Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~

For funsies, Kain do you actually want me to run combat between Rosalyva to determine a winner in their "practice" match? Because it would most certainly be Rosalyva unless bullshit happens.

Dash was on the side lines of a game of ball, making sure none of the teams cheated. "Most of them are the kids of soldiers in our group, others are just kids that the boss wants to protect. You know like me!" He pointed a finger at himself and grinned. "Kids like me, we either steal from the docks or we earn our keep. Samwell isn't a very rich guy but he's influential in the town. He gives us food and sweets, and we don't have to fight. We just have to tell him about soldiers and dangerous things and the like." Dash looked down at his boots where he stashed his knife. "Although I want to fight too... " "You've had a hard life Meredith I can tell." Saffron turned away from the water and looked at Meredith instead. "I don't want to be a hero. Just someone who can help people like you." She smiled and lay back her head against the grass of the bank. "All of this talk makes me restless though, for now I want to rest. Feri and Keagan have already filled my head with too many thoughts on future battles, conquests and politics. I think I've earned myself a little rest." "Ah the Druidic arts. There is very little written about them, and they hardly ever write anything down themselves so their knowledge escapes me." Feri's eyes glint with even more excitement, he seems completely ready to learn even more. "A wise sage from 200 years ago theorized that spirits are drawn to a person's charisma. That the words we use are just ways to let out our own inner personalities and to resonate with the spirits of nature, and that the spirits that are drawn to us are much like ourselves. So I believe your Druid master might be very close to the truth." Keagan looked at Rosalyva from the side of his field of vision. "I'm Keagan." He kept at his swings for a few more moments until he put the axe down and took a breather. "I have been training since I was 5. I took the axe from the master of arms in the palace. He said I had the shoulders for it. And I am not one of Saffron's knights. I am her cousin, I protect her because we are family."

Saffron listened attentively to Meredith's story, looking out into the other bank as she did. "I have never really been near rivers or lakes. This is my first time putting my feet in a river. Although I always loved taking baths as a girl, the palace had this huge bath house. Keagan and I used to hold swimming races there." Saffron giggled. Her face shifted slightly when a thought crossed her mind. "But have you always wanted to be a fighter? Is that really what you've always wanted to do? I think I messed up my speech, I shouldn't have told everyone to fight. I should have used the word 'live' instead." "Indeed, while many have accounted for the wonders of wind and fire magic, thunder magic seems to be limited to just warfare." Feri put his hand to his chin and rubbed it carefully. "Curious. Thunder magic can be used to light a fire in a pinch but any application of fire would more easily done with fire magic. There has to be some unique application to thunder magic don't you agree? What could thunder magic hold above all other forms of magic? And more food for thought; thunder spirits seem to be scared of the wind spirits but dominate fire spirits when put in a close environment? Why is that?"

I told you I'd skip 3 days and then I skipped 4 TRULY I AM THE WORLD'S GREATEST SUPER VILLAIN FEAR ME

"Hello Meredith. Knowing that my speech made an impact puts my heart at ease, though I didn't say everything I meant to say." She gave a warm smile to the soldier. Saffron had her feet in the waters, her boots sitting next to her. Her armor also lay in a pile to the side, having no need for it now. "It doesn't matter if you're the best. You saved us, complete strangers. I'd feel safe with all of you by my side; the journey might be a dangerous one." "I'd be delighted to indulge in the company of a fellow student!" Feri practically jumped from his spot. He placed a small tree leaf to mark his place in the book and closed it. He showed the cover to Terrin. "I am currently reading 'The Application of Magic in Warfare and Daily Life in Dragao's History Vol. 2' by Scholar Cason Nohr. It's a marvelous study on the development of magics through our kingdom. Why did you know that in the year 500, a team of wind mages managed to make a man fly with nothing but wax, pegasus feathers and 20 basic tomes? Truly marvelous to think what this knowledge could be used for some day."

Year 1020, 24th of Last Bloom The next few days were a bit chaotic. After introducing the three strangers to Samwell he called an emergency meeting, assembling all members of the Misguided Children. Many were at sea, and it took a while until finally everyone was able to assemble in a clearing large enough for all members of the Misguided Children. A small wooden platform had been erected for the occasion, and on it stood Samwell and Saffron. The crowd that gathered were chattering to themselves until Samwell let out a big loud; "AHOY!!" The crowd turned to look at him, suddenly quiet and ready to listen. "How are the children doing? Have you been behaving well?" A man in the crowd yelled out a 'Hell no' and the crowd laughed. "That's what I like to hear! Friends, we are here today because it's time for change. This little girly beside me has a few words for you. I've listened to her side, and I believe she's the best shot for us Children. But I've never forced you to do anything now have I? So girly, convince these men to follow you." He slapped Saffron's back with a hearty laugh. Maybe a bit too hard as Saffron stumbled forward almost falling over. She took a few moments to compose herself before starting to speak. "Ahem. My name is Saffron Dragao, daughter of the last King Brandon the Third and Queen Eliza Dragao. In two months I will turn 18; meaning I can inherit the throne from my uncle. King Roswell is a-" Someone from the crowd interrupted Saffron with a loud yell. "How do we know you're the real deal!?" Saffron seemed to be ready for the question. She motioned for Feri, who climbed on to the stage and handed her a spear. Bringing the spear forward, the crowd saw the spear's markings along it and the symbol of Dragao; a red dragon decorated onto the blade. "This Nephele, the same spear used by the Dragon King when he founded our Kingdom. It's been passed down through generations for over a thousand years. I escaped the Palace with it." She allowed the crowd the time to admire it. When she was sure that they were satisfied she continued. "You might think me some spoiled brat who's never been outside a castle. Before my escape from the capital a few months ago I had never slept on the cold forrest ground. I never knew how hard it was to live without the comforts of servants and cooks. But worse of all I never realized how much the people suffered outside of the Palace." Her grip on the spear tightened. "So I can promise you; what I ask of you isn't to fight for me. I do not care for the throne because it's my birthright. I care for the throne so that I can keep my family and friends safe. And I won't ask you for that either. I ask you to fight for yourselves; to take down the king who has started a worthless war and has killed so many of YOUR friends and family. I beg of you; FIGHT!" The crowd let out cheers and "horaahs". Saffron smiled at the result and Samwell stepped forward again signaling for silence again. "When the time comes, the Misguided Children will help this girly retake the capital. Until then we will stay here and keep doing what we can! The girly here has asked for a few of our men to join her in her travels. I am pretty sure they know who they are." Samwell let out a hearty laugh, the crowd filled with chatter and started to disperse. The meeting drew to it's conclusion. --- An hour or two after the meeting, the crowd was mostly gone as most people went back to their day jobs at the docks or taverns. Feri was sitting against a tree reading a tome. The unarmored Keagan stood behind the stage practicing axe blows with a wooden axe. A bit further away, Saffron was relaxing next to a riverbank. Dash seemed to be playing with a few of the other young members of the Misguided Children.

Also I 'm going to to be moving the story along a bit later tonight. Make sure to close up any conversations. You can carry them on next scene if you'd like but it will be a timeskip of a few days.

Well when the time comes for it I'll explain it better but the NPCs will follow basic commands like "go attack blah blah" or "protect blah blah blah". Otherwise they will do the thing I deem most beneficial for you guys. No suicides and no playing badly on purpose.

"Meredith..." Saffron's eyes begin to water, and she had to close them and open again to stop herself. "Everyone thank you. We might have only met, but I feel like I can trust all of you. And that is a feeling I need." Feri is the one to meet Terin's handshake. "From my observations you are man of the magics like myself. Perhaps an intellectual as well? I can assure you; I have seen to Lady Saffron's education myself. She is versed in the history of our good Kingdom and it's surrounding lands, as well as all of the mathematics, language and scientific skills she will ever need. She has the knowledge for it, and surely the charisma. I do not know what kind of Queen she will be, but surely she will stop this war."

NPCs slow down the RP by very little. PCs require much more work on my part and slow the game down by a lot by waiting for posts. NPCs also mean I can make the game more challenging and evolve the story. Be patient please.

"I wouldn't count on it." "From the uh. Pessimistic point of view." Feri's tone of voice seems to change, as if a bit sadder. "The people are scared of the Kingdom's army. While the country side is suffering the Capital is still strong and healthy, and people there support King Roswell. People fear to march against him. And there is also the fact that Saffron is the daughter of King Brandon, the Kingdom believes him a madman and a murderer. And they say blood runs thicker than water; there will be much opposition against her claim." Saffron clutched her spear. "But we still have to try. The people cannot suffer like this!"

"You would be surprised, the King himself dismisses the Misguided Children as rumors. As far as I understand only local authorities of Laguna Bay believe that the Misguided Children exist." Feri brings a hand up to his chin. "Which is actually a blessing in disguise the king will never expect us to march a direct assault on the capital so soon. We'll have to enlist the help of noble houses sure but they will surely help our cause. Tell me, how large are the Misguided Children's ranks?" "A princess... Here of all places..." Dash seemed confused at all of this information, and so did the other members of the Misguided Children that had come along with him. "I think I heard the boss say we had around 150 fighting men." "150?" Keagan crossed his arms and a stern look crossed his face. "That won't even be enough to fight the smallest of the Dragao sub-armies."

Alright friends, so tonight we finished Chapter 1! It was scary but you guys pulled it through excellently. So now I'll address an issue that Murloc has been having. Murloc isn't happy with Vantage on his character and I can understand why. So I am allowing him and everyone a chance at changing their skill. And this is for everyone currently in the RP: If you want to change anything about your character pm me before the start of chapter 2. I won't allow stat growth changes but if you'd like to switch your skill to something different due to the new ones being added or perhaps your personal skill; go right ahead. Just pm me ahead of time. Also there are new skills if you didn't know, they are all in the extra rules section of the first page of the OOC. There will also be a delay between chapter 1 and 2. I'll be a bit busy during the next few days so chapter 2 will come around 13th of September, until then we will be in ultra friendly no combat RP mode. Take this opportunity to support the fuck out of each other. Remember that NPCs and PC supports are tracked separately! Also the NPCs need to catch up to your level! I'll go over this again at the start of Chapter 2 but from now on you'll be able to take three NPCs into battle which you will choose together in the OOC before the start of battle. These NPCs are Saffron, Keagan, Feri and Dash! I've previously leveled Dash up to level 4, so we'll take care of the three other characters. This way you'll also get to look at their character sheets. "The power to protect the people." "I must try harder..." "Only by studying the past can we prepare ourselves for the future." "It's nice meeting y'all, I'll be helping out from now on."

Saffron sighed; maybe a bit too audibly. "Please; no titles. I am Saffron. Not Princess Saffron, not Lady Saffron, not Future Queen of Dragao Saffron. Just Saffron." Either way she extends her own hand, and shakes Meredith's hand. "So you are part of these freedom fighters? The Misguided Children?" Keagan seems to think for a few seconds before continuing. "If all of your ranks are as strong as the eight of you, we might have a shot at this." "Thank you, Sister. Your healing is much appreciated." Feri says with a nod. "We are wanted fugitive. I doubt anyone but the military knows of our escape. General Garbhan, the supreme commander of the Dragao Army, knows of our escape as he's been personally tasked with our retrieval and execution. It's why Commander Maris chased us down this far. However, I doubt neither the common people or the nobles know of our escape. Lady Saffron and Sir Keagan are the torches that will light this country in a blaze of revolution. And King Roswell is well aware."

"Thank you so much once more. I can feel energy returning to me, thank you." She allows herself a sigh of relief. He looks once at the older man who shakes his head, knowing full well what she would do next. She does it anyways. "Since you have no need for my thanks, I will give you my trust instead. Technically the only criminal in our group is my mentor Feri." "Pleased to make your acquaintance." He sighs at the girl's stubbornness and bows slightly one hand behind his back. "The big man in armor is my cousin, Keagan." The girl continues to introduce the group. Keagan simply nods at his introduction. "I am Saffron, though that name might not mean anything by itself." She pauses mulling over if it's truly wise to keep going. "My full name is Saffron Dragao; I am the daughter of the last King Brandon Dragao the Third and the late Queen Eliza Dragao and in two months true heir to this Kingdom of ours. As for what I am doing here, my mentor Feri smuggled Keagan and I out of the castle. We are looking for an illusive group of freedom fighters; I plan to take down my uncle's tyranny and bring peace to all of Ignis."

Maris grit her teeth and clenched her free hand into a fist. "You openly mock the beauty of warfare, you make a theater of all that is great about fighting. You have no honor, I shall have your heads and bring them to the capital myself!" The lightning spirits seemed to be amplified by Terrin's antics. They fly forward gathering even more and more lightning from the air around it. The electricity shoots forward giving Maris no chance of escaping. It chains her in place leaving her unable to move; And unable to dodge Hoshiko's arrow. Maris falls of her horse, landing on her back with an arrow through her heart. "W-what I... I lost?" She seems calm and surprised. She gathers the strength to look down and see the arrow. "Oh." She mouths and her head falls back against the grassy floor. "General Garbhan... I... I am sorry" As she finishes those last words her eyes close. All of the soldiers before the fight were cheering. None of them ever thought that Commander Maris Longgarden could ever lose; she was talented fighter and her sword was a gift from the general himself! Which is why they all froze in shock and fear as they watched her body fall. There was complete silence until the horseback Troubadour exclaimed. "R-Retreat!!!" In a flash all of the soldiers were gone. Without a commander they lost their chances and wills to fight. Final Results: [Victory!] As the battle comes to a close you hear a familiar childish voice. "Oi! I went an' got reinforcements! Just you wait I'm gonna save you!" Dash arrives with six armed men all from the Misguided Children. "... Or not. Did you all do this by yourselves!? How strong are you?!" On the other side of the battlefield, others are just as awestruck. "Is it over? The soldiers are retreating." She nudges her Pegasus to fly a bit further up confirming that Maris was indeed dead. She landed her mount, and immediately let herself off falling to her knees. "Thank the Goddess... Oh thank everyone we are safe." "We aren't out of the woods yet Saffron. We do not know who these people are." "Sir Keagan and I are of the same mind, we need caution Lady Saffron. We have many enemies and very few friends." The girl got up and took a deep breath. "Well it's time we make some then." Holding the reins of her pegasus with one hand and her spear on the other she lead the trio through the trees and to the main group. Despite her wounds, the girl carries herself a practiced posture. Chin up, back straight, calm and meticulous steps. The other two walk in much of the same fashion, clearly all three have been trained in manners and posture. "Thank you brave warriors. I cannot thank you enough, you have saved the life of my companions and my own. I can never thank you enough." She closes her eyes and bows her head in sign of respect. The other two follow suit; although it looks a bit silly for the huge armored man to do it as well.

"It's suitable that a fiend like you is riding such a disgusting beast." Maris spits in disgust, aiming her sword forward. Ecquis manages to slash at the Commander, but with a trained blow she counters exactly as he attacks leaving both damaged. Cheat Sheet: [Player Phase Continues]

Yeah it will stop when your STR is back at it's original level, it won't keep draining skill. I have the 11 there so I remember to math.

Post up. I was specially mean in this last turn don't hate me because you all get to LEVEL UP! That's great isn't it!? I haven't changed HP values yet I'll edit them after I'm done rolling. Hoshiko the Righteous Ecquis Terrin, Son of Lady Aisha Luka Klarenfilia Meredith "The Undying" Rosalvya Mayanna the Last

Like last time, Terrin is surrounded by electricity brought to him by the spirits he calls. They form a single bolt that jumps from him into the sky, and from the sky straight at the Cavalier. The horse's instincts kick in, and it barely manages to jump out of the way of the attack leaving the ground scorched where the thunder hit. [Enemy Phase] Fighter 2 moves to P3 and attacks Meredith The lumbering hulk that is the Fighter comes and with a heavy blow manages to hack through Meredith's armor. However, Meredith manages to land two blows on him as he tries to recover his weapon and comes out worse for wear. Troubadour 1 moves to O3 and heals Fighter 2! Troubadour 1 retreats to O4 Cavalier 4 attacks Luka The Cavalier using the most of a lucky moment, strikes Luka who is besides him and rides off as fast as his mount will allow him. Cavalier 4 retreats to N5 Maris moves to P4 and activates Reliable Attack "ENOUGH OF THESE GAMES!" Maris shouts, clearly frustrated at more than half of her unit being killed. "You face Commander Maris Longgarden; heir to Skyspire and honor seat at General Garbhan's council. Lay down your arms or face the true power of the Dragao Army." Maris attacks Meredith "Dragon King; Lead my blade!" Maris breathes in and with a warcry she thrusts her sword forward. A blast of wind rushes forward piercing through Meredith and dealing severe damage. "The rest of you surrender now! Do not interfere in the apprehension of these criminals." [Allied Phase] Turn 4 Cheat Sheet: [Player Phase]

Also support between Mayanna and Ecquis over sharing talks about Wyverns and their place in Dragao society. Woo.

Ecquis, perhaps inspired by Rosalyva's attack, pulls off an unbelievable attack of his own utterly defeating the Cavalier and throwing him off his horse. ((OOC: Ecquis you can describe the move if you so wish)) Meredith with newfound energy rushes at the Troubadour striking true against the healer's armor. The healer fails to land a solid blow against Meredith. Cheat Sheet: [Player Phase Continues]

Commander Maris of the Scouting Unit 4, Heir to Skyspire and Honor Seat at General Garbhan's Council is indeed a woman. But obviously she isn't going to be alive for much longer so no problem in messing up her gender. EDIT: The latest crit

Hoshiko's Righteous Arrow of Indignation hits the cavalier straight in the chest, and gives covering fire as Klaren comes in for a close attack. Klaren's light blast this time hit it's mark, making the Cavalier grit his teeth. Despite the pain he manages to slash Klaren with his sword. Cheat Sheet: [Player Phase Continues]

Meredith charged forward and the rider, knocking him off his horse. When he hit the ground he was already dead, and the horse rode off into the plains scared of it's life. Cheat Sheet: [Player Phase Continues]