Haeo

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

Trace Retloth
Fort Battle {Chapter 1}

The flurry of combat was swift and the assault was decisive. The two bandits went down under the augmented follow-up strikes from that other lancer while others moved deeper to engage the archers and the swordsman behind them. Still, Trace wasn't quite fast enough to escape the counter stroke from the bandit he attacked. It was only a shallow flesh wound on his arm so it wouldn't slow his movements. He was more concerned about Artemisia. She had gotten herself in a very dangerous situation. He would have to keep an eye on her while she got over whatever was flustering her. But, there was a cavalry assault on the swordsman underway while nobody was actually going for the other archer. Yet. Trace didn't stop moving for more than a moment after receiving his first injury of this war. He dashed forward toward the remaining archer and launched a swift and forceful lunge, seeking to pierce straight through the heart. But, he was not so simple as most. At the angle of his attack, the archer would have to risk damage to their bow if they sought to dodge. If they hesitated for even a moment, or were distracted by their current target, it could easily be their end. And, if this archer fell so easily as that, then Trace would pivot and add his presence to the fight with the swordsman. Any distraction could tip the scales and speed the end of the fight.

_________________________ Status: Lightly Injured Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance (3/3) Vulnerary Exp:65

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

Alright. I'll keep that in mind for later then. It doesn't match Trace's current build but it might give somebody some inspiration.

The Last Embers (No longer accepting characters)

Though I lack the time to commit to another roleplay, especially one that is so deliciously crafted as this, I wanted to express my support. I will be reading avidly.

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

On a more relevant note:

Could a Master Class include skills similar to a combat engineer? For example, deploying special terrain features that boost magic, defense, evasion. Or perhaps, having a smaller version of an artillery crossbow that can be deployed and fired at targets outside normal archer range. (Deploy-able Artillery would have a shot limit.)

Furthermore, there could be several versions of this combat support specialist.

Heavy Armor: Able to deploy either a small artillery crossbow or a small catapult (chosen before battle during camp phase)

Cavalry: Able to deploy two small artillery crossbows but suffers reduced movement until both are deployed. (canto disabled until then as well)

Flying (Pegasus): Able to deploy two single stat augmentation 'glyphs' by driving their pointy end into the ground. (Affects anyone standing in that spot.)

Flying (Wyvern): Able to deploy three single stat augmentation 'glyphs' by driving their pointy end into the ground. (Affects anyone standing in that spot.)

Common Infantry: Able to deploy one single stat augmentation 'glyph' by driving its pointy end into the ground. (Affects anyone standing in that spot.)

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

How much fun would it be to have a story set in a fantasy/prehistoric setting with the main cast being a small tribe that conducted a "Wisdom Awakening" ceremony and suddenly gained instinctive insights? Examples: putting things together to make new things that make the tribe stronger (ranging from basic chemistry to tool making... etc.)

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

@Stabby @Zeroth

The surprise attack worked. That pixie wouldn't be likely to come up here again. Hopefully, the other pixie would go away as well and Nira would get the answers she was seeking. That would probably be the best for their current situation. Femus was certain that they could make faster progress toward gaining the strength to take care of themselves if they got to that great tree...

LEVEL UP! Your combined experiences have culminated in new power! You are now Level 5! Your Max MP has increased! You gain Skill Points to distribute as you please!

Unspent Skill Points: 5

Current Skills:
Monster Analysis I (1.3)
Mana Orb II (2.325)
Lesser Force I (1.3)
Levitation (--)
Meditate I (1.6)
Magic Analysis I (1.55)
<UNUSABLE>
Shield (0.6)
Suppress Presence (0.7)
Alert (0.6)
Faster (0.3)
Harder (0.1)
Soil Manipulation(0.1)
Mana Shape (0.8)
Mana Control (0.6)
Muffle (0.3)
Stealth Kill (0.1)
Charisma (0.3)
Mana Drain (0.5)
Iron Gullet (0.1)
Mana Sense (0.4)
Keen Smell (0.1)
Mana Dart (0.1)
Mana Burst (0.1)
Shock Round (0.5)
Fireball (0.1)
Plant Analysis (0.2)
Crafting (0.2)
Keen Sight (0.1)
Wisp Flash (0.1)

YOUR BODY IS BEGINNING TO CHANGE! You are undergoing Transformation! Based on your life experiences, your ability to survive, and the strength of your will, new paths have appeared! Choose carefully--there is no going back! WARNING. THIS PROCESS WILL LEAVE YOU TEMPORARILY VULNERABLE.

OPTIONS (* Indicates Suitability):
***(Adult) Wisp - More magical manifestation than biological creatures, Wisps nonetheless possess physical bodies. Their ability to cast spells from range makes them a foe that should not be underestimated by the novice. Wisps are magically oriented monsters, normally possessing two spells.

• Slight increase to all Base Stats
• Increase HP
• Increase Potential

*(Immature) Poltergeist - This monster is still fueled by Magic, but its hold on the physical world has become stronger. Though its chubby, infantile body isn't particularly large, its grasping limbs, levitation ability, and its manipulation magic make it quite the prankster. However, its defensive abilities don't grow as fast as some other species. For the already physically frail mage-types, this can be a dangerous weakness.

• Gain Arms w/Hands, Legs w/Feet, Head w/Eyes and Mouth
• Increase base power-stats (reduced)
• Increase Lesser Force (reduced)

***(Immature) Mana Spirit - A straightforward transformation for the Wisp, increasing their mastery over the fundamental spells that they use for their base interactions. At the same time, their physical body becomes more unstable. Rather than saying the body is weaker, it is more like...the fundamental self becomes more subject to change. Many mistake these creatures for true Spirit-type Undead, or Ghosts, due to their appearance.

• Increase base Magic stats.
• Increase Lesser Force (reduced)
• Increase Mana Orb (reduced)

(Immature) Slime Mage - An unusual transformation for a Wisp. Their spherical body swells almost grotesquely, and they develop a slimy membrane as their former body dissolves. Slimes are normally of limited intelligence, but every so often one somehow learns magic. With its poor magic stats its casts are limited in number, but few expect a Slime to have such abilities. Having transformed from a Wisp instead, however, a Slime Mage's magic might be much more effective.

• Increase all base Defense Stats
• Increase Mana Orb (reduced)
• Increase Shield (reduced)

System:Femus

... ... Oops. That didn't spell good things for that pixie. Femus's emotions were complicated in this moment as he read what appeared in his mind. A level was a good thing. The evolution seemed to be a good thing too. But, a moment of vulnerability could be fatal so long as he was alone. Also... he had tried to hold back and not kill the pixie. Apparently... he sucked at not killing. Seriously, the closest thing to a glass cannon sorcerer critter just one-shot killed an enemy with the closest thing to a physical attack he had. And... Nira probably saw it.

Complicated feelings.

At least he had new information to distract him from the irritating conundrum of what he was supposed to feel. There were a lot of things in the unusable skill list. Many seemed to be recent acquisitions based on his recent attempts to alter his attack spell. He had certain priorities for now, though. He didn't know how long Nira would be, but it would be foolish to just wait. He would hold off on using those points and hold of on the 'change' that the system mentioned for now. In this present moment, his priority was to finish developing the skills that were closest to completion.

He focused his mind and formed a mana orb. Then he proceeded to remember everything that he associated with lightning from the smell of ozone to the feel of static and the look, speed, and power of the lightning bolts that he saw in the distance as a youth. These aspects he sought to impose on the mana orb, allowing it to change to suit the new information if it needed to but holding it stable. He also did his best to keep his instincts alert to avoid being startled or attacked by surprise.

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

Trace Retloth
Transition to Fort Battle {Chapter 1}

The escape from Garleton and the subsequent march toward relative safety was exhausting. Trace was in good shape, but sustained forced marches were not something that mercenaries preferred. It was a good way to tire yourself out before a battle. The camp was alright. There were enough latrines and there were enough supplies for him to replace the vulnerary that he had given away. There were even people willing to offer training. He had nearly taken Sir Hadrick up on that. Proper lance training was expensive. But, in the end, he had decided to take on a couple smaller jobs to help prepare for the coming battle. Taking a fort was never as easy as one would wish, even if it were only defended by bandits. Thus, after hardly having time to confirm that Artemisia had survived and stuck with the group, Trace had rushed around taking care of one thing or another. He was not familiar with many of his new comrades. Time would tell who was worth knowing. And time waited just as long as usual. The morning of battle arrived as soon as it could and Trace found himself arrayed among this strange group of allies. There was little time to consider too much. The order to attack was given and a cavalry archer moved ahead just enough to line up a shot at the north most axe bandit. Trace knew that that opponent would be down quickly. Either the arrow would finish him or the others would. Trace's own first opponent would be the southern axe bandit. Yet, these bandits were different from those in Garleton. They stood with just a bit more confidence and had better footwork. He wouldn't underestimate them. He paced himself so that he arrived slightly ahead of the group and swung his lance at full extension, hoping to strike the bandit's side or belly with the razor edge of the lance head. But, he knew the risks of over-extending. Before he even knew the results of his efforts he was already yanking the lance back to a half point grip that would allow him to engage more closely. He also made sure to mind his footwork and prepare to dodge any counter. Yet, in the back of his mind lingered a worry. Could he evade the enemy archers?

_________________________ Status: Uninjured Class: Recruit Inventory: Iron Lance (3/3) Vulnerary Exp:65

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

@Stabby @Zeroth

Well, that went well. Femus found himself mildly bemused. It would seem that pixies do indeed have those parts and they do indeed suffer greatly when... well... deprived of their limited dignity. He was also a little surprised that he had managed to mimic wild wisp communication so easily. Though, on second thought, that was the form of communication most native to this body.

Still, and more importantly, both pixies ended up falling. Femus and Nira would both have a clear chance to escape further irritations. He was looking forward to only having to deal with problems that simple force could solve. Even if it was less civilized and less 'human', it felt like this world demanded a certain degree of savagery from the weak. And Femus was weak. He could feel that much. They needed to get going. They needed to get stronger.

Wait, what was she doing?

Femus felt his glow softly and involuntarily shifting back to a deep and vibrant crimson as he realized that... after all their efforts to disentangle themselves from these pixies and their antics... Nira was trying to start up a conversation with one.

This...!? He was trembling with frustration. He really, really... really wanted to yell at Nira. He wanted to vent his anger and irritation. But, he took a breath instead and shifted back behind the cover of leaves. Once settled in place, he began to concentrate on continuing his earlier efforts. He contemplated the attributes of lightning and sought to make his mana take on those qualities. He intended to do this until Nira's... conversation... was finished.

He also concentrated on his breathing... and calming down.

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

@Stabby @Zeroth

Femus found himself frowning. He had hoped this mess would be resolved efficiently, for his sake, and with minimal violence for the sake of his new ally. She seemed... a little too hung up on gentleness. But, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing. It was just... inconvenient in a dangerous place like this. Also... he didn't have a chance to try and make what he had gathered parts for. If he was right then he should be able to concentrate certain types of local mana into these components and then link them, though he wasn't sure how to accomplish that. That link might allow him to create an array that would concentrate mana and aid the magic recovery of those inside as well as any magical herb growing or perhaps item enchanting that might be needed. Hopefully the parts of this old tree would be enough of a start since the tree had a stronger than average mana level on its own.

But, his frown was doubling down as another pixie entered the picture with typical mischief and then proceeded to head in Femus's own direction. Was his luck really this bad or was this supposed to be a good thing...? Bah, didn't matter. Nira called for him to 'mess with' the thieving pixie. It was almost certain that he could knock it out of the sky with a mana orb right now but that wasn't what Nira seemed to be asking for. Oh, well. At least what he did with Lesser Force was less destructive.

He focused his Lesser Force into two actions that he would take as soon as the thieving pixie got close. The first would grab either the pixie's wing or hair and yank down hard. The second would strike a hard and focused strike up the line defined by the inner thigh, aimed at the crotch. Honestly, Femus wasn't sure that this would hurt any more than a strike to the critter's leg but it would be important to know this kind of thing and this attack would almost certainly hurt the critter and leave it alive. As soon as the strikes were accomplished he flashed an angry and territorial red as though he had simply been disturbed by the pixie's antics and was one more surly wisp.

Hopefully, this wouldn't escalate further. If it did, Femus really didn't have many non-lethal tricks up his... ... glowing ball sleeve.

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

I'm tempted to attack again... but it would be selfish and redundant at present. Trace's primary role in this fight right now is to keep the guy's attention and create openings for others anyway.