Jaxon walked with a limp now...ever so slight but quite noticable. He had taken to walking with a cane as it was taking him awhile to get use to his new appendage. He was sure he could move just fine if need be. But he opted to save his strength for when the time came. He opted to save his strength for when they sent him and Garroth back to war with a bunch of greenhorns. He opted to save his strength for the moment he might have to save one of their lives, or more importantly save his own.
He meandered to his temporary digs. He was in no rush for introductions to the new guys who might not make it another month and his Comrade he hadnt spoke to since the day the whole thing went to hell. Life out here is fickle. It comes and goes like the western wind.
Nomric's death played out in his head like some grandly morose phantasm. The little gnome always had a thing for making things go boom, right up till he bit the big one in that fireworks display that took his own life and gave Jax, Garroth, and the few prisoners they managed to free the chance to escape. Jaxon still remembers quite vividly the hot read pain he felt in his left leg. He still remembers, quite distinctly the feeling of terror when he tried to stand and realized there wasnt much to stand on anymore. The explosion led to their freedom, but left Jaxon's left leg a bloody stump. Jaxon would've died if Garroth hadnt thrown him over his shoulder and carried him to safety. He still hadn't thanked the man for it. They had to amputate, and now Jaxon has a warforged-like left leg.
Jaxon's hair was pulled into a loose ponytail and his bangs still danced infront of his largely featureless gray face. He enters the tent to find Garroth and two fresh faces already inside. He tips his black cap at his new squad mates and claims the bunk nearest Garroth. He lights a bit of tobacco in his pipe with a tindertwig and lays down on the bunk in silence.
Hi. I'm Joyelle. Could you please tell me your names? We don't have to be friends or anything, but 'Hey, you' gets old real fast. Especially out there.
Synatria looks at Garroth sympathetically. "You alright there, child? Tsk, tsk. You people are so young, it's not fair that you must go to war like this.
"My name's Synatria Silven. And yours?"
A disheveled, sullen man enters the tent. "Haedric Korvin.", he ays before sitting down on a nearby cot.
A disheveled, sullen man enters the tent. "Haedric Korvin.", he says before sitting down on a nearby cot.
Synatria sighs. "Tsk. It's not fair, you're all so young."
Joyelle freezes up at Synatria's words, all emotion draining from her face. "War is not fair. Life is not fair. Fair has nothing to do with anything," she says in a hollow voice. "Nor does age."
She shakes herself out of the dark mood that threatens to once more descend upon her. Those memories are best left undisturbed. Everyone here has their own horror story to tell. War is like that. No point in getting all emotional about it.
"Whatever," she mutters. "I'm going outside to get some air."
"I'm anyone you want me to be Sweetheart" Jaxon quips at Joyelle, changing his facial features to resemble an attractive Elven man.
He quickly however reverts to his changeling form and extends a surprisingly well built arm looking for a handshake
" The name's Jaxon Lockard Jr. and I'm all up for friends and whatever else you'd like Joyelle" He says, flashing a broad smile.
Little Thing like losing a leg ain't gonna loosen Jaxon Lockard Jr.'s grip on the Bonnie lasses, Nosiree!
Joyelle freezes up at Synatria's words, all emotion draining from her face. "War is not fair. Life is not fair. Fair has nothing to do with anything," she says in a hollow voice. "Nor does age."
She shakes herself out of the dark mood that threatens to once more descend upon her. Those memories are best left undisturbed. Everyone here has their own horror story to tell. War is like that. No point in getting all emotional about it.
"Whatever," she mutters. "I'm going outside to get some air."
Synatria frowns at her. "I'm sorry about earlier, Joy. I do that to all the people I work with, usually. I was joking about the age thing, too, to make you uncomfortable. I'm only 21. Are you alright?"
"I'm anyone you want me to be Sweetheart" Jaxon quips at Joyelle, changing his facial features to resemble an attractive Elven man.
He quickly however reverts to his changeling form and extends a surprisingly well built arm looking for a handshake" The name's Jaxon Lockard Jr. and I'm all up for friends and whatever else you'd like Joyelle" He says, flashing a broad smile.
Little Thing like losing a leg ain't gonna loosen Jaxon Lockard Jr.'s grip on the Bonnie lasses, Nosiree!
Synatria frowns at him. "Typical human behavior. One would think that changelings would be different, but oh, the human traits are strong. Watch it."
At Joyelle's request for a name, Garroth briefly opens his eyes and says simply, "Garroth Ur'Than." He then goes back to his meditation. He learned his lesson the first time; while he wouldn't have called his former teammates "friends", he definitely felt a comeraderie. Not again.
However, it isn't long before what he has been dreading occurs: Jax walks into the tent. Seeing his squad-mate is good, in some ways - Garroth is glad to see Jax up and about on his new leg, healthy and healed. He's also glad to see Jax seems his usual, carefree self. On the other hand, it's a huge reminder of the failure of the first mission, a failure Garroth blames himelf for. How did I miss that loose board? And how in the world did I miss with that kick? A kick I've practiced a million times before and two million since? It all comes back, yet again: Scouty stepping on the blast-disk while dodging crossbow fire, Valyn overwhelmed by undead sentinels, Randal fighting guards as he's peppered with bolts, and Nomric's valiant last stand. Yes, Joyelle was righter than she knew: war wasn't fair.
As Jax walks in and nods to everyone, Garroth nods back. Still, he says nothing, and goes back to his meditations, trying to forget the unforgettable.
Jaxon manages a dry laugh "Come now Sylvania, don't be so condescending. If i weren't such a gentleman my dear, I could call you're Kobold traits into question." He says, twisting his face into a slightly over-characterized kobold appearance.
He examines the new face in the reflection of his shortsword before wincing and letting his features go blank again " I dont think i can quite pull off the kobold look like you hun." He observes, puffing from the pipe. "Guess it just comes natural to ya." he jests, winking at the kobold
Jaxon rolls over on his bunk to the side closest to Garroth, he is discouraged for a moment when he sees his teammate's eyes shut in mediatation. He decided Garroth was listening, even if he wasnt talking. He spoke softly, so that only Garroth would hear "Hey.." he says, then pauses for a long moment before regaining the nerve to speak. " I know we havent talked, but i wanted to thank you. If it wasnt for you, I wouldn't be here. " He rolled back over, silent
Jaxon rolls over on his bunk to the side closest to Garroth, he is discouraged for a moment when he sees his teammate's eyes shut in mediatation. He decided Garroth was listening, even if he wasnt talking. He spoke softly, so that only Garroth would hear "Hey.." he says, then pauses for a long moment before regaining the nerve to speak. " I know we havent talked, but i wanted to thank you. If it wasnt for you, I wouldn't be here. " He rolled back over, silent
Garroth's eyes open again, and he looks at Jax. Very quietly he says, "Do not thank me, Jax. Had the guard not heard me, and had I not failed to stop him from shouting the alarm, not only would your leg still be whole, but most of our teammates would still be here. Pulling you out was the very least I could do. I'd have to pull you out of a hundred more situations like that before we'd ever be even ..."
Jaxon manages a dry laugh "Come now Sylvania, don't be so condescending. If i weren't such a gentleman my dear, I could call you're Kobold traits into question." He says, twisting his face into a slightly over-characterized kobold appearance.
He examines the new face in the reflection of his shortsword before wincing and letting his features go blank again " I dont think i can quite pull off the kobold look like you hun." He observes, puffing from the pipe. "Guess it just comes natural to ya." he jests, winking at the kobold
She frowns. "Watch it, you." I've got better things to do than exchange insults with some good-for-nothing deadbeat who's probably only here because his parents made him."
Joyelle's expression clears as if she had never been sad in the first place. She shakes Jaxon's proferred hand. "Pleased to meet you, Jaxon."
After hearing Synestria reveal her true age, Joyelle rolls her eyes. "Well, then, Old Lady, let me just say that I have a full five years on you." Shakes her head. "Just my luck I get stuck with a jester."
She somehow in the small space flips up and walks across the tent to he bunk on her hands, and then proceeds to twist herself up into various pretzel-like shapes. Wouldn't want her muscles to be stiff when they get called up for an assignment.
The camp is abuzz with news. It seems the karrnathen army is making a move. The camp is alive with reports of troop movements and several close camps mustering for action. Add that to the fact a squad of dragonflys just landed beyond the camp, one of em coming in hot and burning.
Oh yes something is up all right.
Joyelle's expression clears as if she had never been sad in the first place. She shakes Jaxon's proferred hand. "Pleased to meet you, Jaxon."
After hearing Synestria reveal her true age, Joyelle rolls her eyes. "Well, then, Old Lady, let me just say that I have a full five years on you." Shakes her head. "Just my luck I get stuck with a jester."
She somehow in the small space flips up and walks across the tent to he bunk on her hands, and then proceeds to twist herself up into various pretzel-like shapes. Wouldn't want her muscles to be stiff when they get called up for an assignment.
Synastria frowns and says nothing.
Garroth's eyes open again, and he looks at Jax. Very quietly he says, "Do not thank me, Jax. Had the guard not heard me, and had I not failed to stop him from shouting the alarm, not only would your leg still be whole, but most of our teammates would still be here. Pulling you out was the very least I could do. I'd have to pull you out of a hundred more situations like that before we'd ever be even ..."
Jaxon's whispers hiss out full of malcontent, steadily growing to much more than a whisper as his gray cheeks steadily fill with a redish hue" We were both there Garroth. I dont like the fact that those men died anymore than you. I go to sleep every damn night knowing that i wont ever see any of them again. I dont sleep like a baby but i sleep the best i can, because i know there isnt nothing any of us could've done."
Jaxon struggled to find the right words."Every one of them knew what they were signing up for. They were soldiers, and we still are. As long as Cyre needs me to go out there and put my life on the line, you best believe I will. I got three more limbs to lose in Cyre's defense and i'd gladly do it Garroth!"He said excitedly, standing up and placing his hands on Garroth's shoulders
"Because I know this war can not last forever. I firmly believe that someday we're gonna win this God's damned war and you Sir, let me continue to defend my great country. So for that I will thank you, and I'll thank you a thousand times over!" He exclaimed, allowing a smile to come over his face.
"None of what happened was your fault soldier. If you beat yourself up like this everytime you fail you aint gonna last long out here." He said decidely, setting himself down beside Garroth
He sat there for several moments before doing what he does best" Just so you know-I plan on keepin you around for as long as i can. I dont think the kobold can carry me." He jested, lightly nudging Garroth as if asking for a response.
She frowns. "Watch it, you." I've got better things to do than exchange insults with some good-for-nothing deadbeat who's probably only here because his parents made him."
He frowns, something he isn't fond of doing. "I got my motives as i'm sure you have yours. You should know this ain't my first rodeo Synatria." He shook his head, sweeping his hair out of his face revealing a long scar beneath his left eye." You know for someone who's kind has faced prejudice for centuries, you're an awful quick judge of character."
"Just so you know-I plan on keepin you around for as long as i can. I dont think the kobold can carry me."
"Oh, don't worry, Jax. I plan to stay around; the longer I last, the more Karrnathens I kill." Garroth manages a slight smile, although it's difficult to tell how much is reassurance, and how much ominous glee ...
"Speaking of which," Garroth says louder, to the entire group. "It sounds like something's going on. I'm thinking we should all get ourselves ready."
Synatria sighs. "Tsk. It's not fair, you're all so young."
Eventually, Haedric responds to the kobold while gazing wistfully at the gold ring on his right hand.
"Nothing about war is fair. All you really do in a war is try to destroy them before they destroy everything you ever loved."
Synatria sighs. "Tsk. It's not fair, you're all so young."Eventually, Haedric responds to the kobold while gazing wistfully at the gold ring on his right hand.
"Nothing about war is fair. All you really do in a war is try to destroy them before they destroy everything you ever loved."
"Too late," the half-elf says in an almost sing-song voice. Her eyes are completely devoid of emotion as she continues her stretching exercises. "Gone, gone, gone, gone, gone. Like leaves in the wind. Only squishier."
"That's the spirit Garroth!" Jax says excitedly "Strap your boots on ladies and gents, somethings movin about out there!" He says with a smile before grabbing his sheathed shortsword and stepping outside the tent, trying to figure out what's going on.
Synatria nods, looking sympathetically at Joy. She wishes that she had a real weapon, and some light armor perhaps. She says uncertainly, "I...don't have any combat spells. I can enchant some stones, but I have nothing else."
Synatria nods, looking sympathetically at Joy. She wishes that she had a real weapon, and some light armor perhaps. She says uncertainly, "I...don't have any combat spells. I can enchant some stones, but I have nothing else."
"Just do what you can. Every little bit helps." And with that she follows Jax outside to find out what's happening.
Synatria nods, looking sympathetically at Joy. She wishes that she had a real weapon, and some light armor perhaps. She says uncertainly, "I...don't have any combat spells. I can enchant some stones, but I have nothing else.""Just do what you can. Every little bit helps." And with that she follows Jax outside to find out what's happening.
Synatria follows. If she sees any rocks lying around, she will grab three if possible.
Synatria
Stones are easy to find in and around the camp
A rough looking soldier approaches the tent." 3rd squad of the 112th right, good. You have a debriefing with sunup at the command tent. Sleep well ya might not get it for a while" With that he makes his way toward another tent
Synatria
** spoiler omitted **A rough looking soldier approaches the tent." 3rd squad of the 112th right, good. You have a debriefing with sunup at the command tent. Sleep well ya might not get it for a while" With that he makes his way toward another tent
Synatria picks up three stones and puts them in her pocket. Then she smiles nervously at the others. "Well, at least we didn't have to fight...yet." She looks worried again.
Jax nod's solemly to the rough looking soldier before making his way back into the tent "There will be plenty of fighting for us soon enough."
He find's his way back to his bunk and stretches out"If you get cold over there Joyelle there's plenty of room in my bunk for two" He says with a slight laugh, though he is completely serious
As the night moves on and the unit slept, the camp was busy, many units seemed to have moved out and the buzzing of dragonflys often filled the night. As the morning grows near the unit awakes to an almost empty camp , most of the troops seem gone and a silence settles upon them.
Once the unit arrives at the command tent, you see 4 other units inside before a great board, with maps of the region. A man comes in with Major of Intelligence rankings.
"Morning troops.As you can tell we have a major action on our hands. The Karrnathen troops are on the move, as to what they have planned , we do not know and we'll be hard pressed to push them back.
What this does do is give us an opportunity we have not had. As you can see by the map the enemy has over the past few years constructed a series of towers for in the region. Something big is planned that we know, and they play a big part. With the major action most of the troops have moved away from the towers leaving behind only a few company's to hold them.
Your mission is to take them, each unit will hit a tower, brake inside and take any information you can gather, then you will set the explosive you each will carry and destroy the place. You each have a 1 use communication crystal. Do not waste them. And do not fail. You move out in one hour.
Dismissed! "
As the night moves on and the unit slept, the camp was busy, many units seemed to have moved out and the buzzing of dragonflys often filled the night. As the morning grows near the unit awakes to an almost empty camp , most of the troops seem gone and a silence settles upon them.
Once the unit arrives at the command tent, you see 4 other units inside before a great board, with maps of the region. A man comes in with Major of Intelligence rankings.
"Morning troops.As you can tell we have a major action on our hands. The Karrnathen troops are on the move, as to what they have planned , we do not know and we'll be hard pressed to push them back.
What this does do is give us an opportunity we have not had. As you can see by the map the enemy has over the past few years constructed a series of towers for in the region. Something big is planned that we know, and they play a big part. With the major action most of the troops have moved away from the towers leaving behind only a few company's to hold them.
Your mission is to take them, each unit will hit a tower, brake inside and take any information you can gather, then you will set the explosive you each will carry and destroy the place. You each have a 1 use communication crystal. Do not waste them. And do not fail. You move out in one hour.
Dismissed! "
Garroth's expression remains set in stone, but his mind is racing a mile a minute. More towers. This time, I will not fail. Or else I will not come back.
Seeker
Jax nod's solemly to the rough looking soldier before making his way back into the tent "There will be plenty of fighting for us soon enough."
He find's his way back to his bunk and stretches out"If you get cold over there Joyelle there's plenty of room in my bunk for two" He says with a slight laugh, though he is completely serious
She'll take him up on that offer. Because out here life is too short to miss an opportunity.
Garroth
Joyelle seems unusually cheerful after we receive our orders, humming a strange, haunting tune to herself as she gets ready to move out.
More towers...great His thoughts echoed Garroth's, unbeknown to either soldier.
Jax knew it was the previous night, and not the orders that made Joyelle cheerful.
His left leg felt especially heavy as he walkled back to the tent.
Jaxon checked and rechecked his gear. Just as he had done nearly ten times before now. He had seen quite a bit of action in his five years of service. He had seen far too much. His gear was fully equipped. Of course it was. He could check it with his eyes closed at this point. He spent the hour as alone as he could, meditating, psionically focusing on the mission ahead.
Synatria looks a bit less nervous, but is still agitated. I'm gonna blow this... She thinks.
Jaxon cant help but notice Synatria's nervousness "So is this your first rodeo?"
Jaxon cant help but notice Synatria's nervousness "So is this your first rodeo?"
Synatria nods, petting her hawk nervously. "Yes. I signed on a little while back. I wanted to make those soldiers pay for what they did."
He stretches,periodically glancing at the kobold" I can tell...so what did those soldiers do Synatria?"
Garroth checks his gear over another time. He refused to be unprepared, especially this time. Yet, his ears perk up a bit, waiting to hear Synatria's story ...
He stretches,periodically glancing at the kobold" I can tell...so what did those soldiers do Synatria?"
She frowns. "They killed my cats. Every single one. The cats were just protecting me, and their territory, but they killed them all." A tear rolls from her cheek.
Soon you are boarding the dragon fly, the sleek dark craft lunges into the air. Once inside a couple of airmen move among the tight compartment, handing out small bags. Soon after The flight commander speaks
"What you have in the bags before you is something new, and nasty from house Cannaith. Each bag holds six gems, they will stick to and meld into any object. Once placed no less then five feet apart, no more then twenty and then pressed into the object they are armed when the last one is in place. Once the last one is armed you best bust your sweet ass, as everything in a hundred feet is dust, ya got me solders!
Each group will have 1 bag, make sure you do not lose it. Each man will carry a one use communication stone, do not lose it as that's how you shall report, or call in an evac if needed. Next each squad will be issued 2 10 round clips of special ammo , one that works vs constructs and one that works well for smoking the bonemen. Make sure the best shots get em.
Now ya lazy sacks ya got two hours before we close to drop get ready."
" I believe i'm the best shot with the crossbow...And my Mindhammer works just fine aganst those undead so i'll take the clip for the constructs...Who's the next best shot?" He asks, looking around at the others
"I don't really use the crossbow. I feel more comfortable with my shortbow, really. So which of the rest of you wants to take the clip for use against undead?"
"Synatria or Haedric should take it. I seldom use weapons. Unnatural ones, anyway." The feel of crushing bone and flesh with my bare hands is much more satisfying ... Garroth thinks to himself.
Its a little over an hour to drop, the dragon fly is silent. Some pray, others lay deep in though a few look at the drop maps or exchange stories with each other.
Suddenly the dragon fly lurches sideways, then back the other, explosions sound close as the dragon fly tosses like a ship in a storm. As the second tick past it grows worse ,the sent of burning wood fill the air. The flight master comes forth stumbling and bleeding. "OUT!" He gasps. Blood sprays from his mouth " OUT!...BY ..THE GODS OUT ..." With that he starts to slide to the floor" Going...down...must...get......out" He makes a weak pull at a rope and whit his last breath pulls the cord.
The inside of the dragonfly is filled with rushing wind and smoke as the jump doors blow off. In case of emergency dragon flys doors can be made to fall off, The last act of the flight master was to see that they did.
Some of the men in the hold aren't moving, dead or dying like the dragonfly. Training kicks in as mean try to stay in unit but make toward the doors.
You rush toward the door and are thrust into the sky, falling spiraling out of control. You see the stricken dragonfly spinning toward the ground below , missing one ring and bathed in fire. Around you other dragon flys are burning or running. A skyship of unknown make open fire on another. Unlike the dragonflys they seem loaded for bear. Dragon flys are not built for assaults up fast transports, Still you see a few of the unknowns spinning to the ground below as well.
You brake your token and drift toward the ground. Your off course, scatted and now they know you are here
Joyelle feels the exhiliration of falling and preparing for battle. Anything to remind her that she was still living, that she really did come out of the pile of the dead still breathing. She quickly looks around for the others as she lands.