Civilization

"What do we have here, Ian?" - Stellar

Plopping the unconscious lizardman in front of Stellar and Noah, I let out a small sigh as I realise what will be happening in the upcoming days.

"Wait, Stella. I think I can answer that for you. Hmm… It looks like a reptile… Yes, yes. Male reptile humanoid. Hmm… Quite tall and muscular. It-" Noah

"Noah." - Stellar

"Sorry. There has been so many serious things to deal with, I haven't had much of a break." - Noah

"Haha, it's fine, Noah. I found it and a small group of them in the river that eventually will lead to Everbloom. Which means there will most likely be more of them in the coming days. I plan to intercept them first, and attack them on their journey to Everbloom rather than fight a defensive battle." - Ian

"But you don't even know where you need to go. These monsters could have traveled days upon end to get to here. There shouldn't be a need for you to travel so far out when we should be solidifying our forces here." - Stellar

"On the contrary to that thought, Stellar. I think we are doing quite okay even with the new influx of people. There are more than enough tasks for those who are just wandering around between all 3 villages. Even more for us who are residents of each respective village. There are tons to do, but that doesn't mean we need everyone here. A few gone for a scouting mission won't be missed. So, who will you be taking with you?" - Noah

"I'm thinking Solar, Frank and Gyumi. Just us 4 should be more than enough." - Ian

Looking at me with a face of disbelief, Stellar shakes her head and firmly refused.

"How can the 4 of you be enough? You should take more people. At least a few of the Forest Warden's with you." - Stellar

"No, I want to move in a small group. Plus, Frank is technically an army on his own. I'm excited to see how much he has grown with his newfound powers." - Ian

With that, the decision had been made. Stellar shook her head as if she was still reluctant about my departure, but ultimately called the Wardens to relay the rendezvous with Solar, Frank, and Gyumi. Noah, on the other hand, just shrugged his shoulder with a slight smile, as if he knew this was going to be the end result. During the time I waited for them to arrive, I decided to walk around Everbloom and take a moment to relax.

An hour or so later, the whole team had arrived at Everbloom, and they were sporting different equipment than before, then again, I haven't seen some of them for a while. Dressed in an emerald robe with bronze highlights and bright yellow engravings, Solar smiles gently in my direction, while holding onto a long wooden staff with a red jewel at the end. Next to her, in tanned leather armor from head to toe with a forest green scarf wrapped around her neck, is Gyumi. Sparks zap across her pupils as she nods toward me. Finally, Frank dressed in all black with tight fitted leather armor, and a black cloak with a blood-red underside.

Name: Ǝɿiɒloƨ (Solar) 

Race: Elf

Health Points (HP): 80/80

Mana Points (MP): 50/50

Strength: 15

Vitality: 40

Intelligence: 100

Dexterity: 15

Agility: 25

Luck: 15

Skill: Shield of the Sun, Haste of the Sun, Touch of the Sun, Ball of Light, Illuminating Beam, Radiant Cross, Wooden Pillar, Elven Arrow, Elemental Gathering, Blessing of the Sun (P), Grace of the Forest (P)

Name: Frank

Race: Vampire Variant (Psychic)

Health Points (HP): 100/100

Mana Points (MP): 40/40

Demonic Energy (DE): 20/20

Strength: 35

Vitality: 50

Intelligence: 80

Dexterity: 39

Agility: 52

Luck: 11

Skill: Mind Blast, Soul Leech, Walk of Shadows, Bat Transformation, Blood Pool, Whiplash, Bronze Skin (P), Vampiric Offspring (P), Taste of Blood (P), Belial's Gift (P), Dark Gathering (P)

Name: Gyumi

Race: Variant Hobgoblin (Electric)

Health Points (HP): 96/96

Mana Points (MP): 44/44

Strength: 46

Vitality: 48

Intelligence: 88

Dexterity: 56

Agility: 78

Luck: 12

Skill: Backstep, Discharge, Electrical Pulse, Lightning Bolt, Thunderous Storm, Thunderclap, Zip Dash, Electric Field (P), Breath of Lightning (P), Speed of Light (P)

Radiant Cross (Active) 25MP - Create a 5x3m cross made out of light to inflict 500(+120% Int). Cooldown 30 min.

Wooden Pillar (Active) 5MP - A wooden pillar of 1x1x10m will emerge out of the ground. Anyone struck will take 100(+80%Int). Cooldown 1min.

Eleven Arrow (Active) 10% Maximum MP - Shoot an enchanted arrow made out of light and the will of the elves. It will pierce through most objects and deal 5% of their maximum HP. Cooldown 1 hour.

Elemental Gathering (Active) 10MP - Gather the most prominent elemental power in the surroundings within or around the user. Duration 1 hour. Cooldown 6 hours.

Grace of the Forest (Passive) - While inside a forest, the user will gain temporary power. All stats +10%. 

Blood Pool (Active) 10% Maximum HP and 10% Maximum MP - Become a pool of blood that can move around slowly. Duration 5 min. Cooldown 3 hours.

Whiplash (Active) 5MP - Create a black translucent whip made out of Mana. Striking an enemy will deal 100(+50% Str and 80% Int). Striking an ally will give them a temporary boost in stats (+10% Str and +10% Agi) for the remaining duration of this skill. Duration 15 mins. Cooldown 30 mins.

Dark Realm Gathering (Passive) - Create a space in a different dimension for any Vampiric Offspring. 

Lightning Bolt (Active) 5MP - Shoot a bolt of electricity in the direction of the user's hand. The bolt of electricity will spark around, damaging anything within a 1x1m radius from the point of impact for 100(+50% Int). Cooldown 10 min. 

Thunderous Storm (Active) 25MP - Create a storm cloud above the user's head with a maximum radius of 10x10m. It will periodically shoot lightning down around the user. Anything hit by the lightning has a 50% chance to be stunned and take 300(+100%int) damage. Cooldown 3 hours.

Thunderclap (Active) 10MP - Release a sound wave around the user to deal 50(+80% Int). Cooldown 5 mins.

Zip Dash (Active) 5MP - Blink in a direction for a maximum of 5m, and upon arrival a burst of electricity will be produced dealing 100(+10%int). Cooldown 1min.

Breath of Lightning (Passive) - Any lightning based damage will only do half their intended damage to the user.

Speed of light (Passive) - Each time the user uses a lightning based skill, gain 10% Agility for a total of 5 times. If the user gets hit or damaged, remove all Speed of Light stacks.

"How is everyone, I know it is a little late, but I'm sure none of you are too tired right?" - Ian

"The night is usually when I go out on patrols, so this is pretty normal for me." - Gyumi

"I wasn't doing too much before coming here, so I'm fine as well. I'm excited about a new adventure, though." - Solar

"Things have been fine, my lord." - Frank

Nodding back to everyone, smile and introduce them to the task at hand.

"Alright, I asked Stellar to give you a brief overview upon asking for everyone's help, but I will go through it once more. I believe that Everbloom may be attacked soon, and if we get attacked at Everbloom then HavenFall and Krepost will be in danger. To reduce as much of the potential danger as possible, I will need us to seek out the source of danger first. 

From whom has currently tried to attack us, the lizardmen, I believe it is safe to assume, that they are going to be traveling via the river. If we follow the river, I'm sure we will find out who are our attackers. We are going to be a small group, but I believe we are more than enough to deal with the potential situations that will arise. Are we ready?" - Ian

"Yes, my lord." - Solar, Frank, Gyumi

"Alright, then here is the strategy I have thought of for our travel. However, before that, I do need to ask Frank something." - Ian

"What do you need my lord?" - Frank

"How many Vampiric Offspring are currently under your command?" - Ian

"At the moment, I have about 20. With 5 of them being Elite Vampiric Offspring." - Frank

"Elite, you say… Good. Then we should be fine. I will need you to send out the fastest of your Vampiric Offspring to scout along the river first. They will be the scouting party, and their task will be to identify any and all potential dangers. Have 2 on our right and left at all times, and have another 5 behind us. The rest can stay with you. 

Gyumi, you will be above us in the trees. While you won't be near the river as much as we are, your task will be to be our eyes, in case something approaches us, and Frank's Vampiric Offspring does not catch them. Solar, and Frank will be on standby until battle or until we need to rest." - Ian

"Yes, my Lord. Appear! Heed my command… Spread out and be our eyes and ears." - Frank

With Frank summoning his army of Vampiric Offspring, the rest of us start to head out, following the river.