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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 0:45:34 GMT
"Shall we go in?"
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 0:49:43 GMT
"Aye, we should." Vala slowly pushed open the door and stepped in. The bittersweet scent of herbs was the first thing that greeted her. The dried leaves hung from strands attached to the ceiling, almost giving the place a deep-forest feel. Pushing past what looked like sage, Vala peered into the gloom. "Hello?"
((Anyone want to be the healer for a spell, or should I just take over?))
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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 0:57:49 GMT
Aristos sneezed and looked around.
(I can do it or someone else can. Anything works.)
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 0:59:24 GMT
((I don't really mind whatever happens, but I've gotta poof for a bit...))
"You alright?" She asked Tristam in a quiet tone.
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 1:05:24 GMT
Two hours earlier: Years of sedimentary leaves and woodland debris fell away in clouds as the ancient, enchanted iron-banded stone slab lifted at a hand's gesture. Black boots left firm prints in the dust, which swirled in the wake of a flowing blue cloak. With another gesture of his hand, Tryctarn undid the latches of the massive grate, behind which emitted abyssal rumbling growls. "Go forth and hunt. Feed the ground of this dark forest."
Present: With shuffling steps, the two hulking monsters approached the travelers at speed, ever groping with their oversized claws.
-----
Ze'yer had dropped to a crouching prowl as his keen ears picked up the sounds of movement. He scented them, and soon spotted them: a band of near a dozen men. Ruffians, mostly...but a few among them that dressed and carried themselves in a much more--dignified sinister way.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 27, 2015 1:29:45 GMT
((I'm guessing that's one creature behind and before, yes?))
Kenneth took another swing, this one meant to cause damage. "Back off, monster."
Linnea backed away from the other monster, holding her walking staff in awkward imitation of her brother. "Kenneth? There's another one . . ."
Kenneth huffed. "I told you to run!"
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 1:30:25 GMT
At first, Syl had planned to climb up into a tree and leap onto one of the creatures, but then she saw their prey. So, instead, she leapt in front of the group, facing the closest creature. "Hold your ground!" She ordered the people behind her, nocking her arrow and aiming. With a TWANG the arrow shot forward.
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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 1:31:56 GMT
Aristos rubbed his nose. "I'm fine."
A man with graying hair stepped towards them. "May I help you?"
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 1:33:56 GMT
Vala turned back, clasping her hands in front of her and bowing slightly. "Master Healer, we are in need of your services." She said. "A cottage caught fire naught three miles from here, and my companions and I have brought the survivors to the inn. One is but a babe, and she and her mother have both gone through a terrible time. Can you help us?"
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 1:39:41 GMT
Behind the group, brambles as thick as a man's legs snaked out of the woods, interlaced across the path, and then crept towards their backs.
The beast on the right gave a rattling, gurgling snarl and lashed out with one massive arm, the three-foot bony claws tearing the air. In all, the reach of the monsters was frighteningly long.
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 1:42:01 GMT
Syl quickly shouldered her bow, drawing her knives and holding them in a guard position. Then, with lightning speed, she dashed forward, ducking under the monster's swipe and lashing out at its extended arm.
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 27, 2015 1:50:37 GMT
"Ken neth!" Linnea's voice had become a shrill almost-shriek. "I heard you the first time." Deciding that this newcomer could likely manage the right-hand beast on her own, Kenneth turned to face the left-hand beast with several swift swings of his staff, not expecting to do much damage but hoping to get at least a clue as to a weak spot. ((I have to go for the night. Sorry. I'll see y'all tomorrow.))
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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 1:53:59 GMT
"My my. Are they the only ones who were in the fire?" The man moved to his jars of herbs, selecting some and passing over others.
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 1:55:30 GMT
((Goodnight, Leilani!))
Vala nodded. "Aye- well, they were the only ones to survive..." She swallowed, not wanting to dwell on the subject.
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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 2:06:53 GMT
He tsked sadly, placing everything in a bag. "Poor dears."
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Post by Jaran Dranthuil on Mar 27, 2015 2:16:11 GMT
Andaar looked up from his work, spotting Liam in the doorway. "Ah, there ye are. You can find some rooms upstairs and to the left," he said, pointing to the stairs in the back of the room. "Can I interest you in something to eat or drink?"
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 3:30:11 GMT
(The monsters are actually side by side) The beast confronted by Syl roared and responded by wrapping its huge arms inwards in an attempt to crush her into its spine-studded ribcage. The other beast, in turn, advanced on the others with flailing arms and claws. Behind them, the thorns snaked closer.
-----
Kealade stood silently, her pale green eyes wide, behind Kenneth.
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 4:21:49 GMT
Syl dropped into a somersault, rolling between the monster's legs and coming up behind it. In the split second before it spun around, she glimpsed back at the group- they looked like children. And she saw the thorns. Growling a quiet curse, she quickly thrust her blades forward, stabbing the monster in both knees. Then, sheathing one, she ran around it and attacked the second. "Get the others out of here!" She cried to the young man with a staff who had been making a valiant effort to keep the second monster away. "Into the trees, away from the road! Now!"
-------------- Vala tried to keep her expression neutral, but she found it very hard. "We want to report this to the town authorities," she said slowly. "But I am new to this place. Could you point me in the right direction, Master Healer?"
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 4:43:54 GMT
The first monster roared again and spun in a half-circle, backlashing with one arm. The other monster was substantially ahead, so as Syl went after that one the first beast lunged forward surprisingly quickly for its size and swung again, three-foot claws open wide.
(I imagine them behaving rather like Mkgalekgolo/Hunters)
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 4:53:51 GMT
((Gosh, I hated those guys with a vengeance))
"Aah!!" Syl yelped as claws tore into her back, drawing blood. She stumbled, fighting against the pain in her back. As she tried to recover, she locked eyes with one of the smaller girls. Her dark eyes met scared green ones, and Syl felt strength return to her limbs. She was going to get them out of there. "Run!" She cried again, spinning to confront the monster who had wounded her.
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 5:07:02 GMT
Both monsters now turned their attention to Syl for the moment.
-----
"Wait..." Kealade grabbed hold of Kenneth's arm and looked pleadingly up at him. "The forest...it wants to take us too. We have to go back...back the way we came. Away from here. Follow me!" Despair tainted and choked her voice as she fumbled for something around her neck, underneath her cloak.
(I need to go now :/ )
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 27, 2015 12:32:41 GMT
((@wookiee: JSYK, Kenneth is in his early 20's. So, probably more man than boy.))
I've been trying to tell them that since the monsters attacked. Kenneth kept his annoyance inward, however, and scooped up Mart. He nodded at Kealade. "Lead the way."
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 12:38:22 GMT
Kealade nearly stumbled as she ran back towards the weed. She produced an amulet of some sort on a thin chain around her neck, and in the depths of the dusk it flickered with light. The thorns seemed to shrink away before you, but only slowly...ever so slowly...
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Post by jliessa44 on Mar 27, 2015 12:40:56 GMT
The man pointed. "It's just down the road. I'll meet you at the inn."
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Post by Leilani Sunblade on Mar 27, 2015 12:55:02 GMT
Kenneth followed, with Linnea close behind. He eyed the slowly retreating thorns. "Is there any way I can help with that?"
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Post by Lylyss on Mar 27, 2015 13:32:18 GMT
Mart yelped indignantly at being scooped up by Kenneth, but upon seeing the two monsters she clung to him as tight as a burr. "Ellie…" "Stay with Kenneth, Martha." Elevie shouted up from the back of the group. "Stay with Kenneth, and everything will be just fine." "Ellie…" For the first time, Elevie allowed herself to scowl. She sprinted behind the others as a rear guard and drew her knife, although it would take much more than that to wound such a monster. At the very least, I can distract them for awhile.
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 13:39:14 GMT
Kealade held up the fairly flowing annulet. "I don't know."
Meanwhile, the two monsters were only temporarily distracted by Style and began to lumber towards the others again.
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 14:04:35 GMT
((@leilani: Oops. Edited accordingly))
Vala gave him a small bow. "Thank you ever so much, sir." Then she turned to Tristam, dropping her voice to a whisper. "Are you going to buy anything, like you said?" ----------------- Syl picked herself up from the ground, blinking away dirt as she picked up her fallen knives. The brutes were strong—almost too strong. Stumbling slightly, she dashed ahead of the monsters and skidded to a halt alongside the group. For a moment, she was taken aback by the receding thorns, but quickly dismissed it as the monsters drew closer.
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Post by NightBlade on Mar 27, 2015 15:13:30 GMT
The left-most monster lunged and swiped at Syl, while the other one ambled over to her other side.
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Post by WookieeElf on Mar 27, 2015 15:18:12 GMT
Syl countered with a parry to her left side, keeping her right blade pointed at the other monster. Her wounded back burned, but she tried to ignore the pain as she readied herself for the next blow.
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