Elysriel looks to the others. "Ana retreat back here, Pulling her bow up she would shoot at the one closest to Ana.
"Whatever this 'thing'is, it is approaching. It's approximately 80 feet out at the moment..." She looked from the others towards the direction the sounds emanated from. The hollow darkness only added to the anxiousness in her blood.
'the hunt was on'
Ana takes the moment she now has to erect her barrier once more. Her reserves of power were getting low, and she looked over the battlefield as it was now.
I called out to the group, "Everyone! I hear a shallow breathing, the is someone or something else nearby!"
I stood up and focused my powers of the desert. My aura of sand quickly swirled around me as my body began to condense and shrink to about 4 feet tall, yet my muscles made up the difference, bulging out and turning into a craggy, sand stone. My body now unrecognizable, I looked like a monster and I was ready for the enemy this time!
On Standing up The beast attacks Casimir, raising it's club high and slamming it down on his shoulder. A loud thud rang through the clearing and once again the beast roared with a hint of delight.
Ana, the beast that your arcane barrier reflected onto is breathing still but only just. Besides that beast the one farthest from you is still breathing, though both are unconscious. Everyone in the party has been beaten up pretty badly with the exception of Ryker who, for some reason, hasn't been hit yet...
Ana hustles from her current position to the other side of the clearing, standing over the unconscious body of one of the creatures with deadly intent in her eyes.
Ryker looks irritated as he hits Casimir with another charge of his wand.
He will then move to flank the beast with Casimir after picking up the javalin at his feet.
The remaining beast watches as Ryker moves to his flank, watches as Ana moves to one of his kind laying helpless, and rears its head up in the air letting out another roar. This one however was much different than the ones before it. Silence falls for a moment, then he sidesteps closer to Ryker in a last attempt to thwart his ways...
The silence is cut short as a loud thumping recognizable as footsteps of something big make its presence ever more known to the party.
As this being enters the clearing for the first time you all now see another beast like the ones before only this one is... larger... Standing before you all now is a large sized beast, holding a small man in one hand by the back of his armor. Seemingly unconscious but unrecognizable to anyone in the party. A travelers cloak hides most of his features at the moment but he still breathes. The beast however has lost patches of fur throughout its body that reveal burned skin amoung other afflictions. Its face looks enraged, with a deep gash leading from above its left brow down to below its left eye and long since healed. Seemingly the leader of this pack, it looks about the clearing sniffing and grunting. Each body it's eye slay upon only seem to work it up more so. A deep growl from its chest and throat fill the clearing with noise once again as it makes it's way towards the nearest being alive throwing the man towards Casimir.
Though the unconscious body misses Casimir it hits the ground with a hard thud and gasps for air before he could groan with pain. If not for an occasional twitch of the man's chest I taking air then you'd swear he was dead. The beast who'd throw him gives a grunt, smirking at missing with the throw. Excitement flashed in its eyes as the man lay there limp for the most part.
Casimir watches the grains of sand whirl around his body as it condenses into its earthy form. starting from his feet he begins melding with the earth around him as if descending into it. Re-appearing ascending from the space behind the smaller beast to flank with Ryker. He holds himself much different and confident than before as he brings his blade down in an attempt to strike the Sasquatch.
"These are Sasquatch, they are rare to see so they're believed to be myths" His voice now sounding more hollow and deep.
The Sasquatch falls to the Blade of Ra, crumpling to the ground at Ryker and Casimir's feet.
Ana kneels down before the unconscious form of the sasquatch, her hand reaching out, palm extended with all the inevitability of fate itself. A black, creeping aura suffuses her arm then slams into the half dead squatch, simultaneously an aura of pure white replaces it, slowly settling and dissolving. At closer inspection, one would note the unmistakable stillness of death as the squatch now lies lifeless before her.
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Elysriel, having seen Ana pull life from the Sasquatch, would eye the ability with suspicion before turning her gaze to the new arrival.
Ryker steps up to the man that was thrown at Casimir. He will extend his hand and lay on hands the man. Ryker will take note of everything visible on this person.
Nice shot Elysriel! Casimir... well whatever you turned into seems strong... Ana to me so I may heal you. Lets take this big ol' sasquatch down!
The mans breathing is still very shallow as your healing energies seep into his body. Whatever wounds were imposed this man would have to wait to be found as his travelers cloak covered most of his body. You are able to note however that he has what feels like a backpack on underneath.
The mighty Sasquatch leers in pain as the arrow pierces deep in his chest and steps forward closer towards Ryker. Drawing his club upon his back and raising it above his head he will thrash it down on Ryker with brutalizing force.
With a craggy voice I spoke out "Let's kill this beast!"
Like a mole I swiftly moved into the Earth with grace. I reapearred right behind the giant sasquatch and striked true with my blade,gripping the sword with both hands for a mighty swing.
Elysriel watches Casimir slashing the beast from the oppostite side in awe. Lining up a shot she lets loose another arrow in hopes it would sink deep into its heart.
"Ryker? are you alright?"
At the sound of a long sword slashing and burying itself deep into flesh and bone, as well as the whistle from the once notched arrow spinning through the air and burying deep into the chest of the Monster, the clearing once again goes quiet...
A moment goes by where everyone is left to believe it would thrash about and continue inflicting pain, but that thought was soon proven false. It's knees buckle and a sharp gurgling sound reach its throat making for an all to common war scene. The Beast's eyes roll back as the lids begin to shut and he falls to the ground not moving as blood pours out from all angles.
The party now sees the large sized back of the beast as it falls forward, also revealing the immense cut from Casimir's attack. The party watches as the beast falls behind it stands Casimir, the once clean Long sword pf Ra drenched in the blood of the beast.
I wiped and sheathed my sword as my body started to return to its original form. I quickly hurried to Ryker to see his condition. "Are you alright friend?"
I looked over to my allies and to our slain opponents. "Good job everyone!" I boasted glad to see that no one had fallen to these strange creatures.
"All good here," Elysriel would say in a calm tone, she notches her bow and lets loose another arrow into the remaining Sasquatch.
"we should keep moving, it is already nightfall and soon vision will be lost"
"Agreed" I said firmly as I helped Ryker stand on his legs, arm over shoulder. "Ana were you harmed at all?"
Ana stands and turns away from her victim with little more emotion on her face than a rock and rejoins the others.
"Though I've magic in place to keep me moving, I'm in pretty bad shape. If there's nothing of use on these things we should get moving, as Elysriel says. The battle will have attracted any number of other things in the area and I don't wish to be caught in ambush at night."
Ryker regains composure as Casimir approaches, "Are you all ok, anyone injured?" Blood oozes from Rykers head down his face as he questions the group. "Ana... Your injured... Here.." Ryker uses his wand to heal Ana's wounds.
"Oh, Casimir... Your injured too."
Ryker's legs wobble as he heals everyone's wounds before his own. By this time he notices the blood trickling down his face.
"Hmm, seems that hit was pretty bad... ha... ha...
He grabs his forehead and a white light shines from under his hand.
The blood seems to evaporate off his body as the light shines. After a a few moments he removes his hand and turns smiling to the party. Then turns to the man that was thrown earlier and begins to inspect him for other wounds and also any indication of who he is.
The others hear a clicking sound as friction begins making sparks in the darkness. With a couple tries Elysriel lights a torch so that the party can traverse the woods better.
"Our best option is to either heal the man or someone needs to carry him, also, without a lightsource I am unable to see"
"Ryker you are too kind! I'll be ok!" I said hiding the fact that I was badly wounded.
But my words were short of breath and my legs were barely able to lift my body. It was easy to tell that I was at a near critical condition.
As the light from the magical wand surrounded me, I started to feel better. My wounds seemed to close. I was better, yet still in a pretty bad shape, but still able to fight by my friends. Thank you Ryker!
"I can carry him until we head to someplace safe. There could be more of these things. Or worse... " I went over to lift the man in cloaks.
From any map you'd ever looked at you would not know of any caves or safe areas in the immediate area. None are or would be marked as this road is usually only traveled and the forest not often ventured into much less at night. The next destination is a few miles away, and it is only getting darker, with the exception of Elysriel's torch to light the way.
With the silence of the ended battle an eerie chill breaths down your neck via the small breeze. The entire party can act freely at this time.
Ryker you notice upon closer inspection that this man has been beaten thoroughly, dried blood scattered about his face. His name and any basic info is unknown to the party.
"Casimir, we all saw you get hit and nearly die, there's no point in playing tough now. I'd rather you be trust me enough to be honest." keeping her bow lowered but at the ready she listened a moment before continuing. "find anything Ryker?"
"I apologize Elysriel, I can be a bit too humble sometimes. In my homeland being generous is a rare thing." I said before turning my attention to Ryker.
"Perhaps you could assist me in carrying this man? I sometimes forget my own limits when I'm in my normal form. I would use my ability to transform once more but it would be short lived."
Ryker looks at all begins taking off all the mans weapons and boy... There sure are a lot.
"Well he certainly is armed to the teeth! I'm removing his weapons as a precaution. He seems to have scars on his face from a time long past. He has these strange saw-like blades on his person as well. He seems to be a well trained fighter, considering he survived as long as he did against the sasquatches as far as we know... alone to boot. I want to be able to trust him if he's gonna be carrying around all that."
Ryker looks to Elysreal.
"Elysreal, could you carry him after I'm done? It appears your the strongest in our group."
He then turns to look around at the party as a whole.
"Does anyone know how far to those ruins? I think making camp there is ideal. This forest isn't safe, though the ruins may not be either... But that option sounds better."
Ryker will chuckle apprehensively to himself as he continues to de-arm the man. Continuing to find weapons absolutely everywhere!
Ryker will also use his "Sense Perfection" ability on the man as well.
Sawtooth Sabre x2
Masterwork Elven Curveblade x1
Cold Iron Cestus x2
Kukuri x4
Shuriken x40
Daggers x2
2 spring loaded wrist sheathes holding the needle shuriken
1 masterwork backpack
1 really deep bag
syringes x10
Master workalchemy lab
Also Ryker because you are so close and inspecting him, you notice he isn't actually breathing, and from his direct skin he is emitting a dull blue glow about as bright as a candle. His wound's appear to have closed up from your heals, and his pulse is stable. On the inside of his hood a mask lay that had fallen off during the immense throw he'd received more than likely.
Should you remove his spring loaded wrist sheathes you would see a tattoo on his forearm resembling a dragon wrapped around a blade.
Sense perfection shows you nothing... John Snow...lol
While Ryker searches the man the sound of howling in heard in the distance. By the sounds there are multiple of whatever it is. The sky is hidden behind clouds just as they were for the better part of the day. The only light you are getting is from Elysriel's torch now. The Sasquatch had log-like clubs, and their makeshift javelin on them, nothing else.
Give or take its a few miles to the Ruins known by those with a geography check. Moving with the unconscious man will definitely slow you down considerably.
Who was this mystery man? I pondered to myself. Wondering whether or not we should trust helping a stranger, yet I knew that it was the right thing to do. But I did know that our surroundings were dark. I unsheathed my longsword and layed my hands upon it. A light shined out of my hand and upon the sword's blade. The blade then began to glow as bright as a small sun.
When Casinir casts light in his sword Elysriel sighs to herself and snuffs out her torch. Shifting towards Ryker , "yeah, I should be able to grab him, though I think we'd be better off trying to wake him up. I'm unsure what those howls were from,..." the concern being scaled out was apparent on her face as she though more for a moment before continuing.
"we have a ways to travel, and being slowed down lessens our survival"
"Then we shouldn't dally any longer than we already have."
Ana will cast Light upon her longspear, turning to regard the unconscious man with a look of impatience clear on her face. "If his wounds are not serious, then he can take care of himself. Otherwise if we are to take him with us, then let us get on with it before they close in on us."
She will then turn her gaze out into the forest and listened for danger as her eyes scanned the treeline.
"Surely you don't mean to leave him here?" Elysriel asks contemplating the thought in her head. If that was the case how would she respond..... instead Elysriel gives a sigh, " regardless I'll just carry him then, but you should be more compassionate towards others Ana" Elysriel moves over to the man picking him up and begins moving again. " while it's true that I do not want to stick around here, leaving this man helpless or half dead is far more of a regret to me, flee if you'd like." her voice wasn't soft or cheerful, instead it stayed monotone. Even if Ana hadn't meant to leave the man behind with her statement, he was unable to do much to protect himself, especially without his weapons...
Ryker nods to Elysreal and begins heading in the direction stated earlier, with the mans belongings on his person... They were heavy...
"He isn't breathing you know... But he's alive... I rather not leave him alone if just for curiosity's sake. Once we find a place in the ruins to camp. I'll try and wake him."
The party begin moving further west towards the direction the man earlier was headed before loosing sight. It is dark, damp, and occasionally the group hears a howl. Your nerves begin overreacting to every noise and movement as you make your way further along the trail. Ana's light spell wears off after 20 minutes of travel. The first half hour goes by with nothing more than a few spooks caused by the wind blowing leaves, or the trees shifting.
Upon reaching an hour of travels and the road twisting each way, Casimir's light spell wears off.
It has been quiet for some time now, and the sky overhead isnt visible anymore from the trees upper canopies. Other than your light spells it is pitch black and the silence makes each little noise seem like danger. Elysriel looks slightly winded from the hour of travel carrying the man. Down the trail from where you came you hear in the far distance another set of howls.
Whatever they are appear to be approaching from the way you came
"Well, whatever is making those howls either found the huge pile of sasquatches back there or they really want to work for there food."
Ryker will continue marching twards the ruins, smirking to himself. He knows that he has done well. The gods have tested him this evening. A true commander, no matter how mismatched the crew can get the job done and save lives. After a while his smirk fades and is replaced with a neutral expression as he tries to catch a glimpse of the sky above him, though he sighs after a moment when he deems it impossible with the forest canopy. His disappointment turns to frustration as he plays the combat with the sasquatches over and over in his head. It eats at him until he has to say something, a further test to prove his place as a leader he infers.
"I believe we all need to talk. If it wasn't already obvious, that skirmish we got into back there, showed pitiful teamwork. If we are going to travel together, then let's put everything on the table. No matter how unethical that may seem. I want to know everybody's strengths, because your weaknesses are blatantly apparent. You have all been loners, as have I. But that soloing s#*~ is over! As far as I'm aware, I'm the only one with healing capabilities, and the majority of that is from my wand! That should not... AND will not be relied on! You two would be dead right now if I didn't use my last resort abilities. As would I." Ryker nods in Casimir's and Ana's direction. "Survival doesn't mean victory either. I don't take to much offense for what moral standing everyone here takes. Even as a paladin. Though I will take a stance against anyone who would risk the lives of others they are working with for the sake of their own personal goals or wishes."
His eyes shift to each member of the party in turn awaiting a response. They eventually fall on Elysreal. Noticing her aasimar and elvish features. Her steely blue eyes seemed to pierce the forest. Even without the light Ana and Casimir produced. He bet her eyes would still be just as bright. He wouldn't stare for long. But something about her just soothed his nerves, calmed him. Admiration... perhaps...
Setting the man down as they stopped, Elysriel leans against a tree for support as she caught her breath. Reaching into her backpack she'd pull out a water flask and ration eating and occasionally drinking in silence as Ryker spoke.
"do we have a means to heal this guy anymore? As is we won't last much longer not moving, and I'd rather have the ability to defend against the unknown."
Elysriel's eyes gaze over the trail, occasionally shed close her eyes as if utilizing her other senses. She'd speak for the first time in the last hour, after catching her breath. A bead of sweat dripped down her face starting from her temple. "I don't think we'll make it to the ruins before the beasts following us catch up."
"I have one more use of my healing ability, I was saving it for when we get to the ruins for that man. Though if the beasts are actually following us and didn't just feed on the sasquatches, they are not animals, therefore bad news. I at least wanted to get away from where the sasquatches bodies were before we woke him. But at this point, it seems a fight will happen. What does everyone else think?"
As Ryker's words spoke true into my soul, I knew that he was right. Everyone needed to work together if we were going to survive.
"Ryker I think we should heal the man. If he can walk then we can hopefully find shelter before we encounter any other dangers."
"Can anyone identify these potions I pulled off his body earlier? I believe there are two. We may get lucky and not have to use our resources to wake him."
Ana had remained silent through the whole exchange, her expression carefully neutral though her thoughts and emotions were in turmoil and her voice is barely more than a whispered monotone.
"Let me see them." Once they are in her sight she will cast Detect Magic. Her eyes intent on the potions before she turns away, absentmindedly playing a lock of her hair between her fingers.
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"They are both potions of cure moderate wounds. One should suffice to get the man on his own feet."
With that, she ambled off ahead a few paces her head dipped down as if deep in thought. Mumbled words could be heard as she spoke softly in a strange language to herself.
She shakes her head and turns to see what progress has been made in her momentary solitude.
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Ryker shall use a potion on the man.
After the man still did not wake, Ryker will give the final potion to the man.
A minute passes before the potions begin take effect. The various cuts scattered around his body began closing up as if invisible threads sewed them shut. The bruises began blending in color until the tone of his skin all matched. Other than having dried blood and slightly torn clothing, his being in any combat would be impossible to tell by the looks and shape of his body at this point. The glow enveloping his body continues and doesn't falter the whole time. He stirs for a moment, still unbreathing. His eyes begin to open and he blinks a couple times before coming to his senses. Immediately he springs to his feet after making a roll away from Ryker reaching to his boot and realizing his weapon wasn't there. "who are you?! And where are my belongings?!" he says in a low, deep and slightly anxious voice. He stands up from a crouched position now making a note cautiously as he realized his gear was gone.
Easily unamused by the fact that his possessions were taken he says in a suggestive tone, "you'd do well to return my belongings,..." now noticing his empty potion bottles lay on the ground by where he awoke. At this time the howls are heard yet again much closer now as he looks up... "while you have my thanks for keeping me alive until now, I know not that I can trust you all just yet..." his eyes shift between each of you anxious and with upmost caution. "this beasts surely will kill you if you do not hurry,... Follow me...". Waiting with his hand out for the return of his items his face not voice never wavered. He seemed overly cautious but also stressed from internal dilemma.
He begins moving up the trail looking around to gain his bearings. Within five minutes and some howls later he stops turning towards the treeline. "Here" he says pointing towards a tree. It's bark on the west most side had a marking carved into it that would've gone unnoticed otherwise.
His warning now rang in each of your heads over the next few minutes as you held onto it word for word. Dry as it seemed, a threat, a warning..... self preservation seemed to be the motive in this case. They haunt you for a moment more. "Should you try anything... I will kill you"
Ryker stands as the man stands.
"You took quite a beating earlier my friend. My name is Ryker and these are my traveling companions as of late. I took your weapons and other possessions from you as a precaution. I wasn't sure what kind of person you were, though I figured you would have to have some form of combat knowledge, being by yourself in such a place. Though I'm sure you would feel the same way. Your items are yours of course as I have no right to keep them if you request to have them back."
Ryker will give all of his possessions and weapons back to him. As quickly and efficiently as possible. After hearing the howl Ryker will look to that direction and give a quick nod.
'I'm sure you have questions for us, as do I for you, but they can wait until a better time arises. Though for now, a tenuous alliance seems reasonable. Though I have to say one thing. Your warning applies to you as well."
Ryker gives a serious look at the man, his eyes piercing and unmoving. Before he begins to follow and provide a hand motion to the others in the group to follow.
Elysriel held her guard against the man, not sure what he meant. Part of her felt as if he'd meant no harm and was taking precaution, while the other side of her felt as if he could snap at any second. "no one is going to attack you if that's what you're wondering. Would we not have done so when you were unconscious?..." the sound of the unknown persuers gave her heart a jolt as she became slightly anxious. Under normal situations she would be able to identify exactly what it was, but something wasn't natural about these woods. Lowering her weapon and loosening the tension of her now she would then say, "if you have a plan to get us out of this situation let us make haste, I don't wish to have to fight anymore for the moment."
Unsure of what exactly this man was, Elysriel seemed only more confused in the situation and more so worried for the others. They were running low on ways to heal their wounds, and her ability... As she's looks down to where pierced armor and dried blood sat atop of perfectly untouched skin...
the others don't have the abilities I was gifted with, I do not wish to see them die
Internally the thought played in her head as if time had stopped only a moment, snapping out of such a short lived trance only by the mans movements.
"I'll hold the back of the group, I have the best perception but let us trust one another at least until we are safe" she'd say, moving backwards towards the group and the man keeping her eyes and ears readied in the direction of the howling.
I looked at the man, wondering if he would lead us into a trap or be a powerful ally. Regaurdless I followed him, keeping my eye on him for any shifty moves.
Ana's eyes remained fixated throughout the exchange on the stranger, faltering only for a moment when trust was mentioned with a quick glance toward Elysriel with a somewhat incredulous look on her face before returning.
She'll wordlessly take her place in line, relieved that they were finally on the move again. She would struggle to listen as they others bickered for any sign of pursuit.
And struggle she did.