Shani's Odyssey

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

The path was a long and narrow one but as she continued she was encouraged by the growing sound of running water in the distance. As the glowing rocks continued to light the way, the passage opened up into a larger cavern. The stone looked to have been cut by the ones responsible, but one thing immediately stood out. Whoever had opened this just seemed to have stumbled across an underground river in the process and the opening in the floor had a rudimentary safety rail put up over it.

She immediately spotted a rope with a bucket attached to the rail and a fair bit of writing around the opening. Most of it was written in a language she couldn't ready, but more familiar words were chalked in recently informing any who read them that the water was safe to drink. As well as a warning to not fall in that was compounded by the clear but very fast moving water visible from above. If one fell in, they were likely to be far down the river before they could even think to grab the rope.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Shani sighed deeply. “I don’t know why, but this game is making me very paranoid. Somehow I would actually prefer if there was no ‘it’s safe to drink’ information. It just looks too promising. But I’m probably imagining things, there’s no reason to for me to even consider it polluted, besides poisoning running water would be really something.”

The girl carefully used the rope to get some water and drink a bit to clench her thirst. Afterwards she freshened up a bit, splashing the ice cold water on her face and such. The sensation would be definitely much more pleasurable under the scorching sun, but it did the trick. Shani looked around the cavern looking for anything interesting. Actually if she were to come back and use the same entrance once more, this cavern would be a nice forward base, even better than the camp outside. And if the cavern had a draft in the ceiling even making a small bonfire wouldn’t be a problem. Before leaving the cavern, Shani would prefer to take at least a bit of water with her. Maybe there’s something she can use, either in hers possession or at the camp outside that could help with this task?

Spoiler

Either way, whether is possible or not to take some water with her, she’ll backtrack and continue north.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

The water tasted clean and cool to her lips but she didn't have anything to put it into. Her canteen was already filled with spirits and if she wanted to carry water in it she would need to discard it. It was true that she got it essentially for free but it still seemed wasteful. She could feel a small breeze but it was hard to distinguish where it was coming from but it seemed like it would be relatively safe to start a small bonfire here.

?????

Shani double back down the path she had originally come down and started on the northern path. From what she had recalled of the chalk map, she would soon be heading into unexplored parts of this labyrinth. This path was nearly as long as the last and she once more found a fork in the road. To the north she could see the path veering east and to the west it very quickly turned north, preventing her from seeing very far down either path.

?????

Then a slight sound of metal being slowly dropped on metal reached her ears. It seemed to be coming from the northern pass and it almost sounded like someone was playing with a bunch of gold coins.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

You could almost see a golden sparkle in the girl's eyes. Nevertheless she wouldn't greed get the better of her. She readied her weapon and looked around. Afterwards she slowly began to advance, watching every step... and from time to time looked backward.

Shani felt as her heart raced.
"Friend or Foe?" She thought. "Is this going to be my first encounter, my first battle?" Shani pondered, a bit scared but a bit excited as well. She hardened the grip on her staff. "I'm ready!" - she whispered quietly to herself.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

As she reached a corner, she saw the flickering of gold coins being dropped into a small pile. Sitting comfortably on a pillow was what seemed to be a naked woman who was had her eyes on Shani as she glimpsed around the corner. Except it was obviously not a woman, if only because of the leather wings that sprouted from her back and the spaded tail the curved it's way around her leg. She didn't seem particularly surprised to see Shani.

“Why hello, pet. Oh don't try to hide, I already know you're there.” The demon girl's husky voice beckoned out to her. “I suspect that you are one of those adventurers looking to strike it rich... perhaps we could strike a deal?”

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"Oh. Yeah." Shani was a bit disappointed she was caught so easily.The girl took a few steps closer towards the woman but didn't lower her guard. The demon had such nice breasts... Shani couldn't take her eyes away from her beautiful figure.

"I'm up here." The demon girl said playfully.

Shani blushed and cleared her throat.

"Yes. Of course! What are you talking about demon? I wouldn't get my chances high though, if you're insisting on calling me a 'pet'." Shani replied trying to act with confidence.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

As Shani gave up her attempt to hide, she was able to get a better view of of the demon girl. She had long, flowing red hair that had one or two locks of it braided. Her form was voluptuous and screamed 'I was made to tempt you' to any who gazed upon it. As she saw Shani's eyes linger on her breasts she leaned forward almost to offer a better view.

“I'm up here.” The demon girl said playfully. But despite her words, she began hugging herself resulting in her cleavage becoming even more pronounced.

“Of course you're no pet... you're so strong.” The demon girl flattered Shani, almost to soften her up for her request. “I'm well aware of the bounty that stuffy old king put out. If you forget you saw me here, I'll match the bounty they would've given you... and they'll assume I arrived after you explored here, after all.”

The succubus counted out a pile of forty coins and presented it to Shani. It was a considerable amount of gold but it was at most a forth of her current stock. Almost as if she could tell what Shani was thinking, the inhuman girl picked up a gold coin from the remaining pile.

The lady demon leaned back and presented herself in her full glory to Shani. One of her hands began kneading and groping her breast as the one with the coin began to stroke the cool metal against her warm lips. Soon it was covered in her hot juices and she slowly traced it up passed her hairless nether region. She brought the coated coin to her lips to taste her own arousal.

“Of course, it's been so long since I was able to freely taste the arousal of another... if you help me... scratch this itch, I'll make it feel so good for you. And you can have the lions share of the coin I have left.” The succubus smiled seductively. “Of course, if you insist on doing this whole 'trying to kill me' thing, I will be forced to... discipline you.”

The succubus may have flattered Shani's strength earlier, but it was clear that she was at the very least Shani's equal. It would be a tough, but winnable fight.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"I...uh..." Shani started eloquently, lacking words from being crestfallen. Her eyes followed the demon's hand, fixed on the golden coin. The girl tried really hard no to blush when the coin reached the demon's lower regions. Somehow he actually managed that. "Cut the flattery!" She harshly replied.

"What's wrong with me? Somehow it's not quite the way I imagined it would be. In my books it's usually the other way around... What should I do? I was expecting less... likeable enemies at first, some I don't know... Giant rats?"

The girl bit her lip deliberating her choices.

"What exactly do you have in mind? Are you going to just stay here - hopefully without bothering me - and prey on the unsuspecting adventurers?"

She asked, both out of curiosity and to buy herself more time before making up her mind.

"I...I can't just kill her, right off the bat, can I? She's so..." The girl swallowed her saliva, suddenly her throat was parched. "Well, she's beautiful. And a girl. And I have a soft spot for girls, so what? Ugh, think Shani, think!"

Young magician tried very hard not to look desperate and confused. Ultimately, she managed to sport a somewhat determined look, neither besotted nor hopeless.

"I know she somewhat charmed me, be it some kind of pheromones, sorcery or just her natural looks. Or my personal low willpower. Nevertheless, she's a denizen of the Labyrinth, a monster..."

Shani tighten the grip on her staff and looked at her opponent with confidence, her resolve came back. The demon girl shifted her body, a bit anxious. Shani took a few steps closer towards the red-haired girl.

"...But I can't quite bring myself to just slay her." She lowered her weapon.

"Maybe we can work something out." She said with a steely gaze. "Maybe we can even help ourselves out."

The demon girl groped her breasts and bit her lips at the sound of Shani's last statement.

"Not in *that* sense. Jeez." Shani sat down near the demon girl but not exactly close.

"I'm Shani by the way. Tell me precisely what are your plans , what are you doing ...umm... here. And while you're at it, what's the 'catch' exactly."

Shani decided that she'll decline the girl's offer about helping her with her 'itch'... at least for now. "That's quite enough excitement for one encounter, thank you very much."

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

“I find it hard to call it preying upon them when they have grins when I'm done.” The succubus giggled a little bit. “Besides, the few adventurers who have come here have gotten the same deal you have. You don't think a Labyrinth this close to the Fortress remained unexplored this long for no reason, do you? Up until recently, they weren't even reporting that this one even existed. Now, I won't stop you if you want to explore further, I just ask you not try to hurt me.”

The succubus waited patiently for Shani's response, tensing herself when she found a staff being readied in her direction but relaxing a bit when it was lowered.

“My name is Rishana, it's a pleasure Shani. While a lot of the labyrinths in this area are of the Devil Kind's Army, a lot are also preexisting ones. I've been loitering in here since long before the Invasion and helping myself to the lonely traveler and brave adventurer without incident.” The demon girl continued to lewdly massage her bosom despite Shani's denial. “Mmm... unfortunately, with so many adventurers coming and going eventually I'm going to run into one I can't bribe or entice. I'm making arrangements to leave but I have to wait for the guards to become lazy. It was almost impossible to stick my head out of here without it getting cut off right after the Devil King's Army was driven out.”

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"Making arrangements to leave, huh?" Shani paused for a moment, thinking about the issue.

"You never know, maybe I'll be able to help you with it somehow in the future. In the meantime" - Shani pointed the way towards the entrance - "You might want to consider moving your pillow to the cavern nearby. Almost every adventurer would visit it, since it has a clean water supply. With time you could transform it into something really comfortable, especially if you can use magic. And if things go south, it's not a half bad place to defend yourself."

"Well, I'll be taking my gold now." Shani stood up. "You know, there's lots of people out there - adventurers included - who would be actually delighted to sleep with you. And they would be giving *you* treasures, gold and souls alike, not the other way around. You know, the grim interior of a Labyrinth doesn't exactly strike you as a trustworthy person. Maybe we could think of something together if you're interested. Buuut that's in the future. Any hints what may I find deeper, Rishana?"

After the brief conversation with the beautiful succubi, Shani continued her journey inside the Labyrinth.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

“And have to share space with the Harpies? They're a riot and always a source of fun but they've been irritable since they were forced to start hunting a night.” Rishana stated before taking note of Shani's confused expression. “...you don't have a clue what I'm talking about, do you? The top of that cavern has an opening to the surface, but it's not anything resembling a straight shot. A group of harpies like to nest in those tunnels... you're lucky you didn't wake them up. They're fun if a little pushy when well rested but if you wake them up they're really irritable.”

“Here you go.” Rishana handed over the forty coins she had already counted out. She then gave a small, bitter laugh at the idea of living on the surface. “Not as long as Archangel Lucien holds the King's ear... that 'Royal' decree had his fingerprints all over it. Anyway, besides myself and the harpies, there aren't any other intelligent monsters in this labyrinth. Fun for a rough tumble in the hay but not much else... good luck, and as long as I'm here my other offer remains on the table.”

Rishana gave Shani a flirtatious wink as she set off to search the other path. This path was much longer and winding than the other but as she came across another random sharp turn in the path something seemed off.

?????

The wall seemed to have worn away a bit and she could see a seem in it. This was a false wall! After investigating further she found what she believe was the switch to open it up.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"Well if that ain't interesting!" Spoke Shani after discovering the secret passage. "What have we have here... A hidden door! What would you be guarding my little friend... A shortcut? Something... shiny?" The girl flipped the switch and readied her weapon before she entered the passageway.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

?????

The wall creaked open with a shudder revealing a small room cluttered with stuff. A lot of it was already rusted or rotted to the point of uselessness. Taking a moment to carefully sort through the piles of junk, she searched for something valuable or at least useful.

Hidden behind one of the piles, she found a small box and when she opened it she found a pair of beautiful emerald ear rings. There didn't seem to be anything magical or anything about them but if she didn't fancy keeping them they might be worth something at the market.

Nearby she spotted something leaning against the wall. Against the back wall she found a wooden staff with a crystal mounted at the top. Within the crystal she could see the etched image of a snowflake.

The only other thing she could see was a fairly large chest hidden underneath a large pile of junk. And yet something seemed off about it...

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"Ah, jewelry. Woman's best friend, or so they say. Well, I prefer cats or dogs, but they don't sell as high at the market." Shani put the earrings in her purse.

"An interesting staff we have here... The design would suggest something related to water or ice magic, but who would have tried to look through the twisted mind of a magic user?" She chuckled a bit and took the staff, swinging it a few times to feel the weight.

"And finally... you." Shani gazed at the chest not far away from her. "Well, you're just screaming 'I'm a trap, I'm a trap!' I know I shouldn't do it but..." The girl took a few steps closer to the treasure chest. She carefully analyzed her surroundings, the ceiling and everything in close proximity to the chest. After that she even threw a few things at the chest. If still nothing had triggered anything, Shani very carefully opened the chest... expecting a sudden stroke from any side at all.

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Mimic vs Shani
Grapple Attempt
19 vs 18 W

As Shani opened the chest, she noticed that there didn't seem to be anything visible inside, just a inky black void and a pair of glowing orbs that resembled eyes. Their eyes met for a moment before a pair of shadowy tentacles shot out from the darkness and grabbed her arms. They immediately began trying to pull her into the chest with them, but for now were focusing on consolidating their hold on her.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Spoiler

I don't know what exactly I can do when being grappled. The only possible action is the attempt to escape probably; attacks are out of the question?

"Eek!" Shrieked the girl - even though she was more or less expecting something to happen, the unpleasant sensation of tentacles scared her. Shani began to wriggle and writhe in a desperate attempt to break free. Shouting and kicking, she tried to at least burn the tendrils to loosen the grip on her.

Spoiler

I might as well repeat this action (break free/attack, whatever is possible) until either I'm free, dead or raped

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Spoiler

You can attack during a grapple, but it will be at a penalty of -1 or -2 depending on the circumstances. You can also attempt to reverse the grapple, but that's probably not going to work with a tentacled creature.
On another note, this creature can use Engulf which replaces grapple. It's essentially the same Engulf that the Slimes have over in the bestiary thread, but basically the more engulfed you are the harder it's going to be to break out.

Shani vs Mimic
Escape Attempt
2 vs 15

No matter how much Shani kicked and shrieked against the grip of the dark tentacles that gripped her arms. But not matter how hard she squirmed and wriggled against her captor she couldn't get out of their grip and she couldn't gain enough control her arms to attempt a spell.

Mimic vs Shani
Engulf Attempt
11 vs 20

But the Mimic didn't have any better luck in trying to draw her in. Her boot found purchase against the side of it's chest and she was able to get enough leverage to prevent it from drawing her in further.

Shani FP: 5/5 AP: 0/10 Status: Grappled by Mimic

Mimic FP: 5/5 AP: 0/15 Status: Grappling Shani

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

"Why...you...little...piece of... LET GO OF ME!" Shani roared, kicking even more ferociously than before, hopefully escaping the mimic's grasp.

Spoiler

Out of sheer curiosity, the rolls in the grey are the natural d20 result or a modified sum?

 

[NorthernCross]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Senira vs Mimic
Escape Attempt
13 vs 6

With her foot braced against the side of the chest, she heaved herself away from it finally slipping free of it's grasp. Backing away from it, she watched it carefully for it's next move. It flailed it's tentacles at her futilely as she remained out of it's reach and it finally tipped it's own chest over. It extended it's tentacles and slowly began dragging itself over towards her... but she could probably out walk it. This was probably a trait it shared with many ambush predators, but this mimic seemed a bit more stubborn than most. It wouldn't pose any immediate danger unless she waited patiently for it to make it's way to her. She was effectively free to walk away or take free shots at it if she desired.

Shani FP: 5/5 AP: 0/10 Status: Effectively victorious.

Mimic FP: 5/5 AP: 0/15 Status: Being Stubborn.

Spoiler

The numbers displayed are the natural d20 rolls. I will add modifiers to the display if they come into play.

 

[dorl]

Re: Shani's Odyssey

Shani took even a few more steps away from the mimic. When she deemed the distance secured enough she glared at the stubborn monster. Something really wicked sparkled inside her eyes.

"Now...You...Will..." She grinned and drawled her words.

"BURN!" Shani spun her staff and pointed it at the mimic. Instead of taking potshots at her foe, she tried to channel her magic into a flamethrower like cone, burning it until it stops moving. "And then some, just to be sure."

The only thing that image lacked, was the girl laughing maniacally.


If the deed is done:

Spoiler

Shani kicked the remains a few times, out of spite.

"My first kill! Now you won't be attacking innocent adventurers seeking treasures you...you... box thingie you!"

The girl took out the pamphlet the guard gave her.

"What do we have here... What important piece of mimic's body I probably burned and in consequence I won't be able to prove it... Oh, here it is!"


When her "business" in the secret passage way was done, Shani resumed her journey.