The mystery man pauses a moment, a chill passes through the air as the awkward silence begins to fester. The sound of nothingness only occasionally broken by the howl beckoning from the darkness. This forest offered no breeze, yet it held all the dampness left from the earlier downpour. Not even a muscle seems willing to shift as the moments drag on. The man turns just enough so that the party can make out the side of his face. "twice, your lives would've been spared this night,... If I did not find such hilarity in your words Ryker."
A smirk appeared on the little face that was revealed, he seemed to find entertainment in Ryker's returned statement. His face then returns to his front before he then leads the party into the woods off the trail. "follow me, they're gaining on us". An aura of relief eased the tension as he spoke now, still uneasy given the situations experienced this night, the party continued into the dark thick undergrowth. The terrain changed vividly as the smooth ground became littered with roots, partially decayed leaves. Occasionally claw marks were seen both old and new scattered in random areas on trees when they were viewable.
Within five minutes of following the man he comes to a clearing. Centered in it is a rundown shack of a two-story cabin clearly abandoned for some time. He pauses a moment holding his hand up like a mime imitating a surface. The howls grow ever closer, and the party begins growing more anxious by the second. As if waiting to the last second your faith is limited in the man and his lead. You now all can see that the portion of clearing that is viewable is filled with overgrowth. Wildflowers are scattered amongst it all. To the surprise of the party you notice fairly sizable lumps, which when looked at more closely, are sought to be human bodies. A battle of sorts went on here, however brutal it was, these men died recently within the last handful of hours. The smell of blood was still fresh in the air, unnoticeable at first due to smelling like blood yourselves.
The man holds his arm up and steady. Within the few seconds that pass oddities begin happening. Currents begin picking up, and the source of which is unknown. The party makes note that no breeze was active even in the clearing. The man begins levitating slowly, and hovering only inches off the ground. The dimensions around the house begin giving off a reflective glare as the current pulls at these now slightly visible walls. The transparency gave it the visual properties of glass and turned it into the equivalent of visualized energy. These miniature streams of energy course around the mans body before immersing itself into his chest causing his body to once again touch ground just as gently as it had levitated off of. As he lands he half looks over his shoulder, "you can now enter safely" before entering himself. On entering the insides were extremely different to that of which were expected via the outside. This cabin looked inhabited, streaks were left making paths in the dust and debris. On entering you can notice that whatever the man had done prior to entering was being reset somehow. The reformation of the transparent walls was quick as it was consistent. Once inside the howls heard in the distance became muffled, a subtle protection was apparent.
Inside the cabin the distinct aroma of dust and mold mixed with the creaky sound of the building itself shifting as footsteps pressed the floorboards. A small hallway lead straight to the back of the cabin where there was another door leading outside. To both sides of this hallway were open walk through doorways. The casings made of a dark, stained wood offsetting the pale painted but faded walls. Cobwebs hung from the corners scattered around a flam's soft cackle could be heard from the other room as you approach. To the left of the hallway you see what appears to be a small living quarter alike to living rooms with a fireplace. In the first place a small fire burns but no smoke nor smell comes from it, only light and sound. On the floor sits a man, greasy hair and an awful five o'clock shadow. He rocks himself and hums in an even lower tone that the flames that dance falsely. At the sight of you all he jumps, only having recognized the man you'd been following. He had bags under his eyes, friend blood was smeared on his face as if he'd tried wiping it off improperly. The clothes he wore were cut or ripped showing signs of age and struggle. With a terribly dry and jittery voice the man speaks to what can be assumed is his comrade. "where've you b-been? Th-...the others... They w-went l-looking for you..."
The man you'd been following stares at the other, "what? They came with me..." he would sigh, what happened to you all? Why is it so different here? Ryevn? What happened to you?"
The man now known as Ryevn stops his rocking. Looking straight up at each of you, but always returning back to his friend. "I am safe in here, always s-safe.... The forest.. It never sleeps... N-never!....." he stands and begins raising his voice. The man's body is more frail than it had appeared to be before as the ripped clothing now reveals just how petite the man is. "you left us!,... You left me to die!!.......... I've been waiting, somehow the first year I-I'd thought it w-was you bringing me f-f-food every morning... But I'd never seen y-your f-face...."
A silence follows before Ryevn's attitude changes, he moves to go out the door as you all stand there in shock. "would anyone care for some tea?... I must feed the dogs before it gets too late" and he moves towards the opposite end of the hallway from where you all came in, opening the door and closing it behind him. The man you'd followed stands there, a look of concern and utter disbelief stains his face.
Written on the walls in this room are different phrases that are enough to bring chills down your spine.
"The forest never sleeps"
The devil waits
To fill his belly
The devil takes
He cleans his claws
And beckons more
To set fourth in search
Of the Devils door"
"Die!!!"
"Kill me!!!"
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Tallies were marked all over the walls.
The man turns to you now, "for the purpose of having something to call me you may refer to me as V, I still do not trust you but my concern is for Ryevn for the time being. There are two bedrooms upstairs, they're big so you all should be able to fit in one-". However his sentence was cut short as a shrill teeth clenching, blood curdling scream was heard from outside. A few moments went by before only the sound of ripping scraps of cloth were left to fill your ears. Should any of you follow 'V' to the back door you see Ryevn's body laying there motionless. His expression in a curved up smile that would haunt you each in the nights to come. Then in small jerking movements his body disappears getting pulled into the consuming darkness. The only sight you make out are the Crimson eyes that stand out agains the blackness as whatever these fiends are back away out of range of your enhanced visions. They stand there and watch, occasionally disappearing for a moment as the sounds of teeth tearing flesh replace their presence.
" we'll be safe here until morning,... Just don't leave the building..." V says after a few moments of silence. He shuts the door should no one appose him doing so, and moves back towards the living room with no words left to say.
It was too late to save the man, Ryker knew this. Going out there now would be suicide. Ryker would instead find a chair and sit lazily in it and take a long sigh. He would reach for his pendant, which was no longer there. His eyes drifted to an indifferent state as he then turned to look at the rest of remaining group.
"Let's get some sleep, nothing more to do now. Anyone need healing? I have a single use left."
Ana keeps apace with the others. She is still silent, preferring the solitude of her own mind. As she walked, a brooding look took her and only deepened when they came upon the clearing. Her eyes scanned over the fallen men with little more than passing glances and settled on the cabin with suspicion. Reaching into that part of herself where her power resides, she called on it to fuel a spell.
She watches the man as he levitates with a new respect in her eyes and follows with little hesitation when he enters the cabin. The sight of this Ryevn came as a surprise to her. But what grabbed her attention was scrawled upon the wall in blood or etched into it.
She'll walk over to the runes, her fingers grazing over the frayed edges of the wood as she recited the words.
"The darkness comes,
The devil waits
To fill his belly
The devil takes
He cleans his claws
And beckons more
To set fourth in search
Of the Devils door"
After a few minutes of examining the wall, she'll turn to the others. "We are not safe here. These words were written in the script of demons of the lower planes."
She would stare after Ryevn as he departs the cabin, wondering what could possibly be going through his mind that he would forsake the safety it granted. And what dogs?
What madness had come upon this land? I thought to myself, keeping my guard as I feared for not just my own life, but for everyone I cared about, my people, my family, and my new friends.
I turned towards Ryker. "Rest my friend, I shall stay on night duty for a few hours." I said, hoping that no beasts or demons slay us in the night. I collected my thoughts as I keeled down besides the fire, warming my hands and preparing for the worst. "Ryker... your words you said about teamwork...you are right. We need to come up with a solid battle strategy." Something I thought I would never consider before. But ever since I laid my hands upon the sword of Ra my mind had opened up to the knowledge of the past, including battles and tactics."I know that my skills for the time being are much more useful in the front lines."
"would you like some company Casinir? If not I'll take the second watch." Elysriel says with a heavy mind. To think, let alone see what was graffitied on these walls, and experience everything that am happened with the last five minutes was enough to make her feel a little hope slip away. The insanity of it all was enough to make anyone go mad, but at what extent does one die smiling. The guy was practically eaten alive infornt of them, if only audibly for the most part. In hopes she could at least narrow down what these fiends were, she stared into the darkness from safety,...
[dice=Intellect Check]1d20+
[dice=Sense Motive]1d20+
Elysriel excuses herself from the party to go and explore more of the cabin before getting some sleep. She had so many questions but like she was sure of the others, she was still in shock.
'Freya, watch over us all'
"Some company would be nice. "
"Okay, Ill return shortly. I'd like to check the house for anything that would endanger us, then I'll return"
I took this moment of peace and drew my blade and held it at the end of the hilt, leaning the blade against the floor. I closed my eyes and whispered to Ra "Oh mighty Ra, does this place hold safe shelter for us this night?'
You close your eyes, and for a moment you sense nothing. You are in a trance and feel warmth beaming on you from your front. As you open your eyes you see only the outline of some being. Bathed and surrounded in light like that of a solar eclipse you feel in your mind,
"weal or woe"
The figure, without moving, begins fading away as a cascade of divine energy wraps around it making the view obscenely bright. Enough so that you shut your eyes and your senses come back as your trance fades. You start to warm your hands by the fire but notice it is unusual, it looks like a fire, sounds like one as well, but no heat nor smell come from it.
The words enshrined on the wall glow faintly until you read them out loud, and in a bright flash only to you, do you go blind for a few rounds. If you looks back at the words you now see that an aura cackles at it.
What bothered you was a mixture of not being able to make sense of it all alone. There were possibilities aplenty. But without more information you couldn't make sense of it.
"if he was right that would mean that the beasts were almost on top of us earlier. you jest to yourself letting out a laugh before something then catches your eye, making you take a closer look... You walk over to a small table that sits beside a chair, the table has a half melted candle upon it with a coating of dust blanketing the overall contents of the table. It isn't for certain until you reach for this shape that resembles the pendant you'd given the boy back in town...
Dusting it off you examine it thoroughly, from the weight, to the size, color and even decoration it looks identical to yours. When you open it you see the little pebble you often played with while pondering countless scenarios. This was definitely your pendant..."how is this possible?"
On the far side of the kitchen you notice a staircase heading up and a door to its backside. The door is locked and made of a thick hard rock maple wood, as are most of these doors in the cabin. The upstairs was pretty unimpressive. Two bedrooms, if you search all you find is a bear trap that is very brittle, dust and an assortment of tattered clothes.
V just sits there staring at the fireplace for a few moments. Should no one speak to him he gets up and walks on upstairs shutting and locking the door behind him.
Ryker turns and walks over to V. His hand holding the pendant loosely. "He said he had been gone only a few hours and yet... The other man said he had been gone for years... Insane... Surely... But..." Ryker looks down at the pendant again.
As he looks up at V he will use his Sense Perfection ability. And look about the house and V.
"V...? What do you know of this pendant?"
Questions raised in her mind, and suspicion and fear etched upon her face as she gazed into the runes that now blazed with power in her eyes. An edgy step takes her a pace back from the wall as thoughts and emotions raged within her mind.
I dropped my sword in surprise and began to lose composure. I did not know if this were a trick of not, but the thought that I was seeing him, made my eyes water and my heart swell with courage and anxiety.
V's eyes dart towards Casimir as his sword clashes on the floor. The noise made him bring his arm back instinctively as if readying for an attack. Realizing it was just Casimir's stupidity he once again relaxed into his chair. Regaining his thoughts he tells Ryker, "never seen it before"
The flames dance in the fireplace as both Casimir and Ana stare into it absentmindedly. Soon Elysriel returns and again the room falls silent. As the minutes pass, thoughts play about in each of your minds.
V stands, making the first movement in some time and begins making his way upstairs. He had no facial expressions which gave his voice a very cold and hollow feel as he spoke. "I'm not going to stay here once I rest..." he pauses as the last words leaves his lips as if searching for more words to say but instead stays silent. Resuming his way upstairs the floorboards creek and moan then entire time. A door opens, shuts and then with a click you assume it also becomes locked as well.
Ryker not satisfied with V's answer would have stopped him and pressed him, but knowing his comrades were killed recently, or so it seemed, he wouldn't grill the man. He needs to mourn in his own way. The taint of this house seemed to egg the man to leave as soon as he was rested, and Ryker felt they should do the same.
Ryker would place the pendant back around his neck, the flaming pebble he kept inside now sat in his fingers. He would slowly bring the pebble a few inches from his head. And then he let it go. Onlookers may have thought the pebble would drop to the floor. It actually stays in the same spot floating eerily, slowly it floats about Rykers head making a full circle every 6 seconds or so.
Ryker would make his way to the fire with the others and sit down. His eyes would fixate on the flaming pebble each time it moved into his view. His lips would quiver when it passed almost like he was counting. He would stop after a while and instead stare into the fire of the fireplace.
His eyes would break away from the fire, his gaze fell upon Ana's elven figure. His hand slowly outstretched palm up. His fingers relaxed and steady. A soft white glow would begin to emanate from it. The light almost not visible due to the other contesting lights in the room. "It seems we are safe enough, I feel like I can use my last use of healing before our rest tonight... If you would accept it, Lady Faris." Ryker says with a light smile and soothing voice.
Ana turns to regard Ryker, gazing at him sidelong over her shoulder with her eyes wide, betraying her usual stoicism. They then fell as if to analyze the hand stretched out to her, then to a wound not fully healed, the skin of her shoulder marred with dark bruises and a barely closed cut, then back to Ryker. A moment passes in silence before she turns and steps forward, laying her hand in his and nods her assent.
A warmth suffused her and surged through her body, soothing the pain and healing her wounds even as she watched. Once it was done, she would take her hand back, curling her cloak about her as if to keep the warmth of the spell about her.
"Thank you, Ryker." She said, before turning back to the runes on the wall. She would study them in silence for a time before seeking out a place to rest.
Elysriel sits wondering if the silence is all that will welcome them. "calm down Casimir,... Get ahold of yourself" she'd sigh to herself, "what's the plan Ryker? You seem to have the most experience organizing multiple people". Realizing now with some downtime she knew close to nothing about the others. "perhaps we should learn more of and from each other? For example, I am from the dark woods of Khalesk in the south, no family are alive to my knowledge. I journey to become stronger."
"Mmm yes, I've come from the Kingdom of Romanos that is settled in the northern mountains ruled by my grandfather, King Ryker Romanos I. My father, Prince Ryker Romanos II holds the 2nd Division Army under his leadership. I have multiple siblings and aunts and uncles, though many are nearing the end of their own lives or have already passed on... Er... Anyway... I've been tasked with simply gaining real world experience before becoming the general of the 3rd Division Army and truly earning my name sake."
Ryker looks about the others with a look of anticipation and yet some concern.
"Though since I've got here... I received a vision of sorts from some unknown origin. In my vision I saw an old man, he told me I would meet up with a few others and we were important in some way. Wether you are the ones I was meant to find or not, it seemed quite the coincidence when we all grouped together so soon after my vision. Though I consider you all allies, I have yet to trust you all fully. I hope in time we can trust each other. Our target should still be Stan, however if he did not find shelter as we did, the outlook for him appears to be mighty grim. We will see about refinding his tracks in the morning. I don't know if V will travel with us, though I think it would be smart if he did."
Ryker sits up suddenly eyes upon the flames of the fireplace. He stands up and walks to the flames and crouches down. He looks upon his hand then reaches into the fire. Pulling out the stick and the golden decanter. He then smiles as he holds them up to the others. "Hey look, I found some stuff!"
Ryker leans forward reaching out his hand towards the fire as the others watch in silence. The bright flames dance in high spirit as he reaches into it's center without flinching. As he brings his arm back Casimir, Ana and Elysriel note that there are no scorch marks upon him. The souls of the fire moves as the light it provided was pulled from the flames making them less vibrant. A well carved stick glowing a white-ish gold and giving off the light of a torch and a decanter made of gold rest in Ryker hands now.
Ana, Elysriel and Casimir are each taken back by Rykers performance. Though each of you see that the fire still dances like it always had and the light it gives off stays the same.
I collected my firm and apologized. "Forgive me, I was just praying to my god and.. well I thought I was seeing his image." But what was this flame?
She would listen patiently as the others began to introduce themselves, staring blankly into the runes on the wall. Ryker's family history was known to her and she turned to take her first step in search of a place to rest before she froze at the mention of his visions.
She watched as Ryker reached into the flames, and back out with the stick and decanter in hand and unharmed, though surprise was long gone. Too much of the impossible has shown itself to her in the last few days and she resolved merely to accept what was.
"Ryker, this vision. What can you tell me about the man you saw? You said he was old.."
I'll use one of the spellcraft checks you made for one of the items, the other however is unidentifiable to you. The flaming baton is an everburning torch.
I would tell you if you picked anything up, but due to your failed will save some things you are oblivious to. The runes were written there by a powerful being, its the aura that it left behind that sears into your eyes as you gaze upon it with detect magic.
"Yes Ana, old, wearing robes, long white hair but also balding on top. Did you have a similar vision? Though a vision with an old man in it is not something everyone gets everyday so regardless of what he looked like I'm pretty sure it's not a coincidence and it was the same old man."
" Forgive my behavior just then..." I said with a great burden behind my voice. Perhaps this was the best time to explain myself. " I come from a small village known as Shira hidden in the sands of the great desert in a not too far off land. The people are poor and thirsty, we have been living in a 20 year drought. Many.... many have died of thirst, hunger, and illness, including my sister... I couldn't bear to watch anyone else suffer so I headed for the ancient temples and pyramids that lies dormant and untouched buried below Shira. Our people would tell their children stories of kings who would wear gold and platinum like linen and wool, stories of wealth beyond our wildest dreams. Wealth that my people needed. As I searched deep inside the temple of Ra, Ancient God of the sun, dodging traps and jumping various pits and chasms, I came across a sword. I drew my sword. It was lying upon a pedestal in an empty chamber. As soon as I touched the hilt of the sword a burning light shined upon me, and all of the knowledges and secrets of the desert rushed in my mind, changing me. I no longer felt human but instead one with the sands. Then a whisper came to me. Go to the west, there you will find salvation for your people I didn't know whom it came from but I wasted no time, I returned to Shira and gave them the other treasures that I found and told them to seek them and that I would be leaving for awhile to seek answers.
"with no family, there wasn't much holding me back from leaving. Both my parents were taken from me at a young age and since then I have been honing my skills. Freya was the one whom as we're my prayers... But now I am seeking answers with suspicion that it was more than a fluke, that my parents were to die in such a way." Elysriel would sigh quietly, all the while shifts ever so slightly for her personal comfort. "I watched them die... The man who had taken their lives was no professional or I'd have been killed as well..." her voice would trail off before she regained composure. Her eyes shifted for a moment as if deep in thought before returning her gaze upon the others. "half a week before I'd met you all I was visited too, though the man was old he approached me in a dream. Then after he'd spoken he somehow changed into a raven and flew away,... He mentioned I'd find others looking for answers as well to the north, so here I am."
A few moments go by in silence, Ryker straps the decanter on his hip and then proceeds to a comfy looking chair where he can fall asleep in.
I turned to Elysriel. "Such a sorrow tale you have, may Ra's light shine and protect you." But was a prayer enough? Either way I couldn't help but think of what to do next."It definately seems that we were destined to unite, the four of us. But perhaps there are others who could not make it to our congregation, or perhaps they are still out there..." I pondered the thought for a bit more, staring into the nothingness that was the black shadows of the outside window.
Elysriel stays standing a few more moments before moving over to sit next to the chair beside Ryker. Her gaze drifts among each of the others as she moves. "I take it as a probable fate,... regardless however, I'd very much like to be sure with time" Taking her seat against the wall by Ryker's chair Elysriel will stare across the room while munching on a ration.
"Rest Ryker, get some sleep Lily. Elysriel and I shall take watch in case the terrors outside intrude." I turned to Elysriel and nodded to her.
Ryker lays back in his chair and closes his eyes. The images of what transpired all in this long day flashed before his eyes. Am I worthy of such a tremendous responsibility or are the others worthy for that matter... Ryker's mind wanders for a bit longer before finally resting and he falls asleep. A faint snore can be heard former time to time.
Ana turns and departs in search of even a small bit of privacy before settling down to rest, curling in tight on herself and wrapping her cloak about her she drifted off into reverie. The frustration that none of her companions had any answers to the questions she'd asked of the last few days peaked and leaked into the visions of her dream-like, sleepless rest.
The room grows quiet with the exception of Rykers soft snoring, the fire cackles in the fireplace and sends a feint glow around its hearth. An occasional howl is heard not too far from the cabin. Though the night seemed to go on rather peacefully. Copious amounts of shadows flicker at a continual frequency, dancing to no end and consuming no wood as Casimir and Elysriel sit there in almost total silence.
You blink.
You stand again outside, this time you watch your brother exit the house. A chill runs up your spine,...
You blink...
Ryker occasionally stirs ever so slightly throughout the night, and in doing so Casimir and Elysriel are able to take some comfort from the silence.
A small black blur rushes from the bushes at first before casually stopping at your feet. As your eyes catch up you now are gazing down at a black cat. There are various distortions in your sight as the contrast begins increasing to blackness. Now, as the world is swallowed by the abyss, you gain the sensation of terror. It begins making you anxious as every bad feeling you'd ever gotten washes over you in a cascade of amplified negative emotions.
Finally you scream, wrenching your neck towards the heavens. Oddly, no sound comes out. You look around and again you sit in your chair of choice inside the log cabin. The ion stone still revolves around your head, Ana still sleeps on the other side of the room, '...it was just a dream, you think to yourself. Elysriel and Casimir talk j. Hushed whispers near the fire before you and take no notice to you waking.
Elysriel: "should we leave them here?"
Casimir: "well of course, once we loot their bodies, we need to kill them first though or we won't get paid..."
Elysriel: "eill their heads suffice for proof?...."
Elysriel stops nodding over to you but drowsiness makes you black out momentarily as your body begins to run on overdrive to wake up and as you do, you see Elysriel leaning in towards you striking panic as you instinctively want to defend yourself.... As you come to your senses you notice she doesn't seem to intend you harm, at least not for the moment. The thought dawns on you, "I'll wait for them to go to sleep before I kill them,... They cannot be trusted"
Your eyes meet with Ana as she now wakens from her slumber as well. Your eyes meet and you get the feeling she might be thinking the same thing.
Following him, your treasured brother, his own katana strapped to his back as he kept pace with the much bigger man. You recognize the craftsmanship of the blade, the seal printed upon it. It had been your gift for him...
You blink....
Now you are traveling along the road in these woods. Casimir, Ryker, Elysriel and V are all silent as you all make your ways into the cabin. You listen trying to hear what they're saying but drown them all out as if involuntarily becoming drowsy. Upon being brought to the now, your eyes open,... You blink. Casimir is waking you from your sleep with a slight shake all the while repeating your name in a hushed whisper.
Heat raises from your chest, your heart begins beating faster. The casual smile he gives only pushes your buttons all the more. To your left across the room you see Ryker, a look of slight confusion and awkwardness is displayed briefly on his face as he stands. You feel stronger, your desire to remove Casimir is overcome only by your structured calculations of how best to do so. You would wait until he was helpless,.... Asleep....
Casimir and Elysriel continue on watching for the remainder of the night in silence. Occasionally nodding to one another and taking turns checking the house's interior. Shadows dance in the barely lit room as the fire dances in its hearth. The darkness welcomes sleep as each of you begin drifting into a drowsy state. Fatigue sets in and you each decide it's now time to switch for guard duty.
Ryker snores softly and shifts ever so slightly as if startled at first, before immediately settling down as he took in his surroundings.
"Yes, it appears it's time to switch."
Ana woke, shrugging away from Casimir's grip with disgust and frustration as she forced his hands away with her arm. "Keep your hands off me, human."
She rose, shaking the remainder of sleep from her body as she did and taking a step away from Casimir.
Elysriel watches as Ryker tosses and turns in his sleep, curious about what made him show sign of discomfort she couldn't help but pause. Through all that had happened in these woods would be traumatic for most he seemed to have taken it well. Either he had seen his fair share prior to, or his mind is stronger than most... which led her to thinking, what could possibly make him squirm in such a way?...
Preparing now to relieve him of his dream state, he began opening his eyes. "looks as if I didn't even need to wake you,.... Elysriel whispered, "are you feeling okay?"
"Forgive me Ana, you looked peaceful." I softly spoke as I layer myself down by the fire.
Her eyes followed Casamir as he laid himself to rest by the fire, then shot to the spear against the wall beside her as she grew confident that he was asleep. Her resolve strong, she rose from the floor with spear hugged to her chest as if it would keep away the cold. She strode over non-chalantly before pausing to analyze her surroundings. Mid-stride she would erect her Twilight Barrier. None would be the wiser, and should he survive...
She smiled inwardly though her expression remained blank, amused by her train of thought. He wouldn't. This had to be done. For all of their survival, but more importantly, so she can see Him again.
She strode over to where Casamir lay by the fire, her grip on the spear tightening as she lifted it above her head, then with all her might, brought it down into the sleeping man's chest.
Ryker acends from his chair as if a order was given to do so. He slowly looked at Elysriel. Noting her now sleeping form. A look upon his face seemed, almost maddening. Etched in the light of his floating Ioun torch and the dim light of the everburning torch. Ryker moved twards his comrade.
He moved silently and unaware that Ana was experiencing the same orders he was, Kill her while she sleeps, it is the only way to be sure...
He now stands above Elysriel. Eyes glazed over with a killing intent. Kill her, kill her! Elysriel's stirs slightly in her sleep as a lock of hair falls slightly to the side revealing most of her face to him.
"no..." Ryker whispers in his trance...
"No! Kill her!"
"No..." Ryker whispers, now his body trembling.
"KILL HER!!!"
Ryker barley able to move his head now notices Ana's spear raised above Casimir who is laying by the fire. Time seems to slow as Ryker finally has control of himself again. The spear begins to plummet down twards Casimir's chest.
"NOOO!!!" Ryker screams as he lunges between Ana and Casimir.
If it is possible to save one of his companions lives by sacrificing his, their would be no purer act of selflessness. His eyes close and a faint smile appears on his face.
"You know Ryker, each and every man and woman here is important to someone else?"
Ryker stayed silent, but looked quizzically at his father.
"They have families, friends, loved ones; each of their lives matter just as much as mine. Every single one of them would defend me without a second thought. Throwing themselves in harms way if it means saving a life... I would do the same for each and everyone of them. For that, is what makes a great leader... Their is no purer act of selflessness... Remember this... son..."
Ryker's eyes open... Just in time to see the tip of Ana's spear... ... plunge into his own left eye...
Ryker now down on one knee, grabs the spear with his left hand keeping it from sliding any further in. His other hand upon Casimir's chest. The spear still piercing his eye. Blood begins to gush from his socket as he grits his teeth in pain.
"Ana! Snap out of it! I broke out of the same compulsion, I know you can too! Push yourself Ana! Come back to your senses! ANA!"
Ryker, you cannot take the save, sorry. It is for Casimir to roll, if he does not I will roll for him.
Roll Initiatives, and Perception checks.