Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 1, The Charge

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Flushers

Reznik
The freedom fighter awoke from his long slumber, his eyes adjusting to the dim light within the cave as if a bonfire were lit nearby. He pushed himself off the cavern floor and adjusted his sling bag as he stood to reassess the small bands situation. Although he strove to show as little emotion as possible, Reznik was glad that they had all made it through the altercation at Caft. With the strange powers that Aislinn demonstrated and the sudden appearance of allies at the ancestor ring, Reznik briefly entertained the idea that their was still a benevolent power that took interest in this otherwise forsaken world. But, he quickly came to his senses as he remembered the icy burn of the sword that marked his back, the jagged blade of the orcish knife that slit his throat, and the screams of dying. First his home and now Caft, no matter where he went others suffered. "Master Thiez, Shadow Legate. Thune the Widowmaker, orc war-leader". Reznik hoped that he completed the list soon, before another village experienced hell before departing for the hereafter.

Reznik nods to Kaela's words. As usual the woman's simple wisdom pressed the man on. He accepted the roots from her without a word and began to chew them. Then he opened his sling bag and removed the two trail rations he kept packed. It wasn't much, especially with so many of them on the run, but it was something to eat. As Valurel began to search their surroundings, Reznik divided the rations. Offering them to those he knew, and those who were still strangers to him.

OOC: Is Micar with us? I am a bit confused as to our exact surroundings.

 

[Hrothgar]

OOC: Everyone, characters can only gain the benefits of one gnaw root at a time. Gnawing on the root for one hour gives the benefits for a 12 hour period. Elapse, the Heroes are in a large underground chamber, part of the cave system that lead from Caft's ancestor ring. The large chamber is full of ancient ruins with a large pit/crevass off to one side. Micar is all alone.

The Heroes of Caft slowly move across the ruins, taking time to avoid injury while slowly becoming accustomed to their hurts. Movement is painful. Despair is a crushing weight.

Starhl leads the Heroes to a crevice in the far wall of the chamber, hidden behind a crumbling wall and opposite the stinking pit. Descending into the narrow crevice, the Heroes follow the slowly widening passage. Thank Aryth for Kaela's stone and its luminescence. Trapped in the darkness would guarantee madness. And a slow, painful death.

Time passes. How much? It is impossible to tell in the sunless cave. Just as despair begins to well up and frustration becomes unbearable, the blackness of the cave breaks ahead and a faint white light illuminates the ground ahead.

Morn Sigil

Hee Hee. Those bastards whipped me for the last time. I grabbed my writings and fled north, slinking like a rat through the sewers of Highwall. Hee hee. Fallax's tittering becomes louder. My research lead me here. They laughed at my theories! Ha! I am close to the secret now! And I swear I will make those bastards pay!

 

[Krug]

"Light! I see light! Ahead! We can get out of here!" says Starhl, signalling to the others. He will venture forward to check that the coast is clear first.

 

[Bobitron]

"Thank the goddess!" Kaela realizes what she just said and blushed slightly, a little ashamed that she had picked up Aislinn's words so quickly.

She falls back in the order, standing next to Reznik and resting a hand in his arm. "I'm glad you made it through, Reznik. I thought you were lost for a moment." Her eyes are shy, but filled with genuine hope. "Thank you for helping me escape, and I know Aislinn appreciates it as well."

 

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...the light at the end of the tunnel just may be the train.

Reznik
Reznik draws his blades as Starhl proclaims the light ahead. The scarred man was eager to be out of the tomb, it held to much foreboding for the Erenlanders taste.

As Kaela's words registered in his mind he couldn't bring himself to look at her as she spoke. Instead he nodded his head, however slightly, and kept his eyes down cast.

"I better make sure Starhl has cover", he croaks out, barely audible. And with that he hustles as quickly and quietly as possible to the woodsman side to investigate the light.

MS: +8
Spot: +4

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

Valurel moves ahead warily, slinking along like a wounded animal, hoping the light doesn't lead to worse things than a dank cave. He hopes against hope that there are no Orcs waiting for them to come out. He is relatively certain that he and his companions stand no chance in a fight right now. They hadn't fared that well when they were in better shape, he could only imagine that it would be over before it started this time.

Upon reaching the light, he peers out. While waiting for his eyes to adjust to the brightness, he listens intently for any sounds.

OOC: Move Silently +6, Listen +6, Spot +5

 

[Hrothgar]

The Heroes move forward slowly, eyes keen for signs of movement ahead. The damp cave curves to the right; at its far end, daylight filters into the cave, the source of the illumination seen ealier. Outside the cave, tall pines crowd near the exit and a light rain falls from an leaden sky. Neatly stacked near the opening are numerous artifacts bearing the elegant script seen on the ruins deeper in the cave: splintered stone walls, ornate columns, and even a cracked stone bowl. All of the items are ancient, their exteriors weathered and worn.

Morn Sigil

Outside, dawn begins to break, a grayish light slowly seeping into the cave. Almost two days since Morn's flight from Caft, Morn wonders what new surprises this day will bring.

 

[Krug]

"An ancient people. Probably all dead. Like other ancient people," says Starhl, trying to sound philosophical.

 

[Micar Sin]

"That is an out come devotely to be wished, Fallax...And what have you found?" Morn shifted uncomfortably against the wall as ligth slowly filtered into the cave, ears alert for the sounds of approaching danger...The old man was obviously mad, but what had he found....?

 

[Hrothgar]

Glancing out of the cave mouth, Heroes of Caft survey the surrounding terrain. The cave mouth opens like a ragged wound on rocky bluff. The rock-strewn hill is covered in tall, dark pines that shelter the hill from a light rain. The damp forest floor is free of undergrowth and covered in brown pine needles. Through breaks in the pines, the Heroes can see a rolling, grassy plain extends to the horizon.

Morn Sigil
Hee hee. The secrets of the ancient ones. Do you want to see? I will show you, Whisperer. Fallax stands, his knobby legs shaking unsteadily in the cool morning air.