The Snake And The Beast Prompt #20 Duel

The Snake and the Beast Prompt #20 Duel

Wanted to get some more practice writing combat, these are both two OC's, one mine and the other a friend's.

The two warriors clashed, the steel of the two weapons ringing out across the battlefield. One man armored and towering warrior, obviously a roegadyn from stature and build alone. A massive axe rested firmly in his hands as he backed off a step after that past clash. His face was unreadable however as a knight’s helm completely covered his features. His armor was unmarked and unremarkable however that was to be the point. It was a masked duel, two powerful combatants from different sides of the realm brought together to fight one another. And this was just one of many. The other combatant was a viper, quick and precise with their movements to always keep just barely out of the warrior’s reach before rushing back in to land a few blows. He wore garb fitting that of a viper, quick and nimble in design. A mixture of genuine clothing and armor formed the viper’s garb whilst a mask covered his face. Though it was easy to see that he was an Au Ra by both the two horns coming from out of the sides of the mask and the tail, swishing around rapidly to keep up with the vipers movements. 

That exchange had proven near deadly for the viper as it had nearly given the warrior enough time to actually get his hands on him. But thankfully the viper managed to disengage just in time. The warrior lunged forward swinging his axe out but all it caught was thin air. The viper was quick, too quick for the warrior to handle but he had a solution. If you can’t hit your target, just aim for everywhere. The warrior brought his axe high above his head before slamming it directly into the ground causing the ground to quack and the area around him to crack and lift up, the force of the blow catching the viper in a dodge and causing them to lose balance, falling to the ground. The warrior brought his axe in a low sweep to attempt to chop at the viper however he found one sword in the axe’s path and another darting for his chest. 

A heavy gauntlet gripped the blade, a grim smile on the roegadyn’s face behind the visor. The runes on the gauntlet protected him partially however he still felt the magical blade cutting through his armor and slicing up his hand. The warrior did not particularly care. The warrior had to move his hand from his axe to catch the blade and so the viper sent the warrior’s axe directly out of his hand. Normally this would be horrible for the warrior but for once, he had a plan. With a heave he lifted the viper up by his own blade, the viper refusing to let go of one of the two weapons which allowed him to fight the way he did. For most parties being launched into the air would be disorienting and staggering, but for the viper who’s reflexes were as quick as a blink, it wasn’t much to worry about. The viper lashed out in a blisteringly fast assault, his other blade arcing out from the side aimed directly for the warrior’s throat, however the warrior enacted his own plan at the same time. As the viper’s blade flew up to slice at the warrior’s throat, the warrior’s gauntleted hand grasped at the throat of the viper and in one swift motion both parties let loose their death blows. 

The blade chopped into the warrior’s throat and the viper’s body was slammed directly into the ground. If this had been a real fight, a true duel out on the battlefield, the viper’s throat would be crushed, and the warrior would find it hard to move without a head. However this was simply a duel nothing more, and thankfully their weapons and armor were both designed to protect each individual from particularly fatal blows. However, finishing blows had still been landed and so the battle was declared a draw. A cacophony of boos and cheers resounded out from the crowd, some exhilarated from the fight that they had just witnessed, others confused by the outcome, and some utterly fuming due to their coffers now being significantly light after a particularly hefty bet on one of the two fighters.

Da Plan

Five men stood around a table, all of their views pointed towards one large sheet of paper, what seemed to be a map. The roegadyn at the head of the table, a captain’s hat upon his head, nodded and looked towards his compatriots, “The bank is right here, there are three entrances here, here, and here.” The captain explained simply, “Mammoth, you’re to make a distraction, I know you’re tough enough to start a good fight yeah?” Ulfnar asked his nephew, to which a wide smile formed on the marauder’s face.

“You know it uncle, if there’s anyone on this here ship who can get into a good ol’ fashioned scrap it’s Mammoth Mitch! Imma guessing this is to distract those guards at the front yeah?” The young roegadyn asked rhetorically. 

“You guessed right yeah, but I’m needing this to be a real big on Mammoth. Four-no maybe five combatants total, really get the whole guard involved you understand? Next up is Emmanfaulin, You’re to set yourself up on the rooftop over here and provide us covering fire on our escape but that’s not all, there’s this nasty alarm on the wall, you’re to shoot it out with whatever you prefer, powder or arrow will get the job done.” The elezen made no comment as he simply nodded, making sure to note exactly which rooftop it is.

“That just leaves me, Pip, and Swaine,” Ulfnar said rubbing his chin before turning his view towards the hyur who was his trusted quartermaster, and the lalafell who had a knack for grifting things that most others would struggle with. “Swaine, you and me will go through the front, normally they require id checks but thanks to Mammoth they’ll be distracted breaking up the fight. Pip you sneak in through this window here and make your way to the back of the bank.” At this the lalafell got a slightly nervous expression across his face.

“You’re to say I’m going in alone boss?” Pip asked, which was a relatively fair question all things considered. He was a good thief but he wasn’t perfect, if something went wrong then he would have few escape options.

“Nah nah nah I wouldn’t do that to ya Pip, that’s what me and Swaine are for, we’re to provide back up if it gets messy at all. All you gotta do is sneak on back there and snatch that gem right out from under their noses! By the time the guards break up the fight they won’t even be able to notice that the gem was taken, a right genius plan if you ask me!” The captain said, a look of pride upon his face at his crafting of this plan. “Mammoth you back out of the fight after a bit and meet up with us down the third street from the bank, there Rodrey will be waiting for us there with our transport to get us away from there and back to the ship. By the time those Garlean dogs notice it’s gone I’ll be ringin’ up our buyer!” A sneer formed on the captain’s face, the plan was great in his honest opinion. Not too complicated, but not too simple either, makes it so everyone gets out safe besides Mammoth who might get a few bumps or bruises but he’s keen for it. Always has been. Now all they needed to do was put the plan into action and the crew would be rich.

Overcomplicating a Simple Thing

The warrior Mammoth Mitch, the Maelstrom captain Ryssrael Bloedornwyn, and the merchant Boey Wildread stood in front of an ancient stone door. They had journeyed into some ruins that they found in the dense forest of Yak T’el but they were separated from the rest of their group in the ensuing trip. The ruins seemed to be a maze of sorts and that is where they got separated, some odd manner of trap door had split the two Roegadyns and the Au Ra from the rest of the party. 

Now the two warriors and scholar stood in front of this ancient door, obviously housing some form of treasure if one had to guess. On one wall of the door sat one appeared to be a wall painting of an old Mamool Ja’n prayer ritual, the painting was very detailed to the point that the two could even tell the time of day of the ritual. It had entailed a myriad of different materials however the most important seemed to be a hammer, one of the many meteors dotting the lands of Yak T’el, and a raised dais to open it on. Through context clues one could tell that breaking these meteors opened seemed to be a sort of good omen, maybe it would bring luck. 

On the opposite side of the room was this large statue of some sort, in front of it sat a raised pedestal. The two Roegadyns and Au Ra stared at the room and of course the first thing attempted was when Mammoth walked up to the door and tried to open it. Of course it didn’t budge at all. “Nah nah nah, you’re doing it all wrong Mitch!” The captain walked up to the door and also shoved it, the door still not budging at all. To this the more analytical Au Ra stepped up, observing the statue. 

“Well we probably have to do something with this statue honestly, it seems to be movable, perhaps we have to recreate the ritual to proceed?” However Boey’s musings fell on deaf ears as he heard some arguing from behind him.

“No you did it wrong too, that ain’t how you push!” Mammoth replied, shoving the door again and it still not budging.

“Oh come on, who taught ye how to push? Yer nan?!” Ryss exclaimed before also shoving the door again. 

“Guys come on, clearly the door isn’t gonna just open from forcing it, you know the saying, two heads are better than one. . . or three in this case I suppose huh?”

“By the twelve Boey you’re a genius!” Mitch shouted, to which the Au Ra simply nodded at the compliment, before Mammoth looked at Ryss, “Ok on three alright!” The captain nodded in recognition. 

“Wait wait, what are you guys doing!?” Boey asked before turning to stare at the two who currently had a very determined look on their faces.

“Alright one, two. . . and three!” And both of the Roegadyns threw their massive bodies into the door, there was an odd sound, like a pulley or chain straining under a large weight. After about a moment the two Roegadyns staggered forward through the door, almost falling on both of their faces. 

“Oh you’ve gotta be kidding me, of course that bloody worked. . .” Boey was less than pleased with the result, but of course he couldn’t complain about the results. He shook his head and followed after his two companions.

Shades of the Past, Present, and Future Prompt #21 Shade

This is an au where there are multiple warriors of light, nothing else to say besides that.

Alaric sat, a deep and tired sigh coming from his lips. He had been sent out to the Sangolli desert to hunt down this rare monster, this thing’s saliva was said to have healing properties and so Alaric rushed out here to try and find it. But it had been nearly an hour and the old man was exhausted, so he sat. He managed to find some respite from the battering sun in the shade of an old structure previously buried in the sand. He pulled free his water skin and had a drink and as he did so he began to think. This structure that he know simply used as protection from the sun was once a great building of sorts probably from some great civilization now long gone. Probably Allagans statistically speaking though it could be any old group who once called this place home.

It made Alaric wonder just how long until someone was using the remains of the Gold Saucer perhaps as shade from blistering heat. That den of avarice and waste, it honestly pissed him off just by principle alone. It was just so much and for no good reason though Alaric was not its target audience evidently so what did he know? 

A light chuckle escaped his lips as his mind continued to move in this direction. The city states were great and powerful but there had been several occasions where their destruction was nearly assured, had it not been for those warriors of light. They were. . . interesting, tales told of their great deeds but now they’re off galavanting about on another continent, not all too interested with the safety of their home. Though with travel being what it is, Alaric mused, perhaps they can do a little exploring. Alaric let out another laugh, he was an adventurer, technically if the realm came to harm once more it would be his job to help out, that would be something wouldn’t it? This wrinkly old black mage standing strong and defiant against the forces of evil, yeah sure. Alaric took another swig from his waterskin before looking off to the side and almost choking on his water. 

The creature was probably around forty feet away, it had just surfaced by the sand still falling off it’s body, Alaric looked up to see that the sun had begun to set though it was still hot as Ifrit’s bathhouse. Well now that he had spotted the creature, that meant Alaric’s break was over. He had time to think about him being some “hero” later, he had work to do.

Da Plan

Five men stood around a table, all of their views pointed towards one large sheet of paper, what seemed to be a map. The roegadyn at the head of the table, a captain’s hat upon his head, nodded and looked towards his compatriots, “The bank is right here, there are three entrances here, here, and here.” The captain explained simply, “Mammoth, you’re to make a distraction, I know you’re tough enough to start a good fight yeah?” Ulfnar asked his nephew, to which a wide smile formed on the marauder’s face.

“You know it uncle, if there’s anyone on this here ship who can get into a good ol’ fashioned scrap it’s Mammoth Mitch! Imma guessing this is to distract those guards at the front yeah?” The young roegadyn asked rhetorically. 

“You guessed right yeah, but I’m needing this to be a real big on Mammoth. Four-no maybe five combatants total, really get the whole guard involved you understand? Next up is Emmanfaulin, You’re to set yourself up on the rooftop over here and provide us covering fire on our escape but that’s not all, there’s this nasty alarm on the wall, you’re to shoot it out with whatever you prefer, powder or arrow will get the job done.” The elezen made no comment as he simply nodded, making sure to note exactly which rooftop it is.

“That just leaves me, Pip, and Swaine,” Ulfnar said rubbing his chin before turning his view towards the hyur who was his trusted quartermaster, and the lalafell who had a knack for grifting things that most others would struggle with. “Swaine, you and me will go through the front, normally they require id checks but thanks to Mammoth they’ll be distracted breaking up the fight. Pip you sneak in through this window here and make your way to the back of the bank.” At this the lalafell got a slightly nervous expression across his face.

“You’re to say I’m going in alone boss?” Pip asked, which was a relatively fair question all things considered. He was a good thief but he wasn’t perfect, if something went wrong then he would have few escape options.

“Nah nah nah I wouldn’t do that to ya Pip, that’s what me and Swaine are for, we’re to provide back up if it gets messy at all. All you gotta do is sneak on back there and snatch that gem right out from under their noses! By the time the guards break up the fight they won’t even be able to notice that the gem was taken, a right genius plan if you ask me!” The captain said, a look of pride upon his face at his crafting of this plan. “Mammoth you back out of the fight after a bit and meet up with us down the third street from the bank, there Rodrey will be waiting for us there with our transport to get us away from there and back to the ship. By the time those Garlean dogs notice it’s gone I’ll be ringin’ up our buyer!” A sneer formed on the captain’s face, the plan was great in his honest opinion. Not too complicated, but not too simple either, makes it so everyone gets out safe besides Mammoth who might get a few bumps or bruises but he’s keen for it. Always has been. Now all they needed to do was put the plan into action and the crew would be rich.

A Bad Dream Prompt #25 Perpetuity

Mammoth Mitch leaned against the balcony of the Drowning Wench, his view directed outwards to the open sea. A sense of nostalgia always came back to him whenever he looked out onto the open sea, of far simpler days, working with his uncle and the rest of the lads. It had been nearly seven years since his uncle passed and he quit being a pirate but he always still missed it. Mammoth’s reminiscing was quickly cut off by a hollering of his name, as if on que Mitch saw an old and familiar face. “Holy hells is that you Swaine?” Mitch asked, stepping away from the balcony, looking at his old quartermaster. Swaine was an aging Miqo’te who never really associated with any particular clan, from appearances he was a seeker of the sun but just like the rest of the crew he never really fit in there. 

“I’m just as shocked as you friend, what are you doing here anyways? Shouldn’t you be off saving the star or whatever in the seven hells it is that you do. . .” Swaine took the spot next to Mitch on the balcony. 

Mitch waved the comment off, “Yeah yeah, I decided to take a wee break and no spot better than the Drowning Wench aye? Our old spot to celebrate our hauls. . .” Mammoth sighed, he wasn’t meaning to go on a trip down memory lane but what choice did he have now.

“So anyways you're still doing that adventuring gig or whatever yeah?” Swaine asked, leaning against the balcony, looking into the tavern. “I’ve settled down meself, got a wife who’s expecting, I still work of course. Salvaging jobs mostly but it’s good clean work.” Swaine explained taking a sip from a flagon in his hand.

“Yep, and I don’t got no plans on stopping either!” Mitch said simply, but to this Swaine gave him an odd glance.

“Honestly, I think you could use a job change, you know? I mean you’ve saved the star like four times now, you’ve done more than enough for these people. You should settle down soon Mitch.” 

“I’m being honest here, I’m not sure I could settle down now, not knowing what I can do to help people you know?” 

“Yeah but eventually you gotta stop, you can’t go gallivanting around the realm in perpetuity you know. Eventually you gotta put the axe down and build a life. Have you even spoken to your mother yet?”

That hit the roegadyn deeper than most blades could have, “Hey Swaine, what are you saying?” Mitch asked defensively, “I’m taking my time, like I said I’m a warrior of light I don’t have time for stuff like that, not right now at least. . .” 

“What I’m saying is that everyone grieved Captain Ulfnar, but afterwards we settled down, we all almost died and realized that we should take things slow. . . but you, you went harder! Eventually it’ll catch up with you and you’ll end up just like the captain, he didn’t know when to quit either!” The miqo’te shouted, now facing Mammoth and stepping closer. 

“Hey just leave me be! It’s my life ain’t it? So I get to choose how I live it, and Uncle Ulfnar too! He chose to give his life for us, and you all just quit! I picked myself back up and fought those garlean dogs until they were done!” An anger was building in the Roegadyn, but not like any he had seen before. His battle rage was pure anger, targeted at his opponents, but this was different. This anger was ugly, it made him scared, what this anger made him think. 

“Oh sure it is until you end up getting someone else killed! At some point you gotta grow up Mitch, you can’t fight forever you know that! You’re gonna get old and washed up and it’ll get you or someone close to you killed if you don’t stop soon!” 

Mitch’s mind was currently racing as to why his friend was acting like this but honestly it simply scared him, Swaine’s words were not without merit and that fact terrified the Roegadyn deeply. So much so that the normally courageous and steadfast warrior took a step back away from his past comrade. Just as he took that step he found himself sailing over the balcony and towards the water and the rocks that dotted the bottom of the tower that they found themselves upon.

Mammoth awoke with a gasp, drenched in a cold sweat. Where was he? What was that? Oh right, he was in the inn in Tural. Mammoth threw himself out of bed and began to get ready for the day. That had just been a bad dream, nothing more. But still as the Roegadyn got dressed the words of his old comrade still rang through his head, and it made a shudder run through his body.