Revision as of 04:54, 28 July 2014

Participants

• Angus
• Cassidy
• Dio
• Fenris
• Kalt
• Natska
• Thelergramor

Date

27/7/477

Log

Infront of the healer's buidling, sat the old rat from the day before, clad still in his plague gear as he looked out over the empty street with tired eyes as he awaited the freeswords. His hands clutching his walking cane as gentle moans emit around him, and it's safe to say he's having a momentary break from his last rounds.

Fenris saunters onto the scene, carefully adjusting his long coat and his gear for easy access, then pats the metal hide of his hedgehog golem, Speedy. "Heard you could use some help," he says simply as he stops before the old rat.

Angus arrives once more to the village, this time in more combat ready gear as he checks the strap of his blunderbuss, his staff in hand as he walks over to Traxico once he notices him. "Hello again, how are the patients doing?" He asks curiously as he looks at the empty cots with a frown.

Cassidy was in her suit as she usually was, but unlike yesterday she had elected to walk up to the rat, rather thand rop from the sky. She takes a moment to adjust her hat before giving a polite bow. "Hello again, yes. I am here to help once more. And hello to you both as well, Fenris, Angus."

A lion comes jogging towards the group, ornate coat fluttering within the wind along with the typical sounds of heavy equipment that follow. Wanting to be better safe than sorry, he again ties a bit of cloth around his muzzle before eventually reaching the group. "Good day to ya all," he greets with a small dip of his head, the base of his spear resting gently upon the ground after a solid smack. "I was trainin' 'round these parts an' I thought it was a good time to come an' check up on things."

Thelergramor has abandoned his coat due to the weather. His hat and scarf remain, said scarf pulled over his face. Gloves, pants, and boots are also worn. His assortment of weapons stays the same as the previous day. Whistling the same dreary tune from his last visit, he walks up behind the rest of the group, hands in his pants pockets. He says nothing, just awaits the inevitable round of questioning.

Natska approaches the group she sees gathering in the village at the healer's tent; she had been slow to leave the city, but made excellent time. She pauses, gives the rat a small bow, and smiles at her friends and allies as she glances over the small group.

Traxico looks up at Fenris first, giving a slow nod before looking to the rest of the group. "Help, yes. I'm afraid the concoction I made to delay the effects of the disease, managed to save only slightly over half of the patients. It seems the others were too far gone." The old Rat pushing himself to his feet as he clears his throat. "Which makes today more important than ever, time is what will save those we can. I've no tasks for you to swab and feed the sick, no I can handle such now. I need you all to travel deep into the swamps, to the Festering Pools. A few plants there called Creator's Tubes grow, short tube like root plants. They do not fare anywhere else in the swamp, and the few of the village whom dared left this morning knowing the risks, but have not returned." His voice sounded slightly hollow at that, his gaze turning slowly to the swamp, before assessing the group once more. "I cannot offer more than yesterday, and I apologize greatly. So I must beg you to find the plants for those whom are sick, without it my chances of finalizing this cure will not work I'm afraid."

Fenris's gaze hardens at the report of all those deaths. "You would not need to offer anything, sir," he says, "If we can save any of your people, it will be reward enough." He casually fiddles with his soul pendant for a moment, feeling that some magical power will benifit him better today than martial knowhow. "Just point us in the right direction," he says, nodding to his gathered friends and fellow Lightbringers, "We will get what you need."

Angus gives a curt nod as he turns his gaze to the swamp. "I must agree with Fenris, I believe the money would be put to better use then for paying for our help, you can keep my share of what you offer us." He states as he once more checks the strap of his blunderbuss, pulling back the hammer on it quietly as he prepares himself.

Cassidy frowns softly and rests a hand on the pommel of her sword. "Yes. I will also suggest that you use my cut to help the families in need. I offer my help to you and these people free of charge. It's the least I can do, with how hard things are already. And this at least falls in my range of talents."

"Oh..." Beneath Dio's mask, a small frown forms upon hearing the unfortuante news. A singular hand raises vertically in front of his armored chest as he mutters a silent prayer within his mind before continiuing onto business. "I'm sorry to 'ear 'bout that. We'll go 'head an' leave immedietly to save as many as we can."

"Well, shit." Says Thel, as he suppresses the urge to kick a nearby rock. "To reiterate what my companions said, keep your payment. Maybe look into getting me a mask like yours." He shrugs. "Now, about these 'festering pools'. Dangerous, yes? I assume Belchers and Gops?" A hand leaves his pocket, holds the 'hilt' of his knife.

Ear flicking, Natska listens to the report. She frowns and then nods her head. "We will go at once to find your root," she answers. "And hopefully we can find the others of the village. Come on," she motions her head towards the swamp, speaking to the group now. "Let's go."

"I... Thank you. Thank you all." The Rat dipping his head low, almost as if he was ashamed before clearing his throat. "Gops, perhaps. The Festering Pools themselves are dangerous, and if you venture into them you could face fate worse than death. Just as well, there are Kirck hives around you must be careful on, and at last, Stranglevine. That deep into the swamp, Stranglevine can grow thick and large, sometimes with krick nests inside to work together on their feeding frenzy." The Rat looks to the swamp for another long moment before sighing. "... We should have never lived near such a forsaken place. But alas, I'd venture with you if I could... Merely continue to the west after you enter the swamp, and soon you should smell the Festering Pools." The Rat bowing slightly, before hobbling back to his spot, sitting down as he looks over the group once more. "... Please though, be safe."

Fenris snorts. There are far worse things in the deep swamps than kricks and stranglevines. He looks toward Angus and Cassidy, remembering how torn up they had been after their last foray into the deep swamp. And with all the activity from the Corrupt Court lately, the tiger did not doubt that old Akros was stirring again in the worst parts of the swamp. "We will be as safe as we can," he assures the old man, tying a handkerchief around his own face in preparation to trek through the worst parts of the swamp. The tiger whistles to his golem and starts off in the direction that the old rat indicated.

Angus glances back at Fenris, nodding in turn. "We will get you what you need, there is nothing to worry about that." He states. He was ready for anything in the swamp, but that did not mean he wasn't wary of what they could encounter out here, it always pays to be cautious.

Cassidy kicks up a mild bit of air magic, hoisting herself several inches off the ground. "Lead on, friends." She puts a hand to her hat to ensure that it doesn't blow itself off with an errant bit of wind. She just didn't want to risk getting that suit dirty.

"Right!" Dio slams the base of his spear into the ground and thrusts out his chest proudly. "Ain't nothin' a group o' highly trained beings can't 'andle. I just 'ope we don't run into any o' those cultists o' whatever out there. Gops we can 'andle with ease." Reaching back, the lion clicks a strap, allowing his tower shield to slide off. With a small hoist and grunt, he brings it to his front and prepares to move out. "Let's get this done 'fore the sun falls down too far," he claims before heading out.

Thelergramor shrugs. "Great... should be fun." as usual, the wolf is less concerned than he should be. Deep swamp doesn't sound too bad to him, having been in dirty, foul places during his tenure as a bandit. He turns to head into the swamp, pulling his bow into his hands, following behind the lion.

Natska starts off in front, setting a brisk pace, although she slows down for the others to catch up. As they get far enough away through the village, she shoots a glance to Angus and Cassidy, then includes Fenris with a small nod as well. "So many people, dieing so suddenly." She shakes her head. "It frightens me. Do you think it is natural?" she asks, tone quiet, as they head out into the swamp.

The Rat nods and gives them a wave farewell, not moving far from his spot as he resumes his solem gazing from before with a hollowed sigh. The Group's trip for the most part is surprisingly uneventful as they enter the swamp... Remains of local wildlife laying about, heralding to the group that had went before them having at least made it past the begining of the wildlife. Though, the group soon comes across two divergent paths beaten out by the first group, one heading to the north-west, while the other continues straight to the west.

The air around the swamp however, seems as muddled and busy as one would expect. Individual kricks the size of a thumbnail buzzing back and forth around them, though thankfully without any swarm to cause them harm. That eery sensation one gets from being near the domain of a corrupt spirit prevails around them though, as is natural given Akros' sway over his beloved Gobs within the area, but it doesn't feel like there are any immediate threats from it, more just the heavy handed presence of the old one in a favored domain.

Fenris points to the direct westward path. "The old man said to go west, right?" he asks the others, "Why did the earlier group split up?" He surveys the area carefully, and readies a bit of air magic, just to be prepared. "I think that we should follow his instructions," he says.

Angus taps his chin a bit, frowning. "That's a good question, one that might go unanswered since we should follow his directions yes." Natska's question catches his attention, and he turns to look at her. "I don't know if it's natural or not, but eitherway I hope that we can cure it before it claims more lives."

Cassidy twirls around lightly in the air to look at the others. "Hm. I'm not sure why they split up, really! But we shouldn't, I imagine. We are more equipped than the towns people, no doubt, but... It would be safer to stay together, yes. And no, I don't think it's natural, Natska. For a time I suspected that famliy from yesterday, but I think they're clean. But I still very much believe it to be foul play."

"Quite strange," Dio says to no one in particular. "If they didn't follow the instructions, maybe somethin' distracted them instead. Cultists can sometimes be the tricky sort. Could've promised 'em a cure o' somethin' an' stabbed 'em in the back. Course, that's all just me guessin'." Using the base of his spear as a walking stick, the lion continues west, agreeing with the group's decision. "We'll 'ave to investigate the other path later."

Thelergramor takes an arrow from his quiver, nocks it. Holding the arrow in the same hand with his bow, while his free hand scratches his chest, the wolf speaks. "Well, staying together is safer but if you want me to scout the other path real quick..." He shrugs, lets the question hang in the air. He steps over to one of the dead wildlife corpses, crouches, looks at it briefly. "Might find the lost peasants. Or their corpses." Looking back to the group: "It's just a swamp, really. I get into trouble I'll come back to the group. What's the worst that could happen?" He chuckles. "And if it's not natural, we might need to kill someone later. Only difference I see."

Natska's notched ear flicks and she considers his offer, taking the moment while the others pause to peer at the other trail. She has no comment though, shrugging her shoulders and moving down the path to the west as Dio continues, her tail slowly swishing back and forth, ears twitching at the sounds of the swamp.

The mystery of why the group split seemed like it'd be unresolved for the most part, as the main portion to the group appears to carry on with the path to the west. The undergrowth growing thicker, before emptying out into forcing them to wade in the wet portion of thw swamp itself. Dirtied water soaking feet up to the knees unless they came prepared. Half way up though, they find one of the first party, or at least the remains... A single male boar, face down in the water with his right leg missing, and judging from the way his clothing didn't seem torn from it, he had fallen victim to a gop, and lost his leg before bleeding out.

If Thelergramor does continue his path to the North West, he's rewarded with easier terrain to traverse as his feet are left to remain dry. Although, he's not able to see or really hear from the group due to the vegetation and terrain difference, his only option would be to backtrack should he be overwhelmed... And soon enough, he finds a group of three bodies, all clumped around the base of a tree in the path. Judging from the way they were facing, they were confused and frenzied when something overtook them!

Fenris shakes his head as Thelergramor moves away. But the wolf is responsible for himself. Looking over the swampy ground, the tiger takes a leaf out of Cassidy's book and conjures up a bit of wind magic to keep himself walking along the top of the water. "Eyes open people," he says quietly, "Gops are the worst when they get the drop on you." He scans the trees ahead, above and along the water line.

Angus gives Fenris a nod as he straps his staff to his backpack, taking his blunderbuss in a two handed grip as his eyes narrow and he starts to move cautiously, keeping his footing steady in the water as he tredges forward. Wondering what Thele was up to now that he had decided to split off.

Cassidy frowns softly as she watches Thel wander off, but lets him go. He's a grown man, and she's not his mother. "Mmm. Gops are pretty bad sometimes. Though I'm more worried about coming across callers out here. Though at the same time, I welcome it. If we could find any callers that might be responsible, well. A little cleaning house never hurt."

Not wanting to get more wet than needed, Dio uses a bit of air magic to get just above the swamp as well. "We'll 'ave to come back an' give 'em a proper burial. It's the least we could do fer someone who risked their life fer a cure." The lion dips his head gently towards the dead in a gester of respect, but soon continues onwards for the sake of the ultimate objective.

Having lost sight of the others, Thelergramor proceeds, noting the dry ground. Villagers probably knew this path was dry, or something. Other path could be dry too, for all he knows. Creeping along, as low to the ground and through as deep vegetation as possible for concealment, the wolf stops about 30' from the corpses. Confused, frenzied dead people... reminds him of when he used to raid caravans... His eyes scan the vegetation, look to the tops of trees. He remains hidden for now, were what killed them a predator, it would be back. Probably.

Natska pauses at the edge of the water and eyes the floating fennec. And the now floating tiger as well. AND the flying lion. With a sigh and a mental note she gathers up the hem of her armor's padding, then wades into the water, staying close behind Angus. She uses her glaive, held in her other hand, to poke at the ground below the water in front of her and sweep back and forth for obstructions. Or surprises.

The group passes the first corpse without much problem it seems, no sign of cultists or mangy beasts, and since that was the only corpse then the group before them must have managed deeper. As they move on through it all then, they slowly come to a small rise out of the wet portion of swamp, trees everywhere as the cannopy above them blots out most light for them. Infront of them was none other than the festering pools, the dark liquid gurgling and appearing almost empty, and sadly without a single of the needed plant in easy sight... Seems they may have to search for them.

Thelergramor is left to a rather dull sight it seems, the bodies slumped around without any visible wounds for him to see. Honestly, if there were attackers waiting in the bushes, they'd have to fit inbetween the trunks that almost blocked the paths. Before he's allowed to wonder too much though, a slow buzzing begins to fill his ears, as if something had awoken, and nearing the top of the trees where it was hard to make out against the darkness, were swarms of Kricks moving around, the blood sucking insects most likely the death of the three infront of him, and judging from their new activity, were -well- aware of his presence!

Fenris notices Natska's discomfort and feels a little ashamed. His inner Bernard Bernard was scolding him for letting the girl walk in the muck. He holds out a hand to the jaguar. "Up you get, new girl," he says, lifting her carefully from the muck with a bit of air magic.

Angus looks back and watches as he chuckles a bit as Fenris tries to lift Natska, before turning back to head up the hill. As soon as they get to the festering pool he blinks, lowering his blunderbuss as he looks around. "Heh, it's never easy." He mutters softly as his ears flick and he starts to search for what is needed.

Cassidy holds onto her hat and pulls her legs up, tucking into a ball and rolling about in the air in a fit of acrobatic display. Whatever posessed her to do that quickly fades as she rights herself once more and resumes floating like a normal person should. "Natska, can't you float yourself? You were flying just the other night! If I'd known you needed the help, I would've gladly done so. My apologies!"

"Guess we best get to searchin' then." Using the power of his ancestors, Dio channels those carnivorous eyes in search of his objective. Hovering about, he tries to find whatever he possibly can that would even look like the plant described by the old man. But suddenly, something wet falls upon his face. Quite surprised by the occurrence, Dio lets out a small surprised yell as his vision is temporarily blinded by a rather large leaf. "Oh!" He gasps. "Jus' a leaf... That scared me."

Laughing in a fucked up maniacal, 'Yep, I'm screwed' fashion, Thel looks at the swarm, wishing he kept his coat. In his mind goes the words 'Fuck that.' He tears off in a sprint back down the trail, glad he didn't get too close to the bodies. Also wishing he knew magic. Could just incinerate the swarm. But, yes. Running. And far out of hearing range, but, manly screaming.

Natska gives Fenris a happy smile and a short nod, crossing the water with smooth, even, predictable steps to try and make his job easier. Cassidy's comment causes her grin to widen further and take on a slightly mischevious cast. "Shhh." She makes a flapping motion with her now free hand. "Floating is harder. Much, much harder without the wings. It's a..." she shrugs. "Mindset thing. I am still practicing!" She does still giggle at Cassidy's display, and then they arrive at the Festering Pools. "They are... not as festering as I had imagined? This is a good thing, yes?" she asks as she joins the search.

Much to Thelergramor's dismay, that swarm isn't going to be shaken so easily, not when they have fresh blood to feast on! His frantic running enough for him to put a good arms length between him and the swarm, though that loud buzzing isn't giving up! Seems his options are to either try and run from the swamp, or make a run down the western path after the group, perhaps the Kricks would give up if he went that way... Or failing that, there were those with magic! Fire magic at that!

The group's exploration around the Festering Pools is as uneventful as one would imagine for the first few moments, no real sighting of the tubers at first. Natska gets an idea why it's called the Festering Pools though, as a large gassous bubble pops from one to release a horrific odor for the group to 'enjoy', as a few disolving bones pop to the surface before sinking, accounting for another group member perhaps? Fenris however, spies the last two members whom had been in the first group, burried beneath layer after layer of vines, their outfits meshing in to conceal them. Hell, his lucky eyes even manage to make out the large sacks of plants on them, already picked and ready to be delivered! Unfortunatly, he also spots the catch, as he notices at least five regular sized Stranglevine Blossoms around the way, with one unpleasently extra-large one that could easily fit a being inside of it a little higher up! It's blossom opening slowly as the vines around the Festering Pools begin to move and awaken from their slumber.

Fenris frowns and points. "There's our party," he says, "And the plants we need." He readies some fire magic. "And a welcoming comittee," he says, pointing out the stranglevine flowers.

Angus turns to where Fenris points, frowning a bit. "Great, didn't realize we were going to have to do a little weeding." He states, baring his teeth as he brings his blunderbuss up to his shoulder and takes aim.

Cassidy follows Fenris' pointing and hums. "Yes." Her eyes light up behind her mask as she takes in the size of the large stranglevine. "I think this will be very fun. So. How shall we proceed? I don't want to jump the gun or anything." She rubs her gloved hands together for a moment before clapping them gently together in anticipation as she starts to go over the math in her head, preparing.

Dio pinches the leaf upon his face and drops it to the floor, watching its path with slight amusement. However, the call to action quickly catches his attention. "Awfully unfortunate. I wonder why they didn't call the Freeswords instead o' sendin' out there own. There are nearly always a group o' adventurers lookin' fer a bit o' crown." Tower shield held out secure in front of him, the lion tries to put himself towards the group's front to cover and protect them.

Thelergramor continues to run, Kricks buzzing behind him. Taking the west path to avoid dragging the swarm toward the mostly empty village, Thel shouts to catch the attention of the group. "HEY, BARRING ANYTHING SHORT OF MORTAL DANGER, TURN THE FUCK AROUND! SWARM!" Not sure if they're in hearing distance, but the attempt was made. And his hat falls off. Wonderful.