2017-05-25: A Personal Request
- Log: A Personal Request
- Cast: Jacqueline Barber, Rena Lanford, Sorey, Lunata Croze, Lily Keil, Seraph Edna, Cyre H. Lorentz
- Where: Adlehyde - Town Center
- Date: 5-25-17
- Summary: During the invasion of Adlehyde, Jacqueline forms a rescue team for those close to her. Afterwards, Lily and Cyre escort Lunata back to the Starfall Saloon, and discuss certain matters...
=========================<* Adlehyde - Town Center *>========================= The centre of Adlehyde marks the intersection between the east-west and north-south roads that carve the city into near-quarters. Large shops are packed along both roads, offering goods and services of a variety rivaled only by the merchant republics of Aquvy. The intersection between the two roads is actually a large circle nearly a quarter-mile across, allowing wagons and other traffic to move with a minimum of collisions and profanity both. The area in the centre of the circle plays host to an informal gathering of food and drink vendors and other barkers, who ply their wares to merchants and wagoneers too busy to stop and rest. As a result of the considerable merchant traffic, the Circle and the major avenues are absolutely lousy with wagons from mid-morning into the early evening. The buildings throughout the rest of Adlehyde are built of stone and tile roofs, and are generally well kept; as one moves away from the major routes toward the walls, however, poorer and seedier enclaves have developed over time. Still, even the poorest resident of Adlehyde has an easier time of it than all but the nobility of Nortune or Bledavik, though only Drifters and other travelers would be able to make the comparison. BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MQRL7xws7w
DC: Lily Keil switches forms to Lieutenant Lily!
DG: You have created a party! Your Digger status has been reset! As party leader your presence is very important! If you need to leave, please first promote another player using +party/promote <target>. Remember to set your tools before setting out with +tools/load. DG: Jacqueline Barber has created a party! To join, type +party/reset and then type +party/join Jacqueline Barber. DG: Lunata Croze has joined your party! DG: Sorey has joined your party! DG: Lily Keil has joined your party! DG: Rena Lanford has joined your party! DG: A party led by Jacqueline Barber is now entering The Battle of Adlehyde. DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
===================<* CHALLENGE - Escape from the City! *>====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The Metal Demon attack on Adelhyde has left the city in chaos. The Demons
and Adelhyde's troops are fighting everywhere, with the ebb and flow of
battle changing what parts of the city are safe and which are battlefields
by the hour. There are thousands of civilians trapped here, as well as a
number of Drifters who were visiting the city for the festival. The party
may simply have been at the wrong place, at the wrong time; they might also
have returned to the city in an effort to save those trapped within.
There are people looking to an experience group of adventures to lead them
out of this mess. At the moment the group is relatively safe - but with the
city in chaos, it is going to take good planning and a bit of luck to start
charting a safe route out of the city. A clever plan can avoid much of the
fighting, and allow the party to get closer to the city wall.
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
It was a personal mission. Jacqueline couldn't help but feel a bit selfish, calling everyone together like this. But...she had to know. She had been so busy in other locations in the city that the thought of her family had only just recently entered her mind. And it wasn't like they would just ignore anyone they came across, either.
That had been the plan, and that was how it'd worked out. They'd managed to round up a few civilians - among them, two of the people Jacqueline was looking to find. Her mother, Madeline Barber, an older woman who had been a talented Crest Sorceress back in the day, and the youngest of the three brothers, James Barber(though everyone called him Jimmy). He was short, but stout - he looked like the kind of person who could wrestle a large animal to the ground...and in fact, when they found him, he had a Metal Beast pinned.
At the moment, the group was hiding in the ruins of a building. Jacqueline's two family members were trying to keep the civilians with them calm, while the more experienced members of the group were poring over a map of the city, planning their next move.
"I think...if we go this way, we might be able to avoid most of the patrols in this section of town." Jacqueline points out a few roads.
"What do you all think?" She asks, looking up. It was possible they had noticed something she hadn't, or that she'd overlooked.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Escape from the City!.
===================<* CHALLENGE - Escape from the City! *>====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The Metal Demon attack on Adelhyde has left the city in chaos. The Demons
and Adelhyde's troops are fighting everywhere, with the ebb and flow of
battle changing what parts of the city are safe and which are battlefields
by the hour. There are thousands of civilians trapped here, as well as a
number of Drifters who were visiting the city for the festival. The party
may simply have been at the wrong place, at the wrong time; they might also
have returned to the city in an effort to save those trapped within.
There are people looking to an experience group of adventures to lead them
out of this mess. At the moment the group is relatively safe - but with the
city in chaos, it is going to take good planning and a bit of luck to start
charting a safe route out of the city. A clever plan can avoid much of the
fighting, and allow the party to get closer to the city wall.
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Rena arrived at the city gates to find the whole place erupted into chaos. And she stepped away for the day to plumb some distant ruins. What the heck did Claude do to have all of this happen!? ...Okay, maybe it's not his fault. This time. But still! Look at all this! She can't just not do anything. And she needs to find her travel companion too.
He might be getting the floor wiped with him by a green haired wielder of a cursed sword or something! Imagine that! But certainly not less importantly, there are people in front of her eyes who need help right now. And so Rena focuses on the here and now, and decides to make way into the city.
It's no good to get caught up in all the fighting. She's no soldier. She's just got to get in and avoid the clashes entirely. To that end, it was rather fortuitous that she ran across Jacqueline, who needed help. Strength in numbers and all that.
Rena peers over the map, a hand to her chin. "Mmmn... I'm not sure. Maybe? It's all so chaotic that the situation could change in an instant, but..." She manages a small smile, given the state of the city and her own urgent search. "I think it's worth a shot."
DG: Rena Lanford has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Escape from the City!.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
Sorey was more than willing to join in on any missions into the city - ever since he had arrived he had done his best to help heal and care for people, but the number of Drifters who could get into Adlehyde and then bring people out again was fairly small. And so he had gone in, again and again, looking to help.
When Jacqueline had started gathering her party, Sorey had volunteered to help out immediately. Which brought them to their current location.
Sorey sticks his head up over a wall for the moment, peering around before he takes cover again. "I think I remember there being some blockages along the way, but if we can avoid the worst of the fighting, those shouldn't be too much of a problem," he replies, pulling out his Celestial Record and searching for any information that might help. "Our main goal should be staying clear of the Demons, especially with this many people in tow."
DG: Sorey has used his Tool Sorey's Celestial Record toward his party's challenge, Escape from the City!.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
EARLIER, STARFALL SALOON
"Aww shoot, we're out!" Uncle Tom grimaces as he upturns a bottle and tosses it to the side. He plants the cloth a little firmer down on the ailing man's chest and says, "Damn, they're not gonna make it through the night at this rate..."
Lunata is kneeling right next to her uncle with a frightened look on her face. "Jacqueline's shop isn't that far away, I could try to make a run for it..."
"Lune, I love you and all, but you're grade-A crazy sometimes with your ideas!" her Uncle growls. "You're stayin' put and lettin' those that can shoot an ARM or sling a spell do the crazy work, you hear me?"
"Y-yes, uncle..."
SLIGHTLY LATER, STARFALL SALOON
Uncle Tom had gone to the back to try to ransack his entire set of wares for anything that could placate the bleeding and stave off the injuries, swearing as he does so. Lunata holds at her chest and looks down towards the wounded, trembling. She could feel their spirits... she could feel them -- coming closer, closer... towarsd that imperceptible rift between life and death.
Her eyes suddenly widen. She had to do something. She had to... she had to...
Which brings us to:
NOW, OUTSIDE
Lunata is dressed in a black cloak with her hood up, looking extremely nervous -- she'd run across Jay and acquired a few more bundles of medicine and bottles that were sorely neeed, but now she's trapped. She's not a Drifter, she can't exactly fight, but as per her character arc towards eventually becoming a protagonist, she has the next best thing to a weapon:
A shovel.
"U-um, I'll be quiet and sneak with you, Jay," she nods. She needed to hurry back to the Saloon, but she's also really worried about Jay's family -- she could only hope the Saloon could hold up. She grips the digging implement tightly in her hands, looking ready to ... uhh... whack someone over the head with it if needed.
Who said shovelry was dead?
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Escape from the City!.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
It was luck that put Lily with Jay at the right time to join this particular mission. But Jacqueline asked for her help, and the woman from Kislev wasn't about to ignore her given the circumstances. She took only enough time to check her things before moving along.
She's been all over the city by now, barely stopping to get back to the castle as she goes. Barely, but still doing it. She already had a plan if the worst happened.
So Lily, a scorched rifle slung over her back, looks down over the map. She's dressed all in black, in military light armor and stealth gear, which is actually Kislevan in make. Unlike Rena, Lily is a soldier.
Those who can sense it can also feel the aura of Malevolence in her presence, strange and sick.
She has her notebook out, flipping through to a particular section. "You're right that the situation changes by the moment, but I did take some notes on these creatures. We should be able to avoid them if..."
Lily did what she could for the wounded at the saloon when she was there before. But she couldn't stay that long. Seeing Lunata out and about in this though...
Lily actually looks impressed.
"...I think you're right, Miss Barber. It's consistent with my data as well."
DG: Lily Keil has used her Tool Kislev Field Manual toward her party's challenge, Escape from the City!.
===================<* CHALLENGE - Escape from the City! *>====================
|Type: Entry |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
The Metal Demon attack on Adelhyde has left the city in chaos. The Demons
and Adelhyde's troops are fighting everywhere, with the ebb and flow of
battle changing what parts of the city are safe and which are battlefields
by the hour. There are thousands of civilians trapped here, as well as a
number of Drifters who were visiting the city for the festival. The party
may simply have been at the wrong place, at the wrong time; they might also
have returned to the city in an effort to save those trapped within.
There are people looking to an experience group of adventures to lead them
out of this mess. At the moment the group is relatively safe - but with the
city in chaos, it is going to take good planning and a bit of luck to start
charting a safe route out of the city. A clever plan can avoid much of the
fighting, and allow the party to get closer to the city wall.
=Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has passed this challenge! The party gained 27 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Having Rena and Sorey with them was a boon. While Jacqueline's potions could help to a certain extent, having access to other methods of healing meant that their supplies could go much further. In a situation like this, where getting more would be difficult at best, that was invaluable.
They just needed to make sure they didn't overexert themselves.
Jacqueline had been afraid when they encountered Lunata on her own, however. For a moment, she had been concerned something might have happened to the people at the Saloon...and relieved to hear that she was only looking for supplies.
While she had told Lunata it had been a crazy thing to do, someone who knew Jacqueline well enough could tell that, just like Lily, she was impressed.
As it happens, there is a relevant passage in the Celestial Record for just a moment like this. Not exact, but by taking its advice, as well as the notes Lily had taken into consideration, they were able to form a few other plans of action.
After all, like Rena said - the situation was chaotic and could change at any moment.
Fortunately, it didn't change so severely that they encountered trouble, and it wasn't long before they managed to clear this section of town.
But they weren't out of the woods - or rather, the city - yet...
DG: Rena Lanford has drawn a new Challenge.
=================<* CHALLENGE - A Clever Plan Helps a Lot *>================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits |Challenge Rating: 1 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- There is a lull in the fighting, and the party finds an open house with a rooftop hatch that allows for a good view of the city in all directions. This is an excellent chance to take a look around and plan a safe route through the city. Being able to take a moment and think through the problem means the party can make good progress without running into any trouble... provided they can remain calm and follow the plan. Beware - as the battle progresses, the Demons are on the lookout for Drifters moving through the city, and escape will not be as easy. =Dungeon Conditions: Tire=====================================================
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
So far, so good.
They make their way through the proposed path, with minimal disturbance. Rena's a bit on edge, given the 'whole Metal Army tearing through the city' thing. On top of the 'I can't find my friend' thing. But even so, she's looking left and right, hoping to whatever gods are listening that she doesn't find that silly looking bomber jacket lying in rubble somewhere.
Nothing so far. That's both a blessing, and a curse.
Ugh, focus, Rena! These people need help right now. The blue haired girl sighs and slows down to peer around a corner of a ruined wall and down another street. "...It look clear. C'mon!" She states quickly, stepping out and making a run for it. The sound of metal clashing against metal, cries and rallies to fight on can be heard growing closer bit by bit.
"..... Nnnnn..." That's not good. Rena narrows her eyes and looks about. Her eyes lock onto a nearby house that's miraculously still mostly intact. Even the roof! "Over there!" She turns and runs off that way, mumbling a pardon for the intrusion before storming up the stairs to the highest floor, and then up through the rooftop hatch to carefully have a look over the city.
"Wow, it looks even worse from up here..." Rena says quietly, as to not attract the wrong attention. She climbs up and out, peering out at the fighting that seems to be drawing in their direction. "We're going to have to find a new route, but where...?"
DG: Rena Lanford has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Clever Plan Helps a Lot.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks a bit nervous, but inspired since she's with people she knows -- Miss Lily, Sorey, and of course, Jay. She didn't know the blue-haired girl with them, but hurries up after her when she calls for their new route and runs up towards the building and hiding with a paint of breath. "H-hmm..."
She mumbles, "This is Third Avenue, isn't it? This is... the Andersons' house." She looks to Jay. "I remember they had a little trapdoor cellar they used to connect their house with the store next door, so that they could move their stocks of vinegar and wine without exposing it to the sun. If it hasn't caved in...."
She looks to the rest of the group. "We should be able to get to the other side, and sneak out the back..."
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Clever Plan Helps a Lot.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
The Shepherd smiles as Lunata joins them, and inclines his head. "I'm a little concerned seeing you out here, Lunata, but I'm glad you're helping out," he offers. To Lily, he offers a polite nod - as professional as possible, as this lady looks like a soldier, and Sorey never turns down help from someone who knows what they are doing, especially in this mess. He greets her warmly, and thanks Lily for the assistance, especially as the fighting inside of the city seems to be growing worse by the hour. If they don't work hard, there won't be may people left out there...
Their progress through the city is fairly quick, and they come across an area where things look safe... but the sounds of combat are growing closer. Sorey follows Rena up onto the rooftop, pulling out a small set of binoculars and looking around for a moment. "I don't... Lily, do you remember being through this area before?" he asks. His Celestial Record has a few pieces of paper inside for notes, and he scribbles on the blank paper as he tries to find a proper route. "And Lunata, I can't remember - is this an alleyway or a dead end?"
Trying to plot a route through the chaos, that isn't going to dump them onto one of the main streets in the middle of the fighting.
It's clear that Jay has a few friends here that she wants to keep safe, and Lunata has supplies... it's up to the rest of them to make sure all the civilians make it out of here safely.
DG: Sorey has used his Tool Sorey's Celestial Record toward his party's challenge, A Clever Plan Helps a Lot.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily continues to come off as calm, unemotional, as they make their way through the city; she glances ahead at the people they're escorting now and then, but mostly keeps herself back as the rear guard of the group.
It's not to say she's not at all affected by this terrible devastation, though. She's been out in it, seen a great deal of it... And is keeping it to herself. The black-haired woman knows that the person she'd be most concerned with in the city is out there, too, doing the same thing that she is.
Soey, for his part, gets a polite nod as well when they meet. Thanking her, as far as she's concerned, is unnecessary. She says as much.
But here on the rooftop, after Lily follows Rena up too, ignoring her own fatigue. "...It's bad," she sort of agrees with Rena. A glance to Lunata, "Is that so? A passage... That..."
She opens her notebook to that page again, and flips a few further back. "...Let's see, we... Yes. I'm surprised this house is still standing like this. I've been here. So have they, so we may have an opening if they haven't doubled back yet."
DG: Lily Keil has used her Tool Kislev Field Manual toward her party's challenge, A Clever Plan Helps a Lot.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jacqueline always feels a bit of trepidation when she enters a building to hide out or plan. A part of her hopes she will find someone she knows...and still another is afraid that she will, but far too late.
It wouldn't be the first time.
The intact nature of this house is a little more reassuring on that front, though. Not safe by any means, but it was something, and it isn't long before Jacqueline joins the others on the roof. Her mother and brother remained downstairs with the civilians.
She glances towards Lunata when she recalls the cellar.
"Really? Hm...that could work. A few of us should go on ahead first, however, to make sure that nothing's hiding out down there. The last thing we want to do is lead these people right into a trap." She suggests.
Jacqueline is clearly on edge, but trying her best to stay strong.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Clever Plan Helps a Lot. DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has passed this challenge! The party gained 22 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Everyone puts their heads together, and Rena nods at the final results. "Mmn. That sounds like a good enough plan to me." She looks to Lily and Sorey then, "I'll take point with him. Why don't you keep bringing up the rear?" They've got to watch both ends now, lest they get blindsided. "Oh, by the way, my name's Rena! Nice to meetcha!" She smiles and salutes, then she stands and hops back down into the house. "Okay, we should get going before this place becomes a battleground!"
It's down to the basement and off into that passage, heading off to the connecting store. ...If all goes well anyway...
DG: Sorey has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* CHALLENGE - The Flaming Terror *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 4 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- As the party creeps along, there is a terrible sound from a nearby street. And then a building erupts into a cloud of debris and soot, flames erupting through the facade as a Metal Dragon crashes onto the street. This one seems more or less intact, although it is fairly young as far as such beasts go, and as it turns to see the party it's jaws open and a gout of flame erupts, rolling down the street and incinerating everything before it. As these are generally large, unfriendly metal lizards that breathe nuclear fire... RUN. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
The passage seems to be doing a good job of leading through the city - they're making good time, and at this rate they should be approaching the outer wall. Sorey is bringing up the vanguard, and the group seems to be relaxing a bit. Underground is clearly a good way to go-
And then there is a thump. The tunnel shakes as they reach another building nearby... and then the house begins to scream, wood tearing and brick crashing as something sinks a pair of massive claws into the structure. And then the smell of smoke, the reddish light cast from the pall above the burning city, and a thunderous roar announce the destruction of the building above.
A Metal Dragon tears the building free from its foundation, tossing it across the street where it lands in a tremendous crash. It stares down into the basement, before its jaws unhinge and it lets loose a terrifying bellow.
Sorey looks around desperately - there's another passage leading way, but it's set higher in the basement - people are going to have to climb upwards to reach it. Pulling out his grappling hook, Sorey throws it towards the exit and makes sure it's hooked tight... and then throws a second line towards a piece of debris.
"GO! GO! RUN!" the Shepherd shouts as the dragon rears back, beginning to draw a deep breath. It's chest seems to flicker and pulse for a moment, and Sorey adds, "I'll try and pull down some debris to cover us! GET OUT OF HERE!"
think A moment later, the dragon unleashes a terrifying blast of flame!!
DG: Sorey has used his Tool Climbing Kit toward his party's challenge, The Flaming Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks a bit contrite at Sorey, nodding. "I--I know, it's not great. Uncle Tom's going to yell at me for sneaking out, but people were going to die unless they had some medicine to help them hang on... they can't even stand up. It won't be possible to get them out of the city..."
She perks up at Rena and smiles, saying, "I'm Lunata Croze, Miss Rena! I usually work at the Saloon..."
She looks at Lily with worry again, still feeling that emanation that she had time to realise was Malevolence -- but given that Sorey was next to her and had no problem with it, she didn't think it was going to be critical, and she was doing just as well...
Her eyes widen, however, as she looks up when they're about to emerge through the tunnel. "U-uhh-- ahh--" She looks frozen in fear, but Sorey's shouting snaps her out of her fright. "Aaaah!!" She barely throws herself out of the way as the Dragon shows them how Flame is done. She gets to her feet and runs as fast as she can, not wanting to become the Saloon's next Special.
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Flaming Terror.
=====================<* CHALLENGE - The Flaming Terror *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 4 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As the party creeps along, there is a terrible sound from a nearby street. And then a building erupts into a cloud of debris and soot, flames erupting through the facade as a Metal Dragon crashes onto the street. This one seems more or less intact, although it is fairly young as far as such beasts go, and as it turns to see the party it's jaws open and a gout of flame erupts, rolling down the street and incinerating everything before it. As these are generally large, unfriendly metal lizards that breathe nuclear fire... RUN. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
=====================<* CHALLENGE - The Flaming Terror *>===================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 4 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- As the party creeps along, there is a terrible sound from a nearby street. And then a building erupts into a cloud of debris and soot, flames erupting through the facade as a Metal Dragon crashes onto the street. This one seems more or less intact, although it is fairly young as far as such beasts go, and as it turns to see the party it's jaws open and a gout of flame erupts, rolling down the street and incinerating everything before it. As these are generally large, unfriendly metal lizards that breathe nuclear fire... RUN. RUN FOR YOUR LIVES. =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Everything appears to be going well. They make their way through the passage, and now, it's just a little longer till they get up and out. Then they should be able to clear the figh-
- THWOOM CRASH*
"......"
Rena's eyes, wide as can be, peer upward into the eyes of that terrible metal dragon. "That can't be anything but bbaaaaAAAAAAD!" FWOOSH! Flames blast down into the basement, and Rena pushes down her first instinct to get the hell out of there. Long enough to help rush the civilians in their number to the path of safety. Then she's rushing off to do the same.
"Oh my god oh my god oh my god!" She screeches, flames barely licking at her as she pulls out a pair of bulky looking claws, and leaps up. THose claws are slammed into charred wall where they embed and Rena scrambles to climb up and get a start on running the hell away. If they can even make it that far!
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Grapple Claws toward her party's challenge, The Flaming Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Oh no.
Jacqueline stares up in horror as a giant metallic creature tears its way into the passage. She freezes momentarily, before instinct kicks in and she moves again, drawing several bottles of pale-green liquid from her pouch as she goes. They weren't for her, however...
The bottles are shoved into her brother's arms.
"Jimmy! Take one for yourself and pass the rest out to the others, but whatever you do don't stop moving!" She orders.
The shortest brother is somewhat stunned by the suddenness of it all, but nods and begins to do as directed, ushering civilians towards Sorey's rope alongside Rena - and occasionally, if they prove to be too slow, just hurling them in that direction.
As Jacqueline moves, she draws a Crest from her pouch and, once she's sure no one would be blocked off, starts to invoke it - bringing up pillars of stone in the vain hopes of blocking the Dragon's progress or its flames.
However, she has a little help...her mother is running along beside her with a similar Crest drawn, matching her pillar for pillar.
"Mother...!" Jacqueline begins to protest, but she's silenced with a glare.
"I'm not letting you do this alone, Jackie! I won't lose you here!" Madeline says. This quiets Jacqueline, and she continues casting without a further word.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Invigoration Elixir toward her party's challenge, The Flaming Terror. All channels have been ungagged.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
As requested, Lily's kept the rear on this particular journey, pausing when Rena addresses her to nod back. "I'm Lieu--" Pause, as she catches herself a little bit late. "...Lily Keil. Call me what you're comfortable with." She doesn't smile back; she sort of barely manages polite. Instead, she gets moving.
She can spot Lunata looking at her, can imagine why it might be, and looks away from her with a little bit of guilt. She remembers how badly it affected Lunata before.
Thump.
Lily stops and stares as the Dragon tears the building from its foundations, catching herself again only a second past as she starts to think--
Another huge thing.
Lily curls her hands at her sides practically into claws. "Not alone you won't," she says to the Shepherd, and her hands start to glow blue with the light of magical circles--until the blast of flame crashes down at them all. The black-clad sorceress throws her hands up and there's a blue aura around her as a shield, which nevertheless isn't enough to protect her. She can't even speak for a moment after, let alone move her feet, until she throws out her hands and, in a burst of mist, lets loose a crashing blast of ice for the Dragon's eyes.
"S-stay ahead of me!" Lily calls to everyone faster, and rushes for the ropes herself.
She throws out spears of ice as she moves, breathing harsh given the way that incredible flame acted on her lungs.
DG: Lily Keil has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Flaming Terror. DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has failed this challenge! The party gained 8 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
The billowing flames erupt from the dragon's mouth, and the entire basement is engulfed. An instant transforms what was a normal part of a house into a blazing abattoir, and stone begins to melt under the incredible heat. Torn beams burst into flames or explode to pieces as trapped moisture flashes to steam and causes an eruption of splinters in all directions.
The party piles into the passage as fast as they can, and both Sorey and Lily work to shield the party as best they can. The ice Lily launches into the dragon are able to keep the flames back for a moment... but they melt before the awesome firestorm. Jacqueline unleashes several pillars of stone, and Sorey nods once in appreciation. "Great idea! Sorry Edna, but I'm gonna need some..."
And then even more shards of earth erupt, from the ground, helping to block off the passage from the rest of the basement. Knowing an Earth Seraph seems to help out when it comes to moving things around, but the stones are already starting to heat up as the dragon KEEPS BREATHING ON THEM.
Already tiny rivulets of molten rock are beginning to trickle down the inside, and Sorey shouts, "We need to keep moving!"
The party is battered, seared, and having a bit of trouble breathing... but they keep forging ahead, moving away from the dragon. Just that one encounter was more exhausting than everything else in the city thus far... but they're still alive, and can still continue.
Hopefully the metal wyrm isn't going to follow.
<Pose Tracker> Seraph Edna has posed.
A voice echoes into Sorey's mind.
"You owe me three crablettes for this."
Beat.
"And don't get killed."
Silence follows on her end.
DG: Lunata Croze has drawn a new Challenge.
======================<* CHALLENGE - The Metal Terror *>====================== |Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Combat |Challenge Rating: 4 | --------------------------< Challenge Information: >-------------------------- The party passes close to a block of the city that has been completely shattered by the impact of something large. Unfortunately, they find out what that something is. Bricks are thrust aside as a massive neck erupts from the ground, followed by claws. The Metal Dragon is a young version of its kind, and it has been wounded thanks to the anti-air fire that has been keeping the skies mostly clear above the city. But despite the fact that it has been blasted and injured, it is still a huge and terrifying opponent, and it roars at the party as it lunges towards them. Of everything the party could encounter in the city, this is perhaps the worst case scenario! =Dungeon Conditions: Suffer, Overwhelm========================================
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
The metal wyrm, as it were, thinks that the Drifters gathered are the perfect play partners.
A deafening crash overwhelms the ears -- and the chunk of earth from Jacqueline's earthen pillars and Sorey's summoned stones explode with not so much a whimper as they do a roar -- a roar that keeps following them down the pathway.
It is perhaps a small mercy that the group have emerged up past the household onto relatively open ground. They'd be mincemeat fighting that Dragon in such a cramped corridor, but here, out in the open where they have more manueverability, they might just have a chance.
Not that... not that Lunata is particularly eager to fight a Metal Dragon.
She grabs hold of Jimmy and hurries as she gestures towards Jacqueline's other siblings. "Over here! There's cover here!" she shouts, looking towards the rest of the group. All she could do is cross her fingers and pray... ...
Meanwhile, the Metal Dragon -- no matter how young and battered -- is still more than a worthy opponent for the rest of the group. The Metal Dragon spoken of in such hushed terms in myths and legends as an awful destroyer, the very reason the Golems were created in the first place... now stand before them.
Its jaw opens, and its roar is earth-shattering. It attacks!
DG: Lunata Croze has used her Tool The House Special toward her party's challenge, The Metal Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
They managed to get away, they managed to get away. Sorey can live with that - this sort of challenge is something that he hopes they don't face too often. But he replies quietly, "Appreciate it Edna. I'll do what I can to get you the crablettes." And he fully intends to stay alive too.
But as they emerge onto the open street... Sorey stops as the dragon appears to STILL BE AFTER THEM.
"Oh you have got to be kidding me!" he shouts. He doesn't have anything that he can do directly to defeat this thing, they just need to distract it so they can get away!
But the others are starting to hustle Jacqueline's family away from the threat, and Sorey does the only thing he can do. He draw his sword, the wooden blade bursting into blue flame, and he shouts, "Lily, cover me! Everyone else, try and get out of here! I'll hold it off for as long as I can!"
And with that, the Shepherd charges the Metal Dragon. Not looking to defeat it, but trying to harass and annoy it, and buy some time. There might be others who can help, but Lunata is basically a civilian herself, Rena is a healer that the others may need, and Jacqueline needs to look after her family.
He hates asking Lily, but seeing her actions before, he expect she'll help no matter what. They just have to hold it back!
DG: Sorey has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward his party's challenge, The Metal Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Jimmy nods towards Lunata, and gestures towards his mother to follow him as well. She was looking a little exhausted from all the casting. While she was a talented Sorceress, she was still getting on in years and didn't have as much energy in her as she did before. The two of them join Lunata and the other civilians, though Madeline still has a Crest ready in her hand...just in case.
Jacqueline, however...was conflicted. She wasn't comfortable leaving Lily and Sorey to handle the dragon by themselves...but at the same time, they needed someone to cover the civilians, too.
She reaches into her bag and pulls out a bottle of black liquid.
"Here, catch! This should distract it for a short time...and the liquid is flammable, besides! I'll keep the others safe!" She says, tossing the bottle towards one of the fighters.
She...desperately hoped they actually caught it. She would feel terrible if they didn't.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Reliable Repellant toward her party's challenge, The Metal Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
PAIN.
Flames washing up RIGHT on her back. Rena yelps and falls into a roll to get it out quickly. "Ah! Ow ow ow!" On her hands and knees, she calls up healing energy and holds a hand behind herself to her back, letting it pulse outwards to heal away the burns. "That stupid- ugh, at least we got awa-"
BOOM. Stone goes flying everywhere, along with a bloodcurdling roar of that very same metal dragon.
"-y."
Rena's eyes narrow and she shoots up to her feet. "Okay, I have had it up to here!" She cries frustratedly. "Why in the world are you even following us? We don't taste good!" She immediately amends that statement, "I mean, I don't!" A hand is pressed to her chest imploringly. But seeing as how it's CHARGING RIGHT FOR THEM, Rena figures this thing is not going to reason.
Surprisingly, she doesn't run away. Instead, she joins Sorey, and pulls out a black and blue sphere from her travel pouch. "I-I'll help!" And once that thing opens its mouth, she lobs it right in. There's an explosion that follows. ...But an explosion of ice! It spreads rapidly, but for a metal dragon that breathes NUCLEAR FIRE.. it's just a temporary annoyance no doubt!
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Frost Bomb toward her party's challenge, The Metal Terror.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily keeps moving despite the pain; the sheer heat of it is worse than any desert. The flames themselves are hot enough to melt stone. But the people they're protecting move on ahead.
Not for the first time, Lily is struck by how much easier it can be to work alone. ...Maybe not in this case, though.
Either way she can feel the burns under her clothes already, feel baked and seared and battered by falling once or twice as she tried to run. Her ice helps, but...
She can't complain. ...No really; talking is difficult at the moment, and she sets a gloved hand to the wall beside before suddenly--
Shards of earth crash into Lily's bak before she turns around and looks, staring. Her eyes widen, gold reflecting the fire before them. ...ANd Sorey asks for her help. It's what she would do regardless. Just because she can't abandon the people of this city so easily...
There's a limit to how far she can go, but she hasn't reached it yet.
Rena says she'll help; Jacqueline tosses her something, and Lily catches it immediately. A breath and then, with obvious difficulty, "Right!"
But Lily doesn't just cover Sorey; she squares her stance and narrows her eyes up at the creature. She sees that it's young, isn't sure of weaknesses, but one thing she knows most things are weak to on some level is...
Purple circles rush over her hands as she sets forward and sets her jaw. There's a burst of dark energy that crashes inward and explodes at about its neck, if her spell works, with a horrible cracking noise.
Her eyes turn black as she throws out smaller bursts for as long as she can keep up the energy.
Covering Sorey is fine. Killing the dragon would be ideal.
DG: Lily Keil has contributed a Combat Basic Action toward her party's challenge, The Metal Terror. DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has failed this challenge! The party gained 18 exploration! If anyone needs to use party management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
The Dragon follows Sorey's sword, perhaps entranced by the blue flames wreathed around it. Does it find him amusing, and worthy of playing around, or does Sorey just look that tasty to it? The Shepherd squares off and distracts the dragon for long enough for Jimmy and the others to hide behind cover, and Madeline keeps herself at the ready to protect everyone behind her -- as is her power, as a Crest Sorceress.
Jacqueline hucks the bottle of liquid and Lily grabs it; we've seen the repellant liquid combine with flame into a combustible concoction before, but what about when it's combined with Rena's sphere of frost to create... a not very delicious frozen treat?
We might never know. Or maybe we don't want to know.
The Dragon recoils at the frost bomb regardless, flailing for a moment as it starts pawing at its own face trying to snag the permafrost off... just in time for it to recoil further from Lily's repeated spheres of darkness.
It decides it doesn't like it, and is about to roar and take another lunge when--
-Pull back, young one.-
It looks up towards the skies where a flock of dragons gather, and mewls as it rises up into the skies as it rejoins its fleet, having clearly overextended itself in an eager show of force. Perhaps Dragons are not so different after all? Y'know, outside of the nuclear breath...
DG: Lily Keil has drawn a new Challenge.
========================<* CHALLENGE - A Quick Escape *>======================== |Type: Final |Dungeon Ability: Agility |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- One of Adelhyde's gates is in sight - once beyond the party and anyone accompanying them will be in the clear, as those holding the line against the Metal Demons outside the city will be able to cover them! For once the way is clear, the gate is open and freedom is in sight. But a cry of alarm goes up from behind the party, and a Metal Demon points from down the street! They've been spotted - nothing now but to make a break for freedom! =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
The others are back; Lily tries to keep herself in place, just far enough back to be able to cast freely but keeping an eye on Sorey as he's close up to the dragon. The heat of the city is nothing compared to the heat of just being near this dragon, though. Lily keeps her focus as best she can. But doing so in this case is painful.
Her eyes stay black after she gets off her spells, and she watches the Dragon about to lunge back again before it suddenly... doesn't. Instead it lifts itself up and goes. Not so different...?
Maybe.
Lily winces, and shakes her head, gesturing with a hand to keep going back towards the walls. She'll lead the way this time, hands at her sides, careful, and this time it's an eerily uneventful walk. The gates come into sight...
And so does the Metal Demon that shouts at the group of them in the street. Lily throws her rifle off her shoulders and starts shooting until everyone else is in front of her, or otherwise ready to go--and then she starts running, too. She's not all that fast.
DG: Lily Keil has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Quick Escape.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks concerned as they keep running; she looks to Lily for a moment to express, "You're injured, Miss Lily..." She looks towards Rena and Jacqueline. They should spend some time to heal her after all this is over and they have a chance to just take a breath.
Her eyes widen as the Demon spots them, and she does the first thing she thinks of by instinct--
--she hucks the shovel straight at the poor shouting Demon, hoping to club them over the head as she keeps running. "Aaah!"
DG: Lunata Croze has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, A Quick Escape.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
The dragon... that was tough. Sorey honestly wasn't sure how they were going to get away from this one, so the fact that the dragon just flies off is a relief. He wonders... does that mean it's not like Eizen, who was warped enough with malevolence that he was mostly hostile? He'd have to ask Odjn a bit more when he got back to her and Mikleo. Speaking of which, he should try and find her friend she was looking for as well...
But the shout goes up as the regular, hostile ground Metal Demons spot them, and Sorey watches as one goes down, smashed in the face by Lunata's axe! "Hah, go Lunata!" he calls out, before he leaps up next to Lily. "Get going, I'll leave them something that should slow them down," he offers. And he waits, although if Lily wants to take a few more shots... well he's not HAPPY about it. But he's not strong enough to keep people from getting killed in the middle of a battle like this. Not yet.
But Sorey can at least slow the Demons down, and he raises his flaming blue sword and strikes at the ground. A wave of blue flame erupts forward, streaking to slam into the demons. The Flame of Purification doesn't physically hurt demons, but it can and will stun them - leaving Sorey and the others time to run! As he does so, he pulls out his climbing kit and throws a rope line out to trip up the demons and further slow them so the party can escape!
DG: Sorey has used his Tool Climbing Kit toward his party's challenge, A Quick Escape.
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Wow, that actually worked.
Somewhat. If it decided to charge, they would have probably gotten hilariously destroyed, but it flies off instead. Good. Very good. And so, with the others, Rena books it. Riiiight up until another detatchment of demons seem to catch sight of them. "Oh great-!" The blue haired elf grouses, looking back as they run for the gate.
There's one that's getting a touch too close for her comfort, so she slows down to a stop and puts those bulky claws on. She doubts her hands could harm them as she is now. "Go...!" Whipping forward, she slashes that demon across the midsection, attempting to halt it. "...AWAY!" Rena spins and aims a kick right into the abdomen, looking to send the stupid goon flying back and bowling into his buddies in a heap.
That done, she turns right back around, and resumes getting the hell out of Adlehyde. All the while, she looks left and right, hoping to catch sight of a certain bomber jacket wearing fool...
DG: Rena Lanford has used her Tool Grapple Claws toward her party's challenge, A Quick Escape.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
There's relief among the civilians as the dragon flies off without grievously injuring any of their saviors. This relief is eventually taken away when they're spotted by a Metal Demon.
There is momentary panic.
"Everyone! Stay calm! We're almost there! Move quickly and keep your heads down, but don't run over anyone!" Jacqueline shouts, drawing a Crest from her pouch. She'll have to be ready to cover them if they come under attack.
Fortunately, there are still doses of the Invigoration Elixir left from earlier, and the bottles go around again as people get to moving. Jimmy and Madeline stay with the civilians just in case, while Jacqueline hangs back a bit with the others in case they need to wall off the exit, should there be any Demons chasing after them.
This does give her a good view of Lunata's shovel toss, though.
"Nice throw!" Jacqueline says with a smirk.
Sorey's quick thinking impresses her, too, though she hadn't expected those flames of his to do anything to the demons.
The most surprising thing, though, was seeing Rena lash out like that. Skills like that were the last thing she expected out of her.
Hopefully, all of their efforts will pay off.
DG: Jacqueline Barber has used her Tool Invigoration Elixir toward her party's challenge, A Quick Escape. DG: You have overcome the dungeon's trials! This run is a success! DG: The party led by Jacqueline Barber has successfully explored The Battle of Adlehyde!
=====================<* CHALLENGE - It's Over - For Now *>====================== |Type: Discovery |Dungeon Ability: Discovery |Challenge Rating: 1 | ---------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------- The party has made it out of the city, along with any civilians who were traveling with them. Outside of the city, the line is being held by parts of the Adelhyde Guard, the Yggdrasil Pirates and their Gears, as well as a number of Drifters who have set up defensive positions and safe areas for civilians to rest and prepare to move away from the city. For those who have escaped to Adelhyde castle, the fighting at the walls continues, but food and shelter can still be obtained. However, the fighting continues, and there are more people yet trapped inside Adelhyde City... =Dungeon Conditions: Treasure=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lunata's concern for her prompts Lily to glance her way, black eyes and all, and hesitte before answering. She just shakes her head, in the end. But there's little time to try to make herself understood, or appreciate Lunata's admittedly touching concern.
No, there are more Metal Demons about, and the one that was shouting gets a shovel straight to the head, tumbling with the shock of it. ...It strts to work on getting back to its feet, but it's definitely shut up.
Sorey meanwhile offers her the chance to get going, and her gaze flickers his way a moment before she nods. She knows full well that she's injured, and she's apparently not hiding it, so she takes a few steps back, shoots the second-to-last in her gun, and starts sprinting for the gates as best she can. ...She only looks over her shouldr to check for Sorey, and to spot his wave of blue flame.
Rena's efforts succeed in knocking back one of the Metal Demons here, in an impressive display that leaves a few tripped up. Jay's efforts, meanwhile, keep a number calm and keep a number moving. Their efforts do pay off.
...For her part, Lily is stuck leaning against the gate as she waits for the others.
But far enough past the gates there's backup; there's a chance to get out of here for some.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Wham! That shovel meets its mark.
Shoveling skill increased to 2. [========= ]
Lunata lets out a breath as they reach up against the gates, beckoning for the others to escape. "Go, go!" She's trying her hardest to catch up, before looking back towards the others. "I'm-- I can't leave, not right now. I need to get these medicinal supplies back to the Saloon..."
She bites at her lip as she clings tighter to the medicine bag. "Jay, your family needs you right now... I'm-- I'll see you again soon, right?"
<Pose Tracker> Rena Lanford has posed.
Rena breathes out a sigh of relief as her gambit succeeds and helps them escape to safety. Once they arrive at the encampment, the girl looks about as she walks through. Breathing deeply to catch her breath, she seems to be searching for someone, and is disappointed when she does not find them. A hopeful look melts into a worried and disappointed frown. "He's not here..."
Rena closes her eyes and slows to a stop. Her gaze is drawn back to the city. After a couple seconds of silence, she heaves a deep breath, then turns towards the gates...
...and there she goes, running right back into the city. She doesn't say anything to anyone. She was happy to help, but now she's got to handle her own business.
<Pose Tracker> Sorey has posed.
Sorey drops to the ground for a minute, breathing heavily after that long run. He turns to look at the rest of the party...
...and then sees that Lunata isn't with the group. "...ah!" he manages, and turns to take a canteen of water from one of the Yggdrasil pirates who is running the safe area. With huge Gears standing in a line and holding against any potential Metal Demon aggression, this is a location where people can rest safe.
But there are still more people back in there, and they lost Lunata on the last stretch. "I'm going back in," Sorey states, setting his jaw and turning to jog back towards the city. Even if he can't find her... there's still other people trapped in there. Including Rose and Alisha, for all he knows.
<Pose Tracker> Jacqueline Barber has posed.
Eventually, everyone is safely out of the gates. They keep running, and they don't stop doing so until they reach one of the safe zones. Everyone is tired and exhausted, but alive - though a good number are wounded, either from dragonfire or something else. Still, there are supplies there, so those who need it can be treated.
Jacqueline pauses, glancing towards Lunata with a smile.
"Lunata...I'm proud of you, you know?" She says with a nod and a smile.
"We'll see each other again. Definitely. So don't do anything too reckless, alright?" With that said, she looks towards the others.
"Thank you, everyone. I...owe you, more than I can ever repay. If you ever need anything...medicine, some help, or just someone to talk to...let me know and I'll come running, alright?" She says.
It is soon after this that Rena leaves. Jacqueline can't blame her - everyone had their own reasons for being there. She had to stay true to hers.
...But...it does remind her that this is but a brief reprieve for her. She will have to venture into Adlehyde again soon.
There were more people who needed her help.
She glances towards Sorey with a nod.
"Alright. We might even run into each other again sometime. Take care, alright?" She says.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily is there, when Lunata reaches the exit. But she mentions what she has to do, and that's something Lily knew was the case. All the same it's surprising in the moment; it's something very brave of her. Lily watches for a few moments.
The black-haired, currently black-eyed woman watches Lunata again before she inclines her head. "All right," she forces out. Her voice is hoarse; it hurts to talk for the moment. "I'll go with you. I need to rest, but I can do it there as easily as out here. And I don't want to leave you alone." She pushes off of the gate and slings her rifle back over her shoulder. "...Be careful, everyone."
Lily looks after Rena for a moment. "I'll see everyone again." With that she walks over to Lunata and gears herself up to go.
Maybe... more stealth this time.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata looks towards Rena with concern, but also with gratitude. "Be safe, Miss Rena..."
She looks at Jacqueline with a nod as she throws the alchemist a hug, clinging a bit tighter to her. "I know, your family's done a lot for me too, it's just the least I can do..." She looks at Lily with a nod as she tucks the bag a bit closer. "Okay, let's hurry before they come back."
She looks out towards the streets, and then begins to sneak in -- gesturing. "The Alleyway's been safe to get to the Saloon, it's easily overlooked and Uncle Tom put some rubble over it to make it look like it caved in."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
This has been a long day, and judging by the smoke rising from the city, it's all but certainly going to get longer before it's up. For now, though, Cyre is still whole, relatively healthy, and has not yet taken a scythe directly to his chest.
That will change in due time.
A morose parade of survivors hobbles out from the direction of the city gates. Several are injured- burns, primarily. Septic wounds marr others. The shaman sighs, his hands shoved into his pockets. He's done as much as he could do for these, but there are still so many more, and--
Uh.
Is that Lunata?
Is she... Going back INTO the city!?
"Lunata?" Cyre blinks with slitted, amber eyes. His hood is up, but the light catches them in such a way that it's impossible to miss. "You made it, I'm glad." There's a beat, he glances over towards the city again. "You... aren't thinking of going back in there, are you?"
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata lets out a haggard-sounding breathe as she looks to Cyre, gasping. "Oh, Mister Cyre!" She pumps her hands gently as she murmurs, "I have to -- there's dying people at the Saloon waiting for this medicine, I have to get back to them before it's too late."
She trembles just a little bit, holding at her head. She'd hidden it well during the run, but the sheer amount of echoes that had been swarming around the place was really starting to take a toll on her. "Miss Lily is here as well... she's escorting me back."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily can smell the smoke. ...Is that the smoke of the city, or the smoke off of her, though? If she had more privacy, she could have a look at her own wounds, but without that she'll have to just deal as much as she can as they go.
They being she and Lunata, of course, on their way back into the city.
'Miss Lily' is probably the black-haired woman dressed in Kislevan stealth gear, pale and with solid black eyes without any whites at all.
"I'll take care of her," she says hoarsely, without moving much, save to brush some hair out of her face. She for once almost looks right for the Malevolent aura she has.
"We can't abandon those people."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Cyre stares at Lunata for a good long while. She's... Shaking. Can she even stand on her own right now? Sending her back would be tantamount to suicide at this point, even if she does have someone coming along with her.
Someone who-- what is that smell? Is that her? It smells like... Like oil and decay. An oil of decay. Faint, but present-- did she get demon blood on her? Cyre sniffs, squeezing gently at his nose as if he had an itch he had to scratch but was in company too polite to do it directly.
"Well," he sighs, shaking his head. "I don't... exactly approve. Even if miss-- 'Lily,'" Cyre glances over her way, "Says as much. You need to consider your own well-being. I mean, it looks like you're going to fall over any second now."
There's a beat. Cyre peers up at the smoldering sky.
"Look, if you ladies really need to make the trip, let me come along. Otherwise I'll be a worried wreck out here."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata places her hand and lets out a wince, looking up towards Lily. Now that she had a moment to really settle, the Malevolence present within Lily was starting to feel overwhelming -- worse, it was reminding her of Timney. Of her very, very real brush with it. Of nearly being overwhelmed by the negative emotions whole. "I'm okay," Lunata insists. "It's not my body, I'm not hurt, I promise. It's just... it's the echoes again, Mister Cyre. So many people are suffering..."
She looks up with those blue eyes of hers, so clear and strong. "Please let me reduce it by what little I can."
She nods at the shaman's offer, looking back to Lily. "Come on...!" She pulls the piece of rubble apart and starts slipping through the alleyway.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily's not exactly in the best of shape herself, at the moment; there's no sign of blood, but she moves stiffly, speaks with difficulty. The only weapon she has on her is a rifle, and that scent...
The scent, the feeling; Lily misses the significance of the one, but catches Lunata's wince easily enough. She closes her eyes briefly. She never does find something to say about that in the moment. Though...
"You don't approve?" she asks, and almost laughs. As it stands she just sounds faintly amused. She listens to the rest. Lunata's safety is more important than her pride, and besides, Lunata says it's... Echoes...?
"What a kind offer," Lily answers. "We couldn't leave you to worry." Lily shakes out her hands and nods.
She moves lightly, if not quickly. "...This city right now doesn't do my head any better," she admits to Lunata, mostly because she's tired. To Cyre, likewise quitely, "What should I call you?" It hasn't gotten any easier to talk, but she's like that.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Oh. Of course, he should have realized. All this death, all this destruction. He sups well tonight. Cyre rubs at the hollows of his eyes, pushing back the fatigue and the stress. "Alright. I understand. Let's just make sure that we don't end up joining them, okay?"
The shaman's gloved hands twich slightly. A cool breeze whips up around him, gently soothing his tired muscles for the work ahead. At the very least, it'll hopefully disperse whatever miasma is hanging around that one in the combat suit. Keep his mind off of it. "Cyre," he says with a nod. "And you're Lily, right? I'll watch our backs, let's get a move on before--"
Lunata goes on ahead.
Cyre breathes a long, tired sigh, and goes on after her.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Lunata continues on into the alleyway, and to her credit, she moves well -- these are the streets she's lived in all her life, after all, and that's an advantage that she has over these Demons. "Miss Lily, you're injured, aren't you...?" The tone that she holds is reticient, and it's rather clear that she doesn't speak of physical wounds -- she'd fretted enough about that. "I can... sense something..."
She hesitates, looking to Cyre. She doesn't want to just reveal it, but she trusts the wind shaman -- he is somewhat of a teacher for her, after all. "I--it's not my place to say... I'm just really worried, Miss Lily."
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"Mm," Lily agrees at the talk of making sure they don't die themselves here. Lily has no intention of that. ...Or of allowing Lunata to do the same.
Black eyes flicker to gloved hands as the magic whips up. Briefly, she considers taking just a few moments for herself to do something similar, but the one in the combat suit instead continues to give no indication that she can.
The breeze does nothing to Lily's strange aura, though.
"Cyre it is," she rasps. "Lily is fine. Longer introductions can wait."
It doesn't bother her to move quickly to catch up; it would only bother her if Lunata left her behind. Her only familiarity in this city is what she's seen in the past few months, what she's mapped since the Invasion started. Lunata's a valuable resource.
But Lunata talks to her about something that doesn't make her stop to think tactics at all. It makes her look to the girl ahead, surprised... but maybe she shouldn't be surprised. It aches for it to be said that way. She was sure Lunata knew, but...
Lily glances up to the sky and says a little hollowly, "...You could say that. An injury." She wasn't quite the same when she came back from Port Timney; she left her room less, and drank more.
"If Cyre is going to take issue with me at this point, he might as well. I thought you could sense it. I'm sorry that it troubles you. I know how hard it was on you then."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
Having Cyre as a teacher would probably be considered a... unique experience. Sure, he kind of sort of has the chops, almost, maybe, but the elders back home would balk at it. There are reasons. Stampeding, big-horned reasons. He seems to be taking the responsibility seriously though. Or maybe it's just the circumstances? 'Entire City is On Fire' is pretty high up there on the list of situations to take seriously.
"Injured...?" The shaman squints at Lily. There's no wounds there- or barely any that would be critical. But the wind does nothing the scent, and... Timney.
"Ah," Cyre says.
"Ah, yes, I see," he continues.
"That... Taint that you and Jack were talking about, right?" His eyes narrow beneath his hood. "This is the first time I've seen it up close, though. It's... You should really think about getting that looked at."
By someone.
Somewhere.
It'd be a good idea.
"I'm not about to judge someone just because they stink, though," Cyre chuckles, then, as he follows Lunata down the alleyway. "As long as it's not hurting anyone, it's fine in my book." For now, at least.
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
It isn't like Lunata would be a particularly standard student either, though she still has to tell Cyre that she found a lead from Cecilia to go to the Abbey. Speaking with a Guardian specialist would probably be enlightening for the both of them. She does pause as she -- by this point, hears, rather than senses trouble, lowering herself as a patrol passes by... ...which coincidentally lets her think and sort her thoughts out a little.
"Me neither," Lunata expresses, as she looks back to Lily. "I... I believe in you, Miss Lily. You've saved me -- today, and before as well -- and I believe you're stronger than it." She pumps her fists gently.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
Lily's not the type to take many things unseriously, but even then there's a difference in her demeanor in this warzone. Then though, there's this subject.
It makes her a bit quieter; it's uncomfortable. Cyre seems to get it after squinting at her a moment, and he speaks up his opinion. "It's called Malevolence," Lily chimes in, "So far as I know. I've been doing as much research on it as I can."
Lily could have interest in talking to Guardian specialists; for now, she has interest in not being caught, so she lowers herself as well. She is injured, but the combat suit does well to hide it.
Fine in his book. Lunata believes in her. "Lunata..." Still horase, she glances down, closing her eyes. "...Thank you. I'd wanted to understand it better. I guess I'm just getting my wish. ...It's exhausting. Just being around people is worse than before."
A pause before, "But I don't think it smells. It's a feeling in my stomach, in my limbs."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
It'd be a worthwhile trip, if Cyre knew about it. While he does have a connection to one of the Guardians (a particularly unique one, at that), the fact remains that he is... Somewhat uneducated in many things. At the very least, it would be interesting to hear an outsider's insight into the workings and natures of his gods.
A patrol slips by. Cyre tugs his hood further over his face and ducks behind a stack of barrels.
"Ah, well," Cyre taps his nose, then. "I've just got a particularly sensitive nose. I'm sure it doesn't necessarily appear in the same way for everyone." So it IS Malevolence, then. Interesting-- it's something that can happen in degrees, then? But what's the extreme? What does it look like when a soul is steeped fully in those vile energies?
And more importantly, why was there none of it on Filgaia?
Hm.
"You're going to want to watch it, I think," Cyre says, then. "And look for help, if you can. If it's in your stomach, then it's pretty close to a lot of other important stuff. Just, be careful with it. From what I've heard, it's pretty nasty. And even if you can fight it now, who knows what might happen down the line?"
"And I'm sure Lunata wouldn't want to lose you to it."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"I want to understand it better myself," Lunata decides. From someone who nearly lost her life -- or worse -- to it... it's not an easy decision for her to make. But Cyre's heard as much -- she's resolved to try to train her spiritual senses and become more useful to her companions, who've been fighting tooth and nail. "I'm sorry that it's gotten harder for you... I wish I could offer the saloon as a resting place, but it'll be busy for people who're convalescing..."
She hears that lull, and nods as she hurries across and sneaks through an open doorway and finally makes it to the saloon proper. An impossibly, enormously muscular old lady in an apron and mob cap at least six and a half feet in size beckons her in -- it's Aunt Hilda. She... there's a good sized pile of punched-out demons just outside on the patio, some of them with a piece of what looks like Saucery Globe forcefully shoved down their mouths. "Welcome back, Lunata," she grimly nods. "Hurry."
Lunata nods and looks to the two, before heading to the foyer. "Lune!" Uncle Tom shouts. "Guardians you've got me heart jumped out-- oh!" He's silenced as she shoves the medicine bag into his hands. "Hurry!" Tom nods, and heads towards the floor where a number of the injured are still needing attention.
"Miss Lily, I could use your help at this critical moment..." Lunata begs of the medic.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"...That's fair," Lily admits when Cyre mentions his nose, taking up position around a corner herself as the patrol comes by.
"I'm not sure," she admits about whether it appears the same way for everyone, once they're in the clear. "I know some people are more or less sensitive to it. I can sense it very easily by now."
A look to Lunata, and Lily is... concerned for her. "...After all this, I'll share my notes." A pause, "...I could use it, but I don't have time to rest. Just a chance to treat my wounds."
Cyre sugests... Some alarming ideas. "...I haven't turned into some wolf-monster yet," she points out, rubbing her left forearm with her right hand. "But it's... I'll think about it. I don't know who I would trust to ask."
Then they sneak over and here they are at the saloon again. Aunt Hilda is there, and the demons are scattered. "Mm..."
Lunata begs her help, and Lily pauses only briefly before she inclines her head. She might be frightening to some of them, but she knows she can help them.
"I'm on it. Same places as before?" She's already moving after Lunata, resisting the urge to rub at her burned throat. "Good to meet you, Cyre."
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
"Wolf-monsters? Is that what happens?" Cyre scratches at his cheek. What would happen if he were infected by this... Stuff. Would he turn into some kind of horrifying were-wolf-tiger? How would that even work? "I see. Well, it's up to you! Just, know that this kind of thing doesn't strike me as particularly complacent. It'll probably wait till you have a moment of weakness, and then poof!" He makes a 'poof' gesture with his hands. "Wolf."
That sounds like a terrible fate, indeed.
Cyre may be a little bit biased.
They arrive at the inn in... Record time? With barely any trouble at all? For all Lunata seems adorable and innocent, she sure knows her way around these back alleys. Where does she get it from? Could it be--
The woman who has apparently spent the day punching Metal Demons full of holes???
Literally. Punching them full of holes. Or rather, punching their holes full of food. Aunt Hilda is a terrifying woman; Cyre makes a quiet note to never, ever get on her bad side.
"Looks like we've made it in time," Cyre observes as Lunata hustles all over the damn place with a bag full of medicinal herbs, potions and poultices. It's impossible to miss what's in there; the scent's so strong Cyre could pick it up from miles away. "Ma'am, sir," he dips his hood at Auntie and Uncle. It looks like everything's in order, except for the... The groans of the suffering not too far away. He could just leave now, take care of business elsewhere...
But then, is that what Ge Ramtos WANTS him to do?
"I'll see if I can't lend a hand," he says with a shrug. "I can at least do some heavy lifting." Except not really, because he's the dodgy, agile of the two brothers. "Take some of the edge off the pain here and there."
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
Indeed, Cyre can sense the Essence of Cuisine from within her; she might even be one of those cooks or chefs from the rumored underground crime ring of cuisine in the past, or perhaps from some ascetic temple where they tattoo their students' backs with intricate landscapes of stir-fried noodles.
Lunata nods at Lily and says, "The usual again..." Uncle Tom, most aware of the situation, is already applying some of the salves to the most critically injured -- he's got some basic first aid skills, Lily can tell, but he's not good enough to do this with so few materials. She can apply herself here. And there's certainly more for Cyre to do -- there's boxes left to distribute, people that need to roll over or move to a more covered part of the saloon... the whole house is in pain at the moment.
<Pose Tracker> Lily Keil has posed.
"I don't know, but that's what they said the humans attacking Port Timney were. ...I'm already a Wolf regardless; it'll have to do better than that with me." A pause. "...Kislev Army Special Forces, Black Wolves - Lieutenant."
She offers the explanation, but does watch and listen to his warning. What will it mean...? Well, she doesn't know.
But the fact that they're here so simply gets a little relief from the black-haired woman; the fact that she's still hurt... Well, that's practically nostalgic, part of her thinks.
Cyre says he'll lend a hand, and that's fine with her. Lily nods to Lunata as she goes, and kneels beside one f the worst near Uncle Tom. "Please," she rasps, "Allow me." She is the medic who helped last time she was here, after all. "I have my tools in my bag here..."
She's already organizing patients in her mind. None of them will die today if she can help it.
<Pose Tracker> Cyre H. Lorentz has posed.
"Uh." Cyre squints at Lily. "You don't... look like a wolf. Unless there's something I-- Oh." Kislev military! That explains everything. (That explains nothing. What is a Kislev???) "Well, then I guess it'll have to try for... What's more than a wolf?" Cyre mutters, "Some kind of.. double-wolf? No, that doesn't make any sense."
"Ah."
There's people to help. He can dwell on lupine integers at some later date. "Well. For now, let me just--" He draws from inside his cloak what looks like an old, cast-iron or bronze censer. Cyre fusses with it for a few moments, and it starts emitting a soothing, heady aroma. Incense- the kind that calms the mind and relaxes the body. "I'll go ahead and get a few of these burning. It might help keep their minds off the pain."
And after that... MANUAL LABOR!!
<Pose Tracker> Lunata Croze has posed.
"Oh, hey, it's you again," Tom nods, sounding rather beleaguered. "You're a lifesaver. Ain't exactly a clinic here, and we don't got a clear path out to move some of these red tags to safety without riskin' bleeding them out." Red tags, huh? Someone's used to medicinal triage terms, it sounds.
Lunata backs away after Lily and Cyre start helping, and switches focus to serving some water for those who're struggling; her knowledge of medicine pales compared to Lily's. This night is going to be a real trial for some of these patients... she can only hope Ge Ramtos can stay his hand a bit longer....