ghastlyInc

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

@Saltwater Thief
Slaz(The Fake's alt character) is at Candaeln so that might be a good place. Gives you both an opportunity to work on character interactions and feel out a new characters personality before we get into the next arc (this one should be wrapping up soonish according to VV).

I'll also be helping run the next arc, so if the two of you want to get some interaction in, I can pull some characters out for you to interact with (since it would be a little hard to get the new characters into the current arc sans say 'they were just there the whole time')

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

“oh. My poor feelings.” Gillian scoffs, rolling his eyes at Trials passive aggression. “Alas I shall never again question the honor among thieves, kidnappers and murderers. Truly you've set me on the path of righteousness.” He snarks, listening half way to the bandit girls stammering explanation. “oh. Good. You're just an attempted murder and kidnapper. My mistake, changes so much.”

He would have continued if not for Fanlily's patience finally reaching its end. He resisted his urge to roll his eyes, if only for respect for her position as his captain. Still, this wasn't the first time he'd heard such and overly romanticized idea of the knights. And always, from someone too green to know that the 'distinguished honor' of their order didnt kill the enemies of Thaln. “...I'll follow your orders on sparing the girls life captain.” He says, coldly. “Frankly I prefer it. But there is no order you can issue me that will make me find Tyaethe's presence agreeable. Though I apologize you found my humor in poor taste.” He says, bluntly.

He left it at that, deciding he was already treading the line on insubordination. Besides, unlike Tyaethe, who to him seemed wholly ignorant of the dangers and the necessary evils of their profession, the girl's anger came out of a place of passion and naivety. “Sooner I find an elf princess's panties the better...” he grumbles to himself (attempting to ignore the absurdity of the statement), regretting having come on this mission. He huffs, reminding himself he came as a favor to the Sunfields and Soulscale. He just had to grin and bear through this for a little longer.

Klien awkwardly watched as the bandit girl was loaded into his cart, though made no objection to her presence. Frankly it was just nice to have a non-rose visitor to his humble mobile home. “Feel free to help yer self to any rations you can find back there. Got plenty!” He offers in a cheery tone. “And dear elf woman! Thank you from the bottom of my old soul for protecting my wagon during the attack....you know, I've a son who quiet fancies your kind if you are in the market for a husband!” He adds with a laugh.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

“if you've got tea on hand, pass it to the kid.” Gill says to Klaus, seemingly unsurprised at the discovery at the rebellious insignia found on the bandits. “'s far as I know, she's the only member either not dead, presumed dead, or rotting in a cell somewhere. So co-” The loud twang of an arrow being let loose cut him off.

Nori just stood awestruck at the arrow now protruding out of the undead paladin. “h..How dare you!” She blurts, drawing her sword at the elf. “Were it in my power I'd summarily execute you on the spot for daring to strike a superior officer!” She says, bouncing with a sudden energy. Tail wiggling with unbound fury for all to see. For those not well versed in rabbit communication, it....comes off more cute than threatening.

Gillian, meanwhile, tries desperately to maintain his composure and not fall off his newly acquired horse in a fit of laughter. “R-hehe-relax there rabbit.” he starts, acquiring a modicum of composure. “If that kind of thing could kill the great Radistirin someone would have done us the favor a long time ago.”

Nori glares at the insubordinate knights for a moment before begrudgingly sheathing her weapon. “Now then...we all done with our respective tantrums?” He asks, looking the group over. “...we sure? Cause we've got daylight left. Plenty of time for one more....no? Fantastic. Now then...” He carefully leads the horse over to Indrau and Tyaethe, locking eyes with the currently pinned bandit under the undeads gauntlet. “The lions right, you know. Killing her just to find out who is paying her wont help us as much as finding out where they might be. We've already got the Cal girl as bait for the meet up if need be and its the only lead we have to where the shard might be.” He says, leaning down slightly to address the three of them. “How about this, if she tells us where she was suppose to meet her employer, we'll leave her here. Possibly dying at the side of the road like an animal certainly beats dying with certainty at the capital. Dont you think?” He asks the bandit, flashing a gentle smile that clashed horribly with the brutality of what he was suggesting. Frankly, were circumstances different, he'd have had no problem letting the paladin vent her frustrations all over the poor girls face. But they had a time table to keep.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

“Leave it to a mage to mess with something that should have been left well enough alone....” Gill huffs listening to the half-pint, followed closely by Trial. “And apples and trees...” He huffed quietly at Indrau's comment about parentage. Still, there were bigger fish to fry.

Gill nods to a few of the rank and file knights, barking. “You three. Start searching the bandit bodies please. Doubt they're related to our targets, but on the off chance we might find a map to a rendezvous point. If nothing else, we'll kill a few more of their kind and do everyone a favor. Keep this trip from being a total waste....” The trio hesitantly begin to search. Gill held no rank on them, but it wasnt a terrible idea.

“Cal. While I agree with the general opinion that the mages at the college are largely criminally incompetent here...” he starts, addressing the young girl. “Next time you catch wind of something like this, you should report it to the Iron Roses immediately.” he says, walking over to a free horse, climbing on. The beast resists him for a moment, before begrudgingly accepting its new rider. “Running a plan half cocked as this is bound to get you into more trouble, regardless of intention....as the generous bandit corpse pile might suggest.” The scolding was half hearted, at best. While the girls intentions were still suspect to him, he didnt want to think to hard about what could have happened to her if they hadn't shown up.

“Captain, we should also plan what course of action our order should take if we dont catch the thieves now. The royal scouting guild might be better suited to tracking them than ourselves...” He adds, not liking the idea of going to that group for aid. Something always struck him as off about the organization, but even he couldn't deny their effectiveness.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

"oh? Stupid Bastard am I?" Gillian asks with a hint of amusement. "Well, I cant rightly argue against the stupid part of that, lacking the formal education and other privileges afforded to someone of your standing." He says, words dripping lightly with venom, though dulled slightly when faced with a child. The Sunfields currently attempting to fawn over the girl also helped, Gill having to stifle a chuckle as they attempted to fondle the girls cheeks.

"At any rate, private matter or not, currently from the iron knights perspective we've come across mercenaries you hired participating in the slaughter of a fortress. And though their innocence isn't directly in question at the moment, if we reported back now it would look poorly on you, Lady Cal. Lack of substantial evidence as to their innocence, and by extension yours, and all." He pauses for a moment, eyeing Haelstadt, rubbing his wrist as he remembers the sizable dent he left in Bifros earlier. He really wasn't in the mood to deal with another fight with someone that large.

He suddenly feels a sharp poke in the back, Nori having pressed the hilt of her blade to the small of his back. "Is it common in this land to intimidate cute little girls?" she asks, ears twitching with mild agitation.

Gill sighs, rubbing his head. "Not especially, but given the potential gravity of what she might be involved in, assuming her innocence at her word isn't enough. Not for us and especially not for the people who'd want her to be involved in a scandal of this nature." He says, throwing a look over to Fanlily pointedly. "Our jobs to find and stop threats to Thaln, I'll remind you Bunny boy..."

"My name is Nori."

"Nori then. If it turns out the squirt is in the right, I'll be the first one to bend over backwards and kiss her boots. Knights honor. Till then, she's as much a suspect as anyone else. " He responds flatly, crossing his arms. He knew full well that his actions towards the noble girl weren't exactly in good taste, but the fact remind the young Cal heiress was their only named suspect for the moment.

A look of annoyance flashes across the rabbit woman's face for a moment, as she processes the mans logic. "...Very well..." she grumbles, in half hearted agreement. "But after we conclude our investigation, I demand you honor your promise!" She says, crossing her own arms, an act which came off more as cute than determined.
"....huh?" Gill grunts. "To kiss the girl." Nori rasps, straightening to the full of her height (not that it helped much) " If you are wrong you said you would bend backwards and kiss her boots."

There is a brief pause before Gill gives a small squeak of laughter. "Ab-Absolutely!" He says, between coughing laughs, stunned slightly by the rabbits unabashed faith in the traitors daughter. "I'll even throw in granting her one request, no strings attached." he adds.

Nori turns her attention to the young Cal, "Would this be agree-able to you Lady Cal?" She asks, tail wiggling slightly in agitation. If nothing else, she swore she would show up this brutish young man before the sunset.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

Nori gawks slightly at the small figure which stepped out from the shadow of the behemoth of a man (well, comparatively. She some how doubted The giant gentlemen of the mercenaries they'd taken charge of would be so inclined to agree.) "This dainty human waif is our prospective evilly inclined noble?" she asks with no small hint of disbelief, an ear dropping to one side in uncertainty. "It does not sit well with me that we are accusing a child of such an act." she rasps bluntly. "The little one is barely big enough to sit in my lap, much less conjure dark forces...."

Gillian eyes the large armored hulk currently hovering near said 'dainty human waif' with an inordinately healthy amount of skepticism. "Looks can be deceiving. Lady Ittsybittsy here is one of the crotch spawn of one of the most infamous traitors in Thaln's recent history." He says, matter of factly. He stretches a little, his back cracking quietly. "Got to say didn't figure it'd be a Cal though. So whats the story short stack? After all the temper tantrums you've thrown about how much you hate your daddy-dearest seems rather out of character for you to go hiring mercs and skulk around the backwoods looking for possibly ancient evil shards.....provided of course that is what you're doing."

Gillian turns his gaze towards the young girl, fixing it into a harsh glare. He didnt hold any particular ire towards her, but she was a suspect for the moment. And with Tyaethe acting ever tactful (to those of us fortunate to be born nobles anyway), it was good to have a foil for her. 'nice knight, bad knight' was a popular interrogation trick back in Candaeln, if not for results then at least amusement.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

Nori sighed as her blade made its home (albeit temporarily) in the chest of another downed bandit. She suppressed a pleased shudder as she felt the life on the other end of the sword slowly slip away. While it wasn't very becoming of a lords retainer to enjoy slaughter so much, she'd be the first to admit that she'd missed the ruthlessness of combat while living with Merilia. It took a moment for the bloodlust to subside enough for her to register the presence of the black knight. She bows politely as Sir Tyaethe begins speaking to the new comer.

Gillian, for his part, was visibly not too happy about the new interloper. "That..." He says, swaggering beside Tyaethe, "and your choice in equipment just screams, 'please stab me, for I worship dark powers under new moons while drinking the blood of virgin geese'." He pauses, folding his arms. "No offense, of course. Optimistically, I'm hoping you're just a noble with 'impassioned' taste in wardrobe." he adds after a moment. He waves back at the group who lagged behind during the bandit attack. "You all can join us now!" He calls, watching as Klien visibly relaxes behind the lovely elven woman who so kindly defended his cart. "Pretty sure everyone is dead. So two for two out of things we've done today!"

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

Gillian leapt from the carriage, grunting as his knees absorbed the sudden shock. In all honesty, he'd not expected them to run into trouble so soon, though part of him wondered if this attack was related to the fort at all. He didnt have much time to mull the possibility over before the captain called for a charge, Klien retreating (and somewhat cowering) behind Umbra for cover as she shot from his wagon. He'd leave the wagon in the elf woman's care, if only for the chance to talk to her later under the pretense of helping his old friend. Klien, for his part, probably wouldn't object to the minor exploitation.

He watches the twined Sunfields for a moment before realizing they did not intend to charge into the fray. It was a fair enough choice, though has he charged the bandits on foot he somewhat wished someone had atleast offered a horse. Oh well, he wasn't unaccustomed to fighting mounted opponents. He gripped his spear tightly as the bandits began to mount a return attack, one charging at Gillian swinging wildly.

Gillian would wager the man was probably a rookie (most trained soldiers wouldn't swing with such vigor at the air) in the bandits ranks, an almost felt sorry for him as he braced himself. The bandit locked eyes with him, glaring with the hatred of a thousand suns. 'Spirited lad...' Gill thinks, gently side stepping the charge, the offending sword of the cutthroat missing its mark. Gill spun the spear around, shaft planting itself firmly in the side of the younger man, carrying all the weight of the strike and the charge with it. 'Could work on his aim a bit though' Gill thinks as the impact reverberated through his arms, smirking slightly as he watched the unconscious body fall to the ground. If the kid was lucky, he'd probably wake up with just a broken rib or two.

He was about to carry the boy off to the side of the road, atleast to get him out from under foot while they tried to deal with the rest of his comrades, when he saw a flash of grayish white and red streak past him in a blur. He turned, raising his spear to block what he assumed to be an attacker.

It was, thankfully, a somewhat unnecessary act. He watched in somewhat disgusted awe as the rabbit person the Captain had brought along embed her now blazing curved sword into the neck of an oncoming rider's steed. The smell of burning horse hair and animal fat hit his nostrils quickly, the now removed head of the beast landing with a wet crunch near his feet. The horse (or what remained of it) crumbled mid stride, its heavy body tumbling over itself and taking its rider with it, both bodys sending out a symphony of crunching noises as they came to a stop.

The rabbit woman fixes Gillian with a harsh glare before rasping a command at him. "You're in my way. Leave." She said, flicking the blade casually. Gillian backs off, leaving the possibly unconscious person behind. The rabbit calmly walked over, casually jabbing the boys throat before turning back towards the whole of the bandits, looking for a new target with an almost hungry gaze.

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

Gillian sighed, ignoring Tyaethe's jab as she began to weave her tale of the heroic deeds of the long dead saint. While he seemed utterly bored by the display, Nori was somewhat enraptured by the tale, nausea momentarily forgotten.
“Our undead friend just happens to be a little girl in a suit of armor. Don't worry about it too much. We've yet to figure out how she moves her bulk....and the armor as well.” He says, answering the shark while Indrau made his suggestion.

“I agree with the Lion. Though with that said I think it would also be prudent to find any maps of the area on hand at the fort.” He bites a thumb, thinking about the events that could have taken place in the fort prior to their (or the mercenaries) arrival. “We shouldn't yet assume that we are chasing an Angroron. Like I said before, there are any number of items which could fit the vague description given. However, given the note Tiral found, we might be able to assume moving this object isn't a simple matter. If it were just a shard of metal, that could be easily moved by one man on horse back. If thats the case, we're not likely to find him. Too many options for him to escape and reconvene with his allies” He says, ruminating over the facts.

“However, given the note Tiral found we can assume there is some chain of command behind this, one that thinks prep time for moving our target is necessary. Weather that means needing an hour to prepare a cart for transport or two days to prepare some form of magical containment I cant say. Either way, they're more likely to be limited to the mainroads if thats the case. I also suggest we have any priestess' we've got on hand to prepare a divine vessel for containment if it truely is a shard. Though hopefully that wont be the case.”

Blades of Iron Roses: A fantasy Knight RP

Gillian and Nori

Gillian approached the dubious merc, hesitantly putting his sword away. He still didn’t buy the story, but...the stench emanating from the now open mass grave at least lent some credibility. Where the mercs trustworthy? Probably not. But at least they didn't seem too included to lie about who they killed.
Nori was having remarkably more trouble adapting to the sudden offending odor the former sons of Thaln were now providing for the world to smell. It...reminded her of home, in all the worst ways she could imagine. She leans on the now adjacent Gillian for some support standing, visibly gagging once or twice as she attempted to suppress her memories (and rising urge to vomit) and listen to the spearman's alibi all at once.
“How remarkably helpful.” He huffs as Alette finishes her explanation. “You’re at once both immediately dismissing all my apprehensions about your presence here and filling us in as much as possible. The bards will sing of thy brevity and wit.” The sarcasm, hostile as it was, was a little hard to take seriously from the man with an ill rabbit woman hanging off his arm.
“The object you’re describing could be any number of magical or mundane objects. Few of them good. In the best case scenario it's some alchemists pet metallurgy project. Worst case it's another Angroron shard.” He grumbles, crossing his arm.
Nori looks up at him, deep confusion flashing across her face for a moment before being followed by another gag. “...Right. Guess we’ve got foreigners here, I’ll explain.” He says, handing the rabbit a waterskin as he does so. She greedily drinks, happy for something other than the taste of death in her mouth. “Long ago there was a dark lord named Orodrunn. Being a dark lord, he did dark lordly things, like slaughter the innocent, seek world conquest, pay his taxes a week late.” He starts, abridging the history a bit, so as to not bore the rest of the group, who were likely more familiar with the tale. “So good was he at being a dark lord that the various races banded together to off the bastard, with the help of saint Lillianna. Long story short, dark lord is killed, and his sword Angroron shattered. Supposedly the shards have powers beyond mortal comprehension. Occasionally they surface and cause trouble. Again though, worst case scenario. And part of me severely doubts someone would entrust its recovery to mercs like this.” A few unnamed knights give him a sideways glance, but remain silent. While his reputation in the knights was at least semi-mercenary, he was still of the order, so they left pointing out his hypocrisy to the senior officer's discretion.