The Storm Wastes Massacre III: Ambush of the Ramernickels

[Vega]

10th Ashan 720
... mere seconds after this

"Butter my biscuit an' Schizzle my snoot but where'd they come from!?!" Vega cried out as she realised that this was not the end of them. They had just fought off a swarm of Bobernickels and Wolfernickels - and she had literally just sent Snuffles off back to Storms Edge to warn them there - then, just as they drew breath and she said that the creatures would be back soon, a small group of Ramernickels attacked. "Where'd they come from?!" Vega asked again, not expecting an answer, and she reached, once more, for her sword of light, as granted to her by Qylios "I didn' mean this bloody soon!". Vega was a seasoned and experienced fighter, but she knew also that because of her own experiences, she was stronger and more able to keep fighting for longer than almost all of her companions.

"Jack, are you a'right?" Vega called and she risked a brief glance at him. Jack was burned down one side of his face, and Vega didn't hesitate. "Medic! You need treatment!" she said and, as he started to argue, she simply shouted over him. It had to be noted that Vega was louder, and bossier, than Jack on a good day - and this was not a good day. "Close up defences!" she called out, and she reached an arm to the side and literally shoved Jack backwards. "Jack and Behn, yer injured. Rest of us, close in!" It meant that those who were not injured had more space to cover, but Vega knew that they couldn't risk having people who were injured fighting.

"I'm fine! Ignore that!" Jack shouted and Vega more or less snarled, "You can command from there, but you can't command if yer dead! How badly injured is he?"

The Thunder Priestess, it became obvious, agreed with Vega and Jack stayed behind. "Where did they come from?" She shouted. That, to her, seemed like a very important point. Her sword flashed as she dropped her bow and prepared to meet the Ramernickels head-on. But, equally, she knew.

If they didn't find out what was happening here, where these creatures were coming from - and Vega could tell, even after a few moments, that their numbers were increasing - then she knew that it was inevitable that they would be overwhelmed.

And Jack having an owwie would be the least of their worries.

She looked around at the people there, and Vega took what she knew - or believed - to be a calculated risk. "I'm gonna find out where they're emergin' from! Close ranks when I leave," she shouted. Jack immediately responded, "Vega! No!"

It said a lot about Vega and the respect she had developed for Jack, and for the command hierarchy, that she stayed where she was. She didn't move. However, "With all due respect, SIR," she sliced at one of the rams as it ran past, slicing off it's horn. "If we don't find out SIR, we're gonna be dead, SIR!" A stab to the next one, slicing it at the leg. "An' I've been there, SIR, an' I've done that, SIR, an' I don't wanna do it again! ..... SIR!" She waited, fighting the whole time and then she grinned as he spoke.

"You go straight there, you come straight back!" Jack sounded concerned and she was touched by it. But they had no time for such right now. "And don't lollygag!"

Vega chuckled at his use of the strange word which she'd introduced him to, even as she deflected one of the creatures from attacking the Warden next to her. "I'll cancel my manicure while I'm over there, SIR!"

And so, she counted three for her companions to be able to react, and she moved.

[Vega]

10th Ashan 720
... mere seconds after this

She'd broken away from the group to try and find out what it was that was controlling or causing these creatures to attack. They were coming from somewhere, she was sure. But where it was, she didn't know yet. Until she found it, Vega was very much of the opinion that the creatures would just keep on coming and, eventually, the people she was here with, the ones who were fighting so bravely right now - they were going to get overwhelmed.

But, equally, it was a juggling act. Vega knew this because she was in no doubt that she was the best fighter there by about a mile and a half. That weird-looking fella Giggles styled himself as a decent fighter, but he had vulnerabilities and weaknesses up the jacksie, Vega knew. Same for her siblings, Varlum and Vivian and they were both skilled, and blessed, and had magic. But she also knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that she could fight the three of them together and, if it was a real fight, they'd be dead and she wouldn't.

So, the young woman who had once described herself as 'all elbows and knees' knew that, by leaving the main group, she was risking them. However, she also knew that, unless she did, they'd all die. If she was wrong about this, however, then she could at least take some small solace in the fact that she wouldn't regret long. She'd regret it deeply and with a sense of personal responsibility which no one except Arlo truly understood she had, but she knew that if this was the wrong call, then they'd definitely all die.

"I don't know why I don't just focus on playin' the fiddle an' doin' my hair," she grumbled to herself as she dived forwards, tucking her arm underneath her as she rolled and landed on her feet. As she tucked said arm, her sword of light, granted by Qylios, sliced and she grunted in pleasure as the ramernickel died. Vega was in no doubt here - she was already feeling the burn in her arms, the sensation of tiredness - but she didn't give up or give in to it. She couldn't and wouldn't. Her sword moved with almost impossible speed and precision and Vega felt - no, she knew finally that she was becoming a good swordswoman. The blade was, at last, an extension of her and there was no longer thought when she moved.

No, instead, there was just instinct. It probably seemed casual, easy. Of course, it represented hundreds and thousands of hours of practice and battles, but at last Vega was beginning to understand the weapon she wielded.

She was filthy dirty, caked in dust and blood and, behind her, there was the comfort and security of dying with people she called friends. If she continued on with this plan, Vega knew, she was choosing that the likelihood was that she was going to die alone.

There was never a question in her mind. With a glance behind her, Vega's face took on a determined expression. "Hope," she said, softly. "Don't give up hope." As she moved, she sent a prayer to Xiur. "Watch my back, boss, wouldya?" Her prayer as ever was informal and chatty. "Cos, I don't know if you've noticed, but there's bloody pumpernickels everywhere."

And then, in front of her, there was a sudden movement. Bursting out of the ground came an enormous... "Ashan's Donkey!", Vega exclaimed. "It's a wormanickel!" While the other creatures were bad, this one was huge and the heat coming from it was incredible. As it soared upwards, bursting out of the ground in front of her, Vega knew that she had to deal with this and do so now. So, she first poked it with her sword. Vega was strong and sure with her combat style, and she jabbed forward with the intention of getting its attention. However, she wanted to get its attention by hurting it and so she was pleased as her sword slid in to the crack in between two areas of rock-hard skin. It let out a high-pitched screech and Vega internally winced as it turned its full attention to her.

The spiked head bore down on her, and Vega knew that - if he was here - Arlo would be close to killing her for what she was about to do. But, she also knew that he'd do the same thing and time was - very much - of the essence. So, she stood her ground and waited. It was less than two trills but that meant that she was far - far - too close. But, Faldrun's daughter was nothing if not stubborn and as it began to breathe fire on her, only when it was that close, Vega jumped. Most people might - logically - jump away from the creature, but not her. Vega launched herself at it, her sword of light held parallel to the horizon, cutting across the worm's mouth as it spewed out fire.

"AAAAAAH!" Vega cried out. Thankfully, her mortalborn ability meant that she was immune to fire, but the heat singed her and she knew she had to move quickly. So, she focused her strength, her skill, and her downright annoyance with this dweeb of a critter - the momentum of her jump meant that she met its force with her own and Vega pushed her sword through. As she landed, she was pleased to note that she had, effectively, cut off the top of its head, sliced it clean off. But then, she saw it.

"You irritatin' little dweeb!" She kicked the worm which must be dead (but still twitching) creature as she saw that it had come from a well-hidden but currently revealed (because it still had the lower half of the wormanickel in it) hole. Looking at it, a deep frown crossed Vega's face and she snarled. "You slippery little critter," she grumbled and she made her way quickly, clambering over the worm and climbing down into the hole.

[Doran]

Vega:

Knowledge: -
Loot: -
Wealth: -
Injuries: Cuts and bruises.
Renown: 15, for fighting nickels and taking noteable part in a battle.
Magic XP: -
Skill Review: Appropriate to level.
Points: 10

- - -

Comments: More nickels!

I know that they are dangerous monsters, but I love them anyway because of their creative names. Vega must be quite a sight with the sword of light that Qylios granted to her!

She’s quirky and she has quite a unique personality, but at the same time, she seems to genuinely care about the people around her. I liked the interaction with Jack and how she disobeyed.

The part of the thread where the wormanickel showed up was quite exciting in my opinion. You described the creature very well, and when Vega kicked it, after it was finally dead, I couldn’t help but laugh. I could almost see that in front of my inner eye!

Enjoy your rewards!

P.S.: I might have added “Leadership” to the list of skills used as Vega was telling people what to do, “Strength” as you mentioned her strength when she fought the wormanickel, and maybe even “Discipline”.