Fantasy Hunter's Moon [IC] [CLOSED]

[joshuadim]

That's not how this world works, Constable. Ethraeil thought to himself as he moved to investigate further by going into one of the empty houses nearby, looking for anything that might give an indication as to what had transpired here.

 

[Infab]

Valeria listened to Jakob, remaining silent on the matter. Sazak, of course, had an opinion. Almost everyone and everything dies. That's just the way of things. The constable should get used to that universal fact. Valeria didn't reply to Sazak, simply choosing to focus on the matter at hand. "Countess...its just as much an apocalypse for you as the rest of us. Remember, the Duke will likely have you killed." she commented, riding her horse about the area in search of clues.

She inspected the dirt, noticing the same thing that Ethraeil had. "The grass is dead in places. A necromancer's doing. Keep an eye out for potential undead...or worse. An abomination." she said aloud, looking back to the others.

------

Rosanna shifted in the saddle atop Rayham, gently petting his neck. She didn't like this. Not at all. She hated dealing with Necromancers, as they could simply kill and raise the same person they just slaughtered back up to add to their army. She drew out her lever action, letting the stock rest on her thigh with the barrel pointing into the air. Eventually, she began to sense something. Faint. But getting closer. "Mariette, you sense that?" she said, glancing over to the carriage where Mariette was sitting. "...can't tell the direction is comin' from, but its comin' fast."

 

[K0mori]

When Valeria warned Mariette that the Duke would want her dead, Mariette replied flippantly. "Easier said than done, Mademoiselle, but regardless, I've already tasted death once. It doesn't frighten me any longer." A moment later, she began to sense something. Apparently, Rosanna did, too, and Mariette silently nodded in response to the dullahan's question.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister's mood had been rather sour over the time since fighting Wallace, and it was likely a good portion of that discontent stemmed from the tear in his priestly habit. He had spent some time mending it - after a thorough washing of himself and the clothes - but still the tear was rather significant enough that once mended, it wouldn't last for too much longer. It certainly wouldn't look very pleasing with a stitch line, as subtle as it may be.

He was dressed now in a rather more modern look for a preacher - black pants, a black vest, his boots, and his white collared shirt. His rosary was displayed openly around his neck, while his amulets were always tucked under his shirt and against his flesh.

The empty village was certainly a curious case, and he idly walked around looking the place over with the others.

"Constable, do try not to think poorly of the inquisitor. After all, we're the only group out here doing what we can. Unfortunately, we can't be in more than one place at a time. Had we been here to save these villagers, Wallace could yet live and wreck even more havoc," Aleister said neutrally to Jakob, walking about the open and deserted lane. He debated going into a tailor and... procuring some more dress.

Mariette's remark on it being an apocalypse not for her - and presumably other vampires - but for the humans was ill for Aleister's taste. The relationship between humans and the otherkind was fragile at the best of times. What many failed to recognize is that both relied on each other.

He noted Mariette and Rosanna seemed to sense something coming. With some hesitation, he thumbed his rosary and tried to attune his senses as well.

 

[Infab]

Whatever it was, the aura was getting more powerful as it got closer. A little time passed, and soon enough the group could hear hooves clacking down the road. And then, out of the mist in the distance, they saw a figure on horseback. He was clad in armor, much like a knight would have been garbed during the Age of Darkness, and rode tall in the saddle upon a black horse. His helmet was pointed almost like a spear, and the only visible portion of his face was his mouth as he approached. And that's where some of the group could see that he wasn't exactly normal. His teeth, all of them, were visible, and he had spittle dribbling down the side of his face. It was as though his lips had rotted off, and left him with a creepy, disgusting grin.

Gripped tightly in one of his hands was a longsword, but he apparently lacked a shield. There was no sheath, meaning he simply carried the weapon around out all the time. And it apparently was freshly stained with blood, crimson red dripping from the blade as he rode. Rosanna locked onto the individual as he trotted towards them. "...All of ya'll need to get goin'. Quickly, now." she said, slipping her rifle back into its holster and instead drawing one of her tomahawks.

​

If the others that could detect auras looked upon the incoming individual, they'd notice that they bore an extremely similar aura to Rosanna. The aura of a Dullahan. Valeria looked over from where she was to see that Rosanna's expression had turned from her usual cheerfulness to one of utter hatred.

 

[joshuadim]

Ethraeil felt it as soon as it got closer, a dullahan. But this dullahan in particular he recognized... and his suspicions were confirmed as he went out the building he was investigating and looked upon the lone rider. His eyes widened as he saw that familiar figure approaching. "Oh... shit." he uttered, before moving towards the rider. "TRISTYN!? IS THAT YOU!?" he yelled out. "WHAT ARE YOU DOING OUT HERE YOU OLD ROTTEN BASTARD?" he asked as he came to a stop on the road some meters away from the horseman.

 

[K0mori]

Mariette's devil-may-care attitude turned serious the longer she tried to understand the approaching aura. At last, when she realized it was another dullahan, the smile disappeared from her lips completely and was replaced by a look of true alarm. Even as a pureblood, without some sort of golden weaponry, Mariette knew she was in danger. When Roseanna directed everyone to flee the area, Mariette backed her sentiment. "Do it!" she shouted to the others as she retreated herself. "Vite!"

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister didn't have any complaint in moving back as the abomination of a dullahan appeared. Had they been something as simple as a necromancer or similar heathen, then it would only be a matter of faith and steel to take them down. But not with a creature like this. Going over the powers he could draw up in his mind, Aleister backed off with the others. However, he kept his attention on their surroundings and back again. It would be... unfortunate if the "villagers" reappeared about now.

 

[Dmaster]

Camille had been going through the belongings of the family this house belonged to, finding no clues as they seemed to be the rather peaceful sort. A scattered pile of toys lying about gave her pause as she stood in the living room, a pang of sadness and anger registering in the huntress as she stepped through the abanfoned home. These people were just trying to live their simple lives, but monsters and horrible magic took it all from them. While she would not go so far as to jump to the extreme outburst Jakob has, she did wish that she was able to save everyone.

Shouts from outside soon caught her attention, and the marquess sprinted through the hall and out the door quickly. A hand gripped the hilt of her rapier tightly, though she stayed in the doorway to assess the situation. A dullahan was approaching, and none of them were equipped to deal with it. Camille despised running away, and as her free hand balled into a fist she glanced down at the necklace she had been wearing. It was a pure gold sculpt of her family crest with gems inset on it, though there was no way she could weaponize such a trinket. Reluctantly yet no less quickly, she ran over to her horse and mounted it, going for a quick escape.

 

[Infab]

The dullahan made a gurgling noise in response to Ethraeil's attempts to communicate with it. "I don't think he remembers you now, Ethraeil...I think its best if we do as Rosanna says." said Valeria, backing her horse away from Tristyn. The others also began to move away from it, putting distance between them and the horseman. Rosanna, however, didn't move. "Alright, tin man. You and me. Let's go." she said aloud, her grip on the tomahawk tightening. Tristyn gurgled again, seeming to look about as his head slowly turned. What was he doing? Scoping out targets? He paused on Camille, as she tried to move away like the others. He made a grunt noise. He had chosen his target.

Then, he started to move the horse towards her, trotting at a decent pace. Rosanna's eyes went wide, looking to Camille. "Fuck! Camille! RUN!" she shouted, quickly turning about on her horse and charging towards the dullahan and tackling him off his horse.

Valeria looked to Camille as well. "He chose you as his target!" she said aloud, motioning for the others to protect Camille. "We need to get the hell away from here. Quickly, into the river delta! We can make our way to Grimsby once we put distance between us and that thing!" She then rode quickly down the riverbank, hooves slinging up mud as she went. While the group dispersed, Rosanna fought against Tristyn, delivering punch after punch as she attempted to keep the enemy dullahan down so that the others could get away.

 

[Viper Actual]

Galina didn't waste any time- as soon as the order came to retreat she spun around and followed Valeria. "Everyone stay close! We need to shield Camille!"

 

[Dmaster]

Since the order had been made to retreat far before she had been chosen as a target, Camille had already made a good distance between the dullahun and herself. When she was chosen as his targer, she simlply sucked her teeth in exasperation. Just her luck, it was no wonder she put no stock in such things.

Even still, the huntress was visibly bothered by the idea of running away. This was not a solution to their problem, if she were to be chased relentlessly by some monster she'd prefer to fight it rather than retreat just to be found yet again. What's more, the Senior Inquisitor had a weapon more than capable of ending the bothersome undead's existence, but apparently had no idea how to use it. The situation seemed like one terrible joke to her, but for now she bit her tongue and beared it.

Quickly Camillr adjusted her course and moved to the bank, staying in the middle of the group.

 

[joshuadim]

Ethraeil's anger swelled up when he realized that Tristyn was perhaps gone, replaced with this... thing. And when it targeted Camille specifically, he charged at the armored dullahan and began to freeze it's limbs onto the ground as to try to incapacitate it. "I know you can hear me you bastard. Try to fucking think!! This isn't you, I know you! You are an honorable man, we fought alongside each other against terrible beasts!" Ethraeil yelled, almost pleading.

 

[K0mori]

Seeing the other members of the Inquisition fall back to protect Camille, Mariette nodded and focused on how she could personally contribute. Even if this opponent posed a valid threat, she could only retreat so far before she began to feel cowardly. Her speed and strength had to be good for something...

She stopped when she reached her mule, and the locked cases it carried. Quickly retrieving her key, she unlocked the dark blue case and removed a handful of pure Escarian gold coins before slamming it shut again and locking it, accidentally breaking the key off in the lock. With the roll of coins, she now had a blunt instrument to swing at her opponent, tucked between her ring finger and her thumb and held by the two in the middle.

"Ooh la la," she sighed as she turned back, sprinting forward with the intent to smash the dullahan's head in through his helmet and stir his rotten brains with the glittering metal.

 

[Infab]

SUPER BOSS FIGHT
SIR TRISTYN PROTHEROE (CORRUPTED DULLAHAN)
100 HP (!)
TRAIT #1: ANGEL OF DEATH - A nearly unstoppable killing machine, Dullahans are quite terrifying. Does 3 DMG instead of 1 during combat, and forces +1 chance to miss from foes.
TRAIT #2: AND HELL FOLLOWED WITH HIM - Unholy magic corrupted this Dullahan, and he uses said unholy magic against his enemies. +3 DMG when attacking with Dark Magic.
TRAIT #3 - KNIGHTLY - As a former knight, Tristyn is a master swordsman. He expertly uses his longsword against his foes. Automatically counters a failed (parried) attack with a critical hit.

Village - Sir Tristyn First Encounter - TURN 1
Rosanna - 6 - 1 (5). Does 5 DMG (A Certain Kind of Horsewoman + Death's Herald) to Tristyn. Tristyn HP = 95.
Ethraeil - 8 - 1 (7). Chance Roll = Successful. Tristyn frozen in place.
Mariette - 5 - 1 (4). Missed Tristyn.
​

Rosanna continued to beat Tristyn down, making sure that the corrupted Dullahan didn't rise to his feet to commence his slaughter. Ethraeil attempted to help the best he could, trying to reason with Tristyn. But the dullahan was too far gone. No longer was he the gallant knight that Ethraeil served alongside during the Age of Darkness, during the purging of the Dragons. Tristyn was gone, replaced with a mindless murderer. Ethraeil froze Tristyn's hands and feet to the ground, to further make sure that the Dullahan wouldn't get up. Then, Mariette attempted to smash the creature's head with a roll of golden coins. The smack collided with Tristyn's helmet, but simply bounced off. It appeared that his helmet was made of some form of hardened metal. Perhaps enchanted? He didn't seem to be afraid of the gold either. Which was odd.

Rosanna certainly was, however, quickly falling backward into the mud and crawling away. "Good gods, Mariette, ya could've warned me!" she said aloud, as she managed to get back to her feet a few yards away. She then looked back to Tristyn, whom was struggling to get up. "We need to get out of here. Quick, before he breaks out of the ice." She looked to the carriage. "Grab the carriage, and head off after Valeria and the others. Camille needs to be protected for now, because he'll be doin' everything he can to kill her. I'll be right behind ya."

 

[K0mori]

There was a loud, albeit dull clank when Mariette threw her best strike against Tristyn, her eyes going wide as the force of the collision, with no give whatsoever, ran straight up her arm with a lightning jolt of pain. It was as if she had thrown her best punch at a cobbled roadway; she felt it in her teeth. "Fait chier! " she howled, stumbling backwards and clutching her arm. "I'll get the carriage," she hissed, bounding away to safety. With the strongbox stuck closed, Mariette pocketed the coins inside her overcoat and made a mental note to warn Rosanna about it later just to avoid startling her again.

 

[EdwardDewey98]

In the hectic and chaotic situation, Jakob aimed his revolver at the dullahan in an attempt to at least wound it. However, Mariette's attempt to attack the fiend with gold did not go as expected, and the countess quickly retreated back to the top of the carriage. Jakob held his hat tight and ran after the carriage, quickly jumping onto the side and climbing on top to look at Mariette. "I-It's my job to ride this thing, isn't it?" he asked, jokingly, while looking back at the scene behind them. Hoping that Rosanna would be fine.

 

[joshuadim]

"...damn it... damn it ALL." Ethraeil growled as he looked upon what used to be a good friend of his. "We should make haste. We can't fight him... not now anyway." he stated as he made another barrage of ice to ensure Tristyn would incapacitated longer before he would run off.

 

[Breadman]

"Merda." Theodore cursed at the sight of the approaching dullahan. There wasn't much he could do to stop the creature's path and getting in it's way in this state with this little equipment wouldn't be smart. His gold reserves haven't been stocked with enough material either. At most he could fill the air with dust, but that would endanger Rosanna. Not they had to retreat and plan their next move. He spurred his horse and followed after Camille and the others.

 

[Emperor Sagan]

Aleister hurried onto the carriage, hopping onto the back and them climbing onto the top for a steady platform to sit on and watch their back as the monstrous dullahan floundered behind them. That creature was an utmost unholy abomination, far exceeding anything that Wallace was. They needed a true divine miracle to put this cur down. There was the sword of Velin, of course, but that was too difficult for the few people who could wield it to do so.

"If we can melt some gold into round shot, I can use magic to heat the metal. Perhaps that could assist...." He said, glancing over to the others, including Theodore.

 

[Breadman]

"At any other time it would be a good idea." Theodore responded to the priest "You'd need a heavy concentration of heat and for it to last us a longer time than what Monsieur Tristyn would give us" Was it Tristyn? He heard Ethrael call him something like that. Doesn't matter. "And depends on how much jewelry made out of authentic gold we have at our disposal, could be even longer."

 

[K0mori]

Mariette, who didn't want to speak to Theodore any more than the absolute minimum required, tersely interjected "we have plenty," and patted her coat, making the gold coins jingle in her pocket.

 

[Infab]

As the group quickly fled from Tristyn, leaving Rosanna to deal with the corrupted Dullahan, they moved deeper into the river delta. As they traveled, an evening fog began to set in. The distance that all of them could see began to grow shorter and shorter over time. Those that could still sense auras and such were fine, as they could still detect things at a distance. But there were no auras nearby. What everyone also noticed that it was silent. There were no sounds of crickets or other creatures that usually would be active this time of evening turning night. No frogs. Nothing. It was as if they had entered a dead zone.

Valeria motioned for the group to stop, on the muddy bank of the river. "...Its just like the village out here. Far too quiet and empty." she said, glancing to the others. She drew up the lantern she had attached to her horse and lit it so she had some light. Normally a river delta was teaming with life of all sorts. The Devonshire Twins have been active here. Who? A pair of witches under the Duke's employ. They're the reason Porthcrawl is full of undead.

You've wandered into one of their playgrounds.

A few moments later, those that could sense auras began to sense several beings suddenly appearing throughout the delta. Including a VERY large one. The issue was, you couldn't see what they were through the fog. There were noises that followed. Gurgling, groaning...unspeakable sounds as well. Valeria drew her revolver, making sure it was loaded as her horse began to shift a bit beneath her. Obviously spooked by what was occurring around them. "I think we're about to find out what happened to the people of Oar's Rest." she said, looking to the others.

-----------------------------------------------------
​

Rosanna waited patiently, watching Tristyn struggle to break from the ice that Ethraeil had cast on his hands and legs while the others fled. Eventually, the ice began to crack and break in places, and soon Tristyn was free. He stood slowly, straightening up and gurgling before looking to Rosanna. She frowned a bit. "Alright, tin man. Let's do this." she said, twirling the tomahawk in her hand a few times.

​

Rosanna vs Sir Tristyn
Three Rounds - Decided by Coin Flip
Heads - Rosanna, Tails - Sir Tristyn

Round 1 - Tails
​

Rosanna charged the other Dullahan, tomahawk reversed and raised so that she could bash the back side of it against Tristyn's helmet. He was ready for her charge, however. As she neared and swung, he ducked. Moving quickly to the side and behind, he arced his longsword and sliced across her back. She stumbled forwards, groaning in pain, as she dropped to a knee before regaining to her footing. He's a fucking knight, Rose. He knows how to fight with a weapon probably better than you do. She grunted, before charging again. This time, she was going to be a bit more cautious. As she neared, she noticed him shift stances with his sword. He moved his weapon from from down in front of his leg to an odd one with the blade almost resting on his arm, tip pointed at her. She stopped. What the hell is he do--

A moment later, he lunged forward and drove the sword through her chest. She looked down in shock, before noticing him step forward again. He slammed the heel of his boot into the pit of her stomach, sending her sliding off the end of the sword and sailing into the side of her horse. Rayham quickly moved out of the way, after stumbling from having Rosanna plow into the side of it. Son-of-a-bitch! She climbed back to her feet, glancing down to see that the wound to her chest was already healing. Tristyn had shifted stances again, the sword held out in front of him with the tip pointed down into the dirt. He thinks this is some sort of chivalrous fight or something. She grunted, tossing her tomahawk down. Well, its not.

Round 2 - Heads
​

She charged forwards yet again, and he went to swing once more. This time, Rosanna caught the sword by the blade, gripping tightly in one hand. A moment later, Rosanna's fist collided with Tristyn's helmet. He stumbled from the impact, releasing his grip on the sword allowing Rosanna to simply toss it aside. Now it was a proper fist fight. Rosanna rushed in once more, delivering several blows to his head and stomach. Her enhanced Dullahan strength causing shallow dents to appear in his chest plate and helmet. The armor was indeed enchanted in some fashion, otherwise it would have given way to her punches by now and she would have knocked a hole through it.

Tristyn eventually regained his composure, dodging and counter attacking against Rosanna's furious blows. She would counter with her own moves, however. As he swung at her, she leaned out of the way and delivered one hell of an uppercut that lifted the dullahan off the ground almost a foot. He landed on his back with a loud thud, his armor making most of the noise followed by a groan. "A knight flat on his ass. Ain't all that honorable, ya know." she spat, looking down at him.

Round 3 - Tails
​

Her words must have struck a cord or something deep inside the corrupted dullahan, as the man quickly climbed back to his feet and tackled her. He ruthlessly and savagely beat her, his armor plated fists slamming into her face over and over. A few moments later, he climbed off, leaving her bloodied and coughing. "Y-You...m-motherfuc--" was all she was able to get out before she felt him grab her leg. She then felt herself being lifted up, flying through the air before slamming into the ground on her face. He did it twice more, slamming her as if she were a toy, before finally releasing her. As she struggled to gather herself, groaning in pain as she attempted to get up, Tristyn stepped over and grabbed his sword. A moment later, Rosanna felt the sword plunge through her yet again. Pinning her to the ground.

Victory - Sir Tristyn​

As she lay on her chest, unable to push herself up, she looked up to see Tristyn step around to where her head was. He lifted his boot, prepared to stomp down and kill her, but stopped when a voice sounded off nearby. "That's enough, Sir Tristyn. Excellent work!" it said, in a jovial tone. Rosanna knew exactly who's voice it was.

Cassandra Bainbridge.

She looked over to see her approaching from out of the fog, emerging around the corner of one of the village's buildings. She bore a grin on her face, wide and toothy. "The adorable southern dullahan, beaten by her own kind. Simply splendid!" she said as she approached. Rosanna then noticed three more individuals behind her. Two of them were twins, and dressed in odd clothing. The markings and paint on them suggested that they were witches. Or necromancers. The other was someone in a cloak, wearing a hood. She couldn't rightly see his face from where she lay. Still, she could tell it was a man.

Cassandra looked back at the man, then motioned to Rosanna. "Be a dear and put the shackles on her. The gold laced ones." she said, before looking back to Rosanna. "I've got big plans for you, Rose!"

 

[The_Rifleman]

As they departed the dead town, Sergey couldn't shake a ping of anxiety deep within him. It was gnawing at him, repeatedly. That night as they all rested, he slept a little farther away from the group. Re-evaluating himself. Do I really want to part of this? Traveling with these people, taking such large risks? He slowly sipped on his whiskey throughout the night, not getting much sleep, nor a resolution.

During the morning, and the rest of the day's travel he stayed quiet. As they came upon the fishing village, he had the hairs on his neck on edge. He forgot his feelings and his focus returned to him. Something wasn't right here, and it soon revealed itself. A dullahan far in the distance was closing on the group, the others frantic to escape while Rose stepped up. He knew better from just one look at the beast. Covered from head to toe in armor, and armed to the teeth, which were also showing, Sergey didn't need much convincing to retreat. As he pulled the reigns on his horse to speed up towards the river along with the others, he couldn't help but hear a voice in his head screaming, "Told you so! Told you so!" Shut up.

Luckily, the somehow managed to escape, finding themselves awhile later on the river's edge. It was finally time to unwind again. Sergey wasn't so sure about leaving now. He also noticed a certain thrill to facing such a dangerous beast. Another voice teasing him, "Imagine getting to do an autopsy on THAT!" Shut. Up.

He didn't how much time to argue with himself, as noises from nearby started to creep him out. He wasn't alone in hearing them, seeing the rest of the group suddenly on edge and alert. He drew his pistols and backed away from the water as quickly as he could. "Uh. Quick idea Val, how about we don't find out and keep running inland aye? Don't tell me an entire fucking town is about to come up from that water."

 

[EdwardDewey98]

Jakob continued to flick the reigns of the carriage's horses, trying to get away from the fiend, but he couldn't help but to look over his shoulder to see if Rosanna would emerge from the dark woods around them. He feared for her safety, and felt incredibly conflicted right now. He knew she was more than capable of defending herself, and kicking some serious ass, but maybe he could have stayed and helped her. As the group approached one of the winding rivers, seeing that Rosanna hadn't emerged yet, Jakob shut his eyes tight and clenched his teeth. "Gods damn it." He wanted to grab one of the horses and go back. Save his friend or at least take that thing down. "Fuck it, I'm going back there!" he said, looking to Valeria. "I won't let those monsters take anyone else!" He then grabbed his shotgun from the baggage atop the carriage. As he pulled the gun from the holster, though, the unnatural sounds of gurgling and groaning caught his attention. He let out a frustrated sigh, and looked to his surroundings while pumping his shotgun. "Gods damn it! The duke and his freaks are going to pay for all the pain and suffering they've brought!"