xenon

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George was in a position on the floor to see his fellow cult members dying as easily as sheep against wolves. While his left arm was hurting like hell and he'd lost his wand, he fortunately had a spare one on his belt and so he pulled it out and got up just enough to start casting.

THUNK!

Barracker's shield smacked the back of his head, the vampire's controlled strength doing just enough to knock him out without causing permanent harm.

The two men who fell off the temple roof both broke their legs on the landing and were writhing around on the floor in agony. The one swordsman who got intimately acquainted with Barracker's tower shield was missing some teeth and unconcious, but very-much alive. Another swordsman aswell as a spearman were both quickly bleeding to death, pale as ghosts, one with a hole in his gut and the other missing a leg.

After escaping the clutches of Sil's attack, the last remaining spearman was about to charge at Fenna until he realised that he was the only one still fighting. He quickly dropped his weapon, raised his hands in surrender and dropped to his knees in a plea for mercy.

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Due to Zell figuring out George's ruse so quickly, the ambushers had lost their initiative and thus, lacked the quickness to get any real attacks in on Second Chance before the adventurers showed their superiority. The teamwork and strategy of The Heroes from the Sky minimized all the major threats and the pragmatic decision to use deadly force instead of trying to save the brainwashed cultists, extiniguished any chance of counterattack.

The battle was over, and the first obstacle was scaled.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Whatever the party chose to do next with their time, and with the surviving cultists, after an hour or two, the clouds would part to unviel the full moon. The entrance to the Temple of Hades would open up, the wall of rock that previously blocked it shimmering before disappearing.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@ZapdosIt isn't salty, Zapdos. I enjoy the OOC strategy discussion. Taking @Saiyan seriously will take years off your life lol.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

Looking at this logically:

In the short time between Zell attacking George and MacKensie interacting with Zell, quite a lot has happened. The cultists attacked, Adam killed 4 men, James spoke a blessing, shouted orders, Barracker rushed forward, took 2 men out, attempted to knock George out, MacKensie started shooting. It would be reasonable of Zool to assume that Zell has started moving and is no longer holding George.

Just my take on things. Like Zapdos said, no big deal either way.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George bowed his head in response to MacKensie, a look of gratitude on his face, but Adam's suspicion was quick to straighten the wizard's posture. He wasn't sure what he could say to convince them he was no threat, but then Zell came towards him with a more welcoming tone. The handshake was weird though. Not that it was left-handed, but he could clearly feel the man caressing the back of his hand with his thumb.

Is he... flirting with me? George thought. Well, I do keep myself well-groomed but-

George wasn't allowed to finish his thought as he suddenly felt the overwhelming sensation of pain in his elbow and shoulder. "Arrgh!" Then he found himself heading towards the floor at great pace. His face smashed into dirt and he was sure he'd broken his nose, pain exploding to new heights. Dizzy and drifting unconcious only for more pain to sober him up as Zell handled his twisted arm, revealing his lack of a Source Crystal. Curse the Quinity!

"GETT THEMMM!!!" he yelled as loudly as he could.

And his fellow cult members came out of hiding, weapons at the ready.

4 men with bows appeared on the temple roof, nocking arrows and making targets of Second Chance. 8 more jumped out from behind columns and statues with swords and spears. They charged the adventurer party.

It was time to fight!

***

Sister Gwen and Lillianna were on horses making good time as they galloped back to Valhiem, but Gwen saw a tiny figure on the evening horizon. Their speed made the figure grow bigger fast.

"There is someone ahead in the road," she shouted to Lillianna.

Lillianna, who'd been deep in thought about yesterday's studies, trying to remember what she'd learned about Spirit Magic and the Light Domain that might be useful, looked at Sister Gwen, then registered what she'd said and looked down the road ahead.

It looked vaguely familiar as they neared. Then she realised who it was.

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THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

George was crouched behind a small lion statue, sweat appearing on his forehead as the unidentified person patrolled closer to his position. He could hear voices further away, men and women both, but he was unable to make out what they were saying. He couldn't hear the footsteps, but had caught snippets of blue clothing when he dared to peek a little. It was time to act.

"Die cultist!" George roared as he jumped out with his wand swirling a pattern. Ice-blue energy coalesced around the crown of the wand as the snow-blast spell activated, ready to fire. "Huh?" George paused, looking at MacKensie with confusion, before slowly lowering his wand, the magic disappearing into thin air. "You are not a cultist. You have my sincere apologies."

He suddenly grunted in pain, then held his ribs, almost falling to one knee, but he pushed through it. "Hardul, you can come out. It's safe."

A dwarf dressed in casual beige and brown threads slowly rose from behind a rock. He was clearly scared and uncertain. He had long, braided ginger hair and a healthy beard to match. No weapon or armour. A clear difference from George, who wore mage's robes with long gloves and carried a spare wand and dagger on his belt. George was a tall fellow, with parted black hair and a mustache that curled upwards at both ends.

"I am George of the adventurer party, Hidden Hand," he greeted, limping forward and offering to shake MacKensie's hand. "We underestimated the numbers of the cult, and their insidious traps set within the Temple. It proved our undoing. Most of us are dead but one was taken prisoner. I managed to get out with this prisoner from a village off to the northwest. But I'm not leaving without my friend, only the entrance has been sealed shut." He looked over at the rest of Second Chance. "I'm surprised the Guild sent another adventurer party so soon. Good news."

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

They say that, of all the Gods, Hades is very popular.

People are always dying to meet him

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Zapdos@Jay009

Feanor Moss came into the church in time to hear the conversation between Sister Gwen and Lillianna. He'd been informed that adventurers had finally come to deal with the situation on Temple Hill, something he'd been anticipating for quite some time. After speaking with a friend, he'd caught up with party and now waited for a chance to speak, intrigued by the topic of the two women's conversation. After he understood the situation regarding Sister Gwen's brother, he intruded.

"Hello there," he said softly. "I couldn't help but overhear - I'm sorry to hear about your brother, Sister Gwen - the situation is more dire than you understand. The ghost of your brother is in danger of permanent purgatory, trapped in a restless state, in the Mazy Hillocks for eternity, if something is not done as soon as possible..."

***

When the party met up on the other side of the village, Lillianna anxiously explained the emergency she'd discovered regarding the ghost who'd warned them about the direwolves in The Mazy Hillocks. She could not stand by and let the spirit of that man be destined for such a horrible fate, and had to go with Sister Gwen to help her save her brother's soul. She had to leave at once, and return to Valhiem to prepare a ritual that would release the ghost from this world.

It was an unfortunate situation, but Lillianna Steiner, after being begged by Sister Gwen and convinced by Feanor Moss, would abandon the mission to help. She apologized to her party members and promised to meet up with them in a few days, once her task was complete.

Second Chance would be without their wizard for the foreseeable future.

After wishing Lillianna luck, the rest of the party left Cherrad and headed to the foot of Temple Hill, to start the climb up to the Temple of Hades where they would camp outside until the full moon shone bright enough to open up the temple entrance.

***

Feanor Moss could not believe his luck. It took all his charm and powers of deception to convince the two women that Gwen's brother's spirit needed saving as soon as possible. Using a mixture of truths and old legends, with lies made up on the spot, he'd riled up the trainee priestess into such a tearful frenzy that both of their pleas to the inexperienced adventurer had somehow managed to convince Lillianna to abandon her own party!

He only hoped that his warning would reach his leader, The Listener, in time to prepare the cult for a fight.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

From up in the air on the way to Panama, I wanted to write and say I appreciate getting to RP with all of you. In no particular order:

Teyao - watching James develop (not always for good when alcohol is involved lol) has been great.
Crusader Lord - your posts are always detailed and I can tell Lillianna has a lot of thought put into her. I think our collab broke the post length record here :P
Saiyan - Zell is hilarious to me. He's so unlike anyone I've written.
Loksfjoer - Fenna is being fleshed out nicely. Her presence keeps the team grounded in a sense and Adam needs to interact with her (and Sil) more.
Xenon - of course, the work you've put into the setting makes it succeed. This wouldn't be here without you GMing it.
Zool - MacKensie is an interesting character. I did not intend for Adam to have so much in common with her. I'm glad it worked out that way though, their dynamic has been fun to write and I look forward to seeing it continue.
Jay009 - Barracker is a solid (literally and figuratively lol) addition to the RP. He's already had an impact on the team and I expect that to continue.
>>>Zapdos - Active in IC and OOC from day 1. Essential to the success of the RP. Wouldn't be the same without him!<<<

I look forward to writing with you all more in the future!

@Zapdos

Edited.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Crusader Lord@Zapdos@Jay009

Cherrad, Valhiem Region, Central Mytheria

The road through the region was a gentle incline, taking Second Chance around and through a cluster of hills that signalled Central Mytheria reverting to type - the naturally hilly terrain of Central Mytheria was only flat in patches.

As the party came around the hill that originally blocked their view of what was ahead, the vista suddenly sprung upon them; the sight of the village, Cherrad, the hills and trees sprawled out beyond.

The road would now gently decline, lowering them into what was undoubtedly one of the smaller villages in the region. Cherrad was a place of no more than 50 houses. Complete with a meeting hall, a modest church of Iris, an inn, post office and one or two other amenities that passers-by might be interested in, it would be difficult to tell which building was which, seeing as all were as similarly built as the houses people lived in. Cherrad was kind to outsiders, but they were simple folk, with a way of life that didn't take kindly to the changing times or the general 'living speed' and chaos of the city they neighboured.

In the backdrop, Temple Hill could be seen, almost big enough to be called a mountain.

THE WAR FOR MYTHERIA - Isekai Adventure

@Zool@Loksfjoer@Saiyan@Teyao@Crusader Lord@Zapdos@Jay009

The wagon driver was caught between a mixture of relief at Barracker confirming that they were indeed adventurers come to deal with the Temple of Hades, but also wariness at the sight of the vampire. The paladin was positively terrifying to look at.

"Information? Hmmm," he thought about Adam's question, his eyes searching the party as he did so. "Well, s'gotta be at least twenty cult members up in that temple, to be sure. A small army, it must feel like. They've got weapons, magic and they're not afraid to come out and use 'em on the neigbouring villages."

As he looked at Barracker again, he was suddenly reminded of something that might be useful.

"Actually... there is something you ought'a know. The village of Wensleydale, a couple'a miles on other side o' Temple Hill: A man came to the village, last week, looking for help to rescue some injured folk who'd escaped the cult and were at the bottom of Temple Hill in need of some aid and escort. Wensleydale sent ten of their men with the man to go and get the escapee 'nd bring them back to safety. Only, it turned out t'was a trap. The man was actually a cultist who was luring in unsuspecting villagers for recruitment. One villager managed to get away but told that the rest were beaten and taken prisoner." The wagon driver shook his head. "It'll give a man nightmares wondering how they manage to brainwash innocent people. Be careful adventurers. This cult is not above using deception in it's evil workings."

The wagon driver wished them luck and took his leave, continuing down the road on course for Valhiem. The party were left to their own thoughts, with the small village of Cherrad a short walk away on their route to Temple Hill.