Looking Down on Huss
Subject: Looking down on Huss
Blackness lies across the isle. It is not the gentle darkness that is respite from the power of the sun; darkness that gives the plants time to grow and recover from the heat, and lets small animals feed and sleep. It is the heavy, oppressive blackness of a demon's heart, manifested on the world with unholy power.
Shekalkin-sa, whose name means 'Thunderous sound of Bright Wings', drifts over the island of Huss in great pain. He can see the terrible thing the demon has wrought; can hear the steady cries of those who fall forever into the hungry red light. But his Lord has set the limits on what he can do, and the Solar is incapable of even considering taking forbidden actions. He is aware of the concept of free will, and knows that the mortals who crawl across this island have it, but has no idea what such s thing is like. No more than the blind man knows color.
Below him, the last cries of the dying fade. Many of the townsfolk have fallen, or been carried off. The Solar drifts low, looking on the remains of the battle. He chooses not to be seen, so even though he is a light as radiant as the sun, no one sees him as he passes over what is left of the townspeople. He takes time to check on each of those who passed through the mountain with his brother Cadfael. He holds a special place in his heart for each of them.
They are all alive, though several are badly wounded. Garyth shines like a star, his spirit as pure as any the Solar has known among men. His despair and grief are palpable, but the Solar touches him in passing, easing his thoughts putting a memory of warm summer days with his family in his mind. The men you lose should cause you grief, Garyth. The death of any should cause grief. But remember these warm days, and remember that the battle is worth it in the end.
Near Garyth is one of the silver folk, his soul shining with the cool white light of his people. The Solar smiles to see him there, but does not touch him. Other Gods watch his people, and the Servant of Pelor will not overstep those bounds.
The priest works nearby. Unseen behind him is the flaming sword, avatar of the fierce war-god Hieronious. Shekalkin-sa greets the Power of Hieronious as he passes. The priest Osred has drawn the good countenance of his powerful God. The Solar hopes he can feel it. It will be a great comfort to him.
The forest hunter, Rennik, squats some distance away on a small hill, looking into the darkness alertly. By his side is the wolf. To the Solar's eyes, Halfling and wolf glow with the same green light, and an umbilical of light connects them. It is the soul connection that can only be severed by death. The forest kin has the blessings of his green gods, and the physical manifestation of the blessing pants toothily by his side. Of them all, the Halfling is most sure of his place in the world, and of the hands of his gods in his affairs. The Solar says, "Toka ma Meilikki," as he passes, paying his respects to the green god of this place. His answer is a vision of many forest hunters moving toward the resting town. These are not the black souled hunters of the demon, but green and healthy forest folk, come to give the camp aid. "Meilikki is merciful and wise," the Solar replies.
To the North, the other forest kin is being drug away to the mountain by the demon's servants. The Solar reaches into her deep and injured slumber. Do not let them feed you to the demon's red light. If you can not escape, you would do better to end your own life than let the demon take it. If you can not get away, you can still die. The servants of the demon and vicious and impatient. If you fight them enough, they will kill you. Meilikki waits to take your spirit. Do not give it to the demon. Then the Solar puts what peace he can in her dreams. Her thoughts turn to her brother.
He drifts away, moving across the island to a small camp where three more of the chosen rest.
The holy warrior sleeps fitfully, his slumber plagued by doubts of his own worthiness. The Solar touches his dream lightly, showing him an honorable future with the sigil of the White Hart on his armor, and their holy powers in his hands. Many who already had both badge and power were fall less worthy, in fact. Pelor will shine his countenance down on you, and Helm with cover and protect you.
Nearby, the wizard Sa'id sits wakeful in the dark. One hand rests on the chest of his fallen companion, alert for any sign of weakening. The Solar can feel the past wash off of the man. Another vigil, another loved one whose chest rose and fell weakly, and then stopped. Tendrils of light reach up from Sa'id, groping in the dark. His spirit calling out to Pelor for aid, or at least for answers. The Solar pauses, listening for Pelor's voice. Answer his prayer, comes the voice of his Lord. Shekalkin-sa reaches out and touches Sa'id's groping spirit. Pelor hears you, beloved one. He hears and grants you this respite. Your friend will not die this night. Tomorrow he will wake. You must sleep, and recover your strength. The road will be long and hard. Your friends will need your strength.
The Solar, settles down over the sleeping Farron, spreading his bright but invisible wings over the wounded man. He can feel the terror in the stricken wizard. How he gropes to find his way out of darkness. How he feels the hand of the Wraith clutch at his heart over and over again, stopping it. The Solar banishes the wraith from his mind with the same ease the sun has in banishing shadows. Your aunt and uncle live, he tells Farron. Garyth has protected them. Sleep now, and wake in the morning.
Shekalkin-sa, Solar and Servant of Pelor, covers his three holy warriors, and keeps the night at bay.
Rennik awakes with a start. He had fallen asleep on his hunkers, sleeping lightly like a man on the hunt. By his side, Tichenor is instantly awake. There is a slight rustle of the bushes ahead of him, and several Kalama hunters step out. The leader grips arms with Rennik briefly. "The Belneth saw you fleeing from darkness. He has sent us to lead you to our camp. It is a strange time when the stone builders and the forest folk must take up arms together, but such were the words of the holy man. Meilikki must be obeyed."
Rennik takes him to Garyth.
Sa'id wakes up to two pleasant sounds. Kasen is cooking something that sizzles and smells of pork and spices. And by his side, Farron is breathing deep and strong, no longer unconscious, just asleep.
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Not a lycanthrope yet. :)
Mark
Continuing On: Kasen, Pensive, and Sa'id
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
A day seems to have disappeared for Kasen and Sa'id, given that one moment we're waking up at noon with Farron still unconscious and the next it's morning Farron is Ok and I'm cooking food for me and my horse. And maybe a wizard if they ask nice. Anyway, since I'm not sure whether we've travelled for another day since the wraiths or if this is a continuity blip from a month off I'll just flashback to the wraith night and wait for Ty to clarify. I didn't really write anything after the combat anyway.
On the plus side, this has made me go back and brush up on what was going on a month ago. That was some nice writing, kids.
***
Kasen's relief is palpable, oozing from his pores with his sweat when he sees that Sa'id has found himself again. Gathering up the reigns he moves Stormcloud over to the kneeling wizard. "Hand him up to me, friend. Storm and will take care of him." And if he stresses the word friend, he supposes he can forgive himself.
It had happened many times before, on the battlefield a blow would fall where a man's shield would fail him and in those times Kasen had tried to step in for steel. As Helm is the Guardian of his children so Kasen had tried to protect his men, his dedication being his strongest asset as a commander. Still, this time, like all the others, Kasen prayed it would be the last. "Come back with your shield or on it," he whispers in Farron's ear, holding him tightly to his chest while picking the pace up to a trot, "I will be your shield, Farron, I will come with you into morning. If you are to be my weapon against Elise, I will be your shield." The words did not mean what they could have, owing the fact that the wraiths had already been slain and only moments ago he was ready to give Farron up for dead. Still, they were good words to say.
Strange as it was, bringing a wounded man to safety was the most comfortable Kasen had been in weeks, and he finds his mind easily emptying, focusing entirely on keeping his eyes and ears sharp and trying to quiet the small voice in the back of his mind that hopes Farron takes his time in regaining consciousness.
Before too long he spies a corpse of trees clustered tightly to a small stream and instinctively angles toward it. Anyone following them would see it as the obvious place to rest, but it was better than camping in clear view of the road. "We will rest here for a few hours," he tells Sa'id and, not without some reluctance, hands Farron back down to the other man. "Try to get some sleep" he tells him, and then buries himself in preparing to rest, straining to appear too occupied for conversation.
"I spent too many nights in an officer's tent," he tells Stormcloud, as he loosens the straps of his mail and sets each piece on the ground for the night, "I never did get used to using my shield as a pillow." It's the horse's turn next and Kasen cannot help but smile at how she seems ready and able to carry on running all night, making it clear in no uncertain terms that this rest was for Kasen's benefit, not hers. Still, she gives him no trouble as he removes her barding and wipes her down. That she isn't bitter about the extra load is just one of the many reasons Kasen loves her.
"We should rotate the watch, Sed," he calls out softly, though to his irritation he finds that Sa'id is already sleeping when he turns around, "Why don't I take the first and second ones then?" he finishes, tired and annoyed. "Unless you want to take one, Storm?" But the horse has followed Sa'id's lead and stands sleeping where Kasen left him no more than a minute ago, clearly not wanting to waste a moment of this rest -- even if it wasn't her idea. "Even Helm's Eyes are closed," he sighs, looking up into the unnatural shroud that hides the normally full night sky.
It isn't long before he is bargaining with himself for a little sleep, just a few minutes of closed eyes and then a walk around the perimeter. Of course, no path leads to succumbing to temptation like bargaining with sleep and it isn't long before he breaks his word to himself and dreams of walking the camp's perimeter.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Elohi anawei,
River that sings seaward,
Stretches to the south
Like my lover's hands.
I left her for you,
Singing River,
But your lips are cool,
And I cannot hold you.
Elohi anawei,
I take you in my mouth,
Drink you deeply so
I remember her the more.
Jealous river, be merciful-
You have this my youth,
My body, my hands, my lips,
But her I give my heart.
Elohi anawei,
A river cannot love
As woman, and though moons
May pass in the track of
Algarondil, and years see
The doom of Elohi Luanas,
You cannot have my love.
I am promised to another.
Pensive awakes with the low elves' song in his ears, feeling his heart beating fiercely. His hands find the stonesash immediately. Something is wrong-- no, not wrong. Something is different. He sniffs the air, expecting. . . what? There is nothing. Something, he insists to himself. Nothing now, anyway.
A pad of feet in the darkness-- Rennick. And behind him, a number of halflings. Pensive's heart leaps for a moment, in anger and fear-- but no. These are not the halflings that attacked them earlier. These have a different feel about them, and when they see him, there is no hatred or anger or aggression in their eyes. Pensive coils the stonesash quickly and follows them.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
OOC:
I covered the night and morning up to setting off for Gully's over the course of my last two turns, so this will be a riding turn.
IC:
With his belly full and warm, Sa'id feels significantly better. He keeps pace with Kasen as best he can and even tries to engage the squire in conversation.
"Thank you for breakfast. I almost feel human again." He pauses as his horse takes an extra-long stride and jostles him a bit. "My name -- it is Sa'id, not Sed. The a' sound is difficult. 'Sayeed' is close enough. I'm used to it."
Kasen nods, but seems intent on the trail. Sa'id can't blame him; the mist makes it hard to see what's coming. He drops back behind Kasen so the squire will have an easier time navigating. Farron seems stronger today. With a little luck he might even wake up later today or tomorrow, depending on how long it takes to get to Gully's. Sa'id hopes that Gully still occupies his home, or if not that he is at least all right -- though with that massive creature guarding the place he might not have had much trouble other than what they'd brought down on his head.
Sa'd remembers the battle at Gully's, the first time he'd detonated a fireball spell since leaving the wizards' school. Not as impressive as the manifestation of Cadfael's anger, but... well. "Nothing to sneeze at," the colloquiallism on Huss was.
And satisfying.
He doesn't remember the night's dreams beyond vague imaginings, and for that he's grateful. At least for today he'd like to pretend that the darkness doesn't exist. That seems easier with Farron still alive.
Garyth and the Kalama
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Garyth's eyes flick open. For the first time in a while, his dreams had been pleasant--memories of summer days back on the farm. Gods willing, such days would come again. He rises and makes his rounds, checking in with the sentries.
Just as he reaches the forward guard post, a group of halflings appears out of the forest. Garyth's hands fly to his weapons, which are halfway drawn before he realizes that Rennik is at the lead of the group and takes a closer look. The other halflings' garb is familiar--these must be Kalama hunters. Thank the gods, a good sign at last.
Garyth waves down the sentries, who were bringing their bows to bear. "Stand down, men," he says. "These are friends." He walks ahead and meets Rennik, clasping hands quickly with him. "You gave me a fright there, friend Rennik. It looks as though we've some guests, eh?"
OOC: Sorry for the delay, guys. This week should be much better than the last few weeks.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
[I am going to cover for Rennik until I hear from Matt]
Rennik gestures to the Halflings behind him. "These hunters say there were sent by their Belneth."
The lead Kalama steps forward and does a quick nod of his head. He speaks in heavily accented Common, "Our forest talker spake of you and this people. I bring hunters to lead this to our place. The forest talker spake of darkness but soon dawn, and many standing in the night where fewer would fall. Do you follow?"
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Garyth didn't completely understand the halfling's words, but the intent was clear enough--the Kalama were accepting the townspeople into their lands, and perhaps brighter days were yet to come. He bows to the Kalama hunter. "Thank you, friend," he says. "Where you lead, we will follow."
OOC: Assuming that's the end of this exchange, Garyth will quickly check in with the remaining sentries and then start getting the camp ready to move.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Bragga waits until the sentries have been sent out to mobilize the camp, then pulls Garyth to the side. "Over a hundred, at least. Some may be just lost in this damnable darkness, but I fear most are killed or taken. That raid hurt us, Garyth."
He glances around quickly, then pulls Garyth's head closer and speaks in a low whisper. "My man who stood picket to the south east saw torches moving east. A lot of them. Maybe it's the undead army hunting us, but I don't think so. I think maybe they are going to Landfall. They sacked Overlook and burned the lighthouse. Landfall has boats. Small fishing boats, but still. They aren't on the rocky side of the island, and don't need the lighthouse. They could just set sail and go east until they are out from under the cloud cover. I wouldn't want to brave the ocean in a fishing boat, but if that or the demon were my choices," he shrugs, "I think I take the chance."
Several townsfolk walk past pulling a small cart of supplies. Bragga waits for them to pass, then says, "We could probably send a runner to get there ahead of the demon's army. Maybe get those people to meet us here in the forest. But we will be running out of food and places to go pretty fast now."
He pauses for a moment, gripping Garyth's arms. "I know you want to save us. But there is no saving to be done here. This is a delaying action and nothing more. You are supposed to be meeting your friends to take care of this demon once and for all. Let me take the town to the Kalama. I've been watching over these folks since before you were born. I'll get them that far."
"He's in charge"
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
OOC: So, are we bringing the falcons with us? Be nice to have 'em along. They're so handy. But if Garyth thinks they'd serve the town better, so be it.
The halflings stand together, off in the darkness a little bit, away from the townsfolk. Pensive follows their smell-- like dirt and roots, and sap from a skinned branch. Blood and stone, he can feel the tethers they've drawn among themselves from the middle of the camp. Never, since leaving Bannock's Ire, has he encountered such unity. Such single minded devotion to purpose. They are. . . annoyed with us, Pensive thinks. We move too slow, we are too loud, there are too many of us. . .
Us. He takes a breath at the thought. When did he start including himself in the townsfolk's lot? He'd found a people to love-- and now he was going to leave them.
Pensive does not try to sneak up on the halflings-- wariness clings to them like fog. He intentionally steps on branches, and scuffles his feet in leaves the closer he gets, until he can see that they see him.
Now what? The halflings stare at him, he stares at them. Was the halfling that had spoken with Garyth among this bunch? "I am Pensive," he says, clearly. "One of your people, a hunter named Melani, travelled with us. She left our camp to ask your permission to enter your home. Have you seen any sign of her?"
Blood and Stone, hopefully one of them speaks Common...
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Thank you. :)
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
When Pensive speaks, one of the Kalama leaves his group and walks over to the elf. He looks Pensive up and down, then says in passably good mainland Common, "If it's Reth'Tenn Melani you speak of, we didn't see her. Our Belneth sent us. But the forest is large, and the Reth move like ghosts, even to our people. It's possible we missed her."
Startled, Pensive can only reply, "You speak very good Common."
The Halfling grins. "I went to school for three years on the mainland. My father was a Halfling trader in Nesalin, what the forest Halflings derisively call 'huddlers'. He moved us to the mainland for a while."
Pensive looks at the hunter's ragged leathers and dirty face. The Halfling stares back, a little defiantly. "I didn't like life in the human world. My mother is Kalama, so I'm Kalama. That's how these people see it."
Pensive nods. He has felt the tight bonds of family and clan within the Kalama. Not far away, the other Halfling stumbles through his conversation with Bragga. Pensive asks, "Why is he doing the talking?"
The Halfling shrugs, "He's in charge."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
OOC: Grr. Had this whole thing written up, and then Yahoo ate it.
Pensive says, "You've done a fair bit of travelling then." He bites his lips and let silence fall between them. What to say now? If Garyth left tonight to set off to meet the mages, Melani would be unable to follow them. But. . . maybe it was better that she stay with her people. If he had a people to stay with, wouldn't. . .
Not his decision. He says, "My companions and I-- we may not travel back to your home. If you do see Melani, will you tell her we are bound for a place called Gully's Patter? I don't know where it is-- but if she wishes, she may join us there."
There. Let the little halfling woman make her own choice. Pensive rolls his shoulders. "I came here from the mainland," he says wistfully, and smiles. "My heart's home is in the mountains, far from the ocean, far from large cities. It is-- good to meet someone. . . no, many people, I suppose, who know their home so well. I am jealous of your people, but happy for you."
And because it has become his habit, he asks the Kalama, "I. . . I am looking for elves. Do you know of any on the island?"
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
OOC: I'm assuming that Garyth's conversation with Bragga and Pensive's conversation with the Kalama are happening more or less simultaneously.
IC:
"I know you want to save us. But there is no saving to be done here. This is a delaying action and nothing more. You are supposed to be meeting your friends to take care of this demon once and for all. Let me take the town to the Kalama. I've been watching over these folks since before you were born. I'll get them that far."
Garyth hesitates. Bragga is right, of course, but years of training have left a little voice like a drill sergeant in the back of his mind, admonishing him not to leave his post. But this wasn't where he could do the most good, and now that the Kalama had arrived, the loss of Garyth and his men would scarcely be noticed.
Which brings him to another thought. Should he bring the Falcons with him? They'd proven themselves good soldiers, but already they'd lost a comrade, and what lay ahead would be far more dangerous.
Garyth nods and clasps hands with Bragga. "You're right, sir," he says. "May the gods watch over you. Over all of us, for that matter." There is no need to say more. Bragga is a professional with decades of experience--he knows what to do. Garyth goes off to assemble the Falcons.
A few minutes later, he is addressing his men. He paces back and forth a few steps, then plants his feet and faces them. "You've all proven your worth over the past few days. Through combat and hardship, you've shown me what kind of soldiers you are: the kind that get the job done, no matter the opposition. I'd expect no less of Blood Falcons. But what we've faced so far will be nothing to what lies ahead, and I'll not order any man to follow me where I must go, nor will I allow any of you to come ahead blindly."
He pauses, catching each man's eye in turn. "I go to face the demon. Not the puppet troops he sends, the ones who destroyed my home and chased my people halfway across the island, who killed our comrade, Kenneth." He swallows bitterly, then continues. "The armies we've seen, these are nothing to the demon. And I do not go to face the demon's lieutenants, the fallen knights and undead witches, though any one of them is most likely powerful enough to kill me without raising a sweat. No, it is to the darkness' heart I go, to try to end this for good. I don't expect to I will live, but death is the least of my worries, for if the demon takes me . . ." He stops, groping for words. "I don't even know what horrors he will visit on my soul," he admits, finally.
"There is much to be done here, seeing the townspeople safely the rest of the way to the Kalama lands and helping to guard them once there. Believe me, staying with the town will not be sunshine and roses, either. But the path I choose is surely a mad one, a suicide mission, and once on it, there is no turning back. If any of you choose not to come, you will still be the finest men I've ever served with, and probably the wiser for it."
"Well then, what will it be?"
Melani Takes a Ride; Kasen and Sa'id On the Road; Matt's Back: Rennik's Dream
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
"There used to be a small group of elves on this island, in the forest. They were tracking and hunting something in the forest and jungle, though no one can say for sure what. They left years ago."
Rennik, who has been listening from a few feet away, says, "I knew those men. They took me with them, trained me. They are the ones that taught me to hunt the wereboar." He looks at Pensive. "The Kalama is right. They left. And they were the Sylvan folk. Not your people."
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Robert speaks first, and Garyth realizes he was holding his breath until one of his men replied. "I'd go. We should have all died when we faced that half orc brute. I've never seen anything like him in my life. I stood on that hill with my crossbow, and realized that all my friends were going to die in front of me, and I could do nothing about it. It was the worst thing I've ever felt.
"But, Captain, then you threw yourself in front of the brute and faced him down, standing up to the worst beating I've ever seen a man take. And all so your men could live. And they all did, every one. And maybe that's the best thing I've ever felt."
Robert pauses for a minute while the rest of the Falcons nod, and a few quiet words of agreement are spoken. Then he says, "If the demon is going to take your soul, sir, he'll go through me to do it."
Corporal Vincy nods, but turns to face Osred. "What about you, sergeant? I've been with you a while. I'd like to know what you think our duty here is?"
From: Ty
Subject: Melani takes a ride
Melani wakes from a dream in which her head is being repeatedly stabbed with a sharp stick, to a waking world were it feels like her head is being repeatedly stabbed with a sharp stick. She opens her eyes, and sees that it is daytime, though a dark gray daytime with the heavy cloud cover. She is flung over the back of the wereboar. She can see his legs below her. Her hands are tied uncomfortably behind her back, though she thinks that if she had time, she could undo the knots (escape artist: success). Her feet are also tied together, but once her hands were free, that would be no problem.
But all her weapons are gone, and her armor. Even the metal band she wears on her arm is gone. The Murrkat had stripped her to the skin. She feels a brief moment of panic, but realizes there is no pain or soreness. They hadn't violated her. At least she would not be required to geld each and every one of them before escaping. She looks around as much as she can from her position on the wereboars shoulder. She counts...six, maybe seven Murrkat traveling with the boar. One of them has a bundle on his back. Her gear? Maybe.
Her head and back ache horribly. The Murrkat must have kept beating her long after she was unconscious. The pain in her head flares and she passes out several times during her ride on the boar's back. Finally, after several hours, she is flung to the ground and the boar and the Murrkat flop to the ground and open their food pouches. It looks like they are stopping for lunch.
Melani rolls to her side to get a look around. Ten or so feet away is a small river. The Murrkat are filling their bottles in it. All around are the trees of the forest, and many small shrubs. They have not reached the jungle yet. She knows this place. The river is the same one that passes through Kalama lands to the south. With the darkness in the air, and under the cover of trees, she knows that she could probably vanish with the smallest of head starts. But there is not way she could get to her gear if she tried to escape now. On the other hand, by tonight they will be in the jungle, where her chances of surviving even a successful escape go down dramatically.
From: Ty
Subject: The wizards
Need a check in from the wizards and Dan.
Karl will wake by early evening of this day. Sa'id believes that they are still a day or more from Gully's.
Going to do anything before stopping for the night?
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
I have to go prepare for an internet auction our company is involved in so will have something this afternoon.
Just a quick question, does the river flow towards her people? I mean are they down stream from where she is, so that she could use the current to take her there? She has no levels in swim, but has a good CON bonus and no armor or weapons to give her minuses on her swim checks.
She is not worried about most of her gear, except the bow and the armband. She can always find new armor and daggers.
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
Yes. Everything flows away from the mountain, and toward the sea. The current is toward the Kalama lands. But the river is just a big stream. If you tried to float down it, you would probably have a Isildur moment (you know, floating along filled with arrows).
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
So I can not do a Butch Cassiday and ride the raging river away from persuers? :)
Does it look like they are going to be taking a long break or just a few minutes? I mean are they making the motions of setting up for a while?
Mark
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
"The Kalama is right. They left. And they were the Sylvan folk. Not your people."
Pensive feels a flare of anger. What did Rennick know of his people? Pensive himself didn't know who his people were! Sylvan, or High, or Low, or . . . Blood and Stone!
The anger passes in a breath, and Pensive nods at Rennick with a cautious half-smile. He sees Garyth has gathered the Falcons around him, feels a twinge of pleasure and guilt and fear from that direction. He clears his throat. "Thank you," he says to the halflings. "And thank you again, if you are able to give. . . Reth'Tenn Melani our message."
He will go join Garyth.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
They only opened their food pouches and filled a few water bottles.
You don't KNOW how long, but Melani would guess it's a short stop.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
[You know, Pensive looks nothing like a Sylvan elf to Rennik. :)]
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
I mean that they are not making a cooking fire and breaking out the bed rolls and tents.
The scent ability of the boar worries me. They run faster then me and are armed.
Is anyone at all paying attention to me? Do they know she is awake?
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
Melani is being totally ignored.
It's sort of insulting.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
What does a Sylvan elf look like? Maybe Pensive will talk with Rennick about his elven friends later when he's not so angry. . .
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss -- Mage style
OOC: I feel like I should do some sort of long and exhaustive RP session with Doake, just to prolong Karl's agony.
IC:
It felt almost as if the sun was shining, even if it was nowhere to be seen. Kasen had risen this morning with his spirits soaring and here, hours later; he could still feel the lingering effects of dawn's good mood. And so, while still focused on the road and straining for some sign of danger, he no longer felt like an attack was mere seconds away. He is not relaxed enough, however, to engage Sa'id in conversation.
What was it the mage had said? Sayeed? Isn't that what Kasen had been saying all along? Something reasonably close to it anyway. Perhaps not, he may have misheard Elise while she was with Lord -- Kasen quickly buries the thought, but not before the memory begins to soil his high spirits.
They ride on in silence for another hour, perhaps two. Finally Kasen sighs inwardly, remembering yesterday's long, silent ride. The gulf between he and this wizard was steadily increasing, and whatever Kasen's thoughts about Sa'id may be, he needed him too much to be hated by him.
"So what is this Gully's, anyway?" He says, fixing on a line of conversation that seemed reasonable, given the circumstances. "Someone powerful enough to keep the demon at bay or weak enough to escape notice? Or do we expect the army to have swept over it already, and so we'll escape notice that way?"
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Melani takes a ride
As the boar and the halflings move along, Melani, in between bouts of unconsciousness, tries to get a good look at the halfling that she thinks has her gear. There is no way that she will be able to get it in this crowd, but there is always latter.
When the boar throws her to the ground she notices that the ropes binding her are not tied all that tight. Good, she would be able to get her hands free and then her feet. The cover is good and the light is in her favor. She could probably get away. The problem would be staying away.
The stream. She recognized that. That goes all the way home. If she could get into the water it would cover her scent. The wereboar is her biggest problem. She had no way of even hurting it.
Looking for a time when all her foes are paying no attention to her, she slips off the bindings on her hands and, using her body to shield what she is doing from the halflings, frees her legs.
She then moves as quietly as possible, trying to get some cover over her as soon as possible. She is going to move away from the party, towards her people. After about 100 feet, if she can manage it, she will head towards the stream and use it to mask her scent as much as possible. She will always move towards her peoples land, hoping to find some scouts.
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss -- Mage style
"So what is this Gully's, anyway? Someone powerful enough to keep the demon at bay or weak enough to escape notice? Or do we expect the army to have swept over it already, and so we'll escape notice that way?"
Sa'id blinks. He has to parse Kasen's words retroactively to make any sense of them. Where had his mind been? He can't even remember. Hours and hours of riding... it was easy to slip into a trance-like state. "Gully's is... well, it's an inn and trading post, I suppose," he replies. "The army would ignore it; there's only Gully and his wolf. Then again, the last time we were there..." Sa'id swallows, hard. He can't really gloss this part over. "Well, the last time we were there, so was another of the demon's followers. You'll see the, ah, the damage..."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
[OOC: Hey all. I'm back from Canada, and it's summer break, so I'm going to take a moment to backtrack a little bit and fill in for Rennik, if ya don't mind.]
Night in the forests was unforgiving. It did not coddle the young or sustain the weak. It did not offer sympathy or warmth, except in the fatal embrace of the jaguar or the jaws of the great lizards. The halfling tribes had been hardened over the centuries, had learned to survive the nights in the wild - had even made it the test of an adult.
Leading the scared and tired humans into the forest, Rennik couldn't help but think of the soft and gold addled halflings of the ancient city, running in terror from what they had released, only to find their deaths in the waiting claws and fangs of the jungle. Those that had survived surely had great cunning and will, the forebears of the great tribes. They were leaders and shepherds, fleeing a great evil and struggling against the impartial and hungry jungle to lead their people to safety.
He thought of Garyth, leading his people into the forest and gained a new measure of respect for the man. He would have been a survivor during those ancient nights, living to establish a small encampment and teach his people to learn through blind, stupid errors and gain strength from their weakness.
Rennik steeled himself against the night, crouching on his haunches on watch some ways away from the encamped villagers. This time, he thought. This time we cannot flee the evil, but we must face it. It is not imprisoned and tainting the city, but loose upon the world.
He slept, his eyes just slipping below the horizon of consciousness, still alert to his surroundings... and he dreamt.
He was naked and alone in the deep jungle, the sounds of every predator he had ever encountered filtering through the thick leaves. He was cautious, but not afraid. It was said Mielikki smiled on the babe in the woods, unprotected and alone - allowing its innocence to be its shield and armor.
Rennik crouched down, knowing he was far from innocent, and his mind raced, forming survival plans and calculating his chances. Staring at the darkest place in the bush, he suddenly saw a faint green glow and cocked his head. The leaves pulled away gently, as if blown by a summer wind, and a small elven girl stepped out, dressed from head to toe in leaves, leather and the bark of trees. Two small antlers sprouted from a crown of starlight and dewdrops, and her hands shimmered in gloves of spider's silk.
Rennik knelt on one knee before her, unashamed of his nakedness, petitioning for the grace of the nymph-like vision. She placed a hand softly on his head, then motioned with the other back towards the dense undergrowth.. where Rennik heard footsteps....
..and awoke with a start, Tichenor sunnely perking up at his side. The Kamala hunters reveal themselves and Rennik stands. He clasps arms with their leader, and nods his head to the others.
"The Belneth saw you fleeing from darkness. He has sent us to lead you to our camp. It is a strange time when the stone builders and the forest folk must take up arms together, but such were the words of the holy man. Meilikki must be obeyed."
And honored, thought Rennik to himself, with a silent prayer.
***
The hunters were well trained and accustomed to the forest, but they were not shepherds of men. Moving the herd was not their strength, but they did admirably at the task. Rennik watched as Bragga spoke with the leader in halting common, when he overheard the elven monk speaking with the transplanted mainlander, Telkin.
"I. . . I am looking for elves. Do you know of any on the island?"
Not for years, Rennik thought to himself sadly. Elbereth had taken his band of hunters back to the mainland, though they would have been a great help in these dark times. A small part of him wished for a chastising from his mentor about being all but declawed by Elise in the woods, and being forced to weild a hacked down halberd.
Telkin mentions the group, and Rennik chimes in.
"I knew those elves. They took me with them, trained me. They are the ones that taught me to hunt the wereboar." He looks at Pensive, sizing him up against Elbereth and the others, and finds him somewhat lacking. The monk is nothing like the elves he hunted and sparred with... though, there was another sort of fire in his eye that Rennik couldn't quite understand. It was the same intensity that flashed in Missions eyes, behind the smiles and the jokes.
"The Kalama is right. They left. And they were the Sylvan folk. Not your people."
Elbereth had spoken of other types of elves, who made their homes away from the glades of the forests. Surely Pensive came from this stock.
The elf nods at him with a strange smile, and Rennik simply furrows his brow. No, nothing like his mentor. Nothing at all.
***
Moving closer to Garyth, Rennik only overhears one of his men speaking proudly.
...and maybe that's the best thing I've ever felt. If the demon is going to take your soul, sir, he'll go through me to do it."
Many of the men nod and whisper aggreement until another of them speaks.
"What about you, sergeant? I've been with you a while. I'd like to know what you think our duty here is?"
Duty? Rennik was only vaguely familiar with the word... something about your job description, or what was expected of you. Humans were consumed with duty, the elves had told him. They assigned jobs and roles, and then those roles became their identity.. they became slaves to their tasks, it seemed.
Strange folk, humans.
Curious about the nature of the discussion, Rennik holds his tongue, and waits for the sergeant to respond. He held great respect for the big man, and he wondered just how this concept of duty had molded him.
Welcome Back, Matt
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Welcome back, and nice turn. :)
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss
Welcome back. Melani was getting lonely. :)
Mark
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Looking down on Huss -- Mage style
I actually don't have anything else to do before camp time, Ty. Unless Raja wants to do something else, feel free to fastforward us to Farron waking up/unspeakable evil coming before Farron wakes up.
On a Brief Hold
Subject: on a brief hold
We are sort of holding for Jake right now.
Jake, do you want me to just do an Osred turn? I will if that will help you out. I know you are insanely busy right now.
From: Jake
Subject: Re: on a brief hold
Actually Ty, that would be great.
Mark's Arm
Subject: My arm
As some of you might know last Sunday I bulged a disc in my back by sneezing. I have been to the doctors twice and I have a couple of meds now that seem to be working. I can type, some, and am able to sit at my desk for more than 20 minutes with out writhing in pain.
So the game can go on. :)
Mark
Update on Mark's Back
Subject: The next few weeks
As most of you know I hurt my back this past Sunday. I just got an MRI done tonight and I have a herniated disc. I am not sure what this means but I expect that there might be a chance that I would be unavailable to game for a while. I will keep everyone updated. Or if not me then my brother Kevin will let you know. Unless I need him for body parts.
Mark
Melani and the Great Escape; The Wizards Plus One; Leaving the Town Behind
Subject: sorry guys
My work has been hell the last couple weeks. I apologize for letting the game lapse so long.
There will be turns today for everyone!
From: Mark
Subject: Re: sorry guys
There was much rejoicing.
Oh shit my arm. My arm hurts do bad. :)
How long does it take to write up "Melani steps on a branch and the evil boar and halflings eat her."
Mark
From: Ty
Subject: Melani and the Great Escape
[Sometimes the gods of the dice giveth, and sometimes they taketh away]
While the Murrkat and their big Wereboar friend munch dried meat, Melani quietly slips her hands out of the leather straps binding them [Escape artist: success]. Whoever tied them clearly had not run into one of the Reth before. She could have gotten out of those knots at 10 years old. And she was no green apprentice. She was Reth'Tenn, first scout of her people. They should have killed her. She can't help but smirk. She marks the face of the Murrkat holding her goods. She'd come back for that one when the time was right. He had her armband.
She curls her legs up behind her and undoes the knots quickly and then waits. Wait for the right time, her brother's voice says in her ear. You will only get one chance.
There. A big badger goes by, crunching through the underbrush and drawing everyone's attention for a second. In that second she is up and gone. She has already moved several dozen feet into the brush [move silent: success] before the cry goes up behind her. She immediately turns and moves parallel to the river, moving as quickly as she can while remaining quiet [move silent: success]. When she has gone a hundred feet or so, she turns again to move back to the stream.
She pauses at the edge of the underbrush. There is a gap in the brush of about five feet before she reaches the river, and she peers out so see if anyone is looking her direction. She can see no one. All of the Murrkat must have followed her into the woods. Good. Maybe they are following her first trail off into the forest. They would surely have trackers, but she had been careful to leave no trail after she turned to follow the river. She is just preparing to dart to the stream when she hears a branch crack behind her [Listen check versus Move Silent: success]. She spins around, and finds the Wereboar standing not more than ten feet away. He grins at her with his long tusks distorting his half human face.
"You are very quiet," Melani says, with something like respect in her voice. "Now you die," is his only reply.
[Initiative Melani 19, wereboar 16]
Before the boar can attack, Melani tumbles toward the river [tumble check 17 vs DC15; success]. She cartwheels away, throwing herself into a flat dive that takes her under the surface. But a second later she sees a shadow above her, then there is a huge splash and a heavy weight falls across her back [Wereboar charge attack 23 vs AC 14, hit; Damage 11; HP -6; death]. The boar slams her to the bottom of the shallow stream and holds her there. She can feel his heavy hornlike claws digging into her back as he holds her under. She holds her breath as long as she can, and then when she can't any more, she screams to Meilikki and her brother in a rush of bubbles.
A soft green light filled with the voices of those she loved carries her away.
From: Ty
Subject: The wizards plus one
After breakfast, Kasen and Sa'id ride off into the gentle hills that surround the forest. Sa'id looks up at the sky. "We are approaching Gully's from a different direction this time. And there is no sun or stars to get your bearings with. I hope I can find it."
Kasen nods. "But I think that a trader does not make himself hard to find. There should be many paths leading to his outpost."
By lunch they are in the woods. Sa'id remembers the gentle green light last time. The woods were almost a welcoming place then. But under the perpetual cloud cover, they are very dark, and filled with strange sounds. The wizard is just beginning to be afraid of getting lost, when the knight says, "Look! There's a path. And going sort of northeast too. I bet your trader's outpost is somewhere along it."
It is getting on toward late afternoon when Kasen is startled by Farron suddenly saying, "My back hurts." He stops Storm, and turns the wizard to face him. Farron's face is still pale, but his eyes are open. "Your saddle is killing my back. I think I'd like to ride my own horse now."
Kasen grins at him. "Of course. Just glad to see you back."
[you are a couple hours from camping. Check in to let me know if you want to do anything before or during the camping bits.]
From: Mark
Subject: Re: Melani and the Great Escape
Well shit.
Do you need a new character rolled up? Or am I out of the game?
Mark
From: Raja
Subject: Re: The wizards plus one
"Farron! You're awake!" It's obvious, of course, but Sa'id is happy enough to see his friend awake and talking that he doesn't much care. "We don't have too much further to go before camping," he adds. "Hopefully you'll feel stronger and less sore after a night's sleep."
OOC: I have nothing special to do or add before or during camping.
From: Ty
Subject: Leaving the town behind
Osred considers Vincy's words for a while. His scarred face twisted in thought. "Well, boys, I think we are off the map here. I can't say that there is any clear path for duty. We are certainly tasked with defending the folk of this isle wherever we can, so keeping those townfolk safe would clearly be part of our duty. But, at the same time, going to the temple of this demon and kicking his unholy ass back to hell sounds like something Hieronious would smile on." The sergeant gives them his own ugly smile. "And that's what I'm going to do. I think each man should make his own decision at this point. Either way, you are doing your duty as soldiers of Nesalin, and members of the Blood Falcon elite. No man can question now. Not after what you've been through. I'd pin a medal on each of you if I had any to give."
Vincy looks at Robert and Munch for a second. Something unspoken passes between the three men. He turns back to Osred and Garyth. "We're going then. There's no guarantee of anything either way. Kenneth died shepherding these people around. Dying out here or dying in a demon's lair, it's still dead. And I'd like the chance to pay the Captain back for saving my life." The other two Falcon's nod.
Munch spits. The generally taciturn Falcon surprises everyone by saying, "Fuck that demon. Fuck him and his zombies and his Halfling wretches. We all die, I guess. But I want the chance to say 'fuck you' right to him, before I go. I get that, I guess that's good enough." He steps forward, and grips arms with Garyth so tightly that it hurts. "You took blows meant for me. When I went down, you took blows that would've ended me. I'll cut the heart from any man or beast that lays a hand on you. And that's all there is."
Osred pushes the Falcon away, "Hands off the Captain now, you buggering crybaby." His voice is rough, but his smile shows his love for the men that look up to him. "I guess we're all going. With the Captain's permission of course."