Latest revision as of 04:07, 3 September 2014

Participants

• Allista
• Amelia
• Hartford
• Kalt
• Mirana
• Rokarion
• Ryusho
• Siyu
• Skade
• Thelergramor

Date

2/9/477

Log

The move out toward the grassy valley is smooth and uninterupted, giving everone time to stratigize and think over, as well as talk among themselves.

Hartford has little to say on the journey, and his choice of seat certainly limits his options for conversation. The big stag spends most of the trip chatting affably with the driver about his family and the weather and other small and simple things. Hartford is good at simple things.

Kalt shrugs at Siyu's words, merely spending her time resting for the most part as they travel, before unslinging her sword as she pulls out a wet stone and works it along the crystal blade's edge. "Thel, they ain't nuttin' too easy to go killin', an' can take over folks. So like I were sayin', don't go gettin' yourself thinkin' they ain't nuttin'... Don't even know if'n dark magic can hurt'em."

Skade huddles in under her umbrella, looking a bit miserable as she gives her wings the occational flutter to dislodge the raindrops from them. She stays silent during most of the trip, content in letting the others formulate plans. The honey bee does however try to take stock of the people around her, paying some closer attentions to their soul pendants, if they are at all visible. [I assume there are more like me here. If we are to speak with the shadows, who will do the talking?]

Allista settles herself into one of the cats, claiming her umbrella from her golem, which keeps pace with them. She nods at Kalt, listening as the veteran talks. "What should we expect?" she asks. "I've scuffled with a few shadow-things but, well, never been close to a nest of them."

Thelergramor pulls the musket from his back again; holds it out, stock against the floor of the wagon. "Right, Kalt. I'll be careful. Nothing's killed me yet; doubt shadows will even get close to doing so." The wolf takes a bayonet from his belt; affixes it to his musket. "Still, no reason to screw around and get my other leg ripped off." He chuckles, leans the musket against him.

Rokarion remained silent during most of the trip, mainly thinking to himself and answering any who directly said something to him. However, he did answer Skade with, [Miss Jeremy will be the one talking since she is one of the Shadows, and she will probably know how to deal with them best.]

Siyu gives a slight nod as he hops into a wagon, he's not sure which group he's with. "We're good. We should be able toe handle most emergencies...here's hoping we don't need it"

Arriving at the Grassy valley, the carts let beings out, "Alright, thank you." Jessica says, looking inward. It is possible to see the razor grass moving around after the light rains. Jessica shakes her head, "Those things are bad enough, but it seems that the shadow influance has come over them as well..." She says, Jeremy nodding, "Well, she continues, do you think we should try to fight our way through?" She asks, looking about, "The nest is.. near where the valley meets the two mountain ranges, far to the north." She says.

"If'n we're wantin' to m'supposin' we could, I ain't got no objection to that, but if'n folks are havin' better plans round to not go gettin' into a big ol' battle, they sure as all hell can' go with that." Kalt tapping her sword on her shoulder while looking at the grass.

Hartford hops down from his perch, waving farewell to his new friend. The stag unslings his giant halberd and checks over his armor before trotting up to stand at attention near Jessica. "Ready when you are, Lady Blackback," he says in his slow deep tones, though he nods at Kalt's comment.

Thelergramor drops out of the wagon, steps up next to Kalt. Musket in hand, Thel looks at the Razor grass. "...What do the rest of you want to do?" The wolf glances around at the others, then stares at the razor grass. "I'm all for removing it. But, if noone wants to fight..." A shrug. "Then give me a better option."

Siyu will settle down from the wagon. He will make sure to instruct the various wagon drivers. They are to stay here and wait. If need be they could try and take the wagons in. But so far they're to wait for them to come out. Secure themselves. Make camp. Prepare for trouble, various things like that. The rodent managing them and they soon form a square and set up camp.

Allista hops out of the wagon and brushes her hands together with a soft clanging noise, and eyes the grass. "Seems to me that wandering into a field of potentially shadow-possessed razor grass would be a poor idea," she says. "Unless you guys can clear it out easily enough, it might be better to set up here and call them out to meet us." She looks around, then nods at Miss Jeremy. "How far can you shout? Would they notice a signal fire? Maybe one of you magical sorts could flash some lightning from the sky?"

Rokarion gets out of the wagon, and stands a bit of a distance away from the wagon, before taking a deep breath and scanning his surrondings. He then looks back at Jeremy and asks, "What do you mean by the shadow influencing them? May I ask how does that work and how is it affecting the grass?"

Amelia collects her staff and hops out of the wagon, stretching out. "Well. This is when things are going to get interesting, I suppose," she says, looking amongst the others. "I'd prefer to avoid fighting it," she nods to Allista, "But I will do so if the group decides that it will be our best course of action."

Skade seems reluctant to let go of her portable shelter from the rain, even though it had stopped by the time they arrived. "Some are.. mindless. Like wild beasts. Clever in their own way but not quite sentient. If there's anyone out there, contact should be possible, I should think. Yezz.." the honey bee says, one slender hand fiddling with the pendant around her neck.

Looking around her crew, Jessica nods a bit, "A few ready to fight, a few who want to try and bring them out to us. It is deep back, it would have to be a big signal." She says, "But fighting through here might not be the best of ideas..." Jermey looks over to Rokarion, "The miasma of a shadow's pure form can taint both beings and natives. These grasses are tainted, and will be stronger because of it." She says, looking to Skade specificly a moment. [Cautious with what you say. These shadows will not trust us easily.]

Siyu nods his head, "We have...wagons. I could probably help making some sort of signal. What should we use? Fire? Wind? Water?"

Thelergramor adjusts his plague mask. "So, remind me why we are talking to them, instead of just butchering the whole lot of them?" Tactful as ever, the wolf again checks his musket. "The shadows, I mean. Not the grass. Obviously. Still, call them out, or fight through. Either works. Probably." He looks to Siyu: "Fire. Water, well, it was already raining."

"Everythin' is wet. Ain't gonna help a whole lot to go startin' up tryin' to burn stuff. Thel, go shootin' a round up into the sky. S'quiet 'nuff to go carryin' the sound for'em to hear for miles out an' such." Kalt looking to Thel as she stands a bit forward of the group, though clear of the carnivorous grass.

Hartford reaches out and gives Thelergramor a gentle thump with his gauntleted fist. "It is no joking matter, Mister Wolf," he says, looking a little grim, "Even a small group of shadows can overwhelm a well stocked garrison. And this is not a small group, nor are we a well stocked garrison."

Siyu gives a little hm, and he ponders the answer to Thel. "If they're a seperate branch from the original shadows. We can find out about the creator's that sent them. Or prehaps, how to make weapons like shadows in case we have to..." he shrugs. "They're an unkown. Feral. They could chose to deal with us. If they do we'd have some additonal knowledge the Creator's dont expect us to have."

Rokarion looked around at the grass, [So may I ask why exactly are those shadows so hellbent on fighting us? Is it some form of shadow politics that beings are not aware of?] Rokarion the answers Thelergramor, "Diplomacy is always better than violence and convincing this group might deter other shadows from fighting us."

Thelergramor scratches his neck, shrugging. "Small garrison, eh? They really that dangerous? Good thing we're not a bunch of grunts from a garrison, then..." Thel is barely trained; high opinion of himself. At Kalts direction, the wolf raises his musket, fires a round off into the sky. "Diplomacy is overrated, friend." He nods to Rokarion after speaking.

Skade eyes her crusher for a moment and then looks back towards the grass. "Perhapzz.. If you wish to fight your way through, I will aid you as best as I can. This damp doesn't help, though. Fire would be our best weapon. Or maybe ice." she suggests. [So there are three of us atleast. They do what they have always done, I should think. I'm not sure how we could persuade them to leave. Where would they go?]

Allista touches a rune on the forearm of one of her graspers, and her golem stalks its way over to her side. Then the coyote rests her big gauntleted hands against her hips, listening as the group chatters. "A few words will cost us nothing, sir," she responds to Thel. "Why waste effort you don't need to waste?"

Listening to Thele, and looking around, mostly to the so far quiet Allista and Amelia, "Well, what do you two think?" Jessica asks, then... a round is fired off, the sound reverberating thorugh... but grabbing the attention of the razor grasses! They quickly move over, as quick as they can! They seem to be moving a bit faster than normal...

Amelia lofts a brow as the grass starts to rustle and approach. "Well. Here we go, then," she says, lowering her hood and preparing her staff. She clicks her tongue and adjusts her glasses. As soon as they draw in close enough, she leaps into action in a flurry of movement.

Thelergramor is less than concerned. Being attacked by plants? Pfft. He punched a rampaging dragon in the throat! Quickly reloading his musket, the wolf readies himself to fight.

Hartford immediately swings into action, placing himself between Jessica and the oncoming razor grass out of sheer reflex. He sets to swinging his heavy halberd around with surprising grace from the usually clumsy stag!

Rokarion takes a battle stance, and moves closer to the group, "Careful now everyone protect your flanks and let us end this quickly."

Allista ducks back from the reaching grass, falling behind her battle golem. "So these things are rooted, yea? They can only reach so far?" She pauses, then graps a handful of reaching grass and rips it from its base with her graspers. "You know, we could just drop out of range."

Kalt growls lowly and swings herself into the onslaught, letting her sword swing wide to cleave at the nearest grass to her! "Oh bring it y'lil' sons of bitches!" The Vixen's tail flicking as she works to dodge out it's own attacks.

Skade clearly prefers to stay in the back of the group. It takes quite a bit of effort to conjure a fire wisp but the honey bee somehow manages it. And just in time too. Ducking and weaving as best as she can, she directs her minions to attack with steel and fire, her small protective sphere staying close by, keeping her out of harms way.

Siyu grunts as he begins to use some earth magics, bashing at the grass as it comes up to attack the party. Once again it's firearms...and thel. He takes a deep breath. "Is anyone injured?"

The grasses, fairly small for what is normal, are quickly dispatched, however, just a bit in, there are much more, all looking as if they are itching for a chance to taste the flesh of the adventures! Jessica shakes her head again, "Fighting through there will take all night!" She says, Jeremy nodding in agreement, "Maybe the signal was heard though?" She asks.

Fighting finished, Amelia sets one end of her staff against the ground and tugs her hood back up. "Well. I needed the little workout. It was a nice warm up. But yes, let's hope they heard the signal so that we won't have to be fighting any more of those things."

Thelergramor reloads his musket, satisfied with the outcome of the fight. "Yeah. Signal. Better come out and check." The wolf pushes his chin, cracking his neck before he sets about reloading his musket. "And, I'm not hurt. If anyone wanted to know."

Kalt sets the tip of her sword against the ground, and leans on it. The Vixen watching the distance as she begins to hum lowly to herself, tail flicking as she just waits to see if the shadows did take to the bait after all.

Rokarion shakes his head, before looking back at Siyu, "Thankfully not. I am perfectly fine, thank you for asking." Rokarion then returns to a more neutral stance, "Well I do hope that they heard the signal. I do not approve of meaningless butchering of the local flora."

Hartford gives his halberd one last twirl and thumps the butt end to the ground. "Well, Mister wolf," he says in his slow, deep voice, "If that did not get their attention, ain't likely that anything will." He does not seem to be expressing any sort of opinion, only observing facts.

"Nope. Perfectly fine here," Allista replies. She recalls her golem and opens a small compartment in its side, pulling out a towel; the coyote begins wiping off grass stains as she waits to see the results of their signal, tail wagging, whistling a cheerful tune.

After waiting for a while, there seems to be still no responce. Jessca looks around for a bit, "Any other good ideas? These are shadows we are trying to work with." She asks. The grasses look more and more aggitated by the moment! And the clouds overhead look as if they promise more rain.

Rokarion thinks for a moment, [How about attempting to contact them using the shadow tongue? As I understand it can reach a large distance if we are at rest. However, since I am not a shadow I will leave it to you two to properly speak with your kind.] Rokarion then looks up on the sky, "Well I think we might be having some more fresh water soon."

Hartford carefully hooks his halberd back across his broad back, out of his hands, but still in easy reach. "Should we press forward then?" he asks, "It seems that no one has come to meet us." The big stag stands at attention once more. This is the first time he has been assigned to Lady Jessica. He has really only heard stories up to now.

Thelergramor scratches his neck, rubs his mask lenses. Can't reach his eyes... "Any shadow touched here? Just do that... thing that you do. The communicating." The wolf leans on his musket, pressing the srock to the ground.

Skade redeploys her umbrella, just in case. The honey bee's antenae twitch for a few moments. "Mm, this grass did not prove much of a challenge after all. But I'd rather not fight anymore, if it can be avoided." and with that, she decides to send out a thought. [We come in peace. We wish to speak with you. You will come to no harm, but we will defend ourselves!]

With someone reaching out, one of the shadows reaches back! More than one... more than... a few... all the voices come as if one mass of noise, assulting the mind, but there are those who are used to it.. Jessica waits, "That is a very good idea Thele! Jeremy?" She asks, the shadow shaking his head, "They have already made clear that they would rather not talk to me, maybe someone else could." Eyes going to Skade as he already does.

Allista wrinkles her nose, folds up her towel, and tucks it back away. Then she crosses her arms, finger tapping at her upper arm. "They don't? Why not?" she asks, curious.

Skade's wings flutter for a moment and she almost staggers backwards suddenly. "There are very, very many of them out there. They.. they wish to know if one of us is a creator. And what news we bring. Newzz.. of what?" she buzzes as she rolls her shoulders, her fingers clasping around her necklace.

Thelergramor smirks behind his mask. "Tell them yes, just to see there reaction." The wolf laughs, looks over the group; satisfied that between him and the others; a bunch of shadows don't stand a chance. Naivete...

Amelia leans on her staff, humming softly as she looks up into the sky. "What an interesting evening this is turning out to be. Out in the corners of the land, talking to shadows," she murmurs to herself before pulling the staff up and holding it out horizontally before her. In one smooth motion, she drops into a sitting position on the ground and crosses her legs, resting the staff across her lap to wait patiently.

Siyu grunts a little bit, and he looks at Thel, "you've done quite enough havn't you?" he says flatly and looks back to Skade, and then to the others. "What is it we say?"

Rokarion sighs, "Mister Thelergramor we are here on a diplomatic mission. I do not tihnk that lying to them will be wise." He then looks back at Skade, "Tell them that the Creator's refused to interfere because of a certain agreement, and ask them if they would be willing for a being to talk with them."

Hartford stands in stoic silence. Probably for the best, since talking would just reveal that he has no idea what is going on. He would much rather be sharing a drink with the guys in the guardhouse. Or at the cantina. Was it chowder night? Creators! He was missing chowder night! Of course, none of this shows on his skunk-striped face.

Kalt moves to stand next to Hartford, in calm silence as she too, shares in that blissfull ignorance of what people were doing. Yep. Best to just stand next to the big guy and look important, stuff is going on!

Jeremy looks over to Allista while waiting for Skade to continue, "They took offence when I defended beings from being attacked. They said they would not discuss anymore with such a trator." She says, before looking about to everyone else, "With hope, those razor grasses are the only thing we will be fighting this night."

Jessica looks over to Hartford and Kalt, "Well, Rokarion is pretty much right, but, perhaps we are looking at this the wrong way? Who are the creators? Are we even talking about the same ones?" She asks.

Allista grins, her tail wagging. "Oh, I like that idea, wolf." She pauses, then offers a fist for Thel to bump. "I like it. But I don't think I could pull it off. Hmmm..." her ear perks then, and she looks at Jessica. Then she hooks the thumb of her other hand towards her golem. "I create things all the time."

Thelergramor bumps the fist, smiling behind his mask. He looks to Siyu next. "Try to have fun, Siyu. And watch your tone." Thel stretches slightly, letting the ones who can communicate do so.

Skade gives a soft sigh. How some of these people have even managed to survive childhood was a mystery to her. "I'll just.. ask." she says as she once more sends out a silent shout across the distance. [The creators did not wish to interfere because of an arrangement of sorts. Would you be willing to speak with a being instead? And news of what exactly?] she asks.

Hartford straightens even more when he sees Jessica looking at him. He has no idea what the noblewoman means by her question, but he hopes that she is about to have an idea and send him into action. He is not very good at hard questions. "Lady?" he asks, "Were you askin' me?"

Kalt shrugs gently at Jessica, the vixen honestly having no clue what was being talked about, but she figured a shrug would be the best solution after all! Leaning gently onto her sword as she tried to put on a thoughtful look, while at the same time deflecting her ignorance. "... Dunno."

Rokarion thinks, "I think lady Jessica is probably on to something. Who do they mean by the Creators? Do they know them properly? We could attempt to decieve them into thinking that one of us is a Creator if they can't tell, but that would be disastarous if they found out we are just lying."

Siyu gives Thel a hard stare, and he shrugs, "So be it..." is his choice, and waits to see what's going to happen wit hthe shdow speech.

Skade eyes Rokarion with some scepticism. "They might be called shadows, but they are not dim. I'm quite sure they would be able to spot the differanzze. And I'm fairly zzzure they mean the same creators as you do."

"Ehn. From the sounds of it, they want to kill us all anyway," Allista comments. "So it couldn't get much worse!" Her ears twitch, and she giggles. "Oh nice one," she adds, giving the bee a nod. "I get it."

Thelergramor yawns. Shakes off some fatigue. The wolf leans heavily on his musket; careful to avoid the bayonet. "So... Anything yet?" The wolf takes a flask from his belt; begins to drink, unwrapping the scarf from his mask and lifting it to insert the flask.

Jessica shakes her head a bit, "Do they mean the creators that watch of us now? The creators who made us, and are likely no longer around? The Creator Saints? Just 'A creator' could mean just about anyone! And these shadows have been sleeping for years. There is a lot they could simply not know that we take knowledge of for granted." She says, though she laughs a bit at Allista, "THE creators, those that made us who we are.

Siyu considers, "Could we just CALL Harkenson down here. He is in orbit above us...he is a merchant. If we offer him coin he might just come to talk to them. Even Parson might just chat...not interfear. But talk with them"

Skade taps her chin as she considers Jessica's words. "Wait.. they have been dormant for this long? And wh--" she suddenly trails off, tilting her head to the side as if listening for something. "I zzzee. I think you may be right. They do not know what has happened to the others. They still carry on their original mission. Why have they been isolated here?"

Hartford is relieved that Jessica's questions were not pointed at him and he relaxes a little. "You just call me when you need me," he says, proud to do his duty by a Blackback. The stag turns his head a little and whispers to Kalt. "Mister Siyu has at least one keg of mead back in his wagons," he says, "You think he'll share?"

"If'n the Creators went an' said they ain't messin' round, m'bettin' he ain't gonna either. If'n he makes'em upset, they'll up an' stop him from tradin'." Kalt calls out to Siyu before stretching her arms slightly. "Either way, they aint answerin'... An' if'n they're carryin' their 'original' mission, then they're needin' to be put down." The Vixen looking over to Hartford as she shrugs. "Dunno! But m'figurin' we'd best be savin' that for when we're clear of here an' all. Don't wanna have us off an' get picked off an' such."

Thelergramor continues to drink, glancing around. Growing a bit impatient. "Right... Any progress? Or, are we just standing around like a bunch of morons? Any shadow speak going on? Relay that to the rest of us." The wolf spoke to noone in particular; then goes back to his whiskey.

Jessica shurgs, but Jermey has an answer, "They have been sleeping all this time until some fools calling themselves the Technolegists got close to them with the gems and crystals that we need to carry out our original missions. This woke them." He says, "Though I have no clue why some of you random beings would walk around with Lunar, strange gems, and odd crystals just sitting in your pocket, nor why you'd think holding them out to things and asking 'What would this do?' is a good idea." she says.

Rokarion looks at Skade, "Did they answer back yet? I would very much prefer, if as many of us were listening to them." Rokarion then thinks for a minute, "So they were asleep thise whole time and thus do not that the other Shadows stopped the war with us and decided to live and let live. We could inform them about this new turn of events."

Siyu looks over to the others. "Sure you can help yourself to whatever booze you want that's in the wagon." he looks at Thel, "help yourself. Go take a nap in the back of the wagon with my booze." he offers in a half friendly way.

Skade sniggers at Jeremy before turning to the rest of the group. "What do you think I have been doing? My questions arn't idle musings as we wait to be devoured by hungry grass. They are confused and want to speak with a creator. They do not know that there now is.. peace. Somewhat, atleast." she explains.

Hartford flaps his ears in embarrassment. "Sorry, Mister Siyu," he says, "Didn't mean no disrespect. I'm just sort of bored with all this talk about shadows that ain't even here!"

Looking over to Skade, Jessica offers a bit more, "Have you asked them who they mean by a creator yet?" She asks, looking out into the dark night as they lose more and more of the sun!

Siyu looks over to the others. "These are the Shadows from the intial assualt right? The Creators themselves announce the organization they belonged to was dissolved. There is nor creator organization these shadows are now bound to..." he motions. "The inital announcment was that those resonsable had been disolved and would face trial."

Allista sighs, raising a palm and then bringing her forehead down to rest against it. After a few moments she looks up and shakes her head. "You probably don't want to drink right before we are going to get jumped, guys," she points out.

Kalt shrugs gently to Hartford as she smiles slightly. "Aw now, ain't no need to go feelin' bad. S'natural to go feelin' bored. An' m'tryin' to remember, but we only went an' met once eh? Back when you were guardin' Brutus an' all? Were only for a minute or two, but M'Kalt. Shamed to say your name ran right outta my head like a rabid virmin." The Vixen extending her hand to Hartforward with a grin.

Thelergramor groans audibly, capping his flask and resetting his mask. Flask attatches to his belt again as he checks his musket. "Listen, I'm getting mad now. Tell them to get out here before I drag them out. And tell me what they are saying, specific details, please."

Rokarion shakes his head with the neutral expression on his face straining a bit, "This is getting a bit tiresome, and it is getting late." Rokarion then looks at the distance, [Hail fellow creations of the Creators. I am Rokarion a being here on promise. We wish to talk with you properly and to end our misunderstanding peacefully. May I ask who is the Creator you wish to speak with?]

Skade pinches the base of her nose. "This is surely not going to go over well.." she mutters as she concentrates. [If by creator you mean our creators are no longer with us. The contract is dissolved. The mission is over. There are still creators around, but they are not the same as the ones that created you. Which creator do you mean?]

Jessica and Jeremy both look out over the darkness as ideas are thrown around, Jeremy of course listening in, though not speaking. Jeremy's eyes go a bit wide though after a few moments! Looking around he says only a few words, "He's coming."

Oh! Up an' at'em then. Seems we got one comin'. Come on big fella, let's go gettin' up infront of the softer folk an' all." The Vixen grinning as she puts her sword back on her back, before ensuring her gauntlet's were ready to deliver a firm fist pounding to anyone she fought! "An' Thel, go watchin' that temper boy before you go gettin' into trouble. Better ways to be ventin' that frustration."

"Hartford," the big deer says by way of introduction, then snaps to attention when Jeremy claims that someone is coming. The stag unhooks his halberd and takes a step or two to the fore of the group beside Kalt.

Siyu grunts, "Remember we're still talking. They are now Free. They can make choices on their own...wait for them to TALK..." he intones.

Skade screws her eyes shut for a few moments before they suddenly snap open. "Yes. One is coming. Don't attack it, please." she says, looking directly at Thelgramor as she says the last part. [It is year 477 after arrival. I have instructed the beings not to attack you but they are fearful and will defend themselves if provoked. We will try to explain as much as we can.]

Rokarion closes his eyes, and remains standing but in a trance, listening to the shadows speak. After a while he says to Skade, [Continue speaking I will listen and chime in when needed.] He then spoke to the group still with his eyes closed, "They are confused, and are not sure how long have they been out of the loop. I think the leader might be joining us soon."

Thelergramor chuckles, keeping his rifle down. "Of course. But, they start threatening or making demands... Well, you know me..." The wolf shrugs, stares out into the night through the red glass lenses of his mask.

Amelia snaps her eyes open and starts to rise to her paws once again, patting off the seat of her robes as she takes a firm hold on her staff. "Yes, it'll be nice to meet them, then. It has kept us waiting for a long time, certainly."

After a short time, a rather large bull comes out, his eyes weeping what looks like a black ooze, the miasma coming off of him like claws in the skin and eyes. Each time he takes a step, the grass bends away from him, as if either in fear or awe. He carries no weapons, though looks as if any weapon he might have would be less then what he could do with his bare hands. "No Vio l ance." He says, sounding almost like a broken Machine Spirit. Jessica and Jeremy look up at him. "Hello.." Jessica eventually says, just like Jeremy, he seemed to have no interest in Jessica, the shadow bull saying, 'Et haz been tyme."