Crossing the Crossroads

[arlathvhen]

WHO: Beleth Ashara, Fern Doirnáin, Solas, Thranduil, Fifi Mariette, Galadriel, and Herian Amsel
WHAT: Time to go mess around in the crossroads and stick our fingers in Orlesian politics.
WHEN: Mid-Drakonis
WHERE: Some random small town in the Free Marches
NOTES: None atm!

A small town has requested help from the Inquisition--A roving band of armed soldiers has been seen near the edges of the town, lurking in the woods. They haven't made any moves against the people there, but after the events of Perendale, the residents are nervous. The soldiers clearly aren't from any of the local lords, and must have some reason for being there.

Beleth has taken a small group to first scout the area, to locate, assess, and then deal with the group of soldiers, if possible or necessary.

Comments

[untiltheyarent]

Equally unequipped apart from a knife, Fifi's first reaction is to cower and hope to go unnoticed; but then Fern is under attack, and something kicks in.
Knowing full well that this will go badly, Fifi darts over to Fern to stand at her back, slashing out with her blade and nearly missing a man's face as he advances.

[wheretheferngrows]

The shimmering green shield created by her anchor mark at least prevents them--Herian included--from being struck by any arrows flying their way, but it won't do anything to stop the advancing ground forces. Fern wouldn't know what an effective flanking maneuver was if someone demanded it of her right now, but she startles to realize that there's a defensive presence at her back fending off an attacker she hadn't even realized was there.

With Herian engaging the bandits, Fern feels secure enough to turn quickly and step up beside Fifi. She's really only got one combat spell in her arsenal worth its salt, and so that's what she unleashes on the bandit, and another of his companions, as they come closer. As Nell taught her, she narrows her focus to the ball of fire that's she's conjured into one palm--then unleashes it at the bandits in a narrow, racing column of licking flames.

...It's the single-most violent thing she's ever done to another person before in her life, and as they thrash around with their clothes on fire, she looks momentarily stunned by her own actions.

[dashing]

Well. She owes Fern her thanks, but the very heat of battle seems not the time to take a moment to express gratitude. Though she has no healing talent, no magic understanding that suits her to creation over destruction, she is a resilient thing. She does her best to keep the bandits focused on her, and their fire focused on her.

The Heart of Rage whispers to her, and for a moment the bandit immediately before her seems distorted and almost demonic. Her teeth are bared as she furiously blocks a strike with her sword, and casts fire mine on the ground two steps behind him, before kicking him backwards into explosive magic.

[arlathvhen]

This was supposed to be a scouting mission, but maybe she should have expected more combat. Maybe she shouldn't have brought the less combative agents--but no, they have Thranduil, Galadriel, even Herian. And as much as Beleth and Herian don't see eye to eye on certain matters (everything), Beleth knows the mage is a solid ally in a fight. Solas, she assumes, must have a good handle on combat as well, with all the wandering he does.

And Beleth has her own skill, of course. The small ruin doesn't leave a lot of room for maneuvering, but Beleth scales a fallen chunk of ceiling, and perches on it. From there, she pulls out Andruil's Gift, electricity already arcing along the length. A vial is pulled from her belt, and thrown at some of the archers standing at the back--instantly, a noxious green cloud rises up, and the men start wheezing in earnest.

Satisfied that they won't be an issue, she turns to the ones harassing Fern, and fires. The arrow hits one, and there's a scream as lightning meets already burned flesh. Ugh. That smells awful.