[EVENT: Festival of the Hunt]

[tidesnpcs]

Characters: Hunters and spectators, anyone in Lindblum! OPEN.
Progress: Ongoing
Summary: The Festival of the Hunt begins.
Location: Lindblum
Date: September 9th, 1804
Warnings: Violence.

Though the festival had been delayed due to the recent invasion of Lindblum, the people seemed to be in high spirits. The Hunt was a tradition, and it would not be

Comments

BUSINESS DISTRICT

[tidesnpcs]

[Note: In this district, there are large numbers of trick sparrows which swoop down from the air. An unusually large Gigan Toad can also be found lurking around Grandma Pickle's pickle stand.]

[shatterhearted]

Ah! Flying fiends! Perfect for slaying with a barrage of arrows. Hunting was a natural Vieran instinct, and a task that brought Fran much enjoyment - especially when there was the possibility of winning gil at the end of it. She only wished Balthier was here to partake in the Hunt with her. She would've gladly welcomed the competition that would no doubt would've taken place between them.

But she couldn't let her thoughts distract herself from the task at hand. She released her bowstrong, sending another arrow through the air, piercing another trick sparrow.

[irontailed]

Like a streak of lightning, a warrior armed with just a spear soared through the sky briefly before plunging his spear through the back of the enormous toad. The poor fiend honestly didn't stand much of a chance, but it was still alive for now. Fratley was pleased with his handiwork, insanely so. The toad was now limping away from him.

"Come now!" He egged the creature on. "Show some bravery."

[dewdrop_pebbles]

Mjrn was thoroughly in the moment, leaping about and attacking the trick sparrows that flew fast and thick within the area. For the most part, she didn't bother with spells, acting purely on reflex and skill with spear alone. Enemies that she could defeat were a welcome change.

Upon seeing Fran and her fellow dragoon up ahead, Mjrn began to make her way over to them, fighting trick sparrows all the way.

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

[tidesnpcs]

[Note: This is the only district where Hedgehog Pies may be encountered. There is also a very menacing Grand Dragon by the pub.]

[irontailed]

He raced through the streets of Lindblum for the umpteenth time, scouring the avenues for any of the lurking fiends. Fratley was as swift as he was nimble, striking his spear through the hearts of his foes with little effort. The Hedgehog Pies weren't much of a challenge for him, but no Gaian would be surprised by that fact. The Legendary Dragoon was already on his fifth kill, instantly searching for a sixth and seventh. Taking out the smaller fiends may seem to be mere child's play for him, but Fratley knew this was a good way to rack up points. Hurrying down the cobblestone streets, the dragoon came to a halt once he spotted a fiendish looking dragon near by.

"Steady yourself." He muttered quietly. "This is no time to be reckless." Frtaley was ahead of the other hunters already, but this wouldn't be for long. He needed to pace himself, and he always had trouble doing that. It was a shame that Freya hadn't joined this hunt, he was hoping to test her skills against his.

[dewdrop_pebbles]

Mjrn was preoccupied with skewering Hedgehog Pies, but at some point she noticed the skilled comptetitor nearby. She watched him curiously for a moment, but then jolted out of that, reminding herself of the time limit. This was no time to be a spectator.

The dragon ahead didn't go unnoticed. Mjrn peered at it with interest (using Libra in the process), then spared a glanced to her fellow Dragoon. "Shall we?" Yes, they were competing, but a little teamwork could be useful in this instance. Without waiting for an answer, she cast Shell and Haste, then darted ahead.

[irontailed]

Without the aid of any fancy magic, Fratley was carefully accessing the Grand Dragon's might with a shrewd gaze. He could tell that the beast was an ravenous construction of nature's fury and wrath, a creature of formidable strength and speed. Noting this quietly, Fratley was unsurprised to see another come near cautiously. She was a dragoon it seemed, a fellow brethren of warfare. While her tall ears spoke of her status as a Sky Person, Fratley welcomed her as a fellow warrior.

"Indeed!" He answered with an laugh. "A beast of this caliber mustn't be taken lightly miss." With that said, he followed suit. The girl made a quick lunge for the beast while Fratley took for the sky. He leap as high as he could before driving his spear down along the dragon's spine. The beast let our a fearsome roar, but that didn't deter him. If this behemoth could be killed quickly, then the points will be his.

THEATRE DISTRICT

[tidesnpcs]

[Note: There are a lot of Mus in this district. Just down the stairs from the Tantalus hideout, the monster breeder's prize specimen can be found. It's a Vorban. This is a tough battle. Characters won't be able to defeat it alone.]

Re: THEATRE DISTRICT

[dewdrop_pebbles]

Mjrn headed along the theatre district, eyes and ears open for beasts roaming the area. Mostly recovered from her journey, she now sought a distraction from thinking about Lufene or the deaths of those who had joined her...at least, for now. Whenever she spotted a target, the Viera jumped high. Her magic was used as sparingly as possible, as she wanted to be seen as the Dragoon that she was, for this event.

Eventually, Mjrn saw the Vorban ahead. It definitely seemed a tougher opponent than the Mus she had been fighting, just from appearances. She cast Protect and Haste, then glanced around for other hunters, willing to try it alone but not adverse to a little teamwork. Her patience was not legendary, though, and if no one stepped up to the task after a moment, she would charge regardless.

[whitesuited]

Rufus had purposefully made certain to find himself separated from the Turks well before the start of the Hunt and so found himself now moving through the theater district using his shooting skills to take out any of the furry monsters he came across while traversing it's streets. Taking them out reminded him somewhat of fighting guard hounds in a way, though these creatures were rather easier to him to take down than the hounds.

Coming up beside Mjrn, the dark-clad archer considered the beast before them. "Shall we work together against it?" he asked the lady quietly, blue eyes moving briefly from the Vorban to her and then back.

[dewdrop_pebbles]

Libra didn't reveal anything promising; it was immune to so much that Mjrn at least knew not to bother with status-effect spells. She frowned, ready to cast a spell and then charge, when she heard the Hume approach. Glancing over to him, she nodded briefly. "Aye." With that, she added Shell and then darted toward the beast, leaping high and descending a moment later for a swift, decisive blow.

Of course, it wouldn't be that easy. The creature's hide was thick and Mjrn didn't cause as much damage as anticipate, though her action still injured the beast. She barely had time to leap back before it countered with Mortar, blasting all within its range.

PEANUT GALLERY

[tidesnpcs]

[Note: Spectators, cheer on your favourite hunters from here!]

[heavenslament]

Terra was content to remain in Lindblum with her friends, but she didn't sign up for the Hunt itself. It was enough for her to watch those participating, especially any friends that happened to be involved. The crowds made her a little uneasy but she ignored that in favor of searching and supporting any friends involved in the hunt, and finding other friends to watch it with.

[morehatthanmage]

"Miss Mjrn! Look out, it's behind you- oh! You got it! That was really great!"

Vivi was engrossed in watching the fighting, the other mages jumping around behind him and yelling their own encouragement to Mjrn or being starstruck by getting to see the legendary Fratley in person. One of the smaller mages knocked into Terra in their excitement and continued running around without thinking to apologize, running back into the group.

"Um, sorry." Vivi said after the other mage returned to his brothers. "We're all really excited, I'm the only one who's got to see Sir Fratley before."

[heavenslament]

Startled at the bumping, Terra diverted her attention from the hunt and turned in time to see the little figure reach his group. The clothing and large hats definitely put her in mind of what happened in Lindblum recently, but surprise recognition didn't turn into horror. These were just children, and children having fun.

When one of the larger mages spoke up, she smiled over at him. "It's alright. The crowd makes it hard to move around here, anyway. Who is Sir Fratley?" That name did sound familiar...but she couldn't place it.