It only took the shaman a few minutes to reach the town beside Sarne. He joined the town's guard in gathering folks to evacuate while Taki strode through town amidst the chaos looking for the largest door. It wasn't hard to spot, a large storehouse of some kind in the town square. She walked over to the door and the posted guard directing folks.

"Good Ser, might I borrow your door? It will save lives much faster than trying to take to open ground."

"Who are you?"

"Shitakibo, an adventurer sent to help."

"... Are you the 'Spirit of Life'?"

"That is correct."

"Please Miss Shitakibo..."

"Taki is fine, let's get folks safe. I'll be opening this door now, keep folks back while I retrieve some help, then usher them through. Be sure to shut it behind you, we'll retrieve everyone once we've had a chance to handle this... Fair warning, your destination is my home in the Crescent Isles."

"Yes, ma'am. I'll see everyone out of your way... thank you for this."

"That's my job."

The guard pressed the crowd for room while Taki walked over to the large wooden doors. She pulled an ornate key from her robe and pressed it against the heavy wooden beam. A moment later, a keyhole appeared and she inserted it, turning the key until it clicked¹. As the doors parted, the scents and sounds of the Crescent Isles flooded out. Poking her head through the portal, she shouted across the courtyard for Shuchu. A moment later, the heavy thudding of their bulky steps could be heard approaching as the golem passed through the doorway.

Standing about seven feet tall, the golem's latest form comprised of a central core, with four limbs equally spaced around the body. These were segmented similar to insectoid legs, though it's joints were similar to mammalian design. Hanging below the core were a pair of longer, thinner limbs that ended in four dexterous manipulators which housed a variety of tools for lighter tasks. This would be Shuchu's first outing since their redesign, so both golem and shaman were cautiously eager to see how things would go.

She directed the golem towards the gate after summoning a pair of Flame Sprites² to protect them. The guards were quick to make a path for the Shuchu to get to the gate, while getting the townspeople ready to evacuate. People started filing through the gate as soon as the way was clear, starting with children, elderly and the injured.

---

The summoned Hydra took aim again, watching the Ticks' movement carefully as they charged towards town. Each head lobbed another flaming projectile³ into the coming hordes, concentrating their fire on the closest target. The creature squealed as it was engulfed in magma and melted into a putrid, burning goop.

Shuchu cleared the gate, storming through like a rampaging steed in a rush to stop the oncoming tide. The golem scanned the area, spotting the Hydra engaging Ticks and Sarne rallying the guards. They moved into position, taking up a place closer to the gate on the opposite side of the Hydra. Each of the Flame Sprites accompanying the golem fired a flaming bolt⁴, though they hadn't been led enough and splashed into the snowy ground to throw up a plume of steam.

---

1: House Key [Opening to Workshop, leading into the courtyard]
2: Summon: Flame Sprite x2 [Overwhelming Magic]
3: Magma Hydra [Overwhelming Magic, 2/5 Duration]
4: Flame Sprite Shots, misses

Shaman Taki never stopped surprising Sarne he had no idea that she could make a portal. This gave Sarne even more hope to help the people of this village. He now knew with no doubt he could hold the line. with some surprises set in the show, the Ticks were in for a time of misery. He watched as 10 of the Ticks broke off and attacked the east side of the village. Sarne and the 4 worriers behind him are armed with spears.

When the Ticks got within medium range Sarne lowered and pointed his sword at the incoming Ticks. [1] Sarne celestial features start to show. Sarne's blond hair turned to silver color. It shines like metal. Sarne's eyes change to a piercing gold. [2] An aura of energy begins to radiate from Sarne, filling your allies with hope and strength. Sarnes's presents begin to inspire those around him to continue fighting, filling them with the will to have no fear. their strength grows in them. The men behind Sarne yell a battle cry. and ready their spears for the slot of Ticks coming at them.

[3] Sarne's sword starts to have an energy of gold light crackle over the blade as it builds up to a bright golden light. The crackling gold light shoots out and into the oncoming ticks, it goes through three of them bringing a hole through them with a flash of ambers rising from the holes. They tumble and convulse in the snow. [4] a few Ticks tried to come another way to attack Sarne's side. There was an explosion of fire and light. The three ticks were stunned and on fire.


[1] Holy Avenger
[2]Inspiring Presence
[3] Paladin's Blade beam
[4] Welcome to the Jungle pre set Traps 1/3

One nice part about a small, isolated town was it's relatively small populus. The group managed to evacuate within a few minutes of the opening gates, so Taki shut the doors and dismissed the magical effect. She wouldn't need worry after the evacuees, as her companions were more than capable of hosting the small group. As things wrapped up, she accompanied the other guards towards the gate.

---

Meanwhile, the gate leading into town was shut and barred with a sturdy timber. Shuchu moved forward from the gate, climbing a short hill for a better vantage. Together with the Hydra, the pair created a zone of fire to funnel the creatures into other awaiting defenses. Another pair of Sprites¹ appeared to accompany the first, the quartet hovering and bobbing in a ring around Shuchu's main body. A trio of flaming Hydra shots² drove a pair of ticks deeper into the funnel, one catching a graze across the upper part of it's carapace.

As the clicking, screeching horrors flooded into the trapped zone, they were met with four lancing bolts of flame³. Shuchu had chosen their spot well, and each shot scored a hit on a Tick towards their side. It wasn't enough to put any individuals out of the fight, but the disarray it caused the group of creatures more than made up for it. They hissed in protest, faced with withering flame from two sides and being driven into the waiting and hastily prepared guards. Sarne too was making short work of their numbers as the hungry horde came for it's feast.

---

1: Summon: Flame Sprite x2 [Overwhelming Magic, Remote Casting Platform]
2: Spirit Summon: Magma Hydra [Overwhelming Magic, 3/5 Duration]
3: Flame Sprite Shots x4 [Overwhelming Magic]

As the ticks made their way closer they paused. It did not take a lot of intelligence to know things were not going as the ticks had instinctively planned. As their numbers at first were diminished they just replaced the fallen Ticks. Sarne and Shaman Taki were holding the Ticks back cutting the numbers down slowly.

Screech was diving on them and letting out its screams of fear scattering the Ticks and even getting one and flying high into the air and dropping it onto the ice and breaking the Tick's shells. They splattered across the ice.

[1] a few Ticks charged Sarne. There was an explosion of fire and light. The ticks were on fire disoriented running into one other. [2] Sarne called a beam of light, pure energy cascading down from the sky. This light covered a medium-sized area, filling it with light. The light burned the Ticks inside of it, scorching their shells and causing them to take damage. The group of Ticks started to burn like the sun was touching them. Flame and embers started to rise as the Ticks screamed and were consumed by the fiery light.

Sarne looked behind him at the warriors "Go! get out of here go with your people now!" Sarne ordered. the warriors hesitated at first looking frustrated they did not want to go. Sarne gave them a look that would make anything want to run away. They yelled and threw their spears killing a Tick before running through the portal door.

Sarne gave a sinister smile. Sarne wears a symbol or sigil portraying his influence. This can come in the form of a symbol worn on Sarne's cloak. His mark is a form of recognition of his power it glowed. The Power Sarne wielded emanates from this mark, instilling fear in those around him. The fear aura pulsates out from Sarne, allowing Sarne to exert his influence and fear. The Tick's unable to move towards Sarne or attack him.

Sarne used that time [4] he charged the last few there in front of Sarne. Cutting them down his sword seemed to slice right threw the ticks with little effort. As the Tick's blood poured onto the ground. Sarne moved through them slicing each one almost cutting off their heads with one swing of his sword. The last Tick got a good thrust on Sarne throwing him back but his Cuirass Phantom Plate saved him from being mortally injured.

He stood there breathing heavily exhausted from the fight. Sarne looked back at where Taki was. He looked at the Tick. It was about to charge Sarne when it was taken by Screech swiftly into the air and dropped in the ice.

Sarne ran to Taki looking around for anyone else. "I think it is time Shaman Taki! let us get out of here before more show up," shouted Sarne over the noise of battle.



[1] Welcome to the Jungle pre-set Traps 3/3
[2] Piercing Light / Holy Avenger
[3] Looming Fear
[4] Holy Avenger / Paladin's Blade / Cyran's Haunting Blade + Gerhart's Final Strike / Bulls Strength

"A wise plan indeed, make for the warehouse in the town square. We'll signal the retreat and meet you there." Taki replied, turning to the captain, who hoisted a signal horn to his lips and blasted out three quick notes in succession. A moment later, it was echoed from the various guard stations and the group was moving in unison. The shaman always did admire well trained coordination, even strived for it with her own companions. Ahead of the coming tide, she swiftly made her way across town.

Dismissing the Hydra's effect¹, Shuchu understood the signal was to retreat. The big golem quickly clamored into town, carefully stepping through the gate and allowing the guards space to move below. Taki could feel the coming tide of bodies in her feet as they all funneled into the center of town. She walked over to the large warehouse door and pulled the ornate House Key from her cloak once more. Placing it against the wooden panel, a keyhole appeared, which fit the key with a soft clicking. Turning the key², the door slid open to reveal the shaman's home, it's vibrantly colored courtyard and sturdy cedar beamed buildings.

"Injured first, don't push or delay if you please." She instructed, chaperoning the remaining folk through the door. After the injured went through, those remaining filed in.

"Go on Sarne, you too."

---

1: Spirit Summoning: Magma Hydra [Dismissed]
2: House Key [Opening to the Courtyard, through the Workshop]