(RPG) The tale begins...

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 10:31 pm

the moment everything goes silent, Sera waits for a few moments before getting up slowly and making her move over to the battlefield where the dead bodies lay,she surveys the surroundings to be sure there was no one about. seeing as there was no one, or at least she thinks there isnt, she slowly moves her head down to one of the dead troops, sniffing over it before opening her maw and picking it up with it, at that, she moves a paw and grabs hold of the legs of the body, and tears of some of the flesh off, all blood smearing all over her muzzle as it pulls away, strings of flesh hanging from the body and her teeth as she chews away on the precious meat she so hungered for...

Post by **Ameena** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:48 am

Listening, Ameena hears faint footsteps and the sound of metal objects clanking together, as though someone is moving about with armour or weapons. This is followed by a tramping of footsteps, disappearing into the distance. She waits a few more moments, and then hears the sound of something heavy dragging along the ground, followed by a grotesque crunching sound, as of something large devouring flesh. She deduces that there was a survivor from the battle with the Reaper, and that it gathered together something like armour or weapons before moving off, and now something has moved in to devour the corpses. Whatever it is, it, too, must be new to this forest or she would have at least sensed it before, surely...
Perhaps, then Almulsis is dead. Well, if he is, so be it. There was nothing she could do to alter the outcome of the fight, but she does wonder what words they might have exchanged otherwise. He can't be the survivor who moved away - whatever that was, it trod too heavily to be the beige-robed mage.
She wonders whether she should wait until the feasting creature has moved on before emerging, but considers that whatever it is, if it thought it stood a chance against the Dark Deathbringer, it would have surely emerged earlier rather than after the battle, as a scavenger, to devour the corpses of the slain. And besides, the site of the battle is still some distance from where Ameena is hiding - there will be enough trees and such-like in the way that the thing shouldn't see her, whatever it is.
She slips out through the narrow crevice and stands by the quietly-chattering stream. The air feels fresher now, cleaner, as though something vile has been recently purged from it. Turning her back on the direction of the crunching noises, she starts to move off through the forest, ascending a little way up a tree before continuing at that level.

Post by **Sophia** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 9:18 pm

(beowuuf is away but he left instructions for his character so I am posting this on his behalf)

Almulsis slips back into the forest as well, either not seeing Ameena and the new arrival, or not really caring about them-- his intent is to see where the Variayzho is going. This one is wounded, which is the only reason he can have any hope of surreptitiously tracking it at all, yet, even in its weakened state, it would still be a strong fighter and quite aware of its surroundings. As such, he must trail behind, careful not to do anything that would attract its attention... following it to some sort of encampment on the edge of the forest.

Meanwhile, deep within the forest, the corpses of men that were struck with the dust of the disintegrating Reaper have already begun to rot. They are not edible, at least not to a creature with any sort of discriminating taste-- this cuts down the available meat supply rather dramatically. Apparently the force of death is strong with these Dark Ones even when their own existence has been terminated in this realm.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 1:10 am

Sera's ears twitch the moment she starts to taste the rotting meat, and suddenly spits out whatever was left of it in her maw, at that, she suddenly flings the torn corpse into the distance, crashing it into trees before one directly infront of it stops it from going any further. Sera is starting to get pissy at the fact she didnt get to have enough to completely satisfy her hunger, but was glad to at least get a bit whilst she had the chance, but cannot stand having the slightly off taste in her maw, she looks about in search for water, but far enough to have not been affected by the decaying dust. she begins to move in the direction towards the quiet stream, already she can feel the area around her is nicer than where the decaying corpses were, as she is soon in reach of the stream, her head slowly moves down, and the tip of her nose submerges into the stream, taking a quiet drink...

Post by **Ameena** » Wed Feb 22, 2006 3:11 am

Ameena hears a distant crash, as of something being thrown through the forest. Then, however, it is quiet again. She pauses for a moment, listening for anything which may be nearby. But there are only the trees and the occasional timidly-emerging little forest creature here and there. The Dark One is definitely gone, as are those who fought the creature. She is free to continue with what she'd been doing these past few days.
Which was what, though? Wandering around, looking here and there, avoiding creatures who try to harm her, and those who might. And always, now, staying well away from places which the Deathbringers have visited.
But she considers. He might be alive. When she spoke with him, something about the encounter felt...right. It was as though interacting with another creature was something she should have been doing all along. Maybe he can tell her interesting things. Maybe he can do something to stop these terrible creatures rampaging the land. Maybe he was the one who killed this one!
Turning about, she slips swiftly and silently through the trees in the direction of the battle, looking for some sign of Almulsis.

Post by **Sophia** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 8:29 pm

The stream is clear and clean, the essence of death has not pervaded it. Yet, to those who are attuned to the ways of magic, as many creatures who dwell in the forest are, the sense of relief at the passing wave of darkness is short-lived. There is still something out there-- it is not so near, no, nor is it going to come here again, but there is the sense, however faint, that whatever had just transpired, it is not over.

***

At the camp, the Variayzho arrives, and speaks in a low, gruff voice to a few of the officers stationed there. He is, more than likely, reporting his losses, and explaning the situation. The situation, of course, being that he won the fight-- or at least he thinks that he did.

The bounty is probably also discussed.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:40 pm

once sera has had enough to drink, he head slowly goes back upright, but then she leans her head back more, her maws suddenly opens wide as she lets out an almighty roar which shrieked through the quiet forest, a few second after her roar, her head returns upright again, then slowly starts to scout around, she seems to be looking for an area of the forest to call home since she is always in constant travel in it, and believed it was time to actually settle down somewhere, though somewhere near the stream would be a nice location, but a cave would also be preferred, her scouting continues . watching the occasional forest creature scamper through the fallen leaves and branches.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Feb 28, 2006 8:44 pm

---

Almulsis regrets many things in life, but currently not being as great in tracking and swiftness as the creature Ameena is top of his list. For a moment he thinks about the strange creature, and wonders if she fled or is still hiding. His suspitions about what killed the reaper make him think perhaps a creature bound to the land is not an important ally. Still, she was intriguing and because of his nature and his dealings with others, he already finds he misses someone who seems guileless and genuine.

And also, someone who could track a Variayzho before it makes it to camp. He had hoped to interrogate the creature, even though that could have been foolhardy. At least in the camp there would be oficers and decorum. Then again, there would also be more of a chance of arrest.

Still, it is not as if he is without defenses again...

"Master, master warrior!" he screams, running out of the bushes where he knows a weak point of the camp guarding is. He feints a trip, and waves his hands in strange overjoyed delight at seeing the shapes of the Variayzho and officers in debate.

"Master warrior!" he screams again in a thick common accent, rushing without acknowledging the soliders in the way, waving good naturedly to the towering forboding creature. "mater, you saved me from the creature! A thousand thanks!"

Almulsis tries to make sure he does not fient tripping anymore, or accidentally do it for real. The possibility of impalement on a lowered spear is quite high he fears.

Post by **Ameena** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 2:42 am

As Ameena makes her way through the trees, she hears a roar from far behind her. Deducing it to be the large, scavenging creature, she pays it no mind as it is probably only declaring its patch in the forest or some such. Either way she can't hear anything which sounds like it might be crashing through the forest in her direction. She continues onward, not really sure why she's doing so and not knowing how she might find the robed one, if he is indeed still alive. Yet somehow, although she has no idea why, she feels that he is alive, somewhere.
Then she hears a distant shout.
"Master! Master warrior!"
She never heard Almulsis shout before, but she knows that that was his voice. She orients on the point the sound came from and soon arrives at what appears to be an organised gathering-spot for large cretures bearing a variety of weapons. She has seen similar beings before, and can't think of a time when one didn't try to kill her. Yet there, in the middle of the group, bawling strangely off-character (as far as she can tell from what she knows of him) words at a huge and blatantly aggressive individual, is Almulsis.
Ameena crouches in a tree a short distance away, remaining silent as she watches the matter unfold.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Wed Mar 01, 2006 11:14 pm

the moment sera heard the shout, her ears perked up, she then knew there was someone not to far away, her body slowly moves to the direction the voice came from, then begins to move forward, her eyes gazed ahead to find the source of that voice, her wings slowly go into a position to cover most of her side as she begins to increase her pace, her feet kicking up any fallen leaves and branches, but then slows down again, sensing she was near the one who shouted, she could feel their presence, but she could also feel more the closer she got. soon her eyes caught sight of almulsis dead ahead, she slows even more, only now walking slow toward him, then stopping...

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Mar 02, 2006 2:46 am

Ameena glances around. Something else is near. Some creature of this forest? Hmm, possibly...
She remains alert for any sign of movement elsewhere, but otherwise remains focused on the scene before and below her.

Post by **Sophia** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 2:03 am

At first, the 'master warrior' ignores the shouts, but as they continue, he turns, waving his hand, to try to get the bothersome fellow to go away. Yet, he freezes in mid-motion, sensing a magical attunement to this one. There is more to him, that much is certain. And there are others... out of sight, but not out of mind...

"Who are you?" he snaps, stepping forward.

Almusis might be surprised and perhaps even a bit amused by what comes next, as the Variayzho abruptly changes manner and now seems distinctly eager to get away from him, keeping his weapon at the ready, but starting to back towards the encampment, as the men hurriedly pack up what they can carry.

Of course, it might have less to do with him, and the very large dragon lumbering towards them beind him...

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:38 am

Almulsis turns out of his defered hunch at the prickilings of danger and sees the dragon. His first impression is that of bemused panic. Has the astral dragon incorporated, which would be impossible unless it was, say, possessed by the psionic energy of a reaper. However his brain managed to process the scene and he realises the movements and appearance are wrpng, and that this is a natural creature.

This does not comfort him that much - in the ether his ability to communicate and even affect control of the denezins is strong. His abilities in the normal world are less so. He starts sidestepping away form the larger body of men

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Fri Mar 03, 2006 9:10 pm

sera, only watching the group they start edging away upon seeing her, however she remains still, not reacting to the panicing of everyone, but just continuing to watch with slight amusement, her tail slowly curling sideways. however once almulsis starts to move from inbetween the troops and herself, her head slowly follows him, but also still keeping a quick watch on the troops as they pack up and make a run for it, however, how her movements go, she seems more interested in almulsis rather than the troops... she seems well prepared for something to be thrown at her should anyone decide to make an attack...

Post by **Ameena** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 3:36 pm

Ameena watches from the trees, eyes flicking around the armed ones, the larged scaled one, and Almulsis. She is close enough to see what is happening, but far enough away and high enough in the tree that no-one would look in her direction. She'll also have time enough to get away fast if something happens.

Post by **Sophia** » Sat Mar 04, 2006 7:24 pm

The troops do not so much make a run for it, they are far too highly trained for that, but rather, quickly get what they can in order and make a retreat away from their encampment. The Variayzho turns to face them for a moment, then back at the mysterious visitor.

"This place is dangerous to you. It is now dangerous to you because I am here. It will soon be dangerous to you because I will not be here."

He snorts, and signals with his hand to his men to fall into line, and the retreat into the forest continues, guards in the rear watching carefully the actions of those behind them...

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 10:39 am

Almulsis stands chagrined. If any of the camp actually know him from the gathering earlier then he needs to prove his prowess. Having said that, proving to be a liar infront of an antagonistic Variayzho may not be a good idea either. And not to mention the dragon behind him.

He turns to face the creature, but then cocks his head slightly, as if listen to a thought that has occured to him. Though none could see it, he smiles to himself.

He walks boldly over to the dragon regarding him (not too fast or sure, of course) and stops a respectful distance. "Hello," he says, waving his hand.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Sun Mar 05, 2006 7:32 pm

sera quickly lifts a paw infront of almulsis's hand as he lifts it to give her a wave, regardless whether or not he was being friendly, sera only feels she should remain cautious, she takes no chances with any new kind she meets up with. her eyes only briefly look past almulsis to the troops moving away, and keeps that look until they were completely out of sight, once they were, her gaze returns to almulsis, still looking cautious of him, but then decides to return a reply, her voice sounding somewhat a relaxed deepish tone "who are you...?" her paw still remains inbetween herself and almulsis's hand.

Post by **Ameena** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 2:20 am

Ameena watches as the ones with weapons move slowly away. Then she switches her gaze to cover Almulsis and the scaled one...she has seen one or two of such creatures in the past, and she recalls that they are called...dre-guhns...or something...

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Thu Mar 09, 2006 9:50 pm

Amulsis nods his head to the dragon, and talks in tones hopefully low enough not to be heard by the troops on the edge of the woods.

"My name is Darc'tala, Almulsis Darc'tala, and I am a mage, wanderer, seeker of knowledge and friend of the forests and creatures therein. I also am quite leathery and chewy when eaten."

He bows low, keeping his hands open but by his sides.

He cocks his head to one side and regards the dragon. "What is your name, if I may ask?" He then leans closer in. "And do you know aught of dark shadowy creatures known by humans as 'reapers'? "

Post by **Ameena** » Fri Mar 10, 2006 3:18 am

Ameena leans in a little closer too, her feline-ish ears angling to hear well what Almulsis has to say. He mentions "humans". Perhaps, then, [he is a human. After all, he has referred to the Dark Ones as "Reapers" himself.

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Mon Mar 13, 2006 10:47 pm

sera slowly plowers her paw back onto the ground, her eyes still looking over almulsis' form as he moves, sera slowly takes a short moment to sit herself down infront of him, she still felt the need to be cautious, but somehow can feel no hostility from almulsis, she would rather know more about him before even beginning to trust him. "my name is Sera... i was born and self raised in the forests... i am trying to find a place here to call home, i have only ever travelled back and forth, now i think its time i settled down..." she pauses for a short moment before answering the next question "reapers you say... i have mt all kinds of foes from physical to non physical beings, which arent a problem if only in small groups or less... but a reaper...? i am not aware of one... perhaps you would like to share some knowledge about them..."

Post by **Ameena** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 2:35 am

"They are death." speaks Ameena from the shadows of the foliage. She moves forward a little on the branch so that Almulsis and Sera can see a little of her form. "I have seen what they do. Only death."

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Tue Mar 14, 2006 8:46 am

Although none can see it, Almulsis smiles his hood. Outwardly he turns and nods to Ameena, then semi-turns back to this dragon Sera to make sure that it hasn't altered stance at the new visitor.

"Indeed, Death," says Almulsis, nodding to this sentiment, speaking in a low voice incase what he says next will carry. "And perhaps the harbinger of worse things in these lands, that will ensure none of us will have any home here if we do not act. I have seen one creature destroy the best of some of our men as if they were not there. That creature back there I tried to talk to," he says notioning subtly behind him, "may have defeated one, but I have strong bdoubts and think he is lucky to be alive." Turning to Ameena, "I don't suppose you saw the end of the attack, did you?"

Post by **Ameena** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 4:22 am

Ameena shrugs.
"I saw nothing of that battle." she says. "I only heard it. But I've seen them before. That is why I've come to this place. But as we've seen, so have they. I don't think any can evade them."

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:46 am

sera turns to look at ameena, her initial response being a small low growl, she didnt take the surprise very kindly, but her body turns to ameena, watching her for a short moment, then looks at almulsis, then back at ameena. "you say a battle... i take it that is why i saw fresh bodies on the ground nearby... until they started decomposing straight away and ever so quickly, i only ever got to eat a small amount... ended up throwing it about in the end..." sera gives a quiet sigh, as much as she got only a small portion of foodearlier, it still wasnt enough to appease her, but can only shrug it off for now, at least she was happy she got a good drink from the nearby stream. sera slowly stretches out her wings as far as they could go and then contracts them back to her.

Post by **Ameena** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:37 am

Ameena peers down at the large blue reptile.
"My name is Ameena." she says. "What is yours, dre-guhn?"

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 1:43 am

sera peers back over at ameena, her eyes narrowing at her to peer in closer, studying her form, she then returns a normal look. "my name is Sera..." she again stretches and contracts her wings slowly, then takes a quick glance at the surrounding area before looking back at the two new faces.

beowuuf · Post by **beowuuf** » Sun Mar 19, 2006 8:47 am

"Whatever those reapers are," says Almulsis, looking over his shoulder, "I believe the one that appeared and attacked the warriors of the great house had trailed them since the Variayzho entered one of the great libraries in farspace. And I believe that only its vulnerability in farspace led to its defeat, nothng any of the warriors did. I'd like to make sure of that, and make sure false rumours don't put paid to any bounties on offer. But really, there is no point in dwelling here. If repears are weak in farspace, then the fanatics of the Rising Sun may well prove better allies to have. "

Almulsis seesm eager to ask a question of Sera. "Do you know anything of farscace, the ether, and of the creatures we call 'astral dragons' that dwell there?"

Sera · Post by **Sera** » Tue Mar 28, 2006 1:51 am

Sera slowly turns to Almulsis, only looking at him in question "I have some understanding of the astral realms, but i am afraid i know nothing of those... why do you ask...?" she slowly looks up at ameena, then again back at almulsis.