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

[rokubiraijuu]

A crossroads. Idei looks out at the glimmering ocean again, thinking for a moment he both understands what the other man feels and also can't entirely relate. "I think, whatever you choose, you will eventually find what fits you the best," he finally offers. "However . . . I am no diviner, but there is a saying in my tribe that an arrow fired into the sky always comes down. People once harmed you so much that you wish to harm them back. If you do the same, then there may be no end."

[Sutoratosu]

"Well... I guess... all I can really ask her is.... how she could do it... how she could look him right in the eyes and..." She shakes her head, quickly moving onto the next. By now it should've been obvious who 'her' represented 

"I'd Probably ask Ingrid whether she actually hated me, or just the fact that she failed the trials when she had a chance and I got further than she did. I'd ask Prudence what I should even do now, probably get something pretty sarcastic but still kinda helpful. I'd probably ask Meila why she never played along or helped me out when I faked being sick, not even once, despite knowing exactly why I was faking to begin with...and gramps well, only thing I want to ask him is why he didn't step in sooner or more often during the training... why he just stood there and let her keep going most a lot of the time."

[Zetaark]

"Fair enough. Your family situation sounds like it's quite the mess, but I hope one day you'll manage to resolve, or at the very least come to terms with things. Just make sure your temper doesn't flare too much in such a situation, lest any nearby establishments find themselves needing emergency repairs," she says with a hint of a smile on her face.

 

"Now then, to move away from that topic for a bit, you mentioned earlier that you wanted to search for lost knowledge. What would the first place you visit for that goal be if I may ask?" she says with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

[Sutoratosu]

She muttered something under her breath, as the spirits laughed at the jab. Something about 'bloody treacherous wandroughts', though whatever it was soon became overshadowed by the shift in conversation,

"Well, I guess the obvious answer is an ancient ruin," she began "but of course, any scholar worth their salt would probably have assumed the same. Most known ruins by now have probably been scoured and everything of value taken, either by men of science... or by heathen bandits who didn't even know what they were looting. No, if I were to search, the one place I'd start is the Church Archives- there's no end of things it's supressed and locked away over the centuries, only to forget about. My father once said he'd found more stashed away in the deepest reaches of those shelves than all the isles he travelled to put together..."

    Oddly, the black book felt heavier than usual under her coat. Almost as if it heard the mention of it's former resting place and shifted in discontent, trying to escape the conversation. Cadence almost writ it off as her imagination... until the Anima quietly began to panic, and kept doing so until it stopped. She made a note to ask Mara exactly what this thing even was later.

[Zetaark]

"I'd be willing to bet that there are a few ruins still untouched here or there. Some places make it very hard to reveal the secrets they hold," Helena laughs before listening intently on the last bit. "You know, Darius told me he found some book on dark magic tucked away somewhere in the Avalon libraries. I found it a little curious that the church would have a book like that within reach of a civilian, but maybe their branch is closer to the one in Arcadia than the one in Luceria. Not like I personally know anyone from either area so I couldn't check much. How about you? From what I can gather, you seem to be familiar with some of the church activities, so do you know people from those two places?

[Sutoratosu]

"My family has produced the highest ranking officers and commanders of the Holy Gaurd for generations... My full name is, no, was Cadence Medea Albus," Cade answered, "to say I know people in  the church would be an understatement, I was born into it, had never even seen the world outside it's domains until I joined the guard. I've met the highest ranks of its priests and seen some of the deepest depths of what's hidden in it's archives... which is precisely where my father did most of his research"

[Zetaark]

"Albus? Hmm...I may have heard the name mentioned once or twice when I spent some time researching light magic a bit. They're based in Luceria if I remember correctly," Helena says before pausing to collect her thoughts. "I'm not sure if you can answer, but is it true that some of the church heads have been clashing as of late? I've heard that there were some disagreements on magic practices within the last few years, but I'd not been able to find out much more since?" she explains, looking at Cadence expectantly.

[Sutoratosu]

"Afraid I can't really say," She shook her head "I didn't exactly speak to the church elders on a regular basis, most of the times I got dragged out to meet them it was for formalities. My grandfather probably knows all about it though; and chances are you're not gonna find out much more than you already have, not unless someone gets bold, or stupid. One thing I do know is that the church is frighteningly adept at keeping their dirty laundry from airing in public, lest the faithful start to form doubts of the sheperds they so easily let themselves be sheep to. Infact, that's been just one of the responsibilties of my House over the centuries: making sure that when said laundry did make it out, whoever was responsible was Silenced. Quickly. Not that anyone in the church would openly admit to it- as far as official records are concerned, those with loose lips simply vanish, without a trace. But in all fairness, that excuse does hold some truth, being burned away with a flash of divine light seldom leaves much of a person behind."

[Zetaark]

"Well that's a bit...extreme. Though I guess that puts some substance into the rumors I've been hearing about. Tell me something. How familiar are you with the origins of the established churches here? Do you know the founding heads for them and their primary objectives?" she asks, interested in finding out just how much Cadence knows.

[Anstane]

 

"Who knows...guess we'll just have to see where fate takes us and what we'll end up encountering..."

[Sutoratosu]

"....it's common knowledge isn't it? After the Demon of old was defeated and the heroes split the fire emblem's gems and went their separate ways, the Saint Pira settled on Luceria and began preaching and aiding the sick and the lame, standard stuff a lay person expects. The Inquisitor Arduin began to gather his own following on Arcadia in the meanwhile. As for their original intentions... well I'm sure they were both good enough in their own ways. But by now? Doesn't really matter. They've almost certainly been tweaked here and there over the ages to suit the needs of whoever held the reigns at one time or another- warping so far from the original intent that it's barely recognizable. The church isn't run by the goddess after all, but by mortal men who can only claim to know her will. And Mortal Men tend to be the worst monsters of them all, if given the chance..."

[Zetaark]

"Yes, the first bit is correct. Pira and Arduin both established their churches in their home regions and things went from there. I'm not entirely sure what the reason for the two main branches was, but it's been relatively fine up until recently," she says with a sigh. "However, I've heard that the Arcadia branch has been looking into the Luceria branch. I'm not a clergy member so I can't say anything for certain, but the rumors that floated around when I was there studying light magic was that something has gone wrong somewhere and that the old teachings have been warped. Unfortunately that was all I could really get out of things, and I can't claim to know what they mean by the old teachings being warped, but I figured you might know something," she finishes.

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

Darius and ldei suddenly hear a loud crash for a room somewhere behind them, as if something just rapidly fell to the ground all of a sudden. Not long after, a groggy Rayne emerged from the door, she shambled over in her tired hazed, though somehow, she still managed to seem as perky as ever despite her tired state.


She yawned, and immediately and presumtiously, placed her tiny head on Darius broad shoulder. Clearly lethargic she stretched out her arms some before settling nestling her head further into Darius's shoulder. She squeaked out a small amount of words. "Morning Darius." 

[Anstane]

 

Darius flinched in surprise when he heard the crash and turned his head towards the source before noticing that it was Rayne. He then looked a little awkward as she placed her head on his shoulder.

 

"Uh...morning, Rayne. Are you okay? I heard a loud crash."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"Huh? Oh that? Nothing to worry about.~" she said, producing another yawn. She honestly had no idea what he was talking about, but she supposed he didn't need to know that. She was unsure if putting it that way would concern him more or if he'd just figure out to move on though. She groggily looked around noticing ldei, she waved weakly, just flopping her hand the bare minimum that could be considered a wave. She didn't see Clarisse anywhere, shame. She wanted to... but she'd settle for now., she didn't want to walk anymore she was too tired. Her legs also hurt a bit for some reason. Weird...

"What you two up to? Just standing around like a couple of bumps on a log?"

[Anstane]

 

"Just discussing the past and future, mostly me explaining how I got here and thinking what my future holds, if I actually have one, with these elder spirits and all..." Darius explained.

[Sutoratosu]

"Oh, I can think of quite a few things it could refer to..." Cadence answered "So could my father in his last days, I think...or rather, he certainly could once he was dead."

 

From her pursed lips, her fixation on the horizon, the long silence that followed however, it became increasingly clear that for the time being at least, she was done talking about that particular matter. Helena would note her bone white grip on the railing, the way she shook ever so slightly. Shook with something different than the fear and unease she'd shown earlier, when the topic had been on her mother...

[Swordstar]

"Ah... no, I'm sorry, I don't... The cards don't give specific details like that. They're always open to interpretation, but the truth is you need to seek this out yourself. Not all answers can come from magic. Some need to come from you and from your actions."

[Raindrop Valkyrie]

"You do. We all have a future. What that may be, who knows. But, for now, we're here. No sense fretting over things we've yet to do. They haven't happened yet after all!" she said quite cheerily despite the grogginess surronding her at the moment. She nestled even further into Darius's shoulder, msotly cause she didn't feel like holding her head up. ln the back of her mind, something she'd probably not be even aware of though... she did to show Darius she wasn't afraid of him. She had the impression he felt... rather lonely, despite the spirits. 

"You know, for someone who's always quite glum and pensive, you are quite warm.~"

[Anstane]

 

Darius was left completely flustered and confused. Why is Rayne doing this to him? He looks around in utter confusion.

 

"Erm...I don't even know how to answer that, to be honest..." he stammered out.

[Pyon Pyon Kyuu!~]

"Oh... I would have liked to know more but I guess I got a bit over excited." Emilee giggled. "Thank you by the way. If you ever need anything just ask, I can sew, I can cook, I can clean and I can heal. So anything you need just ask away! Oh I am also qualified to perform marriage rites if you ever need to get married to anyone."

[Swordstar]

Selia stared at the woman. The list of things she'd been saying had seemed perfectly normal until that last one...

 

"Uhm. Well, I don't think I need any of those things right now. Especially the last one. But uh... I'll keep that in mind?"

[Zetaark]

"I see. Well, perhaps on our travels we might hear more about it. For now though, let's set our attention to our more immediate goal," Helena replies, looking out to sea once again.

 

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

Year 1638, 30th of Vembra

 

A few more days of relatively calm sailing passed, until finally the group arrived at Kabumu in the morning. As they reached the docks of the island, the party would find nobody roaming the nearby town.

 

"Well this doesn't bode well. If memory serves, the area we were to investigate is a bit further inland in one of the major towns here, Durvis. Keanna, can you keep the ship here until we return?" he asks, making sure they have a ride out once their work is done.

 

"Of course. We'll be able to manage if any trouble shows up. Though from the looks of this place it seems abandoned. Be careful out there, all right?" 

 

"Certainly. Now then everyone, let us depart," he says as he disembarks along with the rest of the group.

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

The journey to the town of Durvis wasn't a particularly long one, though the savanna-like terrain made the trip a rather hot one.  As they got closer to their destination, they could find bits and pieces of miscellaneous objects. Splinters of wood, strips of metal, and scraps of food could be found here and there as they made their way closer to their destination. And when they finally made it to Durvis, the group was greeted by the sight of a ruined town, with only a handful of people left scavenging for what they could. As they got closer however, those scavengers turned their attention to the group, watching. At the main building that was once the town hall, situated on the opposite side of the group, two individuals were speaking.

 

"Looks like we've got some trouble coming our way. What now, do we bail out or deal with them?" the robed man asks a rather imposing man.

 

"..." the man says nothing at first, simply looking out at the incoming group. As he looks them over, he spots a single familiar face out of the bunch. "Could it be..." he whispers to himself before responding to the robed man. "Let them come. We will fight. And I will test his strength," he says, his expression stone cold.

 

"Very well," the robed man replies before revealing a tome and moving towards the group. As he gets closer, he too recognizes a certain individual from the group and laughs. "So this is what the boss meant huh?" he whispers to himself before speaking to the party.  "You all. I'm sure you've all come quite far to get here, but now you're going to have to leave. So I'll give you two options, you can leave yourselves and save us the trouble, or we'll have to force you out," the robed man taunts, readying his tome.

 

"So this was the trouble I take it...though it seems we got here a bit late," Madante muses to himself before responding to the robed man. "I'm afraid we won't be leaving any time soon. Not until our work is done here!"

 

"Fine. Your funeral," the robed man shrugs. "Boys! We fighting now, bosses orders, don't hold back!"

 

"Ready yourselves everyone."

 

WIN CONDITION: Defeat Randel

LOSS CONDITION: All player units die.

Turn 1

[Player Phase Start]

 

Cheat Sheet:

Spoiler

 

Bandit 1: (40/40) (C15) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 2: (40/40) (L3) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 3: (40/40) (K19) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 4: (40/40) (G9) Short Axe (30/30)
Scavenger 1: (26/26) (I17) Poison Knife (40/40), Swarm (40/40)
Scavenger 2: (26/26) (F14) Poison Knife (40/40), Hustle (40/40)
Scavenger 3: (26/26) (C19) Poison Knife (40/40), Swarm (40/40)
Scavenger 4: (26/26) (C8) Poison Knife (40/40), Hustle (40/40)
Scavenger 5: (26/26) (N18) Poison Knife (40/40), Swarm (40/40), Energy Ring (1/1) (Droppable)
Shaman 1: (26/26) (M5) Carrion (20/20)
Shaman 2: (26/26) (I8) Sin (30/30)
Shaman 3: (26/26) (G12) Carrion (20/20)
Shaman 4: (26/26) (E7) Sin (30/30)
Shaman 5: (26/26) (F17) Carrion (20/20), Black Sword (30/30) (Droppable)
Thief 1: (27/27) (M21) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 2: (27/27) (K6) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 3: (27/27) (H5) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 4: (27/27) (D4) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 5: (27/27) (G20) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40) 
Randel: (30/30) (C12) Volt Axe (25/25), Switchblade (30/30), Sacred Steel (30/30), Tomaharn (30/30)

 

Players: Health, Location, Weapons
Rayne: (22/22) (M13) Iron Javelin (11/45)E, Vulnerary (3/3), Iron Javelin (43/45), Slim Lance (32/35)E, Short Spear (17/25)
Belros: (22/22) (L12) Lockpick (12/15), Switchblade (29/30)E, Cutlass (23/25), Parrying Knife (27/30),Poison Knife (38/40)
Cadence: (23/23) (N13) Parrying Knife (29/30), Steel Rapier (30/30), Gale Sword (19/25), Poison Knife (36/40)E, Vulnerary (3/3) 
Emilee: (25/25) (M12) Heal (14/30), Vulnerary (2/3), Soothe (14/15), Barrier (13/15)E, Sleep (20/20)
Darius: (26/26) (N11) Flux (39/40), Carrion (18/20), Vulnerary (2/3), Vulnerary (3/3), Nosferatu (20/20)
Idei: (24/24) (M10) Iron Bow (15/45)E, Vulnerary (3/3), Iron Longbow (26/30), Steel Bow (24/30), Steel Yari (25/25)
Cass: (32/32) (M11) Vulnerary (2/3), Soldier's Drums (19/20), Ninis' Grace (14/15), Vagrant's Whistle (15/15) 
Myrdwyn: (30/30) (L10) Heavy Lance (18/20), Iron Pike (34/35), Axereaver (18/20), Iron Lance (43/45), Devil Lance (19/20)E
Clarisse: (31/31) (L11) Poleaxe (18/20), Iron Axe (43/45), Hammer (14/20)E, Vulnerary (2/3), Poison Hand (16/20)
Selia: (28/28) (N12) Ellight (20/20), Ray (40/40), Vulnerary (3/3)

 

Allies: Health, Location, Weapons

Madante: (28/28) (L13) Allegretto (-), Vulnerary (1/3), Lancereaver (19/20), Steel Blade (30/30),Light Brand (18/20)E 
Helena: (32/32) (N10) Elfire (26/30), Vulnerary (2/3), Meteor (1/5)E, Elwind (29/30), Elthunder (30/30) 

Exp Tracker: 59/100

 

 

[Swordstar]

N-16, blast the scavenger

[Zetaark]

Spoiler

 

(Selia is believing in the cards)

 

Selia:
Attack: 16
Hit: 76%
Crit: 14%

 

Scavenger 5:
Attack: 12
Hit: 75%
Crit: 0%

 

Selia's Attack: 93, miss.

 

Scavenger 5's Attack: 73, hit!
Selia takes 12 damage!
Selia is poisoned!

 

Moving to attack one of the closer foes, Selia's magic misses its mark, while the scavenger's retaliation barely manages to land, causing some injury and poisoning Selia.

 

Cheat Sheet:

Spoiler

 

Bandit 1: (40/40) (C15) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 2: (40/40) (L3) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 3: (40/40) (K19) Short Axe (30/30)
Bandit 4: (40/40) (G9) Short Axe (30/30)
Scavenger 1: (26/26) (I17) Poison Knife (40/40), Swarm (40/40)
Scavenger 2: (26/26) (F14) Poison Knife (40/40), Hustle (40/40)
Scavenger 3: (26/26) (C19) Poison Knife (40/40), Swarm (40/40)
Scavenger 4: (26/26) (C8) Poison Knife (40/40), Hustle (40/40)
Scavenger 5: (26/26) (N18) Poison Knife (39/40), Swarm (40/40)
Shaman 1: (26/26) (M5) Carrion (20/20)
Shaman 2: (26/26) (I8) Sin (30/30)
Shaman 3: (26/26) (G12) Carrion (20/20)
Shaman 4: (26/26) (E7) Sin (30/30)
Shaman 5: (26/26) (F17) Carrion (20/20), Black Sword (30/30) (Droppable)
Thief 1: (27/27) (M21) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 2: (27/27) (K6) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 3: (27/27) (H5) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 4: (27/27) (D4) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40)
Thief 5: (27/27) (G20) Scimitar (20/20), Iron Knife (40/40) 
Randel: (30/30) (C12) Volt Axe (25/25), Switchblade (30/30), Sacred Steel (30/30), Tomaharn (30/30)

 

Players: Health, Location, Weapons
Rayne: (22/22) (M13) Iron Javelin (11/45)E, Vulnerary (3/3), Iron Javelin (43/45), Slim Lance (32/35)E, Short Spear (17/25)
Belros: (22/22) (L12) Lockpick (12/15), Switchblade (29/30)E, Cutlass (23/25), Parrying Knife (27/30),Poison Knife (38/40)
Cadence: (23/23) (N13) Parrying Knife (29/30), Steel Rapier (30/30), Gale Sword (19/25), Poison Knife (36/40)E, Vulnerary (3/3) 
Emilee: (25/25) (M12) Heal (14/30), Vulnerary (2/3), Soothe (14/15), Barrier (13/15)E, Sleep (20/20)
Darius: (26/26) (N11) Flux (39/40), Carrion (18/20), Vulnerary (2/3), Vulnerary (3/3), Nosferatu (20/20)
Idei: (24/24) (M10) Iron Bow (15/45)E, Vulnerary (3/3), Iron Longbow (26/30), Steel Bow (24/30), Steel Yari (25/25)
Cass: (32/32) (M11) Vulnerary (2/3), Soldier's Drums (19/20), Ninis' Grace (14/15), Vagrant's Whistle (15/15) 
Myrdwyn: (30/30) (L10) Heavy Lance (18/20), Iron Pike (34/35), Axereaver (18/20), Iron Lance (43/45), Devil Lance (19/20)E
Clarisse: (31/31) (L11) Poleaxe (18/20), Iron Axe (43/45), Hammer (14/20)E, Vulnerary (2/3), Poison Hand (16/20)
Selia: (16/28) (N12) Ellight (20/20), Ray (40/40), Vulnerary (3/3) Poisoned 2/2

 

Allies: Health, Location, Weapons

Madante: (28/28) (L13) Allegretto (-), Vulnerary (1/3), Lancereaver (19/20), Steel Blade (30/30),Light Brand (18/20)E 
Helena: (32/32) (N10) Elfire (26/30), Vulnerary (2/3), Meteor (1/5)E, Elwind (29/30), Elthunder (30/30) 

Exp Tracker: 60/100