Yeah should have qualified everyone in the party lived. 25% of the town dying is bad but given the boss was deliberately digging up people it could have been far worse
I mean he's a Terror Knight not Existential Terror Knight
Oh don't worry, you can get there. Needs a sort of out of spec dedication to philosophy and wisdom though.
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
Holy shit, Samael's not dead. He's as surprised as anyone.
Alphaleph
The Firstiest of First
That's a double negative, you starhead.
Spectrum
Tell me a secret~
- Location
- Behind you~
Yeah, but he's about to get a shovel speech from Camila's brother...
Chapter 65
Fortunately for Samael, his weakness passed after a day of food and rest. He was extremely grateful that it had been so brief really. Even that one day of forced inactivity had been rather irritating. Admittedly getting babied by Camila hadn't been that bad, but the rest hadn't been pleasant.
They were on their way to the capital now, as fast as the donkey could go. Admittedly this wasn't very fast, but Knuckles had figured out that the beast could go for practically all day and night without trouble for a few days, so they made decent time. They arrived at the capital within a few days.
The capital of Earlsburg was named Earlsburg as well. It wasn't the biggest city in the Crowned Kingdom. In fact, it ranked at a sort of middling part. Earlsburg wasn't the most prosperous or valuable province really, and the capital reflected that in its drab and unassuming decorations.
There were two places of note. The noble road and the adventurer's road. The noble road had several rather massive and lovely mansions in what amounted to a gated community. The adventuer's road was where a lot of adventurers had retired and setup their own area. That place was where they were moving towards.
It was actually a bit cramped, though not in a way you'd expect. There were no mansions or massive buildings built for decorations. Instead there were a series of cramped buildings, walls, and training fields. The largest building was a massive tavern that dominated the center of the road. It had a large a brightly shining sign with the name 'Old Swords.'
Camila led them into there. The building had a frankly massive two story common room dotted with tables and chairs. There were mugs everywhere, and more than a few tavern girls darting around carrying food and more mugs. Despite the festive look, the atmosphere was tense and everyone was muttering. The second floor had a few dozen people and a large table they were clustered around.
Since that floor looked like where the important things were happening, they moved up the stairs. A rather bizarre looking bubble blocked the way, but Camila walked right through it, and the rest followed. Samael's ears popped as he moved through and suddenly he could hear talking. A sound barrier of some sort?
"Two towns down and the useless scouts can't find anything!" Someone was practically shouting as they entered the floor.
The large table held a map, and on it several figurines were placed here and there. Six people had gathered around it. None of them looked happy.
"Hi big brother!" Camila called out as she entered.
"Ah, Camila!" One of the men looked up from the map and grinned. "How are you doing? Are these your teammates?"
Camila's brother resembled her slightly. Only slightly though. He was a good few heads taller, and very broad. He had long black hair and was wearing a robe adorned with stars. Frankly he didn't look like a caster.
"Keep your head in the game Joseph!" One of the other men at the table barked and gave the newcomers a glare. "We're busy. Do you have information."
"Oh yes," Joseph's grin widened as he raised a finger. "You were the ones that gave the initial warning! How did you manage that? Bonnie's information was sadly low."
Everyone went silent at that, aside from Camila. The girl clapped her hands together. "Oh, our theories were right! World Bosses come from falling stars. Well, not all of them, but we did document that this one did. The data's fascinating! Did-" She stopped as she was interrupted.
"You saw the world boss?" The man that had barked interrupted them. And raised his hand to interrupt Joseph. "I'm sure it's fascinating. We don't have time for where it came from right now. We need it dead." Joseph opened his mouth, but the man continued ruthlessly. "Unless you want more towns gone."
"Point." Joseph stated quietly as he lost his smile and nodded to Camila. "I'm sorry. You have recordings I assume?" Camila nodded in response and Joseph grinned fleetingly. "Then the world boss and its abilities."
"Oh Samael fought it, so he'd know it better. They apparently are very metamorphic immediately after they land." Camila waved at Samael.
The monk gulped as everyone looked at him.
"You fought it and lived." The apparent leader of the group in the area stated flatly.
"Ah! I know you. You're Samael the monk!" Another one of the people at the table smiled as she placed him. "I'm Sariel, the leader of the Whitelights. We're quite interested in what you've been doing."
"Oh yes." A man laughed. "Now I recall where I've head that. The Blacklights are interested too."
The woman's smile dropped. "You would be."
"Do I have to duel people to get them to shut up?" The leader growled out and then rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Since we're doing introductions, I'm Ulf, leader of the Kings-crown. I've got the most experience maneuvering clans together, so I'm in charge." He snorted. "As much as everyone can be in charge. Now, the world boss. What does it do?"
Haltingly Samael began to describe his experience fighting the boss. He was sure most of the didn't quite believe him, but towards the end several people were nodding. Recounting the way it ate people and how it ripped apart the terrain was apparently enough to make them think he was telling the truth.
Ulf gave a grunt at the end. "Is it me, or does it sound weaker than most world bosses?" He asked Joseph.
Several people inhaled sharply, but Joseph nodded. "Only two elements, and crude intelligence. I'd have to research, but based on what I recall, they will change appearance and power over time. Apparently since we found this just after it landed, it hasn't been able to improve much."
"Oh, I know why!" Camila waved a hand. "It came down without any proper form and then ate a nearby dungeon." She explained happily. "The dungeon used a lot of fliers and earth type creatures. It likely assimilated their abilities."
"Girl, I don't know how, but you've just made me more terrified." Ulf replied bluntly, and scoffed at the questioning looks. "If it's taking attributes of dungeons, what happens when it eats people?!"
Everyone paled at that. Joseph waved a hand in dismissal. "Ah, you don't need to worry about that." He paused and looked a bit trouble. "Well, not much. We have had examples of world bosses that have eaten humans for years. Admittedly very old examples, but they weren't extremely intelligent."
"Still makes me shudder." Ulf shook his head and glared around the room. "No one else hears about this. If they think it's 'weak' for a world boss, they'll be idiots!"
Everyone nodded at that and Ulf grunted in approval.
"I'll work on setting up a prediction matrix." Joseph offered.
"Good. Once we have that, then we can plan more. As is I have to have half a dozen elite teams in various areas just in hopes we can pin it down." Ulf glared at the map. "Everyone else file out! We're taking a break!"
They were on their way to the capital now, as fast as the donkey could go. Admittedly this wasn't very fast, but Knuckles had figured out that the beast could go for practically all day and night without trouble for a few days, so they made decent time. They arrived at the capital within a few days.
The capital of Earlsburg was named Earlsburg as well. It wasn't the biggest city in the Crowned Kingdom. In fact, it ranked at a sort of middling part. Earlsburg wasn't the most prosperous or valuable province really, and the capital reflected that in its drab and unassuming decorations.
There were two places of note. The noble road and the adventurer's road. The noble road had several rather massive and lovely mansions in what amounted to a gated community. The adventuer's road was where a lot of adventurers had retired and setup their own area. That place was where they were moving towards.
It was actually a bit cramped, though not in a way you'd expect. There were no mansions or massive buildings built for decorations. Instead there were a series of cramped buildings, walls, and training fields. The largest building was a massive tavern that dominated the center of the road. It had a large a brightly shining sign with the name 'Old Swords.'
Camila led them into there. The building had a frankly massive two story common room dotted with tables and chairs. There were mugs everywhere, and more than a few tavern girls darting around carrying food and more mugs. Despite the festive look, the atmosphere was tense and everyone was muttering. The second floor had a few dozen people and a large table they were clustered around.
Since that floor looked like where the important things were happening, they moved up the stairs. A rather bizarre looking bubble blocked the way, but Camila walked right through it, and the rest followed. Samael's ears popped as he moved through and suddenly he could hear talking. A sound barrier of some sort?
"Two towns down and the useless scouts can't find anything!" Someone was practically shouting as they entered the floor.
The large table held a map, and on it several figurines were placed here and there. Six people had gathered around it. None of them looked happy.
"Hi big brother!" Camila called out as she entered.
"Ah, Camila!" One of the men looked up from the map and grinned. "How are you doing? Are these your teammates?"
Camila's brother resembled her slightly. Only slightly though. He was a good few heads taller, and very broad. He had long black hair and was wearing a robe adorned with stars. Frankly he didn't look like a caster.
"Keep your head in the game Joseph!" One of the other men at the table barked and gave the newcomers a glare. "We're busy. Do you have information."
"Oh yes," Joseph's grin widened as he raised a finger. "You were the ones that gave the initial warning! How did you manage that? Bonnie's information was sadly low."
Everyone went silent at that, aside from Camila. The girl clapped her hands together. "Oh, our theories were right! World Bosses come from falling stars. Well, not all of them, but we did document that this one did. The data's fascinating! Did-" She stopped as she was interrupted.
"You saw the world boss?" The man that had barked interrupted them. And raised his hand to interrupt Joseph. "I'm sure it's fascinating. We don't have time for where it came from right now. We need it dead." Joseph opened his mouth, but the man continued ruthlessly. "Unless you want more towns gone."
"Point." Joseph stated quietly as he lost his smile and nodded to Camila. "I'm sorry. You have recordings I assume?" Camila nodded in response and Joseph grinned fleetingly. "Then the world boss and its abilities."
"Oh Samael fought it, so he'd know it better. They apparently are very metamorphic immediately after they land." Camila waved at Samael.
The monk gulped as everyone looked at him.
"You fought it and lived." The apparent leader of the group in the area stated flatly.
"Ah! I know you. You're Samael the monk!" Another one of the people at the table smiled as she placed him. "I'm Sariel, the leader of the Whitelights. We're quite interested in what you've been doing."
"Oh yes." A man laughed. "Now I recall where I've head that. The Blacklights are interested too."
The woman's smile dropped. "You would be."
"Do I have to duel people to get them to shut up?" The leader growled out and then rubbed at the bridge of his nose. "Since we're doing introductions, I'm Ulf, leader of the Kings-crown. I've got the most experience maneuvering clans together, so I'm in charge." He snorted. "As much as everyone can be in charge. Now, the world boss. What does it do?"
Haltingly Samael began to describe his experience fighting the boss. He was sure most of the didn't quite believe him, but towards the end several people were nodding. Recounting the way it ate people and how it ripped apart the terrain was apparently enough to make them think he was telling the truth.
Ulf gave a grunt at the end. "Is it me, or does it sound weaker than most world bosses?" He asked Joseph.
Several people inhaled sharply, but Joseph nodded. "Only two elements, and crude intelligence. I'd have to research, but based on what I recall, they will change appearance and power over time. Apparently since we found this just after it landed, it hasn't been able to improve much."
"Oh, I know why!" Camila waved a hand. "It came down without any proper form and then ate a nearby dungeon." She explained happily. "The dungeon used a lot of fliers and earth type creatures. It likely assimilated their abilities."
"Girl, I don't know how, but you've just made me more terrified." Ulf replied bluntly, and scoffed at the questioning looks. "If it's taking attributes of dungeons, what happens when it eats people?!"
Everyone paled at that. Joseph waved a hand in dismissal. "Ah, you don't need to worry about that." He paused and looked a bit trouble. "Well, not much. We have had examples of world bosses that have eaten humans for years. Admittedly very old examples, but they weren't extremely intelligent."
"Still makes me shudder." Ulf shook his head and glared around the room. "No one else hears about this. If they think it's 'weak' for a world boss, they'll be idiots!"
Everyone nodded at that and Ulf grunted in approval.
"I'll work on setting up a prediction matrix." Joseph offered.
"Good. Once we have that, then we can plan more. As is I have to have half a dozen elite teams in various areas just in hopes we can pin it down." Ulf glared at the map. "Everyone else file out! We're taking a break!"
gatewaewanderer
Wandering Fool
- Location
- East Coast, USA
Yeah... 'Weak for a World Boss,' still sounds stronger than most Dungeon Boss monsters, and probably still stronger than just about any Titled or group of Titled (maybe even full Guild, ) that currently exist in the setting. And it's not likely to stay at it's current strength either.
GiftOfLove
From the Heart
Not gonna mention breathfinding?
- Pronouns
- It/Its
presumably that was covered here:
It just didn't bear explicit mention after, though it might be one of the reasons people were noting it seemed weaker than normal.
owrtho
- Location
- Elsewhere
I've got the most experience
You know, if Astrologers can predict where world bosses might land then somehow I think they might just become a really highly sought after class for kingdoms.
...
Okay... Now that we know that at least some stars falling contain world bosses, what does that mean for all the stars that fall in areas people can't get too? Are there regions that are relatively full of World Bosses? Because that would be terrifying.
...
Okay... Now that we know that at least some stars falling contain world bosses, what does that mean for all the stars that fall in areas people can't get too? Are there regions that are relatively full of World Bosses? Because that would be terrifying.
Not exactly. More found a way to make dieing not stick.
Spectrum
Tell me a secret~
- Location
- Behind you~
BRB, fighting a world boss
Or uh anything that'll get me in traction for a bit
Talking to Camila tends to have that effect.
Chapter 66
"Camila, do you want to come with me while I do the prediction matrixes?" Joseph asked as they made their way down the stairs.
"I'd love to! I'm still working on them myself. It's one thing to do the stars, but to do a world boss?" The girl smiled widely as she nodded rapidly.
"I'll get us rooms here?" Knuckles half asked and half stated.
Joseph nodded in response. "There should be a few available. Most of the other clans have a building or two they maintain here, so there's more room than you'd think."
"I suppose I will see about finding a few shaman contacts." Seonag contributed quietly as she adjusted her mask.
Samael rapidly found himself left alone inside the tavern as his party moved off to do their own things. He chuckled to himself and shook his head. He figured they were due for a bit of a break anyway. Maybe he should check out the church?
"Hey!" The clan leader of the Whitelights came up to him with a grin. "Samael! You have a moment?"
"I apparently do." The monk muttered as he nodded.
"Good, good." Sariel slapped his shoulder and waved him out of the tavern. "We got a few rumors going on about you lying about the whole world boss fight." She lowered her voice. "Normally I'd ignore them, but it's not good for morale at the moment."
Samael kept his voice low as he followed the woman. "And what do you expect me to do about it?"
"Well, basically survive." Sariel gave him a fleeting smile in return as they moved to a very close training area.
"What do you mean survive?!" Samael shot back and then stumbled briefly as the woman pushed him into the sandy area that was the dueling ring.
Inside was a muscled man wearing chains around his arms and a pair of pants, and not much else. His hair was cropped short and he was covered in scars of all sorts. Sampson had been larger, but not by much. An axe almost as large as him was resting against his side.
"This is a spar to unconsciousness or inability to fight." Sariel stated loudly to the gathering crowd. "There are no stakes involved, merely a test of skill. I am offering my services to restore the contestants to full health. As Sariel, the High Priest of the Whitelights my healing skills are second to none, and I can restore anything short of death."
"I witness this duel as Asmo the High Priest of the Blacklights. Any who would interrupt or dispute the validity of their skills will answer to me." Another man came up and stated. "Please declare yourselves."
Samael glanced around the forming crowd and at the two who had started this duel and then swallowed. He wasn't completely sure what was going on, but it did seem important at least. He evened out his breathing and tried to calm his suddenly racing heart.
"I am Damon the Berserker." The man in front of Samael stated simply.
Despite the simple statement, the crowd quieted and more than a few people started motioning to others. Samael heard more than a few people whispering something about elite. The monk chuckled quietly to himself. Of course the man was elite. That was just his luck.
"I am Samael the Monk." The man got into his stance and grinned widely. "Let's see how I match up."
People ran out of the tavern and into the watching crowd as the two eyed each other. Very slowly Damon reached out and grabbed the axe by his side and gripped it hard.
"On your mark Adventurers." Sariel intoned quietly.
Samael barely saw Damon move. One moment he was gripping the axe at his side and the next he was practically in front of the monk with the weapon upraised. Samael had been expecting this sort of speed though. Sampson had displayed the sort of power and speed an elite had quite well.
The monk twisted around the downward strike and his leg went up and around. It spun and cracked into the berserker's side. Samael had expected to be a lot like hitting Sampson had been, but instead his strike staggered the other man.
For a moment Samael wondered if he had overestimated the elite he had been hearing, but then he remembered the horrible truth of berserkers in general. He immediately backpedaled as Damon recovered from his strike.
The axe wasn't visible as it swung again. The sand several beneath it blew up into the air in its wake though, and for a brief moment Damon was obscured. Samael clapped his hands together on instinct and intuition and heard more than saw the next strike as it caused an audible crack against the barrier grace gave.
Damon paused a moment, and Samael could see him again. His muscles had expanded, his veins were practically visible as they pulsed with blood. His eyes were practically glowing with rage, and his lips had pulled back into a parody of a grin. Berserkers grew stronger from damage. They thrived on it. The ultimate battle junkies, and both feared and prized. An elite berserker could solo elite bosses if they didn't care about their life afterwards.
The axe blurred again, this time between breaths. Samael dropped to the ground and then kicked up and towards his enemy. He couldn't let the man use the range on the weapon. A chain covered fist attempted to smack him in return, but the punch lacked the polish of the man's axe swings and was easily avoided.
Samael's fist cracked into Damon's stomach. Another strike hit his leg, and then Samael slammed his palm into Damon's center mass. Gold cracks rippled around the impact points and there was a moment of stillness.
The berserker screamed. Not in pain though. His body seemed to increase even more, and the pupils in his eyes disappeared. He slammed his axe haft into the ground and it hit with the force of an explosion. Samael was thrown back in a tumble.
He couldn't dodge the next strike. It came on with the same blurring speed from his left side, aimed to hit his hip and would likely practically hack him in half. Blocking a blade with a hand was suicide, but he could do something else. He grabbed the sides of the blade with desperate strength and let the berserker's own strike throw him to the side.
Spinning through the air, Samael exhaled and clapped once more. The air around him rippled, and Damon's follow up strike was knocked back again. He landed on his feet just in time to see another strike. This one hitting his would hit his shoulder.
No blocking this time. No dodging. The blade sunk through his iron skin and shattered the bone beneath it, brutalizing half his body. Samael grit his teeth and slammed his working hand into the golden cracks on Damon's leg in return. The leg shattered, but the man barely seemed to notice as he brutally ripped the axe out in a shower of blood.
Samael watched the axe move up and ready itself to move down again. Part of him marveled that the next strike wouldn't be lethal. Even in the midst of his rage Damon was controlling himself. He could stop here. He had proved himself.
That wasn't his way though. Samael reached for the peace and faith inside himself and let it fill him as he dropped to the ground deliberately. He watched the axe speed down.
"We grasp Salvation." And he caught it.
"I'd love to! I'm still working on them myself. It's one thing to do the stars, but to do a world boss?" The girl smiled widely as she nodded rapidly.
"I'll get us rooms here?" Knuckles half asked and half stated.
Joseph nodded in response. "There should be a few available. Most of the other clans have a building or two they maintain here, so there's more room than you'd think."
"I suppose I will see about finding a few shaman contacts." Seonag contributed quietly as she adjusted her mask.
Samael rapidly found himself left alone inside the tavern as his party moved off to do their own things. He chuckled to himself and shook his head. He figured they were due for a bit of a break anyway. Maybe he should check out the church?
"Hey!" The clan leader of the Whitelights came up to him with a grin. "Samael! You have a moment?"
"I apparently do." The monk muttered as he nodded.
"Good, good." Sariel slapped his shoulder and waved him out of the tavern. "We got a few rumors going on about you lying about the whole world boss fight." She lowered her voice. "Normally I'd ignore them, but it's not good for morale at the moment."
Samael kept his voice low as he followed the woman. "And what do you expect me to do about it?"
"Well, basically survive." Sariel gave him a fleeting smile in return as they moved to a very close training area.
"What do you mean survive?!" Samael shot back and then stumbled briefly as the woman pushed him into the sandy area that was the dueling ring.
Inside was a muscled man wearing chains around his arms and a pair of pants, and not much else. His hair was cropped short and he was covered in scars of all sorts. Sampson had been larger, but not by much. An axe almost as large as him was resting against his side.
"This is a spar to unconsciousness or inability to fight." Sariel stated loudly to the gathering crowd. "There are no stakes involved, merely a test of skill. I am offering my services to restore the contestants to full health. As Sariel, the High Priest of the Whitelights my healing skills are second to none, and I can restore anything short of death."
"I witness this duel as Asmo the High Priest of the Blacklights. Any who would interrupt or dispute the validity of their skills will answer to me." Another man came up and stated. "Please declare yourselves."
Samael glanced around the forming crowd and at the two who had started this duel and then swallowed. He wasn't completely sure what was going on, but it did seem important at least. He evened out his breathing and tried to calm his suddenly racing heart.
"I am Damon the Berserker." The man in front of Samael stated simply.
Despite the simple statement, the crowd quieted and more than a few people started motioning to others. Samael heard more than a few people whispering something about elite. The monk chuckled quietly to himself. Of course the man was elite. That was just his luck.
"I am Samael the Monk." The man got into his stance and grinned widely. "Let's see how I match up."
People ran out of the tavern and into the watching crowd as the two eyed each other. Very slowly Damon reached out and grabbed the axe by his side and gripped it hard.
"On your mark Adventurers." Sariel intoned quietly.
Samael barely saw Damon move. One moment he was gripping the axe at his side and the next he was practically in front of the monk with the weapon upraised. Samael had been expecting this sort of speed though. Sampson had displayed the sort of power and speed an elite had quite well.
The monk twisted around the downward strike and his leg went up and around. It spun and cracked into the berserker's side. Samael had expected to be a lot like hitting Sampson had been, but instead his strike staggered the other man.
For a moment Samael wondered if he had overestimated the elite he had been hearing, but then he remembered the horrible truth of berserkers in general. He immediately backpedaled as Damon recovered from his strike.
The axe wasn't visible as it swung again. The sand several beneath it blew up into the air in its wake though, and for a brief moment Damon was obscured. Samael clapped his hands together on instinct and intuition and heard more than saw the next strike as it caused an audible crack against the barrier grace gave.
Damon paused a moment, and Samael could see him again. His muscles had expanded, his veins were practically visible as they pulsed with blood. His eyes were practically glowing with rage, and his lips had pulled back into a parody of a grin. Berserkers grew stronger from damage. They thrived on it. The ultimate battle junkies, and both feared and prized. An elite berserker could solo elite bosses if they didn't care about their life afterwards.
The axe blurred again, this time between breaths. Samael dropped to the ground and then kicked up and towards his enemy. He couldn't let the man use the range on the weapon. A chain covered fist attempted to smack him in return, but the punch lacked the polish of the man's axe swings and was easily avoided.
Samael's fist cracked into Damon's stomach. Another strike hit his leg, and then Samael slammed his palm into Damon's center mass. Gold cracks rippled around the impact points and there was a moment of stillness.
The berserker screamed. Not in pain though. His body seemed to increase even more, and the pupils in his eyes disappeared. He slammed his axe haft into the ground and it hit with the force of an explosion. Samael was thrown back in a tumble.
He couldn't dodge the next strike. It came on with the same blurring speed from his left side, aimed to hit his hip and would likely practically hack him in half. Blocking a blade with a hand was suicide, but he could do something else. He grabbed the sides of the blade with desperate strength and let the berserker's own strike throw him to the side.
Spinning through the air, Samael exhaled and clapped once more. The air around him rippled, and Damon's follow up strike was knocked back again. He landed on his feet just in time to see another strike. This one hitting his would hit his shoulder.
No blocking this time. No dodging. The blade sunk through his iron skin and shattered the bone beneath it, brutalizing half his body. Samael grit his teeth and slammed his working hand into the golden cracks on Damon's leg in return. The leg shattered, but the man barely seemed to notice as he brutally ripped the axe out in a shower of blood.
Samael watched the axe move up and ready itself to move down again. Part of him marveled that the next strike wouldn't be lethal. Even in the midst of his rage Damon was controlling himself. He could stop here. He had proved himself.
That wasn't his way though. Samael reached for the peace and faith inside himself and let it fill him as he dropped to the ground deliberately. He watched the axe speed down.
"We grasp Salvation." And he caught it.
And axes apparently.
Unfortunately inner peace is probably difficult while beserking.
GiftOfLove
From the Heart
Maybe not faith and devotion, though.
Chapter 67
Samael woke up with a gasp and blinked up at the clear sky. For a moment he was confused as to what had happened. Then he spotted Sariel looking down at him clinically. She bent over and pulled up at his eyelid. After a moment she nodded.
"Looking healthy. Good, head wounds are tricky sometimes." The woman offered her hand to the monk.
He grabbed it with a look of confusion on his face and let himself be pulled up. "What happened? Last I remember was fighting the Damon." Samael glanced around the slowly dissolving crowd. He couldn't see his opponent either.
"You sir, got your ass handed to you after that spectacular heal of yours." Asmo chimed in from the side. "I'd offer to have you join our clan from that alone, but I'm afraid you'd spontaneously combust." He chuckled at the look Sariel gave him.
"Any pain? Loss of recent memory is common with head wounds, but he didn't do enough damage to really cause serious trouble." Sariel circled the monk once and frowned.
Samael looked down at himself as well. If anything he looked too clean. There was no blood on his body. "Nothing."
"Whew, good. Berserker fights always make me a bit worried." The woman smiled softly.
"Everything makes you worried." Asmo stated with an airy wave.
Sariel glared at Asmo. "I'm not speaking to you."
"Well, you were the one that threw him into the pit, so I suppose it's natural to worry about the consequences from that." Asmo stated with a grin and stepped back to avoid his feet being stomped.
"You heard the rumors as well as I did!" Sariel exclaimed and just missed stomping on Asmo's feet again.
"Rumors?" Samael interjected before the two could continue to fight.
"Standard brawler rumors really. That monks were just a surface level change. That they're barely much better." Asmo snorted and eyed Samael up and down speculatively. "Obviously that fight removed the problem."
"Yes, obviously." The monk replied dryly and gave a suddenly guilty looking Sariel a look.
"Hey, Damon is Elite, he's one of the best choices I had!" The woman protested loudly. A few people glanced at her and then looked away as Asmo glanced back. "No one could accuse him of holding back."
"Yes, people got their blood sport, and a monk proved himself a mighty combatant. Neatly done." Asmo nodded at his compatriot. "I know I'm looking forward to finding a few good ones for my clan."
Sariel nodded with a wide smile at Samael. "Oh yes, I have to thank you for showing off in your fight. Such a spectacular display of faith." The woman beamed at the monk. Asmo made gagging motions behind her back.
Samael was torn between amusement and outrage at the movement. Sariel seemed to notice something was off in his expression though, and whipped her head around to catch the man mid gesture. She made a gesture and a flash of light just missed the man as he yelped.
"Really, resorting to violence?" Asmo spat out quickly.
"Since you seem intent on mocking me." Sariel growled out and then grit her teeth. "No, you're not worth the trouble."
The man pouted in reply. "That's cold."
Twitching Sariel took a deep breath. "Moving on! The Whitelights and the…" She shot Asmo a glare. "The Blacklights will likely be recruiting anyone with your title that shows talent."
Samael nodded slowly in reply. "Thank you I suppose?" He gave a shrug. "It's not like I control them though."
"You are one of the first and will likely teach though." Asmo pointed out as he moved back in range, though he notably avoided being next to Sariel.
"Point." The monk muttered.
"Now we just have to address the other rumor." Sariel grimaced as she spoke.
Asmo seemed to sober up there. "The only way it's going to be eliminated is by blood."
"I'm afraid to ask." Samael responded after a moment of silence.
"Monks are being blamed for summoning the world boss." Sariel stated bluntly. "There's not much you can do about it, but understand you have our support at the moment."
Samael's mouth dropped as he processed the statement. "You're serious. What in heaven's name is wrong with them?"
"It's not something that you can really dispute." Asmo pointed out reasonably. "It's bullshit, but the best lies are those that have just enough that you can believe. You and your new title are a nice shiny new target."
The monk cursed and tried to think on the matter. "Just a rumor right now right?"
"Yes." Sariel stated simply. "Not even a loud one, but it's growing."
Samael grit his teeth and thought more. Unfortunately he couldn't think up anything that could dispute the rumor. Even Camila's recording only showed the World Boss coming down and hitting the dungeon. People could argue that this had been it gathering power.
What if it was right? The boss had come down just nearby him. No, they had been chasing the star.
"Listen. It doesn't matter what evidence you have." Asmo advised quietly. "Ignore the rumor and volunteer to fight the World Boss. The Starseekers have a very good reputation, and will not be inclined to let something that stupid linger."
"We have a vested interest in keeping the monk title vibrant and working, so we'll be squashing what few rumors we have heard." Sariel added just as quietly.
"I think I need to think on this more." Samael finally stated as he moved towards the tavern.
"Stay safe." Sariel called out as he left.
"Looking healthy. Good, head wounds are tricky sometimes." The woman offered her hand to the monk.
He grabbed it with a look of confusion on his face and let himself be pulled up. "What happened? Last I remember was fighting the Damon." Samael glanced around the slowly dissolving crowd. He couldn't see his opponent either.
"You sir, got your ass handed to you after that spectacular heal of yours." Asmo chimed in from the side. "I'd offer to have you join our clan from that alone, but I'm afraid you'd spontaneously combust." He chuckled at the look Sariel gave him.
"Any pain? Loss of recent memory is common with head wounds, but he didn't do enough damage to really cause serious trouble." Sariel circled the monk once and frowned.
Samael looked down at himself as well. If anything he looked too clean. There was no blood on his body. "Nothing."
"Whew, good. Berserker fights always make me a bit worried." The woman smiled softly.
"Everything makes you worried." Asmo stated with an airy wave.
Sariel glared at Asmo. "I'm not speaking to you."
"Well, you were the one that threw him into the pit, so I suppose it's natural to worry about the consequences from that." Asmo stated with a grin and stepped back to avoid his feet being stomped.
"You heard the rumors as well as I did!" Sariel exclaimed and just missed stomping on Asmo's feet again.
"Rumors?" Samael interjected before the two could continue to fight.
"Standard brawler rumors really. That monks were just a surface level change. That they're barely much better." Asmo snorted and eyed Samael up and down speculatively. "Obviously that fight removed the problem."
"Yes, obviously." The monk replied dryly and gave a suddenly guilty looking Sariel a look.
"Hey, Damon is Elite, he's one of the best choices I had!" The woman protested loudly. A few people glanced at her and then looked away as Asmo glanced back. "No one could accuse him of holding back."
"Yes, people got their blood sport, and a monk proved himself a mighty combatant. Neatly done." Asmo nodded at his compatriot. "I know I'm looking forward to finding a few good ones for my clan."
Sariel nodded with a wide smile at Samael. "Oh yes, I have to thank you for showing off in your fight. Such a spectacular display of faith." The woman beamed at the monk. Asmo made gagging motions behind her back.
Samael was torn between amusement and outrage at the movement. Sariel seemed to notice something was off in his expression though, and whipped her head around to catch the man mid gesture. She made a gesture and a flash of light just missed the man as he yelped.
"Really, resorting to violence?" Asmo spat out quickly.
"Since you seem intent on mocking me." Sariel growled out and then grit her teeth. "No, you're not worth the trouble."
The man pouted in reply. "That's cold."
Twitching Sariel took a deep breath. "Moving on! The Whitelights and the…" She shot Asmo a glare. "The Blacklights will likely be recruiting anyone with your title that shows talent."
Samael nodded slowly in reply. "Thank you I suppose?" He gave a shrug. "It's not like I control them though."
"You are one of the first and will likely teach though." Asmo pointed out as he moved back in range, though he notably avoided being next to Sariel.
"Point." The monk muttered.
"Now we just have to address the other rumor." Sariel grimaced as she spoke.
Asmo seemed to sober up there. "The only way it's going to be eliminated is by blood."
"I'm afraid to ask." Samael responded after a moment of silence.
"Monks are being blamed for summoning the world boss." Sariel stated bluntly. "There's not much you can do about it, but understand you have our support at the moment."
Samael's mouth dropped as he processed the statement. "You're serious. What in heaven's name is wrong with them?"
"It's not something that you can really dispute." Asmo pointed out reasonably. "It's bullshit, but the best lies are those that have just enough that you can believe. You and your new title are a nice shiny new target."
The monk cursed and tried to think on the matter. "Just a rumor right now right?"
"Yes." Sariel stated simply. "Not even a loud one, but it's growing."
Samael grit his teeth and thought more. Unfortunately he couldn't think up anything that could dispute the rumor. Even Camila's recording only showed the World Boss coming down and hitting the dungeon. People could argue that this had been it gathering power.
What if it was right? The boss had come down just nearby him. No, they had been chasing the star.
"Listen. It doesn't matter what evidence you have." Asmo advised quietly. "Ignore the rumor and volunteer to fight the World Boss. The Starseekers have a very good reputation, and will not be inclined to let something that stupid linger."
"We have a vested interest in keeping the monk title vibrant and working, so we'll be squashing what few rumors we have heard." Sariel added just as quietly.
"I think I need to think on this more." Samael finally stated as he moved towards the tavern.
"Stay safe." Sariel called out as he left.
Winged One
Not the Simurgh
- Location
- definitely the ground
- Pronouns
- They/Them/It
...seriously? That aristocratic piece of shit(but I repeat myself) is doing this now?
I'm surprised they didn't take the opportunity to grill him about his Skills since they are brand new and faith based. I imagine other melee holy classes could potentially integrate pieces of them or use them for inspiration
@Lost Star Do you have a list of the different Titles you draw from that you created already or do you make them up as needed?
@Lost Star Do you have a list of the different Titles you draw from that you created already or do you make them up as needed?
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I tend to make them up as needed.
- Pronouns
- It/Its
Gotta say, the byplay between Sariel and Asmo is great. Also, I can't help but infer some degree of affection between them in how they interact despite their difference in views on faith. They kinda feel like either an old married couple, or maybe just dating but with a heavy amount of tsun, and probably secrecy, involved.
owrtho
They're actually Exes of each other. They have an on and off again relationship that's the stuff of legends. At least between their clans.