rokubiraijuu

The nearest targets in flight are still somewhat far for him to safely pursue. He takes a sweep around the field before nudging Kite into an easy canter, rounding behind the axe-wielder and their commander, trading out his worn iron bow for the larger, heavier yari he had purchased some time ago. Move to U12, attack Monk 1 with Steel Yari.

Seymore's hatchet hits its mark, weakening the fighter. Argos moves in afterwards to follow up. Two hard strikes are all that's needed for the axeman to retreat, dazed. Cheat Sheet:

[ ENEMY PHASE ] Archer 1 moves to O10 and attacks Ceridwen. Moving up onto the hills, the bowman takes two shots down at the dismounted rider. Fighter 1 moves to N10 and attacks Ceridwen. The two exchange blows, each matching the other. Fighter 2 moves to M10. Merc 1 moves to L10. "It looks like they didn't take the bait, Lieutenant. Alliah's men are engaging them from the south." "A good first sign. Let's keep the pressure on and see what they do. Forward!" Merc 3 moves to P3. Soldier 1 moves to Q5. Archer 2 moves to S4. Merc 4 moves to T5. Fighter 4 moves to S5. [ ALLY PHASE ] "Ceridwen! Are you all right? Hang in there!" Move to K10 and attack Merc 1. Idriss' scales ward off any attacks from the swordsman, and Johanna is able to injure him enough with two clean blows. He retreats from the field. Turn 2 [ PLAYER PHASE ] Cheat Sheet:

"Wow... so... this whole time, you've been doing everything for those kids at the orphanage." She looks down, feeling both guilty at the clear discomfort she'd caused in bringing out a difficult topic and wondering what a life like that must be like. It makes her feel... selfish, almost. Was she right, back then? Saoirse... She'd had her own fair share of hardships growing up, but compared to Cassidy's situation, whatever fights, resentment, and frustrations she'd had towards her parents and peers seemed trivial, no matter the wounds they'd left. Despite the awkwardness, Beatrix attempts a smile. "Well, I'll work with you to find that world's greatest treasure, then. Two've gotta have a better chance at finding it than one, right?"

"I guess I never thought about that, but you're right. Pictures do solve a lot of problems." She raises her hands, palms up, and gives a shrug. "I guess someone like you wouldn't need to read after all." She'd never looked highly on theft when she was growing up -- who does? -- so it's strange to think about how natural it is to be traveling with someone like Cassidy. But if she hadn't learned a bit about the girl's situation where she'd come from, just enough to piece together an idea behind what she did, she might have a completely different attitude towards her. It made her wonder about the stories she'd hear of pickpockets and rogues on the streets back home. But that's far from her mind now. "You know, you never told me anything about why you want to go adventuring so much. Besides just being excited like you usually are. Why not keep doing what you were doing before?"

"Wow..." She stares at Cassidy with sympathetic surprise that just as quickly morphs into wonder. "That's... that's amazing! I mean, I never would've guessed. You're so good at so many things! That's like, kind of crazy that you can't even read. I don't know what I'd be doing if I were you." It's hard to imagine what life would be like. Her family hadn't been wealthy by any means, but they'd gotten by comfortably enough and had seldom ever had to want for anything. Occasionally, mom and dad had been a little pressed for coin when the economy got tight, but wasn't that the case for everyone who wasn't swimming in riches? She'd never felt the ramifications, herself. "You're even cooler than I thought, Cassidy!"

Stunned, Beatrix turns to look back at Cassidy again. "Wait, you mean you can't read??" She doesn't seem to realize how her directness might come off rude. Her tone isn't one of derision, just the pure flabbergasted curiosity of someone for whom reading and writing had been a privilege she'd never questioned.

"Uhh, haha, something like that..." The words sound flat the moment they leave her mouth, and she wishes she hadn't said anything. For a long time, she'd thought her mother was a really cool person too, when she'd thought she'd known her. "I'd say I got all my awesome skills from her, but..." Putting on false brightness, she turns to Yuel. "Well, what about you, Yuel? You must've had a lot of schooling in magic, right? Don't you think we could teach Cassidy a thing or two about it, sometime?"

The amicable chatter filling the air of the Central Gardens is soon disturbed by the descent of a large shadow momentarily obscuring the light of the sun. The approach of the beast disturbs a nearby flock of songbirds in a tree, who scatter with a twitter of alarm and take to the sky. The grass bows under the weight of a rust-colored dragon rather large for his age among his kind, and he cranes his head down slightly to allow the woman astride his back to dismount. "Good morning, everyone," she greets them with a clear, gently authoritative voice that projects well. "Thanks to all of you for your patience. My name is Johanna Levenheit; I've the honor of being assigned as your Acting Commander. I hope you'll welcome me as you have each other," she says with a smile to see many of the new allies already talking amongst themselves, glad that they're getting to know one another, "and we'll accomplish great things together in the name of the new alliance forged between our people." She rests a hand on Idriss' thick-scaled neck and takes a more personable tone now. "Among the Dragon Knights, I'm a Small-Wing Commander, but I still have a lot to learn. I hope you'll all be willing to teach me, too." Her eyes flick briefly to Fallon standing along the far wall, but only for an instant. Climbing once again onto Idriss' back, she raises her voice once again to deliver the first order of business. "As the newfounded Allied Guard, our first task will be to prove ourselves and earn the respect of those we serve. Today, we will be participating in a training battle against the combined forces of the Knights and the Calissian 4th Battalion. Our goal is to prove to them that we are a force worthy of representing their names. The point is to show not only that we are strong, but also that we are cohesive. Not separate soldiers, but a unit that moves together despite our differences." She smiles, picking up her axe from where it is holstered to Idriss' side. "Even if this is only a mock battle, don't take it lightly. I assure you our opposition will be treating this as if it were a real engagement." "Results of this training will be reported to the President of the Republic, and Captain Joshua is out there already. He will be surveying the training to see how we do." "If all of you are prepared, then to me! Our first battle waits just beyond the city walls." ---------- "The horsemen of the 4th Battalion are in place. Gristov, take your men and move north. Alliah, yours will fan to the west, towards the hills." The lieutenants nod, making their way to the destinations as ordered. "Men! Form a perimeter around me. Do not move until the hostiles are in sight. And remember, this may not be a real battle, but the stakes are just as high. We cannot see the Guard's true potential unless we bring it out of them, understand?" "Sir!" "Uggghh, and where am I supposed to go? Standing around here with you is so boooring." "As your mentor, I can't just let you run around wherever you want. You might not realize it, but I do take responsibility for you." The girl pouts with all the aggression of her fifteen years. "Come on. This isn't even a real fight. Why can't you let me do something. Even the Captain's watching, and I'm going to stand here tapping my toes." "..." He seems to contemplate the thought that, if he didn't allow her, she'd just find a way to slip off while his back was turned and do it anyway. Futch sighs heavily. "All right, take a handful of soldiers and standby in the clearing to the southwest--" "Woohoo!!" "--and. If it starts to get dangerous, fall back immediately. Do you understand, Sharon?" "Doon't even worry about it! I've got this in the bag. You're the best, Futch!" "Wait--!" She's off before he can say anything else, and he can only rub the bridge of his nose. "...I know Milia said she trusts I can handle her daughter, Bright, but why me..." He's answered only by a low croon of sympathy from his mount. VICTORY: Rout Enemy DEFEAT: All Player Units are Defeated Turn 1 Cheat Sheet:

Beatrix brightens at Yuel's words. "You're right! If whoever it was wanted to help us, I'm sure we'll see them again." The thought that their unknown benefactor could possibly want to stay anonymous doesn't even cross her mind. Who wouldn't want to be known for their achievements? "It's been a while since I've seen magic like that. Well, anima magic, anyway. My mom would've been able to pull off that kind of power, y'know." She wonders how they're doing. If she's to be honest with herself, she does a pretty bad job of keeping contact with them. Probably just the same old stuff. Nothing changes much around there.

"Ahh!" The sudden impact of a small and compact bullet of a friend staggers her and her heart lurches for the one — just one! — moment that she thinks she might flip over the rails. And before she can even catch her breath, Cassidy is already rattling off into her ear. It's several seconds before she's able to turn around with an amused — though still somewhat frazzled — grin. "Whoa, slow down! You know you just about killed me a little." Then she catches sight of Yuel approaching from the steps up to the deck. "Oh, Yuel! I just can't get that magic out of my head. Y'know, the one that pushed the boat yesterday, came out of nowhere." She's still locked in Cassidy's death hug, but doesn't seem to mind at all, having extricated an arm to drape around the smaller girl's shoulders.

It's been over a day, and she still can't get it out of her head. The battle at the docks, the urgency of the minutes after as the boat had raced to outpace the men pursuing them... all of that had fallen away like snow. But the display of magic that had saved them, blasting the piers with wind and filling the sails with life? Aica has long been lost to somewhere beyond the horizon now, but Beatrix stares at the endless waves from the poop deck anyway as though she might catch a glimpse of that magic again. She leans on the railing, chin in hand, a faraway look on her face.

This is my mochi son.

"The wheel of fate is hard for man to turn, but it is not impossible." - Leknaat, Keeper of Balance PROLOGUE : Under the Flag of Unity Solis Y3302, Summerswax Motion and the lively tumult of countless voices and bodies fill the air and streets of the City of Flowers. For centuries, this has been the way of life in Antei, the commercial heart of southern Caliss, where people clip along at the quick pace of business and trade under the protection of high ivory walls. From the west, crisp winds blow in from the mountain peaks, bringing with them the smell of freshly melted snow. From the Sacine River to the north file in caravans by the dozens each day, laden with goods and treasures from across the continent, even across the world. The rainbow of tarps stretching across the bazaars and the myriad of cultivated flower beds decorating any spare space lend the city a patchwork appearance, like a brilliant children’s coloring book. “3000 potch for a shawl? I could find one in Gregminster for half the price. 2000 at most.” “Steady! Let me grease the wheel first before you pull!” “Mommy, can I have ice cream? I want the jujube one, like in Lenankamp!” “Pleasure doing business with you, ma’am. You take care.” These voices and many more swirl and meld to create the constant thrum and din. It feels as though there is never enough time to rest for the citizens whisking from one place to the next, lists in their hands and enterprise at their fingertips. But off of the center of town, there is one refuge to be found amidst the chaos. Sequestered in an enclosure of low-ledged white walls like the rest of the alabaster city are the Central Gardens. Here, families and couples customarily enjoy a stroll on stone pathways among carefully trimmed hedges and bushels of blooming flora. But today, the Gardens have been closed off to public entry. Today marks the first collective gathering of the Allied Guard months after its official formation and finalization. From the far corners of Caliss and the Antei Mountains, qualified combatants have been selected to herald the arrival of a new spring for both the young Republic and its allies, the Dragon Knights. After confirming identification and registry at the manor of the city mayor, they are escorted to the Central Gardens and its grassy field. One by one, they will learn the faces of those who will be their comrades at arms for the time to come. Here, in the peace and quiet away from the hubbub of commerce, they are instructed to wait at ease before receiving their first instruction as the unified Allied Guard.

N18.

Pegasus Knights were not dissimilar to the birds he and his uncle would hunt in the steppe, the primary prey and trophy of his tribe and the purpose for the bow in every Nayavu boy's hand from a young age. The difference here, of course, is that they are a much larger target, aware of his presence, and aggressive. But it would be good to test the skills he had honed in youth, and which he hopes he hasn't forgotten. Move to V18, attack Peg 5, and Canto to V14.

Convoy: NPCs: Johanna Levenheit PCs: Argos von Bodin Kerr Kris Naomi Michi Wilhelm Ceridwen Rhydderch Fallon Vaer Dulcibella Mauro Rhian Jernigan Clement May

It is the year 3302, and the Republic of Caliss has finally begun to settle down from the aftermath of a liberation war that shook the nation and its surrounding areas ten years ago. Led by the young hero Tennan Dohl and his rebel forces, the liberation army overthrew the tyrannical Emperor Rugner and the witch Windy. The hero, dispirited by the events of the war, disappeared from the public eye after his great victory, however, along with his most loyal followers, and hasn't been heard from in a decade. In his place, President Kirov, who had been one of Tennan's foremost supporters, took up the mantle to lead the country. Peace returned to Caliss at last, much to the relief of people everywhere. Kirov's fair and firm governance has guided the young Republic in its first steps, soothing wounded hearts and scarred political relations, rebuilding cities and restoring towns. His latest success has been to ally with a body that has, for all of known history, been among the most reclusive forces on the continent. In western Caliss, just within its border that separates it from the barren Wastelands, stretches the Antei Mountain range. From time immemorial, the Dragon Knights have commanded those mountains with their mounts, the great beasts that require such precise conditions to hatch that they are rarely birthed outside of the vast network of Antei caverns known collectively as the Den. Though within Caliss' borders, the Knights have always been an independent governing body not large enough to be a nation, but whose military power is nevertheless respected worldwide. They have kept to themselves, never disrupting other nations, only taking up arms to defend their independence and the dragons they safeguard. However, due to special circumstances during the war, they lent their aid to Tennan Dohl's liberation effort, the beginning of a partnership that led to the Moravia Pact signed 5 months ago, an agreement between Captain Joshua Levenheit of the Dragon Knights and President Kirov, promising partnership and open connection. This pact is the first of its kind, as the Dragon Knights heretofore have never welcomed outsiders, their methods and livelihoods a mystery to all those not born within the Stronghold's walls. There are those on both sides who embrace the new alliance, and those who disparage it. ----- welcome to fef: scarlet crown! name's rai, i'll be doing my best to run this boat. as with all the other fef's that are on these forums, i'm sure most of you guys already know how this works. please read through the 1.salt handbook linked below if you have not already, as well as the additional changes i've incorporated. those in other fef's will likely be familiar with most of these changes, so feel free to look through the ones that'll matter to you. you will be playing a member of the Allied Guard, a mix of soldiers from Caliss and the Dragon Knights that have been created to spearhead the collaboration between the two governing bodies and a representation of the new union. characters from the Caliss side can be any class. the Dragon Knights are a bit more complicated. classes that could be from the actual Knighthood that lives in the Stronghold are any class that could feasibly promote into a rider class: wyvern rider, shaman, and fighter. other classes would be from goya village outside of the Stronghold itself and not members of the Dragon Knights ( see worldbuilding section below ) but still under their governance. let me know if you have any other questions about this. Republic of Caliss: Dragon Knights' Domain Other Locations: Astral Runes Rules and Changes: Submissions: Please submit all sheets to me either through Reborn DM or Discord with a backstory. Once approved, you may post them here without the backstory section. Submissions are open until 7/20 so that we can begin in time for next weekend. A final roster will be chosen from the approved submissions after the closing date. We will be starting at the trainee level, but you may include prospective promotion classes, skills, and growth bonuses in your sheet. Please do not post until I reserve one more post. A sample sheet will be included in said post, which will present the game's starting NPC.

Winston attack Rider D, Canto to O13. "Yuel, don't forget that I can help too!" Running right up to the rider, dark magic flaring at her fingertips, she lets loose a follow-up spell with a loud "haahhh!" Move to N14, attack Jona.

Idei pulls himself onto Kite's back as the stallion snorts and fidgets, eager to be moving and in the thick of things again after the harrowing trip from Kabumu back to the capital had put him on edge. The lighter arrows that he had been relying on all this time are running low, and he wishes they had had the chance to purchase supplies before being ushered in here. He supposes that would have been too easy, though. "Darius," he says to the man in passing, swinging Kite around to the right of the group, "this is the chance to show your new conviction." Move to W18, attack Fencer 3, Canto to W16.

"Nice, Yuel! I'll follow up—!" Attack Marine C.

"Mm." A passing breeze carries with it the distant aroma of flowers, sweet and innocuous. It's so different from what he's used to, and he recalls the first time he had smelled it, stepping foot off that boat to take part in the trial to become one of the guard. "Maybe you should start there. On Z'ark, with your experience. 'Search for meaning, however small. If you find it, that is where you should be.' My uncle used to say that."

He's quiet, listening to Darius talk. After a long pause, he starts again, gently. "Then... if this is not what you want... what new path do you want to take?"

"I see..." he muses in reply, looking out across the courtyard again. Dark spirits, he has no experience with. His interactions with magic have always been limited and, like many of the Arcadian nomads, his attitude towards it has always been a mixture of curiosity and reverence. It's no secret to the daily lives of the horsemen, but it has never been used for battle, or to kill. Coming out of the desert was the first time he had ever seen magic harnessed for combat. "Where I am from, it is understood that spirits possess. It is not... frequent, but it happens enough that everyone knows the dangers if you are not ready. It attaches to your — there is no word for it here, but we call it tilaka. It is like the energy in you that makes you of the earth and air. The spirits can enter there, and then you are never the same." He idly twists the grass under himself between his fingers. "I saw you in the last fight, and how you killed that one man."