Assault on Honeyhome

There was a chill in the air not a from the breeze or the cold, but from the atmosphere, it was bleak and oppressive chocked full of despair. There was no happiness in the air, not an ounce of joy just the stale taste of fear. It was saddening he had heard of honey home it was supposed to be a place of rest and comfort. A place where those who were new players could find rest from the wilds of the plains, but to see it like this it was so quiet that each of his footsteps sounded like steps of a giant.

Equipping his longbow feeling the familiar weight of the wood rest in his hands, he needs to feel its weight to remind himself that if trouble came for him that he would be ready, the jingle of a quiver hull of arrow resting against his leg seeming to keep pace with his heart. When something ran past him brushing by with such speed that he didn’t notice it at first until he heard something hit a solid piece of wood with a thump, and then the crying started. However no matter what that child did the door didn’t budge. A parent was so terrified that they wouldn’t open the door for their child, he might have been a fool for taking this contract without asking any questions.

He was so deep in his thoughts that he didn’t hear the alcoholic get up or move but he did notice the stench. It was strong enough to cut through the taste of fear that the clung to the village even if the strength came from the most potent liquor that a person could brew. That smell walked along the wind carried throughout the village on the evening breeze, shame it was rancid. Dusk was soon to be upon the village well a job was a job even if he didn’t like the atmosphere he had agreed to help and his word was steel. As the night drew closer the sunlight slowly fading under the horizon like it fears to see what would happen when the dusk came. Letting his finger pluck at his bow hearing the thump as the line sprang back into place its sound bounce off the silence. “By the Court, may whatever this comes quickly.” Speaking out to silence more than anything else just to hear something.

 

What was the weakness of a hero? Was it the promise of treasure? A self-inflated confidence? The kiss of a princess? Though many heroes may have one or the other, there is one thing that pulls their heartstrings more than the rest combined: the tears of a child. To wipe away those tears, one would do anything, even face down the demon lord himself.

And thus, Cain found himself standing there in Honeyhome, alongside many other valiant braves. He already recognized a few. Aria, the Huntress of the Verdant Depths, a promising archer that plunged into the cursed land of Norfova when she was nothing more than a complete newbie. Kyupin, the Beast-Speaker, the veteran that he had acquainted himself with while traversing the treacherous heights of Falderen’s mountains. The others looked competent as well, from the lanky, gaunt craftsman that was no doubt a wizened artisan with decades of experience, to the plain-looking but probably fairly skilled bow user that continued to thrum the string in anticipation, to the fluffy blonde marshmallow that somehow looked even more cuddly than Kyupin. Though cuteness had no extrinsic value, it would certainly have an intrinsic one, as the pressure mounted, the silence foreboding.

A cheerleader, a moodchanger. Someone who could do that would have been valuable in this destitute, dark location, where fear had mounted to such an incredible extent that even a boy, breaking his nails against the door of his own home, wouldn’t be allowed in. Darker forces were about, and not even his parents would take the risk of unlocking the door. Those sobs were what caused Cain to step forward, walking up towards the boy. The mousy-haired kid was sobbing even then, blood soaking out of his cracked and splintered nails.

It was uncomforting, but Cain squelched his squeamishness, dropping on his knee. How would he do…

Ah, there it is.

Contorting his face with his facial muscles and his fingers, the handsome man made himself as ugly as possible, before going “Bwelrghghhhghghhhh!!”

“Fweh?!” The boy’s tearstained eyes turned up, bewilderment showing itself.

Not enough? Another face. “Echgurgbrgugghhhh!”

The child sniffed. “Uh…m-mister, wh-”

“Men don’t cry!” Cain declared suddenly, face contorting into a third ghoulishly terrifying countenance. “And you’re a man, right? So wipe those tears and look forward to our show! I am Cain Darlite, Flagbearer of Miracles, Blessed Champion of Idna and Iedi, Vanquisher of the Night! And you, young knight, are just as valorous as the rest of us. Though we are many, our hands and magic will be tied by the great many beasts that shall rise from the ether to haunt this town.”

The man leaped up onto his feet, offering a hand.

“So throughout this ordeal, protect the girl like a proper knight! Shield her from danger and warn us when the monsters have slipped beneath our sight! Pick yourself up and grip your fist tightly! Do you feel that pain? That warmth? That is your determination, your manly spirit!”

It was all theatrics, but if that could bring a smile and chase away the despair, it was worth it.

“Come, valiant brave, your duty awaits!”

It was just a farce, but if it could bring that boy to the center of their defensive position, he would definitely be safer.

 

The first thing Curious George did was try to secure the town.

He made his way around the village, making sure the houses and buildings had no openings. George found a few outside of the buildings – as much as he had liked to help them, Curious George had no way to actually get the NPCs to open up their doors again. The actual quest made it sound like the monsters were coming for one man as well. One of the NPCs in the pillory. But he still wanted to be sure no one got underfoot, as it where, when the monsters came barreling in.

Once Curious George checked the town, he got to work. When he arrived in town the man had a sack full of mechanical traps he planned to lay around the town. It was about the only way he would be able to help out for this. First, he set them up around the Pillory, then down what he thought was the ‘main street’, then around the town. He kept them relatively out in the open – if the monsters were rampaging beasts he figured they wouldn’t run around the tiny things on the ground.

Curious George chewed his cheek. If they didn’t bust on use. The most testing they had was hunting game in the forest. When he returned to the rest of the party, Curious George was holding a deflated sack. He thumbed back at the village. “I’ve set up traps around town and close to the pillory. Left them out in the open so you guys and the villagers could see them better. Shouldn’t keep the monsters from stepping on them.” Or his fellow adventurers from nudging the beasts into traps to damage them.

(if I need to change anything please let me know. Intended the traps to be how he rolls his DPS damage each turn when an animal stomps into one of them. )

 

Hidden: Music

"What the hell am I doing here?" was Aria's first thought when she arrived at the rendezvous point of the request she accepted moments ago, something about protecting a village from monsters lurking in the night. It sounded like a typical 'protect X location' kind of quest. However, reading news from the player menu and actually being there in the (virtual) flesh felt wholly different. An eerie silence permeated the air, thick and somber as Honeyhome looked similar to an abandoned village than a lively hamlet. There was a condemned man stuck in a pillory, a little girl bawling her eyes out by his side, and a drunkard on a trash heap around the corner.

The green-haired Felis gulped, having second thoughts about all this, was she going to be alone in this? "Ah..." Fortunately, her worries were eased as she spotted a lean fellow wielding a bigger, bulkier, version of her bow, reddish-brown hair and matching eyes keeping a sharp watch ( @Aalam Abungu ). Due to the circumstances and her prior experiences, Aria deducted he was a fellow player. Phew, she wasn't alone but... would it be enough?

As if noticing her doubts and whether out of concern or frustration, fate smiled on her as Aria's emerald irises spotted a familiar fellow, the suave Muse @Cain Darlite . If there was anyone who could lift up the gloomy fog plaguing the village, it would him and his exalting songs. Even now, the midnight-haired arcanamancer was inspiring a lone boy and whether he realized it or not, his words struck her too. Aria's feline ears perked up as she held a hand near her heart, yes, she could do this!

Last but not least, the Felis noticed a lanky tall man who could masquerade as a scarecrow if he wanted to ( @Curious George ) . The peculiar fellow was hunched down, tinkering with something. She tilted her head in curiosity, her lips slightly ajar in an 'o' shape as she saw the various small bumps scattered on the ground around him. It wouldn't take an expert hunter - which she wasn't - to figure out he was setting up traps. A smile curled on her features as she felt her confidence rose even higher, they had a pretty good setup here.

"Hey, everyone, I'm Aria." She finally decided to approach the gathered party and gave her best upbeat smile. "I won't call myself a veteran, however, I shall do my best. My bow is ready." She gave a nod to the party members. There should be more who had not arrived yet or she hadn't noticed but she was sure they'd turn up soon enough.

With everyone, she could protect the innocent, do what was right.

 

Kyupin's shoulders were still shaking, the rage simmering just underneath her tight smile barely controlled. After she'd promised to help the little girl, anything to ease those tears, she'd sat and watched as villager after villager walked by, clicking tongues and ignoring the cries. Only one person had been kind enough to even bother approaching the girl. One! How could they walk around, judging somebody, when they acted so cruel to their own kind? They judged him for the monsters he was bringing to the village, but they cared not for the monsters already there.

But as the sun set and darkness blanketed the village, the other adventurers, who would help set things right, approached. She recognized two of them. @Cain Darlite, a companion on her quest to help find the Falderen princess. The other, @Aria, a fellow Felis she'd met in Dunnstads. A few others, like @Curious George, @Indra, and @Aalam Abungu, she'd never met before. There was a first for everything, and if they were willing to help out this man and his daughter, then they couldn't be too bad.

She slipped out of the shadows with Vulcan at her heel and approached the little girl first, seeing as the other child was being handled. Kneeling, she looked first at the imprisoned father, then to the young girl. "The heroes are here now," she said, smiling slightly. "We'll figure this whole thing out. I promise."

She rose and nodded her head to them, standing up and pulling out her bow. Whatever was coming would be here soon. And no matter what, she would stay by their side. With Vulcan, the traps, the other adventurer's powers, and her own arrows, she'd let herself die before letting any of the villagers (no matter how disgusting their behavior) be hurt.

 

Her steps were light and quick. Today was a great day for her work as a magecrafter because she managed to find a fairly decent amount of valuable reagents and managed to collect a lot of sources of mana. Honeyhome shouldn’t be too far — her mind could picture the peaceful village already, and the possibility of a satisfying night in a decent inn seemed so close…And yet, so far. A chill ran down her spine as Indra’s expressionless eyes peered in the distant village that seemed oddly… Quiet. Yes, honeyhome was a small village. However, compared to its usual activity, what her eyes saw was… Sad, even. Silence reigned supreme.

Indra's expressionless blue globes followed the child’s approach, remaining quiet as she listened to the girl’s plea to help her father. “Agreeable. Please, guide me to your father.” Upon reaching the pillory, Indra eyed the man’s situation and noticed the puddle of tears absorbed by the dirt. A soft and monotone sigh escaped her lips. “Friendly. Greetings, Mr.Father. I will try my best to be as straightforward as possible…” even as she talked with the man in the pillory, she kept mental notes on her party members. She could see three carrying bows, one with a fairly unique build and another that was helping a boy in distress. Her cold blue eyes returned to the man’s. She wanted to free him, despite her emotionless exterior; but why did no one attempt to do so? Could it be that this man was dangerous? That doubt quickly faded away as she realized that if that was the case, he would have escaped long ago.

“Concerned. I have been in Honeyhome several times. The last time I was here, this situation was… Nonexistent.” She knelt down, to remain in the same height as him. “Confused. What happened here? Tell me, and I may free you from your imprisonment.” she stood up and remained silent to give the man enough time to share any information. Regardless if he did or not, the magecrafter extended her palm in his direction. A small jewel reagent floated before it, and started glowing.

Hymn of Mana

"Wee ki ra murfan near en crushue. Wee ki ra selena sarla sos yor."​

When she finished casting, Indra used the same mana to enhance her hand with illumancy and remove the latches with brute force if needed. In case she managed to free the man, she rested her right hand on the handle of her greatsword. “Cautious. I hope that I’m not making a wrong decision, farmer. Take care of your daughter, and please remain where we can keep our eyes and protect you.” Indra then removed her greatsword from its backstrap, ready to cut down any enemies that might approach.

 

• 120 / 120 HP
• Support
• Zone 1

It reverberated ominously, that man’s voice, promising to exact vengeance on Farmer Cade, as a menagerie of beasts burst through the forest. Two muscled, squealing boars stomped against the dirt path, their tusks gleaming dangerously. One abnormally massive bear roared out its challenge, striking fear in the hearts of those nearby. And overhead, coldly calculative, a hawk soared, well out of Cain’s effective magic range. The owner of the voice could not be seen, yet another danger to consider, for this beast tamer did not have nearly the same amount of kindness and tolerance as the Rangers or that blonde-haired forest child. No, in a world where sheep were slain for meat, that unseen man saw it as a case of a life for a life. Blood for blood. Death for death.

Too harsh of a punishment for an individual who wasn’t even aware of it.

The murderous intent within this arena was suffocating, the fear intensifying at the face of the foe they had to fight. He had fought wolves before. Kobolds before. But it was always human malice that had a sharper, more realistic edge to it. Yet, even so, Cain remembered his own advice. Hold your determination in your fist and FIGHT!

Climbing up onto the roof, he unfurled his banner, a brilliant white even in the evening’s hues. Striking it against the stone roof the house, the midnight-haired muse roared out to blow away the apprehensive atmosphere. Trying to set the mood, mystery man? No way!

“C’mon friends, it’s time for a proper, heroic showdown! Against the beasts of the wild, driven to unnatural violence with the malignancy of a man, we will fight and we will overcome! Hold fast against the dying of the light and illuminate the night with your own radiance!”

His uncharacteristically feral grin emerged.

“Now, LISTEN TO MY SONG!
Can you hear my voice?
Accept this incomprehensible everything
I can’t control it, I won’t control it
This first feeling of its kind
I sing to you of the eternal beginning!”​

Resonating with the waving flag, the battle-elegy of a sword that had lost their shield filled the battlefield, blue petals bursting from their weapons and hands while a strange warmth caressed their very core. This was loss, yes, but more than that, this was resolve in the face of loss, bravery withing sorrowful depths.

This was <<Lone Wing’s Elegy>>.

AOE Buff @Aria @Kyupin Felnya @Aalam Abungu
4 + 11 = 15
(Roll) Assault on Honeyhome / Assault on Honeyhome Tracker
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• 125 / 125 HP
• DPS
• Zone 4

Soon enough, the whole party gathered as @Kyupin Felnya , the golden-haired Felis she met at Dunnstads accompanied by her loyal canine companion Vulcan. She helped to comfort Farmer Cade's distraught daughter while the other blonde ( @Indra ) , a short yet curvy girl with deep blue eyes, freed the aforementioned farmer from his pillory. With everyone here, Aria believed they'd live through the oncoming ordeal, whatever foul beasts there might be, let them come!

Preparing her bow as the ominous voice reverberated throughout the village. "..." So, someone was deliberately inciting the beasts. Whoever they were, the fact they picked an innocent little hamlet to terrorize disgust the Felis Ranger. Goddamned prick, if the party ever found the culprit, she'd not hesitate to put an arrow through his skull.

With her courage bolstered by her allies' presence, Aria could concentrate on spotting the approaching targets. While she was nowhere near competent, the green-haired Felis was no longer a bumbling newbie who couldn't even shoot a bow right. A grizzly bear, two hogs, and a hawk. There might be more but those four were all her feline eyes could spot at the moment. "Everyone, look, a freaking giant teddy, a pair of porkies, and their birdbrain cohort. Their eyes don't look right... Obviously, no bear should have glowing red pupils." The Felis informed the party.

Hidden: Music

There up on a roof, the Muse took the stage as the curtains whisked open, let the battle for Honeyhome be joined! (Buffed) "Let's do this!" Her shortbow and quiver slung over her shoulder, Aria dashed her way forward, entering the nearby forest thicket as she quickly picked a tree then climbed on it, "Don't fall... don't fall..." with just minor stumbles, she luckily reached a tall branch, perching herself there as her green hair, eyes, and hide clothes blended well with the leaves. (Moved to Zone 4)

Peering from her cover, she locked her gaze onto the ursine beast as it walked through the clearing, no trees around it, should be a clear shot. "You're mine..." Aria pulled an arrow from her quiver, nocked it on her bow, pulled the string then adjusted her aim. "There!" With a sharp whoosh, the arrow was launched, singing through the air as it struck the bear.

Attacking Feral Bear
51 + 15 (Ranged) + 15 (Buff) + 6 (Hunting) = 87
Feral Bear: 613 / 700
Roll / Tracker
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• 110 / 100 HP
• DPS
• Zone 2

Closing his eye for a second inhaling a breath of cool air the disembody voice breaking the silence of the night. Warning those who had gathered to leave the village its fate,... someone had tried to threaten him with bodily harm. It seemed that whoever this was he believe that Aalam could be moved by the sight of a few beast trying to kill him. The hawk was a creature of beauty as far as he was concerned it would be a challenge to tame that but if it came down, then he wouldn’t run from the challenge or at least give it a quick death. The boars would be a problem, but they didn’t matter right now the only thing that had to be addressed was the bear. If that thing closed the distance, it wouldn’t be well for their chances or health.

It didn’t seem to faze @Cain Darlite however it was interesting to see someone who was able not only to stay steady in the face of whatever this was but to try and control the feeling that was being pushed upon them. That took a force of personality and skill that few had. Hopeful he would able to keep that up through the entire battle. Drawing his metaphorical line in the sand in regards to the creatures the will not be allowed to move any further.

A smile graced Aalam’s face it seemed that the battle had begun picking up his bow and feeling the buffs that were laid upon him. It was always a good feeling when someone buffed his abilities it was like fuel added to his fire. Grabbing an arrow from his quiver feeling the weight in his hand as he started to line up his first shot at the chest of the bear, it seemed that Aria had sprinted towards the forest to be a side shot at the beast. She had moved to get a better angle on the creature, but that’s why he preferred his longbow it was good for shots like this. Pulling the bow back to its full draw weight feeling the strain in his muscles before letting it go, hearing the shaft whistle through the air as it flew towards his the beast. Slamming into its chest with a well sounding thud, watching it bury itself in the bear’s hide.

Attacking Feral Bear
21 + 10(Ranged) + 15(Buff)=46
567 / 700
Roll / Tracker

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• 125 / 125 HP
• DPS
• Zone 3

She looked to the distance with the massive animals approaching and gulped. That... didn't look good. Her fury with the villagers could not match the fury she felt for this stranger deciding what lives were worth living. Part of her was upset that the farmer had killed a helpless animal, but more deaths wouldn't solve anything. It would just make everything worse for everybody involved.

Couldn't they have been civilized and reached a compromise?! "Don't kill my animals and I won't kill you?" Now they all had to fight and kill more and more and it was just... just a horrible cycle. She let her rage and Cain's music surge through her fingertips as she loosed her arrow, sending it piercing into the closest thing in reach - the feral bear.

Attacking Feral Bear
89 + 42 + 15 (Buff) = 146
421 / 700
Roll / Tracker

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• 100 / 100 HP
• DPS
• Zone 5

When the fight started Curious George knew he was fairly useless for the fight. His avatar had no real ability to directly fight, and George had no weapons or real equipment with him. But watching the others take positions to fight the bear in front of them helped stir within him memories of a man he was before. The foolish kid that ran head first into danger looking for a fight. Now if only Curious George had his muscle structure from real life too, then maybe he could have been more useful…

Curious George moved towards the feral bear, if only to try and stall a little for his allies to deal with the problem from a distance. There were massive amounts of regrets right now for not taking a ranged combat skill, but this would be the best he can do. Curious George heard a trap snap and looked hopefully, only to see crushed on the road side a moment later. Must have been one of his rushed traps. George frowned. That was unfortunate.

Attacking Feral Bear

12 + 10 (Tinkering)= 22

399 / 700

Roll / Tracker


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• 100 / 100 HP
• Hybrid
• Zone 2

Despite Indra’s cold gaze on the farmer and his daughter, her heart sank when the farmer collapsed to the ground upon being released from the pillory. Apparently, her healing spell did not do much to help his situation. She frowned internally at the thought she still had a long way to go to make her healing magic useful. While listening to the girl’s explanation, Indra’s eyes glanced to her team once more. As soon as the voice reverberated in the entirety of the village and the farmer’s daughter pointed out the beasts were coming, everybody were making their moves.

Considering how Cain had bestowed many of their team with his powerful magic already, Indra considered helping out @Curious George , her hand reaching out to the general direction of the blond man. “Afezeria oz Manaf”, she chanted and a small blue jewel on her hand shone brightly and disintegrated, turning into a powdery and energy-like mana that enhanced his traps with light magic. It wasn’t much, but for now, she’d need to keep her position and protect the farmer and the girl from the incoming threat.

“Bale chsee powel elle manaf” The magecrafter chanted, summoning another blue manaprism and putting it in one of her sleeves. Hands gripping tight on her greatsword, she assumed a somewhat crude stance. She still had a long way to go on all her masteries — what a bummer.

DPS / Support
Single Buff @Curious George for three turns
3 + 2 = 5
(Roll) Assault on Honeyhome / Assault on Honeyhome Tracker

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