BZPRPG: Ko-Wahi

IC Essie:

The cyborg turned to regard the Le-Toa. "You assume I lack range. That is a faulty assumption." A spinner materialized in the shoulder-mounted launcher for a moment before vanishing.

IC: Deriksha

"No. I didn't say that. I said keep HIM out of the way. I'm not concerned for you. I'm pretty sure you can handle yourself."

IC: Dayeth.

"I understand," Dayeth looked down at Londar. "You let him bear witness and live, so that he can tell others what you have done here. Otherwise all of this," she gestured towards the bloody wall, "would be for nothing."

She turned her gaze towards Echelon. The Dark Toa was terrifying. "You want him to sow fear among our enemies..."

IC (Cael)

 

They had last seen Korero Maru in Le-Koro; they met him now under less happy circumstances. Still, if a Toa Maru was here, how bad could it be?

 

"What's happened? Cael asked. 

IC (Korero)

Korero nodded. Straight to the point.

His smile faded.

"The Koro's under attack by dark forces," he said. "If what I've been told is true, most of them are Makuta-worshippers...led by Echelon."

He looked Merror in the eye as he spoke the Dark Toa's name.

IC: (Weiss)

The Lesterin was a grotesque sight indeed. He had lips chewed off, hundreds of scars along his body, some fresh, a metal clamp, flecked with rust, constrained his head. He knew not what happened to the being, but it seemed that he had went through a deal of pain. Upon hearing the word 'Blackrock' he knew the Lesterin was not lying. The canyon was sacked so long ago, he thought, only one among the current Brotherhood had went through it. But this being, he managed to both survive the sacking and miss out upon the group that fled to Darkmine. Unfortunate indeed. As for the clamp and lips, he saw validation of Grandmaster Makron's legendarily painstaking conversions.

"The Brotherhood is alive, Sir Zenithex, praise Ak'rei'an that you escaped such an ordeal with your soul. We are fair in numbers, and allied as equals with the Makuta servants and Piraka warlords against Mata Nui's tyranny. Have you any more questions, Sir Knight? Or will you join to help us secure the village?"  

IC Veneras

The vortixx broke through the ice. He seemed to have lost respect for the toa. 

But this wasn't about a fatal blow. There was a showing a deeper meaning.
"burdened is the path of the faithless" the toa of ice had the advantage. He controlled the field.

The region was already so cold, the ice shards hadn't depleted his elemental energy. But he wanted to let his powers refill, harnessing it for the battle's climax. 
The vortixx trudged through the ice like a Po-Toa trudging through water.

He controlled the field. Now he had the chance to think. He had the power to engage. 

Physically he was no match for the warrior. 
 

Options:

Wait for the champion to break through the ice field and engage on solid ground

Engage on my terms

Retreat was not an option.

Veneras knew it would be foolish to engage the champion.
But Zeal requires risk. He would not avenge his Koro without Zeal.

He knew that defeat was inevitable. But if he must fail, he would do so with honor.

And he would not abandon his faith.
 

The vortixx had to step with care, gripping the ice with his talons as to not slip.

"gripless is the foundation of the wicked,"

He prayed for strength, he prayed for resolve.

The philosopher arced his staff behind his back as he prepared his soul.

With reverence in his heart and zeal in his blood, his foot gripped the icy floor

"But the Great Spirit guides the step of the righteous"

Matching the speed of the Champion, the reverent toa walked effortlessly across his element.
The brutal warrior beat his way through obstacles,

the toa walked by faith.

The entire thesis of their ideals manifest here on the battlefield.
One thing was sure this day: both would fight true to their creed.

IC: Deriksha

Deriksha kept walking. He heard something in the distance. "Guys? Do you hear that? I think those are Muakas." He said. Just as he said that a Muaka pounced out of the snow storm and knocked him down.

IC Essie:

Regarding the Rahi with the same, cold stare with which she regarded all else, Essie's spinner swiveled to face the Rahi. She did not even change her pace or direction as she fired a rapid-fire stream of electric spinners at the offending creature.

IC: Zenithex initially had found it odd that the Ba-Toa had addressed him as a Knight of the Brotherhood. It was true that he did hold that rank amongst the order, but he had never considered himself as one during the years that he was separated from them, and it didn't help any that the heathens would've consideed his work far from knightly. Odder still was the revelation that the Brotherhood had formed an alliance with the servants of Makuta. And who were these Piraka that he had mentioned? It was becoming clear that his time in the wilderness was not without its drawbacks, but Ak'rei'an had singled him out for a higher purpose, and his will was not to be ignored.

"The path that the archangel has laid out before us... should take precedent over any questions that this humble servant knows not the answers of, Sir Weiss," he replied, returning to his former stance. "I am sure that they will be obtained... in due time, should Ak'rei'an grant his benevolent approval. Meanwhile, it would be my honor for you to direct me as you will, as it has been far too long since I was... separated from the rest of the order."

He took notice of the light bobbing slightly, a sign that course was right, as he waited for his fellow Knight to reply and lead him into the city.

IC: (Weiss)

"One of our own was captured by the heathens in the earlier battle," Weiss said. "A small group of remaining guards are holed inside of an armory with him. Come, Sir Knight, help us free him!"

He pointed the way.

OOC: That's Ira.

 

IC (Cael)

 

They had last seen Korero Maru in Le-Koro; they met him now under less happy circumstances. Still, if a Toa Maru was here, how bad could it be?

 

"What's happened? Cael asked. 

 

IC (Korero)

 

Korero nodded. Straight to the point.

 

His smile faded.

 

"The Koro's under attack by dark forces," he said. "If what I've been told is true, most of them are Makuta-worshippers...led by Echelon."

 

He looked Merror in the eye as he spoke the Dark Toa's name.

 

IC: Joskander

"Oh, so that's what the main baddie here is called."

From behind a nearby snowdrift stumbled Joskander, one hand still clutching at his injured side.  He waved with his free hand, continuing, "Hi, all.  Name's Joskander.  I was just wandering around the area when I found the village over there in flames and decided to help.  Then I got shot up a bunch."  The Toa of Air grinned sheepishly.  "Decided to run for the hills and find some friends.  Mind pitching in?  In my opinion, there's no such thing as too many heroes."

IC (Cael)

Cael nodded in agreement with the new arrival. "What can we do to help, Maru?"

IC: "Yes," Zenithex mused as he pulled his hood back over his face and readied his Kusarigama. "And those heathens will soon learn the power of those faithful to Ak'rei'an in the process."

He could not risk any of the guards being able to identify him in the event that one of them was to escape to another village; his work was too important to be interfered with. The Lesterin quickened his pace as he and the ball of light followed Sir Weiss to the armory, noticing the open window on the second floor of the building as they were about to come into sight of the windows and grasping his shoulder to signal him to stop.

"They are likely watching the door," he whispered, hoping that no one with control over Sonics was present as he pointed to his discovery. "They will not be expecting an attack from behind when we move to free your... our comrade."

He activated his Arthron, attempting to use it to detect how many beings were inside so that he would have a better understanding of the situation. Getting themselves captured by heathens was not on his to-do list today.

OOC: Who exactly is inside the armory?

IC: Deriksha

The muakas claws dug into his armour, making him angry. He shoved the muaka off and let Essies rhotukas hit him. He then ripped off the infected mask and held his arm, bleeding but not deeply.

IC: (Mortem)

Mortem leered at the concept that Echelon had offered.

"A wise choice indeed, leader..." He had an urge to beat the unconscious matoran to a pulp and to fragment the Sanctum into a pile of rubble, to tear apart his enemies with his bare hands, to rip them to shreds and fling their corpses to their brothers, to flay their flesh and crush their bones, to destroy, to destroy, to destroy all, to...obliterate.

The vile greenish-black liquid coursed through his veins, filling him with a taste for death and a craving for blood...

"What are...your orders...leader?" He managed.

IC: Enforcer.

I watch the battle unfold, my confidence in Champion beginning to waver. I was still fairly certain he would win, but this Veneras wasn't making it easy for him. "Your Ko-Toa fights well," I force myself to admit. 

IC: Veteran.

Veteran tried to hide his concern. None of Veneras' attacks had fazed Champion. The Vortixx just kept on keeping on. 

"The battle's only just started, mate..." 

IC-Aurorin

Aurorin was at least trying some attempt to fend off the Muaka. "Back, you overgrown Furballs!" He yelled whilst hitting them with his shield.

IC: Deriksha

Deriksha fired a couple of elemental energy balls at the Muaka. This scared off a couple of them and another jumped at Deriksha. This time though, he was ready and plunged his axe into one of them, making it whimper and run off.

IC: Razsk

"Cover your ears!" Razsk shouts as he lets out a piercing sonic shriek.  The muaka claw at their ears and run off.  "Since when do muaka hunt in a pack?  Aren't they usually loners?" 

IC: Deriksha

"Muaka don't usually wear infected masks. These are not normal muaka." Deriksha said, putting his weapons away.

IC-Aurorin

Aurorin Put his Shield on his back. "What a day! First crazy extremists take over Ko-Koro, then a Robot assassin becomes our friend, now rabid wildcats nearly maul us... What next?!" 

IC: Deriksha

Deriksha grinned. They finally made it to Ihu-Koro. They entered the buildings, weapons drawn just in case.

IC: The Champion (Obsidian Outpost)

Looks like he decided to engage me while I'm still having trouble moving through the ice. It's better than just standing there and waiting for me, I must give him that, and thanks to his powers he can utilize the ice around us to his advantage. But I hope that he hasn't underestimated me. When he approaches, I stop, and clear out some of the ice spikes around me, so that they won't get into the way. Then, I wait for him to approach, while seeming relaxed. It's time to see how skilled he is at fighting up close and personal. He better draw his sword, for staffs aren't nearly as useful in combat. When he is two bio away, I grin, and say to him: "You are brave, Toa. But brave people are usually the ones who perish first on the battlefield. Remember that."

Then, a storm of steel and muscle was unleashed upon him.

OOC: Let's put it at ten NPCs, perhaps.

IC: (Weiss)

He let the Lesterin to an ally next to the armory, there the other members of the Brotherhood stood waiting. Rakona, Thentyle, Goran and Zekev stood, and looked upon the newcomer with suspicion. "...Don't worry, Marshal Rakona, he is a lost Knight of our order, Sir Zenithex. And I think he has found a weak spot."

IC: (Rakona)

She looked at Weiss' new discovery with a degree of suspicion and a degree of disgust. But being as Weiss was a veteran member, she maintained a cautious trust in his judgment.

"Show me the spot, Sir Zenithex, and take point. I will be right behind you."

IC: Razsk

Razsk turns to Aurorin.  "It's usually best not to ask question like that.  It always makes something bad happen."  As they enter the koro Razsk looks around.  "So, where's the hospital?"

IC: Zenithex nodded, looking the rest of the group over as his Arthron deactivated. Besides Sir Weiss and himself, the group consisted of a male Onu-Toa with a Huna, a male Ko-Skakdi, and the female Po-Lesterin that his companion had referred to as a Marshal, complete with an undead, male Ta-Toa that he had assumed belonged to her. She had told him to take point and move on ahead, an order he was glad to fulfill as he threw the weighted end of his weapon around the chimney of the building between them and the armory, his hands pulling the chain taught as he began to scale its outer wall.

The Ta-Lesterin ducked down as soon as he pulled himself onto the roof, crouching up to the opposite ledge and waiting for the Marshal to catch up before pointing out the open window.

"My mask has detected ten beings in the building... eleven counting our comrade," he said. "We can sneak along the rooftops, making our way back around to the armory before lowering ourselves in through the second floor window and surprising the heathens from behind. Forgive me if I have overstepped my bounds by suggesting this, Marshal, but it may prove more beneficial to have the others charge the front door once we begin our attack. They may have us outnumbered, but if we can surround them and force them to fight in a tighter space where they will have less manuverability, our chances of succeding increase significantly."

IC-Aurorin and NPC

Aurorin Looked around the snowy highland Koro. "Now... If I remember correctly, The hospital was here..." He walked over to a medium-sized hut and knocked on the door. After a pause, the door opened and a Ko-Matoran wearing a sky blue Ruru walked out.

"Welcome, Travelers." He said. "It's not usually we get visitors to Ihu-Koro. what brings you up here?"

IC: Deriksha

"We're looking for medical facilities. This Toa has been injured and needs help." He said, lowering his weapons slightly.

IC Veneras

With each step Veneras felt his blood quicken.

Each step he took forward felt like a lifetime. Together the two of them closed the distance, orbiting like two celestial bodies bound on a collision course.

Five bios.

His heart raced as he the danger pulled him in to the center of the field.

The battlefield began to shrink and his opponent grew.

Four bios.

He knew this enemy outmatched him on every level: skill, strength, experience. 

He know saw clearly the full strength and might of this god of war.

Three bios.

None of that mattered. Veneras would fight with dignity. 

The Champion broke through the cumbersome ice as Veneras slid his right hand down his side, reaching.

Two bios.

Hydraulics began to hiss quietly as his staff retracted and was clipped to his belt.

"You are brave, Toa. But brave people are usually the ones who perish first on the battlefield. Remember that."

His right hand had reached it's mark, now ready to grip his blade. He curled his fingers around the hilt and with an audible click the brace locked onto his forearm armor.

"What good is survival, if I do not fight for what I believe?"

The orbit stopped, the two figures mere arms length from desolation. The insatiable gravitational could be felt by all, shredding apart all pretense like a tree caught in a hurricane. The ground was cold, and the promise of destruction hung in the air like the threat of the storm.

One last bio.

IC-NPC

The Matoran took a look at the wounded Toa and almost fainted. "Mata Nui, what happened here?"

IC: Enforcer and Veteran.

I grin openly. The battle was finally about to really begin. Close quarters combat was where I believed Champion to have the definitive edge. "Here we go..." 

"Yeah..." Veteran's confidence was slipping. "This is where the real action's gonna start." 

IC (Cael)

 

Cael nodded in agreement with the new arrival. "What can we do to help, Maru?"

IC (Korero)

"Oreius has some refugees with him in the Koro," Korero replied. "If you could escort them to safety, he and I can scout out what Echelon and his lackeys are doing in the Sanctum."

IC (Merror)

"They got into the Sanctum?" Merror repeated in equal parts incredulity and dread. "Mata Nui..."

God alone knew what the Necromancer was up to in there.

IC (Echelon)

Echelon clapped slowly at Dayeth's deduction.

"Excellent," he said, though it was difficult to tell whether his approval was genuine or condescending. "It is...refreshing to encounter others who understand the power of fear. As for your orders, we have a Koro to secure. Patrol the streets, subdue the populace..."

The Dark Toa smiled icily.

"...and spread the word."

IC: Dayeth.

Dayeth couldn't help but feel a little honoured to have met with Echelon's approval. "If I might be so bold..." she pointed at Londar, "...why let him merely witness history? Why not let him be part of it?" she made a grand, sweeping gesture towards the new Prophecy Wall. "Surely he doesn't need all of his blood."

IC: Razsk

"I found him like that, unconscious.  Hasn't woken up since.  Can you help him?"

IC-Aurorin and NPC

The Matoran looked over the wounded figure. "Hmm... I can, but his wounds are looking pretty nasty. It'll take a couple of days for him to fully recover once I've applied the essential Medication."

"We should probably get inside, as It looks like a blizzard's on it's way." Aurorin looked at the dark clouds that were gathering.

"Yes, we should." The matoran said before retreating back to inside his hut. "Come in, all of you, unless you want to freeze to death."

IC: (Mortem)

"Gladly" Mortem replied to Echelon, heading for the door...

At Dayeth's words, he flashed a sick smile. If anyone was going to slice this matoran's throat or flay his flesh or shatter his skull or rip out his heart or- ...if anyone was going to that, it was going to be Mortem.

IC Essie:

"I will comply." Nearly running the Doctor over, Essie stepped inside, the. injured Toa in her arms. As she entered the small atrium of the hospital before turning her head to address the group. "I do not become damaged by cold. It was glacial tides and gravel that cause my injuries" She did not want to appear inferior or inefficient.

OOC: I will be a bit patchy with my reply. Move Essie around as needed.

IC: Deriksha

Deriksha stepped inside, loving the break from the cold already.

OOC:Well, here's hoping I'm not brutally murdered.

IC Tarkah: In the icy streets of Ko-Koro, an unusually tall Onu Matoran trudged through the snow and ice, his arms filled with large yellowed scrolls. A satchel hung from his shoulder, its contents rattling as he walked.

OOC:Open for interaction! 

OOC: If you're near Ihu-Koro, you could always join up with Aurorin, Essie, and the gang.

IC-Aurorin and NPC

The Interior of the hut was spacious, allowing room for the 4 Toa, the doctor, and Aurorin, but Essie's head practically touched the ceiling. The unconscious Toa was laid out on an operating table, where the Doctor was examining him. the whole room smelt of antiseptic cream, as a generous amount had been added to the Toa's wound.

OOC again:

For reference, what does the wounded Toa look like?