#the way she immediately gives him the rapier because they know their strengths

[pearlcaddy]

LOCKWOOD & CO. 1.07

[writer-and-artist27]

From my wandering mind (trying not to debate on who to Grail next, Skadi or Berserker Musashi/Shii-chan), I couldn't help but think about hugs with some of the Servants in my Chaldea.

Each Servant hugs a little differently, but when it comes to Vy and her posse of Heroic Spirits, they all have their distinct impressions.

Saber Alter is a bit awkward with hugs. She just doesn't do them, Servant or not. But when Vy's in a bad spot, she ends up placing a hand on top of Vy's head for pats. It just works out that way. Burgers aren't included, but Vy ends up finding one near her lunch tray later anyways. Alter seems to be aware of extra-tired days, which says a lot considering how many enemies Excalibur Morgan shut down back in the day.

Chevalier D'eon hugs like a comfy yet prickly burr of some kind, keeping Vy close with one arm around her waist while a hand stays close to her rapier. D'eon is still a Knight even in peacetime, and she can't let her new Lord get into trouble. She still remembers that one giant ghost from the beginning of their journey, and how much pain it caused Vy from just defeating the darn thing.

Medea hugs like a distant aunt that just reunited with you after some time away, eager for more affection without saying anything. Considering Vy almost always is smothered by the Caster, it's become a thing. Sometimes, Vy gets glimpses of a tall, dark man with glasses in her dreams and lets Medea hug harder. It's the least she can do.

Diarmuid barely initiates hugs on his own, most likely from his past with Fionn and Grainne. Vy often has to tug on his shirt hems instead to ask for permission, and he acts like a gentle tree when she eventually hugs him. He never pushes her away, but the hugs don't last long unless he feels up for extending the contact after a particularly tough battle. His mole has caused him plenty of trouble already, having a Master that's not affected in the slightest while letting him achieve his dream of being a loyal Knight is all that he's ever asked for. Letting her hug him every now and then is okay. Not all the time, though.

Archer EMIYA acts more like an unmoving rock compared to Diarmuid's tree stance sometimes, barely flinching when Vy wraps her arms around his waist from behind but not really reacting to her touch either. It takes Vy asking him, "Hug back?" that he eventually turns around and humors her, but his embrace is always hesitant while still being tight enough to remind Vy that he's been scarred in his journey to be a Hero. That physical contact for the sake of contact is something foreign to him. Vy tries not to think about what he's seen as a Counter Guardian, merely whispering, "Thankie, Shirou," into his shoulder every single time she hugs him, because it's the least she can do for the first Gold Archer who ever answered her call for help. She might not be able to do everything for him, but goddammit, she's gonna do her best so that he can rest too.

Marie Antoinette hugs like a sister would, giddy and giggling the entire time Vy comes close. She encourages the hugs the most out of the first group of Servants who answered Vy's call, eagerly taking them on even when Vy's shy about asking. Arms around Vy's back, squeezing warmly, and a cheek brushing the top of Vy's head. It makes for a cute image, and hey. Giving love is the least she can do. No one gets away scot free with calling Vy's body "dirty" from all the wounds she's been dealt. Vy has a heart big enough to even accept the darkest parts of Marie that she's seen of herself, after all. The least Marie can do in return is indulge a girl who really should've met some better people growing up.

Miyamoto Musashi, even as a Berserker, happily accepts Vy's hugs. It's partially because Vy's cute when tugging on Musashi's sleeve to ask, but it's also because without her sword, it's easy to get lonely when traveling the world. Being stuck in a swimsuit is the smallest price to pay when it means Vy can cuddle up to Musashi like she hasn't seen the swordswoman in years. It's nice having someone close by, and permanently too. Plus, as much as Vy says it's okay, Musashi still feels bad about eating udon out of a Grail to the point of causing a Singularity. Sure, it wasn't as bad as BB's apparent stunt last year, but it's egged Musashi on some. Not helped by Vy's occasional little mumble of, "Don't leave again, Shii-chan," into Musashi's chest after some simulator fights in that flaming castle tower.

Scathach-Skadi didn't know what to make of hugs at first. Even with her world gone and then later having traversed a lookalike of it with Vy, she's still a Divine Spirit. The last god after Ragnarok. Her hands have been cold for who knows how long. Yet Vy still chooses to lean against her side every now and then, arm faintly winding around Skadi's waist for that extra bit of warmth, and Skadi's gotten better at ignoring the urge to leave for ice cream. Novum Chaldea may be hot sometimes from the lack of working temperature control to Skadi's liking, but a little one's presence makes things tolerable. Skadi doesn't want to think about the world she lost, about the children she was made to leave behind from answering Vy's call back when Da Vinci was much larger in size and presence, but when remembering the Lostbelt she fought that other self in, she'd take Vy's hand any day, even if it burned. She made too many mistakes in her old world. Never again.

Ereshkigal hugs Vy timidly, almost like a bear trying to be aware of her strength in front of a cub. So many things could go wrong in Ereshkigal's point of view, but to Vy, it's just another friend who deserves hugs. Cold hands be damned, hugs make everyone feel warm and Eresh deserves nice things in Vy's brain. Ereshkigal fumbles even to this day, tongue-tied over formal language and plain sputtering, but the blush on her face makes it obvious she doesn't mind. No one really hugged her while she was still head of the Underworld, and now that Vy is with her for who knows how long, she's gonna cherish her little grape.

Achilles hugs like an over-excited big brother wanting to see his newly born sibling, eagerly catching Vy in his arms before she could even touch him to lift her up in the air. He's laughing the entire time in contrast to Vy's surprised squealing, but he can't help but twirl her around and watch the squeals change into surprised giggling. Catching her back into his chest once she gets dizzy is fun too, because he's the tallest out of the Grailed Servant group and can thus hide her away when some too-curious-for-their-own-good staff are glancing their way. Achilles can't help himself. Vy's laughter is cute and sounds more like the aspiring young woman she was supposed to be. At least in his arms, she could be Vy and not just Humanity's last Master.

Arturia hugs like that of a cat, coming to Vy's side when she feels it necessary. Even after being the Saber-class Servant in two Holy Grail Wars over, physical affection isn't her strongest suit. She admitted as much when Vy first asked her for permission to initiate a hug. Still, Arturia's gotten used to Vy gently asking for it, obliging almost every single time. Hugs are a bit too firm sometimes, but it's not to the point of EMIYA's rock. Arturia's still learning. Plus, Arturia can't help but see the similarities between Vy and her past self, and the last thing Arturia wants is Vy having a bad ending like how she did.

Robin Hood, unsurprisingly, ends up being the main person Vy ends up following for hugs, acting like a human-ish vine. Maybe it's the green clothes and the lack of smoke on him these days. Still, even if Robin doesn't respond to Vy's hugs immediately, it's almost always guaranteed that he's gonna wrap his arms around her eventually. With the way he hugs her back, it sometimes looks like he cradles her, using No Face May King to hide her away from the world while pressing his lips to her hair. Vy doesn't mind, often snuggling him via pressing her forehead into his shoulder and contentedly slumping against him in return. It helps that he's her first Hero and still is, even if he didn't answer her call at first. It took two months for him to show up during the Incineration of Humanity. Still, when Vy hugs him sometimes, she later dreams of hikes with her dad. The scent of the forest is strong with him, and Vy dearly hopes Robin gets as much comfort out of the gesture as she does. Thankfully, there's nothing to worry about. He hasn't stopped calling her "little sparrow", after all.

[four-loose-screws]

FE8 Novelization Translation - Chapter 12, Section 2

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I call this a “section” because it is not a separate part of the chapter in the book, but divided from the rest of the chapter by a scene break.

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Chapter 12: The Wyvern Rider's Wrath (con’t)

When confronted, their formation did not crumble. They waited patiently. Because Eirika’s army had to rush right into the center of that formation and break through it, they were clearly at a disadvantage.

The enemy was using the canyon’s complex terrain to their advantage. Just when the enemies in front of them captured all of their attention, soldiers lying in wait would appear from unexpected directions.

“Do not fall back! Keep moving!” The enemy’s sheer might put great pressure on them. Eirika called out to any soldiers that looked like they might pull back, and led them directly.

Nearby, a sudden, violent noise echoed through the air. Eirika immediately turned around, and saw Franz fall to the ground. It appeared that his horse had been shot and he’d fallen off.

“Franz! Are you alright?” 

She ran over to him, but he quickly sat up before she could lend him a hand. He shrugged off his pain and forced himself to smile. “I am! I’m not injured at all!”

However, his lance arm seemed to have been injured from the force of the fall. He couldn’t put any power into it.

“You need to be healed right away…!” Eirika wrapped him around her shoulder, and stood him up.

The healer unit on the rear line felt so very far away. Compared to their enemy, organized in their perfect formation, Eirika’s army was split up, and they couldn’t cooperate with each other at all. 

Had she chosen the wrong order to give?

Doubt sprouted up within her. Perhaps what Innes had said was right, and they should have pulled back for a moment to assess the situation. Had commanding her army to charge no matter what may happen been utterly reckless?

Joshua had told her that this would be best. But they were slowly being closed in on now. It wasn't too late. Should she order her entire army to retreat…?

"Eirika, look over there!"

Tana's voice rang through her ears. 

If Tana flew up into the sky, she would just become fodder for the ballista, so Achaeus had greatly reduced the height he flew at, and stayed just above everyone's heads. Tana was clinging to his mane, and staying around the rear line.

Eirika saw three figures just ahead of them. "Dragons…?"

She froze. The three figures were calmly flapping their giant wings, and coming their way. Because she'd just seen dragons a few days ago on the mountain, there was no way she could mistake the sight of them. They were dragon riders from the Grado Army.

Was it General Glen? Eirika's heart was filled with both hope and anxiety.

He had promised to ask the emperor what his true intentions were. Once he knew that the crime Eirika was accused of was a lie, he would surely focus his efforts on working towards a conclusion to the war.

Was he able to find out the truth? Had he learned that Eirika did not massacre ordinary citizens? Had he come to order the Grado Army to stop fighting?

The wyverns gradually became bigger and bigger. The Grado Army also noticed them, and started cheering. Both armies pulled back to make space for them. The canyon with  two armies jumbled together fighting in it opened up.

And it was indeed there that the dragons landed. The wind their wings whipped up caused a small dust storm, making Eirika squint.

A tall young man jumped down from the lead dragon. He wasn't Glen.

The young man landed on the ground and studied his surroundings with anger in his eyes. His gaze stopped on Eirika.

He had brown skin and sharp eyes. 'His facial features look like Glen's…' The moment Eirika had that thought, he started walking with huge steps. Directly towards her.

She stepped back. There was a fierce hatred within his eyes.

"Are you the princess of Renais?" He stopped in front of her, and spoke in a low voice. 

Eirika nodded timidly and asked in return, "And you are…?"

"I am Cormag. The brother of the man you slaughtered, General Glen."

"...What?" She couldn't believe her ears.

Silence fell across the battlefield. Even the Grado soldiers gulped and stared at Cormag.

"I… killed… General Glen…? I could never…"

"I cannot hold a grudge against you for it. It is the nature of the battlefield to kill your enemies. But that reasoning alone will not calm my feelings! I must avenge him!"

"Please wait. What do you mean? There's no way… are you saying General Glen is dead? What could have possibly ha…?"

"Don't play dumb with me!" Cormag shouted and cut her off. 

Deep within his harsh anger, she could also feel a hint of sadness, and it made her unable to know what to say.

Glen was dead. The shock she was in was immeasurable. Who could have killed such a brave general? She couldn't imagine who.

Cormag seemed to think that it was she who had done it. She shook her head weakly. "This… is a misunderstanding. I didn't fight General Glen." Eirika only angered him more and more with each word, but she further pleaded with the young man, as he was still gripping his lance. “The general promised me that he would confirm the truth with the emperor. He was going to ask if the charges against me were true, and…”

“Don’t try to mess with me! You really think my brother would trust you!?”

“It wasn’t about him trusting me. General Glen had a strong sense of justice. The claim that I massacred innocents in Kiris was vague and without proof. So he decided to confirm the truth… and tried to return temporarily to the capital to ask the emperor for the truth.”

Her voice was shaking. Every time she remembered Glen’s face in the moment they said goodbye, her chest tightened. Though she’d seen hope in him that he could help end the war… he’d been lost suddenly and unexpectedly.

Cormag’s expression changed to one of doubt. His features were still harsh, but he narrowed his eyes in thought.

“That does sound like something he would have done. He wasn’t the kind of person to fight someone when he wasn’t sure of what was true and what was false.”

“Yes… I once met him at Grado Palace. Both General Duessel and Prince Lyon praised him for his strength and honesty. Anything he was working towards, he hoped would help bring an end to wars like this one quickly. And yet he was…”

Eirika’s words and expression both made Cormag start shaking. He swallowed, unable to hide his confusion.  “So… if it wasn’t you, then who…? Who could have killed my brother…?” 

Cormag’s eyes fell on Eirika’s hand. In it, she was gripping her beloved rapier. His eyes became even more harsh. He whispered slowly, confirming each word as he spoke them, “...The wound in Brother’s chest. It was not one that could have been inflicted by a sword. It had to have been… a lance. Brother was killed by a lance. But there shouldn’t be that many people who are strong enough to be able to kill my brother with just one strike…”

Suddenly, the color drained from his face. His voice was like a growl. “...No… Valter? Was it him…?”

Cormag tightened his grip around his lance, startling Eirika. However, he did not point it at Eirika. Instead, he brought it to his chest, as someone about to make a very important vow would do.

Eirika saw that his face was stiff with nervousness, and it made her uneasy. 

However, the words that he spoke were a complete surprise.

“Princess Eirika. I will work together with you.”

“Huh?”

“Starting now, my enemy is the Grado Empire. Until I kill the man who killed my brother… I will work with you.”

Eirika couldn’t believe her ears. The two soldiers he’d brought with him reacted in the same way.

“Sir Cormag!” One of his dragon riders said in a shrill voice. His face was pale. “What are you saying!? There’s… There’s no way you could betray Grado!”

“I want to avenge my brother. I don’t care if I’m called a traitor for that.”

“You’re supposed to inherit the title of Sunstone! For you to do something so foolish… you would sully your late brother’s honor!”

Cormag’s expression looked pained for a moment, but then he shook his head. “My conscience is my guide. I have nothing that I should be ashamed of. I know Brother would understand.”

“Sir Cormag…”

“If you want to stop me, then come at me at your full strength!” Cormag raised his lance and turned it towards the dragon riders that he was supposed to be working with.

The dragon riders were still pale, but made up their minds and tightened their grips on their lances, then one shouted to the paralyzed Grado soldiers, “He’s a traitor! Cormag… no, that man… kill him!”

Though they were enemies, the dragon riders were heroic knights. They both shouted as they raised their lances and charged towards Cormag.

Cormag stood up straight. Going up against two knights riding dragons should have put him at an overwhelming disadvantage, but he was calm.

He spun his long lance. With that one attack, he delivered a fatal blow to both the dragons' necks.

Their stances crumbled, causing their riders to lose their balance and fall to the ground.

“Who’s next?! I don’t care where you come from! I’ll fight you!” Cormag shouted.

The dumbfounded Grado Army ran towards him.

The soldiers clad in Grado armor collapsed, one after the other. By the time Eirika came back to her senses, four soldiers were already lying on the ground in a pool of blood.

A commotion started to sound from behind them, signaling that the second enemy army was probably making their entrance. They likely thought that the battle had progressed with Cormag defeating Eirika, and her army falling in one fell swoop to the front army’s pincer attack. However, the tide of battle had changed.

Eirika’s decision to have her entire army continue marching forward was the right one. They didn’t panic at the sudden appearance of the army coming from behind, and instead were able to face the enemy reinforcements with strength to spare.

The battle became more intense than it had been before. Cormag’s betrayal had shaken up the Grado army, and he showed no mercy towards his former allies. He fought so fiercely that it looked like he had become possessed by something, waving around his lance without taking even a single moment to rest.

He defeated roughly ten soldiers in the blink of an eye, then climbed back atop his dragon. 

His mount did not care which side he was on either. Dragons were known to be highly intelligent creatures, and loyal to their riders. He allowed Cormag to direct him and spread his wings open wide. That was when the real battle started.

Eirika’s overwhelmed army made a comeback, yet still, Aias’ strategy truly was a magnificent one. Aias himself was lying in wait inside of a fort deep within the canyon, and did not try to show himself, but his commands traveled to every corner of his army. The Grado Army had recovered from the shake-up, but they were getting desperate.

The battle was at a stalemate. As Eirika’s army became more and more exhausted, continuing to fight became all the more grueling for them. The enemy had made bases of small forts located throughout the canyon, making them able to fight while revitalizing their morale. The army behind Eirika’s also pushed against them so much that it seemed like the enemy had unlimited reinforcements.

At this rate, the fighting would continue on until nightfall. That worry started to make her chest feel tight.

If darkness fell, then her army, which did not have a base of their own, would be at a fatal disadvantage. They would become terrified that they would not know where their enemies might attack from, and that would add all the more to their fatigue.

Just then, a loud commotion arose from within the fighting soldiers. Eirika turned her head to see what it was.

It looked like a large number of reinforcements had arrived yet again. She looked up towards the sky. This attack would be too much for her army, which was only becoming more and more exhausted. 

‘Is there already nothing that can save us…?’ The moment she felt just about ready to give up, she heard a voice.

“Lady Eirika, it appears that the Holy Knights of Rausten have arrived.” Seth, who had been protecting her, called out.

“Rausten…? Is it true?”

She greatly doubted it, as L’Arachel’s information had been nothing more than a vague message the wind had told her.

“Look at their flag. It has the emblem of Rausten’s holy knights sewn into it.”

Seth pulled Eirika atop his horse, and she looked in the direction that he was pointing.

She could see it clearly, fluttering in the twilight sky. There was no mistaking it. It was indeed the emblem of Rausten’s holy knights.

Although Eirika couldn't normally call herself a deeply religious person, she found herself whispering a prayer of thanks to the gods. Reinforcements had arrived at the very last minute. She couldn't think of it as anything else than a real miracle.

The Grado soldiers panicked and started to flee. No matter how much they'd had the upper hand until now, they were tired as well. Now up against a strong enemy like the Holy Knights of Rausten, it was no surprise that their will to fight shriveled up.

"They're finally here!" The voice was L'Arachel's. 

Eirika turned around and looked at the smiling woman.

Dozla dropped his axe and sighed, then his bearded face turned up into a relieved smile. "They're late! I was nervous they wouldn't make it in time!"

"Truly! That was quite a close call!!"

The knights shouted a valiant battle cry, then rushed straight ahead. The Grado soldiers could not hold out for even a second. They were defeated in the blink of an eye. 

Eirika tried to go over towards the knights with Seth, but then she received word that a messenger had arrived.

Eirika entrusted Seth to receive the message first, then continued over to the knights along with L’Arachel. 

The knights also noticed that Eirika and some of the others were near them, and one ran up to them. “Princess! The Holy Knights of Rausten have arrived!” He then bowed his head towards L’Arachel. 

Eirika stared blankly in amazement at L’Arachel.

L’Arachel responded in a dignified voice, “I apologize for troubling you. Please raise your head.”

“We fought with the Grado Army along the way, and that is why we were late. We are very sorry!”

“By the gods, you were too late!” Dozla’s chest puffed up with anger, and he looked down upon the knight as he said, “If I hadn’t been here to protect Lady L’Arachel, can you imagine where she would be right now!? All of you need to reflect deeply upon your actions!”

“Yes, Sir! We are very ashamed, Sir!”

“Come now, Dozla, you can’t scold them. They’ve been fighting very difficult battles, just as we have.”

“Um… L’Arachel?”

Eirika had been in shock and listening to their conversation the entire time, but she was finally able to speak up and get a word in the conversation. “Who are you…? What connection do you have to the knights…?”

“Huh?” L’Arachel seemed to have completely forgotten that Eirika was there. She looked at EIrika with her eyes opened wide, and burst out in a fake laugh. “Ah, this… it’s nothing! Please pay us no mind!”

“But… they called you princess…?”

“That’s… that’s a nickname! Just a nickname…”

“Lady L’Arachel, I must humbly say that I don’t think there is any way you can hide your identity any longer…” Dozla whispered.

L’Arachel nodded in resignation. When she lifted her head back up, she said in a voice tinged with regret, “Oh well. Even though I wanted to leave it a mystery for just a little while longer… Alright, Eirika. Since things have come to this, I shall reveal the truth. My identity as a beautiful young woman wandering the lands continuously on a journey to slay monsters is only temporary. I am actually the princess of the Theocracy of Rausten!”

L’Arachel raised her staff majestically, and Dozla clapped his hands together with a thunderous boom.

Eirika’s eyes were wide as saucers as she stared straight at the master and servant. Now that L’Arachel had said it, many things suddenly made sense. She should have realized it when L’Arachel had predicted that the knights were close by.

“Why… did you decide to hide your identity and go on a journey? Fighting monsters is dangerous, right…?”

“Because it is my duty! No matter how dangerous it may be, it was a test given to me by the gods, so I gladly devoted myself to it.”

“And how noble of you it was, Lady L’Arachel!” Dozla shouted in a voice full of admiration. 

L’Arachel puffed out her chest.

The knight whispered to Eirika, “The princess was impassioned by the words of the troubadour Saaga. She said that she wanted to fight evil just like a main character in a hero’s tale, and fled the palace, even though we did not agree with her passionate pleas…”

“I see…”

“Are you telling her more than she has to know?” L’Arachel strained her ears in their direction. 

The knight panicked and dodged the question. “Not at all! More importantly, Princess, we’ve brought you something from King Mansel.” The knight turned around. 

Another knight noticed this signal and slowly walked over to them. In his hands was a white bag, which he politely handed over to L’Arachel.

L’Arachel seemed to know what was inside without even asking the knight to confirm it. She gingerly took the bag, confirming just how heavy it was, then smiled with satisfaction. “These are war funds, correct? It’s just like Uncle to be so thoughtful!”

“He said to tell you that for the time being, he is giving you five thousand gold. If you should need more, then he will prepare it, so he wants you not to have any reservations about requesting it.”

“For now, this is plenty. Isn’t that right, Eirika?

L’Arachel dropped the bag, still full of all of the money, in Eirika’s hands. It felt very heavy to her. Their journey had continued on much longer than they had anticipated, so the war funds that King Hayden had given them were almost completely gone. She was very thankful for the assistance.

“I have one more message from King Mansel. Do not push yourself too far no matter the circumstances, listen closely to Sir Dozla’s good advice, never forget to give thanks to the gods, go to bed early and wake up early…”

Sensing that the message would continue on for a very long time, L’Arachel cut him off. “Understood! Lord Uncle is as much of a worrywart as ever, isn’t he?”

“Yes, Your Highness! In summary, he said that he wants to see you safe and sound as soon as possible, so please come home straight away.”

“Before that, we must defeat the Grado Army, which is currently attacking Jehanna. Once we’ve saved Jehanna, I’ve decided that I will come home immediately.”

L’Arachel’s voice was filled with excitement. The knights’ arrival seemed to have put her in a very good mood, and Eirika felt the same way. It also meant they had confirmation that they had the full cooperation of the Theocracy of Rausten. It was more reassuring to have them as an ally than anyone else.

However, Seth was running over towards them quickly. Eirika noticed the dark look on his face, making Eirika uneasy. “What’s wrong, Seth?”

“We’ve received a report from the front lines. Jehanna Palace suffered a fierce attack from the Grado Army, and has finally fallen.”

“What…?” Innes gasped.

The smile also disappeared from L’Arachel’s face.

Eirika couldn’t speak. She stood frozen in place, unable to do anything but stare at Seth.

Innes asked in a biting tone, “And the queen? Is Queen Ismaire safe?”

“That is unclear. The palace has already been conquered by the Grado Army, so we do not know any information about what is happening within it.”

“We must hurry, Eirika.” Innes turned toward her.

“Pray that she is safe. We must save her right away.”

“Yes!”

Eirika quickly started to turn around, but then Seth said, “The Grado Army’s commanding officer is Prince Lyon. That is the end of the messenger’s report.”

“...Lyon is…?” Her feet froze. When she looked up at Seth, he was staring at her with a dark expression on his face.

He knew very well the emotions Eirika and Ephraim felt for Prince Lyon. The siblings liked the kind prince very much.

Though she’d been prepared for this since the war started, now that the time might come to make a decision, she was very unsure. Would she be able to turn her blade against him?

L’Arachel saw Eirika’s expression, and tilted her head to the side. “What’s the matter?”

“...Oh, it’s nothing. Let’s hurry!”

It wasn’t entirely decided that they had to fight. There was surely still room for them to talk things out. There must have been a complicated reason as to why Lyon had to fight. Perhaps his father, Emperor Vigard, had forced him to, and he’d had no choice but to lead the army. Or maybe, rather than entrust the army to a violent commanding officer, he’d thought it best to go himself, and keep the damage done to Jehanna at a minimum… and that was why he volunteered to deploy.

Eirika shook her head, casting away her lingering memories. There was no time for her to waste guessing what Lyon’s feelings might be. The only thing she could do now was head towards Jehanna at once, and confirm that the queen was safe...

[party-of-rpg-muses]

Attack on Rhalgr’s Reach (FFXIV Story)

@chronochronicler @loona-cee

Flames bellowed forth from Rhalgr’s Reach, hidden base of the Ala Mhigan Resistence. Said flames lit up the night sky like a beacon, a portent of the horror within. The Warriors of Light charged forward, concerned about the possible bloodshed. Even if they didn’t know the state of the battle, a surprise attack no doubt lead to heavy bloodshed on the side of the Resistance. And yet, no sooner had they arrived did a few Resistance survivors appear, falling in exhaustion with Garlean soldiers close behind. Despite the survivors clearly being unable to fight, the Garleans continued their assault.

“Alright, everyone.” S’bera spoke, his voice taking a commanding tone towards his fellow Warriors of Light. “Protect the Resistance members!” The others nodded in agreement, eyes steeled as the drew their weapons, S’bera doing the same; S’bera with his spear in hand, Omutu with his sword and shield, Ishita holding her rapier, and U’tala drawing her globe. Frances, however, was engulfed in a blue light for a split-second, swapping her bow for a pair of claws.

“No, please! I beg of you!” The Ala Mhigan soldier looked at his assailant in horror as the Imperial Centurion raised his sword. “Know your place, savages!” He called before bringing it down. The Ala Mhigan closed his eyes, bracing himself for the blade and cold hands of death. But rather, he heard the sound of blade meeting shield. He looked up and saw a small Lalafell clad in Paladin’s armor. With a swing of his shield, Omutu deflected the blade, following up with a decisive strike, felling his opponent.

“Quickly, flee to Castrum Oriens!” Omutu spoke. “My friends and I shall stay and save as many as we can.” The Resistence member quickly scrambled to his feet and making his way towards the entrance, only making an exhausted “thank you” before leaving.

“Omutu!” Ishita called out, her hands full with another Garlean. “Help Tala.” The Lalafell turned his gaze towards U’tala, noticing an Imperial Signifer was preparing an magitek spell while the Miqo’te was busy healing. He gave a nod, charging towards the enemy mage before slamming his shield against the Garlean’s torso, distracting him for a brief moment. Before the mage could recover, claws slashed across the Signifer‘s body, blood coming from the wound as the soldier fell, dead.

“Impressive work, Lady Frances.” Omutu said to the Viera as she swiped her claws against the air, removing most of the blood from the blades. She looked down at her friend, giving a single nod, her expression as calm as ever. At the same time, the other two soldiers cried out, S’bera and Ishita landing the killing blows on their opponents and allowing the other Ala Mhigans to escape.

Frances sniffed the air, following with a visible grimace. “Tch... The smell of blood is strong. This wasn’t just a battle; but a massacre. And the people had already surrendered, too...” Her ears swiveled from side-to-side, as did the two Miqo’te. The area was drowned in the sounds of fires burning, steel and metal clashing, and the screams of the injured or dying. “I can also hear a woman’s voice. I assume this one is a commander of sorts.”

“So, what shall be out plan of action, Ishi?” S’bera’s gaze turned towards the small Au Ra, trying his best to ignore the sounds for the time being.

“We must find Lyse and Y’shtola and attempt to find Conrad and Meffrid. We’ll save as many people as we can while at the same time drawing Garlean forces towards us. That should allow any survivors to escape or raise morale of those who wish to stay and fight.”

“Alright, friends.” S’bera spoke up again. “We’ll travel north-west and save any allies we see. Remember; this is a rescue mission first and foremost. If a Garlean is retreating, do not chase them; our focus is to remain in Rhalgr’s Reach.” The others gave a nod, affirming not only their leader’s words, but Ishita’s as well.

The group ran forward and it didn’t take long for them to run into a pair of Magitek Predators opening fire on Resistance members who had already surrendered. “Frances, Ishi, take out the pilots!” The Viera swapped her job once again, swapping her claws out for her bow and arrow, taking careful aim at the Magitek pilot. She let loose a single arrow, letting it fly true and strike the pilot directly in their head, the soldier falling forward in his seat.

Ishita closed her eyes, calmly exhaling as her aether focused within her rapier. “Verthunder II!” She stopped for a moment, placing the focus upon her rapier as lightning shot out and towards the other Predator. A combination of electrical magic and an overload of magical energy caused the core to explode, completely destroying the mount and its pilot.

The group continued forward, intercepting more Garlean soldiers, but in the midst of battle, wolf-like beings arrived, fighting on the side of the Garleans. Once the battle had concluded, Ishita could help but take notice. “What could Lupin be doing here? And so far from Othard as well...” She nearly got lost within her own thoughts until she hear U’tala call her to her, snapping her back to attention before moving forward

Amongst the combat, a single woman effortlessly cut down the Ala Mhigan soldiers that charged her way, her blade dripping with their blood as the explosion caught her attention. “The hells?” She turned her head towards the sound, noticing the party of five running towards her. “It would seem the rescue party has arrived.” She swung her blade, getting rid of the access blood before turning to her new opponents. “Shame you’ll die like the rest.

“That voice...” Frances spoke up, already holding an arrow, ready to fire when combat starts. “It was her voice I heard before. She must be the commander.”

“You’ve got that right, my dear Spriggan. I am Fordola rem Lupis.” She pointed her blade towards the party as they came to a stop before her. “I am the commander of the Imperial Army within Ala Mhigo and of the Crani Lupis.” Getting a better loo, the party instantly remembered her, they remember seeing her men brutally beat Wercrata because he was late with the tribute.

Omutu stepped forward, his blade pointed up at Fordola as he glare met her eyes. “I am Omutu Rasumutu, son of Ala Mhigo! How could you come to serve the Empire; to serve those who wouldn’t even consider non-Garleans worthy enough to lick their boots, the ones who treat our people worse than garbage?”

Those words... They very clearly struck a nerve with Fordola, especially when he used the words “our people”. Rage flared in her eyes as she clenched her teeth hard enough that one would swear her gums would start bleeding. “How dare you lump me in with garbage like you! You want to know why I would ally with Garlemald? Die with that question on your lips!”

“Keep the other Garlean solders busy.” Omutu said, his tone becoming eerily calm. “I shall deal with this one myself.” Even though his tone was level, it didn’t take much to notice there was a rage bubbling inside him. He could understand not having he strength to fight back, but to actively betray kin and country was something he could not accept! He charged forward his blade meeting with Fordola’s.

“Not bad, little man. I did not expect one so small to have such strength.” Fordola grinned, almost as if she saw the Lalafell before her as a toy to play with. The two pushed pushed back, putting a little bit of space between them for their battle to properly start. They exchanged sword strikes, either countering with their own blade or blocking with their shield. Suddenly, Omutu could see an area around Fordola begin to glow. He knew what this meant, causing the Lalafell to step out of the range. As soon as he did so, Fordola thrust her sword downward as light seemed to erupt from the ground around her.

Once the light faded, Omutu continued his assault striking her with his shield. While she was stunned, he swung his blade in a circular area around him, quickly following up with a forward thrust towards the woman before she was able to recover. She gritted her teeth, increasing the ferocity of her attacks. He did his best to parry or block, but a few of her attacks made it through his defenses, slashing at his chest. Even though he wore armor, he could still feel the blade against his form. just then, he could see an area in front of Fordola glow. He responded by moving to the side just as she stabbed forward, countering with a strong slash towards her side.

“Gah!” Suddenly, Fordola swung her shield to the side, catching Omutu off-guard and hitting him in the face, returning the favor from before. Another circular area began to glow around her, one slightly smaller than the first one. But the stunned Lalafell was unable to get around of the way before Fordola swung her blade in a circular area around her.

Omutu fell back, taking the full force of the blow before recovering. He steeled his resolve, increasing his defenses against Fordola’s continued onslaught as he slammed his blade into the ground, light bursting from the ground and hitting Fordola. He immediately followed up by swinging his blade around him before bringing it upward against her.

“Y-You...! What in the seven hells are you?!” Fordola called out, hunched forward as she looked at her smaller opponent in disbelief. “Tch... Fall back, men!” Her allies turned their attention from the Warriors of Light towards their commander, immediately retreating as the Warriors of Light watched them run. Sticking to the plan, they won’t give chase.

Omutu gave an exhale, having his work cut out for him. Whenever injuries he took vanished as he heard U’tala calmly say “Benefic”, the stars healing his wounds. “Come along. We still have work to do.” Omutu said, looking up at his taller allies before the group ran forward.

It didn’t take long for them to notice a large man clad in bulky armor. And standing across from him, Lyse stood bloodied and winded. And behind her, Y’shtola, unmoving.

“Y’shtola!!” S’bera called out when he noticed the other Miqo’te on the ground. He jumped forward, covering the remaining ground in an instant and putting himself between Lyse and the mysterious man.

“You... You came...” That was all she could say as the other Warriors caught up with their leader, standing to defend their friend. “That man... He’s Zenos... Zenos yae Galvus...”

“You’ve done well, Lyse. We can handle this. Take Y’shtola to Krile. The path should be free of soldiers.” S’bera kept his gaze upon Zenos as he spoke. Lyse could only nod as she lifted the immobile female Seeker and ran towards the initial entrance.

“So, you must be the legendary Warriors of Light I’ve heard so much about.” The armor-clad man finally spoke. “I hope you can provide me with more entertainment than your friend.”

“So, what do you propose we do, Ishi?” The male Seeker asked, still keeping an eye on their opponent.

The Au Ra scanned Zenos from top to bottom, making as many notes as she can before speaking. “His armor is strong, but bulky. So he’s probably really slow. If we can strike hard and strike fast while he’s distract, we should have a change. But I can’t see any dents in his armor. Lyse fought him, right? She should have left some kind of mark.”

“We can worry about that latter.” Once again, Frances’ body was engulfed in a blue light as she switched jobs yet again; trading her bow and arrow for a samurai katana.

“For Ala Mhigo!” Omutu called as he charged forward. Zenos hardly reacted to the Lalafelln Paladin’s attack, casually striking at Omutu while holding his blade in a single hand. Omutu blocked Zenos’ weapon with his own blade, having to use both hands on his sword just to hold Zenos back. Never before has he seen a man with such impossible strength; and this man was holding him back with only a single hand.

At the same time, Frances circled around to Zenos’ side before running towards the Legatus. Once she was close, the Viera gripped her blade with both hands and performed a series of strong, but quick strikes before retreating. And yet, it didn’t seem to do anything. “Is that truly the best?” Zenos clearly knew about the attack, but it seems it was no more effective than a bug bite to him.

With a sudden burst of strength, Omutu pushed Zenos’ blade back, following up with a quick series of slashes with his blade, not that it seemed to do anything as well. Zenos responded by driving his blade into the ground as some sort of energy began to grow beneath the surface. Suddenly, a shockwave rolled through, pushing the Warriors back. “Pathetic.”

“Helios!” U’tala called out as the stars shined down on the party, healing them for some of the damage Zenos effortlessly inflicted upon them. “We’re not done yet!” Omutu picked himself back up before charging at Zenos again, keeping him busy with more sword strikes. U’tala drew the Spire card and used it to bless Ishita as she fires a barrage of black and white magics. Veraero, Veraero II, Verthunder, Verthunder II, Verfire, Verstone, Jolt, as many magic spells as she can.

She turned her gaze to S’bera, the two of them nodding in agreement as S’bera jumped high into the air. At the same time, Ishita rushes forward, both of them hitting Zenos at the same time. S’bera started his assault with his spear techniques, opening the way for Ishita to deal more damage as she attaced with her rapier. Just as she finished her rotations, the pair jumped back as Frances followed up. A star shined upon her, increasing her strength thanks to U’tala. She returned her blade to its sheath as she focused her concentration, hand hovering over the handle before striking at blinding speeds. “Midare Setsugekka!”

And yet, despite everything they through, his armor still showed no signs of cracking. “A bit better, but still lacking.” With very little effort, he pushed Omutu away, following up with a slash as he turned to face the others. “Now then. Show me more of what you can do!”

He brought his blade down upon Frances, only for the Viera to jump out of the way at the last second, putting distance between them as she slashed the air with enough force to cause a wind blade. “Divination!” The female Seeker called out, allowing the stars to bless the party and increase their damage further.

S’bera followed up her attack by jumping into the air once again. Only this time, he came down with more than ever, so much so that it was as if fire erupted from his landing.

The assault continued with a dual attack from Ishita and Omutu. “Verflare! Verholy!” Ishita called out before following up with a upward strike and summoned a group of aetherial rapiers that converged on Zenos. Omutu attacked with a quick series of attacks, ending with a jumping spin-slash and transitioning to a quick stab towards, Zenos.

“If this is truly you have to offer, then I am quite disappointed.” Zenos gripped his blade and with a quick spin, sent frontline attackers flying back, each of them landing near U’tala. Zenos first approached Omutu, the first one to engage the battle. “Farewell, O Warriors of Light.” Just as he intended to end the Lalafell’s life, a massive barrier erupted from U’tala, protecting not only him, but the group from the assault. Noticing this, he switched his focus to Astrologian Seeker and with a single strong strike, broke her barrier as if it was glass. Exhausted, U’tala could only look up at the monster of a man. This was it; her death was staring at her right in the face, the clock counting down to her final moments. She was absolutely terrified, but there was nothing else for her to do.

Zenos brought his blade to his side before bringing it forward with enough force to knock U’tala back. As she flew, blood sprays from the gash on her midsection. TIme seemed to stop as her friends looked on; a mist of blood coming out of her wound, mouth agape, and eyes wide in horror. The sounds of fire seemed so distant. Not even her body hitting the ground seemed to make a sound.

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!” Ishita called out as hard as she possibly could, so loud and so hard, it was as if her voice would tear itself to shreds. The love of her life lay before her, with a mortal wound. U’tala’s globe fell beside her, the cards strewn about like someone tossed a deck onto the ground without a care in the world. The others looked on in silent disbelief. This couldn’t really be the end, could it? She can’t really be dead, right? Not their friend!

“No...! No, no no, no!! NOOOO!!!” Tears fell from Ishita’s eyes as she slammed her fist against the ground over and over again. Heartbreak and sadness filled her very soul. But that sadness quickly gave rise to something else. Anger; pure, unrestrained rage. This bastard killed her girlfriend, so she’ll make sure he dies a painful death.

From this rage, came newfound strength; one that brought her back up to her feet, eyes burning with absolute hatred. “You’ll pay for what you did to her!!” In her hands, a staff made of pure light started to form. Her fingers curled around the staff and the moment she gripped it, aether swelled and raged around her like a tsunami, the air whipping around at all sides.

The clouds in the sky directy above them converged and swirled like a tornado, slowly reaching down to Hydaelyn’s surface. A sight that could easily be seen from Castrum Oriens, the Peering Stones, and Castellum Velodyna. “I hope the Kami can forgive you, because you’ll find no mercy here! Die a thousand deaths and atone until the end of time!” Ishita called out, raising her staff towards the sky, causing the clouds to part, revealing a large chunk of rock hurtling down towards the surface, targeted specifically at Zenos. The other Warriors of Light looked on in awe while Zenos merely smirked, not even trying to avoid the incoming meteor.

The ground trembled and shook as the distance between the ground and the meteor shrank, the large rock glowing a bright red, power swelling up as it made contact, a powerful shockwave exploding outward. Ishita’s friends covered their faces to protect themselves from the light and violent winds before looking up towards the wall of dust.

Her aether expended, the staff of light faded away as she panted with exhaustion. “Regret your actions... in the deepest depths of hell...”

The dust hadn’t even cleared when a voice came from the cloud. “I must admit, I was not expecting this. So the phrase was true; even a cornered rat can bite a mighty griffin. A shame that just like a rat, your attack meant very little.” Zenos calmly stepped out of the cloud, still not a single scratch on him as he wiped the dust from his armor. With each step, his heavy armor clanked together, like a clock counting down to their doom.

Almost instantly, the small feeling of victory was replaced with an overwhelming sense of and dread. Perhaps none more than Ishita as the behemoth of a man stood, towering over her before striking with his blade. 

“C-Cover!” Omutu mustered up just enough strength to hold his hand out, a bond forming between them just in time to protect the Au Ra from Zenos’ attack. “Guh!”

Zenos halted his attack for a moment, seeming to acknowledge Omutu’s desperate attempt to protect his friend; but that’s all it was... desperate. Over and over, he struck at the barrier protecting Ishita, each blow reflecting onto Omutu, feeling like a massive fist was pummeling every square inch of his little body at once. Each time, it proved harder and harder to maintain consciouness before slowly, the bond started to fade, his energy doing the same. Before collapsing, he was only able to say “Forgive me, Lady Ishita... And you... Lady U’tala...” With a groan, he fell over, just as unmoving as U’tala.

The Legatus glanced over at Omutu’s body for a brief moment before once again turning his attention to Ishita. His blade raised upward, resting above his head before bringing it down. She closed her eyes, embracing herself for the end, but just because it came down on her, the blade suddenly snapped up, causing its owner to instantly pause his assault.

He brought his sword up to his gaze, studying the clean cut of the blade before tossing it to the side as if it were garbage. “Pathetic”. The was all he said as he turned and calmly left, not even bothering to finish his defeated opponents off.

“It’s... over...” That was all S’bera could say. Though they survived and repelled the Garlean attack, it didn’t feel like a victory. That Zenos... his strength was in a completely different level; they couldn’t even put a chip in his defenses.

Once she recovered from the fear of looking directly at her impending death, she limped over to U’tala, falling to her knees as her hands rested on her girlfriend’s midsection. “Tala... Tala, wake up! It’s over!” Slowly, desperation turned to disbelief as her fears began to set in. “Please... wake up...” She shook U’tala’s form, desperately trying to wake her, carrying little as U’tala’s blood spread onto Ishita’s hands. She removed her hands from U’tala’s form to grab her rapier and focus “Vercure! VERCURE! VERRAISE!” She did her best to focus her aether, but she was too drained, only able to perform a single Vercure.

Frances dragged herself over to where Ishita and U’tala were, taking a moment to look at her Lalafellin friend, hearing him still breathing. Once he reached the Astrologian, she placed two fingers upon U’tala’s neck, feeling a faint pulse. “She’s alive, but barely. She needs medical attention as soon as possible. As will Omutu.”

Slowly, the adrenaline fueling the Warriors began to fade. Just in time to see reincorcements arrive. Though their vision started to fade, they could just barely make out Raubhan, Krile, Pippin, and the Leveilleur twins. One by one, they passed out with Ishita being the last to fall. Just before her strength failed her, she said “Please... save Tala... Save her and Omutu...” Her eyes finally began to close as unconsciousness finally claimed her.

[amandaklwrites]

Movie Review: The Mask of Zorro (1998)

Genre: Action/Adventure

Rating: 10/10

Movie Review:

ZORRO! Let me tell you, I love Zorro. He’s probably my favorite of all the action heroes and vigilantes, like superheroes, Lone Ranger, Indiana Jones, etc. I have always been interested in him (I remember my mom watching The Legend of Zorro on the tv one time, when I was a kid, and I was enthralled though I had no idea what was happening).

So, I have gotten back into the Zorro stories. And it started with a rewatch of THE MASK OF ZORRO with my mom.

As someone who has gotten into the stories of Zorro itself, I can tell you that this movie isn’t a remake, not at all. It’s actually cleverly done, on the writers/creators’ part. It’s a continuation, a new series taking after all the original movies. These movies slip right into the storyline, as if it would be what happened after Diego won it all. Since the beginning of the story of Zorro (stories written by a white man, which sucks, like seriously), everyone played Diego de la Vega. Now, in these movies, Don Diego is handing off the torch to a new man who will take on the mask and rapier, Alejandro Murrieta, the fictional brother of the very real Joaquin Murrieta (which fun fact: is one of the men they think the writer based Zorro off of). So, as someone who has learned more of the original lore of these stories, I can sprinkle in some fun catches in these movies that fans of the original will find.

I will take a moment to share my thoughts on someone “new” coming in to become Zorro: I THINK THAT’S FANTASTIC. I like to think that a hero like Zorro can be anyone, someone just taking on the persona. Plus, it makes it more interesting. Then maybe, we can stop getting constant re-dos of Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and all the rest? Let someone else be Batman. It gets tiring when it’s the same person, especially when the personality has already been created (sorry, but not sorry, that’s how I feel about these situations in movies). Zorro, like Batman, is a title, not the person’s actual name. So let someone else have a try. This isn’t Jack Sparrow, where no one else can be him.

Now, onto the movie itself.

This movie has some good historical background. Spain did control California—well, stole it from the Native people, actually—and they were in talks of becoming part of the United States. The viewer is immediately thrown into the turmoil of this 1800s California that isn’t discussed a lot (unless you are from California, like me, or someone who likes history and goes to a mission regularly, also like me) in films/tv. This was stuff I even didn’t know when I first watched the movies, but now I get it. I can find my place in the film’s world.

I liked that we got to see Diego de la Vega as Zorro at the beginning of the film. He was older, a married man with a daughter, but he still wished to help the people. It gave us an idea of what Diego is like as The Fox (El Zorro means The Fox in Spanish—I learned this recently, because I’m lame), before we move onto someone new to take over the title. Which I think was fun for this story—let Diego have his last laugh before someone else comes. We can see the distinguished characteristics of these two different Zorros, their personalities making the vigilante fresh and different, much like their own people behind the masks. Now, I love Anthony Hopkins, and I think he did a great job in the movie, but I do agree with others that someone else should have played Don Diego. I know he was supposed to be Spanish, whom can look very white, but I would have liked to see someone from Spain play Diego. And he didn’t even bother to try a Spanish accent. That bothered me. But he is a talented actor, so I did enjoy him in the role.

His loss, his need for revenge, after his wife is killed and Elena is stolen, brings a whole new look at Diego. From the original films, he wasn’t one to fall into passion and react in such a notion. Yes, he believed in protecting the people, but he knew acting brashly wasn’t what helped. So, his rage and need for revenge makes sense, and after years in prison and hiding, waiting to get it, I think dulled him down. I liked that we saw Diego with a calm revenge, knowing he had to take his time, and not blow up in someone’s face. It matched his personality, honestly.

And then enters Alejandro. There was a real bandito named Joaquin Murrieta that would travel through California, so I liked that they made Alejandro his brother (though, according to the history of the movie, he was made up for this story, and didn’t actually exactly), so it could be someone who had no connection to the stories. Yes, it was a Spanish actor who played a Spanish-Mexican character, but I think Antonio Banderas was the best for this role. Flat out, I LOVE him in this role. He made Alejandro brash and wild and so charming. Which is always the characters I seem to love the most. The ones who can made you feel pissed and charmed at the same time, while making you laugh. (Fun fact: Alejandro is the name of Diego’s father in the stories as well.)

What I enjoyed most about Alejandro and Diego together was the opposites they played for one another: they had found each other in the worst times of their lives, they were both dwelling in grief and rage, wanting revenge. But they couldn’t be so different. Diego was calm and smart, letting his revenge slow burn through time, while Alejandro wanted to drink himself to death and didn’t give a damn about anything. I thought it was interesting that Diego knew he had to let go of his time as Zorro, and found a part of himself in this young man—though, personally, I think Diego saw a spark in Alejandro that he respected and thought that spark would bring Zorro back to life—and he wanted to help him. To me, the two of them saved one another. Diego brought calmness to Alejandro, gave him purpose instead of blinding rage, and made him feel like a hero when he needed it most. And Alejandro became like a son to Diego, someone who could be saved when Diego couldn’t save his daughter. They understood each other, and they worked together for different things, but they were at one another’s side. They respected, and even cared about, each other. They became a team.

Catherine Zeta-Jones as Elena was… magic. I loved her so much. She was strong and independent, and though her “father” wanted to create a cage around her, she fought against those bars and fought for herself. She had a voice and she knew it, and she would use it. Though, you could tell from the beginning, she was a naïve young woman who had grown up in Spain, with a rich father, and she didn’t have anything to worry about. But she gets thrown into this world of turmoil because of her fathers and her dead mother, while falling in love with Alejandro/Zorro (honestly, who wouldn’t have the hots for a funny man covered in black clothes, who was mysterious and sexy—I’d be tempted too). By the end of the movie, she’s a strong woman questioning everything in the world and learning that she has much more to learn and grow. I liked that though she had learned that her father wasn’t her real father, but this strange man she had barely known, she protected each man from each other. I couldn’t imagine finding out your whole life had been a lie (the man you knew as your father had killed your mother—accident or not—and this other man is your real father), but her fierce strength and caring heart kept her from choosing sides, because she still loved the man she had considered her father her whole life, but finding some newfound love for the man she had briefly spoken to that was her real father. She was a fighter all on her own, with a bright flame that set her on fire, making her interesting from the beginning because she spoke out, but then creating her into a marvelous woman who learned to fight for what she believed in herself, despite what everyone told her.

(Fun facts here: #1) Elena was the name of a character from a TV series and a couple of movies, so I would feel like, in the continuation of the story of Don Diego, he had named his daughter after a friend of his from the past. #2) From this same series and movies from Disney, Diego had a manservant named Bernardo. Which is interesting, because that’s the name Diego gives himself in this movie when he pretends to be Alejandro’s manservant. It makes me think, along with the tv series, he remembered his old friend and took that name for a reason.)

The love story between Alejandro and Elena is wonderful. I liked that Elena had feelings for two different people, who ended up being the same person—wouldn’t that be wonderful! More so, she had lustful feelings for Zorro, the masked avenger whom is just too damn attractive, and intriguing feelings for this Don she had started to know. One of my favorite scenes is when Zorro and Elena are having the sword fight in the barn—it’s so hot and fun at the same time. You can tell they are having a blast with each other, the sword fight more like their dance at the party honestly, but are so filled with heat that they keep kissing each other because the lust is too strong. That entire scene, to me, shows their entire relationship (even after she knows who he is and they get married) and why they get along so well. They like the fire in one another. But they are opposites as well—Alejandro had come from nothing, and Elena had come from everything. But they find the common ground in their love by believing in helping the people, having that fire in their personalities, and just enjoying pissing one another off.

I must talk about one of the best people in the cast—ZORRO’S HORSE! I can’t remember if Alejandro’s horse is named Tornado (Diego’s was), but he was just great. Funny as hell, with a personality of his own. I liked that they had a love/hate relationship. Like that moment of the horse moving out of the way so Alejandro hits the ground was hilarious. Of course his horse is there when he truly needs him, but the horse will keep messing with him in the meantime. It just adds the best part of humor in it.

Stuart Wilson as Don Rafael Montero and Matt Letscher as Captain Love were great villains. Though Don Rafael was somewhat boring in the sense that he was a villain from jealousy of Diego with Esperanza, the way he took their daughter to raise as his own made him a real mastermind. Captain Love was great in the sense that it made me laugh how upset he would get when his ego was hurt—he was like a kid with a tantrum. So that was entertaining. But the terrible things they were doing—forcing the native Mexicans work for them, and then trying to blow them up so there were no witnesses made them truly evil. I liked the metaphor that they were killed by their own greed—killed by gold they were trying to get.

Diego dies, but he leaves behind a legacy—Elena as his daughter, Alejandro as the new Zorro. By the end of the movie, these characters had grown so much. Elena learned the truth of her life and what horror truly looked like, and that she had the drive and care to help the people. Diego had at last gotten his daughter and loved her from afar and learned to let go. And Alejandro had found himself amongst fighting behind a mask, that though he had wanted revenge, he truly wanted to fight for the people. Alejandro as Zorro grew to be cocky and funny, while enjoying the hell out of messing with the bad guys at the same time (the best vigilantes, honestly).

Everything about this movie was great. The themes, the commentary on the conditions people were treated during this Spanish rule. The music was fantastic, the sets were wonderful (they filmed in Mexico City!), the action was packed full in this movie to make it entertaining. Humor was strung throughout the story to keep everyone laughing along with the other strengths of this movie. I loved the effects, with the explosions and fight scenes, everything was on such a grand scale that it took my breath away.

This is a movie about a man finding himself, an older man fighting for his daughter, and a young woman finding her own voice and strengths in a world ruled by men. Though the main character could be said to be Alejandro, I think it was equally all three of their stories. They all came together to help the people, while learning about themselves as well. Which makes for great storytelling, in my opinion.

I loved this movie.

Plus, I just really love Zorro.

[newbornwhumperfly]

the ink bled right through...

CW: allusions to attempted non-con

so i love @much-ado-about-whumping and i love their beautiful characters – Déomas and Rhys – and i love writing spinoffs of other works rather than my own stuff (hehe) so here we are!!!

you’re so inspiring & kind, Bel, so here’s A Thing insp. by your boys and your love of sartorial whump!

title from “colour me in” by damien rice

~

Déma is rumpled.

It is the first thing which catches Rhys’ eye as he stumbles upon the slighter figure in the hallway to Rhys’ office. There is at times an aura of disheveled roguery Déma has, making what Rhys would deem sloppy in another person seem dashing. Daring. Charming…like it suited him somehow.

Yet now, there is nothing of the windswept to his hair, auburn strands sticking up here and there like the mop of an unruly child, ruffled by his mother. His shirt is crumpled, creased, unevenly untucked. A button on his trousers is undone halfway up and the lacings are loosened, partially-tied, as though they had been yanked.

Furthermore, the way he darts at Rhys’ rounding the corner puts him in mind of a spooked horse. Rhys glimpses the whites of Déma’s eyes before the man crooks a smile at him. 

“Hey, Rhys. Just heading to grab a quill from your office.”

Rhys frowns.

“Are you alright, Déma?”

The smile is...wrong. He didn’t meet Rhys’ eyes and as Déma tucks a strand of hair behind his ear, Rhys sees - 

“Are you hurt?”

A scuff, berry-red, sits bright on Déma’s temple. But when Rhys goes to brush his hair back, to see, to help, Déma glides back. The whites show once more and the smile flattens, paper-thin.

“It’s nothing, mother.”

“Don’t give me that, Déma, what happened?”

Déma opens his mouth to speak and pauses. His gaze, unsmiling and skittish, darts over Rhys’ face before he shrugs into an airy reply.

“If you must know, Sir Percy and I had a...small tiff. About my...availability to his, ah,  affections. His feelings were hurt but he’ll...he’ll get over it.”

His smile broadens, razor-edged, and now, closer, Rhys sees his rosy lips are darkened. Bitten. 

Rhys’ stomach floods with ice and his hand flies to his rapier.

“Sir Percy? He, Déma, did he hurt you?”

A stupid question. Rhys’ gaze rakes over Déma again, taking the detail in with new horror. 

He imagines the man in question. Taller than Rhys, heavier, threat stocked in wide shoulders and massive arms. A brutish man. He imagines those meaty hands on Déma and the ice melts, boils, turns to anger with a dizzying speed. 

“Where is that bastard?”

He’s gritting words through his teeth, flushed, aching to fight. Déma frowns and narrows his eyes, a cloud darkening in his expression. 

“I appreciate you’re such a gentleman, Rhys, but it’s all quite in the past now. Under the bridge, if you will.”

Déma quirks his eyebrows, grins – thin, sharp, bright as foil – and tosses his head back, flicking Rhys’ concerns away like a fly and the fringe of his hair slips to veil his left eye, to hide the mark on his temple.

Rhys has the sudden thought that this was his intent.  

“Déma, this son of a bitch hurt you, you can’t just expect me to do nothing.”

He’s hot. He’s burning up. He needs to spread that fire to something else, to watch it burn, to hurt whoever saw fit to touch and take and harm because they possessed some modicum of power. 

He grips his pommel harder and harder and doesn't even realize he’s taken an urgent stride forward until Déma starts again and steps back again, putting space between himself and Rhys. The wariness which burns, bright, in Déma’s eyes makes Rhys feels scorched by it. He wants to cry but instead he widens the space by stepping back himself. 

“I’m, fuck, I’m sorry, Déma-”

“It’s fine. Just...just don’t make this-, Rhys, don’t-, just let it go. Alright?”

Rhys bites, hard, on the inside of his cheek, the throb easing the harsh thrum in his veins. His muscles, defined with swordplay and archery, clench around his hot blood, as useless in their strength as his fury-sorrow-frustration is sitting idle in his veins. He feels helplessand he hates it. He trembles with the want – the need– to help.

But…

Déma is glancing up at him through the russet locks, coy – yet his bitten lip is worried by his teeth and there’s a tension coiled through him, the coquettish brace of hands on hips failing to disguise how his slim shoulders are hefted nearly to his ears and his dark eyes are watchful, wary…a plea in the pinch between his brows.

Rhys wants to push but this isn’t about what he wants – it’s about what Déomas wants.  

He also has some sense – an instinct unique to his lover – that Déma is fragile right now and any indelicate word, any sudden touch, will make him spring, snap shut like a mousetrap. So he breathes. Releases his tension with his exhale. Unclenches his fingers from his sword-hilt, palm swirl-grooved from the carved pommel, and – slowly – reaches for Déma’s chin. Cups it, rubs the cleft with his thumb, soothes. Cradles Déma’s neck, thumb soothing there too, circling behind the ear. Tries to cool the heat of his fury to a tender warmth, to pour his desire to protect, his concern, his fondness for Déma into his touch.

“Of course, Déma. Whatever you need.”

Déma sighs and with the breath, the ribbon of tension untwists in his body. He allows himself to be soothed and Rhys knows he made the right choice. Déma’s dark eyes soften and the sharp edge of his grin has dulled when he pecks at the ball of Rhys’ thumb, nuzzling, feline and malleable.

“Thanks.”

Rhys’ heart takes its turn to clench now, like a fist behind his ribs, the muscle seizing in his chest, creeping up to his throat, on all the things he wants to say – vows, reassurances, pleas.

But all he does is pair his palms in a cradle of Déma’s face – so sharp and so soft and so precious – and swoop into a kiss.

Demá hums into Rhys’ hungry mouth and when he pulls away, a bit breathless, he’s bright again. 

“Well, speaking of water under the bridge, I’m all messy anyhow. Want to, uh, help me tidy up?”

Rhys slides his fingers through Déma’s hair, skimming his brow, kisses his mouth again, his little nose, his temple. 

“Of course, Déma.”

It will have to be enough.

For now.

~

Sir Percy was jumped. 

Or at least, that is what the chambermaid whispers to a fruit vendor, the murmured gossip snagging Déomas’ ear as he pays for a plum (and sneaks another, smaller plum for good measure). If the girl was to be believed – and she should really learn to whisper better, not that Déomas is complaining, but honestly – the knight was allegedly accosted by a masked man upon venturing home. The maid caught a glimpse of the aftermath, her master howling and cursing up a storm.

Broken fingers. Busted nose. Battered ribs. Shoulder sprained so badly it was nearly wrenched from its socket. Two black eyes and many a sore spot. He’d also, the little maid recounted with a note of glee, been kicked between the legs quite a lot. 

Déomas did not blame her one bit for her schadenfreude. Sir Percy was well-known for his wandering hands – it is good riddance they are hurting now. Some might call it poetic justice or even divine intervention.

Personally, Déomas scoffs at the notion of a deity and if there was one, they certainly seemed to possess the same biases as mere mortals by dropping further favor into the fat laps of those born favored. However, it is nice that the pervert got knocked down a peg or two.

Déomas rolls his shoulder - the bruise hidden below his shirt still sore, purple shadows lingering from the demanding clutch of meaty, mail-gloved fingers - before taking a bite of his plum.

A thought tickled at the back of his skull but it was swept aside as he wove his way between stalls, hunting and gathering remaining fruits – fresh fat berries of red and black and blue – in preparation for supper. He was baking a tart and it was going to be sumptuous and Rhys would agree.

He wasn’t baking it forRhys – Déomas loved pie. He would certainly do this all for himself, whether Rhys were involved or not. Certainly.

By the time the evening hour rolled around, a crisp, golden pastry is cooling on the sill of Rhys’ office. Déomas had charmed a flask of sherry off the cook and a sparkling compliment had left a glow to her wrinkled cheek as she thrust the bottle at him, grumbling something which sounded suspiciously like insufferable.

Rhys, however, is uncharacteristically late.

Déomas is sipping at a refill of his glass of sherry when Rhys sweeps through the door, apologizing profusely, dropping a soft kiss, another, once more to Déomas’ brow, breathlessly detailing some tale about horseshoes and cobblestones and really believingit would take an hour and Rhys is so fretful that Déomas forgives him immediately, scarcely pouting at all as he mellows under the kiss. He cannot be all that upset with anyone who says Déma so sweetly and is so very handsome.

Déomas blames the quite excellent alcohol for that thought.  

He blames the sherry further for the fact that it takes him a good while to notice that Rhys is…less than perfectly put together.

Rhys’ doublet is rumpled. A closer peek shows a seam has split along the shoulder at one spot, disrupting the perfect symmetry of stitches.

There is a spot of blood, nestled like a gem with the creamy folds of linen.

“Déma, I’m so sorry, I...I lost track of time. i had to take care of something and it got away from me.”

If Déomas were a little more sober, he might nod and smile and tell Rhys not to mention it. He really might just pull Rhys into a chair, straddle him, and kiss him senseless. But Déomas has never left anything he should leave be well enough alone and there’s a nervous weight to Rhys’ shoulders which provokes Déomas’ curiosity. 

“Bullshit.”

Rhys seems to very nearly drop his sword, setting it upon the desk with a heavy thump.

“D-Déma?-”

“Bull. Shit. What’d you do?”

Déomas is not suspicious. Nothing so childish. Nothing so jealous. He is...worried. Rhys looks heavy. A weariness lays over him - he has had to do something, something he doesn’t like, and there’s something about that which Déomas doesn’t like. Not at all. 

Rhys raises his chin, his deep, dark eyes direct and bold in the firelight.

“You won’t like it. But...if you ask me, I’ll tell you the truth.”

Déomas gazes back, just as steady, just as firm, and nods. 

Rhys sucks in his cheek, biting, he does that when he frets, and sinks into the chair beside Déomas.

“I know you told me not too...do anything. About him.”

Rhys spits the pronoun like poison, like he wants to get it out of his mouth, and Déomas doesn't ask him to clarify. He just waits, only the crackle of the blaze in the hearth disturbing the pregnant space between them. 

“I tried to make it random. Something which couldn't be tied to, to anything in particular. But I...I had to. I had to do something, Déma. Someone like him can’t just believe he can do this. To anyone. But especially...especially not to you. Not in my own home. Not ever. So I...hurt him. Nothing permanent. Less than he fucking deserves. But...something.”

He finally looks away from the dancing tongues of orange, blue, red fire to glance at Déomas. His dark face is drawn tight with uncertainty. He is resigned. Resolute. Hopeful. But there is still that familiar tenderness, a concern and a care, to be found in his expression, rolling under and over the anxiety, spilling through the cracks, filling in the blanks. Ever-present. 

“I understand if...if you’re angry with me.”

Seized but an urge, nameless as it was undeniable, Déomas surges from his chair and drags Rhys into a kiss. It is hungry, messy and missing lips for cheeks, scattered, falling again and again, one kiss becoming dozens in his need to touch, to appreciate, to...to be near Rhys, as close as he can be. 

Finally, Rhys gasps for air, weakly chuckling as he presses their brows together and Déomas sinks into his strong arms, feeling folded up and held and safe. 

“You’re a mess.”

“Hardly.”

“Hmm. For you, it’s practically a pigsty. You’re a disgrace to your class, Milord Rhys.”

The man snorts, startled into indignity, as he pulls back to smile ruefully.

“Help me to tidy up?”

Warmth pools in Déomas’ ribs. He kisses - again - Rhys’ cheeks, his eyes, his mouth. 

He’s so beautiful. So good. So...Rhys. 

Déomas never wants to leave this warm room, these warm arms, this feeling, ever again. He does not say so. Instead, he drops a fleeting, final peck to Rhys’ lips.

“Gladly.”

~

well....there we have it!!! a lil’ softness

[otpnessmess]

By this sword

Ao3 - Masterlist

Quick thing I made for @mochegato as a way to get rid of writer's block for my jasonette fic. Everyone here is like 17-18 because I obviously don't know what a canon is and will do whatever I please. Based on this post and not beta-d at all. If there are any mistakes I apologize, I wrote and posted this from my phone and the tumblr app is a bitch about formatting. Enjoy!

-

If Marinette heard Damian and Adrien snicker behind her back once again she would make sure to put salt instead of sugar on their cookies the next day.

The Wayne family had been visiting Paris for a business deal and the two youngest sons had been adamant on having spare time to see the superhero duo of the city.

The year before, the miraculous users had requested help from the Justice League to bring down Hawkmoth, and the Gotham vigilantes were the ones sent to help. Having to work as a team brought the four teenagers together, and they had become very good friends by the time the job was done. Now they kept in contact over calls and video chats and were very good friends… Mostly.

Marinette didn't know why, but Tim didn't seem to like her very much. They had been close while working as heroes but once they started hanging out outside of the masks, his entire demeanor changed.

Due to her usual tardiness, Damian and Adrien had got used to Tim being really talkative with them while they waited. He was always perfectly normal until Marinette finally arrived. He then clammed up for seemingly no reason and, even though he still joined the conversation and laughed along with them, there was tension lodged on his shoulders.

This played out for several outings until Adrien had enough. Even if Mari pretended not to notice it, he knew Tim's behavior was hurting and confusing her, and no matter what she did to try and make amends with him, it seemed like it was never enough. She didn't know what she had done to warrant such a dismissive attitude from the guy who was fighting alongside them just some weeks prior.

His protective instincts kicked in even more when she confessed to him that she had started liking Tim, but was being discouraged by his attitude towards her.

The blonde boy managed to convince Damian to talk to his brother, as he was much more likely to coax something out of him. And it proved to be the right choice.

The youngest Wayne called Adrien in the middle of a laughing fit and it took five minutes to get the information out of him. Tim admitted to being like that because he liked Marinette too, he was just unbelievably shy and accidentally got the wrong message across. Damian couldn't believe his brother could be the greatest detective in the world and the dumbest person in the planet at the same time.

After taking the time to make fun of the black-haired pair, they finally agreed that they had to do something to get those two together because, evidently, they would never be able to do it on their own.

The dynamic duo did try their hardest to help them notice each other's feelings, but they failed so many times they almost called off the mission. The only motivation they had to keep going was the fact that the older Wayne didn't entirely shut off around Mari anymore. They had seen him engage in great conversations with her when she had managed to coax him out of his shell for a bit.

Those moments were short-lived, as Tim took a couple minutes to remember who he was talking to, but worth it in the matchmakers' opinion, so they didn't give up. Which brought them to their latest scheme.

Marinette frowning at them with a rapier in hand was a fairly scary sight, but their plan was foolproof. And even if they didn't manage to get the lovebirds together, at least they would get to laugh for a while.

The idea was simple. Step one: invite the brothers to join their fencing class while they're in Paris and make Marinette lose a bet. Step two: get her to face Tim in a duel and say some carefully chosen words to him as a punishment. Step three: profit.

Damian and Adrien wanted to pat themselves in the back for thinking of this, it was a win-win situation. For them, obviously.

Mari didn't see how this would make Tim want to talk to her more but a bet was a bet, and she was no sore loser. She spotted him standing on one of the mats, watching some of her classmates practicing, and took a deep breath before approaching him.

"Congratulations Tim!"

The boy turned around with a startled expression and accidentally bit his cheek when he saw who it was. "H-huh?"

"We're engaged!"

The bright smile in Marinette's face paired with her words made him pale slightly and almost drop his rapier. "Excuse me- what? I… I-"

"In combat. En garde!" Just like the snickering duo had instructed her she drew her sword from her belt and pointed it at Tim.

She then witnessed the color coming back to his cheeks… And not stopping there. He now resembled a very ripe tomato as he mirrored her stance.

"O-oh, right… That kind of engaged… "

He wasn't expecting her to hear his mumble nor pick up the disappointed undertones in his voice, but it seemed like she had.

Her arm lowered slightly when he said that, and a blush had started to creep up her cheeks as well.

"Uh… Yeah. That kind of engaged. W-why? Did you… Want…?"

What?! Why did she ask that??

In the back you could hear the scheming duo laughing their asses off at their awkward display, which only made them get even more red in the face.

In the meantime, Tim had finally processed her question and immediately panicked. "W-what!? N-no! No way!"

His nervous scoffs weren't very convincing but Mari didn't seem to question them, much likely in an attempt to make the situation fly by as quickly as possible.

Tim seemed to be nervous about what he had said, though, and was looking at her with fear in his eyes. Marinette wished to be able to make it go away so badly, and reassuring him was probably the best way to do it, right?

"Oh good, yeah… Um… Me neither, heh."

She gave a nervous laugh and stole a glance at her friend in front of her, expecting him to appear relieved. Instead, he was barely suppressing a tiny grimace, which made her incredibly confused.

Before she could ponder what she had done wrong, however, Adrien had run out of patience in the back.

"Just kiss already!!"

Oh God, Marinette was going to kill him for sure this time. Why would he even say that? He had just outed her crush in front of the guy she liked!

She gathered every last ounce of strength she had in her before turning to meet eyes with Tim. If she was expecting rejection or disgust in his face, the longing in his eyes caught her off guard.

They crossed gazes for a second, then two, then three.

Searching, questioning.

Then they finally found it.

Understanding transformed their expressions, leaving them to gape at each other.

Oh.

Damien and Adrien were hollering and whistling in the background trying to get their attention, but right now they only had eyes for each other.

-

Two months later, Adrien would take the credit for being the one that got them together by screaming at them. It would earn him a smack on the head from Damien, who was not about to allow him to simply disregard his interventions and discredit him. On the seats in front of them, Tim and Marinette would chuckle and share a kiss, both laughing at their idiotic friends.

-

I promise to stop procrastinating and to start working on the next chapter of my fic soon, but I just thought this was such a great prompt! Hope you liked it <3 - Lis

[ericsonclan]

A Bloody Struggle Part 1

Summary: After over two years the Ericson Pirates are forced to face the Delta Pirates once again after they have captured one of the crew.

Read on A03:

Louis felt his heart rate quicken as they made their way to the enemy ship. He couldn’t believe he had let one of his crew get taken. It had all happened so fast. The crew had split up into different pairs when they went into town. Willy and Mitch had decided to check out the local bakery in hopes of finding some sweet bread or other treats that the crew rarely got. That’s when Lilly’s crew ambushed them. The struggle was over in mere minutes. Mitch had defended Willy from the onslaught of pirates, telling him to run back and get the others. But by the time that the crew got there he was already gone. All that remained in the streets was splashes of blood.

Luckily they were able to track him following the trail that Lilly’s crew had so sloppily made, most likely due to Mitch’s attempts to flee. It took them several hours to reach the location where the Delta ship stood hovering over the seas as if it was the very master of it. Louis stood by Clementine who was at the helm. His body was shaking even more now that they had stopped by the Delta’s ship. Immediately the Ericson crew waved a white flag back and forth as the two ships slowly crept towards each other. It was only when they stood side by side that Louis spoke.

“I want to parley with Lilly.” His voice quivered even though he had tried his best to cover his ever-growing fear.

The enemy crew didn’t move. All of them glared at the Ericson Pirates with menacing and heartless looks. Their hands were already placed on their scabbards. The tension in the air grew larger by the second, causing some of the Ericson Pirates to cautiously move their hands down, ready to strike at a moment’s notice. It felt like an eternity had passed until suddenly the Delta crew parted, giving way for their captain Lilly to stride forward.

“So, let’s hear it then. What do you have to say?” Lilly’s voice was calm and collected, her eyes stared directly into Louis’, piercing them with her overwhelming aura.

“All we want is Mitch back. The crew member you stole.” Louis carefully took a few steps forward to which the Delta pirates started to unsheath their blades until Lilly rose a hand motioning them to stop.

“Why should I do that?” Lilly looked at the Ericson Pirates, her eyes studying each and every one of them. “What could you possibly have to offer in exchange?”

“What would you want? Name it and it’s yours as long as Mitch comes back to us unharmed.” Louis’ voice was firm as he maintained eye contact with her.

“Well, I’m afraid we can’t come to a deal then,” Lilly gave a small sigh as she shook her head.

“What? Why not?” Louis’ voice cracked.

“Because I have what I want, the key to what I’ve been searching for.” Lilly’s smile grew when she walked forward, stopping by the side of her ship.

“Besides,” Lilly casually tossed something to the other ship. “I can’t return him unharmed.”

The crew looked down at the item she had tossed. A finger bounced off the deck, rolling around before stopping by Brody’s feet. The pinky finger laid there bloody and wrinkled. Brody's face twisted in horror. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing. Her heart pounded in her ears while countless questions consumed her mind. That’s not Mitch’s… is it? Brody’s eyes shot up with burning rage, glaring at Lilly. “What the fuck did you do?!?”

Lilly gave a small smirk back to Brody before her face twisted in fake, mocking sadness.

“It was a small but tragic price.”

The Ericson Pirates' faces twisted in hatred. Each of them right then and there wanted nothing more than to break their code and kill the enemy captain before them.

Violet’s voice was coated in a thick, venomous hatred as it rang out. “Listen here, you fucking psycho bitch! You give him back or else-”

“Or else what? It’s clear we can’t parley. You have nothing that I want. So I guess there is only one thing left to do.” Lilly lifted up her hand, signaling her crew to attack. Grappling hooks flew across the sky, hooking onto the Ericson ship. The sea echoed the soft clang of the grappling hooks as they embedded into the wood of Ol’ Kickass. It only took seconds for the two ships to be tied together.

“Everyone! Prepare to fight!” Louis shouted, turning back to his crew and throwing out his arm.

Louis instantly went to the cannons with AJ. The ship was slowly getting taken over by the enemy. Wave after wave of cutthroat pirates invaded the ship, each of them desperate for the taste of blood. Ruby, Aasim, Omar and Marlon drew their weapons and began to push back, hoping to give Louis and AJ time to load the cannons and give the crew a fighting chance. The rest of the crew swung over onto Lilly’s ship. As they landed they were greeted by a wave of enemies. Their twisted smiles and rapiers shone in the light, challenging any of the Ericson pirates to dare cross them.

“Prisha! Go with Willy and Brody and get Mitch!” Violet dodged an incoming attack, sending a swift punch that dug deeply into her enemy’s gut as she fended off the enemy crew.

“There’s no way in hell I’m leaving you!” Prisha’s voice was firm but fear lingered within it. She rushed forward and unsheathed her blade, using the hilt to knock out a pirate.

“We don’t have time to argue. The sooner we get Mitch, the sooner we can get the hell away from this shit! I’ll buy you guys time.” Violet’s fist connected with an enemy pirates’ jaw, smashing it to pieces before she looked back at her lover. “Now go!”

Prisha froze. She wanted to disagree, to stay by Violet’s side and help deal with the opponents before her. But even though it was hard to accept, it was the best plan. She turned sharply on her heel, grabbing the other two. The three of them sprinted through the chaos of the Delta ship and made their way to the lower decks.

Sophie let out a deep breath, her dual blades knocking out the two enemies in front of her. She had to make sure that she stopped any enemy in her way. She was one of the few crew members that blocked the way from their enemies reaching the others. A pirate ran forward, giving a mighty war cry while he swung his cutlass towards her. Sophie easily sidestepped him, hitting him with the butt of her sword in his gut before knocking him out. There were still so many of them, but she was making progress. She was about to run off to the starboard side of the Delta ship to take out a swarm of enemies trying to make their way to Ol’ Kickass when Sophie froze.

Standing before her was Minnie, her cavalry saber drawn at the ready. A look of utter hate was plastered across her features. Her eyes held nothing within but a husk of her former self.

“Minnie!” Sophie called out as she slowly walked towards her.

Minnie’s eyes widened in confusion. “Sophie?”

Her face seemed to regain some of its life, a look of relief and disbelief washing over her face before she shook her head, her face contorting in frustration. “You’re not her! This is a trap!” Minnie yelled, lunging forward. Her blade jabbed towards Sophie whose rapiers blocked it. The clash of metal rang out through the ship as the two sisters were locked in a desperate battle.

The chaos of fighting slowly consumed both ships as Violet fought the enemy before her. There was only some much stamina and strength behind her fighting and sooner or later she would run out. Letting out a shaky breath, she regained her composure. All of a sudden a jagged blade made from bone came from behind her. With only a few seconds to react, Violet took out her dagger, barely blocking the attack. Her dagger slowly slid against her enemy’s sword and her eyes fell upon her attacker. Abel.

He gave a twisted animalistic smile. Violet took a step back, putting her weight on her left foot and kicking Abel in the stomach with her right. Digging in deep. He slid back with a pained groan. Taking the opportunity, Violet ran forward and landed a punch in his gut. Her iron-studded glove connected with a slight crunch. She had definitely broken something within him. Abel reacted right away, his blade clipping her shoulder, its jagged teeth tearing at her flesh as she sidestepped. Violet felt her heart pounding. When she stepped back, the blood slowly trickled from her shoulder. The burning sensation pierced through her entire body.

“That’s all you got? I guess that’s what you get for trying to walk the higher path,” Abel’s voice was cocky as he strolled forward. “But lucky for me, I’m not afraid to kill!” Abel’s eyes lit up with excitement, swiftly jabbed his blade towards Violet. Violet dodged the attack, her hand immediately grabbing his arm before punching it. Another disturbing cracking sound emitted from it, causing him to let out a cry of pain as his sword fell to the ground. Her fist quickly found his stomach again, adding to his list of injuries.

“You little bitch!” He yelled. In one fluid movement he used the back of his hand against her face, causing her to stagger back. Her face stung with pain from the impact. When Violet finally regained her balance, she saw his blade come crashing down towards her only for it to get caught in the bannister of the ship as she dodged it. But Abel was far from done. His hands immediately caught her and tossed her towards the edge of the ship. He pinned her against the side of the ship, slowly choking her out as his grin grew bigger and bigger. Every second made his eyes dance with more joy. Violet felt herself struggling for air, looking around desperately for a way to break free. She needed to breathe. Her limbs flailed around, trying to get out from her potential death that was looming over her.

“You know what's wrong with your little group?” Abel hissed in her face, his stench swirling around in the air. “You’re weak! Pathetic little kids trying to play at being pirates.” His voice was twisted with disgust as he pressed down harder, his eyes filling with happiness with each second that he got to watch her struggle.

Violet made one last desperate attempt to kick him between the legs. The blow landed with a sickening thud, causing him to groan and fall back. Violet coughed, her hands reaching up to gently touch her throat as she tried to catch her breath. Abel let out a vicious scream, his body lunging towards her. Violet’s eyes widened in fear before she rolled out of the way. Turning around quickly, she grabbed his legs and flipped him off the edge of the ship. His body fell into the sea with a loud splash while he cursed furiously.

That was close. Violet stood there catching her breath through wheezes and pained coughs. Her eyes caught the sight of her enemy, watching Abel try to swim with one arm. He kept bobbing up and down in the water, grasping for anything as his eyes filled with terror. If he dies, he dies. Violet turned without a second thought, leaving Abel to his fate, sprinting off to rejoin the fight.

The fighting had calmed down a bit on the Ericson ship. Louis and AJ were using the swivel cannons that Mitch and Willy had designed, slowly taking out the enemy’s cannons in hopes that they could stop their ship from being sunk. Louis looked at Lilly’s ship, his eyes filled with concern as he watched his crew fight. Each of them struggled with their opponents, trying to stop the Delta pirates from getting the upper hand. There were far too many enemies over there for only a portion of his crew to handle.

“Aasim! Ruby! They need help over there!” His voice rang out across the ship. He really hoped that they could hear him. Luckily they had. Ruby and Aasim knocked out the last enemy they were fighting and immediately went over to the other side. As soon as they landed they stood back to back in hopes of increasing their chances of winning. Aasim’s first opponents appeared, two large pirates running towards him.

“Ruby, get down!” Aasim shouted. She followed his instructions, bending forward. Aasim laid his back against hers, using both of his legs to kick down the two enemies. The two enemies stumbled backwards, falling onto the deck.

“Aasim! Spin me!” Ruby instructed. Aasim quickly grabbed her arms and interlocked them with his own. Then he swung his wife around, giving her enough momentum to knock out the pirates before her.

Their fight continued this way, both of them taking turns helping the other attack. One would kick out an enemy’s leg before the other swiftly knocked them out. Each of them tried their best to take out enemies while also defending the other. Many times Ruby’s sword blocked an attack meant for Aasim and vice versa. With each attack they helped whittle down the enemy’s numbers. It seemed like the battle was slowly turning in the Ericson Pirates’ favor. Louis let out a sigh of relief before he felt the ship shake as a crash rang out. David and Dorian had made their way onto Ol’ Kickass.

Louis felt a chill run down his spine when he looked over at the two fearsome enemies. This fight was far from over.

[vgckwb]

P5R: Rebel Girl (A FeMC Story/P5R Rework) Chapter 12: Hungry for Answers

The door flung open at the office of Doctor Takuto Maruki. The doctor was surprised. “Um, sorry sir, but I can’t allow anyone in here without an appointment.”

Shinichi grabbed him by the lapels. “What did you do to my daughter?!”

“P-pardon?” said Maruki.

“ANSWER ME!” Shinichi demanded.

“Um, you’re going to have to be more specific,” Maruki said. “I’ve seen a number of patients, and generally speaking about half of them are female.”

Shinichi flared his nostrils. “Sumire Yoshizawa. What did you do to Sumire Yoshizawa?”

“Oh, you’re Yoshizawa’s…” Maruki said. “First off, I’d like to offer my condolences about what happened to her sister.”

“If you thought that you wouldn’t have done what you did” Shinichi said.

Maruki remained calm. “I know it might seem hard for you to understand, but try thinking about it from her perspective. Her sister is gone, and she blames herself. She felt like if she could be Kasumi she’d feel better. So I allowed her to do just that.”

This did not calm down Shinichi. “THINK ABOUT HOW I FEEL?!” he yelled. He began to cry. “I’ve already lost one daughter. I don’t need to lose another.”

Maruki realized what he was saying. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I guess there’s still more I need to learn.”

Shinichi saw Maruki humble himself. He looked him over and saw that he was genuinely disappointed. He let go of Maruki. “You’re lucky she seems to be back to her old self.” He left.

Maruki pondered what had just happened. “I guess something must have snapped her out of it. I wonder what that could be. Still, he does have a point. If I want to create a world that eliminates suffering, I need to be able to understand the broader picture. A grief-stricken father like that doesn’t deserve to feel like he’s lost more. I should write this down.”

“Don’t bother” said a voice.  Maruki turned and saw a cloaked figure. “Your world will not exist anyway.”

Maruki just smiled. “Man, what is it with people barging into my office today? I’m sorry, but I’m not going to stop my work just because you told me so.”

“Very well,” said the cloaked figure. They drew their rapier and vanished. During their absence, the figure went over to the stadium, slipped into the Metaverse, and sliced the lab in two, causing it to crumble. They reappeared in front of Maruki.

Maruki looked hurt. “What did you do?”

The figure smirked. “I just chopped down your desires is all.” The figure walked out of the office.

Maruki collected himself after they left. He seemed to be struggling at first, but managed to get his strength back. “Whew. That was unusual. Hmmm. I wonder if I could ask her about that. Maybe when the time is right.”

Meanwhile, Ren was standing in front of the school gate. Morgana got a little restless. “Man, you’re dedicated,” he said. “You got here before anyone else.”

Ren smiled. “Well I just wanted to make sure Kasumi was OK,” she said. That, and that dream I had last night is still in my mind. It felt weird. She looked back at Morgana. “Hey Morgana, what do you think you’d look like as a human?”

Morgana was surprised. “Well… I’m not sure exactly. But I know I would be dashing, but not too dashing that I wouldn’t be approachable.”

“I see,” Ren said. She thought about how Morgana appeared in her dream. It sounded accurate to his description. She smirked.

Suddenly, someone hit Ren. She was confused. “Ah, I’m sorry,” said the man. Ren looked up and saw Shinichi. 

“It’s fine,” Ren said.

“The bump aside, what are you doing here?” Shinichi asked. “Waiting for a friend?”

Ren got a little nervous. “Um, yeah. Her name is Yoshizawa. She collapsed yesterday. I just wanted to make sure she was alright.”

Shinichi’s eyes widened. “Oh… I’m her father actually.” Ren was taken aback. “You must you Amamiya. The nurse told me about you. Thank you for helping my daughter. ...Unfortunately, her situation got worse this morning.” Ren was worried. Shinichi smiled. “She’ll be fine. However, she will have to stay home for a few days. I’m here to inform the school, among other things.”

“I see,” Ren said.

Shinichi placed his hands on her shoulders. Ren looked up. “She’ll be delighted to know that you’re concerned about her. I’m sure that information will help her get better faster.” He let go.

Ren smiled, bowed, and said “Thank you sir. I hope Kasumi gets better soon.”

Shinichi stood there for a few moments. “Thank you,” he said.

“Well, I guess I should get to class,” Ren said. “I guess I’ll see you around.”

“Seeya,” Shinichi said. Ren headed into the building. “I should let her tell her herself.” Shinichi made his way into the school.

Throughout the day, Ren’s mind occasionally wandered to thoughts of Kasumi. Sure, her dad said she would get better, but she couldn’t help but worry. She took a breath and tried to relax. During break, she was wandering the halls and heard some truly nasty things.

“Hey, that honor student’s missing classes again today huh.”

“Man, she’s so lucky.”

“Totally. I wish I could skip school without anything bad happening.”

“I know right? Talk about special treatment.”

“How awful!” Morgana said. “Don’t they know she’s sick? It makes me so mad, right Ren?” No answer. “...Ren?”

“Stop,” Ren said.

“Huh?” Morgana replied.

“Just stop” Ren repeated.

“Hey are you listening to me?” Morgana said.

“Stop talking about her like that!” Ren quietly screamed. It appeared that someone was listening, as the world around her stopped. Ren looked around, panicking.

“Well well” said the cloaked figure “How serendipitous.”

Ren immediately went on the defensive. “What do you want?” she asked.

The figure giggled. “The same as you. I want to protect her from all of this. So here.” She offered an apple to Ren. “Take it.”

“Thanks, but you know where I stand,” Ren said.

“Oh right” the figure said. “I guess that was before for you. Meanwhile, I was just born today. Ahahahahahaha!”

Ren was confused. He regained her composure. “Why are you doing this? Why are you so interested in me?”

The figure stopped laughing. They approached Ren. “I’m doing this to stand up to those in power. To show that they can’t control us and do whatever they want.”

Ren was shaken. “Well, I agree with that sentiment, murder and destruction is the wrong way to go about it.”

“And being calm and rational will get you somewhere?” the figure asked. “Please, the only way any of you would fight back without violence is by using the metaverse.”

Ren remained steadfast. “While we have been using it to punish Kamoshida and save Shiho, I believe that we are offering a beacon of hope to those who wouldn’t be able to stand up to anyone else otherwise!”

“That’s cute. But sooner or later, order returns to those in power” the figure said. “The only way for meaningful change to occur is with pure chaos.”

“I disagree,” Ren said. “While some chaos is necessary, what you’re advocating for is similar to what we have. It’s just another system where the powerful abuse the weak. What you’re doing is changing who’s in power.”

The figure giggled. “I can see what she likes about you. And to be honest, I think I’m starting to like you too.”

Ren was confused. “Who is this ‘she’ you keep mentioning?”

“Don’t worry about that for now,” the figure said. “For now, I want to make a deal.”

“We already have a deal,” Ren said.

“I know, but another deal” the figure responded. “I love seeing you stick to your convictions. So, if you manage to hold true to them by the time we reach our dual, I will surrender fully.” Ren was shocked. “However, if there’s even a one percent chance that throughout these trials I can convince you that I may be right in some way and I defeat you in battle, you will become a servant of chaos and work with me.”

Ren. wasn’t sure what this person was doing, but Ren wasn’t one to give up on her convictions. “Deal” she said.

“Ah! Excellent!” the figure said. “I’m going to enjoy breaking you.”

“I’d like to see you try,” Ren said.

“Oooooooo. Someone’s confident” the figure said. “But I like that about you.”

Just as they were about to leave, Ren called out “Wait! Who ARE you exactly?”

“Ah, yes,” the figure said. “We did strike a deal. I guess I owe you that much. Hm. My name is Eris. Goddess of discord and disharmony. One day, I hope to turn you into a soldier of chaos.”

I am thou... Thou art I… Thou hast acquired a new vow...

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Hunger Persona I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power.

Hunger-Eris: Rank 1

“Well, seeya” Eris said, vanishing.

The world started to move again. Ren looked around, wondering what just happened. “Ren?” Morgana asked. “Are you OK?”

“Did you see that?” Ren said.

“See what?” Morgana replied.

Ren was shocked. “Don’t tell me you stopped with the rest of the world.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?” Morgana wondered.

Ren noticed she was getting some looks. “Sorry” she said. She rushed to someplace private. She explained what happened with Eris.

“Huh. That IS interesting”Morgana said. “So we have a name, and an upgraded deal.”

“Right,” Ren said.

“We need to tell the others about this,” Morgana said.

After school, they met up on the rooftop with Ann and Ryuji. “WHAT?!” Ryuji yelled.

“Calm down Ryuji!” Ann said.

“But didn’t you hear that?” Ryuji said.

“I did. And it’ll be the last thing I hear if you continue to be loud” Ann stated.

“S-sorry” Ryuji said. “It’s just… I don’t want Ren to submit to this fiend.”

“What do you take me for?” Ren said. “I have no intention of wavering on my convictions.”

“Well, yeah, but…” Ryuji said. “Ugh, sorry. You’re right.”

Ren smiled. “It’s OK. I get it.”

“Still, if she’s confident that you would, I’d be careful” Ann said.

“Lady Ann’s right!” Morgana said. “We can’t take this lying down. We have to prove ourselves now more than ever!”

Ann giggled. “You got it Lord Morgana!”

“L-Lord Morgana? Morgana said, shocked.

“Isn’t he right, Lord Ryuji? Lady Ren?” Ann asked

“Oh” Morgana said, disappointed.

“Uhh, I don’t get all of this Lord and Lady talk,” Ryuji said, “but I’m all for proving our convictions. So let’s send that calling card!”

“Actually,” Ren said. Everyone turned to her. “I kind of want to wait a bit.”

“Huh” Ryuji said. “Well it's your call. Just know we have a time limit to uphold.”

Ren nodded. “You’re right. I'll make sure we do it before then.”

“Well, I don’t blame you” Ann said.”After what happened, I don’t know if I would have had the strength to do something like that either. Let’s go get something to eat.”

“Well, actually…” Ryuji said. “I have to run errands for my mom today. So I guess not sending the calling card worked out. You two go on ahead.”

Ann smiled. “Thanks Ryuji.”

“No problem” Ryuji replied. The four thieves left the rooftop and headed out of school.

[the-noodle-king]

Team SLVR, some of my first OC’s kinda ever. I originally planned on doing proper drawings of them but I haven’t been back to doing those in a long while now, so I figured I’d post up their new designs and their finally designed weapons.

I’m not going to dwell on everything wrong with their original designs/drawings, because dunking on my past self’s art and design choices is not productive to growth. However I do actively enjoy thinking about character design, and there are a few big changes from the original designs to the new ones worth talking about. But I’ll keep it short.

I’m gonna put that, and then character details and stuff about their semblances and weapons under the cut.

Their original colour schemes were so messy and all over the place, ignoring the core theme of RWBY character designs; each character has a colour that represents them. Sand’s design has more red and purple in it than pale yellow, Lime’s is completely the wrong green, Violet’s is also the wrong purple, and there’s way too much of it without proper variation or dispersal throughout the design, and then Rouge’s is the only one with gold instead of Silver, their team colour. Completely ignoring all of the issues with the designs themselves, the colour language is completely off, and for something so integral to the very concept of RWBY OC’s to be so wrong, was my biggest issue with these original designs, when I finally came back to them

Hence, the colour overhaul in the new designs! I gave them all monochromatic eyes and hair, matching their personal colours. Sand has pale yellow eyes and hair, Lime has a bright acidic green, Violet a light purple, and Rouge a bright red, and then these same colours are pulled down throughout their designs, head to toe, and then broken up by a couple shades each of creams through dark greys and black, and finally they all have silver accents. Sand is the leader, and he’s meant to be a lighthearted and approachable character, so he has a bulk of lighter colour on his top half, with his personal colour covering what would otherwise be a large amount of black on his boots. Lime is practical, pragmatic, straightforward; she wears more armour, but also more of her personal colour is on show. Violet is outwardly timid, but also very powerful, her clothes are baggy and her colour seems to box her in and drown her out somewhat. And Rouge is a rogue, he’s sneaky and works in the shadows, so his personal colour takes a backseat to the bulk of black in his outfit.

And now for actually character stuff rather than just design rambling ^_^;;

Team SLVR (Silver) is based on mythical beasts/monsters of legend, and alongside team BDNA (Belladonna), who were based on various famous/archetypal witches, they were intended to be rivals for Team CRSS (Cress), to form a narrative of the fairy tale heroes against witches and monsters; with the obvious caveat of the witches and monsters being people with human feelings and motivations, and ultimately having more in common with each other than against. 

Sand Martichoras:  Sand is based on the Manticore, and his Semblance ‘Venom Lash’ presents itself as his Aura manifesting a large, spectral scorpion tail from his lower back; Venom Lash can be used to strike with the tail itself in order to poison a foe and drain them of their strength, or Sand can channel it’s power into his attacks, imbuing his dust shells with the same poisoning quality. His weapon, The Scorpion Stinger, is a weighty spear with a wide flat spearhead more appropriate for sweeping attacks than thrusts, and on the opposite end is a shotgun. It can be snapped in half to use both simultaneously, and can then be used like nunchucks or even as a grappling hook with the cable connecting them. Sand is the leader of Team SLVR, he’s confident but lighthearted and easy to talk to. Some would say he’s overconfident, or even vain, but for the most part he gets along with everyone he meets.

Lime Gorgana:  Lime is based on the Basilisk, as well as Medusa, and her Semblance ‘Eye of the Gorgon’ presents itself as a pulsating green glow all about her, and her Aura manifesting several hissing snakes all around her head; Eye of the Gorgon is a powerful semblance which Lime struggles to control, it being able to activate without her meaning to when she becomes overly emotional. Eye of the Gorgon petrifies Dust, rendering it inert stone; when it is directed, it can petrify a controlled amount up to quite a great distance away, so long as Lime can see the container the Dust is in or the person carrying it. However it also petrifies Dust immediately around Lime as well, in a very small area while it is being carefully controlled and directed, but in a larger one when she loses control of it; regardless it means she cannot use or even carry any Dust of her own. Her weapon, The Serpentine Fang, is a simple one, owing to it’s inability to use Dust; it’s base form is a lithe, collapsible rapier which pairs elegantly with her arm-mounted shield, then it’s scabbard doubles as either a large, weighty cleaver, or when the rapier is inserted, as a substantial greatsword. To compensate for her inability to use Dust of any kind, Lime has trained her body to be a powerful and adaptive weapon all it’s own, equally skilled in the use of her shield, hand to hand combat, the rapid, flowing motions of combat with her rapier, and the devastating, crushing blows of her greatsword. Lime is the second in command of Team SLVR; her and Sand often disagree about many things, but they also trust each other explicitly. She is very levelheaded, and very pragmatic and practical, some would even call her cold blooded for some of the decisions she’s made in the heat of combat, but her skill with strategy is unquestionable .

Violet Wolfsbane:  Violet is based on the Werewolf, and her Semblance ‘Lunar Frenzy’ manifests as her Aura expanding to project the shape of a spectral, bipedal wolf about her. While her Semblance is active Violet loses control, going into a frenzy, her expanded Aura protects her from a greater range of attacks and it hardens itself against damage, allowing her to fight for much longer than otherwise; it also gives her enhanced speed and strength, allowing her to leap and bound across great distances and rend through strong defences. However it comes at a great toll, draining her strength and expending her Aura, meaning that once it runs out, she collapses, often unable to even remain conscious, making it’s use in actual battle extremely high risk. Her weapons are The Violent Renders, manacle-like wrist bracers with crescent blades on their sides which can rotate and open out into tiered claws for varied uses, such as slashing, stabbing and rending. In their expanded state, the blades can also be detached from the manacles to be swung by cables at distant foes. Violet is timid despite her height, often walking hunched over or standing with all her limbs angled inwards, as if trying to make herself smaller, and she speaks with a soft voice. She is afraid of her Semblance and doesn’t like using it, but Sand, Lime and Rouge have helped to bring her somewhat out of her shell and have attempted to instil more confidence in her, especially with regards to her power.

Rouge Entigo:  Rouge is based on the Wendigo, as well as the Jackalope, and his Semblance ‘Blood Hunger’ manifests as his Aura taking on a mottled black and red effect, with spectral antlers atop his head and pitch black eyes. While Rouge is channelling Blood Hunger, he is able to cannibalise his own Aura to exponentially increase his strength, as well as to perform other feats he is not otherwise capable of; By taking large chunks of power from his Aura at a time, Rouge is able to perform short range teleportation (only to a location he can see) or he can cut a similar portion off of another persons Aura; he can also corrupt Dust to significantly weaken it’s effects, or temporarily prevent the activation of someone else’s semblance. If someone else is willing, they can feed their Aura into Rouge’s, allowing him to devour it to use Blood Hunger more, or for longer. Rouge’s weapon is a shortsword/large dagger called The Happy Rogue, which can expand out into a lightweight hand scythe, or can be split into a pair of thin daggers, which can still then be expanded into a hand scythe/handaxe combo. As well as their obvious offensive capabilities, Rouge often uses The Happy Rogue for climbing, liking to take advantage of terrain for stealth as well as combat. Rouge is a prankster on the surface, but underneath he has quite an aggressive side, and has a penchant for violence. He and Lime were childhood classmates, and learned and trained together long before Team SLVR was formed, and while he doesn’t showoff his fighting skills nearly as much as she does, they’re equally matched when it comes to combat.

As individuals they all possess powerful semblances, versatile weapons and impressive fighting capabilities; together they are a formidable team, they work well together, and close ranks around their personal weaknesses. But they all have weaknesses that the rest of the team can’t cover for; Lime can’t use her semblance while near the others, or she risks petrifying their Dust, likewise Sand’s Semblance risks Poisoning the others, Violet’s semblance has a short shelf life in combat and if she drops at the wrong time she becomes a big liability, and while Rouge’s has the same problem, he can also take power from the others to extend it, heightening both the risk and the reward. Their strength as a team comes from knowing each others limits, weaknesses, and boundaries, and trying their best to work within and around them.

[cantfoolajoker]

s.e.e.s. as dnd classes

after my last post on the thieves, i have now returned to talk more about using dnd classes and subclasses as character study opportunities with the focus now being on sees (plus hamuko bc she counts)

since the post is lengthy, its going under the read more

so, for starters, minato/makoto is a shadow magic sorcerer. sorcerers are based on the idea that rather than learned arcana or given magic, you inherently have it inside you and can produce said affects with your sheer force of will, or your charisma. shadow magic sorcerers are linked specifically to the shadowfell, which is the negative energy to the feywilds positive energy, and sorcerers uniquely display quirks depending on their lineage; two i’d propose for minato/makoto would be “when you asleep, you don’t appear to breathe (but you still do to survive)” and “always cold to the touch”, since they seem the most fitting in my opinion for him. they get things such as strength of the grave, which says that on a successful saving throw on an otherwise fatal hit, you’ll drop to just 1 hp due to your constant state of being between life and death, and you also get the umbral form at 18th level, which allows you to change your form to a shadowy state that is resistant to all damage except for force and radiant that also allows you to move through other objects or creatures (man does that remind you of a certain battle a bit). 

in comparison, minako/hamuko is a totem barbarian in my full honest opinion. the reason i say this is because one of her defining traits is her hot headedness and impulsiveness to jump into situations, making her a prime candidate for barbarian due to their rage state and ability to tank hits. they get martial weapons, allowing her to pick up some weapon similar enough to a naginata, and the main aspect of the class is the ability to pick a totem spirit, which provides buffs depending on which animal you pick for your totem. personally, i throw my vote in for the wolf totem because it functions as a leader with the ability to land advantage melee hits on any creature hostile to you, the ability to track certain enemies and move at a stealthier natural pace, and the ability to just knock a large or smaller enemy prone when you hit them with a melee attack, all of which benefits minako/hamuko very nicely and lines up with her fighting style in both p3p and pq2.

alright so i know yukari uses a bow and arrows, and i know ranger exists, but also rangers are kinda bad in dnd overall and also yukari isn’t really a scout in any way. luckily dnd has an answer to this in the form of arcane archer fighter. arcane archers fuse magic into their archery methods in order to protect and deliver damage, mixing both yukari’s magic usage with her weapon of choice. they get the ability to literally redirect their arrows once shot to new targets and second wind, which lets them regain hp as a bonus action once per short or long rest. arcane archers essentially get an arrow type for like every school of magic, which makes up for the fact this would mean yukari has lost most of her healing spells since arcane archer fighters focus on dps more than they do support, though its not like ranger wouldve made up for that anyway.

so since junpei wants to be the leader so badly, i decided a champion fighter was gonna be the best bet for him, both because in a meta sense it is usually the First Pick newcomers do due to its simplicity of hit and hit more, but also because the class focuses on dps and raw physical power pushed to perfection, which junpei does end up getting when he learns to use a bat rather than a sword with the way he swings. this class and subclass is super straightforward: you get More damage to do the more you try to hit, and you get a higher chance of critical hits along with a more flexible fighting style and the ability to regain hit points with the survivor feat. they also get remarkable athlete, which lets them use half their proficiency bonus for any checks made while using one of their physical stats (so strength, dexterity, and constitution, all of which junpei def has) to have a greater chance at passing said checks.

akihiko's a monk. i literally don’t know what anyone expected. he’s a way of the open hand monk. open hand monks generally focus on debuffing enemies, which is akihiko’s staple in the party next to his all around good stats, which monks possess too in form of natural armor, increased movement speed, and having a hit die for throwing punches rather than dishing out 1 point of damage per hit, which increases as they get stronger. they can also heal themselves which akihiko has with his dia and diarama spells, but that isn’t the focus of it as much as it’s just a neat add on. overall, the guy’s a boxer and needs to dish out punches and monk does literally exactly that.

so i made a joke with a friend about how mitsuru keeps using marin karin because the ai of p3 is bad, and that led into the idea that mitsuru is a college of swords bard. while bards can be very stereotypically flirty, it’s just based on the fact their casting stat is charisma, so really any charismatic character can be a bard, which mitsuru does have with her formal way of speaking and her way of holding herself to establish authority. swords bard use, if you couldn’t guess, swords to fight, typically finesse weapons that they use dex for to fight, which with mitsuru’s weapon being a rapier, an actual finesse weapon in dnd, it’s an elegant weapon pick for an elegant class. they also get jack of all trades so they’re good at pretty much everything, which reflects the sort of type of person mitsuru reflects herself to be, and as a big joke, they get countercharm which allows them to perform and their allies get advantage when someone attempts to charm them. yeah. anyway mitsuru’s a bard. next.

for fuuka, i took more inspiration from her persona and how it encloses around her while she does her work to come up with an abjuration wizard. the school of abjuration specializes in protection and banishment spells, with outsiders believing it to be a specialization in denial and negation but truly being about ending harm and protecting the weak, which represent fuuka’s character and her bullying arc well. this class is mostly just what it says on the tin; they specialize in closing portals and rifts to other worlds, performing exorcisms, and securing locations that are too important to allowed equally magical wandering eyes and ears from engaging with. it’s also a high intelligence based class, which fits fuuka well. since she’s also a wizard, which gets virtually no hp and also no armor, so she needs to be protected, which everyone should want to protect her lmao.

aigis, for one, is a warforged in terms of races in dnd since they’re the robot race that only act on the goal they are given, But that’s just a side point to the main point of classes, which way of the kensei monk is definitely her. kensei monks train so extensively with their weapons that they become an extension of themselves, with aigis’s without a doubt being firearms due to her robotic nature already making them a literal extension of herself. they’re speedy and precise, both of which fit aigis and her programming to be the best combat unit, as kensei focus almost exclusively on dps output and the ability to just deal as much damage in one hit. unerring accuracy is also a feat kensei monks get, which allows them to reroll any attack they miss and again, really hones in on the combat robot thing aigis has going on.

now i know some of you probably went ‘are they gonna class assign koromaru’ and let me tell you i’m not going to cause 1 you wouldn’t be able to play him anyway in the theoretical sense, but also he’s usually seen as a companion to either ken or shinjiro, so he fits more as a companion animal that you see some classes get like rangers or druids. usually these animals survive as long as their owners lifespan and get extra health and sometimes magic so koromaru is a-okay in fighting still.

now for someone who i’m very excited to talk about: ken. being hellbent on revenge is actually a class in dnd! it’s called the vengeance paladin, which is a paladin whose oath revolves around singlehandedly bringing “evildoers” to justice, though what this justice is would be defined by the individual paladin’s definition of morality and their own vendetta. even in their basic description, oath of vengeance defines anyone who takes it as someone who sees their purity not being as important as the concept of delivering justice where justice is due, which fits not only ken’s theme as the justice arcana, but overall his entire relationship with shinjiro (which. oh boy paladin shinjiro and paladin ken parallels?). paladins get martial weapons which means ken gets his lance he uses, and on their spell list they get hunter’s mark, letting them mark targets to deal more damage. one another thing i want to bring attention to is their 7th level class feature, relentless avenger, which essentially makes it so any enemy that provokes an attack of opportunity can’t truly escape because the vengeance paladin can immediately take half their movement speed to follow after said enemy as apart of their reaction, which i think pretty easily describes the october 4th scene if you know what i mean.

and finally i’m saving the best for last cause i wanna talk about shinjiro. picture this: shinjiro’s a big tanky knight meant to service the people and protect them but a stray spell one day kills an innocent woman and suddenly he’s failed the one thing he swore his life to. giving up his oath, shinjiro turns into an oathbreaker paladin, a paladin who in someway shape or form has broken their sacred oath and now walks a darker path. now oathbreakers, while being stereotypically written as “evil”, don’t have to be evil themselves; being an oathbreaker pretty much is what it says on the tin, with them having failed to fulfill their oath’s rules in some way shape or form. breaking his own moral code and also abandoning his affiliation with sees pretty much solidifies shinjiro as an oathbreaker with him not necessarily being a bad person cause we all know he’s not. oathbreakers get things such as channel divinity: dreadful aspect, which lets them channel their anger into an intense magical intimidation, and paladins themselves are the only class to get the find steed spell, which fits castor’s horse riding-ness. they also get martial weapons and heavy armor, making shinjiro a big tank with an even bigger axe just like he likes to be. as a bonus thing, shinjiro Definitely has the tavern brawler feat (which gives unarmed strikes a hit die rather than a flat 1 damage) so he can wrestle with akihiko

BONUS: chidori’s a life cleric. her entire fountain of life or whatever the thing her persona does right next to her white gothic lolita aesthetic fit her as a life cleric. Or she could be a grave cleric with an atypical aesthetic, but then again, theres been pastel goth grave clerics before too.

BONUS x2: my friend and i had 2 ideas for ryoji while throwing ideas for this whole list around: death cleric, which is yknow, pretty straight forward..... OR deathlock great old one. deathlocks are specifically enemy warlocks that have been brought back from the dead by their patron because they believe that the warlocks job hasnt been done yet, and well, nyx i think counts as a great old one patron.

[madokasoratsugu]

meta on what happens to each character post ‘moonlight is but reflected sun’ . this is as close as it’s gonna get for an actual epilogue to the fic, i hope you enjoy!  as usual, read on ao3 if possible for formatting - bullet points aren’t too bad for this meta, but i personally think the ao3 version’s format might flow better.

read on ao3

Fritz still doesn't get along with most of Marchen for the rest of the rebellion (overthrowing Hildyr, taking back the castle and rescuing Genaro). an enemy of an enemy is a friend, but knowing he nearly killed at least two people present is. hard to get over instantly. Fritz understands, Lucette doesn’t. Fritz jokes about how Lucette may run off again because of this, covers his mouth and looks the most surprised by his own words. he is more like the wolf than he’s starting to realise. maybe this is a good thing. 

Parfait and Delora are the ones who accept Fritz the fastest. Parfait does so the moment he steps into Marchen, Delora the moment he steps out toward the castle. there is a special kind of courage to be recognised (and feared) in a man who willingly throws himself back into the jaws of death just to get the truth from the one he loves, the very one who condemned him

“You’ve done well.” Parfait tells him, soft like no parent has spoken to him in years. “You’ve had courage, and kindness. Not many would have had that strength. Thank you.” Parfait never says a name. she knows that that is not important. and then she hugs him, and hugs him tighter as he lets out an aching sob into her chest.

Parfair still dies to stop Hildyr, magic is still lost. but with Mythros' influence over Varg gone, Delora lives. the gate scene pretty much never happens; once Hildyr flings the first spell at Lucette, Delora has thrown her shield up, thrown herself in the role of Lucette’s mother, and she’s not fucking budging. no one is taking another child from her again.

Alcaster is long dead at the hands of Hildyr by the time they storm the castle. Mythros is caught for questioning, but escapes during the post-revolution chaos/celebration. Fritz never gets his answers this time, either. maybe it’s better this way. Fritz certainly doesn’t think so.

a rescue for Lucette was attempted, but quickly aborted when Lucette was found missing. two is enough to cover each other's sixes, so Garlan doesn't die. but he does get severely injured, especially at the knee that puts an end to his career as a knight. its ok though, because as Karma puts it: "He can start a new career as Jurien's house husband instead". and he does. as well as become one of Lucette's newest minister of defense. 

Fritz becomes Prince Consort cum Head Knight, Lucette the Queen. compared to facing your worst fears and standing up to a long loved parent, these responsibilities almost seems like taking candy from a baby.

until Fritz starts taking etiquette classes and attends rigorous prince training. he’s never wanted to die more. Lucette laughs, but helps him out with his academics anyway. they have so many dance lessons together in empty ballrooms and corners of the garden, even though both are already excellent dancers. but most days it is Rod and Emelaigne who guide him, and it’s through many an etiquette class that they grow closer. the trio def eventually all see each other like siblings.

Emelaigne tells him one day when they’re rearranging knives that she doesn’t blame or fear him. it’s a stupid decision, Fritz subtly hints at when he says thank you. Emelaigne smiles at him and says i know, when she puts the butter knife next to his pinky finger. Emelaigne smiles at him and says i trust you, when she lifts the steak knife and hands it to him to arrange next.

things are weird around Lucette and her step-siblings for a while. having a near death experience together caused by your fiance does that to people. but Lucette goes to town with Emelaigne more often now, though she sticks to the shadows with Rod. Lucette learns to bring a book while waiting for Emelaigne to finish conversations in shops, make small talk with Rod over such novels, with Emelaigne between shop shelves over everything and anything. it is easier work than Lucette imagined it to be, if such tasks that slowly turn into enjoyments, can be considered work at all.

“Does Rod like chocolate?” Lucette asks, absentminded as she stares at a flower shop. that is when Emelaigne knows, truly, that maybe at least one family has the hope of being rebuilt. 

“Cinnamon! He likes that flavour best!” “Then let’s go to the best bakery in town.” “Not the best baker?” “No, unless you have a craving for chocolate croissants.”

Fritz immediately clears Jurien and Garlan’s names with the Order of Caldria, and Jurien becomes co-head knight with Fritz. she takes care of the training and soldiers most days, while Fritz does paperwork and acts as the figurehead leader. most soldiers will never respect the two of them as much as they did Alcaster. most soldiers will also never know the things the two of them have sacrificed to protect all their lives, all the lives of those they treasure in town. 

Jurien and Fritz silently make peace with this with a shared bottle of whiskey under the moon. “Varg was a total dick.” Jurien abruptly says, bottle half empty. Fritz laughs. “Is that an indirect insult to your superior?” Jurien grins. “Yes.” Fritz laughs, again. it’s good to have friends.

among her immediate family, Ophelia expresses her joy for their union the most readily. she loves Lucette, but in the end she is still the one her father chose over Lucette. Lucette understands and forgives, but it is hard to forget. she asks Fritz if that makes her cruel. Fritz smiles sadly, and says no, it just makes you human.

Genaro doesn’t quite know what to do with himself or his daughter after everything. neither does Lucette, nor Fritz. it’s a weird situation when your fiance’s father was plotting to kill his former best friend, who also happens to be your father. it’s an even weirder situation when you learn that that father that nearly died may not have hated you for your entire life after all. it takes many years and many awkward conversations, but Lucette can at least see her father as someone to depend on now. as for seeing him as a father, and him her daughter - well. she’s lived without one for seventeen years. she’ll live another few decades without one. at least with her as nothing but his ward, his successor in line, he can look at her without flinching now. 

it’s all Lucette’s ever wanted, so she hooks her arm through Delora’s, and lets her mother lead her down the aisle instead.

Fritz is what makes Lucette happy. it’s all Genaro ever wanted, and so Genaro’s blessing is quick, and immense. happiness is something Genaro was unable to give Lucette, will never be able to exceed Fritz in giving. it is a secret he takes to his grave. this world’s cruel truth has hurt his daughter enough. 

Karma is the one who’s the most suspicious of Fritz for the longest time. he’s clashed swords with him, he knows murderous intent when he sees it. he may see him in a better light after fighting side by side to take down Hildyr and brainwashed soldiers, but some days he glances at Fritz, smells the metallic tinge that never leaves him and thinks blood, and doesn’t dare to think whose. trust is something to be earned. Fritz doesn’t earn Karma’s for years. 

it’s a good thing, Fritz tells Lucette after yet another argument she’s had with her redhead friend, it means he cares, that he wants to think the best of us - or, me, i guess. he doesn’t tell her some nights he still dreams of gilded cages and his mother, and Lucette. he tells her with a smile having doubts may save her life in the future and she slaps him. he tells her about her dreams then, and she kisses the cheek she slapped and cries because he won’t. it’s not a fairy tale romance, but it’s theirs, and Lucette reminds Fritz of that. Fritz nods, and sinks into her hug, and tells her about another childhood memory of his mother. maybe this time it’s a happy one. maybe it’s not. but it’s their romance, and this way he is letting go of his parents’, and that’s what counts.

“I don’t trust you.” Karma says. his voice carries in the wide training ground. “Doesn’t mean I don’t trust that you won’t protect her, or make her happy.” Fritz mirrors his gentle smile, and lifts his longsword. “My sentiments exactly.” Karma lifts a brow, his rapier, and strikes true.

Rumpel continues working on breaking his curse, and every time he returns to the palace, he comes back wiser. his words do not change, but they hold gravitas now, a sure assuredness behind every syllable. he was the first to look Fritz in the eye, after Parfait. he continues to do so, even after they’ve retaken the castle, even after seeing Fritz wielding a sword bloodied by innocents. his gaze is saddened, but he holds Fritz’s eye. Fritz is the one who looks away. he is more of a knight than he realised. maybe this is good.

when Rumpel returns, he always returns with advice and tea leaves for Lucette. Lucette takes both with an eye roll and a smile. he ruffles her hair, asks if she is alright and she always says, yes. he always sees through her, and tells her what she needs to hear - ‘tell him how you feel’, ‘then just kiss him, if you want to so much’, ‘be selfish with him’. often Lucette isn’t sure if Rumpel is advising her, or airing wishes left undone. but they always help, so she always thanks him, and gives advice of her own back, do not forget about yourself, and only once does Rumpel smile wrinkled, fingers curling around an old journal beneath the table. not anymore, he promises.

Waltz takes to Fritz after a while. it starts with both realising the other is someone also irrefutably screwed over by an adviser that slipped out of their grasp. it really starts when Waltz confides i should have broken her out, when Fritz replies so should i. shared regrets and trauma makes fast friends. Waltz understands Fritz in a way that no one else has, no one else will. there is darkness both wield with strength, command with ease and make bend to their will. it is a frightful thing to know you can do. it becomes less so when someone else kinder than you can do the same.

Lucette asks Fritz once, how he took to Waltz so easily. Fritz only smiles, and kisses her temple, says, ‘secret’, in lieu of ‘our mothers died because of us’, ‘the most vital moments of our lives were stolen from us by the same person’, ‘we would have given our lives for you in that tunnel if it meant you never had to see your mother and let her hurt you again.’. sometimes it is easier to lie. sometimes Lucette knows, so she just sighs, and tells him to pass on the message that they are both fools and she will not condone death. Fritz grins and asks how she will punish him if he is dead? Lucette deadpans necromancy, and Fritz laughs, kisses her again. he promises, swears to live for her (again). he is more like a prince than he realised. maybe this is a good thing. 

Waltz doesn’t tell Lucette about their history all at once. he asks Lucette once, if she remembers anything happy at all in her childhood. her eyes film over, and she says maybe, i can’t -. and her knees are buckling. repressed memories, enchanted amnesia, where does one draw the line between the two? Waltz doesn’t want to find out. all he does is wrap her in a hug, say you don’t have to remember and wish she did. eventually she will, but by then Waltz is in Brugantia and Karma is healing the wounds she would only have torn open wider. when they meet again and her once-bleeding wounds are scars like his is, they will laugh about poorly sewn dolls and the sweetness of sweets stolen from kitchens, and laugh more over their respective betrothed's horrible accents.

‘could have been’s are dangerous, Waltz tells her one night, with a knowing smile. ‘do not dwell on them, little star.’ black and velvet and two instead of one. thoughts Lucette brush aside as she brushes Fritz’s odd lock of black away from his face. she will remember, but she will not wonder. she kisses Fritz’s temple where the black tresses end, and sinks in the familiar smoky laugh that tumbles from him.

"What do you love about me?" Lucette asks, another night, the first one they spend together. everything feeling terribly new and odd, their fingers intertwined in the space between them, every other part kept to their separate halves of the bed. Fritz blinks, staring up at the canopy, thinks."How high can you count?"

“How do you love me?” Lucette asks, another night, curling into Fritz’s warmth. Fritz pulls her in closer, hums sleepily into the top of her head. “Deeply, and truly.” 

“Why do you love me?” Lucette asks, another night, curled into herself, back to Fritz. Fritz combs his hand through her long hair that pools around her and over the bed. slowly, he makes his way up to her roots, hand buried in auburn and thumb smoothing over the shell of her ear, her lashes blending into her flushed face. at the lack of resistance, Fritz moves closer, the crinkling of the sheets tangling around his legs the only indication he is moving at all. slides his other hand over the bed, softly shifting the folds, pausing next to her hip. fingertips barely grazing her tailbone as he slips his other hand lower to the nape of her neck; her breath hitches as he leans forward, fingertips tipping into the dent where her spine ends, tracing over her hipbone, her waist, her stomach. closes in, hand shifting down from her nape so his lips can take it’s place. “Because.” Fritz murmurs into her skin, as if trying to etch the words with breath alone. “I couldn’t have done anything else.” 

like a snare, his words draw her back in, away from then and back to them. an exhale leaves Lucette, her chest caving in as she relaxes into Fritz’s languid frame behind her. he is more like a hunter than he realised. maybe this is a good thing.

"I know - I know we’ve discussed this, and it’s pretty much already set in stone but -.” Laughter. “Will you marry me?”

“Of course. I - oh - Of course.”

their romance is not a fairy tale but it is, finally, theirs. and they wouldn’t have it any other way.

[summoner-of-arkas]

BF Gungeon Starting Items Because Why Not

Karl

Starting Gun: Frozen Firearm - Ice to see you

A poleaxe turned into a rifle upon entering the Gungeon. Like its wielder, the firearm has an affinity with ice and shoots out a high speed icicle with each shot. While most Gungeoneers come knowing how to fire a gun, Karl didn’t so the accuracy of his new rifle suffers.

Passive: Antidote - A beneficial addiction

Provides immunity to poison.

Karl has almost always been seen drinking an antidote whenever he’s in the Breech. Such over-consumption has left him immune to the various poisons of the Gungeon but unluckily, not bullets.

Seria 

Starting Gun: Bloody Spliter - Get them deep

A sword turned into a revolver upon entering the Gungeon. It shines with the power of its wielder and inflicts a terrible bleed upon those it hits. However while its causes these wounds, the pure damage of the bullet is lacking.

Passive: Champion’s Dominion - Reign supreme 

Boosts damage while at max HP

Seria was famous for her reign at the arena. The same is true for her journey into the Gungeon. However, such pride is easily shattered upon the unforgiving gundead.

Lugina

Starting Gun: Sky Gunbringer - Off the walls

A sword turned into a pistol upon entering the Gungeon. While the gun itself is unremarkable, Lugina has mastered its use to the point where he can ricochet shots off walls. Lugina was the first of a new wave of Gungeoneers to enter the Breech and luckily his blasphemous blade turned into a gun.

Active: Rocks - Looking Rocky

Calls forth three rocks to act as temporary guon stones for the current room.

These new Gungeoneers hail from a land where most beings are in touch with one aspect of the natural world around them, and Lugina has a special connection with rocks. However while the Gungeon’s stones are resilient, they are not for defense and crumble soon after use. 

Passive: Tailwind - As Swift as the wind

Higher movement speed.

Lugina’s Earth magic not only includes rocks, but also the manipulation of plant-life and the wind.

Paris

Starting Gun: Van de Gunff - Close Enough

A rapier that has been turned into a lighting rod upon entering the Gungeon. Lets loose lightning on enemies in a wide arc in front of the rod when fired.

While not far off from its original form, the jammed consider it solely a projectile weapon now as any part capable of melee damage has been rendered useless

Passive: Honor Armor - Health Begets Protection

Armor worn by Paris. Grants an armor upon entering the next floor if you left the previous floor at full health. Grants immunity to electricity.

This armor has been passed down Paris’ family for generations and in her world, activates its defensive properties at low health. Perhaps in Paris’ journey to escape the Gungeon, the power of the armor has been changed like it did for one of her ancestors.

Tilith (Co-op)

Starting Gun: Gate - A World Of Pain

Opens a tiny gate to another world a magical projectile comes out of.

As Goddess of the Gate, Tilith can create openings to other worlds. Unfortunately, the Gungeon's presence prevents her from creating a gate large enough to escape from.

Active: Pretty Battle Kiss - Need a Heal

Use to heal yourself and your ally by half a heart.

It is unknown how a kiss was given an area of effect, even less known how it can heal someone. When asked, Tilith responded that physical kisses were reserved for a certain champion.

Passive: Immortality - Well Kinda

Start with an extra heart container

The immortality of a goddess doesn’t really mean much in the Gungeon.

Lin

Starting Gun: Prototype Blaster - Pew Pew

A prototype laser blaster not designed for direct conflict. 

Lin was not much for frontline combat and avoided it until being forced to enter the Gungeon, armed with a prototype Noel managed to cobble together from spare parts from his own gun.

Secondary Gun: Laser Cannon - The Big Gun

Shoots out a large laser. After being given the cobbled together laser, Lin contacted the requisition department and ordered a gun to deal more damage when she needs it. Unfortunately, she forgot she could’ve ordered a new blaster.

Passive: Communicator - Requisition Delivery

Increased chance of ammo drops. While the Acquisition Department doesn’t do deliveries to people in the Gungeon, the Summoner’s Hall Requisition Department can do such a thing. Though the teleporter that delivers takes time to charge. 

Noel

Starting Gun: Advanced Gun - Ambitious

A simple gun with a large amount of attachments and firing mechanisms. 

Noel designed this gun to obliterate anything that stands in his way. However, all the various attachments and energy sources canceled each other out and left only the base pistol functional. When asked about its state, Noel said it was working as intended.

Active: Mock Bullet - A facsimile of the original

Creates a weaker copy of all enemies in the room. Does not work on bosses.

Noel is famed for continuing his late uncle’s work of psudo-cloning people and beings of all types. The copies he creates are weaker than the base being which makes them not long for the world, especially when they are placed near the aggressive gundead who see such a thing as an affront to the bullet and attack these clones immediately.

Passive: Blank Holster - More Blanks

Start the floor with an extra blank. Unused blanks under the limit are retained and added on.

Blanks are an important tool to any gungeoneer, so Noel had the bright idea of carrying more and not dropping off blanks and only regaining the amount he started with.

Caleb

Starting Gun: Makeshift Gun - Everyone Starts Somewhere

A pistol created by someone who has never created a gun before. After Caleb found his father’s ammonomicon, he made it his goal to continue his father’s work. When a gate opened in time and space to a universe where the Gungeon still existed, Caleb quickly created this gun and ventured through the gate with no care to the faulty firearm.

Active: Failed Gunpowder - Blows up in your Face

A faulty batch of gunpowder sensitive to impact. When thrown, it explodes in a random effect.

While trying to create functioning gunpowder in his own world, Caleb has failed more than his share of times. Ever the pragmatist, Caleb found use in the failures as a last ditch weapon.

Passive: Summoning - Gacha Failed

Grants companions all their synergies, but lowers their possibility of being found and reduces starting HP to one heart.

As a summoner, Caleb has learned how to effectively work in teams and boost their strength. However, the power of summoning is weak in the Gungeon and takes a lot of vitality of a summoner to use their power. Other summoner had chosen to hold of the use of summoning, but Caleb persists anyways.

Renza

Starting Gun: Ranged Punch - Come Get Some

A magical spell that sends out a fist as powerful as the caster’s. 

Physical combat has no place in the Gungeon and engaging in it will bring the wrath of the jammed. Eventually both Renza and the jammed came to an agreement on her ranged punch spell.

Passive: Fist Bullets - You’re already Gundead

Bullets that travel with the power and fury of a healer turned warrior. Killed enemies will launch backwards and deal any overkill damage to whatever enemy they hit. Does not chain enemies.

After the Blacksmith met Renza, she began a regular correspondence with the warrior about her travels and the world outside the Gungeon and how her sister, Cadence, was doing in the Breech. Eventually, the Blacksmith forged these bullets as a gift for her new friend. 

Attached to the gift was a note

“Call me. <3″ 

Hearth

Starting Gun: Prisoner’s Pistol - Desperation or Death

A shabby pistol given to Hearth before he was sent to the Gungeon.

When Hearth was captured for speaking out against the Hegemony of Man, they gave him the option of being extra-judicially killed or sent to the Gungeon. Either way, he wouldn’t be their concern anymore.

Secondary Weapon: Piecework Rifle - Ingenuity in the face of death

A rifle separated into pieces and reassembled upon entry into the Gungeon. While the Hegemony of Man stripped Hearth of almost all possession when they sent him into the Gungeon, Hearth managed to smuggle enough rifle pieces to build an entire rifle. Some pieces had to be sacrificed to be able to maintain cover so the rifle’s power suffers.

Passive: Ammonomicon Pocket Edition - More stats

A tiny Ammonomicon that displays a Gungeoneer’s stats and gives a small increase to magazine size and max ammo

When Hearth was sent to the Gungeon, the pocket edition Ammonomicon just entered production and he managed to get a copy for free. Nowadays you can only find secondhand copies sold for exorbitant prices.

Attack:

Speed:

Bullet Speed:

Coolness:

Magnificence:

Curse: 

[abouttogetdicey]

Her last fight.

So, here’s that story I wrote a while ago, that I was on about, for my campaign :) ~used to be Sunshine-Jim

Hey! Great story! I hope you don’t mind that I put it under a cut since it’s so long! Everyone, click below to enjoy! Thanks for submitting!

Quite the number of metal dice clutter against the wooden table. The DM’s face drops as he counts and recounts the number of damage done. “How much health have you got?” He looks over his wooden barricade, his eyes still hazed over. I show the number ‘1’ with an index finger. He drags out the moment, not saying anything. He rolls something else, only the one die this time; that was probably only a D20. Thinking, he looks down, not sure how to go about this. “As you… As you draw your rapier out of the beast behind you, suddenly the beast that vanished mere seconds ago, appears, in front of you. It strikes… It deals 25 damage.” I hush falls over the party. An eerie silence, as I bury my face into my hands. I bite my thumb as I try to process the information given to me. “The rest of you, before you could say anything, you see the beast materialise in front of Lassiel and watch as a talon goes straight into her stomach, straight through her, coming out her back.” “I will clutch onto it’s talon, look down at it and, with my last breath I will look up, into its face and whisper I fucking hope you rot in hell, you ugly fucker.” I say, sniffing slightly. “I also have tears gathering in my eyes.” “You say that as your vision blurs and your eyes roll into the back of your head. Your knees buckle beneath you, the talon not letting you fall just yet. The beast lets out a guttural roar that rolls into a deep laugh. Before you lose it completely though, you have a vision. It’s bright, unnaturally bright and white. A form stands before you. A tiefling. With flowing orangish red hair and pink skin. She says, Come, my child. It’s time. And you black out.” He leaves it for a moment, for everyone to draw their own conclusions. “Blossom, it’s your turn.” He looks to his left, at the player sitting there. “I will fire my gun, straight at the back of it’s head, without hesitation.” She rolls and hits, taking the last of the beast’s health points. “It shrieks, a high pitched squeal, almost-” He imitates the noise it makes. “But it doesn’t fall immediately. It’s arm lowers first, Lassiel slipping off of it’s talon and limply falls to the floor. It then crashes to the floor. Raddysh?” He looks to the player sitting next to Blossom. “Raddysh would like to rage and is going to try and chop the head off of this guy, in front of him as he sees Lassie fall.” He does so, finishing the final beast. “It’s head falls with a thud to the floor, it rolls away, and the rest of it’s body falls to it’s knees and slums over, lifelessly.” He pauses a moment, regaining his composure. No one says anything as they see the DM himself struggling with what just happened. “As the dust around you finally starts to settle after the fight, the streets are barren. The night sky is clear, with the full moon giving you just enough light. You see Lassiel lying on the ground. Unmoving.” “What did you all want to do?” The DM says, suddenly. The party is still silent, the moment overwhelming them all. “Is her chest moving, is she breathing?” Blossom asks. “Roll perception.” The DM says, almost silently. They look down at the dice that just hit the table. A natural 20. “Her chest is still.” At that, they all stand and move their miniatures to gather around Lassiel’s. My face is still buried into my hands, tears gathering in my eyes. “Raddysh is just going to fall to his knees and hold Lassie’s head with one hand while he desperately tries to stop the blood flowing with his cart bandages. He actually has some tears gathering in his eyes. He’s muttering Nononono, no, not again, please, not again…” Raddysh’s player quietly explains her course of action. “You watch as the purple blood of Lassiel, carries on flowing and seeps through the bandages.” The DM explains. “Askai is just going to stand there, shocked at what is happening in front of him.” The player from my left says. “Askai almost starts to tremble from the shock of watching his new found friend, bleed out in front of him, on the floor.” “I’m just going to try and move behind Raddysh, try to stop his arms and calm him down a bit. I wrap my arms around him from behind.” The player of Robyn, sitting on my right mutters. “I will push her away, well, try to anyway, in my distraught state.” The player of Raddysh explains. “Roll a contested strength roll please, the two of you.” The DM asks of them. Raddysh fails his throw and Robyn manages to rip him away from Lassiel’s body. He digs his face into Robyn’s chest, tears flowing free now. “I told her to not do anything stupid again, I told her, I told her! But she didn’t listen and now look what she has done again!” Raddysh wails. “Blossom will close Lassiel’s eyes.” Blossom’s player states again. The party falls into silence again. At this point, tears are streaming down my face. “And she will proceed to try and carry her, over her shoulder. I will carry her close to the nearby cliffside, where I know she liked to sit and look out over the waves of the sea. Askai, could you go find some flowers? She calls out” “He’s too shaken up to do anything.” The DM states. “Blossom will do it herself then. She’ll start to dig the grave and place Lassiel’s body in there, carefully.” Blossom’s player continues. “What’s the rest of you doing?” “Robyn will drop her harp and necklace that she was keeping safe for her into the grave, before Blossom starts to cover her up. I will hold onto Raddysh’s hand while I step close to the grave and place the items. Then we go and take a seat in the grass.” Robyn says. Robyn and Raddysh curl up in the grass, Robyn still clutching him, as to not do anything stupid and Askai stands a bit further away from them, on the edge after all that just happened. Blossom quickly piles the dirt back into the hole and proceeds to gather some flowers and places them onto the grave. That’s when Askai moves to pick up two sticks from nearby and attempt to tie them into a small cross. “Roll a… Survival, I guess?” The DM mumbles. He rolls and ends up with a ‘6’. The DM smiles, a sad smile. “You attempted to make a small cross but you weren’t quite sure which way it would make sense for the rope to go to hold it all together. So, you start to wrap your small piece of rope around the sticks and attempt to tie it off with a knot that was just too loose so the whole thing falls apart in your hands. “Askai will just drop the piece of rope and the sticks into the grass, huffing a little, maybe even pouting.” His player explains. “So, Blossom you are now finished with the make-shift grave. Has anyone been on the lookout while this all has been going on?” Still with a sad smile on his face, the DM inquires. They all shake their head. “Someone clears their throat behind you.” The DM continues. I look up at him, questioningly, and he’s looking straight at me. “Do you guys turn to face them?” Again, they all nod. “As you turn, a female elf with big blue eyes and shoulder-length blonde hair is looking back at you. There’s a bow on her back and two short swords at her sides. Her face markings are intricate and familiar. She calls for her fox. ‘Rusco!’” Everyone turns to me, a wide grin spreading across my face as I recognise the character. “Foxy Lady! And Raddysh will run up to her and hug her legs. I missed you!” I shake myself into character. “I’m sorry I left in the first place. I have realised I have made a mistake. And I will nod at everyone in turn and look at the grave.” “Roll a perception if you notice it.” DM asks. I roll a natural 20. The second of the session. “You see a pile of freshly dug dirt with flowers on it, which you can only assume is a grave of some description.” He describes. “What happened here?” Ellana inquires. “[name of character from Raddysh’s backstory] was stupid again and got herself killed again!” Raddysh mumbles. “What he was meant to say was that we got a travelling companion and she has managed to get herself killed. Her name was Lassiel, not [NAME].” Robyn chimes in. “But you’re back now, and that’s all that matters! Glad to have our knife-ear Ranger back! Blossom chuckles.” She cracks jokes like that all the time, after all, she has travelled with Ellana for long enough to know that she knows she means no harm by them. “I’m glad to be back. Ellana chuckles too.” And with that the party has lost a member but are reunited with a friend they have long lost, because of it.

[thetradeway]

Session 38 27 Mar 2021: The Flesh Ripper - “We can salvage this!”

The world is a massive bollocking twat this week, so nobody is super happy. Luckily it’s D&D day! Ed reminds us that Melaina did 46 damage in one hit last week, making us all feel inferior. Foul noises are coming from roll20, worrying all of us. Maybe it’s a chest opening noise!

Joe suggests a different noise, one that sounds like a very large beast doing a cross between a belch and a roar, and this one kills Matthew’s sound card. Too much gain on the monster noises.

Matthew heard a news story about a baby shark getting swallowed whole by a crocodile. Tiktok is going to go nuts for that one, they love baby sharks. Ed says he heard about how sometimes baby sharks eat each other in the womb, and it’s the most metal thing he’s ever heard of. There’s a verse for the baby shark song. (We all conspicuously do not sing it, for the sake of Sophie who has never heard it.)

There’s some waffle about the clocks changing while we wait to see if Mina is joining us; she hasn’t been on the group chat today. I send her a message but it doesn’t seem to get delivered. We wait a few minutes to see if she’ll get back to us. Just as Joe gives me control of Kessler, she pops in. lol.

There are some Ever Given memes on the group chat, and then we get started. We are in the Flesh Ripper’s lair…

The arcane casters (except Melaina, who doesn’t have a high enough spell slot yet) all get the Woundbind spell, which they can add to their spell lists.

The doorway on the other side of the canal where we defeated the Black Puddings is blocked with carcasses and bones. Does it look like the flesh has been ripped off them?

DM: “Yeah.”

Ahleqs: “ohhhhh noooooo……”

Kessler rolls Investigation on the pile of... stuff and gets a 15. It’s made of bones and gristle and fat from all manner of creatures from rats to trolls or ogres. The limbs look torn off. (It’s a wookiee - we just need to make sure we let it win.) She can see it will take some strength to shift the bones if we want to get through that tunnel. The roar comes again; we see the back of Ahleqs’ head as he makes a break for it. We could go back and say it wasn’t in…?

We go around the other corner instead and Melaina is immediately attacked by something, finding herself suspended in… something, and her flesh begins to burn.

(Sophie, reading the description of the attack: “‘Engulf’. Bollocks. That sounds awful.”)

She makes a DEX save and escapes. It is a gelatinous cube, AKA, the Dungeon Roomba! (This would explain why the rest of the sewer is so immaculately clean.)

Tarragon Thunderwaves it but it makes the save. She backs up a little. Grease Wizard is up next. He moves closer. “Oh! That thing’s horrendous, look at it.” He throws some acid at it, believing it to be not very dexterous. He is correct - its save is -3, so that is a fail. (Ahleqs, seeing this, warms up a Fireball - forgetting about the gas pockets Shanks warned us about. DM says he can make a Perception check as a free action to see if he smells gas. He rolls a 13; he doesn’t smell anything flammable and is very pleased about this.)

Kessler is up. She is reluctant to punch it, in spite of the potential to make it wobble like a jelly. Ahleqs suggests eating her way out if that happens. She opts for the crossbow instead, and hits it for 5 points of piercing damage. She reloads and fires again for another hit and 10 damage this time. She makes a hide attempt as a bonus action, but she’ll be doing it at disadvantage because she’s trying to hide in nothing. (Cue the Bumblebee gif again.) She rolls two tens and is not hidden. She decides she IS hidden, because she has her hands in front of her eyes. “Close enough.”

Melaina moves and makes a hide attempt, as she is on the other side of the cube now. Nat 20 for a 30 total, she is now in the ethereal plane. She shoots with Sharpshooter, rolling a 21, for 21 plus 13 damage. It wobbles like dropped jelly, and cracks start to form.

Like a blancmange when it goes bad? Well, blancmanges are MADE bad, they don’t GO bad, but yes, like that.

Brother Carl can’t do much. Does he have any paperwork he needs to catch up on? He needs to safeguard both his hit points anyway. He rolls bad on his DEX check to get out of the water and can’t manage it, so he sits down in the water like a toddler having a tantrum in a paddling pool. Not having enough movement to stand back up, his turn is over.

Matthew: “Poor Carl!”

The Cube moves to engulf Ahleqs and Brother Carl - no wait, we’ve missed Ahleqs in the order. Okay, it’s his turn. The cube moves politely back to allow him to go.

The roar comes again and we all immediately panic. Is the ripper approaching?

Ahleqs makes a DEX check to get out of the water on the opposite side to the cube - the same side we found the pile of bones and limbs. He rolls a 21. He scampers up like a gazelle and administers two Eldritch Blasts to the Cube, in short order. “Zap!” A 12 and a 17 for 4 damage total. “Yeah, he better wobble!” Does he sense that it fears him? (Probably not.)

Brother Charity gets a go. Does anyone need any making less poorly?

Us: “You, maybe?”

He slams a potion, regaining 16HP. He holds a healing spell in case something awful happens.

DM: “Okay…. Wheeee!” Oh no. ‘Wheeeeee’ is never a good sound to hear coming from a Dungeon Master.

The cube zooms forward and engulfs Tarragon and Brother Carl, but we both make our DEX saves. It throws a pseudopod at Tarragon but whiffs badly with a nat 1.

Tarragon has had enough; she Rages and hits it with her quarterstaff for 11 damage.

We can see lots of splits in the cube now; it looks in a bad way. Like a chewed Haribo. A sad sight to see stuck to a window in town. Gideon is up - with a little manoeuvring he can throw a Thunderwave at it without hitting Carl or Tarragon. It seems to have a high CON score though so it will likely make its save again… He decides to do an Aganazzar’s Scorcher instead. He stretches out his hands and a big flaming line flies out of them like a flame thrower and burns the shit out of the cube, and Gideon chuckles to himself.

“Engulf this!”

It fails its DEX save and takes 11 fire damage. Woohoo! Does he want to move? No, Gideon is no coward, he’s a stalwart Dwarf dammit.

The small folk are putting the bigjobs to shame today. Kessler gets the how-de-do-dis with her Firebolt. Hey! The bolt penetrates the cube and blows it apart from inside “because I love that kinda shit.”

Melaina is up - wait, what? I thought we did-dis?

There will be a Reason, Duncan is sure. Melaina is AFK so Matthew shouts to the kitchen to ask Sophie what she wants to do. She is cooking ribs. She can’t see what’s going on so she moves forward to attack the cube, not knowing it’s dead. and Joe asks her to show him the path she took. Oh no…

She stumbles into another gelatinous cube. She can make her DEX save, and glides right out of it on the other side to do a backflip and taking no damage. She gives it a stabby with her rapier with a ten, which hits for 7 piercing damage. She yells to let the rest of us know what’s happening around the corner.

Carl stands up and makes another attempt to get out of the water. Really focusing now… a 7. If he goes up to the plank the DM will let him make a STR check to climb up the plank. He rolls a 17! Yeahhhhhh.

It’s the second cube’s turn. Melaina must repeat her DEX save - Matthew will click it for her. a 24!

Brother Carl still gets an attack, so he swings with his mace for a natty 20! Crit table says “Bonk on the noggin. Max damage and roll the damage dice again.” And the mace dissolves…? No, it’s fine. Phew.

DM goes to get more wine, but Ahleqs is up next after that. Would he like to do some spells and shit? He doesn’t want to waste any slots though… Flesh ripper and all…

He will Eldritch Blast again. Zap! Just a hit, with a 20 and a 21 for 13 damage total. Nice.

Charity: “Carl, be careful!” With that, can he scooch past Tarragon? Good luck, she’s raging and all elbows, and will probably do an opportunity attack on him. He slides down the side of the canal instead and goes around her. He clambers back up - well he tries, but rolls a 9 on his DEX check. He goes through all his spells. “That won’t work… Nor that…” He opts in the end for Eldritch Blast and 12 damage total, insisting that it’s ‘divine energy’. Hmmm.

Tarragon rushes forward, still in her red mist, and smacks it with her quarterstaff for 9 more damage; she would move back out of the way to let everyone else get in, but it doesn’t occur to her so she doesn’t.

Gideon does a Chill Touch: “Hyahhh! Ohhhh…” He hits with an 11 for 3 damage. “I’m helping!”

Kessler shoots another Firebolt. 25 to hit and 12 fire damage “to old Blobby.” Kill it with fire!

Melaina backs up and hides, and shoots. She is literally the only competent one among us. 15 hits and 29 damage. Howdy Doody! “It implodes on itself like a nasty custard.”

We beat the dungeon! Yay!

DM: “Nope - not even close.” Aw beans.

Melaina moves forward and finds a loot chest. Too excited to check for traps, she tears it open to find a carved ivory lion with gems for eyes.

Brother Charity scoots around, avoiding Tarragon’s eye line. She growls at him as he goes by, but no-one hears that.

Gideon finds another chest and tries to kick it open but it just rocks back and forth. It doesn’t seem locked upon inspection, so he flips it open to find a blue gem and a sheet of parchment (first level spell scroll). He rolls a D6; a 3. It is a sorcerer spell. He has a bunch of spells so he offers it to Ahleqs.

Gideon rolls a d20 - he gets a 9. It is a scroll of Feather Fall. “Ah! That’s useful!” If he copies it into his book instead of casting it from the scroll, he can learn it. He’ll stuff it into a pocket. He checks on his flumph; it is safe in its pocket-aquarium.

Does Ahleqs want to interact with the chest he’s found? He’s seen others do it; he will try to remember what Melaina does after she says “I’ll check for traps”. He rolls a 17 and doesn’t find any. He can’t find the macro to roll for treasure at first; he gets it together and opens the chest to find 140sp.

Have we looted this part of the dungeon already - oh shit there’s some kind of slurping, gurgling growl. Melaina runs back to hide behind the pillar. We might have to deal with them bones, the ones blocking that pathway... 

Brother Charity sweeps dramatically down the stairs toward Tarragon and attempts an ode - Matthew plays the worst audio I’ve ever heard. It’s a very badly sung song, ending with a marriage proposal.

Tarragon: “Does 23 hit you?”

Charity: “23 hits the fuck out of me.” She does 9 bludgeoning damage with her quarterstaff.

DM: “So you were actually singing that?” Ohhhhh nooooo. This is DM speak for ‘good luck fuckers, the Flesh Ripper heard you.’

We all immediately shit ourselves, but nothing happens straight away. We are all still digging in the bones. Kessler moves forward to Goblin Smash the pile; not the most stealthy tactic. We persuade her to wait a moment before going ham on the bones.

Melaina thinks she could squeeze through the little gap at the top. She and Tarragon make Stealth and Dex checks while Brother Carl helps Brother Charity up; Charity takes a health potion.

Melaina can’t quite get through the hole, but Tarragon scrambles up and through it - not quietly, however.

She finds the Flesh Ripper.

Tarragon presses herself into the wall on the other side - she makes a stealth check with Guidance and manages to keep out of its sight. (Notes are a little spotty from here as I am panicking.)

Tarragon makes a Minor Illusion of the thing on the other side of the pile of bones so the others can see it.

Ed: “Put that away! Put that back in the monster deck!”

Ahleqs casts Mage Hand to cover his eyes, only then realising that its translucent.

Can we fit the armoured goblin through the gnome hole?

Charity asks if he can cast a proprietary spell; Gideon wants to know how many musical numbers are involved. None, his solar plexus has learned his lesson.

He scrambles up and tries to follow his true love through the hole. He’s doing great stealth, but his DEX isn’t going so well so he is struggling to scramble through. He manages eventually, and joins Tarragon on the other side.

Tarragon whisper-apologises for hitting him but says she doesn’t want to marry him. He presses his finger to his own lips, and then to hers; she bites him. He rolls CON to keep from yelping with pain but fails, and we roll initiative.

FUCKkkkkkkkckKKKKCKKkk!

Joe mutes his microphone so he can laugh, and the Flesh Ripper descends upon Charity and Tarragon.

It does something called Whirlwind of Claws which forces a DC19 DEX save. (DC! 19!!!) Tarragon and Charity both fail and take 44 - that’s FORTY FOUR - points of damage. The attack pushes the rest of the bones out of the tunnel, letting the others in behind us thankfully. Charity also does some cold damage to the thing when it hits him.

They all roll initiative and join us.

Joe: I will say one word to you before we start: Primara. (The unicorn!)

Gideon goes first and busts out the big guns. He can cast Fireball at the thing’s head and miss us, because it’s so huge. He also thinks the stonework will take a blast, so he goes for it. It fails its DEX save, ha HA! That means that it takes 27 fire damage and anything flammable in the area also bursts into flame. “Take that, you big monstrosity - die!”

Can it see those of us on the other side of the little tunnel? Yes, because it’s crouching down and looking for us.

Ahleqs also does a Fireball.

Tarragon, panicked, Rages and goes Brown bear.

Melaina shoots with her bow, with a 22 which hits. She does 28 damage. How de do dis??? Please??? She moves back into the water.

Kessler runs at the thing and smashes it with her Thunder Gauntlets. Dirty 20 to hit, for 11 Thunder damage. She uses Fury of the Small to do another 6 damage on top, and goes for another punch. 22 to hit, and ten more Thunder damage. Good opening salvo. As she’s using Guardian armour, she can force disadvantage on the Flesh Ripper if it attacks anyone other than her for the next round. Noice.

Brother Carl is up. He prepares himself for another round of combat in a water trough, as Matthew forgot about him. He makes a DEX check to climb up the side and rolls an 8 which is a failure. He uses the rest of his movement to stand up and look sheepish.

Brother Charity, and the Flesh Ripper is on deck. “I think we may have got off on the wrong foot here…” he casts Magical Glove, aka Shillehglghlbhgllehhlahh. 23 hits, and he does 12 bludgeoning and 2 fire damage. Fire damage? Huh.

The flesh ripper makes a multi attack which gives it FIVE ATTACKS. It misses Kessler with its bite and goes for a slash with its claws, so she reaction-shields. It claws again and misses, and goes for another which also misses.

It does Whirlwind of Claws again. Charity and Kessler go down, and Tarragon is almost re-gnomed.

Gideon calls us back, hoping that those of us still up can hear him. He then does a Ray of Enfeeblement on the Flesh Ripper. He misses. “BALLLLLLLS!”

Kessler, raising her unconscious head for a moment for a spot of sass: “I really dislike that dwarf.”

Gideon: “At least I’ll be alive next round.”

(Savage. lol.)

Ahleqs calls Primara, who rolls initiative to join us.

That was his bonus action. He apologises to Primara for getting her killed, then does another fireball. It makes its save and Ahleqs rolls low on the damage, so it only takes 8 fire. Ahleqs, to himself: “Do I run away?”

Primara moves forward to do a Healing Touch on Brother Charity, who regains consciousness and 11HP. He assumes it was something he did. She then casts Shimmering Shield on Tarragon, which gives her a +2 bonus to her AC.

Bear-Tarragon makes a multi attack and hits twice; the thing is starting to look ‘mildly wounded’. She’ll take it.

Melaina tries Hideous Laughter. “Bazinga.” It fails its save, yay! It falls prone, and incapacitated. We have a choice here - we can cut and run or marmalise it. She rolls to see which way it falls - it collapses on bear-Tarragon, who is trapped underneath it and takes 9 damage.

Kessler makes a death save and rolls a 7 - a fail.

Brother Carl tries to get out of the stuff again. (Maybe he and Popcorn should babysit each other.) He rolls a 4.

Brother Charity is up next. He takes a risk and uses a bonus action to use his healer’s kit. He has to roll 13 or more - and gets a 24. (He injects himself with adrenaline. “I’M ALIVE!!!!”) He Cure Woundses the living shit out of Kessler with a fourteen and shlblgheghldsdllghhs the Flesh Ripper with a Nat 20! Stunning blow - Max damage and the target must make a DC14 Con save or be stunned. (If this fails, it’s back on its feet as it has saved from the Hideous Laughter now.) He lucks out - the Ripper rolls a 7 and is stunned!

It misses its turn as it’s stunned. (It automatically fails saving throws now.) Boom for big fireball damage from Gideon - but no, it only takes 21 fire damage.

Ahleqs is up. “Okay. Um. Do I have to climb out?” (of the bone rubble). Yes, a DC10 DEX check to get out. “It’ll be fine, it’ll be fine, check this out. Yay! Just enough.” He rolls an 11. He stands behind Charity and casts Burning Hands at level 2 for 14 fire damage. It looks a bit bloodied. Huh. Ahleqs gets a nosebleed and takes a few steps back.

Primara is up next. She comes up to Tarragon and does a Healing Touch to give her 11 HP back, and then Shimmering Shield again, and darts back out of range. Me, OOC: “Thank you, I say in Bear.”

Bear-Tarragon does another multi-attack - one hits the other misses, doing ten damage total.

Melaina takes aim with her bow, with encouragement from Goose. 28 damage! (Sophie, OOC: “That’s actually pretty disappointing damage.”)

Kessler is next. She gets up and clicks her neck. She goes right for the groin with her Thunder Gauntlets, 18 to hit and 6 Thunder damage. The second below the belt shot is only a ten so it misses. She dodges around it and disengages as her bonus action.

What does Brother Carl want to do? Splash around in the water? Play with a rubber duck? He decides to try the plank to help himself get out and rolls an 8 STR check. He punches the wall. DM is feeling charitable; he can make a DEX check as well if he likes. Nat 20! He basically levitates out of the water. Ahleqs holds up a little placard with ‘9.5’ on it.

Brother Charity is up. “Ohhhhh balls.” He sighs and does shillebblhlghsfflgjhheh. “Twelvesies?” That’s a miss. “I gently pat him on the shin.” Bonus action - healing potion. Wise. He regains 5HP.

It does the whirlwind again - Tarragon is gnomed and knocked out, and Charity also goes down. The flesh ripper crawls over him to get to the others.

It then hits Brother Carl with a 30 and a 19 - 49 slashing damage total. He goes down, no duh.

Gideon is next, and he casts Haste on Melaina. More speed, AC, DEX and attacks. Woo! He’s basically turned her into a superhero.

Kessler: “Or a super villain.”

Melaina hurriedly: “Shut up…”

Ahleqs is up. He doesn’t need to be in melee with it so that Melaina gets advantage, right? Cool, then he will cast Misty Step and not needlessly throw his life away. For his action he can do a cantrip, so he does Eldritch Blast and uses ToC. “Is that a good idea…?”

Chorus of “Do it do it do it.” Big money, no whammies. Two hits! 7 damage, plus 3. ten total, and he rolls on the old chart. 51: A spectral shield hovers near him for the next minute, granting him +2 to AC and immunity to Magic Missile attacks. He’s protected from Kessler if she goes more rogue than usual, sweet.

Primara moves forward to gently nuzzle Tarragon and brings her back with 11HP. She gives her a quizzical look, and says “teleport?” in her head in Elvish. Tarragon is good in here, but thanks. She politely declines and prepares to do some more battering.

She casts Greater Shilldhbbblhlshggewehh, and hits with a 21 for just 9 damage. “What? This spell is BALLS!” (In addition to the ‘DM win’ button, Joe apparently has an ‘offer false hope’ button.)

Melaina rolls to hide with a 23. “Hidden?” Yes. She shoots twice; thanks Ed. She misses twice. “Sorry, Gideon, I’m wasting my gift.”

Kessler is going to - let’s see… Magic Missile…? Would need to cast it at level 2… That would be four darts… (Ahleqs from the back, sounding pleased: “I’m immune to that.”) No, she thinks her crossbow will do more damage, so she takes aim once at each head. the first misses, as does the second. Bonus action she drinks a GHP.

(Matthew OOC: “Can I just point out that Magic Missile would have hit four times.”)

Brother Carl makes a death save, and passes with a 14. Charity rolls a death save and passes. He gets HP back… It’s a thing he can do. Hmmm.

He is still under the flesh ripper though. He casts Vampiric Touch on it. Can’t miss, as his face is pressed against its undercarriage. Can he have ADV on the roll? Yeah, okay. Oh, apparently he can miss. 

Tarragon and Kessler see, to our horror, the wounds on the hide of the thing start to knit back together.

Tarragon: “Ah, fuck.”

Kessler: “That ain’t right.”

It turns around and does the whirlwind thing again; Tarragon goes down. It crawls over her and attempts to eat Primara. It attacks with a 22 and does 14 slashing damage, then attacks again with a 30 for 19 damage. Then attacks AGAIN with a 22. Then it bites her with a 23 and does 10 piercing and 2 poison damage.

Primara casts Heal Self - phew! Then she teleports herself and Tarragon out of there. Gideon’s turn.

He can see the flesh ripper’s weird grey bits, so he has line of sight. He doesn’t have an awful lot of time for this creature so he burns it again, hoping that the burning prevents the regeneration. DEX save! He is running out of spell slots though. It rolls a 19 - “Ah, that bitch!” It’s still engulfed in flame though. He might have a scroll here somewhere… He has invincib - no, invisibility. (Invincibility would be pretty fuckin’ useful.)

Gideon may cut and run, it depends how the rest of this goes. For the time being, he will hang around. How generous. “Use fire!” he directs us all.  

Ahleqs spends some time calculating distance before casting Eldritch Blast with ToC. He rolls a dirty 20 and a 17 for 8 total Force damage. “That’s a small number!” Creatures have Disadvantage on saves versus his next spell for a minute. That’s good.

Now comes the sad moment where we see the unicorn removed from the turn order, probably. She has a legendary action and uses it to heal herself. So not dead just yet, but she can’t do much else this turn.

Tarragon passes a death save. “Yeah. Winning at life.”

Melaina has been watching the ripper with her beady little peepers. (Ed returns from somewhere. “Is it dead? Did we win?”) Can she hide, on the basis that she can see it but it can’t see her? Yes, so she rolls a 27. She is hidden! She shoots with a 21 for 27 damage, and takes her second attack. She risks using Sharpshooter again, but misses. She has extra movement from the Haste spell, so she uses it to step over Brother Carl’s body and move a little further away from the Flesh Ripper. 

Kessler rolls a death save - an 18.

Brother Carl rolls a death save - a 2, so a fail.

Charity rolls a death save - a 5, so another fail.

The Flesh Ripper takes a turn, and uses it to do whirlwind of claws against Ahleqs and Gideon. Even if he passes, Ahleqs is going down. Oh, also Melaina gets to roll versus this attack as well, Joe says. Gideon, predictably, fails the save. Less predictably, he is still up after the attack. Melaina makes the save so she only takes 22 damage. Only! No wait - she has Evasion. No wait, no she doesn’t, we’re only level 6. She has Uncanny Dodge though, so she takes quarter damage, so 11. “No thank you! Not today!”

It’s still got four attacks. Aw, fuck.

It bites Gideon. “That modifier is monstrous, I hate it.” He goes down. “I should have run away, no!!! Oh, what a horrible place to die!”

Melaina is the last one standing.We could legitimately be looking at a TPK, here...

At least our bones will all lay together.

The only thing Primara can do is resurrect us if we die, and she can only do that once; she darts away and tries to hide so she can emerge and save us if we actually die.

Gideon rolls a death save (ten - pass), as does Ahleqs (also a ten). Then Tarragon (18).

Wait - Gideon’s Haste spell in Concentration. When he goes down it drops. Ed, reading the spell description for the first time - “oh no! Oh fuck! Ohhhh…” In his defence, he wasn’t expecting to get mullered in one round.

Melaina can’t move on her turn now, or take actions until her next turn because the Haste has dropped. Can she go limp and slide into the water like an octopus? The DM - very generously - lets her take a bonus action to hide. “I can feel a natural 1 coming on…” She rolls a 14 total - the thing’s Passive Perception is 12, so she is hidden. Skin of our knickers.

Kessler makes her next death save with a 17. The Brothers also make saves; Carl rolls an 8 and Charity a 19. Ahleqs rolls a death save and gets a 9 - a fail.

Ed, OOC: “We can salvage this!”

Primara has a go at Entangling the flesh ripper; she thinks it’s probably pointless to try, but it rolls a 13 to save versus the spell and is entangled! Yay!

Tarragon fails her next death save. Melaina is up. Can she get past it? She can dash as a bonus action… She shoots at it while hidden first, using her ‘everything-I’ve-got’ button. 18 hits, but she only gets 27 damage. DM tells us not to run - we are SO CLOSE to killing it. Melaina runs to join Primara, whose space she can share because the unicorn is Tiny.

Kessler makes her death save and stabilises. Brother Carl rolls a nat 1 - and dies.

Fuck.

Brother Charity rolls a success on his save with an 11. The Flesh Ripper tries to break free of the Entangle - and fails! Yay! It regenerates some HP though.

Gideon makes a death save - and gets a 19. He’s closer to being alive than dead - but in a death save sense, not a general sense. Ahleqs rolls a ten - another success.

Ed realises he missed a death save, and rolls it now - he succeeds, and Gideon stabilises. Yay! That was a good decision.

Primara is up. Joe checks some spells… She can’t do anything to help so she stays put. Tarragon fails a death save. (Next turn, either way...) 

Melaina sneaks to the door and hides, and shoots - but misses with a ten. She recedes back like a turtle into her cave.

Kessler stabilises.

Brother Carl is dead, so Brother Charity rolls a save and he stabilises too. Phew.

Flesh Ripper goes next, and tries to break free but is still Entangled! Here’s our Hail Mary.

Ahleqs rolls another death save - and succeeds, stabilising. “In a number of hours, I can crawl my horrid carcass…”

Tarragon fails her last death save - and dies.

Fuck.

Melaina rolls a 13 to hide. She shoots with an 18 and hits, for 28 damage - how-de-do-dis!

The arrow goes into one of its’ horrible heads, which looks at the other head and goes “what the fuck!” And it dies. Joe plays some horrible audio. Final Fantasy Fanfare!

Primara comes out and says she has the power to bring one of us back - but only one. They have to choose - Brother Carl, or Tarragon.

Gideon thinks it’s not a hard choice. Melaina doesn’t want to say it too quickly.

They wait an hour while Primara goes about raising Tarragon from the dead, by casting the spell Raise Dead. Some of the others regain consciousness over the course of the hour. There are no more monsters around, so we can take a rest if we want.

We very much do want.

On the plus side, we can level up - yay!

[shardclan]

The temptation offered to Telos began to break down after mere seconds of her looking at it. As with Ilkilides so many moons before, she was already in the world that contained her ideal, and she was well on the path to it.

She casually tore and tied off her skirts as the facets struggled to produce some deeper desire or alternate interpretation of the contents of her heart. The heavy suede skirts she had favored in her youth would have been perfect, but they weren't exactly appropriate attire for a queen. And those damn merchants were so stubborn she couldn't get out of audience with them. Trouble in the Hewn City, one of the most mysterious places in Sornieth, whose denizens were mentioned in only the most trembling whispers, and their main priority was badgering her to re-open passage through Thunder's March.

It was far from the first time Telos had mentally marked the lot of them as completely up their collective asses.

"Having trouble, creature?" she called into the dark. "Come now, you're many ages old; showing me a glimpse of the exalted realm should be simple for you. My scion was still shedding her hatchling scales when she did it."

A sound like glass crunching and grinding underfoot rose from everywhere, so close she could feel it vibrating the hairs all over her body.

"I don't know what that emotion is, but now I know you can hear me." Telos clenched her fists inside the feathered bracers, willing the light around them to grow brighter and assure her that she was alone. "You're gonna wish Renat had gotten you first."

The grinding intensified, but just as quickly it faded away. No murky attempts at her desired world haunted the edges of the dark. She was properly alone now, and she reached to her hip to make use of it.

"Wake up."

The wildclaw skull mounted where her rapier usually sat didn't answer until she dug her fingers into the empty sockets and rattled it alive. "Alright, alright..." it whispered wearily, and then, as she lifted it to eye level, "Oh? Oh my my..."

It bounced out of her hand, and she lifted the oracle's veil up over hand hand in time to see the shape of the water seer take complete its materialization. He looked untouched, if not even better than when he had been alive.

"A body again," he crooned. "How charmi--" Telos' fist cracked into his face. The scales and flesh parted like smoke and a tooth sailed off into the dark, a deep crack fissuring Opal's skull from where it had been. He screamed and clutched at his face. Though she hadn't technically been able to touch his body, she had touched something far more important, and the ghostly image poured with blood that dripped from his snout only to vanish in mid air. "My thooth!" he groaned between his tiny claws.

Telos clenched her fists, not with anger but restraint. Her eyes glittered wild and merry with how good it felt to know she had finally repaid him even the smallest taste of the misery he had caused her. She could have happily crushed his skull right then and there and sent him to his second death, the whole way laughing about how close it was to the anniversary of his first. She could have turned him to dust beneath her fists, shattered him with a punch for every life lost, every home destroyed, and maybe, finally, she would have been free of the single burning coal of rage that still sat in her heart like a rotted egg.

But she needed him. For now. "You're dead, have some fucking dignity."

He shot her a glare, stregthened by complete loathing but weakened by his bleeding nose. "You weren't concerned with the dead having dignity when you had me pressed into a bucket of shit."

"Ground in under Hart's boot," Telos recalled with warmth in her heart. "Camellia said you screamed like a wounded harpy."

His anger diffused and his fear grew, and the more real he seemed to be. And sure enough the color began to seep back into their surroundings. Murky at first and then taking the definitive shape of some unfamiliar shoreline and of the wildclaw still alive and well in the company of Magdaer and Ascalon. But there was something unusual about it...

"What is that?" the specter demanded.

"A version of reality where your plans were more successful." She lifted the veil to look with one unconvered eye, and didn't see it. "We're in the company of an Outsider. Well, more like inside the Outsider. I brought you here to help me save my son, so don't get any ideas."

Despite what she cosidered an ample warning, the spirit of the seer was drawn almost immediately toward its living counterpart. A rumble shook the entire vision, and it faded rapidly to a single crystalized image. One, Telos noted, while checking her vision with and without the veil, contained an image of Hitth--despite the water see having never seen Hitth before.The grind came back with sadistic speed and enclosed on both Telos and Opal only to stop mere inches short as though repelled.

Opal had chosen. But Opal was dead; a spirit giving itself an intangible shape thanks to the strange energies of the Outsider's domain. If there was anything alive in him, it was Camellia's magic, and that too was an outside force. For Telos, it was quite the proof of concept that the wildclaw had been able to trigger Hitth despite having no brain or heart. But the essence was there, and that was apparently enough. Without devouring anything, Opal’s world shrank down to a single mirror image, and Telos knew that was how it gained facets. 

She also had context for much of the cryptic information she had been given by Techne.

“I kept wondering why it bothered to eat dragons when these are the source of its strength,” she mused as she approached the facet. “ Kept treating it like it had to make sense--maybe it ate our magic, maybe it really needed to eat us for some kind of sustenance. But it doesn’t. It eats us because it’s greedy.” She looked over her shoulder. “Not unlike you, who played with an entire clan’s lives simply because they were there and you were bored.”

Opal’s eyes were unrepentant, but he was a beaten and weary entity. Telos’ fist was merely the most recent shock in the string of punishments he’d received, all of which were paltry against the fact of his continued sentience. Lutia had taken the life from him, but Camellia had forbidden him his proper death. Nothing--not the offal, the spit, or even the shit--had proved to be worse than that.

It was with defeat that he asked, “What do you want from me, Telos?”

“You’re going to help me put this Outsider in its place.”

She gave her full attention to the facet, focusing her full attention on the shape of it. When she touched it, the vision of Hitth inside stirred and hissed. The words on the scroll rose to her mind.

You can never choose a reality that isn’t yours. But if true sight is with you, it is yours to touch.

The punch came as she’d been taught, winding from her leg to her hip to her shoulder and explosively out through the bracer. A brilliant burst of light magic flowed through the twisting wood. Inside the mirror surface, Telos briefly saw the image of the pearlsnatcher scream and distort before the whole thing shattered into a mercurial cloud and fell like cold ash.

“That’s one...” She looked up, feeling emboldened by the success, and was greeted by what looked like a dark sky full of glittering stars. Each one a facet that wasn’t hers. “Next one is on you.”

“I hate to break it to you but I’m not as good at punching things as I am at manipulation.”

She took a deep breath to keep her patience and grabbed him through the eye sockets, dragging the skulls and his half-manifested form behind her. “Just shut up and do what I say.”