The Mourning After (Horror) (IC)

[JustinCase]

Maladiel is, at his core, an opportunist. Seizing the chance to hop aboard a rich woman's airship, taking her up on the opportunity to become her favourite, even if it didn't last, or even to take control of a minor operation of the Boromor clan; Mal has always found a way to survive and even thrive in the face of adversity.

He smiles, despite everything, as his confidence grows about their chances.

OOC: survival: 1D20+2 = [20]+2 = 22 (nat 20!)

 

[Leatherhead]

4th of Zarantyr, 998 YK. Morning.
Dead Man’s Land, Metrol, Cyre

You venture forth into the ruins of the Dead Man’s Land. Buildings shattered, the dead and undead preserved in stone (calling cards of the House Tharashk Medusa squads), and the ever present mist lying limply on the land. The distance wouldn’t have been long, as a crow flies, but you are no crow. Instead you quietly skulk, climb, and sometimes crawl through gaps, as if you were a mouse.

Eventually you find yourself near the border, where Yelisha directs you to a building that breaches the wall. But one obstacle is still in your path: An overgrown and wilted garden. The wide selection of rotten plants imply this place was beautiful, years ago at least. The garden's twisted tangles of vines and roots consume the building, blocking the doors and windows.

As you test the unnatural barricade, you hear something, behind you. Your attention is drawn to a single black flower in the center of the garden. Bent over from wilting, but still as tall as a dwarf, with a stem as thick as your arm. The flower shakes and slowly points itself in your direction. From it you hear a weak voice.

“...please…so thirsty…”

 

[Neurotic]

Whisper from the mists where you last caught a glimpse of Malix
"Do you think it only requires water?"

 

[JustinCase]

"We should keep moving," Maladiel whispers, not trusting anything in these lands. He pauses, hoping to see Malix and the others leave the flower and everything else alone.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Next it will be hungry," suggested Lazharis, "And then it will try to eat us. Still, perhaps that will be an interesting way to die. Shall we water it?"

He took his water skin from his belt and held it with a quizzical look at the others, noting Maladiel's objection.

 

[Hades#2]

"I suspect it is not water that the plant is thirsty for. Based on what we have seen and heard about magebreeding, it probably subsists on blood, a rare commodity around here." Xian commented.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Ah yes, I should have suspected a vampiric plant." remarked Lazharis dryly. He took a swig from his water skin, seeing as he had it out, and then corked it and put it back on his belt.

 

[Neurotic]

"Still, it is a direct way through. I might try to get there quietly. Not sure if that helps with plants, or how they sense the world."
offers Malix

 

[Leatherhead]

"...please... I know it hurts ...but will not killl..." The plant pitifully pleads. "... if you give, I will help..."

 

[Hades#2]

"Help how? I don't see how we could trust you. You're probably a trap designed to lure in anyone passing by and drain them." Xian commented, fully aware of his injuries and the danger that lay ahead.

 

[MetaVoid]

"It may cause the others to not attack? Or maybe this whole lot is a single plant? If we have to fight all the way through, it may attract other...troubles."
Ozzar thinks for a moment and raises his voice slightly.
"Show me what you will do."

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"I am not unwilling to feed it my blood," said Lazharis with no sense of concern, "If we think it will actually help us."

 

[MetaVoid]

"I am not unwilling to feed it my blood," said Lazharis with no sense of concern, "If we think it will actually help us."

"Maybe we can share the burden...but I want to know what it will do."

 

[Leatherhead]

The plant stays silent for a moment. Suddenly you feel a small rumbling below your feet, and the withered foliage on the building twists, but not enough to allow passage.

"...I ...can move... the... vines" The plant exhaustedly explains. "...but I.... need drink..."

 

[MetaVoid]

Ozzar looks alarmed at first and then shrugs
"Eh, I meant what will you do to us. But this works too, just know, if you take too much, the deal is off. And we may have to go to the root of the problem, y'now."

OOC: I would still like to know how much it will take, I wouldn't have too much problem with about half my hp ("bloodied" in 4e terms)

 

[Leatherhead]

GM: Feeding the plant will take Hit Dice, It needs two HD from up to two characters with blood.

 

[Neurotic]

"It's your life...it may get greedy once it has it's thorns into you. And if it's so exhausted, we could just walk over these plants and it couldn't do anything. How can it help really us?" Malix whispers

 

[FitzTheRuke]

"Let's find out." Lazharis answered Malix, and walked over to the plant, ready to try to break free if it betrayed him.

OOC: He'll let it take two HD.

 

[MetaVoid]

Ozzar follows Lazharis, both as backup or protection and to share the blood, it may be prudent to share instead of having one of them exhausted.

 

[Leatherhead]

Ozzar and Lazharis approach the plant, one more cautiously than the other.

The withered flower turns to greet the sacrifice by lifting a vine adorned with blackened thorns for both of them. Each vine languidly creeps along at a tedious pace. Moving through the air, over the hand, and up the arms, until they find a suitable vein. The thorns find purchase in the flesh, and come to life with shocking speed. You feel the blood drain out, and something else being shoved inside.

"...Thank you... my children... have a chance..."

Before you can protest, the flower, the gardens, and the vines on the house wither into dust. Crumbling all around, and sinking into the dead mists below with a quiet ripple.

Unfortunately, the ordeal is not yet over for the duo. Your arm aches as something grows within it, burning and twisting as it spreads out inside your flesh. From the wound, a small black flower emerges. Iridescent, and much livelier looking than the one that was just talking to you.