Legend of Renalta 2: Reborn

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Imperium - Anima Aeternum
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Murd looked at the developing situation and decided that he couldn't spare the time to wait for the enemy to come to him. Sheathing his blade and releasing his spear he swiftly got Manbreaker out and fitted the half-moon blade bolt to the firing mechanism hoping that the metal and power of the bolt would be powerful enough to sever the chains and strike the bitch manipulating it.

He would almost regret killing it, the spider-woman would probably be fun in the sack and have some neat tricks, and she was good looking enough, from his own perspective anyway. It helped that she'd probably be able to accomodate him and Gryff better than the usual prostitutes. "Once you've tried Murd and Gryff forever walk a little stiff." Murd chuckled aloud at the direction his mind was taking before taking careful aim and firing the ballista that served as his Crossbow.

Murd spared a moment as he loosed the bolt for Nyla. "Stay close and i'll keep you alive if you can return the favour."

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Gryff meanwhile was busy strategising. "Ware the chains!" He raised his shield and Longsword, his lance wouldn't be of much use here unless he could co-ordinate with Murd, and right now they were both protecting separate groups. But six Scuva were obviously not a threat to dismiss lightly. "Shoot the Scuva and by the gods be careful."
 
Liveria - Heaven's Feel Haven
Elrbetrt Westfeld

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"Our fight is over, Elrbetrt. Stay your blade. Come. I will help guide you."

So it was. She did hear the orcs up there saying they needed to talk, but she wasn't sure these two would stop. She did that sometimes, especially when her father tries to send her off to bed earlier than she'd wanted. Ah, but where was her manners? She sheathed her sword, and looked towards the woman.

"Thank you for the offer, I will gladly accept."

She held up her hand while holding a courteous smile on her face, as she was taught, though the armor she wore damped her elegance, the helm and its featureless faceplate hiding her smile.

It seems they were negotiating something, judging from what she could hear from the bottom. Not that she was really focusing on it, as she was more concerned about herself and her horse. It would seem she would need to call up another servant with a better horse from their stables. And perhaps express her grief upon Mila's death, though why people would care about others pitying them was beyond her.

Oh, and before she forgot, she would need to know what a knight would do in all situations. She was fairly certain that all the knights she had read about would have rode straight for that huge giant thing before and slayed it, thus knowing where she did wrong would be very helpful if she was ever to help finish this daemonic affair.
 
Aëyr
Free Holds; Devil's Children.​

And to think that now, on a mission of national importance, she had the potential to risk hundreds if not thousands of lives down the line were she unable to contain the basic empathic desire to free those who still suffered as she once had.

Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of the young girl she had sacrificed so much on the hopes of her escape. Everything she had done up until her banishment had been done for her. Eüchia was the last fragment of home she had left, and now she was supposed to choose between her shoal-sister and her mission?

One slave.


It was her only hope—to get Fahim to buy her. He said he had enough. Surely he would help her?

And yet, how was she to tell him? Already she was halfway across the room, faking conversation with the merchants. To return to his side and beg for her safety would draw far too muc attention. A slave asking for a slave, and getting her wish? After that, it would be impossible for her to remain covert enough to kill Deimos.

A life for a life.

In order to kill Deimos, she would have to sacrifice her last love in this world. And the worst part is that she was prepared to do it.

With tears streaming down her eyes, she gazed at Eüchia, wanting to be able to explain, to apologize, to say goodbye. Instead, she looked back at Fahim, hoping against hope that he would see her and understand what she was pleading him. She could not speak the words, but with every ounce of her being she poured her emotions out of her. It was useless, but that was all she could do.
 
The Greatest Hunt - Essylt Boudica​

Again, Esyllt was reminded by Maeven of how little she knew about the world. She released the hybrid of her magics onto the ground, where it quickly crawled out of sight. Except Esyllt's of course. Although she had practiced it a handful of times with small birds and rodents back in Renalta, using her own creation as a telepathic scout in an alien environment made her heart skip a beat. The skull crawled so low to the ground, but the visions it projected in her mind were as real as the ones she witnessed with her very eyes.

As the undead golem continued to scout, Esyllt tried her best to multi-task her senses. It was not an easy task to deal with two different visual perspectives at once. Yet, she could not help but overhear the conversation between her queen and the amazons.

"My sympathies," Esyllt softly said to Rashan with her head bowed. For a moment she felt relieved her own mother remained safe within city walls, but a the same time guilty for that very thought. "We will uncover the truth soon." Esyllt tried to ascertain Rashan, but she knew she could not be of further comfort... Not now.

Esyllt turned to the shaman, Umano, telepathically and exclusively. "Forgive me for my crude suggestion," She spoke to the shaman's mind, even through their psychic connection, Esyllt's words resounded heavy on her heart. "Would it be easier to speak to a spirit if you knew their identity? Rashan mentioned her mother when she saw the necklace. If you could call her forth, we might learn more. Or-" Esyllt's spirit uplifted slightly, "If she does not answer... Could that mean she could still be alive?"
 
Alicia Le'Roux and Rashan - The Greatest Hunt

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Alicia and Rashan had managed to walk a small path through the canopy, which sealed almost as soon as they carved a way through. The minutes of walking were proving fruitless rather quickly, and Alicia could sense Rashan's tension and annoyance. The incident with the boar seemed to release some of the tension from the Amazonian, who made little effort to hide her frustration. Alicia ignored the woman's frustration though, senses on fire as if alerting her of some danger. Her knuckles whitened as they tightened around the haft of the spear. "Stay alert. There are things worse than boar out here."

Alicia took a step forward, towards the more open area surrounding the watering hole. She wanted to be out in the open for what was going to come next. She cleared her throat, before speaking out in as loud and as clear a voice as possible. "Come out, Werebeast. You will never get a better opportunity than this."

As Alicia makes her proclamation, the boar on the other side of the basin of water perks his head up, eyes wide, then squeals off into the jungle. With his squealing still echoing, Rashan stands more tense than before, eyeing the jungle exterior as a chuckle leaves her lips. "Some hunt." She repeats herself, quieter and more serious than before. A few moments of silence pass before a blur of something large and golden-black in colouration comes from above, only for Rashan to impale it. The boar had previously looked in that direction before fleeing the area, Alicia realized in hindsight as Rashan side steps before the Jaguar's body could knock her to the ground.

The jaguar lay twitching, dying on the ground as Rashan pulls her spear out and finishes her with a quick jab in the neck. "A feast for Queens." She muses idly, looking at Alicia. "But not a shapechanger.

Alicia turned to lash out with the spear as the jaguar leapt out, but was quickly met with the sight of Rashan skewering the beast of her own accord. Alicia was left pausing and annoyed by the sight of the dead animal. It was good to see Rashan had reacted quickly enough and slain the predator, but it meant that the Shapechanger was going to make this even harder it seemed. "This...is strange. I think we should progress deeper, but if you wish to turn back now is the time."

"Normally I wouldn't leave something like this behind." Rashan comments as she nudges the dead jaguar with her spear. "Still..." Her eyes wander about the Jungle canopy. "They don't attack straight from above. Not like that." Rashan turns to spot another blur, though this one was fast enough and powerful enough to slam into her and pin her to a tree on the edge of the clearing. Standing nearly seven feet tall with a thin, swishing tail was a werecat. Specifically, of the jaguar variety, its lean but powerful body was easily the match of the enhanced Amazonian, who barely kept it at bay by pressing the shaft of her spear up against the werecat's chest. Before Alicia could intercept two more Jaguar leap out from the edges of the clearing, growling lowly towards the vampire, seeming to hesitate in confusion at the state of the animated corpse. If she turned to help Rashan, she would be vulnerable to attack by the both of them.

Alicia was left in shock as the Werebeast revealed itself. The werecat was attacking Rashan, and Alicia was suddenly being threatened by two more Jaguars. She knew that she could not go and fight besides the Amazonian, but she was worried about leaving her new found ally alone against such a powerful fighter. That left her with little choice. One way or the other, she was going to have to leave Rashan alone with the Werecat.

But perhaps not as disadvantaged as she was in this moment. Alicia swivelled on her heel so that she might face the Werecat and instead of charging forward, she lobbed the spear in the beast's direction. She intentionally aimed the spear about a foot short: it would be little use to try and help Rashan only to skewer her, but if she could force the Werecat to flinch, then Rashan would have a chance to react: to gain herself some space or even launch a counter attack.

In the meantime, Alicia pivoted on her heel using the momentum of her own attack. She face the two jaguars and reached at her hip, withdrawing the Rapier she had expected to be useless. She waited for the jaguars to attack: So that she might not be attacked from both sides at once.

The lycanthrope intercepts the thrown spear with her tail, wrapping it around the shaft as it flew towards her. The spear tip still hit, but with the reduced force thrown from Alicia, didn't manage the pierce the thick fur protection. With a single howl from the werebeast, the two jaguars descend upon Alicia as she unsheathes her rapier, and while she is easily able to dispatch the first one, the other tackles her to the ground and pins her down, managing to bite her shoulder and leave it openly bleeding. Alicia would feel the all too familiar hunger underneath the skin, but unlike Malaki's Brood, the bloodline that ran within her urged her simply to run. If only she could. At least the canopy was providing enough protection from direct sunlight to prevent her death at this point.

Rashan, meanwhile, had lifted both of her feet to the lycanthrope's chest, trying to push it away with all of her might and slowly succeeding, only to the creature to suddenly let go of one of Rashan's arms to claw her across the face. Falling to the ground and dropping her spear with a scream of pain as she shoves the creature back, she reaches to her face and realizes it was deep enough to be life threatening. Before she could get back to her feet and fight through the shock and pain, she felt the lycanthrope's tail wrap around her neck, squeeze tightly, and after a few moments, Rashan fell unconscious after desperately fighting the tail. Picking up her victim, the lycanthrope leaps off into the jungle canopy with her prize, Alicia barely managing to catch the direction that the animal left in as she struggled with the jaguar.

Alicia felt a burning sensation in her shoulder as the pain of the jaguar's fangs made her eyes widen. She wanted to scream out, but to do so was to admit defeat. A part of her: a shameful part of her that she had long since grown to despise like a long hated enemy, wanted her to run. To abandon Rashan and to abandon the fight in order to seek some solace. She rejected that part of her though. She had always rejected it.

The smell of blood filled her nostrils. She wasn't sure if it was hers or if it was Rashan's, but it made her feel the familiar hunger and the familiar intoxicating power of her vampirism. She was pinned down by the Jaguar, so she knew that she had no time for using her Rapier. She dropped the stabbing weapon and lifted her hands to the Jaguar's head. A vicious snarl struck out as she gripped at the neck of the beast, trying to kill it somehow. She'd do whatever it take: Strangle it, Crush its throat, break its neck: whatever was required. She had heard Rashan's scream, and she knew the Amazon was in danger…In danger because of her.
 
Liveria, battling with words. Collab between Selvi & Brovo - Ceann & Princess Helénë.​

Ceann was not happy with how her mistress had been taken out of her sight in the way that it happened, she was considering climbing up the rock face or shadow-walk up there but then again it was not certain how these orcs would see that course of action. So she stayed below, for the moment, turning to regard the princess when it seemed she was addressing her. Merely shrugging at the words, truth be told she had done it mostly because it seemed surfacers did that to the recently deceased from hero bservations. As for her question about her homeland she rose a eyebrow in surprise, "For me it is home... I do not know how to explain it to someone from the surface, though I believe the best description would be... the undrdark is a realm of constant survival." She shrugged again.

"Oh..." The Liverian princess says as she looks down at Ceann's feet shyly. "Must not have very many friends then, I can relate to that..."

She kept her eyebrow raised, 'friends' the concept was foreign to the drow, allies, that term they understood and only allies when goals were aligned, betrayal was quick if goals began to differ or allies were turning into a liability. She decided not to mention that however, "Depends, I have been over a century on the surface and I have made.. associates in my travels. My apologies if I seem forward or out of order, you seem to have lvied a rather cloistered life, have you not? Is that why you insisted on coming along?"

"Yes. It is." The princess avoids looking at the corpse of her adviser for the time being, intentionally looking everywhere else. The rain soaked through her hair and made her clothes cling to her rather frail looking form. "... Royalty must rule from experience. My father has tried to protect me my whole life, and that, has... Slowed me down." She takes a deep breath and looks back to Mila's covered corpse, her face going pale at the sight of it. "... Too much..."

"All die at the end of the road they have taken." She said as she turned her attention to the princess her eyes boring into hers if she were to look up at the drow. "Take solac that she died doing what she wanted, protecting you, remember that and remember her. Grief if you must, feel sad if you must but be ready to face another day... you asked what it was like in the Underdark, as I said it is a life of constant survival, death is around every corner so enjoy your life as long as it lasts and make the most of it. I do not know anything about what it means to rule a nation like you are meant to be but it probably means making tough decisions and to live with them, something I beleive you are understanding now?" She finished saying bluntly.

"Yeah." Helénē says, adding nothing more as she continued to avoid eye contact with the Drow. "... I think your friend needs you at her side."

"Perhaps, perhaps not, I actually think you should be up there. She, we, are officially representatives of Renalta, would a Liverian ruler, or its representative stand by while a outside force starts negotiations with a group that neighbours your own nation?"

"I... Hm..." Her gaze lingers to the wet cloak that covered her friend's body, taking a deep breath to try and steady herself. "... I suppose not." Finally, she looks at Ceann, though there wasn't any sign of the previously curious young girl from before. Just a dull stare. "Lead the way."

She took the princess in and let out a snort, showing a smile but not from amusement, "Growing up and leaving the child behind is hard, isn't it. Justdon't forget the child." She did not make it clear if she was saying that to herself or to the princess and looked at Gabriel to see what he was up to while keeping the princess in view too.

Gabriel remained near Rayvon, still wounded, but stable. Helénē added nothing more.

She turned back to the princess, "You up for this?"

"It isn't relevant whether I am or am not. I simply am... A quote from one of my favourite authors. It seems to fit here." She manages to a small smile, but nothing more.

"Good enough for me." She looked at the cliff side and then back at the princess, "Are you a good climber? Otherwise we should ask the angel for assistance, might be best he heads back up there, seeing as a certain priestess with healing abilities is up there as well."

"Ahh..." She looks at the wet cliff, and frowns. "... I will ask Gabriel for help, and meet you up there then."

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Collab 2, Andrea & Brovo - Andrea & Orc Shaman Molkar
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One thing that Andrea figured out as the Orc shaman used his magic to bring her up to the cliffs was the type of magic he was using to do it, a quite advanced type of magic, so either he was very powerful or someone educated him.... or both. The words exchanged made her smirk a little bit, clearly women were not held in high regard, had this been weeks earlier she would have been shocked and outraged and eager to put this mongrel in his place, now it just amused her. She smiles and inclined her head, "I feel the need to acknowledge you and your peoples cunning and strength first, that exploding boulder trap and this ambush were well executed, forcing us to react to a situation we were not prepared for..." Complimenting the Orcs while at the same time indicating that the casualties they inflicted upon his people were done by sheer strength and rapid reflexes. "We acknowledge to intruding upon your border but our mission required us to travel through your territory, figuring also that a feat of strength might be needed to draw your people out." She glanced back down at the corpse of the orc champion and at the orc archer with the blown open ribcage. "I assume those qualify, since we are talking now after all."

The Orc Shaman grunts as his eyes follow her gaze towards his dead warriors. "My name is Molkar, Shaman of the Rocksplitter clan." He motions down towards the boulders. "Our clan name is self explanitory." Grinning savagely, he then stands straight and tall, once again towering over the 'little' woman. "What do you want in our lands, dark skin?"

She gestured to the group, "We are, for the most part, affiliated with the kingdom of Renalta, the Blades, special envoys as such, escorting the princess of Liveria and the angel Gabriel, seeking out a enclave of angels so that Gabriel can reconnect with his people... and can potentially ask them to join our cause." She tilts her head, "Speaking of that cause... I wish to ask a question... has there been a... darkness... stalking these mountains?"

The orc archer looked apprehensive for a moment before turning away to his own affairs, the shaman looks up towards the mountains which the party were about to enter and narrows his eyes. "We came to this pass because of such a strange feeling. The angels have, strangely, remained silent. Normally they strike out at such..." He seemed to hesitate for a moment before grinning. "Darkness... And... Do not worry, I can understand big words and thick concepts, dark skin."

"Oh I have no doubt you can, such a physique and your knowledge of the magic arts, quite impressive. I merely have a certain like for a flair of drama at times. But yes... we are in the service of Renalta... to stop demons, which some of us sensed there was one in these mountains... at least one." She frowned, "The angels are normally more... outgoing? Making their presence known, that is disturbing." She glanced at Gabriel seeing if he had any input on this revelation. "We wish to hunt down and exterminate the demon, as well as still seeking out the angels."

As Andrea looks for Gabriel, she finds him dropping off Princess Helénē by her side before landing himself and cradling his wound once more. The bleeding had slowed, but it wasn't likely to end anytime soon. "Angels ordinarily excerpt influence over areas they hold direct presence." He looks up towards the mountains, confused. "At least, the ones of my time." It was important to note that Gabriel had, until a few days ago, been trapped for at least a thousand years. Helénē merely watches the exchange silently as the Shaman snorts. "Royalty of pig bloods." The princess had no response to the insult and remained quiet. "You should have paid the toll. We would have welcomed a hunt with your... Renaltan peoples." He seemed perplexed by the idea of a Drow being a Renaltan as Helénē interjects. "Women are not currency you can just exchange in a deal." The orc laughs, and looks her over. "Not ones that turn into pig blooded ghosts, no."

"Little bit sidetracked, are we not? We were not aware there was a toll and how to pay it, but here we are now, do you still welcome the hunt?" She asked, her voice serious and stern, recalling her priestess training. While saying that she gestured for Gabriel to approach, she was not about to walk away from the orc shaman, since he wished to talk face to face but still, the angel required healing.

Gabriel approaches and slowly lets his hand slip away from his wound. The shaman stares in surprise. "You're letting this dark skin heal you?" Gabriel looks at the shaman and, somehow, manages a small smile. "Now more than ever, we must work together to purge the demon threat." The Shaman smirks. "Why not ask your Gods?" Gabriel's look turns somewhat pained. "You know why." Molkar rolls his large fingers over his staff, specifically, over a skull that adorned it, and looked at Andrea. "If we kill you, more will come after. If we work with you, you will leave us to our business." The princess seemed rather perturbed by that remark. "Won't... You at least, consider, leaving my people alone?" She asks softly, trying to empathize with the desire to be left alone. The orc however, at least on the surface, had no place for sympathy as he replied coldly. "Our business sometimes collides with yours, as your business now collides with mine." He looks to the priestess. "Now I expect you are hunting... The demon?"

She reached for some cloth to dab the blood away, securing the blood soaked pieces safely away before placing her hands on Gabriels wound and chanted to her goddess, as she was instructed to so long ago, letting the healing magics flow into the angel, the Orcs question made her turn attention back to him. "Since we sensed it we are determined to hunt it now, yes... you speaking of the Angels acting out of the ordinary is worrisome, perhaps that is also due to the demon." She shuddered as a great deal of her power flowed into the angel, healing his wounds and she took a deep breath, feeling dizzy for a moment before she collected herself once more. "Do we hunt alone... or together is the question however? Would you really want to see a female dark skin taking all the glory in hunting a demon down in your territory?" She smirked, eyes mischievous and challenging.

Intrigued, Molkar smirks back as he kneels down to face her eye to eye. "For a female, you speak well." He looks her over, his smirk not fading. "And look well. We will hunt with you, and crush your enemies, in exchange for later favours." The Liverian Princess glares at him, but he pays her no mind as Gabriel looks to his wound and finds it completely healed, save for a mild ache that would fade soon enough. Nodding in appreciation, he looks back down into the valley to see the blind woman and Rayvon, and takes off to attend to them if needbe.

She raises a brow and chuckles, "Later favours have no meaning or require to be met if it is not said in advance what you plan... we wouldn't want to get a... unfair deal... now would we?"

The shaman shrugs. "Deals are the filth pig bloods write on paper which has no meaning." Helénē seemed visible perturbed, but once more kept her mouth shut, which seemed to amuse the orc as he sneered at her. "We help you find a way to the angels, and help you in your hunt, in exchange for favours. We have no idea how hard this hunt will be, so we cannot give a defined... Price. Besides, we cannot ask great demands of you. You have already proven competent fighters, right?" He glances towards Gabriel momentarily before continuing. "If you have the company of an angel, you must be honourable. I can trust your word. Now, will you trust mine?"

She glances at the others nearby before turning back to the orc. "We have, Andrea, priestess of Lollth, trusts your word." She inclines her head, before adding. "On behalf of the Renalta Blades." There was after not a deal made with Liveria or the angels, Gabriel.

The orc looks to Helénē, who looks away, still angry and upset. "One voice is good enough to carry your group." He then stands up slowly. "We will move out shortly, we know a shortcut."

She nods, "Allow us to recover a little still, it was a fierce battle we waged with your kind after all." She bowed again and looked at Helénë, approaching her, glancing at Ceann, she had a sneaking suspicion her bodyguard had made it so that the princess was up here. "You disapprove?" She said bluntly.

Looking up into the rain, Helénē shudders and rubs her forearms. "Why would I approve of working with a cretin who killed my only friend, and who likely murders Liverians?" She looks down at the dirt and sighs.

"Well you are already working with at least two representatives of a people who are known to raid the surface and take slaves, desperate times, desperate measures... not to mention the enemy of my enemy is my friend. Look at it like this, you will spend time with these orcs, study them, observe them... perhaps if you understand their culture you can come to a agreement that will save your people." She left unsaid that the princess could also use this to study the orcs and perhaps learn how to beat them, but that was up to her to figure out, Andrea was not here to hold hands and explain matters.

"You didn't murder my friend." She states flatly, looking out towards the mountains. "...The meeting is concluded. I'd prefer to be alone."

"As you wish princess." She bowed and nodded to Ceann, her eyes still narrowedi n accusation but her facial expression turning to neutral as she reached the side of the cliff. "There's a truce between us and the orcs." She stated out loud for those still below. "We'll hunt together for the demon and see what happens after."
 
Elrithos - Liveria

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Elrithos' worries were quickly washed away as it seemed the orc leader truly did want to talk this out. With a single sigh of relief, he would let the elven dark skinned lady take care of the communications with the clan. He wouldn't need to intervene, so there was no point on staying a top the hill. He was about to simply walk off back down with the others, maybe explore the area a little, but he caught on one of the orcs speaking about him… All it was is mere insults. He turned towards the hulking figure who took amusement in mocking his actions. Why did they act in such arrogance and grotesquery? He understood they were, what people called, barbarians. Yet, it wasn't anything near what the desert raiders he knew.

Replying back would be nothing more than a chance of aggravating the orc and they were already on thin ice. Elrithos simply turned back around, towards the cliff, and climbed down the edge. He wasn't going to play a silly game of insults and wits. Yes, he knew he had not done much other than recognize an advantage to use and run around, but it was good enough to change the tide of the fight. One did not need to recognize strength with how many people you killed or how much power you could put behind a weapon… It was about how many can survive after an encounter like this. It was unfortunate that they had to lose one of their members so early in their task, but casualties are to be expected in these kinds of situations.

Having gotten back down, he simply went to his horse…And it finally hit him. The rain. He looked up into the air, feeling the droplets hit his skin. This type of weather was extremely rare within the desert and it was quite a sensation to feel. It seemed to have come so suddenly too. Were they not paying attention to the signs of the sky? Elrithos had looked over the fact. With a gentle caress of his mane, Elrithos brought his horse over to where he could find some cover for himself and the animal. He then took a seat on the ground to meditate and relax… To wait for the result of the discussion between the chief and the priestess.

Elrithos had only opened his eyes when the dark skinned lady spoke aloud to the Queen's Blade. He looked up towards her, surprised of her words. The truce was to be expected if there were not evident shoots or yells that had happened, but hunt a demon down with them? Elrithos swallowed down hi saliva… He had to be honest with himself; he feared what these vile creatures were. He had dealt with lots of kinds of people in his long existence, but never one that came from a place of evil. He had no experience in dealing with them. All he could do is complete what he was asked to do. Would he flinch in the face of one of these creatures? He would see once he would be face to face with them. One thing he could be sure though, he had allies that surely would help him if he needed something. And so, Elrithos closed his eyes once more, staying seated on the ground to meditate and wait.
 
Childs eyes watched the proceeding with a increasing feeling of disgust. Oh a competion amongs those worth less then a nobles left shoe was it? The fact that half these slaves would be dead before the next year had not escaped Childs mind either. But right now there was other things to focus on. Things were moving nad as was the nature of people, some started to stand out. Be it from intention or sheer charisma, it didn't matter. Child felt the voices grow agitated at the sight of a woman. She was strange, somehow outof place amongst all the lightly clad women and men present. But she wasn't allowed that thought for much longer. Her connection with the Angel felt suddenly dimmer, making the other spirits restless inside her. They sensed that the intruding presence were hurt and they cackled. She was in trouble, she knew this much. As if to put her mind to other matter, her eyes found a drow instead. A priestess by the look of it, as she could spot a priestess in crowd everywhere. One migh call it a survival trait, seeing how child had survived a cult and had no intention of "finding religion" again. And the Drow what that the priestess stared at Mikan with the kind of eyes made the former gladiator snarl. Oh, so she was making up her mind allready, not if Child could do anything about it. Her fists clenched and opened lightly as she limbered up her fingers. She was the bodyguard and gladiator slave in this troupe. It hadn't allowed for her to carry all her arsenal with her. But nobody would bat an eye at the cestuses she wore. They rested against her hands as a old comfort, the weight of lead was reassuring her that she was not helpless. One punch with these and you'd be scramling across the floor with a concussion.

"Carefull of the Drow. Stick to me or the others. If you are seperated, she'll corner you." She spoke silently to Mikan and didn't so much move towards the Drow attaché but rather blocked her view somewhat, casually looking the womans way to take in her posture and equipment. All at a quick, fleeting glance. Ok, so drows were good fencers and spear men. But how good were they at handling a pitfighter like her. Should things happen, she would have to act upon first and best distraction to get in close. They'd find themselves rather sorry if that happened. There was of course the possibility of the priestess having magic at her fingertips, and you couldn't punch magic. Child flexed her fingers again and took a deep breath.


"Please, for the love of everthing sane, don't have her make a move now." She though to herself.
 
Free Holds
Mars​

"Honey, mind finding a way to... 'Convince' the operator to shine on my performance a little more before we start our dance together?"

"Right."

Mars maneuvered through the crowd and as he did so he lifted a glass and thick cloth from a table. He folded the cloth around the glassware, and when he thought no one was looking, laid it on the ground and gave it a quick stomp, the ambient noise of a crowd and the cloth muffling the noise. He uncovered the shattered glass, lifted the largest sliver and tucked it away in his clothes and promptly slid the rest under the table with his foot. A piece of glass wasn't much but it offered some sense of security since he had felt increasingly naked without a proper weapon. He had expected an intense search of his person before entering Deimos' presence. If all went well then it was an unnecessary precaution.

He found his ways to the stairs leading to the balcony, he had a feeling he wasn't the first to attempt coercing the operator. As he climbed the steps he noted the balcony offered an excellent view of the entire room, but there were far too many people for him to make out anyone familiar from the crowd. The spotlight itself was a small concern as it was heavy enough and high enough to kill someone should it fall, suspended in the air by a single, albeit thick rope, Mars was relieved he wouldn't be dancing under the thing.

"How goes it?" Mars spoke to the operator with a friendly smile as he finished ascending the steps.

The operator was chewing on a bright red apple, a plate of them were on a small plate, on a wooden stool beside his chair as he was leaning back, legs kicked up on the control panel. Though there were only a half a dozen switches and knobs, they were pretty well incomprehensible to Mars and it would take him several attempts to really figure out how it all worked. "Not bad." He says as he takes another bite out of his apple, then looks at Mars and grins, showing rotting teeth. "Apple a day mate, eh'?" He was notable a foreigner based on accent, and from Mars' worldly experience, likely a Renaltan trying to adjust to the local atmosphere.

"An apple a day," Mar's concurred, before honing his ears on the man's familiar, yet out of place accent, "You sound Renaltan. You've come a long way from Renalta to work a light."

"Quite." The man replied as he finished his apple and started biting into another one. Mars' eyes would betray the fact that the man was armed with a few knives over his person. "I take odd jobs where I find them. As for why I'm all the way here, that's my business, kid." He says as he eyes over the slaves. There was one in particular that was catching his eye, the Orc, though that one caught the eye of many. "What can I do for you?"

Mars chuckled softly and walked to the balcony, resting his forearms against the railing.

A man whose only here to operate lights has no reason to hide the fact.

"You're right, whatever you're here for is neither my business nor my concern."

From such a high vantage point Mar's could see everything, the slaves locked away in their cages being appraised like cattle, the nobility and people of wealth clamoring about the room and the mighty Deimos himself sitting upon his mighty throne, "So much gold in such a small area. I bet between the pockets of each man in this room you could buy a small kingdom, and all of them are betting on this dance looking to make more, as if they needed it."

Mars turned to the operator, "Do you know the odds? It's overwhelmingly one sided. It would seem the people of money here are more comfortable betting on familiarity then actual talent. You see gold is flooding the betting circle and nearly everyone is betting against the masked dancer, my partner," Mars emphasized the last bit. "Everyone is so much more sure of themselves that betting on what they are familiar with with pay off for them, the thing is they're wrong. We're going to win this and that's not confidence talking, that's fact and experience."

"To cut to the chase," Mars concluded ,"I just need you to shine your light on my dancer and keep the others in the dark. There's gold to be made in betting on us, quiet a lot, and you're in a helpful position. You could take the gold straight from all of their collective pockets, then you could do who knows what, maybe buy yourself some land or a pack of slaves, that seems to be the local favorite."

"Hmm..." The light operator then looked down to the cages again, eyeing the orc and scratching his chin. "Would give me the money..." Looking over the crowd, his eyes finally caught the masked woman that Mars was talking about. With a small grin, he extends a greasy hand to Mars. "Two rats, fifty fifty split of whatever you make. Oh, and I know a gentleman like you comes with a savvy banker... If you could let the Orc out, I'd 'preciate it."

"Eighty-twenty in our favor. Fourty for me and my partner, the orc and twenty percent for you."

"Forty-Sixty, in your favour." He remarks with a small grin. "I'm the one with the light and the know-how. You'll get nowhere without me."

"Ten - ninety, my favor. If you're here for your friend we could buy him and hold him as collateral since you seem to be so keen on him. Consider your cut of the bids a goodwill gesture between two gentlemen."

Mar's wasn't one to give ground in a haggle, especially concerning money, "Take the offer and we'll secure your friends freedom, refuse and we'll both lose. We'll buy your friend and cut off his hands and balls, you won't have a chance to strike another deal with anyone else."

"We're both reasonable men, you're walking away with more then a fair deal: your friend and a pocket of gold."

"You..." The man sighs, haggard. Another one might try to continue to haggle, though this Renaltan looked with now open concern at the caged orc. "Name's Barthelo. Don't forget it. You have a deal." He grabs another apple and starts biting and chewing away. "Just realize that if you cross me, I'll personally slit your throat in your sleep, ole buddy ole pal."

"More apples might help," Mars replied spreading his lips and pointing to his own teeth, then he let the operator be and descended back down the steps to seek Mikan. He found amidst the crowd and spoke with a hushed voice, "The operator is on board under two conditions, first we need to buy the orc. He's a finer choice between the rest so that may not be a bad investment anyway unless Aeyr had her heart set on someone else. Secondly, how do you feel about a gamble?"

Mars drew closer to the woman, subterfuge wasn't his strongest skill, but he knew how to throw around threats and lies. Most of the time he was able to take what he wanted by force but he could get used to this. Never-the-less running between the operator and Mikan was making him nervous, "Have Fahim buy the Orc and put whatever he has left in a bet on us. If we're gambling our lives we might as well gamble our money, maybe we can come out of this alive and wealthy both. Finally the operator wants a cut of whatever we make, ten percent."

"Also, afterwards I would like to discuss the terms of my service. I want more money or a reward, some incentive would be nice besides saving the world."​
 
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Rheinfeld - Zin​

Zin's initial joy at swaying Alida's mind with the pragmatic approach was quickly cut short. The talk of strange feelings coming from the barn and the quick shift into military concerns was enough to set her on edge. She could only hope that none of this would upset the tenuous conclusion of the negotiations. Zin knew what was coming before Alida looked to her and the other Blades, the plea to go deal with matters at the barn. Her heart was already racing before Alida finished her request. If something was up there that was too dangerous for the trained fighters already in the area to handle, what chance did she stand against it?

Even so, she could not refuse. Zin took a couple steadying breaths, then nodded to Alida. "Of course. We will do whatever we can to remove the threat." She looked to the other Blades in the tent, unable to help thinking that they would make for sorry reinforcements if they were going to be heading into a battle, then decided that she could at least put on an appearance of confidence. By no means was she their leader, but she could lead the way in this despite her fear and worries. Zin headed out of the tent without bothering to wait for any discussion on the matter, hoping that her fragile composure would hold long enough to deal with whatever lurked in the barn.

Rheinfeld - Kasim​

An angel, of all things. Kasim had to work to suppress a grin. An angel allied with the Papacy, seeking power. That, in Kasim's book, meant this had to be a fallen angel. Fallen angels were just the kind of foes that great heroes slew as a matter of course. He considered sending a warning, even a call for aid, to the other Queen's Blades about the creature, but he discarded the notion almost immediately; a real hero would slay the monster himself, not cry for help.

Kasim was raising his bow to do just that, having already readied an arrow on the way up the hill, when Moira spoke up asking for guidance. He turned just his head to look at her, letting the repressed grin run free. "I recommend we kill the thing, then celebrate with a bottle of wine and at least one vigorous fucking for each of us, preferably in a mutual arrangement. I've killed thousands of monsters in my time, and this one will just be another notch in my belt."

Bragging out of the way, Kasim turned his attention back to his bow and following through on the tall talk. He took a couple seconds to aim, pulling the string of the large bow back with the fullness of his strength, then let the arrow fly at the angel's head. As the arrow left the bow he was already reaching for another arrow, expecting that something as strong as an angel would take more than one arrow to kill.
 
Draza grinned a bit sheepishly, before scratching behind her head a bit, "It's no worry, I spoke in a manner that drew out negative feelings from those around me. I should be more careful with choosing my words. But, your apology won't be turned aside, thank you for your words." She looked over to Zin already making her leave for their new destination that they were totally not prepared for. She only hoped that whatever was there, she could talk it out of being nasty. "I'll be sure to teach and share when there is time to do so, for there's no greater joy than sharing in it," she said with her demeanour growing a bit more confident around this topic. her comforts were pretty self evident, "Besides, I'd do near anything for Rheinfeld; I can only hope that we get everyone to be the same here in the end."

Draza gave a curtsy to those in the tent before making her leave, "Speaking of doing duty for Rheinfeld, let's go handle that barn, shall we?" she called to the Blades on their way as she began to finger her danger whistle. She hoped she didn't need to use it today, but if she did, well, best to keep it close.

Unlike the others who could head straight there, Draza had her little steed for her, and quickly mounted it to give herself a bit more mobility at the moment. Upon it she was able to catch up to the longer strides of the others, and keep pace with them towards their destination, which totally was going to be fine. So she hoped.
 
Imperium - Anima Aeternum
​
Of course there was some kind of giant monster thing. When wasn't there a giant monster thing in situations such as these? Aslo cursed himself for not recognizing the signs earlier than now, but realized at the same time that now was most likely not the time to beat himself up. Currently there was a bakers dozen worth of other creatures that deserved his ire, and he was only too glad to oblige them. Seeing half of the scuva scatter back towards Arachne worried Aslo, and he assumed they were positioning themselves either to strike at the group when they were unsuspecting, or too aid their master in the event the Blades broke through. Reaching back into his pouch he grabbed the last remaining containers he had brought with him, he gauged the distance of the room they were in, and attempted to throw both at Arachne. Of course there was no real hope of critically injuring her with these things, but they would at least serve as a distraction for her, and might also serve Florence in gaining some kind of advantage.

Meanwhile there was of course the other half dozen scuva that had remained on the ceiling above the other group. Tempted though he was to rush in and help, he recalled the advice the general had given them in the previous hall. They were poised to strike, and it was unlikely Aslo could beat their reflexes though he was loathed to admit it. Instead he chose the uneasy option of lying in anticipation of their attack. With sword and dagger drawn he was ready to respond to an attack on one of his allies should they require assistance, or alternately he was more or less as prepared as he was likely ever going to be should they decide to attack him. With a steady (slightly nervous) breath he lookd up to the ceiling and waited for them to make their move.

"Next time I'm staying above ground."​
 
Abida Qisaf
-Free Holds-​

The sight of Durlon in one of the auction cages caught Abida off guard. A vampire and slave hunter who had been in the employment of her master more than once, he was the last person she expected to have the tables turned on him. Perhaps he had reneged on a deal, or a slave he had been sent after had been taken by another master. Hypotheticals would not tell her the answer however, and she dare not risk walking out and talking to him while he was on display. Instead, she gave him a small nod, and rubbed her fingers as if sliding two coins across each other. When things came to a head, she'd hopefully be able to set him free, and perhaps the promise of gold would encourage him to fight for them.

For now, there was little to be done with him, so she turned her attention to someone else; woman with a hidden tail. Deimos's succubus, perhaps. Or perhaps a decoy. Hopefully conversation would reveal which was true. She came up to the woman and bowed; whoever she was, she didn't look like a slave, and could take offense if Abida dared to initiate the conversation.

The strange noble woman looks at Abida and quirks an eyebrow, placing her hands on her hips and adding a little bit of a tilt, so that one side was a little higher than the other. "Yes, you are?..." She inquires plainly, obviously disliking being interrupted in her examination of the slaves.

Abida straightened upon being spoken to. "I am Cynthia," she replied, before gesturing at the cages. "Any of these purchases catch your eye? My master sometimes prefers to make deals rather than get caught up in an... unseemly bidding war."

"Mmm..." The woman eyes the cages once more, tapping her finger on her lips. "I do like the sight of the twins... The others, however, are all quite replaceable."

"In that case, there should be no conflict of interests between you and my master," said Abida. "If I may be so bold," she continued, "what is it about the sisters that draws your eyes? The potential to rework them into a themed bedslave attraction?"
 
Maeven Lucre & Queen Alexandria Nebacaesar // Amazons – The Greatest Hunt​


Alexandria levels her gaze at Maeven after she speaks before looking about the clearing, "Observant eye. I could imagine a few capable of some of such destruction, having hunted them... But the poison does seem askew." Meaven arches a brow in response, finding the idea completely foreign to her. She had heard of lycanthropes in Tuleria, but they were hardly things hunted in her homelands. Some were highly respected amongst the lizardman tribes, formed packs or even made prolific military careers for themselves.


Alexandria had briefly registered Alicia and Rashan at the edges of the group, but the devastation of the scene and everything going on in the group had drawn her attention away from them. More specifically, the things Unamo, Naream and even Esyllt discussed briefly and were busying themselves with was visibly unnerving the Queen, if anyone was paying her any mind, though she attempted to keep her composure.


Still, as the shaman finally brings up their absence, Alexandria raises her head, testing the air and turning as if to get her bearings. "We had better be after them, then... And I'm sure they're more than likely to run into our lycan friend since they were stupid enough to run off on their own like this," as she speaks, Alex is already loosing the belt her sword hangs upon and shoves it into Maeven's hands. "Hold onto this, follow with your dragon friend. We aren't sure what we're getting into but if it is anything bigger than I really do not want to be tackling something out of my weight class." Maeven looks confused at the sword before rolling her eyes and strapping it with the rest of Fafnir's packs as the dragon continues to observe the strange monkey that was still cowering behind the mechanist woman.


Alex turns about to the others, "I really would advise against us splitting up, but if we are, I'll be back with them soon..." She gives a smug smirk as she takes a step back and lets her form contort and shift, magic runes glimmering on her armour as it molds to her changing form to fit better, her clothes seeming to melt and be replaced with thick fur.


Maeven watches with wonder at the process before letting out a low whistle, "Well ain't that something... Hey Faf, maybe we should make it to where you can change shape... You can play as a giant for a bit and stomp and crash about." Fafnir merely huffs which sends the monkey scurrying up Maeven's leg and cowering into her hair for protection loosing a squeaking trill at the dragon and throwing his arms at the mechanical oddity.


Alexandria huffs and tosses her head as she gets a scent and, directing with a clawed limb for her to follow. Maeven sighs, abandoning her fun and teasing for now as she climbs onto Fafnir and readies her Blunderbuster, set with the rifled barrel and the golem soulgem. She attempts to set the monkey down but it continues to cling to her even as they begin to charge into the forest. The Queen leads the party, of whomsoever follows, correcting her course here and there but utterly confident before a scream from a familiar throat splits the air. Without further ado, they charge forth towards the source, utterly intent upon helping whomsoever was in need and hoping they would not be too late to arrive on the scene.


Collab: Rayvon Krayvitch & Elrbetrt // Liveria – Heaven's Haven​

Rayvon arches a brow in curiosity at this stiff, practiced gesture of the raised hand held out blindly in her direction, though it was just a bit off from her direction. She finds a chuckle leaving her lips, a bit uncertain how to respond to this particular motion before she shifts to her side and threads her arm cautiously through Elrbetrt's instead in order to guide her. "I'm sorry, but I imagine it would be easier to guide you so, instead of trying to swing you about by your hand."

Elrbetrt was taken aback from the unexpected move, but she allowed herself to be led that way nonetheless. A lady must be courteous and be able to adapt to different situations after all. At least, that's what her mother told her. "I thank you, sir.... Uhm.. I must apologize, I did not seem to have learnt your name."

She hesitates in confusion, wondering if her voice was truly that deep, "Ah, Rayvon Krayvitch.. And it would be lady, I am afraid. I am sorry for any confusion, I imagine there may be some things that are simply hard to tell without sight, so I suppose I could understand the confusion?" Her gaze passes over Ceann talking to the princess over the fallen Mila. It seemed she had that covered for now. She takes a deep breath, "Are you quite alright? You took quite a tumble from what I saw earlier."

Blushing deeply, Elrbetrt was grateful for the helm that covered her face. Did she just breech court manners? Sir was usually reserved for knights but.... then again, the only knight she had ever come in contact with was her father's retainers and the few lords that occasionally came for social visits. "Ah.. I.. I apologize. I did.. I did realize you were a lady, but I'm..." Unable to find words to explain, she simply apologized again. The last question was a bit.... biting however, as it was barely just a few minutes ago that she was humiliated in such a way. "I thank you for your concern, but I assure you I am relatively unharmed."

"Mistress!" She could hear the familiar hoof beats of Janli's horse, as her maid came riding near. There was that edge to her maid's words that spoke of a verbal beating later on, something she was not looking forward to.

Rayvon nods but flushes, remembering her company, "Very well, that is good to know... Though it seems someone is calling you from my company..." She pauses as Janli approaches before continuing, "But, would you perhaps hear a word of advice from one such as myself, despite my knowledge now that you are indeed a resilient knight?"

Even without sight, Elr could feel her maid's sharp gaze turn from her to the woman, Rayvon. Holding up a hand to her maid, she simply gave a nod to Rayvon.

"It is by divine grace and Mila's talents that you lived, Elrbetrt. Charging ahead like that against an enemy so large without considering their potential strength endangers yourself and those around you... In the future, it might be wiser to consider the strengths of yourself and your enemy. You do not slay the beast without finding its bane," she pats her on shoulder lightly before slipping her arm away, "I suppose I should entrust you back to your maid now?"

Elr had opened her mouth to protest, but found no words with which to speak. She could only listen. "...y..Yes. Thank you for your assistance, Lady Rayvon."

"I was more than happy to provide it, Lady Elrbetrt," she thinks to bow but realizes the motion useless, instead taking her hand and awkwardly kissing it as she had seen others do. "I would be happy to do so again in the future should you need it."
 
Rheinfeld - Scheideweg​


Laenaia bit back an emerging question upon Alida's requesting them to contain something or someone in the barn. If it concerned the two leaders, then it must be a big enough trouble. It concerned her whether whatever in the barn came along with the faux-Templars. Although if they're unable to detect or neutralize her magic, then she might be able to do something. Hopefully the Templars on their side would be tolerant of mages on their side. Following Draza's lead, Laenaia also offered a curtsy as she left the tent and headed towards the barn.

Upon reaching the barn, Laenaia noticed that several holes had decorated the building's side and that Kasim had already reached the damaged building first along with a tiefling and a familiar face. With the confirmation that Taigyn gave, she reached her magic and send several mental messages to her fellow Blades.

Watch out for that man, the others would hear along with an impression pointing towards Eustice. He is an infiltrator send by an outside party.​
 
Naream, The Greatest Hunt - Amazonia​

Naream frowned, the shamanistic control of spirits was indeed quite intriguing, yet it seemed Unamo's spirit was taking its time or delayed somehow, if it was the later then he wondered what might have caused a spirit to be delayed, another shaman or other form of spellcaster perhaps. Still this talk of spirits was unknown territory for him and he was eager to get into discussion once more, yet it seemed they were about to move on, some had gone off alone away from the main group? He let out a snort and shook his head, foolish, if not suicidal... and yet opportunity. If they have wandered off from the main group, then they are ideal prey for either the Lycan or the very mutant beast they are also hunting. He just hoped they would then remain alive long enough to shout out and draw them to their location if that were the case. A mental tug with his magic summoned his skeleton to his side and he remained otherwise silent, he stayed close to Unamo and made his skeletons form a rough circle around the two of them to keep them safe if anything were to appear and jump into their midst.

"I confess to not reading many novels of the surface but... somehow I get the feeling there is a common theme that the monster appears right at the moment that several members of the main group have split off." He said dryly trying to remain alert of their surroundings.
 
"Sounds like a sound enough strategy lil'green. Let's do it." -Gryff, Page 1.

Colour Version No Colour

  • Imperium - Anima Aeternum​

    As Murderok takes aim, Arachne hisses and makes a simple motion with her hand. One of the Skuva on the ceiling tenses its legs as it presses itself against the ceiling, ready to leap to her aid. Yet, slight glint from the oddly shaped head of the bolt belied the precision of the oafish looking creature who wielded it. With a single twitch of the finger, the mechanism holding the bolt releases and the bolt sings through the air like a siren. The Skuva on the ceiling pounces forth to intercept the bolt for its mistress, only for the bolt to unwaveringly punch into it. Though going slightly off course as a result of piercing the seemingly child-like frame of the Skuva in comparison to the sheer size of the bolt, it strikes one of Arachne's long chains at its base and snaps it off, making a small cut along her side. As the bolt strikes the wall, it punches a small hole into the old structure, causing the already dead Skuva to be blown in two from the impact. The bolt clatters to the floor after leaving its permanent mark on the ancient dungeon, taking no more than a couple of seconds for all of this to occur.

    Arachne blinks and looks back at the Minotaur, smiling, though it did nothing to hide the surprise of the power behind his shot. "ATTACK CHILDREN!" She bellows as she throws one of her long chains out towards Muderok, intending to whip him while he was reloading. Nyla however stepped in front of him and rose her shield, taking the blow and staggering backward into Murderok as she nearly fell over. Stepping forward with a grim expression as she recovered, she bent her knees and gripped her gladius tightly. "I've got you covered Murderok!" Glancing at the front of her shield, she grimaces at the mark left behind from the weight of the blow. "I'm not sure how many more of those I can take though! Think fast!"

    Aslo's smoke grenades travel across the room, but don't quite make it the distance, instead landing and rolling about two thirds of the way across the room, still several feet away from their targets. As the poison smoke begins to filter into the air, Arachne chuckles. "Oh Child..." Her voice almost seemed to hold sympathy as the smoke obscures vision of the other side of the room, her two remaining long range chains retracting back to her through the smoke.

    Florence stumbles to his feet, no longer struggling with one of the long range chains. Before he can fully get to his feet however, two of the Skuva from the ceiling go for him. With his eyes seeming to measure every single detail precisely, he manages to impale one on his gladius, losing his grip of it in favour of holding the straps of his shield with both hands for the second one as the dead Skuva slides along the floor a couple feet with an unsettling sound of bones snapping on impact. The second Skuva hits, though this one was a little larger than its compatriots, and with an equally unsettling crack as that of his dead comrade, the shield underneath him buckles in two as Florence is pinned to the floor. Holding the upper half of his shield up to the Skuva's face to hold him back, Aslo moves a few feet and with a simple executioner's swing, cuts the Skuva's head clean off its shoulders. With a twitch, the body falls limply onto Florence, who shoves it off as he gets to his feet. Strain showed in his eyes. "I feel age slowly starting to catch up on me. Not quite as fast as I once was." He grins, though there was an obvious look of relief in his eyes, almost as though he was pleased that age was affecting his reflexes.

    The four remaining Skuva each move and leap off the ceiling together at their targets. Gremlock manages to avoid being hit, taking advantage of his small stature to roll over the table as the Skuva aiming for him instead hits the floor and slides a couple feet. Trom watches wide eyed as two descend for Gryff. The first aims poorly and falls a little short of his mark, instead meeting his fate at the end of Gryff's blade. The other however descends just over Gryff's head to assault the horse part of the centaur, slamming into the back end. The centaur falls to the floor and loses his blade in the process, his back left leg being wrenched from the impact. The ankle dislocated from the knee joint, though there didn't appear to be permanent damage in the long term. The skuva rolls a couple feet away and scrambles to its feet, getting ready to leap once more as it looked around the room and hesitated. It seemed they were capable of feeling fear as it spotted the corpses of two of its previous brethren by Florence and Aslo.

    The last Skuva strikes the distracted Trom from above, causing the young boy to drop his gladius to focus on holding his shield. Panicking, he holds his shield tightly. To his left was the skuva that had been aiming for Gremlock, and behind him was the injured Gryff. Having no comrades in arms to help him at that moment, the only natural reaction was panic. "FLORENCE! NYLA! HELP ME!"

    Rheinfeld - Scheideweg​

    As Kasim takes aim with his bow and brags to his compatriot, the angel smirked and an unsettling feeling ran through Kasim as he felt a breeze blow past him, his arrow going off course and hitting the side of the barn instead. The angel had switched his magical tactics to defend himself. "Pitiful display... Hero." Davian spits at him, backing a couple steps up out of the barn with the Republican soldiers standing with him. As Eustice approaches, Davian nods. "We'll move together brother, you from the left, and I from--" Shink

    It happened quick enough that neither of the Republican soldiers could stop it in time, due to not seeing it coming. Eustice had pulled a small dagger from underneath his wrist plate and stabbed Davian in his lower back, at waist level, at one of the few key weak points of most Templar suits of armour, and with enough force that he merely snapped the blade from its handle and left the blade in Davian as he fell onto his side. It was at that point that one of the Republican soldiers struck out at him, hitting his shoulder dislocating it before he could evade. Grunting in pain, he runs over to the angel, his right arm hung limply, leaving only his shield arm still working. "Lets take care of these fools and return to the Papacy. Quickly now! Our agents in the camp won't last long after they take care of the leaders!" The angel nods and begins preparing another spell, the wind around him beginning to travel circularly.

    It was at this point that Zin, Laenaia, Draza, and another pair of Republican soldiers they picked up along the way arrived to the scene. One was armed with a crossbow, and the other, a classic sword and shield combination.

    Moira had been frozen in shock at the entire display, staring at the badly wounded Davian. "Someone needs to bring him back to camp, now!" The Republican soldiers both shake their heads, more preoccupied with the threat ahead of them as they start to move into the barn, cautiously, trying to figure out what to do without a clear leader. Moira then glares icily at Kasim. "Keep Davian safe, ensure he gets back to base." With that said, she also enters the barn, shield and mace at the ready to engage her adversaries.

    Liveria - Heaven's Haven
    (Moving forward: Refer to OOC.)​

    The group gathers back together at the top of the cliff as the shaman and angel take the lead of the formation, moving up the side of a mountain. Altogether it takes about two hours with a mix of foot and horse travelers before they were officially up into the mountain ranges. With another hour or so of travel along quick trails and shortcuts, they come across tall spot and peer out across a large, forested valley to a mountain. "There." The Orc Shaman states as he points in the direction of a small cave opening, across the valley, on the side of the mountain. He motions the Queen's Blades closer, to see it for themselves. "Accessible only by flight, though it has a ladder that can be extended down." Gabriel stares out across the valley and narrows his eyes. "I don't like the looks of this." A few moments later, a loud, low roar is heard echoing through the mountains, loud enough to make the shaman flinch. Peering down into the valley, little warning was given as Gabriel shoved the Orc shaman back. Before anyone else could see what Gabriel had seen, something strikes the cliff they were standing on with enough force to cause it to shatter. Sent head over heels in one of three directions, some injured by the fall. In any event, as the dust settled, each part of the fractured group would find itself now inside the valley with whatever it was that caused the very ground beneath their feet, to collapse, in dense forestry, with only a single path ahead.

    The path is faster, but might attract the attention of the potent entity. The forest provides cover, but one might get lost in the thick, winding, tiny paths there, for who knows how long... There were many stories of cursed valleys that swallowed travelers, never to let them leave again...

    Free Holds - Devil's Children​

    The crowd grows quieter as Deimos grins, showing brilliantly white teeth to go along with his handsome looks. "Let the bidding... COMMENCE!" Fahim looks to his compatriots, and rolls his shoulders uncomfortable as he looks at the cages. Mikan glances at him and then motions subtly towards the orc. The choice was obvious it seemed as he looked apologetically towards Aëyr. Already, bids were going out. He raises his hand and yells loudly, in a different voice than the one he used with his allies, much more coarse and lower in pitch: "EIGHT HUNDRED ON THE ORC!" Nobody else dared to challenge his bid as lifts his coin purse, which contained approximately a thousand pieces, thanks to magic. Deimos nods and motions to his guards, who unlock the orc's cage. Shoving the orc to Fahim's feet, they take eight hundred coins from him, and then depart with haste out of the ball room. Grimacing, Fahim motions for the orc to rise. "Ouchi Maru." The orc bows as Fahim quirks an eyebrow. "That's not an orcish name." Ouchi grins as he straightens out from his bow. "I know."

    Looking up at the lighting area, Barthelo seems to give an appreciative look and a thumps up. He was ready to help them as both the twins and Durlon were purchased.

    Deimos then motions for the empty cages to be taken away. Save for Eüchia, who remained locked in her cage and pushed off to the side. It seemed her master was smart enough not to give the slave who escaped before another chance to do so again before she was solidly in the comfort of her master's... Establishment.

    Mikan glances to Mars and shakes her head with a small smile. "Think about it this way. If the world burns, you never get another penny. If you save the world, you'll have that reputation to bank on... Literally." Gently running a finger over Mars' mask, where his lips would be, her small smile matches the look in her eyes. "...And you will have my gratitude." With a giggle and a wink, she watches as other dancers start taking their places. Moving to take her own, she motions for Mars to follow her. "Just follow my lead!"

    Already Child and Abida would be able to spot potential problems... Or solutions. There were ten other dancing pairs, but it was plain and obvious that the Drow and her handsome elven partner belonged to the Drow Mistress. They were also the only ones getting any attention from Deimos, other than Mikan and Mars. They were closer to the edge of the dancing area however, it wouldn't be too difficult to convince one of the several bodyguards watching out for their dancers to trip them up in exchange for profit. One of them could also try to trip the dancers up themselves, but they might get into trouble for that from their bodyguards.

    The other available option was the sight of Durlon. It seemed after being whispered to by his new master, he was staring directly at Mikan and Mars, armed with a small throwing knife which he quickly hid. He was likely recruited just to harm the competition... Which included Mikan and Mars.

    Meanwhile, the woman seemed to hardly pay Abida any mind while the bidding was going on, pouting when the twins were purchased away from her as she turns back to Abida and, lightly, gently, taps Abida on the nose. A small shudder of delight would run down Abida's spine from the mere touch, this was definitely the succubi they were looking for. "Seems you weren't my good luck charm after all..." She mutters with a frown, motioning towards a door out of the ball room and deeper into the keep. "...I don't suppose you would be interested in entertaining me privately, would you?"

    Deimos sits back down on his throne and spreads his arms out widely with a smirk. "LET THE DANCING, COMMENCE!" Now was Aëyr's cue to get into position, whilst everyone was focused on Mikan and Mars. Her chance to strike would be when the dance ended, when Deimos would leave the safety of his throne.

    Amazons - The Greatest Hunt​

    Unamo watches as Alexandria bounds off into the jungle after her prey, followed by Maeven, Ethlinn, and Tasha. Shaking her head she glances to the knight who used telepathy with her, a look of intrigue passing her eyes. "I could do that." She glances to Naream and smiles, seeming comforted by the presence of his guards around herself as well. "We should meet up with the others and figure out what we're doing. To summon a specific spirit takes me time. It will be good to know what the plan is in the long term." With that said, she briefly touches one of the skeletons, and it suddenly begins to follow her against Naream's directives. "I'm going to borrow this for a while. Thank you." The skeleton looks around curiously, having been imbued with a minor spirit under the control of Unamo, the thrall seemed to still possess a few life-like qualities to it.

    Alicia continues to struggle with the jaguar, seeing it gnash its teeth just an inch away from her face. Her vampiric bloodline didn't give her the strength to push it away, and so, death quickly followed...

    ... As a large lycanthrope burst out of the dense underbrush and collided with the jaguar, rending through it like tissue paper with her claws. Alexandria outclassed the jaguar in such a way that it wasn't even particularly a contest, allowing Alicia to recover with her wound.

    Ethlinn moves swiftly with Tasha into the area, seeing the dead Jaguars and a small trail of blood leading off into the jungle. Kneeling down, Tasha glares at the trail. "Rashan." Ethlinn turns moves quickly to Alicia's side, grabbing her by the collar, a mix of panic and anger in her eyes, like a cornered animal, desperately trying to find a way out. "Where is Rashan! What has happened?! Why did you go off on your own, you damnable, foolish--" Ethlinn is hit in the back of the head with a small pebble, turning back and growling before spotting Unamo with confusion. "I am a shaman. You are a royal. I am traditionally your adviser. So here is my advice: Don't berate the wounded." Ethlinn hesitates, before her shoulders sink, sighing in disappointment. Letting go of Alicia's collar, she stands up slowly and looks to Alexandria. "I will leave the decision of whether we pursue Rashan or move on towards our objective in the hands of the Queen's Blades. The lycanthrope got what it wanted..." A look of shock passes Tasha's eyes as she steps forward and speaks with a slight tremble to her voice. "First my mother, now... You can't ask me to leave Rashan behind--" Turning and glaring at Tasha, Ethlinn interrupts her. "I am. I know it's not easy... But we can't be certain if Rashan is even alive. If she was, like your mother, I'm certain she would ask us to take care of the threat at hand, to ensure nobody else would share their fate." Tasha takes a deep breath and nods, remaining silent but still retaining an underlying rage as her shoulders remained tense, her eyes wide and darting to any hint of a sound.

    Looking to Alexandria once more, Ethlinn moves to her side. "Please. Can we talk? In private, for a couple minutes? I need... Advice." She whispers to her, wrapping her arms around Alexandria's arm, uncertainty in her every move.

  • Imperium - Anima Aeternum​

    As Murderok takes aim, Arachne hisses and makes a simple motion with her hand. One of the Skuva on the ceiling tenses its legs as it presses itself against the ceiling, ready to leap to her aid. Yet, slight glint from the oddly shaped head of the bolt belied the precision of the oafish looking creature who wielded it. With a single twitch of the finger, the mechanism holding the bolt releases and the bolt sings through the air like a siren. The Skuva on the ceiling pounces forth to intercept the bolt for its mistress, only for the bolt to unwaveringly punch into it. Though going slightly off course as a result of piercing the seemingly child-like frame of the Skuva in comparison to the sheer size of the bolt, it strikes one of Arachne's long chains at its base and snaps it off, making a small cut along her side. As the bolt strikes the wall, it punches a small hole into the old structure, causing the already dead Skuva to be blown in two from the impact. The bolt clatters to the floor after leaving its permanent mark on the ancient dungeon, taking no more than a couple of seconds for all of this to occur.

    Arachne blinks and looks back at the Minotaur, smiling, though it did nothing to hide the surprise of the power behind his shot. "ATTACK CHILDREN!" She bellows as she throws one of her long chains out towards Muderok, intending to whip him while he was reloading. Nyla however stepped in front of him and rose her shield, taking the blow and staggering backward into Murderok as she nearly fell over. Stepping forward with a grim expression as she recovered, she bent her knees and gripped her gladius tightly. "I've got you covered Murderok!" Glancing at the front of her shield, she grimaces at the mark left behind from the weight of the blow. "I'm not sure how many more of those I can take though! Think fast!"

    Aslo's smoke grenades travel across the room, but don't quite make it the distance, instead landing and rolling about two thirds of the way across the room, still several feet away from their targets. As the poison smoke begins to filter into the air, Arachne chuckles. "Oh Child..." Her voice almost seemed to hold sympathy as the smoke obscures vision of the other side of the room, her two remaining long range chains retracting back to her through the smoke.

    Florence stumbles to his feet, no longer struggling with one of the long range chains. Before he can fully get to his feet however, two of the Skuva from the ceiling go for him. With his eyes seeming to measure every single detail precisely, he manages to impale one on his gladius, losing his grip of it in favour of holding the straps of his shield with both hands for the second one as the dead Skuva slides along the floor a couple feet with an unsettling sound of bones snapping on impact. The second Skuva hits, though this one was a little larger than its compatriots, and with an equally unsettling crack as that of his dead comrade, the shield underneath him buckles in two as Florence is pinned to the floor. Holding the upper half of his shield up to the Skuva's face to hold him back, Aslo moves a few feet and with a simple executioner's swing, cuts the Skuva's head clean off its shoulders. With a twitch, the body falls limply onto Florence, who shoves it off as he gets to his feet. Strain showed in his eyes. "I feel age slowly starting to catch up on me. Not quite as fast as I once was." He grins, though there was an obvious look of relief in his eyes, almost as though he was pleased that age was affecting his reflexes.

    The four remaining Skuva each move and leap off the ceiling together at their targets. Gremlock manages to avoid being hit, taking advantage of his small stature to roll over the table as the Skuva aiming for him instead hits the floor and slides a couple feet. Trom watches wide eyed as two descend for Gryff. The first aims poorly and falls a little short of his mark, instead meeting his fate at the end of Gryff's blade. The other however descends just over Gryff's head to assault the horse part of the centaur, slamming into the back end. The centaur falls to the floor and loses his blade in the process, his back left leg being wrenched from the impact. The ankle dislocated from the knee joint, though there didn't appear to be permanent damage in the long term. The skuva rolls a couple feet away and scrambles to its feet, getting ready to leap once more as it looked around the room and hesitated. It seemed they were capable of feeling fear as it spotted the corpses of two of its previous brethren by Florence and Aslo.

    The last Skuva strikes the distracted Trom from above, causing the young boy to drop his gladius to focus on holding his shield. Panicking, he holds his shield tightly. To his left was the skuva that had been aiming for Gremlock, and behind him was the injured Gryff. Having no comrades in arms to help him at that moment, the only natural reaction was panic. "FLORENCE! NYLA! HELP ME!"

    Rheinfeld - Scheideweg​

    As Kasim takes aim with his bow and brags to his compatriot, the angel smirked and an unsettling feeling ran through Kasim as he felt a breeze blow past him, his arrow going off course and hitting the side of the barn instead. The angel had switched his magical tactics to defend himself. "Pitiful display... Hero." Davian spits at him, backing a couple steps up out of the barn with the Republican soldiers standing with him. As Eustice approaches, Davian nods. "We'll move together brother, you from the left, and I from--" Shink

    It happened quick enough that neither of the Republican soldiers could stop it in time, due to not seeing it coming. Eustice had pulled a small dagger from underneath his wrist plate and stabbed Davian in his lower back, at waist level, at one of the few key weak points of most Templar suits of armour, and with enough force that he merely snapped the blade from its handle and left the blade in Davian as he fell onto his side. It was at that point that one of the Republican soldiers struck out at him, hitting his shoulder dislocating it before he could evade. Grunting in pain, he runs over to the angel, his right arm hung limply, leaving only his shield arm still working. "Lets take care of these fools and return to the Papacy. Quickly now! Our agents in the camp won't last long after they take care of the leaders!" The angel nods and begins preparing another spell, the wind around him beginning to travel circularly.

    It was at this point that Zin, Laenaia, Draza, and another pair of Republican soldiers they picked up along the way arrived to the scene. One was armed with a crossbow, and the other, a classic sword and shield combination.

    Moira had been frozen in shock at the entire display, staring at the badly wounded Davian. "Someone needs to bring him back to camp, now!" The Republican soldiers both shake their heads, more preoccupied with the threat ahead of them as they start to move into the barn, cautiously, trying to figure out what to do without a clear leader. Moira then glares icily at Kasim. "Keep Davian safe, ensure he gets back to base." With that said, she also enters the barn, shield and mace at the ready to engage her adversaries.

    Liveria - Heaven's Haven
    (Moving forward: Refer to OOC.)​

    The group gathers back together at the top of the cliff as the shaman and angel take the lead of the formation, moving up the side of a mountain. Altogether it takes about two hours with a mix of foot and horse travelers before they were officially up into the mountain ranges. With another hour or so of travel along quick trails and shortcuts, they come across tall spot and peer out across a large, forested valley to a mountain. "There." The Orc Shaman states as he points in the direction of a small cave opening, across the valley, on the side of the mountain. He motions the Queen's Blades closer, to see it for themselves. "Accessible only by flight, though it has a ladder that can be extended down." Gabriel stares out across the valley and narrows his eyes. "I don't like the looks of this." A few moments later, a loud, low roar is heard echoing through the mountains, loud enough to make the shaman flinch. Peering down into the valley, little warning was given as Gabriel shoved the Orc shaman back. Before anyone else could see what Gabriel had seen, something strikes the cliff they were standing on with enough force to cause it to shatter. Sent head over heels in one of three directions, some injured by the fall. In any event, as the dust settled, each part of the fractured group would find itself now inside the valley with whatever it was that caused the very ground beneath their feet, to collapse, in dense forestry, with only a single path ahead.

    The path is faster, but might attract the attention of the potent entity. The forest provides cover, but one might get lost in the thick, winding, tiny paths there, for who knows how long... There were many stories of cursed valleys that swallowed travelers, never to let them leave again...

    Free Holds - Devil's Children​

    The crowd grows quieter as Deimos grins, showing brilliantly white teeth to go along with his handsome looks. "Let the bidding... COMMENCE!" Fahim looks to his compatriots, and rolls his shoulders uncomfortable as he looks at the cages. Mikan glances at him and then motions subtly towards the orc. The choice was obvious it seemed as he looked apologetically towards Aëyr. Already, bids were going out. He raises his hand and yells loudly, in a different voice than the one he used with his allies, much more coarse and lower in pitch: "EIGHT HUNDRED ON THE ORC!" Nobody else dared to challenge his bid as lifts his coin purse, which contained approximately a thousand pieces, thanks to magic. Deimos nods and motions to his guards, who unlock the orc's cage. Shoving the orc to Fahim's feet, they take eight hundred coins from him, and then depart with haste out of the ball room. Grimacing, Fahim motions for the orc to rise. "Ouchi Maru." The orc bows as Fahim quirks an eyebrow. "That's not an orcish name." Ouchi grins as he straightens out from his bow. "I know."

    Looking up at the lighting area, Barthelo seems to give an appreciative look and a thumps up. He was ready to help them as both the twins and Durlon were purchased.

    Deimos then motions for the empty cages to be taken away. Save for Eüchia, who remained locked in her cage and pushed off to the side. It seemed her master was smart enough not to give the slave who escaped before another chance to do so again before she was solidly in the comfort of her master's... Establishment.

    Mikan glances to Mars and shakes her head with a small smile. "Think about it this way. If the world burns, you never get another penny. If you save the world, you'll have that reputation to bank on... Literally." Gently running a finger over Mars' mask, where his lips would be, her small smile matches the look in her eyes. "...And you will have my gratitude." With a giggle and a wink, she watches as other dancers start taking their places. Moving to take her own, she motions for Mars to follow her. "Just follow my lead!"

    Already Child and Abida would be able to spot potential problems... Or solutions. There were ten other dancing pairs, but it was plain and obvious that the Drow and her handsome elven partner belonged to the Drow Mistress. They were also the only ones getting any attention from Deimos, other than Mikan and Mars. They were closer to the edge of the dancing area however, it wouldn't be too difficult to convince one of the several bodyguards watching out for their dancers to trip them up in exchange for profit. One of them could also try to trip the dancers up themselves, but they might get into trouble for that from their bodyguards.

    The other available option was the sight of Durlon. It seemed after being whispered to by his new master, he was staring directly at Mikan and Mars, armed with a small throwing knife which he quickly hid. He was likely recruited just to harm the competition... Which included Mikan and Mars.

    Meanwhile, the woman seemed to hardly pay Abida any mind while the bidding was going on, pouting when the twins were purchased away from her as she turns back to Abida and, lightly, gently, taps Abida on the nose. A small shudder of delight would run down Abida's spine from the mere touch, this was definitely the succubi they were looking for. "Seems you weren't my good luck charm after all..." She mutters with a frown, motioning towards a door out of the ball room and deeper into the keep. "...I don't suppose you would be interested in entertaining me privately, would you?"

    Deimos sits back down on his throne and spreads his arms out widely with a smirk. "LET THE DANCING, COMMENCE!" Now was Aëyr's cue to get into position, whilst everyone was focused on Mikan and Mars. Her chance to strike would be when the dance ended, when Deimos would leave the safety of his throne.

    Amazons - The Greatest Hunt​

    Unamo watches as Alexandria bounds off into the jungle after her prey, followed by Maeven, Ethlinn, and Tasha. Shaking her head she glances to the knight who used telepathy with her, a look of intrigue passing her eyes. "I could do that." She glances to Naream and smiles, seeming comforted by the presence of his guards around herself as well. "We should meet up with the others and figure out what we're doing. To summon a specific spirit takes me time. It will be good to know what the plan is in the long term." With that said, she briefly touches one of the skeletons, and it suddenly begins to follow her against Naream's directives. "I'm going to borrow this for a while. Thank you." The skeleton looks around curiously, having been imbued with a minor spirit under the control of Unamo, the thrall seemed to still possess a few life-like qualities to it.

    Alicia continues to struggle with the jaguar, seeing it gnash its teeth just an inch away from her face. Her vampiric bloodline didn't give her the strength to push it away, and so, death quickly followed...

    ... As a large lycanthrope burst out of the dense underbrush and collided with the jaguar, rending through it like tissue paper with her claws. Alexandria outclassed the jaguar in such a way that it wasn't even particularly a contest, allowing Alicia to recover with her wound.

    Ethlinn moves swiftly with Tasha into the area, seeing the dead Jaguars and a small trail of blood leading off into the jungle. Kneeling down, Tasha glares at the trail. "Rashan." Ethlinn turns moves quickly to Alicia's side, grabbing her by the collar, a mix of panic and anger in her eyes, like a cornered animal, desperately trying to find a way out. "Where is Rashan! What has happened?! Why did you go off on your own, you damnable, foolish--" Ethlinn is hit in the back of the head with a small pebble, turning back and growling before spotting Unamo with confusion. "I am a shaman. You are a royal. I am traditionally your adviser. So here is my advice: Don't berate the wounded." Ethlinn hesitates, before her shoulders sink, sighing in disappointment. Letting go of Alicia's collar, she stands up slowly and looks to Alexandria. "I will leave the decision of whether we pursue Rashan or move on towards our objective in the hands of the Queen's Blades. The lycanthrope got what it wanted..." A look of shock passes Tasha's eyes as she steps forward and speaks with a slight tremble to her voice. "First my mother, now... You can't ask me to leave Rashan behind--" Turning and glaring at Tasha, Ethlinn interrupts her. "I am. I know it's not easy... But we can't be certain if Rashan is even alive. If she was, like your mother, I'm certain she would ask us to take care of the threat at hand, to ensure nobody else would share their fate." Tasha takes a deep breath and nods, remaining silent but still retaining an underlying rage as her shoulders remained tense, her eyes wide and darting to any hint of a sound.

    Looking to Alexandria once more, Ethlinn moves to her side. "Please. Can we talk? In private, for a couple minutes? I need... Advice." She whispers to her, wrapping her arms around Alexandria's arm, uncertainty in her every move.
 
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Imperium-Doctor Gremlock​

The goblin for one was pleased that everybody seemed to hold no objections to his plan, as he headed out to the left slowly, unfortunately they were soon met with their next threat a drider like creature called Arachne. Feeling a little afraid, Gremlock nevertheless steeled himself, and with his gun loaded, pointed it at the spider boss, but then noticed a group of them coming at his group, and Florence not doing too well against the queen himself.

Gremlock had a decision to make, cast a spell to help Florence, or throw a fireball potion at the grouped up Skuva. On the one hand, if Florence was lost, then it might make the Imperium take a blow to morale, or worse. On the other hand, the skuva were headed towards Gremlock's group, and might get a good blow on them if left alone. Gremlock was left to contemplate which path to follow.

Unfortunately, he thought through his situation far too long, and the enemies descended upon them. They managed to pin Trom, send Gryff to the ground, and generally managing to do a fair bit of damage. At least Florence wasn't harmed by his indecision Gremlock thought. Trying to hold his own panic in, he said "Trom, pick up that gladius and get that skuva to your left." then picked up his musket, quickly aimed, then shot the skuva to Trom's front. Then he looked towards Gryff, aimed for the skuva behind him, and cast a minor firebolt spell. It wasn't likely to kill the skuva, but it would probably injure it and be cast fast enough to catch the skuva off guard.

All he could do now was hope that his indecision did not just cost them all the mission.
 
Rheinfeld - Scheideweg; Draza​

Draza did not like what she was looking at, as she pulled out the whistle and immediately let forth a loud burst against it, and a second. Two clear blows to signal her need of help, sounding for her friends; Templar Lanzo, Templar Augustyna, Templar Margarete, Templar Ladislava, Templar Jarek, Templar Dariusz, Templar Bartolomej, and Templar Zbynek. With the whistle in her mouth she swung her horse around over to where Davian was injured, as she began to for lack of a better term, take as much charge as her little self could.

"Zin, you wanted help on not being in a fight but being good and helpful regardless?" she said, having spat the whistle out of her mouth, and quickly dismounting, "Then you, and you," she turned to Kasim, "Get Davian on the horse and get him somewhere less 'bleeding out to death'. I owe him some apple treats, and if he dies I'm going to be very cross about it. Kasim, you don't have to go with after he's on the horse, we probably need your most epic of heroics here if we're going to do well." She hoped they'd be able to take care of him, as she looked over at the angel. The angel, of all things, that was the centre of the problems, doing damage to the barn and other kinds of things, while Kasim and a... Tiefling? Whatever, they were having a spat. A spat that could wait while they took care of Davian.

Worst yet, the angel was doing something, probably a spell. Probably to leave with the infiltrator, after hurting Davian.

She turned to the Republican Soldier with the crossbow as he and the other began to enter, "I'd ask your name but we've no time," she pointed at the angel, "Aim at him, but a little," she pointed in the direction opposite the spinning of the wind around him, "That way. Adjust for the wind so it blows your bolt back on target and stop him from doing whatever he's doing!" She motioned to the barn and shouted at him for any delay he may have had, "Go, go, go! AND YOU," she turned to the other, "Cover, defend. I'm not capable of taking a blow for Mister Crossbow, but you have a shield, so use it, MISTER. Help is on its way, your primary objective is to not let the angel do any magic. Stall him, buy time! AND," she took a breath after shouting that last order, "Good luck. Do your people proud."

Her voice hurt a bit after that shouting of orders, as she hoped her tone conveyed that this was a not good situation, in case it wasn't obvious. She swung her pack around to her front, grabbed a small fruit slice from it, and squeezed it into her mouth before tossing it aside so her throat would feel a bit better for when she'd need to explain thing to her Templar friends. She only hoped they were as spry and fast to respond as they used to be.

She closed up the pack after seeing Gahrul in there, "I wish you were real, buddy. You could have probably stopped the angel..."[/hr]
 
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Liveria - Heaven's Haven
Elrbetrt Westfeld

***​

She rode silently on the horse, as her maid led it by the harness. The lady Mila saved her? She just couldn't get it around her mind that what she did had any impact on the others.

"Mistress, did you understand what I told you? Your father would drop dead on the spot if he heard what you tried to pull off."

Elrbetrt stayed silent throughout the whole two hours of trekking, changing place with her maid after she insisted the horse was too rough for her liking. There wasn't much to left to say after that, so she contemplated what she had gone through and her actions before. What would her father do in this sort of situation? He would have undoubtedly have charged as she did, skillfully dodged the swing, slain the huge thing before and then lead the party into glory like the old stories.

The lead foot stopped, prompting all the others to stop. Judging from how the wind moved and the way sound was reaching her, they were up on a cliff, overlooking a forest below.

"There." A swish of cloth rubbing against flesh, in what she assumed was their guide pointing. "Accessible only by flight, though it has a ladder that can be extended down."

Whatever their guide was pointing at, it was far beyond her senses to discern what it was. Thankfully, her maid explained what they were looking at, a cave at the far end of the valley. So all they had to do was just get down from here, and then make their way across the valley to a cave. It sounded easy enough, if not for the loud roar that made her ears hurt, followed by noises too big to be made by any regular animal. Confused for a moment by the unfamiliar sound, she had a cold feeling her guts all of a sudden.

"Get back!" She shouted in vain. The cliff shook, before the ground collapsed beneath her feet.

***
Northern part
***​

She screamed out as she held her broken wrist.

All of her senses were blurred out by the excruciating dull burning pain through her hand, the pain intensifying with every heartbeat. She could barely even make out what was around her, or who had fell in with her.

"Janli? Janli, are you there?"

No answer came. The feeling of dread was starting to sit heavy in her chest. What was she to do now? Her shield was useless if she could not grip the handle good and proper, not to mention the pain was enough to make her feel like just curling up and crying until someone made it feel better. Her hand shook as she pulled out her sword, feeling strangely naked and vulnerable all of a sudden. Her hand was broken, she was covered with bruises and cuts, and as selfish as it sounds, she didn't feel like fighting out here with the Queen's Blade anymore.
 
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