Fantasy The Hunters Guild:: RP

[NeonFlow]

Shiki turned a pale colour as Magoo elaborated on what he had already deduced somewhat. Hearing how it happened however was like a knife in the stomach, to think some Orc monster was laughing cooking up his apprentices, the people Shiki loved and wanted to guide, teach them the tricks and skills to become legendary hunters... perhaps he was not fit to lead? Alot of doubts and fears weighed down on the man as Magoo spoke of Ashkur.

Strange magic and a cunning mind with combat skill to match? Ashkur indeed seemed like a dangerous orc. Magoo spoke of taking out the other leaders first, that was probably the smarter option given the drastic difference in info gather by the dwarf and half elf.
One orc killed to apprentices, is said to be a capable warrior with odd magic and quick wits.
The other is openly rumoured to be afraid of fire.
One seemed much smarter to hunt, the other seemed like it would soon be hunting them.

"I feared something had happened I saw Phor in possession of their weapons..."
Shiki was quiet, a burning rage with a twisted sense of guilt built a home in Shiki's soul made of sorrow. This feeling of shame was almost as large as fort stronghold.
"thank you for telling me what happened. I can only hope to avenge them before I face young Asht."
Shiki moved his shoulder from Magoo's empathetic hand so he could pace a few steps back before spinning on a heel to face the dwarfs shifting face once more,
"please tell me everything you can about this Ashkur orc, what he was wearing the weapons he had, the mana you saw... this Orc needs to die and I feel confident I could appear behind him... quickly slitting his throat before he has a moment to register..."
Despite the cold confidence Shiki wanted to know all he could before attempting any casual stabbing.
"walk with me and explain please."
===========
Hours passed unremarkably, Magoo explaining what he had seen before resting to recover mana, apprentices discussing tactics or simply taking a needed sleep from a hectic day. Shiki himself has bragged about not needed sleep for days on end... sleep is great and needed though, the fact one can function doesn't mean they perform at peak condition. Someone needed to keep watch however. If Athania was still in the treetops she wouldn't have noticed it. Shiki barely heard the approach... fifteen orcs, ten with swords and clubs five with bows and arrows crept towards the hunters camp. The target they shot at first was Shiki. A arrow skimmed his cheek, that swift noise and surprising pain was enough for him to instinctively teleport out of harms way.

"orcs!!"
Shiki boomed hoping to alert everyone in the camp. Orc scouts had them surrounded. Shiki was able to stab one with his sword but was swiftly outnumbered by the orc blades swinging in unision.
-------------------------'
MindWackMagoo Noble Scion TPBx Goonfire Juju seasonedcat
Hours have passed so you have regained some mana stamina and health
(to a degree) if you want to roll to determine how well you recovered you can

Also if you woke up to attack without sleep in your eyes.
alert me on discord.

 

[Goonfire]

Phor enjoyed the luxury of a nap as his troubled mind eased a bit. Unfortunately, it was rather short-lived; he rolled out of his hammock in response to the warning, hitting the ground with a ‘thud’. He immediately snatched up his caltrops bag, but then saw Shiki was assailed by a large number of orcs. “Sorry, Mariah,” he sighed aloud in exasperation as he formulated and executed his plan in a flash.

Picking up his butcher knife briefly, the scout slashed both ends of the hammock, cutting it loose. Although it was now no more than a damaged blanket, Phor made use of it as he launched it outward with both hands and let it unroll, interposing it as a makeshift blind between the orcs and Shiki. He then whipped a handful of the caltrops at their feet, laying a trap right in front of the enemies for the guild-master.

Noble Scion NeonFlow

 

[Juju]

Staying awake was a struggle, but Ayred remained in the land of the wakened long enough to hear Mai's comment on how well she had been received. Also about her strange ears. That made the elf laugh, a strange sound in such a grim evening.

"Trust me, I have no right to judge people on their...ancestors." Ayred rolled over, seeming to drift into sleep for a moment. After a long pause, she mumbled something about orcs being scarier than spiders, but her voice eventually trailed off. Her breathing slowed and her tensed up shoulders relaxed.

Ayred had little recollection of falling asleep, but it took her nonetheless. Her rest was deep and dreamless, passing in what felt like a second.

The first thing she heard was Shiki's voice. It sounded stressed but Ayred's fuzzy mind couldn't understand what the fuss was about. As per usual, she draped an arm over her eyes and tried to go back to sleep. Only when she heard the clash of steel did her mind start to wake up, confused at what was going on.

"Hmm?" Ayred mumbled, creaking open an eye.

A thin whistle pierced through the air, growing louder and louder. Ayred opened both of her eyes sluggishly, recognizing the sound. It clicked in her mind just as an arrow crashed into the tree beside her head, sending a splash of shattered wood and lichen over her.

"Ahhh!" She yelped, trying to jump out of the way in a delayed reflex.

Had she been in a normal bed this would have worked, but the silken hammock almost came as a surprise to the elf. She had forgotten where she had slept the previous night. Struggling against the web, Ayred ended up tumbling onto the ground below with a soft thud and a hiss of pain. Now she was really awake.

Finally free, Ayred propped herself up into a sitting position. She blinked and rubbed her head, trying to take in her surroundings.
Noble Scion NeonFlow seasonedcat

 

[Noble Scion]

Mariah Zealot

Spoiler: Appearance

Mai gave the elf a soft smile at the mention of her own race before making a miserable attempt to get some sleep, which seemed to barely make a difference when all hell seemed to break loose hours later.

The young woman shuffled up from her own hammock, a dark patch on the silk from where her tears had landed and accumulated, upon hearing Shiki call out that they seemed to be under attack. Cursing herself for not being able to sleep, she slipped out of the hammock, exhausted, and scuttled up the trunk of one of the trees in terror before taking refuge on one of the higher branches, cursing herself for choosing to make bedding over setting up traps.

Her eyes were puffed and red from the salty tears she's been weeping all night, making it practically impossible for her to see, despite her vantage point, and so, clinging on to the tree in fear, all the drider could do was listen with shut eyes and hope that she was hidden enough by the leaves that the monsters that had destroyed her peaceful way of life left her alone, willing for everything to be fine.
NeonFlow Juju Goonfire​

 

[MindWackMagoo]

Magoo was a light sleeper by nature and his travels had made it necessary to hone that skill. He jerked from his fevered slumber at almost the same moment Shiki bellowed through the pre-dawn mist. He glanced over the lip of his hammock to see a large group of orcs begin to run from the trees. He quickly waved a hand and cloaked himself in illusion before rolling carefully from the hammock.

As he stood, he noticed two of the orcs closest to the camp were staring directly at the spot where he stood, looking a bit confused but suspicious. They must have seen him before he vanished. Thinking quickly, Magoo attempted to backflip to the tree behind him, but his robes were still slightly tangles in the hammock and he landed on his back with a loud "Ooof!"

The orcs watching were sure he was there now, as a cloud of dust puffed into the air as he landed. They stalked toward him, pushing past the other orcs that were engaging the others and just barely managing to get through as Phor tossed his hammock in the way and dropped what looked like more caltrops. Luckily, the two heading for Magoo seemed pretty intent on their prey and did not notice Phor's actions.

Magoo flicked his hand and created a set of illusory footprints in the dirt leading to his left and away from the others. The orcs took the bait and turned just before reaching the spot where he hunched silently. Magoo wasted no time, he grabbed a knife that had been left near the fire and lept onto the back of the bigger orc, plunging the knife into its throat and jerking it hard to open the wound. Before the orc hit the ground, Magoo pushed off with his feet and side-flipped onto the other orc bringing the knife down into its head as he landed. The orc crumpled with a shocked squeal and Magoo rolled from the body to a standing position.

The others were just starting to engage with the rest of the orc patrol, though it seemed a few had fallen prey to Phor's caltrops.

After a quick survey of the battle, Magoo noticed Mariah was not in sight. Had she fled? He scanned again and noticed the slight sag to her hammock. She must have crept from it in an attempt to stay hidden. If the orcs had not noticed her it could be a major advantage. A few loose leaves fell from the tree nearby, floating softly on the still morning air. Magoo guessed Mariah must have sneaked into the trees. He waved his invisible hand and sent an illusion of words into the trees near Mariah's empty hammock, hoping the range was wide enough to reach her.

If you can, try and web some of these orcs up while they are distracted. I do not believe they are aware of your presence yet.

Without waiting to see if it worked, Magoo rushed forward to aid his guildmates, a bit concerned at the spirits' silence thus far. Usually, they would be hounding his thoughts non-stop in this type of situation. He shook his head as he moved. Even when they were silent the spirits filled his head. He reached the main fray and readied his staff for the fight, glancing at Shiki briefly.

"Mornin', Chief. You know, most bosses bring pastries for breakfast, not deadly orcs..." He smiled grimly, though nobody else could see it.

Noble Scion TPBx Goonfire Juju seasonedcat NeonFlow

 

[NeonFlow]

The camp awoke in surprise to the orc ambush, Shiki held eight orcs attention as Phor threw his hammock and then caltrops in the path of the monsters. While most avoided the traps entirely two fell trying to get metal from their bleeding feet, Shiki was able to behead them easily as he moved about the Orcs. Parrying with the shield inside the hook-shot attached to his arm before slashing with his sword or gaining distance from the crowd. He was unlucky however, as he went to give magoo a sly quip inbetween killing orcs... Heavy bolos are thrown from out of Shiki's sight and he is wrapped up in chains. Falling to the ground with a heavy thud, three orcs begin to kick and stomp before one picked him up by his throat.

"this is that spirit ain't it?" the orc choking a subdued Shiki asked out loud
"I think it is... dark hair with a scar"
"Ashkur wants his corpse"
"I WANT his corpse... I HAVE HIS CORPSE!!" orcs bickered amongst themselves as the other seven spread out looking to murder. Shiki wrapped in chains only had one hand to try and free his airway from being crushed. Being unable to breathe made it difficult to use mana.
=============
Phor was quickly assaulted by two orcs, which had branched off from those attacking Shiki. He ran for his bow, ducking under several swings from the dull, heavy orcish swords. He couldn’t knock an arrow at this rate, so that knife came in handy once more as he tumbled in a semicircular motion to grab it and whip around to slice their Achilles’ tendons. They flopped onto the ground with two similar-sounding howls, both of which were cut short as the half-elf stabbed them to death. He was a bit too frenzied and careless, resulting in his hand slipping and receiving a small, stinging cut. The adrenaline was surging, the nick doing nothing to slow the scout’s effort to get the guild out of this mess.

He threw his quiver over his shoulder, then swiftly knocked an arrow. His first target was that vile Bubul-wannabe choking Shiki. While the orcs were feuding, Phor loosed one arrow into the strangler’s forearm, the broad bone arrowhead severing arteries, nerves, and tendons. The next two shots were lined up with the other captors’ hearts, the arrows punching through the rib cages and puncturing those vital organs. Fast as it should have been, these mortal puncture wounds caused slow, agonizing deaths. Finally, Phor vaulted over his freed mentor, stealing his dagger. He threw all his weight into deflecting another grab at Shiki from the orc’s good hand. The force sent him reeling, though he grasped that beefy arm, dangling from it like a marionette. The dagger fell from his grasp, clattering onto the soft ground just out of his arm’s reach. ”DIE, WORM!” the orc growled, head-butting the wiry half-elf, which caused him to see stars. His head was (figuratively) spinning from the impact, though his hands remained clenched around his enraged foe’s wrist, as a sort of reflex.
========
With Phors arrow piercing his grasp the orc dropped Shiki to the ground who was able to free himself of the constraints by the time Phor had taken his place. Shiki quickly grabbed the dagger and slit the Orcs throat. Pulling Phor to his feet and placing the dagger in his hand. "i dub thee first mate and I gift you this dagger"

with a massive smile Shiki warped away to stab a orc archer with his short sword, the other four archers drew clubs and daggers to attack a man to close to shoot. Shiki is able to keep their attention as the apprentices face the other orcs.
_________________________
Juju seasonedcat Goonfire MindWackMagoo Noble Scion TPBx
I may have added a extra orc grunt or two as by my own rules each player can kill two grunts. So if six people kill two each 15 orcs isn't much aha

 

[Goonfire]

Stunned by Shiki’s declaration, Phorcis stood dumbflunded for a moment. “Th-thank you,” he wheezed in awe while wiping some blood from his upper lip. It was during this moment that he was wrapped in a thrown net weighted by four stones. ‘Damn, I let my guard down,’ he realized too late. The dagger in his hand proved invaluable as he rolled around in the net, holding out the blade in a reverse grip. Its sharp edge whittled away one segment of the thin ropes as the net shifted with him. He managed to free his hand, though his overall state only led to worse problems.

An orc with a spear rushed to attack the trapped half-elf. His breathing became more labored as he sawed faster to free both arms. While crawling out, that spear rocketed down and hit its mark. Phor’s face twisted in agony as the flint point made a shallow wound by his shoulder blade. “YOOOOWWW!” he blurted through gritting teeth.

The cry gave his attacker a chuckle. Of course, Phor gave it no time for famous last words as he freed himself with one last slice. He immediately dodged another thrust and grabbed the spear shaft, which he promptly snapped using his weight and leverage. In a focused series of cuts and thrusts, Phorcis dispatched the orc, leaving it hunched over with its throat slit and the spearhead buried in its back. He rose again and stumbled back, gasping as he bumped his tender, wounded shoulder blade against a tree.

The scout gauged the situation, determining who would meet the most resistance. His eyes settled on Ayred, who was prone, an elf, and a female; that was never a good combination when orcs were present, so he grabbed his bow off the ground and shot one of the orcs moving in her general direction, his means of thinning their numbers so the stupefied summoner would have one less problem whilst recovering from her spill.

NeonFlow Juju

 

[Juju]

First came a shadow, a scuff of leaves just out of her line of sight. The footsteps were heavy and uneven, but in the clamour of steel and orcish shouts, it was as soft as the wind. Ayred caught the movement in the corner of her eye and turned to face it, but she was a heartbeat too late. Thick fingers, each lined with chipped yellow nails, grasped her on each shoulder. They dug into the cloth of her cloak, biting at the soft flesh beneath until Ayred cried out in pain. Of course, this only made the orc laugh with a malice the elf could see simmering in its piggish eyes.

It was forcing her to the ground, but while she lacked strength, Ayred had other tricks to rely on. Electricity crackled along her skin, arcing in streaks of blinding blue, sizzling towards anywhere the orc touched. Reeling back from the zap, the orc let go of Ayred just long enough for her to squirm away. Disgusting, oily smoke rose up from the orc's singed hands, but it only seemed to make it angrier. While keeping females alive, especially elvish ones, was one of the top priorities of the orcs, this one seemed to forget it for a moment.

Ayred was crouched down in the leaves, just recovering from the previous scrap, but the orc did not give her to chance to catch her breath. He barreled towards her, slashing with an axe-strike that Ayred only narrowly managed to shield with an arcane ward. The blade ricocheted to the side and Ayred took the chance to increase the distance between she and her foe. She leaped back and touched her brooch, calling into the Fae for a spirit. It glowed amber, but she was interrupted when the orc came back at her again. Like the last time, it wildly swung, but it appeared to have adapted. Instead of putting all of its effort in the swing, it used up her shield with the axe, only to grab her arm with the other hand.

The world spun as Ayred was thrown to the side, soaring through the air and into a nearby tree. Her back cracked against its trunk, ripping the wind from her lungs. Stars spun in the edges of her darkened vision, completely disorienting her if not for the carpet of dirt and rotting leaves below her. She wheezed for air, lying limp and helpless on her side. Blurred but still visible, she could see heavy feet approaching her. Leaves crunched beneath them, her vision steadying with each footfall as if to make her more and more aware of what was coming. As her vision cleared, she could see two more sets of feet. Ayred struggled, screaming for her limbs to move, but she couldn't breathe and her arms felt like rubber. The feet were so close she could touch them.

Something caused one to stumble. Phor's arrow had been true, and while the orc had not been slain, his approach was halted for a few more precious seconds. Weakly, Ayred managed to touch the brooch holding back her cloak. Help me, she silently begged. Her mana made contact with a dull glow, but that quickly sparked into something else.

What began as a glow burned into a fierce red, scorching outwards from Ayred in a rippling wave of heat. The orc standing closest to Ayred, who had just been feathered by an arrow, was unlucky enough to be caught in the rising flame. Half of his form was instantly scorched black while the other caught fire. He screamed in agony, twisting in an effort to stop the spread. The scent of burnt flesh filled the clearing. Smoke did too, but it did not rise up as natural smoke did. It trailed towards Ayred in a ribbon, forming a dark shape above her. It solidified in seconds, and by the time the orc fell to the ground, charred and twitching, a black feline was crouched over Ayred. It was almost comparable to a lion, with a mane of charcoal and eyes of scornful flame.

As if in challenge, it unleashed a roar towards the two remaining orcs, sparks falling from its maw like drops of spit -- though strangely, the grass below did not seem to catch flame. One orc was stupified, but the other had enough wits to run. The wrathful spirit covered the distance in a single bound, pinning the fleeing orc as easily as a mouse might pounce on a rat. The lion was twice the size of the orc and far more powerful. It held down the orc as easily as it could hold only to Ayred, its flaming claws deep in the flesh of its back, cauterizing the wound at the same time it cut.

Perhaps relishing the revenge, the lion let the orc squeal in torment. It roared once more, muscles rippling in rage, then clamped its jaws onto the orc's shoulder. Despite the weight of the orc, the spirit easily picked up the brute and thrashed it viciously from side to side.

 

[TPBx]

In her tired state, she missed the Orcs approaching the campsite. She dropped down from the tree and whipped out a sword from thin air using the darkness around her. Athania then spotted one of the orcs and dropped on top of it, thrusting her blade into his down through his shoulder blade and into its heart, killing it instantly. Another orc responded and swung at her, but she jumped out of the way and dodged the attack. She backed off and flourished her sword, facing off the the other orc that tried to avenge its comrade. The orc swung at her again and she blocked the attack with a gauntlet she materialized out of the shadows and countered with her own attack as the orc recoiled back from the block. Her shadow blade made a shallow cut through its chest plate the orc managed to step back and barely dodge the attack. But Athania was much quicker and followed up her slash with a quick thrust through an opening orc's chest plate with a spear she materialized in her other hand in order to land a finishing blow upon the orc.

Athania then looked around to see if anyone needed anyone else need any help. It appeared as if Phor and Shiki were so far capable of defending themselves. Ayred however looked troubled, but managed to hold her own against the orcs with the help of her spirit. Athania noticed that Phor's attention was drawn to her, figuring that Phor realized would be a high value target for the orcs, so the Shadow Assassin headed over to assist her in case another orc came in to try and take her out without the lion noticing.

Juju Goonfire NeonFlow

 

[NeonFlow]

((The dice roll for the orcs was 19))
Shiki and the apprentices began to fight back, it seemed like the hunters would quickly quell the assault but the orcs had numbers. Magoo, Ayred, Athania Shiki and phor were able to rid the Aerth of some monsters, more took their places almost immediately. As Shiki beheded another archer he was again caught in some heavy bolos "fuck Anigans!"
He couldn't help but scream in frustration, it seems orcs are getting harder, better, faster, stronger...
An an an
And sneakier every two weeks. Shiki hadn't even heard the first group of orcs approach. In the heat of battle he hadn't noticed the second group.
They threw bolos and nets over every hunter on the ground, the only one not to be caught was Mariah who hid in a tree. Three of the orcs have a strange mana, like lightning but dark. They are able to infuse this into their weapons... a reason our hunters have trouble escaping.
(I may have read wrong as I typed this forgive me Noble Scion )
----------------------------
Each person was caught in bolos or net ( maybe both was thrown over them) apart from the spider. Roll dice on discord to escape/retaliate.
1-9 = fail
10-11= escape
12-20 = success! The closer to 20 you roll the more people you help/orcs you kill in badass fashion.

Juju seasonedcat Goonfire TPBx MindWackMagoo

 

[Noble Scion]

Mariah Zealot

Spoiler: Appearance

Mariah was staring down at all the chaos when she heard a voice, which was mightily terrifying given the situation, suggesting that she tried webbing some of the orcs up, yet there she sat, afraid and attempting to avoid panicking as she delved into her years of practise of hunting woodland creatures to save herself and those that had shown her kindness.

The drider slipped down the tree with a practised ease as her fear-stricken mind came up with the idea of attempting to lure and distract at least some of the orcs, moving away from the camp and spinning webs as she went, holding onto a string all the while connecting each of them and utilising her alteration to strengthen their bonds.

Once she found a suitable place a short distance away from the camp, she finally settled on using the tactic she'd used before on birds, a mating call. The only issue with that was that she wasn't exactly aware of what orcs liked, and the very idea of it sickened, but gathering from the way they had spoken to eachother, she had settled on the only plan she'd come up with.

"H-hey, b-boys!" she cried out loudly in what was an incredibly poor attempt at a sultry tone, sounding much more shaky and desperate than seductive. "L-lots of b-blood and.. Ah.. Woman, h-here!" she yelled through her parched lips and dry throat, trying to ignore the inevitable headache that had come from all her tears.

Slipping into a nearby shrub, her white hair, string and spider features all glimmering slightly in the light in an exceedingly mediocre attempt at staying hidden, Mai crouched down as low as she could and waited once more, hoping that she'd placed enough webs to at least preoccupy some of the vile monsters for enough time for this guild to do something about it, her breathing unsteady and loud in her ears.
NeonFlow , everyone else too​

 

[MindWackMagoo]

Magoo was taken by surprise as Shiki hit the ground, tangled in the bolo. He rushed to knock a single orc away from the guild leader with his staff, but an orc club hit him from behind, knocking the wind from his chest and sprawling him out on the forest floor. His mind exploded into a deafening walla of voices before he could rise to his feet. The spirits had taken the blow as a wake-up call and a warning that their precious host was in danger.

Stay down. Play dead until it is safe to sneak away!
Make a decoy and lead the orcs to the others and sneak away while they are busy!
Stay invisible, start digging an escape tunnel!
Try to join the orcs?
Use the elf as a human shield!
(That would be an elvan shield, idiot.)
Catch the spider lady and give her up to replace the breeders they lost!
Go home and kill Dad!!!
(Shut up! Too far, dummy!)
Er...I meant...Hide in a tree?

Magoo grasped his staff close, his head pounding and screaming with pain. The spirits were putting their full effort into taking back his body to protect their prophecy. He remembered his staff's power and hoped enough time had passed as he struggled to murmur the three ancient dwarven words to summon its strength.

"S-s-sont'ikr. Bljp-p-p-plk. Crsyd-d-d-d-d-DJA!"

The staff emanated warmth through his hands and into his body. The spirits did not give up their hold easily, screaming against the magic and clawing for weaknesses. It felt as if Magoo's head was growing enormous, filling with white-hot fire and thick, acrid smoke. Just as he felt as if he would rupture and explode all over the battle raging around him, the spirits were quiet and Magoo was back in the heat of the fight.

He leaped to his feet and scanned quickly. He was very lucky the others had kept the orcs occupied. Unfortunately, there was now a second wave of orcs adding to the remains of the first. They had taken out almost half the first wave, but things were looking grim. Before Magoo could formulate a plan or decide who to help, the second wave blanketed the area with nets and below. Magoo tried to roll out of the way, but there was nowhere to escape to. The nets were everywhere. One hit him halfway through his roll and knocked the knife from his waistband which skittered away impossibly far, as if he had just had some sort of critical failure. To make things worse, the net became tangled around his neck and he gasped for air.

He searched for help with his eyes as his vision dimmed, but everyone was tangled and in need of assistance of their own. He struggled once more and then slipped into darkness. The ropes loosened as his body slumped, and his airway opened just enough to keep him from asphyxiating but he would be unconscious for at least the next few minutes.

 

[Goonfire]

Who would have thought, this would be how the guild started their day? Phorcis was in a terrible position, and as he struggled to dodge, he found his legs bound by bolas and then his whole form tangled in a net... yet again. This time, there was no way out; his hands were too constricted to reach for the dagger, and the others struggled to maintain their footing amidst the flurry of thrown weapons.

Phor struggled to no avail to free himself. His back stung from the flesh-wound, though he wasn’t sure if it was from the physical damage or from the crackling dark electricity lashing him hundreds of times every second. It took everything he had to not lose hope. He wanted—nay, needed to live; who would provide for his family if he died? These more selfish thoughts slowly started to drown out his desire to save the others.

Coupled with his self-preservation instincts, Phor’s hazy mind sifted through every idea imaginable. He could try crawling... wait, he already did that. He also considered begging, but who would hear his pleas? He also indulged the idea of using his magic without his hands directing the air flow. That might work...

The distressed half-elf attempted to take a sharp, deep breath, but a sudden jolt from the net’s magic merely caused him to expel an inconsequential puff of wind. “G-gods help me,” he finally murmured breathlessly before falling limp in defeat. Even when faced with his inevitable demise, he somehow mustered the energy to put up a stoic expression. He wouldn’t give them the joy of seeing him panic. A single, manly tear still pooled in the corner of his right eye, gaining mass until it fell, joining the dew among the grass.

Would a forgettable, salty tear be the only thing he left behind? Would his only real contribution to the world be a day’s nourishment for some loathesome orcs? Was the lifelong struggle to thrive, all for nought?

 

[Juju]

Lion's decisions...
Saved: Goonfire TPBx
Left: NeonFlow MindWackMagoo Juju
Didn't notice: Noble Scion (though definately helped lion get away.)

**for reference, lion is roughly the size of a horse**​

Ayred was still recovering when a net was thrown over her. The flaming spirit, however, was not as easy to trap. Flames consumed the net as soon as it made contact with the spirit, reduced to ash within seconds. One orc had the brilliant idea to try a bola, but the lion swatted it out of the air with a paw. It bounced to the ground, the iron weights melting.

The lion roared once more, its tail lashing angrily from side to side as it guarded Ayred. When an orc let its guard down, distracted by something in the trees, the lion pounced -- so quickly there was no time for it to even scream before its neck was broken and its skin singed. In warning, the lion tossed the limp body into the group of orcs, knocking over a few. If they did not take the message, a wall of flame burst from the lion, scorching any too slow to evade.

Meanwhile, Ayred watched from her tangled viewpoint. Things were not good. Shiki, Magoo, Phor, Athania; they were all bound. She could not see Mai, but she hoped she could manage to flee or hide. Even if they had been free, Ayred knew they would not be able to defeat this many orcs. They would be captured, but who would be killed, tortured, or bred was a different story. Ayred knew which category she would fall into, but her preciousness to the orcs could be used. If the orcs fought over who would take her then she could delay her death...perhaps long enough for the others to save her. She felt sick.

"Aeneiros," Ayred managed, coughing. "Help the others."

Silently, the flaming lion looked at the guild members, judging them. The closest was Magoo, but it only bared its teeth, walking over the tangled mage in favour of two others. It was drawn especially to Phor, moved by the determination in his heart and the aura of prayer around him. He was who the lion freed, burning the ropes that bound him. However, the lion did not wait for the half-elf to recover. Phor was tossed over the lion's shoulders, landing messily on the spirit's furred back. Its hide was surprisingly cool and strangely none of the flames harmed the half-elf.

A single word echoed in Phor's mind, as sudden and overwhelming as a clap of thunder, "H o l d".

With Phor on its back, the beast leapt over the sprawl of orcs, landing heavily beside Athania. In one smooth motion, it picked up the girl by the back of her shirt and took off into the woods, charging through the orcs while carrying Athania in its jaws like a kitten. Flames trailed from its mouth and eyes, searing any orcs who tried to get in the way, yet utterly harmless to either Phor or Athania. Of course, Phor might have to hold on tight or even help lion fend off any brave orcs.

(Where the lion stops will be determined by us in the discord chat! Since I feel like a time skip might occur )

Ayred watched the spirit leave. At least two people would get away. She wished she could do more for Magoo or Shiki, but this strange net would not let her. It felt like her energy was being drained.

Mai was also still around, or at least Ayred thought she might be. The drider had distracted some orcs, but as much as Ayred appreciated her help, she would much rather her new companion stay safe.

"Mai, you need to get out of here!" She called, unsure if the drider would even hear her.

 

[seasonedcat]

~Silvrian~
Silvrian didn't go out to hunt more orcs like some or rest up in the hammocks. She wasn't really in the mood for it at this time. She instead sat atop a tree away from the others and thought for a while. She didn't know those who had fallen today nor did she know every sole that had fallen by the hands of these orcs but it still made her stomach clench in ways she didn't appreciate.

If they had been faster or stronger would it have been possible for those who died to be saved? If she had chosen a different path with where she would go today could she have changed their fate? She slammed the back of her head into the trunk of the tree she sat on. Silvrian winced in pain but let out a breath, she needed that. She had no time to get caught up in these things she could not let herself be pulled down into a well of feelings like this over a few dead people. She had to keep going she couldn't let this stop her.

Over time she ended up drifting off without noticing atop a branch. She dreamed of muggy faces and places she had tried to forget. Questions that remained unanswered and the words she wanted to say dancing on her lips. Suddenly she jolted at the sound of battle. She dropped from her branch, her wounds crying in pain lightly but she paid them no mind. Gripping her spear tightly she dashed to where the others were located.

Had anyone else died while she slept? When had she become so careless that she'd drift off in enemy territory? Hissing through clenched teeth she sprinted to the clearing, coming to a halt as she saw the battle before her. Cursing she rushed over to Ayred's side, using her spear to carve her way through the netting, "What the fuck is happening her Knife Ears! I leave for 5 seconds and everything goes to shit I swear."
Juju

 

[NeonFlow]

Five dumbass orcs charge into the obvious traps laid out by Mar. The chance that more blood and women was hidden somewhere in that general area was to much to bear and they rushed toward the alluring call of the drider and are caught by web.
The other orcs are more concerned with the people fighting back or attempting to capture the hunters.

One orc reluctantly attempted to free the enthusiastic dumbasses trapped in web, they shout in rage at being tricked, there was no blood back here... and only one women. The nerve of this women spider thing...
One dies by eating web and suffocating, The rest are pretty incapacitated for the moment.
Noble Scion

As the burning lion saved Phor and Athania, orcs rushed to slay the pyro predator. Swords swing and arrows fly, during this dramatic battle... Magoo and Shiki are dragged off by the monsters lucky enough to catch meat.
Shiki tried to teleport but was unable to focus his mana as a dark force zapped throughout the net and chains holding him down.
Magoo would be in a similar situation, but was choking.
"retreat and regroup!! dwarfs can free themselves!"
Shiki roared over the pain he felt and the sounds of battle. He was sure if the apprentices would be able to survive if not worrying about captured allies.
Magoo and himself would most likely get a chance to escape, or be forced to fight for entertainment.
Either way he wasn't letting one of his kind be caught alone.
------------------
The battle is being decided, but Shiki and Magoo are gone even If you choose to fight the orcs or flee the scene.
It's about four hours til the sun rises. If you wish to skip or not let me know in discord as I'd need to know what you've done and where that leaves the dwarfs.
Juju seasonedcat TPBx Goonfire Noble Scion

 

[Goonfire]

Phorcis was about to close his eyes when an intense light caught his attention. He squinted and stared up at the lion as it freed him, only to realize what would happen next. He then gasped and reached toward the others. It was far too late, though; he and Athania were being carried away. Acquiescing to Ayred’s will, the scout promised them with an exasperated sigh, “I’ll come back for you all.” His voice was drowned out by the ruckus around them, but the message rang clear in his mannerisms.

Those troublesome orcs assailed the fleeing detachment, prompting Phor to unleash a powerful, sweeping gust of gale-force wind to bat back the offensive. When charging past his old resting spot, he swept up a few essentials but maintained a death grip on the lion’s sides with his legs and one hand, determined to not fall off. With all four limbs occupied, he motioned at Mariah with his head, beckoning her to come with them.

NeonFlow TPBx Noble Scion

 

[Noble Scion]

Mariah Zealot

Spoiler: Appearance

Shivering in the shrub as she held on for dear life, pulsing her mana into the web that was tugging from all the orc struggling, Mar sat there, terrified, just waiting for the moment one of the orcs managed to evade all of her traps and found their way to her, where she'd be faced with fighting while trying to hold onto the web against someone much stronger than her.

Time seemed to drag on as shouts of rage emanated through the forest from the entrapped orcs when suddenly something burst through the clearing from the direction of the camp. The Drider shrieked in fear, yet to her surprise, it was not an orc, not that it was a good thing. What had appeared was instead a monster of some sort of beast she'd never seen the likes of before, emanating flames and ash.

She squealed a little harder as she shut her eyes before noticing that it wasn't currently trying to eat her, and managed to slow he high-pitched trembles of fear to something more akin to sobbing. Willing herself to open a fearful eye, she saw a familiar face beckoning her towards the creature. Not feeling particularly compelled to run towards the creature, yet not exactly having any alternatives, Mai scuttled over and crawled onto the back of the beast, gripping onto the back of Phorcis perhaps a little too tightly, unable to maintain a solid seat given her spider-like lower half.

Shutting her eyes once more, Mariah pressed her head against the man's back and continued making her stressed sounds. Her wounds hadn't fully healed considering she'd been travelling all day yesterday after the encounter with her first orc, and she hadn't brought it up with the elf when they'd been resting, still feeling a little unsafe around all of them, despite none of them being cruel as she'd expected them to be.

She needed to re-apply her bandages fairly badly. All the running around and climbing she'd done had reopened the wound, but at least it didn't seem to be bleeding very harshly from what she could tell from a quick glance at her dress. She chose not to say anything to Phorcis, unwilling to mount on more stress considering what had just happened in the span of a night
NeonFlow Goonfire Juju (lion)​

 

[MindWackMagoo]

Magoo woke groggily as his head bounced against soft ground. He seemed to be moving and still confined in the odd magic covered net. His vision was blurry and the dim pre-dawn light was barely peeking through the forest canopy. Coupled with the blur of motion and his uncontrollable bouncing, Magoo found it hard to make out anything beyond a few feet from him. To make matters worse, the strange magic surrounding the net was softly zapping him every few seconds, sending waves of pins and needles through his body and stealing his concentration.

His head throbbed, but his thoughts were quiet. He had been out for less than an hour, he guessed, as his staff spell was still active. Magoo wriggled his left arm until it was free enough to feel his robes. Empty. His knife must be near the campsite. He could feel his staff pressed against his back by the net, so at least there was a small chance of fighting.

As Magoo considered plans, the orcs turned suddenly and his net jerked hard, rolling him on his side. His head hit a rock beneath some fallen leaves, bouncing him slightly into the air. He felt the staff begin to move up his back and cursed to himself. He tried to carefully squirm and secure it but he only succeeded in loosening it further. The orc dragging him yanked hard as it readjusted its grip and Magoo felt the staff slip free of the net.

Magoo craned his neck, trying to get one last look at his most faithful companion. The staff had been with him longer than anything or anyone before in his life. He managed to wriggle himself into a position to see where the staff lay in the dirt and leaves and nearly laughed with relief as he caught sight of another orc dragging an annoyed-looking dwarf in a net who grabbed the staff as he passed.

Thank the Heavens for Shiki Nazâ! He thought. Although I guess it sucks he got nabbed too...

They needed a plan. Magoo was pretty confident he could use these orcs lust for power to his advantage, but he had not planned for being a prisoner. It would be difficult to get the orcs to believe he was not just trying to save his own ass with trickery. No, his grander plans required he approach the leader of his own free will. This situation required quick thinking and possible bloodshed. The net was suppressing Magoo's mana. Even if he could move his hands in the right patterns, he wouldn't be able to do much more than shadow puppets.

His head was feeling a little better, and it occurred to him that he could probably grab a sharp stick or rock as his captor dragged him further out of the forest. He felt foolish for wasting so much time. He wiggled his left hand through the ropes of the net, getting a nasty zap from the magic in the process. His eyes darted around, scanning the rapidly passing ground for anything to grab. He felt a pang of excitement as he spotted a jagged piece of limestone within reach.

He flexed his fingers and made a grab for the rock, but his movement shifted his weight just as the orc dragged him over a small mound of dirt. Magoo rolled to the left, the net constricting him tighter, and his head made contact with the rock he was trying to grab. He felt a flash of white-hot pain.

Typical......

His thoughts faded as he slipped back into black unconsciousness.

NeonFlow Juju Goonfire seasonedcat Noble Scion TPBx

 

[TPBx]

Athania saw a flash and then she was snatched up by a net, and then she was snapped into the jowls of the lion that Ayred summoned. It all happened so quickly and she was swung around like a rag doll across the battlefield. She relaxed within the jowls of the beast and watched as the forest around her passed by swiftly, and felt the warm wind rush across her face as the lion let out bursts of flame searing the unfortunate orcs who got caught in its path of destruction. Athania felt safe within its grasp and decided to just ride out the rest of the night and hope that her other comrades made it out safely, then deactivating her shadow enhancement magic, which did took its toll on her physically as she felt the cramping pain of over-exerting herself while taking on a good number of orcs.

NeonFlow Juju Goonfire

 

[NeonFlow]

Shiki had a improvised but elaborate plan to lay out caltrops in a pattern that would lead the apprentices while also explaining his contingency plan. The orcs had used some dark mana that zapped Shiki of any ability to be a legendary leader. However a staff got caught in the net, poking his head as he was dragged.

It seemed to familiar to be a branch, ah, Magoo's walking stick.
He made sure it was in his grasp and not to be lost, hopefully he could swing it at a orc or toss it to Magoo when it was time to attempt a daring escape.
Shiki longed to teleport from his constraints and kill the grunts who had gotten the better of him. It was more painful then the weapons orcs used. To be restrained was a terrible feeling.

Despite orcs dying in web, being burned alive and still squealing. The orcs are somewhat pleased with what was found.
Only Silvran and Ayred remained to face the orcs, as the lion escorted Mai Phor and Athania to relative safety. Eleven orcs quickly surround the two, four of them ready nets and bolos. The others have swords drawn edging closer...
Two nets are thrown upwards, one net was thrown in such a way it was hardly a threat at all, but as those nets soar through the air two more orcs throw their weapons.
-------------------
seasonedcat Juju Noble Scion MindWackMagoo TPBx Goonfire
The lion has seemingly escaped to safety, the rest are in some trouble...
Will our heroes survive?
find out next time on dragon ball Z.

 

[Juju]

Rolls: 18 (net) + 7 (bolas)
Interacting: seasonedcat

Ayred felt the stinging net loosen and heard the familiar voice of Silvrian, but her joy was mixed with terror.

"Silvrian!?" The elf coughed, looking up at the werebear with one eye, the other closed shut, "Y-you need to get out of here! Leave me and save yourself!"

She pulled her self up and stood on unsteady feet. In the edge of her vision, Ayred could see murky forms approaching. They carried nets, bolas, and swords at the ready. It was either capture or death. Silvrian was tough, but there were simply too many orcs. Nets hissed through the air, one soaring right towards Ayred. Mana-fueled fire blazed to life, jumping from her hand to crash into the airborne nets. The net flying straight for the elf was incinerated, while the other one was knocked slightly off-course (blasted away if Kitty's roll succeeds).

"Silvrian, get out of here!" Ayred begged, watching the orcs aim bolas at them. These orcs had better accuracy than the net-throwers and the projectiles moved at greater speeds. The bolas cut through the air like fuzzy arrows, giving Ayred only enough time to target one. She conjured up a raw arcane shield in front of Silvrian, trying to deflect the shot or at least help her avoid it.

With her guard down, a bola easily wrapped around Ayred's feet. She fell onto her side, landing roughly on the leafy forest floor.

Aeneiros (aka) "Lion"
interaction: Goonfire Noble Scion TPBx

Few orcs had given chase, but those who did were either kept at bay by Lion's flames or the winds summoned by the half-blood on his back. The same man was motioning to someone, which was soon revealed to be the drider. Lion continued with his mad dash, allowing the drider to latch onto him. Her terrified mewling was amusing, reminding the spirit of someone lost to time.

The four continued through the trees until the sound of the orcs grew distant and muffled. Once he knew they would be safe, Lion slowed to a walk, feeling his link to Ayred grow taught from the distance. He stopped abruptly and placed down Athenia. Panting, he walked a couple more paces then promptly laid down, forepaws outstretched like a sphinx statue. This was his signal for the others to get off, but even when nobody was on his back he continued to rest. The flames trailing from his eyes and mouth were smaller now that the combat and flight were over. It would look like he was weakened, though really he was conserving as much of Ayred's mana as possible. He knew she was well, but any more mana-cancelling magic might force the link to break.

Lion rested his head on his paws and watched the three. Ayred had asked him to help them, so we could keep to his word until he could no longer stay in this mortal realm. Blazing eyes sifted between the three apprentices. The meek spider woman had shown kindness to Ayred, as did the half-blood. The shadow-seeker had a strange scent about her, but Lion was also reminded of Ayred. Lion tried to understand the strange scent but it was dampened beneath the coppery aroma of fresh blood. His eyes locked onto Mai, staring at her pointedly. Slowly, he propped himself into a sitting position.

 

[Goonfire]

The spirit gained more and more distance for the three until the orcs were faint voices in the distance. Phor crawled out of the creature sandwich and staggered over to a tree. A guttural groan left him, his wounds causing him much grief. Digging through his bag, he retrieved that slender flask, then popped the cork and downed its contents. After a long sigh, he finally spoke. “Well, I was worried it would come to this...” Phor started solemnly, “... although I do suppose this is better than the worst-case scenario. I wasn’t expecting outside help; I’m certain none of us were, except perhaps Shiki.”

At this point, the half-elf was certain all his original companions had been captured. “Now, we cannot loiter, lest the others face the worst possible fate.” It would seem Phor was bent on saving the day, now that his own life was done flashing before him. “The ladies may have some time, as Magoo and I destroyed the breeding hut earlier. By the looks of it, orcs conduct that... horrid business in a sheltered area, so they will need time to make or find a serviceable replacement.” He then glanced around, awaiting ideas.

TPBx Noble Scion

 

[seasonedcat]

~Silvrian~
Silvrian let out a 'tch' at the elf. Like hell, she'd leave the elf here especially not to save herself. Ayred was the only member of this stupid guild she gave two shits for, like hell, she was going to let the girl die here. Not to mention the way those orcs acted earlier to her, there was only one thing they would do to her once they captured her. Silvrian had seen it enough in her life, she was not going to let it happen to Ayred, anyone else, but not Ayred.

Bolas and Nets came flying at them, Ayred dealt with hers then saved Silvrian from one of hers."AYRED!" she yelled as she saw the girl fall, oh fuck this was bad. A net was coming at her quickly, Silvrian was too distracted by Ayred to see how close it was, she couldn't dodge it at this point. Silvrian let out a loud swear as the net engulfed her. Like hell, she was going to die here. Like hell, she was going to let Ayred get taken by these orcs.

Silvrian let out a loud scream, it's noise piercing the sounds of battle. Tears of anger and frustration pooled in her eyes but she refused to let them fall. She willed her body to form, to change. If she turned into bear form maybe she could get out of these bindings. Then she could grab Ayred and get out. They could escape together. She couldn't leave Ayred here, she couldn't get caught here, not after everything she did, everything she promised.

Images flashed in her mind as rage engulfed her. Faces she had tried to forget, covered in blood and tears. Screams and tears in the night after a raid. The laughter as they claimed their prizes. Then there was a face. A warm face. A face different from the hatred filled gazes of the others. The fear edged in their eyes as they screamed. The air rushing past her as Silvrian ran, she knew what her tribe would do to her. The feeling of a trap snapping on her foot and sending her falling. She couldn't escape. She was going to die. The fear, the tears. Then, a warm face. A well-known face as he pulled the traps. As he brought her to safety. As he freed her. Then the memory of a promise made as the life Silvrian knew came to an end and the world she knew became so much bigger

"Do me a favour, my child. Live. Run free, away from us. Away from all this. Don't ever stop fighting. Don't let yourself fall to any man, let your blade carve your future no one else's. Find someplace where you can be you and protect it with your life. I'm sorry my child but this is the last you'll see of me. Never give up. Not even if Gyanrï himself tells you it is the end. This is your life, no one else's."

A memory she had forgotten but never stopped following. She would not fall here. She would keep going. This would not be the end, she would not allow it to be so. Even if there are no Gods, if the land cries lava rivers and the trees stop giving air, she will not fall. It was no one's decision if she would die but hers, and she refused to die. She refused to be caught. She couldn't let this happen. Not while she still breathed.
Juju NeonFlow
--
(can hear the scream)
Goonfire TPBx MindWackMagoo NeonFlow Noble Scion Juju

 

[NeonFlow]

As Silvrian began to transform the orcs wasted no time in throwing more nets and beating down their captive. Many orcs suffered blows and wounds as the bear thrashed about.

One orc in particular, Dergeye The Swift. Was knocked down to the ground by a heavy paw, the pain of being struck and quickly hitting the dirt after reminded him of being a young orc growing up under what he guessed was his father. That pain brought back a voice that echoed in his mind...
=========================
“I knock you down to be stronger!! Orcs grow quickly! Aerth is against us!! You grow quickly to eat! A human would kill me if it could! I won’t let it!!! A pink skin is a enemy it’s food and it’s how we gain strength!! You need to be tough! Strong! You need to eat and catch everything whenever you can to make the horde bigger and larger! Don’t you ever fucking give up!!!”
This emotional rant made a young Dergeye stand back up with triumph
“aye father”
But he was kicked back down by his elder...
“ya a bastard like me! Now get up!! You ain’t strong enough to hunt a bear!!”
==========================

“I’m strong enough!!!”
Dergeye roared as he stood, Snatching a net from some nameless orc before rushing at the bear. Throwing it over the face as he mounted Silvrian and proceeded to choke the big bear out. Brave Dergeye and the other orcs efforts brought down the bear to a position they could safely restrain and transport her.

Ayred in this time... Was quickly bound and gagged to prevent elf magic from happening. A orc hoisted her onto his shoulder with a chuckle.“wonder if your for Ashkur bubul or Daz... hell Daz likes em wild, reckon it’s the choker or the scholar for you”
Silvrian was dragged back to grimdar by eight orcs. It was a uncomfortable experience for all, except for Dergeye the swift. They praised how he choked out a bear!
seasonedcat Juju

Shiki and Magoo were also being dragged back to Grimdar. Shiki couldn’t help but wince as Magoo kept tanking headshots from his unlucky predicament. It seemed like he was having a nice dream though.
MindWackMagoo

Phor Athania Mar and a resting/mana drained? Lion occupied a area further from Grimdar. The rustling of leaves, branches and crunching dirt happen when no one speaks. It is never silent, take that as wildlife or that someone has followed you. Your choice.
Goonfire Noble Scion TPBx ( Juju again for lion idk aha)