Maelstrom

[Jent]

With summarized pamphlet in hand, Solveig sat uneasy under the weight of the mission. Her ever conflicting history with the huldra detailed in the paper rose in heart from the quiet tepid churn. Skathi Bastarnae, former Grand Hunter of the Doggerland... Daughter of the infamous Thiassi... Half sister to a God of Insanity... The tormented woman dealt a platter of evils in her prior fits of madness, with a new cauldron brewing along the frozen planet which the force Solveig joined flew over on their magical bus.

"... I need to save her," muttering in the corner, she glanced across the filled and empty seats. They arrived on the icy expanse where the Alignment of Good, Raph, previously located the deranged demigod some time ago. Wheels skidding to a halt sent a shiver through the unsettled Knight. She seen the visions of the last time Skathi's presence fought on Pax. Riddled with raw celestial energy, malevolent curses, and who knows what new aspects of the Heralds' lineage were infused through her veins. A dark apex amalgamation of various powers-Except her own, people forewarned Solveig. It would be a fair assumption that attack on the Temple was done to lure her to the dark clutches...

Do you even have a clue? Do you even have one?

Hinged door lightly creaked out in the frigid air, distracting her clouding thoughts. She gave a weak smile to Eltra, who already must been going over the plan in his own mind. He been a great help with Grathon in constructing the brief details on the notes written for the group. Of course, the papers would disintegrate as soon they departed from the retrofitted bus. They couldn't risk something catching a glimpse of the plans before their footsteps crunched down the snow below. Anti-Deity Eggs, Insanity sapping measures, and defensive tactics were among the group's capacity to handle the threats which laid ahead in the icy cavern. Likely it would not just be Skathi to be dealt with, given the area described by Raph changed in outward form.... And to be expected, inside by the work of Tartarus.

I... I’m just feeling like I’m falling down...

Solveig blinked at the brisk winds picking up around them. No doubt Phoebe enjoyed the plummeting temperatures, but those mortals around her would not enjoy it nearly as much. It even irritate Bill, Jinx's draconic companion to snort in displeasure. The huldra Knight stood unbuffered by the climate conditions. The foreboding elements dazed her feeling to the cold briefly, only to reestablish her internal temperature from the light within. She wasn't alone to fend off monsters, thankfully. Yet, oblivious to the true horrors waiting ahead, began to venture down the cavern without a word.

[Jent]

<big>Warnings&#33;</big>

• Main Threat – Skathi Bastarnae

• Secondary Threat – Tartarus

• Third Threat – Fir Bolgs

Name: Skathi Bastarnae
Description: Figure of blond woman, with blue/violet Wyrd eye on right side of face.
Magic:

Insanity Magic – Demigod in relation to Au'Marui (half-sibling; from same father, Rafrika). Potential incredibly unpredictable. Its sheer power indicts of enhancing her other abilities, manifesting clones, and likely what summoned those meteors

Wyrd Eye/Ice Magic– Whilst not a necessity for said magic, the Wyrd Eye amplifies her affinity profoundly. The implanted optical organ high proficiency of reading different energy wavelengths in surroundings. Though, it is limited in distance in comparison to Solveig's sight. WARNING – Capable of mental and invisible attacks&#33;

Shade's Curses – Known to be in control of several, if not all specialized Fir Bolg curses created by the former Jentil. Envy/Shapeshifting, Wrath/enhanced speed and endurance, maybe Lust/Charm Magic, and possibly others with labels under 'Seven Deadly Sins'


---
Name: Tartarus; 'Ullikummi'; 'Great Mother'; 'Tracy Valens'
Description: Eldritch being which hails from the Void.
Magic:

Portals – The monster is capable of creating gateways to itself. Surprise attacks are to be expected. Do not risk venturing inside&#33;

Manifestation – Tendrils, beasts... Power unpredictable with this being


---
Name: Fir Bolg
Description: Former huldrefolk cursed into twisted forms
Magic: Unspecific, or specialized towards one of the curses in control by Skathi


---
Counter-Measures

Anti-Deity Eggs - One of the strongest means in handling the threats. Should strip celestial power from Skathi for an uncertain amount of time if it makes contact. Likewise, it might force Tartarus at bay... Whether what will happen to the whole Eldritch being, unsure... As for Fir Bolg, the curses themselves are likely resilient to the Egg's effects due to their origins in Distortion

Phoebe - A weapon outright. Certainly helps the lack of Au'Marui's presence in the group. Should be able to handle Elder tricks by Tartarus, and withstand the stronger attacks by Skathi

Energy Capture - more than one among the group in form of physical devices, or abilities themselves. Required to help expel curses inflicted upon fellow party members, or extracting energy from Skathi/Fir Bolg

Sanity Relic - In company of Tom Johnson, likely will aid in defending against madness attacks from Skathi. Whether the tool this tool from the God of Insanity manifest fully in the battle, unsure

[Coolpikaaa]

Senka disembarked the bus, the immediate chill snapping the knight from her thoughts. She had packed her armor full of knit blankets and padding, looking a little wobbly and bloated. While the extra rags and furs dulled the icy bite of Kata's wind, nothing seemed able to remove the frozen dagger from her spirits. She had tried to ready herself for this, but ultimately, her stomach had just kept doing flips, now hurried along by the shift from the warm bus to the bone-chilling Kata. Skathi had cursed her once before, devolving her into a mindless beast. The knight's chief worry being it could happen again, this time resulting in her team being hurt.

"Oof. I've never seen a knight in shining armor look so glum&#33;" Coolpikaaa joked, jumping to her shoulder. He spun around, trying to catch the pamphlet as it dissolved into a flurry of snowflakes and blew from his paws. "Hey&#33; I was reading that&#33;"

While the team disembarked, help from the temple sprang to work, trying to get the equipment unloaded as quickly as possible. A tall, stone woman even gave Solveig a length of rope before moving back and trying to get a fire started. That cavern looked, well, slippery.

[Swix]

Jinx was next to step off the bus, along with her iridescent and lifelong Dragon companion Bill, who stretched his wings out before almost immediately tucking them back into his body at the touch of the frigid air of Kata. The young girl of eighteen laughed lightly before rubbing her hands against Bill in a small effort to warm him up. She herself was wearing a grey scarf, gloves and hat along with a thick green coat and black boots to help combat the cold. Despite her currently less than serious attitude, Jinx was anything but weak.

After they'd stepped off, a small shadow portal appeared next to the bus and one Felicia Ravager stepped through it. Still sporting her white wolf mask, the interdimensional traveler had opted to wear a thick-but still red-winter dress with winter boots, thick red tights and even a jacket. Quickly closing the portal behind her, Felicia examined the group before saying "Oh. Good, I'm not late for this"

[Jent]

The huldra Knight absent-mindedly accepted an end from the coil of rope. Unable to place exactly why the gargoyle made herself eager to help... Cookies? Experience learning the-well ropes-of this new realm? Solveig's thoughts weren't focused on that matter, just grateful for the additional assistance. “Thanks,” she spoke quietly, briefly checking her leather armor fittings to make sure none held either too loose or tight. Being able to manifest defense from ones armor, she wanted to have as much mobility as possible. “Do be careful... They won't let up for a chance to get any of us.”

And with that note, Solveig carefully stepped down the iced bricked steps. The interior felt more like an underground temple rather than a hallowed out cavern. Just how much did this area change in the previous months...

[Coolpikaaa]

Coolpikaaa leapt shortly behind Solveig, legs scrambling this way and that before he caught himself. He couldn't imagine who in their right mind would make a set of stairs out of ice&#33; It was certainly calling for an accident.

"Do we know who built all this? Skathi must have had a lot of free time to chisel the glacier in this way. It's almost... ornate. Like a castle..." The electric mouse marvelled, following at Solveig's side.

[BoltAscendent]

Eltra followed along with the group. The tall floran as armed to the teeth, carrying all manner of technology and arcane artifacts he could get. He glanced around slowly and cautiously, scanning his surroundings with every sensor he could muster, some made just for this. Magic, light, thermal, spacial distortion, airflow, even a full spectral light scanner, down to radio waves and up to gamma. He wasn't taking any chances and had done his best to shield himself. The Floran hadn't said to word to anyone, hadn't cracked his stoic expression once since they got ready, had shown nothing but the primal hunter that lurked within all Floran. He was going to treat this as seriously as it was, and take this bitch down given a chance. He had a family now, and nothing was taking his coon-kin from him or endangering them without a hell of a fight.

Tox, meanwhile, cracked into being near them. She was dressed lightly today, wearing a T-shirt and a shorts. She couldn't have looked more at home in the bitter cold as some frost was already forming across her. She carried an old emblem in her left hand, for once missing her gloves. She had stressed the importance of not touching her, as she often did, but today had an almost unseen side of the new dragon knight. Confident, commanding, and cautious, she was acting as a leader, decurser, spiritual sight, and emergency kill button. The woman exhaled a heavy purple mist and looked around slowly as she surveyed their surroundings.

Phoebe, meanwhile, had yet to be seen, though any who closed their eyes in the ride had felt her unsettling gaze staring at them in the darkness. She was keeping hidden, suppressing her presence, to surprise and to ambush. The woman was all but undetectable when she wanted to hide, befitting Fear.

Lastly, Zerexe had elected not to go, due to sheer hate of the cold and worries of friendly fire. She had made an attempt to help, though, providing information and charging anything that needed charged with her boundless energy. Her near uselessness had frustrated her greatly, but she knew her tricks were known and she was a danger to them.

[Swix]

Jinx followed along with Bill, the Dragons claws scraping along the icy steps as he walked down them on all four feet. The pair of them looked around as they went deeper, both trying not to slip. "This is pretty fancy" Jinx complimented whoever the architect was "for a cave". Whilst the Jix was worried about her godparents sudden disappearance, it was on the other hand a relief. She would never have allowef Jinx to come if she were here now. She'd look for her afterwards.

Meanwhile, Felicia stayed just slightly apart from the group until she brushed by Senka and matched the other Knights pace. "So, how are you feeling?"

[Jent]

Between those mechanical, optical and mystical means in comprehending the typically unseen... Eldritch nor Insanity displayed much presence thus far. Rather the structure itself appeared brimming with mental energy, saturating the walls and so on. Whether by original design or a recent modification to better handle issue of the Anti-Deity Eggs was uncertain for now.

Visita Interiora Terrae Rectificando Invenies Occultum Lapidem.

Hung across the archway attached to the room ahead, the words shimmered an aurulent light. At least a few of the group should recognize the meaning behind the writing, but for ones unclear would imagine it to correlate with the massive mural etched into this chamber's floor. A seven pointed star, each of the arms in direction to a door apart from the one the group arrived from. Various archaic symbols laid scattered against the array, capped off by the edges of a dimly grey circle infused with mental energy. “I really hate you... Stop getting in my way,” a sudden duality challenged the intruders in its sanctum. Predominately feminine in a near musical tone, the stronger voice shadowed man's own as he materialized into view.

Unkempt, the medieval-era garments clung to his dusty wired frame. In despite of the withered condition the humanoid burden with, both Solveig and Thorn would easily recognize the man as Hadrian. "Wh-what happened to you?" the Knight stuttered. Her eyes analyzed the over-abundance of psionic aura maintaining a fearsome grip on the Homunculus's mind... As well the rusted mechanical axe which seamlessly appeared in his hands.

"It will be painful you'll see."

[Coolpikaaa]

"Can we get a translation on those words?" Senka pointed to the language on the banner. It certainly wasn't written in any tongue the knight could easily understand. She smiled when Jinx kept pace with her. "Oh... I'm fine. I feel much better with these furs stuffed in my armor. Keeps me warm... if not looking a bit chubby."

Meanwhile, CP's ears twinged, as he peered deeper into the room. He swore he heard a woman's voice. Something about hating him? It was interesting to see this other knight appear down here in the mental fortress, yet...

"You guys... heard a woman, right?"

[TheDarkPsycho]

Tom stepped off the bus, an pair of odd looking pistols strapped to each leg, and an odd sort of metalic ball hanging from this wrist. He wore his battle armor under a heavy parka, the "Knights of Insanity" patch being ripped off both. He also had the Sanity blade charm - this time oddly outside his parka. He quickly pulled on his pack from the truck, tied himself off on the rope, and followed the rest of the group down the cave without a word.

That was, until a woman appeared bearing an axe. He withdrew one of the pistols. This one looked as if it had a blade integrated, and with a few practiced flicks of his wrist, had it extend out first to a dagger, then to a longsword.

Tom: "Guys, company..." was all he said

[Swix]

Felicia very slightly smiled at Senka after her comment about being chubby "Hey, at least you've got padding if you were to get hit" she commented, before looking up and noticing the homunculus with the axe-and at the voice. "... Hadrian?" Felicia asked, ignoring the voice since everyone else seemed so concentrated on it. She'd only met him a few times, yet it was still unsettling to see him here. "Could you maybe move out of the way so we don't have to hurt you?"

Meanwhile, Jinx pulled out a rather small, Floran made blade she'd gotten from Eltra as a child, and Bill beside her growled at the menacing voice and figure. Seemed that the iridescent Dragon wasn't letting any guard down at all.

[Jent]

The glazed stare laid fixitated on the entire group, with his head creaking a touch to observe them all. It almost appeared the homunculus couldn't register his former acquaintances. Thoughts lost in a chasm of the cursed affliction controlling him. "I...hope you..." Hadrian's double voice rattled before kneeling forward in agony. Something went awry in the possession, for the thickened air churned wildly about in the chamber. Power currents of wind nearly knocking of Coolpikaaa aside if he wasn't so careful, the sheer intensity revealed the heavy mass of mental energy's hold throughout the entire area.

"Die in a fire&#33;"

Once the puppeteer regained order through its pawn, Hadrian lunged forward at break-neck speed. The crazed swing of his axe clattered in an orchestra of sparks, intending to slam the blade's edge into the closest victim in its path.

[Coolpikaaa]

"Wwwwaaahhhhh&#33;" CP shouted as a sudden, strong gust of wind lifted him right off the ground and blew him backward. Luckily, Senka quickly snatched him out of the air.

The knight deposited the mouse and drew her sword. If there was going to be a fight, she was ready for it.

[Swix]

Jinx watched the whole thing, as close to the front as she was, Hadrians attack may well have hit her in the shoulder. The young girl had felt something very familar shift in the air as Hadrians double voice was overridden and was trying to pin down where it had originated from. Bill, however, had been keeping a careful watch on his companion and the threat this entire time. Snarling, the iridescent beast whipped his tail forwards with great speed and strength in order to knock Hadrian back from Jinx. Not that the girl was completely focussed however, it would have only hit her shoulder because she would have dodged it.

Meanwhile, Felicia swore. Dammit, the homunculus was still in there. Skathi was exerting some sort of control over him.... Maybe he was Cursed too? "Nobody touch him. Whatever's got him that far gone might be infectious"
She warned