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Takurasho's nose was still wrinkled as though the monster's voice carried with it a powerful stench. He was silenced momentarily by it's tremendous voice, but stood his ground unflinching, refusing to break eye contact. Skeletal form recoiled some as the claw smashed into the floor at his side. He refrained from looking towards the rest of the group at this time, feeling that if he had the creature would certainly have noticed & redirected its attention. His pale gaze finally broke away as- to his horror- Aranel joined him. Ridiculous girl. Silly, sincere Aranel.
As the Absence beast withdrew he'd shift in front of her. "I'd thought I was doing a rather excellent job of distracting him already," Takurasho fervently whispered back. For a change, his voice managed a more concerned tone than one of agitation. "Join the others, protect Zaida, go quickly... I will manage."

The man wondered if the reassurances or chivalrous display seemed as foolish to her as they did to himself. Aranel was right to question the effectiveness of their mortal weapons- he certainly did. His rapiers, unlike the majority of his gear, were not outfitted to handle the supernatural. There was nothing special to them besides the silver blades; no fancy enchantments, no spectral blessings. Unlike his blades, however, his body itself concealed a greater power. Takurasho was convinced that now was the time to reveal himself, & much to his surprise {& relief!}, it was at that moment the butler made his appearance. Both brows arced in a genuine display of utter shock. "You gifted him? But that would suggest that you're..." he shook the formalities from his head; no time to waste. "Yes," came the confident- almost eager- reply. "Yes of course! But I wouldn't have you attach such gifts to this mortal body. I'll be better equipped to wield them if I come out."

{Man, I've been getting really lucky with my rolls!}
Takurasho followed the most peculiar statement with a sorrowful sigh. "This certainly is my favorite body," he muttered wistfully to himself. "I was hoping to keep it out of harm's way this mission. But no matter." First his pale eyes rolled back in his head, lids fluttering momentarily before closing altogether as his body crumpled unceremoniously to the ground. It was entirely still now, his chest no longer rising with steady breath, seemingly struck dead on the spot. The next movement was a sickly smoke pouring from his nostrils, billowing out in a horrid mix of both fleshy & shadowy shades. The smoke would solidify into a creature just as- if not more- unappealing than Jonathan himself. It was of a roughly humanoid appearance, though of considerable height {compared}. It's skin was pale nearly to the point of translucence, hulking figure supporting two tattered wings & an extra pair of bone arms which protruded from his shoulders. A great black mane- similar to that of a lion- billowed about his skeletal visage. Takurasho, who's true name was Takurashomo, was a vetala. The body the group had known him by {which now lie at his feet} was merely a possessed puppet, necessary as vetalas could not interact with the physical realm without a {deceased} body to command. Fortunately for the spirit, Jonathan was without a mortal body, meaning he could use his true form to attack.
"Do it quickly, butler," he rumbled {voice example}. "Even in this form I have little advantage besides brute spiritual strength." His wings stretched out, & if Aranel hadn't run screaming from his terrible form, she'd be shielded behind one of them until she chose to accept the blessing as well or rejoin the group.

Aranel jerked her head back to see Aearion reaching for his sword and then... tossing it to her? She let out a little shriek, unsure if she was going to be able to actually catch it, but she managed somehow. A grin and a thanks was given as she eyed the thing, only to have her attention stolen by Takurasho.

"I'm worried you can't do it by yourself...," she mumbled. "I guess you can distract now that I got a sword too! Don't be dumb. If I leave you and you die I'd feel awful," She sounded almost cheerful, as if she was about to bounce up and down and squeal about how capable she was or something dumb like that. She didn't though, now listening to... the Butler? Huh!

"How can-- er, never mind. I'll ask later," she muttered, then looked back to Jonathan. She was contemplating this, and at first became worried that by accepting these gifts she'd appear like Jonathan, but realized he was dead. Maybe life was the thing that prevented that from happening. And if it could help her show Takurasho that she really can help (plus she just reallllyyy didn't want anybody to die), then she'd accept.

"It'll help right? Yes please!"

Moments later, the man she stood beside made a rather interesting statement. The events that took place directly after caused the girl to make some sort of 'eep' noise and jump back, watching in horror. She was frozen for a few seconds, wondering if Takurasho was instantly murdered and before him stood something related to Jonathan, but his speech indicated it still had Takurasho's conscience. It was him? Was she the only regular human around here?!

She clutched the sword awkwardly, its weight something she wasn't yet used to. She'd never used a sword before, and didn't know how to maneuver it well. She hoped there was something the Butler could do to make it easier with these blessings, but doubted it.

(The Dice seems to favor Takurasho!]

The Butler's brows lifted only in brief astonishment to the sudden change in form. "Oh my." Although the rest of his face refused change. "Then I gift the both of you with The Umbra." One hand reached out to touch Takurashomo's wing while the other placed itself upon Aranel's head as he walked by them both. There were no more words to be had. On the locations that were touched of them were left pulsing black discs of sorts that began to expand over their bodies from that source point. The Butler had begun slowly paced steps toward Jonathan. "YOU BASTARD!!" The beast roared. "You really believe you could buy your way out of my domain? Master Jonathan--" His aged eyes locked with two of Jonathan's orbal optics. "Once you have descended into the Depths there is no returning. Your soul is forever caged." Jonathan did not want to hear such words. "BLASPHEMY!!" Lunging toward the Butler his body became shapeless as he engulfed the Butler's form.

In the meantime, Takurashomo and Aranel had become engulfed in their own black flame.

Takurashomo had met the compatibility for such traits quite well. Gifting him with all there was to offer of The Umbra. At Takurashomo's disposal was his version of the Umbra Weapon as reflected by his soul along with the other passive traits.

Aranel was met with 2 of the set pre-destined by her Soul's reaction to the Umbra Gift. Should her soul react to requiring the Umbra Weapon[pair of], her reflected soul will display as thus.

Releasing the Umbra Weapon from hand will bring it to dissipate in black vapor.

Around the bodies of those who have been gifted resonated a black mist that poured onto the ground around them. Any additional physical or decorative features such as change of skin tone, attire and so on all varied on the soul's adaptation to the gift. (Feel free to get creative if you'd like.)

The other two. Aearion. Zaida. Their movement to the red door was not hindered in the slightest by any outside intervention until tremors of visible black energy swept across the floor from the door to the stairs in a cone shape. The door cracked open just a little bit. The outward force increasing just a bit, but not unbearable.

Behind the door, something was in the works.. something was being... summoned. Beyond those red doors opened up into something phenomenal. A larger chamber. At it's center was a pedestal with the item of interest resting atop. The room floor rumbled and shook, but its well chiseled stone surface was well situated to not crumble. Black waves flowed across the floor in an outward motion from a single point just in front of the pedestal.

A gate. (New member entry point)

Almost like a tug of war, the settling of power pushed and pulled toward that gate.

Back in the treasure room with Takurashomo and Aranel...

Jonthan's form rose from its own puddle of darkness to take footing on the solid surface once again. The butler, no where to be found. Black smog flowing from the absence of face with each exhale. "All the world's riches!" A small chuckle. "All of it!" The chuckle became more prominent. "I WILL BE THE RICHEST AND MOST POWERFUL MAN ALIVE!!!" Jonathan had taken a lunge step to add force to his clawed hand that snapped back before plunging toward both Takurashomo and Aranel's forms.

Damage would be minimal due to the power still being fresh to their bodies if the clawed hand struck either of them.

[-2 Modifier Afflicted to Jonathan] Jonathan feels slightly discouraged seeing he must combat two Umbra blessed

As Aearion caught up with Zaida, he quickly pushed the door open by pushing his shoulder against it. He had no idea of the force behind it and didn't want to take any risks. What he saw inside was yet more confusing and frightening all the same.

Aearion could feel the powers at play here, and had a hard time focusing on searching for the skull. This place was incredibly large. Were they even still in the mansion? Eventually he managed to notice the demonic skull."Hey, is that what we're looking for?" The Mer asked Zaida when he had the chance. It had to be! There was no other skull to be seen in the mansion. But then again, they didn't explore all of it. There was no turning back now.

Aearion clutched his one handed crossbow tightly in his hand as he took a few steps forward. He recognized a portal when he saw one. It was possible this thing was some sort of defense mechanism and some manner of creature would pop out of the portal. Whatever the case, Aearion stood ready.

{It's us: Aranel/MadRatBird drew it!}

Zaida's eyes swept across the room and seeing the skull she felt a start of joy. She was hestitant, though. It couldn't be that easy, could it? She dropped her skirt and gathered it again, ready to move forward. In her head she practised the symbol she had learned, wondering what she would draw it with. There wasn't anything in her pockets besides her dagger.

She looked at Aerion, "Do you carry ink on you?" She felt uneasy despite her moment of joy at seeing the skull. She simply wanted out for now.

{Pre-post roll}

As the black flames subsided from Takurashomo's fearsome form, minor {though quite noticeable} differences would become apparent. Before the butler's blessing there was a gaping hole in his skull-like face where on a human a nose would have been. This hole was now replaced by two horns, one above the other, worn in a style identical to a rhinoceros. Upper canines lengthened considerably, becoming saber-toothed. He gained an extra set of eyes as Jonathan had. Short ebony spines sprouted down the center of his back, tattered wings filling out with black leathery skin to give them a fuller- more operable- appearance. The dark mist the three "blessed" now shared rolled from his back & jaws as a thick fog.

{His countenance now appears as such. The black is supposed to be hair x_x Pardon the blockiness, I have almost 0 artistic talent, so I had to piece things together on paint}

Said fog undulated from his gaping maw as Takurashomo released a pleasured growl. He relished the pestilential power, flexing his now full wings, all four uncaring eyes locked on to Jonathan. He carried a more feral demeanor to him now & remained on all fours. As Jonathan moved towards the pair the vetala would charge forth to meet him, attempting to grab the incoming claw but failing to match the other's speed. The Whittaker beast's nails would carve shallow scratch marks across the surface of his skullface, producing beads of pitch colored blood. The vetala emitted an agitated snarl, lunging forth & tossing his head in an attempt to gore his opponent with his new horns.

{...oops. I think I made the same mistake as you, Aranel.}

{That may be my cue.}

From the swirling mass of magic, a large head of a crow, the size of an average man’s chest, erupted from the middle of the portal. It’s large, red eyes darted between its surroundings before its gleaming beak opened up, a cry of a large bird of prey echoing off of the walls and into the ears of any nearby. “CAW!”

The bird’s dirtied-feathered talon erupts from the portal’s swirling magic, it’s black feathers shrouded in a layer of dust, it’s talons as large enough and sharp enough to scrape and dig into the flooring, leaving gashes of considerable size. The talon smashes into the flooring again, and again, its red eyes darting around as its beak opens again, and again, “CAW! CA-CAW!” The talon would reach out, digging itself into the flooring, trying to pull itself into the room.

Another talon makes it through the portal, creating a heavy sound as it hits the flooring, its claws scraping against the flooring, but slipping.

(Rollin' rollin' rollin'.)

((Edit: I failed to roll, gotta double post sorry!))

The sensation of receiving these gifts was an interesting one. She was curious as to what this Butler really was, assuming he was something akin to a demon or even Death himself. Maybe he was a god of sorts? Regardless, he was on their side and she was more than eager to help defeat this Whittaker creature.

An almost instinctive feeling of... something compelled her to beckon a more comfortable weapon-set to appear. She was thankful this intuitive feeling was correct, because in acting on it, she was able to summon said umbra weapons. She stumbled back a bit as the butler was attacked, gently tossing Aearion's sword to the side so that her hands may be filled with her new, strange tonfa. She kept a note on its location and turned her attention back to Jonathan.

Aranel's tonfa were brought up to block the attack, but a moment too late as he swiped at the both of them. her attempt to retreat also caused for a change in course of his claws, which caught the side of her and nicked her forearm in the process. The pain had yet to register, and really it was akin to a good cat scratch, but thanks to this surge of strange power, she was unable to fully feel it just yet.

Rage wasn't a thing Aranel knew completely. At most, she felt frustration and mild anger, but the latter of which was mostly spent with her pouting. At the moment, though, it seemed like she was excessively cautious and nervous, though in quite a serious mindset. She knew what needed to be done, even if Takurasho turned out to be some sort of demonic looking creature (she didn't know exactly what he was) high on some sort of bloodlust or something, and even if she was up against something much larger than she.

Thankfully, the other gift bestowed to her would help her a great deal in this dark and dreary place. A Faded World. The ability to transport, levitate, alter, and so on left her at a good advantage - if she was able to find a shadow big enough to engulf her.

Right now, however, she decided she should attempt to harm the thing. Mustering up her courage, she took a running start and, if she was able to get close enough, would swing the right tonfa around for a good thwacking while the left jutted was flipped and jutted forward in a jab, its extended reach helping her to keep maybe a foot more of distance between the two.

(I am now thoroughly convinced the Die are in love with Takurasho to have gotten a NEGATIVE for a counter/block)

Both Aearion and Zaida were met with such a fowl. One of unearthly proportion. The moment the monstrosity emerged from its gate the symbol which bore as harbinger to this coming ceased its power struggle over the natural forces around. The tug of war ended. This large Crow was positioned in between the skull and them. Now the question is... Friend or Foe? Perhaps neither?

Realistically the group as a whole were combating Jonathan simultaneously, but in different methods.

Back in the treasure chamber..

A battle of Umbra had commenced.

[Power Anew]: Ended

Jonathan was struck with awe at how his attacks had been reduced to feeble grazes on both opponents. "What?!" He growled as his arm withdrew, but was met with an assault from the enemy. Both of them.

Aranel, so quick to begin her own assault and with such a short distance to sprint not a step was wasted. The first swing of the right tonfa sent out a power shock visible from the point of impact. The Umbra weapon great in its own strength cripple Jonathan by causing his forearm to bend inward. In desperation as the left was being plunged toward him he instinctively tried to use that same arm to defend against the thrust. A failed attempt. His forearm had been snapped in half. Another power shock being sent outward from the point of impact. The upper forearm and hand flipped through the air, riding the power shock feverishly until it landed on the far side of the crypt with a loud *THUD*. "YYAAARRGHH!!!" Jonathan wailed in pain. Ink like fluid poured out from his open wound, trying to hold it with his left hand to stop the 'bleeding'. "MY AR--"

[Bonus affect for Negative roll] Jonathan was stopped short of his whining. A pair of horns pieces into his abdomen and chest. Short gasps sounding more like wheezing as he tried to understand what was happening. It all happened far too fast. More ink like fluid leaked over the horns. A hand was placed on Takurashomo's head. Those line spiney fingers. "I can't.." His body began to lose its shape. "I can't.." He cried again. "Not yet.." The hand that was placed on Takurashomo's head pet him once before his body fell into a puddle of shadows. Red orbs going dark one by one.

Surely enough if mortal weapons were used against one of the Umbra would there be little effect to the afflicted, however...Aranel displayed the terrifying force behind harnessing such equipment.

Jonathan, severely injured, but not dead yet began his retreat. "I will not lose to mortals! I WILL NOT!!"

The shadow that is Jonathan swiftly darted along the floor, up the stairs and down the hall into the large chamber where Aearion and Zaida proceeded to. His soul was calling out to the skull. The fight was being brought to the rest of the group and will become severe should Zaida not be swift about what duty she had been entrusted with!

When Jonathan entered the Chamber his form rose in its weakened, injured state. The skull begin to resonate a deep purple hue which only grew brighter the closer he came. Hobbling, splotches of that black fluid left in his wake. One arm reaching out to the skull as he never minded the presence of whom else were also in the Chamber. The body still lacked those red orbs as though his frame were acting purely on instinct. "I need more..! I need more power! I..--" Stumbling forward some. "Cannot.. I cannot!" His voice, weak. The lights that illuminated the chamber were steadily growing darker and darker.

A voice spoke from the skull, familiar to the group yet distorted to the unfocused at first.

"Sometimes the power of the Umbra are misused and abused. Harnessed for greed and personal gain. This man, Jonathan Whittaker has proven to be of this nature. Limited, near sighted. Bound to the distance that his desires took. The Umbra is meant for so much more! A dead race of people. Those whom built this tomb for the precious skull you so blindly seek. Destroy it and with it goes a relic of a near extinct civilization. Spare it as is, and you may begin what could be a neverending fight with the savage beast before you."

[-4 Modifier to Jonathan for poor tactic. Allowing Aranel to be swift in her assault and bring distraction while Takurashomo assaulted with a heavier blow]

{LOL, wow!! I must be blessed for my DM to have gotten a natural 1 out of 1d100... twice. & a negative? "Jonathan attempts to block & accidentally gouges one of his eyes out", ha!}

Zaida drew her blade, and eyed the crow with careful eyes. She looked at Aearion for a split second. This was taking too long. If it was an enemy, she would be forced to further delay putting the symbol on the skull. She didn't exactly sigh out out loud, but her body language changed to show a tired agitation.

"Can you distract it? I need to get to the skull."

The red eyes of the large crow cease their darting for a second, stopping and staring at Zaida. The eyes then release a sickening squelching sound, becoming faceted, several small red eyes appearing and all staring at her, before they too dart to look everywhere about the room. The crow's large, black feathers split open, forming beaks. Black, beady eyes open all about the crow's torso, neck, and down to the crow's now steady talons. The first talon manages to pull more of the crow's body forward, away from the portal's grasp. The beginning of wings were visible, while the crow's entire body was creating a ruckus, the small beaks cawing in rhythm, as if to chant, "Caw. Caw. Caw. Ca-caw. Caw. Caw. Caw. Ca-caw." The large beak would break into the chant, "CAW!"

The crow's wings spread out, (caw.) but most of the appendages (caw.) are still within the portal. The crow's (caw.) head tilts back and releases one more (ca-caw.), "CA-CAW!" The crow's body, and the beady black eyes and dirtied black beaks, all give a shudder. The beaks and black eyes take wing, being crows as well, flying into the darkest corners of the room. The red eyed crows, and their shared beak, shake violently, until they erupted in a black and red mist. The mist soon took shape, a human shape, and in an instant, Crow appeared, wearing her dirtied, tri-cornered hat, and the ragged robes, and coarse shoes.

Her pale form was illuminated, faintly, by an ever-glowing crystal, attached to her belt. Her yellow gaze took in the room, her expression unsurprised, but, "This is unexpected."

Another satisfied rumble {was that purring?} sounded in Takurashomo's throat as Jonathan de-materialized onto the floor. The vetala had been swift to follow Aranel's attack, taking advantage of her critical strike, pleased that his horns had managed to meet their mark & bury into Jonathan's torso. However, he made no comments towards Aranel. No praise was offered for her speed, no surprise at the inhibiting damage she'd inflicted. His four eyes were trained on the murky puddle of enemy at his feet.

The moment it began to dart away from them, his jaws would open in a terrible snarl.
[The beloved body he'd fondly named "Takurasho" after himself was abandoned for now, lying lifeless in the treasure chamber]
He'd chase after it on all fours, clawing at the floor just behind it, murky mist bursting from his nostrils in short spurts of agitation. Takurashomo was more of a lumbering beast however. His strength was in his power, not his speed, so Jonathan would reach the skull's room before him. As he burst through the doorway he'd leap over his two familiar companions {& Crow}, scrabbling to place himself between Jonathan & the skull. The Umbra-infused spirit shook the room with a horrendous roar.

"You are unworthy of such luxuries, Jonathan Whittaker." He spoke at last. "You, too, were once a mortal. But not I. I am VETALA," Takurashomo boomed proudly, "& I will be eternal! I have possessed the bodies of kings, wielded dictators as my puppets. I've treated men far greater than you were as my playthings." For the moment his back was turned on the skull & the others. Should Jonathan attempt to move any closer, Takurashomo would swipe out at him & emit several guttural growls. "The skull," he breathed ominously, "belongs to me now."

((Sorry for not replying. I was without internet the entire weekend.))

Aearion was looking for his ink on Zaida's behalf, but once he had his bottle, he dropped it to the floor at the sight of such a foul fowl (see what I did there). This was not the kind of creature Aearion had expected, but then again, anything could have come out of that portal.

The Mer aimed his crossbow for Crow."Hurry up! I'm not sure how long I'll last against that thing!" He'd cry out to Zaida."Stay back you abomination! With the aim I have, I can easily pop out an eye of yours!" He yelled. Good. He resolved to shouting at birds.

What happened to the feathered creature intrigued the Mer more than it frightened him. First it seemed like the big crow was about to burst into a bunch of little crows, but then it turned out to be a woman."...what the..." He uttered. He knew witchcraft when he saw it. But he hasn't seen any witches pop out of portals yet.

He had no time to linger on the thought as the sound of Jonathan entering the room made the Mer do a less than manly scream. That is until he realized he was wounded. Did Takurasho and Aranel truly deal that much damage in such a short time? What could have- "WHAT THE HELL IS THAT!?" The bard was truly frightened now. One shadowy monster? No problem. Two of them? Truly frightening! He only realized this might have been Takurasho after the Vetala's speech. This story got more mind blowing by the minute.

Zaida sighed, when she saw the ink drop. She shook her head, clearly thinking something less than nice about Aearion. She gathered her skirts up and lifted them enough to show off her legs again, covered in black tights. She scooped up the ink, looking at the woman for a moment.

That was not expected. She simply shrugged her surprise off, though, and continued to head towards the skull. Her dagger was at the ready, but she was more of a runner than a fighter.