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Moving in behind Desmond, Zane's mind registers that they already became synchronized in a way, only after a few moments. Hearing satisfying sounds of their friends weapons connecting with bones energizes Zane, and he moves with renewed vigour. Passing behind Desmonds back leaves him enough room, and he swings mightily towards remaining skeleton.
Desmond's sword slices through rib bones and whatever unholy force animates the skeleton dwindles to nothing.
The battle is over!
The party stands at, and on, the bridge, scanning the area to ensure there are no more foes.
You see that the flames are slowly moving towards the center of the wagon.
We're out of initiative now. What do folks want to do?
We should still be cautions. We still don't know aht put these people down or what made them rise again. I will take point.
Desmond moves forward being cautious peering over and around his shield scanning the area.
As Desmond reaches the end of the bridge, the party closely following, you can all see that there is a body underneath the wrecked wagon. The flames are moving towards it. The legs are moving feebly.
[occ]edit cross post got called to a meeting came back posted ooops already moved on so deleted and run with this [/ooc]
Gyness bends over to try and catch his breath momentarily. At Desmonds call he straightens quickly.
Right you are there my good man!. Great job everyone let us check out this scene
Upon seeing the legs moving and the fire burning Gyness assists those stronger than he in trying to move the wagon.
Desmond takes a moment to drop his sword and shield rushing to the aid of the kicking legs. He summons up all his might with the aid of his new friend.
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Seeing that both wiry but strong-willed Gyness and obviously well muscled Desmond approached the wagon and started lifting it, Zane puts his flail aside and kneels right next to still twitching body. He gets ready to pull the person as gently and as swiftly as he can the moment it's body is freed from the weight of the wagon pressing it.
Desmond and Gyness (strength and girth..) lift the remnants of the shattered wagon/carriage and manage to muscle it several feet away, so that the burning part is now on the bridge. Zane and the others carefully but firmly move aside the woman who had been under it.
She is conscious, though obviously dazed and in pain. Her clothes, which were once of fine quality, are torn and she has bruises and blood marks all over. While much the worse for wear, you can tell that she is an extremely attractive human.
The combination of stone and rain seems to be beating down the flames and you are in no immediate danger from the carriage.
You help her sit up and she insists on standing, though clearly her left arm is not okay, nor is her right leg. She leans on Zane.
"My guards. They...they..turned into skeletons. How? We were crossing the bridge when something..bestial attacked. I heard screams, but before I could see anything my carriage turned over and I was stuck."
She looks at the skeletons, clearly stunned and disbelieving.
She winces as she shifts her weight.
The rain continues to pound down, causing her some pain.
"There is an inn not far back the way I came. Could you escort me there?" As the shock wears off, the pain seems to be increasing.
Gyness, I know not how much holy power you posses, but maybe you could relieve the young woman of some pain. It seems Zane has a few scratches as well.
Please miss, don't try and talk. Save your strength. We can escort you and then maybe we can get some answers. Desmond looks around seeing if anyone interjects or has any comments to make.
Something bestial. Could have been a were druid I guess, perhaps not thougth. Curious
Lets get the cart up here for our young lady friend and try and get to this inn as quick as possible.
Gyness bows to the lady.
If the lady will allow I can tend to your wounds by administering some first aid and healing.
Gyness moves closer and looks the lady over but doesn't try anything until he has her permission.
I'm not so sure this all adds up...but I'd better hold my tongue until there is something more than my gut feel. A damsel in distress always raises the testosterone, so I'd better be careful with my questions.
Where are the horses? If they escaped and something happened to her escort, how long was she under that cart? For the present I'll hold a watching brief but I'll be on my guard.
Typical boys, all muscles and sweat. Pardon our manners, who do we have the pleasure of greeting?
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Zane's suddenly finds himself very uncomfortable, with this very attractive lady leaning on him. He liked ladies and all, but he was not really used to being real close to many of them, and he was unsure how to act. Seeing that Gyness is willing to heal her, young ranger seizes the opportunity and passes her over to him.
Again, a lady in distress. Although she looks exquisite, this seems to familiar...
He looks around trying to find any clues, footprints which might corroborate her story of unknown beast attacking them.
At the woman's words, Lucien pulls out his bow, notching it with one of the silver arrows given to him earlier as he glances around nervously for a beast. Then he also recalls what she says about her guards being changed into skeletons and attempts to sense if there is magic in the area.
Gyness takes the woman from Zane gently and tries to calm her with his soft tone.
Now there my Lady let's just settle down a little. First we need to take care of you. My friends here can make sure that nothing else comes around to bother you. We need to look after your wounds first.
Gyness tries to get the lady to sit down so he can have a good look at her and her wounds.
We might even be able to recover some of your belongings from your carriage and might be able to locate your horses as well before we head off to the Inn.
Looking on to the Zane
Zane can you find any tracks of horses or beast around that might tell us where either may have gone?
The woman nods an affirmation to Gyness and he looks her over. He uses a stick to put a splint on her injured arm. It seems to help, but she's still shaken.
Zane - Vedellic Knowledge
Lucien steps away a bit and casts a spell. He cannot detect any magical emanations in the area.
Her eyes focus on Corvus. "My name is Alayna Vedellic." She seems to expect some type of recognition from the party and, receiving none, continues. "Of House Vedellic?"
"We were returning to Oregent from a trading venture when something attacked us at the bridge." She visibly flinches as another burst of lightning tears apart the sky.
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"No track findin' in this weather! Padre, even if your drunken, merry god was here, I would still not stay and wait for another lightning to strike me like that corpse! Let us get the hell out of this storm! You help the girl padre, and I'll lead the way. Desmond, Lucien can you pull our cart and pass through here, or we need to push something else aside?"
Zane looks intently to the rain soaked road ahead, trying to see if the road is clear enough, while helping his comrades. The "rush" from the fight was still fresh, and he wanted to use this energy to move as quick and as much as possible from this awful place.
Lucien takes a peek into the wreckage of the carriage, to see if there was anything of value left to salvage, before making sure it wasn't standing in the way of their wagon.
Looking at Zane with a smile.
I believe you are right my friend
Gyness turns back to the young lady holds his rught hand on her head and his left hand grasps the wooden tankard around his neck.
May the power of Cayden Cailean wash over you and heal your wounds[\b]
Gyness hand starts to glow white and in turn the light begins to cover the young lady.
[Ooc sub out doom for cure light wounds[/ooc]
Gyness than stands and makes sure his close to both Zane and the Lady
[B]Great Cayden Cailean I call upon you once more to heal those that bravely fought by my side
Holding his tankard out in front of him, it begins to glow and as foam made of light shoots out in all directions passing through all that are near filling them with the warmth of healing.
with a tired smile on his face Gyness offers a hand to the lady and waits for the cart and mule to be brought accross the bridge.
I believe that is my strength can muster at this time. Let us be on our way.
Corvus smiles politely to the woman and allows her body language to make the point that moving out of the storm is now the priority.
I don't know why, but there's something that doesn't quite add up. Perhaps I'm just too suspicious? Plus, just what turned those with her into those creatures? Time for questions later.
Corvus pulls at her clothes as if this would prevent the rain getting in, and looks to follow the group as they set off.
Lucien and Zane get the panicked mule untangled and straightend out, the bard crooning a soothing song.
As Alanya is helped up into the cart, she looks at the covered form in the back. A wary look crosses her face. "What is that?" She shudders a bit, then: "No, never mind, I don't want to know."
As you begin moving along the road once again, the rain, thunder and lightning continuing, an enormous bellow echoes out from underneath the bridge and you hear the sound of something big squelching about in the mud. The mule lets out a yelp and begins 'running' forward.
To Arms
Desmond spins around peering through the driving rain. He draws his sword and braces behind his shield trying to get a glimps of what has fallen upon them.
Lucien spins around, bow still notched with the silver arrow, even as the words and motions to a spell are on his lips.
Alanya grabs Gyness' arm. "Can't we run away?"
Whatever it is down there is still slowly moving around. It definitely sounds big.
Sometimes the wisest action in a fight is not to fight. What foul beast of magic is doing this?
Let us press on and see if we can not put distance enough between us and what ever that is. I don’t believe we are in a good enough place or shape to beat this thing at this time
Gyness continues to encourage the mule to move on
What say the rest of you?
I'm all for the sensible option and avoiding the fight when we can but we may have no choice but to stand and face whatever it is. If Zane and I bring up the rear, we'll soon holler if that thing catches us up.
"Let's move then," says Lucien, who was dying - well, not quite - to see what type of beast it was that was coming after them.
The mule (who seems to have had more than enough of travelling with this group) is pulling like its life depends upon it.
You actually thought that you heard a giant yawn from under the bridge.
Desmond would be a few feat behind as he turnted to the bridge but would be backing away from the bridge looking back and forth trying to keep up with the cart.
Not much whipping needed sir ol'Bessy here does not seem to like the sound of that beast either.
Gyness keeping his eyes forward intently looking for any dangers in the road ahead.
The group continues to move along the road, with no one sighting whatever is under the bridge when lightning flashes illuminate the sky. The mule, still scared, finally tired and slowed down a bit.
After about a half hour, the party comes upon a sign post and a rutted track leading off into the woods to the right. The mule can navigate the terrain, though it is a bit bumpy for Gyness and Alayna.
You are only on this track for ten minutes or so before coming to a bit of a clearing...
A blocky structure looms into view through the dark and rain. It looks to be a tavern or common house, with lights shining warmly from is windows. The building is sagging and old, with a wide, low porch along the front.
A painted sign hangs above the entrance. The sign depicts a man sitting on the edge of a small square pit, his face resting in his hands and a shovel lies across his lap. Under the picture, the sign reads The Gravedigger's Rest.
Tied to a hitching post (and looking surly) is a donkey, stoically ignoring the pounding rain. The only other thing of note is a weather-beaten outhouse behind the building.
Whatever was under the bridge doesn't seem to be nearby.
"Well then," remarks Lucien, looking up at the signage."If that isn't an auspicious sign..."
Then, spying the outhouse, adds, "Anyone else need to relieved themselves? " As he makes his way there.
Eli lumbers down from the cart and hitches Bessie up to the post outside the building. After which he will offer his hand to the lady to help her down.
Be careful Lucien we seem to attract the unusual
Holding the lady under the arm he helps her towards the establishment and moves to go inside keeping his eyes open for anything.
Corvus takes the time to survey the area as she follows the rest of the group. She doesn't stare anywhere in particular, but as her head is bowed in the rain, her eyes flick to all of the usual hiding places and she also looks for anything out of place.
Don't know why I expecting something other than this dark and ominous looking place. Oh well hope we can at least get dry and have somthing to eat and maybe drink before they try and kill us, right Gyness?
Desmond states the obvious with a bit of sarcasm and laughter in his voice.
Yes everyone take care of whatever business you need to. I need a drink or five. Oh Cayden may they have some fine drink here.
Gyness takes hold of the door handle to open and step inside.
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Even just seeing the old, sagging structure Zane felt great relief. They were on the road for quite some time already, they encountered a werevolf in a disguise, fought (and won over) horrible skeletal creatures, and he had a slight feeling that they were very, very lucky to escape unharmed from whatever was beneath the bridge. Plus the storm and the constant rain, he was simply too wet, hungry and tired to give any special significance to the name of the establishment. At this moment it represented (hopefully) a warm and dry place, even maybe with a hearty meal inside. Being a man of simple tastes had it's own advantages - Zane was relatively easy to please.
Without hesitation he followed Gyness inside, hoping they had some stew.
Bessie lets out a bray of dismay as you leave her hitched in the storm.
Stepping inside, warmth and light wash over you. At the left side of the room is a cheery fireplace. At the back is a long bar. An old human woman, wrapped in a shawl, looks up from a chair behind the bar as you enter and traces some small sign in the air with a gnarled finger. Four men, you'd guess farmers, turn from their drinks as you enter. They seem surly and you get the sense they don't llike you already.
There are three strangely shaped tables in the room, each about three feet wide and six feet long. You realize that they are overturned coffins, raised off of the ground on stout wooden boxes.
"Welcome to the Gravedigger's Rest. Sit down, sit down. Dry off. Have some soup." The old woman goes through a door into what you assume is the kitchen. She is the only employee you can see.
Gynesa holding the Ladys arm as he enters sees thee motion and wonders to himself if it is some religious gesture or spell he might recall.
well hello there my good people. We seem to have been caught out in a massive storm on this eve. If I may, was ther somewhere I could put my animal to allow her to dry off a bit?
Ahh and Soup sounds good do you happen to have some strong drink as well my good patron?
Gyness will take the lady to one of the tables and sit her down.
Desmond strolls in taking note of the patron.
[i]They seem to not like outsiders, wonder why[i]
He goes up to the table with Gyness and takes a seat leaning his large shield against the wall.
Soup does sound good. I could use some warming up.
Stepping in after using the outhouse, Lucien takes a glance at the dismal surroundings before asking the patrons with a grin, "Is it always so dead in here?"
Gyness chuckles at Lucien's joke hoping not to offend the locals.
I think it may be my friend. The patroness has offered soup. Sit sit let us talk and rest and catch our breath.
Corvus brings up the rear. She takes in the scene and her brow wrinkles into a frown.
These people seem really worried. Is it the bandits or the werewolves that are their greatest fear?
Soup sounds great, she says in her friendliest voice. Corvus takes particular notice of how the locals are reacting to their new travelling companion.
Warding Gesture
As the warmth of the room slowly suffuses your clothes, you don't quite feel like you've been wet forever. The locals cast an ocassional dark look your way but pretty much ignore you, talking quietly amongst themselves.
Kidding. It doesn't mean anything to you.
Yrena comes bustling back out with bowls of hot soup for each of you. The soup smells STRONGLY of garlic. She is rather neutral to all of you, except for Alayna, with whom she is, well, grandmotherly.
"Dearie, you've had some type of trouble. Wrap yourself up in this blanket." She doesn't offer anyone else a blanket. "What happened to you, dearie?"
After bringing your food and water , she asks if you'll be needing rooms for the night. "You don't want to venture out in that storm again. You can start out fresh in the morning."
Seein that the patroness of the establishment has taken a liking to the rescued young lady, Gyness tries to get a good look at the old woman as she talks to the new companion.
Well the soup smells wonderful I love garlic. You wouldn’t happen to have any wine or ale available would you?
If this place doesn’t have any drink I might have to have a bit of what we are hauling.
Gyness looks off a bit and smiles about what no one knows.
Ohh we definitely need to rest up. This awful storm shows no sign of letting up soon and there seems dangers are prowling about. Has there been news of strange events around here my good woman?
Seeing that food and water have been brought, Lucien sits down to eat, putting his quiver on the table next to him - but not before taking out one silver-tipped arrow to inspect openly before putting it back into the quiver - ensuring that the woman and the patrons watching them caught a glimpse of it.
Finally, dipping his spoon into the bowl of soup, Lucien breathes in deep. "Ah, what a lovely aroma!" Then proceeds to spoon mouthfuls of the liquid into his open mouth, fighting back tears from the strong, sharp flavors on his delicate palate.
Gyness studies the old woman. It's possible she could be a hedge witch, but mostly she just seems to be a rather crankly old woman.
The old woman snorts at Gyness' question. "What kind of damn fool question is that? This is an inn, ain't it?"
At Gyness' second question, the locals give him dark looks and talk quietly among themselves. Yrena responds carefully: "Oh, bandits, forest beasties. The usual.." You've heard more convincing statements.
Muttering "Do I have ale?", she moves behind the bar to get the group some libations.
Lucien has tasted more garlic in his lifetime, but not all at once.