Dogura's burst of flame explodes towards the monster. Due to the fact that its intelligence was significantly lower than that of the object it had been named for, the Rope had not considered the possibility of the vagabond's magical proficiency. The unsuspecting serpent was unable to resist the fury of the Fire spell whatsoever, and did not even come close to doing so (1+1 [Roll+Spi). The Oblivion Rope took full damage from the attack, a full 19 HP from its total. It seemed that Dogura, a man whose practiced abilities should not include elemental magic, had proven his worth with his expert and precise spellcasting.

Radley grinned, a hearty laugh escaping his lips as he watched the snake burn in the raging fire and hiss in agony. “That's the spirit, Dogura!” he congratulated his fellow ranger as the powerful attack faded out. Now focusing on his own technique, the Apostle let his arrow fly with expert precision, as well. It pierced the Rope directly through the scaled carapace, sticking in. The Rope clearly did not like this, and could be seen tearing the barbed shaft from its body with a vicious twist of the mouth. In a dignified, quick snap, it shattered the arrow with its incredible jaw and reduced the once standard projectile to mere splinters. Nevertheless, a decent 8 HP had been taken. The battle was going in the favor of the Apostles and their query.

Until, of course, the Rope took on the offensive position. It glared at Radley with menacing eyes, a hateful look reflecting in its vertical pupils. A terrifying hiss escaped its twisted, reptilian mouth as it sank lower to the ground and began to slither at an alarming rate towards the ranger. The cloaked man let out a groan and braced for impact, but even he could not escape the impending bite. Well, it was more of a knick, but that was all it took for the Rope to inject its venom into the Apostle. He felt his body go stiff, and suddenly he was immobile. All he could manage was another helpless groan that seemed to direct the others to continue in his stead.

Dogura - HP: 62; SPL: 16
Radley - HP: 53; SPL: 40
----> Petrification: 2 Turns Remains
Rose - HP: 62, SPL: 20

Oblivion Rope - HP: 58; SPL: 18

OOC: Snakes are fast. I probably won't wait long for you guys to get your attacks in before the Rope's next attack

Much happened before Rose could properly react. The samurai had interrogated them, and Radley had answered. Followed immediately by an arrow. Why he had shot an arrow was made clear when she followed it to the Rope. Oh, damn, she managed to think while Dogura unleashed his fire technique and her fellow organization member shot another arrow at it. "Damn!" she swore out loud upon seeing the snake immobilize her partner.

She hastily cleared her mind of everything but the Rope in front of her. Snakes were agile creatures. Striking it would be hard, but not impossible. But merely hitting it wouldn't be enough. Blinding it would be helpful, but she didn't have very much confidence that she could both aim and strike the reptile. At least not in her current form. However, Wolfeye had discouraged her from shape shifting. But a hawk would be so much better to start off as in this fight. Surely he'll allow this one exception, she thought as her reptilian wings turned to avian. Once she had melted into the medium-sized bird of prey, she took flight, preparing to strike at the Rope.

Raptor of the Sky: Tarm Hawk
STR: 3
DEF: 1
AGI: 12
INT: 3
SPI: 2
HP: 62
SPL (After transformation): 11
Blind: After a successful claw attack (which deals 9 DMG [base 6 plus STR]), there is a 50% chance that Rose blinds the enemy she attacked. A blinded enemy only has a 50% chance to hit anyone on the battlefield, including his/her allies.
SPL cost: 9

Turns left in form: 3

The blast connected, charring the beast. A smile came to the samurai's face, his attack complete. However, when the flames cleared, something was different about the Rope: It was pissed. Dogura's eyes widened, as he locked eyes with the angry reptile. "Come with it you bastard..." He muttered, just before noticing a shadow pass over him. Glancing at the earth below him, he watched the shadow flit across the ground. Overhead, a hawk soared through the Hyrule sky. Dogura instantly caught on, and smiled.

"Rose... truly breath taking, your abilities are..." turning his attention back to the Rope, he wasn't about to back down. Dogura was running low on powder... He most likely had enough for only one more blast, and he wanted to save it for later. Drawing his blade, alongside his wolf head dagger, he clanged them together in an intimidating manner. Hoping the hawk had distracted the Rope a bit, the samurai charged in straight for the Rope, blades drawn, and set to kill. Most would consider this an attack of extremely low skill level, and predictability.


What the Rope hadn't realized, however, is that it wasn't Dogura at all. Rather, the reptile's mind had been hacked, and the optical nerves had been deceived. A clone was all that it would attack, before the real Dogura appeared from the shadow of a nearby tree...

Rose's questioning of Myst's decision to disallow shapeshifting in most situations was one that the elder Sheikah would likely not hold a high grievance towards. There were no spectators on the sidelines of the grotesque fight, and there were certainly no enemies of the organization lurking nearby. Radley and Rose both knew very well why shifting was disallowed. Identity was important, and shifting was a precarious ability that very few were inept to. Enemies of the Apostles would easily be able to discern Rose's identity if her magnificent hawk form were observed by the eyes of such men.

As Rose soared upward, the Rope hissed in horror and tried to hook onto her tail-feathers, but failed in this regard. Looking at the next best target, its winged predator now becoming lost in the sky where clouds would normally have been despite the sheer brilliance of the weather, the Rope set its sights on Radley. The still ranger had been dozing off watch the battle commence during his turn of silence, but as the Rope slithered maliciously towards him, another of his groans escaped his petrified form. Its charge attack hit Radley head on (16+8 [Roll+Agi]), easily defeating the archers defense of 15. What normally would have taken away only 4 HP (4 X 1 [Str X Spi]) was instead doubled to 8 HP due to the Rope's precise accuracy (Roll+Agi > DEF + 5). Radley grunted, and accepted this, knowing there was little he could do about it.

Of course, the Rope had completely ignored Dogura's show of mind-penetration and optical illusionary tactics. Its low intelligence had caused it o move on without thinking twice about what it was seeing. And, since Radley was unable to attack, the two rangers were as useless as a Goron in water.

Dogura - HP: 62; SPL: 16
Radley - HP: 45; SPL: 40
----> Petrification: 1 Turn Remains
Rose - HP: 62, SPL: 11
----> Tarm Hawk Form: 3 Turns Remain

Oblivion Rope - HP: 58; SPL: 16

Rose felt the rush of excitement that came with flying, but she struggled to push the feeling aside. Now was not a good time to be distracted, seeing that her partner was paralyzed and taking damage, and Dogura seemed to be doing nothing. "Do something!" she yelled. At least, that was what she wanted to yell to the ranger. Instead, it came out as a screech. After all, hawks are not able to talk.

She dived towards the Rope, aiming for its eyes. If she could blind it, then the battle would be easier.

Blind: After a successful claw attack (which deals 9 DMG [base 6 plus STR]), there is a 50% chance that Rose blinds the enemy she attacked. A blinded enemy only has a 50% chance to hit anyone on the battlefield, including his/her allies.

OOC: I guess I'll let you keep track of rounds remaining, Blank. Also, you know where to find me if you need help with the blinding.

As Rose came hurtling in from her position in the sky, the Rope let out another low hiss, but was helpless to avoid the claw attack (14+12 [Roll + Agi]), an offense that most any creature would fail to dodge given the incredible agility inherent in becoming a hawk. To make matters worse for the helpless beast, its eyes were damaged in the assault (Roll = 3: Success). It writhed on the grassy knolls of the greens and did so for a moment or two.

Regaining composure (or at least, as much as the demented beast could ever hope to achieve), it sought out an opponent to take out its unintelligent feelings of rage on. It immediately lashed out with its fangs, attempting to catch Rose before she could manage to fly off again. It was no chore, as the hawk form granted agility over defense. Rose was easily hit (2+8 [Roll+Agi], and her blood was soon tainted with the injected poison of the Rope. Despite its blindness, the Rope had managed to strike its target (Roll = 2: Success) The bite itself induced a terrible 16 DMG, while the poison factor added on was a full 5 (Roll = 5). The effect would last three full turns (Roll = 3). Overall, Rose had lost a wicked 21 HP, and there would be more to follow.

Radley began to feel rejuvenated, and his muscles relaxed. Still, the tenseness of the venom remained, and he could still feel the lag it was causing. His agility had been halved, rendering him much slower than before.

Dogura - HP: 62; SPL: 16
Radley - HP: 45; SPL: 40; AGI: 3
Rose - HP: 41, SPL: 11
----> Tarm Hawk Form: 2 Turns Remain
----> Poison: 5 Turns Remain

Oblivion Rope - HP: 49; SPL: 16
----> Blind

Waiting in the shadows for the perfect opportunity to strike again, Dogura waited, as his clone was ignored. He had overestimated the Rope's intelligence, and had underestimated it's speed. It had already lurched at Radley before the samurai could set his plan into action, and had poisoned Rose before he could lift a finger. Dammit! Radley... Rose... From what you've told me, you've saved my life countless times... Well, it was in my up-bringing to always return a favor, even over the course of time... I'll stick true to this code. I don't have a lot of powder left, but its the most effective way to strike at this distance.

At this exact moment, the Rope seemed to be admiring it's own power, or just plain not paying attention. Dogura decided that his flammable powder would have to make due. It seemed most effective against the beast, and he had still had enough for about two or three more blasts left in the bag. Reaching back into the sack as he had before, he felt around the silk pouch for more powder. Scooping only a little bit out of the pouch, he began the process. Clasping his hands like he always did before this attack, he let his feeling flame up inside of him. His fiery passion burned bright within him, and a spirit of fire was alive in his lungs.

His armor was soaked with his own perspiration from using the technique twice so quickly. When he was sure he was ready for an intense blast, he shot fourth from the shadow of a nearby tree, and let the spirit of fire consume the air! The small amount of powder made due for a large ball of fire, which burned bright before crashing down towards the snake. The samurai landed, and quickly began moving his hands in such a way that it seemed he were trying to control the flame. And control it he did! The blast circled above the Rope, and then finally, crashed down towards it in a sweeping arc. [WILL= 5]

Dogura's willfully enhanced attack plows through the Rope's thick, scaled skin (8+6+5 [Roll+Agi+Will]) and deals its victorious 16 points of damage to the deadly, dark serpent. Radley grinned and yelled out another congratulatory fanfare as the samurai's attack made its mark, draining more of the vile black blood onto the once beautiful lawns of the South Greens. The snake began to slither away, likely to avoid any more oncoming attacks.

The archer took note of the damaged serpent's flight and nocked an arrow to his bow, preparing to unleash another standard lashing of harm with his well-practiced aim. A thoughtful grin applied itself to his face, however, and he took one hand off of the bow, letting it hang loosely at his side. In this free hand he conjured a wispy cloud of a bright white and blue energy, and held it out before him. The icy-cool aura it gave off froze his fingertips and caused a thin layer of frost to develop around the hem of his cloak's sleeve, and with a wily and proud grin still apparent on his facial features, the archer imbued his plain arrow with the mystical power and created a powerful ice arrow. He stepped back a few feet, letting the magic wind its way through the arrow before letting it fly.

The Rope was obviously not happy. It thrashed madly about on the soft ground, creating quite an upstart and staining every trace of its path black as it went. It picked out its new target: Dogura. The samurai had injured the snake, and the snake decided on exacting revenge. Wriggling up towards the ranger, it huddled back, and seemed to spring at him like a geyser. It managed ti see the target well enough (Roll = 2: Success), but there was still a grain of hope for our poor samurai. This was lost, however, as the Rope found flesh. Latching its teeth into Dogura's chest (18+8 [Roll + Agi]), it let out more of its atrocious, potent poison. Dogura received 16 DMG from the gaping wound on his sternum, and another single point for the small dose of poison coursing through his veins (Roll = 1). The poison would last for another five turns (Roll = 5).

Dogura - HP: 45; SPL: 16
----> Poison: 5 Turns Remain
Radley - HP: 45; SPL: 35; AGI: 3
Rose - HP: 41, SPL: 11
----> Tarm Hawk Form: 1 Turn Remains
----> Poison: 5 Turns Remain

Oblivion Rope - HP: 33; SPL: 16
----> Blind

Just as hawks cannot speak, nor can they gasp in pain. Something Rose wanted to do as the Rope's poison affected her. Ignore the pain, the human thought desperately. Make Tarm proud of you.

She flew up skywards and dived once she was sure she was aligned with the legless reptile down on the ground below. She couldn't hold alternate forms in battle for long, and she as sure as hell wasn't going to let a little bit of poison stop her from attacking as a hawk again.

Turns remaining in hawk form: 1

OOC: Okay, I'm keeping track of the rounds Rose has left again. Blank made a slight boo boo with keeping track of how much time Rose had left. He forgot that everyone's favorite Tarm woman gets three attacks per form. Silly nomad.

Dogura's courage faltered as the poison entered his veins. He fell back, as the Rope's fang's sunk deep within his chest. It was nothing short of a miracle that it had missed his heart. Dogura knew full well that the bite would have been fatal, had it struck his heart, and shuddered at the thought. How can I lose to a Rope? This is so embarrassing... If only I had a bit more power... A Rope shouldn't be able to measure up to me... I'm a warrior of ShadowClaw!

The samurai stood up, ignoring the poison eating at him from the inside. "I've got a nasty bite of my own, snake." Dogura drew his second blade, and looked it over. It needed a good sharpening, but it would do the trick. Dogura shot from his position, reaching his maximum speed in mere seconds. Leaping off the ground, he held both blades far from his sides, stretched out. As soon as he was within range, he brought them both upon the beast in a closing fashion. "Take this!"

OOC: HNS recently informed me that Will power can't be used on spells. Go back and check to see if that last attack really hit Blank.

OOC: Yes, boo boos all around when I'm in charge of GMing, eh guys? Well leave me alone, I haven't had to do this in a full year XD

IC:

Rose tears into the Rope's flesh quite easily due to her incredible speed when shifted to Hawk form (13+12 [Roll+Agi]), rendering the serpent totally helpless to stop the onslaught of talon and claw. Fortunately for Rose, hawks are notoriously swift. But she likely regretted the hindrance this had on her current defense - there is no strength of defense when one has reduced herself to a feathery projectile. She had seen the ease with which the Rope could counter her physical attacks, and the Rope wasn't getting any blinder as a result of her attack. Sure, more and more blood was escaping, which probably wasn't good for the brain, but the Rope's days were numbered as it was. The ranger-hawk's attack dealt its decent nine damage. Of course, five points of damage were automatically penalized from her due to the poison from the Rope's bite.

Dogura came rushing in next, brandishing his sword like a real hero. The Rope could not see his adversary due to the harsh conditions it was now suffering under - you know, being eyeless and all. Dogura's dual-wielding easily slid by its crippled defenses (18+6 [Roll+Agi]) and shattered what little health was remaining in its fractured, rope-like body. Where once there had been black, scaled carapace, there were now mainly red scabs, tinted black by the disgusting juices it was leaking. Dogura's attack dealt a magnificent sixteen damage, proving the vagabond's proficiency with both magical and physical attacks. Of course, one point of damage were automatically penalized from him due to the poison from the Rope's bite.

Radley grinned even wider than before. Although still regaining himself after the quick petrification, his arrows were not hindered at all by his slowed speed. The glowing ice arrow began to hum slightly, getting colder by the second, and Radley's gloved fingernails would likely start to crack and shatter at any moment. His fingers were numbed, but still he grinned, taking aim carefully with all his great skill. In a flash the arrow was flung from the bow, carrying after it a wisping white tail of frigid, icy mist. It hit home instantly, shattering and chilling the already cold blood of the reptilian monster. Twelve damage was dealt from the display of magical arrow usage.

And then it was the Rope's turn. But wait, rather than attacking, it was curling up into a cone of scaled coils. Blood oozed from its multiple wounds, and it suddenly began to shrink noticeably. When it was no larger than an infant Rope (Not much longer than the length of a forearm, and about as thick), it hissed and slithered off in a frenzy, trailing blood as it went. It was lost from sight. Radley almost gave chase, but he had been slowed by its venom, and gave up instantly.

“Well fought, you two,” spoke the ranger, but only really gazing in Dogura's direction as though not really considering Rose's presence. If it weren't for the 'two' in his sentence, ignoring her would seem to be exactly what he was up to. Of course, Radley was a good enough man to not provoke too much conflict, and so he at least somewhat acknowledged her presence with a smile and a casual 'thumbs-up.'

“Right, well, now that that's out of the way...” continued the Apostle, hesitating as he glanced after the escaped snake. He wasn't sure if the threat was truly neutralized, but he figured well enough that worrying was not a wise thing to do at the moment. “Dogura, I hope that you understand how serious this is. That Rope would have caught you, petrified you, poisoned you, strangled you to death, and then eaten you whole had we not been here to keep a watchful pair of eyes. You at least owe us your accompaniment now.” Still winking as though the he and the samurai were old chums, the archer prepared that same eerie portal with his hands as he had done so before the arrival of the Rope.

Rose would've followed the Rope had she been willing to risk the poison. But she knew nothing of substance that had weakened her. The ranger might have to return to the underground castle for treatment, and she was completely okay with that. She did assume her human form again, and once she could speak again (though, this time with tiredness in her tones), she showed agreement with Radley's last statement. The one about Dogura owing them his accompaniment.

I can ask him if he was trying to ignore me later, she thought; even her thoughts sounded tired to her. There is no way that smile is sincere.

She readied a portal for herself, but she didn't leave. Make sure he agrees to go first, was the human's thought. Then I can go and get this damned poison out of my system.

Dogura skidded to a stop after his attack had his it's mark. He couldn't turn around in time to launch another volley of strikes. The Rope had wisely scurried away. It was fighting an inevitable battle, and apparently it had realized this, and surrendered. Dogura struck the soft soil with both of his blades, cleaning the blood from them. Retreating from the ground, the blades were then wiped in the overgrowing grass, and returned to their sheathes. The samurai stood from his crouched position, and listened to the man's words. I indeed owe them my life. Its in my code to return a favor. And I'll do just that... Although I probably won't like it. Dogura nodded in affirmation. "I understand. And I'll accompany you to wherever you're going... But only until I've returned the favor." It didn't take a pair of binoculars to see that Dogura was still a bit sketchy about following the group into a strange portal. The samurai advanced towards the portal

And stepped through.

Dogura was met by a trembling sensation of nothingness. Whatever power this portal had been conjured from, it was devoid of natural life and seemed to make Dogura feel empty and bloodless. But only for a brief, shining moment, as he instantly reappeared on the other side. Radley stepped out gallantly, his hood raised to seal his identity once more. Dogura, however, being unused to this type of long-distance traveling, found himself laying flat on his face, his nose scrunched up against a cold, dark rocky surface. All around him was silence, darkness, and solitude. Radley had taken him to a very chilling realm. Even beneath his own cloak, the archer found himself shivering as he walked away from the closing portal, which disappeared in a haze of gaseous, black and purple mist.

“Don't be alarmed, Dogura. You're safe. This is the land we have chosen to inhabit. We are free here from the oppression of those on the surface. You are standing underground, far below the Parapa mountain range.” Radley spoke matter-of-factly, as though this speech was practiced beforehand.

From beneath his hood, he tried to cast a reassuring glance in the ranger's direction. Most were scared out of their britches when first catching sight of the true home of the cloaked organization. The ranger only hoped that this samurai held the courage that Wolfeye had acknowledged all those months ago.

OOC: Short wrap-up, I know. But since the location is no longer the South Greens, and is indeed the dark city ruins that we all know and love, the continuation will be posted in that same square. And soon HNS, you can post a concluder for yourself, but ZV, it'd be best if you waited until I get the new topic up to say anything.

Rose breathed a sigh of relief. He agreed to come along. Heh, he thinks he won't be with us for long, and I'll be surprised if he actually does leave. Well, time to head home....No, not home. That accursed place can never be home. Well, maybe Maverick can get me more surface time. Rose left through the portal, hoping she would be topside again shortly.