Owens is a happy pup as Nicolette bends down to pet him. The shaking of his head reaching back to his bottom as his tail wags powerfully. When she turns and leaves though he sits and offers a plaintive whine.
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Owens follows Bohr around intently, and as the trio reunite he is happy to see Calaithes and Nicolette. The dog approaches them both, tail wagging and offering nuzzles and kisses. As they take the evening to relax and toast Kayle he stays very close to each. Often laying down against their feet or with his tail thumping their ankles. Before the night is through though, Owens abruptly rises and trots out of the tavern. He takes in the evening's scents and smells. Lingering at each building as he takes his sweet time sniffing about the village. The dog was taking a meandering pace to return to Olmira, and as he did return late in the evening he pawed lightly at the door to see if the druid would let him in. If she did he would nuzzle about her ankles and wrap himself against her as he circled her. Being as sweet as possible as if to make a request that she take him in. Giving her puppy dog eyes as sweet as cinnamon rolls.
The next day he would wander into town again. Picking up the scent of Nicolette and the others and finding out where they were. This led him to Nicolette and Russiete's duel. While he didn't really understand the rules of such play fighting, he did understand it was play fighting.
Owens barely lifts his head as Olmira returns, managing a sigh as he goes back to resting. The dog wasn't as mournful at least. He is able to rest soundly under the care of the druidess.
In the morning he would sit at the door to her home, looking between the exit and her as if he suddenly had something he must do. When released, he would trot off to town. Making his way to the seven silvers tavern, the dog stopped frequently to scent the air or investigate an interesting smell. Once arrived he would sit down outside, watching people come and go and waiting for someone. Owens knew his person was gone, so what he was doing didn't seem to make much sense. At least until Bohrs came by. He perked up, gave a short bark of acknowledgement and trotted over to the man. Giving him a sniff and a lick of his hand if offered. Owens would then take to following the cleric, staying at his hip and not letting him from his sight.
Owens rests easier that night. Being at home near a fire and among family helped ease the dog's restless mind. He still slept fitfully, but at least he was not plagued with another horrible nightmare.
Owens wakes to the meat, and looks up at Olmira with big sad eyes. He takes a bite of some of the meat and chews slowly. His nose working aggressively as he does so. The scar on one nostril has turned a pale color, and when she pets him behind the ears she comes away with a bi of grayed hair. Still, the dog is amenable to following her home. Her place wasn't the tavern, but it was still comfortable. Remembering Kayle wouldn't necessarily be in his best interest.
Once the group comes to a stop back out town Owens will lay down and lower his head. Seeming to lack motivation to move until someone collects him. He briefly scratches at some of his patchy fur as it comes off. As some familiar children approach he looks up at them, but given his condition and the ominous return they do not come close. He sadly closes his eyes and goes to sleep. In his dream he was in a field, healthy and strong. Kayle was there and foraging through the bushes. Finding interesting smelling forage that he let the dog sniff at before pocketing them. He even sprung a rabbit as one point. Owens chased the little blur of brown fur as fast as he could, knowing he couldn't catch it but enjoying the chase. When the rabbit disappeared into the exposed roots of a great tree Owens stopped, satisfied the chase was over. His broad chest rose and fell as he made great panting breaths. The ground here was darker, the tree he stood before dead. No grass grew here and worked stone pushed up through ashen dirt. He turned about on his paws and swung his head around. The field behind him was gone. The sky was dark and the same lifeless and broken terrain was what now occupied the space. He turned back toward the tree, approaching and sniffing for the rabbit. Even it's gamey scent was gone. Walking around the tree to try and find some scent he suddenly caught one on the wind. It was Kayle! He ran toward it, spotting a great stone structure built into a hill. As he approached the dog slowed, then stopped altogether. His master's scent was different. Something was off. A chill ran through the dog as he realized what was different. He had smelled this before. From the blackness of the entrance a familiar silhouette appeared. Owens growled low as Kayle shambled forward. His exposed skin was desiccated, his hair patchy and falling out. The massive hole in chis chest from Nicolette's hammer remained and ichor seeped from it. Slowly the undead approached, and Owens couldn't move from his spot. He couldn't understand fleeing his person, but also knew this was not his person at all. Laying in the dirt of the town square Owens slept fitfully with the occasional growl. As well as pained whimpers.
Owens leans his head down to halfheartedly sniff at the ribs before squirming forward on his belly and lapping at them softly. As the meal is prepared and the others eat though, he doesn't have the heart to gnaw at them. The ribs lying before his face in the dirt as he lays with his head down. Polished, but barely even nibbled at. He is very still and quiet.
Owens does not follow Nicolette. Nor does the dog follow anyone about as they make camp. He instead lies down near Kayle's things. Kayle's body was not his person. It was now something else, so Owens sadly took up as he could near his person's scent.
Owens begrudgingly follows behind Nicolette, whining with his head near her calf each step of the way.
Owens rose to his feet, but his growl at this undead imposter died in his throat. He couldn't bring himself to attack the disgusting thing without a push, and the only one who had been able to convince him was now the very undead he faced down. He retreated back to Calaithes and gave a mournful cry for the half elf to do something.
Owens is frozen in confusion. He saw Kayle rising again, and when Nicolette grappled him he started to growl at her on reflex. Still though, something was wrong with the way Kayle moved. The way he smelled. Owens was a dog, and there was nothing a dog knew better than their person's smell and how they moved. Owens finally whimpered, crying in confusion and a feeling of wrongness that came over him.
Owens does not protest Calaithes' presence, considering the half elf as one would family. At the petting he flinches initially from his wound, but does slowly wag his tail for a brief moment. He would not protest even as they moved him. The canine wearily rising to his feet, spilling some blood from his grievous wounds, and padding along silently in tow to wherever they took the body of his master.
Owens tore into Azar's body, crunching bone and scattering his armor for a good while before he would fully realize the enemy was defeated. Then rip the armor from the broken bones and toss it aside for good measure. Only then did the dog turn back to regard his person. Owens was still as Calaithes called him. Finally, he trotted slowly over. He lowered his great head, placing it into Kayle's open hand and nuzzling it with a plaintive whine. Then the great dog lay down at his side and leaned into him. He put his head down and closed his eyes.
Owens's reaction is almost instantaneous and his jaws snap at Asar.
Owens froze for a moment. He did not understand biology other than where to bite and claw. He did not know what Asar had done to his person. When Kayle hit the floor seemingly lifeless though, Owens knew instinctually that his person was not rising. He had been with Kayle since he was a pup. He knew every motion and meaning behind it. His person. His whole world. There was a ragged and bloodthirsty snarl that erupted from the dog as his hackles rose and lather was spilled from his open maw. In pure rage Owens lept at Asar to try and tackle him to the ground. Intent on getting at the throat the skeleton did not have and ripping it out.
Owens wasn't trained to grapple, but he knew and opening when he saw it. He leapt forward to try and crack Asar's bones in his teeth.
Owens gave a sharp yelp that was cut off as the dog was briefly crumpled to the stone, but he rose with an angry glare at Asar and bit back. The dog's courage more instinctual than his person.
Owens snarls at the skeleton in front of him and at the brief command he snaps his jaws right at the hip of the skeleton before him.
Owens snaps his jaws at the retreating femurs of the skeletal Asar.
Owens wasn't going to let Nicolette face this nasty thing alone. She was his person too! At Kayle brief touch he was already leaping forward to snap at Asar with his powerful jaws.
Seeing the hated undead, but following his command like a good dog Owens growls deep in his throat. The angriest sound he had made yet. This was not his previous barks or defensive warnings. He wanted to rip these evil things apart.
Owens need not be told, for when the dog scents the crisp and pure water he excitedly skitters across the stone and starts noisily lapping at the water. He may have never seen a porcelain throne in his life, but this was a close second! When Nicolette moves up to the pool to drink as well he stops for a moment to look at her before continuing to drink.
Owens cants his head to the side and leans into Nicolette as she gives him glorious glorious scritches.
Owens was a proper nuisance thanks to Nicolette's warm greeting. Tail violently waving back and forth and haunches down at he weaved to either side to kiss and snuff at her left and right. Unable to pick a side as the dog went manic. When they went back to Tulia's room he would dart ahead of the group and then come running back, circling about Nicolette in a happy prance before taking off again. When they stopped to check in with Tulia he was sitting on Nicolette's foot with his great head against her thigh to rub his face on her.
Would not be denied anymore, and he dove into the collapse of bodies to snuff at Nicolette and lick her full in the face.
Owens trots around after Nicolette, tracing circles around the pillar as it spun. He was no longer making his mournful howling, but was still panting expectantly as he inadvertently played ring around the rosey.
Owens quickly goes off into the brush after a solid looking stick. Having experience finding such things.
Owens looked at Kayle a moment, confused at the scent of this creature and not seeing a target. As Kayle moved forward the dog reluctantly followed his person, but not for any command.
Owens scrabbled to his feet, the movement made more awkward by his lingering hurts. Having not noticed the creature in his sleep, the dog was decidedly angry at being snuck up on. Napping at the air and then barking angrily before getting his paws under him and taking off after the creature.
The big dog limped after the group, casting worried glances about as they retreated. Every now and again a plaintive whine would escape the dog. Genuinely concerned for everyone. When they got back to Tulia's room he would nudge Nicolette a few times with his snoot. Owens was an exceedingly smart dog. He knew what had happened. He knew this person would not rise again. He did not want to acknowledge it. Dogs could not cry, and whining would not help. He did give a sad whimper though, and curl up next to Nicolette's fallen form. Not budging from her side for anything while the group recovered. Only when Kayle went to treat him did his tail give a weak wag as he lifted his head to look up with sorrowful eyes.
Owens yelped when he was kicked into Bohrs, but his eyes were open. Looking around in panic a moment and realizing how wounded he still was. One front paw tucked up into his chest as he couldn't put any weight on it. He still didn't know where his person was, but then he heard Kayle call his name. Looking back briefly his tail started to wag wearily, the dogs entire body hurt and weak. He carefully pulled himself to his paws, and then started to drag himself to his master, limping along like a listing ship. If he managed to make it past Nicolette to his master he would collapse in a heap, trusting in his people to handle things.
Owens let out a quiet whimper, the natural response to such overbearing pains even when unconscious. The dog was very still, his body aching unbearably. Part of him wanted to respond to his people, even if he couldn't hear them his body wanted to respond.
With no one to direct him otherwise, Owens stands his ground and continues the fight.
Owens was more aware of his allies than a normal animal in a fight would be. Having trained to flank and work in tandem with Kayle, the dog knew something was wrong when his human companion fell into the water and did not pull himself out. He was on his own for this, so without hesitation he lunged in toward the skeleton on his own!
Owens will run up to attack with Nicolette, but when she slips inot water he will abruptly come to a halt, looking down to her with a worried look before taking position next to her. Again he growls fiercely at the skeletons and readies to bite any of them that come near.
Owens growls and crouches defensively, readying a bit if any of the skeletons draws near.
The big dog sniffs at the fey almost respectfully before catching something interesting and pressing his nose in. His snoot brushing the inside of her arm before he snuffs at something and likely tickles her with his exhalation. He does not lick, but pressed his head in to nuzzle her briefly before he backs off to circle a few times and lie down.
Owens briefly tried to look up at Tulia perched atop his head. He can't lick at her or sniff, so he gives a snort of frustration and settles down to rest.
The dog brightened considerably to the attention, but he was still very weary with his wounds. He did not bounce around after Kayle. Instead following along close to his hip as everyone gathered to return to the upper chamber. As they went to return to where the little fairy was, he began to loll his tongue out happily and breath deeper the fresh scent of the cleaner air by the water.
Owens makes it out of the water, slowing dragging himself up onto the stone and limping over to Kayle. One front foot is raised up and he whines plaintively before sitting down next to his person. When Nicolette approaches he will lift his head and give her the saddest puppy eyes he can.
Owens is tired, badly wounded, and the air smells badly. As Kayle calls him he is happy to move toward the door to escape this bad place. Even if it did have interesting smells.
Alas, he couldn't push through the water any faster than he could doggy paddle. He was left at the door's threshold, casting a sad look to his person.
Owens was confused a moment. Where did the nasty toad go? Not spotting him his tongue lolls out and he pants breifly in excitement. Things were going better. Then Kayle was speaking. He only heard the latter part of the comment. Picking up on the familiar command of "turn round" and looking in the direction Kayle had directed he first cocked his head to the side. How would he get there? He pawed at the side of the casket a second before lining up and then making a jump across to the other casket. He didn't really want to go back down into the water, but following the order he plunked down.
edit: Whoops, guess that is acrobatics.
Owens yelped in surprise as the toad bit him. Toads were supposed to be small, and hop away when you sniffed at them. His person should be upset he was trying to lick them. Not that they were biting him! Owens growled low and snapped at the thing. He would show it who was the biter!
Loves to play with dirt! Rawr! (Attack.)
Owens furiously pumps his front paws trying to come back to the surface and help his master. As he slips under the water his big brown eyes go wide and he wildly pumps his legs in a panic to try and get back above the surface and moving forward.
Swimming up to where the toad had his owner grapple Owens tried to lock his teeth into the creature and join the grapple! By biting the hell out of the toad! Grrrr!
Owens was such a good boy! He knew his person wouldn't be okay without him! At Kayle's call he doggedly paddled ahead to the sarcophagus, dragged himself from the water, and resisted the urge to shake himself as he snapped his jaws down at the ugly toad that was wrapping itself around the druid.
Owens whines plaintively, trying to follow his master by swimming. He was a good boy, but he couldn't stand being left behind as his person went into danger. He paws at the water furiously, sounding miserable and even yowling as he goes after Kayle.
He ends up bumping into Nicolette's hip as he paddled away after his person without heed to anything else.
With undead again threatening his person, Owens needs little pushing. He leaps forward into the space abandoned by his master and snaps at the bloated belly of a zombie from below. The dog can't tell the threat killing them bears, and likely wouldn't heed it even if he did know.
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