A Mother's Duty

[Qit'ria]

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Saun 23rd, Evening

The world was dark around Qit'ria. Was she dead? Was this death? Would Famula be coming for her soul any moment now? Then she felt movement beneath her. The kits. They were still alive! And that meant she was as well! She opened her eyes, seeing small shreds of light seeping through... something. She reached out, touching something that was around her, seemingly protecting her. It felt like... a leaf. A giant leaf of some sort. She felt the kits stirring at her fur, felt them licking, attempt to latch. She inwardly chuckled. The thought she was their mother. Her bear form was female too, so that probably helped.

She waited, nudging at the plant with her nose, sniffing at it. It wasn't leaves at all, they were vines. She watched as the vines returned to the bracelet around her bear leg. Her eyes were wide. She hadn't realized just how powerful this was, nor what it was capable of. It was a gift. An incredible gift. It looked like it had even adjusted to fit her form. She hadn't considered possibly damaging it when she'd Unleashed. Soon she was able to climb out of the protected wreckage, gently lifting each kit with her mouth so that they could follow.

Qit saw her friend standing there, appearing saddened. Qit'ria lumbered forward toward it, nuzzling the spirit with her own snout, while the kits returned to their mother. Qit looked at the large cat, staring it in the eyes, to convey that there was no grudge nor debt owed as far as she was concerned. She began the shift back to her human form, a process that only took a couple of bits these trials. She unassimilated her bear cloak, and tied it around her naked form. She gathered up her weapons, and the scraps of her clothing. She found her pack nearby, thankfully set down before the ruckus started, and stowed in the clothing. Carrying her spears and pack, she started in the direction of this Iyo tree her friend mentioned, smiling at it.

She was weary as they walked, but she could see that its steps were bringing life once more, and her heart was happy. It was so strange to be in the presence of such a feeling. She rubbed at her new bracelet, finding comfort in its warm embrace. It brought a smile to her face. Whatever it was she was doing, it was helping. She felt a drip down her chest, and went to flick away the pus that persistently oozed from the wounds there, only to see that one was missing. Her eyes grew wide, rubbing at the spot it had been. Where did it go? Why? She'd never completed the trials in Scalvoris. She looked back at her friend, and smiled broader, absolutely she had something to do with it.

And so they walked and walked. It was growing late, and Qit'ria was beginning to worry about how long she'd be away from Caza. Her breasts were swollen and sore, and heavy. She'd been gone for so long now, she trusted Yeye to be able to take care of her child, but she missed Caza. She bent over and squeezed each breast, wincing painfully, as she expressed her milk onto the ground. She was not a wasteful person, but she had no choice. She had to help the spirit, to help the forest. And so, as it neared closer and closer to twilight, she kept on, to seek out this Iyo tree, always close to her new friend, her new companion.

[Eclipse]

Makubwa Lori
The Induk Spirit

In all the chaos, came clarity. Not only to the spirit but to all involved. Zahasa actually walked up to Qit and nuzzled up against her in her human form. A strange purr leaving it as it padded back over to it's kits and laid down to let them feed. Bow it's head to both Qit and the Spirit as they walked away. It was a slow journey as they moved away from the scene of chaos into the forest once more.

The Makubwa Lori was a beautiful Spirit, even singed as it was. It was walking strong and proud even though it was in pain. It moved slow but it no longer limped horribly. It was clear that this being was strong. No matter how weakened it was from the fire. But there was something about it, it was scared, worried about something. It kept looking around now, not like before, now it was searching for something. Like something was going to happen. It only calmed down when Qit was close enough to touch it.

The way they were going. It felt darker than it should have been, especially since in Suan the night never comes. The Lori started wheezing, the tree's quivered and animals started running,

It is starting. She found out. Her ilk... comes to seek us. Must hurry!

In that moment. All seemed to quiet, and then there was more rustling. From the woods onto the path came large beings. But these beings didn't feel evil. No, they were... Tree Guards! As the Induk walked forward, it bowed it's head to them as they started walking in a diamond formation of protection around Qit and the Spirit. The Induk felt a lot more calm now that the Tree Guards were here.

Though the Induk did keep close to Qit. The vines on her wrist were restless, as if expecting some sort of danger. Though, it seemed that as the pace picked up, the Induk looked up and felt relief. Iyo fluttering towards them landing on them all. Lighting a path towards the tree. The Iyo Tree. They were there. They had made it. But, something was wrong. Something was at the base of the tree. The Induk bristled and the Tree Guard's prepared their claw like hands as the whole group stopped about 30 feet away from the base of the tree. From this creature, evil seemed to emit from it, and even the Iyo around it stopped glowing. What was this creature? What was it doing here?

► Show Spoiler

Thank you for being so patient with me! Here is your second modded thread! Let's see if we can get one more in after this! You are allowed to ask me one question about the creature! Here are the questions that you are allowed to ask before you post, all other questions will be answered after it.

Is it sick?
Is it familiar?
Does it look dead?
Will it attack if I move to it?
Is it from this forest?

[Qit'ria]

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Qit'ria heard the spirit speak to her, could feel its unease as she picked up her pace. But as they came to the Iyo tree, she heard the movements as the tree guards arrived. She had never seen them herself before now, nor had she heard of them. She didn't attack for she sensed the comfort they brought her spirit friend. Then she saw... it. Some sort of creature at the base of the tree. Something not natural. Or rather, not natural to here. It clearly didn't belong in this forest. Her eyes grew hard, she'd heard rumors of beasts from the other forest, the one touched by Lisirra. She could only assume this was one of them. And that meant it was dangerous.

She didn't know if the tree guards could understand her, but she stepped forward toward them, exuding confidence from every pore she had. She wanted them to have that same confidence in her. She looked at each tree guard in turn, and made her thoughts focus on her spirit friend. She tried to convey her desire in this imagery, before she spoke. "Protect the forest," before looking back at the spirit. Her intent was simple. The Tree Guards were to stay close to the spirit, while she challenged this creature. Clearly they couldn't protect the tree from the creature's presence, but maybe her confidence would help them now.

She pulled a few things from her pack, before setting it down on the ground, her eyes locked on the beast. She pulled out her spare loincloth, tying it around her face, more importantly, her mouth and nose, to serve as protection. Everyone knew Lisirra spread sickness and other things. Qit'ria wasn't about to make anything easy for this being. She then pulled her turtle mask on over her face, staring through the eyeholes. She drew one of the javelins stored on her back with her right hand, keeping her mutated left open and ready.

She quickly tapped into her totems, and Echoed out a few things to help her in this fight. She called upon the ferocity of the Gasping Skitterer and the strength of the Bumble Bear. She felt the shifts in her thoughts, as her mind focused. These Echoes didn't cause a physical change in the woman, but the mental one was evident, and the ether cost was minimal, hardly noticeable at this point her growth. Her body slinked down into an aggressive crouch as she began to circle around toward the side of her enemy. She was testing it, seeing if it would come to her first. But more importantly, she was moving so that the angle in which she attacked meant the Iyo Tree wasn't behind the creature, but rather off to its side. She didn't want a missed throw to harm it after all.

Once she moved into the position she wanted, she let loose her inner bear. This resulted in a loud, challenging bear roar that filled the forest around them. She wanted it to be clear that she was the enemy of this being here. Then she started the run forward toward it. Three skipping steps in, she fired a low, straight line javelin at the creature, aiming for center mass. She let the momentum of the throw twist her body around, and she immediately ran back away from the creature, glancing back to see if her missile struck and, if not, the creature gave chase. She had no intention of getting close. She had a fairly sizable amount of javelins on her back, and knives, and a chakram she could attack from a distance. Lure the creature away from the tree, to focus on her. Meanwhile, fill it with as many weapons as she had.

She drew another javelin as she moved away from the creature, waiting on its reaction. She found herself inwardly praying that it followed her. If it did, the tree would be better protected, and the spirit could get closer to it. She knew that would be good for her new friend. So she would make this creature come to her, so her friend could get what it needed, that was more important than this creature's death or her own pride. Save her friend, save the forest. It was the only thought in her mind.

[Eclipse]

Makubwa Lori
The Induk Spirit

She couldn't hear it breathing. Only see it's form almost limp against the root's of the tree. Even as Qit got closer to the tree and the beast, the barely noticeable movement of it's ear was the only thing that made it known that it was alive. It was only when the challenge was roared that it stirred. It's movement seemed slow, weak, and nonthreatening.

The moment that the javelin was loosed though, the being suddenly jerked it's head and stared at Qit with numerous glowing red eyes, and then dissipated into thin air. The javelin making a loud thunk and sticking out of the dirt where the creature once was. Malicious laughter filled the area around the Iyo tree and the Iyo stopped glowing. Going into hiding from whatever it was they feared. This creature was not natural, and it wasn't presence that felt like it should be here.

"My, my. A little jumpy are we?"

The voice was guttural, feral even. One that matched more to a creature of vile intent than anything else. In any normal person, one would probably be pissing their drawers, especially as it twisted into existence right in front of her. It was just a tad taller than her, and was a hands width away from her face as it seemed to smirk at her like a certain grinning cat.

"Aweeee, you are awful cute. Why don't we have a SEAT?"

Suddenly, even if Qit's eyes were fast enough to catch the foot and claws moving towards her, it was too quick for her to dodge and she found herself on her rump with her javelin ripped from her hands with this creatures agile tail. The creature took the javelin and licked it's edge and chuckled once more just before it snapped it in half and tossed it away, starting to circle her and rubbing against her much like a cat would, but nowhere near as pleasant. It would send a chill through Qit's entire body. Even the Vines of Lori shy'd away from this creature.

"Why don't you just go on back home princess. Let us big boys take care of our argument's. Oh, wait, Miss Lori is a woman too. No wonder she chose someone with such a small and weak looking frame. Gosh I wish I could keep you. I'm just a borrowed toy though, and I have my order's."

The creature turned some of it's eyes over to the Induk. It was huffing, it's eyes starting to glow, but the plants were still growing around it. The cat like creature just smirked. The Lori was obviously angry.

Varnavus, long time last meet. What Nightmare like you doing here? Man of Night sent weak lackey to The Foul One's aide?

The snarl like hiss that came from Varnavus was loud in Qit's close by ears as it slinked around her and and whipped it's tail.

"I've grown, though looks like you still can't speak to the very people you house yet, not in full sentences at least. I've grown enough that I might even be able to destroy YOU!"

Another snarl and suddenly the creature lunged but before it touched the Induk it disappeared for a second before reappearing behind Qit and slashing her weapons off of her back and even slicing into it with it's blade like arms.

No! Qit'Ria!

Now the wind flowed powerfully from the Induk in precise circles as it's eyes were glowing now, but this time it was different, the anger was different. No flowers died but now the Induk launched itself at Varnavus. The Tree Guards following suit.

What was Qit going to do now?!

► Show Spoiler

ALRIGHT! Welcome to our very first Induk and Sev'ryn Vs. Nightmare creature in the overworld! You have 30 seconds worth of action starting from when Varnavus cuts into Qit's back and tears away most of her weapons. It is up to you how Qit deals with this. She is now bleeding. She might have a bit of fear but not enough to really deter her yet. She will be in pain, but you have full reign in what you want to try and do. Stop the Induk from fighting, or join in the fight with the Induk. That's up to you.

[Qit'ria]

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Qit'ria watched as the javelin sailed through the space the creature had been. She scowled. Her first instinct was some type of ghost. Just like the pirate captain who'd cursed her with the sores on her chest. Although it was different this time. It didn't fly through the thing, but rather, the thing was no longer there. Then the laughing began. Qit'ria, a prideful creature, sneered at the laughter. The fact this creature was laughing meant it wasn't taking her seriously. She'd make sure that it never got the chance to regret it.

The glowing from the Iyo tree faded, and Qit'ria knew time was running out. She had to be quick. Then it spoke. And spoke well, certainly better than QIt'ria could speak Common herself. Just what was this... thing? Not that it mattered, now that it mocked and taunted her, and threatened her friend by its presence, she knew there was only one course of action. The voice was menacing, but Qit'ria was the mate of the man known as Noth, and the fear from looking into his crimson eyes was greater than the voice of this creature. It'd have to try hard to scare her, that's for sure.

It reappeared right in front of her, smile first, before her feet were yanked out from beneath her, sending her down on her ass, hard. It disarmed her and broke her spear, which elicited another angry snarl from the woman. That was just wasteful. It rubbed against her, sending vibes of perversion and corruption through her, and she could fell through the vines of the Lori that they were afraid of it. Qit'ria was already forming a plan in her mind as the pair began their conversation.

She tapped into the Gasping Skitterer totem she wore as a mask and the self totem she wore around her neck. She knew she'd need time to transform, conserving her energy, for she wasn't sure she could Unleash this form she desired. Thankfully, it wasn't a massive change, so it wouldn't take nearly as long and wouldn't expose her terribly. She mingled the Gasping Skitterer energy she'd pulled from the totem with the energy of her self form. She swirled them together and held the image she'd conjured at the forefront of her mind.

The hair on her head shrank toward her skull, and then smoothed out and flattened against it. Spines began to grow out of them, forming a turtle shell helmet in their place. She continued to Blend the forms together, forming shells across her knuckles with a single venomous spike sticking out from the center of them, another pair across her knees, another over her elbows.

And that's when the creature struck. She felt the claws tear through her exposed back, rending open flesh and disarming her of the remaining javelins. She was grimacing through the pain, but Becomers were the masters of pain. She destroyed and rebuilt her body nearly every trial. She could bear a few claw slashes. She fought through the pain, focusing on finishing her transformation, on her stomach in the dirt, looking over. She watched as the Induk and the guards charged this enemy.

No.

She brought the vines of the Lori up to her mouth, "No. Get to tree. He mine. You need strength. I do this." It wasn't much longer until she was finished. Spiky turtle helmet, spiked hands, knees, elbows, claws on her toes, her eyes yellow, and every spike dripping with venom. She hopped to her feet in a low crouch, clenching her fists against the pain in her back. She gave no warning, no shout of challenge. She charged at the smug creature, her right fist back readying a punch with the spike. However, she kept her left hand opened and free.

If it could disappear and reappear, she needed to keep a hold of it. Or so she assumed. So the punch was a feint, and the free hand was there to grab and keep a hold on it. During the charge, she sent wave after wave of a singular desire through the vines of the Lori.

Stay safe. Help me to see it. Save the tree.

So as the gap closed, Qit'ria committed to the attack, her spiked fist flying toward the strange creature's unusual form.

[Qit'ria]

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Qit's punch sailed through open air as Varnavus disappeared once more with little more than a cackle. But Qit was ready for that too, for she'd experienced his own feinting tactic moments earlier. She stomped down to catch her slight off balance maneuver, and used that foot as a pivot, kicking the other out to the side and back behind her. This was not a strike but rather a repositioning.

Qit brought her forearms up and together as the claws raked where her back would've been. She felt the slices across her skin, splitting open several gashes. It was expected, and she didn't wince so much as she smiled into a grimace. Her right hand shot out just as the claws left her flesh, grabbing a hold of the strange being. It felt... light, hollow, and she maintained an iron grip upon it. She yanked toward her, as her left hand was already coming forward in a jab, looking to drive the spike right into the center of the creature.

And once more, it disappeared from sight. Qit'ria continued through with her attack, it gliding through the air, striking nothing. But for a few moments from the disappearance, she could still feel the piece of the creature in her hand before that too grew thin and vanished. She skipped backwards, feeling the warmth of her blood seeping down her arms. She'd learned a few important things in that exchange.

He could disappear from sight, but that wasn't the same as completely disappearing. He moved somehow after going invisible in order to seem like he disappeared. He wasn't terribly strong, and clearly relied on surprise and sneak attacks. All of this, Qit'ria knew she could work with.

She closed her eyes, knowing them to be useless, and she dropped back into a defensive crouch. Her hands were up, to defend her face and neck, and she slowed her breath, slipping into a near meditative state. She listened to the forest around her. She heard the soft swish of the winds brushing against her, the scratching of the leaves in the trees, the lumbering shifting of the guardians nearby.

She could sense the being's bloodlust nearby, and she knew she'd at least given it pause for thought. It was out there waiting, looking for an opening, she assumed. She decided to give it one then. She continued to listen, until there was a small disturbance to her right, something falling into the undergrowth in the distance. The perfect distraction. She feigned a turning of the head that direction, and dropped left arm a bit, exposing her.

A faster swish in the air told her it was coming. She dropped her hips, bent at the knees, and twisted at the waist. She felt the claws rake the left side of her face, just as she unleashed a cross up at where she had expected the creature to be, still hidden from sight. She felt the spike punch deep, and she followed through with the blow, her knuckles finding the furred flesh. A direct hit.

There was a scream from the creature, and it pulled away as Qit'ria yanked the spike free. She looked at the blood on the spike, it was black, and filled with tiny insects of many types, wriggling and moving. Blood flowed down her face, and she slipped back into her defensive stance.

In her mind, "Open your eyes, friend."

She did as the Induk instructed, and now, she could see the injured being hovering off to the right of the clearing, blood oozing from where she'd struck it in the flank. The world looked muted as well, a grey tint to the otherwise colorful forest. She sent a wave of gratitude to the induk for answering her call for aid. Now that she could see it, she had to get it to come to her again, another trap.

She dropped her guard, one hand touching the gashes on her face, and she hunched her body a bit, giving the appearance of being more damaged than she actually was. Through grimacing eyes she could see the creature gaining confidence, coming closer, thinking victory was in its grasp. She watched as it stretched and stretched, realizing that was how it had been moving before.

It stretched toward her, down low, near to the ground, slowly this time. She watched as one set of claws was sent low, and the other high, and they were within spear's reach of the woman, acting like jaws. A trap set for her perhaps? She then saw as the body began to snap forward, as though the arms were pulling it, and she could hear the movement. Yup, trap for her.

Qit'ria decided that forward rather than back was the better option here. She charged toward the creature, seeing the "jaws" of the trap spring toward closing. She stomped on the flesh of the lower one, and used it as a vault point, jumping up toward the top one. Her spiked helmet slammed into the palm of the upper claws, and she wrapped her arms around the limb.

She hiked her body up into a ball, knees and elbows pointed forward as the creature's body slingshot forward. There was a sicking shunk as it impaled itself face first on her four spikes. The collision though sent her flying backwards, rolling ass over teakettle with the being. The collision with the ground and subsequent rolling sent waves of pain through the woman, tearing through her many open wounds.

But when they came to a stop, she pulled her limbs free, and looked down at the now dead creature. It looked deflated, and began to melt, dead now it seemed. It melted, and many, many insects began to flee from it, black, squishy, horrible things.

A wind whipped through the clearing, and a mass of lizards and birds erupted from the forest, of many sizes and shapes. There was squawking and hissing abound, but they attacked the escaping insects with extreme prejudice. And every single one was consumed readily and greedily. The creatures then all looked at the Induk, before heading back out into their own lives, a momentary truce after responding to the call of the Induk.

Qit'ria looked at her friend and the guardians, blood flowing freely from her back, arms, and face. She didn't know why they were here specifically, but she knew the tree was important. She walked toward the Iyo Tree, touching it, looking at the Induk to do the same. She kept the stinging pain and weariness behind the visage of determination. Smiling, "Much more work do."

The Iyo Tree and the Induk began to glow, and Qit'ria could feel what only could be described as life pouring out into the forest. She could see the healing in the Induk itself increasing and smiled a bit more. She was on the right path, she knew it. Just a few more things to do.

[Pegasus]

Qit'ria

Overview

I love Qit as a pc. I know you know this, because I write it on so many reviews. But I don't know if you know that I love, simply love how you write her. Your words are so crafted, yet they flow. You produce wonderful description and moments of hilarity all in the same paragraph. I find combat really hard to follow, usually, but you make it easy. Thank you - for the wonderful writing. Loved the thread - can't wait to see the next bit!

Points

XP: 15 (may be used for Domain Magic: Becoming )

Renown: None, I think?

Loot

-1 Javelin
-1 Ghost Curse Wound

+1 Upgrade to your Vines Bracelet (going to discuss that with you before upgrading PNs)
+1 Set of deep gashes on back
+1 set of deep gashes on forearms
+1 set of moderate gashes on left side of face

I um'd and ah'd about a mutation here, and I don't quite think it's this thread. Next one, for sure. But... the next thread is my instinct.

Knowledge

Becoming: Echoing the aggressiveness of the Gasping Skitterer
Becoming: Echoing the strength of the Bumble Bear
Becoming: Blending the Gasping Skitterer and Self form together using Borrowing
Becoming - Blended Form: Turtle Monk form
Caregiving: Nuzzling a friend
Detection: Recognizing changes in the air as an attack from an invisible enemy
Discipline: Being confident so others are confident too
Discipline: If you're not scarier than Noth, you're not scary
Discipline: Fear means something different when you're a mother.
Endurance: The pain of milk swollen breasts
Endurance: Deep slashes across the back
Endurance: Deep slashes across the forearms
Endurance: Sheer bloody mindedness goes a long way.
Running: Using the momentum of a twisting motion to suddenly change directions
Tactics: Luring an enemy away from a vulnerable target
Tactics: Eyes are a detriment against an invisible enemy
Unarmed Combat (Inner Beast): Keeping an open hand free for grabbing
Unarmed Combat (Inner Beast): Pivoting to change momentum and position
Unarmed Combat (Inner Beast): Dropping one's guard intentionally to lure in an attacker
Unarmed Combat (Inner Beast): Using many, many spikes with strikes