Dangerous ground - RPLOG
Participants
Date
16/11/477
Log
The Airship that had been provided to those whom had replied to the request for help, find themselves first dropped off at Firebough before being loaded in a military wagon and carted up to the encampment. The trip itself takes a good deal of time, as traveling by wagon through the mountainous area is far more difficult than a simple air ship trip. However, as they make their way to the encampment on the ground, it's easy to see the threat of the 'Craige' wasn't taken too lightly, as almost one hundred and fifty men dash around with dozens of cannons to compliment them, strategically placed to keep the camp secured in a firing angle from all approaches.
When the wagon finally comes to it's stop, and the freeswords are ushered off and into the center of the camp, they come to find a regal looking lion with long braided hair and shinning plate armor standing within the commander's tent. "Let me see... No, second squad is far too discheveled for that position, and fourth is a man short... Hm... Now where are those freeswords I requested...?"
Fenris carefully adjusts his long coat and checks his gear as he walks through the camp. "Here we are," he says, "Where do you want us?"
Thelergramor is, as he tends to be, shirtless, wearing a red scarf and his typical mask. And pants, of course. Guisarme, cannon, knife, bow... Armed heavily, obviously. Walks up next to Fenris. "Yep, we're here."
Yvls makes his off the airship, carrying a massive tower shield that peeks over the head of the small folk feline, with an equally large life drinker to boot. He seems to have no problem with his loadout despite the disparity in size, the lynx evidently quite fit in combat. "Give the orders."
Rev leans back against the side of the wagon, and closes his eyes. The rather large wolf soon falls asleep. Prefering to be well rested when theh arrive than even a little tired. And when they to arrive the large man quickly awakens, and takes a moment to adjust his ranger coat. before gathering up his axe, and to strap his Zweihander across his back. Before disembarking the wagon, and being ushered off to the commanders tent along with the others. Upon entering the tent he does slightly adjust the bandages around his left eye. So that he could see out of them a bit better."Well we are here...What is the storh behind these bandits?"
Rainer manages to spend the bulk of the wagon ride asleep as well! Poor widdle guy must've had a late night workin'~ Pardon the snoring. And the drooling. And the near-constant twitching of his right foot that occassionally leads to a jerky kickspasm. Presumably someone has the good graces to elbow him awake when they arrive, so up behind Fenris and Theler he comes plodding, stretching his arms wide with a biiig yawn and swinging to throw one over each of their shoulders as he slumps down from it, brandishing a groggy grin. "Where's the food?... didn't they say there was going to be food?"
Cassidy didn't arrive by airship! She still managed to hear about the happenings, even out in her castle upon the side of Firebough. Bandits in the area? That was no good, so, dressed in her usual red tailcoat and her black skirt, she approaches the wagon to at least make her presence known, offering a smile to Natska. "Can't have bandits too close to home," she says, adjusting her top hat.
"Mmhm," Natska replies, quietly. "Or other things." She nudges the brim of her hat as she examines the encampment, then frowns slightly. "I heard about what happened at the expedition. I don't think they are taking this seriously, are they?" she asks quietly, as they approach the lion.
The Lion looks up as the group enters into his tent, dipping his head gently before motioning to one of the soldiers posted outside, whom closes the flap to give them all privacy. "No bandits, but it is a safer way to explain ravaged merchant caravans until I have more information. My name, is Commander Bennathian Makarius the Third, and I am in charge of the lives of the men in this camp."
The Lion gives one more nod, before motioning to his map table. "The farthest merchant paths have been ransacked lately by what we believe may be Craige that have slipped in somehow. No survivers, burnt wagons and supplies long gone. Shadows be damned, we rarely even find bodies lately. I've called for aid, because I do not have the means to spare to send out to investigate where we think they may be coming from. My men must stand firm and resolute here, and if a large craige threat does appear than we must reinforce the base of Firebough mountain so as to protect all on the mountain. That being said, here, in a small pass that dead ends farther in, we believe the Craige may have entered from. I need you to scout into here, and report if they are present or not."
Fenris almost flinches when Rainer throws an arm over his shoulder. He is well aware that the wolf would not recognize it, but he and Fenris had spent a rather strange evening together. From the fuzzy memories that Fenris had of it, a VERY strange evening. The liger steps up to look at the map and nods gravely. "Probably for the best to try to remove our new friends with as little disruption to the people as we can," he agrees, "I am glad to pitch in."
Thelergramor glances over the people, smiling behind his mask at a full party of people he knows. Approves. Turns back around and has a Rainer arm draped over his shoulders. Once again, approves. "Alright, so, go in, look around, come back? And if they are there, should we eliminate them?" Asking without a hint of bloodlust in his voice. Loads his cannon. "Kind of an important detail."
Yvls watches Rainer and Thelergramor and Fenris for a moment, noting something in his head and mumbling it to himself. More information to collect, wherever he goes. He puts his sword at his backstraps and listens into the commander. "These craige...I wanted to see for myself first hand rather than rely on militay reports. Wherever you send us, rest assured we'll hold the line."
Rev scratches his chin thoughtfully as he considers the details the group had just been give. He nods in agreement with Thelergramor. "That is a decent enough question. Shoukd we eliminate those we manage to find. Or do you believe their numbers are large enough that it would be suicide to do so more or less? Granted I don't exactly have any qualms with putting my life into significant danger to settle the threat."
"So... no food, then." Rainer furrows his brow and glances about as his question goes long unanswered, arm flopping down at his side as Fenris steps away. Head turns and sights are set upon two more members of the merry Divine Sentinels band. "Hey Cass, Natska!" He turns back to look around at those before him. "...that's weird, were they on the wagon? I don't remember seeing them get on the wagon. Or off the wagon. Or on or off the airship, now that I think about it. Although I never went below deck. ...Should have gone below deck, that's probably where the food was."
Cassidy smiles at Rainer from behind her mask and tips her hat. "Hello there," she returns as she regards the lion. "I suppose that is fair. Yes, I will most certainly lend my aid. I would like to see this new menace dealt with swiftly, lest they start to expand. I don't want to wake up to find them pounding on the gates of my new home."
Natska listens to the chatter, her ears perked; she nods her head, without anything else to add to the lion for the moment. She busies herself with one final pre-action check, making sure she has her chosen weapons and gear, and that her math equations are ready at hand, then flashes Cass a grin. "Alright. Let's."
The lion raises an eyebrow at Rainer and reaches into a small box by his cot, and tosses the wolf an apple. "I shall leave that to your determination. If you believe you can handle the threat, or halt what is occuring, than you are free to engage. We will not be able to support you in such an action, but have mats for wounded you may acquire."
The Lion gives one final nod, before opening the flap to his tent and leads everyone out into the camp, through the multiple tents set up around the area before stopping them at another wagon fully loaded for them, so they can group up onto it. "May you go with the blessings of King Good, and return to us safely. I shall await your return." The ride itself isnt too long, as the driver pushes as fast as he can, before slowing near the entrance to a pass in the mountains, with a plethora of burnt carts around it. "We're here."
The pass itself is only three carts wide, and thirty feet cliffs tower along both sides. The ground a mixture of rock and sand common to this area, with small splatterings of blood in various spots. The depths of the pass is black from the shadows cast by the setting sun, holding whatever lay within from view for now...
Fenris steps down from the cart and looks around. "I can see why the commander wouldn't want to send a lot of men down there," he says. The liger takes a quick look around at the others and shrugs. "Shall we?" He asks before sauntering quietly down the pass.
Thele's first thought upon arrival is: 'Damn, it's dark. At least I brought a lantern.' He does, however, have the common sense to not light it for recon. Drops from the cart. Tries to move quietly. And low to the ground. Which means his guisarme is dragging through the dirt. Fixes that by holding it in one hand. Strong wolf. "We shall, yeah." Glances back at the other beings. "Try not to die? I like you guys." Then quietly returns to moving up after Fenris.
Yvls keeps his shield held high, taking quick steps to head towards the front of the group. "Mmh. I'll provide the cover." The lynx offers, evidently wanting to get things done with.
Rev hefts his axe against his shoulder, and follows the others out the tent. Upon climbing into the wagon. The large wolf once again spends the teip sleeping despite how short it is, and awakens upon arrival. He gazes about their surroundings as best he can. Before heading deeper into the pass behind Fenris.
Rainer catches the apple out of the air! ...with his hands, not his mouth. "Yer a credit to yer house~" the pup coos in way of thanks, and he's got that fruit stripped to the core before they even make it to the second wagon. Hopping down on arrival in the pass he grimmaces at the strewn wreckage and lingering traces of bloodshed, hand straying near to his blade, consciously or not, and finding others making straight for the pass he scoots to fall in with them. "Shouldn't we raise a ruckus and spook 'em out? I mean, if we're going to get ambushed we might as well do it on our terms."
Cassidy taps on the chin of her mask before turning on her paws and setting off with the rest. "Well then! Let's see what we find," she murmurs before nodding at Rainer. "Yes. As we get closer, we should maintain quiet, if we can."
Natska keeps pace with Cassidy, quietly drawing her swordbreaker into her off hand as the group begins exploring. A small, tamed breeze dances around the jaguar, and she nods her head at Cassidy's suggestion, moving with silent steps.
The pass is mostly quiet as they make their way inside, passing into the darkness of the shadows forces them to take a moment to adapt to the new lighting. The deeper portions appear to be littered with boulders and fallen rocks, including an old dried tree trunk or two that seem perfect for hiding behind.
Deeper still, comes the sounds of bickering in a harsh and sharp sounding tongue, almost akin to stone cutting stone. Those with acute vision would notice the outlines of some Craige workers, the shorter lizard like beasts boasting no show of flame about them, instead they seem almost completely made of stone. In total there resides ten of these workers, five making marking motions at a side of the pass, while five more are scanning the sky of all things... It's obvious they are searching for something.
Fenris does not speak, only uses simple signs to point out the Craige where he can see them, keeping to the deep shadows. There is more to see here, he is certain, but first a little help. The liger focuses a moment on his mathemagic, using air and water to drop the ambient temperature. Hopefully it will slow down the Craige.
Thelergramor glares at the craige. But not basilisk glare, just an angry stare. Yep. No effects. Uses his own magic to obscure himself in darkness. Near solid, cloying darkness. On his body. For extra armor! Then follows after Fenris. Quietly.
Yvls suddenly draws a cloak of shadow from apparently nowhere, draping it around him and providing cover for himself. "Going to see if I can't sneak in and make a distraction to draw the group together, and then you guys can strike. I'll make it out, don't worry." He starts pathing his way towards the craig, slowly. Trying not to get caught.
Rev's ears twitch at the sound of bickering voices. The large wolf frowns, and a transformation comes over his form. A change that leaves him with a very distinct transformation that leaves the large wolf in the form of a kirin Which happens to rip the bandages away from the left side of his face. He stares at Criage, an then looks up as he wonders about just exactly they are looking for. However he only looks upwards for so long before returning his gaze to the criage. The kirin begins to prepare himself to cast righteous clames over some of the criage. Once the others go on the attack.
Rainer hugs the wall of the pass most of the way, frequently turning his eyes upwards, that the little beasties might come flowing over the cliffs towering above them. Voices from up ahead draw his gaze, but squint as he might at the darkness no shapes emerge, even as he strains to follow Fenris' direction. "...neat." he utters underbreath to himself, as Yvls just melts away into the shadows. "Wish I could do that... o well, just have to settle for bein' the greatest swordsman in the world, eh?" Grinning, he turns to gently elbow Rev, only to find a... horse thing where a wolf ought to be, doing a double-take and managing not to yelp in surprise... by a rather narrow margin.
Cassidy lets out a soft little breath as she falls into step behind the others. Her foot steps make no sound, as usual, and she leaves her hands folded behind her back while her tome sways from her hip. After a moment, one of her hands starts to drift swords the rapier, but she does not draw it yet.
Natska watches Yvls slip off, nodding her head. She sticks close to Cassidy and the others, easily settling into a readied stance as she waits to see how this develops; she makes a small adjustment to her hat's brim, her feather almost glinting in what light there is as she bides her time.
