DARKNESS AND FROST log

[futhark]

DARKNESS AND FROST



A message is sent on the network on the 20th, informing the Mirrorbounds about the developments regarding a quest posted earlier in the month on the board.

Word comes from the Wilders’ headquarters in Dorchacht that there haven’t been that many sightings of the Nuckelavee for a long time. Most assumed that whatever the Mirrorbounds did must have driven the ghastly creatures away for good. Clearly, not a single person missed them. It is a nasty surprise to learn that not only did they not disappear completely, but now, angrier than ever, they pose a threat to Aefenglom as well.


THE NORTHERN OUTPOST ( 21st - 26th )

---

The Northern Outpost has seen steady development since its establishment, but nothing on a scale that could make it possible to survive an attack of demonic beasts. So it becomes a whirlwind of activity. There are ditches to dig, magical wards and barriers to set up, weapons and armour need inspection and some alchemical supplies are easier found in the surrounding forest rather than back in Aefenglom, but no one should go procuring them alone. But there are more mundane tasks too! With the sudden increase in population, the self-appointed kitchen staff of the Northern Outpost is barely managing to keep all the mouths fed and all the dishes washed (and pesky rodents kept away). All help will be enthusiastically welcomed no matter the level of culinary aptitude. There’s enough work for everyone.

Not far from the Outpost itself, a new structure rises from the ground quickly, incorporating a nearby shallow cave. That’s the Enclosure, the place where researchers who intend to study the Nuckelavee plan to lure one of the creatures. The construction has barely started, and there is much to do before it can hold its captive inside. Engineers, Arachne, Witches adept in Enchantment and Abjuration - all are welcome to lend their hands (as many as they can spare) in this scientific endeavor. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to further or even create a completely new field of study!

Mirrorbounds are encouraged to return and rest within the city, but should you decide to stay for the night, the moods are rather sour and tense. Still, people do try to enjoy the evening break, at least those who get it - night guards work in shifts. Someone makes a bonfire and encourages sharing stories as the night passes to lift morale. A chilling Nuckelavee scream might stop the relaxing and put everyone on edge. But it seems the creatures are refusing to come out just yet.


THE SLUMS 21st - 26th

---

Sprawling from the Other Side of the Bright Wall, the Outer City grows outward with no particular organisation or order, with buildings’ integrity decreasing the closer they are to the edge of the Wilde. While some of the inhabitants greet the aid provided with gratitude, there are many who treat it with distrust and their own fate at the mercy of yet another incomprehensible danger with blood-chilling apathy. Much work has been done by numerous Mirrorbound to help those living in the Slums but the memory of all those lost to the frost when the city shut its gates and left them to die casts a long shadow on all attempts to defend against this new threat.

Deprived of the comforts of magitech ubiquitous for the citizens of the city proper, the inhabitants of the Slums find their own creative ways to provide life’s necessities to each other. Carrying water has always been a task for younger ones in the families. A worrying number of those that go fetch water from a far away stream do not come home on time. They could have gotten distracted chasing a stray dog, roped in some mischief by other kids, or genuinely lost. With the new threat lurking in the darkness, people get increasingly nervous. What would look like harmless disobedience in quieter times now turns into an emergency. Investigate where the missing children have gone, find them and bring them home if you can.

Not all are happy for the help. There’s a certain figure frequently spoken about and often seen at the scenes of the especially vicious attacks: a man with unkempt hair and ragged clothing prophesying that those very horrors are no accident. That the beasts are a punishment for a terrible offence: accepting the foreign devils - those who came through the Mirrors - into the city. As time passes and the attacks continue, it starts to become obvious those who were in contact with the Mirrorbound are more likely to become targets of the hellish creatures, which lends credence to the madman’s words. Some denizens of the slums are just scared, but some become suspicious of the very presence of any Mirrorbounds in the area. Even those that come to help. Calm downthe fearful, convince the sceptics or find the sower of this panic and make him stop spreading his incendiary message.

Some people have locked themselves in their homes and refuse to go out. You could try to reason with them or simply bring supplies at the door. Or try to convince them to help with building a protective wall around the Slums, sturdy enough to stay. Some of the people who open their doors might show low-level signs of Cwyld infection. They wonder if you’re still willing to help them knowing that?


When the darkness of night emboldens the Nuckelavee to venture further into the Slums proper, a group of Mirrorbounds take to patrolling the streets. But they could use more help. Protect those unfortunate enough to walk the streets at that time, chase away or kill the creatures that dared to come closer, and fight to protect the poor souls they chose to hunt.


NIGHT OF THE HUNT (night between 26th-27th)

---

Are you prepared for the fight of your life? You better be!

A heavy blizzard rages on the night of the 26th, giving a strange glow to the camp in the darkness as the light is dithered among falling snowflakes. Visibility is low, but some believe that nature itself can be used to help the hunters and defenders. To those who wish to take on this responsibility, several enchanted wands are given, with quick instructions how to use them to direct the winds of the blizzard for a short time. They can be used either to protect the warriors or against the creatures. The wands have only a few charges and will break upon using them up.

Every Mirrorbound and Wilder either present from the start or joining the group through the portal connecting with Aefenglom will be given a quick rundown of the camp, where the protection wards lie, what powers the barriers, and where weapons can be found. There are two sets of barriers around the camp -- the outer one that has multiple holes for the creatures to pour into, and the inner barrier that has to be held at all cost, as it protects people within. The plan is to lure the Nuckelavee for a frontal attack, let them pass through the outer barrier, let the inner barrier stop them, and then— close the barrier behind them, effectively shutting them in a walled ring.

Then they can be exterminated safely. Stun them, kill them, use spells or pointy sticks or guns — and maybe just maybe you can capture one alive. Fortunately, they don’t seem to have any kind of natural resistance towards mundane or magical weapons. They are just tough to kill and incredibly vicious, but limiting their movement should do the trick.

The barriers and wards only last full-strength as long as they are powered so Witches not focused on fighting are encouraged to do a recharging run along the campsite. Anyone needing a breather from the fray or whose focus is better spent on support can also bring ammo, or more weapons to counter the broken (or stolen) ones. Dragging out wounded fighters into the safety of the camp and healing them is also an important task, as neither Mirrorbounds nor Wilders lack in people who would fight to their last breath.

That’s the plan. How does it go in reality, though?

The Nuckelavee attack starts with chilling shrieks all around the Outpost before they emerge from the darkness. Those who have not yet met any of them will have a chance to witness that their aggression and looks are as terrifying as the stories said. They resemble a horse fused with a rider, with sharp teeth and without skin, raw body exposed. The creatures are not infected but are vicious, hardy, and strong, and they hunger for human and Monster flesh alike. Some might pick up weapons thrown at them; others will circle and try to isolate their chosen targets. Should they be angered, while in a furious rage they gain both speed and strength, but they lose focus and lack strategic thinking. So enraging them can break the formation, but it also makes them far more dangerous up close. They are susceptible to both magical and physical attacks alike, and beheading (of either the flayed-open horse head or the screaming man's head) will put them down permanently.

Be mindful of your comrades! It’s easy to lose each other in the blizzard. Nuckelavee don’t bleed red (they don’t bleed much at all), so any red trails on the snow belong to an ally. Don’t let the beasts drag wounded away. Get them to the healers who wait within the camp enclosed with the inner barrier.

During the fight, several crystal devices that strengthen the outer barrier start malfunctioning. That means the outer barrier cannot be closed shut, meaning a change of plans is in order. Several brave volunteers are needed from among Wilders and Mirrorbounds to leave the safety of the inner barrier and take the battle directly to the creatures, while locating and exchanging the malfunctioning crystals. This is an incredibly dangerous job, and everyone willing to undertake it is encouraged not to do so alone. Once the trap is sprung and the outer barrier shut, it would also lock those volunteers out of the safety of the camp -- unless they’re willing to try a teleport spell or wait for someone inside to handle the teleporting for them. The help will come, but until it does, they are on their own and straggling Nuckelavee that did not fall into the trap might still pose a danger to them...

The fight drags for what feels like hours, and the air grows colder and colder. Meanwhile, some of the trapped Nuckelavee figure out that they might get into the camp if they find holes within the barrier -- and one makes its way inside. Through the heavy snow, it might not be obvious at first, but something is happening within the camp… The Nuckelavee that furiously breach the barrier wreak havoc behind the safe line, attacking anyone it sees until it’s killed or subdued.

Eventually, after what feels like an eternity, all of the creatures fall and the dead remain under the snow. Well… most of them. There were attempts to capture one of them alive, and while keeping them alive turns out to be even harder than just catching them (not only Nuckelavee perished that night… some might still want revenge for that, some want to end the threat once and for all), one of them remains. The battle has been won.


THE AFTERMATH (27th and later)

---

As day breaks over the horizon, the true damage can be seen. One Nuckelavee is thrashing, captured in the closed enclave. It howls and shrieks and won’t be reasoned with. It hates everything and everyone, and seems to be incapable of speech. Wilders have decided they will keep it alive for a week, and not a day longer (that is till 3rd September OOCly). Nuckelavee have proven to be cunning creatures, and the risk of it escaping is just too great.

Aside from that issue, there is still clean-up to be done, and mourning for those who have fallen in battle. The Wilders agree to give the Nuckelavee corpses to those interested in acquiring them for study/experimentation, but otherwise they plan on burning everything that’s left.

The following two evenings, there’s a victory celebration at The Sordid Shield. Everyone still able to stand is welcome, -- and drinks are free! Unfortunately, not everyone is happily drinking; there are those who lost comrades and are mourning the fallen. Others came out alive but require medical attention that on-field healers cannot give. The general mood could be described as grimly triumphant. The unexpected threat has been taken care of, but not without a cost.



OOC NOTES

---

For those interested in studying the remains or the live Nuckelavee please refer to this space for questions/plans. The results of the research will be distributed at the beginning of September.

For plotting among yourselves, please use this post. General questions about this log can be directed here.

Comments

Lady Maria | Bloodborne | OTA | CW: Lots o' blood

[whomthebelltolls]

[1: One Night of the Hunter]

[This is probably a bad idea, honestly. There's been a sinking feeling in Maria's stomach all day, like the kind she'd get before the Hunt back at home, just before it turned out to be an especially brutal one. She'd fought one of those... nuckelavee creatures before, and it had taken her and another to even bring down one. They were vicious, brutal creatures, and they could take a beating and keep on ticking. That they didn't seem to be infected was somehow... worse, despite trekking halfway across the continent.

But she's here, because she knows she probably has to be. Because she's one of the best fighters among the Mirrorbound. Because she's a powerful Witch that has been here and honing her fighting magic from the first day of the Mirrorbound's arrival.

There's a blizzard. Of course there's a blizzard. There's always bad weather when the Hunts go the worst, because they make the conditions harder for fighting. Maybe she should've temporarily Bonded one of the Monsters here, because the conditions are going to make it very hard to keep track of each other.

It should be easy, corralling them between the two barricades and slaughtering them en mass. Maria doesn't feel too bad about killing these things, even if their horrific screaming, shrieking, flinging themselves against the walls is it's an underground pile of corpses, the head of the river of blood, where all the dead failures get thrown for Ludwig to consume, and he lays among them, and he screams, his horse Beast's body twitching and convulsing, his second head drooling ice from between its eyes and teeth and she's back in the snow, and the battle is ebbing and flowing.] Here! There's more coming!

[She sees someone at the peripheral of her vision, as she strikes a blow into its already injured back end, and it falls with an inhaled screech.] ... Are you well?

[Doesn't matter who it is, this is a person and not one of those screaming horse creatures, and it's not Ludwig, and he's clawing at the walls, and digging through the piles of bodies...]

[2: One Night to Remember]

[The first clue something is probably wrong is the absolute fireball that rises from the trees, glowing bright against the night sky. Maria's been separated from the battalion for a while, and no one's seen her - everyone feared the worse, until then. The fireball subsides into a cloud that roils into the air, dissipating quickly into the howling winds.

Follow it to the source and find the scorched earth. There's a big clearing in the snow, winter-bare trees blackened, a few small flames licking into the air from the bark that get blown to and fro. With all the snow, there's very little chance of this spreading to become a wildfire, but the clearing is... a wasteland, with two scorched corpses in the middle of it... both of which are nuckelavee. Looking nearby, there's a familiar tricorne hat, covered in soot; the leather seems to be fine, but the feather has been singed to the nub.

Which doesn't account for all of the blood in the area. It's not just the scent of cooked horse meat on the air, there's the scent of burned blood and mana. Near one of the edges of the clearing, the trees and bushes are splattered in a not insignificant amount of blood (blood which sparks and occasionally flares with low blue flames, like an ignited oil slick), and then there's a bright red streak across the snow. It's vaguely back in the direction of the outpost, and it does go on far enough to disappear into the raging blizzard; not surprising, considering how short the visibility is.

Maria hasn't gotten far; not with her left leg at the funny angle that it is, but she's trying to move on regardless, dragging herself through the underbrush back toward the Outpost. She took a blow of some kind to the face - there's hemorrhaging around her right eye, and a nasty bruise. The rest of the injuries are hard to tell through all the layers she's wearing, but one thing is certain - she is dripping blood from some of her wounds. The droplets catch fire as they fall through the air, like struck matches, flaring fire before hitting the snow and ice with a hiss and a sizzle.

She still has enough chutzpah to grab her Evelyn and point it at anyone that approaches, though, watching carefully for more enemies. But she won't fire when she sees it's not a giant, horse-skeleton shaped shadow.

It seems the shock hasn't quite set in, she's just running on adrenaline at the moment, but even that's going to fade out quickly. Might want to get her help. She'll get back to the outpost, or close to it, soon enough if left alone - she has that much left... but it's probably better she get aid.]

[3: One Day It'll All Just End]

[Once back into a proper hospital, she's pretty much kept under sleeping spells for a few days while they work healing magic into her broken bones and split skin. Obviously, she's not there for the drinks at The Sordid Shield; almost conspicuously so. It's bad, and she'll be there for about two weeks, recovering. After the first few days, however, she is able to see people for visiting!

Hope you brought booze.

No, more than that.

More than that.

Yeah, that'll about work.]

You have a visitor?

Let them in.

[And that's when the healer nods, and turns to whoever is there to see Maria, and motions them an okay to go in. Maria's in bed, with a bandage wrapped around her head and covering her right eye, her left leg in a cast and sling and elevated, and bandages covering every inch of exposed skin below her neck except the fingers on her left hand. She got out without breaking every bone in her body, at least!]

[4: Wildcard]

[For all your wildcarding needs! You can hit me up at the plotting post here, or at plurk: Reslari or even on Discord: Reslari#9561]

nami | one piece | ota

[weatherscience]

i. i will never turn my back on children who need me! — slums: daytime

[ fighting dangerous creatures? not something she's going to volunteer for. helping the people in the slums? yes, that she can do. so nami makes it there, intent on trying to convince the people living there to construct some kind of a defense... but then she hears about the missing children.

if they're out there, these innocent children, they need to be found, and fast. she won't let them come to harm, not if she can help it. ]

Excuse me, have you seen these children? [ armed with pictures of those missing, she grabs the arms of those passing by, waving the pictures at them.

later, she decides to see if their steps can be retraced; perhaps near the stream, there will be signs of the kids. ] Hey, come with me! [ whoever it is that she happens across... she hopes they'll agree to accompany her in the hunt for the missing children. ]

ii. just a scaredy-cat, that's all! — slums: nighttime

[ the first mistake she made was leaving for the stream so late. the second mistake... not bringing any weapons with her. not that she'd have had much use out of them — her clima-tact still works like a bo staff, and that she is clutching in her hands as she runs, but it does little against the creatures. ]

Why are you in here?! Go away! Leave me alone!

[ she runs, and runs, but the things are persistent — perhaps sensing an easy prey, or simply unwilling to give up the chase, even when she manages to maintain the distance between them.

as soon as she sees movement, anything that even vaguely resembles a person, she yells, ]

Help me! Please!!

iii. look at those wounds! — aftermath

( a. ) [ after the news comes that the fight is over, she is part of those waiting for the fighters to come back. and when they do... if there are those with wounds, walking with difficulty, bleeding, anything — she'll approach them with a worried frown. ]

You need some help. Come, let me take you to the hospital.

( b. closed to pre-existing cr ) [ and if there are those she knows with wounds bad enough to bring them to the hospital... when they wake in the hospital bed, they will find her sitting on a chair next to the bed, arms crossed, eyes blazing. ]

Just what were you thinking? Coming back like this! Were you even trying to not get hurt? [ behind the angry words and raised tone, there's a tightness to her frame, to her eyes, that betrays just how worried she's been. ]

iv. a wild card, you say?

[ you know the drill! hit me up on plurk @ celen or just go ahead and wildcard it up! ]

eren jaeger • attack on titan, ota

[usurpers]

ᴀʟʟ ʏᴏᴜ ᴄᴀɴ ᴇᴀᴛ

[ eren can be found in his full (or nearly full) dragon size circling the slums to better their defenses by: performing lookouts, supply runs, fighting off nuckelavee (and eating them, already dead or otherwise) and searching for lost children. aftermath will include seating the slum dwellers up with heat for the night, checking up on friends and drinking. this can serve as a wildcard starter if you have your own idea (i can roll with that easily) or just a general feel before hitting me up to plot. if you’d like, i’ll gladly write the starter for you if we plot something out, on the plotting post, at liberos or owlie#3609! ]

@elliot

[usurpers]

[ nightfall had been the harsher hour to keep on the ground when eren was antsy for a bird’s eye view— all help was viable and shifts would happen between volunteers around the clock that he’d have to abide to to take care of other areas. eren abandons the sky for the next hour to stand by elliot’s side, make house visits, lookouts for any infiltrations and running supplies where needed. except . . . with a growing hunger in his belly, the kind that felt like an insatiate pit after tasting nuckelavee.

his size makes it difficult to accompany his bonded inside houses, but he waits comfortably with a new enchantment outside that heated chilled earth into humid mud. until the mud dried into cracks. until the plants began to shrivel from green to yellow—

it’s why he doesn’t stick in one place to allow it to happen, and paces and weaves between shacks and the plains that separated the slums from the wilde. impatiently. ]

Mikasa Ackerman | Attack on Titan | OTA |Slums only | cw- blood n fighting

[stopfen]

Delivery
[Mikasa had been visiting the slums pretty often. Only for short trips, taking the bandages and herbs she'd managed to grow to the small clinic. Though she hadn't been able to visit with the chill the snow elementals had brought. Seeing the state of things after was...It really was like home.

It's a thought that makes her stomach churn. She'd known the slums weren't defended by the bright wall against the Cywd. But she hadn't realised that the snowstorms that had been affecting the Wilde would seep into them, not with the issues they'd been having with the pixie induced heatwave at the same time. The climate difference had always been bizarre before now, but it was so much more apparent when it only took stepping out of the gates for the cold to seep into her wings and make her shiver.

The fae wasn't dressed for the snow, nor built for it as she slowly plodded along. And a snowball thrown by one of the local children to the back of the head made her jump. Letting out a shrill noise as the blankets were tossed. Maybe onto someone's head. But for the moment, the fae was more bothered trying to get the cold out of her wings.]

Searching
[It wasn't the first time she'd traveled out looking for children, the chimera runaways, the children from the orphanage. But she wasn't as optimistic this time. She'd been cautious before, but this teen had gone out days ago to get water and hadn't returned. A day was a very long time when it came to a missing person. Going to the stream hadn't found any signs of life.

In fact, it'd found the opposite.

The blood showed so brightly in the snow. Splattered across and dying it pink and red in some areas, trenches in the snow where something had struggled. The fae's eyes narrow, mouth opening for a second before it set in a grim line.]

How many people have gone missing?

[She'd not gotten a number, she'd just said that she'd look. Though it looked like they might have been too late]

Nightfall
a.
[The fae wasn't looking for a fight. She was slowly getting used to not being on the front lines, even if she'd gotten those sharp obsidian blades in the underground. Her weaknesses to the Cywd and iron made her too much of a liability. The assurance that the Nuckelavee didn't carry the Cywd didn't make her want to get any closer than she had to, on the off chance that it was wrong.

So she'd hung back. Carrying around a pack with some ointments for wounds, enchanted bandages, playing the role of field medic. Those new wings of her's helping her mobility greatly for darting in. She was nowhere near as skilled as the witches who knew actual healing magic. But she knew enough to maybe keep someone alive long enough for them to arrive.

If they came across anything on this patrol.]

b.
[Or Mikasa might be found...Dancing. It's not the best dance, more of skipping around and twirling on her heel to change direction really. Thank you Emet-Selch, for giving her the magic needed to do this. Leaving a faint shimmer from the fairy dust and once she makes a complete circle.

Little white flowers rapidly bloomed where the fae had stepped.

It wouldn't last very long though. Not in this cold. But regardless of if the creature was inside or outside, it wouldn't get through. Not until the magic had been lost to the chill.

...Or maybe it was later in the evening. Because the fae lets out a yelp suddenly falling to her knees, even though there was nothing near her. That's the only warning before and old shovel is thrown headfirst through the fairy ring. Iron.]

i

[moneytwin]

[ The apathy in the Slums is a bit disturbing, if Vex is honest. Perhaps it comes from being so new, even a couple months into this more "permanent" stay, but the fact so many of the locals don't seem to care, or want their help, is a bit off putting. The half-elf is certain she's missing some context, but in the short time they have to prepare, it's not really something she has time to worry about. (It's not right, that so many have to fear, and she's never missed her brother so keenly as she does now.)

So when Nami first comes by wielding pictures, there's not much of a reaction. Her attention had been on assisting with the defenses, with running messages, and giving advice to fellow archers. No children here!

But the fact Nami stopped and asked lingers, and after that, Vex starts paying a little more attention. Notices how closely families are clinging to the few children, young or old, out and about.

When the redhead next appears, Vex is waiting. And she's not alone; a bear clad in strange plate armor is sitting beside her. ]

You-- You were asking about some kids earlier, right? [Hey, come with me!] Did you find them?

iii.b

[lotus_of_rage]

[Well, there certainly was one of them in the hospital. Jiang Cheng had gone up to the Northern Outpost to assist. He had wanted something to do that would make him feel more useful, like back at home.

He had found it in the form of fighting monsters. It had gotten his blood pumping and had certainly proven to be the thrill that he had wanted. At the same time, they were not easy to fight and he had been wounded.

And now, here he was in the hospital with a familiar and angry red in the room]

Of course I was trying not to get hurt! [That was his first and immediate reaction at the sudden declaration as soon as he woke up, but noticing there was worry in her eyes, his tone softened a bit] I was trying to help.

three 😌🍻

[usurpers]

[ yes, look who is here! a dragon possibly larger than the doorframe, ducking so horns don’t bump against wood and standing by the hospital bed’s feet. eren’s look up and down maria was a quiet, studying eye just as he waited for the nurse to leave, and when she did, a moment passed, maybe another, just for his tongue to be sure—

then without further ado, the dragon’s talons sift between the rift right down the middle of the poncho he wears to pull out something from the inside: ah yeah. ]

Right call?

[whomthebelltolls]

[Somehow, Maria is surprised whenever she sees Eren in these situations. Maybe it's just the dissonance between how things were at first between them, and how they are now - it was quite the turnaround, and maybe Maria's just stuck in the past - but she's not exactly expecting him.

She watches him, carefully, the one eye looking him over as he stops near the door and waits... for... something? She's not sure, but she keeps him under her gaze, wondering his intent. Clearly, until the healer is gone, but for what end?

... Then, there is alcohol, and the slight glare softens almost immediately. Oh. He's... bringing her a gift.]

... Very much so. [She shifts a little, and the bed groans, and the pulleys keeping her leg up squeak as the one visible eye narrows; it's pain, there, as moving like this is more than a little sore, but she needs to sit up more, if she wants to be able to drink anything properly. ] Thank you.

[Maria can be a jerk, but credit where it's due, she is also typically polite. She moves her left hand in a motion to receive the bottle.]

3

[long_live_the_queen]

[The thing that walks in the door is...! Well. At first it's a large, if plain, vase of sunflowers. But there's a Chimera behind it, and the spread of her antlers just clears the blooms like some gnarled branches to either side. Said antlers had some new chips and scratches in them, and some healing injuries all bright pink and shiny cut across her cheek and brows, but she doesn't limp as she walks in.

Kaede does pause a little when she sees, ears flicking back in chagrin. Shit. She'd lost track of Maria, but didn't think things were this bad.]

Where should I put these? [A pause, and she adds:] I didn't take them from the garden.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Honestly, she's seen those antlers enough times to recognize them just about anywhere - even with the chips and cracks in them. The hiss of feathers is familiar, as well, and as the chimera fully comes into view, Maria's one good eye closes, briefly.

Well, Kaede doesn't look so bad. Looks a hell of a lot better than Maria figures she must.

After a moment, ghosts of figures flit across her vision behind her eyelids, shadows and movement that make it seem things are looming over her in her bed. She opens her eye again, and checks to make sure she doesn't have a team of potentially dangerous creatures above her, before she answers the chimera. Her voice is hoarse - some combination of sleepiness and disuse and maybe a bit damaged from screaming.] It's alright, if they were. The sunflowers must be large and well-blooming by now. It's about time to harvest them to send them out anyway.

[Maria makes a motion with her left hand toward the bedside table.] The flowers can go there, either way. Thank you.

ii!

[usurpers]

[ it was easy when even the nuckelavee could be mistaken for a man in the shadows on horseback until they opened their mouths. one of the demons was closing in and cutting through the snow with beating hooves like cutting through grass— nothing.

perhaps it had been the proper slum structure, the occasional lone tree, the night and the winds of winter that obscured nami's vision in seeing something human shaped in her faraway sights. the closer it drags itself, the more its clear that the approaching creature is large, enough to shake the earth with each crawling step and gleaming with the orange light of runic enchantments. it's neck cranes forward and its wings flare, something serpentine— no, draconic, made completely apparent when its mouth crackles a flame and barks a short warning.

get down, maybe, as an impeccably destructive stream of blue and red fire burst forward to burn everything in its path and set the nuckelavee into a hateful, piercing cry as its deformed body sets aflame. ]

Momo | IDOLiSH7 | OTA

[yesdoubt]

[a: prep]
(i. northern outpost)

[Since Momo is pretty solidly versed in barrier magic by now, the call for people experienced in Abjuration at the outpost doesn't go unheard. Especially not since he got an enchanted tattoo not long after he arrived, and hearing the origin of this problem, he's pretty sure he's figured out why he's come within troublingly close distance of these things more than once this month.

Still, he's not the type to sit on his laurels even if he's more at risk than some others, so in-between helping to build and reinforce the magical barriers for the trap, he can be found "cooling down" (on the magic front, at least) by helping with the ditch digging. He seems quite at home with the manual labour, humming cheerfully in what could be an attempt to keep everyone's spirits up, or just him not dropping his usual bright demeanour.]

You know, once this is all over I hope everyone gets to come together for something a little nicer. The guys up here must be run ragged. [He comes up to help with usual operations here pretty often, but he's never seen it this busy.]

(ii. slums)

[On one or two days of the prep, Momo remains around the city and ends up helping the efforts in the Slums instead. Which, considering the kinds of things he prioritises, often ends up with him on the trail of missing children. While he's trying not to assume the worst, he still has to be realistic in this situation, so he keeps a brisk pace with whoever he's investigating alongside.]

The stream's definitely far enough away to get lost, but I have to admit I'm kinda wondering why someone didn't go along to chaperone with things how they are right now...

[Task for the younger ones in the family it might be, but considering the current circumstances, if there was any time to spare an adult to help out it'd be now.]

--

[b: final battle - fighting]

[Momo is kind of thankful for the riots in Dorchacht now for the single, solitary reason that it gave him an idea of how chaotic a large fight like this can get. That time, though, he'd had to take caution given the opponents were split between people who deserved some hurt for instigating it and people who were caught up in it and just needed to be snapped out.

This time, he has no such problem, even if he's trying to run defense. Protecting everyone else in this mess is his biggest concern, and while he is doing double-duty with healing he's also not content to sit in the camp and just do that, so he seeks out either fighters with little defense or people in immediate trouble. Regardless of if someone is at risk of being ambushed by one of the creatures or is about to come dangerously face-to-face with one that they're not in the middle of attacking, or is just attacking with very little mind for their own safety, they may find a fresh barrier blocking the way between them and the Nuckelavee, mainly distinguished by the fact that it's tinted hot pink.

Momo's approach following it probably helps in identifying the source, and there's none of his typical humour in any part of him right now. While he typically wears layers enough to disguise any weapons he's carrying even when scouting, tonight he's completely abandoned pretense with close-fitting black clothes and the hunting knife holster half the length of his arm that he usually keeps strapped near the top of one on full display. He's also borrowed out a couple of the Wilder weapons since his usual pick is a bit light for this - the mace which just looks kind of like someone took a solid wood baseball bat and shoved metal spikes in it is kind of obvious slung over his back, but it takes a sharper eye to catch the few throwing knives strapped around one thigh.

He's already reaching for one, though he looks about as ready to try kicking a horse's knee in. Or in general, looks about two seconds from just throwing himself at it like a wild animal, but he's keeping a composed mask over it to some small degree.]

Need defense or offense? [It's quick and to-the-point - he learnt in his world how distracting a few more words than necessary can be in a fight.]

--

[c: final battle - healing]
(i. bring out your (not quite) dead)

[Of course, he's been a healer as long as he's been learning barriers, and while he's not quite as versed in the major stuff given he only started learning it not quite two months ago, he's enough for a lot of injuries in a pinch. Particularly given his early focus on bone and muscle injuries, meaning he's good for at least patching a lot of what these creatures are dishing out on people who can get away before losing a limb.

Some of the ones who can't get away might get lucky, though, because he's doing as much dragging in as he can when it comes to people who are struggling to make it back to the inner barrier. Maybe it's one of the Wilders, or maybe it's you he's come across, but either way, any Nuckelavee trying to get an opportunistic bite or stomp on a downed opponent get promptly smashed in the face by the sweet and unforgiving embrace of a flying barrier spell, rearing back with an angry screech as it bubbles over them in order to distract them for the time Momo needs to move the target out.

It's probably going to be literal dragging until he reaches the barrier for the sake of speed, but he will do a quick check as he gets hold of someone.]

Can you hear me? Try to stay conscious, if you can. [If it's a Wilder being carried and they're severely injured enough for dragging to probably make things worse, he'll gesture for any other Mirrorbound nearby not locked in combat to come help out. If it is a Mirrorbound, though...well, at least he'll stop to rearrange them once they're safely inside (and the unlucky revenge horse he stuck in a bubble has finally managed to smash it in a fit of outrage).]

You're gonna be okay. [It's not optimistic, it's determined. Like if someone wants them to not be okay from this point on then they're going to have to come rip them from Momo's cold red nails.]

(ii. [insert that elder scrolls waking up in the cart meme here])

[In worse cases, where someone passed out in the fight but managed to be dragged in before getting maimed any further, they may return to consciousness with the feeling of a hand on their head and their heart, and a distinctive warm feeling of magic running through their body's systems and going for any minor injuries on the way. Any major ones will at least be closed, but some might be a little more than Momo can completely heal on his own, or may need to be teleported back to the city for full treatment.

Regardless, there's a breath of relief when someone wakes, and opening one's eyes will be greeted with a shocking pink pair of them looking down. A red thumbnail comes into line of sight as Momo gently tugs at an eyebrow to check for any lingering signs of something having knocked their brain around. That one's in the category of things he's less qualified to deal with if they're serious.]

I'm glad you're awake. Can you tell me your name and where you are? [He saw enough concussions and not-quite-concussions growing up to know the protocol here, at least.]

--

[d: wildcard]

[[If you want to plan something specific, feel free to hit me up at reviseleviathan or over on the plotting post! I'm up for most things, and in particular if someone needs backup for the outside-the-barrier run once the outer one starts failing I'd be interested in tossing him at that.]]

[long_live_the_queen]

[Kaede paused, glancing up at the ceiling Maria was staring at for a long moment to see if there was anything of note up there. It remained resolutely boring, however. Not even cobwebs.

And then the Chimera had a different reason to hesitate--funny, did someone thank her?

But her mind didn't stay shorted for long; the end of her tail switched, and she unfroze to step towards the end table. The Chimera set the vase of flowers down--and there's another, smaller clunk from inside, like glass instead of heavy ceramic. The Chimera's ears flick to the door, and upon hearing no one, she elaborates:]

There's a bottle in the bottom.

[That she did fetch from the house.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Her visible brow furrows a little, but she doesn't get the chance to voice her question before Kaede pre-empts it.

Ah, that would explain a thing or two. She has to shift around a little to try to reach for the vase, but the bandages are somewhat prohibitive, and the injury to her leg and hip is still very tender.

She looks at the vase, briefly, then her hand lowers a little.] ... Could you get it for me? [Theoretically Maria could do it, but that is going to require her probably reopening some of her wounds or at least moving things that don't want to move right now.]

[weatherscience]

I know that! [ huffing, she shakes her head. ] Of course I know that. You... every time I've seen you, you've always been trying to help, haven't you? With the carnival games, with the kitten, at the wedding you talked to your brother before the ceremony, you were helping him there too!

[ a sigh. ] I haven't known you for that long, but... that's just how you are, isn't it. If it's in your power to do something to help, you will.

[ with the way her tone softens as she keeps looking at him, it's clear that's something she respects very much. but — ]

But not at the cost of your own health! People died! What if that had been you? [ quickly, she looks away, discreetly brushing the corners of her eyes, before she looks back at him, pointing at him. ]

If you'd died... I'd never have forgiven you, Jiang Wanyin!

[weatherscience]

[ it's only after the question that it sinks in that she'd met this woman before — she'd been one of those who'd said nothing about the kids, quickly saying no to her inquiry, and nami had left soon after, not lingering where she could find no clues.

this time, though, the woman seems more interested in her search. ]

Mm, I was! I haven't found them, yet, but I know where they went... I'm sure there will be clues there, if I just go and look. But I'm not going out there alone!

[ with a glance at the strange bear next to the woman, she raises her brows, ] Is the bear with you? Will both of you come along with me?

[weatherscience]

Wait, what —

[ her eyes widen when she realizes her mistake — what she'd thought to be a human is, in fact, very much not. she lets out a wail, ]

Nooooo! A dragon!! What have I done to deserve this?? I'm too young and pretty to die!!

[ but then the dragon-creature is making a sound instead of outright attacking, and she blinks.

and then promptly dives out of the way of the fire, screaming as she does so. sorry, even in this, she is 100% drama all the way. ]

[long_live_the_queen]

[The Chimera's ears twitched up in surprise--already?

...well, Kaede wouldn't always be here. The staff likely wouldn't help, except probably to give exasperated looks. And while Kaede was vehemently not a doctor, it seemed like Maria could do with not caring about things right about now.

She brushed the flower stems to one side and reached in, pulling out one of the brandy bottles she found in the cellar.]

Did you want something else?

[Kaede always had a few vials of that silvery question mark of a potion that linked minds for a day on her person.

Oh--but she hadn't brought a glass; it'd rattle much more obviously in there. Unless she wrapped it and the bottle both, but she hadn't had the foresight for that. Ah well. Next time--if the staff didn't catch on. The Chimera glanced around the counters and tables in the room for something like a cup or tea mug.]

[whomthebelltolls]

[Yes, Maria wants to dull her pain and her mind, thanks. Especially considering how being alone in this room and staring at the ceiling is just going to make the hallucinations worse. Besides, if it's out, then it's less conspicuous and she can hide it somewhere she can get easily, even with her injuries.]

Something else? I think the alcohol will do for now.

[The implication is a bit lost on Maria, but she's also not exactly the most coherent person in the world right now. She's spent several days under sleeping spells and is in a good amount of pain, even now.] ... Are you looking for a glass? I'm not sure where one would be...

[Perhaps something out in the hall? But that might grab the attention of the staff, and that seemed a bad idea when smuggling alcohol is involved.] I could probably put down the whole bottle, though.

[Because that is healthy.]

nightfall b!

[usurpers]

[ waiting for the nuckelavee to appear on foot was too much of a delay for eren, wastes of time that could be used to pick them off, one by one and keep them away from the limits marked before the slums. when the darkening sky signals the end of a late afternoon and slips into evening, he takes to above to quickly snipe out irregular movement— it's rather easy to tell comrades from foe here, as the horsemen demons weren't entirely subtle and had a stench of death attached to their trail.

that's to say, he's kept a grazing eye over as many people in his range as possible without interfering with them, mikasa silently included. passing over the area meant that his massive frame glides above clouds, resonating cracks of thunder with the beat of his wings and a passing glow like lightning that always followed the sound of a storm. 

he smelled one nearby, and despite the rush of wind against his ears, he heard the whistle of their shrieks when they've caught sight of a target to unleash their wrath upon. ]

merrin | star wars | slums only

[sisterless]

[ this is merrin's first time to the outer city - the slums, they call it. she never saw a reason to venture out too far from the safety of the inner city, and wonders now if that was too small-minded of her. the thought that anyone could live in such poor conditions when there is clearly so much resources is draining. she cannot fight with her magic so limited still, and it is frustrating to accept that, but she can still help. ]

I. The children (three responses max, specify child in subject)

[ a growing number of young are going missing. it isn't like them to take a long time, worried parents she speaks with explain, and with everything going on they fear the worst may yet come. merrin receives information on three children -- blessing, livia and hazel -- who went to fetch water from the stream when the sun was still high in the sky and have not yet returned. she will need help however, as the situation could be dangerous, and will not be shy about approaching even those she is unfamiliar with.

her ask is the same to anyone who will listen -- ]

There are children who have not yet returned home from their duties. Please, if you may come to assist me... I can pay you another time, should you need incentive.

[ ooc: i have a general set-up of the fate for each child in mind, the long-short being blessing and livia will be found, while hazel will not. what happened to hazel will be left ambiguous but the search will end on a dour note. ]

II. A patrol, of sorts

[ as the atmosphere of fear turns oppressive, people begin to rush into their homes for safety. it's a good enough plan as any she figures, and so she goes down streets to check for signs of life. a scattered few remain and merrin approaches them - only they immediately turn and rush away. well, so long as they are rushing to get indoors? she does not know why they hate the mirrorbound, but she doesn't think it really matters. she knows not take it personally, but it still stings.

along the way she slumps against a wall and lets out a tired sigh, putting her hood down to relax a little. wound up with anxiety, there has been little time paid attention to rest. however she still pays mind to the area and if she sees someone, familiar or not, she will call to them- ]

You should not wander the streets. Everyone should stay indoors to their best ability.

III. The figure

How could you say such things? People's lives are in danger, we are only here to help. [ the harsh tone that reverberates through an alley of the slum is merrin's, directed to a man who walks away from her without head to her words. she quickens her steps to get around him, getting in his path, and glowers. ] Do you have nothing to say for the fear you spread to others?

[ the man scoffs- ] I am warning people of the danger they are in, because of you and your kind from the mirror! You just come here to play savior when it suits you and then act like you didn't bring the danger with you!

I don't know what you -- [ and then the man pushes past her, causing her to stumble back. he's about to go off, but merrin turns and snatches his arm. he tries to pull away, but she keeps a strong hold. ] How dare you. I will not let your actions and words go unpunished. Your words are poison, and your warnings a wildfire of chaos to the madness of this place. You cannot be allowed to continue on.

[ the man continues to struggle, but now he begins to panic and calls out for help - get away! help! - as she deliberates what to do with him. ]

I; hazel

[arturiarex]

Missing children?

[ Arturia is instantly very serious. The last time she'd dealt with missing children they'd all turned out to be safe and sound, but she wasn't sure that would hold true now. Especially with stories of some sort of creature stalking the outskirts of the city. Her wings shift and flutter and she gives Merrin a long look. ]

I'm with you. Let me know how I can help.

[sisterless]

I thank you, Saber.

[ she smiles soft, thankful her new friend is so willing. not all would be, and this much she expects. ]

A father told me of his daughter, Hazel, who he sent to fetch water hours ago. He thought she went with his neighbor's son, but the son went in the morning and did not want to go out a second time. He must wait in case she returns, but wants someone to go out and check on her.

The poor man was full of panic. I want to help him. [ which brings them to this moment. ] I have not ventured too far out before - there is safety in numbers.

[stopfen]

[It had been going pretty well. There wasn't a lot that could get through a nearly full transformed fae's ring, not with a witch powering it...Only fire or ice magic and iron...Or the rules if one knew of them. She could control who or what could get in.

A horrible side effect to that. Was that when one of the nuckelavee realised what it was and broke through. The whole barrier had shattered like a bullet going through a window. And while there was no shards of glass thrown out to hit the others in the barrier, the fae had felt it. The sudden pang of a headache that had made her stop hovering.

Then it was chaos as the smart nuckelavee and a smaller one charged in. Making the surprised people scramble, there'd been no warning that the fairy ring had failed over than the fae falling.

In the scramble, no one had time to notice that the fae was still downed as the nuckelavee charged in, bone swords held at their sides.]