I'm handsome, I know.

starter for: @vermilique​

Non-Mission Task Board: Flight has already been achieved by mankind in the form of simply riding on a pegasus or wyvern, but what about human-powered flight? A mechanic arrives in Garreg Mach with a strange contraption and a dream: to find a filthy rich investor to fund his forays into human flight. Having arrived during the Guardian Moon, he spins it as a way to recreate the Immaculate One’s first appearance. Now all he needs is some bodies–er, volunteers that know how to fall from tall heights to demonstrate and help him gather some useful data. Whether or not you’ll get that “financial compensation” he promises is another story… [Grants Flying+1]

     Some might call it stubbornness, some plain stupidity. But Gray? He calls it dedication. There’s a limit to how much pain a person can tolerate and Gray has visited the medics too many times for one to count. He’s already gotten an earful from the wonderful healers of Garreg Mach but will that stop him? No. Not yet. Discovery happens when one reaches their limit and he truly believes he’s the key to a certain inventor’s success. No one else has the constitution to last this long and the strength to keep pushing through. He owes it to the inventor-- no, the world, to see this through.

     So he does. The moment he gets patched up again (after getting an earful), he journeys back to innovative and arguably crazy inventor of the so called Wings of the Immaculate One, ready to test out what modifications he made this time around.

     Only this time Gray notices his good ol buddy isn’t alone. If anything, he’s tailing someone along, hands constantly in motion as he explains his point, mouth continuously yapping to a gorgeous beauty. For a moment Gray thinks, Huh, maybe this is why we get along. But as he moves closer to listen, he starts to know why he was tailing her around. She’s some kind of genius, he thinks! He didn’t get the full context but hey, he must have a reason for treating her with such importance.

     “Please. PLEASE! Please spare me just a few minutes! I need your superior knowledge, milady! Are you not curious about the possibilities of what your people’s technology can do with that of Fodlan’s? Arguably mine is a bit unique and untested... but that is where the beauty lies! Endless possibilities and--” 

     Gray joins in, cutting her path and blocking her way out, “I have to agree on him here. It’s quite a long shot and ambitious, I admit. But if there’s even a 1% chance your knowledge can boost the odds of success for this project, that’s 1% less chances of a poor soul-- one might even say one handsome soul-- from meeting an untimely death just because of a malfunction.” 

heronprinceofserenes​:

starter for @15shadesofgray (bow prompt)

Reyson was awoken not by the screaming, like everyone else, but by the sharp, stabbing panic in his chest. He jolted awake and before he could take a conscious breath he snapped his wings down, propelling him into the air. By the time his companions had stood, he’d already seen the threat - a demonic beast, roaring and screaming. Even looking at it from this distance made Reyson lightheaded. He bit back curses, instead calling to his companions below “beast! big one!!”

That was an understatement. The creature was tortured, wailing but full of rage. Reyson could feel its suffering in his throat. He swallowed again. This creature was erratic, it’d be hard to kill.

He darted back to the ground, standing next to Gray. He was the closest thing to a commander here, after all, and Reyson was only a supporter… “What are we doing?”

     Damn it! For the nth time, this damned abomination just kept dodging the few blows Gray manages to throw right as it goes within range. Calling upon lightning within the split second it swoops down to attack them was dangerous enough as is, with their allies becoming more vulnerable targets instead of the beast they needed to fight. Whatever this creature was, it had both the advantage of flight and range. It was bad enough it had wings, but a scythe too? What the hell?

     “Take it down and keep it down.” Gray kept his eyes up at the monster, eyes following the golden mask as it dives in and out of the range of the other combatants in the field. He’s not too familiar with the fighting capacity of his comrades from Garreg Mach yet, and he wished he didn’t have to but reality decided to send a screeching abomination their way. At least do it in the morning! 

ashenprofessor​:

Starter for @15shadesofgray

Flight wasn’t a thing Byleth had much experience with. So far in their life they had managed to keep both feet on firm terra. It wasn’t for a lack of trying on their part, having made many attempts over the years to soar in the skies. They still remembered the look of shock on Jeralt’s face when he’d caught them stalking those wyverns, determined to jump on its back and ride it.

Hearing about the arrival of an inventor at the monastery claiming to be able to grant people the power of flight naturally had them intrigued. Fortunately it being a free day and the staff being away on a mission, it gave Byleth plenty of time to track down this individual intent on enquiring further about this new contraption.

A small crowd was gathered in the corner of the west courtyard by the main church tower. Byleth headed over assuming this was likely the location of the inventor. Hanging on the outskirts of the crowd, they listened to the man’s spiel.

“Soar through the skies like the Immaculate One, radiant and majestic. This simple looking contraption is our answer to pegasi, falcons and even dragons. No longer will we need to rely on them to get us airborne.”

The man gave his sales pitch with an unrivalled enthusiasm. He appeared to seriously believe the words spouting from his mouth. Byleth was slightly skeptical but it couldn’t hurt to stick around and listen further.

“All I ask is for some willing volunteers to aid in this test phase. You will of course be rewarded handsomely for your effort. Please come forward.”

Glancing round the crowd to see if anyone was interested in the man’s offer, Byleth spotted one of the newer students, Gray, looking like they wanted to volunteer. They wove their way through the crowd to reach him, waving to grab their attention.

“Hello Gray. Are you interested in helping him test this contraption? If you are, I am curious of what it involves and potentially helping out too. We could do it together.”

     “Professor! Hey!” Perhaps he seemed like the most eager out of the bunch. Or maybe he was just too darn handsome to miss among the crowd. Either way, she made the right decision picking him. Flying always intrigued him, not just because of the valkyrie of his heart, but because it seemed... so freeing. He just never got a grasp of flying with mounts before although to try has always been on his to-do list. And if this man was being truthful in his claims? He’ll sign up in a heartbeat.

     “I’m pretty sure it’s nothing we can’t handle. But if it becomes too much, leave it all to me.” He taps his chest confidently and gazed upon the contraption. While clearly mechanical, the wings quite obviously drew inspiration from dragon scales. He’s seen plenty of wyverns from around the monastery grounds to gain some familiarity and maybe it’s just because they’re looking at it from afar but it looked... really huge. And heavy. He considered himself fairly strong but even he’d have a hard time having that on his back. But maybe that could be their selling point.

     “Good sir! Clearly you have a clear vision in mind, and the product of your ideas is one worthy of endless praise. However!” He turns toward his professor for a quick wink as he gestured to follow him. He wades through the crowd that were just as curious and eager about this contraption. As he meets the inventor face to face, he raises one arm and starts to show off his own proof of hard work-- years of training highlighted in the form of glorious biceps. “Clearly, you need someone strong to test that out. Me and my Professor here are perfect candidates!”

verseandrhyme​:

Pinkie? Immediately, Mitama’s nose wrinkles with distaste. “My name is Mitama.” She replies flatly, inspecting the wooden sword the child had practically forced into her hands. “And I would prefer if you referred to me as such.”

Her annoyance is admittedly exaggerated by their circumstances. Mitama sighs and allows the sword falls lazily to her side. She…is not quite sure why she agreed to it at all. She knows the bare minimum of Fodlan’s history, certainly not enough to participate as an actor in a play, no matter how unprofessional. The child had simply asked Mitama, caught her unaware and Mitama…panicked.

She panicked.

Mitama sighs again.

“You are lucky then. I myself have little knowledge of Seiros or Nemesis.” She waves her hand vaguely. “Enemies. I assume the child’s imagination will carry little more plot to it than a battle ending in her triumph.” She allows a wry smile. “At best, you can always yell like a beast in place of dialogue.”

“Are you both ready?”

Mitama jumps, turning to face the child. She had not heard her returning to them…Mitama’s eyes narrows. “…What was your name again?” Mitama asks slowly.

“Mary!” The girl replies, smiling. She spins slightly in place, looking between them both. “Mary Suzanne…but that’s too long, so my friends call me Mary-Sue. Are you guys ready? I got some people to watch!”

Indeed…Mitama’s eyes rais eto a small handful of people who had likely also been coerced into sacrificing their time by the child’s charm. Mitama resists her sigh this time before nodding. “Yes. We-”

“Great!” Mitama’s nose wrinkles but the child quickly runs a distance away. She pauses and takes a moment, clearing her throat loudly. When she faces them next, it is with a look of great determination on her face as she points her own wooden sword at the pair. “Nemesis! You and your lackey are no match for me! Now, are you ready to pay for your crimes?”

…lackey? Mitama looks at the other student, exhausted already. “Yes, Nemesis.” Her voice is flat, a poor match to the child’s. “You show that Seiros.”

     “Now, now. We’re not playing villains yet. Name’s Gray, by the way.” Feisty one, her impromptu boss slash co-villain turned out to be. But maybe that’s why she got pulled in as a villain. He’s about to make light of the situation even more when the girl showed up out of nowhere looking ready for combat. How cute! She even has a cute little name to match. No wonder she managed to pull in a crowd. 

     Gray flashed his best smile as he stood behind Mitama, waving to the crowd as they seemed eager to watch the show. Maybe this was going to be worthwhile after all. He can just show off a little bit and and gallantly offer the victory to the little girl. He’ll look experienced when it comes to wielding a blade and nice for giving the girl a break. Win-win!

     “SEIROS! YOUR END IS NEIGH!” Gray plays along with gusto, nudging Mitama by the shoulder as he points his own blade. “Today, we seize victory. For Nemesis!”

     He charges in front, moving pass Mitama to act as the meat shield in this makeshift war. All he needs to do is put on a show. As he dashed forward, he keeps his blade to his side, ready to falsely swing it towards the little girl but really he’ll just swing at her while keeping a small gap in between. An inch or two would do-- nothing to wide to still give an impression that they’re actually fighting while still protecting the girl. Easy, peasy-- huh? 

     “OW, FUC--DGE?” He commits to his plan but it didn’t go as well as he hoped. Right as he swung his blade, Mary Sue charges as well, moving fast-- faster than him, even -- and swings her own blade up, hitting him by the wrist. He barely caught himself cursing, sword immediately dropping as he got hit. 

     The man’s words were a little confusing, but his expression and heart radiated confidence and eagerness in equal measure, which Leanne took to be a good sign. An even better sign was the book in front of him, which bode well for the reading expertise Leanne needed to seek the counsel of. Even though Beorc were known as Children of Wisdom, the Heron was aware that not all of them knew how to read, especially young children, and she knew that the Beorc in the army were mostly very young in age, compared to herself and her fellow Laguz, though they certainly didn’t act that way. Perhaps with a decreased lifespan came faster maturity and other perks.

     In spite of said wisdom, though, the man seemed to have made some incorrect assumptions about her name. The Heron giggled. “Not Angel… I’m Leanne!” She looked down at the book’s title that the man had read. Ooh, so that’s how ‘squire’ was pronounced. How wonderful that she had managed to come across someone of such skill on her first try! Leanne flipped open the book to her previous spot, smiling sunnily at the other as she held it out. “Mmm, yes, I am in need of… training help!” she parroted his words, searching out the passage that had given her trouble before.

     “Modern Language is dis… diff… difficult, for me,” she said by way of explanation, “For a long time, I… sleep…? I didn’t… learn, so now I am, train… mm, training… Modern Language!” Leanne pointed at the hardest part of the sentence. “This… prevent an, op… how…?” she asked, looking expectantly at the wise Beorc for assistance.

     It takes Gray a moment to digest and wrap his head around the situation. This darling beauty from the heavens has been asleep and is disconnected from the modern world, it seems. Whatever higher power there is in the world decided to answer his frustration with learning higher language by showcasing to him the necessity of the base level of language. What a twist this turned out to be.

     “Let’s see what you got there, ah. You read this part as uh-pow-nent. Opponent. This prevents an OPPONENT’s attack from landing.” He tries to read another sentence from the book while pronouncing everything slowly but firmly, emphasizing those that may seem confusing to her. The more he reads on, however, he realizes this really wasn’t a fitting book to read.

     “So... you’re not reading this to learn how to fight, you’re reading this to learn the language. That’s... an interesting choice, dear angel. And while your name is as beautiful as you, angel is what we call divine winged people from the heavens.” He gestures to her and her wings and then points up towards the sky as if he was a believer all this time. He doesn’t need to believe in any kind of faith. All there is to trust was beauty. “And much like you, language can be beautiful as well. Here, take this.” 

grandmaster-librarian​:

>The panic. The screaming. Robin was numb to it all. She couldn’t tell you how she got here, why she here leading students to aid an infected village. It was no infection of normal standards. But it was unnervingly familiar somehow. The conditions surrounding the Risen was completely different, but there for certain similarities she couldn’t ignore. A mindless enemy that won’t stay down. No. This was a relief effort. These very victims. She just had to remind herself of that.

>The casual banter of a student standing nearby, brought her out of the hyper focus of directing villagers and eyeing for reported symptoms. She, too thought she would never see anything like the Risen again, but it seems history always repeats itself in some manner. 

>Hearing the student offer her support was almost amusing to Robin. But she could hear a hint of unease in the gesture. He was probably trying to calm himself unconsciously, gain some control in such an out of control situation. “Your comfort is unnecessary,” she held back at snapping at the other and sighed before adding, “but appreciated. Please watch out for yourself. Don’t get too close to any of the villagers. Always pay attention to your surroundings.” She spoke loud enough for any of the other students around to make note of her warning. The students being involved in any capacity was an unfortunate yet necessary choice. She would keep a close eye on all her students.

> With as much stern authority she could maintain, Robin added an additional warning, “If you should see anyone acting strangely or aggressively, you will tell me. Do not become a liability, you are here to assist.” She catches anyone running off for any reason, there will be hell to pay.

     Gray didn’t know much about the librarian yet, but given how calm and collected she is despite all this, he can tell she wasn’t just exposed to books. Cause if she was? That was even scarier. 

     She sounded like she was used to authority, level-headedness aside and Gray found himself simply nodding along as she gave instructions-- right until the end. He found himself turning stiff, sternness reminiscent of his Queen but without the leniency that comes with familiarity. Not gonna lie. Kinda hot. “Yes, Ma’am. Will do.”

     And he does, not only because of her instructions, but because they had to. No matter how prepared any city could be for disaster, Gray doubted they anticipated something of this nature. He still heard stories from back home when the revenants started surfacing and nearing civilization. The more ignorant and in a way, priviledged individuals believed it to be nothing more than a story. He wondered if it was the same for these people. It must have been not just frightening, but confusing bearing witness to this crazed phenomenon. Hopefully the ones investigating find some kind of lead. They can only do so much for the ones left behind here.

     “S-S-TAY AWAY FROM ME! YOU’RE ONE OF THEM, I CAN TELL! KNIGHTS! ANYONE! TAKE THIS MAN AWAY!”

     Gray just finished patching up a fellow student when the shrill cries of a woman caught not just his attention, but everyone else in the vicinity. One of the villagers lined up to get assistance suddenly turned aggressive in one of the other villagers-- an elderly man, barely able to react or move away as he seemed to be limping. It would have been easy to control if the woman wasn’t flailing around a makeshift stake. It wasn’t too pointed from what he can see, but dangerous all the same. She must have just picked it up from some devastated house. 

     “Let’s not do anything hasty now-- drop the stake, you might end up hurting your pretty face.” Gray immediately tries to go in-between the two in hopes of calming down the woman. The moment he does, however, it immediately made her even more aggravated, the sudden approach triggering her to keep waving the stake around defensively, stake almost hitting his face. “DON’T YOU DARE COME NEAR ME!”

starter for @15shadesofgray

“A… parry, is us-ed… used…? to pre… vent… an op… op…” Leanne’s fingers traced along the page, quietly sounding out the words with an inexpert tongue. While her struggles in speech had easily been noted by both professors and her fellow students as soon as she arrived, it had taken almost a week before another problem was discovered - namely, that her difficulties with Modern Tongue included, and to a far greater extent at that, the written word. As a result, one particularly helpful professor had recommended some ‘beginner’ reading material to help her along… but, as she was currently discovering, even this was hardly without struggle.

Perhaps she could manage it with some assistance. Leanne gathered up her things, holding the book in her arms as she started down the hall. Initially headed towards her brother’s quarters, it didn’t take her long to remember that he had told her this morning that he would be out all day. Hmm, what to do… Gazing around at the other faces around her, the Heron soon picked out an unfamiliar one, a tall man with an easy smile that bode no ill intentions. Though his focus was elsewhere at the moment, he didn’t look too busy, so maybe if it was just some help with a few words… Leanne flitted forward with light steps until she was close enough to speak without disturbing the other students around.

“Ex… excuse me!” she said, wings fluffing out behind her as she tried to catch the attention of the taller man, holding out the book, A Squire’s Guide to Weapons Training proudly emblazoned on its front, “Would you… hmm, help me, please?”

    “Culling my verve, plucking life away. Time spent nether the burning sun-- geez, how do you speak like this continuously, seriously....” Gray almost throws his book of poetry towards the bushes out of frustration, every brain cell in his head going haywire as he spends a good portion of the day diving into literature he doesn’t normally read. He reads from time to time to make himself seem more learned and avoid being clueless when Clair speaks. He’s heart completely in it and he’s long since decided to commit to it-- doesn’t mean he’s not going to struggle, however.

    As he’s reading aloud, repeating all the unfamiliar words he encounters, sounds of someone calling him out and of a sudden gust of wind rapidly flipping through his book interrupts his learning. He wonders if a Pegasus rider from the stables ended up in his neck of the monastery, but when he turns, it’s neither pegasus nor rider he sees, but an-- “W-would I? I would! Anything or an angel!”

    Gray fumbles to get his bearings straight, mouth agape as he finds himself gawking at the blonde before him. The wings were definitely moving and definitely attached to her. He slaps himself once just to make sure he didn’t fall asleep while reading yet the encounter continues. This was the real deal. The goddess in Fódlan must have pitied him enough to send him a heavenly guide to assist in his learning.

atypicalsenerio​:

Starter for @15shadesofgray​

In Soren’s eyes, the audacity to ask students to give seminars for free to make up for poor planning on the church’s part regarding how thinly spread their own faculty and knights suddenly were was appalling. However, it was an oversight he could live with. Tutoring other students was easy when you were qualified, and if you weren’t… at least teaching someone else was also a method of learning, he supposed. Circumstances couldn’t be helped, and he felt he could easy fill in the role of instructor without much trouble.

He stood in front of the chalkboard in a room with a sparse number of students in front of him. The lack of a crowd didn’t bother him— if anything, he could give anyone who wished for extra assistance his full attention. He briskly brushed off the chalk power from his fingertips as he spoke, standing off to the side of his diagram.

“Tome magic is similar to that utilized in Fódlan. Rather than simply a verbal incantation or drawing upon your own lifeforce, magic itself is conjured with a formula made up of sigils. Of course, using a tome catalyst or conjuring your own sigil as they do here will be some level of draining akin swinging a weapon around, mentally and physically, so it still cannot be taken lightly. Like with all combat skills, you must monitor your own exertion, and train to build your stamina.”

Soren nodded to paper and ink sitting on his fellow students’ desks. “The reason you don’t need to say an incantation aloud for every spell is because it’s cast by your personal understanding of how to channel energy, like the inner workings of a mathematical equation. Reading along while casting is sometimes helpful for more complex formulas. Today, I’ll break down a standard Wind spell, and lend assistance to whoever may need it.” He paused.

“Do any of you have questions so far?”

     One of the most fascinating discoveries Gray has learned in Fódlan so far, surprisingly, wasn’t about their many dazzling beauties. In this part of the world, masters of the blade aren’t bound to simply training with the sword. He was already fascinated by the flexibility acquiring swords with the ability to channel lightning through it. But to actually master both sword and magic? Ha! Gray never would have considered it until he read about the masters in Fódlan. Call it pride or simply having that itch to continuously be better, but as late as he may be, Gray couldn’t pass on the chance to dive into magic when the opportunity presented itself. 

     Among the many seminars ran by the students of the monastery, Gray waded through the list of those willing to teach about magic. There were plenty enthusiastic ones, but when he passed by an almost empty room with a familiar stern face at the very front of the class, he knew it was either he was insanely bad that no one wanted to listen in, or he was the type to be incredibly serious and intimidate others from joining. Gray gambles on the latter and snuck in, late as he is, just in time to hear about Tome magic. 

     He makes himself comfortable at a seat in the back, listening in as intently as he can as he tries to commit it to worry. Faye was a little too crazy for him to actually take the time to observe how she does magic. Delthea’s practically a prodigy... Magic, based on the influences he’s had throughout the war, was almost innate. It didn’t feel like something he can dive into just because he wanted to, as cocky as he is. With the way Mint here is explaining it, he feels like he can.

starter for: @sheerloyalty 

Non-Mission Task Board: All the students know that there’s a faculty lounge, and rumors fly about what it’s like on the inside. No one has seen it, but they say that all of the professors are treated to the best food, and they have the most comfortable chairs, and all of them go there on the regular to talk shit and gossip about their students. Other students know that important records are kept there, and seek to get their hands on them. The reality is that the professors come here simply to relax after a long week, and partake in some of the “herbs” supplied by the Archbishop herself.

     This technically wasn’t a crime. Gray firmly believes he can get away with a handful of things before facing the wrath of a stern Celica or Alm guilt tripping him about duty. He's been here for barely a few weeks. He’s sure if worst comes to worst, he can just say he’s lost. Act dumb and be cute-- the ol reliable. If it doesn’t work, they’re blind and heartless.

     The most important part of this little mission of his to get a sneak peak of the forbidden sanctuary is to make sure Seteth isn’t around. Even if he managed to avoid him in the ball, the man has eyes and ears EVERYWHERE and somehow put him in some kind of list. He’s heard of how he can go on a tangent when discipling too and he already has friends for that. Best to avoid it when he can. The rest of the faculty he could maybe deal with... 

     “24...25... and... now.” Gray watched the last faculty member to leave and counted down far enough to make sure there’s distance between them-- enough to give him some room to move forward and be closer to the mythical Eden the faculty was hiding. Instead of a clean entry to the next hurdle, however, he ends up crashing heads with someone else sneaking in. 

     He swallows the urge to let out a loud cry of pain, head throbbing as he sits on the floor, blinking in and out. He was just about ready to make a run for it when he realizes he’s not in the face of danger just yet-- their paths meeting once again this time not to share distress about losing their blades, but perhaps to acquire a common goal. 

starter for: @incursionparagon

Mission Thread (Control the Plague): In the dead of night, as you and your party are trying to sleep, the guards assigned to the night watch sound the call to arms. You are confronted by a Demonic Beast unlike any you have ever seen before: some terrible cross between a human and a wyvern, arms morphed into wings and sharp talons clutching a scythe. Its golden mask gleams in the dying fire as it screeches an inhuman battle cry. The beast quickly proves itself nimble in the air, utilizing hit-and-run tactics against your ground-based allies. Shooting it down ought to end this quickly! [Grants Bow +1]

     Everything felt automatic. It wasn’t even the alarm horns that woke Gray up. As soon as his slumber was shaken by a deafening screech from the heavens, the rush that came over him was all too familiar. Armor hurriedly strapped on, sword at the read, Gray blitzed to the nearest exit to get a sense of what was happening. There in the pitch black night sky, a golden terror wreaks havoc, face seemingly in flames as it flew around carrying a man-made weapon. More abominations have risen from Mila knows where and all that’s left to do is deal with it first, process how fucked up everything is later. Focus, Gray. 

     With no way of attacking from a distance, Gray takes a moment to observe the creature’s movement. It suffers from the same dilemma as him and required to come near to attack with the added perk of flight. Ever the nimble bugger, he finally decides to join in, slipping in and out of reach of the creature and timing its hit and run. While he manages to call down thunder as it comes closer to the ground, its movement is too fast for him, or his fellow comrades at the melee to land any meaningful hits. If he’s not careful, the jolt of thunder from his Levin Sword might hit an ally instead. 

starter for: @verseandrhyme

Non-Mission Task Board: It’s Saint Seiros’ Day! Per tradition, children dress up as the saints and elites and put on reenactments of past events. Except this year they need some extra help, and a girl dressed as Seiros points her wooden sword at you. “You’ll be Nemesis!” she says. “Oh, and invite your evil friends.” You can’t turn her down, can you? [Grants Sword +1]

     “What... did I just get myself into...” Gray mutters under his breath as he tries to process what just happened. Not too far from him is a small girl wearing a long green wig, dressed like some warrior goddess while easily charming any passersby with what she proclaims will be the show of a lifetime. See, he’d love to just chill back and watch it unfold considering how he doesn’t have the best knowledge of Fodlan history just yet, but somehow he got roped into actually being a part of it!

     He turns towards the culprit behind forcing him into this madness. She’s a cutie-- so of course he said yes the moment he was pulled in. He just didn’t know what he said yes to at the time. “I’m gonna be honest with you for a hot sec, Pinkie. I’ve no clue who Nemesis is-- plus are we really fighting that little girl???” He can’t stand it. Oh, the agony. But at the same time, she’s depending on THEM to put on a show. It’s a lose-lose situation. 

starter for: @cashandaxes

Mission Thread (Contain the Plague): As you gather information from the students and the surrounding villages, you begin to notice a common thread: mages utilizing unfamiliar spells that aren’t known in Fódlan or beyond. But as you prepare to ambush a group of suspiciously-robed “mages”, you notice their physical, non-magelike builds and strange weapons in their hands. Swords, lances, axes, all made of a strange “organic” material, if you could call it that, and eerily similar to what you’ve seen from the Heroes’ Relics. The Church would be more than interested in bringing those back for inspection, whether by force or theft. [Grants Any Weapon + 1]

     There’s been a lot of talks about Relics, and Gray immediately thinks of those weapons from legends that almost always is just passed down to royalty. His dear branded childhood friends have them so he thought he’s seen his fair share. Bo(e)y, was he wrong. 

     Their targets were a peculiar bunch. Oddly dressed armed men and women with readied large weapons made out of bone. It could easily pass as makeshift weapons made from gigantic beasts. The snow must have been messing with his eyes but he swears, from a distance, it looked like the weapons were alive. He shudders as he observes, but doesn’t think much of it. He’s more curious as to how they were able to acquire such weapons and wield them so effortlessly. 

starter for: @princepsumbra

Mission Thread (Contain the Plague): On orders to search the surrounding settlements for signs of infection, your party comes across a lone farmhouse. The woman who answers the door seems nervous, and you can see toys scattered about, but no sign of a child. She allows you inside to search, but you can’t help but feel that she’s hiding something. [Grants Authority +1]

     Gray has travelled great distances on foot and on horseback plenty of times since he was a child. Travelling has always been a fascination for him-- there’s always something new to pick-up and to witness, he can never get enough. Faerghus seems to be his one exception to this excitement and it’s not even due to the cold both the winter and the conditions up north brings. The eerie quiet that greets him during one of their investigation trips with the faculty regarding the infection sends a different shiver down his spine. Unlike the rest of what he’s seen from the villages -- or what’s left of them-- where they encountered was just... emptiness. 

     Now, it could very well just be because it’s the wintertime and farmlands have very little activity around this time. But given all that’s happened so far? Nah. Silence? Bad. The one in-charge of their small party at least looks dependable despite looking his age and just the right amount of intimidating. Given he’s a student, Gray can’t exactly go off on his own to investigate even if he’s itching to, so he stays by his side while the rest are dispatched to do a stealthier search.

starter for: @grandmaster-librarian

Mission Thread (Contain the Plague): The situation in the village has taken a turn for the worse, and the entire population has become restless and violent. The church makes an emergency decision to pull out the Golden Deer students previously assigned on this mission. Some make a plea to stay, and others who have yet to leave the monastery on assignment volunteer to join the Knights of Seiros on their deployment to the area. The faculty have their hands full dissuading students from leaping into danger, but others willingly smuggle their trusted apprentices into Faerghus. And others arrive at the village just in time to perform emergency first aid on those who simply want to leave this growing hellscape in one piece. 

    Along with knights, faculty members and volunteers left behind from the previous missions, Gray joins the journey up north and gets a glimpse of what the others have been dealing with prior to their arrival. He can’t fully imagine what the previous months must have been like for them to be left with this kind of mission, or was this common for Fódlan, he wonders? It’s his first excursion and he’s not even diving into the heat of things unlike the others who seemed crestfallen as they were forced to take a step back. He’s just there for clean-up-- guided clean-up, even. The church wouldn’t hear the end of the complains if they pulled out students only to send more in by themselves. 

     “I know, I know, I’d be worried too... but the Knights of Seiros will find your kids. I promise! Just let ‘em handle it and heal up first. This place isn’t safe enough as is. ” White lies never did anyone good in the long run, but to give the harsh truth they’re infected family members might be irredeemable is news Gray refuses to tell. Not now when they’re still in danger themselves. He doesn’t have any healing magic but he can assist with basic first aid and an extra muscle need be. So far... he’s convinced the need a therapist more.

     As soon as the grieving old man left after getting patched up, Gray gets a moment to take a breather, a loud sigh released before he turns to his chaperon, “You know... I didn’t think other lands had these problems. Always thought zombies were an isolated case from back home.” Necromancers, man... They really need to get a hobby.

neirsung​:

Mission Task Board:  A recent snowstorm at the base of the Oghma Mountains has blown a group of lumberjacks into Garreg Mach’s castle town. The Society of Axe Personnel (proudly referring themselves as “SAP”) are grateful for the assistance that the Church has offered, and in return they decided to put together a lumberjack skill competition! Practice climbing trees, logrolling in the fishing pond, and carving wooden statues with your axe! [Grants +1 Axe]  // @15shadesofgray​

   The holy blood of Nál runs through Iuchar’s veins, blessing him and carrying him inevitably to the path of the axe. Whilst he may never wield his family’s beloved treasure of a weapon, he has long known and trained to wield its like in the name of his bloodline’s pride and success; no matter how he may dress himself as a dandy or surround himself with flowers, his blood is that of a warrior who used the blade of his weapon to carve a new future even if he must bathe the earth in blood to make it happen.

He wonders if Nál is throwing a fit in the heavens above, watching as one of his descendants use an axe now for nothing more than an arts and crafts project. Iuchar can hardly call himself very talented in it either; an expertise in knowing what limbs to strike at in battle doesn’t quite translate to knowing where to strike a wooden log to best sculpt the image in his mind’s eye.

He is not alone, and during a brief break, he takes a peek at the person next to him’s work thus far.

“ Ah, what fervor you chop with! ”  He’s not convinced his neighbor’s exactly proficient in axe work, but perhaps he’s just as out of his element here too and not just unused to the weapon in general.  “ Is such passion devoted to crafting a masterpiece for yourself? Or perhaps…. you craft for someone else? ”

     Gray fancies himself an expert when it comes to dealing with wood and while axes weren’t his first option when it comes to weaponry, its never hurt to be proficient in all tools of the trade. There’s also something about the Society of Axe Personnel that made him want to join their ranks.... just add it to his ever increasing list of titles. In their little competition, he hopes to get their attention enough to earn a spot among them. Surely he can accomplish that!

     Sculpting seemed like the flashiest of activities he could join and so he does. His vision was clear as day. A wooden replica of the most handsome, and strongest man in the land: himself. He starts cutting up a log nearing his size and commits to the work, as grueling as it was. He started off filled with gusto, enthusiasm unmatched. When it comes to the skill behind it, however...

     Roll: 3

     “It’s called an axe, friend. Not a fervor!” He responds with gritted teeth as he tried to get his nose right. To sculp one face-- especially one so handsome -- was no easy feat, and if he focused enough, sure he could-- “Ah, dang it!” His focus clearly wasn’t enough, the nose he was so meticulously trying to copy to perfection now rolling on the ground between his two feet. He throws the axe down, planting it on the ground filled with snow and leans on his barely finished ‘masterpiece’, features barely that of a human being, let alone of himself. Capturing perfection was hard, even for perfection himself. Maybe he should have started small. Plus, maybe an axe wasn’t the best tool for the job....

prayerwitch​:

As the days grow colder, students balk at the idea of walking around outside in the cold, especially late at night. Whispers of a shortcut quickly spread through the student body: if you’re coming from the library, you can go through the gallery hall to get back to the dorms. It’s not long until this path is marred by rumors of an armored thief stealing people’s books and essays late at night. There’s a reward if you unmask the criminal, but soon enough you find out that there’s more to this criminal than you thought. Too bad the realization only comes when one of the armored knights on display is magically brought to life, brandishing its sword at you. [Grants +1 Sword]

sara considers herself a model student eager to learn regardless of punctuality, her less than outstanding attendance, and her track record concerning assignments. sara’s secret is that she always keeps an ear out for any rumor that may inspire myth. the kinds of tales that cannot be contained by loose tongues and omnific minds are oft but loose threads of mysteries to be unraveled, veiled truths more beguiling than fiction. it’s patently more than some of the acting professors at the academy can boast of their lectures. 

the puzzle reaches her in fragmented details— a shadow stalking the hall, mislaid belongings, and the distinct clatter of metal. whether the initial instance had been the artful lie of a student who had neglected to complete their homework or not, other cases followed suit with a frequency that could not go ignored. although some claims held more credence than others, in due time the administration announced a reward for anyone that could thwart this unidentified villain.

it is only in the dead of night that the wrongdoer has been said to strike when sleep-addled students shuffle from the library to the infamous gallery hall to retire to their rooms in a last bid for some shut-eye before being forced to greet the next day. sara dares to tread where the faint of heart waver, waiting in the wings for something — she’s not quite certain what — to reveal itself to her. one body soon becomes two as the footsteps of a stranger (perhaps of a similar mind) encroach on the silent space. candlelight spills onto the floor in an embellishment of dancing shadows. sara looks up, squinting, at the figures she can make out in the blur of darkness. a soft but wordless shushing sound ghosts her lips, further muted by the index finger she raises in telling gesture.

“shhh, she hums to the person infront of her before her gaze trails elsewhere, attention plainly having shifted to another entity entirely. “you too, shhh,” she repeats, this time to the suit of armor that looms behind them.

     Fear was never an indicator for weakness. It can paralyze you in the face of danger, yes, but when you overcome it? The adrenaline that comes after it is unmatched. Gray’s inner thrill seeker found curiosity in the rumors that became louder with each passing night when the students came back from their stay elsewhere. His more rational self insists it was just rumors started by the faculty to keep the easily swayed students from loitering around too late-- as strict as he is, the faculty with the adorable little sister might just be desperate enough to start such rumors. Still, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t check it out just in case. What a story it would be to be face to face with a--

     “--!!!” Gray drops the candle he was holding, heart stopping at the sight before him. He’s seen the dead rise, but never with such an ethereal persona. They always looked... gruesome. The rumors spoke of armor coming into life, not ghostly beauties haunting the hallways of the monastery. If not for the way she seemed so solid as he was sent crashing forward, shoved by a force behind him, he would have truly believed her to be a ghost. “Ack--”

     The flames from the candle he had, although small, still perseveres, giving them light in the otherwise dark hallway. As it rolls along the ground, Gray gets alerted at the sight of a shadow forming over them, their small party increasing to 3.

     He quickly rolls over to the side, freeing his ghost and spotting the main problem at last. Metal seemingly moves on its own, plate hovering through unknown magic, gauntlets moving towards its unsheathed blade. Gray scrambles up, fumbling to reach for his own zigzagged blade as he puts himself in between the animated armor and his companion. “Up and at em, Ghostie. Full Metal’s not playing!”