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Ian, Valus Mountains
After leaving the cavern and finding an appropriate vantage point, Ian looked over the Silhouete's camp. Normally he couldn't have penetrated the mist that was enshroading the mounatins, but with the power of 'hunter's sight' he could see the creatures encased in purple cloads of magicka, not to mention that his enhanced sight allowed him to see through the mist anyway.
He could make out numerous campfires, and the forms of everything from a goblin to an ogre wandering around the camp. It doesn't even look like they even checked to see if they were the only ones in the Valus Mountains....... Their confidence knows no bounds, it would seem.
Finally after several minutes of observation, Ian decided to get a closer look, a much closer look. He leapt down from his ledge, and continued silently toward the camp. The mist working in his favor, as he was wearing his grey leather.
------
Three orc berzerkers and a couple of goblins were at the edge of the camp, the orcs were fighting over a bear's carcass, while the goblins strode around waiting for the orcs to finish with their food. Suddenly there was a crunch from somewhere in the mist, and the goblins went in to search for the source.
One of the berzerkers stood and came to a halt at the edge of the mist, waiting for the goblins to return. Then the two other orcs heard a noise and looked at their compatriot. It just stood there for a few moments, then fell over backward, blood seeping from a single hole in its throat.
The two remaining orcs growled and snarled at the mist, daring whatever had killed the goblins and their friend to come out and face them. Out of the mist a shape appeared soaring through the air, and landed in front of one berzerker.
The orc attempted to tackle the figure, but its body went limp when the man's blade sheathed itself just below his jaw. As the orc collapsed, the figure turned, he wore armor made of grey fabric, with two blood-soaked blades jutting out of the guantlets.
As the final berzerker charged, the man side-stepped and stabbed it in the base of its skull. Looking over the bodies, the figure whispered. "Time for my first feeding........"
Issac, being healed
When Serene came over to him, Issac didn't meet her gaze, instead he just stared at the sky and did his best not to move as his ribs came together. "Karn, he wants us to come after him..... Satyana is just a thing, a tool, to use against us, as far as he's concerned." Issac finaly muttered bitterly.
The Wandering Sage
The mages were all packing up, the entire camp had decided to move, the question was where to go. It had been discussed the night before. One group of mages wanted to flee to Skingrad, but the other wished to explore the enemies' territtory.
The latter group was being lead by herself, and it was mostly battlemages from the Imperial Legion. The other group was mainly made up of guild mages from the University. The two groups had compromized, fifteen battlemages would accompany the evacuees, while the rest explored the Niben.
They'll join with the rest of the refugees from the Imperial City. That mass of civilians was spliting up as well, some were heading to Chorrol, the rest were going to Skingrad, Kvatch, and Anvil.... She hoped that all of them made it to their destinations safely, but they weren't her problem now.....
Ian, coming to terms with his new self
The orcs were pale, completely drained of blood, and with his thirst quenched, Ian noticed how he changed, not physically, but physcologically (sp.). When he had been completely human, he would have killed the goblins with his dagger (which he had done), but instead of stabbing the orcs he would have used his bow to snipe them.
Ian wasn't certain he liked this sudden change in priorities. He hoped his decision had not cost him his caution and subtlety. Still, methods aside, I can't complain with the results..... He thought as he looked at one of the berzerkers.
When he noticed that his wrist blades still had blood, Ian was surprised that, even with Rahk-Vir's amulet, that he almost licked them clean of their blood. Remain in control, remain in control..... Ian repaeted the mantra in his head as he wiped his spikes on the snow, turning it red with the orc's blood......
Flogir
Flogir seperated himself from Rann and Serene after waving her over once Rann somehow unleashed lightning upon the goblins they were fighting. It was shocking, but given the group he was with, anything seemed to happen among them.
He walked to the riverbed, now slightly stained red with blood, but still decided to wash his wounds in the water before drinking a weak restorative to ease the pain. It was then that he noticed Dalrus collapsed by the riverbank unconcious.
He hurried over to her and examined the arrow piercing her shoulder. Crimson stained the area around it, but the wound didn't look too serious if the arrow was removed. Gingerly, her broke off the shaft of the arrow and took out his dagger. Carefully, he pryed the head of the arrow out of her shoulder, hoping that she would remain unconscious as he did so.
Her gently wiped her hair out of her face and shook her gently. "Dalrus, wake up please," he whispered forcefully but didn't recieve a response.
"Serene! I think I need some assistance over here!" he shouted before returning his attention by to Dalrus.
Flint Ironwood, meeting up with the group. (before you all rush of to the east and leave him wondering where the heck everyone went.)
Flint's descent delivered a rather unwelcome sight. Corpses were strewn all over the place, mostly goblins and a few Orcs. When his feet touched the grass, he first made sure that all of his companions were still alive. Fortunately, they were though....
,,Where's Sathyana! I thought you guys were supposed to protect her!" He shouted, forgetting the massive pile of corpses for a moment.
,,You did, there just were too many of them. Sorry I yelled at you." He apologized right afterwards.
,,In other news, my trip to the Valus mountains has been less than useful. The camp I found had been mostly abandoned with the exception of a Troll who learned the less pleasant aspects of gravity once I was through with it. All the eastern cities have been attacked yet there was not a single clue about what was next. It was as if they knew I was coming and provided me with a slight show of what they'd already done to scare me. In other news, the Imperial city has been evacuated."
,,So Veric has got Sathyana now? That's bad, just bad. I don't know what the hell this prophecy is all about, but that girl plays a major role."
(Flint doesn't know about Karn's sudden interest for Sathyana and Serene. As far as he's concerned, Veric is still the only suspect when something happens to Sathyana.
)
Serene, actually on her way, but she never let someone down, who needs her services
"Flogir?, whatīs happened to her?..Oh my itīs Dalrus!..I ...I used to know her....aunt was it?...Now letīs see..."
Serene investigated her wound....it surely hurts but it wasnīt life-threatening.....unless....there was some venom connected to the arrow..
She gently removed the arrow and put three fingers on the wound, silently singing some odd song..."vigoratus vulnus....mmmm...vigoratus vulnus"
The wound first went greenish.....then more gray, before is slowly closed itself up and Dalrus opened her eyes looking rather disorented
"Here child, drink this" A small blue jar had materialized in Sereneīs hand......
"Oh I always bring a couple of these with me, itīs a nice pick-me-up" she smiled...
"Now Iīm sorry but I have to go after that evil fellow who snatched Satyana"
Issac, recovered
"Who is Virec? No, it wasn't him." Issac said as he got up and approached Flint. "You would recall the Dunmer who assassinated Chancellor Ocato? Karn? He took Satyana."
"As far as we know, he only works for the Silhouete, that thing commanding the army in the east." He appreaciated Serene's skill in healing. She definitly is a life-saver...... Then he remembered that it seemed Satyana's entire family could communicate telepathically. I'm going to help too, I started to have a part in this prophesy when I met Satyana........
Jonathan
When the fighting began Jonathan attempted to wade himself into it.. However with Dalrus' magickal attack the water become scolding hot and forced Jonathan opposite side of the stream. There was no way for him to get to the other side.
He stood fists and teeth clenched as he watch the fight go on, and his party injured. "Damn't!" Unknown to him, the ground around him lit afire. But no that akin to normal fire, purely magickal in nature. Jonathan was unaware of the flames and stepped into the the stream, or rather the now dissolved stream and made his way to the party. The flames followed his footsteps, and consumed small diameters around them.
"Where is that Karn honoured user?" He knew, no one knew, but the question was meant to be rhetorical.
Sodas Hekal - Three Sister's Inn... still
Sodsa woke up to a sharp pain in his left hand. Quickly recoiling, Sodsa pulled out his dagger with his right hand, brandishing it against the present foe, a rat. As Sodsa drew his hand back to strike at the rat, it looked up at him and bounded away, leaving Sodsa with a puzzled look in his eye.
Rubbing his eyes, he stood up and saw that he was alone. "Crap, not very good at this 'hero' thing. At least there is the rest of the gang." Sodsa made his way to the broken door of the inn and shielded his eyes from to sun, he muttered to himself, "Curses how long was I out."
Meandering through the streets, Sodsa saw that the city was now a town of vermin. breaking down the remains of a town watch tower, Sodsa came across a couple crates of food the rats hadn't gotten to yet. Stuffing his hands into the top crate he found apples and bread, which he shoved into his pack. Grabbing another of each, he jogged through the streets toward the front gate, where he hoped his mount had remained.
Upon arrival at the gate, Sodsa saw the reigns of his horse, not connected to the horse. "Curses" Upon further inspection, the reigns had been gnawed off. "By the divines! Do they want me to help or not." Sodsa was startled when a warn and moist nose bit the apple out of his hand and a furry head brushed against his. "Now, don't sneak up on me like that." Sodsa looked up at the horse and gave a faint smile.
As he mounted the horse and took another bite of bread, he muttered to the horse. "Now we gotta catch up, do you know where they went?"
The horse took off down the road toward the Imperial City.
"Oh and I'd like to say I'm sorry for dozing off." The horse grunted and took a sharp turn into the forest, going faster then it was earlier.
ooc: sorry guys, i'll post that he caught up tomorrow, don't want to be all to fake
well I'm off, ttyl.
Ravhin
"No need to be at each other's throats right at the beginning of our journey." he said, handing Brianna a piece of jerky. "And we'll be finding a ship to take us to the island."
This was going to be a long journey if he always had to be the mediator...
Flint Ironwood, with the group.
Flint rolled his eyes as he mounted his retrieved horse.
,,I've been jumping all across the province without a break. Damn, can't we ever get a calm moment here without a new crisis popping up." He complained. Despite his protests, he made his horse move to the east. He would stay with the group and help in any way he could, like always.
,,I'm definitely getting too old for this. How come Serene does all this for a living without problems? I think she's older than I am, even though she probably used Magicka to look younger. As if anyone really cares about getting a few wrinkles. Meh, I like my face just the way it is, looking as old as I feel."
Flogir
Flogir was about to offer his assistance to Serene, but it seemed she had all ready taken care of hoisting Rann atop a horse. Shrugging, Flogir cleaned the blood from off of Iceshard and sheathed it.
"So where do you think Karn is taking her?" Flogir asked as he saddled himself on top of his horse, "If I remember correctly, he just sorta vanished out of thin air with Satyana."
Abilities like that always made Flogir feel unsettled, it just didn't seem natural for someone to displace themselves like that.
Flint Ironwood, you know where.
Flint nodded at Flogir's remark.
,,Yeah, I prefer jumping myself. All that tearing your body apart and reassembling it somewhere else gives me the shivers. I'm a Breton, so I can naturally feel Magicka everywhere. But finding a single unique signature of teleportation among all the other thousands in the world, not a chance. I believe that not even an Altmer could do that. Not without any special preparation."
,,At times like these, I really wished for the help of Nocturnal. Or maybe not, calling the Daedra for help has a severe risk of backfiring. Damn, why couldn't he just botch up the spell and remain where he was? Wait, let's hope he didn't botched up the spell. Getting torn apart is bad enough, never getting reassembled properly is worse."
Jonathan
Jonathan rode up to Flogir's side after he looked after the rest of the group. "God's blood, I quit. This is getting rediculous."
Issac
Turning to Johnathan, Issac watched him impassively. "I understand your grief for your father's death, and for the fact you've just learned what you were made into by other people. But you are what you make yourself, if you choose not to kill people like your brother, then that is your decision."
His magicka was as controlled as Johnathan's. "When someone close to you dies, then you make certain to honor their memory. And if they aren't dead yet, then you do what is necesary. Whoever has passed away wouldn't want you to waste your life away, they would want you to continue your life until the moment you join them in death."
With great effort, Issac calmed himself and whispered. "If people think you're a monster, then be sure not to be one. You can help us find Satyana and we can help you find Altec. Whatever you decide to do with your knowledge and abilities is your decision......... But these choices affect those around you, Johnathan."
Flogir
Flogir kept his distance from the discussion between Jonathan and Issac, but he did hear everything. As he watched Jonathan storm off, he didn't go after him. Somehow, Flogir felt that he just needed to cool down. A lot of unhappy and troubling events have taken place recently, and it seemed to have overwhelmed a few of them. Surely, with some alone time, Jonathan will cool down and rejoin them.
Flogir turned to the rest of the party. "Well, if I could guess a direction Karn went, it would likely be east, towards the mountains. He'll likely be taking her to this Silhouette or something. We'd best move out now. Jonathan will be able to catch up, if he chooses so," Flogir said solmnly before turning his horse down the path.
Issac
He remain inert, even after Jonathan had gone out of sight. Only when FLogir spoke did Issac stir, and return to the present. Yeah, where better to try and kill your enemy then in the center of your allies' power?
"Right, that would make sense for him to go there. Even with the Silhouete on the offensive, there will probably be some form of rear-guard in the mountains. Maybe he might just keep them there to keep people like us from wandering into his territory......" Issac chose to focus on the events ahead. There is no use being angry anymore; we can only do so much.......
He approached Flint. "Here's your horse back, I perfer to walk anyway."
Karn, Valus Mountains
While the main army was off fighting, there were many beastfolk left behind to maintain the campsites. He and the girl had seen several different kinds of beast-minions: goblins, orcs, trolls, ogres, imps, and every other monster you'd expect to see in Tamriel.
Still, there were a few bandits left to talk and consume unhealthy amounts of booze. Finally they both reached a small cavern enterance, who's interior was illuminated by a series of fireplaces. The place was a refuge, in case of a bad storm, but it doubled as a potential holding area and treasury.
Karn marched them to a small alcove, where a space was set aside for a cell (which had been meant for holding rats when this had been a goblin den. But the walls and gate had been heightened for a situation such as this. The cell was lit up by a torch on the wall, and it had the essential leasures provided to give the captive a 'run-down dwelling.'
"Well, this isn't exactly the Tiber Septim, but it will only last until your friends get here to join you." He muttered, placing a pair of enchanted restraints from the long-dead slave market of Morrowind. They allowed the wearer to eat and drink, but stopped them from using magic to free themselves.
"We eagerly anticipate your companions' arrival, they will have the guests of honor for this establishment." He whispered with mocking reverance.
Dalrus, Imperial City Road
Dalrus opened her eyes. The smell of burning flesh was the first thing she noticed. There were piles of fried goblins from where she had fired off her magicka. She looked at the group, Flogir, Rann, that lady, Isaac, Flint, and Jonathan riding off. That was everyone....except SATYANA! Dalrus suddenly stood up, the pain was great but it was slowly declining. Her best friend was gone, though Dalrus had saved her from death by an arrow to the head.
"They took her?!" she said in disbelief. Dalrus and Satyana had been best friends for a year now and it was Dalrus's first real friendship, not the fake ones she had in the Imperial City. "Let's go save her!" she said getting on her horse. "I'm assuming they went to the mountains, where the voices were coming from?"
Flogir
Flogir nodded to Dalrus' question. "At least, we think she was taken to the east. We didn't actually see which direction she was taken, her captor used a teleportation spell of some sorts. We're just assuming she was taken in that direction as it seems the most logical. Hopefully we're right," Flogir responded heavy heartily.
"Even if we're right, we're walking into a trap and a likely a large portion of the Silhouette's army. I think we're going to need stealth to get Satyana back," Flogir continued before he expressioned hardened, "That is, if she's still alive."
Sure, he could've been optomistic, but sometimes one must accept the possible realities that could happen. The only possible reason for the Silhouette capturing Satyana would be to trap them. If the trap didn't work, they would likely kill her.
Maybe we'll just have to trap the trap. If that makes any sense...
Flint Ironwood, getting crazy ideas.
Flint sighed.
,,Whenever I meet a trap, I disarm it. Too bad that I don't have a probe big enough for a whole army. That is unless........someone goes in first and draws all the attention to himself and leads part of the army away so that the rest of us can get in and do what we need to do. Anyone up for a lethal game of cat and mouse? I don't quite want to do it myself even though I'm sure that I'm a good choice. When it comes down to fighting, I can only distract people by flinging Telekinesis all over the place. So yup, I suppose I'll have to volunteer for the role as bait."
,,I so hate playing with my life. Just when I was beginning to really enjoy my retirement, this pops up."
Fervus, leaving Bruma.
Fervus left Bruma under the cloak of an invisibility spell. At the castle, Eurod was still preparing his expedition that would take the battle to the heart of their enemy. Fervus liked the young lad. His heart was pure and his spirit had a certain innocence the Lich had lost long ago himself. Yet still, he had to leave without saying goodbye.
,,This is the curse we undead suffer. To live at the edge of society, only meddling in the affairs of mortals when absolutely needed. Knowing that eternal death awaits us if we are discovered."
Fervus had heard the rumours of the east. He too had heard the voice. Though only faintly, for his heart still remained on the side of good. Even if he had heard the voice at full strenght, he would have been able to resist. Now though, the voice had been silent since the battle.
,,The Valus mountains, that's where you wanted me when you called. Even though the head may have left, I will begin my fight there. You've asked me to appear before you. I will make sure that you regret that wish." He vowed silently.
The Lich raised a gloved hand towards the horizon. His mark spell flew off into the distance, erupting somewhere out of sight. Fervus recalled to his new mark and assessed his surroundings for a short moment as he chose the destination for his next mark. Having made his decision, he vanished again, reappearing much closer to the Valus mountains.
Arezt Arco Colerion
Group
Arco followed the group as they headed east, towards the Valus Mountains to save Satyana. He walked quietly behind them in deep thought. Everyone knew it was a trap, but this would most likely not be a very simple rescue mission. He knew that Karn seemed unlikely to have just another simple ambush as we get to the mountains, plus he'd most likely be prepared that we know off his trap - cause it was very obvious that it is a trap.
Cat and mouse won't be enough, although his minions are braindead - he ain't. He won't be fooled so easily... I fear.
Arco started slowing more and more down until he stopped and just watched into the distant. Karn had studied the group, but Arco had just joined and stayed mostly in the shadows - unnoticed by most. He thought of a plan that might help, if Karn didn't know of him. Arco worked best alone and could stay in the dark until necassery, unexpected by Karn. The group wouldn't exactly do crap without him, as it was a strong one and Arco worked better off alone anyway.
He gave Serene a confident grin mentally before he took off into the wood.
A century of travelling, without a horse or even a guar had made him capable of keeping a high pace for long amounts of time, even through difficult terrain.
OOC: Arco disappearing act
Karn, Valus Mountains, slightly west of Hero Hill
When the girl remained silent Karn shrugged and locked the cell shut. I wonder how long it takes someone to go into withdrawl...... He thought, as he passed a small group of goblins on the way out.
Outside the cavern he closed his eyes and hung his head for a moment, and he slowly turned around.
Three similarly clothed Dunmer were behind him, and KArn knew exactly who they were, despite that their faces were obscured. "Hello, Brothers, nice of you all to drop in...." The eldest one chuckled. "Karn, Karn, Karn, what have you gotten yourself into this time?"
His eyes narrowed, his brothers had never let it go that he was the youngest. "I take it you heard the voice?" All three nodded. "Naturally we ignored it, until....... until we heard of Ocato's death at the hands of a young Dark Elf who claimed to serve something called the Silhouete."
"And I can gather that you knew that Dunmer was me?" Karn muttered. "Yes, we knew immediately that it was you. So, we decided to come extend our services as a favor to our little brother....." He bristled at being called that, but he held back whatever anger wanted him to do.
"Very well, there is a mixed group of adventurers that my lord wants dead. I took a captive that had some importance to many of the group's members....." The three looked at each other. "And now you're going to use this person as bait for a trap?" The eldest's voice was layered with condesension.
"Alright we'll help, but I would segest making this a win-win situation. Even if these pitiful heroes get this individuel back well.........." The middle one pulled out a vial of some colorless liquid. "Poison....... sounds good so far, so what does this do?" Karn asked as he peered critically at the vial......
Fervus, approaching Hero's hill.
When he got close, the Lich stopped his teleporting act and resolved to walking. Unlike usually, he wore his robe with the hood down so that all could see his bare skull. Goblins, Orcs and even Trolls hastily made way for him. A Lich was a force that stood above mere mortal beings. None dared to attract his attention out of fear for the power he could command.
The Lich stopped before what looked like the leader of this particular gang of Orcs.
,,You, lead me to who is in charge here. I heard that you were recruiting." He spoke in a low hiss dripping with evil. The Orc jumped to his feet and scurried away, pausing whenever the Lich fell behind.
(Just making use of the 'all Liches are evil' reputation.
And he walks slowly, so you can finish Karn's conversation with his brothers without fearing any meddling from the Lich.
)
OCC: Ok, it will be over momentarily. Fervus may come in as soon as you wish.
Karn, with his brothers
All of his brothers took several moments to deal with the glee of explaining the dreadful effects of their poison. Finally they found their voices. "The poison targets a random area of the body, though there are trends of infecting the torso, and takes root. The subject doesn't feel its affects until it begins to spread, and the symptoms tend to be great boughts of pain, but they differ depending on the area they infect."
They produced a second vial, this one was a black liquid. "This is the only antidote, but it requires concentrated amounts to actually 'cure' the person. In small amounts, it simply cures the areas where the disease had expanded, but not the rooted area. This means that it can delay the poison, for say maybe a week."
"Also, every time the anitdote is used to delay the reaction, the faster the disease will spread. We can guess that after five 'unsuccesful' doses of the antidote that the delayed period would shrink to a few days....." Karn mulled this over, then nodded appriaciating the genius of the poison. "Perfect, absolutly perfect."
"Make the poisoning happen, and we'll give the antidote with every meal we give the girl." The middle one nodded and dissappeared to do his job. "So brother," The eldest one began. "Tell us about these adventurers....."
Rann
He found himself standing in the mountains, faced numerous copies of the man he hated most at this moment in time; Karn. Unable to recognize this as a dream in his current state of mind, intense anger mixed with fear overcame him.
He drew his katana and began to fight them, cutting through them as if they were nothing as he grew closer and closer to Satyana, who was standing behind them.
Just as he had almost reached her, another group of Karns closed the gap, this time carrying Satyana away.
He was unable to move as even more Karns piled on top of him, smothering him...
Wake up.
Rann heard it faintly through the dense fog of blackness that was his unconcsious mind.
Wake up! he heard again, this time more insistently. He didn't recognize the thought as his own, because his mind was supposed to be in a state of rest along with his body to recover from the enormous amount of power that the tattoo's power drained.
Satyana's in trouble, get the hell up! he heard one last time before his eyes popped open.
He looked around, suddenly distinguishing between his dreams and reality. He found that he was laying across a horse. Not realizing how weak his body was at the moment, he merely jumped off in an attempt to walk alongside. His legs buckled under him when he tried, and he fell to the ground.
He found his feet and took a few small steps before bending over and throwing up.
Keep going Rann. he stood upright again, unaware of how plae and frail he looked. He wasn't supposed to wake up before his body had fully recovered from the absorbtion and release of magicka.
Issac, helping Rann
As the group continued toward the Valus mountains, Issac had been walking along silently, enjoying his own thoughts. Suddenly seeing movement where there had been none before, he instinctfully began to unsheath his katana, but realized the situation just as the weapon was half way out.
Issac was confused, is it healthy for him to just jump off a horse in his condition? Wait, serene gave him a sedative didn't she? Ignoring the unanswered questions, he rushed to Rann's side. The Dunmer was obviously still in a bad way, as he threw up on the ground.
"Rann, are you all right? We weren't expecting you to just wake up on us like that." He whispered, worried for the younger mer.
Karn, wrapping things up with his brothers
"I'll tell you all later tonight, but for now I believe we are no longer in private." He replied, and the thre Dunmeri ninja turned to face the orc and his undead companion.
OCC: I just wanted to get things going again in the Valus Mountains.....
Rann
"I'll be fine." he lied, but the strength in his voice held conviction, despite the obvious frailty of his body from both the sedatives and the use of his ability.
"We don't have time to be worrying about me anyway, with Satyana in more direct danger."
Issac
"Very well, we're guessing that Karn took Satyana to the Valus Mountains, but we're still quite awhile from getting there." He told Rann. Though he had lied pretty well, Rann was clearly exhausted, but Issac knew that his resolve was much stronger then his body ever was.
"It would be for the best that you get back on that horse," he instructed in a gentle, but commanding tone. Issac helped Rann to his feet. "We'll need all our strength for the events ahead."
Fervus, Hero's hill.
The Lich stopped and gazed upon the man. His aged eye instantly noticed the signs of an assassin.
,,Much more subtle than these brutes he hangs out with. I must be careful."
,,Good day to you, mortal. Long have I hidden in my tomb, studying the art of Necromancy. I've heard the voice, and came as fast as these old legs can take me. I want revenge on the Empire, revenge on the descendants of that fool Pelagius. So please, tell me of your, of our plans." He said in his evil voice. Personally, he thought it sounded just fine and no one would know better. Though there might be slight suspicion.
Serene
She didnīt expect Rann to just jump off the horse before he was fully recovered, but she saw Issac come to his help before she had a chance to
Very well, that stubborn boy really amazes me all the time
She went to him anyway giving him a green vial, "Drink up, youīll feel much better" she said in a neutral voice "Youīll be of no help to Satyana if you canīt stand on your feet"
She decided not to provoce him more than necessary, the boy was somewhat edgy, but his concern for Satyana touched her....he really was a good brother....and he hadnīt known her for vey long....well blood is thicker than water.
It annoyed her that Arco left, she knew and understand why he left but didnīt like it....he was a good one to have around
Satyana, somewhere in Valus Mountains
It was dark, she had no idea where she was, and she felt utterly nauseous. The world was rocking back and forth.....she was lying on stone....and it was cold and damp. She couldnīt move her hands or feet, they were tied together....
Satyana quickly turned her head aside and threw up on the floor beside her. She groaned, the pain in her stomach didnīt ease and she suspected sheīd been given some nasty drug..or poison.....
She tried to move her head once more but gave it up, she didnīt want to throw up again....
She closed her eyes and tried to sleep ..
Sasal Valor
Running through some trees, sasal followed a map he had drawn of where this 'Serene' was. Not wanting a reoccurance of his last encounter with her, he planned to confront her upfront. Skimming through the trees, he grazed the shoulder of a much larger man in a red cloak. 'Sorry sir!' he stopped and brushed his shoulder.
He quickly analyzed the man for any important or rellivant details, and moved on to Serene's location. Not acknowlaging her companions, Sarin Directly approched the pre-occupied Serene and ligthly tapped her shoulder from behind. "umm" he muttered beneth his mask "I have a gift for you from my father" Pullin his head away from eye contact with her, he rendomly spouted "Wow, ur pretty.." Lifting up his mask, he hung it around his neck and continued to stare away from her.
Karn, his brothers and Fervus
As the lich finished, Karn studied him with a great measure of disgust. True, liches were powerful undead creatures, but the mere notion of turning one's self into a corpse was sickening. Undead filth.... As far as any of the ninja were concerned this foul creature would never be their ally. But the SIlhouete wouldn't care for their opinions.
The middle one returned, but didn't say anything that might give away what was going on. Everyone simply nodded, acknowlodging the poisoning's success. The eldest of the four stepped forward and cleared his throat before speaking.
"Lich, the voice you heard was our lord, the Silhouete, his terrible will is the force that binds this army together." No one would have suspected that the four Dunmer ninja detested the thing as much as this lich, at least not from how the spoke of it. "Chancellor Ocato, the 'leader' of the empire is dead." He gave Karn a sideways looks. "The cities of Cheydinhal and Leyewiin have been taken by our forces, but for some reason Bravil and Bruma resisted our horde."
"Our lord is currently with the head of the army, we are but the leaders of the rear-guard. We have not been given any orders aside from holding this camp." The eldest purposely left out the girl Karn had captured, but decided to tell some of the truth about these "adventurers." "We are expecting some form of counter-attack by a motley group of agitators."
Fervus, with the bad guys.
The Lich let out a bony laugh.
,,Motley group of agitators? Sounds like you had some trouble then. Anything else I should know before they arrive? It really makes it easier to prepare if I know whether I'll be dealing with warriors, assassins or mages. I hate wasting Magicka." He claimed.
,,So then, where is this Silhouette? I am most interested in meeting a creature of such power." Fervus thanked his bare skull for not being able to show any emotions. If he still had his mortal face, they would have seen an expression of pure hate. There was no trace of this hate in his voice.
,,Wouldn't it be fun to tell them that I am the one who both opposed the pirates at Bravil and helped fight at Bruma? It would, though I would ruin my own plans. No, let's keep up the act for a bit longer."
Karn, same place
"This group is a mixture, there are a few of each you just named." He said stepping forward. Karn thought for a moment, he hated this thing more and more, but he wondered if he should give a little information leak. If this thing has been living in a pit for the last couple of centuries then it won't understand me at all, but if he reacts........ then he's been lying.
"There is a single prominent individuel in this group....... Serene of Cyrodiil, the famed healer and mage." He said matter-of-factly, studying the undead's respounce.....
Fervus Noctus, reacting...in a way.
Fervus didn't answer instantly. He knew Serene of course. That she was out in the open again surprised him.
,,It appears that our problems are worse than we thought. If Serene has come out of retirement, things are serious. Why would he tell me that name? Ah, a test." Once he'd figured it out, his answer came instantly.
,,Oh, I remember a lass named Serene. She lived in Cyroddil as well, near the east wall. A simple girl, kept the mugs filled in the 'Hungry Boar' tavern. The beverage she served tasted like the rear end of a Goblin. Oh, a nice lass but a bit naive. Never saw a thread in the drunkards that hung around. Got killed in a bar brawl. That was about fourhundred years ago. So who is your Serene? What exactly made her famous?" He countered the question with one of his one, after a bit of storytelling about a Serene he met long ago.
Karn, frustrated
When the skeletal lich told them a story about some girl he'd met centuries ago, Karn became annoyed. These mind-games aren't worth it...... His brothers seemed just as uninterested as he was. But the oldest was also the most patient.
"Serene Serethi is married to some Redoran counciler, his name's Althyn or something like that. She's getting along in years, but then she's human, they don't live long anyway." He muttered the last part with some measure of superiority.
"We know that she has grandchildren, but not where they are. If we did then we'd pay them a visit....." That was the first lie that they'd made in the entire conversation, the rest was a mixture of truths and half-truths. "As for the Silhouete, we're not sure where it is, but we can only guess he's with the army, planning to attack Bravil or Bruma again."
Fervus Noctus, not probing any further.
Fervus knew he was walking on thin ice. Asking any further might cause them to grow suspicious or even attack him. He wasn't worried if they did but he desired to meet the group first.
,,Pha, as if an old woman will be much of a threat. I'm going to investigate this army you have here a bit further. If you need me, just call." He spoke before walking outside, deliberately ignoring the possibility of being told not to leave.
,,Gah, this is giving me a headache. I sense pain here. It appears that they have a prisoner. Motley band of agitators? Ah, a hostage, a bait." The Lich cast a life detection spell which winked out nearly as fast as it had appeared.
,,I will keep up my cover till the reinforcements arrive. Now let's go investigate this army."
Karn, and his brothers
All four of the ninja narrowed their eyes as the lich departed. None trusted the walking corpse with so much as an extra bone. If we can all resist the Silhouete's absolute control then so can this lich......
They all looked at each other and nodded, no words, just silent agreement.
Karn's brothers blurred as the moved faster than any simple Khajiit thief, they would keep an eye on that foul thing; perhaps in the coming battle they could orchestrate its demise. He shrugged, doesn't matter...... if that thing does anything suspicous then it will be marked for death.
He strode back into the cave, past the forms of trolls and goblins. Karn felt it would be wise to remain near Satyana, poison or no poison, if the trap were to fail the conseqiunces could be dire. Hmm...... is there another thing that could be done to assure victory?
Fervus Noctus, betrayal!
Fervus walked among the ragtag army for a while. Since it was such a chaotic mess, he already found several corpses from when the army clashed with itself.
,,Don't you have anything better to do than watch me?" He asked the three Dunmer who were following him. He cast several spells to confuse him, mostly harmless versions of various Destruction spells though he did add a ranged mark spell inbetween.
,,A man has to practise."
Seemingly by coincidence, the Lich returned to the cave several hours later.
,,No matter what I plan, I can never allow them to do with an innocent being as they wish." The Lich began to recite words that made his decayed stomach turn over. Corpses began to twitch and stand up. They gathered around the Lich, hiding him from view. Fervus cast a quick levitation and invisibility spell. He then entered the cave and sneaked beyond the entrance.
There he saw them. One of the Dunmer he'd spoken to and a young woman. The woman was in pain, he could feel that. Yet, as long as the Dunmer remained, there was nothing he could truly do. Except for one thing. Purposefully, Fervus moved within reach of the woman and reached out with his still invisible hand. A combination of recall and several powerful healing spells he'd learned through his long life were ready to be cast at a moment's notice.
(Ok, invisible Lich versus assassin. So, Revan. Will Karn be caught by surprise and lose Sathyana before he notices the Lich is there? I bet his brothers will see through the ruse soon enough and come barging in.)
Karn, with Fervus and Satyana.
Satyana lay on the floor of her cell, Karn stood close by, watching vigilantly. Normally he would have just killed her, her foolish friends would be none the wiser, but for some reason he didn't feel an urge to kill the young woman.
I'd better not be getting soft, that's the last thing I need..... He closed his eyes momentarily, listening for a sound he didn't know was there. There was a faint claking sound, like bone rubbing against bone...... Almost like, breathing. Karn saw his brothers enter the cavern, and they didn't need any communication to give him their reasons.
You filthy spawn of necromancy! Karn exploded as he realized the undead-breathing was near the prisoner. He drew his blade and aimed for what looked like a cloud of dust in the dark confines of the cave.
Fervus Noctus, his final battle.
When the assassins suddenly entered, he threw all caution into the wind and thrust his hand forward into the young woman's side, causing a nasty bruise. Sathyana was engulfed in a haze of Magicka before she vanished, to the mark only Fervus knew the location of. His invisibility vanished.
Karn had already started his attack and thrust his blade through the Lich's robe. The blade failed to hit anything.
,,Right between the ribs, you can't fight a skeleton that way!" Fervus shouted as he swung his staff at the Dunmer in a slow arc. With his free hand, he fired a fireball at Karn's brothers.
,,Now I'm in trouble. I'll never get the time to prepare another recall. Then I'll give them pain!"
,,Not all Undead are evil, just as how not all living are good! You are more than ten times as evil as I've ever been!"
Karn, and brothers, fighting Fervus
As his blade passed unopposed through the lich's robes, Karn realized his error before it had been completely finished. Still he couldn't retrieve his blde from the lich's ribcage and evade its staff at the same time.
The fireball slammed down on the ground directly in front of the three other Dunmer, but they kidded to a halt and braced for the inferno. The roiling fire burned portions of their robes, but the three were mostly unharmed, thanks to their Dunmeri heritage.
Karn threw himself back, letting go of his sword in the process, to avoid the staff. He landed a few feet away, and cured his problem of being unarmed by summoning his bound shuriken. They hung motionless, and Karn's brothers, having recovered from the normally devastating fire attack, slowly moved in.
"True, undead, not any being is completely innocent, everything has sinned sometime after its birth or rebirth. But you, you are what makes children toss and turn in their beds in fear, not because of anything you've done, but because of what you are!" His eldest brother shouted, elven sword drawn. All four fanned out, equally spaced waiting for the lich to make the first move.
Fervus, talking.
Fervus raised his staff but didn't strike yet. His fireball hadn't been particularly effective, just as he'd expected.
,,Not all children fear me! Not all of them! It is for them that I fight you. For them, I oppose anyone who wants to harm Tamriel." He claimed and raised his staff even higher.
,,Now, face me!" He shouted, challenging the assassins to come closer.
(Ok, here's my plan. The Assassins go in and deal a mortal 'wound' to Fervus. They realize the danger just in time and get out of the way when he slams his staff down, creating the infamous pillar of fire and lightning. Said pillar will drill a hole in the mountain and probably be visible all over the province. Being totally spent, Fervus dies. Any comments?
)
OCC: Nope, I have no problem with this.
Karn, and his brothers, same
The reply to the lich's challenge was instantanious, Karn released dozens of throwing stars, and his brothers rushed forward to kill this abomination permanantly. The middle one's fist blurred as he tried to smash the undead creature's chest. Elven shortsword slashed through the air as the eldest brought it down in an overhead-chop, and the three attacked it from multiple directions.
But Karn found himself hanging back, hesitant to enter the melee. Something isn't right..... Then he noticed the staff's malevolant red glow. That radiates raw power, we don't even know what it does. He stepped back, feeling somewhat frightened by the thing that the lich wielded.
He couldn't bring himself to caution his brothers, he couldn't find his cold voice........
Fervus, going out in a blaze of glory. (quite literally.)
There was no time for Fervus to evade the storm of attacks. Even if there was time, he couldn't. His body was simply too slow. Bones shattered under the assassin's attacks.
,,This is the end. Ironic, to be killed by someone who is an infant compared to me in age."
The Lich mustered all of his remaining strenght.
,,If you think you've won, YOU ARE WRONG! AS MY LAST DEED IN THIS WORLD, I WILL DESTROY YOU!" He smashed the staff's butt into the floor, releasing its powers in a massive explosion. The explosion tore through everything in its path, showing no mercy. Even the mountain could not withstand its might. Without encountering any resistance, it smashed through the ceiling. Higher and higher it rose, becoming a wonderous pillar visible througout the province. From all corners of Cyrodiil, people turned to watch the display.
As sudden as it had appeared, the pillar vanished. In the center of a blackened crater where two things. The staff that glowed a bright white from the heat, and a pile of ash. Fervus, the man who had escaped death twice before had embraced his final fate.
(So uh, did the brothers die? They could've jumped away at the last moment. If not, that attack utterly wipes out anything so I don't think there would be enough left of them to put in a grave. Also, consider most of the cave ruined. Also, bedtime. Goodnight.)
Karn, aftermath
Karn simply stood there, and watched as his brothers beat the lich savagely. The lich yelled, and thrust that malevolent staff into the ground, the flash of light was blinding.
Before the light overwhelmed his eyes, Karn saw his oldest brother leap back, but he wasn't as far away as Karn. The cavern was swallowed up in an instant, the dunmer ninja felt himself get lifted off his feet, flames licking at his body and lightning coursing through him, he was thrown into a wall, and felt unimaginable pain as he slammed into a wall.
Ian, nearby
Before the pillar appeared, Ian had been looking down at the area where the camp was located. The only warning of its brilliance was the brilliant glow that was emiting from the cave's enterance. Then the crown of the pillar blew half the mountainside of, sending it cascading onto the camp.
Ian covered his eyes, but it took several minutes for the spots to completely dissappear. When he reopened them, he beheld a different landscape the before. A small portion of the Silhouete's camp was buried under the mountian's pieces.
What in Oblivion just happened? The vampire/Imperial agent stared down upon the enemy's base.
OCC: Not sure if the eldest will survive, but Karn will. Fervus will be missed....... at least when everyone realizes he's the one who died saving Satyana.
Flogir
Flogir suddenly stopped in his tracks once he saw the brilliant display of light flaring off in the distance. It wasn't long until a noise similiar to thunder reached his ears.
"Was that just an explosion? That was east right?" Flogir said astonished.
I sure hope Satyana wasn't where ever that was...
Voltar, Location Unknown
Voltar sensed a mighty surge of energy and turned to see a towering inferno of light.
"My my, somebody possessed a nice little toy there. Doesn't look like they're using it anymore though," he mused turning to Veric.
He had instantly probed the source of the blast and found that whatever called it had disappeared. And Voltar was quite sure in his abilities to find those who tried to hide after using such power.
"Must've been a last ditch effort..."
Flint Ironwood, looking at Fervus' tombstone.
The Breton sensed the disturbance in Magicka. Instantly, his eyes turned towards where that disturbance was coming from. There he saw how a distant mountain literally seemed to explode in a pillar of roaring flames and crackling lightning. Several breathless seconds later, the sound of the explosion washed over the group.
Flint watched at the pillar with his mouth wide open in stunned disbelief. He surely wasn't the only one.
,,What the hell is that? Wait a minute....it looks familiar. Where did I see it before?"
Flint's memories conjured the image of a man hidden underneath a brown robe. A staff in the man's hands, zombies trying to kill him as a female Dunmer watched. Then, the staff hitting the snow and a terrible power being unleashed.
,,I saw that before. Fervey! The old man is there!" The Breton shouted and made his horse go faster. If the old man found it necessary to use that trick, then he was in serious trouble.
,,Well, looks like we no longer need to seek Sathyana. I bet that wherever she is, it must be close to that pillar of doom!" He shouted back at the group.
Satyana, somewhere...
Satyana whined when she was hit by Fervusī hand, at the same time she was magically moved away...in a way that , despite the healing-spell made her feel very sick....
One moment she was lying on the cold stone floor, the next she was floating in the void, not knowing up from down. Finally she ended up.....somewhere! She hadnīt the faintest idea where she was. Also she felt very sick, not from the poison but from the ghastly travel
oh....where am I? Issac? Rann?
Then she lost consciousness again
Issac
Issac paused to gaze at the pillar, awestruck. What sort of thing has enough power to create something like that? He continued to stare until the sound from the explosion made him clamp his ears shut in pain.
He only heard part of what Flint said, as his ears still hurt. But he understood enough, whoever this Fervus is he's one powerful being..... Then he could have sworn he heard something else, but it was faint.
Satyana? Issac realized who he'd heard, and felt sure that he'd heard her. But where is she? I can't track someone through telepathy...... The Valus Mountains didn't feel right anymore, but he could't tell where Satyana was for certain.
Flogir
"Hey, hey, wait Flint!" Flogir shouted at the rapidly leaving Flint, "Do you seriously think it's safe to go running towards a place where a pillar of fire and lightning just shot out of!? That thing is like a beacon that just screams "Everyone! Come here!". That place is going to be crawling in baddies in no time, friend."
Flogir hesitated before continuing. "Plus, who could survive something like that?"
Flint Ironwood.
Flint reluctantly slowed down.
,,Fervus can. The only time I saw him do that, he wiped out like a dozen zombies but didn't even get a single wrinkle in his robe himself. On the other hand, the pillar was much smaller then. Something like this must cost an amazing amount of Magicka." He watched the remains of the mountain in silence.
,,Just what was he doing there? He would never join up with the Sil, I know that. Nor would he go seek a fight unless he was really pissed."
He addressed the whole group.
,,Alright, what do we do? Are we going to check out that mountain or are we going to continue our aimless search for Sathyana? I personally have the feeling that she must be close to there. And, I also want to see if an old friend is ok."
Green-Root, near Hero Hill.
Green-Root hissed angrily. He had been told to go inspect the base here but just before he arrived, half the mountain was destroyed and threw what was left of the base into chaos.
,,Perhaps the Silhouette is not on the winning side after all. Yes, a cornered man will fight with all his might. In this case, the cornered man was quite powerful. He is not the only one with such power. I'll have to investigate."
Flogir, thinking
"Well, it might be good to split off into smaller groups, one of them could look for Satyana, while the other investigates the explosion," Flogir thought out loud, looking over the group.
An idea crosssed his mind when he looked at Serene and Issac.
"How far away can you two be to speak telepathically with each other?" he asked Serene and Issac, "Because you two could be separated into two different groups, but we'll still be able to communicate with the other group if need be. That is, if you can reach each other over fairly long distances."
Flogir wasn't familiar with telepathy, but if the situation worked out, they would be able to get more done faster. It was risky having a smaller party, but smaller also meant they could sneak through the enemy easier.
Serene
"Pretty far...in fact distance isnīt an issue....the minds are! You see if I focus hard and īsayīsomething to Issac or Satyana, they receive it almost wherever they are..if they havenīt īshut offītheir minds, or are unconscious...which I think Satyana is right now, because naturally Iīve tried to reach her, but she doesnīt answer"
"Maybe we should split up....on the other hand we are stronger if we stick together....and more vulnerable!"
Flint Ironwood, adding his thoughts.
,,Strenght is not an issue. We should focus on stealth here. Remember that whatever is out there will be extremely pissed by now. Even if we stick together, we won't be able to take on a whole army. So I'd say that the splitting is a good idea. We'll have to leave the horses behind though. They're big and easily spotted."
He dismounted his owne horse and patted the creature on the neck.
,,I am worried about Sathyana. If you can't reach her, she's at least unconscious. In the worst case scenario.....let's not think about that."
Serene
"Iīll go for Satyana, if Rann or Issac will come itīs good, sheīll wanna se some friendly faces when we find her.."
Flint Ironwood.
,,As long as we keep the ability to communicate between the two groups, it's fine with me. I'll go to the mountain. Who else wants to come?"
Flint distanced himself from the group.
,,Those who want to go find Satyana, go stand next to Serene. Those who want to check out the explosion and perhaps get hunted by an angry gang of baddies, go stand next to me."
Green-Root, Hero hill.
Green-Root cast a simple invisibility spell on himself and moved towards the cave unseen. Inside, he found a massive pile of rubble in his way. A staff that was radiating heat lay at the center of a large crater.
,,I'm not going to touch that cursed thing. If it won't kill me, it would still injure me greatly."
He looked around a bit more and saw two Dunmer laying on the floor. One was still breathing but the other, he wasn't sure if the man was alive or death.
,,Focus on the one with the greatest chance of survival."
Green-Root crouched down near Karn and layed down his spear. Rummaging around in his sack, he retrieved a collection of herbs, potions and a pair of pincers. With the pincers, he carefully removed the stonefragments from the man's many wounds. He then made sure he desinfected them before applying the herbs and bandages on the burns and scrapes.
,,Live, elf. The Silhouette still needs you."
Ian, Hero Hill
After a good while climbing down the butte he'd seen the explosion from Ian shook his head. This is too slow, I guess I should test what I can accomplish now... With that he leapt from the narrow patch of ground and began to jump from rock to rock, making his way to Hero Hill.
He decided to forget being stealthy, nothing he knew could survive being buried under meters of snow and be ready for a fight. He approached the cave cautiously, remaining wary of any ambush.
Issac, group
He felt conflicted on where he wanted to go, Issac wanted to find Satyana, but there might be something useful at the site of the explosion. If Rann went with Serene then naturally Issac would have to go to the camp.
I'm sure I heard Satyana. He finally moved toward Serene, hopefully the others will be all right...
Karn, battered and bruised
Karn coughed blood as he regained consiousness. He felt like he'd been trampled by a guar stampede and dunked under a lava pool for a few seconds. Karn opened his eyes slightly, taking in the fact that Green-Root was helping him.
"I don't care if the Silhouete was Mehrunes Dagon's most trusted advisor, but I don't intend to die here." He only managed to whisper, his chest hurt with every breath.
Flogir, making his decision
Flogir walked up to Flint's side. "I'll help Flint investigate this explosion. I'll be stealthy enough, I promise."
Flogir thought his soldier's training would help him observe the Silhouette's army and what they might try to be doing. With Serene and Issac deciding to look for Satyana, they had more than enough power magically and tactifully that his muscle was not needed.
Voltar
Before Voltar knew what was happening, the sensation of teleportation magic enveloped him and he soon found himself hovering in the air alongside Veric. He quickly casted a feather spell of his own and landed somewhat roughly on the ground, having to use his legs to brace the fall.
An annoyed looked crossed his face as he turned to Veric. "A little warning would've been appreciated."
He then looked around at his surroundings and found that they must be at the location of the blast, as rubble littered most of the area.
He crouched down in the bush with Veric, who had now reverted back to his Breton form.
At least we're doing something... Voltar thought as he peered at the cave entrance for activity.
Ian, hero hill
There was a flash of light and a slight thump as if something had fallen. Ian spun to look around the area, and slowly began to search for what had made the disturbence. He narrowed his eyes, the new vampiric instinct kicking in somewhat.
Leaping high into the air he landed on a ledge above and behind a set of bushes....... and those bushes were hiding two people, a breton and a high elf.
Voltar
Voltar heard the tumbling of stones made from the man landing upon the ledge behind him. He then saw Veric's instructions. Voltar made no signal of comprehension, so as to not lead on to the person that had spotted them that something was happening. Instead, he simply followed Veric inside the cave. He made sure to have a spell prepared on the tip of his mind all the same.
Better to be safe than sorry.
Ian, hero hill
When the two began to move towards the cave, Ian stared after them. He jumped down and slowly marched after them, knowing that they were aware of his presence. If they want to keep this chirade up then fine, but I'm going to get why they are here when this is all over.
Green-Root, Hero hill, cave remains.
A shadow blocked out the light from the entrance. Instantly, Green-Root gripped his silver spear and raised it to meet the new visitors. He dared to take a quick glance at the staff lying at the center of the room. To his horror, it seemed to be decomposing.
,,What is that object?"
His expressionless eyes took in the Breton and the Altmer.
,,I am treating a patient here. He is not yet fit to receive visitors. Leave."
Veric
Veric's plan hadn't worked, but it wouldn't matter. He entered the cave and looked around. The place had been almost completely obliterated it seemed. A few corpses were strewn about, perhaps a few living still left. Veric completely ignored the Argonian's threat, even his presence and carefully dropped himself into the smoldring crater in the cave to where a staff lie.
To his astonishment the staff was falling apart, decomposing. Veric reached out and lifted it up, hoping that perhaps human contact would keep the device in existence.
(OOC: the staff belonged to one of your character's jack. its fate is up to you so you can post what exactly happens to the staff when you next post)
Ian, making a point
He took in the scene, an Argonian was threatening the breton, but heedlessly the man picked up the rotting staff. If that thing caused all this then its remains are too important to fall into the wrong hands.
Ian crouched and nocked an arrow, taking careful aim at the magical instrument. If you thought ignoring me was smart, you have another thing coming. He let the arrow fly toward the staff in the Breton's hands.
Green-Root, warning.
The Breton ignored him and lowered himself into the crater. With one swift movement, he grabbed the staff.
,,Don't touch it!" The Argonian warned against his will. It was already too late. The staff burst into flames and lightning crackled through the small blaze. When the fire vanished, the Breton was holding a parchment.
To the receiver of this letter.
An old friend of mine, Fervus Noctus, met his fate. Perhaps at your hands, perhaps not. It doesn't matter. His death disturbed the balance in all planes of existence for a short moment, bringing his fate to my attention. Now that he's gone, I lay claim on any possessions he left in this world. As a friend, this is a duty I must fulfill. It was as he'd wished. I will take the staff to a place where no one can retrieve it, so it can join its master in death after centuries of decay. Do not try to find me, for I am a wanderer who does not submit his existence to a single plane.
Aureus Lucis.
(Since this comes as a pure surprise, maybe Veric burned his fingers? Nothing major, just a minor nuisance. I planned on removing the staff completely from the field due to being too powerful. I wanted to let Aureus retrieve it but then he would likely stay in the rp and upset the balance even worse than Fervus. I think the parchment is a better idea. Not to mention it is kind of flashy and may keep Veric on his toes even though there is no threat.
)
Edit: I didn't noticed Ian's action. Sorry, maybe the staff got shot out of Veric's hands before burning up, preventing his fingers from getting hurt.
Veric
The staff burst into flames in Veric's hands yet so long as there something solid to hold on to, he continued to grasp it. An arrow nearly missed his arm and pierced the flames that the staff had become but Veric was too interested to be bothered with the projectile.
His burnt trembling hands were left with a piece of parchment. He read it over, found it uninteresting and dropped it to the ground, quickly recomposing himself. Veric, faced with several people he did not know, addressed the first who had shot an arrow at him, simply with an odd, "It's not a good idea to shoot arrows at me."
He then turned to the Argonian and the man whom he was caring for, "Who is he?" gesturing towards the beaten Karn.
???, Near Swampy Cave
A young man surveyed his surroundings. He crouched and waited, a cheap iron arrow nocked in an ornate wooden longbow. The air was still save for the sound of a deer lightly grazing. The young man, quite young in fact, no older than 16 years, pulled back the drawstring steadily and took aim at the deer when a small pop of magicka interrupted behind him, startling both him and the target. His mark got away, though he was not bothered by it.
He turned to see what caused the noise when a much louder "pop" rang from Hero's Hill accompanied with a flash of light. The young man ducked instinctively at the sound, only to catch a glimpse of a woman lying in a clearing in th e direction of the original noise.
His eyes widened and the arrow fell from the bow and stuck into the ground as he ran to the body. He fell to his knees beside her and the first thing that struck him was the beauty of the person who lay before him. Her greyish skin shimmered with sweat in the sunlight and, although she was unconcious, a distressed look was written across her face.
He extended his left arm under her kneck and lifted her into a sitting position then extended his knee to support her back. With his other arm, he reached around his back, grabbed his flask of water, popped the cap to it and asked in a tone not so deep as an aged man's though lower than a young boy's, "Hey... Are you okay?"
Had her eyes of anguish opened and peered into his of concern she would see a young, timid but handsome man, probably of Nordic descent with some Imperial in him. His skin was well tanned, his sun-stained blonde hair was loose and uncut. It would appear he lived in the wilderness...
Ian, cavern
The breton was so fixated on the staff that Ian's arrow had little affect. He shook his head, and put the weapon away. Maybe I should have just shot him, spared us all this trouble When the man asked about the Argonian's "patient" Ian finally looked at the mer.
His eyes narrowed further as he recognized Karn. I could kill you here and now, but I would perfer to kill you on your feet.
Karn, same
While the Breton picked up that infernal staff and got burned as it burst into flames Karn had simply glared with a great measure of annoyance. Before he spat an unkind reply at the arrogant breton he heard Ian's message and stared at his advarsary.
"Good, I won't take long to recover, and when I do we'll see who is fit to live, once and for all!" The Imperial simply nodded an affirmative, some thing about him was different. He moved different he breathed different, nothing was the same.
Then turning his attention back to Virec, he did his best to spit in the arrogant snot's face. "My name is Karn, and I won't be talked down to, even if I can't breath without feeling pain."
Voltar
Voltar kept a passive stance as he walked into the cave and observed the events unfolding before him. He had to admit that he was a bit pleased to see the staff disappear in a burst of flame and lightning. That meant he still possessed one of the more powerful staffs upon Nirn.
The spell that was on the tip of his mind was nearly released when he saw the arrow attack upon Veric. It seemed the man who had followed them in didn't want them to have the staff. His elven eyes discovered that the man was actually a creature of the night. A vampire. He also saw that the vampire recognized the injured Dunmer on the other side of the cavern.
Voltar decided to change the spell on the tip of his mind to a fire one, knowing that such an element was a weakness for Vampires. Should he aim that bow again, Voltar might be provoked to unleash his spell. Maybe make a conjuration or two as well.
Karn
His breath was ragged, like he was breathing through a gag. Karn wanted more then anything to rip that Breton to pieces. But he knew full-well that he couldn't do anything worthwhile, not in his current condition.
So he simply became silent, not willing to give this man anything useful exept his contempt........
Karn
He looked directly at Virec, then closed his eyes. Karn didn't believe that telling this man anything was a high priority right now. I would much perfer to get back to normal..... He let his breathing slowed down, letting his body begin to heal...
Ian
Ian studied the Altmer closely, and then remembered where he'd seen him before. That councilor's consort.... but now where is that lying n'wah? He looked back at the Breton, and noticed the same qualities he'd seen in the High Elf councilor.
What, now that guy is a shapeshifter? Now I really know I should have shot him. He strode outside, abandoning whatever would go on in the cavern. He had no reason to be near that politician- then it occured to him that whoever that person was might not even be a politician in the first place.
Voltar
Voltar caught sight of Ian's disappearance, taking note that recognition of himself was on the Vampire's face before he left.
Now how do I know him?... Oh that's right, he was among that group Veric had met with in the Imperial City and Leyawiin. No matter, I'm certain we can convince the group that his vampirism has effected his sanity. He's now inhuman; a creature that should be destroyed. We will likely be able to convince some of them to turn against him, Voltar thought, dismissing the possible problem the Breton posed as quickly as he thought of it.
"Look's as though he's too injured to answer. Are you any good with Restorative Magic? I haven't tried one of those in a long time, so you wouldn't want to trust the results I would get should I try to heal him," Voltar said, referring to Karn.
Veric
Veric shrugged, "I'm not that skilled my self," he said as he knelt beside Karn and positioned his hands above the man's chest. He concentrated on a restorative spell. Normally it wouldn't be too strong but his abundance of magicka made up for it slightly.
"Try getting up. You want to kill that vampire who just left? Now is your chance," Veric said as if he had just crafted a miracle.
(OOC: revan, if it was your intention that veric actually left karn alone i will edit.)
OCC: no that was just an excuse for Karn to ignore Virec...... unfortunately for him it didn't work out.
Karn
Through his closed eyelids, Karn saw a brief flash of light...... and the all sorts of chaos within his body went on. His skin regenarated and tissues, bone, muscle, and others, became anew. His eyes opened suddenly and his crimson eyes almost glowed with a mixture of anger and newly restored energy.
I'm going to kill this man eventually, I hate mages almost as much as necromancers. He swore to himself as he got up and tested his limbs, making sure that everything was intact. He looked at Virec's face that spoke of how much he wanted to kill him now, but he shrugged.
Ian
He caught the flicker of light and the faint pulse of magic, he only used magic every now and again. Ian turned to see Karn, fully healed striding toward him with an oddly reluctant look on his face. Darn that Breton, looks like I'll.......
The thought was unfinished due to the sudden surge of power in the vampire's control on his mind. While Karn continued slowly forward, Ian privately grappled with the disease's hold on his mind. The part of him that was Ian simply wanted to go his way; the vampire wanted to slaughter everyone here, Karn, the Argonian, The shapeshifter, and that Altmer.
Both adversaries stared at each other for a long time, Karn to his credit was studying him with obvious confusion. "You're a vampire now?" The Dunmer asked, looking deeply into the tanned eyes of the Imperial. "Yes, and I see that mage revitalized you. I can guess for his own amusement?"
Karn nodded, and Ian understood the mer's hesitation. Despite all his ruthlessness and determination to end Ian's life, Karn fought for his "honor." Which meant pristege, when they had first met Ian had dishonored him by causing him to fail an assignment.
The ninja had sought to kill him ever since to restore his honor. He loathed anyone who dared to put a leash on him, who said they command him. "Now we're both in a simlar hole, and the flood's coming soon....... But only one can escape to higher ground."
Ian quoted a saying that illustrated a rivalry, it seemed rather appropriate now. "We'll fight, but we'll fight on our own terms, not someone else's." Karn replied, glancing back at the cave. "Then let that be the final battle, it has been long in the waiting...... for both of us." Ian said, and he blurred, leaving Hero Hill and his opponent, behind.
Voltar
Voltar was looking for some entertainment, so he decided to Karn out of the cave, making sure to keep well in the distance.
Unfortunately, it seemed that neither participant were interested in fighting and the Breton left shortly after a few words were exchanged. Disappointed, Voltar returned to Veric.
"Well it seems neither are interested in battling each other. So if you want to go question the Dunmer, now would be the best chance," he then eyed the Argonian, "Or we can always ask the Argonian as well. Seeing as he's here and all. I have a feeling that Dunmer might have a bit more information for us though."
Karn
When Veric came out and spoke, Karn scoffed. "You've done me no favor, Breton." He felt hollow right now, it was odd, unexplainable. But he didn't let it bother him, and he decided to give a small bit of information.
Besides, it's not like the Silhouete's done me any favors. He mused, thinking about his late brothers. "Its name is the Silhouete, some otherwordly apparition or the like. As for where it is now, I have no idea, probably investigating one of the failed attacks on Bravil or Bruma."
Ian, southwest of Hero Hill
After leaving Karn and the other people on Hero Hill, Ian finally began to think about what to do next. He'd had a chance to end his fued with Karn, but did not find himself willin to fight the mer yet. I hardly know what I'm capable of.....
That was a problem, it wasn't vanity that made him need to explore what he was capable of, but pragmaitism. If I don't know what I can do then I might try something in over my head, or overlook something important. But he wasn't willing to test himself, not yet at least.
Ian strode through the brush, occasionally pushing away a thorny plant, until he came to a frozen pond. Looking at his reflection, he immediately recognized that he would need to feed soon or else draw attention to himself. Still he doubted he could look under a rock and find a willing person to feed upon, so he clicked open one of the flasks Rahk-Vir had given him.
The sudden scent of blood, caused him to guzzle the small container, spilling several drops on his cuirass. When it was empty he felt rejuvenated, but he looked distainfully at his bloody armor before washing it off.
I need to get back to civilization, join whoever is fighting the Silhouete. Then I can feed on the dead corpses of his minions..... The thought had appeal to his new mind, and as long as it didn't make him do anything foolish, Ian liked a plan.
He continued to make slow progress through the brush, when he felt an odd sensation. Someone was nearby, someone ill or unwell. Ian felt another person, younger, and therefore much more appatizing...... "No, I won't be controlled by some disease!" His mental protest was unguarded and he realized that if there was a telepath nearby they would have been able to hear it.
Karn
Though Veric's words were certainly audible, Karn didn't care what the man wanted to do. Dreams of granduer from an over-confident mage.... Though many of his fellow ninja practiced sorcery, only enough to supplement their physical arts, he thought anyone who relied completely on magic was a weakling at heart.
A simple silence spell, when deprived of their precios magic, these man are nothing, all you can rely on are your own skills and body. Naturally he hid his thoughts, seemingly staring off into space. When Veric complimented him, Karn chose his words carefully.
"I look out for myself, causes come and go, a year? Three hundred years? Nothing lasts forever, I don't owe my alligence to anyone, especially a pair of purple eyes a floating rope. As soon as that thing's empire begins to crumble, I'll leave and serve myself again until the next would-be conquerer comes along." Karn spoke in a dispassionate tone, everything came crashing down sometime, he just intended to extend his life as far as he could.
Karn, talking to Veric
"Because," he began smugly. "I don't care with conquering, I'm a ninja, it is niether my place nor my desire to rule something. I just exploit a cause until it begins to die, and then I leave it behind to find the next thing to minipulate."
Karn could guess that Veric was trying to recruit him, of course I'll treat his cause no different. "If I were to destroy the Silhouete's army, I would do it on the inside. To orchestrate one's demise one must be very close to their target." The sentence was talking about more then one person......
Oran, on the field of Battle
His men dived forward, toward the ruin of a farm house as long, rattling, waves of arrows arched down the field. Oran turned to see the last of his men taking up cover behind the beaten down rocks, but Shaid fell before he managed to get behind the protective covering, arrows protruding from all along the right side of his curiass, streams of blood pouring along it. Oran winced, and turned, glacing over the wall at the lines of archers.
Simple job, that one said... Ha! I can't remember when spearheading an assualt was simple... At least the pay should be good...
A sudden scream picked up in his group, he turned to see Makas lifted from the ground, impaled on razor sharp claws. "Clannfear!" He shouted, diving into it. Pinning down its arm unto one knee, and jamming his gleaming blade into its shoulder, he was giving as good at he was taking, until a few of his men managed to get over to help him, beating the daedra down, and causing it to dissapear in golden sparkles. Panting he turned back to the enemy archers who had fallen silent, where they stood was a smouldering cater. Shouting a battle cry, he jumped the wall and charged...
Later...
"3498, 3499, 3500! Its all here." Oran told his men, and women, turning to his second in command, Matile, he gave orders to loot the bodies of the fallen, collect thier own dead, and to make preprations to move out...
OOC: Dramatic entrance, but it seems we're headed to... Morrowind?
The Silhouette, Cheydinhal
The Silhouette remained in Cheydinhal, and his army had still been growing, as more reavers came and more bandits from the further away provinces. This army was still not good enough to meet the Imperial Army in battle, however. The Silhoutte walked down to the street and muttered an inaudible spell. Suddenly his great Tiger came sprinting around the corner. The Silhouette mounted and left the city. He rode up towards the mountains.
Meanwhile, on the coast of Black Marsh
Suddenly ships appeared out of the fog that always seemed to envelop the coast of Argonia. They were bearing a weird dark flag with letters that were not used in Tamriel. Two argonians were swimming in the ocean when they noticed it. Suddenly black arrows came from the front ship and the two were hit. Red water appeared and they floated to the top, impaled with countless arrows. The ships came up to the beach, hundreds of them. Snake people came off the ships, scales of a golden color and horrible green eyes. They carried katanas and wasahkis(sp?) and some of them carried halberds. There were thousands of them...
Karn
He gave Veric a sideways looks. "Perhaps, I'm not close enough to know what goes on in that thing's none-existant head." He crossed his arms, thoughtfully. "But if I were to draw conclusions from the way he keeps a slack leash on us, I'd have to say that we might not be his real army......."
Karn had no idea if this idea was true, but it made some sense. it's not like he moniters our movements too closely.....
Satyana
She felt better as time went by. The sweet boy that sat beside her was a bit weird, but ever so friendly. He gave her water to drink and kept her warm and pretty comfortable.
Satyana was dozing off, when she suddenly sensed another human being not so very far from where she was. It was a familiar one, because she could sense his mind, but not exactly grasp what he was thinking...
Is it...? No...it canīt be...but...but YES..ITīS Ian! Ian! Ian! Itīs me, Satyana..Iīm...ehh here and Iīm alright, is Issac with you?
She wondered if he had sensed her.....
Ian, making contact
His head snapped up when he heard the telepathic call. "Satyana?" Ian looked around trying to get a feel for where she'd called from. "No, Issac isn't with me; I haven't seen them since I left Leyawiin" He crept toward where he'd sensed the two presences...... Two? Ian called back, "Who's with you, Satyana?"
Ian, same
He continued closer to the two presences, making some noise as he pushed aside frozen ferns and bushes that were impeding his progress. Ian felt anxious to rejoin at least one member of the group, it would be a start.
Suddenly he paused mid-action from passing one of the last peices of foliage. How am I supposed to explain myself, she's not stupid, naive maybe. But Satyana will know something is different...... Ian stood there pondering this new delima. Well, I'll have to tell the truth, nothing more, nothing less. And he strode close enough to Swampy Cave to spot Satyana and the boy.
Well, there's no going back on my decision now.... Ian moved into view.
Satyana
She closed her eyes trying to depict Ian, Issac and Rann, oh how she longed to be with them agaoin and how she longed to be back in Chorrol, in her nice apartment. It would be so fun if Issac wanted to come and live with her...so fun!
She sensed Ian getting closer and thought sheīd warn the Boy that someone was approaching, she didnīt want him to be scared, but Ian was a nice man it would be ok..
"Hey, weīre gonna get some company" she said to the Boy, gently stroking his chin, "A nice man called Ian will soon arrive, but you donīt need to be afraid, heīs very kind..."
Flint Ironwood, moving out (finally)
Flint waited for a moment. The group seemed to be unsure about what to decide. The Breton grew impatient with it in the end.
,,Alright, that's it. We're leaving. Flogir, let's go." He said and walked away.
Green-Root, still in the cave.
Green-Root was still sitting in the cave after the visitors had left.
,,We'll receive guests soon. Good, I need to judge the strenght of the other side."
Ian
He abandoned the treeline, and walked toward Satyana and the younger boy. The vampirism gave a new level of awareness to his trained eyes. Satyana was being afflicted by something, but Ian couldn't identify what it was, yet.
The boy was in his mid-teens, his skin was more tanned then Ian's ever had. He looked like he'd spent most of his life out here, his blonde hair was long and loose. The bow he had didn't seem effective for anything other then hunting, but he probably doesn't use it for anything else.....
Satyana
"Ian! Here I am" She waved at him as she spotted him coming out of the woods....But there was something different about him...something she couldnīt put her finger on..or was it just imagination?
It was good to see a familiar face anyway!
OOC Gotta go now! se you tomorrow!
Ian
He returned Satyana's greeting with a nod, and gave her a mostly genuine smile. Her innocence filled him with remorse. Not to mention how Issac will take this...... Ian had been taught to know the consequinces of his actions before he went through with them.
This time he'd only payed attention to a few of the reverberations. I didn't think about Issac..... or Satyana, or anyone else. Well, I made my decision; now I must deal with the results...... all of them.
Flogir
Flogir doubled checked his weapons before pulling up behind Flint. He was a bit nervous about what layed ahead of him. Especially since none of the telepaths had decided to join them. It was looking as though they were going to travel blindly into the warzone, with no means of communicating with the rest of the party. Not the best situation but Flogir decided to think more about the positive aspects of just him and Flint going.
First off, if a telepath went with them, there was a possible chance that an enemy telepath would pick them up. Also the fact that there was only two of them, they would be able to sneak their way to Hero Hill more easily.
"So Flint, got any strategies for investigating? I was just thinking that since you're the more stealthy one between the two of us, I would just follow your lead."
"Soldin"--Near Swampy Cave
Soldin, as he called himself, was perplexed. First Satyana warned him of someone coming, then a man emerged from the treeline. "How..." his voice trailed off, as the man called Ian approached.
Soldin would've stood to introduce himself, or rather make himself seem gentlemanly, but instead he remain seated; either because Satyana in her weakened state was leaned up against him, or because such manners had escaped him over the years.
"Hello," was all he could manage to the newcomer. He had not sensed anything off about the man because not only could he not make his vampiric features out clearly, but Soldin wouldn't know to recognize them. He had never in his short, uneventful life gotten the chance to deal with one infected with such a disease.
Ian
He came to a stop beside them, and the boy greeted him as well. Ian bowed slightly, despite all the changes going on he wanted to make sure he wasn't completely degenerating from his former self.
"Greetings, you two." He said to them. "Are you both alright?" We have to get moving again as soon as possible, the longer we remain in one place the more dangerous that place becomes..... Ian thought grimly.
Ian
His eyes narrowed as he peered critically at Satyana. What is she doing out here? Away from the others? Ian knew for certain that she wasn't well, and certainly not with a disease. Or any disease that I know about, so that leaves some sort of poison...... Either way, I don't know how to help her except to treat her symptomes accordingly until we find a healer.
"We have need to go, we need to find help for Satyana." He cast a momentary glance at the boy. "And these woods won't be safe for you anymore, so you'd best come with us."
Soldin
Soldin became slightly disgrunteld at Ian's statement. And these woods won't be safe for you anymore, so you'd best come with us. He felt as if he were being talked down to. His home, or shack rather, was only a few hundred yards from where they were now, and never in his life had these woods posed any real threat.
Though not one to argue, Soldin stood. He didn't ask, but simply assumed Satyana would be unable to support herself and without a second thought obliged himself to carry her on his back. He moved his quiver from his back to his belt and carried his bow in hand to accomodate her.
Soldin looked to Ian with a 'Lead on' look. It was now his Nordic strength would serve him well.
Ian
Once Soldin was ready, Ian nodded and pulled out his own glass bow. He lead the way, rather then reenter the treeline, which had losts of obstacles to slow them down, he moved down a less rough trail that probably hadn't been used for awhile.
Ian could tell that Soldin had taken a slight offense to his statment, but there were forces at work that the boy didn't know about. He might have survived out here for a few years, but I doubt he's faced something like an army of orcs, goblins, and not to mention every being with a tainted heart on the continent....
Flint Ironwood, heading for Hero hill.
Flint shrugged.
,,Well, I dunno. Normally I work alone and as I keep mentioning, I've been retired for twenty years. How about moving around in a circle and approaching the hill from the other side? We could climb to its top out of view and spy on whatever is around there from above. Unless this whatever also happens to guard the other side."
Flogir, following Flint
Flogir nodded. "Sounds like a good plan to me," he said with a "lead on" expression on his face. "I'll make sure I keep my senses clear, just incase any baddies decide to sneak up on us."
With that he edged out Iceshard and crouched low as he followed the stalking Flint.
Sodsa -> in for a meeting with friends
Sodsa went through the forest, leaves whipping past him as he darted past. Sodsa looked around and then down at the horse
She know where she's going? It seemed like it when we left, and they couldn't have moved that far that fast. Unless they split off the trail...
The horse jerked to a stop and, from the lack of hooves pounding on the ground and the wind whistling in his ears, Sodsa heard voices. They were just far enough so he couldn't make out words or tell who they belonged to. Sodsa drew his bow and nocked an arrow into place. Dismounting the horse, Sodsa snaked through the lush foliage, making noise enough for a person with keen ears to pick up. Sodsa grew closer to the voices, which he could tell were two people. Upon arrival of coming up behind the two, Sodsa recognized them to be Flint and Flogir, he slackened his bow and whistled to his horse.
ooc:I'll leave it to you to decide how to react. don't kill him though
Flogir
Flogir was quietly following Flint when his ears picked up a quickly rising rustling sound. Someone was running through the woods! Flogir managed to pick up the sound behind him and halted movements, signaling Flint to wait.
They happened to be in a small clearing, which was good and bad. Good, if whatever was heading their way only had a melee weapon, somewhat bad if they had a bow. It wasn't long until Flogir could see the rustling leaves of the forest. He readied a knife to throw into the brush, but then saw the familiar face of Sodsa.
"Sodsa! Where the hell have you been!?" Flogir said, sighing in relief, "I could've just picked you off with a knife there!"
Issac
"Well, hopefully we won't have to carry you all the way, Rann." Issac playfully shot at him. In truth he grateful that Rann was coming with them. He may be a pain sometimes, but he probably wants to find 'Tyana more than I do.
Flint, explaining.
,,Well....lost isn't the right word. I did go out on my own for a moment. When I came back, it turned out Sathyana had been kidnapped. So we went east after the culprit till we saw this huge display of fireworks. I'm sure you saw, or heard, it as well. Anyway, most of the group which includes our incredibly large number of telepaths is going towards where they expect Sathyana to be while us two, three now, are going to check out what's left of that hill."
,,How come they can all read minds? Must run within the family or something. Sathyana and Rann both carry the blood of Serene, who is not too secretive about her mindreading talent."
Oran, on the road
The sound of rattling gravel followed his band of men, and women, as they traveled down from thier most current battlefield. He glanced back, watching about twenty-ish mercenaries climb down the high sloped hill he had just made it to the bottom of. He'd lost five good men in the last fight, he had the gold set aside for thier families once they got back to
Cheydinhal.
Coming around the bend, two of his scouts came running back, one being Matile. She panted, out of breath from running back, "Sir, a group of travellers are just over the next hill..." He waved her back to the rest of his men, she nodded and took the other scout with her back to the little caravan-wagon they used as a mobile base while they traveled, to get thier weapons and join with the archers.
Lets see who these folks are...
OOC: Safe passage through the mountians, anyone?
Brianna
She felt sad about the city....and she kinda wondered what Rahvin would do now...she regarded him as the leader.....Hopefully he would tell her, because sheīd stick around thatīs for sure
Flogir
"Well, now that we're all caught up, let's keep going. And try not to be so loud from now on, Sodsa. There's likely going to many things flocking to Hero Hill after that blast, most of which are going to be things that would certainly like to see a group such as ours dead," Flogir said with a slight scolding tone. Being a Woodelf, Flogir thought that Sodsa would be capable of sneaking through the forest, but his loud entrance just moments ago had him a little worried.
"Lead the way, Flint. Or Sodsa, whoever. I know I'll pick the wrong way, so that's why I'm volunteering one of you two," Flogir said with a smirk.
Ian
While "Soldin" had been occupied with his past, Ian had been occupied with his future, and that of all those around him. Though he'd gotten a slight idea of the boy's parentage, Ian was not in a proper mood to be worried about it.
When the boy suddenly asked about what was going on, Ian paused then nodded. "Well, there is a war brewing in this region. All of Tamriel is involved, or will be soon. This conflict is why your homeis no longer safe, some of the factions are imploying trained murderers and beasts....... even deadra."
Ian realized the boy might not even know what Deadra were, sixteen, he was born after the crisis so he couldn't have been orphaned in it like Issac. Then he remembered some of Slodin's memories about his parents. "I'm about as crummy a father as the real Soldin......." He muttured solemnly under his breath, forgetting that the boy was beside him.
Issac
Though Rann wasn't comforted by his attempt to lighten the mood, Issac found himself in oddly high-spirits. Or maybe she will..........
Ian, getting somewhat cryptic
He turned to look apologeticly at "Soldin." He hardly knows some of the threats beyond his forest, people would try and exploit him if they knew how....... He replied in the same remorseful tone. "I know him only as well as you knew him......"
That was all he said, Ian would leave the rest for the boy to realize.
Soldin
Soldin was confused to say the least, "Wha... What do you mean?" he asked Ian. Though when he finally realized he would not get an answer he had to jog to catch back up with Ian. Keeping his words in the back of his head, Soldin changed the subject from his past, "Where are we heading now?"
Voltar
Voltar was listening intently to the conversation between Veric and the Dunmer. He felt he needed to add some input himself.
"Well, when or if we face this Silhouette we'll certainly need to co-ordinate some sort of strategy. I'm all for spontanety, but since this... thing has managed to form a great army within weeks definitely displays power. We'll definitely need to work together. For example, I could easily keep the minions of the Silhouette from bothering you should you wish to engage whatever it is face to face."
It sounded the most ideal thing to do in Voltar's mind. Plus, he wanted to try a few spells that he had been tinkering around with, just to see if they were effective enough for his standards. As he thought about this he edged up to Veric's ear and covered his words in case Karn had a good or magically enhanced ear.
"I for one wouldn't let this Dunmer live should he not comply with us. He certainly knows about our possibility of attacking the Silhouette. Knowing him, he'll pass this information right to the creature and our relative element of surpise would be comprimised."
Veric
Veric nodded at Voltar's suggestion and replied with a low-toned, though not as guarded, "I doubt that will be necessary."
Then regarding Karn and following up Voltar's input he asked with a serious face, "So what say you? Will you aid us in overthrowing your master, and perhaps find a more powerful one to serve?"
Oran, near Cheydinhal
Turning the last bend to Cheydinhal he stopped, his men stopping, and staring down the short stretch of road to the burning town. The buildings were in ruins, their familys more than likely dead, the place they called home, destroyed.
Slowly, they walked past the group they were going to intercept mere minutes beforehand, and wandered the town, going throguh thier families houses, thier favorite spots, and just stumbled along the streets. Oran himself stood where the gates once were, looking around at the destruction, he sighed, and leaned back against the wall, waiting for his men to finish so that they could bury what bodies had been left behind.
Glancing over his shoulder, he watched the group that had got here before him, and waited.
Karn
He chuckled and muttered. "Ambitous, aren't we?" Karn stopped laughing as quickly as he'd started. "I've never actually seen that thing fight something directly..... I don't think stabbing it will actually work. It has no flesh to stab......."
Veric
"So then what is it?" Veric asked, glad that he was beginning to get somewhere with Karn, "Just some clothes floating in air? Any idea how to kill it?"
Karn, irritatingly smug
The mer had a look of prevailing smuggness written all over his face. "I have no idea, but then you're the one who wants to usurp it." Karn felt like his normal confident self again. "I guess you could try and burn, shock, or freeze it like a common apparition, however magic isn't exactly my strong-point."
Rahvin
Rahvin was painfully aware of the group of people behind them, but chose to ignore them for now and help Sadril in his search for survivors.
"Have you heard of any simple path through the mountains? Since it doens't look like we'll be getting horses any time soon, any knowledge would be helpful."
Rann
He looked to Serene. "Where do we look first?"
Issac
Though Rann's question wasn't meant for him, Issac decided to bring up Satyana's call (or at least he thought she'd called him). "I'm not used to telepathy, but I am certain that 'Tyana isn't at Hero Hill anymore......."
OCC: so are Ian and Soldin going to Chedinhal, West, or what? Also it's Hero Hill, not Hero's Hill. You have to go there for a DB quest, Lucien Luchance says "Hero Hill."
Oran, Cheydinhal
Sat peacefully as he waited, keeping an eye on the other group, but relaxing as his men searched the town for survivors. He sighed painfully, as Matile was the first back, she was slumped and crying, he held her, trying to comfort her in the loss of her family.
He turned her around, used the edge of his gauntlet to wipe a few tears of her face, and turned toward the other group with his arm around her shoulders. "Hey!" He called over to two of them who were going through the wreckage of one of the houses.
Flint Ironwood, in the woods. (Name pun.
)
Flint eyed the horse. He did not believe Sodsa's boasting about being able to kill both of them like that. Maybe with an arrow, but not by slitting throats. Still, the Bosmer had a point. Whatever was out there was most likely capable of killing fast and efficiently.
,,That depends on how quiet your horse can be. If she can't, we'll have to leave her somewhere safe where you can retrieve her later."
He leaned against a tree.
,,Things feel different, crowded. I don't know what to make out of it but I wouldn't be surprised if that army has multiplied. We've got to be really careful."
Flogir
Flogir couldn't help but scoff at Sodsa's remark. "I would hope I would be on my toes well enough to catch you trying to slit my throat."
Flogir then felt uncomfortable standing out in the open as they were. "Let's get going, I'm starting to get that creepy feeling of being watched..."
Karn
Not seeing any reason to keep the group a secret from Veric, Karn replied. "Yes, I have. In fact, the Sihouete has instructed me to kill every member of this group. Which include Serene's grandchildren, as well as Serene herself."
I might have just found some help with that task....
Karn
Karn chuckled softly. "I thought you were a weakling mage with dreams of granduer, now I know you're either in over your head or you have somethign to back yourself up when you fight the Silhouete. I have no love for it myself, and I have another reason that is my own for massacring these adventurers."
He bowed his head slightly. "Perhaps an alliance could be in order, you'll just have to prove to me that you're worthy backing up."
Veric
"And how," Veric asked slyly, "might I do that?" He was not fond of the idea of proving himself to anybody. He was a man who demanded respect, but until he was assured of recieving that respect he would go along with other's tests.
Karn
"You're straight to the point, rare gift among sorcerers." He muttered, and thought for several moments. Then he remembered the poison and antidote that his brothers had possessed, and with it the fact that they weren't around anymore.
They were useful, and having all your kin dead in the middle of a job doesn't look very good for me. Karn reached for where he had put the vial of antidote, and pulled out the charred remains. He made a mildly aggitated clicking noise.
"We had Serene's granddaughter, Satyana, as a hostage, that explosion was from an undead lich who wanted to be a hero. It sent her somewhere, but before she was spirited away my brothers and I administered a potent poison into Satyana." Karn presented the shattered pieces to Veric and Voltar. "This is what remains of the cure, now that it's gone we've lost a possible advantage."
"Would you happen to have a way to procure a rare substance in the near future, as in before the girl dies and we lose a chance to get something out of it?" He asked them.
Veric
Veric eyed the pieces of the now useless vial with indifference. He shook his head, "Alchemy is not unfamiliar to me, however nor is it my strong point. Finding a substance should not prove impossible however, even in a small amount of time.
"Though your logic eludes me. I imagine you would want the cure as bargaining chip, but why not simply create a false antidote? Or another poison to finish her off seeing as your ultimate goal is to kill her anyway?"
Karn, neither happy nor enraged
Tossing the fragments to the ground with a measure of disgust, Karn spoke condesendingly. "Well, logically, we'll need to prove the cure is real for the plan to work. That potion," He spoke like he was lecturing an apprentice.
"-could delay the diseases growth, we could have given them a minimal amount for proof, and waited for the girl to feel the symptoms again and the proveed from there." He sighed. "Either way, we need something that is either convincingly similar to the antidote, or find another vial of it......"
Veric
"So then where can either of those be found?" Veric asked straight out, referring to another vial or an identical antidote. Once more he did not appreciate being talked down to. Though he was patient and new his time would come to show that he was no apprentice.
Oran, still where he was
Oran stood silently, watching as one man shouted at a woman, who stalked off, and decided to anwser the fellow going trhough the dirt, "What are you doing there, friend?" Oran called over, giving Matile a gentle squeeze as she snuffled, looking about the burning ruins.
Sodsa Hekal -> In the open
Sodsa nodded at the two's comments and turned to the horse, "Hey, go home girl, I'll see if I can't come back later"
The horse snorted and made its way off toward the imperial city.
"Well, yeah, lets get this over with, standing still with danger in the area isn't good" Sodsa had to take the two's word for their feelings because he couldn't sence(?) anything. He was never good at that, he could only sence the small creatures like squirrels and rats.
ooc: Sorry that I wasn't on yesterday guys (well, sort-of, but you see why) I was at a chick's house until around 10 somethin' last night and was tired when i got home.
Sadril
"Bah," he grunted, now annoyed at himself for upsetting Brianna, though he did not persue her thinking it better for Rahvin to pick up the pieces. Instead he turned his focus to the man who was calling at him. "What does it look like? I'm looking for survivors," he replied as the man grew closer.
Ian, stopping to consider
At Soldin's question, Ian paused to think. Cheydinhal is the closest city, but it's probably been attacked......... Bravil is across the lake unless we went South far enough to cross the river. Cheydinhal seems like a good place to start, there might be something there we could use.
Then he realized the others might be looking around in this region. Likely, but staying in one spot is impractilcal. We should keep going west until we reach the lake, then move north toward Cheydinhal if we haven't met up with the group.
"We'll keep west, then when we reach the lake, we will trun north toward the city of Cheydinhal." Ian informed the boy.
Karn, uncertain
"I wouldn't know where, it was my brothers who supplied the poison and antidote....." He indicated the cave with his head. "They all perished in the explosion, so I don't have a location to procure more."
Then a thought struck Karn. "But being that this is a valuable substance, we could assume the Arcane University in the Imperial City might have a sample of both liquids."
Flint, arriving at Hero Hill.
After a long trek to circle around their intended destination, the three investigators approached Hero Hill from behind.
Flint dropped behind a bush for cover and looked through its branches. There had been a large camp here but most of it was buried under countless rock fragments. A few goblins still scurried around the remains of the camp, looking for anything useful to loot.
,,At first sight, it doesn't look that dangerous. We can handle a bunch of goblins. Then again, you never know what else might be hiding out there." He whispered.
Voltar
Voltar chuckled dryly at the mention of the Arcane University. "I'm sure our appearance there wouldn't be welcomed, but it's not like they'd be able to stop us. They'll try, simply because they're full of themselves, but they wouldn't be able to stop us."
The Mages Guild were too busy enforcing their ridiculus rules rather than paying actual focus to developing their magical potential. It left Voltar with a feeling of superiority over the "mages" of the guild.
Flogir
"Yea, you're right Flint. Better safe than sorry, or so the saying goes," Flogir whispered, pulling up beside Flint.
"I do think we can probably take advantage of the disarray created by the explosion though," he continued pointing to a cave entrance on the other side of the camp, "I think that's where we likely need to go."
Green-Root, sitting inside the cave.
Green-Root was roasting a rat over the fire he'd made. Smoke rose up through the gap in the ceiling. The Argonian took a bite from the rat and chewed slowly.
,,Needs more spices."
Flint Ironwood, planning an ambush.
Flint pointed at the smoke rising up out of the mountain.
,,Either this is a volcano or the place is inhabited. Since it's probably the latter, that is definitely where we need to go." He commented and thought for a moment.
,,Ok, how about this. Sodsa, you cover our approach till we reach that gap where the smoke is coming from. We'll then cover you till you join up with us. We take a rest, make sure no one's spotted us and then.....we drop down through the smoke and surprise whoever is inside. It's risky, I know but it is better than using the front door. So what do you think? Any possible improvements to the plan?"
Dalrus, Hero Hill
"Couldn't we just collapse the cave that thing is in?" she said looking at Flint. "That way we don't have to take a chance of an ambush, I could do it with magicka and we'd be safe," she said looking at the smoke that was rising out of a cave and shook her head.
The Silhouette, Near the Border of Argonia
The Silhouette rode up through the mountains from Cheydinhal and had reached the border of Argonia by traveling through Morrowind, a three day trip by tiger. There he waited for what he wanted most, his friends. Suddenly he saw something, yes, that was it, the Tsaeci flag. Soon armored snake people came into view, thousands of them, line by line with their Katanas, straight swords, and many other foreign looking blades. They looked fierce and angry and were being led by a large snake person. They soon arrived on the scene and the Silhouette looked over his army, it was a fine force as large as the entire Imperial Legion..
Flint Ironwood, you know where.
Flint looked at the young woman who'd managed to remain extremely quiet till now.
,,I suppose we could. But to tell you the truth, I'm sick of this. We run all over Cyrodiil, getting pointy things aimed at our heads everywhere and all that without learning what's really going on. I want some answers and if that means I have to pummel whoever is in there with my trademark spell, so be it." He whispered grimly.
,,To make a long story short, death people don't talk much. Still, I don't want to be the bossy leader here so we'll let Flogir and Sodsa vote. Do we collapse the cave from the outside, or do we go in and run the risk of getting killed but with some potential answers?"
Flogir
"While blowing up the mountain to collapse does sound like a nice idea, we don't really know what is actually in there. There could be captives, or maybe Satyana is there. We can't be sure. Plus, we'll still have the element of stealth if we're careful enough in entering the mountain. Basically, I'm up for Flint's idea. No offense Dalrus."
Issac, not understanding
What? Where did all of this suddenly come from? A third sibling? the third one being taken away at birth? All this was overwhelming, he couldn't help it from showing, but he didn't care if it did show.
"So, there is even more at stake than the fate of the Empire? Is this what Satyana meant when she mentioned me not being a part of a prophesy?" Issac asked, everything that was taking place seemed to be warping out of recognizable shape.
"When did all this start?" It felt like a good place to start, Issac didn't like to be kept in the dark to this extreme. I might not be able to take anything for granted anymore.....
Sodas Hekal -> On Hero Hill with the other peoples
Sodsa looked up from his bow, which he just notched an arrow into, only to see everyone's eyes trained on him. "Erm... Well, I already have my bow ready for the former of the plans, but i do favor the latter of the two. I like my skin and don't find the thought of being it severed from my body a good idea."
Sodsa looked around and saw a rock balancing at the top of a slope. "Hey Dalrus, you could probably blast that rock over there," he said pointing, "And then Flint and Flogir can go the other way to the cave, I can cover them from whoever is left over there. Then we can go up there with them covering us. The best of both plans"
Sodsa let a grin creep onto his face.
ooc: just realized that Flint and Flogir are 40ish and Sodsa and Dalrus are 20ish.... playing with the big dogs now
Dalrus, Hero Hill
Dalrus liked this idea and smiled at Sodsa. "Yeah I like that idea, Flint was right, we should probably take the risk and get the answers, that way later risks will be less difficult," she said looking at the rock. "So I will trap his exit and you guys corner him?" she said rephrasing it.
Sadril
"Pff. Crazy woman," Sadril muttered to himself as Brianna stormed off. He stopped his efforts of searching for survivors and promptly sat on the ground, feeling drained from not feeding in quite some time.
Soldin
Still not satisfied, Soldin asked another question, "What's in Chydinhal? Do you have friends there?"
Veric
Veric enjoyed the idea of going to the Arcane University and found no need to continue his conversation with Karn. He turned to Voltar, "Meet me just outside the gate to the Arcane University," then turning back towards Karn, "We will meet again soon."
He vanished in a teleportation spell, as was becoming his style, and appeared where he told Voltar to meet him, assuming he would follow immediately.
Voltar
Voltar watched Veric disappear and turned to Karn. "Again, I strongly suggest that you don't try to sell us out to the Silhouette or our other troublesome pests. We'll know, and you don't want to know how we'll return the favour," Voltar said evenly, leaving the threat open to Karn's imagination.
After that he waved cheerfully to the Dunmer before vanishing in an aura of magicka which led to him appearing about 6 feet from where Veric appeared. A cold smile crossed his lips as he looked up the tower of the University. The acrid smell of fire was still in the air from the panic riot when the assassination of the Councellor Ocato was revealed.
"I wonder if anyone's home? And if so, I wonder how they'll just their guests?"
Karn, alone on Hero Hill
When the two conspirators were gone, the dunmer remained inert, only tapping one foot and working his jaw as he pondered what to do next. So, now there is a new player in this game....... I'm never going to serve a "benevolent" cause, but now there are two conquerers not one.
Karn began to pace around the hollowed-out rock that was the landmark that gave the hill its name. I can't be too careful with who I pledge my "alliegence" to, I'll just have to wait to see who gains the upper hand.......
The Wandering Sage, near Hero Hill
Despite the treacherous route they'd been forced to take, the battlemages were in no way demoralized. Neither was she, after witnessing the explosion their effort to get here had been galvanized. We all want to find whatever caused that spectacle, and if it isn't here then we might meet potential allies...... or the enemy.
She hauled herself over a boulder, and took a moment to drink heavily from her flask of water. It took the heavily armored battlemages longer to traverse the terrain, but there was no longer any rush. We're almost there, we probably have a head-start over anyone else trying to get here through non-magical means......
Ian, with Soldin and Satyana
He thought over why Soldin had asked him his reasons to head for Cheydinhal, but remembered the boy had likely never been to a large city before. "Cheydinhal, is the closest town, unless you'd perfer to swim across Lake Arrius. We might be able to find shelter in the ruins, and maybe a scroll of teleportation to get to a more populated settlement."
"Also, we could find someone to help us there perhaps." Ian unconsciously searched his pack for another bottle of blood, but felt........ nothing. One closer inspection he realized there wasn't anymore left. We need to hunt, I'll kill my own animal and drain it before eating with Soldin....... I can't let anyone know what I am yet.
Issac
Though he registered every word Serene said, Issac heard some parts better than others. Free her from what? I haven't heard about anything along the lines of "power of three" before now. The Altmeri Agent decided it was best not to ask about what Serene meant until it was necessary.
"Alright, I'm not stepping out of this now." He muttered, then in a quieter voice. "I'm not going to break my vow to her........."
Veric
Veric pushed open the large gate, talking as he did so, "Any new mages probably won't know me or recognize me, though some older friends may. I don't know how infamous you are around here."
He stopped for a moment with a thoughtful look on his face, "How would you prefer to do this? Gain the favor of a few old dying mages so we can get our hands on what we're here for, or shall we just level any who stand in our way?" The answer was obvious, Veric simply asked it for humor.
Soldin
Soldin trudged on, his back a little sore though it didn't matter. He was more than happy to be of some use to someone. Unaware that Ian had come to the same conclusion, he voiced his concern with the woman on his back, "This isn't exhaustion," he gestured with his head to Satyana, "She's ill. Sick or... poisoned. We have to find help soon," his voice trailed off, not exactly adding any new information to the conversation. Cheydinhal wasn't too far of a walk. He used to go there years ago but hadn't since, though he still remembered how to get there.
Ian
"I know, that is why we need to get back to civilization so urgently." He replied, not slowing down his pace. "I don't know what is afflicting her, but it will most certainly cause problems, even with treatment."
This isn't some novice brew, this has to be something created with the intent of causing the victem agony. I only hope Satyana won't degenerate further until we find help.....
Ian thought momentarily about Issac's developing relationship with her. He'll never be the same if Satyana dies....... He found the thought overly pessimistic, but he had no idea how to help 'Tyana if it became worse.
Flint putting the plan into motion.
Flint thought for a moment.
,,Ok, whoever is in there will be alert after the boulder comes down but let's do it." He said. As soon as Dalrus had hit the boulder with her spell, he leaped out of the bushes and ran silently along the trail he'd planned out, using trees and rocks for cover as much as possible. He knew that Flogir would follow.
,,As long as he takes the path I use and bents down a bit, we should be fine."
Flint reached the hole and dropped down on his stomach next to it. Slowly, he unsheathed his swords and took aim at the goblins who were all pointing at the fallen rock and chattering excitedly. The Breton waved over to the two younger members of the group.
,,Your turn."
Green-Root, disturbed.
There was the sound of shifting rock outside. Green-Root jumped away from his rat and drew his spear. The light coming from the entrance faded. The Argonian needed only a moment to realize what was going on.
,,The exit is sealed. There must be someone waiting to fall through the roof."
Sodsa Hekal -> Hero Hill
No offense Flint, but after a huge explosion like the one earlier, they can't be asleep. Sodsa shook his head as Flint left the group to go up the hill.
Sodsa was just about to shoot one of the goblins but he already saw Flint waving up at the top of the hill.
"Humph, just about to have fun. Well, I guess that works then, ladies first" Sodsa said to Dalrus as he signaled the direction. Sodsa kept his bow drawn as he crouched in the bushes.
Voltar, Arcane University
Voltar decided to go along with the joke and took the question seriously. "Well, I believe it would take FAR too much time to gain the favour of these old crones, so I perfer the latter choice."
After that, he calmly walked up the steps of the University, and without knocking, entered the building.
Flogir
Flogir silently followed Flint, mimicing his movements as he did so.
Just keep low... Just keep low..., was all he kept repeating in his mind as he followed Flint. Eventually he reached the bush Flint was covering behind and Flogir stopped beside him. He tried to keep his breathing even, but he was out of breath from the quick journey and the added stress of the situation.
He drew his dagger, just to make sure that should the need of the use of it arrive, he was ready.
Now, we wait for the others...
Karn, Hero Hill
His brooding was interrupted when there was an explosion and a boulder came rolling down the mountain. Karn didn't move, as he realized it would simply land before the cavern's entrance. All around him, goblins gibbered out incomherantly running to and fro on the hill.
Karn noticed a flash of steel, in the shape of a longsword, that moved toward a cluster of bushes. If you thought you could sneak here so easily, you have another thing coming! He blurred and appeared again on higher ground. The intruders were some of the people he was ordered to kill, how ironic that they've come to me without their bait being here anymore.......
Sodsa -> Hero Hill
Sodsa followed Dalrus up the hill, looking up every so often for signs of trouble.
Ha the plan worked, most of the goblins are on the other side of the cave. And the ones over here are confussed
Sodsa swelled up and out of the corner of his eye he saw a blur appear higher up.
"Crap" Sodsa muttered under his breath and reached up for Dalrus to pull her into a laying position. "We have company. He looks familiar"
ooc: I was assuming he wasn't to high up the mountain and Sodsa's eyes are better then most sooo... put two and two together.... anyhow, tell me if that shouldn't work and i'll edit
ooc: Sounds fine with me.
Flogir
Flogir was surveying the rapidly progressing pair of Dalrus and Sodsa when they suddenly stopped.
Frowning, Flogir turned to his companion. "What's keeping them?" he asked as his frustration began to rise. This was no time for lully gagging! He gave the pair an impatient wave and mouthed the words "Get over here!".
Flint Ironwood, alarmed.
Flint surveyed the area suspiciously.
,,Bosmer, they're really jumpy fellows. Rarely jump without a reason though." He whispered. For a moment he thought he saw something blur but he wasn't sure. With a rapid fingermovement, the Breton cast a detection spell and looked again. The Storm flashed through the air and a telekinetic bolt hurtled towards where the blur would be in a moment if it didn't alter its course.
,,So much for stealth. We've been discovered before we even got inside."
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