Messages

["Uh, what? Why? No?"]

Fred blinks in surprise, somewhat stunned at being handed Zhihao's whip. "Uh, what? Why? No?" All he could stutter out was random confused words. "I really don't understand you, Zhihao...does hitting always have to be involved?"



"...Whoa..." All Fred could do was mutter in surprise. Why did it break apart into a smooth sphere...wait, 'Destroy' seems to remove the out, impure parts of the target. Or anything covering the core of the target. That'd fit for why clothing was removed...interesting, I'm starting to understand the trick of this power.

Fred begins running his hand along the smooth surface of the rock as he continues to analyze the results. "Wait, then does it do this to all minerals?" Fred says aloud, eyes widening with curiosity. He spins around, examining the walls until he finds an easy-to-remove chuck of blue crystal. Using his spear, he works a chunk out of the earth, picks it up, and focuses his intent to destroy the crystal.

[info]Fred tries to 'Destroy' the blue crystal.[/info]

["Alright, Ravens."]

[info]Split topic to Chapter 8.2

Materials: First-aid equipment, equipment necessary to carry the flower, rope, rations, gathering equipment (for aiding in creature disassembly). Spare unisex clothes for multiple people (Forced on him by Ju in case of Destroy mishaps, this will likely be a regular inventory item)

Scout: Lai Ju (primarily Perception and Stealth for reporting encounters ahead, in case she fails, the rest of the party rolls Perception and Stealth)
Guide: Fred (described above)
Cartographer: Filiane (described above)
Rear Guard: Eydth, Tiffany (circumstance bonus on Perception behind)
Point Guard: Gu Bai, Bethany (circumstance bonus on Perception in front)

Goal: Enter tunnels
Movement: Half-movement[/info]

"Alright, Ravens." Fred says authoritatively, "Move out."

[info][blockquote]Survival:  1d20+18 : 14 + 18, total 32[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Stealth:  1d20+18 : 11 + 18, total 29[/blockquote]
[blockquote]Perception:  1d20+18 : 19 + 18, total 37[/blockquote][/info]

["IT'S NOT LIKE I CARE ABOUT THAT OR ANYTHING!"]

《Chapter 8: Training Again!

Chapter 8: Training Again!》

《Chapter 8.2: Catching Up》

[info]Previous post from Chapter 8[/info]

"IT'S NOT LIKE I CARE ABOUT THAT OR ANYTHING!" Tiffany almost shouted, her face a bit flustered after being put on the spot.

[info]You can create a side thread for meeting with Ai, Lai Ju, and Shuren. You spent an hour doing the experiments with Lu Zhihao in Ch 8.1.[/info]

Fred grins at the response, knowing he's got her right where he wants her, "You don't care about it? That's too bad~! I really thought we were all getting closer. Was that just me thinking that?" Fred looks around at the rest of the group, seeing if anyone else wants to play along with the teasing.



[info]Ai and Lai Ju[/info]

Since Fen had been discussing planning with everyone, Fred imagined that Ju and Ai were together, as Ai still hadn't gotten accustomed to most of the Ravens. Thus it was a simple matter finding the two of them, keeping themselves entertained however they could, which at the moment was brushing Ai's hair. It was a surprisingly picturesque scene.

"Heh." Fred said as he approached. "You two look so well matched, I could mistake you for mother and daughter!" He worn his trademark mischievous grin as he said this, awaiting the flustered responses. Who knew it would be so much fun to make people flustered! Just a few words, and they go all red. Priceless! He mused to himself.



[info]Shuren[/info]

Fred approached Shuren's resting place, the spirit tree at the center of camp. "Master Shuren! I'll be heading into the caves soon, but I wanted to ask you a few things."

["Well, that wasn't part of the deal. Unless you can get past this ability. Why do you want to hit me, anyways? What did I do to you that makes you want to harm me? You said- BARRIER- pain was pleasure, but since I don't agree, I didn't think you'd try to force that on me."]

"Well, that wasn't part of the deal. Unless you can get past this ability. Why do you want to hit me, anyways? What did I do to you that makes you want to harm me? You said- BARRIER- pain was pleasure, but since I don't agree, I didn't think you'd try to force that on me." Fred begins questioning Zhihao's intent, slipping in a command for his ability in the middle of conversation so he doesn't get hurt.

[info]Final test for Barrier:

Can I reduce the size of the barrier around an individual to cause damage/crush? Would likely try it on a rock or something so no one gets hurt.[/info]

With all these odd uses of Barrier, I wonder if Destroy is more useful than I thought. I should try some things out. Fred thinks to himself.

[info]Destroy tests:

Can I destroy my own barrier? (And thus destroy others' shield spells)

Can I destroy a magic spell, using my power as a counterspell?

Now that Fred understands intent better, he's going to try destroying a rock with the intent of breaking it down.

Fred is going to spend time casting Destroy on non-human entities to see if something works. (Rocks, mushrooms, random inanimate objects, etc.)

Fred specifically avoids directing destroy at Zhihao. He's learned his lesson, and made a promise before starting this testing. Clothes stay intact.[/info]

[Oh?]

Oh? Fred thought to himself as he refreshed the barrier once more, Maybe I can...

[info]To clarify, the falling damage note has two parts. One, could it absorb falling damage from a decent distance, and two, could be used to slow a fall, by causing drag. #1 was answered, not 2. Does it feel like the barrier can catch air enough from either side?

More experiments:
Try to extend its range by multiple increments at a time (ex: "Barrier, 20 feet!" or something)
- If so, can I will the range I desire without saying it?

Can I change targets/focus?
- If so, can I climb onto my own barrier, or catch myself in the air/float inside it?

Can I change the shape?
- If so, what are the limits? Can it become a weapon? Or just a Pyramid/Cube/Dodecahedron/whatever 3D shape that's symmetrical?

This is only checked when Zhihao stops attacking fervently: Can I change the exit/enter status?
- If so, is it only a binary yes/no, or can I specify targets/conditions? How vague of conditions if so?[/info]

He then gave Zhihao a glance in surprise, "Aren't you getting tired yet?"

[info]HP of barrier on first cast
HP gained from strengthening the barrier
Radius/Range I can expand/cast the barrier
Activation time
Mana cost of each action

Experiments:
Does it block liquid?
Can it filter poor air? (Resist contact poison and the like)
Can it be manipulated to focus at a single region for increased defense on a certain part? (For use if falling down, making it directional, etc)
Heat/cold resistance?[/info]

["Ohhhh~? What's this? Tiffany, don't tell me you're bothered that we're all a FAMILY!?"]

Fred nods back in affirmation to Gu Bai, before turning his attention to Tiffany as she spoke. Seeing the obvious blush of embarrassment, and thinking back to the enjoyment he'd had getting similar reactions from the Lai sisters, Fred had a mischievous grin creep onto his face. "Ohhhh~? What's this? Tiffany, don't tell me you're bothered that we're all a FAMILY!?"

As Edyth separated from the group, Fred gives her a knowing smirk, communicating that we'll handle her Lady's outbursts while she's gone.

Soon after, Fred was greeted by the energetic and boisterous appearance of Bethany, "Ha! Good! I've been doing training of my own. Hopefully I'm not as much of a- oh how'd they say it...muddy stick?" Fred looked around in a questioning confirmation. "As for when we leave, let's go in 1 hour. Now that we know how to handle these flowers, we can bring some supplies to make extracting and carrying it easier. Other than that, I'd like to check on the well being of the rest of the base, and see how the defensive building has been progressing."

[info]I'll be touring the base after this conversation, checking on Ai, Lai Ju, Shuren, and the base building progress. Just leaving the note here as a personal reminder.[/info]



"Ohhhhh..." Fred says with wide eyes, looking back down to one of his hands. "Strange, since it feels so natural. I could have never guessed it was such an impossible ability, considering what else I've seen. Making a shield with my own mana, instead of forming it by infusing an element...I imagine it will be much faster and more stable, then?"



[info]Split topic to Chapter 8.1[/info]

["He gave me permission."]

[info]Previous post from Chapter 8[/info]

"He gave me permission." Lu Zhihao said, her face cracking into a smile as a whip suddenly appeared in her open hand. It took you a brief moment to realize that her whip was actually part of the clothes she had wrapped around her body. "He gave me permission!" She repeated in an almost daze-like trance as a bit of drool slid down the corner of her mouth.

"CONSENT!" She began to strike, each one more frantic than the last. Her eyes too looked more and more crazed for each strike of her whip.

Fred's eyes widen at the response to his consent. He quickly looks over to Lai Fen for consolation before turning back to Lu Zhihao just in time to watch the frenzied whipping woman head his way. I think I made a mistake...? This was all he could manage to think before his mind was completely focused on the flurry before him. A deluge of lashes fell upon him before he had time to speak even a word of caution to the woman, as he didn't know whether his power could even hold out against much damage.

[info]I don't know the stats behind the whip and the barrier, so I can't estimate/imagine anything further realistically.[/info]

["She's right, Bai. You were in a tough situation, and to my knowledge, we've all come to understand that. If anything, you've been purposely misinforming the Red Hand."]

"She's right, Bai. You were in a tough situation, and to my knowledge, we've all come to understand that. If anything, you've been purposely misinforming the Red Hand." Fred says, confirming Tiffany's words. "It's still taking time for many to get used to the idea that you were a spy, but your intentions were the same as the Gu Bai we knew before this. I think everyone just wishes you'd come forth about what you'd been doing before. That's it. You're still part of the family."



"Yes, it seems like a shield made of mana. Is it really that strange?" Fred looks down as his now-mana-cloaked hands. "With all the other magic I've seen, I would have thought a defensive ability like this existed. I wanted to compare the two." Fred says, somewhat in disappointment, before turning to respond to Fen."You can make something like this with Ki? I guess it makes sense since I now know you can emit it for attacks. How does this compare?"

Fred sighs at Zhihao's request, "You're not giving up on that, are you?" He pauses a moment in quick thought. "Fine. Do it. May as well make your odd request productive. I want to know how strong it is for future use."

["Right, well, I don't think she was pushing herself, I did ask for volunteers. And I'm happy to have the both of you, thank you."]

Fred flinched a little at the sudden shout and approach of Tiffany, as he'd not expected anyone from outside the conversation to answer his question. He was also left rather speechless with her bold style of volunteering for the mission. At least until Edyth broke into her passionate exclamation to calm her. "Right, well, I don't think she was pushing herself, I did ask for volunteers. And I'm happy to have the both of you, thank you." Fred said, trying to defuse the sudden hostility. That was much more 'competition' than I remember...

"That leaves two more spots. No more volunteers to go into the caves? Hmm...in that case, I'd like Bethany, Filiane, and Gu Bai to join as well. Any of you are free to refuse if they feel more useful at the camp, or don't wish to explore the cave. Fred expected his words to stir up concern, especially around the request of a certain individual, but he felt it was necessary. "The rest of the Ravens can continue to work on base fortifications, as well as preparing a new location for the next flower that we're bringing back. Also-" Fred paused to change the subject. "I also have a request of those present. I need to analyze a new ability I have, and would like some insight on it. Oh, don't worry, it has nothing to do with 'Destroy'." Fred stated knowingly, trying to address any concerns.

Fred took a moment to focus before stating his command. "Barrier!"

[info]Since I have a few mages present, I wanted an opinion on my new Barrier power.[/info]

["... like with a whip."]

"... like with a whip."

"...eheh. That isn't much better, Zhihao..." Fred nervously chuckles out a few words to try to move past the situation. "I might have swoop in to see it for myself. Ruogang being docile? Interesting." Fred smirks, imagining the situation as described. "Well, in that case, I can't take Jed away now can I?" He says with a smirk.

"Alright, if there's no objections, then the supply team will be Fen, Abrielle and Eris. You have the best expertise for this job, which needs to be successful for the success of the Ravens. Also, if this substance is as powerful as you say in this world, do your best to make sure it doesn't end up in the hands of our foes. As for the flower retrieval..." Fred thinks for a moment. "Well, I have people in mind, but I guess I should ask...who wants to do it? Having volunteers is better than ordering, in my mind. With Jed out, so far the list is just Ju. Considering we'll be trying to carry a large flower safely, we'll likely need around four more. Two to protect, four to fight anything we come across."

["I'd say Fen's idea is probably best. As much as I want safety in numbers in the caverns, the stealthiest members are needed on the surface. It could be heavily patrolled by the Red Hand, or some other new leader, for all we know. I want to prioritize the above ground group's safety as much as possible, especially returning with the goods.Don't get tracked.]

Fred nodded along with Fen's assessment, smiling empathetically at Eris' protest, "I'd say Fen's idea is probably best. As much as I want safety in numbers in the caverns, the stealthiest members are needed on the surface. It could be heavily patrolled by the Red Hand, or some other new leader, for all we know. I want to prioritize the above ground group's safety as much as possible, especially returning with the goods.Don't get tracked. Fred placed his chin in his hand, taking a sort of thinking-man pose where he sat. "But without you two, I don't think I'll do any intense exploration in the caves just yet. As Eris said, it's dangerous. So a quick flower retrieval, in and out. As for who..." Fred falls into thought

Ju would indeed be a good choice, and Bethany made a good scout. I would bring Jed, too, but he's taking care of-

"Wait, hold on. Jed was watching over Ruogang, right!? How's her condition? It's likely best that he continue attending to her, if it's still bad." Fred said with concern.

["Interesting...this might be the answer I was looking for then. I'm sure you all are aware, we're running out of food. And now that we've found a substance worth trading for anyone above ground, well, I think you know where this is going."]

"Interesting...this might be the answer I was looking for then. I'm sure you all are aware, we're running out of food. And now that we've found a substance worth trading for anyone above ground, well, I think you know where this is going." Fred smiled knowingly at the group. "I'd like to form a team for retrieving supplies. Trade this liquid for its worth in food, wall and defense materials, and anything else you think would be necessary." Fred began pacing a bit as he spoke, looking at the crystal-lit caves around them. "This cavern has proven safer than any of the former bases, so I think making this a defensible home is important. In the mean time, now that I know the flower's worth, I think we need to head back into the tunnels. There was another one we came across that I'd like to retrieve. So I'd like recommendations on who should do what task."

Having wandered toward a suitable rock to sit on near the group, Fred takes a seat as he continues addressing them. "Once the Ravens have a nest, we can start reclaiming our territory properly."

"It's fine, Rota and I can handle the horses. Besides, I'd like to have a little chat. If that's alright, Rota." Eydis said, dismissing Mimsy's concern.

Eydis wordlessly agrees with Mimsy's observation, similarly examining her surroundings.

[info][blockquote]Perception:  1d20+6 : 11 + 6, total 17[/blockquote][/info]

["Thank you, Rota. It's appreciated. Really."]

Eydis noticed the hesitation, but at this point it was nothing new. Both racial bias and a bit of fear from her outburst a moment ago were at play; the hesitation was expected enough. She simply smiled, took the potion, and replied genuinely. "Thank you, Rota. It's appreciated. Really." Eydis gently deposited the vials into a belt pouch.

"And thank you, Lars. That consideration was all I was looking for. I still have a bad feeling about the town, but no matter the situation, we'll still need to head there."