THE ADVENTURES OF A BUNCH OF BRAVE TROLLS AND SOME OTHER GUYS

[symmetrophile]

Who: Death the Kid, Lysunder (The Summoner), Kankri Vantas, Karkat Vantas, Roxy Lalonde, Shiro Fujimoto, Rand Al'Thor, and Dhaos. Also featuring a bonus Dirk Strider.
When: At various times during the curse.
Where: Various locations!
Style: No preference.
Status: Closed.

Comments

The Library - Kankri Vantas

[symmetrophile]

"So that's what she wore to the roost-warming party!" screeched a voice, high above the boarded-up rafters of the library.

"No!" cried out others in chorus.

"Yes! It was dreadful."

The harpies cackled obnoxiously, right on cue, and Kid raked his fingers through his hair in frustration, bowed over an old and weathered tome, exhaling a low note as he turned a golden eye toward the roof. There was no way he'd complete his research at this rate. Something had to be done about those gossiping harpies, and soon. Sweeping the hem of his long coat aside and giving the embroidered cravat at his throat a cursory adjustment, the impeccably-dressed mage set for the stairs.

They were still tittering amongst each other when he finally settled himself at a crouch just beneath the boarded-up roof.

"And she said--"

Kid cleared his throat, and spoke, "--that you've got the most hideously crooked nose she's ever seen!" The grim reaper turned mage was instantly rewarded by their stunned silence. All beady eyes trained on the wooden boards beneath which he crouched.

"Says who?!" demanded one of the harpies. He thought he heard feathers ruffling. Good.

"Says no one," he replied reasonably. "After all, I am only a roof."

"Well, roof," crooned another, "Come back when you've got something really juicy!"

His shoulders slumped at the realization that they were right. If he was to have any success at all, he would need professional help.

He'd have to bring out the big guns.

---

"Kankri," greeted the grim reaper, abruptly, "I can hardly believe I'm asking this, but I need your assistance, and I need it now. There is someone wrong in the Library."

[insufferability]

The whole thing had been one enormous mess for Kankri. Ever since he woke up in the tackiest robes he could imagine, he's been looking for the chance to go on and on about how this triggered him and possibly was offensive toward those with clothing dysphoria, but it seemed everyone was in the same boat as he was. He didn't care much for the challenge, because of his whole refutal of material belongings, however, he was always up to the task of helping people.

It was a bit of a surprise when Kid approached him, and as he soaked up the information his anger grew slightly. What could possibly be happening at the library, source of education where people may seek further learning to ensure that they respect one another and keep furthering their civilization? Unacceptable. Simply unacceptable.

"What happened?" inquired Kankri, his tone as curious as slightly worried. "What's wrong at the library?"

[symmetrophile]

"I was attempting to research local legends concerning the Coral for a personal project of mine, namely having to do with the potential connection between the power levels required to maintain the protective bubble around Vatheon and the use of 'curses' to produce the emotional energy to feed the Coral," explained the mage, failing to use this little thing called 'word economy' in his urgency, "But it's the harpies."

Harpies, eh.

"They've taken up the roof of the Library and will not cease their endless, inane chatter, disturbing all who try to study there! I tried to reason with them," like father, like son, as Kid heavily edits the knowledge he imparts for the sake of a desired outcome, lowering his voice into conspiratorial tones: "But they continue to make a crass mockery of everyone and everything in their sight."

Gasp. Horror. The slander!

"It's terrible, Kankri," Kid added, utterly deadpan, "I do believe I may have been--" What was the word he always used? "Triggered." YES. GOOD. "Frequently and at great length. My psyche may never fully recover. You're our only hope."

[insufferability]

"Harpies?" Kankri asked. His tone was bland, almost as if someone had sucked the emotion out of him.

"T...riggered...?" He inquired as well. This was him exerting every bit of self control he had not to let his Vantas Vein take over, which was an experience that seemed to be increasing in frequency as of late.

"Very well then." He added finally, and began proceeding toward the library, donning some extremely tacky robes along with an equally flashy staff. He wasn't exactly sure what he could do, but first and foremost, those harpies needed a good talking to, and promptly. The confines of the library should never be compromised by such idle and trivial banter, and education should never be interrupted by such barbaric beings.

"After this issue is resolved, I will attempt to my best efforts to ensure you a place in my rather tight schedule to heal your sensible, volatile, uneducated mind." He exclaimed, slightly more peppy than before. Kid, think of the consequences before you pull one of these on Kankri.

[symmetrophile]

Good morning.

I hope today's curse finds you unharmed.

I have a general question, if you don't mind: When you tap the badge on your chest, what does it tell you?

Best regards,
--Death the Kid

This message, as strange as it might have been under more normal circumstances, arrives to the SFC of a number of Kid's own acquaintances, including many of the Villa residences. Of those, only the first responders receive consideration.

That means Karkat, Lysunder, Shiro and Roxy.

[rebull]

nOTH1NG TOO GREAT.

[symmetrophile]

I find that hard to believe, but not half so incredible as waking up a "mage".

On second thought, perhaps informing Maka I am now in the position of magical spells was a bad idea...

No matter. Lysunder, surely you didn't wake up with something so... lame?

[rebull]

aH...
aPPARENTLY 1'M A BARD.
sO YEAH, 1T'S ACTUALLY PRETTY LAME.
1'M NOT SO GOOD 1N A F1GHT ALONE.

text

[paladaddy]

[He's sure that Kid is planning something, he wouldn't be asking if he wasn't. But Shiro figures it's better for him to find out than to not answer at all.]

It says my name, 'Warrior', a few skills, and some other stuff. Why?

text

[symmetrophile]

That's perfect, Shiro.

If you're not terribly busy, please meet me in the Plaza in one hour.

There's an important task that will require your services to complete, with lives at stake. With teamwork, I'm certain this can be dealt with efficiently and precisely.

text

[paladaddy]

[You had him at 'lives at stake.']

I'll be there. Do you need me to bring any special equipment? If demons are involved, I have a few extra things that might help.

[bethehugejerk]

[Karkat's definitely been on the lookout for quests and how to complete them, so a message like this? It looks like opportunity, so he wastes no time responding.]

I AM UNHARMED, JUST CLASSED A WAY I DIDN'T REALLY EXPECT AND WITH A DUMB OUTFIT.
MY BADGE LISTS MY NAME, WHICH YOU ALREADY KNOW
MY QUOTE-UNQUOTE "USERNAME" AS BETHEHUGEJERK, WHICH IS THE SAME AS IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS CURSE HAPPENED ALMOST TWO YEARS AGO
AND THE FACT THAT I'M CLASSED AS A CLERIC THIS TIME WITH THE FOLLOWING SKILLS:
HEAL (LEVEL 1), ANTIDOTE, HASTE, WAKE-UP SLAP, TRANQUIL, AND FAITH.
THE LAST OF WHICH I GOT THROUGH A CLASS-SPECIFIC QUEST, BECAUSE LIKE HELL I WASN'T GOING TO JUMP ON THAT BEFORE ANYTHING ELSE.
I RECOMMEND YOU DO THE SAME AS BASIC PRACTICALITY.
WHAT DOES YOUR BADGE LIST?

[symmetrophile]

Incredibly, I am a mage. I can only presume it's a kind of Witch, but without the irresistably destructive instinct.

The following skills are at the disposal of my team:
Arcane Blast (Level 1), Mana Font, Freeze, and Dust Storm.

...Does Wake-Up Slap actually work, Karkat?

[bethehugejerk]

THE NAME IS COUNTER-INTUITIVE.
IT'S FOR HEALING SOME AFFLICTION CALLED CHARM, NOT WAKING PEOPLE UP
BUT I ASSUME BY THE INSCRUTABLE MECHANICS OF RPG LOGIC THAT IT WOULD WORK JUST FINE FOR THE PURPOSE IT'S ASSIGNED TO.
WHY DO YOU ASK?
ALSO, THIS IS COMPLETELY OFF TOPIC BUT BEAR WITH ME A SECOND:
THE POWER LEVEL OF THE LAMUFAO SEEMS TO FLUCTUATE SEEMINGLY AT RANDOM.

[oceanbreasts]

tells me im a god damn rogue and that i can poison things
and also steal shit and charm bitches and also find traps
do you have any idea how excited i am about this because holy shit

anyway whats up

[symmetrophile]

Always the secret agent. Well, I would expect nothing less.

Roxy, I'm gathering a group to go investigate a dreadful howling that has been disturbing the locals. Doubtlessly this will be dangerous, so I would feel more reassured with an ally at my side.

Can I count on you?

[oceanbreasts]

natch!
i mean ive always wanted to take part in an irl boss fight and this is the perfect opportunity for it
i am all over this shit
just tell me when and where and i will be there

AT THE QUEST BOARD

[symmetrophile]

[While those of Kid's personal acquaintances are getting ready before their Plaza rendezvous, the mage has been busily attempting to recruit more members for this team by soliciting those looking at the quest board.

Which means those not already recruited? Here's your chance to get invited.]

[shippingmath]

[One of the first things he'd heard about during this curse was some shady guy around the casino. As a new rogue, of course Dirk had gone to check it out. The benefits of that had been impressive, to say the least. The ability to turn invisible, even for a short while, was an incredible benefit, and Dirk had been careful to not use it recklessly, in case it would be useful later on.

He's not been sure what to use it for, but when he sees Kid at the quest board, the opportunity is too good to pass up. After making sure that Kid hasn't noticed him, he goes invisible, and sneaks up, tapping him three times on the left shoulder before quickly and quietly backing away.]

THE QUEST - LET'S GET THIS SHOW ON THE ROAD

[symmetrophile]

[(Assuming Rand and Dhaos are appropriately recruited.)

To summarize, their mission was to investigate the horrific howls that was disturbing some of the locals, coming from a remote area. A simple enough matter, but given so many unknown variables -- unfamiliar territory, distance from civilization, and so on -- it only made sense to over-prepare.

Which meant this team was assembled in case the howling ended up being something of particular danger or significance.

Someone else had better be doing the navigating, lest Death the Kid's compulsion to balance out every turn to the left with a turn to the right take them on an obnoxiously circuitous route.]

Getting there thread?

[righthandedragon]

[ Rand is fairly good at directions - at least he's better at it than Mat (or maybe than Mat was, perhaps those memories have made him better). And, well, he's supposed to be in the front of things this curse. ]

... If this is a Trolloc, I'm going to have words with the coral.

[symmetrophile]

Trolloc?

[In flagrant disregard for certain rules regarding the position of a magic user at the back of the party, Kid asks from just behind Rand, looking up from a small, black book (but not a 'little black book', there's a difference) held in one sallow hand.]

I don't believe I've ever heard of it. Do they howl and menace people?

[Because if so, it might be a Trolloc.]

THE FIGHT

[symmetrophile]

[In case people want separate threads for each stage of the quest]

[righthandedragon]

[ So maybe Rand just threw his shield at the monster. What? He doesn't have a hand to use it with. ... And its not like he knows how to use it anyway.

Hopefully that distracted it from the rest of the group. Rand will start playing a bit of decoy now- ]

THE AFTERMATH

[symmetrophile]

[For stuff after the fight.]