Winter Is Coming [SSC Dominion of Midvinter]

[Connor Harrison]

Objective: Survive the Ambush
Location: Forest of Fafnersvik
Allies Near: [member="Syala Daivik"] | [member="Ren Colvet"]
Enemies: The Undead
Gear: Combat Armour | Blue Bladed Lightsaber
Post: #4 / 20

The moment where everything goes quiet, and then silence is broken before hell is unleashed. That very moment happened seconds after heading into the eerie woodland, trees coated with frost on the trunks, dead branches where leaves should be hanging heavy with snow and ice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ik9VK_jkgjI​

Connor heard the warning from [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], snapping his head up to see the undead beings race from the mist, and a number of large spears bolt through the air letting out a shrieking cry as the forces of the Valkyri and Coalition were ambushed.

The Jedi wasted no time in grabbing the scruff of Ren’s cloak and pulling him over – dragging him – out of the path of a spear. He quickly wrapped an arm around Sy and pushed them down to the snowy ground to let the first wave of airborne projectiles pass, intended to take out the front marchers to allow the undead to cleave up the rest.

Shouts came through the wind and the cry of horses too – the hum of lightsaber blades could be heard, and also the grotesque sound of bodies impacting to the ground and impaled with spears.

”Stay down you two! They knew we were coming – those blasted drums, what were they thinking!”

He noted one at least familiar between the flash of iron, steel and fire - [member="Matsu Ike"] leading the charge for the Jedi. Brave, but foolish. Perfect material to get the job done.

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Maya Whitelight"] | [member="Coryn Raxis"] | [member="Arrik Terran"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"] | [member="Azel Elerel"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

(5/20)
Objective: Research
Location: Random snowland, closer to the main group, but not with them yet
Allies: The Dark Side
Enemies: Zombies. Maybe Jedi jihadists.


Illusions were a beautiful thing, truly. Zannah had used them to masquerade as a Light Sider whilst walking the halls of the Jedi Temple. She could bring the worst fears of her enemies to life and summon tendrils of doom. Exar Kun had drawn upon the darkest of magicks to mind control the entire Senate when he crashed the trial of Ulic Qel-Droma. The likes of [member="Coryth Elaris"] could conjure up illusionary legions that could dish out damage that felt real to all but the most perceptive.


Sumiko was not that far yet - not by a long shot, but she had made much progress. Moreover, she wielded Souldrinker, a blade that surpassed the One Sith and even Palpatine's Empire, even the Rule of Two in age. Forged in the time of Marka Ragnos, it carried a portion of the spirit of an ancient Sith Lord, who so like so many of his kind feared death. With every wielder the blade grew stronger, for every one of them added a portion of their power to it - and every one of them met a grisly end.


One day she would as well, for Death came to everyone. Even the mightiest of Masters of the Dark Side could not escape Death's Scythe forever. But right now the dark side energies coursing through the sword gave her fuel, as did the dark aura that seemed to have engulfed the planet. Darkness called to her and she answered the siren call as she captured the minds of the undead in the web she had woven. Despite the cold sweat was dripping down her face and back, concentration and strain were all too evident on her features, likewise her nose was bleeding, but she pressed on.


Loud screeches were heard as the illusion took effect. In the minds of the zombies the darkness had vanished and now the burning rays of sunlight were bearing down upon them. In their fragile, primitive minds, they were being burnt by it as the land was bathed in light. Some collapsed as they fell into a state of catatonia, for it was just an illusion, others were dazed or took flight. However, this was not enough for her as she kept slicing through their minds, digging through what vestigial memories and thoughts remained.


There seemed to be some sort of bond between them, which was logical since, given how primal their thoughts were, some sort of connection would need to exist to keep the Vinterbound from tearing each other apart. Something animated them...a will that was not their own. One that gave them unlife after their death, animated their bodies and refused to let them go the way of all flesh. A will that commanded them to feed on the living so that they may arise once more.


"What has given you shape?


Who is your Creator?


Let me look into your mind. Bend to me."


Many of the undead were fairly young, but others were older, having slumbered for centuries before the call was made to rise. Like the call of an eldritch abomination. Could one such creature be the cause of this? A sort of lesser Lotek'k, not strong enough to bathe a world in madness, but able to will the dead to rise? As she sliced through their minds she perceived unnnatural darkness...something primal and malicious. Images raced through her mind, too fast for her to process as she entered the hive.


It was reaching the point where she was suffering from a headache from hell. Her nose was bleeding badly and it felt like someone was bashing her skull with a hammer, but she pressed on, realising that the dark power must be trying to resist her intrusion. Her grip around Souldrinker tightened as she sunk ever deeper into the Force, oblivious to what else was happening. Then at last, she saw.

​

A powerful relic of evil, ancient beyond measure. The dark power offered her a glimpse of the truth. Just a glimpse, but enough. Legions of zombies arising from their graves, all driven by its evil will to devour the living and create a paradise of the undead. It was its power that animated them, its will that drove them. She felt what seemed like the stab of an icy knife to the gut, but she pushed on. It was only pain in her mind. Only belief made it real.


"We are eternal, we are forever. We are the darkness in which all life dies. You are meaningless."


"Where are you?"

The natives knew it not, for they were ignorant of ways of the Force, of the Sith. Its location? That was a mystery even to her, for as she kept on pushing the artefact fought back, unleashing a mental onslaught with the force of a freight tram. Roughly the connection was broken and Sumiko fell to the ground, collapsing. Her head was spinning and she was unable to muster a single coherent thought. Blood dripped down her nose. For several moments she just lay there, stunned and tired. She tried to get to her feet, and promptly collapsed again, for her legs seemed to have decided to take a nap. Finally she managed to stand, as she heard unearthly shrieks from the forest, the sign of more beasts approaching.


"We are everywhere."

 

[Anomalie]

2/20
Objective: Fend of ambush
Equipment: Insolated Armor and Dual phase saber
Allies nearby: [member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Maya Whitelight"] | [member="Coryn Raxis"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"] | [member="Azel Elerel"]

Arrik had marched for a while, the Valkyri war chants gave him a strange feeling in his gut. The desire to fight and battle on an open field. To face down his enemies and strike them down one by one. A feeling that it seemed a few others were getting as well.

His hands remained at his side though, he knew not the language of the Valkyri and would only insult them by trying to join in on the song. He listened to the strangely primeval people, but kept walking. His eyes never stopping their wide scanning sweeps of the icy plains.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] had them come to a stop, the bulk of the host came to a hault,the drums and warsongs stopped. Arriks right hand immediately reached for his saber on his hip. The face wrap kept all but his eyes invisible to the enemies. His shoulder cloak whipped in the Icy wind when he listened to the shouting of the valkyri.

They formed a circle around the coalition and their allies, an impenetrable defense that the emerging undead would have a hard time breaking through. Arrik drew his lightsaber, activating the shimmering green blade to come out from the hilt. He clutched it with his right hand and turned to fellow members of the coalition.

Behind the wall they were safe..
Until the wall dissolved and the valkyri went and charged the undead. Arrik sighed. But couldn't help but join in the charge. He clutched his saber in both hands and leaped high into the air, over the heads of his valkyri and coalition allies. He turned in the air until he fell, bringing his saber down onto one of the shambling corpses, cleaving it cleanly in two.

He stood from his position and with two clean swings sliced the heads from both of the nearby winterborn. The smell of burning flesh filled his nostrils, but he had no intention of stopping. The Valkyri roared as they rushed into battle, feral growls emitted from the undead throats.

Arrik kept focused. His saber deflecting the icy weapons of the undead, slashing and whipping through the undead who sought to strike him down and his undead allies. Reaching out with the force he caught the hurled spear of one of the undead headed directly for a high ranking Valkyri soldier. He turned it and redirected it back with increased velocity.

When the valkyri looked to thank him. Arrik only nodded and then returned to work. Fighting the hordes that had ambushed them on their long, cold march. At least all the motion had kept him warm. He smirked quietly as he continued to decimate the undead ranks.

 

[Lorna Halcyon]

6/20
Marching

The sounds of ambush came as she was moving, letting the force energies or what she could feel wash over her while the blade was a dazzling dark honey color with feelings of serenity and calmness. She actually thought for a moment while the golden metal was there she could feel the force but it might have just been the micro crystals embedded in the hilt to increase her connection to the weapons before she was moving around and spinning. Her cloak moving with her while she sliced into one leaping up to kick another. The sounds all around while she brought her hand up and the blue shimmer made the metal react and glow while she shouted to one f the troopers. "Shoot at me now." He seemed to hesitate but complied as the blast caught in her palm with the green energy blast infusing to the gloves crystal, her hand and traveling to her saber with the second gem absorbing it before she lept higher and kicked off a tree drawing attention and going deeper into the woods.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Ambush.

The Riders of Rildonmark formed up behind Aerin in a long line as they entered the forest. The snow laid thick on the ground as the horses trod with high step, they are nervous, heads tossing and nostrils flaring, they sense something and the war horses are prepared, long before the Jedi. Aerin sensed it too, an immediate danger but there was no time to speak up or reacted. The ambush came fast, spears showering around them, hitting horses and riders alike.

"Break to flank!" she ordered, and the cavalry broke formation into small groups and dispersed through the forest. Impossible to charge in a forest and with Jedi and Valkyri ahead of them, effectively blocking their path. "Torch bearers forward!", she yelled pulling three arrows from her quiver. The roar of the Valkyri filled the forest and they charged on foot, the shields and swords clashed with spears and bodies, the undead advancing forward through the warriors but still more Valkyri ran to battle their lust for blood and honour paramount .. she was no different.

The torch bearers stood among the mounted archers, other cavalry moved to flank right an left, to charge with swords taking out some of the undead with swords set aflame with oil. Aerin placed her three oil soaked arrow heads into the torch and once alight, raised two to her mouth and by the wooden shaft held them firm in her teeth. Her tights squeezed against her war horse, communication through touch and the mare leapt forward into battle. With her hands free of the bridle, she nocked an arrow in her bow, stood high in the saddle and released the first of many firebrands. Each one hitting the mark, sinking deep into the corrupted flesh of the undead, setting them on fire. The screams that issue from them, unnatural and will set the blood to cold to any that hear.

(5)

[member="George O Rourke"] [member="Matsu Ike"] [member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Solan Charr"] [member="Maya Whitelight"] [member="Coryn Raxis"] [member="Arrik Terran"] [member="Vilaz Munin"] [member="Azel Elerel"] [member="Romeo Sin"] [member="Ren Colvet"] [member="Boo Chiyo"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

 

[George O Rourke]

Location: Forrest
Objective: March to Fafnersvik

[5/20]

As George fell back summoning the force to push the invaders back the entire army stopped, the Grandmaster ordering it before the Valkyri leader organized their troops. A wall of Valkyri soldiers moved in front of him, shields raised. Bodies fall beside him as the spears of the undead come through the front lines, hitting some of the unaware Valkyri. The losses were already to great, but the battle had just begun. As he made his way to his feet the roar of the Valkyri Commander ordering his men to charge came over load and clear. Igniting his weapon again he felt the pride and strength running through the army, he took this into him absorbing it strengthening himself through those around him and leaped into the fray once again.

With a mighty roar the Nautolan hit back slicing the first undead in half not having enough time to watch the body fall to the ground he was onto the next one. The blade in his hand swinging as a extension of himself. The fluid motion parrying the enemy weapons whilst conjuring up the force to push back the undead from fallen Valkyri soldiers. It was truly a wondering thing to behold, George felt so free, attacking at will as if nothing could touch him. But it got the better of him. With the blade swirling around him slicing and dicing enemies near by he ignored the force, thus missing an incoming spear. Fortunately it only grazed his left shoulder, but it could have been much worse. The sudden pain rushed through his body, opening up his mind once again. He took a few steps back. Defending against the incoming volley of blades and axes that were coming at him during his time of weakness. They weren't extremely bright creatures, but they knew how to kick a man when he was down.

[member="Ærin Firebrand"] | [member="Lorna Halcyon"] | [member="Arrik Terran"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Nima Tann]

Objective: AMBUSH!
Post: 1/20

Nima was there marching to the Fafnersvik, yet she stood at the back of the scene since it hurt to walk in every step with the help of the Force, she was yet to master this ability yet it wasn't a regular mission that the girl could bring her wheelchair to. The mission was to help Heavenshields secure the cold, cold Midvinter, which she has come once to congratulate the newly wed couple, now invaded by some zombies. As the march continued with such celebration with drums and all that, the main army continued walking towards the city, yet there was something else, something bad. The weather was so cold to be normal. The reason why suddenly the things changed would be seen shortly as the ugly undeads started to appear, flanking them bad. It was an ambush. She concentrated on the Force to give more power to her legs, getting herself ready for the attack mode, it was two times more tiring than walking, yet the pain she felt slowly disappeared to none.

She started to run towards the undead army saber a bit far from her body to ready for a turning attack, as she prepared herself for Ataru, fast and Force draining. It was going to suck for the next week after this, by the Force. Well, there was always [member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] and her massages. From near, the undead looked like even uglier, if that was possible. Yet, it wasn't going to be a problem when she cut them to half with the lightsaber. No matter how ugly the enemy was, the lightsaber always had the capability to cut, so there was no reason to fear. Yet, how do you kill something already dead? This was what was bugging her. She would try to get into the enemies heads, yet she didn't think that their brains were working.

The snowy grounds quickly turned red and blood and burning flesh smell surrounded the army of the Light as they cut more and more of the undead which seemed to never run out of the numbers. And it was even more difficult to fight while using the Force to stay standing.

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Nothing, no sound. The creatures of the forest silenced and that is never a good sign. Coci turned to look deep into the forest, her black eyes piercing through the darkened light to see movement, shadows moving. But before she could say a word, Thurion grabbed her and pulled her close. The cutting of the air the only sound she heard now before a thud as a spear penetrated the ground where she once stood. The cry of ambush vibrated through Thurion's chest as she was pressed against it, "To war", she said to him before moving away knowing he would want for the fight. She could sense his longing for it, his blood boiling with his heritage.

Taking cover behind a thick pine of the forest, Coci eyed the surroundings and the positions of all the warriors and Jedi alike. The undead, advancing fast eyes blazon and eerie, she had never seen such things before today, watching as they are cut or stabbed only to continue to advance. The Jedi and Valkyri taken by surprise, now in disarray and in danger of being over run, something had to be done. She is angry, only moments ago her life would have been forfeit if not for Thurion. He had saved her, once again.

Moving from her position, Coci took the spear that could have taken her life and threw it to the nearest undead, the power and speed in which the spear traveled a blur and hit is target right between the eyes. The thing fell backward to the ground, laying as if dead only for a moment before get up and moving again complete with spear lodged in it's head. What a ghastly sight, evil. She knew it would do little to have killed the thing, but she felt good regardless and with emotion released she set to work.

Coci pulled the force to her, her eyes taking in the all the warriors and Jedi, horse and rider and began to form an illusion. Twisting light and sound, the images of warriors and Jedi began to form within the forest, doubling and trebling numbers, effectively. She stood still, focused moving the illusion forward toward the advancing undead, this is designed to give the Jedi and Valkyri a reprieve to regroup as the undead unwittingly attacking .. nothing. This will take enormous energy from her, leave her unguarded but it will buy time. This wave of undead, is but the first, she suspected more would be coming.

(6)

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Maya Whitelight"] | [member="Coryn Raxis"] | [member="Arrik Terran"] | [member="Vilaz Munin"] | [member="Azel Elerel"] | [member="Romeo Sin"] | [member="Ren Colvet"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Kaida Taldir]

(6/20)
Location: Where the killing is
Objective: Kill things
Allies: Silver Sanctum, stoicism, icy bitchiness
Enemies: Zombies
[member="George O Rourke"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Vilaz Munin"], [member="Arrik Terran"], [member="Nima Tann"], [member="Syala Daivik"], [member="Coryn Raxis"], everyone else who's there.


Ad so there as great slaughter. This was far from the first time Kaida had faced hordes of undead hungry for blood and flesh. Upon the hellish world of Gehenna the remnants of the ferocious Bando Gora had thrown zombies and technobeasts at their enemies. Indeed, some Eldorai soldiers had been infected by the malignant virus and so Kaida had been forced to put them out their misery with gun shots. She knew not whether these zombies operated on the same principles and could transmit their condition via the bite. But if one of the Valkyri warriors or Jedi was infected in such a manner, she would shoot them without hesitatin.


Valkyri and Jedi charged, clashing with the undead that ambushed them. The shield wall had been a good idea. However, apparently they wanted to charge, so she focused on the more immediate task of slaughtering Vinterbound. Their eyes glowed a bright blue and they charged with reckless abandon, but they were primitive, poorly armed and lacking in intelligence. This did not change the fact that in large numbers they were dangerous. Unearthly screams were heard as the Valkyri archers bombarded the undead with flaming arrows, lighting up the darkness as zombies were ignited.


Kaeshana valour and Kaeshana steel would purge them without mercy. Dispassionately, emotionlessly, she sunk into the Force and scythed undead down. Her lightsabre was a blaze of yellow light as she channelled her Sciia, deflecting the icy but old weapons of the undead, slashing and hewing down enemies. She had long lost track of how many had fallen to her blade, guns and Sciia. By now her armour was splattered with their ichor and innards, beasts clawed and tore at her. One even tried to bite into her gauntlet before finding it unedible. She clubbed it over the head with her shield, then ran it through.


A burly dead-man charging her got its skull smashed by a summoned ice cube. One of the undead swung his massive hammer at her while she was distracted and she brought up her Taegis shield to meet the blow just about fast enough. Upon impact the shield was dented and battered through the sheer force of it, but since it was an energy shield sparks of electricity shot through the zombie. Still the impact had been enough to knock her to the ground, though she rolled quickly when the zombie sought to ram its hammer into her skull.


Lashing out she delivered a hard kick that made the beast tumble. Eyes ablaze with fury, the zombie, still wearing royal Valkyri armour that indicated an illustrious lineage, charged her, growling ferally and swinging its weapon. However, after its first step it suddenly froze, unable to move, let alone attack. An unnatural force gripped its arm, preventing movement, its legs were paralysed as if chains had wrapped around them. Ice spread across its limbs, encasing it, then Kaida brought up her bolt pistol and quite literally blew its head off as an APEB round impcated.


Brain matter splattered upon the snow-covered ground that by now was thoroughly stained with blood. Her lightsabre had fallen out of her grasp during her fall but she summoned the Force to lift it into the air and sent it flying, slicing across a charging zombie's neck before it returned into her hand like a boomerang. Pain was rushing through her body but she ignored it, blotting it out. Getting some distance between her and the beasts and leaving the pile of bodies behind her, she drew upon her Sciia. A hail of spears was tossed towards her through the air, but she seemed to pay them no mind, even as one grazed her shoulder. They could not penetrate the type of armour she wore.


"I'm summoning a whirlwind. Keep your distance," she called out, having to shout to make herself heard over all the noise that accompanied the battle. A great many zombies had been slaughtered by the Silvers and the Valkyri, but more seemed to be coming, like always. She harnessed her power of aeromancy and then leapt up high into the air.


Siobhan Kerrigan and Tempest were not the only ones who could fly! Kaida could not conjure up telekinetic explosions of such force to topple a skyscraper or summon thunderstorms, but the ice goddess could do other tricks. The wind was already strong and whipping across the land, now she only had to intensify it and direct it towards the zombies, whilst keeping it away from the Valkyri cavalry that was hitting the enemy's flanks - and so she did.


The mighty wind roared like the shout of a wrathful goddess as she manipulated the air currents and exacted her will upon them. What sprang forth was a powerful whirlwind, a maelstorm, that swept towards what seemed to be the second echelon of the zombies as reinforcements charged.


With enough force to grip them into the air, toss them across the forests, smash them into trees, crush and break their bodies. Rocks were likewise pulled into the air and tossed towards them, some crushing beasts beneath them. Hail and icciles, travelling at extreme speed and velocity, bombarded them, causing wounds as they sliced through their bodies. Even a tree, a rather old oak, was destabilised by the wind and suddenly came crashing down, burying zombies at the edge of the battlefield who were trying to join the fight. As she manipulated the molecules in the air, the small icicles hardened and grew larger, becoming spears of ice, her icy-cold scythes that slashed through the undead as they bombarded them. Some were cut down, others frozen rock solid. Combined with the power of the illusionary magic that had been unleashed by Coci, the effect was devastating.

 

[Anomalie]

3/20
Objective: Survive the Ambush


Arrik was in awe, he lifted the emerald blade from the corpse of what had to be his hundreth slain zombie, but even with all his skill with a blade...there were always more of them, more undead kicking and thrashing, trying to bite and claw through the armor. The red snow around him gave him all the reports of casualties he could ever need.

The awe inspiring force wielding of [member="Coci Heavenshield"] and [member="Kaida Taldir"] left the apprentice in awe. He pulled the face wrap from his mouth, allowing his steaming breath to pour forward in the cold winter air. the battke still raged on, but he was still tryknf to comprehend the amazing power those two wielded. He was brought back to the real world when he cried out in pain as a searing sensation pierced his leg.

The ice cold dagger of a halved winterbound struck his calf, piercing the weak spot of his armor and sinking into his flesh. He growled angrily and swiped quickly with his saber, the blade searing through undead flesh.

He kneeled and reached down, pulling the dagger out with an agonizing cry of pain. He let out a few icy breaths before standing again and looking towards the battlefield.

The undead were running elsewhere, attacking the illusions of Coci. Arrik took a small breather as he hobbled back to the survivors. "...how many more waves like that can we survive? Will there be enough left to make it to Fafnersvik with enough men to protect it?"

Arrik asked no one but everyone all at once. The questions seemed to be in the minds of everyone there, but either to proud or exhausted to state it. Arrik deactivated the emerald blade of his saber and placed it back on his belt.

They would be back, but it seemed as though they had just enough time to figure out what they were going to do next.

 

[Vakarian]

Objective: Survive the Ambush
Location: The Right Flank
Allies: Valkyri Warriors & Coalition forces
Enemies: The Environment & The Undead​

Post: 3/20​

​

Duck and dodge. Weave and step. All actions that managed to keep him alive and on his feet against the two creatures assaulting him. It seemed as though he had initially misjudged their strengths, it would not happen again. Pools of sapphire hardened to crystal as his distress only grew, and he felt the familiar anger and resentment at the situation he was in, as he had felt on Dathomir. He could feel the faint whispers of the darkness, coaxing him into allowing it to enter his mind and aid him, but he fought back the whispers with the mantra from the Code of the Jedi.

Emotion, yet Peace.

He sidestepped another attack, the blade nearly impaling his right side of his rib cage. His mind was still open to the Force, allowing the presence of the Masters of the Silver and assembled apprentices to fill his thoughts, to allow their light to aid him in driving back the darkness that whispered to him.

Ignorance, yet Knowledge.

Intense pain shot through his left arm as it felt the chill of an icy dagger entering and embedding itself within the bone. He could feel the familiar warmth and tug of his blood running down his arm. Yet his concentration on the Mantra did not falter.

Passion, yet Serenity.

He allowed emotions of compassion and hope to flood his body, sending every nerve and fiber within him a new source of energy, a new reason to continue the fight. His movements had become fluid now, dodging yet another strike just as it grazed the lobe of his left ear and released a minute stream of crimson blood. down the side of his neck, and across his tattoos.

Chaos, yet Harmony.

Though he felt the tug of the dark side against his mind, he could feel the presence of the Masters and his fellow students beating back the dark whispers. The Light would prevail against the dark as it had always done. Without one, there cannot be the other. Always it has been, and ever it shall be.

Death, yet the Force.

In this moment, the whispers of the dark ceased and the light flooded his mind again. Time around him seemed to quicken as he sprang into action and gripped the blade of an ancient and primitive sword as it stopped mere inches from his chest. Eyes flashed open and in a single fluid movement, the blade was taken from the hand of its owner and grasped in his own hand. And, in a swift and deadly path, the previous owners head was removed from its lifeless shoulder, all bodily functions - what little had been working - ceased.

Coryn turned his attention to the next creature, who charged him blindly and with deadly intent. He parried the initial thrust, but a second blade was brought down and cut a thin line directly above his left eyebrow. He needed to learn to be more aware while in combat, he was so focused on the one blade that he had failed to see the second coming down on him.

He only survived because the creature had faltered slightly, when [member="Coci Heavenshield"] 's illusion took effect, causing its aim to be off and cause no more than a mere scratch. It also provided the needed time for Coryn to remove the creatures head and then take stock of his injuries. He took a deep breath as he heard the clashing of swords and the hissing of lightsabers as they met dead flesh and ancient weapons.

Using the Force, he called to himself its restorative properties and felt the knitting of flesh and sinew as it took effect. He was not skilled in its usage, but it would suffice until he could get to a proper healer. It was as the mending finished, that he kept hold of the ancient sword he had taken from the Vinterbound, and made his way back to the group - careful to avoid the deadly winds and funnel of [member="Kaida Taldir"] 's whirlwind. If it had been a wonder as to why he felt so inspired when in the presence of the Masters, it would now become obvious. The sheer magnitude of the Illusion and the destructive properties of the whirlwind were combined to devastating effect.

It was as he closed in on the group that he caught the words of a fellow apprentice, [member="Arrik Terran"]. He turned to the padawan and stated simply, "We must hold on to hope, and trust that the force will guide our path." a lesson that he had learned on his brief encounter with a Force Ghost of a twi'lek master. It was with these words that he pulled the remaining dagger from his arm, and mended the flesh there as well.

He could feel the familiar pull of his energy weakening, the Force Healing had taken much more energy than he had realized.

 

[Audren Sykes]

Objective: Defend against the Ambush
Location: March to Fafnersvik
Allies: The Silver Sanctum
Enemies: Vinterbound, Elements
Post: [2/20]
Gear: QQ-15L-3 | QQ-83n | SMG | Lightsaber

With the marching songs rolling through the group, it was difficult to hear the ambient noise. It became more so once they entered the forest and voices and drums started echoing off the trees. At least, that was going to be his very valid excuse for why he didn't realize the sounds of wildlife, scarce as they were with the column marching through, had died out until just before the ambush. Once he realized what he was - wasn't, actually - hearing, he spun to face away from the column, raising his blaster and dropping into a crouch at the same time. Seconds after he did, spears and rocks flew by only to rattle against the impervious shield wall the Valkeri had raised at Thurion's command. There was a moment of silence from the column as the Vinterbound appeared, though combat still sounded from further back. Numerous snap-hisses sounded through the silence as Jedi ignited lightsabers.

Then a roar, louder even than the marching songs and drums combined, as the Valkyri abandoned their shield wall and charged in all directions. He took that opportunity to open up with his blaster. Just a couple shots per undead, aimed at center mass. Now, the little that he'd heard - childhood horror stories, mostly - said that the head was the only way to kill a zombie. At this distance, though rapidly decreasing, he'd have to really concentrate for a headshot. And that was assuming the rumors were right. Instead, putting two or three shots into an ancient breastplate typically knocked a charging Vinterbound to the ground, and staggered those immediately behind it. This sort of fighting wouldn't win the sortie, but it would help. Instead of presenting a unified charge against the Valkyri, there would be wedges that the massive warriors could take advantage of. Much more effective against living warriors of course, those ones actually died and could be disheartened, but effective enough against these zombies.

It couldn't last though. As the charging warriors passed his position, he had a choice to make. Stay where he was and provide cover or move with them. What he could offer would be little, so he moved up. He moved more slowly than the massive fighters, but he kept shooting as targets presented themselves. A Vinterbound flanking a fighting Valkyr found a crater in the neck and two in its cranium, severing the few connections remaining between body and head. Two more were staggered as they attempted to tag team another warrior, giving that warrior the time to drop both. Right around the time the 'low ammo' warning pulsed in the blaster's grip, one of the Vinterbound made him the primary target. A massive, sweeping axe was narrowly ducked and the blaster's last two bolts went into the spawn's side and back. The SMG was dropped - its sling caught it - and both of the Sephi's hands swept for blades. A hopping twist to his left allowed him to evade a strong vertical strike from another zombie, and both blades came up. One was a bright blue that nudged the ancient metal blade away. That hit gave him a bit of spinning momentum that he capitalized on, allowing the shorter vibroblade to come around and neatly sever the neck. By then the first one was back on his feet and swinging again, but the blue blade intercepted and intersected the axe handle. Training lightsaber it may be, but the ancient wood didn't stand a chance. The metal blade flew haphazardly for a second before embedding itself deep into a tree trunk. The opening allowed Audren's metal blade to carve a hefty chunk from the Vinterbound's head, and the return stroke lopped the rest of it off.

The Padawan's luck couldn't - didn't - last. The barest whisper of wind was his only warning. He made to sidestep, but the armor slowed him. A massive sword blade stabbed at him and had he not begun his sidestep would have impaled him. As it was the armor took the brunt of the hit, with just enough force getting through for the still-sharp blade to cut into the Sephi's side, maybe a centimeter deep at most. Pain and anger blossomed at the hit - anger at himself for being so careless - and he used the angular momentum imparted by the hit to take off another undead head. He had a moment's breathing room, and noticed that there were far more Jedi and Valkyri present now than there had been before. The forest resonated with the power of the Force, and the wind howled in ways contrary to before. It was an impressive display.

Understanding that there was little left for him with this skirmish, the Sephi headed back towards the main column. Once more he had to end a Vinterbound, but managed to deflect its sword to the side and use his vibroblade to good use. This time the dead being's face fell from the rest of the skull, revealing a partial brain before it dropped from the bone cradle. One of the downsides of the vibroblade was it's reach, or lack thereof. He had to get in closer than he would with a true lightsaber to finish the fight. Once he arrived at the column, the lightsaber blade vanished, swiftly followed by the vibroblade after it was cleaned of blood. A patch was placed over the slit in his armor, containing any leaking blood, and he brought his blaster back out while listening to the other two Padawans. The expended gas canister hit the snow-covered ground and was replaced with one of the two spares he carried before he responded. Tactical questions were good, hope was better. Hope with a battle plan worked best.

"Use the ships. Lure the Vinterbound to the plains around Fafner...Faf...the town and blast them with the ships' weapons from the air."

He didn't know much about ship-based combat, but understood that laser cannons could evaporate most of a humanoid body. Use those to carve the Vinterbound to pieces, then the people on the ground could mop up. Advantages of technology. He still hadn't figured out why they landed so far from the town in the first place.

[member="Arrik Terran"] | [member="Coryn Raxis"]

 

[The Red of Sinner]

Objective: More Civilian Escorting
Location: Ryuk, orbit of Midvinter
Equipment: Two Sabers (Revan's&Romeo's) Personal Robes (Phrik)
2/20

[member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Coryn Raxis"], Everyone else.

Com chatter echoed through out the Ryuk as the Drakons landed on the cold planet, and reported in their status, updates on the situation planetside, and asking for any additional orders. It was Romeo's military tactics he had inherited from his father, and his own prowess that had shaped many things in the past, and now it was time to begin shaping the future.​

His commander of the Drakons was down below, ordering his men to prepare for combat, while also fending off what they had called 'the undead'. Romeo laughed a little to himself.​

"Zombies? Is that seriously what is going on down there?"​

He looked over at Celty Toligon who nodded.​

"Do we have any flamethrowers?"​

"We do, standard issue stuff, but they are effective."​

"Good, send down more supplies to the men, have some of the BlackFire's do some fly overs for covering fire."​

The orders were give out while the men began to saddle up for the long battle that awaited them.​

"Have the Drakons switch into two teams. Defense, and offense. Begin escorting the civilians to the safe zones."​

"Will you be going down there yourself Romeo?" Celty asked.​

Romeo stood still, watching the planet in silence.​

"No."​

 

[Baalagor]

Objective: Survive the ambush, keep an eye on a certain rogue
Location: Forest near Fafnersvik
Allies: [member="Connor Harrison"], [member="Ren Colvet"]
Enemies: The undead
(2/20)

"You would do well to remember where you stand, Connor." Her voice was terse, reminiscent of a teacher admonishing a student that had stepped out of line. Ironic, considering their relation to each other. As Jedi they had a duty to those inhabitants of the galaxy, one Syala wouldn't hesitate to remind him of time and time again. "We've sworn ourselves to the defense of the people that call this galaxy home alongside us. That is our duty as Silver Jedi, and it's one you should take care to hold in your heart of hearts as a reminder." There would be no putting up with his attitude regardless of where he ranked within the Sanctum in comparison to herself. As long as he stood beside her, he would do so in a respectable manner.

The corners of her mouth tightened, and she shook her head. "If it weren't for the Masters Heavenshield, you wouldn't be standing here with me right now. They offered you a chance to redeem yourself where many others would have turned away. You were granted the rank of a Master within the Order, a title that is a privilege to achieve. He's only showing you respect by addressing you as such. If you want to guide others on the path of a Jedi and continue to do so as a Master, then I would suggest that you begin acting like one." Now really wasn't the most convenient of times to be having these sorts of disagreements, but she refused to stand aside silently and let him continue with his unwarranted commentary.

While his remark directed towards her disability likely wasn't intended to be taken harshly, she had heard enough to tolerate no more of it. "If you think me less fit to be here because of my sightlessness, then it is you who is blind, not I. It seems that even now I can still see clearer than you ever will. I knew perfectly well what I was signing up for when I volunteered myself to assist here against this threat. As a Knight I'm capable of making my own decisions. I may still be your student, but I'm not a Padawan anymore." She wouldn't be belittled, least of all by him, and especially when he was acting like this, immature given his age and standing. This was entirely uncalled for.

The cold shock of the snow was enough to cause her to forget any immediate infractions, her attention instantly turning to the nearing commotion of battle and the threat of this unknown enemy. Immediately the Force flared up within her, reminiscent of a beacon of light to all those sensitives nearby. With one hand she grasped the hilt of her lightsaber, carefully assessing her surroundings via the ethereal. After a moment passed with no further projectiles being thrown in their immediate direction she pushed herself to her feet, turquoise blade igniting with a snap-hiss. "If you consider yourself any sort of Jedi, you will fight with me and the rest of them. Now comes your time to choose, Connor."

 

[Micah tol Powl]

Whatever Happened to Mr. Garibaldi? Part 2
Post 3 of 20
Location: Coldwind Pass, just north of Hafnir
Frenemies: The Silver Sanctum Coalition
Gear: Primeval Light Combat Armor (minus helmet), Amphistaff, EX-1 Blaster Pistol, MedPac

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU1sbMthmbI​

The blue skinned youngling slid left.

Bending his knees, the boy twisted his body like a surfer riding a wave of ice, as the snowboard glided in a horizontal drift. Shifting his weight, he quickly went right, riding the wave down the slope of the mountain. He caught air for a moment, grabbing back of the board for a moment as he spun in a three hundred sixty degree turn before he planted the board back down on the mountain top. Shuffling side-to-side, the boy hurried down the slopes, until he slid to a halt at the crest of an outcropping which overlooked the small collection of huts and shelters dotting the shockingly green valley below.

He was about to enter the treeline. This was the best vantage point he would have for the last couple of kilometers, until he arrived at the edge of the village.

Producing a small pair of macro-binoculars from the belt of his armored suit. Adjusting the spy glasses, the young Pantoran surveyed the land before him. The houses below seemed oddly quiet. The small windows into the quaint shelters as devoid of life as were the streets. After another moment, the boy tucked the macrobinoculars away, pushing off against the snow as he slid down further on the snowboard. He soon vanished into the treeline, becoming a blur against a dark wood.

The snowboard stopped about eight kilometers down from where he'd been looking earlier. Popping the board up on one end, the boy gently set it against the side of a shelter hut as he peered around the outskirts of the first hut in the village.

The amphistaff leapt down from the boy's back, bristling as it coiled on the ground. He might have thought the behavior a message of dissatisfaction, but for the fact that the biot was reared back as though ready to strike. "What's the matter, girl?" the boy asked, cupping a hand behind the cobra-like hood of the serpentine head to gently scratch the creature at a point where the head joined with the body. As he did, with his other hand, he felt the ground.

Too hard for footprints. Which explained the lack of them. As his amber gaze flickered back up to the snake, the boy pet the amphistaff a second time before rising back to his feet. "Smell something?" the youth inquired, seemingly wistful that the creature might have been able to answer him. Instead, the boy set his hand to the butt of the blaster that rested in a holster on his thigh. Clicking off the safety catch, the boy smoothly drew the weapon out. Holding the barrel low, he held the pistol at the ready as he started to explore the ghost town of Hafnir.

Even if the herdsmen had moved out, where were the elders? The infirm? The younglings?

There should have been someone there to greet him.

Instead, as the boy stepped into the village square, all he was met with was the sound of silence.

 

[Darth Libertas]

(7/20)
Location: Snowland, getting closer to the main group
Objective: Research
Allies: The Dark Side. Eventually [member="Nima Tann"]
Enemies: Zombies, Jedi jihadists.


"We are everywhere." Her mind was spinning and her body was aching from the sheer strain as she got to her feet, seeing the shapes of zombies closing in on her. Unearthly shrieks emerged from the forest as they charged, their blue eyes glowing with malice. The voice of the relic thundered inside her mind, as if it was trying to punish her for daring to intrude upon its control over the beasts. However, as strong as the painful agony the artefact was putting her mind through was, it was also a blessing, for enlightenment lay in it.


It proved her theory of what had spawned these creatures - and it showed that its control could be undermined. The pain still pissed her off and she let loose with an outburst of Dark Side power once she was ready to focus enough, throwing the pain she was feeling back at the beasts with a loud roar."AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRGH!" The Force Scream, fuelled by the Dark Side, blossomed into a beautiful shockwave that blew zombies backward with powerful force strong enough to shatter bones, giving her some breathing space.


"We are legion. All flesh must be consumed."


"Oh, please, don't you have better lines, Harbinger?" Sumiko wondered to herself as she gripped Souldrinker in a tight grip. Alas, she seemed to have lost her Viscera scatter gun, which was a shame because it was very handy. Alarm bells rang in her ears and she ducked as a mace swung for her head. Anger rose like bile from her stomach as she rolled away from a downwards strike that slammed into the body of the zombie, forcing her sword out of her grasp. The former Inquisitor did not hesitate, darting forward she snatched up the beskad and leapt , bringing it down to split the zombie's skull in twain. A powerful sword stabbed at her as she side-stepped and she was lucky to have moved in time, though pain surged through her it sliced across her shoulder. Pain and anger rose inside her like belly and she slammed the beast-man with a telekinetic push to throw him away. A hail of arrows and spears came shooting through the air, bombarding her.



Too many beasts to fight, not enough time to focus, so she bolted and ran, willing the Force to pour energy into her muscles. A searing sensation shot through her as a spear pierced her leg. Without breaking her stride she tore it out with the Force, as the shrieks of the undead came closer and closer. Unfortunately for Sumiko her focus had been so much upon the charging horde that she lost her footing when coming across a few corpses and tumbled, falling over. Pain stabbed through her chest with every breath she took and as she pushed herself up undead were charging her, drawn to the scent of blood that was so strong now.


"Fascinating. I am reminded of a device Astaroth forged so long ago," the Sword spoke almost whimsically as it fuelled her power, the darkness calling her. "Slay them. Destroy them. Let them fuel you." Sumiko was about to point out that all this talking was bloody distracting for her, but then she hit upon an idea. These were creatures created and empowered by the Dark Side. The same source of power she drew upon.


Its malevolent energies suffused them...energies that could help sustain her a bit. Orange tendrils of force drain leapt from her at the zombies trying to swarm her. Much like a vampire she leeched them from energy. Not much, but it was a good dose and it made them crumple to the ground as she sucked out their life force and tore through their brains, reducing them to paste in an outburst of fury. It helped give her back her focus and, as a mace came swinging in a downward blow towards her head, she wrapped the shadows around her and...vanished into thin air. A grenade was dropped to the zombie's feet, igniting it in an explosion of fire.


"What happened to Astaroth?" Maintaining the cloak, which rendered her invisible to both organic and droid, was extremely taxing for her. Hence why it was best used for limited durations, but by now she was quite experienced. The zombies were blind to her now and turned to more tempting targets. A bit further away they fell upon a small band of Valkyri, who were probably trying to get to a settlement. Sumiko ignored the sounds of battle and the screams as she dashed away. After all, she was not a Jedi or some sort of do-gooder. "She brought the plague of undeath to many worlds, bathing them in terror. Then she...was consumed by the device. I warned her of the risks, but she ignored my advice. Silly mortal." Well, that was truly encouraging. Ironically her path would take her closer towards the part of the forest where the Silver Jedi and their Valkyri allies had been fighting a horde of undead, and where a certain Twi'lek had been showing of cool Ataru moves.

 

[Ren Colvet]

Objective: Survive The Ambush
Location: Forst of Fafnersvik
Nearby Allies: [member="Syala Daivik"] [member="Connor Harrison"]
Enemies: The Undead
Items: Lightsaber (Green), Black Cloak
(2/20)

"Oh, that," Ren sighed.

"I just happened to be at the temple when the Heavenshields called for everyone to join this fight. And, uh, sorry about the whole Master thing."

He didn't mean to discriminate the Heavenshields, he knew their son Theo and had spoken with Coci a few times, he knew they were wonderful people, he did, but this, this was reckless. They were bringing Padawans to this, which was most certainly not appropriate, especially not for a battle like this. But they were good people and they deserved to have their homeland safe from the walking dead, so of course Ren joined.

He wasn't prepared when it had happened, he just saw the army stop and started looking around for signs of danger, that was before the screams came of course.

There were loud, bellowing roars that erupted fro both the Coalition and Valkyri, and then a great surge of movement. Ren looked around bewildered at the sudden chaos, then, he set his eyes on the very sharp object hurdling towards him.

A spear.

He was petrified with fear, why couldn't he move? Why wasn't he jumping out of the way? Was he gonna die here? The questions erupted within him as he saw the cruel weapon of his demise draw ever nearer.

Luckily, the quick thinking Connor managed to drag him to the ground.

Ren looked at his hands and started touching his legs, he was still alive? Yes! He was still alive! Connor soon yelled something about an ambush and drums.

Wait...ambush?

He looked around, there were corpses screaming, blood, he was in a battle. Then the woman stood up, ignited her lightsaber and hissed at Connor. Quickly, Ren gathered, cleaned, and composed himself, before grabbing his sole confidant and igniting it.

He waited for Connor's move, he knew that if he were ever to survive in this fight, it would come from sticking with the seasoned veteran.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Post 4 of 20
Objective: 1 & 2
Location: Marching to Fafnersvik
Allies: Silver Jedi and Friends
Gear: Warden Cloak (green), Sasori Robes, Lightsabers (green and amber), Hold-Out Blaster

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g11rnxpMNko​

The young Anzat's pale blue eyes were raised in the same moment as the shriek had pierced the air.

As others snapped into motion, the boy merely drew the larger of the two handles from off his belt. Holding it to the chest, he lowered his head in a silent meditative trance. He could sense the emotions, both his own and those of the Valkyri. Acknowledging the fear and the bloodlust, he worked to quiet the mind. His. Theirs. As an Anzat, he stalked through mindfields. He understood that the battle was often won or lost on fields that were completely intangible. Worlds without substance, realms without borders, for they were seen only through the mind's eye. Emotion. Anger. Passion. Anxiety. Fear. Doubt.

Words. Feelings. The youngling knight shut out a part of his own mind as he straightened his head back up.

His mind was prepared. As he looked out upon an icy stage, the curtain had fallen. The band now played. All that was left for him now was to step into the part that had been left unwritten.

A spindly, dessicated body of a iceborne man scrambled toward the shieldwall formed of valiant Valkyri warriors. As it leapt into the air, hands of thinly wrapped bone clawing at their shields, the deathly howls of the creatures drowned out the all-too-familiar sound of the lightsaber coming to life. The green blade passed through the air in a blur, bisecting and then quartering the creature as it whipped out and back like a boomerang. As it snapped backward, as though compelled by some unseen rubber band, the small child's form shot through the air as a green shadow.

Catching the blade in the one hand, as he descended toward the front lines of the conflict, the tow-headed boy pushed out with his off hand. An unseen barrier took form there, expanding out like one of the Valkyri shields. The Force Barrier slammed into three of the ghouls, sending them back into the air as the boy landed peaceably in the spot they had occupied only the moment before.

Trading off the handle between his hands, the three decade student of Niman gave a sweep of his hand as he tossed the lightsaber behind his back. A telekinetic sweep lifting up another of the ghouls and sending it as a bowling ball into several more of its companions, as the youngling carved out a widowing field around where [member="Matsu Ike"] stood at the ready. Plucking the verdant blade from out of the air, the young Jedi casually twirled the lightsaber in his hands. The green cloak swirled about the Anzat's small form, as the young knight made clear his intention to support his fellow Jedi in pressing the attack.

Admittedly, defense was more of Sor-Jan's typical strategy. But, having some experience with the undead on Tash-Taral, it was a foregone conclusion that this was one of those times in which the best defense would be a good offense.

Or, perhaps it was the earnest desire to not look at these creatures and succumb to the fear that he was seeing himself in but a handful of decades more. Time in which he would turn to feasting on the life of those around him. Time in which he would become the vampire he would be, and cease to be the Jedi he was.

The Jedi he is.

I am the master of my fate.

I am the captain of my soul.

 

[Vilaz Munin]

Location: The Forest
Allies: Silver Sanctum Coalition and the Valkyri
Enemies: The Walking Dead
Objective: Ambush
Post Count: [3/20]

As they marched from the vessels that had brought the Coalition to Midvinter they had found themselves approaching an eerie forest that sent the chills into the skin of some. There was a difference between being cold by the low temperature and having chills and goosebumps when coming to a place that didn't look friendly and alive. The trees itself were the comple opposite of life. Even the light dimmed a little making the whole scenario dark, gloomy, and ghastly with the combination of the old and corrupted trees. Even the branches took form of hands and other odd shapes. Only Vilaz and those he marched with were the only living beings in the forest.

But they weren't the only ones here.

The rhythm of boots walking on the snow covered earth stopped as someone ordered the army to stop. The Mandalorian stopped too and waited for the Grandmaster or some leader to give the order to march again. His HUD was picking up IFF tags that surrounded the whole company. Either woodland creatures were living here or something was about to attack them. The silence was broken when a spear landed to where the Grandmaster's loved one stood sending a message to everyone that they were being attacked. He quickly turned and somersaulted to avoid the thrown spears being targeted to him and pulled out both dual pistols. A shield wall was formed by the Valkyri and was disassembled when both the natives and the Coalition charged towards the undead. He charged by himself and began slaughtering the Vinterbounds. His hands raised up with his pistols and spewed out hot plasma to these zombies. They were clad in armor and holding massive melee weapons like the Valkyri, however, they didn't have the mind of a living person.

After crushing the neck of a Vinterbound with his crushgaunts he saw Coci being at a tree unguarded and vulnerable. The perfect prey for a Vinterbound to come and attack her with ease. Luckily, he saw one of those fiends walking towards Thurion's wife. The cartridge in both of his pistols had run out, but he still hadn't used his unique crossbow. Holstering both WESTAR 34s he then grabbed Orar'bev, carried by his shoulders, and aimed at the zombie. He had to accurately calculate the time, the velocity of the undead man, and the distance just to struck him with a bolt on its head. "Bullseye", he muttered and pulled the trigger of Orar'bev. The sound of thunder cracked which would be heard by anyone as a monomolecular bolt racing at three miles per second flew to the head of the monster. It penetrated its helm and the force caused to rip off its head from the shoulders, ultimately, destroying the nervous central system making it forever static.

The Rally Master was only glad that his aim was true and saving the life of the wife of Thurion. He didn't want to imagine if his shot was off by one inch. All he knew was that it would be horrible if that was to happen.

[member="Syala Daivik"] [member="Romeo Sin"] [member="Audren Sykes"] [member="Coryn Raxis"] [member="Arrik Terran"] [member="Kaida Taldir"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Nima Tann"] [member="George O Rourke"] [member="Ærin Firebrand"] [member="Lorna Halcyon"] [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

Objective: Fend Off Ambush

Joining his Valkyri brethren in charging the enemy, the army attacked in all directions as the undead drew close. Knowing the effectiveness of it first-hand, he held his lightsaber high and struck down the Vinterbound with relative ease. There was still the issue of their severed torsos crawling after you upon believing you'd defeated them, at least it was made easier using his Jedi weapon. "Aim for their heads," he cried out for anyone to hear. These creatures were not living beings, so he had no qualms about killing them whatsoever. He soon found he'd strayed farther from the others than he'd expected, and so he was quickly surrounded. They seemed to spring out of the snow itself, or blending together with the snow-covered trees before leaping into view at the opportune time. Tricky bastards, as his father would've said.

Finishing off his current opponent quickly, Thurion called upon the Force and proceeded to slam his armoured fist into the ground, creating a shockwave to blast away and apart the surrounding undead as he let out a Valkyri battle cry. His signature move, one could say. Slowly getting back up due to the toll such an ability took on him, he scanned the area behind him where the others were fighting. Most of them had begun to regroup thanks to the undead seemingly swafting at the air around them, believing there to be enemies where in reality there were none. Such was Coci's handiwork, no doubt. Making his way back to her position, their shared Force bond leading the way, he noticed the stray undead looking to strike her down in her exhausted state. Mere seconds before he could reach her, the Vinterbound fell into a heap of cold flesh and bones on the ground, headless, thanks to the marksmanship of a certain Mandalorian ally.

"Coci," he called out to her before taking her in his arms by the tree she'd sought shelter with. Looking over her shoulder he offered [member="Vilaz Munin"] a greatful nod. "We need to regroup and get through the forest. Fafnersvik is just on the other side," he told her, then turned to Ulfgaard in the distance. "Ulfgaard! Let's go now that they're distracted!" The large warrior ceased his relentless attacking and grabbed a horn off the ground from the bloody hand of a fellow Valkyri. He sounded the rallying signal once, then twice. "To me, warriors! Regroup and form shieldwall!" Seemingly out of nowhere dozens of Valkyri appeared at his side, quickly getting their mighty shields into position as more and more returned from their frenzied charge. The Coalition forces would do well to follow their example. Seizing the attention of [member="Ærin Firebrand"] upon her war horse, he spoke into her mind for the sake of expediency. "Get the cavalry to Fafnersvik. We'll join you there as soon as we're able. Go!"

As the shieldwall formed around the tree where Thurion and [member="Coci Heavenshield"] were located, Ulfgaard approached them. "Most of the forces have regrouped, my lord," he reported. "There may still be more of them out there, but the bulk of the army is here." Thurion looked out into the distance. The snow-clad trees blocked much of the view, making it impossible to make out any shapes. "We cannot afford to wait. The Vinterbound may already be attacking the village, for all we know. Our priority is to protect those who cannot fight." Ulfgaard couldn't hold back a chuckle. "This is Midvinter. Here, everyone knows how to fight." But the point was not lost on him, and so he signalled his forces. "Get ready to move out in formation! Shields up and weapons at the ready! We're going to plow through the bastards!" Meanwhile, Thurion turned to Coci. "Are you alright to make a run for it?" He would not hesitate to carry her if he had to.

[4]​

​

[member="George O Rourke"] | [member="Matsu Ike"] | [member="Lorna Halcyon"] | [member="Mysa Snowstrider"] | [member="Kaida Taldir"] | [member="Solan Charr"] | [member="Maya Whitelight"] | [member="Coryn Raxis"] | [member="Arrik Terran"] | [member="Spencer Olin"] | [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] | [member="Azel Elerel"] | [member="Inger Strömfire"] | [member="Romeo Sin"] | [member="Ren Colvet"] | [member="Boo Chiyo"] | [member="Sor-Jan Xantha"] | [member="Audren Sykes"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Syala Daivik"]​

​

OOC: The army has regrouped and is about to carve a path through the woods to the village of Fafnersvik. You may choose to stay and fight, but you will do so without Valkyri support.​