Battle Royale: Knightmare

[Young Grimwold]

I have no wish to play this game. There can be no winners in a contest like this. I already witnessed Tom's... departure from the game, and I do not want to be deprived of control like that. I barely understand what this contest is all about.

At the very least, by following the automated creature, we may find an operations base of some kind. And it is possible that we could disable it. I have some experience of mechanics, due to the navigational contraptions that Captain Nemanor added to his ship when I sailed with him.

I'm not sure... is it worth the risk?

[Ursula]

"Mek-kaniks? Well, if you have experience with that kind of sorcery, then perhaps we should see what we can do to stop those who are keeping us here, the kind of creatures who enjoy watching the death of others deserve no less to be visited upon them. This contest is merely to satiate the bloodlust of the watchers, like the pits where humans make animals fight."

*There is a slight pause, then Ursula's eyes widen slightly as something Young Grimwold said begins to sink in*

"Wait... what happened to Tom?!"

[Young Grimwold]

I was overlooking the Dunnfalls, when I saw Tom plummet over the precipice, and...

I'm not sure whether he fell by accident, or whether he was driven to his demise. I...

I couldn't quite take in what I saw. And I know that you two were close. If you wish to investigate the site, I will accompany you. Though we may lose the Automatum if we do not pursue him now. I'm guessing that he does not give off a scent, as such, with which you can track him when he is out of sight?

*YG remembers something.*

And there was, also, the rendezvous proposed by Hordriss...

[Ursula]

*Ursula looks surprisingly impassive as she listens to the tale of Tom's 'demise', but only because she's fighting to keep her rage in check. Her voice shows signs of extreme strain as she speaks in a low, intense hiss*

"I have little doubt they intentionally drove him to the drop. That metal creature would have been more than capable of the task, I just wish I had been there to help him... he was a good friend..."

*Her voice starts to shake as she begins to lose control, her face twisting into a snarl*

"And when I find those responsible... I'LL FLAY THEIR HIDE FROM THEIR BONES!!!"

*Ursula's voice becomes a roar of fury as she shouts the last words, her eyes glowing feveriishly as rage boils within her. But almost instantly it is checked, and she takes a deep breath, regaining her grip on herself*

"My apologies, that was very foolish of me. This... 'game' brings out the worst in me, to my shame. I think we should meet with Hordriss before we try anything, there is strength in numbers... I am not sure whether they will expect us to work together or not, that may surprise them. I canot smell the metal creature, but his tracks are plain enough, no other humanoid leaves such deep footprints. And he can be heard from a distance. Anyway, shall we go?"

(OOC: Well, I certainly have to go, need to get to my bed!)

[Young Grimwold]

*YG is unfazed by Ursula's outburst. He knows it is justified, and necessary for her; and he is no stranger to internal struggles against a powerful temper. He comments, tonelessly and carefully, that*

In this extreme and unpredictable situation, violence is, sadly, an asset - but only if carefully controlled and deployed.

*YG checks his map.*

Hordriss suggested a meeting at the 'Eastern border'. In fact, heading in that direction takes us back along the creature's retreat path. So can both attempt to track him, for a time at least, and head towards the rendezvous with Hordriss, and further co-operation.

*YG cautiously contemplates the map for a little longer; then heads off, with Ursula, through the Forest. As they do so, YG reveals to her the provisions in his knapsack, should she sense a need for them before he does.*

[ladymorgan]

*From her hiding place, Equaliser notices YG go past, she takes out her weapon and swings with expert timing and grace to the floor, landing with out a sound. She notices Ursula walking side by side with YG and thinks a direct takedown would be suicide, even with her experience as an assassin, she decides on what must be done. Quietly she sneaks back into some overgrowth and looks at the spell and casts it:

Spellcasting: M-E-L-D

She waits to see its effect, hoping desperatly that the sound of her casting has not alerted YG or Ursula to her presence.*

[Kully]

*LMDC suddenly feels as though she is being sucked by a great force...and is drawn within the nearest tree-trunk. Stunned for a second, she adapts to her new situation, and attempts to move. She feels like liquid, or what she assumes liquid must feel like, and appears to glide...but not as the tree. She travels down a branch and passes from one tree to the next via touching branches...*

[Hordriss de Confuseur]

*At the Eastern border of the map, Hordriss waits amongst the bushes. He has already tried to push through the forcefield which cordons off the Battle Arena and has found it impossible. He has also, at a great affront to his dignity, turned his cloak inside out to reveal the indigo lining and streaked it and his hair with mud so that he might better blend in with his surroundings, anything is better than the scarlet robes.*

*In one hand he holds what he hopes will be his trump card, the spy-glass which he confiscated from Nesty before the game started and which, oddly, was not taken from him. He has already seen Tom's death, and how the body faded away. He also hopes that there is some significance, but cannot rely on supposition, and mourns Tom's passing. He has also seen FrightKnight in his tree, and the brief, aborted battle between Skiprazor, Fear and Hands.*

Now, who else.... so far one has been fortunate in not attracting their attention, their magical sense must also be dulled, but still over-use would be folly. Show one Young Grimwold....

*He sees YG and Ursula agreeing to find him.*

That is some comfort. Show... Troughton...

*As before, all he gets is static.*

Now, who else.... Ah! One had almost forgotten. Show the female assasin...

*The view clears, revealing nothing but trees. Hordriss frowns as he cancels the vision.*

That... that is concerning. Of all of our foes one fears the assasin most, she is in her element. Even Fear is not used to working without her magic. One will remain here, and hope that Young Grimwold and Ursula soon arrive.

*He thinks back to the contents of his backpack.*

Perhaps they will be able to make use of it..

[Skiprazor]

[*From his treetop vantage point, Skiprazor has only been able to catch brief glimpses of the melee between the bear-creature, the orc and the mechanical enforcer. Despite their considerable combat skill, it is increasingly obvious that they have no wish to partake in the contest. His lip curls slightly, almost affronted by their lack of resolve. He has been in combat for years, and has seen enough of death to know that survival can not be entrusted to others, even those deemed to be closest friends. He is confident that when the time comes, the companions will tear each other apart in the name of survival. Ether that, or they will make some weak-willed suicide pact and follow the hobo magician over the cliff edge to their doom.*]

[*This is a game, and they are players. But wheareas the creatures below seem to think that they are merely pawns in the game, Skiprazor realises that it is they, and they alone, who will shape their own fortunes in this game. He has been a pawn for aeons - that, after all, is why he was created. But out here, he is his own master.*]

[*Fear's words to him continue to haunt him. "Mortal". He has never been addressed that way, at least not by someone who was not privy to his true nature. Although he is mortal in basic physicality and emotion, he could not be farther removed with respect to purpose and drive. Lord Fear is a dangerous foe, yes, but Skiprazor knows that he is more so. He will destroy Fear, he will destroy that vermin Hands, then he will bathe his fists and feet in blood until no-one is left, and the game is his. That is his purpose, his reason for survival. That is what he was made for.*]

[*Climbing down from the tree as the clanking noise fades once more, Skiprazor heads East, flickering through the forest like a ghost.*]

[Ursula]

*Looking over the items in Young Grimwold's knapsack, Ursula can see no immediate need for any of them, and shows those she posseses to him in return*

"You are right... thus far the capacity for violence has been useful. But it is not the Gurahl way, we are defenders, not attackers. Though should that metal creature appear again, I will not hesitate to put a fewm more dents in it..."

*Ursula's head snaps up sharly as she hears the faint sound of Equalizer's spellcasting. Stannding stock-still, she scents the air carefully, listening hard*

"Hush... I think I heard something..."

*For several more moments she listens, but hears nothing, though she still remains alert*

"...perhaps I imagined it... but still, we should find Hordriss without further delay."

[Young Grimwold]

I'm afraid I didn't hear anything... but yes, we should make haste, and be ready to tackle the metal man, should we catch up with him before he recovers. I'm confident that my object could be used to... perform surgery on him.

*Pleased to have a companion when a short time before, he was near to suicide, YG makes conversation somewhat more zealously than he usually does, as the pair proceed, not fully expecting a response, as he knows that Ursula is keen to remain alert.*

I wonder, do you know of any interesting wildlife inhabiting the Forest? Or is it just wolves, and ourselves?

[ladymorgan]

*Equaliser can see her new form is next to useless and dispells it. (OOC: I'm assuming that any form should have the power to dispell their own spells) She goes back into the undergrowth clutching her weapon in case of a meeting.*

[Kully]

[OOC: Yes, if you can cast it, you can dispell it, although some may wear off before you have time to. Potions wear off when stated by a rep. You may only cast each spell once.]

[Kully]

*On the rocks where TT fell, there is a considerable amount of blood, but the body is gone. The marks are smeared as though the body was dragged away, so it looks as though animals have retrived the body. The knapsack, however, hangs limply off a pointed rock...*

[Skiprazor]

[*Advancing cautiously through the thicket, the grim reality of Skiprazor's situation begins to sink in. The collective that slowly converges on the Eastern border to meet The Confuser is a passive one, maybe, but should they finally best their inherent loathing of combat they could prove to be quite a potent force. By the same token, Fear and his supporters, last seen fleeing from the mechanical enforcer into the forest, are no doubt plotting a similar group offensive. This is not a team combat game, though, and the idea of factions forming makes Skiprazor's blood boil. He has sworn no allegiance, and is never likely to, instead serving himself and anyone else he deems worthy of his aid. To see the purity of the bloodsport, immoral though it may be, despoiled by petty infighting tastes to him like something of a personal insult.*]

[*The thoughts welling up inside his mind are terrifying in their familiarity. He is in competition, and has abandoned all notions of escaping or avoiding the conflict. Now, he just wants someone to kill. Bloodlust, his key emotion, rises unchecked to his nerve endings, coursing through his veins like a poison. He pauses for a moment, coating his instincts with a veil of experience and caution. He will win this game through intelligence, cunning and ruthlessness, while the two groups do their best to extricate themselves from the island.*]

[*He realises that some of his enemies may be lurking, instead of moving. While dismissive of this style of combat as cowardly and base, it is nonethless effective. He keeps his head up, every nerve tensed, looking into every conceivable hiding place and treetop for indications as to the whereabouts of his opponents, as his journey East continues.*]