Revision as of 06:39, 21 August 2013 (view source) RustBot (talk | contribs) (Auto update)		Latest revision as of 06:39, 21 August 2013 (view source) RustBot (talk | contribs) (Auto update)
(5 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 9:		Line 9:
	21/8/476		21/8/476
	=Log=		=Log=
−	<div></div>	+	<div></div><br> <br>Evening, with an overcast sky, the shattered moon but a dim glow behind heavy clouds. Not that it's a strange thing on this side of the pass, what with the tragedies in recent decades, but it certainly does add to the local atmosphere. Just out of the mouth of the pass, a palisade has been erected, and actually looks to have been there for some time.
		+
		+	Watchers carrying lanterns and spears patrol the tops of the defenses, consolidated from bits of broken wagons and sharpened stakes with earthen and stone defenses filling in the gaps. But that is not the main attraction - a middle-aged german shepherd lingers by the entrance with a lantern of her own, waiting for the arrival of...something.<br> <br>Zevran makes his way out of the pass, a lantern of his own held out in front of him. His attention is drawn to the palisade ahead, and he approaches the unfamiliar structure slowly. Upon spotting the waiting german shepherd, he picks up his pace until he is within the range of her lantern. He gave the shepherd a wave to show his good intentions. "I suppose you're the one who posted the request at the inn?" He asked, wanting to make sure he was in the correct place. It would not have been too difficult for him to get lost coming out of the pass, especially with the fading light.<br> <br>Selena makes her way through the trail to the camp, the little lights guiding her way - once she's close enough to the camp to see them, though flight would be undoubtedly faster. The shepherd is met with a friendly wave and smile - as is Zevran. "I haven't seen you for a while. What've you been getting up to, Zevran?" She qeuries, before her attention is directed back to the aging canine.<br> <br>Angus looks up at the sky and frowns with a sigh. "Is it just a little to much to ask for sunshine while the undead lurk?" He mutters, hoping it doesn't rain as he follows the trail behind Selena. Stepping up to the shepherd he nods in greeting, before he turns to give Zevran a tip of the hat. "Hey there horns, good to see you out an about." He teases, snapping back to a serious expression as he looks to the canine as well.<br> <br>Tzerya comes across the pass, quite literally skipping along her way. Approaching the camp, she gives a large wave while continuing towards the german shepherd. Waving at the three already here, she gives them all a quick little nod, "Greetings all", she says eagerly before focusing upon the canine with a small wiggle of her ears.<br> <br>Night time, the perfect time for a lion to prowl about and promote his true potential, stalking his prey with grace, courage, and majesty. At least maybe if a certain coat and scar wearin' lion didn't just get done waking up, as evident by his unkempt and frazzled mane. Regardless, Dio give his equipment one last check as he strolls up a bit late nehind the others, stetching his arms towards the sky in a giant bellowing yawn. "Hello there lads 'n' lasses," he says, nodding and waving to those more punctual. "Is this where we're meetin'? And ah!" The lion, noticing a new face, quickly runs up to Zevran and invades his personal space. "Yer a big one! Don' think we've met before lad. The name's Dio the traveler."<br> <br>"Strictly speaking, child, we don't have anyone who posted a request at the inn. None of us have the time to spare in order to make the trip through the pass. No, we got an old friend of mine to run into town for us. But where are my manners? My name is Selan, and I am headwoman of this little village you see before you.
		+
		+	"Usually, there isn't much trouble with the dead - Mossy Stone, or what's left of it, is some distance from there, and the gryphon rock tends to dissuade most of them from wandering all the way south. But they've been wandering further and further afield of late - maybe all those fools fiddling about up north have stirred up something - and that needs to come to a stop. We'll need to think of a more permanent solution later, but for now, that's where you come in. My watchers are very good at what they do - they noticed your approach hours before your actual arrival, after all - and there haven't been any deaths so far, but I'd rather not take chances. I need all of you to clear the road mostly to the south where it joins up with the pass, but a little to the north as well. Any that you slay, tell my watchers where the bodies are so the corpses can be gathered and burned."<br> <br>Zevran chuckles at Selena's comment, giving her and Angus a friendly wave as they arrive. "Traveling mostly. I've been finding new things to punch. Oh, and drinking. Lots of drinking." He replies jokingly to Selena. He watches as the others approach, giving them a friendly nod. However, his whole posturing changes as Dio invades his space. His muscles tense and his ears flatten as his right hand curls into a fist. He stays like this for a moment before deciding that the Lion in front of him isn't a threat. "I'm Zevran." He introduces himself to Dio, Tzerya, and the shepherd. "So we'll be re-killing some undead? Doesn't sound like too much trouble." He states, turning to give Selan his attention.<br> <br>Selena nods, rubbing the back of her head for a moment. "I'm curious why you'd set up so far from anyone and so near mossy stone in the first place, but that's neither here nor there." A brief pause to roll her eyes and sigh at the mention of the settlement to the north is had before she adds; "As for the bodies, we can burn them ourselves if it'd save you the trouble. You did just imply you had very little free time."
		+	Angus is given a half-wave, as are Tzerya and Dio. "I didn't expect to see you out here without your sister, Tze-rya(?). Either way, I suppose that can't be helped. Ever the drunk, aren't you Zevran? I swear, you're worse than I used to be..."<br> <br>Angus smirks at Zevran and shakes his head. "Why am I not surprised?" He teases, before he taps him on the shoulder when he notices that clenched fist. "Dio is harmless...as long as your not bed sheets." jokes aside he smiles to Tzerya and Selena before he turns back to the german shepard. "We can take care of them, Selena can probably burn them all to a crisp easily." Smirking he undoes the clasps on his cloak and folds it up so that it would not get in the way. <br> <br>Tzerya nods to Angus, "Hehe, well we've been occupied lately...I'm sure, Tzenya is resting well.". Spinning her attention back to Zevran, she curtsies and grins, "Pleasure to meet you, Tzerya Talai.". Tilting her ear with a smirk, she snickers a small bit, "Ohh don't worry, I'm more than proficient when it comes to lighting things on fire.". Stretching out, she continues to stare at the shepherd and nod.<br> <br>A normal being would've taken the rhino's tense motions as a sign. A sign to back off just a little bit and give them their space. However, this lion didn't seem to register any signs at all. "Travelin' an' drinkin'?!" Dio shouts nearly at the top of his lungs. "I can already tell we're goin' to be good friends," he chuckles, patting Zervan on the back swiftly but a few times before returning his attention to the problem at hand. "What I did to those bed sheets I'll be doin' to the undead! I got my equipment ready to go when everyone's set."<br> <br>Selan gives Selena a small nod, carefully avoiding the issue of why there's a settlement to be had so close to danger in the first place. "Perhaps it would be more convenient, but if I'm going to be paying your bounty, I do need to have some form of assurance that you aren't just going to be walking up and -" her words are cut off by the faint ringing of a bell in the distance, and her grip on her lantern tightens. "Forget what I just said! All of you, behind the palisade now! If Saint Alan won't go to the proverbial ark...then it seems the ark has decided to come to Saint Alan! Hurry!"
		+
		+	Indeed, grass rustles...but the air is still, and no mere breeze is strong enough to crunch gravel underfoot. Silhouettes shift in the darkness just beyond the reach of the lanterns...and every watcher is now on the alert.<br> <br>Tzerya looking over Dio, she takes a few quick sniffs and a chuckle, "Good, you're still rather fresh". Blinking a few times, she realizes what he said before shaking her head and rolling her eyes at the lion, "That poor poor maid.". Her thoughts suddenly scattered by the bell, her ears droop as she nods to the shepherd, "Let's see what we have", she mutters making her way behind the palisade, pulling out her bow as she does.<br> <br>Zevran chuckles at Dio's comment before his attention is drawn by the ringing bells. He turns back to Selan as he hears her warning, before turning back to the silhouettes. He waits for a moment, almost as if trying to decide whether he should stay out here to fight whatever it is, but eventually relents and slowly backs towards the palisade.<br> <br>Selena's ears perk high up as the bell rings. "Sounds like something from a Cliffside academy." She observes, casting a quick orb of fire out over in the direction of the rustling to illuminate the ground below it, pacing back cautiously towards the settlement as she addresses Selan again; "Fair enough. A word's one thing, but I can appreciate why you'd want tangible results from this kind of operation."<br> <br>And indeed, Dio did smell rather fresh. Well, as fresh as your average commoner these days. In response to the bunny's comment, he gives his arm a gentle sniff, still not too sure just what people were talking about in regards to his smell. He was fine then and he's fine now, right? "I gotcha lass. Gotta 'ave a little pr-" Hearing the bell ring, the lion looks about and heads the warning by heading into the palisade, drawing his sword and equipping his buckler for an impending battle.<br> <br>Ears perk up as the bell rings, and Angus tips the brim of his hat up as he sighs. "Well, parties starting." He mutters, drawing his pistol and cocking both hammers back as he slowly backs towards the defenses. "Seems that we didn't even have to track them down hm?" Selena's illuminating fire makes him smile, and helps him take aim if something comes out of the grass.<br> <br>Standing on the palisade as the orb lights the area up, Tzerya gives a small nod, smirking as she taps her foot. "Hey, in my opinion that's an advantage...tracking the undead is never a fun exercise.", she chimes back over to Angus, one hand on her bow, the other raised as she prepares to either knock an arrow or start with the magic<br> <br>The orb of fire explodes over the incipient field of battle, lighting it up like a flare shot into the air. Clearly illuminated by Selena's fire is a small horde of the walking dead in various stages of decay, shuffling and shambling about in search of...well, whatever the living dead ultimately seek. Selena's flare is answered by a number of signal fires all around the village, and the faint sounds of shouts and ruffling and can heard from within the village.
		+
		+	"Something must've riled them up, pushed them this far south from Mossy Stone and in a group to boot," Selan says as the gates are drawn closed behind the party. "I wonder what did...damned nobles and their lot, poking up north, stirring up things where they should have let them lie..." the canine doesn't stop to realise her assumptions, and points up at the palisades. "Well, it seems your bounty just changed. Get up and help where you can, or if you'd rather wade out there, we can always lower a ladder for you. Not that I'd understand why, but you can, if you'd like."<br> <br>"I assure you that this is not the work of Nobles, the Solacious at least." Angus frowns as he takes off his hat and places it atop his cloak on the ground out of the way. Turning around he looks up at the palisades, and switches his gun to his right hand. "hmmmm...Zevran, you feel like doing a little wading? Keep them away from the gates so that they don't come crashing down and swarm us?" He asks the Rhino as he draws his Rapier in his free hand. Waiting to activate the Creator fire leashed inside the steel until he stood facing the threat.<br> <br>Zevran clasps his lantern onto his waist and climbs up to the palisade to survey the undead pack. "Finally, some fun. And here I thought we were going to stand around all night telling campfire stories." He chuckles, motioning for somebody to drop a ladder down for him. He climbs down the ladder and faces the undead, drawing his two wicked swords with what can only be described as a look of enjoyment or eager anticipation on his face.<br> <br>Selena shakes her head. "They're trying to 'take back' mossy stone at my last check. I appreciate the idea, but the execution of it is downright terrible." She sighs, twirling a finger in the air. "You can thank Mirana Solacious for that, specifically."
		+
		+	the horde down below is met with a surprised look -- "There weren't even that many in Mossy stone the last time I was there. Either way - if you see something that needs to go fast, tell me immediately." She replies, settling back as she begins to emanate soft magic and turns the ground under the approaching horde to a mire - creators know how that works in such a rocky place as this. "And Angus - Don't die."<br> <br>Grimacing at the sight of the hoard of undead, Tzenya makes her way to the top of the palisade, seeing where she can aid though keeping her attention on the encroaching group, the tension keeping her ears up as she waits till the group is in range for something large. "Ehh, this could be worse...there could be...I don't know...worse things. Everyone just be careful and keep your heads."<br> <br>"Nobles?" Dio tilts his head to the side, a littler curious as to what her assumptions are. He had a little guess, but the time for accusations certainly wasn't now. Now was the time for action! With the signals going off, the lion peers over the palisade and acknowledges the impending threat with a short chuckle. "Right behind ya lad," he shouts, quickly following behind the rhino, his certainly new friend. Right? After descending down the ladder, he bangs the sword on his buckler a few times and lets out a small leonine roar.<br> <br>It begins! Those who prefer to keep at range do so, the few who feel brave enough to engage in melee have ladders lowered down the palisades for them. Selena's mire keeps the small horde confined to a few chokepoints - although a good number simply wade through the mud and come out on the other side, what with the whole not needing to breathe thing.
		+
		+	As for the locals, they appear to be doing their part, what with most of the village now awake and every single able-bodied being up on the walls. In addition to the usual bows and muskets, a couple of cannons have been wheeled out - now where did a poor village like this get those from? - and are quickly primed and at the ready for what is to come.<br> <br>Angus doubles back as one of the Zombies lunge towards him, and his pistol clicks empty as he forgot he already fired. "Dammit.." holstering the gun he looks down at his powder horn, then to the undead crowd, then to the horn. Before he removes the sling from his person and gets ready to throw it. "Selena, I need some fire. Hit it when it's far enough away from us!" He shouts, before he lets it fly into the crowd. <br> <br>Selena watches the object arc into the crowd of zombies, a quick blast of fire to the general area ideally immolating the object and its contents once it lands - though her attention is too removed from the item itself to notice an immediate result.<br> <br>The powder horn blows up in a flash! It's not a terribly huge explosion and Angus' aim is off-center, but it thankfully doesn't manage to hit any friendlies and takes out a small group of the dead to boot. All's well ends well, right?<br> <br>A brief lull in the battle for the group and all to recover, and a cheer rises from the various inhabitants as more and more zombies are trampled into the mud and set aflame.
		+
		+	"I've never seen anything like this," Selan says with a shake of her head, the canine lingering behind the lines to shore up the defenses with a spell or two. "This is madness. That is - what is THAT?"
		+
		+	The bell starts ringing anew as another creature appears out of the darkness, illuminated by Selena's flare. It is vaguely reptilian, morbidly obese - or would have been, if there were any flesh on it - complete with two stumpy arms that stick out of its torso, awkwardly short and spindly for such a huge creature. Tremors run through the earth as it advances upon the palisade, hurling pointed shards of bone from its arms that pelt all who stand upon the defenses. Instictively, the archers retreat, while the cannon crews seek to doubly redouble their efforts.
		+
		+	(Mistress commands!) It says with no voice, but all hear it. (Mistress demands revenge!)<br> <br>Selena scowls as the new abomination makes its way in, shaking her head. Dropping the water math, she opts for an entirely different approach, even if the end result is the same: the earth beneath the undead begins to heat up significantly - then glow, then melt into lava. the initial spell cast, she turns back to Selan; "If you don't want scorch marks there, I'll break it up again when we're done."<br> <br>Angus turns to stare at the thing in shock, before his eyes narrow. "Great...tubby comes to play." Bring his right hand up he throws it foreward as the winds pick up the motion and a blade of air starts to move towards the creature. "Well, looks like we are getting our Crowns worth with this fight!"<br> <br>Zevran watches as the undead monstrosity emerges from the shadow, although he doesn't seem to show any reaction to its voice in his head. "Your mistress will have to settle for disappointment." He calls to the monster, focusing on the dark mathemagics that will allow him to undo the magic holding the reptillian horror together. The magic flows into his blade made of ichor, but the sudden shift of the ground around the creature into lava causes him to lose focus and the spell merely fizzles out. "Shame about that. Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way. But the result will still be the same." He states, readying himself with blades drawn to fight the monster.<br> <br>Tzerya seems a bit overly cheerful as she hugs a random one of the towns people. Though as the beast comes out, it's voice echoing in their minds her ears droop back, "Ohh...nuts.". Turning to watch the archers fleeing, she shrugs lightly and knocks another arrow, "Let's kill this thing, I need to brag to my sister.". <br> <br>Dio bangs his bloodied sword up on his buckler once more, letting out another wonderful lion roar after the minor victory. However, such celebrations were cut short after seeing a giant monster come charging straight for them "Ooh, very impressive lass," he comments as Selena's magic impedes the creature. Finally noticing the cannons and their crew, he begins sprinting for the ladder and begins points his sword towards the creature. "Right there, lads!" He shouts, fingering the spot that he feels would do the most damage. "Concentrate yer fire on my mark! Ready!" The lion booms in a commanding voice, as if he's done such a task many times before! After waiting for everyone to load and aim, he proudly shouts, "FIRE!" <br> <br>The abomination steps straight into Selena's lava trap mindlessly...and is slowed and stuck but continues to wade through the lava, albeit like someone wading through treacle. The cannon crews continue to fire, most of them are reluctant to take the advice of a stranger, but a few fire anyway due to the sheer force of Dio's voice. Does this thing feel pain? Can it even feel pain? It's time to find out...<br> <br>Tzerya snickers a bit as she smirks, "Hey, load the big guy into the cannon! I'm sure a flying rhino will kill anything!". Waiting to see if they listen and when they do she smirks and decides to help. She isn't the best with air magic, but she also didn't want to make the poor guy explode. Making quick work of the air magic, she does her best to improve the aim, lowering his wind resistance or at least trying to.<br> <br>Zevran stops to take a breath as the fight drags on. "This is taking too long. We need to end this." He mutters, looking towards the monster. He is reluctant to try dark magic again, since his last attempt fizzled, and he scans the area for a creative solution to the problem. His eyes alight upon one of the cannons atop the palisade, and he moves towards one of the ladders. He hears Tzerya's comment as he starts to climb. "You read  my mind. One of you better be able to aim this thing. And somebody better buy me a drink afterwards." He calls up as he climbs. Once atop the palisade, he moves over towards the unloaded cannon, pausing for a second to reconsider before jumping into the cannon.  <br> <br>Selena coughs quietly, shaking her head. "Tzarya, is that really such a good idea? Shooting a being at it? We could just use some ro-... Well, if you insist, Zevran." She sighs, weaving a little magic f her own to facilitate the rhino's flight - hoping he doesn't land in the melted terrain underneath.<br> <br>Angus blinks, turning from the monster to look up at Tzerya. "Load Zev in the cannon? That's..." He watches Zevran climb up one of that ladders and sighs as he follows as his Rapier goes back in its scabbard. "Might as well try and aim the thing, at least if he splats I can laugh." Climbing up the ladder he moves behind the cannon, angling it and trying to get the aim right for a shot right to the creatures forehead. "Alright Zev, just don't come crying to me if that thing decides to swat you out of the sky like a bug..."<br> <br>A random stranger lion suddenly popping up and commanding cannoneers with his booming voice must've been quite the awkward event. But still, he continues his fight amongst the walls, watching as the rhino comes up and stuffs himself into a cannon. "Oh hoh!" Dio chuckles, looking around for a match. "Yer a wild one, lad! If ya come back, I'll buy ya a drink alright. Maybe we can exchange stories." Finding a match, he lights it with a bit of fire magic and heads over to the recently aimed cannon, giving Angus a firm nod. "Looks pretty good. 'ere we go!" Cannon prepared, he lights the fuse and moves away, using a bit of air magic to help guide and hopefully allow a safer landing for Zevran.<br> <br>Madness, you say? Madness! Apparently that's what Zevran's all about as he flies straight out into the ether, hurtling through the air like something very dense and rhino-like. Guided by everyone's efforts, he smashes straight into the mired abomination's skull<br> <br>Madness, you say? Madness! Apparently that's what Zevran's all about as he flies straight out into the ether, hurtling through the air like something very dense and rhino-like. Guided by everyone's efforts, he smashes straight into the mired abomination's skull. Nothing happens for a while as all the villagers stand staring at this particular and unique brand of idiocy, and then with a creak, the creature's reptilian skull is snapped clean off its spine, crashing into the molten ground with a splat and beginning to slowly sink. If Zevran is going to escape, he'd better do it soon.
		+
		+	That doesn't stop it, though. Animated by whatever force that's holding it together, the abomination continues to screech mouthlessly and shakes the earth, toppling a few of the palisades as the cannon crews continue to tear into it. It just won't stop moving, even when reduced to bone shards - the pieces themselves still bounce on the ground possessed, threatening to pierce anyone that steps too close. Eventually, though, those too stop moving and begin to sink into the rocky earth.
		+
		+	(Krade has Mistress' favour! Krade cannot die! Mistress will grant Krade new body, better suited...and Krade now knows fleshlings!)<br> <br>Angus just blinks....staring at the chaos that was caused with one single round of Rhino shot. "Well Damn....guess his horn is aerodynamic or something?" Shaking his head he looks down at the bone pieces as he hears the voice. "Just get our names right when you tell your mistress, would feel kind of bad if your stupidity caused her to waist someone else." Turning around he heads back down to the village, and stares at his cloak. ".....Where is my hat?" Great, fight zombies, kill a lizard, lose a hat! Shaking his head the Fox starts walking around the place, looking for his lost hat.<br> <br>Tzerya still can't believe they all agreed with her and the rhino's idea, but stares blankly as she watches the creature, waiting. As it dies, Tzerya cheers watching the head breaking off. Though as it continues over the palisade, she dodges in retreat before she ends up getting crushed, ending up on the ground rather quickly. Brushing herself a moment later as the creature is blown to pieces, she brushes herself off, though something catches her eye as she walks over, picking Angus's hat up off the ground with a smirk, it apparently having been blown away. "Have to give this back to him later.", she mutters before slipping it on her head, it being a bit to large and not sitting quite right with her ears. Using fire, earth and just large objects, she assists in reducing some of the small pieces to even small dust bits.<br> <br>Selena pulls out her baton and drops down to the ground below - the melted terrain now allowed to cool into floes stone again. Moving over to a particularly large chunk of the creature - carefully, to avoid that same searingly hot ground, she takes her gifted baton from her bag and with a slight sigh and shake of her head, drives it into the corpse before simply moving between bodies and immolating them in pillars of flame.<br> <br>Shot fired and 'ammo' breezed to its destination, Dio puts a hand to his forehead to better focus on the beautiful contact of rhino and skull, letting out an impressed whistle after all's said and done. "I didn' think that'd work lads," he chuckles quite loudly, even clutching at his stomach a little. "Well now," he says as he finally calms down from his laughing fit. "I wonder what the bounty is on that one."<br> <br>As Selena's baton strikes the skull's remnants, an unbelievable pressure radiated out from that very spot, staggering anyone nearby and making others' ears pop. Then...silence, not even a scream, but emptiness. The few bone shards still moving cease their activity, and it's only then that the bell stops clanging, the gates open and the defenders flood out to pick up the pieces and gather the bodies to be burned elsewhere. No one seems intent on recovering arrows or shot, though, instead treating them like they carry some form of virulent disease. They probably do.
		+
		+	At last, Selan comes up to the group, bearing a number of coin purses, and beings handing them out. "I'm sorry that I can only give this much for all your efforts, but were were expecting...well, much less, and this was all we prepared. We're not very wealthy, but...if you want, you can join us for the midnight meal before you depart. I don't think we lost anyone for good, but there are some who're severely injured. Why did this happen?" she adds in rather hushed tones. "We're just simple folk. We haven't angered anyone with this much power. And yet...what are those beings doing up there? Have they done something they shouldn't have? My watchers saw the carts go...but most of them didn't return."<br> <br>Zevran takes a moment to catch his breath before standing up inside the skull. "It worked? It worked! I am awesome!" He shouted, raising his arms into the air where they met with the top of the skull. Oh right, he was still stuck. To make it worse, somebody decided to hit the skull and the reverberations nearly knocked him back to the ground. He moved to the front of the skull's mouth, kicking out some of the teeth to make an opening large enough to fit through. Looking around the skull, he sighed as he realized he couldn't take it with him as a trophy. Still, he could always have the next best thing. He punched out one more of the skull's teeth, grabbing the large object and jumping out of the skull before making his way over to Selan and the others.<br> <br>Tzerya snickers at Dio's comment of the bounty for the big one, "I don't know...something like that...don't think they come with the price tag on them.". Looking briefly for Angus, though not finding him, she keeps his hat for the moment, her earsdrooping and sticking out as she pulls it down a bit to fit. Still brushing herself off as Selan approachs. Looking over the coin and listening to her, the rabbit cocks her head. "I do not know, I am curious as to this mistress that creature kept rambling about...You can keep the crown, use it to rebuild.", her tail wiggling, she pauses and then smirks, "Carts going where?"<br> <br>Selena moves back over to the group once more, shaking her head. "That thing, the was attacking? I don't think it cared who you were or why you were here. Just that you are." She replies, rubbing her forehead. "I'm fairly certain the 'mistress' is one of the old ones; Pyrrha, if I'm not mistaken. I'll take the same side as Tzerya aboutt he crown though; you keep it - I've already got a job. I'd be glad to join you for some food, though. I'm not with Ironsoul's defenders anymore, but I can put in a good word for you if you'd like."<br> <br>"Ya think it's the outpost recently put up, do ya?" Dio takes the purse o' coins and bounces it in his hands a little before opening it up and taking a peek inside. Reaching in, he grabs a few coins and sets them aside. "Don' wanna break yer bank now. Though I need a little for somethin' if ya don't mind..." Moments later, he shoves the rest inside his coat pocket and brushes off all the dirt and remains of battle off his clothing. "I suppose we'll need to work somethin' out before this gets any worse. Fer now..." Watching the rhino come back up to the group, he laughs once more and pats Zevran on the back as if he were talking with a drinking buddy of sorts. "A fine show, lad! I owe ya a drink, Rhino of Surprising Aerodynamics. Speakin' of which... I heard somethin' about a dinner."<br> <br>Selan sighs at Tzerya's comments. "It's all right, really. Maxim is the only merchant who comes out here with any regularity, and only because I asked him to. It's not as if we can count on buying anything with it. Please, I must insist. And as for the carts...I don't know. Some time back we saw a whole wagon train go north, and some time later far fewer of them headed back through the pass."
		+
		+	As for Selena, "I'm not sure who these Old Ones are or what they have against us, but there's nowhere for us to go. We're all apostates here, and have reasons to keep out of polite society - we don't live out here for no reason. And I'll look into...whoever's running that encampment you spoke of. But if you will...we're having barley gruel in the longhouse tonight. Do join us, if you will."<br> <br>Tzerya blinks a moment at Selan, nodding softly as she still tries to politely refuse the crown, before taking it only to not offend. "Hmm, to the north...may have to give that some extra mind.", the rabbits normal cheerful expression seemed to disappear and become, quite serious, she was from the north, so it was serious for her.<br> <br>Zevran seems as though he is going to refuse the crown purse, but reluctantly accepts it after hearing Selan's comment to Tzerya. "If you ever need help again, I'll show up. Apostates or not, no folk should have to live in fear from those things." Zevran remarks to Selan. "You're having barley gruel? That's one of my favorite meals, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass this time. I have some things to take care of back in Firmament." He responds to Selan's offer of dinner. He glances towards Tzerya. "If you plan on investigating some of the happenings up north, I'd be happy to tag along if you'll have me." He offers to the rabbit. Such interesting things happening, and so soon after his return to Firmament. <br> <br>"Barley gruel ya say?" Dio's ears instantly perk up and twitch at the mention. "I certainly will! I wouldn't mind a bowl 'r two if ya don't mind." What a wonderful meal for a mercenary stuck in camp. "Make sure ya put in the call if yer ever in any danger from these undead. They're certainly becomin' more of a problem these days. But until then, I think I'll head on over to the long'ouse."[[Category:RPLogs]]

---

Latest revision as of 06:39, 21 August 2013

Participants

• Angus
• Dio
• Selena
• Sveta
• Tzerya
• Zevran

Date

21/8/476

Log

Evening, with an overcast sky, the shattered moon but a dim glow behind heavy clouds. Not that it's a strange thing on this side of the pass, what with the tragedies in recent decades, but it certainly does add to the local atmosphere. Just out of the mouth of the pass, a palisade has been erected, and actually looks to have been there for some time.

Watchers carrying lanterns and spears patrol the tops of the defenses, consolidated from bits of broken wagons and sharpened stakes with earthen and stone defenses filling in the gaps. But that is not the main attraction - a middle-aged german shepherd lingers by the entrance with a lantern of her own, waiting for the arrival of...something.

Zevran makes his way out of the pass, a lantern of his own held out in front of him. His attention is drawn to the palisade ahead, and he approaches the unfamiliar structure slowly. Upon spotting the waiting german shepherd, he picks up his pace until he is within the range of her lantern. He gave the shepherd a wave to show his good intentions. "I suppose you're the one who posted the request at the inn?" He asked, wanting to make sure he was in the correct place. It would not have been too difficult for him to get lost coming out of the pass, especially with the fading light.

Selena makes her way through the trail to the camp, the little lights guiding her way - once she's close enough to the camp to see them, though flight would be undoubtedly faster. The shepherd is met with a friendly wave and smile - as is Zevran. "I haven't seen you for a while. What've you been getting up to, Zevran?" She qeuries, before her attention is directed back to the aging canine.

Angus looks up at the sky and frowns with a sigh. "Is it just a little to much to ask for sunshine while the undead lurk?" He mutters, hoping it doesn't rain as he follows the trail behind Selena. Stepping up to the shepherd he nods in greeting, before he turns to give Zevran a tip of the hat. "Hey there horns, good to see you out an about." He teases, snapping back to a serious expression as he looks to the canine as well.

Tzerya comes across the pass, quite literally skipping along her way. Approaching the camp, she gives a large wave while continuing towards the german shepherd. Waving at the three already here, she gives them all a quick little nod, "Greetings all", she says eagerly before focusing upon the canine with a small wiggle of her ears.

Night time, the perfect time for a lion to prowl about and promote his true potential, stalking his prey with grace, courage, and majesty. At least maybe if a certain coat and scar wearin' lion didn't just get done waking up, as evident by his unkempt and frazzled mane. Regardless, Dio give his equipment one last check as he strolls up a bit late nehind the others, stetching his arms towards the sky in a giant bellowing yawn. "Hello there lads 'n' lasses," he says, nodding and waving to those more punctual. "Is this where we're meetin'? And ah!" The lion, noticing a new face, quickly runs up to Zevran and invades his personal space. "Yer a big one! Don' think we've met before lad. The name's Dio the traveler."

"Strictly speaking, child, we don't have anyone who posted a request at the inn. None of us have the time to spare in order to make the trip through the pass. No, we got an old friend of mine to run into town for us. But where are my manners? My name is Selan, and I am headwoman of this little village you see before you.

"Usually, there isn't much trouble with the dead - Mossy Stone, or what's left of it, is some distance from there, and the gryphon rock tends to dissuade most of them from wandering all the way south. But they've been wandering further and further afield of late - maybe all those fools fiddling about up north have stirred up something - and that needs to come to a stop. We'll need to think of a more permanent solution later, but for now, that's where you come in. My watchers are very good at what they do - they noticed your approach hours before your actual arrival, after all - and there haven't been any deaths so far, but I'd rather not take chances. I need all of you to clear the road mostly to the south where it joins up with the pass, but a little to the north as well. Any that you slay, tell my watchers where the bodies are so the corpses can be gathered and burned."

Zevran chuckles at Selena's comment, giving her and Angus a friendly wave as they arrive. "Traveling mostly. I've been finding new things to punch. Oh, and drinking. Lots of drinking." He replies jokingly to Selena. He watches as the others approach, giving them a friendly nod. However, his whole posturing changes as Dio invades his space. His muscles tense and his ears flatten as his right hand curls into a fist. He stays like this for a moment before deciding that the Lion in front of him isn't a threat. "I'm Zevran." He introduces himself to Dio, Tzerya, and the shepherd. "So we'll be re-killing some undead? Doesn't sound like too much trouble." He states, turning to give Selan his attention.

Selena nods, rubbing the back of her head for a moment. "I'm curious why you'd set up so far from anyone and so near mossy stone in the first place, but that's neither here nor there." A brief pause to roll her eyes and sigh at the mention of the settlement to the north is had before she adds; "As for the bodies, we can burn them ourselves if it'd save you the trouble. You did just imply you had very little free time." Angus is given a half-wave, as are Tzerya and Dio. "I didn't expect to see you out here without your sister, Tze-rya(?). Either way, I suppose that can't be helped. Ever the drunk, aren't you Zevran? I swear, you're worse than I used to be..."

Angus smirks at Zevran and shakes his head. "Why am I not surprised?" He teases, before he taps him on the shoulder when he notices that clenched fist. "Dio is harmless...as long as your not bed sheets." jokes aside he smiles to Tzerya and Selena before he turns back to the german shepard. "We can take care of them, Selena can probably burn them all to a crisp easily." Smirking he undoes the clasps on his cloak and folds it up so that it would not get in the way.

Tzerya nods to Angus, "Hehe, well we've been occupied lately...I'm sure, Tzenya is resting well.". Spinning her attention back to Zevran, she curtsies and grins, "Pleasure to meet you, Tzerya Talai.". Tilting her ear with a smirk, she snickers a small bit, "Ohh don't worry, I'm more than proficient when it comes to lighting things on fire.". Stretching out, she continues to stare at the shepherd and nod.

A normal being would've taken the rhino's tense motions as a sign. A sign to back off just a little bit and give them their space. However, this lion didn't seem to register any signs at all. "Travelin' an' drinkin'?!" Dio shouts nearly at the top of his lungs. "I can already tell we're goin' to be good friends," he chuckles, patting Zervan on the back swiftly but a few times before returning his attention to the problem at hand. "What I did to those bed sheets I'll be doin' to the undead! I got my equipment ready to go when everyone's set."

Selan gives Selena a small nod, carefully avoiding the issue of why there's a settlement to be had so close to danger in the first place. "Perhaps it would be more convenient, but if I'm going to be paying your bounty, I do need to have some form of assurance that you aren't just going to be walking up and -" her words are cut off by the faint ringing of a bell in the distance, and her grip on her lantern tightens. "Forget what I just said! All of you, behind the palisade now! If Saint Alan won't go to the proverbial ark...then it seems the ark has decided to come to Saint Alan! Hurry!"

Indeed, grass rustles...but the air is still, and no mere breeze is strong enough to crunch gravel underfoot. Silhouettes shift in the darkness just beyond the reach of the lanterns...and every watcher is now on the alert.

Tzerya looking over Dio, she takes a few quick sniffs and a chuckle, "Good, you're still rather fresh". Blinking a few times, she realizes what he said before shaking her head and rolling her eyes at the lion, "That poor poor maid.". Her thoughts suddenly scattered by the bell, her ears droop as she nods to the shepherd, "Let's see what we have", she mutters making her way behind the palisade, pulling out her bow as she does.

Zevran chuckles at Dio's comment before his attention is drawn by the ringing bells. He turns back to Selan as he hears her warning, before turning back to the silhouettes. He waits for a moment, almost as if trying to decide whether he should stay out here to fight whatever it is, but eventually relents and slowly backs towards the palisade.

Selena's ears perk high up as the bell rings. "Sounds like something from a Cliffside academy." She observes, casting a quick orb of fire out over in the direction of the rustling to illuminate the ground below it, pacing back cautiously towards the settlement as she addresses Selan again; "Fair enough. A word's one thing, but I can appreciate why you'd want tangible results from this kind of operation."

And indeed, Dio did smell rather fresh. Well, as fresh as your average commoner these days. In response to the bunny's comment, he gives his arm a gentle sniff, still not too sure just what people were talking about in regards to his smell. He was fine then and he's fine now, right? "I gotcha lass. Gotta 'ave a little pr-" Hearing the bell ring, the lion looks about and heads the warning by heading into the palisade, drawing his sword and equipping his buckler for an impending battle.

Ears perk up as the bell rings, and Angus tips the brim of his hat up as he sighs. "Well, parties starting." He mutters, drawing his pistol and cocking both hammers back as he slowly backs towards the defenses. "Seems that we didn't even have to track them down hm?" Selena's illuminating fire makes him smile, and helps him take aim if something comes out of the grass.

Standing on the palisade as the orb lights the area up, Tzerya gives a small nod, smirking as she taps her foot. "Hey, in my opinion that's an advantage...tracking the undead is never a fun exercise.", she chimes back over to Angus, one hand on her bow, the other raised as she prepares to either knock an arrow or start with the magic

The orb of fire explodes over the incipient field of battle, lighting it up like a flare shot into the air. Clearly illuminated by Selena's fire is a small horde of the walking dead in various stages of decay, shuffling and shambling about in search of...well, whatever the living dead ultimately seek. Selena's flare is answered by a number of signal fires all around the village, and the faint sounds of shouts and ruffling and can heard from within the village.

"Something must've riled them up, pushed them this far south from Mossy Stone and in a group to boot," Selan says as the gates are drawn closed behind the party. "I wonder what did...damned nobles and their lot, poking up north, stirring up things where they should have let them lie..." the canine doesn't stop to realise her assumptions, and points up at the palisades. "Well, it seems your bounty just changed. Get up and help where you can, or if you'd rather wade out there, we can always lower a ladder for you. Not that I'd understand why, but you can, if you'd like."

"I assure you that this is not the work of Nobles, the Solacious at least." Angus frowns as he takes off his hat and places it atop his cloak on the ground out of the way. Turning around he looks up at the palisades, and switches his gun to his right hand. "hmmmm...Zevran, you feel like doing a little wading? Keep them away from the gates so that they don't come crashing down and swarm us?" He asks the Rhino as he draws his Rapier in his free hand. Waiting to activate the Creator fire leashed inside the steel until he stood facing the threat.

Zevran clasps his lantern onto his waist and climbs up to the palisade to survey the undead pack. "Finally, some fun. And here I thought we were going to stand around all night telling campfire stories." He chuckles, motioning for somebody to drop a ladder down for him. He climbs down the ladder and faces the undead, drawing his two wicked swords with what can only be described as a look of enjoyment or eager anticipation on his face.

Selena shakes her head. "They're trying to 'take back' mossy stone at my last check. I appreciate the idea, but the execution of it is downright terrible." She sighs, twirling a finger in the air. "You can thank Mirana Solacious for that, specifically."

the horde down below is met with a surprised look -- "There weren't even that many in Mossy stone the last time I was there. Either way - if you see something that needs to go fast, tell me immediately." She replies, settling back as she begins to emanate soft magic and turns the ground under the approaching horde to a mire - creators know how that works in such a rocky place as this. "And Angus - Don't die."

Grimacing at the sight of the hoard of undead, Tzenya makes her way to the top of the palisade, seeing where she can aid though keeping her attention on the encroaching group, the tension keeping her ears up as she waits till the group is in range for something large. "Ehh, this could be worse...there could be...I don't know...worse things. Everyone just be careful and keep your heads."

"Nobles?" Dio tilts his head to the side, a littler curious as to what her assumptions are. He had a little guess, but the time for accusations certainly wasn't now. Now was the time for action! With the signals going off, the lion peers over the palisade and acknowledges the impending threat with a short chuckle. "Right behind ya lad," he shouts, quickly following behind the rhino, his certainly new friend. Right? After descending down the ladder, he bangs the sword on his buckler a few times and lets out a small leonine roar.

It begins! Those who prefer to keep at range do so, the few who feel brave enough to engage in melee have ladders lowered down the palisades for them. Selena's mire keeps the small horde confined to a few chokepoints - although a good number simply wade through the mud and come out on the other side, what with the whole not needing to breathe thing.

As for the locals, they appear to be doing their part, what with most of the village now awake and every single able-bodied being up on the walls. In addition to the usual bows and muskets, a couple of cannons have been wheeled out - now where did a poor village like this get those from? - and are quickly primed and at the ready for what is to come.

Angus doubles back as one of the Zombies lunge towards him, and his pistol clicks empty as he forgot he already fired. "Dammit.." holstering the gun he looks down at his powder horn, then to the undead crowd, then to the horn. Before he removes the sling from his person and gets ready to throw it. "Selena, I need some fire. Hit it when it's far enough away from us!" He shouts, before he lets it fly into the crowd.

Selena watches the object arc into the crowd of zombies, a quick blast of fire to the general area ideally immolating the object and its contents once it lands - though her attention is too removed from the item itself to notice an immediate result.

The powder horn blows up in a flash! It's not a terribly huge explosion and Angus' aim is off-center, but it thankfully doesn't manage to hit any friendlies and takes out a small group of the dead to boot. All's well ends well, right?

A brief lull in the battle for the group and all to recover, and a cheer rises from the various inhabitants as more and more zombies are trampled into the mud and set aflame.

"I've never seen anything like this," Selan says with a shake of her head, the canine lingering behind the lines to shore up the defenses with a spell or two. "This is madness. That is - what is THAT?"

The bell starts ringing anew as another creature appears out of the darkness, illuminated by Selena's flare. It is vaguely reptilian, morbidly obese - or would have been, if there were any flesh on it - complete with two stumpy arms that stick out of its torso, awkwardly short and spindly for such a huge creature. Tremors run through the earth as it advances upon the palisade, hurling pointed shards of bone from its arms that pelt all who stand upon the defenses. Instictively, the archers retreat, while the cannon crews seek to doubly redouble their efforts.

(Mistress commands!) It says with no voice, but all hear it. (Mistress demands revenge!)

Selena scowls as the new abomination makes its way in, shaking her head. Dropping the water math, she opts for an entirely different approach, even if the end result is the same: the earth beneath the undead begins to heat up significantly - then glow, then melt into lava. the initial spell cast, she turns back to Selan; "If you don't want scorch marks there, I'll break it up again when we're done."

Angus turns to stare at the thing in shock, before his eyes narrow. "Great...tubby comes to play." Bring his right hand up he throws it foreward as the winds pick up the motion and a blade of air starts to move towards the creature. "Well, looks like we are getting our Crowns worth with this fight!"

Zevran watches as the undead monstrosity emerges from the shadow, although he doesn't seem to show any reaction to its voice in his head. "Your mistress will have to settle for disappointment." He calls to the monster, focusing on the dark mathemagics that will allow him to undo the magic holding the reptillian horror together. The magic flows into his blade made of ichor, but the sudden shift of the ground around the creature into lava causes him to lose focus and the spell merely fizzles out. "Shame about that. Looks like we'll have to do this the hard way. But the result will still be the same." He states, readying himself with blades drawn to fight the monster.

Tzerya seems a bit overly cheerful as she hugs a random one of the towns people. Though as the beast comes out, it's voice echoing in their minds her ears droop back, "Ohh...nuts.". Turning to watch the archers fleeing, she shrugs lightly and knocks another arrow, "Let's kill this thing, I need to brag to my sister.".

Dio bangs his bloodied sword up on his buckler once more, letting out another wonderful lion roar after the minor victory. However, such celebrations were cut short after seeing a giant monster come charging straight for them "Ooh, very impressive lass," he comments as Selena's magic impedes the creature. Finally noticing the cannons and their crew, he begins sprinting for the ladder and begins points his sword towards the creature. "Right there, lads!" He shouts, fingering the spot that he feels would do the most damage. "Concentrate yer fire on my mark! Ready!" The lion booms in a commanding voice, as if he's done such a task many times before! After waiting for everyone to load and aim, he proudly shouts, "FIRE!"

The abomination steps straight into Selena's lava trap mindlessly...and is slowed and stuck but continues to wade through the lava, albeit like someone wading through treacle. The cannon crews continue to fire, most of them are reluctant to take the advice of a stranger, but a few fire anyway due to the sheer force of Dio's voice. Does this thing feel pain? Can it even feel pain? It's time to find out...

Tzerya snickers a bit as she smirks, "Hey, load the big guy into the cannon! I'm sure a flying rhino will kill anything!". Waiting to see if they listen and when they do she smirks and decides to help. She isn't the best with air magic, but she also didn't want to make the poor guy explode. Making quick work of the air magic, she does her best to improve the aim, lowering his wind resistance or at least trying to.

Zevran stops to take a breath as the fight drags on. "This is taking too long. We need to end this." He mutters, looking towards the monster. He is reluctant to try dark magic again, since his last attempt fizzled, and he scans the area for a creative solution to the problem. His eyes alight upon one of the cannons atop the palisade, and he moves towards one of the ladders. He hears Tzerya's comment as he starts to climb. "You read my mind. One of you better be able to aim this thing. And somebody better buy me a drink afterwards." He calls up as he climbs. Once atop the palisade, he moves over towards the unloaded cannon, pausing for a second to reconsider before jumping into the cannon.

Selena coughs quietly, shaking her head. "Tzarya, is that really such a good idea? Shooting a being at it? We could just use some ro-... Well, if you insist, Zevran." She sighs, weaving a little magic f her own to facilitate the rhino's flight - hoping he doesn't land in the melted terrain underneath.

Angus blinks, turning from the monster to look up at Tzerya. "Load Zev in the cannon? That's..." He watches Zevran climb up one of that ladders and sighs as he follows as his Rapier goes back in its scabbard. "Might as well try and aim the thing, at least if he splats I can laugh." Climbing up the ladder he moves behind the cannon, angling it and trying to get the aim right for a shot right to the creatures forehead. "Alright Zev, just don't come crying to me if that thing decides to swat you out of the sky like a bug..."

A random stranger lion suddenly popping up and commanding cannoneers with his booming voice must've been quite the awkward event. But still, he continues his fight amongst the walls, watching as the rhino comes up and stuffs himself into a cannon. "Oh hoh!" Dio chuckles, looking around for a match. "Yer a wild one, lad! If ya come back, I'll buy ya a drink alright. Maybe we can exchange stories." Finding a match, he lights it with a bit of fire magic and heads over to the recently aimed cannon, giving Angus a firm nod. "Looks pretty good. 'ere we go!" Cannon prepared, he lights the fuse and moves away, using a bit of air magic to help guide and hopefully allow a safer landing for Zevran.

Madness, you say? Madness! Apparently that's what Zevran's all about as he flies straight out into the ether, hurtling through the air like something very dense and rhino-like. Guided by everyone's efforts, he smashes straight into the mired abomination's skull

Madness, you say? Madness! Apparently that's what Zevran's all about as he flies straight out into the ether, hurtling through the air like something very dense and rhino-like. Guided by everyone's efforts, he smashes straight into the mired abomination's skull. Nothing happens for a while as all the villagers stand staring at this particular and unique brand of idiocy, and then with a creak, the creature's reptilian skull is snapped clean off its spine, crashing into the molten ground with a splat and beginning to slowly sink. If Zevran is going to escape, he'd better do it soon.

That doesn't stop it, though. Animated by whatever force that's holding it together, the abomination continues to screech mouthlessly and shakes the earth, toppling a few of the palisades as the cannon crews continue to tear into it. It just won't stop moving, even when reduced to bone shards - the pieces themselves still bounce on the ground possessed, threatening to pierce anyone that steps too close. Eventually, though, those too stop moving and begin to sink into the rocky earth.

(Krade has Mistress' favour! Krade cannot die! Mistress will grant Krade new body, better suited...and Krade now knows fleshlings!)

Angus just blinks....staring at the chaos that was caused with one single round of Rhino shot. "Well Damn....guess his horn is aerodynamic or something?" Shaking his head he looks down at the bone pieces as he hears the voice. "Just get our names right when you tell your mistress, would feel kind of bad if your stupidity caused her to waist someone else." Turning around he heads back down to the village, and stares at his cloak. ".....Where is my hat?" Great, fight zombies, kill a lizard, lose a hat! Shaking his head the Fox starts walking around the place, looking for his lost hat.

Tzerya still can't believe they all agreed with her and the rhino's idea, but stares blankly as she watches the creature, waiting. As it dies, Tzerya cheers watching the head breaking off. Though as it continues over the palisade, she dodges in retreat before she ends up getting crushed, ending up on the ground rather quickly. Brushing herself a moment later as the creature is blown to pieces, she brushes herself off, though something catches her eye as she walks over, picking Angus's hat up off the ground with a smirk, it apparently having been blown away. "Have to give this back to him later.", she mutters before slipping it on her head, it being a bit to large and not sitting quite right with her ears. Using fire, earth and just large objects, she assists in reducing some of the small pieces to even small dust bits.

Selena pulls out her baton and drops down to the ground below - the melted terrain now allowed to cool into floes stone again. Moving over to a particularly large chunk of the creature - carefully, to avoid that same searingly hot ground, she takes her gifted baton from her bag and with a slight sigh and shake of her head, drives it into the corpse before simply moving between bodies and immolating them in pillars of flame.

Shot fired and 'ammo' breezed to its destination, Dio puts a hand to his forehead to better focus on the beautiful contact of rhino and skull, letting out an impressed whistle after all's said and done. "I didn' think that'd work lads," he chuckles quite loudly, even clutching at his stomach a little. "Well now," he says as he finally calms down from his laughing fit. "I wonder what the bounty is on that one."

As Selena's baton strikes the skull's remnants, an unbelievable pressure radiated out from that very spot, staggering anyone nearby and making others' ears pop. Then...silence, not even a scream, but emptiness. The few bone shards still moving cease their activity, and it's only then that the bell stops clanging, the gates open and the defenders flood out to pick up the pieces and gather the bodies to be burned elsewhere. No one seems intent on recovering arrows or shot, though, instead treating them like they carry some form of virulent disease. They probably do.

At last, Selan comes up to the group, bearing a number of coin purses, and beings handing them out. "I'm sorry that I can only give this much for all your efforts, but were were expecting...well, much less, and this was all we prepared. We're not very wealthy, but...if you want, you can join us for the midnight meal before you depart. I don't think we lost anyone for good, but there are some who're severely injured. Why did this happen?" she adds in rather hushed tones. "We're just simple folk. We haven't angered anyone with this much power. And yet...what are those beings doing up there? Have they done something they shouldn't have? My watchers saw the carts go...but most of them didn't return."

Zevran takes a moment to catch his breath before standing up inside the skull. "It worked? It worked! I am awesome!" He shouted, raising his arms into the air where they met with the top of the skull. Oh right, he was still stuck. To make it worse, somebody decided to hit the skull and the reverberations nearly knocked him back to the ground. He moved to the front of the skull's mouth, kicking out some of the teeth to make an opening large enough to fit through. Looking around the skull, he sighed as he realized he couldn't take it with him as a trophy. Still, he could always have the next best thing. He punched out one more of the skull's teeth, grabbing the large object and jumping out of the skull before making his way over to Selan and the others.

Tzerya snickers at Dio's comment of the bounty for the big one, "I don't know...something like that...don't think they come with the price tag on them.". Looking briefly for Angus, though not finding him, she keeps his hat for the moment, her earsdrooping and sticking out as she pulls it down a bit to fit. Still brushing herself off as Selan approachs. Looking over the coin and listening to her, the rabbit cocks her head. "I do not know, I am curious as to this mistress that creature kept rambling about...You can keep the crown, use it to rebuild.", her tail wiggling, she pauses and then smirks, "Carts going where?"

Selena moves back over to the group once more, shaking her head. "That thing, the was attacking? I don't think it cared who you were or why you were here. Just that you are." She replies, rubbing her forehead. "I'm fairly certain the 'mistress' is one of the old ones; Pyrrha, if I'm not mistaken. I'll take the same side as Tzerya aboutt he crown though; you keep it - I've already got a job. I'd be glad to join you for some food, though. I'm not with Ironsoul's defenders anymore, but I can put in a good word for you if you'd like."

"Ya think it's the outpost recently put up, do ya?" Dio takes the purse o' coins and bounces it in his hands a little before opening it up and taking a peek inside. Reaching in, he grabs a few coins and sets them aside. "Don' wanna break yer bank now. Though I need a little for somethin' if ya don't mind..." Moments later, he shoves the rest inside his coat pocket and brushes off all the dirt and remains of battle off his clothing. "I suppose we'll need to work somethin' out before this gets any worse. Fer now..." Watching the rhino come back up to the group, he laughs once more and pats Zevran on the back as if he were talking with a drinking buddy of sorts. "A fine show, lad! I owe ya a drink, Rhino of Surprising Aerodynamics. Speakin' of which... I heard somethin' about a dinner."

Selan sighs at Tzerya's comments. "It's all right, really. Maxim is the only merchant who comes out here with any regularity, and only because I asked him to. It's not as if we can count on buying anything with it. Please, I must insist. And as for the carts...I don't know. Some time back we saw a whole wagon train go north, and some time later far fewer of them headed back through the pass."

As for Selena, "I'm not sure who these Old Ones are or what they have against us, but there's nowhere for us to go. We're all apostates here, and have reasons to keep out of polite society - we don't live out here for no reason. And I'll look into...whoever's running that encampment you spoke of. But if you will...we're having barley gruel in the longhouse tonight. Do join us, if you will."

Tzerya blinks a moment at Selan, nodding softly as she still tries to politely refuse the crown, before taking it only to not offend. "Hmm, to the north...may have to give that some extra mind.", the rabbits normal cheerful expression seemed to disappear and become, quite serious, she was from the north, so it was serious for her.

Zevran seems as though he is going to refuse the crown purse, but reluctantly accepts it after hearing Selan's comment to Tzerya. "If you ever need help again, I'll show up. Apostates or not, no folk should have to live in fear from those things." Zevran remarks to Selan. "You're having barley gruel? That's one of my favorite meals, but I'm afraid I'll have to pass this time. I have some things to take care of back in Firmament." He responds to Selan's offer of dinner. He glances towards Tzerya. "If you plan on investigating some of the happenings up north, I'd be happy to tag along if you'll have me." He offers to the rabbit. Such interesting things happening, and so soon after his return to Firmament.

"Barley gruel ya say?" Dio's ears instantly perk up and twitch at the mention. "I certainly will! I wouldn't mind a bowl 'r two if ya don't mind." What a wonderful meal for a mercenary stuck in camp. "Make sure ya put in the call if yer ever in any danger from these undead. They're certainly becomin' more of a problem these days. But until then, I think I'll head on over to the long'ouse."