Rebirth Cycle Event 722: The Magma Beast

[Catalina]

Catalina

The other group were taking care of the big one, and so they moved and handled the smaller ones. It seemed to be working and there was a moment where she realised (probably later than she should have, in fairness) that the little ones were in full retreat. There was that moment then, that moment in any battle where there was silence.

It was a moment just before the cheers of the victors and the smell of death in most of the battles she had been in previously, but here there was a slight difference. Rather than the sagging shoulders and ragged out breaths of those who were feeling exhausted following a battle, there was a surge of. .. energy, she supposed. It felt like she was being energised from the toes upward and Raynarde looked down at the floor, suspiciously.

The Sergent seemed happy enough, although his exclamation of "The Empress' Glory" didn't connect the dots for Raynarde with the feeling that she had. But he did not seem to be concerned, in fact they seemed to take it as an indication that all was well. Kicking the earth, she frowned as she considered it and decided that no, she didn't like it, didn't trust it. In the moment, though, she was prepared to accept it.

They were meeting back up with the other groups and heading back ? That suited her fine. She turned and made her way over to where Balder and Russel were. Looking at the two ofthem, she had a laconic grin on her face. "I wonder," she said, her accent thick. "Are you as reckless when you drink as you are when you fight?" That was said to Russel. It was obvious both that she was teasing and that she was making a point. "If so, I have just the game to play. You'll enjoy it."

She fell into her usual loping stride as she walked with them. "I vote we drink rum and I introduce you to a card game that the Pirate King of Scalvoris taught me to play." She grinned. "It's pure chance, and I never cheat. And the first round is on Russel." With a nod, she considered something. "And the second, Balder. Then, we'll see." She looked at the pair of them, having been doing her best to gauge that they weren't hurt while she spoke - she knew of Russell's injuries, of course, but people often dropped after battle as the adrenaline wore off.

Looking around, Raynarde saw an interesting looking stone, smoother and different than the others. She knelt and picked it up. "A souvenier," she said and shoved it into her pocket. Then, tying her medical bag strap back together, she glanced at Russell, "You owe me a bag," she said, and made her way, adjusting her hat to a jaunty angle as she did.

OOC Note When she picks up the stone, she's using this ability:
Trophies Catalina is a very materialistic woman and she has always taken trophies - be it from a game she's won, or a pirate raid, or a hapless victim who has fallen prey to her charms. With this MB ability, when she collects a material reward (not WP) from an action (be it a solo, collab or modded thread), there is one additional item which is a trophy. This might be a really good pair of boots, an item of jewellery or a weapon. This additional item will be non-magical but just really nice quality, or have a good and interesting history if the thread is solo or collab. In a modded thread, this is up to the mod's discretion. In the review request (for solo or collab) or in the review (for modded) the "trophy" will be separately identified.

[Lorogh]

Fanfare

"Glòir do 'n Bhan-phrionnsa! Glory to the Empress!" Lorogh echoed, as the other soldiers did and was rewarded for this, or so it seemed to him, by a rush of euphoria.

"By gum, Warlock Victor, I feel ready to take on another Magma Beast, what say you?" Lorogh cheerfully jested, although he did indeed feel as if he could take on a whole group of the damned things. Even so, he was glad the day's business was over, and they'd be home in time for dinner. He started directing his fellow soldiers as well as Victor, instructing them on the particulars of taking apart a siege weapon, like the ballista. It was a delicate process, involving the uncoiling and destressing of the textile-based torsion springs that were set to either side of the bow. The torsion springs were removed once the tension was eliminated in the springs, lest the hemp rope burst and whip one of them in the face, giving them a nasty gash.

"Say, Victor, your magic was quite useful! I wonder if I might bend your ear toward the idea of teaching me a bit of magic?" Lorogh thought to himself for a moment, before continuing to disassemble the next ballista. He set himself to the task of handling the torsion springs, as that was among the most delicate of the moving parts of the ballista. There was of course the crank and gears, which was what everyone thought of, but the springs were what made it's tension send iron bolts flying so far! "I think I could make great use of magic, and learn quite a bit into the bargain! Do you think you could?"

"I'll let you think on it, sir. Now help me store away these springs will you? There's a good man." So saying, he placed the springs on the pack mounts they'd brought, and got to work doing the rest of the ballistas parts. It was a proud day for the Cadouri. He'd survived his second major battle!

[Balder]

As quickly as the fight had started it seemed to come to an end, the creatures falling into full retreat as many of them had been killed and the big beast was taken down by the siege team. The moment of silence hit after a battle, as it often did while people watched the enemy retreat and accepted that the fight was over, falling back into reality. Moments later, however, a roar of cheer and a wave of energy overwhelmed the group. "Glory to the Empress!" Balder cried out in victory with his comrades, his Lothar pride boiling over as he roared out the words like a primal beast, slamming his fist against his chest in victory. This would make for a hell of a story to those cavalry members that didn't join them in the fight.

Shortly after he noticed Reynarde approaching, grinning at her question to Russel as he strapped his flail to his side and held his shield in his arm. "A card game and drinks? Sounds like a plan to me. I know a place for the drinks" he nodded and prepared to move with the group, reuniting with the Siege team before they would march back to the Empire together. Balder couldn't wait to see how his comrades had faired in the fight. Odds were they would be safe, it seemed most of the groups had come out with little injuries and plenty of medics around in case anything bad had happened. He hoped to see all of the Cavalry tomorrow unscathed. Then again, knowing how tough his friends were, an injury wouldn't stop them showing up. They might even wear it with pride.

Quietly, he glanced up at the sky as he walked. "For you, my Empress" he muttered under his breath in prayer, the circlet of her blessing clear on his forehead. "For the Empire."

[Basilisk]

REVIEW

Thank you all for joining me for the Magma Beast Event! I had a lot of fun writing with all of you, and I really enjoyed getting to meet so many new PC's. The EXP and Renown below has been added to your UCP already.

Lorogh:
Renown: 10
XP: 20
Combat - Siege: 6
Tactics: 8
Strength: 6

Lorogh was a lot of fun to have in this thread. It really felt like you found his voice towards the end of the thread, but he was great to read throughout.

Catalina:
Renown: 10
XP: 20
Combat - Blades: 8
Strength : 6
Tactics: 6

It was great to see Catalina back. She's so different from the military types she was working with, but no less effective despite it.

Victor Amielle:
Renown: 10
XP: 20 (These EXP can be used for magic. If you want me to add them to your magic in the UCP, please let me know.)
Transmutation: 10
Combat - Siege: 6
Discipline: 4

I haven't come across Victor before, but he was a lot of fun to have in the event. I liked the way he used his magic to aid in bringing down the beast.

Russel Kandor:
Renown: 10
XP: 20
Combat Blades: 6
Endurance: 8
Detection: 6

Russel was a fun PC to meet. I like how he's struggling with his curse, but is still trying to find ways to use it effectively.

Balder:
Renown: 10
XP: 20
Combat - Whips and Flails: 8
Strength: 6
Endurance: 6

Balder was a lot of fun. Probably the most traditionally military minded of the event, though it was good to see that he had no trouble working with Raynarde and Russel.

As always, DM me if you have any questions or concerns.