New to Giralda, I see. Well, it takes all sorts around here. Take that shifty-eyed weasel by the fire.
Oh, he acts looks like a simple merchant, peddling meager wares, but watch what you say around him. The Empire’s got ears everywhere...
See those two there? They seem all chummy now, but that’s only because Var is trying to convince Jarek to desert the navy in Thisbē and join
those lawless bastards who sail from the Spice Isles. I’m sure that one will kill the other before the week is out, once they’ve got what they want from each other.
Then there’s always the usual mercs; bastards who’d happily kill their own mothers for a coin. Oh, they say those twins from Brelan aren’t so bad,
but a merc is a merc, and money is all they see.
At least there're no damned elves here tonight. One got uppity last month when I insisted the
bastard slept in the stables. A damn generous offer for a half-breed, if you ask me!
Mind yourself if you head into the Wilds. It’s full of things that
would happily eat you and shit you out without a second thought. Even the people who hunt those things are more beast than civil.
Anyway stranger,
what'll it be: a room, or a drink?
SKYE
Admin
Co-Founder
FIZZ
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Co-Founder
ZIGGY
Admin
Co-Badass
SILK
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Post by Kerr Blackwood on Feb 15, 2023 18:33:06 GMT -6
It'd started raining the morning of the third day, a lazy splatter of rain drops that occasionally picked up to a proper shower or petered out to something more akin to a drizzle. On the main travel lanes this would have been a vague annoyance, the hard packed road pressed to a solid state by countless thousands of merchant wagons, horses, and the feet of men and other beasts would create puddles and rivulets but not truly turn muddy as the water drained off to the sides. They, however, had left the main roads after merely a day of travel. The wagon route that had followed lasted little less than a day. Now, oh blessed goddess, they were what could only properly be referred to as a cart path. A partially overgrown cart path at that. Kerr had the inclination to set a couple of the porters out ahead of the group with hatchets to clear any bush or branches that encroached but between the mud and the sinking feeling he had...
He'd always had concerns about this village they were working their way toward. Isolated in the mountains or not, the fact that the cart path that led toward it was falling into obvious disuse did nothing to alleviate those concerns. He'd never heard of the place. Not impossible but not something he ran into every day. He was a traveler, a bit of vagabond really, with a habit of taking roads he'd never walked before as a matter of policy. He loved stories, treated with merchants and guardsmen often, it was rare there was a place he'd never ever heard of at all. He should have been excited at the prospect, as he had been when hearing about the potential for a lost temple to the Elven gods. But something about that village had always bothered him, tugged at his intuition. He trusted his intuition. That was why he'd gone so heavily on specialists. He'd even acquired a shield before setting off on this misadventure, though he'd stowed it on one of the wagons for the time being.
That same intuition, and the mud... he'd almost forgotten about the mud. His horse's hooves squealched in the stuff as it trod slowly forward in a lazy pace to match the slow moving wagons. That mud and his intuition kept the porters on the tops of the wagons, riding and waiting. They came around a curve and what he saw ahead made him groan. A long stretch of mostly straight path that was more open for whatever reason, borderd by tall grass for a dozen or so feet on each side before the forest's cover picked up again. About halfway down the stretch was a bridge, which given the disuse this area was experiencing he could only imagine was it's own problem but... if he was a bandit this is where he would set up his ambush. Especially if he had a large force padded out with amateurs like the one he'd already spotted fidgeting in the tree line on the other side of the bridge. They'd wait until about half of the wagon train was across the bridge, have archers covering the natural choke point that was the bridge over a swiftly moving stream.
They'd be able to use their numbers to wipe out his people on that side of the bridge and then cross under the cover of their archers to attack the other half. He casually turned his horse around and rode past the first wagon. "Stay sharp, trouble ahead." Kerr said it casually and kept riding, back around the curve. "Sharpen up, trouble ahead." he said to the second wagon as he picked up the pace. He pointed at the towering monster that was Valik as he passed. "Come with me to the rear, everyone else prepare for a fight but look casual. You, go to the lead cart and tell the driver to stop before the bridge." He gave the last order to one of the porters who jumped down and jogged toward the front of the wagon train. He paused by Lucas and Idrial. "Prepare to deal with injuries, focus on our people first." Kerr didn't know how Lucas might feel about it but he knew Idrial had a big forgiving heart, he wanted his allies alive and well before she got it in her head to try saving the lives of enemies.
He then rode to the back of the train and dropped off his horse. No time to put on armor and he didn't want the weight of the shield holding him back for the trek through the woods, ambushing the archers or whatever was on that ridge line to the left wouldn't require it once he was that close anyway. He turned to Valik after tying off the horse and dropped down to draw a line in the mud, put an arch about a third of the way up. "There's a bridge over a shallow, fast moving stream ahead. A low ridge to the left on the other side and forest to the right along the stream. Loop off the right side of the road and go up stream, cut across and bull rush their lines from behind. I'm betting they have archers on the left atop that forested ridge, I'm going to get in behind them from down stream and cut them down so the others can cross the bridge ahead of the wagons. We'll pinch the rest between you, me, and the others out in the open where they can't reform into battle lines or any such thing. They have a skilled leader, probably an ex-soldier, but only a few will try to hold against the two of us. Understand?"
He was never really sure about the big guy, whether he was intelligent or just cunning, but he wasn't an idiot so he felt the delay in direct combat wouldn't fly over the guy's high altitude head. "The rest of you, go make like you're inspecting that bridge. When the fighting starts I want our fighters rushing across. We should have them pincered. Be merciless, I assure you they were going to slit all of our throats if they won... or worse." He glanced at a couple of the ladies in the group.
Post by Nox Nightingale on Feb 21, 2023 19:35:46 GMT -6
A dark cloud loomed over the expedition. As the skies shed a summer's worth of rain, she could feel the enthusiasm for travel begin to extinguish. Damp fabrics clung to her skin and humidity made it difficult to breathe. She grew increasingly uncomfortable until the downpour softened. The sound of hooves sloshing through the mud made her grateful that they weren’t on foot. From the limited but well-rounded attire she’d chosen—something light and airy for the heat—a basic set for relaxation—and a cloak—she didn’t account for rain. Mainly because the scorching sun made her forget what it was like to be caught in a rainstorm. The sound of droplets striking her hood faded into a comfortable pitter. If she weren’t soaked, it might've been relaxing. Rain was better enjoyed with a roof above her head.
As her horse trudged ahead, she was unaware of the danger until Kerr spoke. Nox gathered her wits but tried to remain subtle as she took in his instructions. Despite the danger, the corners of her lips twitched into an amused smile. The confidence and leadership that he displayed did not fit the image she’d composed of him. Beneath the armor, he might’ve passed for a stable boy. With it on, he seemed more like a war general, dishing out orders. To be fair, she hadn’t bothered to learn much about Kerr, beyond that night in the tavern. That was all she needed to know for time being, though Nox doubted she was the only one judging by the rest of the party. It was then that she realized his curly locks and empty-headed smile were deceptively unthreatening. There was more to him than met the eye.
When Valik got called away a pocket of anxiety settled in her chest. Not because she worried for his safety, but for her own. She did receive archery lessons and some sword lessons as a child, but that was it. Any experience with combat she had was one-sided, usually with someone else doing the actual fighting. Still, it seemed like Kerr had a plan and she trusted he knew what he was doing. She kept her hands glued to the reins despite the temptation to reach for her bow.
Once the battle started, she would remain in the back with the healers. There was no place for her on the front lines. The best support she could provide was with her bow and a fistful of fire. Already, Nox could feel the heat gather in her fingertips. As she slipped down from the saddle, she pretended to scrutinize the bridge's stability, as instructed. The sensation of eyes watching her from the trees made her skin itch. An idea popped into her head to distract some of them by bending down to adjust her attire. It was an idea worthy of testing. Nox leaned down to pluck at her boot strings, the fabric pulling taunt over her hips. She geared for a fight, ready to pull the bow from her back at a moment's notice.
Post by Valik Rasvadian on Feb 23, 2023 3:15:08 GMT -6
"There's a bridge over a shallow, fast moving stream ahead. A low ridge to the left on the other side and forest to the right along the stream. Loop off the right side of the road and go up stream, cut across and bull rush their lines from behind. I'm betting they have archers on the left atop that forested ridge, I'm going to get in behind them from down stream and cut them down so the others can cross the bridge ahead of the wagons. We'll pinch the rest between you, me, and the others out in the open where they can't reform into battle lines or any such thing. They have a skilled leader, probably an ex-soldier, but only a few will try to hold against the two of us. Understand?"
The little man's word stuck inside his skull, breathing idly as he watched the diagram get drawn in the soil. Since he had arrived in these lands most had assumed him to be a man of little intelligence. It was already known to him, having seen it displayed in their eyes countless times. The titan hated humanity. If it weren't for the orders given to him by his older blood…. These cretins would be less important to him than the very band of bandits that stood across the bridge.
Yet, the plan was set and now the die was cast, rising back up he looked at the blonde man. He wouldn't reply to him, merely turning his skull to look at the bridge. What was really stopping him from rushing that wooden structure? Orders. He kicked the diagram, destroying it for the possibility of spies in the woods. The warrior walked over to the cart, picking up a thick metallic shield, it stood roughly four feet in length and two feet across. It was made for sheer defense. He hoisted it with relative ease, also picking up a massive sack and a black spear, encrusted with sapphire through the hilt. Now, where did that woman set off to? His blue eyes peered through the sockets of the horned helmet, gazing to the back of the convoy.
Once he spotted her he set off in her direction, she was a ranged fighter and she'd proven that to him already. His bare feet landed on the soil so softly it was like a delicate kiss. The shield was slammed into the dirt in front of her, giving her any cover she might need. He wasn't going to be around and the giant couldn't leave her vulnerable, watching her for a brief second Valik nodded; before setting off into the dense brush. The cloth sack contained mysterious cargo as the spear was spun around cutting the brush open for him.
There wasn't a sense of time to waste and now that he was alone, he could move without worry of someone falling behind. The beast-like man sprinted through the trees, thick thigh muscles pumping his engine as he made his way along the river. It hadn't been long, coming to a waterfall he set the container down. He donned a black bodysuit, with golden metal accents in various locations upon the armor. It was light and to be honest, it's all he'd need.
It hadn't been a part of his plans to fight mere bandits… this was more or a threat for the hired hands.. then it was for him. In his life he had grown accustomed to killing things far larger than himself. The thought discarded, he stepped off the fall, plummeting into the water, seconds passing as he emerged on the north side. A wave of water poured out of his helmet and off his body, making a heading for the rear flank of the opposition. -You're going on a journey. Nothing else matters but that group's safety. Slaughter those who stand in the way. Leave the consequences to me." Vaddix' words stuck into his head, and finally he emerged like a ghost behind them.
The sight of a single man who was supposed to serve as a rear watch, yet, it seemed in the anticipation of a fight. He forgot his duties and was standing there looking at the bridge. Valik walked toward him as if he were waltzing through a town street. The distance was closed to a mere hairline, no sounds had been made and the electric eyes looked across the bridge seeing his group across the way. They were all preparing to fight for their lives, Kerr had never said anything about attacking.
Another step was taken and his front foot came into the peripheral view of the young man. Who jumped to turn to face him, opening his mouth to scream out as he did. Valik's left hand wrapped around the opened orifice, he wouldn't stop walking as the man's body turned to finally face away from the bridge. Valik's arm popped and his grip jerked the man's head so hard his neck snapped cleanly, it now faced the bridge; opposite of the rest of his husk.
The snap rang out into the air, as the warrior continued to walk toward the assailants. It was the loud cracking that alerted another once, this time a battle cry was let out while he charged directly at the behemoth. This one was one of the few who Valik would come to respect, so brave to charge directly into danger. It was the appearance of the bandit that sent something of a minute feeling down his spine. This bandit was.. younger than the last one, he clearly didn't want to be a part of this raid. Yet, this bandit still charged and that was something the titan could respect.
Still, inexperience was showing. This young man's sword was lifted far too high over his head. His movements were too obvious to a well-trained eye, so. Valik's right arm snapped forward, grabbing the man up off the ground. The bandit's weapon was lost and his grip tightened around his neck. He would look up to the ridge where Kerr had said he would be… still seeing no signs of the doll.
Valik continued walking with this man slamming a balled up fist into his wrist, several feet away four crossbowmen took aim at him. The bandit in the titan's grip let out a quick pained yelp as Valik crushed his windpipe, holding the corpse in front of him as those archers fired. In a violent way it was sort of a merciful kill, for two bolts embedded in the dead man's back. A bolt hit the warrior's exposed right shoulder and another went right through his left forearm. Valik stood there peering at the ranged fighters just over the meat shield's left shoulder. Another volley of bolts slammed into the corpse yet again. One bolt ricocheted off Valik's right shin and embedded in the dirt. A third bolt slammed directly into his left shoulder and finally he dropped the shield.
These men didn't have as much ammo as their counterparts on the ridge, they'd run dry and now it was his turn. While the monster of a man didn't have a way with words. There was something he was capable of. -Mimicry.- The savage bent his elbows out behind him, flaring his body out as a deafening roar pierced the metallic helmet upon his skull. It was the roar of a lion that screamed through the surrounding area. The bandits seemed intimidated enough, that the titan surged forward, whirling the spear around as he came toe to toe with the first four. The sharp metal tip cut the flesh of one's neck, stabbed through the chests of the next two, and ended in a bloody explosion through the final archer's opened mouth.
Valik stood there, watching that man's body limp out, eyes rolling into the back of his head, before he ripped his spear out, and pushed the lad's carcass over. The group of nineteen now began to fall back toward the rest of the group and it seemed he had done his job, but… -It wasn't over.- This subpar unit of filth had threatened her. They were an affront to her sweet-smelling body and cruel personality. None of these insects were going to leave this roadside alive. The warrior surged forward again ready to quench the nineteen beating hearts that dared to beat upon the same Earth as Nox Nightingale.
ucas would nod, quietly continuing with the rest of the caravan while talking with a craftsman about how she made her potions and how she used her magic as a Dwarf to strengthen them. While the others posted up in strategic positions he would quietly unsheathe his blue flint dagger and hold it casually in one hand, also extracting a cloth to act as if he were polishing the finely crafted weapon he'd found in Brelan some odd months ago.
Kerr's voice could be heard directing the caravan and the drivers were soon told of the impending trouble that was about to come crashing down on the caravan and it's inhabitants. Lucas was armed and ready for anything that was thrown at them, including bandages and salves already in bundles on his leather holster-halter-type piece that wrapped around his midsection and thighs.
Post by Nymeria Liao on Mar 10, 2023 18:50:27 GMT -6
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[attr="class","jawntatlyrics01"]Ambush!
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Nymeria swayed slightly as the wagon rocked on uneven terrain. She cast her gaze out into the open world while she pampered herself with a wide-wing fan. It was more humid than hot, and the air surrounding her felt stuffy. She assumed that the stuffiness was in part due to the cleanliness or lack there of from a few of the people in the group. A long road lied ahead, one that she hoped was at least a little more exciting than the trip to the location.[break][break]
That time came sooner than she had anticipated when the leader of the group alerted them to trouble and with quick thinking and planning, set up a striking force. Nymeria wasn't called out, and she was fine with staying with the wagons and lending support to the healers if they were attacked or if someone attacked the wagons. The young mage put her fan away and looked around. "Is this an ambush? They knew we were coming." [break][break]
Post by Vaiva Nine Lives on Mar 15, 2023 13:17:16 GMT -6
Vaiva nine Lives
Thief, 27 years old, human
Gender: Female (She/her) Origin: Bergast, Brelan
"Nice dagger, is that stone? Is that ... flint!?"
Flint was not uncommon, but neither common choice to have as a weapon. There was nothing wrong with the thief's skills in identifying a material. But the waxy look was quite characteristic to flint, it could not be mistaken for the glossy and more vitreous obsidian. Both stones used for weapons, they could be sharp as hell, but they were also fragile materials. In a relaxed manner, she leans against the wagon where Lucas was staying, curiously looking at the dagger.
Vaiva didn't seem overly concerned about the attack. To be honest, from back here she would analyze the situation and get out of here at the slightest sign that things were going to hell for the group. She turned to the beautiful woman who approached the wagon.
"Is this an ambush? They knew we were coming."
"Yeah, that's kinda the point with an ambush. No one wastes time sitting next to a road and hoping for some company to walk by. I wonder who had the guts to sell us out?"
It was an intriguing thought... This time Vaiva was innocent, she didn't to dick-moves like this and this might be the second time in her life someone betrayed her and what a cruel way to find out that it was a mistake to trust someone in this group. Wonder who...
Post by Kerr Blackwood on Mar 21, 2023 1:50:04 GMT -6
Kerr watched the man, waiting to see if he was going to follow orders or something... well, traditionally Rasvadian. Well, that mystery was up in the air for the moment as the big man set about gathering his things going the wrong direction apparently in search of the woman that had joined him on this little misadventure of Kerr's. The Northman rubbed at his light colored stubble from three days on the road as the larger barbarian slammed his tower shield into the ground in front of the woman and then disappeared into the bushes. "Fascinating, just fascinating. Right, then, everyone else prepare yourselves. The giant and the swordsman are going to flush your quarry from cover." He knuckled his brow at those gathered and disappeared into the brush off the other side of the road.
He slipped into the river silently, low until he was deep enough to flatten out. The bodies of his sword sheathes jutting up out of the water like the great meat eating fish that followed whaling ships about. He floated away from the bridge as he crossed the river at a slow meandering swim. To a casual glance at any distance he'd look like a broken log floating in the current. Until he fetched up against some water grass along the opposite side and pulled himself free. Athleticism, pure and simple, pulled him up the bank to climb the low embankment that allowed him to quickly scramble along some rocks to the top of the ridge he was aiming for. A couple of squeezed swipes with his hands removed the access water from his pant legs and shirt sleeves, bringing the dripping to almost zero before he set off along the ridge as if followed the stream back toward the bridge his people would likely just be pulling even with.
In the near distance there was a war cry, causing several people secreted in the undergrowth to turn their heads. From his angle it made them all stand out, lighting them up in his mind's eye for the upcoming violence. He slowly drew his swords as he came closer, their distraction deepening with the roar of a big cat of some sort like the ones that roamed the plains where the wild folk dwelt. Most of these men were holding crossbows but there were four with short swords and bucklers behind them, closest to Kerr, and another with a proper war kit beginning to raise up on his feet near the cliff at the front of the archers. That was the leader, Kerr suddenly bet. Taking the high ground to order the attack and to ensure his newest recruits followed through.
Kerr made not a sound, not until one of the short sword wielders who was just starting to stand himself cried out as he swept his own short blade across the tendon at the back of his knee while bringing his longer blade down in a diagnal chopping motion on a second swordsman's face as he looked up at the sudden presence amongst them. He didn't pause, dashing in amidst the archers as they jumped up in panic at the chaos that had just erupted behind them. A snip of his short blade severed the taught string of one of the crossbows, causing it to snap across the throat of the man holding the weapon at a low ready with all the tension it had contained. That split his throat open. Not fatal but damned painful and very bloody.
The gut wound he gave the next nearest man with his long blade as he swept up under the still stunned figure's ranged weapon with his short blade was definitely fatal, however. He heard that man's guts hit the ground as he gave the crossbow's trigger an elbow bump when it was level that fired its bolt into the chest of the third swordsman as he attempted to pursue Kerr into the group of archers. He followed the momentum of drawing his long blade out of the definitely dying archer to take a wide swipe at another archer who was backing away and trying to one-hand aim his crossbow with his dominant hand while pawing the air behind him with the other in search of an exit that had no physical manifestation. His sword caught the arm of the crossbow, forcing it wide before it fired and there was a cry behind him. Maybe it hit somebody, maybe it just scared them, didn't matter. That guy was on the run and Kerr still had two swordsmen to worry about.
And his thoughts for them came just in time for them both to suddenly close with him. Experienced soldiers, both. They pressed him hard as he got a feel for their ability to work together. In massed combat he had no doubt they were damned good, shoulder to shoulder and covering for one another's gaps in defense. In a duel they were too linear and he was too mobile. He teased a leg and then spun around a sapling when short sword took the bait, leaving himself over extended and his weapon blocked by the sapling. He caught a sword in the side for his troubles and then Kerr was the one doing the pressing as his blades scythed and jabbed at the man with a side-sword and a light shield his body had hidden from view when earlier spied. He was more skilled alone than with only one man for help, moving carefully to stay behind his bulwark while counter attacking from behind it without sacrificing it's protection.
The leader's fatal error was losing track of the ground upon which he fought. His right foot took a step back and found nothing but air as he nearly stepped off the cliff, forcing him to throw himself forward. He went to his left knee, arresting his fall with the edge of his shield, and threw a desperate stab at Kerr in hopes of running him through or backing him off so he could recover his feet. Alas, Kerr had foreseen the stumble and had paused a solid step further back than either option necessitated. He wove his twin sister blades and sent the side-sword flying into the air behind the downed opponent. The bandit leader brought his right leg forward, never stopping his attempt to recover but Kerr promptly kicked him square in his rising shield. The bandit leader tumbled ass over tea-kettle through the air, down the roughly 20ft drop, and landed all wrong. Head and shoulder down. Too much was going on for Kerr to know if he'd heard a crack...
He spun as a pain bloomed under his left shoulder blade and fired off his short sword in a throw, the pommel hitting a crossbow wielding man right between the eyes. The swordsman he'd slashed the knee out from under cried out and flopped over backwards. Kerr gut wounded him as he arrived to pick up his thrown weapon, leaving the man writhing on the ground with the last major concern he'd ever grapple with in this life. Two of the archers had made a run for it, one downhill into the open and the other seeing the giant across the way as others ran out into the road only to turn and run toward the bridge with his unloaded, uncocked weapon in hand. The other side of the bridge was the caravan. Kerr paced down the slope and killed the one that had just froze in the road, a hard slash at neck level before stepping over the body to meet those fleeing Valik and drive them toward the bridge for the others to trap as well.
Post by Idrial Belinor on May 7, 2023 13:53:16 GMT -6
T
rouble. Right on schedule. Just as Kerr had predicted the two nights before. If Idrial didn’t know better, she might have thought he was a seer or at least tipped off. Anyone with a fraction of Kerr's road experience knew what a danger these bottlenecked points could be - even on lesser traveled roads like this. Given the purpose of their expedition and the remote location, though, the impending ambush felt more targeted than the average highway robbery…
Kerr traveled the length of the caravan, casually and quietly issuing directives for what was to come. Idrial was already tying on a heavily pocketed apron before Kerr spoke to the healer and the apothecary. Idrial bristled a little upon receiving their brief instructions. Pride bruising from how she interpreted his words as well as what was unsaid. “Of course,” she replied unhesitatingly.
The peredhel exchanged a collegial nod with Lucas and had Eliza assist with her twin mares while she set to preparing the items she would need the quickest access to.
Valik and Kerr discretely broke away from the group and a tense quiet settled over the remaining group. The calm before the storm. When the fighting began, almost nothing could be seen from her vantage point. Just the occasional rush of movement. A swift-moving silhouette; a shadow she could not be sure was really there except for the cacophony of battle echoing through the trees.
An unnatural roar boomed above the clamor. Some of the still-waiting convoy exchanged uneasy glances. Idrial hoped to the gods it was Valik finally making his voice known and not some beast entering the fray. Still, they could not see what was happening for several moments more. Then, at last, an unknown face rushed past the treeline. Followed by another and another, then several at once. Kerr and Valik were successful in herding the fight, for it was now fast approaching the bridge.
Most of the party stands on the south side of the bridge, appearing as if they are inspecting the structure before running any of the wagons across it. A few of the porters stand behind them but most have chosen to remain back at the wagons.
Suddenly, a ruckus starts in the woods on the other side of the bridge, moments before men start scrambling out of the tree line to the right holding clubs, staves, a couple of short swords, and knives. They are quickly joined by ten or so men carrying empty crossbows running down the hill on the left.
Valik Rasvadian can be seen in the trees to the right, terrorizing and slaying stragglers.
A man falls from atop the hill to the left. A few moments later Kerr Blackwood appears, striding down the slope.
With the presence of both warriors cutting off escape to the North, the bandits turn and make a run toward the bridge and the rest of the party. There are approximately 20 bandits running at the rest of the group while the short sword-wielders turn on Valik and Kerr.
Post by Nymeria Liao on Jun 12, 2023 9:27:26 GMT -6
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Besides Vaiva's sarcastic retort, Nymeria agreed with her that someone had sold them out. She couldn't begin to guess who it could be with the rag-tag gang Kerr had assembled. She didn't share a familiarity with a single one of them and they all looked a little less than noble upstanding people. [break][break]
Either one of them could be the backstabber, either one of them could have been working to sabotage this venture before it even began. This idea left an uneasy feeling in her gut and the idea that whatever they were planning wasn't over yet. [break][break]
Nefarious plans were rarely a one-and-done, instead the guilty plotted their schemes in stages so that their machinations would have long-lasting effects. "I don't like the way this is going. We should probably move on, we're too vulnerable just sitting here waiting."[break][break]
Nymeria was a mage of incredible powers but she wasn't a seer but sometimes it felt like it. A number of bandits toppled and stamped their way through the tree line and raced towards them right after she warned of danger. "Splendid. Just peachy!" [break][break]
With the other party members inspecting the structure and others hiding by the wagons it was up to her to defend them. If she wanted, Nymeria could escape and leave them all to fight for themselves but then she would have to explain to Nira'lia why she didn't see the fight through. [break][break]
She climbed down off the wagon she had been comfortably sitting on and moved onto the bridge. The young mage took a deep breath and called upon the elements to draw the air and winds toward her. The gust kicked up dust, dirt, leaves, and small rocks as it came together. She pulled harder, drawing in even more wind to create a small human-sized spiral right in front of her. The strength of the small twister tossed her hair about and her robes flowed in the breeze. [break][break]
She sent the twister forward, a spiraling mass of wind guiding dirt, dust, leaves, and rocks toward the bandits rushing towards them. The blast sent them tumbling backward, some sustaining injuries from the rocks they were pelted with. Nymeria continued to control the twister and sent it in a loop through the crowd and high up into the air. Higher up the winds were stronger, and she collected more faster, creating a twister twice the side of the first. [break][break]
She held back for as long as she could to gather as much wind as possible, but as the last of the men got back to their feet she had to act. Nymeria made a quick flurry of hand motions before raising her hand above her head. She clenched her fingers into a tight fist and with a swift motion, swung her fist downward as if she planned to punch the ground. [break][break]
The twister reacted to her hand motion and the spiraling mass of wind dove from the sky and crashed into the crowd of bandits from above. The impact was thunderous, and the ground trembled slightly as men were sent flying in every direction.[break][break]
Post by Vaiva Nine Lives on Jul 9, 2023 0:43:17 GMT -6
Vaiva nine Lives
Thief, 27 years old, human
Gender: Female (She/her)
Origin: Bergast, Brelan
She could not remain passive, either she ran away and left all these to their fate, or she helped out... Vaiva left the cute blonde man and disappeared into the forest as the violent bandits approached....
Vaiva watched the group from a distance, safe in the shadows and in the cover of branches. The strong wind from the mage finishes off a number of the bandits, so that even the top of the trees bend, but it also makes Vaiva even more hesitant to engage in close contact with them. Was that pumpkin really a trained battle mage? No, it didn't look like that and Vaiva didn't want to be caught in the magic crossfire. But despite the strong whirlwind, more outlaws are approaching the group.
Before anyone could register it, Vaiva had made her way around behind the group. And she pounced upon one of the more slow running bandits. She pulled the dagger from its place in her belt and sliced across the bandits neck. The neck was split open by the deep wound. The blood from the large veins had a certain pressure and would splatter, The bandit died quickly, with a silent gurgle. She quickly let go of his body and it slumped on the ground.
She grabbed his crossbow and bolts, which he immediately released when he died. She picked the lever and cocked the crossbow. Put a bolt in the chute and aimed at one of the robbers from between the trees. The mechanical noise of the sting launching the bolt isn’t loud, in a room one might hear it. But in a wood, during an ambush? No. But of course one would notice how people would start falling around them. Vaiva uses the crossbow as long as she can do it unnoticed or until she runs out bolts.
Post by Providence on Jul 25, 2023 21:37:54 GMT -6
F A T E
Nymeria Liao's powers swirled the air into a living weapon. More than it hurt, it terrified... then it hurt A LOT. Men were lifted from their feet and slammed down, the panic sending those who'd managed to avoid the worst of it fleeing in random directions, a few picking themselves up from the ground in a daze, and three laying quite still and screaming in pain as they'd broken bones big enough to end their hopes of escape.
Fleeing men, unlucky in their direction of choice, found themselves feathered by crossbow bolts fired from an unseen location in the bushes. Alas, they were far too confused to even begin to worry about doing something to end that assault. Two fell to arrows and a third found himself limping desperately with a bolt embedded in his right kidney, too fear-stricken to know he was going to die in the near future even if not finished outright. Two men, however, ran blindly toward Vaiva Nine Lives's location in a headlong dash from the wind magic that would have them trampling her if she did nothing.
Four charged the bridge, panic-stricken faces distorted with the horrors of the day, running straight at the remaining group with the wagons.
Post by Nathaniel Shaw on Aug 24, 2023 22:26:02 GMT -6
I built these walls to hide my ghosts
You trace the wounds exposed.
I try to let you in.
But I fail again and again.
It was only a matter of time before their semi-uneventful expedition took a turn and a challenge came to them.
Nathaniel had taken his spot behind the wagon, riding closely on horseback, keeping watch of the surrounding area and ensuring no one sneaked up on them. It was a miserable and rainy day, but he was used to being in far worse conditions. Still, like Kerr, he had a strange feeling in his gut, which kept him on higher alert, and every few minutes he would turn to look behind him.
When Kerr rode up, informing him and the others of the danger ahead, and ordering Valik to go along with him. “...everyone else prepare for a fight but look casual…”
Nathaniel nodded and dismounted his horse, quietly adjusting things to make it easier to get to his sword when needed, and he pulled a few of his daggers from his pack, carefully wedging them into his belt behind his back.
He heard the directions Kerr had given Valik, and even though they were not directed at him, Nathaniel still listened and committed it to his memory. Just in case.
“...The rest of you, go make like you're inspecting that bridge.
When the fighting starts I want our fighters rushing across.
We should have them pincered.
Be merciless, I assure you they were going to slit all of our throats if they won... or worse."
Nathaniel’s eyes followed Kerr’s as he looked at the women after his last comment. There was a twinge of a frown that caused the edges of his lips to twitch slightly, and he balled his fists tightly. He would not let that happen, even if it caused his own death. Valik and Kerr were gone, and Nathaniel looked around at the others present as they spoke about someone selling them out and sabotaging their mission. He wondered if that was true, or if this was just some sort of bad luck– bandits looking to steal from them because that’s what bandits did, right?
Soon after Nymeria suggested they move forward rather than stand around waiting, Nathaniel nodded in agreement, his lips parted to speak, but the bandits began to rush out, approaching them. He pulled his sword from its sheath and looked to the members of the party who were non-combative and spoke sternly, “Stay hidden, I’ll do my best to keep them away,” he assured them and rushed off, yet stayed somewhat close to protect the wagons and those hiding within or behind them.
Nymeria’s wind magic was impressive and helped dwindle the number of attackers rushing them. Those who continued to push forward, Nathaniel assisted in holding them back. He noticed the two bandits charging towards Vaiva as she busied herself with her bow. Several of his daggers were pulled from his belt and he sent them flying through the air, the blades hitting one of the targets directly in the chest, causing him to fall to the ground. The other dagger lodged itself into the man’s shoulder. The man stumbled back, dropping his sword to cover his arm and yank the blade out before pushing forward.
From his peripheral he could see a couple of other bandits approaching him, so he called after Vaiva, pointing out and warning her of the attacker he hadn’t managed to fall. With his sword drawn, he rushed forward, fighting them back and away from the others. He struck one down and wounded the other enough to ensure he wouldn’t get back up anytime soon. Still, he knew better than to assume. He approached him and quickly sank his blade into his chest, killing him.
As he turned, he felt a stinging stabbing pain at his thigh, but he didn’t bother stopping to look to see what it was. Instead, he charged forward–there were still two other men getting dangerously closer to the convoy. Another dagger was pulled from his belt and he sent it flying, hitting the man in the back, and causing him to scream out before collapsing heavily to the ground.
The remaining man charged towards Nathaniel, and metal clashed against metal in yet another sword fight. The bandit managed to slash a deep gash into Nathaniel’s shoulder, but the guard didn’t flinch–didn’t let out a sound of pain. Instead, he continued to charge forward until finally, he bested the man and in one quick swing of his sword, he severed the man`s head from his body.
Nathaniel stood back, his breath heaving from exertion, and he glanced around, in search of any other bandits that might be nearby. When he didn’t see any, he moved towards the others he instructed to remain hidden to check on them.
“Is everyone alright?” He asked between heavy breaths. Still– he hadn’t checked on himself or noticed the dagger lodged into his thigh, the blood soaking through his clothes, or the deep gash in his shoulder. Priority was making sure the others were safe–that was his job–keeping them alive.
Jackson wouldn’t say he was happy to be with this haphazard group of folks, but it wasn’t the worst mission he had been on. In his early days of attempting to find work and making enough coin to pay for food, this would have been a dream. Waxing poetic in his memory as the group pressed on was stopped short, however, when given instructions by their leader.
Like everyone else, Jackson took pause as the two leaders spread out and began what seemed like a quasi organized mission. He held back with most of the others, moving his way toward the front of the caravan, albeit slowly, as he listened as much as possible to what was happening just beyond the tree line.
He unsheathed his broadsword, noting Nathaniel taking some of the same precautions as they waited for what was to happen next. The wait wasn’t long, however, until there were several men rushing in their direction. What had happened past the bridge? Jackson barely had time to think before one of them was on him, nearly nose to nose before he had time to react.
It had been a long time since he had to wield his sword in actual battle, but it turned out the muscle memory was more useful than any new tactics he may have learned. He managed to get a few decent hits in before moving on to the next. He was about to switch weapons when the wind picked up - magically induced from what he could tell - and he crouched closer to the ground. Jackson had no intention of feeling the impacts of someone else’s conjuring. Especially not after seeing what magics could do to unsuspecting humans. He watched with trepidation as the winds continued, squinting his eyes against the feeling, just as the attackers were lifted into the air by the force.
“Goddess.” He whispered to himself as they came down, limbs pushed in odd directions as they were flung in different directions into the hard ground.
Jackson stood up at that point, his eyes tracing back to the woman who had caused the destruction and giving her an impressed but weary look. Surely that amount of magic couldn’t leave her unscathed? Even so, he glanced around at the attackers before turning back to the wagons to assess whatever damage they had incurred.
“Taking home a souvenir?” He asked Nathaniel, gesturing to the dagger protruding from his leg and its subsequent blood pooling around the wound.
Post by Idrial Belinor on Nov 17, 2023 16:59:17 GMT -6
A
s the bandits surged forward, Nymeria stepped onto the bridge. Idrial could feel a change in the air. Something unnatural. Subtle at first, like the buzz of energy before a lightning strike, and then it became perceptible. Air rushed from all directions to the nexus of power coming from the mage. The air converged, whirled, and twisted, answering Nymeria’s call.
Before the bandits could comprehend what was coming for them, the powerful whirlwind had emerged, swirling with vengeance, dismantling the charge with a force so magnificent that even the bravest hearts surely quivered. Nymeria commanded the deadly, swirling gales with her hands. She commanded the twisting winds into something truly terrifying, growing it, then slammed the force of the storm into the ground.
A tremor pulsed through the earth and faded out into the distance. As the sensation passed beneath Idrial’s feet, the peredhel rocked back, the residual effect not enough to totally knock her down. The healer was grateful Nymeria was on their side…
Jackson and Nathaniel saw to the remaining bandits that had narrowly escaped the mage’s attack. Idrial had lost sight of Vaiva some time ago and worried about how many unseen enemies in the trees she may have encountered.
The Vanyar men rejoined the wagons, dirt and debris clinging to sweat and blood. At a glance, Jackson didn’t appear any worse for wear. Nathaniel was not as fortunate, but his adrenaline must have still been running high as the blade had gone unnoticed until Jackson pointed it out to him. The fact that he returned to the group without much issue was a good sign. Idrial merely needed to be careful removing it.
“Leave it,” Idrial told Nathaniel firmly, in case he had any ideas of pulling the blade free. “Help him to sit,” she directed Jackson while she gathered what she would need to tend the injury. Then, as she bustled over to them, she asked, “Has anyone seen Vaiva?”