When Hunters Aren't Enough [Event ; King Zenshin & Elvira Arcade]

Job Info:

There was trouble brewing in Fiore. While Vincent wasn't aware of the Magic Council's past efforts to push back monsters nor their state of emergency, he was aware that they were calling on mages to go out into various towns and villages to figure out why magical circles were appearing around towns and cities. Why would Vincent bother himself with such irrelevant matters such as seemingly random magical circles? Two reasons. The first is that he knew that magical circles were never random and the fact that they were appearing near vulnerable locations across Fiore was, at the very least, an interesting enough subject into which he could look. The second, and more important, reason was that he needed for the Magic Council to know who and how capable he was in order to raise the chances of them supporting his future explorations. Vincent's ritual that he had been planning since his job in the Silent Cemetery was just about complete after his collection of the proper materials from the Silent Glaciers. All he needed now was a proper location before he could successfully perform it.

Of course, he also wanted a reliable mage to accompany him on his expedition - one who was sufficiently powerful and one who didn't mind putting their lives at risk for a good payday. While that was essentially the description of a career mage, many wouldn't be able to work with someone who would kick in the bones of a skeleton just so that he could make sure the materials he was getting were the right ones. Already having someone in mind, he wanted to see her in action once more before presenting his 'business offer.' So, Vincent waited near the guild's job board until they inevitably crossed paths again. It was about a week after he'd returned her Siren card. "Hello again Elvira. First and foremost, we need a better way of communicating. Waiting around and hoping to bump into you isn't ideal. Second, I'm sure you've no doubt heard of the Magic Council calling on mages to investigate odd magic circles appearing around towns and villages. I plan on investigating one that has popped up three miles north of the hunting village in the hopes of getting on the Magic Council's good side. Would you care to join me?"

...

Soon enough, the airship that was the Crystal Swan guild hall dropped low to the ground to drop the duo off about where the magical circle was said to be. Once they were off, the guild hall floated back up above the clouds. It didn't take Vincent much looking before he found a giant black magical circle glowing on the ground. Vincent walked over to it and inspected the assortments of runes that sat between the outer two rings. His eyes widened and he backed away quickly. "We need to stand between this circle and the village. A lot of people don't think twice about the patters found within their magical circles, but they actually indicate what kind of magic that they're using. This magical circle has the markings of a summoning spell. I don't know what it's going to summon, but the black color suggests that it's going to be related in some way to dark magic." he said, positioning himself at the center of the circle.

"If you have some prolonged magical spell which has an area of effect, you'd probably want to center it on this magical circle. The size of the magical circle indicates that either many small creatures will be summoned, or one large creature." he said, changing into his new Magician's Robes and subsequently requipping his Wand of Storms. The wand would glow and the winds around him and Elvira would begin to pick up. He would activate the ability of his wand and create a column of cutting and powerful winds of radius thirty meters centered on him: the center of the magical circle. While the column wasn't quite big enough to cover the entirety of the magical circle, it would cut down the amount of creatures that he figured they'd have to deal with. "If you suddenly start feeling better than you normally do, don't worry. This winds that my wand summons replenish our vitality." he said, informing his partner of the secondary effect of his wand. After this, he made his way outside of his column of powerful air so that he stood between the magical circle and the village.

Note: Both Vincent and Elvira regenerate 7.5 HP per post

HP: 407.5
MP: 495
WC: 748
Total WC: 748

HP: 400/400
MP: 240/400

The Sword Princess: 6 Rounds Left
The Wandering Knight: 3 Hits Remaining
The Living Lacrima: +70% Spell Damage @King Zenshin, 6 Rounds Left
The Giant: +70% Physical Damage, 6 Rounds Left
The Alter: 8 Rounds Left
HP: 180/180

The member 'Elvira Arcade' has done the following action : Dice Rolls

---

'Monster Dice' :

Confusion was the only word that could be used to describe one's inability to comprehend various sources of sensory information. Unfortunately, though, confusion didn't even begin to describe Vincent's shock at the situation unfolding before him. Vincent assumed he was talking to Elvira and that she'd been spending a bit too much time indoors, but that assumption was challenged not more than a minute following his request. Another, identical Elvira, blew open the doors leading to the main portion of the guildhall and screamed at the Elvira in front of him. Judging from the pure energy emanating from the one who'd just entered the scene, Vincent concluded that the Elvira in front of him was some kind of copy of the one he'd meant to invite to the job. He also noticed that she, for one reason or another, wasn't wearing anything to cover her chest - prompting the wizard to look in the opposite direction and take a step away from the imposter.

The copy of the card mage ran as fast as it could, though Vincent posited that there was no one fast enough to outrun an angry Elvira. His assumption was strengthened by the fact that, in mere seconds, the Elvira he had meant to see tackled her imposter and wrestled her out of sight behind the bar. When Elvira emerged victorious, she acted as though nothing happened and nonchalantly asked if he needed something. He repeated his message and before he had the chance to ask about the imposter, iLacs, or Rin Mayou, Elvira grabbed him and rushed him out to the edge of the guildhall so that they may make their way to the mission site

...

Vincent was suspicious about the level of preparation that Elvira was taking. Does she know something that I don't? was his only real thought on the matter before she put a card in his hands and activated it. Instantly, Vincent could feel magical power coursing through his body that didn't belong to him, though could be used by him nonetheless. "Oh, I could get used to this" he thought aloud, waving his wand and pouring some of this new magical power into strengthening the winds within the cylinder of storms centered on the summoning circle. A lightning storm? What a nice coincidence he thought as rain began to come down lightly. Then, the summoning started.

Goblins... disgusting little creatures he thought as they appeared at random points inside the magical circle. The ones that were unlucky enough to get summoned within Vincent's wind column were swiftly cut up by the powerful winds. That said, many managed to get summoned outside of his column but still within the magical circle. Too many. "This isn't good Elvira. My magic isn't designed with large groups in mi..." he said, looking back at her and... her. I think I'm seeing double. He got a good look at both Elviras summoned a familiar glowing sword at the same time. It looks like she must have picked up a few new tricks since I last saw her in action Vincent concluded before watching them launch forward and dance through the horde. The two were gracefully cutting down the hideous monstrosities which were pouring from the magic circle at this point.

Vincent had only three real options for dealing with such a vast number of enemies. One of those options was already in play and seemingly doing a good job judging from the pile of goblins that were slowly covering the ground closer to the center of the magical circle. The second option was not very powerful, leaving him with one left. I suppose now's a good a time as any to test out this new armor he thought, requipping his wand of light. The winds that would heal him and his partner would cease. His twister, however, continued to rage - even in the absence of the wand that summoned it. The wizard would hold his wand up and small orbs of light would come into being in the air above him. Then, Vincent would bring down his wand and the twenty small orbs of light would come down at an angle, leaving a streak of bright light behind them as all twenty pierced through his desired targets.

The range of this spell was quite low, though thankfully its strength was boosted thanks to Elvira's earlier card granting him magical power. Vincent's robes glowed and he was soon covered head to toe in an armor fashioned in the style of Pergrande knights. He took a deep breath and released it. It worked. Thank goodness. Once again, he held his wand up and caused the lightning in the clouds to shoot more frequently. A large yellow magical circle could be seen in the black clouds above him, a magical circle that seemingly caused thunder to boom louder and lightning to shoot faster. In an instant, a massive lightning bolt shot down from the sky right at Vincent. It struck him and flashed like a star for a brief moment before the thunder inevitable followed, sounding throughout the air for miles. Lightning exploded like a wave outward from Vincent and towards the Elviras and the goblins. The wave would travel out fifty meters from the wizard who had called it down, taking with it anything that it touched which was hostile to him and his partners.  

HP: 407.5
MP: 380
WC: 901
Total WC: 1649

Warlock's Armor: 6 posts
Enchantment - Lightning Blitz: 6 posts
Magician's Robes: 11 posts
Wand of Light: 4 posts

HP: 347/400
MP: 195/400

The Living Lacrima: +70% Spell Damage @King Zenshin, 5 Rounds Left
The Giant: +70% Physical Damage, 5 Rounds Left

Vincent's explosion of lightning magic only temporarily slowed the advance of the goblins due to its massive area of effect. After the initial explosion, though, many more goblins continued to pour out of the magical circle. Whoever this magical circle was summoned by is some mage.... I've never seen anything quite like it. It's almost as if the goblins are coming out more frequently than they were before he thought as he pointed his wand and fired a magical bolt of light at one of the goblins, instantly ending its life. Vincent and Elvira were caught in an unwinnable situation. At the rate things were going, well, they would be lucky if the Hunting Village was the only casualty. Elvira's twin is gone and she's not doing too well herself. What to do, what to do he thought as he jumped backwards, retreating further in the direction of the village while still facing the goblin army.  


Soon after the loss of the mirror image, Elvira joined him in his retreat, never stopping her barrage of phantom arrows. "I....am....runnning. Out of ideas.... We need to close or destroy the summoning circle somehow." Her swordsmanship was impeccable, but she was still human. Their stamina was forever a finite resource that they needed to be careful about managing. "Yes. And I'm going to need your help. A sufficiently powerful burst of light magic should be able to counter the effects of the dark magic. Unfortunately, though, that requires me being at the center of the magical circle summoning these vile little things. I'm fast, but I'm not sure that I'll be able to clear a path without expending that very same light magic that I need to shut off the summoning circle." he said, crouching down and leaning forward. "Once we get into my twister we'll be relatively safe, but you're going to need to carve a path for us. Catch." he said, transforming his wand into a replica of the sword that she had been using and throwing it at Elvira. "It might not be a perfect replica, but it's the best I can do. Let's go." Vincent said before following closely behind Elvira and trying his best to avoid the attacks from the goblins on either side.

Supposing that the two magi managed to fight their way past the semi circle of goblins surrounding the magical summoning circle and into the ever raging twister, Vincent would take a breath. Before that run, his stamina was more or less completely full, but now it was nearly empty. He'd never run so quickly in his life. His armor was covered in goblin blood and his wand was nearly broken from all of the enemies it sliced through. Now, though, they were safe. Vincent snapped his fingers towards Elvira, causing his wand-sword to disappear from her hand reappear in his. The wizard held his wand up and a magical circle appeared underneath him and his deadly companion. The bright white magical circle was almost double the size of the summoning circle. In an instant, the black summoning circle disappeared and all that remained was the one that he had created. "You know..., I call this one 'Blessing.' The name... is quite fitting.... given the situation." he huffed. "We still have... the rest of the goblins to deal with...." he said to her as concisely as he could. While the two were safe within the twister, the goblins were still marching towards the village.

HP: 360
MP: 340
WC: 579
Total WC: 2228

Warlock's Armor: 5 posts
Enchantment - Lightning Blitz: 5 posts
Magician's Robes: 10 posts
Wand of Light: 3 posts
Blessing: 4 posts | 10 HP; 10 MP; 25% Physical & Spell Damage @Elvira Arcade

HP: 332/400
MP: 155/400

Finally... it's over. What a stressful assignment. I didn't expect so many little monsters to be summoned. he thought after Elvira had dealt with the last of the goblins assaulting the Hunting Village's defenses. Presently, Vincent was breathing heavily while flat on his back on the ground. His armor had dissipated, allowing him to intake the most oxygen possible. The exasperated wizard held his hand out and dragged a stream of water out of the ground, quickly purified it, and quickly moved the stream in front of his face so that he could drink it. He was too tired to carefully perform this feat of magic and thus didn't get the full effect from the healing spell, but he didn't really mind. All he wanted was a drink and some of his energy back. Vincent would spend the night sleeping on the dirt, for he was too tired to move and too tired to care.

Once the morning came around, the wizard awoke to the sound of metal being sharpened on rock. He was sleeping on some kind of cot. "I hope you don't mind, but after what you did for the village I couldn't just let you sleep on he ground, so I decided that you could use my bed." the young man said. "I appreciate that. Thank you." he replied, slowly standing up. Despite the burning sensation in his legs, Vincent managed to exit the tent and slowly make his way towards the center of the village. Looks like the hunter  was happy to have Elvira he thought, noticing his guild mate coming out of the tent of the man who tended her wounds. The village elder greeted them, thanked them, and then handed Elvira their payment. Well, she snatched their payment quickly when offered. "It was no problem, village elder. Just make try and get word to the Magic Council about our deeds here. We are Vincent and Elvira of Crystal Swan. If you ever need a couple of reliable solutions to magical problems, you know where to ask." he said, making sure that their reputation, but specifically his, would be known to the Magic Council. The village elder nodded happily and they were on their way. Before they made their way back to the guild, there were a couple of things Vincent had to ask Elvira given the success of their mission.

"I'll get right to it Elvira. First, you know how to use a weapon and I need to learn how. I'm essentially defenseless once all my magic has been exhausted and that needs to change lest I find myself alone in a situation like we ran into today. I wanted to ask if you would teach my how to handle a sword. Second, after our little act of heroism here, I feel like the Magic Council's division of research won't be opposed to funding an expedition I have in mind and I suspect that their funding will be more than generous. The expedition will be dangerous and I need someone like you to drastically increase the likelihood of success, would you be interested? Finally, what are your thoughts on the formation of a team? I doubt the expedition is the last business venture that I'll need your assistance with, so I figure it would be mutually beneficial for us to form one."

WC: 553
Total WC: >2000