Damsels in Distress

The sprawling underdark of Karnor.

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Hikami
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:38 pm
Title: The Iceborne
Location: Kalzasi, Karnor
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=835
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20& ... 3686#p3686

㊋ 10th of Frost, Year 120 ㊋
Company: Frantic Merchant | Thoughts: I'll Help ya!| Mood: Excited, Intrigued

㊋ Hyo had been walking the streets, his spear slung over his shoulder in its holster, fitting between his wings. His stroll around the Jeweled Arches brought him to the inner markets of the city. He sat down on a nearby bench to rest his feet, as he'd started from the opposite side of the city.

Sitting there he happened to notice how everyone was avoiding a particular part of the market as if t were a plague. Was there a dead body over there? He stood, enticed by the allure of something interesting going on, compelling the warrior mage to look into it. Upon closer inspection he found a man standing there. He looked ragged and worn as if he'd been through much just to get to the city.

Hyoga could tell, from the attire down to the rural look of the man, that he was not a city dweller and had to be from outside the city. He looked at the man who looked back at him with eyes of hope fleeting, and the Kathar couldnt help but take pity on the man. "What exactly brings you from your home? Must be important to drive you here for help." he inquired, his tone & demeanor as curious as ever as he towered over the frantic male.

When Hyoga approached him and inquired as to what had brought him here his broad face split like rain clouds as a wide grind drew over his features, this he began to tell his story of how his daughters haven't returned from their expedition into the warrens for dragonshards! From what he was told, they had already mapped out a route to where some lesser shards were and would be back within a few hours, but a day has gone by and they hadn't returned.

The Sky Guard is too busy to help so he has been here in the market pleading for help from anyone willing to listen. But because he didn't have much to offer in payment no one would bother. After telling Hyo this the distraught father couldn't fight back his tears anymore and broke out into a crying fit. They were all he had left as far as a family, and if anything were to happen to them, he wouldn't know what to do.

Clasping Hyoga's arm he looked into the Avialae’s eyes, and Hyoga stared into red-rimmed eyes glazed with desperation, and it would be difficult to say at that moment who of the pair had the more intimidating visage. “Please good sir, I know I’m not some rich merchant or offering some knightly quest but my daughters mean everything to me, and without them, I don't think I'll survive without them, so please sir can ya help this desperate father, I beg of you!” he pleaded once more, traveling at Hyoga's feet

"Hmmm" It was the only sound that could from his mouth. He wasnt sure how to take the man's plea for help. On one hand, Hyo was thinking like everyone else, they were foolish to go in there without an armed escort. But on the other hand, why wasn't anyone else willing to him regardless of the form of payment?

There was however one upside if he took on the request. This man said himself that he sold dragonshards, and knowing this a smirk passed over the warrior's face. This was a golden opportunity he couldnt pass up. "Tell you what, you are in need of help and I'd hate to see a parent in such a distraught state, as it's pathetic and honestly irritates me." he said wrenching his arm from the man's vice grip.

"I'll help you if you can guarantee me that you'll give me a special little discount on your dragon shards. That alone will be more than enough of a payment for me to take on this quest. I'm sure we can benefit from what each other can bring to the table. I retrieve your daughters from the warrens, and you supply me with a discounted rate on your wares, do we have a deal?" he propositioned rubbing his arm, not that the farmer had much room to refuse. "I would assume you would want me to leave immediately, they could be in peril while we wait for your answer?"

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
Last edited by Hikami on Tue Jan 26, 2021 11:20 pm, edited 1 time in total. word count: 834
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Finn
Posts: 1215
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:20 pm
Title: Legatus Ecithialis
Location: Drathera
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=916
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=925

Since he had been accepted at the Academy, Finn was spending more time out of the Low-City and in more affluent areas. A drink here and a meal there and eventually, the proprietors of various inns and taverns knew his face, his name, and that he was no hack with the lute slung from his back. It boded well for landing him gigs in places with richer clientele. He would always play back in the Low-City, of course, but a variety of experience would improve his skill as an artist. Variety, they said, was the spice of life.

Having been released early from his scheduled classes, there were many things he could have—perhaps should have—been doing: researching in the archives, running errands for Lyra, doing odd jobs for Talon. Perhaps he would, but it had been so long since he had spent time with nothing to do, that he thought he would stroll through the Jeweled Arches for a while before deciding on which responsible thing he was going to do.

Meandering through the markets, he saw a familiar face—one of the Avialae who had gone down into the Warrens that time. Hyoga, he thought. He was good with names. Perhaps because a part of his mind always wrapped around a name, turning it over and wondering how best to bring forth its song. He would probably be able to articulate his process better when he had read more about aesthetics for class, but as yet, it was just a tidbit of knowledge that nobody wanted to hear. He angled his steps to intercept, just thinking to greet the man, and then saw a shorter fellow accosting him. Not meaning to eavesdrop, he heard the tail end of the conversation anyway.

Hyoga and the Warrens. They went together now in all his experience of the man. It wasn't the worst name for a song, either. Hyoga and the Warrens were part of the reason why he now walked around with his lute and his sword slung across his back. Kalzasi was a bridge over flames. Below them was danger, just waiting for them to fall, and he was not blessed with wings. It was best to be prepared for any eventuality. But he hadn't caught Hyoga's eye yet; the man was negotiating. Finn was there, though. He would at least greet him in passing before the warrior went diving into the deeps again.
word count: 419
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Hikami
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:38 pm
Title: The Iceborne
Location: Kalzasi, Karnor
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=835
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20& ... 3686#p3686

㊋ 10th of Frost, Year 120 ㊋
Company: Finn, Merchant | Thoughts: The more the merrier| Mood: Determined

㊋ Seeing he had no option, the merchant accepted the Karthar's proposal. That made Hyoga happy as he would be able to use those discounted shards for forging weapons and armor in the future. Now came the time to get on on the way. Hyoga couldn't contain the excitement as it showed visibly on his facial features.

He hoped there would be something to fight down there, something strong enough to make him break a sweat at least. Was that too much to ask for, a worthy challenge to gauge his skill? Turning he caught the sight of a familiar face. What was the guy's name again? "Finn!!!" That's right, that was Finn, from the zombie and monolith shit in the warrens last season.

"Hey Finn!!!! Long time no see!!!" he shouted, rushing over to the man who was waiting in the wings of the market. It had been some time since that excursion into the Warrens but he was truly delighted to see the familiar face altogether.

He let out a chuckle as he was certain the smaller human wouldn't recognize him, I mean once you see one Avialae you've seen them all. But Hyo wasn't like the others here, his wings gave him away. "I know this may be short notices or whatever, but would you be free to help me with a rescue mission. Some women went into the warrens without an armed escort and their father is worried sick. I could really use a hand, and I'll buy you all the booze you can drink if you do." he offered, hoping the human would take him up on it.

It wasn't that Hyo couldn't handle it on his own, but the more the merrier ya know, and an extra blade would go a long way in clearing out shamblers. ㊋

"Common Speech"
"Synskrit Speech"
"Self-Thoughts"
word count: 389
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Finn
Posts: 1215
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:20 pm
Title: Legatus Ecithialis
Location: Drathera
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=916
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=925

Rather pleased to be remembered and not for being the least valuable player in the game beneath the ground, Finn smiled broadly up at the Avialae. He seemed a bit younger than the minstrel, though he didn't rightly know if Avialae aged differently from humanity. Likely it was just his boisterous greeting, which was unexpected. Finn had skidded into the Warren misadventure at the last minute and so his introduction had been mostly subsumed in the chaos that followed. The Avialae had fulfilled the expectations of their prowess. Galius and Lyra had made a good sword and sorceress team. Finn was there.

"Hullo, Master Hyoga," he said, friendly and only a little formal. To his mind, Avialae were all higher on the social pecking order than he was.

"I, ah... heard a bit of that." He reached behind his head and closed his fingers around the hilt of his sword. "I can back you up, but I don't think I can match you. But since you don't have eyes on the back of your head, I might be of some help. My survival rate in the Warrens is currently perfect."

His grin was self-deprecating. He wasn't a total mess with a sword; it was just difficult to compare to divinely blessed winged warrior folks. So far, though, those that he had met personally weren't a bad sort, didn't lord things over the lesser mortals. That was nice. They certainly could if they wanted to.

"Booze, you say?" He didn't tend to pay for his booze, at least when he was working, but this could be a relatively safe adventure. "Booze and then I'll start working on the song about your Warren diving prowess, I suppose." He wouldn't say no to a tip made of dragonshard, but he also didn't think mouthing off to a giant was a good idea. Best keep on their good sides.

"Most important question though," he asked, checking to make sure the fellow who had granted them this quest was out of hearing, "are these poor ladies pretty...?"
word count: 361
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Hikami
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:38 pm
Title: The Iceborne
Location: Kalzasi, Karnor
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=835
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20& ... 3686#p3686

㊋ 10th of Frost, Year 120 ㊋
Company: Finn, Merchant | Thoughts: The more the merrier| Mood: Determined

㊋ He was relieved that Finn had some semblance of what was going on cause having to explain it again to him would have been too much trouble for the Kathar. He smirked and the brow over his eyes raised a bit at being called master, which wasn't something Hyo was used to. It must have been a city thing, as Hyo wasn't all too important to be spoken with such an honorific term.

In any case, he smiled and patted the man's shoulder when he spoke of not being of any help to him, to which Hyoga simply smiled a childish grin. "Well therein lies the beauty of this opportunity Finny, you'll have the chance to gain more on-hand experience and sharpen your skills. And I trust you'll have my back for sure."

He smiled, even more, when the promise of booze seemed to rea in the human. What Hyoga didn't know however is that Finn was a musician and wrote music. He never had a song written about him, and if it helped expand his fame some more, Hyoga was all for it. Hearing Finn offer to make a song about caused the Avialae to chuckle.

"Careful, make the song too good, and I'll have to give you something to truly sing about." he added grabbing Finn by the shoulder and leading him to the entrance of the warrens. Finn's last question made Hyoga scratch the back of his head. "You know I don't know Finn, but why don't we go find out."

With that Hyoga took his spear within his hands, staring down the entrance as he looked back to Finn. He realized it would be easier and quicker if Finn rode on his back, as he learned from his previous time there that he could fly within the Warrens. "Hop on, it'll be quicker to search for them If I fly us in there."

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word count: 413
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Finn
Posts: 1215
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:20 pm
Title: Legatus Ecithialis
Location: Drathera
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=916
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=925

Hyoga was, perhaps, the most informal of Avialae he had met and he couldn't help but smile back at him. Talon set majesty aside to speak to people on equal terms, which was endearing and probably politically wise given his family's opponents were quietly trying to undermine their connection to the people. And then they were headed toward the entrance to the Warrens, or so it seemed. He was more wondering whether the towering wing boy had just hit on him. It was probably just a charming, flirtatious demeanor. He couldn't remember if Hyoga had been quite this gregarious previously, but then Finn had been the last to arrive and then they had all been somewhat distracted by things that went scream in the night.

At the mention of flying, Finn blinked. A thousand boyhood fantasies flashed before his eyes. Who didn't grow up in the shadow of Kalzasi and not imagine flight?

"Really? I... oh, all right." He did a quick check to make sure anything that buckled or buttoned was secure. "Do I just...?"

He sidled a bit as if he was going to just climb the statuesque warrior like a tree.

"We're going to have to get you a saddle, eh? Before we got flying into battle." He laughed, though, trying not to let the sudden giddiness make him seem less dependable for this mission. Quest. Thing.

Finn supposed that if one couldn't have wings of one's own, riding a colossal wing boy would be a close second. He hoped Hyoga was strong enough that his weight wouldn't hinder his flight. They were a physically impressive species and it was said they were even stronger than they looked due to innate magical and divine properties. Certainly, the Avialae had been quite impressive down below.
word count: 313
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Hikami
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:38 pm
Title: The Iceborne
Location: Kalzasi, Karnor
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=835
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20& ... 3686#p3686

㊋ 10th of Frost, Year 120 ㊋
Company: Finn, Merchant | Thoughts: The more the merrier| Mood: Determined

"Nah I don't think you'll need one for me, you'll fit just fine as long as you hold on." he said, allowing Finn to get comfortable before bracing the man against his back by holding him underneath his butt. Once secure Hyoga began to coax aether around himself and his wings, calling for the wind to help lift him from the ground.

With a few flaps of his wings, the wind came to catch him off the ground and allowed him to soar into the mouth of the Warrens. it was odd having an adult human on his back, as Finn was heavy, but not to where it would hinder his flying. The smaller mortal was simply a weight he could use to strengthen his body. He imaged that the girls could not have gotten too far in without something coming after them.

mere moments after entering the den of evil, the screams echoed toward them, and it caused Hyoga to fly a bit faster than he was before, trying to hurry to the woman in trouble. Upon the coming into view, he could see one of the Daughters, a sword in her hand, as she was fending off shamblers with it. But the more she struck down another would take its place.

"There they are Finn, I'm going to bring us in fast, cleaving a way through. Once We land I want you to make sure they are alright as I clear the shamblers out. I'll handle the demons, you make sure the woman make it out alive." Hyo explained, speaking loud enough for his companion to hear him over the wind in his ears as they flew.

Quickly he lowered their altitude that way when it was time to drop Finn off near the girls he wouldn't hurt himself doing so. Extending his hand, he materialized his spear, grabbing it with a twirl and two women trying to escape the monsters. His main priority was keeping everyone safe. So he needed to place himself between the women and the sea beasts as quickly as possible.

By the looks of things, if he didn't move in now, the two daughters would soon be overwhelmed by the shamblers. Then it hit him, he could use that move again. Coming in fast and low, Hyoga ran the spearhead along the ground, feeding the spirit of earth his aether and coaxing the element to form a barrier between the monsters and the woman.

Obliging the Kathar, the ground began to shake and crumble, giving way to a wall of stone the uprooted anything in its path, and fenced off their advance. Landing He allowed Finn to descend his back before looking at both women. It was obvious they were scared, one of them clinging to the bag of dragonshards as she hid behind her sister. With a polite wave and smile, Hyoga bowed to them both.

"Your father sent me to find you and bring you home. My name is Hyoga Yoko by the way, but you can call me Hyo." he introduced, looking to Finn. "This handsome guy right here is Finn. We will make sure you guys make it out of here alive." he added, patting the man on the back.

With a turn, he put his free hand on the wall of earth. "Once I drop this wall, things are going to get chaotic, so don't fall behind, I'm going to carve a path for you guys to escape through." he reminded, his adrenaline kicking in as he knew what was to come as the wall began to fall. With a devious look, he added a fiery varnish to the spearhead and gave a wide arcing swing at the monsters that came at him first, the spear blade gliding through them like hot steel through butter.

Flying into the horde of abominations, Hyoga began to tear them all a new one, having the time of his life in the thralls of combat. He continued to hack through them one by one, more seeming to swarm him from the sheer bloodlust he was exuding. he hoped Finn and the girls would use that as their chance to escape. ㊋

"Common Speech"
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"Self-Thoughts"
word count: 798
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Finn
Posts: 1215
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:20 pm
Title: Legatus Ecithialis
Location: Drathera
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=916
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=925

Hyoga's back was almost as broad as a draft horse's. While Finn had been on horseback before, he was not what he would call a rider. They hadn't needed a horse when he was growing up. Anyone who bought his mother's wares and didn't live in their settlement was a merchant and had beasts of burden of their own, and if the family didn't want to walk to Kalzasi in order to visit family, there was usually a wagon or cart passing through at some point whose runner they could sit upon. Suffice it to say, this was more unusual a situation for him than it would have been for an experienced rider. Then again, as far as he knew, no horses were sentient.

I should really redouble my efforts with the blade, he thought to himself. Run more, maybe. Everyone knew the Avialae were athletic by nature and blessed by the Gods, but still. It was quite humbling to compare one's physique up close with a paragon of their form who also had magical wings.

"Sorry I'm awkward—" he began, but Hyoga silenced him with hands under his arse. Arms around his neck and legs around his waist, Finn prepared to hold on for dear life.

"All right!" he called over Hyoga's shoulder when he laid out the plan. Finn was no tactician, but he could see the value of the strategy and try to hold up his end of things. Somewhere between exhilartion and terror, he tried to keep his head as he experienced a little of what it was to be one of the winged guardians of Kalzasi. He just suddenly wished he had a thicker coat. Through it all, though, he had the presence of mind to realize that he had one trick up his too-thin sleeve that might help. Gathering himself, he poured a bit of his own aether into the rune hidden under his hair like threading the eye of a needle. Suddenly, he could Hear Hygoa in a whole new way.

His symphony was, like all symphonies, unique. Hearing it made him feel closer to the heat trapped between them and the hands on his arse, though it would take quite a deal of time for him to listen long enough to gain any serious insight into who Hyoga was as a person. His confidence, though, was visible too, patterns in his aether that clung to him like armor. And there the slow, steady beat of determination like a heart-drum. That would be helpful. He could listen to Hyoga's courage and take heart, even sing it into the women they were saving if they were panicking. Finn probably would be in their situation.

And then they landed and Hyoga let him disembark. He felt colder suddenly for being separated, but his veins were also throbbing with adrenaline as errant snatches of songs that were other echoed through the deep. He drew his very cold steel and nodded to the women, offering a smile that was more confident than he would have felt without Hyoga's courage as the soundtrack for the event. He nodded to Hyoga that he was ready, and to the women, who seemed to pull it together enough to take this chance to get out.

"Let's go," he said, and the wall came down with a rush of air and a sudden acute awareness of the danger around them.

Unheard below the shouts and screams and sounds of violence, he was humming Hygoa's melody for himself and for the women. Fear was natural—it was a response to danger that helped people survive. Courage allowed them to work through the fear rather than be paralyzed. And so, inspired by Hyoga though the warrior might not know it, the three of them followed the determined beat of his heart-drum toward safety.
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Hikami
Posts: 408
Joined: Tue Aug 25, 2020 11:38 pm
Title: The Iceborne
Location: Kalzasi, Karnor
Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=835
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20& ... 3686#p3686

㊋ 10th of Frost, Year 120 ㊋
Company: Finn, Merchant | Thoughts: The more the merrier| Mood: Determined

㊋ Hyo let out a sigh of relief as Finn took the woman to safety, and in that same breath, exhaled as the swarm of Shamblers encircled him. He was used to fighting these demons now, and now he could let loose as he covered their retreat out of here. It was rather simple; clear the way to the entrance for them, taking down as many demons that get in his way as possible.

He clenched his hand around the shaft of his spear as his attack commenced, and moving with the group they made their way to the entrance. A smirk fixed itself on his face as he tore through the horde, searing them clean in half with the enflamed spear tip. he was getting fired up and knew this was the best time to train both his martial skill and his magic.

His body began to channel aether, a few of the shambles coming at him, only to be blown away with a gust of wind sent from his wings, as he coaxed the wind to aid him. Keeping the flame on his spear lit, he went forward, making sure to keep a close eye on the group as they advanced.

Another group came around to flank the fleeing three, and Hyo asked for the earth's help calling it to help pummel the shambles. It agreed to his request, allowing Hyo to send boulders at the Shamblers and crushing them. Hyo realized it was going to take a little longer to reach the exit as he couldn't fly everyone out and they had no other choice but to make their escape on foot. "Keep going I'll cover your escape!"

With those words Hyo let lose another blast of wind with his wings, forcing the pursuing horde back a bit. ㊋

"Common Speech"
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Finn
Posts: 1215
Joined: Tue Oct 20, 2020 4:20 pm
Title: Legatus Ecithialis
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Character Sheet: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=916
Character Secrets: https://ransera.com/viewtopic.php?f=20&t=925

His humming quickly vaulted into a sing-song "OH MY GODS" as a clutch of the shambling horde tried to cut off their escape. Hyoga had been present for his only other foray into the Warrens, and he didn't know if these creatures were cousins of what they had fought before or something else entirely. He feinted with his blade, though it was more akin to someone shooing away a spider in their home in the middle of the night than a proper feint. His skills weren't so ingrained by real life experience that they were second nature, but it proved to be enough of a distraction for Hyoga to fling boulders at them while still taking down the bulk of the monsters with his fiery spear.

"See?" he said to the women, smiling though his knees were suddenly shaking a bit. "We're going to be fine. Come."

To Hyoga, an update: "We're going!"

And they were. The women were ready to be gone and pulled ahead of Finn, who found himself chasing them, minding his footing, the swing of his blade, and humming again to pick up the melody of unshakeable courage that he could still hear coming from Hyoga's symphony. Not only was the Avialae single-handedly taking down a mess of monsters, but his confidence was fuelling that of his junior partner and the damsels in distress. It was sobering to be reminded of the dangers not so very far from where they all slept at night. It was humbling to know how ill-equipped he was to do anything about it.

And yet, Hyoga had wanted his help. He was certainly trying.

The path led upward and the women disappeared between a cleft in the rocks. Finn paused long enough to turn around and shout, "Regroup!"

Once Hyoga saw him, he would turn to follow the women, but they had enough of a headstart now that he didn't think the beasties would catch up with them, but he didn't know what they might run into along the way to the exit. At least now the Avialae could launch himself aloft and catch up with them farther along the way to safety.
word count: 380
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