Usque Story
Established
Roleplay posts: 32
Registered: Oct 5, 2016 14:40:44 GMT -8
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Post by Usque Story on Feb 5, 2020 14:19:43 GMT -8
The underbelly of the great Usque, once inhabited by darves before the great cataclysm. The underbelly is host to various sights and fights, having become even more dangerous in the years since the last group of travelers had gone through. Setting the Mood, play for cave sounds:
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 5, 2020 15:20:50 GMT -8
Varia had not ended up getting the armor she wanted, but rather, something much lighter because it was the smart thing to do. It was made with mithril, of course, but it wasn’t plate armor. She left her animals in the care of someone, and she met whoever was going to enter the caverns with her after making sure she and everyone else was prepared for such a thing.
They had made camp at the mouth of the cave, for they hadn’t gotten there until late and rest was needed if they were to be alert enough for what was going to be something very dangerous indeed. It would be dawn by the time they packed up and were picking their way over the debris in the mouth of the cave. Varia had a torch in hand to light the way.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 7, 2020 19:19:34 GMT -8
Varia had settled on something sensible, much to Düen's relief. He'd been mildly afraid the stubborn woman would try and get a proper set of dwarven plate rather than settling for something she could actually march in. The armourer proved to be a more deft tongue than Düen had and she'd gotten herself a sensible breastplate vambraces and greaves.
Now they were in a campsite in the mouth to the underbelly. He had his back resting against his warbear, his ax in his lap as he slowly sharpens it. Tomorrow he'd take the fools down into the dark and hopefully bring them all back out alive. He'd have to wait and see how things went.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 13, 2020 16:29:15 GMT -8
It seemed that the only two there were Düen and her. Where had the rest of the party gone? Oh well. Varia sat on the ground pouring over the maps and wondering just how much it had changed since they were created. With a sigh, she said, "I am betting these maps aren't useful anymore." It was said more to herself than anything, for she felt discouraged. She looked over to the dwarf and said, "I have to remind myself that her death was for a noble cause and that even though it seems a fool's errand to look for an amulet in the catacombs, it is how it is. If I do not face trials and tribulations, then what am I but a simple girl who can talk to animals?" Speaking of, would it be smart to take her animals? There were many things to consider.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 14, 2020 17:31:09 GMT -8
Honestly, he wasn't sorry to see the party shrink. If they got caught they might miss the manpower but it was equally likely that it would just be more people added to the slaughter. Fewer people meant a lower chance of getting caught. Varia starts talking but he is barely listening to her. It sounded like a lot of woe was her nonsense and he didn't have any sympathy for. "You are exactly whatever ye decide ye are. Ye do the best ya can with the hand yer dealt. As do we all. Belly aching about what someone else did or what ya are don't change that. Only actions do." He informs her as he eyes the edge of his ax. It was sharp, but not so sharp that it would chip easily. Butcher sharp is what the called it, because it was as sharp as a butcher wanted his knife.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 14, 2020 20:13:48 GMT -8
"Bellyaching? What are you on about? I wasn't bellyaching about it. While I am discouraged about the change in the catacombs and not sure where we're going, I wasn't complaining." She tilted her head, "I have big shoes to fill, aye, but I never said I was scared, nor was I complaining. Goodness, oh bearded one, but you've certainly got a strange way of hearing things." She was clearly picking on him with that one. Dwarves were most assuredly strange and grumpy creatures, she thought to herself. "I mostly wonder what our strategy should be, that is my concern at the moment. Obviously, I want us to make it out alive."
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 16, 2020 8:06:21 GMT -8
Düen snorts at her retort. Any fool with rocks in their ears could have heard her discouraged tone and calling her task a fool's errand said much of what she thought of what they were doing. She'd been bellyaching make no mistake but if calling her out on it got her to stop he'd not complain. "Our strategy is to travel silently and carefully to our destination. Our best bet to survive is to avoid making too much nose, plain and simple."
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 16, 2020 18:42:22 GMT -8
(Just to clarify: when she was talking about a fool's errand, it was in the context that other people made it seem like it was a fool's errand, not that she personally saw it as one.) She wasn't bellyaching; she was giving herself a pep talk of sorts. That was what one like her did when nervous. Maybe the dwarf didn't understand that, but dwarves weren't known to have empathetic/sympathetic personalities, they were gruff and stony. "That is near impossible in a cave where everything echoes," she pointed out when he said they would have to move as quietly as possible. "But I suppose you're right."
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 22, 2020 16:36:58 GMT -8
"Nearly impossible isn't impossible." He says with a grunt as he eyes the blade of his axe. Snorting in satisfaction he puts it away. "Wrap some leather around yer boots, it will soften yer footfalls enough that it won't echo far."
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 23, 2020 10:39:35 GMT -8
She nodded and decided to do it that night so she wouldn't forget in the morning. It was a good thing she had some handy. Varia wrapped the leather around her boots and then said, "We should sleep for a time. Morning is going to be here before we know it." She communicated to her animals at that point that they were to stay outside of the cave while she and the dwarf went hunting for this relic. "The animals will alert us if there is trouble." She was also a light sleeper, but one would have to be if they were out and about as much as she.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 26, 2020 14:32:52 GMT -8
The dwarf grunts. "Sleep iffin ya want, this is as safe as we will be for the next few days." The dwarf then pulls out a flask of something and takes a long draft of it. Wiping his lips he settles in for his vigil. The potion, combined with his dwarven toughness, could let him stave off the need for sleep for several days.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 26, 2020 15:25:02 GMT -8
She was curious as to what he drank but she didn't ask, she merely gave a shrug and hunkered down for the night. Then the girl fell into a quick sleep... She was awake before dawn, refreshed and ready for the day to come. Varia quickly broke down camp with or without help, seeming to know what she was doing. She ate a light repast, not wanting to bog herself down with a heavy meal.
The animals situated themselves as they would, knowing they would not be going into the cave with Varia, as it was too dangerous for them. Her owl hunkered down in a tree and the bobcat was nowhere to be seen.
By the time the sun was up, she glanced his way and said, "Ready?"
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Feb 29, 2020 9:54:38 GMT -8
"Aye."
Düen pushes to his feet and hefts his axe, his bear getting up at the same time. They take enough time to eat a meal before he leads the way deeper into the tunnels.
It would soon become apparent to Varia just why he'd called her foolish for wanting to come down. No human could navigate these tunnels. Maps were useless and under the ground with no light, it was almost impossible to get a heading. Almost, but not if you were a dwarf. Like all his kind Düen had rock sense and he could actually navigate better underground than above it. He knew where she wanted to go and he would lead her in that direction as best he could given the ever-shifting nature of the underbelly.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Feb 29, 2020 11:47:53 GMT -8
Damn, but it was dark within the caverns. She wished she had allowed her bobcat to come in but she didn't want them to die down there. Varia did her best to follow Düen, footsteps muffled by the leather she'd wrapped around her boots. Indeed, it was a good thing she had left the maps behind. A torch would have been useful at that point, she thought, or maybe not if it was too dangerous to burn one. She kept her hands out to make sure she didn't run into anything, at least until her eyes adjusted to the darkness and she could make out the faint outlines of things.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Mar 11, 2020 17:50:31 GMT -8
Had she suggested a torch he would have snorted in laughter. The hearty dwarf could see as well in the dark as she could in the day and it was better that way. While many of the beast of the underbelly were just blind those that could see would come to a flame, drawn in like moths. But unlike moths they wouldn't burn, they would attack relentlessly until the two of them were nothing but bone and shit on the floor.
They make good time and after several long hours, that felt even longer without any way to track the passage of time, he comes to a stop. "How are you holding up lass?" He asks in a low whisper, making sure his voice did not travel far.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Mar 11, 2020 18:11:58 GMT -8
"I am well," she whispered back as softly as she could while still being heard. She tried to hide the surprise for his concern in her voice, of course... and decided that she would not complain about the lack of conversation for obvious reasons. All in all, she was okay anyway. She was blissfully unaware of the possibility that they would be smeared shit on the walls of the cave if she had a torch...
However, there was a sudden rumble and the sound of rocks careening against the floor. It stopped just as suddenly as it started.
"What was that?" she whispered with a little, healthy apprehension in her voice.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Mar 11, 2020 18:41:37 GMT -8
The concern was not some act of altruism on his part. She was his client so seeing her safe was his job and if she needed rest it was better to find out now than to have her complain later. When she says she is well he is about to start moving again when the rumbling starts. "Worm." He swears just as softly as he had spoken. "Come, if we move swiftly enough we might get out of its path. If we fail... well, be ready to fight for as little good it might do." If the worm was just a young'un they might survive, but if it was an adult they'd be swallowed before they could do anything.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Mar 11, 2020 18:56:47 GMT -8
She would have nodded, but there was no point. A worm was a worm and she needed no other reason than that to move faster. She did not pull her bow yet, not that it would have done her any good, she couldn't see to aim and probably would have made things worse. She followed the dwarf as best as she could, and soon enough, the noise was behind them instead of ahead of them. She supposed that was a good thing. But all was not perfect, for the girl tripped in the darkness and bit back an oath as pain radiated through her big toe and she could feel blood seeping from scrapes on her palms from breaking her fall against a wall. She stood stock-still for a long moment, her belly clenched with fear that she was heard. When nothing happened, she gave a quiet sigh of relief and limped after her guide again.
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Düen Mossbeard
Established
Roleplay posts: 35
Registered: Sept 2, 2019 8:06:23 GMT -8
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Post by Düen Mossbeard on Mar 11, 2020 19:04:37 GMT -8
When the girl fell she was not left alone for long enough to get up on her own. A powerful hand hauled her to her feet and she was urged along before she could even properly recover. Even as they move he is wrapping her hands in a bandage and covering those in some foul-smelling ungent. "Need ta mask the smell of blood." He explained. Scent and smell were the primary ways the predators stalked in the belly and she could get them killed just with that minor amount of blood. They needed to be far away from where it had been spilled and quickly.
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Varia
Committed
Roleplay posts: 61
Age: 23
Physical Description: Race: Mostly Human
Class: Beast Master
Age: 23
Female
Brown Hair
Brown Eyes
Fair-Olive Skin
Average of Height and slightly athletic in build
Clothes and Equipment: Bracelets of black leather, one bejeweled and bangled.
Head dress of feathers and braided leather.
Leather Armor (not depicted) in the form of: Corset, bracers, Hyde helmet, Hyde Boots
At Her Belt:
Short Sword (Left side of belt)
Pouch of Gold (Right)
Map and Compass
Pouch of Medicinals (Right)
5 ft Cord (back)
Flint and Steel (Left)
At Her Back:
Basic Bow
Quiver full of Arrows
1 large sack containing:
A change of normal clothing and underthings
2 Changes warm clothing
Winter Cloak or Summer
Dishes both for cooking and for eating
Protective cloth covered crystals of various colors
50 ft of rope, coiled (Hanging from Right)
Grappling Hook, 2 Torches (Hooked to left side of pack)
Sack of Food, Water Skin, Wine Skin(Right Side)
Bed Roll (On top)
Registered: Jul 25, 2019 14:44:47 GMT -8
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Post by Varia on Mar 11, 2020 19:27:56 GMT -8
It was a good thing he was there, then, she thought as they moved quickly along. Soon enough, the limp went away and so did the pain. But gosh, the smell of whatever he put on her palms was rank! Good thing it would mask the coppery scent of vitae, then. She whispered, "Thanks." The sting ebbed from her palms at that point and she swallowed back a sigh before it could come out. The darkness eventually gave way to an odd glow of effervescent mushrooms that dotted the walls and floors of the next catacombs. It was a good indication that this part of the underbelly had been left untouched by the worms.
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