Fantasy &nbsp; The Valerian Chronicles: Second Crusade (VC:SC)

Jenzo

Ethan Coleman

Ethan was giving orders to his subordinates, a lateral position of power by his side. He hated to be disturbed, especially when he was briefing on important matters. This was about the assault on the Crusaders and needed to get done so orders could be carried out. The ones sent just burst in the room without knocking. The impending annoyance was immediately thrown by the wayside when the disturbance was sent by the king. nodded and sheathed his blade. He went to the Throne Room. Upon entering with Marianne, he unsheathed his sword and placed it in front of him in the universal sign of respect to the position of power. "You requested our presence, my liege?"

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Birdsie · May 3, 2018

Alreos

The king sat on his throne. His head was slightly back and his eyes were wide open. He smirked when his servants came in. "Yes, indeed. There's a task, I need you to see to it with all haste."

Alreos stood up. A faint light came from his body as he approached them. That light soon shot out into an image, floating in the air, and showing the adventurers and the directions they were going in. "For you see. My negotiations were... less than fruitful. Now, my enemies have set out to undermine the order that we've striven to build and maintain. Can this be called anything but thanklessness? I'd like you to deal with them in a... more discreet manner. Instead of fighting, strike where it truly hurts. At the keystone."

The image in the air changed, to show Elaina and Alex on two opposite sides. "Now... we're not talking about drastic measures, no. That would be improper. I simply wish for you to take away these children, for they hold together their group. To remove the children is to remove their opposition. As such, I grant you this."

Alreos produced a pair of pendants in his hands, conjuring them from nowhere. "Both of these amulets, when activated, will open a tear in the fabric of reality that will lead to a secure prison in the outer realms. Simply kidnap the children and put them there, then demand the adventurers give up their quest in exchange for their children. Naturally, even if they agree, they won't keep their word. I am expecting this. It's meant as a distraction."

"Any questions?" he asked, as he handed them the pendants.

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Hanarei · May 3, 2018

Lucille Irebrook

Lucile glanced out at the city, signs of her being nervious not hard to tell as she seemed rather timid. She had purposely leanred towards the mission since she figured she wouldn't be the best option for stealth, but now facing what was sounding more like they were creating a full fledge warzone it only made her question if this was really the best choice. Sure her summons could cause a lot of damage quickly but she wasn't very much the type to get enthralled in a large battle. She was half worried it might lead to people getting hurt. Many of her summons were far from very 'gentle' in their approach, and few cared to really listen to her.

She was made a bit more uneay as Ari suddenly took off into the woods. She looked on seeming a bit uneasy. Feir shook his head a bit putting his paw on her nose. "Just relax Lucille. I highly advice a calm approach. It is far easier to strike from within then to go in guns blazing. You have a much higher success chance that way." He spoke while in some part to lucille his words were also meant for the others as well. He jumped into the air, his body dissipating. The last thing he wanted to do was make the guards suspicious of Lucille. It meant she would be on her own but at the very least there were others around that could hopefully help keep her safe. Lucille looked at the others, nerviously fiddling with her fingers.

"S....so... w... what should we do?" She asked looking about seeming unsure, hoping they took the much less brash way of getting past the gate.

revior · May 4, 2018

Marianne Basil

In all honesty, Marianne wasn't surprised that Alreos' attempt at negotiation had failed. She did not know what was said, but for the short time she knew the god, he was rather... tactless, one might say, only capable of one-sidedly pushing his own agenda and caring for no one else's. Perhaps it's the result of taking in Amos, or perhaps it's just him going mad long since.

"Why go through such lengths? Why not just smite them where they stand?" Marianne asked after she heard of Alreos' plan. Of course, she had no qualms about kidnapping, she'll do whatever it takes to achieve victory and them being children only makes it easier. However, she also wishes to know where Alreos' power currently falls, to know exactly how far has it fallen for him to resort to such tricks.

Jenzo · May 4, 2018

Aseal observed in silence, as he gaged the defensive capabilities of the city. He thought of many potential avenues of approach to addressing the situation. However, many of them resulted in one or two of the party members getting hurt instantly from the archers on the tower. He glanced down at Lucile furry little companion as he chimed in his two cents. He clasped his hand over his head rubbing the temples of his skull. The tower was the biggest threat in his opinion and knock it out the fight early on would be beneficial to the party as they could easily operate in silence without the watchful eyes in the sky. This would allow them to take out primary targets in silence without being caught.

Immediately, his mind turned to setting the tower ablaze. But that could work against them as the forces would view it as a potential attack. They needed something more natural to knock the tower out of the game. Suddenly a stroke of genius or pure stupidity overtook the man.

“Don’t fret.” He glanced down at Lucile then to Beatrice and Vale, “We are just two guards escorting the daughters of a wealthy merchant back home to her father. Whom happen upon a city that is besieged by a sudden seizure of the land, tumbling towers and buildings over. Whom also take advantage of the situation by quietly disposing of fellow opposition to the merchant trade.” Aseal had a grin on his face after explain his coded plan to the others. His gaze fell on Beatrice, recalling her limited understanding of their native tongue, “Lucille would you be so kind as to reiterate that for her to understand. " He glanced back at Lucile hoping his plan calmed her nerves. Hopefully when they met back up with Ari within the city as he has retrieved the requested goods. They could fine tone the plan or discard it for another, but his money was causing an earthquake to shatter their forces and crumble that tower. It would give them the perfect chance afterward to pick them off one at a time in silence.

Damafaud · May 4, 2018

Vale Frostwind
Frozen Hermit
Location: Velspar City Outskirt
Interaction:

Kylesar1 ,

Jenzo
Mention:

Pretense as merchants? Vale tilted her head sideway as she listened to Lord Aseal's plan. She hadn't asked for weapons when Lord Waesmor asked her if she needed some; She wasn't trained enough in any of them to be able to make use of them properly. As for magic items, she would make due with the items in her chest; Several tens of years worth of plunder was inside, and she would feel bad about letting Lord Waesmor pay for more items for her. Now she needed to put her best to this crusade.

"Lord Aseal, pardon if this is wrong, but does not daughters of merchant, rich enough to hire guards, usually travel on carriage? This self is not sure of the current practise, but travelling merchants on feet don't bid well for this self, " she added apologetically, "this self is also not familiar with the custom of this time. This self won't be of much help in social interaction. "

Vale knew she stood out like a sore thumb, even in their small group. She had always been someone detached from society, but the years she spent in seclusion made the detachment something she couldn't control anymore; With not even a single clue of the turn of history, politic, and economy for the last several years, even a farmer would know more of the goings of the world than she would.

Turning her attention to the towers of the city, Vale realised that the defense of the city, was stronger than what she was used to see at small towns. A watchtower had a larger range of vision, making it difficult, if not impossible, to perform a sneak attack upon the city. The towers would be equipped with bells, she guessed, to alert the remaining guards in case of attack.

Vale turned to Lord Aseal, Lady Lucille, and Stranger.

"This self is truly sorry, but this self won't be of much use if interaction with other people is involved. However, this self thinks this self can disable the towers from inside,"

Kylesar1 · May 4, 2018

Ethan Coleman

"I would think that killing children is a bit too far. Children are universally protected territory." Even for a powerful king like Alreos. It would be a political disaster if the Inquisition killed children in his name........and the Inquisition only struck at his word. "The smartest thing to do in their shoes would be to hide them." A question did come to mind. "My liege, are they still in Loudwater, or are they headed to a city in the path of Toron?" They would need to delegate their assault preparation if they were to go about going what Alreos commanded. Obviously they wouldn't disobey. The task seemed viable, but a distraction seemed.............weird? He was a god and all. He could do a lot without preparation. Whatever, Alreos wouldn't give them a task without reason. Hopefully it was worth possibly delaying their assault effort.

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Ari's Group

The group was spotted at the top of the hill just standing there for a couple of minutes. Any longer would start to make the guards restless. If they were gonna make a move, whether attacking or not, they needed to act fast as they were now being watched by those in the watchtower.

Jenzo

Damafaud

Birdsie · May 4, 2018

Alreos

"That is because it'd be too easy and too wasteful. I don't want them destroyed. I want them to know their quest is meaningless and impossible," he clarified with a sigh. Alreos perked up when Ethan said his bit about killing children. "Yes, exactly. That's why I told you to kidnap them instead."

"I believe they are on the move. To what end, I do not know. But I have my spies tracking them. So long as they are in Ravinia, I will always know where they are."

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revior · May 4, 2018

Marianne Basil

"And so we'll kidnap children to prove that point? If I didn't know any better, I'd see it as a move of cowardice than a show of power, and I fear someone as arrogant as Ari will see it that way as well. Then again, what do I know? I am but a humble servant, I could never hope to have the insight you possess. And so, regardless of my own foolish thoughts on the matter, your will is my command."

Though she said that, Marianne suspects that Alreos is afraid, and is approaching the problem that is the Crusaders cautiously. Though he may be a god, he isn't invulnerable, and the Crusaders had dealt with a god before. Or, perhaps truly he does this for entertainment. That is as well a weakness, a weakness perhaps only someone having the emotions and the thinking of a mortal would have. Perhaps Alreos is more affected by the mortals of this world than it first seemed.

"Well then, Ethan, which of the two children do you think you'll have the most chance with? I think I'll do quite fine with either one so it's all up to you."

Bakuyoshi · May 4, 2018

Beatrice looked at the man with a tilted look, confusion over her face as she was trying to make out what he said. But she felt bad for Lucille, at the moment her and Elaina were just Translators. Elaina may know a bit but Beatrice was unsure if Elaina was even a good teacher, and Lucille with her shy personality was also shaky at best. Why was she stuck with this group? "pamon ekess renthisj Vs'shtak vur sia ergriff swatinai tepoha asta kurjh issues." She said walking forward giving the watch tower a friendly wave and a smile on her face.

Jenzo · May 5, 2018

Aseal sighed in defeat. Vale logic wasn’t wrong, but it was the best he could come up with such short notice. He glanced with a shrug as he watched Beatrice start marching towards the city. The man shook his head and gestured for the others to do the same, “Lets press on before we bring unwanted attention to ourselves, standing here like fools. Pray they don’t pressure us for details of our visit.”

He took a single step forward before turning back to Vale, “Will keep that idea in reserve. The main goal, for now, is getting into the city and met with Ari. Then we will figure out the best course of action to deal with things from there.” With nothing more to say, he pushed forward tailing behind Beatrice towards the city. Hopefully, the guards weren’t on high alert from events that happen the other day. Steadily, he would press forward without seeming to have a care in the world. No point in worrying about things now, he supposed.

Damafaud · May 5, 2018

Vale Frostwind
Frozen Hermit
Location: Velspar City Outskirt ==> Velspar City Entrance
Interaction:

Kylesar1 ,

Jenzo
Mention:

Vale nodded and followed. She shouldn't say a word for now. It was better for her to follow what the others had to say since she had no idea on what to say. Her lies would be too obvious to even deceive a peasant.

An idea struck her.

Maybe she didn't have to lie. She could simply tell them the truth! Not the whole truth, yet one good enoug to satisfy the guards. What was she doing there? Travelling. Why would they need to enter Velspar? To buy armors for herself and to buy supplies. Why were they standing there? To observe the city. And herself would be there for what reason? Clearly, an eccentric person like her wouldn't normally be in a group, but circumstances had forced her to. That was it! Vale hurried to Aseal's side.

"Lord Aseal, this self has an idea. Maybe this self can try another story?" she pointed at herself, "this self had been in seclusion for so long. To familiarise this self with the current situation of the world, this self has hired people of different background to accompany this self in travel. This group want to enter the city to restock and help this self familiarise this self with society."

The part where she hired them was a lie, of course, but being in seclusion, as well as the part where she tried to familiarise herself with the world will be the truth. It would explain their weird party, and their purpose in the city.

FireMaiden · May 6, 2018

Bailey & Alex O'Connor
The Ruins I guess?
P Paint The Wind

Safety Hammer

Archdemon

GreenEyedStranger

Allibi
Once Ari told the groups to split up, she quickly finished getting Alex ready, and began to follow Anna and the other few she hasn't quiet met fully yet. The trip wouldn't take long, and the whole way there, Bailey and Alex kept mostly to themselves. She introduced herself to the few she hadn't met, and Alex managed to say a few things to them, but stick to his mother's side like glue. Strangers made him nervous, more so than they did to normal kids. Anyway, the entire trip, Bailey was telling Alex stories, and trying to get him to talk to Tyr, but the child refused because of a few reasons. First and foremost, Bailey wasn't able to hide the fact that Tyr had been presumed dead, so Alex may have thought that he was a ghost. And the fact he was a very intemidating man didn't help much, and he was a stranger.

Alex didn't know his own father. Tyr had left only a few weeks after he was born, And Alex was to young to remember the letters, it wasn't surprise that he wasn't sure what to make of this man. Bailey was still slowly working on him, until theybreached the ruins entrance.

There was an odd feeling just radiating off them, it almost made her skin crawl. But, never the less, Bailey approached with caution. But before hand, she stopped by Anna. "Be a dear and keep him here for a moment please," She said sweetly, as she motioned for Alex yo wait with the other woman. And he would, but nervously as he watched his mother approach the ruin entrance.

Furrowing her brows, Bailey was unable to shake that odd feeling as she took a step across the threshold. It was dim, and she was unable to really see much, but she didn't think anything was just inside the entrance. Regardless, she exited only a few minutes later, hoping to address everyone. "We're going to need at least an outline of plan before we go in, and we need to make sure we have enough supplies. We don't know what's going to be waiting for us inside."

Allibi · May 7, 2018

Anna Dwanne

Anna held onto Alex's little hand as she watches Bailey doing a little scouting inside the entrance of the ruins. Knowing that Alex is nervous, as she could see it, she brought herself onto one knee, so as she could see him on a eye to eye level.

"Hey~ Do you remember me ? We met earlier. My name's Anna."

She spoke softly to Alex, as she held his little right with her left, all the time keeping eye contact with Alex. Smiling as she finished her sentence, she kept her position unchanged until she could see Bailey leaving the ruins' entrance. Waiting until Bailey got nearer, she released Alex's hand, and stood herself up, listening to her plan as she did so.

"We're going to need at least an outline of plan before we go in, and we need to make sure we have enough supplies. We don't know what's going to be waiting for us inside."

"Indeed, I have some supplied inside my bag for a few days, and a few spells to get inside and be wary of any traps. But other than that I'm not suited to be at the front of combat." She responded to Bailey apologetically. Waiting for a while more for the rest of the group, she motioned herself over a small crumbled pillar, and propped herself onto it.

P Paint The Wind

Kylesar1 · May 7, 2018

Elaina Waesmor

Elaina grumbled to herself, offended by Beatrice's statement. She followed behind, then spoke up. "You don't need a motive to enter a city, people. They're not gonna ask our business. That's why the gates are wipe open. The city is open to the public," she said in frustration, running a hand through her hair. She knew they were in a stealth and kill operation, but they didn't need to go overboard. Sometimes, nothing was better than something. The guards were just there, security measures in case someone was planning to do to the gates exactly what they planned to do before Vale managed to shoot it down.
(In other words, shit would've hit the fan had we gone about this attack)
"Sia opsola shilta ti qe gethrisja ihk kiri drong usv yth geou qe kartaha," she said, lamenting what about to be a needlessly complicated mission and their apparent need for her father's ability to plan something better on the spot.