Adventure Begins Again!

Mushautumn waddled out of the Myconid Patch with Elfbeau and Slothtress in toe. Even if they couldn't understand her, they could tell that Elfbeau was much more comfortable around them and the Patch than Slothtress. They hoped the beastwoman would come to calm soon, Autumn didn't have any intentions to hurt her afterall. Elfbeau stopped where he was and looked towards Mushautumn to determine where they should go, as did Slothtress, but Autumn realized...they didn't know. Their immediate instinct was to pick a direction at random, but then another thought blossomed in their mind "One moment...I wanna try something." Mushautumn took a seat and then cleared their mind. They dug into the reservoire of mana and tried to push it down into the ground at their feet, then into the air around them. They were looking for...something to happen. Maybe get a vision of the forest surrounding them, or a sign from somewhere on where they should go.

OOC:

Elfbeau and Slothtress watched the small fungus intently, curious as to what she was doing. Mushautumn could feel her mana spread out through the world around her. It twisted and inched its way through the soft earth, like roots taking hold, prodding and searching for...something. In the air it spread in what felt like a small cloud, reaching out and feeling each, individual particle. Unfortunately, try as she might, nothing seemed to feedback to her. The ground was the ground, the air was the air and the world was no more opened to her than it had been moments ago. Her two companions regarded her, waiting for her decision on what to do and how to proceed with their day.

Mushautumn huffed quietly and stood up "We'll go east through the forest" They started walking, though really it was more of a waddle because of their nature as a young mushling "I have magic and I'm a plant, I should be able to talk to other plants...right? Right you guys can't answer me. I feel like it should be something I can do." After a few minutes of walking into the forest, Autumn motioned for their retinue to stop at a tree that they thought looked especially receptive to conversation, then reached out their hands. They pressed against the tree and reached out with their mana once again, though now trying to feel all throughout the tree, from the roots burrowed deep into the ground to the leaves on the highest branches.

OOC:

Try as she might with her mana, once again it seemed Nature had no interest in the little fungus. The trees stayed silent, their branches swaying softly in the breeze. However, something did rustle in the foliage behind Mushautumn and her comrades. Beau and Tress would turn to acknowledge the sound, knowing full well that most things in the forest weren't naturally friendly. As they did so, two Greater Armored Tanuki poked their heads out from the bushes, pausing as they noticed the group. They sniffed the air in front of them, their beady eyes shifting between each of the members of Autumn's party. Clearly the creatures hadn't been expecting to come across this strange band of travelers and things were now...awkward.

Mushautumn heard the rustling themselves and then turned around, staring back at the tanuki cautiously. Their first instinct was to run, but then they realized what they were up against: creatures with armor. It might be a bit of a hassle to contend with, but if they could get the armor for themselves they could use it to better protect their companions "Tress, to my left, you'll be our guard, Beau to my right. Move slowly. If they make any sudden motions, attack..." Autumn let them get into position then tried channeling their mana again, but this time not to commune with nature. They were pooling it in their hands, thinking thoughts of harm and attack, before pushing forward and attempting to manifest the energy into a form, any form, that could dispatch the tanuki.

Current Stats:

OOC:

The two Tanuki chittered to one another, hunching down and falling more into their shells as the trio began to slowly advance on them. Their rodent eyes flicked back and forth between each of the members as the small fungus began to gather magical energy in its fists. Then, suddenly the one on the left made a break for it, rapidly disappearing into the brush it had emerged from. The remaining Tankuki chittered in what seemed to be an annoyed tone before lunging for the nearest attacker, in this case the largest one Tress. The Tanuki would slash at the sloth creature's arm with its sharpened claws, hoping to dissuade Tress from coming any closer. Tanuki's were not fighters, but they'd defend themselves if necessary. Meanwhile, Autumn would find their mana not really doing anything. It just sort of fizzled out into the air in front of her. Apparently magic was not on the menu for the little fungus today.

Spoiler:

Slothtress gave a hiss as the Tanuki's claw scraped over the flesh of her arm and blood dotted the fur there. She glared at the monster and drew her pickaxe back before bringing it down at the creature's head. Mushautumn was upset about their failure with magic and was all for killing this thing to let out some of their frustration, so she motioned to Elfbeau to loop around to one side while they walked around the opposite direction. As Autumn moved, they tried to slip into the tanuki's blind spot. When they were in position, Autumn lashed out with their pointy stick and Beau brought down his scythe, nearly in unison, forming a three-pronged attack alongside Tress.

Current Equipment:

Relevant Skills:

Reflexively, the armored Tanuki rolled into a ball, presenting its armored hide rather than its soft fleshy head to the incoming pickaxe. The pickaxe would bounce off of the thick hide, rebounding and striking Tress as a result. Unfortunately, the Armored Tanuki hadn't seen the other two sneak around it, being distracted by Tress. Even with its armor up, their attacks still hurt and a small whimper came from the creature. As soon as the attacks landed, the brush behind the Tanuki rustled and the second creature from earlier came rolling out of the forest at high speeds. It aimed for Elfbeau, attempting to catch the young elf off guard and send her flying away. Apparently these rodents were more intelligent than they initially appeared.

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Tress was glad she was wearing her top or else her pickaxe would be wedged right into her shoulder. It just made her angrier at the Tanuki, though she may just be channeling the anger she felt at her "gentle" captor into this fight. She knew that it would be a fools errand to try and attack from above again, and the elf boy was no longer in her way, so she swung the pickaxe in a wide arc at the tanuki's right side, now trying to slam the tip between the tanuki's armor plates to get leverage before trying to wrench it away from the rest of the creature's body.

Beau now had to contend with the second tanuki that they thought had run away. The child looked wildly about, trying to think of something, then he spotted the tree that Autumn had tried to commune with before and an idea came to him. He had the ability to heal, he knew that much, but what if he channeled the mana into an offensive action. Autumn had little luck, but Beau was an elf and he knew his people were rather attuned to magic. Maybe he'd have an easier time? He focused his mana into the scythe blade, hoping it would do something, then swung it wildly at the tanuki who had rammed into him.

Autumn saw that the two tanuki were preoccupied with their battles, and they saw an opportunity. They backed up a bit and walked in an arc around the side of the tanuki, slipping behind them and acting as a barrier between them and the bushes behind them. Once she was there, she struck out with her stick at one and her viper fang at the other from their blindspots, hoping to aid their companions with their own attacks.

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OOC:

The Tanuki that Tress was dealing with did little when the pickaxe initially struck it, its armor plating doing wonders to prevent any real damage. However, as the sloth began to pry deeper into the creature's plating, a sharp shriek could be heard. The beast unfurled itself from its lopsided sphere, now clearly distressed and even angry. It chattered loudly, its teeth clicking about as it lunged at Tress, one set of sharp claws raking the sloth's chest, the other aiming for the throat; a far more dangerous area to dissuade any further attack.

Unfortunately for Beau, it would seem the same luck Autumn had found would also find the young elf. The scythe was a scythe, mana flowed through it but that was that. The young elf was doing little more than burning mana. The scythe scraped along the Tanuki's shell, somewhat worthlessly. The creature was simply too well armored. However, it was also clearly tired of these blood seeking monstrosities and unfurled itself. It too lashed out with claws, striking in the same areas that its brethren had done so on the sloth.

Damage Calcs - Team Shroom:

Tanuki Damage Calcs:

Exp:

Just as Autumn got comfortable with the two weapons in either hand, the Tanuki unfurled themselves and decided to fight back against their attackers. They both executed similar attacks, one swipe at the belly and another at the throat. Both found protection from the belly strikes in the form of their tops, and Tress was much sturdier than her companions so the throat strike did little more than shock her and draw a bit of blood. Beau, on the other hand, found blood leaked from his own wound quickly, prompting him to back up, protecting his other sensitive areas as he did so.

Autumn knew they needed to protect their companions, but Tress had bloody murder in her eyes and she didn't need much more support. Autumn moved themselves between Beau and the Tanuki and lashed out once more with the stick and the fang, though this time they thrust the stick into the creature's eye and the fang into the creature's belly, making sure to twist the fang and pull out in an attempt to try and do the most damage possible. Meanwhile Tress pulled back her pickaxe and slammed it forward twice into her own Tanuki's neck.

Notes:

The forest filled with the screams of Tanuki. Tress's opponent, now more angry than scared and feeling backed into a corner, lunged at the beast in front of it once more. This time it went for Tress's legs, attempting to take the large sloth down to the ground. It'd slash at Tress's knees with its claws, blood trickling from its neck. Clearly this thing was looking a little worse for the wear.

Nothing was worse than the scream that split the air coming from the Tanuki in front of Autumn and Beau though. One of its eyes now dangled from its skull, sliced and mashed like old chopped meat. The creature was in agony but still a fair amount away from death. Retreat was no longer an option, considering it could really only focus on things right in front of it, so like its companion, this Tanuki also doubled down. With a new target in the form of a living shroom, the creature raked its claws across Autumn's stomach.

Damage Calcs - Team Shroom:

Tanuki Attacks:

Tress was glad she had the protection of her clothing in this moment, otherwise she'd be sporting many more scars than she had presently. The creature she was fighting was wearing down, she just knew it. She took two more swings, aiming to puncture each of the creature's eyes in turn, not knowing just how much she paralleled her "captor" in this moment. Autumn felt the sting of claws pierce their own spongey flesh and stepped to the side, the one with the Tanuki's good eye, giving a mental order of "Strike!" to Beau as they did. Autumn lashed out with their stick at the Tanuki's other eye and then with their fang at the creature's throat, aiming for areas that would do the most damage. At the same time Beau rushed forward, his neck wound all but forgotten, aiming two quick strikes with his scythe at the wound Autumn had opened up on the creature's stomach.

Notes:

Both Tanuki screamed in unison, filling the forest with the dying screeches of rodents. Their world was blackness, completely dark now. Thankfully Tanuki were known for their keen sense of smell over their naturally poor eyesight, but this still didn't help them at all. They chittered back and forth to one another, though no one could be sure, it seemed as if they might be checking in with the other. Each bled profusely from battle wounds inflicted by these troublesome creatures and though they could use their sense of smell to find the monsters, their chance to escape had been all but cut off due to the blinding. They could merely fight and hope to take down their attackers with them. Tanuki-1, having only Tress to deal with still, leapt forward at the sloth's musky scent, claws poised to thrash at the sloth's arm joints and prevent it from causing the rodent any more harm. Meanwhile, Tanuki-2, lashed out with its own claws, each aimed at the center mass of Beau and Autumn. It couldn't be exactly sure where they were, thus any sort of precision was thrown out the window. The beast was looking to simply carve any form of flesh it could.

Damage Calcs - Team Shroom:

Tanuki Calcs:

Tress didn't know what was coming over her, but she felt satisfaction as she heard the creatures cry out. Apparently Autumn and the kid were doing well against their own armored asshole. She turned her thoughts back to killing her Tanuki, bringing her axe down twice more onto its neck with all her strength. The creatures were cornered and dying and Autumn saw the danger in this, taking a half step back so that the claws that tried to rake across their fleshy stalk didn't land at all. They were still feeling the toll battle was taking on them, so they reached out and gripped the creature's arm before reaching their magic into its body and tugging, stealing lifeforce directly from it and using it to repair the damage Autumn themselves had taken. Beau took the chance to lash out at its neck at the same time, twice more with the scythe.

Notes:

Used Skills (Autumn):

OOC Autumn Skill Gain:

Tanuki-2 whimpered as it felt its very life essence leave its body. This was a different kind of pain, the shroom creature had stopped stabbing at it and now was simply...draining it? The tanuki of course couldn't be sure, considering it couldn't see what was going on, only feel what little life essence it had left drain from its body. Beau brought the scythe down, finally ending the creature as it let out one last, soft whimper. Tanuki-1, having heard this, immediately cried out in realization that its friend, perhaps even its mate, had been slain. It whimpered in turn, now uninterested in Tress and acknowledging its own fate. Tress' attacks both struck home and the Tanuki rolled over, exposing its belly. It wasn't dead, but it was happy to accept death with its partner gone and no options left.

Damage Calcs:

Tress watched in satisfaction as the Tanuki bore its belly to her, then brought down her axe in two quick strikes to end its life. Then another. Then two more for good measure, and to let off some steam. On the other hand, Autumn now turned to look at Beau, the young boy's eyes blown wide and his chest heaving. Autumn reached out a hand, and he turned his eyes to look at the mush, though there wasn't fear there. He looked in concern at the point on their stalk where the Tanuki had struck, but the wounds had healed over when they had drained its life essence.

Autumn was more concerned with the blood still slowly trickling from his neck. Tress had come over now, the Tanuki slung over her shoulder almost effortlessly. She made a licking motion and then pointed towards his neck "You want me to lick the wound?" Autumn looked puzzled, but Tress nodded "Why? Wait you won't be able to give an answer..." Tress shrugged with a smirk and Autumn turned back to Beau, the young boy also shrugging and exposing his neck. Autumn licked up the drying blood that was present there, noting a sweet undercurrent to the taste of it, then licked the whole of the wound. The sweet taste increased, and before they knew what they were doing Autumn had wrapped their lips around the flesh and sucked deeply, a gush of blood flooding their mouth.

Beau gasped and Autumn drew back, the blood coating their tongue. They swallowed slowly, savoring the taste. Beau looked shocked, but not entirely put off by the action. Tress raised an eyebrow at the interaction, but pointed to Beau's neck, the bleeding now stopped. The elf reached up and channeled healing mana to his fingers, causing the wound to close. Autumn had forgotten he could do that for a moment. Why hadn't he said anything? "Ahem well...Beau grab the other one, we'll take them both back to the patch and see if there's anyone there who can do...something with them." Autumn watched Beau lifting the tanuki and realized that he wasn't simply a cute kid, but a possible...

Autumn didn't know what the end of that sentence was, but it sent a tingle through their stalk that settled right above their groin, heat radiating outwards. They told themselves it was possibly their stomach reacting to the blood. Ripping their eyes away from Beau, Autumn started leading the way back to the patch.

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EXP Calculations:

[Autumn & Co. Exits]

-Autumn & Co Enters on Day 16-

Mixiautumn had gotten used to the patch being larger from her point of view, but now in the forest she was once again met with how small she was now. She stuck closer to Elfbeau and Slothtress now, to be on the safer side. She hoped they wouldn't run into anything too dangerous, or too sturdy like the Tanuki they had fought. Killing them had taken forever. To be completely honest, she hoped they didn't run into anything. But monsters didn't seem to have that kind of luck. Well...at least the Pixie didn't seem to have that kind of luck. She had a thought and started to push her mana down into the earth with each step she took, asking the dirt and soil about its secrets and hoping she would get an answer in response.

Note:

OOC: Due to your recent skill gains (2 of them) you're suffering from -2 for 10 P.T. after the post you gained those skills. Ergo it's impossible for you to roll a 10 so...magic failed...again.

Alas, as much as Mixiautumn so desperately wanted her magic to flourish, it just didn't seem to be in the cards for the creature. The forest would consume her mana eagerly, just as it always had, but nothing much else would come of it. As the trio continued their travels though, at least one of them would hear what sounded like whispering. Whether any of them understood it would be interesting to see, but a creature nearby was almost certainly talking to itself in...common perhaps? It was hard to tell completely, but both Tress and Beau would at least recognize some syllables and soft sounds of common. Upon closer inspection, if the group decided to follow the sounds, they would find a young human woman huddled up at the base of a tree. She seemed to be rocking back and forth a bit, holding her arms close to her chest and her knees folded up as well.

They'll come, I know they will. Yes, just stay here. They'll find you. Father would never let them leave you. No. No. She muttered softly to herself. Her clothes were dirty and ripped, fraying at the ends. Small scratches could be seen through the rips, perhaps from loose stones or even branches in the forest. Her clothes however appeared to be far nicer than any creature in the forest should be wearing, or at least they once were. Judging by the grime on her clothes and face it looked as though she had been in the forest for at least a couple of days.

OOC:

Mixiautumn and her companions would, indeed follow the sounds of the distressed human girl. When they came upon her, Autumn would hold up a hand "Hold, stay here for a moment" She thought about crouching but figured she was already small enough as is. She walked quietly as possible around the young girl's side, sneaking up on her. When she got close enough, she would brush a hand over the girl's arm to attach a spore to her, so that they would be able to communicate. Unfortunately Autumn's language skills weren't really up to snuff just yet "Um hello? I mean you no harm. Are you okay?" She slipped into the girl's view as she started talking to her, holding her hands up so that she would seem less of a threat.

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OOC:

Agh!! The girl screamed as Mixiautumn's voice suddenly sounded in her head. She dove to the left, though it was more of a fall and flail really, and scittered back a ways through the dirt. Who's there? Wh-who are you? R-reveal yourself mo- The girl paused, her eyes focusing on the tiny pixie that now stood before her in the grass, Oh...was that you? The girl asked, her nerves coming and curiosity taking hold, though she still expressed no evidence of trust. This creature had said it meant her no harm, but it had also inserted itself into her brain without permission. Certainly not something to be trusted at all. Wh-wh-what do you want? Be gone monster. My people will be back shortly and they will make um, um, they will make short work of you I should think. Yes. She said, attempting to sound serious but then breaking down in a muffled giggle, He he, SHORT work. She muttered to herself.

OOC:

Autumn huffed exasperatedly, raising her hands to rub her temples to rub them gently for a moment "Wow I really hate this not being able to talk thing. Give me a moment." She was ignored the girl's giggles as possible trauma and turned her focus to the mental connection she maintained with Elfbeau and Slothtress "You two come out. Are either of you capable of understanding her?" She watched Tress and Beau come out of the brush to stand with Autumn and the girl. Hopefully she would be more comfortable with the elf and the beastwoman in the vicinity. The pixie knew she wouldn't be able to understand them so if they nodded she would continue "Okay so tell her we're friendly and ask if she needs help or anything. I don't like her being out here all on her own..." If they couldn't communicate with the human girl then Autumn would just sit down on the ground demurely, motioning for her companions to follow suit before speaking down the connection to the human girl again "Okay so I can't understand you and neither can they so I'm just gonna sit here with you because you shouldn't be out here alone. Okay? Okay."

What's Happening:

OOC:

The girl let out a quick "meep" as two more figures emerged from hiding. Her eyes bulged as Tress lumbered out of the woods and her naïve assumption was that this was another monster. The elf confused her for a moment though. What was an elf, especially one so young looking as Beau, doing with these monsters? Her father had always instructed her not to trust an elf, they were tricksters and swindlers as far as she knew, but it was still a bit calming to see a non-monster face within this forest. Oh sir elf, are these your slaves then? Have you mastered and broken these foul creatures to serve you? I must say, I'm impressed. I know our people aren't the most...amicable towards one another, but if you were to return me home safely I can promise not only your protection along the road, but a beautiful reward from my father! The girl said, her eagerness growing with each sentence.

Unfortunately for her, Tress and Beau would simply look at her, Tress scratching under the chin and Beau shrugging a bit as they looked to Autumn for answers. Beau would attempt to speak, his tongue unraveling the sing-song language of the elves, translating the information Autumn had entrusted him with. The girl's brow furrowed, clearly attempting to concentrate on the words, but it quickly became apparent she was growing frustrated. She crossed her arms and pouted, Rats, who would have thought it'd behoove me to pay attention in my language classes? Everyone should really just speak Common, it's so much easier. I did catch something about...friends, maybe? Something about the outdoors too, or perhaps nature? Her bottom lip protruded, though it was unclear if she was pouting or deep in thought.

Autumn's voice would break into her mind once more and once more it sent a shiver down the girl's spine, startling her. Ah! Now honestly, forest spirit I didn't give you permission to invade my thoughts. That's most ru- A ferocious groaning and gurgling suddenly erupted from the girl, loud enough that even Beau and Tress could hear it clearly from where they stood several feet away. The young Noble placed a hand on her stomach and frowned with a slight cringe, hunger was an issue to all living creatures, especially when it became painful.

Autumn looked at her in concern when she clutched her stomach, knowing the tell tale signs of hunger when she saw them "Tress, we've got some spare food at the patch. Can you go get it for us? Some of the fruits and stuff we have" She would motion for the slothwoman to head back and fetch the food for the girl to eat while talking directly into her mind via the spores. Then she would turn to the girl "You're hungry, right? Tress went off to get something for you to eat. She'll be back soon." Autumn would sit on the ground comfortably, adjusting her legs so that they were poised under her.

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