Quest/General Catchall Jan-Mar

[phoenixblessed]

WHO: Diluc Ragnvindr, E'kayan Tia, Guizhong, Alhaitham, Edmond, Neuvillette, Baizhu, Thanatos, and maybe YOU!
WHAT: Jan-Mar questboard and any other threads.
WHEN: January - March
WHERE: Noted in TLs
WARNINGS: Will be noted where needed

🔥 Diluc Ragnvindr	🐈 E'kayan Tia	💮 Guizhong	🌱 Alhaitham
💎 Edmond	🌊 Neuvillette	🐍 Baizhu	💀 Thanatos

Comments

🔥Diluc Ragnvindr

[phoenixblessed]

The Great Worm Lord Rises [BOSS]

[phoenixblessed]

[Ridding the farmland of a few pesky vermin should have been an easy task. How was anyone who came along for that supposed to know that their activities were going to bring a massive, carnivorous worm to the surface? It had to have been the vibrations and he should have felt the damned thing coming, but there’s hardly any time to think about it as the people who don’t run for their lives are very quickly fighting for them instead.

Diluc finds himself head to head with the creature as it rushes towards him, his claymore in one hand and his other thrown out in a sharp gesture to pull up a wall of earth and rock in front of him. It buys him enough time to dive out of the way, though he hits the ground hard and scrambles to get back up as the beast makes a wide turn to come back towards him again.]

Oh, bloody hell-- [The redhead mutters to himself as he drags himself and his claymore up, only to find one of his hands and his feet being steadily drawn down into earth suddenly too soft to fully support his weight. The air around him begins to grow hot, a heat-haze shimmering around him as the Vision at his hip glows crimson.

This is starting to piss him off.]

cracks combat writing knuckles.

[leucosis]

[ He had every reason to believe that dispensing the creatures had been successful and that it would be the end of the quest. He was ready to let his guard down when the worm surfaces. It doesn't seem to notice him right away, its attention landing on Diluc. He watches for a moment, as it rushes towards him, forming a plan on how to handle it. But he doesn't have much time to think, since he's certainly not going to let the other get dragged under.

Seeing the way the earth is shifting under Diluc's feet means that his initial plan of following the pattern - using that earth against the creature - is right out. That means the magic he has from here - at least the earth magic - is not going to be the best thing he can use at the moment. He'll have time to test other theories.

He throws a small, geo construct near the other - a platform he's used in combat time and time again. It's proven useful here before. He has a singular objective now - help ensure Diluc is safely out of quicksand then regroup to test how to fight this thing without putting someone at too much risk. ]

Can you reach the platform?

[ He's already running in that direction, ready to hop onto the platform himself. But it's not like the worm is going to wait politely for Albedo to get in close. ]

whee let's gooo

[phoenixblessed]

[He doesn't need to be asked twice.

He manages to snag the edge of the platform with his free hand and starts trying to pull himself up, though the force with which the ground beneath him seems to be trying to pull him in makes things more difficult than they feel they should be. Diluc grits his teeth with the effort as he manages to hook one arm over the Geo construct and when Albedo manages to join him, he looks up at the man with a slight grimace.]

I wouldn't be adverse to accepting a little assistance.

[He's not so proud that he can't say he needs help when he visibly does.]

[leucosis]

[ Albedo isn't going to let Diluc struggle, he'll shift down, helping to pull the man up onto the construct with him when he's able. Once he's certain Diluc is steady on the construct with him, he grabs his sword. Right now, they need to figure out how they can even get close enough to it to hurt it. Or what kind of magic would hurt it. ]

That makes it tricky.

[ He eyes the quicksand. It does limit their access to the creature. ]

But I'll keep giving us constructs so we can move.

[ Well up until the creature figures it out, or it does. ]

If we could get close to it -- [ Maybe. He doesn't have a lot of time to strategize here. His eyes drift to the ground to watch it move. ] I'll try and keep us close to it.

[ It's not like he does this amount of construct creation often, so he'll have to be diligent in getting rid of ones they don't need. Try the swords first then magic. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[It's easy enough to clamber up with Albedo's help, though even with the other man being on the smaller side it doesn't give them all that much room to stand. Luckily, that isn't too much of a problem, and now he's not in imminent danger of being sucked into the ground he scans over the situation to see how it might be better approached.]

I should have some degree of control, but when the ground is like this...

[Between the two of them - a native Geo user and his own Seasonal powers - surely they can do something. Diluc knows better than most that what someone with a Vision specialises in may not be all they are capable of achieving with that element.]

If we can solidify it around the beast, it might give us an opening.

[leucosis]

I agree.

[ At the least, it will slow it down enough that they can take a chance with it without being sucked into the dangerous shifts in the earth beneath them. Solid land would help them better control the situation, too. They need to seize whatever power they can over this beast.

He's grateful for his combined abilities as an Autumn, and the Geo Vision. As much as possible, he prefers to use his Vision, knowing full well the amount of energy it takes to use some of the more challenging skills he's learned since arriving here.

He puts down a platform, and moves himself to it, so he can get another look around. ]

The ground in its path would probably be the way to go. It would slow it the most, at least.

Heat of Conquest

[phoenixblessed]

[Somehow, he keeps ending up in these kinds of situations. The kind where his enemy is a creature of fire, and his own specialty outside of his Seasonal alignment is the very same. Still, he doesn’t let it stop him. He hadn’t spent years going up against the Fatui without his elemental powers to fail when they would be of little use.

Still…

He scouts from a distance first, watching the way that the lizards move and taking note of the range of their attacks. Diluc has dealt with something like this using his Earth powers before now… surely he could put them to use here too.]

I doubt they’ll tolerate anyone getting much closer than this without attacking. [The young man says thoughtfully, tapping one curled finger against his lower lip.] We’re going to need a plan.

[notgrande]

[ Venti's lingering nearby, listening but nowhere near as thoughtful as Diluc seems to be about the whole thing. He can see it on the young man's face. He's taking it seriously, of course, he wouldn't want anyone to get hurt - especially Diluc. So he's paying attention to what the other has to say. He nods, tapping his side. ]

We do. And while I'm certain I can hit it without issue from here. [ Not a surprise for Diluc. He looks back out to the creature. ] It'd be better if I can hit a softer part to waste less arrows.

[ Like it's eye. Or throat. So until then, he's glad to help in other ways. ]

[phoenixblessed]

Hmn...

[He does have an idea, but he isn't sure if Venti is going to like it.]

I'm a better melee combatant than I am at ranged. [Diluc says thoughtfully.] If I can draw its attention, make it so you can get a shot, can you do it?

[It's hardly a question of whether or not Venti can do it, he knows that. It's more if the bard will agree to Diluc putting himself into danger for the purpose of doing so.]

[notgrande]

[ Diluc is right to assume that Venti would take some issue with the idea. He doesn't really like the idea of putting Diluc in danger like that, even in a place like this. He opens his mouth to protest.

Does he trust Diluc? Yes. Does he know Diluc will do his best and is perfectly capable of something like this? Also yes. But it's the rest of it that's the problem. A deep sigh. ]

Alright, fine. But --

[ And a big one here. ]

If it starts to look really bad, I'm going to air lift you out of there.

[ Whether or not he gets the shot in. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[A nod. He wouldn't have expected anything else.]

All right. Keep yourself out of sight until you can get a shot.

[And without giving either of them any more time to think about it, he slips away. It's easy enough to sneak around and flank the creatures, using his sensitivity to vibrations in the ground to make sure he can't be crept up on and keeping himself low. Once he's in position he attracts the attention of the lizards with a sharp whistle and swipe of his claymore, and immediately hoists himself up onto a pillar of earth and rock to get himself out of their way.

It pulls their focus wonderfully as they crowd to try and get to him.]

[notgrande]

[ He can do that. He's good at tucking away and hiding as best as he can away from things. He knows that Diluc is doing what he thinks is best, but he does feel protected by him. Which is always odd for him to think about, but it seems to just be a part of who Diluc is.

He watches as the other skillfully maneuvers himself. The second he gets a glimpse of the softer pieces of flesh - the underside of a creature, he shoots - aiming for the heart.

Then, as a safety measure, he aims for an eye. If the first arrow doesn't cause it to be downed, then at least he'll make its pursuit more challenging. ]

Blood for the Tree Lords

[phoenixblessed]

[They’re difficult to tell apart from a normal group of trees even close up, let alone from a distance, and this is how Diluc very quickly ended up far more entangled in his particular quest than he had first intended when he set out on it.

Trees, combined with someone with Pyro and Earth abilities… it seemed like a done deal, but being quite far off the ground and suspended by vines is making him wonder if setting everything around him alight is a good idea. More fool him for believing that this would be easy.

That doesn’t mean he’s not thinking about it, though.]

Damn it, I am not going to be a meal for a blood-sucking tree. [He hisses as he struggles against the vines wrapping tightly around his body. They squeeze around his chest and make it harder to breathe, and he wonders if the creature is planning on giving him the opportunity to think of how to escape, or if it’s just going to kill him here and now.]

If I can just--

[If he can just get one hand free.]

[forkeroni]

Meal time's over, forkhead!

[The sound of a gun firing is loud, but what was probably more startling is the accuracy of the aim. They hit the very vines and roots trying to squeeze the poor redhead without missing and without hitting Diluc. Any vine that didn't let go was met by the harsh slash of Boothill's spurs.]

C'mon, let's do this.

[He reloaded his gun quickly and efficiently while dancing around any vines coming his way, making sure none went after Diluc and to give him time to recover.]

[phoenixblessed]

[Of all the rescues he might have expected this was one of the last on his list. The gunfire and the man shouting are very welcome, however, as the plant finally lets him go after several vines are either shot or kicked out from around Diluc's body.

Luckily, his claymore drops along with him. He's quick to pick it up. Recovery does not take long when the enemy he's facing is still a viable danger.]

I can take it out if I can get in closer.

[He is a melee combatant for the most part, at least preferably.]

Can you hold its attention?

[forkeroni]

'Course I fudgin' can.

[Boothill's spinning the chamber of his pistol before slamming it into place as he answered, glancing at Diluc with that always locked-on eyes of his.]

Better quit yappin' and get goin', then.

[Ready. Aim. Fire. Followed by a cackle of delight. More vines were shot and it was incredibly easy to get the monster's attention now.]

[phoenixblessed]

Tch.

[He could retort, but that would just go to further towards Boothill's point, so he just clicks his tongue lightly and swings his claymore forwards, flames curling down the blade as he runs in towards the vines with far more speed than should be allowed for someone holding such a weapon.

The fiery blade cuts through a chunk of the vines and this time he's wiser about how they move, dodging attempts to get hold of him as the creatures(?) try to attack.]

[forkeroni]

[Boothill let out a "Yeeeaahh!" as he watched Diluc work. The man was fast with that huge claymore, perfect. Shell casings landed at his feet as he rapidly reloaded his gun, followed by more quick draw firing, cybernetic hands pulling the trigger and the hammer faster than a human could, each bullet hitting their target.

Then, his left arm shot out and a muzzle formed right out of the palm of his hand, a much bigger gun with its own revolving chamber in his forearm.]

Here's yer final reward!

[The bigger bullets slammed into vines with explosive accuracy, clearing the way for the literal fiery redhead.]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Seeing how well Diluc's fire worked (or didn't) in this situation, Eren's solution is probably overblown. But that's just how Eren is. So instead of a normal rescue, there's the Attack Titan crushing the top of the tree. Even if the tree tries to get anything from the titan, it's not like it has normal blood. It bleeds, but it's also scalding hot.

He can at least avoid catching Diluc himself in those giant hands. He's used to working around people. This is…different, but he's good at what he does.

He can't talk as a titan but he peers down to make sure that the other man can escape. If that means he needs to destroy the tree the rest of the way? Fine. ]

[phoenixblessed]

[The line between what Diluc can and cannot handle is rather broad, all things said and done, but seeing the Attack Titan suddenly entering the fray almost crosses into 'things that Diluc cannot handle'. There's a very clear moment when he thinks he's going to have to put up even more of a fight than he is already, but he recognises quickly that this new combatant is trying to help.

He wriggles free from the vines as they loosen around him and drops to the ground, backing up a little. Flames lick swiftly down the length of the claymore in his hand.]

That's more like it.

[Though if the titan would like to destroy the rest of the tree? By all means. Diluc is not going to complain.]

[dreamsofwings]

[ Eren watches Diluc light his sword up. When he's sure that the man is out of the way, he's more than happy to crush the tree, ripping pieces out of it. The Attack Titan is undeniably violent. Its expression can't really change, but he looks like he might be enjoying this destruction.

When he's satisfied that the tree is completely destroyed, he moves a little ways away and transforms back into his normal self. The titan body dissipates around him slowly in a mess of too-hot steam. He extracts himself from that and jogs back over to Diluc. ]

You okay? Why are trees of all things this fucked up here.

[phoenixblessed]

[Oh, he's barely needed at all. The Titan makes short work of the creatures that had been giving him so much trouble and seems to be almost enjoying it, he's sure, though it's difficult to tell.

Diluc didn't know that this was Eren, so when the young man finally appears he will be treated to a moment of Diluc looking at him in clear astonishment.]

I'm-- yes, I'm fine. Are you?

[Please sir what was that.]

[dreamsofwings]

[ There are plenty of things Eren can't do with his titan powers. But he's good at destroying things, which at least in this instance works in everyone's favour. Too bad for the trees.

Eren stares back for a second. He's known Diluc awhile, but slowly it dawns on him that the titan thing hasn't come up before. ]

Oh. Yeah, I'm fine. I…

[ He thinks of how to explain it. ]

This is the power I had at home. There are a few of us who can do something similar, but our abilities while transformed aren't all the same.

Sorry, I'm sure seeing my titan wasn't the greatest when you were already trapped.

Wildcard

[phoenixblessed]

🔥 Tag with another quest!
🔥 Find him at the coffee shop that he and Kaeya own
🔥 Run into him training in Autumn guild hall or Titanic Dome
🔥 Come across him out horseriding or training his falcon
🔥 Locate him around and about usually in Sunwaning, where he lives, though he could be run into in most places if there is a quest up!