[The Cobalt Mountains] Exotic Meat (Ball, Roderick, Aoren)

by **Ball** on February 20th, 2014, 4:28 pm

The damn henchman decided to vent on the squire, and thusly he dropped like a sack of potatoes. Petching hell great! Ball turned Imass around and stared at the oncoming horde of beasts. Setting his mouth into a straight line of determination Ball slapped his dog’s rump hard, heading right for the mess of them. “Return to the man when I leave your back.” His voice rumbled loudly over his dog’s panting gallop towards certain death, “Protect him…” The dog huffed a reply to his master, they were nearing their targets. Within fifteen yards from the beasts Ball shifted his position so he now stood on the back of Imass, right between his shoulder blades. “Keep running. Full speed, remember, and when I jump you turn back…”An injured man with a sword was a bad prospect for trouble. His hand grabbed a hold of his rapier and tugged it free from its scabbard, he ground his lips together tightly. The squire gripped it tightly.

At fourteen yards away Ball crouched low, applying corkscrew tension in both his legs while at the same time the pycon forced a shift in his center of gravity. Ball remained in that position for some time, waiting patiently as his inner coil tension grew tighter and harnessed more potential energy waiting to be released. At two yards away Ball jumped hard, forcing the body of his dog to dip slightly and bounce back up, giving Ball an extra spring in his forward momentum that propelled him forward, his body shifted in midair, rotating and slimming out to become a more focused point behind his blade, at his apex and aimed straight for the first yukmen’s face Ball released the coiled tension within and rocketed forward. Ball’s nexus remember his self-guided session in his level blade and then fighting the phantasm beasts, this was no different… Except that this was for real.
It was a no-brainer the end results, much like the dummy in the Fall season, Ball planted his body and sword into the creature’s face and out the other side, his momentum slowed, but his trajectory remained true and the second one got a small rapier wedged into the point between his eyes. As rapier connected with the yukman’s dense facial tissue Ball could feel his blade jolt to a stop, yet his body rolled heels-over-head, his legs meeting his hands before hands released and he sprung himself up into the air once again, this time leaving his small blade in place. Landing on the flat of a blade was a task that Ball was well versed in, having down it twice in the last year, once against Blue Pycon and another time against Ser Pycon. The jolting motion of the sword tearing into the beast’s flesh more. Recalling Blue Pycon’s teachings of fatal spots on a human’s body and the Yukmen looked human enough, Ball knew his landing location, the back portion of the top of the yukman’s cranium. Ball landed hard on his head, purposefully dropping his full weight into his crouching land. Five pounds of weight was no small amount to have focused into a small location at the back portion of the top of one’s cranium, he recalled this in a fight he had to pull punches when training one he swore to protect, in that scenario gravity did the job of dropping his weight.

Ball had no clue if the second crumbled under his weight or not, but he had more pressing matters at hand, he leapt again, this time he pulled his left arm back into a punching formation and as he descent brought him closer to his third target the py-ken trained three inch squire shot his punch forward, aiming for the beast’s nose. This wasn’t a pulled punch either, this was meant to deal some damage. Recalling the training session on Mura against Ser Pycon when he punched the knee plate of the knight’s armour, denting it.

If the petching idiot just kept running and being an idiot I would’ve been fine. But no, he had to look. LOOK at his intended target, now I have to kick the crap out of these things.

OOCThe links are for proof of previous occurrences of certain moves/actions in threads actively/graded set prior to this thread.
Created goes to Euthisa

by **Roderick** on February 20th, 2014, 7:43 pm

It appeared the henchman sent by Belmont had decided that screaming like a child was the best plan of action. While he was originally going to continue carrying the Yukman, he saw the hunter he'd just helped rescue running away into the distance and found himself streaking off after him, hearing Don continue his complaints loudly behind. The man was amazingly fast and it was only through biting down hard and forcing himself forward that Roderick managed to ignore the burning in his lungs and catch up to him. Reaching out he grasped for the man's collar, his fingers snagging in his shirt. With a sharp twist of his wrist the Zeltivan tugged at him, but he was ignored and the man shoved at him. Bringing his right arm up he held it out with the bow in hand in front of the man, gripping more tightly with his left. Then, using all the momentum and strength he had, he roughly hurled the man to the ground, hearing him gasp and groan as the air was driven from his lungs. Roderick carried on with his run for another metre or so, until he managed to stop and return to the man, who was struggling to his feet with a pained look.

"You're not copping out of this that easily. I just saved your arse from those Yukmen, and now you're going to help save mine!"

"Are you mad?" The man cried incredulously, "Those things will rip us apart!" Losing what tiny shred of patience he had, the larger hunter dropped his bow and seized the other man roughly, punching him across the jaw. Pain shot through Roderick's knuckles but he ignored it and hit the man again. "You're! Going! To! Help! Us! You! Petcher!" With each word he punched the man, driving him to his knees while his hand went numb from the sudden influx of pain. Ripping his dagger free, Roderick held it up to the man's throat, the edge shaking before his flesh. "Come back with me and fight, or I'll split you open!" Looking up at him, the man seemed to take a moment to come to his sense after the sudden attack. There was an area of redness around his left eye, where the majority of the blows had landed, while one had made his nose bleed.

Looking cautiously at the knife, the man nodded and got to his feet slowly. "All right..." He said quietly, "I just... I got a girl to look out for. I wasn't thinking." Roderick held his free hand out towards where the Yukmen were, "I don't care. You want me to forgive you? Then help me out." Nodding again the man drew his hand over his mouth, smearing a trail of blood over his lips and onto his cheek. Putting his dagger away and collecting his bow, Roderick moved back towards the rest of his group with the other hunter in tow. When they cleared the undergrowth they stepped out to a dreadful sight. In the time they'd been gone things had gone south; Don had wrecked his ankle and was hobbling about with his sword in hand, while the little pycon went hurtling into the rushing horde of Yukmen aboard his dog like a knight in full battle garb. Aoren was no where to be seen, and Roderick wondered if perhaps the mage had abandoned them.

The Yukman they'd captured lay on the ground unmoving, while the group that was supposed to lead him to Belmont scattered to the wind and tried to fend off the large group of mudmen now making their way towards them. For a brief moment Roderick watched with surprise as the Pycon launched itself from Yukman to Yukman, delivering solid kicks and strikes as it pounced on its targets and then swiftly escaped as they collapsed and stumbled. He glanced at the hunter beside him. "What's your name?" Looking at him as though he'd grown an extra head, the man finally answered, "Sid." Nodding as he tore an arrow free of his quiver and set it in place, he said "Nice to meet you, Sid. Sorry for battering your head in." Sid snorted and took his bow in hand. Taking aim for the nearest Yukman Roderick steadied his breathing and eyed up its chest, the easiest place for him to hit.

Letting his arrowhead hover over the place he wanted it to go, he parted his fingers and watched the Yukman stumble and slow down slightly before it continued on its path towards Don. These things were a lot tougher than they seemed. Sid's arrow pierced its chest two and it slowed down considerably. Readying another arrow the Zeltivan drew the string back to his cheek and looked towards the same beast, exhaling as he loosed. This arrow landed beside the first and the Yukman stumbled again, this time collapsing just a few feet away from Don, who hobbled in and delivered a killing strike to the back of its head with his weapon. Three more were ready for them, though, and while Don struggled to get away Roderick and Sid covered him. Preparing a third arrow Roderick inhaled deeply and brought his bow to full draw, leveling the arrow at the nearest of the monsters. Shifting his aim slightly to the left he released and the Yukman got a pretty new arrow to decorate its eye socket. Now if only Aoren were there, he could burn a few of these things and spare my arrows.

by **Radiant** on February 26th, 2014, 3:11 pm

Don was fully expecting the party would abandon him, he would be killed by these mudmen, but at least, he wouldn't die without a fight. The henchman curbed his fears as he prepared for the last stand, dying like this was better than growing old and succumbing to Dira alone in the stony apartment of Syliras. Don raised his sword as he gestured with his other hand, "Come at me, scums!!" A Yukmen noticed him then pounced at him, the henchman prepared his sword but... the moment of contact never came.

He opened his eyes in bewilderment, the petching clay man launched himself to the Yukman, swirling in mid-air with his blade pointed forward, hitting the Yukman square in its face. The particular Yukman wasn't ready for the sudden strike as it buckled in pain, its hands trying to claw at its face in instinct, but Ball wouldn't let him. He continued his righteous assault by impaling the Yukman's face right between its eyes, the monster screamed in pain as the blade punctured its skull, tethering dangerously close to its brain, then the combined force of the blade and Ball's momentum cracked its skull, destroyed its brain, and then cracked the back part, the Pycon went through, albeit with slower velocity this time, but managed to plant himself on a second Yukman's face.

At Ball's head attack, the second Yukmen died instantly as its brain was punctured. His punch then managed to stun a third Yukman. Don was amazed, truly, he belittled the squire and insulted him, yet the clay came back, "About petching time!" He shouted triumphantly. A small victory, but they still got the whole horde surrounding them. Making use of Ball's concentration on the other Yukman, a particular nimble one reached out to grab his body, then the Yukman tried to crush the Pycon, but... a sudden arrow pierced its eye socket. More back-up had arrived, it was the green archer, along with the sleeping hunter! "Hahaha! By Sylir's teeth!" Don laughed in merriment, turning his head to see Roderick and Sid launching arrows at the Yukmen. The archer duo kept launching their arrows, screams of pain emitted from the Yukmen, some of them didn't even get the chance as arrows impaled their cranium.

It wasn't enough, however, the Yukmen were just too many, about fifteen of them broke for the group, sprinting towards the two archers. They wouldn't have time to eliminate them all, quick decision making and wits were a must if they wanted to survive this. "Petch... this is bad," The henchman said as he stabbed his sword into a Yukman's chest, "Gah!" A Yukman struck him from behind, clawing at his back. The henchman used his elbow to knock its head out, but more and more were gaining upon them. All seemed lost, until...

"Foul beasts! Fall under the sword of Sylir!" A loud battle-cry echoed in the forest, the henchman looked to his right, and there it were... a squad comprised of no less than twenty knights on horseback, led by Sergeant Knight, Ser Titus Maximus, on his mighty Tiaden war-steed, wielding his famous warhammer. "Knights!!" He raised his weapon high in the air, the rest of the cavalry all raised their longswords, maces, and axes, "CHAAAAAARGE!!" The warriors of Sylir then gloriously commenced the assault. The party would have to survive just a chime longer.

by **Ball** on February 28th, 2014, 1:30 pm

Image basis for the first attack appearance Ball took on :

Ball found himself dropping heavily and fast as he made his airborne trajectory started to peter out... The weight he carried around within his body was adding to his loss of ‘flight’ and thus the squire knew what he needed to do to fix that. Pushing the extra weight to the top of his body Ball pushed and turned and the top portion of his body become a cube, on one face of the cube was an etched looking moustache shape that was actually two formed clay cutting edges formed from Ball’s body mass. This shifting took several ticks, even so the weight displacement was a bit overwhelming for the Pycon’s nexus as his body flipped forward, top over bottom, and even though he was aiming for the Yuman’s chest the change in weight pushed his trajectory further down, lower in path but following the same essential curve.
It helped matters for Ball that the Yukmen were pretty dumb creatures, Don’s yelling and swing sword seemed to be doing the trick of distract this current target for Ball. Good… Even though Ball felt queasy about the incoming impact zone…
The box now swinging into the gut of a Yukman. The rest of Ball’s body had already taken the time to start forming as the box crashed into the creature’s stomach. The impact forced the disproportionate weight outward into the semi-formed arm shape his body was taking on. The forced mass bulged his arm and instinctively to resist blowing apart Ball had to push it upward more just as his body flexed as a result to the gut-shot. The flexing pushed the clay upward more into a skeletal worked fist, giving it immediate shape and form...

This fist protrusion crashed into the Yukman’s neck, the full force of the swing crushing the beast’s windpipe as it tore through the flesh. This happened in the time that the knightly cavalry made their presence known, and that was all before the squire had to force his fingers open in order to grab hold of the poor creature’s spinal cord. The squire had two things to concentrate on, first and foremost was his form… If he didn’t keep this concentration his iron grip would falter and the Yukman would beat him into the ground. Concentrate Squire… Ball had to grind his inner body together as he gave a hard tug on the beast’s spinal cord and Ball pulled himself up, into a gaping hole, and immediately pushed himself forward through the other side. Allowing the box and most of the arm shape he held to relax and take on legs and most of his body the Pycon could kick hard out the remaining bodily tissues that prevented his escape. This process tore the remaining flesh apart and Ball planted both feet on the edge of the beast’s neck, it was still firm underneath and pushed off it for more lift and force. Taking the spinal cord with him the squire effectively severed the creature’s head from body in the process. This new burst of speed aided Ball immensely, normally he would pause and salute a knight, but this was combat. And pausing could mean death…

So forgoing the need for formality the clay squire’s form shifted once more, There wasn’t nearly as much to concentrate on as he wasn’t forcing his body to contort into a new form, it was an old shape he was taking on… A ball, his namesake form, it was an easier shift to control as all he needed to do was pull in his outer limbs and keep them there. As soon as he had severed the head he dropped the spinal cord and pulled his arms inward, his head came next with a grunt. Just as he was going airborne the clay squire yanked his legs and feet up into his mass.

Ball’s namesake form roared towards the next in line of the horde of dirt monsters. Yet with the speed came a slight change in his form, the spherical formation he had was taking on an oblong torpedo form and the pycon did nothing to stop it. With the change in shape and the speed he was dropping at, there was less air resistance, with less resistance Ball’s target didn’t have a lot of time to react. It was enough though, the Yukman straightened up and looked ready to jump to the side when the squire’s small pointed front smashed into its chest, the force he hit with buckled bone and tore skin, but Ball found himself wedged tight, unable to move. Shyke…

The beast pulled off a lucky move as Ball smashed into its chest like a heavy headed hammer. This Yukman caught Ball square in the chest and as if on impulse both its hands came up and grabbed a hold of Ball, this stopped the pycon from moving currently. Struggling to break free was only the creature’s current problem. If Don noticed the dog mount of Ball was getting antsy.

Imass growled and hunched down for a few seconds. Now the dog wasn’t a huge beast of combat, but it weighed enough to cause some serious damage. With teeth bared the dog’s growl become a snarl before it pushed off the ground towards its clay master. Using the first fallen Yukman as a launch pad Imass propelled himself head first into the chest-caved Yukman. Barrelling into the monster head first, snapping, biting, clawing, and growling in a mass of lean muscle, matted fur, and sharp canine teeth.

Created goes to Euthisa

by **Radiant** on March 27th, 2014, 2:51 pm

OOCWe will be moving forward with the thread since it's a month already since the last post.

Rod, you can still jump in if you'd like.

The Pycon squire's bravery had managed to drive the Yukman ranks into disarray, combined with the thundering hooves of the Knight's warhorses, it was clear which side the battle was tipping. The Yukmen tried in vain to grab the small, but powerful, clay warrior. His changed his shape, delivering powerful blows to the Yukmen. His flurry of combos finished with him transforming into his namesake, a Ball. Imass too, wasn't willing to let Ball and Roderick gained all the glory. The small dog growled as it pounced on a Yukman who dared to touch his master.

At last, with the first sound of decapitated Yukman head, the Knights arrived, they immediately surrounded the Yukmen ranks, both the ones near Ball and Don, then ones charging at Roderick and his fellow archer, using longswords, maces, and broadswords to carry out their work. The earthen monsters were no match for Sylir's warriors as their ranks were cut down quickly and decisively. Ser Titus himself swung his warhammer, destroying two Yukman skull with just one mighty swing. After just a few chimes, most of the Yukmen were dead, Titus gave the order for some of the Knights to finish off the stragglers.

"Hmph... foul beasts." The large knight then steadied his warhorse then examined the battlefield, Yukmen corpses littered here and there, among these corpses however, where five brave souls. Three humans, one Pycon, and one canine. Titus climbed down from his warhorse, he would then proceed to assist Ball, Don, Roderick, and Sid to gather then the gigantic knight would gave them all a proud smile, even though his armor and face were stained with Yukmen blood, "Hahahaha! Thank Sylir we are not too late and you are all alright!" His booming voice echoed in the woods, Titus would then introduce himself, "Ser Titus Maximus, Knight of Sylir." He eyed each of the survivors, recognizing one of them as that one Pycon squire, "Ah, Squire Ball! I see you are alright! What about you brave souls, may I know your names?"

"Don..."

"S-sid, Ser."

The two humans introduced themselves, Titus then gestured for a knight to attend to Don's wounds while another to comfort Sid, the hunter looked very shaken, that left Ball, Roderick, and Imass in their little group. "So! We'll take it from here, you may all return to Syliras and see a Healer, in the name of the Order, I give you salute for standing up to these foul beasts!" With a proud saluting gesture, Titus turned around then continued with his duties.

"Ball, Roderick, come here..." Don called out weakly, his tone took a shift, losing its arrogance, after both of them approached him, he would pause then gave them an apologetic smile, "Look uh... thank you for staying and saving my life... I know I was a bastard... is there anything I can do to repay you? Hmmm, I will give your reward money out of my own pockets, don't you worry." He hoped it would be adequate, these two deserved more for saving his hide even though they could just run and save themselves.

In the background, Knights were already gathering Yukmen corpses for a mass cremation lest they would conjure more of their ilk.

OOCAlright! Should be my last post for the thread! Post your final reaction and I'll grade the thread.

by **Ball** on March 27th, 2014, 3:35 pm

The combat ended just as soon as it started… The Yukman laid in a pile of death, dirt, and rocks. Body parts were strewn all over the place and the knights that came to their aid had lowered their weapons slightly, never knowing for sure if these earthen monsters were truly dead, or just playing at it. Ball was struggling to pull himself out from within the middle of the mess, the remains of one of these creatures had managed to capture the pycon in combat. Imass had retained his cool and waited for his master to free himself. Once free and called to stand before the knight that arrived Ball looked up at the towering man. Hammer and all stood as a show of power and might.

The man didn’t seem a bit upset at the squire for nearly getting himself killed, instead he was given leave to see a healer, and for ridding of a horde of beasties. The squire was proud, nearly bubbling over with the feeling of greatness. Yet instead of turning towards the Rock-Beast Ball was asked to return before Don. Sighing he turned his attention to the man that was just a prick early on, yet the look of apologetic possibilities etched the man’s face.

Looking at the man from his feet the clay man listened as he fumbled with some form of apology and thanking the squire for saving his life. Ball shrugged, he wasn’t doing anything beyond his civil duty as a squire… Well, besides netting one of those bloody creatures and returning it to Kale Belmont. Frowning just then Ball looked around, spotting the net with its oversized lump obscured from both distance and height. Ball held up his hand in thanks and then shook his head no, “No. Re.Wah.Ord.Da. Knee.Duh.Ed. Yu. Tah.Ake.Dat.Cur.Eat.Chur. An.Da. I. Guh.Et.Ta Re.Wah.Ord.Da. Fur.Um. Ur. Bah.Os.Sa.” [‘No reward needed. You take that creature and I get reward from your boss.’] Ball nodded.

With no other words to say to the man he climbed aboard his mount and turned towards Syliras. Putting his dog into a slow trot the pycon squire wanted to just return home and relax, today was enough training.

Created goes to Euthisa

by **Radiant** on April 5th, 2014, 4:41 pm

Ball :

Roderick :

Aoren :

Notes :

My radiance is not bright enough?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your grade, beam me a PM and we can work it out.

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+3 XP
Riding: Dog	+2 XP
Planning	+1 XP
Tactics	+3 XP
Acrobatics	+3 XP
Py-ken	+2 XP
Weapon: Rapier	+2 XP
Brawling	+2 XP
Leadership	+2 XP

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+3 XP
Planning	+1 XP
Tactics	+2 XP
Climbing	+1 XP
Weapon: Longbow	+3 XP
Running	+1 XP
Leadership	+1 XP
Intimidation	+1 XP

Skill	XP Earned
Observation	+2 XP
Planning	+2 XP
Persuasion	+1 XP
Leadership	+1 XP
Trapping	+1 XP
Weapon: Quarterstaff	+1 XP
Running	+1 XP

Completed [The Cobalt Mountains] Exotic Meat (Ball, Roderick, Aoren)