Looking for a Lantern.

[Skulldon]

Information trickled in. Skul wasn't the best detective, but enough hard work had taught him that in order to find Her soul, he had to find something capable of tracking souls, and keeping them safely for transport. The most likely candidate for such an artifact would be the Soul Lantern.

Several dozen were made, a few decades ago. Relatively expensive, nobles and magicians bought them as novelties primarily. But Skulduggery would be using them for their intended purpose.

The merchant he'd questioned told him that the remaining lanterns were collector's items, kept in vaults and laboratories. It was unlikely anyone would willingly part with one. The merchant knew of one and only one remaining unclaimed lantern; deep in the diamond mines to the far south. A man had gone in to look for his brother, a miner killed in a cave-in. He hadn't returned. As far as anyone knew, no one had gone in after it.

He lit a cigarette. He wouldn't tell Scarecrow he was leaving; she'd just worry. He looked to the town behind him. It was going to hell anyways.

He took a puff and headed onward.

[Orp Boon]

(I'd like to gm this. Hold on one a moment)

[Orp Boon]

Skulduggery finds the forest getting more and more dense as he follows the South Path towards the old mines. The trees grow thin and twisted here. The path winds down from a gravel path into a dirt trail.

Fog and moss meet at blurred edges along the trail. The tree branches reach up to block the light of the rising moon.

A canine howl echoes through the forest.

[Skulldon]

Skul let out a breath, purple smoke leaking from in between his teeth. The path was getting wild, but he didn't care much. The howl was disconcerting, though. Didn't like dogs. It was cliche, but it was true.

He stopped for a moment, scanning the treeline.

[Orp Boon]

Skulduggery sees something moving in the distance. A shadow moving quickly, weaving between the trees, snaking along, one with the night. The trees obscured it but it was clearly getting closer, fast. Faster than he could outrun anyway.

As it gets closer two small orange lights appear on it. The eyes sharpen as its arrival becomes sooner and sooner. Four legs become visible and a dark fur covering appeared.

It opens its mouth and a cache of knife-like teeth show themselves. The shadowy creature lets out another howl as it runs now straight for him.

Now its bounding, making great leaps over fallen limbs and small ridges. The teeth glint and reflect the moonlight straining to reach the ground.

He sees the snarl of the beast as it gets close to Skulduggery then slides to a stop and roars at him.



RRRRRRRRRRHHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Skulldon]

Skul nearly panicked. He took a deep breath and exhaled, catching his cigarette flame and nurturing it into a large flame, tilting his head back and spitting purple fire, trying to scare the beast away.

[Orp Boon]

The creature stares at Skulduggery with his intense eyes and lets out a grating voice from his threatening mouth.

I AM KING HERE

YOU TRESPASS ON MY LANDS

The creature paws at the ground with one of its front legs, ready to race forward.

[Skulldon]

Skul cocked his head, still seething flame.

I don't want trouble, pup. I will torch you if you don't run off.

He took a step forward.

I'm not wanting your lands, just to pass through. Isn't anything here worth having.

[Orp Boon]

The canine steps forward to block Skul's path and growls, showing more of his teeth.

THIS LAND IS EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER KNOWN

IT IS ALL THAT IS WORTH HAVING

[Skulldon]

Skul's flame sputtered for a moment. The poor dog was confused, or just very naive. He took another step forward.

Tell me, have you ever known someone like you that you cared for? A female wolf, perhaps? That's what I'm here for. To help someone I cared about very much, and that is worth having. Worth more than a spick of land in the forest.

He let his flame go out.

Let me pass. You have my word I will not harm your lands. You can even follow me if you want.

[Orp Boon]

The canine relaxes a bit, hiding his teeth, lowering his head and chest.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO HELP HER?

[Skulldon]

There's a mine near here. A big hole in the ground with shiny things in it. A man went in there with a special lantern. A metal thing that makes light. Her heart is broken and lost, and I need the lantern to find it.

He kneeled, cocking his head.

You know where it is?

[Orp Boon]

The canine nodded his large head.

IT IS PAST THE EDGE OF MY LANDS. THE MAN'S HUT MARKS THE BOUNDARY. I WILL ESCORT YOU THERE.

The canine begins to walk away from Skul.

[Skulldon]

Skul nodded and followed the wolf.

Thank you. You have someone too?

[Orp Boon]

The canine nods again as he leads Skul away from the path.

MY MATE IS AT OUR DEN RIGHT NOW WITH MY PUPS. I AM HELPING YOU BECAUSE I WOULD DO WHAT YOU ARE DOING FOR HER AND THEM.