Aurorix

"Is it really okay for me to go to a party so... grand?" Mercer interjected, unable to keep quite any longer. "We've barely know each other for a week yet you give me a room in the palace and invite me to a party. I do not feel I deserve of such generosity. Besides, I'm... no good at parties."

"One thing is for sure, hiding in those ruins would be foolish. One strong gust of wind could cause some of the debris to fall on top of someone. This current road will likely be storming for a while, you'd be walking with the storm for quite sometime. Luckily, there's a separate road not too far from here that leads towards Natarjah, should be relatively storm free. We'll be traversing off road for a bit but it's safer than persisting in this storm."

"Peace travelers, I mean you no harm. I only come to offer my assistance." The man replies before shoving his axe into the sand before reaching for the sky. He approaches slower than before to try and lower the tension. His appearance became visible. His clothing was native to Caelum, that much was clear. He made sure to stop before he came too close as an attempt to not agitate the group any further. "I am a native of these lands and I can't with good conscience turn a blind eye to travelers in need. I can lead you all through this sandstorm and to wherever your destination may be. All I ask is for your trust and cooperation."

As members of the group approached the broken down house they would see a shadowy figure coming out from behind it, masked in the deserts storm. The figure grew larger as it made it's way closer. Those closest to the house would notice a silhouette of an axe resting on it's shoulder. "Traversing the desert's sands so unprepared is just asking to be swallowed up by it's relentless might." The figure spoke condescendingly. It was obviously a man's voice, the tone was too deep to be feminine. "Storms like these cover your tracks and the inexperienced will surely get stranded within this blazing heat. A slow, painful end as your will is slowly consumed. Tell me, is that the fate you so desire?" The man asked stopping his movement forward waiting for a response.

[Enemy Phase] Initiate C moves to G14 and attacks Zentilin The swordsman and Zentilin trade blows, however, the swordsman can feel poison coursing through his veins. Journeyman C moves to I16 Recruit C moves to L16 [Ally Phase] Zentilin moves to F15 and attacks Initiate C with Bolo Knife -1 Zentilin creates some distance between him and the swordsman and throws a knife into his gut killing him. [Player Phase] Viola regens back to full health Cheat Sheet:

"Ah yes, you'll be needing these." He carefully handed Idei's bows back to him while also simultaneously taking the lances he acquired from the chest. Though he kept the worn iron bow for himself. "I think I'll hold onto this, having a near broken weapon is better than having no weapon at all." With that he headed out the room. On his way out he noticed a certain wyvern rider. With her weapons in his possession he might as well hand it off to her on his way out. "Hey, Myrdwyn, I think you'll appreciate these." He spoke before tossing her lances back to her. Move to P21, Give Myrdwyn's inventory back to her, Equip Worn Iron Bow

The Mage finishes off the bulky guard with one blast of fire. Cheat Sheet:

"I know you're excited to get your guitar back, but alerting the enemy about our escape probably isn't the best idea. Also, considering that most of us are unarmed or have weapons ready to shatter at a moments notice, it'd be hard to fend them off. But hey, I won't stop you from playing so loud. Go on ahead." Belros said jokingly to the bearded man before running off to open one of the chests in the from Move to Q26 and open the chest for loot

The two lancers trade blows both taken decent damage. Doran throws his axe striking the recruit. He has yet to fall, however, he is close to it. Cheat Sheet:

Tekeshi easily defeats the mage but not before getting blasted by magic. The magic tome also falls into the swordsmen's hands after the mage's defeat. Tekeshi got Wind [Enemy Phase] Recruit D moves to G13 and attacks Chance The Recruit attacks the maid, stabbing her with his lance. Chance then counters by hitting the man with her feather duster. It was as effective as it sounds. [Ally Phase] Zentilin moves F14 and attacks Recruit D with Bolo Knife -1 Zentilin throws two knives at the spear man. He's able to block the first blade but is unable to stop the 2nd and it's starting the feel the poisons effects. [Player Phase] Viola regains 3 HP Cheat Sheet:

(...) [Enemy Phase] Pupil D moves to F12 and attacks Doran Taking advantage of the situation the mages blasts Doran with fire as he was focusing on the other guards, sending him to the ground. Doran is down! Pupil B moves to H10 and attacks Tekeshi The mage blasts Tekeshi with wind magic from afar dealing noticeable damage. Recruit D moves G14 Initiate C move to I16 [Ally Phase] "Ugh, can someone go help Doran?" Zentilin spoke noticably annoyed. Once they pick someone up another falls. He knew they shouldn't have gone this way but they all wanted to play hero. "We need to be more careful. I don't want any of you dying on me before we get out of here." He then ran towards the fire mage knives in hand. Zentilin moves to F11 and attacks Pupil D with Bolo Knife -1 The rogue narrowly avoids the pupil's attempts and his able to end his life with two swipes of his tiny blades. [Player Phase] Viola regains 3 HP Cheat Sheet:

Mercadier easily finishes off the wounded swordsmen. Cheat Sheet:

Belros keeps moving forward. The faster he gets everyone's gear back the better. A huge enemy assault right now would not be good. Move to P-21, Hold

Mercadier easily hits the Initiate but he hangs on with an inch of his life. Using what little energy he has left he make a major gash across the man's chest injuring him greatly. Cheat Sheet:

The men trade blows, however, Doran seems to have taken more damage. Cheat Sheet:

Viola launches another blast of fire which finally takes down the soldier. [Enemy Phase] Journeyman D moves to G10 and attacks Viola The Axeman strikes the armored mage but receives a blast of fire in return Journeyman E moves to F11 and attacks Viola Another Axe man strikes the armored mage and takes her down! Viola is Downed! Initiate D moves to F10 and attacks Doran [Ally Phase] The rogue couldn't help but get annoyed that someone was already down. This was why Zentilin wanted to leave the other prisoners behind. Well, too late to go back now. "Someone help Viola, I'll take care of the of guard!" Zentilin moves to G8 and attacks Journeyman D with Bolo Knife -1 The rogue throws two knives at the Guard killing him. However, the man was able to get a strike in before he keeled over. [Player Phase] Cheat Sheet:

Viola launches fire at the Guard dealing noticeable damage "Well, if you're all okay with it, I suppose we can help the others." Zentilin spoke begrudgingly. He could understand the others reasoning for it even if wasn't the safest choice. "Very well then, We'll go save the other prisoners and then head straight for the stables." Cheat Sheet:

With a bag full of gear, Belros heads towards Clarisse. "I do believe these are yours." The spy begins to take out her gear one by one until only staffs remain in the bag. "Try not to loose them this time, alright?" He added jokingly Move to Q15 and give Clarssie her stuff back

Doran strike lands dealing some damage to the guard. Cheat Sheet:

"Alright then, stay silent and wait for the queue. It shouldn't take too long." With that the rogue went out the door to get the distraction ready. However, after a while the sound of boots and voices came closer to the door. As they approached they group could overhear their conversation. One voice was that of a man and the other, a woman. "Hmph, so some prisoners escaped did they. Damn!" The manly voice spoke with noticeable anger "Sir, reports say that they headed this way though they're most likely hiding out somewhere as they haven't been spotted since their initial escape." The feminine voice spoke with a formal tone before adding more concerned. "Also Sire, do you really think think the kingdom should be doing this? I mean look at what's-" She's soon cut off by the man. "Enough, I know where this is going. My Grandfather has entrusted me with this. He told me he believes I'm ready for higher tasks than just staying in the castle training." "But Sir, look around! Can you really just command our troops to force your citizens to work in such a cruel manor!? Is this really the legacy you want to follow!?" "Silence! This conversation ends now! We will capture the prisoners and make them an example for the others who want to force thier way out of here. Do I make myself clear?" Before the Lady had any time to respond, the clanging of boots made its way to them. "Sire, a suspicious individual has been seen entering the center of the Temple!" "Just what in the world are they trying to do? Come one, I bet that's where the rest of the vermin are!" The sound of their footsteps heading out fades and a short while later a large explosion is heard. The group heads out towards the courtyard as the plan entails. When they get out the Rogue is already outside the door waiting for them, as well as some guards who are in obvious shock by the explosion they just heard. Though strangely there seems to be some prisoners working as well, with one in particular using this moment to run off. "The Stables should just be down the path. Currently there are some people working the graveyard shift, though I feel it'd be best to ignore them. The longer we stay here the worse it'll be for us." Win Condition: Defeat Alunda Freya or All escape into the Stables (O5) Loose Condition: All Party members die Optional: Help the other prisoners escape. Cheat Sheet:

The rogue decided to just ignore all these jokes about perversion and the such. It's a lot easier to just let comments like that not get to you, but the anger boiling inside him was there. His honor wouldn't let him harm a defenseless and most likely innocent person. By now they've definitely wasted more time than necessary and they should get back on track sooner rather than later. "AHEM, let's get back to explaining the plan shall we?" Zentilin spoke as to bring everyone's attention back to the main goal. He sat down on a barrel before beginning his explanation.

The rogue lowers his guard a bit and proceeds to be baffled at what just happened. It seems a simple hand maid is better at tracking runaway then the guards themselves, or maybe it was dumb luck. "Well, we simply can't let you go now. You've seen to much. So, whether you like it or not you're coming, and trust me I REALLY don't like it either. Though, I doubt you'd be mad about it seeing as you'll escape this place."

"Then I guess it's not a matter of fearing what I know about you. Instead, do you fear what you don't know about us?" He left that question to sit with the lady. The only response he gave to the axeman's comments was a simple nod of affirmation. He really has no intention of spewing out life storys. It'd take too much time, be a waste of energy and is just unnecessary in general. As Mercadier flashed his eyes Zentilin could help but grow a smirk. It was a mixture of both self-confidence pompousness. Fact of the matter is, the cards are stacked in his favor whether or not the man likes it. He finds it quite amusing, this level of power and control over the lives of a couple people. This small amount of control is almost addictive, even now the lust of more power looms in the back of his head. But he can't give in, no. Just like dealing with the Elder Spirits, the more power you want or need to control the more resolve one needs to keep their wits about them. Lest one loose their way and become a power hungry fool. "Aye, let's get to the rest of the plan shall we. First of all-" Zentilin spoke starting to explain the plan before he stopped abruptly. He reached for his knife for seemingly no reason, until you all hear it. Footsteps, soft at first but getting louder by the second. Then the door knob of the storage room door shakes back forth, before a ker-chunk sends chills down your spine. The door slowly starts to open when...

"Just because there may not be much to know doesn't make you any less special than anyone else here. You'd be surprised how many people in this place lack magical abilities. Just for that reason alone you stand out from the crowd, so don't sell yourself short." The man spoke trying to reassure Viola. "Besides, at least you weren't the one who got launched into the air by the guards like a certain some one here." The rogue added jokingly, jabbing at the swordsman latest performance.

"Why am I doing this? Hmmmm..." He spoke, stroking his chin as he debating what to tell them. "I guess you could say I have questions, questions that mere digging around or asking won't provide answers to. At first I thought I might find what I was looking for here, but instead I was greeted with even more questions. So, the only other option I have at the moment is the ask the emperor with a knife to his throat. Though, I also can't stand what he's doing over here either. It sickens me down to my core and as you can imagine it'd be nigh impossible to get to the man on my own. So, who else should I recruit other than those who want a knife to his throat as well?" He responded to the black-haired man before answering the other question asked of him. "I know about why your axe has the tendency to release energy like it did earlier, if that's what you're asking. As for how much I know, I know enough to have chosen you four out of the rest of the sacks here. Though I will refrain from revealing... touchy... subjects that some of you may want to keep private. As to how I know, I have my ways, connections, things of that sort."