Hive Destruction - RPLOG
Participants
Date
18/10/476
Log
A fine day in the swamps, or at least, as fine as things can get out here. At least the colder weather as has ended has dealt the usual muggy atmosphere a blow, although whether cold, muddy water is more preferable is up oneself. Transports have arrived to bring folk from the city to the Swamp, stopping at its edges before the ground turns soft and forcing those who arrive to walk out all the way to the coastal town where everyone's to gather.
Most of the swamp folk are going about their own business just fine, but a slender horned snake dressed in the uniform of the Crown's ranger service is waiting near the entrance - plus a few other accessories, most notably the veil and other articles of clothing that make him resemble a beekeeper quite strongly.
Eleni makes her way through the swamp quietly, perhaps kicking a mudscuttler off of a boardwalk unrepentantly as she does. The officials are greeted with a glaringly casual wave despite her attire and an amused once-over of the 'unique' clothing. "Sure got yaself all dressed up for this, didn't ya? So ya called for beings ta come along here for the Krick problem, yeah? Figure I could use a distraction."
The swamp again. The Iguana has chosen to be in his dragon form once more, as it will be able to keep the natural elements away and let him function without difficulty. He had fashioned one of those masks with the help of one of the swamp dwellers since the last time he was there and he is wearing it during the journey. It is the only thing he is wearing besides a loincloth, intending to keep himself as unrestricted as possible, if at all possible. His body is notably hardened a bit, glistening with some oils since the last time he was there. He is the second to arrive and he looks at the snake with some bewilderment, "Will that outfit help with the dangers that are being expected?"
More problems with Kricks? Well then, look like it's time for a certain fox to try once again to defeat these things...but this time he was ready. Angus, had decided to forgo his usual equipment in lay of a thick cotton undershirt underneath Leather armor. A hood attached to help him ever so slightly as he carried his usual assortment of equipment when he didn't feel like using his Rapier. This time, he had doubled the amount of gunpowder he was carrying, wanting to blow up these Kricks one and for good as he walks up to the Snake and gives a slight salute. "Good afternoon, and how can we help?"
This being her first time in the swamps, Angel wasn't sure what to bring or to wear, so she decides on her old lether armor, unders and such, which leave her middle slightly exposed. She doesn't think much of the Dragon, nor the female fox, but does notice Angus, moving over to him. "Kricks humm?" She asks looking to the fox and then over to the snake.
The snake shrugs at Mazurek's comment and Eleni's lackadaisical demanour. "More than you know. The veil keeps them off my face, at least - it's hard to do any sort of extermination when one's flailing at keeping kricks away from your eyes. In any case...my name's Francis, and my job, as it were, is what it says on the tin: to monitor and exterminate kricks for the benefit of everyone who lives out here, especially during years where the stranglevines don't trap and eat enough of the damnable bugs. The locals don't want to get bitten and bled any more than they already usually are, whcih is why I have a job - and now you do, too.
He passes out bundles of citrus-smelling incense. "We'll be going out into the swamp in a bit, smoke out a number of the recently-spotted hive clusters, then blow them up with gunpowder while they're stills tunned. Best way to deal with them. If you need anything a'fore we set off, you can likely get it in town."
Eleni chuckles quietly and nods, waving to Angus. "Well, ain't it a surprise ta see you out here too? Hope ya aren't plannin' ta pull any stunts like you did at the beach, hmm?" She replies, taking her share of the incense sticks and pulling her helmet on.
Mazurek tips a non-existant hat toward Angel when he notes her looking his way, however briefly. The stuff that is handed to the group is taken and stashed into a pouch at one hip, hung over a strap and such, "Greetings, Angel. It has been a while." The dragon's voice is familiar, being the same as the griffon she would know. Looks like someone is ready to go.
Angus takes the offered Incense, keeping it close to him as he nods. "Well, I think I have enough gunpowder on me to make them go boom eh?" He jokes, but Eleni's words catch his attention and he nods. "Angel, you might want to cover up more. Those nasty little suckers have a painful bite." Luckily the fox did manage to bring his cloak, just in case he needed it. And he offered it to her to help guard her just a little.
Angel takes some of the incense as well and looks to Angus, "Ok My Lord, umm.. ok." she says, taking the cloak and trying to wrap it around her middle. She takes out her old assassn's mask and head cover. With the addition of the cloak, she is now fully covered except for a slit in the mask for her eyes. "A nasty bite... and... I guess I should introduce myself, Mazurek, we have meet, hello vixen, I am Angel." she says.
No one wants anything extra? Well, if that's the way they want it..."I'll be carrying the powder, then," Francis says. "Don't want to walk all the way out and have someone fall into the swamp. Stick close, now."
The journey out from Scraggly Root is largely uneventful, the group passing by palm groves as they travel along the boardwalks to the familiar mangrove island. Once past the monolith, though, the boardwalks end and the true swamp begins. Forced off firm footing, the group is forced to putter over soft, sucking silt, the ranger easily making his way about the numerous pointed breathing roots that poke out from the ground. There's a faint sweet scent to the air, which grows only stronger as everyone proceeds deeper, daylight fading into darkness with shafts of light here and there which peer through the canopy.
Eleni looks back to the wolf for a few moments, the addition of her helmet making it significantly harder to tell what she's thinking before she leans in and murmurs something to her, punctuating the end of her comment with gauntleted pat on the back before offering the same hand to the woman. "Eleni." She replies with a chuckle, leaning back to nudge the fox and murmuring just loud enough to be heard; "I think I like this one. Callin' ya 'lord all formal-like..."
In the swamp, one would question the wisdom of wearing heavy armor - but then again, she doesn't seem to be too bothered by the extra effort of pulling herself through the stuff.
The lack of anything at all in the way of footwear, or even armor in general, helps keep the dragon from being bogged down...literally. He has the height advantage of the group here, though if the flora got in the way too much it could definitely be seen ad a disadvantage. He didn't ask for anything from the snake before they began their journey, for he doesn't believe he needed anything. He's covered when it comes to the deady swamp gas... The night time air has him looking upward to gaze at the light shining down through the trees at various intervals. If it is required he does help with pulling someone out of the murk from time to time. He even snakes his tail back for the shorter folks to grasp should they need to.
Angus follows close behind the snake....which happens to be a bad idea as he gets entangled in a few of the roots, smacked in the face at least once by a hanging branch, and he nearly fell into the muck to... Luckily, he still manged to keep his precious powder dry! "Worst....trip....ever..." He mutters, already feeling like they have gone a mile as he continues on.
Angel watches her lord and master trip up and get slapped a few times by low hanging things. She shakes her head, and moves to walk infront of him a bit. "I could change and carry you My Lord if you would like." she says blushing a bit. Then, she is patted and whispered to. She uses a bit of air math to whisper back before continuing on, but taking the offered hand and giving a shake. She is very careful do dodge, manuveur and avoid the roots and only sinks slightly into the murk before pulling her paws back out each time.
"It's a bit of a trek," Francis calls out to everyone as they pass by a small ranger oupost and head into the darkness of the swamp. "Stay close to the roots, though - the ground is firmer there as -"
There's a soft squelch, a sinking feeling, and it would appear that Angus' boot is quite firmly stuck in the soft, salty coastal silt, with his foot in it, and no small amount of pulling and tugging will get it free. Well, unless the poor fox is willing to have his leg torn off for the sake of a boot...
Angus nods to the Ranger, turning to speak to Angel in turn...when he feels himself sinking into the silt. "Oh...for the love of the Creators!" He shouts, throwing his arms up as his boot is now stuck. Turning back to it he starts to tug, thinking he might as well take off the sodden thing before his entire leg was gone....he really needed that leg for balance you know
Eleni is a little less concernd with the branches and tangle than Angel seems to be, the latter comment prompting another laugh. "Sure, sure. I s'pose there's at least some merit ta all the jokes goin' around 'bout the Solacious." She replies to Angel, making no attempt to be quiet about it given the distance. Angus's cursing and attempt to pull the boot back out are met with a somewhat exasparated sigh. "Better ta let that boot go. Ain't as if ya can't get it replaced." She comments simply, moving over to the fox. "Take a hold a' one of the branches about, Angus; keep yaself from sinkin' too much deeper. If ya can get ya foot out, there's a good chance we can pull ya boot out before the swamp's got a better grip on the thing."
Mazurek stops in his tracks upon hearing the distress from Angus. He had been trekking carefully through the murk to somehow not get entangled. He does have a long tail, but he decides not to make use of it right this moment, instead turning to bodily assist his Lord, squatting to physically reach into the murk and work to pull both the leg and the boot out, pushing one hand down to try grabbing the sole itself to help with the effort.
Angel listens to Ereni, "And what have you heard about the house I'm beholdened to?" she aks just before hearing Angus call out. Her first reaction was to leap over toward him, but that would likely just get her stuck as well, being bigger and heavier then her fox lord. Listening again to Eleni, she instead reaches up to pull down the branches a bit to help Angus get a hold on them. "Don't worry My Lord, we'll get you back out." she says.
Grabbing hold of the branch Angus nods, and pulls with all his might...which is why he is nearly thrown to the ground when the boot slips free of the much, leaving its sole behind. "HA, take that you swamp!" The fox shouts, stumbling about until it registers that his boot is missing something. "...Okay then...I take that back, thanks everyone." He mutters, waving a hand as this trip just gets better and better.
Eleni taps the 'nose' of her helmet when she's asked; "There'a a lot a' them. Just listen 'bout in the inn if ya really want ta hear some." She replies, fiddling with her bundle of incense. "An' Angus, I hope ya haven't gone an' go the incense wet. Stuff ain't any good for burnin' if it's wet." That said, she looks about the area; "Speakin' of the incense, too. 'm surprised we haven't seen many krick yet. Usually the damn things are thick as thieves in the swamp, if not worse."
The dragon grunts when Angus nearly goes flying...literally. He hadn't managed to dig into the murk enough to free the entire boot, and his suspicions are confirmed after Angus moves about a little. Shaking his head he settles to all fours and presents himself to the group, "I think it best that only one of us traverse through the swamp. I am the largest of us right now, so everyone can be comfortable on my back." He looks to Eleni, "This way we also don't have to worry about the incense getting wet." Then to their snake guide, "Sound reasonable enough to you?"
Angel takes a moment to check Angus over, to make sure he wasn't hurt aside from losing a part of his boot, "Well, Eleni, I'd rather not listen to them, rumors are only good if they help you find your mark, nothing else." she says before looking to Maz, "But.. wouldn't the extra weight make you sink as well? Maybe it would be best if we all stood closer to the roots and were more careful." she offers, looking back to their guide, "Well, that is a good point, we haven't been bugged by the bugs of late."
"Cold's killed off a number of them, and they just swarmed a few days ago," Francis explains as he helps Angus onto more solid ground. "They're not too unlike bees or hornets in that regard - when the cold comes, they push the useless drones out of the hive to die, and those drones go both ways along the coast to harass other folk. It's the best time of year for some extermination, since there're fewer of them about. Now, the roots hold the dirt together, so for the love of the Creators, stay close to me, because we might not be so lucky next time. And I'm not so sure about that idea. We want to spread out everyone's weight as far as possible - the more pressure in one spot, the likelier you're to sink. Carrying everyone on your back could be a bit dangerous."
Eleni nods at the guide's suggestion. "That and I really ain't comfortable with the thought of bein' carried by a barely-dressed dragon, ta be honest." She replies, keeping herself moving; "I s'pose ya have a good point there, but even with the lack a' swarming right now, the hives are still here. I'd have expected at least a couple more a' the things ta show up, but I sure ain't complainin'."
Mazurek lets himself submerge into the murk until only his head is visible, "Very well, then. I suppose it is a little late to say that I can hold my breath for quite a long time, maybe even forever, if the need arises. Still, I suppose the logic is as sound as can be." He follows at the rear of the group instead of close to the front this time.
Angus mutters to himself, his tail flicking as he starts to follow the group. HIs walk a little off as his boots were now not even close to level. "I...think the incense is okay for now." He comments, checking just to make sure he was correct before he continues on.
Angel nods and walks along with everyone, "Mine is still dry and it's going to stay the way, now, if we are don't playing in the muck?" she says, mostly refering to Maz. She helps Angus stay a bit closer to the roots. "Ok, so this is the best time because the drones are gone out, so, where should we start?" she asks.
At length, the swamp opens out into a small clearing - although a faint buzzing can be heard from afar, it gets much, much louder once the trees part. The coastal hives are now visible - ruddy oblong shapes that hang from the trees. Most of them are about the size of a being's head, but a select few are positively towering. If the number of kricks buzzing about are any indication of a depleted hive, one can only imagine what it's like in full summer heat.
"All right, this is where I need you," Francis explains as he distributes the remaining charges to anyone who doesn't have them. "Everyone, light your bundles, spread out, and shove the lit bundles into the hive openings. Get as many of them as you can to smoke them out - since you're not wearing any gear, don't blame me if they get at your face or into your clothing. It'll take a minute or so - after that, plant and light the charges. The thing is that they must go off all at once, because the resulting swarm of survivors is going to mean that no one's going to come here for a good few weeks at least. I think you'd best discuss amongst yourselves how you want to coordinate yourselves."
Eleni shrugs. "Ain't had one of them get into my armor yet. Even if a couple do, it ain't as if I haven't had worse things ta deal with than a couple welts. She replies; "I'll take whichever ya lot want me to. Nearest, farthest, just make sure ya ain't leavin' me in the dark about ya plans an' all ought ta go well. Ideally, the bundles ought ta stop the krick form comin' in the direction we're movin' in, so... I ain't too sure there's a mess a' other junk ta account for."
Mazurek develops an armor of his own thanks to wallowing in the murk, the swampy mixture coating his body that he is also smelling highly of it. He makes no comment to the remarks aimed his way, instead keeping quite quiet during the rest of the trip. He looks around at the number of the things present and shakes his head, "I will take the nests that are near the center. That way the more swift of you all can go for the final ones."
Angus squints at the nests, and throws up his hands...the insence still within one of them. "Well, with one boot I won't be able to run that fast...soooo." Sitting down he juggles the insence in hand as he pulls off his boots, throwing them over his shoulder as he could probably just get a new pair before standing back up and digging his toes into the silt. "Okay, that should help a little bit....now, where do you want me?"
Angel walks up along, and just nods. She wasn't that worried nor that unswift, so she decides to just head toward one of the farther ones out, keeping fairly silent. She waits there with the incense ready, gunpowder beside her ready to go as well, and awaiting the signal. She ponders if some air math would be useful in spreadin the incense around.
Eleni saises an eyebrow as Angel moves along. "Well, I'm just goin' ta throw out my thoughts. All the incense get lit, we move out ta the hives an' plant the gunpowder. The furthest away lights their charge an' moves back with a torch. Rinse an' repeat for the nearer ones when ya see the beings ahead of ya coming back. That way we don't get hives blowin' up in every other being's faces."
Mazurek listens to the plan and nods afterward. He takes the charges that are handed out and makes a dash over to the 'second' set of hives, setting up the charges but not yet lighting them. He makes sure he will be able to easily rush off when things are ready to go.
Angus looks around, and shrugs as he heads out to take careof his task Smoking out the little buggers before he shoves the charge into them, definitly making sure he doesn't make any faces at all this time. As he remembered what happened the last time he did that....
Angel nods and prepares to light her incense when she sees Maz lights theirs or notices Eleni's signal, digging a small spot to put the charges into, ready to light one, wait, light two, grab a small part of one and run.
Mazurek waits until everyone is in place before he takes action and assists with the lighting of the bundles. Even though he is in the middle position it wouldn't take much effort to light the furthest bundles first, and he does it in the classic dragon style, or mimics it anyway. After prepping the math he opens his mouth and launches a line of flame from it right into the bundle that Eleni has prepared in her position and immediately turns his head to have the flames trigger the others.
One by one, the fuses are lit. Nothing happens for a while, then the hives explode with a resounding bang, sending bits of waxy, papery material raining down on everyone with a side of dead insects. It's a rare being that manages to see a krick queen, dead or alive, ugly chitinous things about the breadth of one's hand, but bits of those, too, rain down along with everything else. Stirred into action, the remaining insects begin to swarm, clearly angered by the powerful, pungent phernomones the dead and dying queens are giving off, if nothing else.
To run or fight? What a to-do.
Eleni doesn't seem too concerned with the insects - at least, not while she makes her way back with the single lit stick of incense she'd kept out of her assigned hive. "Well. That wasn't so bad." She comments simply. "I ain't seeing any reason to stick around. Just a few angry insects that'll probably be gone before long, with us here or otherwise."
Angus blinks, staring at the angry swarm as it starts to collect. "....He did it." He mutters, pointing at Mazurek jokingly before he takes his step back and gets ready to move. "Well, seems that it's all done for now. Just let them stew I guess...."
Mazurek needs to actually stand still while working his magic, so he is the last one on the field by the time all is said and done. He misses the quip from Angus due to distance, but it matters not in the end. Only slightly winded he turns to rush back to the others as swiftly as he can.
Angel lights her stack and starts to run back as well, with a stick of insence. Once she gets back to everyone, she is thankful to have her mask on and hood, bits and pieces everywhere, smoke a bit in her eyes. That is when her covered ears detect the sounds of a swarm, "I'd suggest leaving!" She says, ready to do just that!
Seeing everyone turn tail and run, Francis quickly leads the way, tossing the last few lit incense bundles down on more solid ground to confound their escape. Thankfully, no one gets stuck in the muck this time, but the swarms, thick as a cloud of...something really thick, pursues them with all the angry efficiency of a cloud of bloodsucking insects can, and poor Mazurek is assaulted a goodly number of times by the thumb-sized biting, stinging insects as best as they can through the dragon's scales and mud. It's not THAT far to the small shack that everyone passed by, but the obstructing mangroves and roots make it seem so, and Francis quickly throws open the door and ushers everyone inside, much to the surprise of the two other rangers in the place.
"Didn't know you were bringing back visitors, boy," one of them comments, a gray heron in a rocking chair. "Would've cooked up something otherwise."
"We'll be safe here," Francis explains to the group. "They can't get in - just have to wait a little while for the swarms to leave, and then you can head back to Scraggly Root for your payment."
