nostos

a letter for small things

Mission Board: Affluence

Today’s class is not about the different types of fletching, war tactics, or history, but instead, writing. The professor and another, an assistant she presumes, pulls out a large box with a grin. They are each to write a letter and the only information they receive is that it is going to a member of another house or faculty member. She is handed some paper and an envelope to seal it away in.

Not quite being the talkative type, she begins writing with ease, letting the words flow freely until she decides she is done. As an introduction to her mysterious partner, she keeps it short. Sue seals a letter in a golden envelope provided by the classroom and sealed with wax the color of ripe acorns that litter the forest floor in fall. She drops it in the slit of the box at the front and carries on with her day. To whomever hands it falls into, it reads:

Hello.

I admit, I am surprised to see the academy encourage another anonymous event. Building relations without bias is the objective, I think. Though, I suppose there is nothing to stop you from revealing yourself within this letter.

Shall we play a game? A test to see how keen your observation skills are by staying anonymous (for now) and seeing if the other can guess. I can see the flaws, but I’d imagine having the messenger being the only person who possesses this knowledge at least eliminating the letter getting lost.

If you object, then I can reveal myself as well, but for now I am choosing my pen name to be a color. Simple, but vague enough to not expose myself so early on. There are no stakes to this, in fact, I’d almost find it comforting in some way to speak with a stranger. It is odd, isn’t it? Sometimes, you don’t wish to burden someone you care about, especially if they are one of your closest allies, with some of your worst thoughts. Additionally if you’re unsure, a promise from me: what we say will stay confidential in this letter. That is your first hint, I do not break promises, my word is true.

Until we speak again,

Green

Starter for @hresvelged

hresvelged

Often does Edelgard write letters of correspondence and diplomacy, but they lack familiarity. Friendliness, save for needing something of her. It is a refreshing front, even if the activity is one professor-sanctioned rather than by her own hand. When she is handed the envelope, wonder and intrigue fill her mind. She knows not who's handwriting this is, but she does carefully place the letter back into the envelope before bringing it to her room for the night.

Sun turns to moon as the only light shifts to the candle at her desk. Dipping her quill into the black ink, she crafts her own reply in peace and drops it off in the morning. The writing is perfectly neat and finds itself accompanied by a crimson envelope.

Greetings,

Thank you for the letter and your thoughts. I hope this finds you well. I happen to feel similarly. Remaining behind a guise grants both boons and banes. The monastery most certainly wants us to form rapport with one another.

I would be happy to oblige with a game. In fact, I am pleased you proposed it. While I hold no particular qualms revealing my identity, it's as you've said. Doing so now would only ruin what anonymity within these words grants us. I'd like to hold onto this a little longer. For now, regard me as your color companion. Does green hold any significance to you?

Allow me to offer a similar sentiment. I vow to keep the contents of these letters to myself. That being said, I will extend a hint of my own. When I have a goal set in mind, I will do all in my power to help me achieve it. You strike me as a person who feels similar. Is this correct?

Tell me more about yourself. In return, you may ask me anything you wish and I will do my best to answer.

Best,

Red

#hresvelged #thread: a letter for small things #mission: affluence

It is the next day when she finds a letter waiting for her where she normally sits in class. Carefully, she tucks it away to read and respond to later.

Sue is a bit surprised when she reads its contents. Though she could not immediately make a guess or pick out the handwriting, she gets the sense that she has at least met this person before. By this point, she has met several students of the academy, some that could potentially fit the style of this letter, so she sits down and sets aside any guesses to write a reply.

Red, My color companion, opposing hue, an interesting choice.

It is true that I would agree that once you have a goal you should do everything you can to reach it. Aim with your heart to land true.

Your style feels… professional. I would almost wonder if I’m writing to a member of the church. It’s as good a guess as any, but I do have my doubts. After all, I have been told my communication style is blunt or direct, so maybe we are alike in that regard. Straight to the point, though these letters stray a bit from that.

Green as a color is very important to me. Aside from personal bias, it is everywhere, in the trees… the grass. It is what allows not only us humans to hide, but animals to camouflage themselves.

Red is a very striking color, bold, some may even consider it a lucky color. We’ve established you seem to be a determined person, so maybe it’s symbolic of that. So, I am curious after putting what little information I have learned together, what is it then that you have your eyes set on?

Kind regards,

Green

it’s with little difficulty that niles tracks down the archer he’d fought beside.

she’s among the golden deer, and as such one of the students he ostensibly teaches ( though he’d observed that she’s a good enough shot, clearly, that he doesn’t think she’d need intense instruction ) , so he’s already vaguely familiar with her, and even more so after the battles they’d faced. she seems a quiet kid, calm in a way that probably serves her well.

“where’d you learn to shoot like that?” he asks, then pauses. “or, no, maybe don’t tell me. someone your age being that experienced with weapons—that skillset isn’t usually from anyplace good. either way, i wanted to pay you the compliment. you really turned the battle around for us, didn’t you?”

It is in the training hall that she is approached by her professor, former teammate. So they would always find each other in this particular setting it seems. Though it is for the best as he is a sort of mentor to her even if they have not conversed much before this.

She shrugs before her answer, not having particularly strong feelings about the matter one way or the other. Though he has the assumption, the wrong one in her case, and gives her the option to spare the details she does anyway.

Sue examines one of her arrows while she speaks, eyes focusing on the length and its odd slight bend in it. “Where I’m from, every child is taught to shoot from a young age among other foundational skills. I suppose fighting is just an extra boon.”

At his second comment, she accepts it with a small and subtle smile, but shakes her head for she could not claim all the credit. “Thank you. The… kinshi was kind enough to lend his aid.”

In fact, throughout the battles, all the animals were of some help, another blessing from the earth. She secures the bent arrow in her quiver and stands to meet him. "Actually, I was about to pay a visit to the stables, would you like to come? I’m sure the bird would like to see you too. You are his friend as well or he wouldn’t have fought so valiantly alongside us.”

#folternis #(( niles :pleading: ty for sending! ))

[ June Activity Check ]

Status: Pass / Fail / Hiatus

Skill Points:

Earned: 2

Previous: 5

Current: 7

Skill point(s) allocated to bow and riding: D+ → C, D → D+

Completed / dropped threads:

Ball 01 / Completed; Word Count: tba Without the blazing it's just bullshit / Completed; Word Count: tba Jason Momoa sneaking up on Henry Cavill meme / Completed; Word Count: tba

Stat Timeline:

#toaactivity

#thread end #toaball2024 #ball 01 #nabataprophet #(( sophiiiiiiie :pleading: ))

She tries to imagine the desert and its beauty, its life within it. The world she has always known are either lush forest grounds or open fields of land. When she thinks of the desert, she can only see neverending stretches of sand. They really are from two different worlds.

In any case, when she had expressed the desire to visit Arcadia, she did mean it. She is sure no summer heat could compare to the desert, but she would tolerate it.

“An oasis… Yes, that sounds nice. I think my horse would like it as well.” She wonders if it houses fish, though if it is pure, then perhaps not. What do Arcadians eat without trees to forage from?

Speaking of eating, Sophia’s comment pulls her from her thoughts and she shakes her head. “Keep it for as long as you need. …It looks nice on you.”

Sue picks up the fork to twirl some food and her hunger makes itself known. Satisfying herself with the first bite, her eyes glance toward the split meatball, ready to grab a piece next. Before she does though, she notices Sophia had cut it in an uneven half.

While she appreciates the gesture, she slices off another piece and tips it toward Sophia’s half of the plate to keep them even as a nonverbal act of care.

When she takes a moment to pause, she adds, "If we are visiting each other's home, then I'd like to show you mine as well if you'd like. It is quite different from the desert, but there may be something you like."

nabataprophet

Nodding slightly, Sophia rearranges the cape, repositioning it so that it's out of the way of any errant falling sauce. The last thing she wants is to stain the cape that Sue has so kindly lent her, especially when the night is still so young.

That's right. It's still early and there is a long night ahead of both of them. Sophia has learned from last year that the event lasts nearly all night. A hearty meal like this spaghetti is the key to having enough energy to not need to retire early. Water and sweets are not nearly enough for the demands of a ball; this is a lesson she learned the hard way.

She does not fight Sue on accepting another piece of the meatball. If Sue is kind enough to share, then she will gratefully accept her kindness. Both with her cape and her food, Sue is generous in a way that Sophia does not wish to refuse.

"The plains..." Sophia murmurs quietly.

Wide open skies are something she's used to, but grass as far as the eye can see is a far cry from the near endless coarse sand of the desert. They had passed by the plains briefly on the march to Bern, but it had not been enough time to truly take in the sight the sight of an ocean of grass.

"...If I can go... one day... I would like to."

Not marching with an army, not with the threat of tragedy hanging over head, but just for the joy of seeing something new with a friend.

She would like that quite a bit.

Fin.

without the blazing, it's just bullshit - team 11

summer arena 2024, gold round

A brief lull, along with a small crack in the wall of smoke, allowed Ares another quick search for that healer knight. Blonde hair and greenish clothing were soon found peeking through the plumes, but most importantly, they weren't splayed out across the ground, and for now that was all Ares was looking for.

Next, he hefted his cannon back in the direction he'd last seen the horseman taking before disappearing back into the smoke, fingers drumming carefully on the small mechanisms that determined his active ammo type. He'd seen the state of that shade's armor when it last rode by, and it was riddled with ichor leaking from the grooves in its hefty armor, but the plates themselves still looked fresh from the smith.

"Hm..." One finger slid over the switch for Piercing, while another glanced by the one for Venom. They took turns applying light pressure to each, all while distant thundering began to build again.

Even when the hoofbeats were approaching the familiar level of a roar again, his fingers remained steady, contemplative, all the way up to when the horseman's figure was about to pierce the veil with his lance once again.

Only the moment Ares could see the hollows of where its eyes would normally be moved him to fire, and not a second earlier.

Sue’s Backup activates! -1HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10HP Ares 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 1/10HP with Venom Blast [Roll: 13 - 4 = 9, -2.5 + 6 = -0HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10HP] Calm Philosopher has been afflicted with Toxic Poison! Seal Movement activates! Calm Philosopher has been afflicted with Taunt!

A haze of purple exploded from the mouth of his cannon, rocketing an oozing ball right at the shade's face before exploding into a million shards of toxic grapeshot.

The horse's shade reared, muzzle only able to mimic the way a horse's would open to scream since it seemed to not have a voice of its own, but the rider still clung too hard to the reins to be tossed.

Ares knew which part of the song and dance came next, to disappear back into the fresh smoke and return for another annoying pot shot, and he'd decided it'd gotten old.

It was no melee weapon, but it was still big enough to bar their path, so Ares raised both his shield and cannon and charged at the horseman with full body tackle.

Calm Philosopher 5/10HP hits Ares 10/10HP with Basilikos [Roll: 9 + 4 = 13; -5 + 4.5 = -0.5HP, Ares 9.5/10HP] Ares is unable to counterattack! Sesshoseki activates! -2HP, Calm Philosopher 3/10HP Calm Philosopher’s Defiant Defense activates. Calm Philosopher’s DEF is now +6. Trample activates! -2HP, Ares 7/10HP Toxic Poison activates! Calm Philosopher 3/10HP loses -1HP, Calm Philosopher 2/10HP The effects of Taunt have worn off!

The shade seemed to be thinking the same, as by the time his weapons had locked with the horseman, he'd swapped to a new axe to hack at him with.

They were solid swings too, for what little glances they were worth against armor so thick, but Ares could tell they couldn't last. Each one the shade took was an undertaking, and its arms had begun to tremble under the axe's weight.

One more push to tip it was his experienced hunch --

A gruff, "Finish it!" was squeezed out between grunts as he fought to hold this golden opening a little longer.

-- just one more!

#toaarena2024summer #lionscion #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #folternis #thread: without the blazing it's just bullshit #thread end

Slowly but surely, everyone’s efforts are starting to take effect. The shadow falters as magic and weapons chip it to vapor. Sue allows this distraction to cloud her vision and the first two shots she misses.

The shadow couldn’t be for long, she thinks. Just one more…

Darting Blow activates! Sue 10/10HP misses Calm Philosopher 1/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 6 - 2 = 4; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10HP] Sue 10/10HP misses Calm Philosopher 1/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 2 - 2 = 0; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10] Calm Philosopher is unable to counterattack! Follow up attack! Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 1/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 11 - 2 = 9; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10HP] Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 1/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 8 - 2 = 6; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 1/10] Trample activates! -2HP, Calm Philosopher 0/10HP Injector activates! Calm Philosopher’s HP is held at 0.5/10HP and then restored to 5/10HP! Calm Philosopher loses the effects of Defiant Defense!

However, just as she shoots what she thinks are her last two arrows and her kinshi pokes it with his beak the shadow dissipates for a moment only for it to recollect itself, this time with an axe wasting no time to exact its final revenge.

“He’s still standing?” she gasps, hands gripping the reins.

Her ally calls out a command that shakes her out of her awe. Hopefully this would be the final stand. Though risen, it doesn’t look as though the shadow returned to full health thankfully.

“Okay boy, follow my lead.” She pats the kinshi’s neck and readies her bow. Each release of an arrow it lands in a different spot to signal where he should attack. She feels her own energy sync with that of her bird mount and they merge as one unit for the final few moments. Not only does she feel a connection to her mount, but her teammates as they are also waiting for this to end.

Sue is not one to incite violence, however, this fight has gone on long enough. It is time to bring it to a close.

Darting Blow activates! Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 2/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 19 - 2 = 17; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 2/10HP] Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 2/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 14 - 2 = 12; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 2/10] Calm Philosopher is unable to counterattack! Follow up attack! Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 2/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 9 - 2 = 7; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 2/10HP] Sue 10/10HP barely hits Calm Philosopher 2/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 7 - 2 = 5; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 2/10] Trample activates! -2HP, Calm Philosopher 0/10HP Calm Philosopher has been defeated!

The kinshi charges in to kick and peck in just the right areas to take him down. Aside from finally ending the round, she could not hide the twitch at the corner of her lips as the shadow fell once and for all. Though, it would not be possible without her teammates.

Sue lands and looks at each. “It has been an honor to fight by everyone’s side. Our victory would not be possible without everyone’s effort.” And maybe they could all walk away with a new forged friendship.

Fin.

without the blazing, it's just bullshit - team 11

summer arena 2024, gold round

Though his hands are definitely severely damaged from his foolish attack just a moment ago, Harken knows he can't stand around and wait for others to help. He'd made himself a burden, but he wasn't about to place that weight on his teammates if he could help it.

Scanning the field for a moment, breaths hissing between his gritted teeth, he's glad to see that he is the only one of his team that is this injured. Only Shez and Ares have any wounds, and they are relatively minor -- which means he should be able to heal them easily so that they don't have to worry about taking their eyes off their foes.

"Please, allow me to heal you...," Harken asks -- not quite a beg, but still rather pathetic considering his current state. Where before he had laid his hands on those he was about to heal, something compelled him to try and focus it on himself and then outward.

He'd never attempted this before, so he had no idea if it would actually work as he was hoping, but it was worth trying for the effort that his teammates were putting into this fight.

Bond activates! Harken 2/10HP recovers +1HP. Harken 3/10HP. Diffuse Heal activates: Shez 9.5/10HP recovers +0.5HP, Shez 10/10HP Ares 8/10 HP recovers +0.5HP, Ares 8.5/10HP Amaterasu activates! Harken 3/10HP recovers +1HP. Harken 4/10HP. Diffuse Heal activates: Ares 8.5/10 HP recovers +0.5HP, Ares 9/10HP Self-Healing activates! White Magic Heal+ activates! Harken 4/10HP heals himself for +4HP with Physic [Roll: 5 + 4 = 9, Harken 8/10HP] Diffuse Heal activates: Ares 9/10 HP recovers +2HP, Ares 10/10HP

It felt like a soothing cold at first, Harken's breath puffing out of his mouth in small clouds despite the environment remaining the same; easing the immediate pain in his own body. Then, the cold sensation melted away into comforting heat that spread outward from himself to those of his allies that had any sort of wound.

Harken carefully flexed his fingers, and while his hands were still sore and aching a bit, he could move them once again without crumpling from the pain of broken bones.

#toaarena2024summer #inserviceto #folternis #partnerindestiny #lionscion #thread: without the blazing it's just bullshit

Sue aims for the lady seeing that she’s an easy target now with most of her teammates down, but as he is wont to do, the remaining teammate steps in before her arrow can come in contact with the lady. Her arrow bounces off the shadow as if its taunting her. A twitch at the corner of her mouth.

Selkiesheen activates! [Roll: 1] Darting Blow activates! Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 8/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 10 - 2 = 8; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 8/10HP] Sue 10/10HP misses Calm Philosopher 8/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 1 - 2 = -1; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 8/10] Calm Philosopher is unable to counterattack! Follow up attack! Sue 10/10HP misses Calm Philosopher 8/10HP with Brave Bow [Roll: 1 - 2 = -1; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 8/10HP]

She fires another one out of rare annoyance as it misses her target completely now. He stands there, and she swears there’s an easy grin on the shadow, yet it does not make a move. Her arrow is set loose and it misses completely again. She needs to refocus, not let her emotions gain control over her. She takes a deep breath, drawing her arrow with a steady hand this time and releases it one final time before she gives in to futility.

Sue 10/10HP hits Calm Philosopher 8/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 10 - 2 = 8; -0HP, Calm Philosopher 8/10]

It might not have damaged him, but it lands where it should. Her eyes flicker to the remaining opponent. They are close, persistence and teamwork is key, she reminds herself. Surely, her teammates would have a better shot at ending this effectively.

Trample activates! -2HP, Calm Philosopher 6/10HP

Her bird is not as level-headed perhaps as he swoops in without her command and kicks the shadow where the head should be before returning to safety in the air. She pats the bird's neck with a soft words of praise and a smile.

"Good boy, you'll get a nice healthy trout when this is all over."

without the blazing, it's just bullshit - team 11

summer arena 2024, gold round

Harken was unused to the unique additions a cannon brought to the battlefield; not just the noise and the damage it was capable of, but the dust and smoke it kicked up as well. Since he was one of their only close combat fighters excluding Shez this time around, being close to the enemy when cannon fire blasted into their shrinking line was...jarring, to say the least.

Earth exploded, dirt and dust raining down on this side of the field; the smokescreen made everything confusing, and the blast had all noise narrow down to a painful point in Harken's ears as he scrambled to get out of the way as best he could.

He shook his head, coughed -- a noise that was felt in his chest and throat more than heard due to the ringing in his ears -- tried to clear his vision and airways of dust and smoke.

It was difficult to breathe, and with his vision impaired and the smoke lingering, every movement that he caught sight of felt threatening -- he couldn't tell if it was friend or foe, and with his hearing shot, any calls from allies were equally futile.

It felt like his world had narrowed down to this muffled, difficult to make out tunnel and he didn't like it. It spiked anxiety in his chest like a stab to the heart, and the frayed string of composure he was trying to hold tight was the fact that if there were screams -- man or beast -- they were only in his head and not actually around him.

He did his best to stagger back the way he had come, where he assumed his allies were, but a shadow looming in the settling debris provoked a reaction when he stumbled into it.

Selkiesheen does not activate! [Roll: 2] Harken 10/10HP hits Ares 10/10HP with Hrungnir [Roll: 4 + 8 (+4dex/-4avo) = 12, -1.5HP + 4.5def = -0HP] Sesshoseki activates! -2HP to Harken 10/10HP, Harken 8/10HP. Harken 8/10HP hits Ares 10/10HP with Hrungnir [Roll: 1 + 8 (+4dex/-4avo) = 9, -1.5HP + 4.5def = -0HP] Sesshoseki activates! -2HP to Harken 8/10HP, Harken 6/10HP. Ares 10/10HP is unable to counterattack! Harken 6/10HP hits Ares 10/10HP with Hrungnir [Roll: 3 + 8 (+4dex/-4avo) = 11, -1.5HP + 4.5def = -0HP] Sesshoseki activates! -2HP to Harken 6/10HP, Harken 4/10HP Harken 4/10HP crits Ares 10/10HP with Hrungnir [Roll: 17 + 8 (+4dex/-4avo) = 25, -3HP + 4.5def = -0HP] Sesshoseki activates! -2HP to Harken 4/10HP, Harken 2/10HP

Protected as his fists were by the gauntlets, it didn't seem to matter much as they connected with something solid and unmoving. Not the armored horse of their foe, so surely not any of the others they were faced off against, as they had no armor like this...

He doubled over in pain; not hearing the breaks but surely feeling them, his wounded and shocked cry likewise muffled to his ears. He stays there for a moment, arms shaking as he tests moving his hands, fingers -- whining slightly at the agony he'd inflicted on himself -- before straightening out as much as he could to confirm that it was indeed his own ally he'd attacked.

"I--" Harken chokes out, throat dry and constricted with pain, swallowing it down to make eye contact with the other man, "Forgive me, my lord, I-- I did not realize it was you. Are you unhurt?"

His own words sounded strange, more heard in his head than by his ears, unable to tell that he was shouting them.

#partnerindestiny #inserviceto #folternis #lionscion #thread: without the blazing it's just bullshit #toaarena2024summer

The end is nigh, she can sense it. Though she had hardly a chance to say or get a good look at the shadowy figure that represents her Elibean acquaintance before they had been pulled from their horse.

The regret does not linger for long, she held little desire for attacking them anyhow. Her eyes land on a different target instead.

With the precision of a hunter, her eyes lock onto her target and she commands her large flying bird to move with her as she readys her bow.

“There,” she murmurs before releasing her arrow then another while she has the chance.

Selkiesheen does not activate! [Roll: 2] Darting Blow activates! Sue 10/10HP hits Fitness Fighter 10/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 4 + 2 = 6; -2.5HP, Fitness Fighter 7.5/10] Sue 10/10HP hits Fitness Fighter 7.5/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 15 + 2 = 17; -2.5HP, Fitness Fighter 5/10] Fitness Fighter is unable to counterattack!

The enemy looks for the hit or a way to defend perhaps, but there is no chance of being hit so high up and without a weapon to touch where Father Sky’s hands linger. Sue takes advantage of this and lets loose another couple of arrows until the enemy falls.

Follow up attack! Sue 10/10HP hits Fitness Fighter 5/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 13 + 2 = 15; -2.5HP, Fitness Fighter 2.5/10] Sue 10/10HP hits Fitness Fighter 2.5/10 with Brave Bow [Roll: 18 + 2 = 20; -2.5HP, Fitness Fighter 0/10] Fitness Fighter has been defeated! The Future is no longer protected by Chain Guard!

“She’s down!” Sue calls out to the others and draws her bird closer, but as she does the shadowy figure comes into clearer view. That girl from the ball? With the toned back muscles? It’s not real, she reassures herself, and all it is is training. Besides, they still had two more enemies to fell so she couldn’t lose focus now.

“That’s one less enemy we have to worry about, but we should still take caution of the other taller one…” He’s been absorbing most of their hits with so much as a chink in the armor or… shadow.

Her professor steps in with his sights set on one of the remaining targets who is now open without the muscle girl swooping in. Sue nods and waits for his cue before she releases her arrow to pierce their shared target for a minor, but solid hit.

Sue’s Backup activates! -1HP The Future 9/10HP

Next to her, she hears punches and huffs, the sound of fists clashing with metal or some hard surface as joints and bones crunch. When the dust clears, the truth of what is going on is evident as one of her teammates sustains an injury, yet their enemies are still untouched.

“...” She is speechless as she looks on at the injury he, one of the academy knights she thinks, has caused to himself. That is… one way to build up endurance and durability, she supposes.

@partnerindestiny

without the blazing, it's just bullshit - team 11

summer arena 2024, gold round

...again, they open their eyes.

It's begun to remind Shez of that now-empty space in their brain they'd shared oh-so-fondly with Arval - something real and yet not tangible. This round even moreso than the former - the silhouettes loom before them, ideas of people, and a chill runs down their spine.

"Weird," they mutter under their breath.

A hand is lifted, flexed to see - a sword has again been pushed into their hand, and for that, they are grateful. Being cut off from Arval's power so wholly is jarring, and while they're plenty strong on their own, they hadn't realized just how much they'd still been carrying with them.

Sword raised, a keen eye, ducking low and going not for the attack but something else, something more -

"There!"

Shez targets Fitness Fighter with Wraithority! [Roll:1d3=2; Renewal copied!]

Again...

Again and again, Ares had barely left a mark in most of their enemies thus far, tasted nothing but bitter dirt in return, and now it was starting to make him retch.

Not so much as a twitch was offered to the familiar silhouettes from around the Academy when he rose this time -- just a pair of fiery golden eyes gliding across their group, counting them up, and deciding there were too many.

Ares 10/10HP misses 4 enemies with Let Fly [Roll: 1d20 = 4, -0HP] All Holy Blast cannonballs expended!

A volley of cannonballs was loosed at the center of the crowd in a sweeping arc the moment he counted the last body

He was acquainted with the cannon in his hands from last time, confidence flowing from the sweeping arc of the cannon as he let a volley rip towards the center of the crowd. Fingers rapped impatiently against the handle as he waited for the smoke to clear, but there would be nothing left for him to see.

Not because he hit them, but because they'd already be long scattered by then.

One by one they raced out of the smoke, and with each one that raced by him without a single scratch, the tighter Ares' fingers wrapped around the handle.

By the time the last one scampered past, the steel was starting to groan under the force of his grip.

#folternis #lionscion #partnerindestiny #inserviceto #toaarena2024summer #thread: without the blazing it's just bullshit

Next when she rises, she is among her teammates alive and well, mounted on some strange bird. She does not object, but she has never felt a longing for her usual mount. She hopes he is eating all the carrots and apples she left behind.

Sue had prepared herself for as the light escaped from her the last battle to face enemies tougher than the last, however, no warning would be adequate for what or who she sees next.

The shadowy figures emerge and a horse, not her own, but from a Sacaen tribe is the first to catch her attention. “Chad?” she murmurs, able to discern the silhouette. Apart from them, the other two remind her of people she’s met before as well, perhaps at the ball. She had met several people there though so it is difficult to tell right away.

A large boom adjacent to her shakes her from her guessing game as one of her allies lets loose a few canonballs. She opens her mouth, ready to advise him not to waste all his materials and to aim with his heart and spirit, but decides against it. She imagines its bulky weight does not handle quite the same as a bow. She should focus on her own target anyhow.

Combat Art: Waning Shot is used. Sue targets Atoning Strategist 10/10. [Roll: 1-8 = -7] Selkiesheen Roll: 1, Sue’s attack is redirected to Calm Philosopher 10/10. Sue 10/10HP misses, -0HP

And it is for the best that she did not say anything as the arrow not only flies past her intended target, but the other figure that seems to absorb their hits is missed by a long shot as well.

A disappointment to be sure, but it is still early, redemption is still in sight. She aims her bow again for her original target hoping to at the very least scrape the edge of darkness.

“Allow me to help, Professor.”

Sue’s Backup activates! -1HP Atoning Strategist 9/10HP

@folternis

o grace that shouldst endure - team 11 ; silver round

Shez 5.5/10HP recovers +0.5HP due to Fairy Dust! Shez 6/10HP

"They won't outnumber us for long."

It's arrogant of them, sure, but they've always had to believe in themselves in the absence of anyone else's faith. It's just training, but they're determined either way. Grit their teeth, flash metal, and always act like there's a job on the line.

Shez 6/10HP hits Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 2.5/10HP with Venin Edge [Roll: 11; -1HP, Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 1.5/10HP

- sword like biting gales, natural in their hand, and although the shadows do not welcome them they are still swift on their feet, more accustomed to this, and the magic that rattles their ribcage is nothing when they breathe in out and trust the sword in their hand like a partner, trust as a show of skill, trust as a show of victory, and the feeling is real even if the pain is not -

Pygmalion 16.5/25HP* misses Shez 6/10HP with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 3 - 2 = 1; -0HP, Shez 6/10HP]

REVISIONIST HISTORY activates! -1.5HP, Shez 4.5/10HP

Pursuit activates! [Roll: 10 + 2 = 12]

Shez 4.5/10HP hits Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 1.5/10HP with Venin Edge [Roll: 7; -1HP, Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 0.5/10HP]

Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 0.5/10HP has been afflicted with Toxic Poison!

Poison Strike activates! -1HP, Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 0/10HP

- and there's that familiar rhythm.

"One down!"

Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) has been defeated!

ARDOR OF DESTINED DEATH activates!

Target: Image of Honour [-3HP, Image of Honour 7/10HP]

Target: Image of Fealty (Soulfreed) [-3HP, Image of Fealty (Soulfreed) 7/10HP]

Target: Image of Beauty [-3HP, Image of Beauty 7/10HP]

Target: Pygmalion [-3HP, Pygmalion 13.5/25HP*]

Another round of attacks from their foes, another ally slips away from them -- this time, the girl mounted atop a pegasus. She had put up such a valiant effort in the fight before and the one here and now, but their enemy seemed to know just where to aim to hit the hardest on the poor girl.

And, just like before, when one of their allies fell to a particularly difficult blow, another foe was brought into the mix.

They were outnumbered now, but they weren't quite out of the fight yet. Knowing he could not bring back the defeated on their side, Harken steeled his focus and kept his attention on those still in the fight. The man with heavy armor didn't seem to be struggling, though it was clear the weight of it was dragging his movements down, but the purple haired swordmaster needed his tending to once more.

At least they hadn't gone too far from each other.

Renewal activates! Harken 6/10HP recovers +2HP, Harken 8/10HP. Harken 8/10HP heals Shez 1/10HP with Recover [Roll: 13 - 4 = 9; +4HP, Shez 5/10HP]

"Stay on your feet now. We're not out of it yet," he speaks, hands once again aglow with the soothing light of healing magic. "We may not be knocking things out left and right, but we're handling this fight better than our last. That means improvement, even if small."

#toaarena2024summer #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #folternis #lionscion

She knows she is not for long. The last hit she had endured somehow, but just barely. Being knocked off a mount is difficult to come back from and she has not even gathered the strength to pull herself back on and at least dodge yet before the enemy moves to attack again.

Pygmalion 11.5/25HP* auto-crits Sue 0.5/10HP with Days Long Gone [Roll: 9 - 2 = 7; -7, Sue 0/10HP]

This time when the creator attacks, she is no longer in much state to compromise and accepts it for what it is. She drops to her hands and knees, accepting defeat in its groveling and sore glory but at least with the acceptance that she had poured everything she could into it.

“I’m sorry, but I must retreat at this stage. Good luck. Our foes are formidable, but we have all put our best efforts.”

Sue has been defeated!

o grace that shouldst endure - team 11 ; silver round

Pygmalion 21/25HP* unleashes God’s Living Likeness (2 Images = Gold Damage)! Target: Ares [Roll: 1, miss. -0HP Ares 10/10HP]

Lurking behind his handmade disciples and the frenzy of their fight, Ares was lucky to catch a flicker of the false god's form before it swelled into a grand flare of light. Razor sharp petals burst from the beams and even swallowed a couple of them, but Ares was already just far enough from the epicenter to skirt their edges.

Outside this ton of metal on his back, even he'd have been a field away by now instead, but as it was he only had enough speed to duck from one of the group.

Pygmalion 20.5/25HP* uses Finishing Touches on Image of Beauty 4/10HP Image of Beauty is healed to full and transforms into Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 10/10HP

The next to attack was already morphing before his eyes, into something that brought a scowl to Ares' face.

It was beautiful by the objective meaning of the word now, skin dew-kissed and glowing, wings grander and gleaming white, but by Ares' standards it was no longer his beauty. It was a mockery now, an imaginary and unachievable ideal forced onto the face of someone who he knew never needed it.

He knew so many who would be downright salivating for this thing, but when it so gracefully approached him, beckoning with its deceptively steely wings, the most he deigned to spit its way was a scoff.

Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 10/10HP uses Body in Flight. Target: Ares [Roll: 6 + 8 = 14, hit. -1HP Ares 9/10HP]

Feathers managed to graze his cheek before his lance connected, but that was the most they could do against his armor.

Blessed Lance activates! Ares 9/10HP recovers +1HP. Ares 10/10HP Ares 10/10HP hits Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 9.5/10HP with Blessed Lance [Roll: 10, -1.5HP, Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 8/10HP]

It, on the other hand, was now stuck like the pig against his lance, while his wound was already closing up.

"And to think you even had me fooled a moment--" If it was any more clear when up so close, it may as well have been glass, but its hollow smile cracked like porcelain instead.

It felt good to finally throw a target to the ground, watch more of its pieces fly from the corners of his vision, as he turned his focus towards the wrathful 'god' and...

Was that another--?

MINE TO MAKE AND DISMANTLE activates! Pygmalion 20.5/25HP* hits Ares with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 7 + 4 = 11; -3HP + 3 Def = -0, Ares 10/10HP] Sesshoseki activates! Creation State activates! Pygmalion 20.5/25HP* loses 2 HP, Pygmalion 18.5/25HP*

As Ares' met the idol's attack with his own, he squinted over its shoulder and caught the sight of a new body behind him, standing over one of their own.

Already!?

A frustrating sense of deja vu was already beginning to tickle the back of his neck as he fought to reposition his lance against the full weight of the idol's sword.

"The longer we dally," he said between grunts, "the more of them we'll have to take." He jerked his head in the direction of the fresh body beside them. "And we're spread thinner by the moment."

Follow up attack! Pygmalion 18.5/25HP* hits Ares with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 8 + 4 = 12; -3HP + 3 Def = -0, Ares 10/10HP] Sesshoseki activates! Creation State activates! Pygmalion 18.5/25HP* loses 2 HP, Pygmalion 16.5/25HP*

Grating metal finally found a notch to hitch itself against, pure music to Ares' ears.

"We need to cut their numbers now!"

The idol became his latest example, vaulting it back from where it came with a spin.

#lionscion #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #folternis #thread: o grace that shouldst endure #toaarena2024summer

The fight has just begun and they are already short on numbers. The professor who had seen the last battle until the very end has been taken off the field and their enemy has proven to be much stronger than the last. She has taken a large hit herself, but she still stands albeit a bit wary of who they face now. Sue’s eyes drift toward the man now having to heal the remainder of the four members, at what is seemingly a faster pace than the last round.

She nods to the gentleman and says, “Apologies you have more work placed upon you now, but I will try to avoid needing aid if at all possible.”

Prayer Ring activates! Sue 4/10HP gains +1HP; Sue 5/10HP

“Cut their numbers hm?” The lance, though foreign to her, slowly becomes an extension of her arm and her energy syncs with her pegasus. “For our fallen ally and the rest of us hobbling on our feet, let’s end this quickly!”

Combat Art VENGEANCE is used Sue 5/10HP crits Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 8/10HP with Wishblade [Roll: 16+6 = 22; -5.5HP, Image of Beauty (Soulfreed) 2.5/10HP]

With the blessings of Father sky and as the wind commands her, she swoops in using the momentum to strike the figure square in the center. Broken shards of marble fly left and right and it is another piece of beauty that remains despite its imperfections.

MINE TO MAKE AND DISMANTLE activates! Pygmalion 16.5/25HP* crits Sue 5/10HP with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 15 - 2 = 13; -6HP, Sue 0/10HP]

Her victory is shortlived however as the creator does not seem to agree and takes his revenge out on Sue, the impact sending her flying off her pegasus and rolling across the ground. She hisses, pain zooming through her body and tethering her to the ground with its invisible strings.

Miracle activates! Sue 0.5/10HP

Her pegasus, though also hit slightly from the impact, lands to check if she is okay. Aching, she wills herself to sit up and eventually stand, refusing to stay down so easily. She is not the only one with a fighting spirit as another figure spurs to life. Her eyes widened upon the realization.

“The master is summoning them faster than we can hold them off.”

@partnerindestiny

o grace that shouldst endure - team 11 ; silver round

Embarrassing.

It was the only thought in his head as he'd fallen from that pegasus, and now here it was again, echoing anew as his lance had just went wide of their next practice target.

Frustration had been flowing hot and fast through his blood even as he laid unconscious, building pressure with each loop through his body. When he finally had his feet back under him, he only needed a split second to parse the new battlefield, as well as his new enemies.

Image of Beauty 10/10HP uses Body in Flight. Target: Ares [Roll: 9 + 8 = 17, hit. -0.5HP Ares 9.5/10HP] Blessed Lance activates! Ares 9.5/10HP recovers 1HP. Ares 10/10HP.

The burst of a lunge took him the rest of the way, lance tearing past wings and aimed directly at the doll creature, right at its neck.

No--

When turning from Niles to Ares, his heart seized for a moment.

--Her?

Green hair, green eyes, that radiant smile sat on a gentle face--

It couldn't be her...and that was because IT wasn't.

The closer he got the clearer it was. It had these subtle...mistakes. Though hard to place them in the heat of the moment, their uncanniness was an unmistakable chill crawling across his skin.

It was nothing like her, but his lance arm didn't get the memo in time.

Creation State roll: 2, attack does not target Pygmalion. Ares 10/10HP misses Image of Beauty 7/10 with Blessed Lance [Roll: 3 - 2 = 1; -0, Image of Beauty 7/10HP]

Reflex had already created a wide and safe berth for the person this doll mimicked, and it gracefully sidestepped into it to usher the mock god's attack in.

MINE TO MAKE AND DISMANTLE activates! Pygmalion 25/25HP* hits Ares with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 16 + 6 = 22; -3HP + 3 Def = -0, Ares 10/10HP] Sesshoseki activates! Creation State activates! Pygmalion 25/25HP* loses 1 HP, Pygmalion 24/25HP* Follow up attack! Pygmalion 24/25HP* hits Ares with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 2 + 6 = 8; -3HP + 3 Def = -0, Ares 10/10HP] Sesshoseki activates! Creation State activates! Pygmalion 24/25HP* loses 1 HP, Pygmalion 23/25HP*

This new armor he gained in place of a mount may have made for some stiff movement, but its defenses seemed to make up for it. For now, anyways...

Ares spied another weapon peeking out from the back of this thing's arsenal that didn't look as gentle against his plating, but that was only half the reason for his half-bitten frown.

The other part was because he'd been made a fool of. Again.

Embarrassing.

#lionscion #folternis #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #toaarena2024summer #thread: o grace that shouldst endure

She stands, or sits, revived and well. Her gaze drifts to sweep over her teammates who are standing once more. In the next training stage, she is seated on a horse, of some kind, one equipped with wings that she feels each beat flap beneath her. She pats its neck as a sign of comfort to both the rider and steed. Pegasus as she recalls it, either way she is grateful to be mounted again.

Their enemies enter; a man and what look to be figures. Their visage is breathtaking she must admit, but that is not the reason she should stare. As soon as they enter, they waste not a moment in attacking.

Pygmalion 25/25HP* misses Sue 10/10HP with Days Long Gone [Roll: 5 - 4 = 1; -0, Sue 10/10HP]

The man comes after her and she commands her pegasus to swiftly dodge, feeling more in her element despite being above ground. A rider must sync with their mount to be more effective whether it be in hunts, casual rides, or in this case, battle.

“Good boy,” she congratulates him with another pat on the back. Instinctively, she reaches for an arrow where she would normally keep a quiver by her hip, but instead finds a lance. That would have to do then.

Sue 10/10HP counters and misses Pygmalion 25/25HP* with Wishblade [Roll: 3 - 2 = 1; -0, Pygmalion 25/25HP*]

Not used to the heft of the weapon, she misses horribly, the enemy barely having to dodge her attack. There’s a pause in the fight where one of his marbled figures comes forth to attack instead. There must not be any allies from the opposing side this time.

Sue spins the lance with her wrist, taking a deep breath. This is good training, she reminds herself. To be challenged is to grow. With a light squeeze, she commands her pegasus to swoop down and puncture one of the figures.

Creation State roll: 1, attack does target Pygmalion. Creation State activates! Sue 10/10HP crits Pygmalion with Wishblade [Roll: 19 - 2 = 17; -2, Pygmalion 21/25HP*]

Only for it to deflect as the creator to block her path as the end darts into him instead. She barely has time to react before he repays her unkindly with an attack of her own.

Pygmalion 21/25HP* hits Sue 10/10HP with REVISIONIST HISTORY [Roll: 5 + 4 = 9; -3HP, Sue 7/10HP]

Sue stumbles back, one hand gripping the reins and hissing slightly from the sting.

“Be on your guard, this is no mere enemy…”

jason momoa sneaking up on henry cavill meme

Team 11, Bronze Round

this is going—poorly. embarrassingly so. niles had known going in that this would not be simple ( even if it was a mere training exercise ) but he hadn't anticipated the frustration of all of this. the futility.

he does not do well in the face of futile tasks, prefers to lie down and play dead.

Drunken Chalicebearer 18/20HP hits Niles 6/10HP with Floral Prison! [Roll: 6] Niles 6/10HP is inflicted with HELD UNDER until the end of Round 5!

something that this thing is rather adept at making him do. just as he feels he's started to get free of his bindings, he's trapped once again in a fresh set. his stomach churns, but he does his best to keep calm in the face of it. he has no more quips, he instead just looks around for the next target of his healing ( he wishes he could use his bow, but that futility resonates in him again ).

Omen activates! Niles 6/10HP takes -3 HP [Niles 3/10HP]

before he can, however, the spikes dig in. like poisoned sea urchins, this terrain is out to get them in ways he has never experienced before, apart from in nohr's harshest areas.

though he grimaces, what really strikes him is the way his teammates are dropping like flies. the terrain is too much for their wounds, and one by one they are off the field, leaving only two. he looks at the girl and grimaces. he dislikes thinking of others as his responsibility, but while he is ostensibly one of the instructors at this school, he does owe a certain amount to those in his charge.

Niles is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 3 (Already max) Niles 3/10HP takes -1HP from BURN. Niles 2/10HP. Niles 2/10HP heals Sue 0.5/10HP with Physic [Roll = 12 - 2 = 10, +4HP, Sue 4.5/10HP].

the fire still isn't going out. this situation is a mess.

"stay sharp!" he calls out to the girl regardless, casting one more spell. it's not much, but it's better than nothing, it's all he can really do. he's seen that their attacks do less than nothing to that thing. even when it was taken down, it rose again like new.

Niles has recovered from BURN. Sue’s BURN spreads to an ally! [Niles is the only one left 😭] Niles 2/10HP was BURNED Drunken Chalicebearer 19.5/20HP has recovered from HEROIDES’ CANTO and is no longer stunned! SPIRIT OF MANA activates! Drunken Chalicebearer 19.5/20HP uses SYMPHONY OF STRINGS to summon REQUIES SOLIS, NOCTURNA STELLA, and ELEGIA LUNA!

just as it seems he has a moment to catch his breath when the fire goes out, it spreads again, but that's truly the last thing he notices as three more enemies join the fight, as if this was not hopeless enough.

he wonders if there is a lesson to be learned here, and if so, what that might be. there's something to be said for the indomitable human spirit, or something like that, he does feel like he's already lasted longer than he should in such a fight.

there's not much else he can do, though. he considers healing her again, but decides against it. why prolong the poor girl's time here any more than he already has?

"stunned? is he really?" he asks, in response to her words, and decides to make a move.

Niles 2/10HP takes -1HP from BURN. Niles 1/10HP. Niles is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 1 Niles 1/10HP hits Drunken Chalicebearer 19.5/20HP with Nosferatu [Roll = 11 - 2 = 9, -1HP, STAR SANCTUARY procs! Drunken Chalicebearer is immune to damage. Drunken Chalicebearer 19.5/20HP]. Drunken Chalicebreaker 19.5/20 hits Niles 1/10HP with Taurus Bronte [Roll = 4, -1HP, Niles 0/10HP] Miracle activates! Niles survives with 0.5 HP!

he does not notice that in the time it had taken to collect himself, that respite from the onslaught of magic attacks, the creature had recovered. he had his tome in-hand, aiming for the drunken, swaying figure.

he watches his spell deflect, and his lips pull downward into a frown.

"shit!" he hisses as it returns with a spell in kind. he stumbles, falling to his knees but not yet defeated.

AQUATIC FAMILIAR HIPPOCAMPUS uses FOUNTAIN LOTUS on Niles 0.5/10HP [+2HP, halved to +1HP Niles 1.5/10HP] KING'S CHARIOT activates! Requies Solis 10/10HP hits Niles 1.5/10HP with Oracle Ray [Roll: 14 + 4 = 18; -2HP, Niles 0/10HP]

that damn seahorse, healing him up fruitlessly as if to prolong this for him. it isn't enough to help him weather the attack from the being before him, though.

falls, but honestly, he's not too beaten up about the loss. mostly he's just glad to not be on fire any longer.

"well fought..."

Niles has been defeated!

#toaarena2024summer #thread: jason momoa sneaking up #folternis #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #lionscion #thread end #(( WELL THAT'S IT! end of bronze round ))#(( good game ))

Three musicians enter each wielding what look to be classical instruments but she knows they are not here simply to orchestrate a song. She watches still kneeling as her professor clings to what life he has left. An honorable fight indeed, she thinks as he falls with the others.

Though it is only temporary, her teammate’s final fall stings her just the same. It seems it is an uphill battle that she would not win, but she would attempt to hold out for as long as possible. One of the new enemies goes after her in an attempt to finish her off.

Elegia Luna 10/10HP misses Sue 2.5/10HP with Hasta Graminea [Roll: 2; -0HP, Sue 2.5/10HP] Sue 2.5/10HP can’t counterattack! The effects of HERCULEAN SHELL wear off on Sue! Omen activates! Sue 2.5/10HP takes -1 HP [Sue 1.5/10HP]

It seems it is strong but slow as her watchful eye is able to spot it and rolls to avoid it. The ground shakes again and what strength she has left leaves her on the ground until the iguana returns. It stares at her, blinking and flicking its tongue at her before returning with the others.

Slowly she stands back up. Though the burn has disappeared from her, the stabbing pain returns just as quickly as it had left the first time. The iguana returns again and she wonders what sign this is. Perhaps she should find more food for him? The ground shakes her back to one knee.

Omen activates! Sue 1.5/10HP takes -1 HP [Sue 0.5/10HP] Sue is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 2 Sue summons AQUATIC FAMILIAR SEA TURTLE [Roll 1d3; 1] KING'S CHARIOT activates! Requies Solis 10/10HP hits Sue 0.5/10HP with Oracle Ray [Roll: 4 + 4 = 8; -2HP + 2.5 Def = -0HP, Sue 0.5/10HP]

At some point, she should count her losses, the odds stacked against her, but like the blessings from the earth, the turtle comes back out of hiding and shields her from the next incoming attack. The strings of the music rock the arena grounds, but she holds out miraculously. If she has survived this long, she must not give up.

“Thank you,” she says to the turtle and iguana still by her side, placing a hand on each head. Sue has never been one to flee, even at a time like this, not when she was made to lead her clansmen out of danger and not after all the sacrifices her teammates have made thus far. She stands and grabs her bow and an arrow.

Closing her eyes, though her head spins, she listens to the subtle sound of nature beneath the orchestra’s deafening strings. Her ears are trained for above ground noise, but this battle has opened her ears to something else entirely. She has always fought tidal waves or the pull of the current in her past experiences with water, but now she hears it, the stillness of the water has a voice too. Instead of fighting against her surroundings, she leans into it.

She opens her eyes and draws her bow with ears and eyes unclouded and lets an arrow fly, her aim straight and true.

Sue 0.5/10HP counters and crits Requies Solis 10/10HP with Killer Bow [Roll: 16 + 2 = 18; -4HP + 0.5 Def = -3.5HP] Chain Guard activates! Nocturna Stella 10/10HP blocks the attack and takes -2HP instead; Nocturna Stella 8/10HP The effects of HERCULEAN SHELL wear off on Sue!

One of the orchestrists positions themselves in front of her target. The enemies are looking out for one another as well, they are no different than her own fallen team. She could see the end in sight now. It is time to face the music.

“You fought well, thank you for giving it your all,” she says for both the fallen and the opposing side. The musicians linger, floating there for a moment before the final strike.

Elegia Luna 10/10HP hits Sue 0.5/10HP with Hasta Graminea [Roll: 13; -2HP + 1.5 Def = -0.5HP, Sue 0/10HP]

The final hit from the third musician is not one to critically injure her, but the strength is just enough to sap what energy she has left. The cadence of their song finishes as she falls, a quiet truce and means to an end.

Sue has been defeated!

Fin.

jason momoa sneaking up on henry cavill meme

Team 11, Bronze Round

The magic that seems to run wild from their ally is brutal to all it touches -- caster, friend and foe alike. And while it hurts, it is the young woman's words of apology that garner more of Harken's concern.

"It's not your fault," he assures, wishing he could sound less belabored and more convincing, "This place doesn't always give us the tools we're best with, nor do we have the...the benefit of knowing our foe or the battlefield before we arrive." Which was true, not only here but in a real life and death struggle. They could make their best guesses and make plan after plan all they liked, but if they were dropped into a training scenario that simply didn't fit what they'd come up with, they couldn't do much about it but try to adapt.

Attempt after attempt is made to try and bring forth the last creature it seemed they needed, but all end in failure.

As the chalicebearer engages in one-sided combat with the man atop the pegasus, Harken knows what's coming next. The brilliantly blue spikes that prick and cling to them as they navigate the watery terrain seem to find all their weak spots, stabbing with no mercy and hampering them further.

Only, this time, it is not so easy to set his jaw and bear it. It's difficult to force himself into action, to move, to do something to aid his allies -- and Harken realizes that the world is blurring like water colors, everything sliding at an extreme angle.

No, the world hadn't tilted, he had simply fallen.

Even as his mind tried to force his body to respond, he simply felt too heavy, too tired, too hurt to do anything but give in to the bleary warmth of unconsciousness.

Omen activates! Harken 3/10HP takes -3 HP [Harken 0/10HP] Harken is defeated!

#toaarena2024summer #inserviceto #partnerindestiny #lionscion #folternis #thread: jason momoa sneaking up

One by one, her allies fall. She hears the thumping of bodies hitting the ground. It’s just training, she reminds herself, knuckles paling around her bow, they’re not dead. Though she feels wary on her feet, she must push herself to finish or come close to it.

Just as she feels steady enough on her own feet thanks to one of her allies, she feels an intense searing pain to her at the same time. Green eyes glance over to the last standing partner who was in no better, if worse condition. At this rate, retreating is the viable option, but if they couldn’t do that here then they must conserve as much energy as they can.

Though the aquatic creatures seemed to be on the opposing side, it appears they seem to soften any blow that comes from their overseer. Obedient animals or they are perhaps benevolent by nature. It eases her a little to think the latter.

Sue tucks her bow away and calls within herself to listen to nature. Though she has no certainty what other creature she could find, if it is similar in nature, then it may be drawn by foliage. She carefully surveys their surroundings and plucks some greens and a couple of edible flowers to entice whatever else may be out there.

Sue summons AQUATIC FAMILIAR BLUE IGUANA! [Roll: 3; success]; HEROIDES’ CANTO activates.

There’s a scuffle in bushes before a claw emerges soon revealing an iguana flicking its tongue at the items in her hands. Though it isn’t much, once all three creatures are lined side by side, they seem to communicate with one another and disappear just as fast.

Drunken Chalicebearer 19.5/20HP is stunned and can’t move!

The prickling from the terrain lifts and there’s a groan coming from up ahead. The man with an easy grin on his face is suddenly frozen, eyes wide and mouth agape.

“He is stunned,” Sue calls out to the professor. Though this should be better for them, she could not help but think the opposite. There is a reason all three animals left, something bigger is coming. “Something feels off here… Conserve your energy, I have a feeling this is not the end.”

Omen activates! Sue 3.5/10HP takes -0 HP [Sue 3.5/10HP]

The ground shakes and brings her back down to her feet. The sea horse reemerges and from what she could tell, it is still docile. Listen to the call of nature. She looks to her hands that still carry a bit of leafy greens. Carefully, she crawls around to search for one of the other animals.

Sue summons AQUATIC FAMILIAR SEA TURTLE [Roll: 1; Success]

The turtle reenters the scene, and she feels a pang of relief that their new friends are not lost forever. She looks to Niles briefly before taking a deep breath and readying her bow, preparing for what is to come.

jason momoa sneaking up on henry cavill meme

Team 11, Bronze Round

As the fight carries on, magic getting tossed back and forth across the bizarre battlefield, it becomes clear that survival is the name of the game. No matter how hard they hit their foe, no matter how many times they strike -- even a blow that fells the man! -- brute force isn't how they'll be completing this round of training.

Which makes sense. Not everything can be won by strength of arms. Not every battle is about routing your enemy. Knowing how to put up a stalwart defense, how to manage your allies and their skills to last out as long as possible -- this, too, was a part of war. And with the terrain itself working against them to inflict wounds, dealing out damage to their foe could not be their main focus.

Omen activates! Harken 9/10HP takes -1 HP [Harken 8/10HP]

Unfortunately, it seems as if they're not the best for an entrenched sort of fight. Only one of their allies seems able to heal, while most of them came prepared to do damage -- the man on the pegasus, Harken is unsure of, as it was difficult to tell what he could do when he was struggling to get his mount under control. This could get tricky...

Another water creature explodes onto the scene in a splash of water and a watery nicker. A horse...but with its rear half sloping down into the elegant, finned tail of an aquatic creature.

A water horse.

Though it was clearly a different variety than the ones he grew up hearing stories of, it still made Harken go a bit stiff with apprehension as it shook out its finned mane.

"We cannot win through brute force! Prioritize keeping each other alive as much as possible," Harken insists, dragging his wary gaze away from the horse creature and back onto their rejuvenated enemy. "If you cannot heal or act defensively, please be wary of when you choose to attack. We are meant to be learning something here, not just blindly cutting everything down."

At least, he hoped that's what the case was and he wasn't simply missing some key detail.

He had no idea if their foe had any rhyme or reason to his attacks, but since he was not outfitted for defensive combat against what appeared to be a mostly magical enemy, Harken prayed that he could hold their foe's attention for some time to give his allies some breathing room.

Unfortunately, with the water slick marble and the kelp strewn around at their feet, any attack Harken was about to engage in failed utterly as his boot slipped; sending him scrambling for purchase and then crashing to the ground, barely keeping a hold of his weapon.

Harken is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 2 Death Blow activates! Armored Blow activates! Harken 8/10HP misses Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP with Short Axe [Roll: 7 - 4 = 3; -0HP, Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP] Harken is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 3 Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP misses Harken 8/10HP with Taurus Blight [Roll: 2 - 2 = 0; -0HP, Harken 8/10HP]

Embarrassing as that failed attack was, it seemed their opponent had just as much of a slip up. The watery magic of his chalice had bubbled and frothed forth again, but as Harken fell, the spell went sailing above his head.

@papulaan

#toaarena2024summer #thread: jason momoa sneaking up #inserviceto #folternis #lionscion #partnerindestiny

Though their enemy falls, their battle is far from over. Its aquatic companions stay still signaling to her that this defeat is nothing more than grains of sand floating through the water. The team is hardly given a chance to rest as an identical if not the same enemy rises. Sue is knocked to her feet from the recoil and standing a step too close to the point of resurrection.

She does not lose hope yet though as a warm tingling sensation runs its course through her body and the pain she has felt previously bubbles up and away from her. What could only be known as a healing spell of some kind, she is only familiar with its effects from the previous war time in Elibe. She looks to her side where the source is coming from.

“Thank you,” she barely has time to manage to say to someone who she now recognizes as her professor. The name eludes her at the moment, but formality is hardly a worry as the terrain digs into her and the newly risen enemy approaches her with what appears to be a lazy, lopsided grin.

Sue is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Sue 8.5/10HP misses Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP with Killer Bow [Roll (+4 Dex): 1; -0HP, Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP] Sue is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike. Total: 3 Drunken Chalicebearer 20/20HP critically hits Sue 8.5/10HP with Taurus Blight [Roll (+4 Avo): 14+2 = 16; -4HP, Sue 4.5/10HP] Sue is inflicted with Pleiades until Round 3.

She fumbles for her weapon to defend herself, but the man is much faster, hitting her with the same magic as before only this time it stings worse. Perhaps it is due to her own carelessness. Her teammate’s words echo, how could she defend others when she couldn’t even release an arrow at this rate? Wobbly, she rises to her feet, refusing to let doubt consume her.

@lionscion

jason momoa sneaking up on henry cavill meme

Team 11, Bronze Round

well, not that he's never fought for show before, but this is a bit different, is it not? niles glances around, taking in not only the peculiar surroundings of where they are to fight, but indeed what lies before them as well. an unusual place, with an unusual creature ( he assumes it is a creature of some kind anyway, unless the word 'being' would be more apt ) before them.

the knight's words about vigilance are taken to heart, and niles nods, focusing. his eye narrows.

Niles is inflicted with (1) stack of Azure Spike.

the terrain seems dangerous, and already he is finding himself at its mercy. though he grits his teeth, he doesn't let his annoyance show beyond that.

well, he can be a performer when he needs to be. unfortunately he doesn't really see an opening worth exploiting on the thing, but that doesn't mean one won't arise later.

what he does see is someone who already injured themselves. or rather, been injured, both by their own unpredictable magic and indeed the thing they're fighting. he resists the urge to roll his eye and turns toward them.

"let's get you seen to, shouldn't we?"

Niles 10/10HP heals Shez 7/10HP with Physic [Roll: 20, Shez 10/10HP]

he considers advising them to be more careful, but the volatility of their magic seems outside their control, and he suspects the chastisement will fall on deaf ears. instead, he turns to look at his other teammates, trying to see what their strengths might be.

@papulaan