Campsite in the Strange

The sensation is like electrical numbness. As the whiteness fades, and colours return, you are able to see your new location.

Violet earth and blue and yellow alien foliage grows abundantly around the site where tan coloured tents are set up around an unlit campfire. Beyond this, the sky is of a shimmering magenta colour, with swirling streaks of other shades.

The man you came here with does some stretches before facing you. "Alright, sonny! Do you know where we are? Nah, you probably don't. We are in my little holiday home somewhere right in the Strange! Do get yourself comfortable, because it may not be so for long. Before we proceed, do you have any questions for me?"

The old man whistles as he watches you gain a new ability. "Flexing your shadowy powers, eh? I doubt that is illusion tech, and since its actual magic, you must have entered The Dark City quite recently. In the Strange, all entities carry over a bubble of reality with them, otherwise they might explode, or worse. And if you can use magic in the City's laws, you probably have about a week before you grow weak. Don't worry, as long as you carry humanity in your heart, I won't consider you as an enemy. Not that you can hurt me in my home...

Eh hum! Anyways, for our hunting prey, it really depends. We are after all going after intelligent creatures, not mindless beasts. But don't worry, if it turns out we are dealing with something too dangerous, or have not seen before, then we will be out in a jiffy. You don't mind battlescars, do you?" He then enters into a tent, rumaging around his assortment of items. He takes out a leather-bound book and an ornate clay jar, which he tucks into his satchel. He gestures to you to follow him as he flips through his book.

"This time, I feel like kicking the ass of a Chaosphere Hierarch. Particularly one who is part of the Holy Circle of War. Those bloodthirsty bastards can't help but be attracted to this little toy right in here. Hopefully it isn't a squad this time. Let's get further away from Home first, it would be bad if it was wrecked..."

As you clear a couple of vegetation, you realise that this forest is sitting on a floating island. Stretching beyond the ground's edge, clustered chain of scattered islands can be found, like an asteroid belt with the asteroids sliced in half and the flat sides all at facing the same way up. You hoped and leaped across them.

"This Recursion? Oh no, this isn't exactly a Recursion, more like lost broken pieces of one that hasn't been consumed by giant Strange creatures. I'm a romantic sort of man, so I appreciate the lost and forgotten ruins of realities, you know.

The Recursion of our target? Well, it had different names, as all things do. I prefer to call it The Heaven of Savage Angels. Is it beautiful? Sure, but the politics and self-serving nature of the locals can drive even me insane. Or perhaps I'm just not a people type. This species of Chaosphere Hierach is an Angel of War. They used to be fully loyal their higher ups, until their God was assassinated in a coup, and the following civil war made everyone to be remorseless backstabbers. If you want to know their weak points and strengths, that is the challenge I'll give to you. Strangers who have involved themselves with the Strange long enough will in turn be evolved by it. It would be nearly impossible to determine what powers they have gotten their hands on. However, common signs like being in groups, or possessing bizarrely altered anatomy are good signs of a troublesome encounter. Unless a professional assassin arrives, I could tell at once if its too much to test you with.

But if you still want to know what their structure is, normally a squad would consist of sargeant and two to four foot soldiers. They would also all have wings, and the leader would commonly fly higher than their squad mates. And for the War Angels, they normally have a dedicated spell caster if their squad is large. However, if it comes down to that, I'll zap us away before a word could be uttered by them. Mages are no joke."
By now, he have opened up the jar. Inside, flashing colours projects out in rhythmic fashion, causing sparks to fly out in the shape of spirals. Georgie holds the jar above his head and begin to Chant. "Oh, great hosts of Holy Heavens! I bring to you a gift of Fractalist Transportment! Oh may ye send one messenger to claim it!" He continues to hold it up as he continues along the floating island chain.

"That should be about right. Get them down onto our level. It just so happens that I also pack with me a Wrapping Rope. It is not as easy to use compared to a net, but it will do. Here, you can take it. Just toss one end of it at your target like a grappling hook." Georgie hands the snake-looking rope to Ash. "And yes, your objective is to, at most, assassinate the leader or an individual if there isn't one. Normally, Strangers would flee if their Head is killed, but some don't.

Just then, a wide gash cuts across ahead of both you. A chasm of bright white emerges from the dark cosmic background. And in turn, a total of 4 figures emerge forth from it as well.

"WHO ART THOU THAT DOST THINE BEARETH O YE TREASURE O STRANGE?! I COMETH WITH MINE COMPANY, FOR WE ONLY WILL TAKETH THINE!" The winged figure in elaborate gold and red armour speaks in a booming voice. All the figures are androgynous, and bears golden hair and pink tinted skin. Their eyes are white, except for the leader, who glows red. The leader wields a shield and a sword with glowing runes, with two followers wielding a single sword each and red armour, and the last carrying a rod wearing red robes.

With a dramatic gesture, the sargeant directs one of his swordsmen to descend towards to island ground. The swordsman raises its blade at the clay jar. "SURRENDER!"

Georgie gives you a hesitant glance...

Ash finds himself giving off a hazy dark aura, his form vibrating a little. In his perspective, it looks as if time have slowed, the flapping wings of his threats beating in a leisurely rhythm.

The one infront of you two frowns in confusion. "WHAT ART THOU... DOING?!" It asks, this time pointing the sword at you. Everyone have grown uneasy, and George proceeds to slip his hand into the jar. As he pulls out, the sparkly fractal effect is now wrapped around on his finger as a ring.

The Sergeant is hit by the shadowy warping power. Despite its reflex, the shield was not good enough to block out the mind-altering attack. Then, the Plasma Arc successfully strikes both targets.

"GRR... I DECLARE THINE JUDGEMENT... DEATH!" The leader thunders out. It raises its sword, which is now engulfed in white flames. The two Warriors also activate their weapon, with their sword's fire being regular red. The Priest begins to chant fiercely, before pointing his bulky wand at Ash. A blue spinning fractal pattern beam shoots forth, connecting to Lightbane's forehead. (Do an Intellect Defense, success on 15.)

Georgie points his ring towards the flying soldier, and begins to whisper to the ring. "Please work, please work. Send them away..." And then, that is when a band of fractal light wraps around the target, who flinches in surprise.

Ash mentally resists against the priest's attack, which flickers out. He then produces two quick arcs of burning shadow energies at his targets again. The Sgt, who has his perception distorted, finds he and his assisting spell caster to be struck again. Their armour is scarred, but they seem to still be handling well.The Sgt thrusts his glowing sword at Ash, and it shoots out a stream of its energies. (Speed def). Warrior 1 also attacks Ash with fiery slashes(speed def). Warrior 2 descends onto the island, his focus on Georgie. The Priest changes target to Georgie and does the same attack.

Georgie tried to avoid the attack, but he was too focused on using his cypher artifact. He gave a yell as his head smokes and starts bleeding from the nose. As he clutches his head, he turns to Ash. "Argh! This isn't a favourable fight! Unless you''re still confident, I could send us to somewhere else to recover!"

With that, he grips his spear in both hands before stabbing at a winged soldier. The target brings up his sword, parrying the spear.

Ash dodges the stream of white fire rather well. In fact, he feels fairly confident he could do that again.
Attack instead flies upon the warrior facing Georgie, who yells in surprised pain.

The flaming slash is also avoided successfully, to the point that the Warrior, despite its years of experience, finds itself tripping over prone. Georgie answers. "If we escape, then the test is put on hold. However, I could try to find a new test soon. So, I'll leave it to also be your call!"