#interaction: cutestrival

[peerlessscowl]

He thought he was delirious for a moment, the dark of the cavern swelling with light and suddenly the rush of wind and thunder and her, it was her, radiant and magnificent in a way that she might have only been in a dream, the waft of soft things against his cheek a memory faded at the sheer bright white that blinded him.

But then he felt hands, felt the clamminess of the dank cave continuing to seep into his skin, and Raven reminded himself that he was alive, and he was here with his scout team, and against all odds, so was she.

He could only offer a grunt, inelegant, as she hoisted him to his feet, cradled him in a way that was not graceful but could not have been more soothing if it were Saint Elimine herself. He found his strength then, but only enough to limp forward and away. It hurt to acknowledge that he could not do more, but if there was the choice to fight to a pointless death or to live at her hands, then the choice was easy.

The path back to camp was a mindless trail of his boots scuffing against the earth, and when he found himself seated Raven blinked, surprised somehow that he found himself here. The warmth of the fire crackled, sank into his bones as each and every ache began to emerge one by one. He allowed himself the singular reprieve of sinking his head back, to breath in the scent of the cold night air, the campfire smoke, and to see the stars in the sky.

After a moment, carefully, he slipped what remained of his sword out of its sheath, considered it in his unskilled hands, and sighed as he began the arduous work of repairing what he could with the little knowledge he had.

There was still more night to go, and he had only the brief respite to get back to his feet.

Raven is on watch! +3 HP, Raven 4/10HP Raven repairs his Brave Sword! [Roll: 3 + 2 = 5] Brave Sword Durability 5/20

Next! @maligknightsthorns or @cutestrival or @anthieseofvalentia or @deamare

Not to worry guys I hear that campfires are a great way to deter nighttime predators

Epiphany 2025 - Careful Vigil Team Five (x)(x)

[ulircursed]

There is a routine to Andrei's life in Fódlan that he has learned to be content with. The lack of obligation weighing upon his shoulders might have been disorienting at first, but the degree of freedom it has offered him is surprisingly appreciated. Whether he remains in the Abyss or ventures aboveground for the day, he is generally able to choose how he spends his time.

That is, he was, until someone saw fit to grab him and drag him through the grounds of the monastery before he could even get a word in edgewise.

"W-what is the meaning of this?" He finally splutters out, tearing his hand from her grasp the moment he realizes her intention is to bring him into the forest. Dusting himself off, he glares distrustingly at the girl — a student, judging from her uniform, and more importantly an utter stranger. One who hadn't even seen fit to introduce herself before recruiting him for an unexplained 'job'.

What could possibly be so urgent that she felt the need to make her request in such an impertinent manner?

"I will give you one chance to explain yourself," Andrei warns, arms crossed both in indignation and to prevent her from getting a firm grip on him again, "If it does not end up worth my while, I am leaving."

Teach me how to 360 no scope

[peerlessscowl]

His eyes had almost begun to adjust to the dark. Raven had managed to keep things together up until that point, in spite of the less-than-ideal conditions, and in spite of everything it almost felt for a moment as though the end was in sight.

Until what actually appeared in sight was the stone that had been there all along, something he had not known to pay attention to until it had begun to turn, to shift slowly to face him, and to advance.

The sword hadn't even left his hand from his previous bouts, and neither had his doubts, but he rallied regardless and charged forward, the tip of the blade skimming along the rock-hide, catching the crevasse of a seam which under normal circumstances might have been a crack easy to ignore, but in the here and now engulfed him in the sound of the echoing snap that brought his heart into his gut.

Raven [6/10 HP] barely hits Golem [6/6HP] with Brave Sword [Rolls: 5 - 2 = 3] 2.5 - 2= 0.5, Golem [5.5/6HP] Golem [5.5/6HP] critically hits Raven [6/10HP] with Stone [Roll: 18 - 8 = 10] -5HP, Raven [1/10HP] BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 0/20 RAVEN AP 2/3 Brave Sword broke!

No - !

He barely had the time to register that the stone sentinel had begun to pick up its momentum, to come to life in a way at first rigid and clunky, then with more purpose and intent, bringing the section of the cavern where he had ventured down upon his head.

It took the breath from him, at first, gasping and aching and familiar too familiar no no nonononono - ! But the cool damp of the cavern air continued to collect on his cheeks and the walls of his lungs and he still clung to life, saw, vaguely, the blinkering magical light that the greenhorn had brought with her as she placed her body in front of his to shield him from whatever else might have lurked in the cavern.

He didn't want to die here, he realized belatedly, uncertain of the echoing sensation of stone against his chest, feeling the familiarity of the cracking of his ribs before he grit his teeth and forced himself upright, to one knee.

@deamare my savior my light

Not to worry guys I hear that campfires are a great way to deter nighttime predators

Epiphany 2025 - Careful Vigil Team Five (x)(x)

[peerlessscowl]

The dark of night crept upon them while they all ached for the sun, as though they had forgotten what lay at the other end. There were those that decided it was ideal to venture forth, into the surrounding towns, in search of provisions, in search of allies, and there were those that felt it more prudent to stay behind and defend what little they had managed to drag out of the depths of the hell that remained in the mountains to the north.

Raven knew where his skills best lie, but more than that he knew where his heart lie. Those he had wished to defend, had promised not to part from again, those had remained behind at the bunker, and so had he, content for the moment to stand sentry and put his blade to more effective use.

The heat of the campfires were a welcome comfort that perhaps none of them might have thought they needed, and its light a boon against the creeping edges of what awaited them in the night. The logs crackled under the heat and their own weight, sending a shower of embers upward, a mimicry of the stars twinkling in the sky.

He narrowed his eyes at the edge of the forest nearby, frowning somewhat at the sounds - could have been wind, could have been the groan of the earth, or it could have been something else entirely.

"Someone will need to stay with the fire at all times. We can't let this go out." Not merely for safety, but for hope. He toed at a stone of the circle which kept the flames contained, nudging it back into place.

"We can take it in shifts if we need to."

@cutestrival @maligknightsthorns @anthieseofvalentia

Not to worry guys I hear that campfires are a great way to deter nighttime predators

Epiphany 2025 - Careful Vigil Team Five (x)(x)

[peerlessscowl]

Another shift, sending the greenhorn back to rest her bones. He hadn't the time to tell her that she had done well, regretted it for a moment, but he supposed there would be time for that later, once it was over. This patrol took them down past the river, past the dark rocky banks and into a dark cavern, the rush of cool air against his face causing him to frown into the darkness.

"Careful," was all he said, moving slowly along the slick stones. No light reached them here, no warning save the gentle growls that grew louder and sterner, rumbling the cavity in his chest as the beast emerged, a fluid line from the darkness as thought it was made of darkness itself.

Keeping his face a mask and his hands carefully prepared, Raven whistled lowly, dragging the beast's attention toward him, sidestepping in a halfmoon away from Lady Camilla and her girl.

"Hey," he said, sharply, tone quiet, but it was enough to feel those dark eyes on him. He glanced askance at the remaining movement that flickered out from the cave, grunting – they could handle it, he would keep this one occupied.

"Hey," he said again, tapping the flat of his blade against the stone when the noise of battle on the other side of the cavern started to draw it away, causing it to lash its tail in irritation, snarl in warning. "Yeah? Come on then."

Raven [6/10 HP] hits and hits Umbral Beast [6/6HP] with Brave Sword [Rolls: 11 - 2 = 9, 8 - 2 = 6] - 5HP, Umbral Beast [1/6HP] Umbral Beast [1/6HP] misses Raven [6/10HP] with Umbral Surge [Roll: 7 - 8 = -1] Pursuit does not activate! [Roll: 5] BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 4/20 RAVEN AP 2/3Raven [6/10HP] hits Umbral Beast [1/6HP] with Brave Sword [Roll: 8 - 2 = 6] -2.5, Umbral Beast [0/6HP] Umbral Beast has been defeated! BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 3/20 RAVEN AP 1/3

He tried not to feel the rattle of his blade in hand, tried to ignore the way its strikes felt against the beast's hide as he drew back, listening to its groans echo against the walls and bounce down into the darkness. The flutter of feathers erupted immediately, and he only just saw the glint of claws sear through the air, aiming for the Lady Camilla.

Raven [6/10 HP] hits and critically hits Crest Beast (Bird) [6/6HP] with Brave Sword [Rolls: 10 - 2 = 8, 18 - 2 = 16] -7.5, Crest Beast (Bird) [0/6HP] Crest Beast (Bird) has been defeated! BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 1/20 RAVEN AP 0/3

His frown deepened. Still in one piece, but...

Carefully, he picked his way along the stones, moving back to the mouth of the cavern. "Nothing left back here. Ah...Lady Camilla, perhaps you should rest. You've done enough for now."

Next! @cutestrival or @maligknightsthorns

Not to worry guys I hear that campfires are a great way to deter nighttime predators

Epiphany 2025 - Careful Vigil Team Five (x)(x)

[peerlessscowl]

Raven nodded his thanks, could note the sourness in the girl's voice at the prosect of being left behind, or wanting to do something. Might have carried it himself, if it had been decided that he would need to stay, instead of venturing forth and bringing something to hurt.

"We'll be back." Less a formality, those sorts of things filed from him, than a promise.

And they stepped into the dark, following the wending path through their surroundings until the air began to feel murky against his lungs and the soil thick to his boots  - it would be hard to move in something like this. A glance at the greenest of their party, but Raven pressed his concerns to the side for the moment. There was the rush of sound which indicated water, the moon thankfully glancing off of the surface of the coursing river to provide them with direction.

And with a warning, gentle pinpricks of reflected light emerging.

"Be ready," was all he said as he came to a halt, the sword already in his hands.

Raven 10/10HP hits and hits Crest Beast (Amalgam) A 6/6 HP with Brave Sword [Rolls: 11 + 2 = 13; 3 + 2 = 5] [1.5 + 1 = 2.5; 1.5 + 2 = 2.5] -5HP, Crest Beast (Amalgam) A 1/6HP BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 12/20 RAVEN AP 2/3 Crest Beast (Amalgam) A 1/6HP hits Raven 10/10HP with Dark Rexbolt [Roll: 13 + 2 = 15] -2HP, Raven 8/10HP Pursuit does not activate! [Roll: 4]

It moved quickly from that point on, a beast of a like he hadn't seen springing from without, and sure enough the mud dragged his normally sharper reflexes to the ground. He beat it back easily enough, but without the thoroughness he might have liked, in the circumstances.

He might have preferred not to have to field the magic it spat at him, but he hissed it off nevertheless.

"Keep charging forward, get them bogged down!"

He presumed that they were fine, flicking the beast's blood from his blade. He knew the Lady Camilla, hadn't merely spoken with her but fought with her, and there were worse people to be caught in the dark with beasts. The girl he did not know, but he allowed her bearing to speak for itself - young, noble, perhaps a touch naïve. If she wanted to prove herself, this would be the place.

The snicker carried through the night, landed on his eyes with a chill that raked across his spine like gentlest fingertips, and Raven whirled, the tip of his sword poised. The frail little man had emerged without him noticing, and though there was nothing in his hands there was something in the cant of his smile that Raven didn't like - something in the way it looked at him, eyes dragging over the lines of his form as though curious, or hungry.

He didn't want to know for what. Couldn't afford to find out.

Raven [8/10 HP] hits, barely hits, critically hits, hits and hits Mad Scientist 8/8 HP with Astra [Rolls: 12, 3, 20, 13, 11] [1 + 0 + 2 + 1 + 1 = -5HP] Mad Scientist 3/8HP Mad Scientist 3/8 HP misses Raven 8/10 HP with Poison Treatise 202 [Roll: 8 - 6 = 2] Pursuit does not activate [Roll: 4] BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 7/20 RAVEN AP 1/3

It was a new power to him, a rush of speed and focus that he had seen others perform, had seen it once in a different form, barely there, in the light of a dank cave - where? How? A twist of his ankle wrong, however, and he tsked, in spite of sending the little man tumbling onto the rocks of the river.

Though that curiosity, that hunger, still remained in the tilt of the old man's smile, his hands reaching forward, Raven batted his hand away with a hearty disdain for whatever incantation might have come from the man's lips.

"Sorry. Might have been cleaner just to kill you straight."

Raven 8/10 HP critically hits Mad Scientist 3/8 HP with Brave Sword [Rolls 18 - 2 = 16] -5HP, Mad Scientist 0/8HP Mad Scientist has been defeated! BRAVE SWORD DURABILITY: 6/20 RAVEN AP 0/3

As he rose, turned to see how his teammates were doing, he shifted his body subtly, nudging the old man's corpse into the rushing of the river, burying his sins in the passing white water. Better, he supposed, they didn't see what he'd done.

"Doing all right over there?"

Next! @anthieseofvalentia or @maligknightsthorns

Not to worry guys I hear that campfires are a great way to deter nighttime predators

Epiphany 2025 - Careful Vigil Team Five (x)(x)