Goutheim

[Goryokaku]

Kal didn't like what she could feel, even though Jessica was trying to suppress her thoughts on about everyone she couldn't do it not like the Mayor seemed to, Kal didn't push it though Jessica was hiding something what it was didn't matter just yet, Kal mistrusted everyone naturally so this wasn't anything against them. She waited quietly now for signs of everyone preparing to leave, she would follow them, and see what they would expect of her what that mayor seemed to expect. She began to finally take note of the mages figuring that if she didn't know what they looked like it could cause issues later.

[Thaedael]

"Very well, sir" she said with a court bow of the head, streaming black hair catching on the breeze as she exited the tent. Her step was heavy, weighed down by the weight of all the metal equipment of the human race, a spear, three javelins in tow, and three score and ten arrows in a quiver. Not bad for a day's worth of wanderlust, furs, and curiosity. Her footsteps were heavier in the dirt, the full length of her tanned leather boots pressing into the dirt, leaving behind a print that was unlike the humans before her she noticed. She watched his feet move back and forth, watching the way they left their tracks, noticing the weight behind the impression, her normal senses thrown off by the added weight of the armor. Elsa took a note of this mentally, so she would not be caught unawares in the future.

They walked through the rolling cityscape, features rolling by that continually caught her eyes in wonderment. They didn't have half the grandeur of the ruins of the north, but they were bigger, and they were not in disrepair.

[Zeus Kabob]

Bobak grabs a pearl staff, 1 day of rations, 3 waterskins, and a set of potions.

Elsa:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

The two of you make it to a training ground and you find it's filled with straw dummies and archery targets. "Here's the training ground. Feel free to get yourself acquainted."

[Thaedael]

"This will do, thank-you" Elsa said. She didn't really want to test it out on a dummy so much as just test it's weight and unwieldiness outside the confines of a tent where such things were most probably frowned upon. She unhooked her leather strap holding all her gear placing it at the heel of one boot, before once more walking forward with the spear still in hand. Why not? She thought to herself. She never attacked another being before, and probably will not do so later during their "mission". Doesn't hurt to be prepared. She shifted the weight of her body on one foot, spinning it slightly in the loose dirt of the courtyard, before bringing both arms forward in a simple thrust. -Stab-, the sound of the metal shearing through the cloth and straw ringing out in the walled off courtyard. It was heavy, more unwieldy than a normal wooden spear tipped with obsidian point. She withdrew the spear in a spinning arch, before thrusting downward with the point. -Stab-, once more the sound echoing through the cramped courtyard. It might do, for heavier animals in hunting, but for anything else it just felt wrong. Once more the spear was withdrawn from the cloth, strands of straw set spilling out the side. She swung it about in hand, tracing arcs in the air, spinning on heel and stabbing at the air in general directions, testing it out some more, before lodging it once more into the cloth rag of the straw-doll. "It will do."

She walked back towards where she had dropped her gear earlier, the spear still lodged in the doll behind her, before once more sliding the sling of equipment back over her clothed shoulder. Pulling from behind her back, she drew the long bow she had carried all this way from the north. It wasn't just any kind of long bow, but a composite long bow, the secrets of it's construction long since guarded by the tribes of the north. Beyond the simple hand sewn grips, the material was rather rough, the texture of the material rasping against gloved hands. From her quiver, Elsa took out the new type of arrows she acquired from the humans, grabbing it by the fletching of native birds, the feathers feeling smoother, than the feathers of the north. Sliding the notched edge to the string of the bow she slowly begun to pull it back, the bow bending more and more into shape as the composite material flexed stronger than other bows.

-Snap-, the arrow flew true hitting the straw man clear in the throat. She shook her head, side to side in disappointment, before pulling up the cloth material of her mask to her forehead. The breeze blew lazily across her features as she took another breath. Once more a second arrow was fitted, this time the compensation for the weight was adjusted more -Snap- the shot flew true once more, but this time where it was aimed. -Snap- a third to the head once more. -Snap- a fourth to the heart. Again and again the arrows flew, each time better aimed than the last, this time aiming for things like arms and legs, away from the major vital organs of the torso. Elsa prayed deeply that she wouldn't hit a major blood vessel when the time came. She slung the bow back unto her back, before walking forward to collect the arrows.

Grabbing at the arrow lodged in the heart with both hands, she yanked, yet the arrow refused to move. Once more she tried, this time tearing the cloth outward from inside. The heads of the arrows were pointed backwards, designed to gouge the flesh out when removed. Such barbaric tools of war. How such a tool be used as a weapon only sickened her, for even a non-fatal show would cause much more harm than needed. She bit at her lower lip, before collecting the score of arrows, placing them once more in the quiver.

[Zeus Kabob]

A guard enters the tent where the 9 of you are located. "Come with me. I'll show you where you must go to defeat the bandits."

He walks out, leading the 9 of you outside. He walks up to the training grounds and says "Elsa, come and I will show you where you must go."

He brings you all up to the top of the western watchtower, and you can see a valley in the distance, between two sharp hills. "That is where they are holed up currently. Coming from the back of the valley would be good, they've got a close guard on the front.

I'd suggest leaving now; it'll soon become too dark to see your way there. Attacking under cover of night will help you take them down before they retaliate."

He then leads you back down, bringing you to the west gate. "If you need anything else, you know where we are."

[dragonmaster121989]

When the guard comes to collect the 9 mages Sanowa reluctantly follows without question knowing it might already be too late to get out of this now. arriving at the training grounds she notices Elsa has her face mask rolled up for fresh air but hearing the guards voice the girl quickly fixes that before trailing along behind the group heading to the west guard tower.
After hearing the very basic battle plan the guards came up with Sanowa starts to think to herself " If it's going to be dark soon how are we to get close enough to get around behind them? don't we have to climb a mountain to get to the other side of the valley without going through their camp? " Now more confused then ever on how this job is going to work Sanowa simple moves to the back of the group to avoid having to make any decisions on what to do or how to do it. having a free moment and a few questions she wanted to ask she turns to Elsa and says " Does it get hot under that hood?... I'm sorry where are my manners I'm Sanowa ThunderStone and this is Saphira. " making a small motion towards the dragon on her shoulder before with her head while extending her hand to the other mage Sanowa does her best to give a welcoming smile even if she can't see her face.

[Thaedael]

The breeze moved her two long bands of hair, her black hair catching on the cool air as the sun continued to hit the beaten dirt of the private courtyard. It was oddly peaceful, the wide blue skies with rolling clouds, the warmth of the sun, the color of grass and flowers. Everything was much more vibrant, the walls reflected the light, their lime washed sides reminding her of the snow back home. Everything here was so much brighter, the color palettes several times more varied and eye-catching, Ruinna being nothing more than various muted tones of brown and grays, topped with a thick coat of fresh snow. She let out a sigh, before her attention being brought back into focus, a guard calling out her name as he matched towards her in full regalia, his feet heavy with the weight of equipment, causing him to make a lot of noise. Elsa gave her back to him, and the assembled crew, rolling down the thin fabric back into place, lining the slit of the mask with her face, wrapping her in the heat of her own breath once more. The rest just walked by her in a quick march, kicking up a bit of a dust trail as they went, leaving her to kick at the dirt tentatively once more, debating if she really wanted to set out on this adventure. She let out a second sigh, before deciding to come along, standing two arms and a half space behind them, walking gently through the marching grounds, along one of the western walls before arriving at the foot of the tower.

After walking up the counter-clockwise spiral to the top, Elsa was a good few steps behind the rest, pausing occasionally at the cross-slits of the tower to situate herself in the greater realm of the kingdom. She shook her head, clearing the thoughts of the mental map, before taking the last of the stairs two, three at a time. Slowly rounding the last bend to the tower top proper, she arrived in time to hear the instructions of the guard, whom stood pointing over to the horizon on the west. "That is where they are holed up currently. Coming from the back of the valley would be good, they've got a close guard on the front. I'd suggest leaving now; it'll soon become too dark to see your way there. Attacking under cover of night will help you take them down before they retaliate." he simply stated.

To his right was the girl that tried to introduce herself to Elsa earlier, making her realize she never did properly acknowledge her. Then again, why did it matter? After this mission she would be on her way once more, the lack of a companion not really mattering in the grand scheme of the travelling hunter. Elsa stopped, ready to open her mouth, her hand outstretched, a single index finger bent as she readied herself to explain the basics of how to get there, before suddenly the Half-Dragon walked to her, face-to-face in the opening of the tower rooftop. " Does it get hot under that hood?... I'm sorry where are my manners I'm Sanowa ThunderStone and this is Saphira". Stone-walled, she dropped her hand back to her side, taken aback by the directness of the question, and the speed in which she lost track to the question she just asked. "Only when the sun hits me directly..." was all she managed to say flatly. Sanowa raised extended a hand to her, leaving it a half arm's length away, and Elsa hesitated. "I am Elsa Elfreide".

She hesitated a moment more, before extending her own gloved hand to Sanora, grasping it simply enough before quickly withdrawing it once more. "Sorry about before... I am not good with people and they kept crowding me." she stated flatly, almost unapologetic. "Hey Saphira" she says, awed by the creature in the arms of the girl many years older than herself. "What are you, you are simply adorable" she states to the dragon.

[dragonmaster121989]

only being able to empathize with the girl Sanowa smiles and says " It's ok I can kinda understand that... And it's nice to meet you Elsa. "
Responding to Elsa's question Saphira's voice rings out in her head alone.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

" I'm a pure blood fire dragon... Thank you for the complement but I'm not all for show I can help out a little with my current size, just you wait till I'm older."

[Thaedael]

"I never implied it that way." she blurted suddenly. "I just never heard of a dragon or so much as seen one" she followed it up quickly, trying to regain a bit of the composure. She bit at her lower lip, before turning slightly away, not sure of how to converse with the older lady. "I guess it's nice to meet you too" she manages, before continuing to bite at her lower lip. She looked out across the wall from her vantage point, looking at the sunset, the orange glow cast across the city sky, roof-tops glimmering int he light.

[dragonmaster121989]

With an awkward smile Sanowa bows her head slightly before looking out over the city herself while thinking " This one is going to be a handful Saphira... " Saphira receives the message loud and clear but the only thing she does is spread her wings a little to get Elsa's attention before speaking again. The same as before her voice clearly chimes in Elsa's head.

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

" It's ok I never said you did... I'm just proud of what I am and what I can do.
and you don't have to be so nervous around Sanowa she is a good girl that means no harm she's just not that great at expressing it some times though.

[Zender_Solarheart]

(back when we were in the tent...)
Shelby sighs, noticing how the majority of her 9 companions didn't even acknowledge her question, much less look at Jered's picture. Responding to Melek, she says: "It's okay, Melek. At least you bothered to answer..." She looks around the room with that last bit, primarily at the 7 mages that ignored her altogether. Kal at least took a look, but Shelby can accept her silence as a "sorry, I've never seen him" answer. Though, Roxia seemed to be deep in thought once she brought the picture out...perhaps...

(and now, while we're all at the west gate...)
Recalling his quizzical expression earlier, Shelby moves over next to Roxia, and asks him: "Everything okay? You looked a bit...lost in thought, back at the tent." Her aim with this rather simple question is to try and get him to recall anything he might know about Jered. His lack of an answer implies he might have seen him, but not recall the details...or perhaps he simply doesn't want to tell her? Either way, this might be a good way to jog his memory...

[Nobudi]

Roxia was at least content with the fact that slow rotation was possible. Perhaps an application for a mobile shield?
Anyhow, his experiment was cut short as the guard showed them the location. Roxia's mind went into overdrive as he went through all the possible ways that they could incapacitate the Bandits with the most effiecency.
Then he was cut short again, as the girl Shelby asked about his thoughts. At this point, there was no reason to hold anything back.
"I have indeed met this man before. There was nothing too interesting about him, we merely swapped tales before he left, that's all I remember," he said quietly.
"And your relation to him?"

[Zeus Kabob]

The town is beautiful in the sun; thatched and tiled roofs glow in the late afternoon sun. The long grass on the hills make them shimmer as the wind blows over them¹.

Ten mages stand out in the sunlight, standing as an impressive group. Armor and weapons glint in the sun, and robes flutter and shimmer. The 10 stand there for a time, talking amongst themselves and making arrangements, but anyone passing by could tell that they were important; that such a diverse group of people wouldn't gather except for a great cause.

Those of you with magical implements begin to experiment with them, getting a feeling for how magic moves in and out of their gems.

[Argonaut]

Melek turns to Shelby. "No problem, Shelby! I'm just glad to help in anyway." He said cheerfully, giving her a smile. He felt a little bad that no one else answered her, and that he had never seen the man. He'd have to keep an eye out for him from now on.

Standing in the morning sun, Melek shinned. He was both an imposing and beautiful sight, his slightly see through skin glistening like (blue) morning dew. Instead of a shadow behind him, he simply tinted the ground behind him a beautiful shade of aqua blue. As Melek's glowing eyes scanned the horizon and the distant bandit camp, he let out a small sigh. While he certainly didn't like the idea of hurting these people, he was ready.

[dragonmaster121989]

Thinking back in the event of the morning on how this whole thing started. Sanowa realizes she needs to say sorry to Shelby the first girl she met in the main hall. Looking over at Elsa Sanowa says " I got something I need to go do, I'll be back to talk later. " with a apologetic smile on her face Sanowa approaches Shelby with her head slightly hung low " hey Shelby think I can look at that picture? I was off in my own world back there in the tent looking at wands... I'm sorry I didn't mean to ignore you..."at this point she was Trying her best for her words to not come across as an excuse.

[Goryokaku]

Kal finds somewhere to shade herself, as she waits for everyone to finish experimenting, she hadn't taken anything magical herself because she had no element she knew this fact the only thing that made her stand out was her ability to read minds, and the fact she could call a little bit of everything. She'd never heard of anyone who could do that before and she assumed that it was connected to something else, but nobody had identified what it was and Wilhelm had disappeared before he'd finished teaching her. Standing around outside she looked around not just at the other 9 mages but also at any of the people nearby.

[Thaedael]

"Suit yourself" Elsa muttered as the girl walked away. She walked about the group, curious how the others could control the very powers that had drawn her into the city hall in the first place, envious by how all of them could so freely control them without much a moment's hesitation. Growing bored by some of them talking to each-other, or their own quiet imaginations, she decided to go sit under a tree, sitting on the opposite face of the tree than Kal.

[Nobudi]

Roxia shifted his hand for the nth time. He could never get a wand to fit comfortably in his hand. Maybe he never would.
Now, it was time to test how much power he could get into the gem. He began to push, slowly but surely, every bit of magical electricity into the gem.
Hopefully, he wouldn't accidentally overcharge it. The only thing that was worst than an overcharged gem was a detonating one.
To ensure most of the other's safety, he stood a ways away from the group, pointing the gem as far from his body as possible.

[Zender_Solarheart]

When Roxia says he once met Jered, Shelby's eyes go wide, and her heart skips a beat. If he saw Jered in his travels, that means he's alive...alive, and wandering free of chains, as well! That news alone has her almost ecstatic, though she wishes Roxia knew more about that meeting. Where did it happen? What tales did they trade? Was there any indication of where Jered went after that? All those and more swirl through her head...but she manages to calm down enough to sit down next to Roxia, and start telling her story.

"Jered's...my brother. Him and I used to run our workshop in the southeast district, until some syndicate thugs..." Shelby pauses there for several painful seconds. Recalling the last day she saw her dear brother hurts, and the way her eyes somberly drift downward shows it. "...we fought them off as best as we could...but last I saw of Jered, he was getting dragged off unconscious...and..." At that point, Shelby becomes unable to continue with her tale. Jered's confirmed to be alive, yes...but that says nothing about what he may have endured up to this point. On top of that, it wasn't too long after he got carried off that she...she...no, don't think about it. Thinking too much on that will only cause post-traumatic stress.

Sanowa's question and apology helps Shelby snap out of that, thankfully. "Oh, umm...s-sure." she replies, pulling the picture out and letting Sanowa look at it. Saved by the distraction, praise the stars.

[Zeus Kabob]

Roxia:

Spoiler (click to show/hide):

You feel your magic enter the gem effortlessly. Increasing your power, you push in harder when all at once the gem is full and electricity arcs out of your hands and all around the gem and wand. Realizing that the gem must be full, you stop putting energy in it.