Bern it Down (Open)

[Minerva]

Minerva smiled as she looked upon the peaceful village in the valley in front of her. Low walls, open gates, and lazing guardsmen. It would be all too easy to enter, pillage, and burn the place before anyone could even wake up.

"Fin. Scale. Gill."

Three burly bandits walked up, their axes slung over their shoulders and their eyes sparkling.

"Ma'am?"

"Before us is our target. Derran. A village that nobody cares about. Small, useless... Except to us. There's money in those coffers, food in those market stalls... Gather the boys. We march in five minutes. That gives us a good few hours until sundown. By then, I want everything of value looted. At sundown, we light the damn village ablaze and get the hell out. You understand?"

The response was unanimous and immediate.

"Yes, Lady Minerva!"

The self-titled Bandit Queen smiled. Her men were as well-trained as bandits could get - down-on-their luck mercenaries, disgruntled soldiers, defectors... A ragtag group, bound by the iron will of their leader and her ruthless speed to incinerate any who questioned her. They were efficient, and their hallmark was a charred village skeleton left behind, without a trace of any reason for its destruction.

"Fang. Attend me."

The named man strode up, his sword and axe hanging on his belt and his eyebrow cocked. He was the only one from which she would tolerate such impudence... Anyone less valuable would have been burnt to a crisp.

"Fang. I want you to go down to the village now. Take no men. Simply enter and make sure that everything is ready... Watch the guardsmen, watch the walls... Find any weaknesses, and then strike them. Then return to me. Unharmed."

"Yes, my Queen."

Ah! The play begins.

Minerva smiled and began walking through the forests, her men softly trooping behind her. It was time... Time to burn!

[Borgus]

"So this is what you have been up too", spoke a voice from the shadows as Borgus made himself present. The War priest had been busying himself of late dealing with his own personal underground organization. It was not much of a group, but it was a pain to maintain. Some guy here wanted to cut they out of there coin another guy here wanted to open up the same kind of shop and undercut there profits. It was so tedious, infuriating, and down right disrespectful. In the last two months Borgus has had to kill more bandits than he did the entire last year. Now finally in a good spot were he can do some more personal investments he heard that Min, his fellow conspirator, was firing up her own project. Like in the wolf of nobility and kings contacts and relationships were very important for holding power and making money. It was the same for the underworld. Min was one of his partners and her success would lead to his success and as a result Borgus came to give his aid.

"So you are calling yourself a queen now", spoke the burly acolyte. Borgus had placed on some pounds of muscle since there last meeting and it was showing in the size of his arms. The acolyte however still kept his tome close. For magic was the true power of the world. His arms and fist were there for intimidation mainly. The true kick was the bolt of light ripping through your body. "So need an extra hand or do you all have things covered here?"

From what Borgus could see the city seemed like easy pickings. Though that was what made Borgus worry the most about it. The easy looking ones always had something hidden up there sleeves. If they were not careful they could run into a trap or get caught up in somebody's great plan."

[Duma]

After several escort jobs Duma managed to find himself in Derran. Once again were in Bern. Come on Wyverns. Just once. Show yourself to me. So I can cross it off my bucket list. The swordsman looked up at the sky and saw nothing. Nothing but blue skies and white puffy clouds. Nothing. He returned his attention back to the training ground in front of him. In order to earn a place to sleep and food to eat he had managed to find work training the local militia.

These people were mostly farmer's or young son's who had dreams and aspirations of freeing their homeland from Illian tyranny. Illian tyranny. As they called it, not as he called it. Only a small group of them were actual knights and guards who had some competence with a weapon. But with proper training and orders he could at least whip some of the new comers into shape. His training focused primarily on endurance training and guarding.

It seemed the local weapon of choice was axes and lances. This made things difficult as the swordsman's main weapon of choice was his sword. Fortunately he had some help from a retired General and A former Cavalier. The general had retired from his service due to his age. The cavalier was one who defected from Illia in order to lead a quiet life with her lover in Derran.

"Right. I'm going to check on the guards in town. See if they aren't slacking off again." He spoke to the woman and the man beside him and they nodded in response. He hopped the small wooden fence that divided the town's road from the field and began walking around.

[Minerva]

"...!



Borgus. Well met, old friend... Yes. This is what I have been up to. Pillaging and burning. Like any other bandit or brigand... But I, good Borgus, am the Queen of the Sharks. I am the leader of this bandit company. My domain is all of Bern... Damn the Rebels and their Rebellion. Damn the Ilians and their Occupation. I control the land... No army has dominion over me. I'm glad you have returned... But where is your crew?

An extra hand or two is always appreciated... But so is an extra four, or six, or eight. I need all the men I can muster. Especially to take on larger towns. Eventually, once we gain enough strength, I dream of razing a city. Let them gape then at the real state of affairs in Bern... Hahaha!"

The bandit company moved forward, drawing ever nearer... And meanwhile...



Fang strode through the town, his weapons hidden under a traveling cloak, and took note of all that was there... A man, with two companions, who seemed to be trying to galvanize and instruct the local militia. How hopeless. He was Fang... Fallen hero. He was the sword and axe of the Flaming Queen. He would cut these fools down... All for his Queen.

The gates were wooden and old, surrounded by low stone walls. The town was clearly not suited for defense; there was not even an armory. This would be another feather for his cap... He, Fang. The attendant of Lady Minerva. Her most trusted guard.

"Now... Where are they? I just must hear them and then I will break into action..."

[Borgus]

"Huh big dreams huh", spoke Borgus as he looked at Min. She had plans and a goal. It was good, but he thought the idea was foolish. After a while she would raise enough men to get on Ilia or the Rebellions radar. Then they would bring the full might of there armies down on her. It would not end well, but then again that is how new kingdoms are formed. If she kept at it and found a excellent strategist she might be able to pull it off. Though Borgus would rather stay away from it. Well stay away till he was sure it had a chance to succeed. He could make some good coin outfitting them, but that was a idea for later and a what if for later.

"Sorry about not bringing the entire crew, but you remember that inn we took not long ago. Well that Inn idea blew up and the black market is running perfectly. My boys are out and about making sure our supply and coin runs smooth. Not to mention we have to keep other rats from taking our cheese. Then there is the bandit leader who thinks he can make a quick buck by raiding the inn and taking out weapons and gold. We have to put down a few idiots form time to time. Big Sam got all that covered really. I am the only one with enough free time to check on some of our associates, like yourself for instant. So it is just me for the moment."

"Since your in charge of this operation I will fall to your command. Just understand if you tell me to do something stupid I am not going to follow the order. I may not look it, but I ain't a illiterate sap sucker like most of this lot. I have plans beyond simply dying in this unnamed village."

[Drei]

Drei strode through the town quietly. His hood lifted over his face for once, obscuring most of it. The white haired Shaman's apparel was rather unique, as per most of his family's choice in wardrobe. A robe through a series of blue's and purples with golden trim certainly stuck out as odd. However for once, he had managed to find a village where he could freely move about despite being a shaman. The black tome visible at his side and dangling, connected by a chain to his belt. Though he hadn't found it to be anything of real interest, the town was almost cozy feeling. Everyone seemed to know one another by first name and were like extended family. It came as a shock to him then, to learn of two other Shamans in the town; though they did not practice their arts daily like he had.

It brought Drei to the ultimate purpose. A brief detour before he explored Sacae for the answers he so desired. Admittedly he had gotten lost in his wanderings but he had been used to his parents navigating for him most of his life. However a nomadic life style was not entirely unpleasant to him, at-least when places accepted him. It was beneath a tree near the edge of the town that he found his place of rest. Slipping to his legs he slowly folded them and let either palm face upwards as he rested his hands upon his knees. His mind emptied like a blank slate as he slowly erased all distraction. Meditation. The risk to Elder Magic was how easily the void could ensnare a torn mind. Essentially, unlike the spirits of Anima that could tire after a time, and light which focused on the will of a user; Elder Magic borrowed power from a vast limitless being. A singular entity, the Void was always happy to share it's might with those willing to offer up more in return. Beyond one's limit, they could continue to fight at the risk of condemning themselves.

To prevent this state from transpiring, Drei was quick to often take into meditation. In this trance, two small black orbs of tainted magic began take form within his palms. Twisting spiraling strands of shadow that became palpable corruption and foul perverse reality. This was his gift, and his power to control. At the moment, the rest of the world was null and void to him, reflecting inwards and tuning all else out.

[Duma]

Duma walked around the streets. First paying a visit to the guardsmen on the southern gate. They were awake and alert. Good. Duma liked to see that things were in order. He made his way back up the road. These walls could be redone. Perhaps I should chat with the local architect. Though this place might not even have one. I didn't even see an armory on the way in. He mused. It was unfortunate that most of the knights who were tasked with protecting the land were off fighting in the rebellion. And if he were to guess the local lord were not sparing any men from their private army (the ones that remained) to keep the citizenry safe.

He munched on an apple as he walked. It was a gift from one of the farmers. As a small token of thanks for trying to teach them combat. It was a green apple and it was quite tasty. The village was very quaint. He made a mental note to one day retire into a quiet little village like this. One day when he becomes an old man and his skills passed off into the next generation.

There was a strange fellow walking about town that did not belong. This large man wore a cloak and seemed to keep to himself. The swordsman had no quarrel with him yet, the man had done nothing except for walking. For all he knew he could just be another traveler passing through, the village had many of those lately. But still something in the back of his head told him to pay attention to this stranger. He ignored it for now. And kept on his way to the northern gate. He finished his apple and chucked it aside.

"WAKE UP!" He yelled out to a gate guard who was asleep while standing. How in the hell do you sleep while standing?

[Minerva]

"I grant you instant status as one of my commanders, Borgus. Feel free to move and order as you see fit... Fin. Inform the army that they are to obey any orders Borgus gives during this battle."

"Yes, my lady."

"So you see... I've kept busy. I'm glad my status and gold helped you; now we both have enterprises that will benefit each other. You supply me with arms, I'll get you gold. And I have plenty of muscle should you need someone quelled. I'd be glad to help."



Soon, the large bandit troop assembled in the treeline around the city. There were five main prongs to the attack: Fin, Scale, and Gill would each lead one, and Minerva took the fourth. They would descend upon the gates or low walls from the four cardinal directions, breach the town defenses, and then pool out inside, capturing the militia in a vicious encirclement. Their butchery done, they would loot, burn, and leave.

The fifth prong? Fang. He would be busy opening coffers or gates, confusing the guards, or just generally raising hell. Fang was trustworthy. He never failed.

"Men... Let us Raid! For the honor of your Queen... For the honor of our band! Who are we?"

"SHARKS!"

"Charge."

And with that, they descended upon the town like the bats of Hell.



Fang heard the characteristic call... "Sharks."

"So it begins," the hero muttered. He quickly looked around. The man in charge was nowhere in sight. Time to start some hell.

As a woman walked by, her groceries weighing heavily upon her, Fang smiled, drew his axe, and cleanly sliced her head off.

"Have a nice day!"

He then ran in the direction of the town hall, ready to bust open the coffers. It wouldn't be too hard. He had practice.



Minerva raised her hands, feeling the familiar rush of her blue flames gathering, and then launched them at the northern gate, which began to smoulder.

"Borgus. That does it for the gate; let's get over the wall and start hitting the guardsmen from the inside. I'll get a ladder to us."

Minerva waved over a man with a short ladder, the only siege tool the Sharks carried, and had him set it on the wall. Then, without waiting, he dropped over, and Minerva followed. It was time to strike!

[Borgus]

So it began, there form was good and the chaos on the inside would help distract the guards. However if Borgus was running this attack he would have placed a lot more men on the inside before the attack even began. Still, that was not always a option. Some times men get themselves found out or some wise guard could see through your plan. You do it as it allows. As the sharks moved to assult the walls Borgus followed. Taking advantage of his new position of command Borgus took a few troops from the charge and had them move to the side with a ladder. The acolyte did not want to enter the city with the rest of the brigands. He would rather have the enemy not the four main attack positions and think that was all and then move in by himself from a fifth. Moving quietly bellow Borgus had the five men place the ladder just under one of the guard towers on the wall. From this position the guards were blind to the men below them, well blind as long as they kept there mouth shut. From there Borgus climbed the ladder and hopped over onto the wall next to it.

"Watch and learn", spoke the acolyte as he pulled himself up and jumped down into the city. It was much easier than charging with the men. Plus the chance of sudden death from a arrow was a lot lower. The men he brought with him followed. They numbered only a measly six, but Borgus knew what he was doing. Causing chaos in the city was not a job for a large band. Six was enough.

"Alright you two set fire to that building, and you two set fire to the other building", spoke Borgus as he directed the men. "The rest of you follow me", spoke the acolyte as he moved to attack the guard tower they had suck in by. If they could take out the tower without raising the alarm in this part of the city then they could smuggle troops in from here. On the citizens will find it a shocker when bandits rush in from a area they thought was under there control.

[Drei]

Meditation gave a certain level of awareness. It also gave clarity. As Drei meditated, the dark tainted magic grew in density around him. As he focused and further developed the potency of the Flux Magic to become more dense within his palms, the twin orbs began to pulse and release black static like charges. The energy was an affront to the air it's self. Like most Elder Magic, the spirits of Anima were scarce in it's wake; the chill of the dark swirling shadows like that of a void unto it's own right. However his concentration though maintained, shifted slightly as the sound distinct to that of crackling flames came to him. A woman's shriek in the distance from an unknown source also grabbed his attention. Shifting his weight from his sitting poise the Shaman eased himself up while gazing from beneath his hood with a cold gaze, leering around to examine what he could. Flames trailed around the gate and upwards into the sky. An attack? Rebels? Brigands? Just from the brief sound and sights it was clear; who ever it was, they were after the village.

He could feel it. The slight prompt of the mass which he communed with to draw his power. The prodding to tether from that anger and contempt he had for it. The flames, they reminded him so clearly of that night. The scream, the uncertainty. It was exactly like the incident which robbed him of his family. Sickeningly so. A cold contempt tainted his gaze as he heard the thud of another dropping down along the wall behind him. Turning his head he observed a male. A blue haired female falling to the ground from above the wall behind him. Drei's response was sudden, almost instinctive. He knew not who they were, but one thing was certain. Any who would rob the world of a place such as this village; deserved only one thing. Death. His palms pressed together as he combined the twin Flux spells.

They formed into one powerful mass of condensed twisting shadows before he fired the powerful bolt of tainted Elder magic towards the man who had arrived first. He had just arrived upon his feet, so if any notion of luck was with Drei he'd catch the man by surprise. Though his hood hid most of his face, the snowy white strands of hair and one of his Amber eyes visible as he lingered his cold gaze silently upon the two; further shadowy strands of magic already coiling to his finger tips while he looked to see how his magic had effected the man; legs bent slightly as if ready to move.

[Duma]

He heard it. There was some screaming out towards the village. A woman yelled. S%^* Duma thought as he went to turn back around to see the damage. But he knew it all to well. They were under attack.

"Ring the bell! Were under attack!" Duma yelled. He could see out towards the watch tower figures that were trying to creep by. He pulled four guards aside.

"Go Run alert the others. There will be fires. IGNORE THE FIRES! Order the two captains to begin evacuating the citizens. KEEP YOURSELVES ALERT! DO NOT ENGAGE IN COMBAT! You have your orders now GO! GO!" The guards ran off on their tasks. They split in pairs in case if one guy faltered the other could still deliver the message.

Duma made his way towards the watch tower. All the while yelling that they were under attack. And people need to evacuate. He was not going to let this little village turn the Sacean village that he witness become razed to the ground. He made a note of the similarities in style. There had to have been at least one man already in the village.

He made it to the watch tower and instantly cut down one bandit before he could make it to the ladder.

"ATTACK! ATTACK! WE ARE UNDER ATTACK!" He yelled loud enough for the watchman to here. Soon a large bell was being rung out and sounded all through out the village. Other call bells were being run shortly after that. The bells signaled for the makeshift militia to prepare. He took a moment to catch his breath, after that he set his sights out on to another bandit.

[Minerva]

"Hey!"

As she dropped, Minerva was hit straight in the legs with a familiar burst of coldness.

"Dark magic..."

Minerva struggled to her feet, looking quickly over her shoulders at her fellows massing behind her.

"Stay back, Sharks. Do your duty. Leave this to me. I will handle it... Two of you, though. Stay and attend your Queen as she dispatches this mutt."

Minerva summoned blue flames, watching them flicker into being around her hands like twin suns.

"So, you bastard... You fight with the power of the foul night. I feel so sorry for you. I am Minerva, Bandit Queen. My Sharks are overrunning this village... Run, baby boy, before I leave your charred remains for bait."

The blunette smiled viciously, her robe fluttering in the slight wind, before hurling one of the fireballs straight at the Shaman. How would he react? She was ready for him now... No child of the Darkness would take her down. She had learned from the Siege. She was better, faster, stronger... More deceiving and distracting. Her body and mind worked as a team to charm and char. And now she would see the results!

"FLAMES... Attend your caller! I am Minerva, Queen of the Sharks! Come forth!

An explosion of flame burst forth from her chest, fading in a supernova of embers and revealing the woman, her eyes boring into the Shaman and her hands crackling with flame.

"Come on, you yellow Shaman! Use all your might! I will send you to your fiery grave!"



The rest of the Sharks, meanwhile, continued their assault. The north gate fell, and the Sharks began to pour inward, bolstered by the wall-hoppers of Minerva's squad. Fin and Gill had encountered some difficulty with the East and West sides, but their groups were now in defensive arcs, pushing out from the wall slowly. Scale had overrun the southern gate, and so his men were advancing northward, leaving the southern gate largely unattended, to where the retreat was beginning.

Fang strode purposefully into the town hall. The lone militiaman slated for guard duty stood, his lance held awkwardly as he jabbed it at the Hero's stomach.

"Excuse me, I need you to die."

The battle was short but sweet - the lance came forward, the man whirled aside, and an axe made its way into the guard's leg. Then the guard screamed, striking with his fist blindly, as the bandit finished him off.

"Damned guard punched my eye..."

Indeed, swelling had begun to turn Fang's right eye black, but the man did not care. He simply began to hack at the wooden, reinforced coffer door. He had a job to do.

[Borgus]

"Wait no", shouted a guardsman, but a swift punch filled with the power of light not only crushed his jaw, but sent him to the afterlife. Borgus was ticked, and that was putting it mildly. One of his men were dead, though they were not really his men, but Min's. Normally he would have rushed over there to gain vengeance and see the job finish, but it was too late. The bell had already rang and things were starting to heat up. So instead Borgus took his time and finished off a couple of the actually trained guardsmen. Plus he needed to pick up a little present for the man who killed the brigand.

Walking around the corner Borgus saw the man he sought. It seemed he had taken a break after finishing off the brigand. "Long day huh", spoke Borgus as a twisted grin crossed his face. The brigand walked into the alleyway dragging something behind him. At first one could not tell what it was, but once he stopped it soon became clear. Before preparing to fight the swordsmen, who apparently just cut down a brigand faster than he could react, Borgus made a little stop into one of the homes. The acolyte had a bad experiences fighting swordsmen. He knew better than to simply walking into battle without a trump card. That is why he did what he did.

"Hey drop your sword", spoke Borgus as he raised up the figure in his right hand. There was a young girl who Borgus had knocked out from one of the nearby homes. The acolyte was holding her by her hair and dragging her about like a rag doll. using her as both a hostage and a shield Borgus demanded that the swordsmen disarm himself. After that Borgus would kill him and be on his way. Of course he would let the girl live, but that only truly depended on weather or not the swordsman ticked him off.

[Drei]

It was one of the few moments in his life, where Drei's cold uncaring demeanor would actually pay off. Had he encountered the almost erratic if not exotic female mage prior to his suffering her distractions may have worked on him. However his gaze did not flinch from his target; as if she was aught but a lifeless object before him. His gaze bore a frigid venom as shadows gathered to his finger tips and became swirling masses of dark taint. Tapping into the nether, fingers molding and sculpting the dark magic as his will wove through the fabrics of the dark essence to further empower it through the dark pact of magic. Drei's gaze naught but merciless. He knew that though she boasted, the spirits of nature wavered in fear of the unnatural touch of Elder Magic. It was common knowledge among magic users. Darkness erupted from his hands as the twisting pool of shadows burst from the ground around the mage in almost every direction to condense into a powerful burst of darkness. While casting the spell Drei lifted one outstretched palm to call the tainted essence to his hand.

Swirling shadows became a single uniform mass as he spoke in a cold tone, his dead gaze almost uncaring towards her. "Flames do not reach the void. As you'll soon see. "

Though the shadows burst from inbetween his finger tips he continued to channel the spell to further boost it's power. He waited, not reacting immediately but waiting to see how she might respond while keeping a narrow gaze on the enemies around him. He had a slight advantage of surprise in the fact that unlike most Elder Magic users who here larger framed and slower from said bulk; he was acrobatic..agile even. Countless times others reactions to his agility opposed to bulky nature most Shamans sported had helped him avoid dangerous situations. He had a feeling this would be no different.

[Duma]

F^*# Was the thought in the swordsman's head as he tried to assess the situation. The bandit in front of him had taken an innocent woman hostage. He hated dealing with hostages and bandits. Nine times out of ten the bandits usually kill the hostage anyway, at least that how he experienced it. He wanted to just charge in and kill the man outright since he had no guarantee he would release the hostage even after his demands were met.

He looked around. The bandit had some impressive looking arms but no weapon. At least not a weapon of a traditional bandit, no axe, spear, sword, or club. Which concerned him. Either this man had a hidden weapon or he was a practitioner of the magical arts. Double. F^*#

He could take on almost every other class, but mages were a bit problematic for him. He used to rectify that with his sister, as she would train by throwing fire balls at him. He learned to dodge flames just fine. But it's been years since he last had the chance to enjoy one of her practice sessions and he was rusty because of it.
It also meant that this brigand if he is a mage of some kind, was smarter then the average brigand he was accustomed to.

He frowned. He knew he was going to regret this. He slowly got onto one knee and put his sword down on the ground. He knew he could take at least one magical hit and retaliate. That's not to say he didn't have a plan. He just needed to see what this guy was going to do next. If he approached he had a means to fight. If he struck from a distance he could dodge.