Corpus Rahkshi

IC: Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

I kept low to the ground, using my powers to absorb the sound around me in order to muffle my movements. 

The trap was almost ready to be sprung....

IC: Zelnos | Malebranche Cable Cart

He rolled his eyes at Jayar and Hoto. "Wait till your somewhere private you two."

IC: Shield

Shield followed Root, his shield low.

IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

"You promise you won't hurt me?" I stammered, noticing a flicker of yellow-green movement outside the building's entrance. Era was almost in position. It was nearly time to kick things off....

IC Kat:

I heard them step in.

Just a little more....

IC: Shield

"Heroes don't hurt innocents!" Shield said, smiling.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

"H-heroes d-do not h-harm innocents," he agreed with a nod. He tried to keep his voice level and soothing as he approached, though, should the Rahkshi decide to attack those that only meant to help, his plants were prepared for the blunt strike of stone.

IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Villahe Lighthouse).

"Sorry...." I sighed, raising my hands, "...but I'm not innocent." My fists shot forward, slamming into the two hand-sized rocks and sending them flying towards the closest Rahkshi (Root). Twin blasts of air propelled the projectiles forwards with devastating force. 

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IC: Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

That was the signal. I released my sound-suppression field and charged forwards into the keep, lashing out with Rattler at the exposed back of the Rahkshi nearest to me (Shield). I didn't want this dragging on any longer than it had to. 

IC: Shield

Shield's back screamed with pain. His back bleeding, he span round and threw his tomahawk, headed for Era's whip arm.

IC Kat:

Now!

I darted out of my spot, dashing forward and slashing diagonally at a strangely leafy Rahkshi. Little would he know that my real weapon was not my blade.

OOC that's root.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

He was prepared for the rocks, though events had not gone as planned. His thickly-padded arms moved up to intercept the projectiles, but the force with which they were launched sent him staggering back. His arms ached from the impact, but the oozing plants leaking down his arms hurt him worse. They were innocents in this matter, unlike the fiendish Rahkshi before him.

As he lowered his arms, he was met by a flash of red and blue as another Rahkshi sped past him. The scoundrel had lured them in, playing on his heroic values to end their adventures! Such villainy could not be tolerated! 

Thinking quickly, Root caught his balance and wheeled around, bringing his thorned staff at the legs of his attacker. These were not innocents. They were villains of the lowest degree!

IC: Jayar / Malebranche

Though he was reluctant to agree, Zelnos was probably right... Embarrassed, Jayar removed his arm, but he remained close to Hoto nevertheless.

IC Kat:

Karz, I'd missed in my estimate.

My strike went wide, and sent me off balance, as I rolled to gain some ground. I heard a whooshing noise as I went, my opponent was quick on his feet, the thorned staff just missing me as I came up and spun to face him.

"Thought you guys would never show!" I said good naturedly.

IC: Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

Too easy... I sent a violent pulse of sonic energy rippling from my armour, meeting the projectile in midair and sending it spinning away, the metal twisted and ruptured. I counterattacked with a second sonic pulse, this one aimed right at my foe. 

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IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

I wasn't going to stand by and let my teammates do all of the fighting. I jumped down off the ledge with another rock held in my hand, and blasted it towards the leafy one's side. 

IC: Shield

Shield yelled as his body shook, and his hearing receptors exploded with pain. He couldn't hear. Hecovered his ears, falling to his knees in pain.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

Though 'twas merely a bit of banter, but the Turahk's camaraderie made his antidermis boil. As he completed his spin, he brought his staff down and forward toward her stomach, but his aim was set off as another projectile impacted his side and sent him tumbling. The striped Rahkshi was back. 'Twas to be a noble battle against great odds, but a hero is always victorious!

He quickly found his feet again and backed into a more defensible position, one hand growing a thick bark shield on his opposing arm. He kept his eyes fixed on his foes as he gave a cry of "How f-f-fare y-y-you, Shield?"

His companion sounded to be in pain, but alas, there was little to be done!

IC: Hoto - Malebranche

Hoto slowly pulled away and went back to the window.

IC: Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

"And stay down," I hissed as he sank to his knees. Just to make sure, I sent another pulse of violent sonic energy at his chest. "Shield's a little busy, I'm afraid," I replied to the other rahkshi.

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IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

I drew one of my knives and flung it at the leafy rahk, accelerating its speed with a powerful burst of air. 

IC: Shield
All Shield could hear was a faint buzzing. He clutched his head, groaning in pain. Then the second bolt came. That made him scream in pain, and he sank to all fours, his ears a constant white noise.

IC Kat:

A strange stutter and an archaic vernacular. Man, Corpus sure had all types.

I stepped forward, "I got this one, Exxan"

Another diagonal strike, probing his defense.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

His foot met the wall of the lighthouse. There would be no more surprises. He was ready for these two.

Another Rahkshi had arrived and sounded as if she had incapacitated Shield, but alas, there was no time for so much as a glance! His accomplice must fare on his own, for now, but Root swore if they brought any great harm to him or to the plants he wore, they would regret every strike!

He easily brought up his freshly-grown shield to intercept the knife, and his staff swept around to catch the blade. The sharp edge embedded in the thick wood of his own weapon, and he gave a quick twist to attempt to pull it out of the Turahk's hand.

At least this one appeared to have some concept of honor.

IC: Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

"This one's dealt with!" I shouted to the others, still holding Rattler at the ready just in case the downed rahkshi could somehow still move after taking two level four sonic blasts to the chest. This is even easier than I thought it would be...

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IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse).

"Good job!" I replied to Era, focusing my powers on the knife stuck in my foe's shield and ripping it free, sending it spinning back into my hand.... only for me to throw it straight back at him again, this time aiming for one of his legs. Checkmate....

IC Visorak Wilds

Surprise him the thrust did not. His enemy had always been in clear view, and a staff thrust was a movement with a fair amount of buildup and telegraphing. He twisted to the side and lunged inside the staff's range. Delivering a powerful right cross and left straight into the rahks face.

IC: Stronghold/Lighthouse

I jumped out of my hiding spot, but one Rahkshi was already dealt with and one was facing off one on one. I decided not to interfere unless it was necessary.

IC Kat:

I kept firm grasp on my weapon, stepping forward (inadvertantly into the path of Exxan's knife) and pushing, hoping to throw my leafy foe off balance.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

The knife appeared to have returned to its owner, but Root had more important matters to wrestle with. Namely an villainous Turahk. He let his staff drop as he pushed the blade and span away from his foe. Hoping the maneuver would set her off balance, he brought his shield down on her back to complete the attack.

IC: The Vortixx handed Jayar's notebook back to him but said nothing, quietly accepting his answer. The cablecar continued on its route, heading down on an express path to the fifth tier. It didn't take it long, and it smoothly pulled into the station, ready for passengers to take back up. From there it was a conveniently short walk to the House of Grossh. Its owner and name-giver had chosen its location well, clearly with the idea of getting first dibs on anything brought down on the big freighter cable cars. 

The trio were allowed entrance immediately this time, their Vortixx contact acting as guide and passport all in one. From there...a dining room of sorts. 

It was a more or less square room, with marble pillars of purely decorative purpose set up in each corner and a sturdy door of thick wood in the middle of each wall. A table was set up in the middle, circular and bearing all manner of delicacies that tantalised the senses. After the cloying smoke stench that engulfed the rest of Malebranche the aromas of cooked treats was a welcome variation. Around the table, a series of chaise longues, stretched out to accommodate the size of Vortixx or, in this case, Rahkshi. 

"Come," said Grossh himself, lazily sprawled over one of the couches, golden armour gleaming, "Sit! Eat! We have much to discuss!"

IC Kat:

He Span away, setting me off balance, just as one of Exxan's knives grazed against my hand.

"Hey, watch where you're throwing tho- Oof!"

I was sent sprawling as the Jungle Rahk hit me square in the back with what felt like a small tree.

I regained my composure, and turned once again to meet my foe.

"You fight pretty well, what's your name, anyway?" I said, charging forward to tackle my opponent.

IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

I pulled the knife back into my hand and drew a second, blasting both towards Root's feet. 

IC: Shield

Shield continued to spastically shake on the ground, his ears in agony.

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

Root nimbly whirled away from the Turahk's grasp, inadvertently putting her in the path of the knives. Perhaps it was almost a kindness by Destiny that he brought out his staff to buckle her legs once more. 

As he came to rest, awaiting the results of his actions, he gave his answer: "I am Root, Reader of Books." The usually casual greeting, honed to a heroic, flowing statement by hours of work, was tinged with indignation and disgust.

IC: Hoto - Malebranche

Hoto tried to keep her grin as the group was ushered out of the car and back onto the streets of Malebranche's Fifth Tier. It was hot, but at least that kept the crowds away. Instead, there came the constant, rhythmic clanging of forging and crafting, a noise that grated even more on Hoto's finely tuned ears. It was relieving to find herself in that familiar hall, a gauntlet of suits of armor or beings on either side. It was hard to tell at the speed they were going.

Then... there were the smells. She slowed, not wanting to waste the slightest scent of... whatever lay ahead. This was... almost what the First Tier smelled like, wasn't it? If anything, it smelled better. And there it was. A large table filled with what could be foods. Their shapes and smells were so different from what she was used to. It felt rude to just step up to the table, and she lingered in the doorway for a moment before the familiar voice of Grossh rang through her ears. 

She found a chair near Jayar, suddenly incredibly conscious of every little flaw. Was her armor clean? Was she sitting in the chair the right way? How would she know what to eat, and how to eat it?

Oh... her staff. The beautiful staff he had made just for her on their last visit... was still in the Infirmary. Her old, plain staff was by her side. Would he notice? Would he care?

The thousand questions swarmed in her head, and she shifted in her seat with the energy, trying in vain to hide the staff that wasn't there.

IC Kat:

I stepped past once more, as I had before, only this time intentionally.  Just as two knives whizzed past where I'd been only a moment ago.

"Stop throwin' stuff!" I snapped.

"Good to meet you, Root, Name's Catatonic, but everyone calls me KAT!" I put force in my words with a strong overhand strike, with force enough to split stone.

IC: Exxan - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

Pulling the knives back into my hands, I circled around and swung a kick at the back of Root's legs. 

IC: Venom - Empty Dorm Wing

And if you find the answer less than satisfactory...?

IC Poly:

We considered this for a time.

After much debate, we were resolute.

"We would help you in this venture."

IC: Illusive - Empty Dorm Wing.

The answer seems satisfactory to me, I replied. 

IC: Sidonas - Visorak

Sidonas heard Recoil's words and scanned around, catching on to what she had said. "I have a plan. Might need to borrow the gauntlet for a minute. How many might we be up against? Could have a fellow hiding in the greenery..." He whispered. Sidonas could feel that a fight was imminent, as quiet as he was, they could not sneak around if their opponent was a good fighter, and recalling who he heard mentioned as members of Backstab, they most likely were.

IC Vaalku

Okay, done here.

Leaning over, he locked eyes with Kakarahk. "Look, I'm trying to find a Rahk named Metal. Know who he is?"

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

His striped foe was not forgotten. The thrown daggers were enough to ensure that. So as one villain encroached at his rear, and the other struck from above, he did what was only logical. He curled and rolled to one side, putting each in the path of the other's blows. If this pattern should continue, he wouldn't need to land a hit. They would incapacitate each other.

As he righted himself, he revealed one hand pressed up against his carapace, snatching at the rapidly growing branch there. As they turned to face him once more, they would be met with his bulbs of poison, thrown in a small spray that would be difficult to avoid. If they could not fight nobly, he could only return the gesture if he wanted to survive.

IC: Exxan/Era - Team Backstab (Farsholt Village Lighthouse). 

I twisted away from Kat's overhand strike and straightened to my feet, pulling my foot away from her so she didn't trip. I saw our foe grabbing at something and sent a blast of air out of my hand, buffeting the poisoned bulbs away from us. Come on....

Reaching for my sword, I was about to launch a counterattack when....

"You guys are taking too long."

....Era's whip came sweeping towards Root's legs, aiming to entangle them. 

IC: Root - Backstab Base (Team Doublecross)

He made a note to himself that projectiles would be useless against this Rahkshi of Vacuum. He would need to get closer.

Just as that thought came, a whip followed, snaking out from the third Backstabber. Root gave a bold grin at the sight. Whips were no stranger to him. He had employed his vines on many an occasion to such an effect. 

He gave his own answer in the form of vines sliding from each of his hands. One stretched up to entangle a roof beam. The other fell to catch the chain. He gave a hearty tug, and lifted from the ground, swinging feet-first into the Vacuum Rahkshi. Thorns grew out of the soles of his feet.

And behind him, the whip followed as an obedient Hapaka to catch the striped foe unawares.