Seeing the oncoming onslaught and realizing he's in a bit of a jam, Maxwell scoffs. "Dammit..." at which point his left hand, with the flail in the other, surges with a swirling dark energy. He grits his teeth, as he'd only had to do this at most twice in his life during some rather awful scuttles. "Groetus!" he yells, plunging the hand in his chest.
A dark, swirling aura engulfs him and replaces his skin with a dark swirl, similar to that of a void, or space. His image seems to swirl in places, and wisp with the wind as the dark comes over him.
The orbs become this way as well, on his mace, though the look is purely aesthetic and only serves to look like a void of darkness.
Maxwell's change was a bit of a shock, but not so much that it put her off; those insects needed to be dealt with and she cursed being so far away (and for them being in such a narrow tunnel).
Verim seeing a spot open as Maxwell backs away somewhat and suddenly changes into an otherworldy being, moves forward to fill the gap somewhat and jam a shortsword into a roach
" They are bugs! Trample over them if we have to get to Laris! I'll take the brunt of them and distract them now. We dont have time to wait for them to pile in and attack us when they have something to chew on behind them! Take this time to see if the two paths connect. If not Im going to crush these creatures like the vermin they are! "
Realizing that magic is better is used sooner than later, Tallina moves behind Maxwell.
"Quickly, if we can clear a path we can bring her back up, I have the magic to do so."
Laris lies on the floor bleeding...
Laris lies on the floor bleeding...
Writhing in pain, the roach stabbed by Verim strikes back as the others swarm forward.
Limping forward on her crutches, grimacing in pain, Avenia threatens one of the roaches with her shortsword but failing to hit it.
" Not on my watch! " Verim roars as he swings his shortsword up into a roach as they pass, while deflecting a blow from the one he currently fought. It's strike rings against his mail, but put it in the trajectory of his next swing. Shield bashing down while his shortshort comes from the side.
Hmmm, Slim chance.
Trying to manuever along the wall to get to Laris Tallina attempts to swing her club at an insect.
That injured woman is fighting, she best stay back.
"Anevia backup, Tobongo defend her, sir elf and Mr. Gwerm you best stay put. This does not look good, I will try and go over these insects to heal Laris."
Striking at one that darted through her legs, she moved on to strike at the next nearest.
Verm finishes off the roach in front of him and wounds another as it flies overhead. Tobongo smashes the wounded roach while Tallina and Luciana fail to strike telling blows.
As the roach attempts to scuttle past him, Maxwell swings his dark mace across the ground, attempting to hit it, but his form shifts with the starlight, missing rather erringly. His next blow, is perhaps just the same, but the darkness of the rooms make it difficult to tell whether his attack was placed well or not.
Yay I'm not dead.
If you had not stabilized, I would have reminded Maxwell that he has the Stabilize orison. He could have stopped your bleeding at any time, at range.
As she saw the last bug still alive after Maxwell's hit, Luci moved to finish it off.
Seeing the insects falling Tallina keep pulling herself over to Laris, lowering herself at the same time.
"Tobongo, step in a crush that insect. I'm going to check up on Laris."
Seeing the insects falling Tallina keep pulling herself over to Laris, lowering herself at the same time.
"Tobongo, it's okay to move back to the elf. Be careful and guide him around the dead insects."
Mia will kind of rush over to Laris and check if there is anything she can do for now.
Verim will see that the vermin should be handled by his allies and rushes over to Laris' aid. He drops his Shortsword and picks the woman daintily up, propping her against his body upon her feet somewhat. Awaiting help from Tallina and anyone else who could assist.
Seeing the poor girl crumpled over, Maxwell can't help but grimace. In his visage of darkness still going, he kneels over, placing a hand on her stomach. He curses under his breathe, retrieving a potion from his contents. The red ichor glistens against his dark form, and while his body bends and flows, he pours the item down the woman's throat.
As she doesn't regain consciousness, he scoffs, obviously disappointed. "She's not dead" he says, his voice swirling too. "I've done what I can."
Mia looks down sadly.
"Could you move over please.."
She kneels down next to Laris' shoulder and closes her eyes, placing one hand on the forehead and one above the chest.
"Grace of the mothers, help."
"uhh, didn't account well for myself there did I?"
Should I save my last cure for an emergency and just try to stay out of trouble, or just use it on myself now?
Verim seems worried and even after the obvious appearance of Laris being able to stand, the condition of her body told him many a tale. He was a soldier, he could tell heavy wounds. He keeps Laris close for now. His beratement clear, " By the Bulwark, no you did Not! You could have joined the upper levels due to bugs Laris, BUGS! not even falling to Demons. If it was clear the danger was too apparent, you should not have gone forward. I will not make the same mistake again.. We do not need a scout, as this has shown such a tactic leaves our allies open to attack. I shall be going forward from this point on...But I must say.. Laris I am glad you are alive.. just be careful. I thank the rest of you for having the ability to resuscitate this woman. Especially you little Lass.. I was not aware you held the healing touch. "
His head however turned to Maxwell and the worried visage seems to shift into one of inquisitive nature and somewhat cold.. even for him. " And what is all of this? This form you gained in the name of your Lord? Did it assist you at all or instead did it simply endanger Laris more? This dark wisps and squiggling form, you resemble the evil we fight and even worse you did little with your.. change. What kind of Guard are you if you cannot or will not have the mettle to toss yourself at even BUGS to get your charge to safety?! " he points over to Anevia " Though she is injured, SHE tried to defend the others, In the future however I'd ask she not do so for her sake.. please regulate to self defense. "
Verim calms down returning to his much more warm outlook, " Maxwell, listen, every life here is precious to me. As a fellow guard even yours, I have said my goodbyes to those I could not help but as long as I draw breath I will see none of you fall again. The next person to die, if the Golden Bulwark sees if fit, shall be me but until then I will ensure the rest of you make it above. I have seen your blows they are powerful but leave you open to attack due to your underkept armor. We have all shown strengths and weaknesses, we have to work together. As I said to you at the festival, despair clouds your vision, do not fall back into the powers even our enemies use, instead move forward and create something new.. Shadow Knight " That last name he says with a chuckle.
"Erm yes, well, my mother was a healer. She tought me a few things, but i'm very limited in how much i can do."
Turning his wispy head, he threw up an eyebrow, though it happened to be concealed at the time. He could barely hear the words Verim spoke as the swirls whispered to his mind darker thoughts of the void that he'd taken up the use of. As the ability dissipates mid-conversation, Maxwell shakes his head. Heaving a sigh, he shakes his head. "With all due respect Verim, we happen to be within a place that seems infested with insects, and I'll have you know-[b] he says as he points to the bug he crushed, [b]-I most certainly am doing my share." he says as he continues.
He pulls the necklace with Groetus' moon out of his undershirt. "My patron is Groetus, and I'd advise you not dwell on that too much, though the powers I use are far from evil. If you assume every corner of darkness is evil, you'll find yourself stabbing children in alleys..." he says, looking behind the man and seeing his charred son behind him for a moment, wincing at the comment.
He places the mace at the man's chest, poking his armor with the stick end. "I will not renounce my lord just because his power carries an Aesthetic that displeases your narrow mindedness." he says as he helps Laris off the ground.
Verim and Maxwell both assist Laris, Verim seemingly not all that.. upset at Maxwell's response. " I have noted that.. your blows are strong and we have both stood on the frontlines together at this point, felling enemies . I did not doubt your ability to fight, I doubted your reasoning. And though my Lord is the patron of stern parents it does not mean I shall be doing anything on the level of stabbing children; if anything I am the result of merry parenting. Not every portion of your God must you follow to the 'T' is what I am saying. I do not mind if your God was even Asmodeus, at this time it is the ability to work together that is important, because all could fight against demons. I am sure you would not want to see the countless families ravaged by those fiends. I ask you not to renounce your lord or even deny his powers. I ask that you not fall into the pit-trap of self-loathing and Doom your god often exhibits. Instead I wish for you to use those powers to help us.. and Forge a new reason to fight at least. I am not as narrow minded as you believe "
He turned his head toward Mia once more " A fine mother at that, I am sure she will be most pleased to see you again after all of this hell "
Mia looks somewhat sad as she smiles in response.
"If she survived at all. She is talented, but she is no fighter."
But she'd be my 2nd mother i'd have lost to those monsters.
Verim is conflicted. The little one seemed so dead-set on her mother being gone. It was both commendable that she seemed more mature, enough to match her.. body-type, but sad that such a thing will scar her childhood forever. Oh no those thoughts had reached his head again, He was SURE this was a child. Verim began rapidly shaking his head to clear it of such thoughts.
" If, for some reason, such a thing had befallen your mother I would gladly become your legal guardian. If you would have me. I have no children of my own, as much as I would. My life has made it hard to settle somewhat. However this would only be temporary unless otherwise wanted. I would strive my hardest.. to bring her back to you if at all possible. For family is most precious. "
"Come we should be moving, if we can find a way out I'd rather not rest down here. I think we are at a disadvantage down here in the dark, if you warriors can sort it out among yourselves I think we'd be best covering both front and rear, anything could scuttle out at us down here."
I thought for a moment, something was off... but no, she's just a child, though a talented one.
She smiled,
"Thanks", she briefly hugs him.
The bird starts singing, circling around Verim's head shortly, before landing on Mia's shoulder again.
Hummmph. Well said but we need to be moving. The sooner I get back to my estate the better.
Avenia Glares at Horgus for a few seconds before answering.
It's not like you have anything to go running back for except your money. My wife is still up there.
The hardened mercenary; grisled soldier; dauntless defender, blushed harder than he even had during a good night of praising Cayden. He returned the hug somewhat hesitantly, running his hand through Mia's hair before disengaging with a smile and a pat on the head. He placed the shortsword into his hand once more and readied his shield. " Everyone get ready to ride the Verim Caravan out of this place, I am going to check if there is anything in this run-down camp and then we are moving forward. Laris stay in the middle with Little Mia and Tallena.. Maxwell you can choose where you would like to be as well as Luciana, you seem to be capable warriors as well, Laris, you had much courage to venture out and still stay strong after that assault,. My respect goes out to you as well. Let's move! "
He placed his shield at his front and stalked forward.
Maxwell returned his statements with silence. Sure, Maxwell had certainly sunken a bit, and he'd taken to drinking a bit heavier than he'd liked to admit but Groetus was still his deity, and he figured praising a god wasn't something you half-assed.
That said, he ignored the family-in-the-making and decided to rummage through the things in the campsite.
Laris will assist in searching, though she'll be wary of any small holes that other vermin could be hiding in.
Watching the child use healing magic on Laris something seemed a bit fishy.
And smirks at what her eyes show her.
That's no child at all, oh well, I guess everyone here has secrets or a past they don't exactly feel like sharing.
Looking Laris over as she is clearly in no shape to fight again, Tallina reaches for her belt pouch and fumbles around for the mistletoe and holly.
"Alright, one more Laris, let's keep ya healthy. May the forces of nature keep you strong."
After a bit of curing Tallina also takes a look around the campsite to see if there is anything that can aid their group if any further problems should arise.
On her way past Mia in her search, Tallina extends her arm and ruffles Mia's hair.
The little bird is being observant.
Sitting on her shoulder not facing anybody else after taking down it whispers in a hushed little voice.
"The elf lady is watching you intently just now."
Mia got an uneasy feeling hearing this, yet didn't want to watch sideways.
But as someone ruffled her hair the kid-like face goes up with a humble "Hm? Ah, hi."
A search of the camp turns up a torn bedroll, three candle stubs (good for 10 minutes each), 10' of hemp rope and a copper brooch depicting a bat perched on a mushroom. The campsite itself appears to have been deserted for some time.
Unless you have a light source, you won't be able to see into the next cavern