He lays the mercenary down on a large stone, drops to both knees, mutters a silent prayer of thanks, and begins to frantically tear the man apart. He devours as much as he can, knowing there will be no saving any for later. Haig builds a small cairn and disposes of the evidence. He scrubs as much of the blood off as he can, practically emptying his borrowed waterskin in the process. Satisfied, he picks himself up and calmly walks back to the camp.
The camp is silent still. The others have not yet woken. A quick inspection of the camp reveals the man had been killed in his sleep. Blood stains the ground around where his bedroll had been - right next to another slumbering man. Whatever had killed him could have easily slaughtered all the men here without a sound... The question is why did it not?
"Awake! " the ghoul snarls, balling up his fist and striking it against the edge of the automaton, sending the thundering sound of a gong echoing through the forest. "One of our number has dissapeared! Awake! The Gallow-Hangers have struck!" The camp is strewn with blood, giblets hang from the spines of the forests and soak into the earth. Among the rows of bedrolls is a trail of blood, leading into the line of trees.
As the confusion erupts around him Haig briskly walks over to her edge of the camp and stiffly hoists Lucia off of the ground, fingers digging into her shoulders. "Awake, girl. Tell me everything you know of these monsters. How did it strike without sound?" he asks, shaking her briskly. "What manner of creature can disappear into the trees? "
The campsite springs into life at the revelation. Yells and shouts sound through the caravan as people spring up, drawing swords and stumbling to their feet ready to fight. Evi struggles to her feet, pulling herself up with the cane. Cortez rises sleepily, not at first aware of the commotion.
"Calm!" Aurelius bellows, gripping his hatchet tightly. "Calm yourselves! There is no battle here." He grips Haig's shoulder, prying him from the dazed sorceress before she can reply. "We'll have time for that in a moment. We gather ourselves - tell us what happened."
The men gather near the campfire, eyes darting about, taking in the scene.
"Fermin!" Siraj says, eyes wild. "Where is Fermin?"
Usman draws an arrow, scanning the surroundings with a grimace. He shakes his head, visibly disgusted. "Fermin is all around us.
Siraj turns, raising a hand to his mouth. "Ugh... This is..."
"How did..." one of the mercenaries starts, in a state of shock. He is a shorter man with a bald head and tattooed arms. He looks down at the blood on his hands. "He was sleeping not two feet from me... How did I not notice..."
Cortez is the last to join the group, still dressed in his bedrobes, a nightcap atop his head. His gaze wanders about the camp, finally settling on Haig.
"What happened here?" he says, walking over briskly. "How did this happen?"
All fey from sprites to spriggans are exceptionally sneaky. Well, except for monoliths of course. Most can pass without trace, some can turn invisible or into gaseous form. It's not all too surprising that one would be able to slip if you don't have any special wards against them.
Gallow-Hangers, you know, don't possess any of those abilities naturally, though they are quite adept at stealth. You have heard of older ones moving into sorcerous arts much like your own, however.
Haig glances from side to side, clearly uncomfortable with his audience. It is only for a moment that he looks like a cornered animal. Steeling himself, he meets Cortez's gaze. "I saw little, and heard less. It did not even wake our friend here as it tore this man apart."
"Two hours before daybreak. I heard no sound. No screams, no struggle, no bloodshed. At first I thought it was an illusion, but I saw the creature and what was left of your friend and gave chase." the ghoul growls, voice low and eyes narrow. "I am sorry. I could not catch the creature. The forest is thick, and it swam through the trees-without-leaves as if they were water." He hangs his head. "I found the body hanging by it's neck and no sign of the creature. I buried it as best I could, but I do not know the Gracian custom."
"It hunts alone. It could easily have torn each and every one of us apart without warning. We must not spend another night in this forest."
"I see..." Cortez looks troubled by this turn of events. Aurelius frowns, folding his arms before speaking. "You say you gave chase... Did you see it? What it was?"
Before Haig can answer, one of the men interjects, shouting angrily."You were supposed to keep watch!"
Aurelius raises a hand towards the man, staring him in the eye. "Dimas, calm down. I am sure-"
"No!" The man quickly retorts, waving his sword. "No, I will not calm down! I refuse to believe that something could have come in and slaughtered one of us without his noticing."
Siraj turns, placing a hand on the man's chest. "Dimas, you don't know that. There are things, beasts in the legends that-"
"Enough of your legends!" the man roars, pushing Siraj away. "Fermin is dead! My cousin! My blood! And this... thing!" he points his sword accusingly at Haig. "This thing is to blame! I knew we could not trust him."
The men look at each other, muttering. Cortez looks perplexed, at a loss for words.
"At first I tolerated it." He says, gritting his teeth. "But yesterday made things clear. This monster is infected with madness. How do we know that this slaughter is of his own making? That he didn't slit his throat in the night and feast on his flesh?"
The man's hand trembles now, his face red with anger, his blade pointed towards Haig as he advances towards him. All at once another blade appears, pointed at Dimas' neck. "Not another step." Evi holds the scimitar just below his ear, the metal almost close enough to touch his skin. The men react quickly, readying their swords for combat as well. Aurelius grips his hatchet and Cortez watches on in horror.
"Please, everyone, calm yourselves! Now is not the time for infighting!" Cortez' words seem to fall on deaf ears. Usman stands aside, not having moved nor drawn a weapon, his eyes still fixed on Haig. A bead of perspiration dribbles down the mercenary's brow.
"You are panicking. Calm yourselves." The ghoul eyes the ring of drawn blades with an eerie calm. "The first one to point a blade at Lady Evi loses a hand. The next one loses his head."
The ghoul takes two paces toward Dimas, hands open, and meets his gaze."I do not ask for your trust, Gracian." the ghoul says, gruffly. "You refuse to believe it? Use your head, you stubborn fool. You doubt that your kinsman could have been slain without your noticing, yet here he is, strewn about the camp. You do not think me abandoning my post to decorate the camp with this man wouldn't make the slightest bit of noise? A crunch of bone? A scream? Whimpered prayers to your desert god?"
"We don't have time for this foolishness." he says, palms outstretched. "The only thing that matters now is getting to safety. If you wish to delay our passage further, I can at the very least offer you a clean death. I cannot make the same promise if we do not leave this cursed place by nightfall. Please. Put your blade away and fall in line."
The mercenary breathes through his nose, his mouth clenched shut, refusing to back down. Siraj lays a hand on the man's shoulder, squeezing tightly."Dimas, it's not worth it."
The man closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. "You are right, Siraj." he slowly lowers his sword and begins to turn around. "This one isn't even worth dirtying my blade. Filth." He spits at the ghoul's feet before walking away. The other men lower their weapons as well, as does Evi. Cortez lets out a relieved sigh.
"For a moment there..." he takes his nightcap off, dabbing his brow with it. "I thought, well, I don't know what would have happened."
At Cortez's request, Haig recounts the events once more to the group. Usman listens carefully, his frown growing with each new detail.
"I don't understand..." Aurelius says, rubbing his neck. "Why would it abandon the body if it escaped you? Why take it out in the first place if it didn't intend to keep it?
Usman mutters something under his breath. Haig doesn't quite catch it, but Lucia does.
"Because it's not the one who took the body..."
"Hmm? Did you say something?" Cortez says, looking in his direction.
Usman raises his hands. "Nothing." he says quickly. "Nothing. Though I think a better question is why did it only kill one of us? If it were that swift and silent, surely it could have slit more throats than it did."
"A message, perhaps?" Cortez ventures. "Lucia, your bodyguard suggested that the body yesterday could be a territorial marking. Perhaps this is the same thing. A warning."
Aurelius folds his arms, a sour look on his face. "If that's the case," Aurelius begins, "Then where do we go from here?"
Haig is not ashamed to sag with relief as the man turns away. He turns to Evi and gives her a stiff bow. "You humble me lady. Thank you." He spares Siraj a glance and nods his thanks as the Gracian walks away, cursing.
Haig is silent, answering questions when asked and his eyes cast downward. For a moment, his eyes settle on Usman, and Aurelius' question remains unanswered. "I don't have any answers." the ghoul says after some time. "But I know I cannot protect us against this thing for another night. We should stay true to our course. If it wishes to attack us while we march, it risks open battle." the ghoul says, folding his arms and falling back into his morose silence.
Lucia breathes a sigh of relief as the tension dies down, thankful that she doesn't need to waste her energy on soothing in-fighting.
"Haig is right, we should press on. The forest is vast, and we'd lose more than we'd gain if we try to go around it. I may be able to throw a few spells down to protect us better at night, but I think we might all get some sleepless nights from this. We'll need at least two guards, from now on, and so long as someone takes a couple of hours at the start or end, I can cover that for the rest of the night. And no more in-fighting, the path will be hard enough without everyone at each others throats."
She'll look morosely at the group as she saddles up, "We should move quickly, and get through as fast as possible, I fear we're all going to have some sleepless nights."
Aurelius nods at Lucia's words. "I concur. There's no point in trying to circumnavigate now. We can't be intimidated by this. We keep moving and keep up our guard."
"Then we're in agreement." Cortez says. "We'll let the men have a short ceremony for Fermin and then continue on."
The men pack their things and gather what they can of Fermin's remains before piling it on a makeshift pyre. The ceremony is simple, and the pyre is lit as the men chant in unison, their low voices harmonizing in their grief. They pray to Ozaryel for intercession, that his soul be delivered from the wings of death and into the fold of eternal paradise.
Evi looks on from the back of the camel and utters a short Achaean epitaph in old common. It is one that has become familiar over the last few months, and one that will no doubt be used many more times in the future.
The men leave the pyre smouldering as the caravan moves on, wisps of fine smoke rising high into the air behind it as it goes. The hours are long and uneventful. A quiet solemnity has overtaken the men - there are no tales, no songs, no playful games of words, just silence.
You become aware of something on the edge of your vision, but each time you turn to face it... it is gone. You are sure something has been following you, and for some time now, but you are not sure what exactly it is. Nobody else seems to be aware of it yet.
"My lady..." the ghoul says, lowering her voice and growling into her ear. "There are many eyes upon me." the ghoul says, sparing a glance at the glaring faces of the caravan. "But there is something more sinister just out of sight. They watch us."
Evi closes her eyes and thinks for a moment before using message to commune with Cortez. After a brief discussion, she speaks again at regular volume. "We expected at least this much when we decided to push forward... But until they make a move, all we can do is keep vigilant."
Sunlight beats down from above as the caravan enters a clearing - a strange reprieve from the towering cacti that had surrounded you for hours. Not a single plant springs from the soft red ground in a 50ft radius, as if it had been cut out with a circle template. At the center of the clearing you see a figure, hunched and hidden beneath a ragged sombrero. A tattered poncho hangs over its emaciated frame, and its gnarled fingers clutch a twisted staff decorated with feathered charms and bone fetishes. A noose hangs from its neck, coiled around its arm like a constrictor snake, its frayed end hanging down and twitching as if possessing a mind of its own. It is clear what this creature is:
A Gallow-Hanger.
Lucia looks at the Gallow-Hanger with hate. Seeing such an abomination born of nature fills her with disgust. However, she notices it is immobile and errs on the side of caution.
She moves to the front, gesturing for the caravan to hold its ground, and casting Detect Magic, looking for a trap of some sort.
Also roll for initiative (if applicable)
Haig wheels his lumbering mount around, looking to protect his charge. He draws his blade in an arc and peers at the creature, ready to spring from his mount and charge at any sign of movement.
YOU SCUM
You detect four auras emenating from the gallow-hanger: One moderate and two faint auras originating from the gallow-hanger itself, and one moderate aura emenating from the creature's staff. However, your knowledge of Arcana isn't developed enough to identify the auras.
A rasping voice echoes across the clearing. "Turn... Back..."
the winds seem to pick up as the gallow-hanger speaks, slowly lifting his staff. "Return... Return from whence you came..."
The winds begin to grow wild, whipping through the trees as the creature stares towards the caravan, two glowing orbs now visible from beneath his hat. The sound of beating wings fills the air, joining the cacophany of the howling winds, but nothing can be seen. The sky begins to darken as sand spirals into the air, dust clouds blotting out the sun.
"Turn back..." the creature repeats. "Or be swallowed by the sands."
Usman raises his arm to shield him from the buffeting winds, a scowl on his face.
"This is strange-" he shouts. "Scarecrows give no warnings, no options - just death."
Haig will slip from the saddle and take several paces towards the creature before digging his feet firmly into the sand. His hand rests on the hilt of his blade as his shawls lash about furiously in the wind like angry serpents. The only thing keeping him at bay are Usman's words. The ghoul stands still, waiting for some sign of aggression from the creature, some hint of it's purpose, some clue as to why it hasn't attacked yet.
Sense Motive -
The creature seems sincere in its warning - It really wants you to turn around and leave before you get any deeper into the forest. You get the is prepared to fight, should you not comply.
"We must pass. We are seeking someone, and will not turn back." he turns, eyes fixed on Cortez and the leering caravan guards behind. "Any who wish to turn back." he says,turning to the creature. "You must not harm them. As for the rest of us... We must find the Emperor Takeda. We must press through your forest. Where do we stand, creature?"
The winds grow intensely violent, abrasive sands filling the air and the sound of wings growing louder and louder until the noise is deafening. Soon the only thing visible through the sands are the two glowing pinpoints of the Gallow-Hanger's eyes. Suddenly the winds stop, the sands abruptly falling to the ground.
The Gallow-Hanger closes its eyes for a moment, and a soft breeze rasps through the cacti. It knows Haig has no intention of backing down. It gestures towards the convoy with its staff, a beckoning sweep, urging you to follow.
"Come." It says, its voice reaching the convoy as if it stood amongst them. It turns away and slowly lopes in the opposite direction, muttering to itself in a foreign language.
"Chkt... More work, more work for Stormcrow. The Saguaro will not be pleased."
There seems to be no malicious intent in the creature's request, but it will probably become hostile again if you do not comply with its wishes.
Nodding briskly, the ghoul falls in step behind the creature, leading the caravan onward.
"Those who lack the conviction to press on had best take what supplies they need and turn back." he growls quietly to Cortez before turning to Lucia. "What did it say?"
"How convenient." a voice emerges from the rear of the caravan. It is Dimas. "How convenient that the creature listens so quickly, and even better... how quick the beast is to trust in return!"
He glowers at the ghoul, his face painted with disgust. "It seems monsters are most at home with monsters." he growls. "Cortez, we will find another way."
"No, we will follow." Cortez says, simply. "We will be wary, of course, but we cannot lose another day in the forest."
The man lets out a heavy sigh, rubbing his temple with the fingers of his right hand. "Cortez, you paid us to protect you, and we will do that with our lives..." Dimas looks at him with a serious expression. "But we cannot protect you if you throw your life away. If you go now with these two... things... then you will surely die, as will we."
Cortez turns, a blank expression on his face. "Dimas, your suspicions are not unfounded, but have faith. If you do not trust in Haig, then I ask you trust in me."
Dimas curses, clenching and unclenching his fists. "You are as stubborn as ever." he says, a sour expression on his face. He turns to the rest of the men. "It seems our employer is fool enough to follow the Gallow-Hanger. Let us see he makes it out alive enough to pay us the rest of our wage."
Aurelius folds his arms. "Tch. We should have just killed the damn thing." he mutters.
Usman closes his eyes. He doesn't appear too happy about this either.
-------------------
Siraj turns to Lucia, a concerned expression on his face. "I kinda agree with him, Boss. I don't exactly trust the ghoul 'neither, and following a scarecrow seems kind of... dumb."
He shifts slightly in his saddle. "What d'you think, Boss? We don't have to stick with 'em like Dimas... We could cut our losses here and get out before things get too hairy."
-------------------
The Gallow-Hanger waits patiently by the edge of the forest. The sand at its feet seem to dance and whirl sligtly, as if tousled by a playful wind.
Haig grabs the reigns of Evi's mount, and takes a few steps towards the forest path. "The fool sellsword does not know when to hold his tongue. Who is he to dictate his course to his master?" the ghoul says, glowering at the sand. "Yet I fear he is not wrong. I had not anticipated this turn of events..." he says, shaking his head and looking to what is really bothering him. "This silence, my lady... I need your wisdom. I fear I will lead you to your death, and... It pains me. To see you look so sad."
Evi stares out after the Gallow-Hanger for a while, before turning her head towards the ghoul. "You needn't worry. We will make it through this." her voice is flat and unwavering, without a shred of doubt."One way or another."
"I trust your judgement, Orotoshi-dono." Evi says, looking straight ahead. "And if that should fail, then I trust your skill shall not."
She gestures at the Gallow-Hanger. "I've seen the Order barter with giants and redcaps in the past. Monsters do not give passage freely." She tilts her head, staring the scarecrow down. "No doubt it will ask for tribute. We have to be prepared to pay the cost if it does."
There is a flicker in her eyes as she glances back at caravan, her face a blank slate.
Lucia rides over to Haig and Evi, "Nothing that means anything, at least not to me. 'More work for Stormcrow, the Saguaro will not be pleased.'" She'll look at him with a wry smile, "I don't suppose you've got any idea." She says in a flat tone, making it obvious that it wasn't a question.
She'll ride away from them a little and mutter to Siraj, "I don't like it much either, but this is the only way we're going to get to Takeda, and I don't think the two of us will be able to make it back out of the forest, let alone the whole way back...No, we'd best stay as a group, at least then we can all protect each other."
"You honour me, lady." he says, listening in silence. "Yes. Such is the way of the Black Lands, but I know little of this desert... and this does not seem the same creature that struck at dawn. For one, we are all still breathing."
Haig ignores Lucia's jest, giving Evi a meaningful look. "I have a distaste for crows." he says, knowingly, before leading pressing on ahead in silence, eyes fixed on the back of the creature's head.
Siraj nods understandingly. "If that's what you think's best, Boss." he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "This whole thing's got me sweating cold, but it's a little exciting as well."
----------------------
The gallow-hanger leads the caravan from the clearing and into the denser forest with an uneven, loping hop, its pointed leg-stumps barely touching the ground, leaving no trace of its passage.
Evi observes the creature as it moves forward with its bow-legged gait, occasionally stopping to glance around at the trees and floor. The pinpoints of light in the creature's sack-face dart about appraisingly, taking in every detail of the environment. "Its tracking something." she says plainly.
Usman looks over at her, a thoughtful expression on his face. "What would that mean for us?"
"Perhaps the creature it leads us to prefers its meals fresh." Aurelius jests, still keeping his eyes on the gallow-hanger. "Let's hope it likes the taste of steel."
Looking around, you catch a glimpse of the tracks the gallow-hanger is following - slight depressions of footprints washes over by sand, broken cactus needles, subtle shifts in the layering of the ground.
It seems whatever the gallow-hanger is tracking is a pretty sizable biped, but the trail here isn't exactly new.
"I too am ready for battle. But not yet." the ghoul says plainly, in Aurelius' direction. "Look there." he growls. "One set of tracks. Many, many days old. Notice how our guide leaves not a trace. It is far too big to be the trail of a man. I fear it would not be wise to follow blindly any longer, but while the creature is pacified I do not wish to provoke it."
"" he says, holding his arms wide and meeting it's gaze. "Where do you lead us?"
The gallow-hanger looks back at the ghoul for a moment before speaking. The ragged gash that serves as its mouth is loosely sewn, the threads stretching as it speaks. For a moment, no sound emerges, but it eventually manages to croak out the words.
"We hunt." It says. "Blood for Saguaro, bones for Stormcrow. Blood of a beast, or blood of men. No difference to me. Manflesh makes the forest wild. Must feed it before it feeds on you."
Siraj gulps nervously. "That mean the legends are true? The cactus, they really come alive and drink the blood of men?"
The gallow-hanger lets out a croaking laugh before turning away, shifting its attention back to the trail again.
"I know that my counsel is worth little, but I say we follow. This creature knows better than us how to survive the red desert moon, and I do not mean for any more to die on my watch."
An hour passes as the scarecrow leads the caravan through the winding cactus forest. The creature slows, crouching down and pressing its fingers to the ground. "Near."
It slowly creeps forward through the cacti until another clearing comes into view. A large pool of water sits at the base of a small outcrop, an oasis hidden in the forest. The ground about it is lush and fertile - Vines and weeds grow up from the soil and the cliff face, orange flowers blooming across the stony wall. Insects flutter about the waterhole and small creatures can be seen sitting in the brush. A wyvern stands by the water's edge, taking in large gulps of water with its beak-like mouth. Suddenly the ground shakes, at first a distant tremor but more and more powerful with each subsequent step. The gallow-hanger lets out a low chuckle.
"It comes."
A gigantic beast lumbers into view, the ground quaking with every footfall. Animals scatter and birds take flight, fleeing before the gargantuan creature. A saurian behemoth strides from the forest, roaring as it comes. It is tremendous, measuring at least 40ft from head to tail and 15 at the hip. Two muscular legs carry the creature's massive bulk, and vicious teeth are set into its enormous head. Scars cover the beast's thickly-scaled body and its eyes are milky and discoloured. The wyvern tries to fly and escape, but is too clumsy in its take-off. The beast siezes the dragon midair, its powerful jaws clamping on the wyvern's midsection with a sickening crunch. The wyvern thrashes, whipping its tail about wildly, but is stilled as the creature bites down once more before tossing the limp corpse aside. Ignoring the body, it lowers its head by the water's edge and begins to drink.
You've heard stories of creatures like this before, but never this far north. It is a Tyrant Lizard, or Tyrannosaurus in the old language, an ancient reptilian beast of the group known as dinosaurs. Dinosaurs are uncommon in Gracia, but you hear stories that they are plentiful much further south.
This deadly creature has simple combat tactics brought on by the fact that very little can resist its attacks. Most will just charge in a bite whatever presents itself as a possible meal - i.e. anything that moves. With powerful digestive juices and strong constricting muscles within its gizzard, tyrannosaurs typically swallow prey as soon as they get a good hold and can easily gulp down creatures of typical humanoid size.
The gallow-hanger seems excited by the creature's presence. "Big. Old. Much blood to sate Saguaro's thirst, many bones for Stormcrow to work. Let Saguaro drink deep and it may forget your presence." With a low laugh, the scarecrow melts away into a fine sand that spirals up to the top of one of the cacti where it reappears.
"A sacrifice of blood..." Evi mutters to herself. "How like the Gods of old."
Usman seems to be lost for words. "Is... Is it serious?" he stammers, his voice hushed. "That thing is as big as a dragon!"
"This is madness," one of the men says. "That thing will destroy us if we approach. We don't even know if what the scarecrow says is true!"
"But if it is true..." Siraj says. "Then the whole forest will rise up to eat us." a sour look comes to his face. "I don't know which is worse, being torn apart by a dragon lizard or being bled dry by needles..."
Cortez exchanges a silent glance with Aurelius. "Perhaps you should use the Soto." he says, to which Aurelius replies with a noncomittal shrug.
So far, you've detected no lies in the creature's words. If anything, just a reluctance to have to deal with you at all.
"If you have a plan, make it quick." the ghoul growls at Cortez, dismounting. "A flashy assault from the treeline. Pepper it with everything you have and I will intercept it. Focus your attacks, and whatever you do, don't enter the clearing."
"I shall charge the creature from the cover of the trees. Who shall approach with me? the ghoul says, eyes scanning the camp. ... lady?" he adds, with a glance at his mistresses wounded leg.
Stealth Check:
"It may be too big to be defeated by skill of arms alone," she leans in towards Haig, whispering to him so that the others cannot here. "If those jaws close around any one of us, we would be surely dead. I do not think all of us will make it out alive." She glances across at the mercenaries. "But that sacrifice needn't be us."
Siraj glances over at the two, oblivious to the conversation. "I have a bad feeling about this."
Aurelius slides down from the top the Automaton and opens its back up. From inside he pulls a series of several metal shafts and pieces, connecting each together as he does so. In a matter of seconds he assembles a tremendous rifle, as long as he is tall. Despite its size, the rifle maintains a semblance of elegance, with a polished wooden grip and golden filigree. An crystalline red cylinder sits above the grip, faintly glowing.
"A rare weapon!" Usman says, his eyes widening slightly. "I've never seen one before."
"An unwieldy thing." Cortez says, adjusting his spectacles. "But ever so useful for shooting down wyverns and manticore. As far as I know, only Aurelius has the strength to wield it without a fixture. It... should help against the beast."
Aurelius raises his eyebrows, toting the massive gun away from the automaton with a little difficulty.
--------------
The men ready themselves, drawing out their bows and staggering themselves throughout the surroundings.
Lucia dismounts, a look of determination, rarely seen before, upon her face. "Siraj, dear, just stay here, melee with this beast is far too dangerous, stay with the men, there's more safety in numbers. Haig!" She calls, striding towards him, "Wait until I tell you to charge, this creature is called a Tyrannosaurus, if it bites you you're almost certainly dead, there's nothing we'd be able to do, so just wait. Here..." she'll say, before casting Shield on him. "That should offer some protection, be careful"
She'll walk to the front of the group before turning to face them. "I'm going to be the bait, with my magic I can distract it and stay safe, don't open fire until I disable it, or it might change its attentions to you."
She'll turn to face the Tyrannosaurus, "Okay Lucia, it's just a lizard, you just gotta go scare the lizard, this is so stupid what am I doing" She mutters before casting Fly and Invisibility on herself.
Initiative roll
"You are right." the ghoul whispers grimly. "Pray that we have the firepower to take the beast down. By the White River let it be so..."
He turns to Siraj and Lucia, nodding at the woman's plan and grunting gratefully as she casts her warding spell. "May fortune be kind to you."
The ghoul looses his blade in his sheath, sparing a parting word with Usman before taking cover behind the cacti. "Shoot straight, my friend, and come back in one piece. I hope you have been taking care of that bow."
-------------
- Evi
- Lucia
- Cortez
- Merc5
- Tyrannosaurus
- Merc3 <
- Usman
- Siraj <<<
- Merc2 <
- Merc4
- Aurelius
- Merc1
- Haig
Lucia vanishes, and flies up above the waterhole. The saurian beast seems completely unaware as she begins casting her spell, causing the weeds on the ground to slowly grow and snake towards the creature's legs. All of a sudden they whip forward, surging up the dinosaur's limbs, squeezing tightly. The beast lets out a tremendous roar, pulling away from the strangling plants. Powerful though the magic is, it is no match for the gargantuan creature's sheer strength. Plants are ripped from the ground, vines snapped and stems broken as the giant lizard breaks free, moving away from the grappling plants.
As Lucia's invisibility fades, the creature staggers back, its eyes scanning the surroundings for a foe - a threat. It spies Lucia, but chooses to ignore her, regarding her as something too far and too small to be a problem. Instead its eyes settle on the cacti where the caravan lies in wait and begins to move towards it, roaring in a show of dominance.
"Dead gods be damned" Aurelius swears, his grip tightening around the rifle. "It's seen us!"
"No! Hold!" Usman says, his eyes still fixed on the beast. "The enchantress may halt it yet."
Up above, Lucia follows the beast, preparing to cast another spell. From her outstretched hand shoots a whisp of black energy, coiling like a tendril of smoke as it darts down towards the Tyrannosaur, colliding with its face. The sorceress waits a moment for the darkness to sink into the creature's eyes, but it is unfazed, pushing through the black haze as it begins to pick up speed towards the caravan.
"Damn it all!" one of the mercenaries shouts. "I'm not waiting for that beast to reach me!"
He looses his arrow, and the others follow suit, half a dozen arrows whizzing through the air towards the beast. Few arrows pierce the creature's scaly hide, and the damage caused by those that do seems almost neglibile. With a sound like a cannonshot, Aurelius fires the weapon. A flaming projectile flashes forward from the rifle's muzzle, boring into the creature's hide like a hot coal. The beast bellows from the pain of the wound, but is not slowed, continuing its advance.
As the creature leaves the waterside you notice three smaller creatures of a similar shape to the tyrannosaur dart out from the cacti to feast on the wyvern carcass. They look around vigilantly between each bite, taking the opportunity to steal some of the dinosaur's meal. Each of them is as big as a man. They let out a croaking sort of screech, their heads turned to the east. A matching reply emanates from the cactus forest. It seems you were not the only one following this beast, and they are not alone.
This vicious looking predator is a sickle raptor, or in the old tongue, a deinonychus. They are very fast for reptiles, and this speed combined with their razor sharp talons, nasty bite and ability to leap in to combat to deliver a deadly initial attack make them a very dangerous opponent.
Evi is quick to react - She steps in front of Haig and pulls several small ceramic balls from her pockets. She throws them forward, muttering a quick incantation as they fly. They explode into a thick fog cloud, which roils about the beast and obscures its vision. The fog pushes outwards, the cacti creaking slightly as it spreads, as if the fog carried some weight of its own. The massive bulk of the dinosaur is barely visible within the cloud, making it difficult to target.
"Quickly!" she shouts, "Fall back and reposition!"
Haig steels himself, blade at the ready, standing staunchly by Evi's side despite the rampaging monster above.
Lucia frowns and bites her lip nervously, "Well, that was supposed to work, its stronger than I thought"
While from her vantage point she acknowledges the other threat, it isn't as immediate as the Tyrannosaur, and she doesn't have time to tell the fleeing party.
"Well, I hope it's as dumb as it looks, here goes nothing"
- Haig
- Evi
- Lucia
- Cortez
- Merc5
- Tyrannosaurus
- Merc3
- Usman
- Siraj
- Merc2
- Merc4
- Aurelius
- Merc1
Lucia focuses her mind, blasting the Tyrant Lizard with waves of mental fatigue. In an instant things become quiet, the giant shape still and silent save for the echoing of its breath. Another footstep shakes the ground, and then another - ponderous and slow. Lucia hovers midair, unsure of whether or not her spell took hold. A deafening roar answers her as the creature's footsteps speed up once more. The creature's primal mind is too foreign for her magic, its bloodlust and desire to feed too strong to be conquered... At least this time.
---
Cortez falls back to Usman's camel, the seals on his glove glowing orange as he takes aim at the vague shape in the mist. He lets forth a single shot, the bullet leaving behind it a bright fiery trail before it hits its mark with a wet thud. From the depths fog you can see the glow persist, making it somewhat easier to target the creature.
---
Sofronio spurs his camel, heading towards the east as he fires his bow into fog. This is to little avail, however, as the thick mists cushions the arrows like a wall of padding and diffusing all of its force.
---
The Tyrannosaurus bursts from the northern part of the fog, its eyes darting about wildly in search of its prey. The waterside plants roil up once more to welcome the beast, but it easily tears free of the grasping weeds as it heads towards the cacti. The ground shakes as the creature enters the caravan's midst, salivating as it scans the veritable feast of flesh laid out before it, jaws ready to snap at whatever makes a move first.
---
Bolivar rides westward, firing his shortbow when he gets a clear shot. The arrow sticks into the tyrannosaur's flesh, jutting from its torso as the creature roars, no doubt more from annoyance than pain.
---
Usman deftly steps to the side, whirling around to face the creature and following up on Bolivar's volley with three rapid arrows of his own. Only one of his shots pierces the creature's hide, but it sinks deeply into the creature's flesh."Now!" he yells, sparing a glance towards Aurelius. "Take another shot!"
"No! It's too close!" Aurelius replies through gritted teeth. "I have to get some more distance!" He grips the massive rifle and turns, attempting to get into a position where he can line up a shot.
Siraj glances around helplessly, unsure of what to do. Eventually he decides to fall back abit, hovering by Auelius' side.
---
Camels bray and bleat as they try to flee from the beast. Silvestre and Che pull their camels back, managing to break away from the creature, but Usman's camel is not so lucky. The dinosaur's massive jaws clamp around the unfortunate beast, killing it instantly as the foot-long fangs crunch through flesh and bone. The dinosaur flings the carcass aside, the taste of blood invigorating it as it turns towards its remaining prey. Cortez stands petrified, his eyes and mouth wide open, terrified by the fact that it could have easily been him in that camel's place.
Dimas rides east and out of view of the caravan. His shouts can be heard in the distance, details drowned out by the roars of the massive beast before them.
Haig, though you have more pressing matters at hand, your lets you absorb details from all around, even fragments of Dimas' shouts.
"Sofro.....tch out!.... Sou.... There is.... ind you!"
Haig exchanges the briefest of glances with Evi as the great lizard turns to the braying camel. A window. Their forces were routed, and their last line of defense, the great scoped rifle behind, must be protected. ""
Haig takes two sweeping steps forward, draws his blade, and sheers through the creature's flank with a great leap, landing at it's feet as it rears up, praying that the shield spell will hold.
Dismayed at her complete ineffectiveness, Lucia hears Haig's call for felling the creature. She glares at the gargantuan foe, "Fine, you can burn!" She'll say, before spinning back to a safer distance and with a cry she'll lash out viciously with her arm, unleashing a great fireball at the Tyrannosaur.
Haig exchanges the briefest of glances with Evi as the great lizard turns to the braying camel. A window. Their forces were routed, and their last line of defense, the great scoped rifle behind, must be protected. "ENCHANTRESS! WE FELL THIS CREATURE NOW! STRIKE HARD!"
Haig takes two sweeping steps forward, draws his blade, and shears through the creature's flank with a great leap, landing at it's feet as it rears up, praying that the shield spell will hold
Evi quickly follows Haig's lead, gathering her ki into a short-range blink. She shoots forward with blistering speed, slashing at the creature's ankle with her scimitar as she passes. The dinosaur bellows, staggering from the two mighty blows it has recieved. Evi lands behind it, wincing in pain as her leg begins to give way beneath her. "Ah... She quickly steadies herself with Cortez's cane, readying her blade with a look of determination in her eyes.
---
High above, Lucia hears Haig's call for felling the creature. She glares at the gargantuan foe, "Fine, you can burn!" She'll say, before spinning back to a safer distance and with a cry she'll lash out viciously with her arm, unleashing a great fireball at the Tyrannosaur.
The fireball explodes in a ferocious blast, completely enveloping the tyrannosaur. The burning flames spread outwards towards Evi and Haig as well, flames shooting past them as they try to shield themselves. Evi sweeps her cane in front of her, deflecting the flames with a blast of wind, but Haig is not so fortunate. The flames rip past him, searing his flesh as they pass.
The fire clears, the beast still standing, looking more enraged and maddened than ever.
Cortez staggers back, amazed at the spectacle before him. He moves back to a slightly safer position, loading his pistol and firing another shot at the creature.
He glances southward and calls out. "Aurelius, quickly!"
---
The Tyrannosaur turns on Haig, letting out a vicious roar before lunging towards him with its massive jaws. The magical warding around Haig shatters before the creature's might and it siezes the ghoul by his arm, tosssing him into the air like a ragdoll before catching him in its jaws again with a sickening crunch.
---
Bolivar turns his head, looking towards the east. He shouts something to Siraj before he rides off in that direction. Usman fires a parting shot at the tyrannosaur before he and Siraj join the mercenary. Silvestre and Che will continue to pepper the dinosaur with arrows, to little effect.
---
"Go, then!" Aurelius shouts at the mercenary. "I can handle this! You just make sure nothing gets me."
Aurelius takes a deep breath as Bolivar, Siraj, Usman head towards the east. He slowly lowers himself down to one knee, lining the shot up across the sight of the barrel. He blocks out the sound around him, his focus immense. Time seems to slow to a crawl around him as he counts the variables: the beast; the ghoul; the wind; the swell of dust at the creature's feet. There was only one thing left to do. He pulls the trigger.
Something hot brushes past Haig as the creature thrashes about. In an instant he is freed from the creature's grip, sent hurtling through the air.
The effect is explosive. The bullet plows through the creature's head, chunks of flesh and blood sent soaring through the air as the it bursts from the back of its skull. The creature flails about as its legs give way beneath it, plowing through cacti as the body falls down with an enormous crash.
Haig crashes into the cacti as he flies, before falling limply to the ground with a thud.
Evi rushes towards him, stumbling and tripping as she falls down to her knees at the ghoul's side.
"Haig!" She shouts angrily. "Haig, you idiot! Why did you run straight at it? Why!?"
She closes her eyes, her hands curled into fists. "Say something, damn you!"
---
Darkness surrounds you. A familiar feeling. Your body is broken - the damage extensive. Your left arm isn't responding, and your right is little better. There is a presure on your body. A voice calling you. The voice of your ward. You ignore your body's warnings, push past the torn muscles and shattered bones, and open your eyes. Evi kneels beside you, scolding you. Somehow it makes you feel happy. She is safe.
---
Though the battle is over for Haig and Evi, the mercenaries still fight in the east. Sofriono and his camel have fallen, blood soaking into the sand below. Dimas too stands on the brink, bloodied and covered in wounds, surrounded by raptors. He lets out a battle cry as he slashes at them with his longsword, decapitating one with a swing of his blade before sinking it deep into another. Arrows whiz past as Usman and Bolivar arrive on the scene, bringing their weapons to bear on the creatures. Bolivar charges into them, his horse trampling over them as he hacks at them with his sword. Siraj too joins the fray, making short work of the creatures before him as he heaves his pickaxe into them.
"To... protect, you." he says, smiling weakly. "... and Master Cortez and his rifleman. The creature was bearing down apon us. I had hoped to spill its blood and... -tch-...slip into the fog."
"Blood for Saguaro..." he says, distantly, as he attempts to pick himself up, reeling, managing to sit up slightly without falling back into the sand. He glances about, noticing that Dimas is nowhere in sight, oblivious to the shouts to the east. "I had decided... that I would not fail you again." he says, glancing at the cane by her side. "I do not feel the pain. It is a worthy sacrifice."
Lucia looks over at the melee with a look of concern, seeing a few wounded members, and decides to lend her hand to the battle, moving in range and then casting slow on the 5 clustered raptors, and then scorching ray on any raptors out of the melee, magic missile otherwise.