[center][h3][color=1a7b30]Araguay Woods[/color][/h3][/center]

[@Eklispe]

	"Supplies to the center! Soldiers, form a perimeter and lock shields if you have them! Do not break formation, for everyone's sake!" The man called Robin's voice shouted out, his commanding tone echoing within the trees as many of the soldiers fell in line without hesitation. The archer's had prepared themselves as well, knocking an arrow shortly after Robin's orders and point them at the tree line from within the defensive perimeter. Cursing softly under his breath, Robin called out once more, "Keep an eye open! The Risen don't often organize like this. There must be someone at the helm!"

	"Aye, and I'll see his cleaved clean off!" Vernire spoke from Robin's side, the heavily armored man spurring his feathered mount onward towards the defensive lines. Despite his best efforts to call out and calm the man, Robin was left clutching his reins in frustration.

	Behind Arus, he could hear the familiar sound of a chocobo behind him. Though his focus was on the tree-line, he couldn't help but notice the sound seeming to approach him. All at once, one of the feathery creatures pulled up beside him, carrying an unfamiliar human man in heavy black armor- his beast clad in a similar fashion as it gave a harrowing squawk. At this moment, everything fell eerily silent... None of the beings around Arus dared speak, and no other sounds came from the woods.

	"Something is wr-" As the man formed the word with his mouth to speak it, an arrow plunged itself into his shoulder, causing the beast to rear back in surprise as his rider fought to keep his balance. At once, dozens of Risen exposed themselves from the treeline, a fair number of them wielding bows and crossbows while others sported one handed weapons and shield. Though the armor looked shoddy, it was clear that they were strong than the last batch.

[@Lugia][@Evanist][@Cyrania]

	As Jo-Anne and Erion began their approach, the knight lifted his sword into the air with a horrible guttural roar. Though having no effect on the duo themselves, they suddenly heard rustling from the woods around them.

	As Erion draws within range:


[hider=Combat Log]
[b]Erion[/b] strikes at [b]Risen Knight A[/b] x3
	1st attack: Miss! (44 vs 66)
	2nd attack: Miss! (58 vs 66)
	3rd attack: Miss! (51 vs 76)

[b]Risen Knight[/b] A counters [b]Erion[/b]
	1st attack: Hit!  (71 vs 48)
		Damage: [b]Erion[/b] loses 5 health! (27 vs 22)
[/hider]

	he stabs wildly at the Risen. To Erion's surprise, the creature merely groans as the spear tip bounces off his heavy armor. Drawing forward slightly, the creature would come into striking distance of Erion and deliver a solid blow the the moogle's side, denting whatever armor and cleaving shallowly into the flesh if bare. Alarmed slightly by it's master's assault, the Chocobo squawk wildly. 

	Shortly after, the one named Jo-Anne strides up beside her comrade and proceeds to assault his assailant:

[hider=Combat]
[b]Jo-Anne[/b] attacks [b]Risen Knight A[/b] x5
	1st attack: Hit!  (85 vs 76)
		Damage: [b]Risen Knight A[/b] loses 0 health! (27 vs 28)
	2nd attack: Hit!  (76 vs 69)
		Damage: [b]Risen Knight A[/b] loses 1 health! (26 vs 25)
	3rd attack: Hit!  (81 vs 78)
		Damage: [b]Risen Knight A[/b] loses 6 health! (30 vs 24)
	4th attack: Miss! (77 vs 80)
	5th attack: Hit!  (88 vs 63)
		Damage: [b]Risen Knight A[/b] loses 0 health! (25 vs 27)

[b]Risen Knight A[/b] counter [b]Jo-Anne[/b]
	1st attack: Hit! (78 vs 75)
		Damage:[b] Jo-Anne[/b] loses 6 health!         (25 vs 19)
[/hider]

	tearing through portions of his armor as she feels her claws bury into his skin. However, the creature merely brings his shield round, clocking the Taugel squarely against his muzzle.

	It was then that Erion had the idea to circumvent the armor, attempting to heal his and Jo-Anne's wounds as well as damage the unholy beast:


[hider=Heal Logs]
[b]Erion [/b]heals himself x5:  25 health restored!
[b]Erion[/b] heals [b]Jo-Anne[/b]x5:  28 health restored!

[b]Erion[/b] casts Heal on [b]Risen Knight A[/b] x5
	1st heal: Risen Knight A loses 1 health (20 vs 19)
	2nd heal: Risen Knight A loses 4 health (20 vs 16)
	3rd heal: Risen Knight A loses 0 health (18 vs 21)
	4th heal: Risen Knight A loses 0 health (19 vs 19)
	5th heal: Risen Knight A loses 1 health (22 vs 21)
[/hider]

	successfully easing his and Jo-Anne's wounds, but seeming to have no effect on the creature. It was then that everyone would notice the sounds of combat further down the road, but out of sight for most. Holliander cursed under his breath near Robert, "Damnit. Perhaps we should have waited. This is no Esper for sure, but we played right into their hands."

	"To be fair, the strategist did call this. But we both know we can't afford to be held up here for long," The Summoner spoke just to Holliander's side, "I'm sure Vernire and the others will be fine. We have to focus on getting these people off the road!" With that, the cloaked man would motion to the people and wagons that followed behind. 

	With a resolute nod, Holliander would draw his blade- the metal's ringing echoed about despite the chaos, "Draw back and take the people out of the woods. I'll stay here with those willing to fight and attempt to beat back our aggressors."

	Only a simple nod was given in reply, the green robed man spurring his feathery beast onward as he began shouting commands. All at once the caravan would begin to turn upon the road and exit, a few strong enough to bare arms marching up beside Holliander and the others.


[hider=NPC Combat]
36 Risen vs 54 Pilgrims

Risen    -3 (36)

Pilgrims -4 (51)
[/hider]