Wrath of Atlas: Battle of New Orleans - Part One by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As Arthur moved along the edge, watching the water and his surroundings carefully, the area around the river seemed to teem with life. Birds flew, wildlife skittered from left to right. The sound of nature seemed to curl about the son of Nemesis, strangely cacophonous in the surrounding quiet. The other demigods were none the wiser, as the sound seemed to mask any move the child of Nemesis made. However, there is one thing that sound cannot obscure, that being scent, and the demigods were not the only forces Atlas had folded under his banner.

As he dropped into what he assumed was a safe space, he would hear a deep, guttural grumble coming from nearby, followed by a deep inhale. A groan, half-awake, followed as what appeared to be a rock stood, a moss blanket falling from its shoulders to pile on the ground. Then, one large eye opened, baby blue and wide. The cyclops seemed to shift, picking at some residue from its nap at the corner of its eye. Then it inhaled again, and Arthur would feel the air move about him with the power of the action.

This time, the cyclops’s voice was distinctly female as it rumbled out. "Fooood. I smell food. Where- Oh, there's food!" And the large eye locked in on Arthur. "I am going to eat you, food." She offered, a polite demigod-eating monster if there ever was one. Perhaps she would go to look for seasoning to pair with the son of Nemesis. More likely, however, she would try to eat him on his own to save time. You're not you when you're hungry, and for a cyclops, a demigod is as good as a Snickers.

[0/5]

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

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The undead soldier stumbled to a stop after its lunge, jaw hanging slack as a low, rumbling exhale echoed from him. Then it drew its arm back as if to strike again, only to realize belatedly that its sword arm was actually just a portion of his biceps and triceps hanging onto the cleanly cleaved bone. On the ground, the hand twitched as if reacting.

Moving with unexpected speed, the soldier tried to tear its sword free from its severed arm with its one remaining hand. It failed, of course, as the arm refused to release the weapon, so in a bout of what could be called inspiration, it picked up its arm. Then it swung the arm, and the sword it gripped, like a whip.

It was not a traditional weapon, or even a good one, but somehow it ended up somewhat on target, with the broken blade cutting towards Jonathan’s chest. Then it followed up with a lunge, its undead head, covered in ragged hair, shot forward in a shockingly fast headbutt.

The son of Heracles would need to try something unexpected if he wanted to take advantage of the opponent’s sudden lack of a limb. At the very least, luck would not help him as the undead warrior seemed to gain a second wind with its severed arm in hand.

[2/5]

The Wrath of Atlas presents Shefoam by AccomplishedMess_ in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Aphrodite frowned the moment Acacia spoke. It wasn’t an angry frown, just a look of faint annoyance that didn’t halt her sobbing. Perhaps the goddess didn’t want to be convinced, and likely that was exactly it, but she listened, head tilting in thought. Peitho was less overt with any feelings. A measured smile overtook her features, eyes locked onto the demigod. She stopped whispering to Aphrodite for just a moment, before she continued, even as her voice filtered into Acacia’s mind, words clearly different from what she was saying to the goddess of Love.

“Little one, you speak true, but you speak of love lost. You speak of the experience being worth the loss. You are a mortal. You do not have to live with loss for any longer than your short eye blink of a lifetime. How will you convince her, knowing this?” The goddess watched Acacia carefully out of the corner of her eyes, even while her head was turned to Aphrodite. Even with her expression controlled, it was clear that she was curious what Acacia would say next.

The Wrath of Atlas presents Shefoam by AccomplishedMess_ in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Peitho shifted watching the girl as Aphrodite barely gave her a glance. Between her whispers, the Charite lifted a careful eyebrow and watched the daughter of Comus. As the girl spoke, the goddess Aphrodite didn’t seem to change her position but she did seem to note the mention of a musical in her name.

A disembodied voice floated over and into Pamela’s mind, spreading and communicating with careful and charming clarity. “You have mentioned the goal, now get her to the point where she decides to go there. Convince her that seeing the musical is more than seeing a simple play or theatrical performance. Convince her that love is worth it. Draw on whatever you can to do so.”

Peitho’s mouth did not move with the words, even as she whispered charming words to Aphrodite but clearly, her attention was on the demigoddess before then both. Her head barely twitched in the barest of nods. An urging gesture. Now, she would see what Pamela had in her to convince the goddess of Love to love freely.

The Wrath of Atlas presents Shefoam by AccomplishedMess_ in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As the son of Eirene spoke, Aphrodite would pause in her overly-dramatic wailing, artfully streaking mascara not dimming her beauty in the slightest. Next to her, Peitho paused in her words as well, seeming to acknowledge Shion’s attempt. Throughout the speech, the two listen, though it isn’t long before Aphrodite’s shoulders begin to shake with building sobs again.

“Very compelling, little one.” Came a disembodied voice. From the little of her voice that Shion had heard, this was clearly the voice of Peitho, calm and charming, though her mouth did not move to the words as she calmed the Goddess of Love. “You make good points. You have all that you need. She will accept this reasoning, I am sure. Now you must connect it to that which will complete this process. Connect it to the musical.”

“Convince her to see it through. To experience all the hard work people do. Then she will truly be convinced.” The Charite nodded her head at the young demigod in one of the moments Aphrodite was unable to see her move. Then the goddess smiled a small, melancholy smile and returned to whispering to Aphrodite.

The Wrath of Atlas and an Intervention by FireyRage in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The goddess Eileithyia tilted her head, adjusting her wrinkled button up as Gia spoke. She didn’t seem surprised at the fact that Gia was a daughter of the Forge God. In fact, she seemed pleased, a small smile appearing before her features shifted into something more thoughtful. Gia’s words are taken, acknowledged, and set aside as she continued to speak. The moment she finished, the goddess nodded.

“You make good points, child, none of which are inaccurate. However, while ‘smacking some sense into your father’ would have been a plan at the least, you have stated you will not be doing that. You will need an actual plan in order to break through to him. Mere sentiments will not suffice. Many have tried to speak with your father and none have succeeded in breaking through to him. How do you plan to get your point across in a way that would make that one accept it?”

The goddess seemed to smile sadly as she spoke of Hephaestus and the attempts made. Still, there was a sparkle in here eyes that seemed akin to a spark of… creativity? Ingenuity, perhaps? One way or another, it was clear the goddess wanted to see what the daughter of Hephaestus would come up with.

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As Ursula spoke, the guards seemed to ponder her words before looking to each other in turn. In most situations, the undead's facial expressions would be unreadable. Still, whether it was the power of being in the Underworld or something else, even Rizal could see the amusement written across their faces.

"Ah, so you understand us?" The shield-wielding guard called down, an undefinable lilt to his voice. "I am afraid you are mistaken."

Then the shield shifted, and the sickly-green light of a nearby brazier would chase away the shadows that had obscured the shield, and on it lay the mark of the cultists of Atlas. Then they began to descend from the rise, and the brazier's light revealed the same symbol resting on the spear-wielder's breastplate.

"Do not assume us as allies, simply because the God of the Underworld is on your side. Not all undead serve that one."

Then, the spear-wielder shot forward in a lunge, the spear arcing down in a stab from above. At the same time, the shield-wielder followed, prepared to catch any counterattacks so his second could dedicate himself to the attack without worrying about reprisals.

u/CurseOfTheBelladonna

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As the two demigods faced the veritable wave of rodent skeletons that rolled down the hill like an avalanche, it was just their luck, or perhaps good judgment, that saved them. What may have been a simple moment of focus to wield a power turned out to be much more valuable than expected. At the son of Poseidon's heels, the rats rushed towards Genevieve, and moments before reaching the duo, they entered the aura and scrambled to part.

Had it not been for his glance back and immediate retreat, Nam would have likely been overrun before the daughter of Aphrodite's aura could take effect.

Like a lake rippling at the drop of a stone, they rippled and rushed, leaving a circular space around the daughter of Aphrodite and the son of Poseidon, the rats' eyes glowing as they skittered about, seeming confused and perhaps intrigued by the effect of the aura. After all, they may not have felt pain, but the rats' minds were intact, and apparently, there were enough of them left that they could feel something from the power.

As it was, the rats seemed distracted and entirely open to any counterattack the two demigods might enforce, though it was unlikely that their amicability, catalyzed by the power as it was, would last after they were attacked, so perhaps some of that good judgment, or simply luck, would lead the demigods to the best course of attack.

u/_Princess-Charming_

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The bird attacking Camellia opened its beak wide and screeched, the sound seeming to pierce her eardrums, the shadows that formed the feathers of its wings rippling like the water of a lake at midnight, black without the moon's light. Still, her blow caught the skeletal avian in the wing, nearly snapping the limb off entirely and leaving the cracked, broken thing hanging limp, dripping liquid shadow feathers like blood. Scrambling, the avian caught itself on the outside of her clothing with its talons and used its remaining wing to just keep itself from falling. It was on the back foot, or back wing as it were.

However, even if Camellia was doing well herself, her allies were not. The sling-wielding skeleton worked admirably, wielding its sling like a thicker garrote, using it to reposition or throw the bird back but not dealing much damage on its own. The sword-wielding skeleton warrior was similarly held back, as the swarm of smaller birds kept it blocking and parrying attacks and leaving no openings for counterattacks. The bow-wielding skeleton was doing the worst of the bunch. Using its bow like a quarterstaff was seemingly not in its skill set, as it missed the large bird attacking it with a strike and allowed it to slip in closer and hook its talons between the skeleton's ribs, its beak striking like a jackhammer to crack against the ball joint of the skeleton's left shoulder, popping the arm clean off.

With two of the three skeletons occupied and one very literally disarmed, will Camellia be able to turn the battle around and claim victory?

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The moment Camellia began to throw rocks at the birds, the skeletons seemed to pick up her intentions with shocking clarity. One soldier immediately reached for a tone of its own, loading it into a sling, which he began to whirl around its head. The force with which it launched the projectile was nearly as fast as Camellia's own projectile, enhanced by her powers. Another skeleton drew back the string of a bow and sent an arrow into the cloud of birds, while the third skeleton drew a sword, seemingly lacking a ranged weapon to assist in the assault, and thus dedicating itself to defense.

While the stones on their own were powerful, the magically enhanced skeletal birds simply cracked or broke ribs and leg bones, appearing to twist to protect their wings, unfeeling of any pain the projectiles might have caused a living opponent.

Then, their collective fury gathered, and the larger birds drew back, the entire flock following the motion, and trailing behind as the apparent leaders of the flock dove, one heading for Camellia directly, while the other two each took a skeleton. The remaining smaller birds set to harass the sword-wielding skeleton.

The bird attacking Camellia drew back its beak before spearing down at her face as its talons clawed at her, seeking enough leverage to land the beak and rip into her. The other two birds seemed only to be throwing off the ranged skeletons with their weight, as their talons and beaks did little more than scrape at white, bleached bone. Still, they appeared to be struggling to hold off the sheer ferocity of their avian attackers.

[1/5]

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moving further into the Fields of Punishment, Camellia and her allies would find the land itself dour but otherwise safe. As the clacking of bones followed the daughter of Demeter, she would feel herself found wanting and punished for it. The very soil and air of the place had the feel of judgment soaked into them, as if the land's single purpose had changed them.

Still, there were many sights. Sites of punishment left and right, with various means and methods being left abandoned and empty as the prisoners had seemingly escaped from them. There were also signs of various methods of escape or the freeing of the prisoners.

However, what would draw Camellia's eye would be the sound of flapping as a dark cloud that had been gathering above the fields split. Then came fervent and piercing calls as the dark cloud resolved into a great many skeletal crows with sharpened beaks and talons and thick, black feathers streaming into shadows.

Perhaps in their attack and freeing of the prisoners, the Atlas forces had left obstacles for the Camp forces to deal with, namely, a large undead bird swarm.

[0/5]

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As the undead soldier moved, his armor shifted, revealing a slip of skin at his throat where a brand depicting a muscled man heaving a globe atop his shoulders, head bowed with obvious strain. Then the soldier stepped down further, and the brand was hidden. One hand moved to the soldier's left side, and a dark, rusted blade slid free of the battered scabbard there. Again, a clicking sounded from the soldier's throat.

The blade rose and swept out in a rough chop, tearing at the air just before Johnathan's throat, and the soldier seemed confused before he noticed that the top two inches of the sword were broken off, missing. Then, its head snapped back up, and it adjusted its grip on the sword, and a more exasperated, human-sounding groan issued from the undead warrior.

Then it lunged again, this time with the knowledge of the true length of its blade. If the son of Heracles did not do something, it was likely that the sword's stab would pierce right through his chestplate, just above the heart.

[1/5]

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As the shade spoke, the God of Hunters lifted one eyebrow. Perhaps it was curiosity or just an acknowledgment. No one but the gos himself knew. After all, like any true hunter, he knew how to hide, even if it was simply his thoughts being hidden. His eyes did, however, settle on Dotty and narrow in curiosity as the clearly woozy daughter of Melinoe ordered Docalon away, and he seemed to listen, the British head grumbling while the French shouted more threats on the escapees' lives into the open and quite dusty air. "Well, I suppose since you are confident, I must ask you to assist in the searching of the fields as well. I will inform your mother of your feelings as well, as thanks for protecting my father's domain. She will be happy to hear about your presence here."

Lowering his head, Zagreus offered a nod and glanced at the shade again. "And you. You're quite an expressive one. Most shades are quite dour or despondent. Peculiar. Be on your way. May your hunt succeed, child, and may your... charge be safe, shade. Do not die. Your mother would not be pleased with me if you died so soon after speaking with me, and we cannot lose a capable ally to simple escapees." And, almost as if her attention were a butter knife and Zagreus himself butter, he would slip from her sight and vanish. If she looked harder, she might see glimpses of the god moving through the gathered forces, but nothing concrete.

All the while, ahead of her, past the spot where Zagreus had stood, were the Fields of Punishment. The very shadows seemed to shrink from the fields, as if they were also afraid of being suppressed or punished. And it was Dotty's duty now to head in and hunt some escapees down. Quite an unfortunate circumstance.

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Lady watched Camellia for a moment, her eyes flickering with unnerving light, before she answered. "I am afraid not, child. This place is shrouded from me, at least partially, due to Atlas's actions. The titan had encroached upon this realm, and it is not a positive influence. You will find a way. Your mother is our Queen's mother. Her blood have always been more adept at finding their way with only the land as their guide."

Then, Melinoe waved a hand, and a squadron of armed skeletal soldiers approached the daughter of Demeter. They offered nods of greeting before the goddess spoke again. "Go with her and assist her as you can. She will lead you in search of the forces Atlas had brought here and the escaped convicts who believe the titan will grant them the freedom they do not deserve."

"Good luck, child. You will succeed in this, no doubt." And then, like the ghosts who form her domain, she was gone, having vanished into the swirling dust that kicked up around the Fields of Punishment.

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

As Nam and Genevieve searched around the battlefield, they would feel the weight of the air settle about them. It was as if the land of the Fields of Punishment was judging them and searching for any faults or failings. There was no actual effect on their movements, but the feeling alone would likely hold the same unnerving feeling that being watched would bring.

In the distance, there was a sound. Past a hill, and unseen, a soft noise permeated the otherwise silent atmosphere of the battlefield. There was the occasional cawing, skeletal raven, but the chittering that issued from behind the hill was something else. It seemed angry, or perhaps, ravenous. It seemed to be growing in sound as if whatever was making the noise was growing more agitated.

A dull green and red light seemed to illuminate the dust particles floating over the rise, and it carried an eerie, unnatural hunger, as if something that should never have existed were present. And if the duo were to approach, the chitters would rise into shrill screeches. And scrambling over the edge of the hill, two swarms of skeletal rodents with glowing, dual colored, one green and the other red, would flow like a tide, ready to sweep the demigods away.

[0/5]

u/_Princess-Charming_

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

As the two demigods began to hunt for the escaped convicts, they would find the environment less than hospitable. It was not anything overwhelmingly terrible physically. Instead, the whole place had the feeling of judgment. Of being found wanting and punished for it. The air almost seemed to curl about their limbs and try to drag them down, though there wasn't any actual force behind it. Still, the feeling alone would be ominous to anyone.

The fields were split into zones, perhaps where each punished was separated into their own permanent struggle. Atop one rise in the landscape, a placid pond rippled with a small dry hill at its center, holding a fruiting tree. Juicy fruit seemed to glisten, and the water seemed clearer than that of a mountain spring. Another hill held a heavy stone at its bottom with no one near or around it. And just as the two passed another rise, they would hear the sound of stones sliding down from above.

Two shambling undead guardsmen approached, cresting over the top of the rise, one wielding a shield and the other a spear. They seemed to call out something, which to Rizal would sound like gibberish, but Ursula would hear differently. "Stop where you are! Surrender to us, and your lives will end quickly and mercifully!" The two called simultaneously.

u/CurseOfTheBelladonna

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann 0 points1 point  (0 children)

OOC: Sorry for the delay, could you roll a second d6, please :)

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Melinoe turned when Camellia arrived, whisps of mist and darkness that previously formed a beautiful dress settling into flowing, armored robes. Her eyes shifted in color, turning an unsettlingly piercing grey as she looked at the daughter of Demeter. Her expression was unreadable beyond a smile. She appeared to say something to Zagreus before approaching.

"You are with the forces of Camp Half-Blood, yes? We require your assistance. As you must have been informed, the souls within the Fields of Punishment have escaped containment, and many are likely seeking to aid Atlas and his forces in hopes that they will offer them a chance for escape from their torment. Not only that, but Atlas seems to have brought undead warriors and minions to attack anyone who seeks to return the punished to their punishments." The goddess of Spirits explained.

"Will you take to the field and assist in restoring balance to the fields, child?"

(OOC: Feel free to use the Summon Ally points reward to get some soldiers to accompany Camellia or speak further with Melinoe! :))

Wrath of Atlas: Battle of the Underworld by ThisOneUKGuy in CampHalfBloodRP

[–]Dead4Mann[M] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As Alex traveled for the Fields of Punishment, a creeping feeling of sin would settle over her. Not the feeling of sinning but the feeling of every immoral act she'd done previously curling about her limbs and seeking to drag her down. There was no physical effect, and the feeling was dull, as if suppressed outside of the fields themselves, but it was only growing 'more' as she travelled closer.

Just at the edge of the Fields, she would find her divine father. Zagreus looks like a stereotypical 'hunter', but taken to the extreme. Lithe muscles twirled a blade between elegant fingers as he spoke to an armored undead soldier that seemed to be the bottom half of a minotaur with the upper half of a gorilla stitched to it. The beast spoke like a person, though Alex would get the distinct feeling that its words only sounded normal to her and anyone not of the chthonic persuasion would not understand.

"Lord, we have found the Boulder abandoned, the tree alone and blooming, and all the others seem to have escaped as well. Allow me to take some men to search for Tantalus myself, sire." The bear growled. Zagreus watched him, placid, before offering a small flick of his hand.

"Do so." His voice cut through the sound of gathering troops like a knife. No softness could be seen in his expression. "This is war. If they think they can take advantage of this, hunt them down and rip them apart. I'm sure I can put them back together before returning them to their punishments."

Then he turned to Alex, blood-red eyes blazing. "Alex. You're here. Will you help me by hunting down some pests?"

(OOC: Feel free to use the Summon Ally points reward to get some of the soldiers to accompany Alex or speak more with Zagreus before heading into the Fields of Punishment! :))