Elric does an athletic charge forward to keep with the others and make sure he is in range to strike when one of them lands a blow.  Once again he reaches out with his black blade to slash an already struck Pig Rider.  "Death will come for you all..."  He seems a little less winded then he was a few moments ago, as the momentum of the battle seems to be shifting greatly.

"Well, if you're good at it, keep doing it, I say!" Katarina grinned, clapping the other woman on her back.

"Lets help the others. Poor people, lost out here in the badlands..." she made a tsking sound in her throat in disapproval.

Elric moves over to Quetz's foe, his Black blade spearing the mutant through the chest. The creatures lets out a far weaker oink, only to sag and fall. Still partly impaled and nearly pulling the sword from the albino's hands.

Astrid rides up and swipes one of the rider's head, but it rolls of skin keeps his head on his body. He still gasps in pain at the wound however. Even as the three bikers now circle each other, the two pigmen and Astrid and Katarina on their looted bike, there is a glow above the entire group. Astrid's barbarian instincts makes her drive away, but the two mutants are not so quick.

A shape in the form of a man falls from the sky. Glowing, he crashes down on the two Pig raiders-both driving too close to each other to avoid the impact. Both bikes explode, causing shards of metal, fire, and smoke to shoot everywhere. Fortunately Astrid and Katarina are out of range, and the Elric, VX900, and Quetz turn to see what happened.

From the smoking wrecks, the unsteady form of Skarciss the seeker rises from the ashes.

"Wow..." Katarina said, brushing the hair out of her face, looking at the man that had just landed in awe, "All sorts of super people around here!" she said incredulously, surprised to see so many surprises. She thought she'd seen it all in her short life in the badlands, but never excitement like this!

Turning to her 'pilot', she asked uncertainly,

"Do we run?" it was very clear Katarina's life had been full of running already.

Astrid quickly looked about, but given that all those that might be faster than her were out of commission the barbarian shook her head. "I don't think we need to do so just yet. I think we've currently got the advantage of speed."

The blonde waited a moment to see if there would be any more exploding. When things seemed safe enough, she waved at the newcomer. "Hello! I'm Astrid! Uh...are you friend or foe?"

VX900 watched the newcomer struggle to their feet and hurried over. The robot's metallic feet crunched loudly through the coarse grit of the wasteland in the sudden quiet the brown-robed stranger's arrival left.

"Are you injured?" the MedBot asked, stowing its laser pistol as it scanned the Pig Riders, their bikes and the bandaged stranger.

Moments ago

The last thing Skarciss recalled was preparing to cast a powerful spell to finally put an end to his rival, the thrice accursed Vish'Aal the Devourer. As his opponent lay helplessly before him, his Wards and defences breached, his minions slaughtered by Skarciss's spells, Skarciss chanted the final words to the incantation that would give him victory...but suddenly the old fool called out to whatever dark, alien power he served and offered up the remaining scraps of his soul, trading an eternity for a few more years of life.

There was a blinding flash and suddenly Skarciss felt himself falling, the roar of the winds and that of a furious burning flame filling his ears...ending with a loud crash and screech of destroyed metal.

---

Now

Skarciss rose unsteadily to his feet, using his metallic staff to balance himself and peered out suspiciously from under his hood.

As his gaze took in the crushed bikes and the remains of their riders he smiled, running a thin snake like tongue over cracked lips.

"And I am Skarciss, oft called the Seeker, my lady," he replied to the blonde woman, admiring her thews as he spoke. "I am an eternal foe to mine enemies, but a benevolent friend to those who also call me friend," he added cryptically in reply to her question.

As the metallic man approached him Skarciss waved him off and said, "My thanks, but I am unharmed in body. Do tell though, where and when exactly is this place?"

Which was true, but he was rather shaken inside. It would not do to tip his hand and reveal his weakness just yet, not until he found out where he was and who these people were.

Astrid's eyes narrowed slightly at the response, but she pushed aside the mild concern at the chance for an(other) ally. "Well met, Skarciss Seeker. We are in the deserts of the western lands near the Sand Drifter's village. As for when...it's a bit after midnight?"

The blonde looked up at the dark sky, then nodded. "Yup, a bit after midnight. I'm heading toward the Sand Drifter's village. I presume the others are as well." She gestured toward the others that had bravely faced down the pig men.

"Yess, thiss iss true for mysself az well," said Quetz in a calm, reasonable tone.

Inside, though, he thought: A sorcerer! Kill it!

On second thought: Wait, it doesn't know where nor even when it is? It is not in control of this situation! What better way to gain the upper hand than to play along and wait for the perfect moment!

On third thought: ...For that matter, perhaps there might even be much to learn... or otherwise gain from being patient...

On fourth thought: Wait, what if it can read our thoughts?! Stop thinking!

Quetz tried to make his mind a blank.

Before anyone else can say more, the nearby glowing yellow wall flickers. A circular portal opens in the large dome covering the entire village of the Sand drifters. "Here! You lot! Come inside, quickly! The Pig Riders will come back with more numbers!"

A woman clad in light desert clothing, and wearing a medallion with a yellow crystal in the center gestures for the group to enter the portal. However, she steps back inside and call out again.

"You have to decide now! We can't keep it open for long!"

"I am heading inside, mammalss and... otherss. Who iss with me...?"

Quetz doesn't wait for an answer, but starts moving toward the portal.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

VX900 gave a precise mechanical nod and followed the Vek and the desert dweller through the portal. His body turned while his head remained focused on the sorcerer that fell from the sky, "If you are unhurt I suggest you accompany us into the town to remain so." the robot said as its head turned to follow its body.

The MedBot flashed greeting lights at the Vek as it joined the raptoroid through the portal, "In the conflict I was unable to identify myself. I am Medical Unit VX900."

Astrid nodded at the Mayor's request they move quickly. She briefly looked over her shoulder at Katarina. "I'm heading in. If you don't want to do so, hop off now." Astrid just wanted to provide fair warning before she urged the motorcycle into motion again and slowly rode into the Sand Drifter's village.

Elric grabs one of the rider's bikes and quickly joins the others within the protective yellow glow...

"Psh, this is our bike, you ain't goin' anywhere without me!" she claimed, gripping on tight for the ride into town.

Startled at the sudden appearance of the portal, Skarciss was still trying to gather his thoughts, but on seeing his newest companions starting to move into it without much hesitation he came to a quick decision.

"I shall accompany you, no use in sticking around here," he said to the others with a smile as he followed them into the portal. As he entered Skarciss gave a nod to the woman in the desert clothing who seemed to be operating the portal. "And who are these...pig riders my lady; raiders, or something more sinister?"

In reply to Skarciss the Seeker (msg # 45):

She does not answer right away, but gestures for the group to hurry. Once they are all inside, she touched the amulet around her neck and fiddles with it. As soon as she does so, the breach in the energy wall seals up.

As she turns to address the group, they notice they are indeed in a village. The houses are constructed out of the very dunes, but hardened in stone. Relics of the ancient world remain. A ruined vechile of metal. A large red sign saying 'stop', for those who can read. Metal poles which Quetz knows once held powered light, but now has mundane lanterns.

"Its ok! Come out! They wont hurt us!" The woman called.

Sure enough, humans poke thier heads out from various points of concealment. Behind cover from their houses, sand dunes, and rocks. They hold weapons, but do not seem very proficient or even threatening with them. One man actually drops his quiver of arrows and has to pick them all up.

"Forgive us, we are not used to guests. Many have tried to make it here, almost all fall to the riders." The woman says.

"I am Mayor Sandira, leader of the sand drifters. Who are you and why did you seek out this place?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Wed 12 Aug 2020.

Astrid brought her motorcycle to a halt, kicked down the stand, and sheathed the axe she had been holding. The tall blonde dismounted gracefully and planted her fists on her hips as she looked around. After a few moments of observation, her powerful voice responded. "Well met, Mayor Sandira. I'm Astrid. I'm here for a bit of respite from the heat and the other dangers of the desert."

She gestured toward the others. "Like these others, the pigs chased me when they could though could never quite best my axe. But a woman cannot go forever on her own. Thank you for allowing entry into your haven."

She bowed her head politely. "And you are correct. I've no interest in hurting you or any of those that dwell here."

Katarina stood a little to the left of the powerful woman, and mirrored her appearance, planting her (smaller) fists on her hips, and trying to look as powerful as Astrid had,

"Yea, and I'm Katarina. We're partners!" she said confidently, and when Astrid mentioned the pigs, she nodded, "And they couldn't beat us!" she laughed softly, leaving it at that.

She figured if she stuck with this woman, she was going to go far. Or at least get involved in some shenanigans that would be fun for the time being.

Elric stepped confidently from the bike he'd taken from the fallen Pig Rider and moved over to join the others.  As he walked he seemed to move in slow motion, and also seemed to ooze sensuality.  He was exotic and nearly flawless.  He stopped and swept his hand through his hand, deftly putting it up into a bun and putting two black sticks at an angle to hold it in place.  "So very nice to meet you Mayor.  Elric is my name."  He winked at one of the folks in the background.  It was hard to tell if it was one of the female or males though...

Quetz didn't much like the idea of giving his name in front of a sorcerer, but-- no! Don't think about how much you want to kill him! Act normally!

"I am Quetz, a Vek-- a flightlesss reptilian with beautiful feathersss. I travel the land in sssearch of knowledge."

"I too am a seeker of knowledge my lady," Skarciss replied with a toothless smile. "I am not of these lands, I arrived recently from...elsewhere," he added cryptically.

Walking forward slightly he leaned on his strange, metallic staff for support and gazed about at the rundown settlement. The crude buildings, the frightened looking people...it seemed hard to see how they had survived.

"Tell me lady mayor, how did your village survive the riders when so many travelers have not?" he asked her curiously.

In reply to Skarciss the Seeker (msg # 51):

The Mayor looked as if she was about to respond, but some of her people hissed. "That one...he bares the mark of the sorcerer! Tell him nothing, Mayor!" One man called out, pointing at Skarciss with fear and loathing in his voice.

The other people murmured amongst themselves. Pointing and clutching weapons. Despite the presence of the others, it was a sorcerer that caused them more fear than veks, robots, albinos, barbarians or deserts waifs.

"Enough!" The Mayor barked, and the others seem to quite down. "These warriors fought off the Pig Riders and won! Few others can say that! These walls around us are not just keeping the world out...they imprison us within! We will die slowly if things do not change! The Sand Drifters must travel by the winds once more, or die in the dunes! These folk...even if one of them is a sorcerer, are the keys to our freedom!"

She gestured for the group to join her in one of the sandstone buildings. Even VX900, who had been silent throughout the encounter. All while her people gaze on distrust fully. Even the children, hiding behind thier parents legs.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Sat 15 Aug 2020.

"Ooh, a sorcerer! Neat!" Katarina exclaimed, thoroughly not frightened at all, at least not nearly as much as she was curious, "Can you perform magic for us?!" she asked hopefully, peering at Skarciss directly, hoping for a show!

"Wise words.  No wonder you are these people's leader."  Elric moved a little closer, still smoldering.  "Worry not, we will assure this sorcerer stays firmly on our side.  And we will see your people to safety."  The words were filled with confidence and a comfort laced with practice.  Elric knew, that his own safety lay with these people, their shield, and those he just met.