<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;">Woo! Finally feeling a smidge of my creativity flowing back to me. Sorry for the lack of...well, details and all around structure of my posts these last two weeks! New job on my mind, high stress, and so forth. Hopefully, now that my schedule seems to be set in stone (Really brittle stone, but stone nonetheless), I'll start working things around a bit better, and hopefully up the quality of my posts a bit! ^_^</div></div></div><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;">Also, Welcome Allie! =D Nice to have you join us! I'm sure your wonderful RP will add quite a bit to the overall atmosphere! ^_^</div></div></div><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;">Nocturne, you never cease to amaze me. <img alt=";)" src="./images/smilies/wink.gif" title="Wink"/> Awesome drawing, and I have to admit - I like the theme song! Glad to see another up, really! ^_^ In my mind, adds a tiny bit of 'oomph' to a character, if picked right!</div></div></div><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;">Xali - in my mind, you are doing an awesome job keeping up with the posting. While slow these last few times, it doesn't look like the quality has dropped one bit! Looking forwards to continuing the fun with you once to feel better! ^_^ Until then - I hope you get well soon!</div></div></div><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;">Aaaand, thanks Sillyness, for bearing with me and my slowness of posting these last two weeks! *Snuggles* I'm enjoying the game, and I can't wait to see where it leads! For being your first non-dungeon crawl, you are doing an amazing job!! Keep up the awesome work, beautiful! &lt;3</div></div></div><br/><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> Before reaching the keep, just after filling the water skins...(Sorry to step back in time again!) </span><br/><br/>For only having known this human for a few hours, it was grating on his mind. He'd been in her situation before - true, he'd not been treated with even the slightest ounce of dignity or respect, but he knew that she had to be scared. She was in an unfamiliar place with no friends, no family...nothing but complete strangers that could devour her on a whim, if they so desired. Hell, for the moment, she didn't even have armor or weapons to defend herself with.<br/><br/>Still, there was a bit of bitterness inside of him towards the entire human race. No matter how often he'd tried to sift those thoughts from his mind, that little inkling, the little...spark of anger was still there. They'd controlled his life for sixteen years - perhaps longer, he couldn't even remember. Whilst she was not a slave in a cage, she was, more or less, a slave...with his own words as the bars. Even though he had a great dislike for humans...there was no point in taking it out on this poor girl. Not when, so far, she'd done exactly as he asked, keeping true to her word.<br/><br/>Sliding up beside Vendra, he wraps a comforting arm around her shoulder, pulling her against his side. His touch was surprizingly soft and sweet - not the touch of someone trying to force her, but simply...coax her, if she'd accept. Taking a deep breath, the white-furred kitsune gives her shoulder a soft squeeze, talking to her softly as she took in the sights and sounds of the city "I'm sorry for snapping at you earlier, Vendra. Eh...bit of bad history with humans, as it were. I know you had nothing to do with that...sorry for taking it out on you." His eyes linger over the hustle and bustle the city had to offer, walking casually, as if he were deep in thought. When, finally, he begins talking again, his voice is sweet and soft - a surprizing sound coming from the eight foot tall kitsune "I know you are scared. Believe me, I know." He idly pulls one corner of the blanket a little more firmly around her shoulders, where it had begun to fall off "You are alone, surrounded by those you percieve as enemies....scared for your life, no doubt. It will take time to adjust, but..."<br/><br/>He stops her, grabbing her shoulders so that she has to face him "..you won't be alone. I know it's difficult to believe, coming from someone who'd almost eaten you...but if you are true to your word, I swear I'll protect you. From everyone. The whole city, if I have to. As long as you are with me, I promise you'll have nothing to fear - not from me, or anyone else. I'll do everything in my power to see you safe, if you'll help me and my friends - and make sure they remain in good health and well. I'm not going to command you to do anything anymore. You're not a slave. Yes, you'll be under my care, and I can't just let you leave - not yet, anyway....but speak your mind when you want to. Do what you want to do. I'd still like for you to stay within my sight, but I don't want to constrain you to HAVING to be by me every second of the day. One day, if we are all still alive...I'll see you safely home. What do you say? Travel with us for the moment? If you decide you can't stand it after a few weeks...I'll let you go on your way.  You have my word. Two months time...and you're free to go. Or stay." Pulling her back against his side, he starts off again after the party, a faint grin creasing his lips "...And one thing you'll find out soon...is if I *SAY* I give you my word...I mean it. Trust me, stay by my side...you'll be safer there than in the thickest suit of armor you can find."<br/><br/>His tails swishing back and forth behind him, he continues after the small procession heading through the streets, eyeing the architecture with a grin on his face...<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic"> Once more inside the keep! </span><br/><br/><br/>Kahmori had to admit, he was rather surprized. Xali, Alexei, and himself seemed like the least likely bunch to be teamed up together - especially for work that was important. Xali and Alexei were smart...incredibly smart. He'd thought that one - if not both! - would find themselves as advisors, or perhaps lieutenants - where they could oversee, allow their brilliant minds to work out the strategies that would be required to succeed and win. He, while smart, didn't have the tactical mind for such things...his methods were always far, far more forwards, almost bruteish - but with thought. How in the hell did he fit into all of this?<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> “As you already know I commissioned Drir to recruit a few folks for me. Unfortunately the situation that called in such an event is a dire one. </div></blockquote><br/><br/>Well, he'd only known the two for a couple of weeks - and only really seen them fight once - but, from just that tiny bit...he could tell quite a bit about their character. At least, in his mind, he was able to semi-accurately judge their abilities.<br/><br/>"In my opinion..." Kahmori offers a small smile, indicating his two friends with a broad sweep of his hand "...I don't think you could have picked a better lot. Xali is brilliant. Trust me, I've seen her mind in action. Managed to get my tail throughly stomped in a game of grabs or whatever in the heck it's called. Soundly. I have no doubt that with her grasp of situations, and quick thinking...she'll be a hell of an asset. Not to mention, she has some pretty powerful magics at her disposal, it seems! An impressive sight, in a lovely package." He gives the flirty leopardess a smile and a tiny, playful wink, then sweeps his hand further along to Alexei.<br/><br/>"Alexei here...hell, he's got just as good of a head on his shoulders. While I've not actually seen him use the oversized toothpick he carries, I *DID* see him work a little magic and take down a fella easily his own size in one bite. Sorta a quiet, contemplative guy, but it seems like he's got his stuff down. Tough, too - saw him riddled with arrows, and didn't even stumble." Comlpeteing the sweep, he gives Helix a broad, toothy grin "Heck, I think these two could find a way to get to the straw in the needlestack without even getting poked."<br/><br/>With his description of the abilities of his companions completed, Kahmori once more falls silent, allowing Helix to continue with his description of the troubles that had so recently arose. Every few seconds during the outline of what is going on, he casts a strange-looking glance to the area that conceals Brady. Whilst his eyes seem to scan across exactly where she is multiple times, they never seem to perfectly focus on her. It was apparant that the big male kitsune knew she was there...but had no idea where, exactly. Or, if she was really there at all. Still, he casts more than one dubious glance in her exact direction and location, scanning the general area curiously - but not with any real effort.<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;">Using scent + move action to know the direction of Brady! Sure as heck can't see her, but can smell her! Figured it was kinda silly to know where she was, even with scent...after all, all sorts of smells are emanating from this place!</div></div></div><br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> I can’t tell you how troublesome this is for our forces. A single necromancer could easily make an army over night” </div></blockquote><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">~ And that...would be bad. A necromancer, out here? Sheesh...well, this should be an interesting trip, at least. Kicking the crap out of corpses...fun times, Kahmori. Fun times...~</span>He'd only encountered two other necromancers in his life - and both of them he'd hated with a passion. Not for their craft - hell, he could care less that they wanted to raise up long-dead creatures to serve them. However, both had such a morally black conscience that he couldn't help but very much dislike them. After all - both wanted EVERYTHING to be dead...so they could control everything. It was a foolish notion...but one both seemed bent on making work.<br/><br/>Still, how true were the reports? After all, anyone could have created the stories, just to-<br/><br/><blockquote class="uncited"><div> You’ll be joining up with the scout that originally came across the ghoul” Helix turns and looks to a dark corner behind one of his dressers. “She’s pretty devious in nature. Though her stealth abilities needs a little work. Brady, come meet your new companions” Helix chuckled. </div></blockquote><br/><br/>That explained it. An eye-witness to take them back to the scent of the crime.<br/><br/>It also explained the strange scent, not entirely unlike the lizardfolk guards stationed outside, that had been emanating from that corner he'd been so puzzled over.<br/><br/>Kahmori watches with interest as the area he'd been staring at seems to...materialize, for lack of a better word. Like the outline itself simply seemed to take on texture, shape, and finally - features that were definantly identifiable with that of a reptile. Canting his head to the side, the tall kitsune gives the small lizard-girl a good looking over.  She was small, it seemed, and lacked any amount of upper curves to signify that she was, indeed, female. Not to mention, she had he most amusing hair he'd ever seen on a lizardfolk - of course, he'd not seen much hair on the scaley types, either! By all appearance, she seemed a bit young - but, hell...it was hard to tell at just a glance. Still, she was a cute little thing.<br/><br/>And only barely did she managed to come up to his chest, if she was standing on her tippy-toes. A broad smile creases the big Kitsune's face - someone else to get to know. Someone that, at least for the moment, they'd be traveling with, it looked like.<br/><br/>Sliding forwards just as smoothly as if he'd just floated along the ground, he offers a hand to the lizard-girl, his brilliant, white teeth revealed in a surprizingly friendly (thought still somewhat intimidating) smile "Brady, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Kahmori. Kahmori Ittsoro. So, you've seen these things first hand, huh? Ghouls and the like? Sounds...well.." His smile fades...and slowly begins to turn into a slightly disgusted frown "...actually kinda nasty, when you think about it. Ooozy, fleshy, nasty corpses rising from the dead, dancing about in the tattered remains of their clothing. Eeesch...." He cringes at the thought, his tails momentarily unraveling and seeming to cringe in unison with him.<br/><br/>"Er...still....hi!" He finishes brightly, a smile once more returning to his face.<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;">Just letting everyone know - me and Sillyness recently reworked the 'feel' of the Psionic Warrior class. It has turned into a PP-eating class, more or less...but the way it uses spells and abilities will be somewhat unique! This is a work in progress, but it has changed the way my character sheet looks the SLIGHTEST bit. So! Here it is, with a couple of very, very minor changes! ^_^</div></div></div>