Psyker Landshark

The Envenomed: Military Science Fiction Deniable Operations

Salvator Rasch

If a certain few of his squadmates survived this first mission, Salvator was running them through a basic primer of how to actually manuever around a battlefield. He knew the Envenomed were short on personnel, but would it have killed their handlers to give the civilians they pressed into combat some training? But wasn't this the story of his damn life? Running from shithole to shithole, dealing with half-trained civilians and mercs for how long now? Decades? God, but that was depressing.

His brain registered the jets and artillery screaming overhead, but decades of war caused him to barely note them, the sounds commonplace by now. If they weren't homing in on his position, it didn't matter. Salvator kept his gun steady and his steps silent as he stalked through the abandoned village, checking his corners. The aftershock of the nearby artillery blast was alarming, and he briefly swept across his field of vision, looking for any movement as a result of that. Nothing in the immediate vicinity so far, which was both good and bad. No potential contacts yet, but that meant any surprises waiting for them were disciplined enough to not break cover.

"Smells like a trap. They move in from outside, wait inside, and they have us. You hear our contact?" The Tarrhaidim in the group rumbled, and Rasch nodded in agreement as he stacked up next to the lumbering alien along the wall.

"Don't like this. Echo, you've got the best comms tech among us. Try to ping our contact, you've got the codes same as the rest of us." With that said, he looked between the other two who had moved up with him.

"If we don't get a response, I'll move in with a stealth field and do some recon. Better if only one of us springs the trap if there is one. Kid, stick with the big man and keep your head down. Contribute where you can."

@Oraculum @Syben @vietmyke

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Renar Hagen

For all of Gerard's self-depreciation, he did bring up a good point. They were already training as hard as they believed they could. More effort would only lead to injury, most likely. So then, what to do?

"At least you're finally getting it through your head that you ought to be at least trying to fight in a less suicidal manner. Although that begs the question of how I ought to change my methods." Renar mused aloud, while already coming up with the basics of a plan in his head.

"Hauling statues doesn't seem to be a poor idea, at the very least. I do know that between all of our little training group, I tend to focus more on technique than outright force. Adopting a more rigorous method of physical conditioning ought to provide dividends. Though I don't quite intend to neglect arms training. Or reduce it, for that matter. But perhaps what we all need to improve faster is a change of pace. New foes to practice against." A sigh. "Dame Lilette is still within the city somewhere. I intend to find her. From there, it's a matter of seeing exactly how I can bribe her into training me for however long she intends to stay in Thaln. And by train, I mean repeatedly beat me to within an inch of my life until I can better stand up to someone of her calibur." He took a sip of wine to fortify himself. As it stood, Renar truly didn't see a better way to become a better combatant faster than this. There were more sane and less grueling ways, certainly. But those would take longer than he feared they had until the next great threat arose.

"As I see it, she's likely been asked far less than Dame Tyaethe about this. Which means it won't be as impossible of a task to secure her assistance. And by the time she leaves, hopefully I'm improved somewhat enough that the aforementioned might be interested enough to continue that training."

@HereComesTheSnow

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Renar Hagen

"So, allow me to get this straight," Renar started incredulously while pouring himself some more wine. "You're more angry about being physically thrown around by your opponent than losing to them? That's the same thing as being outmatched, you dolt."

Outmatched was a term that brought some recent connotations with it. Renar's mind briefly flashed back to that dream he'd had. Certainly, some of those losses he could have accepted. But others? Not a chance in hell. Steelfang's outline remained in his thoughts for a moment, his brow furrowing. At least Gerard had one thing right in what he'd said though.

"You aren't incorrect in that regard, though. We need to get stronger, more skilled, better. All of us. A more foolish man would be more content with humiliating their half-brother in public before Thaln's nobility. I, however, fully intend on not resting on my laurels. Technique is one thing, but if there's anything I've gathered from your tale of the catacombs, we've a significant amount of physical conditioning to go through. Skillful tricks won't help us close the gap in direct combat against a mage."

The lightning mage that they'd mentioned had been...concerning. Especially considering the fact that they hadn't just killed her the moment they had the chance. Soft-hearted fools. And Serenity, he supposed.

"Next time, if I'm not there, do us all a favor and ignore the ones who called for not killing the dangerous, hostile mage. Unless it's a demand from the Knight-Captain or Paladin Tyaethe, the rest have no greater authority than you." He shook his head with a sigh. "If that loose end doesn't come back to haunt us, well. Care to stake some gold on it?"

@HereComesTheSnow

Blades of Iron Roses: An Anime-Inspired Knight RP

Renar Hagen

Symbolism is For Cowards

Rend. Sever. Kill. Rend. Sever. Kill.

He didn't know how long it had been going. The first few hadn't been much. But he knew the woman in the sky had been testing him. Prodding him. He hadn't given her the satisfaction of seeing his tricks. That was, until a knight in the panoply of House Brias approached, the family sigil on his shield. After that, Renar saw nothing but red. Fine. She wanted to provoke him? She succeeded. From then on, he fought without reserve, making full use of his arsenal of dirty fighting and inspired manuevers.

Whatever man of Brias this was didn't get to make a single move before a hurled dagger jammed itself into his eye. Half a dozen soldiers charged him only to trip on caltrops he'd scattered across the ground and be killed while prone and trying to recover. Just for his own satisfaction, Renar killed an orc warchief in the exact same manner he'd slew his first: sand in the eyes, poleaxe thrust to the thigh, and a dagger to the throat.

A giant of a man with a flail and kiteshield gave Renar his first death, his face concealed by a flat-topped helmet. From there, the challenges grew greater. Famed heroes, knights, and wizards. It gratified Renar to know that he was at least giving as good as he got in this dream, slaughtering several who came against him before one would eventually strike a killing blow. And then, after an archmage crushed him with a magically-hurled boulder, he appeared.

Edwin the Traitor. Wielder of Steelfang. The man approached Renar with an easy smile, actually having the audacity to clap.

"Oh, bravo. Bravo. You're really doing pretty well so far, you know. Not quite up to our standards yet, but you'll get there one day."

The fact that this one actually bothered to talk first had Renar pause, his poleaxe leveled at the most reviled traitor in all of Thaln's history.

"Is there a point to this?" He snarled in disbelief, trying to figure out what game both Edwin and the witch up above were playing. "Why you?" Renar charged, and they clashed. His gambits were seen through, and his counters reversed time and again.

"Maybe." Edwin replied easily as a smash from the flat of Steelfang sent Renar reeling back. "Let me hazard a guess. Some in the order don't quite trust you. Think you might be my second coming, for some reason or another."

The thought of taking Edwin's path had crimson returning to the edges of Renar's vision, sheer resentment allowing him to fight through the pain and take up his weapon once more.

"Then they understand nothing. I've read the histories. You disgust me. And not for the usual protests that you would hear. I care nothing of chivalry or valor."

"Oh? Let's hear it, then." Edwin quirked a brow, sounding genuinely interested in what Renar had to say.

"You threw away everything you had for some mad dream of peace. I remain loyal to the Iron Rose because as they rise, so do I. To cast all that aside for an ideal is the mindset of a child. There is no such thing as a just or kind world. Only what you can wrench from it for yourself." Renar spat, surging forward with a whirl of his poleaxe to clash against Steelfang again.

"Is fighting for an ideal really so bad? It isn't worth laying all on the line for?" Edwin sounded genuinely saddened by Renar's outburst, even as they traded blows once more.

"Never." Renar hissed, even as Edwin finally got the better of him, an improper parry on his part allowing Steelfang to wrench Renar's poleaxe out of his hands. "I fight for myself, and nothing else. If you had done the same, perhaps Parvan and Cyrus might have lived long, happy lives. But I suppose your false peace mattered more." He uttered in one last act of spite before the Traitor took his head from his shoulders.

They'd decided on drinks after training, as usual. Renar sat across from Gerard at the table, taking a sip of his wine as he observed his friend staring straight down into his mug of cider. Were it anyone else, he would have assumed that his fellow knight was simply tired out from an afternoon of constant attrition and combat. But this was Segremors. The poor fool had a tendency to obsess over what others would find trivial.

"You're going to be like this all evening if I don't say something, so let's hear it." Renar sighed, giving in and making the first move. "What's on your mind this time? Worrying your head off that Fionn broke routine once and didn't train with us today?" The thought had crossed Renar's mind a few times, but it was doubtful that one instance meant anything. If it continued to happen, it would be cause for concern. But a single absence could have been due to anything: a letter to send off, supplies to purchase in town, or even a case of the runs.

"Or is this about the Demonbreaker still? Had I an inkling that he was down there, I would have joined the lot of you. Still almost jealous, really."

@HereComesTheSnow

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-Inspired Anime Fantasy RP

Kayliss Lambert

Ugh. Merchants. A small part of Kayliss couldn't help but admire how quickly the Nem got over her shock and started trying to make a deal with ruthless aggression. The much larger, more sane part of Kayliss's mind was just exasperated. The deal sounded good, certainly. That was, if she actually needed to brew mana-inhibiting poisons on a regular basis. She didn't run through enough of it to necessitate paying for herbs at the constant monthly rate the woman was suggesting.

There were, however, other poisons she had more use for constantly. Ones that were versatile enough for most situations. In that context...well, the deal wasn't too awful. It wasn't as if she had much use for money while her room and board were taken care of by the Lions. Once upon a time, perhaps. But a decade and a half of working for the nation in some capacity meant that the former urchin girl didn't quite have a much of a need for the coin she once pilfered constantly.

"I propose an alteration to the deal. I can be a recurring customer, but for supplies such as these in general. Extend the discount to more herbs of this nature, and I'll consent to making at least one order a month for six months." Kayliss told the merchant flatly, not bothering with the stare now that it seemed an opportunity for business overrode any fear Lirrah had. "Now, show me what you have on hand. Time is of the essence, and I'd prefer to get to...crafting as soon as possible."

@Octo

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Ranbu no Izayoi

&

A vivid nightmare had plagued Arton's sleep, causing him to toss and turn throughout the night. Despite this, he had woken up around dawn as he always did. After a short wash, Arton packed his things and donned his armor. His pack was a little on the heavy side but it did contain all of his possesions. It wasn't like there was a home he could return to. Arton made sure to check on Neve as the group departed the castle and prayed she could find some rest on the trip.

Arton managed to mount his chocobo with a bit of effort. It had been sometime since he had a chance to ride one. The wanderer flashed his signature smile towards the crowds and waved goodbye as they left the city. Having travelled a good distance, Arton's thoughts began to dwell on the comrades that accompanied him. He felt like he had a good read on those who remained, all except one: Ranbu. That was what had him staring as he rode behind her. She was without a doubt bloodthirsty, but there was more to it than that. He intended to find out.

He gave the regins of his chocobo a little flick and moved up besides her "Ranbu, I apologize if this is a ignorant question but why do you hate Valheim so much?" Arton felt that if he were to trust the Mystrel he had to know.

Izayoi hadn't been beset by cheering crowds since the emperor had raised her in his esteem, at the very beginning of the war. There simply hadn't been time after. Like many other things, time and weariness soured this experience for her. Would they be cheering as greatly if they'd known who she was? The woman responsible for many of the deaths of their sons, their husbands, their brothers?

Not that they would find out. Her straw hat obscured the top half of her face and her hair to the onlookers, and crimson robes didn't quite carry the same visual notoriety that her black war plate had. Still, she kept silent through the entirety of the procession out of the city and towards the Stormseas. The return to Osprey would be much quicker than her arrival to Edren, considering she would be crossing the fields of grass mounted rather than on foot this time. Izayoi consigned herself to simply listening to the rest of the party to pass the time until Arton decided to approach her.

"Ranbu?" Izayoi echoed, one eyebrow lifted. Of all the...of course. Foreign ignorance, to say nothing of the other matter. First things first. "My given name is Izayoi. Ranbu is a title, gifted to me in the old tongue of Osprey. I will not begrudge your lack of knowledge this one time, as you are an outlander."

She took a breath, trying to decide on how much to reveal of her grudge with Valheim. The logical part of her mind knew that full disclosure would be for the best, but she had little desire to show her pain to strangers.

"As for Valheim...you would be a fool to ask this within Osprey's borders. The Edrenians at least left once they had stolen what they desired." A pointed look in Galahad's direction. "Valheim subjugates us. Renders us second-class citizens within our own lands. The occupiers are neither merciful nor benevolent. You will see once we arrive."

A deep, shuddering breath. Just beginning to list off Valheim's offenses ignited more rage within herself than she'd thought. Enough to throw caution to the wind. They would find out eventually, regardless.

"Their soldiers slew my husband and my daughter. Razed my village. Massacred everyone who lived within. Is that reason enough for you?" Izayoi spat at Arton, her grip tightening on her chocobo's reins. "Vengeance for them is the only concern I have. So long as Valheim and the Blight are linked, you have my sword. But do not get in the way of my sole reason left to draw breath."

Arton could feel a flush in his cheeks at his embarrassing mistake. The whole time he had gotten her name wrong. Izayoi's expression gave him pause to consider retracting his question, but he stayed committed. The look on his face grew solemn as she explained her reasoning, but it did not prepare him for the rest of it.

The blue eyes of the Sollan darkened for the first time since meeting team Kirin. Was this who he could have become? A demon hell-bent on revenge? His heart ached for the loss Izayoi and her people had suffered. Their loves ones and their very freedom. Arton at the very least had the second part. Would she beleive him? That he knew a fraction of her pain? He quickly glanced around at the others. Perhaps it was only right to share his own experience.

"Thank you..for sharing. I doubt whatever condolences I could offer would mean much, but I wish..I wish I could have met them I suppose." His thumbs rubbed the learher straps for a moment "Bandits murdered my parents before my eyes, and kidnapped my closest friend. We had been traveling in a wagon much like the one we have. A few guards for protection...but it did not matter." Arton spoke so only her ears could hear, consicous of the Viera in their party "A kind stranger took me in. He taught me how to smith and fend for myself." He finished now looking ahead.

Some of the fire in Izayoi's eyes dimmed as Arton seemed to accept her reasoning, replaced with the same weariness that had accompanied her since that day atop the mountain. She'd been hoping he would just accept her words and move on, but then he started up with his own experiences.

In the interest of group cohesion, Izayoi resisted the urge to sigh. She hadn't intended on this becoming a sharing of trauma, despite the fact that his story was so close to her own youth. But it would be more than rude to rebuff him if he was so willing to reciprocate.

"The same happened to myself as a child. Though my master was not what I would describe as kind." She replied in an equally quiet tone to Arton's. "But I will be forever grateful to him for teaching him what I needed to survive." Izayoi finished before urging her chocobo a few paces ahead, clearly uninterested in speaking more on the subject.

"Your condolences are...appreciated." She said in a more normal volume so that the rest of the party wouldn't grow too curious. "I would hope that it does not become a habit from yourself or otherwise. It will grow tiresome quickly." Mother above, if the rest of them decided now was a good time to express sorrow or pity, she may as well gallop ahead.

Strange Gospel: A Heavily Persona-Inspired Urban Fantasy RP

Nakano Nagi

"For the last time, this ain't a cult. And no, we're not gonna make you summon a demon. Or do human sacrifices. Fuck's sake, where do you even come up with this shit?" Nagi grumbled before urging Yuzu on at a faster pace.

Nearly there. Just a block left until they reached the convenience store. Nagi led the way, Belial floating along beside her as she kept a wary eye out for more masked monstrosities. This street was clear, at least. For the moment. She glanced into the alley behind her, where Yuzu was following along.

"Alright, c'mon. Move up. We're almost to the konbini. Last spurt, Gotoh, don't crap out on me now-" Arms coming out of the walls. Grabbing Yuzu and dragging her in. Nagi hissed in alarm, sending Belial forward to try to rescue her. Too late. The moment her Echo even made contact, the arms finished sucking her assigned civilian into the wall. She'd...failed. They got Yuzu.

"God DAMN it!" Nagi screamed in fury, slamming her fist into the alley wall in frustration. One job, and she'd cocked it up at the last moment. Another to end up on the missing person list in a week. The yakuza princess withdrew her hand, panting slightly as her knuckles throbbed. Damn it, damn it, damn it. This was a fuckup of epic proportions on her part. First chance she'd had to actually save someone from Strange Gospel, and then this happened. But there was still Naoko and the other civilians to consider. She'd wallow in this later. Tearing her gaze away from the wall Yuzu disappeared into, Nagi continued on, her teeth grinding into each other as she ran.

She crossed the corner at the same time Naoko did from the other side, their Echoes staring each other down. Nagi blinked. She'd finally did it. Well, good on her.

"Oh, shit. Echo awakened, huh? Congrats, Shiratori. Told ya you'd get it down sooner or later. Whaddya call her?" She said with genuine good feeling. After what happened last time she tried, Naoko could use the morale boost. Really, it hadn't been Shiratori's own fault last time anyway. She'd been interrupted. Nagi had told her as much, but it didn't seem like it had stuck.

And then came the hard part. "You come across the other civilians yet? I, uh...fucked up. Bad. They got mine. Arms came out the walls and nabbed her." Nagi looked away in shame before something occurred to her. "Wait, didn't you have one with you too?"

@VitaVitaAR

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Ranbu no Izayoi

Izayoi scoffed at the single voice of resistance to her proposal, noting with displeasure that it was the red ponce again. What exactly was this man's issue? At this point, he had to have some sort of idiotic agenda. Still, it seemed that the party was mostly composed of level heads. The viera male assented, and the uniformed Skaelian she'd just recruited did as well, though not without a wrinkle of her own. Elective...leadership? For someone who'd been following orders of some sort or another since the age of eight, the concept was foreign to her. To say nothing of the fact that this Laruelle woman clearly didn't understand Izayoi if she believed that the dragoon's orders would chafe against her.

Still, so long as it put a competent voice in charge of final decisions and left leadership out of her own hands, Izayoi was hardly going to protest against mostly getting what she wanted.

"Do as you will, then. I have no complaints about your...informal arrangement. Give the dragoon final assent and veto. The man is old enough to have fought in the war, and bears commander's markings as well. Obviously, he was more than competent enough five years ago. His order proved to be more than effective back then. Though if this is how it will be, the remainder of this group ought to say their piece regarding leadership before we turn in for the night." She glanced around for a moment, pausing. "Where is that mage?" She sighed, before a poof of smoke from beyond the door provided the answer.

Izayoi strode out into the hallway, staring down what was unbeknowst to her, a toad until a few seconds ago. She lifted an eyebrow in Aelphis's direction, looking moderately irritated.

"The remainder of the group is discussing matters of leadership, if you were listening in. As you are a member, you have the right to say your piece and get this over with already. If you would kindly go in and say something already, I'd like to manage to get even a few hours of sleep tonight before we take to the road." She said flatly, her demeanour suggesting that she was about to bodily drag the boy into the hall if he didn't get a move on.

@Cu Chulainn

The Lion's Banner: A Fire Emblem-Inspired Anime Fantasy RP

Kayliss Lambert

"Understood." Kayliss saluted in acknowledgement of her orders given, her mind already going over the best methods to deal with spellcasters. Unknown territory and speed being of the essence narrowed her options considerably. Unfortunate that she wouldn't have as much preparation time as she would have liked, but that was the nature of military operations. Not exactly an unfamiliar situation for herself at this point.

As much as Kayliss would have preferred to go for the kill straight away with her tactics, the lethal poisons she used were more effective when ingested rather than when coated on a weapon. That left paralytics and mana inhibitors. Of the two, the latter would be more useful in this situation. It was more likely that a caster had a countermeasure to paralysis than temporarily slowing the flow of their mana. A quick mental review of her stores told Kayliss that she did have a vial of it, but only the one. More would be preferable so that she wasn't relying on a single weapon to deliver the toxin. Fortunate that the camp merchant was so readily available, then. And offering a discount.

While Cadmon suggested an altered plan to Velvetica, Kayliss quickly located some spare parchment on her employer's desk and took it. She reached for the ink and quill and quickly scribbled out a list of the necessary herbs to brew more of the mana inhibitor, blowing on the ink to dry it faster. With that done, she stalked over towards the Nem, silent as can be, and practically shoved her impromptu shopping list into the diminutive woman's face from the side.

"I'll be needing these for the operation. Given that I'm under direct orders from the Lady, I trust that the discount you just mentioned applies, yes?" Kayliss murmured tonelessly down to Lirrah, her blank stare potentially intimidating to some. The herbs weren't rare, but not common either. Given that, they would cost a decent sum. Considering Velvetica did pay her, Kayliss could certainly afford it. But not taking advantage of a lowered price when it was available would be idiotic.

@Octo

Final Fantasy: Lightseekers

Ranbu no Izayoi

Frankly, Izayoi was impressed, despite herself. Even considering how much slower she was compared to her prime, it was still quite the feat to actually come this close to ending her life. Of course, no amount of respect for this redheaded Skaelian's abilities would overrule the absolute fury she felt at herself for growing weak enough to allow such a blade to reach her. That fury influenced her next decision by a significant amount.

Out of spite, Izayoi only tightened her grip on her sword and drove it ever so slightly into the side of the man's neck to pierce skin, sneering at the new woman as her victim whimpered.

"Go on." She said quietly, her gaze unwavering. "Fire. My blade will still find its mark. Will you let your countryman die for this?" With so little left to live for besides vengeance, she felt no compunction about wagering her own life in this standoff. The rest of her party's actions were immaterial to Izayoi, even as she took note of them from the corner of her eye. In this moment, all that mattered were the next few seconds.

But the tension was cut with the Edrenian king finally moving to stop the brewing feud. Hmph. What an unsatisfying finish. Izayoi waited patiently for the first offender to back down before she looked back to Eliane.

"Your countryman threatened our compatriot's life first. I merely thought it appropriate to respond in kind." Was the only explanation Izayoi gave as she slowly lowered her sword from the man's neck, watching dispassionately as he ran off to rejoin his party. Judging by the sudden smell in the air, he may have even soiled himself. With everything settled, she deliberately turned her back on the Skaelian gunbreaker, meeting the gaze of the king's knights in challenge for a moment. For obvious reasons, it seemed several had their attention on her specifically. Once upon a time, she would have decided to rattle them a bit. But now, the prospect held little interest to her. So with a dismissive huff, Izayoi sheathed her sword, glancing back at Eliane briefly.

"Skaelian. Reaching my throat with a blade proves you are not without worth. Consider joining us, rather than those bleating fools." Her piece said, Izayoi started trudging back over towards her party.

"You are unharmed?" The samurai asked Neve as she approached, briefly looking over where the Unicorn idiot had pointed a blade at her. No apparent injuries. "Good. Try to get some rest." She advised, turning to return to their chambers herself. "The journey ahead will be long, and the roads are not without peril these days. It would be best to save your strength."

She started to walk off, but a particular thought ran through her mind. Ugh. Of course. They should have established this earlier.

"One last thing." Izayoi turned around to face the group. "We must establish a clear chain of command. One among us ought to lead." She took in a breath, closing her eyes. "It will not be me." If her regrets on her chosen path coalseced in a singular moment, it was the doomed last stand she'd dragged good, loyal men into to satisfy her own shattered pride. Never again. Her eyes opened, gazing at one person in particular.

"I nominate the dragoon. You have command experience, do you not, Lord?"

@Ambra @Click This @vietmyke