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Charybdis<Snipped quote by Zool>
Shit! For a moment I read that as 'Deadly Furries' and was very concerned
That would be an awesome summon spell lol xD
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That would be an awesome summon spell lol xD
A nice and easy warm-up battle. Didn't even have to waste one of MacKensie's two daily Deadly Flurries. Good work everyone xD
<Snipped quote by Zool>
I'm not sure removing the guy closest to the main enemy is the smartest strategy, but it's a cool-looking scene so I'll allow it :P
Barracker was closest, judging by his last action. James wanted the archers down. I think we'll be fine but thanks for your permission :P
@SaiyanZell has been drafted to anti-archer duty. Deal with it xD
How did he...?
It didn't matter how he figured it out. He was right. And as Zell exposed George's lack of a Source crystal - causing the wizard to yell for his friends - MacKensie was released from her shock, eyes darting about to mark the enemies all around and above. Once more she drew her one-handed crossbow, bolt pre-loaded and cocked, hand-speed beyond human. Her first bolt hit one of the men who got tangled up in the vines of Adam, and she reloaded while strafing to her right, circling a little to get a better look at where the arrows starting raining down from. Her second bolt was aimed at one of the archers, not two seconds after her first. It hit a cultist in his arm just before the man could fire his arrow, causing his aim to wildly deviate and his arrow to fly off harmlessly.
Barracker's speed and ferocity was unreal. He wielded the claymore as if it was a shortsword, and the massive tower shield looked as light as a feather in his hands. The vampire had dove in first like the wind, taking the pressure off them - proving that his terrifying visage wasn't just for show. Adam's magic was also unbelievably immense. Clearly more comfortable with his powers, the druid was quick to react and took out four enemies before they could even cross the distance.
"I call to you Lord Undaya, Ruler of the seas and King of the ocean, bestow upon us your blessing, to be as cold and unwavering as you are in the deep below"
And there it was; that familiar feeling of a magical boost coursing through her body. MacKensie had never thought to ask James exactly what Undaya's blessing did to the party, but it felt like strength. She couldn't detect the physical endurance boost that it gave, but she could certainly feel the other side - the mental endurance.
Confidence. Courage. The readiness to face any situation. The ability to endure whatever this world could throw at her. And that's exactly how she felt right now.
James' orders were clear and concise. By this point the Ranger had fired three more bolts and rapidly reloaded, but now she clipped her crossbow back into the holster at the small of her back, dashed a step over to Barracker, who was taking care of George. "The wizard is all yours," she spoke into his ear with a hand on his shoulder after approaching him from behind, then she went to Zell who was next to the paladin. "We need to get up there and stop them," she told him urgently, then waved him closer with one hand while the other fired her magical grapplehook up to the lip of the temple roof. Wrapping her free arm around his waist, she gave him half a second to do the same to her. "Hold on tight." Then they ascended at speed, going from 0-60mph almost instantly.
The archers fired down at the upcoming pair, panicked looks on their faces, their aim failing them. Just before they hit the roof, MacKensie let go Zell and the grapplehook released and disappeared, the speed and momentum having both the ranger and the swordsman fly up and above the archers who almost fell on their rears as they reeled backwards. MacKensie drew both crossbow and dagger before she landed, blocking an attack from the first archer to meet her - a wiry individual who decided he'd try to strike the frenchwoman with his bow like it was a stick. All it did was strike her dagger, leaving him open for a point-blank bolt under the chin.
The second archer she faced had used his extra time to draw a sword, but his swing missed as MacKensie ducked then hopped backwards nimbly, bouncing on her toes like a boxer as her opponent let out a war cry and charged her for a second attack. She side-stepped the downwards strike, slashing his hand to disarm him and smacking him around the the back of his head with her crossbow to send him stumbling towards Zell.
Her instant reload had her follow up with an arrogant shot selection; choosing to ignore the stumbling and disarmed archer, and firing a bolt right by Zell's ear to hit one of the men he was fighting.
"Three drinks," she proclaimed with closed eyes and big smile, putting up three fingers on her dagger-hand.
With Undaya's blessing, she was invincible, and boy! did she act like it.
Is he... flirting with me? George thought. Well, I do keep myself well-groomed but-
Lmao
MacKensie scanned the vicinity of the west-facing side of the Temple, her sharp eyes and ears alert for any signs of trouble. After deeming the coast clear, she sighed and took a moment to watch the sunset, which everyday in this world was a vibrant and beautiful sight, almost cartoonish in it's purples, reds and oranges of saturated colour bleeding across the sky.
She was already missing Lillianna. In spite of not really bonding with the woman the way she'd bonded with the likes of Fenna or Adam, nor having the instant chemistry she felt she'd found with the likes of James or Zell, Lillianna was still 'one of them.' She was Second Chance, and her presence and friendship was valued by the frenchwoman. And with the dangers of this world on display so often, she found herself not entirely sure she'd see the white-haired wizard ever again. It was depressing. Just another problem to add to the pile.
She could hear Barracker speaking about wraiths and so she turned about and headed back the twenty yards or so to the camp at the Temple entrance, pausing her patrol to listen to the paladin's lesson and his briefing about the likely layout of the temple. When Fenna and Zell started discussing their options, MacKensie continued her patrol, leaving the decision-making to the brighter minds of the group. She was not the sharpest when it came to strategy, certainly not as sharp as James, Fenna and Zell, who'd already proven to be valuable in this regard.
On to the east-facing side of the temple she went, senses searching, when she suddenly stopped mid-step, hearing movement. Within the blink of an eye, she was in a side-on stance with her one-handed crossbow drawn and pointing at an intruder who'd jumped out behind her.
"Die cultist!"
She'd almost fired. Her finger was a single unit of pressure away from pulling the half-pressed trigger, but her instincts and reflexes stopped her making the mistake. The wizard who'd tried to ambush her had also almost fired. Both of them stood paused in a stand-off. The wizard lowered his wand. MacKensie was not so quick to mirror him.
"You are not a cultist."
MacKensie blinked, her breathing erratic as her adrenaline subsided. Finally she spoke. "No, I am not."
"You have my sincere apologies."
When the dwarf appeared from behind the rock, his shivering demeanour and lack of a weapon made MacKensie lower her guard. She finally put her weapon away, eager to hear an explanation for this sudden appearance. And she got one. More bad news. She shook George's hand.
"MacKensie Trydant, of Second Chance," was her introduction. "We intend to save who we can in there. The full moon's light will open the entrance tonight, rest assured in that."
When Adam spoke, MacKensie was reminded of wicked deceptions already put upon the villagers of the local area. A pang of apphrehension hit her heart, stood now within arms reach of a potential threat who was clearly powerful. But it was the visage of the dwarf that gave her confidence in the integrity of the strangers. Hardul was obviously no threat, unless he was the finest actor she'd ever seen, the dwarf's fear was palpable. She, however, remained ready to draw her weapon again, should George show any resistance to whatever Barracker would say next.
She tried to object. She tried to say something, anything that would convince Lillianna to stay with them. That they wouldn't be too long, that they would be back in Valhiem before the end of tomorrow. That MacKensie herself would do whatever she could to see this 'spirit ritual' through with her friend. But nothing could sway Lillianna. And it was hard to argue when Sister Gwen was right there, her eyes red and cheeks streaked with tears. The whole situation was extremely difficult. And so, MacKensie could only give Lillianna a big hug, unable to unwrinkle her brow as she let go and looked with concern at the white-haired wizard.
"I don't like that we are splitting up so far," MacKensie said. "Please be careful, Lillianna. I have such a bad feeling about this."
As their party leader gave them the run-down on the information he and Fenna had gathered, MacKensie couldn't help but turn her head to look at the disappearing shapes of Lillianna and Sister Gwen as they went back into Cherrad. Her stomach twisted in knots as she wondered what the future would bring because of this terrible idea to part ways. Lillianna was now alone, and as powerful as the woman was, she was so shy and tentative, not to mention she was always so far in own her head, MacKensie could never tell if the wizard was fully aware of what was going on around her. And now Second Chance was without their biggest source of elemental damage - about to go into a hostile territory wrought with danger that could only be combatted with elemental damage. Furthermore (from a more selfish persepctive, to be sure) she was completely bereft of weapons or spells that could help against their ethereal enemies. She was not only vulnerable, but severely limited in her capacity to influence the outcome of this mission. All of this made her extremely uneasy.
"Kass, where I am from there are legends that those with vampirism have means to see in the dark, do you possess such an ability?"
MacKensie looked at Barracker as she waited for his answer. The paladin had already proven his value today, just in his knowledge alone. An affirmative answer here would merely be a bonus. What he'd told her earlier, about the spectres 'sphere of influence' was heartening to hear. The idea that they might be able to save the cult if they could only take out the source of the problem, was good to know. Avoiding battle with those people who were against them, would be another matter entirely though.
"I also think we should change our formation, still in diamond shape but with Kass at the front and Zell at the back, he can teleport so he can react the fastest of all of us" He paused for a moment "If anyone has any sugggestion feel free to say it, there is no such thing as a stupid idea"
"The Greater Wraith's influence will die along with the monster itself, and the living members of the cult will hopefully regain their senses and be free of the evil that has corrupted their hearts. And so, I suggest that stealth and quiet should be employed, if at all possible. If we can get to the main chamber in the temple without being detected, then we might be able to avoid spilling human blood." She shook her head as she realised her mistake. "I mean; human or elven or any other race who is... alive and not evil."
Later on, when they climbed Temple Hill and got to the entrance of The Temple of Hades, MacKensie laid her hands on what she thought was the rocky surface that covered the entrance, looking up at the beautiful temple. Now she could see it close up, she admired the beauty of the statues around and columns that decorated the building. The place was amazing.
Making camp, like last time, had MacKensie feeling like a bit of a spare part, so she patrolled around - not too far away - to make sure nobody was spying on them.
MacKensie watched the wagon roll away from them, considering what the stranger had told them. How evil to prey upon the good nature of people with such treacherous traps. She'd sooner respect monsters, for at least monsters were upfront and straight forward with their evil intentions. The wagon driver's story also reminded MacKensie that this would be difficult. They were dealing with an intelligent enemy - one that could out-think them, if they let their guard down.
"Looks like the cult like to play dirty," Zell said, drawing the frenchwoman's attention from the wagon that had almost disappeared from sight. Her eyes followed his movements as he went to the head of the party and turned to face them all. "We should be careful. If the enemy is pulling off charades like that, then we shouldn't put it past them to have double-agents all around the local area. Be wary of anyone in Cherrad who is being a little too helpful."
MacKensie's eyes flared at the idea of double-agents. She hadn't even considered that (a second reminder in quick succession, that they had to be on guard and strategic.) Fortunately, Second Chance had intelligence and cunning among their own.
"Oh right!" James piped up, next in turn to speak after Adam agreed with Zell. Her blue gaze fell on him. "Here, a little extra something in case you ever need it"
MacKensie smiled and held her hand out gratefully. "Thank you so much, James," she said, drawing the knife to look at it briefly, before sliding the blade back in the sheath and putting it away in her rucksack. For now, she would keep it for outdoor food-prep and eating. She already had a bigger dagger on her hip that was fit for combat.
"If something's bothering you, you'll only make it worse by overthinking." Her heartrate quickened and anxiety grew at Zell's voice and words. This was not something she was even close to being ready to address! But Zell being Zell, lightened the mood with a joke to mask his words of wisdom. "I need you at your best so you can save my dumb ass when I inevitably do something insane, okay?"
Well, it was a half-joke. Chances were that the man would probably end up doing something crazy. She couldn't help but smile, and she nodded. "I'll be sure to be ready to rescue you, as usual," she returned.
And it was left there, thank the lord. She let out a breath of relief when he walked away, then mentally told herself that she had to get her act together. She could not let these issues get in the way of her performance as an adventurer. Too much was at stake. And so, she attempted to take his advice and stop overthinking. It was time to be mature and get on with the task at hand.
Adam turned to the party leader. “James, how should we proceed?”
And James laid out a plan of how to approach Cherrad. MacKensie listened, nodding every now and then. When the decision was left to them who to partner up with, MacKensie immediately spoke up, her eyes going straight to their new party member. "Barracker - You and I?"
Once they were ready to split, MacKensie nodded thanks for James' well-wishes and gave her own. "Good luck everyone."
Barracker and MacKensie entered Cherrad on the left side, meaning to skirt around the edge of the village and enter further along. On their route, they came across an old woman, who was sat on a stool, tending a small beehive. She spotted them and gave a welcoming smile.
"Good afternoon, Madame."
"Afternoon, miss," the old woman returned.
"My name is MacKensie. MacKensie Trydant. And this is my friend, Barracker Kassel. We are adventurers, come about the Temple of Hades."
"I thought so," she said unhappily. It was only now that MacKensie realised that under her polite smile she wore a sad expression. "I've a son who's up on that hill. Part of that dreaded cult." She shook her head. "He's a good lad, our Steven. Always been a righteous soul, ever since he was a boy. He pledged his life to the worship of Hades and the service of that temple. He understands how sacred life is. He'd never hurt a fly, if he was in his right mind." A single tear rolled down her cheek. "Some kind of magic has brainwashed him, you must understand. I know him. Nobody knows him like his mother, I'll tell you straight. Please... if there's some way to save him without hurting him... I know he's done wrong... but he'll repent for his sins, if you can break the spell over him." The old woman held out her hand and MacKensie felt obliged to hold it. "Please... save my boy."
They talked for a little bit longer, but there wasn't much the old woman could say in the way of useful information... "Thank you for speaking with us." ...And so MacKensie and Barracker moved on to find someone else. "How awful," she whispered to Barracker sympathetically once they were out of earshot. "Do you think this spell might be broken if we kill the Greater Wraith?"
I'll post later tonight.
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