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Post by Aileen on May 15, 2019 13:03:54 GMT -5
How much does a kidney go for? Ohh, bout 3 fiddy Gotdamm lochness monstah!!
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Post by Aileen on May 15, 2019 22:15:16 GMT -5
"Aevlin, we may be facing danger beyond what we can handle. There's something you need to promise me."
I sit up in the small bed, noting the serious look on my new husband's face.
"I promise. Whatever you ask."
He tells me of a childhood sickness that made him appear dead for a week. His family had nearly set his body on fire when he finally woke up. He thinks it may be coming back. Seems pretty alive to me.
"If I die, or you think I've died... wait at least a week before burning me."
I roll over above him, grabbing his face and staring into his eyes, my long hair falling into his face.
"You are not going to die. I won't allow it."
---
After exploring most of the middle level as tiny fish, and having to return to be changed back a couple times, we try to figure out a better plan for getting to the bottom level. The polymorph only lasts two hours, and we have no idea how many more times we can use the wand.
I try my best to rally the troops. Hans is having a crisis of faith and elects to stay back in the hidden room when we go for the third time. We shuffle some gear around and argue for a bit. Finally we decide to be tiny fish again, and just make a quick search of the rest of the level. I take the lead, eager to get this over with so we can go home. I'm trying to be strong but I feel like I'm falling apart. I nearly lost my best friend, my husband and got severely injured. If it weren't for magical healing... but I'm alive now, that's all that matters.
I can't help but laugh at the irony of me, the fisherwoman, becoming a fish. A little bubble escapes my fish lips and only makes me laugh more. I have to stop making bubbles, they're distracting. Ok, we didn't go straight yet, so that's where I'm swimming. Left, right, left, right.... a room with more of those damn coffers and 21 male Sahuagin. Looks like they're getting ready for a patrol. Ten of them are betting on crabs fighting, looks like fun. Backing out- north, east, north, east... a room with 4 Sahuagin. Two are sitting on the other twos laps- ugh! Moving on! A great hall with pretty pink ceiling and black floor, tables with room for 200 Sahuagin! Theres an alcove with a head of what looks like a giant lizard that's been defaced. Damn Sahuagin! I hear movement up ahead, and peak through an arch. Theres a massive throne in a large fancy room, and sitting on it the biggest Sahuagin I have ever seen. He has four arms! In front of him are more, three with their backs to us. Beside him two others that look important-ish. I look up-
Shark. Shark. Shark. Abort mission!
I turn around, swimming fast past my fish friends, and bee-line it back the way we came. I swim my heart out, and finally make it to the stairs just as our polymorph wears off. I come out of the water gasping, heart racing a mile a minute. I can't face a shark again, I can't do it!
"Let's leave. We have the information we need, let's go!"
"You were fine until we saw the shark. We're not leaving." Elmarth says.
Jaris holds me close. He understands my fear.
"Oh!" I remember something, something the lizardmen may know more about. I pull away from Jaris, going to the lizardmen. "There was a giant head of a lizardman statue down there, who is that?"
"Just the head?"
"Yes?"
One of the lizardmen lunges for the stairs, but his buddies hold him back. Another sighs.
"That is our goddess, Semuanya."
"Oh yeah, we saw a picture of her in that room where I shot... I shot. Some healing potions." That was close.
"I have an idea!" Elmarth exclaims. "We can go around the outside and access the bottom level underwater!"
This turns out to be the best plan any of us have come up with in a very long time. We have no way of making it to wherever the stairs down are without losing polymorph or risking death, so if there is an entrance outside... we have to find it!
We rendezvous with our marines and other lizardmen back at the armory, and it appears our Sahuagin captive died of an unfortunate accident. Fell down some stairs on a single level floor. Too bad. When we go outside, it is pitch black. We completely lost track of time in the lair. I estimate it's about midnight, so we head back to the secret room and rest for a few more hours. When we go out again it is morning, meaning we missed our ride with the boat. We decide to hike around the island.
Two hours later we come to the other side, standing on a stone ledge above the water. More arguing ensues on who is going to go down and look.
"Alright, I'm going!" Jaris snaps, and before I can stop him he dives into the water.
"Jaris, no!" I shriek. I grab the helmet from Elmarth, put on my magic ring of invisibility, and jump in after my impulsive husband.
It's dark down here, but I can somewhat make out an entrance, gated off. I can't see anything beyond that. Jaris goes back up, and I follow. He climbs out, but doesn't see me. This ring could get me into trouble.
"Where is my wife?" Jaris asks. "Where did Aevlin go?"
I give him a moment to panic while the others tell him I went in after him, and then I sneak up behind him. Sadly me grabbing him from behind does not scare him as much as I had hoped it would.
"Hi, Aevlin." He says, resigned.
"Don't do that again."
I feel like he is taking unnecessary risks, and we've only been married a day. I can't bear the thought of something happening to him.
"So, did you see anything?" Ceyleen asks.
"Oh, s*** I didn't really look. I'll go back."
This time I'm the one that jumps in without a second thought. I go down and... yeah, nothing.
"I can't actually see." I say, shaking myself off.
"I'll go." Ceyleen says. "I will go in as a fish and check out the floor."
"I'll go with you!" Jaris volunteers, too eagerly for my liking.
"No. I'm going alone. Aevlin, take Patrick Sprayzee!"
I take the skunk on my shoulder, and she polymorphs into a fish, disappearing under the water. All we can do is wait. Two hours is all she has.
"I want to go in after her," Jaris says, pacing in his manta cloak.
"No. She is doing it alone. Why are you so eager to leave me?"
"I'm not. I'm just tired of everyone arguing. I want to get this over with and get out of here."
"As do I. But putting all of us in danger makes no sense. Putting yourself in danger... I want to go home, and I want you with me."
After two hours, Ceyleen returns. Jaris goes to hug her, but Ceyleen walks right past him to take Patrick Sprayzee from my invisible shoulder. She gives us the lowdown on what she saw, and we decide to go check on our jollyboat to see if we can leave.
After a long hike we come to where we landed just yesterday... was it yesterday? Have I only been a married woman 24 hours? I'm so confused after not seeing daylight in so long. Our jollyboat is right where we left it under some reeds. Unfortunately it is only noon, and our ship won't come back around until dawn.
"Lizzy, are we safe camping here?" I ask the one female lizard warrior. My favorite one, but don't tell the rest.
"Yes. We guard you. You be protected."
The next morning, we row out to the ship. I am so happy to be back on this vessel, where I had many firsts. Where I married sweet Jaris in the most beautiful wedding I could have ever asked for. Now it is taking us away from this hellhole, back where sharks and fish people can't hurt us.
We barely make it out of the harbor before a cry of alarm sounds. Sahuagin are attacking! Theres eight on port and eight on starboard, climbing over the rails. All of us spring to action. I dash for the stern of the ship, wanting to get a better vantage point to shoot from.
"Aevlin, wait!" Jaris catches up to me. "I'm staying with you!"
"Okay. We can pick them off with arrows!"
I slip on my ring of invisibility, and the Sahuagin attack! Before I can do anything, Jaris cries out in alarm. Four Sahuagin climbed over the back and are attacking him. I stow my bow, knowing I've lost any chance of shooting, and draw my new sword. I charge forward to attack-
Bubbles.
I'm completely blinded, my eyes burning. I forgot about that stupid horn! I was so stupid, but that was so long ago. Why now?!
"I can't see!" I scream.
My sword makes contact, and I don't hear Jaris scream so I'm assuming I hit a Sahuagin. Then I do hear him, and I'm worried. I don't want my husband, the love of my life, to get hurt because of my stupidity.
"Marines, to me!" I call to the five guys we have left. I hear them come up behind, or at least I hope its them. I don't know if they can even see me with the ring on.
"You got bubbles on your head, boss lady!"
"You can see me, Jeremiah?"
"Yeah. You got bubbles on your head."
"No s***! Fight, boys!"
I can hear them slashing away beside me, but judging by the lack of groans from the enemy they aren't doing a very good job. And then I get hit once, twice... I can't even see what's hitting me, but it hurts!
"DON'T HIT MY WIFE!"
Jaris? Why is his voice so much deeper? I slash out again, hitting something. The Sahuagin seem to be distracted as they stop hitting me and I have trouble figuring out where I'm aiming my sword. The ground is shook as something big falls near me.
"That doesn't look good!" Ebeneezer says. "Oh, Jeremiah, you dolt!"
"I'm okay. I've got this."
Something tells me our resident idiot hit himself with his sword. I feel another sharp stab of pain, and I wish more than anything I could see what is going on. I can't hear Jaris anymore, and I fear he's unconscious. I don't know how many Sahuagin are left either. The darkness is making me start to panic. I hear another thud, and then someone grabs me and sits me down on the deck.
"It's over. I thought you knew better than to blow the horn?" Its Ceyleen.
"I thought it would help me breathe underwater!" I laugh. "Is everyone okay?"
"You should probably see for yourself."
"I can't see anything Ceyleen."
It's another two minutes before the damn bubbles go away. When they do, I see Jaris laying there with the clerics hovering over him. I scramble to his side, slipping in the blood and water coating the deck. I run my hand through his dark hair, feeling his skin growing cool.
"Jaris, wake up!" I laugh nervously. "Battle's over."
"Aevlin... he's not waking up." Gardrodq says to me.
"What do you mean? Keep healing him! Hey, Hans, I know you're still shook up and I am too, but Kord dammit, start healing him!"
Ceyleen puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Aevlin, they've done all the healing they can. It pierced his heart. He's dead."
I look down at my husband's chest. It's still, and even through his leather armor I can see the damage. The blood is no longer flowing. His skin is rapidly turning paler, once pink lips turning blue. His beautiful green eyes are shut, a look of peace on his face.
"No. We can heal him, you just need to pray for more spells!"
Wahruck stands up, going to Jaris's feet.
"Hans, help me get him up? We will bury him at sea."
"NO!" I scream, lunging at the priest. Ceyleen and Elmarth grab me, holding me back. "HE'S NOT DEAD!"
They bring his body down to my quarters. The bed I only left a day ago. Where we spent our wedding night, heading towards our deaths. Who would have know this ship, where we took our vows, would be the place of his death. This bed holds my husband, no longer breathing. He told me to wait a week. I made a promise.
"You are not going to die. I won't allow it"
---
The council is pleased with our reports. The numbers of forces, their leader being the four armed Sahuagin beast, entrances and points of interest in the lair... it's all enough to help them launch an attack. Elmarth thinks they may be allied with a stronger power, a wizard of some sort- no natural work could have sunk the island.
"This is all well and good, councilmen. You have the information you needed, but we have suffered a devastating loss in pursuit of it. Jaris is dead. I don't know what power you have, or how much it will cost... but I want my husband back."
"We understand your plight," says the head of the council. "We will see if any priests from neighboring towns may come bring him back. We can't promise it will be successful, and it may come at a high cost."
"I will give everything I have to get him back."
---
"Aevlin, you need to eat something. He is breathing now, but it may be a long time before he wakes."
"I can't leave him, Ceyleen."
Jaris looks a bit more alive. His chest wound is mostly healed, but heavily bandaged. His color returned within the hour when the priest cast his spell. It was touch and go, but I never gave up hope. Jaris would not willingly leave me. He came back as I spoke to him, begging him.
"He's not waking anytime soon. Come on, I don't want to call the priest back when you drop dead of starvation."
Ceyleen takes me down the recently rebuilt staircase down to the kitchen where hot tea and food stand ready. Wahruck has been experimenting with recipes, and one of his pies is fresh out of the oven. Flattened dough, crushed tomatoes, cheese and sausage. I haven't eaten in days, and the smell of it nearly makes me faint with hunger. I take a cup of tea, but eating when Jaris can't doesn't seem right. I hear something upstairs.
"What was that?"
"Probably Patrick Sprayzee jumping around."
There is an audible thud.
"Aevlin!"
I drop the teacup and run, totally missing the counter and hearing it shatter behind me. I take the stairs two steps at a time, and bound into our room. Jaris is on the floor, trying to pull himself up.
"Aevlin!"
"JARIS!"
I run to his side, but I'm too weak to pull him up and just slide to the floor next to him. He raises a shaky hand, touching my face.
"I came back." He croaks, his voice barely there. "For you."
I don't care that his breath might smell like someone who has been dead for days, I kiss him like I never have before. He gave his life to save mine twice over. What man makes himself into a giant to take hits for his wife, or even gets swallowed by a shark? A half-elven thief whose greatest steal was this archer's heart.
---
The town gives us 1000 gold each, and we are now honory citizens of Saltmarsh- tax free! Two days after we came back the town sent a force to help the lizardmen take back the lair from the Sahuagin. The Sahuagin were completely wiped out, and the island rose back out of the marsh. Apparently the Sahuagin deity Siccola was what made it sink, and its power was broken.
While in town for the first time since Jaris woke up, I finally recieve a letter from home. I open it eagerly, a little scared to see what they have to say about the wedding. Last I told them the wedding was in its planning stages... they don't know we actually did it!
Dearest Aevlin,
Everything is fine. Don't come looking for us. Hope you're having fun. We'll meet up at our next family get together.
Love,
Mum and Dad.
What? That's it? They make no mention of all the bad things that happened to me, nor my business they are running for me, nor my betrothal! Something is not right with my parents. Something is amiss in Nyrond.
>>----> Aevlin Baumann-Jörmungandr <----<<
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Post by Chris on May 16, 2019 11:13:45 GMT -5
Gotdamm lochness monstah!! If you have any magic items you want to sell I can give you prices, the town will acts as broker with a larger city while you recuperate.
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Post by dragonforgotten on May 16, 2019 16:15:13 GMT -5
i want to sell the ring of delusions. jaris just wants it out of his sight for getting himself killed. he thought he had an extra life and now he's face to face with his god Olidammara who is laughing at him.
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Post by Chris on May 16, 2019 16:16:25 GMT -5
i want to sell the ring of delusions. jaris just wants it out of his sight for getting himself killed. he thought he had an extra life and now he's face to face with his god Olidammara who is laughing at him. It's worthless
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Post by dragonforgotten on May 17, 2019 0:46:26 GMT -5
I cant believe Nyleen manage to find these here of all places. I never thought i would see, let alone hold a pair of masterly crafted thieves tools. the f****ing handles is inlaid with platinum! PLATINUM! I cant believe he's giving this work of fine art to me. I wont forget this. A good thief pays their dues. We rest before our last prob attempts in this sink hole. Me and Aevlinn cuddle up, her body heat is a great comfort as mine is to her. My shaking has stopped but I fear what this experience has done to us. She, Hans, and I have been through too much in one day alone. We've reached our breaking points but we press on. We are adventures. We face danger. I glance down at the Phoenix ring and clench my hand. I can not be killed with this on. I survived being swallowed by a giant shark. I can survive a few more dives into this rat hole. Then I can go crawl into bed with my wife, pretend today didn't happen and then me and her can drink ourselves under the table..... Again. ----------------/
Hans spoke up just as we began to gather for another expedition. He’s not coming, says he need more time. I understand too clearly why, he doesn't have to explain.. He can take as much time as he needs in order to feel better. I would join him if Avelinn wasn’t going and the cost of not going means the destruction of Saltmarsh. Nylen decided to stay behind as well to conserve wand charges and watch our shaken cleric. I think it’s more to do with he’s trying to teach Aevlinn. I think he sees greatness in her like i do. I just wish she would see it. The lizard men and pets stay behind for their safety I wish them luck. "Keep everyone safe Ricardo!" "Best of luck freak." "Thats not nice Ricardo but love you anyway. You too Symore, Patrick." I think he's starting to like me. Why does he keep calling me a freak? I take Aevlinn by the hand and I squeeze it. “Well, I’m ready for round two. Whenever you'r ready.” She smiles tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Elmore then turns everyone into minnows once again. Avelinn immediately takes up the head of the school as I swim just behind her working my tiny fins to keep up. Just scooping the second floor I’m getting a feeling that they are tryin to build there numbers. It’s confirmed in a very awkward encounter as we pass a room. Further in we see a great gathering hall. Big enough to fit 200 with a defaced statue of a lizard man. We carry on, I must not get distracted, no even for a sec-. Bubbles! No, no! I am not a fish! I am a man! Aevlinn nudged me in the side and I spin confused, waking me up from my scattered thoughts. I’ve been a fish for far too long. Further still we stumble upon an amazing and horrifying sight. Sitting on a high throne stands a monstrous saighann with four arms and many guards. We’ve fought a lot of them at this point but he’s the biggest I’ve encountered. this must be a king or baron. Perfect. Suddenly the Avelinn begins to shake, eyes frozen I terror staring up. I follow them to see a shark. Not as large as the last one but it still freezes my blood looking at it. We dart off like prey would. It take all our power just to keep up and we see the stair ahead. Our bodies begin to change back and everyone rushes up the stairs gasping. We made it. Any longer and it would have been curtains. We’re cutting it closer and closer by the second and I don’t like it. \—---------
It was decided that we’re going to try the back entrance. Hope it will lead to the third floor. Just the third floor left. We’re almost done. We camp outside and thanks to the lizard men were protected for the night. I couldn’t be more grateful. Wahruck seems to have gotten sick. Better not be malaria. He’s in good care with the lizard men. It’s not a comfortable night but we managed. By morning we head out for our track around the lair. I’ve been having this sick sensation in my stomach since the moment we got off the jolly boat. Anxiety? Fear? Whatever it is I don’t like it. Maybe it’s the six sense I’ve heard about. We make it to the other side of the lair. The entrance is just bellow is but everyone is arguing and the anxiety is getting to me. I can’t stand another second. “ I’m going.” I snap. I pull the hood over my head and drive. I cut through the water like an arrow. It ok, I can’t be killed with the ring. It will be fine. And I reach the bottom. There’s a grate but I don’t want to chance being spotted down here. I swim back up gaining speed as I majestically leap out of the water. I hope she saw it. “There’s a grate down there. Big enough for a fish to swim through.” “Great! Did you see through it?” Shouted Elmor excited. “No, I didn’t want to chance it.” Suddenly I notice the absent of a familiar face. “Where’s Aevlinn?” “She went after you as soon as you stormed off. You didn’t see her?” Said Hans S***t! S****t! No! I start swimming in circles, panicking! I’d never forgive myself if I got her killed! Now she’s gone! And I have no idea where she is! Suddenly I feel hands on my shoulder and I can’t help but sigh. I can’t see the hands but I know. "Hi Aevlin" theres a tired, weight in my tone that creeps in. "Don't do that again." I feel her lean into my back but i still cant see her. "So. Did you see anything?" probs Ceyleen. Immediately from the lack of quickness she made the same mistake.
——————-/ I was admonished by Aevlin. This is a first in our relationship. Of course, it's been barley a week since the wedding. Im pacing, The bottled up stress is getting hard to contain. "She's taking too long. I should have gone with her." "No, she's fine on her own. Why are you so eager to leave me?" I stop pacing. "Im not. Im just tired. I want to get this over with. If we don't have enough information we'll be sent back." and you'll have to run into more fear and trauma with the sharks. "As do i. But putting all of us in danger makes no sense. Putting yourself in danger... I want to go home, and i want you with me." I glance back at her. She looking at me with pleading eyes. Isn't it my job to make sure we get out alive. She says I’m being reckless. She also forbids me from going with Ceyleen. She better come back. Im praying she makes it back. I consider her a close friend. She married us and has been a good rock for Aevlinn. She already lost one Druid friend. Aevlin doesn’t seem to understand. I don’t take risks I can’t afford, the ring will keep me alive even if I fall. I know She is right but I also know what I’m doing and it’s my job to protect her.
/———————
Ceyleen made it and with vital information. We can go back now and leave this place far behind. My heart starts to soar when we are back on the ship. The lizardmen depart with the information we shared with them. We owe a lot to them. Im sure Hans is going to miss being a commander of men. We can finally sleep in a real bed this time. We'll get paid and then have our honeymoon in saltmarsh and make it official. I don't have to see my wife terrorized anymore and powerless to do anything. Normally we are fine on these adventures but so much has happened and it's so confusing. Also let's not forgetting drinking under the table, rebel rousing and songs. Happy times are coming again. No more trauma and No more of this nawing feeling in my gut. Its gotten worst now and if i was a wizard i would make the wind blow faster so we get home faster. I help her back onto the ships deck but she trips into my arms. It takes all my muscles to prevent us crashing to the ground, our faces inches apart. "Sorry!" "No it's fine!" Im bright red, my ear tips hot. we lean in to kiss but just as we met the ship groans and a cry of alarm rings out. We are under attack! They found us! Like fine tuned machines we snap into battle mode and start running. Avelinn manage to get ahead start from me but i catch up. Like hell I'm leaving her alone. we stand on the starboard, we with sword and her with arrows. She slips on the ring and vanishes just as four Saghuins start climbing over the guard rails. I cant help but feel a shrill of fear crawl through me. I should retreat! I cant take on four enemies in a straight fight. Suddenly Avelinn reappears as her sword swing misses and a familiar cluster of bubbles cluster her head and blind her. F***! I charge in front of her and i yelp, grimacing as they slash at my left shoulder. "Marines to me!" she cried as the cluster of footfall answer her cries as the familiar faces of the marines appear behind the Sahuagins. I start to feel a glimer of hope but then they do the unthinkable. The enemies completely ignore me and begin to attack my wife. She cries in agony, a nasty slash to her sword arm and i'm seeing red. Ive always been a calm person. Never. NEVER, have I've been thing angry. Never Had i hated a creature THIS much. I slam my foot down, the floor cries in protest brings there attention back to me. Im burning. Every part of my body is burning. Its like the rage cant be contained in my small frame. there is a power boiling inside my chest and i cant contain it. "Don't. Touch. My WIFE!" The burning intensifies and my body starts to grow, breaking far past my normal height in an uncomfortable pulling/stretching sensation. My joints and muscles pop and groan. Everything on me grows with me to match the power inside. I tower over them now, the burning in my soul and in my mind. The monsters gape in horror and confusion, some taking a step back to flee. Ive become a demon. I raise my sword, its size the equivalent of a bastard sword and i strike down with a deafening roar. One jumps back but I shatter the wooden planks with just the impact bellow and its obvious that this isn't a trick as the sword slides off. "Holy f***!" I hear far bellow but I'm not paying attention. These things are going to die. Desperte they charge at me, cutting me to ribbions but i still stand. I swing but I'm not use to this power or height and swing blind and enraged. Im covered in blood but i don't feel the pain. One stabs me in the shin and my eyes narrow as the fishman trembles, babbling. He'd done f***ed up when he attacked my wife. I raise the sword over my head and swing just as he lunges forward. The blade meets his shoulder and i cut him in two lopsided pieces. one down. one to go. I growl. I take a step forward and then i start to vomit blood. What is this? My hand trembles near my leather chest plate as i grab onto the hilt confused. My hand travles up to the pummel as my hand wraps around its plush leather. I don't understand. Why is there a hilt.. in my... I pull and i begin to stagger on my feet. I glance out onto the ship. i cant see too well, I can barley feel the wind on my face, the salt on my tongue. The pain is.. going away. Im cold.. Aevlinn. I then spy a few familiar faces, there expression filled with fear, anger, shock, resignation, fighting harder than they ever have. Hans.. Waruck.. Gardrodq...Calyeen... Elmorth... Nylen... Aevlin.....? Calyeen is the closest, viciously slashing away screaming something as ricardo stings. Everyones.. watching, i.. cant.. breath. "h.ee.lp...." "S...A.v.e........... h..e.e.rr.rrrr...." Im.. falling..
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"S**T! JARIS!" Cayleen sheath her sword bending down to the fallen thief as he begins to shrink back to his normal size. He'd fallen on his side. Eyes wide and empty but a small smile on his lips. She pull out the sword form his chest as it made a horrible sickening sound. Cayleen throws it off the boat as she begins her druid healing. "come on! come one!" She mutters as light emanates from her hand. Nothing happens. "I just married you! Im not burying you as well!" she whispers, seeing Avelinn out of the corner of her eye as the fighters finally arrive. the clerics drop next to her. "Its not working!" She whispers hushed. "Let me try!" furiously pleads Hans. The wound remains open and bleeding, staining them red. Waruk shakes his head, crinkling his brows, pouring his might into reversing the damage. Nothing happens. The same for even Gardrodq. Hans examines the wound his expression unreadable. Think back to the moment he talked him into the wedding. "Cayleen. You need to tell her first. Let her down gently. Jaris is beyond our help." Hans the closes the theifs eyes. Cayleen looks back to Jaris curled on his side, ricardo on her shoulder. "He's dead." ------------------- ----------- ------ --- --
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Post by dragonforgotten on May 18, 2019 15:12:59 GMT -5
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I’m... falling... it’s so dark... I’m scared.. Arms catch me. wrap around me and hold me close.. a familiar aroma. Granny...
****** The sound of birds chirping I snap my eyes open. Anxiety claws at me my vision blinks away the morning sunlight streaming into my face. I panic clawing at my chest to find it bare and my torso completely wrapped in bandages. I struggle to sit up, the bed swaying as I do. my vision clearing to be met with the familiar orange and green canopy of the troupe tent, piles of books stacked in a corner, another hammock across from mine. Near that hammock is a disaster. Mine side is neat and orderly. This... is my room. I’m back home? Suddenly the tent flaps open as Joe walks in with a tray. A nostalgic green bandanna tied around his head. “I brought eggs and bacon. Ignore the shells.” He sings merrily. He places it on the night stand. It’s a disaster. The egg is broken all over the place. The bacon looks like raw shoe leather. “You still suck at cooking.” He gasps, like I just spit on our mothers grave. “You take that back! I am the best chief in this entire troupe.” “No one has made a decent meal in years Joe That’s not saying much.” I eye him up and down. He’s hiding something. He’s never cooked a damn thing in his life. His eyes are darting around, refusing to look at me. I shuffle back into a more comfortable position. “Mind telling me what happened brother.” He swallows hard, his expression twisted in worry and pity. “You.. you had a bad accident. During a performance we miscalculated the knife juggling act. Jokov carried you back as Julis treated you. It was. A close call. You nearly died.” My hand creeps to my bound chest. I nearly died? That’s why I'm here? Is that really why I’m here? I can’t remember. My minds in a haze. But I feel fine. In fact I feel better than fine. I feel fantastic. He wouldn’t lie to me about s*** like this. It’s not in his nature. Joe smiles softly. He stand up and goes to his side of the room, opens the little cupboard besides his foldable writing desk and pulls out a bottle of gin with a glass. “The pain killers are going to be wearing off soon if you are still jabbering. You should drink this before it hits you like a wagon. Nothing like a little liquid fire to speed up recovery yep! You'r not allowed outside this tent till you'r back in your feet. Julis orders” He smirks standing up. “If you’ll excuse me. I need to get in some practice besides play wet nurse to my frail brother. Get better fast so we can throw a another party, Ciao.” He picks up his sword, then sutlers out and I glimpsed the oasis just beyond the tent. I fall back into the pillows. Thinking. Bad dream. It was all just a bad dream. Joes death, Saltmarsh. The smuggling ring, sea ghost, the lizard men, the giant croc and dragon, the engagement, the wedding, the shark, Everyone... it leaves me feeling hollow. It wasn’t all bad. I can’t get it out of my mind. That girl. I can’t remember her name. I remember her touch but her face is hazy and her voice is muffled. Of course it was a dream. No girl would marry a thief let alone a half elf. But it felt so real. Even now the dream is starting to fade from memory. Only a shadow of it left. I swing my legs off the hammock. Downing the gin but leaving the breakfast and my eyes go wide as It hits the back of my throat. This stuffs amazing! How the hell did he get his hand on this? I stand wondering the tent till I approach the mirror. For someone who survived a near death experience I look pretty ok. My hair is a mess though. I set up the basin and pour out some water from the jug washing my face. Suddenly the chimes of a bell echo around the room before vanishing and I start to feel Ill. Maybe I spoke too soon. What was that sound. Suddenly this blood hound pushes its way into the tent. Staring at me. I sit in the floor beckoning her over to me. “Hi girl. Come here for a minute.” The dog gives me a glare that could melt ice. Suddenly she turn towards my bow and arrows leaning against the wall and as if just to get me to stand up and stop her she snatched my bow in her jowls. “Hey!” I jump, wrestling the bow from her in a mock game of tug of war with a dog. “That’s not yours! Drop it!” Just as I put my full weight into it she lets go as I fall to the ground. I expect pain to wash over me but it doesn’t. It never comes. I crawl to my knees, the dog sitting stoic, staring at me. I notice a collar around her heck’s with a tag. Jose. She huffs, goes to my breakfast, steals my bacon, and then walks out. I feel like I have no luck with animals. They seem to hate me both in the dream and in Reality. I take the washcloth from the basin and start to try and get the dog saliva off it but then I notice something odd. This isn’t my bow. Delilah is made of ashenwood. This is a yew bow and the name carved in its wood has a different name. “Aevlin..” I trace the letters. Suddenly my vision is blurry. Why am I crying? I wipe my eyes with my arm but the tears keep coming. The bell tolls again and I’m hit by a wave of nausea. Visions play before my eyes. Every moment I had in the dream rushes past me till the moment that the dream became a nightmare. Of a sword plunging into my heart as I choked on my blood. Of my friends surrounding me as my vision darkens. My wife calling on me to wake up but I can’t. What is this!? I look back down to my bandages. “Guess who’s back!” It’s joe again but he drops the cheerfulness in his tone when he sees me. “Hey! What’s wrong!?” I can’t keep my composure. I’m in tears. I suck in some air standing up and gather what remaining face I have. There’s a dagger on the night stand so I take it in my hands. “Jaris what are you doing?” I don’t answer him. I cut my palm but there is no pain or blood. The wound simply closes back up the moment the blade slices. “Tell me the truth...” Joe sighs, a gutted guilty expression on his face. “Jaris... I’m sorry.. I was hoping I wouldn’t see you this soon.” “I’m dead?” He doesn’t look at me. That’s all I needed to know. He comes in and gives me a hug. “I have to go back. I NEED to go back They need me.” I whisper hoarse. “You can’t." "She needs me.". "Jaris you cant. Not unless-.” Suddenly the bell tolls again and I go ridged. The cut in my hand hurting briefly and I think I’m going to be sick. Joes eyes go wide. He’s trying to speak words but they don’t come through. Finally he finds the words “You” he looks up to the ceiling. “They!” He looks back at me and clutches my shoulder. A huge stupid smile grows on his face. “Quick!! Follow me!!” He grabs my free hand and starts dragging me out the door. I just manage to hold onto the bow and snag the quiver. Past the oriasis is a sea of black sand. The black desert. I see them! All the family dead or gone doing an assortment of different things ranging from relaxing, to just chatting among each other. looks like they were preparing for a festival. All eyes fall on us. “Cancel everything! He’s being called!” Joe screams at the top of his lungs and they all start cheering throwing hats in the air. We dash by them. I’m going back? Does that mean I’ll get a second chance? Joe reaches for thin air only to pull back a curtain and throw me through it as he jumps in. “Welcome!” He exclaims. “To the beautiful Heroic Domains of Ysgard. Where the wine and food never sucks!” Are those landmasses floating! Is that a giant tree over there!! I see nothing but stars all around! Joe doesn’t give me any time to take any of this in. “Are those floating island!!” “Ya they do that! Also Don’t wonder off from me. Near here is the fields of Kord. You step a single toe near there, those barbarian will try to use you as targ-.” Suddenly a javelin spears him in the torso, Joe doesn’t even flinch or slow down. “Not that you can feel it anymore.” Not missing a beat Joe pulls it out and throws it back where it came from “Watch were you throw that thing! Jack***! Sorry there’s normally a less annoying away to travel.” “Kord!” I gasp! “Yep. If hans ever croaks we’ll be neighbors! Seen the man myself once! Wayyyyyyyy over here! Where it’s safe! I yelled out to tell him about my boy Hans and he gave me the thumbs up! Make sure you tell him that if you remember!” As we are running it dawns on me that no matter how hard I push myself I’m not tired and we are moving faster as well. It takes 3 minutes and we begin to see tents filled with laughter, music, booze and games. It gets louder the deeper we go. Then I see this mansion that looks like it was designed by a mad man. A luxurious garden standing in front and the music has reached its height. “Welcome. To winesong. The home of rogues, bards, scoundrels and anyone who likes a good time.” We stand in front of the door but as I place my hand on the door to open it Joe steps back. “Heres you'r tools. Hope you still remember how to use them.” Begins taking his belt of thieves tools off and clips them in me before I can stop him. “And here’s my dagger, Penny. If you forget how to use that just thrust the pointy end forward.. same for Jessica.” He hands me the blade and then ties his sword sheath and all to my belt. He places a hand on my shoulder. “I can’t follow you in there right now. This is as far as I can help you on this. When you make it to the party find Granny. She’ll help you.” He pulls me into a huge, tears in his eyes. “I’ll see you inside. Stay determined.” He breaths patting my shoulder before turning around and leaving out of sight. I turn back to the door breathing deep. “Alright here it goes.” I push at the doors but just as I do I hear something that isn’t the door opening. The ground opens up under my feet and i fall screaming curses.
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I fall, submerged in darkness and land hard onto the ground and roll and roll and roll. I come to a stop spitting dirt from my face. I roll over to find my leg and right arm in an unnatural angle. F****ing traps. It doesn’t hurt surprisingly. It’s just annoying. Should have seen that coming. I am going to meet Him. I grab my arm and turn it back into its socket and it slides back without pain. Same thing with the leg and I stand up and walk without a limp. I’m in a giant maze. Don’t know where I’m going. I’ll just keep going till I find a door.. Whoa! I jump back just as spikes suddenly jump out under my foot. ----- It doesn’t take long. It’s a large door with the lock shaped like a laughing face. Ok! No problem. I start taking out my tools but as I’m looking at them I can’t remember much on how to do this. Great! a thief who doesn't know how to use thieves tools! I go off my gut and pick up both the the tiny hook and the thin stick and insert them in the lock. I start wiggling it around ear pressed to the door. The lock tumbles and whirls until theres a satisfying click! Yes!, still got it! I turn the handle and it opens! Suddenly a spike strikes out from the grinning face spearing my hand. I pull it out feeling a dull pain as the wound closes. I look through the door and my dead heart stops. I see nothing but doors, hallways and sharp turns leading to no where. I sigh. ------- Doors! Doors! Trap! Doors! I turn a corner and oh look THEREs MORE DOORS! ---------- Whats behind this one? I open it and I'm faced to f***ing face with a Wyvern. I close and lock that door, my back pressed against it. Thats a bad door. --------- Ok, all i have to do is jump over the pit, easy! I tie my hair back with a piece a string, get into position, run and vault to the next room! I did it! Where are my legs! My head flops on the floor as i start dragging myself around this room on this dirty floor. I guess this means I've been 'cut short' Hahaaha. God i wish someone was here for this terrible joke so they can help find my legs... Im so lonely.. ------------ Theres doors upon doors upon doors, each one possibly harder than the last to break, leading to more doors. Each one containing unknown dangers and trap so minuscule it's impossible to find them all. Ive been stabbed, poisoned, crushed and minced. My eyes have been melted by acid and i was already cut in half by a swinging syth i missed. but still i come back together just like Joe did. It takes time but i always get better or can reattach a limb with only a shadow of discomfort. Ive gotten better now at my trade! Im finally starting to feel like myself again even though my sense of self is so strained. I have to keep a constant guard to not lose anymore memories. If i lose anymore i wont be able to return. Im breaking through these doors. Im finding traps faster. The bell tolls again and i feel a ghost of pain. Theres no time to check them all. Im running out of time. Whatever chance i have is closing. The bells are tolling earlier and earlier. I need to get to the party and find him. But.. I feel this is never ending. The tolls are quickening and sometimes i feel paralyzed by pain. I fall to my knees, three doors in front of me and i start giving up. Im never getting out of here! I'm just going to wonder this hell getting destroyed over and over again! The toll comes and i'm seizing in agony on the ground, hopeless. I cant do this alone... Wait whats that sound? barking? Jose? I stumble back to my feet, Aevlin in hand. I go to the door to the left, the barking is louder. I grab the door knob not caring and to my surprise it opens and i sprint down the hall way. The barking is getting louder! I hit a cross road and it stops, I then see her "The path is up ahead. Don't f*** it up." The dog then begins to fade away. Great, i'm dead and Crazy. wait... whats that sound now. Music? I hear it. the sharp strings of a violin echo down the right path. I move drawn to the music enraptured. This song. It touches my heart. I know this song. I heard it, back.. in a coastal town.. what was its name? I stop, my danger sense is going off. hours or days of getting torn apart are paying off. At the end of this hallway is a grand wooden door inlaid with gold and platinum, depicting all sorts of thievery and skullduggery. The imagery of dancing ingrained into the metal. The hall way is empty but my senses are telling me its not. I ready an arrow, pull back Aevlins string and shoot. Immediately flames jut out of the walls at different points. I spy metal plates alining the floor in a pattern. A large one next to the door gilded in gold. At my feet theres writing. "Dance with the dragon and claim your reward." This. is the only thing standing in the way of Aevlin. There is only one thing to do. I pull the orange purple bandanna from my neck, tie it to my head. I take a deep breath, nervous. I start singing to the music. I know the lyrics, a ghost i barely remember. "Here's the tale of a girl so dumb," I slide under the first jet. She tried to drink the whole damn bar." then push off my hands as i glide between two jets landing on my feet. "Her pockets they were filled with gold," I cartwheel as the ground catches fire "Beer and wine was flowing." I spin as the flames lash out. The bell tolls and i cry out but still i sing. "She drank and she drank, But little did she know," AAA f****! The beer was good, but the wine was laced. In a-. I grimace as a jet of fire grazes me. I fall to the ground shaking and i can hear the roar of flames. gos se I'm forgetting! Im sweating. Im almost there! I start to improvise. "Her friends went out and left her there. A Shlizzard in her bed and a druid on her face,They took her to the basement." I barrel roll and then do a hand stand with one arm, the other behind my back. The plate is right there! Fire pillars erupts around me. boxing me in. "Though she was left she did not break!" I sing with passion. the flames still going. "She continued to fight! Light the pyre with arrows sharp." It's still going, my hand is shaking. "Then came a half blood scoundrel with a bleeding heart!" "One night in week of Olidammara he let slip a secret and tied their fate." "he thought himself clever. Too steal a heart but in folly he failed to notice the hole in his chest." OH COME ON! "Pocketed by fisherman's daughter. Who stole the theifs cursed heart!" "SO NOW HE FIGHTS TO RETURN To HER Embrace!" the fire wall drops and i jump forward! my feet slamming into the tile. I collapse against the door as the trap deactivated. "Now stop.. insulting my wife." I tumble out through the door as they swing open. landing right into someones arms. I look up to see Granny Jala. She pats my head, messing my hair. "Well done." I smile. I made it! Suddenly Granny has lifted me high above her head! How is she so strong! This chamber is huge! Everywhere i look there is nothing but booze, food, musis and people. Lots and lots of people. In a wide table in the back i spot the rest of my immediate family, including Joe with a glass raised. "Behold my grandson! Jaris Fortuna Jormungand! First of his name! has defeated your maze! Suck it laughing man! You owe me! NOW return my love sick boy back home!" The room roars with cheers and rakish laughter. I scan the room looking for who she's talking to and then i see him. He's sprawled on his couch, a smirk on his lips. "Well, well. It appears you've won the bet after all." his eye lazy check a pocket watch. "with time to spare." he laughs. ---------------
"here son have a drink!" Some one shoves a tall one in my hands. "But i cant pay for it!" I spout delirious from my dance with fire. the man barks in laughters. "What do you think this place is, A church! No one pays for anything!" i almost want to cry again as i chug the wine down. Its the best i've ever tasted. Someone offered me a leg of turkey and Its also the best damn meal i've ever had. the entire place has been giving me a heroes welcome for what feels like hours. They haven't stopped sing about me or Aevlin. They sing of my death as a heroic rogue who protected what was his by taking a sword through the chest. That i have giant blood in my veins. They've forever have left out the insulting second verse of Aevlins song in favor of mine. Il'l ingrain this in my heart when i return. I only wish she and everyone was here to share in my moment of glory. I've been partying with my brother, Jala, and the rest of my clan and fellows of the knives. Partying very very hard! "Chug! chug! chug!" i slam the pin down and Joe flops on the table! I win! five time in a row! He lifts his head demanding he'd win next time. I tell him to accept his loses like a man! Eventual somehow, the party has me beat, the table is filled with bottles that magically refill themselves. I didn't think the dead could get tired. Im just not use to a party that lasts eternity. Its the best party I've had. But it just doesn't compare to back in the land of the living. Someone slides in next to me. "How are you liking your celebration." It's him. The man Granny was yelling at. Im just tired. "Its great but it's not quite the same." he nods, knowingly. "Aye, not the same a celebrating without the rest of them is it. Even more so without your girl." he takes a swing from a bottle. "She's a peach that one. I like her. She starts songs and laughter when i hear her name. The greatest gift of all. You looked very dower after your brother returned to us. Thought you made a cute couple. Was i right?" He winks, smirking at me. I try to pull my head to look at him but i cant quit focus. "yes. Glade Hans talked me into it and Cayleen jumped the arrow." "Good good. Makes me laugh knowing the irony of my old brothers follower helping you get together." I cant hear the party as loud anymore. the man speaks once again. "So tell me Jaris, Thief Psionist, what do you think a rogue is?" "I don't know. Someone that steals s***?" "True, but theres more. We are the ones who dance with death, who tempt fortune and woe. We stand on razors edge, create discourse when law and order grows sour. risking it all for what we desire. We take what other which to hoard away and protect what is ours. Never be ashamed of who you are, enjoy life, don't take it too seriously, chin up on the bad days and also don't be too prideful to not laugh at yourself. Do you understand." "Yes.." my eyes are getting heavy, the energy is leaving my body. My eyes roam lazily at his. "Whats are you, telling me how to live? My dad..?" he breaks out in laughter. He's practically crying with laughter, slamming his fists onto the table. It. wasn't that funny. "Good one.Your a little like Jala there when she was young and full of spit and fire." "Makes me feel sorry for your luck with that ring. Not really though. It was a right good prank your bad luck pulled on you." He starts chuckling. Im a little perturbe by his response but his laughter is so infectious that i'm chuckling. "Ya, that was pretty stupid." i whisper, my voice getting weaker. my eye then glides down to my hand and they go wide. Before this mess i didn't have a ring. But the ring of protection, the one i gave to Aevlin is on my hand. When? the man laughter grows in volume at my puzzlement! He slaps me across the should and it f***ing stings! "Like i said, you are very lucky. Without that ring and the tribute your friends paid you would have forgotten everything and been stuck with little old me." I don't know what to say. Aevlin.. Everyone.. Suddenly my chest begins to hurt but this time the pain wont stop. It's all consuming! I clutch my chest and i'm stun when i see a white light emanating from my mortal wound. "It appears we're out of time. Jala, why don't you hold your boy while we send him off again." She laughs. She scoops me up bridal style." "Whatever you say Olidammara." Joe joins her side as she walks me into the center of the room and holds me up. "Take care brother. Hope to see you not too soon." I cant feel my body anymore, only the pain and suddenly Jala lets go but i don't fall. Im being consumed by the light. "Word of advice Grandson. Don't fight like a fighter. Fight smart not hard." "One last thing. Better prepare yourself when you get back. I heard the return trip is a doozy." I begin to rise and than I'm gone -----------
"Good. lay the body on the alter, quick." spoke the priest as Hans lowered the body of Jaris onto the white sheets of the altar, his helmet missing and hood down. Aevlinn rushes to his side holding his cold hand. the priest eyes the body. "Everything seems to be in place. No missing limbs. A little damaged but still good." he peels back an eye lid. "Has all his eyes too. You'r lucky you brought him to me so quick." he mutters clearing her throat. "Now before we do the ceremony does anyone know which deity he worshiped. I will make things clearer in who i am communing with." Everyone goes silent. The clerics shrug their shoulders unsure. They had assumed he worshiped one of theres. The only thing personal he would talk about was his family. Finally Aevlin speaks up. "Well, he's never talks about it. I did find this in his belongings. I don't know what it is." She turns over a small wooden carving, the size of a human thumb. A tiny mask twisted into both a laugh and a frown. "Oh him." He writes something onto the check list below. He snaps her fingers and his assistances rush into the backroom. "This is going to be hard but not impossible. Just remember this is not grantee to work. Some soul just don't come back whether they want to or not. If he does come back sometimes the shock will kill them. Ive seen it happen many times before." "He wont leave me. He's not allowed to and he knows it. He will come back!" spat Aevlin. Hans placed his hand on her shoulders. "Aevlin, he knows what he's talking about. This is not easy. I haven't seen it done before and even i have doubts. Just try not to get your hopes up." "I just hope all that money hasn't gone to waste. I care about Jaris as well but it will suck if he doesn't come back." spoke Waruk. the priestess assistance scurry back with a mask and two silver goblets, placing it at the foot of the altar as the others started to light the candles and incense. "Can i hold his hand while you do it?" Aevlin asks "Of course. Seeing a face he knows will calm him. I'll be calling on you to help should he become frantic." Aevlinn then removes the ring of protection from her finger and slides it onto his ring finger. "You need this more than i do." She leans into his face and places a kiss on his cold forehead. "Right, lets begin. be warn, if he does return its not going to be pleasant for him." she climbs behind the altar illuminated by candle light. She raises a pointed finger onto him. "Olidammara, this life was cut short before his time. Return your servant to the land of the living so he may be reunited with his companions." Everyone waits a moment, holding their breaths. But nothing happens. "Damn." mutters Nylen, Waruk scowled clutching his fist, Hans punches a wall. Elmorth steps outside with Krork and Gardrodq. Cayleen shakes her head petting patrick. Everyone begins to walk out of the alter room. Greg gives his cousin sorrowful look, theres nothing to say about this, and follows the rest. Only Avelin and the priest are with them. "Im sorry. take all the time you need to say your goodbyes." The priest then walks to then backroom. Aevlin squeezes his hand tighter. "Jaris! Please! Come back to me." She starts to sob. "I need you here, with me. I want to hear your voice again. I want to share drinks with you and laugh at your stupid jokes. We finally finished with Saltmarsh but i still want to go on adventures with you. Just please come back." he lays her head into his chest. but she hears, something, a heart beat. She pulls away shocked just as the body lurches. Jaris eyes snap open, darting about manic, confused and unseeing. He then roll over and begins to retch blood, the gaping hole in his chest slowly closing. "Guys! Get back in here!" -------------
IT HURTs! oh damn! IT hurts! Every part of my body is in screaming in agony. I feel like i'm dying all over again! Theres a noise all around me. hands grabbing onto me. I choke and wheeze wishing for it to end. Someone grabs my face, forcing me too stare into their eyes. "Jaris.. Your going to be ok! We'll fix you! Just hang on" Ae..vl.in... I reach for her face, my hand shaking but my vision is getting dark. -------
I blink awake as the sun light streams into my eyes. Theres a sweet taste in my mouth, like fine wine but I feel like death. Where.. am I? It's a bare room, only a night stand, a wardrobe, and the bed Im lying in. At least the bed is big. It's so soft. I had the strangest dream. I cant really remember it well though. Suddenly theres fluttering above my head. I turn a heavy eye up to see Ricardo staring at me. He jumps down on top of my head but I'm too paralyzed by pain and weakness to stop him. "Welcome back, to the land of the living.. Yaris." I don't know whats more surreal. The fact that Ricardo didn't call me a freak, that he stayed with me while I'm like this or grasping the fact he's speaking in my head. Land of the living? I. I was on a boat. We're where coming back. We had the information to turn in to save Saltmarsh. What happened? "Ya really done it this time. Upset your wife being hero. She hasn't eaten or drank anything." what..? What the hell happened?! "Now you'r awake. Im done being nanny. Waruk made pies." He flies off, leaving me alone, trapped in bed panicked. What the heck was he talking about! I-I was on a ship, heading back to town.. there. was an attack.. I turned into a giant, how the f*** did i do that?... then... !!!!" I reach the collar of my shirt and pull it down to reveal i'm wrapped in bandages. I roll off to the side of the bed but i cant stand up! I grab onto the night stand, using it as a crutch! My legs are shaking just from the effort of standing. It's not true! I didn't! I wouldn't! It cant be! Then why am i still here!? "..Ae.v.lin!" I rasp, barley above a whisper. I take another step only to fall onto the hard wood floor. Im starting to panic, the wood starts to scorch under my hand. I try to grab the table again as my hand print leaves a scorched impression in the wood. What happened to me!? "Aevlin!" I cry out a little louder. the door swings open and there she is! "JARIS!" She rushes to my side trying to pick me up but she doesn't seem to have the strength and I'm too weak to help her. We manage a sitting potion and I embrace her on the floor. "I.. I came back." I speak barely a whisper, throat raw. Suddenly she is kissing me and i return it. After everything I've been through i didn't think i would make it back. I walked though the valley of death and came back to her. Im starting to black out again... i'm so tired.
-Jaris Fortuna Jörmungandr of Perrenland and Nyrond
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Post by Chris on May 22, 2019 15:12:08 GMT -5
Slave Pits of the Undercity Temple Level Stonecutter's Shed (orcs) Cemetery (giant worker ants, ghouls) Sewer Level Tunnels Den (orcs and some dude) ended play on Starday, Sunsebb 1, 576 at 10:41 am our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/46079?userid=1168080
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Post by Aileen on May 23, 2019 21:13:57 GMT -5
Saltmarsh has been more than accommodating to us "heroes". Free food, people love us, and we keep getting sent town children to help us around the house. My husband is still laid up, in and out of consciousness but slowly returning to me. When we first took him home from the temple, of which I still have nightmares of his gruesome return, the townsfolk had stood lining the road up to the house as we passed by in the cart pulled by my boy Stompy. When we first got here, they wouldn't go anywhere near the house. Now we can't keep them away.
Jaris was dead for weeks. I don't remember most of it, but the wait was brutal. I tried to be strong, but not knowing if he could come back or not was too much. If I wasn't one of the saviors of Saltmarsh I'm sure they would never welcome me back to any of the taverns in town, as my friends had to come and get my passed out or belligerent a** more than a few times. Okay, maybe every night. The church kept his body in a freezing cold room, magically keeping his body from decomposing. I couldn't stay with him if I wanted to lest I die of hypothermia. I did wake up in a pew one morning with an old woman making sure I was alive. She took me to her home, fed me, and told me all about her long gone husband. Forty years they had been married until he passed. What I wouldn't give for forty seconds with my Jaris, let alone forty years.
When finally the cleric came to town, I felt like I could breathe again for the first time in weeks. But when the priest did the spell, he thought it didn't work, leaving me to say my last goodbyes. I knew in that moment I would try to join Jaris on the other side that very night. I had bought some Belladonna at the herbalist. I could put it in my evening glass of wine. Nobody would even know until they tried to wake me up. I heard it would be painless, unlike his death. But then he came back. At the end of my last hope, he lived again. There was lots of blood and he came back in a panic, but he was back! We took him home and put him in our new bed, where he would remain for the next few weeks.
I stayed with him, barely eating or sleeping, too afraid to miss him waking up. He was feverish the first week, muttering about Ysgard and apologizing to me over and over. Hans, Wahruck and Gardodq assured me the delusional rambling would end when the fever broke and not to take anything too seriously. What in Kord's name is Ysgard? I guess I should have asked Hans, then I wouldn't have had to look it up myself. Ysgard was where Kord and Jaris's God, Olidammara were from. Was Jaris there with them?
One night I took Jaris's little wooden symbol of Olidammara and put it on a desk in our room. Jaris was quiet, sleeping peacefully for the first night since his resurrection. I poured two glasses of wine, putting one in front of the symbol and taking the other for myself.
"I don't know if you can hear me, or if you know who I am. But thank you, Olidamarra. If it was you... thank you. I can never repay what you have done for me."
I finished both glasses, and then the bottle.
---
Hans sits on the lawn in a circle of little kids, all holding various poorly constructed wooden weapons. One little boy even has a homemade symbol of Kord around his neck. They adore our Curate of Kord, and seem to have some sort of weird fan club going on. I watch from the bedroom window as Hans gets up and places an apple on his head. He then stands on one leg and swings his morning star in a figure eight. The kids all go wild. I laugh.
"What's going on out there?" Jaris asks from the bed.
"Hans and his Children of Kord are training again."
Jaris smiles. He looks so much healthier, especially with the bandages off. The chest wound is closed and beginning to scar and the once black and purple bruises are fading to greenish yellow. I open the window up, then grab my bow from its resting place in the corner. Quickly re-stringing it, I take a single arrow and go back to the window.
"What are you doing?" Jaris questions.
"Nothing."
I aim, and then let it fly. My arrow sails through the air, going through the apple and toppling it off of Hans's head. The kids erupt in laughter. I give a wave, and Hans turns back to glare at me.
"AEVLIN!!!" He bellows. I quickly close the window and put my bow back before crawling back into bed with Jaris.
Jaris pulls me close with more strength than he has had since returning. Not quite full, but he's getting there.
"You should go into town," he says. "Get yourself something nice to wear."
"For what?"
"We haven't had a proper honeymoon. Another few days and I think I can get out of this bed."
"We don't need to leave bed for a honeymoon, Jaris." I say, kissing him a little too roughly.
"Gently!" He gasps. "Get going. You've been holed up in here too long. I'm not going anywhere."
Ceyleen, Nylen and I take Stompy and the cart into town. Nylen goes off to do guy things while Ceyleen and I visit a seamstress. I'm way out of my element in the shop full of silks and fine fabrics, and Ceyleen probably is too.
"Do you have anything with more mud? Maybe some moss?" She asks the young woman running the shop.
"No, but you can always just run through the marsh?" She suggests.
"Brilliant!" Ceyleen picks out the ugliest brown sackcloth dress, and seems to like it.
I haven't worn a real dress in over a year. I'm too used to wearing armor and the height of my fashion sense is my green cloak. I let the girl pick out some dresses, and boredly try them on. Finally we find the one. Sea blue and flowy, and probably extremely expensive. It fits perfectly, of course.
"Not enough dirt, Aevlin, but you do look nice." Ceyleen says.
"How much?" I ask the girl.
"Me mum says we can't charge any of you. It's yours."
We leave the shop and Nylen is still at the blacksmith, so we decide to go to Gregolas's favorite spot, the tavern with the beach side deck. Ceyleen gets a bottle of wine, as we know the barkeep won't sell to me, and we go out onto the lounge chairs. It's a beautiful day, the sun is hot for this time of year, and I haven't had a drink in nearly three weeks.
Halfway through the bottle Nylen joins us, and we finish it off. Being quite buzzed and feeling good, I want to stay and drink some more, but Ceyleen puts her foot down. They don't want me repeating the last month. We walk back to the stables, but don't get very far before a young boy, who I recognize from the "Kord Scouts ©" as Jaris affectionately calls them, stops us.
"Miss Aevlin! Miss Aevlin!" I can't tell if he's frantic or excited, and momentarily panic.
"What's wrong?" I ask, crouching down to his level.
"Mum told me to ask you if you want a puppy."
"What?!" My heart nearly stops.
"We have one pup left and she said you might want one!"
"Yes! Take me to your mother, kid!"
Nylen gives me a condescending look.
"At least let me look at it?" I plead to the elf. He sighs, and we follow the little boy.
The boy's mother, who I recognize as one of the marine's wives, hands me the pup. Its brown and black, short and stocky with huge paws, a long snout, and a body longer than it looks like it should be. The tail and head look like they're from a bigger dog, and one triangular ear stands up while the other flops down. I am in love.
I look up to Ceyleen and Nylen, and the puppy licks my face. I am nearly in tears. Nylen shakes his head and walks away. Ceyleen can't say anything because she has more pets than any of us.
"Alright, you can have the dog." She says.
I thank the woman and the boy profusely, and head to the stable with the baby already asleep in my arms. Nylen already has Stompy and the cart ready, and we get in. He is silent for a bit, until we get to the road.
"Aevlin, what are you going to do with the dog when we go to our next adventure?"
"Gregolas will dog sit, of course."
He can't argue with that. The pup sleeps for the ride home, even with the cart bumping along. I sneak her and my new purchases inside, running straight upstairs.
When I fling open the bedroom door, I see Jaris fast asleep. He looks like an angel, so peaceful. I quietly shut the door, and creep over to the bed. The puppy wakes up and starts frantically licking me as I stealthily sidle under the covers. The little four legged crawls over to Jaris and begins licking his face.
"Aevlin?" He mumbles.
I snort with laughter. Jaris wakes up, and stares at the puppy in shock. He smiles, and scratches behind her floppy ear.
"What did you do?" He asks me.
"Josie wanted to go home with me."
"Josie? A good name."
"I went with a J name. She's our first child."
Jaris visibly blushes. Josie flops in between us, belly up, paws flailing. I look across the room and see the window open a crack, and a pile of dirt on the sill and floor underneath.
"Jaris, where did the dirt by the window come from?"
"Probably fell off your bow. You never clean any of your things."
---
"AEVLIN!!! GET YOUR A** DOWN HERE!"
I snap awake, scrambling out of bed. Jaris is already up and out at training, and I slept in. Wahruck begins hollering my name again, and I hurriedly get dressed and run downstairs. I find the cleric red-faced in the sitting room, a pair of leather boots torn up on the floor in the middle of the rug.
"That damned dog destroyed my boots!" He shouts. "Either it leaves, or you both leave!"
"She didn't mean it, she's just a baby!"
Speaking of the baby, she wasn't in my room and she's not here. She must have snuck out after Jaris left.
"We have enough animals living in this house, I am through with it!"
"Where is she?"
"I put it outside where it belongs!"
"Wahruck, she's too young to be alone!"
"Alone is exactly where she'll be with you as its owner!"
I look at the priest in shock. He's always been grumpy but never outright mean. All of us living under the same roof has gotten to everyone. I dash out of the room and out the front door.
"Josie!! Josie, girl, come back!"
I find my puppy after an hour or so of searching, playing in the burnt out copse of trees in our yard. Shes chewing on something hard and I pray it's not a bone, considering this is where Jaris burnt the goblin Ramone.
"I would have thought you liked her, she is shaped like a sausage." I snap at Wahruck as I rush by, Josie tucked under my arm.
I go upstairs, pack some clothes for Jaris and I, and leave. Leaving the cart behind, I hop up on Stompy with the pup tucked in front of me, and we trot off down the road to town. I see Jaris in the inn when I go to book our suite a night early, but don't bother him save for a quick wink. He's training with the old thief woman and I don't want to disrupt whatever they're doing. This honeymoon is starting a night early, I want nothing to do with that house or anyone in it anymore! It's been a long month.
---
Our next adventure takes us to a city called Highport. We traveled by boat again, of which I was more jumpy about than Jaris, which was surprising. Gregolas reluctantly came along to serve as nanny for miss Josie Jörmungandr, and stayed with the boat as the party went ashore. We came to a temple where rumor has it the slavers are basing their operations out of.
Only Jaris, Gregolas and Hans know my parents are most likely among the slaves. Greg confirmed the letter I recieved was not from them... too supportive and the handwriting was neither of theirs. I don't know if telling the party will make them any more eager to get things done, but I should probably let them know it may get personal. If they are dead, or worse... there will be hell to pay. The Baumanns do not roll over and accept defeat. I know my dear mother Pamyla will fight anyone to the death to protect her family. Father, Thaddeus, as much as a hunter he thinks he is, would not last long in a fight. Last I saw him he had a beer gut and a beard to rival some dwarves. I do hope they're okay.
Jaris wants to borrow my ring of invisibility to check out an outbuilding. I guess we are raiding this temple the smart way. I can only pray to Oli and Kord that this adventure goes smoothly. I can't afford to lose anyone else.
>>----> Aevlin Baumann-Jörmungandr <----<<
© Kord Scouts is brought to you by Jaris Fortuna Jörmungandr. All proceeds go to the Jörmungandr Foundation and the Aevlin Baumann-Jörmungandr Centre for Kids Who Don't Shoot Good. This is not a Pyramid Scheme. Kord Scouts is not affiliated with Wahruck's Pizzeria or Aevlin's Deadible Edibles in any way.
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Post by dragonforgotten on May 24, 2019 12:03:47 GMT -5
I don’t know what day it is anymore. I hurt all over. Every muscles is screaming and i feel both hot and cold. My mind is on fire. I wake up, vision hazy, shivering, weak. Thirsty. I felt like death before. Now i'm just wonder when death will actually claim me. The suns seems to have moved, it's not morning anymore. Someone placed something cold and wet on my forehead. Someone speaking comforting words to me. Her blue eyes staring at me with worry. Aevlin.. is that you...? She lifts up my head and helps me drink something but i turn my head away suddenly sick. "You need to drink this. Cayleens orders." She says stern. I don't fight her when she tries again. I suddenly i start coughing violently as it hits my throat. Its vile! She lets me have a sip of water before lowering me back to the pillows running her fingers through my hair. The only sort of peace that my body allows me. I don't know what she's given me but it hits hard. Everything starts to get numb and i start getting really tired. I try fighting to say awake. "Its ok, don't fight it. I'll be right here." i honestly cant now. I start fading out. ————-
I wake up with fire in my veins and the metal fog worst. I turn my head back and forth looking for someone and I'm starting to panic. Suddenly the wood on the door starts to singe as i twist about. Thankfully doesn't catch on fire. Aevlin opens the door shocked at the quickly darkening smoulder on the other side of the door. She rushes over grabbing something from the night stand just as Cayleen walks into the room with Patrick and Ricardo as she stares at the small smoking spot on the door. "Sorry! Sorry! Medicine!" She instantly gives it to me and it doesn't get any better going down but calms the fire. The door stops smoking and i'm tired again. "How the hell he do that?" I hear Cayleen mutter as black spots dart my vision. ---------
I awaken as my fever starts to spike. Im boiling. Its night.. I feel an arm wrapped around me, her body heat protecting me from my chills. I start rambling. Delusional with the memory of pain and death surging forward.. Im not quiet all there. I don't know where i am or how i'm in bed or why i'm in pain. “I’m sorry Aevlin. ..” I sob, barley a whisper, throat raw. “I didn’t want to go....I thought I could do everything myself.... you were so scare after the shark.... I just wanted to make you feel safe...I was arrogant... my backup was a lie. I was too weak to not only protect you... I couldn’t even protect myself... I never told you.. but I was ashamed. Not only in what I am. In what I do.. for a long time... tried to change how I fight... I pretend that I could be as strong as you.... I was wrong.... Now, i'm stuck here.. in this bloody maze... At this party.." she wraps her arms around me. "You don't have to pretend to be anything. I love you just the way you are, your my thief and half elf. Just get better and come back to me." My eyes get heavy. "Can I really... Can I ..really stop now....?" i fee something brush my lips as tears slide down her face. "of course you can." she sobs. "ok..." -----------
My eyes slide open, half lucid and awake. Plagued by Ysgar. My brother, the fields of kord, that f***ing maze, The grand party... I hear the clinking of dishes near my head on the night stand. I recognize those robes “Hans..?” He shuffles about surprised. I barley have my eyes open, he's only a moving blob. Why is everyone so surprised to see me? He says something but I miss half of it but I do hear “How you feeling”? I don’t give him an answer. I’m pushed by agency to tell him this before it’s gone. “.... Kord.. sends his.. regards.....” I rasp out, darkness growing around my vision. He places a hand on my shoulder trying to keep me awake. I think i spy a tear. Asking for more details about Kord. I can’t. It’s getting dark now... ——————
I wake again to the sounds bellow. Are those ...children? Suddenly someone opens my door and I feel someone place something around my neck. Flowers. “Than you for help saving my home. Mr Jaris. Get well soon.” How... sweet.. ———- My eyes glaze open as I hear the door close in the next room. I hear ladies and the loud voice of Waruk, bragging, exaggerating his tale of adventure and woe. Ugh... I try to close my eye and for once I can’t black out sooner. ——-
I woke up one day no only no longer in pain but feeling different. A good different, hard to put a finger on it. I got out of bed and could actually could stand. Not only stand, i could move. I did some test walks around the room and a few stretches. I even do a hand stand to find I'm practically back to normal. Not only back to normal but I feel better then normal. I feel like a weight has been lifted off me. This content boarders along giddy. I think. For once in my life i feel lucky. The bandages were removed awhile ago and now i can see the extent of the damage. Its a massive scar and i cant help but place a hand over it tracing the wound, feeling the beating of my heart and the warmth of my skin. I don't remember what happened while i was dead. I cant believe i was dead. I cant believe i was dead for three weeks on top of that! I didn't believe anyone when they told me so. I pull on a tunic left on the floor hiding the scar. Todays color is white. I can hear the adorable Kord Scouts outside having fun with Hans. I notice something out of the corner of my eye. On the night stand next to the vase theres a tiny wooden object. I pick it up to find the small replica of Oiladammar symbol. My "lucky" charm, Joe gave it to me before we parted. I pull a thin leather strap from my damaged leather armor, my hand hovers over the gaping hole in its chest piece and the dark stain surrounded it. I then loop it into the wooden charm and make a necklace. I hear the creeks of the stairs so i crawl back into bed pretending I never got out of it. The door opens to find Aevlin and Cayleen holding flowers. "Morning." I say with a wave, the blanket hiding my body. "I brought you flowers!" says calyeen as she places them in the vase. "Well be out for a little while. Be back soon." I just smile. "Have fun. Don't let me keep you here and don't hurry back. It's not like I'm going anywhere." She gives my hand a squeeze before closing the door as I hear Cayleen talk about how mud is always in season. I literally jump out of bed, grabbing my old cloak from the bed post, slip on my boots and throw the window open. Its a beautiful day out for some mischief. I chuckle excited. I don't need to pretend anymore. The rogue has been cooped up for too long. Ive been meek for too long. It's time I've broken some rules of my own such as staying in bed. Hans and the Kord Scouts are not looking in the direction of the house and I take this chance to free fall backwards into the bushes as i barral roll into the shadows. I creep along till i spy the covered cart as everyone finds there seats. I slink towards the cart and crawl into the underside in an open gap between the bottom and the wheel axis, supported by wooden beams. Its not comfortable but i don't need to cling onto a moving cart and can just lay and wait. I hear the bustle of the village and the cart stops. I wait until everyone is off the cart and away before i crawl out from under it. Saltmarsh market is as busy as it ever was. Its strange to walk among it again after the hell week I've experienced. My sense are abnormally perspective today as it feels like I'm taking in the town in a new light. The salt of the sea is heavy in the town air along with the fish, the wind is cool and pleasant, theres music in the air from taverns and bars, it even seems that the world has become more colorful and bright. I unconisously swipe an apple from a nearby fruit stand when no one was looking and without guilt I bit into it to find even the apple tastes amazing. It seems being dead for so long really makes one appreciate being alive. I notice the dress shop from afar and i can see the girls shopping. ""Do you have anything with more mud? Maybe some moss?" Cayleen asks the young woman running the shop. I turn around, don't need to get caught, and i walk into the talors an excited spring in my step." "Gentlemen! Id like you to dress me in red, oranges and purples, the deepest maroon, highlighted in orange while the tails purple please, a tailcoat with a hood and many pockets as well would be lovely. Not the silly decorative pockets but the nice deep ones. I have a very important date tonight with my wife." i tell them as i drop some gold onto the counter. --------
I walk out dressed like a new man. This looks good and fits perfect and they met all my demands. they even put in more pockets. All i need to tie this together is some leather armor. Its ironic that i had to die in order to be reforged stronger. I pull up the head and the collar to hide my face. I see Avelin and the gang again in the streets and i walk by them like a ghost, slipping a little note into her pocket. Its not a long note. Just a cryptic message to meet me in the smugglers port, wearing something nice. She'll know the one. No one, not even Aevlin noticed me. I feel unstoppable. I carouses around town humming an old tune from my troupe days. Or was it somewhere else? "Oh, come to the gathering of Oli o, where the wine is sweet and the dangers are cheap. Oh come to the halls of the laughing thief for thats where we complete the finial dance.." Wait! Has the sun always been that low in the sky. s***... oh well. This is a bothersome conundrum. I then spot Gregolas trying to peddling the deadiables with Laragorn. Perfect. "Hey Greg!" i shout out to him and he nearly drops his fruit in surprise and looks at me as if he's seen a ghost. "Jaris! What the hell are you doing here!? You'r suppose to be-. You were only- well.." He scolds me awkwardly. "Dead, yes. but i got better and its a nice day. I hate to ask, but i need a lift back." "Oh come on Jaris! Not you to! First Aevlin now you! I thought you were the responsible one! Cant you see I'm busy!?" "Im sorry but pleaseeee. You wouldn't make sickly me walk all that way right..pleaseeeeesss." I give him the puppy eyes that Aevlin always uses. "Fine! Largorn, hold the fort. I need to take this gibless moron back." Thank the gods, i'm starting to get tired and the day is catching up to me. --------------------
"Say Greg. What do you think of me anyway?" I ask a lot calmer than i had been all day as he moves the borrowed cart and horse. I needed that walk. He looks back at me sprawled at the bottom of the carriage with my arms cushioning my head. "Well.. At first i though you were just playing around with my cousin but your brother was a good man so i trust you. I didn't think you both would get married so soon though." "I don't think anyone was prepared for how fast our relationship went." "I can understand why you would feel that way. I was so unsure of how i was feeling considering i never dated before but when we got engaged i guess i just fell in love without realizing it." "You make her happiest I've ever seen her in awhile. Call me whatever but I'm proud to call you my brother in law, cousin in law.. Im not sure how this s*** works." "Same. She makes me feel happy whenever we're near each other. Could you promise me something? If something like this happens again can you keep her safe." "Of course, she is my cousin." "Just so you know i'm taking her out tonight for our first date. Can you keep this a secret.." "Lips sealed"
I climb through the window with time to spare and quickly i strip myself of my nice coat and tunic, hide it in the wardrobe, put back the cloak were i found it and try to take off the boots. S***! There coming. I finally get them off. I hear foot steps and jump right into bed again and bury my head under the blanket. Aevlin slides in next to me and suddenly I'm being kissed by a puppy! She mentions her as or first child and i cant help but get red in the face. I hope she doesn't expect anything anytime soon. We still haven't even received blessing from both our families! Where both young and stupid and have too much time to settle down yet. We already fell head long into a wedding, then a wild romance filled with tragedy, adventure and love. We cant blunder into THAT next! -----------
With the stealth of a maser theif i get changed into my new outfit with my fixed armor curtesy of Nylen and head to our meeting spot. Its not anything amazing. just a little table and chairs with dinner in a location hidden away from prying eyes. Normally from tales i heard of how other troupe members impressed their spouses they'd have the date on the roof tops or highest point of a city but this is a town not a city and its very much lacking in rafters. So the Sea ghosts old port were we killed and beat up the smugglers under the house will have to do. I put a carpet over the blood stains it will do! It's ashame theres no music. I then see her in this beautiful dress, her bow ready and i cant help but smile. "I'm so glade you've come to join me tonight." nows she's the one blushing red stuttering, lowering her guard and i cant help but to get awkward myself. "Where!? How?! Oh you!" she grabs my coat and i laugh. "Its a secret." I tell her in thieves cant and she just looks more confused but starts laughing. "Anyway." I cough embrassed myself. I pull out her chair and push her back in as i take my seat. "Sorry, I'm not a cook so its only tiny meat pies i lifted off Waruk along with the wine. Im still surprised he cooks. Rosa?" I ask her as i pour her a small classy glass. "Its so dark in here? you didn't bring a lantern did you?" "No need." i concentrate and the candles in the candle labra ignite. once comfortable i tell her everything and she does the same except this time we are both coherent and she will remember everything. It's a very casual date and i get her to laugh just like she does me. Honestly this should have happened first but we were drunk and stupid and didnt want to admit we fell in love like a pair of morons. Sure would have made Oli proud. When i learn about the belladora and the excessive drinking i do scold her. I tell her that to do that would break my heart and i have a weak constitution when i comes to that even in death and as the sole owner of my heart she has to take care of it. I tell her that if i die again for real that she should carver my name into her bow as a momento. Death doesn't keep us apart, dispair does. Besides as a united pair and a thief i would live on in her shadow. She agrees and after that heavy topic is addressed we move on. "So we're having our first date now. This means we're having the honey moon this week." "i guess we are." "And it's will be as great as tonight." I blush. "Anyway." I laugh standing up and extending a hand. "theres no music but can i have this dance." She smiles taking my hand. --------------------------------
It was good to train with Betty again despite her demeanor and her heavy beating stick. Ive notice that my skills have gotten sharper while i was sick and it honestly impresses the old woman for once. The honeymoon was an amazing night. It started early to my surprise. I don't know what happened between Aevlin and Waruk but our official night alone lifts her spirits and she forgets how angry she was. The fightery types are itching for some action and soon and honestly so am i. The ship was a good but boring ride so i did something a little out of character. I crept away out of bed and into the clerics rooms. I found their robes and holy vestments and switched them between Wahruks with Hans. The next morning i hear a clatter of noise. I keep near Wahruks room. Wahruk tore up his cabin searching for his cloths red in the face "Where the f*** are they!" I creeped near Hans cabin to find him doing the same. "NO! My muscles are atrophying! I need my robes!" I chuckle as i return to breakfest with Aevlin on the deck who looks surprised and confused by the chaos till the clerics finally appear haven given up hope in finding them. As soon as they see each other their mouths a gap and fingers pointing. Wahruk then snaps to me. "It was you!" I hold up my hands completely straight face and serious but secretly laughing manically inside. "Hey now. Ive been sick for a few weeks and been too busy training. Besides, name one time I've ever did something like this. You cant." Waruk starts sputtering claiming it was me but i continue the act. Hans just seem to be having a laugh. They both depart to fix their wardrobe and Aevlin looks at me in shock. "You didnt!" I just take a sip of my morning tea, a cheshire smirk on my face. She sputters and then breaks down laughing. "Im loving the new you." she says giving me a hug. We reach Highpoint and find the temple were we received word of slavers here. Aevlin is concern for the safety of her parents and i can only hope that they are all right. We decide the back entrance is the best way. theres a shack connecting to the building that needs to be scouted so i turn to Aevlin. "I hate to ask but may i borrow the ring. I promise anything cool i pick up you can keep." She gives it up with a smile. With the ring on and the boots silencing my movements I've officially become a phantom. I check the building and the room and see up to 6 orcs in a room surround with holy symbols of every god. This cant be a good sign for the fate of those people. When i return i report what i saw and we get into action as i to open the door. We catch them off guard as Nyleen and Aevlin fill them with arrows, only two left. Prideful they charge at our archers and take a few swings at them, One even grazing my wives shoulder with his halbert. After a beating the two start to run away and revealing his back. "Fight smarter, not harder." I hear echo in the back of my mind and i ready my unseen blade I use to be ashamed of doing this to someone, but not anymore considering they wont hesitate to cut me down. I no longer need to pertend to be a fighter. I thrust the full length of my blade through his back killing the orc instantly as my hands get coated in blood. The body slumps to the ground as everyone eyes widen when i reappear. It's not a pretty sight when a rogue gets to show off their full powers. Im not weak anymore. We continue one and stumble upon a grave yard where we battle giant ants. I severely injure one but just as I back away something hard catches me in the jaw and i can feel it dislocate. "You ruined my back swing Jaris! Watch where you put you face!" cries Wahruk as i see stars for a second before the pain starts to hit. It's so weird for me to feel pain like this again. "Oh gods Jaris are you ok!?" I hold up a hand and then without flinching i grab my jaw and pop it back into place without a cry as the pain laces through my head sharp and hard but without acknowledgement. "Im ok, it doesn't hurt as bad." I tell her but i obviously look bad considering i cant keep my head straight. the battle dies down and give Wahruk a look. "Mind fixing your mistake." He huffs and puts no effort in fixing me. It still hurts, Pathetic. "Looks like my god doesn't consider it worth healing." Man what a dick. I look too Hans for help. "I hate to ask but." He does his thing but it still isn't enough. Aevlin then hands me a potion and i finally feel completely better. She asks if I'm better and i laugh it off telling her im fine. I bring my gaze to Wahruk. "Maybe next time you should apologize when you make a mistake. Death isn't fun for me." "Next time watch where you put your face." Does he really want to piss off a highly trained theif. Im still angry with Wahruk and his arrogance. That man can be the most unlikeable person i know sometimes.
Jaris Fortuna Jörmungandr- the Red Baron
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Post by Aileen on May 29, 2019 23:15:06 GMT -5
A foolproof plan have we. Jaris reports after some invisible sneaking that at the bottom of the tunnel beneath the temple we find ourselves in, there is a room with 10 orcs, a guy writing at a desk and 5 giant weasels. Nylen lays down the plan once more before we spring into action.
"Ceyleen, you put invisibility to animals on Jaris. Jaris, you sneak ahead and backstab the guy. Hans and Wahruck next, cast your hold persons on the orcs and drop in. Then I will jump down and Aevlin take the ladder. I'll shoot the ones on the right, you shoot left. The rest of you file in and we will finish them off. Got it?"
We all nod, and spring into action. Jaris whispers a quick "I love you" as I wish him luck with a quick kiss. This better work. I told him to pull out his special powers if all goes to s***, even if it means faking death. We wait a moment, and then Hans moves in.
"Kill that man!" Commands a voice, probably the writing guy, and Hans is peppered with crossbow bolts. None of them hit. "Seriously!"
We hear clicking noises from the guy as Hans throws his shield and drops down. Wahruck goes next, chuckling as he straps his shield onto his back. He casts another hold person, and then leaps down the hole. Nylen jumps, and I come up to the hole. I look down and can see the weasels moving in, two of them latching onto Hans's legs, and Wahruck and Nylen being attacked by others. I climb down the ladder, and feel crossbow bolts whooshing past me.
There is commotion of moving boxes at the alcove, and I look up to see Jaris with his arms wrapped around a seemingly invisible person. I do hope he makes the kill and keeps himself safe, I'm not ready to lose him again. The other person appears, and stabs my husband in the chest. It looks like he gets him in his still healing chest wound, and he screams in agony. Get the hell off my Jaris!
Hans goes down, and his weasels let go, joining one that's coming for me. I try to shoot the one in front, but miss as it bites into my leg at the knee. The pain is immense, and now I'm pissed. This is not what we planned! I see Jaris hit himself with his own sword out of the corner of my eye as the weasel begins sucking the blood from my leg. I hack at the disgusting marmot as arrows fly overhead, courtesy of Ballard. The guy fighting Jaris sips a potion and disappears. Great, now we have to worry about him sneaking up on us. I see Krork go down. I finally hit my weasel hard enough to kill it, and hiss in relief as its fangs drop from my leg in a spurt of my own blood. Suddenly Jaris appears behind the body, mid swing.
"Thank you, dear. I've got this." I say, blowing a kiss.
"We have to worry about the rogue thief, he's invisible."
"Rogue thief!" I laugh. "Good one."
Truthfully, I feel like I've been bled dry. My leg is killing me, but theres still weasels up that need to die. I kill the weasel that has just taken down Ceyleen. Nylen kills another. The thief still hasn't appeared. I stand ready to fight, shield raised and sword aloft.
"Come out, come out wherever you are," I taunt. "B****."
Suddenly the reflection of a man appears in my sword, his short sword raised to plunge into my back but missing. He raises it again, and I know he will finish me off. I spin, yelling in rage. One of Nylen's arrows gets him, and then my sword slices across his middle. Nylen and Jaris both get him too, and he falls dead.
"That's what you get for attacking my wife you son of a b****!" Jaris growls, kicking the corpse.
I take the ring from the thief's finger, hoping it's a ring of invisibility as I gave mine to Jaris. But then again, there is the potion too, which Jaris gives me to store in the bag of holding. I leave Jaris talking to midair, presumably Ricardo, and go to check out the desk. Theres a disgusting moat of sewage surrounding the room that we all luckily avoided. On the desk is records of the slavers, a map of their caravan routes... this is going to be the key to finding my parents! There are also crates with rations, chains, slaver supplies, a bag of 5000 gold, and some jewelry.
Only Nylen, Jaris, Gardrodq and I remain conscious, although pretty badly injured. I pass by the thief's body as we go to block the door by the stairs. I backtrack, and decide I don't want him lying here with my severely injured and unconscious friends. I drag him over to the edge of the moat, and then boot him in. There is an splash as his body sinks into the s***. Satisfied, I go to help blockade us in.
We try to rest, but an hour and a half later there is a knock at the door. Nylen goes to it, bow drawn.
"Master, open." A gruff voice says.
"What do you want?"
"Report!"
The orc makes his report and then leaves. An hour later, they come back.
"Go away!" Nylen orders. "Do you want to wear chains?"
The next time they come back, Nylen rattles some chains, and they leave. The fourth time, we just hear shuffling of feet before they walk away. Guess they learned their lesson. Almost four hours pass and then we hear low scratching noises. Must be the weasels, as Nylen can see two creatures curled up using his seeing sword. Some time later, the sound of chains. Human screams, animal screeching sounds. Then hacking, and chains being dragged away. That can't be good... but we can't open the door least we all die.
Gardrodq finally gains his healing spells, and brings up Hans and Wahruck. They do some healing, and now look in much better condition than Jaris, Nylen and I. My damn leg is a gaping bloody mess, and Jaris's scar now has a fresh wound on it. There is some debate about moving somewhere else to rest, as some are still unconscious, but Nylen knows that here we have a position of power and some authority. We killed the big bad guy, the head honcho- we are the ones in charge now! Wahruck wants to interrogate the thief to get some answers, and we all agree it's a great idea.
"Right, where is the body?" He asks.
"Oh... s***. He's in the sewage." Jaris says.
"What?!" Wahruck is livid. "Who threw the body in the sewage?!"
Everyone but my loyal husband, who is sitting with his feet kicked up on the desk, looks at me. I sheepishly look away, but I catch Wahruck giving me a glare that could melt steel.
"I didn't mean to, I tripped!"
Hans does some healing on me, and then works on the others. Wahruck gives me a bit more.
"I shouldn't even help you since you kicked the body in there. It's called speak with dead, not speak with sewage!"
"Yeah, that would be called s***-talking. Besides, I didn't do it. Ricardo tripped me, and I accidentally kicked the body in. You should be happy i didn't fa-"
There's a sharp pain in the side of my neck, and I feel myself falling, drifting into darkness.
I come to in Jaris's lap, feeling... pretty great. My neck stings a bit though.
"What happened?"
"Ricardo stung you. He said never to blame him for anything again. He's kind of a dick."
I was asleep for four hours. Not bad, at least I got a nap. Jaris lays into Ricardo verbally, calling him out for messing with his wife and being a dick. I apologize, asking to please show himself to me. I feel like the pseudodragon and I have bonded, but I can't see him. I hope one day I will... maybe hallucinogenic drugs is the answer?
We move along, Jaris sneaking ahead. Outside the door there is blood and carnage. It looks like the weasels attacked some slaves and they got hacked apart. Giant rat prints litter the blood stained floor. More recently, odd shaped footprints.
Jaris reports back that there are slave pits up ahead, but they look empty. He says theres beams going across them or stairs going down. We tell him to take the stairs. When he comes back, he reports there are slaves working while a big insect man tells them what to do. This thing is big and apparently has two shields. Not good... but it also confirms something Nylen read in the papers, about some insect sounding colony.
"Is there anything on my boot? Does someone have a rag?" I hear Jaris complaining next to me.
"You're invisible, my love. I'm sure your boots are fine."
Krork whispers in my ear, asking for some of the invisibility potion. I slyly pull it from my bag and give him a dose. He turns invisible and scouts ahead, wanting to take out the antman. I tell no one of his secret mission. Moments later, he returns, still hidden.
"Orcs ahead. Eight of them, heading this way. They've got weapons drawn."
"Fall back to the other room!" Nylen whispers.
We go back, tracking blood into the room through the door. As we enter, seven giant rats poor down the ladder we came down from hours ago.
"Theres the one Smith told us about!" An orc calls, pointing at Nylen.
I move in, drawing my bow and taking a shot at a rat. It falls dead. Nylen, standing in front of the desk, shoots at the orcs. Instead, his arrows go into Gardrodq, dropping him. The elf looks horrified, but it's an easy mistake when you're an archer. I can hear Hans and Ceyleen flirting up a storm as they fight the orcs.
I stand beside my husband, switching to sword and hacking at the rats as they come. Jaris keeps warning me not to get bitten as they carry disease and we have nothing to help with that. Soon enough however, all the rats and the orcs lie dead.
"Did you hear Hans and Ceyleen?" I ask.
"I did... Ricardo definitely wants them together. Guess he saw how succesful a couple we make."
"Yeah. We are pretty great. You did save me from that assassination attempt, afterall."
Jaris pulls me in by the waist, kissing me passionately amongst the room of dead rats. I think I hear the pseudodragon gag.
"Let's get out there and save your parents, shall we?"
>>-----> Aevlin Baumann-Jörmungandr <-----<<
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Post by Chris on May 30, 2019 8:37:06 GMT -5
Slave Pits of the Undercity Sewer Level Slave Lord's Den (orcs and some dude) and weasels! Agent Smith? The Slave Pits Trap Door Control Booth machine room Orcs (and rats) ended play on Sunday, Patchwall 9, 576 at 4:06 am MVP Jeff Pettengill as Nylen Starbow our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/46079?userid=1168080
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Post by dragonforgotten on May 31, 2019 1:57:41 GMT -5
there is a room with 10 orcs, a guy writing at a desk and 5 giant weasels. I sneak back in the ground and tell them what I've saw. "Great. You will stealth into the room and assassinate the man at his desk while the clerics cast hold person on the orcs as we charge in." So I've become the cheap assassin now have I. At least I feel proud about being important though. I stare at him wondering if he missed the part about the five giant weasels. "Fantastic! but i'm not going down there without some insurance against the weasels. Those things were foaming at the mouth. Im invisible and silent but not odorless. i like having all my limbs attached." Nylen pinches his brow sighing.
Nylen lays down the plan once more with adjustments before we spring into action and i nod agreeing. Aevlin then brings up something about me. "Just so everyone knows, Jaris has the ability to fake death." "its a medical condition.." I mumble, kicking a rock. "If things go south i can possum and wait it out." "Id probably wouldn't do that. Your worst case scenario is someone throws you into the sewage." advises Nylen. Calyeen drops her pack and begins pull out holly and i get a bad feeling now. "Alright, take your armor and tunic off." "....what?" "I need to scrub you with holly. Take off your shirt." I instantly get pale looking at the spines on the holly leaves, the rest of the guys chuckling. My ears start to get red. "Isn't there another way? cant you just scrub the armor?" "No. Do you want it or not?" "...yes." "Then take it off." I sigh glancing at Aevlin who looks as uncomfortable as i do. I start undoing the belts and straps to my armor, placing the chest guard and braces against the wall as i start wiggling out of my tunic. Its freezing down here! I sit down on the floor with dread and defeat. "Please start with the back first. The scar still healing." I beg. I see Cayleen grab her leaves then walk out of my sights as the men start laughing there a*** off. "When did you get a tattoo? It wasn't there when we brought your corpse back to town." "I don't know. Maybe got it during me and Aevlin's night out." "It looks stupid. Why get a weird face on your shoulder?" "Wait, do you mean a mask-? Aaa, f***!" It feels like claws are running up and down my back and it stings! She's practically trying to dig it into my skin. "Quite being a baby." I scowl at the laughing group in the corner but for the life of me i cant really get mad. it is a funny situation.. Aevlin is watching me with pity but her gaze is intense. I start feeling more uncomfortable then i'm already am so i grab my tunic and hide my face as Cayleen moves to the front. This is the worst. the pain gets worst when she grazes the healing scar tissue and i hiss. AT last the entire embarrassing process is over and i waste no time throwing my shirt on and strapping myself back in the armor. "Shows over! You can stop laughing now!" i say with anger but with a hint of levity that escapes. The group is calming down as i go over to Aevlin squeezing her hand. "be back soon. I love you." she kisses me on the cheek. "If you get in too much trouble uses your powers. Stay safe." I nod, turning invisible as i descend down the stairs. I see Hans take his position and freeze three orcs as bolts bounce off his shield. I don't stick around to watch because i have my own mission. That man sicked his weasels on them and darts behind some crates. When i see Hans drop it takes every part of me to not come to his aid. I need to find that man and make him call of his pets. I follow him and my stomach drops when he's no longer there. I have to make a decision quick. Theres no obvious trap door. I know he didn't try running since i would have saw him. Unless. I just hope i'm right. I lunge at the spot the man was and i grab ahold of someone squirming in my arms as the crates are knocked over. He reappears in my arms and i feel confident that i have him until i feel a blade slides into my back and it hits me along with the agonizing pain. This man is like me. I cough up some blood, still fighting this man in my arm and i cant help but let my mind wonder as i try to put a sword between his ribs. I honestly cant believe I've found another person like me. Ive never ran into someone outside my troupe that shares my profession. But, the idea that this man who is my equal in my field chooses to use his power, for this. It makes me sick and it makes me angry. "call off your pets or I'll make you suffer a fate worst then death!" I growl at him and I move to stab him but suddenly pain blooms in my chest as i raised my sword arm. My scar has reopened, bleeding freely. Damn, why now!?" The man laughs from my blunder. "So a fate worst than death huh." I stumble away from the grapple clutching the freely bleeding scar, gasping for air. Ive pushed myself to hard. I could still fight him, i'm still standing. but, i promised Aevlin i would come back. Im not making that mistake again just for pride. I give him a hard stare, then I activate the ring. I watch as the hand reaches into his coat pocket. "Two can play that game." He sips it and vanishes. I honestly feel i let everyone down but i need to help protect them should he come back. I sneak toward Aevlin just as i help her kill a weasel. "Thank you, dear. I've got this." she says, blowing me a kiss but I'm so focus on the chaos. he's still out there and I'm not letting my guard down. "We have to worry about the rogue thief, he's invisible." I tell her as my eyes dart about for him. Then he appear trying to stab Aevlin in the back and with his back exposed i lunge at him, driving my blade home as an arrow slams into his skull. I throw him to the ground and violently stab at him again when he hits the ground. "That's what you get for attacking my wife you son of a b****!" I growls, kicking the corpse for good measure. I being stripping the body of valuable and at Nylens suggestion i don his armorer and take his sword. I give Aevlin the potion and his magic ring. Its not much considering shed given up the ring of invisibility to me. I promise her she can have my share of the magic items if they suite her better. Only Nylen, I, Gardrodq and Aevlin remain conscious, although pretty badly injured. This is bad. Too many to carry we bar the doors and wait for Gardrodq to pray for his healing magic back. I watch Aevlin pitch the theifs body into the sewage, glade it wasnt me and chuckle. On the desk is records of the slavers, a map of their caravan routes... I hope Aevlins parents are not caught up in this mess like we both fear. Me and Aevlin lean against each other for support, barley alive and tired. She nursed my open wound the best she could through the rags we found around this room. a half later there is a knock at the door. Nylen goes to it, bow drawn. I start sweating praying we don't get discovered as I pull the bow string taunt, mirroring Aevlins. "Master, open." A gruff voice says. "What do you want?" "Report!" The orc makes his report and then leaves. An hour later, they come back. "Go away!" Nylen orders. "Do you want to wear chains?"
The next time they come back, Nylen rattles some chains, and they leave. The fourth time, we just hear shuffling of feet before they walk away. Gods think is torture. Almost four hours pass and then we hear low scratching noises. The weasels, as Nylen can see two creatures curled up using his seeing sword. Some time later, the sound of chains. Human screams, animal screeching sounds. Then hacking. I turn my face away, apologizing for the people we couldn't save. It takes a painfully long time for the deed to be done. The look of horror on Aevlins face tears my heart and i pull her into my chest covering her ears. She doesn't need to hear this. the last we hear are the chains being dragged away. ---------
Eventually the hours pass and we are able to be healed again and survived the ordeal by some miracle. Finally out of the woods i take a seat at the desk and put my foot up on the surface. I always wonder if I'll live along enough to be able to create my own den, it will be sweet to do this in my own den. Nylen mentions that we should stay in this room since we have position of power and honestly i have to scoff at this idea. You dont just walk in and take over. its the same as killing a prince and naming yourself king. The man we killed was important but honestly, theres going to be many many more in line to replace him. Infact it will go to his second in charge to keep things moving. Thats how an operation like this works. But what do i know. we get another knock on the door, this time not a orc and when Nylen tries the same trick he doesn't get a response and the man is gone. We wont hear the last from him. Waruk begins to pitch a fit when he wants to try something to the theif body but then he finds out from everyone who tosses it. Aevlin places the blame on Ricardo as He huffs and puffs and its very comical to watch. We could have learned more from the dead theif but honestly i don't approve of Waruks plan to dabble in necromancy. I was dead just a month ago. I may not like the other theif but i don't feel right exploiting the souls of the dead considering i use to be one of them. Suddenly I watch Ricardo sneak up on Avelin and then sting her and i literally fly out of my chair and catch her before she hits the ground as i shake her terrified. "Aevlin!" I place a hand to her neck and feel a plus. She's alseep. I throw my head to Ricardos direction. "You b****** Ricardo! What the f***!!" He gives me some b**** about not putting the blame on him but i'm not hearing any of it. he's such a a****** and i don't know why. Aevlin wakes up a few minutes later, a crink in her neck but otherwise fine and in good humors. I tell her what happened and she apologized for upsetting him and to please show himself. He never does because she just sighs in disappointment so i lock eyes with him. "I know You keep trying to drive us away because inside you'r scared of getting hurt. If you just let us in you'd find you actually like use." He huffs and brushes me off. Its not over Ricardo! You know its true! ---------
I sneak ahead invisible and silent. I find slave pits up ahead, but no slaves. I report and continue down the stairs. Theres a sinking feeling in my stomach and my stomach is right once again as i find overworked slaves being commanded by a humanoid weevile. Guess the papers make more sense now confirming the weird mention of an insect sounding colony. I hope aevlin parents are not suffering like these poor souls. Theres only one. I could kill it and free them but no. I will not pick a fight with an enemy i barley understand. I retreat promising to come back for them just as i step into something and a chill runs up my spine. I don't check what i stepped in, its time to go now before i'm caught. The moment I'm back with everyone I check my boots to see if they have not been compromised. I could have just as easily stepped into a slime and ruined them. I then notice someone missing. Someone who always needs to be watched. "Aevlin. Wheres Krork." "I gave him a sip of the invisibility potion." oh no. Not a second latter we hear a famialr voice. "theres alot of orcs coming this way." We run right back to the large room not wanting to chance getting necked in. the moment we walk in giant rats come pouring from the latter leading to the graveyard doors. I go back to back with Aevlin invisible. "Theres the one Smith told us about!" An orc calls, pointing at Nylen and the fun begins. the rats come swarming. "Watch out for them. they're full of disease and i am all out of sick days." "So do i love. Let's dispatch them before they even touch us." I smirk, invisible. We destroy them. She picks them off with arrows as the moment they get to close i cut off their heads. Im stunned when Nylen accidentally strikes our new dwarf friend down but i cant stop with the rats till there dead. Soon enough however, all the rats and the orcs lie dead. Me and her stand among the corpses as the group begins to raid the bodies and Nylen and Hand take care of our fallen dwarf. I take her hand giving it a squeeze. "Did you hear Hans and Ceyleen?" She ask. I did from here. Not sure how though, "I did... Ricardo definitely wants them together. Guess he saw how successful a couple we make." I glance at her, despite the blood and gore she's still beautiful. "Yeah. We are pretty great. You did save me from that assassination attempt, after all." I pulls her in by the waist, startling her but she leans into me. "Of course. Like i would let another thief take whats mine." I kissing her passionately amongst the room of dead rats. I hear the Ricardo gag, yelling at us to get a room and watch him complain to Cayleen about us. i take great satisfaction knowing i've gotten under his scales. We part, a devinar smirk on my lips. "Let's get out there and save your parents, shall we?"
-Jaris Fortuna Jörmungandr- The Red Baron
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Post by Chris on Jun 5, 2019 9:34:27 GMT -5
Slave Pits of the Undercity Sewer Level Main Slave Chamber Storerooms Machine Room The Slave Pits Trap Door Control Booth Gas-Filled Room Orc Camp ended play on Sunday, Patchwall 9, 576 at 12:25 pm MVP Alexis Byrnes as Jaris our plays on rpggeek.com/plays/thing/46079?userid=1168080
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Post by Aileen on Jun 5, 2019 20:56:58 GMT -5
We have to take another rest in the sewage room. It reeks in here, but it's pretty defensible. Nylen doesn't think anyone will come through the locked door, and I trust his judgment. Another five or so hours and Gardrodq is back on his feet and the magic people have their spells back, so we are ready to roll. Nylen checks the door with his magic sword, and it's not good news what he sees. There are several orcs, a couple humanoids, those ant people, and what looks like twenty or so slaves on their hands and knees in a line up. We can't go through that way without killing innocents. So, we take the back way, up the ladder where the rats came down.
Jaris takes the lead, invisible, while the rest of us follow. Nylen goes up ahead, leaving Ceyleen and I a bit further back. We come to a fork in the tunnels, and a disembodied voice tells us the way. We come back up to the crypt entrance, and then backtrack a little down another path. Eventually we come to a point where Jaris scouts ahead again. He reports back that there is a big room with two rows of cages containing slaves, five orcs on guard, and three humans walking through the middle. One is a woman in chainmail with a battle axe, one looks like a wizard, and the third is a wealthy looking guy that appears to be shopping.
"Aevlin and I will go in and shoot the woman and the wizard." Nylen says.
"I'll cast hold person." Says Hans.
"I'm going to try to free some slaves. Don't shoot me." Jaris announces.
"We can't see you, stay out of our shots." Nylen instructs my husband.
The rest are going to do backup. Hopefully us bow specialists can take some of the enemies out before anyone else has to jump in. Nylen and I go to the door, and enter. I get one shot off but miss. The next arrow hits true, and the battle axe woman looks pissed. The orcs fire their crossbows at Nylen and I, but every shot misses. Battleaxe charges us, screaming in rage, and both of us shoot her before she is on us. I quickly switch to sword and shield. Before I can even swing, I see a web cover the other guys and the woman freezes in place. Rivaldi skewers her.
"That went better than I thought!" I pant, putting my sword away. I didn't even kill anyone.
The rest are taken out, and we start looting the bodies. Nylen tells me to take the women's chainmail, so I switch out to hers. Mine smelled a bit like alcohol and wet dog, so this is a little nicer. I also find a rock in her pocket, which I stow in mine for later. Jaris and Nylen free the slaves, and one big guy volunteers to lead them out.
"Do I look pretty, Aevlin?" Ceyleen asks, holding her arms up with some new bracers we found.
"You look so pretty! Do i?"
Ceyleen grimaces. Guess that's a no. It's probably the weasel blood. One of the slaves, another big guy, decides to stay behind and fight with us. I volunteer to be his boss, but Gardrodq beats me to it. His name is Sean and he has a thick broguish accent.
Ceyleen wants to test out her bracers and I don't know what my rock does, so she comes up and slaps me hard across the face. I slap her right back. Nothing happens, so we just stand there with our faces stinging. Guess we will find out another way.
Jaris opens the door to another room, and its filled with casks of wine. I haven't had a drink in a while, and I feel my mouth start to water.
"Go on, get a drink- maybe you'll stop shaking and shoot better!" Ceyleen orders.
I take a few swigs out of the tap as others fill wine skins and flasks. Sean lays under the tap on one and just let's it flow into his mouth like a champ. Sean is cool, we like Sean. Jaris does not like Sean. Jaris scouts ahead, but I can hear him hiss something threatening to Sean as he leaves. I have zero interest in Sean, but is my husband being jealous of him? This is too good.
Jaris reports back the locations of a few of the Aspis ant guys. He wants to go in and backstab the one up ahead, and then there are more upstairs. Then I foolishly remember that Jaris gave me something earlier that could very well help us.
"Nylen- I have a few doses of invisibility potion!"
Nylen gives me a look that tells me I probably should have mentioned that earlier. No matter, we still killed those guys without it.
"Okay, here's the plan-" I take out three gold pieces and one silver from my bag, and lay them out on the floor. "Here's the ant man. Jaris, you go behind him like this and stabby stab. Nylen and I will be invisible in the door like this, and when we see you back off and disappear, we shoot!"
"I didn't know we had a general!" Says Sean, and it is clear this time he is checking me out. Jaris turns red and clenches his fists.
"I think we should just open fire. We can at least get a few shots in before he can react. And then Jaris doesn't have to worry about getting shot."
"You're right, Nylen. I would rather not shoot my husband. Jaris, stay out of the room!"
Nylen and I each take a shot of the invisibility potion and then step inside. The aspis does not react. We start firing. It goes down quick and easy, with Nylen getting the last shot. On to the next one! We go upstairs, once more invisible, and see two aspis on the other side of the big pit going down to the bottom floor. I stay where I am as Nylen crosses the narrow beam, although I cannot see him. Apparently the ant guys heard him, as they start attacking thin air. I take my shot, and hit one of them. Nylen reappears and knocks one of them so it has to grip onto the beam. I shoot the other one and it also nearly falls. I hear the rest of the party come up behind me as I watch Nylen lose his balance and plummet to the floor below. I keep shooting as they move toward me. One of them dies! Hans casts Holy Hammer or something and hits the aspis, but it keeps coming towards me! I don't have time to get my shield out before it slashes at me. The warm blood spurting out of my arm enrages me.
"FOR NYROND!!!"
I jump up and kick the aspis in its thorax. In my head I saw this going better than it really did. Unfortunately, it's a big insect man and I'm just a small woman. My feet connect with it's hard shell, but I'm nearly sent off my feet, bouncing right off of it. I was really hoping it would go flying back into the pit. Embarrassed, I unsheath my sword and hit it. It dies, and I kick the corpse into the pit.
"Hans, I definitely just kicked that thing to death!" I say as I spin around to the ones up here.
"Sure you did."
We rejoin with the others who have some new slave rescues. Apparently one attacked an aspis with her chains. They tell us that the other slaves we saw in a lineup were probably a caravan shipment, and they would be long gone. Great.
I see Jaris go over to Sean and it looks like he's threatening him, but keeps his voice down. I walk over.
"That's my wife!"
"I don't see a ring." Sean smirks.
Jaris looks crestfallen, and my heart breaks a little. I gave my rings back to him as he needed them more than I do. I'm not mad about it... although I would like some symbol of our love. I mean, having him alive is good enough. I pull him aside.
"Jaris, you have nothing to worry about. I love you. I really love you. Let's focus on what's important. Like the fact that I kicked an aspis to its death. I looked awesome. Your wife is a badass Jaris-"
He stops me with a kiss.
"Yes, you are. I'm very proud."
We walk through a room with dirt and armor on the floor, and a nasty bitter smell in the air. My eyes sting as we walk through, but nothing seems to happen. Jaris goes to another door, and soon reports back. There is another sewage room ahead, and orcs. We hear the awful sound of an alarm being raised. Guess we are in for another fight!
>>----> Aevlin Jörmungandr, Corpse Kicker <----<<
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