Fantasy Realms of Nymserine: Main Thread [[CLOSED]]

[Purize]

Verity laughed as Roland and Pyrrhus recalled the capital city. "Yep, it's a pretty lively place, that's for sure," She chuckled. She turned to see the halfling get on the wagon. "What about you, Azaria? You've been to Aeredale, haven't you?"

In the background, she could hear Charlotte babbling on and on about her adventures to Fernwe and Kezine. It was amusing to watch them all together, and she could help but think that her current group had the strangest mix of people ever to travel together.

Thunder boomed overhead, instantly followed by lighting, crackling in streaks across the sky. Then, it began to pour. Verity bit her tongue to prevent an onslaught of profanities from falling from her lips. This wasn't good. Just up ahead of the group was the Niems river, she could see it draw closer as they all pressed on. It was one of the longest rivers on the continent, but not particularly the widest. Several bridges crossed over it along different roads in different places. A year ago, she had heard of a mandate from the High King to demolish some of the older bridges and rebuild them stronger... but it was a slow process.

 

[Zazz]

Azaria turned her attention to the princess when she heard her name. She ran a hand through her hair and combed through a small tangle at the end. She really did need a bath, soon. "Yes, I was in the city about a week ago. Quick business, but I do pass through often enough." The dark-haired halfling looked up at the sky, thinking of a certain someone she would make a point to see, this time around. "If I am to be honest, my face is not all that welcome close to the palace. I have a habit of... kicking the chairs out from under certain individuals in high places."

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland tried to keep up with the conversation, but the sudden onslaught of the rain drowned out their words. The storm grew quickly, from a sprinkle to a heavy shower, progressing into a biblical event. Many Merfolk said that rain storms were Thasia’s tears: Roland was less fond of the mythology behind the woman he now knew to be his kin.

They all pushed forward, the dirt beneath them turning quickly to mud, only serving to slow them down. Roland pointed up ahead, at the river that now came into view. The deafening sound was not only coming from the rain, but the river’s roar. The banks had been all but consumed by the tide of the churning frothy expanse. The bridge across, barely visible, was clearly one of the older bridges. Roland covered his eyes, looking around for the rest of the team, but the rain made it hard to see as much as it was to hear.

“VERITY!! WE NEED TO TURN BACK! THAT BRIDGE ISN’T SAFE!”

But as he spoke, lightning burned the air and descended behind them, felling a large tree and sent it hurtling to the ground just feet behind them. The impact shook the earth, sending The team to their knees. Even on the sea, Roland had never seen a storm like this.

There was no turning back now. He looked to where he hoped Verity was standing, eyes filled with worry. He couldn’t risk the others finding out his secret: no, there had to be another option. The mud began to run under the rain, getting sucked into the expanding vortex of water before them. The horses were crying out in fear, and they were trapped.

 

[Purize]

Verity had just enough time to give Azaria an incredulous look for hinting at being a murderer before the sky started to fall. Rain poured down like a waterfall and she could barely make out the shapes of the others. She heard Roland shouting, but couldn't make out the words. Thunder boomed and the sound of cracking rang out behind them, followed by a loud thud. The earth shook, and Verity dropped to the ground, palms face down in the mud to keep her balance.

"IS EVERYONE ALRIGHT?" She yelled, quickly standing up and turning to assess the damage. The road was now blocked by a fallen tree and in this downpour, they wouldn't be able to maneuver the wagon off-road to go around. Our only way here was forward. Water surged rapidly in the river before them in a stream of white froth and dark water. It was likely to be deep... but they could cross the bridge. The water level rose quickly, and if they wanted to cross safely, it was now or never.

 

[Zazz]

The rain and thunder drowned out any further conversations; the entire wagon rumbled as the ground shook, and the horses panicked. Azaria hauled herself out of the wagon, using the spear she had brought as support, and went around to the frightened animals. "Shhh, it's all right. You're all right." She did her best to calm the horses, but the thunder still had them on edge. She yelled over her shoulder, "WE SHOULD TURN BACK. LEAVE THE WAGON AND TAKE THE HORSES." The bridge was not safe. They would be foolish to cross in the storm.

 

[SilverFlight]

Pyrrhus had begun to listen to the tale being told by Charlotte, and frowned when she stopped. "Come now, you can't leave off at the best part!"
He grinned at Azaria and her demon tale. "You should work on your story-telling, that could be one of the best tales I've ever heard...with a little embellishment."
The rain hit so fast and so hard Pyrrhus nearly couldn't believe it.
"Not to look for blame, but none of you kicked a road shrine on our way here did you?" It truly looked as if someone had angered a god or two, and things quickly became more dangerous.
Pyrrhus nearly fell over in fright when the lightning struck. The explosion of sound and the thick scent of ozone, the charge of the air made his hair stand on end. Then, the water began surging up from the river bed. The Storm had obviously begun up river and was now chasing the swollen waters downstream.
"Flash flood!" Pyrrhus cried, but the way behind them was blocked by the huge tree that Pyrrhus wasn't even sure he could jump.
"The bridge is our only chance. Azaria's right! Leave the wagon, if the bridge gives out under it we're all sunk!"
Pyrrhus moved to the heads of the horses, and as Azaria calmed them he began unhitching them from the wagon, drawing lead reins to their bridles.
"Take one of the horses, she'll need your guidance across the bridge, I'll handle the other." Pyrrhus offered to help her onto the animal's back.
"Get what you need from the wagon!" Pyrrhus called. "We need to move now."
The bridge was already creaking with the rushing water caressing its underneath. Water sloshed through holes in the wood boards and the entire thing began undulating under the rapids like the belly of a great snake. White water careened over the top, slicking the wood and making all the more perilous. It did not look safe at all.
"I'm the heaviest. If it is safe for me, then you should not have a problem getting across," he stated matter-of-fact-ly and with that, he stepped out onto the planks.

Melon Bomb Purize BugDozer73 Zazz

 

[Zazz]

Azaria couldn'thear much of what the centaur said. She thought he had been agreeing with her, that they should take the horses and turn back, but when he went for the bridge her eyes widened in horror. "PYRRHUS, NO!" But her voice was drowned out in the thunderous rain.

 

[BugDozer73]

Pyrrhus grabbed the horses and began to head over the bridge. Roland looked back at the group, and steeled his heart: Forward was the only way to go.
He held out his hands and tried to focus on his magic, and calm the waters. his tips and palms began to glow wispy green, with smokey tendrils flowing downwards.

"Alahria jul ka-aran sula kurune"

When Roland worked his magic, he could feel his own body extend to the water he focused on, and an intense sense of emotional distraught washed over him, and his heartbeat began to race. It was all he could do not to collapse under its force on his soul. With mental strain, he was able to slow the water only slightly, keeping the froth from licking the froth from licking the boards of the bridge.

"EVERYONE ACROSS, NOW! LEAVE THE WAGON!" His voice was commanding, a still focus that seized him in times of crisis, but the urgency was there. Roland would not go until each member of the team had crossed safely.

 

[Purize]

Verity found that everyone was still accounted for and no one got lost in the tree fall. Azaria and Pyrrhus's voices could be heard faintly, but were carried away in the howling wind. It really did seem like one of them had upset someone. Verity couldn't help but wonder how Roland's conversation with his mom went... After all, he did look fairly upset afterwards. Pushing those thoughts aside, she focused on the task at had. If they could just get to the other side of the bridge, they could find shelter in a nearby town... but they had to get away from the river banks before the flooded.

"Come on, everyone! We'll get trapped here if we stay!" She waved at Azaria, who still wavered at the back with the horse and the wagon. Verity nodded to Roland at his reinforcement and walked up behind Pyrrhus, waiting for him to cross first. She willed a silent prayer for them all to cross with ease. Her shoes already began to sink and stick to the mud and watching the torrential water in front of her made her blood freeze. Mist rose up from the river like tendrils waiting to grab and drag them all under the dark water.

 

[SilverFlight]

The first few steps were slow as Pyrrhus treaded cautiously, lowering his weight hoof after hoof as if easing into cold water. Torrents of rain glossed his coat and his iron shoes slipped under the wet wood. Twice his legs threatened to come out from under him and the horse he was leading faired little better. The middle arced and bowed as the torrent of water pressed against the struts. If a large branch or other debris came down the river the bridge could be reduced to splinters in a heart beat.
Suddenly the planks under his feet became slightly less active and before long his hooves dug into muddy earth. He lead the animal a few paces ahead and then turned to watch the others cross.

 

[Melon Bomb]

Charlotte snagged her pack and hopped off the wagon, stopping at the foot of the bridge. The centaur and the horse managed to cross in one piece - but if it wasn't safe to cross the bridge before, it definitely wasn't safe to cross now. She assessed the situation, quickly attempting to put together the safest way to cross with the tools they had at their disposal. Charlotte unfastened the harness from the remaining horse, shooting glances to Azaria. She recalled having seen some rope on her - or at least, if she didn't, someone else probably did. Judging from its horrible creaking, she decided she wasn't going to trust that bridge for one second. The breadth of the river was no joke so they were going to need some way to artificially extend the length of the rope and this should do just the trick. Unwieldy, but it's all they've got.

"Hey, Azaria!" she shouted through the deafening rain. "You've got rope, right? Let me see it for a second."

 

[Zazz]

Azaria exhaled in relief when Pyrrhus and the horse made it across. This whole thing was stupid. Plain stupid. They should have waited out the storm. The half-elf glanced at the wagon driver, wondering if he would stay with his goods or cross. Charlotte asked for rope, and Azaria obliged, pulling a tight coil of rope from her bag.

Soaked head to toe, dark hair plastered to her head, Azaria moved to help Charlotte. "It isn't long enough to go across," she shouted over the rain.

 

[Purize]

The silver-haired elf stepped cautiously onto the bridge, keeping her wide eyes on her feet. She focused on her weight and how it shifted with the bridge, trying to feel out the strongest spots. Clearly, this was one of the many bridges that was in dire need of being rebuilt. Verity could feel her clothes clinging to her skin. Everything was drenched in rain water and every move she made felt heavy and sluggish, as if she was already wading through water. Gritting her teeth, she gripped the rails of the bridge as she crossed, one step at a time.

Despite Roland's efforts, the river continued to rise and murky water began to surge over the planks. Verity could feel the cool liquid flow around her ankles, soaking through her boots and socks. Desperately, she wished her own magic wasn't so useless outside of the world of combat. She could kick ass in a fight any day... but there was nothing she could do against the gods and nature itself.

Verity was about three quarters of the way across the bridge, the further she seemed to get, the more difficult it was to keep her footing. Thunder crashed through the heavens once more, loud enough to make their ears ring, and light flashed. There was a loud crackling sound, and Verity paused. That didn't sound like thunder. She turned to look back at the group of travelers just in time to see a massive tree limb split and fall towards her. She dove out of the way, stretching for the banks of the other side of the river. Her fingers grabbed at handfuls of mud before the bridge completely bowed out from beneath her. The whole thing shattered into splinters and she felt herself get yanked away from the banks and pulled underneath the waves of the water.

In an instant, the whole world was cold and dark. She tumbled and turned in the water, unable to discern which way was up or down. She thrashed violently, trying to find some sort of foothold or something to grab onto and felt parts of her bump and smash against rocks and other hidden debris. Verity knew she couldn't swim, it was something she never felt the need to learn, but even if she did, there was probably little she could do against the tide of the river. Her lungs began to burn for air. Her back hit something solid, and for a brief moment, she was still again, no longer being dragged away by the current. She clung desperately onto the object and dragged her body upward until her head broke the surface of the water. Verity gasped for air, shivering violently and fighting to keep herself upright. She looked around wildly. The bridge was nowhere to be seen, but in the distance she could see Pyrrhus, and the others on the opposite side of the river. She was stuck on a fallen tree near the bank, close enough to the shore that she could try and pull herself onto land.

Her limbs felt tired and weak and she could feel some ugly scratches and bruises all over from her nose-dive through the river. Slowly and painfully, she edged herself along the length of the fallen trunk. She slipped once on the slimy bark and cried out, scared of being swept away again, but she pushed forward. She reached the bank and heaved herself up onto land. Her clothing was slick with mud and some spots on her clothing were dark, stained by blood from shallow abrasions. She laid on her back for a moment to catch her breath, her heart beating rapidly, before finally standing and making her way back to Pyrrhus. Despite the shock of her near-death experience, she shook herself to focus. There would be plenty of time to celebrate her survival later. At least she was on the right side of the river... now they would have to find a way to get the others across.

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland's heart collapsed along with the bridge, and he could barley scream "NO" before Verity had been swept under the water. He lunged forward towards the bank, panic flooding his mind. In just a moment, her head rose from the rapids several tens of feet down, next to a fallen tree. She struggled to drag herself onto the bank, but the moment her body met mud Roland freed the breath he had been holding prisoner. With relief, he stood, looking back to the others. Now there was no bridge to cross. Of course, he could swim them across, or stop the river entirely: But then what was the point of keeping his secret? Something told Roland that the halfling Azaria wouldn't miss the opportunity to sell a demigods location to any anti magic groups: Something he couldn't risk. No, they would have to find another way across.

He approached the two women, trying to hide his strength from the water with mock fatigue.

"We need to find a new way across. The carrige is going to have to stay here. Anyone have any ideas?"

Roland was just starting to feel comfortable with people following his plans, and now he had nothing. It was hard to think in the middle of a rain storm next to a river that he would be willing to argue was trying to eat all the world. The only uncomfort he felt at the moment wasn't from relying on the strangers, but rather what might happen should they come up with nothing.

 

[Melon Bomb]

Charlotte unclipped the different sections of the thick leather harness with her knife, tying them loose end to loose end. The full, straightened length of the combined cords was actually quite long - then, knotted strongly together with the rope, it would likely be able to stretch across the river - if just barely. She threw the improvised rope over a branch and climbed up, her feet swinging just above the runny soil. She bounced up and down a few times for good measure, satisfied with its durability.

"It is now," Charlotte answered Azaria, dropping down with a light splash. "Alright, let's get this thing across."

Just as she was handing the cord over, the rotting bridge collapsed and scattered into the river, pulling Verity down with it. She watched blankly at the churning waters until at length the elf broke the surface and heaved herself onto solid ground. The tree saved her from being washed out to who knows where, she was lucky to be alive.

"We'll shoot the rope across the river," Charlotte explained to Roland, gesturing with her hands. "Azaria could do it, but Kezine might be the safer bet. It's a long shot for an arrow being weighed down by rope, and the wind isn't doing us any favors. We'll tie both ends to a tree and climb across. Sound like a plan?"

 

[Zazz]

The half-elf turned at the sound of the tree branch breaking, and her eyes widened as it went hurling towards the bridge. Horror washed through her - and a bit of I-told-you-so - as Verity disappeared under the current, then came up spluttering over a fallen tree. She saw Roland break out of his focus over the princess, and she hated him just a little bit less. At the same time, she felt like rolling her eyes at his obvious affections.

Charlotte extended the rope. Azaria looked to Kezine, then to the spear she still held onto for support. After a moment's hesitation, the half-elf held out the spear to the mage. "She's right. An arrow will not make it across."

 

[Melon Bomb]

Of all the things Kezine had anticipated this morning, a flash flood might have been at the bottom of the list. She took the spear from her hand, slicked with rain, and began tying around one end of the rope. Likewise, Charlotte affixed the other end to the closest tree branch as the driver watched over her nervously.

"I, eh. . . don't think I can make it across," he admitted, stepping back as they began to finish up the preparations. For his age, he'd maintained many of his abilities over the years but upper body strength was not one of them. "I'll find my way back, you lot cross however you like. Godspeed to ye." He ushered the horse to him and turned around with what gear he could carry, climbing off road around the fallen tree to a place that was hopefully safer than here. And drier.

Charlotte stood to her feet and waved goodbye.

"Stay safe!" She turned to Kezine. "You ready?"

"Yep," she said, hefting the weapon once in her hand.

With that, she hurled the spear straight forward. In a blur, it sailed over the river in less than a second and vanished into the trunk of a tree with a sharp crack! Splinters blasted out in chunks like shrapnel as the rope snapped up and straightened itself, completely taut between the two points. She spun to see if the branch on their end suffered any damage but at a glance it would appear the distance had been just right.

"Could you throw any harder?" Charlotte sighed with a furrowed brow, hands at her hips. "We're trying to get it to the other side, not fell trees for timber."

"It's there, isn't it?" she smirked. She reached over and patted herself on the back heartily, "Good job Kezine! Nice shot."

 

[SilverFlight]

Pyrrhus' heart leapt into his mouth when he saw the tree fall. His cry was drowned out by the earsplitting crash as the bridge vanished into the broiling water, and Verity along with it.
The lead reign was short but he un-clipped it from the horse's bridle and turned to race downstream, following the flashes of the elf's white cloak in the surf.
"Lady Verity hold on!" He saw her catch the branch, but she was still too far to reach. The centaur danced anxiously on the edge of the bank until Verity was within arm's length, then he helped her up out of the muddy water, signaling to the others that she was all right before following in her wake back to the road, making sure to keep himself between her and the river. She wasn't going to go in a second time.
By the time they had come back the spear was lodged firmly in the trunk of a sturdy tree. Pyrrhus used the lead rope to secure the spear even tighter, preventing any chance the shaft would come lose while his companions were still making use of it. Then, he moved to the edge of the river and waited for their next move.
The ground under his feet was getting softer by the minute as the river gnawed on it, scraping the bank away strip by strip.
"We're running out of time!" Pyrrhus called.

 

[Zazz]

Azaria watched the driver ride off in the mud until he disappeared in the rain. Poor guy, he never asked for this. Turning back, she saw the spear stuck through the tree on the other side. Okay, so Kezine had some strength to her. The half elf pressed a palm to the tree, resting her leg, and ushered Kezine and Charlotte forward. "You two go on ahead." The halfling looked to Fernwe and her tikitooth. "Go!" She would wait for Roland, even though he was as insufferable as he was.

 

[BugDozer73]

Roland watched the old man take off, and worried for the mans wares, but it was well that he chose his life. Roland sent out a silent prayer that the man would have safe passage, and turned back to the crisis at hand: there would be time to speculate later. With an expert arm, Kezine sent the spear forward with the strength of five men, thundering its head deep into the flesh of a tree on the opposite bank. For a moment, Roland wondered if she two drew strength from the water, but he washed the notion out of his mind. "That was an amazing throw: I am glad you are starting to work on your debt." Roland smiled despite the circumstance, and then shot Az a look when she demanded she go last. He wanted to argue, but he could offer them no reason to stay behind without relinquishing his own secrets. Besides, there were others that needed help.

"Fine. But you better make it over to the other side, for Verity's sake." And with that, Roland turned to the small fairy child, who had been sitting quietly with her tikitooth during the entirety of the event. She was small, like a child, and was little problem to Roland when he lifted her up to his chest.

"Hold on tight my dear." He offered the little woman, and as he spoke, another weight leapt onto his back: one with soaking fur.

"tik tik tik" he heard from behind him, and a flash of it's face let Roland know her friend was hitching a ride as well.
"Hang tight, furball."

Quickly, Roland made his way over to the rope, and turned with his back facing the opposite side of the river. With some effort, he hauled himself off the ground and wrapped his legs around the rope as well, and began climbing over to the other side. Their combined weight tugged the line downwards a bit, so that the water was rushing dangerously close beneath them. When Roland had reached the halfway mark, a large rogue surge crashed into him, and the fur ball was tugged down. In a moment Roland let his hand shoot out, and he grabbed the nape of its neck, pulling it back to him and Fernwe, who clung to the beast now. Roland pushed forward, tediously, until at last his feet fell from the rope and felt the soaked mud beneath his feet. He quickly released Ms Fernwe and her pet, sending them to the others and he turned and waved forward the next person.

 

[Melon Bomb]

"After you." The mage shoved Charlotte forward, who briefly glanced over her shoulder with annoyance before taking hold of the cord above her. She was careful not to move quickly, lest she slip and plunge into the water like a certain elf. It was uncharacteristic of her to put herself into such danger haphazardly - any other time and she would've patiently waited until the passing storm blew over, perhaps enjoying a spot of tea under the shelter of the caravan - but she found herself being carried along by the flow of the group, as it were. Nevertheless, she was now on the other side of the bank unharmed, if a bit chilly. She fully anticipated waking up to a nasty cold the next morning.

Kezine looked to Azaria, cracking her neck a few times. She'd offer to carry her much like Roland had for Fernwe, but she was a bit on the heavy side herself so it probably wasn't a good idea.

"See you on the other side," she said, hopping onto the rope - as she thought, it strained severely under her weight. Kezine crossed swiftly and efficiently, one hand over the other as she gazed over the rushing torrents below. A sudden impulse invaded her thoughts, and like a demon it coaxed her in its most gilded prose to ease off the rope and let the waters claim her, but she dismissed it just as abruptly as it had arrived. I'm a death seeker, she reminded herself bitterly, stalling for a second on the rope as she told off the impulses nestling in her mind. But I'll never die such a meaningless death.

Before long, she was on stable ground with the others, gazing out over the stream. With any luck, the rogue would make it safely across.

 

[Purize]

Verity let Pyrrhus help her an accompany her back to where the others stood across the river. Kezine threw a spear and it stuck stiffly into a nearby tree. One by one the others made their way across safely. Verity helped each person off of the rope and find their footing on the bank, but she was still wary of getting too close to the river's edge. She'd was certain to want nothing to do with any water source for a long time.

She let out a small sigh of relief when Roland made it, and she gave him a small, sheepish smile. The branch falling and destroying the bridge wasn't her fault, but still she felt foolish for being the one out of the group to take a swim. Quietly, she longed for a soft, warm bed and a glowing fire at an inn somewhere. She pulled off her white cloak and draped it over her travel bag. It was about as useful as a soaked wash cloth at this point. Her ears stood out against her molten silver hair, darker than it's usual shade in the downpour.

 

[Zazz]

The suspicious looking half-elf peered through the heavy rain as Roland, Fernwe, and the tikitooth went across, their collective weights dipping the rope low. Then Charlotte, then Kezine. If they made it across fine, Az's weight would be nothing. The halfling tested the rope; it wasn't the tightest it could have been, but it would hold. It had to hold.

Azaria pushed her wet hair from her face and took hold of the rope. She swung her legs up and crossed her bad leg over the other and started the crawl. The rope dipped only a little; it was already worn down by the others and the rain. Her dark hair hung below her, sweeping the surface of the raging river. A quarter of the way. Halfway.

Crrrk...

The halfling stopped. Glancing down her torso, she saw one of her knives had slipped out of its sheath just enough to catch on the rope. Her face paled. The rope flayed where it was cut, but still held together. Carefully, blinking hard against the rain, Azaria removed the blade and set it between her teeth. This was the most ridiculous idea. Who crosses a flooded river with no bridge in a bloody storm? She continued on, her sharp green eyes set on the tearing rope above her as the cut passed overhead. Gently... Gently....

And then she was being pulled out of the muddy bank to somewhat solid ground. She sheathed the knife and staggered in the muddy grass, her leg trying to buckle beneath her.

 

[SilverFlight]

Pyrrhus was there in an instant, catching the half elf before she could fall.
"Easy does it." He said warmly, clearly relieved to see her safe on the other side. To see them all safe.
"Well! That was a spot of adventure to say the least." He exclaimed goodnaturedly, as if they hadn't all nearly been swept up by a raging torrent. "But let's find a way out of this rain before you all get pneumonia."
He offered to help Azaria onto his back again, giving her an apologetic look, but sooner into dry was better than later.

 

[Zazz]

Spearless, Azaria was not about to argue with the centaur. Walking did not appeal to her at the moment, and the sooner she was dry the sooner... well, she'd be dry. She ran her fingers through her hair, combing it back again, and took Pyrrhus's hand once more. "Dry land sounds amazing," she grumbled, shaking her head at all of the stupidity. "Will someone cut that rope before someone else comes along and tries to use it. I snagged it on the way over." Anyone who used it at this point would end up in the water, for certain.