Devil's Plow - Leaving Ironcraig

[Ringmereth]

"Well said, Tobe," says Duke Ghenthar, who rises from his seat as well. The Duke is tall, and his already intimidating figure becomes more imposing yet as he stands. "If you have anything to purchase, any good-byes to say, or other things of that nature, do them now. I will await you at the city gates in one hour." He leaves the table and walks out of the hall, holding a bag in one hand and his axe in the other.

 

[Phoenix]

"Well said, Tobe," says Duke Ghenthar, who rises from his seat as well. The Duke is tall, and his already intimidating figure becomes more imposing yet as he stands. "If you have anything to purchase, any good-byes to say, or other things of that nature, do them now. I will await you at the city gates in one hour." He leaves the table and walks out of the hall, holding a bag in one hand and his axe in the other.

With little interest for the rest of the group, Thraxus stands and leaves, they hardly needed his hand to hold while they packed their blankets.

In a world stricken with war and struggle, Thraxus was always ready to leave, fight, or simply leave for a fight. Walking to the stables he takes his time to pack both of his horses and saddle them properly before riding to the gates to meet his companions once more.

 

[PsYcHoTiC]

"Yes, sir." Jonath replies crisply, saluting once again as he leaves.

Taking his time to think, Jonath goes to do what he would always did before a quest: pray for help.

He walks down the path, his heavy boots making a slight crunching sound upon the rocky path with each step. After about ten minutes of walking, he reaches his destination; the Shrine of Heironeous the Invincible. He steps in front of the alter and draws his sword as he kneels. Planting the sword tip-first into the ground, he begins his prayer.

 

[Kerrz]

Stalking quickly out of the hall, Tobe makes his way to his home to wish his wife and son farewell. After some mild heart-wrenching, his loving wife returns to the cool demeanor of a soldier's bedmate - she knows that one day he will walk out that door and not come back, so she tries her best to love him while she can. With his equipment in tow, he ruffles the hair of his young son, promising to bring back some more stories of glory and heroism.

Tobe meets his Duke at the gate in solemn silence as there is nothing to be said that will improve the situation.

 

[Ringmereth]

Since Steve isn't posting, his character is now NPC'd.

One hour after leaving the Meeting Hall, Ghenthar and his four chosen companions meet at the gate. The Duke is seated on an imporsing warhorse, and five mounts await the others. "Take your pick of these. If you cannot ride, let us hope that you learn quickly," he calls to the men with a smile. The last horse carries extra supplies, but is also fitted with a saddle. The group packs their belongings into saddlebags and sets out from Ironcraig, their horses trotting through the fortress' gate, perhaps for the last time. Ghenthar salutes the guards who escort him outside and then heads east on a rocky trail. "Come, we yet have buisness to attend to before we leave this place."

Ten minutes of riding into the moutains pass before the group finds itself looking downhill at a cave, guarded by several Ironcraig militamen. Ghenthar's steed gallops down and then comes to a stop next to them. The Duke dismounts and, accompanied by a soldier, walks into the cave.

 

[Phoenix]

Since Steve isn't posting, his character is now NPC'd.

One hour after leaving the Meeting Hall, Ghenthar and his four chosen companions meet at the gate. The Duke is seated on an imporsing warhorse, and five mounts await the others. "Take your pick of these. If you cannot ride, let us hope that you learn quickly," he calls to the men with a smile. The last horse carries extra supplies, but is also fitted with a saddle. The group packs their belongings into saddlebags and sets out from Ironcraig, their horses trotting through the fortress' gate, perhaps for the last time. Ghenthar salutes the guards who escort him outside and then heads east on a rocky trail. "Come, we yet have buisness to attend to before we leave this place."

Ten minutes of riding into the moutains pass before the group finds itself looking downhill at a cave, guarded by several Ironcraig militamen. Ghenthar's steed gallops down and then comes to a stop next to them. The Duke dismounts and, accompanied by a soldier, walks into the cave.

Riding his own horse and now trailing two behind him (one of them curtosy of the Duke), Thraxus comes to stop behind the group and carefully ties all three of his horses off and secures his belongings, just in case.

Following in behind the Duke, Thraxus can't help but ask: "Just exactly what is waiting for us in this cave that is so important?"

 

[Ringmereth]

You're not going to be needing all three-the Duke was supplying horses with the assumption that you don't have one. You're under no obligation to bring his if you don't need it.

Riding his own horse and now trailing two behind him (one of them curtosy of the Duke), Thraxus comes to stop behind the group and carefully ties all three of his horses off and secures his belongings, just in case.

Following in behind the Duke, Thraxus can't help but ask: "Just exactly what is waiting for us in this cave that is so important?"

In the shadows of the cave, Thraxus' answer awaits: a dirty hobgoblin sits on the hard stone at the end of the cave, about 15 feet into the mountain. His hands and feet are both bound with heavy chains, and the chains about his feet are staked into the ground, giving him little room to move. Two buckets sit near him, one containing water, the other filled with hobgoblin waste. Unbothered by the smell, the Duke speaks. "This will be our guide and our evidence. And perhaps a bargaining chip," he says, and without warning, he grasps his axe and swings it down upon the length of chain connected to the stake driven into the ground. It cuts through the steel cleanly, and Ghenthar then sets it aside and roughly hauls the goblinoid off the ground. "You're coming with us, goblin-kin."

 

[Kerrz]

Upon entering the cave, Tobe finds the sight and the smell offensive. He does not deal particularly well with the murderers of his friends and companions, and this creature is no exception. Upon hearing the Duke's words he speaks up, "My lord... you mean that we're going to have to travel with this taint-upon-the-world riding beside us? Are we atleast making sure he is securely bound to his mount? Or better yet... that he is securely bound to his mount as he gets DRAGGED by the animal?"

 

[Komodo]

Troll raises his head slightly and scowls at Tobe. "If you'd prefer," he grunts, "I could gut you right now, as opposed to out in the woods." The hobgoblin pulls his arm roughly away from the Duke and takes a step towards Tobe. Not moving his eyes from the human's, he snarls to the Duke, "Where's my equipment?" He wipes a smudge off of his face with the back of his hand, then turns to glare at the rest of the group, his muscular arms across his bare chest. "You don't stand a chance in hell," he mutters under his breath.

 

[Kerrz]

Tobe looks at his Duke levelly, ignoring the animal's words. With a sneer he says, "My lord. This creature is no fit travelling companion. Perhaps if we break his legs and arms he will be more amenable company... or atleast know well enough to stay quieter."