|
|
Post by Land Tillers' State on Apr 27, 2016 13:13:32 GMT -8
 In the shallower parts of the river where complex Badger Clan farms are not viable, the natives instead rely on a very, very, very annoying plant. The Kudzu vine is a ridiculously prolific vine which started off as an unfortunately experiment many centuries ago. The plany nearly wiped out some of the local ecosystems and was becoming unmanageable... until someone figured out how delicious it was. The farmers who manage these plants are constantly racing against time. They desperately harvest the leaves, vine tips, flowers, and fruits and have fire mages incinerate the vines. The plant is a mixed blessing. Its edible parts are actually considered quite tasty and nutritious, making it an important crop. And it grows so quickly and relentlessly that as a food source it is almost impossible to exhaust. However, if it ever got out of control, even magic wards wouldn't be able to stop it from overtaking the entire river. The farmers here tend to drink lots of caffeine and tea throughout the day. They are a nervous bunch. Oddly enough, the Creeplands hold a secret. At night, strange spirits and fairies will come out of the water and play around the vines. They prefer their presence not be known, and so enchant themselves to be invisible to humans. They often feed on the vines, which in actuality does the farmers a favor by helping to control their growth. They are amicable and do not attack humans even when they are spotted. |
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151 
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on Apr 29, 2016 11:36:10 GMT -8
As Sidarin came to the out skirts of the farms he dismounted. Gathering his bow and quiver and bow he settles on the ground. Patting his horse on the rump the courser takes off to find some grass to graze. First thing first was finding a farmer who could give them a bot more information. With that in mind he heads towards the farm house. As he goes he offers Kat two of the silver arrows he snagged.
"Here these might be handy."
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 11:50:00 GMT -8
Catriona remained at his side, mostly in silence, when they arrived. She hadn't ventured out to this stretch of farms... then again, it didn't seem they were growing anything of a normal crop. She slipped from Artair's back and came around to give the animal a loving pat across his long nose before following after Sidarin on foot, leaving the animal to graze as he pleased away from the clutter of life.
The arrows were offered to her and she accepted them, eying the silver make arrowheads curiously. "... might I ask what the silver is for?" she inquires, bringing the arrows around to tuck them in her quiver at her leg - watching him intently as she waited for the answer.
|
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on Apr 29, 2016 12:24:08 GMT -8
"Silver is good against a wide variety of magical creatures. Odds are whatever we are hunting is just a particularly surly bear. Still it might be something worse. I saw these and the armory and figured it's better to have 'em and not need 'em than need em' and not have 'em."
Sid's reply is said with a bit of forced levity. He was actually worried about what the creature could be, but didn't want to let on. They come to farm house where the twitchy head of Kadzu farmers could likely be found. Of course twitchy was a common thing in this neck of the woods, so he'd still have to ask which twitchy person was in charge. Opening the door he let's Cat go in first. There he went again acting like a proper gentlemen.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 12:35:14 GMT -8
Magical creatures. That word alone made her feel extremely small. With the bit of encounters she had already dealt with, it was becoming more and more apparent she was just an ant running around with the bigger, more powerful and more unique beings of this world.
She kept the silver arrows in mind, just in case.
They approached a building, presumably one of the homes of the "twitchy" farmers of the region, and Sid held the door open for her. She was a bit taken aback, but offered him a thankful nod before entering inside. She just hoped things didn't get out of hand, and no one came at them to encounter her first, lest she pay back the man for using her as bait. She smirked at the thought.
|
|
Raynor of the Celadine
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 45
Physical Description: 5'8"
Clothes and Equipment: Adorned in the shamanic furs of the head of the Celadine Clan, Raynor also wears light, magically enhanced metal armor plates on his body. His primary weapon is a one-handed war hammer, his secondary a small buckler shield.
Registered: Apr 27, 2015 19:10:23 GMT -8
|
Post by Raynor of the Celadine on Apr 29, 2016 17:43:53 GMT -8
As soon as they entered the door, they would find a middle aged couple, on a bed, crying. They were being comforted by a powerful but genial looking old man dressed in heavy furs.
"We must not jump to conclusions. The creatures have never attacked us before... Ah..." The man turned towards the two hunters at the doorway. "Can we help you?" The man's face was heavily bearded with grey and to his side was a silvery looking warhammer with a faint glow. "Wait... Cat... Sidarin? It's been a while. It's good to see you both, but now is not a good time, unless you are here for..." He looked back at the bleating couple with an insecure face.
|
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on Apr 29, 2016 19:36:25 GMT -8
"Raynor."
Sid nods the the old man as he enters the room. It doesn't take him long to piece together what is going on. They think it's the strange creature people occasionally see the vines. He's not sure he agrees with the old man though. Sometimes creatures fmgo crazy who knows why?
"Jane gave me a heads up on the bounty. Going to look into it, what can you tell me about what happened. Where and when are the attacks occurring?"
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2016 19:50:35 GMT -8
Upon seeing the head of Celadine within the farmhouse, her head immediately comes down as she bends into a proper bow. Sidarin might be comfortable around the man, but even when growing up Catriona knew well to treat the man with a proper respect. He deserved it, and not just by his strength alone. Plus, the spirits knew how many times she had been in trouble with him with her antics growing up - staying in his good graces never hurt.
She remained quiet even after rising to stand right, letting Sid speak in turn towards the man - and listening did better in gathering information than opening her mouth would.
|
|
Raynor of the Celadine
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 45
Physical Description: 5'8"
Clothes and Equipment: Adorned in the shamanic furs of the head of the Celadine Clan, Raynor also wears light, magically enhanced metal armor plates on his body. His primary weapon is a one-handed war hammer, his secondary a small buckler shield.
Registered: Apr 27, 2015 19:10:23 GMT -8
|
Post by Raynor of the Celadine on Apr 29, 2016 22:13:00 GMT -8
Raynor bows back at Catriona. She was a troublesome child, but she had a good heart.
"Very well, I wish to take you to the scene of the incident. Several of my escorts are about to bury the bodies. If you wish to see what happened it will have to be now."
As he ushered them out, the old couple turned to them. "Be careful..." The woman said. As they left, the couple would continue to stare despondent out their window.
Raynor walked them a few minutes until they arrived at a relatively open clearing. It was a spot warded against the growth of the Kudzu vines, although the vines were clearly trying to get through. There was a well, with the stones decorated and engraved with various markings.
And there they were, a young man and a young woman, badly mutilated, surrounded by odd green humanoids. The smaller bodies were only two feet long. They appeared feminine or androgynous, and were clothed in leaves. They were badly mangled and torn apart.
The entire gruesome scene was surrounded by Raynor's attendants, and a few horses. The mounted mages were here.
"They're about to bury the bodies. If you're gonna search for clues, now's the time."
|
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on Apr 30, 2016 11:22:57 GMT -8
Sid's eyes flick over to the bodies. He's seen death before and though it still makes him comfortable he isn't about to wretch. The bounty hunter approaches the bodies and looks them over carefully. He can already tell whatever killed them was some kind of animal. You don't see mutilation like this when a tool is being used. He checks the wounds on all the bodies comparing them to each other. He also checks the hands to see if anyone got a hold of a bit of fur.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 19:34:56 GMT -8
Catriona came to a stop short of seeing the mangled bodies, and her stomach turned over painfully. A breath caught in her throat, but she managed to recover and figure out how to breathe again. Needless to say, she couldn't help but stare - even the fact of the tiny creatures lying with the bodies didn't phase her nearly so much as seeing the result of an attack.
She brought her shawl up from its place tucked into the clasp of her cloak, letting it come up to cover her face up to her eyes once again. It helped with any smell that might linger in the air... and that would help keep her from losing her meager breakfast from earlier. She had to come close, despite how she didn't want to, and try to examine the marks - much like Sidarin. Anything might help - claw or grip marks, how many scratches in a swipe or the number of indentions for an applied force, teeth marks, a number of things could help bring some light to whatever might have attacked them... and rendered them in this terrible state.
Though she had to wonder... what were the small creatures? Then again, whatever they were - it was likely they were in just as much danger as the farmers.
|
|
Raynor of the Celadine
Committed
Roleplay posts: 64
Age: 45
Physical Description: 5'8"
Clothes and Equipment: Adorned in the shamanic furs of the head of the Celadine Clan, Raynor also wears light, magically enhanced metal armor plates on his body. His primary weapon is a one-handed war hammer, his secondary a small buckler shield.
Registered: Apr 27, 2015 19:10:23 GMT -8
|
Post by Raynor of the Celadine on May 1, 2016 12:07:14 GMT -8
Sidarin was correct. It was definitely an animal and not a weapon wielder.
As both Sidarin and Catriona had experience with animals and tracking, they'd quickly note the most important fact that both types of victims had similar size teeth and claw marks on them, suggesting they were attacked by the same... thing.
The formation of the creatures around the bodies would suggest that the small creatures were actually trying to protect the humans, though clearly they failed...
Raynor nodded to them. "I had a feeling these strange creatures were not responsible. Still, this does not bode well. Now we have even more victims to worry about. I need to stay behind and help these farmers. Having lost their children, they are in no condition to work and I must curtail the growth of the Kudzu vines lest they escape. I cannot make you do this, but I'd be grateful if you pursued any tracks you see and find the beast. Kill it if you must. I have no doubt that it is a malicious creature. A normal wild animal would not have entered our territory and killed for pleasure."
|
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on May 1, 2016 13:02:58 GMT -8
"It's an animal aye. But not a normal one. It either has the madness or it's a magical beast. Normal animal wouldn't attack a group. Isolate and kill one then drag it off to eat it. Whatever this is you are right it is malicious. I'll have Specter track by scent. Given how fast the vines grow I doubt tracking foot prints will work out."
Sid gets to his feet and dusts off. He gives a sharps whistle and Specter ambles up. The wolf knows what to do it sniffs around searching for the creatures scent. Assuming he found it the wolf would take off. Sid would amble behind bow drawn, arrow knocked. Eyes and ears sharp and open. He turns his head and if Cat is follow behind he will say quietly.
"I'll keep eyes up front you watch our six. Be ready."
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 13:21:14 GMT -8
Catriona said nothing in addition to what was already mentioned - points were clear. Now it was just a matter of finding whatever was responsible for this slaughter. Sidarin had a very valid point - most animals of a normal nature fought and killed for food, and wouldn't resort to this type of killing. Given if the wolf found the smell of the creature and took off in pursuit, she would trail on behind the pair of them - giving the man a sharp nod in understanding. Her own bow came into her hand with an arrow set and ready to draw - and kept her ears open for anything that might approach or follow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Land Tillers' State on May 1, 2016 18:57:59 GMT -8
Eventually Specter's nose would lead it to the outskirts of the Creeplands, where the party would arrive at a strange cave. There were droplets of blood on the ground near the entrance, and a dark presence emanating from within. |
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on May 1, 2016 19:36:09 GMT -8
"Well I am not going in there."
Sid whispers to Cat as he and Specter eye the cave. Actually entering seemed like a good way to get killed. So he needed a way to get whatever was inside outside. What was the old saying? Smoke them out, that was it. He turns to Cat and in a hushed voice he explains his plan.
"Here's my plan. I will set a fire at the entrance of the cave. Use enough of these fine and we can fill the cave with smoke. Enough smoke will force anything out. You can cover the entrance with your bow while I work. You okay with that or do you have a different suggestion?"
He waited patiently for her response. His plan wasn't perfect it put him near the cave opening if the creature attacked he'd be in trouble. Even if he drew his sword and made it available he didn't like his odds in close quarters. If she had a better suggestion he'd take it, but if not then he'd take the risky role.
|
|
Deleted
Roleplay posts: 0
Registered: Nov 21, 2024 15:58:55 GMT -8
|
Post by Deleted on May 1, 2016 22:27:23 GMT -8
She didn't like the cave present any more than he did... and the idea of him literally coming to stand anywhere near the entrance was asking for something to lunge out, snatch him up and drag him into the darkness - and there was no guarantee her arrows, even if she nocked two simultaneously, would stop the creature from taking a bite from the man.
Regardless of their shaky past thus far, she didn't want to see him die or used as bait.
"... I don't like the idea of you getting close to that cave mouth. What if it comes out while you work? I won't miss, but it may not respond to my arrows," she mutters back, leaning in to his shoulder to ensure he heard her but that she didn't make any startling sounds for the thing inside if it was lurking about. "But... I don't see much else of an option besides trying to lure it out with fresh meat, and I have none. And asking for those bodies..." She shuddered - there were a number of things wrong with that plan.
"If you want to do that... be prepared to move to the side. Do not back pedal if something moves inside that cave. It will make it harder for something to grab you, and I promise I won't miss." Assuming he agreed with his initial plan, she would draw two arrows - one normal and one silver - and nock them both in preparation for guarding that ominous cave.
|
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on May 2, 2016 7:16:04 GMT -8
"Sounds like a plan."
Sid nods and begins gathering up creepvine. Moving silently he begins piling it up at the mouth of the cave. After he drops the first load he draws his sword. Sid drives his blade into the ground near the pile. If he got attacked it be quicker to pick it up than try and draw it. Assuming he isn't interrupted he would make a sizable pile of the vine. Once it is large enough he'd douse it with oil and spark it with his flint and steel. If the fire was started with no trouble, he'd then retreat and take up his bow. He's stay a fair distance from Cat it's bad to clump together. Specter stays near the mouth of the cave watching it at all times.
|
|
The Budas
Established
Roleplay posts: 17
Physical Description: Ukufa's servants, werehyenas that can transform at will. They possess 3 forms. Human, hyena, and beast, the latter possessing incredible strength and speed.
Registered: Oct 8, 2015 18:55:29 GMT -8
|
Post by The Budas on May 2, 2016 11:20:36 GMT -8
A silent breeze caresses the pair as the smoke begins to drift into the cave. For at least a few minutes there is absolutely no noise. Then, very suddenly, the burning vines would explode and scatter ashes and glowing embers everywhere as a massive creature bursts out of the cave entrance.  The creature attempts to leap into the air just as it exits the cave in an attempt to foil the aim of potential hunters. It is well over eight feet tall, stands on two legs, and has powerful ropy muscles whose outline can actually be seen through its spotted fur. As it leaps up, it makes a horrific screeching roar. |
|
Sidarin Ves
Dedicated
Roleplay posts: 151
Age: 26
Physical Description: A bit on the short side at 5'9 Sidarin is a lean man. He possesses the wirey muscle of one who gets their exercise through travel and through fighting. He has a pointed jaw, mid set check bones, and fierce brown eyes. He is clean shaven though it is best not to remind him. His brown hair is kept long perhaps to make up for the lack of a beard.
-
Clothes and Equipment: Leather armor, heavy cloak, long sword, long bow, quiver of arrows, hunting knife, knapsack with standard traveling fair.
-
Registered: Apr 5, 2016 17:20:43 GMT -8
|
Post by Sidarin Ves on May 2, 2016 18:32:23 GMT -8
Sid had expected the beast to burst out of the cave. He hadn't expected it to look like that or to dart to the side. His shot goes wide and he swear violently. He isn't sure what that thing is, but it is damn well magical. Sid draws one of his silver arrows and knocks. Hopefully he can get a bead before it get's to him. Specter handles it's appearance much better. The great wolf darts toward the creature and attempts to take a chunk out of it's ankles.
|
|
