Haeo

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Trace is going to keep working on staying alive and getting paid... I also have to think about what to do with the exp... once I have a final tally. He has questions for Artemisia but he knows that he isn't going to get answers anytime soon. So, he'll probably make sure that she's still alive and opinionated.

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Trace Retloth
Western Street Boss Battle

Trace landed a good strike and pulled back quickly, slipping to the side to evade the dying bandit’s counter blow. Still, Trace wasn’t enough of a novice to leave an enemy alive so he prepared another strike. But, he didn’t end up having to deliver it as the impatient swordsman stepped in to finish the bandit off. It seemed that he was arrogant as well as impatient. Maybe that nonsense before the fight wasn’t a strategy. Maybe it was just his personality. Unfortunate. Trace did notice what the man mouthed but was already turning by then. With the archers and the front line bandit eliminated there were only two threats remaining and the little lordling could probably handle the regular bandit that he was squared off against. The Bandit Leader, though… he would be trouble and he was presently behind the Prince’s back. It was a bad moment. But, the situation improved with strong wing beats as the wyvern rider decided to dive in and attack the bandit. Good. She was faster than Trace was and could probably finish that fight in an instant. This left Trace free to concentrate on his chosen target, the bandit leader. The leader wasn’t really paying attention to anyone other than the Prince but he was probably a better fighter than the others. So, Trace stayed light on his feet and struck with a sweeping blow as soon as he got in range. Hopefully, he could slash the bandit leader’s dominant shoulder and weaken him. If the leader’s abilities were below what Trace expected, then he would commit more fully to the next attack. But, for now, he focused on preparing to evade the likely counter-attack.

_________________________ Status: Uninjured but Cautious Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance Exp:10

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Work and winter prep has been crazy this week but I have tomorrow off so I'll get a post in by the end of Friday at the latest.

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Yeah. Don't stress. We all write differently.

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Trace Retloth
Western Street Boss Battle

There was no overt response to Trace’s report, but that was not much of a surprise. After all, there wasn’t anything in the report that was more important than the impending battle with the savage who seemed to be the bandit leader. Trace was not one to care about gaining attention. He didn’t enter the battlefield to gain fame but rather power and a living. Standing out too much was a good way to get targeted, just like his employer was proving during his ill advised chat with the savage. Though, the chat did have two beneficial effects. First, Trace was able to assess the capability and numbers of the enemy. Two archers of little skill, one axe wielder of little skill, and the leader himself who likely had some little skill. Second, he was able to assess his allies in this fight. The prince carried a sword but was taking a back line position and wielding magic at present. There was also an impatient and undisciplined man with a sword who seemed likely to make the first move. Above the field was a lance wielding wyvern rider. And last was the only one in official guards armor, a man with an axe who stayed close to the prince and seemed wary of anyone who wasn’t as overtly devoted as he was. That was fine. Trace didn’t need to get close to the Prince to accept his coin and kill his enemies. He just needed to wait for the right opening and then capitalize on it while the guardsman held the line and kept the Prince safe. Sure enough, it wasn’t more than a few moments before that impatient swordsman leapt into the fray, bypassing the frontline bandit and attacking one of the archers instead. It was a good move, opportunistic and aggressive, and quite likely to be very effective as well. Trace followed behind, staying quiet and avoiding any bold moves until just after the swordsman passed the axe bandit. The bandit was vulnerable. His axe was low. He was still recovering his stance after missing his first strike. And, his attention was diverted by the swordsman’s brash charge. So, Trace took advantage by sliding into the bandit’s blind spot and striking from a low angle as he had with his previous opponent. Even if the first target moved out of line, a second and third lethal strike point waited just behind to receive his spear. However, this wasn’t a simple duel but a small battle. Whether or not the bandit actually died was irrelevant. The strike would either kill him, wound him, or keep him off balance for the wyvern rider to finish off. No matter which occurred, Trace would proceed to engage the other archer, keeping a wary eye on the leader at all times.

_________________________ Status: Uninjured and Unimpressed Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance Exp:10

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Trace Retloth
Merchant Row transition to Western Street

Trace had said the obvious. Perhaps he was more shaken than he thought. It really wasn't like him. Still, this wasn't the time to dwell on it. Artemisia had taken the vulnerary and was following the logical course of action, one that she had probably already decided on before he spoke. She didn't seem to have any intention of continuing their acquaintance and disappeared with nothing beyond a non-committal reply. But, Trace had a feeling... that this mess wasn't going to let either of them avoid the other. A moment after she disappeared into the crowd of evacuees Trace was moving. He held his lance low and ready as he avoided trouble while getting to the western street of the town as quickly as he could without exhausting himself. A swift and steady ground eating jog got his feet on the western street in a matter of a few minutes and his eyes swept the chaos in search of that prince's flashy attire, or a spot with enough people and trouble to be a sign of his presence. What he found was a mild surprise. There was a small oasis of calm where his employer and several others appeared to be organizing themselves in preparation for a push into the center of the bandit presence in town. Yup, Trace had been right. This was the kind of employer who jumps into dangerous situations. But, at least he didn't jump alone. Trace closed the distance at the same efficient pace and bowed his head to the prince briefly before giving an extremely brief report in a matter-of-fact voice, tacitly placing himself as an additional warrior in the Prince's assault squad. "Your Highness, the evacuation continues at a good pace. Small engagements continue throughout town but capable citizens are assisting the guards and losses seem minimal."

_________________________ Status: Uninjured and Resigned Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance Exp:10

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

There's going to be one more heading to the boss fight. I'll get him over there with my next post, barring other engagement.

Edit: And there's that post! Ready for the next battle... so long as nobody needs another vulnerary.

I, the Demon King, Will Summon My Own Damned Heroes!

@Zeroth@Stabby

Femus listened carefully as the wild pixie came and took the flower crown and flew off to its next amusement. Distracting the creature had been fairly easy. Unfortunately, Nira had gotten herself… socially entangled. It could be dangerous to break the two pixies up but it would be far safer for the two to relocate.

The green wisp remembered that there was an even larger tree closer to the center of their little patch of forest. It might prove to be a worthwhile place to visit, now that his homey hollow was no longer secret. But, he would need to either linger nearby until Nira was free or help her outright.

First, however, he needed to get ready. He gathered three more Blue Yill flowers, being careful to keep their roots attached if possible, and a small piece of thin vine which he used to tie them together into a slightly stronger circlet of sorts. He hoped that this would be an easier way of carrying them. With this circlet on his… top… he did his best to dim his glow and avoid making sound as he prepared to slip outside.

Then he had an idea. Cultivators frequently made use of formations to gather ambient energy when the local concentration was too low for them to use. This Old Kao Tree had a little more magic than the surrounding trees. It might not be enough, but it could be worth trying…

Femus pulled at some of the tree from inside the hollow while trying to amplify his Lesser Force with more mana. He was hoping to gain a few pieces of living wood as well as some sap which he intended to use to coat the pieces of living wood before wrapping them in fresh leaves from the same tree that grew from a low branch just outside. Maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to use these components to establish a lesser weak mana gathering formation somewhere near that bigger tree. At least, he might get a start on the skills needed to make something like that work.

He tried to hurry as much as he could while preserving the quality of the components. If he fell below half mana then he would stop to meditate until he was over maximum again before continuing. Once he finished gathering, he would slip out and move up into higher branches without being seen or heard. If a chance to get Nira’s attention presented itself then he would take it before continuing up. Moving through the leafy branches would probably be safer than further down. However, pushing himself up higher would take more mana. He was certain of that. So, if he could, he would push up to the target elevation before meditating back to his accustomed, higher than maximum, mana level. Then, provided that he was hidden, he would wait for Nira.

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

Trace Retloth
Merchant Row

Trace heard the bandit archer die and swung his spear sharply to reduce the amount of bandit blood on the blade. The immediate area had become more dangerous with spreading fires and more bandits likely to arrive any minute. But, his mind was preoccupied with the person that he was staring at currently. Artimesia... the Dark Mage... with whom he had spent the afternoon. It wasn't a terribly enjoyable afternoon, but he had experienced far worse. He had suspicions about why she was seeking a sick person, but even a casual examination revealed those thought and feelings to be based almost exclusively on stories he was told as a child. There was probably truth to those stories. But, he had learned that few things are really as black and white as they seem. He took a look back at the guardsman's stunned face. That guy was loyal to the boss/Prince... whatever... Leaving him behind wouldn't look good unless he was taking his wounded self to the Castle. But, Trace had a strong feeling that his employer was probably in the thick of the worst combat zone right now. He had seemed that type. Dead men pay poorly. "Artemisia." He said, closing the distance between them while they were still out of the guardsman's hearing. "Here." He took out his vulnerary and offered it to her. "I need to keep my employer alive and paying. You should go to the castle with that guard. He's wounded but better than nothing. Use this on him if you need to help him move faster." His tone was as simple as ever, but it felt out of place now... as though that flat mundane voice was a cloak that kept the truth in shadow. His eyes were a different story. Even shaded by the edge of his helmet, they shone with a raging mix of emotions. But, the strongest one wasn't fear. It was something else, perhaps... respect. There wasn't much time to talk in the midst of an attack and evacuation. As much as he wanted to have a more substantial conversation with her, there really wasn't time and this wasn't the place. So, whether she accepted the vulnerary or not, he said, "I'd like to talk more... In a quieter place."

_________________________ Status: Uninjured and Deliberate Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance Vulnerary(Offered) Exp:10

Fire Emblem: Ashes of Sacrifice [Fall of the Empire]

<Snipped quote by Haeo>

I envisioned it being a side route off the main street to the castle. but its exact position is up to the GM's discretion.

I believe I'll wait to post until you do again, to give Trace the chance to act on his new knowledge about Artemisia and potentially cause some interaction before Artemisia skedaddles.

@Lugubrious

Alright. Thank you. They are both people of few words, when it comes to speaking at least, so their interaction will need to be concise and dense with meaning.

I think that I'll be taking Trace to join the battle against the Bandit Leader. After all, a dead employer doesn't pay well.

After you reply, I'm planning on taking Trace to the Western Street Battle Zone in my next post and following a pattern of rapid engagement, if necessary. But, I will finish up their interaction as well as my skills allow before he leaves. After all, they can talk more later and we still need to colab that conversation. My arm is well enough for us to start on that when you're ready. Though, we have the option of setting it as previously discussed or after they meet again at the rendezvous point.