Venomous Desire(Porne)

[porne]

This time, while I'm jogging, I only keep one eye out for items, letting my mental focus work mostly on cycling power to my right arm, trying to duplicate the 'Force' rune in my left that acts as a shield. Normally, primal magic like Force, Time, or Inertia don't mix with an opposing primal like Space, but it's a hell of a trick, and one I'd be happy to have more of. Naturally, I have to stamp down on my urge to grumble about how much better the other primals are compared to space.

Still, when we start to arrive near the forest, I decide it's probably best to not poke in until the morning, both so that any scouts can spot us and so we're not tired from travel.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Adding a bit more on the magical elements. I think I'd like to go with eight 'core' elements that make up the bulk of magic: Fire/Water, Air/Earth, Life/Death, and Light/Dark. There's also 'derivative' elements for magic like blood, venom, frost, lightning, and other such elements which are associated but less broad than their core elements, usually a mix of two core elements but hobbled with extremely narrow applications until latter growth. Going the other directions from the 'derivative magics' are the 'primal' magics, Force, Matter, Time and Space. An 'ideal' mix of elements would be a core and a primal, the core to act as the early power and then the primal because of the bonkers shit you can do at high level. Opposing magics react in an annihilation manner. Poor Suku didn't get to get her Jedi on like a Force magic, nor summon raw matter from nothing like a Matter, nor freeze time like a Time dragon.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Okay... so she'd be mostly life then with her biomagic and Space being a primal magic?

Roll 11
You find bit and bobs of herbs along the way. Nothing compared to Yuna's massive haul but it's something. Setting up for the night you once again return to your pocket dimension... is there anything else you need to do before trying to meet the elves tomorrow?

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I was thinking either life, death, or matter as the components that created venom. I was going to suggest life/water as the creator for blood, so either death/water or possibly life/matter or death/matter for venom. That said, venom just being a more restricted version of life magic would make sense, and provide another reason why she's so fertile and potent. Or a weird combination of life/death which is why it's so weak.

Hm, I think I've done as much as I can if I can't focus what mana I have left into upgrading or copying a spell across my meridians. Without the extra information, I can't complete the air magic in my legs that would allow me to Airstep. If any of my spells are close to a breakthrough or other threshold, I can consider using some time tonight to pour mana into them to cross it.

Otherwise, I can slip into my space with Ruby so we can share the nights meal with Yuna.

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

I mean, I view death as more necromancy then things that kill things. Otherwise a sword is 'death magic.' Venom is simply made by organic creatures so would be life magic in my view.

Unfortunately it looks like you won't be able to advance in any sort of timely fashion without assistance... You really need to find one of those caches.

The day begins and you need to decide on how you want to approach the forest, and whether or not you want to keep Yuna in until you actually reach the forest, which is a good few hours away, or have her out for the trek.

[porne]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Eh, death magic is mostly necromantic, it's just got a 'death' element that is the opposite of 'life' for their attacks or shielding purposes. I poached that from The Land. https://chaos-seeds-series.fandom.com/wiki/Magic

Dammit, I reaaaaaally need to find one of those caches. Without the ability to copy, I dump most of my mana and some of the gather energy into expanding my core.

Waking up, I head to talk with Yuna, bringing Ruby along as well. Sitting with Ruby's head in my lap for ear scritches, I discuss with Yuna. "I think you should walk with me today. I don't know when the elves are going to spot me, and it'd be best if they see somebody they know. You do know them, right?"

[Sallin_Kari]

"No, we've been cut off by the centaurs since before my birth... however we do have an ancient treaty, so simply being a kitsune should be enough," She explains.

[porne]

"Alright, then you get to stretch your legs with us." I mention to her, a little hoping for more, but what can you do. If that's all she has to suggest, I let all three of us out and tell Yuna we'll do some quick mana gathering before setting out.

[Sallin_Kari]

She pauses at your comment of gathering magic but nods. You do notice that Yuna is very nervous when out, switching from making sure she is as immaculate as any essentially homeless woman can be, and scanning the horizon with a fearful glint in her eyes.

[porne]

I sit down quickly, meditating to top off my mana supply before I help Ruby gather a bit more mana. It's still inefficient, but necessary. Once completed, I get up and signal to Yuna that we're ready to go.

[Sallin_Kari]

She seems happy to move towards the cover of the forest and away from openly patrolled centaur land. As you approach you are struck by how every tree is glowing with magic, as well as lots of the underbrush as well. How curious.

[porne]

I move closer to one of the trees, probing the magic with my own, curious if it might be some kind of life magic surging through them. Still, if nothing is interesting, I proceed deeper into the forest.

[Sallin_Kari]

Touching it you can identify the magic better. There is clearly life magic, but not just. Illusion and Divination magic are both pretty much ingrained in the trees at this point, as well as fire resistance magic. Who ever did this must have both been talented and extremely dedicated. Each tree has been organically changed to maintain the spell automatically and even repair it should it get damaged. Some one literally turned these otherwise mundane trees into magical creatures.

[porne]

I shake my head at the incredibly impressive enchanting and dedication on display here. I look around a bit, curious if I can find a few seedlings that might have these properties, the amount if skill on display is impressive. If there aren't any on the ground, I look up into them, looking to see if I can find some seeds still on limbs. Illusion is a derivative of Light magic if I recall, so someone around here has some terrifying light magic powers. Still, with the spells currently involved, fire magic isn't going to do much here, so I'll need to recall that if I have to do any fighting.

Even so, I nod to the other two that I'm done inspecting the trees and we can proceed further in. I also keep an eye open for any deadfall or other possible resources that I could collect, but I don't want to actually hurt any of the trees.

[Sallin_Kari]

Unfortunately you can't find any seedlings or seeds, so are forced to carry on. You notice that Yuna and Ruby are having trouble navigating and you constantly have to lead them in order to prevent them from wandering off. As you are trying to figure out a solution for that you hear the sound of a bow being draw before someone shouts out, "Who are you and why have you invaded our sacred woods." Looking out you see several figures in the distance hiding in the trees with bows ready.

[porne]

Strange that both Ruby and Yuna are having such trouble. It makes sense that I'm not heavily affected, being a dragon, but Ruby is half dragon and Yuna is well versed in illusion magic. Still, I'm taken out of my thoughts when a few figures start shouting at us and drawing bows. I gesture Yuna forward. "Well, I had some business in the local area to discuss, but Yuna here is more familiar with your sacred woods."

[Sallin_Kari]

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

Ruby is too young, and the magic is far more powerful than Yuna so while she knows about illusions the difference is still too much.

Yuna is hesitant after being put on the spot so suddenly but steps forward and declares, "I am Princess Yuna of the Kitsune tribe. I've come under our ancient treaty to seek refuge after my homeland has been occupied by the hated centaur invaders." The figures begin discuss among themselves, their bows still raised but they let the bow slip into a more relaxed posture. After a minute or so the voice calls out, "We will bring you to the elders to discuss your request." Yuna lets out sigh of relief, tension leaving her body, muttering, "Well we go past the dangerous part. Now let's see if we can actually get help..."

[porne]

How much I want to let on that I'm having a more difficult time seeing the illusions themselves as opposed to the magic is something I'd like to keep close to my chest, but I'm fairly confident they've already been watching for a while. Otherwise, I follow Yuna.

[Sallin_Kari]

They lead you to a massive structure made from living trees, with branches woven together to make roofs and walls. Leading you inside you are brought to a grand hall where you are greeted by a beautiful and well endowed elven woman. "It is unusual to have guests now a days. To what do we owe the pleasure?"

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

[porne]

I survey the surrounding room as the woman greets us, but give her a bow as I enter. "Hello, I am Suku. I was given a map that said something valuable was here, which is one of the things that lead me here, although Yuna has also requested assistance for her centaur problems." I try to be a bit more respectful.

[Sallin_Kari]

The guards do not seem pleased by your stated intentions but the woman waves them down, maintaining her smile, as you continue to speak. Having dropped Yuna's name she steps forward and announces, "Yes! I'm the princess of kitsune tribe and I come to seek refuge after my homeland has been taken over by the centaur!"
"I can offer refuge, but I am afraid we are not in a position to otherwise help. As it states the only reason we are still independent is that our forest has defeated any of their invasion attempts," The elf points out, "Should we leave the safety of the forest we would be destroyed." At that Yuna hope seems to die a bit before she looks at you to see if you have any suggestions.