The Vertix

[AboveUp]

Spoiler: OoC

Me and Void will be co-GMing this thing for the time being, until Toaster returns.
So let's get this RP moving again. shall we?

More loud sounds were coming from the town hall, in a rapid succession. Cygnus shook his head. At least I know Thanatos is there now. He''ll get himself killed if he keeps this up.

Some time passed and things started quieting down. Looking around, Cygnus noticed that people were walking the streets again. None of them would come anywhere near the carriage however, Cygnus noted this. As unfriendly as they seem, I guess they're not as hostile as they might have seemed at first. That, or they're just really afraid, as if pushed by another party.

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It was nearing the time for the speech. The group had disarmed the traps and still had some time left to prepare before the doors opened and the speech would begin.

A crowd started forming in the front of the town hall, waiting to be let in. The crowd did not seem all too friendly, but at least they were unarmed. Nor did any of them look like they were there to start a riot.

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Cygnus looked at the people moving towards the town hall, surprised that so many people seemed to actually have interest in the speech. He took special interest in how they didn't seem shady or armed. This might actually go easier than I had expected. I guess things only quieted down because of the explosions after all.

 

[NeoAC]

Grace watched the people file into the hall, and she was starting to get a little nervous. "That's a lot of people in there...and they don't seem too happy. What if I can't keep things under control? I can still use my ice stuff right? Even if I'm faking the royal thing?"

 

[axle 19]

Kylar glanced at Grace, "Don't worry too much about it. We have your back in this Gracie. I doubt they can take us on but if things get out of hand, by all means defend yourself with your powers. It's not like they know whether the princess is a mage or not."

 

[NeoAC]

"I guess that's true," Grace said. "Thanks Ky. All right, let's do this then!"

 

[RavingPenguin]

Trent stood amongst the crowd, hidden in a shaggy cloak. It would be his job to stop something from withing the riot if it ever started. His hand held a few nooses made from his wire and his fingers ached to use them. You'll get your revenge Trent, don't worry. He told himself, Right now you need to focus. You're the first defense if Grace gets into trouble. Trent breathed deep to calm himself and focus, pulling his cloak tighter around him to hide his armor, face and weapon. No need to make people more uppity than they already are... the man thought, making sure nobody around him was suspicious of him.

 

[axle 19]

Kylar leaned against the wall being as unobtrusive as possible. He saw Trent move in to position and smiled happy that they finally had a plan. Looking back at Grace, he crossed his arms. If anything happens to her, heads are going to fucking roll.

 

[Xero Scythe]

Thanatos sighed. He was standing at attention right behind Grace. He was to be the 'official' bodyguard of the princess. They had gone over this plan already. While he was to draw attention, or as much attention he could attract while standing still, Kylar and Trent were hidden in the crowd, ready to go if things went wrong. He was also there to give a quiet promp if Gracie needed help. He leaned forward, whispering in Grace's ear. "Good luck."

 

[AboveUp]

Cygnus leaned against the carriage, looking around. The entire place seemed deserted again, with the exception of the odd villager or two quickly hurrying towards the main hall. Things were quiet now. Everyone with even the slightest interest would have gone to the speech by now.

Slowly, he closed his eyes, took a long deep breath and focussed. The world slipped, slided and fell back out of place. I must have overused it. That and that whole ordeal with the bandits must've cost me much more fatigue and stress that I imaged. He looked at his hand, it was shaking. That, or the current state of the mission is starting to show it's effect on me.

Spoiler: OoC

Xero, please edit that sword out. You're a Magus, it's not part of your class description to posses, let alone wield those weapons.

 

[NeoAC]

"Thanks Than," Grace whispered back.

She looked out over the now full town hall. All these people were expecting a speech. A speech that was going to be completely improvised. She tried to maintain a calm, collected exterior but inside she was still panicking over what she was going to say. Oh my god, this isn't going to be good at all, these people are going to fire things at me, what am I going to do? OK.....OK, calm down Grace. Come on, you know what kind of stuff they usually say at these things right? Just cliche it up, praise the town, nothing bad, stuff like that. Come on, you can pull this off. Just go with it, OK? OK.

She cleared her throat off to the side of the podium. "Citizens of Easterbank," she started. "I am glad I am able to make my first public appearance in your fine town. They say you always remember your first, and I'm hoping that this will be a complete success. I do apologize for the added guard," she nodded back towards Thanatos, "however, it was felt to be a necessary precaution after there were some threats prior to my visit. So, let's just press on, shall we...."

 

[Xero Scythe]

Cygnus leaned against the carriage, looking around. The entire place seemed deserted again, with the exception of the odd villager or two quickly hurrying towards the main hall. Things were quiet now. Everyone with even the slightest interest would have gone to the speech by now.

Slowly, he closed his eyes, took a long deep breath and focussed. The world slipped, slided and fell back out of place. I must have overused it. That and that whole ordeal with the bandits must've cost me much more fatigue and stress that I imaged. He looked at his hand, it was shaking. That, or the current state of the mission is starting to show it's effect on me.

Spoiler: OoC

Xero, please edit that sword out. You're a Magus, it's not part of your class description to posses, let alone wield those weapons.

Spoiler: OOC

meh. I thought it was okay. It's merely decoration; he has no idea how to even draw the damn thing. It's a ceremonial sword. Is that okay or do I still have to change it?

 

[AboveUp]

Spoiler: OoC

Ceremonial or not, you have no reason to have had a sword with you. If you could remove it, it would be highly appreciated.

 

[Xero Scythe]

Spoiler: OOC

Alright, edited. Behold my space/time altering skills!

 

[AboveUp]

Spoiler: OoC

You're one amazing time traveller, Xero. Just be sure not to hit anyone with that DeLorean.

The villagers watched Grace's speech without much interest. No applause, no cheers, and luckily no aggression. They just stood there, staring, displaying little to no interest at what was being said.

Without warning, group of armored men stormed the hall, pushing away any villager that was in their way. It didn't take long before they were in the center of the audience. A few villagers fled, others stood near the walls frozen in fear. There were ten men total. Six of them heavily armored, long swords ready in their hands. Two kept to the back, armed with crossbows, scanning the entire area for any unexpected movements. Two more stood in the middle of the group, wearing little armor, they were chanting something slowly and seemed to be fully concentrated on that. All of them looked highly skilled and trained, and their behavior suggested they were military.

One of the armored men took a step forward and stared Grace up and down. "This supposed to be the princess? Looks like a damned Magi to me. Wearin' the damn robes and everythin'. I never heard o' no magical princess being raised. Explain yourselves now, and no funny stuffs. Those magi there know good protectional magics, nothin' gets past their protective barriers."

 

[NeoAC]

Grace froze for a few seconds. Shit, I fucking knew it! I knew I wouldn't be able to do it. Now what do I do? Do I just try and freeze this guy? Can the others get him? Can they get the others?

She looked around. Everyone else seemed to be as stunned as she was. Damn it! Guys! Come on, do something!.....Fine, I guess I gotta do something. But I can't take these guys by myself.....Maybe I can try reasoning with them. Yeah, like debating and stuff! What did Nate always use to say? Deny, deny, deny, til you believe? Maybe I can do that. Just remember, be tactful and stuff. Use those big words. Maybe he'll get confused. He sure doesn't sound smart.

"You're very perceptive, sir," Grace started. "These are indeed magi clothes. If you were here for the earlier part of my speech, you would have heard me say that we had to take some precautions due to threats made against me. One of those was disguising my identity. I swapped clothes with one of the magi to blend in amongst my protectors and thwart any ambushers that tried to hit me. You look like a military man, so I'm sure you can understand that tactic. Keep them guessing and all that. It ended up being a necessary measure, my traveling party was ambushed outside of town, but of course you wouldn't have known anything about that at all, would you?"

 

[axle 19]

Kylar saw the troop cut through the crowd and begin to question Grace. Fucking Christ why did this have to happen now Moving slowly through the crowd, he positioned himself behind one of the hunters ready to take action to save his fellow mage. Whoever the hell these people are, they will not be able to defeat us

 

[RavingPenguin]

Trent took a cue from Kylar and followed suit. The hunters were the real threat in this situation. The knights were too far away to strike and the magi were occupied with a protection spell. The only once able to strike a kill at the moment would be the Hunters. Trent slowly and carefully worked his way towards the back of the crowd to get behind the hunter. Good, he hasn't seen me, now to sit and wait. We only get one shot at this, Trent thought as he fingered a length of wire.

 

[AboveUp]

The man smirked as he listened to Grace's explanation of the story. "Int'resting. For a princess, you have 'n odd sense of brav'ry. Standin' up to a group of armed men, without even flinchin'. Some would think you really are a magi after all. If you were a magi tho, you'd be even braver. Y'know what we'd do to you after the kidnapping when you turned out to be not the princess, do ya?"

He turned around, looking at the rest of the crowd. "Also, we have this area locked down. There's more men with crossbows out 'dere lookin' down on 'dis buildin' at the moment than you have lack of experience. Anyone leave before our signal goes, you die. I don't want no needless deaths today." His tone of voice became more serious "But any deaths not needless would be mighty interestin'."

He turned back to Grace, his face dead serious. "Now tell me, where'd ya stash the real one?"

 

[axle 19]

As the words left the man's lips, Kylar seized his opportunity. Hands aglow with malevolent energy, he grabbed the man before destroying his mind as brutally as possible. Preparing another spell, he shouted, "Let go protect her." I knew this was a fucking set up

Spoiler: Above

Does darkness magic have a ranged attack?

 

[AboveUp]

Spoiler: axle 19

I'm honestly not too sure. I'd say it'd work over medium range in most situations, but I'd really have to confirm that with TTToaster.

Watching one of his men fall at the hands of a Magi, the man burst out in laughter. "Well done there. Ya nearly had me worried for a sec'. Ya see, with 'dese here Magi around, there's not much ya magics can do. Nice try though."

The hunter who's mind had been crushed by Kylar slowly got up again, slightly dazed.

"Hunters, move closer to my position, everyone else stay close and make sure none of you have your backs towards the crowd. These 'r sneaky people, even their damn magi are actin' like guerilla in here."

The men regrouped, the hunter stumbling every now and again. When they were done, there were barely any blind spots left to them.

"Now 'dere's still a question unanswered." The leader of the group returned his attention to Grace. "Do tell."

 

[RavingPenguin]

The hunter that Trent was stalking moved forward into the crowd, keeping his eyes open. He was so focused on what was in front of him he didn't notice a cloaked figure following him. He stopped and stood, leveling his crossbow at Grace. Shit, well, its now or never. Trent thought. He slipped a wire around the throat of the hunter in front of him and pulled quickly, crushing the mans windpipe. The man held on to his cross bow but was far too busy clutching at his throat to deal with any immediate threats. Trent took the opportunity to knock the man down and snap his arm. He would have screamed if he could as he dropped his cross bow and writhed in pain. Trent stomped on the crossbow breaking it. Though as he did it went off and hit the other hunter, pegging the man in the shoulder. "Well shit," Trent muttered, "I'm terrible with weapons."