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GODAMNN WELL DONE ALBONO. 😭👏👏

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Favorite Elliot + Kat Moments Per Episode - 3x3

Thirteen years ago, my partner published this poem about going down on me, which still feels like more my achievement than his.

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As we reflect on 2023 and look ahead to 2024, it's always good to get other's takes on what went on in their lives as well! We caught up wit

#christen press #setting the standard #click the link for the online article #interview #athleisure mag

Setting the Standard: Checking with Armsbreaker

>> Barengar Armsbreaker: [[A note would come to Barengar from Swiftstep asking for him to come at his earlier convenience as a favor, mentioning in particular that it wasn't for any job. The directions show to head up and around to the Hidden Tear.]] The Peaks ( 31.7 , 7.0 ) Z: 1.7

Barengar Armsbreaker made his way toward the location that he had been given directions to from Swiftstep. The warrior's expression was a guarded one, as he he little knowledge of what it was that the young Ala Mhigan wanted from him. Being the man that he was, his first suspicion was that the he was about to be asked a favor.

Jancis Milburga ||The spot indicated was one of the better manicured places in Gyr Abania, even if age was showing on the chipped and fading stone structures. A small camp was further down the way with a familiar griffin perched near it. And up here at one of the steps was Swiftstep, dressed more casually and in something of a finery for at least its thread-count and lack of patches or need for mending. When he saw the first of Barengar he stood up, waiting for the man to walk and hop over. "Ye came"

#Barengar Armsbreaker #Setting the Standard

Setting the Standard: Final - The Victory of Ala Mhigo

While driving off the aerial attacks, the heroes continue northward to find a secret weapon the Garleans plan to deploy in hopes of turning the tide.

(Jancis Milburga) Hello! (Shana Deftarm) ((I am mostly here just midlastgame!)) (Jancis Milburga) Okay! No worries! ^_^)) (Jancis Milburga) Okay! Sorry I was goofing in voice chat!)) (Jancis Milburga) In the last Setting the Standard: The battle to liberate Ala Mhigo had begun. Brighthand out of commission and Quilcover not managing well, Swiftstep was strained and asked for help in people he trusted to aid with the griffins and the war effort. Knowing flyers were about, the group was directed to head north and cover the flanks of the Grand Companies from aerial assaults. (Jancis Milburga) Denz was quick to play bait for the others in the dogfighting. A couple of the Garleans down, the other two headed away from the citystate. Without much prompting or orders the group followed them to another part of the Ala Mhigan district which they discovered was a large housing for many of the magitek machines and siege weapons the Garleans used. (Jancis Milburga) One in particular one of the other pilots entered was none other than a large version of the war machine that decimated the young Ala Mhigan resistance at the Wall. (Jancis Milburga) Knowing the capabilities of such a brutal weapon, the four dismount and make for it, knowing that if it joined the battle the tide could turn for the worse. (Jancis Milburga) So we continue with Setting the Standard! https://youtu.be/_OroItxzYbQ (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep flew up and joined, whistling to the griffins to destroy the two flyers that were in reach. "Shite." He said with a glassy-eyed look as he saw the huge mechanized beast. Instead he flew up to get a better vantage on the walls. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar quickly moved for cover, pressing his back against the nearest wall and shooting his gaze over ot his allies, "This ain't gonna be bleedin' easy." He gives a more directed look toward Denz, "Thinkin' we oughta go f'r the limbs t' 'andicap th' thing." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's eyes went immediately for cover next to the entryway, leaning against it and pulling off his riding helmet to look back at Barengar. "Seems our best bet, outside of taking down the pilots!" (Jancis Milburga) Jancis braced herself, renewing the aether webbing around the group as she looked over the legs Barengar and Denz spoke of. " The joints look somewhat vulnerable if they extend." She stares another moment to figure out where the pilot entered the device. (Shana Deftarm) It took her a frozen moment to realize it was just her and Jancis standing openly in front of the magitek-looking spider bearing down on the two of them. She took a step back, raising her sword up and glancing at the healer. "Maybe we should... move." (Jancis Milburga) ||'Maybe' had been the right word, the aim on the tank reaching them and warming up. Seconds later a barrage of fire came from the back of the unit, curving to try and hit them at a shallow arc. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis gasps, getting grazed by a ricochet as she runs over to Denz's side, tucking down behind him and relaying what she saw. "Not sure how to get into that thing." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar secured his grip around his weapon before once more glancing over to Denz. The warrior pulled one hand away from his weapon with three fingers held up before quickly putting the hand back into place. Barengar gave the first nod and pushed away from the way. The second nod and pivoted on his heels to face toward the opening. Then the third; bursting out in a full sprint and attempting to make it to the rear legs. Best case scenario he'd force the large machine to turn about to follow. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz nodded, waiting a moment before following the Ala Mhigan into the arena, brandishing his blade to attack for whatever opening in the front left limb there was.* (Shana Deftarm) Shana kicked backwards again, trying to avoid the shots that came arcing towards them even as she scrambled towards cover. Wouldn't do to get shot here, now.

(Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep was busy up above. The one other pilot who was making his rounds up on the stairs above was turning on other devices, in his own small maneuverable suit to avoid some of the hits. However the Ala Mhigan was quick to halt the progress of more machines joining the fight. (Jancis Milburga) ||The tank focused on Barengar, not turning itself, but shifting some to make the legs spread and rake out towards the Ala Mhigan. Denz's side stayed cramped and curved for the time being as the attack happened on the other side, Armor plates folded well on the joints of the legs. Two in total and the mechanism could only be seen if the leg was fully extended. (Jancis Milburga) AC = 700, fighting rolls come first and then we post from lowest to highest to get full effect. Two people can group up to get a hit in, but all actions add up and count.)) (Jancis Milburga) Denz > Barengar > Shana > Jancis)) (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's claymore whipped over his head, attempting to bring it down over the plating where they seemed thinnest. However, all that came from his effort was a loud clang and a great deal of shock coursing through his arms as his eyes checked for some other opening.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar felt the metal clip against his armor, causing the warrior to wince slightly as he darted forward to the rear of the machine. He anchor his weight into a single step before whirling about and taking a swing at one of joints of the nearest leg. The weapon slammed against the metal plating of the walker's leg and left little in the way of damage. "Seven 'ells ... " The warrior growled to himself before rushing over to another leg. Best to keep moving. (Barengar Armsbreaker) (( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcbCPM3u5RM )) (Shana Deftarm) Ducked behind the rockwall, Shana was at a fair enough vantage that she could watch the two warriors out front attacking the thing's legs... though if it felt them or cared, it hardly seemed to move. She wasn't close enough to put her sword to work, but it probably wouldn't have even scratched it's paint job. Instead, she attached the focus back to the blade, conjuring the fire she was so fond of and hurling it at the thing. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis recovered and whipped back around the archway following in Denz's wake, watching the tank lumber up its legs to take a jab at Barengar, the clang of metal. Concentrating, she focused a thin pointed rock at the extended legs, shooting under the machine to blast into one of the joints. (Jancis Milburga) ||Unphased by the melee weapons for the time being, the tank jerked and jostled at the clean hit by Jancis. The fireball looked as if it would bounce off the armor, but instead was takenin, hitting the weapons intake. Smoke billowed for a moment out of one of the vents. The machine let off a barrage of weaponry to expel the potential fire hazard, blasting into the sides of the walls and causing stones to crumble down in the building. Not trying to turn, the legs then go for Barengar and Denz. (Jancis Milburga) Stones and legs to dodge Denz & Barengar)) (Jancis Milburga) Shana > Barengar > Jancis > Denz - No solid hits alone)) (Shana Deftarm) It didn't much seem to appreciate the fireball, and Shana ducked to avoid its retaliatory blast as it cleared its vents. She peaked her head back around the side, staying low to the ground as she tried to see what was happening forward. Looking around, she grabbed a hunk of rock, throwing it off and away to try and direct the fire away from herself as a distraction (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar thrust his weapon out before him as the massive leg came thrashing in his direction, using the cheek of the axe as a shield and allowing himself to be sent tumbling off to the side a short distance. It was better than trying to meet the blow of a massive machine. The warrior rolled quickly back to his feet and used the momentum to make a heavy swing at the same leg the Denz was eyeing; hoping to cause some damage and make an opening. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis calls out, "The joint now!" hoping Denz can recreate the successful strike. Unable to get a clean hit herself, she runs into new position and casts a gust of wind at the brickwork falling down around Denz, diverting it from his space. One less thing to dodge. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's blade was quickly to chop into the opening provided by Barengar, the axe able to split the medal for Denz to stab into. Was stabbing metal into electronics the brightest idea? Not exactly, though it seemed the mixture of leather on Denz's sword grips and his Ala Mhigan armor prevented a debilitating shock from striking him as he stabbed into the scorpion tank.*

(Jancis Milburga) ||The tank dragged the now disabled hunk of leg, but with five other legs it wasn't exactly crippled. Spinning itself it aimed another barrage at Shana and shuffled over to try to pin Denz and Barengar by the stairs and wall. (Jancis Milburga) Shana > Denz > Jancis > Barengar )) (Shana Deftarm) Even ducking down low wasn't quite enough to escape from the fresh barrage that was raining down on Shana. She was left to scramble backwards to escape the hail of gunfire, catching a bullet or two for her trouble as she pulled further away behind cover to escape. Well, she had its attention. Now she wanted to give it back. (Barengar Armsbreaker) I thought it started a couple weeks ago! Has it been happening before then? (Denz De'bayle) *Wrenching the blade out and taking some internal metal out with it and using his boot to remove it. He takes a risky big, rushing past it's front and once more stabbing for the machine's plated leg, attempting to push it's legs as far as it could extend, hoping that another might find their opening with it.* (Jancis Milburga) Jancis follows Denz's example, skirting over to his side and attacking at the same leg, lifting the creature up to hopefully make a clean opening. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar's body recoils from the impact of the leg as it pressed him up against the wall without much effort. The warrior's jaw clenched and bided his time. As the leg continued to extend and press him against the wall he knew it would, eventually, expose the less guarded part of the joints. At the very moment that it did, Barengar began thrusting the bottom point of his weapon into the complex workings of the mechanical leg. (Jancis Milburga) ||The axe hit, with the multiple targets spread out the two metals shrieked at connection. Clambering away from the wall which hadn't pinned the two men as planned, it started a new tactic. (Jancis Milburga) ||The tank, despite another successful hit, still stood. Lifting itself up into the air, it slammed back down, feet and belly, causing a tremor to rock through the area, the bricks of the building straining and grinding together at the stress. Swiftstep addled, seeing the potential this machine still had and urged his griffin onwards, back towards Ala Mhigo to assess the fight and hopefully bring aid. This left the secondary pilot loose and open to turn on the group below. Other smaller Magitek- (Jancis Milburga) -- started to wind up around the top perimeter and take aim at the hostiles below. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's extended arms and blade imbedded in the leg caused him to be imbalanced and falter, blade leaving his hands as the machine came down to tremor. Collapsing onto his stomach, his head collied with the stone roughly and dazed him as the world seemed to move on its own.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) The tremor that shocked across the ground caught Barengar completely off balance as she was pulling himself from the tight space the previous leg had put him in. As the shockwave broke against him he was sent tumbling to the ground with a hard crash of metal. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis felt her heels leave the ground, collapsing back down on the stonework. Seeing Denz take an even less graceful fall (bigger they are the hard-.... nevermind) She stays prone and builds a shield of stonework over his head to take a hit instead of the elezen. (Shana Deftarm) Shana felt the tremors, and at the point felt the best course of action was to lay prone and cover her head to protect it from the falling rocks. Sometimes it was better to just sit and try to make yourself as small of a target as possible. (Jancis Milburga) "Up top!" Jancis called out, trying to warn everyone. Her voice held a hint of question to it, as if asking for orders. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar glanced up in the direction that Jancis pointed as he slowly pushed himself up to his feet; growling under his breath. The warrior called out from behind his visor, "Shana, Jancis; Destroy those bits." (Denz De'bayle) *Groaning, Denz regained some bearing on where he was. Hearing the stones clink against the cover Jancis created, he was able to poke his head out and time his exit properly, rolling out and grabbing his greatsword in one somewhat fluid motion, his battle-dress somewhat tangling as he stumbled to his feet. His eyes swiveled to the second flow, catching sight of the "bites". He mantles over the banister of the steps, rushing up the stairs to go for what would hopefully be easier machines to -

(Denz De'bayle) -- destroy.* "Hold fast! I've got them!" *He brought his sword overhead to swing down for the first one upon the staircase.* (Jancis Milburga) Jancis pulls herself up, the blast from the Bit hitting her legs and causing her to cry out. Managing through the laser burn, she starts to get up, conflicted by the two different sets of orders. Standing fast, she looks around the rest of the area to scout what might activate next. (Jancis Milburga) ||The Bit by Denz finishes its blast, hitting the stone shield and breaking it apart - but no one gets hurt - and starts warming up for the next blast when it's chopped down and cleaved nearly through the middle, falling as scrap metal by Denz. (Shana Deftarm) Hearing her name, Shana peaked her head up to dust off and shake the debris off her clothes. Well, now there were plenty of rocks at her disposal, and snatching up a fairly sizeable stone and chucking it at the next closet bit beside her. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis > Barengar > Denz > Shana )) (Jancis Milburga) Flinching from the hit, Jancis watches as Denz hacks through one of the bits, the others ones warming up. Seeing the biggest threat as the tank, she recreates the stone shield to hover over Barengar's head, it taking the laser attack instead of the Ala Mhigan. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar kept at it, making another move upon the large magitek walker with his greataxe. Once more, however, the axe collides with the armor-plating and slides away harmlessly and elicits a stream of curses from the Ala Mhigan warrior. To make matters worse, the magitek bit struck true on his back and super-heated his armor for a brief moment and caused it to sear him. (Jancis Milburga) https://youtu.be/zyF9KQ_Vut4 (Denz De'bayle) *Denz drew back his blade from opening up the first bit, seeing another aim for him. He braced his head down and behind the blade of his weapon as the weapon fired, completely missing his attempt to block and instead sending the laser shot into his left shoulder. With a harsh cry, he dash up the stairs to wildly strike his claymore with one hand into the side of the bit, breaking it's wing and sending it in a downward spiral into the tank.* (Shana Deftarm) With Denz focusing on the bits above them, Shana turned her attention back to the scorpion behind them. Stones wouldn't cut it, and with another burst of focus she called another fireball to rain down and target one of the thing's weaker leg joints. (Shana Deftarm) ((I'm having issues with a driver I'm still afk)) (Jancis Milburga) 'kay!)) (Jancis Milburga) ||Another , shuttering as it was, was bombarded by a solid sphere of fire, hard as rock and like lava it melted through the gaps of the metal, searing the wiring and mechanics underneath the armor, which held in the heat and helped the inferno. Shuttering. the tank tried to crawl over Barengar, so he'd only see the metal belly. (Jancis Milburga) ||The Free Roaming Garlean was still out and about, keeping a wide berth from Denz and activating Bits as fast as he could, another popping up to take aim and keep the group on their toes. (Jancis Milburga) Denz > Shana > Jancis > Barengar )) (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's eyes turned up to the bit on the balcony(2), looking at it aimed for Jancis. His attention turned back to the bit that was clearly aiming for him, eyes lighting up with an idea. Tossing his blade onto the top level, he clambered up behind it to position himself between the two bits. Once (1) shot, Denz did his best to dodge, nicked in the left arm once more, metal plates screeching in defiance before Denz took up his claymore once more. Taking large strides, he caved into (1), -- (Denz De'bayle) -- kicking the split metal out of the air before turning his eyes downward to the scorpion tank, eyeing it from above.* (Shana Deftarm) Her own aether beginning to run dry, Shana panted and came closer to the fighting. It was beginning to wear on her, between the dodging and the few blows she'd weathered. Rather than chuck more of her already depleted reserves at the thing, she gave shared an invigorating burst of the few remaining shreds of her energy and shared it between the others to enhance their own strikes for a short time.

(Jancis Milburga) Jancis braces for another laser shot... that never comes, her eyes betraying up to see the one aimed for her hit itself by a laser strike. Not waiting to figure out why, she attacks the tank, throwing her own boulders down on it to make it check its balance and give Barengar an opening, her aether surging from Shana's support to move the huge metal machine. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar took a step back from the leg before him as he took a moment to gather himself. This was expedited by the sudden burst of energy that Shana imparted to him and the others. With renewed vigor, Barengar gripped his weapon and immediately went to make a decisive strike upon the opening provided by Jancis' earthen upheaval, driving the edge of his weapon deep into the exposed joint. (Jancis Milburga) ||Seeing an opportunity to trap Denz, the balistas of the tank aim back and up to the stairwell edge, blasting the mortar and brickwork to bring the ledge crashing down. The tank was dragging itself on three legs, shooting all of its weaponry in a hope to take everything out around itself. (Jancis Milburga) ||Two Bits go down at once, making the panicking pilot realize that so far, none of the group have fallen. Trying to get something bigger started, he's swiped up griffin claws. A sharp whistle comes back in, Swiftstep once again in the fray, throwing the other Garlean to his death below. A swarm of griffins, some known and some not, flood the top, lifting Bits and tossing them down, throwing off laser bursts in random directions, some even striking the tank. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis > Denz > Shana > Barengar (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's feet felt uneven in the footing of the staircase. His eyes turned towards the griffins, letting out the best whistle he could under pressure and shouting for his griffins attention. Just as the stones began to shudder and collaspe, Denz fell with them... only for a moment as griffin claws clutched his shoulders. Wrenched back upwards, Denz's shoulders would feel that in the morning, but better than becoming a part of the architecture. The griffin hovered over the arena, before -- (Denz De'bayle) -- flapping with the carried elezen over towards the entrance, gracelessly dropping him back outside to watch the collapsing structure within.*( (Jancis Milburga) Jancis was rearing up, hearing the screeches, the mass of feathers and claws in the air above them. Calling upon the elements, her staff high, she conjures a dome , spinning and whirling, like a whirlpool to send the damage straight onto the tank instead of the structure holding them all aloft. Her entire focus went into it, concentrating on the shielding to leave the machine open to the others. (Shana Deftarm) She had to look up to watch the griffins descending on the group, grabbing the pilot and their bit-pets up into the sky before dropping them back down to the ground. It was a comforting thought that none of them were going to be caught up as those had been. Her energy spent, all she could manage was to watch the fray as she tried to muster up her energy.

(Barengar Armsbreaker) With the majority of the legs now rendered inoperable, Barengar took this moment to use one of them as a pathway up to the main body of the magitek walker. While a top the massive machine, the warrior began to swing at every last thing that looked in the slightest bit fragile or vital. Fuel cells, sensors, cooling vents. Everything. With one last labored swing, Barengar damaged the cockpit door so that there would be no escaping the machine when it began to overload. (Barengar Armsbreaker) With that Barengar made a quick retreat, throwing himself from the body of the walker and quickly making his way back down one of the legs and to the perimeter of the chamber. (Jancis Milburga) ||Sparks flew, stonework broke and fell haphazardly around the area, smoke from the tank went from white to black quickly as the covering armor broke away and the internal workings were hacked and slashed into a mess of short circuits and fuel expending all over. The broken door was clearly being hammered on from the other side, first a few that were hard and ramming, the next fast pleading raps before once again kicking and shoving at the jammed exit. Fuel leaked down to the ground, coating -- (Jancis Milburga) -- the stonework around them, fueled by Jancis' continued focusing on the spell to center everything on the machinery, causing a whirlwind of splattering fluids and sparks that were starting to ignite and show off all the destructive power it had... on itself. (Jancis Milburga) https://youtu.be/WNdhQq8lXII (Jancis Milburga) (victory song) (Denz De'bayle) *Denz drops his weapon next to the griffin as he watches the machine deconstruct, eyes widening as he rushed inside.* "Jancis!" *Seeing Shana, he moved over to assist her if she needed it, directing her outside before moving inwards to make sure his other two comrades got out.* "Over here! This way!" (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar held up a hand and shielded his vision from the brunt of the grand display of power; head tucking away just slightly. He was still firmly planted in a defensive posture, unsure of what yet remained of the magitek in this room. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis was pulled out of her channeling at Denz's word, seeing the meltdown before her. She follows Barengar out, heading even further out to see if anything is on the other side from the archway. (Shana Deftarm) Pulling herself up, and limping out to where it was safe, Shana turned her back on the thing just glad to see it destroyed. "Never want to see one again," she muttered darkly, leaning heavily against a wall. Gods, she was tired. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar slowly backed his way out of the main chamber, catching sight of Shana and reaching out to tap on her shoulder lightly and gesture toward the exit, "We oughta be gettin' outta 'ere 'fore anythin' else 'sides t'ignite wit' it." (Jancis Milburga) ||The floor was breaking and melting, the beautiful stonework destroyed as a small crater built up, fire and burning pieces of metal popping and then being thrown off by the force of the explosions within, even a few went up into the air to land on the overhead walkway. The griffins flew out of the way and were directed out high and far from the spectacle. Even the northern quarters of Ala Mhigo would hear the explosions as the main fuel tank finally caught on fire, sending debris everywhere. (Denz De'bayle) *He grits his teeth, watching smoke rise from Ala Mhigo. How much longer could they fight like this? He looked at Jancis first, eyes looking over her.* "Are you okay?" *She wasn't missing any hair, so that was a first good sign. Meanwhile Denz was nursing his left arm's wounds with his right hand, the burning, partially bleeding wounds dripping down his arm.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Baregnar exited the building with a less-than-subtle limp. Between taking the strike of a leg head-on, tumbling across the floor, and leaping from the core his legs have very clearly had enough. To top it all off, he could feel the singed skin stretching upon his back with each slightly movement. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis' hands went up to join his right, murmuring to cease the flow of blood, exhausted and pained as she looked. "I am fair. Leg took a hit." Her leg was also bleeding from the burning laser mark, but that was the only wound in sight. Her eyes went to the others, particularly Shana to start, but she moved on to aid with Barengar's wounds and numb the pain until they could do more than field medicine.

(Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar grunted and dipped his head toward Jancis in appreciation, grumbling under his breath about imperial walkers as he took a moment to collect himself for the journey back to base that was ahead of them. (Shana Deftarm) Shana was dragging behind, though she was doing her best to keep pace. "Least its over, Gods. No more walkers. No more." (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep swooped down, directing some of the griffins to land. Looking oddly terrified and enthralled, he started yelling about the other points of battle. "Twice 's big 's th' scorpion in one of th' city's plazas!" The fight had taken its toll and time. A screech came from the far back of the citystate, aether fluctuating to even the point Barengar would noticed something wrong in the air. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's eyes close at the healing Jancis gave him, before looking back out to the city.* "Alright... what no-?" *He was cut short as they was a terrifying shift in aether about them. A familiar feeling of dread at the immense presence made Denz's pupils shrink in terror.* "No..." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar, as he was pulling himself together from his wounds, narrowed his eyes at the strange sensation that crackled through the air. "The 'ells ..." he murmured under his breath before looking in the direction of the city. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis' eyes also had something extremely rare in them, fear. The pulses of unnatural energy, the same sense and feeling of the horror born at the wall, the recollection of the injuries and bloodshed seen from a 'safe' distance all those moons ago. "Need to get others away." (Shana Deftarm) Despite her hurts, Shana whirled around in the direction of the blast. Her eyes were drawn to Ala Mhigo, brows drawn together. "What's happening there?" (Jancis Milburga) Digging in her bag, Jancis pushes a vial into Shana's hand. Quickly, she also tries to help aid in with her wounds without trying to interrupt the horrible aether around, smearing a cream over the wounds that burns, the good kind at least, and starts pulling out bandage from her bag. "I do not know. I remember it though." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz took a moment to pull himself out of the terror of what he was feeling, looking sidelong to the griffins.* "Swiftstep! Get them out of here! Everyone else, we need to leave, now!" (Denz De'bayle) *Denz goes to gather up his claymore, swiftly sheathing it and standing beside his and Jancis griffin, waiting with bate breaths for her to rejoin him.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Given the intensity in which Barengar was experiencing this aetheric disturbance he didn't need to be told twice to get onto his griffin and preparing to make a retreat. He had absolutely no desire to be anywhere near the city in this moment more than any other. (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep: "Shite" the heavy oaths came from the man as he stayed aloft, the blaring of linkpearl reports adding to his confusion before hearing Denz. "Right. Get th' fuck otta 'ere." (Jancis Milburga) Jancis' took quick steps, hobbling with a bit of a skip to get up momentum and climb up, hoisting herself to not put weight on his arm. (Denz De'bayle) *Flying up into the saddle with Jancis, he clicked the griffin into flight to fly away from the scene of massive aether swelling.* (Jancis Milburga) ||Back at Porta Praetoria, information was flying around about what was in the sky, what it was focused on, the quarters and sectors of the city that had been captured. Report after report flew in just as much as injured did. A medic bay was growing, but prepared to take on more injuries. Mages kept up defenses, and officers called out for recovery and rescue. Here the swelling wasn't as easy to detect. (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep: "I'm headin' back ta Brighthand. Ain't nothin' else I c'n do." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar dips his head toward Swiftstep and lets out a slow grunt, though his gaze quickly shifts back over toward Ala Mhigo with a tight expression, "Ain't thinkin' ther's much any o' us c'n do righ' now ..." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz slid off the griffin's back to hold out his hand to Jancis and help her down.*

#Barengar Armsbreaker #Shana Deftarm #Denz De'bayle #Jancis Milburga #Setting the Standard

Setting the Standard: #7 The Assault on Ala Mhigo

With the Grand Companies and Scions taking all but the final stronghold of Gyr Abania, it’s captial, Swiftstep asks once again the people he’s come to trust with the precious griffins to aid in the attack.

(Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep comes forward as he sees familiar faces. His own is heavily strained over many nights of unrest. From Brighthand to Quilcover and all the work being done here a great weight lifts from his shoulders seeing people he trusts. He quickly explains the plans he's been made privy to, which ultimate lends to the griffins being here on defense and standby. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis' time was mostly spent at Ala Ghiri, the largest of the infirmaries and field surgery centers in the area. Tending to the many that were injuried, trying to save lives from the fallen tower, and dealing with a huge assortment of wounds has kept the midlander busy until being called here. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's own duties took him between Gyr Abania and Eorzea proper, coordinating squadrons of Temple Knights to assist in the recuperations of the Grand Alliance members who had been severely wounded at the Specula Imperatoris disaster. The tensions brewed between both sides of this war, and Denz was only too eager to return to the gryphon backs they had taken wing upon previously. When he arrived, he made it was to the rest of the group to get the details for their part in this war's finale.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar had taken the time to report back to his station at Castrum Oriens, informing his liaison with the alliance forces of his recent activities. He didn't get down into the nitty-gritty detail, since he didn't see any reason to, but it seemed as though the absence was not taken with too much annoyance. It wasn't long before he was redirected to the new front; The Lochs. He hadn't expected to see Swiftstep again at all, truly. So to see him here at Porta Praetoria surprised the warrior. (Shana Deftarm) Shana had been back and forth, tending to the griffins and seeing how else she could help the strikes against Ala Mhigo. There was a certain tremor to her, excitement that seemed to manifest itself the closer they came, almost as if despite what she'd said before, what she believed, that maybe Ala Mhigo could be freed after all. She was quiet in her thoughts, keeping them to herself, but the tenacity with which she tended the animals and helped the other rebels seemed to give her feelings away. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Once again clad in his armor of preference, Barengar dipped his head toward Swiftstep in a curt nod of greeting before glancing about to check for signs of other familiar faces. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's eyes went over the man's armor, setting his lips as he adjusted his leather and partially plated form.* "Don't you know how to make a man feel under-dressed?"

(Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep gave Barengar a once over, "They puttin' ya in th't shite 'gain? Can they spare ye w'th me? Ain't trustin' no 'thers with th' birds 'n we coul use th' extra h'nd." He looked at all of them. "No doubt we'll be called in soon'r th'n later." (Shana Deftarm) "I think he's just tired of weather blows in leather and fur when all he wants is that chainmail," Shana added to Denz dig with a chuckle of her own. (Jancis Milburga) "I think you look quite dressed! The shoulders are lower than usual. Sometimes I think I could forget they have a natural curve." (Jancis Milburga) Jancis smiles, then states the obvious. "I am teasing. I would never forget your shoulders." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar glances over at Denz, letting out a snort at the elezen's comment before he turned his attention back toward Swiftstep. A stiff grunt escaped the man as the comment was made about his armor, his head shaking slightly before rolling his right shoulder back. "Ain't able t'speak f'r th'others bu' figurin' if'n I'm t'be 'ere th'n wit' yerself is where'm mos' like to b'effective." (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep: "'m glad t' hear it. With Deftarm's help all four of 'em are in tip top shape. Got ol' Quilcover's h'nd with 'em, that's fer sure. I don't know exactly what we'll be facin'. Quilcover spoke o' how th' flyin' machines would tear up a bird. So formation will be loose. Coverin' eachother's backs." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz grinned at Shana and Jancis, closing an eye to settle his retort as Swiftstep began giving them instructions.* "And just how much aerial support are we expecting there to be above the city?" (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar gave a slow, firm nod of understanding before glancing over toward Denz and his question. (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep: "Not much. Ain't gonna blow smoke up yer arse. Ain't rightly sure we'll make it outta th're. Not all o' us." He seems pretty resigned to this statement. "But Hells iffn I don't take more o' 'em w'th me." (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep then gave some actual numbers which sounded more like any of his own groups and nothing from Grand companies. Caster shields, some personal fliers. A few chocobos. No organized flights to speak of. "What matters is breeching th' gate." (Denz De'bayle) "I don't plan on dying this day, Swiftstep. Neither should you." *He adjusted the armor on his body, suddenly feeling like he -really- should've brought his actual armaments.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar bobbed his head to the side. He was right about the gate, but that didn't necessitate death. The warrior grunted in agreement with Denz, "Aye. Ain't any good commin' from assumin' y'ain't gonna make it." (Barengar Armsbreaker) "Jus' makes a pluck do somethin' stupid." (Jancis Milburga) "They are right. We will. If anything, we can hope they feel that way. Realize they are far from home and fighting for a cause that has no heart to it, and find reason to take a knee themselves." (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep shook over Jancis' notion, snorting a laugh at Barengar's words. "Aye. 'fter the hit Brighthand took I," He pauses with a grimace, "It's been 'arder ta get outta my head." (Jancis Milburga) "But she lives, Lewenhart. Spinner would be remiss for you to think of things that did not happen. That will only go to dark places." (Jancis Milburga) Jancis gives the others around her a meaningful look, "Is far too much to stay alive for. Thal will call us another sun." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar gave another stiff grunt, "Best t'keep wha' if's and why's outta y'r 'ead, Swiftstep. They ain't gonna give y'anythin' useful." (Shana Deftarm) "Aye, so maybe don't go throwing yourself headlong into the fray; think she'd be upset with you if you died because your mind wasn't on the fight in front of you but the one where she was hurt. Its over and done, but this one ahead of us isn't." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz nods silently, before looking back at the Highlander griffin rider.* "So we assist the Grand Alliance in breaching the gate, then what?" (Jancis Milburga) ||Horns and commanders started going off, squadrons assembling and heading down the stairs in ranks, scouts going ahead and ensuring the path ahead of the massive army that was going for the gates of Ala Mhigo. Seige equipment was also being moved off in groups, robed figures accompanying them. (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep: "Seein' how that goes we stay 'n backup around the quarters of the city. South is secure, fer now."

(Denz De'bayle) *Denz put on the griffin rider helmet he was given, turning to the griffins nearby.* "Then we should head out, aye?" (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep paused with his ear, loud enough in the still before war. "There's word of some wolfmen patrolling and aiding the northern outskirts of Ala Mhigo." Some more time he was quiet. "That threat has been neutralized." (Jancis Milburga) Swiftstep: "Aye. Bett'r prepare." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar rolled his right shoulder back slightly as he gathered himself up and gave a firm nod toward Swiftstep, "M'ready t'go when y'need us t'move." (Jancis Milburga) ||The gray griffin permitted Swiftstep aloft. All the other griffins were keen on their riders, save for Barengar. For the first few minutes, the bird was in need of some extra calming and reassurance after hearing the clinking man in the unfamiliar armor. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar, understanding the cloudkin's hesitance, took his time with approaching it and assuring that there was nothing to worry over. Each advance toward the saddle was only taken once he was certain the creature of comfortable with the current state of his presence. (Jancis Milburga) ||The griffin dealt with the extra weight Barengar now sported, but he'd be in the back of group while he got a handle of making the beast uncomfortable. Clearly Quilcover had more than personal preference to her previous demands of attire. (Shana Deftarm) Having spent so much time with the birds herself, Shana was less reluctant than she had been before to mount the strange cloudkin and waited for the others before she herself would jump aloft. (Jancis Milburga) ||Revised cannons, thaumaturges, and artillery bombarded the front of the vast city, aimed primary at the gates and the shields Garleans had constructed, the hues of blue and white flickering even in the distanced as the force field tried to hold. The dogfighting came then, as Garleans attempted to thwart the siege with their flying machines. Overhead came a colorful display of other birds, huge in size, that swooped down on the Garleans, throwing their ranks off into a frenzy. (Jancis Milburga) ||"We're needed ta th' north." Swiftstep called, more eager to get on his griffin and fly out to the front. (Jancis Milburga) ||The towers had Garleans swooping, units ducking for cover and trying to shield before more fire came on them. Swiftstep went up high, almost out of sight, but his warcries could be heard, lightning shooting from above and attacking new ranks that came in, the chain helping to slow down the machinery. (Jancis Milburga) || All the points had the swifter flying machines, propeller and guns at the front that allowed the craft to twist and turn at command instead of having to arc about. There was not defense at the back of them for that reason of agility, making that the most prime target. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz and Jancis once more took to the back of a single griffin, knight and conjurer brandishing their weapons as they came upon the hectic battlefront. Eyes went instantly to the flying machines that were made of higher quality then previously. This was made all the more apparent as Denz guided their beast down to dive for a machine aiming for the Alliance, before that same machine quickly swiveled around to pepper the trio in bullets. They pinged off and created cracks in the aetherical -- (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar worked with mount in an effort to find a welcome middle ground when it came to comfort and agility, leading to him falling behind the rest of the group just a touch. He remained just out of range to engage at the same time as the others. Instead, as he made his approach, he took the opportunity to gauge how the initial engagement played out. (Denz De'bayle) -- barrier Jancis created, Denz's hands gripped the reins for the griffin to swoop around and pull the machine away.* "Seven Hells, I didn't know they could move like that! We'll need to take them together!" *And with that, Denz and Jancis played the long con, as their bird maneuvered past bullets and cannon shots both from the machine following them.* From Dec. 11, 2017 9:00 p.m. to Dec. 12, 2017 2:00 a.m. (PST), maintenance will be performed on FINAL FANTASY XIV. Please log out before the maintenance begins. See the News section for more details. (Jancis Milburga) ||Denz's bait would be taken, the A-machine following them around trying to get a lock and take out the griffin's wings. Their time flying was proving useful, but the magitek was catching up. (Shana Deftarm) Being the least armored and the only rider on her chosen mount, Shana felt a bit more flexible in the air in terms of how quickly she could goad her beast into flying somewhat safely, and how agile he would be if he needed to quickly evade midair. She was searching for a pilot otherwise distracted, so that she might sneak up on it unawares and tear into the unarmored and protected back.

(Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar saw the efforts that Denz was taking in order to get the magitek flier to trail behind him and decided that he'd take advantage of it. He kept high above the other, gauging the right time to make his move. As soon as Denz and Jancis led the machine directly beneath him he pushed his bird into a dive. The griffon wouldn't need to work if gravity was doing it for the beast; bringing them both to a high-speed dive down upon the flier. Barengar removed his axe from his back and aimed ... (Jancis Milburga) ||Besides A-Flyer being alone as far as the griffins could tell, the others at their spots trying to bombard the army below and delay their assault on the gate. (Barengar Armsbreaker) ... slam it down upon the top of the flier's core as he swift dart passed before pulling the griffin out of the dive. (Barengar Armsbreaker) (( Griffawn )) (Jancis Milburga) ||Barengar's ploy worked, the flyer not expecting the dive bomb as he closed in on Denz. One of the engines completely knocked out it twirled and smashed into the nearby tower, hanging off the edge. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz pulled up with a victorious cheer, raising his arm to Barengar as the group moved forward.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar glanced over his shoulder to see the results of his attack, a quiet grunt to himself echoing within his helmet before lifting his arm toward Denz in return. (Jancis Milburga) ||C-flyer caught sight of Denz, trying to keep his back hovering by the city wall's while spraying Denz with bullets. (Shana Deftarm) Shana watched the flyer shooting at Denz and Jancis, trying to sneak up below the thing by all but hugging the city walls to get at his back. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar pulled his griffon's reins and began to work on regaining altitude. The weight of his armor was certainly slowing the process down, however he wouldn't let it stop them as he began rounding about the large tower to try and make a second pass on the group of fliers in the area. (Jancis Milburga) ||C-flyer, not even thinking anything could get at the walls, frustratedly was shooting at Denz, trying to predict where he was going to go finally instead of following along. Shana's arrival went unnoticed by the driver's irritationt o just kill this agile bird. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz and Jancis come up on the wall, seeing the next imposing flying they had to take down. Bullets cracked the already breaking aetherical shield, the knight directing the Conjurer to break off a portion of the wall as Shana came in to assist them.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Upon seeing that Shana was moving into assist Denz and Jancis with the C-flier, Barengar banked about and did a quick sweep to see where Swiftstep was flying and if he might need any assistance. If the conversation that had with him before the battle began was any indication, it was likely that the young fighter was not in the best of mental states. (Jancis Milburga) ||Swiftstep had gone up above the walls, while not passing over them, he was getting his first sights of Ala Mhigo - a city yet unseen to him. He was over the fight, some wreckage of another ship laying below on the wall. Seeing Armsbreaker, he motioned down below to the one getting its bearings and lifting back up to fly again, the B-flyer, before leading the charge and swooping back down into the fray. (Jancis Milburga) ||Jancis' attack made stone appear within the wall, wedging off a huge chunk of brick in hopes to hit the C-flyer. The piece just missed, metal scrapping loudly againt the brick as it dodged, right towards Shana. From Dec. 11, 2017 9:00 p.m. to Dec. 12, 2017 2:00 a.m. (PST), maintenance will be performed on FINAL FANTASY XIV. Please log out before the maintenance begins. See the News section for more details. (Shana Deftarm) Finding the pilot as inattentive as she hoped, Shana urged the griffon to scramble over the hull, displacing its weight and trying to force it to lose its balance mid air, (Jancis Milburga) ||C-flyer's pilot turned his head as the machine wasn't responding to his commands, seeing Shana and the shove that sent the Garlean into the decorative balcony below. While mostly uninjured, he was stuck in a twisted mass of metal, guns broken below and engines smoking.

#Barengar Armsbreaker #Shana Deftarm #Denz De'bayle #Jancis Milburga #Setting the Standard

Setting the Standard #3: Escaping Rhalgr’s Reach

At the top of the Reach, Barengar, Shana, Denz, and Jancis are the first to discover the viceroy’s plan to attack and raze the Reach.

Navigating their way back through the winding tunnels they came, there’s hope to warn others and prepare, but the hope doesn’t go very far with precious cargo and the overwhelming numbers they come face to face with.

(Denz De'bayle) *Denz was slightly ahead of the group, having heard the gunshots echoing down the path into the tunnel. He breached into the partially open cliff face, kneeling behind a rock as he waited for the rest of the party to catch up. A pile of three bodies was before him, but he was not about to fight this battle alone.* (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar, having just broken into the region in which he had heard the gunshot originate, takes a moment to survey the surroundings. Before he goes rushing in headlong he'd prefer to have an idea of what he was up against. However, the presence of gunfire gave him a pretty firm idea of what it might be waiting them. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis was close on the heels of Barengar and Denz, her hand on her back as the staff came out, swung in a way to keep the bell from ringing, more of a low hum in the bell as she continued forward to where the gunshot was, trying to go past Denz and Barengar to see what else was beyond the dead men. (Shana Deftarm) There was a moment of panic as Shana looked down, gripping the rocks with her hands hard enough to feel them bite into her palms. Her eyes darted back and forth, trying to find faces in the chaos even while the smell of gun powder and blood burned and overpowered everything else. Her mind raced as she seemed to want to jump into the fray, unconsciously pulling forward. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand was still upset, hands gripping into the dead griffin in the hallway before pushing herself back up to her feet and following the group. Her hands went to her short sword shakily. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz looked back as the trio approached his hiding spot. He looked to everyone momentarily, knowing he need not vocalize their enemy. Garleans and guns, ever the constant couple. He raised slowly, checking to see if all of them were prepared before they engaged in battle.* (Jancis Milburga) Word flew from Jancis' mouth, the dust and air picking up around the four in a net of aether, bits of stone flecking about to hopefully take a bullet instead. Catching up to Denz, she paused long enough, gathering up her will again to make a stone shield a bit of the ways up, another place to run. (Jancis Milburga) ||The Ledge (Jancis Milburga) ||The winds up on the ledge were swift, fierce enough to make the Garleans reel with their magitek weaponry. Along with the fog rising up from the waterfalls nearby, making it harder to see the peaks that protruded randomly from the mountaintop. Griffin claw marks covered the surface they were on, making it easier in the traction for their feet, not so much for the Garlean boots. (Jancis Milburga) ||A dead man laid nearby, spear in hand still, with multiple gunshot wounds. Not far from him were another two dead, one wounded with a wounded griffin he was fending off with a blade, and three more who had just landed to aid their comrade. All of them here had gunblades, clearly making their way down to provide suppressing fire on the canyon floor. (Jancis Milburga) ||Until, that is, they found the griffins. (Barengar Armsbreaker) The quick battlefield assessment would have to do, Barengar's focus settled upon the wounded and immediately the warrior charged from his cover to intercede; placing himself between the Garleans and the wounded. His weapon was held high, acting as a partial shield as he prepared to lash out at any of the Garleans that dared to draw near. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz followed behind Barengar closer, also coming up to defend the wounded bird. His blade swung without hesitation for the injured garlean attempting to back up, greatsword aiming for his knees.* (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand: "No! Rhalgr please!" She recognized the older man, a rage filling her heart. Using the hilt of her sword, she started beating on it in a rapid manner that got the griffin's attention. Seeing Denz run over, and his attire, and how good he smelled of leather and fur, the griffin disengaged at the opportunity, regrouping with the familiar colors. (Jancis Milburga) "Three more!" Jancis called, seeing others joining the fray, and started building up more stones to hinder the Garlean's progress towards them and hopefully not give them a clean shot.

(Shana Deftarm) Shana took hold of her focus in one hand and her thin sword in the other, scowling. She came forward, holding the focus up like a ward or idol and using it to hurl a scattering jolt of her aether into the group that was bearing down on them. Her hand was still wound tight around the hilt of her sword, white knuckled as if daring them forward. (Jancis Milburga) ||Denz's Garlean: The wounded man pushed and pushed with his boots, barely able to kick Denz's blade away from his knees, leaving boot prints on the greatsword in the flailing dodge. Leveling his gun, he can't decide if he'd shoot at the elezen or the retreating griffin, wasting the shot and shooting into the sky between them. (Jancis Milburga) ||Garlean Trio: Seeing more targets, particularly a large axe-wielding Ala Mhigan, they aimed their guns on him until the streak of aether came down right in front of them. Moving together again, they called out muffled commands in their helmets to "Put down your arms" all the while aiming to take a shot again, one on Shana and the other two on Barengar. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand and Griffin Haliaeetus: The drumbeat still strong, the griffin does make it back to the shielded stone, his flank and side of the muzzle wounded. Calling out again with some commands, Brighthand sends out her arm to the fogged stones on the far side of the ledge, sending the griffin that way with a swing of her arm. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Upon seeing that Denz had the wounded man well under control, Barengar pressed forward toward the three whose path he had placed himself. The Ala Mhigan moved from stone pillar to stone pillar that Jancis brought forth from the ground, using them as cover to allow for his advance. Once he had arrived at the lead stone he pressed his back to it and reached for the francisca that hung from his hip; ripping it free. The highlander then threw himself out from the cover, sending the axe flying... (Barengar Armsbreaker) ... toward the trio of Garleans. There was hope that the weapon would bite into his opponents but its primary function was to service as a distraction as the large warrior came barreling toward the Garleans with axe held back; ready to sink deep. As soon as he was within range Barengar lunged forward and aimed his axeblade for the nearest Garlean's leg. (Shana Deftarm) Muttering curses and hurling swear like stones, Shana followed behind Barengar. She lowered her focus, unable to keep it forward and steady as she darted between the stone pillars to atleast avoid being shot. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis kept her eye on the griffin, close to when Brighthand cringed at the wounds. However, unlike the young woman, Jancis brought her hands up, a streak of aether following the flying beast and catching up quickly, sealing the wounds and pushing out the bullet debris. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz's blade came up to cover his face the best he could should a shot for his head or heart come, but the hit never came, body rigid from the sound of the gunshot. When he blinked away the initial panic, he brought his hands up next to his head in a prepared stance, before stabbing the greatsword for the garlean's chest.* (Jancis Milburga) ||Garlean Trio: Barengar's target went down quick, failing to move with the other two and collapsing to the rocky ledge. Metal sung and broke under the blade, a deep flesh wound. Another shot was fired, missing Barengar though it was close, the pain blurring the man's vision too much. With Shana close behind, the two others abandoned the crippled Garlean, shooting for suppressing fire, stones flicking and cracking under some of the shots, and got to a higher ground that would leave the two Ala M (Jancis Milburga) that would leave the two Ala Mhigans wide open. (Jancis Milburga) ||Denz's Garlean: Preparing again for another shot, his arm was the perfect line for Denz's sword to hit true, piercing through to the Garlean's lung before wrenching free. The man gasped, and started to gurgle, dropping the sword and clutching his chest in what could be only a few more short minutes of life. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand kept her eyes on the fogged area the griffin had flown into, but her gaze was arcing. As if she knew where he was flying. And her gaze went to the new raised platform the last two un-wounded Garleans were now perched upon. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar cursed, slamming his boot down upon the crippled Garlean's head to ensure that he didn't bother trying to get back up for the time being. His attention was, then, briefly drawn over his shoulder; checking to see who was behind him before he pressed foward in hot pursuit of the two repositioning themselves at higher ground. He was wide open and he knew it, he was simply going to have to trust that those capable of doing so would provide him with what measure of covering fire possible. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis' eyes widen at seeing the new strategy of the Garleans, and the bottleneck that would be hard to guard. Unsure where to place rocks or even if she could in time without hindering Barengar, she instead focused on him, aether pre-emptively filling his body with a warmth that bolstered but also gave him an odd sensation of light-headedness with nothing to heal.

(Denz De'bayle) *Denz pushed the blade deep, ensuring that the wound would not be easy to heal, lest his comrades came to his aid swiftly. His boot pressed upon the shorter hyur's chest, wrenching out the blade as he watched the two men get to higher ground. He simply ran up towards the Ala Mhigan warrior to back him up, long leather tresses trailing behind the elezen as he also used Jancis' stone pillars for cover from the suppresive fire.* (Shana Deftarm) Reattaching her focus to the pommel of her sword, Shana pressed herself closer to the crumbling shield even as it seemed to wear away into nothing. When she was finally left exposed, she was pulling up the reserves of her own aether trying to finish whatever it was she was channeling before she would be stopped. (Jancis Milburga) ||The two Garleans truly looked merciless with their dark armor and matching weapons as they aimed them down straight at their bait, one at Barengar, another at Shana. Denz would be next. They had the high ground here. Until a large boulder came crashing down on the two from above, the cry of a griffin hidden in the clouds. One staggered up, but it was useless under the torrent of aether Shana released on the two, armor seeming to smolder as the two lay there motionless. (Denz De'bayle) *Denz heard the crashing noise, poking his head out to watch the two garleans lose their advantage and become destroyed by Shana's magic. Denz's swiveled about to each of his comrades, seeing none of them initially hurt.* "What are garleans doing this close to the Resistance?!" (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand hit her drum again, calling back Haliaeetus once the all clear was given. "They shouldn't! They wouldn't know this place is here! Just mountains! It's hidden!" (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar blinked with surprise as the large stone came crashing down upon the pair of Garleans that he had been chasing after. There was only a momentary hesitation in his advance before he pressed on. He'd make certain that the neither of them had any fight left in them before turning his attention toward Denz and his question, "Reason ain't like t'be good. Wha'ever it is." He growled. (Jancis Milburga) Jancis ran forward to the spear-wielding griffinmaster, looking him over before shaking her head and moving off to the other Garleans in turn, finding each also dead. "Thaliak." She swore, looking out on the foggy cliffside the Reach resided in, seeing nothing. (Shana Deftarm) "Someone knew." Shana answered bitterly. "One person too many it would seem." (Jancis Milburga) ||"The egg!" Brighthand exclaimed, ushering the griffin back down into the den with her. She only gave one more sad look at what was her kin, dead on the stones. (Jancis Milburga) "What should we do?" Jancis looked over each of them as she asked, still tense and not relieved at all in the luck of their avoiding shots. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar turned his gaze over toward Brighthand, raising his voice enough to be heard clearly, "Where's it supposed t'be?" (Denz De'bayle) *Denz ran a hand through his hair.* "If those garleans knew, then the entire Reach could be compromised." *Denz moved back towards Jancis.* "We need to reconvene with the Alliance, and tell them of what's happened. We can get reinforcements to the Reach." *He looked at the two Ala Mhigans.* "You two should see our charge returned safely. Unless there are any disagreements with that plan?" (Jancis Milburga) ||The woman back rushing back from the chamber the four heroes had dashed through before. "It's h're. It's safe. The place isn't really damaged. But birds wouldn't be 'ut now. Too bright." She caught some of Denz's words, clenching her hands together and gritting her teeth with some denial. "They can't. Can't know 'bout this. They'll 'll pay." (Shana Deftarm) "If the Reach is lost I don't know a better place to take them." Shana said after a moment, thinking with her brows drawn together. She turned back to Brighthand, arms folded even as she frowned. "I don't suppose you could put up one of those fancy glamours, unless you intend to stay?" (Jancis Milburga) Jancis shook her head, "No, no disagreement." Her eyes were hard on the other two and Brighthand, hard on Barengar. "Need reinforcements." Her hand went to her medical satchel, pulling it off her neck and squeezing it with her hands. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand frowned, "The wh'le Reach is suppos'd t' be glamoured. I don't know th't. Haliaeetus won't be able t' outrun one of th'r ships with an egg! I don't know what t' do." (Denz De'bayle) *Denz looked towards the woman.* "Returning her to their hideout would be the best course of action. Stay on the ground, take the passageways back out into the Fringes." (Barengar Armsbreaker) "Outrunnin' th' Garleans ain't gonna mean anythin' if'n we ain't got a place to run ta." He gave Brighthand a pointed look at Denz' suggestion, "S'Quilcover gonna be able t'provide protection?"

(Shana Deftarm) Shana stood silent, eyes lingering on the bodies of the griffon and then going back to Jancis as she spoke. She was still frowning, forehead creased almost in concentration before she felt Brighthand's eyes on her. "Can't tell you what you think is best." She said after a moment, shaking her head. "But in any case, I think we're committed to whatever you happen to choose." (Jancis Milburga) ||Denz and Jancis waste no time getting out of the cavern, following the fresh air back into the Reach. Nothing was happening in the valley, the Resistance completely unaware of what was about to come down upon them. And were they going to listen to an elezen and hyur dressed in such garb. Was that a joke of mocking. Some heard their calls, but it was lost in their haste to gain more aid from the Company at the Castrum. The Temple Knights and more recruits would be there. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand doesn't look at all comfortable making such an important decision in front of two clearly older, experienced, and more mature kin. "Can't let th' egg c'me to harm." With that she returns the egg to the nest below. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar dips his head low and grunts, "Th'n m'figurin' we oughta get the thing out o'ere. If'n the Garleans're attackin' y'ain't able t'safely assume we're gonna b'able to get back t'here later." (Jancis Milburga) ||This hatchery den is pretty much a place of barrels, crates, and storage supplies. There's a small bunk and desk set, with some extra down for an old man, between some of the crates. (Jancis Milburga) ||This place was nice. Not as nice as the hatchery you came from, but that place was pristine. Feathers were gathered around a speckled white and cream egg. There's some show of a scuffle here, but most of it was at the entrance and pushed back out, keeping the den safe. The only other signs is the streak of blood from the fallen griffin. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand: She had started her plan of hunkering down before hearing Barengar's words, nodding again and gathering up the egg in a swaddle of leather slings and holding it at her front, sword still in hand, but it looked to be more for using the drum on her hip. She used that an whistle calls on the griffin to direct him around. "Then out? I'll foll'w behind?" (Shana Deftarm) "Is it just the one egg? Or were there more?" Shana murmured as she set eyes on the thing in question. It was going to be an exercise trying to get something so fragile out to safety, though it had to be done. (Jancis Milburga) BH: "Just one h're." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar grunted and gave a stiff not, pulling his weapon back into his hands and moving the lead the escort back toward Quilcover's sanctuary, "If'n this's it th'n we oughta be makin're way. Ain't tellin' when more o' those tin'eads'll be comin' back." (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand nods, being the protective mother and waiting for all clears before she came forward. The griffin would be behind her, being guided on and also protecting the back flank until told otherwise. The corridor with the dead griffin went straight or to the right.

(Jancis Milburga) ||The corridor they had come through was about the same, A sound to the right of a waterfall and some struggle, but nothing comes or hears the group of five going through. Winding down the tunnels they reach another curve. Two carved doorways lead to the north. The way forward is a curving pathway that opens to the bare rockface (the part Denz had stayed against the wall for on the way up) but now two Garleans with gunblades looked into the doorways. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar kept alert as he progressed forward with as much haste as caution allowed. The very moment that he saw the pair of Garleans loitering ahead of them he took to a charge. There was no doubt about it, Barengar was attempting to slam into the soldier and send him careening over the ledge. (Shana Deftarm) Shana was more inclined to hide, pressing to the edges of the wall up until Barengar surged forward. She sidestepped then, doing her best to block the Garleans' view of Brighthand if they happened to look behind him. She'd drawn her sword again, waiting for their reaction. (Jancis Milburga) Brighthand followed Shana's lead, staying out of sight as much as she could, her blade and commands ready for the griffin who really couldn't hide. Barengar caught the two completely by surprise. They hadn't though someone would be up here and even if they did, no one would be prepared to attack. Barreling into them, they cascaded one into another, the far one tripping and slamming to the ground, face first, while the other toppled over him, shoved by Barengar, falling off the ledge. (Barengar Armsbreaker) (( https://youtu.be/MK6TXMsvgQg )) (Shana Deftarm) It was hard not to laugh as the one went tumbling down, knocked from his perch by one Barengar that seemed very much a bull in this scenario. Even still, Shana pressed backward, keeping Brighthand from sight before she took a few steps forward. She raised up her sword, pointing it at the toppled man's back. "I wonder how many more three-eyed rats are scurrying about." (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar glanced over the ledge for just a moment to make certain that the soldier that had fallen wasn't lingering in any way before promptly moving toward the downed Garlean and lashed out with a boot, hoping to disarm the soldier and take a firm hold of them. It seemed like an ample opportunity to get information of them. (Jancis Milburga) ||The downed man struggled and went for his weapon, still keeping it in hand but unable to pull it from Barengar's grasp to use it. From the doorways, another pair of Garlean's ran forward to see what had happened. The prone one raised his free hand at them. "Stop! Don't move." He was too close to the edge. "If you throw me off, they'll shoot." None of the three - one in each doorway or the prone one in Barengar's grip - noticed Shana or the others at all. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar, though not immediately making any aggressive moves, did nothing to recede from his position; boot planted upon the Garlean's blade. He wasn't about to let the soldier get a grip upon it proper. He was out in the open and would need to wait for Shana and Brighthand to make a move before he made his next. (Shana Deftarm) The abrupt entrance of the other two seemed to startle her just a touch, and before she realized it Shana had turned on one of the two Garleans rushing forward to help their fellow. She was trying to drive him back, not so much brandishing her sword so much as driving it towards him to go back the way he'd come. That, or skewer him, and it seemed she was leaning more towards that. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand stayed put, but watched and clenched her blade. The surprised Garlean did get skewered right in the shoulder where the armor came together, disarming the man. The other was quick enough to see the new attacker and leveled his gunblade at Shana, taking a quick shot. (Jancis Milburga) ||The prone Garlean tugged and pulled at his blade seeing that, though it was more to just hunker closer to the ground. "Don't kill me!" He said still terrified of the ledge and the scream he had just heard from his comrade that fell off seconds before. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar let out a derisive snort before pulling his boot back and giving the prone Garlean a swift kick to the helm with his heavy boot before bring it back around in a stomp. His attention then whipped over toward the source of the gunfire and promptly began charging toward the soldier that was not currently wearing Shana's weapon as an accessory; axe high and menacing. (Jancis Milburga) ||With a concussion surely from the thick boot meeting a helmet, denting in a bit, the prone Garlean lay there with a swaying ache he wasn't going to recover from in time to do anything.

(Jancis Milburga) ||The unharmed Garlean turned toward the charging Ala Mhigan, taking steps back into the doorway to evade and gain some more distance hopefully to get new shot aim. The room behind was empty, what use to be a small room only enough for meager living quarters. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand and the griffin came forward, then, going to block another way out, the cloudkin ready to take a command and maul one of the Garleans if given the space to. (Barengar Armsbreaker) There was only a stiff grunt of suppressed pain as the bullet found purchase, piercing through the meager protection of Barengar's bracer and embedding itself into his forearm. The warrior cursed inwardly as the Garlean backed into the tight quarters. No room to swing his axe. So he simply rushed forward and attempted to use the haft of his greataxe as bar in which to pin the soldier against the wall. A knee quickly rose up in the hopes of planting of blow right into the Garlean's gut. (Shana Deftarm) Shana was a bit slower to react, her injuries finally catching up with her as she went to block the man's punch. All she could do was grapple with him, narrowly avoiding the strike to her face but now entangled with him as she fought to regain her footing. She was scrabbling for her sword again, trying to keep herself locked against the Garlean to keep him from doing worse damage until she could do her own. (Jancis Milburga) ||The Garlean Barengar pinned to the wall blocked only part of the knee, the blow still hurting but not knocking the wind out of him. In the process though he lost his blade and tries to take a swing at Barengar's face. (Jancis Milburga) ||A whistle came out and a talon-ed claw sank into the Garlean's back as he started to take the advantage on Shana, he screamed at the pain, the griffin trying to shake him free of the woman who smelled nice and familiar. (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand still stayed back, shifting back and forth like a wary feline and threatening Shana's attacker. (Shana Deftarm) Shana let the cloudkin pull her attacker away, stumbling back to catch her breath even as her hand went to the hole in her side. (Barengar Armsbreaker) There was a solid 'thud' as the Garlean's blow collided with Barengar's face. Had a small trickle of blood not started to stream from the corner of Barengar's mouth one would have struggled to notice that the warrior had been punched at all; not a sound came from the Ala Mhigan. His gaze simply remained locked upon the soldier before returning the favor by bringing his fist up and bringing it down to his face. (Jancis Milburga) ||Haliaeetus took it from there, the cry at the dark Garlean before the next claw and beak almost went in for him, before hearing Brighthand's whistle to release. The griffin obeyed, sending the Garlean over the edge. The other unconscious one was next, leaving only the one Barengar had pinned to the wall flaying after realizing his punch had pretty much no effect. "I. I yield! You're under Garlean command I have a right to be here!" (Barengar Armsbreaker) "I ain't under any'ne's command, pluck." The warrior growled before pulling his fist back and bringing it down upon the soldier once more, this time with the intent to knock him out cold. (Barengar Armsbreaker) (( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsYdLeeHiu0 )) (Jancis Milburga) ||The helmet crumples with a thud, the Garlean slouching down to lay ragdoll unconscious in the small room. (Barengar Armsbreaker) (( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq2TbgQFT0s )) (Barengar Armsbreaker) With a single step backward Barengar allows the soldier to fall to the ground, glancing down to his wounded arm with grit teeth back wheeling back and rushing toward Shana, Brighthand, and the Griffon, "Supposin' e'erone's still got it in'm, w'need to be movin'. Now." (Shana Deftarm) "Where there's three rats there's always more." Shana finally muttered, standing and righting herself as she came back out of the doorway. Her hand was still pressed to her side, though the sword was locked in her free hand. "Aye. We should be gone." (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand looked over the two wounded and nodded, following along as the four made it further down the passage. There was one more tunnel that veered off their path that they had known about. It was actually difficult to spot if they hadn't come from this new directly, practically camoflagued with the rock for anyone going up the path. Passing on they made it into the main walkway to the Temple of the Fist, heading towards the commander's tent.

(Jancis Milburga) ||The place was in chaos outside of the tunnels that lead up to the Temple of the Fist. The Garleans had come in on all sides, Skulls and Imperials alike, charging into and raising tents, supplies, even attacking chocobos, pushing cannons into the water, and throwing explosive to burn every inlet. Part of the way down from the commander's tent was covered in flame, burning on whatever chemicals had been thrown there. Other Resistance and Ala Mhigans were heading their way, hoping to hide. (Jancis Milburga) ||Out in the middle was a very large, long-haired Garlean, showing no pity on any who came in his path, the Viceroy. Bodies lay strewn before his wake, other higher ranking fighters doing much to filter out the novice defenders from even reaching the Emperor's son. (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar watched as the massacre was taking place. It didn't take a brilliant mind to see that this battle was going to end in exactly one way. The warrior glanced over his shoulder to ensure that he was still being followed before quickly taking the lead. He needed to get them out of here and to Quilcover as quickly as possible. There wasn't anything he could do for those below. Not now. "Quickly!" He growled. (Shana Deftarm) Shana had no mind to join in the fighting, more intent on fleeing. It was better to survive, and it was the thing she was best at as she scrambled along behind Barengar. She kept an eye and a hand on Brighthand, when she fell too far back, doing her best to keep them up to pace with the mercenary. (Jancis Milburga) Rhalgr's Reach ( 15.1 , 8.5 ) (Barengar Armsbreaker) Upon seeing no easy way to avoid contact with the Viceroy, Barengar grit his teeth and shoot his head. Curses were soon to follow. He lifted a hand and immediately began to motion for them to go back. They'd have to take an alternate route. There was simply no way they were going to sneak a griffon beyond that battalion. As he hurried back up the path he growled at Brighthand, "'ow well d'ya know this place? Is ther' another way out?" (Jancis Milburga) ||Brighthand was pulled along as they skirted around behind the commander's tent, the look of horror and fury all mixing in on her face. "Some. The way up to the Temple has some ledges that are less open. Haliaeetus is big. Maybe big enough to bear us all." She hadn't brought up the idea before, but seeing the utter chaos she was more willing to risky jostling to just get out alive. (Jancis Milburga) ||"Or we can hide in one of the tunnels? How many more could be up there?" (Barengar Armsbreaker) Barengar didn't second guess the woman's assessment and simply began to hurriedly plow through the tunnels, following the direction of Brighthand from behind as he led the change. There wasn't any time to mull over the best plan, not when it was clear that so much of the Garlean's might was present here. (Shana Deftarm) "I do not like the idea of hiding in holes for the throat cutters to come and finish us off." Shana hissed, eyeing the hills. (Jancis Milburga) ||This path was not as well cleared, and more dangerous. Low drop ceilings and rocky rough-cut floors made it clear this was from reckless exploration and not from a map anyone had. Haliaeetus barely fit, wings folded up tightly and crouching to get through some parts. Eventually there was an opening that was behind one of the great arms of Rhalgr, the waterfall hiding the rest of the space. "Th's is it." (Barengar Armsbreaker) The warrior came to an immediate stop and turned his attention to Haliaeetus and Brighthand, his pointed gaze upon them expectantly. It was clear enough that he was waiting for them to now fill their role. A moment later Barengar moved to stand at the mouth of the pathway they had just taken. If anyone came up following them he'd give them hell so that the griffon could be properly prepared for flight. (Jancis Milburga) ||This was something the highlander knew. Guiding Haliaeetus to the front, she got him to crouch down and accept rider. And now even more. Settling herself high up on his neck and shoulders, she beckoned Shana over. "Lean up 'n me, keep yer legs close and nearly over mine. Barengar, you'll h've to keep yours up straight 'n over ours. He h's t' move his wings w'thout you gett'n in the way." She beckoned and changed her legs as needed, saying again to get on tighter. (Jancis Milburga) ||"Which'ver way he turns, you lean. Got it?" (Barengar Armsbreaker) The instruction didn't seem entirely foreign to Barengar, nodding firmly and waiting until Shana was properly seated before he'd make his attempt to mount the cloudkin. (Shana Deftarm) Shana nodded, clambering up to take her seat as Brighthand directed. "Getting blood all over him," she muttered, though she managed to sit up high enough to leave Barengar room.

#Barengar Armsbreaker #Shana Deftarm #Denz De'bayle #Jancis Milburga #Setting the Standard