A nice chapter of plain ol' violence. Last chapter for the campaign is next. Tell me your thoughts!

It isn't long for your party to see the smoke of a burning caravan. The merchant travelers were attacked from outskirts of the kingdom where the tall forests gave ample covers for an ambush. The party (you guys) have circled around, hiding yourselves from the bandits as they round up the hostages. Three are merchants, plump as a midsize dire bear, kneeling on the ground begging to be spared There are also a mother and a child next to the merchants, the child holding back his tears. Two bodies bloodied and down on the ground could only be presumed to be either their body guards or those that have resisted. You spot three bandits covered in fur pelts, light armor, and wielding bloody axes. Two next to the horses and one near the hostages. The forest provides you cover and they have not yet realized your party is present. Use this to your advantage Jaune and Pyrrha. How would you adventurers proceed.

Ren gave them a crude drawing of the field, where the enemies where, where the hostages where, and lastly where they were. Jaune, Pyrrha and even Nora studied the battlefield planning ways to ensure victory.

"Does saving the hostages matter?" Pyrrha asked the BM.

To most decent human beings saving the hostages would be part of the plan. However Pyrrha wasn't playing a decent being, she was playing "Pyrrha 'Cutthroat' Nikos" (again Ren would had to remind them that they don't have to use their real names). Real life Pyrrha is kind, humble, and professional. Behemoths and Bastion's Pyrrha is ruthless, pragmatic, and devious. The only reason what's stopping Pyrrha from just killing everyone and looting their worldly possessions was because of her secret infatuation with the good doer cleric who would sadly frown on her actions, and possibly turn against her. A characteristic that greatly amused Ren.

"All actions have a consequences and benefits." Ren calmly stated. "It is you as the individual, on how would your character act, and weighting the options."

Jaune didn't even give himself a second to think. "Of course we'll save them. If someone needs help it is our duty to see to it."

Pyrrha can imagine her character giving a disapproving look to the blonde boy but, then again her character would follow this cleric to hell and back. If Jaune proved more to himself as a capable leader maybe she would too in the real world. Nora remained disturbingly quiet for Ren's sake.

"Pyrrha you shoot the guard near the hostages." Jaune taking the command. "Once he's hit me and Nora will charge in taking them from surprise."

"Alright, I draw my bow and loose an arrow toward the bandit near the hostage." Pyrrha told to Ren. She already had the dice on her hand.

"Alright roll." The dices were thrown and all parties looked. To her dismay, Pyrrha gave a shocked looked on what had resulted.

D20: 1

"Wow...Critical fail." Ren's voice was stoic trying hide the slight surprise on his face. "Roll a ten-sided dice for me Pyrrha."

She frowned as she rolled to see what would come to her. She let threw the dice.

D10: 6

Ren looked at his sheet's concerning what would befall on to the unfortunate adventurer. Luckily for her nothing.

However someone else paid the price.

As the party readies to save the hostages, the young rogue eager to test her marksmanship, readied her bow and aimed. She calmed her breath and steadied her focus aiming at the bandit furthest from the group. At the cleric's signal did she fire her arrow cutting fiercely into the air. However fate is a cruel mistress. A strong wind blows over the arrow, drastically changing its trajectory. No longer was the arrow heading towards the bandit but, to the boy.

* FFFFFFFFF SHICK*

The young boy screamed loudly as his eyes were widen by the pain. The arrow hit him directly in the chest. He would have pulled on the arrow if it weren't for his hands tied up. He looked up on to the sky, tears on his face, asking for the pain to stop. After a few moments of violent moving did the boy lay motionless. The mother, merchants, and the bandits looked at horror at what had happened.

"MY SON!" Did the mother cried out.

Back in reality Jaune and Pyrrha were shocked. Pyrrha especially as she felt the stinging blow of taking a helpless child's life.

"I-I didn't mean too..." She looked at Jaune hoping her feelings would convey her guilt.

"I know this is a game but, man I never asked for his." Jaune said back.

"The child is still alive. You can still save him." Ren commented. "Luckily for you the surprise attack was so 'surprising' that the bandits are still stunned on the spectacle on what you caused."

"M-me and Nora charge forward." Jaune said determined to save the child. "Hastily on horseback."

Ren soon grabbed a folder and placed it in front of him. With a serious look in his eyes as he stared at his foes. He said what all great BM's say at the start of the battle.

"Roll for Initiative."

After the arrow downed the young child the captors were still taken back. They would soon see that a dying child's life were the least of their worries. Out from the forest emerged two horses which they not took too kindly. On one horse was a young man with an iron mace on one hand and a shield on the other who charged towards them with a righteous fury. Next to the zealous cleric was one that was riding the terrifying heavy war horse. If the battle crazed dreadnaught was not to strike fear to the any of the bandits it was because the rider proved more horrid. The wizard was riding on the crazed horse not holding the reign but his arms posing on his sides gloriously charging to the battlefield. The man who the bandit's were later to identify as Zoktor for he rode into battle with his chest bare naked that had a tattooed inscription...

Ren took a moment to stop his monologue and gave once again another grieving sigh. 'I really got to check these character sheets before hand.'

On his chest were the words " God does not judge you. Zoktor Does." The battle would soon look fierce and unforgiving for both adventurers and bandits. Once Jaune was close enough he bravely leaped out of his horse and body slammed one of the closer bandits. His reflex proved worthy for he saved himself from dislocating anything of value. Pyrrha later would advanced on foot leaving her horse behind fearing for collateral damage. She provided vital cover fire as she peppered arrows towards the bandit close to the hostages until he decided to run and take cover behind a caravan yelling profanity while doing so. Then there was Zoktor...

"Fight me yah dead man. You may be buff and terrifying but I be a whole more bloodthirsty." The unharmed bandit said while licking his lips in anticipation for battle.

Zoktor just looked at him silently and unmounted.

"Eh that's more like it yah bastard. You shall rue the day you messed with the Burning Bridge Brigands."

Zoktor stared at him with his cold piercing eyes, not even identifying the vulgar bandit as a threat. Instead he smacked the butt of his warhorse ordering him to step forward where it happily neighed approaching the marauder.

"Are you serious Nora." Ren said towards the lovable ginger who at the moment was eating away every nerve in his body.

"Zoktor doesn't recognize the weak. If the bandit wants to fight me, he must first defeat my horse." Nora said defiantly.

A few dice rolls later...

" A horse to do your battle? Yah ninny I'll kill you and your damn pony."

The bandit charged head strong towards the mare who remained unflinching. In fact it was eager. The war horse did not even move a hair when the looter threw down its crude axe towards the horse. The lump of metal met with flesh but, unfortunately for the attacker the blow was too shallow. The dreadnaught neighed in a mocking fashion looking back at the his small wound. The thief spilled his blood, now it was his turn to bleed. The war horse let out a blood cringing noise as it lifts its two colossal front legs up. The bandit now regretting his action turned his back to flee but, it was too late. The horse with all his collective might lunged his two hooves towards the back of his attacker. It morbidly connected. Sounds of broken bones and screams of agony were heard even by the other bandits who were taken back. The attack proved too much and the bandit was bloodied and downed. Showing discipline the horse stopped his assault and looked back at his master.

Nora looked back at Ren. She slide her thumb slowly across her neck indicating what she wanted to be done. A 18 plus some modifier added with bloodied and immobile target resulted in...

"I've taught you better. Finish him." Zoktor commanded his horse in which he neighed obediently.

It friskily galloped on to the attacker's side who was trying his bet to crawl away, tears in his eyes. He turned to see the horses figure hovering next to him as the sun was catching on his eyes. The man no longer attempted to run away. A life of robbing and pillaging shortly ended when its daunting hooves gave the coup de grace on the poor man. A crunching sound from the skull was an indication that the man would no longer pose a threat. Zoktor satisfied walked towards his horse and gave him a sugar cube and congratulated him on a job well done. Then he would spectate on how the cleric was fairing.

"Nora." Jaune said slowly.

"Yes fearless leader?" Nora quipped back.

"Remind me to never piss you off." Jaune finished while Pyrrha also nodded her head on the suggestion.

"Okie Dokie!" She brightly smiled.

"Alright Jaune it's your turn."

Jaune, prayers whispered under his breath, grabbed the dice and rolled...

While successfully body slamming the bandit he was barely phased by the sudden attack. In fact he seemed angrier. Watching his comrade die, by a horse no less. The brigand decided that they would have to pay dearly. His decision would be that the cleric would be his first victim for his axe. The man disregarded his defense, instead prompting to dual wield two axes now instead of one and came for a flurry of attacks. Jaune was struck harshly by the first attack but by a hair's breath was able to avoid the second. Jaune steadied his shield and attacked but swung to widely causing him to miss him. The man laughed at the cleric's attempt to down him.

"What's wrong yah pansy boy. Can't hold a weapon properly?" Mocked the highway bandit.

"Oh hell no." Jaune retorted back to Ren who voiced the insult. "I'd like to do a full attack."

"Roll."

Jaune blew on the dice for luck and hoped for the best.

D20: 15

With the added bonus of 1 it was 16 all together. Against the armor class of 14 Jaune's mettle proved itself.

Taken by the insult Jaune looked at the man eyes brimming with fervent righteousness.

"REPENT!" Jaune yelled at him. A warning of sorts.

"FUCK OFF AND DIE YAH PIECE OF SHIT!" He roared back.

Jaune has given him a choice but, it seemed he would not sway to a honest life. He whispered words of forgiveness to his god for he would attack to take a life. He gripped the mace firmly in his hand, remembering all the training he endured for times of peril. Target in his mind and vision he swung with all his might downward towards the bandit, yelling a menacing shout. The bandit challenged his swing by blocking with both axes but his actions would cost him dearly. Jaune's iron mace, fueled with divine power and anger, made little work of the axes as the shafts broke through. Unfazed and unyielding, Jaune's weapon bashed through the bandit's head who unluckily wore no protective headgear aside an animal's pelt. The man gave a gurgling sound as the impact connected and fell to the ground. Bloodied and barely conscious, he watched as his vision slowly fade into darkness.

"F-forgive me mother...It seems like you'll be spending your birthday alone this year." The bandits final words before his breath ceased.

"Cool Jaune that was your first kill!" Ren said happily.

"Man...I don't know about you guys but, I feel like a monster." Jaune felt no joy in his victory. His baptism in Behemoth and Bastion was complete.

"Alright Pyrrha you got the last guy, what would you like to do?" Ren said while feeling that he should have added more bandits. Maybe on the next campaign.

Pyrrha in reality had a easy time with the last bandit. After witnessing his two companions die by a muscle man's horse and a war-mongering cleric he was certain the he stood no chance. The female rogue quickly made it to the hostages. While still keeping a hawk's eye on the cowering bandit. Her job was to rescue the hostages but, she had her own agenda as well.

"Are the other adventurer's watching me?" She said plainly trying not to entice any suspicion.

"No they're still quite distracted." Ren said back. She cracked the slightest smile as she ripped a piece of paper and scribbled a few words down and handed it Ren who promptly read it seconds later.

[While untying the hostages I'd like to pickpocket all of them.]

"Gutsy. I like your style." He said smiling back, liking her take on playing the character well.

"What about my style?!" Nora said pouting.

"Your style is like cancer in which one day will drive me to an early grave." Ren said flatly. Nora eye's soon swelled almost bursting to tears.

"..."

"..."

"Fine if you stop that I'll cook you pancakes tomorrow and nuzzle with you on the couch."

"HOT DAMN THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT!" She quickly reverted back to normal Nora.

Before Ren got even further sidetracked by distractions he wrote a reply back and handed it back to the red headed rogue.

[ Roll for each hostage you wish to steal from. ]

Pyrrha borrowed four more twenty-sided dices from Ren, which peaked an interest look from Jaune and Nora who had no clue what she was doing, and rolled her action.

D20:
15
14
17
17
19

Along with a +5 sleigh of hand bonus from the skill list Pyrrha folded her arms and smiled triumphantly. Ren gave a small whistle on how impressed her rolls were considering she shot a child by accident. While the hostages were tied and under a stressful environment factored in to even further Pyrrha's cause it was best to assume she had succeeded. Nora and Jaune nodded in approval of the rolls despite not knowing its devious intentions.

Ren jotted down a few things on a piece of paper and handed it Pyrrha.

The ever opportunistic rogue found her situation beneficial for her sticky fingers. She quickly made her way towards the three merchants, untying them while quickly frisking them of any goods before they knew any better. She then made her way towards the mother and the unconscious boy. With her nimble fingers she did the same magic as she did with the merchants. Even a dying boy was no deterrent for her greedy nature as she quickly went through his pockets before carrying him to his mother. She ordered the 5 to stand back to until the battle has finally ended. As the frightened former captives fled to safer ground Pyrrha quickly inspected her haul.

100 gold

1 ruby ring (compliments from one of the merchants)

1 ceremonial hair pin

1 small flask on what smelled like aged wine.

Satisfied she quickly came back to focus on the last bandit who was still cowering behind the caravan. Injured from the arrows the bandit decided not to flee as they saw no point against horseback.

"I gotta avenge them. I got to avenge them." He chanted watching the 3 slowly make their way towards him. He was watching his life slowly nearing its end.

"Alright I'll go in first as I got the highest armor. Pyrrha you provide-" Jaune was interrupted.

"Wait! What does he look like?" Nora asked to Ren who was taken back with her odd question.

"Uhhh...thuggish, bleeding, and human?" Ren answered back skeptically.

"Ugh really?" Nora felt displeased. "Fine it'll do."

"COME OUT I WON'T HARM YOU." Nora started role playing with her adventurer's voice. Ren looked back surprised but quickly followed up.

"I SAW YOU KILL MY FRIEND! YOU MAY NOT HARM ME BUT YOUR HORSE WILL." The brigand screamed back.

"ZOKTOR IS AN IMPATIENT WIZARD. IF YOU DON'T COME OUT NOW, I WILL SICK HIM TOO YOU." Nora soon grabbed her twenty-sided dice. "Rolling for intimidation."

D20: 16

With +2 intimidation on her skill list the low level bandit stood no chance.

"Alright alright. I surrender please do not kill me." He begged.

"Zoktor will not kill you. Instead you will be his best friend and do his bidding." Nora said smiling.

"Say what?" Ren said back dumbfounded. Jaune and Pyrrha were even amused by this.

"Yes Zoktor needs a best friend for his journey. You be Zoktor's best friend."

"Alright Nora I gotta stop you somewhere...you don't have leadership nor have an ever lasting spell to control him for a long period of time." Ren said putting his foot down. "I won't let you have this."

Once again the waterworks soon made themselves present on Nora's face. "BUT RENNNNN! I'M SOOOOOOO LONELY. YOU'RE THERE BEHIND YOUR STACKS OF PAPERS WHILE JAUNE AND PYRRHA ARE TRAVELING TOGETHER, SAVING PRINCESSES, AND MAKING MEMORIES."

Before Ren can even rebuttal.

"I-I just wanted to be in an adventure with you..." Nora said meekly.

A moment of silent fell on everyone. Her words were so innocent and heart touching it made Jaune and Pyrrha 'awww' mentally.

Ren stood up from his chair and slowly headed for the door as everyone's eyes watched at Ren for a response. The green clothed man silently closed the door behind him as he stepped out.

"AAARRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGG ! #! #! !#$%^ WHY DOES SHE HAVE TO BE SO ! %$&*^! #! #! BY THE GODS I WILL 1! #%#! #! $% #$ AARRRRRRRGGGGG!"

A few seconds later there were a few heavy breathing to catch his breath. More seconds later he quietly entered back in more calm and serene state.

"Got it all out of your system?" Jaune voiced to his teammate.

"My head feels a lot lighter."

"Why don't we take a break for a few minutes, I'll order some pizza." Pyrrha suggested in which everyone agreed.

-Thirty minutes, pizza, and a few apologetic hugs from Nora later.-

"Alright Nora he surrenders and becomes your best friend despite your party murdering his friends and comrades." Ren said returning to his seat. Nora squealed in delight.

Saying back with her role playing voice. "From now on you shall be Lie Ren and together we shall have amazing adventures and stuff."

Pyrrha and Jaune looked at Nora and then to Ren to see his reaction.

"Oh joy... Alright continuing on. Everyone gets a level except for Nora. Instead the her horse gets a level." The BM said. Everyone was excited, even Nora.

The battle soon settled after the last bandit turned himself over. Jaune quickly aided the dying boy and mended his wounds with his newly acquired heal minor wounds. No longer in danger the merchants and family thank the adventurers and headed away. However the adventurers couldn't rest yet as they still had to rescue the princess. So they rode. With the newly reformed bandit...amply named Lie Ren riding with Zoktor leading them through the vast landscape as he was well knowledgeable of the geography they were finally able to reach the Sorceress Tower without any dilemma.

The party dismounts except Zoktor (sigh)...upon the giant granite door upon them. With several strength checks later they were finally able to open the door, ready to face the dangers ahead of them.

It was Saturday and this week was Yang's turn to do grocery shopping.

Spending an hour on a grocery store was not the best time she could be spending her weekend. Thankfully her reliable partner Blake had nothing better to do and tagged along to help.

"Did you buy some tuna?" Blake said non nonchalantly while her bow fidgeted in anticipation.

"Yeah yeah...but man I never realized this but we eat a lot." Yang pointed out.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

To prove her point she took out her scroll with contained the grocery list and with her finger started flicking down the screen for it to scroll down. Still scrolling down. Even more scrolling down. It took almost a minute for the list to finally reach the bottom.

"Stop being melodramatic...We're growing girls after all."

"Most of these are sugar based junk fo-" Yang soon felt a buzzing on her scroll. "Hold up I got a text. Oh it's from my baby sis"

[Sender: Ruby Rose- The Cutest]
[Subject: OMGCOMEBACK]
[ Yaaaannggg come back. You and Blake please come back quickly. Me and Weiss are so freaking out right now. We were watching a movie back in our dorm room then all of the sudden the loudest and most angriest screams we've ever heard was outside of the halls. When we went to look there was no one there! Please come back...and bring me a cookie along the way.]

Yang and Blake read the message and looked back at each other with the same expression.

"What the fuck."