Archive · Legacy archive
[Respite] - Factions
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#121Balin found a comfortable spot that was out of the way and waited for something that needed his attention. In the meantime he could reflect on how the battle had gone and how he could improve what he did. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#122Jhoric was helping put together one of the strechers when he thought he heard something from the nearby underbrush. "Piglets", he thought. He crawled over carefully, looking under the brush, and gave a shriek of suprise at the huge beetle that was underneath.
The black and orange striped beetle was the size of a squirrel, and bore fierce looking mandibles. It seemed unconcerned about being discovered and instead proceeded on a beeline towards one of the swine carcasses.
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#123"Ah, only forest, for miles and miles" Gideon grumbled. He loved the fresh air, high vistas and open space of the mountains. Forests had a nasty tendency to lash his face with branches. Having noticed little of interest, he headed back, to the party.
"All done? Let us move on."
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#124Jhoric was shocked at the size and interesting colors of his unexpected discovery. He decided to leave the strange beetle alone. Dismayed at the fact that he had not discovered a piglet to call his own, Jhoric decided it was best to move on.
"Yeah, I think our work is done here." He said, returning to the group. He was feeling better than he had in a long time, and it showed. He felt as if he really could call these people his friends someday. And that wasn't something he used to think very often.
"You all did an amazing job," He said to the group. He look honestly proud to have been a part of this fight, and he secretly hoped they would accept him as one of them. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#125"It is common for those saved from death, by a healer's gift, are often deeply bonded to the person who restored them." Rajani said, standing close to Vletch. "In Endkelton, it is traditional for a man who wishes to court a woman to gain the consent of her father, and her eldest brother. It is then tradition for him to present to her a suitable gift, a demonstration of the talents of his hands and skills."
"My father passed on before the end of my homeland, though my brother was not so fortunate. In lieu of their approval I think you must seek approval from Master Taryer. Until then it would be immodest to procede any further."
She turned on her heal, and went to help with what she could. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#126Vletch stood and stared, unseen by Rajani. He wanted to say something, but words failed him. Instead he moved over to where one of the smaller swine was being trussed and prepared for travel.
Yerwick worked like a man possessed, seemingly viewing both the swine and injured as impediments. He seemed unduly hasty in his preparations. Even the dead received little attention above that given by Rajani. Barely a candleburn passed before he had his men ready to go. All save Turith the scout were accompanying him.
Turith watched the departing figures of Yerwick and company with barely supressed panic. He looked toward Gideon - "Let me get my bearings."
The beetle had found one of the unattended swine, and promptly burrowed into it with disconcerting speed - disappearing quickly from view. Jhoric looked at the fist-sized hole that marked its passage and shuddered.
Okay folks - if you have anything to add before it's just you, now is the time. If no other direction is provided, turith will lead you on. It is about mid-day.
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#127It seemed impossible that the guide could lead them on with any certainty with this terrain.
Shortly after the party parted ways with Yerwick and crew, the tight quarters became even more so. Gideon was forced to use his great blade to carve foliage to allow him to pass. The plants grew as thick as a rain forest, with creeping vines and thick underbrush brushing against everyone.
The unsubtle travel kept the trip mostly uneventful, apart from the occasional small fowl bursting from the underbrush, startling, but not dangerous.
Then came the clearing.
Suddenly, the heavy forest gave way to a large clearing. A few stumps and heaps of discarded branches showed signs of recent woodcutting, and across the clearing could be seen a huge tree, unlike anything any of the party had seen before. At first glance, nothing could be seen of the missing woodcutters.
Then Balin noticed something odd about one of the stumps...
Your move!
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#128Balin noticed a figure with his head down perhaps a hundred feet away. He cautiously walked over to the stump that the figure was leaning against. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#129"I be no scholar, truth be said" Gideon wondered, "but why would loggers wander so far into a forest to cut trees?. And, what is that?"
He joined Balin, his brow furrowed, his hand rubbing his chin. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#130"Hchh, burn it all down and turn it into farmland," Dimi grumbled. Looking around the clearing for any obvious hazards he followed Balin into the clearing. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#131"Nay, friend", Toboran grunted as he followed Dimi, "the forests be a grand, wild thing, they deserve to live." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#132"Well, you sure need trees for buildings and mines and ships, and the shade and fresh air it provides is pleasant as well. Also, we once cut down all the trees on a slope; all the mud and rubble came down in one deadly mess next thaw."
Gideon followed Balin. "So, what are we looking at? Will you enlighten us, priestess?" -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#133Balin was both startled and surprised at the question, "Priestess? Sir, I am neither a priest nor a female. However I did see something that looks like a figure by that stump. I thought that I would inspect it to see if one of the wood cutters was taking a nap." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#134"Ah, I was speaking to the priestess, not to you, good fellow, I just asked the one who is bound to be wise" Gideon laughed. "So, a figure, nothing more specific?" -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#135Balin stepped closer, still bristling, and was able to get a better look at the figure. A sense of dread started to build as he noted the figure was too still. It appeared to be young man, bound somehow to the fresh stump.
How close do you get?
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#136"What happened to that lad? I'll take a look, you stand back."
Gideon advanced, sword drawn and ready. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#137Balin stayed a little behind the large man. But he wanted to get a better look so he circled around to the other side, staying twenty paces away. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#138 -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#139Toboran followed the spellcaster around to the side but about five feet closer. One must protect one's assets, after all. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#140Jhoric tensed. He didn't like this odd situation, and was keeping an eye on the surrounding woods. Occasionally casting a nervous glance at the figure and the stump. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#141As the half ogre stepped closer to the slumped figure, he could see that it seemed to be tied to the stump with vines, heavy ones across the chest, thinner ones around the throat. The ground below the figure was dark and wet.
Turith, who had moved up a bit closer, but still stood behind the walking wall that was Gideon, spoke up.
"''Ats one of them - t'name 'scapes me though. Looks like 'e bought it though."
Jhoric caught a brief sight of a silhouette - though it flitted away so quickly he lost sight of it instantly. Rajani caught the movement but saw nothing when she looked. Jhoric had the impression that the figure was a she, but nothing else was visible except the impression.
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#142Rajani moved towards the man tied to the tree, her sense of caution shuddered, sensing a trap. She looked to her side, "I have an ill feeling about this, but I cannot stand idle if he is injured or near death."
She tramped towards the man tied to the tree, her courage screwed to a sticking place. She felt the hymns of a healing spell building in the back of her mind, the warp and weft of light and color, the sensations of warm air and fresh clean scents, all of the things she knew to be healthy.
(OOC - approaches to within 10 feet, then spot check) -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#143"Does this reek of a trap, or yes?" Gideon grumbled, and turned to the forest. "Come out, and let's talk like grown-ups first! Then, we may fight each other like grown-ups if you wish to." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#144Naught but silence followed Gideon's demand - perhaps too still a silence.
Rajani moved up to man and took a closer look. A closer glance told her her spells would not avail her here. The young man's pallor was of the dead, and the amount of blood that soaked the ground below was surely mortal.
Rajani does note, however, the Gideon appears to be still injured from the fight with the swine.. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#145Rajani made a warding gesture against ill intent and evil spirits. "I am afraid his injuries are mortal, and there is nothing more than ritual I can do for the dead. Brother Warrior," she said looking to Gideon, "Your injuries do seem to trouble you."
(OOC - CLW on Gideon) -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#146"Ain't nothing but a scratch, milady. Nothing mortal nor detrimental or... uhm... incapacitating" Gideon replied humbly, being touched and warmed by the salubrious energies even as he spoke. "But you have my undying gratitude for letting me feel your healing touch. It is a long time since I was blessed last."
He was thankful indeed, and it showed, his voice tinted with reverence. He payed hommage to all the twelve gods of the Aegir pantheon, and likewise did he treat clergy with respect.
"So, what did the poor fellow in?" he said, to change the subject. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#147Toboran stood near Balin and was scanning the forest-line for movement or anything out of place. It seemed odd that such a wide area could be cut without massive trails made to take out the lumber. The stumps which dotted the clearing were of rather large size - the trees removed must of have been very tall indeed.
It was then he noticed an out of place smell on the wind. The scent of burnt vegetation came to him.
Gidieon is healed for 7 HP damage... -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#148Normally uneasy in the woods, Dimi stood around feeling positively distressed. A man tied to a stump with vines, his soul trapped forever away from the plains.
"Let's go, like you said, he can't be helped; and I truely doubt that we'll find the rest of them by just standing around..." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#149"Aye, we should get on with our task, but only as soon as we give the dead proper respect." If this was one of the woodcutters than they should take care of him even if he was dead. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#150"Wait a moment friends", Toboran said looking around quickly, "I smell fire. In a forest that's the first thing you want to check on. The poor wretch will wait 'til we've looked around some."
He sniffed the air, trying to discern were the smell was coming from. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#151"I have a very bad feeling about this." Rajani said. "We should cut him down and take his body back to be properly buried. Maybe we should do this now." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#152"Let's get to it" Gideon said. A few quick chops and the poor fellow would be free. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#153Gideon's blade came down, first severing the green bindings taut about the unfortunate's throat, and then those holding his torso against the trunk.
The vines spewed thick ichor and Gideon swore he heard a painful hiss as his sword did his work, but the severed vines showed no motion as the corpse slumped forward.
Rajani examined the corpse quickly and saw a row of punctures around the throat, and around the torso where the vines had held him. Glancing at the vines, she saw they bore large, hollow-ended thorns...
-
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#154"I do not think we should dawdle, the plants here seem... hungry." she said, looking at the puncturing thorns. She looked at the vines, her skin crawling from the inarticulate hiss that she wasnt sure that she heard, or just imagined.
"Perhaps when the next woodcutters head out they will not venture so deep into the forest, the trees closer to town seemed just as good." -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#155"Before we leave, I suggest we try to find that fire I smelled." Toboran said, still trying to locate the scent, "It'll be best to make sure we won't be followed by a fire hard on our heels". -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#156Dimi scowled, "Why not, it isn't as if burning down these woods would open up land for farms and grazing..."
Turning to leave the clearing Dimi began muttering to himself, Ya allahani, hathhe chawagat dun ai faqur jaeda -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#157Dimi's thoughts were suddenly cut off by a loud shattering sound from the northern end of the clearing, near the overlarge tree. Looking closer, several thin trails of smoke were drifting upwards and faint sounds of conflict could be heard.
Near where the stream enters on the map:
http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/6388/respiteclearing1kc4.th.jpghttp://img521.imageshack.us/images/thpix.gif
Scale is 20' per square... -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#158"It may be more loggers in danger! Let's move!"
Boulder-like, Gideon advanced forward. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#159Balin hurriedly followed the giant-of-a-man bringing to mind one of his lesser spells. -
Re: [Respite] - Factions
#160Toboran slipped quickly to the treeline and folowed it 'round towards the sounds, trying to use the trees to hide himself from any prying eyes he might be approaching.
