Lord of Azure Flame: Chapter 1: In the Reddest of Nights

[-Cynthia-]

OOC: I didn't orignally, but I bought Reika's story, so you'll have some explaining to do

Morgan released the girl and pondered over what she had said. According to her, the soldiers were arresting anyone with Crimson weapons, and she saw no reason for the girl to lie. However, the soldier she had come across was most certainly holding one. 'Twas a cruious puzzle.

Morgan pondered the situation carefully. If the soldier both had a Crimson weapon and was searching for them, that would mean that he had already taken out whoever had previously owned the lance, which means that he must be rather dangerous. She could not allow him to get his hands on that sword.

"Thanks" she said hastily and tossed the girl a coin.

She headed off in the direction the girl had indicated to find the man offering his hand in friendship to the young woman with the crimson blade.

"I wouldn't take that if I were you, unless you wish to end up dead." Morgan warned the young woman.

[Ansem]

OOC: Why does everyone seem to think I'm arresting/hunting people... XD

I have to go... >_>,Kai,I will respond to you tommorow,keep in mind Aiya has a 50/50 shot of one shotting you,and she has backup...

OOC: I attacked soldiers that are random guards I thought you made up another group

Edited March 24, 2010 by Kai

[Snowy_One]

A terrified look flickered across Esphyr's face as the strange man called Damian extended his hand to Esphyr, offering friendship. Yet, her eyes rested upon the weapon he held in his hand. There was no mistaking what it was, no weapons that she had seen looked anything like that which he called the 'Gae-bog'. No weapon... except her own sword. This was not good at all. With a careful motion, her hand slid around to the hilt of her sword, settling on the grip as her left hand slowly extended to take his. Suspicion... was a minor way of putting how she saw the man. To make matters worse, it seemed that others had gathered around her as well.

"My name... doesn't matter. I'm a simple woman, a common mercenary, with nothing special about her." she answered as she touched his hand. Instantly, her hand tightened upon the grip of her sword as her head snapped up to his lance, expecting him to use it and trying to be ready to parry any blow he might make.

[Ansem]

The first attack hit one of the soldiers they charged. He cast Elwind again this time hitting two now only one more remained. In a split second the soldier stabbed his shoulder. Helios Cast Elwind again killing the soldier. "Gah" he said looking at the wound. He fell and started looking around. All the townsfolk surrounded him. He saw soldiers advancing towards him. "I was foolish" he said to himself. "You know i never really noticed those whom i cherish until now". "Mother.......Father.........Celia.........."

Edited March 24, 2010 by Kai

[Kanami]

Reika sighed in relief as the girl (Morgan) disappeared from sight. Despite the silver coin in her hand she couldn't make herself like the girl. But then again she'd learned by now that trusting others was only a precursor to getting betrayed and hurt. Shrugging the uncomfortable feeling off she wandered in the opposite direction to where (Aiya) the guards she'd seen earlier were. People seem to be gathering around something and she couldn't hold her curiosity in check.

A boy with long green hair fighting a group of guards. She frowned to herself as one of the guards fell not far from her, it wasn't the uniform of the local militia and wasn't of Halton design either. As she was pondering the origin of these soldiers the green haired boy fell to the ground, his shoulder pierced. "Idiot" she muttered before turning away, while they looked nothing alike, her brother had been about the boys age when he was executed. "Brother...." she hesitated, taking a look back at the boy she sighed, "Here goes nothing". Looking amongst the crowd she picked out a few figures which had fear plastered over their faces. Closing her eyes and focusing she too mimicked their expression and slowly walked up to one of them, "Th-the Halton soldiers they're planning to invade" she stuttered trembling. "There's a few hundred over the hills that way. We need to get out of here." She quickly ran into the crowd ahead and smiled satisfied as the man started screaming in fear. She knew it wouldn't take much to scare these people, they were already on edge but to think it'd go this easily. As confusion ran rampant across the gathered crowd this time she walked up to a woman who was clutching her child closely. "Th-the soldiers, they murdered the mayor, we're all going to die." The woman too screamed in fear and the crowd suddenly rushed towards the exit.

Not satisfied she made up a few more stories and spread them across the stampeding crowd. She'd done what she could, she looked over at where the soldiers were, and was relieved to see them battling against a torrent of civillains. She couldn't see the boy either but with this many people about it wasn't much of a surprise. "Tch, Charity work" she mumbled before obeying the flow of people and running herself.

[Ansem]

Helios stood up. He looked at his shoulder and it didn't seem to hurt that much anymore. Everyone seemed to have left. "How is that possible" Helios said. Helios used his Elixir and warped to the town exit. He was about to leave when he heard a familiar voice". "Sir Helios" said Celia. "I saw that battle". "Are you all right"? "Yeah i'm fine" said Helios "Where were you when this happened" asked Helios. "I'm sorry sir but i'm just a simple Mage" said Celia. "Fighting of knights is nothing i can do". "With all due respect sir that was too reckless". "If you were to have died i dont know what i would tell Qu... "Thats enough Celia". Celia looked shocked. "Listen Celia i'm sorry for yelling at you like that" said Helios apologetically". "Sir there is something that is bothering me". "What is that". "A thief made the people panic and run away". "She seemed to have bought you some time". "I guess i should go now" said Celia. "No wait" said Helios. "It would be much safer if we traveled together". Celia smiled. "Near death experiences can change a man" said Helios

[Kanami]

Reika frowned, something was wrong, there seem to be several men going against the flow. Yet these men seemed to be emphasizing her lies. despite inciting the riot herself she didn't feel comfortable with these men supporting her lies. Sensing something similar to herself about these men, Reika quickly turned back. At least the people have been evacuated, though if they weren't after the people what were they after?.... Since they seem to be supporting the evacuation that could only mean one thing. Catching a whiff of petroleum she knew this couldn't end well.

"Today's just full of surprises" she muttered as she headed back to the town square.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Nadesico

[Ansem]

Helios sighed. He was at the town exit but he still felt like something was out of place. "Sir Helios is something the matter" said Celia. "I dont know i'm getting some bad vibes right about now" he replied. "I dont think it will be wise to leave now". He looked forward and saw a couple of men in dark robes going into an alley. "Celia". "Lets go" she said. They went to the alley to see that the men were gone. "Celia i think we should stay in this town for a while". "Make sure nothing goes wrong". "Sir i sent a messenger for reinforcements" Celia said. "Good Celia" said Helios. "We're gonna need them"

[Phoenix]

OOC: What does OOC stand for? Out of character? Anyway... Irina is going to show up slightly later than a primary character would. Think of her as the story's "Guy". He doesn't show up as soon as Mathew, Serra, Rebecca, Dorcus, etc... You get what I mean :D

FYI... she is very close by however....

[Snowy_One]

The wily thief was far from the only one within the crowd who was spreading the rumors of the armies poor intent to the civilians. Hidden throughout the crowd, disguised as civilians, six men calmly walked through the riled masses. Every once in a while, they would stop and raise their hands to their mouths to shout out. "The Halton soldiers slaughtered my cattle to feed to their vile beasts!" "The red-headed one is a dragon! She stole into my house and threatened me with fire if I didn't give her all my gold!" "That one just tried to steal my moldy onions!" "Be careful or else they will fill the sky with demons!" "AHHHHHH! He threatened my son with enlistment if I didn't pay him off!"

Not exactly the most indicting statements. However, to a crowd filled with little more than scared, frightened, people terrified of the strange soldiers, they may as well have been statements laced with sheer horror. Then the sixth man, a youngster dressed as a scholor whom was barely fifteen years old, whom had remained the quietest of the three, suddenly charged forwards at the nearest of the soldiers. "YOU MONSTERS! HOW... HOW DARE YOU DO SUCH A THING TO ME?! HOW DA-"

Suddenly, a massive axe sliced into the mans shoulder, biting deep into the joint of his neck and sending a spray of blood skywards. A deathly silence fell over the crowd as they suddenly parted, forming a circle about the felled man. Feeble whimpers and horrified whispers of revulsion quietly spread amongst the crowd as they looked at the soldiers, mentally placing the blame upon each of them.

---

A fair distance away from the gathered crowd, a seventh man calmly observed the scene unfolding before him. He was dressed in thick breeches like a lumberjack, his axe ever present resting upon his shoulder. Calmly, he raised a small stone up to his lips, then whispered into it.

"Brother. We've got trouble. Several troops appeared in town just now. I've got my guys working on it, but we need to be careful. Even if they succeed, they might scour the land tonight. Gather the men! WE STRIKE NOW!" he said, his final words almost a violent yell as he crushed the small stone within his hand. Less than a mile away, the mans brother stood on the southern-most outskirts of the town, a identical stone in his hand. There was no mistaking what he and the other twenty-odd men about him were though. Bare-chested and armed with many axes and battered swords, they could be only one thing. Bandits. With a nod, the brother mentally acknowledged the command. Quietly, he turned to his men.

"No sound, no noise, no nothing. We give them a bit of time to focus on the soldiers, than we smash them! This town is ours! Darien is ours to pillage!"

OOC: Stats for bandits go up tomorrow. You get a bit of time. No you may not engage them JUST yet.

[Inactive Account]

Kelas awoke with a start, on her feet with bow up before she could tell what was going on. The sounds of battle had begun to issue from the direction of the town. Staying where she was was probably a terrible idea. In a few minutes she was in the saddle, with no traces left behind.

From the hilltop she immediately saw the trouble: the townspeople clashed with the soldiers in the streets, and another group was massing to attack. Kelas' mouth twisted into a silent snarl as she identified the third group: Bandits.

Sense told her to retreat, but she ignored it in favor of the prospect of spilling bandit blood. Hopefully she would go unnoticed among the chaos, at least in the beginning. She slung her bow across her saddle and nudged her horse into a steady trot towards the bandit group.

OOC: I've been taking guesses at time of day (guessing this is shortly after sundown). Have I been drastically wrong, or does it matter?

OOCEdit: fixed the time thing in both posts.

Edited March 24, 2010 by _____

[Snowy_One]

OOC: No. It's not even noon yet.

[Ether]

"What?" Damian replied hearing Morgan's words.

"I don't know what you mean by that...but I have no intention of hurting this woman,or you,young Shaman."

Knowing it was for the best,Damian allowed his Gae-Borg to return to inside of him,which seemed to surprise both women.

"Looking back on it,running after you probably wasn't the best move I could have made...but I have felt the pains that you feared I would inflict on you,those experiments,tests to see why I can keep this lance with me,yet no one else can wield it,aside from my father."

"Father...?" Both of them had the same reply.

"My father is the hero Eupheus...he is the one who crafted these weapons in the threat of a second invasion...I would like to uphold his dying wish...and meet up with the other holders...befriend them..."

Damian was cut off...a signal flare coming from above his troops position...both of the women must have saw it as well,as they looked up in it's direction the same way as he.

"What the hell could be going on!?" Damian cursed as he gave both women an apologetic gesture,and rushed towards the flare.

********************

"Damn...!" Aiya was annoyed immensely. Some idiot in the crowd had told everyone that they were planning an invasion,and the townsfolk had began to attack them.

A shovel.Aiya grabbed the handle in defense,and knocked the wielder unconscious,and the soldiers around her grimaced,using only their shields to stop the rioting townfolk.

"Please!Whoever told you this was lying!We are not planning to invade!" Aiya yelled out,.trying to reason with the villagers.

"Why would we believe you?Halton scum." The villager replied with malice.

"If we were planning to invade,wouldn't we have countered with drawn steel,and not just defended our own bodies from your assault?" Aiya asked him.Some of the villagers began to lower their weapons,but others were unconvinced.

"They is just tryin' to play with us,don't listen to em'"

Aiya had to convince them somehow...she looked carefully at the situation...she wasn't good at this,if only Damian would reappear soon...

*********************

Damian ran through the crowd,several people trying to stop him,shouting nonsense...he evaded them swiftly and scanned the crowd,something had to be up...he then saw one of the men spreading rumours...a normal citizen wouldn't notice it,but any soldier,or a trained mercenary would...he was a bandit.

"Everyone!This is all a ruse...these men are not here to help you,they are trying to take advantage of you!Bandits!" Upon saying this,Damian ripped the sleeve off of the man's shirt,revealing the definitive tattoo that confirmed Damian's words to the crowd.

The bandit let out a call,and six men from the crowd ran off in the direction of the mountains.

*****************

The attacks on the soldiers stopped,and the villagers were blanched with fear all the same.Bandits were worse than soldiers,for atleast a soldier may have a sense of honour,but a bandit...

"We need every mercenary,and anyone who is willing to fight!We will defend this village from the bandits,and any who assists us shall recieve 5 gold coins in compensation!"

Damian yelled into the crowd.Aiya stood next to him now,as the attacking villagers had calmed down,and those that had been knocked out revived.

"But what about the soldiers on the hills?" A villager asked.

Urgh...this mission is classified...but I need the support of these villagers...

"The soldiers in the hills are an envoy...Duke Leonard of Halton has wished for an escort through these parts,and so we obliged.We mean you no threat...we only came here as to restock on vegetables,grains,and meat.Nothing more."

OOC: I didn't engage them,but I needed to clear my name,afterall. No fighting,just getting them to run because they were discovered.

[Kanami]

As she had suspected the men she'd noticed had been bandits, while she wasn't to happy about being fed information from a Halton dog, it was undeniably fact. Villagers here and there were laying down their arms in confusion, and turned their head as the soldier that she had seen earlier spoke out (Damian)

Reika snorted as the soldier from earlier tried to placate the people, this was why she hated them, "They act all righteous and noble we're desperate, only to tax and enslave us afterwards" she mumbled to herself, "Just like they did in Araphane..." as her was about to replay the event of her past a nearby man grabbed her by the shoulder gently, startled she hit the mans hand away and backed away only to find the owner of the hand was just a concerned looking old man, probably in his late 40's or early 50's. "It's okay" he whispered gently, we won't let them do to us what they did to Araphane. She uncertainly nodded her head, she had learned trusting those with kind words to be the biggest mistakes she could make through experience. Seeing that Reika wasn't going to trust him he sighed before raising his fist in the air and bellowing in a voice that seemed way too energetic for the mans age.

"Friends! Brothers! why should we trust these Halton dogs? What do they gain from helping us? Nothing! In these harsh times it's not uncommon for friends to betray eachother, Halton as big as they be can barely keep their own capital safe, do you really think they'd have time to worry about us? Brothers! Sisters! These soldiers are not our own, even if their intentions are good they won't stay here and protect us forever. A few days from now they'll be tucked away in their cosy homes in the city a world away from us villagers. This is our village, our homes, our children, it is our duty to protect them and that's what I shall do." Reaching into his coat he pulled out a worn out piece of cloth which he threw on the ground a few silver coins scattering through the dirt as it hit the ground with the unmistakable clink of coins. "I'd sooner be dead and buried then sell my seasoned old life to Halton, I swore my allegiance to Vaorin, and I won't sell it to no whippersnapper with sacks full of gold.

A few cheers went up around the old man, and a few more pouches hit the dirt. Reika hesitated before throwing her sack of coins on the pile of discarded funds. Breathing in slowly she followed the mans example "My name is Sharon, and I was raised in the prison city of Araphane" she called out loudly, she wasn't enjoying the spotlight by any means but if this man was against receiving help from those soldiers they were on the same side for the moment. "When the Azure Demon fell and the stench of fear slowly started to lift from our devastated city the Halton scums came to our city, they promised us gold just as they promise you now, they promised us friendship, and they promised us peace. And what did they give us? Misery, misfortune, the city lies in ruins to this day! No, it's worse off now then it was before they came. Back then we had hope, we were able to hold our loved ones close each night, we might not have gotten three meals a day but we had eachother. Halton soldiers? Bandits? what's the difference? They both took what I held dear and now here they are again, who's to say they're not escorting this Duke Leonard to the lost throne of Vaorin?"

Just as she said the name she could her surrounding quickly get anxious, "Duke Leonard, isn't he that no good peeping-Tom?" a man asked concerned. "You mean that noble from Halton that is said to have round up an entire village of girls for his own pleasure?" "No way" "I'm not letting go of my Susy, not to some lecherous old creep I won't" rumours and truth alike ran rampant amongst the people. Reika wasn't exactly sure who this Leonard was but saying the voice out loud seem to have done her cause good gaining confidence she looked over at the man who seemed pleased. "What would a Duke be doing in these parts anyway? An Escort? To where? There's nothing in these parts that a man who has it all would want anywhere." "Surely these men in Halton suits are being untruthful about their intentions." "We can not trust them! If we are to rally under a banner it will be the the banner of Vaorin, not the banner of some mutt from Halton!"

A significant amount of villagers raised their voices this time, the soldiers story didn't add up, and there was no proof he wasn't being dishonest. Reika watched in awe as people raised their farming tools, she couldn't understand why they'd taken pride in Vaorin, it was pretty much a lost nation now, with the exception of the three big three the same applied everywhere else across the continent. Either way she wasn't about to watch as she watched the tragedy of Araphane occur again. She looked over at the Halton soldiers who'd been having their own rant over there but she couldn't possibly see how they could argue their point across now. While the violence had stopped, calls for the soldiers to get out of the town slowly but steadily grew louder.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Nadesico

[-Cynthia-]

So soldier guy was also trying to reunite the Crimson Wielders? This was unxexpected, though highly convenient. If they both had the same goal surely they would encoutner one another in the near future, despite the fact he had run off again.

The girl in the alley on the other hand, was another matter entirely. She looked very tense and anxious, as if she could run, or strike, at any moment. Morgan could not let her escape. She advanced slowly and said

"I'm not sure what you're trying to run away from, girl, but you will never succeed. The sword has chosen you, and you are bound to its fate. To run away from the other wielders is to run from destiny itself."

[Ether]

"..." Damian was stunned...how could he respond to something like that?

"Duke Leonard was stranded rather nearby...and my regiment was sent to retrieve him,and return him to Halton safely."

"I follow my duty,and escort him,as my emperor commands,however,I hold your sentiment towards him." The crowd seemed confused by Damian's statement,and allowed him to continue.

"That man is a vile pervert.Meeting him under my own terms,i would kill him myself,but my emperor,and my father's memory holds back my lance..."

"I offered gold so that the mercenaries in the crowd would assist,not as an insult...I cannot speak with appropriate knowledge of Araphane...I only know what I have been told,which is quite little...but i swear on my honour,and the grave of my Mother,father,and my now deceased younger sister..."

Tears began to stream down Damian's face,and Aiya looked at Damian with worry,for he had not mentioned the death of his family unless he was drunken and unable to keep the tears from flowing,the strong man was letting his pride run dry,and was showing such a display to ungrateful people...it made her feel horrible that she could not comfort him...

"...I will not betray you...may my families spirits haunt me to my death were I to do command or participate in anything that could harm this fine village..." His eyes were bloodshot by this time,and he shook the tears from his eyes and continued.

"...and so I solemnly swear to you...that I will fight these bandits,and eliminate them,asking nothing in return,not even gratitude...this i swear on my mother's grave..." Damian choked back despair,and finished his statement "...my mother...Clarissa Laroux..."

A wave of activity surged through the crowd,and led to the mayor,who could only say "D-Damian...?...my grandson Damian?"

[Inactive Account]

OOC: No. It's not even noon yet.

OOC: Oops. For some reason I'd gathered it was starting towards the end of the day. Anyway, fixed previous posts so they make sense now.

As she headed for the bandits, Kelas realized that shots out of nowhere would attract too much attention unless she waited until the fighting started. She veered for the town, hoping to duck in unnoticed.

[Snowy_One]

"How... How did you know about that?" asked Esphyr, turning with a shocked look upon her face to see Morgan. "This sword has been nothing but bad luck for me. Don't think I wouldn't hesitate to throw it away in a instant. I don't know what my destiny is, but I refuse to accept that it's t-"

Suddenly Esphyr's head snapped about as her eyes closed in a tight squint. A chilled feeling ran up and along her spine as the air about her fell silent. Though the din and holler of the crowd showed to be indeed loud, it was the only thing to be heard. No song of bird or snarl of hound mingled in with the uproar of the mob. In fact, a small dog seemed to be huddled away behind the corner of a nearby house, quivering and shaking in fear.

"Something's coming."

Like lightning, Esphyr drew her sword as she dropped into a ready stance. Soon, the heavy yell of a army of bandits filled the air as the ground shook and trembled beneath their running feet. With a mighty yell, a great many bandits burst forth from the land around the earth, charging forth with axe and sword held high with a mighty yell upon their lungs.

"BANDITS!"

The forerunner of the mighty horde of warriors charged forth, rushing past house upon house to engage the armed woman. A malicious grin was on his face, seeing the woman as little more than a child attempting to defend herself. His axe was raised over his head as he barreled forth at Esphyr. He swung downwards, only for a explosion of sparks to erupt forth as Esphyr quickly turned her blade and stepped to the side, catching the flat of the warriors blade upon the flat of her own and deflecting it into the ground. The head of the axe buried itself within, causing an explosion of earth to erupt forth as he cleaved the soil.

Her foot quickly rose up, striking the man hard in the knee with with a mighty kick, causing him to collapse to the ground. Screaming out in pain, the bandit ripped his axe free of the earth, shattering the head of the axe from its shaft and smacking Esphyr in the side with the blunt stick. Esphyr winced in light pain before she thrust her sword hard into the mans back, slaying him quickly as his spine was severed and his lungs pierced.

Thirteen of the bandits quickly surrounded Esphyr, blocking the street off. Malicious grins lined their faces as they licked their weapons, eager for the blood of the woman whom had slain their comrads.

Round start: Esphyr Attack Roll: 2 (3 roll+2 SKL -3 EVA ), 5 (3 roll+3 STR+1 WTA-1 DEF), 5 (5 roll)

Hit. 6 damage dealt. 6 HP left.

Bandit Counter: Bandit Roll: -2 (3 roll+1 -1 WTD - 5 EVA), 2, 6

Bandit misses!

Esphyr attacks: 3 (4 roll + 2 SKL - 3 EVA), 9 damage (6 roll + 3 STR +1 WTA -1 DEF), 1 (1 roll)

KILLED BANDIT!

[Kanami]

OOC: Oops. For some reason I'd gathered it was starting towards the end of the day. Anyway, fixed previous posts so they make sense now.

Sorry about that, in Kelas's post about collecting wood and preparing a fire I figured it was much later in the day, opposed to the day before Esphyr killed the wolves. And since I thought you were getting ready for sleep I concluded it was evening. Though that said the original post is.... weird. "It wasn't even noon yet" made me think it was nearly noon. And frankly midday is a bit late for the streets to start bustling. Though I guess they have nothing better to do so they can laze about. Ah well sorry about that XD

~Random Village Man A's story~

The old man face grew red with anger and humiliation. He couldn't tell the man to get out if he had family here. The mayors words were apparently enough to confirm the truth in the soldiers words. What the man didn't think fondly of at all was that the relative was the mayor. A long time ago, when he was but a youth himself a small skirmish had broken out between Vaorin and Halton, back then Vaorin wasn't in the sorry state it was in now and the two thought nearly on equal terms. While the battle resolved itself quickly, it wasn't quick enough to save his one and only son who had gone to the battle. Shortly after his wife would die of heartache. His best friend (the current mayor) who had promised to have their children wed had his daughter go off to wed a Halton man of all people. Disgusted their friendship ended their and things may have gotten ugly had the Azure Demon Lord not rised and wreaked havoc across the land. A few years later the heroes would seal the demon lord away. It wasn't long after that the mayor elections were held. And while both had competed, the mayor who had built his daughters husband, a hero of the land into his campaign won a landslide victory.

Growling angrily, the man turned and stampeded off, a few other turned and followed, a look of disgust on all their faces. The old man wasn't the only one that thought that the mayor was a lackey of the Halton empire. But most stayed put, either because they trusted the mayor, or because they were too scared to fight themselves. The men who had dropped their sachets of gold slowly picked theirs up before following the old man down the street. Reika too bent down and picked up her own savings, but not without swiping two small pouches and concealing them in her own money bag. She walked away slowly, if it belonged to someone on her side she'd return the pouches, but if it was someone who supported the mayor, well she'd be eating meat tonight. Noticing that no other men were leaving the gathering she smiled to herself, chicken or beef? she asked herself before hurrying after the old man.

Edited March 24, 2010 by Nadesico

[Ether]

OOC:Damian was born before the invasion,as it was 25 years ago,and he is 27,so your story is a little off

The crowd had began to dissipate,and Aiya began tending to Damian.The story of his family was a tragic one,one she had witnessed herself,and she had vowed not to let it get to him...so why couldn't she do anything!?

"You don't need to worry Aiya..."Damian told her softly,now clinging to her shoulders and pulling them both up.

"We have to deal with the bandit threat now,this can wait" He finished,and walked towards the town hall,until he heard the sound of fighting and rushed after it,Aiya with him.

*******************

Seeing the girl from earlier cut down a bandit,and become surrounded,Damian knew the combat had begun

Hefting one of his spears in the air,he hurled it at one of the bandits.

Combat round start:

Damian rolls (3,5,5)

Hit: 4(Skl) + 3(roll) -1(WTD) - 3(Evd) = 3. Hit!

Damage: 3(Str) + 5(Roll) -1(Range) -1(Def) = 6 x 2(Critical)

Bandit Killed!

Damian's spear flew with perfect precision,and the arc of the spear ended as it passed through the Bandit's heart,and stuck into the wall behind him.The man died before he knew there was anything more than a lone girl.

Aiya runs toward a bandit and swings at him!

Combat round start:

Aiya rolls (1,4,3)

Hit: 4(Skl) + 1(Roll) - 3(Evd) = 2. Hit!

Damage: 4(Str) + 4(Roll) +1(WTA) -1(Def) = 8 Damage!

Bandit Counterattacks! (1,6,6)

1(skl) +1(roll) -1(WTD) -4(evd) = -3 Miss!

Aiya unleashes a second attack!

Aiya rolls (2,6,3)

Hit: 4(Skl) + 2(Roll) - 3(Evd) = 3. Hit!

Damage: 4(Str) + 6(Roll) +1(WTA) -1(Def) = 10 Damage!

Bandit killed!

Aiya's blade came down on the man,nearly tearing off his axe arm at the shoulder,and the countering strike was weak and easily blocked.The man's head flew an instant later.

"Are you alright?" Damian asks Esphyr,as they can now see eachother.

OOC: 7 Bandits(Axe) remaining

Edited March 24, 2010 by Ether

[-Cynthia-]

More interruptions? Morgan could not believe her luck. And here this girl with the crimson blade was actually engaging the bandits--a rather risky maneuever.

This girl was a necessary piece of the puzzle however, and her death would be very unfortunate. She did appear to be holdign her own against the bandits, though there were an awful lot of them. Morgan decided to help by killing a bandit.

Morgan had never actually engaged anyone in combat before, but that's what the years of learning dark magic were for, yes? She shot a globe of darkness at an unwary bandit.

(1+4 Skl= 5 - 3 Eva)(2+4= 6- 0 Res) (4)

Hit. 6 damage. Bandit HP remaining = 6

The bandit was thrown back by the violent energies, but still managed to survive. He chrged towards her

(3+1 =4 MISS)

Morgan easily dodged the bandit's clumsy axe. Combat was surprisingly easy.

(2+4= 6-3 Eva) (2+4=6- 0 Res) (3)

Hit. 6 damage. Bandit killed.

The bandit fell over amidst a cloud of shadowy energy. Morgan had killed her first enemy, but she could not muster any sort of sympathy for this man. He was an obstacle, she eliminated it.

[Kanami]

Reika hurried forward as a bandit seeminly appeared out of nowhere and attacked the deserters. She had assumed they'd all be back with the crowd. And had been careless, she watched as a helpless villager fell to the floor in a crimson mess. "tch" she clicked her tongue in disapproval before dashing forward at the bandit

(Reika)HP: 9 STR:3 HIT: 3 EVD: 8 DEF/RES: 3/1

(Bandit Sw)HP: 9, STR 2, Hit: 2, Evade 3, DEF 1, RES 0

Reika attacks (Roll) 6+Hit 2atk 6Crit

(6+3=9-3= 6 Hit)Attack Hit

(2+3=5-1= 4) 4dmg

Bandit has 5Hp left

Bandit attacks (Roll) 3Hit 3Atk 4 Crit

(3+2-8= (-3) Attack Miss

Reika has 9Hp

Reika attacks (Roll) 4Hit 4Atk 6Crit

(4+3=7-3= 4) Attack Hit

(4+3=7-1= 6) 6dmg

Bandit Killed?

Okay no idea if I did that properly.

Bandits(Axe) x6

Bandit swordsman X 3

Edit: OOC Uhh just realised but I can kind of wipe out all the normal bandits by myself >_> My 8Evd means even if they role a 6 in accuracy it's still only 7Hit :/ Cheap XD

Edit2: OOC Uhh right, forgot to count Ether's age.... uhh they were Making babies before marriage? XD Fine I'll change it XD

Edited March 24, 2010 by Nadesico

[Ether]

OOC:It's the same with Damian,actually.7 Evd,and WTA only seems to give + Atk,while WTD gives - Hit. I'm pretty sure Snowy said that you needed to overcome Evd to hit,so if that's true,we're in the same boat.

[messy mike]

Michael turned around and noticed that Aiya and the colonel had already engaged the ruffians down the street.

Damn... I better earn that 5 gold he promised, or I may not be eating for a while.

He sprinted down the road and caught up with the two Haltonians just as they were dispatching their foes.

EDIT: OOC: Since Morgan killed an "extra" bandit in the first wave after there were presumably none remaining, and I feel like I may be hogging kills a little bit, I decided to delete this one to even things somewhat.

Edited March 25, 2010 by messy mike

[Snowy_One]

OOC: Just so you know, you don't have to post the rolls after EVERY attack. A summery at the end will do. Also, it doesn't need to be one strike = one attack. Even if you only attack once, you could RP that going down as 30 some odd hits. Just so long as every hit is recognized in some manner it should be okay (ergo, no RP dodging a blow that would have been a hit stat-wise). Yes, there will be tougher bandits. These were basically test-types to get people used to the system and to allow me a chance to learn how to make better enemies. And no, Esphyr's sword is not Cloud-level. It's a few pounds below a Claymore.

IC: Esphyr pulled her sword free of the bandit whom she had felled. Blood spurted into the air as she did so, intimidating those gathered even further. She held the sword out, holding it with only one hand as it pointed towards the enemy, seeking to do her best to intimidate them. It was a poor stance for combat to say the least, and she hoped that they knew that. Hoped that they would think her stronger than she actually was.

It didn't work.

With a shout, two of the bandits charged forth at Esphyr. With a swift motion, Esphyr's hand slid up to the hilt of her blade, bracing it as she thrust the massive sword into the body of the first. The sword pierced through the bandit's body with great ease as Esphyr effectivally skewered the man through and through. Quickly, she ripped her sword free of his body as she whirled around to face the second. Faint runes of arcane power danced across the blade of her weapon, charging it with magical force as she tried to smash it into the on-comer to halt his advance. Her sword caught him firmly in the side, causing a ripple of magical force to explode outwards, scouring the body of the bandit. Yet this one proved to be hardier than his companion. With a yell that sounded more terrified than actually threatening, he swung his axe about at Esphyr's body. The axe head smashed into her breastplate, knocking Esphyr down to her feet. Yet, as she fell to the ground, she wrenched her sword about, sending the magic into his body. It permeated his blood and flowed deep into his form until it touched his heart.

The bandit fell to his knees, his hand upon his chest as he screamed in pain. Lurching backwards, he fell upon the ground as the muscles within his body rippled and quivered like a pool of jello. His screams of pain filled the air. Then with a mighty explosion, his chest seemingly burst open, killing the man outright.

A moment later, Esphyr was back upon her feet, her sword gripped in her hand as a thin smile laced her face. "I am a demon warrior! All who desire to fight the daughter of the demons shall become like him!" she bluffed. To her credit, the gathered bandits fell for the challenge hook, line, and sinker.

Sadly, they fell for the line hook, line, and sinker. With yet another battlecry, the bandits broke their formation around Esphyr and swarmed about her. They bypassed her entirely as they charged towards those civilians and other warriors gathered about. One of the bandits took a wild blow at Daiman, his axe missing only by the sheerest of luck as it smashed into a nearby house, shattering through the wall and passing into the empty building. A second one barreled his way towards Morgan, his axe in one hand and his free arm raised to smash her to the ground. He swung at her, aiming to catch her square in the gut before he could bring his axe down upon her body!

Esphyr attacks Bandit A. Roll: 3 (4 + 2 -3), ((6 + 3 +1 -1) X 2) , 6.

Duel sixes... Yea... He's dead. I deal 18 damage to him

Esphyr attacks Bandit B. Arcanium active. 1 (2 + 2 - 3), 9 (4 + 4 + 1 - 1), 6

Esphyr deals 9 damage to Bandit A.

Bandit B counter-attacks Esphyr: 1 (6 + 1 - 1 - 5), (3 + 3 - 1) , 6

Bandit B wings Esphyr for 5 damage. Esphyr HP at 4. >.<

Esphyr attacks Bandit B: (3 + 2 - 3) , (6 + 4 + 1 - 1), 1

Esphyr deals 10 damage to Bandit B. Bandit B dies.

---

Bandit (axe) attacks Damian: (2 + 1 - 7), 3, 3,

Miss... Lucky.

---

Bandit (sword) attacks Morgan: 2 (6 + 2 - 6), 5 (2 + 2 - 0), 3

Bandit (Sword) hits Morgan for 4 damage.

REMEMBER: PC's do NOT get counter-attacks on GM-phase enemy attacks.