Rescuing page from the clutches of the evil archives! :)
Search Posts
Nicholai takes the shingle from Alton, casts a Light Charm on it, and drops it into the hole Alton made by tearing it up. He makes a gesture of silence to the shorter man, then peeks into the hole to see what the wolf is doing,...
Nicholai's eyes go wide as he sees the jaws emerge from the doorway and tear the spider in half. He opens his mouth to say something clever, but settles for a loud gulp instead. [/ooc]
Hearing the roar of the (likely enraged) beast, Nicholai glances towards the front of the cabin. "Don't sit there! Run!" he hisses fervently.
Nicholai looks back, trying to see where the wolf is now. When he looks back, the nimble Alton is already on top of the roof. "Good idea. I think I'll join you!" Nicholai says wryly, and tries his best to follow the rogue's example,...
"Um,... a little help here?!?" Nicholai hisses fervently as he realizes that the roof is much more slippery than he realized,...
Nicholai wobbles a moment when Alton jumps up, even though the disk remains magically steady beneath his feet. He sets his mouth in a thin line, and raises one hand up, slowly,...
"Holyee,..." Nicholai mutters as he whips his head furiously about, trying to keep an eye on the great beast and look for a safe(r) place to be! His eyes go up,... "Roof! The roof!" He hisses to Alton. He throws his palm out with a flicker of will, and a flat, barely visible shimmering disk appears. "OnOnGetOn! UpUp!" Nicholai usually precise speech slurred in near panic. Following his own instructions he hops up on the disk and reaches out a hand to help Alton up.
Nicholai draws up short, sliding to a stop next to Keildrithe. He simply stares at the great beast as it slowly shakes itself off and rises to its feet. "Oh. Crud." He mutters, strangely calm, staring at the daddy of all wolves. Laithe's shout snaps him out of his daze. He backs up a step, then another, then turns and runs around the house, following the surprisingly swift form of Alton.
Nicholai jumps as Keildrithe leaps from his hiding spot and races for the cabin. He looks at the bundle of wolvesbane in his hand, and back up. "Cover us!" He hisses to Kajetan as he also jumps up and dashes towards the cabin door. Kajetan sees Nicholai's crossbow lying on the ground where he left it, still loaded.
Spoiler:
1st, I was holding off on casting Prot/Evil as it's not THAT long of a duration, also, I'm not certain that a werewolf is technically 'evil' any more than a wolf is. (Although Nicholai probably wouldn't know that, and I don't want to metagame!) 2nd- bringing back an idea I wanted to try before. Casting Floating Disk over the doorway. :) But upon reading the new(est) spell description, it seems like I can direct it if I want to, (It definitely follows me otherwise) but not cause it to change from it's horizontal position. (?) I'm just trying to think of anything to try and keep this doggie in it's box! :) Nicholai peers through the brush he's hiding behind. (badly) And his hands twitch as he runs through his options. He can feel the power of his inheritance coursing through his veins, the adrenaline causing him to feel as if he's burning with power. But to direct that power against his friend? Should he? Could he, if it came to that? Even to protect his own life? Or those of his newer but no less dear friends? He glances at Kajetan crouching next to him, slowly but surely chanting to control the power he's conjuring. Frustrated, His hands tighten so much that he crushes the sprig of Wolvesbane in his grip, releasing a pungent scent that reaches his nose even through the adrenaline. He gazes at it in surprise, then mutters a soft oath. "Of course! How foolish! Keildrithe! How much do were-creatures hate this bush?!?" he cries, his cry of sudden release of tension only slightly tinged by the looming panic beneath. Without waiting for an answer, he clambers to his knees and begins pulling on the bush, as if trying to rip it from the ground.
Thank you! :) As I see it, Slow progression means we don't hit lvl 6 till 35,000. So I've got a ways to go! ;P EDIT- finally found & double checked the Brother Abel fight Exp, plus the ogre fight. Nicholai is currently at 24,780. So Keildrithe and the other lvl 5-ers should be about that I reckon. :)
Nicholai tries to hide behind his bush, but he is a city boy, used to playing hide-and-seek in the ruins of old building and back alleys. Thinking he is hidden nevertheless, he follows the bard's example and plucks some wolvesbane from the bush. Seeing the stain the fresh sap leaves on his gloves, he wrinkles his nose in distaste, but this is no time to be concerned with his wardrobe,... Chastising himself for his selfishness, he runs through a prayer in his mind. A prayer he finds useful using as a focus for his protective magics.
Nicholai mutters the words of a prayer he had almost forgotten as the door shudders once more under the terrific impact. He looks up and almost gives a very unmanly yelp at discovering Kajetan crouching next to him. He gives the spellcaster a smile that is far more confident than he actually feels.
Nicholai hands Keildrithe one of the silvered dinner knives, jumping again at another sound of impact from the cabin. "Climbing a tree sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I'm not much of a climber." The dandy says wryly, attempting to maintain his usual bored demeanor. At the next sound of impact from the cabin, he gives up the pretense. "I think the charming is the best idea, as I rather suspect that trying to kill a werewolf might be slightly more difficult than killing the restless undead. Oh, wait. We've done that!" He smirks. "I can use the power of authority charm, it,... HE might not attack me then." he says with more hopefulness than conviction. Nicholai listens quizzically to the bard's excited gushing over the possibility of the nearly-mystical sounding plant. "Wolvesbane? Are you sure?" he asks Keildrithe doubtfully. "If so, it could be either wonderful luck, or careful planning." He jumps yet again. "Ah well, any port in a storm! And it sounds like a doozy!" He adds, all but diving for his own patch of Wolvesbane-bush.
Once in his hiding place, Nicholai summons the power within him, and calls forth a brief flash of golden light, all his companions caught in the glow fell a brief warmth wash over them. The warmth stays with them after the light is gone, giving a good feeling inside, despite the situation.
Nicholai jumps at the sound of the howl and the blow to the door. He stares at the cottage and Alton, the silverware forgotten in his hands. "I'm afraid,... you may be right Laithe." He murmurs softly, his gaze never leaving the cottage. "Although, Stephan is exceedingly clever. If anyone could figure out how to wolf-proof a cottage, he could." He adds hopefully. But a glance at the tied up sheep proves that he might not be certain about that.
Nicholai shivers slightly, once. Whether from the deepening cold or Keildrithe's words is unsure. He nods an affirmative at Keildrithe's stammered apology, and watches Alton sneak off towards the cottage with a frown. "I do not doubt your skill or abilities to charm Keildrithe. But if yon shack IS the current cage of a,... beast, whether Stephan or some other poor soul, Well. No matter how desperately I want to help my friend, letting him OUT of his cage could hardly be conducive to helping either him or ourselves." He says almost silently, eyes still on Alton. He speaks calmly, speaking as if it's the only logical choice. But it seems more like he's speaking the words aloud to convince himself, not reassure you. He leans forward as Alton's leans forward and places his ear near the door of the cottage,...
Nicholai stops. He shivers slightly in the night air. When he turns his head slightly to look back over his shoulder, there is a track of a single tear freezing on his cheek.
His mouth tightens into a line so thin it threatens to disappear altogether. "I have no desire to fight a were-beast. Wolf or otherwise. But I think this is the cottage the Abbott told us to seek. And I can't go to sleep without knowing what's going on!" He hisses almost plaintively. The fear of facing such a creature warring with the fear that it might be his friend written plainly upon his face.
Nicolai blinks blankly, still shocked by the ferocity, and nearness, of that scream. Then his face falls, and he looks like a kid who has just been told his family pet is dead. "No. Aw no. You don't really think,...?" He watches the sheep run off through the trees, then turns his gaze back to the shack. "If,...maybe the sheep are there to keep, whatever, occupied if it does get out?" His mouth sets in a firm, thin line. "Come on. We're not going to get any answers with our bums freezing in the wind." He says firmly. He stands and begins approaching the cottage, slowly and cautiously. He raises his crossbow and holds it unwaveringly towards the cottage.
"I confess to being a city boy. But is it normal for a goat-owner to tie up his animals at night? I thought they would be kept in a pen. Or something?" Nicholai asks in a hoarse whisper. He scoops up a handful of snow and tosses it into his mouth as he watches the cottage with the others, shivering as the chill hits him, then relaxing as the melted ice chills his sore throat. "Shall we ask for shelter for the night?" he asks, His voice sounding better. At Kajetan's words the dandy furrows his brow. "Well, it's a shack, not a fortress. But still,... it IS boarded up rather well,..."
"Wij'kan seems to think there's food ahead." Nicholai offers aloud, the warmth of his exertions preventing him from shivering at the moment. "But I think there's people around too." he adds, his breath causing temporary clouds in the air. As they move ahead, Nicholai pays careful attention to what his familiar is feeling. 'Wait. No hunt yet. Make sure safe.' he sends back to Wij'kan, using the same feeling of caution the eagle did earlier.
Nicholai pulls his almost-new coat tighter around him. "I'm a city boy. I'm afraid that even traveling with you lot hasn't changed that." He offers wryly, but with a twinkle in his eyes. "I would love to have a roof over my head by nightfall. But I think that almost anywhere is preferable to this wind-scoured bluff. We should move while we can." The dandy agrees.
Nicholai regains his usual attitude once he sees his companions are going to be alright. He covers his previous unusually emotional outburst by appearing to take the snow and difficult travel as a personal affront. But his affected grumbling soon peters off as he has to dedicate himself to actually navigating the difficult terrain and not just complaining about it. When it becomes obvious that they could possibly be stranded on a mountainside at night, he mentally calls for Wij'kan to assist them in finding a nearby shelter for the night.
"Well I echo our esteemed singer's sentiments. I am glad that you are both still with us. I don't think I've been that scared since ,... well, It's been a while. And I hope it's a long time before it happens again!"
Something he said seems to have brought on a memory, as Nicholai turns thoughtful, and busies himself with helping the others sort through the junk the ogre was carrying. "Well, what have we here? This looks almost serviceable." He says, exhaling on a fork and rubbing it with his kerchief.
Nicholai gives a grin reminiscent of when he first joined the group. His brow furrows in concern as he notices Alton's injury.
"Yes!" Nicholai hisses in feral glee as the ogre falls. Followed swiftly by a cry of "No!" as laithe's body slumps lifelessly to the ground. Slipping and sliding, heedless of his dignity or clothing, the dandy hurries to the druid's side. "Laithe? Laithe! Wake up! Come on, stay with us!" Nicholai cries, his hands fluttering to touch the druid, then back as if afraid to injure him further. At a cry from Wij'kan he jumps, startled. The golden hawk swoops in to land on a nearby rock. He screeches again, softer. "Are you sure?" Nicholai asks aloud. Wij'kan bobs his head and gives another soft screech. "Nicholai calms down, looks at Laithe, and nods slowly. "Right then. Stand back." He he says, sounding self-assured once again. He rises carefully to his feet, and raises his hands as if in supplication. He closes his eyes as if in prayer. When he open his eyes, there are tiny gleams of candlelight in them, followed by flame bursting from his palms. He points his hands at Laithe, and sends a thin stream of flame to touch the worst of the druid's wounds,...
"Hey! Ugly!" Nicholai cries. He waves his arms to attract the beasts attention away from his fallen comrade. "Your turn!" He adds with grim cheerfulness, raising his hands and sending another blazing beam of red light at the ogre.
"Laithe!" Nicholai roars as the druid is hit by the brute's club. His cry is echoed by Wij'kan from above as the sorcerer calls upon his inernal energies and sends another burning beam at the lead ogre.
"Kaj'! Use your rainbow beam spell! Keep them off balance! I'll get Laithe out of the way!"
"Well, we have their attention." Nicholai says in the annoyingly calm way that only aristocrats can do. But his hands are busy repeating the familiar gestures of his last spell. "Was it something we said?" And another stream of burning light flies from his hands,...
Nicholai nods in silent approval of Kajetan's actions, and casts his own spell. A bright ray of blazing fire flashes from his hands towards the lead ogre.
Nicholai's lips tighten into a thin line. "They are no longer attacking. I want to say let them go. But,... They are only stopping because they fear us. They are nothing but bullies, who prey on those weaker than they are. And they would attack us again if we turned our back on them. I do not think my conscience would allow me to ever sleep again if I were to hear of poor peasants, or monks, attacked by these brutes." The dandy says with conviction. The piercing cry of a hawk lends credibility to Nicholai's words.
Nicholai continues moving slowly, (slightly jealous of Laithe's four-footed form, although he would never admit that), Until he slides up closer to Keidrithe, then he lets loose with his spell. The fiery ray is aimed so low that it causes a line of snow to melt on the way to it's target,...
Nicholai slowly slides his feet forward over the treacherous ground. His hands remain raised and ready as he carefully makes his way towards Keildrithe.
Re-dot (Sigh)
Nicholai winces as the ogre crashes to the ground. "Oh, That has GOT to hurt!" He says to Kajetan. Seeing Keidrithe singing, he nods in understanding and holds his spell, in case the bard's spell doesn't work on the brute.
"Ah now, there's a game I miss! I usually use ten-pins, but I suppose I can settle for two!" Nicholai declares loudly, trying to keep the uncharmed brutes attention away from the bard. "But you seem to have left it standing Laithe. Here, let me help you pick up the spare!" He cries cheerfully as his fingers waggle in a particular gesture, and focuses a bright beam of burning light from his cupped hand,...
NIcholai raises his eyebrows, impressed with Keildrithe's obvious effect upon one of the giant-kin. The look quickly fades to serious worry when he sees the other grunting at his companion. His fingers flex in preparation, but the dandy hesitates. Normally this would be the perfect time to strike, to ensure that the uncharmed ogre does not get the opportunity to harm his companion. But Nicholai doesn't want to ruin the bard's chances of entrancing the other ogre. He nods his head in a small bob of determination. He will wait. He has faith in Keildrithe's skills, and will give him the opportunity to finish what he started. He starts to place a cautionary hand on Kajetan's shoulder to warn him to wait as well,... And a ball of flame bursts into existence between Keildrithe and the ogres. "Well, Bugger me! So much for waiting!" He murmurs to Kaj as he stands up straight.
Nicholai shuffles only far enough to the side to gain the little bit of shelter offered by the rock Kaj has chosen as his hideout. He stares at Keildrithe, wanting to tell him to run, but almost as fascinated by the bard's transformation as if the magic of the music had affected him. The dandy's face is a mask, his teeth gritted and bared by lips pulled back in nervous tension.
Nicholai grimaces at Kajetan's fall, but stands still, afraid to help him and make more noise. He glances at the still chanting Keildrithe, deciding that whatever happens next will probably be all up to the bard.
|