The Harlequin

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix looks hard at Alriy a long moment, before bursting out in a stream of profanity. After about three minutes, he calms down, and starts muttering to himself about the duplicity inherent in sentient nature. Everyone else basically ignores him.[/I] Lacroix: Why didn't you do that earlier? Make me waste all that god-forsaken time. Can you do that for the other two? Alriy: They don't need it. [I]Lacroix starts swearing again, and stalks out.[/I] Alriy: What's his problem. Eve: I'd say he's just annoyed that he had to reveal something about himself. [I]The stung silence from outside is almost palpable.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]I know. But they tell you to junction it to status attack, and he seemed to be doing what they told him. It's pretty useless junctioning sleep to status attack, because they wake up every time you hit them, then you have to do it again. Sleep is really one of the more useless status magics.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Recognising the look in Tristam's eyes, Lacroix grinned, beckoned to Indrid, and followed. [/I] Indrid: Where as we going now? Lacroix: Tristam has decided that he doesn't like that bunch. This should be fun. Indrid: Why didn't we attack them earlier? Lacroix: We were busy. Now however...[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Just this once Newt. Next time read my posts. I ran off already. But I'll forgive you, just this once remember! IC:[I]Lacroix ran back to the hut with Alriy, both of them silent. They reach the hut quickly, Lacorix immediately entering. The man that had recently collapsed was slightly conscious, and draws his sword upon seeing the drow. Unbothered by the instinctive reaction, walked over and easily disarmed the weakened warrior.[/I] Lacroix: If you're going to attack me, make sure you'r strong enough to let it have an effect. Now, if you'll excuse us, we're busy. [I]Lacroix turns and pulls out a roll of bandages, a swab, and a few small canisters. Leaning over Hunter, he wipes the wounds clean, rubbing several compounds into them. Thankfully, Hunter was unconscious, or he would have been screaming.[/I] Lacroix: That will help with the healing, and keep the wounds getting infected. However, we'll need to fix that leg. [I]Lacroix walked outside and pulled down two branches, snapping them off to even lengths. Walking back in, he placed them against Hunter's broken leg, and bandaged them firmly into place.[/I] Lacroix: It's not a proper splint, but it will do. Elf: Where'd you learn all this? Lacroix: My people have a lot of arcane knowledge. Alchemy tends to go with that, and healing with that. By the way, I missed your name. Elf: Eve. You're Lacroix aren't you? Lacroix: Yes. Now for this one. [I]Lacroix walks over to the other wounded warrior. The man shies away, leery of being tended by a drow. Impatient, Lacroix opens up another canister. Firmly holding the man's nose, he shoves the opening down his throat. The man is forced to swallow. After a few convulsions, he in unconscious.[/I] Lacroix: This one is really not that hurt. I'll fix whatever wounds he has, then disappear. Eve: Why? Lacroix: It will be easier for him to heal if I'm not around. Eve: If you say so. Stay nearby though. If any more beasts are sent after us... Lacroix (cutting in): I'm sure you are able to take care of yourself. Eve: Alright then dammit. I want you to stay because you know what you're doing. Lacroix: ....oh alright. [I]Lacroix retreats to a corner, sitting silently, blending with the already shifting shadows.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]He's just full of himself. Hades is the legendary synth, as he is the only one who can make the Pumice stone (allows Dagger to summon Ark. Very useful), and I think Tin Armour as well. Plus a few other items I don't remember offhand.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]I know that. But you can beat it without bothering to get the items.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Then you have to juction it to status attack. I assume you know how to do that. Although, judging by that...[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix ran through the forest, needing to warn the others as soon as possible. He came across another set of footprints. Considering the chances of a 'normal' perosn wandering here being very slim, Lacroix followed them. Running through an overgrown trail, leaping over branches, twisting and rolling to avoid deadfall, Lacroix nearly missed the clearing. Stopping hurriedly, he ran in and found an unconcious person lying near a hut, and two people inside. One was Ilythiirtar, the other one of the female elves. Lacroix had missed her name. He ran in, picked the man up, and checked him over. He appeared okay, as long as he was tended. Looking over, he spoke to the two inside.[/I] Lacroix: Well, while it looks like you two don't feel like being interrupted, something interesting came up. But first, this one. [I]Lacroix lugs him in and throws him on the table, his strength belied by his slender frame. The female elf gets up, and looks him over.[/I] Elf: All he needs is rest. Now, what was that other piece of information you had that was so important? Lacroix: The attack was not random. The gnomes, I tracked to their cave. Their was a figure of a mage there, speaking to them, commanding them. Asking them why they didn't kill "the drunkard". They called him Nilothakir afterwards. Those are dead. However, I'm certain there may be other groups around. Everybody who was in that tavern earlier may be in trouble. And I have a feeling this one may be involved as well. [I]The elf sits silently, shocked at the words. Lacroix murmers something about finding the others, before running out side and taking off. The female elf runs after him, but quickly loses him. She returns to tend the two injured.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Check your grammer at some point, please. And while this is kind of long, it's gets things going. IC:[I]Vukodlak, Kabuki and Darken contiued through the cave, avoiding the Gi Warriors and other monsters. A Spinner jumped out form the cavern roof. Vukodlak immediately dove under it, coming up behind it. Darken through a grenade, blowing two of the spider's legs off. Vukodlak, using his natural acrobatics and agility, leapt onto the Spinner's back, slicing down with his scimitars. The beast, howling with pain, swung around and tried to dislodge him. Vukodlak easily maintained his balance, and stuck again. Darken ran in and sliced upwards, severing the beasts head. Vukodlak leaps off the falling body, and runs off. Kabuki and Darken follow. They reach the mouth of the cave. Ahead of them floats a great warrior. The GI Nattuk, thought destroyed by the Great Heroes years ago, has returned. They spread out, avoiding the soul fire's wheeling and diving attacks. Lacroix runs in and attacks. The Gi Nattuk catches both blades on it's spear, but is left open. Vukodlak leaps and kicks it in the head, and Kabuki and Darken run in and open devestating wounds in the beast's abdomen. The Gi Nattuk stabs at Vukodlak, grazing his shoulder. As Darken again runs in to attack, the Gi Nattuk spins his spear like a quarterstaff, knocking him away. Vukodlak again leaps in, decapitating the beast. The soul fires, which had been distracted by Kabuki, faded away. They were free to enter Cosmo Canyon.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Although he was already far away, Lacroix had heard Ilythiirtar's confrontation with the gnomes. By the time he had gotten there though, they had disappeared. Lacroix was easily able to spot the gnomes prints though. Deciding that Illythiirtar deserved a bit of revenge, and that he didn't have anything better to do, Lacroix followed the tracks. After nearly an hours stalking, Lacroix came upon a small cave, with a bright fire's light emanating from within. The tracks lead right to it. Moving cautiously up, Lacroix scaled the wall and hung just above the entrance. He slowly craned his neck down, into a shadowy cranny, and took a look inside. As he suspected, the dark gnomes were huddled around the fire. However, in their midst, their focus of attention, was a figure surrounded by a hazy nimbus. A mage of sorts. Lacroix listened closely.[/I] Mage: You imbeciles! You couldn't even kill one drunkard! He was basically waiting to die! Gnome: But master, he had help! A friend, with a frightful dragon. Mage: Well you should have killed him earlier. Do not fail me again. Gnome: Yes master. [I]The figure fades from view. As soon as the nimbus has disappeared completely, the gnomes start muttering softly to themselves, as if still afraid to be overheard. Lacroix only manages to pick up one word. Nilothakir! He drops soundlessly to the ground, a silhouette blacker than the night, outlined by the fire. The gnomes scramble to reach weapons. But this is no partially incapacitated, belligerent fighter they face here. This is a drow. A drow assasin. One of the gnomes pulls out a fiar sized crossbow. The other gnomes shield him as he cocks and aims. Lacroix stalks in, scimitars flashing in the firelight as he fends off attacks. The gnomes fires, the bolt striking the chainmail Lacroix wears. The jolt knocks him back, but the bolt does not even scratch the chainmail he wears. Lacroix leaps high in the air, flipping and landing with an X strike that takes the crossbow wielder's head off. An instant recovery and a spinning cut parries a slash to his head. Now surrounded, Lacroix is fought nearly to a standstill by the group of gnomes. At last a dangerously overextending riposte takes a gnome out, giving Lacroix the advantage. For this though, a gnome gets in a thrust with a rapier. The point takes Lacroix in the side. More of an inconvenience than a wound, it still bleeds profusely. Lacroix attacks the rest of the gnomes with dazzling speed, the heritage of his race. At last, all but the gnome that wounded him are dead.[/I] Lacroix: You are minions for Nilothakir? Gnome: Yes damn you! We were to kill you and the others! Lacroix: Are there other groups like you around? Gnome: No. [I]The answer is given instantly, too fast almost. Lacroix narrows his eyes, and runs the gnome through. So, Nilothakir is aware of their existence. Lacroix melds into the shadows as he leaves the caves, resolving to warn the others.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Remembering some earlier words, and deciding to have a little fun, Lacroix throws a glance at Hunter. Long enough to be noticed by both Mara and Hunter, but not long enough to be considered deliberate. Mara narrows her eyes at both of them, and Hunter glares at Lacroix. Lacroix smiles, gets up, and walks out.[/I] Lacroix: It's necessary for me to make an early exit, I'm afraid. Look me up when you all decide to go aftr Nilothakir.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Hearing someone else call his name, Lacroix hides to find out who this one was. The man walks past. He looked rather familiar. Then Lacroix realised who he looked like. He was almost a mirror image of Lacroix. Lacroix stepped out and confronted him.[/I] Lacroix: Do I know you? Indrid: It's me, Indrid. Lacroix: Who? You look like I should know you. Indrid: Oh yes, I forgot. You have no memory of your past. Lacroix: Well, I didn't but... [I]Lacroix clutches at his head in pain. After a minute, he comes out of it. A look of wonder in his eyes. He stands, looking at Indrid with new eyes.[/I] Lacroix: Well brother mine, it's been a long while, hasn't it. Indrid: So you do remember. Lacroix: Do now.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: David Eddings books this time I see... IC:[I]Returned to his master, Lacroix informed him of the warrior's ability to destroy their creatures.[/I] Lacroix: They're stronger than we suspected, you know. Ikag Grul: Could you defeat them? Lacroix: Singly, certainly. Outnumbered, it would be very difficult. With a few creatures at my back, simple. Ikag Grul: It's your fault their still alive at all fool! You dare ask for more help! [I]Lacroix draws himself up to his full height, and retorts in a snarling tone.[/I] Lacroix: I may call you my master, but that is out of respect, not fear. You need me, do not tempt me to leave. Ikag Grul: Alright. Alright. Remember though, I can destroy you. Lacroix: Of course. But you'd find it very diffificult. Ikag Grul: Perhaps. Well then, what do you propose? Lacroix: Worry not, I have a plan.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Simple Cloricus. It has to be. A finite universe means finite possibilities. We've conceded that. Now, why has the universe not started repeating itself? Because it is infinite. I suppose you'll say what if we haven't reached the end of the possibilities yet? Well, then space would repeat itself. Which would mean that time would repeat itself. Because time and space are directly linked. Now, time repeating. Which is? Folding time. So even if it did happen, we wouldn't know. It would keep continuing until something changed. And if nothing changed, then it would keep repeating. It couldn't even end, because nothing ever changed. Which would mean it was infinite. So I'd say Cloricus, that while logic often annoys me, it sometimes works.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]You do the same thing Cloricus. And for a little theory of my own. Nothing can ever be disproven. Ever. In an infinite universe, anything is possible. There is nothing except logic to say that just because something happens once, that it won't happen a different way in the same circumstances, or that a different event will take place instead. And what is logic based on? Sequences of events. So it's useless in that context. There is always probability, but never certainty. Does that just make things so much more interesting?[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Lacroix, who had been following them all along, decides to have a little more fun.[/I] Lacroix: Oh my god! A door! WE'RE ALL GONNA DIE! [I]They spin, drawing weapons.[/I] Lacroix: So you finally managed to deduce my identity. Should have been easy, when I responded to your inquiry earlier. Valen: And then ran off like a coward. Lacroix: Three on one isn't fair, even if I'd win anyway. Valen: Ha! Lacroix: I see you missed my present. Valen: What? Lacroix: The bodies. Now, I believe I'll bid you ado. But worry not, you'll run into me again. Valen: And sheathe my steel in your foul heart. Lacroix: I can't wait. [I]Lacroix bows, flamboyant as ever, before backflipping once. Turning, and walking calmly off.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]Not sharing Davien's introverted personality, Cathos quickly became restless. Getting up, he announced he'd be back in a day or so, and left. Davien did not even look up, merely stared into his soul. And didn't like what he found.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]After a while, Cathos and Davien realise that Spyder isn't coming back. Davien sighs heavily, and they return to his apartment. Boarding up windows, but leaving enough gap so that if someone should try and get in... Davien also left a rope hanging down.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]As the others search for missles, Vukodlak takes a more direct approach. He assumes his demonic form, and leaps out the window. Flying towards the jets, he startles the pilots so much they don't even fire on him. Landing on the cockpit of the foremost, with one claw he smashes the glass and impales the pilot. Withdrawing his hand, he takes the pilot with him. [/I] Vukodlak: My turn to fire the rockets.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Aren't there two or three other threads on this topic?[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Desert Palace is pretty simple once you learn the pattern. If you've tried all the candles, just start different combinations. The main problem I have is running into monsters every 6 steps. The bloodstones aren't even that neccessary, unless you want the items.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson][I]As they started to float, Harlequin freed his pistol crossbow, looking around at the water. A slight movement, and he immediately shot. They are suddenly propelled along, as the thrashing of one of the river denizens churns up the already heaving water. Soon, everything is again unnaturally still.[/I] Harlequin: Why do I have this feeling we're going to run into a grendel? Spyder: Because you're always pessimistic. [I]Harlequin smiles, before leaning over and kissing her hard. He then returns to watching the river.[/font][/color][/I]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]It's not really worth the MP. Anything weak enough to be killed by it is generally weak enough to be killed without summons. It's only really any good if you get into trouble for some misbegotten reason.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]Beginning of Disk 4. Basically, where you have to go to beat the bad people up. At the beginning of Disk 4, it appear above the Lifa Tree. It's a big purple ball basically.[/font][/color]

[font=gothic][color=crimson]OOC: Talk to Raiha. I based it on her post. IC:[I]After an hour or so flying, they reached a dense city. Vukodlak starts going through their weapon stash, pulling out a mortar. Opening the door, he aims at a large park, where there seems to be some kind of celebration going on. The streets are packed, anyway. He fires, and after the explosion, carnage litters the square.[/I] Vukodlak: No we go hit somewhere else. Like the wind of death, our coming cannot be anticipated, not cn it be stopped. [I]The helicopter wheels and flies off, those on the ground shocked, scared and thankful there are no further attacks.[/font][/color][/I]