Adventurers of the Inquisition: A Dragon Age RP (started)

[StormShaun]

The group made Arthur return to the village, and for the rest of the time, it simply made Von become lost in his thoughts. Until they had already entered the caves, and Von could feel eyes on his back. It was enough to send chills down his spine, nothing with living blood was watching them at this moment, "whose eyes are those eyes?" He whispered. Yet, when the group encountered the drake, this was enough to focus his eyes on the prize. If an unknown watchful eye gave him chills, the full roar of the drake made the Templar's jaw drop in amazement, and it's fire would take hairs off Von's arms.

"Amazing." He simple said, and his weapons were already up in position. Remembering his training and want to aid, Von raised his Templar long sword above his head. "Everyone, in this battle, [footnote]"There is No Darkness" passive ability activated.[/footnote]there is no darkness! His voice bellowed. Those words were been to everyone in the group, allowing them to feel a little less of the drake's heat. Feeling a little more protected, and more faithful to his Maker, Von charged in as Kari was hit aside due to the drake.

Remembering the plan, Von ran on the other side of the drake from which Kari attacked, he could feel the energized air around him, and definitely heard the sound from Ash's last lightning spell. Almost praying that did something, Von focused on his own attack. Running toward the legs.

"Now would be the time to stab it more!"

"Got it!" Von yelled through the battle adrenaline. He ran besides the drake, stabbed it in the front leg, of course a short dagger wound would not exactly be the greatest of hits, but afterwards, Von used his speed and ran quickly towards the back, where he stabbed the longsword at the back leg.

Of course, this was not all, if he did not have the attention of the drake, he would still attack. Using the momentum, the next attack was with his unique dagger, and aiming it like a bee sting, he struck it into the rear of the drake. Of course, the hide of a dragonkin is tough just like the beast itself, and Von wanted to make a lasting impression upon it. Using his ragged breath, Von muttered, "Souchet." The dagger suddenly burst into life with a lightning enchantment.

Knowing he was done with his current attack, Von wanted to back out of the attack zone of the drake. Trying for a last attempt at more damage, the Templar tried to tear downwards, but instead he had caught the brute force of a tail to his chest. This sent Von flying backwards towards Ash, and down hard into the dirt. Already he could tell the bandages on his hand were torn, and he might possibly have a broken rib or two. That's what his now hard breathing told him. "I can still fight!" He muttered in a rough tone.

Looking down, he then noticed that he did not have his dagger on him, it was still stuck into the drake. Looking to Ash, he gave a smirk. "That looks like a great lightning conductor, doesn't it?"

 

[DarkRawen]

"Everyone, in this battle, there is no darkness!"

Ash could feel that Von was doing something, but he didn't know what. It wasn't magic, or at least, the kind he knew, but it had some sort of effect. While he was curious about where the other might have picked that little trick up, he wasn't eager to ask, Ash knew better than to question people about their skills. Besides, it wasn't exactly the time or place to ask questions.

"That looks like a great lightning conductor, doesn't it?"

"It looks like it'll do nicely, yes," Ash said, and smirked as well. He didn't know how much damage his previous attacks have done, but if the dagger had struck through the drake's scales... yes, it did look as if that was the case.

Might as well go all out then. It'll be the only thing I can cast for a couple of minutes.

It wasn't the magic that bothered him, but the fact that using lightning magic made him feel physically tried as well. Even so, he took some time to concentrate, and cast the strongest lightning-spell he knew. The air in the cave feeling static even to him, who was the furthest away. The rest of the group would probably feel their hair stand up as well. For a moment, there was an unspoken anticipation.

And then it hit the dagger, crackling. As he did, he made sure that the others wouldn't get harmed by it. As far as he could make sure of it, at least. Ash could hear his own breath grow heavy, he would need to gather himself, or find a way to use another of his non-blood magic spells.

For now, let's just watch.

The same way they were.

 

[IFS]

Group 1

The Drake lashed out with claws and teeth at the blades biting into its scaly hide, but while its blows could drive back the warriors the lightning Ash blasted at it was not so easily deflected. The dagger in its hide caused the lightning to shoot through the Drake's body, for a moment it's limbs spasmed and it roared in pain. Its writhing tore Nola's wound open wider and yet more dark blood flowed from its neck. The lightning stopped as Ash's mana ran dry and the Drake surged back to it's feet, stumbling from the wounds inflicted to its thighs but still able to move.

It gave a fearsome roar, momentarily stunning it's assailants from the sheer volume of it, and blasted a gout of orange flame at Ash. The templar's ability seemed to ward off some of the intense heat, but not all of it, and as the flames faded the Drake began to charge towards the mage roaring again in pain as the wounds to its thighs bled more from the exertion.

The watching shadows seemed to be in a frenzy of activity, some seeming to gather around the Drake as if they were attempting to cling to it. Others seemed to vanish as if fleeing from the deadly confrontation. Ash could tell more than any other though that the Veil felt thin here, thin enough that something might slip through.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"...give up now, the village is mine, the mages are mine, and I will feast."

When the voice called out, chills ran through Berund's skin. It was disturbing to say in the least, and even more unsettling was its appearance. The dwarf's stomach lurched when the cadaverous abomination came into view, and turned even more when it drained something out of them with its gnarled hand.

"Ahahaha, strike or I shall!"

While Berund was certain the elf meant well, goading the creature into striking first, it didn't seem particularly intent on killing them off by any physical means. And the dwarf wasn't about to see the monstrosity's plan to the end. He tightened his grip on his weapon and took to his heels, closing the distance between the wolf-headed horror, powder kicking up behind him as he flitted through the snow. He released a mad cry as he leapt and swung his maul downward, determined to crush the abomination's head beneath it.

 

[DarkRawen]

It wasn't as if Ash had forgotten that the drake could breathe fire, no, not at all. It wasn't even him being unprepared that caused him to stand still as the fire burned, not close enough to set him on fire, but certainly close enough to hurt, a lot. However, Ash's movements were sluggish to say the least, the lightning taking everything he had of energy and most of his mana -what he had left could barely create the smallest little spark- and he hadn't been able to move out of the way in time.

Ouch.

That would definitely leave some red marks, the skin under the metal parts of his armour fairly singed. He didn't know about the rest of his body, furs and leather tended to be better at protecting your skin. Of course, if it had only been that, Ash would've been fine. Instead, he realized that the dragon was headed for him, and he had nowhere to go.

No...

Some of the watching shadows were clinging to the drake, trying to get through the veil, perhaps? It was thin, very thin, and he didn't know what they would have to face if they got through. He wasn't even concerned with that it might not be real, everything hurt and burned -though, not as much as he expected- and he saw them, the shadow creatures moving around.

"No, no, no," he muttered, taking a step back, but no more, he was in front of the entrance to the cave, after all, and letting the drake out would be even more disastrous. What were the shadow-creatures doing anyway? Helping the dragon?

"Get back," he told the shadows, and got his knife out. "I'm warning you... don't do it, get away from the drake..." he noticed its open wound, if he used Blood Wound, it would be an excellent way of first boiling, then forcing the blood out. And, he could get the shadows, should they try to get through the veil.

I've got to do this.

The others were there, they would see... but if he didn't, he might not even survive. And if the shadows got through the veil... they wouldn't either. Within a split second, he cut open a vein, blood pouring out, but never hitting the ground as it became a fine mist around him, a crimson shade colouring the air. Then he focused on the spell, hopefully the blood wound spell would keep the drake still for a mere second, that was all he needed. Boil the blood of the drake, and, if necessary, the shadows, then force it out. Even if he could feel his own blood leaving his body, powering his mana, Ash felt powerful.

It was just a shame the others would probably leave him behind now, if not even worse.

I can't think of that now.

It was a mere distraction.

 

[sage42]

As the drake convulsed from the bolt of lightning Nola stood, shaking her arm. The drake's assault had locked her arm up, causing the muscles to become stiff. The lizard and nearly bit through the thick steel of her shield, and she felt one of the straps loose. Good, noticeable flaws. Those I can fix. She thought bring her shield up again. She hunched her shoulders as the Drake let out a roar, trying to keep the agonizing sound from reaching her ears. When Nola looked back up she narrowed her eyes as the drake turned and let loose a gout of flame.....at Ash.

"Oh no ya don't! It's me you want lizard!" Nola called rushing after the drake. If they lost Ash they lost their ace in the hole. Then she noticed Ash was doing something. A red mist had enveloped him and the drake froze, twitching as the blood that seeped from it's neck and legs began to boil on it's scales. Perfect. I have to buy the mage a drink sometime. She thought circling back around to the front of the drake. "Remember me, lizard" She taunted the drake. "What's wrong, dwarven smithing too tough for ya?" She swung her ax across the front of the drakes neck again, where it connected with the chest.

 

[Athol]

Charging in for her next attack, Kari was kind of close to the impact point when Ash?s lightning connected. She gasped in pain, and her step faltered momentarily as her joints ached from the after effects of the bolt. Gritting her teeth, she pushed through the pain and continued her attacks.

"Now would be the time to stab it more!"

?Really!? I was going to invite it for tea!? She hollered back, watching Von ram a dagger into a soft spot in the beasts hide. Dodging a tail swipe, she cringed as Von seeped to catch the brunt of it; out of the corner of her eye she was glad to see him still moving. Hmm, humans are tougher than I give them credit. Even as she was doing that, she zeroed in on her target, the hilt of Von?s dagger, the rune still arcing into the Drake?s flesh; as she closed, another bolt from Ash connected, another wave of pain rippled through her because she was too close, but she pushed through the pain once more, striking the hilt with the flat of her blade, driving the charged blade deeper into the flesh.

As it flailed in pain, a claw caught Kari square in the chest, the impact hurling her deeper into the cave. The only thing saving her from a mortal wound was the vitaar she?d soaked her armour in, no plain leather armour, no matter how good would have stopped a dragon?s claw. Hitting the stone hard, her vision went blurry as her head connected with a solid thwak. Bleeding from several gashes to the back of her head, and barely able to see straight, she still staggered to her feet to counter attack; staggering a few steps, she was driven to her knees and the beasts roar overpowered her battered senses.

Gods, my head?can?t think?gotta kill dragon?everything?s blurry?get up, gotta move. Still reeling from the abuse to her body, she forced herself up and took a deep breath, clearing her head?somewhat. Unable to see Ash or Von because of the Drake blocking them from sight, she did however see Nola rushing the creature. ?No way is some rock licker going to show me up in a fight!? She muttered with a grim, spitting more blood onto the ground. Bellowing a challenge of her own, she connected with the opposite leg to where Von had stuck his dagger, as Nola?s strike threw the Drake off its stride. Something else was up with the beast was well, but there was no time to worry about that. Striking as hard as she could manage, she was rewarded with the sight of blood welling from a long gash to its inner thigh.

 

[Protocol95]

Staring down the abomination with his remaining strength for even a few second's had exhausted Jarrett's patience. He was ready to charge when he heard the snow behind him being kicked up. Glancing to his side and seeing Berund charge, Jarrett smirked and jumped backwards allowing his friend to get a clear attack.

Berund's strength was obvious and would likely distract the walking nightmare combating them. Jarrett moved quickly and as soon as Berund and the abomination would engage each other he would duck past the abomination and backstab it, hoping to catch it off-guard so the group could overwhelm it.

 

[StormShaun]

Quickly reacting to the new blast of flames from the Drake, Von took a jump back just in case. The fire licked at the ground a meter ahead of him. He held his chest, which emitted the feeling of nausea. Taking a knee, the templar sword stuck into the ground as Von threw up violently, and the cavern floor was stained with a white substance which was whatever he had for the morning. Spitting multiple times, Von scowled at the drake. "Damn beast, but now at least I have a taste for dragon!" He yelled.

Remembering that the mage lingered neared him, Von got up, and tried to look for him. Even the pain in his chest could not stop him, but as his eyes found his prize, what he witnessed might have changed much to Von. Crimson mist was dead in the sights of Von, and as if time had stopped again, memories of that fateful day when Mages and Templar truly started a war against each other. That day, he was still known as Selthen Von Souchet to himself, the brutality of Templars, and the dark arts of the Mages had touched his mind, scarring him for what seems to be an eternity now.

Coming back into the battle, Von now saw the drake in red state which only spelled, "Blood magic ..." Von said quietly. Grunting, he switched his sword to his other hand, for he could feel the blood leaking onto injured hand that he now currently had thanks to the wolves before hand. The more important fact stared at him, and Von knew his prioritizes, yet again, he felt as if he were a gladiator in a arena, with things spectating around him.

Edging the battlefield, Von noticed the great effort Nola and Kari were putting into this. Even forgetting his training, Von just wanted to kill this creature. Spotting the spot where his flashing dagger still stung, Von needed it back to make his style work. "Maker forgive me, but allow me to slaughter this creature!" He cried as he raised his Templar sword and raced into battle. Rushing to the stuck blade in his sights, Von couldn't see, but he certainly felt claws graze his sides.

Coming to his dagger, once again Von thrust his sword into the dagger, but not before grabbing it. Letting out an angry howl, Von let out his whirlwind ability, which freed his dagger. Striking the drake multiple times, Von jumped back to assess the situation. "Why can't it just die? How in Andraste's name do heroes do this?!

 

[IFS]

Group 2

The abomination hissed angrily at Berund's assault, becoming a blue blur as it darted out of the way leaving a trail of jagged ice in its wake. Even without touching it Berund could feel the painful chill in the air where the abomination had been moments ago. A predatory grin crossed its face and it raised one clawed hand, power gathering around it.

"Fools, at least you will make a hearty meal," it said, raising its hand to unleash whatever spell it had gathered.

Before it could come crashing down on the dwarf Jarrett struck from the shadows, blades biting into its flesh, though they met unexpected resistance in the form of a armorlike layer of ice the monster had gathered around it. The spell vanished from the thing's claws and instead it spun around knocking Jarrett back with fearsome strength. Still it had been injured, if not deeply.

Suddenly the abomination's eyes went wide with shock and it screamed in rage.

"No, they cannot! I will not allow them to destroy it," it ranted seemingly at the air around it, and suddenly began running into the forest away from them, shooting forward with impossible speed at intervals with the same blue blur it had used to dodge the mace "Stop them by any means!"

The monster's barely articulate ranting faded into the forest as it fled too quickly to be followed. Though the jagged ice thrown up by its spell left an easy to follow trail, leaving the members of the group with the choice to pursue it or continue to the shrine.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

Group 1

Ash's spell struck the Drake and suddenly all of its wounds seemed to spray outwards, steam hissing off of its body into the cold air as its very blood boiled. In its pain it lashed out all around it, but Nola's cries grabbed its attention and it bit down at the dwarf, catching her shield in its maw and began thrashing it's head back and forth, tossing the dwarf about while also widening its growing number of neck wounds. Kari and Von's blades bit deep into its leg and the beast faltered, its grip loosening on the dwarf causing it to toss her aside. It flailed about wildly now, clearly in its death throes as it spouted gouts of flame in every direction seemingly at random.

Even with the beast dying it was too soon to celebrate, the shadows only Ash could see pushed and pressed against the veil, seeming compelled by a command only they could hear. Flashes of unearthly green light signaled the arrival of a swarm of lesser demons, a trio of shades pulling together frail forms from the cast off remnants of the Drake's supper, a pair of wraiths seeming to pull their form together from the fading light of their passage through the veil, and finally a despair demon gathering the ice and cold around itself as it hovered over the dying Drake's body, spitting frost magic at Kari and Nola who were nearest to the beast's form.

 

[StormShaun]

In awe of the dying beast, Von stepped a little further back, as the flames spewed forth and almost touched the edge of Von. It was an amazing sight, that a small team could conquer a cousin of a dragon. Thinking crazily, Von's wondered about one thing, and the others probably thought the same, ("What would a real dragon fight be like?") Smiling at the thought, Von let out a hearty laugh, not just for that thought, but for the scene that was in front of them.

Feeling a sharp sense, Von remembered, the eyes. It almost felt as if the air was paper thin around them, and Von only shouted, "The veil is thin!" Then the demons burst forth into their world, intruding upon the kill they had earned. Angered by this, Von would see them dead, even if there is a blood mage in front of it. All the more important they die, Von would despise if they took over Ash's form. "We might want to form up here!" He called out to his friends, first of all he searched for them, and found Ash. The Templar tried to make his way to the tired mage.

"So lucky." Von said sarcastically, as he went back to back with Ash. Wanting unleash the Wrath of Heaven, his Templar self cursed the blocked sky and lack of energy. Yet taking a deep breath, once more he raised his sword. "Maker, may we become [footnote]"Champions of the Just" passive ability activated.[/footnote]Champions of the Just in this moment." He prayed to this Maker. Feeling the power rise within him, Von felt the urge to eliminate this taint to the world, and he felt confident that the others would be the same, even if they were tired just like him.

("It doesn't matter if I am discovered. If I can kill evil, it is all worth it!") Von internally yelled, then he lowered his sword. "If you have any mana draining abilities, it would be wise to use them blood mage." Von reminded him in a held back tone, but it contained a hint of faith. Running forward, Von's encounter were the shades. Immediatly he performed a dual-Weapon sweep, where he managed to cut through two of the shades, but not killing them. "I will kill you shadows." He muttered to himself, already feeling the life draining aura of the demons. Then Von used his Templar training, to attack one, and be wary to not be surrounded.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

The freezing air that the monstrosity occupied just moments before bit harshly at Berund's face, eliciting a gasp from the dwarf. The frosty air rushed into his lungs and he was thrown into a fit of coughs. He didn't waste any time regaining composure and readied to strike again. His eyes trailed the icy path the abomination left behind and met eyes with the beast.

"Fools, at least you will make a hearty meal."

"You'll find your attempts to consume this dwarf quite the tall order," Berund growled at the creature. He grinned when he saw Jarrett drive his blades into the thing's flesh. His smile quickly faded when the elf was so easily cast aside. It barked orders to empty space before dashing off into the veil of snowy trees.

Berund rushed over to Jarrett and hoisted the lanky figure from the snow to plant him on his feet. "Right, we have a shrine to scout, but I think we have somethin' more urgent to take care of. Whatever that was, it's weak and afraid. We should go after it and finish it off before it gets any stronger!"

 

[sage42]

Nola cried in pain as the drake flung her from it's dying body. She hit the ground with a heavy thug and the clanking of her armor. She stood as quickly as she could. Pain throbbed through left arm. It wasn't broken, not quite, but it was certainly dislocated. Her shield was useless now, a dead weight. She smiled as the drake finally died. At least now the thing was dead, the village safe, and the scales were as good as hers.

Her gaze quickly went to the the lump of what she could only describe as shadows began to pool over the dragon and a shriveled figure in a cloak formed above it. It eyes shown a pale blue, like the flesh of a frozen corpse. "By my Ancestors what is that thing!" She said before the thing shot a beam of ice towards her. She knew enough that touching that would probably spell nothing good. She dove to the side and felt the beam brush across the back of her head. It was cold, very cold. Deadly cold.

"The veil is thin! We might want to form up here!"

She turned to where Von's voice had come from. The quiet man held himself with a new posture. Now he looked more than just a scared man in armor, he looked a proper warrior. As he prayed to his maker, she felt an odd warmth spread to her arm. She readied her ax again. "Alright smart guy, you seem to have an idea on what to do about this thing. But after this we might need to talk." She recognized the fighting style of a Templar easily. Seems those quiet man had been hiding something. But that would have to wait. She shrugged her shield off her use less arm. Not much sense in having an extra weight on her already useless arm. "C'mon then creature! You like to use magic? Try it on someone who doesn't give a shit." She taunted as she swung at the shriveled demon.

 

[Athol]

Kari let out a cry of triumph as her blade bit into the creature, though that quickly turned into a yelp as it began to breathe fire everywhere. Scrambling aside to avoid the death throes of the drake, she barely avoided total immolation as burst of fire just grazed her; and if that wasn?t bad enough, something appeared to be coming through the Veil.

?OH COME ON!? She yelled as the spirits manifested themselves; this fight was getting to be a bit more than she?d been expecting. Unfortunately her outburst drew the attention of the daemon which appeared over the drake?s body, the spirit sending a blast of freezing cold magic Kari?s way. Using her sword to block as best she could, Kari avoided getting a face full of cold, but little else was protected. Hissing in pain, she staggered as she got hit, the cold so painful it brought tears to her eyes.

"We might want to form up here!"

?Y-yeah.? She replied, reeling from the hit. Making her way towards Ash and Von, Kari was glad to see Nola was still on her feet after the thrashing she?d had?though her shield arm did seem to be out of commission. As the dwarf taunted the daemon, Kari formed up on her weak side. Focusing on her own pain, Kari?s mind became calmer, more focused. ?Never killed a daemon before.? She said with a blood flecked grin.

 

[DarkRawen]

The thing that Ashtalan had feared happened, just as they were working on finishing the drake off. A demon, some shades and a pair of wraiths came through the veil, and he frowned. Should he have told the others about it? Or did it even matter? Von made his way over to him and muttered a phrase, sarcastically.

"So lucky."

Ash frowned, bloody mist around him moving away from Von as a sort of courtesy. It was clear that the other was upset with him, and that didn't feel great. Especially if the other couldn't put aside that kind of thinking for after the demons

"If you have any mana draining abilities, it would be wise to use them blood mage."

"I'm not "blood mage", my name is Ash," Ash said, visibly hurt, as he crossed his arms. It was mostly a reaction, not because he was going to be difficult, but because he was tired, and now he was cold as well. He was glad he wasn't as close to the despair demon as the two women, that had to be way worse.

"And I don't know any mana-draining spells, only life-draining ones. Of course..." he looked at the drake. It was still moving around, it's desperate last attempt at surviving made him think of something. Where Ash stood right now meant that he was the only one who could attack the thing, and the way the shadows had been clinging to it. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, and spoke.

"I think the demon is here to keep the drake alive, to take it for himself," he told the others. "So I'm going to do whatever I can to finish the thing off, you take care of the demons... and hurry, because there's a lot more there, behind the veil, trying to get in. I can see them... pushing and clinging to the drake."

Raising his hand, he cast a final lightning-spell, a large one that centred around the drake, but hurt any demons or shadow-creatures standing close enough to it as well, which, in this case meant just about everything. The lightning spell kept draining mana, and that in return meant the blood-magic filled it up with the effects of his blood. For a moment, it was about as powerful as one'd expect. However, it didn't last too long. His head and body was feeling lighter, and Ash suddenly lost his standing, barely protecting his face before he landed on the ground, exhausted and confused.

"Ah, I..." he trailed off, and made his way, slowly, to one of the cave walls, using it as a way of supporting himself. It wasn't far from the others, though. The blood magic ability had stopped working, and he found himself with no mana or stamina left. Raising his short-sword, he held it up.

"I'll stab them if they get close," he muttered, half delirious.

 

[Protocol95]

In a momentary daze, Jarrett recounted to himself the previous few seconds in his mind. He had plunged his daggers into the abomination but the attack was weakened by what appeared to be ice. He was then launched and then heard the abomination ranting.

"No, they cannot! I will not allow them to destroy it. Stop them by any means!"

The abomination was talking with someone or something. The abomination could just be insane but Jarrett dismissed this as nothing would change by assuming that. "'They cannot, allow them, stop them'." Jarrett noted it's wording. Could it have other resistance? Jarrett chuckled to himself at the idea considering the abomination previous ranting about having control. But the 'It' the abomination referred to piqued Jarrett's interest.

It was only then that he realized his own position as Berund lifted him from the snow. Jarrett took a second to stretch in an uncanny manner and swallowed a gasp for breath after being winded.

"Right, we have a shrine to scout, but I think we have somethin' more urgent to take care of. Whatever that was, it's weak and afraid. We should go after it and finish it off before it gets any stronger!"

"Problems shouldn't stagnate." Jarrett nodded to Berund in agreement.

 

[Tortilla the Hun]

"Problems shouldn't stagnate."

"Couldn't have said it any better myself," Berund chimed. He gripped his maul, looked off into the direction the abomination went. It moved fast, but the dwarf believed it wouldn't go very far. Whatever it was protecting had to be nearby, he though, considering how urgently it left. The trail of ice was clear enough, so wherever it was flitting off to, it seemed they could follow. Berund looked back at the elf, could see no grievous harm had been inflicted which meant he'd most certainly be ready to give chase. "All right, tall one, time to move those beanstalks you call legs. We've got a beast to catch. And do keep up,eh?"

Spoiler: Terribly OOC chase music...

Without another word, Berund turned on his heels and hightailed it after the jagged, frozen path. His legs were almost a blur, and they moved with experienced agility. He bounded over tall roots and rocks, aiming to keep his own path as straight as he could, not keen on the idea of losing any more time or distance than whichever power at work had permitted. Great Ancestors, let me catch this creature that dares to have me run harder than I have in years so I may put an end to its troublesome existence...

 

[StormShaun]

Feeling the brush of death from the Shades, Von jumped back towards the others. He was starting to shiver, and he can't tell if it's from the slippery bloody pouring forth from his hand and sides, or the demons that dare to capture his life for food. Spitting out blood, Von started to breath deeply, hoping that he won't lose control of himself in this time of need. Examining his weakening comrades around him, Von knows he is in the same boat as them.

"Alright smart guy, you seem to have an idea on what to do about this thing. But after this we might need to talk."

"Save that for the person who can make us dance like puppets, and start killing dwarf!" Von yelled over the fighting, his anger now coming into play. His face turned into a more rage-like scowl, especially if he was seen more suspicious than the person who could turn all of their blood into not just a attack against them, but into something thing worse. Hearing Ash 'correct' his name, Von smiled. "At least he's still human." Von spoke under his breath.

"I think the demon is here to keep the drake alive, to take it for himself,"

"I fuckin' knew it!" Von spat out in a gleeful tone, his scowl turned into a devilish grin. Giving out a laugh as he rushed forward once more, not to slash, but give a wide kick to the almost resurrected forms of the drake's former meal. Following it up with a flurry of movement. One strike to the left shade, another to the right, and for the final he slashed both weapons against the demons. They both fell into the ground and seemed to disappear back to wherever they came from beyond the veil, but suddenly an arm struck from underneath Von, sending him falling backwards to the ground. Hitting the ground, he clawed his way backwards, it was the forgotten third Shade that hit him.

Von would recover and stand up, but that hit stole all of his breath. Down to the last run of his strength and energy, he stood up once more, and prepared his fighting form. "Not ... done yet ... you wretches, I'm made for this!" He yelled at the demons, his voice boomed with determination. Even now the Templar side wanted to wander how it became like this, how the veil became so thin that they would be ambushed like this. ("It isn't simple. Something or someone started this.") He thought.

 

[IFS]

Group 1

Ash's blast of lightning was enough, the Drake gave one final blast of fire scorching the very stone of the cave wall, and fell still. From its corpse the electricity arced to the despair demon, damaging it but not killing it. The demon would have turned its shriveled visage towards him, but Nola was already charging up the side of the dead beast. Hissing in frustration the despair demon flew backwards, though Nola's blow still struck it, driving it further backwards and wounding it. The despair demon uttered an unintelligible command to the wraiths, who began flinging their strange bolts of magic at the dwarf, attempting to drive her away from the retreating demon.

Von's blades cut down two of the shades with ease, but the third evaded him and struck. It seemed unused to its new form, clumsy even, but its blows had power behind them nonetheless and no sooner had the templar regained his footing did it surge at him again clawing at him as it glided forward.

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Group 2

The abomination set a fearsome pace, moving with inhuman quickness over the snow such that even with Berund and Jarrett's relentless pursuit it was only continuing to increase its lead. The jagged ice it left in its wake continued to leave a clear trail however so there was no danger of losing track of it.

Suddenly they heard a scream from up ahead, a familiar voice even. Breaking into a small clearing in the trees they saw Arthur, lying wounded in the snow and breathing raggedly. Drops of his blood joined the trail of ice leading away from the scene.

"Th-that thing, s-so fast," Arthur said, trying to stand as they approached, his eyes wide and panicked and his lips turned blue from cold "It's headed t-towards the drake's cave."

Unable to stand the hunter fell back to the snow, barely managing to catch himself on a tree he slumped up against it.

"D-don't worry about me, get that th-thing," he said "I'll be f-fine, just rest a, a, bit th-then make my way back to the village. Maker I'm so tired."

In spite of his words it was clear that Arthur needed aid, and quickly. Still the abomination was just ahead, nearing its destination.

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Raven

All this was a little too much for Raven to keep track of, as the abomination fled and the others set off after it she turned and headed back to the village tavern. Maybe if she drank enough by the time she woke up this would all turn out to have been a bad dream.

 

[StormShaun]

Feeling the ground under his feet again made Von truly notice the lack of energy in him. His sword arm was shaking as the muscles within were starting to give. Not allowing the demons to snicker at him from beyond the Veil, Von's look was still strong. Blood dripped from his mouth, but it still took the form of a dangerous smirk. Eyes were shaking too, but instead of fear, it was turning into a crazed determination. If he had the breath, Von would have let out a howl of laughter.

Dropping his main blade, Von was gambling on this last effort."Ooh, what I'd do ... for a draught now." He muttered to whatever was listening. Seeing flash claws before his eyes, Von would regret this decision as he deflected one claw, but the other caught his leg. Hissing with pain as even more blood spurted out, he went for all or nothing, and lunged at the possessed beast. Whatever attacks it dished out, Von was above it, and stabbing it repeatedly until it growled into death.

Almost passing out, Von, who was covered in a wave of blood looked around him, and called out. "Everyone alright!" He said, taking a knee over his latest kill. ("No ... no more!")