@DE: They really needed the high ground! That was the only way I could realistically think of them taking on this base and actually succeeding without making the forsworn total idiots. I think you misread, Kharjo nailed one right off the bat, but even he needs to reload.
I thought you would like a bit of barbarian action.
Kharjo kind of does look a little stuck up in that picture. He gets his share of fun though, dont worry. Thanks DE!
@Acadian: Not everything can be smooth sailing can it?
Big weapon and little armor seems to be the proper definition of a barbarian.
If you are talking about the big mountain, thats the throat of the world! Thanks Acadian!
@Grits: I needed to make sure everyone knew what the ward did. In game it adds a small amount of armor, but I thought it would be more appropriate if it just pushed physical things away. Glad you are enjoying Darnands adventure with Aravi and Kharjo!
All of Jerrics crew? Interesting, I did not know that about Lil and Abiene.
I see you agree with DE! Thanks Grits!
@SubRosa: I agree with you on the wards. Without some restoration perks, they are completely useless! Poor wet kitty is right, Kharjo and Darnand will have to take care of things without her!
Bloodskaal is so cool!
Shes been using it less though.
You are right about the tower! That was the first time Id ever been in that area!
Aravis fur blends in well with those stones still. I expected more people to have trouble finding her. Thanks SubRosa!
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Previously, Aravi, Kharjo, and Darnand started phase two of the attack. After reaching the top of the stairway, Aravi charged a group of archers with a ward and a sword. She fell into the river below and nearly drowned. When she pulled herself onto a rock, she saw a portal to Oblivion
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Kharjos stomach flipped when he saw Aravi fall into the river. He didnt realize he was yelling until he ran out of breath.
Was Aravi hit? It happened so fast, too fast for him to see. He raised his shield in time to block a volley of arrows. His ears rung with the series of impacts against his metal shield.
Six more, he remembered.
Aravi will be fine, he told himself. He had to believe it now. He braced the crossbow on the ground and put his boot through the stirrup. It was awkward while hiding behind his shield.
Where is she? he heard the breathless question just behind him.
Water, was all Kharjo could say.
A fiery disk popped into existence next to him and quickly expanded. Kharjo dropped his shield and weapon and scrambled out of the way. It seemed to darken everything around it, as if it consumed the very light. Through the mouth of the portal, he could see lighting streak through red tinted clouds. In the foreground was a man, shrouded in darkness. The man stepped forward, through the raging inferno, and into Tamriel. The afternoon light fell on him and Kharjo could see that this was not a man but a Dremora. He wore armor of twisted metal and spines. His face was totally obscured by the helmet he wore.
The Dremora threw his hands in the air and screamed a battle cry. His voice was as twisted as his armor. Kharjos ears flattened at the sound and panic shot through him. He fought the instinct to run away. The forsworn fired a volley of arrows at the Dremora. Instead of blocking them, or moving out of the way, he stood there and allowed the arrows to strike him. The missiles burst into flames when they touched his armor, leaving him unscathed.
He opened his palm and a sword, as jagged an ugly as his armor, materialized into his raised hand. It wasnt translucent like normal summoned weapons, but a real, physical sword that he just called from Oblivion. He pointed the sword's tip at the six Forsworn in front of him, and above Aravi.
Aravis ok! Another volley of arrows was shot at the Dremora. Again, all of them burst into flames.
It must be enchanted to destroy weapons.The Dremora threw itself at the archers, attacking with savage abandon. A fireball flew past Kharjo, impacting somewhere among the defending archers.
Kharjo didnt stay to watch the slaughter that he knew was coming. He ran to the waters edge and kneeled. Aravi was still lying on the rock in the middle of the river, coughing.
Aravi! he called and stretched his arm out to her. She was out of reach.
She looked up and her eyes settled behind him. Her eyes went wide and her ears angled forward in shock.
Aravi! he yelled again. Come!
Her eyes settled on his, then his hand. She gritted her teeth and her ears flattened. Then she pushed off the rock with a hiss, back into the water.
A fireball went over his head. The light reflected off of the water. He couldnt see her anymore. Two waves of heat washed over him, one from the projectile, and one from the explosion. The sounds of fighting above him distracted him. He almost fell in when Aravis hand took his and pulled.
He hauled her out of the water, pulling back until he fell backwards. Aravi landed on top of him and rolled off. She tried to stand and fell to the ground.
Kharjo looked at her foot and saw a bloody tear.
I think a shard of ice went through my foot, she said with shaking breath. And the ankle is broken too. She blinked tears from her eyes.
It must have been an ice rune, he realized. A nasty trick that they always needed to be cautious of.
Kharjo gave her one of his potions. It would take some time for it to begin working.
With this ones potion and Aravis own magicka, it should be enough. The only question was how much time. Drink that, he told her unnecessarily.
She nodded and said, I can fix it. You and Darnand need to finish this though. I cant move.
Kharjo looked ahead. A few more of the crude tents could be seen behind a palisade wall. He watched Aravi drink the contents of the potion and grimace. This one will take the wizard and go. Khajiit will be right back.
He stood up and looked around. Above, things were quiet.
The archers must be dead. At the stairs, the portal to Oblivion was gone. All that was left was scorch marks. Darnand ran to them.
Are you injured? he asked Aravi, speaking breathlessly. His face was sweaty and...
is that soot?Kharjo spoke for her. Aravi is injured, but will be fine. We need to finish this without her. Kharjo gestured to the palisade with his axe.
Darnand looked at Aravi, then Kharjo. He nodded, accepting this fact without blinking.
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A khajiits armorOverlooking the fallsWorst nightmareMake them burnBringing the light