EliteCommander

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Ssarak wanted to stop Alaira, but she was too quick to grab. He wished he could yell at her inside her head, but having her scream out in pain while sneaking up on them would make the situation immediately worse. The first mistake he might forgive, but now it was like she was just trying to sabotage them. He had not believed it was a good idea to bring her along, but not for this reason; he had more anticipated her weakened state would be the issue. It mattered little at the moment, however, as he needed to focus on keeping the bridge stable, an idea that Meirin shared.

Meirin was a bit quicker to reach the rope than Ssarak, but he was right behind her. She shouted for them all to cross, but there was no way in Tien he was leaving her to be dragged into the river by the weight she was supporting. Besides, falling into the river wouldn't be an issue for him if he was pulled down by the rope. He rushed over to Meirin and grabbed onto the post and rope as well, adding his considerable strength to the mix and, more importantly, reducing the stress on Meirin.

"Darius, help us!" Ssarak shouted telepathically. It was possible they might hold it up long enough as it was, but Darius could only make it easier.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Eh, I'll just have Ssarak give her some help. He doesn't train those muscles for nothing.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

You may need to edit, as I don't think what she tried would work. In their current situation, the fire is going to burn one side of the bridge, but that is going to take a few minutes. On the other side, the bandits are going to cut the other. I don't think she would be able to get over there in time.

Edit: I also had an idea of how to stop them from cutting the rope in the first place, but I am awaiting a response from Lucius.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

I have a question, then. I'll message it to you.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

I probably need a bit more information. What kind of bridge is this exactly? It's a rope bridge, obviously, but is there any other mode of support? How high up is it?

Ssarak might also try a bit of last second psychomancy on the bandits, something to get them to take their hands off the ropes before Alaira struck.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

Ssarak might be able to save some people. He could grab one fine, though that leaves two more. He might try grabbing onto another on the way down, but he couldn't fly with two. However, he might be able to hit the bottom less-hard. I think one of those people might be the carriage driver.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

"I understand it is likely a trap, but we should not - Alaira, no!" Ssarak shouted as soon as he saw what she was doing, but it was too late. With a bolt of lightning, she ignited a flame that spread quickly through the dry grasses, ending immediately any chance of talking their way through. She wanted to flush out any bandits hiding for an ambush, but the flames revealed none. Instead, it frightened the horses and forced them onto the bridge. The flames quickly engulfed the area behind them, not to mention the smoke that was filling the air and beginning to restrict their breathing. Using his wings, Ssarak did his best to keep the smoke away from himself and his allies, but they still had even more pressing concerns. The smoke wasn't as bad the closer they drew to the far side of the bridge, but the bandits were still set on taking their caravan.

The pair of duelists had their knives firmly on the ropes supporting the bridge, and Ssarak could see no way to stop them from finishing off the ropes if they were intent on severing them. The thought entered his mind to use his magic to make them think they were stationary while they continued to advance, but he was not confident he would be able to sustain such an illusion. Ssarak could fly, so his own life wouldn't be in danger if the bridge fell, but the others could not, and he could only realistically save one of them before impact. However, at the moment, he saw no compelling reason that they could not just agree to hand over the wagon, then kill them anyway once they were safely on land.

"Perhaps we should agree to their demand, then kill them once we are off the bridge?" Ssarak suggested in a telepathic message to all of his allies except Alaira, due to her weakness to psychomancy.

Blood Act I~ Ghosts of the Past

I think I'll just go with a different idea, something more inclusive of everyone else.

Call of the Hunt [EliteCommander and Muttonhawk]

"That is not an easy question to answer." Meesei responded to Sabine. "Certainly, with enough control, lycans can live in even the largest of cities, provided they have some opportunities to leave the city from time to time. If she gains that level of control, it wouldn't be difficult at all for her to live in her village, the real question would be if they would accept her? There is no way she could keep it a secret, so she would have to be entirely open with them. They might not agree to allow a lycan, even one from their own village, to live among them."

When Janius entered, Kaleeth was curled up on the bed, and even him speaking to her did not cause her to shift positions. Thusfar, she had been distant from the others, but she was at least a bit more willing to be open with Janius, not that her words were going to give him any real comfort. "We are not all going to survive, are we?" She said, her tone depressed, but honest.

Blood Act I: Auxilary Tale - Ssarak's Story (Private Party)

Ssarak was at first wary of having Coco join them. It wasn't that he disliked the Foreas, but that he did not yet know who he could trust to aid him, despite his past crimes. As they were waiting for Annabeth, however, he had some time to contemplate on the issue. Coco did not seem to be a judgmental individual, and thusfar, his encounters with her had been nothing but positive. Perhaps she would judge him more on his current attitudes than his past crimes? Additionally, her mannerisms allowed her to ask any number or type of question she wanted without raising any suspicions. When Annabeth arrived with Colette, he had a similar mental debate on whether or not to include her, but eventually decided she could be helpful as well.

"Yes, of course. I know you and Meirin already know the story, but for the others, I should start from the beginning..." Ssarak said as he began another painful recitation of his sordid past. He did not spare a detail of his own crimes and failings, nor try to justify them, but merely explained what he did and why he did it. He described his attack and clan Xhoth's retaliation, as well as how it all led him into a self-imposed exile. As always, the pain and remorse in his voice was genuine, and intense. No matter how many times he told his story, it never grew easier for him to say.

Once he was finished explaining his background, he moved on to the present issue. "Now, a warrior from my homeland, from clan Xhoth, has come to claim me as a fugitive and bring me back to the Scorched Lands, presumably for a trial and execution. Perhaps I do deserve that fate; I do not claim to be wise enough to know, but I still wish to use the life I have to attempt to redeem myself for my crimes. Meirin has agreed to help me build a case in my defense, and I was hoping to ask all of you to assist in doing the same. I can offer little more than gratitude in return, but in success or failure, you will have that from me for the rest of my days."