Battle for Kazragun

[Clockwork Syringe]

Findil


"Aww shucks baired it was nuthin', a stab here or there and... 


And..."


he paused to give Aeon a look that spelled worry and the three words "What the f*ck."


"...Cor blimey he get hit on the head to much back there? damn fools gona crazy." he ran his mouth, taking a few steps away from the man incase he was about to be possessed or something. "Aeon, get yer head back in, if your bloody possessed start screamin' and twistin' your head 'round so we know." he doubled over himself, keeping far away from the weird looking bumbling man. "We fought goblins not delved into hell itself man!"

Baird put a hand on Findil's shoulder almost having to lean down to do so, "He's communing with his goddess Findil, this is normal. However, what exactly he's doing I couldn't tell you even if I tried to make sense of it."

 

[Ritzy]

Aeon laughed I am not possessing him, one called Findil. In life I was a great paladin of Arete. I fell over two hundred winters ago. It is my duty to watch over the servant while he communes. I assure you, you have nothing to fear from me.

 

[Orikanyo]

Findil


"It's the ones who claim most virtue and sanctity that bites with most fervor. No offense meant but allow a man some caution." he kept his distance and waryness regardless of his ally's words. Paladin or not, he is not, he will not trust ghosts. 


No matter whom they say they are. 


"The Ken of spirits and gods ain't for me, I'm more worried about dinner." he took a moment to distract himself from the... well, atleast how he sees it, worrying sight. 


He never was much of a godly man, or atleast one that he prayed to a great deal. What happens to him after he dies is up to his deeds, not up to what diety he brown nosed. Not that he had anything against priests... Just wasn't his path. 


Plus he's been tricked by one before, not about to let some possible parlor trick get him again!

 

[Silanon]

Despite the strange melody and the following fight keeping Aeon from offering his prayers at the usual time, he finds the same peace as always while the guarding spirit watches over him. Clearly, Arete understands that sometimes, habits have to be disregarded to stand up against the evil in this world.


The cleric is not the only one finding some rest - for the rest of the night, the swamps stay mostly silent, only occasionally interrupted by the distant sounds of the local fauna. Whether you decide to sleep, or restlessly stare into the darkness, you are recovered from the nightly fight when a red sun rises in the east, announcing a new day's beginning. The sounds of carrion birds is all that reminds of the troubles; other than that, it looks like a slightly cloudy, but fine morning. If you disregard the environment you're in, that is - it'll be another muddy day, as there is nothing but swamps to be seen, only punctuated with higher spots like the one you're on, solely held together by trees. The highest one is where you saw the light flashes during the night, and it is ineed the "island" you noticed earlier. In daylight, it seems like you should be able to find a path leading you there, if that's still what's on your agenda.

 

[Dicer]

Veskassdak stood up and stretched. While making sure nothing else popped up looking for trouble during the rest of the night, he found one of the bodies of the small green big-headed mammals who he now understood were called goblins in the mammal tongue. He had ripped off an arm of one of them and chewed on it while he watched the camp as the others rested. He found the taste not to be disgusting, but there were better tastes to be found.
Such as it was, when the others awoke, they found him gnawing on an upper arm bone trying to get the last of the goblin meat off it. Strewn about him were the rest of the goblin's body's bones picked clean.
"Nothing go wassste in ssswamp," he said. "Goblin meat not bad. Had better though." He waited until the others had ate before he dowsed the fire in preparation for breaking down their camp.

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

When Baird awoke, he heard the "CAW" of several carrion birds reminding him of what had almost happened to his own party the previous night. Still, he felt refreshed and of better use to his team now that his arcane energies had returned. However, he was not prepared for what he saw when he exited his tent, Veskassdak gnawing on the remnants of a goblin. Raising his eyebrow, he then listened to his explanation before simply shrugging it off, although perhaps it was his inner beast that started to compel him to want to take a bite of the goblin meat that veskassdak. Ultimately, he shook out of these feelings and simply had a ration to quell his hunger. 

 

[Sherwood]

Wren is not a morning person.  She wakes up with a glare for the burning light of the sun as she fights off the urge to hurt someone.  Finally forcing herself out of her bedroll, she pulls out a small mirror to take a look at the horrible mess that is her hair.  With another glare, she grabs her hairbrush and tries to fix the beauty disaster that she is currently sporting, and after a few minutes, Wren is finally able to look at her own reflection without grimacing.  Wren gets up and stretches and groans as several vertebrae pop and crack, beginning her slow transition back to being human.


"Ungh.  The only reason that the Gods invented morning was to keep night and afternoon from bumping into each other.  And to punish those that like to stay up late, basking in the peaceful quiet of the night.  Crapcakes."  She grabs her canteen, slaps some meat and cheese between a couple of slices of bread, and does her best to enjoy her meal.  Hardly the same fair that she would be enjoying back at her parent's house, or, more accurately, her <shudder> future husbands house.  But, being on the road and single with orcs and goblins trying to kill her off is still a better life. 

 

[Ritzy]

Aeon rose with the sun. "Morning everyone." He said with a smile. He went about his trail rations, making a pot of coffee. He dunked his hardtack into it, leaning back. "Busy night. I've prepared better spells though. That should prove more beneficial to our current place and time." The coffee was the trade off for the less than enthusiastic meal. Hardtack and a bit of nut butter. Still Aeon did not wake up without coffee. Arete protected him but coffee woke him.

 

[Orikanyo]

Findil


The halfling was always an early riser, ran in the family, much like red hair. He had spent most of his morning tending to the small fire he had going, just enough to properly cook his sausages, came with the rations, no sense eatting em raw... Even if you could. But he made certain to keep the fire low and small, minimal smoke, even if smoking some fish sounded like a pretty damn good idea... 


"Ah! So they finally rise up. Get rid of those blurry eyes and awaken to the smell of sausage. I hope the orcs keep pigs, because I feel the need for some bacon and ham." the small man chuckled and took a bit out of a spitted sausage. "Should get some good stuff next time, no sense eatting this dried swindle. Perhaps an aligator? Veskassdrakk you know any good ways of cooking the beasts?" he asked the big scaled man. Something he was thankfuly for when he uses his sling, spoils less meat. 

 

[Dicer]

Veskassdak looked at Findil curiously. "Why you burn meat? Like you charred meat? No underssstand mammal need burn meat. Meat bessst when fresssh. Not fresssh meat only good for old meat eatersss."


With that he tossed the goblin bone away into the water nearby, all meat on it picked completely clean. The smell of Aeon's heated drink wafted to his nose causing him to sneeze. He wasn't sure what Aeon was drinking, but he was sure he did not want to taste it.

 

[Silanon]

After having a short meal and collecting your belongings, you turn northwards once again. In daylight, it is not hard to find the traces of last night's fight. A few of the dead bodies lie along the way, carrion birds and insects allembled around them for their breakfast. Other corpses have vanished instead, drag marks in the greyish grass indicating that they were pulled into the water. If you wish to take a second look at the dead, those familiar with the southern goblins might notice their rather wrinky skin, even in comparison to their usual, ugly appearance. Rumours are that those are the ones who crossed the northern straits together with the orcs, though it's hard to safely distinguish both kinds. After all, the small, nasty creatures are pretty much the same wherever you go.


Leaving the defeated foes behind, the group turns slightly to the right, and, after about an hour, reaches the ancient trees shielding the peak of the "island" from all directions, almost like a wall. Now that you are here, the name island seems rather unfitting: It is in fact not much more than a slightly higher spot in the landscape surrounded by water from most directions, but approachable via multiple paths. Small, dead branches form a curtain between the trees, blocking any sight, but there is an opening right in front of you. To your left, multiple primitive rafts can be seen in the water, and about a dozen dead goblins are spread across the near surrounding: three alligators in between them, their jaws retaining the intruders even in death. Even moreso than usual in the swamps, the smell of decay is undeniable here, and as the wind blows from direction of the trees, it's even stronger.

 

[Ritzy]

"My, what a wonderful smell we've discovered." Aeon said blandly. He looked at the chaos. He'd seen battles like this. Goblins are sneaky bastards but, three alligators aren't enough to kill this many..."Either these creatures were unlucky, and the gators took out this many before being killed, thus more goblins are waiting inside Or this raiding party was successfully pushed back, leaving whatever it is inside. Both pleasing thoughts." He said to the others. He pressed his hand to his head in thought. "Well we are not going to find out with a debate. Big club in front, eyes in back, and those with steel, slings, and spells in the middle perhaps? I'm the most heavily armored here, when not going up against me vs three." He grumbled sourly. "I'll be the trap in the middle. Anyone who knows anything about tactics knows that you attack the middle. I can draw heavy attacks from them. With Wren on my back, hopefully she can see danger before that happens but, best to play safe, neh?"

 

[Orikanyo]

Findil


"True enough there lover boy, in the end we cannot know if we don't try. or atleast scout it out and see our best path.... uhh.... what is it were out here for again?' the small man questioned, in truth he didn't listen to the briefing, in fact hes been more or less just...


...Following the group...


.....


"...So... What're we after?"

 

[Sherwood]

Wren frowns. "I would hate to see a man of the cloth take such risks, but I will not stop you. I will watch your back as best as I can, and I'll keep you from getting surrounded again." She places a friendly hand on his shoulder. "While I am sure you are going to spend your afterlife with your God, let's keep that from happening too soon, ey?" 


In the meantime, she does her best to keep her eyes open and aware of the surroundings. 

 

[Ritzy]

Aeon smiled at Findil and Wren. "We're here to save the world, Findil." He looked at Wren and gave her a knowing smile. "I may be of the cloth, but my Goddess is of War. I'm no stranger to conflict. Besides, why let you all hog the fun?"

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Baird grinned at everyone speaking out of turn, but he agreed with the assessment. However his grin was cut short as he saw the devastation that laid bare before them. "Oh Shit, well this is surprising. Can't say they won't be missed. And yes, I'll stay in the middle where I can use my crossbow and magic safely, On that note actually," Baird nocked a bolt in the crossbow before resuming to carry it, "Can't be too careful now can we?" He said with a toothy grin."

 

[Dicer]

Proceeding ahead of the others, apparently having forgot the rest his party could not move as fast as he does in the swamp, Veskassdak moved along the path leading to the island. When he arrived, he saw curtains of dead branches placed strategically between the trees blocking his sight.
Ignoring the rafts and the dead goblin bodies that were lying around, he walked towards the opening in front of the path. Suddenly feeling wary, he stopped just before passing through the opening and turned to his companions. Upon seeing how far behind they were, he went back to rejoin them.
"Death sssmell ssstrong here," he said. "Cautiousss usss be. Not know if danger there or sssafe. Death sssmell ssstronger from treesss. When go through," he indicated towards the opening between the branch curtain in the trees, "need be careful. Not know what danger there. Bad feeling about thisss."

 

[Silanon]

Wary for any kind of danger, you decide to move forward. Despite your worst expectations, there seems to be no imminent threat - at least for now. Bypassing the first trees, you notice that they only form a circle around an about 200 feet wide, open area. The ground features no grass, but thick tree roots and moss, forming a peak. On its top, a spear is carefully placed for everyone to see, the spearhead pierced through a particular giant goblin. It is not the only corpse, however - just like near the rafts you saw, there are bodies of dozens of goblins and alligators spread all over the place, with other, ratlike creatures lying between them as well. Most of them show wounds caused by usual weaponry as well as claws and teeth. A few goblins, however, look like they got burnt alive, their flesh melted away and the remaining skin covered by burn blisters. From your position, you cannot see any survivors of the battle that seems to have taken place here last night - only the all-present, black- and grey-colored birds having the feast of their lifetime. On the other side of the peak, a few of them occasionally fly up, but you cannot make out the cause. All you can hear is their flapping, and the smell of death is almost overwhelming.

 

[Ritzy]

"Anyone know what the rats people are?" Aeon said looking at them uncertainly. He never heard of anything like them. Ever. He thought his Former Master liked to collect all odd races. Well there was at least one he missed. 

 

[Sherwood]

Wren shakes her head as she wrinkles up her nose. "The only rat people I know of were used in the city I came from as drudge workers, and they mostly would come out to do their cleaning at night to avoid disturbing the citizens with their presence. I don't know much about them, since they normally stick to themselves. Perhaps these are related to them."

 

[Orikanyo]

Findil


"What? Ratfolk? thirfty folk if anything, good merchants if you need something thats interesting but not to exotic. tend to get around well enough them folk." he made a half explanation of the people before scratching his nose. "more clean then you would expect, tend to try and stay far clear from the whole rat part of ratfolk if you get me... though.. if their out here... Can't be certain." he made a shrug once more before keep eyes on the horizon. Regardless, seems we aren't the only ones out here fighting the gobs and whatever lurks around. Lets hope we can make some good friends before the war is over. Better friends than enemies, rather numerous I'd imagine, since they tend to breed like their namesake..." 

 

[Clockwork Syringe]

Baird started, "Wren's right actually about the rat people, saw a few of em growing up myself given I came from an ok family. They do usually keep to themselves yes, but they're quite ghastly to look at which is why they're relegated to cleaning duties. Apart from that I couldn't tell you anything else."

 

[Sherwood]

Wren pulls her cloak up to cover her nose and mouth to try and keep the stench at bay. "We won't find out what is in there standing around here. Let's keep moving." Doing her best to move silently, she steps carefully forward and keeps her eyes open.

 

[Silanon]

Those familiar with the ratfolk in the southern areas can clearly see differences between them and those lying around, ripped apart by the sharp teeth of the alligators. Where the ones living in the civilized areas most of the time have adapted to their surrounding, these here look wild, even in death. While of humanoid shape, slightly smaller than Findil, they could easily have been wild, stinky and filthy animals if you disregard the primitive fur clothing - in fact, it looks as if some of them died running on four instead on two legs. On the other hand, the creatures are not native to the swamps either, at least not in the eastern parts Veskassdak is familiar with.


As Wren moves further up, getting closer to the spear and thus having a better look at the other side of the encircled area, she can see the reason for the birds flying up from time to time. Kneeling on the ground, the left hand pressed on her side where her ripped, otherwise grey garment is drenched by blood, a slender person bends over one of the dead alligators. As you only see her back, covered by a wild mane of silvery, long hair, you cannot see what exactly she is doing. As you watch her slow, steady arm movements, however, you get a glimpse at a dagger in her hand, similar to the weapon you found earlier in the swamps and decided to leave untouched. If she notices your presence, she does not seem to care enough about it to turn around. Her work, whatever it is, is utterly quiet, the bird sounds around cover every noise she might cause.


Of course, everyone following the rogue will see the same thing - as long as noone decides to step closer, even the noisier approach of a few of the others won't distract the figure from her doing.

 

[Ritzy]

Aeon gives a shrug to the others as if to say, 'What do we do?' the figure obviously notices them and is not attacking. Trying the peaceful approach, Aeon hold up his arms and stays where he is. "Do you speak Common? If you mean us no harm, we mean you no harm. What are you doing?"