BladeRunner

@Aura @Lollipop Amon waited until Vanilla was a good twenty seconds and then he ambushed her from behind. Amon tickled Vanilla's belly and sides for only a few seconds before swimming off deeper into a reef below. Either she'd chase him or go up for air, he wasn't too certain if she could breath underwater with all that magical hocus-pocus, then again, everyday there was at least one surprise. Amon was looking around the reef, fish fleeing from him or just simply not caring he was passing through.

Ikaski raised his brow again looking at the Oni woman. Her drunken state wasn't anything to look at nor be worried lest she was a testy one. And by his gut feeling the Oni might be quite the stubborn creature, even one picking for a fight perhaps or at best throw petty argument. Regardless of that, Ikaski replies calmly, "I'm aware that Oni blood gives you immunity to allergins, however if someone important in the crew gains some ailment of sorts from a dangerous spore or an illness; there's a lot more to it, and I'd rather have a healthy crew so I don't die. I'm certain you wouldn't want the same either?" Ikaski looked to the captain and continued, vocally stating so that the Oni could hear, "I can also brew... Alcoholic beverages, as well as a variety of tonics and such, for when the crew runs out of course."

@Aura @Lollipop Amon raised a brow whilst kicking off his socks and shoes, and said in a sarcastic tone, "You gonna stay focused with a man in front of you?" Amon then moved into the water, his shorts, not made for swimming, were clearly getting wet as he moved further and further. He could feel his shirt start to get wet as well, and Amon dove further to get used to the water. It was warm in spots but cold in others, and when he broke the surface he sneezed out salt water that he accidentally inhaled. It was disgusting, but he ignored the taste and was ready to get to work. That was, of Vanilla would hurry that round little ass up. He admired the two ladies from a distance and decided to dive underwater when a thought hit his head.

Once the lady took the shirt Amon Gabe a curious glance at her. She didn't have scales which was a good thing, otherwise she could possibly freak the other residents if the island... Or the opposite could happen. Still there was that language he couldn't comprehend, nor did he bother trying to at this point, hopefully the staff didn't have to start taking lessons for some far off Spanish course. God he hated classes like that, not so much learning something new but because of all the fucking idiots who disrupted class. Upon listening to Aurora who still sounded like gibberish Amon watched action and expression, and based on what Aurora shown so far she seemed a lot more relaxed. The words were more a question if anything, however the gesture was aimed more toward Vanilla who Amon ogled from his peripheral. He couldn't help but glance at the new girl either as she was pretty... Pretty cute as well, though be stopped short from feeling like a pervert. Amon was a guy, and by heart he checked lady out when he got the chance, just he knew how to hide it, and no one has ever caught him... Except for Vanilla. "So uhh... Are we looking for an octopus or not?" Amon asked Vanilla.

@Kitsuyumia To respond better to your comment on the Oni and Hobgoblin conflict I'll actually be doing a history within the lore of how Kao'Crys and its Goblin, Dwarven, and Kobold people became so prominent. Before the Cold Dwarves and so forth immigrate to Kao'Crys the islands were ruled by Oni clans and warlords in ancient days, just after their creation. In originality Hobgoblins, certain kinds of Orcs, and Goblins were from a common ancestor however the Oni were direct descendants while the others were only from half the line. So pretty much the Oni thought they were (knew they were) superior than Goblins and Hobgoblins, so they begun leading sieges and enslaving the other races. Goblins escaped to Lowlands, and any history of them in Kao'Crys is either forgotten or buried. Hobgoblins on the other hand were fighting an uphill battle that they inevitably lost, so for nearly two hundred years, and in those years HBs really learned a lot from the Oni. Well in the uprising when riots begun the HBs used the Oni's blood in a mix alchemy and magic creating the first Blood Magic known to the world. The magic was otherwise known as Sin, since its purpose was a dark one used in warfare of all kinds, but that's not how the Hobgoblins won. Sin can be used from the extension of one's body if you're cursing them, this ranges from spit to hair, toe nails and such. The most potent product was of course blood, so Hobgoblins invented powerful curse that kills an Oni's entire family line. So the bloodiest war (no pun intended) began and while many HBs lost their lives many more scores of Oni fell as well, and the war was won in under a year thanks to almost all the slaves being taught this art, killing the entire royal family, major clans and powers including the women and children, even bystanders. And with the Oni outnumbered and outpowered in this sense, they were pushed off Kao'Crys with the dwindling enclaves of Hobgoblins being victor. To sum it up, the Oni got what they deserved, because their treatment against the HB's were tremendously horrid ranging from torture to open rape, public shaking and discrimination. And half the population, even after the first war, were only by a couple thousand. After the second war only a few hundred were left, the Oni by this point were near extinct. That isn't to say there weren't any of them in Lowlands, just that these guys were down to a few dozen in numbers. So there's this beef between Hobgoblins and Oni since the very beginning, which one was the best, while Oni were clearly physically and magically superior (of certain magics), Hobgoblins were all about the mind and invention hence Illusion, alchemy, and the many forms of Pyromancy. Sin was abolished due to it's nature and was only ever recorded in books, the history of it rather, the ability to recreate the lost art through text and depictions we're erased to prevent temptations of using it. So Ikaski and Kuranaro having spite toward an Oni isn't unnatural, the hatred isn't taught but it's still there because events like that should not have happened, especially of the Oni are the exact same like they were before. However Hobgoblins have invented a variety of sword and magic arts that can put the Oni in their place if another war happened... That is to say, if they win against the Snow Elves. I can also imagine the Oni sending agents after the royal line against the HBs (Ikaski) due to being in a state of vulnerability. If this seems like a lot sorry, but this is to sun it all up.

Amon was watching for a moment until the woman dove underwater... And when she had launched he could see why the lady was stubborn about leaving the sea. A large fish tail made up half her body, and when she landed Amon likely about charge with a machete ready. He stopped in his first step when her fishlike tail dissolved into Human legs and the shirt was a good oversize for her when it slid on. He had no perversed thoughts either, but the man couldn't help but be cautious, and with the shirt wet there was a chance people could easily make out certain curves and other bits and pieces. With hesitation, Amon pulled off his white shirt revealing a hairless body littered in scars and animals bites, including the one from his first monster kill. To say Amon wasn't chiseled was a lie, his athletic body he's kept up for so long was in prime condition, he had something many men had wanted but Amon was not grotesquely masculine. He was no try hard like that. He walked over to Aurora whilst putting away the machete, her face still blushed red, and handed over his white shirt saying, "You can put this on of you don't plan to get into the water," Amon states, clearly doing the act out of generosity instead of brownie points, "Keep it if you want, I got extra."

Kuranaro could have spoke about the blue powder, all it were a simple mixture of- Well it doesn't matter now since the tall fellow was moving onto more important matters. Those matters being the large books opened and spread across the table. At first glance it appeared to be all history going over certain cultures and a particular item this Roland that he seemed so invested in studying the... What was it? Time frame from it's original make, that was it. And already Kuran could see the texts that points to a variety of makes from the specific culture. "Hm... So we'll see..." Kuran started to look over the book himself, his eyes were darting back and forth until he pulled another book from the pile and started to look through it. After a few minutes of silence until he looked at the bangle for a moment before taking off to find a different book. Upon coming back into the circle Kuran set two small books on the table, one of which had almost nothing to do with cultures, however they did involve catalogues of certain trinkets, odds and ends, and the various museums and collectors that either sold or displayed the items. The second book was extremely old and slightly tattered, however it was thick and clearly the Hobgoblin wouldn't have picked either of they weren't worth anything. With a sigh he started searching through Exotics and Eccentrics, the catalogue of all things. It was quite possible if someone knew further info of the bangel all the collectors were in Runae City or just nearby, to add, many museums could help with information... Granted they might be stingy and require Roland to hand over any items regarding the matter for a public display. "I've been in this library time to time, reading as much as I can taking in any form of knowledge, useful and useless, but knowledge nonetheless. I remember coming across something in both these books, something very similar to your bangle from the markings to the shape. If we can perhaps find a brief description in this catalog and a further... And it may give us a chance to see if there are others like it. While that may not be as fruitful, it is worth a shot. This other one should have what we're looking for... Perhaps more than that. I'll search the other ones too after I'm done with these."

"Princess... Talking octopus .. Got it. Any other weird stuff I should know about, or should I start looking for this tiny ass-" Amon was about to start talking smack until this Aurora lady refused to come to the shallows. Already he'd had his shoes off and stepped into the shallow to look for a small octopus. Amon questioned the hesitation from the girl and said, "Everything alright Vanilla?"

Ikaski watched the woman as red as himself easily guzzle down tankards of beer. At first he mistook her for another Hobgoblin but as she approached it was clear she was not in fact a Hobgoblin. Instead her horns clearly indicated two possible races, a Tiefling or best possibly an Oni. He would have preferred the former over the latter given either people's historic dispositions, and with the Hobgoblins driving the Oni out of Kao'Crys many eons ago... No, there had to have been more Oni in the Lowlands, but that didn't make Ikaski feel any more comfortable about the situation. Then again, the Oni he was used were warmongering demons, not some lush making side coin. Not caring for what the Oni had said, Ikaski spoke up, "If you do not mind I'm hoping there is enough space for my alchemy? Wherever we travel I tend to collect native and exotic herbs and plants, that said, I cannot stress the needed room to conduct experiments or concoctions for the crew as a whole. And to add I will require a blood sample of everyone that joins, I could ask for hair but crimson allows me to see what mixtures are best suited for the given individuals. And no, this isn't a request, it is a demand, I don't want to kill anyone because they have an allergic reaction."

Gibberish... That's all be heard was gibberish from the girl. Amon scratched the back of his neck as Vanilla listened to her and now he was trying to figure out what language the sea chick was speaking. It wouldn't be Hispanic, nor did it sound all Japanese or Frenchy, he gave up after a minute as he couldn't necessarily pinpoint the accents or anything. But with that Amon shoved his hands into his pockets as the two girls remained in the water, be watched and waited for the next move.

Pretty good, and you?

You're good dude. Also, for anyone interested I am working on the Hobgoblin lore. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PowWXeSB-dipf5kEPNZ5ra9RNF9t-WUoRUIerbNrOlQ/edit?usp=drivesdk

"Yeah! Just-" Amon was wiping away wetness and the sudden pressure from his eyes when the suckers of the octopus cling to his face, accidentally grasping his eyeballs. He was blind for a solid minute before he could actually see again. "Yeah... Yeah I'm good. Probably wouldn't have freaked if it didn't blind me. I forget we're by an ocean. So, Vanilla, who's your friend?" Amon asked, then noticed the girl five underwater but chose to ignore it, "Do you need help?"

"Of course, I am more than capable of handling myself," Ikaski replies, "From my native home we are taught the finest sword arts, as well as warfare and general combat. So if the need arises I will raise my blade if it's series, my magic if it's not."

Hey, I was wanting to see if that's alright with you (since you're clearly doing the race lore on Goblins) if there would be splinter factions of the overall Goblin Kingdom? In one of my characters history (and another by experience) they've dealt with Goblin societies that were horrible. Is it safe to say your Goblin King is the original king, and the Bog Lords were just wannabes? Also I am doing an overall lore of the Hobgoblins.

I don't need this negativity Nah you're all good, I'll edit the post. Octopus I got will stay tho. And sorry about that.

Moving in from behind the chair, Amon set the binoculars aside and started making his way toward the pair. Albeit his approach was slow instead of fast. If Vanilla was alright with the water lady Amon was... Alright with her somewhat, he didn't trust a stranger even though that was supposed to be his job... He guessed. He just didn't have good feelings about it regardless if they meant well or not. His shirt felt a little tighter than before and there was something bulbous he felt on his back. And then something wrapped around his neck and face. "What the FUCK?!?!" Amon shouted for the two girls to hear as he was struggling around to get an octopus off his head. The moment he did it clung to his arm, and then his leg, and then his other arm. Finally he slung the basketball sized animal to the water where it would retreat.

The sage nods and replies, "Yes, I have heard you were accepting just about anyone to join. My name is Ikaski Urakasa, I'm a master Pyromancer and researcher of a variety magic as well. I am also a master of alchemy and any field regarding it. I have a school of pyromancy and alchemy in one of the major cities and a few towns, I come to help expand their- and my understandings of the Lowlands as a whole and not just a few pieces of literature. My abilities are wide in use." Straight to the point and informative, it was best to give a description of his doings to a potential employer. Ikaski spoke with a calm tongue as smooth as a winters breeze, he carried himself that way because there was no reason to act gung-ho or boisterous. Granted he was quite eager to adventure and journey about, but something like this would require paperwork and further questions on what kind of person Ikaski really was. If that was the case then the Hobgoblin was an open book... With ripped out pages.

@Minorikawa@Seraphina Kurans attention was caught by the... Literal horny fellow, and started to make his way. The chair's legs scraping across wasn't a quiet noise either, and if the two were going to be talking it wasn't going to be quiet. It was evident that this man was not the quiet type, and though the Hobgoblin was a soft speaking man he too wasn't necessarily the quietest either. To prevent any further distractions from the pair and to help that fairy gave a "peaceful" place for other patrons. Kuran reached into a small satchel and pulled out a pinch of blue dust and spread it into the air, he then put his arms out in front and rear his right palm atop the left with his left hand straight up; and with a spin of both index fingers a full circle of blue surrounded the table. The Muffle spell was an illusion that muffled the caster altogether, with years a practice and experimentation Kuran was able to make the spell work in other ways. In this case he cast a circle, more so a bubble around the table with a ten foot radius. The spell itself was completely silent with only a dull humm sounding once during the cast, and with how powerful it was the two despite any noise would be completely silent to the outside world. Within the circle was quite the opposite story, they could still hear everyone else outside. Stepping into the circle, Kuran say's with a calm and a smile but vocal tone, "You seemed quite at work here. What is a crimson-fleshed Hobgoblin looking at?" Kuran didn't say yes but with setting his scrolls, empty and written down it was evident he was interested. There was an air that surrounded him, the stain if the magi that was neither malevolent not benevolent but simply just. His clothes appeared to be made of a refined silk, but the satchel he wore was tattered leather that was clearly used for many years. An adventurous man he once was, now settled to being a simple alchemist and shopkeeper... And having a second occupation he wouldn't speak of. He placed his hands on either side of the table as he stared at the curious writings, leaning on the opposite of the table Roland.

Amon had left his room previously after changing into some khaki shorts and a white tank top. He didn't see the benefits of brooding over his thoughts so perhaps a walk outside was in order. As he moved along the path he noticed several things: one was a guy flirting it up and taking two chicks into a tent with him. Another was Vanilla going out fully dressed into the ocean... After... What the fuck was that? At first he was about to rush out there but upon further inspection it was the future of a person... And a fish? At first Amons immediate reaction was to pull out a knife and go after it, but upon further inspection it seemed Vanilla was going out there carefully as if to lure it to shore. He looked around for anything in particular until see a shaking tent and hearing some moaning. Go you, dude! He walked up to it and saw a bag with a pair of binoculars sticking out. Amon took the item and said quietly, "You don't mind if I take this, would you? Nope? Alright, have fun!" The man made sure to stay out of sight if both Vanilla and whatever the hell that thing was. He knelt behind a beach chair and looked through the binoculars, adjusting them until he could see between the other staff member and... Another lady? Well hell she was mighty cute, but what in the world was she doing that far out alone, and why was Vanilla after her? He merely watched and was on the action if he was needed. At first Amon was getting calm and about to leave when he saw scales on the stranger, so he pulled out his knife and was ready for anything; he was teasing himself in case Vanilla needed help... Shit, she suplexed a 400lb. monster, but still, it was the thought that counts.

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Hello Kitsu, how are you this lovely night?

Well, I suppose the three of us has something in common then. Already got my header for Kuran if anyone wants to reply to that.

Amongst the scholars and those of the likes were a red skinned individual looking through a braille. Though these types of books were made for the blind, the Hobgoblin was not blind at all and instead was reading word for word the various marks and engravings amongst the thick pages. There were few literatures he tended to seek out that were rare, his own little shop of books and herbs were more an exotic taste however that never stopped him from seeking out different styles and forms of foreign literature. His finger traced across each piece of the paper and was writing down from the other hand onto a selection of scrolls the words he perceived. Kuran was a Hobgoblin researcher, in some sense, and he thoroughly enjoyed a good read if not a good discovery. His kind weren't necessarily welcomed to Runae City and it was a rare sight to see one at all due to their home being so far into the bogs. People whisper and gossip and come up with wild theories that Hobgoblins are just a devilish breed of Goblin. No, that wasn't the case at all, all Hobgoblins come from Kao'Crys, far away from the Lowland continent. Idiots, all of them, but at least he did good business and the people who actually speak to Kuran will know he is soft spoken and respectful. Right now he has closed the shop to come to the archives where he indulges in various writings. Ignoring the loud footsteps, Kuran was deep in focus as he just finished the final pages of the braille, "Mysterious Things Hidden in the Mist." In the braille were the various reports and happenings around the wastelands of Lowlands and these, "Mistmen," were practically a cult of banshees. It was worth looking into, and this book, amongst other Eldritch-like things. It was the only recorded piece on the matter as the actual written words for people to visibly read were destroyed long ago. It was well worth looking into! The research and the investigation are something to look forward to! Just as the red man finished his recordings he sighed, and at the same time he heard plops of books on a nearby table sounding in the library. A pompous scholar looked up as if annoyed, but upon seeing the tall fellow grumbled something under his breath. He immediately looked to Kuran and whispered, "I swear! It's like some people don't know how to be a tad more quiet!" Kuran raised a brow as he started to roll up the scrolls and carefully closed the braille, and with a smirk he replied, "I know, it's almost as if others cannot mind their business either! Strange times these are." The scholar threw a glare at the Hobgoblin, and Kuran could have sworn he heard a slur when he was walking away. Pompous prick, thinking more about how to write romantic poems that were too cliché and caught some poor girl's heart, that relationship wouldn't last a week. At the last possible second Kuran cast a trick spell invisible to the eye and immediately the book to that scholar closed and smashed his fingers with the force of a rock. He cursed out loud which caught the attention of everyone else, and all the Hobgoblin did whilst walking to put the braille in its proper spot was smile at the satisfaction.

Huh... What a coincidence! I too have a library character