Dragonball M, Chapter 4: Kidnapping! Invasion! A new Threat Strikes First!

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

"No need, My side of the room is clear.....quite a few interesting ones here. Seems the Maven was an alchemist in addition to her other skills." Etrina took the sketchbook and flipped through it. "Good script, you've done this sort of thing before then....good, good." The Mage placed the book, open, on the desk.

"How about brewing us up some tea, and I'll start with the more obvious magical artifacts....." Etrina brought the Red Amulet, Blue and Black Rings and one of the crystals over to the table....making sure to carefully transport them and keep them separated on the table. Then one by one she began inspecting them, gadding their magical potential and attempting to discern their purpose while adding in notes on the sketchbook Dash had produced.

The Red Amulet has an interesting spell upon it. Wearing it allows the user to......see that which is hidden ‘sideways’ within a given room, and lets you access that ‘sideways’ place.

In other words, it’s an access point to a type of side dimension attached to a room.

The blue and black ring (only one, it’s both colors) is another oddity. It allows the wearer the ability to ‘read’ any written language as if it were your native tongue.

The ten crystals seem to each be a combination of lodestones for ritual spell work and either amplifiers or, essentially, magical batteries that can be filled with magic and used at a later date to add oomph to your spells.

The crystal with the skull apparatus appears to be a scrying and recording device.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

No seals or locks. Good. Didn't appear to be any traps, either. Doubly good.

And he sensed flows of magic, however faint, within. Magic was by no means his forte, but he had long ago trained his Shingan to be able to pick up its presence and flow. And there was certainly some magic thrumming inside.

Oho, the queen was clever, indeed.

Opening the door, Voyavoda stepped inside and began searching the cellar, looking for any magical potions and knick-knacks hidden away... as well as the finest aged wines and spirits, of course. Those were just as important, if not more so... a man couldn't go without his victory drink!

And, oh, what a cellar this was. Light level, temperature, humidity... all perfect for storing and aging wine. No doubt the spirits here would be aged to perfection.

There are probably thirty or so bottles of alcohol in the cellar, all your various typical ones from wine to hard liquor. With it are seven different ones, however, that seem to have a different magic in them. Each of the seven look like this:

[Sub-Zero MKA]

It does not channel energy well. That was never its purpose.

Parsley watched the sword fail to channel her energy. "Very well. It's purpose is suitable enough." She fastened the scabbard around her waist, then returned the blade to that scabbard.

With that, all of her loot had been looked over. The crystal doorway and the teleportation potion would need to be tested at a later date. "Hm..." Temptation to drink the potion was growing strong. While it would have been wiser to save it for when she actually needed it, the reality of having to drink the potion and suffer whatever after-effects were attached was revealed that doing such was cumbersome and tedious. Of course, that realization could have been curiosity trying to justify doing something that her more rational and logical side knew was both foolish and impractical.

Then again, waiting until the worst possible moment was also impractical.

"Ah, to hell with it." She pulled out the potion and held it up. Then, she downed the contents. Damn it. I've been hanging around that damned Oni too much.

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

There are probably thirty or so bottles of alcohol in the cellar, all your various typical ones from wine to hard liquor. With it are seven different ones, however, that seem to have a different magic in them. Each of the seven look like this:

<snip>

Glorious, simply glorious. The cellar contained numerous varieties of alcohol, for palates of all sorts. He loaded up as much as he could, until his coat clinked with bottles. What a silly sight he must be to behold, but one who would deliver mirth and merriment to the tired and thristy warriors above! Now, for the seven bottles with something a bit more... magical...

...alas, he wouldn't be able to discern much. His Shingan allowed him to see much, but simply divining the nature and purpose of things from thin air was beyond him. He could simply do a... taste test and see what would happen, although that was perhaps... risky.

Shrugging, he loaded up the 7, making damn sure they were in the safest, most cushioned spots possible, and left the cellar, wading along like some sort of... puffed-up alcohol vendor. It didn't take him long, however, to reach the others, even at the more careful pace he had to go.

He laid out all the normal alcohol for the others to see. "Drinks, everyone! Have at it and enjoy yourselves... I, for one, would say that you have more than earned it."

With that, he turned to the Queen, and sat out the seven potions. "My lady, I couldn't help but notice that these seven in particular thrummed with a subtle magic. Quite a clever hiding place. If I may be so bold, might I know what effect each of these would have if I were to partake?"

He grinned. "I would assume that, regardless of their effects, consuming all seven at once would be... quite unpleasant, ja? Fatal, I would guess." That's how these things usually went, though he might attempt it anyway. If it snuffed out his life forever, then so be it... and if he rose from the ashes like he had for so many years, then he would do so renewed and likely enhanced. A win-win, as far as he was concerned.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Parsley watched the sword fail to channel her energy. "Very well. It's purpose is suitable enough." She fastened the scabbard around her waist, then returned the blade to that scabbard.

With that, all of her loot had been looked over. The crystal doorway and the teleportation potion would need to be tested at a later date. "Hm..." Temptation to drink the potion was growing strong. While it would have been wiser to save it for when she actually needed it, the reality of having to drink the potion and suffer whatever after-effects were attached was revealed that doing such was cumbersome and tedious. Of course, that realization could have been curiosity trying to justify doing something that her more rational and logical side knew was both foolish and impractical.

Then again, waiting until the worst possible moment was also impractical.

"Ah, to hell with it." She pulled out the potion and held it up. Then, she downed the contents. Damn it. I've been hanging around that damned Oni too much.

OT: Parsley also has the fruits.

IC:

Parsley feels nothing, then her eyes and balance seem to spin and she feels herself being jerked through space at speeds she cannot fathom.

Her sense of self and being rights itself suddenly. She is standing in a dirty alley, rain pouring down from above. It’s night out, and she can see traffic and aliens walking passed the alley entrance.

More importantly is the neon sign above a door to her right.

The Rookery.

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

Glorious, simply glorious. The cellar contained numerous varieties of alcohol, for palates of all sorts. He loaded up as much as he could, until his coat clinked with bottles. What a silly sight he must be to behold, but one who would deliver mirth and merriment to the tired and thristy warriors above! Now, for the seven bottles with something a bit more... magical...

...alas, he wouldn't be able to discern much. His Shingan allowed him to see much, but simply divining the nature and purpose of things from thin air was beyond him. He could simply do a... taste test and see what would happen, although that was perhaps... risky.

Shrugging, he loaded up the 7, making damn sure they were in the safest, most cushioned spots possible, and left the cellar, wading along like some sort of... puffed-up alcohol vendor. It didn't take him long, however, to reach the others, even at the more careful pace he had to go.

He laid out all the normal alcohol for the others to see. "Drinks, everyone! Have at it and enjoy yourselves... I, for one, would say that you have more than earned it."

With that, he turned to the Queen, and sat out the seven potions. "My lady, I couldn't help but notice that these seven in particular thrummed with a subtle magic. Quite a clever hiding place. If I may be so bold, might I know what effect each of these would have if I were to partake?"

He grinned. "I would assume that, regardless of their effects, consuming all seven at once would be... quite unpleasant, ja? Fatal, I would guess." That's how these things usually went, though he might attempt it anyway. If it snuffed out his life forever, then so be it... and if he rose from the ashes like he had for so many years, then he would do so renewed and likely enhanced. A win-win, as far as he was concerned.

Nevin nods.

“Each one grants a temporary magical effect upon your person. A single large sip grants one use. Down the whole bottle, it lasts a day. “

She smirks a bit.

“Mixing is...an interesting experience. And most can’t hold the power, or liqueur, well as it is quite strong. Four of the bottles grant an enhancement of elemental magic to your ki, though it’s different to each individual. Ice, Fire, Lightning, or shadow. The other three grant different temporary boosts: teleportation, an enhancement to ones senses, and the last enhances the durability of the drinker.”

[Tami]

The Red Amulet has an interesting spell upon it. Wearing it allows the user to......see that which is hidden ‘sideways’ within a given room, and lets you access that ‘sideways’ place.

In other words, it’s an access point to a type of side dimension attached to a room.

The blue and black ring (only one, it’s both colors) is another oddity. It allows the wearer the ability to ‘read’ any written language as if it were your native tongue.

The ten crystals seem to each be a combination of lodestones for ritual spell work and either amplifiers or, essentially, magical batteries that can be filled with magic and used at a later date to add oomph to your spells.

The crystal with the skull apparatus appears to be a scrying and recording device.

After getting the tea, Dash watches Etrina, then her attention is turned to the book. "Mind if ah take a look inside that book? Ah mean, just looking can't be all that dangerous."

[MrSandman]

The following is found within the Grand Maven’s Room:

-Ten Crystals - "Lodestones/Mana Batteries. Need to be pre-charged, but can be used to add firepower to spells.....will need a design a method for carrying and use."

-One large crystal in a skull apparatus. This one hums with magical power. - "Scrying/Recording Device, likely for magical espionage. Make note to test and check for anything Maven recorded.....assuming its not Auroc porn"

-One closed and locked spell book.
-One open spell book
-One brazier/forge/oven
-About twelve different Reshlan native plants and samples for potions and spell work.
-Two pre-made potions
-One locked trunk
-About ten different books on plants, minerals, and their various works in magic and alchemy

-One blue and black stone ring - "Auto Translate ring for written information. Several possible applications when it comes to pre-historical writings."

-One red amulet - "Access to sideways plane....possible applications yet to be determined, safety of "sideways" dimension also needs to be determined. Making note to test for later."
-And other such paraphernalia and equipment.

The Red Amulet has an interesting spell upon it. Wearing it allows the user to......see that which is hidden ‘sideways’ within a given room, and lets you access that ‘sideways’ place.

In other words, it’s an access point to a type of side dimension attached to a room.

The blue and black ring (only one, it’s both colors) is another oddity. It allows the wearer the ability to ‘read’ any written language as if it were your native tongue.

The ten crystals seem to each be a combination of lodestones for ritual spell work and either amplifiers or, essentially, magical batteries that can be filled with magic and used at a later date to add oomph to your spells.

The crystal with the skull apparatus appears to be a scrying and recording device.

Etrina jotted down notes for each artifact as she inspected them into the sketchbook for later. Several of them would require more thought in their application, especially the sideways pendant. Dealing with alternate planes was always a bit of a dice roll.....she'd need to test it in a controlled enviroment.

"Ok....so far so good. None of these are malicious....not really gift material though. Lets move on to the next set...." Etrina took a sip of the tea Dash had produced and visablly cringed. "....uh.....Reshlan tea is a bit...on the strong side."

Back to the pile, this time Etrina brought over the two spell books and the locked truck. Thankfully she had the ring to assist with any translations, and started with a brief examination of the unlocked spell book before moving onto the locked one to examine what was holding it closed.

"Dash, if you could....take a look at the truck lock and give me your observations." Etrina spoke while flipping pages. "If you don't think you can open it, don't push yourself of course."

After getting the tea, Dash watches Etrina, then her attention is turned to the book. "Mind if ah take a look inside that book? Ah mean, just looking can't be all that dangerous."

"You'd be surprised actually....the written word is a very dangerous conduit for some forces. Afterall, this planet was nearly blown up by some runes drawn on the ground....correct?" Etrina chuckled. "Let me gift it a look over to determine the contents, and then you can take your time and give it a read while I try to unlock the other one."

[Sub-Zero MKA]

OT: Parsley also has the fruits.

IC:

Parsley feels nothing, then her eyes and balance seem to spin and she feels herself being jerked through space at speeds she cannot fathom.

Her sense of self and being rights itself suddenly. She is standing in a dirty alley, rain pouring down from above. It’s night out, and she can see traffic and aliens walking passed the alley entrance.

More importantly is the neon sign above a door to her right.

The Rookery.

Parsley, may have made a mistake. When she drank the potion, all felt as it should have. Then, a feeling of her being pulled from Reshlan to elsewhere overtook her. Before she knew it, she was in the middle of a disgusting alley in the middle of a rainy night. What the hell? Where am I? I knew I shouldn't have drunken this stupid potion!

She sighed and picked herself off the ground. It seemed she had everything with her, so at least she wasn't unarmed. However, she was on an unknown world alone, with no way of getting back. Maybe I can will myself back. Before she thought to try, a neon sign above off to the side attracted her attention.

The Rookery.

The odds were uncanny. Either some higher force willed this, or the potion was attuned to this location for some reason. She hoped, in all honesty, that it was the former. The latter meant it was of no use to her in a practical or combat sense. On the other hand, she had been presented with a golden opportunity to knock off one of the items on her shared list with Inanna. Plus, she had been getting bored just standing around. Perhaps she could learn something or see a little action. Either way, she intended on seeing this opportunity for all it was worth.

First, she ate the last of the two devil fruits she had with her to restore her strength and energy. Then, she steeled herself and stepped through the door of the Rookery.

[Tami]

Etrina jotted down notes for each artifact as she inspected them into the sketchbook for later. Several of them would require more thought in their application, especially the sideways pendant. Dealing with alternate planes was always a bit of a dice roll.....she'd need to test it in a controlled enviroment.

"Ok....so far so good. None of these are malicious....not really gift material though. Lets move on to the next set...." Etrina took a sip of the tea Dash had produced and visablly cringed. "....uh.....Reshlan tea is a bit...on the strong side."

Back to the pile, this time Etrina brought over the two spell books and the locked truck. Thankfully she had the ring to assist with any translations, and started with a brief examination of the unlocked spell book before moving onto the locked one to examine what was holding it closed.

"Dash, if you could....take a look at the truck lock and give me your observations." Etrina spoke while flipping pages. "If you don't think you can open it, don't push yourself of course."



"You'd be surprised actually....the written word is a very dangerous conduit for some forces. Afterall, this planet was nearly blown up by some runes drawn on the ground....correct?" Etrina chuckled. "Let me gift it a look over to determine the contents, and then you can take your time and give it a read while I try to unlock the other one."

"Ah, sure." she then went over to the Trunk and knelt down next to it to examine the lock. As she did, she kept her senses open. Though she wasn't technically a magic user, she did have a minor sense of elemental energies thanks to the amount of time she has spent using her armor. But mostly she was just trying to see if there were any traps as she also tired to figure out what it would take to open it.

Of course, the first thing she tried was the most obvious. tapping the lock to see if it was already open and trying to lift the lid. If that didn't work, she'd need to figure something out. Perhaps there is a key aroudn h ere somewhere, Dash thought to herself.

[Monstrous Bird of Qin, Ou Ki]

Nevin nods.

“Each one grants a temporary magical effect upon your person. A single large sip grants one use. Down the whole bottle, it lasts a day. “

She smirks a bit.

“Mixing is...an interesting experience. And most can’t hold the power, or liqueur, well as it is quite strong. Four of the bottles grant an enhancement of elemental magic to your ki, though it’s different to each individual. Ice, Fire, Lightning, or shadow. The other three grant different temporary boosts: teleportation, an enhancement to ones senses, and the last enhances the durability of the drinker.”

It was a tad disappointing that the effects were temporary, but various elemental boosts, teleportation, sensory enhancement, and increased durability were useful indeed. He'd certainly keep hold of them for a later date... perhaps he could even see what would happen if Bekon were to use them in tandem with his 'special' cooking. It may very well enhance the effects even further.

"I see, I see... thank you. They may prove useful for a rainy day, if not for myself, then for one of my friends. One in particular, Bekon, may be able to enhance the effects or duration further, I hope..." If not, then at least they'd get a tasty feast out of the experiment!

Putting away the potions, Voyavoda grabbed a bottle of rum and plopped himself down on a piece of debris. Sighing, he took a deep, long drink of it. "Ahh, now that hits the spot. Certainly takes the edge off my wife's passing and these old, tired muscles."

[Yun Lao]

Ochazuke's view of the approaching figure was unobscured, and seated there on the stone platform, his hands were intertwined before his face as he studied him.

His garb is deceptively simple, expertly fit for one of such confounding shape.

A bloodline comingled. Is this your latest play, Islay?

This amalgam of flesh and horn and scale was far too wild to be called a man, yet with a shape familiar and bearing that distinguished from the atavistic beast he'd opposed in late days. In a word, to his sensibilities, it was abject; for as much that was familiar in the aura of this creature, it was the subtle interplay therein, that seemed to indicate a number of presences therein, settled beneath a cold shroud.

"You've gotten taller," he said dryly. "Have you finally come into your own, then?"

"My own?"

It was strange not seeing Ochazuke enraged at him, or at least a part of him.

"I don't think individuality can really apply to me any more."

It was only then he realized just how weird it was being aware of your own tail. Although Rex knew it as a mere extension of his body, most of his aspect had never experienced one, feeling it gently brush against the ground.

"I... we... I dunno. It's a long story, longer depending on whose memory I'm going off of, but, regardless, the cycle between Rex and the Ogatan has been broken. I'll be the last one... for better or for worse."

[bruceleegreyhulk]

With half of it ruined, and the rest being killed about, you only manage to find about three rooms that you can explore that aren’t filled with people or debris.

The kitchens, with attached wine cellar.
The armory.
The Library.

Praxat explores the Kitchen first and goes up cleaning everything there. Then explores The Armory and cleans everything there as well. Including polishing armor and weapons she spots. She eventually makes way to The Library and starts cleaning everything there.

(Oh, so this castle does have a Library. Good, maybe I can find some paper here? Perhaps I can also do a little reading while I'm here as well) Praxat thought.

[Cthulhu_of_R'lyeh]

With Parsley being shunted off to... whereabouts unknown.

Inanna approached the Queen. Seemed the thing to do, and frankly she had some questions.

"Well... er. You." The woman said, gesturing vaguely before nodding her head in a show of respect. "I'm sure this is some manner of odd introduction all things considered, but... well. Would you happen to be versed in shiny th... er. Threshling Artifacts." To show rather than ask, the woman pulled out the tiara, and staff she'd acquired.

"Particularly these two."

[Cleric of Hell’s Brigade]

With Parsley being shunted off to... whereabouts unknown.

Inanna approached the Queen. Seemed the thing to do, and frankly she had some questions.

"Well... er. You." The woman said, gesturing vaguely before nodding her head in a show of respect. "I'm sure this is some manner of odd introduction all things considered, but... well. Would you happen to be versed in shiny th... er. Threshling Artifacts." To show rather than ask, the woman pulled out the tiara, and staff she'd acquired.

"Particularly these two."

Nevin nods.

“Lord Mantis Redmine. Master magician and former head of magical studies before the Maven took over. The staff and circlet are bonded artifacts, meant to be used as a pair. The staff has had spells of Eldritch magic cast into it, allowing for the quicker casting of powerful spells. It can also absorb magic and turn it against enemy casters. The circlet allows the wearer not only the ability to see and understand foreign Magic’s, but also allows the wearer to formulate counter Magic’s if possible.”