Age of Destruction: Fire Emblem CYOA

OK, support log is done. It'll be up on the discussion thread... very soon. In the meantime, other than support votes, promotions/re-classing are still open for Rand's group! And I'll have the stuff for Lily's group later tonight.

Promotable units in Rand's group! (First option is their current class)
Rand - Wyvern Lord, Cavalier, Mage, Archer, Fighter, Knight (Promotion: Great W. Lord)
Allune - Hawk, Archer, Myrmidon, Soldier
Nevyn - Wolf, Fighter, Priest, Soldier, Cavalier
Fei - Fighter, Thief, Troubadour, Pegasus Knight
Judoc - Soldier, Wyvern Rider, Archer, Dark Mage, Knight
Sylvia - Tactician, Pegasus Knight, Fox, Fighter, Cavalier
Suarrure - Wolfskin, Barbarian, Thief, Dancer
Eun'ji - Archer, Mage, Cleric, Troubadour

...You should have had more people. Rakim was missing that entire fight, somehow...? Well, let's just... toss him some XP...

Kind... of...? Not proper experience, but there's a general timer thing for skills that's faster when people do more. As far as leveling up stat points, it's randomly rolled per character per stat with bonuses based on what they did throughout the level. So, like... Lily got knocked down to 1HP and barely survived, so her odds of getting points in HP and luck were a lot higher. Usually characters get 3-5 points per chapter.

Lily - Lord, Troubador, Dark Mage, Cleric, Fighter, Knight (promotion: Dark Mage Lord)

Storm - Pegasus Lord (same stats as knight), Lord, Knight, Priest, Mercenary (promotion: Falcon Lord)

Gale - Taguel, Myrmidon, Mercenary, Barbarian, Soldier (can reclass, but can't promote yet)

Shep - Priest, Mage, Archer, Monk

Kelly - Cavalier, Thief, Cleric, Mercenary, Barbarian

Hawke - Wyvern Rider, Barbarian, Mercenary, Dark Mage

Harv - Despoil, Gamble

Zenia - Great Lord, Mercenary, Cavalier, Knight (or any promotion of the alternate classes)

Isana - Dancer, Dark Mage, Barbarian, Cleric

Rand - Wyvern Lord, Cavalier, Mage, Archer, Fighter, Knight (Promotion: Great W. Lord)

Allune - Hawk, Archer, Myrmidon, Soldier (can reclass, can't promote)

Nevyn - Wolf, Fighter, Priest, Soldier, Cavalier

Fei - Fighter, Thief, Troubadour, Pegasus Knight

Judoc - Soldier, Wyvern Rider, Archer, Dark Mage, Knight

Sylvia - Tactician, Pegasus Knight, Fox, Fighter, Cavalier

Suarrure - Wolfskin, Barbarian, Thief, Dancer

Eun'ji - Archer, Mage, Cleric, Troubadour

Hyun'ji - Swordmaster, Pegasus Knight, Soldier, Archer

Y'know... it would probably help you do re-classing if the stat sheet was up-to-date.  Which it now is.  Let's see how this vote's going.

3

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Lily/Gale B
Lily/Hawke B
Lily/Storm B
Storm/Rakim C
Shep/Isana C
Zenia/Isana C

2

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Lily/Shep C
Lily/Keith C
Rakim/Isana C
Gale/Gin C
Hawke/Zenia C
Shep/Zenia C

1

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Hawke/Harv C
Storm/Shep C
Lily/Gin C
Kelly/Harv C
Kelly/Kieth C
Zenia/Gin C

Excepting people who only voted once or twice, even if all the voters jumped in... I'm relatively sure those 3's would win, so... I'm going to get started on them.

Lily knocks on the door to announce herself, pretending she hadn't been there the entire time.  "Excuse me - have either of you seen Hawke?"

"Yes, I believe he's patrolling the perimeter," Zenia says.  She very calmly tucks the remnants of the letter into her cloak, as if it's nothing important.

Lily hides any suspicions she might have as she passes by.  "Thank you," she says.  "And thanks for the help in the battle earlier."

Zenia grunts in affirmation.

Lily heads outside and finds Hawke and Storm flying laps around the outside of the fort.  She waves for them, and the pair come gliding down.  She addresses Storm first.  "Are you well, Sir Storm?"

"I'm... holding together, Princess."

Lily nods.  "I understand.  A raid on a village, a sacked fort.  It's been a busy day..."

"How are you staying so calm?" he asks.  There's an accusatory edge to his voice, as if he really means to ask how she's being so cold.

Lily looks at the ground.  She lets out a ragged sigh.  "I'm... not," she admits.

"What?  But you're so composed?"

Lily hugs herself gently.  "Of course I'm... not holding together so well.  These are my people...  My responsibility.  But... that's why..."  She shudders.  "It won't help anyone for me to sit around crying.  This isn't the time for me to show weakness.  I... have to..."  She shakes her head and regains her composure.  "Right now, my duty is to the survivors.  They need guidance, direction.  Assurance things will be alright.  I have to be - I have to appear to be strong.  Even if I'm faking it."

"I... never would have guessed, Lily..." Storm says.

"Excellent.  Then my training has paid off," she says.  "Return to your patrol, if you would.  I'd like to speak with Hawke."

"Um...  Right.  Sorry if I... uh...  Sorry."  Storm kicks his pegasus into the air.

Hawke is quick to step forward.  "Yes, Princess?"

"Are you OK?  That wound was... grisly," Lily says.

Hawke flexes a bit.  "I'm... I feel surprisingly well, actually.  That elixir stuff is... amazing.  Are you sure it was OK to use it on me?  I feel like we should be saving stuff like that for..."

Lily chuckles.  "Keeping my bodyguard alive seems like a pretty good use of it."

"Your faith in me's... appreciated, Princess.  Especially considering this morning."

"Hm?  Because you used to be a mercenary?"

"Yeah.  Er...  Yes, Princess."

"Cut the 'Princess' crap when we're speaking in private.  And I already told you - you aren't like that sorta scum.  Right?"  Lily stares him down.

Hawke shakes his head.  "No, ma'am.  I did my best to keep my nose clean during my merc days.  Any job that set my hair on end, I was out."

"You probably lost out on some serious pay."

"Yeah, can't argue with that.  But I always had enough money to eat - or at least somewhere to hunt.  Way I see it, guilt's an awful... uh... app... apper... appart..."

"Appartif," Lily completes the phrase for him.  "Glad to hear it.  And good to see your decorum lessons are taking.  Slowly but surely."  Lily nods her head approvingly.  "If you're sure you're doing OK, return to your patrols.  And don't worry about me, the fort's secure."

Hawke nods and chases after Storm.

---

Zenia dismisses Isana.  She goes to examine the barracks and finds Shep almost immediately, finishing tending to Kelly's burns.  He tucks her into one of the beds and turns to Isana.  "Ah, just who I was about to go looking for."

"Oh?" Isana asks.

"I like to re-examine my work after battles.  Battlefield healing and proper healing... how to explain?  You have to take shortcuts in the heat of battle, it's good to go back and double-check afterward to make sure everything's healing right."

"'Shortcuts,' hm?  You make it sound so very... mundane."  Isana slinks over to his side, then takes a seat on a bed as Shep motions to it.  "I do appreciate the simplified answer, of course.  And I do like a man who's... thorough.  Be gentle, please, I'm quite fragile."

"Mm," Shep says.  "Ah, lift your arm?  And rotate.  Good...  Now, cough for me."

"Excuse me?"

"Most people would've died from those injuries.  I want to make sure your lung wasn't punctured.  I don't think it was, because you're still alive - that's not a thing I could fix, on or off the field.  I'm still not very experienced," Shep admits.

"I can't decide if this honesty is refreshing or horrifying..."

Shep remains emotionless.  "Ah, I missed a cut on your leg. Sorry, let me fix that.  Oh, and if I don't fix up that cut right here, it's going to scar.  And this one under your arm - could cost you some mobility it I don't tend it."

"...You really are quite thorough..." Isana says as he pokes around, occasionally stopping to wave his staff over an injury.

Shep finishes, nods, and lets a smile come to his face.  "Alright, then.  Into bed with you.  You lost a lot of blood, so I want you to lie down for a bit.  I'll bring you some water and food in a moment..."

Isana looks surprised for a moment, then obediently smiles and crawls under the covers.  "Haha...  It feels so strange to be the one being attended to...  I could get used to it."

---

The group sets out shortly after lunch.  They raided the storeroom for enough supplies to keep the refugees going for a few days - as well as, some new armor and supplies for the fighters - then set out for the nearest town.  After that, it's off to Trine.  Janice stays close to Rakim throughout the process. Storm lands and trots alongside them for a short while.

"Everything OK?" Storm asks.

Janice nods.  Rakim doesn't answer.

"I was asking both of you," Storm clarifies.

Rakim seems surprised.  "Ah, my apologies.  Yes, I am well."

Storm is in turn surprised by Rakim's surprise.  "Let me know if there's anything I can do, alright?  You, uh...  Sorry, no offense - you just don't strike me as the type to be good with kids."

"I would agree," Rakim says.  "Janice seems to have decided otherwise, however, and nothing I say convinces her otherwise."

"Actions speak louder than words..." Storm says, almost without thought.  He rushes to clarify.  "She knows you protected her before, so..."

"...I... see...  This could become a problem..." Rakim says.

"We should be fine until we get to the next village, and we'll find somewhere safe for her to stay once we get there." Storm says.  "In the meantime, do what you can for her."

Rakim nods.  Storm waits to see if he's got more to say, then realizes the conversation's over and returns to the air.

In the end, it's not that simple.  Most of the villagers are content to stay in the next village - and Lily ensures the local garrison knows to deliver a request to the capital for further aid.  Janice, on the other hand, refuses to leave.  She physically attaches to Rakim.  It takes three people to pry her off, at which point she erupts into tears.  In the end, Lily agrees to allow her to tag along.  She'll figure out what to do after the peace talks.

That night, Isana creeps silently into Zenia's tent.  Zenia has her sword at her throat in a flash.  "Good evening, Mistress," Isana says calmly.

"One of these days I'll run you through," Zenia sighs.  "I keep telling you to announce yourself.  Did you dispose of the missive?"

"Of course, Mistress."

"Then you've no reason to be here."

"I've come for my punishment?" Isana asks.

"Ah, yes, of course.  Ever-dutiful Isana.  Hmph...  I forgot to prepare anything  And I am in a good mood..."  Zenia looks around for a moment.  "Ah.  Go stand in the corner.  Take these.  Arms up.  Higher.  I'm sure you can guess what will happen if you drop them, yes?"

"Of course, Mistress," Isana says, holding Zenia's weapons at her sides.  "You've decided to try using a shield?  That's rather unlike you."

"Mm.  I suppose I simply wish to try being a more balanced fighter.  Enough about that, I want news of the Khan's court."

Isana closes her eyes and smiles.  "Oh, Mistress, I am but a simple courtesan.  One such as myself is entire unqualified to-"

Zenia sighs heavily.  "Can we skip the usual song and dance?  You know I value your judgement."

Isana shifts uncomfortably.  "This missive...  Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of this, Mistress.  All I can say for sure is that something is wrong.  There are rumblings against the Great Khan..."

"Nothing unusual about that," Zenia points out.

Isana frowns.  "I wonder..."

The pair spend several moments discussing the movements of a few individuals within the court.  It goes on until Isana's arms are shaking with effort.  "Enough," Zenia finally says.  "You may go.  I am pleased with your work, as usual."

---

Early the next morning, Lily and Gale run into each other in the forest.  "Hey, Lily.  What's up?" Gale asks.

"Ha-ha," Lily answers sarcastically.

"Huh.  I've... gotta admit.  This is a really nice trap," Gale says.  "I had no idea you knew how to make something like this.  I thought you were all book-learning and court manners."

"Yes, well, Mom made sure we got a lot of survival training," Lily explains.

"So, er...  I take it this is that swift and terrible vengeance you promised?" Gale asks.  Lily nods in affirmation.  "I... see.  But, uh... it just seems like I should be the one strung up?"

"Oh, you make a good point.  I'll take that under advisement for next time," Lily responds.  "How about you help me down, I can reset the trap, and we can try your idea?"

"Not.  A.  Chance.  I really admire your optimism, Lily, but you know exactly what's about to happen."  Gale advances on her hapless victim with a sadistic grin.  She reaches up, sliding her hands under Lily's blouse and and positioning her fingertips along Lily's flank.  "Ready?"  Gale asks.  Lily bites her lip and shakes her head.  "Y'know, I guess I could let you off the hook," Gale says.  She pointedly drums her fingers against Lily's flank as she pretends to think, continuing until Lily begins giggling.  "I-i-i-i-if you admit the reason you and Rand teamed up on me is because you know you can't beat me in a fair fight!"

"Not.  A.  Chance," Lily echoes.  "You can just... do your worst!"

"Oh?"  Gale slides a hand down Lily's thigh, along her calve, finally seizing her ankle.  She pokes teasingly at Lily's exposed toes.  "This is going to be fun~"

"N...  Heehee!  Not...  Not there...!" Lily begs.  She squirms in protest as she's stripped of her boot.  Gale gives her a look, one final chance to back down.  Lily hesitates.  "I...  I said do your worst!"

Gale smiles.  She begins with a single fingertip.  Slowly, gently, she traces the contours of her victim's foot.  She carefully watches Lily's face for the smallest changes, probing to find her greatest weaknesses.  Lily struggles, but is firmly in Gale's grasp, unable to do more than wiggle her toes as Gale explores.  She squirms, defenseless and helpless against her tormentor.  Gale's experiments gradually increase in cruelty and intensity as she discovers where Lily is most vulnerable.  Lily can only writhe and squeal with laughter as Gale repeatedly rakes her claws along the length of her sole, mercilessly targeting her most ticklish points.  Eventually, Gale slows to a stop.  "Well?  Ready to admit defeat?  Or should I stop holding back...?"

Lily takes several seconds to recover, her breathing slowly becoming more regular.  "N-nev- aaaahaha...!" she tries to answer defiantly before Gale silences her.

"Oh, now that's a cute face you're making." Gale says.  She continues to tickle Lily lightly, just enough to keep her from speaking.  "How about a compromise, then?  Let's have that duel.  Best two of three rounds.  Winner gets unlimited tickling privileges!  Since you're so-o-o-o-o confident you wouldn't lose a fair fight-"

"I... Haha...!  I accept!" Lily blurts out.  Gale pauses.  "I... am going... to destroy you...!  N-now... get me down from here...!"

"Hm?  That wasn't part of our deal! We can duel whenever, but a chance like this is once-in-a-lifetime!" Gale sings, reaching for Lily's other boot.

I'm still good with my choices. Crow, does Zenia promote to ???? Or is that only something Lily does?

Oh, okay. Then we should keep Zenia as a Great Lord for now. But I'm still keeping my suggestions for reclassing Nevyn and Suarrare. And promoting everyone that can promote to their next level of promotion.

So we reclass her into a hero. She already has all the Great Lord skills, right?