Pax RP

Welcome to Pax's first quick Rp, an expiremental way of doing things that just might net you a fabulous prize! But more on that later.

So, what is it exactly, you ask? Well, a quick Rp is done a little bit differently that what you are used to. Posts are meant to be short and often. You will type out your actions, and the story teller, which happens to be me, will let you know how that works out, and lead you towards your next actions. Anyone can pop in and out at any time, but keep in mind, this will still be a race to the finish, and falling too far behind will cost you.

So, now I'm sure you are wondering, what is this awesome prize everyone is going for?

WELL...

It's this scarf!

... huh?

What do you mean you don't want a scarf? It does stuff! I swear!

<big><big><big>MYSTICAL ITEMS AND YOU: The Scarf of the Charmer</big></big></big><span style="display:block;text-align:center">

On Pax, like any other world, there exists several items of a mystical nature. One in particular, known as the Scarf of the Charmer, or "The Band", or simply "The Scarf", holds the power of switching those affected by it to a new mindset far more accessible to the user. Anyone it is used on would simply, and suddenly, come to see the holder as being their most valuable relationship. No request can go wrong by those affected, and as long as they remain under its powers, they are almost completely under their control.

However, one must note, requests that directly counter the affected person's deepest fibers of personality often fail, with polite refusal. Forcing the point could... get messy.

<big><big>How do I know if someone is under it's control?</big></big>

If you think you, or a neighbor may have suddenly fallen under the influence of this object, there are several surefire factors one could immediately notice.

-A general positive increase in mood, especially around a particular person.
-Eagerness to please, acting out of character with gusto.
-Glowing eyes, with the color changed to match the controller.
-Wearing the scarf, although it's color and style will change to look the best possible on the wearer, to avoid raising suspicion.

---
Sometime just before afternoon, a mysterious old man appeared in The Encampment, summarizing the above information to anyone who would listen. When he let slip that he knows where this item would be, a small crowd grew around him, all eager to take it for themselves.

You of course, may just find the idea of owning such a powerful object tempting as well.

By now though, several already seem confident in the info they had to start leaving. It may be best to hurry, should you want a chance at it yourself...

((When do we start this thread? I'm sure I'm not the only one waiting to scarf down this prize&#33; I certainly hope you're not pulling the wool over our eyes however&#33;

I can come up with three terrible puns at 3:00 in the morning in about 2 seconds, but I can't finish this script I should have finished ages ago. WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH ME. O_o))

((WHEN DID YOU EVEN POST? XD

Too fast&#33; TOO FAST&#33; XD

No, but seriously, the info on the object is up, and the rp is open for business. Everyone interested... post now&#33; ))

((:O Well alright then&#33;))

Swix had of course, grown interested at hearing the talk around the town of this item and it's abilities, during one of her visits. She hadn't done anything this time, so though she enjoyed the suspicious looks people were shooting her so far she didn't really have too much to worry about. But this scarf this strange old man was talking about sounded worth finding. So, Swix set off towards the old man to ask him where exactly was the direction in which she should be heading to go and find this thing. "OI" she said, in her usual impolite manner "so, where is this scarf anyway?"

((Hope that's short enough ))

"Well... aren't you the impatient one." The old man mused, studying the woman for a moment before speaking again. "That just might help you this time..."

"Just over there." The man points, where the other early leavers are headed. You'll come to a pond, Then... well, I'm sure you'll figure it out."

Swix didn't even take being called impatient as an insult, just gave the old man a half bow and a twisted smile as he studied her. She turned her back on him when he gave her the information without even a 'thank you'-although she did send a farewell wave by raising her arm slightly to the sky as she headed towards the early leavers. She wouldn't truly join them though, she'd stay a little ways apart. Whilst she walked she wondered what he'd meant by what he said. How was she supposed to figure out a pond?

<big><big>Trial #1: The Pond</big></big>

The others that had left with Swix lead the way for her to follow, chatting among themselves, and bunching into small groups of two or three depending on how well they knew each other.

Everyone avoided Swix.

The trail was mostly a straight path to the pond, and it was actually only a handful of minutes before the first people to leave arrived at it's banks. Somebody screamed.

Swix caught up fast enough, especially when everyone started running. The pond came into view for her, and revealed an image that would probably make her gasp.

It was so... dirty.

The water itself was kind of green tinged, with the occasional bug causing the surface to ripple. Patches of Algae floated on the surface, along with lily pads and... what was... was that a log ? How does that even get in there&#33;? As your eyes scan the surface (probably in terror&#33;), you can see the other shore is littered with broken logs, and steep cliffs... except for one clear path that seemed to continue into the woods. It was clear what this madman wanted... you were expected to somehow cross this pond.

This terrible, gross pond that probably had mud in it.

Oh the humanity.

A figure strode forward, wrapped in tatty and extremely old looking robes. His face was completely hidden from view, but a gentle yet unsettling green glow could be seen from the shadows of the hood.

Muttering something in an unknown tongue, the figure simply walked through the pond.

((Well, seems like I have some competition... ))

Swix stared at the mess of the pond, she wasn't terrified but the murky water brought back bad memories. Now there was another guy walking through the pond, muttering some nonsense. Well she certainly wasn't going to stand for that. Swix covered her entire body in the living darkness-all but her hazel eyes-as she brought out all four of the tendrils from her back. She used two to try and pick up two of the logs in the disgusting pond. One of them she fully intended to throw at the competition, whilst the other she intended to place in front of her so she could walk on it. She had no intention of wading through this mess if she could help it.

((Nothing wrong with a little healthy competitiveness, right? *grins*))

((Oh good. We all kill each other by the fifth post. ))

The man in the robes, first to actually enter the pond, drew looks of every type from the people standing on the shore. How could anyone volunteer for water with stuff in it. While the men looked on in admiration, several of the women sighed, smitten with this brooding hero who could clearly face anything...

But the bottom of the pond was just as rough as the edges. The same amount of logs littered the ground as the shores, and instead of cliffs, thick, sticky mud grabbed the feet of the intrepid hero, and never seemed to let go. Gnarled branches eventually hooked all that cloth, like the industrial accident waiting to happen it was, while moving to get it free finally got that muck into a position to really hold you.

Hope you breathe pond water.

[[ANALYSING...

...

...

... ESTIMATED FORCE REQUIRED: 231.433% OF NORMAL STRENGTH CAPACITY. OVERPOWER MOTOR SYSTEMS? Y/N]]

The Artificer considered it's options, weighed the risks, and began to push it's strength further than normal. It risked burning out it's motor functions of course, but the artefact must be retrieved... and it sure as anything wasn't going to let a mere mortal control that power.

Anyone not immediately watching the bundle of robes attempt his stunt, quickly took notice of Swix covering herself in shadow. By the time those tendrils came out, she had stolen most of the other guy's thunder, with people wondering if she too was going to jump in, now that she had a suit on.

But no, she went for the logs instead.

The first one was pulled over to you easily enough, just dragging a trail of water reeds behind it. The second one though seemed to have been firmly planted in the muck itself. While you pulled and pulled, apparent master of shadow itself, some of the townspeople that knew a bit less about your reputation even cheered you on.

With a creak, the log was pulled free from it's prison all at once, snapping your tendril back with some of the extra force. A spray of dirty water hit a couple of people, a fact you may enjoy, and soon you had two logs to do with what you wanted.

Of course, one was supposed to be a boat. These logs had been waterlogged for so long though, that putting your weight on one caused it to dip under the surface, clinging to its last bit of buoyancy. If you were set on this course, you were going to get a bit wet...

.... And would have to figure out how you intended to keep on it.

Overtaxing your systems eventually tore you free from the mud, but with all those long trailing robes floating out around you, it wasn't even a minute before it was snagged on something again. To avoid a repeat, you would have to take care of this.

Even worse, the pond seemed to deepen here, leaving you in dark water. Then for whatever reason, a whole cloud of stirred up silt rolled in.

You were stuck, deep, and the light of your face only showed the tiny bits of algae as they float by.

The cloak, a extremely complicated system of intertwining metal, was proving to be more of a hazard than useful. Still, at least the Artificer had managed to move past the crowd unheeded. After making sure the cloak had a brief moment of not being snagged on anything retracted the cloak, changing it's form from a lose fitting cloak to something akin to desert garb, complete with a scarf around the face.

It then set about trying to get it's bearings, swapping between a myriad of visions modes until it found one that allowed it to see.