View source for The Craige Strike - RPLOG

=Participants=
* [[Angus]]
* [[Cassidy]]
* [[Fenris]]
* [[Llewellyn]]
* [[Markus]]
* [[Natska]]
* [[Rev]]
* [[Rokarion]]
* [[Serana]]
=Date=
13/3/478
=Log=
<div></div><br> <br>It is a hot and clear day on the slopes of the mountain. There is a full military contingent arrayed in formation looking down the slope toward a small, farming settlement swarming with the strange lizard creatures that so recently surfaced. There is no sign of any of the villagers, but a tall fox in a captain&#39;s uniform is looking down over the ridge, waiting for the volunteers he called for.<br> <br>Cassidy adjusts her hat as she draws closer, taking a deep breath. It&#39;d been a while since she actually faced open combat! This would be interesting. She&#39;d have to take precautions to stay safe, certainly, already conjuring up her fiery embers to swarm around her like a defense shell. &quot;Hello there.&quot;<br> <br>Markus was starting to overheat in this heavy armor, but he soldiered on. He climbs the ridge, stepping up to the captain. &quot;Alright. I&#39;m here.&quot; He says, removing his helm to wipe at his brow.<br> <br>Rokarion has just returned from Cliffside, not like that anyone might have noticed really. Training in Creator&#39;s technology and language, visiting ancient ruins it was indeed quite the lovely trip this time around. With a yawn, the heavy-cloak clad plant reaches the camp, not enough time to rest but it does not matter. Looking around, the youthful jasmine heads towards the fox, noticing his officer regalia. <br> <br>Rev lifts his armored left hand to shield his eyes from the sun. The large armored wolf climbs up to the ridge, and arrives at camp not long after Rokarion. His right hand tightening around his spear. Which he has been using as a walking stick.While his claymore remains securely strapped to his back. After briefly looking about he heads straight to where everyone else appesrs to be gathering.<br> <br>The creak and clatter of metal plate (and a long chain coif for his neck, of course) announces the arrival of the brave little Giraffe, Llewellyn. He seems nearly enthusiastic about this call to battle, offering something of a cheery wave to Cassidy--even if she had broken his heart by showing no interest in him. The smile flickers a little bit seeing the other odds and ends gathered--a conscript in pinged armor? An effeminate flower--who is, of course, taller than him? Hmph. Well, it looks they&#39;d need someone stalwart as him.
&quot;Alright, fellas. I&#39;ll do my best to keep you all safe, but if you act a fool, I ain&#39;t sacrificing my ass to save yours!&quot; he calls to nobody in particular, a smug grin on his face.<br> <br>Angus rests his hand on the guard of his Saber as he arrives, his golem Mister curled around his shoulders as it regards the scene. It had been to long since he had even thought of combat, feeling like he was starting to loose his edge before the call came out, and he lept for the chance. &quot;Good Afternoon.&quot; He mutters, nearly smiling as he hears Llewellyn speak up. &quot;I will keep that in mind thanks.&quot;<br> <br>Serana hums lightly, the shark flicking his tail with a soft hum. He hasn&#39;t been in a real battle once in his life, but he&#39;s been in enough skirmishes to not show any real nervousness. However, he didn&#39;t know the first thing about battlefield tactics, but, he imagined he could sit back, relax, and shoot everything that moved that wasn&#39;t in firmamentian colors. &quot;Yo.&quot;<br> <br>A downright -cold- gust of wind scythes through the hot, arid afternoon as Natska lands in the camp at Cassidy&#39;s side. She flashes her wife a quick smile, then settles her black domino mask in place as she looks over the rest of the group. &quot;Excellent,&quot; she decides, then nods to the officer, her ears perking.<br> <br>The captain turns from the view of the overrun town to his gathered volunteers. &quot;Good,&quot; he says, &quot;you are here. As you can see, things are rather dire here.&quot; He waves a hand at the draconian soldiers swarming through the little town. &quot;Things are rather worse than we thought they were,&quot; he says, turning away from the group to look down over the chaos, &quot;They came up through the ground at dawn. There was a sudden crack in the middle of town and those things swarmed up like roaches. Only three beings managed to escape. The beasts don&#39;t seem interested in moving yet, or they would already be in Firmament. They are up to something. We think that there are survivors down there.&quot; The fox looks to the group around him. &quot;Your task is to go down there and find out what they are up to,&quot; he says, &quot;Find any survivors and destroy as many of those monsters as you can. Are there any questions?&quot;<br> <br>Cassidy offers a return wave to Llewellyn, accompanied with an unseen smile before she nods at Angus. &quot;Hmmm. Seems straight forward. I&#39;m surprised they didn&#39;t just move on after taking the town. I never took them for the type to hold taken land. But we&#39;ll find any survivors.&quot;<br> <br>Markus looks down at the draconic soldiers, and puts his helmet on, looking over those assembled. &quot;Seems like quite the motley crew...&quot; He says, drawing a sword and putting it over his shoulder. &quot;Who will lead the charge?<br> <br>Angus gives the captain a nod, turning his gaze over to the town as the cold gust of wind sweeps past him. &quot;Lets hope this isn&#39;t just a forward reconissance party for something larger.&quot; The prospect of them holding land was a disturbing one, they had never been focused on territory whenever he had seen him, what had changed now. His tail swishes a bit as he folds his arms over his chest, turning the gesture into an excuse to meddle with a few parts of the Golem Grasper over his right forearm as he thinks.<br> <br>Rev scratches at his chin with one of the clawed tips of his gauntlet. &quot;So the job is save the villiagers, and kill anything that get&#39;s in the way. Seems simple enough. Sooo no questions on my part.&quot; He says as he nods to the captain. <br> <br>Llewellyn pulls his long face into a grim line of determination, though it&#39;s not hard to hear the enthusiasm in his voice. &quot;How&#39;s this. You, and you,&quot; he indicates, having not learned any newcomers&#39; names, &quot;you&#39;re armored? Flank me. Everyone else behind. Spellcasters&quot; (he spits out with a bit of disgust) &quot;and archers, back row. Everyone else, be ready to grab and escort survivors.&quot; The Giraffe barks his orders so sternly, it&#39;s hard to believe that he&#39;s never actually led a charge...<br> <br>Natska gives her head a small shake. &quot;Either there is something they want there, or they came up because they had to. We&#39;ll have to refrain from just wiping them out until we have it sorted... Captain, you have earth mages listening for other tunnels too, yes?&quot;<br> <br>Rokarion nods towards the captain as he idly mulls something in his head before eyeing the area underneath, &quot;Well, I guess I have no questions, unless you have some information about what kind of weapons they use and anything about their offensive and defensive capabilities.&quot; He answers, a layer of stone already forming around him as he finishes the mental equation.  <br> <br>Natska gives Llewellyn a faint frown. &quot;I hope you can move quietly. We should infiltrate first, secure any survivors, and determine what they are doing before we assault.&quot;<br> <br>The Solacious Captain nods to Natska. &quot;Yes, we have a team of Earthshakers watching the tunnel. But it is difficult to distinguish their tunneling from the natural fissures of Firebough. They seem to have a bit of magic of their own,&quot; he explains, then looks to Rokarion as he summons up his earthen armor, &quot;You know as much as I do. This is the first we have ever seen these creatures on this side of the mountain.&quot; He waves and the horde of bipedal monsters. &quot;They are part being, and part elemental,&quot; he says, &quot;And they seem to come in several shapes and sizes. So far, all we have seen are the little being sized ones, but that is not to say that they are the only things down there. I wish you luck,&quot; he says, snapping a sharp salute, &quot;I must prepare my troops. If you can escape with the prisoners, or if there are no prisoners, then signal us and my men will attack.&quot;<br> <br>Markus looks down at the draconic warriors, scratching his chin. He walks over to Angus and then peers down at the masses below. &quot;What do you think of this situation, sir?&quot;<br> <br>Llewellyn brings a gauntleted hand to his helmet with a clank. &quot;I&#39;m in full plate. Nobody moves quietly in full plate,&quot; he huffs to Natska. &quot;But they&#39;re destroying the town, and you want to take more time and leave the survivors at risk for longer?&quot;
After thinking for a moment, he gives a short hmph. &quot;It seems they&#39;re not taking hostages, so it&#39;s not about keeping them alive as a bargaining chip. Armor draws attention, and you can search for survivors. How&#39;s that?&quot; he asks impatiently, hot to trot into combat--for honor and glory!<br> <br>Angus shrugs his shoulders as he draws his Saber, mister stirring from his silent slumber on the foxes shoulders to jump to the ground. &quot;A head on assault will accomplish nothing. These creatures do not fight like you or I, and they do not know the meaning of retreat from what I have seen. If you ask my opinion if you want to charge them go ahead, but our mages and those efficent in firearms should circle around and provide support while searching for survivors.&quot; He taps the tip of his saber as he waits silently, ready to spring when they finally get moving.<br> <br>Cassidy frowns at Llewellyn, shaking her head. &quot;We should move together. Or at least, no one by themselves. We don&#39;t want any casualties today, Llewellyn. What would I tell Kalt if you were to be injured or worse, hm?&quot; She adjusts her hat and flexes her fingers. &quot;But we&#39;ll make it out of here today.&quot;<br> <br>Rokarion gives the captain a nod of understanding before moving closer to the group hands taking out a small notebook and a pen as they part their clock to the side, no sense in making obstructions during combat after all. Rokarion glances the loud, tiny giraffe before looking back at the village, waiting for when the group decides to move. <br> <br>Markus nods. &quot;Ok. So we need to make a decision.... Some kind of pincer maneuver?&quot; He says, hefting his sword down to rest on the ground.<br> <br>Rev still thoughtfully scratching his chin moved to look down at their next desrination. &quot;Hmmmmmm at anyrate a distraction would be a good idea no? Draw the attention if the craige  To a more isolated area, and keep them there as long as possible. While a group of us search for survivors.&quot; The wolf muses out loud.&quot;Or do we have a better options?&quot;<br> <br>His work here done, the Captain leaves the volunteers to do their job. 

Below, the reptiles swarming around the town seem to be moving steadily to and from the little town square where they seem to be erecting some sort of structure from materials scavenged and stolen from the buildings of the town. And bits of the town as well. 
From this distance, it is difficult to make out much more than that, but there seems to be no sign of any movement aside from the reptiles in the small gathering of low buildings. And no corpses either. Either the town&#39;s inhabitants have been rounded up or they have been. . . stored.<br> <br>Llewellyn flushes quite badly when Cassidy brings up Kalt. It&#39;s none of your damn business, he&#39;s tempted to say. But Angus catches his wrath instead, as the Giraffe takes umbrage at how he specifically was not mentioned in the Fox&#39;s plans. &quot;And what would you have us do?&quot; he grumps, hitching a thumb at Rev and Markus. &quot;Stand here and play pattycake with each other, and leave it all to the marksmen and mages, and just HOPE that the surviors hold out that long?&quot; he spits.<br> <br>Markus walks over to Llewellyn&#39;s side and puts a armored hand on the little giraffe&#39;s shoulder. &quot;I&#39;m with you.&quot; He says, his sword hefted over his shoulder.<br> <br>Serana was off by himself, watching over the assembled below &quot;So... Does anyone notice them building whatever it is their building down there?&quot; he asks, to the group. Wether or not they heard him, however, was a different story entirely<br> <br>Natska snorts. She reaches out and pats Llewellyn on the head, then starts to move down towards the village. &quot;Just keep up, if you can,&quot; she says. &quot;And try not to draw their attention until after we find the survivors, I&#39;m not carrying your body home.&quot; As she moves another chill breeze springs up around her, although this one is subtle, muting noises that might leave the group as they move. &quot;<br> <br>&quot;If you want to run distraction, that&#39;s fine, I&#39;m just saying don&#39;t try to do it -alone-. No one person will be a distraction for very long.&quot; Cassidy shakes her head and folds her hands behind her back. She sets off with Natska, her own steps falling mute as she strides alongside the jaguar.<br> <br>Angus perks his ears just a bit as he is addressed, turning a firey gaze upon the giraffee as he reigns in his precombat jitters. &quot;I would be more then happy to wade right into the fray and show you that wearing the heaviest plate means nothing if you know what you are doing. I thought Kalt would of taught you that at least.&quot; He huffs a bit, biting back any more remarks. &quot;Let us be quick about it eitherway, the longer we wait the higher chance they have of moving.&quot; He states, already on the move to follow Natska with Mister at his heels.<br> <br>Serana shrugs &quot;Guess they&#39;ll find out soon.&quot; he offers, following after the group already making their way down. Truth be told, he had absolutely no idea what it is he would even do in this situation. He didn&#39;t even know if the things he&#39;d be firing at would die if you shot it enough.&quot;<br> <br>&quot;Your enemy won&#39;t wait long,&quot; a voice suddenly says from off to the side of the group, &quot;His patience wears thin.&quot; The voice is attached to an outlandishly dressed fox that most certainly was not there a moment ago, swaggering along beside them. &quot;Soon, he&#39;ll be strong, and I fear you can&#39;t win,&quot; he says, frowning down at the industrious Craige. &quot;He has them all, both young and old,&quot; he says, &quot;There in his hall, like hoarded gold.&quot; The fox point at the strange structure being built. 
Down below, the Craige seem to be finishing their work, a rough dome taking shape under their hands. They must be using some sort of magic to complete the structure so quickly.<br> <br>Rokarion lets the Sweetwaters argue among themselves with an idle eyeroll, before moving towards the married couple and the fox as they move towards the village, idly writing notes on his notebook meanwhile, while constantly glancing his surroundings.<br> <br>&quot;Then we destroy it,&quot; Cassidy says as she eyes the dome. &quot;Nothing is unkillable. We aren&#39;t leaving the survivors. If they have them, we&#39;ll get rid of them. Of course... Why don&#39;t -you- stop them? I never took you as one for rules,&quot; Cassidy says with a wry grin.<br> <br>Markus leaves Llewellyn&#39;s side and falls into step behind Angus, ready for anything as he listens to the outlandish fox, looking upon the dome. &quot;I think we need to pick up the pace...&quot; Markus says, jogging slightly ahead of the group.<br> <br>Rev blinks as he looks over his shoudler. &quot;Hey don&#39;t just go lumping me in with you.&quot; He says before looking back down, and stares at the monument, or whatever the weird lizards are slapping together happens to be. &quot;Well I think perhaps it would be a good idea to have a group attack their little....Construction site. While the others search for survi....&quot;  The large wolf traiks off when the outlandish fox makes an appearance. &quot;Well we best get a move on then.&quot; He mutters as he stalks off after the departing geoup.<br> <br>Angus flashes the outlandish fox a bit of a grin, not expecting to see one such as him out here! &quot;Then we have our answer, time is a wasting ladies and gentleman!&quot; With that he goes quiet, his attention and focus already turning towards what will soon turn into a battle field as Mister&#39;s eyes flash.<br> <br>Rokarion shifts his gaze idly as he sees the outlandish fox next to the group, the jasmine does not afford the vulpine any comment, but he give him a long studious look, flipping a page on his book and beginning to draw on it. Looks like the young plantlet is not at all bothered with the Criage as of now. <br> <br>Llewellyn boggles for a moment at the nattily-dressed Spirit. Only until his rhymes confirm Llewellyn&#39;s urgency, though. &quot;See? The mysterious stranger says I&#39;m right,  and--,&quot; he pauses,  suddenly noticing they&#39;re already advancing. Bastards!
&quot;Wait!&quot; the Giraffe calls, hastily catching up with the others. &quot;A Legion is only strong united!&quot;  <br> <br>Serana humphs &quot;Then hurry up and get down here then!&quot; the shark responds. The third(?) fox&#39;s words has her a little unsettled, but she proceeds on anyway pistols drawn and a one of her dual cutlass&#39; waiting.<br> <br>&quot;Alas,&quot; the outlandish fox says, keeping pace with the crowd, &quot;By rules I am bound. I&#39;ll come to grief should I be found. I&#39;ll help you as I can, I swear, but the family must not be aware.&quot; He does not start to run as the others pick up the pace, but somehow his swaggering gait allows him to keep up. &quot;Strike hard and fast, oh heroes mine,&quot; he says, &quot;Be strong and firm and hold the line. Be a sword, blade shining bright. I&#39;ll be there when the time is right.&quot; There is a sudden wet tearing sound and the fox is gone, a long, purple feather fluttering in the air where he stood.&quot; 

Meanwhile, the little town&#39;s invaders seem to be vanishing into the strange structure they have made. It does not match the wild miltary stand that the Craige have favored up until now. But the strange dome stands their waiting. One contingent of ten of the being sized Craige stand in the street, apparently aware of the approaching heroes and are waiting for them, but with only a fraction of their force. Something is definitely going on here.<br> <br>The Craige look like large, bipedal reptiles, but instead of scales, their flesh appears to be sculpted from agregate rubble and stone with cracks of fire glowing along their limbs and faces. Each of them sports a long tail with wicked spikes, sharp, shale teeth and clawed limbs. They do not seem to have any armor or clothing, but with hides like that, they probably do not need them. Several of them are armed with wicked looking spears.<br> <br>Rev briefly pauses to pick up the feather. Before hurrying up to follow along with the others. Tucking the feather away within his breast plate. As his longer strides carry him acrosss the distance between the lot of them. &quot;Well what&#39;s our plan?&quot;<br> <br>Cassidy takes in another deep breath as the group approaches, eyeing the force left outside as she prepares for mind for what is soon to come. &quot;Typical spirits. Scared of breaking their silly rules. I will provide support from the back. Make your choice on how to proceed.&quot;<br> <br>Serana hums &quot;Shoot first, ask questions later?&quot; he suggests, flicking his tail some &quot;Good method of dealing with things. Effective, and doesn&#39;t hurt.&quot; he suggests, &quot;Another good thing might be kill anything that doesn&#39;t look normal.&quot;<br> <br>Angus took his time reaching their foes, they already knew that they were here so rushing would do nothing. He tightens his golem glove into a fist as he starts to smile. &quot;I&#39;ve never had a chance to fight one of these things one on one, lets see how they hold up eh?&quot; He comments, flashing the rest of the group a smile as he continues forward.<br> <br>&quot;Well then,&quot; Natska replies as she eyes the Craige in the street. &quot;They are here to slow us down. Don&#39;t let them do that. Crush them quickly, get inside,&quot; she advises, even as she builds up her shielding winds. A flurry of snow quickly turns into a full localized blizzard, although the blowing snow is translucent to Natska&#39;s allies, and the bitter, biting cold merely the suggestion of the memory of the heart of winter to those that have yet to earn her ire.<br> <br>Markus locks his sword in a charging stance and looks to the other two heavily-armored beings. &quot;Shall we?&quot; He asks, still advancing with the group but ready to charge.<br> <br>Rokarion stops as he notices a barrel of water near one of the abandoned houses, the plant being wastes no time as he murmurs some incantations, equation after equation being solved as he attempts to summon a water elemental from all the water in the barrel. <br> <br>It doesn&#39;t take long for Llewellyn to hop on Angus&#39;s case. &quot;Oh, when I say advance,  it&#39;s all &#39;no, we&#39;ll wait them out with our mages,&#39; and now you want to fight them alone?&quot; A snort. &quot;Armor, shield wall!&quot; he calls to Rev and Markus,  raising his scutum and readying a pilum. &quot;Advance in step! One! Two! One!&quot; he calls, trying to form a cadence.<br> <br>Rev moves in ahead of those not heavily armored. Raising his spear in preperation to stab at the first of the enemy to come into his range. As the group proceeds forward. The wolf lutting himself there so that his armored frame would act as a sheild for the mages, and theur gunslingers. While at the same time his body begins to shift into that of a kirin. <br> <br>Before the melee group engages to complicate things, Cassidy conjures up a little storm of her own from the heavens. Except unlike Natska&#39;s cold, it&#39;s one of explosive and burny fire, targeted just above the Craige.<br> <br>Markus steps into line with Llewellyn and Rev, his sword held up. He had no shield but he would try to make use of himself.<br> <br>Serana wasn&#39;t so mathey or as heavily armored, or even experienced as most of everyone else. However, what she was good at was dumping as many bullets as she could possibly lob down range. She would, of course, try to hit something.