[@Lmpkio][@Crimson Raven] Hevel blinked in surprise when he was suddenly grabbed by the shoulder and shook, a couple butterflies lifting from him before resettling. Then, okay, he was told to go do that. He looked somewhat towards Kara as if for confirmation, and he got said confirmation. He nodded, and said his piece. [color=b88e4b]‘Okay. Here goes nothing, then,’[/color] Hevel said, taking a deep breath and bouncing up and down a bit as he was focusing… and then his eyes opened wide in the most terrified expression one could possibly imagine on his face before he ran out to the guards, like in a panic. They noticed, and gathered to block the thief from entering… when he said something to them with panic in his voice. The guards threw momentary distressed glances at one another, before Hevel dashed off. They looked hesitant for a moment, then ran to catch up to him, right by the bushes which the other two were hiding in without noticing anything. Kara could eventually feel the Fire Emblem moving again… and it was moving up to the surface. __________________________ [@Rune_Alchemist][@Eklispe][@Apollosarcher] Isolde was first through the tunnels, however she was not fast enough to catch up to the Rogue. By the time she finally came to the end of the tunnel… there was an incline, the path upwards. Then, there was an open hatch, the Rogue had left it open behind him. She’d be first to emerge through the hatch into the humble home of a couple civilians who had long since evacuated. Much of their belongings still remained, flowers, tables and tableware, shelves and whatever else, it was a pleasant home. The door stood open, the Rogue had escaped. Come outside, and she’d be greeted by the sight of being outside in the castle town of Grado, outside the palace. It was possible that when the passage was built the town wasn’t here, but now it was like this. The Tactician’s Stone gave her an overview of the area. There was no sign of the Rogue… but there was other things of note. Jehannan troops, if nothing else. [Assumed Marwood action: Give chase] Marwood came second, mounted on Fiona. He was greeted by much the same as Isolde. Later, having taken the time to pick up the Fire Emblem, Titania arrived alongside Aldo. The four of them were now inside a house in the Grado castle town… In the below map, note that they are inside the building. [hider=Changed map details][center][url=https://i.imgur.com/4Cnt0bV.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/4Cnt0bVh.png[/img][/url][/center] Notable Individuals; [hider=Blue, Allied Units]Blue Wyvern Rider [url=https://i.imgur.com/XqOFHEo.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/XqOFHEot.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4650587]Isolde[/url] - Clumsy, but reliable Wyvern knight. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Axe: D [b]Level:[/b] 5 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Halberd, Tactician’s Stone Blue Cavalier [url=https://i.imgur.com/Ic53d3U.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Ic53d3Ut.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4651123]Marwood[/url] - The prince of Renais with a good heart and a rebellious streak, cares deeply for others. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Sword: C, Lance: D [b]Level:[/b] 4 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Reginleif, Steel Sword, Tactician’s Stone, 5,000G Blue Cleric [url=https://i.imgur.com/Ns75hY5.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Ns75hY5t.jpg[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4657299]Titania[/url] - A tough healer from Rausten, she forges her own path to help as many people as she can. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Staff: D [b]Level:[/b] 5 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Heal, Mend, Tactician’s Stone, Fire Emblem Blue Shaman [url=https://i.imgur.com/HIQrs3e.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/HIQrs3et.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4649857]Aldo[/url] - A shaman researcher and advisor on things magic in service of Grado. Magically gifted and incurably serious. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Dark: E [b]Level:[/b] 2 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Flux, Vulnerary, Guiding Ring, Tactician’s Stone x4. Blue Wyvern Rider [url=https://i.imgur.com/6HJdyHk.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/G7saeoct.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4652015]Servus[/url] - Abandoned his home as a rogue mercenary. Adores his rare wyvern, Amboli. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Axe: D [b]Level:[/b] 6 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Halberd, Vulnerary, Pure Water Blue Thief [url=https://i.imgur.com/kptwFAQ.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/kptwFAQt.png[/img][/url] Hevel - A young man on an aimless journey. A timid but humane thief that often monologues with himself. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Sword: D [b]Level:[/b] 2 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Iron Sword, Lockpick Blue Manakete [url=https://i.imgur.com/BTyBKyW.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/5dlnqI8t.png[/img][/url] [url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/posts/4667021]Kara[/url] - Mature and worldly Manakete with a strong wanderlust and an even stronger appetite. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Stone: D [b]Level:[/b] 6 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Dragonstone, Vulnerary (2 uses)[/hider] [hider=Green, Grado Forces]Green Soldier in down-right corner. [url=http://i.imgur.com/qbuNkLC.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/qbuNkLCt.jpg[/img][/url] Viridia - Daughter of a Jehannan hero. Serious, righteous and dependable. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Lance: D [b]Level:[/b] 3 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Iron Lance Green Knight in down-right corner. [url=http://i.imgur.com/SJk02Ve.jpg][img]http://i.imgur.com/SJk02Vet.jpg[/img][/url] Osmund – A Grado Knight from the countryside. Inexperienced warrior with intimidating visage. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Lance: E [b]Level:[/b] 2 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Iron Lance, Vulnerary, Antitoxin[/hider] [hider=Red, Invaders]Red Knight Boss [url=https://i.imgur.com/gjOy0Mc.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/gjOy0Mct.jpg[/img][/url] Zane - Former knight of Grado, now a commander of Jehanna. Craves battle and greater challenges. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Lance: C [b]Level:[/b] 12 [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Iron Lance Red Warrior on throne [url=https://i.imgur.com/42ZT4xT.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/42ZT4xTt.jpg[/img][/url] Nurit - Second-in-Command of Rhodri’s Wheel Guild. A hearty girl with a vicious battle-lust who feels at home at sea. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Axe: ???, Bow: ??? [b]Level:[/b] ??? [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Killer Axe, Steel Bow, Hero Crest Red Wyvern Knight next to throne [url=https://i.imgur.com/wPFihgr.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/wPFihgrt.jpg[/img][/url] Nadir - Second-in-Command of Eira’s Storm Guild. A charming man who dutifully takes care of all Eira can’t handle. [b]Weapon Mastery:[/b] Axe: ???, Lance: ??? [b]Level:[/b] ??? [b]Equipment and Items:[/b] Spear, Elysian Whip[/hider][/hider] … A couple visions could potentially be viewed by the holders of the Tactician’s Stones… __________________________ In the lower right of the map, a pretty big Grado Knight had been attempting to guide a pair of siblings home, when a couple Soldiers came across them. However, while most of the Soldiers intended to attack the Knight, one of the Jehannan Soldiers turned to face back at her countrymen. The argument quickly became heated. [center][url=http://i.imgur.com/qbuNkLC.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Z9HWphd.png[/img][/url][/center] [color=a38b81]‘These are children, are we really going to stoop to the level of killing children!?’[/color] Viridia asked, glaring back at her fellow guild-members. [url=https://i.imgur.com/xFrGN8p.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/hvPoGZX.png[/img][/url] [color=915a54]‘Sir Zane has commanded us to kill anyone found outside their homes or with weapons,’[/color] the soldier simply replied, lance ready to battle. [color=a38b81]‘I know that, but I also can’t accept that!’[/color] Viridia announced, her lance lowered to indicate she did not want to battle. [color=a38b81]‘We’re here for the Fire Emblem, not the people of Grado! Can’t we simply let them take cover in a building, and-’[/color] [color=915a54]‘So you’re betraying us?’[/color] the soldier asked. [color=a38b81]‘I have betrayed nobody! Don’t jump to conclusions!’[/color] Viridia called, anger in her tone. [color=a38b81]‘I’m simply saying that our mission here does not call for unnecessary bloodshed-’[/color] [color=915a54]‘Then you stand against us. Too bad, your father is such a hero to us all. You’d surely have grown into a fine warrior. … Still, no matter. You’re just one of the rabble, surely you won’t be missed.’[/color] So the soldier said, before the troops prepared their weapons, obviously intent on killing her for this transgression. [color=a38b81]‘… My father,’[/color] Viridia spoke in a tone of regret, [color=a38b81]‘told me that my assignment to this guild would teach me a lot. He was right, I have. I have learned that not all of Jehanna upholds the ideals that he taught me! When I get back to him, I will tell him what I’ve learned, because he too would denounce the actions we’ve committed to in this war!’[/color] So she said. The reply of the Soldiers was simply to approach to attack with their lances. [color=a38b81]‘Tsk,’[/color] Viridia made a noise with her tongue and jumped back to stand alongside the huge Grado Knight, who also stood ready to fight, trusting this former enemy Soldier without hesitation. [right][url=http://i.imgur.com/SJk02Ve.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/1Pzsk8U.png[/img][/url][/right] [color=faf173]‘Thank you, young miss,’[/color] Osmund said to her, holding his lance ready as they made ready to protect the two shivering kids behind them. [color=a38b81]‘Sorry. I hope you don’t mind fighting alongside a Jehannan like me…’[/color] Viridia said, sounding defeated. [color=faf173]‘Nonsense!’[/color] Osmund told proudly. [color=faf173]‘As far as I am concerned, you’re an honorary knight of Grado!’[/color] The two exchanged small smiles, Osmund growling towards the Jehannan soldiers who were looking like they were considering just exactly how to attack this giant Knight who was standing before them, looking exceptionally strong and capable. There was a flash of hope in Viridia’s expression. [color=a38b81]‘So, uh, you wouldn’t happen to be some legendary warrior of Grado, or something?’[/color] Viridia asked, hopefully. [color=faf173]‘I AM…!’[/color] Osmund announced loudly and intimidatingly, before continuing in whispers only Viridia [sub](and eavesdroppers)[/sub] could hear. [color=faf173]‘… merely a regular countryside Knight, conscripted out of necessecity, called to arms by the call of war. I’m normally a cook. I’m pretty proud of my stew.’[/color] [color=a38b81]‘Oh,’[/color] Viridia replied in realization. [color=a38b81]‘Oh, we’re going to die.’[/color] __________________________ [center][url=https://i.imgur.com/gjOy0Mc.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/WwsMu0N.png[/img][/url][/center] [color=d45e50]‘WHY ISN’T THE COLOSSEUM OPEN!?’[/color] Zane demanded, glaring at the “we’re closed” sign hanging in front of the large building. [right][url=https://i.imgur.com/6jG81nS.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/JlqvlSP.png[/img][/url][/right] [color=915a54]‘S-sir, might I suggest it is because Grado is currently being invaded and they don’t have time for activities of entertainment at this moment…?’[/color] a hesitant Mercenary proposed next to him. [color=d45e50]‘BAH! WEAK GRADOS!’[/color] Zane grunted angrily as he spun around, glaring angrily around him. [color=d45e50]‘I left the Grado knighthood behind to join Jehanna, simply and only because I wanted to fight more and become stronger, fight against monsters… and I was THRILLED to know we were going to war! Yet we come here, and Grado has nothing to match us with!? Disappointment! Pain and disappointment!’[/color] So he shouted, the Mercenaries powerless to do anything but listen. [color=d45e50]‘No matter! Point me in the direction of SOMEONE I can fight! Anyone from Grado!’[/color] Zane announced, looking around with bloodthirsty eyes. [color=915a54]‘But sir, we’re just about routing the last of them. All the most capable warriors are in the castle fighting off Sion’s main force, we’re just dealing with the town militia here! There’s just civilians and children left…’[/color] [color=d45e50]‘FINE!’[/color] Zane roared. [color=d45e50]‘Put some armour and weapons on a civilian, tell him we’ll kill him if he surrenders, then make him fight me!’[/color] [color=915a54]‘But sir, that’s insane!’[/color] the Mercenary started looking desperate… [color=d45e50]‘INZANE!?’[/color] Zane expressed, and suddenly started spinning around looking for something. [color=d45e50]‘WHERE IS HE!? I’VE BEEN MISTAKEN FOR HIM MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT! I’M ZANE, NOT “IN”-ZANE! WHERE’S INZANE!? I’LL HAVE HIS HEAD!’[/color] so screamed Zane before the two suddenly very perplexed Mercenaries who were just now starting to grasp what kind of commander they currently had… __________________________ In the bottom left of the map, a Fighter walked inside a house… [url=https://i.imgur.com/CLRwLsB.png][img]https://i.imgur.com/bt8tzef.png[/img][/url] [color=915a54]‘Oh, what have we here? So many weapons, and Sir Zane told us to kill people with weapons…’[/color] the crook said as he came into the house, seeing all the weapons hanging around. [right][url=https://i.imgur.com/OyQuxi8.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/dAXBLdY.png[/img][/url][/right] [color=ffc987]‘Oh, darn it, I’m a shopkeep! I can have weapons! I sell weapons! I’m not gonna fight you with them!’[/color] the man inside complained in a mildly angered tone. [color=915a54]‘Oh, right, yeah. I’ll just settle for taking all the weapons, then!’[/color] the Fighter told, looking proud. [color=ffc987]‘Nah-nah-nah. I made a special deal with Jehanna, I’ll be selling these to the guilds now, you’d be stealing from your superiors,’[/color] the shopkeep said, smirking. [color=915a54]‘Uuuh. I’m not sure that’s, uh…’[/color] the Fighter frowned, thinking too hard. [color=ffc987]‘You can check with your leaders, if you like. No? Then let me sweeten the deal for you,’[/color] With that, the shopkeep suddenly reached and picked down a great axe. The Fighter’s eyes went wide, seeing it. It was as if the axe glowed with power, the sides looking so very sharp, the shine of the axe unparallelled. What was this axe…? [color=ffc987]‘This… is Stormbellows!’[/color] the shopkeep announced, holding the epic axe high. [color=ffc987]‘This mighty axe, crafted between the work of a master smith while a Sage was imbuing intense Lightning magic into it, this weapon was wielded by the great hero Grado himself before he obtained Garm from the gods. It holds such strength, it will blast right through virtually anything we have today! Do you feel its power? C’mon, hold it! Hold it!’[/color] the shopkeep said as he handed over the axe. The amazed Fighter took the axe, feeling the weight, a smile spreading on his lips. [color=915a54]‘Yeah, I most certainly feel it…’[/color] he said, admiring the axe. [color=ffc987]‘Right!? And if you let this slip, I’ll let you have this for the low-low price of 1,900 gold! It’s a bargain, is it not? Usually, this artifact is priceless…! I can see it now, you, holding this axe, conquering all your enemies and being hailed as a hero across the lands…!’[/color] The Fighter swallowed, but his eyes had drowned into the axe… [color=915a54]‘Yeah… yeah, I can see it!’[/color] the Fighter grinned, picking up his money-pouch and handing it over. [color=915a54]‘It’s the last of my savings, but with this axe, I can easily earn it back ten times over…!’[/color] the Fighter boosted. [color=ffc987]‘Great! Here you go, then! May your glory days be long and many!’[/color] the shopkeep called, smiling so happily to the Fighter. [color=915a54]‘Yeah! I’ll find you and pay you back when I’m a general, I promise! For now, to battle! For Stormbellows! Yaaaaah…!’[/color] the fighter spun around and dashed out of the house, Stormbellows in hand, while the shopkeep stood there smiling. A woman, the shopkeep’s wife, approached on the side… [right][url=https://i.imgur.com/OyQuxi8.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/zLZQOLd.png[/img][/url][/right] [color=fcbea2]‘Silvio, honey, what was that?’[/color] [color=ffc987]‘That was an ordinary Iron Axe given a paint-job and dipped in some of that glowing powder we bought in Jehanna, Drina dear. Now grab your things, we’re leaving on the double.’[/color] And with that, the two quickly started to prepare to leave, post-haste. __________________________ [right][url=https://i.imgur.com/42ZT4xT.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/Afq7vrF.png[/img][/url][/right] [color=a6a294]‘-and that about covers it.’[/color] A woman of dark skin-colour sat with an axe on a seat by the entrance to Grado Keep, just finishing telling what was going on to the man standing beside her by his wyvern. [url=https://i.imgur.com/wPFihgr.jpg][img]https://i.imgur.com/uiaG4NX.png[/img][/url] [color=5e857a]‘Alright. Thank you for telling me, miss Nurit,’[/color] the man by the wyvern told her, bowing gently, ponytail swinging just a little. [color=a6a294]‘What’ya being so formal for, Nadir? Kahaha! Ah, oooouuugh…’[/color] Nurit started laughing at the comrade, but then ended with a sound of not being pleased with something. [color=5e857a]‘Does the scenery not agree to you?’[/color] Nadir asked, looking curiously at the woman. [color=a6a294]‘Land doesn’t agree with me. I wanna be out at sea. And I wanna fight, not just watch some opening…’[/color] Nurit complained, looking about for something interesting to do. [color=5e857a]‘I’m sorry that’s the case, but we are in a state of war. Now, excuse me, I need to ferry this message back to miss Eira. I suppose I’ll fly over town and make sure everything is as it should before I go…’[/color] Nadir said, intending to get up on his wyvern and flying off. [color=a6a294]‘Waaaaaaaaaaaaait. Don’t goooooooooooo…’[/color] Nurit called for him silently, sitting lazily in the seat, waving a hand in his direction. Nadir smirked back at her, amused. [color=5e857a]‘Oh? I’m happy you find my presence desirable, miss Nurit.’[/color] [color=a6a294]‘That’s not it, I just don’t wanna be alone…’[/color] Nurit replied, before looking to him… and grinning. [color=5e857a]‘Ah, that’s not a good grin,’[/color] Nadir stated with a tinge of worry, before suddenly dodging down and striking up with his spear to deflect the massive axe that came swinging for his head, his wyvern jumping back a bit to avoid the sudden strike as metal clashed towards metal. [color=a6a294]‘C’mon, C’MON! Let’s spar! Kahahaha!’[/color] Nurit laughed out loud as she brought the axe around for a slice at Nadir’s mid-section that [i]definitely[/i] looked aimed to kill. [color=5e857a]‘Miss Nurit, we don’t usually- [i]woah[/i] -spar using [i]killer weapons[/i]!’[/color] Nadir warned with a scared little smirk, a bit of sweat dropping as he was systematically dodging each of Nurit’s axe-slices just barely, lifting his disadvantageous spear in self-defense. [color=a6a294]‘Eh, it’s no worries! You’re not gonna let me actually HIT, are ya!?’[/color] Nurit called out as she did a powerful overhead slice, which Nadir just barely dodged under. Despite everything, Nadir found himself smiling. [color=5e857a]‘Well, that does it. If that’s your style of flirting…!’[/color] Nadir dived out of the way and then, with an acrobatic leap, he thrust himself up into the air by his hands on the floor and twisted in mid-air to land in the saddle of his wyvern. [color=5e857a]‘Then I better flirt seriously. En garde!’[/color] he called, as his wyvern stood tall and ready to battle. [color=a6a294]‘Hah, flirting. As if you have eyes for anyone but your dear pretty miss Eira,’[/color] Nurit replied, grinning as she watched Nadir on top his wyvern. [color=5e857a]‘I would have said the same about you and your most manly boss Rhodri?’[/color] Nadir replied with raised eyebrows, smiling teasingly right back at Nurit. [color=a6a294]‘Heh, don’t go assuming things.’[/color] [color=5e857a]‘Then I’ll ask the same of you.’[/color] Both of them met each other’s glares with dangerous smirks, before they both took off against one another, Warrior against Wyvern Knight in a deadly-looking play-fight… __________________________ … All this aside. What would they do now? [i]Enemy Base Level:[/i] 2 [i]Enemy Base Weapon Mastery:[/i] E [i]Enemy Equipment Quality:[/i] Iron [i]Notable Deviations:[/i] Fighter in lower-left wields the [b][i][u]STORMBELLOWS![/u][/i][/b] [sub]Functionally an Iron Axe.[/sub]