Hunt the Great Hellwyrm

Status
Not open for further replies.
Asana Nodded to Lox, the man seemed to be a bit out of sorts for the merry band that seemed to have been forming. For some reason Lox seemed to comfort Asana's worries that a brawl was about to befall the humble gathering. "That I cannot say my friend this is far more destructive than even I anticipated" Casting a glance to the old man a curious look over came his elvish features almost like a cat that swallowed a penguin while he listened to his words. He would have replied, but the Wizards Abrupt departure made the elf smile brightly as if he was in a mead hall with his fellows " Well better off with out the rubbish of a second rate hack and a mindless minion, if I do say" His voice now seeming much more lyrical as his kind was famed to be.

Turning back to Baros and his companion he raises a brow " Well I do hope we can meet in a nicer place one day" He called to the captain before hearing a horse's madness of whinnies and neighs . " Seems like the wizard should have enchanted his horse to like him too, well such is the way of hindsight I suppose" Turning slowly to Rand he smiled and nodded to the man " I am afraid I didn't get your name that pompous ass seemed only interested in displaying his own honor, so please tell me who I have to thank for interrupting his spell and the need for me to spill his blood ? "

Almost the moment he finished speaking he heard Baros mention a dragon. Turning he raised his brows in shock " It must be a lie no Dragon could do this not with one fell blast, and without any survivors...Theres even liquid gold splattered on some of the buildings here, a Dragon would not leave that! " His wings beating the air in agitation, he knew full well dragons could be evil and powerful, but this was far beyond any of the dragons of this plane of existence's abilities or style.
 
Rand cast a last glance over at Rayazol and Hrak - just in time to see the mages horse whinny, and try to throw the arrogant mage. But Rayzol was no mere acolyte. The horse managed two rears, hooves flashing in the sooty air, before the mages own enchantments crashed home, and the hrose dropped back onto all fours. Rayazol cast a venemous glance back at the gathering as the horse shook it's mane and continued on. The mages glance lingered a moment longer on Rand, before he turned away, and spurred his mount to a gallop, Hrak following.

Well, looks like i'm on my own for now thought Rand, turning back to the others. He listened intently, especially at the mention of something 'breaking free', and dragons. Then the Elf addressed him. "Rand Caultrim, of House Blackrose, my Lord Tremon." He favoured the Elf with a mounted bow "And believe me when I say I had no wish for anyone to be spilling blood". That introduction was often enough. Some still remembered Blackrose from the days when it had been a sprawling power, before the departure of it's Matriarch, Akasha. And for those that didn't, well, it had a grand enough name, and Rand seldom looked anything less than the picture of a young gentleman.

He looked over to Baros "So, even you Planeswalkers don't know what happened here? If I may be so bold, I think we can rule out an attack by another kingdom or province." he gave a small nod to the Asana before continuing "Forgive me Lord Tremon, but i'm not convinced it wasn't a dragon"
 
Last edited:
Oh, well then..

"Oh dear me," Lox mumbled at the mention of a monstrous dragon as the culprit of this wanton destruction. "Dear, dear me. If what you speak of is indeed a dragon, it is of a brood never borne from this world!"

Regardie found himself quiet again for a moment, but in that silence he slipped a rectangle wrapped in silk from somewhere beneath his clothing. Holding it in his hand, his gaze found the Elf - the paladin whom he found the most likeness with. His free hand found rest atop that silken rectangle, and his eyes found those of the Elf's.

"You wish to find the Cause and Destroy it; perhaps I can help in some way. I'm afraid your battle prowess is much greater than mine, holy one, but my assistance may be valuable if you will have it." and Regardie smiled as best he could under the circumstances. He knew not Asana personally, but he was a good judge of character and the Paladin was probably the best at heart in this entire group.

With a small movement of his hand, Regardie drew the silken cloth from what turned out to be a large deck of cards. Immedietly it would be percieved that they held an odd magical aura of a nature unknown.

Lox allowed his glance to find another he could not read, the 'old' hooded being who squatted quietly on a ruin. There was something unquestionably odd about him, in this Company of Odd Fellows. He said nothing, but found the Elf's eyes again.
 
Last edited:
Watched as the horse whom he had briefly touched was quickly silenced and the old figure groaned audibly with displeasure at the sight. He had truly wanted to see the robes of the wizard, sullied with ash. Though, he quickly dismissed the thought, and all thought of the arrogant wizard for that matter. He certainly was capable of further tormenting the horse, or even the leather clad warrior who followed, after all, the mind was his playground. But for the moment, he had neither the energy or time to spare with such trivial matters.

He had no need to speak or intervene with what the others were discussing. He did take the time to categorize each of them as he saw them though; The Elf, The Magician, The Knight, and of course The Rogue. Beneath the hood, pale lips spread abroad in a smile, he found the group rather interesting to say the least. Finally, he shakily stood from the remains of what had served as his seat. He managed several steps until he slipped within one of the burnt out shells of a building, rummaging through the ash and debris that remained. After a few moments, he returned to where he had stood, a long plank of wood propped underneath his right arm. A hardly ideal walking stick, but all that he could find for the moment. His frame wearily slouched against the wall of the building he had previously been sitting against, what weight wasn't held up by the wall was supported by the board under his arm.

When Lox, whom he regarded not unkindly as 'The Magician', finished speaking the old figure was quick to respond, his voice slightly rasped, no doubt a condition of the ash floating around in the air. "I should think a threat like this one will require the assistance of many, regardless of battle prowess." He paused giving that some thought, before he added; "Given that the creature itself is not known to us, nor its location right now, I would suggest... Pooling the resources available. I do not think any of us are likely to succeed in single-handedly destroying such a creature, but it seems we have a common goal, at least. A loose alliance it maybe, but one that would serve all of us."

With the words, he shuffled slightly, pulling the cloak tighter around himself, the hood hanging further over his features. Despite his suggestions, the aged figure would still rather ward off any pleasantries or ties with any of those gathered. He was very much a solitary presence, his robes withered with age and not terribly appealing or nearly as grand as the others, much like the man himself appeared to be. Never the less, he knew what could be gained from their assistance and what was more, he knew what could be lost without it.
 
Baros nodded in agreement. Lox seemed intent upon making the palladin defacto leader in any attempt to find and destroy the threat, which he was already starting to think of as the dragon. If he knew what it really was he would wish it were simply a dragon. His role in the majority of his duties over the years had been to provide leadership and strategy to villagers and the like in defending themselves from threats. Those five years in the jungle fighting gnolls had taught him to thrive in that role, and he found himself wanting to take charge. The palladin for all his good intentions knew little of these lands. Seeking to use the name Tyr meant little in the Empire, where the god of Justice went by another name.

"There is a chapterhouse of my order to the west of here within a couple of hours ride. It is not large, for there is rarely a call for us to act this close to the Imperial Capital. Non the less there are resources there we may use to better understand this threat. If you will travel with me, I think this would be a good place to start our search."

Once he had finished speaking he lifted up a leather canteen that hung from his saddle horn and took a drink, before he unwound the canteen's strap from his saddle and offered it to the others, starting with the old man.
 
Asanas Silver eyes shimmered a little as he heard the rouges name " Rand Caultrim, of the house Black Rose, it is an honor to make your acquaintance" he said with a bow. It was the bow that made the sound of his armor noticeable. Rising again he stood slowly and looked off to the mage and his servant whom were nearly specs on the horizon.

Smirking a little he turned looking to the one called Lox, a diviner it seemed from the package he carried with him. Watching Lox carefully as he walked he listened as Lox spoke it was strange he seemed to have an almost ethereal presence. "Any assistance is welcome in this endeavor, I am out of my home lands, and besides it seems that Tyr has led me to you all. " Taking a small breath he knew well that they had not seen the last of the wizard and his minion and that worried Asanas heart. "Hmmm Very nice cards, my friends usually use runes them selves" He said quelling his worries as he felt the magic emanating from the cards they seemed to give off a warm feeling like shaking a kind priests hand. Slowly moving his hand from right to left he selected one of the cards and held out it face down to Lox.

While still holding the card his eyes widened considerably " A Planes Walker !?!? " It was a mild shock, he had heard of them, but had never encountered one that wasn't a tiefling, or at least filled with divine or demonic blood. He had been shoved into different planes but never figured out how to change planes by will. Licking his lips he calmed down and looked to Lox wondering what the card was.

Hearing a scuffling from near where the old man had sat he watched carefully as the man emerged with a board under his arm. He listened as the old man spoke of an alliance and mutual goals, he was right after all many hands make the load light, and in this kind of endeavor the load destroyed an entire town in an instant. " An alliance would be best I think, besides without the Emperors Guard, and the Wizard we may stand a chance....Well maybe we could trick the wizard into being eaten by what ever the monster is, but that's neither here nor there" He said with a light hearted chuckle.

It seemed that Baros needed to say something and then he did. Asana nodded slowly as he listened. " Agreed supplies seem to be something none of us have in abundance at the moment " He said giving a side long view of Rands mount. "Baros may our friend use your horse ? He seems to be having a bit of a problem walking, and that would slow our progress considerably if we cannot get him to and fro with haste." Pointing to the cloaked figure of the elderly man.
 
He listened intently as Baros explained that there was a nearby chapterhouse. The elderly figure fell quickly sent, contemplating the journey to the place, and more importantly what they might find on their arrival. It wasn't until Baros offered the canteen that he snapped back to the here and now of the event. His hood dipped with a soft nod of appreciation, before he raised the canteen to his lips, taking a brief sip and quickly offering it back to Baros. "Thank you, I fear the ash and smoke in the air is having an ill effect on my lungs." With a pause he added; "Moreso, I fear that a creature as destructive as this one, may have already been drawn to your chapterhouse. Though, I hope that is not the case, I feel we should probably make haste to the location you speak of."

Soon, his thoughts were once more occupied by the nature of the creature that had caused such destruction. It was his experience that these things rarely were isolated incidents, and a creature of such power looking to cause havoc, mayhem, and general destruction would surely be drawn to a stronghold of such an order. Once more, it seemed figure was stirred from his thoughts, this time by Asana speaking of mounts. He quickly interjected on the question posed to Rand; "That won't be necessary. I've my own mount, but I sent him away when I entered the town. I felt he would draw unwanted attention to myself, and perhaps foolishly, I left my walking stick with him." Once more he paused before adding rather simply; "Not to worry though, he will be along shortly." Within seconds of those words, a simple brown horse trotted slowly around one of the distant buildings that was torn asunder, and toward the group. Upon its back a simple saddle, complete with two hefty, bags and a long oak walking stick awkwardly strung abreast of the horse, which quickly approached the elderly figure.
 
To the Chapterhouse it is...

So this is what the councils of the wise sound like, thought Rand amusedly. I always wondered how things like this happened

Although Rand was no stranger to expeditions and 'adventures', he'd always enlisted himself, or in later years, been sought out and asked to lead or accompany a party. This time he seemed to have stumbled into it... And much to his astisfaction, no-one seemed to want to put him in charge. He had no problem with leading small groups if the need arose, but he knew his limitations. He also knew his dislikes, and if there was one thing he truly disliked, it was responsibility. 'Responsibilty takes all the fun from life, and dries a man to dust' he'd once heard, and it was true. Let someone else lead these spellswords, seers, and Elves.

Rand couldn't help but cast a glance at his mangy mount when Asana asked Baros to lend the old man his horse. Even the old mans horse, plain as it was, looked like a warhorse compared to Rands walking glue-pot. Well, maybe he could lay his hands on a decent mount at this Chapter house.

"Well then, if we are all agreed, then will you lead the way Lord Baros?" said Rand, turning to face the spellsword. No-one could've guessed that the thought of walking freely into a Burning Blade Chapter House filled him with a feeling rather close to panic... He hadn't been a very good boy in the past few years... truth be told, he'd never been a very good boy, and most guilds, and Orders had warrants for his arrest, capture, or in a few cases, death. He didn't remember any Burning Blades being the target of his craft, but then, he couldn't recall them all...
 
Baros nodded and then spoke again, "We need to take the south gate, then follow the road west for a couple of hours. The Chapterhouse is the first thing we shall encounter, unless there are surprises along the way."

He looked over his shoulder and pointed to the south exit of the square, which lead along winding streets to the southern gate. Then he frowned. There was a pillar of smoke now rising towards the sky. It had a greenish unnatural colour and it was coming from the direction of the temple district.
 
The aged figure listened as Baros directed them, and then slowly, almost painfully raised one shaky foot into the stirrup of his horse. With a heavy grunt, his hands gripping the saddlehorn and pulled himself up, throwing his other leg over the saddle. Once seated, he slumped down, clearly exhausted by the simple task of pulling himself on to the horse. It was not without effort that he managed to stay upright, now.

Finally, he pulled himself together, straightening enough that he wouldn't teeter and wobble with the horse's steps, though he remained hunched over. Turning to glance around at the party he commented; "Time is not our ally right now. I suggest we make use of what little we have of it." With the words, he brought his horse slowly 'round to face the southern gate. With a light tap to its hind, the horse began to trot slowly away from the party. He fully expected they would catch up with him shortly.
 
Rand almost winced in empathy as the old man clambered painfully onto his mount. The horse stood stolidly as he climbed up, clearly well trained, or at least accustomed to the aged fellows labourious mounting. Regardless of how unstable he looked perched atop the saddle, he wasted no more time with pointless discussions, and almost immediately headed off in the direction Baros had indicated.

Rand heeled his own worn mare after the old man, positioning himself beside and slightly behind him. If the old fellow was gonna fall, he'd be close enough to at least snag him before he hit the floor. He didn't dare ride any closer, even though doing so would enable him to steady him the moment he swayed, but as Rand knew all to well, sometimes a man didn't need everyone to know his suffering. In order to disguise his actions, Rand spoke as he drew close.

"So, we have an Elf mage, a Planeswalking spellsword, a Seer, and myself, the rather confused 'rogue'" he said with an affable smile "What part do you play in our little company? And how are you called?". Talking was one thing Rand did very well. He always tried to put people at their ease, and usually succeeded. In his line of work, putting people at their ease made his job a lot easier a lot of the time....

He barely even noticed the unhealthy-looking pillar of smoke rising from the distant horizon. It seemed all he'd seen for the last two days was smoke in some form or another.
 
Swords and Worries

(Sorry about the wait for my post, complicated weekend without internet.)

The card was drawn. Lox allowed his eyes to close as the Paladin would look upon fate and as so, a picture began to form within his mind. Vivid and dark, a black velvet curtain drew apart and he saw a man lying in his bed. His flesh was pale nad drenched in sweat, his blankets disheveled. A moment later, the man thrust from an uneasy sleep and screamed and screamed.

Then he began to sob, covering his face. Lox noticed that nine swords hung suspended above this man, almost aetheric in nature. Behind the figure sat a small open window, and outside of it burned a distant fire. Something shrieked and roared, and the figure looked towards the window in stark fear.

Then Lox felt a chill pass through him. The man was not laying on a bed at all, but a mausoleum slab.

Indeed, this was the image presented to Asana in the 9 of Swords. Worry, fear, anxiety, perhaps necessary. Things were grim, but all these fears were in the mind but aused by very real problems. Much was present to cause fear, but little information existed to tell of it.

Regardie eyed the others, and especially Baros and the old man. The South Gate? He would travel with them. He had no choice.

"I will accompany the group. When you're ready...I second leaving this carnage.", he said to the elf.
 
Asana Nodded slowly as he looked at Baros "indeed let us go " he said slowly. Turning to the diviner after lox took the card " That good huh ? " he said with a smirk seeing the reaction upon loxs face. Before hearing an answer he turned and watched the elderly man get atop his mount it seemed a bit more painful than it should have been. It was worrisome that this man was to accompany them, more of the fact that from his display Asana expected the man to die in the saddle on the journey to the chapter house.

Clearing his throat as the elderly man and Rand, started off towards the south gate." Well I suppose we go " he said softly before looking around towards the pillar of smoke his eyes narrowing. Stepping forward he looked to the Diviner " do you per chance have a Mount ? " he said worried the diviner would not be able to keep up with the party as they were for the most part all upon stead. He himself planned on using a levitation spell upon himself to keep up with the party, and could cast it upon the diviner if he was with out a mount.
 
Baros pulled on his horse's reins and turned it towards the direction he had indicated, then his tapped his heels to the horse's flank and sent it walking across the former town's main square. He paused again when he passed between two ruined buildings as he left the square. The building to his left had been a tavern, a vibrant place that was welcoming to all, and one he had frequented during those times he visited Freehaven. There'd been a girl there, the landlord's daughter whom he'd courted in his youth, but she had married a farmer and now lived several miles from the town. At least she survived he though to himself with a half hearted smile.

The plume of green smoke caught his eye again and he looked up to where the sky around it was darkening. It was not just the effect of the smoke, the sky was already grey from the ash, but instead it was as if something was draining the light from the sky above the temple district. That smoke was truly unnatural, and he had a bad feeling about it. The Knight Major from whom he'd received his orders did mention the possibility that dark forces would flock to the town in the wake of the cataclysm, but he'd not payed much thought to it at the time.

"My apologies, but I think there is some dark ritual taking place in the ruins of the temple district, and my oath to my order compels me to investigate. I hope I am mistaken, but in any event I do not think it will delay our journey over much." He turn to the others and spoke.
 
Comply

Lox drew a small staff from somewhere along his back at the mention of having a mount. "I have my own methods of travel when I must make haste," Regardie mentioned and took the staff in his right hand. The diviner pressed his fingers into the flexible wood and there arrived the impression that the pole grew a bit on both ends.

Meanwhile, the odd set of cards had been wrapped and vanished within Regardie's clothing, just like that. A small breeze unsettled the almost electric quality of Regardie's tied-back hair, in in the wake of that wind the Divinator spun the staff along his palm, released it and immediately caught it again, keeping the spin among his fingers. The wind increased as the staff moved, and with a particular gust Regardie bounced off his feet and hovered. A moment later the staff had stopped spinning and now also floated about a foot or so from Lox, who crossed his arms and smiled quite innocently.

"As you will."

He had also noticed the smoke in the distance, but he could not give the slightest estimate of what it might be, save for probably -not good-. Baros mentioned checking it out, and in that lied the possibility to save one more life, and more probable still, the loss of each of theirs.

Ah well, Lox gave a small smile and carried himself along the ground, a foot up. His postion allowed one of his boots to lower itself while he kept his other leg raised a bit, as if for balance. His arms lolled at his sides as if he was floating in water.
 
Despite his clearly weary, and beaten body, the old fellow was more than lucid and quickly realized the method behind Rand's catching up with him. Beneath the hood he smiled softly, appreciative of the gesture. His hands clutched the reins as if for dear life, beneath the overlapping cloth of his cloak, his knuckles were white with the tension. Eventually, he seemed to find a rhythm with the horse, his body relaxing in the saddle, and adjusting to the ride, though he was still visibly uncomfortable.

Hearing Rand's words he gave a moment's thought before he finally responded, in the most jovial tone he had used since arriving with the party; "Every group needs a disgruntled old man to keep the youth in check. I suppose that is my role." Once more, he allowed a lingering pause to part his words, though whether it was to gather the breath to continue, or simply delaying for thought was entirely unclear. "As far as what I am called... Names have long since lost their usefulness for one as old as I am. I have been called many things over the years, I suppose Aramil will do for now."

Looking over the distant plume of smoke and the darkening around it, he frowned softly, his head shaking beneath his hood once more. Finally, he spoke up, with surprising conviction; "If we must investigate this 'ritual', then I suggest we do not delay in getting there. I have a bad feeling about this..." Even more surprising than the strength in his voice, was when his heel dugs into his horse's flank, spurring him forward at a quick gallop. The old frame of the man, though unsettled by the pace visibly, managed to stay upright on his mount, as he made for the plume of smoke. If he had learned anything in all his years, it was that when you followed smoke to the inevitable flame, it was best not to wait, lest the flame grow too large.
 
Last edited:
As the hunched old man answered Rands polite enquiries, he found himself genuinely grinning - something he couldn't remember doing since before he'd gotten dragged into this little escapade. He had to admit, he felt a little better knowing that at least someone in this little gathering had a sense of hunmour - other than himself. Rand had no wish to go traipsing off across the realm chasing some monstrous Dragon with a bunch of sour-faced mystics.

"A pleasure Aramil" was the only response Rand had a chance to make before Baros spoke up, mentioning the temple district. Rand idly wondered if every bloody gathering of houses had a district like that. Probably. He was caought by surprise as Aramil spurred his horse forward, and was left staring dumbly after the cloaked fellow for a few moments, before he pounded the scrwany ribs of his own horse, urging the beast to a gallop, trying - probably in vain considering the wretched state of Rands mount - to catch up with the old man.

Despite concentrating on catching up to Aramil, he'd have been hard pressed to not notice the darkening of the sky around the green-tinged cloud "Oh Blood and Ashes!" he muttered to himself. Blood and bloody Ashes!
 
Asana Nodded as everyone seemed to have so way to travel quicker than by foot. " Well lets get going then I don't feel like rescuing a corpse from some insane cultists" He said calmly as he Started to mutter a spell his hands forming a odd union before his chest. With in a few seconds he two was levitating, but he stood while levitating instead of sitting. Swinging his bag off his back his left hand dug through its contents hurridly before pulling out a helm. Sealing the back and replacing it on his back he placed the red and black helm over his head.

As soon as he had his helm on Asana began to make a floating dash towards the plume of smoke. His hands upon his Rapiers incase he should find need for them. He could hear Rand and Aramil's conversation, but choose not to interupt.
 
Baros lead them along the road between the half-melted shells of the ruined houses as they moved swiftly towards the temples. The plume of smoke was growing thicker and the sky was darkening. They turned off from the road they were following, and picked their way through the winding streets of what was once the home to a bustling market. Stalls and stands used to line the streets outside of small crowded shops. Broken pottery, coated in ash was scattered about the floor, having stood up to the heat slightly better than the stones and bricks.

By the time they reached the temple district, the sky above was black, and the smoke was barely distinguishable from the general gloom. There was a glow of torches coming from within a cracked shell of a dome that hadn't quite fallen in. There was also a strange chanting coming from within. Baros couldn't quite make it out, but he dropped down out of the saddle and drew his sword, before motioning to the others that they should be quiet.
 
When they finally came to what was the temple district the elderly figure was not exactly pleased to see the flicker of torches and the battered remains of the dome. Despite Barros calling for quiet, he audibly groaned, quite displeased with the idea of already having to dirty their hands. One leg raised, as if to dismount before he stopped and lowered it once more into the stirrup. He figured with all the effort it took to get on the damn beast, he wasn't about to get off of it. Turning, he gave a nudge to Rand his hood jerking slightly toward the dome. "Don't suppose they're going to be pleased to see us. Since I lack the... pointed toys you all seem to have, I'll wait here."

With the words, he found himself coughing, though tried to stifle the acitivty enough that those beyond the cracked dome walls would not hear. Luckily, the horse beneath him was well trained, not seeming to mind the heaving old man on its back. Finally, regaining his composure he said aloud to the party; "Perhaps we should just leave them be. I'm sure that building will cave in on them eventually, anyway."
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top Bottom