In Defense of Tiranoc

[Alexian]

Quest - Black Fangs

The Town of Tiranoc bordered the Drakenwald Forest on the western edge towards Draconis and was the only method of passage from the Empire and into the forest, courtesy of a narrow ravine that cut through the Deimos Mountain and ended at the west-most entrance of the Town. This town had sent out pleas for help through messengers to the Draco Equis and eventually through one of their Knight Captains to Jecht himself. The Sacra Dragos had need of method to test the worthiness of Squire Warren - not only for whether he was worthy to be knighted but also whether he was worthy to know the many secrets held by Jecht and by extension be sponsored into novicehood of Draco Nivis should the fledgling knight wish.

Jecht was currently within his humanoid form, a human male with spiked chaotic brunette hair and violet-hued eyes , a muscular build to him and a smile drawn upon his lips. Jecht wore full wyvernscale mail over black gambeson and trousers with black jackboots. Worn over this was a long leather duster, a single blade at his right hip. Laynaeth was close enough to them and with Jecht able to peer through her eyes the Elder Dragon provided much-needed scouting. The town is built within the trunks of the trees themselves in symbiotic harmony high above whatever threats roam the forest ground below, as it was built long ago by the Fae and utilize their ancient architecture. The people of the town are intermixed among Fae and Elves along with Draconians.

Eventually, Jecht would reach the Town Watch Captain who had sent in the report and quickly dismounted his horse, awaiting Warren to do the same. He spoke as much to the captain of the watch as to Warren, in a coarse tone. "Greetings, Captain. I've heard you have problems with a particularly aggressive pack of wolves to the east that are killing livestock, and that have caused people to go missing. According to the report I've received the last attack on livestock was three days ago and the last missing person was five days ago. To start with, these don't sound like your run-of-the-mill wolves; my guess would be that you are dealing with a pack of Werewolves. We will handle your problem if you will provision us with two weeks of food in our saddlebags, in addition to the previously-arranged payment." The captain did not hesitate, giving a firm and respectful salute to Jecht then going through the motions of placing two weeks of provisions into their saddlebags.

[Hedgehog]

Warren hops down from his mount to join Jecht, "does this mean I need to get my weapon blessed, or maybe get a version that shoots Silver Bullets? Or am I thinking too much about outdated Human Folklore?" his experience with Werewolves is limited to stories he's heard, typically those told in jest. He is here mostly because he wants to do his mentor proud, and he wants to earn his first Dragon partner. He knows he has at least qualified to earn one.

[Alexian]

Jecht focused upon Warren as the young squire spoke about needing to have his weapon blessed or that he would need some silver bullets, it seemed that the lad had mainly heard the old wives tales and that was the limit of his understanding as far as the matter concerned. Werewolves weren't quite the same as the ones Warren had learned about, lesser werewolves weren't nearly as deadly while elder werewolves were far worse - let alone the capabilities each Alpha possessed. Jecht spoke sternly to Warren, "No, you'll not need a silver weapon to harm them, silver weapons are useful though to stop them from regenerating. So if you'd like a few clips worth of Silver Bullets, then I'm sure my conjuration would more than oblige. Should we survive the encounter, I'll see you knighted after this Warren."

Jecht turned his head slightly away from Warren as he peered through the eyes of Laynaeth; viewing the forest as it extended eastward from the Town of Tiranoc. The eyes of a dragon were far more perceptive than a human's just by the nature of them - dragons perceived the world in a form of controlled slow-motion which meant they could gather detailed information easier that a Human. The Fae and Elves (though to a lesser degree) had similar perceptive abilities. It just so happened that Laynaeth had spotted a pack of lesser werewolves, heading through the forest. Jecht turned back to Warren and jumped back atop his horse. Jecht handed over the silver ammunition he had been conjuring for Warren's gunlance, then waited for the other to follow suit as he affirmed his response. "We've found them."

[Hedgehog]

Warren accepts his Mentor's gift and mounts up as well, ready to follow, "Alright! I'm ready to go if you are, sir!" Warren seems Confident in their teamwork and abilities

[Alexian]

"Aye let us be on our way." Jecht responded simply as he cracked the reins of his horse, sending it forwards through the main road of the Town of Tiranoc and out the eastern gate into the forest proper. Jecht quickly rode through the beginnings of the forest via the small dirt road that passed through this portion of the Drakenwald Forest. Eventually, the dirt road began thinning until they could only proceed on horse single-file, though it took a while for this to be true. Eventually, when they did reach that point where the road had all-but vanished, Jecht came to a stop. "It's going to be on foot from here.

[Hedgehog]

Warren nods and dismounts from the steed, but feels a chill as he sees a silhouette briefly pass overhead. He lightly shakes off the feeling as he reminds himself that it was more likely to be Jechr's companion flying overhead, or (just as likely) attempting a practical joke to tease him again... "Right then.." he scans the trees with his eyes for a moment but doesn't notice anything out of place, "Sempai? Er.. Do you think a Dragon will choose to bond with me?.. I'm certain I've met the requirements.. But maybe none of them think me worthy of such a blessing?.." Warren is a hair worried that he hasn't heard anything about the matter, but tries not to show it as he loads the Silver Shells into his Gunlance in preparation for the mission ahead.

[Alexian]

"Well, I don't see why one wouldn't choose to bond with you Warren. You come from a lineage of Dragonian blood, it's just that your human genes are dominant in you; but nobody knows why an un-hatched dragon will bond with one except other dragons. It's as much a choice as a genetic instinct. For this reason the exact method and purpose of bonding to dragons has been obscured from those of the citizenry and public office, as well as those below officer rank within the military. We simply do not wish to create a scene, or allow those who would abuse the ritual for their own gains to do so." Jecht responded cooly, withdrawing his sword Anglachel and attaching a light to it, radiating white light out in a thirty-feet radius before growing to dim light for the next thirty feet and then no light. Their section of the forest eventually ends in an abrupt cliff before sloping down about one-hundred feet into further dark forest. Far away in this direction, the sounds of howls could be heard.

[Hedgehog]

Warren blinks and then sighs, "well, We know that they are out there.. We just.. Seem to be on the wrong uh... Floor?.." he jests, attempting to find humor in the current predicament, hoping to get the stoic knight to laugh a little.

Warren assumes Jecht's dragon could give one of them a ride down... But it likely wouldn't be wise to risk being split up for too long.. Unless the dragon is big enough to simply act as a long scaley slide? No that's rediculous..

[Alexian]

"Well then, seems we just need to get on their level eh?" Jecht says with a wry grin, and jumps off the cliff face - his body shifting and changing as his normal alabaster skin turned to scales of verdant green and his body became much larger until it was the same size as that of Laynaeth's; the changes to his body finishing as he had now become a green dragon and landed before Warren as a dragon. His clothing and equipment seemed to have melded into his being as they were nowhere to be found. He then spoke, his normal voice being augmented by rippling tones of power deepening his normal voice. "Come'n jump on me, we'll pursue them."

[Hedgehog]

Warren huffs a sigh, "alright then.. I guess there's no shame in getting assistance from a fellow knight" Warren long for the day he can have a dragon of his own.. But until then.. He climbs onto the back of the apparent shape shifter

[Alexian]

"I suppose you wouldn't know, but I'm not just another knight - nor am I a mere shapeshifter. I am the Sacra Dragos - the one chosen by all five dragon gods at a single point in time - and as such I am a true dragon. My human form that you've gotten used to is my shape-shifted form. You would know me as the head of the Draco Nivis as well as the head of the Draconian Religion." Jecht dropped the truth-bomb on the mind of Warren with a dead serious look - which was magnified by the fact he looked like a dragon. Eventually the pair would land at the bottom of the dense forest and the dragon form of Jecht was quickly replaced by his human one in a momentary flash of light. Meanwhile, from afar the sounds of howls were getting much closer as the forest started to rustle with movement and the first three werewolves, a smoky grey in hue, jumped out at the two of them with razor-sharp claws. Jecht gathered magical energy which churned to magma and released two magma needles at one of the werewolves - one into each shoulder. He then brought Anglachel's meteoric blade out to quickly parry the third Werewolf's strike.

[Hedgehog]

Warren was still reeling from the truth bomb.. Almost unable to react to the danger... As the first wolven enemy begins towards him, the worries and shock fade away... He smiles finding himself at home again, as combat is where he flourishes! He jabs his weapon's piercing tip into the Werewolf's shoulder as it lunges for a bite and smiles a cruel and crooked toothy grin, "Whatever... Right?.." he squeezes the trigger mechanism for his Gunlance blasting the Werewolf at least a good meter back from him with its powerful shot! He then raises his iron shield to prevent a strike from another attacker if they dare to strike.

[Alexian]

Learning: 9/9 Pts

SPOILER: Click to show

Name: Magma Leash
Rank: B
Affinity: Magma
Requirements: Magma Spray
Description: Born of the elements of the Volcano, Magma is most known due to the avid practition of the element in House Tsuchi. The spell 'Magma Leash' is one which is intended for both offensive use through the leash as a weapon and defensive use through the lava's ability to burn through materials. This leash is created by the spell-caster and attached to one of his or her arms, anchoring the lava to them. This has no effect on the spellcaster due to the layer of volcanic rock that protects their extremities from the lava. The leash, once tethered, can be manipulated through arm movements and can swing as far as fifteen feet from the spellcaster. The leash can burn through projectiles and items of D-rank and below, and can burn partly through projectiles of C-rank.

Lesser Werewolves weren't much of a threat compared to Jecht however they would provide a great work-out and proving chance for Warren. As such he left the remaining two lesser werewolves as well as the four that had just leapt from the foliage at the hands of his Squire. Instead, Jecht focused intently on the pair of Werewolves who had just approached near the back of his squire. Jecht moved solidly yet like a flowing current of water as Anglachel rung out and through the arm of the nearest Werewolf and brought the dragon-hand pommel into the werewolf's face in a smooth motion. Knocking the first werewolf back towards the second, Jecht maneuvered forwards with a silent use of Air Step, bringing the gleaming blade of the relic Anglachel to cleave through the first Werewolf. The second Werewolf now raked out at Jecht, however it's claws met his wyvernsteel armor common to knights of the Draco Equis and high-ranking Guardsmen Captains, and simply couldn't penetrate.

Jecht raised his hand, forming volcanic material within the grasp of two of his fingers. The crimson magma released a radiation of intense heat which obviously caused discomfort to the Werewolf at this range so much so that the foe turned on it's heel and began to scamper off. Jecht wouldn't be having such transpire, he had already finished casting the spell. He had sought to modify the spell somewhat, make the magma more tensile and attack it to his hand. This first attempt of his had failed at that, however it still succeeded as a normal Volcanic Bolt. And so, while he failed to form a leash as he was inspired to do, Jecht released the bolt straight through the chest of the werewolf and ended it's life. He looked skyward momentarily, most likely speaking with his wife Laynaeth. "Finish them, bigger stronger foes on the way and I'll require your service in dispatching them. Laynaeth will also be joining us."

[Hedgehog]

Warren, feeling excited by the chance of a real fight, charges forward, keeping his shield up and his Lance raised! He stabs his Gunlance into the chest of the closest Werewolf and fires his lance at point blank, ending hits life. He then shifts slightly to ready his lance for another attack, the mechanical sound of his gunlance chambering it’s next shot makes him even more excited, ”Any chance these things are smart enough to Flank us? I’d rather not have to worry about my back while I destroy them!” Warren asks, feeling a sense of caution return to him.

[Alexian]

Considering they are being lead by a Werewolf Clan Elder, from what my mate has seen, then yes they can certainly Flank us." responded Jecht, the shining blade of Anglachel removing the heads from the shoulders of two Lesser Werewolves, leaving only three for the Squire to fight himself now that Warren had displayed his skill with a gunlance at the expense of one of the Lesser Werewolves. The dragon could hear and smell them, another pack was on the move to their location from afar. He focused his sight into the eyes of Layneith to focus in on the pack with androit vision from above. He could see them, a Greater Werewolf leading three Werewolves and five Lesser Werewolves at the rear. Laynaeth swooped inwards towards the rear of the pack, releasing her icy breath and turning the Lesser Werewolves into icicles. the D-Rank Werewolves and C-Rank Greater Werewolf would be a problem for Warren, however.

Severing his visual connection with his mate for now, Jecht looked over to Warren and spoke to him with some sense of urgency as he indicated to the three remaining Lesser Werewolves. Finish with your lunch, we have bigger problems. One Greater Werewolf and three Werewolves are making for our location and will be here in a few minutes with their speeds on all fours. IF we fail here, the werewolf warren will once more strike against Tiranoc."

While giving time for Warren to test himself against the E-Rank lesser werewolves, the Sacra Dragos began preparing for the arrival of the new pack by conjuring a few hundred D-rank caltrops and spreading them along the path which Laynaeth had tracked and surmised they'd enter from and then along the nearest paths as well. Finally, would conjure two D-rank wooden barricades in the closest paths that were not the more direct path - placing these barricades directly behind the caltrops he had placed. The caltrops were there simply to force the werewolves to go bipedal rather than all-fours and would also serve to slow them somewhat.

[Hedgehog]

Warren could appreciate the humor his Mentor was able to display in current situation. Calling his current foes “lunch” also felt like a mark of respect for the way Warren fought like true berserker, “hungry” for the battle ahead and eager to enjoy his fill. The jest also led Warren to the realization he needn’t hold back for his Mentor to assess every move he made. Warren quickly raised his Lance a bit higher than usual and braced himself to adjust for the unorthodox angle, and as the first of three lesser Werewolves launched itself towards him, he squeezed the trigger of his Gunlance and blew the head clean off of his attacker!

“Urf!” Warren let out a grunt as bracing himself had allowed his body to compensate for the greater recoil. He then quickly turned his Gunlance so it rested over his shield, seeming to have lowered the offensive capabilities of his stance. He raised his forward leg, feeling a smidge unbalanced, all the while the body of the headless werewolf still in motion. Before the lifeless hairy body could come within 2 feet of Warren however, he firmly planted his forward leg down with great force, using the force from stabilizing his footing to swing his gunlance outward like a broadsword or staff, slamming into dead werewolf and hurling It backwards into one of the other werewolves with enough force it slammed them into a thick tree a few yards away. As Warren brought his gunlance to the end of its swing arc, he twisted his grip, cycling the 4th shell into the chamber and using the shift in momentum to bring the gunlance back to home stance. Warren, caught in the complex yet fluid movement realized he’d almost forgotten he was dealing with three Werewolves, not two! A sense of urgency returned to him as he heard the third werewolf charging from his ten o’clock! He shifted his footing and angled his shield, catching the chest of the werewolf as it tried to claw at his face, and instead wound up scratching up his Fine Gambeson a bit. It’s fierce flurry of claw strikes almost blinding, Warren finally had an expression his mentor had seen before.. “Irritation.” “You darn mutt..” he raised checked his body weight into the shield, the claw strikes grazing his cheeks and neck, the force causing the Werewolf to be launched back only about a foot. The werewolf seemed quick about rolling backwards onto its feet and preparing to lunge again only to find the gunlance had already been aimed to where it landed. Before it could react, Warren again squeezed the trigger mechanism on his gunlance and shot the werewolf, practically burying it where it once stood. Warren twisted his grip into the recoil to load the next shell.

With that, Warren moved back towards the Second werewolf, the one he had pinned against the tree with its comrade, the moonlight that trickled down through the trees allowing his shallow injuries to become a tad more visible, along with his now very relaxed facial expression. A couple of those cuts would almost definitely leave scars, but it seemed Warren wasn’t bothered by that “Y’know, Senpai? if these things weren’t so darn bloodthirsty, they’d probably make for some effective guard dogs” He sighed a bit as the second werewolf struggled to attack him even though he was well out of its range while it’s lower half was pinned against the tree. It’s true Warren had been irritated by the other werewolf that damaged his equipment, but after finishing it off he had calmed himself and reflected on what happened, accepting that any scars he would develop as a result of that lapse in judgement were a small price to pay for a fair lesson in keeping his wits about him even in the moment of landing a strike. He sighed as he took pity on the creature that seemed it only had the instincts to survive and to kill. “Ah well.. I suppose it can’t be helped.” he said, and raised his Gunlance before swinging it downward to bring a swift and merciful end to his last remaining foe.

[Alexian]

"You've learned a valuable lesson, my Squire. And yes, perhaps if the state of the moon and their own curse hadn't driven them to bestial frenzy then they would certainly be a valuable Guard Dog. It seems the only one who might have some sense in their head is the Clan Elder. Once we push through this group, we're going to reconvene with Laynaeth and begin our hunt." Jecht responded, a gust of wind sending his black tresses into chaotic fashion as he finished preparations by laying some wires as Warren finished off the last of the three Lesser Werewolves. Jecht examined his sword currently being held, a traditional draconian longsword of wyvernsteel. It had been slightly damaged, seemed like nothing could hold a candle to Anglachel. And so the weapon was returned to scabbard, while the male withdrew the sword of meteoric iron, Anglachel from her scabbard and took up a one-handed position.

The sound of rattling wood broke through the silence permeating the forest. The arced ears of Jecht raised slightly, listening intently to the sounds of rustling wood from the barricade he had placed earlier.

"Sounds like one of them have found our Barricade, go ahead and blow it with your Gunlance, Warren. Just have your shield prepared as the barricade is want to turn into a wooden shrapnel grenade once you've blown it. Should at-least slow down the Werewolf's regeneration a bit while you deal with him." Jecht commanded, leaping towards one of two open paths through the trees and relinquishing Anglachel into the chest cavity of the first Werewolf, tossing the dead to the side and yet allowing two to get past him. Of course they would be slowed down by the wires, giving Warren time to blow the Barricade and prepare himself for a fierce battle.

Jecht tussled with the Greater Werewolf, his absolute strength advantage allowing him to hold down the Greater Werewolf, yet he did not go for the killing blow, not just yet.

[Hedgehog]

Warren took only a moment to process what his mentor commanded and obeyed without question, knowing even as little as a second could turn the tide of a battle. ”You got it Senpai!” Warren rushed to the barricade and planted the muzzle of his gunlance against it as the blade pierced the wood. He didn’t give anything on the other side a chance to react! He squeezed the trigger and blasted the barricade outward the second he had his shield in place, sending bits of fur and wood in nearly every other direction! The sound of a loud crack echoed from the splintering barricade!

[Alexian]

The splinters and large chunks buried themselves into the Werewolf, one large chunk piercing through his legs each, then the splinters piercing him and drawing blood from nearly everywhere. The Werewolf had taken a grievous wound and the Barricade was blown down to revealk the Werewolf in it's entirety hulking down towards Warren at a slow pace thanks to both legs being pierced by large pieces of wood. Meanwhile, the Werewolf that had attempted to charge Warren was now tangled in wires and would be another few minutes at the least before being able to further towards Warren.

"Go ahead and finish these two, I'll hold off the Greater Lycan." responded Jecht, pulling the Greater Werewolf into a chokehold with one arm while using his other to cut into the left-foot calf of the Werewolf who responded with a loud howl of pain.

[Hedgehog]

Warren nodded, hearing his Mentor’s words. Turning his grip to load the 5th shell, he carefully raised the Gunlance to the lumbering werewolf and squeezed off a shot into its chest, ending it. He twisted his grip once more to chamber the 6th final shell loaded in his Gunlance whilst watching the furry monster crumple to the ground.

“It really is too bad. I’m starting to feel bad for these fur balls.” He moved to the Last of his targets, seeing them struggling with the wire. It seemed for every movement that brought it closer to a chance at freedom, the wires dug into its flesh ever tighter, “Easy now, I’ll put you to rest with your furry brethren.” Warren’s usual “hunger” had been replaced by pity. These creatures hardly seemed challenging when spaced out or trapped like this. Deciding not to make its final moment any more painful than necessary, Warren quickly stabbed the blade of his Gunlance into the beasts heart and then fired the last shell into its chest cavity. He used his shield to guard against the what little if/any blowback from the body there might’ve been, and then turned his attention towards his mentor. “Need any help over there, Senpai? Or can I take a moment to reload?” asked Warren, already checking to see if his loader was ready to replace his spent munitions.