Pleasure Kingdoms: Second Attempt

[amon_darknight]

Shard

Re-Introduction

He looked around and saw that he was getting a little shaggy, he has been in this town for a while now. He didn’t know why he was still here, but the whole time he was, thoughts of the three women came to his mind, the first was that cute blonde elf woman, she was a real looker, he didn’t know to much about her. Than there was Lavistine, she was a very enchanting woman; with just a glance she could have a man eating out of the palm of her hand in seconds and than there was the forbidden fruit out of the three, the lovely enchanting magician woman, he didn’t know to much about her either, but she did look attractive.

“Stop that Shard, stop thinking about them like that. Focus.”

He goes back to hammering the metal plating for the armor and soon he was done with that part, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and he grabbed his Katana and waved to the shopkeeper and walked out towards the inn. It has been a long time since he has seen those girls and wondered what they were up to.

He got back to his room and laid down on his bed and let out a sigh, but he could not sleep, so he got up and walked to his balcony and looked at the town from above. The town was something else, not to big, but not to small, people were happy here with there lives and did there best to be happy and that is what made Shard smile. He than saw Shizura run from the building in a hurry, he could barely tell it was her, but he saw the purple cloak and knew it was her, than he saw the blonde haired elf walking by and shook his head, what was going on here. He than felt the urge to go after her and help her along her journeys, he felt bad for just ditching the group, but some of them didn’t look very accepting, so he thought it was best that he stayed out of there ways, he grabbed his sword and he ran downstairs and after Shizura, he hoped he could catch her, he didn’t want to use any of his powers, didn’t want to startle the town.

 

[Jacobo_Curious]

Shizura narrowed her eyes, trying to focus, but she kept feeling herself mist over even as she tried to run, knowing she had to reach her group soon. Normally, there would be pride in her new-found teammates for going after a troll attack without her help, but the things that Dyne had said about Wain only made her feel confused.

Wain...

Trying with all her discipline to keep her emotions under control, she ran.

<<--->>

Darkness hung like a funeral shroud.

"Sergeant Yaneks, what is the status of the operation?" The voice was clear and strong, deep and masculine, perfectly confident. Disturbingly so.

The voice that responsed was high-pitched and whiny, a complete contrast. "S-Sir, our, uh, a-advance units have broken up into small groups and are harrying the village as we speak. They are following your commands to the letter."

"Excellent. So the spell does work."

"Perfectly, sir! Y-You're amazing as always!"

"Flattery will get you nowhere, Sergeant."

"W-What?"

A sigh. "Has there been any resistence?"

There was an uncomfortable, awkward pause.

"Yes, sir," the sergeant finally responded. "One of our main assault teams was decimated by a group of organized adventurers."

"I see. And the others?"

"Nothing. But, sir... the adventurers seem to be quite talented... they even have... er, well, that is..."

"Never mind. No matter what the case, they will be perfect for my experimentations. Send out the message. Have the assault teams leave all ambush positions, send half to attack the party, and send half to position near the town behind them. Don't let the adventurers find out the town is in danger, no matter what the case. I will eat the soul of whoever fails me!"

"Y-Yes, sir!"

"Lead the party to me. I want to test the fruits of my research. We shall see how the Void affects the human soul..."

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The party had been creeping along for perhaps twenty minutes when the half-elf's keen eyes spotted something unusual. He held up his hand so that those following would halt. In an instant, Zarl appeared as if from nowhere. Taren was able to keep his surprise down enough so that he did not yelp, but his eyes did widen noticably. Damn...the monster was good.

Taren inclined his head to the west, eyes darting that way. He spoke low, is a voice that sounded almost as the wind through the trees. "Over there...it looks like someone was waiting for pursuit." There were spots where the ground had been depressed by large, heavy bodies. Nearby were a series of small, rough blinds. "This place was set for an ambush...but the ambushers are gone." Zarl and Taren padded closer, the winged swordsman bending to examine the signs closer. "Not too long ago..."

He wished he had detection magic...this was beyond unusual. Almost impossible. These monsters were acting like a military unit...and someone had recently redeployed them. How? Why? And to where? "I've got a bad feeling about this..."

He stood up and signaled for the ladies and Logan to approach. "Our enemy appears to be falling back...though they were laying in wait for some time." "I think we should all travel together now...just in case a larger ambush group is waiting for us ahead." "Unless there are any questions or objections...let's move out." "Everyone keep alert...this is seven kinds of bad." "Gods...I'm just guessing about what to do." "I'm no leader...Shizura, where are you?"

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

Dreant snorted and woke up, tumbling from his treebranch. arms flailing out and snatching a branch, he steadied himself. looking around ne noticed that thr group of people he had been following were off on the other side of the village.

scrambling up to the roof he started leaping from one to the other, spreading his arms and soaring over the passages, quick enough that the blur people saw between building cracks was passed off as an illusion.

gaining of the people he noticed some members of the group lagging behind, 'good, yes, good, the path starts not long ago, late i'm not.... wait...late for what? i don't know them.... am i late? i....'

in confusion he stumbled and came down between buildings, rocketing into an abandoned cart loaded with empty wine barrels. Dreant supressed the urge to scream out and grabbed the back of his head. it was bleeding, but only a little.

making short work on the wooden walls of the building his claws bore him to the roof before the commotion attracted to much attention. with any luck, no one would have even seen a fleeting tail.

commingto the last building he had now caught up with the group of adventurers. kicking off the lip of the house he beat hisarms and spread wide, making the horrifyingly long leap from village to forrest, these leaps contunied untill he had caught up to, and passed the group, marking his next tree as a breather. Dreant knew it was a far distance, and he needed to give it alot of power, he unfortunatly forgot that trees are hard.

Dreant opened his eyes and took a breath, even breathing hurt, but nothing seemed to be too damaged.... still he hit that tree pretty hard. Dreant moved aroundand found himself suspended only by the odd woring of his limbs through branches, he couldhave falled the distance and hit the dirt. but he hadn't.

Dreant got slowly up into a crouching position and looked around for the people. 'if i'm not with the, can i be late for any-' the branch broke, Dreant saw brown earth rushing up to him........

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He turned around, motioning the others on as he watched behind them, his sword held in front of himself. He gave the others a lokk. "I'll watch our backs you all try to make sure we don't walk into them, okay?"

He took a few steps toward the back of the group, peering out into the forest. Watch, watch, watch. So like the games of his childhood, watching for the steathy trying to sneak up on you. He wished he knew more about the surrounding terrain.

Zarl did not wish to die.

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The had been stalking through the forest for the better part of an hour when the musuclar half-elf heard an odd noise. There was a sound like thunder, but somehow muted. Unlike thunder though...it did not fade but continued to rumble. He brought up his hand, halting the movement of the others. He brushed dark green hair back from slightly elongated and pinted ears, another sign of his mixed blood. "...Does anyone else hear that?"

Logan, still in unicorn form, whickered nervously. The others paused as well, straining to hear the faint sound. Taren sheathed Overture and Finale on his back, "I think I should climb a tree and see what's going on." He smiled bravely, "Don't worry...it's probably just thunder." He didn't think he fooled any of them as he pulled himself up a large oak tree with remarkable agility for a man of his size.

It tookl several minutes to make the ascension, for the tree he had chosen was very old and it towered over the others. Perfect for taking a look. Keen leaf-green eyes swept over the canopy, then beyond. They weren't far from the edge of the forest. Nearby looked like the remains of some ancient watchtower, now just a few stone walls atop a moldering foundation. Again he heard the low rumble, and shading his eyes against the sun, he looked off to the direction it came from.

Blood drained from his face as he suddenly understood the meaning of the thunder-like noise. Shock and horror warred for possesion fo his face as his hand fell away, his eyes wide. "Oh, Gods." "They're coming."

Instead of climbing, he jumped. Branches whistled past his face as he fell, his hand reaching into his magic pouch and pulling free the whip he had used to swing from tree to tree earlier. As soon as a he saw the wide, shocked eyes of Hotaru, he lashed out with the whip, catching a branch and pulling with all his might. His feet struck the ground, jarring him painfully, before he swung back up onto a low hanging branch.

Though his voice was calm, there was a wild, hunted look in his eyes. "I found the trolls...and their friends." "That thunder is actually the sound of marching feet, the marching feet of trolls and golblins." "Dozens of them, maybe more." He licked his lips, the fingers of his free hand twitching as they sought the comforting weight of a shotel hilt. "There was some kind of wizard with them, he was me up there and cast some kind of spell." "I can feel it on me now...I think it's a detection spell." "This force is coming for us."

He let that sink in a moment, glancing back the way the column of humaniods was coming. "There's a ruined watchtower just outside the forest." "It's high ground, and somewhat defensible." "I...I'm going there to try and hold them off." "I wouldn't mind help, but if you want to flee, or try to go for reinforcements, then godspeed." He pointed in the direction of the tower, "The tower is this way, it's going to be a race to beat them there, but I think it's our best bet."

The fear was fading now, beign replaced by adreniline and his love of the fight. Slowly a grin of anticipation crossed Taren's face. "Whatever you choose now is the time." "All I have to say is that this will a battle worthy of an epic!" He pulled a katar from his poouch, sliding it onto his left hand. He looked at Hotaru, and felt more courage as he looked at teh frightened determination in her eyes. "Fly fast, however you choose!" "I go to war!" With that, he lashed the whip out again, swinging off into the woods. Leaping, swinging, he practically flew through the woods in a mad ruch to beat the enemy to the fallen tower. Gynan might not approve of his strategy, but he owed it to the people of the nearby villages, and to his newly gained companions, to meet this threat head on.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan

He heard the noise and didn't like it one bit. It may be off in the distance, but if so it had to be something big. He watched as Taren scaled the tree, then as he rushed back down and gave the report.

He looked to Taren as he mentioned holding off the oncoming horde. "I shall stand at your side, you won't be able to do it alone."

Then he turned his head and looked to Eeve, still perched upon his back. "I think we could use a little dragon magic, if you wouldn't mind helping out."

 

[Sky Jade]

Evee shivered a little with fear as she heard the news about the approaching horde. She had some experience in fighting, but never against an enemy so big. She gulped softly and nodded gently to Logan.

"I'll do what I can, but I haven't fought in anything so big."

She slid off of Logan's back to stand on the ground. She moved a few feet from Taren and Logan to give herself some room to change. She held her arms out as she gripped her staff in her right hand, holding it above her head. Her lips moved softly as she spoke softly, a white glow soon enveloping her for a few seconds. It was soon gone, her golden dragon form now. She roared softly and then spread her wings to strecth them out before looking to Logan and Taren with golden eyes.

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan watched as Eeve stepped away from him and began to change. Her changing was much more impressive than when he chaged into and out of his form.

"We'll do fine, not many creatures would stand against a Unicorn that is allied with a Dragon,and they should think twoce with Taren and Zarl at our side."

He wasn't sure who all was staying to fight or who would go seek shelter. He was set to stay and hold off the approaching horde.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He turned towards the sound, and glanced at the others. He held his sword up in front of him, at stared at it a moment. He closed his eyes, and nodded. "Omnihusiro, macrai tageldashi."

He turned back, eyes narrowing. He looked at Eeve, now in her dragon form, and then at the others. "I suggest you all move for that tower. Even a dragon can be overrun and killed in open ground."

He glanced toward where the sound came from, and tightened his grip on his sword, taking a deep breath. "I'll see if I can,...distract them for a bit, give you all time to move on..."

He was insane. That had to be it. He'd gone insane. By the Destroyer, what was he thinking!? Risking his life for these people! And for what? A little acceptance, maybe some sex? He took another deep breath, and looked out between the trees, imagining the resistance as his blade cut through flesh, the sight and smell of fresh blood, the thrill of the kill. And he smiled.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine was silent for most the time, watching and listening. There wasn't much for her to say anyway. Leaned forward on the horse, whispering a few words in his ear just before sliding off his back. Once she was on ground, he took off for the woods,

"I don't run from any fight. Even if it is out in the open."

She lowered her head and raised her hands to the air, circling them as if she was imitating a sheild. When she raised her head her eyes had flames deep in them, she was chanting in some unknown tongue,

"Sheild of flames"

And soon everyone within the party around her had a flames around them that only they were able to see, lowering her hands and pulling out her daggers, she stood behind Zarl,

"The flames should last for sometime. Depending how hard these things hit. They will not protect you from getting hit, but the flames do have a massive lick to them and will burn whatever touches you."

Her eyes still held the flame in them as she kept the spell up, ready to attack the first thing that came into view.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He turned, and stared at Lavastine. He glanced at the flames and tilted his head to listen to the sounds of the coming troops. They were getting closer. If they wasted much more time here, they might not be able to make it to the watchtower.

"Lavastine, I'm not saying we should run. I'm saying we should choose our battles wisely. 'He who fights on his opponents terms do not live long to fight.' Fighting in open ground is a disadvantage to us because they can circle around and attack from all sides. Trolls and goblins don't normally unite amongst themselves, much less each other. That means that if their is a wizard, or witch, he's probably got them under his control. Now, ask yourself, will a wizard who wants to kill us be worried? Especially if he has dozens of them?"

He looked over the group, and cast a wary eye towards the oncoming. "Were I him, or her, you know what I would do? Surround us, attack from all sides, and have the forward troops burn. Why? The stench. Goblins and trolls are wild monsters, liitle intelligence, and no manners. They smell enough alive, but the stench of their roasting flesh is enough to make you gag. So there we are, all grouped together, the trolls and goblins moving in, forcing us to try and bloock all sides, weaing us thin, while their burning flesh causes us to gag. It's too easilly turned against us."

"Go with the others. A defensible location means there are less avenues of attack, it won't stretch us as thin. But if everyone doesn't start to move, we'll be bogged down in the corpses of our enemies. It only takes one lucky blow to kill one of us, do you think whatever has bound trolls together cares if it takes half a dozen or more to get it?"

He turned, looking at Lavastine, the flames dancing in her eyes. "Today is not a good day to die. Especially not if salvation is just a short run away. If we knew enough of the terrain, maybe short bites at their sides could work, but it's too easy to be split up or lost in unknown lands. I say we make for the tower."

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan turned his amber gaze upon Zarl, "You have a good point, but if one goes we all go, if one stays we all stay. So if we are to choose a better location to meet this battle we do it together."

He wasn't going to turn and leave anyone behind without help, he knew Zarl would stand and fight to let theothers get to safety, but so would Taren. He would fight by thier side as long as he could, but Zarl was right and Logan knew it.

"Taren, we must all move on for a better location to meet this horde, it definetly sounds like too much for this small group of ours to fight out in the open. But we should all go and not a few stay behind and fight."

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The aglie half-elf twisted the whip free at the apex of a mighty swing, then lashed out again to continue sailing through the greenery. "I hear you, Logan, which is why I'm going for that tower." "You had all better hurry if we're to set up much of a defense." It was odd, this talking mind-to-mind. He still felt the connection to Logan, so he continued, "I'll be there shortly, when I said close I meant it, you all should get here in less than ten minutes, if you hurry." "You, probably less as a unicorn."

Taren had already been traveling for several minutes at that point, though he felt a large shadow pass overhead. Glancing up through the canopy, he had a glimpse of the gleaming bulk of a gold dragon as it soared along, it's great wings barely moving, toward the tower as he did. "Hellfire...do they have a dragon too?" He felt his stomach droop again. Then he smiled. Then he laughed. Quiet at first, then louder, and louder still, until his laughter rang through the forest.

Oh, yes! He let the joy, the fury of the coming fight begin to take hold. This would be something to remember for an age!

Finally, he swung out into the open. At the apex of the swing, he looked out to see the band of humanoids. Closer now...especially the goblins. Quicker than the trolls, they were obviously meant to act as shock troops. Releasing the whip, he fell, rolling with the impact up into a full sprint. He raced for the tower, the ruined man-made hill standing perhaps two hundred yards from the forest's edge. Over the structure, the dragon circled. As his leaf-green eyes studied it, he remembered how Evee had introduced herself. Dragon priestess, wasn't it?

The mad laughter had subsided when he raced into the remains of the watchtower, though the smile had yet to fade. He continued to run, leaping steps and holes in them until he had come to the highest point. His eyes scanned over the small force making its way there. "A hundred...perhaps less...but as good as a thousand against such small numbers." "Still...we're no ordinary fighters."

His next words were called aloud, to Evee, to himself, to the rest of the party as they burst from the treeline. "Still not enough!" "We're no farmers to catch and butcher wihtout warning!" "Our blades are sharp and our magic strong!" He laughed again, pulling Overture and Finale free from their sling on his back. He raised them in salute to Evee as she flew overhead. "Give them a roar for us, Holy One!" "Let them know they will be met with force this time!"

 

[Khadgar]

Dreant Firebane

Dreant came to, eyes sparkling and his head swimming. groaning and comming to his feet. he remembered why he came here, but wasn't sure what had happened, he tried to run the senario through his mind, jump jump jumpo blank....

shrugging he stretched and walked out into a clearing, before he had taken three steps, he heard this low rumbling, and his paranoia cut in hard and deep.

he fled back to the forrest, slipping from treetop to treetop untill he caught sight of the party, circling around behind them and waiting.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine saw the almost pleading look in Zarls' eyes, still she remained.

"Then let us all leave this spot. I will not stand by and let you die as I run. We run together, we fight together. Perhaps even die together. But I refuse to leave you, or..."

She looked around for a moment at the others, still unsure as to why she was here with them. Perhaps they accepted her easily?

"Or I shall not leave any of them as well." "Let us go now? We all can make it, and we shall fight them on our terms."

Held Zarls gaze for a moment before something caught her attention, something, or someone had followed them, still she did not remove her gaze to see where they were.

"If you stay, it will be your death... You know I can not allow that."

To her it was as simple as that.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He narrowed his gaze, but grabbed her arm, already running as he replied. They had wasted enough time talking. As long as he got her moving, it didn't matter. Once they were there he could force her into the safety of the others.

"Do you really think I'd die for them, or even you? Lavastine, you're very pretty, and I do like you. But don't forget, our relationship is based on sex, and the ties of travelling and fighting together. But don't you ever think I'd put your life or anyone else's above mine. I did fine on my own before, I can do fine on my own again."

He looked over his shoulder, pulling her along after the others. "The reason I said I'd stay behind is because I can blend in. I did't plan on letting them get a good enough look at me to kill me." He looked back, hearing them getting closer. He heard movement in the undergrowth. Great, they must have charged already.

"But that's too late now. Hurry!"

 

[Armphid]

Taren

From atop the crumpled battlement, he watched the oncoming mini-horde quicken its' pace. "They've noticed Evee, not that I'm surprised." "The others haven't made it here yet...looks like I may be fighting alone." "So be it then."

He reached into his pouch, pulling out several loosely wrapped leather bundles, each with a thin trailing band of leather. Taren took each one, casting it into the air, then pulling on the band. The bundles opened, spraying dozens of small spikey bits of metal on the slope far below. Taren threw down all five caltrop packets, pleased at how they has dispersed. The height was perfect for seeding the approach. The caltrops would slow the first wave considerably. Not much, but it was the start of a defense.

Taren started back down the ruined staircase, wishing that his master had been wise enough to instruct him in archery. He was adept with a wide array of throwing weapons, but even with the caltrops he would only get a few good throws in before the goblins would be upon him. Then, skilled as he was, even using the little magic he knew, it would just be a matter of time before he was pulled down by the numerous foes. He sighed, wondering briefly if he would have become a legend like Gynan if he had a chance to live longer. Well, not worth thinking about now. It would all be academic soon enough...and with the dragon on his side there was a slim chance that he might make it out alive. A very slim chance...but at least she'd probably survive to tell the tale of his death. That was something, at any rate.

He came to the bottom again, pulling a long bandolier from his pouch. Moving to a vantage point from which he could see the coming force, he slung it over one shoulder, the many gleaming throwing blades on it glittering in the sun. He reached down and picked up a pebble, examining it for a moment before closing his fist around it and shutting his eyes. Clearing his mind, he reached out with his essence, feeling the pulse of the earth under him. He raised his voice in an elven chant, "Great Mother of us all, hear the plea of your son." "I have sworn myself to thee, and pledged my allegiance to your cause." "Grant this weak one a share of thy might, that I may use the strength if the avalanche, and the endurance of the mountain to fight for those that love thee." Golden earth essence played about him, a shimmering aura that seemed to sink into his being. "Strength of Stone Meditation!"

As soon as the incantation was complete, he felt it's effects. The summoned essence suffused his body, lending him the strength, endurance, and hardness of stone. He thrust Overture and Finale into the ground in front of him as the first wave of goblins came to the edge of the artificial hill that the fallen tower stood atop. From the pouch at his waist he produced a pair of steel war boomerangs, and moved so that the beasts could easily see him. "For Justice!" "For vengeance!" He let the boomerangs fly, his enhaced strength allowing each spinning blade to cut through three goblins before their flight ceased. "Death!"

As if his cry was a signal, the goblins shrilled out a war cry, and started up the hill to where the half-elven warrior took the first throwing blade form his bandolier, sighted, and threw. There was a tight lipped smile on his face. This was what he was born for.

 

[Sky Jade]

As the dragon flew over the towere where Taren and the others had taken cover, she looked out at the horde coming. She had a few decent spells to use, and a coupel of major ones which if she used she would be down for the fight except for melee combat. She gave a loud roar as Taren saluted her and then wheel out to hover above the battleground. She was wieghing her options as Taren ran out to chellenge the horde.

She roared once more and then spewed several fireballs at the horde. Several flew long, hitting and injuring a few of the trolls. Two of the fireballs went for open ground a few feet in front of the front line of goblins. Before the fireballs hit the ground they began chaning and taking the shape of large fire golems. Several of the goblins chagred the two golems, piling on them imediately. The two were down for a few seconds when the golbins were thrown clear, all of them shrieking in pain as they were burned.

The two fire golems continued onward, throwing fireballs and engaging the goblins and trolls in melee combat. The dragon knew it was time to duck for cover when the wizard ordered his goblin archers to fire upon her, narrowly missing her as she wheeled to duck into the tower for cover.

 

[katalynn]

Lavastine ran along side with Zarl as he spoke and they finally reached the tower.

"No, having you risk your life for me, and me watching you die are two different things. I wouldn't risk my life for anyone as well, even one as great as you. Though, I do not give in so easily either."

Her words were distracted by the dragons roars, pounding of the earth as everything began to move closer into battle, the goblins were becoming visible.

"I don't expect you to lay your life for me, I expect nothing for I can be on my own just as easily.... but for now, less talk and let the killing begin."

She smiled up at Zarl, the fire still pouring in her eyes, sheilds she had created were still up. Now that she was in a safer position, pulling away from Zarl and walking to where she can see the edge of the mountain where the goblins were soon pouring from. She was unable to do this before, for she couldn't see exactly where the goblins were at the time, but now she saw them. Blocking everything out around her, locking her eyes onto the what seemed like a wave of goblins.

Few more ancient words, whispering them as if she was praying to something. Raising her and pushing energy towards to the goblins,

"Blanket of flames!"

Followed after her hands reached out a wave of flames washed over the goblins, covering them for a few moments like a huge blanket laying them to sleep.

 

[The GrandMage]

Zarl of the Macrai-Itoche (Green)

He was going to die. He looked out at the chaos. Goblins and trolls were charging up towards them. That was bad. But what was worse was the flames now loose in the forest. He wasn't sure what it was from. Lavastine and Eeve were both using fire magic, a poor choice given there were in an opening in a forest, and that the ruins were grown over. He looked around, and closed his eyes.

Open grass, a forest, and flames. He wondered how many Eeve would be able to carry out if the flames spread too much. He looked around at the group, throwing magic around like it was a cure-all. "Oh, Destroyer, Dark Father of Monsters, I see now why you opposed the Creator in her creation of the Fae. Although, really, wouldn't they have worked themselves out eventually?"

He sheathed his katana. He didn't trust the others enough to lose himself it battle. It was bad enough they'd had to be careful coming through Taren's caltrop field. And they way they threw magic around without thinking about the consequential effects it would have on the environment worried him.

He stopped a moment, wondering if the Wizard's College required the Fae to go on quests for admittance, not to prove themselves, but to weed out those lacking in forethough to their use of magic? He made his way up the crumbling stairs, pondering what could be an effective way to weed out magic users not worthy of the responsibility of the powers they had at their command. He looked out, judging the attackers.

The flames in the forest added to their charge, having them seek the safety of going forward past the flames, away from their master's wrath. Zarl looked in the other direction, pondering jumping the wall and leaving the others to their death. He cursed having Lavastine's horse take his pack, and hoped the goblins hadn't found and slaughtered the beast already. He made his way carefully back down, pulling out his sword again and looking across the attackers.

He sighed, and ran forward into battle, hoping he'd live to see the next day...

 

[Armphid]

Taren

The goblins had finally made it to his position, though between the flame golems and the Evee's assault, the odds were better than he expected. The tall half-elf seemed almost to dance, feet moving quickly as he spun and slashed, the twin curved blades of the shotels weaving a protective net of steel. Overture knocked a spear aside, and he followed with a knee strike that smashed the goblin's face in, the creature gurgling horribly as it slumped down. Finale came down in a wicked arc, cleaving through upraised shield and arm to bury itself deep in another's sinewy chest.

He glanced down to the field below. If he had beent he type,he would have started to swear. Zarl and Lavastine had arrived, but instead of coming up behind the ruin where it was clear, they wer advancing through the caltrop field. It was also then that he noticed the spreading flames. "Holy one!" He bellowed, hoping she heard him as she darted through the air. "We need some fire brakes now!" "No point in fighting if we have to try and outrun an inferno when we win!" "Please, listen to me!" He pressed forward, each blade whipping out in light strikes to a half dozen tiny goblinoid faces and shoulders, driving them back. A quick roundhouse kick sent the smaller forms tumbling back down the slope, making the second wave flounder as thier own force rained down on them.

Stepping to the side, he glanced at a long pillar, perhaps as thick around as a man's waist. "Stone Ken," he murmurred. His eyes blazed with golden essence, and he saw the minute stress points in the worn pillar. He brought his right leg up, then slammed a powerful kick into just the right spot. The pillar shook, then began to topple over. It fell with a dull crash, suchioned byt he line of goblins that had been charging Zarl and Lavastine before being crushed. As he had hoped, it made a complete, if thin, bridge over the caltrop field.

"Zarl, Lavastine!" Taren called, waving the shotels to get thier attention. "Run up the pillar to this position!" "It's defensible, if we fight from here, we can win!" "Once you're up, I'll kick it away!" "Hurry!"

 

[NyghtRayne]

Logan ran just ahead of Zarl and Levastine, he came to a quick stop at the edge of the field that led to Taren's position. He had caught a glint of light off of something on the ground, and upon stopping noticed the caltrops, he wouldn't be able to cross the field without possibly stepping on them and injuring his hooves.

He looked across the field to where Taren was, "Taren I am going to have to go around the field to a different point to get to the rest of you." With htat he turned and ran along the edge of the field away from the advancing horde. He wanted to make sure Hotaru and Shizura and the others would make it there safely.

He raced on with Hotaru still on his back, he galloped as hard as he could to get around the edge of the field and then turned to run towards Taren, Eeve, Zarl and Levastine. He had seen some of Shizura's magic, he felt she would help them out..

"Hotaru hold on..." He felt her hands tighten in his mane as he ran. He had entered the field when off to his left he noticed movement in the bushes. A small detachment having seen the unicorn, broke from the trees and headed his way. He knew ehe would not be able to make it to the others before the group closed their distance.

He spun on his heels and broke to run towards them, he came to a sliding stop almost causeing Hotaru to slide fromhis back. "Hotaru, run for the others, I will see if I can hold them back a little." He felt her slide from her back, this group was small maybe 6 to 8 of the creatures, he could handle them.

(Sorry to move for Hotaru here, but had to be done)

He heard Hotaru's footsteps as she headed for the others, reluctantly. He turned reared and lowered his horn in the direction of the oncoming group, and charged. It was then he noticed the net....

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko

Slowly she faded into view, her body materializing from what appeared to be thin air. Sandaled feet once again firmly on the ground, she shuffled quickly to catch her precious balance as pain weakened knees threatened once more to collapse under her.

Blood stained her ice blue kimono, the once fine silk now tattered and ragged from the many wounds that threatened to claim her. An ornate katana, unsheathed and deadly, wavered unsteadily in her shaky hands. Almond shaped eyes scanned her surroundings quickly, narrowing with disgust as took in the sight of yet more monsters.

Another battlefield? Ancestors, have you forsaken me? Am I fated to die in dishonor?

Another quick glance told her of the odds. There were 7 of them, monsters that rarely trod her home soils. Her sensei had made certain above all else that she could identify both good and evil races that she might come across on her journeys. Sapphire blue eyes glinted dangerously between the narrowed slits, an almost feral growl escaping her lips as she considered her situation. Trolls and goblins, if the stories about them were true, and they seemed to have something entangled with a net.....

Her eyes widened in shock as her keen elven eyesight brought her a glimpse of a long narrow ivory horn amidst the mass of monster flesh. A unicorn!

A flash of anger raced through the slight elf as she saw a club rise above the prone animal, now throughly entangled in the ensnaring net.

Summoning what little remained of her ken, she loosed a defiant cry as she raised her katana above her head.

She would have ventured a smile as nearly all the monsters turned to her in unison.....if she didn't hurt so damn much. Forcing herself to slow her ragged breathing, she willed herself into a familiar meditative state, her mind searching for the mantras she had been instructed on since she was old enough to carry a blade. She would have preferred it to be twilight, but as she felt the warmth of the sun on her many wounds, she knew she would have to rely on her weaker disciplines. She only hoped they would be enough.

Over and over trembling lips struggled to whisper the words until they were as much in her mind, in her very spirit, as they were pouring from slowly dying lips. She barely noticed as she dropped to the ground, plunging her blade into the very ground itself.

Earth below me hear my call
And roil against my foes
Rise to meet them, make them fall
An end to this one's woes

Stone Shudder

Channeling energy she barely had left to spare, she sent a portion of herself careening down the blade into the surrounding soil, seeking the hardened bedrock beneath. A violent tremor shook the ground as layers of bedrock shattered beneath her discipline, fragmenting into sharp deadly needles. As her will drove the sharpened stone up through the softer soil towards the monsters that still threatened the beleagured unicorn, she ended the chant.

Desperately trying to stay aware of her surroundings and not give in to the blackness that threatened to swallow her, she never heard the screams of agony as death clamed the goblins. Even the trolls could look forward to a long, painful regeneration. Weighted down by the stone imbedded in their bodies, they no longer posed as much threat for now.

Moaning softly in agony, she slowly began dragging herself toward the unicorn. Many times she stopped to hiss in pain as she reopened a wound.....looking up, she groaned out loud as she saw a much larger group of monsters approaching the tower, some breaking off from the larger mass, presumably to finish both her and the equally helpless unicorn.

Ancestors, forgive me if I dishonor you with my death. Though.....perhaps the rescue of such a fabled creature redeems me somewhat....sigh.....it will be for you to judge.

One slender arm reached out, pale skin revealed from the many tears in the ruined kimono, as she forced herself to drag the sharp edge of the katana across the first of many strands of netting. She winced as she clumsily pinked the unicorn's flesh once or twice as strands began to part one after another under the blade's keen edge. Gritting her teeth against the pain her movements caused, she was to distracted to hear how close the monsters had gotten to their position....

 

[roleplaylifer]

Ritsuko

(OOC: Sorry for the double post, am a newb here. )