Akela howls in defiance as new energy flows through him.
He bounds foreword and strike at the fiend's legs.
The eagle continues to strike frantically at the beast's head.
Lindynt
HP: 20/20
AC: 15 (Charge)
CMD: 19
Saves: 5/1/1
Speed: 30ft
Status:
Abilities: Challenge [-/day]; Mounted Combat [Ride: +7]
Equipped:
Conditions:
Sylvie
HP: 24/24
AC: 13 (Charge)
CMD: 16
Saves: 5/4/2
Speed: 50ft (35ft w/ Lindynt)
Status:
Conditions:
Lance(Two Handed) Mounted Charge:
"To hell with throwing sticks!" Lindynt takes up his lance in both hands and pushes Sylvie forward at the monster ahead of them.
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Round 3
Bisaiden Summons another creature from the otherworld to attack Adrem but it is cut down the moment I reached him.
Adremlaughs and with a single strike sends the dog back from were it came howling in pain attempting to do the same to Reinholdt but hitting only his armored chest cutting it like it was made of paper but with no damage to him.
Zerig Takes out his dagger and throws it with deadly accuracy were Adrem's heart should be but the dagger only clanks on the back like it would have hit a wall, but with a closer look Adrem hardened his body in the last second to avoid Zerig's attack
Jager get's close enough to stab Adrem in the chest but to no effect.
Deylon tries to position himself in a better spot to aid his companions in the fight.
Alaire We mustn't fail! Life is too precious to lose another to this vile demon! as Alaire concentrate and a burst of energy that invigorates his companions and urges them to fight on the wicked creature before them.
Vance C'mon! as his magical bullet get's stuck in Adrem's thick shoulder making him flinch in pain for a moment but to no lasting effect.
Akela attempts to trip Adrem while he is bothered by the eagle almost getting him to fall
Lindynt To hell with throwing sticks! As he spurs his mount into a full head-on charge against Adrem taking him completely by surprise piercing one leg completely tearing a chunk, turning Adrem's laughing and mocking grin into a more serious fearful gaze towards Lindynt capturing his full attention.
Reinholdt Now take some searing pain as Reinholdt hits Adrem's leg burning him with his sword for a second, Adrem gives him a side gaze as if starting to look at him as a pest more then a threat.
Round 4 begins
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Round 3
Bisaiden Summons another creature from the otherworld to attack Adrem but it is cut down the moment I reached him.
Adremlaughs and with a single strike sends the dog back from were it came howling in pain attempting to do the same to Reinholdt but hitting only his armored chest cutting it like it was made of paper but with no damage to him.
Zerig Takes out his dagger and throws it with deadly accuracy were Adrem's heart should be but the dagger only clanks on the back like it would have hit a wall, but with a closer look Adrem hardened his body in the last second to avoid Zerig's attack
Jager get's close enough to stab Adrem in the chest but to no effect.
Deylon tries to position himself in a better spot to aid his companions in the fight.
Alaire We mustn't fail! Life is too precious to lose another to this vile demon! as Alaire concentrate and a burst of energy that invigorates his companions and urges them to fight on the wicked creature before them.
Vance C'mon! as his magical bullet get's stuck in Adrem's thick shoulder making him flinch in pain for a moment but to no lasting effect.
Akela attempts to trip Adrem while he is bothered by the eagle, getting him to fall down on his knees.
Lindynt To hell with throwing sticks! As he spurs his mount into a full head-on charge against Adrem taking him completely by surprise piercing one leg completely tearing a chunk, turning Adrem's laughing and mocking grin into a more serious fearful gaze towards Lindynt capturing his full attention.
Reinholdt Now take some searing pain as Reinholdt hits Adrem's leg burning him with his sword for a second, Adrem gives him a side gaze as if starting to look at him as a pest more then a threat.
Round 4 begins
Don't Let up! Keep up the pressure!
Attack vs Flat Footed:
Damage:
Alaire shifts again as he pulls his shield back onto his arm, strapping it into place. Finding himself next to Lindynt, he reaches out while chanting a prayer sending a small surge of power coursing through him, "See that justice falls upon this monster!".
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After attempting to hit Adrem but only hitting his solid hide Lady of the sun & light vanish this darkness utters a prayer, but darkness remains as you just hear a gurgling noise were Reinholdt was once right after he finished his prayer to Faia.
Deylon hits Adrem to no effect what so ever.
This is just great with a somber remark as he stabs Adrem skewering his innards with his pole-arm taking pieces of flesh out as he yank it back but failing miserably on his second attempt.
Zerig attempts again to punish the creature striking a vital from far away but misses the shot nearly hitting Jager in the face.
The eagle vanishes with a shimmer of light.
Akela steps back and howls, magic echos in his voice.
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Round 4
Bisaiden attempts again to put pressure on Adrem by using his beasts.
Adrem Darkness blind my enemies as magical darkness begins to engulf him and all around him.
Zerig keeps trying to hit a critical point failing to do so and cursing under his breath.
Jager This is just great with a somber tone as he strikes Adrem hard and true in the abdomen.
The eagle hit Adrem but a mere scratch only just to be vanished with a shimmering light moments later.
Alaire See that justice falls upon this monster! engulfing with Lindynt with divine power to punish his foes.
Akela Don't Let up! Keep up the pressure! suddenly howls at Adrem like a wild beast, marking him as prey, but Adrem feels no fear for Akela's predatory howl as he snarls back at him.
Vance takes aim and hits Adrem square in the chest leaving an enormous bruise.
Round 5 begins
Bisaiden will hold his action not being able to see anything.
Adrem Let the darkness take you all! as you hear the crackle of energy and then a gurgling sound of and crying pain, followed by another one. The fresh smell of blood and innards fill the air.
"Can't see a damn thing! Get clear!"
Vance retreats until he can see again.
b]Lindynt[/b]
HP: 20/20
AC: 17
CMD: 19
Saves: 5/1/1(+2 vs fear); (+1 vs Spells/SLA's)
Speed: 30ft
Status:
Abilities: Challenge [-/day]; Mounted Combat [Ride: +7]
Equipped: Lance
Conditions:
Sylvie
HP: 24/24
AC: 15
CMD: 16
Saves: 5/4/2
Speed: 50ft (35ft w/ Lindynt)
Status:
Conditions:
Lance
"Get us out of here, Sylvie!" Lindynt demands as his chocobo turns back to find the best path out of the darkness Upon reaching the light of day the knight turns back around with his lance in both hands, "You coward! Stand and fight, enough of you hiding in shadows like a pathetic roach!"
Alaire quickly reacts to the cries of pain, releasing another burst of healing energy to aid his allies before taking a quick step backward to carry him out of the globe of darkness as he draws his sword from its scabbard.
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Akela swings but there is nothing there anymore, just the laughing of Adrem.
Alaire
As you attempt to channel your holy energy to keep your friends going on you notice there isn't that many anymore you can channel but you mistakenly target someone you didn't wanted... Are the others dead?...
Adrem cries in pain moments later.
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Bisaiden moves further into the woods for cover waiting to spot Adrem.
Adrem Let the darkness take you all! as darkness begins to engulf him and those close to him. Moment's later just listening to the painful cries and sounds of body falling into the ground. Smell of blood in the air...
Zerig moves away but get's a bit lost and catches on fire on his way out of the darkness rolling on the floor to extinguish the flames.
Alaire releases a burst of energy to bolster his companion but apparently missing some of them entirely touching an unwanted creature with surprising results.
Akela moves in to strike at Adrem but hitting only the nothingness as Adrem laughs at his attempt.
Adrem You need to do better than that!
Vance Can't see a damn thing! Get clear! as he moves into a better position and safe distance from the darkness.
Lindynt Get us out of here, Sylvie! as Sylvie gets him out of the magical darkness into safety. Upon reaching the light of day and turning to face Adrem You coward! Stand and fight, enough of you hiding in shadows like a pathetic roach!
Adrem Brave words for a little man, it is your soul I crave the most now. I already have two I just need one more and more blood...
Vance shakes his head, unable to target anything through the darkness. He grits his teeth and waits.
Lindynt
HP: 20/20
AC: 17 (15 if Charge)
CMD: 19
Saves: 5/1/1(+2 vs fear); (+1 vs Spells/SLA's)
Speed: 30ft
Status: Mounted
Abilities: Challenge [-/day]; Mounted Combat [Ride: +7]
Equipped: Lance
Conditions:
Sylvie
HP: 24/24
AC: 15 (13 if Charge)
CMD: 16
Saves: 5/4/2
Speed: 50ft (35ft w/ Lindynt)
Status:
Conditions:
Lance(Two Handed) Mounted Charge:
"If you want it then disperse your craven shield of darkness and look me in my eyes. Doubtful you would for you know I will kill you where you stand." Lindynt's voice is unwavering as he scans the void, taunting the hiding foe within. His helmet stifling, possibly even condensed with all he has sweated out. He tears it from his head to get a better look at the field around him. The cold mountain air in feverish contrast to the heat pouring from his face and scalp startles his pores and seemingly forces the beads of sweat back inside.
Lance at the ready, the knight waits for the demon's next move. At a moments notice he is ready to hit the cowardice creature with everything he has. "You can try to swallow my soul you wretched worm, but not before you swallow my blade!"
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There will be another time to kill you, you retched creature laughing Centuries can pass, you and the others will wither and die, and for me it's a blink of an eye, as strong as I ever am, but I will please you by killing you in do time looking at your eyes as I devour your tasty soul.
The sudden darkness begins to dissipate, until it is gone and Adrem with it. What remains is the dead body of Deylon cut down by Adrem claws from the shoulder to the groin almost split in half and Jager whole chest could be missing from Adrem ripping his heart out. Reinholdt has a wound across his face, neck and chess barely, stable but in critical condition.
Adrem speak to you in your minds So! The hunt begins, I'm closer than you think and my brothers now of you now as he laughs maniacally YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS INSULT!! he says it as fearsome as he can, sending a shiver down your spines as Adrem goes quiet.
It is done
Akela not so much sits as collapses onto the dirt.
Rattled by the visceral sight of the mutilated warriors who only minutes before had stood and fought valiantly beside him, Lindynt wished he kept his helmet on. He couldn’t possibly hide the sorrow and fear his eyes are no doubt displaying. He waits in silence for the demon to suddenly reappear and finish the job. When he finally lets his guard down it takes solid concentration to force his muscles to loosen from their rigid hold and allow him to pull himself from the saddle and dismount.
”Your companions, Deylon and Jager, they fought bravely,” he tells Alaire earnestly. ”I am truly sorry for the loss that was suffered here today. We have seen for ourselves the beast responsible for this unwonted destruction but we have yet to find the puppet masters who set it in motion. Together we will see that they answer for these atrocities.” He stops himself from speaking as if apologetically and turns back towards his chocobo. ”I have a shovel if you wish to bury the remains.”
Vance looks around for his brother and sighs at the loss of life. Walking over to the mass of blood he inspects the area where the ritual took place trying to figure out how it was done, and by whom.
Alaire approaches the fallen, holding little hope considering the wounds but checks them all the same for signs of life. When none is found he gently closes their eyes and covers the bodies before responding to Lindynt, "I met them only this day, but I agree with your words. Many have fallen and we'll put them all to rest. For now I shall simply offer them prayers and guidance into the next life, though they deserve so much more. If any require, I have one healing spell and several channeling of divine energies remaining outside more mundane healing."
As Alaire stands again, he moves amongst the dead and injured with a stoic, though gentle look on his face. The quiet prayers for the departed are barely audible as he goes about his task.
Bisaiden wanders over to Vance looking a bit shell-shocked. The two brothers discuss the symbols and patterns written into the ground, Vance taking a few notes in a book, much to his brother's consternation. Then they begin to dismantle the summoning circle, taking care to obscure and break the markings in the proper sequence before kicking as much dirt as possible over the whole thing.
A hushed argument begins that culminates with Vance saying loudly "What did you think this was going to be like? They killed our entire family. I don't know what your plan was, but mine is to do my damndest to send them where he came from." Jabbing a finger to the destroyed ritual circle he stares at his brother.
"Maybe you're right. You don't need to go through this, and if the beasts are summoning creatures of the Dark Zodiac, then people have to be warned. Go. Head to the Auroral's manor first."
Bisaiden nods with tears in his eyes and a sick look on his face and walks away, pausing only to say goodbye to Lindynt before shuffling away back down the road.
Vance only shakes his head and turns back to the circle, thinking, and trying not to think.
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Zerig joins Bisaiden on his journey to the Auroral's manor with a very heavy heart, his memories of old coming back to haunt him and mentally scarred. Zerig travels with Bisaiden to protect him so he would not travel the roads alone.
Zerig thanks Alaire for all and everything but he feels that this is to much to bear also at the moment and needs to collect his taught as well as securing Bisaiden's journey home.
Once Alaire finds someone still possessing a tiny spark of life he quickly murmurs a Stabilize spell before channeling one of his last spells of the day into a Cure Light Wounds, sending the healing energies coursing through their body. He continues applying bandages and healing to save them as best he can.
After some of Alaire work and efforts Reinholdt comes back to the living almost dying.
What happened! as he looks startle by seeing you looking everywhere around as if he wouldn't recognize were he is I... did we... as he looks at Alaire making the obvious question with out saying it. A tear running down his scarred face.
"The fiend has fled. Rest now. Regain your strength." Alaire rechecks the bandages before wiping the blood from his hands. After ensuring his life was no longer in peril, he continues his work on the others, preparing them for burial or tending to their wounds, in stoic silence outside the occasional murmured prayer for the departed.
He eventually takes time to see Zerig off, giving his old friend a deep hand shake and thanking him for the many memories and years spent together. Alaire knew he would miss his companionship, but also that he was needed here to mend what was broken and aiding so it might never happen again.
"You'll pardon my bluntness, but you are far from alright and in fact were just about to visit Adest personally.", Alaire sighs, leaning down and bracing the man as he helps him to his feet, letting Reinholdt lean on him till he recovers his strength. "Now then, what is this about the keep and your father? Is it close?"
Lindynt gives Bisaiden a firm handshake and wishes him luck in his endeavors. He wishes the same to Zerig and promises to keep Alaire protected as they delve deeper into to the cause of today's events. He escorts the two to the outside of town and gives a second set of individual goodbyes before returning to talk to Vance.
"Your brother has a gift with words and when paired with his intellect makes him a great ally in politics. He will be doing us a better service petitioning the noble houses than he would reliving the troubles of his recent past. He made the right choice in leaving, he'll be far safer back home."
He watches as Alaire pulls the broken man to his feet with a bit of disbelief, until now he had thought the man dead and due to his interactions with the rest of the survivors had not heard a single word uttered from the wounded man's mouth. "What happened?" he asks Alaire. "Has he said anything about what happened here?"
I'm a servant of Faia, but I have spent all my divine strength already says it with pride when finally realizing he is talking to a worshiper of Adest My father's keep is a day ride north of here there should be trail that leads from north of this town... I must go warn them, because I... I have lost my ring to give you as evidence of you going on my behalf as he dozes of for a moment but remains conscious.
Vance only nods, swallowing back his emotions even further as he listens to Lindynt. Looking out at the road back home, a road to support and safety and a chance to rebuild and move on from tragity, and then down to the pool of bloody earth in the center of the charred waste this place had become, Vance made a choice.
Finding a pool of unabsorbed blood, he knelt and collected what he could in a spent powder horn, sealing it tightly and swallowing back the last remnants of fear and doubt. After burning the image of this place into his mind he finally rejoined his new companions, standing behind Lindynt and listening.
As the night finally set's in and you are on your way to the Red Keep. Reinholdt makes the journey a bit slower since he refused to stay behind threatening to drag himself in the blood and muck all the way back and if caught by the enemy would give away your position.
I'm sorry for my prior behavior very serious I will not be a burden in the morning when my fire burns strong again and the sun gives me strength pausing for a moment as he rubs his finger were you can see a ring mark, were his family ring rested.
"Don't trouble yourself with doubt and worry, rest and restore your health. We should fortify a camp for the night and resume travel at daybreak." The knight pauses and looks to Akela, "Is there anything you can tell us about these woods before we make ourselves at home?"
Those that look to Alaire find him looking exhausted while trying to pay attention to the conversation at hand. While he does indeed appear to be listening, he does so silently and without comment evidently having trouble keeping his eyes open. It seems the many hours of time he spent praying and laying the dead to rest nearly completely drained him.
With the beast-men gone and the Demon banished, the forest should be peaceful. But with so much damage done, it is hard to say what has become of this place.
"Let us pray the beastmen are truely gone and not lurking about in the shadows of the trees. If you find this an agreeable location, Akela, then I ask you to please build us a fire. You seem like a man who knows his way around the uncivilized. Sylvie and I can take keep watch while the rest of you sleep but we'll need volunteers to relieve us for a second shift. Priest, please eat and take your rest. You have served your brothers well today and your strength will be needed for tomorrow."