"Listen up"! A booming voice echoed throughout the airship casing a majority of the ship's crew to line up at attention. Lixue looked over to see an older man in full plate staring fiercely towards the deck. His armour and tanned head gleamed off the moonlight as he spoke. " We will arrive at our destination within the hour. While my men have already been briefed on the mission", Pausing as the Mercury Captain's sunken eyes turned towards Lixue and the rest of the oddballs that joined along as if they were more a hindrance than help. " We have been contacted by concerned citizens to find and secure their missing family and friends. Information is limited as there have been reports of mind altering insects running rampant throughout the area, as such be sure to wax your ears as we will use deadly force on any of you that show sighs of mental corruption"!  Looking around Lixue could see fear and resentment across some of her fellow free agents. No doubt the mercenaries company took extras to charge more hoping the additions parish in the fighting to fatten their pockets. While she could barely stand for such greed this was her only way of making it to the Valley quickly enough to allow her to keep the promises she made to the families.

"Are landing point will just be outside of the valley, you lot will scout ahead while the main force will set up base camp"! Letting the rest of the Captain's words drift out Lixue pulled out the pictures that the families lent to help with identification. So many I hope that we're able to make it in time, or all these pictures will do is help identify the deceased.

As the Lookout spotted their landing point the Mercenaries and Free Company members who had wax on them began to apply the beeswax. Among those who were part of her group, she could spot a few shifting around the groups asking around for spare wax for themselves. A few of the Beggers tried threating the Mercenaries to only be beaten down by them. Running in between the Mercenaries and one of the beaten down beggers spreading out her arms to halt the Merc's continued beatings. " Stop he's had enough"!

"Stop, this bastard threatened us he got what he deserved girl"!

"What are you going to do girl"?

"Move out of the way shrimp or you'll join him"!

As one of the Mercs put his hand on Lixue he would fall to his knees painting as if he was out of breath. Seeing their ally fall to the ground the two others charged towards her with swords drawn.

This is what I get for sticking my nose into other's business. Reading herself as the men charged her a chilling magical engery emanated off of her body as she readied her next spell.

"STAND DOWN"!

Within an instant, the Mercs Froze almost in place.

"But Captain"!

"But nothing what are you three idiots doing are you trying to start a riot on my ship"! Raising a hand to silence them before they could respond, his attention pinpointed onto Lixue. "And you, I don't know who you are but since you fancy yourself a hero I'm separating you from the rest of your fellows". Looking around, "Well then does anyone else wish to join the little lady's special sqadron"!?

(((Starting Qi 88 - Drain Essence Used 0 Cost Adding 50 Qi To Current Total - Current Qi 138)))

"The moons are beautiful tonight, aren't they Marcasite?" The lady alchemist crooned to the olive-green pseudo-wyvern perched on her shoulder. "What a lovely color they have. What a pity that we'll be so busy once we land." Liselotte was here to assist the healers arriving into the valley but also out of academic interest. The symptoms of being moonstruck were akin to a slow poisoning, yet still potent enough to cause a rapid deterioration of one's mental faculties shortly before death. This was no surprise, as many naturally derived poisons had the same effects. What was unusual was the bout of paranoia that followed the initial stage of the sickness. If she could acquire a few of said insects–without being bitten of course–perhaps she could analyze the composition of their internal fluids. The blonde half-elf was dressed in her favorite burgundy-pink frock with a high, close fitting collar with spotless white work gloves. The only major deterrent to the mercenaries from becoming better acquainted with the woman was the terrifyingly large spider beside her–large enough to carry a small child upon its carapace.

The rest of her pets were left back at home inside the greenhouse for their safety. With the nature of the insanity originating from insects, the choice of her companions was no surprise. A spider and a lizard, the six-legged pest's natural predators. A few people were applying beeswax to their ears in hopes of sealing them from the bugs, though she wondered how effective that would be if they couldn't hear the sounds of an incoming swarm. Instead she made herself at home in the protective areas created by the deities and set up a few earthen spires as posts for Nephila to begin her weaving. The hardened stone supports were arranged in the shape of a square with a taller one in the center. It didn't take long for the giant orb-weaver to start the framework of a great webbed tent. Earlier she had instructed the spider to make the spaces between the spirals as small as possible to reduce the space an insect could fly through. By habit, flying insects preferred passing through wider openings as it gave them more room to change their direction mid-flight. Openings which were deemed too small forced them to crawl leading to their ensnarement upon touching the threads. The vibrations from the threads would notify Nephila that a snack was ready, and she would promptly devour the victim while repairing any damage its struggling might have caused.

It was more breezy than a standard tent, however it provided excellent protection against the insects. The reduction of privacy was a small price to pay for an easy way to harvest live specimens. If moonstruck victims were brought back in time, Liselotte would work on treating them while taking blood samples. With enough samples collected, perhaps she could find something in her vials of powders to neutralize the toxins. 

Lixue looked around to see if anyone was interested in joining her newly formed suicide squad. While help is always welcome it would be faster to travel alone even if the added speed multiplied the danger. Letting the moment pass it seemed as if bravery was not at the forefront of her fellow adventurers. Even the man who lay beaten on the ground looked away in fear of possibly facing an unknown enemy alone.

"Maybe this will learn ya little girl"!
"Doubt the lesson would stick for very long"!

Ignoring the Mercenaries as she did not share their sense of humour. Leaving the cackling brutes behind the lone girl would make her way up to the bowsprit. The wind was far harsher atop the thin beam. Making sure to keep her balance as she overlooked her surroundings. Stunned by the sheer beauty of the valley, as it's crystal features reflected the moonlight throughout the darkness. Feeling a kinship with the woods as both forest and her were beating back their darkness in their own ways. Shaking away the cobwebs as this was no time for sightseeing or introspection, who knows what the people of the valley are going threw while she took in the sights. Leaning forward the wind whipped across the young girl's body violently trashing her worn clothing about as she spotted a village nearby one of the prism rivers."Hey, the hell are you doing up there have you given up knowing that you're on your own"!? Staring daggers at the pale little trouble maker's back only increased the Captain's anger as she ignored him. "Didn't you hear me"!? Marching down from the cockpit as the Mercs quickly parted the deck doing their best to avoid the enraged Captain. Mere inches from Lixue as he outstretched a hand to grab Lixue, "Come here you little bi.."! Instead of capturing his indented target all his managed to grasp was the air as the girl had somehow disappeared. Looking to his hand then back to the crew who looked just about as confused as their captain. " What are you lot doing standing around prepare to land!"

Landing softly near the rainbow river she looked back to the ship as it had begun its descent. Fighting her urge to admire the scenery once more she pressed on to the village. A bit cliche, but the village was quiet too quiet. Save for the sounds of the river and the creaks from ajar doors and windows rocking with the wind the village lacked the spark of life. If anything was remaining in the town it was either dead or hiding its presence. Moving deeper into the village the odd crunches of dirt and crystal shavings were amplified by the sheer quiet hanging over the village. Lixue was no hunter of man, but hunting monster must share some similarities to hunting humanoids. Examining the ground it was obvious that it was well travelled, but its constant use made it difficult to define a direction.

"Excuse me". Excusing herself out of habit, even though no one was home. Upon entering she was met with what had once been a set table with the dying embers of a fireplace denoted that the occupants were at least missing for several hours. Looking over the mess of spilled stew and bread, she counted four bowls. Examining the kitchen/dining room more a lack of a knife to cut the bread seemed missing. Perhaps the madness overtook only part of the family while the others fled taking the knife for protection? Searching through the rest of the home only showed how little the family had. Coming across a loose board only to find what looked to be the families savings. Putting the purse back where she found it she exited the home to overhear some shuffling. Looking around to pinpoint the sound "Hello, is anyone there"!? Moving further out from the home as she continued to look for the sound. "I'm part of a group looking for.. th..!"

Rolling out of the way as a glint of steel caught the glint of her eye. With a thick clunk, she looked to see a woodcutters axe wedged deeply into one of the homes. Shrill screams echoed from in front of her as groups of crazed villagers charged out from the forest wielding anything from scythes to hammers.

Further, from the village, the Mercenaries had landed and begun setting up camp just outside of the valley. All of those unaffiliated with the main Mercenary group had gone ahead with the threat of spears at their backs, all except for a girl and her pets. Due to the impressive magical ability of the Young Lady and her Giant Spider the men had kept away from her as much as possible in hopes of avoiding becoming the beast's next meal. However, with only those of the main force remaining the Captain's attention turned fully on the well dressed half elf. "Another woman, what are you all in cahoots". Marching over to the Woman overlooking her construction the Captain towered over the Young Lady, "Are you deaf, do you not understand Trade, what was it about all the Main Force will set up camp"!? Kicking one of the spires as he stared the Alchemist down.

(((Teleport Used cost 8 - Total Qi 138 - 8 = 130 Current Qi)))

Nephila was busy putting on the finishing touches when they were rudely interrupted by a brutish man. Liselotte hadn't thought much of the man's howling earlier. What harm would there be if she chose to build her own accommodations? It would save them the trouble of having to make room for her. But it seems her acts of self-sufficiency had been misinterpreted, as the current situation showed. When he kicked down one of her spires, the alchemist merely sighed at what a waste his little outburst had caused. "I thought if I built my own tent myself it would save them the trouble of doing it for me. Is that wrong?" Her eyes looked up innocently. His breath reeked of something, though he wasn't drunk. There must be pure vitriol running in his veins to become so agitated by the smallest thing. Subtly, she began working a charm spell on him to 'soften' his disposition. Hopefully this could be resolved without violence. Or else someone might suffer an…unfortunate accident. Marcasite hissed and spat at the mercenary captain, hunching her back and tail tensed to sting if he came too close. Liselotte reached up and stroked the winged pseudo-wyvern gently while keeping eye contact with the captain.

"There, there…there's nothing to worry about." The half-elf comforted her pet. However Nephila was less than willing to let the offense slide, and immediately sent a sticky thread straight to the man's back. Right away the man would feel an odd stiffness in his shoulders before being roughly yanked upwards by a dense latticework of anchor threads. Marcasite told her owner through telepathy of what Nephila was doing, to which the woman feigned shock and surprise. "Oh my!" The lady alchemist exclaimed, a hand covering her mouth as her eyes widened at the giant orb-weaver hanging the swearing brute out to dry. In truth, she was covering her mouth to hide her suppressed amusement at his well-earned predicament. She let him flail for a few more moments before coming to his 'rescue'. "Nephila, release the man at once. You mustn't take your anger out on him for damaging your web. Besides, I doubt he would be very appetizing. He'd most likely give you indigestion." 

Poking a bit of fun at the man's expense, she instructed the spider to let him down. The damage to his pride was obvious, her voice was well within earshot of the rest of his subordinates. "I hope she didn't handle you too roughly, sir. I'll pack my things and relocate to a different spot so we'll be out of your hair. Oh and mind the residue on your clothes, it would be a shame if you happened to touch your face without washing your hands first." Nephila was on the low end of the venom spectrum, though with how crude the mercenary captain was Liselotte wanted to scare him a bit. And if he chose to retaliate, she would have to make him sleep off that crankiness.

Staring the girl down getting more and more annoyed by the moment. Her attempts at reason only stoked the fires of his rage. "You thought, it's not your job to think! Your job is to scout ahead and maybe come back"! Her attempts at puppy dog eyes did nothing to cool the Captain anger, but the charm spell tempered the Captain anger slightly. Rubbing his eyes before looking back to the Young Lady, "Well now that you understand, just ge..". Looking over to the pseudo-wyvern that had not only interrupted him but spat in his direction. Tensing his hand at it to show the readied pseudo-wyvern that he could easily crush it anytime he wished.

"You need to keep your pets under control, or I'll", Quickly drawing his sword from its scabbard, "deal with them for you". Feeling as if he had gotten the point across he was ready to leave the Girl to remove herself from his camp. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath readied himself to continue barking orders at his men. Huh, quickly opening his eyes as he felt something tug at his back. "What the fuck"! Struggling to shift himself to see what had lited him face first into the air. Attempting to swing his sword at whatever was behind him only made the Mercenary Captain look even more foolish to his subordinates who seemed to be whispering and poking fun at their Captain's expense. "Get me down right now I swear to god if you do not release I will have your head on a spike"! Furious at not only his own pride but the loss of respect throughout his squadron.

Stewing in his anger more as the Girl poked fun at his expense. As the spider lowed the Captain and took more damage to his pride from the Young Girl, he tightened his sword focused entirely on cutting her down to size. " Thanks for the warning I'll make sure to wash up". Raising his sword and swinging it down to the girl, "Men shoot that spider out of its web, I'll deal with its owner". While his blade fell towards the girl none of the other Mercenaries paid attention to their captain's words.


"Wait i'm here to help"! Raises her hands up to show that she was no threat to the villagers did nothing to halt their advance. Ducking under a scythe slash while scurrying away from the group. Looking back to the villagers she noticed the odd pigmented in their eyes and skin and her hat now skewered on the villager's scythe. While moderately upset about one of her only possessions treated so poorly, she understood that the people's minds were not their own. How am I going to cure them of this affliction? If I dispell one the rest of the group will just attack the newly cured villager.

Leading the group in a circle as she continued to ponder on how to solve her current predicament. Luckily for her, the madness made them rather stupid ore akin to rabid animals than intelligent beings. As she had just thought of a way to temporarily deal with the villagers, the sound of an arrow travelling towards one of the villagers set her plans back. Quickly casting protection on the targeted villager saving them from injury, however casting the spell allowed the horde to close the distance clipping Lixue with multiple blows leaving cuts all throughout her body.

"I missed, no you blocked it, why would you defend the enemy"!

Appearing out from the woods was one of the additions to the Mercenaries. From what Lixue could tell he was a brown haired wood elf with all the elven looks and personality to match, wearing light leather armour and a leafed cloak to better blend in with his surroundings. Stumbling backward from her unbalanced dodge and reeling from the multitude of attacks, "… They're innocent villagers they have done nothing please do not hurt them"! Still stunned from the attack to get out of the way into time as the group moved in for the kill. The Elf nocked another arrow bent on dealing with the villagers in his own way when an earth shattering war cry belted out from the woods. Spirting out for the woods was another member an Orc this time wearing nearly no clothing swinging a warhammer screaming his head off as he charged towards the villagers. With the Elf's shot interfered with by the Orc her sucked his teeth as the Orc jumped between Lixue and the Villagers pushing them back while Headbutting one of the villagers out cold.

"If we can't kill em we knock them down, right"! Turning to Lixue with a smile as he awaited the girl's reply.

Stunned by the sudden rescue and the insane strength of the Orc, all she could do was a nod as she regained her balance. "I would prefer not the hurt them, but if that's our only option then it's better than killing them". As she readied herself to fight with her new companions, the orc pushed against her chest sending her backward. Covering herself placing her arms over her chest to defend against another assault on her chest. "Little Girl, stand back you're injured Korg will handle them". Insulted, but less upset about the misplaced touching as it was either her head or her chest as Korg was far taller than herself. "I'm not a little girl or little girl I am seventeen and my name is Lixue"! Ready to give Korg a lesson on how to treat a lady, it would have to wait as the villagers had recovered and were reading themselves for another charge.

Ah, what a pity. It seems she would have to put her foot down once and for all. Liselotte saw the sword coming down but held a steady gaze as she returned the favor threefold–by quickly moving backwards while casting a spell upon the earth. With a click of her heel, the ground beneath the boorish man slammed into him. The ground surrounding him destabilized as thorny vines burst from the ground rapidly. They entangled him from head to foot, their growth magically accelerated by the alchemist's magic. The half-elf continued to weave her spells, adding layer upon layer until the man was at risk of being buried alive. All that was left was his head, free to see the predicament of his own making. All while she maintained that same genial smile. "My dear Captain, you shouldn't work yourself so hard. I'm simply here to tend to the injured and ill, nothing more. I also intend to study these unusual specimens of insects too, in hopes of making an antidote if possible."

From her belongings she took out a bottle of powder and a sterilized needle. Stirring the contents with the long, sharp implement she then began to walk towards the trapped man. There was a prick, and then she stepped away to wipe the tip. "A little gift to help you rest. Now I'll be on my way–sleep well Sir Captain. The more you struggle the worse you'll feel the thorns in your skin." It was a mild concoction, so weak it only caused a few hours of drowsiness along with cold sweat and muddled dreaming. In large doses it would lead to a permanent slumber, but she was a professional. She knew how much to give before it became deadly. With a wave, she turned on her heel and joined the others setting up their own accommodations away from the mercenary group. She and Nephila rebuilt the tent again, and this time she added more layers of spires and webbing for extra precaution. Liselotte also set up large 'nets' of the same structure as a line of defense for the others who didn't have a large orb weaver at their disposal. 

It wasn't long before people from the scouting parties were returning. She saw bodies being carried, it was too early to tell if they were the group's members or survivors found from within. "Our work has finally begun." She said to her pets, and took out her Harenian death mask to use on the most severe cases. Her powders were ready and instruments prepared for blood extraction.

"WAhhrrg"

Charging back into the fray Korg returned his warhammer to its sling while diving under the villager's swings and countering with a rising uppercut straight to one of the villagers' jaws. Smacking another with a backfist as he tried to fit off the entire group alone. Flanking Korg one of the villagers began to swing their axe, as the axe was pulled back next to the Villager's head an arrow ricocheted off of the axe blade forcing the axe to collide with its owner knocking out and saving Korg from an axe to the back.

"Don't rush in Orc we're already outnumbered as it is, don't need you to make any more work for me as the little girl's request is already adding more to the deal than I bargained for".

Nocking another arrow and sending to at the side of a knife, the Elven archer would disarm one of the female villagers. "You certainly tal..", Looking over to Lixue as he prepared another witty line for his less than skilled allies, but his voice fell silent as the girl's wounds closed up in front of his very eyes leaving only darken blood and torn clothing as sighs of a previous wound. Not only were the Girl's wounds closed, but a magic circle appeared directly beneath her giving off an immense amount of magical energy.

"Korg move back"!

Attempting to make her voice as commanding as possible seemed to get the orcs attention as he backed off just as her spell had started to take effect. Rising from underneath the villagers were two thick semi transparent quarter circles of ice. Herding the villagers closer together as the two halves enveloped the group creating a dome of hardened ice around the villagers trapping them from doing no harm to the group or themselves.

"Well, I suppose you're more than just talk after all".

Resting his bow at his side the Elf acknowledge the Girl's abilities in his own way. On the other hand, Korg was over near the ice dome tapping at it as the villagers holler and pointlessly bash at the dome. "That's mighty impressive that is how you…". As he turned around to look at Lixue he was shocked to see that the girl had completely recovered from her various injuries. Rushing over to the Small Girl, "Oy how are you all better? You were just a wreck not but a minute ago, now your casting magics and better than ever"! Giving Lixue a full examination not caring for the young girl's space.

"It's nothing special just basic healing magic". Attempting to move away from Korg did nothing as the orc followed suit determined to get to the bottom of her strange abilities. She could not very well release the information of her real nature as even if they were fine with what she is. If they blabbed to others the Guild might get wind of it losing the element of surprise. Looking over to the dome trying to ignore Korgs glares at her now exposed skin, "Oh"! Lixue's exclamation made Korg jump back turning around reading his warhammer, "What is it I don't see nothing"! Still staring at the Dome as muffled screams and thunks echoed of it. How could I have forgotten something so simple? Pointing to the top of the Dome, "Korg can you make a hole for the villagers to breath"?

"Uh… yeah".

Climbing on top of the dome Korg hammered away till part of the top gave way allowing the shrieks to escape along with pitchforks and scythes popping out of the newly made hole scraping at its sides as the Villagers made poor attempts at hitting the orc.

Now that the infected villagers were secure all that was left was for them to somehow cure them of their affliction. Pulling out the pictures once again Lixue tried her best to identify the Villagers. However, the ice blurred and wrapped their features making it impossible to tell from her current position. Moving closer to the dome as tired to get a better look an object touched and slid over her head. Looking up to see Korg she reached up to feel a familiar fabric atop her head. "One of the scythes had this on it, it looked like it was yours".

Smiling at the orc as he had returned something far more precious than he had realized, "Thank you Korg". She swore she could see the Orc's cheeks brighten to a lighter shade of green as he broke eye contact, "Aw it was nothing".

"Yes, yes warm cuddly feelings". Clapping to break up the fun and remind them that they were on a battlefield. Moving out from the forest he wanted to get his follow free company members back on track. As he moved something overcame the Elf, and not just him. Both Korg and Lixue looked around as the voice of two women whispered "It's coming. Prepare" into the back of their minds.

"Hey, you all hear that"? Not saying a word as Both the Elf and Lixue nodded. "So uh, what's that supposed to mean"? Korg's question would soon be answered as the sound of a sharp whine filled the air. In sync the group looked over to see the sky covered in small black specs encasing the sky in darkness. Rushing back to her magic circle Lixue prepared chanting her magic to prepare for the near endless wave of insects. Korg pulled out his hammer and the Elf readied his bow, "So can we kill these things"?

Smiling gleefully as his sword reached ever closer to the Little Bitch who insulted his honour. However, his steel made no contact with flesh nor did the warm spattering of blood cool on his face. Instead and unknown force slammed into his body sending his arms and sword right back at him knocking the wind out the Captain. Struggling to breathe as thorned vines wrapped around his body. Unable to do anything, but let out a raspy scream as the vines continued to entangle his body only leaving his head exposed.

Begining to normalize his breathing the Captain glared at the girl while struggling against the vines. Feeling the vibrations from the thrones scraping against this armour the Captain pressed on determined to let himself feel. Watching the girl as he struggled noticing that she pulled out a needle and some sort of power. "You let me go right now, Men why haven't you shot down that spider yet"! Turning to turn to look at his men who were merely watching as the Captain was utterly defeated by the Young Girl. " I order you to kill that.." Feeling a sharp pick on his neck he turned to face the Girl attempting to bite at her face. Missing as she had stepped away he listened to her words and ignored them. Struggling more fervently so much so that the thorns had worn through part of the armour. Even when the thorns had rended through his armour he continued to struggle Screaming at the pain and hatred for the Girl. Luckily the concoction had taken effect before the man tore himself apart in attempts to kill the Girl, and with the Captain's action and defeat, none of the Mercenaries had any respect for their previous captain.

As the Young Girl was rebuilding her tent the clanking of armour echoed nearby. " Excuse my intrusion, but I am the previous Lieutenant turn Captain of the Red Lions. I apologize for or previous Captain's Actions and are pleased that a knowledgeable medical practitioner is among us". The newly promoted Captain was a young handsome man in his early twenties with dirty blond hair and piercing blue eyes.

Interrupting their conversation was a horn signifying the return of some of the scouting parties. Among the scouts, only a few minor injuries were to be had, but following behind them were a significant grouping of insects followed by the endless horde creeping over the horizon near the village. "To arms Men"! Arrows were let loose followed by thunderous charges as the Mercenaries fought back against the insect hordes. Audible cracking of chitin and splintering of wood echoed across the camp as the Bugs ricocheted off of the shield wall as Chaos overtook the Camp. Attempting to keep a tight formation, was difficult with the bugs zipping through their lines and flanking them or bypassing their warriors to attack the archers and mages.