Fantasy Fading Flame (In Character)

[Kabboom]

Jericho

The convoy conversed freely, as if they were not in the Darkwoods, finding safety now that the bloodied stones have been laid in a circle enveloping everyone. A flimsy and stupidly simple disguise countermeasure, especially for a group this large, but it was the best thing they can come up with in such a small amount of time. Jericho can't blame anyone for that, but he can still blame himself for not hunting some wild game to provide more of a thick mask against the Darkborne's keen senses. But he reasoned that the stench of the rotting meat would attract deadly animals nonetheless. As the dark-ish moon rises in the skies, its bright luminescence slightly distorted, warped by the Darkness within the forest, Jericho walks towards the wagons.

As he approached the rickety wooden vehicles, he could spot a few shadows lurking behind it. Immediately moving to investigate, Jericho found a most worrying sight indeed: the forest outpost soldiers were secretly stealing from the wagons, with all five of them lurking behind the vehicles as they sneak supplies into their backpacks. The bandits' eyes locked with Jericho's for a brief moment, realizing the peculiar predicament they have found themselves in. "Alert!" Jericho yelled as he brought his halberd to bear, but not quickly enough, being kicked to the side by the nearest bandit, as they both engage in a wrestling fight, with the bandit trying to drive a knife into Jericho's chest, and the latter trying his best not to let that happen.

The guardsmen are alerted, and the bandits panic, as they resort to their Plan B. "Fire! Fire!" the bandit struggling to kill Jericho yells, and one of them fired a Light Hand-cannon into the cave, the trail of iridescent Light-energy leading into the cave, illuminating the rocks as it ventured deeper and deeper, before finally exploding in a bright flash at the end of the cave. And what followed was a terrible roar, as a multitude of insects, arachnids, and other creatures of the night flee from the caverns in terror of what's to come. One such thing, a spider the size of Jericho's foot, run directly into the struggling duo, knocking them both to the ground. The spider, panicked from the impact, jumped onto the bandit's face, making him thrash in fear as he tries to get it off his head.

As Jericho was on the ground, he caught a glimpse of everything unwrapping. The rest of the bandits run into the forest under fire from the guardsmen, with two of them grabbing hold of the girl who hid in the wagons, thrashing and screaming in terror. Pulling out Dante, Jericho took aim and pulled the trigger, and his bullet punctured a bandit's head, taking off his lower jaw, and the girl, along with the now dead bandit, drops to the ground. The other bandit drops the girl's legs, and runs away, to no avail, as a cavalryman with a spear impales him from the left, puncturing his lungs as he exhales for the last time. The bandit's lifeless corpse drops from the spear's shaft, as the cavalryman booms.

"Yeah! Kwelek! Remember that name, fuckers!" he yelled, as he made his way towards Jericho and the bandit. His Wolfhorse instinctively opens its jaw, as it lunges to bite the bandit, just as he manages to get the spider off of him. The unlucky bastard screams in pain, as a wolf-like jaw clamped down on his leg, being dragged around, before receiving a spear thrust into his heart, ending his life. As Jericho gets up, Kwelek turns to him. "Get up, sir! We got the bastards!" He boasted, unaware of the brewing ball of flame headed towards him from inside the cave. With a quick pull, Jericho tore the man from his horse, falling down as the scorching orb flew past, singing his saddle, and smacking against a wagon behind them, setting the frame on fire, as its wheels fly off from the impact.

Grunting from the impact, Jericho gave the confused man a pat on his shoulder as they both stand up. "We've still got shit to do." The convoy was now in chaos, guardsmen running around hurriedly, without any clear purpose or intention. Some are quickly trying to douse the wagon flames with their water canteens, whilst some are attempting to give chase to the remaining 2 bandits, who have now disappeared into the thick forest. Jericho picks up his halberd, and another roar booms from the cave, as the monstrosity reveals itself.

​

Using his Clarity to calm the troops and rally them to the sole threat that faced the convoy, Jericho yelled out. "Keep your distance! Don't get too close! Wait for an opening--" His warnings and orders were cut short when the thing suddenly sprung at him, making him have to hop backwards to dodge. Kwelek's valiant Wolfhorse springs itself at the thing, biting at its muscular clawed arm. The thing simply grabbed the horse, lifting it up with its remaining arm, and subsequently torched the horse with its fiery breath. Kwelek murmured in anger, and tried to go in for a spear stab, but was stopped by Jericho. The last thing he needed was a dead guardsman.

"The thing breathes fire! Keep on the move!" Audaton then yelled to the troops, keeping mobile as he uses Experience Drip to give off as much knowledge as possible. The thing was a Devourer Serpent, a far descendant of the rare Dragon, having devolved the wings in exchange for a more devastating fiery breath, along with another massive destructive pair of arms to complement its original pair. Surprisingly fast for their size, but lacking in intelligence. He had fought a few of these in his time, but even with his own Anvil Team, these Serpents were tough adversaries. 'Alright, let's do this,' he thought to himself, as he took the time to reload his gun.

SCSaya06 Trappy hostage Nightblade Soviet Panda Pilgrim59 Unwavering Knight Octo Girl Sybil Midrick CrowOuttaHell Aryasaurus QizPizza -robert- Vyseryx FTR Spottedmask Foogels [/USER]

 

[Soviet Panda]

A spark of curiosity quickly flashed In Buras' eyes as he was told his compatriot was an Angel. He didn't really know what that was, he never bothered to learn human culture, but at least he could put a name to it. "I am Buras Ur'Ull." he said, nodding and looking off. He was not entirely invested with the conversation and was already thinking of a space to sleep. Perhaps beside the wagons? It was as good a place as any. Or maybe he would venture into the cave, no one seemed to be setting up there. Perhaps the Angel already had a spot, and there would be a place close by he could lie down at. Then again, the wings would probably make it awkward.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Buras had indeed found a place to sleep. It was a place that was relatively free of rocks and well within their small barrier of bloody pebbles. And he was having a wonderful dream to, a dream of his home and who he had planned to be his battle and life partner before he his magical powers had revealed themselves in front of perhaps the worst people imaginable. But he was awakened by the feeling of hundreds of small feet scittering over top of him. Unconsciously he swats many away, before grabbing one and throwing it across the camp to get up. Opening his eyes, he sees the chaos begin to unfold before him. Guardsman groggily waking up to only be shocked awake by the large bugs, their leader firing at the ones they had met earlier that day. He knew they were no good. But all that was quickly over, and the true threat revealed itself.

He had never seen anything like it before. But for some reason he knew some things about it. He knew he had to move, become a harder target to hit, that it would probably be a good idea to run. But he also knew that this thing had to be dealt with. If not by him, then by someone else. He was advised to keep his distance, but that was fairly difficult to do when you fought aggressively. But he would wait for that opening. For now, he grabbed his twin axes and begin to run to the right of the Devourer Serpent, the name simply sliding into his head. He gave it a wide berth, making sure to keep out of reach of those devastating claws.

 

[Pilgrim59]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Sashi
Convoy, Darkwood​

• 1. Reality Sequence
• 2. Scouts Sequence
• Collectibles
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  WOOOOOSH ... POMF!
  
  The sound of the distant muffled explosion within the cave quickly awakened the scouts. Imperial guardsmen quickly formed their ranks and scattered accordingly towards the area, as Sashi made her way above the canopies.
  
  WOOOOOSHHH
  
  The distant amber scourge quickly incinerated the nearby trees, along with the Wolfhorse that stood in the beast's way. As the moon parted ways with the twilight clouds, the villain's segmented loricum emerged from the darkness, bearing its brightly lit fangs. The serpent's gills emitted stripes of vermilion scars, as it turns its attention towards the group of Imperials that defied its presence. The aggressor let off a loud shriek, as it twirled fro and forth, evicting a multitude of animals from their homes. The druid took a shallow breath, as she somehow have attained enlightenment on the creature's presence. She fastened her satchel, before sliding down the tree's trunk. As she made her landing, she would land on Rook, casting him from a stray fire bolt, as it landed in the nearby tree.
  
  "Our lil' princess just saved your ass, Rook. Come on you two... What the hell was that, missus?" Boar asked, as he pulled both Rook and Sashi from the ground.
  
  "A ground serpent, good Boar. It possesses four arms, while its breath emits flame." Sashi replied with concern.
  
  "Saint March preserves us. It's a Devourer. We've met one during our time in the south. You've got a game plan, missus?" Boar replied with a grim look.
  
  "Fleeting time, finite knowledge. The moon light is with us, I need your help in making sure the perimeter's clear. I suspect we're only facing an individual opposition at the moment, but that could change. Rally up by the tree line once you have accomplished your tasks. Await my signals for a counter-attack."
  
  "You got it, missy. Rook, Hiker, take the white sack and make sure our perimeter's contained. Tripflares, thirty yards set, proximity five hundred yards. Go! Reverend, you're with me, we're doing damage control. Hey, missus, Hammer's yours, make the most out of him."
  
  "Very well. Let us go, Hammer, lest the flames of chaos engulf the rest of the convoy."
  
  "Hmph." Hammer grunted with agreement, as he grabbed his backpack which was full of weapons and metal scraps.
  
  Sashi would take flight, alongside her full-armored companion, with his war hammer tucked in by his hip. By now, the squad had split to fulfill their given orders. While the druid sprinted towards the standing commander, she had caught a familiar visage along the way, and waved the giant whose alerted presence was more than helpful to the underhanded forest mage.
  
  "Valiant Sir Gaheris! Let us away towards the front!"
  
  More of the other Guardians would show up along her way, from the duo Wings of Hope to the winged paladin, of which she would address with haste, stirring them into action. With stout heart and enthusiasm for contest, she made her way down the line.
  
  "O' brave Wings of Hope, lend us your balanced wings and lance of justice, that we may see light in this hour of darkness!"
  
  "Audacious paladin of the sacred sky, forward we march... or fly... anyways, I shall see you at the front!"
  
  Sashi ended her midnight ride and have managed to address reveille with most of her known associates within her path. Like a lantern courier in the dark, the druid made short work of the hale and hearty steeds with only her physically conditioned pair of legs. She caught up with Jericho, just in time for her to address her plan, while her heavy pathfinder tended to the Imperial legionnaires. Hammer would let his backpack's seal loose, distributing ammunition among the musketeers, whose ranks were dressed, awaiting the orders from their superiors. Giving his war hammer a few swing, Hammer smashed the nearby tree and retrieved some of its bark along his work. As he finish gathering the barks for his leather pouch, Hammer quickly tossed it over to Sashi, to which she would catch and hang it by her waist-sash.
  
  "Commander Audaton, the pathfinders are securing the perimeter with trip-flares as we speak. I would recommend that we keep this fight concise and precise. I propose that the serpent be drawn into the clearing. I am confident that we may neutralize its mobility with the trees. Perhaps a distraction is needed, to accompany our strategem... "
  
  
  Translation Notes
  N/A
  
  OOC:
  N/A
  
• 
  "Come on, come on, Rook."
  
  "Yea, I've got it." Rook replied, as he snap the wires short with his pair of improvised cutters, before setting down alongside Hiker.
  
  "Ten grams of mana... five grams of red pine... Right. That's the last of it, I've got the incantations, make sure the wires are secured, Rook."
  
  "Aye aye.... and... we... are good. Covering!" Rook replied as he fasten the wires' support towards its tin barrel, before raising his sword.
  
  "Alright, back to the Missy. Bounding!" Hiker took off a few meters back, before signalling Rook to follow.
  
  Rook and Hiker took their turn covering their tracks as they retreated towards the convoy. With the perimeter filled with tripflares and incantations, it would alert the convoy and the guardians should another group of opposition stumbled upon their area of operation. Resuming their way back towards the convoy, the duo exchanged words on their supervisor, whose presence was far enough for their blatancy to reign.
  
  "How long... do you think we'll last, Hiker?"
  
  "I don't know, Rook. What's on your mind?"
  
  "I... I don't know. I'd thought its you know... Bah, its whatever."
  
  The silent march would fill Rook's unspoken void with a certain sense of realization. He held his linen hand over the warm indent in his padded cloak, walking down his thoughts. Even now, the masked weapon specialist tucked himself beneath his armor, with a concerned and conflicted feeling over the druid's actions. His frustrations grew, as he let it out with his clenched fists choking his spontaneous ideals of a respectable Guardian.
  
  Hiker took a few glances over to his partner with concerns. While his attitudes towards Sashi betrayed his usually reserved self, the young scout found some comfort with the only female companion within their little circle. To him, she was a reminder of his elder kindred, of whom he'd consolidated his trusting tease. Yet the recent appearance of Sashi had only served to push the man further into his hole of guilt, of which he had seek refuge in. The two would make peace with their non-verbal agreement to a halt in words, as they made their way back towards the baggage train.
  
  "... A bunch o' greenhorns straight outta Pyphorus. Look around you, they're a bunch o' kids."
  
  "Resemblance of a younger Boar, don't you agree?"
  
  "Aye aye. Full of vigor, but mushrooms for head. O- Oi! Watch it! Hands on the handle, not the pivot, dummy. Come on, ladies, double check the wagons, make sure we don't blow ourselves up!"
  
  "End of our journey, Boar."
  
  "Aye, we've gotta get to the next rally point. Oh hey, come on, you two... we're relocatin'." Boar replied, before extending his invite towards the Hiker and Rook.
  
  The four would make their way through the company of wagons, lightly jogging towards the treeline, before going prone to wait for the Druid's next plan.
  
  
  
• 
  Sashi's little collection section. May or may not be important.
  
  Imperial Scouts Manual (Uncommon)
  Description:
  An old print of the early manuals. Its contents showcases the conduct of a pathfinder's actions, geographical contexts, field indexes and survival knowledge. This particular copy possess some detailed doodles and notes on several Darkborne creatures, as well as notable exotic plants by Hiker.
  
  
• 
  Interacted: Kabboom CrowOuttaHell Unwavering Knight QizPizza
  
  Mentioned: N/A
  

 

[CrowOuttaHell]

Gaheris Agramar

A lot of things happened at once around Gaheris.

First there were bandits- then a brawl, then a firing of a cannon; and soon the rumbling noise from the cavern startled him out of his work-induced daze.

Gaheris sprang to his feet the moment the incoming wave of cave-dwelling insects and beasts rushed out. Abandoning the wagon wheel- loathe as he was to throw away work-, he made a quick leap towards his greatsword, grasping its hilt with his good hand before swinging around to quickly face the cavern entrance. He couldn't see well through the haze of the stampede...at least until--

For a moment, Gaheris thought the sun was coming right at them. And that was when the ball of flame slammed into one of the wagons, bathing the entire camp with an orange glow.

Fire. Fire and screaming. People running around. People defending themselves. People fighting to survive.

It was like the tragedy that befell his masters all over again.

The memory- the memory of Lord Agramar, whose last name he had inherited. The memory of Marguerite, sweet Marguerite and her gentle words, her hands, her dying screams as the Darkborne flooded the mansion, tearing at everything in their path--

"AaaaaAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!"

His vision blurred red. His roars rivalled the beast's own, ringing out loud and clear through the screaming and the shouting of commands- but the call of his name by a familiar voice managed to bring some clarity to the former slave's mind.

The druid. So she was safe, which reassured him a bit. At least he would have another familiar face, aside from the two guardsmen who had accompanied him thus far. Nevertheless, he was being called to the front, and to the frontlines he would go.

Now rearmed with his greatsword, he took a brief second to let his Senses of the Forest work their magic. Stabilizing his breathing, he closed his eyes for a moment and focused.

Soon, the entire field became clearer to him. The sound of commands, the smell of smoke and burning wagons, the heat threatening to lash at him under his armour. As he opened his eyes, he focused enough to see where the druid was running and quickly fell into stride, tailing the familiar figure.

He came to the group distributed at the front: Audaton, the 'leader'- was he? Gaheris didn't listen that much to Karl's and Lyle's bickering earlier, too caught up in wondering what the forest held for him-, the druid, a strange, tall man with wings, and another knight...one that looked far more valiant than Gaheris himself. Then again, any knight with well-polished mail would look leagues more valiant than the giant.

Gaheris knelt to one knee to listen to the briefing, resting his good arm on the cross-guard of his greatsword as information filtered into his mind. The Devourer Serpent- that was what it was called? Gaheris preferred something like, 'giant, flame-breathing worm with legs' but Serpent felt easier on the tongue- was to be led to an open area and...subdued with...trees?

...He had to admit, he was just a fighter, not a strategist nor tactician. It wasn't like giants- much less slave giants- were ever taught any of this kind of thinking. They knew practical work but this...was on another level entirely.

"...perhaps a distraction is needed..."

Ah, now that was a plan he legitimately understood. Someone had to step up and get that thing's attention off of them...what better way than to...

"Dist...raction...?"

Gaheris rumbled, taking his hand off his greatsword briefly to thump it against his armoured chest. "I'll...go. Hurry..."

He stood again, bracing his good hand around the hilt of the blade again. That thing...the Serpent...he focused his eyes on it.

Those bigger limbs were definitely its main weapons, along with that tail. Getting in front of its face was a sure death wish- according to the new information that had slid into his head, the Serpent had a destructive breath. Gaheris scanned the beast for any openings...he just needed to get its attention on him...!

--There!

Its other limbs were unarmoured and noticeably more weak looking than the two gigantic ones. The idea was to cause the beast as much damage as possible- even if he didn't end up killing it, the pain should get its attention focused on him. Not to mention, Gaheris was already a massive and obvious target on his own.

Gaheris bated his breath and waited for the time the exact moment the Serpent stopped breathing fire. As the monster finally finished torching another wolfhorse- and its rider, Gaheris noted sourly-, he rushed in with a loud roar.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAA--!!"

He deftly rolled under the thrashing of its tail, braced himself, and leapt onto its armoured forearm. Seeing the beast's other armoured claw coming right at him, he dropped and brought his sword overhead, aiming to deal a crushing strike on one of its unarmoured forelimbs.

He could only hope his strike rang true.

Interacted: Pilgrim59 Kabboom

Mentioned: Unwavering Knight QizPizza

 

[Aryasaurus]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Lunala
Convoy, Darkwood​

• Reality Sequence
• Morrighan'nan
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  Whatever warmth had been in the air that night seemed to have been sucked out of it a moment before the alert had been shouted. Lunala felt her lungs expel her last breath before time around her shifted, seeming to go much faster than it had previously due to the tension and adrenaline coursing through her. From within the wagon the strawberry-haired girl hears the guardsmen start upon the defence, leading a panic to breakout amongst the bandits as they screamed 'fire' into the night. The darkness is illuminated in a bright flash of light accompanied by a thunderous explosion and crackling rubble.
  In the chaos of the moment of gunshots and arachnids scampering, two men had thrown back the cover for the wagon, catching Lunala by complete surprise. The icky men grab at her and pull the young girl from the wagon, snatching at her and keeping grips of iron as she attempted to thrash and pull away. 'No, no, no,' she thought, instinctively screaming in terror as she was pulled to the ground. "Let go!" she shouted, kicking and clawing at the men that attempted to abduct her, however it didn't seem to slow the bandit, who held on tighter, ripping her forwards as they began to drag her into the forest. She screamed once again as she watched one of the men's head explode from a gunshot before dropping to the ground with a heavy thud, sticks and stones cut at her flesh, tearing her dress as she rolled. Thrown into confusion, she hadn't been able to aim her magic at all, and purely focused on not hitting her head as she fell away. All she wanted to do was run away at this point, to be safe and far from whoever these people were. Ignoring the bruises that would most likely mark her porcelain skin as she attempting to crawl from the other man she knew was still alive only to stagger to her feet just as a cavalryman impales him with a spear.
  Terrified and still very confused, Lunalla backs up against a tree. Her gaze whips around as she stays still, paralyzed by her fear; she knew it was bad, that she should do something, but coming from a completely sheltered life to the midst of battle was not was she expected. She felt foolish for assuming that any of this would be easy to do, that she could survive out here on her own. She was terrified, and she knew that this was probably nothing compared to what half of the people here had faced, bandits and--
  A ball of fire projected towards the convoy from the cave, crashing into a wagon and setting it on fire on impact. Something told the young Oracle that the fight was yet to be over; something much worse than bandits had been lured to this fight. Its monstrous roar booms through the night as it curls out of the cave; a draconic creature slunk into the opening, some sort of cousin to the drake she was sure seeing as it breathed fire. All Lunala could do was stare in horror as the thing picked up one of the wolfhorses' and torched it like a marshmallow over the campfire, its hide bubbling and melting off its bones as the rest crumbled into chunks of charcoal.
  The young girl fixed her gaze, feeling a magical calming rush over her as the trained men and woman around her rallied for the fight. Blinking, Lunala straightened up - sure, she was battered and bruised, but she was still here, right. She told the man from before that she could fight, so perhaps with an opening she could show that she wouldn't just be some damsel in distress; it wasn't long before the opportunity was given. Lunala - perhaps due to the fact she had been hiding since they left Frontierville - wasn't aware that she had been in the company of a giant, or really such a diverse team of soldiers - so seeing one willingly charge towards the Devourer Serpent was surprising to say the least, however in a good way. From her position, Lunala focused, watching as the giant brought down his blade, and then pulled her hand upwards sharply. A dance of light shot towards the devourer, weaving between allies and smacking the beast's forelimb, thrusting it and jerking it into the giant's hit to duplicate the damage and searing its hide slightly.
  
• 
  
  Morrighan'nan Glacial Spirit Messenger of God;
  takes the form of many creatures, such as a wolf, owl, fox, snake and cat.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• 
  
  Interacted: N/A
  
  Mentioned: Kabboom , CrowOuttaHell (near the end)
  
  

 

[Sybil]

Spessartite Phos
​

Spessartite had let the time pass by, listening to this and that calmly as the forest talked to her a bit like a whisper in her ear, only for the screams and the loud boom of the light cannon to catch her attention. She looked around to confirm the small elf was ok before heading towards the sounds of distress, only to discover the towering awkward lizard which bellowed smoke and fire alike.

"(Holy shit...)" the living rock formation muttered in their backwater tones, straightening up before reaching a hand out for the ground to spit out a weapon for her defense. As she grabbed the handle of a sprouting great hammer, she witnessed the giant that had been traveling with them soar into battle with very little thought. Inspiring? Sure. Smart? Maybe not so much, but it motivated Spess to move. Her hundreds of pounds in solid metals, rocks, and gemstones thudded against the ground as she charged past the more ranged and tactical comrades, generally unafraid of the creature's breath and more worried about their bite and strength. Once upon the creature, they would raise their hammer in both hands to help block a retaliation from the large lizard that was likely directly aimed at the crippled giant.

"This iz WAY biggeh than any sorta mongrel back home!"

CrowOuttaHell Kabboom

 

[Kabboom]

Jericho

The Serpent was caught off-guard by the bold offensive maneuvers of the Giant, along with swift aid from the Elemental. The big sword's swing seemingly smacked harder into the creature's unprotected left forelimb than it should've, and a retaliation strike from the Serpent was blocked almost completely by the earth elemental, albeit shattering huge chunks of her 'hands'. The thing lashed out swiftly, however, using its armored arms to try and grab a hold of the Giant, starting with a massive swing inwards, to hopefully squish the Giant into its body, while its other uninjured forelimb reaches for Gaheris's sword. Letting off a scream of pain, it immediately turned downwards at the elemental, its rear 'mane' tendrils flexing, almost shaking in the air as hot orange exhaust fumes hiss out from the thing's rear as its mouth burns red hot, culminating in a terrifying flame whirl with the deafening sound of a hurricane, smashing a fresh fireball onto the elemental.

As the Serpent finished that attack, a feminine figure flung herself across the skyline, and the Serpent responds by raising its tail to anticipate the figure, but it was not quick enough. A slash came down hard on the thing's head with a bardiche, making it recoil in sudden pain. Maria. The girl showed the elegance of a royal, along with the frightening battle precision fitting of a Regalian, as she recovered from the swift attack and landed on Gaheris's back, poised to make another maneuver. All of this, and Jericho hasn't even moved. Sashi the druid had landed beside him, with a plan already in mind. As he listened, he slightly cursed himself for being too passive. Hell, they've already gone into action, and the druid has already formulated a plan, and he was just... standing there? He was supposed to be the damn leader! But no matter, he'll start now. Better late than never, thought he.

"There's your distraction, druid. Work fast, they can't take it much longer!" He yelled to Sashi, adrenaline running its full course. "Ranged, target its eyes! Watch for friendly fire!" He ordered to the men, and the musketmen, along with the archers immediately take note and take aim, their usual battlefield trauma being nullified with his Clarity. Suppressing his own fears, he turned to the docile infantrymen, who as of yet, are still dawdling around with no clear idea of what to do. "Infantry, flank its right! Hit it hard, but don't be a hero!" The infantrymen nod, and the cavalrymen lead the flank, followed by swordsmen, axemen, and the rest. Even the drivers are following, with mere shortswords in hand.

"We're gonna lure it! Come on!" Jericho himself yelled as he ran to the left, using his hand to cast a Shield Aura onto both the Elemental and Gaheris. If he had enough energy, he would've targeted Maria too. In fact, he would've targeted Maria first, but Jericho would know the price of letting one's emotions get in the way of battle. Maria must go without a Shield for now. Hurriedly, he made his way to the Giant, Tharek Mortaghen, who was lifting an overturned wagon to assist a trapped guardsman.

"Tharek, I need your help!" Audaton exclaimed, catching the Giant's attention. At the same time, Jericho's eyes shifted around to spot some guardsmen preparing Light Handcannons for fire. Through their heavy breaths, he could tell that they were having a hard time aiming. The weapon itself was too heavy, and the flailing allies in the front made it hard to fire without punching a hole in someone's back. Audaton's plan coming together, he called them over. Turning back to Mortaghen with a Handcannon in his grip, he asked. "Can you mend this to the tip of your Claymore? Or any other sharp metal object?"

"Aye, I can. What for?" Replied the Giant, grabbing the Hand cannon as if it were a flimsy toy at best.

"When I need you, I'll call you. You'll know what to do!" Jericho said before turning away, leaving the Giant to do his bidding. Gripping his Magisteel Halberd, he prepared for the next move. The moment Maria clears out... he'll switch with her and occupy the thing's attention. But for now, he accompanies the infantrymen slashing at the thing's right side. Running hastily, hopping over some charred bones, the only leftovers of Kwelek's unfortunate Wolfhorse, he arrived among the ranks of the men. A voice rang out with his arrival.

"Audaton's here, folks! We can do this!" Erik cried out in optimism. The lad was audacious, bold, daring, and at this point, fearless. Slashing away at the Serpent's armored hide, his former self could barely be seen, as he exhales with every cut, every slice, every flick of the wrist to adjust his saber's swing, inflicting visible damage on the thing's carapace, cracking a few scales, as a few droplets of fluid can be seen flowing out. As if reinvigorated with this simple statement alone, the rest of the infantrymen cheer in fervent agreement. Adding to the cuts and slashes, Audaton found himself quickly making his way to the tip of the tail which was now coming around to skewer the fragile infantrymen. Hopping on the thing with Halberd pointed down, he pins the appendage into the ground, its scales no match for Magisteel as the tail grinds to a halt, thick blood spewing outwards. It will not stay like this for long, but it will have to do.

Pilgrim59 Trappy CrowOuttaHell Soviet Panda Sybil

 

[Vyseryx]

Margot

A loud boom of explosion woke Margot up suddenly. The sorceress jumped on her legs, turning her head in every directions trying to assess the situation. First thing she noticed were flames coming out of the nearby cave and with them an army of insects flooding out of it. Then she noted few dark silhouettes fleeing through the night, quickly torn apart by precise hits from her comrades.

‘Human adversaries? On Darkborne territory? As if we didn’t have enough things to worry about…’ Margot thought irritated as she turned to crying Leo. The little boy was also awaken by the sudden noise and was now scared and teared up.

“Sshh,” the woman took him on her arms and whispered calmingly into his ears. “Everything’s going to be…”

At this moment a giant fire-breathing serpent came out of the cave and incinerated a Wolfhorse.

“…aright?” The sorceress finished with uncertainty in her voice and then sighed deeply. It seemed as if a next night spent fighting was ahead of her. She put Leo into her backpack and grabbed her newly made staff into her hand. A flow of information appeared in her, probably originating from the Audaton, and as sorceress started running in the direction of Serpent, she overheard druid talking to other team members.

‘Luring it into the clearing, an interesting idea indeed…’ Margot thought as she heard Audaton screaming: "Ranged, target its eyes! Watch for friendly fire!" and Margot rolled her eyes. ‘No, dear, I’d rather shoot others for shits and giggles.’

The sorceress formed a fairly complicated circle before her hand and pushed her palm forwards, murmuring: “Arcane Missiles.”

Four magical bolts shot out of her hand, each two targeting Serpents eyes, flying on curved lines to avoid hitting Gaheris and Phos. At the same times Audaton had managed to pin down the beasts tail, the manoeuvre that would suffice only for a couple of movements unless reinforced. It was a time for a field test – the sorceress raised her staff, and spun it before her, letting the tips of it to make a circle before her. She then raised the sceptre and thrusted it into the ground shouting: “Arcane Tendrils!”

A crack appeared on the ground and travelled quickly to the Serpent. The earth under its body moved and a dozen or so violet tendrils sprung from it entangling monster’s lower legs and further pinning it down.

 

[Trappy]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Maria
The Wagons, Darkwoods​

• Reality Sequence
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  
  The night grew old, an iridescent moon, appearing larger than ever, had claimed its place high amidst the crystal-shone objects. Their magnificent lights seemingly merge together. Through the thin pine leaves, the silver light elegantly reflected upon the still faces and the two pairs of sapphire-blue eyes staring up to them. For a moment, they found themselves embraced by the overwhelming, yet soothing solitude of the Darkwoods, with the luminescent cosmos above their cold heads, the soft grass and moss on which they rested upon.
  
  However, just a moment ago, the two Regalians were exchanging tales of their lives under the tall tree that seemed like it was stretching all the way to the stars. It eased her heart a bit, now that she'd known more about her former subordinates. Something just felt right. Maria would like to think she'd somewhat acknowledged their sacrifice and allowing them, at the very least, the respect they deserved. As their conversation dragged on, the half emptied bottle of ale of hers sat obediently in her lap, consumed to only a few drops left in the bottom. But the tales and exchanges had ended, and the calming silence have returned to their place. The notorious Darkwood - known to be the brutal frontline of constant combat between Light and Dark appeared ironically peaceful. Amidst the cold of the night and the intruding breeze, a thought crossed her mind. The guardsman had brought the warmth that otherwise wouldn't have been here for her. Turning to Cornelius beside her, his blue eyes staring off towards an unspecified target among the stars, the guardian felt glad that he was here, and wondered what was on the guardsman's mind.
  
  However, their much-relished peace was not allowed to last too long.
  
  A roaring explosion alarmed the two Regalians. Immediately, they jumped from their rest, gathering their equipment and made their way back to the camp. As nervous and unexperienced Cornelius might've appeared, Maria knew too well how a Legionnaire fights with the strength of ten guardsmen. Being experienced combatants, it was not difficult for the two to point out the unique sounds of the explosion, of which they assumed to be the result of a Light ordnance fired. Cornelius was already right ahead of Maria, bolting through the bushes, the longsword secured by his belt. When the two arrived at the scene, the encampment was in utter chaos. There was a fire, seemingly coming from a half-blasted wagon, where many guardsmen were trying to extinguish the flame through several means, but the goods were definitely gone for that one. Maria frowned at the loss, but quickly focused herself on the more immediate and larger threat. The Devourer Serpent revealed itself from the cave in all of its nightmarish menace, immediately looking to deal damage to the camp, until it was intercepted by several present Guardians.
  
  "Guess that's work calling you. I'll see you on the other side, my Lady. Do take care." - With that said, Cornelius vanished to the location of his fellow guardsmen. The man brought his experience to work, assisting the coordination of commander Audaton's orders with the lower soldiers. With his effort, the guardsmen's respond to the fire and the defences were looking organised. On her part, Maria figured it was about time she joined the fray.
  
  The bardiche-wielding guardian dashed from the tree-lines, using the blindspot of the beast to her advantage, concealing her movement as she rapidly advanced towards it. Once in range, Maria was ready to trigger her powers. As she did, accompanied by a prepared leap, the girl was flung high into the sky, right up to the Serpent's head, narrowly dodging a sudden strike from its tail. As she was losing momentum and nearing a fall, Maria rose her bardiche, poised for a strike at the creature's head. The pole-arm, imbued by effects of her powers, struck an sight-blurring blow to the Serpent. It was furious, as its limbs reached out wildly for her. Carefully manipulating her fall, Maria managed to land on the back of the giant. What surprised her was that giants usually shy away from conflict, unless forced to partake, yet if she remembers correctly, the giant was the first to attack the Devourer. Unintelligent and obedient simpletons as they are, Maria had always admired the strength of the giants, as evident in this particular gargant, as it courageously stood its ground against the fire-breathing Serpent.
  
  "You're good for a giant." - In the heat of action, Maria gave it a simple praise. "Keep it up, help had arrived."
  
  Positioning herself on its back, Maria noticed the Serpent was moving its limbs to get around the giant. As strong as it may be, the giant wouldn't be in a great shape if the massive beast succeed in squeezing it with those arms. Fixing her bardiche, Maria was getting ready for action again. Triggering her ability, the guardian hopped along the man mountain's muscular arms until she reached those of the Serpent. With several accurate blows by the bardiche, empowered by her abilities, the Serpent's arms were knocked far out. This, combined with another's bold attack staggered the creature for a moment. In the corner of her eye, Maria saw tendrils seemingly cracked the ground open and lunged themselves at the beast, pinning the creature down. Now there was an escape, one they could not afford to lose. Hopping back to the giant's back, Maria felt a sudden strike of dizziness, and almost slipped on her landing, to what would've been certain death, or serious damage. Holding onto the giant and trying her best to secure herself, the girl yelled.
  
  "Now, run! We'll try to approach it from another angle!"
  
  
• 
  Interacted: CrowOuttaHell (battle-buddy!)
  Mentioned: Kabboom Vyseryx (Margot's attack) + others who are attacking the Serpent
  

 

[CrowOuttaHell]

Gaheris Agramar

As his blade slammed right into the beast's forelimb, the impact almost made his arms shake. He had meant for his attack to be crushing, but it felt like it had slammed harder than it should have. Out of the corner of his eye, he had noticed a strange wisp of light, but he didn't expect it to redirect the beast's forelimb right into his strike. It almost felt like cheating in a fight, in its own way- but all was fair in battles like this. As he came to his senses again, focusing, he noticed a strange, culmination of...rocks, he supposed, shielding him from the blow of the beast. An ally. Looking back, he could have sworn he saw an unfamiliar girl huddled near a tree.

However, he noticed something else- something definitely more pressing than the allies around him. The beast's throat was beginning to light up with fire.

Deciding that rocks could take fire damage better than his armour could, Gaheris backed away from the attack- just in time too. As the beast finished its attack and Gaheris furiously scanned its form for more openings, he felt a sudden pressure on his back and turned only briefly to see that someone had landed on him, fancying him some sort of moving ledge.
"You're good for a giant," He heard the...woman, he supposed, say. "Keep it up, help had arrived."

In a sense, he had done his job- the Devourer's attention was on him, flailing its limbs in an attempt to reach for him. He spurred his Greaves of the Beast into action, weaving and ducking past those dangerous claws with a speed belaying his size. However, as an unarmoured limb came at him, he barely stopped it from smacking him away by reaching out and hastily blocking with his sword, digging his heels into the ground to stop himself from being knocked away.

As he did, he finally spotted the figure on his back, slashing at the beast with precise blows that knocked its limbs away from Gaheris. But what alerted the giant was the rumbling of the ground under him- just as the woman landed on him again, clutching at his cowl to keep herself from falling, tendrils shot out from the land under them. Gaheris leapt away as one erupted mere inches away from him, at the same time as the woman's command to run.

He spurred his Greaves on once more and moved backwards, away from the tendrils and the beast's thrashing body, though backing off had given him a better look at the situation. The infantrymen had started attacking the beast's right side, cracking scales and drawing blood. Those with ranged weapons periodically fired at the beast, seemingly taking a page from the Cerebrate fight and firing at its eyes...though Gaheris didn't think the beast had any visible ones. That, or his cowl and helmet combo was starting to block his vision.

He could see Audaton pinning the beast's tail down with his halberd. From the side of the infantrymen, he spotted the dueling forms of the two guardsmen with him- Lyle had stabbed a spear into a gap caused by cracked scales in the beast's side, and had grabbed his handforged sword in order to hack at the monster's hide better. Karl himself was weaving in and out, hacking alongside the other infantrymen while periodically weaving away from the beast's thrashing. Any closer and Gaheris would have seen the sweat pouring down the armoured guardsman's normally handsome features, marred by the battle.

Once he was at good enough distance- enough to strike but not enough to be struck back- he circled the beast, sword at the ready. He needed another opening, and there was the issue of the woman on his back as well.

Interacted: Trappy
Mentioned: Kabboom Sybil Aryasaurus Vyseryx

 

[Soviet Panda]

Buras was all to happy for the help the infantrymen provided as they flanked right with him. And with a howl, he ran the the beast, leading the charge on it's flank. There was little grace in this fight. All he was doing was hacking at a wall of flesh and dipping under a flailing limb. His strikes cut deeper than the human's, his might and the weight of his axes playing heavily into the damage he caused. However, the "damage" they were doing was little to nothing. The beasts hide was far to thick for anything to cut it deeply, and it didn't even seem like it cared for the mass of warriors at it's side. However, it did notice a magisteel halberd pinning it's tail to the ground. And so did Buras.

Weaving his way towards the pinned tail, and saw that it would not stay put for long. He must act quickly. He knew what he must do, and that was to disarm it in whatever way possible. If that meant hacking off the sharpened and serrated tail then so be it. And with a mighty roar, he hammered an ax down. Again and again he struck the tail, aiming for the same point as often as he could. If he could not sever it, then perhaps the beast will accidentally rip it off.

 

[Midrick]

A crowd of guardsmen had surrounded him as he sang the old tavern song. Others recognized it and sang along many seemed to appreciate the brief respite from the oppressive nature of the forest. After he had finished him and the guards started conversing and he heard a voice behind him "Wooow... your voice is beautiful! And that thing, whatever it is, does beautiful music too!" He was still turned around when he started speaking " Tha---." he lingered on the a when he turned and saw it was an elf. His gaze hardened as he ended the word. The elves were the reason why he was what he was. He suddenly felt the weight of the chief ears in his pocket. He steeled himself, he couldn't judge her on the sins of her kind.

As he finished the though he heard a loud bang, and saw a fireball hit a wagon that burst into flames. " Holly Shit!!! What was that?!" Pat grabbed his gauntlets and helmet and grabbed the answer. "Whatever it is, it's not good. Form up." he said as he locked his helmet into place. The group sprinted up to where Audaton was barking orders. With total disregard for his own safety he ran next to where the big half-giant was slamming his axes into the beasts tail while Audaton pinned it, he decided more direct damage needed to be done. While assessing the beast, he noticed it had gills that glowed intensely, maybe that's where the fire it Belcher was stored. He ran close to where the tail was, jumped on top of it and and ran toward the head. As he did it he reversed his head of the greataxe so that the razor sharp armor - piercing points were what he hit with when he attacked. He approached it's neck and jumped into the overhead strike. He felt the satisfying tearing of flesh as the points sank in and he dropped his weight so it would tear downwards as he hung off the beasts neck.

Kabboom (sorry for late response, had a shit ton of work to do)

 

[Sybil]

Spessartite Phos​

The elemental looked at the giant, smiling as she had blocked the repercussions of Gaheris’ reckless attacks, probably giving a thumbs up.... but unfortunately she had no hands to do such a gesture as her hands and weapon had been crushed. When the giant backed away however the living rock formation turned back to see the fireball in her face, the explosion engulfing her in flames and then in smoke.

The smoldered area around the blast certainly left no trace of life, save for the teetering living minerals of the broken elemental. The explosion, with it’s heat and force, had stripped patches of their rocky exterior on their face, arms, and chest revealing their almost see-through culmination of solid mismatched gemstones in the form of a humanoid. This current state seemed agitating to the elemental, as their face scrunched up in anger, raising their damaged arms and slamming the handless limbs into the ground. In front of the elemental a column of rock with a pointed tip would sprout from the groun, aiming to strike under the serpent’s armored head.

During this ordeal Spessartite was simply retaliating and not observing the allies around the beast, more akin to just a beast biting back after being bitten than a person.

Kabboom CrowOuttaHell

 

[Pilgrim59]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Sashi
Forest Clearing, Darkwood​

• 1. Reality Sequence
• Collectibles
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  "AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH"
  
  "There's your distraction, druid. Work fast, they can't take it much longer!"
  
  "Sir Gaheris! ... Oh dear... Femosis, carry me as swift as the wind. Hammer, assist the musketeers."
  
  "Hmph." Hammer would reply with a grunt and nod, as he took up position beside the musketeer, giving them a sleight of hand to reload.
  
  Sashi shook her head slightly at the sight of the thunderous voice drawing the beast's attention in Gaheris's way, before launching herself past the Guardians and into the forest clearing. She quickly made her way through the shrubs and wild bushes, before stumbling upon the rest of her gang in the dirt. As they ascended from the grass, Boar would approach Sashi with his hands fiddling with his axes.
  
  "What's the word, mistress?" he asked.
  
  "That yew just a few yards to your rear. With it, we shall fasten the serpent unto the ground."
  
  "We haven't got enough explosives for that, princess. In case you've forgotten, we're pathfinders, not a heavy-ordnance echelon team." Rook objected.
  
  "Fret not, Rook. I shall take it upon myself to do the deed."
  
  "We'll get the wires and ropes ready. Do you really think this will work?" Boar noted, with a concerned face.
  
  "I... I'm not sure myself, but it doesn't hurt to try..."
  
  A slight pause ensue, as Rook rubbed his forehead with a distressed look on his face, before turning towards Boar and then the rest of the squad. Hiker would scoff before rushing towards the druid with a threatening temper.
  
  "Saint March... She's gonna get us all killed! Fuckin' Guardians. If it weren't for you, we wouldn't even be here."
  
  "Rook. Shove it."
  
  "No no no... Rook's got a point. Did you forget what happened to Edela, Boar?!"
  
  "Shove it."
  
  "Oh I see, you're growing fond of the pretty princess here, ain't ya? We're all just gonna die anyways. But I wanna do it on my own terms, Boar. My terms! I don't want to just see anot-" Hiker exclaimed, as his voice grows louder with each word, almost to the point of raising his flintlock at the druid in the heat of the moment.
  
  "I said shove it!" Boar shouted, as his axe met Hiker's neck by the inch, while his eyes darkened to a sharp, vicious look.
  
  A brief silent would follow, with Rook placing his hand over his field cap, while Reverend took a step back, with his face hidden beneath the moonlight's shadows. Sashi watched in awe, but couldn't find it in herself to come in between the conversation of the estranged men.
  
  "I could care less about the forsaken Guardians and their god-forsaken quests, but we've got a job to do. And we will accomplish it. By the book ... corporal."
  
  "Pulling ranks now, ain't ya? Come on do it. Just like with Edela. Come on, Boar. Do it! Just fucking do it!"
  
  "I expect you to pull your shit together. That Devourer is still out there. You either join us or you don't, Hiker. Simple as that. But when you do, clear your head and try again, pathfinder."
  
  "By the book... Sergeant. By your fucking book. Come on, Rook."
  
  Hiker would spit on the ground, as he gather his ropes and make his way towards the yew tree, bumping Sashi's shoulder along his tempered path. Rook would follow, as the two caught up with each other and established the patterns of ropes and wires to pull the tree towards the beast. The druid's heart spoke words of fragmented feelings, as she now understood that not all things shared by her companions are usually of the same mind. Perhaps it was in Hiker's animosity towards herself, that she comprehended the values of trust on the frontier. In the end, sentimental speculations are all but a human's exploited sides, to which Sashi did not seem to be bested just yet.
  
  "I must say, I do appreciate your enthusiasm, druid. Do not worry, I shall see to the heathens." casting aside her conflicted feelings, Reverend spoke words of comfort towards the druid, before rushing to the aid of Hiker and Rook.
  
  "Lets hope your plan works, Druid. I grow weary with every surprises. You'd do well to know that my guys come first. If it means taking your life, I will not hesitate."
  
  Boar's words echoed in Sashi's mind. His prior personality of an eager soldier has all but gone, and all that was left was a shadow of a compunctious man. The mysteries of Edela remained an unsolved riddle in the druid's library of curiosity, but it had yet to deter her from her work at hand.
  
  As the scouts scurry away from the tree, Sashi hastily encircled the trunk with several barks that she had retrieved from Hammer earlier. With a few lines of incantations, a handful of mana dust and her hands casting her enchantments, the barks would glow red. The druid climbed a top the yew's canopy, awaiting the serpent's advance through the clearing, like an eagle awaiting its prey upon the ground. Flashing colors dotted the clearing, as the rest of the Guardians were already unleashing their might upon the beast. Within minutes, the beast had already been picked apart by the intermittent, but consistent arrays of attacks from those on the ground.
  
  Sashi gave her hand signal towards the scouts, as she blasted the yew's trunk apart. Its collapse was accompanied by the scouts' wires from below, with all their finite strength, they had managed to guide its fall. The druid ejected as the tree crashed, and landed upon the partly-scorched grass of the forest's clearing.
  
  
  Translation Notes
  N/A
  
  OOC:
  N/A
  
• 
  Sashi's little collection section. May or may not be important.
  
  Imperial Scouts Manual (Uncommon)
  Description:
  An old print of the early manuals. Its contents showcases the conduct of a pathfinder's actions, geographical contexts, field indexes and survival knowledge. This particular copy possess some detailed doodles and notes on several Darkborne creatures, as well as notable exotic plants by Hiker.
  
  
• 
  
  Interacted: Kabboom
  
  Mentioned: N/A
  
  

 

[-robert-]

Leafa

Light. Screams. A commotion stired up within the camp. With a blink of an eye Leafa found herself in the middle of a fight, many teamed up in hope of taking down a giant and intimidating serpent-like creature, among them, she could spot the Rock Lady and Pigtails. That was enough of a motive to fight, losing one was enough, she wasn't going to lose another friend. The young elf reached out to her bamboo made quiver, trying to grab an arrow.

"N-No arrows? No! I forgot to reload! UGH! Why do I always do this?! ... ... If only mommy was here... she always knew how to cheer me up... no, I can't give up! I need to find some arrows!"

Almost like it heard the elf's words, Ko left it's "home" and headed towards a lone wagon placed on the outskirts of camp, abandoned due to the skirmish with the serpent; Leafa followed the butterfly. Inside the wagon, a dozen arrows were scattered on it's floor. With shiny eyes, Leafa picked them up.

Now equiped with a bow in hand and with an arrow ready to strike, Leafa swiftly ran in direction of the battlefield, stopping once reaching the rock-made lady's side.

"Heeello Rock Lady! How are you doing? I'm here to help!"

Sybil

 

[Vyseryx]

Margot

The battle was slowly getting chaotic, and that was putting it gently. Two new combatants entered the fray, attacking the serpents and almost circling it. An elemental from before was knocked down, but managed to land a hit on the beast with her magic and druid on the side was apparently planning something too, with a cut tree confirming it.

Any attempt at attacking the monster form the sorceress would likely result in her hitting her allies too. She had to find another way to make herself useful. And if she couldn’t support melee fighters, only one option presented itself right now.

With few magic-enhanced jumps Margot closed the distance between her and druid. Looking at her preparations, that other soldiers also participated in, the mage asked:

“Another genius plan of yours?” A smirk appeared on Margot’s faced as she looked at Sashi. “What exactly are you trying to achieve, and how could a little bit of sorcery be of help?”

Pilgrim59

 

[Minyari]

Hearthfall Season - Morning
Min Ya
Darkwood​

• In Character
• Interacted
• Extras

• 
  
  
  As the caravan set up camp for the night, Min wandered throughout the camp casually as he took note of the events taking place. He ditched the outpost guardsmen early on as he wanted to explore the caravan himself. As he began to explore he heart a yell out not far from him as he quickly traversed to the location. The few wooden wagons were being robbed! And by the generous guardsmen from earlier!? Quickly halting, Min jumped up into the nearby tree as he decided to spectate the fight. The caravan supplies were none of his business nor was the security of it. Plus he owed the guardsmen, or now bandits, a sign of gratitude. Keeping a distance from the chasers and the chased, Min traversed the terrain alongside them in curiosity. Soon enough his curiosity would be fulfilled as a powerful beast appeared!
  
  Amazed by it's fire breathing ability, Min Ya payed close attention to the beast's actions as he began to formulate a plan of attack. Watching the convoy members and imperial guardsmen relentless combat the beast, Min decided to join the fray as he took advantage of a guardsman's death by fire to pounce onto the beast!
  
• 
  Kabboom
  
• 
  OOC: Short post, sorta haven't found my place quite yet!
  

 

[Kabboom]

Jericho

The battle has somehow swung in their favor, as the Serpent now realizes it shouldn't have come out of the cave. Damaged beyond all measure, with its limbs' cumbersome armor being a major hindrance in fighting these agile opponents, along with its third and arguably most powerful limb trapped beneath tendrils, along with an Inuin and a Guardian chopping down on it, the Devourer Serpent had gone from predator to prey, and it knew this. The moon's light shining brightly, as if heralding its demise, the Serpent's intimidating visage had now been replaced with the imagery befitting of a wounded animal.

It opened its mouth, and breathed out hot fire, aimed at the Arcane Missiles coming its way. The crackling orange flame absorbs these magical projectiles, seemingly canceling each other out, but not enough to cancel all of them out. One Missile impacts into the Serpent's armored carapace, cracking its armor, revealing a duo of devolved eyelets, their black empty irises staring blankly at the creature's attackers, accompanied with a howl of pain. Turning its bulky head around, vents of radiant steam hiss through its serrated yellowish teeth as it lays eyes on the Imperial guardsmen hacking away at its flank. A whirl of hellfire engulfs the guardsmen, giving them fiery deaths, as the thing dislodges itself from Phos's rock clusters using its armored limbs.

As the smoke settles, however, it was revealed that, aside from minor burns, all of them were intact, with Jericho's Shield Auras coming to their aid just in time. The energy expended, however, meant he had to stop Clarity, leaving the men to protect themselves from their panic. The Serpent's tail rears, snapping free from the tendrils and the combined weight of both Jericho and Buras, flinging the latter off of its body, and the former up into the air. Jericho was quick-witted enough to grab hold of his Halberd before being flung up.

With some aid from a weary Maria, he manages to land on the thing's head, slamming his Magisteel Halberd down, cracking the armor with ease and hooking himself onto the thing's head, with another resounding screech from the creature, as it begins to flee. Its unarmored limbs reach up to grab the warrior known as Pat, and yanks him loose from his position, with the axe still hanging from the thing's back. Pulling back on the halberd, Jericho manages to pull the thing's path to the right, heading towards Margot and Sashi. Pulling Dante out, he uses the thing's spiked hand guard to begin bashing on the exposed irises, eliciting more pain from the creature.

The Serpent crashes through a tree, its unarmored limbs smacking Pat against a few solid branches before coiling up to deal with the looming threat that was clinging to his head. Jericho was so busy avoiding the multitude of branches and the scratches from the limbs, he failed to notice the warrior who had also hopped onto the Serpent, the gentleman who was with those treacherous bandits earlier.

SCSaya06 Trappy hostage Nightblade Soviet Panda Pilgrim59 Unwavering Knight Octo Girl Sybil Midrick CrowOuttaHell Aryasaurus QizPizza -robert- Vyseryx Minyari shadowz1995 Spottedmask Foogels

 

[Vyseryx]

Margot

With a fiery breath creature destroyed most of the arcane missiles Margot had shot earlier, much to sorceress’s displeasure. She wasn’t given much time to contemplate this fact though, as the Serpent suddenly started running in her direction.

“It looks like we are realising your plan now.” Margot of course was referring to the plan Sashi had just conveniently finished explaining to the other woman. As the Serpent was getting closer, the sorceress looked at it with an expression of mild boredom on her face. This thing wasn’t even half as big as this fuken scorpyone they had fought yesterday. Or was it day before yesterday? Who cared.

Margot jumped away from the creature’s trajectory, but as she was doing so, she unclipped her cape and threw it behind her. Instead of falling, the piece of clothing stopped mid-air, floating few centimetres above the ground. In the darkness of night, it could easily be mistaken with a person and Margot hoped the Serpent would attack it instead of following her or the druid.

As she increased the distance a little bit, Margot jumped on the tree helping herself a little bit with magic and turned in the Serpent’s direction. Right now the creature would hopefully be slowed down by the trap and the sorceress’s fingers started creating a circle before her. When the spell was finished, the mage took a position as if she was preparing herself for a javelin toss, with staff serving as the said javelin. It started glowing with a bright, slightly unstable glow and murmuring with a mana flowing inside it.

‘Okay,’ the sorceress took aim at the Serpent. ‘It’s time to see what will my giant rod do to this thing.’

Kabboom Pilgrim59

 

[Unwavering Knight]

Pryonn & Kaatl

And here the march had commenced so blissfully! A night with moonlight, just there so perfectly! The knight had been chatting, about to recite wondrous poetry with which to court his chosen Lady! But now this creature, blighted and giant, interfered with his audacious gallantry! Why was it that his attempts at romance kept being interrupted so ignobly? Perhaps it was all a grand conspiracy!

"Gods above, I care not for you." the knight spoke as he resolutely turned towards the monster, anger in his voice "Send beasts, inflict pox, call thunderous storms, nothing shall keep me long for I am a knight with romance bright!"

"Monster!" he roared at the creature, uncaring that wouldn't grasp his words, what with it being so locked in its struggle with the knight's valiant companions "Petty you must be! To take from a knight his lone luxury!" Raising high his lance, holding his Lady's Banner, the errant focused his mind, calling on his cells "Iron am I! Steel up high!" Pieces of his armor, within and without, gathered upon his pole-lance, some reinforcing the metal-tip, others swirling and vibrating around it, taking on the faint appearance of a drill, emitting grating sounds of slicing iron-shards.

The monster flung away the throng of Guardians attempting to pierce its hide, charging at Sorceress Margot to interrupt her spell-waving. The creature walking into the mage's trap, poised to strike, the knight marched with both hands upon the lance, a cloud of steel-pieces following his wake "Metal gale! Iron hail! Monster wail!" he chanted, charging at the monster's flank "Arm stalworth, lance thrusts forth!" Directing the full force of his rapid advance, the knight rammed his banner-spear into the creature's side, brute force and metal-shredding to pierce the monstrous hide.

Kabboom Octo Girl Vyseryx

 

[Trappy]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Maria
The Wagons, Darkwoods​

• Reality Sequence
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  
  From the safe distance the giant had brought them, Maria had a chance to assess the overall combat situation they'd been flung into. From her place, it seemed the serpent was still as furious as ever, being flanked and harassed from multiple directions by separated groups and individuals. The bulk of these groups, Guardians or their retinues, were just seemingly digging into the creature's thick hide, miraculously evading its counterattacks as they hacked into its flesh with such ferocity. The guardsmen weren't shying from combat either, having organised themselves on an ambitious flank on the creature's sides. Maria could recognise one of them, the nervous guardsman from earlier, being among the vanguard leading their advance. She knew the creature wasn't just going to give in, as they say: "Back a dog up in the corner and it's gonna bite."
  
  A wave of Arcane Missiles came hurling at the Serpent, brilliantly shining as the entities of the cosmos themselves. Flame from the creature's jaws engulfed most of the missiles, although some got through and cracked its head's carapace, revealing dark eyes that seemingly would devour one whole if one dared to stare into them. The torrent of fiery red flame was then directed at the advancing guardsmen, who only dodged death with Jericho's Shield Aura. The man himself, however, was flung from the raged beast's tail into the air, along with a half-giant. After assisting his landing on the serpent's head, Maria felt power flowing through her muscles yet again, and the faintness from rapid maneauvers with her power vented from her mind. The guardian was ready to join the fight again, and so she scanned the battlefield for her power to be put to use.
  
  In its desperate struggle against the ongoing attacks from the ragtag company of guardsmen, knights, Guardians, giants and other sorts, the serpent came crashing through the tree-line and entered an opening in the woods. Not far from there, Maria could spot a fallen tree on the edge of the opening, seemingly blown off at its stump and is now, apparently, guided by a mage with a glowing staff in her hand, holding it like a javelin after some spell-casting. Several scouts were also stationed nearby, taking cover. Impaling the enraged serpent with a tree would surely put it down for good, nothing would survive that! But just in case . . .
  
  "Giant! How about you get back in there and . . . try to hold that beast in place?"
  
  With that said, Maria positioned herself on the giant's back, and once again flung herself into the starry sky towards the stage of the grand act.
  
  "So can we kill it yet?" - The girl asked jokingly as she came crash-landing down not far from the mage, sending dirt and grass flying as she did, Maria did not waste time, and channeled her power to trap the creature with a force well, greatly hindering its movement as the creature visibly tried to escape. But the guardian would not devote all of her power to this move, as she spared a sufficient amount to boost the tree's thrust and assist in guiding its trajectory if needed, once the mage had finished her preparations. Light magic is never as strong in Dark territory, and since they have one shot at this, she was gonna invest all she could spare into this plan and hopefully make the best from it.
  
  
• 
  Interacted: Vyseryx CrowOuttaHell
  Mentioned: Kabboom Soviet Panda
  

 

[Midrick]

The monsters blood was flowing from the two points where Pat had pierced it's neck, all was going well, until it ran Pat into a tree. He was in the process of climbing up the beasts neck to join Jericho on the monsters head when one of its arms grabbed him. He kicked it away before it could grab him but it was too late. He connected with the tree head on and was sent cartwheeling through the air. He landed in a heap on the ground near the base of the trunk. Pat felt a huge crunch on the left side of his body, his vision was blurred and bloody, and he was pretty sure his left arm was dislocated. He tried to roll over on his side but found when he did it sent red hot spikes of pain up his body. Even breathing hurt like hell. He laid back and draped his right arm over his head, his helmet had gotten knocked off from the impact, and shut his eyes. He realized his helmet and axe weren't on him and he groaned, he really didn't think he would see the axe again, but he knew that it would keep that devourer bleeding, maybe enough to where it would bleed out.

After the adrenaline wore off he felt something warm coming from his left leg. He felt down to the source of the warmth, after he felt it and brought it up to his eyes he saw it was blood. Their was a giant splinter the size of a man's forearm sticking out of his left leg. He had two choices, leave it in and let it stop the blood flow and risk and infection, or take it out. He reached down and yanked the splinter out. He cursed as he did it, but that just hurt him even, more. He held his hand over the wound to keep pressure on, he didn't know how much time he had before he lost to much blood. He was suprised he hadn't passed out from the impact or the pain. Blood from where he had been hit in the head flowed into his eyes blurring his vision. He heard Audaton talk to a druid earlier, and prayed she could find him. With the condition he was in he was going to get help soon or he might not make it until dawn. "This is fucked..." He whispered before he he set his head back and waited for a savior or death.

Kabboom Pilgrim59 Trappy

 

[Vyseryx]

Margot

In attempt to shake the attackers off, the Serpent escaped in the direction of opening in the forests, which was about to prove a rather unfortunate decision. For it, at least.

The staff was vibrating delicately in sorceress hand, flows of the spell she was weaving into it were slowly settling in making the wood warm up. Not interrupting the casting, Margot raised her head, as she noticed a person flying through the air. She had almost started preparing to fend off the new attacker, before she had realised it was in fact Maria, who had apparently catapulted herself with her gravity powers.

"So can we kill it yet?" the Guardian asked jokingly, as she landed close to the sorceress, countering the g-force with her powers and not breaking her legs despite rough landing.

‘Show off,’ Margot though and rolled her eyes, conveniently forgetting that she used to do things like that too, when she was at least twice Maria’s age.

“If the lady Luck will be on our side, Guardian.” The sorceress moved her staff-wielding hand behind her, and channelled energy into the spell and flexed her muscles. She looked at the beast and marvelled at Maria’s capabilities – the woman’s power was overwhelming. Good thing she was an ally and it was the Serpent that were being crashed by the gravity well.

Margot took a deep breath and threw the staff, shouting: “Arcane Comet!”

The staff left her hand and accelerated dramatically, mana flowing in the wood flashing blindingly as the staff charged with spells flew over a flat parabola in the direction of the monster, in the darkness of night really looking like a comet falling from the sky. Unfortunately, it was the first spell Margot casted on the grounds of Dark and neither of its component worked as she assumed it would.

The staff went off the trajectory as navigation weave failed, just a tiny bit, and instead of aiming at beast's pinned head, it flew in direction of beast’s back. It thrusted into scaly skin with a force significantly lesser than Margot desired, not enough to pierce it all the way through, but it was then, when luck had stood on adventurers’ side. The magic enhanced wood slipped of Serpent’s spine and poked a hole in it’s right lung, missing heart, but turning few ribs into an awful mix of bone shards and blood.

The wound was probably fatal, but not instantly and that scared Margot as her body suddenly felt tired, way more than she anticipated. Casting far from Network took a toll on sorceress’ body, she lost her balance and fell from the tree.

Kabboom (is it too mah damage) @KomradeTrappy(caaatch meeee) Minyari

 

[Pilgrim59]

Hearthfall Season - Nightfall
Sashi
Forest Clearing, Darkwood​

• 1. Reality Sequence
• Interacted / Mentioned

• 
  As the grass and dirt amassed by the fallen tree cleared out, the druid recovered from her crouched stance and scanned her surrounding. The guardians had done their part and Sashi with her's. All that's left was the finishing touch, of which was kindly offered by the eccentric sorceress, her beloved, but hated acquaintance. The druid braced herself from the impact of the blast, with a few shards and bones going off around her. Unveiling her weathered blue cloak, Sashi made her way around the now battered beast, of whom had given up its fiery inferno in exchange for air. She sheathed her sword and signaled Boar to follow suit with the other Guardian's movement, before breaking away from the crowd. Among the scattered embers and grimy patches of dirt, the druid found a man whose attire and peculiar war-axe distinguished him from the others. An unfamiliar face, but the druid saw a familiar marks of war left by the man's audacious strike earlier. Wasting no time in her thoughts, she expedited her paces towards him, as he leaned beside the downed beast in silenced pain.
  
  "I don't believe we have met formally, o' reckless knight. Come, let us migrate somewhere to seal your wounds." she said softly, before casting her magic on the man.
  
  With a few chants and a helping hand from the arrival of Hammer, the two dragged Pat towards the treeline, where she would lean him back against the sturdy tree Her simple spells had made the heavy knight donned in armor a bit lighter, but even so, the druid could feel his weight as if she was carrying a few sacks of potatoes. The druid unsheathed her dagger and quickly tore through his left trouser. She gave a flint to Hammer, prompting him to light a lamp, of which he complied and hovered it above the knight's wounds. Sashi untucked the knight's helmet, setting it beside him before giving him a piece of her leftover jerky to bite on.
  
  "Bite on it. T'is better than clenching your teeth."
  
  Sashi then cleansed her dagger with some water, before operating on the man's leg under the lamp's light. She washed away the blood and applied some Salista* powders onto the affected area. The substance would gradually numb the man's pain and provide a layer of anti-bacterial entity between his flesh. Accompanied by her passive Pillar of Weeping Willows ability, her patient's wound had slowly disinfect, as she continued her work. With Hammer's pressure on the man's leg, Sashi began removing the shrapnel carefully, with intermittent groans and grunts from the man, before settling her dagger within the confines of her white robes. She stripped herself of her waist-sash and cut it, of which was folded and prepared as a pair of gauze. Her delicate hands hastened the procedure, applying the pair of gauze against his wounds in an attempt to stem the bleeding. Having done so, she would use the rest of her sash as bandages to wrap up the man's wounds, of which she would fastened it tightly with what seemingly-seemed to be an adorable bow in a somewhat dire situation. Sashi gave a smile, as she cast another spell on the man, with her left hand against the soil, and her right upon his forehead. The surge of glowing green was visible to most, while Sashi puts the man at ease with her spell, lulling the man into a state of tranquility, as he rested beneath the trees. The druid work was done, and with it, she leaned back on one knee, as her robe fluttered in the stray winds.
  
  "Sashi, Druid of Elbe Forest, glad to be given your presence. Rest now, you're in good hands." Sashi said, as she gave the man some water from her canteen.
  
  With Hammer's help, Sashi would readjust Pat's right leg, to regulate the blood flow, preventing the man from bleeding out. The druid inspected the man's armor for further wounds, before leaning back beside her partner. Hammer studied the druid, before extending his hand, of which was laden with his personal rope. The druid gave a dazzled look on her face, before giving in to the man's offer. She took the lines of rope and fastened her apparel like a new sash. Although the druid now appeared to be less elegant with the stretch of rope hugging her waist like a privateer of the Northern Seas. Sashi took it upon herself to shake her subordinate's armored hands, to which he would agree with a smile from the prior. The two would watch over Pat in silence, as the forest stars flickered their thoughts in the painted sky.
  
  
  
  Translation Notes
  1. Salista: A type of plant, commonly found around the world. Usually grounded for medical purposes. Typically used on wounds with healing spells as antibiotics and local anesthetics. A counterpart for real-life sulfanilamide powder with morphine, but does not act on the central nervous system like opiate. Salista only suppress the pain emitting from the affected area with the guidance of healing spells.
  
  OOC:
  N/A
  
• 
  
  Interacted: Midrick
  
  Mentioned: N/A
  
  

 

[Kabboom]

Jericho

Jericho was beginning to feel as if he had put himself in an unwinnable situation. That is, until everyone else showed up; a small stab from the dazzling knight Pryonn shifted the serpent's attention, making it turn and open its flaming maw, only to react to a magical tree stabbing directly into its flank, its superior agility hampered greatly by a gravity well of some sort. The violent impact shook the serpent, and jerked the Guardian off of it, with Audaton's back slamming against the ground.

Making a quick roll backwards, he barely got back on his feet before he had to duck again, the Serpent's thrashing tail scraping the rear of his helmet as Jericho dove headfirst onto the ground. The Devourer Serpent's breath was erratic, spurts of flame crackling through the air as it struggled to breathe, what with the entire tree lodged in its lung and all. A blood-choked howl emanated from its vocal chords, resembling a weak call for help more than a ferocious predator's roar. As it did this, it turned to face Jericho all by his lonesome, before a whistle grabbed both of their attention.

At the edge of the clearing, a Giant stood with a Claymore. Small badges and buttons sparkling through the moonlight, clinking with every footstep, there was no doubt that this was Tharek. At the apex of his monstrous sword lied a Light Hand-cannon, its metallic barrel seemingly fused with the Claymore's steel itself, with the wooden handle scorched black from the rough process. Audaton raised his hand to build a Shield Aura around the Giant, whilst the Serpent reared its maw, its exposed black irises fading white as a red glow, similar to that of a bulbous cauldron, resided within its throat.

As footsteps turned into pacing, and pacing turned into sprinting, the Giant propelled himself forward with a bellowing scream befitting his stature, Claymore held horizontally. A dash of crimson-red fire flew at his position, which was sidestepped, crashing into a pine tree, blowing off a chunk of its bark and engulfing the stump with fire. Another one scraped closer to the charging Giant, the blue Shield Aura sparking violently against the bright red fireball, deflecting the blast to the side before disappearing.

Only a meter away from the pinned Serpent, one last fireball was coughed out as a last ditch effort. Tharek immediately threw the hilt of the sword backwards, as his other hand grabbed the front of his Claymore, Giant-sized fingers crushing the wooden handle of the Light Handcannon, before his fingers squeezed hard, breaking the trigger mechanism after firing the payload. The bright ultramarine spark of Light energy collided with the plume of fiery death, cancelling each other out and clearing the air, before a sharp sword plunged itself directly into the Serpent's mouth, puncturing through to its throat.

The thing was still kicking, however, and almost instinctively bit down, trapping most of Tharek's hand within its mouth, making the man grunt in pain, his boots scraping the dirt as he struggles to maintain a foothold against the reeling creature. Springing upwards onto its face, Jericho slammed his Magisteel halberd onto the thing's skull, blowing out bits and pieces of the bloodstained Serpent carapace. Immediately yanking the weapon out, he fired Dante into the wound, penetrating just enough to reveal the succulent, writhing cerebrum within. After a flick of his forearm and a dexterous twist, his halberd was now held more comfortably with its pointed spear tip downwards, and with both hands, Audaton let out a scream. A scream of exhaustion, of determination, of anger, swiftly followed with a stab directly in through the gashing wound, and just like a candle being snuffed out, the Serpent went limp.

Its jaw relaxed and released Tharek from its grip, as the lifeless head fell to the ground, taking Jericho along with it. Another slam onto the grassy floor. Jericho was beginning to doubt this whole 'quest' thing, especially with how he's getting tossed around lately, but he holds those thoughts at bay for the time being. A numb feeling of pain begun flowing through his body slowly but surely, almost paralyzing him, fusing him with the ground he was lying on. The adrenaline was wearing off, and Audaton began hurting again. Pain in his overworked arm muscles, which had to juggle weapons around like toys. Pain in his scrambled mind over using so many abilities in quick succession. But most of all, pain in his back for landing on the ground in armor, not once, but twice.

A few thudding footsteps were heard to his right, barely discernible from the ringing white noise that dominated his ears. It appears he hit his head on impact as well, but probably didn't feel it. A hand grabbed his, trickling blood meshing with Jericho's armored gauntlets as Tharek pulled him up. "Are you injured?" spoke the Giant. Audaton did a double-take of himself, and compared to the Giant himself, Jericho was doing fine. Tharek's left arm was riddled with wounds, with a few small teeth still sinking into his flesh. It was a miracle he didn't lose the entire limb.

"I'm fine, Tharek. Still fighting fit." came the reply from Audaton, his breath shortening as gravity temporarily pulled most of the blood from his brain.

"There is no more need to fight. The battle is won." echoed a reply from Tharek, his mind still not coming to grips with the concept of a 'figure of speech'. The two just stood there in an awkward silence, the Giant looking skywards, as if to admire the quaint atmosphere of a victory, whilst the human looked inwards. If this is what a single beast could do to the group, how could they persevere?

SCSaya06 Trappy Soviet Panda Pilgrim59 Unwavering Knight Octo Girl Sybil Midrick CrowOuttaHell Aryasaurus QizPizza -robert- Vyseryx Minyari shadowz1995