The Heroes of Light vs. The Sakura Forest (round 1)

[littlemhigan]

Who: Everyone who signed up!
When: October 10
Where: The Sakura forest
What: There's supposed to be an Eidolon here! Lets go find it!
Warnings/Notes: it's October and there are supposedly mimics in here.

This morning is damp and foggy, lingering swaths of mist a testament to the rapid changes in temperature that always seem a hallmark of the fall season. The sunlight is still too new to burn it away, and the world seems hazy and lavender.

It would be beautiful, if it wasn’t so eerie. Perhaps it’s simply the morning chill, but skin prickling up to gooseflesh seems to be a common occurrence amongst the gathered crowd, and Castor herself, standing at the head and sorting people into teams, is not immune to this.

Behind her stands the southwestern edge of the Sakura forest. The fog within seems particularly dense, and as it diffuses the morning light, the forest seems almost otherworldly; a glimpse at something fey and unknowable and eternal. It’s likewise eerily quiet; even accounting for the fog smothering all but the closest noise, there are no audible signs of life from within the forest’s boundaries.

If the hair on the back of your neck is slowly raising, you’re probably not alone in that, either.

“Alright!” Castor calls, once she’s finished organizing people, “That should be the lot’ve ye! We don’t know what all’s about in there, and I’ve had word that the local wildlife has been ornery of late, so keep yer wits about ye, and stay close te your mates!

“I’ve given each of ye a handful of ribbon…” she pauses to hold up a handful of her own, a cheery red that somehow looks ominous in this atmosphere. “A colour te each team! Use ‘em to mark yer way in; I don’t want te have te go fishin’ fer lost souls when all’s said and done, and if ye find somethin’ ye’ll leave an easy way back.

“I’d advise ye sort someone te keep an eye on the Slates. Twelve willin’ they work more’n ten fulms into the wood, stay in touch best ye can over the network. And don’t hesitate te turn back if ye feel things’re goin’ poorly fer you an’ yours. I’d rather ye come back alive and emptyhanded.”

Here she pauses again, seeming to count something out on her fingers. “I think that’s the last of what I’ve got te say. Try and be back ‘fore sundown, yeah?”


[ooc: And go! I will be endeavouring to reply to each party at least ONCE daily, regardless of who’s posted in the meantime (we’ll see how it goes)!]

Comments

a 7 here

[shadowsthedawn]

Alright.

[He follows Castor's orders immediately, immediately slipping from the front of the group to the back, alongside Angeal. Switching back to Paladin, he draws his sword, feeling more relaxed and ready to face what's coming.]

And Castor got a 12

[littlemhigan]

There's a wall up ahead, blurry and shadowed in the mist, crumbled in places. It's still too far to see it's make, but it's hardly the most important thing about it.

Shiro sees it first. Angeal hears it second.

Atop the wall on the left side of the path is the wyvern they'd spotted earlier. It is snoring away, muzzle still stained red from it's recent meal. There's a break in the wall close by, large enough for a person to slide through should they need to, but it's still alarmingly close to the sleeping Wyvern.

The ghost stands behind the break in the wall, beckoning them in.

yelp

[angealwings]

Well. That's... very much not something that one wanted to hear from the back of the party. He breathes in sharply, and then silences it himself, eyes fixed on the shapes that took shape from the fog.

A glance back, and then one at Riku, and a nod towards the core of the party. They will need to see each other clearly, for the discussion of this.

By the time he's closer to the main of the group, he's made up his mind. They are here on a chance. Walking along the wall holds about as much danger as trying to go through, and, ghost though it may be, this is the first indication of direction they've gotten since the set out. His vote is to go on through, and he indicates that, before shifting so he can keep an eye to the rear of the party yet again.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia's mouth sets into a thin grimace when she sees the obstacle before them; it takes her a little longer, but when she does see the ghostly hand beckoning them, her jaw clenches, settling into a harsh line. Ashe has had more than enough of following ghosts around for her lifetime, but there doesn't seem to be any other way forward.

"We didn't come this far to be frightened off so easily," she murmurs, voice barely above a whisper. "Proceed."

[timecrash]

Serge nods, when he sees Angeal's motion to go through, looking around at the rest of the group for confirmation. Is this what they want to do? It seems risky, but they can't just walk away empty-handed.

[spaceforged]

He keeps his voice low, his eyes flicking to the ghost and back up to the wyvern. "If we do this. We should stick close to the wall and sneak forward into the gap each other person should make way for the next. We do not want to risk facing that wyvern.

If anyone has spells that can muffle the sounds of our movement, cast them now." Whatever is here they need to get through. He doesn't like this but every mission has a risk.

[chatwithdeath]

Yes... that was something they certainly didn't want to deal with at this time. Naomi might be a healer, but it was likely her potions were more potent than her still growing magic abilities. She'd do her best to keep each leg quiet so they can reach the ghost beckoning them without issue. So, with only a nod to answer, she was prepared to move forward.

With all the haunts occurring, she was curious what this ghost might be up to.

[shadowsthedawn]

Riku is one of the last people to make out the sight through the fog from his position in the back, and honestly he's not very surprised to see wyvern again. But that doesn't make him any less anxious to see this next step in their journey through.

With a tight nod as his answer, his grip on the hilt of his sword tightens. He's ready for whatever comes next.

[timecrash]

Well. If nobody else is going to step forward, every second spent waiting only increases the likelihood that the wyvern is going to wake up.

Carefully, as quietly as he possibly can, Serge begins to creep toward the opening, keeping a wary eye on the sleeping wyvern.

i have a cursed die.

[littlemhigan]

Castor follows after Serge, her movements slow and fluid. They both clear the breach with ease, and after a moment to check if the coast is clear, Castor turns to beckon the rest of the party through.

Two...four...six... The last of you is working your way through the opening, and it looks like the party will make a clean escape.

That is, of course, when everyone's iMog slates go off with an incoming message from Kanji. There's a moment of utter silence. Then two.

There's a sound of shifting stone, and those who'd kept their ears open will notice that the Wyvern is no longer snoring. The sound is, instead, the sound of claw on stone, and an angry sounding snuffle as the winged beast is roused from his nap by the noise.

Castor, whose blood has turned to ice, turns back to the party and simply whispers, "shite."

Well shit. my die is also cursed. I rolled a 6.

[spaceforged]

Shiro follows Castor in silence and picks his way along with care. He's used to sneaking about in dangerous territory and it shows in the way he pauses when he needs to take an extra second or two.

He lingers at the entrance to make sure everyone is inside and moves to enter himself when their slates go off. He rarely curses. This situation warrants it as he lunges forward and spins to face where the beast could come from, effectively blocking its way at the rest of them. His sword comes up in a guard position.

"Go! I can block it for a little bit. I'll follow when you're clear." He calls out in a low voice. He gathers the holy magic rolling through his veins and ready to activate it. He'll just need to bar its progress for a little while. But the timing of Hallowed Ground has to be precise. Too soon and he won't be shedding any attacks.

Re: Well shit. my die is also cursed. I rolled a 6.

[timecrash]

Serge freezes, when he hears the wyvern stirring. "Aw, crap. Wait, it's not attacking yet, which means it doesn't know where we are. If we hide I'll bet we can either make it go back to sleep or lure it into an ambush."

[desertbloomed]

For a good couple moments, it looks like the Queen of Dalmasca is taking in a feverish game of tennis. Her head snaps down to look at her iMog slate, then to Shiro, and then to Serge. She gives each or them a sharp side-eye, including her iMog slate of course. One finger goes to her lips before she extends her hands out in front of her, launching a Dual Vent through the hole everyone squeezed through, hoping to rustle the underbrush of the forest enough to draw the wyvern's attention away from the low murmurs of the group.

the curse continues.

[littlemhigan]

There's a heart-stopping moment of silence as Ashe casts her spell. The beast appears to take the bait, and it can be heard hopping down from its roost and stomping off towards where the underbrush rustles. Castor beckons the party forward, away from the distracted lizard.

They barely make it ten feet before the Wyvern roars, it's search having proven fruitless. A heartbeat later there's a crash of stone as the beast jumps back atop the wall, searching for the sound that woke it.

You have one round to choose: Stay and fight? Or run?

Gosh.

[angealwings]

Searching is not the same as finding. Yet. Angeal takes an instant to glance at the rest of the party, but he's not sure they are up to a pitched battle before they even have an idea of a target in sight.

His words are terse and quiet and fast.

"Stay low and keep moving, as quietly as you can. Casters try to stay in the shadow of the trees, the fog is thick enough that even it shouldn't be able to discern well." And, to Shiro, "you're not holding it off alone, if it strikes." Yes, Angeal is fully aware of how much less durable he is now. And likely compared to Shiro himself. On the other hand, he's also reasonably mobile and very strong, so it will give them both a better chance to rejoin the rest. But there's a reason why they are a party, rather than exploring on their own.

"If it doesn't spot us immediately, everyone turn the sound of these things down even as we move along."

[spaceforged]

He looks to Angeal meeting his eyes and nods. It makes sense. He could use a master Paladin's skills to hold it off while another hammered at it. "If it strikes I can take the first hit without any damage while you slow it down."

His words are precise but just as quiet a commander used to issuing orders or suggestions in the heat of battle. "We should retreat. We don't have a lot of room to maneuver and we're sitting targets if it has any kind of ability to fire upon us in here." Their objective is ahead of them.

"And we have teammates counting on us to push further into this forest."

17 for stealth roll

[chatwithdeath]

Naomi hadn't moved when the Wyvern woke up and for good reason. Considering what she was right now, not attracting sight via movement could be a challenge. Sure, she rarely made sound despite new weight, but that didn't mean anything for sharpened eye sights.

It's only in the moment that it's briefly distracted does she attempt to move into the shadows and bother sending a quick message back to Kanji: Don't message us. We'll message you when we're not within a Wyvern's line of sight.

"I can carry a few people, but we have to be quick before this becomes an actual engagement." After that, her Asterisk would not help her normal physical capabilities. So if people wanted a quick dash over to the ghost, now was the time to get on the spider's back.

[shadowsthedawn]

Riku's hand has been gripping the handle of his sword since the wyvern set eyes on them, but has managed to stay in place. While he would like nothing more than to help Shiro and Angeal fight the creature, he knows that with his low level abilities and little experience with the creature that he might just get in the way.

Besides, they still have a mission to accomplish and he wants to continue on and see what there is to still find in this forest. When Naomi offers herself as transport, he makes a quick bee-line towards her, climbing onto her back as carefully as he can. He offers a hand to anyone else wanting to climb on.

SWITCHES DICE. PROFITS.

[littlemhigan]

The wyvern can be heard stomping about, stalking up and down the fragment of wall in search of whatever made the noise that roused it. It seems like the fog is hindering it's search as well, and it has not noticed the party. Castor refuses the ride from Naomi and takes the opportunity to slink a little further away from the creature, beckoning for the others to follow.

Faintly in the distance is the silhouette of what look like structures, but it's too dark to tell their make or state.

[timecrash]

Serge breathes again, hurrying along after Castor. That was entirely too close, and he makes sure to set his iMog slate to vibrate, in case this happens again. "Hoooly crap that could've been bad."

[angealwings]

"It could've been. Let's keep moving. Try to stay as quiet as we can." Angeal squints into the fog. "Did that ghost disappear once we crossed the wall, or is he still trying to get us to move in a specific direction?"

Listen, the fact that the trail seems visible now doesn't mean it will stay that way.

[desertbloomed]

Ashelia nods in thanks and takes Riku's hand, hoisting herself up onto Naomi's back. She sheathes her sword, not wanting to accidentally cut their medic. She looks back in the direction of the wyvern briefly, letting out a quiet sigh of relief. That could have gone far worse. They aren't out of the woods yet though, so to speak, so she focuses on the shapes in front of them.

"Keep your eyes peeled for it," she murmurs. "But we should head to that potential cover."

[chatwithdeath]

Two passengers were fine. And while they get on, Naomi keeps an eye on the wyvern, again careful of her own movements until it looks away. Then it was only a matter of quietly stalking behind the others with fluid movements that made for a smooth ride. Until they were inside, she would continue looking back with several eyes while maintaining the blue ones forward.

"I'm keeping watch on our friend back there. Just tap me if you see our specter."

[spaceforged]

Shiro brings up the rear this time. If he needs to he can use his skills to shield the others. "Stick to the shadows if you can." He adds as he picks his way along with care. There's nothing he's going to leave to chance. They came too close.

"I'll be the rear guard for now."

[shadowsthedawn]

Riku holds as still as possible in his position on Naomi's back, both to avoid causing her any discomfort and to keep from catching the wyvern's attention. Even as they move further into the fog and away from the creature, he can't help glancing back at it. Even with Shiro in the rear, he can't help but feel uneasy at the thought of the wyvern attacking them from behind.

"How do we know that ghost is even friendly and isn't leading us into a trap?" Leading them right by the wyvern hadn't exactly been what he would call a friendly gesture.