The Irish Tree

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Steppe Archer wasn't a fan of the idea of charging into the den of anything she was hunting, but...she supposed that the Lizardman had a good point. Five goblins down, out of a likely small nest. For all they knew, they could have just wiped out half the nest entirely. Still, it didn't hurt to be prepared just in case. She would hold onto the wooden spear that the fighter had made for her and descend with her companions, bringing up the rear just in case something attacked from behind. She was only lightly armored...but it seemed the druid girl had no armor whatsoever. Regardless, goblins couldn't be such a huge threat that two strong combatants and a caster couldn't take them on in a fight.

The nomad girl would keep her ears perked up as they traveled in the faint darkness, the light of the druid's pixie and Big Red's torch being all that kept them from the endless maw of darkness that was this cave. The wagon wheel was a disheartening sight to be certain, but it would be answered by the Steppe Archer gingerly laying a finger on the girl's lips, quietly whispering: "Shh". They were in the beasts' den, and as such they had to at least not shout that they were right here, right now, and able to be ambushed. Speaking of...Steppe Archer would casually roll an arrow down from her quiver and lay it down upon the ground near the path they'd just come from. If she heard it crunch, then she would know if someone was following from behind.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

The first strikes were taken, and it seemed that in this small skirmish that victory belonged to the bold adventurers! Well, for the most part. The remaining goblins fled, leaving them with two goblins in snares, and one on the ground bleeding out. Well, only one of those goblins would be escaping today as another arrow flew from the steppe-child, punching through the back of the one that lagged just a step behind, before he fell over racked in pain. The shot wasn't lethal...but she planned to fix that in a moment. Seeing the stones being thrown, Steppe Archer looked at her companion just as she puffed her cheeks out. It was...really cute. Super cute, even. But, right now cute was not a priority. Otherwise, she'd be smooshing those puffed up cheeks like they were marshmallows. Moving out of the cover of the brush, Steppe Archer would grab her knife and approach the hanging goblins. With the efficiency one only gains in killing trapped beasts, she would slit the throats of the two goblins. It wasn't brutal, as the cuts were clean and quick. And, keeping the spear steady on the goblin that had been javelin'd, she would bring her knife to his throat and do the same. The one that had just barely set foot in the cave before falling would be flipped over by her, her knife plunging into his throat as well before he had time to bear his arms against her. Rising up, she would flick her knife clean on some grass before turning to the Druid Girl, then to Big Red.

As for what to do...her hunter instincts told her that going straight into their den was suicidal with how lightly prepared they were. "I think our best option is to use traps to attack them if they come out. They can't survive without food, and we can camp out here all night if we need to."

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

I have run out of ways to be funny

Well...that went swimmingly!

Vani honestly expected to die for a second there. There wasn't much for him to do now that brains were bashed, guts were slashed, and men were mashed. Stowing his sword in its sheath, Vani would approach the gate quickly with his shield at the ready. He was still in no condition to be smiting anything, and he knew that even if he was that Kaze would need his healing more than enemies needed smiting. Looking back to the group, Vani would gesture for them to come forth, since Serafaye's idea seemed the most reasonable solution any could come up with. He'd be the vanguard, the bulwark they needed. His face would relax for a moment, before hardening once more into a scowl, glaring at the soldiers as he and Kaze marched forward.

"MAKE WAY FOOLS!" he shouted after Kaze's cleave landed and bisected several soldiers, Vani's own target being a lone soldier that was fearfully approaching Kaze with his spear. He would smash his shield against the soldier's nose, knocking him to the ground before his blade flicked free of its scabbard and into his hand, its tip biting into the man's throat before being pulled out. Glowering at the remaining soldiers yet to flee or find the sense to, Vani would start slowly approaching, being mindful of the archers. Now, the others had ample room to come through the gate with the two melee fighters at the forefront.

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

Vani's absolutely genius plan that had a 100% success rate

Vani hadn't really expected much from thsi plan to begin with. After all, battle hardened soldiers were just as likely to skewer a civilian for fear of them being a spy than listen to their warnings. Thankfully, Kaze had more muscle than he did brains as he spied the lizardman blitz forward, injuries and all. ...What an idiot.

The pot calling the kettle black would, after Kaze's charge, bolt forward after getting on his knees for a proper running start. The smoke kept the archers at bay, and with their attention divided the soldiers that did see Vani coming wouldn't have the time they needed to rally against him. One-on-one, he was more than a match for the run-of-the-mill soldier, but even if the odds were six-on-one, the panic furthered his advantage. He was probably able to take on like...a whole army. The math doesn't lie. Math Vani cannot do.

What he could do however was finally stop talking and start cutting, his sword now bared against the enemy as the combined force of him, Kaze, Yinha's angelic soldier, and the unstoppable Serafaye crashed into them like a wave. A soldier that was attacking Kaze met his end, and in his place Vani would emerge, cutting into the side of one of the spearmen, then another.

"Its rude to ignore other people's advice, you know!" he shouted, hoping that a way to deal with the archers would present itself amidst the smoke. He didn't have a nice way up...but he could act as a springboard for someone else. Someone that wasn't Kaze, given his immense size.

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

"One spear, please," the Steppe Archer would say in a cheerful tone, more than willing to take a disposable weapon that was effective against little green pests. Goblins were small, but their tiny arms were fast...she supposed. Getting into melee range was risky, but a spear like this meant that they couldn't even get close to her without getting impaled first. She would lay hers down behind her and the Druid Girl. She'd need it at some point, but right now a big honkin' stick was a dead give-away for their position.

The twin moons were out tonight as always, and the goblin's blood would shine in the night as the traps were sprung. Two would immediately be taken out of the fight, with a remaining three starting to approach Big Red. Slowly drawing her bow and knocking an arrow, Steppe Archer would send an arrow straight through the neck of one of the goblins furthest from Red, hoping to cause them to look back and create an opening for Big Red. Right now, silence and shadow was the way they needed to deal with this. Thankfully since they were out here while the light was growing low, their vision would slowly adjust. Of course, it would never be as effective as the Goblin's vision, but it was better than stumbling about in the dark.

Looking at her captured quarry, Steppe Archer would knock two arrows that could easily be retrieved, silencing them both once their fighter friend had the encroaching small-fries dealt with. Nine arrows remained, but the goblins' skulls seemed to break easily from the points of her arrows, so she could probably get them back. The Druid Girl could immediately see the intense amount of focus present in her eyes, her concentration almost frightening in its intensity. She hunted for a living, and was accustomed to killing creatures in this manner.

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

None of those things! Charisma time!

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

Multi-classing into bard

Well, okay, so they weren't exactly punching a wall...but something was certainly happening!

...But, judging from everyone's reactions, Serafaye was definitely not following the plan in mind. She'd managed to draw away a good portion of the guard away, but there wasn't anything they could really do now against the horde still remaining. Gritting his teeth, Vani would get ready to charge ahead before he heard the sound of a knee hitting the ground hard. ...Their spellcasters were running on empty, and Vani would loathe to admit it, but all this fighting and running was getting him winded. Especially since he was wearing heavier armor than probably the entire group combined. He probably could manage a single smite, but after that who knows if he'd just pass out again after minor exertion. Just as he reached out to help Locke up though, the man stood. He was tougher than Vani would give a spellcaster credit for.

Looking towards the archers remaining on the wall, Vani would have an idea. Well "idea" was an exaggeration, since it was more of a gamble at this point honestly. Looking back to Yinha, he would smile, and throw a wink her way.

"If you can still manage to summon it, use that angel to help Kaze move. I'm going in," he said, leaning Kaze so that he wouldn't fall before drawing his sword and stepping forward through the smoke-screen. He couldn't count on Kaze, injured as he was, to throw him atop the wall. As such, Vani only had one recourse in mind.

Suddenly throwing himself to the ground, Vani purposefully scrapped his face against the dirt, taking his sword and lightly cutting the fabric of his tabard before doubling back in a nearby alleyway and quite literally crawling out of it. Reaching a hand out towards the guards, he would use his gods-given booming voice to let out a cry of absolute terror.

"A BEAST! A BEAST! A MONSTER IN WOMAN'S FORM!" he screamed, just loud enough to get their attention while pointing at the direction that Serafaye and her entourage of soldiers that were soon to be slapped to submission had gone. The dirt from before was clotting in his eye, eliciting tears that conveniently played up his B rank acting skills as he said: "THE SHE-DEVIL, SHE SLAUGHTERED HUNDREDS OF US! SHE EATS THE BONES OF MEN, AND SUCKS UPON THE JELLIES OF THEIR EYES!" he groaned, steadily crawling forward, not moving his legs an inch to give the impression that he had been badly hurt. "Quickly! Your men will perish if you don't assist them! She...she defiled countless soldiers...so many dead...so many quiet screams..."

If Vani couldn't charge straight in, then he could damn well try and make sure that their attention was split. His shield was still strapped to his arm, battered as it was, so if any archer decided to shoot, he could protect himself. He'd only attack if they struck first here, since he wanted them to earnestly believe his act as he "quivered" in fear, trying to buy the others an opportunity to either charge, or get away.

...That or he'd just die in the dirt like a buffoon.

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

I'll try and get something out before the deadline, but I'm kinda strapped trying to think of something interesting for Vani to do. Y'know, beyond yelling at Serafaye.

From Oubliette to Oublioth [R.I.P]

Where is everyone?

Goblin Slayer: Newblood (CANCELLED)

Steppe Archer was thankful for the help in preparing, and especially thankful for the birds that were now helping her keep watch. Her eyes could adjust to the dark, but animals accustomed to such low levels of light would see far better. Big Red was armed to the teeth with improvised weapons, likely so that his sword wasn't at risk of being damaged. After all, who cared about a sharpened stick? There were millions of good sticks and spears to be made.

"That's a great idea!" Steppe Archer said at the Druid Girl's suggestion of masking their scent. It was relatively unpleasant to use animal droppings, so she would instead use mud. She would return caked in mud along her face and arms, keeping her legs relatively clean so that she wouldn't be slowed. Grasses were being held in her pockets, giving her the look (and feel) of a shrubbery. She'd gathered plenty of mud for the others as well if they so chose to disguise their scent. The Archer would lie in wait, seemingly not blinking as she watched for any signs of ambushes, and occasionally looked to the birds that the Druid Girl had called to aid her. Nobody would get close without her knowing.