Forest Of Death; Demonwoods [RAEL]

[Moon]

(GM)

---

Three beings stare at you. While each is different, they share a common look - like plant-life, as if the Forest of Death which surrounds you could give itself vine bodies to act through.

You have been wandering this entangled maze of forest for days, lost and tired, fleeing the dangerous beasts that give the area its intimidating title all the while searching for the key to your own fate. There are rumors that deep in the Forest of Death there is a path to a certain place, a place demons call home.

You wish to know what type of demon you are; the three beings watching you from the shadow of a great gnarled tree want to know the same thing. They do not attack and do not seem prepared to - in truth they are like little trees themselves and find movement of any kind all but unbearable. But to you they seem willing to speak, appreciative of your ghostly ways and the comfort with which you have entered their Demonwoods.

They speak to you all at the same time. With one voice.

"We cannot allow you through the Demon Gate."

They say together, explaining nothing.

...Demon...Gate...?

---

[1] 72 hr IIC.

[2] Death Enabled.

[3] Post Techniques Only On The Turn They Become Relevant.

[4] Current Objective(s): Discover What The Demon Gate Is, Discover How This Leads to a Connection to your own Demon Heritage, Bonus: Remember How You Got Here

[Necromancer of the West]

Ragged breathes were all that I could here now. With my head pulsating with pain, seeing was becoming more of a chore. I slumped down to the forest grounds, arms dangling by my side as tried to gaze towards the hidden sun to see how late it was getting. My eyes were heavily, wanting to drift into slumber. I have been chased, attacked and mauled by these damned forsaken monsters people call creatures. I looked down at my clothing, seeing them torn to shreds. My cloak was long gone, used as a distraction to blind and confuse a rabid bear.  The velvet material that made up my ivory black shirt had claws mark, showing my deathly pale skin, marred now with small lines of wounds. I tried my best to heal most of the injuries, but my chakra was thinning and my last technique took a bit of toil. The dead soul technique always came in handy for a person like himself. There was a beast, feline in design, lurking a few meters behind me, given orders to attack anything that strikes me.

I thought to myself, how the hell did I voluntarily end up in this hell hole? I wanted to laugh with ironic mirth. Curiosity and the need for answers were why I was in this predicament. I tried to pry my own mind, but only got fuzzy memories of the event. At this point, I did laugh, I laughed at my own dismay. My own mind has been fucked with once more. It seemed as if the most vital pieces that I needed to know was always shrouded. I turned my gaze back to the reality of things and tried to inspect the environment.

Eyes still weary, the vines around my form seemed to, move? It was if they had their own life force guiding, no, forcing them to move. Was there someone one around that I could not sense? I was in no shape to start another fight. My reserves of chakra were fairly low, only about 1/4 left, if that. I bit my lips enough to draw a dribble of blood. My snarky grin was not present, but a more pursed lips and brows look. I focused my eyes in front of me, where the wavering plant life seemed to come from. I was going to speak up to the plant-like beings, but their voices spoke out before mine did, in unison, they merely said, "We cannot allow you through the demon gate."

Mouth still agape, words still on my tongue, my mind became confused once more. ''Demon gate' Those two words echoed in my mind. Was that what was shrouded from my mind? I could not tell, but the next word that came out of my mouth was rather dumb. "What?" I lamely fumbled that lone word out, getting antsy at the lack of conversation. There was a reason why I talked all the time, it was unsettling to hear silence. A slight growl could be heard from my 'pet' in the forest a few meters away. At least I have some sort of protection.

---

Passive Traits:

SPOILER: Click to show

Eidetic Memory
Rank: "C"
Skill: Heritage Trait
Effect: A few rare humans have perfect recall, allowing them to remember minor details from an event that others have long forgotten.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: They gain +5 heritage bonus to all Skill Category 3 Skill checks. User gains a +10 heritage bonus on Observation checks to detect a disguise. The user also gains a +1 Racial bonus to Die Rolls pertaining to Skill Category 3 Skills. If they have any questions about an event, such as a person’s name or exactly what happened, their Game Master must tell them the details (even if the character’s player has forgotten them). They cannot remember extremely fine details, such as the text of a book left open on a desk, but they can remember the general gist of the book or the topic the passage covered. They always remember faces, names, and the basic sequence of events. User is able to memorize 1 additional formula per 5 points Alchemy. This trait replaces 1 Freebies.
Limit: Must start with Character; replaces 1 Freebies.

Classically Schooled
Rank: "C"
Skill: Chakra Trait
Effect: User's apprenticeship or early education was particularly focused on the direct application of Chakra.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User gains a +5 Trait Bonus on Chakra Lore, Necromantic Lore, and Ritual Lore, and these 3 Jutsu Lore Skills are given 1 extra die roll each time the user learns the skill. This trait replaces 1 Freebies.
Limit: Must start with Character; replaces 1 Freebies.

Master Illusionist
Rank: "C"
Skill: Regional Trait
Effect: User is very familiar with illusions.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User gains a +1 trait bonus to their own GenJutsus against others and a +1 trait bonus to their saves in order to disbelieve GenJutsu. This trait replaces 1 Freebies.
Limit: Must start with Character; replaces 1 Freebies.

Unintentional Linguist
Rank: "C"
Skill: Social Trait
Effect: User can speak with outsiders.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: User gains a +5 trait bonus on all Language checks, gain a +1 per die roll when learning the skill, and begin play knowing one of the following languages: Abyssal, Celestial, Ignan, Infernal, or Terran. This trait replaces 1 Freebies.
Limit: Must start with Character; replaces 1 Freebies.

[Moon]

(GM)

---

Each of the three beings stares off in a different direction in response to you; the smallest looks forward, directly at you, holding up his hand - inside of it is something you can't make out, an object of some kind, perhaps paper. He says

"I can allow the deathless through the demon gate tomorrow."

Too quickly after the words are spoken, the tallest of them responds with a gruffness that briefly overshadows his smaller companion. Like a dense barking, he snarls, lifting up his hands as well, but he looks down at the ground as if mesmerized.

"I can allow the deathless through the demon gate today."

The mid-height tree-thing, stockiest of the bunch, looks back, behind the trio, at the Forest of Death itself, slowly inhaling in a strange sputtering cough-cough-cough that subsided for him to all but whisper


"I can allow the deathless through the demon gate yesterday."

He too holds something in his hand that seems like paper, an offering to you from the group that makes their next words all the more puzzling. They speak in unison once more, but you think you hear special emphasis this time; you listen -

"We cannot allow you through the Demon Gate."

What are they holding? What do they mean?

---

[1] Current Objective(s): Discover What The Demon Gate Is, Discover How This Leads to a Connection to your own Demon Heritage, Bonus: Remember How You Got Here [SUCCESS!] (+1 Untyped Karma)

[Necromancer of the West]

One word to describe such an oddity was, well, odd. The response, or responses, from the plant-man, things, was one I did not expect. Still on the ground, I focused on what the plant who spoke up first said, which was the smallest of the three. 'I can allow the deathless through the demon gate tomorrow.' Well I was alive, so I could be the deathless it was describing. From his position, he tried to peer at the object it held out.(Observation is 50) With the attempt to read what the object said or looked like. I pushed it to the back of my mind and focused on the lankiest of the bunch. It was strange, how it barked and snarled at me with almost the same message, but only a slight difference in wording.

'I can allow the deathless through the demon gate today.' At this point I knew they had to be talking about me, but the middle one was more transfixed on the ground than my presence. What was his game? And why was he looking so intently to the ground. But I noticed he also put his hand out, but this hand lacked anything in it. I was confused by such display between the first two treefolk men. But what did they mean by tomorrow and today?

'I can allow the deathless through the demon gate yesterday' This was said by the bulkier of the three, and it said his words with all but a whisper. The action of the plant was more of a gesture, with its hand out, also with an object in its hand. The last sentence was the same as the first, 'We cannot allow you through the demon gate' I did not know if it was my tired mind, or it was the influx of the mixture of the three voices. The timidness of the first was like a child, the gruffness of the first was like a man, and the third sounded like an elderly, getting ill and unable to speak properly. But there was an emphasis on 'we'.

Was this all a game to them? Was I being played with once again? I snarled, eyebrows furrowed in slight agitation. I replayed the messages once more, giving it thought. After spending days in this dreadful forest, my patience was running thin. I wanted answers, and I wanted them now. I began to pick myself off the ground, legs quivering and struggling to walk. The one that sounded as if he was elderly was the one who seemed to have answers. The term 'yesterday' seemed to imply there was something more going on that I wasn't aware of. I slowly started to walk to the stout tree man observing the object in its hand like he did the first (observation 50).

Why the hell am I walking towards an unknown party?

[Moon]

(GM)

---

[/sup]; Partial Success.[/b] You can make out only that upon further inspection, the smallest creature appears to be holding a Scroll.[/i]

Observation²; Success. On your approach, the stockiest of the bunch, whom you equate to an elder, holds out what is in his hands so that it is easier for you to inspect. It is a Scroll. On it, you recognize a jutsu formula that reads:

[/b]
Rank: "S" (Always 10 Training Points)
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Once per round, any amount of attack damage you take causes you to heal that much damage instead.
Special: User automatically succeeds at the save for any enemy technique that requires a Fortitude Save.
Drawback: User automatically fails the save for any enemy technique that requires a Will Save.
Description: You have been granted temporary physical immortality by the Sigil Of Combat - though the strain this causes on your mind is great. You cannot be killed via physical damage, damage to your internal organs, blood-loss, decapitation, suffocation, etc. and you can regenerate lost limbs (even the head) over the course of 2 turns. Though your mind can still be destroyed (effectively killing you) and your soul can still be forcibly removed from your body and/or destroyed (effectively killing you), you are otherwise impervious to the rigors of combat and are immune to the Dying effect when caused by physical means. When regenerating lost limbs, the user cannot perform offensive techniques of any kind.
Limit: Must have cursed demon blood to learn this technique.  Can only be used to enter (and within) the Demon Gate; this technique is instantly forgotten at the end of the encounter.
[/ul]
[/ul]

Observing the 'elder tree-thing', the smallest of them stares into your eyes now, dispassionately, having noticed you noticing what he carried. Are you brave enough to see what secrets his Scroll holds? And what of the tallest, who still stares only at the ground before him?

---

[1] Current Objective(s): Discover What The Demon Gate Is, Discover How This Leads to a Connection to your own Demon Heritage, Bonus: Discover What Is On The Smallest Creatures Scroll, Discover Why The Tallest Creature Is Empty-Handed/Staring At The Ground.


[/blockquote][/blockquote][/div][/font]

[Necromancer of the West]

As I got closer to the elder-like-plantman, I saw a similar scroll that the little one had. I didn't dare grab it out of the mans wooded hand. Who knows what would happen if I did such thing. The contents of the scroll was something of great interest, but rather disturbing as well. The concept of physical immortality was something I sought out greatly. But I also valued my mind as well. The thought of someone messing with his mind, well again, was something I wanted to prevent for a long while. I chewed at my lower lips for a moment, before glancing back at the little one, who had a look of, boredom? I could not tell. I bowed slightly to the elder-like tree man and without any quick motions, I slowly knelt down to the shorter being. My curiosity was over whelming my senses. My heart was beating faster, these beings had knowledge that he craved. I peered into the little ones hand to inspect the now identified scroll once more.(Observation 50)

I gulped, peering my eyes over to the lanky treefolk. Its eyes was still transfixed on the ground. I had not payed much attention to this one, but talked to him first. "What are you offering, hmm?" It was rather odd being disrespectful to someone new. It was out of my character to do such a thing. But my patience was thin and my mood was rather bleak. I had no energy to play games. From staring at the hands that were prostrated out, I let my gaze fall to the ground, where the thing was deeply focused towards.(Observation 50)

Despite knowing what I saw with the other two, only one would grant me passage. But who would willing allow me such deed?

[Moon]

(GM)

---

[/sup]; Success.[/b][/i] As you peer into the smallest one's hand, he likewise holds it out, making it easier to read,though he also looks away as if attempting to display disinterest at what it holds. It is a Scroll. On it, you recognize a jutsu formula that reads:

[/b]
Rank: "S" (Always 10 Training Points)
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Just before you are killed, your mind switches places with the one responsible allowing you to cheat death with a new identity.
Special: User automatically succeeds at the save for any enemy technique that requires a Will Save. Because your mind transfers into a completely different body each time you make the switch, your abilities, powers, items, specialist, traits, etc. all change each time as well (details provided by GM).
Drawback: User automatically fails the save for any enemy technique that requires a Fortitude Save.
Description: You have been granted temporary mental immortality by the Sigil Of Tactics - though the strain this causes on your body is great. You switch minds with your killer at the moment of death, though if you die while outside of combat (i.e. if their is no ‘mind’ this technique can designate as ‘killer’ for you to be transferred to) your mind is destroyed (effectively killing you). Mental trickery, illusions, intimidation and fear tactics mean nothing to you and you are immune to any condition that would seek to alter, hinder, manipulate, or otherwise impede the functioning of your mind (including effects like paralysis and forced sleep). After switching minds with an enemy, the user cannot perform offensive techniques of any kind for 2 turns.
Limit: Must have cursed demon blood to learn this technique. Can only be used to enter (and within) the Demon Gate; this technique is instantly forgotten at the end of the encounter.
[/ul]
[/ul]

The tallest continues to stare at the ground, even when you inquire as to what it has to offer you. A few moments pass and you notice, subtly, the other two seem to back away from the tallest, only inches - a subconscious movement - but noticeable all the same. When he replies, he still does not seem to reveal much. He points both empty hands at the ground in front of him.

"Dig."


He says, offering no other reasons, and no tools for you to accomplish such a feat. Whatever he has to offer, perhaps it is buried underground?

---

[1] Current Objective(s): Discover What The Demon Gate Is, Discover How This Leads to a Connection to your own Demon Heritage, Bonus: Discover What Is On The Smallest Creatures Scroll [Success!](+1 Untyped Karma), Discover Why The Tallest Creature Is Empty-Handed/Staring At The Ground, .


[/blockquote][/blockquote][/div][/font]

[Necromancer of the West]

I was astonished at such display of offering. The scroll that the little one had had more worth than the stout man had. But it made me wonder, where these three the results of such techniques? Was this the reason why they are sheltered in such a form? I did not know. But that one pesky detail of switching identified left a bad taste in my mouth. I may keep my personality, but all physical aspect of that body would be gone. I spoke up once again, this time out loud.

"What exactly is cursed demon blood?" Where these techniques actual curses? Or where they something much more? The firm, gruff voice of the lankiest one, still transfixed on the ground gave a verbose command, dig. This was something I was not prepared for, but the feline that I had limited control over had fairly thick claws.
My hands ghosted over the torn part of my shirt, slightly wincing at the damage hat damned thing had caused. In moments, a six foot in length tiger-beast began to stalk around him. It was four feet in height, a weird mix of yellow, orange, and black stripped fur. Another mental command made the beast begin to start digging with its thick claws where the thin treefolk was gazing at. I soon wondered what was in the depths of the Earth.

But it still bothered my that I lacked vital information. Who were these three? What were they here for? They seemed as if they were expecting me. Why are they offering such valuable techniques. People would kill for such things. I guess I should start with the simplest one, if they will talk back to me.

"What exactly is this Demon Gate you three keep on raving about, Hmm?" I perched and eye brow, glancing at the progress the feline has made on the ground.(Observation 50)

[Moon]

(GM)

---

As you ask about the nature of cursed demon blood, the tallest of the tree beings finally meets your gaze. Something like a smile forms though his eyes are still heavy and brooding, while at his side, the stockiest plantling's cough-cough-cough has grown a bit louder and more frequent. Neither of them replies, though as if answering your question, the smallest of the three points the index finger of his free hand, a tiny sprig seeming to waggle in your direction. You are a demon, your blood is cursed. Their messages are indeed for you, as are their boons, though you are right to be cautious.

As your temporary feline companion digs, a smell begins to rise up from beneath the swatting motions of her paws. It is a scent that has become all too familiar to you - the scent of a corpse.

[/sup]; Success.[/b][/i] The beast has dug up what appears to be a still intact corpse, though its stomach seems unnaturally bloated in comparison to the rest of the body, it appears to have only recently been buried. The corpse wears simple clothing and seems to be unarmed, though physical features are hard to distinguish given the small amount of decay the body has suffered. Disturbed by the pawing of the beast, it WAS holding a small scroll in clasped hands - now, the scroll rolls away, partially opened, and you can glimpse the jutsu formula inside;

[/b]
Rank: "S" (Always 10 Training Points)
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: You exist as a Soul, and possess the bodies of corpses, reanimating them until they are no longer useful and then moving on to the next.
Special: While in Soul Form, you are fully incorporeal and are considered to have Flight (Good). You may use your own techniques/augmentations/etc. even while in the body of another as your Soul Form simply copies their function.
Drawback: Your Soul Form lasts for two turns. If you cannot find a corpse to transfer to within that time limit, your Soul is destroyed (effectively killing you).
Description: You have been granted temporary immortality of the Soul by the Sigil Of Survival - though this makes you dependent on the bodies of the dead and your natural form is that of a Soul. Whenever a body you inhabit sustains enough damage to be destroyed, the user enters their ‘Soul Form’. While in Soul Form, the user has 2 turns to find a replacement corpse or their Soul becomes too unstable to remain on the physical plane. While in Soul Form, the user cannot perform offensive techniques of any kind.
Limit: Must have cursed demon blood to learn this technique. Can only be used to enter (and within) the Demon Gate; this technique is instantly forgotten at the end of the encounter.
[/ul]
[/ul]

When you ask about the Demon Gate, the three finally respond with words, though they may not make anything any clearer.

"Yesterday, the beginning."

Says the stockiest, coughing.

"Today, the middle."

Says the tallest.

"Tomorrow, the end."

Says the smallest.


"One may help you enter the Demon Gate."

They say in unison.

---

[1] Current Objective(s): Discover What The Demon Gate Is, Discover How This Leads to a Connection to your own Demon Heritage, Bonus: Discover Why The Tallest Creature Is Empty-Handed/Staring At The Ground [Success!](+1 Untyped Karma)


[/blockquote][/blockquote][/div][/font]

[Necromancer of the West]

The tallest plantoid finally released his gaze from the ground and into my eyes. A shiver of anticipation and fear crawled down my spine, the haze was unnerving. It felt like there was an unheard laughter from the thing. The ill being was coughing more and more persistently, and my eyes fell onto the little one. A little sprig of life came from the small hands, pointing in my direction. My eyes did not move, nor did they blink. What was the meaning of this? From the question asked and the reactions, it only mean one thing. "I am the cursed blood?" I began to laugh hysterically. It was all to surreal. "So what? Am I a devil, demon? What am I then." My laughter induced grin turned grim as I swallowed dryly, eyes slowly moved down to where the feline was digging.

A wave of stench washed over my senses. A freshly desecrated boy was in front of me to see. The body was rather average and simple, but there was another scroll. If my hunch was right, After Body, Mind, next must have been soul. My conclusions where right. My heart thumped more and more as I read the text briefly. The concept of immortality was widely different, based on culture. But this was something else. Each form had such a downside, that was it worth the take? Would my quest be all for nothing? I shook my head of such notions. There had to be better ways. But I would not dismiss such a claim now.

My other question was also responded, but in cryptic once again. I mulled over what the three have said. I had to draw some sort of conclusion to get any answers at all. I took the scroll from the dead corpse and rolled it up and put it in a pocket of my pants. If possible, I would take the scroll of the younger one and do the same. My answer was almost final. I could either get answers that were prevalent now, I could get answers that will be coming in the future, or I could get answers from the beginning. I wanted, no, needed to know what exactly is going on. Why am I considered a cursed blood. With the two scrolls in pocket, I ignored the smallest one and the tallest one, gaze fixated on the ill plant form.

I stumbled and my form wavered as I went over to it. I fell on my knees, exhaustion finally kicking in. The days I have been in the forest without much to eat or any sleep was creeping up to him. "I guess it is you who I must pick then. If you can, I shall prostrate myself in return for you aide." Biting my inner cheek, I bowed my head slightly, allowing my hair to shroud my now pursed eyes. Such action was always irritating, but if it allows me to progress, then I shall do such act.

[Moon]

(GM)

---

You ask them what you are - demon, devil, cursed? They respond, in unison again, but this time is different. Though they begin speaking at the same moment, their words are different, and they overlap in a way your fatigued body strains to barely pick out.

"Your name is Red Horn, your essence is Fire and Illusion."

Says the stockiest. Cough-cough-cough.


"Your name is Red Waltz, your essence is Shadow and Memory."

Says the tallest quickly.

"Your name is Red Eyes, your essence is...is..."


The smallest one starts but then; the sprig on his still pointing finger blooms suddenly up into a bud - a flower - it, opens. The thing releases spores that flow harmlessly up, expanding into something furious and frothing and only half-real that obscures your senses for a few seconds, wracking your body not with pain, but with uncertainty. With an innate not-knowing. As if the future itself had fragmented and been breathed in by you somehow. The smallest stands with his mouth open. You can see his pupils darting back and forth rapidly between the individual red spores, though they slowly fade once your vision returns to normal. The smallest of them is watching things, and the others turn their heads towards him, almost amused. When the shortest finally completes his sentence, it is frantic. Desperate.

"...Chemicals and Crystals and True Shadow and Restoration and Souls and Compulsion and Minds and Ritual and it...can...see...everythi---"

Ah. You heard the moment its voice weakened but didn't notice the arrow now piercing its belly, did you?


The stockiest and the tallest both jerk back in reaction; dropping their scrolls before you can grab them, just as the smallest does, dropping to the ground on one knee, grasping its strange root-like innards as they spilled from a wound that seemed to grow, that burned unnaturally aglow in sick acid-yellow light, that spread to dissolve the smallest plantlings thorny green ribbing in a puddle of pathetic, painful grunting. The scrolls lay, all three, before you now; One hundred and sixty-seven more arrows form a jagged spattering of pockmarked indentations along the forest floor, hitting areas around you but obviously fired from a vantage point where precise aim around the trees isn't possible. You don't seem to be their target - everything is.

These arrows barrel through the trees, seeming to ignite them in an insane glow that burns just like the smallest did.  Because of the sheer volume of the arrows being knocked at the same time, you can hear the subtle click of a second incoming volley.  A wave of four hundred and thirty arrows will rain down on the area over the next turn - anything they hit seems to burn away, except for the main tree next to which the three (now, two) beings stand.  There is no pattern to the barrage of arrows, but it can be reasonably assumed to hit every other two meter patch of ground in the forest, starting from the tree, towards You, and on in the path directly behind you.  This volley whistles with the burning debris of other forest obstacles that the arrows have plowed through and spun into their wake.  

---

Get up.


Take the scrolls.


You are under attack.


Run.

[/b]

---

Outsider's Mentality: The fact that you are an Able Learner with Eidetic Memory, coupled with your Infernal heritage and the ability to speak Infernal allows you to subconsciously pick up on an out of place language communication within the ambient sounds. Your neurochemistry allows for you to be aware of this information without having really paid attention to it.

While you were speaking with the creatures last round, someone very nearby was communicating, in Infernal, and attempting to hide their words within the natural sounds of the Forest of Death. What they said was;

<<"Don't let him go through the gate. Keep him away from their tree.">>


[/ul]

---

[1] Current Objective(s): You are too weak to survive if struck by an arrow and impact seems likely - Learn one of the immortality techniques on one of the scrolls before you are killed, while simultaneously evading your unknown attacker(s). If you fail to earn enough TP to learn the technique within the next round of posting, you die! You can only learn one technique from one of the scrolls - keep their drawbacks in mind. One will help you more during the beginning of your adventure, one will help you more in the middle, and one will help you more at the end. Choose Wisely! Bonus: Train one of the techniques in a unique and creative manner.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/div][/font]

[Necromancer of the West]

Demonic Immortality, Mind
Rank: "S" (Always 10 Training Points)
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Just before you are killed, your mind switches places with the one responsible allowing you to cheat death with a new identity.
Special: User automatically succeeds at the save for any enemy technique that requires a Will Save. Because your mind transfers into a completely different body each time you make the switch, your abilities, powers, items, specialist, traits, etc. all change each time as well (details provided by GM).
Drawback: User automatically fails the save for any enemy technique that requires a Fortitude Save.
Description: You have been granted temporary mental immortality by the Sigil Of Tactics - though the strain this causes on your body is great. You switch minds with your killer at the moment of death, though if you die while outside of combat (i.e. if their is no ‘mind’ this technique can designate as ‘killer’ for you to be transferred to) your mind is destroyed (effectively killing you). Mental trickery, illusions, intimidation and fear tactics mean nothing to you and you are immune to any condition that would seek to alter, hinder, manipulate, or otherwise impede the functioning of your mind (including effects like paralysis and forced sleep). After switching minds with an enemy, the user cannot perform offensive techniques of any kind for 2 turns.
Limit: Must have cursed demon blood to learn this technique. Can only be used to enter (and within) the Demon Gate; this technique is instantly forgotten at the end of the encounter.

---

0/10

I was expecting grins, cackling, at such display of prostration on my end. But none came. My brows furrowed a bit in confusion, I looked up and gazed at the three once more. But it was weird, but I had no energy to spare to complain at such a prospect of talking. The stout one began coughing, and spoke, while the lankiest one quickly shrouded his words with his own statement. My mind was rattling with such information. What were the names Red Horn and Red Waltz? Why were they talking about my essence? Shadow, fire, illusion, memory. What did those terms mean? Shadow and illusions is what I used, but what did they mean by such things? How would they know anything about my being? Who were they?

Then something hit me. My eyes glazed over, apprehension was present in my mind now. Something came from the sapling from the smallest one. I vaguely heard the term Red eyes before it began to Spaatz out. My mind was turning more into a fog, I really could not see, but I could hear. There was desperation in the voice of the small treefolk. Its words were whispers around my mind, and I could not make up what was happening. Words like Souls, restoration, True Shadow? There were words spoken as well. But not the desperate voice that was resonating around me. Someone else was here. All I could make out with the influx of information and senses clouded by the spores was , "Don't...Gate..Keep...Away..." I wanted to grab my head as my head began to pulse more. It hurt. The mental strain of..well...whatever is happening was taking its toll.

An acrid smell hit my nose and I could here something sizzling as the desperation of the smallest one began to fade. The fog cleared from my mind, but what I came to see next was not expected. The little one was pierced by an arrow, scroll now laying in front of me, as well as the other scrolls. There wasn't anytime to start inspecting the other two's reactions. A click somewhere was all I needed and I, with sheer will, forced my body to stand up and began to run towards the tree in front for shelter. The Feline that I controlled was doing its best to batter away an arrows that could impact me directly. One, two, no, four arrows have grazed my body. The pain, it hurt. I gave a slight glance to the feline. That was a wrong mistake. There were too many arrows for the beast to protect me from. Flesh was searing off, filling my senses with the smell of burnt fur and flesh combined. I wanted to retch, but my body was still moving forward.

I was going to die here, in this forest. 'I'm going to die' Was being said over and over again in my head. Everything around me seemed so slow. Death was approaching my body soon. There was no way to escape such volley in such a condition as my own. My heart was pumping, adrenaline coursing through my veins. My mind became a fog once more, halting my movements as I could not see. The scroll of the smallest one came to my mind. Whispers were in my head saying I was going to die. There was laughter from all about calling me weak. I didn't want to die here. No, I cannot allow myself to die here. My fear of death was prevalent to this day, I couldn't afford to die. No, I will not die here. The laughter was ringing and echoing in my mind louder and louder. Their mimic of a voice saying 'Die', over and over again was deafening. I did not let that falter my will,

What I did not realize, was that It may have been to late. In my fog-minded state, I wasn't aware of the physical realm of existence. The arrows had pierced my body, most likely killing me. But, my mind was still shrouded with fog. The laughter was simmering down until there was silence. I repeated to my self in mantra 'I don't want to die'.

Was this the true end for me?

[Moon]

(GM)

---

<<"--ver on that promise for the demon's head, can we?">>

Your eyes open; someone is speaking to you in Infernal, light, a woman's voice, asking a question. You feel suddenly burdened by weight; too heavy, too...powerful. Though your thoughts are your own you can look down and see that your body is different.

One moment, an arrow had torn through the center of your chest, burning your heart into ash almost instantly. Now -

- you are kneeling, staring down at -

You.

Your own body; you watch it disintegrate from  an upraised hill scouting where the demons offered you their scrolls, 50 meters away as a barrage of bright flame arrows fizzles out from your sudden lack of concentration in maintaining them. You can smell your old body burn and carbonize, but from afar the two remaining plant things can barely be seen as a twin jutting up of ugly spikes at the edges of their great tree and its visible roots. Where you kneel there are mounted quivers and a score of at least a thousand arrows - dense things, hard, sharp, coated with something foul-smelling your sense of scent itself somehow tells you is fatal. You can feel the world differently, as if with heightened senses. Your musculature has changed - you are never more aware of this than when the unknown voice repeats itself, coming from behind you and your turn to confront the sound occurs far more quickly than you've ever moved before.

<<"Guinan?">>

The voice asks, as you just happen to notice the remnants of a strange sigil fade into your hand and then disappear, only to see a wildly garbed stranger sitting on a rock, apparently guarding your back. She weaves a wisp of embers trailing in a swirl through the air around her by moving a stick, and eats a half-rotted apple noisily while staring at you. Her face is rough and covered in a pattern of markings you don't recognize. She seems agitated by your distractedness, quizzical. Her gaze intensifies in the awkward silence.

Well?


Answer her.

---

[1] Current Objective(s): Don't raise the suspicions of whoever this person is and answer their question, Get to the Demon Gate. Bonus: Train one of the techniques in a unique and creative way. [Success!](+1 Untyped Karma) Bonus: Use Skill(s) or Technique(s) to uncover the Identity of this stranger without them realizing it, or Kill them so that you may travel through the Demon Gate unhindered.

Kostya, Guinan
(32.4 Years Old) (Male) (6'3") (258.4lbs)

TAIJUTSU SPECIALIST - CLAN SPECIALIST

01. Marksman [All Techniques Known]
02. Kumotate [All Techniques Known]


01. Art of The Bard [All Techniques Known]
02. Venator [All Learnable Techniques Known]

03. Dhenada [All Techniques Known]

GENJUTSU NON SPECIALIST - NINJUTSU NON SPECIALIST

01. FORCE SPECIALIST [All Techniques Known]

Scent Tree [All Techniques Known]

Class Level: S+
Rank: Non-Ninja, Master Level Demon Hunter
Traits: Hunter, Hunter's Blood, Demon Smiter, Chakra Artificer, Havoc Of The Society, Born To The Bow, Chakra Resistance, Heart of the Sun
Will Saves: +999
Fortitude Saves: 0
Movements: 16
Handseals: 50
Reductions: 1/4

Mastered Skills: Observation, Intimidate, Singing, Tracking, Sense Motive, Sleight of Hand, Acting, Disguise, Lore - Monster. Botany (All Regions), Cultivation (All Regions).
Augmentations: Pervasive Hearing, Scent, Hypersensitivity, Darkvision, Material Allergy (Iron, Troll)

Primary Weapon(s): Bow - Long, Bow - Recurve, Bow - Compound, Shield - Heavy x 2 
Secondary Weapon(s): Arrow x 1500, Arrowhead - Togari-Ya x 1500, Laced w/ Poison (Death) 
Items/Gear/Accessories: Cloak of Displacement,  Torso Armour Piece, Boots Of Speed, Bracers of Jutsu Turning, Ground Quiver - Colossal x 5, Back Quiver - Colossal x 2, Belt Quiver - Colossal x 2


An S Class Venator Purifier, Guinan was also a member of the infamous Kostya Bounty Hunter Clan. Other than the ghost of his name and traits lingering within your subconscious, virtually all of the thoughts and memories that composed his personality - his mind itself - seems to have been completely eradicated, and replaced by yours.

[Necromancer of the West]

The fog cleared, I could here a feminine voice talking behind me. I only heard the last part she had said. My body, it was heavy. I glanced down at my hands, one holding a bow and the other, well a sigil was fading slowly into the hand. I was bulky! My pale thin physique was replaced with a much more tanner and muscled figure. My gaze returned to the battlefield where my dead corpse was. My brows furrowed once more, puzzled to what happened. But the memory of the scroll the little, no dead, plant-ling had filtered into his mind. I somehow did the technique in the scroll. My body tensed up slightly now realizing my position. I had to say something quick or this woman might think something is estrange. "Sorry, dear," I put emphasis on dear. I did not know how this person acted, but I could afford to be a bit snarky, couldn't I"

"I am a bit frustrated that they would send us to deal with such a pathetic weakling. Who's bright idea was it to send two trained hunters after such a fool" My voice was a bit gruff, I was not used to speaking in Infernal, but it seemed more natural. I did not know what I, no, now we, did. I could only guess hunters due to the target was clearly myself, well now body of myself. I breathed in some air, being overwhelmed by such scents. The deadly poison the arrows before me held, the rotting and burning corpse of my former self. It was different. Was this how it felt to be fit? To be strong? It was enticing. "Shall we collect his head?" I turned around to see a feral being, wisp of fire warped around her through a wooden, I could only guess, catalyst? I gestured with my free hand towards the now dead body. With muscle memory that this new body had easily put away the bow. I knelt down to put the quiver of arrows on my person.

"What of the other two beings? Should we kill them?" I questioned her again. What was their purpose here? I only had hope the two remaining tree-men would recognize my mind. I mean, they knew who I was in that form. I could only hope. I could only wait to see what this lady would do, since I was under scrutiny now.

[Moon]

(GM)

---

The woman stares at you, clearly taken aback by you calling her dear. She almost drops her strange staff. She narrows her gaze at you suspiciously; your answer makes no sense given the question she's just asked. Though your newly discovered Acting ability allows you to intuitively put her at ease, she is used to the precise manner of a Venator Master Demon Hunter who treated her as an equal, not the gruff posturing and false machismo your words are saturated in now. Dear? She nearly rolls her eyes as you mention collecting the head from your former body.

She eyes you with even more suspicion now. Though she has no knowledge of the techniques on the scroll - or that such techniques even exist - she is too battle-hardened not to notice the immediate difference between you and her brother Guinan. She squints and studies your manner before answering you.

<<"I literally...just said....">>

She stops herself for a brief moment ₁ before continuing, frustrated at your apparent lapse in attention - her focus is chilling. She stares and sniffs around you; its still Guinan, she eventually reasons, but something seems off...

<<"How do you expect to collect his head when you've burnt his body to ash? You can SEE what you're staring directly at, can't you? What the hell is the matter with you?">>

Something about her gaze alerts you to the danger your next response could land you in. Her grip on her staff tightens and she searches every line of your face to fully concentrate on your response ₂. You do not even get to ask about the beings near the tree under the pressure of her scrutiny.

Warning. Combat Imminent.

[1] Current Objective(s): Don't raise the suspicions of whoever this person is and answer their question [Failure], Get to the Demon Gate,  Bonus: Use Skill(s) or Technique(s) to uncover the Identity of this stranger without them realizing it, or Kill them so that you may travel through the Demon Gate unhindered.

[Necromancer of the West]

The first word that popped in my mind was, 'Shit'. My first impression upon the form of this new body was not accurate. I needed something that would be convincing. Her sense of smell must be on par to mine. Evidently everything checked out, just not the personality. I had an Idea, but it was not guaranteed. (Acting Mastered) I slumped onto the ground, head dipped down, allowing the hair on my face to shroud my face. I became quiet, forearms were now placed on raised knees. My voice became soft, as if hurt."I.." I paused for a moment, finally lifting my head and gazed at the woman. My eye brows were slightly raised and scrunched together subtly. Eyes were a bit bigger, allowing sadness and hurt to bee seen through them. An auidble sigh could easily be heard.

"Look, I am sorry about my actions. Its just..." I sighed once more looking down at my ashes. At the damage the arrows this man had caused. "I'm tired. I'm bored. I'm fustrated!." My eyebrows quickly furrowed together to mimic the agitation that I 'felt'. My eyes became harden, the look of the hunter he, I, was, am, becoming much more distinguished. " I want a challenge! I thought this excursion would provide such thing,
but all we got was someone who died easily! I'm tired of hunting pointlessly. I want to test my mirth, no, our prowess against something grand." I laughed slightly, glancing away in the distance a bit, feinting a look of remembrance. "And then..." I quite Talking, sighing once more. I took my right hand and brushed my hair out of my face, look of solemnity present on my face.
"Please, sit down for a moment.."

One more sigh, and my gaze traveled else where. It made sense to sing, and sing is what I did. It was strange, my chakra quickly formed in my throat, waiting to be released. I began the song, a few versus from the beginning.

We will defy the greatest commands,
And heedlessly walk the forbidden lands.

Gaze into depths of emerald absinthe,
And plunge through the twists of the labyrinth.
Gather at crossroads and chant to the wind,
Dance in the graveyards and revel in sin.

Our innocence lost, and our faith destroyed;
Spiraling down into lightless void.
Drunken on dreams and ceaselessly sleeping,
Here in the garden the angels are weeping.

They will despise us, but we will be strong.
The road to fulfillment is rocky and long.
Misunderstanding is genius' curse.

They call us evil but nothing is worse,
Than passive submission to meaningless rules;
These are oppression and misery's tools.

Ultimate freedom is our delight,
To quaff the nectar of forbidden night.

Gaze into depths of emerald absinthe,
And plunge through the twists of the labyrinth.
Gather at crossroads and chant to the wind,
Dance in the graveyards and revel in sin.

Our innocence lost, and our faith destroyed;
Spiraling down into lightless void.
Drunken on dreams and ceaselessly sleeping,
Here in the garden the angels are weeping.


Blinded by pleasure we long to be free,
Striving towards something we no longer see.
The world is burning, our minds are on fire;
Consumed and consuming in seething desire.

Slaves of sensation; there's something we've lost.
We've ransomed our passion, heedless the cost.
Promethean gods, we have seized the flames,
But our theft is rewarded with eternal chains.

Gaze into depths of emerald absinthe,
And plunge through the twists of the labyrinth.
Gather at crossroads and chant to the wind,
Dance in the graveyards and revel in sin.

Our innocence lost, and our faith destroyed;
Spiraling down into lightless void.
Drunken on dreams and ceaselessly sleeping,
Here in the garden the angels are weeping.


If I was allowed to continue singing. My eyes would be filled with emotions. The song would appear to affect me. I sighed once more, getting up from my position. If the woman were to sit down, I would offer a hand. "I have wasted enough time, shall we continue on? We still have things to do. Face turned a bit more impassive, 'attempting' to shroud the emotions I was trying to convey. I gestured once more to see if we would continue our journey.

---

Dirge of the Soul [Song used]
Rank: C
Skill: Ninjutsu, Vocal
Effect: A tune so sad must stop and listen.
Special: Singing
Drawback: Effects enemies and allies alike.
Description: A Mind Affecting technique. The bard plays a mournful tune, telling a sad tale that is so entrancing anyone within a twenty meter radius is forced to stop and listen to the tale. They will not being able to perform skills or violent actions during this time, they must simply listen. This skill lasts for three posts or until the bard stops singing.
Limit: Art of the Bard. 'Singing'

[Moon]

(GM)

---

[/sup];[/b] [Critical Failure] Your mannerisms were perfect; you conveyed sadness perfectly - unfortunately, you responded nothing like Guinan and performed several actions he would never take.[/i]
[/ul]

At your mention of being "sorry" a complete coldness shifts over the woman's face. She squints, curling the edge of her lips up into a sneer as you continued to talk. Guinan would never allow her to speak to him the way she just had, and would have likely killed her before she finished speaking anything close to an insult. Guinan did not get bored; he considered boredom a hallmark of the incompetent and the foolish. Guinan did not say sorry; he considered apologies tantamount to a betrayal of the self. Guinan was a born hunter, and the two had lived in one wilderness or another for the majority of their life. He would never gently brush his hair (or an insect, or dirt, etc) out of his face like some sort of noble. And more important than anything; Guinan had never said this many words to her in the entirety of her life. Getting a three word answer out of him was in and of itself a miracle, let alone the strange monologue coming from...whoever this was.

Before you can sing, she hums a bit, noting that your far away gaze led to your mouth being held agape, now alerted to one simple fact.

You are definitely not her brother.

While the words of your song flow out; she hums a tune beneath yours, or, on top of it, somehow, an overlay of melody that washes away your theatrical verbosity, and she leans her staff carefully in your direction, now only a meter away, leaning forward. threatening.

<<"Who the hell are you and where is Guinan?>>

She grips her staff even more tightly, anger welling up; some sense that your new body possesses alerts you to the fact that she is infusing her chakra once more. The instant you stop singing, she will attempt an aggressive prodding of your chest with the end of her staff.  Its tip glows.

<<Answer me! Where is my brother?! What have you done with him?!>>

Warning: Combat Start.

[/b]

Descant
Rank: C
Skill: Supplementary
Effect: Allows bards to counteract one another.
Special: --
Drawback: User may fail and their own skill will be negated.
Description: Often times bards will meet in battle causing an overlay in their songs. If this occurs a bard may attempt to play his song as a descant, or overlay melody. When this occurs both players will receive a die roll. The highest result will win. For each class one person is higher than his opponent he will receive a +5 per class level higher to his roll. Whoever looses this roll will have to continue playing their song with no affect for the duration of the opponents song.
Limit: Art of the Bard. Must begin playing another Song Art.


[Unknown Technique Prepped.]


[/ul]

---

[1] Current Objective: Survive the encounter and get to the Demon Gate.

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/div][/font]

[Moon]

Die Rolls.
Guinan Kostya (Rael) vs. Unknown Kostya Clan Demon Hunter
(Dirge of the Soul vs. Descant)
Both @ S Rank [No +5 Bonus]
[8] vs. [16]

Unknown Kostya Clan Demon Hunter's Descant is Successful.

[Necromancer of the West]

Rael's gaze fell back onto the woman, who was had a look of rage enveloping her being. One thing, Rael was fucked.
"Who the hell are you and where is Guinan?" A scowl appeared on Rael's rough visage, and on instinct, his body leaped back a meter. Somehow Rael was able to sense that she was building up power. 'Would it come from her staff?' The thought entered his mind, but he did not want to take any chances. Posture quickly changed, a heavy shield now in the hunter's, now Rael's, hand. Muscle memory of this body positioned him in a way that the shield could be used for an effective offense as well as excellent defense.

"I am the fool you tried to kill down there! I know naught of how I came to this body!" A simple lie might be able to save him from decimation. Rael only knew faint traces of what the body was capable of, even then, he wouldn't have the mentality to use it effectively. The heavy shield was now in between the two of them, Rael hoping that the shield would be enough. The staff hit the shield, and Rael waited behind it to survive anything that might be used against him soon.

Answer me! Where is my brother?! What have you done with him?! Her anger was persistent and understood. " As I said before, I do not know! He killed me and I ended up in his body! That is all I know!" Perhaps Rael could convince her to question the remaining two plant-like creatures. "Down by the tree, there are two plant-like men. They would be able to tell you more! The are the ones responsible for everything here!
Lets attack and question them to see if we can reverse such a change!" Rael clearly knew that the technique he used forced and killed the mind of this man. But she did not need to know such things. All he hoped was that she would want to interrogate the other two instead of him. But he wasn't foolish enough to think he would escape scrutiny.

---

Kuma Tsume no Shisei (Bear Claw Stance)
Rank: “E”
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Primary stance in the Kumotate; precursor to further techniques.
Special: ---
Drawback: ---
Description: With the shield hooked to their dominant arm, the user will stand with their feet precisely shoulder-length apart, their body squared to the enemy. Their arm must be bent at the elbow at a rough right angle, placing the shield between them and the opponent. From this fortified stance all manner of defensive techniques can be used.
Limit: ---

Kuma Tsume - Hogo (Bear Claw - Block)
Rank: “D”, “C”, “B”, “A”, “S”
Skill: Taijutsu
Effect: Allows the user to effectively block corresponding ranks of attacks with their shield.
Special: Effective while in fully-formed Bear Claw Stance.
Drawback: Shields used with this technique will still be damaged according to item breaking laws if the attack being defended is higher than the user’s knowledge of this technique. Less effective against non-impact based Ninjutsu. May be bypassed by all-encompassing area-of-effect attacks.
Description: With training and raw physical strength the user learns the basic principle of how to block attacks with their shield. Standing steadfast, the user will simply place their shield between themselves and the threat, nullifying it with forward fortification and, if executed properly, stopping the attack’s power. The user is only able to remain on their feet and have their shield undamaged by attacks of equal or lower rank to the rank of this technique the user possesses.
Limit: “Bear Claw Stance”.

[Moon]

(GM)

---

Her staff impacts your shield, surprised at your reflexes, but she merely stands and listens as you begin to answer her questions.

[/sup];[/b] [Critical ...Success?!?!?!] The Acting Skill inherent in your new form has caused an unexpected reaction in Guinan's sister...
[/i][/ul]

As your speech pattern changes and you say "I know nought of how I came to this body..." the woman's cheeks bulge and she places a hand up to cover her mouth, eyes wide. She tries to hide smiling as you continue speaking, then bursts into uncontrollable laughter at your proper speech and sudden submissive way. You aren't her brother, but the situation seems so ridiculous that you have affected her mood. (+3 to Mood, Changed From Hostile to Friendly)

<<"You just spoke common! Guinan doesn't even know common! Hahahahahahahahahahaha! You really are that fool down there huh?">>

She whistles and pats you on the back.

<<"Never heard a Demon talk like you before, that's for sure. Bet you're only a halfling. We don't get paid nothing for halflings.">>


<<"Plant-like men? You mean Chloradeva? Tree Demons? They're worth a fortune!">>
_{<<"and with the money i'll be able to get my hands on the hyper-ultra-rarest legendary graphic novella issue #197 of super kawaii hotaru power dragon cyber raider and brother will have to--eh---">>}

She straightens up suddenly turning red.

<<"Let's go down and see what this is all about. You lead the way.>>"

She motions towards the great Tree.

Go on then.

Take her to them.

---

[1] Current Objective: Get to the Demon Gate.

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