#thestaunchshieldvassel

[katabatiic]

As his brave comrades take the front, Legault ducks and dodges at the edges of the chaos. Wretched shrieks echo out across the plains and ring in his ears as he drives his shortsword into the creature lashing out at Dedue. Another deafening cry—sharper than the others, piercing deep into his skull—and the boy slips to the ground, defenseless and limp. Legault spares a moment to press two fingers above that golden uniform collar and exhales when he's greeted with a pulse. No immediate grave injuries tear through the kid's clothes, either. His grip on his blade loosens. "Sorry," He huffs, "Force of habit." He stands, unsheathing the dagger at his hip. With a flick of the wrist, it flies through the dark and buries itself in the gap of the mounted knight's visor. The cavalier slides into the grass in an ugly heap. The battle rages on. It's a low canine growl that drags Legault out of the dizzying fog of fire and steel. Finger-length teeth glisten in the dark. For a moment, a delirious smile slips across his face. A wolf. Of all things, it's a wolf. He knows he's too weak to flee before it pounces. His hand still grasps for his sword hilt. The trembling in his limbs makes the weapon rattle in all the places it's loosened from overuse. The weight of the beast slams into his body and knocks him to the ground. When the stars in his vision turn to darkness before he feels the claws and teeth begin to tear, he considers it a blessing.

Legault is defeated!

@fluxrspar take us home..?!

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[deamare]

The bile-taste of war is something Ishtar has so nearly had the luxury of forgetting, and yet it rises in her throat as quickly as though its home has always been there. She's moving on pure instinct, the absence of an order heavy on her bare shoulders, in her pounding chest.

A group has fallen into place around her so suddenly that she does not know from where any of them came, only that she doesn't waste time complaining. There are sounds of battle from every side of them, a haunting reminder that there is no point in running.

"We take them head on," her commander's voice had been strong once, when it had still been someone else's to talk through. Now, it is nothing but the low crackle of electricity at her fingertips. "We have no choice."

Unit 13 spends 1 charge of Ranged. All members of Unit 1 lose -1HP each.

She spares hardly more than a glance to each of the three men that make up her allies, Mjölnir pages aflutter in her open palm. Bolts of lightning are nearly imperceptible in the brilliant light that seeps through the grand hall's high windows, evident only where it leaves heat trails through the air and holes in the shadowy beasts that loom just before them.

Unit 7 spends 1 charge of Ranged. All members of Unit 13 lose -1HP each. Unit 4 spends 1 charge of Siege. All members of Unit 13 lose -1 HP each.

It feels like nothing, and even less still as a rush of arrows like a flock of crows seems to pour over them, pointed heads scraping flesh, making homes of it. Ishtar sucks a breath through her teeth, wills herself to whirl around--

"Behind us," figures she cannot discern spill into the hall only so miserably few yards from them, "we'll be cornered in a moment."

@thestaunchshieldvassel, @losojos-decupido, @katabatiic

But I Dont Like Thje Scary Corner .

epiphany 2025: the fall of garreg mach ( UNIT 13 )

[katabatiic]

Without the strength left to go out with the scouts or the supply runners, Legault is trapped beneath the heavy cloud of impending doom that looms over the bunker. Sitting still leaves too much space for thoughts to wander out to those who ventured out, so idle hands reach out for the dull and battered weapons left behind in the armory. It isn't quite a surprise to see another face there, but his face lights up with something between recognition and curiosity when he finds the boy who had fallen twice out on patrol with a blade in hand. "Well, hello. Good to see you're well enough to be up and about." Legault selects a sword of his own, running a finger along its chipped edge. "This makes it twice that we've both fallen in the same skirmish together, doesn't it?" He tosses the student a half-smile. "Which one of us do you figure is the bad luck charm?"

@thestaunchshieldvassel

lucky number thirteen

infirmary — convoy maintenance

[blaiddllodi]

These sorts of tasks were expected of him – no, that wasn't quite true. He expected them of himself, and perhaps his people might have been less than surprised to see him performing them, but there were still hoops to jump through, as there were with any other task that might have left him open to harm.

Dimitri dismissed them, as he always did. If he had Dedue with him, then there could not have been anything to be concerned with. The merchants had not quite seemed to agree, as they had traveled through the mountain valley back to their little village, and it was a considerable effort on his part to remain diplomatic in the face of some of their comments.

Still, with some convincing, they had been willing to accept that all was well, because it was. There remained only the final few details, confirmation of their goods and declination of payment or excess thanks, the assurance that they would be fine to be on their way once more in short order.

Dimitri's eyes skimmed the crowd, his brow furrowing. At least, once he found Dedue.

"Ah!" he said aloud, once he saw the head of snow-white hair atop the broad shoulders, and he dipped his own head in farewell. "If you will excuse me."

Sounds seemed amplified for the dreary mist, when they ought have been dampened, the crunch of gravel louder to his ears as he approached and his gaze alighted on the half-hidden face of a man he didn't know, the greasy smile the only thing he could see.

"Dedue? What is going on?" To the man, he tilted his head and continued; "I don't recall you travelling with us in the caravan. If there is some assistance we can provide...?"

"Oh, my lucky day," the voice replied, without missing a beat. "With two of you, twice the luck – surely there's an answer in there somewhere for little ol' me."

"Answers?"

"Lance exams, lad. A fair few big names wanting their certifications for Lance Fighter and I hear that exam is a tough one. So if you could just be providin' me with what I need, I can pass it on, and you'll be the proud owner of - "

"Names."

" - names. No. What?" The man in the hood had seemed prepared with his whole sales pitch, lifting what looked like a glass orb in his palm, prepared to move it about in some trick of light, but Dimitri had stopped him in his tracks, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I'll have the names of those you intend to give these answers to, and I'll get some answers from them in kind. There are none in my class, certainly, who would stoop so low as to scalp an exam when the training hall is open and my own lance is available."

"Double-Dealing Dishonesty" — Dimitri Alexandre Blaiddyd & Dedue Molinaro

[katabatiic]

It's an odd thing, to be tended to by near-strangers. Legault accepts the kindness with as much grace as he can muster in this state (admittedly not much, but he can pretend every wince comes from the pain as he's hastily bandaged once more). There's no time for fussing, anyhow. That strange glimmer in the cave mouth had evolved into shuffling, yellow flashes of beastly eyes, the crack of a whip echoing against the stone. Sea green fire, cold steel, glowing blessed light— all of them are used to keep the wretches at bay, away from the recuperating student back at the campfire. Finally, there is a lull. The dull roar out on the plains warns that they aren't quite finished yet. "Sounds like they're preparing for one last hurrah out there." Legault's smile is more of a grimace as he tends to yet another fresh set of wounds. "Are you all ready?"

@thestaunchshieldvassel death 2 speedrun any% letsgo

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[katabatiic]

"Kicking me off the team for a while after that performance?" Legault laughs airily, grazing his fingers over the strong ones that rest on his shoulder. "I understand. I'll comply, as long as you accept another round of first aid. We need you and your shield standing tall out there." He peels away from his companion and rifles through the supplies by the fire to locate a roll of bandages. They're placed in Dedue's hand, accompanied by a light touch to his shoulder as Legault moves past him toward the edge of camp. "Just going to take a quick peek out there before I settle in." Out on the plains there are the echoes of rattling metal. Swaths of grass are flattened into the dirt, leaving behind marks much larger than any man's shoe print could make. A cave mouth catches Legault's eye as well-- or more accurately, a flash of movement within catches his attention. He returns to his teammates with a nervous edge to his carefree gait. "We've definitely got company gathering at the plains. I'd prepare for trouble there." With that, he adds another log to the fire and settles beside it. The warmth soaks into his skin, slowly overtaking the chill that he hadn't quite been able to shake. His eyes stay trained on the direction of the caves, dagger ready at his side.

@fluxrspar

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[katabatiic]

"So I'm to give a report, am I?"

Legault gives Selena a tight smile as he comes closer to the warmth of the fire, more than grateful to have a few moments to breathe. "…There was, indeed, a draconic beast. Just like you said. Mages, too." The moment of peace is short, cut off by another shriek in the distance. The throbbing ache in Legault's ribs continue to protest as he picks himself up and prepares to enter the forest. He finds his smile again, offering it to Forde this time around. "We'll try to be back in one piece." --This dragon is different from the last. Its form twists in the dark, creating unnatural shapes in the gloom. Sharp, wintry air cuts between its teeth. Legault draws a shortsword, not trusting that his dagger would be sturdy enough to pierce its leathery hide. He aims a blow toward its talons and it lurches away with another shriek. Frigid winds engulf his body, burning his skin and chilling his bones. With a sharp hiss between his teeth he strikes again. His blade finds the creature's underbelly this time, but it doesn't cut deep. It takes all of his effort to get some distance as the beast writhes, legs trembling from the lingering cold. "'F-fraid-" Saints, his teeth are chattering. "Afraid I can't d-do much more with this one."

@fluxrspar / @thestaunchshieldvassel

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[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

[fluxrspar]

Darkness has fallen, leaving an eerie quiet to their surroundings, crackles of flame and leaves in the light breeze. While the others were out following trails and gathering supplies, someone had to take up the task of their shelter’s defense; so had Selena, acutely aware of her own sharpness, her wont to defend with violence.

It is a strange truth to realize, that where her words failed her, she would always possess might. (She would like to think she has not gone too far for it, but she remembers fire and wonders if another would’ve chosen differently; if another might’ve strived to find another way.)

Regardless.

round 1 watch: SELENA. action 1: CHOP WOOD. (campfire hp +2)

Fresh logs are deposited into the fire, the blaze growing steady but carefully contained. It was a brighter light now, but not so much so that she thought it would make a difference. (Small steps, she supposes. Consistency is better than things getting worse.)

“I came across some plains while out,” she announces, dusting off her hands and the miscellaneous dirt that had gotten on her tunic. (Little to be done, but small steps.) “A river as well, but I’d advise against going there.”

“Some kind of draconic crest beast seemed to be roaming the area. Not the sort of thing we’d want to risk bringing back to base.”

action 2: ENEMY SCOUT (spotted: MASKED MAN, CREST BEAST (DRAGON); CREST BEAST (DRAGON) discarded) action 3: LOCATION SCOUT (scouted: RIVERBEND, PLAINS; PLAINS selected)

go. go into the dark, @renaisguy , @katabatiic , @thestaunchshieldvassel

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[renaisguy]

Fire spreads through the battlefield, sparing none from the flames. Dedue, Selena, even himself, all taking severe damage. All Forde can do is stab whatever comes close, and dodge whatever he can to avoid more damage. Others aren’t so lucky… 

“Back to camp!” He calls out. With the amount of monsters they’ve left to roam, camp is seeming less and less safe. At least they’ll be able to patch up their wounds, and hopefully endure what’s to come their way next.

@thestaunchshieldvassel

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[fluxrspar]

They return in one piece—it had not seemed a given, what with how the battles were turning out, and so Selena finds she is glad. Rogue takes rest by the campfire and cavalier takes his place; they embark again into the dark, the flames still burning.

Which was, in a way, an apt method of describing the battles taken next; because Selena faces down a golem, her flames not entirely holding, and then finds that in retaliation, green fires take hold of her.

(This was the downside of the spell she had meant to be avoiding.)

Teeth grit in pain against fiery retribution, but nothing more than muffled gives away the pointed sharpness. Another round of fire and the golem falls; flames take lupine next, a simple and swift execution—

—and the ring she wears offsets the burns, a hum of light and determination. The only better outcome, the Fluorspar thinks, would be if the flames could die on her before they had the chance to meet one of her students.

@thestaunchshieldvassel , @renaisguy

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[fluxrspar]

It appears that nothing kind exists beyond the campfire—she hadn’t expected there to be, but the frequency of dragons alone was staggering. She nods, seeing the state of her allies, and decides that another could take the next watch.

“Take care.”

Perhaps a phrase better given to their rogue, given the way the next dragon tears into him. Ice magic, the Fluorspar notes, and she finds her own choice of magic to be a perfect counter—one cast heels it, residual flames catching and then dying out with the corpse. An amalgam rears its head after, and it succumbs by much the same method. A drive for efficiency incinerates the third before there’s even a chance for blue-green flames to spread.

(Your wont is to defend with violence; and so violence you will commit.)

Another comes, and perhaps there is another behind the last, but the amalgam had managed to dim their fire before Selena could swiftly put it down. Eyes into the darkness think they are almost clear; she loathes to leave it upon the shoulders of a student, but—

“Do you think you can finish one off?”

@thestaunchshieldvassel

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[katabatiic]

While his companions deal with the dragon, Legault focuses on the humanoid shadow that steps into the firelight. A masked mage begins to chant, hands flickering in and out of the jumping shadows as he begins to summon some sort of spell. The assassin cuts the incantation short with a deep gash through flowing robes into the flesh beneath, sweeping far out of reach before the man can recover. --But the Hurricane's job is not done. Another man looms on the field, his strange pale skin near-glowing in the moonlight. His face doesn't match the one that Legault had seen in the Projectionist's portraits, but he could be one of his kin. Legault's dagger slices at the scientist's raised arm, aiming to incapacitate the same as the last. His blade bites into skin-- and pain explodes behind Legault's eyes. It expands in tendrils inside his skull, probing, searching, commanding. Your job is not done, Hurricane. There is cleaning to do. Two targets. No time for tricks or traps. Just a knife aimed for their throats-- dodged, deflected off of a thick steel shield. The commanding voice retracts, leaving nothing but an echo of contempt behind. Legault is left empty, eye-to-eye with the young man he'd encountered at the burning reception hall of Garreg Mach, dagger still gripped tight in his fist. "I…" He swallows. "One of them has a strange sort of magic. I had no control of my limbs." It is not an excuse. A weak-willed assassin like himself hasn't earned that. His allies need a warning, is all.

@thestaunchshieldvassel

brighter as i burn

epiphany wk 3 — combat: careful vigil (team 13)

[losojos-decupido]

fogado wakes up to noises of violence and is dressed and out the door before he fully has his bearings. there are screams and explosions, the sounds of thumps against the walls and the floors, and he's got his bow drawn and nocked right as the world becomes clear.

it's horrifying. it's worse than anything he could have dreamed of. there are bodies strewn along the hallways of the monastery and classrooms burping flames from the doorways; worst of all is that he can't see any of the people he knows and isn't even sure where to start looking. fogado's heart hammers in his chest. now is not the time to panic, however---there are still people alive here, and above all else he must ensure their safety,

even if it means going back to war.

he assimilates with the first group of people he sees, falling into order. he has been through this once and he will certainly do it again. they stand in the grand hall, and fogado can see that there are two factions falling in from one side whilst rumblings echo in the distance from the other. he won't even pretend to know what any of this entails, but he's got his bow ready and eyes on every possible avenue of attack and retreat.

the purple-haired woman he stands beside sends a command low and sparking like the thunder tome she wields, and fogado has to duck when she sends an attack towards one of the groups at the north end of the hall. he stands only to see volleys of return fire and he cannot move quickly enough; arrows and magic rain down upon them, shaving them and sticking them full of new wounds.

already fogado feels unwell; any more like that and he isn't sure how well he'd be able to stand. he still hasn't measured the full scope of the attacks they face, so there's only one good option to consider right now. he raises his head and calls to his squadron like he remembers with his sentinels, racing through the sand as assailants gather around them.

" all units, hit defensive positions! " he bellows, backing up and tensing his entire body. " we don't know who we're fighting. don't let them get an edge on you! "

Unit 13 defends.

it turns out to be the right decision as an enemy unit rushes them almost immediately after; headed by a man in a mask, the group runs towards them with weapons bared...

Unit 7 attacks Unit 13 (Unit 7 Roll w/ initiative: 23; Unit 13 Roll: 27. Both units lose -.5 HP)

...but they can't fully dislodge fogado's unit. both sides take a hit, but neither are entirely worse for wear because of it. is it better to stay like this or engage in a stronger attack? he'll have to think quickly---that unfriendly rumbling from the south side is drawing closer...

Unit 4 moves up one node. It is now adjacent to Unit 13.

@deamare @katabatiic @thestaunchshieldvassel

But I Dont Like Thje Scary Corner .

epiphany 2025: the fall of garreg mach ( UNIT 13 )