that had asked him to keep a low profile. “I'd wish to meet him, if he seems to know more about this odd tree.” He said, figuring out this tree might've been the reason Longfeather wished to meet in the first place.

Gyoubu raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You'd be the second outsider he's solicited to help Yukan; how weird is that?" She frowned. "It's weird, because..." She frowned some more, scrunching up her eyebrows. "He said for us not to come back until we had finished." She tapped her lip, looking at the tree and scratched her head. "Something weird is definitely going on."

Actually, no, he did. “I am merely favoured by the heavens, that is all.” He said, referring to his [Holy Child] title. To a degree, it was true, as he still wasn't sure why they were so subservient towards him in general.

Gyoubu grunted, "Clearly!"

Yukan went into Leadership F "We must Relay a distress signal to the rest of the Third Spear's forces who are present to indicate to them that now is not the time for skirmishing and we need to communicate the dire need to join forces!" Yukan proclaimed to anyone who wasn't too preoccupied with the tree to see if they could get any kind of assistance.

Yukan ordered the Yellow flag raised and the third actually agreed, flying the yellow in agreement of a parlay. With the parlay agreed by both sides, combat ceased and four members from the expeditionary force rode out on dire boars, it seems instead of the eclectic logistics unit Yukan had, this guy had opted for a unit of dire boars, intelligent animals! Their leader looked down at Yukan.

Riku looked a little sleazy, in black leather armor and slicked back hair. He held his Yari casually. With him was another Shrine Maiden, Tanuki Scout Leader, and Tanuki Yari Leader. Riku was from the Masanori, but unlike Tashigoto was able to take control of the entire hunting force.

"Yuki, my man, props for usurping Tashigoto. However, you are harboring a murderer of Clan Masanori. Relinquish that," he wrinkled his nose, "wild dog, and I won't trample your splintered forces." Riku was referring to Ko.





Repositioning an army was not technically against etiquette so long as his forces didn't attack or press on a fortified position. So continuing to allow his forces to crest the final hill and reposition themselves for optimal battle formation was borderline in this situation.

His scout unit took up position behind one of the Yari units, which readied shields to protect the scout archers. The other two Yari units arrayed to the left and right.

 

[Orikanyo]

Ko Matatsu


The swordsman stood tall amongst the pelting of arrows, eyeing the archers on far and the people speaking rather loudly... Hmm... A murderer...? Ah, the would be assassin, currently within the tree.

Well, in truth he was no the slayer, the tree did the work. But.. Not like these people cared...

So why should he?

He had more important things to care about than this rabble, this tree for instance was a demon, a monster...

But arrows... Yes.. They are very unpleasant...

Hrmm... What to do...

Instead of dignifying the upstart with a word, he considered the tree once more... His focus returned.. His blade at the ready... He took in a deep breath... exhaled...

His one technique could cut between... But the rest were of the corporeal variety... Perhaps... At the foot of this beast... He would not need to worry as much... The way is pulsed and shuddered in that vision... It was not worthy of this world... And it stung his soul to envision it's grasp on that person he attempted to take alive...

He lowered his stance once more, and with a shout, began his assault upon this heart of darkness, of which his sword could hope to reach.

His first strike, at the spirit.

Inescapable Death, Weapon Mastery E, Multidimensional E, Penetrating E, Accurate E, Hot Shot E, Incurable E, Contact E, Blight E (razor sharp), Continuing E (Bleed), Penetrating E, Accurate E. Beasts that think themselves immortal are a pain to all swordsmen, this technique exists as the bane against all that think themselves untouchable. Grade E Action 1

And within a breath, the sword strike at the body, perhaps, in theory, this shall strike both.

Sword of Descernment, Weapon Mastery F, Continueing (Bleed) F, Blight F (Razor sharp), Contact F, Penetrating F, Accurate F, a practiced strike of the blade, from whence the rest come. Grade F, Action 1

With the last strike, he was on the other side, returning his blade to it's sheath, the mithril shine hidden from light once more.


Action 1 Move
Action 2 Ability effectiveness 9 (+1 on multi strike)
Action 3 Ability effectiveness 8 (gives +1 to above if both to same target)

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus tried to hold on to the feeling as he felt something within him stir a new sense or ability locked behind a door containing yet another hall of secrets that his body and mind now possessed alas it was too fleeting the key darting away as quickly as it had come but Indicus knew there would be a next time eventually his current body was still young.

Indicus listened to the demands of the enemy leader demanding the swordsman that at this moment seemed to be swinging his weapon at the tree in almost a trance while keeping the reason of their demand vague. Indicus felt that Yukan would not give in without further elaboration if only because the "wild dog" had helped them.
Not wanting to make relations go sour but unable to fully hold himself back Indicus whispered to Yukan "Is it me or is this enemy leader wording things as if the swordsman already killed the entire clan? I wonder if the clown can be made to elaborate for us who was killed instead of this vague bullshit."


gmimperfecti TheTimePiece

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

gmimperfecti Shadow Dancer Elvario Orikanyo
Truthfully Yukan was relieved to see that Ko managed to deal with the arrows so skillfully, indeed it seemed he was a skilled swordsman. He too found it curious how Indicus seemed to make it back so easily from the tree, from what he had seen briefly at least, his focus had been all over the place from trying to avoid the where the tree could touch as well as paying attention to the summon, Ceyland and the dying one, while having to give orders to start a period of parlay so that more people didn't get unnecessarily hurt.

Yukan thought the choice of boars was interesting as they road over, but now he finally had a moment to think while he managed to minimize his contact to the tree as much as possible given the circumstances. Yukan gave Riku a bit of a bow, with Republic of Kurdian Etiquette F. The situation was actually better than he thought it was for him at least. They weren't there to prove their military superiority over Yukan, nor were they trying to kill him or his forces, they were there on the business of capturing someone who supposedly killed a member of clan Masanori. If this was true and it was considered a Murder title, it would be criminal for Yukan to knowingly further assist Ko, but if he did not possess the murderer title for this act then Yukan was in the right. He needed to know more of what happened first, as he gave a bit of a nod towards Indicus before looking back to Riku.

It all made much more sense now, Riku and the forces who were with him were simply carrying out the law of the land, people could kill and capture criminals who held serious titles like that without consequence if that was true.

"I now understand. I was unaware of any criminal status pertaining to the sword wielder. as there was no form of appraisal used on him.. He just happened to be around here, so there was no intention to harbor him." He'd gesture towards Ko.

"Right now he is currently engaged in battle against a tree of foul origin which has been doing harm to the populous from what we can gather.. with such a serious accusations such as murder, you are certain that it is this Matasu member is who is responsible for this grave assault against the Masanori clan ?" he inquired, referring to Ko once more. He wanted to know if they had scanned him for his titles and knew for a fact that Ko was responsible so he could better verify their claim.

"Because if this was a recent occurrence, when my group arrived here we saw him strike someone who had attempted to fatally wound Sawazuki, who as you can see is barely holding on,. He'd then gesture towards her,

"He... did not strike this figure down with the intent to kill from what I could see, but instead attempted to wound to debilitate them but unfortunately the tree consumed them..shortly after."

"I will affirm that I appreciate your willingness to talk, particularly in such a dire situation as you can see with a youth near death and a dangerous tree, my forces splintered because I thought they were best suited elsewhere..since i thought we were trying to apprehend an individual..rather than whatever this thing is.."

"Regardless it would be best if our forces united against our common enemies, of course that would include the criminal you are speaking of assuming he has been identified and appraised to procedure." Yukan reaffirmed, implying he was agreeing to relinquish him if they could show him it was just.

If Ko really was who they claimed he was Yukan had no reason or incentive to protect him, murder was a dishonorable deed, indeed. Yukan was hoping if anything that they could join forces and take down the common threats to Kuridan whether the criminal story checked out or if it was was tree, whatever the hostile was in either case. If Riku's group was smart if they were perusing an alleged dangerous murderer criminal , then surely they would have brought someone or something that they could appraise Ko with.

 

[Elvario]

Ceylan
​

Mentions: Yukan TheTimePiece | Ko Orikanyo | gmimperfecti

Yukan's explanation was a big relief. With this not being a battle to the death, he'd been overly concerned for all the wrong reasons. Well, at least on that particular topic. The tree itself was still reason enough to be concerned. Even so, it did make him wonder. “Then why would someone attempt to kill her?” He asked, looking at Sawazuki. His first assumption that she'd gotten caught-up in some infighting went out the window, meaning this might be a purposeful attack. It was a source of concern. “Perhaps she found out about the tree and someone attempt to keep its secrets hidden from us by getting rid of her, only to be caught by the very tree they'd been protecting.”

The tanuki's next statement was ironic, in a sense. He gave Ceylan the location he was looking for, something Ceylan figured he'd be able to find, but also the command not to pursue it. After all, the 'once we get out of this mess' part wasn't lost on Ceylan. This tanuki was demanding him to stick around and help out, wasn't he? Yet from what Ceylan gathered, he wasn't meant to be getting too involved in these dealings. Hence the undercover part. It was a fairly troubling position to be in. Ignore Yukan and hopefully find Longeather in time? Commit to 'help sorting this mess' and just reveal his cover and go all-out against this tree? Trying to stick around and stay undercover? Honestly, none of those options felt particularly great.

Ceylan watched as Yukan sent out a distress signal, which managed to buy him an opportunity to talk with the opposing party. For a moment, Ceylan debated joining him, but then he decided against it. It wasn't his place to get involved in tanuki war-games. Besides, he didn't want to be seen as partial to Yukan's side. All he cared about was dealing with this tree and whomever or whatever might be behind it.

It's why Gyoubu's words stood out to him. “The second one? Who was the first?” That confusion was only furthered by her next line. “Until you had finished what, exactly?” The logical assumption would be the war games, but he felt there was a fair chance there was something different. Most of all, however, was the fact that she instantly considered Ceylan's question to be the result of Longfeather hiring him. After all, Ceylan himself wasn't even entirely sure about it, logical as it might be.

His debate on what to do, however, took yet another turn. He noticed his fellow canine was already playing with the evil stick going in on the offensive. Alone, without much preparation. Ceylan sighed, being jealous and wanting to join in on that stick-game worrying that his fellow canine was only going to make things worse without back-up. Then again, Ko's attacks might be a chance for Ceylan to learn more about the tree.

He finally managed to settle on his course of action. One he'd share with Gyoubu. “Please look after the girl, I'll try to learn what I can from the tree whilst the swordsman is attacking it.” He said, talking about Sawazuki and Ko respectively. That said, he wasn't planning to go in alone.

His earlier summons hand been answered, meaning he already knew it was possible to establish a link to the celestial realms from here. “Please answer my prayers once more.” He'd mumble, before attempting [Summon Celestial E], this time putting in ever the slightest bit more magic in an attempt to create a more stable and lasting connection for the summon, so that it could stay here longer. Upon hopefully being successful, his command would be simple. “Please help the swordsman over there bring down this foul tree, whilst I attempt to study it for any possible clue as to its origins or weaknesses.”

As for studying it, Ceylan would attempt to 'read' whatever was going on in and around this tree by going on the 'offensive' against it, attempting to cleanse parts of the curse by carefully probing at the 'infected' ley lines heading for and from the tree from a distance, hoping to pick up on some things and maybe even use the moments it'd be weakened by Ko and the summoned aid to fight against it.

E Grade CD's (duration active)
Summon Celestial E – Summon Creature F, Magic Affinity E, Magic Duration F, Religion F, Energised E – Character attempts to summon a creature from the heavenly/divine planes of existence to aid them. Has a 30 ft search range. - Grade E – 0 Post Cooldown.

Curse Cleanse F - Magic Affinity F, Sixth Sense F, Healing F, Religion F, Energised F - Uses divine senses to detect curses and combines religious knowledge with healing magic to cleanse them. - Grade F - 0 post Cooldown | 2 usages/post

 

[gmimperfecti]

“Then why would someone attempt to kill her?” He asked, looking at Sawazuki. His first assumption that she'd gotten caught-up in some infighting went out the window, meaning this might be a purposeful attack. It was a source of concern. “Perhaps she found out about the tree and someone attempt to keep its secrets hidden from us by getting rid of her, only to be caught by the very tree they'd been protecting.”

With a potential parlay in play, White Claw and the other scouts reformed near Yukan, Masanori, Ceylan, and Gyoubu. Thus, White Claw was able to respond to Ceylan's question, "Your holiness," his feathered head gave a slight bow, "The why is at the crux of this entire situation." Cocking his head to the side as birds are want to do, he peered towards the army approaching and the tree with dark, avian eyes. The eyes of an owl were always hard to read, radiant orange eyes with dark, black pits in the center. "She was the origin of the attack on the Peony Blossom establishment owned by the Masanori's."





Masanori Tashigoto, who had been surprisingly reserved throughout, "I doubt it's the tree. Likely more political." He frowned. "Sawazuki was well regarded as a geisha and was a good earner." He tilted his head from side to side, deciding how much to say. "The attack on us and by extension the room and the samurai of my family hurts our prestige, and thus could be viewed as a political attack. However, why or at least the original reason might now matter less than the story being told, which is happening within my families different groups and amongst the elders." He looked towards the tree, "But a story could be shaped from this and no doubt the tree plays a role. If not in the beginning now, especially as Sawazuki was told or has told us at least to come here."

"Your clan is too political, but what do you expect of those who dirty their souls with coin." Gyoubu snorted, "Whose only redeeming quality is the ability to count money and move money. It's really quite disgusting." She shivered and turned towards Yukan, "You need a strong hands, hands that can do anything that needs doing," she shivered, "A will of forged steel and words that will move Tanuki to great heights." She heaved before turning back to Masanori Tashigoto, "Which is why the Masanori's are fated to fall, never to rise."

"Perhaps," Masanori Tashigoto said, "Perhaps." He hefted his spear, "I have strong hands and a keen mind. You of the Kiryoku are too emotional, which is why you are fated to fall and never to rise." He sneered back, showing sharp, white teeth.

"As if. We have the Fifth Spear and our elders know the secret arts, our clan is strong and holy." She gestured to herself.

And so the two of them continued to bicker back and forth.

It's why Gyoubu's words stood out to him. “The second one? Who was the first?” That confusion was only furthered by her next line. “Until you had finished what, exactly?”

"Hmm?" Gyoubu said, frowning, "Oh," her eyes lowered to slits, "I warned Yukan about THAT one. You can never trust a kitsune. I don't know where Longfeather finds these people-" She opened and then closed her mouth, "I mean, you seem holy, devout, and dependable. I hope you don't go crazy and try and kidnap one of us like the last one did." She shook her head, "Kitsune are rather mercurial and I have my doubts if Longfeather properly appraised the shaman." She shrugged.

"Well that's typical Long Feather for you. He believes in teaching by creating space. Cracks as he likes to call it. It's up to us to fill in the gaps, learn how to leap them, and all that stuff. It makes your head ache half the time, but my intelligence continues to grow, so it must be working." She shrugged, "How we define when we are finished will determine our ending, won't it?" She rolled her eyes, "That's what he said when I pushed him, which is rare for him to answer with a clarifying question as opposed to a shake of his head."

---

The parlay had come, all prelude to the current situation was reaching its climax. Riku listened to what Yuki asked and gave it a fair amount of thought, flashing a smile and nodding along as Yukan asked him questions.

"Because if this was a recent occurrence, when my group arrived here we saw him strike someone who had attempted to fatally wound Sawazuki, who as you can see is barely holding on,. He'd then gesture towards her,

"Oh, it's absolutely a recent occurrence." Riku flashed another smile, running a hand through his hair. "Sawazuki was fleeing the scene and running towards the evil tree is certainly not blameless. I'm not sure who in their right mind would allow her free. I don't think that was ever in the arrangement with Elder Masanori Nyctereutes. "I'm not entirely sure her hanging out is for the best at this point. The whole matter has been a huge embarssement for you. I heard you even let one of the Masanori family's rice farms to burn down."

((FLASH BACK STARTS))
It was a long night quelling the patrons of the Five Thousand Peony Blossoms, the Masanori Geisha House. This was a time of revelry and it was a sore point in the Masanori House's honor that such an event had transpired. While it was true that Yukan was the commander of a group of hunters, it was also true that a potential crisis loomed for the Masanori House. Thus within thirty minutes one of the elders had showed up. The rich browns and tan coloring so common of the tanuki had turned silver and white with age.

Masanori Nyctereutes was the true owner of the Five Thousand Peony Blossoms, and his arrival was a humiliation for Masanori Tashigoto, who was the scion within Yukan's hunting group. Tashigoto for his part explained the situation and surprisingly Gyoubu didn't heckle. Yukan, Whiteclaw, and the logistics unit were interviewed in turn as well.
((FLASH BACK ENDS))

"He... did not strike this figure down with the intent to kill from what I could see, but instead attempted to wound to debilitate them but unfortunately the tree consumed them..shortly after."

Riku tilted his head back and belted out a laugh. "He drew steel without intent to kill, huh?" Riku arched an eyebrow, the smirk smoldering on his face. "Yukan you are something else. You are either the noblest Tanuki I've ever met or the dumbest." Riku shook his head, snorting. "Your man smashed my man so hard that he sent the corpse flying into the Corpse Tree." Riku pointed. "My scouts saw the whole thing. Are you telling me your man appraised mine and saw a criminal title before acting, because we observed no such title on Masanori Youthori ((the fanny pack ninja)) before she was sent to her death." Riku pointed the a talon at Gyoubu, "And we all got the warning about the Corpse Tree waking up. Seems rather convenient way to white wash killing one of my men, and someone from House Masanori to boot!"

"I will affirm that I appreciate your willingness to talk, particularly in such a dire situation as you can see with a youth near death and a dangerous tree, my forces splintered because I thought they were best suited elsewhere..since i thought we were trying to apprehend an individual..rather than whatever this thing is.."

"Ah ha! And the individual you were trying to apprehend was Sawazuki or are you claiming you were chasing after my soldier, Masanori Youthori ((the fanny pack ninja))? Not sacrificing plums for peaches is a classic beginner mistake. Go isn't a winner take all game, and neither is life my friend. You've played too thin and now you're over committed to things that should have been sacrificed."

"Regardless it would be best if our forces united against our common enemies, of course that would include the criminal you are speaking of assuming he has been identified and appraised to procedure." Yukan reaffirmed, implying he was agreeing to relinquish him if they could show him it was just.

Riku tilted his head, watching Ko advance towards the tree alone. "I don't know, I could just wait for you to overcommit again and pepper you with arrows. I don't think your man will do too well against several volleys of arrows while he engages the tree."

"Riku-" Masanori Tashigoto started to say.

"That's Commander Riku, because I actually command an entire expeditionary force, unlike you Goto."

Tashigoto ground his teeth together and seethed, but it only lasted a moment. "If the tree is at fault for killing Masanori Youthori ((the fanny pack ninja)), then there is only merit to be gained for all parties."

Riku gave Tashigoto a long look before nodding and looking back towards Yukan. "Very well, I will allow you to join with us and seek revenge for the wrongful death of poor Youthori. The issue of manslaughter by your man will be deferred until after we've vanquished the tree, and as you said since the tree is at fault, it owes the Masanori clan a life's debt for taking one of ours. All its spoils will therefore be forfeit to our house to pay the balance of the life lost. We will let elder Nyctereutes determine if there's sufficient to settle the issue of man slaughter or perhaps a surplus, albeit unlikely."

---

He finally managed to settle on his course of action. One he'd share with Gyoubu. “Please look after the girl, I'll try to learn what I can from the tree whilst the swordsman is attacking it.” He said, talking about Sawazuki and Ko respectively. That said, he wasn't planning to go in alone.

Gyoubu nodded. "She is on the mend, health and vitality are reconnected. The cycle is maintained. I'll keep her on her path."

His earlier summons hand been answered, meaning he already knew it was possible to establish a link to the celestial realms from here. “Please answer my prayers once more.” He'd mumble, before attempting [Summon Celestial E], this time putting in ever the slightest bit more magic in an attempt to create a more stable and lasting connection for the summon, so that it could stay here longer. Upon hopefully being successful, his command would be simple. “Please help the swordsman over there bring down this foul tree, whilst I attempt to study it for any possible clue as to its origins or weaknesses.”

Once more radiant light, this time brighter and larger. A wheel of burning light was a vortex of undulating warmth and holy celestial energy. Aurichal once more emerged from Ceylan’s summons. The tall and regal, the Hound Archon once more dropped to a knee the instant its eyes fell upon Ceylan. He lowered his head and placed the orichalcum blade into the earth.

“Lord of Light, you grace this humble servant with your attention once more. Eagerness is the seed of greed not yet sprouted. I was not eager to return, and yet I had lingered to see if there was yet you might allow me to do for you. Patience is the virtue of time given purpose." He nodded to himself. "Yes, this is what it was."

Upon being told what to do, Aurichal rose, ripping his holy blade from the ground. "Vile are the demons who think they have a purpose in this world. I am blessed that my sword might be the instrument through which we remove this blight from the glorious garden of this world.

Aurchichal's legs compressed once more and with a burst of celestial light he leapt into the air. A contrail of golden glitter trailed in his wake [Jump F - Energized Leap of the Golden Ray]. While in midair, he double jumped, light bursting and he climbed higher into the air [Jump F - Energized Leap of the Golden Ray]. The blade in his hands swelled with holy light, absorbing the sun's light and focusing it like a magnifying glass.

His first strike, at the spirit.

Inescapable Death, Weapon Mastery E, Multidimensional E, Penetrating E, Accurate E, Hot Shot E, Incurable E, Contact E, Blight E (razor sharp), Continuing E (Bleed), Penetrating E, Accurate E. Beasts that think themselves immortal are a pain to all swordsmen, this technique exists as the bane against all that think themselves untouchable. Grade E Action 1

Ko's attack was flawless, but again that was also the problem. To strike the spirit he needed to strike into the Mindscape again. He struck in the same place as before. The point of severance where he touched upon [Nishkriya, The Sword and Glory]. The spark of enlightenment. He had to found that which he had already severed. Luckily, he'd seen Indicus linger in a place that was like the Lagrange point between where he'd been and the [Corpse Tree] still was. He had his own instincts at work as well.

Once more, Ko cut through the illusion of creation itself taking the half forgotten dregs of his profound insight and infusing it with [Inescapable Death], the glory that comes after the sword. If he could find the the true name of that, perhaps he'd be another step along his path.

Creation had formed a multi-dimensional scar from the prior severance, almost impossible to detect without the proper senses or at least the proper state of mind. This word of severance, slices of minds capes floating in forgotten nightmares was the shores of a vast swamp of lost things. A swamp were perhaps things greater than [Hill Toads] could be found. Past the madness and despair, life grew in it's own way.

Ko's sword strike ate at this obstacle, it was perhaps the armor of the world, creation's shield that the true heart of the [Corpse Tree] hid behind. Ko's art penetrated through this, eating away at it with a sharpness that was supernatural. The edges of creation bleed like flaps of exposed skin oozing grey globs of puss and inky streams of black blood. It was a window or a door into the place. His sword strike found this weak point and doubled the damage he had done before. This damage was filled with the portion of enlightenment he'd gained and it would take great power to close what had now become incurable!

Ah but Creation tried so hard to heal and contain this blight back into the hidden places. Ko's sword art was fantastically precise. He was in the zone. But it wasn't enough. Except Ko wasn't alone!

"Cal Tasroth, the Archon of the Gate!" Aurchichal roared, his eyes a mad gleam of molten gold as he descended from the heavens. His sword carried the magnified light of Sol Invictus the Unconquered Sun! The blade painted a path of golden yellow from the apex of his double jump to the precise point where Ko had torn open Creation and the place where the [Corpse Tree]'s mind-spirit dwelt. An explosion of golden light shot forward from the impact point and continued forward in a line of golden yellow into the opened space and directly hit the trunk of the tree. The light melted the exoskeleton, shattering it and exposing hundreds of bodies packed together, interwoven into the semblance of a tree but in no other way could it be considered one!

These long dead, half rotten corpses tumbled from where Aurchichal's attack had hit. Still that was a good distance into the exposed mindscape. It was hard to say if distance worked the same way in a place of mind and nightmare.

"Into the breach!" Aurchichal roared again and rushed through the exposed "hole" between Creation and elsewhere. There was no grass or people, but in the distance could be heard the baying of nightmare and something else from deeper in the black and grey woods, the marshy swamp of forgotten nightmare.

As for studying it, Ceylan would attempt to 'read' whatever was going on in and around this tree by going on the 'offensive' against it, attempting to cleanse parts of the curse by carefully probing at the 'infected' ley lines heading for and from the tree from a distance, hoping to pick up on some things and maybe even use the moments it'd be weakened by Ko and the summoned aid to fight against it.

Ceylan made great strides in teasing apart the curse. Of course things were unfolding faster than one would usually take to assemble a three thousand piece jigsaw puzzle, but still Ceylan was brilliant and skillful. Even without showing off, Ceylan had profound insights into the body and soul.

Spoiler: Ceylan's insights

What Ceylan realized was that the tree was functioning like a heart. A knot of curses and twisted essence. He could see it quite clearly; however, there was an oddity. The crimson essence flowing inward perhaps from other locations towards the tree, making it blossom. However, it was swirling and being transformed somehow, used to keep the tree, sustain its blossom. Even before the attack, the tree seemed to be dying, the patterns of its cursed essence unraveling. But there was something deeper as well. Something like an echo or the phantom of something from deeper, beneath the tree.

Perhaps the twisted essence was an attempt to purge the darkness from beneath it? Following the curses intertwined it was hard to tease out but the curses were thicker deeper. Perhaps it was something like a concentration gradient, darkness flowing towards areas of higher purity but with the incorporation of the new corpse, the blood, spiritual essence changed the concentration?

He realized that the ground was absorbing not only all the blood spilled but according to his Divine Senses he knew that it was the "corrupted" black leyline that ran back from beyond the rice farm, through the copse, and down toward the tree that was "sucking" in now. Whereas before the flow of the leyline had mimicked the flowing pulsing of arteries, pushing black "essence" away from the tree, now the leyline acted more like a vein, drawing crimson "essence" towards the tree.

And then Ko and Aurchichal opened and made things so much clearer. The attack within the mindscape destroyed half of the tree in Creation. And the black essence surged back outward like a cyst that had been burst, all the poison and foulness that had been "encapsulated" by one of the "lymph nodes" had been released free to flood back out across the "lymphatic system" the leylines carrying a trebling of dark, black essence.

OOC
* There's now a "portal" to a nightmarish mindscape were the "spiritual concept" of the Corpse Tree dwelt.
* It appears that about 100 undead zombies are falling out of the shattered "exoskeleton" of the Corpse Tree from within the mindscape.
* The sounds of something horrible, a nightmare from deeper in is echoing through the mindscape and approaching.

 

[Elvario]

Ceylan
​

Mentions: Yukan TheTimePiece | Ko Orikanyo | gmimperfecti

The whole 'gang' seemed to be showing up, now that talking had started. They each gave Ceylan a fair bit to think about. White Claw greeting him with 'Your holiness' had clearly caught him off guard a bit, but even more so had his admission that Swazuki was at the crux of the entire situation. “I... was not aware of that.” Had he not been listening enough, or had nobody bothered to tell him such a crucial piece of information? He wasn't sure, but he'd commit it to memory now.

He wasn't sure what to do about the two arguing tanuki's, until he realised they'd keep going.“We've no time to argue amongst ourselves.” He'd state, hoping to stop them so they'd focus on more pressing matters. For example, whomever 'that one' was that Gyoubu seemed to know as well. A kitsune... Mitsunari? “Ugh.” He grunted a little, as a sting of pain arose from the memory of having his legs gnawed upon by Mitsunari's ogres. He quickly recovered. “You're not talking about a man named Mitsunari, are you?” Although their splitting up was more peaceful than their meeting, Ceylan wasn't sure what to think about potentially meeting that particular Kitsune again.

The fact that Gyoubu mentioned kidnapping, which was exactly what Mitsunari had done to him, didn't make him all that much more confident. “Don't worry, I'm normally the one being kidnapped.” He replied, not even intending it as joke, despite how it was likely to come across as one. Still, the idea that Mitsunari might be around made him ever the bit more weary about what they might be up against.

Seeing a shaky peace form between the two Tanuki groups was a welcome sight. It'd mean their troubles were every so slightly more manageable. There was only one thing he deemed he would wish to add to their conversation. “With all due respect, regardless of who exactly killed Masanori, this tree is corrupted by a strong evil and a clear danger to all of us.” He wanted to clear that up, just so they'd know what they were dealing with that bit better.

On the topic of dealing with things, he nodded to Gyoubu. “Thank you, we'll have many questions for her when she reawakens.” He replied, wondering how she pieced into the whole of this.

Once more, his summoning was answered. The same being from before had heeded the call. Yet again, Ceylan wasn't sure how to respond. “No, please, it is I who's graced by your heeding of my calling.” He replied, still feeling bad that he was pretty much just randomly calling folk from their daily lives and routines to come fix up problems for him. He honestly didn't get why they were all so happy to serve, but he wouldn't question it. He needed them too much to be doing so.

To that extend, he was baffled at the sights the Archon was presenting him with. He wasn't even sure what was happening, but it was clearly powerful. Yet it also revealed the foul truth of this tree. Rotten corpses falling out of it. A shiver ran down his spine, not enjoying these sights of death and desecration. He was surprised when Aurchichal called out for them to enter the breach... how did he know that would happen?

He didn't have time to think on it for too long. After all, he had a curse to figure out. “The tree.” He'd speak, trying to keep his focus on what he was investigating whilst sharing some of his findings. “It's like the heart of curses and twisted essence, yet it was dying... there is something deeper in it as well...”

“The tree using the corrupted Ley Lines to draw in crimson essence towards the tree, which it seems to be using for something. Or maybe the curses are... it's difficult to tell. Perhaps... perhaps someone tried setting this up to save the tree from dying, yet failed and turned it into this monstrosity.” He already had a clue who that 'someone' might be, as that'd explain Sawazuki's role in all of this, unless she'd just been a middle-man. It could also explain Longfeather's riddles, for he might not have wished to decided if it would be better to let an important tree die or to sacrifice lives to keep it alive. All that was just speculation, so he tried to focus on the facts again.

“It's spreading a dark, vile essence, after being attacked. Like it turned the crimson life essence into a vile and dangerous plague.” That was the best way he could describe it. “Whatever is doing this, is inside of there and should be destroyed.” He concluded.

That's when he suddenly spotted the zombies. “I'm afraid I won't be able to fight them, but I'll do my best to support everyone, so please, help me reach the core of this tree so that I can try to cleanse it.” He was really hoping that, with some [Empathy F] and Yukan's aid, he could get there without falling pray to the massive amount of undead. If the others would enter the portal, he'd follow along with them. Even though the sound of something approaching them from the other side was sending shivers down from his spine all the way to his tail.

E Grade CD's (duration active)
F Grade CD's (0/0)

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

gmimperfecti Elvario Orikanyo Shadow Dancer

Yukan could already tell that this was going to be a difficult scenario to navigate. He had someone accusing someone else of murder. He could tell that Riku was playing things awfully on the edge of what was acceptable too when he could see the shifting of forces. Granted he knew even someone like Riku was just doing his job, and there wasn't too much else to think about on the matter. The discourse between Gyoubu and Masanori Tashigoto was interesting but not the most important at the moment since they had a tree to deal with and Ko whose name needed to be cleared. Anyone could tell that as Ko fought the tree the situation was becoming increasingly more dire. He did almost wince a bit however when the shrine maiden mentioned the Kitsune from before, that was quite problematic and Yukan still regretted it even then, why had he taken a chance on such an individual when he had such a dependable Shrine maiden right here who had done nothing but well by him, at the very least he had apologized and would continue to try his best to atone to her, until it felt satisfactory on his end.

Yukan needed the resolve to follow through on what he needed to do. Even with Riku's words which were clearly intended to get a rise out of Yukan, now was not the time to start getting into a verbal back and forth with him. He wasn't about to get into a discourse about him failing or not.

Yukan continued his best to respond with Republic of Kuridan Etiquette F
"...Whatever you may have heard took place when I was trying to get to the bottom of why civilians within our administrative region were being harassed and tortured, and the supernatural was at play, the farm house getting set ablaze was part of this treacherous activity to our people, and the flames were quelled. Sawazuki fled during the commotion." He spoke truthfully.
He listened to Riku laugh, and during this whole exchange Yukan kept a serious look on his face being called noble or stupid, whatever he called him didn't matter in this moment, there were much more pressing matters.

"Believe me when I say this, that Matasu family member has no affiliation with my operations here, even with this said, as far as I'm concerned he was a bystander who saw a young woman getting attacked by an armed assailant and responded what he thought was appropriate, Furthermore I have no command over his actions, he is willfully engaging this evil as we speak on his own volition." Yukan really did want to clear up the fact as far as he was concerned no harboring had been committed nor did he consider Ko one of his men.

"I heard intelligence from Indicus, a member of my logistics team that there was a suspicious individual fleeing the scene of when the farm house went ablaze, and he said that they headed this direction, as a result I took my unit and went to investigate and ended up here." Yukan responded to that bit.

Yukan tried his best not to react to Riku's hardball mention of showering him with arrows. He instead after Riku had his back and forth with Tashigoto had their back and forth, Yukan gave Riku and company a bow. "Thank you for your benevolence, let us rid the world of this evil together and right this injustice."

Something was definitely feeling amiss here, why was that Masanori clan member trying to attack Sawazuki? There still hadn't been an answer there. When the tree started to produce even more problematic imagery and sounds Ceylan spoke up.

He listened intently when the holy man spoke. After listening to Ceylan's explanation, Yukan felt inclined to trust him after he quelled the crowd earlier and now continued to bring beings from above to his assistance. With Leadership F, Yukan spoke more clearly. "Well then you all heard commander Riku, we are now working together to defeat this menace. My scouts get ready to assist Ceylan with his efforts to destroy the core by providing supportive fire froma distance. My logistics keep Sawazuki stable, and get ready to provide additional support for Ceylan so that he can cleanse this vile core. Upon breaching into the tree there are many hostiles from within the tree, so be prepared for combat." He proclaimed careful not to give orders to anyone who wasn't under his command not wanting to overstep boundaries so that Riku was free to do with his forces what he saw fit to assist.
Yukan then readied Yari once more and faced the core looking into it ready to enter alongside Ceylan since from the sound of it they would have to enter that plain to stop this tree once and for all.

 

[Shadow Dancer]

Indicus smiled as his blood started racing through his body against these zombies there would be no drama no politics just a fight. Indicus' blue eyes seemed to glow, claws outstretched as the light caused them to shimmer a soft blue. Stray blue silver dragon fire embers fell from the corners of his mouth like saliva from a hungry dog. Indicus tensed up his body ready to follow Yukan and his troop into the portal

TheTimePiece gmimperfecti Elvario Orikanyo

 

[Orikanyo]

Ko Matatsu



....Silence....


...Then the storm...

A flood of thoughts, between strikes of a blade and the timely aide of another. He struck at this beast's core and it burst like a mound of puss and vile ichor. The sucking leech has been cut loose, for the better perhaps now that it's lie had been revealed.

But what lay there now was a wound to a land of death, a small place beyond what is normally acessable by mortals. He had cut through to it, not from the body but through the lie between.

With a sword of truth, the lie has been excised, but what lay beneath the lie is oft not pretty.

A sword is truth, but perhaps also a lie? A lie to become other things, to wear a mask. But at what point does a mask become truth? If extra metal is forged into a sword, is that the same sword?

The corpses were the tree, a fount of death, a nest of revulsion that supped on the living life of those it captured.

Is that different from a normal tree? Taking life from the ground to live? Or perhaps a man taking fruit from a tree? To eat, be eaten, to grow and die. When does a lie end and a truth begins? In perception of it? In desire of truth? Minutes ago many saw it as a tree, he only shook off such an illusion with his training..

No matter, his ally in slaying the siphoning egg has entered the breach between this and the rotting world. It is time to... Ah... That... Is also of undead...


"Hmm... I'll need another sword... Or... Fifty..." his eyes gazed towards the host, seemingly coming to march to the portal. At least they weren't getting angry at him and breaking... Thats good, least he didn't have to worry about that. Though his eyes went to those two important looking Tanuki, they seemed rather... Unhappy... Was this about the assassin? Did the tree kill someone important? If this falls on his head his intent may be called into question, in truth, he acted without thought, but no intent to kill.

He may have to prove his ability to maim and not slay.

Simple enough, if given chance at all. The new noble looking tanuki looks the type to scheme.

"Come quickly if you aim to fight! Its that or die to the already dead." He approaches others, before readying to face the portal once more, standing straight, tall, and focused on the fight ahead.

"You stand with Ko Matatsu, student of Kiichi Hogen, Kurama Tengu.

And I shall take the big one's head."

He made a big claim, but the spray of black blood upon him, his tattered attire...

He looked more of a barking savage dog than a budding master of the sword.

 

[gmimperfecti]

This part of the Republic was on the border of the great central lake and the intersection of two might rivers. Flooding was quite common; however, as a result the rice paddies are fertile and their yield is high. It was not always this way. Before the great magi and demigods cast by the central lake, this land was a swamp, created from the deaths of billions of plants and animals decaying beneath it's swollen, distended grey green waters. Then the whole region had been terraformed and the swamp forgotten.



Beyond the portal was madness and nightmare. A distant swamp, all encompassing but just out of reach, surrounded the area. The ground was soggy, seeping pale, pink fluid with the strong cent of infection, rot, and urine. It was acrid and burned the inside of nostrils like snorting salt. The burning ran up the most sensitive passages of the nose and into the sinuses like a lingering hangover, dull pain and sharpness at all the wrong times. There was no light in this place, just the absence of darkness. The sky was a patina over colors of iron with hints of brass. The air was thick and soupy, a sense of pressure trying to hold a person in place so they might sink into the fetid waters and muck beneath.

Time and space were at odds with each other in this place. A single step always seemed to carry a person away from any other person, if that required them moving five feet or half an inch. Thus as people poured through the portal they spread out like a diffuse cloud of humanity, one that this place was eager to divide and conquer.

The only light, and that light was fading, was Aurichal. While he didn't have the Sol Invictus to charge his sword, the celestial blade gleamed a dull, scintillating gold. Like a viper, Aurichal dove into the zombies, pivoted and leaped out again. Jump, slash, jump was a steady rhythm in the distance. He was distant. Now that everyone had crossed over and WANTED to advance on the zombies and the trees, they seemed further away. But everything was further away.

OOC
1) Moving in nightmares is always a challenge, good luck figuring out how to get what you want when the goal of a nightmare is to do the opposite. I'm excited to see your creativity!
2) For ease of thought, the zombies can be considered 20 units of 5 minions.

• We will treat each minion squad as a single “unit”.
• All Units (5x) have a base effectiveness of 4 and HP of 2 per minion.
• Effectiveness on their actions either:
  • 3x attack, defend, or move actions.
  • +10, +8, +6 or
  • +8, +8, +8
• Thus, each unit has 10HP, when their HP drops to 5 or lower, they lose 1 effectiveness per HP lost. (HP5 = -1, HP1 = -4).
• Units are weak to AOE, which functions like Hot Shot with double damage when effectiveness is calculated. OR you could choose for AOE to operate like Penetration reducing effectiveness per grade. Choice must be made in advance. I won't keep track of individual minion damage, just the damage of units.

3) Yukan has 1 unit of Scouts, which can shoot at range and leap into the air. They are lead by Whiteclaw who is a hero and thus when embedded in the unit, the unit takes damage before Whiteclaw does.
4) Riku brought all of his units: 2 spear (melee attack), 1 scout (range attack), 1 mounted spear (Riku leads, they can charge AOE once per round). Players are free to join any unit as a hero and lead it to make my life easier and you less likely to die. Helping Riku prevail and keeping his units alive will result in rewards as you might expect.
5) There are 3 healers currently: Riku's Shrine Maiden, Gyoubu, and Ceylan.
6) What remains of the tree is on the other side of the 20 units of zombies. The tree appears to be "hollowed" out. See picture below. It's deep darkness inside, but it likely leads DEEPER if you want to go down and find out what's down there you'll have to defeat or at least bypass the zombies.
7) The zombies are moving freely (nightmare isn't messing with them) and all heading towards y'all so if you do nothing expect 1d4 units of zombies to surround you next round.

 

[TheTimePiece]

Yukan Koyake
​

gmimperfecti Orikanyo Elvario Shadow Dancer

As the group entered through the mysterious zone, it wasn't long before he felt the need to talk through some more with Riku and the others. Yukan had his spear ready and stayed with the rest of the group for now, lacking quite a bit in comparison to Riku considering he mainly had his scouts and healers.

Yukan promptly started off by using his ability To Arms! E

"As Stated, our primary objective should be to get Ceylan through to the core so that he can purify this great darkness that has blighted this land. Commander Riku, if it is agreeable to you, I believe our best course of action is to use our forces to assume a Gyorin (fish scales) battle formation. ( A more defensive blunted 'arrow head' shape formation traditionally used when forces were outnumbered) We should place two of our healers parallel on the farthest side of the 'arrow head' so that they can recieve protection from the units there and easily provide healing to either side of the formation. Behind the 'arrow head' of our melee units, our ranged units should provide suppressive fire to thin our enemies numbers. "As for me I have no issue staying near the "tip" of the formation. Yukan reaffirming that he had no issues helping to fight on the frontlines and in addition it would let him quickly see if they needed to readjust.

Yukan then turned to Ceylan. "Ceylan you should stay toward the center unit so that you can cover those out of range of the other two healers and so that you have the most protection on all sides, as it is vital that you make it to the core."


"Once we are in formation we should begin our advance as quickly as possible collectively and forge a pathway through their ranks to the core. The sooner we can leave this realm the better." He reaffirmed. Assuming that Riku was agreeable to the formation, Yukan would get into position with his Yari at the ready toward the front of the formation, otherwise he'd be on the ready to give follow up orders if need be to adjust the plan if RIku wasn't cooperative.

Actions:
1. While using To Arms! ability suggest Gyorin formation to fight and advance collectively to fight way to core.
2. Get ready to get into formation toward front if Riku goes along with it.
3.Get ready to move forward to carve path toward core.

To Arms! - Leadership E, Warfare F, Grade E- Post Cooldown 1
Yukan uses his leadership skills and knowledge on warfare to give warfare related orders.

 

[Elvario]

Ceylan
​

Mentions: Yukan TheTimePiece | gmimperfecti

Ceylan was glad to hear Yukan on board with his plan, as his tail swayed back and forth in a gentle wag. Having an entire army of Tanuki on board would certainly be useful. He just nodded as a sign of thanks. The sights ahead of them, however, were pretty. To make matters worse, the area seemed to distort time and space, making it more difficult to stay in formation. Such a foul place, that actively seemed to work against them, could only be the work of a nightmarish curse. This truly needed to be gotten rid off sooner, rather than later.

There was one thing that Ceylan could attempt to remedy some of the nightmare's effects. “Please stay calm and focus not on where you want to go or what you want to do, but merely on the process of going and doing it! Focus on your orders with as little conscious thought as possible.” He spoke, using [Soothing Aura F] to all those he could reach with it. He wasn't sure how this landscape worked, but it felt like it was somehow tied into their conscious thought, which meant they had to eliminate that as much as possible. He also just hoped to prevent everyone from panicking and instead follow along with Yukan's plans. The only other option was to directly oppose the nightmare with stronger magic, but he'd rather try to go through this without giving up what remained of his cover just yet, still unsure what the reason for having it was meant to be to begin with and therefore still unsure about breaking it further or not.

That's when he turned to Yukan for further instruction, which he was soon given. He was to stay in the centre. “Very well.” He replied, trying to move into position without explicitly desiring to, holding 'the I am moving' in mind rather than the 'I want to go there' parts in an attempt not to fall to the nightmarish curse. From his position, he'd reach out to those in his vicinity to use [Curse Cleanse F] on them whenever it seemed they'd either need regular healing or like they'd need to be snapped out of the curse's effects.

All that was left is to get through this stomach churning environment, filled with undead that were sending shivers down his spine. Such a desecration of life was always an awful sight, but he didn't have the luxury of looking away from it.

E Grade CD's (duration active)

Soothing Aura F – Magic Affinity F, Healing F, Religion F, Empathy F, Energised F, Persuasion F – Character has a soothing aura that calms and heals those around them. - Grade F – 0 Post Cooldown.

Curse Cleanse F - Magic Affinity F, Sixth Sense F, Healing F, Religion F, Energised F - Uses divine senses to detect curses and combines religious knowledge with healing magic to cleanse them. - Grade F - 0 post Cooldown