EVENT #14: ANOMALIES - IC EVENT LOG

[abraxasmods]

Event #14 - Anomalies

OOC event plotting | Coordination Post | Wrap-Up

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Over the last several weeks of summer, leading up to AUGUST 20, the appearance of rifts, and the subsequent creatures, has become a disturbingly common appearance. The average citizen has taken the changes in stride. Some have even integrated these creatures into communities as pets or beasts of burden. Nonetheless, these unprecedented appearances have resulted in rumors. Is the cause the Summoned? Have they carried a dark curse back from the Feywilds? Are the Old Gods offended?

A Coordination Post will be available for communications between mods and players. Report notable actions and events, or track Developments. Though we encourage you to take advantage, using the Coordination Post isn't required to participate in the event.

Anomalous Threats

Dubbed Anomalies throughout Abraxas, suspicion and curiosity turn to terror when much greater threats - called Anomalous Beasts - begin to fall through large rifts. Where did these creatures come from? Why have they arrived? And is this only the beginning of something far worse?

Arrival of the Beasts

The Anomalous Beasts tumble through open rifts that appear in set locations throughout Abraxas. You won't know where those rifts are at first, but it steadily becomes obvious as reports from locals come in. The beasts won't stay put, either. At random intervals, the rifts will suck the Anomalous Beast back through it and spit it out at another location somewhere in Abraxas. It might be in another city or in another faction altogether. It appears these beasts are not limited by borders.

Fortunately, each rift area only holds one Anomalous Beast at a time - so you won't have to face multiple threats at once.

Tracking the Beasts

Soon, you discover that the rifts are in stable locations. The beasts can go into one rift and out the other, but the area where the rifts appear doesn't change. You can use this to your advantage. Officials will set up portals to identified rift locations, allowing you to focus on an individual area - even if you can't predict which Anomalous Beast arrives from the other end.

Many of these locations are important to the locals. While confronting the threat, you'll want to minimize damage and casualties.

If you're tempted to try and go through a rift, you'll get a nasty shock that sends you flying back. Of course, if you happen to witness a native Abraxan attempt the same - whether out of fear or by accident - you might not want to try yourself: upon contact with the rift, any native Abraxans will be vaporized in front of your eyes. You should probably stick to travel via portals.

Arcanum Effects

Each Anomalous Beast bears a glowing Arcana sign on its flank. Be careful if you match its Arcana - you may begin to take on the beasts' animalistic traits, absorbing its aggression, hunger, or fear. These sensations can overwhelm you, causing you to mimic its behavior. Is your will strong enough to resist? Or will you succumb completely, becoming one with the beast?

You can get help from another Summoned of a different Arcanum. They'll feel compelled to make physical contact, absorbing some of the effects into themselves and lessening its severity by sharing it with you. This effect will remain while you're near the Anomalous Beast - as long as it's alive - but with effort and help, you can mitigate it and overcome the powerful sensations.

Types of Beasts

The types of Anomalous Beasts arriving might be familiar to you. Maybe you heard stories from another Summoned. Maybe you remember seeing it from your home world.

If you know what it is or its weaknesses, you can share this information using the Network or by word of mouth to help others defeat it. As for the beasts you believe have no way of being defeated? That may be true to your world. But you're in a different world now with strange powers, abilities you've never heard of, and spells you might've never seen before. These factors can change much. No matter the beast, there will be a way to defeat it.

To review what characters will be facing and each beast's Arcana sign, see the List of Anomalous Beasts on the OOC Plotting Post.

Faction Assistance

While the factions have asked for your help given the overwhelming number of threats that arrived at once, the factions can hold their own in many battles. They'll be able to assist you, and familiar officials may even arrive on the battlefield. General NPC actions are outlined below. You can assume they'll come to your aid based on those descriptions as needed.

Portals to each rift location will also be established within the first 24 hours. While the portals won't take you directly into the fray, they'll be near enough that you'll have the chance to arrive on time to mitigate damage or confront the threat.

You can request more significant aid or resources from an NPC using the Coordination Post.

There is no influence requirement to make a request, but influence and your character's relationship with faction NPCs will be taken into account to determine the outcome.

Thorne

In Thorne, assistance will come from the following:

◎ Jolene Sybell. Jolene will arrive at the front lines as needed. She has offensive spells but specializes in healing and medical magic. If you're wounded, she can mend you quickly or stabilize any grievous wounds so someone can take you to the infirmary.

◎ Soldiers & mages. Thorne's soldiers are concentrated in Borrel, while Castle Thorne has skilled mages. They'll be able to offer shields, offensive magic, and wards to help in any battle.

The Free Cities

In the Free Cities, assistance will come from the following:

◎ Marlo Reiner. The Prime Minister is as much a soldier as she's a politician. A former military captain, she'll direct the soldiers under her command on the front lines. She can provide cover in a fight or strategic advice. Her weapon of choice is a sword and a sidearm.

◎ The army. The Free Cities has the largest army in Abraxas. They'll be out in full force, providing combat assistance, protecting citizens, and offering medical aid. Any soldier will readily give you a hand on the field. If you aren't sure where you're needed, they'll direct you.

Solvunn

In Solvunn, assistance will come from the following:

◎ Isar Hart. Deeply devoted to the commune, the newest Council member will arrive with his ever-present companion Skaldi. A fierce and protective herding dog, she will fend off any threat. He's also followed by a few sheep that cast an unusual shadow. When attacking, they grow powerful ram horns and sharp teeth. Their muzzles elongate, resembling a wolf in sheep's clothing. Word is, Isar has a pact with Spyndlveiss, Guardian of the Flock.

◎ Elders and the Gods. Solvunn may not have a strong army or powerful mages, but they do have the Gods on their side. Elders will lead offerings and sacrifices - and the Gods will answer. While facing a threat, you might find something invisible blocks a blow or a wound suddenly appears on the beast. Though no physical presence arrives, you nonetheless feel the helping hand of something.

Ending the Threat

Resolving the threat involves not only defeating the Anomalous Beasts but also closing the open rifts. Fortunately, accomplishing the former will contribute to the latter.

Defeating the Beasts

Taking on the Anomalous Beasts is no easy task. You'll be faced with several obstacles while you fight them that might prevent you from defeating the beast: the rifts might suck the creature away before you can finish the job, you might be overwhelmed by your mind merging with the beast's, or you simply lose the fight.

In the end, one team will successfully defeat the beast. If you're one of the victorious, how you approach and finish the job is up to you. Take advantage of your surroundings, seek help and knowledge from other characters, and make creative use of your environment and skills.

And remember - defeating it doesn't mean killing it. The beast only needs to be subdued as a threat, whether through death or capture. Of course, once subdued, what happens to it may be out of your hands...but there's a chance that not all of them will be put down.

Requests for a victory roll will be accepted until AUGUST 23 at 11:59 ET. Only characters who win the roll can kill or defeat the Anomalous Beast. Please see the OOC Plotting Post for more information.

Closing the Rifts

With each Anomalous Beast dispatched, you'll notice that the rifts in the world start to shrink. The effect is subtle at first, but with every victory, it's undeniable that the key to closing the rifts is to bring down the Anomalous Beasts climbing through them.

Not every beast must be killed, but the majority of them should be for the rifts to close completely. By the end of the event, all of the rifts will have closed.

Across the Rifts

Each rift opens in a particular area. Each Anomalous Beast will have a "first sighting" at a specific location. Reports will surface as rumors, victim statements, and witnesses. Regardless of how the information comes to you, it likely catches your attention. Perhaps you hear a description that sounds chillingly similar to a monster you've encountered in your past. Maybe you're worried that the area has innocents who need to be protected. Or, maybe you're merely excited about a potential new species.

The beasts will move from rift to rift - not by choice. You might catch the one you're chasing when you arrive, or you might find yourself facing something unexpected. Your task isn't just to kill the beasts - the areas will need protecting, too. You'll have to work with others to do so. You could, for example, decide to have someone distract the beast while you evacuate an area.


[ Click the image for a larger version. ]

Each location is assigned a number that corresponds to an area labeled on the map above. Characters will have access only to their faction's territory on the rift map.

Kingdom of Thorne

◎ Castle Thorne (1) | IMAGE

Security in Castle Thorne has always been paramount. The thought that something could get within the castle walls is unheard of. Fortified by the kingdom's military and strongest mages, and boasting the host of the majority of Thorne's Summoned, it should be ready for any threat. That is, until something monstrous appears right outside the city's borders. Locals claim it slinks by on large tentacles with a single massive eye and a sense of foreboding.

◎ Frostwurm Tunnel (2) | IMAGE

Located northeast of Hayle, the snow-covered peaks are the perfect habitat for the Giant Frostwurms that provide valuable healing crystals. They burrow deep into the rock, creating a labyrinth of large tunnels. While the last time the Summoned were in those tunnels was not by choice, this time, you're asked to help protect the Frostwurms from what witnesses are claiming is a dragon or a very large wyvern. Except...dragons haven't been seen in Abraxas for many decades.

Due to the crystal's hallucinatory properties, the Summoned will be provided protective shield to prevent them from breathing in the air. The shield is invisible, causing the air around them to shimmer slightly. Be careful not to damage it in any ensuing fights.

◎ Whitehill Village (3) | IMAGE

A quaint village, Whitehill is an insular community established for many generations. Well-read despite their economic class, residents of Whitehill pride themselves on their magical knowledge used to help cultivate the Snow Petal, a rare flower that blooms only in their valley. Highly sought after for potions and elixirs, a small garden patch has already been destroyed by what appears to be a corrosive substance left behind by a large black wolf or wildcat. Residents fear this strange blight could devastate the elusive Snow Petal.

◎ Dukewood Lumber Mills (4) | IMAGE

Deep in the forests east of Nott sits Thorne's most profitable lumber mill. The sparkle of magically powered saws keeps the mill running at all hours. Although the land is owned by an aristocratic family, its residents are working-class. They earn a meager living for their families and fear not only for their livelihoods but their lives. Whispers of a shadowy figure with sharp claws spread through the workers, who remain on guard as they try not to let superstition get the better of them. Unfortunately, a few may be too far gone. They're even beginning to insist that the figure is...wearing a hat?

◎ Southern Farmlands (5) | IMAGE

The rolling hills east of Borrel are some of the most fertile land in Thorne. With harvest season drawing near, fields of green turn to amber for the most plentiful of crops: wheat. However, an unexplained fire in one of the fields has raised the alarm. Talk has arisen of a strange silvery creature wearing a crown. Witnesses claim it sits on wagons and anything that looks remotely chair-like. Or perhaps...throne-like? What could it be? Does it have anything to do with the fire?

◎ Southern Mountains (6) | IMAGE

This winding path between the peaks is an important trade route that cuts towards Borrel for those unable to cross the waters. While dangerous, many seasoned merchants will take this path to save precious time. Lately, though, the dangers seem to be much greater. Injured men stumbling out of the mountains claim their friends were torn apart by a multi-limbed insect the size of a full-grown gryphon. One describes black horns, while another insists it had hands grown over its torso. Whatever it is, it's hungry.

◎ Fishing Docks (7) | IMAGE

Home to dozens of fishing boats and trawlers, the docks and its nearby fish market are the lifeblood of Nott. These fishermen are skilled at traversing the lake - so it's unusual that one of them has gone missing. Whispers say the man was dragged under the waters by lurking black tentacles. Many are afraid to venture out again, claiming that something in the lake is watching them.

The Free Cities

◎ Fomalhaut (1) | IMAGE

Though the port city is a fixture in the Free Cities, no one is granted permission to approach the heavily guarded barricade that leads into Fomalhaut. A large sign reads NO TRESPASSING! Official Travel Only Beyond This Point! Another reads Deadly Force Authorized. A third states simply DISEASE. Fortified walls and barriers protect the valuable machinery powering the shields that enforce the quarantine. Lately, tensions have heightened due to heavy bipedal tracks and reports of a moving metal statue. A breach in the shield could devastate not just the Free Cities but all of Abraxas.

◎ Northeastern Mountains (2) | IMAGE

These sharp peaks span past most of the Free Cities' territory. The smaller mountains near Aquila are popular for mountaineers, geologists, and engineers looking to test their newest inventions at higher altitudes. Finding abandoned equipment is not uncommon. Recently, many travelers have fled the mountains, escaping an invisible entity that haunts the area. One scientist who returned injured insists that he doesn't believe in spirits but says that "an unseen force" caused him to slip and fall.

◎ Andromeda Bay (3) | IMAGE

A popular destination for rest, the waters of Andromeda Bay are a welcome reprieve during the hot summer months. Except, the crystalline blue waters have grown tainted with a pungent stench. People are fleeing the shores, warning each other that the a tentacled swamp-fish with a gaping maw has overtaken the bay. Locals fear this disruption to tourism will impact their livelihoods. Meanwhile, biologists are concerned the foul waters will disturb the delicate ecosystem.

◎ Cadens Barracks (4) | IMAGE

The barracks are familiar to most of the Free Cities Summoned. Now, the usually bustling and tightly run military hub is in a state of high alarm. Few soldiers are out in the open. Barracks and rooms feature hastily boarded windows and doors. Here and there are splashes of blood. Any soldiers out and about have their weapons at the ready. Injuries appear to be bites and vicious claw marks. There are ominous whispers of, We can't even see them.

◎ The Badlands (5) | IMAGE

With frequent dust storms, difficult rocky terrain, and extreme heat, the Badlands are the last place you want to be. Most know better than to venture towards its heart. Bandits occupy only the more habitable edges around the area. The few souls who brave the landscape are hardened survivalists or soldiers on patrol. You should take their grim reports of a new fearsome creature seriously. They say it bursts out of the ground and spits deadly acid - melting one individual to the bone. Though the Badlands houses some of Abraxas's most dangerous beasts, this one appears to be new...and it might be coming closer to the city.

◎ Farhill Mining Camp (6) | IMAGE

The Farhill Mining Camp is the largest mine in operation. Rows of cheap housing are pressed together with little care, sitting dangerously close to the mines and the fumes that come with them. Jagged hills of varying height and stability make traversing the mining area tricky. Citizens of all ages work the mines daily, with children able to quickly squeeze through small crevices. The ground often shakes with the rumbling of machinery, but recently something else burrowed beneath has been sending quakes throughout the mine. Unusual dragonfly-like insects, glowing green, have also swarmed the area. With operations refusing to cease, a collapse could be disastrous for everyone involved.

◎ The Red Path (7) | IMAGE

Named for its iconic red sand on the surrounding hills, the Red Path leads to and from Libertas. Known for being relatively safe, merchants, travelers, and hiking enthusiasts frequent the Red Path for its beautiful scenery. When reports of frequent animal attacks begin to surface, word spreads quickly. Merchants now take the road warily, and many refuse to hike it. Surviving witnesses say the creature's enormous white bulk stands out starkly against the red landscape. Most injuries consist of burns, and scorch marks mar the area.

Solvunn Commune

◎ Tertiary Settlement (1) | IMAGE

The Tertiary Settlement is a rough place to make a living, but skilled fishermen have learned to thrive. Rundown wooden houses dot the shoreline as boats row out in the hopes that this day's catch will be the one to feed several mouths at once. Lately, the fishermen claim that an unusual leviathan has been spotted in the waters, something massive and grey. Unlike most leviathans, its teeth are blunt, and it doesn't seem to dive deep under the sea.

◎ Shrine of The Maw (2) | IMAGE

This wooden path lined with dark runes leads to a foreboding tree on a hill. This tree sprouts no leaves and sheds no bark. At the base of its trunk are lit candles. Old and new wax alike stains the tree's roots. This tree is the central shrine to Dyvoraetiir, Herald of the Maw. Dyvoraetiir consumes hopes and dreams, sending those who offend into despair. Intriguingly, the reptilian rock-like creature spotted here is not the threat it should be. Instead, witnesses say it's sluggish and disoriented...and other beasts who arrive through the rift will exhibit similar symptoms. Commune elders fear this is a sign of an angry god. They're desperate to protect the area from further disruption.

◎ The Offering Grove (3) | IMAGE

East of the Secondary Settlement is a popular ritual site. A winding spiral leads to the grove's center, where a large offering bowl sits. Offering bowls are common in Solvunn, but the Offering Grove hosts the largest bowl. Made from sanctified metals, it never rusts or erodes. Many travel to this site to make crucial requests or as a show of penance. Because rituals may take several days or longer, many are reluctant to undo their work and refuse to leave the site, despite the glowing pink light that shines from the shadows.

◎ Mountain Ritual Site (4) | IMAGE

Halfway up the cliffs is a small rounded platform. Crafted to divine truth and one's true path, this is where many seek their answers. The mountain air is said to provide a person with clarity and even visions. Elders have grown concerned by returning visitors who say they've glimpsed the face of a new God, a hulking figure with a decorative mask of hanging tassels.

◎ Forest Shrines (5) | IMAGE

Several shrines make their homes in the Solvunn forest, dedicated to Gods you might've encountered or heard of. The most popular shrine caters to all Gods of the land. Sacrificial bones rest beneath the arched altar, bones that locals whisper are moving. Elders fear not only upsetting the Gods but damaging precious and ancient shrines that served the commune for centuries.

◎ Feintak Ritual Site (6) | IMAGE

If you were here last June, you might've taken a journey to the hills just outside the Primary Settlement into a small wooded area that hosts a plethora of unsettling statues. Called "Feikinstaftaka" in the old tongue, locals refer to it as "Feintak" to avoid invoking the power of its true name. Used to remove high-level curses, performed only under the guidance of the Solvunn Council, this sacred area keeps a tight lid on dark magic - magic that could spell disaster should it be unleashed. Unfortunately, that might've already happened: a walking figure shrouded in shadows has been spotted in the area, and no one knows what it means.

◎ Abandoned Settlement (7) | IMAGE

A popular trading route skirts the edge of this swamp. Well-worn and overgrown, the few homes still standing are in disrepair. Despite its foreboding appearance, the swamp hosts small creatures said to be servants of all nature gods. Playful and harmless, they emerge to seek treats from visitors. They might be recognizable to a group of Summoned who undertook a delivery quest several months ago. Locals say the spriggans won't come out anymore, as if they're hiding. A small pile of crushed pebbles suggest a few have met an unfortunate end. Witnesses report stomping and a disturbing growl from deep within the swamp.

The Horizon

The world outside is not the only realm in chaos. Anyone who enters the Horizon, whether to retreat, recoup or connect with allies, will find unwanted visitors. Anomalous Beasts will appear here as they do across Abraxas. Their presence might damage your domains or cause unwanted environmental changes that you must contend with.

Unwanted Visitors

The Horizon is an unfamiliar landscape to the Anomalous Beasts. Unlike the Summoned, the beasts won't have the sentience to understand it. Their entrance is involuntary. They won't know how to leave on their own and will wander through the domains as if those spaces are real, reacting how they normally would to any sudden appearances or threats.

Of course, as the Summoned, you have full control of the Horizon. As you observe the Anomalous Beasts that appear, reports from outside begin to make one detail clear: when an Anomalous Beast is active in the Horizon, they're asleep in the real world - and will stay asleep unless they "die" in the Horizon or are disturbed outside. Maybe you could use this to your advantage?

You can use the Horizon however you wish, but some possibilities are:

◎ Coordinating with teams outside the Horizon to keep the Anomalous Beasts occupied and asleep in time for an ambush.

◎ Killing the Anomalous Beast in the Horizon will force it to wake abruptly. If done correctly, this will be advantageous, but if done incorrectly, it might cause more chaos.

◎ Studying the strengths and weaknesses of the Anomalous Beasts in a contained environment before approaching it in the real world

The Domains

The arrival of the Anomalous Beasts will impact your domains as they travel from place to place. Important fixtures or buildings might be broken or torn. Created animals or pets might be crushed or injured. Ominous wisps of malice linger like a foul friend amidst the wreckage.

Direct damage is not the only possibility. The Horizon is constructed from memories and influenced by emotions. As a result, the presence of the Anomalous Beasts can cause unwanted shifts and changes to your carefully constructed space. You may find a once peaceful area of your domain has grown twisted and dark from a hellish Anomalous Beast. Maybe a beast associated with fire has manifested pools of magma.

As is the case under all circumstances, any involuntary effects on your domain will cause a sense of unease, and you'll feel compelled to fix it. If you have a weaker connection to the Horizon - either because you don't go in often or don't create much inside it - you'll find these changes harder to mitigate.

On the other hand, if you have a stronger connection to the Horizon, you'll have an easier time retaking control of your domain and reversing the damage.

This aspect is optional. Impacts on your character's domain, if any, are entirely up to players. Characters can also help each other rebuild their domains.

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Comments

badlands (outskirts) — thresher maw

[invicto]

[ James has been interested in the Badlands ever since he learned about them, but his curiosity is no greater than his cautiousness. Once upon a time he might have been more reckless, but right now he'd rather be smart about it than land himself in a situation where he'll find himself lost and possibly injured.

But this seems like an ideal time to check it out. He doesn't plan to go too far in on his own, but he still packs as though he is prepared to find himself stuck out there for a couple of weeks. Small rations, water, various weapons, decent shelter and a thermal blanket, with a few first-aid supplies just in case— especially considering the creatures that have been coming through the rifts.

Running into someone else out there was a possibility he was prepared for, maybe even hoping for if he does end up running into one of those creatures. The fact that he realizes he recognizes the person puts him a little more at ease, makes it less weird to approach and greet Finn with a nod. ]

Found anything interesting yet?

[ Nope, no 'hello' or anything, who needs it. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Finn had packed for a trip, too, though he had no intention of staying for very long. Warnings about the Badlands seemed to be on the tip of every tongue. While it wasn't as strange and unknown to him as the Singularity presented itself to be, Finn was still familiar enough with this type of environment that he wasn't about to take chances. If the beast didn't find him, something else undoubtedly will.

Didn't entirely expect someone else, though. It was a possibility to come across another person, sure, but Finn didn't actually expect it to happen, much less someone he knew. But it's a relief nonetheless. He smiles at the non-greeting, remembering how he approached James in the tavern before, and figures that maybe this is their thing now. Good, honestly. He likes getting to the heart of matters.

But while he smiles at James' approach, his lips twist when he looks back to the terrain again. ]

Not much. We're nearby, though. Thought I'd walk around a little, but it hasn't taken the bait. It either doesn't hunt or it's trying to wait me out.

[ He is pretty much radiating the fact that this is a trap, even if it's just to get a glimpse and run away. Considering what they've seen already, it's possible that this thing is kind of smart, which is a problem for the aforementioned bait. But the creature isn't far, and Finn feels certain that it knows he's there.

He doesn't look very alarmed about that, though. Hands on hips, armed but not exactly ready. Just waiting. ]

What about you? You're the first person I've seen out here.

[invicto]

Might be smarter than you give it credit for. Or it might not be here at all right now.

[ They do seem to travel through portals at random, these creatures. Granted, he's heard recent reports of this particular beast roaming around here, so chances are good it's still around. The area's perfect for it, actually. ]

Thought I'd check on some of the reports we've been getting in the barracks. I was promised some excitement when I got here, after all. [ Well, warned is more the word, but James heard it differently, clearly. ] Baiting it might work better if it looks like we're actually trying to venture further into the Badlands. We could run in different directions too, so it might seem like we're trying to avoid it.

[ Also 50/50 chance it won't come after him. He likes those odds. ]

[hatejakku]

Might be smarter. [ A grimace. ] But it's here. Somewhere.

[ Honestly, he's not sure if he should admit to as much (still not even sure if he should trust his own gut feelings about such things), but James is one of two people here who actually do know about this little gift of his. If he has intel like that, why keep it secret in a situation like this?

Finn does smile, though, because he's one of the people who guaranteed James some excitement, isn't he? Bit sooner than he planned, though. ]

Risky. If it is smart, we might be walking into its own trap... but this isn't working and we could flank it with the two of us...

[ James has military training, too, and appears experienced enough. The plan's risky either way, but he'd rather not waste time and end up losing the beast. ]

Yeah, all right. We'll fork off. Getting too separated probably means it'll just get two meals. We can hopefully use the terrain to our advantage, too. [ Rocky outcroppings, the occasional dead tree. All very scattered but better than nothing. ] I'll go left?

[invicto]

[ Smarter might not be necessarily good, but it certainly promises more excitement, and James will take that over an easy kill. This'll make things more interesting, or so he hopes.

He also hopes Finn can keep himself alive, should the creature go after him first. He'll handle himself fine, he's not worried about that; and he's fairly sure he'll feel the thing come up if it's coming for him. ]

Alright. I'll go that way. [ He nods to the right, at more or less 90 degrees from Finn's direction, as he shrugs off his backpack and quietly sets it down on a rock so it's not hindering him. He waits to be sure that Finn's ready, then, with a confirming nod shared between them, takes off running at the same time as Finn. ]

literally flipped a coin...

[hatejakku]

[ In turn, Finn hopes the same for James, but he's already taking things into consideration in order to look out for him as best he can. He wasn't worried about his own health when he suggested they keep semi-close on this.

He leaves his survival gear behind and waits for James' go before taking off. His pace is fast but not enough to wear him out, not willing to waste energy until the creature comes for one of them. A worrying amount of seconds pass, James already several feet away and getting further. Finn even begins to question his instincts again, wondering if he'd just imagined things, when the beast finally acts.

Unfortunately, it goes in the direction he least wants it to go. ]

James!

[ He's only able to shout a warning shortly before the ground begins to swell, making a beeline for James' direction like it means to cut him off. Finn's already turned, heading over much faster to pinch the beast between them. Hopefully. ]

[invicto]

[ James can feel a slight tremble beneath his feet, and his heart rushes to a quicker pace, more out of excitement than anything else. He also hears Finn, and he yells back with a, ] Got it! [ before he's focusing on the chase again.

He makes a quick turn, away from Finn but with a purpose to it. He leaps out onto a larger rock just as the beast emerges from the ground, large, ugly as fuck and clearly dangerous. It spits acid at James, narrowly missing, and when it launches towards him with both claws aimed, James jumps up and grabs one of them as leverage as he jumps up onto its head, trying to dig his dagger onto any patch of exposed flesh. He knows it'll be able to knock him off soon enough, so he needs to take advantage of the element of surprise. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Well, Finn's certainly surprised, both by how the beast looks and how absolutely crazy James apparently is. True enough the long-range weapons aren't readily available, but that's still a hell of a way to go about it. Finn kind of hates that he approves.

The beast roars with a shriek, thrashing its head to the side in an attempt to shake James off. Though Finn's definitely concerned, he uses the distraction to his advantage and draws a shortsword to jam it near the joint of one of the claws.

The plan is to remove at least one of its main weapons, but if he just distracts it from James, that'll work. ]

[invicto]

[ That's not an incorrect assumption, James definitely is crazy. But, you know, gotta have some fun with it, and he's had enough of these creatures managing to get away that he's really eager to draw some blood.

It takes a couple of tries but he manages to dig the blade into flesh, drawing another sharp cry from the creature. It doesn't look like it'll kill it, but it leaves it disoriented. It also makes it angrier, and with the next violent thrashing, James is thrown onto the ground and across the sand for a few feet. ]

[hatejakku]

[ And that move manages to distract Finn, even if it's just for the second he's reaching out to make sure James is still breathing. The beast takes advantage as its swinging its massive head back, this time with a spray of acid near its torso. Too close. Finn can feel the heat, can smell it, and its enough to make him remove the sword and hop back, attempting to reassess.

But he's gotten far enough away that the thing can reach him without being too awkward, and it's faster than Finn first assumes. It rams into him with the brunt of the (hopefully useless) claw he was trying to cut off, right into the torso. He sails a ways before landing hard on the sand, winded but alive and just aware enough to hear it burrow back underground.

... Damn, that's a problem. ]

[invicto]

[ The creature's strong, and not just that, it seems to be very well-armed for confrontation. The acid is a nasty surprise James wasn't counting on, and it definitely complicates things— as well as the fact that, when it manages to shake them off, it seems not to have trouble burrowing back into the ground.

So. Back to square one. He scrambles quickly to his feet, then looks at Finn and nods. ] Run.

[ He too takes off in the opposite direction, again hoping to split their chances for a second strike. He's got a feeling it won't be as easy this time. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Finn nods, hops to his feet, and begins to sprint. No use trying to conserve energy this time. To put it simply, he's got a bad feeling about this.

It feels to him as if there's a pause, like maybe the creature ran away, which would make sense. But he suddenly feels a presence behind him, rapidly approaching. ]

On me!

[ Ribcage screaming in protest, Finn vaults himself onto a rocky outcropping as the beasts bursts from the ground and lunges for him. He ducks, stabbing his blade between the armored plates, but all its moving around only manages to rip the shortsword out of his hands. Fantastic. ]

[invicto]

[ James quickly adjusts course when Finn yells out, this time grabbing a smaller knife from his back. He doesn't do anything until the creature emerges, and even then he waits for it to move and bend just enough to open a small fissure between its plating, then he aims his knife and throws.

It's not perfect, but it does the trick. The creature is caught by surprise, shrieking loudly and thrashing about, giving James enough seconds to rush over to Finn, offering a hand to help him up. ]

Come on!

[ That thing's aiming its claws at them as he speaks, so, you know. Fast as you can. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Finn was already scrambling away when the creature starts to thrash from some sort of surprise attack. But he's extremely fortunate for James and his hand suddenly appearing. He takes it and uses the leverage to quickly pull himself to his feet, starting on a dash to get some distance on the beast again and trying to drag James along.

The creature is at least allowing them that time. It's smart, that's for sure, but it's moving around in place as if looking for a third attacker that it can't find. It apparently gives up the search quickly enough, though, lunging for them both again. ]

[invicto]

[ James pulls out the dagger again, watching as the creature tries to search someone else behind it. A little slow on the uptake, then. There's a small sense of satisfaction in knowing he bested it, even if only for a moment, before he's moving quickly to dodge the next attack.

This time, it doesn't aim its claws at them, but instead tries to get a mouthful of either. James sees it only too late when it manages to catch his foot with its tentacle-like tongue, throwing him down and then lifting him into the air. ]

[hatejakku]

James!

[ Finn stops on a dime as soon as James is ripped away, and he remembers what it's like being in that exact same position he's in now.

Considering that acid attack, he assumes there's little time to act now. So Finn runs forward without unsheathing his last dagger, heading straight for the thing with full access to its exposed belly while it's preoccupied.

He grabs the shortsword still lodged inside the beast and pulls, trying to slice along the seam. With any luck, it's painful enough that the creature lets James go. ]

[invicto]

[ It does the trick, but the drop isn't particularly pleasant. James just barely manages to curl up so that instead of falling on his head, he lands on his back, but he does so over a sharp rock that digs just under his shoulder blade. ]

Fuck—

[ He curses and winces, but doesn't just lie there for long. He's always been good at ignoring pain, and he does so now as he gets to his feet and promptly slams himself into the creature's neck (?), trying to dig his blade into the cut that Finn's already made. ]

[hatejakku]

[ The beast screams, writhing in place and almost leaning its weight down on top of them. Thankfully, that apparently just hurts more. Finn certainly stands his ground and had planned to until the last possible second.

But the Thresher Maw inevitably leans the other way and begins to burrow back down into the earth, nearly pulling Finn along with it. His death grip on the sword at least allows him to finally pull it free first. ]

It's going to get away!

[ He can't tell if it's more angry or scared, though. ]

[invicto]

[ Finn is right, but not entirely. It's trying to burrow under the ground one moment, and then the next it's being pulled back by an unseen force, something that seems to be pulling it out of the earth itself. James's eyes widen when he realizes what's happening. ]

It's the rift!

[ Motherfucker, he can't believe this is happening again. He lets out an angry growl and takes off running again, just as the creature starts getting pulled out of the ground by the sheer force of the rift sucking it in. It's much larger than they could see when it was mostly underground, a long, worm-like body that doesn't particularly deter James from chasing after it, intent on getting to it before he goes through and disappears. ]

[hatejakku]

[ This is the first time Finn is seeing a rift, but James appears to be familiar with them according to that growl. His own eyes widen not because of the portal or the worm's true size but because of what James is doing.

Naturally, Finn runs after the both of them. ]

Wait- James!

[ Finn's not sure if he plans to tackle James to make him stop or launch himself on to the beast to follow it, too, but he knows only one of those ideas is the smart one. Sadly, he's not going to catch up in time to do either. ]

We don't know what that-!

[invicto]

[ Finn may as well not even be talking to James, because he's definitely not listening. He sprints like he hasn't up until now, so close to catching up to the creature as it's drawn closer and closer to the rift—

It vanishes just moments before James manages to sink his blade into it. And of course, as soon as he gets too close to the portal, he's ricocheted away from it, flung hard across the air and onto sand, sliding into dirt for some good meters before he's slowing to a halt. ]

[hatejakku]

[ Finn stops right beside James, crouching down and glancing at him to make sure he's still breathing before turning his eyes back to the portal. He's still gripping the shortsword, still ready for anything to come out of there, but... it closes and disappears just as fast as it appeared in the first place.

There's still a couple of seconds worth of a pause before Finn's satisfied that nothing else is going to happen. Not right now, anyway. So he lowers the sword and turns his attention back to James, a hand moving to his arm as if that'll help him find some injuries. ]

You all right?

[invicto]

[ James's instinct is to push Finn away immediately, but at least he manages not to react so violently. Instead he brushes off the touch, shaking his head in an attempt to regain his focus, then stubbornly forces himself to his feet. ]

I'm fine. [ Except for the fact that he's enraged that piece of shit escaped him. That said, he's definitely bleeding from somewhere, as a reddened stain shows just past the cuff of his shirt, dripping down to his wrist. ] It's not going to show up here anytime soon. Forget it.

[hatejakku]

[ Finn stands, too, nearly taking James at his word. Realistically, he knows that neither of them are fine, but there's a difference between being banged up and being unable to stand. And yet, Finn's eyes zero in on the growing blood stain instantly, tracing the flow down to his wrist. ]

We know the rifts reappear in the same places. It won't be soon, but something will come out of it again eventually. I brought enough supplies to wait it out.

[ Well, it was more of a lingering thought in the back of his mind while he packed for this expedition, part of his 'just-in-case' scenarios. It's coming in handy now, since he's hoping to make James pause long enough to let his injuries be looked at before making the grueling journey back to civilization. ]

[invicto]

[ It doesn't hurt especially, but James can feel the injury, an older wound from another encounter that's just opened up. He can also feel the eyes lingering on the trace of blood that shows past the cuff of his shirt. ]

I know what you're doing.

[ He's not even going to pretend otherwise. Sure, there is a chance that thing will pop up here again, or maybe even a different one, but they have no way of knowing when, and from what James has seen so far, it could be a long wait.

But he's also in no mood to argue, so he rolls up his sleeve, removing the already loose bandage from the long claw marks on his forearm, while making his way back to his backpack. ]

This is nothing. It just tore open during the fight.