katabatiic

[katabatiic]

january activity

Skill Points

+1 Monthly +1 Knowledge Gem

Total: 11

Allocated: Bow E+ → Bow D+

Rank Up Rewards:

Iron Bow

Curved Shot

Event Rewards:

Spider Senses

Dowsing Blade

Shard of The Projectionist

[katabatiic]

"After you."

Legault gestures forward in a half-bow, though he doesn't linger long before following his companions. The ground hums gently with Astarot's power under his feet with every step.

"There doesn't seem to be any need to rush anymore, mm? I suppose we could take the scenic route back."

He lifts his eyes up toward the monastery. Even his sharpened vision isn't enough to make out any details at this distance.

"Everything's up to our turncoat friend now, I suppose..."

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

"Yessir." The wave of Legault's arm is a bit too loose to qualify as an actual salute, but the intent is there. He keeps pace with the bard and moves further up into the mountains.

Unit 1 moves Up and claims a node.

The valley forks in two different directions up ahead. He turns to his companions, head canted toward the path.

"Left or right? Any preferences?"

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

"Still breathing over here."

There are fresh dark marks around newly singed edges of Legault's clothing. They streak across the fabric as he brushes it with debris-scraped hands.

"The others up ahead—they took a blast too. Why don't we head over and ask them your question?"

The construct in the distance looms, its limbs whirling back into place at a mechanical ticking pace after thrusting its weapon at them.

"...I'd also prefer a little more distance for a moment. Just in case that thing has another one of those javelins up its sleeve."

Unit 1 moves one node Right, landing on the same node as Unit 13.

The thief sets off into the valley, already set on his path. He wasn't lying about owing the others up ahead, after all.

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

The young healer in their group dashes off with a startling amount of energy, leaving Legault to follow at an awkward half-jog.

"Hey. If you wanna do some laps, there's a lot more ground to cover in the other direction, you know."

Enemy Phase 9 - Nothing happens!

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

The beast is slowed but not stopped. If he can reach a better vantage point, perhaps Legault could—

A talon snags the back of his cloak and yanks him to the ground. He'd misjudged just how quickly the thing could move, even when beset by ice magic. An enormous claw presses against him, surely large enough to crush him beneath its weight.

With a grimace, he drives his dagger into the nearest bit of flesh he can find.

Unit 4: White Beast attacks Unit 1 [ Roll: 8, 5, 5, 2 ] +10 = 28 vs [ Roll: 7, 4, 2, 1 ] + 6 = 20 Unit 1 takes -1.5 HP [2/4 HP] Unit 4: White Beast takes -0.5 HP [1.5 HP]

It's no killing blow, but it's enough to get the beast to yank its limb away. Legault rolls out from its clutches and gasps for breath. The monster roars, readies to strike, and—

Arrows descend in a swarm, one after the other. Someone is still out here saving lives with his bow, it seems.

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

Covering had been the goal, at least. Legault's knifeplay has the mages scattering to avoid him, leaving them unable to form any spells to fling toward his allies.

What he hadn't fully accounted for was the beast he'd used as a springboard. Gnashing teeth quickly push him away from the spellcasters and give them the space to retreat and recuperate.

Unit 4: White Beast uses Fortify! Unit 7: Mage Artillery is healed for +1 HP [now 2.5/3 HP]

The monsters, however, are not nearly as clever as the humans they guarded. One after the other lunge forward in lurching, uncoordinated attacks, leaving their throats fully exposed.

Unit 2: Experimental Monsters attacks Unit 1 [Roll: 8, 7, 3, 1] = 19 vs [Roll: 10, 9, 5, 2] +6 = 32 Unit 2: Experimental Monsters takes -2HP! [now 1/3 HP]

Grotesque bodies litter the ground at the Hurricane's feet. The remaining creatures pull back toward their masters. Legault's eyes dart back toward the mage, the healer, the tactician, confirming each of their safety in turn.

"They can't retreat far. We have them surrounded."

He can see it now. It's not one but two other battalions that close in on other sides of the valley, cutting into enemy ranks. The mountains themselves are their allies now, pinning their foes in place in an attempt to turn the odds in their favor. A common plan from those looking to topple the big and powerful, in his experience. A strange smile tugs at Legault's lips, unable to quell an odd sense of nostalgia at the thought.

"We press the advantage, I assume?"

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

Sweet relief is punctuated with a sharp crack at the end—well, it seems that they won't get another boon like that again. Legault toes at the discarded staff with the tip of his shoe and glances out toward the center of the field.

Enemy Phase 6: Nothing happens :D

A familiar trio scrambles up the incline, led by the brown-haired boy who had dragged him by the arm through Goneril territory not so long ago.

"Those three," He points to their figures in the distance, "Either they're in trouble, or they have a plan. I'd wager to say it's a bit of both."

With a short breath, his hand drops to rest at the hilt of his blade.

"Mind if we give them a hand? I'm fairly sure I owe several favors between them."

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

The golem drops to the ground and Legault follows, landing amidst the cloud of dust with cat-like grace. (It's quite a lot of dust, enough to make him cough a few times and kill a bit of the whole elegant assassin image.) "One down," He mutters, turning back around to look deeper into the valley. In the far distance a massive white beast looms, flanked by battalions of robed mages and strange monsters. "…Still quite a bit to go. Shall we?"

Unit 1 moves one node Up

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

"We're all fine, but..."

To the north, there's a great rumbling of the earth. Trails of fire streak through the sky amongst enormous rocks and slabs of rubble, crashing down up further along the river where some of the others had advanced.

"...Seems some of our allies may not be so lucky. Perhaps we should advance?"

Unit 1 moves one node Up

Despite its phrasing as a suggestion, the thief already motions to take point. His eyes scan for movement amongst the trees and the hills.

@deamare @moriddyn @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

In the valleys between the Oghma mountains, a river cuts the path forward to Garreg Mach. Legault is unused to being in the vanguard of an assault—and judging by the way his comrades are equipped, he may not be alone in that. They're all robes, tomes, and staves with nary a shield or plate in sight. Wretched howling echoes up the riverbank. Malformed beasts gallop toward them with teeth gleaming beneath their strange masks. Legault readies himself, hand at his dagger's hilt.

"Looks like things are about to start." He gives a quick glance toward the silver-haired mage in the group. "Let's make this one better than the last round, shall we?" The monsters arrive in a flurry of claws and fangs. Legault enters the storm, dancing between lashing limbs and maws while his blade seeks out tender spots of flesh behind them.

Unit 1 attacks Unit 5: Experimental Monsters [Roll: 10, 9, 7, 5, 3, 3, 1, 1, 1, 1] = 46 vs [Roll: 10, 7, 4, 4] = 25 Unit 5: Experimental Monsters take -2 HP!

@deamare ; @moriddyn ; @warpaway

me when a blind bard tells me to do anything *adds 6 die to my roll*

TOAEpiphany Finale — Mountain Pass ; Unit 1

[katabatiic]

Legault laughs, louder than he'd usually allow himself to be.

"So you'd say we're both just poor fighters then? That's fine for me, but I didn't think you'd want that label."

He seats himself beside the boy, sword draped across his lap. The chipping is plentiful but shallow, he notes as he draws a more critical eye along its length.

"With that lance and shield of yours, I presumed that you're in training to be a frontliner. The shield doesn't do you or your comrades any good if you're not up and alive to raise it though, mm?"

He takes a pause here, holding out an upward-facing palm.

"Spare whetstone?"

lucky number thirteen

infirmary — convoy maintenance

[katabatiic]

The moment Heath is seated, Legault drops to a knee in front of him. Violet-steel eyes flicker up toward the knight's face as his fingers reach for the clasps of the knight's greaves.

"You're a horrible liar."

The dented plate attached to the injured leg comes free in Legault's grasp. His hands linger on it as he sets it aside.

There isn't much more he can do. He knows all of the ways that Heath's injuries could make him an easy kill, but he has little knowledge of how to properly heal them. Even reaching out with a comforting touch has a chance to cause more harm than anything good.

"If you charge into the monastery like this, you're primed to die before you get a glimpse of those kids. You know that."

The sight of Heath's face wrenched with pain sets off a wretched twist in Legault's chest. He rests a careful hand on Heath's good leg, fingertips feather-light at his knee.

"Aren't you knights supposed to practice what you preach?" His voice scrapes softly in his chest. "Stay alive. Those were your orders for me."

Despite the way he'd lingered near the entrance, Legault had intended to give the knight some space to breathe when he entered. To confirm his presence would be enough.

...Or so he'd thought. The sight of the man so battered and bruised has the thief stepping in without another thought.

"Need a shoulder to lean on?"

His hand ghosts over Heath's back, same as it had when he'd first found him in this place.

"Saints above, Heath. You give me that look for getting a bit bloodied, and then you come back looking like this?"

It's a miracle that Heath made it out conscious, much less alive. Somehow, some way, his group had limped their way past the myriad traps and menacing constructs, much the worse for wear, but still breathing. Celica and Al are still missing, though. It would have been suicide to go back in after them, especially in his state, but he can't help but feel like a failure. He shouldn't have wasted time, should have just gone after them.

His mind is awash with jumbled thoughts and searing, bone-deep pain that is eager to jump to the forefront now that the adrenaline has worn off. His leg, though patched up, is difficult to walk on, dragging behind him as he makes his way to the infirmary.

"I..." Legault is behind him before he notices he's there. Heath startles enough to stumble, leaning into Legault for necessity. He should force himself back upright, but it's easy to let the thief support him. "It wasn't just a bit bloodied..."

Legault's hand is steady against his back, even through the layers of armor. They make their way to a bed, and Heath slumps down, barely sitting upright.

"The group was all students, save one knight...still a child himself. He's missing, as is another student..." Heath is experienced enough to recognize the symptoms of blood loss and shock, even in himself, but the words flow from his mouth nonetheless. "It was my responsibility. These wounds are nothing."

They're so nothing, in fact, that a fresh wave of pain has him doubling over in pain.

[katabatiic]

"Hey, lookie who's back up on his feet." Her tone doesn't match the words at all. If she was exhausted last week, she's near dead at this point. Getting a chance to hold the Light Brand had been nice and all, but there was only so much that can be done to patch up the tears the past month has been lacing into her.

She smiles still, and gives a little wave. "Here, head's up."

She pulls out the sword from her belt and tosses it his way, still tucked into the sheath. It's nothing special, but it's in good shape. In their current circumstances, that's what matters most.

"It was weighing me down." She jokes, flashing her shiny new dagger before tucking that away. "But if you got your ass kicked last week, your weapons must be not so good, yeah? Take it and we'll call it even."

Couldn't watch out for your guy like you asked. Sorry. Have a sword.

Yunaka trades Legault a Steel Sword (40/40)

Legault catches the scabbard with one hand, tipping his head forward just far enough for the gesture to be considered a bow if one were to be generous about it. He smiles.

"Sure, we'll say it was the weapons that were the issue."

(His sword really is in a sorry state. He'd been ready to swap it out for one of the others that didn't look quite as ready to fall apart in the convoy. None of them had the pristine gleam that greets him when he pulls Yunaka's gift an inch or two out of its sheath, though.)

"We've just got this last push." The hilt clicks back against the scabbard. He raises his eyes to meet hers. "That dagger, I'll believe that it's...zappy enough to carry you through it then."

The word has an entirely different affect coming from his mouth, but he does try to put forth some of the energy Yunaka currently seems to lack. It's the least he could do.

[katabatiic]

"Keep your apologies for a more pressing time. It's not like there's much to do until our scouts and suppliers return."

Legault's eyes drift toward the door. The longer that the bunker remains near-empty, the more frequently he finds himself searching for urgency in any sounds that echo down the corridors.

"...Though that could be any time now. Perhaps we should clear out of here, just in case some come back in more need of attention than either of us."

The way he keeps looking toward the entrance suggests where he's planning to linger, though his use of 'we' suggests he is more than fine with company.

going insane all by yourself, handsome?

epiphany week 4 - infirmary.

[katabatiic]

Legault takes an abrupt step closer, fingers half-curled around the back of Karel's palm to stop the salve from rolling out onto the floor. He retreats just as quickly once it's safely nestled back in the other man's palm. "Sorry. I know you probably had it, but…well, you've seen the state of things. It's not like we can risk dropping any of these. There's hardly enough supplies to keep two men busy counting them for all that long." Legault smiles, and decidedly does not wish that a place among the Four Fangs had somehow been claimed by the Sword Demon rather than the Death Kite. To wish for that would be to wish for the man's misery, if not his death. Whatever pain Karel carries is his own, and it would be strange and selfish to imagine a new and different life of pain for him. "I'm about finished with rearranging bandage rolls, myself. How about you?"

going insane all by yourself, handsome?

epiphany week 4 - infirmary.

[katabatiic]

"It is."

The teasing lilt that had colored Legault's voice for much of the conversation is notably absent in those two words.

"The Fang took in plenty of skilled misfits. We learned how to live, how to point those skills toward a higher cause. How to fit together."

He trails off for a moment, looking down at the vial in his hand like he'd just remembered he was still holding it. It clacks gently against its neighbors when he places it down beside the other tonics.

"So, we had oddballs with strange relationships to their swords and such even before Nergal and his cronies wormed his way into our ranks." He finds his teasing smile again, edged with a bit of irony now. "You'd be in fine company in that little family."

going insane all by yourself, handsome?

epiphany week 4 - infirmary.