Well done, Lionheart and Apollo. I find it amusing how one of you is totally going to try to make the man give up while the other wants to kill him as soon as possible, reading the texts. In any case. That will do nicely.
@Eklispe, if you're bored in any way, feel free to strike up conversations with neighboring NPCs. Or PCs, that's even better. I mean, yeah, as a healer it won't make much difference, since none of these guys are getting hurt.
Don't worry, guys, I won't make future NPCs fighting at your side completely inept to allow the healer to heal something. Not completely. Haha.
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalright, then. I've got the problem that either all of my characters can do this challenge or none of them can. I mean, there is almost none among my characters I cannot point at and say either "That's a good person" or "That's a bad person". Either case, there is none of my "good person"s that doesn't have flaws or temptations, and there is none of my "bad person"s is without underlying morals and those they'd wish to protect. ... Except a few.
However, if this is, as the clarification describes, "a story for the common person", then I do believe that I have an idea. A thoroughly ridiculous one. Haha.
@Harbringer Nicely done. I do believe you've made an impression, now. Alright, then. With this in place, we're probably going to need someone to supply a reason why you're coming along. Like, um, did we have that conversation? Someone, tell him what's going on and then convince him to come along! ... Eh, when we're out of here, I suppose. XD
@Eklispe Well, there were neither words nor action at that moment, but I'll keep my hopes up! :)
Oh, and if I forgot to say, I'm back! ... And I was kind of proud of my display of Sion confronting Rioga like that. I wonder if it had the impact I intended. Oh, well. I am not going to describe what happens further in that battle after this. You'll have to get the news later. Haha.
@Harbringer Not sure what that means, but probably. XD
Oh, and in the future, there will of course be more focus on you guys. Let's see, since no more opponents stand in your way, I'll probably be making a post describing your escape after you've made your posts... but first, you'll need to decide which direction you're fleeing. Feel free to ask me questions about things that you should know about, even if I won't be able to respond for nine days. Though, yeah, the Jahannan army is pretty much surrounded the east part of the castle, inside and outside, so... That's one piece of intel to start with. Haha.
Feel free to make any decisions you feel are appropriate for the situation! I'll adapt to it~!
That... took way longer than I expected, between the different things that have needed to be done in real life and me being exhausted/lazy other days. However, tomorrow I will be going on a somewhat lengthy trip of nine days, and I had to get that post done before then. There was no way around it. So, there it is. I hope I didn't make any giant mistakes while trying to get that done in time.
Morag darted towards Archibald, intending to attack him. His battle-lust overcame him mostly, giving a annoyed wave up at Alvin as he flew over him, but then ignored him and dashed forward. At the time of when he swung around for the first arrow, if either by experience or sheer luck, he'd be ready to dodge the first arrow, grinning at Archibald. However, then he realized there was spell aimed at him. Somehow, Morag was able to step backwards and avoid the blast of lightning, but this meant he was not prepared to dodge the next arrow.
"Gaah...!" Morag cried out, as the arrow hit precisely where Archibald intended it to hit. That one eye Morag still had glared forward in anger at him, and started trying to move forward at him, but another arrow hit. Morag recoiled in pain, but his grip around the weapon in his hand was held as fiercely as ever, he was not giving up. The leader of the Spike Guild tried to forcefully charge through to Archibald, but an arrow met him at every turn, hitting almost exactly where the archer intended them to hit. Morag glared at him and anger and shouted out in anger, an intelligible sound of pain and the annoyance at being held from meeting his opponent, as Archibald loaded the last arrow.
Griswal had intended to stand ready to defend the archer should it have been necessary, but seeing the current state of things it would appear it wasn't necessary.
Lexa would realize that the healer was there for her wound, and show it to her. She'd breathe a small sigh of relief as Arathyra healed her injury. "Thank you!" She'd quickly report, and then turn her attention back to what was happening at hand.
The fighter would grin at Marwood's words, holding his axe forward at him. "How far would you follow your Queen, knight of Renais?" He had apparently, unlike his commander, failed to realize that Marwood was a prince even if he had realized that he was from Renais. Not even waiting for an answer, he'd continue. "That's the same as I feel to Morag!" With that said, the fighter would grab the axe, direct it to his left, and attempt a steep swipe intended to take Marwood off-guard and then possibly continue and also potentially collide with Alvin who was approaching from the fighter's further right. However, the fighter was outmatched in skill here, and his maneuver was unlikely to succeed and him unlikely to survive, even if he had the weapon advantage in this case, his skill not quite equal to that of the two princes.
____________________
Rioga stood up in front of his throne, the Empreror of Grado staring forward with respect as he listened. There was a silence in the hall, dead quiet where there before had been the turmoil of combat, except for the heavy armored footsteps of King Sion treaded into the throne room. The blonde King of Jehanna walked in with confidence, bringing in his majestic aura to bear over the room, looking over the individuals inside the place. To Sion's right Rhodri of the Wheel Guild walked in, a battle-heavy grin of enjoying a good fight coming off as he looked forward towards General Nero, who met him with a stone-hard glare of focus and discipline, holding his sword ready. To Sion's left was his deadly second-in-command, Nethanel, who smiled his usual unreadable smile with a sword drawn, quickly locating his opposition as Garric wandered in with a troubled frown, side turned towards him, blade on guard and ready for combat. The years of experience surrounding these were massive, and the two Grado archers that somehow had found their way here find themselves shaking back a bit.
"I'm surprised." Sion said, looking over how well everyone had chosen their opponents without issue, himself facing directly to Emperor Rioga. "I thought for sure that you would chose the match-ups that would delay us the longest, given how you set up your soldiers as but a shield to keep us away a little longer. Yet I see here that you are, actually aiming for a swift, decisive blow, with the largest chance of victory. I am... intrigued." Sion comments, musing with a little smile as he looked around at the combatants gathered, finally settling his eyes on the grim look of Emperor Rioga, who gave him a smile right back.
"If I defeat you here, then that will be it. Grado will be victorious in one fell stroke. It would be foolish not to bet on such an opportunity." Rioga stepped forward to align with his men, the same way Sion was with his. From his back, Rioga drew forth a great Steel Axe, which he had no trouble wielding, to him it was his dependable partner who had served him well in the past, his comfortable go-to pick that would help him against any level of opponent. "So, Sion. We've often mused about who would have won a straight on combat. Shall we see the answer? Draw your weapon."
Sion replied with a smirk. With a single hand, he then grabbed a handle from its scabbard, drew the weapon, and directed it towards Rioga, who frowned, smile disappearing and a glare took its place on his expression. That odd grip for extra power, that sword sharpened well on that one side of the sword. An odd blade built with the weight of an axe, yet the handling of a sword, built for one purpose only.
"You're... going to fight one of the world's most powerful axe-users... with a Lancereaver?" Rioga did not look amused. He knew better than to let this in any way disrupt his proficiency as a soldier, but the Warrior inside him felt deeply offended all the same. As a sword-user, Sion would have had the natural advantage, and yet he feels like using a Lancereaver, which ineffectiveness against axes is famous? Was he looking for a greater challenge? Did he feel that Rioga was that much beneath him, and gave him a handicap? Sion did not bless the question with an answer, only smiled, a confident and majestic smile of someone who had every ounce of confidence in his choice. Rioga grunted, taking his battle-stance. This wouldn't get to him, he was too good a soldier, but all the same, this annoyed him. "... Very well. Then let's see if your skill matches your actions."
"I intend to prove so. Emperor Rioga... I've been looking forward to this." Sion says with a smile of competence, before the two combatants jumped at each other, and their weapons would clash.
On the side, Rhordi spared no time unleashing the wrath the rage of a Berserker at General Nero, who matched him with every stroke with unyielding precision. On the other side, Garric and Nethanel hadn't even moved yet, both Swordmasters watching each other, Garric with a frown and Nethanel with a blank smile, swords not yet drawn as they were playing mind-games with one another.
Map
Notable individuals:
Blue Mercenary Kalte – A strong-willed Swordsman who likes to travel.
Blue Knight Griswal – A proud knight of Grado heritage. Stoic, but empowered.
Blue Horserider Marwood – A Renais prince with a good heart and a rebellious streak.
Blue Faithful Arathyra – A sweet young healer from Grado
Blue Wyvern (Though more cheerful than the image claims~) Alvin – Prince of Grado. Gregarious and diplomatic, though a fine warrior in his own right.
Blue Thief Habit – A Thief hailing from Jehanna who seems unable to refuse any task.
Blue Pegasus Knight Lexa – A jaunty young pegasus knight from Frelia. Often has her head in the clouds.
Blue Shaman Aldo – A shaman researcher and advisor on things magic in service of Grado. Magically gifted and incurably serious. Weapon Mastery: Dark: D Level: 1 Equipment and Items: Flux, Vulnerary, Guiding Ring.
Green Warrior in Throne Room Rioga – The Court Emperor of Grado. Trusted by his people. Known for catching bandits and trying to strengthen Grado’s military. Weapon Mastery: Axes: B, Bows: C Level: 5 (25) Equipment and Items: Steel Axe, Tomahawk
Green General to Rioga's right Nero – Commanding guardian of Grado and one of Rioga’s best men. Weapon Mastery: Swords: ???, Lance: ???, Axe: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Steel Sword, Steel Lance, Steel Axe, Knight Crest
Green Swordmaster to Rioga's left Garric - Skilled Swordmaster in employ of Grado. Excessively cautious about himself. Weapon Mastery: Sword: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Steel Blade, Killing Edge, Hero Crest
Red Hero Sion – Jehanna’s King of Red Sands, cause of this war. A graceful and deadly swordsman who can seem gentle and/or devious depending on who you are. Weapon Mastery: Swords: ???, Axes: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Lancereaver, Silver Sword, Wind Sword, Elixir.
Red Swordmaster Nethanel – Second-in-command of the Royal Guild. His swordsmanship and bloodlust is only matched by his adoration for Sion. Weapon Mastery: Swords: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Killing Edge, Runesword.
Red Berserker Rhodri – Brutal leader of the Wheel Guild. An excellent drinking partner who’s jolly personality masks his lack of compassion. Weapon Mastery: Axes: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Battle Axe, Tomahawk, Elixir
Red Mercenary with Boss Marker Morag – The leader of the Spike Guild. Proud, confident and looking for wealth and fortune above all else. Weapon Mastery: Swords: D Level: 3 Equipment and Items: Steel Sword (is what that qualifies as now)
Purple Archer Archibald – A friendly poacher who wanders around Grado with his merry band of bandits. Has a hidden dark side.
Purple Thief Aiph - Thief with thin, wiry frame assisting Archibald. (As far as I know.) Weapon Mastery: Swords: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Iron Sword, I'd assume, possibly something more, I haven't given it any thought.
Purple Fighter Darius - Right hand-man of Archibald with a gruff voice. (As far as I know.) Weapon Mastery: Axes: ??? Level: ??? Equipment and Items: Iron Axe, I'd assume, possibly something more, I haven't given it any thought.
Green Odd Guy Ret – A Mage from the rural mountains of Caer Pelyn, uncivillized yet seemingly the honorable sort.
Green female Myrmidon who I figure would be trying to gtfo after you guys Narina – A defiant woman born in Jehanna but raised in Renais.
Xaltwind,
Renose,
Rune_Alchemist,
RPM,
Savo,
adncod,
ppppppp,
Framing A Moose,
Ariamis,
Not a Sayan
