Dragonborn Isekoi (Sallin Kari)

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Fair enough, dragon bolt is it.

Also, considering I'm trying to promote this thing's dangerousness, if we feel you've been fenced in or roll a bunch of bad dice because your bribe money ran out, we can have Theresa or someone else drop in.

As you approach the smoking area, you find the creature is indeed lounging about. It's slumped against a wall, casually grabbing fist fulls of a nearby pile of food and dropping them into its mouth and chewing. The pile of 'food' seems to involve a mix of raw material ore, plant matter, magic crystals, and pieces of the villagers. This village is already lost unfortunately. The creature itself is a massive brute, almost half again as tall as you and twice as wide with arms and legs like trees. The description this rabbit woman gave you is, if anything, understated. On the outside of its joints and limbs, it has large bone protrusions, although it's hard to tell from this range, they seem more like metal or possibly crystal shot through with metal, likely uru.

The thick scales bordering on armored plating she mentioned is mostly across the chest and areas that it needs to have flexible. It's skull is a massive block of spikes, its eyes tiny and inset. Even from here, you can see bits of weight and strengthening magic clinging to it, although it seems to have not been using its hardening magic as much. It's not actively casting, as much like yourself, constantly 'clenching the magic muscle' is a good way to hemorrhage energy. This presents you with a slight advantage. With it eating and unpowered, you'll probably get a good chance to approach it for a first strike. Unfortunately, the area around it is mostly clear so you'll have to approach from the side or behind, where its vitals armor and spikes are thickest... The brief memory of the Jagreen trying to ambush Theresa and how that ended for the beast when it found itself in close combat with someone like this flashes through your mind.

You could discuss this with the rabbit woman... whose name you haven't asked, and what she can do. You've also likely got a few decisions to make on the quality of materials you want to leave behind. With the Wyrven, it was airborne, and dropping it from height nearly the killed thing so Gabby was able to strip it of everything of value. This monstrous brute is likely to go down with a much more tenacious fight, and how much you want to salvage of it is likely going to depend on how you attack.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Don't really like the idea of Talren having to be saved. If anything I'd say let it be a last breath victory. Remember he does have that powerful armor piercing attack designed to kill an armored horse, a shield, and the armored knight on top in one might thrust and that's without using his power boost. Also, I thought we forgoed the dice in this RP for combat?

Also, he hunted a griffin I believe, not a wyvren.

"Alright got eyes, doesn't look like he sees me. Let's drop you off and decide on a game plan since he gave us time," I drop down, stopping just above the ground and gently setting her on the ground, "I'm still up for my initial plan of slamming it Also, names might be nice if we are trying to communicate in the fight. Talren is my name."

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

However you want to do it.

Also, my bad.

When you land, she hops down, from a much higher level than you'd expect. "Mary. Mary Longtooth." Mary is... a rather plain name. The shortness of it tickles your memory, but it doesn't come up unless you focus on it. Longtooth is what you'd expect from a rabbit kin, although the way she moves is a bit more graceful than you'd expect from pure rabbitkin. Not to mention her dark skin and higher than normal magic. Still, while you're curious, you can always respect her privacy or push as you desire.

"Originally, I was going to move in from behind and fire my spell and split his back open if I could." She hefts the spell pistol and the short axe. The spell has three softly glowing crystals at the top, likely to signal capacity. Its icey nature seems to indicate some kind of movement impediment. "Then I was going to stick him with this. It causes severe weakness and will drain magic from a beast." She pulls out a stiletto that reeks of death magic from the thin crack between the handle and the sheathe. If she actually managed to get that cursed hunk of metal into its vitals, it would probably kill anything. Where the hell did she get that? You've never seen anyone carry something like that around here, it looks a lot more like an assassins weapon than anything else.

"I'm not as concerned with the monsters valuable parts, the uru impregnated crystals will make up for the cost of this equipment, but it'd be nice to capture most of it intact." She's a bit wistful, and the fact that the thing is a walking pile of loot dances in her eyes but is quickly overshadowed by something deeper and darker. You're confident you can kill it, even without her help, but the way she's acting...

[Sallin_Kari]

Mary... why would such a standard name stick to me... I mull over it as the conversation continues. Opening my mouth to respond when she pulls out the stiletto, I cover my face and wince back, taken off-guard by the sudden foulness of the magic. After recovering I answer, "My plan to blast him from the front in the leg, hopefully hobbling him. Would be a good distraction for you to hit him from behind." Still, the way she's acting and the fact she even has something like that is making my suspicions of her reasons more solid. No reason to bring it up and make her agitated even before we engage, but I do add real quick, "Just got to keep on our toes. No reason throw away victory because we loss our cool."

[porne]

"Maybe. As soon as it's under attack, it's going to harden and start throwing up defenses, which was why I was going to attack him all at once. Still, I don't know how you fight, and once this goes in, you should avoid getting close, no matter how much of the material is destroyed in the process." Wait, that sounds suspiciously like she's going to destroy a lot of the more valuable parts in order to get a quick kill. "If you can, go for the subbrain here," she points to a spot at the back of her neck, one that is extremely well covered, "destroy that and it won't be able to fight and cast at the same time."

Wasn't the subbrain the most valuable part of the monster? Your lesson from Gabby is a little fuzzy, although it might be residual knowledge from Loren. You are here for a good meal, fat loot, and possibly some rabbit tail, but it sounds like this crazy bunny is going to poison the damn thing and torch the value beyond raw material prices. That stiletto alone seems like it'll contaminate the meat so badly that eating it would cause you to vomit, and you're a fucking dragon. Hunters have been pretty mercenary, but this one seems...bloodthirsty.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

So, as you've probably guessed, this is the ogre that killed Marianna Longtooth's mother ten years ago, and she's out for vengeance. She's also keenly aware that she would not be walking away from the fight if she drug it out at all or got tagged by the things fist, so she's going for a quick, painful kill against it regardless of how much money she burns in the process. Talren has a lot more options than she does, so he's got an actual choice on how to engage it, and I'm letting you decide how to handle it.

Mary's equipment load out is that of a speedster, as she's got the 'Hurricane Spell Suite' which makes her tougher, stronger, lighter, and with a dash of wind magic for better control. She also has a hand axe with an attack buff, a spell pistol with three slowing spells, the stiletto of doom, and various other bits and pieces of common adventurer/hunter gear that we can use on the fly. Talren has his own abilities, plus whatever armor and equipment he's picked up. I recall four spells: fists of flame, fire beam, ice shield, and... lightning bolt? on his gauntlets, although I think it was a mix. I know magma weapons are favored in the area, but I don't recall him picking any up.

Talrens decision is how dangerous he thinks the thing is vs how much money he can make, as the best vengeance is liquidating your opponents assets so you can drink the finest wine from their jewel encrusted, hollowed out skull. He could also probably talk Mary into taking that stiletto as a particularly nasty panic weapon if he wanted, nothing says surprise! like liquefied vital organs.

[Sallin_Kari]

"Hey now, you're not trying to solo it any more. We don't have to go full scorched earth on it. Trust me, we can kill it without resorting to such things," I point out before deciding to play into her clear hatred, "Wouldn't that be more fulfilling. To dominate it, slowly driving it into a corner so it finally feels despair before you finally kill it?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Didn't know it was the mother but got the vengeance bit.

He had two fire fists(one on each), an explosion(I think we said it fired an invisible high speed projectile which explodes, magma stream, ice shield, and ice beam. He did splurge to get the triple slot version.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I've been debating how I want to do the 'sneaky' round. I was thinking of making it a portal system. Maybe I'll use that for the combat halo...

Right, do you think he'd have made time to play with his weapons, or would he be too distracted with all of the attractive women making use of his body like the manslut he is?

She seems doubtful at first, but the temptation to make it suffer is clearly tempting. "Alright, we can try something a bit... easier first. Still, we'll only get the one shot at hitting it unguarded before it begins to cast on itself. Where should we aim?" She seems unsure of herself on this part. Getting a better look at it from this range, you can make out a few more details, although you'd have to fly around it. Your initial survey was correct, thick chunks of armor across most of the back, although as you watch closely, you can see that it only has thin scales at the inside of the elbows, the back protected by those massive bone protrusions. It stands to reason the legs are likely the same way, although it's squatting as it shovels food into its maw. Its neck is similarly thinly armored across the front, but the thick bones across its skull and shoulders mean a near miss is likely to mean a hit directly against that thick armor. The monster has some of the best natural armor you've ever seen, and the quality of it makes you salivate. Those scales you donated are likely to grow back very soon if you're feeding them that kind of quality nutrition.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Wait what? The sneaky round? Did you meant the explosion one? Which is sneaky because the round is invisible and high velocity so it's really hard to notice?

He's not use to his weapons, that's for sure, but his intent is for him to actually become familiar with them so he'd spend at least some time with them.

"I was going for the leg. If it can't use it then we can keep distance, not to mention it will hinder it attempting to swing at us regardless. Footwork is important in combat even for beasts," I explain my reasoning, "I could go for an arm, or do an all or nothing for the throat, which very well might kill it outright, but on the other hand is likely to miss and hit those thick spines."

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Right, the crazy old russian salesmen referred to them as the 'sneaky sneaky' spells because there's almost no sign of them until they're fired so they're basically invisible with very little lag. The result is that they'll be aimed, you pump mana into it, pull the trigger, and there's a massive explosion of fire or whatever where ever it was aimed. There's also very little chance to correct for bad aim, but that's the result of that sort of thing.

"What about coming up behind him? Do you think you're strong enough to slow him down and spread his neck open for me to get a shot in with the axe?" She asks you. That thing is massive, its biceps are thicker than your thigh, and while you could probably hold him for a little while, the residual strengthening magic clinging to it looks like enough to double or even triple its already high strength rating. Even with good positioning, trying to out muscle that thing is intimidating. It does prompt a few other suggestions about getting in a good hit and then trying to open it up for a better strike from her. Still, Mary seems to be deferring to you as she's still not as experienced of a hunter and she can tell.

[Sallin_Kari]

"Maybe, but I'm more confident in my weapon to do significant damage. I'm sure I could do that later though if needed, but after he strengthens himself will you be able to do enough with your axe?" I point out, "No, I think we'll start by trying to take out it's mobility, so slam him with ice at the start as I go for his leg and we'll see about making an opening after the battle is engaged." Still, he is strong, though if we manage to take out his leg, I should be able to overpower him simply by taking advantage of that with throws and binds. All the strength in the world doesn't matter if you don't have the footing to use it.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

For the record, this thing is going to be in the weight range of a ton or so, and fully weighting will put him at three tons. I believe that's outside of Talrens lifting limits, although jointlocks are still viable. Sorry for the delay.

She nods at that, accepting your reasoning. Her pistol is only going to be good at a middle range rather than long range. One of the common trade offs for switching from a spell rifle. Still, you feel a slight fluctuation as she activates her armor. She's cutting her weight by some and she begins to move out, keeping low to stay out of its visual range as she tries to sneak behind it. Her movements... are odd. She's graceful, but with her weight distorted, her short leaps don't look right to your eyes, but she seems able to move. Now, you can sneak in closer and lead in, or you can follow Mary's example and sneak toward his rear to make a fast approach.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I believe that Talren could carry 1500 pounds, while flying so he might be able to 'lift' him when using his strengthening magic, but not much more and certainly not when the ogre is flailing around. Still, he wasn't talking about that, he was talking about knocking his legs out and chokeholds type of thing. Specifically what I had it mind was that he could climb on the spines on his back and choke him that way. As fire dragons typically hang out in crags and otherwise very rough terrain their leg claws would actually be really good at holding onto such things so it should be quite possible to do that.

I think it's best to attack it in a pincer so I creep up opposite of her, though I wait until I'm sure Mary is in position. before I do anything.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

While the thing isn't smart, it is cunning, and there's only so long Talren will get to choke it before it falls/rolls on its back and all those thick spines and three tons of metallic monster land on top of him. Just a thought.

Approaching the monster from a rear angle, the opposite of Mary, you wait for her to launch her attack. You can see the wind magic clinging to her as she begins to charge in behind it, not even a whisper of sound preceding her approach. She has both the spell pistol and hand axe low, the axe on the inside of her approach. You'd best drift in low on your wings to keep from making any noise yourself. The monsters heavy arms come into a bit better of focus, the gnarled fingers and claws the size of hams, with large metallic bone spikes sticking out above the knuckles to act as claws. The backs of its arms are also heavily plated with spines, enough to act as bracers most likely. Minor cracks extend out from a few impact points, likely the previous defenders attempts on the monster.

As Mary gets close enough, the monster shifts, starting to properly stand up instead of squatting, and Mary cuts loose on the thing, firing her pistol as fast as she can, crystals of ice beginning to form on its legs, before she slams a leg into the ground, her weight shifting as she brings the hand axe around, and the head bites into the monsters inside knee. You see the spell go off, two bits of tightly packed force magic trying to shear and spread the material. One of the armored spikes she hits is ripped in half, but the axe doesn't more than cut a bit of tendon beyond that. At that point, you have a decision to make on how you want to attack it yourself. It hasn't gotten the chance to counter attack yet, and hasn't even really started falling.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Which is where Talren's speed would come into play.

As soon as the creature begins to stand up I let out my dragon bolt at his leg, before jumping forward with my wings, ready to extract Mary if things get dicey or shoulder tackle the creature if it looks unstable.

[porne]

Hitting it from the back destabilizes it quite badly, and in fact throws it some distance, giving it a few seconds of rolling before it comes up for air. You can already see the layers of magic rolling off of it, strengthening and healing magic to begin with, and a bit of weight. It lets out a massive below of fury as you push toward it. Mary has wised up it seems, and is mostly staying out of its way, seeming to be focusing on recharging her axe for now since the creature is focused on you. Its leg is bleeding, although you were sort of hoping for a severing. Many of the crystals around its legs are damaged or broken, but the way it squats down and adopts... no, it doesn't quite adopt a fighters stance. It's the crude impression of one, and the way it's holding its arms reminds you of the way a humanoid would hold a sword and shield more than a bare handed fighter. It reaches down, grabbing a hunk of rock, likely to throw at you.

[Sallin_Kari]

Good, got its attention. As it picks up a rock to throw, I crouch down, preparing to leap the moment the rock leaves its fingers, and fire another dragon bolt at its injured leg.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I don't know if we ever discussed interactions of conjured materials impacting Talren after said conjuration. I don't want to reuse what I did in Sword and have it be only temporary matter that can be banished easily again. The only thing I can think of is when Talren got sprayed by a magma weapon back when he was saying hello to Jillian, and I believe it just impacted him like normal material, him tanking it through raw physical power and his resistance to heat.

A surge of earth and conjuration magic warns you before its too late, as the rock multiplies as the beast throws it with blinding speed, the now cluster of head sized rocks howling through the air towards you. Its balance is off, but it doesn't seem to be ready for more as the healing magic rolling off of it is mostly focusing on the leg. This time, earth is cratered around it but the creature manages to take the impact directly on the armor of its knee studs. The crystalline spikes crack and splinter, but don't fully give in now that the monster has fully engaged its strengthening magic. It is hobbled though, and it doesn't look like it's going to be able to run away.

"Smoke?" Mary asks you in your ear, and you're reminded that the two of you, like all intelligent people going into battle, synchronized your communications devices. A quick glance shows her with a small bomblette that she can throw as she tries desperately to get her magical gear ready for more.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Yeah, Talren literally brushed off the magma with his tail, though I didn't realize that it was a conjuration weapon.

I let out a curse as I leap directly into the air, above the suddenly massive rock storm. The speed was something I was expecting though, so I'm not completely caught off guard. Unfortunately the same could be said for him as well, as my dragon bolt fails to tear his leg apart.

"Yes... I got an idea. Is your axe charged? Because if it is I'm going to blast its footing then dive bomb it, and try to retch his neck open for a strike," I suggest.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

It was either conjuration, or it opens a portal to a place deep under the earths crust. Or taps into the dimension of high pressure magma. Conjuration makes the most sense, as I'm trying to play a little bit with my magic systems, even though I have a 'preferred' style. I think for this, I'm going to go with what we've been doing: close proximity to Talren will violently disrupt the magic, but purely physical effects beyond the range of the spell are unaffected. In the case of a magma weapon, close proximity would cause the spell to collapse and fizzle, or it will cause a destabilized portal/conjuration system. Something like their lightning casters where the magic is an integral part that guides the lightning where the user wants it to go will completely fail (although there are ways around this for someone who understands what's happening).

The creature tries to keep up with you, but like most large beasts, it struggles to be able to start and stop moving its significant mass to keep you in sight and its heavily armored arms between you. "I've got one good slash with it." As she tosses the small box, the creatures head jumps towards it, but it quickly looks back at you, seeming to have a good idea that you're a bigger threat. There's a loud *pop* and a thick, acrid black smoke, mildly reflective erupts from the small box and creates a small ugly black cloud around the creature.

A few seconds after that, you catch a sharp movement to the back of the cloud as you circle, seeing the creatures knuckles swing out. It has seen this tactic before, as once blinded, it assumed a rear assault. You feel a surge of earth magic, in addition to the still pulsing healing magic going on. This time, the magic is directed at the ground. Is it making a weapon? The ground is moving up, but it's taking a very compact form.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I mean, it could be loaded with a rock which is then superheated and shot out, so no, those aren't the only options. We didn't exactly go into any details on how it worked, but sure, conjuration is fine.

As soon as the the smoke cloud starts to form I take flight directly above it and start bombard the cloud, hopefully shattering the ground it is standing on, and forcing it on the ground. I let myself glide down as I try to determine the effects I had, and whether or not it is safe to dive onto him.