song of the forest

Dragon Slayers defeating the long-lost King (Gold Round - Team 5)

amitieos

Her body aches too much to move, her eyelids too heavy to open. Even the insistent beak of her Kinshi partner does little to rouse the Queen back to consciousness. The ground should be hard, rocky and unforgiving but her limbs are so numb she can barely feel it. Perhaps it would be okay, to just rest and recuperate a little longer...

But Leanne's voice, shaking with anger and grief reaches her ears. She can hear the heron princess taking wing, attacking recklessly and without regard for her own safety. No, Elincia has to get to her feet no matter how much it hurts to do so. Leanne needs to know she's safe. The sound of her friends tears are enough to shatter her heart.

"Leanne, stop-- please," Elincia's voice comes out croaky and tight. It takes great effort to raise it loud enough to carry to her dear friend. "You better be careful, you hear me? I absolutely will not forgive you if you get hurt because of me."

It takes a while to get back on her Kinshi and into the sky but she shares a warm, gentle smile with Leanne as they fly side by side. She's battered and bruised, blood and mud caking her emerald hair to her face. What a sight she must be! Yet dear sweet Leanne seems so ebullient just to see her.

"Minerva, Leanne - we'll see this through together, I promise."

Soaring close to the dragon, Elincia lets loose on arrow, then two. Both miss completely - her aim obscured by matted hair across her face and her arms seem to lack the strength to draw the string back properly. Tears of frustration begin to prickle in the corner of her eyes. She has to help them, has to be there for both Leanne and Minerva. Has to help them avenge Naoise and yet look at her, incapable of even holding her bow properly.

Elincia 2/10 HP attacks Areadbhar 8/15 HP with Guard Bow. Roll d20-3: 5-3 = 2. Miss. Galeforce activates Elincia 2/10 HP attacks Areadbhar 8/15 HP with Guard Bow. Roll d20-2: 6-2 = 4. Miss

Thank the goddess Leanne had stunned this thing or she'd likely be back on the ground once more. Elincia bites her lip hard enough to draw blood, turning to the two valiant women behind her.

"I'm sorry, it seems I'm not of much use. I don't think it can last much longer, although..." Elincia trails off, deciding to bite her tongue and keep these thoughts to herself. "Nevermind, I'm sure as a team we can outlast it! So, let's make a promise. No giving up!"

Even if she probably won't.

@allegreta

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: dragon slayers defeating the long lost king ]#reddragonprincess #chargesword #amitieos #//we fucked up big time on the calcs and have to fix things. augh.

Leanne's tunnel vision widens, and the whole arena seems to shift. A hiccup in reality, and suddenly Elincia, battered but alive, is by her side.

"I'll be alright, Elincia. Don't worry about me." Leanne feels heavier, somehow, more wounded than she'd been before everything twisted and warped. She shakes her head. It must be a trick of the illusory fields. "We can take it down, together."

But something is wrong. Elincia comes in close, firing off some errant shots, but the dragonoid's eyes are sharper than they should be. Was Leanne's attack not...?

"Elincia! Look out!"

Areadbhar 13/15HP crits ELINCIA 2/10 HP with Retribution. [Roll: 19, -4HP; ELINCIA 2/10 HP] ELINCIA has been defeated!

Once more, Elincia falls. Leanne cannot help but feel like it was her fault, that her blows were not enough. She could have sworn she'd seen it stumble back, envenomed and dazed.

It's a replay, once more. And this time, she's going to properly avenge Elincia. She has to. For her. For Naoise. For Minerva, her only ally who still stands.

Leanne’s Galeforce activates! LEANNE 4/10 HP hits Areadbhar 13/15HP with Gradivus! [Roll: 13-2=11, hit! -3.5HP; Areadbhar 9.5/15HP

With a prayer on her tongue and tears in her eyes, Leanne dives at the dragon once more, ripping into its softened flesh and wringing out roars of pain.

Trample activates! -2HP, Areadbhar 7.5/15HP Areadbhar 7.5/15HP is inflicted with Toxic Poison [Roll: 1] Areadbhar 7.5/15HP is inflicted with Stun Areadbhar 7.5/15HP is stunned and cannot counter!

There's that dazed look, the acrid smell of tainted blood. Leanne lingers far too long, but she detaches herself before it can get a lucky hit onto her, circling back into the air.

"We can finish it!" She nods to Minerva, her voice hoarse with fury and grief and blood. "Just a little further!"

Dragon Slayers defeating the long-lost King (Gold Round - Team 5)

The husk falls, and Naoise feels a soft murmur in his chest. It's relief, but only for the moment. He looks at the corpse and then to Minerva, smiling as best he can.

"Only one left!" he calls, and readies his bow.

Areadbhar 15/15HP* attacks NAOISE 4.5/10 HP with Earthsplitter [Roll: 1d20: 16, hit! ; -2.5HP] SLAUGHTERER activates! +1 base damage = -3.5 HP! NAOISE 1/10 HP.

He winces as the second beast makes its attack. Revenge, he supposes, for its fallen friend. The attack makes him lose control for the moment, spiraling then downwards to the ground. He grips onto the Kinshi's harness and looks around -- trying to be more composed, and watches as Minerva lands another hit on the Areadbhar.

UNBEATEN triggers! Areadbhar 15/15HP attacks Everyone with Atrocity!

He's finally got himself upright, and he feels the swell of magic pulsing in his veins. He knows that the faith magic he has will soon heal him, he just needs to hold on a little longer...

He charges, of course; how else would he be able to face Lord Sigurd after this if he is not brave? He sees in his mind's eye the faces of those he loves.

Sigurd, Ethlyn, Alec. Home.

Larcei, Scáthach, Ayra. Family.

And considers that if he's to fall, it will be with honor.

Slaughterer activates! [Roll: 18 & 17, -3 HP & - 3 HP = -6 HP]

It rips through him. He gasps for breath and tastes blood in his mouth. It coats his teeth and he holds his stomach where the wound tore through his skin. He knows this is not real, knows that this is going to end soon -- but still, his vision goes black. Blood-stained fingers brush against the feathers on his Kinshi as his mount lets out a mournful cry, and Naoise falls from his height with a pitiful thump.

His hand reaches out, and he imagines his Lord Sigurd's hand reaching back, telling him he did well, and that he's proud.

NAOISE has been defeated!

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: dragon slayers defeating the long lost king ]#amitieos #reddragonprincess #chargesword #toaarena2023fall

Elincia's grace and prowess always take Leanne's breath away, and she can't help but feel a little flutter at the playful quip. Her dear friend makes short work of the husk, coming out a bit worse for wear but still standing. Everything looks like it will be okay.

But the lance-dragon has other ideas.

Minerva bests it, her magic cleaving through its scales with ease. But like the husk, it rises again, eyes glowing with a life that should not be, and it attacks with a monstrous fury.

UNBEATEN triggers! Areadbhar 15/15HP attacks Everyone with Atrocity!

Leanne is caught off-guard, but she manages to maneuver herself out of the way of one of the hits, shrugging off the first as best she can. It's a whirlwind of magic and melee, and she's barely able to keep herself steady.

Slaughterer activates! [Roll: 15 & 3, -3HP & miss = -3 HP; LEANNE is 7/10 HP] LEANNE is debuffed [Roll: 8, 4 ; -2 LCK, -1 RES ] through next combat.

"Elincia! Naoise! Elincia, no!" When the dust clears, all she can see is the broken bodies of Naoise and Elincia laying on the ground. They're dead. She knows they're dead. She can sense no life coming from them, and with the state they're in that's probably a mercy.

This is just a simulation. She reminds herself of this. But it could happen, and the smell of her friends' blood in the air feels real.

LEANNE 7/10 HP hits Areadbhar 13/15HP with Hit and Run! [Roll: 3+2=5, -3HP; Areadbhar 10/15HP] Trample activates! -2 HP ; Areadbhar 8/15HP Areadbhar is inflicted with Stun! Areadbhar is stunned and cannot counterattack. Areadbhar is inflicted with Toxic Poison!

"Stop this!" Leanne dives in at its throat, getting between its scales to deal a stunning blow. She tears a little before flapping backwards, getting some distance between her and the foe before it can get itself together. Her voice chokes on grief and blood. "Monster!"

Dragon Slayers defeating the long-lost King (Gold Round - Team 5)

There is no room to breathe.

Naoise's bones are tired and weak; he still feels the thrum of electricity in his body as he holds onto his mount. He cannot shake the visions that plagued him in his previous battle, and he's not sure if it will make him fighter harder or with less conviction. Regardless, he's high in the sky now, able to survey all that are beneath him; his bow is ready in his hands as he watches the two creatures emerge.

Eyes widen, and he tilts his head to get a better look at Minerva. She's ready to fight -- and a stronger warrior and a better ally he cannot find. He nods to her, looks to the sea of rose colored shards beneath him, and sighs.

Perhaps he too is going insane.

Areadbhar 15/15HP* attacks Everyone with Atrocity! Slaughterer activates! [Roll: 4 & 6, miss & miss = -0 HP; NAOISE is 10/10 HP]

"Watch out!" he cries, and watches his friend dodge the beast's clutches. He twists out of the way himself, nimbly missing the blows and holding tight onto his Kinshi.

"Good boy," he whispers, puts his hands in the feathers and tries to keep his balance. It feels good to be on a mount again. He chances a glance to Elincia and Leanne and despite his own luck, he sees that neither of them are faring as well. With no consistent way to heal, it will be hard for him to keep them safe. He can only pray that they do not become more harmed.

Atrocity activates!Areadbhar 15/15HP* attacks NAOISE 10/10 HP (Roll: 16, 2; hit, miss; -2HP) [NAOISE 9/10 HP ; Receives Debuffs: -2 LUCK, -1 DEF until the end of his next combat.]

"Minerva, lets get this beast!" he calls out -- deciding then not to allow any errors in judgement. He swoops down, points his arrow at the husk, and declares his target.

Valentian Bowmanship activates! Naoise declares HYANEID HUSK his target! NAOISE 9/10 HP hits HYAENID HUSK 3/15HP* with Bow of Zoltan (Roll: 17, hit! -3HP) HYAENID HUSK 15/15HP and gains second Patricia’s gift!

It rears its head and roars, but it is not as fast as Naoise. His body is running on pure adrenaline, he fears nothing. He wants to go home, he wants to see his wife, and he wants to take a nap.

His second arrow is knocked before his Kinshi is able to finish its battle-cry. He aims it, fires, and sees it hit the husk with a dull thump.

NAOISE 9/10 HP hits HYAENID HUSK 15/15HP with bow of Zoltan (Roll: 10, hit! -3HP). HYANEID HUSK 12/15HP.

"Did you see that, Ayra?" he whispers to himself, smiling only a little as he pulls his mount back. The moment is short lived, and the beast momentarily switches its full attentions onto Naoise.

HYANEID HUSK 12/15HP counterattacks NAOISE 9/10 HP with Noble Lance (Roll: 11 + 2 DEX = 13, hit! -4.5 Damage) NAOISE 4.5/10 HP. Trample activates! HYANEID HUSK 10/15HP NAOISE 4.5/10 HP no longer has -2 LUCK, -1 DEF.

It smarts, but it's not as badly as he's sure this thing has had it with Minerva and himself attacking it. It looks weaker, and though it lunges as him Naoise sees his Kinshi pull its claws down its face. With a mighty screech, the beast falls back, and Naoise can take higher to the sky.

@allegreta @amitieos

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: dragon slayers defeating the long-lost king ]#amitieos #reddragonprincess #chargesword

It will never get easier, the consuming darkness, the lurch of getting whisked away to some other battlefield of essence. This one is no less unnatural, but its strangeness courses through her in a more direct way than just vague unease.

There is also the huge, sickening dragonoid monster that clambers onto the field, accompanied by a beastial husk of a foe. Both emanate nauseous, uneasy energy, things that should not be alive, yet have been cursed with existence.

Areadbhar 15/15HP* attacks Everyone with Atrocity! Slaughterer activates! [Roll: 14 & 11 , -3HP & -3HP = -6 HP; LEANNE is 4/10 HP] LEANNE is debuffed [Roll: 8, 8, 4, 3 ; -2 LCK, -2 LCK, -1 RES, -1 DEF ] through next combat.

Even in her empowered heron form, Leanne is battered with ease, waves of attack wearing her down and nearly knocking her from the sky. She's lucky to still be flying; she wants to be useful to her allies, but she's flagging badly.

Areadbhar 15/15HP* attacks LEANNE 4/10 HP (Roll: 10 ,1; barely hit, miss; -2HP) [LEANNE 2/10 HP receives -2 AVO, -1 RES until the end of her next combat.]

Once again its claws and teeth rend her flesh; how she still lives is a miracle, certainly. Bones that would normally break at half the pressure maintain their integrity, and magic bubbles in her throat. It thinks itself her better, it thinks she is easy prey, but she will prove elsewise.

Amaterasu heals Leanne for 1HP! LEANNE 3/10HP LEANNE 3/10HP uses Gradivas to recover all HP! LEANNE 10/10HP

"I'm alright!" It's not galdr, but the energy that washes over her and heals her feels different than regular healing magic, something older and more inherent. She still feels lingering vulnerability from that nauseating magic, but her wounds knit themselves together so quickly it's as if nothing else happened. She wishes dearly she could pass this to Elincia, but it remains stubbornly locked to her form. "They'll not best me here!"

She itches to move, to attack and aid her brave allies, but to do so now would incur unnecessary, counterproductive risk. If she just repositions herself, if she waits for the right opening, then surely she can contribute the way Minerva has.

@amitieos

[ team 5 silver ] how are you me. I'M me.

His hands ache. The fine bones there feel twisted somehow, the tendons that connect bone to muscle, the ligaments that connect bone to bone all tangle into a mess of nerves and blood. It all feels alight, like he could burn.

It's an acidic feeling in the back of his throat. Memories that wash over him, screams that he wishes he could drown out. He will not fall here, not again. This all feels so real -- even if he knows it is not real, he feels his body grow heavier, his thoughts go to his family.

MINERVA MIMIC 6/10HP attacks NAOISE 5/10HP with Halahala [Roll: 13, hit!] NAOISE is 3/10 HP. Trample activates! NAOISE is 1/10 HP.

It's not Minerva, and things hardly are as they seem -- more times than not allies have proved themselves to be otherwise. That sickly thing does not fool Naoise, however, and he attacks back.

NAOISE 1/10HP counters with Lendhabair [Roll: 16, hit!] MINERVA MIMIC 3/10 HP

There is no glory in striking down the enemy when it wears a friend's face. He wonders if Arvis Velthomer knows that.

TEMPTING WHISPERS ends! All players are afflicted with BRAINWASHED!

Everything is wrong.

Everything is upside down, the faces seem to merge together and all he sees is fire. But there's nothing burning him, there's no sounds that remind him of Belhalla, and yet there he is. He stands, switches out his bow and readies it -- eager not to attack, but to defend himself.

This is what's different. He didn't have a bow last time he died. He didn't have the clarity of mind, either, but this is not new. The heat of battle, the winding tides before they crash upon the shore. His pulse quickens, he looks around and sees a girl's face in the murky distance, huddled close to a near identical child.

"Larcei...? Scáthach...?"

He's sure it's them. They're small, they have their mothers stubbornness and strength, he's sure he can see his own face reflected in theirs. He steps forward, reaches out, and tries to grab for his children.

There's something in front of him. Tall and looming, threatening. It reaches for his babies and makes them cower back in fear. His stomach drops as he pulls out his bow, takes aim, and fires.

NAOISE 1/10HP attacks Minerva 8/10HP with STUNNER [Roll: 6+4 = 10, hit!] Minerva 2/10HP is stunned and cannot counter!

He's sure that's the false Valkyrie, he can see how her eyes are not the same as his friends. He wants to stop her in her tracks, keep her still and stop her from advancing.

"You will not hurt my children! I will not let them be harmed by the likes of you!"

And he won't abandon them again, either.

@allegreta

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: how are you me? i'm me. ]#reddragonprincess #chargesword #amitieos

Something is wrong. The difference between the mirror images and her true allies has been distinct, until now, but everything twists and melds, down to her bones. Even her heron senses cannot pinpoint who is who; it would be oh so much easier to just pause things, to try and talk through and find out who is the imposter, but everything launches back into battle before she can even give voice to the idea.

Minerva 8/10HP attacks Leanne 7/10 HP with Halahala [Roll:17+6=23, hit! -5HP] Leanne 2/10 HP's buffs are inverted! Leanne 2/10 counters with Blessed Lance [Roll: 20, crit hit!] Beak of Gofannon activates! Minerva 5/10 HP is inflicted with Toxic Poison!

"Minerva, stop! It's me!" Leanne's hands move before she can think about it, and she's pierced her ally(?) clear through her upper shoulder. She stumbles back, the tang of blood and acrid poison making her sick. It's all she can do not to pass out then and there. It should be burning, her senses tell her; flames spill over the arena, yet her skin does not feel the heat.

Naoise follows up, an arrow nocked and drawn, flying loose towards Minerva before Leanne can even say something. He seems off, wrong, but in a way that she is not entirely certain marks him as a fake. She charges him, but stops short of skewering him; she needs to see something.

Leanne 2/10HP recovers +1HP from Blessed Lance. Leanne 3/10 HP. Leanne 3/10HP misses Naiose 1/10HP with Blessed Lance! [Roll: 3, miss!]

"Naoise! It's me, Leanne! Please, listen to me!" His eyes are fixated on something else entirely, something that bears upon him like the flames that consumed Serenes. There's nothing to do for him now, and a familiar buzz of black begins to eat at the edges of her senses.

But she doesn't want things to end this way. Not with all of them attacking each other, not with their blood on each other's hands.

Leanne throws her weapon down, embracing the taller man in a hug, wings surrounding them and blocking out the chaos of the battle around them. If one of their foes wishes to strike her down like this, so be it; things are ending, anyway. This is more important.

"It's not real. None of this is real. We're going to be alright. I promise you."

Minerva or her mimic bombard Leanne with magic, she does not know at this point, leaving her barely standing. But she refuses to leave her vigil. Even as she watches her own mirror image approach them in the rapidly darkening space, she stares them cleanly in the eyes. These foes may have bested them physically, but her heart will not succumb.

[ team 5 silver ] how are you me. I'M me.

The battle was getting more and more heated. There was something that moved through them, a sickly wave that Naoise felt in every last knuckle. He felt dread roll through him, his body slow, and his mind felt bogged down.

He closed this eyes, if only for a moment.

"I will protect my friends," he murmured, then opened them to come face to face with that atrocity.

NAOISE 9/10HP attacks CERVID HUSK 8/10HP* [Roll:17, 9: hit! hit!] CERVID HUSK 2/10HP*. CERVID HUSK counters with ANTLER GORE [Roll: 19,12, hit, hit!] NAOISE 5/10HP

He shot his arrows twice, piercing that abomination's skin and making it howl. He had never heard such a noise, and could not imagine what was making sound so sensitive for him. He took that moment to press the flats of his hands over his ears, and that was his undoing.

He flung backwards, landing near Leanne and Minerva, a loud cry on his lips. His head thunked backwards against the ground and he inhaled sharply. "We need to kill it before it can regenerate again," he winced. "We can do it..."

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: how are you me? i'm me. ]#amitieos #reddragonprincess #chargesword

"Elincia!" Leanne cries out in concern, watching her friend crumple to the ground at the hands of her own doppelganger. Naoise and Minerva quickly fall in line, protecting their stunned comrade; clearly, they have marked experience on the battlefield. Leanne is slow to act in comparison to them, losing precious time to her own worries and nausea, but she swallows, shaking her head. She must do her part.

Leanne 10/10HP auto-crits CERVID HUSK 2/10HP* with Hit and Run! [Roll: 6, hit!]

Gripping her lance, she swoops in as the deerlike beast is distracted by Naoise, landing a hefty blow that sends it flying backwards. It twitches, spasming before it finally grows still.

"Is it over? Has it fallen?"

MULTI HEALTHBAR activates! CERVID HUSK 10/10HP.

It rises again, hooves unsteady and antlers ready once again to kill. Despite this, it surely seems less coordinated than it was before, on its last legs, so to speak.

"We're close!" Leanne eyes the mimics as well; they are still fearsome, holding all the power of the allies they copied. "Just a little more...!"

[ team 5 silver ] how are you me. I'M me.

After a long moment of realization, Minerva shrugged her shoulder and shook her head, her right hand trying to keep the weight of her thoughts, but as soon as she opened her eyes, she couldn’t be happier to not feel the grip of the ground underneath her feet –the sensation of being on a mount once again was something priceless for her, but most importantly… Her companions!

She quickly gave a glance around and she felt odd: how many Sir Noise, how many Queen Elincia and how many princess Leanne there were? And, on a side note.. There was another Minerva too! She squinted her eyes in amazement mixed with horror and disgust: how on earth is that even possible? Obviously they weren’t exactly like them, they were human form, but in some way resembled the appearance and the equipment of her team.

“This is not good..” she murmured as she gave a proper look at HER team and while watching over Leanne and Elincia, safe and sound after the horrible shipwreck from before, Noise suddenly shoot an arrow and with a splendid mastery, he did manage to stop in place the only one figure bigger and different from the other forms, pointing out that the whole team should be focusing on the other enemies.

“Sure thing, let me take care of it!” Minerva shouted, making her way towards the nearest enemy, actually a pretty familiar face pointing an arrow towards her. She stopped, staring at it with dismay, but knowing that the real Naoise was right next to her, she couldn’t go wrong and while feeling a little worried about her weapon (another damn spell-book), she concentrated all her focus on her mind and tried to transfer it to the book, this time balancing the mixture of emotions inside her chest and taking out just the right combinations of words and spells.

Minerva 10/10HP attacks SNIPER MIMIC 10/10 HP with Halahala [Roll: 9+2 = 11] hit! TRAMPLE activates [-2HP]! Fiendish Blow activates! Buff revert! Total damage: -6HP! SNIPER MIMIC is 4/10HP. NAOISE MIMIC counters! [Roll:4-4; 0. Miss!]

The incantations turned out correctly this time and it didn’t even give the time for the enemy to properly counter back the damage received: a total victory for Minerva, who was so proud to be capable of dealing and treating with magic with such mastery and eagerness.

“One’s almost down!” she retreated from it, giving space to the others to take the chance to attack as well.

@allegreta @amitieos

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: how are you me? I'M me. ]#amitieos #chargesword #reddragonprincess #toaarena2023fall

The world reforms, and Leanne finds herself on solid ground, armed with a spear and imbued with her usual power of galdr. It is a relief, in some senses, that she can aid her allies in a way she is used to; in other ways, she is frustrated she has not gotten the chance to redeem her performance earlier.

There is no time to be reflective, though; strange, twisted beings look back at them with their own eyes, twisted facsimiles of Leanne and her allies. The arena will stop at nothing to challenge them.

"Fantastic, Naoise!" Leanne cheers for her companion, the man who'd nobly sacrificed himself prior and puts himself directly in the fray now. A seasoned soldier, for certain, someone she can rely on to cover her and the others' backs. "Please, lend us your strength!"

Leanne 10/10HP uses Refresh on Naoise 10/10HP! Naoise gains an additional turn!

Leanne sings, clear notes echoing through the battlefield as seid magic imbues Naoise with vigor. She can do this, she can be useful and she will make sure no one dies this time.

@amitieos

[TEAM 5 BRONZE] fr what happens if we can't swim /srs

The calmness of the sea was something that Minerva always appreciated a lot back when she was in her kingdom, but now… It only meant one thing: the creatures were gathering to attack again.

SOPHI [5] 3/3 HP attacks MINERVA 3/10HP [Roll 2d20: 9, hit!, 9, hit!] MINERVA 2/10HP MINERVA 2/10HP counters with Blessed Lance [Roll 1d20: 2’, Crit hit!] SOPHI [5] HAS BEEN DEFEATED!

The sudden thrust of the little creature against her body hugely bothered the red-haired princess, who immediately countered back with her lance, piercing its whole body with a single hit and not even partially surprised by the ferocious attack she made: she was furious, she was mad for her loss and she didn’t want anyone else to be the next in the list. After a long moment of realization and seeing the trouble her beloved Queen was dealing with, the redhead knight decided to act on impulse and without thinking it twice, she immediately stood still and ran towards the edge of the boat, passing by the minions and ignoring the horrible stare of the giant creature.

MINERVA 3/10HP assists! [Roll: [4, 2, 2, 1]] conditions met! LEANNE 3.5/10HP no longer drowning!

She jumped and she landed in the cold waters, desperately searching for a hint of the blondish princess: she looked right, she looked left, she grasped from some air and then, she eyed a familiar and fragile figure –there she was!! Before digging deep, she caught a large breath and then she was once again underwater, swimming swiftly towards the objective, till she reached the weak girl floating in the serenity and stillness of the deep waters. At the touch, she felt her so light in her arms that she almost feared to hurt her while moving backwards to the surface, but she had no time to waste right now and with swift movements of her feet, she nimble made her way back to the boat –firstly lifting the unconscious body with all her strength and trying her best to gently placing her in on the floor of the boat; then it was her turn, with a harsh grip of her hands on the edge, pulling the wet body with her remaining forces and then slid on the wooden floor, beside Leanne.

“You’re safe now…” she managed to breath as she gently touched Leanne's arm, feeling the temperature and hoping she would get back to them once again. “Please, live..!” she wasn’t sure they made out alive for real, but at least she did the most reasonable thing she thought in that exact moment. She looked right in front of herself, staring at the sky: she saw Elincia and she saw a hope, their only hope right now.

@amitieos

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: fr what happens if we can't swim /srs ]#chargesword #amitieos #reddragonprincess #toaarena2023fall

Leanne awakens in the arms of a savior, reverted to her beorc form. Minerva is a strong, impressive woman, clearly used to the battlefield, and here she is spending her time rescuing Leanne when she could be helping Elincia.

Frustration bubbles in Leanne as she musters the strength to get to her feet, to shift once more, to ready her beak and her body for another onslaught. She turns to Elincia, nodding in understanding. Their physical strength wavers, one of their allies lost to the tides. This is a last hurrah, an effort into a cold, uncaring universe, a sea that will just as soon suffocate than nourish.

Backup activates! ELINCIA assists! [-1HP, SOPHROSYNE 10/20HP] LEANNE 2.5/10 HP attacks SOPHROSYNE 11/20 HP with Short Spear and uses Combat Art Hit and Run [Roll d20-2=9, hit! -1HP, SOPHROSYNE 9/20HP]

Leanne darts in quickly, wearing the aquatic monster down yet again. Elincia backs her up, and together they chip away at its hide. Despite their impending doom, despite the nausea of the seawater in her belly and the chaos in the air, she finds herself proud, satisfied that she too can contribute to efforts as a combatant. She quickly sweeps back to Minerva's side, watching her rescuer's back; as the only landbound fighter left, she is at a disparate disadvantage.

@amitieos

[TEAM 5 BRONZE] fr what happens if we can't swim /srs

The happiness in seeing a companion back again on his feet lasted very few moments, as the horrible giant creature immediately got its revenge and dashed against the poor body of Naoise, crashing him down on his back and not even making him realize of the whole happening. Minerva’s too was utterly shocked by the consequences of the events, leaving her speechless and petrified for several moments, not even bothering about the attacks of the little minions that managed to get on the boat with them.

SOPHI [3] 1/3 HP attacks MINERVA 4/10HP [Roll 2d20: 18, hit!, 9, hit!] MINERVA 3/10HP SOPHI [4] 3/3 HP attacks MINERVA 3/10HP [Roll 2d20: 17, hit!, 13, hit!] MINERVA 2/10HP

She was motionless, not even capable of reacting due to the horrible feeling it was passing through her stomach, but as soon as the body of his dear companion fell on the floor of the boat, she felt blood boiling in her veins, her head tilted immediately towards the giant creature and with a smooth and swift movement, she pulled from her back the blessed lance she was willing to use since minute one of the combat.

“YOU—!” she pointed the lance towards it, eyes burning with hate mixed with sadness and disgust, “You’re gonna pay for what you did” she was red in face, hands shaking, the burst of emotions was too much to deal in a situation like that. She wasn’t ready to fight, she had too much of this situation, of this crumbling venture of feelings and she just wanted to end all of this.

MINERVA 2/10HP attacks SOPHROSYNE 9/20 HP with Blessed Lance & uses Combat Art Hit & Run [Roll d20-4: 0, miss!]

The distress was way too much for her to actually concentrate on the objective and as she attempted to assault the creature with the lance, she stumble on her foot and lost the balance and control of the situation: she was down, on her knees, staring at the ground, wet and bloody, panting and grasping air, as she realized that even her was too fatigued to actually made some progress in their mission.

MINERVA 2/10HP is healed by the Blessed Lance [ MINERVA 3/10HP ]

Yet, the faint healing sensation coming from her spear actually made her feel a little less tense –a glimmer of hope, but a mere instant, as she suddenly eyed the corpse of her companion, dead for protecting them and hopefully proud of the Mecedon princess, even she if she failed so much on that action.

“I’m… truly sorry Naoise…” she muttered between a gasp and a heavy breath, “But… we won’t surrender, not now..!” she eyed Elincia, hoping she could actually save the other princess in the sea or at least do some damage and stop the horrible deeds of that monstrosity.

@amitieos

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: fr what happens if we can't swim /srs ]#chargesword #amitieos #reddragonprincess #toaarena2023fall

Even heron senses cannot fully overcome a sea that is actively trying to drown you, but Leanne can hear bits and pieces of her allies' predicaments. They cry out her name while in peril themselves, and she wants to tell them she'll be fine, she'll be fine--

SOPHI [2] 3/3 HP attacks LEANNE 6/10 HP [Roll 2d20-2: 17, hit!, 8, hit!] LEANNE 5/10 HP SOPHI [5] 3/3 HP attacks LEANNE 5.5/10 HP [Roll d20-2: 17, hit!, 13, hit!] LEANNE 4.5/10 HP

The turtle-beasts bite and scratch at her, the pain at once driving precious breath from her lungs and prompting her limbs to move, to try and propel her upwards with a final exertion of her burning muscles.

LEANNE 4.5/10 HP is still drowning! LEANNE 3.5/10 HP

The world grows dark, darker, and the panic of her teammates fades into muffled sounds of indiscriminate meaning. The water beckons, gentle in its violence, whispering in her ear just to let go. It would be so easy. It would be oh so easy. She wants to fight, but it isn't in her heart, and the water lulls her back to rationality, back to peace, back to order.

LEANNE 3.5/10 HP is unconscious!

[TEAM 5 BRONZE] fr what happens if we can't swim /srs

amitieos

Despite the chaos, Elincia is able to urge her pegasus to move out of the way of the watery beast's initial attack. Then she turns back to search the murky depths below, looking for any hint of her precious allies beneath the waves. With her back turned and mind distracted, she leaves herself open to attack. Their foe is merciless and unrelenting, sending another deluge of water her way whilst she busies herself trying to save her friends.

Sophrosyne attacks Elincia with Deluge. Roll d20-4: 6-4 = 2 miss! Roll d2: 1! Sophrosyne attacks again Roll d20-4: 20-4 = 16 Critical hit! Elincia takes 5HP damage Elincia counters with Flame Lance. Roll d20: 1! Miss Sophrosyne has 9/10HP remaining Elincia has 3/10HP remaining

She turns in time to take the hit square in the chest. Fumbling in surprise and eyes screwed shut in pain, she nearly drops her lance whilst trying to fight back. Thankfully the beast retreats, sparing her anymore pain. At least of the physical sort - Naoise's pleas tear through her heart, wrapping their talons around the muscle and squeezing tight, so tight it feels as though her chest is about to burst.

With some encouragement, she convinces Chrysaor to dive down low enough so that she can try to reach him. Try to grab his hand. The waves refuse to stop for mere mortals though, Naoise splashes and fumbles, struggling to keep his head above water. Their hands meet, for an instant, but they're both soaking wet and slip past each other. Elincia's lucky she didn't plunge headfirst into the sea herself.

"Dammit! Naoise, please hold on! We can't lose you!"

Elincia rolls to assist Naoise: Roll 4d4, (4, 3, 3, 2) Conditions not met. Naoise is still drowning.

@reddragonprincess

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: fr what happens if we can't swim /srs ]#chargesword #reddragonprincess #amitieos

Elincia moves in graceful tandem with Leanne, striking true between the aquatic monster's scales. It reels back, howling in pain, lashing at Elincia and churning the very waters to its command. Leanne hardly has a chance to move back before the tides grab her, crush her, drive the water from her lungs--

OPHROSYNE 11/20 HP uses CRUSHING WAVES [Roll: 4d4: 2, 2, 4, 4] LEANNE 10/10 HP takes -4 HP [LEANNE 6/10 HP] drowning!

--and she is drowning, surrounded by smaller monsters as she flails, trying to surface her head above water. There's no sign of Elincia or the others, and she hears the muffled yells of her allies as the waves come for them too.

SOPHI [4] 3/3 HP on LEANNE 6/10 HP: 9-4= 5, barely hit! -0HP = LEANNE 6/10 HP SOPHI [5] 3/3 HP on LEANNE 6/10 HP: 9-4= 5, barely hit! -0HP = LEANNE 6/10 HP

The minions gnash at her, but her feathers feel harder than before, more protective, and all she feels are the dull impacts. They struggle to get anything more in than glancing blows, too, the tides as tumultuous for them as they are for her.

LEANNE 6/10 HP is drowning! [Roll: 2, 4, 4, 3], conditions not met!

She struggles, tries to position herself to swim upwards, and she can feel herself getting close, but oxygen is waning and the water's grip is too tight.

[TEAM 5 BRONZE] fr what happens if we can't swim /srs

Naoise's feet are planted securely on the boat, his gaze turned skyward. He is not a sailor by any stretch of the imagination. He feels much more comfortable with his feet on solid ground, or sitting atop a trusted mount. Still, he feels secure in his footing; his furrowed brow and serious expression give none of his internal thoughts away.

"Lady Minerva," he says, because she is the only other one who is bound to the ship as he is. "Are you ready?"

He does not wait for an answer. Before him he sees the creatures the four of them are to fight; one large monster surrounded by three other smaller ones.

Three more additional Sophis appear! TOTAL SOPHIS: 6

He inhales sharply as he spots three more arise. How many were still hidden, that none of them could see? Would they need to defeat these before they attacked the larger creature? Or perhaps they spawned from that beast in the center?

So many questions run through his mind. He does exactly what he thinks he should do, and that is try. There is no quick solution to this, only trial and error.

Backup activates! LEANNE assists! [-1, SOPHI 1 2/3HP], ELINCIA assists! [-1, SOPHI 1 1/3HP]

He inhales, hopes Lord Sigurd is proud of him. Readying his short spear, he takes aim.

NAOISE 10/10HP hits Sophi 1 0/3 HP Sophi 1 has been defeated!

"Lady Leanne! Lady Elinicia!" Naoise calls out in warning, though that seems for naught. He watches the wretched thing fall back, but does not breathe any sigh of relief.

➶ @amitieos ➶ @allegreta ➶ @reddragonprincess

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: fr what happens if we can't swim /srs ]#amitieos #reddragonprincess #chargesword #toaarena2023fall

To be paired with her lady Elincia fills Leanne with such joy, despite the general forboding of a combat simulation. Her other teammates seem to be seasoned soldiers; Leanne feels distinctly out of place, but it is her duty as a princess to have knowledge and ability to defend her people and loved ones, regardless of conflict's antithetical nature in her heart.

(And perhaps, these simulations in which she is granted power beyond what she normally has are something she seeks out, regardless of discomfort.)

Leanne finds herself in heron form, but empowered, somehow. Like the hawks Reyson idolizes, claws and beak ready to rend flesh. She is in flight, circling the boat where her allies Naoise and Minerva face down the wretched beasts surrounding them, adjacent to Elincia who sits atop a pegasus as she does in the waking realm.

"I'm here!" Leanne turns, watching as the smaller fishlike beasts circle the boat, focused in such a synchronized way she feels they must be following something.

There! A shadow beneath the surface, the gleam of armored scales. Something monstrous and calculating, lurking and watching their every move.

"I think I see their commander!" Perhaps to a beorc, attributing this level of intelligence to such inhuman beings so easily would seem odd, but Leanne feels confident. This is who they should target, the mastermind pulling the strings. "There!"

Backup activates! ELINCIA assists! [-1HP, SOPHROSYNE 19/20HP] NAOISE assists! [-1HP, SOPHROSYNE 18/20HP]

Elincia and Naoise flush it out with ranged weapons, hardly piercing its hide but revealing its location for Leanne to dive in, sharpened beak and waterproof feathers flashing as she breaches the water herself. If it won't come to them, she will utilize her abilities to bring the fight to it!

LEANNE 10/10HP hits SOPHROSYNE 18/20HP with Short Spear! [Roll 13-6=7, 13-6=7, Hit and Hit! -2HP, SOPHROSYNE 16/20HP]

The beast screeches as it swims away from her; she can feel the blood on her tongue as it pierces a weak spot. Feelings swirl together in a dizzy haze as she takes to the air once more. Where there should be nausea, there is a hawklike enthusiasm. She wonders if Reyson will be jealous when she recounts.

october activity check: passed!

skill points: 27->28

faith: C+ (1)->B

obtained: pending

#toaactivity

toa-advicebox

So there's this annoyance Person I've known before, that I once again find myself face to face with. And like, they've always been so rude to me! Or maybe that's their way of showing affection. I don't know. But here's the thing. They can't EVER know that I actually missed their company. I guess I'm wondering, what should I do? I really want to catch up with them, despite everything...

#[ ooc ]#[ art tag ]#leanne fire emblem #ephidel #ephidel fire emblem

Why can't they know? Don't you think it might mean a lot to them if they did know? I think you are correct, some people show affection by being rude, but things might end up sorted out in a way that clarifies both of your feelings if you talked to them about this!

It might seem scary, but if you don't, you'll lose valuable time with this person you care about. If you really wanted to, maybe you could pretend to bump into them, but I would recommend honesty. Not only does it help communication, but you might be able to talk about any problems you've had and strengthen your friendship!

#[ ic ]#toa advice box

hiiii you Will Look at this wonderful leanne/ephidel art i commissioned from my buddy @ufocraze.

snowystarballad-deactivated2023

Melody of Dragon and Heron

(Nils and Leanne thread)

snowystarballad-deactivated2023

When Leanne approached him, he was just about to wrap up his song. He felt her approach a little bit beforehand, but her silence told him he didn’t need to worry, this was someone who respected music.

As he opened his eyes, revealing two deep red irises, he looked at the woman that approached him. She was quite beautiful, he noted to himself, and had a gentle air about her. Her wings told him that she, like him, was not human. As much as it normally might’ve frustrated him to admit, this knowledge helped him feel a bit more at ease.

“Hi there, Princess Leanne, I’m Nils, the new music teacher!” He said with a smile, his cheerful tone quite a far cry from the solemn expression he had beforehand.

“You have quite the remarkable ear, I must say. Not many people can sense the magic in this song specifically, most are enchanted by its tune without realizing why.” He explained. While he didn’t quite let down his guard entirely, he saw no harm in explaining part of I t to the winged girl.

“This song comes from my homeland.. It was often performed as part of a ritual to honor our dead. Hence, it carries our feelings in its melody.” He had a gentle expression on his face, as if recalling it brought back nostalgic memories, of days spent in the shrine with Ninian, praying as he played his song in tribute.

#[ ic ]#[ thread ]#[ thread: melody of dragon and heron ]#snowystarballad

"Oh! No need to call me princess, just Leanne will do." Nils' anxiety palpably lessens when he catches sight of her wings; even if she couldn't sense it, it feels rather obvious he is some manner of nonhuman. His face creases into an easy, infectious smile that she cannot help but return. "My own homeland's magic is harnessed through singing rather than instrumental performance, but this is familiar to me."

Leanne nods respectfully, allowing the weight of the song to wash over her. It is great luck on both their ends that it was her who witnessed this song; she hopes she can provide some semblance of familiarity, even if it isn't quite the same.

"In Serenes, we have a similar song. The galdr of remembrance, or galdr of remembrance in the modern tongue." She doubts Nils will recognize her words, but it feels easy to share these things with him. She hopes it helps him feel more comfortable. "While it is not the same, it shares a similar melody. It is curious and beautiful, that our people, so far away, share something like this."

toa-advicebox

I'm not who I say I am and I find myself losing more of my sense of self as days pass. I find myself jealous disgusted that the person I present myself as is able to live a normal life.

I have become blisteringly angry that I was destined for a life of pain and destruction but they lived cluelessly and were loved by so many even though they are me. I think they're a fool for trusting others. I fear I was wrong. Stuck in this way of living, in a cycle that keeps repeating, I'm tired. I am too far gone and have enjoyed the pain I brought but I've seen the same scenarios unfold repeatedly. I am changing for the worse.

To be on equal footing as others sickens me. That I could be brought down to their level enrages me. It's driving me mad to be spoken to with kindness and concern when they speak to a face that is not mine. The kindness hurts more than their scorn.

Should I continue to live this lie and make them even more beloved in the hearts of others? Is it possible the people who seek to know me could like what they see?