The Rising Tide...

[Grayell]

(This is an adventure for anyone and everyone, regardless of where you're at in regards to acclaim and so on. I'd like to see a communal effort

I'll also be loosening up the usual rules some at times, to allow greater input from the players and make the actual plot more collaborative.)

The tide rolls in and out again each day in Wistvale, the timing almost as dependable as the finest clocks made in Brenellia. Many things wash up on the beach each day as well, interesting could-be-treasures wound up in the flotsam and the weeds. Today's tide brings something much worse.

The fishermen have complained of empty nets this morning and whilst they have since given up their hope in favor of hiding from the scorching midday sun, the good citizenry of Wistvale now relax somewhat. It is lunchtime and anyone who earns a hard living is quite inclined to combat the heat with something cool and refreshing at either the Menagerie Tavern, or one of the smaller pubs that line the harbor district.

It's no great surprise then that when the first shipped is rocked hard enough to take on more than half it's girth in water, that it doesn't go unnoticed. People hald-rise from their seats, hands firm on the tables between them as they look to the pier.

Their gasps only grow as wood splinters and boards fly, the as yet unseen object beneath the pier quite destructive in it's path. Shouts go out but elicit little more than confusion - so far.

[Goose]

It was a night of merry making and much drinking for Goose. The hunter had met a more pleasant company at the Wistvale tavern and shared many a humorous tale as they paraded in the night sounding like a pack of wild dogs with a barking disorder and the need to be put down with the end of a 4x4. One story actually involved a long hard piece of wood but a more pious individual would tell you remembering it would only make women weep and children shatter windows.

The lovely evening shared by the old man was apparent to everyone passed him by as he slept in the sun, apparently not bothered by the heat or just couldn't be bothered to move into the shade. Actually, many assumed he had died but none wanted to move him due to the smell he gave away.

Someone had gotten around to call the Sentinels when the screaming started and Goose groaned himself awake. He did his best to shove his entire head into his hat, but to no avail. The shouting and sounds of panic hammered at his skull like the gods intended. They too had to hear his awful stories.

Just kill me and be done with it...

It was then that he heard the boards breaking in the distance and saw a ship being pulled down into the water. The old man grumbled as he grabbed his gear and reluctantly went to go investigate the matter.

Damn bumpkins, act like they never seen a ship inexplicably sink into the water before

[Zhara]

Some people feared the ocean; some people couldn't be anywhere but in or by the ocean. Zhara was neither, but she had always been drawn to it like some sort of spell. She was sitting at the end of a dock with her feet dangling above the water. The young girl was contemplating to seek shelter from the afternoon sun in a pub or something when she saw the ship sinking.

Zhara stood up immediately preparing herself for whatever comes next. She scanned the horizon to see if there are any stray debris that would make their way toward unsuspecting head. Also, she strained her eyes and ears to see if there might be someone that that ship that needed help. It was a hot day, and she wouldn't mind a little dip in the water.

[Grayell]

(I am going to leave this open to new comers throughout the thread and again, anyone should be quite happy to join. At this time, we roll on.)

The planks on the pier continued to rattle and bounce, a post cracking loud enough that it simply had to have splintered, cargo tossed this way and that but luckily, no people. The people on the docks had the sense to run for the sure, or surer footing at least and all now stood about, somewhat panicked and looking for an answer in the stirring waters. And it came.

It was an ugly, hideous and aquatic by design beast; it's hide covered in thick, armored scales, fins adoring it here and there though a biologist might have a hard time making sense of their purpose. And it was almost unknown - something most assuredly unknown to those who hadn't travelled some of the world's worst waters. (Read: Lore 3 to identify.)

The creature dragged it's considerable bulk from the waters and into the shallows, it's mitts ending with terribly cruely looking claws. Easily the size of four regular men (well at least in terms of it's bulk), or three of Wistvale's larger types, it's dread eyes scanned the crowd and then locked on something unseen. With an uninteligible, bubbling croak, the beast voiced it's distaste for the crowd and made its way toward the street.

None, as yet; contested it.

[Goose]

Until now.

As soon as the creature dragged its ugly hide out of the water, Goose readied his bow and aimed for the head of the creature, pulling the string back all the way to his ear whilst breathing in.

"I've seen all kinds of ugly, some of it fashioned out of my own, but you, beasty, are just something the sea gods coughed and spat out to make 'ol Goose work harder at pissin' off the deities."

Goose let the arrow fly with all his fury, aiming to send the creature back into the ocean and regret breaking any ships this morning.

[Zhara]

"Well, isn't that a lovely sight?"

Zhara had jerked her head from the sinking ship toward the pier when it started to crack throwing things here and there. The sight of the beast made the young girl glad that she hadn't eaten yet. The noise that it made only made Zhara wished such a creature could just not exist.

Shaking the head, Zhara concentrated then with a wave of her hand summoned a gust of wind with as much sand, dirt, and rocks as she could gather shooting towards the monster like an arrow. Meanwhile, Zhara herself ran toward the old man with the bow.

"Mind a little help? Two against one is always a better odd."

[Shen]

Shen wasn't at all impressed by having his meal disturbed, or his morning beverage. It was as dark as mud, quite potent and just to make it matter than little bit more, he'd added a shot of something he'd brewed in his spare time. Spare time, like the time he had now or had, now that the monster had disturbed it.

Shen looked on as it dragged itself from the water, causing all manner of destruction and sighed as he cleaned the lenses on his glasses with a cloth he kept just for that purpose. And old man took a shot at the beast, just as a slip of a girl let fly with some strange amalgam of magic at it. He wasn't entirely convinced either of them were about to be successful.

He did, however; recognize the beast from his studies (And from a PM to Grayell). A river troll, though not quite as large as they could supposedly be. A good thing too, given the current predicament.

Still Shen was intent on finishing his drink before he did anything. It wasn't his business as yet and really, an old man and a girl still struggling with puberty should surely be enough to handle it.

[Khorek]

Khorek was drawn to the water in the hopes of a morning meal. He rather enjoyed both fish and shellfish and had found that the shore by the docks were a wonderful place to forage for crabs and clams, tiny treats small enough that most people left them alone. He was quite happily spinning a hapless crab in his paws, nibbling at ti like a cookie when the commotion started.

He stood as the water swelled and the sound of splintering wood and shouting disturbed the water birds, before he scrambled further up the shore.

Khorek wasn't familiar with anyone in Wistvale and he was happy with things being that way. People were an odd lot and didn't understand his species, their ways or more importantly, his accent. He was also quite small compared to most of the people who lives within the town and that being the case, he would likely be looked down upon.

So now, as always, he clung to the shadows and rather than stepping into the open, he peered over a large storm drain to witness the events unfolding. It didn't take him long to decide he should probably help out, or flee the scene. Given that profitability likely didn't side with fleeing, he prepped his bow.

Khorek had a fine bow once. It was his pride and joy, something he had crafted many years ago. It was unique and deadly, it's aim as true as could be, it holding alarming power considering it was wielded by someone so small. He didn't have that bow now. He also didn't have the rather cruel arrows he had invented.

Now, he had a common, crude bow. His arrows were made with simple wood, the heads salvaged from scraps of metal and sometimes stone, or ceramic. He knew one thing though. His aim was sure.

The arrow clacked against the wood of his bow, before dropping to rest upon his hand. His grip was unorthodox, his fingers open, his palm pushing the bow away as he gripped the string and drew the arrow back. His thumb grazed across his cheekbone, drawing a familiar line through his fur, just as hew drew a simple breath.

Without a sound, he released and sent the arrow forward, aiming at the monster's fleshy side.

[Grayell]

(Again, this thread will remain open to any and all characters.)

And so, our stalwart adventurers break from brunch to attack the oncoming nasty. It went something like this. Goose was an old hand with his bow. There was not a day in the woods where he could not be confident in his ability to aim, shoot and kill his dinner. He also knew that larger game required far more arrows. That said, his aim was true and flew through the air, directly at the large beast's head. The creature may have seen it coming, or may have gotten lucky, but it's ugly jaws snapped at the moment of impact and shattered the arrow before it could do any harm.

Zhara spent little time prepping her spell (for clarification on this, ask anyone or read the magic guide in Game info, it's very gelpful and shot off some debris, carried by the wind. The spell struck the creature in it's abdomen, but her lack of focus on the technique meant that it's force largely dissipated as it traveled. The creature was unhurt but rather insulted and roared in it's frustration that anyone should assault it.

Shen did much of nothing, as was his way.

Khorek shot from a concealed position and stealth afforded him some element of surprise. He also aimed at the creature's side, which it was not guarding. It was moving however, lumbering up the shore and toward the town and as it did so, it's massive bulk sloshed about on it's frame. Khorek would also notice that the creature had many scales, though they did not cover it's entirety and they would likely make hitting it much harder. Still, his arrow struck and the creature yelled again, now ready to lash out.

Three Sentinels came running, halting right before the creature, their polearms held up defensively. They yelled and threatened and told people to get back of course, but their formation was broken as the creature simply picked up a very large cargo crate and hurtled it them. Two of the guard fell back as the third simple fell in a heap, his weapon tossed aside and no movement coming from him.

The sight of a guard likely being killed finally drove panic completely home in the onlookers and many a scream of fright and fear broke out. It was enough to stir the crowds and suddenly, people were running every which way but toward the action. The monster roared once more, moving forward once more, it's black eyes looking left to right, spittle dripping from it's maw.

[Alexander]

::Alexander had heard the comotion, but given his recent run in with the local law enforcement, he was not inclined to come running to anyone's aid just yet.

Actually some small part of him was hoping that the merchant's stall from before would be part of the collateral damage caused by the river troll. ((High enough Lore to know))

He stepped up to stand near Shen, holding a saucer in one hand while sipping a dark tea from a cup in the other. A dark smile played across his lips at the sight of the Sentinels being attacked and again hoped they were the same that had confronted him the other day.::

"Good afternoon, Doctor. It appears business will be booming."

[Dani]

Dani was out in the garden attached to the house of Galena when the sounds of the battle began. At first she thought it was nothing more than an accident on the docks. Some shipbuilders dropping a mast or crates falling as they were being unloaded, something like that. She took a deep breath and whispered a prayer to Galena for the protection of anyone nearby, but was not terribly concerned as any injured would no doubt find their way here if it was serious.

That's when things changed. There came the sound of another crash, and...and was that a roar?

She stood quickly, grabbing her gear that she always kept close and turned to look in the direction of the docks and the noises carried from there on the wind. She could hear screams now and the sounds of people running in the streets beyond the walls of the garden as they fled the area. Something was definatly going on, and it wasn't a simple accident.

Were she inside, she may have considered getting the attention of the Healers, or perhaps grabbing some supplies before leaving, but being outside already, such would take precious time. Time in which people could already be dead or dying and in need of help. Her skills in medicine were not great, but they were enough thatshe felt she could help, and she was capable of other things...

So she slung her bow across her back and exited the garden area for the streets beyond. They were filled with people fleeing the dock area, and she had to fight against the flow like a fish traveling upstream to try and reach the threat. As she moved, she calls out to the crowd in the hopes of finding out more about what's going on and directing those in need.

"What happened? Has there been an attack?

If you're injured, please go to the House of Galena. The Healers will see to your wounds."

[Goose]

"Did you just eat ma damned arrow? Damn, walkin' shite of the sea gods just ate my bloody arrow!" Goose shouted, at nobody in particular. He just wanted someone to know he was mad.

"You ain't makin' a fool of me yet," he said as he picked two arrows from his quiver.

The hunter readied both arrows at same time, both completely parallel with each other as they were strung back on the string until it could bear the tension no more. It was just when he was ready to shoot that the sentinels arrived to get in Goose's way.

Paul cursed something fierce, waiting for the guards to get out of his shot. The hunter wasn't going to put down his bow that easily, and waited for the expected to happen as the guards were thrown down by the beast. He only shook his head as his eye wandered to the sentinel that was still on the ground.

"This is going to stop, here."

But the panic foiled Goose's plans once again as people went mad all around him. Before he could release his shot proper someone had bumped into Paul and the hunter let go of the string, causing the arrows to fly in a direction he wasn't planning on sending them to.

[Kiga]

(I vote for best post of the month! Do we have a best post of the month! Let's have a best post of the month!)

[Zhara]

Hmmm... Zhara cocked her head to process what was going on.

There were too many people around now with the Sentinels about. Anything she wanted to do might bring in some casulties. So, she did nothing.

Zhara laughed at the old man close to her. Seeing the arrows veered off in the wrong direction. Zhara wiggle her finger to hopefully gather enough wind to bring them high into the air. Then, with a flick of her finger downward, the arrows should come down with a fast enough speed with the wind as their guide to barrel down on the monster.

[Khorek]

Khorek had no reservations about continuing to 'help'. He was dissatisfied with the results of his first shot though truth be told, he hadn't expected a great deal more. His target was large and his bow was small, of little use against something that appeared naturally armored. He also wasn't in a hurry to draw the creatures ire and see himself harmed.

Still, there was few other options available. He wasn't going to attack it with his blades so again, he tugged another arrow loose of it's quiver and slid it onto his bow. Once more he drew back, his hand motion as mechanical as before. This time though, he took one brief moment to lower his aim and released, sending the arrow straight toward the creatures lower leg.

When you cannot kill it, seek to cripple it. Then kill it.