Fantasy Arva: Tides of Darkness [IC] [Closed]

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"We should probably head back now then."

Fruits, berries, roots... yet there's no meat. Not even a flying filthy wood rat for Eidunn to eat to calm her nerves as she nibbles on it. This may do for the others, but it won't do for Sharad. He's not some poor man who can only afford to eat the scraps that fall of the carts of merchants. Being shipwrecked isn't going to stop him from seeking out actual proper nourishment. He'll even eat one of those 'green bloods' if he has to.

"Are you sure this is enough for everyone?" he questions. "Maybe we should hunt for something that has actual meat on it's bones?"

 

[joshuadim]

Once Drokos moved behind a boulder, Arnas shrugged to Waylond: "Oh alright then." he said as he started to remove his armor before entering the river himself followed shortly after by Waylond. The waters, while cold, were rather relaxing to be in as Arnas felt the dirt, grime, and blood be washed off him. Bruises and cuts elsewhere likewise slowly disappeared. Arnas then had a thought pop into his head: "I wonder what happens if you drink this stuff?" Arnas asked aloud.

Waylond - 9
Drokos - 4
​

Before either Drokos or Waylond could answer, the knight couldn't help but feel a bit strange however... but it wasn't something from the waters. It was a feeling that he was familiar with however, that of being watched. As he looked around he would notice that, for a brief second, a pair of brown eyes were watching the trio in the underbrush across the river before scurrying off back into the woods. What it was exactly was unknown to Waylond, but he did know that they were being watched.

---

Zakala rummaged through the basket for a moment, seeing that it was filled nearly to the brim with its contents and shrugged. "I haven't seen a single piece of game in this forest, or rather anything alive apart from Joony. I doubt we'll have much luck finding meat tonight."

 

[Breadman]

"Don't suppose either of you saw that?" Waylond asked as he looked around them for more of whatever that was.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"I haven't seen a single piece of game in this forest, or rather anything alive apart from Joony. I doubt we'll have much luck finding meat tonight."

Sharad shakes his head and droops his shoulders in disappointment. "Ughhhhh... Well, I suppose if we're lucky, we might just run into a rabbit or something on our way back, yes? I'll take the basket." Taking the basket full of berries and roots, he wraps it under some of his carpets so as to ensure nothing spills out or no external elements may drip in.

"Let's go."

 

[joshuadim]

"Huh? Saw what?" Arnas asked as he looked around, confused as to what Waylond meant by his question.

---

Both Zakala and Sharad made their way back to where camp was safely and without any disturbances, bringing along their basket of food that had been generously given to them by Joony. As the two approached camp, Hughin looked over to them and was confused as to where they had obtained this. He walked over to the two of them to speak: "Where did you get that from?" he asked with suspicion, looking over its contents.

"We came across a woodling, was friendly enough to give us what it was collecting." Zakala explained, motioning over to where they had come from. Hughin looked over and gave off a grunt. "A woodling, eh? Not many left last I checked. Well alright then, set it down nearby. We'll be having it for tonight's meal."

 

[Breadman]

"Something in the underbrush." Waylond said as he headed to the shore of the river "Something was looking at us and I don't want to take any chances." After getting out he grabbed his sword and went to where he saw the eyes to take a closer look.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"A woodling, eh? Not many left last I checked. Well alright then, set it down nearby. We'll be having it for tonight's meal."

The basket comes out underneath Sharad's carpets and he sets it down on top of a nearby tree that's fallen. "Guess we're eating peasant style. Maybe I can salt it with some sand and tears from that woman..." he mumbles sarcastically to himself.

 

[joshuadim]

As Waylond took the initiative to search what exactly he saw, he would find nothing as he made his way over to the underbrush of about where the eyes were. Much to his surprise, it was as if nothing has been there, as he couldn't find any footprints of whatever it was scurrying away nor any noticeable disturbances in the area around. Confused, as well as butt naked and out of the water, Waylond now felt a bit ridiculous as he stood near the shrubbery.

"Waylond, I'm sure it was nothing. Probably a small animal." Arnas spoke aloud as he scrubbed his arm as best as he could, fragments of dried blood and dirt peeling away into the river waters as he did so.

 

[Breadman]

"After what we were just through I rather not take any chances." Waylond said after walking back to where his clothes were. He had already washed and he was out of the water already "You'd have to forgive me for being a too careful"

 

[Fauxs]

When the company set up camp, Cain accidentally slept right after their stop due to his overuse of a newfound battle tactic which is the utilization of spells. As Cain woke up, he sat up his place, placing his back to lean on a tree nearby his position. He witnessed the team separate in groups to tend to the whole company's needs, at this moment he felt like a burden to them, however he continued to rest because he has no help to he can physically offer.

After resting himself, he managed to stand up and join the group. "Hello, everyone. I apologize for sleeping on the job." he spoke jokingly followed by a slight chuckle. "Are there still things needed to be done? I would like to help out as much as I can." he followed. Cain started to notice the unsettling mood of the camp "Did anything happen while I was out?" he asked with a concerned tone, sitting nearby his companions.

 

[joshuadim]

"I suppose so." Arnas replied with a chuckle, now finished cleaning himself as he stepped out of the waters and redressed in his undergarments, taking his armor and started washing it in the flowing rapids. Like with himself, the filthy and grime was washed away as it peeled off in bits from the current's strength. Arnas hummed to himself as he focused on his armor before turning over to the boulder where Drokos was behind: "Everything alright on your end?" Arnas asked as he pulled his armor out of the waters and set it on the riverbank to dry from the sun's warmth.

---

"Nothing necessarily too big." Hughin replied as he assembled his firestarting materials he had collected in a small pile, placing sticks and twigs on the bottom and leaves on the top. "We got some food from a woodling Zakala and Sharad found, Arnas is out with Waylond and Drokos looking for water, and Aureal went out to get some rocks for the firepit." Once had had finished assembling the where the campfire would be at he took a seat nearby and sighed as he stared out towards the woods.He then took a look up to the sky and realized something terrible: The group was off course. From the orientation of where the sun was starting to set, it could easily be seen that the group had been feeling north instead of west and thus had veered elsewhere they weren't supposed to originally be at.

Shit. was all Hughin could think as he laid back and closed his eyes for a short rest.

 

[Infab]

"Everything alright on your end?"

Drokos glanced over the boulder. "Indeed." she said simply, before looking back around. She hadn't seen herself what Waylond had been referring to, but she did trust the knight's judgement for the moment. As she finished bathing, she dunked her hair once more to rewet it. Slicking it back before moving towards the shore where her clothes were. Once she arrived, she dunked her clothes into the waters, using her hand to brush away anything that remained stuck to the garments. Once they had been thoroughly washed, she set them aside to dry for a bit.

Her weapon came next, as she used a rag from one of her vest pockets to wipe away blood and dirt. She would occasionally dunk the rag into the waters to clean it, before cleaning and polishing the weapon again. Soon enough, it was clean. "We should make a note of where this river is, so that the others can come and bathe in the morning." she said, as she sat naked near her clothes. Her weapon laying across her lap.

 

[joshuadim]

"Should be simple enough, it isn't too far so I don't think anyone should have trouble getting to it." Arnas replied as he looked out towards the rapids and admired it. Sometime passed as Drokos finished cleaning her sword and her armor dried off, along with Waylond's, and the three then re-equipped their belongings and made their way back to camp with the filled canteens and waterskins. Aureal would return after a peaceful walk as well along with some small rocks for the base of the campfire. Once that was set up, Hughin went about lighting the fire and started passing the food given to the group by Joony. The berries were rather sweet and tangy, delivering flavors that hit one's tongue and palate with delight and was contrasted with the roots that had a natural saltiness to them that allowed it to balance out the fruits for tonight's meal.

As everyone enjoyed their food for the night, Zakala took a look around and noticed something off. The woods were completely silent, which was odd considering one might expect perhaps some noise. Whether it be from insects or from maybe a bird far away, but it was eerily quiet save for whatever noises the group was making. She narrowed her eyes as she looked into the darkness of the forest and spoke up: "...why is there no noise?"

Hughin looked at Zakala for a moment and tilted his head: "What do you mean?"

"I mean," she replied as she turned to Hughin, "there's nothing out there. No insects, no birds... I don't hear a damn thing."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

Sharad pauses his nibbling of nuts and berries for the moment to pay close attention to the silence coming between the trees. That’s odd... that’s very odd. No buzzing, no chirping, not even the wind itself was making any kind of noise. It’s eerily silent, and this unnerves Sharad greatly as he tries to listen for something, anything. Not even the forests of Manwon during the caste wars were ever this silent, but those times taught him something valuable if he ever found himself trying to survive in the wilderness again; that there’s only one reason why the forest would be this quiet, especially in such a place that’s proven to be almost nothing but hostile so far. There’s danger prowling between the branches.

Slowly, and nervously, he unsheathes his talwar as his eyes dart around him. “Something’s with us... I can almost feel it.” He then looks over to Hughin, wondering if he can sense danger too.

 

[Dmaster]

Da'Vost was content to eat the food brought for them, quite reserved as his beak clicked and ground up those morsels. He looked about the group, trying to determine their spirits and physical state only to see Hughin gaze up at the sky before looking shocked and disgruntled. Looking at the skies himself, the Fateseeker immediately knew them to be of course. That wouldn't do, yet he would not dare announce such a fact at this stage. The last thing the group needed was frustration or panic.

"This is most puzzling..." the Aervis mumbles with a finger to his beak when the company notes the terrifying silence about the forest. Looking to Sharad, he tilted his head inquisitively. "Something that can mask all ambient sound of our location. Curious, but I must ask to what end? Surely if one wished to sneak up on us they may prefer to do it under the mask of windswept brush or insect chirps."

 

[joshuadim]

"I didn't see any animals here ever since we got to these woods." Zakala replied to Da'Vost, looking around as she slowly drew her bow. Arnas would look around as well in suspicion as he placed a hand on the hilt of his sword. "Ser Waylond... maybe you did see something in those bushes earlier." Arnas spoke as he slowly took his blade from its scabbard.

 

[Breadman]

After they were done by the river, Waylond helped take the canteens and waterskins, but he couldn't shake the feeling of being watched still. Whatever it was, it made an impression on him. He didn't tell Pottrey about the encounter in order to not spook the boy. He was still concerned with it still as they sat and ate. When the quiet was pointed out, he know it was connected. The knight reached for his sword.

Ser Waylond... maybe you did see something in those bushes earlier.

"Let's see if it's the same beast, bastard or other."

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

"I didn't see any animals here ever since we got to these woods.”

She’s right. The only animals they’ve seen so far are those beasts. There’s been no other types of creature they’ve encountered except for that woodling child. Perhaps that crystal they saw earlier has something to do with all this...

“That crystal we saw... Maybe it wards them all off, or worse.”

 

[joshuadim]

Hughin(1d10) - 1​

Hughin stood up slowly from where he sat as the group questioned their surroundings in a suspicious manner, looking towards the darkened treelines away from the group's campfire. The light from which only reached some distance away, giving a vague idea as to what was out there with the outlines of the various trees and plants being shown in the dark. Yet, there was something else that he saw in the distance. Hughin tilted his head and narrowed his eyes to get a better look and saw a glint, before a wicked bolt whistled through the air and hit him straight in the shoulder. The impact from the hit sent Hughin flat on his ass as he was knocked down and the pain jolted straight through his body as he collided with a stump on the ground. He couldn't get a word out to the others as a horn bellowed nearby, signalling the enemy to attack.

Arnas, shocked at this escalation, quickly rushed over to Hughin to help him out but was cut short from another large bolt flying past his face and hitting a nearby tree. As he turned to look where he was fired from, he saw enemies pour through the trees. Some were the same horrible hounds that had attacked before, but many were the same as the armored figures that he had seen on the hill prior to their venture into the woods. Up close, they stood easily a head taller than most men and wore crimson red armor as they wielded menacing blades for weapons. What was also of note was their eyes... glowing green and piercing through the darkness of the woods as they rushed the group. Hughin, gritting his teeth as he tried to pull the bolt from his shoulder managed to cry out his command: "STAND YOUR GROUND!" he yelled out in pain, "WE HOLD THEM HERE!"

Falrock Woods - Nighttime Attack
x7 Gorehounds (3HP each)
x12 Ozkavir Scout (6HP each)

Hughin is incapacitated for the fight!
​

As the fighting began, Zakala drew and arrow and loosed it at the closest of the figures that she could find which was charging straight at her while Arnas looked around for any enemies that might try to charge Hughin. His attention was diverted however as he saw one of the warriors marching towards Lanya, who was scrambling on the ground in panic, with its swords raised for a killing blow. In that moment Arnas quickly rushed over to the young Utterlin to intercept the enemy and let out an anger filled attack towards it. "GET AWAY FROM HER!" he spat as he swung his blade towards the monster.

 

[Breadman]

"Beast and bastard it is." Waylond said as he readied to fight. The group of beasts was going to be the quicker and deadly foe that could cause real damage if they encircle one of them. They had to go. He swung his sword with intent to severe their heads from their bodies.

 

[ANIMAL MOTHER]

The sudden shout from Hughin and attack from the armored figures makes a now frightened Sharad leap right off the log he was sitting on just a moment before. Scrambling to his feet behind one of the others, he forcefully yanks his talwar out of its sheath, nearly breaking it by accident. Now just barely ready to fight, he takes a defensive stance to protect himself from the oncoming enemies.

 

[Viper Actual]

Eirana had barely any time to react or comment on the eerie silence that filled the forest when Hughin was suddenly shot by a presumed crossbow bolt. As the call to arms came she rallied alongside her companions. Under her breath she offered her blade a quick blessing before retaliating towards several of the enemy warriors, intending to strike the lot of them with one glowing slash from her sword.

 

[Infab]

Drokos kept alert through most of the night, quickly taking note of the total silence surrounding the group as they attempted to rest. She remained silent, more focused on trying to spot any potential threats in the darkness.

And soon, the threats revealed themselves, putting Hughin down for the time being and rushing in to try and do the same to the rest of them. She quickly sprang to her feet, joining in the defense by rushing and swinging her poleaxe with a bit of extra oomph at one of the incoming hounds.

 

[Adobe]

The loud shouting and eruption of sound pulled Eidunn from her light nap. A loud crack sounded above her as bolt impaled itself into the tree above her, showering her in splintered wood. Weapon, find something! Frantically looking around her, she grabbed the first sharp object she could find before staggering to her feet. You're small, keep distance and keep moving. You can't fight them, don't try. Nodding her head, she moved towards the centre of the camp.

 

[Dmaster]

Da'Vost quickly got up to his feet as the shouting was heard and the enemies encroached upon their position, wasting no time as he began to weave a spell. They were surrounded and he had to act fast, his arms circle about as he focused Aether into his hands and molded it to his pictured image. With a thrust of his fingers he unleashed a crackling burst of lightning forth, directing them at one of their bipedal foes.

Spell Cast: Aetherbolt​