SlenderDaddy Pv Ethen

Ethen was not having a good time, his saving grace perhaps being the blood he bled and the sensitive nose of a proverbial bloodhound that was in savage pursuit of the errant badger. Help was coming, but the twisting passageways in the school's underbelly would make their trek arduous. The dungeons were trapped, paranoia pervaded more than just his peers and the dead man that sat upon his peasant's thone.

Months earlier these dungeons called to @Keagen Deathmore, whose addled and unstable mind was ripe for corruption and deterioration. Paranoid, sleepless and even on his best days 'not quite right' he thrived in the darkness but left in is fearful wake a plethora of crude traps. Traps his housemates would need to survive to find Ethen.

The dark tallman than had absconded with Ethen did not speak, he could not for he was but a shadow. A shadow that had run away, unwilling to be stitched to his master's heels. A shadow that knew too much, had seen this workshop and knew what malicious maladies were made here. That knew of the man who died, the toymaker who was forgotten.

"You will!" the doll would squeak. He would have no choice.

Sylvain Doll attacks Ethen
Attack (+10) 11
Evasion (+7) 16

The tiny, false Ravenclaw would lunge at Ethen, the boy stepping back, half stumbling away. The motion, the aggression, the halting phrases all about him. Was this his fate? To become like them? With needle and thread, was their intention to manipulate and change? To murder and replace? Something else entirely.

For those familiar with dark folklore, they might have heard of versions of this. Varied accounts of dolls that come to life, that try to live the lives of those who they represent. They resent the living and they try to make the living represent them while they attempt to emulate the humans they were made to represent.

Is that what happened to the man, the toymaker that wore the bejeweled glove? Perhaps. Discarded buttons once covered his eyes but when the flesh rotted away the large, black buttons and crude string fell to the floor, landed in his lap. The great centipedes already had homes, vessels -- the small dolls who yearned to be like the children that they represent.

"Get back here!" The tiny ginger doll would demand.

Jack doll attacking slender daddy.
Attack (+10) 12
Evasion (+10) 4

Long needlelike claws would extend from the ends of their fingers and with a slash it would cut into the long, slender legs of the dark monstrosity. Pain could not be verbally expresses but the darkness would fade, like a shade.

The dolls are outnumbering the fighters, the odd couple that might not survive. What was Ethen meant to learn? Meant to see that he had to discover in blood? That was worth risking the darkness' very existence.

The Thomas doll would open his stitched maw, revealing a row of metal razor teeth.

Thomas doll attacks Ethen
Attack (+10) 12, 17
Evasion (+7) 15, 2

Chew-chew-chew! "yUM!" The creepy little doll would dig his teeth into poor Ethen, drawing blood adding to the faint scent of iron in the air. Howard would be drawn by his scent, a fear in that bloodlust might compel the dhampir to attack the boy IF he survived. Could Howard deny his dark, hungry nature? Could Ethen survive the experience if Howard White could not?

The Candy King was fun-sized, not that anyone was enjoying him. He would hurl himself at the eldritch abomination.

Galton doll attacks Slender Daddy
Attack (+10) 17
Evasion (+10) 14

A familiar scene for anyone that saw the delusional Candy King that chewed the buttons off of blouses and gnawed away at sideburns. Only it went for the darkness, tugging at the inky essence in the same way.

Ethen would have to worry more about the Centipede than the dolls that seemed to keep coming from nowhere as a final two emerged. These two were comparatively enormous, about the size of a housecat rather than a Barbie or a GI Joe, on had a tangle of reg hair and the other impressive mutton chops. Both donning a glower on their burlap faces. Anyone who had seen this pair of part giants ambling about the school would recognize these lumbering monstrosities.

Hugh doll attacks Slender Daddy
Attack (+10) 20 Critical Success
Evasion (+10) 10

It felt like a mac truck to the face. Yes, it was everything Slender Daddy ever fantasized. Smelling like a sack of potatoes, it would send the darkness reeling back. A powerful force befitting its size, the darkness was socked in the gut.

A fearsome force, the darkness was starting to fade. Can the living night die?

The ginger doll, larger than most would fling itself at Ethen.

Quinn doll attacks Ethen
Attack (+10) 18
Evasion (+7) 14

Blunt force trauma, as if he was being glomped by an overzealous thirsty first year and Atlas saw the whole thing. THUD! "Friendship and murder!" No truer words have ever been said.

Ethen would not back down, he could not. Where could he go? Where could he run! The dolls were on the attack and they were overwhelmed by a superior force. There were too many, Ethen was badly hurt. Ethen would point hs wand in the general direction of the centipede, it was moving quickly, its many undulating legs scurrying across the filthy floor.

Ethen casts Incendio Duo at the Centipede
Wisdom 10
Attack 5 (+8)
Evasion 9 (+10)

A flash of fire and light would overwhelm the space before the Hufflepuff. The heat was overwhelming. But the creature was too fast, it would rush past the Incendio but the fire-making spell would spark a fire as the refuse, the sawdust and discarded scraps caught flame.

Rhhhheeeeeee!

An unfortunate doll would cry. It was Sylvain's hair [Roll 1] that caught flame and the tiny doll would run about in wild, rough circles. As the doll ran about wild, the doll would run into Quinn [Roll 5] and the dry materials used to make the toy would ignite.

"Aaaaiiiiiieeeeee!"

The second doll would scream, Ethen's saviors just a little to far to hear the doll's anguished cries. Quinn would lumber and bound about, unable to find a place to quell the flames. NMo water in sight, in its panic it would crash into another. Thomas [Rolled 3], brandishing a needle in his little clawed hand would immolate on contact. Woosh!

"Eeeeeeiiiiiigggh!"

The third doll would wail as if he was Jake being told he was allergic to chocolate. It would rush about, running into a wall and bouncing off. The flames spread would end with Tom. Unlike his inspiration, the devastation would end with him.

The three doll would crumble to the ground in blackened opiles of burnt cloth. A foul scent, of overcooked, stale meat. No centipedes would emerge from the blackened, charred remains of the broken dolls. The tentacles of Slender Daddy would wiggle with excitement.

Alas, celebration was too hasty as that centipede that was intended to be roasted was climbing the badger's bloodied torso and would attempt to force itself into Ethen;'s maw. He had to incant to cast, the open passageway to Ethen's insides was an invitation that the centipede could not pass up.

Centipede attempts to infiltrate Ethen
Attack (+10) 12
Evasion (+7) 17

It would wedge itself between Ethen's lips and force itself down the boy's gullet. Wiggling, writhing flesh with so many legs... It would fill his mouth and his airway. the urge to vomit, the need to breathe., It would endeavor onward, further, harder and deeper.

Slender Daddy attacks centipede
Attack (+10) 12
Evasion (+10) 11

Out of the corner of Ethen's eye, he would see it. The whip-like tendril of fading darkness would come down upon the boy about to become a meat-puppet for one such centipede. Yes, they wanted inside. Yes, they can force their way in there. Another lesson learned, one he would never have wanted to experience. Something would cut through it, the centipede would spasm and thrash still inside Ethen's throat. Then he would feel it be forcibly removed.

Ethen learn, you know what to do!

@Ethen Emrys [-200] 200/700
Slender Daddy [-400] 200/1000

@Victor Moore

As far as a start to the year, Ethen could not imagine an instance in which things could have been worse. Lost in this hellish room, bleeding out and alone...apart from the Shadow Daddy and the bloodthirsty dolls. This was a strange type of hell and he could not begin to fathom why he, of all his peers, had been unfortunate enough to be taken. With each passing moment, Ethen only felt more helpless as his body continued to stream blood out. He hadn’t even taken a chance to consider rescue. No, things had progressed too quickly to consider such a saving grace.

If help was out there, it was the farthest thing from Ethen’s mind. He loved his peers and badger family but his current predicament did not exactly lend itself to an overwhelming sense of hope. No, for now Ethen was with but one companion. His strange shadowy friend who seemed willing to fight things out until the bitter end. An end that seemed almost like an inevitability.

The unrelenting assault of the doll cohort seemed to continue without need for rest. He stumbled awkwardly away from the needle wielding demon but Ethen knew that it would only buy him mere moments. Everything was like some sick and horrific dream. To imagine a fate mangled and repurposed as one of these dolls of death was a reality that seemed to be clawing closer with each passing moment.

Ethen had always been distrusting of dolls and their stoic and unmoving faces. But this was on a different level. This demented representations of his peers were beyond terrifying. Ethen could not imagine what would have possessed someone to create such abominations. To taint the familiar visages of his classmates. Classmates that he may never see again but that he hoped would never have to see these bastardized fiends.

It seemed like their goal was to create more ‘family’ and Ethen wondered if that goal would be exacted on the true owners of their appearances.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Slender Daddy taking another attack from their vicious assailants. In Ethen’s reasonable concern for his own well being and survival, he hadn’t even considered that the shadow might be in true danger. It was a shadow after all. But it was almost like the abyssal creature was beginning to fade. Ethen felt a new concern rising for his strange companion. He only wished he knew more. More methods to save or help them.

But more than this, he wondered why he had been brought here. If this shadow was willing to fade and risk Ethen’s life in this place, there had to be purpose. But what? Why was he here of all places. A place that seemed to be nothing but certain death to all. But the thought was cut short as teeth again buried themselves in his ankle causing his teeth to grind together in agony.

Ethen could feel his blood. The only warmth careening and meandering down his body from each new would. Then there were more. Two larger than the others. Two more problems, as if they weren’t already being slaughtered by the opponents they had. Ethen already couldn’t contend with the threats and the additions seemed to only be driving the final nails in their coffins.

The ginger doll launched itself at Ethen who was helpless against the sudden attacker. The assaulting creature would jolt Ethen and only further inspire a sense for desperate panic as tears now began to flow freely from the sides of his eyes. The words ‘Friendship and murder’ rang out and Ethen couldn’t help but find the words quite fitting for his predicament. To be murdered by the faces of friends and peers. What hope had remained was barely a singular ember now.

Ethen cast his desperate spell. One of the few he knew that might have been remotely effective against these hellish creatures. The centipede was his primary concern but again its speed seemed to make it a nearly impossible target. However, it seemed, for once, fire might be on Ethen’s side. The badgers had a pained history with fire. But as Ethen watched the Sylvain doll’s hair catch fire, followed by the irritatingly large Quinn, there was a small sense of love for the fire. It was a small victory but the sight of those dolls burning was undeniably beautiful for Ethen.

The frantic Quinn doll then collided with the needle wielding hellion to add to the chaos. The symphony of shrieks was the sweetest sound that Ethen could even begin to recollect. Even if he had missed his target. This was something. A start and some vengeance for their battered states. The dolls were left as useless, unmoving piles of charred remains. Beautiful piles of darkness, even Slender Daddy seemed approving of the conflagration.

But this victory was about as short lived as possible. The vile centipede had taken its chance to clamber its way up his body before finally finding its gleeful entrance into Ethen’s mouth. Ethen’s eyes would widen with a petrifying fear as he felt the large insect force itself violently into his mouth. Immediately it pressed deeper. Ethen would involuntarily gag but that mattered little. The centipede would not easily abandon its new home. Ethen would feel every writhing movement of the centipede as it forced itself deeper and deeper. This seemed to have been it...if not for Daddy.

In a maneuver that was as terrifying as it was heroic, the Shadow creature’s tendrils lashed out towards Ethen. After a second creature invaded Ethen’s insides, the centipede would be forcibly evacuated from his body. It was a euphoric feeling to have the creature out. To no longer feel its thrashing and writhing from the inside. Never again did he want to feel such a vile sensation. Even if he died in this room, he would not allow that creature to slither back down his throat.

One spell had at least somewhat worked in barbequing several of the attackers and this centipede needed to die. Not wanting to give the centipede the chance to replant itself, he leveled his wand at the creature. “Incendio Duo!” He shouted a second time, with a more visceral hatred in his voice this time. Had he known how to cast any of the unforgivable curses, Ethen was pretty sure this would have been the time to use them. But fire would have to do. If there was a slight chance of surviving this, they needed to kill this thing and the remaining dolls may become more manageable.

Ethen knew his body was beginning to decline, so if he was going to grasp a chance at survival...this would be it. For him and his Shadowlike friend.

Action: Attempting to cast Incendio Duo at that damn slippery bastard Centipede

There was something relevant to be learned. How the dolls burned so easily. How it spread. How the monster that was housed within so easily burned, the smoke choking it out the heat burning it alive. Nothing came forth from the felled dolls consumed by flames.

Sylvain, Thomas, and Quinn - at least their doll likeness had gone up in smoke. The forces were evening but their, yes their strength was diminished, their health was failing. The number of wounds upon dear Ethen were numerous and the tendrils of Slender Daddy were starting to fade. Indeed, even the darkness can die.

There were other threats, the centipede that had tried to invade Ethen's waiting mouth. It attempted to wiggle inside. Skewered and rip from him, the odd sense of something living and thrashing being evacuated. That centipede destroyed by Slender Daddy's intervention. The darkness was concentrated solely on those who sought to harm Ethen, the great carrot-giver. An avatar of generosity and comrade.

Those that remained surrounded the darkness, they would smite the one who had brought Ethen for they were no friend of the darkness. The death of their kind did bother them, they carried no grudge. They would harm the darkness and take Ethen both.

The doll that resembled Burnett, yes the snape youths outnumbered that of others that the dolls had chosen to represent, how curious. Jack would dart for the darkness' literal throat.

Jack attacked Slender Daddy
Attack: 3
Evasion: 6

Jack, that small doll would lash out wildly but would miss. The darkness was still nimble, it's teeth and claw would find no substance, only air.

Galton attacked Slender Daddy
Attack: 16
Evasion: 16

A facsimile of the duelist would rush the darkness that defended the boy that it would one day take. It's teeth and nails would rip into the darkness, the substance that filled what should be void. The darkness was fading, failing but not dead.

Hugh attacked Slender Daddy
Attack 14
Evasion 20

The final, lumbering doll would attack the darkness like the rest. The darkness would move out of the way of the doll that was proportioned more like a toddler. It would miss, too slow and sluggish perhaps given its wide birth.

That was only the defense of course. As the darkness struck back, this time targeting the largest among them, Hugh. The wide, easier target was it's temporary focus. The tendrils would undulate wildly and one would try to strike Hugh down.

Slender Daddy attacks Hugh doll
Attack: 11
Evasion: 5

Its head torn asunder from its thick torso. The head would roll uselessly aside, revealing the hollow, waiting innards and the great insect that would emerge from the makeshift orifice. The one in the same. An invasive, agitated creature who had no want for the darkness as their mouth was not moist enough. Whose innards were not quite so cozy.

The length of the centipede was astonishing. Yes, it was going to try to take residence anew inside of Ethen. The many legs would move rhythmically as the creature came for Ethen, his wand drawn so he could only hope to save himself from infestation.

Ethen casts Incendio Duo at the Centipede
Wisdom 6
Attack 18 (+8)
Evasion 14 (+10)

A blast of heat would immolate the centipede.

Centipede attempts to infiltrate Ethen
Attack (+10) 19
Evasion (+7) 6

Just as it tried to enter the poor boy's open mouth as he uttered the incantation and a flash of heat would light up in his face. Hot, too hot. A bit of sunburn, a rosyness or a flush to his cheeks. A shriek would come from the unfortunate, burning creature as it retreated from his mouth, the taste of insect lingering on his tongue as it left him and fled in small circles.

25% chance to spread.
Roll: 7

The flames that covered the massive creature that ran about in great concentric, overlapping, circles. Jack would be lit aflame [Roll 1], the centipede would fall over a blackened husk and little Jack would scream "It HuRtS!" He cried, running about the floor of the workshop, crashing into broken and aged furniture.

25% chance to spread.
Roll: 45

The fire spread no more. Only 2 remain.

@Ethen Emrys 200/700
Slender Daddy [-50] 150/1000

@Victor Moore

Ethen never would have believed that fire would become his best friend. The dolls seemed particularly vulnerable to the flames and Ethen would take advantage of anything he could. He and Slender Daddy had been battered plenty and the flames seem to be giving them a slight edge. Not only were the dolls burning but the centipedes lurking within seemed to be equally eviscerated by the fire.

There began to be a fledgling hope that Ethen would make it out of this. He was in an absolutely hellish state but with Slender Daddy still fighting at his side, it seemed like the odds were evening. Ethen began to wonder if Slender Daddy had truly just been looking for some comrade in his war against these abominations. If that was the case, Ethen felt a slowly growing determination to claw their way to a victory. The shadow being had saved Ethen, that much was clear but now it was Ethen’s turn to save his new friend.

Ethen could see that the shadow companion was beginning to fade. He did not know if the being could truly die but he did not want to take that chance. Luckily it seemed that the being was remaining agile enough to dodge the assaulting dolls. However, one seemed to work its way through the evading creature to sink its teeth in the shadow. Ethen did not quite understand how something could bite the abyssal creature but he was in an unknown room being attacked by giant centipedes and sentient dolls… What he had considered possible seemed to no longer matter.

But Ethen’s primary focus was the lingering threat of the centipede that seemed determined to live in his body. Now having a bit of confidence in the effectiveness of fire, Ethen quickly cast Incendio Duo. However, his target was close…too close. The rush of heat was immediate. His eyes instinctively recoiled at the sudden flash of heat. It was an unpleasant sensation but was nothing compared to the sensation that would have awaited him if he allowed the centipede to continue its advance.



The shriek of the centipede was a disturbingly pleasing sound. Solely because it told Ethen that he would not have to host the disgusting guest. Just like before, the chaotic flames provided a bit of a bonus as they spread to the Jack doll. Ethen grit his teeth as he watched the doll be claimed by his small conflagration. Now there were two…Odds that Ethen could manage.

The pain throughout his body was immense and he could still feel the warmth of his blood streaming down his body from the plethora of wounds. His legs felt weak and he felt as though he needed to force himself to remain conscious. But…he was still standing. He still had enough strength to make it. Enough strength to banish the final dolls back to hell.

Still nervous about causing damage to his shadowy friend, Ethen knew he needed to keep is spells accurate and he saw no point in experimenting with anything new when Incedio had proved crucial in pulling together an advantage.

For a moment, Ethen’s eyes flashed over to the gauntlet still resting with the corpse. He would quickly dash over to the corpse, intending to procure the gauntlet. But dolls still had to die. Leveling his wand and focusing on the Galton doll, tried to make sure he would not accidentally hit his companion. “Burn with your family...Incendio Duo!” The boy spat for the third time. There was cold anger in his voice this time. A deadly edge that felt foreign.

With each second Ethen was feeling weaker, but they could do this. They just needed to survive a bit longer. Or at least he hoped this was the end. Then perhaps, Ethen could enjoy a well-deserved meal with his new phantom friend.

Action: Attempting to cast Incendio Duo at the Galton Doll and moving to the gauntlet

This would hopefully be the end of these infernal creatures. Ethen was badly injured but help was on the way, Howard White was only a room away at this point. Hufflepuff would never abandon him, they would tear through the dungeons and search stone-by-stone, beam-by-beam, they would never leave him behind. Often people find humor in characteristics such as loyalty and fidelity. Those easily manipulated rubes that could be toyed with, pulled along by unseen strings. Yet their loyalty was never for them, for those that were too weak to appreciate, too pathetic to show the same strength.

Ethen's journey was likely far from over, his girlfriend was exploring the dungeons in the opposite direction. Yes, that was the sort of luck he had. Atlas was probably going to get herself traumatized or killed and the newly molded hero Ethen Emrys was going to have to do something about that. The Headmaster's vote for most likely to lead an ant army would head towards the gauntlet. Yes, the gauntlet was gaudy, it looked like the infinity stones were collected.

It had an unearthly shimmer and was a great many times too large to fit Ethen's slender hand. The hand that was once housed by the massive glove had long ago decayed leaving no flesh, only bone.

Meanwhile a battle raged on. The darkness and the tendrils would snap and lash, warning the dolls to stay away. The dolls never would, it was not within their nature. These crude representations of their fellow students. Only two remained and Slender Daddy would be their focus.

Galton attacks Slender Daddy
Attack 17 Hit
Evasion 7
Doll attacks Slender Daddy
Attack 7 Miss
Evasion 17

One would hit, striking into the darkness while the other would miss. No sound would escape the shadowy being but he would start to fade. Barely there, more a haze that if one squinted they could see it. A shadow that was tangible, barely there.

Shadow Daddy attempts to strike down doll.
Attack 14
Evasion 11

The darkness did not flee, it stood its ground knowing it was unlikely to ever leave. It had shown Ethen what he needed to learn, what he needed to know. It would conclude for him several mysteries that had plagued the school if he was paying attention. The tendril would skewer the doll and it would fall limp, sliding slowly off the barbed tip of the shadow man.

The felled doll would spasm and something would emerge, a familiar yet repugnant creature. A centipede would wiggle and writhe on the floor. A temporary disorientation that would cease when it realized the cool dungeon air upon its chitenous form. It would skitter across the floor, in search of a new host.

“Burn with your family...Incendio Duo!”

Ethen cried. Just Galton the tiny and a centipede remained. Then it would be fine, he would have the glove, it looked expensive at the very least. He would have his safety and his friends soon enough.

Ethen casts Incendio Duo at Galton doll
Wisdom 4 (+13)
Attack 19
Evasion 13

A rush of heat and flame would immolate the unfortunate doll that would let out an unearthly wail that Howard would hear even through the stone walls. It would rush about the floor in large, concentric ovals in a desperate panic.

25% chance of spreading the flames. 28

The flames would not spread and the final centipede would lash out at the failing darkness. Without his protector, Ethen was as good as his...

Centipede attempts to take a killing blow upon Slender Daddy.
Attack 8
Evasion 6

The centipede would come for the darkness and rip into the slender, tall figure. The darkness would fade as the long creature coiled about its thin leg and narrow torso. In a puff of smoke, the darkness was gone. There was no darkness at Ethen's side. He would be alone if it was not for a final centipede.

Howard is adjacent (you can hear him in the next room.
Only 1 centipede remains.
Slender Daddy is dead
The gauntlet is within your reach.
Howard may enter this thread.

@Ethen Emrys 200/700
@Howard White

Ethen's scent grew ever stronger. Howard knew he was close even before he heard the familiar whoosh of flames, a sound every Hufflepuff knew all too well, but it was the unnatural scream that soon followed that quicken his pace. "Ethen!" The Dhampir called out before letting his long legs carry him into a sprint. It had taken some time to find his house mate and he only hoped he wasn't too late to aid the younger boy. The door into the next room was sealed shut and there was no time to waste. Howard took a step back and lowered his shoulder. CRASH! With a mighty bang he plowed his way through the door!

The scene in the room was chaotic to say the least. Dolls lay strewn across the floor. Some torn in places, others burnt to a crisp. Howard would catch one last glance of the shadow man before it poofed out of existence. The only other sign of life besides Ethen would be a nasty centipede on the floor. Eyes a red as embers would bounce around the scene. His housemate looked badly injured and with the monster now gone the only other target would be the bug. Time to die vile creature! With a quick dash Howard would attempt to crush the life out of that centipede with the sole of his boot.

If unsuccessful he would simply regain his position and prepare for another attack, but if there was a satisfying crunch under his shoe he would then turn his focus onto Ethen. "Dude! Are you alright?!" It was always a silly question to ask someone who was obviously injured, but one that escaped his lips anyways. He wished Serena was still by his side. No, not for that reason, but for her skill with the wand. Little buddy could use a bandage or a healing spell right about now. Howard would quickly rush to his side and offer a shoulder to lean on for the younger badger. "We gotta get you outta here."

Action: Stomp centipede!

Howard would come barging into the workshop and find a battered, beaten Ethen. He was still standing but just barely. He was holding his own against the darkness that faded away into nothing, a puff of smoke and it was gone. There was a mess -- broken and burnt dolls and more concerning a long-dead man sitting in a chair. The scent of death filled this room with aged stuffy decay. They were months too late for him.

Ethen however was in mortal peril. Perhaps exhaustion had taken him over. He held out until help arrived, a job well-done. Howard would barrel towards the centipede and raise his boot.

Howard attempts to stomp the centipede
Attack 16
Evasion: 16

His heel would press down on the mid section of the skittering creature, compressing the center of the unfortunate monster, but not before it twisted onto itself and attempted to plunge its wicked maw into the teen's calf.

Centipede attacks Howard
Attack 15
Evasion 11

It hardly missed the surprisingly nimble dhampir as he twisted his heel and did the creature in. Howard was more than a boy, he was a monster capable of great and terrible things. A potential tool in the wrong hands, with cruel influence. A potential hero also if given the opportunity. The final cursed vermin would be slain, leaving a battered, bruised Ethen, a dead man, Thanatos' gauntlet and a dhampir. Shadow Daddy was gone, dead. Whatever it was - be is a soul, some sort of magical projection of psychic intent or something else entirely, would remain unknown. Their friends were hunting for them. This place was quite possibly dangerous. There was something shiny, an enticing prize.

Where to go from here Ethen and Howard?

@Victor Moore, @Howard White

Ethen would have sworn he heard his name…No that would be impossible. Unless death was here to claim him. That seemed far more possible. Yes, the time had come to lay back and allow death to carry him off to the great beyond. It had been a short life. Far shorter than he had anticipated… However, then there was a sudden crash and the door to the room flew open.

Immediately he assumed that it was more dolls, which might as well have been death coming to take him. He doubted he would have luck in any sort of drawn-out fight with another batch of little stabbing and biting dolls. But his wand instinctively flicked towards the new foe only to quickly realize…this was no vile army of new dolls or other fiends coming to kill him. It was a familiar face and one that he respected. A fellow badger and just about the most beautiful damn sight he could imagine. Still broken over the departure of Shadow Daddy, having any familiar face was something beautiful.

He watched as Howard charged towards the remaining centipede. “Careful! They are nastier than they look,” Ethen called out in warning. He was overjoyed that Howard was there but painfully aware that there were still dangers about. His warning, however, was unneeded as he watched the creature get quickly crushed under Howard’s vicious stomp.

“Me?...you know. I’ll admit, I’ve been better… But it is so damn good to see you. Even if it took you a while, ” Ethen said, forcing a pained smile. Warmblood still flowed from his many wounds and his legs felt weak under him. The realization that he would survive his battle had not yet set in. The boy was still in shock and struggling to take in the situation. He had been fighting for his life which hadn’t left much time for any sort of analysis and now he was barely standing and in no position to figure anything out.

As Howard began to approach, Ethen turned his head to the gauntlet still in the clutches of the corpse. “Wait… I need this,” he mumbled and crouched beside the gauntlet before wrapping his hands around it to claim his battle prize. He had no idea what it was, but it seemed like he was owed something for being dragged into a literal hell. He knew it was potentially dangerous but what was one more danger after a slew of near-death experiences. “I hope you know the way out…I don’t even know where we are,” Ethen said, still trying to not allow the pain and exhaustion to overwhelm his senses.

Action: Attempting to retrieve the gauntlet before returning to Howard

@Victor Moore | @Ethen Emrys

CRUNCH

Howard's heel would slam into the centipede with a satisfying squish, but within its death throw the vile creature would lash out one final time. Fortunately for the Dhampir his quickened reflexes would serve him well as he dodged the bite. With a look of determination Howard would watch as the the insect died. Many a times there might have been a look of satiation mixed in gaze, but this felt different. As the boy grew closer towards manhood there was a growing shift within him. A rush toward a more centered existence. Although the evil creature must die, the only pleasure he took from it was that of helping his friend Ethen.

Red eyes would quickly bounce around as he looked for any other sign of danger, but it appeared he was a little late for the party. "Fashionably late." Howard answered back with a wink. The lack of threat allowing for a hint of humor now that they were relatively safe, but the severity of Ethen's injuries made the moment a quick one. He wished someone more adept with a wand had made it along with him. Long fingers would draw a wand as he stayed close to Ethen, just in case the younger boy needed some support. "Those cuts look nasty. I don't know if this'll work, but I can try to heal them." If Ethen did not object Howard would aim his spell. "Episkey."

Hopefully it would work, but if it didn't Howard would do the same regardless. Once Ethen had retrieved his "prize" he would offer a shoulder to lean on. "We should go. There are others spread throughout the dungeons. Atlas is out there too. We need to regroup and get the hell outta here."

Action: Attempting to heal Ethen. Leaving the room if Ethen agrees.