[NEXUS] WATCHTOWER 15: New and Improved!

[Murkus]

[Meeting]

"Obviously we have her tested first. Maybe Wendy can give her a wiff," says Adir, staying relatively calm despite Shawna's extreme comments. He nods at Mia and continues, "Who honestly thinks she's just gonna sit down and say 'Yeah sure, change me back'?"

Hospital

The eye appears to be doing fine. It's completely healed, in fact - natural and lacking fog. Cornelia keeps on snoring, her head lolling against the back of the chair.

[happyturtle]

Meeting

Darcy stands up. "Leaving aside the ethics of this - none of you were present at the battle between Ilpholin and Gordon. If you think a single tranq dart will take her down, you're dreaming. 'Unethical' Watchtower has dealt with before and will again. 'Ineffective' we try to avoid."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go and talk to her now, one on one, the way friends deal with their potential differences. I suggest this meeting return to Watchtower's actual business - the overall demon threat."

And with that, Darcy flips over the table and ragequits the meeting exits calmly and quietly shuts the door behind her.

Unless someone stops her of curse.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Planning Room]

"As practical as your idea sounds, Adir, we should remember that Ilpholin is one of our own members, and is in AMEN under our instructions. I think tranquilizing and kidnapping our own members without giving them a chance to explain themselves is a precedent anyone in this room should feel uncomfortable setting, when it might be their head on the chopping block next." Says KR.
"Also, I think we should refrain from attacking another member or imposing sanction just for sounding out their ideas. This is a planning room, after all, so I think it should be our duty to listen to and consider every possible plan, no matter how stupid we think they might be, or how extreme they are." This said with a look at Shawna.

Darcy will probably find the door inexplicably jammed shut.

[Training Grounds]

Crab Spider 2 is knocked back by Serph's assault, but again, the wind and fire fail to pierce the robot's thick armor. Crab Spider 1, meanwhile, takes advantage of the Dai-Oni being momentarily stunned, and fires all four of its stun rays at Serph himself.

Meanwhile, at the obstacle course, KR fiddles with the controls a bit. Eventually, two clear forcefields rise up from both sides of the course, and close at the top, allowing KR to see inside, but preventing either of them from simply flying up and above the entire course. Because that would be cheating. A move that KR tends to support in real circumstances, of course, but one that would somewhat defeat the purpose of the test.
Additionally, thin red blinking line lights up down the middle, seperating Element's half of the forcefield from Hildur's.
"You may begin."
The first task is relatively simple. Five meters in to the course, a large wall rises almost to the top. It's covered with handholds, to make climbing it possible, but of course simply flying over it is an option as well.

[happyturtle]

Planning Room

Darcy doesn't find it inexplicable at all. "KR?" she says as she turns and looks back at her.

[Ashen Lilies]

[Planning Room]

"I'm not objecting to you going out to see her." Says KR. "But I think we should have some members close by in case things do escalate, rather than you going out on your own." KR would volunteer herself, but she's probably needed for the meeting.

[Halae]

[Planning Room]

"I'll go then, but maintain a distance so you two can talk privately," Harnel says, "We can set up something so that if worst comes to worst and an AMENite or other problem arises, I can get you out of there quickly on the wing."

[Morty]

[Meeting]

Wenomir sighs. At least KR has managed to keep a level head. He wouldn't expect anything else from her, of course.
I can't help but think that this... spirited discussion is just what the demons want. Divide and conquer. In any case, the issue with Ilpholin is just one part of the situation. The other is how to exterminate the actual demons.

[Reinholdt]

Soul Quest

Darcy (after her player does a quick check of the OP) decides that random strangers aren't going to be shown the Safe Room without KR being consulted first. Besides, with all the wards on the place, the chances of a soul just happening to be there without KR THE ALMIGHTY knowing is pretty low.

"There are the catacombs. They pre-date this fortress, and have never been adequately explored, so it could be dangerous." But she leads the way regardless. If someone wants their soul, they'll deal with dangers to get there.

Soul Quest

"Ah, thank you. If there's any danger, we'll do our best to keep it contained." Having collateral damage and/or casualties would be absolutely terrible! D=

Irene floats after her.

[Sahaar]

Noticing everyone heading to the meeting, Mathias turns and asks,

"What's going on?"

[Shadowcaller]

[Planning Room]

"I think I was the one last one speaking to Ilpholin here unless Darcy have spoken to her recently and she seemed rather reasonable." Not to mention seemed to have a strong emotional connection in this. She might not be thinking logically. "While I support the current plan I think we should give her the benefit of doubt at the very least. Remember that if we would kidnap her we might lose the little control we have over AMEN right now."

[Gullara]

[Main Room]

Sakura shrugs. "I have no idea. Must be something important. I'm sure I'll get to hear all about it soon enough." Since she'll be badgering Adir about it.

[McBish]

Training grounds>>Wandering the halls of the Keep

Amelia seeing that the people training are pretty busy, decides to go and find someone who is not. So she gets up and heads into the main keep where she starts to wander the hallways hoping to run into someone.

[UncleWolf]

Training Ring

Pat leaps to her feet a bit unsteadily, but before she continues, Harnel breaks in to stop the fight. As soon as he does, she'll offer Wenomir a hand up. "Sorry." She says, referring back to slamming his own sword into his forehead.

[The Bushranger]

[Meeting]

Shawna nods to Darcy, then nods with a sigh to KR. "Understood. My apologies." Given her neutral tone it's hard to tell whether she's sincere or not...

"There is one thing I would like to question, however. Despite their horrific manner, is it truly necessary to completely exterminate this race of demons? If we are to conduct an act of genocide I would like to have all alternatives exhausted first."

===

[Soul Quest]

And Mikani follows Irene!

Possibly Amelia encounters the rag-tag group?

[Lex-Kat]

{Soul Quest- Inside}

"I feel like it's... down. Do you guys have a basement or something of the sort?" Irene says. She would just float down through the floors to get it, but figures that'd be defeating the whole being accompanied thing and full of slight.

To be entirely accurate, her soul piece is located in the Catacombs.

Darcy (after her player does a quick check of the OP) decides that random strangers aren't going to be shown the Safe Room without KR being consulted first. Besides, with all the wards on the place, the chances of a soul just happening to be there without KR THE ALMIGHTY knowing is pretty low.

"There are the catacombs. They pre-date this fortress, and have never been adequately explored, so it could be dangerous." But she leads the way regardless. If someone wants their soul, they'll deal with dangers to get there.

Mikani falls quiet, and follows!

"Ah, thank you. If there's any danger, we'll do our best to keep it contained." Having collateral damage and/or casualties would be absolutely terrible! D=

Irene floats after her.

Thank you, Darcy. Sallianne follows near the back. Does anyone need a light? Or are the catacombs lit?

[Soul Quest]

Possibly Amelia encounters the rag-tag group?

((If she wants to, I have no disagreement. ))

[happyturtle]

Meeting

Since it seems her meeting with Ilpholin isn't going to be allowed to proceed without extensive planning, Darcy sighs and takes her seat again.

She won't answer Shawna. In her mind, extermination is the only option.

Soul Quest >> To the Catacombs

"No they aren't lit," Darcy says.

[McBish]

Wandering Halls>>Soul Quest

Sure Amelia can accidentally run into them as they are making there way to the catacombs.

Oh excuse me.

((If you guys don't mind.))

[Reinholdt]

Wandering Soul Catacombs

"Then yes, some light would probably be nice. Especially after that last mishap." Irene says, muttering the last part. Stupid warehouse robot.

"Oh. Hello." The ghost nymph says to Amelia.

[Lex-Kat]

{Wandering Souls Catacombs}

Can do, Boss. Sallianne taps the blade of her spear, and it begins to glow.

((Unless there is something that stops the magic from working, of course. ))

[happyturtle]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

"Er, hello? Who are you? How did you get here?" Darcy asks Amelia, with some suspicion. And she lets the tip of one of her silver knives emerge from her hand to make sure it doesn't glow. Since Amelia is not, to my knowledge, a Cuthan demon, or otherwise has a power that makes silver glow, I imagine the silver stays non-glowing.

[McBish]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

Um, I'm Amelia Jones, Shawna brought me here to let me heal up. I have sort of been wandering around looking for someone to leave a message for her with. I think I got sort of turned around somehow. Sorry.

She gives a bit of a shrug and an embarrassed smile is on her face.

And Amelia doesn't seem to even notice the dagger in Darcy's hand. She seems to be trying very hard not to notice it.

[Reinholdt]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

"Nice to meet you." Irene would introduce herself further or ask some questions, but this seems to be semi-official Watch business, so she'll just let Darcy handle it.

[happyturtle]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

It's just the very tip of the dagger showing. Darcy is a T-1000 type shapeshifter and keeps a few daggers embedded inside her. Creepy. So it's possible to genuinely not notice the dagger, but it's also possible to deliberately "not notice" it.

"Ah, very well. I'm Darcy Brightember. I can't escort you back to the main part of the base yet, because we're looking for something. You'd better stay with us. It can be dangerous down here."

[McBish]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

Amelia genuinely doesn't seem to notice anything.

Thanks, no offense but this place gives me the creeps, I am just tired of wandering around by myself. It is a pleasure to meet you all. I will try not to get in the way to much.

She gives them a slight bow.

This place is dangerous, how so?

She will start to follow them to wherever they are going.

[Lex-Kat]

{Wandering Souls Catacombs}

Sallianne intentionally tries to stay in the back, so as to better keep an eye on this new person. Darcy obviously doesn't know her, so she shouldn't be down here. Suspicious.

And Darcy is very likely to see the glowing spear the tiny Amazon Pixie is holding.

((Oh, and Sallianne is an Amazon Pixie, from Neirian. She is about 2.4 inches. Has dark brown hair, and frowns a lot. ))

[Reinholdt]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

"Well my soul has yet to be particularly friendly to the idea of coming back to me. It's quite infuriating really. Plus it's dark." Beyond that, Irene has no idea what down there makes it dangerous. We'll find out shortly. Soon as I can think of something anyways.

[Murkus]

War Room! Because it sounds cooler.

Adir bows to KR's wishes, sitting back with a humble expression. A few months ago, he might've voiced his opinion further, but the stag has gained some respect for authority.

When the new discussion opens, he allows himself a small smile. Now this shouldn't be too complicated. He looks at Wenomir and asks, "Do we know if they have some kind of foothold in the Nexus? Besides those gnolls?"

[Asha'man]

[Training Grounds]

Crab Spider 2 is knocked back by Serph's assault, but again, the wind and fire fail to pierce the robot's thick armor. Crab Spider 1, meanwhile, takes advantage of the Dai-Oni being momentarily stunned, and fires all four of its stun rays at Serph himself.

Darn, even with physical force added to fire and wind, the Crab spider's look unharmed. The four stun rays hit Serph. The earlier defense buff and his resistance to fire allows him not to get stunned but it still hurt. Serph ignores the pain and focuses for a stronger physical attack. The Dai-Onis are no longer stunned and proceeds to cover Serph while using focus themselves.

[Training Grounds]

Meanwhile, at the obstacle course, KR fiddles with the controls a bit. Eventually, two clear forcefields rise up from both sides of the course, and close at the top, allowing KR to see inside, but preventing either of them from simply flying up and above the entire course. Because that would be cheating. A move that KR tends to support in real circumstances, of course, but one that would somewhat defeat the purpose of the test.
Additionally, thin red blinking line lights up down the middle, seperating Element's half of the forcefield from Hildur's.
"You may begin."
The first task is relatively simple. Five meters in to the course, a large wall rises almost to the top. It's covered with handholds, to make climbing it possible, but of course simply flying over it is an option as well.

"Well I can still turn into an Elemental so I guess that'll work." Element shape shifts into a wind elemental.

Spoiler

Show

In this form he moves toward the wall top from the ground in a straight line. His movement is as fast as a small breeze. He is however guarded against any surprises as he doubted the woman KR would make anything easy. The waves she gave off was of a snob and a sadist, nothing magical just what he felt.

[happyturtle]

Wandering Souls Catacombs

"There used to be monsters inhabiting the entire tower. The founders of Watchtower cleared out the top portion, but some of the monsters may have simply retreated to the catacombs." Darcy says.

As she moves along the tunnels, she occasionally makes a mark on the wall, both physically with a shapeshifted claw and magically with a splash of colour. It wouldn't do for them to get lost down here.

[Morty]

[Meeting]

I see no alternative, Wenomir says dryly. They have made their intentions clear. If they decide to offer surrender at some point, we might consider it. When Adir asks his question, Wenomir nods.
Darcy, Mia, DC and I raided a town of theirs. It's safe to say they might have more such places.

[Traning Ground]

Wenomir wipes the sweat from his brow.
It's alright. I didn't really expect you to grab my sword by the blade, though.