[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/pw9E1Vu.png[/img] [color=orange][b]Level 4 God of War (Combat)[/b] 24 Might & 5 Free Points[/color] *starring as Wind-Striker* [/center] [center][img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/146572ed-ee3b-477b-a1cb-fbd6adb87448.png[/img] [b][color=96512B][h3]Gerrik Far-Teacher[/h3] Prophet of Teknall, Apprentice of Stone Chipper Level 5 Hain Hero 7 Khookies[/color][/b][/center] Hain villages don't normally have walls. There was normally no need, or at least no need great enough to warrant the effort. Yet here a need had presented itself, and through days of gruelling work trees had been felled and a palisade erected around the village, which stood atop a small hill with forest and marshland surrounding it. Under the direction of Gerrik Far-Teacher, the wall was built to be fairly sturdy, supported from behind, and platforms allowed Hain to stand high enough to use weapons like spears or bows over the palisade. Extra weapons had also been made. Spears. Clubs. Axes. Slings. Bows. And arrows, lots and lots of arrows. Gerrik wanted to be sure that when the battle came he would not run out of arrows. However, morale was fading. At first the villagers had been driven by fear of this great threat that was coming. Then they were driven by determination to defend their homes and fend off these enemies. Yet now they were growing weary and sceptical. Initially Far-Teacher had told them the horde was only ten days away. Then he had changed his mind and said it was thirty days away. The flurry of activity which had marked the first days had all but vanished, with some beginning to doubt that there even existed a horde. Gerrik sat near the new gate of the village, knapping flint arrow heads. His sense of Perception enveloped the whole settlement, and as he sharpened the rocks he observed the activities of the other hain. Some were cooking. Some were treating animal hides. Some were preparing to go hunting or gathering. They were living out their lives unconcerned by the impending threat that was going to arrive in a few weeks. All of this, Kyre could see as he flew ever closer to his destination, and just as any hunter might have thought they had seen a speck in the air, he dove down into the woodland and landed. The rest of the comparatively short distance he walked, and he soon broke from the trees within sight of the village. Appearing as a Hain sturdily built, and purhaps a bit dirty. As Kyre came within about a hundred meters of the wall, Gerrik sensed the presence of the newcomer. Surprised at the lone stranger approaching, he picked up his bow and climbed the platform and looked out at the Hain with his own eyes. He was not sure whether this was an enemy or a friend. [color=Peru][i]Don't panic, Gerrik. This one is a friend of mine,[/i][/color] came the voice of Teknall in his head. [color=Peru][i]Quite a good friend, in fact. Welcome him in and listen to him.[/i][/color] Somewhat releived, Gerrik slung his bow over his shoulder and descended to meet Kyre at the village entrance. The god of war slowly approached, observing the defenses that had already been set up. While the village was set atop the hill, protected by floods with good visibility, it was only steep enough to slow attackers a little bit. The palisade looked sturdy, despite being hastily built, with platforms for added defense. Then he watched Gerrik arrive at the gate, and Kyre knew who he was due to his being the only hain willing to approach him, and the blessed weapons he carried, his sense revealing Teknall's essence within them. It only took him a few moments to reach the disciple, and he stopped feet from him, [color=orange]"You are Gerrik,"[/color] and then continued in his head, [color=orange][i]Disciple of my brother. I see he has treated you well.[/i][/color] "Indeed I am," Gerrik replied, although his eyes widened slightly when the next sentence entered his head telepathically. [i]Disciple of my brother? So this hain is the brother of Teknall. So that must make him a God too![/i] He continued, "And who would you be?" [color=orange]"You may call me Wind-Striker,"[/color] Kyre looked around once more, observing how the palisade was reinforced on the inside, [color=orange]"You have done well in preparing defenses, though improvements can still be made. Will you and other respected hear me?"[/color] While most may have not given the name a second thought, the similarities between the names Wind-Striker and Stone Chipper were blatantly obvious to Gerrik's sharp mind. If Stone Chipper was merely Teknall's alias for when he walked amongst Hain, then it would be likewise for Wind-Striker. Wind-Striker's real name was still a mystery, though. "Of course we shall hear you. Come this way," Gerrik replied, and motioned for Wind-Striker to follow him into the village. They approached a hut which was larger than the rest, which was the home of the village elders. Gerrik stood in the entranceway and announced, "Elders, we have a guest. His name is Wind-Striker." He stood aside to let Wind-Striker in. Wind-Striker stepped into the tent, looking around at the elders with a gaze of respect, of knowledge, and of hidden grief. [color=orange]"Elders, as he has said, I am Wind-Striker and I come... From the east. From what i have seen, you know of the horde approaching?"[/color] The elders stirred at the mention of the horde. They had known it, but they had put such thoughts aside. One of them spoke. "Oh, yes, the horde. Far-Teacher here has told us about it. Have you also seen it?" [color=orange]"I have seen them, yes, and I have seen what they leave behind in their path."[/color] He turned to show on his left arm where a once substantial wound was, [color=orange]"I have wandered close enough that some came after me, and I had to defend myself lest I be killed."[/color] The elders moved closer to look, and saw that there was indeed signs of struggle on this Hain's body. Their faces betrayed traces of fear as they had when they had first been told of the horde. And now it had been verified by a second witness. Another of the elders asked, "So what news do you bring?" [color=orange]"Their path is leading here, and if they are able to win, then..."[/color] A distant look took over for a moment, eyelids slowly lowering in remembrance, before he shook his head clear. [color=orange]"I walked with a father, in a ruined and destroyed village, and I reached down while he crawled to check on him, only to find he was already dead. His body only stopped when he reached his family. "The huts were crushed, food and supplies taken or destroyed, the bodies broken and beaten to inhain degree. No cuts or piercing, everyone was beaten to death. The only thing I could do was to burn what was left, or leave them to avoid any of the horde left behind."[/color] Wind-Striker reached behind himself and grabbed a small hide pouch, holding it out to them, [color=orange]"These are some of the ashes, taken as proof, and to further impress upon you the danger of what is coming."[/color] He waited for them to look at it, or take his word. It was a chilling tale Wind-Striker had told, one which had conveyed the importance of defending their village more than Gerrik ever could. Even Gerrik was shaken by it. Sombrely one of the elders took the bag in the palm of his hand and looked inside, the other elders peering over his shoulder to see the ashes inside. Gerrik did not crowd around to look, although he didn't need to for he could perceive it clearly. After a few moments the elder returned the bag to Wind-Striker. The mood in the room was grim, and the beaks of those present were down-turned. "What more, then, can we do?" one of the elders finally asked. Wind-Striker stood straighter, legs straight with arms at his sides, hands loosely balled into fists. His head squared with the center of the group and held upright, eyes taking on a more focused and ready look with his beak slightly upturned. [color=orange]"We prepare, and when the time comes, we fight. For if the horde cannot be stopped, then the fate of all Hain will be grim. That, fellow Hain, elders, is why I have come."[/color] He paused, to let the weight of his next words come in full, [color=orange]"That is why I have come to teach how to fight. How to kill... Hain."[/color] The elders were taken aback at such a suggestion. Sure, they would have had to fight and kill the horde anyway, but to be explicit about it seemed so controversial. Gerrik, however, thought solemnly for a few moments. He himself wasn't a warrior. He had never killed anything more than a wild animal. Yet he had been sent to prepare these Hain to fight and kill. As the elders stood back bewildered and aghast, it was Gerrik who spoke, determination in his tone. "If that is what it will take, then so be it." He looked to the elders, who had stopped their muttering to look at him. "You know quite well that when the horde comes we will be forced to fight and kill, or be killed. We've known that since the start. So there's no use being shy about it. Wind-Striker is able to teach us, to train us, to prepare us to defend ourselves and our village. It would be folly of the highest degree to ignore him." The elders were silenced by Gerrik's words, for he spoke truth and they knew it. Finally, although they were still visibly uncomfortable with the idea, they came to accept it. "Where shall we begin, Wind-Striker," one of the elders answered. Wind-Striker's stance relaxed slightly, relief in the back of his mind over his being able to convince them and prove what needed to be done without directly influencing their minds. [color=orange]"First, the defense set up so far is decent enough, but more can be done to slow them as they climb the hill. For this I propose stakes to be placed in the ground in scattered groups all over the hill, pointing directly outwards from the palisade. It can at least injuries those who rush, and slow others. "For training I will need the largest open area in this village, and a few of your most capable Hain, hunters, gathers, it doesn't matter. What's more, send messengers to any villages further west for aid and volunteers, ask that they come straight here if they can send any."[/color] He paused and looked around at them to both observe their reactions and make sure they were listening, [color=orange]"I will also need a few of your most learned crafters gathered. I may ask for more later, but that is all that I need for now."[/color] The elders agreed to Wind-Striker's request and went off to announce the news to the rest of the village and arrange for the tasks to be done. The largest space in the village, within the walls anyway, was in the center of the circle of tents and huts, in which there was plenty of space for the whole village population. Soon eleven able-bodied Hain plus three craftshain, as well as Gerrik Far-Teacher, had gathered into the central courtyard to see Wind-Striker. Wind-Striker looked over the Hain gathered before him, [color=orange][i]Yes, they will do for a start, the first to learn of combat.[/i][/color] He beckoned Gerrik over with his hand, and once he got closer spoke, [color=orange]"Has the construction of the defenses I requested begun? And the messages for aide...?"[/color] Gerrik nodded. "Yes. Messages have been sent to three nearby villages, and work has begun on making the wooden spikes as you requested." [color=orange]"Good, I'll be out there soon to supervise, but for now..."[/color] He turned towards the gathered, [color=orange]"Fellow Hain, I will assume that the elders have told you why you are gathered here, so let us get started,"[/color] A pause to make sure he had their full attention, [color=orange]"I am called Wind-Striker, a traveler of sorts who has seen the threat that is coming to us firsthand, and whom is here to teach and to train. All those gathered here, I am going to teach how to fight, moreso those here who are not craftshain."[/color] Another pause, this time beak down with hand on chin and eyes narrowed, in thought, [color=orange]"Gerrik, what weapons and supplies do we have now? Some of you gather here at least one of each tool and weapon, along with what you each use most."[/color] As the gathered hain split briefly to collect weapons, Gerrik reported, "We have prepared bows, spears, slings, clubs and axes." The hain returned quickly, each having armed themselves with a weapon of their choice from the stockpile. Gerrik had collected some arrows as well as a spear, and he also held the Eenal Bow. Two of the craftshain had axes, the other had a club, and the rest of the hain had bows, spears and slings. Although, the majority had bows and slings. This told him that hain in general preferred to fight at range, information that was good to know and confirm now rather than later. [color=orange]"I can tell by the weapons you chose that you hain are hunters, spears... Allow me to show you a stance to practice with right away,"[/color] Wind-Striker walked forward and held out his hand to one of the hain, and once they gave it to him he took the spear with both hands. He placed his left hand forward on the spear, and his right towards the bottom end, [color=orange]"You place your main hand here, as that arm will provide the power in your thrust. In my case it is my right hand. Place the opposite foot forward and bend your knees like so. The goal for your legs is to both be hard to knock down or get pushed, and add power to your strike. Watch."[/color] He faced to the side, away from the others, and thrusted forward a few times, taking a small step forward with his front foot and sliding it back each time he pulled back his spear. He returned the spear when he finished demonstrating, [color=orange]"Each of you practice this when you aren't doing something else or training with something else. Those of you who only wish to use the spear, train in that stance every chance you get, and that is all I have to teach you for now. Go over there and practice, stay side by side but keep distance from eachother."[/color] The spear-wielding hain watched and, when told, went to the side and began practising using their spears as shown. Gerrik also stepped aside from the other hain and experimented with the spear thrust a few times, his technique almost perfectly mirroring Wind-Striker's, before stepping back into line. While he didn't show it, Wind-Striker was impressed at just how quickly the young hero pick up on the stance. He looked to the other hain wielding bows and slings, [color=orange]"For you, I must say that there isn't much difference in using a bow to hunt, and using a bow to fight. The main difference being whether or not you are trying to hide. How you will be fighting with them will be determined by how accurate you are. So, one of you go find another craftshain and ask that they make a doll of reeds, in the shape and size of a Hain. As that will take some time another two of you go gather some long sticks and large, wide pieces of wood."[/color] Once they were off doing as requested, he turned to Gerrik, knowing that the bow had power, [color=orange]"Grab a hunting bow," [i]the one you have is powerful, and if used wrong can harm an innocent Hain, or worse. For now you may keep it with you, I will teach you how to use it later.[/i][/color] The rest he spoke to the young craftshain's mind. "If you say so," Gerrik replied, slinging the Eenal Bow over his shoulder and getting a regular bow. That done, Wind-striker gestured to Gerrik and the craftshain to come to him. Once they were near he reached out for the spear and an arrow that Gerrik had with him. [color=orange]"Craftshain, I have a few requests for you. All things to be made. The first is a weapon, second is ways to improve weapons already made and being made, and third is a tool that helps to defend one's self."[/color] He held up the spear and arrow side by side, one in each hand, the tops even with each other, [color=orange]"The weapon I ask to be made is a shorter spear, half-way between the sizes of these two weapons, and sharpened with a long point."[/color] He gestured to the Hain furthest to his left, one wielding an axe, [color=orange]"I will task this to you, make one and return to me with it. You can also gather the needed tools and supplies near here so you won't have to travel as far."[/color] The hain nodded and went off to do the request, and Wind-Striker returned the spear to Gerrik. The arrow was a simple flint tipped one, no feathers on the shaft. It would take too long to add feathers, but for the tips... [color=orange]"For this arrow, there are other tips that can be made, stone, clay, and bow. The same can be said for the spear, and a javelin. The stone and bone tips can be treated the same as the flint. The clay tips, while they can also be made beforehand and treated the same, can also be made onto the end of the arrow itself, hardened onto. The shape you reach for making for all of the tips, the easiest being clay, will be this,"[/color] Knealing down, Wind-Striker used the arrow to draw the shape in the dirt, it resembled the general shape of bird beaks when viewed from the top and elongated. [color=orange]"Or for the clay, you can harden it into a long spike, a simple and straight one, or shaped like this,"[/color] He drew another another shape, this one matching a Bodkin point. He looked to the craftshain with the club, choosing him as the one to go off and make a few. [color=orange]"And finally, something else entirely new for you to make. It is called a shield."[/color] Wiping the previous images clear, Wind-Striker drew a circle and drew straight lines through it, [color=orange]"It is made of thick, strong wood, shaped like the sun, a circle, with hide covering the outfacing side of it and large enough to cover the forearm. There are a few ways to make it, and for that I will leave to the both of you to figure out. A challenge, you could say."[/color] A shield. This was not an unfamiliar concept to Gerrik, as he looked down to the small wooden plate strapped to his arm which Teknall had given him. Yet now he needed to make shields which others could use. He tilted his beak upwards and replied, "Then I accept your challenge." He looked to the other remaining craftshain. "Come on. We have work to do." Gerrik and the other hain went to go gather materials. They would need large pieces of wood, rawhide, glue, bone nails and rope. The rawhide, when wet, could be stretched over the wooden shield and it would contract into the shield and firmly attach itself as it dried. Gerrik also observed that strength could be further improved by using two pieces of wood layered on top of each other with the grains at right angles, as had been done in the Guardian Shield, which would give it resistance to splitting. The glue would help bind the layers of wood and hide together beyond the tension of the hide alone, and should set in about the same time as it took the rawhide to dry. For further stability, everything was also nailed in place. However, the shields still needed to be held somehow. They prepared a quick prototype from an off-cut of wood and started experimenting with different strap designs. It needed to be firmly attached to a hain's arm so it could be controlled, yet adjustable for different arm sizes. Eventually they settled on a design involving two straps made of loops of rope. These loops passed through the wood of the shield. One strap the hain would hold with their hand, the other would go over their forearm, although it could also be used with both straps firmly tightened around the forearm. On the wearer's side the rope loops had knots in them, which could be untied and retied to adjust the size of the straps to suit the wielder. The rawhide would go over the top of the rope loops. Satisfied with their design, the two set about creating several such shields. Some were circular as Wind-Striker had originally suggested, while some were elongated, such that they would protect more of the torso than a circle. Some were thick and strong, while some were somewhat less thick yet lighter. This variety of design would give the warriors a choice, to pick a weight and shape which suited them. Over the rest of the day they would make enough shields to be used, and they were left to dry lying on top of the drying racks for rawhide. While Gerrik and the craftshain were making the first shields, the hain that Wind-Striker sent off on their errands returned, one assuring him that a large reed doll was being made, the other with a bunch of wood in his arms, a couple hainlings following with the rest. After sending the young ones on their way, Wind-Striker set up a crude wooden target wall, putting old and worn down strips of hide on the face of it. He told the bow wielders to fire at the target strips at different distances. Using this to judge who the most accurate were, and who could fire the furthest, he set about teaching them different ways to fire when in combat, such as higharcing fire which would rain the arrows directly down on enemies. Each of the other craftshain also returned, only needing a few attempts before the new weapons were made in such a way that Wind-Striker was satisfied. Once the craftshain had finished designing the first of the new weapons and left the creation of more to others, he set about teaching all the hain present how to use clubs or axes to fight. [color=orange]"I will teach you stances to use when the shields have been made, for now..."[/color] He would go on to teach them to aim for the head, neck, and joints, and further show them a way to put more power into a swing or chop without overexposing themselves. The training would continue for some time into the night before they were allowed to rest for the night. [hr] [center]Day 2, Dawn[/center] Wind-Striker sat in the middle of the training area, examining the first of the shields to be completed. Most of the village was still asleep, the only ones being awake were the guards on watch or early hunters. Gerrik and the craftshain had done well, and they were already making a small variety of the shields, from large to small. Still, for now, he would wait for the rest of the village to awaken before gathering the warriors-to-be hain. Gerrik did not take long to join Wind-Striker in the training area. He walked over to him and said, "I see you're admiring the shields I made." [color=orange]"Admiring may be a strong word,"[/color] Standing, he put on the shield and shoved into the air with it as though pushing or bashing an enemy in front, an audible 'whoosh' accompaning it, [color=orange]"But I must say, you are a worthy disciple of his to have done more than complete my challenge."[/color] Wind-Striker would not fully say it, but he was indeed pleased with Gerrik's work. It would be more than enough for the battle to come. [color=orange]"Tell me, what do you know of combat? What have you experienced?"[/color] Gerrik's expression became serious. "I have hunted wild beasts. Occassionally I have faced down predators, including Herakt. And I am quite practised in archery- I had been using bows long before I was given this one, and I've been able to practice with this bow too," Gerrik said, "However, I have never fought another Hain before, or any other intelligent being for that matter." [color=orange]"You will find that fighting another Hain or intelligent being is quite different from facing wild creatures. While all beings have a need to survive, intelligent beings feel it more strongly and are much smarter in how they fulfill that need."[/color] WInd-Striker put down the shield, resting it against a short wall, [color=orange]"You have practiced with that bow? Then do you know what it is capable of?"[/color] "Yes," Gerrik answered. His head flitted side to side, checking for anyone else nearby. There was none, so he continued in a lower tone. "As you have sensed, it is far from an ordinary bow, but one given to me by Teknall himself. Should I so will it, it fires not like a normal bow but with force greater than lightning. The arrow flies straight and true, and tears through flesh and bone and wood as though it were nothing and can split solid stone. It is a fearsome weapon indeed. One which Teknall gave along with my shield so that I may defend myself against foes who would overwhelm any regular Hain, or so I suspect." [color=orange]"Hmm, I will ask that you later show me what you know that bow is capable of. For now though,"[/color] He looked to the Hain from yesterday walking to the square, lightly influenced by Kyre to get up early, [color=orange]"It is time to continue training. If you would, line them up side by side here with their weapons and then stand with them."[/color] Wind-Striker moved over and reached down to pick up what appeared to be a blunt spear with thick hide covering the ends. Gerrik left the Eenal bow to the side and picked up a spear and hunting bow as he had yesterday. He walked over to meet the warrior-hain-in-training as they entered the square. "Good morning all. I hope you are well-rested. Today's training starts with us grabbing our weapons and lining up here, side-by-side." The hain did so, with Gerrik among them. To the hain beside him Gerrik asked, "How is this training going for you?" The hain thought for a moment before responding, "Well, it's something new. To be honest, though, I'm a little nervous about having to fight other hain, you know?" Gerrik nodded and replied, "It's definitely something new. We're going to have to fight one way or another, so we may as well be prepared. Might take some of the nerves off, hmm?" The hain flicked a palm up in response, and the two turned their attention to the front where Wind-Striker was standing. [color=orange]"First, and foremost, I want those here to show what they learned yesterday. Spears first, the bows, then club and axes."[/color] Wind-Striker put the staff over his shoulder, letting his right arm rest on it as though balancing it there. One by one the Hain showed to him what they remembered, and one by one they proved to have learned well, which was good considering they would have to teach others in turn. Once that was done, Wind-Striker proceeded to hand out staffs like his own to each of the Hain that were trained with spears. [color=orange]"These are for the next bit of training with spears, which will involve redirection and countering..."[/color] He took a few steps away from them before continuing, [color=orange]"Would anyone like to volunteer for an example?"[/color] There was silence for a few moments, before Gerrik finally stepped forwards. "I'll volunteer." With the padded staff in hand, he walked forwards until he was three paces to the side of Wind-Striker. He paused for a moment before removing the Guardian Shield, little more innocuous-looking slab of wood to anyone without divine vision, from his left forearm and casting it aside. It would be no good to have a shield which magically blocked every attack in an exercise meant to train blocking and parrying, he thought. He then faced Wind-Striker, set his feet in the stance Wind-Striker had taught yesterday and held the staff as though it were a spear in the manner he had been trained. He knew Gerrik would be the first to volunteer; after all, he was a hero and someone who needed to learn as much as he could. Readying himself in the same stance, Wind-Striker faced Gerrik, [color=orange]"Watch carefully. When you are ready, make to strike me."[/color] Gerrik took a step forwards, maintaining his stance and watching Wind-Striker intently. After a couple of moments he thrust the staff at Wind-Striker like a spear, his movement fast and precise and his grip firm. Wind-Striker watched, internally pleased that Gerrik had remembered well what he had been taught. As soon as the striking end of the staff was past his own, he used his to knock it away from himself and proceeded to quickly thrust it against the young hero's gut. The impact was slightly audible, and made Gerrik grunt. However, Gerrik was quick to step back and return to the ready position. "Did you want me to go again, or were you going to say something?" Gerrik asked. Wind-Striker's head twitched to the side very slightly, only enough for maybe Gerrik to notice, before he turned to address the other Hain, [color=orange]"As you must have seen, I knocked his weapon aside as he commited to the strike, this left him open to an attack. With that opening, I delivered a [i]quick[i] strike, not too powerful because I didn't wish to leave myself open."[/color] The gathered hain nodded and there were a few murmured words amongst themselves. Wind-Striker went on to further demonstrate with each of the Hain present, showing and explaning different ways to counter. Once he thought they were understanding, he directed them in sparring sessions against each other. The rest of the day went on like this, practicing everything he taught them so far until the sun began to set. [hr] [center]Day 2, Night[/center] Under the light of Galbar's many moons, Gerrik found Wind-Striker alone in the center of the village. Gerrik approached the teacher of combat, Eenal Bow slung across his chest and Guardian Shield strapped to his arm, where they normally where. "You said you wanted to see me use my bow," Gerrik said. Wind-Striker turned turned his head towards the side where Gerrik approached him from. [color=orange]"Yes, I believe tonight would be a good one to start. But first, we must make our way out of the village, away from prying eyes and ears."[/color] He began walking, gesturing towards the craftshain with a hand to follow, walking out of the gate past the watchhain as though they weren't even there. Once they were far enough out that there was no way they could be heard or seen, Wind-Striker moved to a tree and with a wave of his hand formed a perfect target sign. Walking back to stand next to Gerrik, he spoke, [color=orange]"Tell me, and show me what you know of your bow."[/color] Gerrik took the Eenal Bow in his left hand, and with his right he took an arrow from the quiver by his waist and nocked it against the bowstring. "Typically, this bow functions as a normal bow, albeit a very good bow," he explained. He lifted the bow and drew it in a single movement, took a moment to aim, and loosed the arrow. The arrow flew through the air and embedded itself close to the center of the target. Gerrik nocked another arrow. "But as you know, this is far from a normal bow. I just need to 'will' it..." Gerrik inhaled slightly, and there was a flicked of concentration in his eyes as he raised and drew the bow again. But this time, when the bow was drawn, a faint golden glimmer danced across the bow's limbs, along the bowstring and around the arrow shaft. When he released the bowstring, a shaft of golden light shot forwards and struck the target with a mighty crack. The arrow burst out the far side of the tree in a shower of splinters, and with its energy mostly spent it tumbled to the ground several meters from where it had emerged. "... and it does that," Gerrik continued. He lowered the Eenal Bow and held it by his side. [color=orange]"Hmm, my brother never holds back in his work; this is proof of what he is capable of. However, you have yet to discover its full capabilities."[/color] Wind-Striker removed the quiver from Gerrik, taking a step back with it in hand, [color=orange]"Now, fire it again..."[/color] Gerrik opened his mouth as though to protest, but then shut it again. He had underestimated the Guardian Shield when it had been given to him (how could he have forgotten Teknall's response?), so it was probably similar with the Eenal Bow. He mimed taking an arrow from the quiver he no longer had and held the bowstring with two fingers as though nocking it with an arrow. As before, there was a flicker of concentration in his eyes as he drew the bow. But when he released the string, there was the twang of the string snapping back into place and the bow limbs oscillating before coming to rest, but nothing else. [color=orange]"Again."[/color] Clearly he was missing something, thought Gerrik, but what? He drew the bow again and pretended to fire another arrow, and yet again nothing more than a pretend arrow was fired. He definitely needed something more. So he thought a bit harder. Wind-Striker wanted him to fire an arrow without using an arrow. This implied that the bow was capable of [i]creating[/i] arrows, somehow. His first guess was that it could grow arrows, just like the Guardian Shield grew more of itself. He ran his hand along the limbs, willing something to happen, such as an arrow splitting off. He tried drawing the bow all the way from the body, as though to extract an arrow from it. To no avail. Not so much as a splinter came off the bow. But perhaps he was just looking in the wrong place. The other remarkable feature of the Eenal Bow was the energy it put into the arrows it shot. Perhaps this was how the arrows would manifest, out of raw power, just as lightning manifests itself in a storm. Such a mechanism was abstract to Gerrik, but he'd have to try anyway. Gerrik drew the bow once more, this time willing it not to fire as before, but instead willing it to coalesce where an arrow should be. This time the golden motes appeared, and swirled about where an arrow should go. But they were faint, and when Gerrik released the bowstring they dissipated and faded. This was encouraging, but he wasn't there yet. There was one more ingredient he was missing. He repeated what he did before, but this time held the bow drawn and ready so he could inspect it properly. The flecks of golden light were faint, much fainter than when the bow was normally used. And the longer he held the bow, the fainter they became. To maintain the ethereal imprint of the arrow he willed it to stay, and as that became inadequate he willed it harder. As he willed harder, the light grew ever so slightly brighter, and Gerrik was spurred on to focus even more strongly on the imprint. This made the golden motes even brighter, more numerous and denser, and Gerrik realised what needed to be done. Yet the combined strain of keeping the bow drawn for so long and prolonged focus on the bow made his arms tremble and breathing short, so he relaxed the bow back to its neutral position, the golden energy disappearing. Gerrik held up a finger to Wind-Striker to indicate for him to wait as he took several heavier breaths and shook his arms. Then he was still and held the bow with eyes closed and taking long, deep breaths, gathering his full mental and physical faculties. After several breaths, he then opened his eyes, and in one swift movement he drew the bow, lifted it, and put as much strain and effort as he could muster into willing an arrow to manifest. The Eenal Bow accepted the offering of power, and channeled the energy into a solid shaft of golden light which crackled between the drawn bowstring and the bow's limbs. Then Gerrik released the bowstring, and the shaft of light became a beam, lancing from the bow, through the target and tree and into a tree far behind with a speed far greater than the last arrow fired. In glee Gerrik threw up his free palm, but his happiness was dampened somewhat by a wave of exhaustion. Gerrik's legs bent and he leaned against his knees. His breathing was heavy. And all over his muscles burned as though he had just sprinted. He was breathing for half a minute before he swallowed and finally managed to say, "Give me a moment. That took a bit out of me." If his Hain face could have easily allowed it, Wind-Striker would have smiled. Teknall had chosen a more than worthy follower, as proven by his dedication, intelligence... and stubbornness. [color=orange]"You have finally discovered it."[/color] Standing, he moved over and replaced the quiver where it belonged on Gerrik. [color=orange]"The bow's making itself is far ahead of the crafting techniques of these times, but with its power there may never be another like it. What you have achieved is perhaps its most powerful ability, however... It takes energy from its surroundings and, as you have experienced, mostly from you."[/color] Wind-Striker casually took the bow from Gerrik, directing him to sit on a fallen tree before taking an archer stance. With ease, he drew back as a golden shaft materialized in position, an orange aura radiating from it. He released the string, letting the arrow fly at a different tree. Similar to when Gerrik fired, it went straight through the tree, however it left a perfect arrow-sized hole both on entry and exit, and it dissipated just a short distance beyond the tree. [color=orange]"You have discovered how to activate this function, but next is learning how to control what it does. This function is what I will help you with mastering, you can decide how powerful the arrow is, how much it penetrates, even how far it goes. What you cannot do, is have it change direction in flight. However, you only need to aim directly at your target with it, can you tell me why?"[/color] "Because it travels in a perfectly straight line," Gerrik stated. [color=orange]"A simple answer, but correct all the same. It has no physical weight, so there is no need to think about the arrow dropping as it flies. Now, before we continue, let us go over the shield..."[/color] [hr] [center]Day 7, just before sunset[/center] WInd-Striker stood in front of the Hain, the warrior Hain, looking them over. They were nowhere near as tired at the end of the day as they had been on the first. With his influence, Kyre had helped train them to nearly master all that he had taught them, enough for them to become trainers themselves. [color=orange]"Today has been the last that I will train you, you have learned enough and trained enough yourselves to have nearly mastered what I have taught you. Enough so that I leave this next task to you, train other fellow Hain as I have trained you, those that are willing to fight."[/color] None of them showed signs of disagreement, and with a nod and bow, Wind-Striker sent them off to rest for the night. Now, he would be able to focus more on Gerrik's training, and organizing the defenses of the village. Speaking of Gerrik, he had sent him to see the Hain coming from the villages to the west. Knowing where he was, Wind-Striker made his way to him standing a distance away as he watched him meet with the incoming groups of Hain. They had travelled some distance, and Gerrik was there to welcome them, brief them on the situation and allocate them to tasks. "... so we need some to craft weapons and defences, some to train to fight and defend the village, and some to gather food to support those who are training and crafting. But it is getting dark now, so make your way inside and set up your tents." The arrivals headed on up the hill and through the gate into the village. With those hain dealt with, Gerrik went and approached Wind-Striker. "Time for tonight's training?" Gerrik queried. [color=orange]"Soon. For now, walk with me, it is time to see what other ways we can improve the defenses..."[/color] [hider=Summary] -Kyre arrives at the village, which is well underway with preparing its defenses with fortifications, being headed by Gerrik Far-Teacher. -Kyre introduces himself to the Hain as a Hain named Wind-Striker, immediately meeting with the elders and convincing them of the incoming threat. -Kyre asks for permission to train the Hain to fight and kill, and upon being allowed to begins the training of 11 Hain, and decides to further train Gerrik at night. -Kyre teaches Hain how to craft new weapons and how to improve old ones, such as javelins and improved arrow heads. -Kyre influences and challenges Gerrik and another craftshain to create the first shields. -Kyre begins night training with Gerrik on the second day, teaching him how to fully utilize the Eenal Bow and Guardian Shield. -The training of the 11 Hain ends on the 7th day, and Kyre tasks them with the training of other Warrior-Hain. -Some reinforcements arrive from other villages. -Now free to do so, Kyre focuses on Gerrik's training and improving the fortifications of the village [/hider] [hider=Might/Khookie Usage] -Kyre- -1/4 MP, Spent teaching Hain how to make javelins -1/4 MP, Spent teaching Hain how to make improved arrowheads and javelin tips -1/4 MP, Spent influencing and teaching Hain to make shields -0 MP(Portfolio Action), Hain are taught true combat of various forms 23.25 Might remaining -Gerrik- -2 Khookies, Spent teaching Hain about fortifications 5 Khookies remaining [/hider]