A forest, the country-side, maybe a town

Orion experiences a moment of fear as the Chimera leaps for him. However Sylphs quick dispatch of the creature earns a nod of thanks in her direction. The runes that he has been drawing begin to crackle with blue-black lightning. He glances at Zahktuthal and notices the azure flame sphere and creatures. Impressive, he thinks between the two of us there won't even be remains. He calls out to the others, " Now is the most critical time in my spell. What ever happens do not let them distract me a mistake will cost all of us our lives." Orion turns inward accelerating the rate at which he draws the runes, this time they do not fade. Chimeras prepare for oblivion. And he releases his spell.

After hearing Orion's view on women from his land, Sylph's short comment seemed to make a lot of sense and she nodded as the elf finished saying it aloud. Turning her attention away, she looked at the wilds, wondering all that could be hidden there. Orion's strange confession to Sylph came to her ears, but she wasn't especially listening or thinking about it. She wanted to be as prepared as she could for whatever that would happen from there on. She eyed all of them slowly, observing them and trying to tell their skills by their looks. I might learn from them... that'll be interesting, she thought positively, hoping they would bother sharing a part of their knowledge with her if such an occasion presented itself.

As everyone started getting agitated and preparing themselves, trying to identify what was around them in the forest, Severyn squinted her eyes and quickly stared across the woods as she stepped closer to the group. While a noise filled her head, she slightly bent down and covered hear head with her hands as if it would appease her senses. Seeing a couple of the creatures ahead, knocking against Zahktuthal's magic barrier, the young traveler listened to Orion's description, hoping it would allow her to better face them.

The mage offered her to stand close and before he finished his sentence, she had already made a few steps towards him. As Nicholas quickly intervened, she answered to both of them as she went down to her boot and unsheathed a long dagger. "It's been more threatening than used, quite frankly," she admited, staring at it for a second. "But I'll do my best!" Severyn added as she glanced towards Orion, trying to answer his request to protect him.

Intimidated by the new creatures, the lady wanderer dodged as she saw Sylph strike one of them with an arrow, wondering how resistant they were. She quickly made her way towards one of the cat-like beast, her eyes fixed as she concentrated to soon aim at the heart. Blue flames erupted from inside of it as she falled backwards in surprise and from her charging towards it. In a second she was standing up and watching for chimeras that would get too close, her eyes scanning the place to aknowledge who was where and fighting how. Impressed by Zahktuthal's magic, she figured anything made of blue flames came from his casting as she paced away to cover another area where chimeras could enter the circle they made around Orion.

With her slender and light athletic build, Severyn was rather fast for a human. She didn't have fighting skills but at least she could easily move around and dodge attacks. She didn't know how to strike without giving an opportunity to her opponent to attack the exposed side of her body. Still, she had to try. Swinging her dagger on one of the fierce beast's back, creating deep bleeding cuts, it turned around and pounced towards her. She shifted to the side, clumsily being drawn to the ground as it had grabbed her arm. Claws sinking into her pale skin, she let out a faint cry that got lost in the noise of battle. Pinned to the ground she dove the sharp metal into the chimera's breast, its last roar ending as it lied dead on her. Out of breath she pushed the heavy corpse to the side and let out a sigh of relief before she got up on her feet, admiring even more the group of fighters that seemed to battle effortlessly.

Zahktuthal shouts "Time to end this Orion!" With a grunt of effort, Zahktuthal raises up the massive sphere of azure flames and he slams it into the ground. Immediately a massive blastwave of Azure Flames spreads from beneath him, burning all the chimeras and ignoring all friendlies. After a couple seconds of burning, all the chimeras start freezing in place. Zahktuthal then draws 5 runes all around him swiftly, then azure flames burst out and strike all the chimeras, forcing them to finish freezing swiftly.

Ariella Moonbow

Not only have the outsiders upset and unsettled the forest, she is unsettled and upset herself, and one is not wise to continue forward while inwardly off balance and unfocused. Whoever it is that waits so quietly within the limbs above her will have to continue waiting. But before she leaves, a token of her acknowledgment. Reaching into the quiver that opens over her left shoulder, she withdraws a single arrow. The head is made of hardened steel and has been patiently sharpened to the extent that even a casual brushing of the finger against it is likely to draw blood. The shaft is hand formed and has been worked to a degree of smoothness that causes it to gleam slightly under the light of the moon. More striking still, however, is the bolt's fletching - three feathers of nearly perfect whiteness and form are fixed into the wood and render the finished work a quality that makes it as much a thing of beauty as an instrument of violence. She stoops, placing one of her knees on the rocky soil of the forest floor, and thrusts the arrow, head first, into the ground. A token such as this is no doubt an ambiguous thing, but she has come to learn that there is much to gleaned from noting how such ambiguities are perceived. Rising, she steps away from the arrow and moves slowly forward in the direction along which the deer had just run.

The young man began to close his eyes, and listen. In his consciousness the waves of energy began to form, and he could hear the feline creatures roar ferociously. He took a moment of breath and inhaled as he began to fill one by one, his palm with a new kind of bullet especially forged out of Trillium metal. A special shine and rare to find, Trillium was considered an altered metal that had been forged by magic and alchemy to give it it's luminescent glow. Nicholas could only carry so much though, but he was prepared for this. He decided to aim for the the two heads emerging from the creature. Standing far back next to where Orion seemed to be preparing his spell, Nicholas focused his aim as a chimera was heading directly towards him. With accuracy, he shot the head which resembled a lion right through the center of the forehead, the bullet blazing straight through the chimera's head as the it began to roar in agony. As it's body began to fall, Nicholas pulled out his dagger and began to rush towards the creature as it's tail still seemed to be thriving. As he neared the second creature's head resembling a snake it began to snarl and hiss and snap it's poisonous fangs, trying to bite Nicholas. He dodged the snake like tail's strike and with his dagger, slit it from belly to cerebral. The creature's last life fell in it's defeat.

The purple blood was on Nicholas's tunic. The chimeras continued to keep making their way through the tall trees of the forest and into the openings of where the party was. Nicholas kept at his stragety of defeating afew of the creatures, though he seemed to be left vulnerable if he should make the wrong turn. He did not wear much armor.

Alas, Zahkuthal and Orion informs the party that their spell has been completed. With blue flames rising into the air like an electric pulse, the chimeras all cry as they fall to the ground.

The battle was over. Nicholas looked at everyone, and slightly smiled.

She shrugged and resumed neutral pose as her opponent dropped to the ground spontaneously, surrounded by flashing blue flames. It seems the spell has been completed. Sylph dodged the chimera bodies as she paced around the area and collected any stray arrows she could recover. Some were broken and others were covered in slimy chimera blood that seemed impossible to wipe off no matter how furiously she scrubbed. Cleansing the tips of the elven forged arrows as best as she could with the bottom outer layer of her embroidered tunic, she surveyed the battleground. It was quite a chaotic scene with the dead bodies and the blue flames compared to the rest of the peaceful, never-changing forest. She greatly resented the destruction they had caused to the area, but it was better than having the chimeras rip the entire forest to pieces.

Watching to see if Severyn was well, Sylph seemed to glide over to her. Distracted, she glanced once at the dead chimera next to Severyn and quickly looked back. "That looks uncomfortable." she commented quietly on her injury, offering the lady a wistful smile. "She is good at fighting." Sylph observed. She had watched her fight the chimera and was impressed by the ferocity she had displayed.. although it was probably rarely seen when not in combat.

Orion is exhausted after the battles with the chimeras. He takes a few deep breaths and begins coughing uncontrollably. After a few minutes he manages to recover enough to drink from his flask and the coughing subsides, but not before he coughs up quite a bit of blood (which now stains the ground at his feet). He thinks that was a tough battle, Chimeras are usually solitary creatures what could control so many of them so that they do not tear each other apart.

He decided the time is right to make give Sylph the reward he promised her. He heads over to where Sylph and Severyn are standing. On his way there he notices that Severyn has been injured. When he arrives he reaches into his robe and draws out a flask containing a thick crimson liquid and tosses it to Severyn. He says to her,"I am sorry you got hurt defending me this should help heal your wounds." Then addressing them both them, "Thanks for protecting me it would have ended much differently with out the two of you." He pauses for a moment before saying, "The two of you have earned the right to ask me any five questions you desire. I will tell you everything I know about these five things, so choose wisely."

Everything seems to be over, for now. The opening is lit well by the left over magic from the mages' spells. In the grass and tweeds, the hunter notices Sylph reclaiming her weapons from the fallen chimeras. Oh, how he wish he could have done the same. He begins to walk forth to a chimera he killed during battle, and leans forward. Propping it’s tragic head to the side, the hunter examines the shot, and just as he suspected, the bullet shot straight through. The impact must have been too strong....I may need to rely on the party more than I intended... He looks at the group, and sees Severyn laying on the ground wounded about 20 feet away from him. It seems the chimera had gotten to her. During battle when the wanderer responded to Orion’s plea and the hunter’s own questions, he wondered if he should have helped Severyn then. But it seems she made it fine, and with it, gained a good battle experience. He felt a bit bad as he stood near the proximity of Orion who was left defenceless while doing his spell, he had to concentrate to shoot the Trillium bullets for accuracy.

Nicholas notices what Orion says to the women. The hunter begins to clear his throat loudly. “And I guess that means me as well, don’t you agree sir mage Orion?” He brings his dagger back to it’s hilt.

He turns to Severyn and eyes her as she lays there. "Severyn, I'm glad you're okay...that was a good experience in battle." He looks at Sylph, and glad she has survived as well.

(Subject to change, for anyone who may or may not add to the battle's sequences.)

Zahktuthal dismisses his minions, then holds a hand up and the remnants of the Azure Flames leap into his hands. He closes his hand into a tight fist and dismisses the flames, absorbing the remaining magic in them. He looks at all the others, then into the forest again.

Zahktuthal says "There are multiple things that come to mind. I doubt any are nearby, but all the same, I think we should move." He looks at his new companions, such a strange concept for him, and he stays where he is, keeping his distance, folding his arms over his chest. We've probably made ourselves a pretty neat beacon here, with my dragon and now this. He sighs softly.

Orion glances Nicholas' way and says, "First I ask if you are going to address me by or with a title please use the term Archmage. I am a tower master after all. Next you should know the answer to your questions if you are half as good as the stories say you are. As you well know a mage does not reveal any information unless he feels the need to pay for something that means a great deal to him." He, laughs a bit at a witty thought he has and says, "A treasure hunter who does not know what mages treasure most. After all knowledge is power, guard it well. But I don't mind if you listen to the answers to their questions." He points the the ladies while saying this.

He hears Zahktuthal's comment on their situation of the groups surroundings. He thinks,Zahktuthal is wise he remember that linger here might get us into more trouble. He turns to Sylph and says, "My lady if it would not be to much trouble do you know of a place we can travel. Staying here is dangerous as Brother Zahktuthal said, and I need to rest and recover my magic."

Zahktuthal keeps his distance. He can still sense the mysterious presence that Orion cannot...but that's because of the price he paid to master the Azure Flames. There are many upsides and downsides to having been the apprentice of one of the Elemental Guardians of the Dual-Element classes of Magic, a kind of magic banned by the Circle and thus is no longer taught nor is the knowledge ever shared with their students.

Zahktuthal looks around the Forest, then looks over at the others. I don't know if they know any place...I don't know any either. Would be best to start moving as soon as possible.

Sylph had been kneeling next to a seemingly dead chimera. "Well.. there is a lake in this forest that isn't far from here. We can rest there for a bit. However, I don't think it's wise to stay there long." she said to them, turning her head to look at Orion. Drawing her attention to the dead chimera once again, she fumbled into the inner layers of her tunic and pulled out an egg-shaped glass with purple mixture inside. The rare potion was known as the "Life Elixir." It was a gift from a wandering potions maker who Sylph had sheltered long ago. Including the ability to revive, it contained some form of magical bewitchment.

Her intentions weren't the best and it was probably a waste to use the one-of-a-kind potion on a chimera, but her mind was set. The feline creature could probably be helpful when traveling or in future battles. Sylph tipped the potion into the chimera's gaping mouth, avoiding the rows of sharp teeth that could pierce granite. As she set the bottle on the ground, Sylph inhaled nervously and waited for the effect to come around.

Suddenly, the chimera's tail shot up skyward and it's entire body emitted a warm, orange glow. It's appearance was startling. The golden chimera had the head of a lion with 2 ram horns that stuck up about 1 foot in the air. With 5 black talons on each foot, his feet resembled that of a griffin.. while his tail was a hissing and spitting, electric blue python. She stood up and prepared to fight if he showed any sign of threat. It just stood there and gazed at her. Feeling a bit braver, she inched closer and petted its wild mane. Sylph smiled a bit when the chimera showed no signs of objection. "I'll call you Brising." she said to her new companion.

Nicholas can't help but hear a tinge of condescendence or venom in the mage's words. He wonders what his remark had done to disturb him. Nicholas shakes his head slightly. He was hoping the mage would extend the same courtesy as Nicholas did when he helped defend his life. I guess Nicholas thought wrong.

"Please don't take it wrongly. Archmage or whatever titles you claim to be, I do not know of them because your mage societies seem to be so sworn in secrecy. Although I was a treasure hunter, it was no busniess of mine to ask for personal information just they extended the same courtesy. Whatever I seek, and what I do, these experiences and collections of knowledge are all held within me. The only knowledge that you would ever know about me is what you've heard from the Mage Circle, but aye I'm afraid that jumping to the conclusion that what they speak as being entirely the truth is wrong. But never mind this. If this is going to make a wrong footing, than I have no interest in starting one..." Nicholas spoke the truth. He came to the forest searching to give something back for his family and stake his life for it. He did not want to end anything in quarrels.

He hears Zahkuthal's words, and agrees. " You're right Zahkuthal. Thank you for mentioning that."

Hearing what Sylph speaks of, Nicholas begins to pull out his map from his draw-string of goods.

(Subject to change, if anyone adds or does not add to the battle sequences.)

Orion laughs at Severyn's statement about not knowing everything and says, "I don't know everything ether but I am willing to answer a few questions about my-self." He turns to Nicholas and says, "Forgive me for my cold treatment but you must understand I have a very powerful enemy who would love to know some of the things I may say. So, please be understanding when I am distrustful of those who seem eager to learn of me."

He watches Sylph raise the chimera. Life Elixer were did she get that only the most powerful potions masters can brew it successfully. And as for the chimera I will trust that she can control it. Orion then says to Sylph, "We should leave now before anymore unfriendly visitors wander by." Yes, Orion thinks, we need to leave I believe that the Burning Legion is at work here.

Raigi nodded his head to nicholas when his assistance was welcomed, his ears twitching a bit at the sound of a low growl. He'd not heard anything with quite that tone before, wondering if perhaps it was an animal he'd just never noticed before. He hardly seemed to take notice of all the adventurers taking up tense positions, having always been used to the relative peace within his little domain. His eyes went wide when the massive catlike creatures emerged from the brush, one of the things pouncing right onto him and knocking him to the ground. He let out a yelp of surprise when he saw jaws coming down to snap at him. With loud mrewl he instictively moved his head to the side, the loud snap of its maw so close to his sending bolts of fear through the pinned fellpool. As it reared back it clawed his stomach, a bit of cloth ripping and tearing while his tunic was stained red with blood.

He was shocked as he felt his soft flesh rip and tear, pupils thinning to slits as the pain wracked his body. The adrenaline sent through him a surge of unnatural strength, his hand hooking into heavy punch, connecting thoroughly with the jaw of the chimera. It was just enough to knock it over as Raigi scrambled to his feet, head swirling a bit while he struggled to free his blade from its sheath, the hardened metal obviously having not been used much. The runes on it were of odd make but didn't seem to have any particular properties aside from making it exotic. The thing lunged again, Raigi unable to react as he was slammed up against one of the trees. A sickening squish barely audible over the rest of the fight sounded as the one assailing him twitched and roared at him. It had managed to impale itself accidentally on his blade, falling to ground with a loud schlick as the blade was freed from its body, leaving Raigi wide eyed and in shock.

He could barely do anything now, this having been his first taste of real battle gentle shimmering eyes staring down at the corpse before him. The pool of blood formed slowly around the fallen beast, its magic rich blood staining the grass and some of Raigi's tunic. It wasn't long before pain brought him out of his shell shock and back into reality, bringing his hand to his stomach only see his leather glove stained with his own blood. He gulped, covering the wound with arm, it wasn't severe but it stung horribly. All around them the beasts erupted into flame, screeching as they fell dead around them, the sight making Raigi shiver in revulsion. These newcomers were trouble and he began to question if traveling with them was such a good idea.

Noticing that severyn was hurt as well he started to make his way over concerned but the mages words stopped him, the young man somewhat distrusting these magic users. "I...I am relieved to see that everyone is okay..." He murmured, confused and shaking somewhat. He felt most comfortable at the moment with the wounded woman and the hunter whom was digging out his map. He decided it might be best to move closer to nicholas, peering over his shoulder a bit. "Erm...c...can I be of any help? I know the area pretty well I might be able to help you find something on that map." He gulped, hoping his offer wouldn't be declined.

Severyn thought thoroughly. So he was talking about personal questions! Surprized, she was wondering why Orion would be willing to tell about himself, but only that way. Usually, people would start talking more as they trust each other. Why Nicholas couldn't ask about Orion's life was a mystery. Severyn could only make out that Sylph's reason might've been when she allowed him to see his past lover. The archmage said he wanted to give something to the elf, and maybe it was those words. The other reason she saw was that they were both women, and maybe he was somehow willing to share a part of his thoughts and life with either of them. That thought seemed rather stranger however, and she wanted to dismiss it from the possibilities.

As Raigi approached her, she noticed his hand on his stomach and tried to see if he was alright. After Severyn had finished cleaning her wound, she neared Raigi and Nicholas as she noticed the hybrid's long tail. She was curious as to what he was exactly, but stayed respectful and didn't dare to ask. The young wanderer saw Raigi's injuries but didn't want to interrupt the two of them. Looking in her bag, she took the flask of water and rolled bandages to offer them to Raigi, her hands extending towards him as she stood there in silence.

Sylph climbed onto the chimera's back and gripped its mane for support. "Wow.. it's a bit.. unsteady." she thought to herself, wiggling in an attempt to maintain the balance. After struggling for some time, she turned her attention to the group. "Yes.. moving seems to be the best idea at the time..." she agreed with Orion. "When do you suggest leaving?" she asked patiently to noone in particular.

Zahktuthal says "As I have said, as soon as possible is best. If everyone is able to move, then we move. The longer we linger, the more likely we are to be assaulted once more. And Orion and I do not have the energy to deal with much more." He sighs and looks around, then finally walks over to the group, slowly. He looks everyone over, noting all injuries and that none are travel-inhibiting.

Rh'rohild watches the group move off, and he contemplates to himself whether Fate was pulling his strings again. She doesn't do this often, though usually it is for important reasons.
He moves off, following the group at a suitable distance, able to know where they are and their actions but far enough to avoid being spotted by anything but a deliberate check for followers like himself.

Orion feels a unworldly chill and looks up at the sky. He notices a distortion he realizes only he can see. An expression of fear manifest on his face as he thinks, this is very bad an agent of the Legion is about to fall here. We need to move now and I don't have time to explain. He turns to Sylph and says, "Brother Zahktuthal is right we need to leave. However we need to leave NOW. I will not brook any questions until we are far from here."

Finally someone gets smart. Zahktuthal then, without any more words, starts walking off, keeping a good eye out for any dangers as he does. He doesn't even make sure everyone is following, simply because if they decide to just stand there and die when they were told over five times to move, then fine. This is why he doesn't travel with others...they don't act when there is reason enough to do so. That is how people are. And that is why Zahktuthal has never had any true trouble ever since three years ago.

"..It's alright Archmage. I had no idea you were being chased or was cautious of another party... It seems like we have just met so I can see where could have been confusion. Someone was following me as well earlier this evening around the lake Madam Sylph speaks of, even though the lady who lived there was unaware of his presence."

As the group began to pick themselves up, Nicholas noticed Raigi's wounds as he expressed his relief that the party was alright. He saw Severyn's kind gesture and felt a bit warm that such a kind gesture was given. He wondered if Raigi was going to accept Severyn's gift.

Nicholas saw that Raigi watched him scramble for his map. He heard Raigi's offer. "Yes, indeed. Thanks for the offer." He smiles. "In fact..." He looks at everybody, "I have something to suggest to everyone."

He begins to unroll his map. On the map, there is detail of parts of the forest travelled so far, and last traces of where trails stopped short.

"Raigi, Sylph. You two know this forest well, correct? Madam Sylph speaks of the lake, we can rest there, unless everyone feels well enough to keep moving. I travelled about 40 minutes or so from the lake to reach here earlier this evening...But I suggest we keep moving forward. If we have wounded party members, it may not be wise to track towards the lake where I was last suspected. Although the woman who lived there was very kind and hospitable, we do not know of the were-wolf's intentions...or if he may come back."

He points in another direction they're heading towards, which seems to be going a bit deeper into the forest areas. It is a different trail that seems to be leading into dense wood and shrubs appearing to get a bit more narrow. Within the traces of moonlight and beyond the trees, in the far distance the trail seems to be leading towards mounds and hills. Nicholas begins to push some of the heavy branches so that others can pass a bit more freely. Deer begin to leap before them.

"Raigi...Sylph...Do you see those hills...What lies there?"


Nicholas began to concentrate his vision. In the darkness, another light other than the moon that surrounded them seemed to be making it's place. It was burning far, far away, the color of a warm, dim light of amber.

It was a relief for Raigi to see that Nicholas was willing to accept his help in navigating what parts of the forest he was familiar with. He winced a bit as his wounds caused him discomfort, little drips of blood trickling between his fingers. The young fellpool hardly noticed as severyn was trying to get a look at his wounds, instinctively trying to go as if nothing had happened just as an animal would. It wasn't until Nicholas started to suggest their options that he saw her remove the flask and bandages from her bag, extending the kind to him. He stood looming, a bit stunned for a moment as he reached a hand out to gently graps the bandages and hook two fingers around the flask. pulling it back out of her hands he looked at them and offered her a warm smile. "Thank you kindly M'lady, you're most kind to offer your supplies to a complete stranger." He replied warmly, trying his best to express the gratitude he felt for such a simple offer.

Continuing to listen to Nicholas he lifted his tunic a bit, the claw marks across the mid section of his stomach a nasty sight. Some of the blood had begun to clot but it provided only a weak seal for the warm reddish liquid to keep from leaking out. Taking the flask he undid the top, being very careful to use only what he needed as he cleaned the wounds, his eye twitching a bit when he dabbed over the cuts. When he finish it looked a lot better, the bleeding slow but constant until he wrapped the bandages around himself. His agile body allowed him to quickly wrap around his front and back several times before tieing them off and pulling his tunic back down. A look of relief came of his face as the bandages offered a measure of support for his wounded bits, the young fellpool holding the flask and bandages back out to her. "I hope I'll be able to return your kindness one day M'lady. You have my deepest thanks for giving me some relief to these cuts." He replied, having only used a minimal amount of her water and bandages and leaving her enough for herself as well. He eyed her for a moment deep purple eyes shimmering a bit past the darkness that shrouded his face at this hour of the night.

Cats ears twitched when nicholas spoke again, Raigi's eyes scanning over the landscape before them as best he could see. The hills were barely visible because of the thick brush all around them but Raigi easily recognized that place as he'd hunted there before. " Beyond those hills lay a river and some of the more heavily forested regions. I'm not sure what manner of beasts lay in the thick brush but the river itself is home to all manner of animals that are good for eating. We would have to be careful treading there though... Harpies hunt there from time to time as well as the ocassional giant spider that wanders close from who knows where. It's a bit misty as well down there so we wont be able to see well, probably because of the hotsprings a bit higher in the hills, near the cliffs that some of the hills have eroded into." He replied with a nod, hoping that was a good enough explaination of the area.

The strangers words are hard to make out from a distance, but Rh'rohild catches a name, Zahktuthal, and discussion of moving to a nearby lake to take shelter from something. He decides to go to the lake himself and wait for them, as Rh'rohild is intrigued at their presence here. Moving faster than the group, Rh'rohild makes it to the lake early and waits, polishing his weapons in the cold, clear waters.

Orion begins to heads over to the edge of the clearing. Once he arrives he glances once more to the sky. The distortion has grown larger and has begun to open. He calls out the the others, "Into the forest NOW!" He glances at the distortion and notices that the hellish unlight has continued to spread until it has reached the size of the clearing. As he turns and heads slightly farther into the woods he thinks, they cannot fight what is coming, well if they choose not to lisen to me then their deaths are their own business. For in my present condition I cannot fight the Infernal that is about to appear.