Posting this now but I won't be around yet, have to go to the shop.

Ayyy I should be around now

I need to reply

*yeets off to find comments*

I think I replied to everything already, so I'm just gonna chill and wait. XD

@Rad

Marco tried to pull Loch back by anchoring his paws into the ground. This was not done in concern, he still wanted to play. Though as Loch wandered off Marco let go of his grip and started up an intense howler.
The dog then ran after Loch barking after her as if he had gone mad.

"Oh, yeah you were those people making the war noises." Shephard said rubbing his head, loud noise wasn't his favorite, ironic since had an animal as loud as a running engine.

He sighed and looked back at the couch. "I don't know, I was watching her all night after that incident, but ended up crashing before this all happened. I don't know if she made it in or not."

@Rad
Denarius jumped suddenly and screamed, which sounded like some weird hybrid between a goat and a donkey. "Oh it's you frome earlier..." Said Den more calmly now but still shaking. "There's, Th-there was a huge black vortex... It swallowed my friend and another woman before closing entirely!"

@Alk

Loch ignored Marco's various noises and continued striding across the plains. Peering cautiously around the mountainside, her eyes widened when she saw what lay there.

A massive black scorpion was attempting to squeeze into a cave that was clearly too small for it. Loch couldn't begin to fathom why the creature was so large - or why it was so intent on getting into the cave. //Could there be someone in there? Someone who got stuck in this place, like us?//

Without thinking twice, she shifted to dragon form and pounced on the scorpion's back, trying to rip her claws through its armoured plating. Even as a dragon, she was much smaller than the creature.

----

'War noises...? Eh, whatever.' Stal shrugged it off. Before he could say any more, he heard Marco's howling across the plain, and looked around. 'Hey, where the hell did you stupid dog go? ...Wait a minute, where's Loch?!'

@Alk

'Vortex...?' Mason was quiet for a moment, mulling things over. During his investigations this morning, he'd heard many rumours of strange black portals appearing around the city. What this dragon said confirmed it.

'I don't wish to frighten you, but this is a very serious situation. Several of my friends have been taken by these portals, too. I suppose the best thing to do would be to find another portal and go inside to help them... but we don't know what lies on the other side...' He fell silent, unsure what to do. He loathed the idea of not helping those people, but magical forces were not Mason's strong suit.

@Xeno

Euterpe gave Stella a look of disbelief. "whAT?" She screeched her voice cracking like a parrots.
"So let's go find a wizard or something and demand they bring them back."

-----

"Oh I've heard of that place, a must see in Caelum." She said snickering but stopped when Dianne asked for her name. "Just call me whatver you like, and I could say the same for you." Althea said as she pointed her staff at Dianne.

@Rad
Marco knowing no fear charged straight after the scorpian. He stopped to sniff it before casually attempting to walk past it and into the cave.
"Beats me you're the one who threw him!" Shephard said raising his arms. Marco's howls from before did scare him though. "Oh no, Marco! I'm coming!" Shephard shouted off into the distances. Using the dog's sounds as a guide he bagn running in the firection of the noise.

@Alk
Stella: "A wizard? How could a wizard help here?!"

Dolorus: //Actually, I happen to know of a witch in this city that might be able to help. Let's go somewhere secluded, so Euterpe doesn't see you rambling to yourself like a lunatic.//

{Stella blinks a few times before abruptly standing and walking off.}

Stella: "E-excuse me....I'll be right back..."

"I heard the news on the stations.." Said Den dipping his head sadly. "I was searching the city to see if I could find another one, and maybe they'd be able to come back.."

oops @Rad

@Xeno
Euterpe gave Stella another odd look. "Alright fine." And began to look around the room more in case there were some clues they missed.

@Alk

Loch continued to claw at the scorpion, despite knowing she couldn't pierce its armour. The monster convulsed, scuttling in a circle as it tried to throw her off, its barbed tail waving inches from Loch's head.

As Marco approached the cave, a voice came from inside. 'Hey! What's going on out there?'

It was Pyre, looking quite bedraggled and pitiful. Recognising Marco, he warily poked his head out of the cave just in time to see Loch get thrown off the scorpion's back, landing heavily on the grass.

'Ummm... how did you guys get here?'

----

'Your dumb dog had better not have gotten my bandmate into trouble!' Stal snarled.

He ran after Shepherd, easily passing the boy and racing up to the scorpion. As it threw Loch off, he opened his jaws and blasted the scorpion with a neon-blue flame. It recoiled, making an odd hissing noise.

@Alk

{Dianne did not seem pleased by that response. She flexes her fingers in agitation, eliciting a cracking noise.}

Dianne: "Actually, I think I do recognize you. You're the Downer's little girl, aren't you? The one who ran off for your rebelious phase?"

(oi Xeno I need help with malfia vamp's name,

Which do you like better? Dante or Dimitri?
we can't decide x'D )

@Alk

'They might be able to return on their own, if more portals open,' said Mason thoughtfully. 'But I have no idea how much danger they may be in...'

He stopped himself, not wanting to worry Den too much.

'I have an idea. In North Caelum lives a very powerful witch. If anyone knows about these portals, it will be her. Why don't we go and see her together?' he suggested. 'Perhaps she can help us get your friend back.'

(Dimitri! :D)

(Dimitri it is then, I'll have to write his info soon x'D )

@Rad

Marco bursts into the cave and pounces at Pyre. This was another new thing he had to check. The dog began smelling the vampire before stopping in th emiddle and growling.
Shephard finally caught up to the edge where the giant scorpain was. All the color left his skin at the sight of the creature. "What is thAT." He said his voice cracking.
It was too long before he pointed to where Marco was. He placed his hands on his head at all the chaos. "MARCO WHAT NO" Shephard felt his heart almost stop as he watched the dog enter the cave.

{Stella walked to her office and sat.}

Stella: "Ok, Dolorus, what are you talking about?"

Dolorus: //Ok, remember the night that drunk vampire bit Dianne, and injected her with venom, and she got really sick?//

Stella: "...Yeah?...."

Dolorus: //Do you remember that witch who Dianne sent Bufo to for a remedy? Her name is Luxia.//

Stella: "That crazy old lady who everyone warns not to get near?"

Dolorus: //Exactly! She's actually very powerful, and may be able to help us.//

@Alk

@Alk

Stal had absolutely no care for what was happening to Shepherd or Marco. He continued blasting the scorpion with blue flames, forcing the creature to back away further into the mountains. Although the flames didn't seem to damage its armour, it clearly didn't like the heat.

Pyre's attention was pulled away from the battle as Marco entered the cave. Instinctively, he grabbed the dog and held onto him to stop him running off. 'This is no place for a dog, what're you doing here?' he exclaimed.

@Xeno
Althea bit her lip and grew silent. Her eyes now shifted to a more focused anger. She had been able to keep most people from recognizing her, it almost slipped a few times. This we be the first where she was actually found out.
"Are you sure you aren't mistaken? Downer's kid has been missing for awhile now and no one knows much about it. It seems the family wants to keep it under cover." She said coldy, though mostly to just buy herself sometime.

@Rad

Though a little hesitant Den agreed. "You're sure they can help us?" He asked

@Alk

'I'm quite sure,' Mason lied. He knew the witch was powerful, but he didn't know if she could help with something like this. 'Let's go now, shall we? Follow me. I have a car that we can take; it'll be much faster than walking. By the way, what is your name? I'm Mason.'

@Rad
The dog squirmed angrily as Pyre held him. Being a dog, he didn't know much and couldn't answer Pyre's question. Instead he just yelped and whined and continued to make noise like a spoiled child.

Like a naive little child Den smiled. and began to walk close next to Mason "Ok. I'm Denarius, I'm a dragon! What are you?" He asked.

*Rad

@Alk

'A pleasure to meet you, Denarius. I'm a werewolf,' Mason replied, guessing that since he was in human form, Den couldn't identify him by scent. He began to hurry through the streets, presumably to wherever he'd parked his car. He seemed to know the layout of the city very well.

(I will brb)

(Alrighty!)

@Alk

'{Dianne glared back at Althea.}

Dianne: "You can't fool me, child. I live right down the block from your family. You might be older now, but I can still see that it's you."

@Alk

{After her brief talk with Dolorus, Stella walks back upstairs.}

Stella: "Euterpe, I'm going out for a while, I think I know someone who can help. Stay here with Bufo, ok? I'll be right back."

@Alk

Pyre firmly kept a hold on the dog. 'No, I'm not letting you outside until that monster's gone.'

Outside, Stal had finally managed to drive the scorpion away. It scuttled into a larger cave in the mountainside to escape his flames, and did not return. As soon as it was gone, he stomped over to Loch, who was lying motionless on her side.

'Loch! Are you alright? ...Dammit, I think she's unconscious...'

@Rad

"Whoahhhhh, you not mean like the ones in the paper are you?" Den asked curiously

@Xeno

Stella had come in at a time where Euterpe was looking under the radiator of the room. "Are those cake crumbs?" She said mumbling to herself.
Euterpe bumped her head when Stella adressed her. "Oof, alright if that's what you need" She said rubbing her head.

@Xeno
Unsure of whether to make advances on attacking Dianne Althea lowered her staff. She rolled her eyes and scoffed. "And what of it? You want a prize for finding me or something? Well looks like you won't be getting it here in a place like this!" She challenged

@Alk

'Mean? I'm not 'mean' and nor is my pack,' said Mason calmly, avoiding the question. 'We try our best to help people, whatever the risk to ourselves.' He led Den over to a Jeep parked on the side of the road, unlocking it and opening the doors. 'Climb into the back. Or the front, whichever you prefer.'

(Shepherd: obedient sweet son
Althea: a bish
J.g g.j n.v fh ng
Dianne meets the children of all spectrums x'D )

(Lol)
@Alk

Dianne: "I don't care about that! I just want to get the hell out of here! Besides, I'm not so sure if your family even /wants/ you back..."

{Dianne surveys the hellish landscape, grimacing with agitation.}

Dianne: "I should have just left you and your donkey to their fate...."

@Alk/ @Xeno

While Althea and Dianne were arguing, something large and dark came flying out of the orange-tinted sky and landed heavily about a hundred feet away. It resembled a wyvern, about twelve feet tall, with black hide and massive, bulging green eyes. Silently, it began to advance on the pair, viewing them as an easy meal.

@Alk

{Stella grabs her hat.}

Stella: "I'll be back soon. And those aren't crumbs, do /not/ eat those. If you're hungry, ask the cook to make you something."

{With that, she walks for the door.}

(I'll be less active from here on out, going back on my DS soon. Will try to reply again tonight, but I might not be able to until tomorrow.)

(Srry I was finish vamp x'D )

@Rad
Denarius looks puzzled, though it's not like Mason had tried to hurt him yet. He observes the Jeep a little before jumping into the back of the car. "How long will it take to get there?" He

@Alk

'Not long,' Mason replied. He started the engine and the car pulled away from the curb, before trundling off down the road towards North Caelum. 'So, what were you and your friend doing before you discovered the portal?' he asked, wondering if something they'd done might have caused the portal to appear.

@Rad
Shephard followed Stal, not wanting to become someone's meal ofcourse. Hesitantly he peaked his head towards the cave to see if he could get a better look. "Marco?" He called the dog could still be heard from within the cave, though his barks sounded a bit more distressed than before.

@Rad/Xeno
"Well shucks lady I didn't ask for you either but looks like we have bigger problems" Althea growled pointing towards the sky.

@Xeno

Euterpe grumbles. "I wasn't going to eat them, maybe taste,,,, hey why can't I come?" She asked protesting

{Dianne looks at the wyvern thing with loathing.}

Dianne: "Oh, what the hell is that?!"

{She exclaims, sounding more annoyed than anything.}

Dianne: "Hey, Downer, you any good in a fight?"

@Alk/ @Xeno

The wyvern let out an unearthly shriek - which sounded like a rusty gate opening - and then charged at the pair. Judging Althea as the easier target due to her small size, it opened its maw and lunged at the elf, aiming to close its jaws around her. It could open its mouth extremely wide, much like a snake.

@Alk

{Stella lets out a long suffering sigh.}

Stella: "Because if I let you get sucked up by a portal, and Dianne finds out, she'll be very upset with me. If you stay with Bufo, at least you'll be safe. Look, if you really want to go with me, I'll take you, but you'll have to do exactly as I say, ok?"

(Sis wants me to play video games so I'll continue tomorrow x'D )

(Alright, have fun. XD)

(Also side note, most of the monsters in Beyond don't really have names.
Since there aren't any sentient races/language there.
The Unfeeling were only given names after they were taken from the world to be used by humans.)

(I am distRacted

Also lol I had another idea for yet anothet Caelum character, x'D
I need help.

Should I add a gnome? )

@Alk

(Dew it.)

( @Alk - If you want--)

(I want to know what Euterpe's problem with gnomes is)

(Lol I kinda just did it on a whim, mostly was inspired by what happened in our dnd campaign x'D

We had a dragon born named Koichi who hated gnomes and short ppl.

But everyone also just hated gnomes.
I wanna do an all gnome cleric campaign someday x'D

That would be so chaotic )

(pff I will reply now )

@Rad
"Huh? Well I wasn't paying attention much, the portal started hissing and it was kinda boring." Denarius explained shrugging a little. "We were soping out a big house, Althy said it was important."

(Den you are kinda terrible at keeping secrets x'D)

@Xeno
As the wyvern swoop around it she only had a split second to evade the monster's gapping jaws.
Her movement was so unnatural it almost look as though she broke her back trying to flip away. She appeared fine but was now hanging on the edge of it's lip. "Yeah I can fight, but monsters aren't particularly my style." She grunted and pulled out a sharp knife to aim at it's mouth.

@Xeno

Euterpe flipped her head and moaned almost like a sour child. "UGHHHHHHH fiiiiine. Beats being here all day."

(Oh wait that second one I forgot was both @Xeno/ @Rad x'D

{Dianne scowled and became a smoke-like mass. She rematerialized a few seconds later as a large dragon. Twenty feet tall and forty feet long. She rushes at the wyvern from the side, looking to blindside it.}

@Alk@Xeno

The wyvern seemed momentarily too confused to react; it hadn't expected Althea to do that. Not to mention Dianne suddenly shifting into a dragon threw it off-guard. Shapeshifters didn't exist in Beyond, so what was she? The wyvern tossed its head violently, throwing Althea away before she could stab it.

This action left it with barely any time to react to Dianne's lunge. Turning, it snarled and opened its jaws wide again, as if hoping the sight of its long teeth and unnaturally wide maw might warn her off.

@Alk

//Scoping out a house, hmm?// Mason thought. //To rob it, most likely.// However, he didn't say any of this to Den, keeping his manner polite and his thoughts to himself.

'Well, this is a mystery indeed,' he said as he drove along. 'Nobody seems to know why these portals are materialising, or how...'

@Alk/Rad

{Dianne didn't hesitate. She tackled the wyvern and began tearing at it. Every claw swipe caused the wyvern's flesh to whither and decay, leaving massive, open wounds.}

...

{Stella looked at Euterpe, unamused.}

Stella: "Oh, just come on, Euterpe. Quit acting like an infant. Bufo, bring the car around, please."

(lol, call for what she is x'D )

@Alk/ @Xeno

The wyvern let out a stream of unearthly screeches, high and ear-piercing, as its flesh was torn away. Eyes bulging, it snapped its long, alligator-like jaws shut over Dianne's wrist and refused to loosen its grip.

(Or you know
The dragon equivalent of a wrist)

@Rad
"I wonder who's behind it, must be some bad guy." Den said as he watched the streets go by out the window. As they drove along he excitedly pointed towards the Downer's Mansion. "That's it! Kinda scary looking house...."

@Rad/Xeno
"Oh great" Althea said musing to herself. //She's a shifter dragon, even if we do get out of this in one piece dealing with this woman is not going to be easy. I need to be careful around her.//
As the wyvern was distracted with Dianne Althea attempted to jump on it's back. Her plan was to hopefully stab somewhere sensitive like in the eye, on the nose or it's ear.

(How hard are it's scales btw? Is it like the scorpian where it has a sort of armor?)

@Xeno
Euterpe followed Stella to the Car. "I'm not a baby." She muttterd softly. "Those things are small, and fleshy, they also smell bad."

@Alk/Rad

{Dianne grabbed its neck with her free hand. Focusing, she caused the inside of the wyvern's mouth to decay. Then, she forcibly pulled her wrist free, taking out the majority of its teeth in the process. She was too focused on the wyvern to notice where Althea was.}

(Hmm, should I elaborate on the full extent of Dianne's powers? They're about the same as in Shacklestone.)

(That may help, not sure if Althea should jump x'D )

(Smokey spooky )

( @Alk - It has normal dragon scales, I imagine they're similar to crocodile hide? Tough, but not like armoured plating.

@Xeno - That'd probably be a good idea.)

@Alk/ @Xeno

The wyvern tried to struggle out of Dianne's grip. It was too distracted by half its teeth suddenly falling out to feel Althea leaping onto its back.

@Alk

'Hmm?' said Mason distractedly, glancing out the window. 'Oh, that's the Downer mansion,' he muttered. He knew about the Downers, what with them being a rich family; they were high on his pack's list of priorities to steal from. He was not, however, aware that Althea was part of their family.

(This computer I'm using right now is painfully slow and terrible so excuse me if I take ages to respond or my replies are short)

(Ok, I'll get on that.)

@Alk

Stella: "Under all of those feathers, I'm sure you're all of that and more..."

{She grumbles. Walking to the car, she opens the back seat for Euterpe.}

@Alk/Rad

Dianne practices Dark Magic and Necromancy
The three spells Dianne chiefly relies upon from the discipline of Dark Magic are Decay, Energy Drain, and Become Ethereal.
Decay works exactly like it sounds; The user focuses their energy to break down organic material via physical contact. The more energy they devote to this spell, the faster the decay process. However, this spell only works with skin-to-skin contact. It will not work through clothing or armor.

Energy Drain is a technique that allows the user to take magical energy from organic beings. Like Decay, this will only work with skin-to-skin contact. Furthermore, this spell will not work if the user if at full power.

Become Ethereal is a spell that allows the user to become a smoke-like mass in order to escape harm. While in this form, the user can neither take harm nor cause it. This technique takes a high amount of energy to perform, so it cannot be sustained for long or used successively past three casts.

Cont.

@Alk/Rad

Necromancy primarily consists of spells that effect incorporeal beings more than physical ones. The two primary spells Dianne uses from this discipline are Raise Draugr and Soul Trap.

With Raise Draugr, the user binds a captive soul to a corpse to create a minion. Draugrs are stronger and more durable than the original hosts were in life, but are unable to use any form of magic. Furthermore, a shifter-draugr is stuck in whatever form the host died in. Necromancers can choose how much autonomy they grant to their minions. Like Dianne, draugrs are adversely weak to Light Magic. Finally, Dianne can only raise draugrs from corpses that are in her sight or immediate vicinity.

Soul Trap is a rather complicated and touchy spell. First, the user must draw or carve a circle of intricate symbols into an object.
Then, when an incorporeal being is either above or in contact with the circle (This will not work on a living individual), the caster must utter the proper words in the proper dialect. The incorporeal being will be bound to the object and unable to move, act, or escape. If the circle of runes is damaged, the trap will become undone.

(There you go)