"Demon Winter"

#121

OOC: I believe he meant that he attacked a yetti, thus getting rid of the chances of the group to remain in the good books with the king. This could be seen as bad or even traitorous to some people. ;)

"Demon Winter"

#122

Aden was exsausted but only gave a slight nod and quivering smile. " I believe I can help find Seraph however it might be difficult, I can ask the wind to search for him, however the wind is a curious element it is free and confusing.......wonderful. It sometimes plays games and speaks to me in riddles, I will try to ask the wind to find our Rat-man.....perhaps if they hear the urgency in my voice they will make haste with thier answer." with this Aden lowered her head and this time she didn't move her mouth instead she looked up... her eyes clear as a crisp breeze on an autumn afternoon...the the wind whipped about her caressing her shivering frame...... then she slowly began to sing with a vioce so pure it was like the wind itself whistling acroos the moors. It was her eyes however that seemed to be speaking........ just the intensity in which they seemed to plead. The tears that streaked her blood covered face.... She seemed to be telling the story of their journey not through song but through her eyes.

"Demon Winter"

#123

OOC: my character, by attacking the Herald, pretty much signed the groups death sentence as far as the Yetti's are concerned. I am assuming that that is not in the groups best interests. The Yeti's will find the dart in the Heralds neck, and the cut across his throat could have been caused by neither the shaman nor the elementals (neither had access to a bladed weapon), only by a member of the group. In killing the Herald, Seraph had essentially put the rest of the group into grave danger. I would consider that a traitorous act. Remember that Seraph puts high value in his abilities to be discreet and not be caught. He considered his failure to do so as the equivalent of trying to be caught, and caught at something which was strongly against the groups best interest.

"Demon Winter"

#124

As Aden communes with the wind everyone is witness to her wonderful voice as it floats away on the current of wind. Everyone shifts uncomfortably as a gust of wind rips through the tunnel. In Aden's mind, she sees the path of the gusting wind that just left the tunnel. It travels around yettis both at work and on the prowl. Yes, they were looking for the group already. A four man patrol was moving toward their exact location. The wind continued on, now a quarter mile out of the entrance to the citadel. With a final powerful gust the wind blows hard on what apprears to be a tiny mound covered in snow. As the snow parts to the mightier wind, Seraph's form can be seen lying prostrate on the cold ground. Blood is flowing freely from his smashed nose. Then the scene became obscure. Now the entire path of the wind seems to rewind in Aden's mind at frightening speed. The wind retraces it's steps and finally slams home back into Aden. The effect was so powerful that Bear raced over to catch the elf maiden before she fell to the ground. Aden was still conscious, but extremely weak. Bear looks down to her with concern. "What did you see m'lady! Does Seraph still live? Did the wind reveal anything else to you?" The group silently awaits Aden's response. The last thing she had seen was the smiling, tooth filled snout of a massive werewolf as it had grabbed hold of Seraph's leg.

"Demon Winter"

#125

Aden's eyes were wide with fright finding herself proped against thier leaders arms.... shaking she could only mouth one word........ danger...... with one last beckoning glance into bears eyes she stood shakily, gathering her strength, what was left and quickly bound out of the hole in which Seraph fled through earlier. she new that she had to find away to cover the footprints left in the snow..... but her strength was failing her and seraph was more important than that..... as they grew closer to the place in which Aden had seen Seraph she could hear the creature sniffing widly in the air it knows of our presence..........

"Demon Winter"

#126

With an exasperated sigh, Bear beckons the rest of the group to follow the fleet elf maiden. "What did you see? What danger? Has the wind shown you the way out m'lady? Bear manages to ask through labored breathing. And then he gets his answer. Bear's Battle Ax began to glow white hot! His eyes bulged with shock. "it can't be....they have been gone for centuries...." he stammered aloud. In an instant the bright aura faded and the group reached where Seraph had originally fallen. The entire group was breathing heavily due to the break neck pace the elven princess had them on. Blood still stained the snow where the ratman had collapsed. Large paw prints could be seen all over the place. A deep and loud horn blasted off from within the Yetti Citadel not a quarter mile behind the group. The yettis would soon be after them. Bear sighed. He needed all five for the prophecy to become fullfilled. The group's luck had definantly taken a huge plunge. They had werewolves and yettis to contend with and the guardian's lair was still a two days journey away. To make things worse, the demons were on their way to destroy the place. Again, Bear sighed out loud. "We must rescue Seraph. Tsurin, can you do something to cover our tracks and perhaps misdirect the yetti patrols? We must make haste everyone. Everyone be prepared for an ambush, but don't look like your prepared! I think a little subterfuge is in order! We must rescure Seraph at all costs!" with that being said Bear began to move in the direction the wolf tracks were leading.
(Meanwhile)....The werewolf dropped the ratman uncerimoniously to the ground in front of Lyrid. "I captured the rat while he was unconscious m'lord. The others hasten to follow and attempt a rescue on the miserable creature. They are as predictable as you said they were lord. They will be walking right into our trap!" Jerard finished with a smile. Lyrid nodded his head in approval. "Let the others know the plan is a go. We must not fail!"

OOC: Seraph, if you wake up, your shackled at the ankles and wrists. Your mouth has been gagged but you can see with no obstructions. You are lying close to a fire, but just outside the ring. A werewolf sentry watches your slumbering form from the shadows.

"Demon Winter"

#127

At Bears request, Tsurin nodded faintly with a small smile, "I most certainly can." with a semicircular sweep of his hand, palm down, the group would feel a heavy gust of wind at their feet, blowing snow around until imprints of both their tracks and the werewolfs were gone, though the blood remained. He had done a very similar thing in his homelands several years ago, when bieng chased by bandits and with no desire to kill them. With a clenched fist, faced back to where the groups fooprints began, and motioned down with his hand, almost in a 'stamping' gesture. At each descent of that fist, an imprint of one of their footprints was created - he formed a trail to pass over the blood-stained snow, then to veer off in a right-angle - not quite the opposite direction as they would be heading to trail these werewolves. The false trail was made for perhaps a hundred meters before it began fading - hopefully the yetis would merely think that the winds and snow had slowly erased the trail. "The blood of our verminous friend should give them the false impression that one of us are wounded which, in my experience of hunters, gives them a false sense of arrogance. I'll cover our fresh tracks as we seek these beasts - let's go."

"Demon Winter"

#128

OOC: Actually, as much as i would love for Seraph to wake up and pick the lock to his shackles and then whatever else, He is pretty much out like a light util he gets some water, or blood production into his system. He has lost a lot of blood and is pretty bad off right now, although simply touching him with water should wake him enough to get him to drink enough not to die.

Anyway, I also need to know what, if anything, was taken off of Seraph's unconscious body. Also, If any of my things have been moved, make sure that you tell me if and where i see them at the point that my character comes through.

IC: Seraph passed between being unconscious and dead, for several hours. Each time he came up farther and farther from being awake, and each time he went back down, he went closer and closer to death. His bleeding had stopped, but there was barely enough blood left in him to run his vital organs, and certaintly not the rest of him. As his body temperature started t drop, his body started shivering from the cold. His arm wiggled in a sickeningly impossible movent as his body tried harder and harder to compensate for the heat. the wraps on his feet were now soaked through to his feet.

His body layed there shivvering uncontrollably on the ground, as his mind fought fought death for the ground which it was rapidly losing.

"Demon Winter"

#129

OOC: I have a question; why is a rat-man named after an angel?

"Demon Winter"

#130

Twenty minutes after the group had moved on in pursuit of Seraph a patrol of yettis numbering fifteen arrived at the blood stain. The smallest of the patrol walked up to inspect the blood. This yetti was covered with leather pouches and sported a necklace with teeth that could only have belonged to a large dragon. After a long inspection of the blood and the foot prints the yetti shaman pulled forth a leather bag containing orange powder. The shaman began to chant in the gutteral language of the yetti and began pouncing around while dropping pinches of the orange powder on the blood stained snow. As it finished the wind began to swirl around the blood stain and the entire patrol, including the shaman, backed away. The wind picked up in intensity over the blood stain and began to look more like a small tornado. The tornado began sucking in snow, ice, earth and tree limbs at a rapid pace. Everything within the tornado became obscured. Finally the wind settled and in it's place stood a massive elemental. The summoned creature was constructed of what had been sucked up by the magical tornado. It was all snow, earth and tree and had to black lifeless eyes. The only feature that did not originate from nature was the blood stain that had been on the ground. The blood stain now stretched across the elemental's chest. The creature sniffed the air once and found Seraph's scent immediately. With a grating roar, it took off in the direction the werewolves had taken the ratman knocking small trees over in it's wake. Five yetti's, to include the shaman followed the elemental tracker, while the remaining ten began following the foot prints heading off in the other direction. The yettis had been dispatched by the king to kill the group and return with the head of the guardian as punishment for the group's insolence.
(Meanwhile)....A flash of bright light errupted in the middle of the werewolf camp and two black clad figures emerged. As soon as they stepped from the light it quickly faded. The Firemage walked directly up to Lyrid and stopped to look back at the prone Seraph. "Report slave!" it demanded of the werewolf lord. Lyrid, with a look of total disgust, replied, "We tracked the group to Bizmak's citadel, where my kin dare not enter. Hours later, my scout found that rat lying half dead a quarter mile beyond the citadel's entrance. We took him in hope that the group would follow to rescue it. Our hopes have been fullfilled. The group is within minutes of falling into an ambush. We will have the guardian's head for you before the sun sets." The firemage nodded once and turned to it's comrade. The bright light appeared once again and both Dark Elementals stepped back within it's embrace. Before they faded from view the Firemage spoke, "We are watching wolf lord....do not fail us!" As the last was spoken the light blinked out and they were gone. Lyrid could only glare at the spot the two mages had just left. He needed to finish this and return to his forest. It was getting harder for him to control his temper. He could not risk losing it and putting his clan in jeapardy. No, he would not fail. He could not fail.
(Meanwhile)....The group continued to follow the tracks of the werewolves up a small game trail. The forest was starting to become less dense as they progressed and soon they came upon a wide open stretch with no cover. To either side of the stretch of plain was impassable terrain. They had to move through for about a 100 meters to gain the cover of the forest on the other side of the clearing. Bear stopped and surveyed the dangerous clearing. To his left were impassable thorn vines, from which the tiniest scratch could cause madness within minutes and death within days. To his right was a steep hillside covered in icey patches. It was unclimbable. The group only had one way to go to continue following the werewolf trail. Backtracking could lose them a day or two. No. They had no choice but to press forward. Bear looked around at the group with a questioning stare. "We seem to have come to a danger crossing. Anyone have any ideas on how best to cross this clearing up ahead. Something just doesn't feel right." Bear waits for a reply from the group.

OOC: Seraph, you still have all of your possessions on you. The werewolves do not fear you in the least and consider you on your last leg approaching death's embrace. You are lying close enough to the fire to feels it's warmth. Enjoy all.

"Demon Winter"

#131

Gerrard leaned on his spear looking at the clearing that almost certainly held an ambush.
"We can always use my explosive and poisonous gas potions like we did against the gnolls. It might at least throw them off their guard."

"Demon Winter"

#132

Aden's breathing had become harsh and slow and a her eyes held a strange hollowness her words were quick as she struggled to speak...... " "The wind is in our favor perhaps the creatures won't catch our sent if this is so then we may still hold the advantage of suprise they do not know that we are aware of the ambush.............." Aden takes a long steep breath......... " My arrows are a match to my bow..... the heads are silver. If my memory serves me correctly silver is fatal to these creatures. perhaps we could lure them out some................. how long enough for me to................ to deliver my arrows we might just surrvive this test as well"

"Demon Winter"

#133

OOC: since no on else will post guess I will :D my posts may be few and far between for the next week or so cause of my sisters wedding......... try to post as often as possible though........

IC:Aden trys to hold out her bow but her hands are unsteady her fingers tremble as she strokes the leaf that ends its graceful curve...... she looks pleadingly out at the group........ "I can't aim like this........ some one else will have to wield my bow............. we have to hurry before it is to late....... we have to have all five................" her eyes took in a glazed appearance as she spoke these final words........... her hands are to unsteady to hold even this the lightest of bows and it falls uncerimoniously to the snow covered ground.

"Demon Winter"

#134

Bear acknowledged Gerrard with a slight nod of his head. "It worked before, perhaps it will work again. But, someone will have to run out as bait to bring the wolves to supper...so to speak." Bear looks around the group to see if any would volunteer. As he did, a twig cracked to the groups left, followed by numerous growls. "Too late my friends, they have found us!" As Bear finished his sentence a ball of fur and teeth broke from the brush and slammed into him. Bear was instantly knocked down under the weight of the flying werewolf. As the group looks down to Bear in his struggle more werewolves break from the cover of the forest to surround the group. There were six surrounding the group now. Then a solid smash sounded as Tree slammed home his massive warhammer into the Bear's assailant. The stunned werewolf dodged back off of Bear nearly avoiding another strike of the potent warhammer. With a hateful glare, it backed away to join it's brethren in surrounding the group. With Aden too weak to fight and Seraph missing, the group was down to Bear, Tree, Tsurin and Gerrard. four against six was hardly a fair battle when your opponents were werewolves. There were only three ways to kill a werewolf. Silver was one. Decapitation or ripping their black hearts out were the other two. Bear motioned for the group to make a protective circle around Aden and the sled. Bear's battle ax began to glow white hot. The werewolves began to tighten the circle. In the very near distance more howls could be heard. Reinforcements were en route already. The only opening left to the group was the direction facing the clearing. They had no choice but to move that way or face the wolves on the trails tightly packed fighting area. An advantage for the werewolves since both Bear and tree would need room to swing and manuever their large weapons. Gerrard would also need room to use his explosives and poisons. With a sudden shout, Bear ordered the group to back into the clearing. Now in the clearing, the group had more room to manuever. The werewolves completely surrounded the group now. They now numbered eight as two new members joined the circle of predators from the clearings north side. The group was now outnumbered eight to four. Things were looking grim indeed. And then the worst thing imaginable happened. Breaking trees and limbs as they came, the six yettis and the elemental broke from the cover of the forest and created another perimeter around the werewolves. The group was now surrounded by two circles of death. Werewolves now looked from the prey to their competition with a look of both confusion and hatred. The situation was filled with powerful tension as the three patries sized eachother up. No one made a move and Bear whispered his question, "Anyone have any ideas. This is getting worse by the minute. This is going to get very bad very soon." He readies his ax and looks around at the group awaiting a reply.

"Demon Winter"

#135

Aden looks up the old spark back in her veridain eyes perhaps a little mind game would do the trick..... "Yeti are known to be extrememly prideful and arrogant creatures if we could only convince them that the werewolves insulted them by using us as bait to trap them....... as the two battle it out we can escape............"

"Demon Winter"

#136

Gerrard looked at the twin circles surrounding them. This was bad. They had had a chance against the werewolves, but they would be slaughtered against both yetti's and the lycanthropes. Aden's plan might be the only one. He slipped his arms into his coat, taking hold of his secret chemical, popping out the cork and readying it to drink if this broke into a battle.

"Bear, I think getting them to battle one another might be our only way. I have a chemical to confuse people and make them full of battle rage against anyone they can get at. The problem is that its a gas, and if I use it, we'll be caught in it and we'll probably die. If we can get them to fight each other just long enough to get us a clear distance, I can hopefully get them to kill each other."

He reached into his coat and grabbed a different vial, full of a condensed red gas.

"Just tell me when..."

"Demon Winter"

#137

As the tension fully set in the yetti shaman took a step towards the werewolve perimeter with a finger pointed in their direction. "Leave dogs! This be our lands and you have not been invited. These foolish mortals be needed in our master's torture chambers for murder!" The shaman finished with a snarl just as the largest werewolf stepped towards him. This had to be the biggest werewolf any of them had seen. The shaman looked to his guards for support. Bear took this opportunity to follow Aden's plan. "Murder you say? How mighty shaman could we be charged with murder? Mortals, such as our selves, had nothing to do with it. We have no chance against your kind. The werewolf and his pack kidnapped us from our cells with the help of a mage! They are the ones to be punished for murder! We are not at fault!" he finished with a look of complete inocents. The shaman looked surprised by the admission fromt he guardian. But soon the bred in hatred for the werewolves replaced that consusion with rage. Lyrid, on the other hand, stared at the yettis with open contempt. He was easily as tall as the tallest yetti and where the yettis were heavier in bulk, this werewolf made up for it in sheer muscle. The shaman balked again and spoke directly to the approaching werewolf. "Lord Lyrid, certainly this is an honor for me. You are after all, the only one of you kind with any sort of intelligence. The only of your kind that my master has some respect for. But make no mistake, I am not of my master's mind. You are nothing but a overgrown dog to me. You may bow and pay homage to me. Then perhaps, I will let you leave this place. Bow and you can take your dogs with you! You and yours will not be harmed if my wishes are granted. The shaman smiled. Lyrid smiled back showing off his massive canines. "Tempting offer shaman. But me and my own will be taking these mortals and your heads if you do not leave this place!" Lyrid growled as he finished. The shaman, totally surprised by the wolf lords words ordered his elemental forward on pure instinct. Everything seemed to stop moving as all parties watched the elemental stalk up to the werewolf leader. As the elemental closed the gap Lyrid pounced past the elemental while striking one clawed hand past the summoned monster's throat. It happened faster than the eye could follow. Faster than the mind could interpret. An audible crack was followed by a spreading split across the now stopped elemental's throat. It all happened so fast that everyone seemed to gasp at the sheer brutality of what just occurred. As Lyrid landed on all fours facing the shaman the head of the elemental rolled down the trail to stop right between it's master's feet. "Insolent bastard! ATTACK!" screamed the yetti shaman. "Destroy Lyrid and his pitiful pack of murderers!" Bear looked at his group and made a backing gesture with his hands. Slowly the group began to back away from the beginning brawl. As the distance between them grew to ten feet Bear turned to Gerrard. "Now!" was all he yelled.

"Demon Winter"

#138

Aden followed in the others footprints as best she could then yelled in her tired but forceful vioce," follow the wolf hound's prints they will lead us directly to the place were Seraph is being held prisoner..... Bear you seem to know much about these creatures that I must admit are foriegn to me....... tell me have you any idea how many guards we maybe facing?"

"Demon Winter"

#139

Tsurin backed away with the rest of the group. His face showed slight worry at the delicate situation, but also curiousity at the werewolves forms and grace. The only wolves he had seen were the arctic ones who were generally loners, or hunted in packs of 3-4. He nodded faintly at Adels words, silently agreeing with her - they must get to seraph.

"Demon Winter"

#140

"Ok, guys, here we go... RUN!" Gerrard lobbed the rage potion into the mass of enemies. It hit the frozen ground and smashed, releasing a huge cloud of red gas. Any creature which breathed it in would be instantly overcome with battle rage and confusion, attacking anything they could get their hands on....

"Demon Winter"

#141

Seraph stopped shaking, scenes ceased to play through his mind. His heart slowed down. So slow, that it beat only as fast as a human at rest. There was no more heat to be produced, no way to produce it. There was nothing to stop his falling temperature, and so his body temperature started to fall.

His body lie on the ground with his arm off at an angle different from what it should be. He lay still as stone, his brown cape rustling every now and then as the breeze saw fit....

OOC: hey guys, I have to be out of town for a while, so although i will still be posting, it may not be as frequently as i would like. Just giving you a heads up.

"Demon Winter"

#142

The gas hit the group as they call clashed into battle. So deep were their hatred towards one another, they never noticed the gas and continued to fight with intesified agression. As the group backed away from the combatants a deep growl arose from behind them. As Bear turns he and the group will notice two uneffected werewolves stalking out of the dark forest beyond the trail. They both immediately see the carnage taking place behind the group, although after sharing a knowing glance towards eachother, they opt to advance on the group. One of the two, faints a lunge at Aden and then hurls itself into Tree, knocking the big man to the ground. Tree was quickly overwhelmed beneath the weight of the werewolf and lost his warhammer on the fall to the ground. Instantly his assailant begins slicing open the skin on his chest as it looks for a soft warm organ to devour. Bear instantly goes to the defense of his fallen friend. As he does, the other werewolf moves in to attack Aden. It doesn't even give Tsurin or Gerrard a sideward glance. It seems to dismiss either as a threat as it goes for a tasty piece of elven flesh.
(Meanwhile) Back at the werewolf camp the remaining four guards were edgy. The sounds from the ensuing battle not far away was bringing their blood rage to bare. The werewolves glowing red eyes on the prone form of Seraph and began to salivate. One advanced on his form followed by another. They began to push and shove eachother trying to get at Seraph. Then, an odd sound began to emerge from behind the four predators. It sounded like several bells and a muffled males voice cursing sofly under his breath. The werewolves all stopped and looked at eachother as an short gnomish looking old man stepped out of the brush. It seemed ridiculous that the man didn't realize his predicament. The werewolves still did not make any moves towards the newcommer. The old gnome went about straightening his brown robe and pouches, while finaly fixing his brown floppish hat. Finally, he noticed the glowing eyes staring down at him. He didn't seem scared in the least bit. Actually, he smiled. "Greetings my wolf friends!" he exclaimed. "I see you got a downed friend over yonder." he pointed at Seraph. The werewolves never let their eyes leave the curious new stranger. Seraph feels a charge go through his body as bone and flesh begin to mend at an alarming rate. Seraph's body begins to warm up and his strength returns in the blink of an eye. Seraph becomes aware of his surroundings and overhears the conversation. "I say you four, would ye be minding if I took yer guest for a walk? We have much to talking about." again the gnomish figure pointed towards Seraph. And, once again, the werewolves didn't peel their eyes off the stranger. Seraph you will now feel your shackles release and see your weapons and belongings layed out in front of your prone body. Now, the werewolves advanced a couple of steps towards the newcommer. Menace was displayed across their faces as the blood lust once again took hold of them. Here, standing before them, was a meal they wished to partake in. The old man just smiled and waved a hand in front of the advancing werewolves. "Ye fellas just hold on a second, while I go talk to yer friend over yonder." explained the strange old gnome. All four werewolves froze in place unable to move. Seraph can hear the whimpers escape their frozen snouts as the footsteps of the old stranger accompanied by his bells, come closer to his position. Seraph has time to react whichever way he likes. The old stranger begins to hum an old folk story hymn from Seraph's homeland as he gets closer.

"Demon Winter"

#143

Tsurins features widen in surprise at the two new werewolves, and as they take their targets, he steps back a pace, pondering quickly. The elven woman may still be too weak to defend herself, and Tsurin was confident bear could hold against the other wolf for a while. So the climate mage shifted his right hand in the gesture of holding the hilt of a weapon, then made a crouching motion, swinging that fist as though striking a massive warhammer to the snow. upon the motion of the striking, a glacial spike of ice thrusts upward beneath the werewolfs feet, as though sprouting from the very ground. Should the werewolf not notice it in time, or not move in time, it would likely be impaled on the stalactite. Either way, Tsurin counts on the fact that it would hopefully now be too preoccupied with the spear of ice to notice the blue-clad man now charging towards it, leaping forth from his crouched position and snatching his quarterstaff from off his back, holding it like a long sword and swinging it violently towards the back of the beasts head.

"Demon Winter"

#144

Aden forgetting her weakness and out of sheer need of survival clenched her silver bow off the frozen hard ground...... she quickly seizes an arrow and fits it tightly in her bow..... but her hands are still quite unsteady......... thankfully Tsurin came directly to her aide.......... she now could take time to aim her arrow directly for the beasts large heart................

"Demon Winter"

#145

The elf! He couldn't let her be hurt, and she was obviously not in any condition to defend herself for long. Gerrard grasped the shaft of his spear and spun it around in front of him. He lept forward, the blade of the spear slicing through the air toward the werewolf's chest....

"Demon Winter"

#146

Seraph felt warmth pass through his body, and then a cool feeling course through his veins. His mind was alive and alert. He felt the nubmness flow from his limbs, and seconds later, flow from his previously paralized arm, now with full functionality and usefullness. When he awoke, he was not entirely sure that he was not dead. It was his first impression of the events that had just taken place, but then he realized that the werewolves had noticed both him and the gnome. Still, he was not sure that this was not some sort of afterdeath drama, being played through, but if there were going to be symbolic creatures to kill him, they would be Kitins (kite-inns) not werewolves, and his rescuer would not be a gnome but a... well actually he had no idea what form a rescuer would take. Truly this was a first for him.

(for the purposes of this post, i will assume that like you said before, that my weapons and items are still equipped because the werewolves never removed them. If that is a problem, just say so and i will edit this post.)

Seraph stood up, and cautiously serveyed the scene, still contemplating wether or not this was life death or just some random dream. If this was real, than that was a powerful mage who just rose him. Seraph had no knowledge of wizardry, but knew that such magic was truly exceptional.

"OK, You have my full attention." He said with a cautious tone.

"Demon Winter"

#147

Tsurin's spell takes hold and as the werewolf stalks in for the kill on the elf it stops mid-step and emitts a loud yelp. The werewolf looks down and sees a frozen spike protruding from the top of it's foot. Unable to move, the creature immediately crouches down and tries to lift it's foot from the sharp ice. Too late it notices the spear coming in for it's heart. The werewolf stands quick enough to except the spear right in it's chest. With another howl of pain, it grabs ahold of the spear shaft and flings Gerrard across the trail where he hits hard into a maple tree. Now, the werewolf tries desperately to free itself from both spear and ice spike. Again, from loss of blood and pain, it fails to see it's peril in the form of an elven arrow. Aden, with an abundance of time, aimed well and let fire her silver arrow. It's mark was true and the arrow pierces the immobile creature's heart. Blood errupts from the wound as the werewolf howls in agony. Soon the howl fades to a blood filled gurgle as the werewolf crumbles to the trail dead. Gerrard moans weakly on the ground where he hit the maple tree. Blood flows freely from a wound he sustained on his forehead.
(Meanwhile) Bear was able to shoulder the beast off of Tree and now the two warriors faced off against the massive werewolf. It snarled and lunged snapping it's teeth, but never committed to an attack. After seeing it's companion go down it lost it's nerve and fled through the dense forest at the side of the trail. Bear turned quickly and related, "We must move quickly now. We must get to Seraph before they kill him!" As he finishes, Bear takes off following the werewolves tracks. Tree takes off after him with the sled in tow.
(Meanwhile) "Oh, you full attention. Well, that is nice lad. I needn't have your full attention though. I have come to make sure you are ok and make it out of this dreadful camp intact. You travel with an old friend of mine and he needs all the help he can get." The gnomish man stops and squints down at Seraph's pack. Then, regaining himself, continues to speak. "Now that your free, I wish only a couple of things from you Seraph. Yes I know your name....I know every living creatures name. Come to think of it, I know some undead names as well." The old man stops and looks deep in thought. Then, noticing Seraph watching him continues, "Now, where was I....oh yeah, me needs you to deliver a gift to the one named Tsurin." The gnome pulls forth a wooden staff topped with a clear crystal sphere. "It will aid him in the trials to come. Please see to it that he receives this." Now the gnome smiles. "And for your troubles and your trials ahead, I offer you this gift. If will help keep the cold away and "strengthen your resolve, so to speak." The gnomish man hands over both gifts and smiles again. A twig broke behind Seraph's shoulder and after looking to see what was there, Seraph will turn and see the old man and the paralyzed werewolves all gone. From somewhere close he hears the old man speak again, "Trust in the guardian, within him lies the worlds only salvation!" and then the voice is gone. Again, Seraph hears more twigs and branches snapping. He hears, before he sees, Bears hushed whispers as the group begins to spread out around the abandoned werewolf campsite. It begins to dawn on Seraph that the same group he sought to leave because he feared they would acuse him of betrayal, now came to rescue him. And now, he had a staff and a pair of fine leather gloves in his possession. Both given to him by a strange old gnome. A strange old gnome that saved him and destroyed four massive werewolves. Another branch and another twig snapped. To any others these sounds would be hard to pick up as they were only all but silent. But Seraph's fine tuned hearing picked up every footstep as his group closed in on his position.

"Demon Winter"

#148

Though Aden looked like that of a forgotten ragdoll she was piosed and ready for the trials ahead....... She kept glancing at tree and the niose that he was making as he dragged his feet over the bitter snow............ her ears pricked she heard movement close.......... could it possibly be Seraph? has he escaped on his own........ drawing her arrow to her bow string she walks in wait.

"Demon Winter"

#149

His name!!! How did the gnome know his name? What else did this gnome know? Seraph, although glad not to be dead, certainly did not like this news of some extremely powerful wizard with untold information about Seraph. Wizards were truly dangerous. He did not like this.

He looked down at the gloves and the spear. As much as he wanted to pocket the spear, it would be of no use to him, so he would grudgingly have to give the spear to Tsurin. And the gloves. They had better be enchanted. If they were not enchanted then they were no more than a pair of leather patches to mend his cape with.

Before his companions could see him, he dropped the spear on the ground and grabbed his knife. With the knife he quickly cut the fingers and thumbs off of the gloves and stuffed them into one of the ins ide pockets of his cape. Then, sheathing his knife, he put the fingerless gloves on his hands before anybody had a chance to see him.

Leaving the spear on the ground he walked around the campfire looking for any items of value that had been left by the werewolf party (keeping his ears open for any other creatures that might be approaching of course (and it is pretty much implied that anytime he is not engaged in a battle or otherwise noisy and or extremely strenuous activity, that he is listening intently (and keeping his eyes open) for anything out of the ordinary))

Seraph continues to look for valuables as the group arrives. He does not want to appear like anything was ever wrong, or that anything unusual has happened, and so, while not completely ignoring them, a quick glance in the party's general direction and the continuing to look for items on the ground should definately give everybody the impression that their arrival was completely and entirely unimportant. It was bad enough that the gnome had seen him in such dire need. It was not something he would repeat if he could avoid it. He had spent his whole life trying to break the image of him being weak and helpless, and he did not need to fuel that image by letting the group know that anything had been wrong just now. No, they would have to believe that nothing unusual had happened, or that even though something unusual had happened, that it was not unusual to Seraph.

(If anybody asks about anything that took place with him recently, he will give them a very casually vague and unuseful reply that is meant to leave the actual question unanswered.)

"Demon Winter"

#150

Aden quietly entered into the cave aware of every movement and quite shocked that they had yet to be confronted........ she shifted uneasily as she saw Seraph alone in the entrance of the cave. With tears in her eyes she ran up to him and flung her arms around him "we thought we lost you, when I saw you with the werewolves............" now holding him at arms links and with panic in her vioceshe asked, "were are the werewolves.... we have gotta go they may return......... why did they leave you alone....... they must have thought that you extremely weak to leave you unattended..... Huh, werewolves must be thicker than I thought though look at you... your not even wounded........" with this she looked back at the rest of the party...... smiling " we have five now we can go now right?"

"Demon Winter"

#151

A thrill of warmth passed through him as her arms wrapped around him for the brief instant. His hand was wrapped around three-quarters drawn, poison tipped krisknife. At such a sudden violation of personal space, of which Seraph had not at all been used to, he had immediately gone to his knife. He quickly sheathed it before Aden could see it, but as she drew back from her embreace he saw that the damage had been done. there was a small but potentially lethal cut on her leg of which his blade had taken part. As she went on, tears still having left their mark of dew upon her eyelashes, she seemed not to even notice the cut. He had done a good job keeping his blade razor sharp.

As she turned to her friends he spoke with urgency tinted with a kind of calm, relaxed manner.
"you have a cut on your leg," and touching the spot as if to inspect the place that he already knew to be poisoned, "It is poisoned. It will need to be cleaned now, and without delay."
Bringing a finger, stained with a drop of blood, to his nose he added "It is Shatenta" he said. "It will not kill you, but if let sit it will paralyze the entire bottom half of your body within less than a minute." Sniffing it again he said "it has been distilled and is very pure and high quality. There is no time to lose, sit down now and try to hold still."

It was true. The poison was quite strong, and should already be causing a complete lack of feeling in Adens mid-thigh where the cut lay through her white and green capes, not to mention a subtle numbness creaping quickly through the whole of her leg and witch would soon be cascading into the other one.

He pulled out his antidote, which he no longer even really needed for himself, who had adapted an immunity to the toxin. He applied the antidote quickly and surely, without pause or hesitation.

She had hugged him, and in return he had poisoned her, which in all actuallity bothered him much less than the former. She had hugged him, with tears in her eyes. He knew why Gerrard cared that he find Seraph. Gerrard needed five to finish his job, and not four. Gerrard was not worth trusting, but atleast Seraph had some leverage with wich he could work to his favor. But Aden, that puzzled him. And he was not sure why, but he had enjoyed that thrill of warmth that had just been passed to him. He would have to think about this later, when he had some time to think.

He thought this as he had finished bandaging up the wound. The whole process had taken less than half of a minute. There would still be some numbness for the next few minutes, but not complete paralysis, and it would go away without further care.

OOC: if i found anything, then i have taken them with me, and of course, i assume that you will tell me, what, if anything, i have found.

"Demon Winter"

#152

Aden could already feel the pioson taking affect........... and so quickly after Seraph blade had grazed her........ she knew it was Seraphs blade not because she felt it slice across her leg but because he had decieved himself.......... he said that the poison would take affect within less than a minute and he was the only one that she had had any contact with within that moment.......... however she could only guess that it was an accident because it was he who bandaged her......... because of this she decided to keep the knowledge to herself besides this gave her reason to rest on the sleigh for a while and after todays events rest was one thing she was looking forward too!

OOC: I just assumed that the sled is still with us if it is not hten PM me and I will edit this post.

"Demon Winter"

#153

Bear took in the whole scene, obviously relieved that Seraph was still alive and up to old tricks. Bear was also aware that nothing had come into contact with Aden that would cause her to become poisoned. But he, like Aden, kept the information to himself. Quickly Bear dispatched Tree to check the camp for werewolf tracks and directions so he could get a proper feel on the numbers they would be dealing with. Looking around his group he realized everyone was on their last leg due to non-stop battles and escapes they had all been dealing with in the last 48 hours. As he mentally took all this in a crash ripped a bush apart behind where Seraph was bandaging Aden. Before any could react, a massive werewolf tackled Aden to the ground and sunk it's teeth into her shoulder. Due to Aden's weakened state and Seraph's distraction with mending her, neither were able to avoid the crushing rush completely. After being knocked to the side, Seraph will manage to roll away clean and be ready for a counter attack. Aden feels the crushing pressure caused by the huge werewolf's bulk and the bite is terribly painful. As Bear wades in with his Battle Axe the werewolf quickly bounds off Aden and comes around on the group down on all fours. "Foolish mortals.....my entire pack was just wiped out by those disgusting yettis....and should you kill me now....should my attempt at revenge fail....know that your pitiful maiden has now been infected and will carry on my legacy....!" With a snarl of laughter, Lyrid, the leader of the werewolves, jumps at Seraph attempting to claw at his throat. Somewhere in the near distance, the remaining yettis roar in frustration. Obviously, some of them still survive and are looking for Lyrid and the group. Tsurin can't help but notice the alluring twinkle on the ground in the middle of the camp. Even with all of the confusion and the terror ispired by the massive rampaging werewolf on the attack, he feels pulled towards something on the ground. If he chooses to give into this compelling objects pull, Tsurin will find himself looking down at a magical staff topped with a clear crystal sphere. The sphere is glowing a light green. Meanwhile, now that battle is fully upon Seraph, he feels a warmth spread from his new gloves throughout the rest of his body. Seraph will begin to feel stronger. He now has the strength of 5 of his kind. Also, Seraph begins to feel a slight burn from the concealed blade he had taken from the Jade Assassin. It seems to be calling to him mentally.

OOC: Seraph, you found assorted belongings of travelers caught and eaten by the werewolves. Amongst their belongings you procured about 30 silver and 10 gold pieces.

"Demon Winter"

#154

Gerrard watched helplessly as the werewolf burst from the underbrush and sank its jaws into Aden. His eyes closed to slits as he heard what the beast said, and his fingers closed around the spear's haft. He pulled it in front of him and when it went for Seraph he lunged at it, swinging the spear point towards the lycanthrope's head...

"Demon Winter"

#155

Seraph, although feeling much stronger, was not about to deviate from what worked. He dodged to the side in a roll while, in an almost non-existant moment, unsheathing his dagger and, still having plenty of poison on the blade, around so that it would act as a barrier between him and the werewolf. If the blade was caught fully submerged into the attacking werewolf, it would lock up the entire body in a minute's time, and lock up whatever was wounded in mere seconds.

If and when he came up, he would be back in battle ready stance. The draw to the hidden blade would not take over his instincts of survival. he would hold his blade in standard motion, and if the werewolf apeared slowed, would switch it to his left hand and pull and throw a dart with his left.

"Demon Winter"

#156

Aden holding her wounded sholder blade is furious.......... the beast already emurging inside her............. she turns her head her eyes glowing the color of frost on glass she draws a silver Arrow from her quiver and strings it tight................. her teeth Bared and knuckles white she shoots..............

"Demon Winter"

#157

The werewolf misses it's attack on Seraph and takes a chunk out of an oak tree trunk instead. Lyrid did take a glancing blow to the ribs from Seraph's blade and stops to look down at it. Within seconds, much to Seraph's dismay, the wound heals the werewolf smiles. With the flawless instincts of one who had lived for over 500 years, Lyrid felt the spear coming for him before he saw it. With a quick duck and grab, he deflects Gerrard's spear and spins around launching a spinning backfist at the human's exposed face. Gerrard is launched several feet into the air and goes crashing down hard on the ground. Lyrid spins the disarmed spear and twirls it in his hand making ready to throw it at the prone form that was Gerrard. Luck saved Gerrard in that instant. As Lyrid made ready to throw a silver streak whizzed in towards his chest. Again, instincts saved the wolf lord as he dodges away barely escaping the sting of the arrow. The spear was forgotten in the evasion and was dropped to the ground. Bear's battle ax came screaming in and again the werewolf avoided certain death. After ducking the swing Lyrid uppercutted Bear sending him up into the air and out several feet into the camp. The guardian hit hard and did not move from his final position on the ground. Lyrid looked around and saw the fury in Aden's eyes. Again the werewolf opened his maw and smiled at her. Two down. Only the pathetic rat, elf and wizard to go. Lyrid was liking his odds more and more. Looking once again at the elf, Lyrid's eyes begin to glow red. Aden, feeling the mental barrage stumbles back and goes down to one knee. She was infected now and the lure of her master was already taking hold of her subconscious. Images of a pack hunting and the thrill of the kill were attacking Aden's mind. She feels her body lock up as the images continue to assault her. Now, with the potent arrows no longer a threat, Lyrid wheeled on the Seraph and Tsurin and let out an eerie howl. Then slowly, the massive werewolf began to stalk up to his final opponents.
Seraph again feels a strong impulse in his mind....something begging him to unsheath his hidden dagger. The promise of glory and riches also ride that impulse into the ratman's mind. Tsurin feels the pull from the staff lying not four feet from him. It's charm seeks to win his heart in different ways. Promise of ultimate power and knowledge assault the climate wizard. These images compete with the terror Tsurin feels at the predicament he finds himself in. The werewolf, being a magical creature, can sense the internal battle both Seraph and Tsurin are engaged in and cackles in delight. He was looking forward to eating the ratman. He had always enjoyed eating their kind. He continues to stalk in slowly. Enjoying the panic he caused in others when they finally realized their doom was upon them.

"Demon Winter"

#158

Seraph, knowing when he was in trouble reached into his cloak with a single hand and threw down two flasks halfway between himself and the werewolf. one explodes in a flash of bright light, the other in an explosion of smoke, immediately bilowing around the campsite. Seraph lightly prances sideways without making a sound and pulls and throws a bolo, once concealed within his belt as mere decoration, at the position he last heard the werwolf at. The heavy smoke screen creates a very powerful odor, and Seraph closes his eyes, and strains his ears for any sounds large enough to be Lyrid. Almost with a nervous twitch he pulls the rusted dagger from his hidden sheath, and noticing that the act was a curious one, but not wasting the time to understand why he did it, weilded the blade. The thud of his previous knife can be heard several feet off as it hit and rolled on the ground from when he discarded it as a diversion. His left hand was hovering around another bolo, which when thrown would create no sound at all, but was made out of high strength steel.

Seraph continued to move sideways without making any sound on the ground below him. Blind fighting was his specialty, and even against those who had better hearing than Seraph (which were very few) his training in the martial art gave him a strong advantage. Dispite that advantage however, he was still worried. The cut that had healed so quickly was not what worried him, but the poison should have taken effect anyways, healing or no healing. This Lyrid had some kind of immunity to his poisons, and if neither poison nor wound could hurt him, he wondered how he could win this fight.

"Demon Winter"

#159

The instant Seraph unsheathed his dull blade an assault of mental images and instructions entered his mind. He saw both wonderous and terrible things. Places long since vanished from the world as well as things still present. He saw the demons marching towards the cliff they now traveled too. He felt words pounding into his mind. "She is one of them now master...slay her before she can help her master....the guardian will betray you...it is written in prophesy....it has happened before....he will betray in blood and spirit....but he doesn't know it yet....kill the elf...she is a slave now...do not trust her..." and the words continued to bombard his senses. Finally the visions and words began to subside, but one final empathic vision assaulted Seraph with shocking finality. The blade...or whatever was inside the blade, feared Lyrid. A vision of another hand weilding the blade ended in the bearer lying dead on his back with the werewolf howling in victory. "silver master......only the purest silver will destroy the wolf lord...."...and then just as fast as the mental barrage had started it quickly faded leaving Seraph in full control of his factulties. A yelp followed by a frustrated growl let Seraph know his projectile had scored a direct hit resulting in minimul damage. Somewhere in the smoke covered campsite, a powerful werewolf continued to stalk Seraph and the rest of his companions. Although Seraph could fight blindly using his senses, only one other shared his advantage. Lyrid. The rest of the group was now blind and defenseless in the dense smoke. Another growl rocked the campsite as Lyrid negotiated the forms through his sense of smell. Somewhere closeby another roar of frustration and anger signaled the yetti troup's close proximety. Things were, once again, about to become ugly.

OOC: The blade feels light to the touch and has lost it's dull apeal. It's true form was unmasked when you pulled it from it's sheath. What now appeared in Seraph's had was a small rapier. A rapier with flames emanating from it's blade. The blade fills you with a sense of power. Aside from the admitted fear of Lyrid, it makes you feel as if you can conquer any being that stands in your way. The sentinent voice sooths you and does not cause you to fear it. It sooths you like a loving parent sooths it's child. It calls you master and lets you know that you are in control. Enjoy!!

"Demon Winter"

#160

Aden could feel the smoke about her her senses already becoming more keen. Her body began to go into contortions as her cloaks fell to her side. Her mind was was a race of incomplete images new memories filled her head....... not all of them her own. She sees a little boy playing in the forest then she sees dark red eyes... the eyes come closer and closer they are on the boy they are on her.... she wants to flee but can't an indescrible pain resonates through her body she looks at herself...... her body this is not her body. Her hands... her nails are long and sharp like blades... her arms are covered with hair... this is not her body she is confused and mad... her bones begin to seperate her mucsles once subtle are know bulging and riping her clothing....... she snarls at any that get to close. She is angry at her own confusion... what is more she is mad at her master. Her head is jerked back again now the memory is a wolf clan.... alone in the wilderness an army. No a family, they are protecting them selves they are not monsters.... they are not monsters... they are not monsters..." THEY ARE NOT MONSTERS"she hears the words bursting from her mouth......