::The party, now worn and weary from their adventure into the corrupted home of the Thorn Elves follow the trail back to where they had entered without further event.
They find themselves exiting the wood in the same spot as they had entered. The two totems stand to either side of the path as they had found them before. The jewels glint in the light of the sun.
If any were to want to try and pry them out, now was the time...
Alexander does not pause or even glance at the totems as he exits the wood and begins the short hike up the rise towards where they had made camp.::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Pilfering the gems had never even crossed Miroslaw as being a form of desecration. He simply saw it as a form of payment for a long trip. Besides, he saw these elves as being more beast than being. In the end, Miroslaw did not hesitate when seeing the gems.
He immediately said, "Hold up. Since we are on our way out now...." With that, he approached one of the totems and contemplated how best to remove the gems. He pulled out his "Small but multipurpose knife" and attempted to pry the gem from its socket.
(First time using an item bought with gold! WOO!)
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
Mutt ran his hand gently through the rapidly growing grass, wondering how it would react, if it would at all for that matter. If it did react violently in anyway he would quickly pull his hand away and stand up. Rubbing the wound on his hand he started walking back to camp. "I wonder how it works..." He thought out loud. 'Would it force such growth without the stress?' He continued to think, ignoring the gems as Miroslaw attempted to pry them from the totem. Turning to Alxander, what he aid still running through his head as well. "If you don't trust me alone, then...let me learn from you, give me a chance to prove what I am." He wanted to prove himself, not to Alxander in particular, but to most that lay eyes on him. Almost everyone took him for a beggar, an ignorant beggar. His mind was open and accepting of new ideas, learning and comprehending are all things within his ability. "Besides, didn't you have questions?" He added, remembering earlier, although it was a bit fuzzy.
((Moving ahead since Deerfield already said he wants nothing to do with the gems.))
::Most of the party moves past the totems, ignoring the gems they contain. Miroslaw, however, steps up to one and takes his dagger out to pry at the gem set in it.
The tip slips cleanly under the edge of the gem where it is set in the wood. Pressure is applied and Miro feels a slight give as if its going to come free...
And then there is a flash of colored light. Miroslaw gets it full in the face though and sees stars before his eyes from the flash.
Coming with the flash is the loud pops of wood splitting from behind the party and infront and to the side of Miroslaw. Should the party turn to look, they see the two totems come to life. Wood splitting to from crude insectile limbs seperating from a rough head and body. Moving into action, they attack...::
((OPEN RP TIME!! Feel free to confirm actions on your own. Just be realistic and modest.))
::Alexander spins at the sound of the noise behind them, and mutters a curse to himself as his hands already move to pull at the few shadows in the area.::
"Gods damn you, Miroslaw!"
::Tendrils of darkness lash out from the brush near one of the totems to wrap about on of its lower legs. It wasn't much in his weakened state, but it served to hamper its forward movement and prevent it from closing in on the would be thief...::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Miroslaw did not expect a trap. He assumed it was not anymore more than art or decoration for the ill woods.
"GAH!" was all Miroslaw would vocalize as his hands dropped the knife and went up to rub away the burning ache the burst of light caused his retinas. He staggered backward as he did so. When he finally forced open his eyes to see what Alexander was yelling at him for, the totem before him was shackled by shadows but still making a move. Its tendril like phalanges blast towards him in a barrage of spear like strikes.
He jumps backward in what turns out to be a clumsy manner due to the surprise of it all and the burning in his eyes. The attacks make contact with his legs, which had not entirely followed his body yet. He tried to pull his knees up to his chest, but was too late. The attack from the totem causes many lacerations to his legs, mostly insignificant, but a few were direct and will bleed a good amount.
The attacks that connected cause Miroslaw to wince in pain, but to not halt his motion of jumping backwards. However, he is unable to land the backwards vault, partially due to the initial clumsiness, partially to the new found pain radiating from many places on his legs. He ends up falling backwards onto his butt.
He does not find much time to sit and gets to his feet. The pain in his legs is plenty bearable, though it will cause him to be slower. He pulls his claymore from its sheath and readies himself for the soon to be advancing totems. He was a fair distance away from them after his fleeing jump, but it would not last long.
Retreat seemed a fair option, but he wanted the gem even more than before now that it has troubled him more than just prying them out.
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
"Dear gods..." Deerfield complained as he rolled his eyes while turning to the now live totems, drawing his sword and rolling his eyes. He half expected some sort of sanction from stealing those gems, but this was ridiculous. He almost couldn't be bothered to put up with another annoying battle, but he had come to Miroslaw's and the others' help before. In the same way that Zygmund wouldn't give up the gems so easily, Deerfield wouldn't give him up so easily.
He took a defensive stance and treaded to Miroslaw's side. "Miroslaw, let's get our behinds out of here while we still can. Those stones are cursed! Forget them!"
He pulled at Miroslaw's arm and motioned him to escape. Deerfield would stay at his side and fend offthe attacks the best he could. However, he made no attempt to bury his sword into the totems.
She started dancin' real slow, like she was puttin' on a show.
Wet sweat was pourin' off her skin, her body made me wanna sin.
Right then my buzz was kickin' in, she had a devil's grin.
She looked me in the eye and said: You give me the urge!
To do a little day drinkin'
A little bit of love makin'
A whole lot of world shakin'
'Cause it's never too late to get low down dirty!
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Low Down Dirty
((Remember, this is an OPEN RP battle. Feel free to confirm your own attacks and damage, etc... Basically treat it like your the GM of yourself... just be modest.))
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Mutt growled as the totems spragn to life with crackling fury. "Forget it lets get out of here, Miroslaw!" He shouted starting to run away along with the rest of group, not really sure what he could do to help Miroslaw or the rest if combat broke out. He sighed, back peddling to Miroslaw's side and started to pull him away. "Lets just get out of here Miroslaw, come one!" He shouted again.
With coaxing from the party, Miroslaw could clearly tell they were not up for the fight. They needed to get back and tend to their wounds. He looked to the gem that was not on the ground, then to the totems that sought to kill them. With a loud scoff, he fled with the party before the beasts could make any more attacks. "Lets just run then, they cant keep up." For now... the gems will stay here.
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
"Very well. Get our horses ready, I'll slow them down."
::He stood facing the animated totems. Were they some sort of Golem? He may never know, since his party had chosen to abandon the fight. He could not really blame them, as battered as they were. As battered as he himself was.
He would just have to come back again...
Once the three others moved past him towards the camp, he called on the tendrils straining to hold back the one totem. Like some slick ooze, they detached from the forest floor and slipped up to join the slivers of shadow that covered the rough uneven surface of the limb they had been holding. Once there, they pushed into the small cracks and crevices forcing them apart. There was another loud crack as the wood shattered, leaving the thing severely hampered in its movement and unable to give chase.
He took a few steps back as he prepared his next Working. The remaining totem advancing quickly. He didn't need to destroy them, only slow them. He just hoped he could give the rest enough time.::
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.
Miroslaw ran by Alexander, for a second completely forgetting the man had an injured leg. He made it a good ways past the man before recalling that fact. He immediately stopped and turned around telling to Deerfield and Zalini, "Keep going!"
He ran back towards the scholar, intending to heave him over his shoulder. He saw the damage he did to one of the wooden constructs. It was impressive, but he did not dwell on it for long.
"Sorry." is all he said before he grabbed the scholar and ran with him. The pain in his legs was still quite bearable and he had enough stamina left to run at a decent speed with the light scholar over his shoulder, assuming he didn't struggle. He turned and ran towards the camp, Alexander in tote over his shoulder, fireman's carry style.
Death is no more than turning us over from time to eternity. Whether that eternity is damnation or salvation is determined in the time we have.
Miroslaw didn't have to tell him twice, "Keep going!" He was going to do that anyway, but it made him feel better that in a way he was following orders now. Indeed, he even picked up speed, filled with high hopes of finally escaping to the civilized world.
He became very busy and prepared the horses for the stragglers as quickly as possible. Deerfield's survival instinct finally overcame his desire for good deeds and courage. He fully intended to ride off without them should something happen. But he relied on them reaching the horses before the totems reached them.
She started dancin' real slow, like she was puttin' on a show.
Wet sweat was pourin' off her skin, her body made me wanna sin.
Right then my buzz was kickin' in, she had a devil's grin.
She looked me in the eye and said: You give me the urge!
To do a little day drinkin'
A little bit of love makin'
A whole lot of world shakin'
'Cause it's never too late to get low down dirty!
Lynyrd Skynyrd - Low Down Dirty
((Going to wrap this up now since everyone is stating they are leaving.))
::Alexander was NOT happy with being picked up by the large Soren and carried like a child. Once set down to mount his horse, he would push himself away with a glare at the man before mounting his horse to ride off with the others, leaving the corrupted wood and the totems behind...::
((Lets see if I remember this right...
Miro gets:]
10 Acclaim since this started way back in his homestead and,
Penwick's Pathless Boots Another curio that is made in Wistvale, the Penwick's are often sold to the colourful and concerning ne'er-do-wells that find Wistvale a mecca for questionable equipment. The Penwick's are comfortable to wear and whilst they offer little protection, they are said to eliminate their wearer's footprints. - Grand boots.
And...
Bull Legged Bow Bull Legged bows are renown for their superior build and incredible durability. The wood used in their creation is sourced from the edges of the Inkwoods and their flemish strings wound with an expert eye. They are heavier and harder to draw than ordinary bows, but are somewhat more accurate in return. - Exquisite Projectile longbow.
And 30gp from sales of salvaged gear...
Zalini gets:
9 Acclaim since he jumped in when this was in the Tavern and a bit in Miro's home.
And...
Unspoken Armour A leather armour of superior quality, some effort has been put into the leather craft, as the variation in colour blends well in Autumn and the armour is quite pliant, without sacrificing strength. - Grand Light armour. - 2 Brawn required.
And...
30gp in gold from sales of salvaged items
Deerfield gets:
8 Acclaim since he hopped in a bit later than the others.
And...
Warden's Cloak Warden's cloaks are popular among travelers and crafted in nowhere but Wistvale. They are durable, rugged and comfortable; but are also practical. The green dye used in their creation tends to blend the user well in with woodlands and what's more, they are built to unfasten, unfold and then be used as a tent for two people. Some claim they've worn their Warden's for years and will never need another. - Grand cloak.
And...
30gp in gold from sales of salvaged items
My first thought was, he lied in every word, That hoary cripple, with malicious eye Askance to watch the workings of his lie On mine, and mouth scarce able to afford Suppression of the glee, that pursed and scored Its edge, at one more victim gained thereby.