Fantasy Hunter's Moon: Ascendancy [IC] [CLOSED]

[Infab]

As Cassandra finished clothing herself, standing near the tarp she had hidden her clothes under as well as the ruins of an old fishing shack, she glanced back as she heard the Oni speak.

"Anything of note with the man-o-war?"

"It was filled with a couple dozen corpses. All sirens." she responded, glancing back in the direction of the man-o-war as she spoke. "Some had been there a while, others were a little more fresh. But now we know where all the sirens are. There was a trace of godly aura that had passed through there, but no sign of the artifact."

She then noticed the auras that just came into the vicinity of the cove. And they weren't friendly. "I hope I'm not hallucinating. You sense that too, right? To the east?" she stated, her head facing the direction of the auras. "Demons. A group of them, along with two Icons."

She grabbed her sword, drawing the blade from its position stuck in the sand near where she had been dressing, before looking back to Xiaòzhou. "We need to get back to the others. Now."


Rain began to drip onto the deck, a symphony of wet taps sounding off as Azathor spoke.

"You cannot be serious. The Icons of Taranoch have come here to claim the amulet, and you're here asking for a bargain."

"It would have been an honest trade, demon." responded the spectral captain, waving his hands to the side. "Though I knew you likely wouldn't have anything as precious as this gem around my neck. Its what's been keeping me alive all these years... well, besides hate."

"It also raised my crew and the others in the cove to do my bidding. They seem a bit enthusiastic about it, too. Maybe its a side effect of the necklace." he added, his head shifting to the skeletons around them before looking back to Azathor. "...And you say Icons are here for the amulet as well? Interesting."

"Yes, the Icons are after the artifact. If they obtain it, it brings them closer to world domination." stated Claire, gaining the captain's attention again. "The Divine Church wishes to keep it out of their hands. They needed someone that knew the ins-and-outs of piracy on the island, so they recruited me for the endeavor."

The specter nodded slowly, taking the information in. Eventually, he looked to the skeletons, whom all looked back at him. Then suddenly, the skeletons seemed to all scatter. Moving towards the edges of the ship and jumping over the sides. Either down onto the dock or off into the water. It left only Captain Valdueza remaining on the deck of the galleon, along with Claire, Camille, Rajko, and Azathor.

"My men will assist you in destroying the demons. I have no love for demons, myself. Especially ones that would take what is mine... I could care less about what happens to the rest of the world." spoke the specter again, before looking back to Claire. "As for you... I accept your challenge. But I shall set the stipulations."

Claire nodded. "Go on." she responded. She'd have to go along with whatever he demanded. They were short on time, so she couldn't argue it out.

The captain drew his sword, before pointing to the three around Claire. "Those three may not intervene. So that means you're free to go help your friends, demon." he stated, before looking back to Claire. "The duel is to be to the death. Is that sword of yours able to harm me?"

Claire paused for a moment, his words setting in. To the death. No quarter. Her eyes drifted down to her cutlass. "...Yes, it's silver edged." she replied.

"Good." The spectral captain gave her a singular nod, before looking back to the others. He motioned his free hand, motioning them to go away. "We begin as soon as your friends are gone."

Claire looked down to the deck for a moment, before glancing to either side. Towards the others. "...Go help the others. I'll be along shortly." she said, looking to each of the three with her.


Rebecca's group didn't have very long to prepare, as it seemed the demons had found an alternate way into the cove from the east. Likely created during the battle that destroyed the pirate haven so long ago. They were slipping through the tall wall of rocks surrounding the cove, and the group could already hear the sound of boots and gear clacking. Hitting gravel and stone as they made their way towards them.

But something else drew their attention soon enough. Rebecca glanced down, noticing that the skeleton at her feet started to move. As did the skeletons scattered around them, and around the cove itself. Creaking and crackling, the bone creatures stood up, putting themselves together as they made their way to their feet.

Jayden muttered a simple "What...the...fuck..." as he watched a few stand near him. But they didn't seem interested in Rebecca and her group. Instead, they were focused more on the incoming auras of the demons. Were the skeletons actually helping them?

Cassandra's voice sounded off from behind, the pureblood apparently having vaulted over a nearby building using her pureblood strength. "Hope you all are ready!" she blurted out, drawing her rifle from her back and racking the bolt.

The enemy certainly was. As soon as they came into view, a shot sounded off. The bullet whizzed by, punching through the cranium of one of the skeletons standing near them. His skull exploded, bone fragments sent sailing through the air as the rest of the skeleton dropped like a sack of bricks. The demons seemed to have possessed a large group of Atracan soldiers. Cavalry, which would explain how they could have caught up to them so fast. Most of them seemed to have lever-action rifles, chambered in larger rifle rounds.

"GET TO COVER!" spat Rebecca, quickly scrambling to retreat into the ruins of the buildings nearby. Cassandra fired off a shot as she retreated, the shot going a bit wide and hitting a rock near the lead demon. The skeletons, however, didn't retreat. They grabbed whatever they had nearby, brandishing the acquired items as weapons, and rushed the demons. Intending to kill as many of the intruders as they could.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The moment Rajko's heel touched the ship's deck, he fell into roll while fluidly unholstering his Luger pistol. This ship proved more ragged and disorderly than Rajko first anticipated. He almost mistook the conflicting scents with the mephitis of death. A truly terrible day to have functioning nostrils. He tried his best to ignore it. As he grouped up with the others, the cold sensation wormed up his spine stiffening his shoulders. Claire had been the first to identify it; a "Specter" she calls it, another flavour of apparition. As it happens with these things, it's likely a wrath-filled entity seeking resolution or similar. Only for the werebat's surprise to compound further when a rattling of skeletons surrounded them. A brief exchange occurred between the dead Captain Valdueza, who seemed to speak in a foreign accent that Rajko wasn't aware of, and former Captain McLachlan.

"Theatrical," Rajko muttered with a hint of disapproval. Before he could fully voice his concerns, however, Azathor dropped the hammer of ill-omens on them. He sensed icons. Rajko took pause to digest this information. A pit of fear, genuine fear, since this quest began punctured his stomach. "Shit." Seeing little time to argue on the stipulations of this bargain, the inquisitor took off immediately. Onto the ship then off it, the distinct feeling of getting dragged about isn't a stranger to him.

His hand seized one of the ropes that Camille used to get up. He slid down as best he could with the gloves staving off friction burns. "Double time it." He says aloud, though to no one in particular. He could've chanced a transformation, took flight but the report of rifle fire meant he'd be pin-cushioned with lead missiles once he was in the air. So for now he'd have to leg it to the front.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou nodded as he listened intently to Cassandra answering his question. Aside from the corpses, it seemed to align with what he noted as well.

As he listened however, he began noticing a sudden emergence of demonic aura. "You are not hallucinating, I can sense the same," the hermit responded to her. The moment Cassandra suggested they get back to the others, he merely nodded. The two of them needed to get to them now.

 

[Breadman]

"GO!" Royland shouted as he pointed towards the ruins for Jayden to run towards. The knight turned for a moment to see the demons clawing their way in. He could sense them and he could sense the others. Their fears were confirmed as the strong auras of Icons were among them. He begrudgingly let the skeletons come between them and the possessed soldiers. The two hated foes would do best to kill each other.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian did as Rebecca instructed and wheeled backwards toward the ruined building where the others were now taking cover. He found himself a place where he could crouch and lay the barrel of his rifle on a flat surface. There was no time to think about the skeletons or remark on Cassandra's sudden arrival as he set to work getting a sight picture on the possessed cavalrymen and returning fire on them. With a pile of cartridges in his coat pocket, he fired one round after another, cycling the bolt as quickly as he could manage.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille was wise to not take up Claire's offer to be vaulted on to the ship's deck, as they were soon surrounded by a specter and its skeletal cohorts. Acrobatic as she thought herself the possibility of injury was too great and not something she could afford. Taking stock of the situation, she drew her blades quickly after climbing aboard, glaring at the ethereal being before the enforcer started to converse with them surprisingly casually. Slowly she lowered her weaponry, remaining on guard yet inwardly questioning just how this exchange would go.

Her blades were also silver-edged, and she could have assisted in felling the captain. Yet it seemed that he and Claire would be engaging in their duel. "Had I known they would accept a duel I would have made the challenge first..." Camille muttered, sheathing her blades as the skeletons started to scatter. Not long after, shots rang out across the cove as she swiveled her head over to the source. Though they had gained unlikely allies in the undead, it seems the demonic army had caught up to them.

The huntress' quipping spent after her comment, she put on a serious glare and started to rappel down the ship. Boots firmly on the ground once more, she started to quickly run toward the township that was quickly becoming another battlefield.

 

[joshuadim]

When the situation changed, with the undead going about to aid them in fending off the abyssal forces, things seemed to turn for the better. But Azathor was loathe to leave Claire alone in a *duel*, considering how that could go... he shot the vampire a look of concern before grimacing. He decided to trust her ability as he gave her a nod and turned about to face the coming storm; he ran towards the edge of the boat and leapt off with his supernatural agility, landing on the docks nearby with a loud thud before sprinting off towards where the battle was about to commence. He gripped the hilt of his sister's blade fiercely as he advanced forward, kicking up sand along the shore as he rushed headlong into the fray.

 

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Turn One
Possessed Atracan Cavalry Platoon (Dismounted)
(Number of Enemies = 15. x10 Privates, x2 Corporals, x2 Sergeants, x1 Lieutenant.)
(Private HP = 5. Corporal HP = 7. Sergeant HP = 10. Lieutenant HP = 15.)


Special Buffs:
Possessed Atracan Cavalry Platoon (Dismounted)
Time to Bleed - As these are cavalry units, most of them are equipped with heavy cavalry sabres meant to slice clean through foes with arcing swings. Often these cuts will inflict heavy bleeding. If a melee hit connects, the hit will cause bleeding damage on target. Target loses 1 HP per turn unless the bleeding is stopped. Takes one turn to stop bleeding. If target is undead, causes an additional 3 DMG to standard attack instead of bleeding effect.

Armored Up - As they are the commanding units of the platoon, the Calvary Platoon's Sergeants and Lieutenant are wearing specialized armor plates on their torsos and heads. Ranged attacks that hit the torso or head will do significantly less damage than normal, and the armor renders instant kills impossible.

Rebecca's Group
Undead Accomplices - The skeletons of Caleling Reef seemed to be willing to assist the group, defending them as well as their captain and the reef from the demonic menace encroaching on them. Although relatively weak, they will assist players in dispatching the demons. For every enemy, a skeleton will spawn. Each skeleton has 1 HP, and does 1 DMG with each attack. Skeletons can only attack in melee. If a skeleton dies, then one will spawn to take its place after a turn of inactivity.

Ruined Cover is Still Cover - As the marketplace is in ruins, there's plenty of cover scattered about to use. Ranged attacks from enemies will have an additional single point chance of missing players, regardless of distance or if players are actually using cover.

- Rebecca -
Chosen Perk: Shield-maiden - With her tower shield equipped, Rebecca can shield herself (or an ally) from an attack. Damage is halved when struck (to a minimum of 1 DMG.)

Random Perk: Voice of the Saint - Using her Saint powers, Rebecca can heal an ally from a distance. Each use grants 3 HP to an ally, but the power has a one turn cooldown with each use. Amount of HP regained will increase by 3 per chapter.

- Cassandra -
Chosen Perk: Shadow-dancing, Naturally - Using her blinding pureblood speed, and a little finesse, Cassandra can dart around her enemies and deliver devastating attacks. For up to three times during a battle, Cassandra can deliver a critical hit, with a bonus in damage of +5 if it is to a mini-boss or boss.

Random Perk: Witness the Slaughter - Cassandra's brutality in close quarters has a chance to strike fear into nearby enemies. If Cassandra kills a foe in melee combat, nearby enemies will be 2 points less likely to hit her for a turn. Effect increases by one point with every chapter.

- Sebastian -
Chosen Perk: Quick Reflexes - Sebastian's military training has given him heightened reflexes compared to the average person. Enemies have less of a chance of hitting him, and (if they just so happen to hit) will never score a critical hit on him (with the exception of environmental hazards, mini-bosses, and bosses.)

Random Perk: Point-Blank - Sebastian's no stranger to fighting up close with his firearm. If engaged by an enemy in melee, Sebastian will automatically counter-attack with a firearm. It will be an automatic critical hit.

- Azathor -
Chosen Perk: Combination Power - Azathor's a natural when it comes to making hits land one after the other, all focused on one spot. For every hit that lands in a string, an additional point of damage is added. Damage can stack endlessly, until Azathor misses (after which the damage resets.)

Random Perk: A Sister's Legacy - In the same vein as his fallen sister, Azathor shows immense prowess with bladed weaponry. If fighting a foe in melee, Azathor's learned talents come into play. Does an additional 3 points of DMG against melee opponents when using a melee weapon himself, and has a 50% chance to deflect a melee attack. Amount of damage dealt will increase per chapter.

- Camille -
Chosen Perk: Honed Reflexive Riposte - During the years following the Witlock Inquiry, Camille honed her skills as a sword fighter. Enemy melee attacks that fail to land prompt an automatic counter-attack from Camille. Double damage if her attack hits.

Random Perk: Nevermore - A rather new technique Camille has learned over the years, Camille can cause a distraction in order to throw off an enemy's attack and allow for a devastating strike. Once during a battle, Camille can use this ability to force an enemy's attack to miss entirely. Enemy will be stunned for one turn afterwards, allowing for one automatic critical hit.

- Royland -
Chosen Perk: Penance Stare - A gift given to the Wraiths of the Abyss, Royland can strike terror into the hearts of ne'er-do-wells and villains with simply a gaze. When used, the target will be stunned for a turn. Number of turns stunned will grow per chapter.

Random Perk: Noble Knight - When fighting alongside an ally in melee against the same enemy, Royland sense of chivalry begins to come into play. If an enemy should strike an ally, Royland will do double damage to the enemy that struck them in retaliation (should his hit land.)

- Takato/Xiaòzhou -
Chosen Perk: Like Water, Returning - Takato/Xiaòzhou, since the days of the mission into the Abyss, has honed his skills ever more. Grants an additional move/action during a turn; applies double damage if the second move/action is an attack that hits, other traits do not come into effect for the second move/action. Both moves/actions can be used for a singular AoE move/action, which also does double damage (if an attack that hits.)

Random Perk: The 10 Trials of Adriel - Thanks to the teachings of the second Abyssal King dwelling within his mind, Takato/Xiaòzhou has learned of the trials a young Adriel (the eventual first Abyssal King) had to endure to become a Titan. In exchange for a decrease in health, Takato/Xiaòzhou can amplify their damage output by extraordinary amounts. For every point of HP substituted, Takato/Xiaòzhou does 2 additional DMG. This damage will grow by two with each chapter.

- Rajko -
Chosen Perk: Batimalism - Rajko can command a swarm of bats to attack or do an arbitrary action like retrieve a distant object or blind a foe for a turn. An attack by the bats does 3 DMG to a target (and is amplified every chapter by 3) Goes on cooldown for two turns after use. Additionally, bats will never attack Rajko unless induced by a magical entity or older werebat.

Random Perk: Deafening Screech - While in Werebat form, Rajko can unleash a screech directed at a foe loud enough to stun them. The enemy stunned will remain unable to attack for three turns, and any attacks directed at this foe will be automatic critical hits if they land. When used on a mini-boss or boss, they will be stunned for only one turn but will have three points less of a chance to hit targets for two turns afterwards. Can be used once per battle.

Special Debuffs:
Possessed Atracan Cavalry Platoon (Dismounted)
Last Man Standing - No reinforcements will be provided, and they cannot flee the battle.

Officers in the Back - The Sergeants and Lieutenant will not enter the battle until half of the Privates and one Corporal have been eliminated.




Skeleton #1 = 9. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Private #1. Possessed Private #1 HP = 4.
Skeleton #2 = 3. Misses Possessed Private #2.
Skeleton #3 = 10. Crit Roll = 3. Does 2 DMG to Possessed Private #3. Possessed Private #3 HP = 3.
Skeleton #4 = 4. Misses Possessed Private #4.
Skeleton #5 = 3. Misses Possessed Private #5.
Skeleton #6 = 2. Misses Possessed Private #6.
Skeleton #7 = 4. Misses Possessed Private #7.
Skeleton #8 = 10. Crit Roll = 9. Does 4 DMG to Possessed Private #8. Possessed Private #8 HP = 1.
Skeleton #9 = 2. Misses Possessed Private #9.
Skeleton #10 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Private #10. Possessed Private #10 HP = 4.
Skeleton #11 = 4. Misses Possessed Corporal #1.
Skeleton #12 = 1. Critical Miss! Hits Skeleton #11. Skeleton #11 has been knocked down!
Sebastian = 7. Acc. Roll = 17. Does 5 DMG to Possessed Private #1. Possessed Private #1 is dead!
Jayden = 10. Acc. Roll = 10. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Private #2. Possessed Private #2 HP = 2.
Cassandra = 8. Acc. Roll = 7. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Private #3. Possessed Private #3 is dead!
Rebecca = 9. Acc. Roll = 18. Does 5 DMG to Possessed Private #4. Possessed Private #4 is dead!

--- --- ---

Possessed Private #2 = 8 - 3 (5. RCISC, Enemy in Cover, Quick Reflexes.) Acc. Roll = 7. Does 3 DMG to Sebastian. Sebastian HP = 12.
Possessed Private #5 = 6 - 1 (5. RCISC.) Acc. Roll = 9. Does 3 DMG to Rebecca. Rebecca HP = 12.
Possessed Private #6 = 3 - 1 (2, RCISC.) Misses Rebecca.
Possessed Private #7 = 4 - 1 (3, RCISC.) Misses Jayden.
Possessed Private #8 = 9. Does 6 DMG to Skeleton #8. Skeleton #8 has been knocked down!
Possessed Private #9 = 8 - 1 (7, RCISC.) Acc. Roll = 11. Does 3 DMG to Royland. Royland HP = 12.
Possessed Private #10 = 6. Does 6 DMG to Skeleton #10. Skeleton #10 has been knocked down!
Possessed Corporal #1 = 7 - 1 (6, RCISC.) Acc. Roll = 15. Does 5 DMG to Cassandra. Cassandra HP = 10.
Possessed Corporal #2 = 9 - 1 (8, RCISC.) Acc. Roll = 13. Does 5 DMG to Jayden. Jayden HP = 10.



​

The battle began with a chaotic symphony of gunshots and mad swinging, as the invading demons engaged (and were engaged by) the skeletal minions of Captain Valdueza and the group of Rebecca, Cassandra, Jayden, Sebastian, and Royland. The rest were still on foot, making their way quickly towards the battle as it began to heat up. Hopefully they would arrive in time to assist.

The marketplace itself was ripe with cover, with several overturned stalls, crates, barrels, and other debris. Endless amounts of cover. One could even stand out in the open and have something likely in the enemy's line of sight preventing them from directly shooting you. However, it did not prevent members of either side from getting shot. As the skeletons rushed in, whacking anything they could get close to, the demons focused their efforts on taking out the still living entities beyond. Rebecca's group.

Both sides traded fire, with Sebastian easily shooting and killing a possessed cavalry trooper as a skeleton stunned him. The bullet ripped through the soldier's torso, probably hitting and blowing a massive hole through one of the man's lungs. A retaliation shot was delivered by one of the soldier's allies, the bullet hitting Sebastian in the left shoulder and almost knocking him away from his cover.

Jayden fired his own shot from his single-shot rifle, the gunshot cracking through the air as the bullet zipped from point A to B. B being one of the soldiers that had narrowly dodged a swing from one of the attacking skeletons. It hit the man in the arm, forcing him to spin almost in place, but he remained upright. Being the soldier that would shoot Sebastian, however, Jayden had nothing to worry about in that moment from that particular man. Instead, he would be shot at by two others. Another private, and one of the corporals that had moved up to get a shot. The private would miss his shot, the bullet zipping by Jayden's leg, but the corporal's shot would connect. Hitting him in his upper right torso before he could find cover.

Cassandra would take aim yet again, pausing briefly to line up her shot. And as a skeleton whacked her target across the side of the head with what appeared to be a chair leg, she would fire. The bullet crossed the marketplace, before slamming into the demon's arm. The bullet punched through his body, likely hitting his heart, before ripping out the other side. The man dropped and fell over afterwards, exposing the corporal behind him who had lined up a shot himself on Cassandra.

His .45-70 round collided with Cassandra's stomach, forcing the pureblood to stumble a bit. But she was alright. She needed cover, though. Not to stand out in the open like this. She spun about, quickly grabbing a wounded Jayden and moving for cover.

The saint had equipped her crossbow, choosing something that could strike at range over her sword and shield, and spun around long enough to aim and fire the weapon. And she struck true, as the shot hit one of the soldiers square in the chest. He dropped on the spot. Two of the other soldiers, however, chose to respond. One shot collided with her plated arm, almost knocking the crossbow out of her hand, while the other narrowly missed her side. Royland would come under fire, as he retreated himself to cover, and a bullet would collide with his right elbow before he would be able to find something to get behind.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou watched as Cassandra rushed forward with her speed and strength, as he flew as fast as he could to help in the fight, though he'd arrive after it started.

The hermit quickly surveyed the situation, noting auras and who's fighting who. The possessed versus their group and skeletons, what a curious sight. Sensing which among the possessed were stronger, he thought it would be a good idea to thin out their ranks and deal with the weaker possessed first, and what better way than to attack all at once.

"[Talisman ~ Scattering Shot!]" the oni yelled, as he descended upon the battlefield with an AoE attack against the possessed.

 

[joshuadim]

By now Azathor had reached the battlefield as the fighting had begun already, cursing himself that he hadn't been faster as Jayden took some bad hits. But there was no time to ruminate on what could have been, as the demon prince unsheated Belias' sword to reveal its shimmering blue glow before rushing towards the closest enemy and striking them with a downwards, diagonal slash that was complimented by a fearsome battle cry.

 

[K0mori]

"Ah! Scheiße!" Sebastian spat, clutching his shoulder as he ducked and sucked several labored breaths through his teeth, suppressing the pain. He watched Cassandra take a shot to the stomach and practically shrug it off, and felt a surge of rivalry well up within him. He grabbed his Mauser and cycled another round into the chamber. Picking himself up, he took up the same position as he had before, as it was a good one, and he reckoned that the enemy had merely been lucky to catch him. The bloody sawmill crept back into his mind. He still wanted to kill them all.

 

[Breadman]

Royland barely felt the sting from the bullet hit his shoulder. Not what would normally happen. Something was off. Regardless, the knight didn't spare it anymore thought. They needed to thin the enemy. The chain manifested itself around his arm with a mace head at the end and he swung it towards the enemy.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The booted footfalls of the inquisitor were rapidly muted by the cacophonous roar of gunfire, brutal close quarters combat, and bloodied screams. Rajko stopped for a singular moment to be wowed, for lack of a better term. Entire scores of Atraca's finest lads possessed by daemonic filth and sent to die against their will. Bitterly he thought, it was no different than what they were already doing; old pawns for new darker, crueler masters.

He slams shoulder to cover and rifle cradled in his arms. Those eardrum shattering sounds of battle were really starting to get to him. It was getting difficult to concentrate. He managed to peak over his cover, worked the bolt and chambered a bullet and fired at a mind-bent soldier.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille sprinted toward the marketplace as quick as she could, though slowed her approach as she heard the thundering of gunfire and the hail of bullets that followed. Moving up carefully from the coast she began to load up her wrist-mounted crossbow, taking up a position of cover as she spotted the incoming possessed soldiers. Gritting her teeth to illustrate just how much she detested this sort of engagement, she carefully poked her head out from the shadows to loose a bolt before ducking right back into cover.

 

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Turn Two

Skeleton #1 = 6. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Private #2. Possessed Private #2 HP = 1.
Skeleton #2 = 2. Misses Possessed Private #2.
Skeleton #3 = 8. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Private #2. Possessed Private #2 is dead!
Skeleton #4 = 2. Misses Possessed Private #5.
Skeleton #5 = 10. Crit Roll = 6. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Private #5. Possessed Private #5 HP = 2.
Skeleton #6 = 3. Misses Possessed Private #6.
Skeleton #7 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Private #7. Possessed Private #7 HP = 4.
Skeleton #9 = 1. Critical Failure! Trips and collides with rocks. Skeleton #9 has been knocked down!
Skeleton #12 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Corporal #2. Possessed Corporal #2 HP = 6.
Xiaòzhou = 5, 2 (Miss), 9, 9, 2 (Miss), 4 (Miss), 3 (Miss), 9 (Like Water, Returning.) Acc. Rolls = 13, 13, 18, 16. Does 10 DMG (Like Water, Returning) to Possessed Privates #5, #6, #7, #8. Possessed Privates #5, #6, #7, and #8 are dead!
Azathor = 3. Misses Possessed Private #9.
Sebastian = 7. Acc. Roll = 14. Does 5 DMG to Possessed Private #9. Possessed Private #9 is dead!
Royland = 1. Critical Failure! Hits Skeleton #12! Skeleton #12 has been knocked down!
Rajko = 3. Misses Possessed Private #10.
Camille = 8. Acc. Roll = 16. Does 5 DMG to Possessed Private #10. Possessed Private #10 is dead!
Jayden = 5. Acc. Roll = 11. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Corporal #1. Possessed Corporal #1 HP = 4.
Cassandra = 7. Acc. Roll = 9. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Corporal #1. Possessed Corporal #1 HP = 1.
Rebecca = 8. Acc. Roll = 7. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Corporal #1. Possessed Corporal #1 is dead!

--- --- ---

The two Possessed Sergeants and the Possessed Lieutenant have arrived on the battlefield!

Possessed Corporal #2 = 8. Acc. Roll = 8. Does 3 DMG to Xiaòzhou. Xiaòzhou HP = 12.
Possessed Sergeant #1 = 6. Acc. Roll = 20. Critical Hit! Does 10 DMG to Azathor. Azathor HP = 5.
Possessed Sergeant #2 = 8. Acc. Roll = 17. Does 5 DMG to Azathor. Azathor has been KO'd!
Possessed Lieutenant = 10. Acc. Roll = 16. Does 5 DMG to Xiaòzhou. Xiaòzhou HP = 7.

​

As the rest of the group arrived to join the fray, the skeletons continued their attack on the remaining soldiers still pushing through the rocky wall into the open. Three skeletons managed to gang up on a wounded soldier and kill them, slashing and stabbing the trooper till he dropped. A pair of other skeletons attacked and wounded a second soldier, while others either missed or hit their marks. One skeleton tried attacking a soldier, but tripped and fell into the rocks. Shattering into a mess of bones on impact.

Xiaòzhou arrival via air was followed by one of his fantasic Far Western attacks which hit several of the soldiers in unison. Four soldiers dropped dead where they were, startling the others and opening them up to being fired upon by the rest of the group. Sebastian and Camille's shots landed on target, dropping two more soldiers, while trio of attacks from Jayden, Cassandra, and Rebecca dropped a third. Rajko's shot, somehow, went a little wide.

Azathor and Royland opted for melee combat, rushing in and taking their chances after the gunfire. Azathor swung at one of the soldiers but missed. Thankfully, Sebastian was the one that would put that particular trooper down before they could make a counter-swing. Rowland's mace swing missed its intended target, and collided with a skeleton's head. Sending it sailing through their air and dropping the skeleton where it stood.

Suddenly, three more soldiers rushed through the wall. These three seemed to be the commanding units, with all three fitted with armored plating on their helmets and torsos. Two of them had shotguns as well, and used them near immediately as soon as they spotted Azathor. Two blasts of 12 gauge buckshot caught him squarely in his torso, one in the chest and one in the stomach. The abrupt force sent him flying backwards, bouncing off a boulder and into a old, rotten merchant's stall. He was down for the count.

The remaining soldier, and what appeared to be the lead officer, opened fire on Xiaòzhou above. Deeming the Oni as the greatest threat. The lower ranked soldier fired off a .45-70 shot, which clipped the Oni's left arm, and the officer fired off a shot from his cut-down Krag–Jørgensen carbine. The rifle shot punched a hole clean through Xiaòzhou's abdomen, barely missing anything vital and nearly knocking the Oni out of the air.

Cassandra saw how fast Azathor went down, before racking the bolt on her Lebel. "Shotgunners! Take 'em out!" she spat, before squeezing the trigger. Jayden popped a fresh round into his own rifle, before firing off a shot at the same target.

Rebecca, meanwhile, put her crossbow away and drew her towershield out. "I'm going for Azathor!" she called out, as she held her shield before her to block any gunfire while moving.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou watched as the possessed crumpled as a result of his attack, though his attention quickly shifted to the stronger possessed that had entered the fight. Seeing Azathor get folded near instantly by the sergeant shotgunners distracted him long enough to be shot at by the remaining corporal and lieutenant, him reaching for his left arm leaving him open to get shot in the abdomen. He couldn't concentrate on Azathor - he needed to get down from the air now or he was going to be shot down.

The hermit landed behind cover, with some relief hearing that Rebecca was rushing towards Azathor. He put his hand over his abdomen gun wound, to heal it, whilst reaching for the revolver carbine in his bag. He quickly loaded it and, after healing what he could, before aiming for the lieutenant. The others will have to deal with the shotgunners, despite how much that pains him.

 

[Breadman]

"BAH!" The knight spat out as he missed his target and hit one of the skeletons instead. It was of little importance anyway as the enemy managed to knock the demon prince down and badly wound the oni. The shotgunners needed to be take care of. He channeled more of his energy into them and spikes began to poke out of the links. Now he swung again towards the enemy soldiers. If he wouldn't hit kill them then maybe he would cause enough damage in other ways.

 

[K0mori]

Having avoided taking another hit, Sebastian furiously jammed another clip full of cartridges into his rifle and loaded a bullet into the chamber. Turning back just in time to see Azathor blown back by the approaching sergeants, he was too focused on the fighting to take offense to Cassandra shouting orders at him.

Cassandra saw how fast Azathor went down, before racking the bolt on her Lebel. "Shotgunners! Take 'em out!" she spat, before squeezing the trigger. Jayden popped a fresh round into his own rifle, before firing off a shot at the same target.

"Moment mal!" he snapped, getting the sight picture back and closing out all distractions. The sights and sounds in his proximity faded away, and he pulled the trigger once again.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille quickly began to draw back her crossbow and load in a new bolt from behind cover, trying her best to focus on the battlefield even as the gunfire grew closer. She had only been somewhat certain that her shot dealt a killing blow, as the huntress knew to limit her exposure to ensure her survival. One could not afford to be confirming their kills when they had to manually load a shot into their weapon each time it is fired.

When Azathor fell, she heard the saint's call and peered her head out from cover as she gauged the distance. That tower shield seemed sturdy enough...

"You won't go alone! I'm right behind you!" With little hesitation Camille drew her sabers with a dexterous flip, eyes narrowing before she began a sprint to the mobile cover that Rebecca had created. She kept herself low and behind the saint's massive shield, keeping pace as she awaited an opportunity to use her blades on the approaching possessed.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Through this entire chaos, Rajko knew that his shot missed. His teeth grated against each other as deft hands worked the action to put another round in the chamber. He was almost prone against his cover. In hindsight, he should've selected better but exigency ensured that couldn't happen. Azathor had been the first to fall. Rajko saw it when he was about to take a shot. Damn it, this is getting too dicey. Rebecca's orders were nearly lost amidst the fray, but Rajko heard them.

Shotgunners. Shotgunners. Shotgunners! He found them! His rifle leveled and finger pressured the trigger, a bullet was let loose.

 

[Infab]

Caleling Reef - Marketplace - Turn Three

Skeleton #1 = 7. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Corporal #2. Possessed Corporal #2 HP = 6.
Skeleton #2 = 8. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Corporal #2. Possessed Corporal #2 HP = 5.
Skeleton #3 = 6. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #1. Possessed Sergeant #1 HP = 9.
Skeleton #4 = 5 Does 1 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #1. Possessed Sergeant #1 HP = 8.
Skeleton#5 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #2. Possessed Sergeant #1 HP = 9.
Skeleton #6 = 5. Does 1 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #2. Possessed Sergeant #2 HP = 8.
Skeleton #7 = 2. Misses Possessed Lieutenant.
Skeleton #9 = 2. Misses Possessed Lieutenant.
Xiaòzhou attempts to heal himself. Chance Roll = 9. Chance Successful! Xiaòzhou has restored 8 HP. Xiaòzhou HP = 15.
Xiaòzhou = 5. Acc Roll = 13. Does 6 DMG (Like Water, Returning; Armored Up) to Possessed Lieutenant. Possessed Lieutenant HP = 9.
Royland = 8. Acc. Roll = 19. Headshot! Possessed Corporal #2 is dead!
Sebastian = 7. Acc. Roll = 19. Does 5 DMG (Armored Up) to Possessed Sergeant #1. Possessed Sergeant #1 HP = 3.
Camille = 5. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #1. Possessed Sergeant #1 is dead!
Rajko = 10. Acc. Roll = 10. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #2. Possessed Sergeant #2 HP = 5.
Jayden = 5. Acc. Roll = 10. Does 3 DMG to Possessed Sergeant #2. Possessed Sergeant #2 HP = 2.
Cassandra = 7. Acc. Roll = 17. Does 3 DMG (Armored Up) to Possessed Lieutenant. Possessed Lieutenant HP = 6.
Rebecca attempts to revive Azathor. Chance Roll = 10. Critical Success! Azathor has been revived with full health! Azathor HP = 15.

--- --- ---

Possessed Sergeant #2 = 7. Acc. Roll = 19. Critical Hit! Does 5 DMG (Shield-Maiden) to Camille. Camille HP = 10.
Possessed Lieutenant = 9. Acc. Roll = 20. Critical Hit! Does 10 DMG to Cassandra. Cassandra has been KO'd!

​

The furious arrival of the NCOs and officer shocked the group, as one of their own was cut down quickly by shotgun blasts while another was nearly shot out of the sky, but the group doubled their efforts. Determined to put these possessed troopers down for good. The skeletons also played their part, attacking the remaining corporal as well as the new arrivals with furious swings of their weapons. Two would fail to connect, however. Missing the officer as he nimbly dodged their swings.

Xiaòzhou managed to heal himself with ease, completely mending his wounds, before turning his attention to the Lieutenant. And with a simple aim of his weapon, and a squeeze of the trigger, he managed to hit the Lieutenant in the chest. But there was a loud metal clang, as the bullet collided with plate armor instead of flesh. He'd have to aim for the limbs if he wanted to see blood. That, or keep hammering the torso until the demon was knocked down. Royland, meanwhile, chose to take the corporal out of the equation. With a twirl and flick of his spiked chain, he slung the mace attached to the end straight at his target. And the mace collided in gory fashion with the corporal's head. The hunk of metal evaporated the foe's skull, sending chunks of flesh, bone, and brain sailing onto the rocks behind him as his body collapsed to the ground.

Sebastian's aim would be true, as his Mauser's shot nailed the target's head. But it was a shallow angle, and the bullet ricocheted off. It still stunned the enemy for a brief moment, allowing Camille to rush in from behind Rebecca as they neared Azathor. And with a quick swing of her swords, the huntress would slice the sergeant to ribbons. That was two enemies down. The other sergeant made a revenge shot, as Camille retreated behind Rebecca once more, the shotgun blast impacting Rebecca's shield rather hard and knocking both her and Camille into the ground. Camille taking damage from the armored Saint landing atop her. Still, they got back to their feet, and continued to move to Azathor's body.

Rajko and Jayden would both shoot at the remaining sargeant, both catching the sergeant in the limbs. Rajko hitting an arm, while Jayden nailed his thigh. It would allow the pair of Rebecca and Camille time to get to Azathor, where Rebecca immediately began working her magic. Rebecca's eyes began to glow, as she held a hand over Azathor's wounded vessel. That strange, divine language of Heaven flowing from between her lips as Azathor's body began to mend. Buckshot popped from the messy wound, rolling off to his sides, before the wound itself began to seal and clean itself. And soon, Azathor's eyes popped open. He was back in the fight.

Cassandra would choose to take a shot at the Lieutenant, as it seemed the others had the Sergeants under control for the moment. And her Lebel's 8mm shot collided with the armored plating of the Lieutenant's torso with a loud CLANG. But she didn't expect what happened next. The Lieutenant snapped his Krag–Jørgensen to his shoulder, took brief aim, and fired a single shot right back at her.

Hitting her right between the eyes.

Cassandra stumbled backwards, dropping her rifle before falling over into a pile of debris. A portion of the back of her head had been erased, its contents splattered all over the ruined house behind her.

 

[Breadman]

Royland felt the thud from the mace head crash into the rocks after it pulverized the corporal's head. The knight had already picked the next target from the two lieutenants left standing. He stepped back and pulled before he twisting around to aim towards the remaining possessed soldiers.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou grimaced as the bullet collided with the plate armor of the lieutenant. As he shifted to reloading, he sensed as Rebecca revived Azathor... and as the lieutenant took Cassandra out. They needed to deal with that lieutenant!

A concentrated attack on his end would be needed, so he pulled out a talisman, 'Talisman ~ Converging Shot', and wrapped it around his next shot, charging both in the process. The carbine's actual bullet would be aimed at an unarmored section, while the talisman would be aimed at the lieutenant in general, with the hopes that the latter would enclose them and ensure his shot. Now was the time to find out whether the cylinder will blow from tension due to the infusion of qi.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Amidst all this chaos, he found his throat parched. He pulled the bolt to eject the spent casing and racked a new round. He notched his rifle over the edge of the cover to take aim. But out of his peripheries saw the lieutenant implore Cassandra to explore the new openings in her head. "Blast," he cursed loudly. His finger squeezed the trigger and fired the bolt-action rifle at the sergeant. Land, damn it, land. He hoped that his aim was true.

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian paused a moment as Cassandra got her brains blown out. He knew it wouldn't kill her, but it was useful to remember that guns still work well enough to stop her so that a white oak stake can be employed without resistance. He shooed the thought away for the moment and kept on doing what he was already doing, since it seemed to be working quite well.