In this world, Magic is Everything. All people, all races, are granted with the power to perform mystical and magical feats via grimories, mystical tomes granted to each and every child on their 15th birthday. Those blessed by the mana can have their names written down in legend.
Shattered Grimoires is the work of the mind(s) of Ardere & Shattered Grimoire's staff. All characters and content are copyright their creators, and may not be replicated without their creators' permission. Black Clover is owned by Yuki Tabata and published by Viz Shonen Jump. All images belong to their original owners. The theme you are currently viewing was made by Eliza of ElizaCodes exclusively for Shattered Grimoires.
GRRRRR! I shall not have this! This is preposterous! Ridiculous! My Snow? My Army? Well I shall take my revenge. This Holiday shall not be defiled! Let me teach you of the true hymns of Yule! The only time of year when Aries Garse is cheery is during Yule, and all of the rogues have sunk into their entrepreneurial side, opening the yearly Yule Markets for all who wish to spend money on mildly suspicious wares! And yet, a set of four mysterious have spawned all over the Market, letting out a weird bell-like sound that turns everyone that hears it into zombies who just want to cover everything in snow! Destroy the towers and free everyone from this magic! Details Maximum Number of Players: (Max 4 people) Minimum Word Count: 2200 each Location: Aries Garse Special Requirements: Find away to not hear the music of the towers and destroy them without hurting any of the citizens! NPC Information What NPCs are in this mission? Please fill out the template for any notable NPCs. While those you have to socially interact with during the mission are not required any enemy that is presented in the mission must be listed in here.
Name of NPC: Zombie VIllagers x4 per player Health Limit: Jr. Physical Speed: 5 m/s Physical Damage: Jr. Magic Element and Types: Earth | Fire | Water Combat Style: The residents of Aries Garse will attack any that near the towers with brute force. Additional Information: They are not undead...but they are close.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Jan 8, 2021 22:42:33 GMT -5
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[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
51
10
032
030
[break]
MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 110/110
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
Verena was low on money, but as she sat there talking about her brother with Zaven, as well as the token given to her, she also was eavesdropping. Even when things were 'peaceful', the brunette just couldn't shake her habit of listening to others; especially when she couldn't really look at them. It wasn't that she wasn't listening to Zaven, either. She was just capable of listening to multiple conversations at once.[break][break]
"Markets are wide open. Deals like these are a steal, Martha! C'mon! Pleaaaaaase!"[break][break]
"Fred, you damn fool. We ain't got the yul for feeding your damn addiction. Let's get a move on."[break][break]
"It's not an addiction, honey! It's a collection! I swear!"[break][break]
Things were proceeding in the town as though they weren't just attacked by snowmen. Not to mention, there was a dungeon in the town's vicinity. They were carrying on with minimal issue. How? She had been traveling for five years, almost six, and she still never quite understood how the populace could act so normal.[break][break]
Even if they were normally relatively hostile people, to carry on like this... the heiress had no idea if she was impressed by their bravery or their inability to care. Were attacks that normal? She knew this was one of the first places that had been sieged in the Diamond War, and this was the forsaken region. Magic Knights weren't always able to help these people here, so whether they had help or not was likely not something they were concerned about.[break][break]
These people... they were so jaded. Whether they lived, whether they died: it was just a part of the experience. It was reminiscent of the logic of the man whom she had done a bit of traveling with back in Nairn. But it wasn't her place to say anything. She knew that much, at least. Or maybe it was just the Yule festivities that had them about...[break][break]
...no.[break][break]
As she watched people go about their day, resting on the bench with the Captain, she was reminded of something. Something in Kikka.
"...Zaven, may I ask you something? About Kikka?" she began. If the Shadow of the Dawn approved, she added, "If you had a chance to avoid killing the civilians then, would you have? ...I know the opportunity wasn't present then. It was unavoidable. It's just... from what I could see, it was as though it was as natural as breathing. Does it bother you?"
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COMBAT SUMMARY
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena asks zaven if she can ask something about kikka, and if he agrees, she asks. also people watching [break][break]
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Sitting there and talking with Verena he could catch the small subtle movements as she eavesdropped on other people. A rare talent indeed, learned from a lifetime of practice and with a capable teacher as well. Zaven was about to leave the conversation when he was asked about Kikka. He was asked about the civilians he had killed, and how if it was possible to avoid killing them would he had done so, and then ending that round of speech with saying it looked natural how he did it...making the Blake head of house sigh with momentary loss of wording, only to regain his footing as he pointed to a single random person. [break][break]
”If I wanted to...he would be dead, then the next, then the next after...as you say, it looked so natural...like breathing. That is because it is Verena, I won’t sugar coat it...what you are about to hear will make you uneasy, but since the topic has arisen I will answer it truthfully. If it were avoidable, and I knew at first contact that they were civilians...yes I would have avoided snuffing the lights of these people. However, these people had also become experiments of a demented being that turned them into grotesque visions of what he wanted. If I were to have held back and allowed them to live. Then what, what squad would take them in, would they be kind because they were a victim...would they become an experiment because of their new form? Perhaps they would have just become target practice or just another creature unchecked in Clover if they were spared. Only to be felled by another’s hand...What I did was to protect the group, and well...family history with the Blakes will show you that we are not a “kind” family.” He would admit and wince a little at that last part. Admitting that he was a killer was a hard thing to do, most people would run away, and he would not blame them if they did in all honesty. ”When I kill, I do it out of necessity and never for personal gain, favor, or for revenge...even if I may want to at times. I do what I must for my country, and my past is checkered and lined with the spilt blood of those that have crossed me and made an enemy of the kingdom.” He shrugged and looked over at the woman next to him, he would not be surprised to see her gone in all honesty. [break][break]
”So...not the answer you expected, or perhaps I scared you away the moment I pointed at the random individual?” He asked as he blinked and looked back at her with that same cold, calm look in his eyes. Zaven Blake, the Shadow of Dawn was many things, but he was not a liar...and he had no reason to boast...especially over killing.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Jan 10, 2021 1:33:26 GMT -5
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[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
51
10
032
030
[break]
MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 110/110
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
Verena did not doubt a single word that Zaven said. When it came to the most powerful mages in Clover, Zaven Blake was without question a name one included in that conversation. The man could easily decimate this entire town if he so chose. She sat beside one of the most powerful mages in the kingdom, as well as the Captain of the most revered and most decorated of Squads that Clover had to offer, the vaunted Golden Dawn.[break][break]
Verena's eyes met the snow-covered ground as he spoke. While she was glad that Zaven would have tried avoiding killing them if there was another way, she also worried that the man thought that killing was ninety-nine percent of the time the only way. That was the entire reason she brought up this conversation, in hopes that she might be wrong about this thinking of someone she only really ever heard of. Kikka was her first introduction real to the head of the Blakes, after all.[break][break]
Verena did suppose he was right though. The moment Sven had transformed these people, their lives were over. They were no illusions. Their lives were effectively forfeit. Even if it was possible for them to have retained their physical lives, there was no going back. But that didn't mean that they were physically transformed prior. It was confirmed that at least some were just mere illusions. Perhaps, logically, this conversation was pointless. After all, at the end of the day they were transformed into something even after death, and even for those who might have survived, they still met an untimely end as a result of the machinations of the archdaemon.[break][break]
"...It worries me, in truth. That thinking. I can't exactly fault you for it in Kikka. But I can't help but wonder with all the strength you possess, surely you could find a way to subdue enemies without killing them. Even if they're threats. People can change. You don't have to kill every hostile. That said..." the woman said, letting out a sigh.[break][break]
"...I know I'm nowhere near as experienced as you. This might just be wishful thinking. Even still, I just can't help but wonder how often it necessary for a life to be taken. Some time before the initial invasion in Raque, Kikka, and the Capital, I met Cyrus. Prior to that, I was... truthfully terrified of Magic Knights. Even now, I admit I still am. But... I think he's different. He said then that you were training him to be his Vice-Captain, and by now I'm sure he is. Yet the way you two view things are quite different from what I can tell. He'll kill out of necessity, but I can't imagine that when it comes to taking the life of civilians it would be something that he'd do without a second thought, no matter the situation."[break][break]
"It didn't scare me. You only spoke the truth. I only wish you didn't view yourself as some sort of machine. If you truly were a machine, you wouldn't be the Captain of the Golden Dawn. If I may be so bold... I think deep down you despise all this killing. That's why you've been working with Cyrus. Or... am I overthinking this? I apologize if so."[break][break]
Verena knew she didn't need to be saying this. There was nothing requiring her to do so. Zaven was a full-grown man; chances were, he already knew this. But there was a heavy sadness that surrounded him at all times. In truth, it bothered her. Her voice was sweet and concerned, showing the compassion she had learned over the course of these five years worth of travel. She disliked when others seemed so hard on themselves, or were carried themselves in such a depressing manner. It was like looking at a mirror. None could help her, but she thought that if by helping others, it might eventually help her learn to be at ease with herself.
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COMBAT SUMMARY
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena asks zaven if she can ask something about kikka, and if he agrees, she asks. also people watching [break][break]
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] Listening to Verena he noted that the female was deeply interested in this subject for a reason or another. Her small protest and inquisitive nature reminded Zaven of a peculiar woman that once actually threatened his life when he first became the captain of the Golden Dawn. She was a civilian too, and she died like a dog in a ditch for what she did. Zaven gave a smirk when she mentioned that he was not a machine, the funny thing was that she was the third female to tell him such a thing. The Shadow of Dawn gave Verena a smile before nodding. [break][break]
”I think you misunderstand me my dear, when you think that it is easy for me to kill that is not the case at all. I was reborn in a sea of blood, and a stain like that is not wiped by time or by love, or drowned with liquor. I am my own person, if I was truly a tool...the Golden Dawn would be my personal army and I would have attempted a coup by now.” Zaven said, not exactly holding back his words. He leaned back against the bench and just thought for a moment. ”I met Cyrus a few years back and his entrance to the Golden Dawn was a trial by combat. He impressed me, and even though the course of events have changed...my memory has not. Cyrus has fought against me a few times, and with me as well. He has his own thoughts and ways of doing things, but our side is the same, we are brothers in arms. If I have learned anything in this job...I will do my best to not kill if I can help it, but if it cannot...or if the job does not require diplomacy. I do what I must to ensure the will of the kingdom, and that everyone can live happily. As for your fear of the Magic Knights...that is viable...each squad is different, but we all want the same thing for Clover and its people...safety and prosperity. He would say before noticing some movement up ahead of them near the center of the rather rouge-ish city. [break][break]
Giving a glance in the general direction he was caught off guard by someone screaming and a few people making a break movement to move away from the commotion. Zaven sighed as he knew in his head that this was probably not a good sign. ”I assume our little job is just beginning here in this town...a freak blizzard...animated snowmen...what is next...fucking zombies? There has to be a curse on this town, or maybe a pissed off necromancer that hates the Yule festivities and is just lurking around the place, making it hell for everyone.” He said with a rough generalization of the situation of the Garse. He of course had no damn clue about the zombies that were actually spreading through the village as they spoke.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Jan 17, 2021 7:01:35 GMT -5
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[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
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STA
CON
007
51
10
032
030
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MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 055/110
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
Verena listened attentively and respectfully to Zaven. They had very different perspectives when it came to things. He believed himself he wasn't a tool because he wasn't trying to over Clover, using the Golden Dawn as an army. He said that killing wasn't easy, but made an allusion to his own traumas and problematic behaviors, though it would be rude of her to assume that the man did have problems with alcoholism. And though she could not understand the correlation between doing something for one's own gain and being a tool, that was fine. It wasn't her place to ask further, and thus she wouldn't.[break][break]
Truthfully, Verena still believed that the man was what he said he wasn't; in all things, he came off as mechanical with a love of fighting. That was evident in Kikka; of course, she lacked any context to his battle with the mana beast that had seemingly gotten him so riled up, so of course, she wouldn't be familiar with all of that.[break][break]
Especially of note to the Summoner was the explanation of Cyrus. Zaven really did hold the Sap mage in high regard, and that made her feel a little bit more at ease even if his prior words still were a reason for question and concern. It was an incredible relief that Zaven was not the sort of man who flaunted his status and position over others even if he had every right to. Perhaps, at times he did, but only when the situation called for it, and no sensible person should question if a Captain exerted his authority in moments of crisis.[break][break]
Zaven went on to explain the same thing as Cyrus did, albeit with different words. Still... 'all'? That wasn't right. Verena knew that was most certainly not the case. Sure, there were well-meaning Magic Knights amongst Clover's forces. But there were those who were just as likely to cause issues and problems as her father had. Who would cause more destruction than necessary to subdue one man, to flaunt their power? Renfir might have been strong, but they had leveled the home before Renfir could have even responded.[break][break]
Verena's head was bowed as she contemplated Zaven's closing statement before she heard screaming. Those crimson eyes of hers immediately set their attention to the center of the city. That was where the markets were at, weren't they? Then, without word or warning, the earth beneath her feet began to shake. Homes, buildings... everything that was on the ground began shaking with an unprecedented force as, from the market area, four towers rose up high into the heavens, dwarfing all other buildings in the humble town.[break][break]
...Yes, Verena had to quite agree. Someone definitely had something against the town. But why? This strange set of events of seemingly unrelated events all being entirely localized within the town... she was getting a feeling similar to Nairn. Was that what was going on? The brunette had no idea, and it bothered her immensely. But whatever was going on, it was going to be really, really bad. The Captain's joke seemed more and more like it was turning out to become a reality.
And from the town center, so too did the bells begin to toll upon the settlement of Aries Garse. Though reaper himself seemed to pass through these, as man, woman, and child alike fell to their knees. Screaming. These were not screams of fear of the unknown. These were screams of pain. Agony. As though these songs were warping them. Zaven and her were quite aways from the market, so it wasn't as bad for them, but that didn't make it less agonizing.[break][break]
Instinctively, Verena took advantage of her unique disposition as a Summoner, 'summoning' sound mana as though she was about to create a golem, but instead was sustaining it, leaving it an incomplete state. Because of this, she could guard her ears against the sound using it as a filter. She attempted to do the same for Zaven. The downside, however, was that she couldn't really do this for anyone else. Another downside was that this own sound was constantly ringing to block out the sound. But even if she was able to use it for others, it wasn't as if she was a master of all elements she could use. Even this much required a great deal of focus.[break][break]
Still, she couldn't communicate with Zaven now; neither of them would be able to hear the other. And it wasn't as if either of them had worked together since Kikka. Even then, they only were together for a very limited time. There was no way they could work together in an efficient way. Even still, she had to try. There was little doubt that the Golden Executioner wasn't aware that whatever was going on was entirely the result of these towers. If they destroyed them, then they would be able to stop people's pai-[break][break]
To her horror, people began attacking one another. Fire, water, earth... three of the basic elemental types that governed almost the entire of all mana affinities, but now they were used against another in a senseless bloodbath. The people had lost their senses. These bells were not just causing pain to the civilians, Verena noted. Amidst their screams, they were being warped into something... else.[break][break]
In a hushed whisper, the woman realized what was going on.[break][break]
"...This is... a reeactment of Kikka..."[break][break]
The heiress' heart began to race, sweat pouring down her face and arms. Of all things to have been reminded of, it was that horrifying incident? Why? Why would anyone do something so dreadful? No. Not again. Innocent people had died during Kikka, and though it was beyond their abilities then, she would do her very best to make sure none died this time. She refused to let anyone die, no matter their sins if it could be avoided. It was not for her to decide, nor was it his. The two couldn't hear another, a consequence of trying to block out the bells, but Verena hoped that Zaven would be able to destroy the towers.[break][break]
With this revelation, Verena did her best to charge forward, slow and awkward as it might have been towards the chaos. As she drew closer to hostile civilians, she cast her a set of four spells, made so as to block their path to Zaven, while also protecting her as she stood behind it. Most importantly, it boxed them in, surrounding them. That spell of course being...[break][break]
"Carbon Magic: Survival Instincts!"[break][break]
Eight walls rose up, her limit only allowing her to make a maximum of two walls per time casting the Spell, but because of this, she had made a sufficient enough barricade. If that wasn't enough, each one of these walls was able to able to make a single chain as well that could produce a chain that was used to bind the people. These chains would restrict their efficiency at producing mana. In addition, in the states they were in as far as she could tell, they didn't seem all that mobile to begin with; this was likely to be enough to contain them for a short while.[break][break]
But it wasn't like she didn't know they were trying. Earth, water, and fire spells were all being launched within her 'containment' area. She didn't have the offensive power to take down the bells, but she could at least try to prevent the civilians from getting in their way, and she managed to nab eight all in one swoop.
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COMBAT SUMMARY
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena chats with zaven for a bit before she realizes shit hit the fan. has a slight case of ptsd as she recalls kikka, and begins sweating, recalling things when she sees the people acting like corpses. she summons sound mana to block her ears, and offers the same for zaven. note: i am only doing this as there is no concrete explanation of how summoner does it, as learning the element and creating the golem are two separate things, i assume that the formation of the golem comes after 'summoning' the mana. thus, for the purpose of simply using the mana, i imagine that i can use raw mana akin to skin (obviously, not exactly mana skin, but something similar) in instances like this.[break][break]
after protecting herself and presumably zaven from the effects of the bell, she barricades incoming hostiles in using a spell by taking up her entire casting limit in one go, while also restraining them giving zaven a clear path to the towers so he might destroy them.[break][break]
-80 for int def constructs[break][break] +25 for recharge[break] 55 mana [break][break]
Juggernaut: Twice a thread, a player can cause an equally ranked offensive based spell that would normally destroy or injure their defensive spell to be completely negated.
Description: Upon usage, Verena creates a wall that is 2x2x5 (length x width x height) made of pure carbon and as such is akin to a jet black in color. The wall appears as though it's constantly moving around, and this is in part due to [Juggernaut], as it is capable of, with limited usages, of strengthening itself in what would otherwise tear right through, or damage it to render that damage obsolete.[break][break]
In addition, the wall is capable of shooting out a solid "rope" of carbon though reinforced via [Imprisonmont of a God], plus one additional chain for every 30 [CON] she has. These chains function in accordance to clashing rules, and cause strain on a person's ability to regenerate their mana, depleting it by 10 (though if their mana regenerative ability is lower, then it will reduce it by the maximum value without making it 0).[break][break]
If the chains do not manage to catch a person, they are still capable of restraining a person's grimoire via Restraining Magic, and have a 50% reduction on the casting ability of a mage. The construct can withstand up to twice its rank in damage before being completely destroyed.
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] With the talking out of the way and the new piece of action coming into play Zaven noticed the pillars as he took in a deep breath and stood up. Verena was quick on the draw as well as she got into action. There was a piercing sound, it was maddening for sure but the Blake noble did not let anything be left to chance as he simply let his grimoire do the talking. It flew open to the page it needed to be on and the shadow mana began to pour out of it as Zaven held up his hands, willing into existence four shadow shuriken. It felt good to let loose once in a while. He called out, yet no sound could be heard. ”Grand Shadow Attack Creation, Ripping Shadows!” Once fully formed he would throw them with expert precision. Each pillar would not be a match for the attack as he wanted to ensure that the problems would be taken care of swiftly and without any excess damage done to the surrounding area. [break][break]
Once they were struck he noticed the cracks in the pillars before finally the shadows tore apart the pillars, causing them to crumble and fall down to the ground. Where people would be in danger of falling debris he would rush and move to save them, not caring what happened to his body in the process as he was pelted with stone and the bodies of those that seemed to be trapped under whatever plagued the area.
Post by Verena Reinsberg on Jan 19, 2021 0:18:49 GMT -5
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[attr="class","verenaver2image"] [break]
POW
DUR
SEN
STA
CON
007
51
10
032
030
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MANA SKIN senior
HEALTH senior
MANA REGEN 25 IC // 20 OOC
MANA POOL 055/110
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll"]
So it was done. In an instant, Zaven had used his shadows to tear down the towers. While that was good, the issue at play now was the aftermath. Yes, the Shadow of the Dawn had managed to destroy the towers, but gravity was still very much an issue at play here. It seemed he recognized that though, darting out to try to save people. Verena's golems weren't going to be fast enough to help, though she still had to at least try. There was no need to keep her walls up, and thus she had disbanded them.[break][break]
Four Billy had managed to pop up, as the woman had them immediately sent to the scene Zaven found himself in. Their order was to assist with removing rubble to protect civilians and Zaven. She wasn't going to tell the archmage to stop; he was far stronger, and his mana skin could surely handle rubble. There wasn't really anything else she could do about it. What mattered was that this was over.[break][break]
at least, that's what the brunette wanted to tell herself... but things weren't quite over.
[Exit]
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COMBAT SUMMARY
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[attr="class","verenaver2scroll2"] TL;DR verena summons two golems to help zaven with rubble and all that[break][break]
-40 for int golems[break][break] +20 for recharge[break] 35 mana [break][break]
This Perk allows your Golems to start with a bonus of +3 to its Durability, Power, and Sensory Stats. At Grand Rank this bonus increases to +5. If this Perk is applied to a Balanced Golem these bonuses increase to +5 and +10 instead.
This Perk allows your Golems to start with a bonus of +3 to its Durability Stat. At Grand Rank this bonus increases to +5. If this Perk is applied to a Guardian Golem these bonuses increase to +5 and +10 instead.
Description: Visually, a disturbing golem. One that someone wouldn't have thought possible from someone like Verena. However, Kikka did have an impact on her aesthetic. To counter her own fear of the macabre, she decided that she would instead embrace it, to confront it, and ultimately tame it. And thus, Despair Billy was born. A golem manifested from her own fear.[break][break]
Despair Billy appears as a giant patchwork doll--closer in design to a voodoo doll than anything else. It's body is crafted from various types of cloth of different colors. The bulk of its body is the same color as a burlap sack, whereas its right arm is colored a sickly looking yellow. This same yellow appears on the top right of its head, whereas the left half of its head is a lifeless blue blue. It possesses no neck, and from its right shoulder to the start of its left forearm, as well as its left part of its chest and rib cage is red. A heart can be seen stitched on on the opposite side of its body, albeit crudely attached on to it. It is easily taller by a considerable degree than a human being, standing at six meters in height.[break][break]
Though the golem is capable of transporting up to two people, the speed at which it is capable of doing so is no more than [10 m/s]. "Billy" has enough power to knockback people when swinging with its arms to send them back four meters, plus an additional [5m] for every [10] in [POW] it possesses. Unlike Verena's other golems, Billy is suited primarily for attacking, though it still keeps up with Verena's primary objective of not killing, as the strikes from it are all blunt. It can cause great harm compared to her other golems, but it is still very unlikely to kill a person(s).[break]
[attr="class","zavenreescroll"] With the rubble fallen, the pillars were destroyed and the sound soon faded back to being background noise as his ears rang on for sometime, even after all the people were saved from danger he stuck around to clean and try to answer any questions that were asked of the Golden Dawn captain. He was actually really ready to just turn in after a day like that, it seemed as if Murphy’s Law had overtaken the Garse. Zaven notified the people that the best course of action until he could figure out the meaning behind this was to be under lockdown inside of their own homes...for their safety...not just from whatever may come, but him as well. Zaven was quick to not only point out earlier to Verena but also was reminded about how he attacked civilians in Kikka. Under his breath he sighed as he also remembered a time when he was specifically told to target civilian diamond sympathizers and make examples from their murders. He spared Verena the details of that little mission, but yet he remembered it fondly...though perhaps fondly was not the correct word to use in that instance. He saw through the cleanup until the sun finally disappeared in the horizon. [break][break]
Once he was done, Verena was gone as well, noticing the darkness soon approaching he just gave a small chuckle before finally setting off towards the inn and the tavern there. Once inside he would order himself a hearty dinner...he was hungry after skipping lunch and since he did not see Verena he was just going to enjoy his evening until otherwise. He paid for everything and settled in at about midnight, making sure that all things were looking good still outside he took a hot bath, cleaning the grime off of his body inside of the steel tub. The heat would make most people cringe, some even might begin to breathe heavy from the steam, heat, and well...his nude form. The shadow of dawn drained the tub after relaxing for a moment. He smelled of honey and lavender now as he stepped back out into the main room, towel draped around his neck as he found the bottle of liquor from the night before and a note underneath it...it was from some unknown individual...he did not do anything unsavory the night before so perhaps this was something more akin to a cleaning person’s note. It simply read; ”To whom it may concern...the Garse is under siege by an “unknown entity”...that assumption is no longer correct and you can rest assured that this will not be the only place to experience these phenomena...R. Blake” Zaven finished the note before swallowing the liquor in his mouth and crumpling the paper in his hand as he knew the sign off…”You fucking bastard...I will catch you one day.” He said as he looked on the bed, a shadow rose was laid there and he knew the calling card was from his missing father.