Midnight: A Lost Faith's Shadow. Book 1, The Awakening. Chapter 3, Baden's Bluff

[maddmic]

The physical torture that Herger had endured paled in comparison to his mental anguish. He had lost the girl and now the Shadow's minions were that much closer to obtaining her. Not only that, but he and Starhl had told the legate information that they did not need to know. Unsure of the orcs motive, Herger watched as their captors walked away. His gaze turned to the waters of the Peulria and the unnatural ripples that formed. In a hushed voice, Herger called to his northern companion.

"Starhl, can you move? We must get away from this place. It has been haunting, knowing that the enemy understands what we protected, yet refreshing to know that she has not fallen in their hands yet. We must move now. We must try to save Aislinn."

With that, Herger begins to work as his bonds, eventhough it will shred his hands and feet. He tries to free one of his hands by pulling it over the nail.

 

[Krug]

Starhl growls in anger when Theiv says how he has taken the wolf. "I will get her back and I will kill you. Then I will slice off your tongue because you talk too much and watch as you bleed to death."

--

Starhl nods to Herger, knowing death awaits anyhow. He too starts to free his hands by pulling it past the nail, biting down on his lower lip to obscure the pain. His heart seeks revenge; slow and terrible revenge.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

We must go and try to free our friends now. We need to be quiet to avoid alerting the Shadow's forces as to what we are doing. Kaela, if you choose to come with us, know that we cannot risk the use of arcane powers. The Legate and his unholy beast are too close and would surely sense it, and we cannot wait for them to get farther from this place.

 

[Toric_Arthendain]

As Lodric speaks, Valurel's face remains an impassive mask. Whether he is keeping his emotions in check or is void of emotion is unclear. The events of the last day would be enough to shatter the spirit of anyone.

Wordlessly but with a nod to Lodric, Valurel moves out of the cave and begins picking his way down to the shore where Herger and Starhl are nailed to their wooden poles. Vengeance burns in his soul. But first his friends must be freed. There will be time for vengeance later.

OOC: Climb +4 (if needed on the way down), Move Silently +8 and if necessary (orcs or legate still in the area) Hide +8

 

[Bobitron]

Kaela nods in response to Lodric's warning, nervous but willing. Gathering up her courage, she moves with her friends.

ooc: Climb +0, Hide/Move +2, Spot +2

 

[Hrothgar]

Thiev glances behind him back at Starhl and smiles wickedly but does not slacken his quick gait. Within minutes, the legate and his orcs have disappeared, quickly climbing the narrow trails that cross the steep bluffs above the Dead Shores.

Starhl and Herger strain at their bonds but to no avail. The spikes holding their hands and feet are many and deep. Additionally, their large heads resist the flesh that tries to slide over them.


The crimson light from the dying sun glints on the northern reaches of the Pelluria as dusk and shadow gather on the Dead Shores making visibility difficult for those not blessed with sensitive vision. Above, the Heroes descend through the tunnels and shafts that honeycomb the stone bluffs. Climbing cautiously with the aid of the other insurgents, the Heroes finally emerge from a small cave, the water lapping its lower edge. Murdoch looks at the water apprehensively. Be careful of the water, but we must move quickly. Orcs will be watching from above. If we are successful, flee back to this cave and we will collapse it, preventing any possible pursuit.

Quickly the Heroes move out onto the stony shores with Murdoch, Ensin, Bowen, and Elaural. Running along the beach, Valurel sneaks a look up the cliff, their previous vantage point lost in shadow and crevices. At the cliff top, lined crimson in the sun's dying light, are orcs, their spear tips glinting in the sun. A hoarse cry goes up followed by the blat of an orc horn. The Heroes have been seen!

Racing to the Starhl and Herger, the Heroes seek to find a way to lower their comrades from the wooden poles they are nailed to. Raised high, Starhl's and Herger's feet are shoulder level with the Heroes. The Pelluria laps ominously against the bottom of the poles and any sloshing in the water by the Heroes seems to only add to the anxiety of the situation.

Murdoch hisses, The orcs will be coming. We must get these Starhl and Herger down quickly! At that moment, something moves nearby, churning the water. With a hiss, several gaunt forms break the surface of the water, long strands of ratty hair hanging over skeletal frames with flesh hanging in tatters. Help us! Several croak. It hurtssss! So hungry! Others screech. Striding through the water, diseased-ridden talons outstretched, the Fell advance, jaws agape.

 

[maddmic]

Herger looked down at his friends and was deeply moved by their actions. He had been unable to rip the nails through his hands and escape death, yet now his friends had shown up and were placing themselves in between him and his demise. As the fell began to emerge from the waters and having heard the sounds of alarm from the orcs, he yelled.

"Friends, cut the poles and drag us, or flee. The enemy aproaches and you are Hopes last chance. They know who she is!"

 

[Bobitron]

"Herger! Stahrl! Stay still, we'll try!"

Kaela has her knife in hand, but she looks futilely at the thick beam, deeply imbeded into the earth. Turning to Lodric, Valurel, and the other insurgents, she holds her hands out in a display of dismay. "I don't fear the orcs coming here, but the Fell come from the water. We have to be quick!"

EDIT ooc: Use my stone to cast Barkskin on self.

 

[Krug]

Starhl chuckles as he sees his companions, still wincing from the pain. "Haha... where does one find companions such as this... the pain..."

 

[Hrothgar]

The Heroes are torn between defending Starhl and Herger and aiding their companions down from their testaments of pain. Before the Fell can close with the Heroes, Elaural steps forward, raising her hands and calling out in a melodic voice laced with conviction. By Aradil, begone restless spirits! You will find no foul feast here tonight! Her face and body strain against some unknown force as by a sheer force of will, Elaural forces the Fell to halt their advance. Shrieking in rage at being denied their meal of warm flesh, the Fell stalk the water and stony beach around the Heroes.

Ensin and Murdoch waste little time. Slashing at the worm-eaten poles with small hand-axes, they quickly lower Starhl to the ground. Bowen immediately begins the gruesome job of removing loose spikes or sliding flesh and bone across the massive iron nails holding Starhl's feet and wrists to the wooden pole.

When Herger's pole is hacked through, Ensin and Murdoch are unable to hold up Herger's massive weight. The pole crashes to the ground, the spikes tearing Herger's flesh and breaking small bones in his hands and feet. His wrists are yanked free with the crash, one of the spikes still embedded in one wrist. Crying out in pain, Herger grabs the spike to rip it free of his flesh. Once grasped, Herger feels a strength he did not know he possessed. The spike is iron, its head notched with hammer blows. The iron is coated in Herger's blood, but in some places where the blood has dried, Herger's blood seems fused with the iron. The spike is a testament to Herger's fortitude. Herger's pain. Herger's suffering under Shadow. Herger's triumph.
OOC: Herger's Pain (the iron spike) is a convenant item. At 2nd level, the character gains the Diehard feat, even if he does not meet the prerequisites for that feat.

Aiding Starhl and Herger from their posts, Valurel notices a reflection in the shallow water. Reaching down through water, sand, and stone, Valurel pulls forth a small, intact mirror. Its outer metal rim is simple in decoration, Dorn design most likely. Looking into the mirror, Valurel sees his own reflection slowly fade to reveal his innermost fears and his greatest triumphs. Hovering behind Valurel's reflection is a sad-faced Dorn woman, ghostlike, emphemeral. The revealing lends Valurel strength, strength to make Valurel more fierce than he already is.
OOC: The small mirror is a convenant item and has revealed its power to Valurel. Once per day, the mirror can cast Heroism on the user.

Pulling Starhl and Herger across the stony beach, the Heroes flee back to the cliff, the Fell pack circling the Heroes. Above, orcs stream down the cliffside path with orc horn blats. As they reach the cliffside, the Fell begin to close in with jaws snapping, Elaural's ability to hold them off exhausted...