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

[joshuadim]

She grit her teeth. "I want all of this to stop."

Azathor turned to Camille as she spoke, her gaze forced upon Veronica's mangled body, and frowned. This whole affair, this whole war, it was taking its toll - slowly and surely - upon the people here. Even he wasn't immune to it, as much as he hid it. Gyasis' words of encouragement entered his mind again as a solemn reminder to their journey. To stand against the raging tempest surrounding them, they needed to be with one another. Quietly, he stepped to Camille's side and rested a hand on her shoulder.

"And we will stop it." the demon prince spoke with empathy. "For the sake of all those who suffer."

 

[Dmaster]

Camille did not flinch as Azathor placed a hand on her shoulder, the irony of a demon-possessed vessel consoling her when it was his kind who weaved these horrors was not lost on her. It was clear that the huntress did not possess her husband's abject hatred of demon kind, and the prince could feel some of the tension leave her shoulders. Slowly she turned her head to Azathor and offered him a stern nod.

"This extends far beyond petty revenge. What I wish for is retribution for every life they've cast into misery and turmoil. I will end those responsible even if it kills me," Camille vowed, palpable anger clear in her typically calm and measured voice.

 

[Breadman]

"Are you sure you're Sazak's kid?" Constantine narrowed his eyes looking at Azathor, cigarette still in hand.

 

[Infab]

As the others spoke on Veronica's condition in hushed tones, writing her off as another casualty of this dreadful war, Reese and the soldiers got to work trying to stop the bleeding as best they could. Meanwhile, Rebecca continued to approach. Cassandra, nearby with her arms folded, observed the Saint kneel next to the dying mage. She laid her sword and revolver down next to her, before removing both of her armored gauntlets.

Then, the pureblood watched as Rebecca placed a bare hand on Veronica's chest. The other was placed on Veronica's head, her fingers slipping into the bloody, matted strands of her hair. Was the Saint laying hands? It appeared so.

Veronica's eyes shifted in their sockets to look at the Saint, and Cassandra noticed the flash of anger in the good one. The mage... she wanted to die here. That's why she sounded the way she did before the charge. She wanted to perish here, among these countless soldiers and her fellow mages. Why? What drove her to wishing for such a death?

Soon, Rebecca's hands began to glow. A golden light emerged from her fingertips, before her hands themselves began to shine with a brilliant radiance. Her eyes had shifted in color as well, also taking on the golden appearance. The light was almost blinding, and it actually forced the soldiers to recoil in surprise.

"Thou shalt live, mage. I give unto thee a portion of mine own life." said the Saint, her voice bearing a sort of echo and reverberation. As if Heaven itself were talking through her. "Death shalt not claim thee... not yet."

Eventually, the light began to fade. Veronica looked... a bit better than she had before. The blood had stopped pouring from her missing arm, and some of her wounds had been healed across her body. Her eye had been mended as well. But the Mage, however, was far from happy.

"...Why? Why the hell can't I die here in peace?" she said, anger spilling forth. "Why must you rob me of that, you damned Saint?"

The tears returned, flowing down her face again. "I'm alone. I am the last of the Royal Mages of my company to be sent to this fucking hell hole. I have spent the last few months watching every single one of my friends die here. All across this front." she continued. "I wanted to die here, so that I could be with them all again. Wherever they may be. I wanted to see all their faces again... but you just had to rob me of that. Why?"

"Because enough people have died here, Veronica. If I have the chance to spare someone a miserable death, I shall do it."

Veronica's eyes widened, looking up at Rebecca's own. Rebecca's face had grown serious, as had her tone. "I have give you a second chance at life. I want you to return home, far from this war. I want you to cast aside your misguided hatred of the Tsavanian. I want you to recover from these grevious wounds, both physical and mental." she said, pausing for a brief moment so that she could stand.

"Atraca, Tsavania, Escaria, Daristein, Eshax... All are at war due to infernal influence. Demons behind the scenes, lead by none other than the Icons themselves. If you think the Tsavanians want all of this, you're mistaken." she continued, gazing down at Veronica. "You must forgive them, for they know not what they do. You're just like them in that regard. All of you are being strung along like puppets on a stage."

"As for your friends... I am sorry. If I could bring them back without consequence, I would. I would revive everyone on this battlefield. That, however, is beyond the scope of my abilities. But I should point out that I doubt your friends would want you to mindlessly rush in and die just because they did. They would want you to live on. Cherish the time you spent with them. Remember them, always. Find someone to love, start a family. Leave this war and slaughter behind you."

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou tossed aside the comments he could hear the others making, and concentrated on his stabilizing prayer for Veronica, but he found himself resisted. He wasn't sure what it was, whether it be the difference in faith between the two, or the raw passive power still lingering within Veronica, he couldn't make reliable headway into stabilizing her. He kept at it however, just in hope it would aid anything.

And then, as if hearing his prayer, Saint Rebecca stepped forth and not only stabilized her condition, but healed her with such a force he found himself taken aback. The power of the saintly continue to astonish him, though it seemed Veronica did not appreciate it. Just to be sure, he walked up behind Rebecca to act as backup just in case Veronica lashed out in shock from what she had just been told, though otherwise just appearing to come up and nod in agreement with everything the saint was saying.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille was not surprised over how the saint had managed to weave a miracle, though she felt rather conflicted over the choice Veronica was left with. Once more she could see another version of herself in the mage, and seconds earlier she had just pledged that she would be willing to die to see her mission through. Even with the huntress' conviction, she would much prefer to live through these horrors so that she could be there for her family. If she herself managed to miraculously survive a battle that left her crippled, would she be comfortable living a life where she could never fight again? Camille was uncertain, for while she did have reasons to live beyond battle she would hate to be powerless in protecting those she loved.

Regardless of her reservations, Rebecca's words rang true. "It takes strength to choose to live despite misery and hopelessness. Even if this war is terrible and meaningless, you and your comrades believed to be fighting for a better tomorrow. If only the blade was pointed at the right foe rather than your fellow man," the huntress spoke solemnly. "The sacrifices made were done with the hope of a better tomorrow, and even if it was misguided and twisted you cannot let it be in vain."

 

[K0mori]

Sebastian stood watching the whole ordeal of Veronica's near-death and the miracle that saved her. In uncomfortable silence, he had been thinking about their stay on Grimtham, and specifically what had been told about demons: they sense the evil residing in a person's soul, while ignorant of the virtues which accompany it. He wondered whether angels were the opposite, only sensing the goodness any person is capable of, regardless of their history.

He thought these things, because how else could Heaven's favored waste a miracle on someone like Veronica?

He considered the fate of her friends in the Abyss, and figured if the rest of the Royal Mages were as bloodthirsty as she is, then maybe Tariun was already putting them to work in her bid for the Abyssal Crown.

He was covered in sweat and werewolf blood, and absolutely filthy with dirt. His eyes stung from the smoke in the air and his stomach turned with the ever-present smell of death hanging over the trenches. He finally felt compelled to speak, and he did- quietly and without humor. "If she wants to sulk, let her. We need to keep moving."

 

[Infab]

After Camille and Sebastian said their piece, Reese spoke up. "I'll see that she gets back to the field hospital safely. We still need to get you past the Tsavanian lines, though." he said, before looking to one of the other soldiers that he had brought with him.

A few words were exchanged, regarding who would be taking Veronica back and who would be staying. Then, Reese stood. "My men here will stay with her and transport her back. Let's get moving." he said, waving a hand towards the trench opening they had emerged from. The other soldiers remained, bandaging up Veronica's stump in the event that it began to bleed again.

Veronica herself had gone quiet, her gaze having shifted back to the dead mage nearby once more.

Rebecca followed after Reese, the others tailing behind her as they made their way back through the trenches to where they had made their stand at the pavilion. The troops there were still on alert, but had relaxed enough to begin checking the bodies of fallen Tsavanians for anything useful. Once the group arrived, Reese explained what had happened to Veronica.

The information was met with looks to Rebecca, and a few worried expressions and comments. "We'll head back once we secure the Saint's group a way forward. Now, form up. Let's get moving." he stated. The troops shifted, moving into position before pressing through the opening that the Tsavanians had come barreling through.

Most had to be careful, stepping slowly over and through the piles of bodies at the opening. Mainly, they were worried about any of them still being alive. There was always the threat of a gravely wounded soldier with a grenade. Thankfully, that wasn't the case here. A few minutes of careful footwork was all it took to get through.

As they progressed, the trench began to widen out. The walls, covered in thick wooden planks in places, were now slowly thinning and vanishing. Mud was being replaced by simple dirt, and even well-trodden grass in splotches They were nearing the exit, and soon they would find it. They emerged into a large open area, likely used as a staging areas like others across the front. Crates were scattered about, both open and sealed. Some were covered in large tarps, protecting them from rain. There were a few carts as well, though the horses needed to pull them were nowhere to be seen.

Reese gave out his orders, sending troops in different directions to secure the area. Rebecca, however, was focused on something else.

"...Azathor, Xiaòzhou, do you sense that?" she soon asked, looking about. "...Lingering arcane energies. Someone talented in the alchemical arts was here."

The mention of Alchemy forced Cassandra to perk up. "Traps, TRAPS! WATCH FOR GODSDAMNED TRAPS!" she said, her voice escalating into shouting as her head shifted in Reese's direction.

Reese's eyes went wide. "Fucking alchemists!? Here?!" he spat, before looking about frantically. He then shouted to his men. "DON'T MO--" was all he was able to get out, before the worst cut him off.

A large red explosion erupted from a nearby crate, engulfing four of his men in the fireball. The concussive wave knocked the rest of them off their feet, sending everyone into the dirt. Another blast soon went off, killing three more.

Ears were ringing. The world was spinning. It was as if they were moving in slow motion, as the group attempted to get back to their feet. Another blast went off, but thankfully on the far side of the area. A result of being damaged by one of the other explosions.

 

[Breadman]

"Never mind." Constantine said with surprise as Rebecca restored Veronica at the cost of her own lifespan. "Best make the most of this." The wraith whispered to her as they passed each other by. It would be a waste to see her down in the Abyss after all of this. If he made it. He followed the others across the trenches and the open area beyond. Something felt off to him and Rebecca felt it too. Cassandra confirmed their worry as she started shouting about traps. Didn't take long for someone to trigger one. The blast send the wraith along with the others flying. His luck was still working as no other trap was splung. 'Yeah...luck.' The the second blast hit as he was getting up. It nearly knocked him right back down, but he steadied himself. "Gods damn it!" The gambler cursed as the ringing would not go away.

 

[K0mori]

As the party emerged from the narrow trenches into the staging areas beyond, Sebastian sensed something wrong almost immediately, but wasn't sure exactly why- maybe it was the general sense of unguardedness of the rear, or the lack of horses or other work animals, or maybe it was just gut instinct. He took aim with his rifle and swept the crates, expecting some hidden actors to appear and ambush them, but not the trap that they had actually wandered into. Cassandra's shouting brought him to a complete halt as his head whipped about, trying to see whatever it was that she had seen, until the explosions began and knocked him onto his back.

For a moment, as he lay there, he wasn't sure whether he survived the blast unscathed or if he would lift his head and discover his legs missing below the knee. Thankfully, this wasn't the case, and he quickly struggled to regain control, urging his body to obey his will and lift itself from the ground. "Ffffuck..." he groaned, now aware enough to locate his comrades and assist any who were disoriented. There was no way that a landmine was the only plan, here. Someone would be coming to finish them off; it was only a question of who, where, and when.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

The inquisitor withheld his reservations about Rebecca's choice; he found the concept needless and dangerous, but resolved that it was not his choice. He shouldered on with the party, emerging at last from the narrow trenches which hemmed them like cattle. A feeling of unease began to creep, inch by inch, over Rajko, causing him to grip his rifle tighter. Perhaps, it was the unnatural, almost-dead desertion of the place, or the odd odour in the air that eludes his memory. He was not alone in his feelings, he could tell. His ears picked out the quickening breaths and the nose sniffed the sweaty terror on their skins. He tugged on his gaiter to get a better whiff of the ear. Then Cassandra's shouted. Her words turned his blood to ice. Petrifying him in place as his eyes whipped around to spot something. Anything. Until the alchemical charges hidden in the tarp-covered crates detonated.

For a brief moment, Rajko saw four of Reese's men hit from their side by the full force of the blast. They were torn apart in a storm of burnt dirt and bloodied gore before being consumed by the fireball. The blast roared at the rest of them, knocking Rajko down and forcing him to tuck his head to his chest. His ears burst like a dozen church bells rang at once near him as the blast rolled over them. He hollered in pain, hands snapping up to cup his ears tight. He coughed, choking with a raw throat.

For long seconds, he remained paralysed from pain on the ground. Willing his shaking body to stillness with calm, collected breathing. Slowly, he removed his hands from his ears, trying to cuff grit from his eyes. He clambered to his feet, vision swimming and body swaying. He thought he heard someone speak through the ringing. But couldn't muster the will to voice anything at all. The ringing died down to a disturbing quiet. He looked around, saw their lips twist and move, talking. Except there was nothing, his eyes dragged themselves down, saw their grime-and-blood crusted boots shuffling in the dirt, however, there was no sound of squelching earth.

He shook his head with the realization and began gesturing to his ears. Hopefully, they can fix it before whatever descends upon them like wolves. Or bears.

 

[Damian0358]

As they made their way forward and entered the open area, Xiaòzhou's eyes squinted, as he considered what in the heck he was sensing. Upon hearing Rebecca, he only turned and gave a silent nod, unsure what it would exactly mean that they were facing the alchemists... though he would quickly find out thanks to Cassandra.

Given his limited experience with alchemists, all he could do is try and sense what was about to happen, when it all kicked off, they would be dominated. The hermit got blasted just as the others, though he quickly lifted himself up using the mystic arts and pulled back before the second blast could strike. Once it became clear the explosions wouldn't continue, Xiaòzhou worked quickly to try and heal everyone up that he could sense was still alive.

 

[Infab]

The haze of smoke from the detonations began to disperse, spreading through the trench and surrounding area as it slowly started to thin out. The smoke was still thick enough, however, to visually mask the entrance of their attackers from the non-supernatural members of the group. As Cassandra climbed to her feet, attempting to shake off the effects of the detonations, she felt them. Four new auras, moving through the smoke quickly among the other scattered auras of her allies. One of these new aura, in particular, was moving towards the Saint.

She flipped her rifle around off her back, swinging it up and pressing it into her shoulder. A moment later, a shot rang out and the bullet seemed to hit its target... or did it?

She noticed the individual recoil, but they didn't go down. Focusing too much on this one aura, however, left her open another one closing in on her left. Suddenly, a hand breached the smoke next to her. It reached immediately for her rifle, attempting to grab it just across the barrel in front of the sights.

She knew how alchemists worked. She had fought several, and the last one was still fresh in her mind. They were intending to rend her rifle useless. Not this time. She dipped, moving low enough so that the hand missed its target, before bringing the butt of the weapon's stock to bear in an attack from the left side of the aura.

She lunged through the smoke, the rifle stock cleaving through the smoke, but the target wasn't met. The enemy had pulled back, seeming to almost roll away, but they had left her a new target to strike. A pillar of solid iron, spawned from where they had stood. Her rifle collided with the metal, the impact causing a loud CLACK to echo out into the open air.

These were specialists. Alchemists trained specifically for warfare and employed by the Daristeinian state. Combat against them wouldn't be easy, as one alone was difficult enough for even pureblood vampires to handle. She grunted, her head snapping about to locate the aura's new position. But she wouldn't have to search long, as the alchemist made its presence known by driving a fist full of silver needles into her back.

The pain was immense, but she remained unaffected by the silver. After all, she was a pureblood. However, what came two seconds afterwards hurt a lot more. A thunderous crack sounded, and thousands of volts of electricity shot through her body. The silver shards had been marked with alchemical sigils, and the moment the shards were embedded in her flesh, the traps were activated.

Every muscle in her body locked up, rendering her unable to move or even yell out. She knew what was next. They would try and go for a swift decapitation. Put her out of the game so that they could focus on the others. They knew it wouldn't really kill her, but it would render her immobilized. Thankfully, however, that wouldn't occur.

Rebecca, taking note of what was now going on, held up a hand and called out a divine word. The smoke suddenly vanished, as if it had been pushed out and away from the area by a gust of intense wind. This exposed the alchemists, clad in dark, clean Daristeinian military uniforms and their signature top hats. Two men, two women. A standard specialist squad of State Alchemists.

They retreated, regrouping together across the staging area away from the scattered members of the group. Xiaòzhou got to work quickly, moving over and ripping the silver shards from Cassandra's back and healing her. All the while, her gaze was locked onto their now truly visible enemies.

 

[Damian0358]

As Xiaòzhou concentrated on healing the others from a safe enough distance, he took note of the four newcomers - likely the alchemists that they were about to face up against. He noted that they seemed to be rushing towards Rebecca and Cassandra, and that the latter noticed too. Believing that, as usual, she could handle herself, he worked to finish up healing the others, but as he did, he kept his senses on the ongoing fight.

These alchemists were swift in the cover of smoke, almost like master assassins, and while he wasn't sure of everything going on, they were absolutely giving Cassandra the run-around. And then, in a single set of moves, he raised his head in shock. Not only had they armaments that could decidedly harm a vampire, but the ability to use fulu - incantations through mystic symbols - reflective of the thunderous attack that they had just inflicted on her. In that moment, he knew exactly what it meant to be facing alchemists.

Not a moment too soon, Saint Rebecca dispersed the smoke through her abilities, and the alchemists retreated. The hermit rushed to Cassandra's aid to help her, ripping out the silver shards and worked on healing her. As he did however, he held up one of the shards and eyed it down, observing the sigil on it.

 

[joshuadim]

The explosions sent Azathor onto his back before he could respond to Rebecca, his world doubling in the moments following as his vision blurred. As if the ringing weren't enough, he could feel a noseblood also erupt from one of his nostrils, sending a stream of warm blood trickling down his face. The demon prince, rather than mope, got up with a groan as he reconstituted his bearings in the aftermath of the blast. Seven of Reese's soldiers were torn apart, and the group were also dealing with various stages of incapacitation in the moment. Cassandra was especially the target of alchemical methods, as Azathor witnessed what else she was being put through.

Rebecca's intervention made it clear where their next obstacles were and how many of them there were in the area. Azathor gritted his teeth as he pulled out his pistols, before snarling: "Lets deal with this quickly." He wasn't 100% confident in his aim, given he still felt a bit discombobulated, but he would rather project threat than turn back and make his current hinderances known to their opponents.

 

[Breadman]

Constantine got a look at their methods as he was getting up. They knew what they were doing. There were four of them and despite being outnumbered, they could pose a really big problem. 'Alright, they can handle a pureblood vampire. But what about demons?' He wondered as he noticed the hermit healing Cassandra.

"They can do damage when they focus on one of us. What about if we spread their attention?"

 

[Worthlessplebian]

Rajko knelt down, rifle to his chest, and still bleary-eyed from the explosion. Still in shock from having his ears burst. His eyes watched the smoke rise to the sky like curtains from the ground, rendering them shortsighted and almost-isolated. The inquisitor felt the healing energies of Xiaòzhou course through his body, Rajko's sense of acute hearing would return sooner than expected. Rajko pondered the fact of the Oni's—and by extension, Rebecca's—recuperative abilities for a moment, silently thanking the duo for their contributions. A gloved hand went up, dragging down the inquisitor's taut gaiter, then slipping away to his rifle.

He tilted his head up, taking quick breaths. The smoke stung at him, burning the nostrils with its sulfuric smell, but revealing to Rajko what Xiaòzhou noted moments ago. Through the earthly tones of dirt, the odd metallic tang of spilt blood, and the burning smoke, the presence of four foes were unmistakable. The alchemists were on the move.

A painful, throbbing feeling blossomed gripped his skull. He grunted and tried to shake it loose. It had issued inside his head, a hissing noise, the actinic crackling of arcane energies — he could hear again. Then came a pungent aroma battling the nauseating, sickly sweet stink of scorched flesh. They were fighting Cassandra, although not directly engaging the pureblood in combat, rather outmaneuvering her.

Rebecca had raised a hand to the sky, invoking the divine, banishing the plume of smoke. The intense wind's groaning bit down Rajko's neck as it exposed quartet of alchemists, already he had leveled the muzzle of his rifle to them, joining Azathor's threat.

"They'll have tools for that in their arsenal. Strike them swiftly." Rajko responded to Constantine, voice tinged with a flint-edged coldness.

 

[Dmaster]

The explosion racked Camille with stabbing pain, sending her into the air as she rolled into the dirt. With her ears ringing, she began to breathe rapidly from her position on the ground, worried that she had been made deaf from the explosives that were likely only meters from tearing her limbs and body asunder. When her hearing thankfully returned somewhat and the tinnitus slowly faded, the huntress scrambled up to a kneeling position, hands still clutching her swords as she quickly observed what was going on.

All the smoke that poured around the battlefield stung her eyes, causing her to squint before her hastened breathing got it to burn her lungs. Coughing, she shakily rose to both her feet and nearly fell back onto one knee as a stabbing pain registered in her side. Shrapnel? No, there was no blood, just the dull ache of a concussive blast that had bruised he muscles. Once again she attempted to stand, just in time to see the smoke clear thanks to Rebecca.

Just then the ringing in her ears stopped entirely and she heard Rajko giving his assessment, causing her to glare at the alchemists with gritted teeth. Glancing to her arm she noticed she had a bolt loaded, eyes darting back to a target as she took aim while beginning a sprinting advance. "That I can do," she spat, firing off her shot before moving closer.

 

[K0mori]

On another day, Sebastian would have cared about the identity of his enemy. He might have called out to them in Daristinian, to try to do anything except extract another river of blood from the war's gurgling spring. But he had just laid waste to many werewolves and werebears who were fighting under the flag of his mother's homeland; nothing really mattered anymore aside from pressing on and surviving. He took up position with his rifle and waited for the chance to strike.

 

[Infab]

Tiverpool - Tsavanian Trenches (Staging Area #3) - Miniboss Fight - Turn One
Daristeinian State Alchemist Specialist Squad
(Number of Enemies = 4. HP = 25 Each.)

Perks
Daristeinian State Alchemist Specialist Squad
Combat Alchemists - Combat Alchemists are alchemists that, in the name of Daristein, have honed their abilities specifically for their use in the heat of battle. They have tattooed various runes and sigils on their limbs and bodies, allowing for the rapid deployment of specialized alchemical abilities. In combat, if an alchemist uses an offensive alchemical attack, ranged or melee, the alchemist may roll twice to determine if an attack is more focused and successful. The higher dice roll wins. If the alchemist uses a defensive alchemical ability, two dice are rolled to see if they successfully stop the attack. The higher roll wins. If the attack is blocked, an additional die is rolled to determine if the alchemist can attempt a simple counter-attack, but only when the attack is within melee distance. (Once an alchemical ability is used by a character, another can't be used by the same character in the same turn.)

Total Unit Cohesion - State Alchemist specialist squads are often only sent out for one thing: the elimination of high value targets, or their capture. Due to this, they are often trained to stick close together and work like a finely tuned machine. If an alchemist is attacked and suffers damage, another nearby alchemist may make a retaliation attack against the attacker in their defense. If the attack connects, it inflicts double damage.

Rebecca's Group
- 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.)

Chosen Perk #2: Ever Vigilant - When faced with overwhelming numbers, Rebecca still remains ever focused and searches for any chance to turn the tide in her favor. When fighting against more than one foe, Rebecca gains a chance to counter-attack enemies that miss. If an enemy misses, she automatically strikes back (and if the attack lands, it is an automatic crit.)

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.

Random Perk #2: Light Bringer - As a Saint, Rebecca can manifest a ball of pure Heavenly light which can blind or burn demons. It also harms those that cannot stand the light of the sun. If used against demons, it does damage equal to 25% of their current health, and blinds them for a turn. If used against those weak to sunlight, it does damage equal to 50% of their health. This can only be used once in a battle.

- 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.

Chosen Perk #2: Crimson Sorceress - Blood magic is a particularly dark area of magic, using either your own blood or someone else's as a weapon. Cassandra, being a vampire, has already proven that she has a particular talent with it. Why not actually harness that ability while she's actually conscious? It might hurt, of course, but better to hurt the enemy than her allies. In exchange for HP, she can cast amplified magical attacks using blood magic. For every point of HP sacrificed, she does x2 DMG. (1 = 2, 2 = 4, 3 = 9 and so on.) She can do this up to three times in a fight.

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.

Random Perk #2: A Deathless Song - Channeling her magical ability into song, Cassandra weaves her talents into spells to aid her allies and prevent their demise. Once during a battle, should an ally take enough damage to KO them, Cassandra can cast a spell that fills them with renewed vigor. The ally will, instead of going down, automatically regain five HP. The cost of this spell is five of her own HP.

- 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.)

Chosen Perk #2: Hatchet Man - Having grown used to using an axe in melee combat (and having killed an Icon by throwing one), Sebastian has learned to wield it effectively enough to strike foes in more vital locations. Necks, limbs, torsos, no area of the body is safe from his wrath. While using his axe, he has a +2 chance to score critical hits either in melee combat or by throwing the axe at his foes.

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.

Random Perk #2: Explosive Ordinance - Taking note of the ferocity and size of some of the foes that they have faced, and using a bit of his own creativity, Sebastian has begun to seek out better ways to decimate enemies. And what better way than with the overapplication of explosives? Grenades, dynamite tied to sticks/wooden planks, anything that goes boom will be put to extensive use. Up to four times in a battle, Sebastian may throw an explosive device at an enemy or group of enemies. A D10 roll will be performed for each target, determining how much damage each enemy takes from the blast. If the target is a miniboss or a boss, a D20 is used in the roll.

- 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.)

Chosen Perk #2: Gunslinger - Using his twin pistols, Azathor is able to strike an enemy twice in rapid succession. When using ranged attacks, Azathor attacks twice in one turn, stacking damage against foes. This perk can combine with Combination Power for devastating results.

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.

Random Perk #2: That Which Dwells Beneath - Azathor, having mastered leaving and returning to his vessel much like the other Demon Princes and Icons, is able to shed his vessel temporarily to do battle in his true Demon Prince form. For once in a standard fight (and three times in a Miniboss or Boss fight), Azathor can strike foes directly in his true form and do double damage. He may strike up to three foes at a time in a standard fight, before returning to his vessel. If he struck while in his true form, he suffers double damage to himself.

- 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.

Chosen Perk #2: Veteran Huntress – Enhancing her prowess in battle over time against a variety of foes, Camille has chosen to focus on improving her abilities to dodge attacks from a distance. If targeted by a ranged attack from an enemy, her reflexes allow her to potentially avoid being hit and counter-attack in response. When attacked by an enemy at range, a D10 is rolled to determine if Camille is able to dodge the attack. If successfully dodged, another D10 is rolled to determine the success of Camille’s response. If the counter-attack hits, its an automatic crit.

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.

Random Perk #2: Dagger Dance – Sometimes the pace of combat requires a bit of finesse. Add in a bit of slight of hand, and the proper application of short hidden blades, and foes can be put down quickly and with ease. Camille’s no stranger to such things, using her needle-like weapons to great effect. However, she’s recently acquired a set of stiletto daggers. Typically used by gamblers, assassins, and other more criminal elements, Camille’s using them for a bit of a better purpose. Up to four times in a battle, Camille may employ the use of her stiletto daggers. When an enemy is hit by the daggers, they are temporarily stunned for a turn. While stunned, the enemy suffers double damage from all sources of damage. This can also be used as an AoE attack, targeting up to four enemies.

- Constantine -
Chosen Perk: Yippee Ki Yay - Even while using more modernized weapons, Constantine's skill with a firearm is up there with some of the best cowboys around. Perhaps it's simply natural, or his Wraith abilities enhance it? When landing a critical hit, Constantine can roll a D10 to stack additional damage on top. The amount of damage is determined by what the dice lands on.

Chosen Perk #2: Lady Luck - It seems the world likes someone who pushes the envelope, and Constantine's quite the gambler. If Constantine rolls a 1 at any point, he can reroll to attempt to avoid a critical failure.

Random Perk: Pistolero - Handguns are a cowboy's bread and butter, particularly revolvers. In time, they practically become an extension of the gunslinger themselves. Serving as deliverers of swift death. Constantine's all too familiar with handguns, and has mastered them over the course of his existence. When using revolvers or other handguns, Constantine has a +2 chance to hit his target. If the hit is a crit, it's an automatic vital shot.

Random Perk #2: Card Thrower - A true gambler, Constantine has a love of card games. In fact, he can summon a deck of cards to play with at his leisure. Those very same cards can also be used as weapons too. Up to four times in a battle, Constantine can summon his deck and sling an enchanted card at an enemy or ally. If the card hits an enemy, it will explode much like dynamite after a turn and do 10 DMG (or 25 DMG to a miniboss or boss.) If it hits an ally, it will heal said ally for 10 HP.

- 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.)

Chosen Perk #2: The Firm Grasp of Nature - +2 chance of succeeding in actions which directly manipulate an enemy's movements, whether they be passive or aggressive (a la attacks, such as physical [swords, bullets, etc], or spiritual [magic, etc]). Can be utilized in both an offensive and defensive manner (can be used with Like Water, but AoE moves/actions require recharging up to 3 turns after use.)

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.

Random Perk #2: Shan Oni Pai / Mountain Oni Style – Slowly embracing his Oni side in an effort to harmonize it with the Douean way, Takato attempts to internalize his Shadow self to add their fighting style to his repertoire. Up to three times during a battle, Takato may unleash a devastating flurry of brutal physical attacks upon his enemies. Rolls five times during an attack to deliver multiple hits, and for each hit, an additional point of damage is added. If attacking a miniboss/boss, three points of damage are added instead for each hit. If a roll fails, the rolls continue until five total rolls have been completed.

- 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.

Chosen Perk #2: A Hunter's Vow - Rajko honors his vows to others with immense zeal, determined to see what he has promised to completion. In combat, there's no exception. Once per fight, Rajko will improve his next two attacks, dealing an additional 15% of the target's health in damage. The additional damage will apply through a target's resistances while the base will not. If the target is a boss character, the damage will be reduced to 5%.

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.

Random Perk #2: Flash Ball – Reaching in the large arsenal of Inquisitorial tools, Rajko pulls a rather useful and more recently developed piece of equipment: the Flash Ball. A baseball-sized glass ball, filled with enchanted flash powder and an igniting agent, the device produces a bright flash that blinds observers temporarily. The enchantment on the powder, however, renders it more effective on those of the supernatural variety. Up to four times in a fight, Rajko can toss a flash ball at foes, disorienting them and throwing their aim off by two points for the next two turns. If used against supernatural enemies, however, it actually stuns them for a turn and throws their aim off by two points for the next four. Quite useful against groups of enemies.



Camille = 6. Acc. Roll = 13. Targets State Alchemist #1. State Alchemist #1 attempts to use Defensive Alchemy (Combat Alchemists.) Chance Rolls: 3, 9. Chance Successful. State Alchemist #1 suffers no damage.
Azathor = 8, 3 (Gunslinger.) Acc. Roll = 8. Does 3 DMG to State Alchemist #1, misses second attack. State Alchemist #1 HP = 22. State Alchemist #2 attempts a retaliation attack (Total Unit Cohesion.) Chance Roll = 4. Retaliation attack failed.
Constantine = 7 + 2 (9, Pistolero.) Acc. Roll = 16. Does 5 DMG to State Alchemist #2. State Alchemist #2 HP = 20.
Rajko = 5. Acc. Roll = 12. Does 3 DMG to State Alchemist #3. State Alchemist #3 HP = 22. State Alchemist #4 attempts a retaliation attack (Total Unit Cohesion.) Chance Roll = 7. Chance Successful. Acc. Roll = 11. Does 6 DMG to Rajko. Rajko HP = 14.
Sebastian = 7. Acc. Roll = 17. Ddoes 5 DMG to State Alchemist #4. State Alchemist #4 HP = 20.
Cassandra = 3. Misses State Alchemist #4.
Rebecca = 5. Acc. Roll = 4. Does 1 DMG to State Alchemist #1. State Alchemist #1 HP = 21.

--- --- ---

State Alchemist #1 = 7. Acc. Roll = 13. Does 3 DMG to Azathor. Azathor HP = 17.
State Alchemist #2 = 4, 9 (Combat Alchemists.) Chance Successful. Acc. Roll = 20. Critical Hit! Does 10 DMG to Constantine. Constantine HP = 10.
State Alchemist #3 = 3, 5 (Combat Alchemists.) Acc. Roll = 19. Critical Hit! Does 10 DMG to Rajko. Rajko HP = 4.
State Alchemist #4 = 6. Acc. Roll = 8. Does 3 DMG to Xiaòzhou. Xiaòzhou HP = 22.

​

"Tend to your men, we'll deal with the alchemists!" stated Rebecca, pointing to the Lieutenant before shifting her attention back towards the alchemists. Camille was already rushing into battle, with Azathor, Constantine, and Rajko not far behind. It seemed, however, the alchemists were prepared well enough for this fight. As Camille let her bolt fly, her target abruptly skid to a stop in the mud. As mud splashed upward from their boots, they squatted low and shoved their hand into it. A moment later, they swung the same hand upward. A wave of mud erupted from the ground, shooting straight up in front of them. Right into the path of the bolt.

The bolt collided with the mud wave, and was quickly swept up into the thick muck. However, the mud didn't stop the gunshot from Azathor's pistol. One bullet darted by the alchemist, but the other made contact. It caught the alchemist in the left arm, barely exposed behind the wall of mud. Their ally retaliated with a quick draw of a pistol shot, the bullet from their Luger darting by Azathor, before they themselves were struck by shots from Constantine's own handguns.

What came next caught Constantine off guard entirely. As the alchemist recoiled from Constaintine's shots, twirling around, they used the momentum to throw something in his direction. He didn't get the chance to see what it was, beyond recognizing it as some dark colored cone-shaped object. But whatever it was hit him square in the center of his chest, then detonated with immense force. It sent him sailing backwards, forcing him to collide with and bounce off of a covered artillery gun that hadn't been damaged by the blasts from before.

The shock of the blast distracted Azathor briefly, allowing his target to make their own attack. Instead of targeting Camille, they leaned out from behind the wall of mud and fired off a Luger shot which ripped through Azathor's arm. In response, Rebecca fired her own revolver at the alchemist. The shot grazed them, but forced them back into cover.

Rajko, Sebastian, and Cassandra focused on the other two alchemists, who were also moving in to make their own attacks. Rajko's rifle cracked, putting a bullet through the thigh of the first alchemist. This was answered by a shot from the second, a 9mm bullet ripping through Rajko's side just beneath his armpit. Sebastian and Casssandra fired upon the second alchemist, with Sebastian scoring a hit through the alchemist's side as they tried to seek cover. Cassandra's shot went wide, hitting the crate that the alchemist ducked behind. Oddly, instead of shooting back at them once in cover, the alchemist only popped out to fire a shot at Xiaòzhou. A bullet pierced his forearm, as he held the silver sliver metal up to examine it and its sigil more closely.

Meanwhile, the first alchemist that Rajko had shot at found the perfect opportunity to make their own response. More of those silver slivers of metal were drawn, and as the alchemist neared, they were flung with precision at the werebat. All six pieces of silver metal embedded themselves painfully into Rajko's torso in various locations, before firing a powerful electric shock through his body. His body locked up, eventually forcing him to tip over and fall into the mud.

 

[Damian0358]

Xiaòzhou helped Cassandra up after healing her up, giving her a pat on the back as she rushed in to help the others. He tried his best to keep his eyes on all that was relevant - the sigil on the shard and the incoming fight - but he immediately sensed that things weren't going to go right.

Even with the enemy's swift movements in mind, the attack Constantine received caused the oni's eyes to squint more intensely, as he realized he didn't have time to figure out the sigil. And shortly after, his forearm would be shot, forcing him to drop the shard. Whether they shot at him because they saw him healing earlier or because they didn't want him to figure out the sigil, it didn't matter. They were pushing the fight to him, and as if to mock him for not figuring it out, they gave poor Rajko the same treatment as they had Cassandra. He needed to rush in and help him.

The hermit knew that that healing Rajko up was on order, but what he would do to follow-up would be immensely important. He considered the sigil on the shard once more, and thought back to his own experience with sigils. Though the sigil was carved onto the shard, rather than drawn-on as he was familiar with, the result of damaging or overwhelming the sigil should be the same - annulment and potentially even backfiring. He would get his knowledge one way or another; shielding Rajko, the hermit channeled his power and attempted to deny sigil use from one of the alchemists using his own qi.

 

[Dmaster]

The way that her target had managed to absorb the shot from her crossbow gave Camille pause, though her dash to close the distance continued. It was quite obvious that they were facing a coordinated unit that was extremely prepared. That only became more evident as yet more alchemical tricks were employed, Rajko's condition rapidly deteriorating from a calculated strike. Despite this, the huntress continued her sprint undeterred.

However, as she drew nearer to the alchemists she spun her swords about and deftly sheathed them to leave her hands free. From thin holsters on her sides Camille withdrew silvery stiletto daggers and slipped them between her knuckles. She had prepared them meticulously, not only were they edged in silver but also coated in a numbing poison to stay man and beast alike. Now it was her chance to use them to help the others establish the control they had lost over the battlefield.

Gaining speed, she began to count her paces while closing the distance before she performed a series of acrobatic movements. A hop had her spin and tumble forwards, her boots still able to find purchase in the thickness of the trench's mud as she continued to leap and bound into the air. Continuing to twist while airborne, each flipping rotation she performed somehow saw her rising just that much higher. It culminated in her performing a spiraling jump that saw her fly like her avian namesake, feathery cape opening wide as she spread her arms outward in a blur, each and every dagger she once clasped in her grip let loose upon each alchemist!

Ability: Dagger Dance​

 

[joshuadim]

Azathor looked to the fresh wound in his arm for a moment before letting out an angered growl. These alchemists were good on their own, and together they were a formidable taskforce. They were already causing havoc for the group in terms of sheer firepower from their equipment. Rajko was incapacitated with silver shrapnel - imbued with electric currents - while Constantine was sent sailing backwards from another attack. "Fine. Let's get ugly then." Azathor muttered, his skin cracking like porcelain around his face. For this battle, he would take off his mask in order to expedite their journey. He'd deal with the consequences - the inevitable reaction of the Atracans - to that later.

Ability: That Which Dwells Beneath​

Azathor's vessel became black vapour, condensed into a cloud where he stood, from which rushed out the Demon Prince; no longer constrained by the body he was originally within, his blade being held low as he dashed towards the Alchemists with abyssal speed. The three closest to him in that moment were his target, and he quickly discerned a plan of attack to slice through them in order. Getting up close and personal to the first, Azathor could see the surprise - and fear - within the man's eyes as he began to realize that distance no longer protected him in that moment.

Wordlessly, then, Azathor swung his blade upwards for his first strike.

 

[Worthlessplebian]

As the first round ripped from Rajko's rifle, the inquisitor thought the alchemist would be on a backfooting. Instead he retaliated. There was a light crack as a small round sliced Rajko below his armpit, sending flesh and blood flying. He winched, but powered through the pain. Shakily he raised his rifle to fire again until a spray of silver shards stuck him squarely in the chest. Rajko felt his lungs wheeze, staining the cold, dry air with a warm, wet spittle. Body, moving on half-instinct, stumbled back, trying to turn the backwards stumble into a hasty retreat. Only a split moment before, did he realise what would happen now.

The shrapnel shards electrified themselves, sending crackling currents through Rajko's whole body. Rajko was writhing in pain, wreathed in electricity like his very skin a conductor for the energies from the silver. He didn't scream, jaw clenched tight from the paralytic shock flowing through him. His limbs locked, a prisoner in his own body, he felt a plummeting dislocation as he fell, his rifle tumbling from his arms beside him in the mud.

His vision dims, but does not fade into the black-tar of unconsciousness. He shifted his head, muscles burning with agony from the electric assault. The stench of burnt flesh mixed with the earthen aroma of mud. Face spattered with dirt, Rajko's eyes spotted the first alchemist and honed his fury.

"Gouge..." Rajko rasped, voice wobbly with pain. Soon, he'd feel the regenerating energy of Xiaòzhou's efforts, but for now, he'd feel the blood pooling around the silver needles.

ABILITY: BATIMALISM​

 

[Breadman]

Constantine landed face down after the blast knocked him back. He could feel his spine barely holding together as it made a crack from hitting the artilerry piece. He would discover that the damages were not limited to that and that he was in fact now sporting a giant gaping wound in his chest where the ammunition had hit. The blast hadn't killed him, but the only reason he was 'alive' was the unholy nature of his being.

"Gods...fuck..." He stammered in pain as he got up and reached inside the wound. After some effort, he pulled out what was causing him some of the pain. The cone's head had lodged itself in him after the blast. "Maybe the healing can start now..." He threw it away and looked to the alchemists. He reached for his pocked and pulled out four cards. "Two pairs...figures..." He flicked one card in the air, figuting it should land straight down back to him and tossed its mate toward's Rajko's direction. As for the other two, the gambler charged with hell energy and flung them towards the alchemists.