[Bloodlust] Chapter One: Blood Bound

[Pineapple]

† Chapter One †

† Blood Bound †
​

Eight Weapons laid across the center of the city, glowing fiery red with a seemingly endless line of citizens lined up, touching each weapon testing to see if they would become burned. Eight of the people did not become burned.


You were one of those eight. As you touched the artifact, a green light engulfed the weapon, and it shapeshifted in your very hand in front of everyone, becoming bound to your very soul. No one else can wield this weapon now.


At the end of the Festival, as the embers of the fire faded, there stood eight champions. Their destinies were chosen on a cosmic level, one that no one understood. With daylight long gone, there was to be brief introductions before the last day of peaceful rest. For in the dawn of the new day, these champions were to ascend to the roll of saviors and begin the hunt for blood.


“The Festival of Kindling has come and gone, and now you stand before the gates of the waste. you will no doubt encounter horrors, and you may not all come back alive.” The Director made a quick movement of his hand, obvious to all in attendance that it was a brief prayer. “But today you take your first steps to becoming heroes, to be inscribed in the annals of our city!” Behind the Director was a massive crowd, filled with faces of hope, all cheering for the words of the director, and to the Heroes he spoke towards. There stood a colossal gate leading out towards the farmlands of the city, then beyond that an abyss of sin and monstrosities. The director shook the hands of each champion as the gate opened, harbinging an end of their lives of the champions as they knew it.


The particular environment outside our sanctuary is a hostile plains. Nothing like the rumored forests North of us. The plains are filled with various species of flora and fauna, however strange types of grass are the most common. Some are alive, others are just strange in color or appear dead. Yet you all were given no instructions where to head, where you should even find an Archon. As the group begins to wander the wasteland, everything seems quiet for now. Armed only with your weapons and your vials of archon blood, the only thing before you in a strange abandoned road that existed before our city mixed bloods, when it was a diligent city and the capital of trade in the region.

 

[SephirothSage]

† Elisa Pavel †

† Character Title †

​

Health: 27/27


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3


Elisa walks out in to the wastes, looking around- sticking near the group, her own sword drawn. "So... here we are, it seems...." She intones softly, her voice echoing as they look out over the wide plains- there are mountains to the northern horizon, and one road leads there -another road seems to lead to the east, towards a twisted forest- and there are hills to the west... and there are the stories of ruins, somewhere in the plains- that spot on the horizon that glows at night..

 

[Misanthrope]

† Ebon Skyfire †

† Here to take names and kick grasses †

​

Health: 34/34


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3


"I am glad to be out from in front of that crowd, though i wouldn't have chosen to walk in these plains, myself, even if it meant we managed to escape the constant attention," commented Ebon Skyfire. The Mercantile House Scion stood, dressed in his fine attire, a white surcoat fastened from neck to waist, and flaring out around his thighs to reveal trousers cut from the same cloth. Metallic plates were sewn into vital spots of the surcoat and pants, granting the Merchant Prince a measure of protection in combat. Across his back was slung the culprit for his current predicament: an axe that gave an aura of wonder, much like the other chosen's weapons did.


The purple waving grasses along the side of the road whispered their secrets to one another as the group stood around. "We should take heart that there is a road though. Let's follow it. We may come across another Sanctuary, and perhaps they can lead us to an Archon." He gestured to his companions, taking the lead with the ease of one whom has led all his life. The gossiping grass unsettled him greatly. He imagined each blade of the wrong-hued wild lawn discussing how he and his companions might die, taking bets among themselves.


His boot struck a clod of the whispering grass into the air as he snarled and kicked out. "This place is hideous already. I really do hope we come across a settlement before dark."

 

[The Dark Wizard]

† Avvros †

† Polearm of Charity and Temperance †

​

Health: 24/24


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2


Avvros had been seating near the festival of the kindling, a ghetto of sorts where only the poorest of the poor. His back against the wall of a building, he could see the line of those that had left their homes to join the queue, he figured he should join in soon. "Big Brother!" screamed a voice, "Big Brother!" screamed another voice as two pairs of feet could be heard racing towards him. Little Timmy and Cynthia, two local orphans that would hang around the ghetto, they had taken a liking to Avvros, and he had taken a liking to them. "Hey guys, I brought you food."


"Yay!" screamed both children at once as he reached into his bag to bring out a loaf of bread he had earned today, truth be told that is all the food he had managed to earn for him self, but they needed it more and he'd manage, he always has. They sat around and lounged about for what seemed like 30 minutes as he watched them enjoy their bread.


"Big Brother. . . we don't want to go to the festival, what if we get picked? The monsters will eat us!" proclaimed Timmy, Cynthia still quiet.


"It is unfortunately one's duty to go to the festival, but don't worry I won't let them pick you" he said to them, they were children, they really didn't understand that he had no power over the weapons, but it was still his duty to try, to spare them that fate. They all got up and left together for the line.


Eventually it was Avvros' turn, others before him already had been selected, Timmy and Cythina were next after him. He stepped up to the weapons, and looked around, slightly nervous but not enough to shake his confidence. He stepped up to the cosmic weapons, laid out on the alter for all to touch and prove their worthiness, he passed his hand hand over a bow, a strange looking hammer and even a pair of knives. He also saw something that he did not recognize and wondered how that could be a weapon, but his thoughts were quickly interrupted as he stopped in front of a spear, which instantly began to glow and change shapes, he had learned that all weapons, while retaining their type, their form changed depending on the wielder. He watched as the spear had become a Partisan, then a lance, followed by a War Scythe and various other forms that he did not recognize, he was not the most educated person here.


It was trying to merge with his soul, there were signs of compatibility, the crowd watched in silence to see what would happen next, the other weapons seemed hot to him, much to the disapointment of all the others watching, but this one was calling to him, it would either fully merge or reject him like the others. The moment of truth had come, he reached for the weapon, lifting it up for all to see as its form settled on a Halberd, people cheered for the champion, before he stepped off back to the side. In a way some cheered because he had performed a great act of charity, by sparing someone us from having that fate, the fate of having to go out and look for Archon's blood.


He watched as no weapon took Timmy and Cynthia and gave a sigh of relief.


That night, the last day of his peaceful rest in his city, he had been treated to a fancy inn by the city as as a farewell gift. He invited Timmy and Cynthia along, allowing them to enjoy a bed and a warm meal, and he himself slept peacefully that night, because he knew it was his last chance to do so. The next morning he gave his goodbyes to the children and promised he'd be back for sure with awesome stories to tell.


He stood in front of the massive gate as it opened and he shook the director's hand. Giving his brief introductions to everyone, he mostly stayed quiet as he casually walked in front of most of the group, his hands behind his head, his weapon attached to his back. He had never been out here before and it was all fascinating, immediately he noticed strange flowers, or at least he thought they were flowers. He had a mission to find Archon's blood to save the city, but it was more then that, it was his personal mission as possibly one of the greatest acts of Charity, it wouldn't be toward just one person, no. It would be toward every single person living in the city, a continued existence of living and safety before the blood barrier ended.

 

[Wanderer]

† Stross Ravensdale †

† Character Title †

​

Health: 17/17


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2


Disdain fills Stross's face as he looks on at Ebon, silently murmuring complaints about why such a city born fool would be accompanying him on this kind of trip. He shifts slightly, the leather of his clothes creaking slightly as he quickly razes his gaze across the faces of his party members. He sighs quietly, trying to suppress his exasperation at having to do something he deems an extraneous amount of communication.


"We should go east. I know those woods." He declares. He drops silent. Speaking again would simply make him uncomfortable, and be completely useless towards the goal of adding information. He shifts on his feet, awaiting a response.

 

[Pineapple]

† Raphael Fair †

† The Patient Healer †

​

Health: 19/19


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3 ( 2 + 1 )





"We should take heart that there is a road though. Let's follow it. We may come across another Sanctuary, and perhaps they can lead us to an Archon."


Unlikely.


"This place is hideous already. I really do hope we come across a settlement before dark."


Again. Unlikely.


"We should go east. I know those woods."


Sounds Wonderful. No doubt many would be killed and mangled by the monsters in the woods. Woods so dark no light can penetrate the canopy. Wandering aimless, waiting for a larger, stronger predator to come and take it's meal. The woods seemed like a brilliant plan, a brilliant one indeed.


No, the sound of the woods did not sound good to Raphael. Not at all. Many hunters died in those woods, from the most trained veterans to the untrained hoping to wrangle in a large catch. Wives left without husbands, daughters left without fathers. Menders without faces. Despair and death: that's all that awaited them in the forest.


As people talked about where they should go, the best course of action, Raphael was drawn to his vial. A small thing, filled with the blood of a being so powerful that few will ever live to tell it's tale. What Archons blood rest within his own vial? Did this Archon claim any lives as it was hunted; brought down as one would slay a boar?


However, this Vial was the only thing preventing Raphael (or anyone else in attendance for that matter) from becoming corrupted by Sin. Raphael had some experience with these vial previously. Well, nothing in person. As a Mender, he learned how these vials worked, and about the blood inside of them. The memories of his education filled his every thought. He knew it was here in the knowledge he possessed were all the answers he needed about the vials. All the answers he wanted. As these thoughts spun around in his mind, Raphael turned his head slightly to the right, and placed the vial up so that he could see it properly with his one good eye.


"Fifteen milliliters of Archon blood. Each vial contains precisely fifteen milliliter. Each milliliter is capable of healing wounds when applied to the damaged tissue. However, in dire circumstances, as little as 10 milliliters of blood can be pumped directly into the heart of the recently deceased in order to bring about resuscitation." This was all knowledge he gained as a Mender, as they occasionally worked with Archon blood when the visitor could afford it. This basically meant that only the richest business owners received the best treatments.


"Fifteen milliliters of archon blood. This provides roughly one point five meters of protection from sinful auras in a sphere around the vial itself. One. Point. Five. With a large city, it is expected that the blood would provide sanctuary within an area of upwards to 40 kilometers in size." Raphael quickly pieced together all the knowledge he learned about the properties of Archon blood as it was described to him through his job or through those with other experience relating to Archon blood.


"Four million milliliters. That's how much blood a very large city would require in their chalice. That is four thousand liters of blood. A chalice of this portion would need to maintain 4 cubic meters of blood." It dawned on Raphael at this moment, that this mission was to be far more challenging than he originally thought.


"Archon blood has been observed to evaporate and dry out quite slowly. Roughly 1 liter a day. Incredibly slow compared to water. That is three hundred five liters a year. Weapons have been known to take close to two decades before activation. That's seven thousand three hundred liters. Seven million three hundred thousand millimeters of loss." Now it was clear, the vast majority of the blood collected would be to ensure protection as the blood dries or leaves the chalice.


"The ideal amount of blood we must collect is then eleven million three hundred thousand milileters or, if you prefer: elven thousand three hundred liters. The chalice must be able to contain eleven point three cubic meters. For perspective - if Archons are similar to Humanity in biology, we will need to drain two thousand two hundred sixty of them." Raphael sighed as he anchored his vial back onto his belt. Sanctuaries seemed to have an insatiable bloodlust.

 

[ShadowCharmer]

† Sathel Veil †

† Shadowed Rouge †

​

Health: 13/13


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 4 (3 + 1)





Sathel didn't want to go to the festival when she got up that morning. She took care of her aunt when she woke up in the morning the women recently becoming sick. Later that day when Emma and her went to the festival she stared at the artifacts intently, feeling a pit grow in her stomach. She may have been trained to fight but the last thing she wanted to do now that she was older and wiser was go on those hunts for blood. And her fear crept up on her with ease.


Sathel stood behind the others at the gates. Speaking didn't seem like the best thing to do right now. Silence seemed to be the only thing keeping the air from growing thicker. She kept her knives on her belt but picked at the gem of the butt of the handle, her new habit that replaced chewing on her nails. She followed in the back of the group, feeling to stiff to say much to anyone and not wanting to look at their faces.


How can you become attached to someone when you're sure you're going to die. That was the feeling she had in her gut. Probably because her father died on one of these hunts.


"In any case we should try to get somewhere safe before the light fades out," she says as she looks down at the purple grass, following after the others and falling back in to her content silence.


Sathel nodded in agreement. "Stross... right? You said you know these woods. Do you have any idea if there are an sanctuaries close by?" She glanced up ahead to the boys who were all walking ahead of her. She kept her eyes scanning the area around them, jumping and nervous. After a few days she was sure she'd get use to this feeling on unease.... Everything just felt wrong out here.

 

[SephirothSage]

† Elisa Pavel †

† The Humble Hero †
​

Health: 27/27


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3





Elisa nods. "I'm for setting up a camp, and discussing what to do then- I don't want to be out and trying to move in this, at night- I want to be in a Camp, with a fire, setting watches.."

 

[Miz]

† Noel Aker †

† Sage in Training †

​

Health: 24/24


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 4


Noel walked in the center of the group listening to the various remarks by his new... companions. They were a strange ragtag group of various professions. There may have been one hunter with them, but there was no militiaman. It didn't seem to matter much though, after picking up the weapon Noel seemed to have the innate knowledge to utilize it. Astounding he remembered thinking as he withdrew the blade up from the embers. When he picked it up the blade it glowed and transform into a unique weapon all his own in. However that still didn't mean that Noel was happy to be its chosen. He had just finished writing another argument to Sages abroad the day before the festival.


Yet it wasn't all bad, Noel thought, even if they were heading to their deaths. Noel was certain about that last part. He had read the annals about the chosens in the Sage-library a few months prior. Survivability is low on an adventure outwards. Those who returned were never the same. Noel however was confident in one aspect, at least he could connect with his old friend: Raphael. He almost forgot about his childhood friend, and could hardly believe it was him with all the scarring until he heard him ramble on about the amount of blood required.


"For perspective - if Archons are similar to Humanity in biology, we will need to drain two thousand two hundred sixty of them." Raphael said.


"No, you are incorrect in that estimate. That much blood won't be necessary" Noel said to Raphael. "From what I have read on Archons within the Sage libraries, it is very rare for them to come in human form. Not to say we won't encounter one's that look like us but most are gigantic monstrosities that appear as strange animals or trees. If they come in Human form they are normally colossal as well." Noel nodded to himself and then recounted one anecdote he remembered reading from an adventure some centuries prior. "A famous tale found in the Sages libraries and is probably a favorite scary story around hunting party fires is the Archon named Akriel. A nasty one that one is. It varies depending on the story, but its like a bird of some-kind except its supposedly had 6 wings and could pick up two humans in one of its talons. Its screech could also deafen and daze soldiers who tried to attack it. A very patient Archon it waited on a perch or in the sky before attacking." Noel paused again trying to stop himself from rambling like Raphael. Self-conscious of such behavior he merely ended his explanation of Akriel by saying "No one knows if Akriel was killed and drained of his blood however. But the creature was at least five-times the size of a person."


He wanted to hear Rapheal's remark but almost stopped in his tracks when he heard the young woman in front him speak up.


"Ms. Elisa, was it?" He said as if he was speaking to a woman working in Mr. Tirrell's office. "I am not much of an adventurer but I don't think we need to set up camp just yet." He couldn't believe the woman would believe such notion was necessary. He doubted her intelligence briefly before considering his own safety about speaking to the woman. "I understand the necessity however. Yet I think we should try to be more than a mere hour away from Sanctuary before establishing a camp. As most Chosen parties in written histories did not encounter an Archon until after several weeks of wandering. Plus we have several hours before it even gets close to being dark. Additionally we would need to worry about where we placed the camp, we would need a good ditch to hide in or something..." Noel held his tongue again noticing his own rambling instructions as well. He had to remind himself that he was not with Mr. Tirrell, he was among strangers who were probably not kind of words coming from a book.

 

[Misanthrope]

† Ebon Skyfire †


† He who has the tact of a brick to the face †



​

Health: 34/34


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3


"Look, I don't know what you think you'll find in some beetle-ridden Death Forest, but I do know what roads are for. They go from one place to another. We've followed it from one place... Lets see where it goes. Perhaps, on the other end, there will be people to talk to, to ask about Archons. They might even be able to tell us exactly how many we need to juice in order to save the sanctuary." Ebon looked exasperated as he glanced back at the bickering group. He knew that divided, they wouldn't stand a chance, and as he had been born to a position of leadership, he assumed his rightful role - rightful in his own mind.


"Look.. Lets think about this logically... We don't know about the Archons for sure. Only a fool is going to wander around hoping to bump into them. I suggest that by finding out more, we might even be able to make a plan!" He was trying to hold his temper in check - all this talk of the impossibility of the task, of the number of people he'd have to kill, when he'd never killed anyone, and the suggestion they sit amid the whispering purple grasses and wait to be eaten by some sort of Wheat Lion made him want to slap certain individuals around the back of the head.


"Enough arguing. Come on."


And with that, he turned on his heel and set a pace down the cobbled road keeping an eye out for signs of life other than the grasses... He was determined NOT to notice them.

 

[Wanderer]

† Stross Ravensdale †

† The Watcher †

​

Health: 17/17


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2


Stross's eyes slide over to the Sathel, giving her a quick glance before they move back towards the horizon.


"No." he states sharply. 'At least some of us are dressed sensibly.' he thinks, looking on at the easily spotted figure of Ebon storming ahead of the group. Stross sighs, audibly this time, before he starts following Ebon.


'Moron,' he thinks, 'It's people like him that will get us all killed.'


The sun glints, brighter now than before, as it ascends slowly into the sky. The plains are made more bright and colorful, with gusts of wind creating the appearance of creases in the tall grass ahead.

 

[Pineapple]

† Raphael Fair †

† The Patient Healer †

​

Health: 19/19


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3 ( 2 + 1 )





"But the creature was at least five-times the size of a person."


Alright, four hundred fifty two Archons drained.


This man before him, wearing ragged looking armor, with no visible scrapes or dents. The armor had clearly never seen use, yet it looked so weathered. Was this the same Noel? Really? Noel was an adventurous child. He dreamed of being in the millita, being a strong fighter and warrior. Now he stands here, spouting sagely knowledge in armor clearly never used. However, at least it was a step above himself. Raphael had no armor. He ware a solid green shirt underneath a black jacket. No, he had no protection from anything really dangerous.


"Look, I don't know what you think you'll find in some beetle-ridden Death Forest, but I do know what roads are for. They go from one place to another. We've followed it from one place... Lets see where it goes. Perhaps, on the other end, there will be people to talk to, to ask about Archons. They might even be able to tell us exactly how many we need to juice in order to save the sanctuary. Look.. Lets think about this logically... We don't know about the Archons for sure. Only a fool is going to wander around hoping to bump into them. I suggest that by finding out more, we might even be able to make a plan!"


Raphael looked away from Noel, and his wonderment on what happened to him turned to Ebon. "Our city has a population of around 150,000 people according to last years census data. We cover an area that's approximately 15 kilometers in size. One could then assume we would need eight thousand eight hundred liters of Archon Blood. Regardless of the amount. do you think any sanctuary will help us? We are competition. They will know we come from an infused city. think of it from our perspective. We don't know anything about where Archons would be, so why would anyone else?"


As Raphael talked, his gaze shifted towards the grass, dancing in the wind as it made a slight whistling sound. The grass seemed to speak to him, in a language only he knew. "You want his confidence... don't you? People listen to him, follow him..."


Raphael shook his head and looked down the road. "Look, I think the road is fine. I don't want to go into the woods. However, lets be realistic here. If we know nothing, we shouldn't get out hopes up others do." Raphael waked towards Ebon on the road, intent to follow along. However, his eyes drifted very often towards the grass.

 

[ShadowCharmer]

† Sathel Veil †

† Shadowed Rouge †

​

Health: 13/13


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 4 (3 + 1)


So much for that plan. Looks like they'd be walking for a while. She continued to pick at the gem as she listened to the steamed up Ebon. He had a point. They couldn't just wonder around worthlessly and expect to find Archons if they weren't looking for them. But arguing wasn't going to help their cases.


Sathel looked around at everyone in the group. Something told her it was going to be a long night. No one seemed to be getting along at all. The road might be safer, she tells herself as she looks up at the tops of the trees. With a road at least they would be able to see if something was pouncing to attack. And it could possibly keep them out of trouble so they didn't run in to groups of creatures. If they went in to the woods to wonder around she was sure that they'd be attacked by something- even if some people knew their ways around- and not notice it before it was too late. They could be torn apart by those that travel in packs.


It's best to go with the majority, she thinks and follows after Raphael and Ebon. She didn't say anything, thinking it'd be best to let Ebon calm down before she did.

 

[SephirothSage]

† Elisa Pavel †

† The Humble Hero †
​

Health: 27/27


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3





Elisa finally speaks up again, after calming her rage at the young Man's.... words. "I think... that we should head for the forest. It's dangerous- but if we don't get accustomed to danger and fast, we'll die eventually. I think... I think that if we are going to survive out here- we need to not just.... do whatever's safest- but learn how to survive. Learn how to do what we have to. I'm not saying we should take risks- I'm saying... that most of us, at least- have never fought a real life or death battle before. None of us, I think, have ever been outside the Sanctuary except perhaps for small trips. We're not getting back in to our home, until we slay an Archon- a Giant Monster of /death/. We can't do that- unless we learn what we are all capable of. Unless we find way's to learn, and grow stronger. And... at least the forest isn't the Mountains, that's really all I can say for it- but... well, we'll do what we can, because we must- at least... that's the way.. I see ... it." She starts to stall as she realizes that she has made herself momentarily a center of attention, and a furious blush burns in her cheeks as she attempts to be small again to avoid said attention.

 

[Wanderer]

† Stross Ravensdale †

† The Watcher †

​

Health: 17/17


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2


The women, 'Elisa, I think it was.' suddenly started mumbling apparently nervous.


'What are you, a field mouse?' though Stross. However, nervous the woman was, he knew that her speaking out in favor of his plan brought the momentum back to his preferred course of action. His patience had paid off, as it always did.


"The others seem to agree with me, and a good leader always knows when a decision was made rashly. At the very least, you can stand to wait with them for a few moments, and actually discuss things with the group. Or, you can keep walking, and get eaten by some abomination down the road, either way, I'm heading back." Stross declared. Stross turned, wasting as little movement as possible and stepped closer to the group, stopping just ahead of it. He didn't turn to see if Ebon had followed. What was important was that they head to the forest.


'I know the forest, the probability of my death or maiming is significantly less if we head there first. They will get used to being outside of the walls, and the more competent will be able to watch my back. I have to make sure this blood lasts as long as I can make it. Wouldn't do to run out after all.'


The breeze started to come through slightly faster, pushing the grass further down, and once again giving the illusion of a smooth surface to the fields of grass. They sky was brilliant shades of crimson at the horizon, the sun finally mostly over tops of the trees.


Feeling that the momentum of the conversation was on his side, Stross decides to finish persuading the group into going to the forest first.


"I know the woods well enough, I should be able to keep us out of most of the danger. Some parts are more dangerous than others, but at the very least, we'll have an idea of what we are getting into."


He falls silent, hoping he has said enough.

 

[Miz]

† Noel Aker †

† Sage in Training †

​

Health: 24/24


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 4


Noel looked at Stross. The man was a hunter at least of sorts. His build wasn't the epitome of masculinity but you could tell he had been outside the aura of the sanctuary by his mannerisms and his way of directing others. The way he carried himself about you could tell that he trained in someway with the militia, but to what extent Noel did not know. The man did not seem to have a rank or refer to himself without one. Regardless he was the veteran, if it could be called such a thing,. when it came to the feral world.


Gazing towards where Stross faced, he looked at the open fields that extended for miles until the horizon. The wind softly blew against his face as he tried to collect his thoughts on the situation. That's when it beckoned him. His head nudged slightly to the ground when he heard a whisper. It didn't say anything, but it was a whisper that spoke in a playful tone. He tried to take notice, to see if anyone else heard a voice but everyone seemed to be involved in the argument.


"You want his knowledge... don't you? He can survive, people will follow him..." the whisper spoke in language only Noel could understand.


That's when he stared back at Stross and felt annoyed. It was the little things, like how he so urgently took command and flaunted his superiority, that bothered Noel. He turned towards the man, "You are Stross, correct?"


He didn't wait for a response. "What will your knowledge provide us beyond leading us to a faster death?" Noel asked the man. "The forest you speak of is one that has taken a merchant-wagon on several occasions. You mean to think that its any safer than being out in the open?"

 

[SephirothSage]

† Elisa Pavel †

† The Humble Hero †
​

Health: 27/27


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3





She looks to Noel with a raised eyebrow. "If we just stay out in the open, and never risk danger, we'll never succeed in our quest to slay an Archon. The forest- well.. it's dangerous, aye- deeply so- and one of us knows it intimately as anyone can, far as we know. Why not start there? I.. Uhm.." As his no doubt baleful gaze turns to her in response, she shrinks again. "If... uh.. that is if that's okay with you?"


Even as they are speaking, and walking- there is a rustle of movement in the bushes ahead- growing, but minor for now. Only those not involved in the argument where likely to have spotted it.

Spoiler

I'd say a d6 Roll is in order- with those arguing needing a 5 or more to see the Rotting Surgers.. well, surging, through the tall grass- those not arguing only really needed a 3. If that's .. uhm.. okay with you?

 

[Wanderer]

† Stross Ravensdale †

† The Watcher †
​

Health: 17/17


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2





Ignorant of the impending danger, Stross continues to closely watch the argument occurring within the group. The rustling sound grows louder.


"Anything to add?" Stross inquires, sending an irritated look at Noel, the man that unknowingly put a stopper on Stross's plan. Stross waits for a reply, patiently. After all, its not like anything dangerous ever happens while a group of people are arguing on a road in the middle of monster infested territory, right?

 

[Pineapple]

Begin Encounter One
​

 

[SephirothSage]

Note by Miz -

End of Encounter One




† Elisa Pavel †

† The Humble Hero †
​

Health: 25/27


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3





Elisa pant's heavily, her eyes wide from the wild power that just flowed through her. "What.. those things.. my gods.." She shakes then looks around. "... At least we killed them- is anyone hurt badly?"

 

[Misanthrope]

† Ebon Skyfire †


† He who has the tact of a brick to the face †



​

Health: 27/34


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 3


Standing, panting from the flurry of activity, Ebon brought himself up to his full, bloodied height. "See... Any arguement about going to the woods to get some experience in of the horrors we may face are moot. Horror is sure to find US! The only reason to go into the damn wild like that would be to find an Archon, or to find shelter. Is there shelter in the woods, or just a painful death for us all?" He eyes anyone who would gainsay him with a pain-fueled glare of wrath, a man on the edge of his temper.

 

[Pineapple]

† Raphael Fair †

† The Patient Healer †

​

Health: 18/19


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 23/25


Damage: 3 ( 2 + 1 )


There were explosions of blood and guts, and finally everything was dead. Quickly glancing around, everyone seemed safe, and mostly, healthy. Of course, now that everything calmed down, it started up again.


"See... Any argument about going to the woods to get some experience in of the horrors we may face are moot. Horror is sure to find US! The only reason to go into the damn wild like that would be to find an Archon, or to find shelter. Is there shelter in the woods, or just a painful death for us all?"


Jesus, these people are going to waste all the daylight there is, arguing over something as stupid as whether they go into the woods on not. Raphael wandered up a slight hill to the side of road and used his vantage point to look down the road, following it with his eyes. The path twisted and turned around rocks and cliffs, before turning towards the left. The road went into the woods, about a mile up ahead.


Raphael let out a loud, slightly annoyed sigh. The argument was basically a waste of breath. However, it would be preferable to walk through the woods on the road. After all, Raphael had no desire to be jumping in trees. No, that wouldn't do at all. Whatever. They would be arguing for a while, Raphael might as well use the moment to recuperate.


From his pocket he withdrew a needle, that only measured up to five milliliters. With this, he withdrew exactly one milliliter of Archon blood from his vial, leaving fourteen left. Carefully, he placed his vial back on his waist. Raphael lifted his shirt to find where the largest grouping of bite and scratch marks were. With steady hands he plunged the needle under his skin and applied pressure. The Archon blood flowed through his body at a rapid rate, and his wounds began to close and heal right before his eyes. +3 Health

 

[Inquisitor]

† Conor Barrith †

† The Silent Observer †
​

Health:15/15


Sin:0/0


Virtue:25/25


Damage: 4


From a small alcove off the side of the hill, Conor watches the healer Raphael as he painstakingly tends to his wounds with the miniscule needle. Eventually, as the now-healing man is tucking away his vial of Archon blood, he makes the effort to approach. The rather ragged young man walks across with an air not befitting of a man of his appearance. Somewhat of a saunter but more of a simple level of confidence in his surroundings that the loose, bland clothing he wears would not betray. In his hands is a dark-stained, carved bow.


"I am somewhat surprised that those bickering fools survived. They cannot agree on what direction to go, let alone tactics. These lands will eat them alive." He frowns faintly, looking beyond to the group. "I suppose I should make myself actually known. I am Conor. While I am not much of of a fighter, I use my abilities to act as eyes and ears. I hope I can be of use to this group in that way on our mission." He eventually extends a hand to the man before him.

 

[Miz]

† Noel Aker †

† Sage in Training †
​

Health: 24/24


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 4


The battle was over. Uncertain if they could get more, Noel's lungs huffed in air. The fight was only a few seconds but he only thought about the devastation. It all happened too quickly. The explosions still rang in his ears and Noel could still feel the adrenaline that had just started pumping into his veins. Placing his sword back into its sheath at his side, Noel tried to take an estimation about what had occurred in what perhaps only a minute.


It didn't take long for the arguments to start up again. The woods or the path? The woods or the path? It would be an argument that would likely lead to their deaths if no one took decisive action. Feeling some sort of remorse over the situation, a spark manifested with in him to take lead of the situation. That was when Raphael left the group behind and ascended up the hill.


Feeling a little distressed that he was not being the leader, he took chase of Raphael up the hill. When he saw the path ahead that twisted and turned around rocks and cliffs, before turning towards the left into the woods, he called out to everyone. "The argument to go into the woods or not is pointless. Both directions lead us to the same route. We might as well continue" he said turning back down the hill.

 

[The Dark Wizard]

† Avvros †

† Polearm of Charity and Temperance †

​

Health: 24/24


Sin: 0/0


Virtue: 25/25


Damage: 2


Avvros was glad that the battle was over. He had managed to successfully avoid the explosions and he was relieved at that. He noticed part of the ground where they were standing were now devoid of any grass where they had exploded. He figures he would have been in trouble if it had actually landed on him.


He had listened to the others argue, he thought it was pointless as it mattered not to him. He would go where the winds wished to take them. "I agree with Noel" he muttered loud enough to be heard but not loud enough to give anyone the idea that he really cared about this argument. He continued to walk with the group, arms behind his head as he casually resumed to enjoy the strange environment.


"Though . . we should consider discussing our plans for when night falls"