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Battle for Kazragun

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Chapter 3: Beyond the Portal Kazragun - OOC Additional background info Battle for Kazragun Chapter 2: South Wind Kazragun - Characters
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Having now been coated in muck, and plucked out of it like a now wet bag of potatoes. Findil was not quite happy to have been almost pulled down into the depths of the swampy mess. 


"Bugger me, these swamps got some sorta grabby thing in em? Felt like something stuck onto me like a snake or something!" he halfling protested, he had encounters with a snake before, always seemed to go for him since he was usually the smallest of the bunch. Save for when gnomes were around, but he didn't much like Gnomes so he tried to steer clear of em. 


"Let's set up and get dry. Being wet for a long time doesn't exactly make one rosey cheeked. Atleast sometime to bloody change socks and warm the feet. It's a wonder how yer folk live her big man, guess that's why yea grew so." 
 
"Arete did not want me to die." Aeon said simply. "Something held me up until I was able to get help. I was right to trust in her judgement." He rose from his knelt position, still dripping wet. "I am looking forward to the campfire though. This armor is heavy and my soggy clothes make it chafe in places best not discussed in front of Wren." He smiled again. "Arete favors the bold and the brave. She never said we wouldn't get soggy though."
 
Veskassdak led the way further down the path as best as he could, all the time looking for a spot relatively drier than the region they have passed through. Although dampness did not bother him, considering the natural state of the swamp, he still preferred warmth to cold. Eventually he spotted steam coming from the ground indicating there was some peat moss close by.


"Sssteam ground camp good," he said indicating the peat moss. "Warm usss. We ssstop."
 
Aeon trudged along, the smile never fading. He sighed at the stop. "Ah good." He said cheerfully. While the others were attending to things, he put the only thing his real master gave him upon his departure, a fine blanket, out and wrapped it around his shoulders. It gave him some modesty as he removed his armor, shirt, and legging until he was only wearing his under garments. He placed his clothes out to dry. "Really wishing I had brought stuff to light a fire." He sighed, still covered by the blanket. "I was rushed, and the man I traded my horse to get my gear seemed shady, but I was Called. One does not ignore duty no matter if one is ready or not." He cast Light on his shield and threw it near the center of camp. "That should give us a bit of light, so we're not bumbling around in the darkness." He said as he was chewing on one of his rations. 
 
Baird had been keeping up with the group until they all had reached the proposed campsite that Veskassdak had suggested. Steam was a good way to warm you up so he didn't complain. Baird was about to start setting up his tent when all of a sudden, a bright light was flung into the center of the camp; Aeon had cast a light spell on his shield for greater illumination. He nodded to Aeon and began to work on setting up his tent, but not before he paused and began to think. Gazing down at his right hand, he transformed it into a claw once more and observed the transformation. Why was he given this power and what was its' purpose? Would he ever find his dragon ancestor, or so his father had told him he existed? Undoing the transformation and shaking his head he went back to work setting up his tent.
 
Wren gives off a tired smile at the order to make camp. "Finally! It feels like we've been walking forever. I'm glad that I spent the money for boots that fit well or else I'd have blisters the size of an ox cart." She slowly sets herself down to take a much needed rest.
 
It does not take too much time until Veskassdak finds a reasonable spot to rest - in fact, when the sun colors the clouds in red colors before vanishing only moments after, you have pretty much settled in. Of course, the muddy smell of your surrounding is unavoidable, and you better don't wander off out of the light the cleric's shield provides - but other than that, it's not much worse than what you are used to by now. While setting up camp and preparing for the night, you all get a decent overview of the surrounding as well - you're on the second-highest spot within your restricted sight, the highest one being the isle you saw earlier, now much closer than before. The path leading there seems rather straight-forward; while continuing today might not be the best idea, you can imagine that you will get there within a short moment.


Those with good eyes can see the same ancient trees over there that surround your small camp as well. Underneath the moss, roots thicker than arms are burried in the ground. Without them, there probably wouldn't be anything else than water here. There are a few small tracks starting from your location, maybe blind ends in the swamps, maybe more than that. The major directions to expect someone to get closer are the way you came and the one pointing in direction of your current destination, though.


Soon enough, all light is gone - apart from your light source, of course. If you want to hit the pillow (if you brought one), you can do that - you might want to have one or two on guard, though, just to make sure you do not get surprised by anything.

If you want to have guards, let me know the order in which you keep watch. Otherwise, feel free to chat or do whatever preparations you want to make before getting the rest you're looking for.
 
"I'll take first watch." Aeon offered. "I offer prayer to Arete at Midnight anyway, the time when the old day is over and the new day is here. So it does not bother me. I offer it to let the darkness know that Arete is coming." He poured water out of his hands for a quick drink and sighed. "You would think that the trader would have made an offer that better equipped me to deal with the swamp. I hope I can talk with the quartermaster when we reach the main camp. I at last have some gold to offer in exchange for more reliable gear. At least he did not swindle me in the armor I got from him." 
 
Wren nods as she rubs her aching feet.  "I'm willing to take a shift on watch, too.  No need for just Aeon to lose sleep, and if we all take turns, no one is up for too long at one time." 
 
"Lassst watch me watch," Veskassdak said. "Hunt morning food too. Wake I when time."


With that, Veskassdak found a steam crack and curled around it. He missed his clutchmates, but he was learning about mammals while he traveled with these mammals. After the fight with the alligators, he felt he could trust these mammals enough to sleep lightly. But only lightly. Dangers from the swamp could show up at any time.


Before sleep took him he saw Aeon shiver and remembered Aeon talking about a fire. He stood up and ripped some of the drier peat moss from the ground and brought it into the lighted area. With his flint and steel, he coaxed a few sparks to ignite the peat moss bundle. The ensuing fire would be slow burning and provide some heat to help dry out any wet clothing and warm his companions. They could use it to cook any food they desired as well.


Having accomplished that, he went back to his sleeping spot, curled around the steam vent, and fell into his light sleep.
 
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"Thanks, my friend." Aeon said gratefully to Veskassdak as he got as close to the fire as he could without it nipping at his toes. The blanket was warm but, well he WAS in his underwear and it was soaking. He took his clothes to dry by the fire and looked out at the swamps, trying to enjoy the fire and remain vigilant at the same time.
 
Walking over to Aeon and Wren, Baird spoke to the two of them. "Hey, I would help you guys on this watch, but I need to regain my arcane energy(spell slots). That being said, if you do need my help, don't hesitate to call.


@Ritzy @Sherwood
 
"Sleep well Baird. We'll need you at full strength most likely when the sun rises." Aeon said with a smile, inching closer to the fire. 
 
Wren nods in agreement.  "I'd rather have a spellcaster well rested and ready to deal with orcs, or whatever this swamp holds for us, than get another bit of sleep.  Get your rest."
 
Swathed in darkness, the swamps are rather silent - occasionally, those still awake can hear the noise of wild animals in the distance, and the creaking sounds of the trees nearby. Under the watchful eyes of Aeon, all of the others find sleep, despite the unfamiliar environment.


In his tent, Baird notices the least of the surrounding, and therefore is the first one to fall asleep. His dreams are empty and meaningless at first - until they change abruptly. Suddenly, he stands on an open plain, darkness in every direction. Somewhere far in the distance, there is a golden flash of light, faintly glowing like a vague promise. As the sorcerer's legs carry him forward, he can feel how something is watching him - a being following each of his steps with curiosity, though not showing itself. Before Baird can get any closer to the light, however, the silence of his surrounding slowly turns into a wild noise of tones, ferociously ripping apart the dream until first the other presence and the light vanish, and he then awakes inside of his tent. The melody, however, stays - silently resounding in the back of his mind, it is now more sorrowful than angry, but not less disruptive than before.


Outside of the tent, there is not much to notice - the first hours of the night pass by uneventfully, with no danger to be seen. It is about the time when Arete demands attention and Wren's watch begins that a melody filled by both anger and sorrow is carried over by the wind, apparently from the "island" you plan to reach tomorrow. The sound is similar to the one of a flute, yet different in a way that is hard to describe. Almost immediately, those awake can notice Baird moving inside of his tent, seemingly waking up.
 
"What is that noise?" Aeon says to Wren, before starting his prayers. He looks at Baird. "Couldn't sleep from the noise, huh? What is that noise? Some kind of odd flute?"
 
Wren frowns as she begins to look around the area, carefully trying to spot the source of the flute music.  "It sounds like - music?  Where is it coming from?"
 
"It seems to be coming from where we're headed next." Aeon pointed. "Orcs don't usually enjoy music of this type, which makes me worried it's something scarier. Didn't they say the elves left this area? Whatever the musician is, I'm having doubts they are friendly, but these swamps may have made me over cautious."
 
Wren checks her armor and weapons, making sure that everything is in its proper place.  "Give me a few minutes and I'll do some sneaking around to see if I can spot something."  Wrapping her dark cloak around her, she quietly steps out into the night, pausing occasionally to take a moment to listen to the sounds of the wilderness around her and the music.
 
Baird having been awoken from his dream, went over to the campfire and spoke to Aeon and Wren. "I had this odd dream just now, I stood on an open plane with darkness in every direction, until a golden light beckoned me to follow. Suddenly the dream turned dark as if it was ripped apart by a force. Now, I hear this odd buzzing noise in the back of my mind. 


@Ritzy @Sherwood
 
Veskassdak awoke hearing his companions talking. It was only then he heard the flute-like sounds wafting through the air. He stood up from where he had curled on the ground, reluctantly leaving the heat from the steam vent. He had never heard any sound like the flute-like music coming from the direction they would be traveling in a short time.


Upon hearing the mammal Wren wanting to scout out the music, he quietly said after Wren, "Care ussse. Ssshout danger ssshow. Fassst come I."


Then he reached down to rip up more dry peat moss and moved to the others to toss it onto the fire to increase the heat.
 
Now that Baird has left the tent, he can hear the strange melody as well - it fits perfectly with the buzzing in his head. It is not loud enough to wake someone dead asleep, though, which certainly was the case for the sorcerer.


As Wren moves forward, she carefully watches her steps - a rather hard task in the darkness, given the unfamiliar environment she's in. The former aristocrat manages to avoid the dangerous spots, though her steps cause more noise than desired as she steps into water and stumbles across hidden tree roots multiple times. At least, she manages to stay on the path - other than the melody, however, there is nothing to notice, the cloud-covered moon barely gives enough light to stay on the track. She's headed in the right direction, though - the music becomes louder the further she comes. It is when Wren stops to listen once again, that another sound joins the melody - the sound of a bow string, not in front of her, but somewhere to her left. Before she can react, something hits her shoulder with force, penetrating the armor and burying itself into her flesh. A giggling laughter is to be heard as smarting pain reaches Wren's brain.


For those in the camp, the quietness of the wilderness breaks as close by, the shapes of two alligators leave the water with splashing sounds. They don't seem to take notice of you, though, just speeding over the trail and entering the water on the other side, clearly headed in direction of the music - and of Wren, if she hasn't changed course. As none of you have their long-range weapons prepared, you can only watch them vanish in the dark sludge - Findil being an exception if he wishes to spend a bullet, seeing that he probably has his sling at the ready whenever he's awake.

Wren takes 2 damage - on a side note, the rolls for perception and stealth were just horrible.
 
Wren lets out a cry of pain as the arrow pierced her skin, then she ducks back out of the line of fire (hopefully) and checks to see just how bad the hit is. "Shit! I've been hit by an arrow! Watch yourselves!" She peeks out from behind the tree, trying to see where that shot came from.

2 points damage
 
"Damnit!" Aeon mutters. His armor was plenty dry, and he had placed it back on to do his watch. "ALARM! WE'RE BEING ATTACKED!" He shouted at the top of his lungs. With his shield and his bastard sword at the ready, he went to save Wren, first casting light on his shield.
 
Baird reacted to the cry of Wren being shot by loading his crossbow, his arcane energy had not fully replenished from earlier so he would have to be careful in using the last spell he could cast today. However, he decided that he would hang back due to not being able to see the enemy. 
 
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