Fantasy Of Tooth and Nail [Main]

[Wynnox]

After a particularly speedy delivery, Eun situated himself at a small table in the Bivouac, and he'd just ordered some green tea of sorts from the bar, or at-least, it looked like tea, he wasn't convinced by the greenish water. There was of course some other drinks, but it wasn't the right kind of break for those right now. He took in some of the large stone surroundings with a couple of quick glances, and listened to the almost repetitive and upbeat music coming from the nearby stage. he shivered a little. It was the first time he'd been to an underground locale- and hopefully the last, not because it was a shoddy joint, but more-so because of the odd cramped feeling these spaces gave, he'd rather be outside.

@whoever else is in the Bivouac, I guess?

 

[PolikShadowbliss]

After a couple of minutes petrifying ants, Anonymos grew bored and slithering to the biovouac to get some drinks. Ignoring the sideways glances at her from the more queasy patrons, Nameless settled besides a tendu, one that she recognized.

“The caravan is here. We ssssshould be on our way ssssssoon.” She said, looking directly at the tenge through her goggles.
Wynnox

 

[BlueBeauty]

Kagome walked through her woods, leisurely as always. There were no intruders yet so she had some time to relax. The animals of her woods keeping an eye out for when they come. She elegantly grazed in a shining meadow.

 

[Wynnox]

Eun regarded the familiar gorgon with a nod but kept his gaze on his drink, "Already? I only just started to settle down..."

He sighed, taking a sip of his drink, he cringed a little at the taste, this couldn't be tea... it seemed burnt. He frowned a little.

"how big is it? the caravan I mean..."

PolikShadowbliss

 

[PolikShadowbliss]

“A couple dozen more or lessss. Possssibly more.” The gorgon hissed. “I bet they won’t all make the trip. We can’t protect everyone. What is your busssssnes traveling to Valevirna anyway, or are you here for a job, jussst like usssss.”

 

[Solirus]

Hardun got up straight and began looking around for any other merchant in the area that might have been selling any tea, but before he could find one, his good friend Warren had already found one and already began getting his drink first. Hardun quickly made his way to where Warren was and looked at the merchant. “May I also get some tea, if you don’t mind.” Hardun pulled from his bag a couple coins and dropped them next to the table. The merchant had just finished pouring the drink to Warren and quickly began preparing his drink.


Until another voice from a merchant had approached both of them. He turned around to find none other than Ms. Mudwallow. “Good to see you too Ms. Mudwallow, I don’t mind how you address me, but just call me Hardun. I don’t like keeping secrets.” Hardun laughed right as his tea was prepared. He turned his vision to the merchant. “Thanks.” He grabbed the tea and drank a bit, it was quite delicious, not the best quality, but after all he had been through inside the ship, this was totally worth it. “So should we wait for anybody else or should head out now to the caravan?”

ManyFaces Hexblood Bandit

 

[Sylvio]

It was quiet along the frontier as per usual, there was an encampment on a hill that Jin was transferred too where she would go through routine patrols with her squad. It wasn't too far from Kagome's forest which was out of the way of the usual patrol patterns. The encampment overlooked a farming village. They were there to protect the village and in return, some of the villagers would help the soldiers in the camp grow their own crops. Jin and her squad were treading through a forest that was closer to the border with Responia. Traffic had been slow with the usual traders coming in and out.

"So lieutenant, think you can tell us more about the Kirin?" on of her subordinates asked.

She signed and was about to answer until she heard a russel in the foliage. "Everybody down." She urged as they all took cover behind a log. She peaked over as she saw trolls covered in straw rushing the forest, carrying clubs and spears. "Namahage horde!" She exclaimed. "Come on we need to warn the outpost!"

With their rifles lassoed on their shoulders, Jin and her squad were rushing to their destination before the trolls could make it to the encampment. She had notified the officer at the outpost and a telegram was on its way to the main encampment. Jin took 20 additional men with her to meet with the main camp and organize. They had treaded through the forest with their heads rotating and looking at every nook and cranny of the forest. Namahage were barbarous but not entirely stupid. Jin had faced a few before but not a whole horde to say the least. Hordes usually numbered a couple dozen and be easily defeated when contained. But in a thick forest there was no telling what they could do.

Jin took her force down a detour which was only known by the Imperial forces stationed in the region, to which they marched in formation into the main camp where another force was waiting for them. The captain of the company was before her and she saluted him. "Where were they last spotted?" The captain asked.

"We spotted them 5 miles from the border, last we saw them they were heading north."

"Alright, lieutenant you take the left flank and I'll have someone cover the right, if we have a wide berth on the area we won't be easily surrounded."

A whole 60 men were mobilized to meet the Namahage. They were off the main road and in the forest where they suspected them to be. These things never concerned themselves with the military but preyed on the villagers since they were helpless. The forest was all but quiet until a stray arrow flew and hit one of the soldiers in the chest. From that point the Namahage were rushing at the soldiers while throwing swords and shooting arrows at them.

It was chaos as the imperials were trying to keep the horde from reaching them. The forest floor was flat and everyone was super exposed. Jin timed her shots and did her best to hit every shot she made. She heard a soldier scream to find out is one of her scouts who got shot in the arm with an arrow. "COVER ME!" she screamed as she rushed to her subordinate. As she looked at the horde before her, she noticed some of the horde diverted to Kamoge's forest.

 

[BlueBeauty]

Birds twittered frantically in the air, Kagome lifting her head with a flick of her ear. Without a moment's hesitation she galloped towards the oncoming threat, animals running and hiding for cover. After a few minutes of running she could hear the oncoming charge of the trolls. 'Foolish creatures. They dare to come near here.' She thought to herself as a small snarl bellowed from her throat, her coat wavering as it glowed brighter and brighter.
As the enemy approached they saw a light grow brighter and brighter. Soon enough it became clear, some sort of hell beast, body aflame with an array of colors, her coat black and hair and hooves ranging from bright red and blue flame. Her eyes glowing white as she charged at them.

 

[ManyFaces]

Warren finished the spicy tea, it served it's purpose as he quickly woke up. "Well it was nice seeing you Ms. Mudwallow. But those escorts are waiting for us, no time to waste." The man discarded of his empty cup appropriately then looked back to Hardun "We should get going, I'm sure the mercenaries we hired are getting impatient." He chuckled and began walking up the side of the mountain now at a more brisk pace now that he had some energy in him. But he walked at a pace that Hardun could catch up to if he wanted to.

Solirus Hexblood Bandit

 

[Solirus]

Right as Hardun was half way from finishing his tea, Warren had already began walking away. In a hurry Hadrun drank the rest of the tea in one gulp causing his whole body to feel warm on the inside, a feeling that he felt a lot in his homeland, but was nice to feel in such a different location. He left the cup right next to where Warren left it thanking the merchant very much for the quality of the tea. He looked back at Warren, Hardun took a pose as if he was about to pounce on something and in an instant he lunged to where Warren was at. “Well, you could’ve at least waited for me.” Hardun laughed as he realized that he could’ve enjoyed the tea a lot more if Warren would’ve at least waited for him for just a couple seconds, but that didn’t matter right now as Hardun was now full of energy and felt a bit competitive. “Well, now that you seem to have more energy in you, how about we do a race to the caravans, I’d be a lot faster and a race never hurts, unless you fall.” Hardun grinned waiting for a response from Warren.

ManyFaces

 

[ManyFaces]

Warren backed up slightly, he didn't know Hardun could move so fast. As a matter o' fact he didn't even know what he might be, perhaps some sort of lycanthrope he'd guess. "There is no time to waste. We might hope to relax in the caravan." Warren rubbed his chin in thought "I hope they don't plan on charging us for the wait."
Then Hardun proposed a race, that primal part of his mind urged him to accept and compete against the man, but he wouldn't be so rash. "You can run and I'll jog behind you, I think it might be best you greet the mercenaries." He looked up at the cliff picking up the pace of his walk into a jog and waited to see if Hardun would fly up the cliff side with the same speed as he'd shown coming to him.

Solirus

 

[PolikShadowbliss]

After a long drink, Nameless slithers back to her usual spot. As she was doing so, she noticed two of the merchants running into the cavarvan her hand automatically going for her sword. She sighed and relaxed. Meeting them halfway, she said, ”About time you guys sssshowed up.” She gave both the merchants a grin, gauging each of their reactions to her presence. ”Ive been sssstoning ants for the last day or sssso.” Her grin widened.

 

[Solirus]

Hardun was disappointed that Warren wasn’t going to run along, but in the end Hardun didn’t mind much, perhaps Warren was just very tired and still recovering or simply didn’t bother to run. Whatever it was Hardun was fine with it. “Well suit yourself, I’ll be heading off then.” With that Hardun immediately began running at top speed towards the caravan avoiding any civilians in the way and sometimes even jumping over them to save up as much time as possible, if he wasn’t going to race against Warren might as well run against the clock. So Hardun kept running eventually making it to the caravan, leaving Warren very far behind. Now arrived at the caravan he looked at the escorts they were meant to have, “Hi, I’m one of the merchants that will be enetering the caravans, I hope you are the escorts, or else I’ll just feel dumb talking to you.” Hardun smiled a bit and giggled waiting for a response from the escorts or mercenaries.

ManyFaces ,any of the mercenaries waiting on the caravans

 

[ManyFaces]

Warren watched as Hardun disappeared up the mountain, there was definitely something superhuman about him. Perhaps when they got to know each other better he would inquire on what species Hardun was. Eventually he saw Hardun in the distance speaking to another figure, looked somewhat like a Naga from afar. Likely one of their escorts since he could see the caravan sitting there with the massive elephant-like creature at it's head.
He finally closed in on Hardun and got a better look at who he was talking to. Snake hair and goggles, not a Naga, a Gorgon with such a mistake like that it could prove to be fatal. "Sorry to have kept you waiting Ms...." He drew a blank he really hadn't payed too much attention to who exactly was contracted but hoped the gorgon would be kindly enough to give her name "We just made a small stop to get something on our way up here, I apologize for any inconvenience." He asked politely looking at her indirectly, he meant no offense by it but he'd heard how quickly a Gorgon's gaze could start petrifying if stared at. He also felt at unease knowing that the roar he heard earlier had come from up here and certainly didn't come from the Gorgon woman.

Solirus PolikShadowbliss GolemGuy

 

[PolikShadowbliss]

Nameless smiled at the two men, turning toward the man that had the deceny to attempt to look like he was looking at her.
"The name'ssss Anonymos Klane. You can call me Namelesss or Klane."

 

[GolemGuy]

Kaijin had been deep in the stables, preparing the feed for the beasts. He smelled that smell again. He emerged from the innards of the stable, with two burlap sacks of hay under his arms. He placed the two large bags down at the side of Gakou. Kaijin strode towards the first of the merchants to arrive. That scent, it got stronger, more irritable, more rancid. He bellowed loudly and boisterously; "Ah, finally, seems the merchants have final arrived!" He laughed for a brief moment. He spied a glance at Warren.
He strode closer to Warren and the rest of the group. "Took you penny pinchers long enough!" Kaijin approached closer to Hardun and Warren. He lifted the arm of Warren, and the scent grew strong.
"Eugh, tit-weaner..." muttered Kaijin.

ManyFaces Solirus PolikShadowbliss ​

 

[Sylvio]

Reinforcements had arrived and there was enough firepower to beat back the horde. Most of Jin’s platoon were wounded, some of their wounds infected. They had been stuck in the same position on the incline of the left flank. An hour or so had gone since the battle started, the Namahage were fleeing. Dead bodies littered the forest floor. Jin was with the captain giving her assessment of the battle.

“30 casualties, 10 dead and 20 being sent back to base camp. Horde’s running scouts have suggested 30 or so went to regroup with the detachment that broke off.”

“Alright take your men and tail them. Find out where their dwelling is so we can snuff them out. Don’t engage unless you have to.”

“Aye sir.”

With her orders, Jin with her squad and a bunch of fresh reinforcements chased the Namahage. It was only a time when they saw the Namahage fighting Kagome.

BlueBeauty

 

[BlueBeauty]

It was hardly even a fight. They were greatly outmatched by this powerful beast. The first to charge was brutally gored by her glowing red horns, aflame and puncturing deeply, its body caught on fire and dropped to the ground. Her white eyes glaring at the remaining Namahage. "You dare threaten my forest? You putrid worthless mortals shall pay the ultimate price for soiling such land with your filth." Her voice was doubled in her godly rage, her horns bursting into an even brighter flame as the rest went up in a blaze. Kagome standing tall as she watched them burn, looking at Jin. As she looked at her she closed her eyes and her flaming body went back to normal and she walked to her human acquaintance. "And that is why the impure do not tread in my forest."
Sylvio

 

[Solirus]

Hardun had waited for a response, but surprisingly he only got a response once warren had arrived, though it seemed the response was more directed towards Warren tham himself, but he didn’t really care, so he shrugged and began checking around in the caravan for a place where he would be able to call his own, for now at least. He searched for a place in teh many caravans until he found one just before the end of the caravan where for some reason, it felt just right for Hardun, so he left most of his stuff there and walked back to where Warren was.

 

[ManyFaces]

Warren nodded he'd call her by her last name for the sake of avoiding confusion. He'd heard a tale of a cyclops losing an eye over a name like that.
"Well pleasure to meet you Ms-" he was cut off by the very rude arrival. An Oni of course it was an Oni that he heard earlier... Fancy way of saying Troll the way he saw it.
The brute strode over to him and just grabbed him like some sort of doll, his feet lift off from the ground slightly as the Oni had his fill of sniffing him and insulted him. Warren twisted about ungracefully out of Kaijin's grasp and looked up at him with a scowl "Begging your pardon but what I am is better than a blood thirsty troglodyte. The name is Warren Skaarbran for your information." He said eyes narrowing as he looked at the Oni he didn't know what was coming over him but being near Kaijin made him feel irritated.

Solirus PolikShadowbliss GolemGuy

 

[GolemGuy]

"Tit-weaner... man-suckler..." repeated Kaijin. "You wear a man's skin but you are not. You're a troll. You're a... you're a changeling, a runt." Spat Kaijin. "Your trickery may have deceived many others but they won't deceive me. Come, show the crew your true kin, your heritage." Kaijin paused for a moment, his face wrinkled in disgust at Warren. "Unless, no. Don't tell me." Kaijin tensed, but hesitated for a brief moment before continuing "Are you ashamed of your heritage? Are you ashamed of being a troll?!" Kaijin had practically been shouting at his point, his heart beating faster and his nostrils flaring.

Solirus PolikShadowbliss ManyFaces ​

 

[ManyFaces]

Every insult Kaijin hurled at him was like a slap to the face and Warren was getting sick of it. He didn't notice at first but he felt his hands curling into fists. Who was he to expose him. The shouting was enough to make him feel some fear but also anger and plenty of it. The pheromones in the air were probably getting to him. He was ready to brush off the oversized brute's loud brash behaviour and then simply call him crazy when he got to asking him if he was ashamed of what he was. There was a glow behind Warren's eyes as he stared into Kaijin's face "Am I ashamed of what I am? Am I ashamed of what I am! Of course I am you fucking wretch, who'd be involved with a species notorious for kidnapping children, spying, cheating, and lying!" There was no going back for him now, he'd basically been put on the spot and tensions between the Oni and himself were high.
"Or for remarks on full blooded trolls, simply being known as unintelligent ravenous beasts with no manners as seems evident!" He put his cane down. "But so be it, you want to see a troll I'll give you a troll!" His transformation looked a mix between a lizard shedding it's skin and melting at the same time but it was quick. Warren was a foot taller with thick scaled skin, ebony horns, a lengthy tufted tail, and an overall different demeanor in how he carried himself. Though it seemed his clothing was actually made to accomodate him. "So what now? Are you satisfied hm? Are you quite done humiliating me, or would you like to keep going!" He growled baring his now appearant tusks. As he stood defiantly in front of the Oni.

GolemGuy

 

[GolemGuy]

Kaijin spat. "You have no authority to judge our kind. You know nothing of our cultures, our traditions, our history, our legacy. Your breed, your wretched breed is a scar on all trollish society. Do you know why we're regarded as brutes, as nothing but beasts?" Kaijin paused, breathing heavily. "We are slaughtered like swine, our territories encroached, our crops burned, our villages reduced to ash. But when we fight back, we are labeled as beasts and brutes. Trollish culture has persisted for thousands of generations." Kaijin scowled at the sorry excuse for a troll. "Your breed is the result of gross perversion and brutalization of our people. Your breed is a vile and disgusting kind. Your breed is the one that kidnaps children, replaces them, and let's their spawn live, and breed with humans. Your breed is a parasite, to trolls and humans."

Kaijin scoffed at the transformed Warren. "Your muscle is starved, your bones are brittle, and your claws are dull. You call that a troll? That is a disappointment to all of troll kind." Kaijin left to tend to his beast, Gakou, with that final remark.

Solirus PolikShadowbliss ManyFaces ​

 

[Solirus]

Hardun had walked back to where Warren had began talking to the big oni. He noticed that the conversation between the two seemed more like they were throwing at each other longer and more convoluted insults at each other and shortly after that he saw Warren change forms into a form of troll Hardun had hardly seen, maybe because they were rare and such? Whatever the case was, Warren in his perhaps true form looked angry and pissed as the oni walked away. “Warren, I was worried for a second there that the two of you would start fighting.” He looked more closely at Warren now that he was in his troll form and showing clear signs of anger, “aaaaand maybe you should calm down a bit and take it easy, besides, it seemed that the oni was trying to bait you into transforming, so just relax and let’s find you a cart to begin placing your stuff in.”

GolemGuy ManyFaces

 

[Sylvio]

Jin stood before Kagome, who gave both a nod and a small confirming grin. The soldiers behind her however, were terrified of Kagome's presence especially since they hadn't seen a Kirin before. They had seen the charred corpses before them. Their faces were drawn with both shock, awe, and fear. Jin however already being acquainted with the Kirin, had walked up to her unbeknownst of what Kagome would do to her. "Lieutenant wait!" one of her men cried out, but her rifle was already on the ground. Her men now paranoid.

Without a single care Jin simply walked to Kagome and gave her a hug. "I'm just glad your safe." she said to a mythical creature she had only known for probably less than an hour. But she didn't really care, she never had a real friend. Especially in the military everything was work and no play, and those few minutes Jin spent with Kagame really meant something to her. She didn't know how strong Kagome actually was but it didn't matter. Jin worried about Kagome and it was weird for her to feel such a way, but her feelings proved otherwise, and she held on to her neck gently while caressing her head on the side of her.