Fireday, Deznus 27th. Salrin- Crescent moon, dormis- full moon. 8:30 pm. Sun is setting. Warm, cloudy.
a man stands at the border of the swamp. He waits idly for his partners to arrive, as he takes in the foul air of the swamp. He knows full well there's got to be horrid beasts in there, and he needs to clear them out, as few people ever come back from the swamp alive. Crossroads has even agreed to pay anyone who goes with him on the trip to help, so long as they come back alive, and bring proof of them killing the foul creatures there. Word has it that there is even a necromancer that resides there, preforming his dark arts on the corpses of those who fall.
The man is somewhat early, as he awaits the people who are to show up to help.
*chink* *chink* *chink*
You can hear Merek walking in his chainmail armor from more than a short distance away.
"A lot of people hate the smell of the swamps," Merek said to the man as he approached. "They are scared of the darkness beyond. It reminds them of fear and monsters and uncomfortable ugly things. For me, it reminds me of the opportunity to yet again protect the people of Crossroads; to hold the darkness at bay. For me, I have grown to love it."
Fray holds tightly to his horse's reigns as he fumbles with his notes. He turns to the oddly garbed fellow to his side(one of the bodyguards he hired in town), and speaks hastily and with an obvious annoyed tone.
"You! Edgore, was it?" Before giving him time to correct the mistake, Fray continues. "Would you take hold of this damned beast while I look at my notes? Please and thank you." Fray tosses the reigns in Edgar's direction and begins sorting through his papers.
Edgar catches the reigns, a look of confusion crosses his face, having never really dealt with horses before.
"It's Edgar, 'mi'lord'" he replies with thick sarcasm. Then looking in Merek's direction, "I'm more worried about the darkness of the coming night, think we should find somewhere to make camp soon?"
"Sarenrae's light will keep the darkness at bay. Of this, I have no doubt" she says as she holds her holy symbol a little tighter. "Are we early or late? Where are the others?"
"Ugh, these swamp... fumes... are terrible for my complexion." Fray comments while making his way towards the swamp.
Fray glances up from his papers and notices the individuals standing by the edge of the swamp.
"Who in the hells? Most likely adoring fans intent on gazing upon my glorious visage. I can't say as I blame them, but I have not the time to spare on their ilk..."
Without glancing up from the papers a second time, Fray waves his hand towards Chris. "Do take care care of them if they get... overzealous, would you?"
while people gather, a shy set of eyes watches from afar, consdiring. The man seems normal, and makes no attempt to hide himself, half expecting just to be overlooked anyway. He's rather unremarkable- average hight, short brown hair, and his clothes look like somone who belongs to the middle class.
"Now then, has everybody gathered? Castell says to himself as he looks over his companions to make a head count. "I do believe so." He turns to the holy people. "You're still planning to go in? Of course. Let us at least greet out visitor, shall we?"
He turns to the plain man. "Salutations! My name is Castell Danza, perhaps you've heard of me?
the man starts, and look to the man calling out to him
"H-h-hello. Y-you're all... Going in the swamp, right?"
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”
"If you go out in the woods tonight you're sure of a big surprise... he he he..."
A tuneless song is heard from the tree above just before a blur of motion descends in front front of the party.
The man with a long mane of brown hair and green eyes puts his hand under the horse's chin, comforting it with a tone of voice that doesn't fit his words at all as he looks the horse in the eyes.
"For if you go out in the woods tonight, somebody surely dies..."
He stops singing and strokes the horse under the chin.
"Aaaww. Is he being mean to you, big fella? Huh? Oh, it's alright. Uncle Zveris will take care of you. He should be nicer to you, shouldn't he? Yes. He should. You're just nervous is all. Ya..."
He looks up to the redeemed ninja.
"Did you think I was gonna let you out there on your own, Pup?"
He calls Edgar by the name he had taken to giving him in theor training sessions, mostly because he was the teacher, whether he is actually older than Edgar or not. He was older to the natural world.
He looks to his other side as Merek approaches.
"Hey there. Didn't know you were for sale. Where's the ball and chain?"
He grins to Merek.
Zveris wears his usual, tight leggings, a loincloth, no shoes, no shirt and a loose pelt of some kind over his shoulders pinned with a sharpened bone and stamped leather rectangle.
"Ah, right behind. Good to see you too 'Issa."
He smiles differently from Merek or Edgar, not removing his hand from the horse.
A raccoon skitters out from underneath the pelt and perches on his shoulder, making grasping hand motions to Merek, one of few people he cares for other than Zveris.
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”
"W-well, i..."
the man then goes wide-eyed at the arrival of zevis, and contemplates fleeing, before steeling his nerves."I'm looking for something that was stolen from me, and i think it's there, but I'm too scared to go in alone and was wondering if you'd let me tag along to see if I could find it."
the man is visibly shaking, rather afraid.
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”"W-well, i..."
the man then goes wide-eyed at the arrival of zevis, and contemplates fleeing, before steeling his nerves.
"I'm looking for something that was stolen from me, and i think it's there, but I'm too scared to go in alone and was wondering if you'd let me tag along to see if I could find it."
the man is visibly shaking, rather afraid.
Castell looks a bit surprised by Zveris' entrance, but puts his composure back on. "Well, I think we should give him a chance. We are on our way already after all. All in favor?" Castell motions to the rest of the group, seeming to be referring to everyone, including Zveris.
"Ball and chain? Honey, you didn't tell me that I would be needing the flail tonight. I guess we'll just have to make due without it. A pleasure, as always Zveriz" replies Sarrissa with a sly grin.
"Well of course, safety in numbers and all that."
"Sounds alright to me. I'm going to try to get everyone in and out alive. I would feel weird wearing a wolf pelt if it had added one of you to its waist line before I got it..."
He traces circles around the gem in his hand with the index finger of the other hand as he speaks.
"I... I can come? Thank you thank you! I've been hoping to find a way to recover what was stolen from me for what feels like ages, now."
"I... I can come? Thank you thank you! I've been hoping to find a way to recover what was stolen from me for what feels like ages, now."
"Yes, what might that be anyhow? More eyes should be able to help I would think."
"I... I can come? Thank you thank you! I've been hoping to find a way to recover what was stolen from me for what feels like ages, now.""Yes, what might that be anyhow? More eyes should be able to help I would think."
"I... I'm looking for a locket. It's silver, but might be tarnished by now. I think one of the monsters of the swamp stole it."
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”"W-well, i..."
the man then goes wide-eyed at the arrival of zevis, and contemplates fleeing, before steeling his nerves.
"I'm looking for something that was stolen from me, and i think it's there, but I'm too scared to go in alone and was wondering if you'd let me tag along to see if I could find it."
the man is visibly shaking, rather afraid.
Fear not, brave man. We have safety in numbers and Sarenrae on our side.
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”"W-well, i..."
the man then goes wide-eyed at the arrival of zevis, and contemplates fleeing, before steeling his nerves.
"I'm looking for something that was stolen from me, and i think it's there, but I'm too scared to go in alone and was wondering if you'd let me tag along to see if I could find it."
the man is visibly shaking, rather afraid.Fear not, brave man. We have safety in numbers and Sarenrae on our side.
the man takes a deep breath and then nods.
"Right. Thanks for the help, I've been looking for it a while. I didn't wanna make anyone go out of their way for such a little trinket, so I waited until somone was already heading in."
To Zvaris, Z! It's good to see you, my friend. What's this about a pup?
”That is where the winds seem to be taking us. What brings you out here?”"W-well, i..."
the man then goes wide-eyed at the arrival of zevis, and contemplates fleeing, before steeling his nerves.
"I'm looking for something that was stolen from me, and i think it's there, but I'm too scared to go in alone and was wondering if you'd let me tag along to see if I could find it."
the man is visibly shaking, rather afraid.Fear not, brave man. We have safety in numbers and Sarenrae on our side.
the man takes a deep breath and then nods.
"Right. Thanks for the help, I've been looking for it a while. I didn't wanna make anyone go out of their way for such a little trinket, so I waited until somone was already heading in."
Responding to the man, Merek says, Sarrisssa, Castell, and I often go on forays into the swamps to help keep the darkness at bay. We're here for such a mission tonight, but it would be a nice diversion to also assist a man in need.
Feel free to come with us, or if you do not possess the necessary fortitude, you may head back to town where it is safer. There is no need for worrying about a loss of honor; this life is not for everyone, and I understand that those of us who can face the horrors of the swamps are here to protect those who cannot or will not. It is our duty to ensure your safety.
As Merek speaks, he holds his back up straight, his Bardiche in his left hand help upright. The red silk sash tied around his left bicep hangs down in the still night air.
He smiles a warm smile at the man, meant to convey that it is his duty to help the poor soul and if the man wishes to leave, he may do so with no ill will spent towards him.
I cannot speak for all of us, but my wife and I would be happy to assist you in retrieving what is rightfully yours.
And while I am happy that my old friend Z is here, I have to say that I am at a loss as to who these other fine gentlemen are or why they are here. With these last words, he gestures towards the man on the horse and his two companions.
Paying very little attention to the conversation, Fray produces a water-proof hooded lantern from his backpack. "What's all this now? Others are entering the swamp?" Fray thinks to himself for a moment. Well it would be safer to have numbers on our side...
"Very well, you may all accompany me to my destination. Though I shant be paying for the lot of you. I only hired the two. The rest of you shall have to make due." Fray lights his lantern. "Shall we go then, before the sun is lost entirely?"
the man tilts his head at the arrogant man, and blinks a few times. He almsot starts to say something, but thinks better of it, and looks back to the holy man and woman.
"I would... Like to come with you... And possibly them."
One of those types. Sarenrae, grant me patience, this seems like it's going to be a long journey. "Well, are we going to stand here all night? Sarenrae, please let your light shine and be a beacon of hope in the coming darkness." As she completes the short prayer, light begins to spill out from the shield.
"Bla bla bla- light."
After a relatively simple verbal component and waving his hand for a bit he boops the raccoon on the head and it starts emitting light as her shield does.
It starts chattering and waving its tiny arms at him.
"Oh, ya. It's just too awful to be useful isn't it?"
He hands the raccoon a piece of dried fish. That shuts him right up.
So what can you tell us of this object? Do you know who took it, where it may be, what t looks like? Whatever information you can provide will help us help you.
So what can you tell us of this object? Do you know who took it, where it may be, what t looks like? Whatever information you can provide will help us help you.
"I don't know who took it, but I'm rather certian it was one of the crearures in the swamp. It's a silver locket, and I'm not sure where they might have taken it. I guess... I'm just hopng to get lucky and find it as I travel with you."
So what can you tell us of this object? Do you know who took it, where it may be, what t looks like? Whatever information you can provide will help us help you."I don't know who took it, but I'm rather certian it was one of the crearures in the swamp. It's a silver locket, and I'm not sure where they might have taken it. I guess... I'm just hopng to get lucky and find it as I travel with you."
What makes you so certain? Merek asks with curiosity.
What makes you so certain? Merek asks with curiosity.So what can you tell us of this object? Do you know who took it, where it may be, what t looks like? Whatever information you can provide will help us help you."I don't know who took it, but I'm rather certian it was one of the crearures in the swamp. It's a silver locket, and I'm not sure where they might have taken it. I guess... I'm just hopng to get lucky and find it as I travel with you."
"I've never met anyone here who would've taken it, and even then, I searched as best I could around the town. No trade caravans have come since it went missing, so it probobly woudln't have left the town. And if they're one of the people in town, and are hiding it from me, I really don't have a chance to find it. But I think this is possibke, so I'd like to search here, becuase it's the only place left I could really find it."
"I might be able to find it. How long ago did you lose it and did you wear it often before you did?"
He pushes Stinson, his coon-lantern back up on his shoulder as it starts to go for the pouch he kept the dried fish in earlier.
"I might be able to find it. How long ago did you lose it and did you wear it often before you did?"
He pushes Stinson, his coon-lantern back up on his shoulder as it starts to go for the pouch he kept the dried fish in earlier.
"About a week. Nearly all the time."
"Good... good conditions... Now, I'm going to need you to stay near the back of the group when we go. I can try to get your scent and find it that way, but if you're in front of me, it's not gonna work. Now I gotta get your scent. And no, I'm not a werewolf. And no I don't bite."
He approaches the man and rolls his shoulders and neck. As he does so, a muzzle, fur, and ears swiftly grow from his face in a wave. Down from there, soft fur covers his bare chest and arms. A tail of the same soft gray-brown fur appears under the cloak in a stitched hole in his leggings on his lower back. He sniffs at him with a new black nosed snout.
"Unless you want me to."
The wolf grins and sticks his tongue out a bit as it backs off of the man, having accomplished his goal.
Not the back, Z. In the middle. Protected on all flanks. You go on ahead and scout, we'll stay back a short distance.
To the man, Merek says, You stay close to Sarrissa. Sarrissa, you take the middle. I'll take lead, about 50 paces behind Z.
He looks at the pompous man on the horse, Care to protect our backside?
the man gulps, and nearly feints, only kept concious by the paldin's aid.
"I y-not-a-but-you-ju-uuuhhh..."
Excellent point. You stick by me. I'll take the middle. Sarrissa, you take lead.
Around this point a loud noise can be heard as someone stomps through the underbrush, not at all interested in stealth. When he comes into sight it's clear that the sound came from this human. He is fairly tall, somewhat pale with long white hair and blue eyes. He has on a red robes of ovbiously high quality. Strapped to his back is a glowing swordwith a golden hue strapped to his back "sorry I'm late, an errand I had ran long, is everyone else good to go?"
"He reminds me of you the first time I tried that."
The wolf grins at Merek.
To a certain degree people's insistence on being unconcious when he wolged (pronounced Volg-d) was exhasperating, but there was also a part of him that was made quite happy when a city guy lost conciousness on sight...
"Well...what are we waiting for. Lead on Zveris. I'll keep you safe while you have your nose in the air. Everyone, do try to keep up, watch your step, and keep your eyes open."
"Protect the rear, you say? Well, the background is no place for someone of my features, but if we are marching headlong into a swamp, I can allow a buffer between the horrible nasties and myself... Think you can handle the rear, Eigore?", Fray says nonchalantly as he motions a hand not entirely in Edgar's direction.
the man stands close to merek, still rather afriad of the not-were-man.
"Protect the rear, you say? Well, the background is no place for someone of my features, but if we are marching headlong into a swamp, I can allow a buffer between the horrible nasties and myself... Think you can handle the rear, Eigore?", Fray says nonchalantly as he motions a hand not entirely in Edgar's direction.
Edgar rolls his eyes and doesn't bother to correct him this time, clearly a waste of breath.
"I can do that." then to Zveris, "It's good to have you out here teacher, now that I'm here, something unsettles me about this swamp." He walks towards the faithful of the group, "And of course a friend of the teacher's is a friend of mine. It's good to meet you, I'm Edgar," he motions towards the man coming from the underbrush, "This is Chris," he motions towards the man on the horse, "and this... gentleman... is Fray."
as night falls and you all head into the swamp, likley lead by zevris's nose, sounds start to creep in. Groans all about, the sounds of the restless dead moving about. The man is nearly in a panic, but keeps following. Dispite the sounds, no undead are seen, and the scent keeps on, leading deeper and deeper into the swamp.
"Do not fear the undead. They are simply seeking their final rest, which I am happy to oblige them with. But these blasted mosquitoes are enough to drive one insane."
"Ya just gotta come to an agreement with the skeeters. Worst problem is all the smells are so strong, it makes finding one smell in particular that much harder."
Fray reaches into his backpack and removes a small white bottle. He then pours some vile-smelling white paste onto his arm and begins rubbing it across his skin. "Disgusting pests..." Fray whispers to himself.
as everyone traverses deeper into the swamp, the noises grow louder, and the night grows deep. Then, abruptly, the noises die down, and even the insects vanish. The scent comes to an end, and the locket is visible, simply laying in the swamp muck.
Somone can be heard walking through the muck towords you, slow, deleiberate.