Private Eastern Brisshal Needles and Haystacks

[Asher]

It was so peaceful here.

Asher almost forgot what it was like to log into this game for the first time and be absolutely swept away by the scenery. Even now, dismounting from the carriage with a small travel bag over his shoulder, he couldn't help but smile at the new travelers he saw wandering past him. They were so vibrant, so full of life, and completely unaware of the danger that lurked behind every bush and tree. He swallows at the thought, his good mood ruined, his legs taking him toward the tavern here in Honeyhome.

He was here for a reason. Hanno had mentioned a person for him to look for—Cleo...something. The thought of attempting to find them in this starter village felt overwhelming just like looking for a needle in a haystack. Sure, he had a description to give people and he knew what features to look for, but what if they weren't here? Would he stick around this zone until he found her? Or until Hanno eventually made his way here?

Tightening his grip on the bag slung over his shoulder, he nods to himself, determination setting his shoulder. That was exactly what he would do.

Before he can make it into the village proper, he hears a loud commotion coming from the western side of the road. There was denser forest that way, probably bears or wolves that still managed, somehow, to exist close to this starter village. They looked docile enough, but the fact that they could enrage was always a surprise to starter players. And, knowing that, Asher immediately took off into the thick of it, hoping that he wouldn't be too late to save whoever needed saving from the wildlife of Eastern Brisshal.

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

There was a lot of good to be done, staying around the areas that newbies roamed and helping them out. Sometimes she had to act as if she was the game's tutorial, for a few new players she had done exactly that. It was something of a ridiculous curse, how many people were joining the game with basically zero prior knowledge, including about the risks that were involved with the game. There'd even been some people that had refused to believe her, accusing her of trying to drive away competition or something.

Sometimes she really didn't understand these people...

Though when all was said and done, some days were a lot more boring than others. This one had seemed like it was going that way too, with literally nothing happening and the redhead essentially just sitting on a log, practicing her Arcanamancy by using it to construct a stone wall brick by brick.

That was until she heard a commotion, a scream and a lot of sudden action. Those were the sounds of somebody in combat that wasn't quite ready for that particular level of combat!

In one quick move, the redheaded lancer had stood, manifested twin spears, before racing off in the direction of the commotion as fast as she could.

@Asher

 

[Asher]

135 / 145

-15 HP from Retaliation ( 145 > 130 )
+5 HP from Mend ( 130 > 135 )

The scene is bloody.

Three individuals, two girls and a boy, huddled by the thick trunk of a tree while four wolves paced around them, snarling and snapping their jaws. The male seems to be unconscious or gravely wounded, Asher can't tell from this position, and one of the women crouches near him, attempting to heal a nasty gash on his arm. The remaining woman holds out a short sword that trembles as she stands her ground.

The brawler exhales a sharp breath as his attention shifts from the three...beastfolk (are they satyrs?) to the pacing grey-pelted wolves. At first glance, they didn't look any different than huskies, but it was the yellow flecks in their eyes. Hard to miss, especially if they came up on the UI as non-hostile. Getting close enough to one would be enough to tether it and call in a whole pack.

He shoves past the thin barrier of bushes that keep him separate from the commotion.

"We were picking flowers!" one of them yells as a wolf turns in his direction, growling at the invasion of another person. Hackles raised, it charges at Asher without a thought.

There's limited time to react. He drops his satchel on the ground, curls his hand into a fist, and drives it into the snout of the advancing wolf. It yelps and falls back, shaking its head to steady itself. The other three wolves turn and begin to advance on the brawler.

Ah, shit. This...this could be bad.

"Just, uh, remain quiet and s-sneak away if you can. I got this. No worries!"

Auto Monster:
Wolf Pack
LP – 4 // DC – 25 // RT – 15​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (20) + 10 + 5 = 35
35 damage (-1 LP)
Martial Arts | Asher | 971

Sheet
@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

165 / 180

-15 HP from Retaliation

It took Cleo just a little bit longer to arrive on the scene, but when she did, it was to the sight of wolves that had cornered a group, two females and a male. The male was down, wounds being tended to by one of the females, whilst another stood to try to hold off the wolves. Or at least, she had, until a male had rushed onto the scene, using his bare hand to drive away a wolf that had advanced towards him, before trying to send the three other people, beastfolk, away.

She emerged from the bushes, a spear raised over her shoulder, eyes lazily tracking the movement of one of the wolves, before with an almost bored motion, she threw it. The sound of it travelling through the air was a crack and boom, similar to a musket being fired, before, to the naked eye, one of the wolves would disappear.

It then reappeared, pinned to a tree.

Brave of you to step in and help these three out. I'll give you a hand as well.

Another spear manifested in her open hand, twirling as she readied herself for combat.

Auto Monster:
Wolf Pack
LP – 2 // DC – 25 // RT – 15​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (7) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 77
77 damage (-2 LP)
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 971C1

Play Sheet
@Asher

 

[Asher]

125 / 145

-15 HP from Retaliation ( 145 > 120 )
+5 HP from Mend ( 120 > 125 )

"Holy shit."

Asher wheels around at the appearance of another individual, though whether they are a player or an NPC, he can't be certain. The red hair makes him think that they might be the person he's been looking for but, really, that'd just be wishful thinking on his part. Things in life were never that simple.

The sudden appearance of another person and the obliteration of one of the wolves harrying these newbies makes him miss one of the wolves darting in and slashing at his exposed forearm. He peels back, shifting his footing, his crimson eyes swimming toward his quarry instead of his ally.

"T-Thanks!" he calls out, fingers tightening into fists. "I think I can use it. Haven't spotted the Alpha yet, but I'm sure it's around here somewhere!"

Auto Monster:
Wolf Pack
LP – 1 // DC – 25 // RT – 15​

Rolls

Counter
1d100 (41) + 5 + 5 = 51
51 damage ( - 1 LP )
Counter failed. No additional damage was dealt and no damage reduction
Guard Arts | Asher | 971

Sheet
@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

150 / 180

-15 HP from Retaliation

Apparently her little entrance had managed to impress, as Cleo barely managed to overhear the defender's remark of 'holy shit' at the sight of her spear carrying a wolf off and pinning it, dead, to a tree. It did distract the guy enough that one of the wolves had managed to leap out at him and slash his arm, which seemed to be the wake up call that he needed to stop paying attention to her and start paying attention to the wolves again.

We can handle the Alpha no problem. So long as it doesn't reach the wounded.

With that said, a wall of spears manifested around the three newbies, the two females and the injured male, which would protect them from harm, whilst Cleo hefted a spear up, eyes tracking the movements of the approaching wolves. And then she threw.

Mid-air, after it had speared through one wolf, the spear turned and flew towards another, spearing it too, before it pinned both to the same tree that she'd pinned the first wolf to.

The final wolf, realizing it had lost its pack mates, began to flee.

Keep an eye out for the Alpha. This probably isn't over just yet, so don't drop your guard.

Auto Monster:
Wolf Pack
LP – 0 // DC – 25 // RT – 15​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (66) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 136
136 damage (-2 LP)
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 971C2

Play Sheet
@Asher

 

[Asher]

95 / 145

-35 HP from Retaliation ( 125 > 90 )
+5 HP from Mend ( 90 > 95 )

Don't drop your guard.

It was smart advice and Asher should've taken it to heart. He should've listened, should've nodded and began scanning the thick trees for this Alpha wolf that was sure to show up and attempt to wreck shit. That's usually how it went; the wolves attacked and if some of them were scared off or if the feast had started, the Alpha would show up. Bigger, badder, stronger: a newbie's worst nightmare.

It's while Asher is glancing around for the three that they had stumbled upon that said Alpha appears almost out of thin air. He barrels through the underbrush and crashes into the brawler, sending him to the ground on his side, the wind knocked out of him. Coughing, Asher manages to get back to his feet, but it's with a wince. His side hurts considerably and he's sure that he's either bruised or broken a rib.

Damnit.

"Guess this is him!" he calls out to his companion before rushing in and delivering a haymaker to the wolf's skull.

Auto Monster:
Wolf Alpha
LP – 4 // DC – 45 // RT – 35​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (32) + 10 + 5 = 47
47 damage ( - 1 LP )
Martial Arts | Asher | 971

Asher's Sheet
@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

115 / 180

-35 HP from Retaliation

And almost immediately after her warning, the brawler that had been defending the three victims was set upon by the alpha wolf, crashing into the man and sending him sprawling to the ground with a broken or bruised rib. The guy would be okay for now, but Cleo looked at the state he was in, biting her lip. He'd need some medical attention soon, even if it seemed like his body was doing decently at repairing the damage itself.

Still, he managed to recover enough to throw a haymaker at the alpha, whilst Cleo hefted a spear above her shoulder and aimed at it.

Just another pest!

And then she threw it, another gunshot-like sound ringing out as the spear slammed into the wolf's side, though it turned enough so that, instead of impaling the creature, the spear simply carved a chunk of flesh. It was enough to make the alpha change targets, racing after Cleo, who fell backwards as a storm of fangs and claws advanced towards her.

Auto Monster:
Wolf Alpha
LP – 2 // DC – 45 // RT – 35​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (74) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 144
144 damage (- 2 LP)
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 971C3

Play Sheet
@Asher

 

[Asher]

50 / 145

-50 HP from Retaliation ( 90 > 45 )
+5 HP from Mend ( 45 > 50 )

Sure. Another pest.

Asher would agree. It did seem that the wolves around here went more after the new players than the plump wildlife that would be an easier, more filling meal.

But it was hard to enthusiastically agree when he sends his fist into the face of the wolf only to feel its jaws clamp down around his hand. The crunch that he hears is enough to make him want to throw up. The bones in his hand break and he screams in pain, the sound loud enough to force the Wolf to let go.

Asher stumbles back, cradling his ruined hand. Through the haze of pain, he can see that the damned thing is on its last legs and he turns to the redhead with a whimper. "Just kill it!"

Auto Monster:
Wolf Alpha
!! ENRAGED !!
LP – 2 // DC – 45 // RT – 35 50​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (69) + 10 + 5 = 84
84 damage ( - 1 )
Martial Arts | Asher | 971C4

Asher's Sheet
@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

65 / 180

-50 HP from Retaliation

Cleo winced at the sight and sound of the failed punch from her male temporary teammate, as his hand was snagged in the wolf's jaws, teeth shredding through skin and flesh and muscle, whilst the jaws crushed the bones and ruined his hand. She'd have to immediately see to that, once the wolf was dealt with. At least he had the sense to stumble back, clutching his hand.

Stand back!

In her hand, she projected another copy spear, the crimson arcane construct humming and glowing as she packed it full of more and more energy, until it looked like it was splintering and cracking apart. Once she was certain that it had enough power, her eyes found the Alpha Wolf and she threw it.

The spear didn't so much impale the wolf as it did rip the wolf to shreds, scattering four furry legs and a sea of red mist and chunks of flesh, as her spear shattered apart and exploded upon contact, hitting the wolf as if she had thrown a fragmentation grenade at it.

Immediately she turned to approach the male, immediately reaching for his hand, before she began to turn back the man's time, rewinding the injury that he'd taken, watching as the wound reversed, until his hand was no longer crushed and shredded.

You're alright. That should help your hand. Even if you heal okay, I couldn't just leave your hand like that.

Auto Monster:
Wolf Alpha
LP – 0 // DC – 45 // RT – 35​

Rolls

Normal Attack
1d100 (44) + 25 + 20 + 25 = 114
114 damage (- 2 LP)
Ranged Weapons | Cleo Looker | 971C4

Twice Activated (extra action granted) | Cleo Looker | 971C4

Heal (Single)
1d20 (9) + 15 + 20 = 44
+44 HP to @Asher
Chronomancy | Cleo Looker | 971C4

Play Sheet
@Asher

 

[Asher]

The sound leaves his ears ringing and his gaze blurry. He's distracted and doesn't realize that his newfound partner is approaching until she's standing right in front of him. Crouched as he was, he has to look up at her, has to squint, and attempt to read her lips to figure out what exactly she was saying. And when understanding finally does wash over him, well, it's far too late by then.

His eyes widen and a guttural scream of pain erupts from his clamped jaw. The bones in his hand pop and re-knit, his body working overtime to heal what had been shattered cartilage and torn ligaments mere moments before. He is forced to watch as the skin covering his knuckles seal closed and the scars that would have been there magically fade until nothing remains.

Asher is panting the moment the magic subsides and he openly winces while gently shaking out what had been his injury.

"T-Thanks," he whispers while slowly standing and flexing his hand. Blood pumped through it, he felt no lingering soreness or pain, but holy hot damn did it sting. There was no more pain-limiter for him, no more magical breeze that took away every ouch, owie, and boo-boo. He was lucky because his body was used to repairing itself, especially in the middle of combat, but having that ability hyper-scaled to be on demand was... taxing at the very least.

"Did those three get away?" he finds himself asking and looking over the redhead's shoulder toward the tree where those newbies had been. They weren't there any longer and there was no indication that they had been killed, so he had to hope for the best. Nodding, his cerise eyes turn back to her and he gives her a small smile, his tiny canines flashing in the afternoon sun. "I'm Asher, by the way. Again, thanks. I don't think the new players understand how dangerous some of the wolves can be. They look docile until you get too close."

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Cleo winced at the scream of pain that erupted from the man as she healed his hand, rewinding its time as quickly as she could and watching as bones popped back into place and ligaments were reformed, even the skin sealing closed. Feeling a wound again, but in reverse, could be a pretty painful downside to using Chronomancy to heal, but it was all she really had, aside from just actually performing first aid. And she didn't think regular, mundane first aid would be goon enough to deal with the kind of wound that this guy had received.

Still, at least he was thankful for the aid after her treatment had finished, though his main priority seemed to be the players that he had been defending. Cleo nodded, looking briefly at the area they had been in, before turning back to Asher, as he had introduced himself.

They got away when it became clear that we had the situation under control, yeah.

She reached out and offered a hand for the man to shake.

My name is Cleo. I make it a habit to keep an eye out for newbies in these parts, just to make sure nobody bites off more than they can chew.

@Asher

 

[Asher]

Asher takes the offered hand in his own and shakes it with a nod, his gaze lifting over toward the tree where the newbies had last been seen. He trusted what the redhead was telling him, but he couldn't help but be a little worried. The boy that was with them had been injured and if there was someone who needed healing, well, it was certainly that new player.

Still, with introductions done, the young Minotaur cannot help looking mildly shocked at hearing his new companion's name. "Cleo?" he repeats, a slow smile winding across his lips. "Do you happen to know Hanno? Uh, Faerin fellow? Large shield. Really nice?" He doesn't really give her a chance to answer before he's speaking again, pressing forward with this excited hum that makes standing still very difficult.

"He mentioned starting a...a...program? An organization? Something to keep newer players safe since they don't, you know, understand the threats about the game. He said you were helping. You're...her, right?" A blush covers his cheek and he glances away, sheepishly. "Or am I totally sticking my foot in my mouth right now?"

@Cleo Looker

 

[Cleo Looker]

Her handshake taken, Cleo smiled lightly as they shook hands, though she could tell that the man's attention was at least still partly on the group that they had just defended. In truth, she also couldn't help but think about them, but they had gotten away and hopefully they were back in town, receiving medical attention, or at the very least, on their way to safety by now. She was a capable detective, but she wasn't really all that suited to tracking people through a forest. That was better left to those with specialist skills.

Learning that this Asher man was apparently a contact of Hanno's, she blinked in surprise, about to speak up before he cut her off again. Asher really did talk a lot, though hopefully he was only this talkative because he thought she was who he wanted to meet. And to be fair to him, she was, but he did need to learn to be just a little more careful.

You have the right woman, yes. Hanno and I have been working together to safeguard newer players, alongside some other objectives that we may share.

Though they weren't, by any means, a formal faction. Maybe an organization would make more sense? Or some kind of secret society.

Either way, it's nice to meet a fellow friend of Hanno's. I can see you're cut from the same cloth as he is, stepping in to defend those other players.

@Asher