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The morning after.
Lachen stays alone.
Another day starting with the shaving.
How easy it would be to rip his own throat open with the sharp razor.
But who would have win the game?
His human side..or The Other?
It would be sooo easy to cut a little bit of the saddle of the slip.
Perhaps it would have the delicious pleasure to see him fall to his death?
How tempting.
Everyday a power game.
Each morning, the Other win and forces him to shave, knowing he hates it.
It's a small victory.
But a victory all the same.
And Lachen hates it.
*Hate* *Anger* *Shame* *Distrust* *Power*
I am a man. I am human.
The voice is low and growling.
Heat in his hands.
Heat... Hate. Nearly the same words. I hope you enjoy the irony, Lachen. You got to discipline yourself to stay human. And all the Hells be frozen, how you HATE discipline.
He cuts his own cheek with the razor.. and smiles at the sudden pain.
Let's go to hunt. Just you and me. Let's find something big, and kill it.
He talks alone.
He walks alone.
He sleeps alone.
His head suddenly jerks on the side.
His eyes are like twin black holes.
The boy. A spy from the elf? Maybe he has heard? Should we kill it? No, kill the elf first... slowly. Painfully. These folks need a powerful leader. Lachen, killer of men, conqueror of thrones, worshipped by women... how sweet does that sound?
He puts his hands around a stone, trying to regain control
Less sweet than the laugh of Lenneth. Less sweet that her skin under my lips. Less sweet that the first time she will kiss me... I thought she could help me staying alive; now I realise she can help me staying human. I'll thwarth you. Each and every day, in each and every way possible.
@At the fire
Melo moves closer to Valex is he speaks of his order. "This is all quite fascinating, so what you're saying is your order... or what came before them saw something like this coming? or at least were prepared for it?" He ponders a moment. "Esoteric Order of the Palatine Eye, if all this is true could they still be out there? your order? If we could work out where the other points of power are maybe they're in better shape than the castle you came from."
@Late at night.
Melo returns from his patrol, happy to find nothing but also confused. Somethings not right, but what Lilith.. we should count this a blessing. As he makes his way back to camp he checks on everyone, spotting Lenneth and Lenchen together he smiles and continues on to set up a bed for Cyn and him.
@Morning
He rises early still not used to his old body he stretches and climbs to his feet, holding Cyn close he strokes her. They haven't been in a fight for almost three days now it might be better for the group but Cyn is starting to grown restless. "Relax sister, today we'll find something for you to sink your teeth into."
Before he decides to set off to look for food, he decides to continue to introduce himself around the camp when he sets upon Lenneth. "Good morning Lenneth, we haven't really had a chance to talk since we're going to be spending time with each other i wanted to speak to each of you separately." Cyn prowls around from behind him and moves in between them she looks Lenneth up and down then plops herself down in front of her. "She's taken a liking to you. Thats good, we've been alone so long she doesn't like around big groups of people anymore. Smiling he moves to sit next to Cyn. "You have a big group here, and they seem to look up to you and Lilith. Strong leadership is needed if we're to get all these people to safety."
@ Melo
"I would dearly, dearly hope that some remnant, even one other member, of the Order remains. But I know that the few in Magnimar - and we were never numerous - either were hunted down quickly, or succumbed to despair. I was...well, new, probably not considered enough of a threat to be noteworthy." He pauses, sighs.
"It seems likely that the paintings are not something that the order created, but an ancient magic that they discovered.
The Order was formed in Ustalav, but I doubt that any remain in the Tyrant's playground..."
Skyfall cuts through the air just above the tops of the trees like an arrow. At one point a flock of birds bursts out of the upper branches in terror at the sudden cruciform shape that falls upon them.
She tilts her body down and with talons raised snatches two out of the air, barely a snack really, but Flynn pats her neck regardless.
Aye, keep your strength up, girl. We don't know what we're going to find here and if these folks aren't receptive to outsiders we might need to fight or fly our way out in short order.
It takes most of the day, but finally you spot movement under the trees a little further ahead, almost to the village. A small group moving at speed.
Tabitha and Ashleigh are more withdrawn than Valex remembers, but both greet him warmly, seemingly glad of his return from the dead. They both turn in early though, and Valex suspects they probably want to have a quiet talk with each other.
Things are going well as the day begins, Lilith finding an entire bush with ripe nuts to pick, and thankfully saving Valex from plucking a poisonous mushroom from the lee of one felled tree you pass. Lachen's keen eyes pick out a pair of squirrels sunning themselves on a branch a short ways away, one thrown trident later there is meat to add to the pot tonight.
The sun is getting low in the sky and surely the end of the forest, and the village itself, can't be far away. There is a creaking noise beneath your boots, and the ground seems to fall away from you
Having picked up the trail of the humanoids that came this way, Flynn lands and dismounts. He takes up his lance like a spear and begins reading the signs of passage on the ground.
Four of them. Not to be messed with either if that steaming thing back there is anything to judge by. Not used to the wilderness though...
He whispers to Skyfall to Guard and she blinks her understanding.
Success
She takes off and in the dimming light he can see he flapping slow, concentric circles around the area, providing overwatch.
Good girl! he thinks, swelling with pride.
Meanwhile, Flynn takes advantage of the last of the daylight to sneak after the creatures toward the village, pausing at the treeline and trying to get a feel for the place, the amount of buildings, residents, guards, positions and so on.
You are sure your steps are as quiet as a shadow as you approach the group traveling ahead of you. They stop just inside the edge of the treeline, evidently checking out the village much as Flynn is doing himself. The village looks run down and deserted, the houses are weather-battered and look as if nature is trying to re-assert herself slowly. Tall patches of grass sway in a gentle wind, and the nearest structure creaks ominously.
The noise causes a burst of frenzied whispering from the group ahead, and several stick their heads up to assess the situation. Flynn is able to get a good look at each of the group members before they hunker back down. There's a bow-carrying man wearing moss-colored studded-leather, a red-headed woman wrapped up in a mauve cloak, a constantly-squinting auburn-haired man in a threadbare olive robe and a halfling male carrying what can only be described as a small tree-trunk, wrapped with chains. They currently appear to be arguing with each other in angry whispers, gesturing fiercely at the village.
The black haired woman feels the ground suddenly disappearing under her feet, and for a second starts to scream while she falls
Then, as she is already up to the waist into the deep pit and feeling the gravity calling her, someone grabs her, strong arms crossed under her shoulders, rude man's hands on her breasts
An out of breath voice says in her ear
Grabbed you where I could... Won't say I'm sorry.
The voice of Lachen.
The man is on his belly, right at the pit's edge
Is your cat fine?
sigh. Mr Randomizer and I have not been getting along well, lately...
Lachen pulls Lenneth quite easily out of the pit, and let her take her breath back, studying the trap itself and its surroundings
That's quite one deep and large pit... I wonder what kind of thing they wanted to catch with that one. Beware, Lenn, there can be someone checking on the trap anytime.
"We slept well we've also slept outdoors and with Cyn here she keeps me warm." He moves down to stroke her head. "I don't think i could like someone who doesn't understand animals they're all different they're just like us each has their own personality as you said. Cyn is harmless, she's a little nervous around the bigger groups of people but we've been alone so long she's just got used to it."He then smiles as Lenneth talks of her trying her best. "I'm sorry about your friend, we've all lost a lot of good people I'm sure he would be proud of the way your helping your people. What you have here is working everyone is pitching in together im just so used to having a pack leader someone who knows what must be done for the betterment of the pack. It's been strange to work alone that is tell i found a new pack." He looks around at everyone moving about the camp. "I had a good feeling about you Lenneth, you and this group will go far my only hope is to help you get there."
Moving forward with the rest of the group, Melo feels something is off with the clearing but continues on as he takes his next step he instantly feels the ground fall beneath him.
Cyn instinctively leaps out of the way, just as Melo plummets down the pit. Hitting the ground hard, after hearing the thud he then hears the crying of Cyn as he looks up spotting her peeking down from the top of the pit, and as anyone moves near it shes growls at them.
hp=27/43
As Lenneth thanks him
When I thought about you falling into my arms, I never envisioned it like that. But hey, a man gotta grab his chance! And I got quite lucky, I had a full hand right away...
Then he listen to her
So you can fly? Can you use the spell on someone else? Cause I could fly and pick up the people who survived. I'm stronger than it seems, when you're talking about carrying weight.But if there is too many people injured down there, we'll need to make choices, again.
He looks at Lenneth
Cause let's face it, I doubt your magic will work long enough, and I don't want to fall down myself. This big hole in the ground might be a giant's privy, and the situation is crappy enough...
He visibly tries to make Lenneth smile, even in this dangerous situation.
|
Lilith gets to her feat and casts a healing spell on herself. As he wounds begin to close she chastises herself mentally. You are a fool for not spotting that trap Lilith. You are the group's spotter and should have seen that a mile away. When she hears Lenneth call out she answers I am here. I am a little shook up but I think I will mend. I think I can see Melo down here. He looks shaken too but otherwise not too injured.
Both you and the other group watch for a good half an hour, whilst they argue among themselves the whole time in angry whispers.
There does not seem to be any sign of movement aside from the tall grass, no lights, no sense that anyone calls this place home at the moment. Finally the halfling snorts loudly and begins to move off, the others hurredly scramble to keep up, but it looks like they are splitting up in to two groups of two, and one of those pairs is coming straight for you as they evidently intend to circle the vilage and meet on the other side. They'll be walking right by your hiding place in under a minute...
Looking around, those still on the surface can see about half the tribe are still standing, likely because they were trailing behind you, however many of them have plummeted in to the depths along with your comrades.
The twilight of near-nightfall combined with the 50 ft trench leaves it pitch black for those who have fallen in. There are cries of pain and fear both from above and from down in the depths, some of them must still live!
Then you hear the other groaning... that which you have come to fear and hate this last year... your hearts sink as you realise what else must be down in the trench, trapped along with your friends...
Valex moves back up to i9 and casts cure light wounds on himself.
Melo winches as he stands the pain of the fall over taking him as he attempts to breath but only taking in short sharp breaths. He quickly calls on the power of nature and heals his wounds.
With his breathing steady he still feels a twinge from the bruising. He shouts out to Cyn. "Guard! The others!" Commanding her to help up top.
Melo then takes his shield off his back and pulls out his club ready to defend himself. "We need to get to the ones that survived the drop!"
hp=43/43
Me and my big mouth.. next time I'm about to tell the situation is crappy enough, kiss me to silence me, Lenneth.
He tries to smile, but can't manage totally
If we go down this pit to save a few, how will we get out? Who will protect those who haven't fell? Do you have an escape plan, Lenn? Cause I know your big heart wants you jump into the pit. Maybe there's another way out, down there, maybe there isn't. That's quite a gamble.
He grabs her by the waist, solidly
And don't even try to think you'll jump alone.
As the pair come closer you hunker down, there is a *snap* as a twig makes tha pair suddenly turning this way and that, before one shoves the other and they curse between themselves quietly, moving past Flynn without a second glance.
Skyfall somes quietly, and you're able to find a decent sized tree with plenty of branches to hide up for the night.
Lilith's hurriedly spoken arcane words manifest as a yawning pit underneath one zombie, and the other blunders blindly in after it as the elven wizard moves away, spotting Valex, and more a defensible position, down a corridor to the south. She is pursued by a groaner, who swipes out at her as she moves, but does not itself move quickly enough to strike her with its filthy hands.
Valex is also pursued, his wounds barely having healed over before a half-rotted corpse stinking of soil appears, arms outstretched to grab him even as worms tumble from its decayed mouth.
Melo is not to fortunate, and right out of the mud next to him rises a nearly skeletal figure with tattered scraps of cloth hanging from its frame. It lurches suddenly at him, bodyweight crashing in to the druid, who just manages to get his shield mostly in the way before throwing it back. . Another zombie, this one missing half its face, moves up out of the darkness to menace him.
Screams continue to echo around the earthern corridors.
After the pair move off Flynn is patient and remains as still as a statue for a further ten minutes or so. Sure that they are gone, he calls to Skyfall in a harsh whisper more than a shout. The pair then settle in the branches of a tree just within the treeline - Skyfall perched and Flynn in his hammock.
He catches a few hours sleep where he can and then waits for dawn and whatever he might see in the village.
Lachen studies the walls in the big pit, attaching his trident on his back and taking his handaxe
You know I'm a survivalist, and I know you care too much for your friends for not trying something stupid, Lenn, and that you will soon ask me to help you protect them, probably. Can your magic help me to descend safely? I don't want to land on someone that has survived the fall, I'm pretty sure he won't appreciate the bittersweet irony.
The smile is still there, frozen, bu the eyes are hard, cold and calculating
Maybe there is not too many cadavers down there, and in this close area, maybe I'll be able to take them one by one. If I do it, I want you to know that I'm not doing it for them, but for you, and as you seem to like self sacrifice, if we survive this crazy idea, I own your a**, and I'm not talking figuratively.You're warned, fairly.
Looking at the fight
Now I want you to put your emotion and feelings aside, for a short moment. Think as a soldier think. The shapechanger can get out, as a mole, a spider, a duck or whatever stuck his fancy, or he can change into a lion and fight. You know your friends better than me: who's the most capable to turn the tide of the battle? Lilith or Valex? Maybe we'll be able to save one of them, maybe none of them, maybe both. But who can help us helping them? Forget the civilians, most of them must be dead right now, or dying. Let's hope they won't be another problem.
Holding Lenneth tightly, so she cannot jump by herself or cast a spell
In fact, before we do anything stupid, Lenn, promise me you will fly away if things go badly, and that you won't bother with remorse or regrets. You'd have done your best, and sometimes it ain't enough, but at least you tried. Of course, if you say "let's go away, please", I won't hold a grudge against you, and we can live happily for the rest of our lives. But I doubt you will say it.
No problem.
Lachen let the black haired girl go, and takes a sudden interest in the civilians who haven't fall into the pit, seeking someone.
Attempting to defect their blows Melo slips on a loose stop and takes a hit to the shoulder.
Melo hears the shouting above him, at least partially understanding it he grits his teeth he feels his skin tremble he feels the animal take over again taking a step back he falls to the floor and in an instant he brings up his head as he is fully transformed into a lion he roars out at the undead.
With teeth bared he shouts out for whoever is listening. "We have to move forward, i can hear screams from the ones that survived!"
[hp-37/43]
The zombie before Lilith is almost completely incinerated, her magical fire burning its entire torso to ash in seconds and reducing the rest to cinders within moments.
Valex lashes out with his blade, fending off the zombie he faces and inflicting a severe gash in its neck as he dodges its attack, though it still continues to menace him.
I have yet to see anyone else, are you hurt?!
Lachen thinks the sides of the earthern trench are rough with lots of handholds, it would be reasonably easy to climb . He sees no sign of Mallis among the tribe members currently scared out of their wits and screaming at the edges of the pit.
Lachen notice that some of the tribe members are maybe too close from the edge
Get a few feet away, the ground might be unstable.
The tribe continue to shriek and scream, not paying much attention to Lachen right now, but they don't seem to be in any immediate danger of falling in.
Lachen stays silent after Lenneth outburst, even if he's visibly angry, and starts to descend inside the pit after tying his shield on his side.
When your character is not in immediate danger or distracted, you may choose to take 10.
The zombies continue moving forward, the pair menacing Valex come within inches of getting their gnashing teeth on his arm yet he manages to fend them off still.
Melo does not fair as well, even as the zombies drag their feet out of the suddenly marshy ground, one smashes it's bony fist against Lion!Melo's paw .
Lachen manages to rappel a little way down the rough wall
You hear Ashleigh screaming for help from somewhere in the western area of the trench...