After hearing about the exploits of some adventurers from the crap town of Wistvale, a wagon was sent out looking for anyone willing to help a small lake village with an issue the driver refused to disclose until someone accepted. The reward would be what the town could afford, being a collective tax to hand over to those willing.
A small band accepted the offer and rode off to the far away village. Half way there, the driver finally confessed what the task at hand was, the slaying of a local god. He exclaimed that the village chief would explain more.
After a long drive, the party arrived to a small settlement, nestled next to a lake with a forest at the other end.
The party was dropped off and led into the largest building, a two story log house. Inside, sitting by a fire was an old man, shorter than Serenity, and bent over from old age having sat on his back. His bushy, white brows hid his eyes and wrinkles covered his face. You could count them all and know his age like the rings of a tree.
"Welcome..I..hope the travel went well." his voice was cackly, nearly inaudible.
Grayell was somewhat confounded by his own lack of preparation for the trip after his leg wound. He knew much better. In the face of not having brought any items with him, they would have to be firing on all pistons.
The ride gave him some time to reflect and familiarize himself with what little of the land he witnessed. Finally arrived, it was time to hear more about this god. Surely an exaggeration.
Grayell took a seat not far from the elder and smiled. It wasn't his first time with such a man by such a fire.
Uneventful elder. Now you must tell us of this beast and how we are to defeat it.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec takes a seat behind Grayell, trying to be small. We're here to kill a GOD?! he thought to himself. I signed on to take out a few bandits, not kill a GOD!
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
The elder began a coughing fit before he could talk. Their medicine man was in the room and knew a little curative magic. He placed his hands on the back of the elder and poured a white light into him.
In the mean while a young lady stepped forth, a short haired youth with light brown hair and pretty face.
"Please excuse my grandfather, he's not been well and the distress of our village makes it worse. I can tell you about the god, our guardian."
Serenity was in the room as well, but she preferred to stand and leaned against a small pillar off to one side of the room. She'd yet to really get to know the man, Alec, who looked to be a strange sort with those eyes of his.
"For as long as our people have lived here, we've paid homage to a noble beast of the forest. A kind soul that has let us stay here and protect us so long as we give it simple offerings of veal."
A somber look began to overcome her face, "But soon it wouldn't take the meat we offered, and instead took our people. One by one, at different times."
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2011 17:54:08 GMT -5 by Serenity
Serenity looked over to Grayell, but didn't say anything. His speech sounded a little insensitive, though she knew of his tendency to be straightforward. The mage just hoped it didn't offend the poor girl.
"We've only..seen it once before it turned on us, our guardian, but it sends its young ones after us, to fetch us. Black monsters you would only see in nightmares."
Some tears were beginning to form, "They...sir I don't know what we've done..but I know my little brother didn't deserve to be taken!"
"Gwiyn, please, control yourself girl." said the doctor who was still helping the elder. "How am I supposed to be calm! My brother was taken in the last attack, and besides grandfather he's the only family I have!"
The girl was beginning to sob, Serenity went to try and comfort her while the doctor stepped over to Grayell and Alec.
"Why don't we step outside? I can tell you both a little more during a walk."
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2011 17:54:25 GMT -5 by Serenity
Grayell nodded but was somber. He said nothing as he proceeded outside. His voice was low, he didn't want the girl further upset.
A beast you have seen but once enjoys the luxury of fresh veal and now turns on you, sending it's young to hunt your people.
I am sorry, but none of that sounds right. Just how long has it been this way? What could have caused such a change in the dynamic? Would you not be better off moving your people elsewhere? It sounds like a bear has been left to eat scraps in your barn and now is brazen enough to enter your home.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Following the doctor and Grayell outside, Alec leans against the building. "You wouldn't happen to know the name of the spirit, would you doctor?" Alec asks. "I read into forest spirits rather extensively at the aca-" he stops himself short, and looks at Grayell. "At any rate, I've read extensively on forest spirits. I may know why this one has been slighted."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
The town seemed quiet enough, the scenery was peaceful, you couldn't tell anything was wrong at first. Yet there was a severe lack of animal life save for the fowl.
"That's the thing you see, we can't leave. The creatures that hound us, along with their master keep us here."
The doctor pointed to a stable, "You see there? That wagon team that brought you is the only one left. And more men were sent with it when it left. These creatures refuse to let us leave. The people here risked everything they have to send word for help."
The doctor somewhat slapped his forehead, "Where are my manners? My name is Dean, and I've been a medicine man to these people for several years now."
Dean looked over to Alec, "None save the Elder knows its name I'm afraid, and in actuality he's the only one who's seen it in person, while it was still this village's guardian. The first time these people have seen it was when it first became corrupt. I was amazed as well. The beast walked on four legs and was larger than any forest creature I'd seen. It could probably uproot a tree with its mouth alone. Yet part of its being was clouded in darkness, a shadowy form."
Last Edit: Aug 12, 2011 3:23:56 GMT -5 by Serenity
Grayell nodded and drew his sword, only to rest it upon his shoulder.
So you're being farmed. Utilized to feed it's brood. I'm just guessing of course. If it's cloaked in such darkness than it could be corrupted, some form of chaos has taken a hold of it.
That or it's not your Guardian and as you say - none but the elder know. You could be entirely mistaken and it is just some dread beast that has taken residence here.
Either way, looks like we have to kill it.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec looks at Grayell for a moment, then nods. "I'm not sure. I'd like to avoid killing a benevolent spirit simply corrupted. It'd be nice to cure it, if at all possible." He looks to Dean. "At any rate, I'd like to speak with the elder. This task......it's seeming more possible the more I learn of it."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
"You may want to talk to a few of the town's people, I've only been here for about 3 years or so and only gone so far into the forest to collect herbs for medicine."
The doctor began to move pass them, "Excuse me but I should see to the Elder, I'd ask for the spirit's name for you but he's a bit stubborn. He believes that only those the guardian trusts can learn its true name."
He was at the door and opened it partly before he said one last thing, "Oh, and if knock on some of the doors, don't be surprised if no one answers. The sad truth is that they may not be home."
The doctor moved inside but not before letting out Serenity who's shoulder was a bit wet.
She walked over to Grayell, a slight look of gloom over her face as well, "Well, did you learn anything? What do you plan on doing?"
Grayell placed a hand on her shoulder - the dry one and smiled. He looked about and then pointed.
We start over there. We need more information and for some reason, we aren't getting it. The short version isn't enough in this situation, I don't think we're being told everything.
I want to know how long this has been going on.
Alec [M:118:6:][D3v:http://rpgmenagerie.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=cs&thread=412&page=1#1242]"I see," said the blind man to the deaf lady.[0:Wandering the stacks.][1:Present and accounted for.]
Alec looks over his shoulder as the doctor disappears into it. "I don't like that man. Too eager to leave us without enough information."
"But, ah, before we go any further, perhaps I should introduce myself - as you two seem to know each other quite well already. My name is Alecsander," he says, extending a hand to Grayell, "Alec to my friends."
Come in under the shadow of this red rock, and I will show you something different from either your shadow at morning, striding behind you, or your shadow at evening, rising to meet you. I shall show you fear in a handful of dust.
She nodded her head, "I wasn't able to learn much from the poor girl either, Gwiyn. I had a difficult time calming her down, her brother is only 6 years old."
Serenity turned over to Alec, "I'm sorry we didn't get to talk more on the ride over here. I am Serenity, as I'm sure you heard Grayell say several times during the trip." she extended her hand to him as well.