text; un: feal (forward-dated to the 17th)

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran has had some thoughts about the fallout of the Circle's experiments, and how he wouldn't have been able to do much to help that night even if he hadn't been occupied with something else. He's lucky that neither of his bonds were hurt in any lasting way, but... what about the next time danger shows up? Is he just supposed to cower at home and wait because fairies are a fragile species, especially against the Cwyld? It doesn't feel right to him.]

I'm looking for some suggestions on learning to fight. Long-range, if at all possible. I can't use magic, and none of the powers I have access to can be used offensively.

[He'll get some ideas on that later, but it's not really a weapon, per se.]

I was thinking about archery, but I don't know how easy it would be to pull a bow out in an emergency or anything. Do they have collapsible bows here? [Better not ramble too much on his thoughts, though.]

I'm basically a beginner with any kind of weapon, but I'm willing to put in the work. If anyone has ideas or can point me to somewhere I can learn, I'd appreciate it.

Comments

[darkestbefore]

[ Gasp! Something she can actually help with! ]

I can help you learn archery, if that's what you wish to try? It's a good place to start, especially if you're not familiar with weapons in general. I started the same way.

[noblegarnet]

It can't hurt to give it a shot, at least.

[Like he'd say no to an opportunity to spend time with Yona.]

How long ago did you start? [Her skill was pretty impressive in that dream, and it's part of what drew him to the idea.]

un: tdfsh

[prettyrocks]

you could get a crossbow!
I think they make real little ones you can use one handed.

oh oh oh
you could get two crossbows! one for each hand!

[noblegarnet]

I think even with a small crossbow, I'd have trouble carrying two around.

[One would be plenty, surely...]

It's a thought, though. Have you used one before?

[prettyrocks]

okay yeah maybe two would be overkill.

no, I've always had magic, so I never really used weapons. if I ever needed a weapon, I could just hit somebody with my staff.
and besides, I traveled with other people who did have weapons.
the smartest thing an adventurer can do is to pair up with someone who can cover their weaknesses.

[noblegarnet]

Right. It's important to have something you can do in the first place, though.

[He's all for teaming up! Most... of the time. He was really stupid about it early on into gaining his powers, but that was partly because they made him extremely sturdy. The lack of that and some of the painful lessons he's learned since have made him see the practicality of it, these days.]

The magic thing is still the case for you here, huh? Since you've been working hard to learn it from the Coven.

text | UN: HOTARU-KUN ☆

[discarding]

you have no ability to use magic, but you don’t know how to fight? ha ha that suckssss.

[midousuji you are basically in the exact same boat]

i guess you’re a monster, then.

[noblegarnet]

I'm a Fae. As far as I can tell, we're not made for fighting.

[It sure does suck. That's why he's trying to remedy it, thanks!! Like honestly, what is a moth supposed to do. Flutter in someone's face? He doesn't even get claws like most monsters.]

Any suggestions?

UN: Lady Maria

[whomthebelltolls]

The Forge. Percival is a weaponsmith - and he knows guns and other firearms. They're more compact and easier to carry than bows, and can be made for a variety of ranges, powers, and firing styles... and Percival is a Witch who can enchant it or the ammunition for different uses.

[discarding]

[wing dust in the eyes of your enemies!!!]

Oooh lucky you, that’s one of the good ones.

lol what? no, I just got here, I only know a little bit about monsters. but if I were to guess, can’t you drive people to madness and stuff or something? that’s way more useful than a crossbow.

[noblegarnet]

[Guns... he'd wondered if they were commonplace here, but there's something about them that seems too much to him. It's one thing to have experience with a blade and crystal monsters that aren't sentient, and another to shoot something that was at least once alive with a firearm. Not that he doesn't need to get past that reluctance if he's going to fight at all, but...

What he doesn't realize is that the Fae part of him rebels against the idea of a weapon so far removed from nature. Still, he's not completely overtaken by the feeling—he can at least look into the idea. Different kinds of ammunition could open up some opportunities. He has to take stock of all his options.]

I'm guessing he would know more about how to train with them. The Forge is outside the walls, right? [The idea of heading to the outer city is still a bit intimidating to him, but the last month has proven that the inside isn't as safe from the Cwyld as he'd initially hoped. He just has to be careful, is all...]

It sounds like you have a lot of experience.

[whomthebelltolls]

Training would not be too terribly difficult. One thing about firearms is they're quite consistent from shot to shot. So it's a matter of being able to aim quickly, fire quickly, and reload quickly.

I have experience in them, but what I teach is fencing, and the weapon I usually use has a short range.

But yes, the Forge is in the outer city. It is not difficult to navigate to.

[noblegarnet]

The good ones??

[Like...... not that Ferran wouldn't argue that it could be worse, but he doesn't know what this guy's criteria is.]

Welcome to Aefenglom, I guess. I might be able to work with illusions to mess with someone, but if it makes someone go mad then they could become more dangerous. Plus, that's not really useful for things that are already rampaging.

[noblegarnet]

I see. If I wasn't Fae I might be interested in working with swords, but it just seems like a bad idea to try to fight a Shade head on if you're going to catch the Cwyld by breathing too close it.

[It was nice when his powers just gave him the skills to use a blade. Without his gem, he has to start from scratch, so he wants to use his time wisely. Speaking of time...]

How long does reloading usually take you?

[whomthebelltolls]

It can be, but I have seen it... well, I wouldn't say done easily, but done.

As for me... well, I've had my Evelyn for years, so it only takes me a second or two to reload, but it must be done between each shot. It's an old-fashioned sort of weapon. There are others that can be created that don't need such a thing.

[noblegarnet]

I'm sure it's possible, but I'd rather leave the front lines for someone who has a lot more experience than I do.

[She named her firearm... that's both cute and a little concerning, but who is he to question someone's quirks, he guesses?]

That's good to hear. Obviously you want to use as few shots as you can, but having to spend a lot of time reloading that frequently would make things a lot more dangerous.

[whomthebelltolls]

[Fun fact: That is, in fact, the name of the model of the gun.

But it is a woman's name, and it is a product of the quirks of the Vilebloods, so... yeah. Yes, it is a little odd that they chose that particular name for it.]

Anyone could do it swiftly, the more they learn their weapon. Soon enough, it becomes second nature to chamber a cartridge, or a round, so you can start to aim for another shot. That is probably one of the things you'd want to practice the most, if you decided to use such a thing. Swift and efficient reloading can make or break a fight. This is even true of the fights I am used to as a Hunter.

[nau]

Get a rifle. They're not too hard to learn how to use.

But you should learn how to fight when things are close to you, too. Shooting at something close to you isn't always as easy as you think it is, and sometimes it's better not to make that much noise.

[Bows would be more quiet, yes, but he thinks it would also be more difficult to aim at something when it's in stabbing range with a bow.]

[noblegarnet]

[Ferran has learned that sometimes it's better to just not ask questions about certain things; it's more polite to smile and nod. Unfortunately, it also means he makes a lot of incorrect assumptions that don't get corrected.]

I believe it. Whatever I get, I want to train as much as I can to to make sure I'm more of a help than a detriment. I already did the running headfirst into something back home, and I'm not interested in doing that again.

[Being a liability sucks!!]

I'm guessing you didn't just hunt animals?

[noblegarnet]

Right, I'm sure it's hard to find a firearm that doesn't make a lot of sound.

[... unless he illusions away the sound? Could he do that? Hm.]

My hope would be to avoid getting close to anything dangerous and putting distance between us if I do, but I know you're right.

[But consider: using an arrow to stab?]

Maybe I could get a knife, just in case. It would have to be one without iron, though.

[prettyrocks]

oh yeah that probably helps, huh?

yeah! I've been able to relearn most of my old spells, and even added some new ones to the old bag of tricks!
I can show you sometime, if you want me to.

[noblegarnet]

Sure, I'd love to. No fire ones, though, please.

[He can handle looking at the ice ones, but fire's just a bad idea all around.]

I'm a little jealous, but I have to work with what I've got, right? [It's not going to do him any good to keep sulking about it.]

[prettyrocks]

ok! I've got some cool earth ones I can show you instead.
and I've been thinking about trying to get into divination magic again.
never thought I'd say this, but I kind of miss being able to see the future.

[ If she still had her seer powers, then maybe she could be of more help in the fight against the Cwyld. ]

right. you're better off learning how to use what you have to be the best you can be, than sitting around wishing you had something else.

[discarding]

YES. Insects are one of nature's only perfect designs.

Get creative with the kind of illusions you use! What if you just cast them into total darkness? You could just get away! Or make them think their body is falling apart or something, and they'll be way more worried about themselves than attacking you.

Mhm mhm yep........ Aefenglom. It gets uglier every time I read it, hear it or say it. Disgusting.

[nau]

Usually, yeah. I’ve never seen one before.

It’s better to be prepared, especially if something sneaks up on you. Faster to react with a knife.

Tuuri said that a long time ago people made things out of bronze, but I don’t know what’s in that.

[It was old stuff - she had only learned of it after looking through the books they brought back to the tank in Denmark, but she had been fascinated by the pre-pre-Rash history. Lalli had unwittingly sat through more excited ramblings than he could count.]