Fire Emblem on the Forums: Sea of Crossroads [IC]

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"No one really looks like an 'E' guard you know?" Emilee leaned back resting her head against the wall. "Maybe Idei is a bit of an 'E' but he's not E enough. Do you think he talks to his horse?" She took another swig, and adjusted her seat so she sat cross legged. "I bet he talks to his horse all the time! Like all the time! Like always! Maybe that's why he's so quiet because he wastes his voice talking to his horse! Hehe, Idei is such a silly person talking to horses!"

[Bfroger6]

"You mean like, Eedei? Hah!" Cass scoffed at the remark. It was funny, though, of course. Very very funny. "I don't think he talks to his horse, I'm sure he does that." He nodded, placing one foot on the barrel and resting his elbow against his knee. However, as he was saying that, Emilee had already gone over the topic and said it all herself.

 

"You should hear 'im sing though. When he does that you can really hear what he's really saving his voice for."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Oh Eedei sings? That's so unexpected he's such a quiet type. I should ask him for a duet!" Emilee brings her bottle to the air in a cheer and then drinks. "Oh and we could invite his horse as well and then it would be a triet ahahahaha!" She broke into a burst of laughter, laughing so hard in fact that she fell of her barrel. She rubbed her head, but still giggled less loudly now. She rest her head down on the floor sighing. "I'm happy I got drunk today, I hate to get drunk but I think I need to like good old times." 

[Bfroger6]

"You might wanna first not get yourself killed by falling off a barrel." Cass shrugged at Emilee who was enjoying herself on the floor. He smirked at her. "The quiet ones are the worst. They always hide something." Popping the cap of the bottle and taking a chug, he continued. "Nothing bad in getting a bit drunk. Like today you pretty much kept at it at that bar. It was crazy how much you could drink. Phew. And this is some fine wine, really. Oh. I opened it? Oh well."

 

"Let's just enjoy the voyage."

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"I can drink! I'm a country girl for Goddess' sake I can out drink anyone! It's a technique I learned back in the taverns. I can just choose to get drunk when I want to." Emilee got back up, struggling at first to climb the barrel but managing to sit herself again. She smiled at Cass, and nodded. "I'm starting to get a little too sober, so you'll have to share it with me."

 

"Let's enjoy the voyage and forget out troubles, cheers!"

[Sutoratosu]

"It was... years and years ago. Back when I was just a boy. You see, Beoulve was a noble household, once upon a time. The path that fate had in store saw the end to that, though..."

Spoiler

 

----------------------------------------------------------

Spoiler

Year 1598, 15th of Cembre

"I think... I think we finally lost them. Ramza, can you walk-"

"I'm fine, it's just a scrap, worry about your own injuries. Afterall, you're the one who's gasping for air like a fish out of water..."

Horns blair in the distance, the sound of metal clashing against shields and steeds and hounds baying with ferocious vigor as their masters press ever onward. 

"...You... hear that too, right?"

"Damn it all, these bastards are unstoppable... Come on, we've got to keep moving!"

******************************

"They were a group calling themselves Les Orages... 'The Storm'. Fancied themselves as magic hunters of sorts, claimed to be doing the island a service by tracking down those who would indulge in the dark arts. Necromancers, conjurers, summoners, the like. In truth though, they really just vigilantes. Shameful to say, our household had worked with them on more than one occasion... our father was once a dear friend of the very man who'd been their founder, so to deny support when it was asked was... something he found rather hard to do. 

     Infact, the only time he actually did say no... was the last time he ever would."

"W...what happened?"

"The two of them had a falling out that bards would've sung about for ages, had any been there to watch. Les Orages was growing ever more zealous in their missions, and soon enough, my father could not help but question if all those they hunted down were truly as guilty as they claimed. Magnus would have no one question the rightness of his organization though, not even a man who'd once been his brother in arms...and it wasn't long after that, that the tables were turned. It was the middle of the night when they finally turned their murderous sights on us.

     My father tried to reason with Magnus one last time- but he wouldn't have any of it. He accused our house of having practiced and researched the dark arts all this time in secret, and well... he challenged our father to a Duel of Mages. He... did not fare well at all. Once he was gone, Magnus ordered his men to set fire to the manor and all the grounds... and kill anyone who tried to flee. That was when my brother Zalbaag woke me and took me with him...I don't know whatever happened to our sister or our other brother, but... I can only assume the worst."

**************************

"Shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit we'll never get away at this rate- by the goddess it's like they've gone into a savage frenzy..."

 

The sounds of steeds and hounds draws even closer despite their stride. The zealous whooping of men joins the hunds howls, filling the air with a deafening cacophony. Smoke still rises in the distance as the brothers flee through the darkened forest, only the light of Zalbaag's flame to guide their way... and the blazing ruins that once served as their home.

"T...This is it then, isn't it?" "What are we gonna do? They'll do worse than just kill us once they catch up..."

"No. They won't. Not to you, at least... you see that embankment there, down that slope?" Even as he spoke, he raised his flame to illuminate the path the boy was to walk, showing the flickering currents of the river below. His brother looked, then only stared back at him as if he were mad.

"No, y-you can't be serious! I'm not leaving to go and hide while you take them all by yourself-"

"And I'm not letting you perish to a bunch of madmen before you've even had the chance to really live. Once you're down there and out of sight, I want ya to follow the river south until you get to the port, find a priest or a sister once you're there, they'll give you a place to stay..." 

 

An arrow whizzes by over both their heads, finding a new home deep in the wood of a towering oak. There is no hesitation in the Man's eyes as he shoves the boy off the dirt trail, sending him tumbling through the dense undergrowth of the wilder forest. Torch light shines from just a few leagues off, to which, Zalbaag extinguishes his own flame, letting darkness take him, uttering a silent farewell.

"... I wish this didn't have to end like this Ramza... but one of us has to survive this night. Our house must not suffer the dishonor these scum accuse us of, and I'm already on borrowed time as it is. Grow strong, and grow great, little brother..."

 

A with that, wind came to his hand. And like a blade of purest vengeance, it tore across the path, severing the first of the Cavalier's mount at the knees and sending the beast careening to the earth. In the chaos, it could not be helped that those following after him also fell, tripping over and trampling both man and mount. Zalbaag wiped the blood trickling from his nostril, the tearing cough he felt in his throat like gurgling glass as he backed further along the path. His brother may not have been joining him, but he was most certainly intending to not die alone this night...

***

"Wait, you say your brother was ill before it all started- with what?"

"He had never been quite... well to begin with. Our father used to say he'd been cursed with the same misfortune that had killed his mother. It took me years and years after that night to finally realize what he meant... wild magic can do incredible things Cadence. But there comes a point where it's feats come at a dire cost, feats like the power to save the life of another. You've already known such a task more than once. Zalbaag's mother had known such a task as well, when she'd given birth to him... she reversed the path fate had plotted out for her unborn child, gave breath to him when he gasped but could inhale nothing... given him the chance to live, but not without a great deal of tribulation for them both. I suppose in the end, that's why he was so willing to take a final stand that night... of course though, I followed him as best I could. He may have told me to go south towards town, but...well, there are somedays I wish I had just listened to him. And then there are others where I'm glad that I saw what he was willing to do for me... for our family. The first time I'd ever seen magic unbridled, but not the last..."

***

"Geez, what the hell... threw me down a hill and just kept running... that idiot- he should've come with me! Like hell am I just gonna...just...gonna... run away... huff...goddess, he was right, these guys really don't give up..."

 

The young pupil had chased the torch light of the Storm soliders well into the early morning, ever on their tail. Despite how his body ached, he could not bring himself to give up the pursuit. There had been times when he'd lost their sounds and lights in the dense forest. But soon enough, the trees began to thin. Darkness slowly but surely faded to a molted purple, then a dark blue, then finally wisps of magenta and pink joined the mix, as the sun peeked over the horizon...

 

It was only then when he spotted it, beyond the reach of the woods.

"Is...is that...? dear goddess..."

 

A fiery figure stood on scorched earth, as the boy looked on. The charred remains of men and beast alike choking the river he stood in the middle of- the very same Ramza had been told to follow south. One by one, he shot them down, a bolt of flame in one hand and lightning arcing from the other. No tomes to be found on his person, no time to grab any in the blaze.

 

Clothes tattered, hair matted, blood drenching his tunic already, but he was armed and ready.

 

All he had was his mother's blood, but it was blood enough to destroy them all. Fire and Lightning and Air, a holy trinity of destruction as they left the man's palms, one sweeping wave of doom after another another. Even as he struck them down though, ever more seemed to pour out of the woodwork. The being didn't seemed disturbed by the increasingly poor odds though. 

     There was nothing on his face. No expression in those eyes, as he continued to wage war. He backed away, shivering. For the first time in his life, he... was actually afraid of Zalbaag. Was that even truly him anymore, standing there among the dead bodies and the roaring rapids like an ancient god of magic? 

 

"Stay.Where.You.Are." 

 

The being turned to face Ramza, just as another of Magnus' fighters was eviscerated by the spirits. His orders were simple, but yet in that one fleeting utterance, the elder brother spoke a thousand words in Ramza's Heart. No. It was not Zalbaag there... but another. One who did not recognize Ramza as the little brother he'd so loved. One who spoke with a thousand tongues and crushed his foes with a thousand arms. Whoever that being was, he wielded the only power that seemed to matter in that moment- the power to cause pain. 

 

The power to kill and destroy, for if they could not kill, then they would be subject to those who can... and nothing and no one would ever save them. And such was what the mage before him brought to bare, as a face both brother's recognized joined the fray- 

 

Magnus. 

 

Magnus the wise.

 

"Remain. Hidden." 

 

They were the last two words the man spoke to Ramza. Slowly but surely, the flames enveloping him rose to their apex as a towering column of fire pierced the very morning heavens themselves, and then... Armageddon. 

"Wha...w-w... Zalbaag what are you do-"

"No, stooooooooop!"

 

The world was awash in countless shades of red and orange, the light nearly blinding, the heat unbearable, even under the protection of the forest. The world seemed to hiss as water gave way to vapor, and screech as man gave way to cinder. And all that was foolish enough to enter onto the battlefield against Zalbaag, eldest living son of House Beoulve, was reduced...

 

to nothing... but a sea of flames. 

 

Try as hard the boy did, he stood no chance against the flames. Yet it seemed his body did not have to- for the trees above were in that very moment being charred away to ash, his own body seemed unscathed. 

 

But against the heat that could rival hell, he stood no chance. Nor against the smoke. One cough, two, three four, couldn't stop. Then before he knew it, he was traipsing about in the thick smoke, eyes growing heavy, limbs sluggish. And just as the last of his consciousness abandoned him, he felt something cold and wet engulf him as his foot slipped, and the splash of his own mortal coil was the last thing to grace his ears. A wash in a current... flowing south. All the boy could dream of though, was the towering pillar of flame that had ended the men who had so thoroughly wronged them all that night...

--------------------------------------------------

"In the end, I was found by a few guards in the town who had come out to investigate the fire. They pulled me from the river, put me into the hands of a local priestess... I don't know how long I was out, but I always dreamed of that same moment where we locked eyes for the last time... and he killed them all. They found him half-dead on the river bank, said that his final words... was to tell me to keep going. To find a new way and not let what happened drag me down. It was... hard, more than hard- impossible for a few years... but eventually, I started to see the light of what he'd said... thanks to a friend of mine... sadly he ended up much in the same position. But that's a story for another day... another time... another place."

"What happened to-"

"Les Orages? It seemed Zalbaag had killed the vast majority of them that night, Magnus included. He gave his life to deal them a blow so savagely brutal, they never recovered from it. He'd given the guards some idea of what had happened before he died, and once I told everyone about what they had done... well, those few who still remained had a strong motivation to flee the island as soon as they could. Probably became mercenaries or hired killers or who knows. With Magnus dead, the chances of them reformed into anything of substance elsewhere was slim to none...and therein lies my point Cadence. My brother did all that with Wild Magic- destroyed an entire Order of fighters in a single night, avenged our family, and probably saved me in the process. It cost him his life. But he bought me a chance at one in exchange. Just as his own mother has bought him a chance at life, at the cost of herself.

     That's the price that Wild Magic eventually takes, Cadence. It doesn't matter whether you accelerate to that point gradually, or completely expend yourself all at once. When you reach a certain point, the price for power will be your life. Remember that. Because you're heading towards it much too quickly... all these things you've done, how far you've grown, you've done enough cadence. I'm proud of you. You don't have to push yourself any further, if you do..."

"It might be the end of the line..."

"Exactly. Wild Magic... it should be reserved for last resort at worst, and never at best. There's a reason that most sane sages are sparring with it's use- we know what we pay every time. And that there'll come a point where the toll it extracts can't simply be healed away with a vulnerary or a staff. If you're going to use it Cadence, make it count. Don't waste it to kill rabble, don't use it for tasks you could easily acheive without it. Whenever you feel the need to tap into it, ask yourself: is what you're about to risk yourself for really worth it in the end? Just like Zalbaag asked himself that night.

    Do you understand, my dear?"

"I... yeah. Yeah dad, I do..."

"Good. And don't forget, not just my blood runs through your veins. You've other skills and gifts you can rely on. Learn to fight with them as you have the Spirits, and you'll be much better off for it. Trust me..."

 

He was fading. Slowly, but surely. Instinctively, Cade tried to hold onto his cloak, but quickly found her fingers slipping away into nothingness.

"And be weary of Mara, Cadence. There is far more to her than meets the eye...but I've still much to sort through on that front. Until next time."

 

And then... he was gone. Cadence stared at where he had been for a good long few minutes... then finally lay down. But as she tried to drift off to sleep, the Tears came unbidden to her eyes. And they would not stop.

[Zetaark]

Chapter 4: Markets and Mayhem

Year 1638, 26th of Vembra

 

After sailing through the night and most of the morning, the ship finally neared its destination, the merchant island of Z'ark. As the ship nears its destination, a few creatures can be seen overhead flying towards the island, many of them appearing like dragons.

 

"Looks like all of the merchants are flying in today. Business should be pretty good I would think," Xavier nods to himself, pleased with the sights. As the ship nears the docks, the party sees a large collection of people scattered about. There is a section marked for boats to dock, and to the left there is a large, empty patch of land. As the party disembarks, one of the dragon-like creatures started circling around the area, with the people on the ground guiding the landing. As it landed, a woman could be seen riding on the creature, something that Xavier noticed immediately.

 

"Well well, looks like its a lucky day for anyone who needs shopping. Speaking of which, if you need some nice weapons, she may be able to help out. Anna!" he shouts, running over to the woman and the dragon.

 

"Well this is...surprising. I didn't expect to see manaketes around here," Madante stated, surprised to see any in the area. "Oh, and before I forget, some cash from the past mission."

 

((The party receives 2000 vespers!))

 

"Now then, let's check up on our friend before he gets hurt," Madante states with a hint of fear in his voice as the party walks over to Xavier and his friend.

 

"Is that right? Well, good to see you managed to get out of that mess safely. And I presume these people are the ones who helped you?" the woman sitting atop the manakete asks, nodding at the arriving party.

 

"That's right. They were a great help for me, and they are also the reason I was able to bring my goods over to the market."

 

"Well in that case, I think I can offer them a little something. But first I've gotta unload all this stuff. Percival's been flying around all this cargo and I'd like to give him a break you know?" Anna remarks, tapping the manakete's back. At that, the manakete snorts a bit before responding.

 

"Yes, all of the extra goods that you just couldn't  pass up. How many times did I have to remind you to not go over-budget?" Percival retorts with a slight grin.

 

"Oh hush you. It was fine in the end, and some of it was too good to pass up," the woman pouts.

 

"Whatever you say dear," Percival remarks in a sarcastic tone.

 

After some unloading, the woman eventually stepped towards the party while the manakete, apparently named Percival, transformed from his draconic form to a more human form.

 

"Good to be back home. Now then, shall I take some of these back to the shop?"

 

"That would be great dear," the woman winks at him as he gathers up the supplies and begins to move them. The woman then looks over to the party once again. "Excuse me for not introducing myself earlier. My name is Anna, and if you couldn't already tell, I am one of the resident merchants. The best one also, don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Now then, since you helped out a friend of mine, I may be able to help out some of you," Anna looks over the group and checks their equipment. "You seem to be well armed, but perhaps you would like something else? I've got some great equipment on hand, and I'll even give a small discount. Do note though, you only can get one of an item, and I don't stock every type of weapon. We can only carry so much stuff after all. But if that's fine with you, tell me what you want and I'll see if I have it," Anna cheers.

 

 

[Anstane]

 

Darius examined his equipment and, while he does not need anything, per se, he decided to take up the merchant woman on her offer. After all, he had saved up a fair sum, it would be a shame not to spend at least some of it.

 

"Do you have any elder magic tomes on sale? From the Dread school, if at all possible." he spoke out his request.

Edited May 16, 2017 by Anstane

[Sutoratosu]

"What blades do you have then?" Cade asked, stepping out from among the others. She suppressed the sigh she would usually have given in the past when it came to such weapons- one way or another it seemed she was stuck with this fighting style regardless of feelings to it. Might as well get used to it, try and make the most out of the skill, like Father had advised...

[rokubiraijuu]

"I'm looking for bows," Idei also chimes in quietly, stepping forward, holding tight to Kite's reins. The stallion doesn't seem to like the look of these massive dragons flying overhead and continues to snort, hooves clacking impatiently against the cobblestone. At least he's not biting anyone -- yet. The horseman himself has never seen creatures like these before -- men who can turn into dragons? Or the other way around? He has seen wyverns before in his recent years outside of Arcadia, but they had never been anything like this, as far as he knows. He watches the man -- Percival? -- carefully.

[Zetaark]

"Tomes, swords, and bows huh? On the dark magic side, I did actually pick up a few things. They're pretty hard to come by though, but I did get myself 3 tomes. Sadly, I'm not the most knowledgeable on these. Percival is better at identifying them, but if you're proficient with them you can probably tell," Anna responds, displaying 3 tomes: Nosferatu, Black Lance, and Gorgon's Eye.

 

"As for blades, I've got a Cutlass and a Switchblade. Your choice for which you want. And for bows, I've got a Poison Bow and a Steel Yari. No crossbows sadly, but what can you do. All the weapons are 1500 each incidentally. Normally they'd be a bit more, but again, you helped out a friend, so you get a special discount."

[Anstane]

 

Darius examined the three tomes on display. Two of them were in writing he was not entirely familiar with, due to being of a different school. However, the third one he recognized from his earlier studies. Nosferatu. A tome that, in the hands of someone proficient enough to use it, can command the spirits to use the energy gained from inducing wounds and pain unto others to mend the wielder's injuries. For the shaman, the choice was a complete no-brainer.

 

"I would like to purchase this tome. I believe I can make good use of it." Darius spoke, referring to the Nosferatu tome, preparing the 1500 vespers requested for it.

 

Purchase Nosferatu for 1500 vespers.

Edited May 16, 2017 by Anstane

[Bfroger6]

Cass was feeling great after getting drunk again on the ship. He was basically sparkling in the early noon sun. Wyverns were everywhere and whatnot, but the real deal was an actual...

 

"A Manakete?" He couldn't help but stop in surprise a bit. He'd not actually seen one, like, ever, not even in his travels. And he'd always wanted to. However, what he didn't want was to get weird with the dragon right away. This was a special person and he'd have to strategically approach them over time. He frowned determinedly and then grinned at the merchant lady.

 

"Any instruments for a poor ol' street performer?"

[Sutoratosu]

"Hmph... is that so?" Figures, nothing she was all that proficient in to begin with. The last thing she needed was gear that would encumber and impede her more than it would help her stay alive "Nevermind then, thank you."

 

and with that, she turned started to wander off towards the market of the port. Perhaps there'd be a shop or two with something she could actually use effectively.

[rokubiraijuu]

"The yari, please." His answer is automatic; he hardly even needs to think about it. Yaris are the only kind of longbow he has seen outside of Arcadia that resembles the bows his tribesmen make back home -- it's not identical, but the feel of them is the closest Veritias has come. He had trained with the one in the Guard's armory whenever he could get his hands on it.  

 

Her earlier comment reminds him of something else, though. "If you're looking for crossbows, I have a poison crossbow with me that has all but four bolts left. How much off the Yari will you give me for it?" That's what he's supposed to say, right? Currency as a go-between is still something he has a hard time getting a handle on, but at least he's gotten to the point where he knows he can't simply trade one item for another outside of Arcadia . . . for some reason. 

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

Emilee looked in wonder; a Manakete. Honestly, she was never sure if they were real or not. She approached slowly a touch scared of the man, but also curious. The night of drinking had left her with a slight headache, but nothing she couldn't handle. After all drinking had to come with some downsides! "Excuse me, miss. What about staves?" 

[Zetaark]

"Alright, the tome is yours," Anna takes the money and gives the tome to Darius. "As for the crossbow...hmm this is still in good shape. I can shave off 600 vespers off of the price with this. Is that fine?" Anna asks Idei before directing her attention to the others. 

 

"Yes, Percival there is a manakete. Also my husband, but that's another story. Anywho, I'm afraid I don't have any instruments on hand, but I do have some lyric sheets if those interest you at all. As for staffs, I have a couple," Anna responds, showing a Quickness staff, a Kia staff, and a Silence staff.

 

------------------------------------

Cadence finds a host of travellers and merchants alike throughout the town. Various stalls are scattered about with people discussing deals and trading wares. Some of the stalls have some miscellaneous weapons, and by the alleyway there appears to be some sort of specialized sword shop.

[rokubiraijuu]

With little concept of how much his possessions are worth, at least in terms of vespers, Idei nods obligingly. "That's fine." He takes the Steel Yari in hand, admiring the smoothness of the wood against his fingertips. After passing over the money and weapon as promised, he steps back to let others speak with the merchant. Eager to test the bow, he draws the string back as far as it goes, noting the flexibility and resistance. It's sturdy enough to be quite accurate -- the wood doesn't wobble in his hand -- but also made of light material. And strong enough to shoot a great distance.

 

"Just like home," he murmurs with a smile, lowering the bow again and looking at it fondly.

 

Exchange 900 vespers and Poison Crossbow for Steel Yari.

[Bfroger6]

"Lyrics, eh." Cass couldn't hide his disappointment. For some great merchant, this lady sure kept her stock...pretty unstocked. "Okay, lemme check them, at the very least. Maybe there's some useful magic in some of them."

 

...also husband? Who marries a Manakete??? More importantly...HOW??? People barely knew they existed.

[Zetaark]

"Well, the one I got apparently makes someone more durable. Percival knew some people with it, so now I've got it," Anna says, pulling out the lyrics, being that of Ninis' Grace.

[Sutoratosu]

Cadence walks past the stalls without much interest, entering the sword shop and looking around...

[Aurorix]

While still inside the ship Belros let out an annoyed sighed. "Well... here we are..." He put up his hood and face mask before even taking a glance outside. Walking out to the group he'll make his only talk with them before heading off to do some info gathering. He walked over to Anna, 1500 vespers in a bag and spoke.

 

"I'll take the Cutlass. I assume this will sufficient." He held out the bag out to her. He'll have have to send his scimitar to Voy Con but oh well.

 

Buy the Cutlass for 1500 and send the Scimitar to the convoy

[Twinwolf]

"Got any axes?" Clarisse asks the merchant. May as well check. Idly, she wondered if she'd have the time to visit home...

[Zetaark]

Entering the shop, Cadence sees a man with what appears to be a wooden right arm looking for something behind the counter. Besides that, there are a plethora of swords present in the shop, each with varying designs.

 

-----------------------------

"Axes hmm? I've got a Swordreaver and a Francisca. Don't ask me why it's called a Francisca by the way. I have no clue what kind of person named a hand axe something like that. Anywho, either of them strike your fancy?"

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Would you happen to have any spears? This particular javelin doesn't really suit me much. It's just much to heavy." Rayne said producing the steel javelin she had. While it was quite instrumental in that nasty Roman's downfall, she didn't really like how heavy it was. It's balance felt all wrong to her. It was a crime against well made weapons honestly.