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Post by data-bull on Aug 15, 2019 0:02:12 GMT -6
Rose
Visibly angered by Amber's response, Rose huffed loudly and stood her ground. Lowlanders could not be reasoned with. But perhaps these Dolma would understand. Enough to help the Flanks gain the upper hand.
"True, no one clan does not make the Forged, and yet your War Lord and those who came before her have sought to create just that haven't they? A single clan to oppress all others."
But her frustration was suddenly kindled to anger as the shifting of soil revealed the devil herself. Hira. She didn't know by what sorcery the War Lord had come to be among them, but something about it didn't seem right. The mare stiffened. Unsure how Grigori would react, she remained planted between the Flanks and their opposition. Attention solely focused on Hira.
"Finally come to fight your own battles, cow?", she hissed. Raising her war hammer across her body, she steeled herself for a fight. Though whether it'd involve keeping the lowlanders back or the foal behind her she wasn't yet sure. "Whatever happens, don't lose the child.", she whispered to her comrades. He was all they had left, and if he was lost then so were the Flanks. |
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 16, 2019 3:57:48 GMT -6
 Calder;Elder's Circle
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
A fast moment, just in the corner of his eye, attracted his attention only a moment before everything turned pitch black. The silence is unnerving. One should assume that whatever had cast that shadow must make some noise, but for a while the only thing he could hear was the breath of his fellow clan members.
The light touch of feathers at his side gave him something to hold on and so the stallion thankfully leaned slightly against Shrikes wing.
"HALT!"
The shouted word resounded menacingly through the cave, the voice of the caller was completely foreign to him.
Once again the earth moved and created a barrier between their small group and the others. Others?
They were lowlanders, easy to notice by their appearance and language. These were not the others he worried about. No his concern were the...not that healthy looking...corpses directly in front of them.
Calder was a born Flank, he had seen everything in connection with Necromancy. It was nothing to be afraid of. Yet what was happening before his very eye shouldn't be possible.
A discussion flared up around him, everyone was trying to get win these unicorns over. And that for a very good reason. This encounter would not go by without a fight, and these half rotten warriors could give either group a significant advantage.
"We'd never forsake one of us. These cowards have become comfortable telling their lies, even to themselves. The wealth of Onea is nowadays build on the lives of those that leave this country in chains. Tell me, warriors of Dolma, do you think Kaia would want to see her children sold to and enslaved by the fire worshipers?"
There was nothing but scorn in his voice.
Suddenly the situation changed again. The barely contained, underlying aggression boiled over.
Hira was here.
Why? And how?
Routinely he drew his glaive and glanced at his comrades. "If she is really here we can't let this opportunity slip. Let's kill that traitor."
Yes it was dangerous to start an attack, especially if those undead unicorns should decide to defend the lowlanders, but the removal of Hira would be worth any losses on their side.
Without her the Flanks would reach their goals.
They could decide everything here and now.
WC: 378 | Post 4 |
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 16, 2019 4:21:47 GMT -6
 Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant.Thoughtfully but tensed he listened to the exchange of blows between the groups. He himself wasn't agreeable with all of Hira's decisions, but he also had seen the terrible consequences of war. Her actions might not all be justifiable, but she had managed to keep her people out of the worst. And that he was grateful for.
"Why isn't Onea meant to be a land of peace?" he suddenly asked, glancing at the grullo mare. "Is a continuous war really what you want? For yourself and your people?"
The situation was about to get out of hand. He had noticed that Edmond had removed himself from the group, just to reappear as Hira moments later. And Fijalahr wasn't sure if that was a wise decision. Her sight even fueled the Flanks anger and he still worried that the Dolma warriors would choose to fight with their enemies.
But since Edmond already started this he would do his best to aid him.
The dark stallion now focused on the young kirin behind the stone barrier. He couldn't see Grigori, but was still able to sense his mind.
"Do not be afraid"
His voice was calm and reassuring as he spoke telepathically with foal. Slowly but surely he ensured that Grigori would block out his environment more and more. The Flanks towering before him were nothing to fear and the Dolma warriors appeared also like normal horses to him, and not like corpses.
Everything turned a little fuzzy, except for the sight of Hira, his mother.
"Your mother is calling you. Come here, come to her. She has missed you Grigori. She and your sister both."
It was risky for sure, but Fijalahr highly doubted that the Flanks would harm the child. They needed him, alive and well. But when the unicorns witnessed how the Flanks tried to hold him back, a young child, kidnapped and kept hostage, maybe it would convince them not to side with the castoff.
In any case, having to watch the child would at least ensure that one or two Flanks would stay out of the fight.
WC: 350 | Post 5 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Aug 16, 2019 20:28:10 GMT -6
Ordell
ft. Astrid, Grigori and Dolma warriors As the conversation and accusations flew through the cavern, Ordell kept their gaze steady on the Dolma, finned head held high. Only once did they glance away, and it was to meet the gaze of Astrid. Relations between them had never been... the easiest, even before the collapse of Ghosthold and the intertwining of the Cult. Yet the two equines' eyes met briefly in that cavern, and they smiled. Del's smile was tight, grim, gone in a flash. Astrid's was wilder, a boulder leaping and falling down a hill. Wild. Heedless of anything in its path. As one, they turned back to the Dolma, who were listening very intently. Del's eyes tracked the glimmer of light off of an exposed rib as one shifted weight.
"They have no defense," Del said softly, when there was a lull. "How could tyrants and slavers defend themselves?" As far as they were concerned, they had this in the bag. Indeed, the warriors were shifting and muttering ominously, clearly upset over the repeated accusations that the Forged now paid blood tribute to the fire worshipers.
And then Hira Stonehoof stepped from the shadows, and called to her son. And for the first time, Grigori lifted his head. Astrid hissed, and Del tensed, but it seemed as if the child was too frightened to act. Until something changed. Grigori's ears flicked as if they were listening to someone, though none seemed to speak directly to him, and then he took a shivering step forwards, and then another.
And stood in the light.
The Dolma warriors drew their weapons, every single one of them.
"A child of Ignacio," they hissed, cursed, condemned. Fury, shock, and even fear flashed in their eyes as they beheld Grigori's form.
"Kirin indeed he is," Ordell said loudly, drawing the attention of the bristling warriors. "And he is the War Lord's son, of her own flesh. A testament, perhaps, to how deeply the ties between the "unified" War-Forged and Aodhians run." In truth Del felt nothing but curiosity regarding the Kirin phenomenon, but they knew when to press an advantage.
There was a silence. Then the unicorn wielding Sibba stepped forwards, as if to better look at Grigori.
"Onea should be a land of peace," he rumbled, and while many of the warriors nodded in agreement, some did not. "But not at the price of your fellows. Some things are worth fighting for. And to traffic in your own flesh and blood to the children of Ignacio's benefit-" he shook his head, disgust palpable in his words.
Sibba's light fell on Edmond-who-was-Hira. The relic shuddered, and then released a low, dissonant sound, metal striking against stone, or perhaps the breaking of a bell. And for a heartbeat, for a flicker, Edmond's true form was revealed beneath Sibba's influence.
Del's lips skimmed over their teeth in another grim smile.
"Changeling," the Sibba-wielder snarled. "Are none here true to Kaia? Have you all lost your way?"
The cavern began to shudder again. And the warriors began to drift, some towards Hira's group, and some towards the Flanks. Sibba's wielder looked at them, and his own teeth flashed.
"They divide even us, then?"
"We wish for no divide," Del said. "Only for a free Onea, one who does not pander to Eithne or peddle in the slave trade."
The cavern rumbled again.
"We could help build that Onea again," the hybrid continued. "We would be honored to have you at our side as we do."
Post 5 | 581 words
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Post by data-bull on Aug 16, 2019 20:51:11 GMT -6
Rose
The mare's suspicions were confirmed as Sibba revealed 'Hira's true nature. She immediately leaped to Grigori, teeth bared and war hammer raised to anyone who would stop her. Whether for her clan or herself, she refused to allow the child to be lost.
"We need to go.", she shouted to the Flanks. "Shrike, can you find us a way out?"
Taking stock of those who had joined them, Rose nodded a quick thanks. At least there were some among the strange warriors who understood. And though she remained uncertain of whatever magic had shaped them, she wasn't about to turn any willing help away.
"Grigori, buddy I know it's scary but we need to run now, okay?", she said to the foal, voice reassuring but tinged with insistence and panic. If not for the cave in she'd have called Thorn to her side, but there was no telling where they'd emerge, assuming they got out of Mt. Skeldr alive.
Sides had been chosen, it seemed, and as Del's words moved some among the Dolma, Rose made for the exit. Urging the others to do the same as the cavern became increasingly unstable. |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Aug 16, 2019 22:35:14 GMT -6
 Edmond wasn't leaving without the boy.
Hooves to the ground, he felt his anger growing. As he continued to hold Hira's shape, memories began to surface involving the boy. The pain of birth, the gentle care of a mother's embrace. There were so many small things that pushed his agenda forward, forcing him to remember the way the earth had shook when Hira had looked at him.
He knew, as he remembered the interaction from her perspective, that she hadn't wanted to dance the same weary dance, that they both normally enjoyed riling each other, and for a moment... Well, for a moment he felt justified. Slowly, his tired gaze turned towards the horses who considered him impure due to his changling blessing. How they knew was not a concern of his.
He would tear them down if they stood in his way. Kathra moved beside him, and out of the corner of his eye, he was aware that she was shifting. No matter what, they would not let the kirin slip between their hooves. Closeness to Ignacio or not, Edmond was not about to let a child be used as a hostage while he was here, especially not the child he had played with all those months ago.
This... this was personal.
Without a word spoken between the two, the stallion let loose his plants. The cavern shook at the force as he reached into the soil, searching for the seeds that would grow and using them to block the path of the Bloody Flanks.
They would pay for what they had done. He was not a true War Forged? He'd show them, if only because he knew Kaia had seen his worth before birth, blessing him in the womb. Kicking into the ground, he shot forward, eyes on the light one, Rose as she convinced Grigori to come with.
He ignored Sibba and the sentiments of the others. Here and now, it was the child he wanted. Sustaining Hira's form, he wished, not for the first time, that holding the changling ability gave him some of Hira's gifts.
The cavern was shaking, the enemies were trying to break for the exist, and Edmond rushed forward, barreling a path towards the Bloody Flanks in a smaller body than he was really used to. A new kind of instinct held him hostage, a mother's instinct he had never quite been able to connect with before. Being a changling came with its own forms of drawbacks, and although he knew that the War Lord held no secrets, diving face first into her memories wasn't entirely pleasant. He wanted nothing more than to save the child, to bring him home and let her rest.
She needed the rest. She needed the win, and for the first time, Edmond was more than willing to admit that he shouldn't needle her. It would be a welcome gift. Edmond trusted Kathra to make the right moves.
He struck at the white one. There was no way they were leaving this place without a fight.
Post #6 | Word Count: 500
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 17, 2019 5:46:24 GMT -6
Calder;Elder's Circle
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
It was not a surprise that the situation escalated, not to him. The circumstances that lead to that however were indeed.
They all had enough time over the last months to get used to the fact that the kirins were back. Grigori was a kirin, a factor that everyone was used to by now. Except for the recently reanimated warriors of Dolma.
Of course they weren't prepared. Until now Calder hadn't even wasted a thought on that matter.
Well by now it was too late for that anyways.
The cave around them rumbled, as if the earth itself was angry about the fight that was about to be carried out beneath her soil.
He heard Roses call and spun around to rush to her aid after he saw that the a small group, including the one that just unleashed the plants, was om their heels. The sight if the lowlander-disguised-as-Hira attacking the grullo mare only fueled his anger even further.
With a furious snarl he catched up with them and rammed the, now much smaller, unicorn without even thinking of the adverse consequences. The clash vibrated painfully through his bones and he almost tripped over his feet, but if he managed to distract the Hira imposer long enough it would be worth it.
"Rose, grab Astrid and the kid and run!" he shouted still a little out of breath from the maneuver and quickly reached out with his teke to grab the glaive that he had accidentally dropped.
If they lost Grigori the clans plans would be severely thrown back. They couldn't allow it.
And, if he was honest to himself, he also wanted to keep Rose out of the worst. He knew that she could defend herself quiet well, but it still wasn't easy to see her admits the danger.
"GO!" he hissed insistently again, before he turned around to face Edmond again.
WC: 314 | Post 5 |
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Post by data-bull on Aug 17, 2019 6:20:02 GMT -6
Rose
Barely spared from the Hira impersonator’s attack, Rose looked back to see her mentor collide with their pursuer. She was about to call out to him but was cut off by his own words. Though she hated the thought of leaving him there to fight alone, she knew she would only hold him back. Further urging Grigori to follow suit, she then turned her attention to Astrid.
“Astrid!”, she shouted, craning her head to find her cousin, “We have to leave, now!” Part of Rose doubted that she would listen; she had changed during her time in the cult. Become fearless in ways that seemed unnatural. She only hoped that the threat of imminent death would prove motivation enough.
Forging ahead, she brandished her war hammer across her body, ready to swing should anyone else give chase. Reaching out to Thorn’s mind, she sought signs of an exit from the outside. But it would take time, and they would have to hold off the lowlanders until then. And hope that their battle didn’t bring the cave down on top of them all. |
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 17, 2019 7:31:28 GMT -6
Shrike Bloody Flanks Scout
The moment of falsehood in the lowlander's deception was a catalyst for everything happening after. The cavern began to tremble, bits of debris falling from the stalactites above as the groups below readied for war. Shrike met eyes (or at least what should have been eyes) with the Dolma warriors who had moved to join his clan. He was greatful to them.
As the lowlanders moved to attack, Rose's words met his ears. A way out. His eyes shot to hers and the scout gave a hasty nod before leaping toward the stone barrier and the horses seeking to end them.
Using it as a launching point, the pegasus bounded off the stone nimbly and beat his wings to get airborne just above their heads. Behind and below, he could hear the scrape of hooves on stone as the skirmish began. He had to get his clan to safety before they brought the cavern down on themselves.
The scout banked sharply, edges of his oversized wings meeting both the cavern top and floor as he flew perpendicular to the ground with eyes scanning the floor.... and there! He had found their path out.
Astrid, Rose and Grigori were already on the move as he landed nearby with a whistle for them to follow. "This way! See where the floor is worn out? That's the path out. Now go!"
A slight aroma of moss and cool air was drifting in the direction the path led. Shrike carried on after the mares and Hira's kirin child briefly before looking back at his fellow clan members. At a glance over his shoulder, he watched Calder slip on the stony floor and struggle to keep hold of his glaive.
Shrike's feet stopped. He could buy them some time.
Where Calder stood to face Edmond, the lithe pegasus lept over the back of his fellow clansmen in a flash of white. He wouldn't let these lowlanders down the same path his clansmen had taken. With his pike drawn and vines creeping across the cave floor toward him, Shrike yelled to Calder.
"GO! They need your guidance!"
Adrenaline pounded in his ears as the scout readied for combat. He was quick and agile, if the rest of the clan got a head start, he would be able to catch up.
WC: 386 | Post #6
(Shrike's pike has a grand strength imbuement, raising his strength to 60 when in use. He is also maxed out on agility, making him a challenging target to hit.) |
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 17, 2019 8:48:43 GMT -6
Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant. His plan might have worked, if he hadn't underestimated the impact of kirins foals sight onto the dolma warriors. Instead of using the child to win the recently reanimated unicorns to their side, it made them turn against his group - some of them at least.
Others however actually choose their side, but would it be enough support to get hold of the kid again? He didn't knew and in the turmoil that broke loose shortly after it was even harder to say who had the upper hand here.
His gaze wandered around frantically to asses the situation. Fijalahr could feel the bones of many more equines beneath the soil, and considered raising them for a moment. But what was if Sibbah used it's strange magic on them as well? More of these dolma warriors would cause them more harm than good.
Again his eyes wandered around, looking for someone to target with his other blessing. The individuals in the Flanks group appeared almost exclusively like fighters. Many were more leaner than their opponents, a condition probably caused by years of hardship during their exile, yet most of them were well-muscled. Besides their different sizes one of them however had a completely different advantage than the fighters of his own group - wings.
If he was able to take him out of the fight, his comrades could focus on the opponents that were more tangible than the pegasus.
Before he focused on Shrike, he turned his attention towards Edmond, who stood face to face with the Bloody Flank.
"I'll take care of that pegasus, go and focus on the others!" he told the Stone Circle member telepathically, before he took the black headed pegasus into focus.
At first he wasn't talking to him. Instead Fijalahr was looking for the switches, how he called them by now, to take away his senses one by one. Thereby he was carefully taking a few steps back, removing himself from the main battleground to concentrate.
Switch.
From one moment to the others, Shrikes sight began to flicker until a few moments later his world turned black. It must be frightening, not to know whats happening with oneself. Fijalahr almost pitied the Flank. Almost.
Switch.
A crackling sound in his ear, then also Shrikes hearing failed him.
Switch
Even the feeling of stone underneath your hooves as well as the smell of moss is gone. You are alone in that dark place, unable to hear, see or feel, unless a voice halls commanding through your head.
"Where is the rest of you, your hideout?" he asked briskly.
WC: 432 | Post 5summary of this post: Fiji is talking telepathically to Edmond, telling him he should go after someone else than the pegasus. Then he uses his corrupted Telepathy blessing to take Shrike out of the fight for now.
*Note: You can help Shrike by breaking Fijis focus on him. Idk throw something at him or attack him. |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 17, 2019 14:09:45 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
Talk, talk, talk. Amber wasn’t made for talk, she was made for action. These warriors had been clearly gone for too long, death, asleep, either way too far back in time and too removed from the happenings of this world. They couldn’t understand, all that had come to pass over so many years in such short amount of time. “Perhaps Kaia’s judgement should be left to Kaia,” she muttered under her breath. Who else decided who were her children after all. Amber knew she was, no matter what these traitors said. She had Kaia’s blessing bestowed upon her, even when Cascade’s ran as ice through her veins, the earth mother had still had recognized her with that.
She called upon that blessing now, let herself feel that connection. No bones were gong to stop them. Bones. Amber looked sideways with worry, again reminded of the would have been warriors even as she sought an animal nearby enough to rally to their side. How where they living? Was it Sibba’s doing? Kaia? A necromancer of some kind?
Too many questions, too little time. She raised her hammer, going for pursuit. “No matter what.
,” she thought. “The mountain must stand.” Bloody flanks be damned.
Post 5 | 208 words
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Post by leukristic on Aug 17, 2019 14:42:14 GMT -6
KAI
Bloody Flanks Raider All hell breaks loose when Hira steps out onto the stone floor, and even her wife’s quick reflexes aren’t enough to stop Kai’s enraged howl from echoing across the cavern.
It had been Hira and her clan who had wiped out the Redfeather clan, who had taken away their land and holdings, who had banished the Flanks to Ghosthold. It had been Garok’s negligence that had led to the sickness that had claimed most of her clan, beforehand -- he had claimed that unification would be the best thing for all of the clans, but had left those too small to advocate for themselves to suffer and die out, and it had been Hira who had inherited that mantle and had proceeded to further destroy Onea in her quest for ‘unification’.
A flash of the floating weapon reveals that Hira’s form is not true, and her lips pull back into a disgusted sneer. The lowlanders had turned away even farther from Kaia, then, to be accepting such blessings from the other gods.
“Kai,” Her wife hisses, jerking her head towards the back of the lowlanders, where a painted unicorn had separated himself from the chaos. A plan of attack, most likely, or attempting to gather the concentration needed for a blessing -- either way, the draft mare locked eyes on him and threw her bulk forwards with her short sword drawn, another howl of rage echoing from her lips.
She would not allow them to leave with the child, would not allow the lowlanders to take anything else away from her.
When she swings the short sword at Fijalahr, it is with every ounce of her strength behind the blow.
POST 4 | Word Count 278Featuring Hestia. Summary: Hestia points out Fija stepping away from the chaos, and Kai charges at him as fast as her bulk will let her, swinging her short sword to hopefully hit him with it and draw blood. [/quote] |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Aug 17, 2019 16:12:07 GMT -6
Chaos, everything was chaos in that moment as Edmond ran face first into a pegasus who seemed to want nothing more than to ram him face first into the ground. He tried to react by wrapping his angry vines around the horse, but Fijalahr voice echoed through him, causing relief to flood through the stallion at once.
He had the pegasus, without another word, the stallion turned towards Rose and Astrid once more, his eyes, still colored green and still closer to the ground than what he was used to, to find the boy. Wordlessly, he stormed forward, his body picking up speed as his vines wrapped upwards, working to hold the two Bloody Flank horses in place long enough to distract them.
"Kathra! Get Grigori and let's get going!" He thundered, preparing to smite down Rose where she stood. Horn met horn, and Edmond realized that maybe it'd be wise for him to pick up a warhammer or sword to carry on him going forward.
It was too late to regret his choices now though. The others fell into place around him, and for a minute, he felt as if he was rallying the troops against something he could really fight for. The Dolma warriors were split, the War Forged itself were split, everything seemed to be so hectic.
All Edmond saw was the child, and the image of his War Lord filled with a deep seated rage that could not be removed unless her son was returned to her. He let that rage fuel him as he came closer to Rose, taking and trading blows with plant and horn as the other horse responded with a real weapon.
Post #7 | Word Count: 285
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Post by data-bull on Aug 17, 2019 17:16:02 GMT -6
Rose
The sound of Shrike's instructions reached her and Rose bolted for the exit. Sending for Thorn to find the other side, she imagined he would arrive soon enough. She only hoped the path would still be open by the time they reached it. But her attention remained fragmented; keeping Grigori close ever at the forefront of her mind.
No sooner had she been freed of the Hira pretender's pursuit was she back in the lowlander's cross-hairs. When the pony's much smaller form stuck her own she was able to hold fast, but her attacker's successive blows were difficult to counter with such a heavy weapon. The strikes drew blood as she was unable to block them all. So she waited for an opening and swung, arcing her war hammer in a direct course for his head. The metal sang as it sought its target, and she squared herself for the impact, careful to keep herself between her charge and their pursuers. The mare was no brilliant warrior, but she had the strength to deliver a shattering blow and the will to see it through.
POST 8 | Word Count 184
Summary | Rose hears Shrike and makes for the exit, but is intercepted by Edmond. After taking a bit of a beating she retaliates with a full-powered swing aimed at her opponent's head. |
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Post by Zugunruhes on Aug 17, 2019 18:42:31 GMT -6
Basvoq
Harbinger | Shield
The situation was not going the way Basvoq had anticipated nor liked and the lack of control made his skin prickle uncomfortably. Now and then his gaze continued to subtly flit towards Sibba for it was tightly bound under the Dolma's control. The Flanks were one threat, but the power of that warhammer was another thing all-together. Whatever they were to do he knew he had to do what he must to keep the Dolma from burying them in the ancient city with one motion of the hammer.
Another factor had come into play- Edmond disguised as Hira. That, alongside Sibba and the kirin child visibly agitated him and he offered a prayer as he stepped towards the main Dolma warrior. Digend guide me so that I do not let my companions and I become buried down here.
"Do you not wish to see Onea first, before you make up your minds? Come to the surface with us and understand the world as it us from our perspective! There are things too complicated to explain-" Around him rose the cries of battle as his party clashed with the Flanks. He did not move towards the fighting nor Grigori, trusting his first instinct to attempt to reason with the ancient warrior one last time. He remained tense, ready to follow the others if their only option was to escape the underground city.
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 17, 2019 22:11:31 GMT -6
Shrike Bloody Flanks Scout
There he was, standing just ahead of Calder when his vision started to flicker. Shrike glanced up at the lights in the cave, only to realize no one else seemed to be having the same trouble seeing... and then his sight failed completely.
The scout froze, wings suddenly out and against the ground, trying to keep his balance. His head swung back in Calder's direction with wild, unseeing eyes. "Calder, my eyes--- " He managed before a the crinkling in his ears gave away to silence.
Fear overcame him and the scout flailed his wings and legs, fighting to stay upright until his hooves no longer found the ground. He probably screamed in fear but couldn't hear his own voice. Shrike was alone in inky blackness while back in reality, his small body flailed desperately along the cave floor. Wings beat awkwardly, tossing feathers and threatening to pummel anyone within their reach. His short legs struck out at odd angles, too. The boy's face was a grotesque mask of truly blind terror and he continued to thrash. He didn't seem to notice when he ran into the stone wall.
Blackness enveloped him, covered him whole and froze him to his core. As far as he could see, the darkness stood menacingly. No sky, no ground, nothing. Except for a sudden voice.
"Where is the rest of you, your hideout?"
Shrike fought to find his mouth, let alone remember how to form words.
He said: "Ngtt."
WC: 280 | Post #7
(Shrike is completely under the influence of Fiji's blessing. He's thrashing about wildly in a panic, but cannot sense anything around himself anymore.
Watch out for flailing large white wings.
Fiji also picked the dumbest flank of them all to interrogate, sorry Fiji.) |
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Post by Silverfallingstar on Aug 17, 2019 23:05:11 GMT -6
 As words and accusations flashed between the two groups, the young valkyrie held her tounge. She was no diplomat, and clearly these old warriors had no idea how much had changed. If there was anyone who was going to show them that fact and sway them to their side, it wasn't her. Besides, she knew her own temper, and that if she opened her mouth, she'd say something she'd regret.
Namely how her opinions on many aspects of general forged life were a lot more crooked in her eyes after Twitch became a vindicator.
She didn't have long to dwell on that before she found her thoughts pulled towards a particular stone on the ground. It was about the size of her hoof, and almost looks like it could have broken off the side of a building. Carved onto it were spiral, almost serpentine patterns. She reached out and grasped it in her teke, looking it over. For a moment she forgot about everything else. But only a moment. As the scene quickly changed to hostile, Kathra absently tossed the stone into her pack and leapt into action, following shortly behind Edmond masquerading as Hira.
Wordlessly she loosened the straps on her armor, calling upon her shapeshifting to increase her size. She went from the size of a pony to the size of a draft in the span of moments, and she brought her axe to bear as she charged towards the bloody flanks. She wished she had the time to crack some skulls, to earn her grandfathers axe more flank kills, but right now words Kaia had spoken to her months ago rang through her mind
It is your own choices, child, that make you what you are. Do not diminish your own worth. You make your own path.
She knew her choice the moment she swung around with Edmond, with the stallion immediately engaging with the larger mare guarding the smaller mare are Grigori. His call for her was only a conformation of her thoughts. She charged forward, coming up on the side opposite, side stepping out of Rose's immediate path. Quickly as she went by she used her teke to hurl grit and gravel into the pale unicorn's face. Hopefully that should be enough to at least temporarily mess up her vision. Just long enough to allow her to duck around behind to where her cousin was.
"Sorry Grigori, I know this is scary, but you'll be home soon. Annika and your mother have missed you, you know." She said to him as she reached out with her teke to grab the foal, axe grasped firmly ready to swing at someone trying to stop her from doing this. She didn't WANT to have to use her shapeshifting much more than this, it would make collecting Grigori a lot harder, but if it meant scattering the flanks while the others collected her cousin, she'd do it.
If anyone chose to confront her over this, they'd meet her axe. She'd decided on her path, she was a protector, and right now, she'd defend her cousin with her life.
----- Note: Kathra's got max strength and max agility on top of maxed shapeshifting.
Post #4 | Word Count: 526
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 17, 2019 23:18:24 GMT -6
Fijalahr;War-Forged | Ambassador
Even in death may you be triumphant. It was never easy to maneuver in another persons head. Much could go wrong, for both sides, yet he highly favored this variant of the telepathy blessing over the regular one. It gave him more control. The thoughts of strangers didn't haunt him anymore, now he was the one haunting them.
It took some time after his question, before he got any kind of answer out of the Flank.
"Ngtt."
Ngtt? What in Digends name was that? Much could go wrong in a strangers head indeed.
"Okay let's try that again. Where. is. your. hideout?"
A shouted warning, coming from one of the dolma warriors that sided with them, made him look up, just in time to see a large and very angry Flank thundering towards him.
The darkness around Shrike flickers, beginning to let some light in again.
With his mind still too focused on something else to pull his legs together quick enough, his evasive manoeuvre came about the last minute.
A frantic and uncoordinated jump saved him from a wound that might have been fatally, however he could not completely avoid the hit.
Kai's sword cut through the flesh of his flank, leaving a bloody line along his body caused by his very own defensive move.
His heart started to beat hectically in his chest, pain and shock ultimately severing his connection to Shrike.
Still completely taken by surprise he spun around to face Kai. He wouldn't win a fight against her, that he was sure of. At least not a fight face to face.
The situation was too hectic for him to try to use his Telepathy on her, so instead he desperately rammed his front legs into the ground to raise some skeletons to his defense, Sibbah or not he had to risk it.
WC: 299 | Post 6summary of this post: Fiji get's attacked by Kai. She hits him with her sword but he manages to avoid a fatal hit. Thereby his connection to Shrike is severed. The boi is free again. |
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Post by ebbarie on Aug 17, 2019 23:51:45 GMT -6
Calder;Elder's Circle
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
The elderly stallion took in a deep breath to focus on his opponent and the fight. He had nothing left in his life but the Clan and he would happily die for their cause.
Calder raised his Glaive, ready to strike at the unicorn before him, when something white flashed above his head and landed in front of him.
"GO! They need your guidance!"
He only hesitated a moment before he spun around on his heels to go and chase after Rose and the others. Even tho Shrike wasn't a part of the Flanks for that long, Calder had trust in him and his skills. The agile little Pegasus was probably the only one of those left in the cavern that could escape should the earthen walls collapse around them.
The stallion only took a few gallop strides before he heard Shrikes voice again.
"Calder, my eyes--- "
He rammed his hooves into the ground and came to a slithering halt. When he turned his head he saw the Scout flailing around wildly, and then he screamed. It was a terrifying sound.
Without further consideration he ran back to the fledgling, afraid that Edmond, that rushed pass him,or someone else had dealt a fatal blow to him.
"Whats wrong boy?" he asked shaken at the view of the young Scout. He had broke down after hitting the cave wall, legs and wings still twitching.
"Hold still!" he commanded but Shrike didn't seemed to hear him. So the stallion held his limbs down with his teke in an attempt to prevent him from hurting himself why he searched his body for a wound or anything that could explain his condition.
But there was nothing. Not even a scratch.
"Come on kid, what`s wrong? We need to get out of here" he growled, only to hide his worry.
Another rumble in the earth reminded him of the caves instability. With a groan he heaved the thankfully rather small body into the air.
"Hang on kid, I got you."
They needed to get out of here, then he could further try to find out what was wrong with him.
WC: 356 | Post 6 |
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Post by Artistic Pineapple on Aug 18, 2019 0:15:13 GMT -6
Shrike Bloody Flanks Scout
The blackness is enveloping him, making it hard to breath and the words come again, more deliberately this time. Had his answer not been enough?
The scout's mind was foggy and exhausted, the fear consuming him causing any logical thought to get caught up in the wild mess of flight-or-flight reflex currently taking over... An enemy was doing this to him, that was for sure. Shrike tried to focus more on what he was about to tell the voice, but all that came out was:
"Your mother's butt."
Light flickered. Touch returned briefly. He was moving.
He thought the words louder and surfaced from the ink screaming them in a voice that cracked at the end. Senses returned to the boy from within Calder's teke. He yelped in surprise and embarrassment before the pain came back. The sturdy flank allowed him to find his legs as they escaped down the path, but Shrike's usually confident stride was failing him. His body ached like never before, as if every muscle had been strained. Blood seeped not only from the cut on his head, but the place he must have bitten his lip. His knees were scraped raw and his mind throbbed. The world spun sickeningly but he managed to meet Calder's eyes with his own wild, blue-eyed gawk.
He shook himself, fighting to stay upright on limbs that ached as Grigori was whisked from the ground by a lowlander.
"NO!"
Shrike tried to spin around, opening his wings awkwardly and gripping his pike, only to find himself slipping as his strength failed. His body was spent.
Whoever had gotten into his head had made sure there wasn't anything left for him to fight with when he regained control. Calder's teke prevented him from falling completely, but the scout could hardly bare the sight of Grigori slipping away. He would have given his life for the clan, his new family. They were all he had...
But then again, they had chosen his life over having the upper hand in this war, hadn't they?
WC: 359 | Post #8
(Shrike may have lack wisdom, but he has too much cunning.
The boy is spent, emotionally and physically.) |
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Post by InTheDappledRain on Aug 18, 2019 0:18:33 GMT -6
Kathra was there, moving towards Grigori, engaging Rose for a moment as the hammer came down, chipping the front part of his... well, really Hira's horn and hitting him in the face full force. His vision blurred, pain erupted in his right eye as the world spun for a few moments. He'd have to assess the damages when he returned to his actual form, though he could tell by the way his eye was feeling, and the sudden lack of peripherals, that he would probably never see out of it again.
However, the mountain must stand. He rose, jabbing upwards as hard as he could, trying to take the mare off balance. Desperation was clawing at his stomach as he thought about the potential of losing Grigori when he was literally standing so close. He let out a loud scream, kicking out with hooves and plants alike, the ground suddenly shifting beneath the mare as he refused to give ground. He was in pain, he was angry, and he wanted nothing more than for Kathra to grab the boy and run, though he knew that they still had the other mare to deal with. Thorny vines hit something as it came down to peck at the eye that was now swelling, and Edmond wondered, briefly, what he had just done.
It didn't matter. Nothing mattered but the boy. Every thought was consumed by that fire, that need, and in a moment, Edmond felt as if he had transported himself back in time, when he was a raider and there was nothing but the fight that mattered. He kicked again, hoping that at least one of his attacks would hit. He was down an eye, and his mind felt sluggish under the pain and anger.
They needed to get out of here, but not without the boy. The boy. The boy...
"GIVE ME BACK MY SON!" He roared finally, though he wasn't entirely sure if he was speaking as himself or as Hira in those moments, though he knew he was still sporting her form. He had always cared more for the kirin child than he had wanted to admit, and now that he was so close, Edmond knew in those moments that he would do anything to ensure that he was taken home.
Even if it meant risking his own life to do it. Even if it meant he himself was caught. He would do anything for those that he loved, and love that boy, he most certainly did. "GIVE ME BACK MY SON OR I WILL RIP YOU TO SHREDS."
Kathra. Get him. Please. We cannot lose him again. We cannot. He thought desperately.
The battle, continued on.
Post #8 | Word Count: 399
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Post by leukristic on Aug 18, 2019 0:33:12 GMT -6
The stone beneath her hooves calls to her, centers her even amongst the chaos, even despite the fact she has no blessing of Kaia to call her own. Her blade swings through the air and bites into Fija's flank, tasting the iron of blood -- it is her father's sword, and it has been far too long since it has encountered combat, since it has sliced into the flesh of a lowlander. "COWARDS" She rages at them, drawing the sword back for another swing, her hooves scraping across the stones to keep her momentum from sending her crashing into the unicorn. Around them, the earth begins to shake and crumble as skeletons rise from the earth, and the draft mare bares her teeth in grim determination.
"Can you not fight for yourself, flip-tail?" The words hiss out as she swings her sword once more, hoping to catch the unicorn off-guard before whatever skeletons he had raised could gain their bearings.
Across the cavern, another set of hooves were ringing out against the stone as Hestia barreled towards Kathra, ears pinned back against her skull. The draft was pushing herself to her limits to gain speed before the lowlander could escape, her axe held low against her side, and she showed no signs of stopping or even slowing down. Instead, when she gets within range, the mare gathers herself and leaps straight for Kathra with a guttural roar, aiming to throw all of her body weight into the mare, and brings down her axe at the same time, hoping to strike whatever flesh she can reach with the weapon.
Post 5 WC 267
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Post by data-bull on Aug 18, 2019 0:37:13 GMT -6
Rose
Only vaguely aware of what went on around her, the mare couldn't move much further without risking another attack from Hira. She heard Shrike and Calder cry out, and her focus was further fragmented. Between trying to keep Grigori out of enemy hands and avoiding what seemed like her own imminent demise, she was running out of options.
The enemy didn't miss a beat as Rose could barely react when another lowlander was suddenly beside her. Sand flew in her face as she struggled to fight back. They were going to lose him. The mare realized, swinging her weapon wildly, trying to connect with something, anything. Then, she heard a squawk as Thorn's familiar form appeared overhead, talons extended as he dove towards the mare reaching for Grigori.
Immediately she reached out with her blessing so the bearded vulture could see for them both. The angles were off, but it was better than nothing as she watched her own body wield the weapon with increasing accuracy. She was desperate, as were they all, if her opponents' screams were to be believed. Chest burning from the previous bout, she struggled to keep Grigori close. And as Hestia approached, Rose tried to keep her priorities straight. Her swing was wide, slow as she attempted to ward off both attackers at once.
POST 9 | Word Count 220
Summary | Rose gets sand tossed in her face and Thorn finally arrives to help out. She uses his eyes to see again and hopes that between them and Hestia it will be enough for them to get away. |
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Post by moonlightwalk on Aug 18, 2019 0:47:09 GMT -6
Amber | Valkyrie
The selection of animals nearby was pitiful at best, but Amber had the anger to spare and she felt the creatures stirring in responce. The group comes from the cave’s ceiling and drops down below, an irregular bunch that zooms over Kathra’s back. Not the battle prowess she had hoped for, but effective in obscuring the view for a moment though. Amber grits her teeth, somewhere in the back of her mind knowing these bats were easily broken and that lives would be lost. She thanks them silently and thanks Kaia, the reality of her blessing hitting her like it had never done in practise. She was controlling lives.
She rushed forward herself like her temporary allies did, rushing towards Kathra, battle cry on her lips. Her teke gripped her hammer, raising it over her head to swing towards the nearest target. Aiming to block the weapon, perhaps even knock it away, though she seriously doubted the latter, considering her own strenght. Her built did not give advantages, but she also knew strenght wasn’t everything in battle. Bats wirled around her, even a distraction for herself, vagualy noting where they were going as she moved between them.
Post ? | 197 words
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Post by Silverfallingstar on Aug 18, 2019 0:55:52 GMT -6
Of course, this whole scenario was never exactly going to be EASY to pull off. No sooner had she felt her teke brush the foal than she heard the roar of an approaching foe. One wild purple eye glanced at the approaching draft, who showed no intention of stopping. Kathra swung her body around, pulling her teke back to just her axe and moving to make sure the foal didn't take any damage from the attack. Letting out her own roar in response, she stood her ground, slamming her body right into Hestia. She felt her head make contact with the mare's chest, just as she felt the axe of her opponent skid across the plates on her neck, cutting right at the start of the swing. She felt the blood trickle down but frankly, she didn't even care.
She just wanted this one to back the fuck off. Reaching back to her instincts from fights with childhood colts, she lunged her head down and snapped at one of hestia's front leg, shifting her teeth into the sharp points of a bear. As soon as the bite was given, she pulled back, swinging her axe to deflect a blow from Rose's hammer that probably would have shattered her leg if it had connected. She saw Amber approaching and tightened the grip on her axe, swinging it towards Hestia's head with a heavy blow. She was aiming to hit the side of the other mare's head with the flat of the blade. Sure it might not kill, but it sure would disorient if it connected.
Then there was a screech and she saw the bird. She snarled and swung her axe up to deflect the sharp claws that were coming straight for her. Blood sprayed across her face as she felt the axe connect and saw the bird fall to the ground in a bloodied heap.
THAT was sure to piss off whoever owned that, it was time to go.
Reaching out with her teke again, she went to attempt another grab on her cousin. Not without him, she thought.
Post #5 | Word Count: 349 |
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Post by Jennycallie on Aug 23, 2019 15:53:02 GMT -6
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