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Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow & Athena Voltspear

Location: Kindeance

---

Well then, it sounded like Veronica was able to do something with the magic caster. A scream followed by bolts of lightning peaked through the other room Veronica disappeared into. With Varya also in that room, they had the advantage. Veronica has displayed enough tact and skill to be able to handle a mage. And hopefully whatever stunned Varya would have faded so he could lend his aid. That must mean the enraged bear was left to Solomon and the bear girls.

Solomon’s gaze turned to the bear and Bartholomew. The twins had the marvelous idea of sending a jar of alcohol careening towards the battle involving conscious fire. As soon as the glass shattered, and liquid chemical doused the bear, it took barely a second for the sparks of Bartholomew’s head to ignite. A wave of heat and embers washed over the two fighters.

“Ha ha ha! Fire!” shouted Bartholomew as he was also splashed by some of the burning fuel. Streaks of fire trailed down his chest plate, furthering his appearance of a flaming entity. Bartholomew leapt back, carrying the momentum of the Bear’s swat to keep him out of the path of the charging beast. Swinging his axe up and over onto his shoulder, Bartholomew continued laughing heartily. Bartholomew followed the bear, position his axe for a downward swing.

“I guess you’re not a fan.”

Solomon watched as the bear and the armor both in their own ways crashed into the cabinet of chemicals. Though the necromancer hadn’t a clue about what exactly was stored on those shelves, he knew enough about various concoctions to assume a few of them were flammable. If not flammable, some might as well be toxic to inhale dispersed into the air.

“Girls, stay back. I don’t know what’s to happen, but the situation has gotten potentially more dire.” Solomon knew he really couldn’t control the bear sisters, but a warning he called out anyway. He backup from his spot near the cabinets. Alone he wouldn’t be able to handle any resulting fire or chemical contamination. He paused to think if any of his currently unseen allies could.


Outside, the cool air was starting to silence as the rest of the party secured the battlefield. Many of them were badly hurt, evidence of the team’s infancy. Among those down was Athena. Thankfully not forgotten, Louise had approached calling out sweet words. Athena’s chest still rose and fell as breath passed through her lips. Unfortunately, Louise words alone were not enough to wake the unconscious nekomata.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Athena Voltspear

Location: Stritzel Estate, Kindeance

---

Athena stayed true to her charge while Yvonne and Louise did the same at either flank. She slowed her run as Delving kept his focus on her. Her hand gripped the shield’s handle tightly as she anticipated the attack from his ever glowing spear overhead. Still, she moved forward almost taunting him. Where she went wasn’t any matter of Delving’s. Defiantly, she continued forward.

When the spear came down, Athena stopped and braced herself as best she could against the colossal weapon of light. The moment it started descending was all the clue she needed to prepare. Still, the shear size and power behind the spear was more than the smaller nekomata could handle. The spear hit the shield, but right on impact, the shield was half buried into the earth.

“Haaangh ahh!” Athena cried out. She crumpled into the ground as the shield pulled her down with it. Leather straps dug into her arm, tearing through leather and skin. Athena’s shoulder popped out of the socket, and her elbow was similarly dislocated. Wrenching pops of bone fracturing was only drowned out by the rumble of the light spear hitting the ground.

As the giant spear of light struck the ground, Athena was thrown with the mounds of dirt and sod. Her mangled arm slipped out of the shield’s straps which now lay implanted into the topsoil. Athena's spear also flew off in another direction, spinning several times like a twirlers wand before landing at an angle, spearhead piercing the ground. Athena’s armor helped against further abrasions, but offered nothing for the bruises and blunt force trauma. She lay unconscious as Delving’s counter attacks diminished in effectiveness.

Even as the light from Delving’s power faded, Athena lay on her back, her limbs splayed, her left arm bent incorrectly. A cool breeze blew across her face, brushing some of her hair over her covered eyes. Though labored, Athena was still breathing steadily. The pain would eventually rouse her.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow

Location: Stritzel Estate, Kindeance

---

Well, that was unfortunate. Not only was it not possible to avoid fighting the bear, but that he was actively seeking out one of their party members. Thankfully, Varya’s display of agility allowed him to essentially dance around the raging beast avoid most if not all of its deadly looking claw swipes. Of all the intelligent bears Solomon knew, which was a surprising amount at this point, this one was the most aggressive and the least apprehensive to using his strength. Even as Varya used he weapons, the bear looked as determined as ever to catching his prey.

“Alright girls, that bear is easily three times your size. It might be best if you stay here. Find another solution.” said Solomon. He looked around the corner again. Varya was holding around the tables, and Wideria wasn’t in view yet. This should be enough time.

“Stand back.” said Solomon. His glove hand glowed an odd black energy, almost like it was absorbing light than emitting it. Solomon turned to face the larger laboratory as the energy began to snake from the large tome at his back into his hand. Wisps of silver swirled into the darkness. Then the magical energy trailed from his hand into the ground a little ways in front of Solomon. “I call for your aid. Bartholomew of vengeful retribution. Heed my command and come forth.”

The ground from which the energy lingered began to crumble as a mound formed from below the tiles. Dirt cleared revealing a metallic surface that continued to rise out of the earth. Further pieces of metal was uncovered. The various pieces started to assemble themselves, as a suit of armor rose from the earth. Dull steel, with tattered insignia bearing familiar colors of Kindeance. Even without a body, the armor stood tall under its own power. A burst of heat localized around the figure emanated as a flash of fire erupted from where the head should have been. An imposing figure, the undead armor stood tall, large pauldrons, and thick greaves, the armor did not appear light in any capacity. A ball of bright white fire replaced the head, and though it lacked eyes, it seemed easy to tell where the entity was looking.

“Solomon!” the large fellow bellowed, “Again so soon? What have you been getting yourself into?”

“Bartholomew. Now isn’t the time. There is a rather unique bear that I need you to subdue.” said Solomon. The flaming armor turned his head, at least one could assume it did so. Even without a mouth, it managed to click its tongue.

“Not the druidic one? Say no more.” Bartholomew’s voice was full of eagerness and anticipation. One could tell the animated armor was excited for the opportunity to face battle once again. It knelt down, plunging its gauntlet into the mound it had just emerged from. In one movement, the armor lifted his elbow, his grip around a metal handle. As the armor stood up again, a large double headed bearded axe erupted from the soil. He carried the momentum of the weapon up, allowing it to land with an audible clang over his shoulder. “First you send me against a bear of a man. Now it’s an actual bear. Have at thee.”

Bartholomew took his axe in both hands and charged right for the enraged bear. Should the bear continued to be hyper focused to face Varya, Bartholomew was poised to attack the hulking beast while it was distracted. Heavy steps, yet large strides ensured that it was only a few steps before the armor would engage.

Solomon nodded his head as the flaming armor departed. “We shall see what the mage decides.” said Solomon, “based on what happens next, we can decide our next course of action.”

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Athena Voltspear

Location: Stritzel Estate, Kindeance

---

Athena managed to stab at Delving’s shoulder. It wasn’t enough to stop, nor cripple the war hero, but it was still progress. The Delving patriarch backed off in a flash, almost taking Athena’s spear with him. Her arm jerked forward as the spear was forcefully ejected from the freshly made wound. She kept her grip on the weapon, so she didn’t lose it, allowing her to reset her stance. Despite the number difference, Jonas was worthy of the stories she heard about him from before her time as a yokai.

“Fighting dirty?” said Athena in some awe at the statement. The nobleman was able to keep everyone down, forcing a battle between physical prowess against one with both strength and magical influence. If he wanted a noble duel in these conditions, he was out of his mind. Yvonne went forward, and Louise also joined the battle. Athena followed after them. She needed to keep the pressure on along with her colleagues. If he was going to complain about dirty fighting, they might as well lean into his conception of such. Delving was fast, and had displayed a lot of skill. However, he was still a single man, which should mean his ability to react was limited.

Athena kept her shield forward, and her spear poised. She started running forward. Even without her fire, or ability to transform, she knew her way around her tools. Maybe that would be enough to either take advantage of a window, or create a window for the others.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Athena Voltspear

Location: Stritzel Estate, Kindeance

---

Athena’s spear was knocked away, but in the end, she was okay with it. It meant that her allies were able to continue with their respective attacks as well. Ice hitting the adversarial noble from one direction, a transparent wolf from another. It all culminated into a devastating looking blast from Jazdia off in the distance. However, despite the advantage, Jonas was not willing to back down.

A bright light burst before Athena, illuminating the fields and manor like a beacon. Athena raised her shield to cover her eyes. When her sight finally adjusted to the change in luminosity, she discovered that the source of the light was Delving himself. It didn’t matter to Athena, though she and most of her comrades were bathed in the light, it didn’t feel like it was causing any harm. At least in her initial assessment. Only when she readied her spear did she find her fire gone. Any attempt to place it back failed as well. She reasoned that his multitude of cleansing effects is what allowed Delving to boldly face the party.

With speeds faster than Athena could react, Delving’s partizan flew past her position, a sharp but very short lived blast of wind trailing it. Athena watched as in an instant, Jazdia was pierced by the glowing weapon. In the same instant, Delving had conjured a replacement. If the battle didn’t look good before, it looked worse now. Raising her spear, Athena dashed forward. Shield in front, Athena looked to coordinate with the others moving forward. It would be good if he couldn’t throw out another one of those partizans.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow & Athena Voltspear

Location: Stritzel Estate, Kindeance

---

Solomon waited with the others as the men left the small barrack towards the manor itself. The group was quiet, holding still. When the footsteps faded, some tension was released. Thankfully, waiting patiently worked as none of the guards went to inspect the barred door. As the group gathered in the antechamber, Solomon looked down each of the halls. No one was seen, coming or going. At least of yet. The hall the men walked down lead to the manor, so that meant the other lead to the laboratory.

Solomon looked into the barrack, where a single man lay sleeping inside. Veronica asked for the knockout chemical again. Normally, Solomon wouldn’t want to do so, but since the man was already asleep. To not risk waking him and having to deal with him flailing about should they try to retrain him, Solomon walked closer to the sleeping man. From inside his coat he removed the clothes he used before. They weren’t as strong in scent, the chemical quickly evaporating. Instead he retrieved the bottle once again. Since the guard was already asleep, he didn’t need to waste any on another cloth. Solomon gingerly held the bottle close to the man’s nose. He quickly recoiled as the guard snorted as the vapors hit. It was hard to tell if enough time had passed for it to take effect, but the man’s breathing was slow and methodical. Hopefully that was enough.

Solomon put the bottle away, and straightened up best he could. With a soft nod, he turned to the others, “That should do it.” He left the room, and followed Veronica down to left most hall towards the laboratory.

Above ground, Athena looked back to see Yvonne was taking care of herself. She was very upset, and Athena wasn’t sure if that was a good thing. At least she was up and walking now, and that was definitely a good thing. Athena’s eyes then turned to see what was happening on the other side of her bulwark. The smoke cleared and there was Delving, enchanted partizan spearheading Athena’s tower shield with full force. She felt the impact, digging her feet deeper into the soil.

Athena stood bewildered. She wasn’t arrogant enough to think her shield impossible to penetrate, but only after one hit? Much like the white gradient that outlined the borders of her barrier, another outline surrounded shaft of Delving’s partizan. The shield itself had a noticeable indent from the hit as well. Before she reacted, Delving was already in the midst of another attack. Similar to his first hit, the second cut through the barrier as though it wasn’t even there. At the same time, Athena released her spell. With the barrier disappearing all together, Athena repositioned her shield to block his attack. It pierced the magic, but it was stopped by the physical shield itself.

When the hit didn’t come, Athena took the opportunity to stand proper, and hold her spear forward. The spear tip glowed with purple flames as she took a couple steps, aligning the tip of her spear to strike the stumbled Delving. Her spear went forward around the lowered shield directly at Delving.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Athena Voltspear

Location: Kindeance

---

Athena laid low in the grass, watching what transpired. Athena didn’t see from where, but suddenly Yvonne was struck from behind, a pretty nasty hit by the looks on her face and the expletives that abruptly escaped her mouth. Even Jonas Delving reacted by taking several steps back. Athena was not sure of his maneuver, so she darted to the side. She did her best to keep her eyes on both Delving’s new position and Yvonne.

The wound Yvonne sustained seemed pretty bad. It went through he calf, and the amount of blood she was losing didn’t look any better. Evan was dealing with Louise and the frozen abominations, Jazdia was still at a safe distance. Or at least a safer distance than everyone else. With Delving seemingly unbothered by the turn of events, and Yvonne appearing otherwise crippled, it was not looking good. However, Athena’s ears perked up at the mention of medicine. She recalled giving something of a similar sort to Veronica, maybe she had more of those? How Delving knew about them, though. It didn’t matter, Athena needed to act now.

With as much speed as she could muster, Athena ran through the grass as directly towards Yvonne as she could, giving Delving a wide berth. As she approached, she slowed enough to rub herself against Yvonne’s leg. With whatever pain and adrenaline Yvonne was running off of, hopefully this would not cause the mad blade any more distress. If successful, Yvonne would get a strange mostly indescribable feeling, but otherwise would be true to herself. Then Athena was continue her run, circling back around.

“Drink it.” said Athena.

Athena jumped in front of Yvonne, transforming humanoid once again. Upon landing, She slid to a stop, with her shield forward. She ended up pretty close to Yvonne, just outside the length of her extended sword. Athena tightened her grip on the inside handle of her shield and firmly planted her feet. The grass at the base of the shield flattened as a white circle extended out from Athena’s tower shield outlining a roughly eight foot barrier centered on her position. With Jazdia’s arrow planted within the opposing magical barrier belonging to Delving, Athena’s counter bulwark would block the resulting explosion. It was close, but even as Yvonne would choose to jump back or brace herself, Athena's barrier withstood the enchanted arrow's power, protecting the swordswoman one way or another. Debris and smoke spread around Athena's bulwark unmoving. At least now Yvonne could administer her potion in relative safety.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow & Athena Voltspear

Location: Kindeance

---

Athena looked at the scene in front of her with some confusion. She was not expecting all of Evan’s wargs to intercept these, whatever these things were called. Still, she appreciated the help. Given their resilience, she might not have been able to hold them long if at all. While the wargs were occupying the abominations, Athena took a look behind her. Jazdia had repositioned, and had plenty of room to maneuver or flee depending on how the rest of the fight went. There was some distance between her and those who were originally charging at least. With how persistent the wargs were, it didn’t seem likely they would go down quite so easily.

Athena took the next opportunity to see how everyone else was faring. Delving had entered the battle, and was working down Yvonne. The two were locked in a sort of dance, Yvonne working well to keep the nobleman’s weapon’s lethal end away. As for the other abominable brutes, Evan seemed to be taking care of them, too. Between his wargs and his ice blocks, he was working hard to keep the battlefield on lock.

Athena jumped forward almost looking as though she would have fell on her face. Instead her form rapidly changed and just before she landed, Athena was gone and replaced with a cat. Quickly dashing through the grass across the dirt path, Athena circled Delving. Yvonne and Jonas were engaged in a battle, yet at the speed they were going, Athena would end up too slow, awaiting for the outcome of the bout before she could make a move.

Near the manor, Solomon watched as Veronica managed to charm the two guards by merely existing. Her attempt to intimidate them didn’t catch them in fear but infatuation. Veronica played them up quite well. Solomon watched in amusement. There was stark contrast between the noise the battle indicated and the demeanor of these watchmen. Solomon turned back to the others to see what they were going to do. The twins were just as baffled. At least he assumed they were given their stunned silence. Varya was gone. When that happened, Solomon couldn't say.

“Alright, I think this has gone on long enough.” said Solomon in a soft whisper. He reached into his cloak and removed a small pouch. He opened it and jumbled around some of the items inside. From within, Solomon retrieved a small bottle of clear liquid and a couple bits of cloth. He finagled a bit with the items before tucking the materials back under his cloak. Suddenly, his form became undefined, darkening to that of shadows. Almost like a snake his form flew into the wall, trailing into the shadows cast by torches.

The two guards were finishing there conversation as a black shadowy entity rose from the ground behind them. Perfectly silent, Solomon’s figure came to be once more. From under his cloak, two gloved hands reached forward gently holding a slightly damp cloth each. The harsh smell they emitted was masked by the chemicals already permeating the area. Solomon covered each of the two guard’s mouths and noses with the cloth. With their surprise by Solomon’s sudden appearance, he was able to hold them just long enough for the two men to fall unconscious and collapse. Solomon stashed the wads of cloth away below his cloak.

“They should be out for a couple hours.” said Solomon, “I fear what they might have said should the conversation be allowed to continue.”

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow & Athena Voltspear

Location: Kindeance

---

An explosion. The first wave of guards appeared to have been ineffective in delaying the attacking party’s assault on the manor. In no time, they cleared the outer field and already breached the second gate. Solomon immediately halted his investigation as the disoriented man began to walk forward in earnest. Whatever the man was and what he was being affected by became the attacking party’s problem now. Solomon quickly retreated.

Solomon noticed whilst passing by the basement entrance again that it lacked any doors, and some dialog could be heard inside. He paused to eavesdrop. He wondered if the second explosion had drawn enough attention from those below to take action. As he peered down the basement entrance, he could see Veronica was already there, tentatively creeping down, but still aware of her surroundings.

Solomon’s shadowy figure emerged from the ground and slowly retook shape that was easily recognizable. No long completely silent, Solomon whispered his presence so Veronica would know it to be him. “I wasn’t able to get anything clear, but I can confirm that guard lives. He looks to have engaged Jazdia. We should be free to push further once the others arrive. I trust Jazdia and those who are with her to keep the above ground guards occupied.” he said softly. Then he ceased speaking further, listening to the two men further inside speaking, while at the same time waiting for the bears and Varya.

While Solomon was with the others infiltrating the basement bunkers, Athena was facing down a new wave of eight men. Five were odd in their movements, but just as aggressive if not more so than what Yvonne displayed. The others were a part of Jonas Delving detail. Athena knew he was involved and Veronica did mention that he was on the premises. Perhaps it was too optimistic to hope that his visit was merely that, and he wasn’t involved. Let alone hoping he had left.

“Ice guy.” Athena called, forgetting Evan’s name at the moment. The speed the odd brutes were charging at gave little time coordinate, “Protect the left.” Even before Athena called, it looked like Evan was already preparing his own counter attack. His wargs, or at least one of them, leapt forward and dashed after a bodyguard, while the ice mage himself crafted a shield mirroring Delving’s.

Athena put all of her focus on the two men that were moving towards Athena’s general direction. Athena saw that their path wasn’t directly at her, instead off to her side towards Jazdia’s position. The elven archer already started to reposition. To give her a better chance to evade the brutes, Athena moved to intercept. She ran as fast as she could to put herself between the altered guard and Jazdia. She held her shield up, her spear pointed forward, the tip burning in purple flames. If the guard would attempt to evade her block, she would lunge at the guard with her spear.

Sovereign's Will: The Edge of War [Looking for new players]

Solomon Sparrow & Athena Voltspear

Location: Kindeance

---

Solomon hid among the shadows of the second wall when Veronica quickly approached alone. It was difficult to see in the dark, but Solomon trusted Veronica not to have left the others stranded by the other wall and they would be making their way soon enough. The difference in condition between the first and second walls was obvious, with stones yet to be weathered from the elements for an extended period of time.

Veronica wasted no time in scaling the wall. After she scanned a bit, she returned down along the outside. A simple request was had, and Solomon obliged. A strange guard with obvious signs of life barely observed. It was enough to make Veronica question it, and given her line of work was cause for some concern. Solomon’s formless body snaked across the edge of the wall. His path began to rise as he climbing the stonework until he followed the remaining distance to the guard from the parapet. True to what she said, a man was stood mostly motionless facing towards the inner wall’s main gate and manor entrance.

From what Solomon could perceive, the figured offered no whispers of the dead. He was neither dead nor risen. As for his odd mannerisms, Solomon couldn’t put his finger on it. He wasn’t afflicted from what he could tell. His movements when he offered any didn’t suggest him to be under the influence of any disease that he knew about, but they were still odd to watch. If the guard was being manipulated by anything, it was out of Solomon’s expertise. But he could only observe so much form atop of the wall. In a form that was otherwise undetectable by any of the natural senses, Solomon approached the guard to get a better assessment. Not likely for anything to be different without fully inspecting the man and invading his personal space, Solomon went to discover as much as he could before quickly departing through the wall and to Veronica.

Across the yard to the main gate of the outer wall, Athena followed Yvonne in. With the majority of combatants downed, her focus returned to the thug prepared to fire upon Yvonne as the mad blade dashed forward. The manor’s guard held his crossbow true and went to take aim at Yvonne. As Athena pushed forward, she focused on the guard closest to Yvonne. The crossbow in the thug’s hand would burst into purple flame. Athena would hope that would be enough to scare the man into dropping it, or at the very least ruin his aim. Should that succeed, the flame would jump from the crossbow to the tip of Athena’s spear, originating from the two pearls just below the tip of the spear. Hopefully then the light would distract the second guard into firing upon her rather than Yvonne. At least then, Athena had her shield prepared to block the incoming bolt.