Sprig's relief at having made it through without any troubles is gone when the statue begins to move. She nods at Terrel's instructions and draws her bastard sword and shield. She wishes she'd had the foresight to bring a maul instead of another blade or her quarter staff, but it was too late to do anything about that. Hearing Rena's request, she circles around to the right of the statue and makes sure to leave a gap for the mage's spell.
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Valestar would channel energy for his wounded allies before the fight.
The animated statue moves towards the closest target, which is warren, who gets a swift strike in with his twin blade, striking just around the shield at the center mass of the statue. However the sharp edge seems to not cut cleanly against the stone skin of the creature. The statue retaliates with a quick thrust of its blade after using its shield to throw Warren's weapon up high. Its movements, while not quick, are surprisingly precise.
Catherine picks a vial from her belt and uncorks it, keeping the chemical liquid in her mouth.
Ardan formed a spear made out ethereal mist of dark blue and raised his arm to throw it at the statue, stopping when he realized that he didn't have a clear shot. Not feeling confident enough to throw it into melee just yet, he hesitated while searching for an opening.
"Rena! Do the thing!" Terrel waits for Rena to cast her spell, and then goes around the side, hoping to set someone up for a flank.
Sprig delays and watches the others. When Terrel moves in on one side, she goes to the other in an attempt to divide the thing's attention.
Rena closes in and unleashes a blast of flame
Meanwhile Rhiannon flies, moving into a flanking position, lashing out with its stinger.
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Warren lands a solid blow against the statue, however, once again it seems the blow is weakened due to the statues marble skin. However his second strike is blocked by the statue's shield.
Rena then unleashes flames on the animated statue who is unable to move quick enough to avoid the brunt of the magic which leaves its once polished marble surface scorched and blackened in areas. As the flames disperse Terrel and Sprig rush in, like specters moving through the flames. Terrel seems to be about to pierce the back of the Statue until, at the last possible second it steps to the side just avoiding the attack. This however opens it up entirely to Sprigs strike, which lands with a resounding thwack. During the swirl of blades, Rhiannon swoops in striking the statue, but seems unable to pierce the marble skin. You all see a bolt of icy black fly through the group as Ardan attempts to hit the statue but misses.
The statue takes a more defensive stance before striking out with both blade and shield. Scoring another solid hit against Warren while attempting to catch Sprig unaware with its shield. However she easily ducks under the slow bash attempt.
Valestar, upon seeing Warren wounded moves up and applies healing magic to his wounds.
Catherine prepares a spell, which seems quite the mouthful.
statue: -18
Warren: -13 (disabled, but not unconscious)
Party is up.
Haha! Yes, good work! Show the enemy your unwavering hearts, no foe is too great for those that work as one. Now see this through! Sir Alaryn can be heard over the combat, if anyone spares a quick glance, you would see him wince slightly as Warren is stabbed, this time the attack having pierced his armor and drawing a steady flow of blood. You see him turn to regard the arch mage.
I though I told you to have the statues use non lethal force, Nathan.
You see Nathan shrug, without looking up from his book
Better to prepare them for what it will actually be like, is it not Sir? Besides, Aria is here, no need to fret. Think of it as, their first true field experience. Heheheh.
Ardan took a deep breath and held out a hand, forming a bow. With another he made an arrow. It wasn’t strictly needed, but he felt that the the familiar motion made aiming much easier. The ethereal arrow flew straight and true, striking the statue. It didn’t pierce like a normal arrow would have, for it wasn’t physical enough. Still, it did freeze what it touched, which could be just as deadly.
Warren sees his weapon isn't doing much so he puts everything he has into his attack and then collapses.
Catherine spits the alchemical liquid at the statue, and it seemingly turns into a glue-like goo.
Terrel 5ft steps to be standing over Warren after he finishes his most likely ineffective attack.
"If anyone can distract it, I'll get him patched up and back in the fight"
I hope...
Rena lightly taps Rhiannon, increasing her friends phyiscla prowess as the wasp swoops in further for another attack.
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Ardan's blast lands true, slamming the creature square in the chest and seeming to weaken the materials composition.
The statue manages to keep from being rooted to the floor by Catherine though the sticky spittle still hinders its movements as it drys and tightens up around it. This opens the statue up for a devastating blow by Warren, who, fed up with his blade bouncing off the statue slams it tip first into the creatures chest. Hitting the spot weakened by Ardan. The blade pierces all the way through, protruding out of the statues back. Warren almost embraces it as collapses against the statue as it too ceases to move.
Valestar channels healing magic into Warren as he falls.
Suddenly, the statue begins to shake violently as electricity arcs around it. Then explodes in a debris of electricity and rock.
Alaryn claps from his raised platform.
Hahaha! A marvelous display! Exemplary teamwork, and an excellent demonstration of combat prowess. Congratulations Cadets! You have passed your final test with flying colors! You are, as of today, Knights of the Order. While the ceremony won't happen for several days hence, you are now Knights! Come, come. Aria will tend to any injuries you have if you have need of treatment.
A rope ladder is lowered down to the lower floor for you all.
Yes, please, gather round little ones. Let Dawn's light tend and bind your injuries... Even if you are not injured, let yourself bask in its warmth for but a moment. She offers everyone with a smile. Any who accept feel a wave of warmth wash over them. Akin to basking the midday sun while laying on soft grass. Any injuries, even small nicks and cuts fade away like the night sky at dawn.
Rena staggers as the explosion hits. She is pleased to see her familiar escape unscathed but is a little disgruntled at the combat challenge. Still - she presumed that the final test wouldn't really be an easy one and was gratified that she and Rhiannon had fully graduated as Knights.
She closes her eyes and feels the healing flow taking a moment to rest and catch her breath.
In any case, Terrel gladly takes the healing from Aria.
Ardan avoided the blast, in large part because of how he wasn’t close enough to it. But when the dust cleared and he heard the news, the centaur beamed a smile. For he was no longer just Ardan, he was now Sir Ardan! And such glorious news certainly deserved a grin.
Ardan! I mean... Sir Ardan! We did it! The young man goes in for the handclasp into pat on the back with his centaur friend. "Drinks on me tonight? Nothing too hearty for me, but we certainly deserve something!
'Couldn't have done it without all of you though!
Warren manages to take some of the blast in his confused state after being put down. He blinks his eyes and looks up to Terrel, "Thank you for that. I think I would be down again. Give me a hand up would you?" Warren then moves close to receive the healing.
Catherine ducks away, thankfully she wasn't too close to start with, with the explosive statue still reaching a good distance.
The warmth of the healing is welcome, after the damp cool tunnels.
She walks towards the scholarly professor, makes a polite nod.
"Excuse me professor, a moment of your time please.
Within the tunnels, perhaps you know of them or not, we have found a large concentration of mana crystals. Would you know of a way to safely removing a small part of such crystals?
I am interested in studying it."
”Sir Ardan? Ha! I like the sound of that, Sir Terrel.” He replied with a grin. ”Alright, first round is on you. We can go to that bar. What’s it called? The one with the door big enough for me to get through.”
Terrel grins right back. "The Green Gate? Just make sure that you don't drink yourself under a table, they've got such large drinks and I don't think I'd be able to carry you back on my own. Do you want to invite everyone to come with us?
Nathan glances up to Catherine with an expression of mild annoyance.
Yes, we know of it. After all, I help keep an eye on all of your little groups as you proceed. Who do you think had the idea of that little room you encountered with the scorpions? It seemed so real, did it not. He has a small smirk on his face.
If we wanted to gather them, we would have. I can't tell you how many times the greedy and unscrupulous have nearly killed themselves trying to gather some... He gives you a glance over with a mildly unimpressed face, though there is a small glimmer in his eye.
I'm not sure how much you know about the crystals, but large ones such as those are rather delicate. The amount of magical energy held within them makes them unstable, even if the blue ones are known as the most stable variety. With good reason though, as they often leave little lasting physical damage, unlike other varieties.
He pulls out a glowing blood red shard, that fits neatly in the palm of his hand, from a small ornate lock box.
Like these for instance. Powerful, dangerous, and unstable. While the blue crystals, if driven to... rupture... merely release magical energy, causing little physical damage to their surroundings, these cause powerful explosions. Observe. He tosses the shard at the back wall which lets out an explosion and red smoke. Once the smoke clears, a 5ft area of the wall is missing.
Interesting? Is it not? Either way, I commend inquisitive minds, especially those that seek their own answers. You could have asked me about them, instead you seek to study them yourself. You may have potential yet... What exactly are you hoping to uncover about these crystals?
Alaryn regards the rest of you.
I admit, while I do not wish to play favorites, as a father I had hoped my son would be the first to make it through the tunnels. Though the abilities you have shown today give me great hope for our future. I apologize for the misinformation as well. As you can tell, the tunnels are not, infact, a days time of travel. It was a necessary falsehood, a test of its own. Speed is a powerful tool, as the longer our enemies have to prepare, the harder the battle with them will be.
He gestures down to the remaining statues. Some of them are larger than the one you battled, others seem to be shaped in the form of creatures.
The longer you take to complete the tunnels, the stronger a foe you must face in the end. However, your tribulations for the day are over, and you may choose to return to the grounds, or remain here, and observe your fellow classmates in their trials. The choice is yours.
He motions to a door at the far side of the wall, hidden from the arena floor due to the raised flooring they stood upon.
Though you surely feel you have walked miles, and you did, in a way. We are not far from the city.
He lets out a loud laugh before regarding you with a smile.
Warren nods to Sir Alaryn, "Thank you sir. I will remain here incase there is anything you need me to do. We promised your son to keep an eye out for Dart. He turned the wrong way early on and it appears we took all of the correct ways as we go here so quickly. If somehow he needs me, I will wait until he shows up at the very least."
Ardan was about to turn to leave for a night’s drinking, but paused at Warren’s words. With a sigh he turned to Terrel and said ”It seems churlish to make our first acts as knights to be leaving for drink and cheer while Warren here keeps a lonely vigil. Shall we stay with him, and celebrate after?”
Terrel nods, taking a seat on the ground and pulling out one of his notebooks. He sits engrossed, murmuring to himself, and moving his hands around, seemingly completely engrossed in whatever he is reading.
Catherine saw the hint of annoyance on the archmage's face. It was nothing new, working for a company back in Nasar also meant bothering some people at times, for the sake of progress.
She was surprised by the sight of the red crystal, but it wasn't the first time hearing of one, albeit a good while ago.
"I would be interested to see if the crystals could be used as a continuous source of channeled magic energies.
I have heard crystals have been used as small catalysts or foci, but if the crystal could improve the flow of magic through current day applications, such as lanterns, or golems, or energy rifles... such longetivity could be improved, could it not?"
She remains polite and open minded towards the archmage, keeping a proper distance between them, even though her technical brain meanwhile thinks up a few other ideas.
An electricity generating rifle would be cool.
"I was born and raised in Nasar, and innovation is a fun challenge, both for self and for the improvement of society. I believe improvement for society would benefit the order as well."
You see a glimmer of interest in his eyes.
I will save you some time dear, the only crystals that contain the magical energy to do what you seek are the red ones. The others, while varied in the amount they contain, contain either too little energy, in the case of the blue crystals unless you work with large and unwieldy ones, or are unable to release the amount of energy necessary, as the case is with the purple. Though the purple ones make great wall lights. If you can find them. Which leaves only red crystals. Which, while unstable, contain immense amounts of magical energy for their size. If you wish to study them you must do so carefully... as even the slightest hairline fracture, or a mildly large bump can set them off...
He glances you over again.
Though, if you wish to study, here. He hands you a thin blue crystal shard. Though it does not glow.
Its magical energy should replenish within a day or two. I hope you make good use of it.
Alaryn gives Warren a smile and a chuckle.
Indeed, perhaps if you had wished to aid him, perhaps you should have followed him? How would you reach him from here should he become endangered? I commend your focus and dogged pursuit of your goal, however we must always remember we exist to protect the people. While I will not say you chose wrong, as it is something not so easily concluded. I offer you this advice, do not ignore the plight of others, even those who bring it on themselves if possible. As often times, we can find friends and allies where we least expect them. If you wish to know, take a look.
He gestures towards a crystal orb resting atop a golden colored pillow sitting in the middle of a table. Within it, you can see Dartaniel laying down, seemingly unconscious in a room filled with a brown looking fungus. Nearby Daniel, Yuki, and one other you recognize as Varian, A human recruit whom you know was talented with evocation magic struggle to reach him. You see Varian hold out his hand and scores of tiny shards of ice erupt from it, coating the mold in a small area and immediately seeming to eliminate the mold. Another blast and they manage to reach Dartaniel, pull him out and retreat the way they came through the tunnel.
Catherne's eyes equally glimmer with excitement, at the sudden gift from the archmage.
She steps forward to accept the crystal, giving a polite nod.
"Thank you. It shall be put to good use, for sure."
Warren nods to Sir Alaryn, "Our promise was to look out for him if we came upon him, not to follow him around like a nanny. He would not have appreciated that if he found out. I am glad he was rescued though. I was and am prepared to go back in and find him if need be, I think he is too proud to use the bell."
Catherine pockets the mana stone and looks at the others as Warren responds about Rose junior.
"I would not mind peeking in on our classmates' progress. I think both Sprig and i have specific people in mind."