Age of Worms: Act I - The Whispering Cairn

[Ozmar]

"Very well. As I have already said, I agree to your plan to distribute these ill-gotten goblin gains among ourselves. I see no other legal recourse in any case, and I trust that you shall distribute the wealth fairly."

"As we are all in agreement, we shall plan to meet here on the morrow prepared to explore these mysterious cairns. I will take the wounded (and any who wish to accompany me) back to the garrison to seek assistance from the temple of Heironeous."

With that, Jorun will venture out into the rain to bring his horse, Copper, to the office and begin preparing him to carry the unconscious warrior.

 

[Majin]

Thinking at least someone should accompany Orin to the lodge, Damien will mount Juniper and head there with the ranger.

 

[hippocrachus]

"May Smintheus Apollo watch over you, animal friend!" Chryse addresses Orin warmly, glad to see the elf-kin so ready to help the defenseless ratlings.
As Orin and Damien head off towards the lodge, Chryse prepares himself for the long trek to the garrison.

 

[Majin]

As Damien rode alongside the ranger, at a slow pace so as not to outdistance the man on foot, his thoughts once again turned inwards as he reflected on the events of the day. Here he was, getting himself into some sort of trouble as usual. On the whole at least, it was better than doing chores and tending the horses. There was at least more money in this, despite the rising risk involved.

Turning his head slightly to regard the ranger, his gaze fell to the baby ratlings still in the sling that had been fashioned for them. "I don't believe I caught your name back there..." he prompts, not recalling the man meeting his introduction.

"What will happen to these ratlings when they are transferred into the hands of your associates?" he asked, curious. "Can animals like that even be tamed?" he added, his expertise lying only with horses, he did not know much else in the way of animals.

 

[unleashed]

Orin Heartwood, Male Half-Elf Ranger

I hope Venelle will release me for a while to pursue this adventure into the cairns, as I’d like to see if this treasure exists and to get my share of it if at all possible...if nothing else it will be a change of pace, though I hope not to be that direly wounded again very soon...if ever.

Somewhat distracted by his own thoughts and his focus on the terrain ahead looking for possible trouble, Orin answers distractedly, “My name...Orin Heartwood...as for what will happen to the ratling I don’t rightly know...I haven’t dealt with the Bronzewood Lodge before, but it is likely the best place for them from what I’ve heard.” Orin falls silent for a while after that, reflecting on the situation they encountered, before answering the last question, “Hmm, well I don’t know if they can be tamed as I know little about training animals, but they are not usually quite so vicious as that...the combination of any creature being trapped, hungry, and defending their young often makes for a desperate adversary so I’ve been told.”

 

[Majin]

Damien nodded his head in mock understanding of Orin's explanation. "I'll take your word for it..." he replied, and grinned at the ranger, hoping to share in what little mirth he could with the man, no matter the stretch.

His grin became a grimace as he fought a shudder upon realizing that just a short while ago this man was nearly dead at his feet. If I had been 10 seconds slower... he thought, fighting desperately to push the horrid thought from his mind.

"How far yet till the lodge?" he asked, attempting to swing his thoughts back to the task at hand.

 

[unleashed]

Orin Heartwood, Male Half-Elf Ranger

Absorbed in scanning the area as they travel, Orin never lifts his gaze to look directly at the horseman and misses Damien’s gestures and expressions.

“A few more hours Damien, at least in this weather...though it will probably only take us the same amount of time to return to Diamond Lake if the weather continues to improve.”

 

[Saterus]

Samuel will help Jorun and Chryse get Shadow up onto Jorun's horse and help with any other preparations. At the garrison, he will try to clean my mudstained clothes a bit (he wasn't injured, so healing won't be necessary). He will also walk into the barracks and try to, without being noticed, put a couple men to sleep. Just to practice. After failing when he needed to succeed, his confidence has waivered. If he can practice the spell, he may regain that confidence.

OOC:
[sblock]Go along at a normal pace, I'm just setting out what I want Samuel to do since you guys seem to post a lot during the day while I'm at school. I should be home fairly early tomorrow though.[/sblock]

 

[Verbatim]

Orin and Damien:[sblock]Although Orin soon finds the trip increasingly painful due to his wounds being only barely healed, the ranger keeps his face stoic even as his arms grow heavy from carrying the load of the ratlings. As the rain begins to turn into nothing more than a mild drizzle, Orin begins to recognize the ring of crumbling menhirs which overlook Diamond Lake and form the outer edge of the Bronzewood Lodge.

Damien sees nothing more than a collection of stone and mud, with a scattering of hardy trees that seem to defy the poor nutrition of the rocky soil. Turning back to check on the trail after checking on the ranger, who in the past hour has grown slower and slower in his steps, Damien's eyes grew wide as three cloaked strangers had suddenly appeared in the middle of the road.

All were garbed in a plain brown cloak which seemed to repel the rain that still lightly fell around them and while none had arrows drawn, the ease in which they held their bows gave little doubt to Damien it would not take them long to ready them if need be.

The center figure pulled the hood back that was concealing its features, revealing an attractive young woman who could not be more than a couple of years older than yourself. However while her face might have been pleasant, her voice was hard when she spoke.

"I am Katrina and this land falls under the protection of the Old Faith. What business do you have here city-walkers?"[/sblock]

 

[Verbatim]

Jorun, Chryse, Shadow, Samuel:[sblock]While the journey through the rain towards the garrison is a slow one, the journey back was an uneventful one. As they neared the stone keep, Jorun met others in the militia and knew as soon as the first patrol passed him that his return would not go unannounced to his father.

However it was not Commander Trask that rode out to meet his son, as well as those who rode with him, but Father Velias Childramun. Jorun knew many considered the older priest too peaceful to follow Heironeous, and while Jorun had never personally ever seen the priest wearing a weapon of any kind, Heironeous had never withheld his blessings from the man and that was enough proof of his faith for Jorun.

"It would seem the Shining One saw to test the mettle of your steel this day Sergeant. It is good that your faith and sword saw you safely home."

As his eyes came to rest on Shadow and the others, Father Velias turned to the two young acolytes who had ridden out with him.

"Take him to the infirmary, as well as the others who are wounded. I have instructions to escort the Sergeant to speak with the Commander if he feels up to it."[/sblock]