Th3King0fChaos

Avalia

Time: Afternoon~
Location: North Pass, at Odds and Ends
Interactions/Mentions: Annya @princess, Bardulf @Lava Alckon, Bron @GingerBoi123
Armor:
A full suit of Steel Half Plate & a
Steel Targe
Steel Half Plate
Weapon(s):
Steel Longsword
Devil's Reach, an Adamantine electromagnetic Railgun

Inventory: A sturdy set of winter clothing, his dog tags, a set of faux demihuman Wolf ears, a Ring of Disguise, a set of Winter Boots, Eye Protectors, Dark Sight Glasses, Way finder.

---

Ismael laughed as Bron spoke about his mood as Ismael said with a jovial tone, "I am quite happy today actually, Billy, the boar I got, he finally is starting to listen to my commands! So I am actually very happy". Ismael talked with a smile when he was happy, so it made it very easy to tell when he was happy.

As the talking started for the hunt, Ismael listened intently as the speaking began, taking note of the competition that would be taking place. The paths were simple enough however they could pose danger if an enemy were to strike as it have multiple points of contact for an ambush. Yet that was a worry that was second to some of the more main issues, it seemed that Ismael was to go with the hunt master himself Bron!

Ismael looked to Bron and gave a slight nudge to the arm as he said slightly jovially, "Geuss we can see if that experience you have can beat my creation".

Ismael said this jokingly in the fact that he knew Bron was going to be a formidable opponent when it comes to catching game, but that never meant Ismael was going to give up. Ismael di make sure to study the map carefully to make sure he knew where the chokes in the trail would possibly come and the best places for ambushes. As they were in a very remote location, it could be possible that the Dark Elves have now at least been spreading out to the more remote regions to find lone Humans fleeing in a desperate attempt to escape possibly fates worst than death.

O R I F L A M M E

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A Familiar Sight

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Mentions/Interaction: Sweyn, Thunder Spear @Force and Fury

Arsène's task was one he chose himself and it was one he knew well, to hunt. The Barbarians had been razing villages and carving death and destruction in their paths. Arsène hoped to quell this carnage, this death that had found its way to his home many years ago has now found itself back in lands he knew. The smoke that filled the air was not one of smoke smelt in burning fire wood or coal. It was rough on the lungs, a deep dark black, and had a pungent sickeningly sweet smell that stuck to the throat and made you nearly gag, as the body knew this was the same smell as a persons body burning.

Arsène knew this smell very well, it was one that had stuck in his mind from when he was a child. As they moved through the many villages that had been burned this same smoke that has been from his childhood, it was a smoke that made even the hardiest men gag. As for Arsène, his blood boiled, he could not bear to keep his distain hidden, however he was among goo9d company that seemed to also agree the same. Yet soon they saw another village burn, but they were to find something they would have never expected.

Arsène was the first among the group, so for him he sensed a man within the village before the others, as he prepared for an ambush, yet then it was only one man. Arsène worried as soon they spotted one of the strongest of the Barbarians, Sweyn Thunder Spear. Within that moment almost all of them prepared for a fight, yet Arsene saw something strange. He could not tell what he saw around Sweyn, however it called to him to hold. Arsène rose his hand and stopped the volley of spells and arrows from raining down onto Sweyn, as when called to answer, Arsène spoke and said, "I'm unsure, yet I have a feeling. I'm going to go speak with him. Prepare to assist me in case the Old man decides to piss himself". Arsene chuckled slightly as he began to shift in the saddle.

As the other knights looked to Arsène dumbfounded, Arsène dismounted off of his horse and started to make his way towards the lone man. He seemed all too distracted, and for Arsène it almost felt like he saw a ghost while looking at Sweyn. Possibly of a man long dead, or of one that is still alive, for Arsène, he looked as if he had lost his way. All he could do was what he could, and now, he has done things he could not atone for. Arsène made his way over as once he had made it towards the man he was greeted with a sight he was not prepared for. From the many descriptions Arsène was given, he assumed a powerful man such as Sweyn would have been something akin to a man larger than life, he expected a man wizened by his years, full of body and mind with power to spare. Yet now he was nothing more than an old man groveling at the body of a child who had died before him.

Arsène sighed heavily as he saw the child and all he could do was pray that she would be given a kind after life to any god she prayed to. Arsène prepared for anything as he finally neared and looked down upon the older man and spoke out to hi with a strong and solid voice, "Old man, why are you here?"

Mechwarrior: Disposable Heroes

Location:
Western Continent, Espia
NPDRE Outpost F-10
Date/Time:
18 April, 3030/0515 Hours
Interactions:
The Green Knights
Gear:
SERE Kit- Tarak keeps a SERE(Survival Evasion Resistnace Escape) kit inside his cockpit incase he needs to eject and survive in the wilderness on his own for some time, he has a black hard polymer pack filled with MREs to last him a few days, a broken down Semi-automatic carbine with one 20 round magazine, a flash light, a canteen filled with 1L of water, a knife, a trauma kit to stabilize wounds and set broken bones, and a collapsible spade within it. This kit is attached to his seat to keep it from flying about and possibly causing damage while within the cockpit.

Combat gear- a white and grey camo clothing, a cooling vest able to take small arms fire and regulates his body temperature to allow for higher survivability inside and outside the cockpit, a pair of gloves, his boots, some light armoring across his body to more easily take impacts and dampen blows, and his Neurohelmet. He has a suppressed hand gun with one 20 round magazine holstered on his left leg, and on his right leg he has his Personal Cassette Player which has his "Flower's Favorites" cassette in it.

---

As Desperado moved through the gates and heard Ramrod had called out for them to act as pack mules. As Black Pheonix began to adjust the large container in its hands and began to go forward yet the moment he took a further step forward it froze in place and waited, as within Tarak had received the burst transmission, his comms were quite ready for something like this, as the designers of the Pheonix Hawk seemed to have expected a high-power microwave-burst transmission to be used, so they prepared for it to receive an over the top microwave-burst that could be heard through almost anything.

"Green Knights, this is Gawain Actual, Hostile mechs inbound, rendezvous at nav-point Echo! Repeat, hostile mechs inbou--"

As once the call was passed from Ramrod to move, Black Pheonix shifted the container in its hands as it shifted the container to his off hand so it can aim its weapon while moving as Desperado said, "Yes ma'am!". As the legs of Black Pheonix to begin to move as the container behind him began dragging on the ground and gravel. Slight scrapping and scratching occurred, yet every now and again a loud bang and screech came from the container as it hits many different things in the way. Yet Desperado almost tuned it all out, he was looking and watching for almost anything. As his hand within the machine almost twitched waiting for a Battlemech to appear.

The Hourglass Order

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Location: San Agustin, Torragonese High Desert

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Chapter: Deserted

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Among Mortals and Legends

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Once Desmond had mounted the large deer construct he noticed it's many different pieces. It was half plant half animal, and all terrifying, yet it seemed oddly beautiful. As the creature began shifting, it started to make a large area for Desmond to solidly stand and even had a cover to make sure he wasn't burnt by the sun, very thoughtful.

As they moved Desmond had slowly been making a bullet, he could not make a new hellfire bullet on the fly, so he knew he needed to instead retrofit one. As Desmond took out one of the rifle bullets and began inspecting it, he took out his tools and saw he needed to unseat the bullet as he began to use his tools and the gift to take out the lead bullet in the casing and began to scan the insides, as it seemed that there was this very fine powder within that seemed to fill up only a partial amount of the casing. Desmond would figure out why later, right now he wished to make sure he understood how to make the bullet. As Desmond grabbed both bullets, he began to shape the lead ball in his hand to change the size using Arcane and Kinetic energy. As once it has lengthened, he began to shift and compare it to the same size of the other bullet, yet he could not be working the lead too much, because if he did and input too much heat he might accidentally create a small explosion in his hand he is not prepared to stop.

As once they made it to the area they would face the Royal Sand Wurm off, Desmond was still working, this control was imperative, almost more so than anything he could ever think of at this moment. This was his first step forward, and if he was going to do something here, he needed to use everything. Once Desmond heard Casii yell for him, Desmond seated his new bullet back into it's casing and stuffed away the other bullet as he was going to save it for other projects.

As once the Wyrm appeared the fighting began, Desmond's work was intense to say the least, anytime he was able to fire a shot at the Wyrm he made sure to catch it on the weak side as he filled every bullet with every ounce of Kinetic energy he could. As bullets collided, many bounced off of the hide of the Large dragon. Desmond winced as he continued to fire bullet after bullet, his body was surely feeling the constant strain, it always had. He had to always put everything into fights, he wasn't gifted enough to fight as other mages, and this was not a fight any similar to what he has done before, this was a fight for monsters.

Yet Desmond gritted his teeth as he pulled out everything he had in this fight. First came the Blunderbuss that Benedetto held, it had these strange bullets that seemed to be similar to uranium, yet when near he was told he needed to wear protection, sadly Desmond didn't have time so he gritted his teeth as he used Kinetic energy to load the bullet as quickly as possible, as once the Wyrm reared it's head to fight the Golem Deer, as the moment it rises from the sands, Desmond was prepared to fire, yet he felt his back tingle and a whisper in his ear, as his finger held still as he waited. Desmond stood his ground on the golem as the Deer underneath him began to take a defensive stance, yet the moment the Wurm reared up and tried to spew this large stream of acid, Desmond still held as he felt it wasn't time. As the moment the acid was to hit, Trypano used Chemical magic to turn the acid inert wit a base, as Desmond was nearly covered by the liquid, he pulled the trigger as the entire stream was torn apart as these many small pellets ripped it's way through the mouth of the Wurm and made it roar in pain.

As it continued, Desmond used many of the weapons he had gathered, as over and over agina the beast seemed to only get angrier, yet Desmond was still waiting, it was not time yet. He continually had to use his different weapons, as he waited and waited, as the moment the beast had finally gotten to the stage where it would use it's increadible power. As once it dived under again, Desmond felt his back tingle once more, it was coming. As the Beast came out of the ground, it was covered in fire as underneath the scales this burning red light seemed to cut through and made the Wurm look as if it was a beast made of magma.

Desmond threw off all of his gear except for the Sirrahi rifle and ran to the front where he saw Casii and barked out to her, "CHARGE IT!! This is our chance!" As the Golem charged forward the Wurm dived down again and past the golem as it began to go for the others, as it breathed out fire, at first it was like spittle and embers of fire, yet as the bast continued it began to burn more and more until it literally was an inferno, as the moment They made it to the Wurm, it reared it's ugly head and almost blotted out the sun with it's intense heat and light, Desmond knew, this was it.

As the Wurm came bearing down onto the golem, Desmond called out and yelled, "JUMP!". As a massive fireball incinerates Casii's golem, it opens its mouth wide, eye glowing infernally. It is an evil creature now: consumed by madness and the aberration. The deer's occupants, in a last gasp escape, are flung free into the sky. The nimble yasoi lands in a magic-enhanced roll, crying out as her ankle buckles beneath her on the shifting sand, but otherwise unharmed.

This path is not for Desmond, however. As Desmond leaped off of the Deer, he began turning and taking out his rifle. He felt his reflexes were enhanced, as when he pulled in energy he felt as if it was more filling. Desmond called onto every form of skill he could, as a falling shot was not one he trained for, it was going to be a new experience. As Desmond was going to fire a bullet the moment the Wurm opened it's mouth, yet again, it almost it felt like a hand was on his stopping him from firing. As a whisper was in his ear, it was indescribable, yet Desmond waited. As he stared down the throat of the sun as when the fire was being breathed out, the fire began to surround him as he saw it, his eyes almost locked on to the moment, the shot needed. As he felt the hand slowly move away from his, telling him to fire, Desmond pulled the trigger as he had quite literally poured everything he had into that bullet. He had drawn well past his limits and forced it all in the moment to cause the explosion to become one of the greatest he could. As the moment his hit the ground, he was out.

Desmond was out for some time, his body was maimed, charred, and Desmond was quite literally on death's door, yet for Desmond, in his mind, he was peacful. For the first time, he felt like there was some peace in his sleep, as he slowly was walking up a hill, there being a large tree which had these light pink flowers as Desmond hears a leaf flute being played. It was an 'instrument' taught to him by someone of his past, as he made his way up the hill, he saw for just a moment, just a glimpse, as the sunset was hanging over the horizon it made it difficult, but he could see, as the woman turned around a smile he remebered from those years ago.

Yet before either can exchange words, the world became hot, as Desmond felt ash and blood getting pulled out of his lungs as he felt his mind began to race. He was awake again as he threw himself up trying to figure out what is happening and realized he was back. Desmond was for a moment breathing heavily, yet he regulated it very quickly as he said in a bit of a goofy laugh, "Man, what did I miss?"

---

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Location:Academy of Thaumaturgy, Ersand'Enise

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Chapter: Return to the Academy, School Arc

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A Missing Peace

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After they returned to the Refuge, Desmond was mostly to himself, he was not much of a celebrating mood. He had relegated himself to resting up on the roof of the Refuge where he was left mostly alone. Desmond was uncharacteristically calm the entire time, even while betting during the large auction he was calm. He smiled, and joined in somethings before they left, but he was calm. It was almost like he was always lost in thought, as if he wasn't here.

As Once they returned to school, their Zeno Fades-in-Moonlight checked with them why they were gone for a whole week, and Desmond gave a simple response of a secret mission. As it seemed to have been enough for his master, as Desmond went upon his way. Desmond had then spent the next week coming back to his norm, spending time with his roommate and his Student group seemed to have helped him bring himself back from this seeming slump.

During this week it was otherwise uneventful, he spent much of his time working with the many new things he had in his hands. His new materials he got from the Wurm fight, the many new weapons he got from the Sirrahi. He has also spent much of his time cleaning his room once Silas had sold the organ and burning many incents and oils to make the room smell okay again. Near the end of the week he decided to finally open up the Encyclopedia that he was given from Sileen, as when he found the note that was in the book, 'I hope this will humor you as much as it did the first time we met'. As Desmond looked toward the book, he saw his picture and what the entry was on and all he could do was laugh.

Desmond laughed so loud that it could be heard from the other rooms around him. It was a picture of him when he was younger as he was squatting over a chamber pot. Desmond's laughing was uncontrollable, as he fell onto his bed as he continued to laugh, yet soon that laughter turned to crying. As he was alone, no one was in the room, and it seemed no one was near, he cried from somewhere deep. As he cried, all he could do was cry, as that night he fell asleep with tears staining his pillow, as no one was the wiser of that night.

O R I F L A M M E

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The 2nd Wave

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Mentions/Interaction: Queen Astrid, Inga, and Arne'altan'jaros @Force and Fury

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Kol had spent much of his time in menial tasks, he needed to make sure his supplies were prepared before they were to head off again. After speaking to his quartermaster to prepare the items needed and to get his armor repaired, Kol did what he must do, he needed to make his pressence known! So he did light bit of travel in the early morning, he walked Meldheim, viewing the many wonderful things it held as it was quite rare for Kol to be able to visit Meldheim. It may be the home of the King of Kings and also the capital of his land, but it was not his city. His home was beyond the horizon, over the great waters where he would find his people waiting for the news to travel to them from Meldheim. He wondered how many of his Jarls would be left, how many were home waiting for news to enter the second wave. Yet those thoughts left as many young men and women threw themselves at Kol for any number of reasons. As a King who has take no wife, many younger women threw themselves towards the Strumish king in hopes to catch his eye, while the men crowded him wishing to hear the news from the under King himself.

Kol entertained the crowd the best he could, he was never known to have been the greatest actor or crowd pleaser. Kol live a very different life to those ideas, he was a Warrior and a King. His body and mind hardened on the battlefield and at the political table. Yet to act as the face, he was almost too kind, too innocent of a man from what many expected. Many expected this man to be almost demanding, hard and stern, yet Kol was very polite, as his time almost seemed to be taken up by the constant crowds and the occasional wreck or fixing that Kol seemed to almost put off all else to help with.

With such commotion within the city, Kol almost forgot the most important bit of buisness, he had to meet little Inga and Queen Astrid in the courtyard to meet one of the newest recruits of the Æresvaktr, Arne'altan'jaros. Kol made his way to the courtyard and found one of the woman he cherishes most in this world, as Kol gave a light smile and a light bow himself to acknowledge Inga as he spoke, "Ah, I see. Well Inga let us greet him then". Kol made his way over to Arne as his size began to become apparent, Kol stood well within the range of Yasoi men, yet his body was much larger than almost all men of their kind. As Kol gave a nod to Arne and said, "It is good to meet you, you know who I am and I know who you are, how about instead of formalities, we give our true greetings in a spar?"

Kol spoke with a smile and calm demenor as he slowly took off layer upon layer of his clothing. His large red cape, his heavy cloak, his thick more ornamental clothing, all revealing a much tighter thin layer of cloth that seem to tightly hold onto the kings body. Some would call it a tunic yet the arms are cut off and the thought of thick cloth seemed thin on his body. Once he set his items aside, he folded up his cape and kneeled down to Igna and said to her, "Here you are little flower, I must ask you, may you please take care of my banner 'till I return?" Kol spoke as a light jest and allowed Igna some form of feeling in the spar that is to occur, it was Kol's Banner, it was something dear to him, so he wished for it to stay safe.

Once Kol had finished his little talk, he then stood back up and turned to Arne. Kol began walking forward as he said, "Ah, you waited, well, I am ready whenever you are". Kol took up a loose stance as he looked at his sparing partner, as he rolled his shoulders while continuing to speak, "Let's see if you can provide more than a nice little stretch". Kol spoke in jest to see the head that is on his sparring partner, Kol was here to see how capable these people were and give approval. He had no clue what he was expecting from either Arne or the Skyge, but he needed to be ready. So for Arne, Kol will be taunting Arne the entire time while only using his fist, as the usual, yet he wanted to be showy, after all the Queen and Igna were watching him, so he had to put a bit of a showing.

Avalia

Time: Afternoon~
Location: North Pass, at Odds and Ends
Interactions/Mentions: Annya @princess, Bardulf @Lava Alckon, Bron @GingerBoi123, and Kharne @Kazemitsu
Armor:
A full suit of Steel Half Plate & a
Steel Targe
Steel Half Plate
Weapon(s):
Steel Longsword
Devil's Reach, an Adamantine electromagnetic Railgun

Inventory: A sturdy set of winter clothing, his dog tags, a set of faux demihuman Wolf ears, a Ring of Disguise, a set of Winter Boots, Eye Protectors, Dark Sight Glasses, Way finder.

---

Ismael hand steadied as he took a rice ball, he was excited genuinely excited that Annya was more than willing to allow him to eat the rice balls. It was also her mistake, as she gave a man starving food, so he will eat to his hearts content. Ending up with Ismael grabbing quite a few rice balls from the basket as he said, "Ah thanks Annya! You're the best! Ah! They're so good! I can't stop!!"

Ismael figured Annya out decently quickly, she was like a child who needed to have everything to be perfect and gaining admiration and affirmations was something she looked for. So to get more food without spending a dime, he used that little habit of Annya's and some of his top-tier acting. As Ismael heard someone else approach, he looked towards the voice and saw it was Bron, Ismael waved to him with a rice ball in his mouth as he said, "hmh ahm yuh bhun?"

Ismael finished eating as he then said again, "Ah, sorry about that Bron. Hey, how are you!" Ismael laughed after as they started to head towards Yugi's shop, Ismael was eating very leisurely as once they entered the shop Ismael gave a small smile to Yugi and said, "Hello once again Yugi. I hope the roof is doing well. If you need anymore help on your shop you can always ask". Ismael was about to continue until he saw Annya run like a bullet up to the Shopkeeper, compliment him on his looks and then began talking while looking through the many things he had for sale. All Ismael could do was laugh as he began poking around in the shop as he looked to everyone, "Well I guess we should make sure what we have will fight off the cold when travelling out, so maybe getting new boots from Yugi, I can attest they are quite solid as I've been using mine for a few months now".

O R I F L A M M E

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Fields of Fire

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Mentions/Interaction: Queen Eleanor @Force and Fury, Caelum @RezonanceV, Maerec @Dao Ma, and the others I have missed.

Arsène came alone in his travels, many who would have answered the call were already called far before him. Arsène was not a knight, he was to be but his titles and honor was stripped from him long before he was able to be knighted. So he made travel alone upon hearing the calls for King Arcel of Parrance like most commoners would. Yet Arsene did not make his way to Relouse immediatly, however, he decided to start rallying and focusing his resources towards getting people ready to leave. The Eskandr were not a horde to be broken upon Relouse, they would rather burn the lands, gain something from this before returning to their home. Either Relouse Breaks or the Eskandr horde will break out into the mainlands of Parrance.

And Exactly as he thought, Eskandr spread across the green lands, yet they found nothing they were searching for. They found no great bounty, no great wealth, those were to come long after their arrival. So in the same fashion he lost his ancestral home, a home loved by his mother, Fields of Fire covered all that was Parrance. Arsène made way to meet the larger forces that were to be found chasing the Eskandr down. Arsène made his way toward Port Morilles, as he met with Queen Eleanor and rode the rest of the way toward Port Morilles. There he found the destruction that he was used to, Eskandr break through like varmint, creating a small hole, and soon they infest everything they touch, eating and rotting everything else, while shitting and stinking everything.

Soon it came to what is to be done, should they chase the Eskandr down, they were no farther ahead than a solid travel, while there are fires burning and people under the cliff to fall. Arsène wished he could complete it all, yet it was time they had nothing of. Arsène was not gifted enough to be able to assist in a meaningful way with the cliffs, nor the fires, so he did what he could to assist. Blood mages and force users were to be deployed to stop the cliffs from falling, masters of the flames were to clear the burning castle, so Arsène had nothing other than to do what he could. He asked the Queen to travel forth, even with an army or on his own to track the Eskandr and report all that could be found, if not harass them a bit.

Hider

I am posting this to show my continued want to be in Fields of Fire, just haven't posted for it so now here it is.

Mechwarrior: Disposable Heroes

Location:
Western Continent, Espia
NPDRE Outpost F-10
Date/Time:
18 April, 3030/0500 Hours
Interactions:
The Whole Crew vs. NPDRE Outpost
Gear:
SERE Kit- Tarak keeps a SERE(Survival Evasion Resistnace Escape) kit inside his cockpit incase he needs to eject and survive in the wilderness on his own for some time, he has a black hard polymer pack filled with MREs to last him a few days, a broken down Semi-automatic carbine with one 20 round magazine, a flash light, a canteen filled with 1L of water, a knife, a trauma kit to stabilize wounds and set broken bones, and a collapsible spade within it. This kit is attached to his seat to keep it from flying about and possibly causing damage while within the cockpit.

Combat gear- a white and grey camo clothing, a cooling vest able to take small arms fire and regulates his body temperature to allow for higher survivability inside and outside the cockpit, a pair of gloves, his boots, some light armoring across his body to more easily take impacts and dampen blows, and his Neurohelmet. He has a suppressed hand gun with one 20 round magazine holstered on his left leg, and on his right leg he has his Personal Cassette Player which has his "Flower's Favorites" cassette in it.

---

As Black Pheonix made its rush across firing lines, rounds flew by as its speed made most of the defense force miss their shots. As once Tarak felt the round fly by he began picking off shots with his laser weapons, melting many of the static arms quickly as he continued his maneuver. Once the rounds finally quieted down, Black Pheonix made its way around and assisted with clearing the last probable defenses. After which he made his way to the front gates where he saw the Buckshot boys were doing what they do best, scaring the shit out of anybody who is mortal. Tarak lightly nodded to himself as he saw them keeping people in line. Black Pheonix seemed to almost begin to look around, slowly scanning as almost looking for something, as the moment it saw what it was looking for, the large war machine moved towards a shipping container and went down to one knee as its hand pointed to one of the Outpost guards. Black Pheonix then gestured for the now fear stricken guard to open up the shipping container. Once it was open, the large mechanical beast began looking through as he pulls out some 'useless' items. As the Black Pheonix began going towards some of the vehicles that were not to be used, as he broke through the roofs of them and yanked out the dash boards and putting them into the shipping container, stray crates, and sometimes just larger things that he finds.

Yet the moment Desperado heard Family Man call out, Black Pheonix began moving at a speed much similar to a rushing man trying to pack as much possible into his suitcase before needing to leave for his flight he is later for. Once Desperado heard the missiles and guns fire, he looked towards the guard who is about to run and gestures to the container. The man looks to the container and then the mech kneeling next to it like a doe in head lights, as the mechs head tilts and gestures once again now with more emotion and emphasis as the man goes and closes the container. Black Pheonix gives the man a thumbs up afterward and light waves for him to shoo as the Mech begins to shift the container and drag it with him. The man watched the mech leave and ran like a child who was scared by the large biker who speaks in a near yelling voice. As the Black Pheonix moved, it made its way through and looked towards Reya and tossed her a thumbs up as he moved through the gate and out. They needed to begin their move out, they were getting passed over by aircraft, so they could possibly be expecting more force soon.

Desperado began scanning the landscape, they had much distance to cover, and things felt tense. There was no way this was it, they were just found, they needed to move, but what if they had an element patrolling. They couldn't hope this would be over with a few vehicles on a fly over going dark and then them getting away. This was a much more funded force, they would have more to work with than they do. As Desperado flicked his direct coms to Ramrod as he gave a quick, "Desperado ready, what's the move Lance Leader?"

O R I F L A M M E

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Eye of the Storm

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Mentions/Interaction: Vali, Twice Born @Wolfieh, Queen Astrid, Snorri, Ulf, Inga, Hrothgar the Black @Force and Fury

---

Kol watched the sea, the fog was strong and the air was cool upon the day they were to voyage. The waves in Parrence were calm and pleasant, much nicer and seemed much more giving than what Strumreef has had. Yet to him it connected Kol to his home. He sighed as he looked to the sea, it was nothing more than the sea, a home that he has known since he was able to remember. As Kol watched the sea, he saw the ebbs of the sea and knew, his home was going to be so close, yet so far, as they would pass it barely and move along the Meldheim. A reluctant sigh left Kol as he relegated himself to his task, he had to complete his mission and then make it back to the war front, his people were left to fight without him, and it made him nervous. He could feel the waves almost shake as he touched them, they were hiding their anger, and he was soon to feel them.

As they travelled, Kol knew the many things that were to come, the first few days were calm, upon nearing Strumreef, Kol felt the wave bare their teeth. And Kol felt trully at home, the Sea was unkind, it was angry, temperamental, she fickle, and Kol felt on edge when he was in calm waters. Upon reaching the shore for shelter against the rough storm, Kol saw the small fishing camp and made proper preperations to best compensate those who were here. Sadly they knew not who'd be here, but Kol made preperations of materials and other things. For the prisoners, Kol could do quite a bit for them, as his status amongst those here is the highest, he can quite easily make sure they were treated at least somewhat well. Yet he was unable to go against all things, if he were to do so he could be called out as a traitor and have to then defend himself in a court unfavorable to him at the moment. So he bided his time and did as he could, before they were to leave again.

Once they were to leave again, Kol left one final gift for the possible inhabitants of this island, if it was Móður's beloved Sea folk, Kol made some additional preperations. He did not think of the gods as the reason why they exist, yet Kol has heard stories since he was a young child of the Sea Folk, what to do with them, what gifts to give, and what precautions to take. As Kol left them beautiful cloths, gifts, and the flag of his Kingdom. As once given his offering, Kol made way, as they once again now headed towards Meldheim, Kol focused his powers to speed up their travel, as once they made it to the waters they all knew. Eskandish waters were something Kol has traversed all his life, and so following the currents, the winds, the stars, and even the clouds to guide them through the waves of Eskandrs very own sea.

Along their travel, Kol heard the many idle chats, many spoke of what they were to do with their new found gains. Many spoke of laying women, others spoke of gambling to maybe get enough to buy their own kingdom, others spoke of drinking themselves enough to look more like Father. While some spoke of the trio of ships they said they spotted on their time on the island, yet they did not respond to any form of communications. Kol felt a strange tinge in his stomach like he just saw something that would come to haunt him. As even when night fell and they saw land, this same looming feeling still held him.

Once they made it to dock Kol began seeing as the captain of the ship began barking orders and calling to the sailors to begin their work. As Kol watched the sailors his eyes landed on the face of a woman he had known for many years now, Queen Astrid. Her beauty was something to behold even after these years, Kol even remembered their wedding and remembered the gorgeous ceremony. The smiles on not only the face of everyone around, but of his old friend and his wife. Kol took steps to the edge of the boat and once he made it to the edge, he set his foot on the very edge of the ship he could and took a step and set his other foot onto the dock of Meldheim. Once he stepped off he looked to each those whos very eyes seemed almost asking him every question that could be conceived, yet the first he was to do was to make sure that everything was settled. He answered questions with a quick and swift order that he would answer more soon, yet he had buisness to attend to.

Once the ship was cleared of what he needed, he made his way to Queen Astrid, as he stood maybe 5 feet away to allow the height difference to not hurt her neck as he placed his hand over his chest and bowed his head. As she commanded to know of the news of the war, she also commanded to know everything. The news he was to tell and the news he was told to keep hidden. Kol raised his head and gave Queen Astrid a smile as he said in a calm voice, "Of course".

As Kol gave the news that he was told to, the words he was to say and make the fighting seem well fought yet more than winnable. It was going to be tough yet victory was within their grasps and new green lands were well within their grasps. He then gave the news of the 3 new Æresvaktr who were to be inducted, Arne'altan'jaros, Ufhild, and one he was least wishing The Skygge. After which now came the news she also wished to know, everythign left out. Kol was much more candid when speaking now. He had emotion in his voice, he had many things about what he believed were failures. The attack was much tougher than they imagined, they summoned many of their stronger forces, as they were unable to take Relouse. As with such forces, the reason they needed to induct new members into the Æresvaktr, was that Hrolf Bloodaxe, Olaf the Aged, and Horik the Golden all dying upon the battlefield. The very tough warriors, and the many yasoi who had sided with them.

Kol began to speak more, of the many things Hrothgar had tried to keep away form his people, yet from his Queen? Kol knew this woman for years, Queen Astrid, Kol knew her before even that, before the very many times they have met in meetings, the very many talks they have had, and the many times he had to speak with her about what Hrothgar wishes for his people to hear and what actually has happened. Even now, memories flowed, yet it felt almost distant, as they spoke of war, something that would not be easily changed. Something where loss would have been great, yet the reward could have been even more so. As Kol spoke, he was setting his heart out, everything he knew, and he felt, for the only time he can let this out, would be now.

The Hourglass Order

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Collaboration of: @Th3King0fChaos, @A Lowly Wretch, @dragonpiece, and @Force and Fury

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As everyone jumped into the hole, Trypano had created more and more room in the tunnel to accommodate everyone. The water had soaked everyone as they floundered through to get out to the other side to escape the dragons and the sight of the army.

Benedetto yelled out when he came through, "Fuck!! You could have made the water not cold!!". Ismette came through the water with some grace while Penny made it through with less than any. With Penny's missing leg it made it difficult to get out of the water as others began helping her out of the water and retrieved her cane.

As once the hole had been established and they felt the Dragons flying off because of projectiles flying by, Penny asked the most obvious question, "Ismette, may I ask where we are?"

Ismette answered with a sigh, "We are somewhere called San Agustin, it is in the Torragonese High Desert"

Desmond and Benedetto both looked at Ismette like she was going to say something else as Desmond was the first to speak of the two, "Okay, and?"

Ingrid took a deep breath as she knew she was safe, even if it was just a moment. Ingrid chuckled a little as Benedetto complained about the water. "Ooh" Ingrid let out as she then scrambled to help Penny out of the water. Ingrid looked Penny up and down real quick and said, "You're alright, you're alright" as she gave Penny a solid pat or 2 on the shoulder. Penny had quickly asked Ismette where exactly were they. Ingrid already could deduce that was somewhere in Torragonese High Desert but to have an actual town is useful. Whatever the case, the more pressing issue for Ingrid was making sure the tunnel was supported. She quickly created solid stone pillars to support the sandstone. Ingrid wanted to wait to see if Ismette had any more to say but she didn't expect much.

"Don't worry, we won't be lacking in warmth out here in..."

Trypano paused, waiting for Ismette to fill everyone in as their team filed down her tunnel one by one. One of her eyebrows cocked as the destination was revealed unto them: San Agustin, all the way out in the middle of the bloody Torragonese Desert.

"And why were our coordinates set for the middle of a desert?" Trypano made little attempt to disguise her irritation with this seemingly random diversion when all she had been hoping to do was secure this lantern once and for all. The more chances they took with this thing the more opportunities they'd have to lose it somehow and that thought irritated her greatly. The Sirahhi provided some useful knowledge of the world and magic to a degree but that would benefit no one, especially not herself, if they all died shortly thereafter.

With so many things to research and so little time this little errand they seemed to have been stuck on was doing nothing save for wasting her precious time. Lighting up the lantern to give them some visibility in the secure basin she wrought for them she waiting with arms crossed, gun hung awkwardly from her back as she waited for anything approaching the semblance of an answer.

Ismette saw as everyone looked at her with indignation and a sense of hostility, she put her hands up as she said in a quick response, "H-hey, this was where Hugo was going to send us. He said when we used the key phrase we would be going here next to meet with one of the other groups to assist them".

Benedetto then snaps out as he says, "Okay, so you decided to send us to the middle of a desert, and now we are right next to an army! WHAT ARE WE HERE FOR!!! I am not going to just be cleaning up messes all day!!"

Penny stepped in as she said, "Yes, why are we here?" Penny looked at Ismette worried as they don't even understand why they were here for.

Ismette said in a quick exacerbation, "I don't know!" Ismette held herself slightly as she also seemed unsure and worried why they were even there. Yet she seemed to start feeling unease under the constant stares and slightly angered and frustrated looks.

Desmond said in a quick lash to keep people on track before a fight breaks out with Benedetto, "Alright, we get it. We don't know why we are here, so let's ask the next question: What are we going to do?"

Benedetto grumbled as his face contorted as if he was getting antsy and impatient with that actual army nearby.

As irritated and exhausted Ingrid was, she couldn't stand watching Ismette get ganged up on. Especially when it had to do with Hugo and his vague instructions. Ingrid was about to interject but Desmond cut in to try and correct the conversation. Ingrid tried to weigh the situation in full but with the limited information it was difficult.

We know from Ismette that this was where they were suppose to be sent off to by Hugo to help the situation. It could be that Hugo was going to teleport us into small settlement but as they went through Sirrahi portal. Knowing what I now know about the Sirrahi, it seems pretty likely that Ten would place us just outside San Agustin. Could we be here to fight the Army? No, with an army of that size they wouldn't face them head on from that settlement. They are too outnumbered. I can't think of why the army would be here if it wasn't for battle or just a show of force. If it was for battle their could be a large monster rampaging and it is affecting the lords finances or reputation. Maybe the students were here to assist in the slaying of the monster. Their is probably more going on with how our mission went. Either way, I know where we need to go at least.

Ingrid spoke up, "I believe Hugo wants us to be in the settlement and we would be a lot less confused. The Sirrahi have a minimal contact policy, if you can remember, so it explains why we are on this small plateau. So getting to the refuge would probably be our quickest way of returning to the academy. That or traversing the desert then the sea to get back. Any suggestions?"

Trypano's cold red eyes flitted from speaker to speaker as their conversation seemed to spiral around the same point fruitlessly like a tethered ant's march. After hearing out Ingrid's words on the matter she stepped back into the topic herself.

"Bold of you to assume what is wanted out of us from Hugo if he couldn't of even be bothered to disclose the purpose of this extraneous mission to us, let alone it's existence in the first place." Moving her glare which betrayed hints of her exhaustion with this endeavor she looked from Ingrid to the group as a whole.

"Now I'm fairly sure that I speak for the majority of us when I say provoking a conflict with an entire army complete with an unknown quantity of combat mages is the last thing we need right now. That being said since they seem to be probing the area moving openly in the daytime would just be invitation for them to stop and question us which-" She holds up her strange futuristic gun and artifact "- Could end very poorly."

She stopped and cradled her chin in thought as she considered their options.

"From the looks of things our present-most ideal options are to either travel underground by magically erecting a tunnel low enough that we lay outside their mage's senses or we wait until nighttime and skulk across the surface to our destination. Neither choice is entirely safe but circumstances appear to be, as usual, less than ideal."

Ismette saw as the upset nature shifted away from herself to the very idea of Hugo and his machinations and she let out a sigh of relief. As Ingrid and Trypano were the ones to come onto the scene with laying out their options with ease, she agreed that the best actions would possibly be towards sneaking into the Refuge. Ismette said in a quick agreeance with Trypano's initiative to go to the Refuge, "I believe the Refuge would be best approached from underground. It would allow us to start sneaking right now while they might be distracted with the Froabases".

Penny sighed out as she was worried about the plan, it was the best they could do, but they had no clue what they would be doing until they entered the Refuge. Yet they were right, they couldn't make any form of mistake with the army out there, no matter how good they were, an army would easily wipe them out. Penny took a quick swallow of the saliva that was building in her mouth as she says, "I believe digging underneath would be the best way to reach the Refuge as well".

Desmond looked around and saw Benedetto's face seem to tell, Get me the fuck out of here, or else. Desmond knew that meant it was a go as he tossed a head nod to Trypano and said, "I think digging is the best idea, they'll probably find us easily otherwise". Desmond then tossed her a thumbs up and said with a smile, "We'll be counting on you! You seem to be the best at this".

Seems like digging a tunnel under the army to stealthily enter the refuge was the plan for the moment. Not missing a beat Ingrid turned back over to Trypano, "Let me help with the tunneling Trypano. Like what was mentioned before we met the Sirrahi, I have a great deal of experience with mining and by extension, tunneling." Ingrid started her tunneling with a steep spiral to account for their elevation in reference to the refuge. Ingrid placed metal supports every 8ft or so to add additional structural integrity to their tunnel. Ingrid also created some light from the excess heat in the ground to provide light. She left things like air to the other folk. Ingrid looked towards Trypano for some input on how deep the tunnel should be. Ingrid understood that sensing could be and issue and wanted to here her input before they decided the depth.

As Trypano and Ingrid cross referenced their direction and distance, they begin to build the tunnel. Slowly but surely they made their way to their goal and possible reunion with their classmates. As they travelled some wished to talk, while others seemed to have almost felt like they wished to be as silent as possible. Some felt as if they even spoke a word then they could be found by the sound vibration within the stone and sand. Yet as they moved onward, the sense of fear slowly seemed to rise within the people within the tunnel. As time moved, it felt like an inevitability that they would be found. It was almost as if they would never see the sun, yet after some time, Ingrid finally said they should be near their destination.

As now was time to begin their ascent, it was originally going to be a staircase, yet the worry of the possible army finding them and them nabbing them before they made their escape from their earthen escape tunnel. So with the work of their combined efforts, the Crew who is right now underneath the Refuge is coming up with a plan. They would make a plate of stone to have everyone stand on, as the people who would not be tunneling would be using their energy to raise the plate and allow those who can tunnel to do their job. As they quickly rose from their depths all the way to the surface, the sun hit their eyes and made it difficult to see what is around them, as the moment their eyes had adjusted they saw a sight that could have been said to be expected.

They appeared in this large room that seemed to have been made for announcements as there was a main stage and many stone seats on an incline to better direct sound. At first they thought they were alone until they noticed the group that was formed in the area and realized that their once sneaky entrance was sadly seen by multiple different people. Some whom they knew about as they were the people that they were expecting to see once they entered, and then there was some others they never seen before. Many looked to them with incredulous stares as Desmond just let out a sound that seemed to come from a place of realization that they fucked up, "Ehe~". His smiling face looked like he was about to laugh something funny, but in honestly he was nervous.