<span style="font-weight: bold">Mindy</span><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">Mindy successfully identifies the effects of the <a class="postlink" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/psionic/powers/deathUrge.htm"><span style="font-style: italic">death urge</span></a> power... and a unique psionic effect!</div></div></div><br/>A quick glance into Chrrou's surface thoughts yields clear, if somewhat macabre results: the druid's mind is plagued with images of blood and death; specifically,<span style="font-style: italic">his</span>blood and<span style="font-style: italic">his</span>death. The condition is similar to that caused by one of Mindy's own powers; a telepathically delivered, suicidal compulsion. But the more crippling effects of that power should have ended by now, unless...<br/><br/>The effect reminds Mindy of a phenomenon she read about years ago, called an echo zone: a psychically charged area that causes mental effects to linger for anywhere from minutes to days. The only hitch is, creating an echo zone requires massive expenditure of psychic energy- something on the order of a hundred mentalists, bare minimum. What force in Armel could possibly generate that much power?<br/><br/>Regardless of its source, the effect has left Chrrou's mind more volatile than anything Mindy has seen before. Even a cursory examination via<span style="font-style: italic">mindlink</span>seems to leave him visibly distressed. Bed rest is probably the safest solution for his condition, at least for the time being.<br/><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Alyssa and Mindy</span><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Mindy wrote:</cite><span style="font-style: italic">~S-Soma! Are you trying to get the celestials to smite me?!~</span></div></blockquote><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Who, me ? 9_9 ~</span>Soma replies. Though Mindy can't tell from outside, the violet-haired tiefling is grinning impishly underneath her triple-layer belly.<br/><br/><blockquote><div><cite>Mindy wrote:</cite>“Do you remember when I said Soma was in a harpy that was in a harpy under my control? Well, when the fighting ended, I uh…was offered the chance to… deal with those harpies, And their was something that I’ve been meaning to try- wait, that not quite what… Ah…”<br/><br/>“Well, Soma seemed to like the idea at the time., Right, Soma?... Yuki? Geno? Sen?” </div></blockquote><br/>"Mmm? Oh... ah, yes, that's pretty much what happened," Sen agrees.<br/><br/>"You shoulda seen it," Jess adds. "It was really wild!"<br/><br/>"Hmph," Yuki offers. It sounds a bit more amused than her typical dismissal, and anyone who didn't know better of the tiefling might swear to have seen the corner of her mouth tilt up ever-so-slightly.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~Well... yeah.~</span>Soma admits.<span style="font-style: italic">~I guess if you want to be technical, about it, that's what happened...~</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">(Dang, almost had her going for a second too <img alt="&gt;.&gt;" src="./images/smilies/shifty.gif" title="Shifty eyes"/> )</span><br/><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Auralia and Rihyan</span><br/>Now halfway down Auralia's throat, Buso begins to stir in Rihyan's grip. The cat warrior's eyelids flutter, then open just the faintest wedge. True to form, his first thoughts upon waking from his blunt-trauma induced nap are straightforward and none too pleasant.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Ow... Goddamned <span style="font-weight: bold">sonuvabitch,</span> that hurt.</span>Still aching from the cuts of Auralia's sword, Buso gives his limbs an experimental stretch before he tries picking himself up off the wet ground.<br/><br/>His legs don't move. Nor do his arms.<br/><br/>Buso's system responds to the news with a flood of adrenaline, kicking his brain out of sword-smacked stupor and into something resembling full consciousness. No panic, though- not yet. The cat warrior does a quick flex of his muscles, in case the angel or tiefling's last blow struck the wrong nerve- nope, everything's responding properly, just not moving. His lower half seems to be stuck under, or maybe in, something; something wet, and warm, and squeezing...<br/><br/>Slowly, Buso opens his eyes and looks down, already half-knowing what he'll see: a pair of unreadable luminsecent eyes, set  in a face framed by golden hair. And a few inches below, a set of pouty lips stretched thin, working their way slowly up his torso. It's the goddamned angel, and she's<span style="font-style: italic">eating</span>him. Are angels even allowed to do that?<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">No way... No FUCKING way!</span>Buso's lower half thrashes in Auralia's throat, his hindclaws scratching at her esophagus. If the cat warrior were free and in better shape, it might have been a disemboweling kick. In his current condition, it doesn't do more than tickle, and maybe send him an inch or two deeper into the angel's body. And, he realizes as his vision blurs, it used up the last of his adrenaline rush.<br/><br/>"Choke on me, feather bitch..." The mumbled curse has as much strength behind it as Buso's last kick, and is equally effective in slowing his final descent. With a groan, the feline's head slumps to his chest, passing out for the second and last time.<br/><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Arena- All Characters</span><br/>"Uh... guys?" Jess asks.  Not to rush anyone, but this trail's already getting kinda cold. Maybe we should get moving?"<br/><br/>"I, uh, guess we'll be going to then," Sen adds. "Does anyone else need my help before we leave?"<br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">If anyone wants to be healed by Sen, say so in your next post. I'll assume that Sen healed anyone who asks back to full hit points.</div></div></div>As soon as he finishes his work, Sen returns to Heshaar and scrambles onto the massive wolf's back with a helpful nudge from Chrrou. Astride "his" wolf and leading a wounded dinosaur, the little orange-skinned cleric looks almost like a Heodo parading his catch around town. It's unlikely that anyone will try anything between here and the inn.<br/><br/><br/>Meanwhile, Jess and her nose lead the party through to their first glimpse of the Sogluyem Arena- at when it comes to first impressions, the nagas don't pull their punches. The entryway's walls and ceiling are a single seamless mass of white stone, polished so smooth as to be semi-reflective. Down the curved hallways to the left and right, stairways of black marble (also fused to the surrounding stone, somehow) rise up into the stands, each paired with a matching set decending into the Arena's underground levels. A pair of armored frog-men stands guard at each staircase, gripping a finely decorated spear.<br/><br/>Alcoves placed at intervals hold exquisite  of sculpture and pottery - all depicting nagas, of course - and regularly spaced steel posts topped with metal rings. Collared beasts and humanoids are leashed to many of of the posts, making their purpose clear.<br/><br/>But the most eye-catching display of all is the decoration on the main floor: a mosaic of brilliantly colored tiles at least twenty feet across, depicting what appears to be a coat of arms. Thanks to the bustling crowd, the the entire image is never visible at once, but a careful observer can piece together sections. At the bottom a field of wickedly sharp brambles. In the center, a serpentine torso rising from the thorns, marked bulges at intervals. And near the top, a massive snake's head seizing a bird of prey in its jaws. The top of the mosaic stops barely a foot from a long desk, behind which a dark-haired naga watches the room with disinterest. A sign above the desk reads "Tickets and Registration" in Common, followed by the several translations of the same in smaller letters.<br/><br/><br/>"Oh jeez, that's right! I need to sign up for my match!" Jess declares. The huskygal marches towards the registration desk, and even manages to make it a few steps before a gauntlet grabs her collar.<br/><br/>"<span style="font-style: italic">You</span>need to be our nose," Yuki corrects her canine companion. "You can sign up after you've got Sashi's trail."<br/><br/>"But the morning roster's gonna fill up-"<br/><br/>"Then you can sign up for the afternoon. Now, get sniffing. The sooner we find Sashi, the sooner you can fool around."<br/><br/>"Fine, fine..." After a moment of grumbling, Jess begins sniffing the air.<br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Fluff and Foreshadowing- skip if you dare!</span><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">A faintly sweet aroma, with just an undertone of burnt spices- Alyssa, natch. That girl doesn't have half the control she ought to over her pheromones... not that Jess minds; it's actually one of the better smells in here. She gives the tiefling a knowing look and continues her olfactory scan.<br/><br/>A blend of leather and metal polish, with more than a little blood mixed in, wafting from the downward staircase- Jess spots a hulking orc headed downstairs, who pauses to wave in her direction before descending. Where does she remember that guy from, again?... Oh well. It must not be that important.<br/><br/>The thick, cloying scent of perfume and soap, mingled with that of a body who's never seen either- Jess traces the odor back to a redheaded girl talking the ear off of a man with a scarf-wrapped face. The girl glances in the party's direction (and at Geno in particular), glaring daggers all the while. Right, moving on.<br/><br/>A masculine aura, redolent with musk, sweat, and body oil, drags the huskygal's attention towards the far wall, where a muscular drow man stands shackled to one of the hitching posts. The dark elf looks absolutely delicious, in more ways that one, yet none of the arena patrons make so much as a move in his direction. Probably something to do with the triskelion mark tattooed across his bare chest... reluctantly, Jess drags her gaze away and continues her search.<br/><br/><br/>(Pictures coming next post... or as soon as I can find where I put them <img alt="&gt;.&gt;" src="./images/smilies/shifty.gif" title="Shifty eyes"/> )</div></div></div><br/><br/>Hot metal... cologne, sweat, fresh blood... and something like a wet tropical cave... that's it! Jess's head swivels, her nasal radar homing in on the source of the scent: a snow-skinned woman with delicate features, clad in a revealing red and gold outfit, who glances around nervously as she converses with the ticket naga. As she notices the attention directed towards her, the pale girl whispers something to the naga and begins edging towards the stairs.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~There,~</span>Jess says.<span style="font-style: italic">~The white one by the counter- she smells like the kidnappers. How're we gonna get her?~</span><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-weight: bold">Geno</span><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"Psst. Ava, wux! Vutha ternock!*"</span><br/><br/>The voice of a young woman hisses in Geno's ears, and Geno's alone. The address seems to come from nowhere at all; regardless of which direction Geno faces, the words remain as loud and clear as if the speaker were standing before him. Which, as far as he can tell, she's isn't.<br/><br/>It might be tempting to dismiss the message as a fluke- a snippet of passing conversation, or the acoustics of the large room playing tricks on the half-dragon. But then, he hears it again.<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">"What's wrong, you acid-toothed brute? Don't you understand your own barbaric language? Honestly, you creatures...  just point to your left and answer, will you?"</span><br/><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">* Hey, you! Blackscale!<br/><br/>Geno (and anyone he mentions the voice to) may attempt a DC 23 Spot check to locate the speaker.</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><br/><div style="padding: 3px; background-color: #FFFFFF; border: 1px solid #d8d8d8; font-size: 1em;"><div style="text-transform: uppercase; border-bottom: 1px solid #CCCCCC; margin-bottom: 3px; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; display: block;"><span onclick="if (this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display != '') {  this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = ''; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;hide&lt;/a&gt;'; } else { this.parentNode.parentNode.getElementsByTagName('div')[1].getElementsByTagName('div')[0].style.display = 'none'; this.innerHTML = '&lt;b&gt;Spoiler: &lt;/b&gt;&lt;a href=\'#\' onClick=\'return false;\'&gt;show&lt;/a&gt;'; }"><b>Spoiler: </b><a href="#" onclick="return false;">show</a></span></div><div class="quotecontent"><div style="display: none;">And now, as promised, the new game mechanic for Orev: the Dalat system!<br/><br/>Dalat is a new form of "currency" designed to ensure that prey characters get their fair share of treasure, and to provide an interesting and versatile alternative to handing out piles of obscure items. Dalat will NOT be replacing gold in all situations; only those where offering physical treasure is unfeasible. (For instance, when valuable magic items meet the same gastric fate as their owner.)<br/><br/>I'm aware that the rules are somewhat complicated, and perhaps unclear in several locations. This system is in the alpha stage, and is therefore a work in progress. If you feel an area requires clarification or retooling to be useful, please bring it to my attention and I'll do my best to clear things up.</div></div></div>