Fire Emblem: Close Horizons (IC)

[Illven]

Nina rushes downstairs to check on Roland. Then she notices Linia entering the church.

Oh Linia! hey, most of us are still alive. Heh. I still need to check on Roland, he took a bad hit. But he may still be alive.

Nina puts her hand behind her head awkwardly.

But Linia.. I'm worried, that guy who was leading the attack, we also saw him in town earlier today. He must really want the scriptures.

[Nohbdy]

Finally the chaos had silenced. Lloyd slunk down to into the ground floor, peering cautiously from the stairs. Unbelievable, he thought. A figure was in view, the night shrouding their face. Before he could assess what to do next, Nina rushed past him and immediately revealed the figure to be the chaplain. Lloyd sighed in frustration as he stepped down the staircase.

"Not to be dour, but I think most of the monks and clergy here are dead," he stated bluntly, "I doubt anyone saw this coming and would have kept down."

[Illven]

"Not to be dour, but I think most of the monks and clergy here are dead," he stated bluntly, "I doubt anyone saw this coming and would have kept down."

Nina sighed and pointed to Lloyd

What he said. I mean we tried to protect them, but they outnumbered us so much, it was all we could do to stay alive.

[WhamBamSam]

Wotan looks down on the corpses of the clergymen and grimaces. The number of attackers had been staggering, and the axeman was in shock at his inability to hold back the assault.

He turns toward his new-found allies and begins to speak,

Do any of you know what they were after? I mean, I heard you were attacked on the way here as well. Seems that they want something from you.

[Sairyu]

"Ah I... thank you for trying. I'm sure your efforts were... were commendable."

She bites her lip, casting a long look through the ruined hall, as though searching for signs of life. Finding none, she speaks again,


"Nevertheless, this attack has shown me the gravity of our situation. As loathe as I am to admit it, this church is not safe. I... I do not know why they are after the scriptures and I... "

Another look, before she continues,


"If I could request a favor? No, no - it can wait until the morning. I’m sure that you are all exhausted. I will keep watch until you recover – it is the least that I can do for my failures this night…”

She walks off towards the back to the church, stepping over a thug’s cooling body without seeming to notice.

[Penguinator]

Paris shakes her head, avoiding being seen by the woman. "Church Knights. They were fools to die here. They should never have been done in on their own territory."

[Water_and_Wind]

Imeena cursed under her breath as the battle subsided. Her own injuries were mostly superficial, but not everyone was so fortunate. This was twice now that bandits had attacked in overwhelming numbers, after some musty tomes? And the chaplain, still surprisingly cool as if this was not unexpected... wait. She seemed only too eager to possess the Scriptures for herself, and only Aramel's insistence dissuaded her from doing so. Putting two and two together...
"... impossible. It must be the effects of fatigue on the mind." Maybe she was paranoid, but there were too many answered questions. Moving towards the retreating chaplain, she called out,


"Halt, Lady Linia! Surely we are owed an explanation now. The bandits may have retreated, but if they are truly after the Scriptures this will not be the end of them. Judging by their organization, they can regroup and attack by daybreak."

[Illven]

Imeena made Nina realize something.

Yeah, if they are after the Scriptures. The church is probably the worst place to keep them. We should move them so they aren't taken.

[Dramesh]

Paris shakes her head, avoiding being seen by the woman. "Church Knights. They were fools to die here. They should never have been done in on their own territory."

As the bandits run off, Argoth check himself for any injuries. They were only minor.


''I'm sorry Lady Linia, I failed as a guards to protect the monks and priests. It seems that these bandits had endless troops. They really want these scriptures, what's on them?''

[Penguinator]

"Halt, Lady Linia! Surely we are owed an explanation now. The bandits may have retreated, but if they are truly after the Scriptures this will not be the end of them. Judging by their organization, they can regroup and attack by daybreak."

Yeah, if they are after the Scriptures. The church is probably the worst place to keep them. We should move them so they aren't taken.

Paris nodded. "I can vouch for that. They will stop at nothing to meet their goals. They were willing to take on all comers, to admit them into their motley crew." She shook her head. "I was sent to destroy the church for opposing the Renyu. Meeting with these mercenaries, it only made sense to tag along."
She paused, looking around at the others. "I will admit that I am the newest member of this group; in fact, I have yet to be introduced to anyone other than the tin can and the mage. But it seems to me that a church mouse should enlighten those who protect her. Or is the church really as disrespectful as I have always been taught?" She grinned slyly as she spoke the last part, hoping to rile the churchwoman.

[Nohbdy]

"I'm curious about your Lord Calem, I'm sure his 'trust' in those mercenaries did not translate into the sacking of his own church," there was some thing suspicious about hiring violent mercenaries, which Lloyd thought to be more suspicious by this Calem not sending any guards to defend the church.

[Sairyu]

''I'm sorry Lady Linia, I failed as a guards to protect the monks and priests. It seems that these bandits had endless troops. They really want these scriptures, what's on them?''

"I do not know. Would that I had the time to peruse these tomes myself, mayhap I would be able to glean their intentions... In all honesty though, I had only received the missive from brother Faramund a few days past, telling me only to expect Aramel and new literary supplies for this church. There was no mention that its delivery would be so.. contested."

She makes a face over the last word, as though she'd tasted something bitter.

"Halt, Lady Linia! Surely we are owed an explanation now. The bandits may have retreated, but if they are truly after the Scriptures this will not be the end of them. Judging by their organization, they can regroup and attack by daybreak."

"Yes. That is... correct. My judgement has been sorely lacking this past day. Never would I have expected that there would be criminals so... audacious to attack the church.

As to your question, I am afraid that I am as much in the dark as you are. I have my suspicions, the Church has many enemies, some more obvious than others. But, I cannot fathom what could possess any of them to take such drastic action."

Yeah, if they are after the Scriptures. The church is probably the worst place to keep them. We should move them so they aren't taken.

"That would relate to the favor that I was going to ask of you. If you could, would you take Aramel, and the scriptures, and escort him back north to the Losae monastery?

If what I suspect is true, Eban is no longer a safe place for the faithful. And, whichever of those works is the one that is so desired, even I understand the importance of keeping it out of this group's hands. There is an exit in the basement that leads to the bones of the old city. You may wish to depart in that manner."

Paris nodded. "I can vouch for that. They will stop at nothing to meet their goals. They were willing to take on all comers, to admit them into their motley crew." ... "I will admit that I am the newest member of this group; in fact, I have yet to be introduced to anyone other than the tin can and the mage. But it seems to me that a church mouse should enlighten those who protect her. Or is the church really as disrespectful as I have always been taught?" She grinned slyly as she spoke the last part, hoping to rile the churchwoman.

"I do not know why these men seek the scriptures, I do not even know WHICH of these works it is that they might be seeking! I have not even been able to LOOK at even the, the things that were to be delivered to me!

As far as I know this is some harebrained plot of that bastard Domni's to smear the Church's name and gain "lord Calem's" favor! What he could possibly gain from this I do not know - nor do I care any longer!"

She cuts herself off, teeth grit and breathing heavily.

"There. And now you know of my suspicions. Do as you will, but be gone by sunrise."

She stalks off, disappearing around a corner.



----------

No, she isn't going to answer Lloyd. Not anymore.

[Illven]

Nina glared at Linia as she stormed off.

Well that happened! *sigh* Okay do we even want to follow her request? If we do, I don't think we should go into the old city. Unless any of us knows how to navigate it.

[Nohbdy]

Lloyd grumbled, so much for any insightful information. "Well, if we try to go out of town there's a likely chance we'll face the brunt of the mercenary forces," he stated, turning towards Nina, "The old city would be a better way to exit without drawing too much attention, even if there is a risk of getting lost."

[Water_and_Wind]

Imeena mulled over the chaplain's words. Assuming they were true, she was merely a pawn of the Church. Responding to Nina and Lloyd,

"I am not familiar with the old city, but certainly it would be better to leave this city discreetly. I believe we have exhausted our lady's hospitality... if she will not speak then our only recourse is to gain an entrance with this Lord Calem."

"We should keep the Scriptures in our possession until then - the Losae monastery is affiliated with the Osulian Church and just as likely to be targeted as Eban."

[Penguinator]

*snip*

Paris grinned cruelly. "Temper, temper." She shook her head. "I don't trust the churchmouse. This "old city" may very well be a trap."

"We should keep the Scriptures in our possession until then - the Losae monastery is affiliated with the Osulian Church and just as likely to be targeted as Eban."

"The rider makes sense. It is best to keep anything of value with us at all times. We don't know when these villains will be back, or even if we can trust these church people." She muttered, "trusting them has worked so well..."

[Water_and_Wind]

Paris grinned cruelly. "Temper, temper." She shook her head. "I don't trust the churchmouse. This "old city" may very well be a trap."

"Trap or not, the city proper is not safe and we will be out in the open. In the worst case, the ruins of the old city will be advantageous for our defense, assuming they are still intact enough to provide cover."

"The rider makes sense. It is best to keep anything of value with us at all times. We don't know when these villains will be back, or even if we can trust these church people." She muttered, "trusting them has worked so well..."

"I'm glad we are of the same mind. My name is Imeena, of the Kubravarain clan. And I would enquire of yours," holding out her hand.

[Dramesh]

"I think we all agree that we must depart, I also think that a discreet way is the better. After exiting the old town, we will surely encounter some patrols. After seeing their attack now, I suggest we go as 1 group and try to avoid confrontation if possible."

[Penguinator]

"I'm glad we are of the same mind. My name is Imeena, of the Kubravarain clan. And I would enquire of yours," holding out her hand.

Paris eyed the outstretched hand incredulously. That was the second person to do that. After a moment, her horse licked the hand and whinnied. Paris shook her head, and stated flatly, "I am Paris Lightbringer, the light of the Renyu."

[Acanous]

"Thanks, Nina. Now I know how it feels to be on the recieving end of a bow. Don't like it, I'll have to avoid it in the future."

Getting up, and wincing a little, Roland takes stock of the situation.
"Seems like a good idea to take off and make a show of escaping, while Aramel sneaks out the back with his copies of those scriptures. That way, even if we fail, the enemy does not deprive us of whatever it is in those scriptures they so desperately don't want us to have."

Checking his equiptment, Roland is pleasantly surprised to find an additional bow, and a full Vulnerary.
"Of course, if they get wise, they'll break off and search for Aramel. We'll need someone to wear a disguise. Doesn't have to be perfect, it's hard to tell in the dark. Any volunteers?"

[Water_and_Wind]

Paris eyed the outstretched hand incredulously. That was the second person to do that. After a moment, her horse licked the hand and whinnied. Paris shook her head, and stated flatly, "I am Paris Lightbringer, the light of the Renyu."

Imeena giggled as Paris' horse licked her hand. "Ah, that tickles. An unsociable one, huh? Well, I can tell your horse is quite fond of you, that makes you all right by me. Pleased to meet you, Paris."

Getting up, and wincing a little, Roland takes stock of the situation.
"Seems like a good idea to take off and make a show of escaping, while Aramel sneaks out the back with his copies of those scriptures. That way, even if we fail, the enemy does not deprive us of whatever it is in those scriptures they so desperately don't want us to have."

Checking his equiptment, Roland is pleasantly surprised to find an additional bow, and a full Vulnerary.
"Of course, if they get wise, they'll break off and search for Aramel. We'll need someone to wear a disguise. Doesn't have to be perfect, it's hard to tell in the dark. Any volunteers?"

Imeena furrowed her brow. "Hmmm... I can't help but think that it is dangerous for Aramel to be on his own, we are supposed to escort him after all."

[Acanous]

"They've seriously injured two of us, and seem to have an endless supply of reinforcements. I don't think we CAN protect him, if they catch us."

[Penguinator]

"I suppose I ought to ask. Who is this Aramel?"

[Acanous]

"Oh, you don't know about Aramel? The Light of Osula, shinging star of Hiroth?"
Roland puts a perplexed expression on his face.
"Strange, I thought everybody knew about his exalted holiness.
a twinkling in his eyes is the only indication he's anything but serious.

[Penguinator]

Paris remains straight-faced. "Oh. I see. I probably ought to kill him, then."

[Acanous]

"Or you could marry him. Then you could combine your holiness and have double-exalted children."
Roland has a harder time keeping the amusement off his face, so he looks away, pretending to envision it.
"Yes, all of Hiroth would bow to you, and with your combined might and the saints behind you, you could easily conquer the rest of the continent."

[Penguinator]

Paris flicks a small ball of darkness past the archer's face, glaring. "Do not mock me, boy. If you had any sense, you would have cut and run instead of being cut down in the last fight."

[Sairyu]

Though distrustful of the Osuli Chaplain, the group regardless decides to head her words. Built atop the ruins of an old city, Eban is not an unusual specimen. Most towns and cities near the current border of the conflict have been taken at some point in the past, before the deadlock of current times, when the warfront was a far more fluid thing. In those days it was common practise to simply rebuild atop of a razed city after retaking it. These types of cities are most common along the Hiroth-Farin border and on the Farin side of the Farin-Berca border. Berca does not have any fixed locals so close to the border, disdaining the inherent danger to such settlements.

Exiting from the basement, the group moves down a long tunnel before emerging from the base of a large hill some distance away. True to her word, the exit does lead to the old city’s ruins, a large dilapidated Nalban temple atop a small crest paying homage to the fact. Rubble covers most of the area, large heaps of refuse mixed in with the detritus giving the area a sad, lonely, feel.

----------

Meanwhile, Madeline is very lost.

Augury has led her to this place, away from the comforts of the city proper, to the side of one whose destiny is intertwined with the Nalban Church’s. She does not know what this place was in the past and the large-scale conflict occurring at the Osuli church has made her nervous. The sun has long since set, but she knows that the person that she seeks is here.

She espies a desolate temple, obviously Nalban despite its time and weather worn exterior.

It seems as though the Five Spirits pour down their blessings.

----------

Retiring Characters

Spoiler

Show

"My dear companions, please take the scriptures and go without me. I have made a copy for myself and will find a way to contact you if I discover anything about them.

I wish that I could follow the Chaiplain's wishes and go with you, but for the time being, my place is here. I will find a way to bring these people to justice."


"Ugh, this is the kind of situation that I've been trying to avoid. I'm out of here. See you around, if you survive."

----------

Victory Conditions

• Lord reaches the exit [G1 or H1]
• Defeat all enemies

Map

Spoiler

Show

Enemy stats

Spoiler

Show

-

Ally stats

Spoiler

Show

Madeline Nehoni, lv2 Cleric
24% dodge
17 HP, 5 MAG, 3 SKL, 8 SPD, 8 LCK, 3 DEF, 5 RES, 6CON
Heal Staff – 40/40E
Vulnerary – 3/3

Ice Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Staves|D|0|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Oren|-|15|80[/table]

Oren, lv2 Mercenary (axe)
16ATT, 88% hit, 3% crit, 19% dodge
21 HP, 8 STR, 6 SKL, 9 SPD, 1 LCK, 6 DEF, 0 RES, 12CON
Iron Axe - 45/45 [10wt, 8mt, 75% hit, 0% crit] E

Anima Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Axes|D|0|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Madeline|-|15|80[/table]

Player stats

Spoiler

Show

Imeena Kubravarain, lv4 Lord Mounted Knight (sword)
036/100 EXP
13ATT, 105% hit, 3% crit, 21% dodge
26 HP, 8 STR, 6 SKL, 9 SPD, 3 LCK, 8 DEF, 1 RES, 8CON

Iron Sword - 28/46 [5wt, 5mt, 90% hit, 0% crit] E
Vulnerary - 3/3
Vulnerary - 3/3
Door Key - 1/1
Scriptures

Fire Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Swords|D|20|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Nina|-|21|80
Lloyd|-|11|80
Roland|-|14|80
Callum|-|8|80
Argoth|-|9|80
Wotan|-|8|80
Paris|-|7|80 [/table]

Nina, lv3 Mage
039/100 EXP
12ATT, 103% hit, 2.5% crit, 17% dodge
17 HP, 7 MAG, 5 SKL, 7 SPD, 3 LCK, 2 DEF, 7 RES, 6CON

Fire - 26/40 [4wt, 5mt, 90%hit, 0%crit] E
Vulnerary - 3/3

Fire Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Anima|D|14|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|21|80
Lloyd|-|11|80
Roland|-|17|80
Callum|-|5|80
Argoth|-|5|80
Wotan|-|14|80
Paris|-|5|80 [/table]

Lloyd Raust, lv2 Thief
049/100 EXP
10ATT, 112% hit, 4% crit, 24% dodge
16 HP, 5 STR, 8 SKL, 9 SPD, 6 LCK, 2 DEF, 2 RES, 6CON

Iron Sword - 37/46 [5wt, 5mt, 90% hit, 0% crit] E
Vulnerary - 3/3
Lockpick - 15/15
Slim Sword - 30/30 [2wt, 3mt, 100% hit, 5%crit] E

Thunder Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Swords|D|10|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|11|80
Nina|-|11|80
Roland|-|8|80
Callum|-|17|80
Argoth|-|6|80
Wotan|-|5|80
Paris|-|8|80 [/table]

Roland, lv3 Mounted Knight (bow)
047/100 EXP
13ATT, 110% hit, 4.5% crit, 19% dodge
19 HP, 7 STR, 9 SKL, 6 SPD, 7 LCK, 4 DEF, 4 RES, 8CON

Iron Bow - 33/45 [5wt, 6mt, 85%hit, 0%crit] E
Vulnerary - 3/3
Iron Bow – 42/45 [5wt, 6mt, 85%hit, 0%crit] E

Wind Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Bows|D|14|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|14|80
Nina|-|17|80
Lloyd|-|8|80
Callum|-|13|80
Argoth|-|9|80
Wotan|-|5|80
Paris|-|9|80 [/table]

Callum, lv1 Mounted Knight (lance)
062/100 EXP
12ATT, 95% hit, 3% crit, 17% dodge
18 HP, 5 STR, 6 SKL, 7 SPD, 3 LCK, 6 DEF, 2 RES, 12CON

Iron Lance - 43/45 [8wt, 7mt, 80%hit, 0%crit] E
Vulnerary - 3/3

Dark Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Lances|D|4|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|8|80
Nina|-|5|80
Lloyd|-|17|80
Roland|-|13|80
Argoth|-|10|80
Wotan|-|7|80
Paris|-|5|80 [/table]

Argoth Birsmark, lv2 Knight
045/100 EXP
16ATT, 93% hit, 3% crit, 9% dodge
25 HP, 9 STR, 6 SKL, 4 SPD, 1 LCK, 11 DEF, 0 RES, 13CON

Iron Lance - 42/45 [8wt, 7mt, 80%hit, 0%crit] E
Vulnerary – 3/3

Dark Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Lances|D|5|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|9|80
Nina|-|5|80
Lloyd|-|5|80
Roland|-|9|80
Callum|-|10|80
Wotan|-|6|80
Paris|-|9|80[/table]

Wotan, lv2 Pirate
013/100 EXP
17ATT, 87% hit, 2.5% crit, 16% dodge
27 HP, 9 STR, 5 SKL, 7 SPD, 2 LCK, 5 DEF, 1 RES, 12CON

Iron Axe - 43/45 [10wt, 8mt, 75% hit, 0% crit] E
Vulnerary – 3/3

Light Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Axes|D|4|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next
Imeena|-|5|80
Nina|-|14|80
Lloyd|-|5|80
Nain|-|6|80
Roland|-|5|80
Callum|-|7|80
Argoth|-|6|80
Paris|-|7|80 [/table]

Paris, lv1 Shadow Rider
031/100 EXP
10ATT, 93% hit, 2% crit, 19% dodge
16 HP, 3 MAG, 4 SKL, 7 SPD, 5 LCK, 2 DEF, 5 RES, 6CON

Flux - 41/45 [8wt, 7mt, 80% hit, 0% crit] D
Vulnerary - 3/3

Dark Affinity
Proficiencies

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Type|Rank|Points|Next
Dark|D|6|40[/table]

Supports

Spoiler

Show

{table=head]Character|Rank|Points|Next Imeena|-|7|80
Nina|-|5|80
Lloyd|-|8|80
Nain|-|8|80
Roland|-|9|80
Callum|-|5|80
Argoth|-|9|80
Wotan|-|7|80 [/table]

----------

Party Funds: 000 700 gold

[Sairyu]

Post to make it show up.

[Illven]

Nina sighed at the pressing darkness. No matter how hard she tried it was nearly impossible to see through.

Joy. I hope no one is afraid of the dark.

Nina does whatever is agreed to in the plan.