[center][h1][color=chocolate]Edward Marsh[/color][/h1][/center] [hr] Ed's heart beat a mile a minute as he stalked the tall grass. He placed himself in a such a life-risking situation just to gather some more information, and possibly a means of escape. Though the notion of escape right now would be a far fetched idea as the bandits had positioned themselves that they could sense if there was something amiss in their environment. It was hard enough to sneak out of the barrow without them detecting him, what more with two more and the items they had? It was unreasonable to think that they can sneak past without rousing suspicion. But before Ed would turn around and report his findings to Asteria, he noticed something odd in the distance. He squinted his eyes to see what it was and his eyes widened as soon as he realized that the shape was actually a large horse-drawn carriage with, what he could assume to be humans, guarding it. [color=chocolate][i]Ah shit...[/i][/color] Ed thought to himself as this was the perfect situation for the marauders to ambush and pillage the cart. It was only a matter of time before one of the bandits sensed the presence of the cart in the distance. If he didn't do anything to warn the cart, the bandits would likely be too focused on raiding the cart to notice them sneak away...but that would mean that he would allow innocent people to die. If he did, he could potentially save the lives of those in the cart, but the bandits would instantly know that he was there and that would drastically reduce his life expectancy to a matter of minutes...if the people in the carriage won't end him first. The decision rested solely on the former human. Would he be a selfless hero and warn the carriage, but risk dying again? Or would he be an opportunistic coward that would ensure his safety and the safety of his friends at the expense of the people in the carriage? Decisions, decisions... Ed grimaced to himself quietly as he quietly scampered back to the barrow with the help of [b][Muffle II][/b]. It felt like he was doing the wrong decision to not head straight to the cart and warn them of the ambush but, he simply couldn't risk it. [color=chocolate][i]You call yourself a man? Pathetic. You're nothing but a coward[/i].[/color] He mentally berated himself as he entered the barrow and leaned into the second room to talk to Asteria. [color=chocolate]"Asteria, I got news."[/color] he whispered rather harshly into the room. [color=chocolate]"There's a cart coming, likely in a couple minutes or so, and it's going to distract the bandits..."[/color] Ed paused. Maybe he didn't have to be a coward? Maybe he didn't have to let innocent people die to ensure that they survive. A blazing resolution sparked in his eyes. [color=chocolate]"...and I have a plan. This is going to sound stupid and crazy but, while the bandits are distracted by the cart, we swoop in like black ops and attack and kill the bandits while they're distracted. And hopefully, the cart people recognize that we're helping them and won't try to kill us on sight."[/color] Ed paused to look at the short cudgel in his hand and gripped it tightly. [color=chocolate]"If we do do that, prioritize killing the one who smells like purple."[/color] Ed paused to process how stupid that statement sounded. How the hell would someone know what purple smelled like? [color=chocolate]"Next we kill the one with the staff, he is likely the one who can use magic proficiently and is the next biggest threat, we kill the one who smells like mint last. If things go as planned, the humans guarding the carriage can deal with the two humanoid bandits. If things look sour for them, we go help kill the two."[/color] Ed let out a breath and mentally prepared himself. [color=chocolate]"They could spot the cart at any moment now. Ready?"[/color] He asked Asteria with an almost genuine sense of bravery. [hider=Stats] LVL: 7 HP: [color=Green]Healthy[/color] SP: [color=YellowGreen]Rested[/color] MP: [color=Green]Full[/color] Effect/s: SORE [b]SKILLS:[/b] Unspent Skill Points: [color=red]0[/color] Current Skills: Monster Analysis (1.25) Magic Analysis I (1.0) Overwork (1.3) Dynamic Eye I (1.1) Rabid Fit II (2.0) Smash I (1.3) Focus I (1.0) Beast Sense II (2.75) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Mental Resistance I (1.0) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Alert I (1.15) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Harder I (1.0) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Faster I (1.05) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Stronger I (1.65) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Muffle II (2.275) [color=green](ACTIVE)[/color] Dexterous I (1.1) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] Use Light Equipment (--) [color=yellow](PASSIVE)[/color] __________________________________ SKILL PROGRESS: Material Analysis (0.5) Warcry (0.7) Tremor Sense (0.05) Telepathy (0.1) Mana Shape (0.7) Shield (0.5) Mana Shell (0.4) Soil Manipulation (0.7) Crafting (0.6) First Aid (0.1) Meditate (0.4) People Sense (0.3) Plant Analysis (0.2) Swift Swimmer (0.4) Charm (0.025) Repel (0.025) Stealth Kill (0.3) Blunt Resistance (0.1) Prehensile Tail (0.5) Mana Strike (0.6) Minor Heal (0.05) Iron Gullet (0.4) Taming (0.1) Suppress Presence (0.5) Use Medium Equipment (0.4) Inspire (0.2) Point Strike (0.3) Strengthen (0.3) Pierce Resistance (0.2) Double Skill (0.1) Deception (0.2) Lucid Dream (0.2) [b]Inventory:[/b] - Vine Belt (Shoddy Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] [list][*]Bundle of Sticks x 1 [*] Flame touched crystals x 2[/list] - Grass Mat (Unknown Quality) x 1 [b][Dropped][/b] [list][*] Healing Herbs x 1 [*] Nullven Cone x 1 [*] Flint and Striker x 1 [*] Tainted Crystal x 1 [*] Great Club (Unknown Quality) x 1 [/list]- Short Cudgel (Unknown Quality) x 1 [color=green][b][Equipped][/b][/color] - Assorted Insect Parts and Meat x 1 [b][With Asteria][/b] [/hider] [hider=Action Summary] -Goes outside and notices the cart in the not so far distance. -Realizes that the bandits will take notice of it soon and has to make a decision. -Let them suffer and allow the Rat Party to escape, or Warn the cart and risk wiping the party? -Initially decides to choose the former and uses [Muffle II] to help sneak back to the barrow. -Enters the barrow and leans into the 2nd room to talk to Asteria. -He decides that he doesn't like being an opportunistic coward and tells Asteria his plan of action. -Kill the one that smells like purple, then the staff-wielding one, finally kill the minty one. -The two well-armed humanoids can be dealt with by the cart guards but, if they don't, Ed suggests to help end them. -Mentally psyches himself up and asks if Asteria is ready to spring the plan into action. [/hider]