Fantasy Into the Wastes

[Cashdash25]

"Whilst interest theories I'm afraid none of you have quite hit the mark." Adin said, guiding the group along the only solid path through the increasingly marshy surroundings. "This area was originally no different from the lowlands we left, save that the Black River ran through the area. However, since the fall of Acadir residual magical energy has slowly been carried upstream, the same magical energy mind you, that has reduced the Wastes to its current state. Over time exposure to the astral residue weakened the riverbanks, allowing the waters to escape and flood the surrounding land thus creating the Blackmarsh. The stone markers are just that, markers left from a time when travel on this road was much less dangerous." He paused to navigate around a fallen tree. "If you think this is bad you should see downstream where the leftover magic is stronger, some say over a hundred miles of land within the Wastes is marsh."

 

[admiral9]

Elena's beloved horse was trudging along in the warmth, how she usually found great joy in stroking his manes, she usually also found great joy in not being in a marsh.


Both her and her horses' hair had become clammy and wet thanks to the humidity and she was sweating thanks to the fact that she was wearing her chainmail, she held her halberd, a weapon typically not associated with mounted combat in her hands while they continued galloping on.


Her horse, a proud well bred warhorse out sized most of the horses of her companions and moved in large gaits, although she could obviously not read minds she could see that he was not appreciating this situation any more then she was. she was contemplating to remove her chainmail in favor of the lighter robes she wore underneath but considering her duty that would not be appropriate, no matter what she was still a hired hand and she as the last living person of her family had a responsibility to be honorable in her duty.


While hearing the fools banter on about a number of irrelevant topics she was just wallowing in the reality that apparently a significant part of the wastes was like this, more humid hellholes filled with irrelevant things.


"Poor you, poor you, weren't you so proudly talking about how no foe would be able to even come close to harm you, why not just make it easier for yourself, or is it that you are afraid." she plagued Elena again, obviously intending to make her already miserable situation even worse the harassment continued. "Can you just not? I'm suffering enough here without your intervention, why not just leave me alone every now and then?" Elena replied, she had probably already asked this a thousand times but she wasn't in any kind of mood at the moment.


"Maybe, maybe not, maybe after you reveal your weak self to your comrades and stop with the act." she continued, Elena knew what route this all would go down, after all this was not the first time she was in this situation, once more the futility of it all started creeping up to Elena... "What a pain" she sighed out loud, she just resorted to closing her eyes, they were following a path so getting lost was not a worry and she would most likely pick up on any particular issues in time with her hearing, maybe she could even ignore the disgusting landscape this way.

 

[Nepty]

Zayan raised an eyebrow as their elf guard muttered to herself under her breath. He saw that both she and Emma-awl-Norathi were bothered by the oppressive heat of the marshes...not to mention the stink of the bog. He wrinkled his nose. A hundred years of decaying matter had given it an odor like any other bog. A deep, heavy smell that hinted at muck and decay.


At least this was preferable to cold, though. They weren't like to freeze to death in a bog. He glanced back at the gelding that trailed behind Tarik's horse, two barrels of water lashed to its back, among other things, and a thought took him. Was there any drinkable water in these wastes, or was this all that they had with them? He voiced his concerns aloud to their leader, and scanned the marsh for anything interesting. The taller man's words about violent death here had put him on edge.

 

[Cashdash25]

"The packhorse Mister Mors and our Drawven friend are riding on have enough water to get us there and back with a week to spare." Adin assured the Southerner, "And if that is insufficient then I have a few ways to secure more,"


The group rode on, picking their way through the marsh as quickly as they could. After some time their journey led them to a wide body of running water, crossed by a dilapidated wooden bridge barely wide enough for a horse cart to cross. "This ladies and gentlemen," Adin said with mocking grandeur, "Is the Blackmarsh crossing."


"That Thar bridge gonna 'old us all?" Tort asked, observing the bridge suspiciously.


"It should." Adin replied unoptimistically, "Assuming we go one at a time and don't rush it."


"So, who's going first then?" Victor asked, looking around the gathered warriors.


"I am the employer." Adin said, "I suppose I owe it to you all to cross first." No one bothered to argue as the Elf slowly rode across the bridge, eliciting a number of alarming groans from the slime covered wood hanging mere inches from the water. After nearly a minute he crossed the mere thirty foot distance, bringing his horse to a stop on the relatively solid ground on the other side. "Next." He called.


"If it's all the same to you." Tarik said, not taking his eyes from the bridge, "I think I'll be going last."


"I'm with you." The sweat-soaked Northern woman agreed, "I don't trust that bridge, and besides that someone has to watch the pack horses."


"Worry not my friends." Zayan said, his tone not entirely as confident as his words, "I am certain it will take more than an aging bridge to bring us our deaths." A minute later and the Desert Nomad joined Adin. Wordlessly Elena made to follow, slowly guiding her warhorse across the bridge, which creaked and groaned under the weight of the beast and its armored rider. She had successfully made it about halfway across when she spoke, "Look around you." "What is it now?" She thought to herself still focusing on guiding the horse. "Do you wish to make me look foolish? Perhaps embarrass me before this job has even truly begun?"


"No you distrustful cow." She replied, "Something is wrong here, I can feel it. Look around."





A sharp whistling noise pierced the night air, followed by a sickening thunk as a throwing spear embedded itself in the ribs of Tort's horse, causing it to collapse in a wounded panic, pinning the Dwarf underneath it. "Drakebloods!" Victor shouted drawing his sword. More than a dozen man-sized figures burst from hiding in the marsh, charging the separated party before anyone truly had a change to react. Red-scaled hands dragged Tarik off his horse in the surprise attack. Zayan and Adin found themselves surrounded by multiple assailants before they had even realized what was happening. Elena felt the familiar plink of arrows failing to pierce her chainmail as a pair of archers appeared from the water and opened fire upon her.


GM Note: Zayan and Adin are currently on the east bank of the river, they are under attack by four Drakebloods. Elena is on the bridge and is under fire from archers. Tarik, Emma, Mors, Victor, Brahiel and Tort are on the west bank under attack by the bulk of the enemy. Tarik has been caught off guard and dragged from his horse, Tort's horse has collapsed, pinning him underneath it. Everyone else is being attacked by at least two Drakebloods. This is a surprise encounter so PM me your character's actions rather than post as you would in a normal combat.

 

[Cashdash25]

Mors was the first to react to the ambush, snapping off a quick shot at his attackers, the arrow pierced the Drakeblood's chest, sending him sagging to the ground. The reach of Victor's longsword gave him an edge over his attackers, deft strikes pushing them back and buying himself and the downed Tort space. A storm of Norathi punctuated with the sharp crack of splitting bone attested to the fury of the Woman from the North as she and Brahiel fought back against thier attackers.


On the opposite bank Adin and Zayan held their own, deflecting blows rather than striking their own. Elena, seeing her charge in danger, goaded her horse to charge, casting caution to the wind as she drove the beast forwards, splintering several planks beneath it. At her signal the beast reared up, coming crashing down upon one of Adin's attackers. A swing of her Halberd nearly decapitated the second. Taking advantage of the distraction Zayan attacked, cutting down a Drakeblood with a sweep of his blade.


Tarik meanwhile wrenched his dagger from his belt and lashed out, struggling against his attackers as they drove him to the ground. Tort managed to free his leg from underneath the downed horse and scrambled to his feet, bringing his crossbow up he fired at the nearest attacker, striking one of Victor's opponents and buying Victor the opening he needed to kill the other.


Facing eminent reinforcements from the other bank and having failed to strike a decisive wound against them the Drakeblood leader made an executive decision. "Fall back, they're not worth it." He shouted, the surviving Drakebloods followed their leader's instructions, fleeing into the surrounding marsh. Leaving their erstwhile victims battered but alive.

 

[Cashdash25]

"Everyone alive?" Adin called out, "If no one is seriously hurt I strongly advise we bandage that horse and get a move on." He continued, sheathing his sword. "Those Drakebloods are unlikely to stay gone for long."

 

[A Skull on the Shelf]

Mors yanked an intact arrow from one of the Drakebloods, watching as the rest fled. The fight had ended much better than he had expected, a testament to the fighting abilities of their group that laid to rest any doubts he might've had.


Turning to face Adin as he called to them, Mors slid the arrow back into his quiver and glanced briefly at the wounded animal. To him, it looked as if the creature was much too injured to last more than a few days—as far as he was concerned it might not last 'till sundown. They couldn't leave the supplies the horse was carrying behind, however, and putting them on the other horses would only overwork them.


However, as Morse moved to help with the injured horse, he spotted the pack horse he had been riding out of the corner of his eye. He had jumped off of it early in the fighting and lost it in the frenzy; apparently, the animal had fled the fight and now stood at the edge of the road, clearly still frightened.


"I'll go calm the other pack horse," Morse told the others around him, deciding to prioritize the healthy horse over the injured one. "See if you all can't convince the other to get back on its feet."

 

[admiral9]

Elena sighed, the battle had ended about as quickly as it had started, the drakebloods apparently didn't have much of a spine as they decided to run after only taking a small amount of losses... equally this battle had shown that her allies were about as inept as she had assumed when it came to combat, oh well atleast they had managed to stay alive.


"Well aren't you being condescending there, you who didn't even spot the ambush yourself and almost had your horse hit by an arrow." She once more began, there had not been many battles where Elena wasn't met with condescension, performance did not matter as there was always something she did wrong, always getting on her nerves, she knew exactly which buttons to push.


Elena deciding that an argument was not the most intelligent thing to do currently decided to for once, just ignore her.


Instead she led her horse towards Adin "Considering our situation I could carry some of our supplies... my horse is most likely more powerful then most here and that pack horse will die sooner rather then later." What Elena left out was that she just wanted to get out of this march as soon as possible, the increased perspiration from the skirmish had not helped her situation and she did wanted to reach a less... oppressive place as soon as possible.

 

[Nepty]

Zayan wiped his kilij on the musty, ratty clothes of one of the Drakebloods that lay dead at their feet. He glanced down at the aberration with distaste, and sheathed his weapon.


He nodded at Adin. "Should we not get going? It is better to make camp before dark, and this ground-" he waved around at the endless expanse of flat bog and reeds- "Is not good tenting ground. We should find a moor, or someplace dry and high to set up camp."

 

[Klimino Zepehphor]

“aye, I agree with the ladde, evry second we spend here is another chance for dem bastards to get at us again.”


scanning the area once more, crossbow at the ready, not wanting to fall flat yet again, though he was glad none else had seen the attack coming either.


Prodding his pack horse with his boot, we was relived when it seemed to roll itself back onto its stomach, alive enough for now, though whether it could get up was another story.


“anyone got experience pullin arrow outta horses, cant say its mah specialty, dont want to worse no injury, things gotta last til dinner at least.” Tort said, chuckling at the half joke, but knowing wasting the horses life would be foolish as well.

 

[MassProdigy]

"I'm not sure if I want to sleep in this shit hole, those bastards no doubt going to stalk us throughout the night," Victor insisted eyeing the twisted bodies. He would rather keep marching forward, even through the night, to no doubt they'll wait till everyone is nice and cozy in their mats to attack again.


"Best kill it now then it to stumble later," Victor told Tort, sheathing his blade and inspecting the animal wounds. No doubt it will have a rough time for a day or two, especially travelling through the waste Victor doubt it's survival.

 

[Cashdash25]

"Afraid I'm going to have to agree." Adin said sadly, "We're at least another candlemark from the end of the marsh and it won't be reasonably safe to camp until then, the wounded beast will just slow us down. The maiden has kindly allowed us the use of her warhorse so I suggest we load it quickly."

 

[Klimino Zepehphor]

Tort shrugged after listening to their protectees decision. "well thats that then, sorry bud, ya did us well enough."


and without a moments hesitation brought his axe up and down several times, ending the horses life quite quickly. wiping some blood off his brow, he un did the mules straps and dragged off its supplies, dragging it as best he could alone in the direction of the war horse.


"cmon laddies help get this ol baggage up and on tha bloodeh horse and we can all get the blood ell outta here in time for supper."

 

[A Skull on the Shelf]

Mors let go of the reigns of the other pack horse after having coaxed it back onto the road and quickly made his way over to Tort, snatching up the other end of the pack saddle he was dragging.


"Be more careful there, dwarf," Mors said, his voice flat. "I know it's challenging for someone of your stature, but do try not to drag our water along the ground. I'd rather not have it taste of swamp muck and Drakeblood guts.'


'Speaking of which, the fallen horse was the one you were riding, correct? If you need another, feel free to strap your saddle onto the horse I've been riding. I'm more at ease on my own two feet than the back of such skittish creatures, and I think you'd have a hard time keeping up on foot."

 

[Klimino Zepehphor]

Tort smirked, then oushed the entirety of the supplies weight onto Mor.


"oh aye i guess my staure make meh too wee for dis, best you be doing it yerself then ladde, oh, and afterwards get mah saddle onto ya horse, thanks for volunteerin to cover fer meh on the manual labor side fer tha rest o tha trip, not many notice us dwarves lack of height afterall eh?"

 

[A Skull on the Shelf]

The sudden extra weight caught Mors by surprise and he stumbled, yet managed to stay on his feet. Stopping before the bridge, Mors turned to give the dwarf a mildly amused stare. "I'll do no such thing, dwarf. After all, I'm the one carrying these supplies across the bridge. Since that side of the river is where we want to be there's no real point in me coming back across, right? If you don't saddle that horse I doubt anyone will. Time is short, after all. No telling when the Drakebloods might come back and how many friends they'll bring."


After briefly testing the bridge, Mors began jogging across the unsteady planks, trying to keep his feet in the air as much as possible. "If you want to stay behind, that's your choice, dwarf. I'll have no part in it," he called back over his shoulder as he reached the other end of the bridge.


Mors quickly made his way over to Elena and her horse and draped the pack saddle behind Elena, not bothering to consult her on placement. He quickly secured the supplies as best he could, then took a few steps back. "We should be moving soon, the terrain isn't in our favor if we get into another brawl and I'd rather not waste any more arrows so early on."

 

[Klimino Zepehphor]

tort half laughed half snorted, but before long he had saddled the horse himself and had ridden across the bride to join the others.


stopping infront of Mors, his crossbow resting in his hands but conveniently aimed at the man, Tort smiled and said "best be remberin this boy, dwarves dont forget nor forgive."


winking and laughing, Tort kicked his horse and moved forward some more, to fall in line with everyone else who still had a horse.

 

[Cashdash25]

"If you all are quite done making veiled threats at each other," Adin said irritably, "I'd like to get a move on." That said the group quickly set out, only slightly slowed down by Mors' lack of a horse. The group traveled for several more candlemarks, passing through the marsh and traveling through the grasslands on the other side for some distance before Adin would consent to stop and make camp. The moon had nearly reached it's peak in the sky by the time a small fire had been started and the group began to settle down.