[Quest] The Black Obelisk: Act II of Darkling Tides

[Paragon]

Any sense of an organised research trip had gone, disintegrating into unbridled chaos. In the water, the monstrous shark faced Nai'shee. She focussed an immense volume of djed into her punch, pushing her flux abilities to her limit. She launched, and her fist made contact with the beast. It was a severe blow, the crunch of bones muffled by the water. It moved back, retreating momentarily. Nai'shee felt a searing in her forehead at first, before it travelled through her entire body, exploding, pain blossoming violently. She only felt momentarily though, willing darkness came quickly and unbidden. On the boat, Trente revealed his plan to Yuna. The Konti frowned, stifling a virulent retort, but now was not the time for arguing. In a way, it made sense. And as a Konti, she was the strongest swimmer. Without a word, she cast Trente a baleful glare, before taking the rope and submerging herself into the water. The Obelisk loomed, its darkness shadowing the chaos beneath. The intention of this trip had fallen at the wayside. As Yuna began to swim near the side of the boat, the creature did indeed take the bait, swimming back up, still crying that awful dirge of pain. Its shadow neared the boat, and the Konti. Around the same time, Lyam burst up from the water on the other side of the boat, Nai'shee lifeless in his arms. Several of the others helped them up onto the vestiges of their vessel. If they survived this, perhaps they would reach the Obelisk. But the air stank. Death. Death all around them.

[Paragon]

OOCGoing to finish this one off as no one seems to have an inclination to post again. Expect a grading soon too! The grading will only be for those who have been active at least recently, if you return to activity let me know and I can get you your grading. The moment shifted like a flash. Nai'shee and Lyam scrambled onto the boat. Yuna was pulled back up just in time. Trente cried out, stabbing downward with a deft rapier strike. Dark blood guzzled out into the water. He had killed the thing, the strike stabbing into whatever cluster of mutated cells now made up the shark's brain. It sank back down like a deadweight. They got moving, still toward the obelisk. Nai'shee was revived on board, though she had to sit still, for the pain in her head throbbed. The Obelisk was now beside them, and here the water grew odd. Tainted. It was solid like earth, and yet gave to the boat like water. Yuna took a bottle from her pack and managed to retrieve a sample. Then, handing out chisels, she and the others went to take a small piece of rock. There was no time to linger - they needed to leave this forsaken bay. The thing glowed. It was potent, and they could all sense the low thrum of power. Yuna's auristics fluttered, something within it, something that linked to the water. But she feared what else embattled them, and took the chiselled fragments and got the boat moving again. It was a relief when they collapsed into the harbour, boat too damaged to be used on another foray. They had escaped with their lives, and now the fragment could be examined in the University. But what was happening in the bay? The group of exhausted researchers didn't want to know. For now, they wanted steaming tea, and a warm bed.

[Paragon]

Trente

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Interrogation	1
Rhetoric	2
Leadership	4
Tactics	2
Rapier	1

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Restraining Oneself from Thoughtless Actions
•	Taking Control of a Situation
•	Using a Person as Bait
•	Yunalesca
•	The Black Obelisk

+ 25 Gold Mizas as reward, + 20 Status Points

Nai'shee

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Philosophy	2
Rhetoric	1
Observation	1
Leadership	1
Flux	3
Swimming	3
Tactics	1
Unarmed Combat	2

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	A Connection: Storm and Obelisk?
•	Taking Control of a Situation
•	Courage Under Pressure
•	Maximum Flux into a Strike
•	Yunalesca
•	The Black Obelisk

+ 25 Gold Mizas as reward, + 20 Status Points

Lyam

Experience

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	2
Leadership	1
Swimming	2
Tactics	1

Lores

•	Lore Earned
•	Taking Control of a Situation
•	Protecting the Ones You Love
•	Yunalesca
•	The Black Obelisk

+ 25 Gold Mizas as reward, + 20 Status Points

Legend Becomes Reality

Those who put an effort into this thread, thank you. There were some really epic moments with the mutant shark! I will update Status Points accordingly. Thanks guys! Those who haven't had gradings barely contributed to the quest or have been inactive recently. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, please send me a PM and we can work from there.