Aervana #1 - Group 2 - (IC Thread)

[Jory]

Roland gasped in pain, lying down on his back again. He raised his hand to the left side of his chest and began prodding it tenderly. He winced every so often, his brow furrowed in concentration as he examined himself for injuries. He then looked to Nash and Alleria once more. "I believe I have a couple of broken ribs. Nothing some kind words from the lovely Rhea will not be able to fix," Roland said, his face contorting in pain as he laughed at his own joke.

[Marissa]

Much to her surprise, Alleria felt the ranger put a hand on her sholder. "Yes, Alleria, I am alright. Do not feel badly about this. I knew the risks when I decided to join this quest." He then grimanced due to the pain from his injuries, and Alleria couldn't help but wince. "We all inhabit this world together, Alleria. A wise man once told me that if we were meant to fight each other, we would all have been born with teeth and claws. Instead, we were born with minds greater than those of most. We should use them for good, not turn them toward making those very same tools of conflict.

His words were suprisingly profound. She tried to take a moment to truly reflect on them, to learn from their wisdom, but her thoughts were inturrupted by Crag. "Well your quite the optimist now aren't you Master Roland. Though I will admit that its not a bad thing to be sometimes." He then turned toward her. "Well My Lady Alleria i guess I actually did gain a profit from using my black powder if I gained even a little of your trust. Which on a venture like this is worth more then the gold I would have gained from it normally." He did one of his signature bows, then added with a chuckle, "Though i wish there was some of the more profitable parts of the wurm left so I could at least of gained a little more from it."

Alleria couldn't help but smile at that. Some things didn't change. She heard Roland let out another pained gasp, and watched worriedly as he examined himself for injuries. "I believe I have a couple of broken ribs. Nothing some kind words from the lovely Rhea will not be able to fix."

"I'll go back and fetch Rhea, if that's alright with everyone else." Alleria offered. "I'm not sure it's a good idea to try and move you like this," she said gesturing to the ranger.

[Flux]

Rhea entered the clearing in a rush, Megaira just behind her. She could see the others off in the treeline, looking at something on the ground -- everybody except Roland. Immediately, she feared for the worst.

"Is somebody hurt?" she called out, running over to the group. She saw Roland lying on the ground, but breathed a sigh of relief at his consciousness.

"Roland here has a few broken ribs," Nash said. "He took a bad hit from that wurm."

She nodded to Nash, already muttering the words to the necessary prayer. She had noticed the cuts along his face and his blackened armor. He would need a little healing as well, but Roland was the priority right now.

******

It had been a full day since the wurm attack, and the group had finally arrived in Saarid, a small town on the border of the Shantii Desert. The sun was setting as the group walked into the only road of the town, shops and houses stretching down either side. Nash approached the Roasted Boar, a small tavern and the first necessary stop in the village. He entered alone, having told the group to wait outside as it would only be a minute or two. He walked up to the bartender, a rough man with an honest face.

"Has a man called Gillem been through here in the past few days?" Nash asked. The first thing to make sure of was that Gillem had even reached Saarid. The man paused in thought for a second, before seeming to come to a realization.

"Aye, he did, an' he caused quite a ruckus when 'e came through. Started spouting 'bout "demons" an' "savin' the world."" The man paused, seeming to remember another important detail. "Left me with quite a mess t' clean up as well. He was draggin' around some demon body. Ain't one o' the staff who would touch the thing after he left."

Nash nodded. So he showed it to them... It's just as well, the group needs to know what we're up against. I suppose I'll break the news to my own group. I doubt they'll leave, but they should still know. They seem pretty committed.

"Thank you, sir," he said to the man, and tossed him a silver coin before leaving the bar.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nash approached the group that awaited him outside.

"There's something I've been meaning to tell all of you," he began. "I should have told you sooner, but there's nothing to be done about it now." He took a breath. He figured it would be best to deliver the news bluntly. "I fear we may be facing the return of the demons." He held up a hand before any of them could protest. "The demons have been gone from our world for centuries, but know that I myself, along with Rhea and Gillem, have seen such creatures walking our land again." He paused to allow it to sink it. "I understand if you wish to leave upon hearing this. I will even give you a paid wage for the traveling this far. However, I don't believe any of you to be the types who would back out now. Our world itself is the cost, and we are here to defend it."

With that, he began walking towards a general store for supplies. As he walked, he called back,

"I expect to see all of you here tomorrow morning. Make sure you fill your waterskins."

((OOC: Feel free to RP ahead to the next morning. No need to wait for me.))

Edited May 5, 2014 by Flux

[Jory]

Roland nodded at Nash's suggestions. He quickly turned to the rest of the group. "I will be going to the inn for the evening, if any of you care to join me." With that, Roland turned and strode toward Roasted Boar. He approached the innkeeper, a gruff-looking man who seemed to be wiping down a clean tankard with a rather dirty looking rag. He frowned slightly, then recovered. "Excuse me, but are there any rooms available for the night?" Roland reached to his waist and unhooked a small bag of coins, lifting it above the bar and jingling the coins inside. The innkeeper smiled and filled the now-dirty tankard with ale, handing it to Roland.

"Aye, and ya get a free ale with a room tonight!" the innkeeper said with false enthusiasm. He grumbled something about trying to get people to come back, grabbing Roland's coinpurse and taking out five silver coins before slamming it on the counter and stalking off into the kitchen. Roland opened his mouth to say something, then closed it, dismissing the innkeeper as absolutely mental. He looked at the number on the key for his room. Room Four, he thought to himself. He walked into the hall on the wall opposite the entrance and walked to the fourth door on the left. The ranger put the key in the hole and turned it, entering the room. There was one large bed and a footlocker in the room. Roland sighed in contentment and closed the door-accidentally leaving it unlocked-, taking off his armor and boots. He then collapsed into the bed and fell asleep.

OOC:

He's still able to be interacted with at night.

Edited June 3, 2014 by Jory

[Nico Nico Nii~]

Megaira thought of where to sleep during the night, since chances are that most people would hate having a Dok sleeping in their inn and probable end up kicking her out even if she offered more than enough to stay for one week. As the rest of the group decided on what to do Roland told them," I will be going to the inn for the evening, if any of you care to join me." At first Megaira looked around to find any inns that would take her in for the night. As she enters the few she did dare to enter, she was given looks of hatred a second or so when they realized what she was, and overcome with the hatred in these inns she left even before getting halfway to the innkeeper. She remembered how Roland said he was going to an inn right away, and she remembered it was at the Roasted Boar, which was a inn she didn't check in. She walked in trying to cover her face and asked the innkeeper about Roland.

"I don't know no Roland, what he look like?" Megaira explained to the innkeeper how Roland appeared, and the innkeeper replied with, "Aye, he is here. Do ya got business with em?" "Umm," Megaira began to explain, "he was too... too.. get a room for the both of us, yes that's it." The innkeeper looked at Megaira with a suspicious look. He then began to talk," But ya see, he paid for one, not two." "Oh, I guess he forgot about me then. Well, that's normal considering all things that happened to us today." "You," he began, "you not one of em Doks are ya?" She knew this would happen if an innkeeper asked her, and then began to explain her excuse," Oh, no. I am no Dok, I am merely dressing up as one of them, for a play of some sorts you see. We were told to find shelter for a night and then head out tomorrow, that's all." "So this Roland lad, he a member too?" "Uh, yes, he is. He had an intense part today and must have forgotten to pay for me, that's all." He still had the look of suspicion on his face. "If you just an actor, whynot just take the outfit off?" "Umm, the leader wanted me to learn the true life of a Dok, so he told me not to remove my outfit off." He looked at Megaira's eyes, and then replied with," Fine, ya just gotta pay your own and ya can sleep in the same room, is that fine?" "Yes, that's fine," she said taking our some money. "How much is a night stay?" "It'd be just 5 silver coins" She then handed him the coins and he told her to go to room 4, where he said Roland was staying in.

She walked to Room 4, and knocked once before realizing the door was still unlocked as she tried to open it. She walked in and saw Roland asleep on the bed. "Might as well sleep on the floor, no different than sleeping out there I suppose." She then laid her possessions next to the left side of the bed and then fell asleep next to her possessions.

[Marissa]

Alleria decided she wanted a good meal before retiring for the night. She entered a small establishment and asked for their specialty without even checking what it was. After all, adventurers should be adventurous right? It turned out to be some meat she couldn't identify (although it tasted all right), home made bread, and fresh fruits; much to her surprise. She didn't think they'd have many out here in a desert.

It made more sense when she saw the bill.

After dinner she turned in for the night at a local inn. She couldn't help but think about what Nash had said about demons. Sure, she had heard rumors but having them confirmed was another thing entirely. Surely they would be more powerful than the wyrm, and they had barely escaped from that alive. How much more dangerous was this journey going to get? But she couldn't give up this quest. Not when the world was so deprived of mana that even elvish magic was beginning to fail. They would need all the mana they could get if they hoped to take on these demons. She wouldn't let them take over this land. It was with those thoughts that she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, after double checking to make sure she had replenished her water supply, she headed off to where Nash had designated they meet. The sooner they reached their next destination the better. They had no time to waste.

[Flux]

Nash and Rhea stood outside the Roasted Boar, awaiting the rest of the group to arrive. Nash could see Alleria making her way over. None of them had spoken to him the night before about leaving, so that was a good sign. Still, he had flickering doubts. He decided that it was best to brush them away. He had restocked their supplies, and soon they would meet up with Gillem in Sakiiri. He would have an optimistic attitude. That being decided, he awaited for everyone to gather.

[rustytengo]

Craig having disappeared into the market place after Nash told everyone to prepare for the trip. Well being the thief he was preparing meant acquiring things without buying them so after spending a little time in the market taking a little from here and there so no one would notice things missing he went back to the inn. and slept for the night. Waking up he headed to meet everyone.

"Ah Master Nash it seems I'm the first one to arrive you seem a bit troubled anything i could help with?" He asked.

[Jory]

Roland woke up and saw Megaira on the floor. He chuckled lightly, then nudged the Dok with his foot. "It is time to leave, Megaira. I will see you on the road." With that, the ranger dressed himself and left the room. He walked out the door of the inn and down the street toward a small storefront. He entered and purchased travel rations for the remainder of the trip to the Shantii capital, then left. He saw Nash and Crag standing in the designated meeting spot and approached them.

"Crag, you rogue, how did you manage to get here before me?" Roland asked, smiling lightly.

[Nico Nico Nii~]

As morning rises Megaira slept as Roland awoke, and Roland then nodded Megaira with his foot and said, "It is time to leave, Megaira. I will see you on the road." As he dressed himself Megaira was having trouble waking up, and by the time Roland left she was on her feet, still yawning while gathering her possessions. She luckily left the inn avoiding the innkeeper and met up with the rest of the group, forgetting to replenish her water supply. She walked up to Nash and co, murmuring "Good morning", because of the fact she was half awake.

[Marissa]

"It seems I'm the last one," Alleria said as she arrived where the rest of the group was waiting. "Sorry to keep you." She had meant to arrive early too, but it appeared she had failed on that account. At least they couldn't have been waiting too long. "If everyone's ready, shall we set off?" She was eager to get out and do something to fix this situation the world was in, even if she wasn't exactly sure what to do yet. Something better than nothing after all. "Or is there anything else that needs to be taken care of before we continue?"

[Flux]

"Ah Master Nash it seems I'm the first one to arrive you seem a bit troubled anything i could help with?"

Nash shook his head, smiling lightly as the thief arrived. He had not expected the Vanda of all people to arrive first, if at all. He was certainly more trusting of Crag than he had been at the start of their journey. He watched the others arrive and make small talk, before Alleria took the final place among the group. He looked over to Rhea, who smiled back. The entire group had decided to stick with them. It was more than he had hoped for, that much was for sure. He spoke to them in his gruff voice, preparing to move.

"I see that you have all decided to stick with us." He grunted. " I'm glad to see you're all so dedicated." He turned to the side, looking down the long road towards the desert. The sun was blisteringly hot, and the heat could only get worse as the day went on. "We travel through the Shantii desert today, setting our sights on the capital. We'll make as much distance as we can before resting for the night." He paused, looking them over. "It's hot, so bring plenty of water. This is unfortunately not a desert to be traveled at night. Beasts of all manners hunt during that time, and they are much better suited to evening combat than we." He gave them all a firm look before mumbling. "Frankly, I didn't expect to see you all here this morning, but I'm not about to complain..." He grinned. "Without further ado, let's move out!"

*****

Rhea was exhausted. They had been traveling for hours, the sun bearing down on their backs. The desert looked the same no matter which way you turned, an endless sea of sand dunes and sparce vegetation. This vegetation was sometimes the only way to be sure you were facing the way you wanted to. The town had disappeared from sight quite a while ago, and there was no turning back. She took a small sip from her waterskin, being careful to save plenty for later. This was only the first day of their journey, though Nash said that they could reach Sakiiri by the second night if they kept this pace. She sighed. This pace was hard enough, but she wanted to reach the city as fast as possible. She smiled at the thought of seeing Gillem again. It seemed so long since the three of them had been together -- Nash, Gillem, and herself. She wondered what sort of people he would bring with him, but supposed she'd find out soon.

She was brought out of her daze by Nash's sudden stop. He was staring at something ahead. She squinted in the sunlight and followed his gaze. There were many scattered dark shapes ahead, but she couldn't make out what they were. Nash motioned for the group to move on. As they moved, she noticed that he had quickened his pace.

"Something's wrong..." she thought. "Nash seems to be on edge..."

She gasped as they came closer. The shapes had been farther away than they had seemed, but she could tell that they were large from where they stood now. The dark forms were bodies of some sort, curled and collapsed, spread out as they were. Rhea turned to Nash, a worried look on her face. The forms were like that of giant scorpions, with sharp, barbed stingers and giant pincers.

"Are those... scraeth...?" she asked shakily. Nash simply nodded, still staring straight ahead. He mumbled a reply.

"A few grand scraeth as well." Upon looking a second time, she could see that there were a few larger bodies scattered among the corpses, with two barbed tails rather than one. The sand was swept back into order by the wind, leaving no sign of the battle. However, there were some sections that still bore the red stain of blood. She looked at the green liquid pooled beneath one of the scraeth shells. A chill went up her spine.

"Scraeth bleed green..." she whispered, her eyes wide. "That's human blood..."

True enough, there were scattered fragments of metal, appearing to be small chips of armor that had been broken off during whatever battle had taken place. She looked at Nash in fear.

"You don't think... Gillem's group...?"

The last part was almost inaudible. Rhea was shaking, looking to be on the verge of collapse. Nash tried to reassure her, despite his own beliefs on the matter.

"We don't know that for sure. This could have been the work of a traveling caravan, or a group of mercenaries." He put a hand on her shoulder and gave a reassuring smile. "Besides, there aren't any human bodies here anyway. Whoever killed these scraeth must have gotten away."

He looked at the red blood, doubting his own words of reassurance. But he wouldn't let Rhea know his own worries. They would do her know good. For now, they needed to push on. He turned to the others.

"...If you can find anything of use here, take it. No one will be coming back for it. For now, we need to think logically and stay on guard. There could be more of these creatures around."

With that, he strode forward into what had previously been a battlefield. He was unnerved. There were too many corpes here to fit with the nature of scraeth. They traveled in small groups from what he had seen of them, but there were easily more than twenty here. He hoped the group could manage to avoid further trouble.

[Jory]

Roland observed the scraeths' bodies as the group picked their way through the aftermath of the battle. This must have been a brutal fight indeed, he noted to himself. Suddenly, an idea occurred to the ranger. He strode over to the corpse of one of the grand scraeth. He began his work quickly, moving to the rear of the large animal and following its tail down to the stinger. He then drew his largest dagger and made a brutal chopping stroke on the end of the tail, just at the joint where stinger met limb. The cut was clean, and Roland grinned. He upended the singer, putting it with its pointy side in the sand before plunging the knife into the area he'd cut earlier. He then took a rag from his travel bag and wiped down the blade before sheathing it. He then reached into the cut and pulled. In his hand was the venom gland from the barb of the scraeth. "Take notes, Rhea," he called loudly. "Scraeth venom can be applied to arrows and daggers to yield a potent result."

Roland gave a mock battle cry as he kicked over the used stinger, moving on to the grand scraeth's other barb and repeating the process.

Edited June 29, 2014 by Jory

[rustytengo]

"Scraeth venom can be applied to arrows and daggers to yield a potent result."

Crag perked up as he heard Roland say that. Smiling he responded "That is very true Master Roland, though it is even more useful if you can distil it to a purer form. Its quite profitable as well in that form. I would suggest we hurry up these corpses will most likely lure some other creatures, and i would rather not be around to meet some of those."

[Marissa]

Something was very wrong. Scraeth traveled in very small groups, yet judging from their bodies littered about this group must have been a very large one. And their had been multiple grand scraeth. Not a good sign at all. As selfish as it may be, she was thankful they had missed arriving for that battle. As she was staring at what remained of the battlefield, she saw Roland begin severing the stingers of one of the scraeth. She was going to ask him what he was doing, before he provided the answer himself. Even Crag chimed in about how it was even more potent and profitable when distilled into a purer form. The idea of stealing their venom and using it as a weapon had never occurred to her. The more this journey went on, the more painfully obvious it became to her that she was the least seasoned member of the group. At least that problem should be corrected by the time their quest reached it's conclusion.

"I would suggest we hurry up these corpses will most likely lure some other creatures, and i would rather not be around to meet some of those," Crag spoke.

"I agree," Alleria said. "This place gives me a bad feeling." She had tried reasoning why so many scraeth would band together, and the conclusions didn't necessarily bode well for the group. On the one hand, it may have been some of them were forced out of their territories and into another group due to a natural disaster. On the other hand, perhaps something bigger and stronger than the scraeth had forced them to band together for protection. She remembered what Nash had said about demons and shuddered.

"I should very much like to reach this Gillem you spoke of earlier before we run into anymore trouble."

Edited July 2, 2014 by Marissa

[Nico Nico Nii~]

As the group comes to a pile of corpse, both human and scraeth, Nash told them to gather anything they need from the corpses. And as Roland went to gather the scraeth's poison Megaira did the same. Megaira walked a bit further than where the group was, and she then took a small dagger deep enough to leek out the poison and began filling her waterskins as she then realized she had forgotten to refill her's this morning, but it wouldn't matter as this would have her carry more than enough poison for what she needed it for. When she was done, making sure all the poison has leaked out, or at least most of it, she than began to cut off the two tails, putting it along with her belongings."These may make a fine weapon," she whispered to herself.

"I would suggest we hurry up these corpses will most likely lure some other creatures, and i would rather not be around to meet some of those," Crag said.

"I agree. This place gives me a bad feeling," Alleria added.

She then got back up, joining the group, assuming that they were prepared to leave, as she was.

[Jory]

Roland was the last to join the group at Nash's position. "I am of a similar opinion. Let us proceed." He then waited for Nash's signal to leave the wretched battlefield.

[Flux]

Nash nodded, seeing that everyone was ready.

"All right. Let's get moving then. Be on guard; we don't know what may lie ahead. Our next landmark will be the Pillars of Cre, which is just before the city. We'll likely rest for the night with them in sight."

With that, he started the group's pace once more. There were no other signs of the battle that had taken place as they moved, only the seemingly endless sand. Nash had started into his second waterskin, determined to make headway. As the sun began to set, the Pillars finally came into sight. Even from this distance, they seemed massive. One could only imagine how tall they were from up close, and how they had possibly been created. They continued traveling until the sun had completely set, the Pillars slowly growing as they approached. Eventually, Nash gave the signal to stop. He set his bags down, pulling a few blankets out and laying them in a pile.

"It gets cold at night here, so take some of these if you didn't bring your own. As I've said earlier, there are dangerous things that lurk in the night here, so we'll be taking watches. I can take first watch unless anyone else wants it."

He pulled some dried meat from a pouch in his bag, eating a few pieces before passing it around. Rhea spoke up as the pouch reached her, taking a few pieces for herself.

"Um, I can take a watch too. Whichever one is left over."

She was already wrapped in a blanket, but still shivering slightly. The air had definitely began to cool. A slight breeze wisped across the group. The night was silent so far, almost eerily so. There was no fire, due to lack of kindling in a desert. Nash hadn't had any more room to bring something of the sort. Rhea rolled on her side, preparing to get what sleep she could.

[Marissa]

They had walked for a long time, even managing to see the pillars before setting up camp for the night. Hopefully they would arrive at the city tomorrow if nothing went wrong. Nash sent out the call for watches, and Alleria was surprised to hear Rhea volunteer. Rhea definitely didn't seem like she would be able to fend off any intruders, especially as she was currently shivering even with a blanket on. Perhaps she felt bad that she hadn't taken a watch last time. Come to think of it, Alleria hadn't either. She supposed she should volunteer.

"I'll take the same watch as Rhea. It'll be easier to stay awake with company."

It wasn't just Rhea she was worried about, it was also herself. Both healers and mages didn't really do well fighting by themselves, and having someone around to wake the others up while the other one of them held off any attackers could only help things. And like she told Nash, having someone else to talk to would help pass the watch faster and make her less likely to fall asleep.

[Flux]

Nash sat alone at the edge of their camp, watching the wind blow the sand around. The moon was out, casting a soft glow over the wavy ground. The others were probably asleep by now; he had been at watch for almost an hour. He looked out at the Pillars, their mighty forms towering over the group even from this distance. They were a grand sight indeed, and the group would see their true majesty as they passed through them tomorrow. He let his eyes drift back out to the dunes. It was actually very calming right now, being surrounded by the sea of sand. Nash leaned back to look at the night sky. He picked out the constellation of Lagerius, the hero from the legends. He was sure that they would have need of his strength in their journey. As he sat up again, he was startled into a jump as a bloodcurdling roar shook the night sky. It made Nash himself afraid, though there was no way it had come from anywhere near the group. It had sounded almost as if... it had come from the Pillars. Nash steeled himself. They would pass through there tomorrow; there was no other way to the city from here due to the canyons that split to either side. They would have to be ready. He looked back to see if the others had awakened from the roar, but didn't see any movement among the group. They were probably exhausted from the traveling. He knew he was. They had come a long way, and trekking through sand required extra effort. He kept glancing to the Pillars for the rest of his watch, making sure that he would know if whatever had made that sound came out.

(((Rhea and Alleria's watch can begin now. If you don't get it posted up, I suppose I can double-post something. We'll head to the next day after that.)))

[Marissa]

Alleria and Rhea had taken their turn for watch, and so far it had been uneventful. Nash had mentioned he had heard a loud roar and that they should keep their guards up just in case, but they hadn't heard anything so far.

Alleria thought about the last conversation she had with Rhea, back when the group had first formed. Rhea had said she had started traveling with Nash and Gillem after they had rescued her group of priestesses from a bandit attack two years ago. They would likely be meeting Gillem soon, if all went well. Alleria was curious as to what kind of person he was.

"You had said earlier that it would be nice to see Gillem again," Alleria said to Rhea, breaking the silence. "What kind of person is he?" Alleria tried to picture him; was he a warrior like Nash? Or perhaps he'd be a paladin, giving him some common ground with both Nash and Rhea. Gillem could even be a bard. That would certainly be interesting.

Edited July 16, 2014 by Marissa

[Flux]

"You had said earlier that it would be nice to see Gillem again. What kind of person is he?"

Rhea smiled and seemed to drift into memories as she spoke.

"W-well... I think first and foremost in Gillem is his kindness. He is always there when you need him, and he can always seem to say the right thing to make you feel better. He's very understanding, and would never do anything that might be considered rude." She paused, thinking back to when they had traveled together.

"If you were talking about how he fights, well... he's a warrior, and a good one at that. He makes sure that his shield protects not only himself, but those around him as well. Beyond that, he's tall and very handsome." She stopped again, realizing what she had said. "W-well, at least I think he is. You'll get a better idea of just what he's like when you meet him yourself."

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The group had finally reached the Pillars of Cre, just as the sun reached the middle of the sky. The masses of stone stretched unbelievably high into the sky, so far that you couldn't see the tops when standing under them. As beautiful a sight as the Pillars were, something seemed...off... as they walked through the forest of stone. They came across a toppled pillar, a sight that was new to Nash's eyes. He would never have believed that such a structure could be toppled if he had not seen it for himself just now. The fallen pillar formed a wall in their path blocking their sight of what lay beyond, save for a section that had split in two, forming a small path they could walk through. Nash stepped through first, they group following a short distance behind. As he exited the other end of the fallen pillar, he stopped in his tracks, blocking the rest of the group from continuing.

"What... in the blazes...?" he whispered, slowly walking forward and allowing the group to continue. He approached one of the Pillars, and as the group exited the path, they could see what caused his unease. There were two crumpled bodies leaning against the pillar in a sitting position. They appeared to be elves, with blood pooled around their limp forms. There were gaping holes in their stomachs, the insides cleaned out. There heads were leaning against each other, and their hands were clasped, as if they were simply two lovers falling asleep. A large trail of blood left their location, moving further into the Pillars. Nash dropped to a knee.

"Could this be... the work of the creature I heard last night...?" he muttered. He stood up slowly, turning to face the rest of the group. He was visibly shaken, but his voice was firm.

"The creature that did this likely lurks farther in," he said, motioning towards the blood trail. There were hints of large hoof-prints stamped in the blood.

"I fear we have no choice but to continue. Pay what respects you will before we move forward. Whatever did this was clearly wounded in the effort. With any luck, we'll avoid it and reach the capital unscathed. Still, keep your guards up. Visibility is poor here..."

Edited July 22, 2014 by Flux

[Marissa]

"What could have done such a such a thing?" Alleria's voice was filled with pain and sorrow. These were Elves, her own people. She knelt down and took a moment to study their faces. They were unfamiliar to her. She sent a small prayer of thanks that it was no one she had known. But still, to have been killed in such a fashion...it was unforgivable.

"Drauthier watch over them," she said quietly. "And spare us." Alleria used her magic to create a deep trench beneath the two elves, and then covered them back over with earth to create a burial mound. It was far to plain and it lacked the proper rituals, but Alleria was no priestess. This was all she could do.

"When I find that...monster..." Alleria turned back to the rest of the group. "Please...help me finish it. I don't want anyone else to suffer like..." she gestured at the crude grave.

[Jory]

Roland approached Alleria and placed a hand upon her shoulder. "Do not worry, Alleria. We are all in this together. Should it come to that, which I can only hope it will not, we will either prevail or die as a group." The ranger then approached the blood of the beast as though he were approaching a cornered beast. It was dark and thick, and despite the scorching desert sun it had not yet begun to dry. Seemingly due to the heat, it gave off a foul odor that sent even a man who had had occasion to dine on rotten meat into a wretching fit. Roland backed away slowly, his mouth open in shock and disgust. "I now know what Gillem seeks to prevent. This... thing... It is wrong. It is evil in its very essence." The ranger then took a cloth bandanna from a pocket on his armor and wrapped his mouth and nose before edging close once more. He took a small amount on the tip of his knife, seeking to examine it more closely.

[Nico Nico Nii~]

Megaira just stared at the group, feeling little to no remorse for the deceased elves. She couldn't understand Alleria's pain of a pair of random elves, ones who she has probable never met before. She would tell Alleria how ridiculous it was, crying over strangers, but observing her reaction, it would be best to not say a thing. All she can do for now was just watch the group.