Eisenhorn

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

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Abigail was grinning ear to ear as she cleaved through the goblins in front of her, bringing the large, two handed axe about in large sweeps that crashed through crude armor, flesh, and then bone with apparent ease. Each swing was turned into the next, joining in the frontal assault that kept the goblins from ever reorganizing to begin with. The sneak thief had the goblin archers taken care of, given the lack of arrows sticking out of her right now, meaning she had free reign to continue carrying on through each goblin she could bring her axe to bear on. Unfortunately, the ones that regained their senses were fleeing, and Abigail readied her axe again, already preparing to launch after them.

"Get back here you craven little shits!"

Then, of course, things got complicated. Not just more goblins trying to form a defense, no, it was....rattling? Not just one set of it either, an entire bunch of things rattling together at the same time. Then came the undead, skeletons this time, with fixed grins, hollow eye sockets, and somehow even more crudely armed than the goblins had been. Worse still, the copper rank basically froze up, shrieked, and was rambling in a language she didn't speak. Right, they were down their mage then, meant doing this the hard way. Abigail kept that grin on her face as she launched herself after the hundi who kept her senses about her, following in her wake as she was putting those daggers to work.

Where Liliane was precision and elegance, Abigail elected to bring her two handed axe into a vertical hacking motion, enough to not threaten the whirlwind of dagger work she was fighting alongside with strictly horizontal swings. It also let her convert the downward momentum of the swing into an overhead with the capped opposite end, aiming to smash as much of the bones of the skeletons as possible with each swing. She would take the fore when able, let the hundi with daggers work the flanks instead as Abigail committed herself to the slightly less pleasant job of smashing apart the undead. Less blood and viscera involved, but they did break nicely so it worked well enough in her favor.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Rolan

Rolan was not certain what response to expect from Lady Beaux, but watching her go as pink as her hair before beginning to stammer was not one. She had given it thought, fittingly, though seemed to have no intent to carry out such a tradition here at the tournament. That resolved that, as far as Rolan was concerned, then. To call her embarrassed was an understatement, though that left Rolan feeling more awkward than anything else. Romantic maneuverings were not his forte, regardless of cultural tradition or approach, though it did not seem that Ser Renar shared any feelings in regards to response to Lady Beaux's embarrassment. Mercifully for all parties involved, the moment did not drag for too long.

A horn sounded, clear across the tournament grounds, announced a call to arms for the beginning of the tournament. The reason the Roses were here and, by extension, the reason Rolan was here. Ser Renar wasted no time, bidding farewell and making for the tournament grounds proper. For his part, Rolan did not instantly stalk off towards the call to arms, feeling some obligation to at least be polite instead of taking off after Ser Renar.

"Well timed interruption, that. You are welcome to walk along if you'd like, otherwise, I wish you good fortune in the tournament and your duels during it."

Rolan would give Lady Beaux a chance to answer, regardless of her answer, but Rolan would not be found running late for the beginning of the tournament proper. One way or another, it was time for him to test himself in a contest he did not consider himself well suited for, but would participate in to the best of his ability all the same.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

---

Even braced for it, the noise and flash was intensive enough to make Abigail aware that, without the given warning, she would have been sitting out the best part of the fight, the opening of it. She gave the goblins a quick once over as the spell faded, spotting the usual mix of ramshackle equipment and stolen weapons in the usual amounts. Stolen armor, or looted, small difference but it did not look to be in particular good shape either. They had not been ready for the magic unleashed on them, the way they were organized did not strictly strike Abigail as being meant to walk into a fight, more looking to see if one was about to start. Still, no time to think, time to do what she did best and earn her gold.

Abigail grinned as she launched forward from the crouching position, red hood and cloak billowing in her wake as she made a lunging rush for the closest cluster of the goblins to line up as many of them as she could to convert the momentum of her lunge into a sweeping cleave with her two handed axe, aiming to split as many goblins in half as she could with the swing. She let out a sharp laugh as she swung, already sizing up how to make a beeline for the next goblin that was alive and not going to put her in the way of the rest of the party to work, already working up to her usual approach to fighting to slam into the front ranks and just keep going until she ran out of targets or had to disengage for some reason.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Rolan

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With what he had seen of the other Roses fighting against threats as a united force, and assisting in such battles where he could, Rolan considered something to behold an understatement. He held no disillusionment about his own place among the Captain's retinue, hence his consideration to not participate before being asked, but there was no shame in being bested by another Iron Rose. The declaration from Lady Beaux on the idea of being lucky to witness such a thing got a brief nod.

"With how contests like these can go, I would be surprised if two of the Roses did not cross blades at some point."

Rolan expected it, the only question was who would end up facing who. Most of the Captain's retinue paired against the other should prove to be enlightening, as far as contests go, though he excluded himself from those particular matches. Should he cross steel with another of the Roses, he would not hold back but also not hold his breath. Ser Renar, in response to Lady Beaux mentioning facing one of the Roses in battle, already voiced his stance on it not being for potential marriage. Ah, right, that Hundi tradition. He mentioned it was hardly a slight but instead a matter of obligation, and Rolan recognized the look he had when glancing his way.

"With how seriously Ser Renar takes his obligations, I would consider it high praise that the thought even arose as a possibility."

No audible questioning, simply a reinforcement with the subtle mention of praise in that Lady Beaux would conduct herself well enough to find herself facing off against Ser Renar in one of the tournament duels. If Rolan were to hazard a guess, Ser Renar was holding out for a more valuable union, for whatever reason that may be, as political maneuvering and marriages for the sake of stronger positions were not unknown to him. His own father, curse his grave, had considered such as viable options to impart as a tool to consider. Fortunately Rolan did not have to consider that implication nearly as much as others might.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

---

Abigail tapped her foot, not quite impatient but approaching it, waiting for the thief to return. It was the smart move, sending her out to figure out what they were dealing with, but it meant waiting. While waiting the dwarf had chimed in, mentioning the first sight of goblins meant swinging, getting a nod from Abigail in agreement.

"Agreed, only good response to a goblin."

Fortunately they were not waiting long for Reeva to make her way back, moving faster on the return than the trip out. Running away was always the easier route, Abigail thought, though she said nothing out loud to interrupt the hurried explanation from the thief. Goblins were tipped off? That was a new one. Either they had all missed the sentry goblin that had warned the rest of their approach, or someone had told the nasty creatures of their approach and they listened. Ready for a fight just meant earning her coin through honest slaughter instead of completely carrying an ambush forward. Clear to the gate, after that, was steel and blood time. Then the thief was off, and Abigail rocked her head back and forth, loosening up just a bit more.

"Wonder if any evidence of the tip off will survive our little trip..."

Corinne was questioning the use of break which, well, who was a village bumpkin turned axe slinging adventurer to judge how someone spoke? Dug in meant digging them out, though Liliane had a plan for that. Corinne started chanting, magic slinging impending, and Abigail got moving alongside the others, staying close to the front to intercept any sudden danger. Light swirled around that staff head, and by the time she looked nearly ready the otehr Hundi drew steel and rushed for the gate. Abigail followed close behind, two handed axe at a low ready and she nodded along with the plan.

"Got it, I'll head in first before they recover from....whatever spell that is. Everyone else keep my flanks clear, yeah?"

Abigail dutifully covered her ears, turning her head away to put some of her hood between her and the flash, eyes screwed shut. Even then, the impending crack and light would at least bleed through a little. When the spell went off? Abigail would be on her feet and already charging, half watching for traps, half watching for the nearest cluster of goblins she could start hacking into pieces. Time to earn her coin through honest killing.

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Rolan

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Rolan had not felt an apology was really needed for misidentifying him, especially when he was not even around for the last set of correspondence mentioning the knights at all. Even if her posture had not given her embarrassment away, the sudden freeze of her tail would have at before she said a word beyond stuttering. Though while she was stuttering, Ser Renar fixed him with a look that was, charitably, described as annoyed. Seemed the deflection was not well received, oh well, though after Ser Renar called it a forgivable mistake, Rolan did follow up on that.

"Well said, and accurate as well. I certainly took no offense, nor see a reason to."

Rolan considered the question that Lady Beaux posed next, if there was anyone in particular that was a person of interest to face in the coming tournament. He had not rightly considered whether or not to even participate, something he intended to solve after hearing about the events in particular, given outside of being reasonably accurate with a crossbow, he could not boast any performance worthy talents in a formal event such as this. Ser Renar answered first, that he was interested in facing Ser Fleuri which made sense. Then, perhaps in retaliation for his earlier deflection, turned and asked him if he planned to take part in the Valours or not. Well, shit, there went waiting and seeing.

"I had not decided for certain yet, but given I am here I have little reason not to, even if my personal aptitudes are better suited to outside tournament days. Though that does mean I have no particular opponent that I would wish to face, simply to conduct myself befitting my current position."

Rolan had no delusions on his chances as far as participating went, single combat was not his strong suit, nor were most knightly skills or qualities by his assessment. He had been drilling himself since the Wild Hunt to better protect himself in a melee, but compared to basically any other of the Knights proper? He was not a winning pick, not by a long shot. Still, as long as he did not embarrass himself or the others then he could make an attempt at it, especially if asked to participate.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

---

Abigail was at the head of the group that she had fallen in with, axe resting on her shoulder, staring out at the ruined fort they were supposed to go and clear out. Once upon a time it might have been halfway decent, as far as fortifications went, but it was just a mess now. She was no professional soldier or anything, but she could at least see how it was capable at one point. If it had only been the passage of time that wore away the fort, it would almost not be worth the time for someone like her. Anything wood was long rotted away, no gates, no doors, the works. Though, given their job, it was quite clear they had come to the right place even without the direction that the job listing provided to begin with.

The place festered with goblin sign, sharpened wooden stakes with animal skulls were easily visible, even from here. Though nothing humanoid, meaning no one else had been attacked by these goblins next, though it was clear they had settled in quite firmly at this point. Trash and debris scattered around as well, turning what might have once been a noble fort into almost a mockery of its former self. No doubt someone was rolling in their grave over the whole thing, but it meant she got paid by the end of this so, well, she considered it her good deed of the day clearing the goblins out with enthusiasm.

The trip here had been quite uneventful, Abigail thought, as she swept their surroundings. Corinne was shy but cheerful after whatever Liliane had mixed for her, Abigail favoring the old fashioned way of weathering hangovers when she got in too deep. This time it had not been too bad, though right now they were mostly waiting since a request had been made for their party sneak thief to go poking around. At least Corinne had asked, from what she overheard, though whether or not the sneak thief was willing to go running off into a goblin infested fort to poke around or not alone was another matter entirely.

"Nothing stands out as any of the goblins being on the lookout, not that I can see from here at least."

Abigail wasn't quite ready to go storming off alone, it would be stupid to, and she figured someone in the group would want to at least put together some plan of attack besides her go to plan, which was, of course, attack. Either way, she kept her axe shouldered, eyes scanning not just the fort but the surrounding fields as well. Never knew when an ambush might start, and she got to start cracking skulls early. Or splitting goblins apart, more accurately, but backswings happened sometimes.

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

---

Abigail glanced up as someone complained about her grabbing a fistful of jobs and stalking off with them, which got no response until she was sat down and, turned out, the complainer followed and commented on this only getting people crowding the table instead of anything else, which got a shrug. Still plenty of jobs on the board if it mattered, but she was not about to stand around when she could be seated and not have to shoulder past TOO many people to keep gawking.

"Means I don't have to go looking, assuming those present end up wandering off."

Liliane commented that it would have to be goblins since her partner would not be able to handle undead. Sure, suited her fine, slaughtering goblins was all fine and well as far as Abigail was concerned. The fact that said Hundi was off at the bar still was fine, wrangling her was not Abigail's problem. A drunken dwarf wandered up at this point, barely able to haul into the chair and looked like they had enough drink to barely be functional and started asking about how many goblins were getting killed.

"Enough to drive off an archaeology group and loot their equipment. So enough to warrant heading out and taking some heads."

Abigail did not bother trying to hold the dwarf's attention given the sheer amount of drunkenness present right now, Abigail had a good few drinks in her but spread out enough to not be a complete mess right now. Enough to at least keep things loosely organized and, given those present? Enough of them were together to get some work done. Not the fanciest job in the world, but it would pay enough to put in on keeping ahead of her usual day to day costs, plus if any of the assembled group were lower ranks, just meant it was a babysitting job as well as doing necessary work, which had its own perks.

@Psyker Landshark@Raineh Daze@Animal

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Rolan

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Rolan kept a neutral, polite expression even as he processed the almost impressive mis-identification, though if he had heard right Lady Beaux had heard about them through a friend who was friend to the First Princess. Which meant there was basically zero chance she had any idea who he was, even if he let her continue floundering through each name she knew from her gossip. He was tempted to let her guess all the same, but that really would not accomplish much. That, and Ser Renar had elected to, after interjecting that he had not heard anything from the Captain yet, pointed out it would be cruel to have her guess since he had not met Her Highness.

"A fair point, I'll spare you having to make introductions on my behalf."

Rolan could introduce himself, frankly, turning to face Lady Beaux and inclining his head properly before introducing himself. He had some basic understanding of decorum, even if he had avoided having to make any use of it at all reasonable costs. He would keep his own personal introduction brief, let the others of the retinue bear the responsibility of being recognized more readily, including a deflection since Ser Gerard happened to be mentioned.

"Ser Rolan, a more recent addition to the Captain's retinue. Though between the two of us, Ser Gerard remains the more capable by wide margins."

Sword and Dungeon: An Adventurer's Guild-based Fantasy RP

Abigail Blackthorn

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Abigail glanced, before shifting to give Liliane a more clear look of the cluster of jobs she grabbed. Before she could look too closely at the ones that stood out, the hundi called the dragon posting absurd. Agreed, for the reason she gave as well, that kind of thing would not just be publicly open and waiting. The right people would be picked to form a hunting party, and off they'd go on a grand old adventure to hunt a dragon. Not randomly posted up in the guild job board, so she had basically tossed that one mentally out of her mind as a possible option to join in on. The request to move to a table, for fear of leaving her wife alone, got an idle shrug. The other hundi then, though she seemed perfectly happy chattering away, probably needed babysat anyways.

"Sure, doesn't matter to me where jobs get looked over."

Abigail stood, grabbing a fresh mug of ale with one hand, the job listings with the other, grabbing the nearest table that had seating for the two hundi and....whoever else decided to lurk she supposed. As for the jobs themselves, she started sifting through the ones that actually stood out, rapidly tossing pointless menial labor off to the edge of the table, before reaching the first worth noting. Some farmer's cows kept getting eaten, griffin trouble, which caused her to briefly perk up before the statement of taking it alive came up, getting a sigh instead.*

"Taking things alive is rarely worth the effort, even for beasts of some note. Unless you have some fancy charms or something, not worth the hassle."

Moving on, Abigail reviewed the next listing. Some wedding ring went missing, large diamond....fifty years ago?! The hell kind of husband (reading further ahead to see who was involved) left a gods damned wedding ring abandoned in a mine? She glanced at the hundi as she began nudging the listing towards the probably not pile.

"Reckon if he can't be bothered to post a finding for the ring sooner, his better half probably ain't too keen on him to begin with."

For all she knew the better half had passed, but Abigail was not strictly one for speculating like that. Not when the next two jobs were far, far more up her realm of expertise. Venne Mage's College got jumped by goblins in some broken down old fort, and wanted iron ranks or higher to clear them out. Given they had whatever the college left behind when they got jumped, that job probably would want a Steel rank along to babysit. Goblins were one of the things always worth killing, though the next job was one of the other things worth killing as well. Undead, by the looks of it. She was no paladin (though the kid paladin coiled up by the lamia still probably would salivate at that kind of job), but hacking up undead and burying them again usually paid well. No morals to worry about either, for her adventuring peers that were nearly as worried about that.

"Goblins or undead, that's solid money and straight forward. Goblins with mage college belongings is not great news, but neither is a bunch of shambling corpses rising up. Reckon either of those are the best of this lot of jobs."

Abigail wasn't bothering to keep her voice down, taking a swig of her drink. In no small part, she was curious to see if the kid paladin heard the mention of undead, but she made it pretty clear her interest was more in cracking skulls, living or otherwise, than having to waste time trying to wrangle griffins or hunt giant spiders for a ring that might not even be there anymore. Besides, giant spiders were not her mug of ale. Hell, spiders weren't period, but at least the small ones in room corners at least did something useful.