Bandit Conversion [Quest]

[Deleted]

ACTIONS *Preparing the raid HEARTS | MAGIC TAGS @lilo

BEGIN QUEST A hooded figure awaited beneath the cover of trees. The rows of timbers were the last dividing line between barren forest and bald mountains, both dusty and unaccommodating to most forms of life. Ahead in the crags, shacks and torchlight could be seen in the distance. The shambling structures of rotten timber served to house the equally decayed hearts of the lawless fiends within them, serving as the supposed hideouts of the recent bandit infestation plaguing local towns; a scourge deemed intolerable by none other than the shepherd of the Grimleal himself. With no word to his status or origins he accepted the first applicant to his plight for aid - a youthful Zora femme. He pulled away his black hood and cloak, flinging the garment aside dramatically into a cluster of thorny bushes! He clearly had no intent to retrieve it... for better or worse. With it's abandonment his chiseled physique of rippling muscles, pert abs and firm pectorals would be displayed, all by the swish of a single muscly arm. "We will strike swiftly at nightfall. I see three moving torches; likely three groups, as well. We can take them one by one." Declared the absurdly gaudy, yet no less charismatic male. Reaching to a silver-studded scabbard of black leather upon his hip, he drew a gorgeous yet dulled scarlet scimitar. It's back consisted of merciless serrated edges uncannily shaped like dragon's teeth. The tall, no doubt odd stranger to the Zora was garbed only in a dark violet scarf and loincloth, with only a set of ornate boots on to cover his charge forward. A scant strap kept a black tome placed in a holster on his waist, with a similar apparatus about his torso securing a strangely warped black staff upon his person as well. Seemingly confident in the readiness of his only partner on the mission, an entirely unknown person at that, Kudlak continued forward. He shifted about the bushes and shrubs below with an almost comical haste before placing himself beneath the cover of another dark-barked pine tree, keeping anxious eyes on the horizon for the arrival of nightfall. He seemed a little too eager, if the one with him paid enough attention to notice.

Made by Siren of GS and THQ

[Deleted]

PICK A GOD AND PRAY

One clean motion, no hesitation.

A bit early for the mantra of her blade. but Lilo kept the words playing in her head. No matter the mission, the soldier always maintained her internal preparation. The young Zora gently traced her fingers over nearly shut gills, as she took in the air around her. Her skin was softened by the air, and while the dry air took away the sheen of her skin, the pale grey color gave her a less intimidating glow. The gills on her neck gracefully flapped up and down, ever so slightly. Every breath was thick, savoring each intake of brisk oxygen at the bottom of her lungs. Despite the dust, and perspiration of whatever mold was rotting the wood, air at this altitude was a treat to a Zora. Especially one who had spent most of her time either underwater or indoors. Whatever was left unsavory in the air, could easily be filtered by her gills. Unfortunately, the same could not be said for the landscape. What could be robust pillars of mountain and lush forest had been laid to waste, one way or another.

Lilo treaded toward the cloaked figure she had reported to. "Has it always been like this?" referring to the dreary condition of the adjacent biomes, absent-mindedly asking while her eyes dragged over the dried soil. She had a worried look about her, concern over the corroded ecosystem. A concern that would have festered in the brain, had it not been for "Kudlak", ripping off his cloak. A cloak, which by the way, didn't do him an ounce of justice.

The girl felt dizzy for a second as her eyes tried to venture through every single perfectly sculpted muscle detailing the man's torso. Every bulge and crevice looked perfectly chiseled from porcelain. Her eyes danced their way down, she would no longer feel comfortable referring to her own garb as "simple." The man wore a single loincloth, to cover up what could have only been equally towering external genitalia. It took all of the discipline instilled in the soldier's young mind to preemptively destroy her subconscious tics, otherwise her full violet lips would be curling with anticipation. He might've been actually carved from his fell dragon to make the lesser men of Plegia worship him as a god. Probably not, but the girl liked to muse.

Luckily, other than wandering eyes, Lilo kept a dignified composure around the man. She even managed to retain the plan he'd laid out with such gusto. Even after the initial awe of his presence had laid out, the soldier was impressed. It was refreshing for a Beorc to take such a Brazen appearance, within their own prude society.

The man appeared to be capable, despite his overzealous enthusiasm. He certainly came well-equipped anyway, appearing to be seasoned in both spell and sword. Not to mention that he was a man making tremendous efforts to unify his community. Too few times did the Zora appreciate the presence of comrades, but something about him seemed very relatable. Maybe as a foil to her own stoic shell. He was charismatic to the point of it being almost off-putting, but still charming enough.

Forcing herself to focus back on the task at hand, Lilo brandished her axes through the air. "At your word." she stated, remaining staunch. She had no desire to speak up on her thoughts, unless truly necessary.

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MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS & GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

[Three foes appear! The party is faced with two Thugs and one Bandit!]

Bandit:

Thug A:

Thug B:

ACTIONS *Attack Bandit [Fire] - Receive attack from Thug A - Receive attack from Bandit - Receive attack from Thud B HEARTS | MAGIC TAGS @lilo

FIGHT!  The haste of the male did not cease, though the steadfast readiness of his companion demanded notice. He spared her a second of his time to observe the brave femme's axes and features. He would remember this one... assuming they'd survive the fighting ahead. The edges of dusk they had stood upon within the twilight finally vanished, and with that, nightfall consumed their surroundings.  The torchlight in the distance became far more vibrant; silhouettes moving near the distant beacons announced the presence of bandits. It was odd to him that there was a torch-bearing patrol... until he saw the looted remains of torn apart wagons closer up. Their forces had likely divided and the torch bearing groups here were to act as beacons for returning ruffians. It seemed they just stole wagons, brought them here quickly, and gnawed their plunder to the bone.  Kudlak spilled forth from shrub to shrub, moving swiftly for a less steep incline of the hills. At the top awaited the shambling abode of the brigands. He closed in steadily upon one of the three groups; it seemed he had chosen the closest group. A single warrior-type with a scarred face, starchy beard and worn axe stood ahead with two young men. They, too, were similarly tarnished by the way of life they had chosen... they reeked of inexperience, while a refined bloodlust lingered in the glint of the senior outlaw's hollowed eyes.  No longer hiding behind rocks or barrels Kudlak made his attack without hesitation. He rose from behind a pile of torn wood and strode forward towards the group - immediately he was seen, the two young men tensing with surprise while the older bandit immediately opened his rotted mouth swiftly. If not silenced, he would soon call for aid!  From the torch held in one of the more youthful thug's hands, however, flame splashed outward... with a single wave of his red blade Kudlak directed the gush of flame, splashing it unto the bandits face before a single syllable could loose into the air. Anguished grunts shot out from him in muffled cries as he batted at his own face, crouching down swiftly to shovel dirt onto his harshly burned visage. While he did so however the two younger ruffians rushed Kudlak; a dented dagger and a crude club struck him, leaving a horizontal gash across his chest and a painful impact upon his shoulder. Worse, the burned bandit managed to put out the flames lashing at his face and hurl an axe at the purple haired pyromancer with terrible fury! It struck with a loud, blunt impact upon his thigh, leaving a crude gash.  The finely muscled combatant did not go down so easily however despite the blows laid upon him... he stood with fortitude, tome and blade in hand, regaining his balance for a counter assault while he hoped his ally would do what she could to finish off the bandit.

Made by Siren of GS and THQ

[Deleted]

PICK A GOD AND PRAY

Consider all possibilities.

Combat is not an art, it's an equation. Variables are thrown at you, often times faster than they can be solved. However, action is always faster than reaction. So, unlike chess, it's indisputable that those who move first have the advantage.

Kudlak and Lilo had such an advantage. Lurking under the decrepit trees, the Zora stood still, awaiting her prey. There was no wind, there was no motion. Perfect stillness. Only the moaning creaks of a long-dead forest kept the setting from perfect clarity.

Always the disciplined soldier, Lilo cleared her mind, readying herself for the incoming caravan of rogues. The crude torches were pretty redundant. Since clearly these fucking morons were carrying torches on a sketchy path, they had to be inviting an ambush. The torches weren't necessary to warn possible assailants of their arrival, the rank odor of these ruffians were noticeable enough. Even at a distance, the girl's face scrunched up as she sensed them coming.

Without word, she proceeded to tail Kudlak as he swayed through shrubbery. The man was calling his shot, scanning for the first of these rotten fruits to be cleansed with a ripened blade. She observed as he leaned in toward the closest group. Simple enough, it would prevent them from being completely surrounded, as they could slaughter through them in a line.

The man, not losing any of his charm or gusto, leaped onto the first group. Lilo watched with anticipation as the man stared down all the rogues, she snickered at their slight trembles. Cowardice was always adorable, not in an endearing way, but in a way that it's cute to see the filth suffer before they meet their demise.

The man began his assault, and the girl's eyes lit up as she witnessed him sear the face of the leader. Unfortunately that wasn't enough to take him down. He took a blind toss with his hatched, and it dug it's way into the man's thigh. Even worse, the two little shits took their shots whilst Kuldak was busy melting their leader's face. Unacceptable. Lilo forward, shooting her arms out to the side. Her axes appeared as menacing wings ready to swoop up an easy killing.

Something was off though. As she was not the type of soldier to go out for weakened comrades, let alone non-Zora ones. Yet, there was something about this man. He seemed competent, that was a given. The three pronged beating left him unfazed, but it was more to it than that. He took them on for her. This was either overt sexism or just a fundamentally good leader, Lilo assumed the latter. As such a charismatic and metrosexual man would have to be incredibly conflicted for any kind misogyny.

Honored by the man's actions, Lilo was sure not to waste this opportunity. While her body never stopped for a second, her brain raced to find the best solution. She knew she wouldn't be able to dispatch of the bandit quickly enough, or at least without Kudlak having to act again, and they were still outnumbered. Thugs were easy pickings; and a blade, no matter how meager, was always more dangerous than a club. She zeroed in on the shiving thug from behind.

"It would've been wiser for you to use those arms to pray…" she whispered, as with a quick fling of her wrists, two massive axes swung upwards against the thug's shoulder blades. "…while they still had use." In one fell swoop, Lilo brought down both her axes, splitting the wounds she had just inflicted. The tendons in his arm were likely rendered useless at this point, and the blood loss couldn't be all to great for him, but he was alive. The mission made it clear that these bandits were to be captured and "converted." How the latter was to happen, Lilo was skeptical, but happily obliged to the necessary actions she needed to take.

"Let your blood fertilize this land~" she hummed, as she swung her axes outward, readying herself toward the remaining rogues.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lilo:

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Thug A:    Thug B:    Bandit:
                        

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS & GANGNAM STYLE

[Deleted]

Bandit:

Thug A:

Thug B:

ACTIONS *Attack Bandit [Fire] - Defend self - Attack Thug B (Unarmed) HEARTS | MAGIC TAGS @lilo

ROLLING FIRE Seizing the axe lodged into his leg, Kudlak gritted his teeth as his fingers curled around its bloodied haft. With nothing more than a wet tear and the gush of his own blood, he swiftly ripped the weapon out of himself. It was a cruel pain he felt, shrieking from that messy gash left upon his thigh... but it pleased Kudlak to know that what blood he spilled here would flow to his master, that none of it would be wasted. His deep faith gave him strength! Turning on the remaining outlaws, Kudlak watched as with a single chilly epitaph Lilo dispatched one of the thugs. A young, inexperienced man, watching the life fade from his eyes so swiftly provoked a sense of tragedy; it was also beautiful. Determined to keep up with the Zora, Kudlak ceased the charge of the already burned bandit ahead with an immolating surge of flame, launching another concussive fireball into the ruffian's chest! He was sent tumbling back over barrels, tumbling and swatting at himself with disfigured shrieks as once more fiery anguish was showered upon him. Kudlak seemed eager to finish their apparent leader, but, he would not have the opportunity; the sole remaining thug standing with readiness charged at him, making an overhead swing of his axe. It was a clumsy effort; brandishing his scarlet scimitar, Kudlak caught the crude axe blade against the serrated back of his own, holding the criminal in place as he frantically tried to pull his only means of self defense out of the sinister male's grasp. The hooked axe blade was caught, and Kudlak could spend the next few seconds however he wished on his helpless foe... Grinning at the man, the high Cultist lunged forward and butted his head against the nose of the young man. Blood spilled out from broken cartilage, skin tearing beneath the force of the blow; Kudlak's forehead, too, was cut from an unforgiving impact on the youth's surely cracked facial bones. He was sent stumbling backward, while Kudlak raised the edge of Diabolica high overhead for a merciless strike. But first, he'd wait for the youth to be looking at him.

Made by Siren of GS and THQ

[Deleted]

PICK A GOD AND PRAY

One ruffian down, two more to go.

Kuldak did his number on the two surviving scumbags. Both of them were ripe for an easy plucking, but Lilo had a feeling that the leading man had been stewing with resentment for the bandit. The real battle had been going on between these two beorc men. The outside parties were largely unaffecting to the grand scheme of things, aside from a few negligible nicks on the flesh. Otherwise, this was really a duel between the two men. Kudlak sears the man's face, and gets an axe his bulging tree trunk of a thigh, so he made the man's chest drip. The outer layer of searing flesh being liquified and falling from the man's soon-to-be corpse. Yeah, I'll let him have this one.

Priorities in place, Lilo went ahead to dispatch of the second thug in a similar matter. Unfortunately, he was already trained in on her and his crude club bashed into her sides, cracking a few ribs. Yet, not a peep escaped her. Although, that was because the most painful part was about to come, but first…

The Zora proceeded to hurl one of her giant axes into the thug's chest. Pulling the last flick of her wrist, and aiming just a few degrees higher to avoid penetrating the sternum. The axe successfully lodged itself shallowly in the thug's chest. With that taken care of...

Every muscle in her body tensed as she prepared her axe, and slammed the flat side into her external oblique. She let out a screech as she broke her own ribs back into place. Heavy groans enforced their way out of her throat, exasperating her even more. Now with a furious disposition, she flurried onward into the thug. Leaping into the man, Lilo carved two huge gashes into the man's side, before ripping her axe back from the man's chest and slamming it into his new wounds.

He dropped and hurdled, utterly broken. Lilo gripped her axes, standing over him but looking onto Kudlak and the Bandit. The next moment would end this skirmish.

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Lilo:

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Thug A:    Thug B:    Bandit:
                        

MADE BY MINNIE OF FTS & GANGNAM STYLE