#svaed2023

[redmessenger]

winners stay winning

A group of wyvern knights descends upon the slavers and a fight ensues. Both sides suffer heavy losses, but it allows the chance for a few of you to get away. Lukas, Sara, and Diamant flee for the dunes.

... [They] run far enough to find rockier landscape. And blessed shade in the valleys between rocks. Among these seem to be the entrances to caves. Lukas managed to reclaim his Silver Lance in the chaos of the earlier fight, but he seems slower than usual, more tired than the rest. The rest of you remain unarmed. It is late afternoon of the same day you arrived. You are all exhausted.

As he recounts the day's events, Lukas briefly makes a mistake. The shipwreck, waking up on the shore, getting captured by slavers only to escape from them hours later... it takes a second to realize that all of these things happened today, all on the same day.

Gods, he feels awful. Aching in his head and neck, thirsty, exhausted. No wonder he feels this way considering all that's happened. Lukas is fortunate to have been able to recover his lance in the state he's in. But Diamant and Sara aren't so lucky, meaning that the group's defense and safety currently falls on his shoulders. An exhausted, injured man's shoulders.

Lukas turns to Diamant, "Can you wield a lance? ...Should the worst happens, I'd rather this end up in your hands than the enemy's."

@heriteur @shadoll

[berglietz]

The prickly rope cinched around her wrists too snugly for comfort is nothing compared to the knots made of Sara's heart. Valiant their efforts may have been, the outcome had been clear when consciousness sluggishly returned to her. The others suffer similar binds save for Michalis whose form is suspended over an animal's backside and it takes Sara a short second to realize he had not met a traitor's inevitable fate in the battle, his quiet breaths separate from the mule.

"Caspar," she utters hoarsely, throat scratchy and dry. The bright shock of blue ahead is unmistakeable. "You're…" Alright does not quite feel like the right word to describe their current predicament. "You survived."

Caspar's shoulders stiffen at being addressed, but he doesn't turn to face her just yet. His body aches, and the throbbing pain in his head informs him of a knot forming there after he met the blunt end of a slaver's axe. "…Yeah." He's alive, even as the humiliation of defeat and capture claws at his insides more painfully than any injury. Misery and fury swirl uncomfortably through his blood, one turning his limbs to lead while the other screams for action. He finally twists around, looking toward her over a shoulder. His eyelids are heavy with fatigue, partially closed by bruising, but a tiny spark of vigor still flares and sputters in his bright blue irises. "They'll pay for this. I'll find something to cut us free, somewhere, and then I'll…I'll…" Face them again, unarmed this time? His mind races for a solution, running in endless circles. He grits his teeth. "I'll do something. You'll see."

[redmessenger]

"I almost failed to recognize you without the shield."

In lieu of a greeting proper, Sara starts with conversation, hands folded behind her.

"You had trouble following earlier." It's an assertion, not a question. He clearly lacked the most basic familiarity with Jugdral. "The Church is always watching, listening to the pulse of the land. Sometimes for their own protection, but… that changed. You do recall that I practice magic, right? There are less traditional uses of it. In Melfiye, there was a sphere through which the entire forest could be viewed from the safety of a castle. If you were to enchant the surface of water, you could see a reflection not your own."

Lowering herself, she crouches into a kneeling position. Her fingertips ghost the ground.

"You must watch your every step," she imparts her wisdoms. "Have you encountered Warp spells in the past? The Church utilizies them for traps. Stationary spells that are tripped simply by walking over them. You should understand this is the kind of magic that you may come across."

It takes a few moments to place a name to her face, but when he does, Lukas cracks a small smile. "...And who had my shield in the first place?"

Sara cuts straight to the point, something Lukas appreciates. The others seem to be ten steps ahead of him already, he must catch up however he can. He listens carefully to Sara's warnings, trying to commit them to memory. A Church that always watches. Complex magic used in ways that Lukas could never even imagine back home. Sara speaks of their traps as though they are common, when he imagines a Valentian mage might kill themselves trying to recreate it on their own. "Noted. Is it possible to counter the spells in some way? Or check for traps?"

There's another thing. "You all keep mentioning this 'Church.' It's clear to me that we can't rely on them... but you seem to be familiar with their methods and way of thinking." Lukas keeps his tone neutral, curious. "You mentioned that you lived beneath the sands in our discussion. I'd like to know what that means, if you don't mind me asking."

[redmessenger]

What the - "Professor?..."

He does not recall seeing him on the ship - not to mention, is Professor Lukas not from Valentia? Was he not supposed to travel there? Or is Leonardo somehow that inattentive?

"Were you on our ship with us? Did I somehow miss your presence?" He is trying to remain calm and collected, but the confusion is clear as day on his features.

"Of course... I am glad that you're here, your prowess and experience will be a great asset to us. Speaking of which... you're unharmed, I hope?" He should probably ask about that. "We had quite a crash."

"Leonardo?" At last is a familiar face, though not one of the few bound for Valentia. Still, Lukas smiles wide as Leonardo makes himself known. "Peace, my friend. I was on the ship headed towards Valentia, my homeland. Our ship was caught up in a terrible storm... I'm not without my share of wounds, but after all that happened, I'm just grateful to still be drawing breath."

The others, though... there's not much Lukas can do right now except pray they are still alive. Alm and Celica were on that ship... whatever gods are left, please protect them.

What about the others, he wonders? "How about the rest of our group? Are they from other ships as well?"

[berglietz]

heavy conscience

(mild cw for blood/self-inflicted injury)

Brigands. Highwaymen. Slavers.

A dictionary might distinguish between the types of violent crimes associated with each title, but they all shared one definition in Caspar's book: men who were willing to hurt and kill innocent people to get what they want. They take people's belongings. They take their lives. Since he was small, Caspar imagined he would become someone who could take right back—wrest stolen goods right out of men's hands and return them to their rightful owners, break people free of shackles with one great swing of an axe.

Somehow, some way, he's being treated like one of their own. Handed a pouch of gold by the nobleman who carted his friends away, like he'd delivered them just for him.

“Better for your conscience if you just say yes and take the money.” That's what the man had said—the one who tossed a net over Caspar and his companions to haul them in like a fisherman bringing in his catch for the day.

The pouch weighed heavy in his pocket as he traversed the markets. He lightened it with a set of axes that glinted sharp in the sun, promising a swift, just end to his enemies. Still, the rest of the blood money jingles tauntingly at his waist as he paces within his tiny inn room. He'll set this right. He has to set this right.

A simple mirror affixed to the left wall of the room captures his frantic movements back-and-forth. He pauses in front of it. In his reflection stands an axeman fitted with rough leathers, the bounty for the slaves he'd sold resting at his hip. Fury sparks in Caspar's eyes. A guttural shout tears from his throat. Glass shards scatter across the floor, his forearm, embed themselves into the fist driven against his own reflection. He pants, glaring down at the floor. Hot blood trickles between his knuckles, leaving dark red droplets by his feet.

He has to set this right.

[theofficersacademy]

                                            Lukas  Caspar  Sara                                       Ayra   Michalis   Diamant                                         Leonardo Arval  Jakob

REGROUP [August 25th - August 31st]

Tag: #SVAed2023

Location: City of Phinora

Most of you have finally reunited in a seedy tavern in Phinora, catching one another up on what has transpired over the past day - weeks? - months? - you can't tell anymore. You learn from Michalis, however willing you are to trust his word at this point, that the rest of your allies - Ayra, Jakob, Arval, and Leonardo - were sold to a nobleman and taken away. Caspar proposes seeking aid in Isaach, per Ayra's request, but also claims to have seen the wall flicker, so perhaps his word is not reliable either.

Meanwhile, Sara and Fikri have set out on their own expedition, following the pull of some strange, foreign magic stowed away somewhere at the edge of town. Perhaps discovering its source will shed some light on what exactly Jugdral has been plagued by lately.

Free from their captors at last, Ayra, Jakob, Arval, and Leonardo flee back to Phinora, hoping to reunite with their allies.

What you know:

Gianni had told Michalis and Caspar earlier that morning that they had a new job to hunt a monster outside of the city.

Time still feels strange to you.

Caspar has seen the walls flicker in and out of existence once.

Sara has felt a strong pulse, like knocking against the shell of an egg. She can also sense what seems to be crest stones of some kind somewhere in the city. Each one hums with a core of dark magic.

Ayra is seen as a monster by everyone in Jugdral, and now her allies see her as one too. Lord Padraigh had aimed to add her to his growing army of beasts, while ultimately discarding Leonardo for useless. Jakob and Arval, however, appear to have joined Padraigh's ranks.

Several nobles around Jugdral seem to be vying for strange stones, news of which have only recently begun to spread. Their aim is likely the same as Lord Padraigh's: to create an army of monsters that can assist them in inciting a war for more power.

A handful of adherents to the late Archbishop Manfroy's teachings have taken to scouring the continent for new potential vessels for Loptous, torturing and often killing all of those they attempt this on. They have begun kidnapping women and children again as blood sacrifices.

What to do (August 25th - 27th):

This will be your final chatplay segment. The information you gather and the decisions you come to by the end of this will influence what happens in the final half of the week.

For Michalis, Caspar, Diamant, and Lukas: Decide how you plan to handle Michalis, gather additional information, and choose how you will proceed. Now's your chance to investigate any loose ends.

For Sara: continue investigating with Fikri, though you can return to your companions at any time.

For Ayra, Leonardo, Jakob, and Arval: Thread your excursion back to Phinora. If you want to investigate additional paths, or need extra information, let Mod Ree know and I'll throw you an NPC or two to assist.

Each group has a different goal and different circumstances. Choose how you want to go about tackling them, and ping Mod Ree for additional information, decisions, or NPCs interactions. These can be chatplays or threads per preference.

[freedomarrow]

Caspar gives his canteen a solid shake as he approaches Leonardo, confirming that there's still a serviceable amount of water inside. The weight of the liquid within sloshes from side to side. He nods approvingly. "I can get more once we're done here," he clarifies as he offers the drink up to his teammate. "So take all you need." He looks aside toward the slavers, eyes sharp with fury. They may have beaten the initial rage out of him, but Caspar is far from tamed. "Are you hurt? Strong enough to run?" He's learned how to lower his voice a bit more properly, hissed out between his teeth. "I'm not dumb enough to cut you guys loose right here and now, but we can't stay like this, right?"

Much as Leonardo dislikes being at the mercy of others, he knows better than to refuse help offered genuinely, so Caspar does get a faint smile as he comes over.

"... Thanks."

It is a quiet and hesitant expression of gratitude that the blond forces through his throat, through which guilt and remorse can also be heard - gratitude combined with an unspoken apology. For what it is worth, at the very least, three of the group have managed to make their escape, and Caspar, too, is in a better position than the rest of them.

"I'll be alright," he responds, a frown creasing his features. Caspar has not lost hope, and he should not either. There has to be something he can do - something they can do...

"I... might still have something in mind." The hint of hesitation disappears from his voice once he realizes the slavers are paying them no mind at all. Determining it is safe, he continues: "They have not taken all of my hidden blades. I still have one left..."

His eyes wander over to his sides, to Jakob and Arval sitting next to him, before returning to Caspar.

"Can you... try and buy us a few moments? Keep them occupied, or at least away from us," he whispers. "I'll... see what we can do."

[freedomarrow]

Even Ayra — adamant on a course to Isaach — had come around to see Sara's way of thinking, so there is only one person in the group that makes himself an obstacle to her will. It might be unflattering to brood quietly and allow herself to openly radiate displeasure, but she has never cared for appearances.

Sara pointedly ignores him for as long as she can with words on the cusp of her tongue ready to criticize and devalue the lone contribution he has to his forgettable name.

"I see everything you do," she says gravely. “And more.”

From anyone else the declaration would be arrogant, however she hears the rhythms of this world as soundly and surely as the beat of her own heart. And Sara is most certain he cannot profess the same.

“You are a follower, not a leader.” He’d gone rigid under the intensity of Prince Macedon’s authority. “As a stranger to the land, what makes you so confident to act as a guide? Does it amuse you to blindly stagger towards any destination?”

A beat passes. Her brow furrows, lips pressed together in a line.

“Without me, you are just as lost as the others.”

"You did not make yourself trustworthy. That's not on me."

His voice is quiet, but the annoyance is clear to hear and his gaze is cold as his eyes meet hers. "Know for the future that people don't like when someone holds back information."

He did it wrong - he messed up - he knows that. Granted, he did not consider that Lord Michalis would betray them like that, and he is certain neither did she; reasonably, he knows that that, at least, is something no one blames him for.

But the rest of it? At the end of the day, he is the one who advocated for this path, and feels responsible for whatever transpired here. She really does not need to rub it in. He already knows he got them into this mess.

It is up to him, now, to try and get them out of it.

He says nothing more for a while longer, his attention drawn elsewhere; another shape appears far away on the horizon, small at first, but getting larger seemingly by the second. More wyvern riders, he soon recognizes, and a glance at first Sara, then Lady Ayra, tells him that they do too. As do the slavers - they become alert, a few orders are barked here and there, weapons are drawn at the ready. So these are not reinforcements for this band. The opposite, in fact, by the looks of things.

Leonardo's eyes narrow. If he is going to get a chance to make up for his mistake, it is probably going to be in a moment, in just a second, as soon as they get here, any time now -

shouts and screams soon erupt around them, the sound of screeching wyverns and clashing weapons deafening and overwhelming - terrifying, somewhat; one would expect him to be used to it, and he is, but it is still scary when one is unarmed, defenseless and bound.

His mind in overdrive, he spots the one opportunity fate sees fit to grant him; he lunges forward, a stray axe missing his back by a sliver, but running across his wrist - and the ropes, just enough for him to wrestle his hands free. The slaver responsible for the deed turns sharply towards him, eyes filled with hatred, big, muscular hand already reaching for him to rectify his mistake.

He cannot free himself from this one, but he can -

You know what, fine. I'll trust you, then.

with one sharp movement, he pulls a concealed knife out of one of his bracers and runs it through the ropes binding Sara. In what feels like the same moment, he shoves her forward, pushing her as far out of the way as he can.

"Go!"

In the corner of his eye, he sees Professor Diamant had freed himself as well. Sir Lukas is right behind him. The one second where everything happens seems to stretch itself into an eternity - but not even an eternity can get him out of this struggle unscathed.

But that is fine. He cannot make it out, but at least some of them may escape. And then, she can lead them to where they need to head. He swings the knife one more time, wounding the slaver - nothing that can threaten him, but anything to keep the man's attention and fury on him.

"... GO!!"