[Mentor/Rook] First run to Juno.

[Rook]

Rook stood at the appointed meeting place nervously fiddling with her grimoire belt. This was an incredibly unwise thing to try in a history of unwise things.

To start with, it was getting dark. Secondly she had hire a strange mercenary, third did I not already mention she was putting her life in the hands of a stranger.

Rook waited by an the appointed way marker and tried not to fidget to badly or think about it too deeply. Her little courage faltered at every sound, was it a monster an adventurer or worse, the person she'd hired on to this fool hardy plan.

Maybe it was too early, the mystery had waited this long, surely it would wait for her to gain a few levels. Except that she wasn't gaining levels any more, she couldn't. Not alone.

It seemed that there weren't many parties going at her level now days either. It was like joining an MMO at one when most people were already at the level cap content. Not enough players to find a quick party. Not enough party time to reach the cap quickly.

And perhaps the mystery had already been solved, just not publicly. Why had a specific chunk of the NPC social strata just vanished? Surely this would be a huge thing, and yet it wasn't. People had just kept living their lives without the upper crust to mooch off them.

Her thoughts were just trying to bring her to reason, she knew but darned if they weren't discouraging.

If she'd already had the mercenary on her friends list she would have called it off then and there, a quick Telepathy and then be done... Oh she must remember to add this person. If they became separated it would be foolish to lose her life over failing to be social.

The moon was rising early, not a cloud I the sky. Surely it would be a clear bright night. That didn't stop it being as intimidating as hell.

Rook took mental stock of her abilities... a buff (Long duration, apply first.), a root to snare strays and a sleep to reduce the enemy number to a more manageable level. It was a formidable line up with one major issue, her partner would need to bring both the damage and the tankyness.

If she just had a few levels, she would try to make a normal party.

The first stars started appearing. Northern hemisphere stars that she didn't know the names of no patterns she could make out.

It was a lovely night, but was it a mistake to try this at night... surely nocturnal monsters would be so much worse than the day time ones.

Rook took to playing with her interface, the thing was golden. How had she gone on so long without it. Friends lists and all the other modern amenities the MMO player could want.

She wasn't paying attention as a dull slime slipped up and sat next to her watching curiously.

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used:
Word Count:500
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

Saskia had been tasked out to many services that she was contracted out to by the city of Londiminium. The Vylbrand Academy was growing and becoming more profitable as the cadets completed more ranked missions that they were tasked out to across Londiminium, the Sarum Frontier, and the omnious Avon Valley.



Saskia was pleased with the progress they had been making, however, she often would find side contracts to formulate with others to hone and sharpen her own skills as she provided services for others. By trade, she was no bodyguard, however her class was a guardian.



The capable and stalwart defenders of the people and gallant knight that blazed the battlefields at the forefront. Though meager in the ways of magical aptitude, Saskia was a cotton candy haired Wolf hair that kept her wits about her. She was as cunning as she was enchanting to the eye.



Upon her champion steed, Icarus, she rode across the open fields, following the dirt trail that snaked through the southern regions of the mystical forest, the Windsor Greatwoods. The horse was a mighty muscular colt that had been bred for battle and was a rather remarkable specimen for carrying not only heavily armored knights upon it’s back, but supplies as well.



This made him a very diligent companion to Saskia, and the bond between the two beasts grew ever stronger as they endured great and perilous journeys together and indulged in the rigorous labors of warfare.



They complemented each other and fought as one as they took on whatever adversaries they fought in this world. Be it a goblin or dragon, the fierce Icarus was always sworn by her side. Such loyalty was admirable and together the two formed a pact to instill their full trust in the capabilities of the other as they continued their journey in the world of Elder Tale.



Today’s mission was rather odd, the guardian thought a she cut through the forest, taking a shortcut, as the traversed the terrain. Why would a girl want to go in such a heavily infested area that was prowling with monsters far outside her level range? Had she even been trained in any sufficient tactics?



No matter. She didn’t question the woman’s resolve when she agreed to the terms of the contract. She was confident in her abilities as both a cavalryman and a tank. As long as she led the battle from the front, and took advantage of the high level of mobility that her trained war horse provided, she should be able to intercept any incoming assaults from the enemy.



Her bane, however, would be any enemy that managed to catch them in a violent Area of Effect skill. She only had a few options in those situations, but she felt that by applying the right combination of skills, she would managed. She left out of the forest, and finally arrived at the landmark.



That’s when she saw her again. Standing outside of the forest all alone. Her emerald eyes shined brightly in the glint of the moonlight, though Saskia noticed a slight quiver about them. The pink haired warrioress’s eyes drifted down to the bustling green slime that jiggled around her in an intricate dance.



Her gaze drifted back up to the nervous woman. She thought to offer her words of comfort that might aid her as she ran a hand over Icarus’ ivory coat and blonde mane. The horse whined gently as his chocolate coated eyes inspected the slime.



“It’s a Dull Slime. The reason he’s creeping around you like that is because slimes are attracted to mana like moths to a flame. And as an Enchanter, you just happen to be a walking beacon of it. They are just curious. They won’t really do anything to harm you.” Saskia smiled gracefully as she shared the words in a tender manner.



“Unless, of course, you try to harm them.” She added with a smirk.



“Rook, was it?” Saskia asked as her eyes lifted up to confirm the name. “’Tis a pleasure doing business with you. You have my spear and my shield at your side.” Saskia grinned.



Icarus then neighed roughly, as he puffed hot air from his nostrils.



“Oh, and Icarus’s Hooves!” Saskia chuckled, forgetting that she left the beast out of the equation.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 719
Post Theme Song:Taboo





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Rook jumped a little from her interface inspired reverie.

“Ah, yes, Good evening.” Rook replied with a demure bow. Was it ok for her to read this person's name off the interface, she just didn't know the etiquette. Maybe so, after all Saskia had introduced her horse first.

Only now noticing the slime. “Ah, yes, I've met these before.”

“I thought it might be easier if we exchange contact information for telepathy if we become separated.” Rook said before using the interface to make the request. “If you don't mind that is.”

Rook walked past the pleasantly blooping slime.

“Shall we travel while we talk? I've never been there before and I'm not sure how long it will take us.” Rook began walking down the road. The crunch of gravel gravel under foot, the sound of early evening bugs starting their nightly serenade and now a huge level bad-ass mercenary to take care of any problematic encounters.

“I'm interested in exploring the castle, I've heard tell it's been a dungeon for as long as we've been in this world but I want to know more about what it was before that.” Rook took down her hood so she could turn and speak to the duo more easily.

“I believe you have a little more experience in the matter of fighting there... is there anything I should be wary of?” Rook said as she continued to set a comfortable strolling pace down the road towards their destination.

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used:
Word Count:250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

 The woman seemed taken aback by Saskia’s presence, could she not hear the loud cantering of Icarus’s heavy footsteps?



She smiled and acknowledged the fact that the woman was familiar with the lower level creatures of the woods. It meant that she at least was capable of traveling by herself.



She mentioned the desire for a friend request from the guardian and requested permission to exchange information for the use of telepathy, of which, Saskia humbly obliged. “Sure, sounds good to me. I always tell the cadets that communication is key.”



The brunette offered to take a walk as she took off at a subtle pace.



“Sure thing. Would you rather travel on foot or shall I offer you a lift on horseback?” She inquired, noticing that the woman had no mount and would therefore make traveling much more tiresome for her. “He is strong enough to carry two. I’ve been raising him for quite some time now.”



The horse neighed in affirmation of the Guardian’s comment as he started off at a steady gait beside the Enchantress.



“I suspect we should arrive before the break of dawn on the land’s horizon...” Saskia mentioned. “I’d advise you to stick close. The manners of beasts that lurk these forests in the ungodly hour of the night are fearsome foes.”



“I don’t believe any from my Guild’s company of magistrates have delved into the territories. I have neither heard word of any of our militant Protectorates traveling there either. It is an isolated place that looms in mystery.” The rugged wolf hair added.



“We can attempt to scout it out and uncover what ever locked secrets it has in it’s uncharted territories.” Saskia kept a loose hand upon the reins, letting Icarus canter down the trail. “If needed, we can contract the services of several members of the guild to assist if need be. You only need to say the word.”

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 319
Post Theme Song: Lift the Atmosphere





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Rook paused for a moment to assess the situation. Up close the horse was much more intimidating than it was at distance... She'd never ridden a horse. Still it may be less intimidating from on top, and probably faster too, though not too fast, she hoped.

“Hmmm, that may be a good idea. I'd like to be there before Dawn if possible to avoid the day wildlife...” Rook conceded. How she was going to ride the horse she had no idea. Side saddle? She'd have to undo her coat at least a little to do anything else.

Rook let the suggestion to call for reinforcements linger in the air for a moment.
“For now, I'd say the three of us should be sufficient.” Rook didn't want to consider the cost of additional body guards right now. This expedition had already reduced her to bare ingredients and auto-made rice mush for a week.

“I figured it would be easier and faster for us to travel if we were to encounter fewer though higher level encounters along the way.” Rook explained, hoping her grasp of the tactical situation made sense.

Rook considered how to actually get on the horse for quite a while. Examining the different straps and saddle implements from what she considered to be a safe distance.

Rook started undoing the front of her coat, she was certain she couldn't even mount the thing with it fastened all the way down.

“Er... I'm not familiar with riding...”

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used:
Word Count:250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

Saskia noticed that the girl seemed rather unfamiliar with colts as she looked at Icarus in bewilderment, as if uncertain how to approach.



She seemed anxious however, to get to the destination she wanted to reach in a timely manner and concurred with Saskia that perhaps the best option for the duo was to travel about the lands on horseback.



“Alright..well if that’s the way you want to go about it then, I suppose we can cross Darkwater’s crossing and traverse the lands of Juno. Most of the monsters there are level twenty to 30, but they shouldn’t be too challenging for me.” Saskia added as she glanced ahead at the woods, being highlighted by the buzzing fireflies.



“My other armor is currently going under repairs...so I’m going to have to make due with what I got. Your buffs definitely will help, however. ”



Saskia stopped her horse as she noticed the woman fixing her jacket and unloosening it. “What skills do you have to offer that can be of use to us?” Saskia inquired, wanting to get a better understanding of how the perceived flow of combat would be.



“It’s okay, just hook your feet into the footmount slots and you can grab unto me if yo need, and hoist yourself up. I’d advise you to hold on tight by wrapping your arms around my waist, and hold on tight. Lest, we might hit a few bums in the road and fall off. I’m sorry if my armor will feel quite cold. Metal always is in winter.”

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 259
Post Theme Song: Lift the Atmosphere





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

“Ah, certainly. I have Astral bind a root, Astral hypno as sleep and the Keen edge buff.” Rook said, and then demonstrated by casting Keen edge on all of them. Including Icarus.
“I expect I'll use Astral bind on anything that tries to get past and sleep any particularly awkward enemies like ranged attackers.”

Rook wondered if she should bribe the horse with an ingredient. Heavens knew she owned a lot of carrots.

“Alright. Let me give this a go.” She said and attempted to climb the horse. Foot to the foot mount, hold on to Saskia, lift. Rook was certainly not somebody you call a waif. She was a little concerned she may pull Saskia clear off, or cause the saddle to twist not out of strength but just overestimating her own weight.

At first everything seemed to be going well, as though her body new the movements. Then she stiffened up and ended up over the back of the horse like a sack of potatoes... The usual help I'm being kidnapped on horseback pose. A timeless classic from an era of silent gunfighter movies.

After some squirming and falling off. Rook finally got on the horse.
“Let us never speak of this again.” Rook cleared her throat and adjusted her coat.

Saskia was right, the armour did feel quite cold. Rook could actually feel it through her sweater, or so she thought. Maybe it was the wind chill effect.

“Well then, on to Windsor!”

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used: Enchanter: Keen Edge
Word Count: 250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

Saskia listened carefully as the enchanter explained her skills. She had been familiar with a few spells from the enchanter that she had partied with on a few occasions. Myrddin was one of the higher level enchanters and token black guy in their guild. He had unleashed a few abilities before that sounded exactly like Rook had mentioned before. Namely, the astral bind and the keen edge buff.



As she felt the upsurge of energy protruding from her body as it was engulfed in a radiant red aura, she smirked devilishly at Rook.



“Oh hell yeah! Now, we’re kicking! That buff is going to work wonders! Haha, I’m ready to slice ‘em and dice em!”



Icarus responded to the aura by neighing courageously.



“Alright, let’s see what you got!” Saskia chuckled as she watched Rook’s awkward attempt to get on the horse.



She would then see the girl fall down and would try her hardest to stifle a snicker that almost escaped, but licked her lips and tucked her chin towards her metal plate as she looked away.



“Agreed.” She muttered as she signed the terms of the embarassing imformation.



“Right, onward we go!” Saskia shouted as she spurred Icarus onward and he galloped at a thunderous pace through the valley of the woods. It was there than the resonation of hooves would clap across the cobblestone brdige of Darkwater’s Crossing.



“Alright. I advise you to be careful...things are certain to get far more dangerous from here on out.” She said as she glare out at the open plain to see what manners of beast lie ahead that slowly scoured the open fields.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 274
Post Theme Song: Mosane


OOC: You can choose whatever manner of monsters you wish to face from the Bestiary.





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Riding a horse as was certainly different to walking, at speed it it was exhilarating, at speed at night: bowel quiveringly terrifying.

Rook tried not to squeek in terror by locking her jaw and gritting her teeth, a little still slipped out and she hoped Saskia couldn’t hear it over the thundering beat of the hooves.

Rook wrapped her arms around Saskia and held tight as the Gaurdian had suggested, this was way worse than a fairground ride. Rook wondered if she could get away with closing her eyes and thinking of a better place.
Nope, closing her eyes made this much worse on her stomach.

They were powering through a plain, a flock of startled birds took to wing in their path.

Saskia said something about danger and Rook spent a moment trying to disentangle the words from the noise and fear.

“What was that?” Rook said after careful consideration of her pride. “Danger ahead?” She was scanning the far line of trees. Nothing there but trees, rocks, more trees and a giant man eating flower. Wait.

“Astral Hypno!” Rook said, awkwardly making finger gestures without unlocking her arms from Saskia’s waist.

The Nepent Snatcher seemed to yawn and settle in.

“Can you outrun it with a ten second head start?” Rook said watching her skill cool down for when the sleep would fail.

Rook went to say something else but got the unnerving sensation she was losing her balance and clung on. Next time, carrot bribery, she vowed.

HP:100%    MP:XX%

Skill used: Enchanter: Astral Hypno
Word Count: 250
Tagged: Saskia
Notes: I'm not actually sure how much mana that costs.

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

Saskia’s eyes grazed the landscape as her razor sharp eyes seered the horizon of the plans. The glimmers of twilight still sparkled in the starry night sky.



Icarus neighed roughly as his heavy hooves slapped against the concrete and then tapped firmly on the cool earth, kicking up bits of dust and debris.



Saskia’s wolf ears began to twitch several times as she could here the howls through the corners of the woods that stood at the edge.



With a sharp squint while riding on the back of her horse, she could see roaming hornet soldiers buzzing wildly around three large stones stacked around each other.



As she shifted her gaze to the right of the trail she could see a field of crag cows feeding on the ground.



They seemed to be surrounded by a walking stone barrier of lesser soil golems that stomped throughout the plains.



Further up ahead and towards the northeast lie a lake, where several scattered Young Kappa could be found lying down next to the cool waters. The water-based reptiles relaxed as they lied down and slept peacefully on the rocks near the bank.



Saskia drew the path with her eyes.



She knew that there would be no way to traverse the terrain without encountering and possibly attracting unwanted aggression by having to pass them.



However, that wasn’t the worst of their problems as the enchanter on her horse soon shouted out at the wildlife.



In casting her spell she had put one of the sneakiest of ambushers to sleep.



“Good job. Yes, I’m sure we can. Icarus is one of the fastest horses in all of Londiminium. “ Saskia said reassuringly as she quickened her pace by cracking at the reins.



They darted past the plant, but as they traveled a few more memters ahead, a [Savage Sycamore] popped out of the ground violently as Icarus whined and skirted around him, weaving towards the right.



However, Saskia had seen the beast charged up a skill as it prepared [Seed Cannon] an AoE ability that could attack all players from a distance.



Gritting her teeth, she reared Icarus around and charged at the beast head on activating her [Covering] ability and taking the machine gun fire of seeds head on as the rattling clanks of her durable armor can be heard.



Saskia grunted several times from the string of fire that came from the plant, but he gallantly pressed onward.



With the [Keen Edge] still wrapped around her spear, she jousted quickly at the creature as she passed through it, then turned her horse around for another passby.



“How you holding up back there?” Saskia asked in a rather fiery warrioress’ tone.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 447
Post Theme Song: Mosane


Savage Sycamore

Level 17-20


53% HP 

Type: Plant

Rank: Elite

Nature: Predatory

Found in: Forests

Weakness/Resistances: Resist [Water], Weak [Fire]

Skills:

- Spike: Passive. Deals slight physical damage toward any opponent that attacks it with a physical attack.

- Seismic Detection: Passive. Automatically aggros targets by sound and vibrations from movement. Suffers no accuracy debuffs from blind effects.

- Acidic Sap: Shoots a stream of concentrated acid. The target suffers constant damage over time for 10 seconds. Their defense is also halved during this duration.

- Seed Cannon: Shoots a round of seeds at high velocity. The monster can move during this skill's activation to distribute the attacks on multiple targets if necessary.

- Chomp: A technique usable only at very close range. The attack deals moderate physical damage.

Description: Said to be a Forest Treant that has lived over 100 years, this large tree is a savage monster with a ravenous appetite. Unlike the Forest Treants which are essentially slow moving trees, this monster can and will quickly bulldoze any that get in its path. Its main threatening points are its sharp bark surface, corrosive sap, seed cannon salvo, and quite especially its gaping mouth.





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

The roar of seed shot on steel plate was deafening at point blank, the swift motions of the jousting horse disorientating. Rook was holding on for dear life.

When Saskia asked how Rook was holding up, all Rook could do was gurgle and hope the world stopped spinning.

“blarglegurgle.” As her mind caught up to the situation her body was stuck to. A tree had just ripped itself out of the ground to attack them and was soon to be in hot pursuit. It had been hurt, but still had more than half of it’s hitpoints. If she could just nudge it a little with the Grimoire then Saskia could finish it off.

Rook’s arms wouldn’t move, terror had locked them in place. There was no way she could reach for the grimoire at her side like this.

Astral Hypno was still cooling down, she couldn’t prevent this one taking action.

Maybe there was something she could do though, since this tree seemed highly mobile perhaps she could encourage it to be a nice stable target.

“Astral Bind.” Rook said wiggling her fingers vaguely and looking at the tree. Light ribbons entangled it and anchored to the ground.

In the best case it would resist and give them time or if it tried to charge it would find itself stuck.

As if goaded by the skill, the Savage Sycamore tried to close the distance. The tether held it fast.

“Well then, I guess it just needed to put down roots.”

HP:100%    MP:XX-Y%

Skill used: Enchanter: Astral Bind
Word Count: 250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

After Saskia was blanketed with the violent spray of pellets. The pinging of metal rattled in her sensitive wolf ears. , unlike Rook, how ever, this knight was far more used to the bumpy rides of her deathsteed as they traversed over the terrain.



As the woman tried to cough up a reason, Saskia only looked over her shoulder with a swift nod and a lighthearted chuckle. “Sounds good. Let’s stay on ‘em!” She shoted assertively as she kept bouncing like a metal tin can on the front of the horse.



She tugged hard on the reins, beckoning the beast to swerve around to make another bold advance. She was starting to wonder what was taking her companion so long to get her head in the game and attack, but when she saw the snare that she unleashed as she rooted the tree back into place, Saskia smirked and complimented the girl.



“Yep. Even a level 1 can be pretty handy with those utility skills and buffs. With the buffs, it’s like my power is your power. Got to love buffs that boost by the percentage rate, yeah?” Saskia confidently said while she dashed further toward the tree.



“Hang on tight! I’m going in for another strike. SHould be able to cut it down within an inch of it’s life. When I do that. You finish it! Throw everything you got at it!” She shouted as her spear hummed with an ultrasonic wave activating her [Armor Crash] skill as it negate the beasts armor level and made a clean cut through it’s bark as he lunged the spear forward, striking it at the base of it’s root.


As it swipe at her, Icarus’s high level of mobility was sufficient enough when used in tandem with the [Knight’s Heart] ability she used to increased her aggro presence as well as boosting her agility by 10%.



“Now!" She shouted back to the girl, hoping she had been ready for combat and not puking her guts out from the bumpy ride. 

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 337
Post Theme Song: Stand Tall

Savage Sycamore

Level 17-20


3% HP 

Type: Plant

Rank: Elite

Nature: Predatory

Found in: Forests

Weakness/Resistances: Resist [Water], Weak [Fire]

Skills:

- Spike: Passive. Deals slight physical damage toward any opponent that attacks it with a physical attack.

- Seismic Detection: Passive. Automatically aggros targets by sound and vibrations from movement. Suffers no accuracy debuffs from blind effects.

- Acidic Sap: Shoots a stream of concentrated acid. The target suffers constant damage over time for 10 seconds. Their defense is also halved during this duration.

- Seed Cannon: Shoots a round of seeds at high velocity. The monster can move during this skill's activation to distribute the attacks on multiple targets if necessary.

- Chomp: A technique usable only at very close range. The attack deals moderate physical damage.

Description: Said to be a Forest Treant that has lived over 100 years, this large tree is a savage monster with a ravenous appetite. Unlike the Forest Treants which are essentially slow moving trees, this monster can and will quickly bulldoze any that get in its path. Its main threatening points are its sharp bark surface, corrosive sap, seed cannon salvo, and quite especially its gaping mouth.





TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

The leaping, lunging and turning The shifting of mass to and fro at speed designed to be dangerous. Rook was certain that her old life would have been thrown and probably trampled by this point.

She was glad to have chosen an early and small dinner before this outing.

Then Saskia gave the order and Rook was snapped out of her reverie to the moment. Yes, now was the time.

She struggled to unclench her arm muscles, locked as they were around Saskia’s torso.

Without her left sleeve her right hand had nothing to hold. It was a most unsettling feeling. She felt she was falling, even though they were still. She reached back to equip her grimoire, which was still hanging at her side. Fingers numbed by constant desperate clutching fuddled the spine of it, but she hoped that would be enough.

From her right hand she cast it, a tiny bolt of eldritch power. The lowest of all possible combat decisions. An auto attack powered by her grimoire.

Compared to the flash and glitter of her partner, it was nothing. Heck, even compared to her other spells it wasn’t flashy. Just a tiny wisp of power soaring out and returning to the target.

Has she been alone, it would have done less than nothing, simply generated agro. But with the beast’s HP brought low, maybe it could hold a sliver of tactical importance.

The Sycamore popped into XP and item chaff.

Rook reached for stability again, somehow embarrassed.

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used: Adventurer: Auto Attack
Word Count:250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

 Saskia was certainly hoping that she was right about her faith in the young one. After all, she kind of had to go all in on this one or else she was quite certain that, if allowed to live, the beast would most likely use it’s ranged seed attack to fire at their back, thus impaling the enchanter with seeds, probably killing her in the process.



Saskia turned around on her horse and snatched Icarus by the reins, hard and to the left as they made another roundabout. She saw the large tree dissipate into anima shards as the particles flowed up to the sky like a sparkling mist.



It seemed the that tiny black shockwave that erupted from her hands was good for something after all. Not too many people got to say they killed a monster about fifteen levels over there own. That was certainly something that would earn the girl some perks.



As they saddled up one more they continued along the path, passing up the field of crag cows and lesser soil golems on their right, as they traversed the terrain ahead they approached the rocks where the sleeping Young Kappa’s lied.



At least they were sleeping, until the sound of thunderous hooves came approaching. The large lizard-like reptiles with large spears across their back woke up and began to brandish their pointy pikes at the group and screech wildly after having their territory invaded.



As the large mob advanced in a great attempt to surround them, it became rather obvious that they would soon be overwhelmed. Saskia however, held a very dangerous smirk, as she toggled the [Armor Crash] skill, and her body and spear began to illuminate a crimson red.



“Hang on tight!, we’re going to jump!!!” Saskia shouted as she activated the giant shock wave of [Vicious Crusade] upon the battlefield, a move that was known for wiping out entire battalions on the battlefield. The reptiles burst into anima bubbles that floated skyward as the slash that emulated several meters from Saskia tore a large diagonal whole in the earth, damaging the terrain. ]



The remaining Young Kappa that miraculously escaped the range of the attack had a hard time trying to make it past the crater between them and the duo as they leaped over chunks of broken terrain as dust and debris blossomed overhead.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 392
Post Theme Song: This Day and Never Again







TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Rook hung on desperately and regretted her life decisions. Between powering along, they were twirling in combat and now leaping.

In the moment of infinite airborne clarity that lasted forever yet ended too soon. Rook was so glad that Saskia was wearing plate armour. Because inappropriate groping was the absolute worst thing that could happen right now.

Rook closed her eyes again, she didn’t want to be blinded by the remnants of the destruction. Not the dust or the tears. She just held on and wished she’d organized to meet up at the site. She wished she’d never thought of this silly idea. She wished she had her own mount.

Icarus seemed to fly.

And then the moment was over hooves carved the earth, a whole heap of war horse, armoured rider and and dizzy passenger launched back into a gallop. Tree branches whipped past, and the foliage grew a little denser. The moon and the stars became obscured and the path a little darker.

The monster infested clearing gave way to a monster infested forest. The darkness could have hidden any number of things, and no doubt it did.
None of them were ready for the path Icarus was carving.
Rook tried to be very small behind Saskia. She was quite sure that if she let go now she would crumple into a heap on the ground.

In the distance, the castle beckoned.

“I heard the castle itself was a dungeon, do you know if it’s been fully mapped?”

HP:100%    MP:100%

Skill used:
Word Count: 250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

The force behind the gallop of the horse thrust the duo froward in a ferocious sway as the mighty gallops of the lightning fast steed cracked upon the earth as they stride forward to make their way to the castle. Saskia iron body slams down on the saddle of her horse as her rib cage begins to feel like it is going to cave in.



A rugged expression etched upon her face, the Knight and the Rook keep moving valiantly onward in the dark of night. As sinuous voices echoe through the forest and black ravens flutter from the canopy and loom overhead. Saskia senses a dark omen as she notices cracks of earth from ahead. Splintering the ground, dark vortexs burst out of the rumbling patches of earth and bear fruit to evil acidic plants that swirl into twisting vines that hurl patches of dirt against the shining canvas of the pink haired Guardian’s steel armor.



As her chin tucks into her breastplate, cherry blossom strands of pink hair flutter violently in the sheer gusts of the wind as they pick up speed. Her large glowing gold orbs wrap around the captured sight of the vicious [Nepent Snatchers that lock them into a heated pincer formation as more of the wild plant life emerges, shattering the layers of the earth and retracting their heads to launch corrosive saliva at the adventurers.



Saskia clenches he fangs together as she anticipates their strike and gives Rook fair warning.



“Heads up! We got Snatchers! Keep your head DOWN!” She growls as she raises her shield up and bends her head to the right to duck underneath it. “Here we go, Icarus, forward! Into the gates of hell!!!”



Saskia shouts as she activates her [Fold step] skill as they get thrust forth at a high velocity like a rapid whirlwind an zip past several corrosive bursts of spit. The residue that pings against her shield begins to steam on the surface of it’s silver.



“Just hang on! We’re almost there! Just hold on! We're gonna make it!” Saskia shouts as they plunge their way through the dangerous [Nepent Snatcher] minefield.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 350
Post Theme Song: On The Battlefield







TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Rook had never seen so many of the [Nepent Snatchers] converge before. It was like the world itself was out to end them.

In most MMO’s she’d played the monsters actually avoid higher level players, no point courting certain death. Here though, it seemed the higher level player actually attracted more of the creatures. This meant her strategy was a failure… she hadn’t accounted for the game physics. Even if they made it, would Saskia’s presence just lure a horde onto them?
Saskia was good with her skills that was certain, but was she good enough to counter a horde of gribblies?

Rook was already keeping her head down, but clearly this situation was over her head. Ample experience was flying around, but she was still walking a very fine line between here and the moon.

The acid flying around smelled horrid, and to Rook it was exceptionally dangerous. These things had a good number of levels on her and her HP was lower than even the average casting class.

Her magic could make the difference in anything up to an even number fight, but here she could only change the odds a little. And if she cast and attracted their agro… well that may be the end of this venture.

Not enough, the acid splatter was eating away at her coat. This almost terrified her more than death, she couldn't restore it’s durability.

Rook just desperately held on and prayed Icarus’ speed and Saskia’s skill would see them through.

HP:XX%    MP:XX%

Skill used:
Word Count: 250
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

Heavy pants escaping her breath, she glances back noticing the several spitballs of acid soon changing trajectory and aiming towards the ally she was sworn to protect. She had a contract with this woman and she desired above all to follow it to the letter. She refused to sit idly by and let this woman be tormented by heaps of acid. It was her role as a guardian to protect and she was duty bound.



“Shit....there’s so many of them...and they’re firing from all directions...I have no choice...I have to....”





“ANCHOR HOWWWWWLLLLLLL!!!” She screeched her voice full of fervor as she boldly continued to enter the fray. The rain of splatter tormented her as the corrosive liquid splashed against her shiny metal armor and singed the outer casing of the steel. The woman was literally steaming as the green goo slid off the side of the metallic armor.



With a growl full of enduring malice she activated her [Cool Defense] skill that resonated with her [Knight’s Heart] ability to greatly improve her defensive capabilities and ability to evade the emerald plasmic spit.



Sweat poured down her face as she felt the great warmth of her armor from moving around so much. Determined eyes gazed upon the line of victory. If only she could just hold out a little longer. The problem hear wasn’t really her as much as it was making sure she had aggro control to protect the girl.



Her health bar steadily decreasing at a moderate rate, she glanced arround to check her surroundings. Her eyes quivered slightly at the sight of three lesser soil golems ahead that blocked there path. One of the terrible things about golems in this field is their ability to spin in a vortex and hit all of there targets. This was a close ranged area of effect attack and it would not be a good situation for the team as they galloped straight towards them



Damn...I have to think fast....we got to break through....Don’t have time to fight through their armor...



Saskia’s golden eyes lit ablaze as she charged her next skill.



“Converging Saber!!!” Saskia shouted as she swung her long spear in front of her in a 180 degree arc. A light blue wave erupted from her sword and hit all three golems, causing them to recoil slightly and aggro to her.



Just as all three began to charge their whirlwind skill, Saskia activated a skill of her own.



“Siege Breaker!!!” She screamed at the top of her lungs in ferocious animosity. While on her war horse, the trio burst through the Golems and trambled over them as she thrust her spear over one, and pushed him down so they could continue their advance.



“Just around the bend. We made it Rook! We freaking made it!” Saskia shouted with a confident smirk as they gallaoped gallantly onward.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 483
Post Theme Song: God Mode







TAGS: @rook

template by caesar

[Rook]

Rook didn't answer Saskia’s jubilant refrain, her arms were no longer tight around the armour, the sleeves worn down to rags by the acid dribble. The only reason they were still in place was that one of her hands had slipped under a belt on Saskia’s armour.

Rooks weight on her back was no longer a frantic clinging but an unconscious mass. And gradually, the weight was shifting to one side.

While the enemies had to target Saskia thanks to her high agro generation, A good portion of Saskia was in literally covered by Rook. A stray shot, a rare miss had managed to unintentionally strike home. Just one, why was her HP so low?

Rook still had some HP, and wasn't debuffed but she also wasn’t awake and the fall would certainly end things.

A large bruise was forming where, in the chaos she’d managed to strike her head on Saskia’s armour. A thin trail of blood marred her otherwise relaxed face.

Disconnected from her body, Rook’s mind had no sense of time in the darkness.

She stood desolate and unfocused. Her eyes lacked the spark of thought and were almost as dull as the endless pitch black expanse.

Then, slowly a light came to her eyes, a single candle lit. There was nothing here but her, and even that was ephemeral.

It wasn't the moon. She was still herself, even if she was in this timeless void.

She felt herself start to dissolve, there was no boundary between herself and the nothingness.

An escape, a well deserved rest… perhaps the end of the story? She didn't resist it, why would she. Things became fuzzy as though she were going out of focus. Surrender was so easy, she’d been here before.

“No” She whispered. Not a lament from the defeated, a rejection. Rook’s mind came back into focus. She had been here before, and she would not yield again so easily. “No.” Said through clenched teeth as if cursing her own weakness.

“I am.” The tiny light, the candle she carried inside became blinding, fuelled by her determination. The darkness fled to the edges of the infinite expanse.

Rook stepped from floating in nothing to an invisible ground. Green grass grew from the nothing spreading from her feet like a shadow.

She reached above her, and as though no longer blinded by the sun the blue sky filled the white like a watercolour of clouds.

The sound of the ocean reached her ears. She turned to see it, in the distance beyond some trees warped by the salty winds. Still more trees lush and green stretched into a forest behind her.

A path stretched from nearby leading over a hill.
She could hear the twitter of birds. Joy filled her heart.

Yes, this was nothing and nowhere but she would surrender to neither today.
She would not slip into nothingness. She would not yield to despair in the void of eternity.

She was strong enough to simply be, now.

HP:A thread    MP:XX%

Skill used:
Word Count: 500
Tagged: Saskia

[Saskia]

HP 100% | MP 100%

Guardian - Cavalier - Brewer

____________________________________________________

The chill of silence causes the smile etched on her face to smear. She could feel the grasp of the girls firm fingers slip lifelessly from the frigid chill of her icy armor as they trekked through the bitter winds of the night. A tinge of pain entered her chest and seeped into the veins of her heart and clogged her ateries with a veil of anxiety. Saskia could feel her lifeless body drift back and dangle on the rear of her horse as in her peripherial vision she could see tiny droplets of acidic spit splatter against the earth.



How could she not hear it? The splash that cracked against this poor innocent girls back. Was it because of the thunderous clap of the stallion’s hooves? Was it the sound of her own thoughts as they drowned out her sense of situational awareness? How had she, the grand protecter of the people, failed in her duties. She should have known better. She should have declined the offer no matter how ridiculous the price. What satisfaction would it bring her to earn easy money at this girl’s expense.



Saskia knew the cost of death. The price of punishment that had to be paid. A fragment shard of your memory lost forever, or so the rumors were told. As they rode on, Saskia felt the rough pinging against the back of her steel shell as the girl’s cranium splintered against it, leaving a mark of failure, painted in strokes of red. It was a brand of forsaken trust. The girl was barely hanging on by a strand of her life.



As they continued forth. Even more Nepent Snatchers burst from the earth. The worst wasn’t over. Saskia’s heart began to beat like a wild drum as the golden globes of her eyes began to dilate in size. She gritted her teeth and cried out to the gods.



“O great Alvian Princess of Faith, Gran Prietess lend your child your ear. Hear my prayers for humanity. Be our blessed savior and show us merciful grace this day! I ask that you protect her with the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil ones! Hear my cry, O Divine Protector! Cloak this child in the Armor of God!” Saskia cried out as the splattering rain of acidic bombshells loomed overhead. She could see their shadows on the ground as they began to descend to blanket them all.



However, the merciful gods would have shown them favor this day. A brilliant golden goblet animated high above the young woman’s body, coating her in the blessing of the Alvian Princess of Faith, granting her a few seconds of immortality as the acidic spit merely slid off the vibrant white aura that surrounded her. Knowing timing was of the essence, Saskia unleashed another furious [Fold Step] and burst ahead out of the range of the volley of spit that was headed towards them. Any stray spitballs that would hit the girl, her health would remain at one hp for the duration of [Holy Grail].



In the distance, was an old watchtower, where Saskia led the horse, that whined after being tattered with the acidic residue himself. Once they were able to take cover behind the stone watchtower, Saskia kept a firm grip on the girl, and carefully slid off, and would hold her in her arms, and lie her lifeless body in the field of grass.



Saskia knelt down over her and pulsed out her palm as she adminstered a soothing light blue aura that engulfed the girl with a soothing mist. It was a typically low level [Heal] spell, but because of the level differentiation, it would have been able to fully restore her vitality.



“Damn it...listen...I’m so sorry about that Rook...Rook!?! Are you okay? Answer me!” She’d shouted as she should Rook’s body, hoping she was concious.

INVENTORY

EQUIPMENT: Stratford Arms Platemail (Level. 30), Stratford Arms Great Shield (level. 30) , Stratford Arms Long Spear (Level. 30)
ABILITIES USED:
Words: 654
Post Theme Song: If You Leave Me







TAGS: @rook

template by caesar