The sun has not fully risen when the party gathers together at the start of the Gray Forest on this summer evening. Reese sent this party out, but she is not currently here. She placed Thesarin in charge of the mission.

Reese gave instructions to try and collect information and avoid fighting against overwhelming forces. She did say that fighting if pressed or against small groups they can win against is okay. She also advised not killing any non-hostile Shavs. The General is not here though. She gave these instructions via messenger along with with advice to stay alive and a thanks for going.

Esoka is dressed down in plain leathers - the sort made to blend into the forest growth - with her diamondplate blade sheathed at her hip. She's waiting where the party has agreed to assemble, watching the sky and occasionally scanning the trees just off from them.

Isabetta arrives without any fanfare, in leathers with her flare up and face concealed under leather masking her appearance. If anything her posture and movements could seem somber. Like she was troubled about something, but whatever that is she keeps it to herself for now. Armed with only a plain swordsword at her hip she arrives at the meeting spot, giving a curt and small nod to those already assembled.

Alexis is not really a scout, per se, but perhaps there'll be a need for someone to stand in the way of things. At least she's decent at wilderness trawling and such. Even if, in her chain and plate and carrying her swords, she's doing her best to be quite by... Staying in the back. Shooting Esoka and Isabetta a little smile of greeting, and giving the others present a nod, she exhales, softly. "I'll, um. Try to not be in the way," She assures.

Merek has on his helmet which looks like a fox, elongated canines upon it and a visor made with molten-orange shielding he can see through along the black. His cloak is shifted about him, while he has his blade along with him too. He does not offer much to those there. For someone that seems to want to remain away from the fight to vacation and recover, he often seems to come to these things. Upon his cloak is a black hammer with wings that seem to extend from it, also edged with the Fidante sigil.

Fiora may or may not have been here all this time. It is with a silent step she appears from around a tree, leaning up against its trunk. She nods unfamiliarly to those who arrive while tugging at the edge of her hood to further conceal her features.

Thesarin waits, ramrod-straight, at the meeting spot, head to toe in grey steel armor, holding a hunting spear in his left hand and carrying a blue shield painted with the Riven herons on his left. It's entirely likely that he's never spoken more than two or three words to any given member of the expidition, and those simple instructions, given without elaboration. He waits for people to arrive in their groups, and looks them all over, a scowl showing through the front of the helmet. He points the tip of his spear to Fiora when she slides out of the trees. "You." And then the spear whirls toward Isabetta. "You. On the advance. Move quietly, and carefully. The rest of us will follow behind. A sound like a snow owl if it's clear, like a falcoln if we need to be careful on approach. If you're engaged, fall back and shout. Acceptable?"

Already here at appointed spot was a big black warhorse chewing lazily at some bushes, apparently playing guard-horse to the figure laying sprawled out, lightly snoring behind said bushes. No, in this day and age of trouble in the forest, it's probably not the best plan of all things to take naps in the woods, especially alone and waiting for one's party, but Luca the Lazy's never been terribly well known for his good judgement. For his part, he seems to be dressed for moving easily in the woods, rugged leather pants and jacket over linen flow of lycene-style shirt, a dark cloak over it all, matched viper-headed sabres rising in X off his back. It's only when Gluefoot his stolid mount makes a bit of a snuffling whicker that the Champion prince is stirring from his comfortable repose, sitting up with bleary eyes to peer about as commands start getting given. Why oh why does Reese let her husband go places? Oh yeah, cause he actually tends to handle himself best in these situations, despite tendency to irritate his companions.

Merek looks to the one known as Thesarin, and his way of handling business. There is a lift of his brow beneath his visor, but he just shakes his head a bit, and then voices, "Agreed," in that low husky purr of his. He looks to the distance a bit, and then moves to settle with the formation. He seems to be much different than he used to be.

The forest stretches in front of them. Isabetta will be able to scout ahead if she so wishes. Dawn is just upon them and they got hours of daylight.

Fiora ruminates over the order by way of a twist of her lips and a cant of her head to regard Isabetta. "Hm." With a signal of her fingers, she indicates a claim for the easterly side of their northerly direction: Isabetta take the west side? And in turning does the leather-clad Malvici silently answer Thesarin with a sharp nod before disappearing into the woods.

Esoka's regards Thesarin after those instructions are given, then nods short, falling in beside him. An inclination of her head in greeting is given to the others as they assemble, quick grin curving at Alexis in kind. She waits, doing her best to blend with the trees.

Isabetta responds to the instructions with a sharp nod and remains quiet, moving forward as indicated. A brief glance is spared to Fiora, whom she fans out away from a bit. Going is slow, but it's clear she is used to traveling on foot instead of horseback, so that's working in her favor, you know, probably. After a while she'll end up out of sight, her leathers seem designed to blend in well in wooden areas, with a little bit of green to them. Whatever she felt about Fiora's claim, she silently takes the west side.

The party travels onwards for hours through the forest. The woods seem to be in descent shape, which all things considered is very good and it has been quiet for the first hours. Normal quiet, the sounds of animals, insects and can be heard. It eventually is around noon. They are on a path that can fit them about 2 abreast and the foliage over head is quite thick.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 70 higher.

Luca checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 23 higher.

Esoka checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 20 higher.

Isabetta has rolled a critical success!
Isabetta checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Thesarin isn't quiet in moving; he's burdened with too much clanking armor and weapons to make that a chance. He is quiet while they're on the movie. He doesn't silence talk between the people in the main advance, but he glowers wordlessly, more like a trip through a graveyard than a quiet trip through the woods.

Alexis is just following orders. So, while her Heirloom Sword remains strapped to her back, she unsheaths the Dragon's Daughter, and hefts her over one shoulder. Canting her head, first to one side, then the other, then moves along, following the path.

Isabetta checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 4 higher.

Alexis checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Luca, for his part, hasn't actually spoken up once his bleary waking to the group. He just up-nodded familiarily to a few of those he knew like Esoka, Alexis, and Merek, flipped up the hood of his cloak as if to hide from any sun or moonlight, and set about following along in anchor to the group, either atop the stubborn Gluefoot or with the big black horse trailing along a ways behind while its owner moved surprisingly quietly and well through the woods. It might seem like the Champion's hungover (and indeed he may be) but he's also actually paying attention in his own way and at least keeping up with things. Whether he'll take any orders when given or not will be an interesting proposition once they're given.

Thesarin checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 18 higher.

Fiora checked perception + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 13 higher.

This party is quite alert and when they come across tracks they are noticed by pretty much them all. The tracks are not hard to pick out. They seem to consist of some kind of large animal tracks maybe bears? And it seems to be more than one bears. They could just be normal bears, but it is a bit odd that the tracks are mixed with some big human prints as if someone larger than Agnarr has been by this way or maybe someones.

It is Merek who realizes first that there one of the prints is a quite odd like kind of mix of man and large cat print. He also sees a touch of green slim on the ground too around these prints. This is likely not good. He then looks up and notices a sickly looking raven in a tree watching them, before attempting to flap off.

Merek leans down and looks at one of the prints, then he points it out, "This looks like a mix of man and beast prints, also it has a touch of green around it, Abyssal taint perhaps?" he mentions, he then points towards a tree, "There's a sickly raven watching us, I'd suggest someone with some skilled bowmanship take it out, might be a scout." Yes, he just called the bird a scout.

"When we were scouting towards Farhaven," Alexis murmurs. "We ran into Shards - abyssally tainted creatures - double my size. And the last time I was in the Gray Forest we found tainted bears." She points out, as she studies the prints. Glancing towards the raven when it's pointed out. Biting her lip, and hefting her sword over her shoulder again. "bit too far for me to charge, even if I went up the tree."

Isabetta checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 16 lower.

Alexis checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Esoka dips her chin to Luca in return for the up-nod as she goes along, close at Thesarin's side. She's not a naturally quiet creature, herself, but in leathers and huntress mode, she can manage it. She kneels to examine one of the prints, but looks up when the raven is mentioned. Tensing. "A group of blood worshippers we encountered on a previous mission used ravens as their eyes."

"Really should learn to shoot one of these days." Luca grumbles dryly to himself as he's watching the potentially demon-bird take to wing after having been one of those to stop and peer at the tracks. Shaking his head and leaving it to others, he squats near the tracks again, reaching out with a dagger to prod at the green slime and bring it towards his face to sniff at with mild disgust. A nod aside to Alexis' talk of tainted bears and Shards. "The demonic wolves a few months back too. This forest never gets to just rest. I swear the animals get abused nearly as much as the Shavs by every bugaboo that comes through looking to kill us all of late. Good fight to them at least." Usually the first to get excited by prospect of such, Luca's actually looking...weary? Could he be losing his taste for demonic bloodletting? Surely not.

Thesarin glances around the group, toward anyone carrying a bow. "Someone fucking kill it!"

Luca checked perception + survival at difficulty 40, rolling 23 lower.

The oddity of the tracks causes the Malvici to stall in a brief study. Tense, highly alert to the unsettling consideration of what made the tracks, Fiora loops back around to discuss. Her paranoia mounted, she pulls her bow off a shoulder and notches an arrow, careful of where she moves and leaves marks. It is only brief when overhearing Merek and the comment. That is more than enough cause to respond. She steadies her arm, focusing intently on the target, and releases the string. The arrow, without any markings, cuts through the sky on a course after the raven.

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 2 lower.

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 30 lower.

The raven is starting to soar away, seemingly in danger of escaping from the party. Alexis studies the tracks and is able to gage that they are fairly recently. They are likely not far away from this party. They could probably reach them quickly. A little more travel and this party will have to worry about being sneaky and the like. The tracks are heading toward the northeast.

Fiora and Merek both shoot at the raven and Fiora just barely misses! The raven croaks at them and goes flying off, this cannot be good.

Merek looks over to the others for a moment, listening to their tales. He is perceptive about things such as this, even if he's never seen an animal used as a scout, he seems to just have this weariness. He lifts up his bow and nocks an arrow which he lets loose, but shoots wide. He is not the best aim, but he tried at least. "Well, your call," he tells Thesarin, frowning a bit at the way the command was given before, "We should probably make haste, at least the enemy knows we're onto them now. And we know there are cultists around likely."

Merek says, "And manbearcat."

"Tracks going Northeast. We're almost upon them - if we hurry. I don't know if we can outrun a raven, though. And if we hurry too much we might alert them, anyway." She notes. Biting her lip, looking up at the disappearing raven. "But in my opinion, we better find out what exactly this mess is."

Caw...caw...caw. The Raven is faintly heard as the being soars off. Maybe they are being mocked? Then the avian is silent, too far away to be heard most likely.

Fiora immediately notches another arrow hastily and pulls her bow taunt while tracking the flight of the raven. The sharp point of the arrow head bobs while her blue eyes squint icily, the disappointment of the failed shot flattening her frown. She moves to fire but tchs bitterly at herself and stands down from the attempt: the raven has flown too far away for any arrow to do justice. Over her shoulder, she peers off at the assembled and back to the woods.

Thesarin makes a rumbling noise in his throat as he watches the bird flap away, curling his lips away from his teeth. He shakes his head slowly. "Could be nothing." He looks to Esoka. "Or they could have us." He looks over the others with a frown, taking a moment to take them in, and gives another nod. "We move fast. Northeast. Keep close to the group." He glances down at the slime on the ground, and points it out with his spear. "Don't touch that. Keep an eye out for more as we go."

Isabetta attempts to discern something from the tracks, looking up at the twang of bowstrings, but seems to deflate a little at the missed shots. From the tracks back to the raven her eyes travel with unease visible in them. Slowly, silently she straightens with a hand on her sword hilt. A silent not of acknowledgement is given to Thesarin while she moves in tighter formation with the group.

"Well at least these are never boring trips certainly." Luca quips wryly to Merek after the fellow Lycene's words, mouthing to himself as he starts back towards horse. 'Manbearcat indeed'. As he's passing Fiora he's offering up sympathetically. "Close shot at least. Won't matter. We'll end up cutting down the poor bastards whether they're warned or not." Course they may cut down some of them in turn if they manage to set up an ambush, but they're all moving fast enough hopefully they can overtake them before that.

Luca checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Fiora checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Alexis checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Isabetta checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

Thesarin checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 25, rolling 0 higher.

Merek stands up and then arches his shoulders with a roll. He looks to Luca having noted his weariness a bit before, "Indeed. Sometimes I wish we would just have a boring adventure." He sighs a bit and then watches from beneath his visor, as he moves forward quietly. He whispers something to himself, and shakes his head a bit.

The party is able to travel to the northwest. The path is about about wide enough for two or maybe three. There are trees to either side and people can try to take cover by hiding among them. They are impressively quiet and sneaky, all save Esoka who steps on a branch. Crunch! It might give those they track warning, but it probably won't reveal how big their party is.

They start to hear voices up ahead, growls, grunts and heavy footsteps. There is a clearing int he forest ahead and this where the group is gathered. From the distance one can make out a pen with several oversized black bears that don't seem too healthy or normal. A few shadowy looking big me and something else. There is a man-like creature with greenish covered in a slimy moss. One might need to get closer for more details, but he doesn't look human. His facial features are almost demonic. They are glancing back as if alerted to the party's presence. The raven is on that demon's shoulder, cawing away. "Ah, they are coming, new slaves, maybe info on the daughters, daughters."

Merek checked intellect + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 7 higher.

Merek checked willpower at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Reese before departing.

Esoka creeps along as quietly as she can...and then, an errant branch. She freezes in place, shaking her head hastily at the others. She will just stand //very still// and call as little attention to the rest of them as possible. Her hand does move to her sword, though. In case the attention on //her// comes swiftly.

Alexis wields The Dragon's Daughter, an Alaricite Greatsword.

Thesarin stops at the sound, and starts to silently motion the others to positions. Archers to cover; Esoka, and Isabetta to the flanks; Thesarin, Alexis, and Luca at the center.

Isabetta wields a plain sword of excellent make.

Alexis checked intellect + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 17 lower.

When the men come upon the contingent, Merek looks for a moment but despite all the weird folk, he then notices what looks like it might be a demon. "That's... Not possible, it's a REAL one, it can't be, bound on our mortal Arvum?" He reaches for his blade, his voice quiet as he speaks, but his gaze shifting to feral. He then looks to Thesarin and the others, "Let me take the demon, while you all take the others, I ask this of you." His voice is quiet, but there is something in him that seems to be pulling him towards the battle, as if he is just awaiting Thesarin's word to unleash FURY.

Isabetta checked intellect + occult at difficulty 30, rolling 14 lower.

Esoka wields River's Heart.

Merek wields Diamond Nightsong.

"If the mission was cutting down through the forest, it wouldn't matter." Fiora says in to regards to a fellow Lycene, her head lowering to Lucas. "Advantage point to them." A faint grumble and she sets off ahead to have care with her footsteps and become one with the forest: blending and silent.

Isabetta looks over at Thesarin for orders and does not have to wait long. She takes up her sword grimly and moves into position, looking rather nervous. She still doesn't say anything, just gets herself into something of a ready stance with a somewhat lowered stance.

"Come here puny mortals of compact!" The demon or demon like being cries out. "Come and become his slave, let me about the daughters, daughters...any daughters?"

Alexis grasps hold of her sword with both hands, glancing to Merek. "I'll give you first crack. But if it drops you, I'll come to save you," She notes. Then twirls her blade. Cracking her neck. Exhaling. Waiting for Thesarin's signal, for now.

Thesarin licks at his lips, before responding to Merek in a throaty whisper. "If they have archers, they're your first target. Don't need arrows raining on us while we work. Then the..." He crouches further behind the trees as the creature starts to shout. "No fucking talking!" He waits for it to come closer, waiting for the things to move in between the pincers of the group. Waiting for the moment.

Esoka moves off with Isabetta, following Thesarin's orders without question. There is a moment when a shudder runs through her as the creature cries out. As if all her muscles are tensing. Deep breath, as if trying to center herself, and her grip tightens on her blade.

Whilst moving to the position he was directed, surprisingly silently, Luca froze on sight of the slime-covered being and grimaced as if he'd bitten into a bad apple. Then with Merek's words and Luca, still keeping hidden as he may with the group already alerted, is offering back in a low, insistent hiss. "Treat it like any other tainted, Mer. Take its lackeys and we'll surround and cut it down all together. No reason to play the hero and rush it outright unless it joins the fray or starts tossing about magic." Isn't Luca usually the first one to be rushing into the heroics headlong to draw attacks off others? Well, yeah, but apparently the creature's got even him a bit more cautious. And then Thesarin's hiss about talking comes and a furrow-browed look cast the leader's way, but Luca shuts up and waits for the signal to attack.

Merek seems to be even more upset when the creature speaks. While others seem to be thoughtful about this challenge, he looks like all he wants to do is make a path through them all. His blade has a black sheen upon it, the diamondplate reflective, and the hilt is like liquid molten gold made with rubicund. He then looks to Alexis, and back to the man Thesarin and also to Luca. He waits for the order for now, in any case. Calmed a bit.

The demon growls and makes all these angry noises. "Come here!" He says and stomps, sounding sort of like a monster and sort of like a princess of Compact. The large men start to gather around him. There seem to be about four of them. He releases the bears from the pen. "Get puny mortals!" He says toward the bears. Six oversized bears with these sickly yellow eyes start to lumber closer, they are growling and rawring.

Merek has joined the line.

Isabetta has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Luca has joined the line.

Fiora has joined the line.

Thesarin has joined the line.

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

Thesarin waches the bears another second, heart pounding in his ears, and then pulls his lips back to show his teeth in what could be a smile, a grimace, or a rictus. "GO! GO! FUCKING GO!"

Merek checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 9 higher.

Esoka has joined the line.

It is now Isabetta's turn to speak.

Merek reaches to take his crossbow from his back and shift it forward, before he takes a shot and a rubicund bolt strikes the bear. It seems to actually hurt it well enough, though it is still standing. Otherwise, great start to the fight all the same. Then he shifts it onto his back. Not using that for more than a first shot.

Isabetta is in a ready stance, but she doesn't move. Sure she could rush in, with her leather armor, be a hero. She's apparently not prone to heroics. She could hurl her sword, which would be just stupid, she doesn't do that either. She waits for a moment when it would be less stupid to act.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 23 higher.

It is now Luca's turn to speak.

Alexis shoots a grin over at Esoka. "Let's make 'em rue this day," She offers to the woman. Then takes two steps forward, and lets out a sharp whistle. "Hey, goober-face. I've got a daughter to tell you about!" She hefts her sword, sweeping it back to ready it for an underhand swing. Then she draws a deep breath, and lets out a high-pitched squeal of a battle cry as she rushes forward. It's not the most intimidating sound in the world, admittedly. The sweep of that gigantic Alaricite sword, however, cleaving the head from the neck of the bear Merek injured? That might have some intimidation factor.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 25 higher.

It is now Fiora's turn to speak.

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 64 higher.

It is now Thesarin's turn to speak.

Didn't Luca just tell Merek not to rush forward for heroics? Yeah, but that was the demonic thing itself, not the bears! Maybe it was all just to get the glory himself! But as he's rushing forward, he's laughing as Alexis rushes even faster past and so as she's spraying tainted bear blood of the injured one, the lazy CHampion's spinning past and driving towards the other two, his dark cloak flaring like demon wings and his twin viper-pommeled blades ripped free, one in steel, one in gleaming mirror alaericite. It's the latter that's used to cut across the throat of one of the great beasts, igniting the black blood with dark fire and smoke pouring off the blade, an ugly wound that sets the beast roaring in rage, but doesn't drop it yet.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 28 higher.

TO THE EYES! Blind the beast and watch them tumble and fall. Fiora has learned this lesson and her intent becomes clear when making the shot. She side steps to take advantage of the foliage to divide herself between those bears. Quick in firing, she unleashes a silent fury and moves to swiftly blind another.

Thesarin is up and running, beside Luca and Alexis, shueld held high with the spear over the top. He screams as he runs, not the usual low growl; a high, eerie, undulating wail, a shav'arvani war scream to strike fear into men's hearts. He hears his blood pounding in his ears as he drives the head of his spear into one of the bears' flesh, twisting viciously as he pulls it out.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 38 higher.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 34 higher.

Esoka's eyes lock on that demon man. That shudder going through her again. This time, it's one of anticipation. But there are bears to fight, and she launches herself at the one nearest to her flank. Sword swinging to meet the creature.

Esoka checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 5 higher.

Thesarin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 31 higher.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 11 lower.

Alexis takes minor damage.

Two of the abyss bears are taken out and four remain standing. Esoka, Luca, Merek, Luca and Thesarin are in melee range with the bears. These creatures attack and they sure are fierce, but this party is quite highly trained and able to dodge the attacks for the most part. Alexis take a brutal hit from one of the bears claws, but her armor soaks much of the damage. Still she felt that through the steel and likely has a fractured rib from the pure force.

Isabetta has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Thesarin has joined the line.

Fiora has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

Esoka has joined the line.

The demon watches this all. "They are killing the bears. Get them! Get info!" He says toward the for large shadowy men. Now the demon and the men are starting to head this way. Stomp. Stomp!

It is now Isabetta's turn to speak.

Isabetta checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 21 higher.

Isabetta doesn't move even as the formation breaks and some of the others gallantly charge in. Isabetta is not Gallant, she is not really a hero. She is, perhaps a touch distracted. When the bears are close enough she moves in, trying to do a simple low stab with her shortsword before backing out again. The blade sinks in, but the bear doesn't go down and she -really- looks worried about that fact.

It is now Thesarin's turn to speak.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 70 higher.

It is now Fiora's turn to speak.

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 20, rolling 28 higher.

Alexis grunts, her charge stopped when the bear claws at her - thankfully, she quickly regains her momentum, and brings her alaricite sword - with smoking. abyss-tainted blood hissing into steam from it's surface - brought down in an overhead blow and a grunt as she stabs at the neck of the bear - conveniently the one Isabetta just went for, no doubt. Giving a nod of thanks to the Lycene, before letting out a huff, yelling at the demon in the back "Hey! I thought you wanted to hear about the Daughter. Come get!"

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

Thesarin starts to scramble backward as the bears move closer, and he continues to stab above his shield at the attacking animals. He drives a spear into a second animal that's coming toward him, breathing heavily.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 12 higher.

It is now Esoka's turn to speak.

Another bear crashes into a tree, fallen by an arrow to the eye, and it ceases to exist. Fiora calmly tugs another arrow from her quiver and sets it to the string, slipping in closer to provide cover for the rest of the party what appears to be an attempt to fire warning shots at the advancing shadow men.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 53 higher.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 17 higher.

"is it just me, or is this one sort of fucking petulant for a demon?" Luca can't help himself, he had to call it out, and loud enough for the slimey bastard to overhear. He's about to take a swing at the bear he cut into, but then he's catching sight of Merek and growling out, Lenosian accent thickening in frustration. "For fuck's sake, Mer!" With that irritation though, the Champion's rushing right along after the fellow Lycene, saying over shoulder. "Got his back!" After which, he's rushing straight at the four shadowy uglies, calling out. "Hey guys! Let's dance! Let the crazy man have his fun, eh?!" Whether he means himself or Merek isn't clear, both are equally nutty right now. One going for the demon, the other taking on four minions at once.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 50, rolling 30 lower.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 3 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 6 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 8 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 19 higher.

Merek looks at the bears that are fighting the people, and then he nods a bit, "He is going to come into range for you all in a moment," he states. He then lifts up his blade which glimmers, and his mirror shield with the sigil of the hammer and wings on it. "YOU! DEMON! Reveal to me your name, test your might upon my blade. And show me the reasons you serve your master," he then charges forward with a battle cry, and he comes around with a leap then slides the diamondplate into the demon, more than like to cause a sizzle and shift, as he spins around on his hip.
"You and me then now, show me your master's wishes to reform our world. Show us why you believe us unworthy to stand apart the Reflection you so desire. Now in this Dream, let it forth, you face the SEER! SERVANT OF JAYUS. COME AND TASTE YOUR BONDS TO THIS WORLD BREAK, SING NIGHTSOOOOOOONG!"

Esoka cuts down the wounded bear with another pair of quick slices. One to its guts, and another across the throat to end it. Her eyes flit to Thesarin across the battlefield. Then, to the demon, and her eyes practically shine in the forest light. There's a viscious sort of grace to her movements. She's usually a blocky, utilitarian sort of fighter, but she seems to have been graced with a second wind for this little fight.

Luca has joined the line.

Esoka has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Alexis has rolled a critical success!
Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 4 higher.

Thesarin checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 13 lower.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 30, rolling 18 higher.

Merek takes serious damage.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 35 higher.

Thesarin takes moderate damage.

The two remaining bears attack Thesarin and Alexis. Alexis is not only able to dodge the attack, but she manages to counter attack, taking out the bear. The second one charges at Thesarin, digging claws through a chink in his armor.

There is only one bear standing now.

Four large shadowy men and demon remain as well. The demon grows at Merek. "Die Mortal, die! Daughter...." He says toward Alexis, likely drawn by her words. He is injured, but not even close to be taken down. He attacks Merek with his claws, digging past armor and giving him a rather serious wound. It looks quite possible that Merek is not going survive this charge. Three of the shadows also attack Merek, seemingly intent on protecting their master, but they miss. Luca charges at and injures one of the shadow who attacks him in return.

Thesarin has joined the line.

Isabetta has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

It is now Luca's turn to speak.

Fiora has joined the line.

Luca has rolled a critical success!
Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 53 higher.

It is now Esoka's turn to speak.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

"Less prattling, more dodging Mer! You're making your footwork teacher sad!" Luca's calling out only after his wince at Merek's brutal hit and realizing the man's still upright, trying to fire him up to fight more defensively. Meanwhile, the Champion prince of Lazy is dodging almost idly aside from the big blow of the shadowy minion he rushed and sliced burning gash along gut of before. One of five attacking him is just pathetic, he needs to get some more heat off of Merek, and so is driving the gleaming alericite of Viper's Soul not at the one he injured, but at one of the other shadowy hulks, calling out. "Hey! Focus here or I'm going to cut you all down from behind! I want a good dance and he took the clearly superior partner already! Give me something to work for here you pathetic dogs!" Even saying that, his whipping mirrored blade is first carving along the arm of the one he attacked, making it drop its weapon, then on the backswing he's almost casually slicing through it's throat, sending its head flying off in a gush of smoking blood. Well, _that_ should get their attention!

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 11 higher.

It is now Thesarin's turn to speak.

Y'know what's not clever? A running charge at someone with a weapon they can set against a charge. Like, say, a very large sword. Alexis doesn't so much sidestep the bear raging against her as she sets her foot to steady the hilt of her blade, and grabs onto the sword-catching prongs with gauntleted hands, letting out another yell as the creature crashes into it, speaing itself on the alaricite. It takes her a moment to free her blade, and then she's looking out over the battlefield and the foes left. Looking to Thesarin, who seems to have the bear situation under control, Alexis instead raises her voice again. "This is the Dragon's Daughter! And she will make you RUE THIS DAY!" She cries out - then goes charging against one of the Shadows on Merek's back - stabbing against it and using her greatsword almost like a spear, sweeping away to push it aside, and clear the path. Not as impressive as Luca's hit, but maybe her sharp whistle will get their attention.

Esoka //launches// herself across the forest, sword aimed and raised at the demon figure attacking Merek. "Gloria forfend, shall not take us, creature of the Abyss!" Her blade meets the enemy squarely, but doesn't cut particularly deep. With an exhulting sort of breath, she draws it back again for another blow.

Alexis has joined the line.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 20, rolling 24 higher.

It is now Isabetta's turn to speak.

Isabetta checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 6 lower.

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

Thesarin lets out a howl as the bear's claws sink between his armor, and he pushes up, leaving the head of the spear burried in its neck. He lets it fall, and reaches to the sword at his belt, pulling out the heron-headed blade ad breathing raggedly, as he starts to advance, one step after another, toward the fighting.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 14 lower.

It is now Fiora's turn to speak.

Isabetta is still breathing heavily as someone else falls the bear she was fighting for her. So far she hasn't said a word the entire time and she isn't starting now. Just her heavy breathing from the effort of fighting and the nerves also fighting. She doesn't have time to waste though, if they lose she's pretty certain they're all going to be killed, or nearly so, there is simply no time to waste so she moves to the next target. The Shadow creatures.. men? Whatever they are, she holds her sword by the hilt and cross-guard to try and thrust it into the gut of one of the shadows, but her heavy breathing gives her away, or maybe just the natural dodging and weaving of a fight makes her thrust wide.

Merek feels as the claws sink right into the leather armor which he has, and blood starts to pool from it. He then lets out a growl while he takes up his blade and then uses the distraction from Esoka to try and cleave into it. He misses, but still continues to keep its attention from the others. "Come on... I know where the daughters are, their names too! Come on, give it to me! GIVE ME ALL YOU'VE GOT IF YOU THINK YOURSELF WORTHY!" Is he bluffing? Likely. In the hopes to dramatically keep the demon toe to toe.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 31 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 50, rolling 2 lower.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 16 higher.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

Luca checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 40, rolling 14 higher.

Merek takes serious damage.

Fiora moves naturally through the woods to maintain cover and distance. When the bears all fall to their deaths it is a focus turned back toward the shadowed men. She steadies her bow, the arrow tip singling out a foe, and after a swift study of exposed regions, she aims to the neck. The arrow slices through the wind on a direct trajectory and penetrates precisely as intended: hitting both flesh and nerves. Pleased, she darts back around to quickly notch and launch more arrows to take down those who hunt them.

Fiora has joined the line.

Merek has joined the line.

Esoka has joined the line.

Alexis has joined the line.

Isabetta has joined the line.

Luca has joined the line.

The bears have all been taken down. Thesarin being the mature commander he is, made sure to take out the last one before charging forward. Considering the strength of these foes the party is doing quite well. Alexis, Luca, Isabetta and Thesarin fight the shadows. Fiora rains down arrows from afar, managing to hit and without hitting those in her party. She is good. Luca tries to lure the shadows to attack him and it works, but the champion is quite nimble and they never hit. Merek and Esoka are fighting the demon and they both injured the abysmal monster. Merek tries to lure the demon and it works, the creature attacks him, digging into his chest. Merek is critically injured and bleeding all over the place. He might not survive another hit.

It is now Fiora's turn to speak.

Thesarin has joined the line.

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 40, rolling 41 higher.

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 60, rolling 6 higher.

What was that bird call Thesarin requested? It is the danger one which Fiora whistles before her arrow whizzes straight past the commander to lodge right in the jugular of the shadow. The spray of blood which follows the descending collapse of the tall and imposing figure is only an off-set to kill. And back at it does the Malvici go, aiming and shooting to keep the enemy off the forward party.

It is now Esoka's turn to speak.

Esoka checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 38 higher.

Esoka's head //whips// around at Merek when he mentions the daughters. But it just as promptly fixes back on the demon. Who sort of consumes one's full attention. For her part, she stays silent. When Merek is //clawed//, she tries to position herself between him and the demon. And occupy all of its attention, sword singing through the air as the diamondplate edge cuts toward the thing. That driving strength and speed that seemed to fill her is with her still, and she attempts to make it stagger back, her blade piercing its flesh again.

It is now Alexis's turn to speak.

Merek lifts up his blade and then looks to the demon, even as he feels the claws strike into him once more which knocks him off his feet a bit. He then pushes up with his blade. He lets out a loud sound. As blood pours forth from his wounds, he shouts down to the demon, as if looking down on the creature. "WE ARE MEN! THE BLESSED FREE CHOSEN! HAIL TO THE GODS!" he screams, as he launches with a leap, blood rolling down his blade, his and also the demon's, his wounds seeming to have pretty much opened him up. He then shoves his blade into the demon, as far as he can, to the hilt. "KEEP ON STRIKING IT, FINISH IT! FINISH HIM NOW!" He looks to Esoka and then to Luca, "Do not worry about me, use this advantange!" he coughs up with some of his blood.

It is now Isabetta's turn to speak.

Alexis checked dexterity + huge wpn at difficulty 50, rolling 19 higher.

Isabetta checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 0 higher.

It is now Luca's turn to speak.

Luca checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 10 higher.

It is now Thesarin's turn to speak.

Merek has joined the line.

Alexis sees a fellow member of her order spitting blood, hears Esoka, hears Merek. And so she turns away from the shadows (they got this, right?), instead raising her sword over her head with both hands. "This is the Dragon's Daugther!" She declares "And you'll have to go through -me- before you get to touch -anyone else- here today!" And with that, she charges at the massive creature, rushing, sword piercing it's shoulder, missing the heart but she's pinning it to a solid tree, holding on for dear life, and keeping it in place, howling in fury.

Isabetta is fortunate that other people are the focus of the reprisals from the shadows, because that last attempt was pretty bad. When no counter comes, she weaves around and tries to make another thrust, really throwing herself into it, her sword getting stuck and by some miracle the thing goes down. . . Right on top of Isabetta. She grunts in surprise and for a moment is just struggling under a body trying to get free from it. She doesn't say anything coherent, but she does make several colorful grunts that sound a mix between curses and panicky shrieks.

Thesarin checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 40, rolling 19 higher.

Thesarin wields Talon.

It is now Merek's turn to speak.

"Use your own bloody advantage and dodge better you git!" Luca growls out to Merek with a worried frustration sort of air, even as he's oh so casually dancing amongst three different lines of attacking shadows, ending up actually jumping and spinning past one blade that cuts a chunk off his cloak. He's doing his part though, keeping attention of the shadows he's seemingly playing with, whipping his mirrored Viper's Soul out again at the remaining shadow as he crows out "Well don...ooops!" to Isabetta's killing one but getting squashed by it. Another burning spray of blood and dark smoke whipping off the alaericite sabre and he's spinning past, calling out to the rest of the group. "Almost down. Someone facestab the slimey bastard and let's be about this!"

the shav'arvani warrior steps forward purposefully, blood dripping from his left arm, toward the last injured shadow. While Luca goes on, Thesarin brings down the sword on the thing's head, as hard and solid as a thunderclap, and he keeps on forward, whispering something to himself in his native tongue.

Alexis checked dexterity + dodge at difficulty 50, rolling 28 lower.

Alexis takes serious damage.

All the shadowy men are dead. Isabetta seems to be pinned beneath the one she took down, but she looks alright. Luca and Thesarin made expert work of the remaining one. The Demon is pinned to a tree and probably easier to hit now. This hasn't stopped its long and flexible demon arms from reaching for Alexis. His claws find a break in her armor, tearing into her side and inflicting a painful and serious wound. She is then lifted up and sent flying! Esoka and Merek are both near the demon and they both have taken blows against the monster. Only one will have the final blow, but killing this monster was certainly a team effort. Merek looks severely injured. He won't be walking home most likely. Thanks to Alexis, he will likely live though.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 30, rolling 12 higher.

Now that Alexis has taken a blow and it seems that saved him from being hurt much worse. Merek then takes up his diamondplate blade and then uses the advantage to let out a loud shout, as he drives his diamondplate into the demon through the center as the weapon sizzles upon the contact. He's not finished though. He leans in and then lifts up his free hand, slamming the claws of his gauntlet into the demon's neck afterwards, "You will not have them... These lands will not... Become a reflection like your masters so want... But in some ways, I feel for you. They used you, was the circumstance worth it all? Perhaps in another place, in another time, redeem your actions. Until then..." He lifts up his head and lets out a loud sound as he smashes his helmet into the demons face in a shatter of gore that splatters him, mixing their blood, dripping between them.
"Requiescat in pace," he then slides the blade upwards and draws it back, letting the demon have his words, whatever they might be if any. Nothing but pity in the man's gaze, perhaps not adoring this action he had to do, but something that must have been done. A great relief, and a burden lifted, one no one might know then perhaps for the time being. But to him means the world. He then falls backward, his battle finished, sword in hand, as he looks up into the canopy and skies, next to fallen foe, a worthy opponent even.

"You are bleeding a great deal!" Esoka yells back at Merek, a little incredulously, when he says not to worry about him. All that blood is of concern to her. There's a grimace when Alexis throws herself in the creature's way, and she rushes to the Valardin woman's side as Merek finishes the work of cutting down the hindered demon. "Dame Alexis!" She's no healer, but she kneels and tries to support the knight. She's panting as she takes a knee on the forest floor, that rush of adrenaline seeming to drain from her as the demon and the last of his shadow men die.

Luca casts an eyeroll over to the bleeding Merek, snorting a bit for the words, then moves to go help roll the shadowy figure off of Isa, grinning down to her and offering a hand up if she'll take it. Even doing so, he's calling out. "Well, I suppose this constitutes a successful scouting trip, eh?"

Alexis had, perhaps, some retort on her lips. Instead, she lets out a growl, but then there's that follow up punch, and she goes flying, sword wrenched from the demon's shoulder socket, unbalancing it as there's a slightly metallic clunk when the tiny knight hits the ground once, twice, thrice, and then skids to a stop. She hoists herself up on one elbow, and spits out some blood, glaring at the demon as Merek charges in. "I can do this ALL DAY!" She yells, staggering to her feet. Raising her sword, only to lower it again, as she realises Merek has ended the battle. So she stabs, at the ground, and leans on her sword, spitting out another spray of crimson. "Told you he'd rue the day..." She mutters. Then pats her sword.

Thesarin drops to a knee, and exhales a long breath, grasping at his arm as he looks around the others. "Is anyone a healer?" He looks over the others, and gives a bit of a smile to Alexis. It's a rare thing for him. "Fight in you. Be calm now." He shakes his head, and starts to stand straight.

Luca is Isabetta's hero. Words can not explain the relief to have that thing off of her and she absolutely takes the hand and gets to her feet. She's not hurt, just really really dirty and unhappy about that, but never the less, hastily yanks the sword free. It makes a gross squelch sound. She gags a little at that. "The... There was more of them." Isabetta says, "Ahh, wolves and men, warped, I.. I saw tracks. Don't know how long ago, but there was definitely lots through here." Why is she saying that? As she lowers her mask and looks a little horrified the answer might be clear. She does -not- want to encounter them right now.

"Well, good reason to be off then I suppose." Luca's offering to Isabetta's worry after she's up, moving towards the pinned demonic being and pointing to it with the gleaming Viper's Soul. "You want the head Mer? Or mind if I take it? Know some people who'll want to take a look likely. Don't think I've seen this particular sort yet or heard of anyone killing one." Sad when one gets almost familiar with the experience of facing new and more warped demonic things to bring back pieces of for study.

Merek checked stamina + survival at difficulty 20, rolling 1 higher.

"Yeah. We're - uh. Scouting party." Alexis slowly calms down, giving a little nod to Thesarin. "Right, boss?" She winces, studying her blood-stained surcoat. "I really need to get a new one," She murmurs. Shaking her head. "What - um. Do we know anything about numbers or where they're headed?" She asks, quitely, of the people ransacking the camp.

Merek looks like he is on the verge of conscious, with all the blood that seems to be pooling about. "You can take it to be... Studied, for the cause," he offers, with a sigh. "I have the answer I came to seek." He then shakes his head a bit. "I'm gonna need... Some gauze, and someone to lean on, but I think I can... Make it back to camp... With help." He then admits, "Sorry I didn't dodge as well as I could," he teases Luca.

Fiora breaks from the trees and brush, carrying a few of her arrows, slick in red from the recent kills. She plants a foot on another bear and pulls out another arrow, collecting them as she goes to study the surroundings, tracks, and any signs of correspondences or notes about other camps nearby.

Esoka takes a long look around at her various wounded companions, pushing herself back to her feet with a grunt. Her leathers are bloody, but none of it looks like her own. She came through the battle itself without a scratch, though she looks exhausted from the intensity of it. Her eyes seek Thesarin, and she gives him a long look-over. "We should not linger here long. Though those of us who are not injured can make a quick search of this immediate area before departing back to camp. This thing may have left something of the Horned God's behind."

Isabetta shakes her head hastily and says, hesitant and rather uneasy, "Sorry, I didn't see.. anything, that seemed to indicate where they went or hold long ago they were here, but, the tracks looked to me like lots have come there here.. I guess we covered them in the fight." She hangs her head a bit, her hair falling over her eyes and absently she cleans her sword before tucking it away.

"Fiora." Thesarin's speaking more freely than he had been, and giving her a nod. He moves back to a dead bear, and starts to pull his hunting spear fro its neck. "We need to make ready to move, get the injured back to camp. When we return, make sure we are't running into anything. Isabetta, watch our drag on the way back. The rest, if you can walk, help soneone who can't." He nods, and flexes at his arm, and nods to Esoka. "Do a sweep, and start back."

Fiora checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 50, rolling 2 lower.

"You should be! You're gonna bleed all over us on the way back!" Luca's quipping right back at Merek, taking the injuries a bit too lightly perhaps, but then Luca's been known to go into grand melees pretty much nude and come out bleeding about as much, so he's got a strange relationship to wounds. In either case, he's moving to cut free the head of the demonic being in a smooth slice, then sweeping off his damaged cloak and wrapping the head in the cloth, careful not to touch it or any of its slime. With his gruesome, disgusting sample dangling, he'll make his way to help Merek back to the horses as needed, and off along with the rest of the party.

Merek stands up with assistance from Luca, and he also takes a moment to find some gauze in his belt, which he uses to tie off his wounds enough that he can make it to camp to see a healer. This will be a slow recovery.

Esoka nods short to Thesarin and proceeds to do a sweep of the area. She's quick about it, though. She does not want to stick around for more of these things, with the party in this condition. She'll take a rear guard as they head back.

Isabetta nods silently, replacing her mask and falling back to cover the rear, she has a bit of a haunted look in her eyes as she does so.

Alexis helps search for tracks once she regains some of her senses - but it's to have information to give once they get back, not to find further foes to fight. And she, too, moves perhaps a little slower, giving nods of gratitude to Isabetta and Fiora as well, as she follows Luca and Merek. "I think that counts as a trial of Gloria, don't you?" She suggests to Esoka, giving a nod towards merek.

"Call it what you like. We're breathing." Thesarin gives Alexis another toothy grin, through his (relatively mild) pain. "We fought, and we're alive. I call it winning."

"It is for you to say," Esoka replies to Alexis, though there's no argument from her. She locates a few odds and ends that seem worth pocketing. Smarter people than her will use them to identify this creature as a true demon once they're examined.