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Placing the skeletons' weapons off in a pile to one side, Jenna sits back on her haunches and stares at them. After a few moments she glances around. "This gear looks old. Like, really old... maybe hundreds of years, and I don't think its from here either. Only Sir Dramott wears armour that heavy"
Jenna lets her arm drop with the sudden release of adrenaline and looks around the others with a small smile before she remembers the townfolks' bodies. At Sariel's suggestion she nods and moves to gus, pulling out a tent. "When we're done here we can bury them. We need to get word to their families but we can't just leave the crypt like this. We need to find out what happened. We should check the skeletons to see if they're from here or whether they came from somewhere else." With that she starts investigating the skeletons' remains, searching for signs of their origin
Jenna narrows her eyes and aims, once again, at the skeletal archer in the corner...
Right Jenna. Calm down, breath slowly, relax. They're just bones after all. Focus and.... release.
Jenna stares in horror as the skeletons move and then rise and attack. Hands shaking, she steps back and fumbles almost randomly for an arrow which she raises to her bow and releases towards one of the archer skeletons .
Jenna moves into the room glancing around nervously. As Calia's lights illuminate the scene she swallows back the bile that suddenly rises in her mouth. "W-What's going on" she says, her voice quavering, "things aren't supposed to go like this,.. I mean, well, I know they all say that the 'quest' is dangerous, but we all know they're joking! What's happened here isn't right!" As Artemis moves up Jenna follows, taking a knee next to the corpses and examining them more closely.
Jenna nods and follows the others into the Crypt, leading Gus in behind. "I don't think we can leave him out here - whatever happened to that horse might happen to him too."
Jenna watches nervously as Artemis hauls the headless horse to the side, glancing over at Calia."I agree." she says "But only if we find somewhere reasonably easy to defend. We should also see where Gerol and Vark might be, and what happened here." As Artemis continues to work she looks for tracks or other clues around the area, moving several years each direction, returning as Artemis finishes his task.
When the horse is finally pulled free Jenna gasps. "But that's not right. There's no way that could be either of them. Whoever it is, they've been dead for years! How did it get there?"
Jenna waits until for her turn before beginning to make her own descent. Although more difficult than it looked from the top, she soon makes it down without incident.
Jenna peers over the side of the gorge. "This won't be easy - Gus isn't going to like being hauled down. I don't think we should free him here though. I'm sure he'd try to get back to town, but we all know that there are wolves around. Maybe we should follow the gorge a little way and see if there's an easier place to get down?"
Anyone else use a Shortsword?
Jenna kneels down next to Calia and the corpse. Poking at the holes with a stick she picks up from the ground. "Maybe, let me have a look. In any case, we should see if he has anything on him or in the bag that might tell us who he was.... he might have family wondering what happened to him. We should probably bury him too." she says, looking up at the others.
Earlier: After checking around the camp, Jenna returns and gratefully accepts a cup of coffee, thanking Calia as she cradles the hot drink, taking small sips and letting the warmth fill her. "I checked around camp. The wolf went off to the East after it left us. I don't think it'll come back. Might be an idea if you didn't let your pig wander off though Sariel. You never know: it might come back." At the lake: As they approach and the shape becomes clear Jenna stops. "Wait! It's a person." quickly she fumbles an arrow free of her quiver and nocks it, turning to look into the woods nearby, before looking again at the corpse. "We'd have to go in if we want to get him out . I think we should though,... we might be able to tell how he died. Artemis, I'll cover you from here if you go, maybe with one of the others? Calia's too short, (sorry Calia) and I'm probably the best with a bow."
When the wolf leaves, Jenna waits a few minutes before relaxing and trying to the others with a grin. "Well that worked better than I thought." she says. "Still, I think we'd better keep double-watches just in case it comes back." When Doreen touches her back and speaks Jenna stands blinking in surprise for a few moments before she too goes to bed. The next day Jenna helps pack up the tents and quickly checks around the campsite for any tracks that might indicate the wolf stayed nearby... . With that done she sets off with the others, taking her place at the front. When they approach the lake and Calia rushes forward, she curses and then jogs forward to join the gnome at the water's edge.
Carefully Jenna takes the second bowl and pushes it forward, speaking soothingly all the while but not breaking eye contact with the wolf.
Jenna lets her bow to the ground and replaces her arrow in her quiver. Carefully, slowly, she pulls out her shortsword and then half turns to Calia, never letting her eyes leave the wolves'. "Calia. Really, really slowly get me the left over rabbit." she says. "and the guts and skin. Everthing that's left. Put it in a bowl and just put it here next to me." Once Calia has done so, Jenna moves forward with the bowl and places it on the ground two feet in front of the wolf, then backs off to a couple of yards before she speaks again, this time to everyone. "OK, everyone stay still" she says "let it eat."
Jenna reaches back and picks up her now from the ground, slowly nocking an arrow and following Artemis' eyes. No fast movements she replies to Calia. but we'd better keep an eye out. Might be best if we keep double watches tonight. It probably won't attack if someone's around and the fire is kept high."
Jenna nods at Artemis with a smile, blushing a little at his deferral to her. "Well spotted. That should make a good spot... plenty of water and cover. Umm,,... If you set up my tent, and maybe show the others how to set up theirs I might be able to set some traps or catch something better than trail rations for dinner, or at least for breakfast. What do you think?"
Works for Jenna... scouting's what she does.
Taking a sniff Jenna groans and un-nocks her arrow placing it back in the quiver at her waist and turning to the others. "You know where I've smelt that before? Near Hogast's tower on the edge of town. It must've been him. Well, at least we fought well enough. Hold on, I'll get the mule and then we can keep going." With that she rests her bow on her shoulder and moves down the road, returning a minute later with Gus
Jenna frowns at the others and crouches down to retrieve her arrows from where they have dropped to the ground then stands and moves up behind Calia with an arrow nocked. "I told to it was a trick." she says "I'm sure it was just someone from town playing silly buggers though. That smell seems awfully familiar."
Jenna steps backward away from the image of the Orc. "They're not even bloody real!" she shouts "Someone's tricking us! Oh, for gods' sake. with that, in exasperation, she brings her bow up and lets fly with two arrows in quick succession. ;
Round 2 (After Doreen): As the orcs attack Jenna watches in horror as Artemis is savagely attacked. "What?,... No, They're not real! They're some kind of magic! she shouts, lowering her bow and instead scanning the surrounding forest, trying to detect the illusion's source.
Narrowing her eyes Jenna lifts her bow and sends an arrow towards the orc closest to her Although the wicked shaft flies towards the creature, it catches only the edge of its armour and flies off into the bushes without harming it. "Damn it!" Jenna yells. "Guard the mule. Its got all your food!"
Once the mule is loaded and the party begin to move off, Jenna quickly takes up a position at the front of the party. She remains quiet as they walk unless addressed by someone else.
When she spots the tree ahead, Jenna narrows her eyes and stops, without turning away from it she speaks over her shoulder. "What do you think? Maybe a trap of some sort?" Without waiting for a response, she pulls an arrow from her quiver and nocks it.
Budd: I've been thinking about a minor change to Jenna:... Craft (traps) instead of craft (bows). Seems to work better with a 'trapper' for obvious reasons. The traps she learns as a 'trapper' ranger are 'extraordinary' or 'supernatural' so Craft (trap) would let her do mundane traps too. In game terms she'll probably just use these to try to supplement their rations with rabbit, and maybe to set alarm tripwires in some circumstances. Is this OK?
Jenna takes the items that are offered to her, muttering a polite thank you to the Mayor before turning, with the others, towards the town gate. Spotting her young brothers and mother she gives a little wave and then hauls her pack onto her back, lifts her bow, and steps forward towards the forest her tenseness leaving her body as the trees close in around them. At Artemis' words she glances over. "M,.. me? I suppose I could carry it if I tied it to my pack, otherwise I won't be able to use my bow." she says reaching over and taking the lantern, stopping briefly to attach it to her pack. When Calia suggests that she keep the map fragments, Jenna hands them over with a shy smile. When they collect the mule she speaks up. "A pack animal's a good idea, but we should keep essentials on us, just in case something happens to him. There are many hazards in the forest, wolves and worse."
As the others step forward one-by-one, Jenna glances up at each in turn. Seeing Calia approach she gives a nervous grin Well she's much better since she got back! She'll be fun to have along, and she's travelled before so she won't complain too much about being uncomfortable. When Damien steps forward she inwardly groans, looking away from the boy, her face flushing red. Oh no! Why him? I mean he hasn't done it for a while, but gods, he used to be so mean! And what's with that rabbit anyway? Her thoughts are interrupted as Artemis approaches and she smiles back at him. Well at least with him here Damien won't get took nasty! Finally Doreen moves through the crowd towards them and Jenna represses a somewhat nervous gulp. She knows the girl a little, having been asked by the Goodwife to gather herbs on her hunts on more than one occasion, but she can't help feeling a certain,... dread as the other girl approaches. Well we're certainly a strange bunch. What is Uptal thinking? Why would he choose us?
Possibly,... how old is Doreen?
Well, she was always going to be a bit shy. We'll have to see whether she opens up a bit when we're out of town where she's more comfortable. EDIT: FYI, I've slightly changed (or rather, expanded upon) Jenna's appearance Appearance.: Jenna is not precisely beautiful, but she's certainly not ugly…. Most would describe her as pretty. A young woman of seventeen years of age, she has green eyes, freckled skin and long red hair which she usually lets hang over her face in town, but ties back in a simple braid, ponytail or pigtails to keep it out of her eyes when hunting. Jenna is taller than average (5'10") and has a slight, somewhat lanky build. Generally Jenna wears used but well crafted leather armour over simple and practical woollen leggings and long leather boots. In cold weather or rain she also dons a long, oiled waterproof coat and a wide-brimmed hat. When hunting or away from town she wears a simple undecorated shortsword a hunting dagger and a quiver on a belt at her waist, and carries a longbow which she made herself, and of which she is secretly very proud. Jenna is uncomfortable and shy in crowds, especially in towns, or in the presence of attractive boys. In the forest, however, her demenor changes to one of professional competence.
So Jenna seems to be a bit shyer than I initially planned,.... she just turned out that way while I was writing.
Jenna stood at the back of the crowd, watching as the mayor approaches with mounting apprehension. It had been only yesterday when the mayor had met her when she returned from a moderately successful hunt with Arnama, and had sat her down and told her to listen.
Jenna had just sat there, staring at the big man. ”Me?” she had said, her voice quavering as she glanced between him and Arnama ”But,… surely there’s someone else who’d be better?” Here Arnama had interrupted her, as the mayor had sat back, his eyes widening in shock ”Jenna. Listen, I know you don’t like being the center of attention, but you’re a good hunter, in many ways the best I’ve trained. The mayor asked me to choose my most capable student, and so I have. Listen, there’s nothing to worry about, unless you’re foolish of course. I don’t know who else has been chosen, but I’m sure they’ll benefit from having you along. In many ways the most dangerous part of the quest is the journey and they’ll need someone along who knows the forest.” And that had been that. The two of them would brook no argument, and so now she stood here, nervously waiting for the mayor to call her forward. When he spoke she waited a moment and then, her eyes resolutely cast towards the ground, she shuffled forward and mumbled in a voice too quiet for most in the crowd to hear ”I am Jenna Redthorne and, um, I will help bring back the Everflame.” The words out of her mouth, she blushes red and rushes forward to take up her position with the others.
Dotting in,.... Hello everyone.
Huzzah! Thanks for the selection and commiseration to those who missed out. As Budd said, there were some great applications!
...nervous Grats to everyone succussfull so far. Well deserved! (Good luck Proudsnout)
I think Proudsnout deserves an alias of his own!
@Jenna Redthorne - There is one particular bit in your character's backstory that has a LOT of potential for great drama in this particular storyline, especially once Crypt of the Everflame ends. I think you know the one. ;) Thought the title of part 2 might indicate ... something. Always like to lay some potential links for GMs when possible. VERY happy to act as a plot device.... :) Also want to reiterate that Jenna's background is malleable enough to link in closely with any other PCs (if she's chosen) - whether siblings, love interest or competitor - all are great RP angles!
A few changes to Jenna's background but will make some more to link more closely to other PCs if selected,... :) Background:
Who am I? Well I'm no one really, I mean, why would you want to know? A glass of wine? No thank you. Maybe a small ale? Well OK then, but there’s not really very much to tell. I mean, after all, like I said, I’m no-one special. My family? Well, as far as I know they’ve lived here forever. My mum works up at the Vargidan Estate and my father, well he was a trapper, just like me. What was that? Oh, no, don’t apologise. It was years and years ago – I was just a little girl when it happened, just six years old. It was during one of the orc raids that came from Belzken. I don't really know what happened. It was something to do with Arnama, but she wont tell me what. Anyway, a few years later, when I was twelve, she offered to teach me how to hunt and trap. I've even helped her scout for the guard when that idiot Wisslo can convince her to take someone else along. I'm pretty good with a bow now too. Mum says I'm even better than my father was. Siblings? Well there are my brothers. Them? Well I don’t really know what I can tell you. They’re twins, and they’re really annoying, that’s all you really need to know, although, I guess you can make allowances for toddlers. What’s that? Oh, no. Heh, they’re my half-brothers. Mum married their dad almost four years ago. He’s a nice enough man I suppose. Treats her well, doesn’t stray, if you know what I mean. He’s not from here though. He came from somewhere over to the east, Razmiran I think it’s called? He doesn’t talk about it much. Travelled myself? Well I go hunting in the Fangwood of course. Have you ever been into the forest itself? No? You should. It’s just amazing being alone amongst the trees, much nicer than town. Oh, yes, and I’ve been to Crossfen a couple of times. I even crossed the river into Lastwall once! So yeah, I’ve been much further than most. Further than that? Well I guess it’d be interesting. Never really thought of it before. Appearance: Jenna's not beautiful, but certainly not ugly…. Most would describe her as pretty. A young woman at only seventeen years of age, she has long red hair green eyes, and freckled skin. Generally Jenna wears well crafted but worn leather armour over simple and practical woollen leggings and long leather boots. When hunting, or away from town she wears a simple undecorated shortsword a hunting dagger and a quiver at her waist, and carries her longbow. Jenna is uncomfortable and shy in crowds, especially in towns. In the forest, however, her demenor changes to one of professional competance.
Also happy to be on-call. Looking at some changes to Jenna (mostly about personality) and am happy to link up backgrounds with anyone who's willing....?
Anybody interested in me putting together a list of the notable NPCs and Locations of Kassen? With a bit of tinkering, it would be easy to include some of these people and places in your backgrounds. If there's any interest, I can get that information up sometime in the next day or so. That'd be great... Janna's backstory needs something before I'll be happy with it. Any information about the area around town'd be helpful too if possible?
Hymenopteryx here, with Jenna Redthorne, a ranger (trapper) for your consideration. I've tried to make her as small-town average as possible, whilst not being too boring. I've not finalised her equipment yet, but can finalise her gear easily if selected. As far as her background, I can easily expand it in order to include other PCs and NPCs once selections have been made... Background:
Who am I? Why do you want to know? A glass of wine? No, I’d prefer an ale if its all the same to you? Well OK then, but there’s not really very much to tell you. I mean, after all, I’m no-one special. My family? Well, as far as I know they’ve lived here forever. My mum works up at the manor and dad, well he was a trapper, just like me. He taught me a bit before he died. What was that? Oh, no, don’t apologise. It was years and years ago – I was just a little girl back then, just six years old. It was during one of the orc raids that came through Lastwall. Mum says he saved some old woman’s life but I don’t know whether that’s just what she likes to tell me. Siblings? Well there are my brothers. Them? Well I don’t really know what I can tell you. They’re twins, and they’re bloody annoying, that’s all you really need to know, although I guess you can make allowances for toddlers. What’s that? Oh, no, heh, they’re my half-brothers. Mum married their dad almost four years ago. He’s a nice enough man I suppose. Treats her well, doesn’t stray, if you know what I mean. He’s not from here though. He came from somewhere over to the east, Razmiran I think it’s called? He doesn’t talk about it much. Travelled myself? Well I go hunting in the Fangwood of course. Have you ever been into the forest itself? No? You should. It’s just amazing being alone amongst the trees. Oh, yes, and I’ve been to Crossfen a couple of times. I even crossed the river into Lastwall once! So yeah, I’ve been much further than most. Further than that? Well I guess it’d be interesting. Never really thought of it before. No, I don’t have a beau. Is that what all this has been about? Well,… perhaps if you get me another ale you can tell me about yourself and we’ll see? Appearance: Jenna not beautiful, but certainly not ugly…. Most would describe her as pretty. A young woman at only seventeen years of age, she has long red hair green eyes, and freckled skin. Generally Jenna wears well used but well crafted leather armour over simple and practical woollen leggings and long leather boots. When hunting, or away from town she wears a simple undecorated shortsword a hunting dagger and a quiver at her waist, and carries her longbow. Jenna carries herself with a quiet confidence, especially once she enters the forest, where she feels most at home. |
