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Full Version: The Ghostfence rp: Playground 2
Apelles Velvus
Apelles charged head-on into the fray, locking weapons with a lean, muscular Dunmer with a steel shortsword. He used his broadsword's longer reach to his advantage, but this Ashlander was fast, and good with his shortblade. He parried and deflected Appelles's blows with the grace of a young, yet experienced fighter. Apparently, Apelles had picked a fight with the best swordsman of the group.
The cravaners fought more competently than he had expected. Out of the corner of his eye, Apelles could see Dranas Heleran slicing straight through the torso of one of them. Not bad for a common drug dealer.
This fight, too, was an atypical one. In Apelles's experience, most swordfights were brutal, inelegant, and over very quickly - one fighter gained an advantage over another (usually brought about by an opponent's mistake) and capitalized on it. But the Ashlander was simply moving too fast to leave enough of an opening for Apelles to exploit. And the Ashlander was too busy defending himself from the long reach of Apelles's broadsword to make an attack. There was a time, perhaps, as a younger man, when he might have been fast enough to exploit the brief, fleeting seams in the Dunmer's defense. But the reality was, he wasn't - he would need to rely on his experience and cunning.
Then, the Dunmer finally began to tire - Apelles could see it in his face, and in his slightly slowed movements. Suddenly, he abandoned his defense and made a desperate lunge for the torso. Apelles, surprised, stepped back. The blade barely even managed to penetrate part of the dragonscale armor that he wore. It was but a surface wound - and he had left himself exposed. Apelles plunged his broadsword through the Dunmer's back into his vital organs.
Apelles looked around. The Ashlanders on the ground were all dead. He sheathed his sword, grabbed his bow, and turned to face the remaining archers.
Apelles charged head-on into the fray, locking weapons with a lean, muscular Dunmer with a steel shortsword. He used his broadsword's longer reach to his advantage, but this Ashlander was fast, and good with his shortblade. He parried and deflected Appelles's blows with the grace of a young, yet experienced fighter. Apparently, Apelles had picked a fight with the best swordsman of the group.
The cravaners fought more competently than he had expected. Out of the corner of his eye, Apelles could see Dranas Heleran slicing straight through the torso of one of them. Not bad for a common drug dealer.
This fight, too, was an atypical one. In Apelles's experience, most swordfights were brutal, inelegant, and over very quickly - one fighter gained an advantage over another (usually brought about by an opponent's mistake) and capitalized on it. But the Ashlander was simply moving too fast to leave enough of an opening for Apelles to exploit. And the Ashlander was too busy defending himself from the long reach of Apelles's broadsword to make an attack. There was a time, perhaps, as a younger man, when he might have been fast enough to exploit the brief, fleeting seams in the Dunmer's defense. But the reality was, he wasn't - he would need to rely on his experience and cunning.
Then, the Dunmer finally began to tire - Apelles could see it in his face, and in his slightly slowed movements. Suddenly, he abandoned his defense and made a desperate lunge for the torso. Apelles, surprised, stepped back. The blade barely even managed to penetrate part of the dragonscale armor that he wore. It was but a surface wound - and he had left himself exposed. Apelles plunged his broadsword through the Dunmer's back into his vital organs.
Apelles looked around. The Ashlanders on the ground were all dead. He sheathed his sword, grabbed his bow, and turned to face the remaining archers.
OOC: hope you guys don't mind that i left a few alive; it makes sense to me, and gets things going faster.
Dralas
Dralas was about to let off another arrow, but he held back. With the death of their comrades on the ground, both archers were abandoning their positions and opting to flee.
Dralas let them go; they wouldn't be a threat anymore. He hoped. With the danger gone, Dralas stood up straight and exhaled a great sigh of relief. Relief turned quickly to sadness though, when he looked at the dead on the ground. He sat down on the rock that was previously his cover, waiting for the adrenalin to subside.
"Talk about unexpected," he said to nobody in particular, lighting a hackle-lo. He knew that the caravan had likely gone too far to catch up to now, and didn't even consider it.
Might as well sit for a moment before we all try to walk to ghostgate by ourselves.
Dralas
Dralas was about to let off another arrow, but he held back. With the death of their comrades on the ground, both archers were abandoning their positions and opting to flee.
Dralas let them go; they wouldn't be a threat anymore. He hoped. With the danger gone, Dralas stood up straight and exhaled a great sigh of relief. Relief turned quickly to sadness though, when he looked at the dead on the ground. He sat down on the rock that was previously his cover, waiting for the adrenalin to subside.
"Talk about unexpected," he said to nobody in particular, lighting a hackle-lo. He knew that the caravan had likely gone too far to catch up to now, and didn't even consider it.
Might as well sit for a moment before we all try to walk to ghostgate by ourselves.
Rianne
Rianne hated senseless killing, and she was happy Dralas let two of their folks to get away. She went over to him and gently squeezed his left shoulder, to show him some support. She took his hand with the hackle-lo and inhaled the spicy smoke.
"Yeah, that was unexpected indeed" she said sadly...
I wonder..the caravan is far ahead of us, maybe we should just go ourselves
She looked at Dralas...and made a faint sign, hoping he would understand her thoughts
Rianne hated senseless killing, and she was happy Dralas let two of their folks to get away. She went over to him and gently squeezed his left shoulder, to show him some support. She took his hand with the hackle-lo and inhaled the spicy smoke.
"Yeah, that was unexpected indeed" she said sadly...
I wonder..the caravan is far ahead of us, maybe we should just go ourselves
She looked at Dralas...and made a faint sign, hoping he would understand her thoughts
Dranas Heleran
Dranas looked up from the bloodscape at his feet. The archers had melted away, hopefully never to return, and now he was free to feel pain again. And did he ever. His left shoulder was torn apart and bleeding heavily. He walked over to his (miraculously unwounded) guars and fumbled around in one of his packs with good arm. He found a vial the color of alabaster and drank it.
"Ugh," he groaned. The shoulder rapidly began to heal--blood vessels reconstructed themselves, tissues and ligaments found their proper places--it was both soothing and sickening. Inside a minute the gaping wound had been reduced to a modest scar.
Free of his agony, Dranas remembered that he was in the company of others.
"Is everyone alright? I've got a few extra potions for those who can't heal themselves."
Dranas looked up from the bloodscape at his feet. The archers had melted away, hopefully never to return, and now he was free to feel pain again. And did he ever. His left shoulder was torn apart and bleeding heavily. He walked over to his (miraculously unwounded) guars and fumbled around in one of his packs with good arm. He found a vial the color of alabaster and drank it.
"Ugh," he groaned. The shoulder rapidly began to heal--blood vessels reconstructed themselves, tissues and ligaments found their proper places--it was both soothing and sickening. Inside a minute the gaping wound had been reduced to a modest scar.
Free of his agony, Dranas remembered that he was in the company of others.
"Is everyone alright? I've got a few extra potions for those who can't heal themselves."
OOC: No problem. This isn't the game where no one ever heard of self-preservation. Fleeing makes sense.
Haz
Haz shook his head as the battle came to an end.
"That was delightfully barbaric. So much for this elegance in bloodshed those elves talk about." He thought.
"No, I'm fine." He then rasped, glad that the deep folds of his robe hid the arrow-wound he'd suffered. He was less glad now for having broken the oath of silence but now that he'd done, he would stick with it.
"If they find out I'm Argonian, I'm dead."
Haz looked at the older Dunmer beside him. Eno was still sitting on his knees, covering his face with both hands.
"This...is insanity. Why did they...why did we have to fight?" The man muttered.
"I think the old one requires healing though. Healing of the mind, not the body."
Haz
Haz shook his head as the battle came to an end.
"That was delightfully barbaric. So much for this elegance in bloodshed those elves talk about." He thought.
"No, I'm fine." He then rasped, glad that the deep folds of his robe hid the arrow-wound he'd suffered. He was less glad now for having broken the oath of silence but now that he'd done, he would stick with it.
"If they find out I'm Argonian, I'm dead."
Haz looked at the older Dunmer beside him. Eno was still sitting on his knees, covering his face with both hands.
"This...is insanity. Why did they...why did we have to fight?" The man muttered.
"I think the old one requires healing though. Healing of the mind, not the body."
Apelles Velvus
"I have my own, thanks," he half-grunted, pulling a small vial from within his belt. He'd be damned before he took another comestible substance of any kind from Dranas Heleran.
He raised his voice to call out to the rest of the group. "Anyone who doesn't is more than welcome to mine or his. Frankly, we're lucky we weren't all killed. We were fortunate to have been subjected to one of the most poorly-executed attacks I've ever witnessed. Rather surprising to see Ashlanders botch a raid so badly.
"The archers were well-hidden, but just far enough away so they couldn't shoot once their friends got close. That's the stupid part - they didn't need to get close; just block our path. If they'd stayed put inside the foyada and not gotten close, we wouldn't be standing here right now.
"They hadn't counted on us organizing ourselves so quickly - they probably expected us to panic and not try to fight back. They didn't think it mattered what they did. They thought we were weak. They broke Rule #1 of combat: never underestimate your opponent. They also counted on the archers annihilating us quickly. They didn't. But if that guar had died twenty feet closer to the edge of the foyada, they certainly would have. It was luck - luck and stupidity that kept us alive."
He wiped some of the blood off his sword. "We need to catch up with the caravan by nightfall. If we set up camp alone tonight, there's a good chance they'll attack us again. We have no way of knowing how many of them are left - there could be three, or thirteen, or thirty for all I know. And I can guarantee you they won't make the same mistakes they did this time. If they do come back, hey'll come back in bigger numbers - and better prepared to fight. Thanks to those two witnesses, they will know exactly how tough we are, and what our weaknesses might be. We wouldn't stand a chance."
In truth, he doubted that this would happen. The Ashlanders had been routed and demoralized. But he wasn't prepared to rule out the possibility entirely.
"We can make it to Assarnatamat about an hour after the caravan does if we double-time it the rest of the way. So I wouldn't nurse your wounds too long."
"I have my own, thanks," he half-grunted, pulling a small vial from within his belt. He'd be damned before he took another comestible substance of any kind from Dranas Heleran.
He raised his voice to call out to the rest of the group. "Anyone who doesn't is more than welcome to mine or his. Frankly, we're lucky we weren't all killed. We were fortunate to have been subjected to one of the most poorly-executed attacks I've ever witnessed. Rather surprising to see Ashlanders botch a raid so badly.
"The archers were well-hidden, but just far enough away so they couldn't shoot once their friends got close. That's the stupid part - they didn't need to get close; just block our path. If they'd stayed put inside the foyada and not gotten close, we wouldn't be standing here right now.
"They hadn't counted on us organizing ourselves so quickly - they probably expected us to panic and not try to fight back. They didn't think it mattered what they did. They thought we were weak. They broke Rule #1 of combat: never underestimate your opponent. They also counted on the archers annihilating us quickly. They didn't. But if that guar had died twenty feet closer to the edge of the foyada, they certainly would have. It was luck - luck and stupidity that kept us alive."
He wiped some of the blood off his sword. "We need to catch up with the caravan by nightfall. If we set up camp alone tonight, there's a good chance they'll attack us again. We have no way of knowing how many of them are left - there could be three, or thirteen, or thirty for all I know. And I can guarantee you they won't make the same mistakes they did this time. If they do come back, hey'll come back in bigger numbers - and better prepared to fight. Thanks to those two witnesses, they will know exactly how tough we are, and what our weaknesses might be. We wouldn't stand a chance."
In truth, he doubted that this would happen. The Ashlanders had been routed and demoralized. But he wasn't prepared to rule out the possibility entirely.
"We can make it to Assarnatamat about an hour after the caravan does if we double-time it the rest of the way. So I wouldn't nurse your wounds too long."
Dralas
Despite what Appelles said, Dralas didn't think that the ashlanders would be back. They were rogues, and not part of any official tribe. Rag-tag bands like that didn't have the numbers to spare. They had probably seen most, if not all of that particular group. Dralas knew all three of the archers, but none of the others that lay dead around them. The only explanation he could come up with was that the Shishara brothers were exiled, and joined a group of rogue ashlanders. The Erabenimsun wouldn't be found so far west anyway. Either way, in the world of the caravan, the escort was the authority, so Dralas held his tongue.
With no wounds of his own to lick, Dralas climbed up to where the archers had been to examine the body he'd killed. Up close, there was no doubt. This was indeed Musan Shishara. A few months ago, there were four Shishara brothers. As of now, there were now two dead by Dralas' hand. And two more out there.
But why were they exiled? Were they after me personally or was it coincidence?
He took Musan's quiver of arrows and his canteen. He would have buried the mer, but there was no time.
Despite what Appelles said, Dralas didn't think that the ashlanders would be back. They were rogues, and not part of any official tribe. Rag-tag bands like that didn't have the numbers to spare. They had probably seen most, if not all of that particular group. Dralas knew all three of the archers, but none of the others that lay dead around them. The only explanation he could come up with was that the Shishara brothers were exiled, and joined a group of rogue ashlanders. The Erabenimsun wouldn't be found so far west anyway. Either way, in the world of the caravan, the escort was the authority, so Dralas held his tongue.
With no wounds of his own to lick, Dralas climbed up to where the archers had been to examine the body he'd killed. Up close, there was no doubt. This was indeed Musan Shishara. A few months ago, there were four Shishara brothers. As of now, there were now two dead by Dralas' hand. And two more out there.
But why were they exiled? Were they after me personally or was it coincidence?
He took Musan's quiver of arrows and his canteen. He would have buried the mer, but there was no time.
Rothan
Rothan waved away the healing potion and cast a healing spell, his wounded arm made it clumsy and he had to cast a second before the gash was reduced to a scab and his ribs were well enough to continue. He sighed and looked at the dead, all ashlanders and none worthy of proper burial.
"I think the old one requires healing though. Healing of the mind, not the body," the pilgrim said. His voice was raspy, from disuse Rothan guessed.
He went to the pair, "Are you alright?" he directed the question to both then looked up, "Is anyone injured, we might want to conserve potions and if it's mild my magic might be enough."
Rothan waved away the healing potion and cast a healing spell, his wounded arm made it clumsy and he had to cast a second before the gash was reduced to a scab and his ribs were well enough to continue. He sighed and looked at the dead, all ashlanders and none worthy of proper burial.
"I think the old one requires healing though. Healing of the mind, not the body," the pilgrim said. His voice was raspy, from disuse Rothan guessed.
He went to the pair, "Are you alright?" he directed the question to both then looked up, "Is anyone injured, we might want to conserve potions and if it's mild my magic might be enough."
Haz
Haz nodded in response to the priest's question.
"I'm fine. The archers never hit me." He said, making sure not to hold his arm which still hurt. He then bent down and pulled Eno back onto his feet.
"Physically, the old man is fine. It's only his mind that's ill...or weak." He continued.
"Maybe he'll become better when he's calmed down."
Haz nodded in response to the priest's question.
"I'm fine. The archers never hit me." He said, making sure not to hold his arm which still hurt. He then bent down and pulled Eno back onto his feet.
"Physically, the old man is fine. It's only his mind that's ill...or weak." He continued.
"Maybe he'll become better when he's calmed down."
Dranas Heleran
"If everyone's alright now we bloody well ought to get moving. I'll have these guars ready to go in just a moment here, and once I'm moving I ain't going to be slowing down for any stragglers, eh?"
Not waiting for any reply, Dranas re-secured his load and gave it a brief inspection. It would work. He took up the leather leads and took a step forward.
"Let's go."
"If everyone's alright now we bloody well ought to get moving. I'll have these guars ready to go in just a moment here, and once I'm moving I ain't going to be slowing down for any stragglers, eh?"
Not waiting for any reply, Dranas re-secured his load and gave it a brief inspection. It would work. He took up the leather leads and took a step forward.
"Let's go."
Erna
Erna panted with a grin of manic glee, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the adrenaline pumping through his veins began to subside. After a few moments of standing there, savouring the pure, destructive joy of the short moment, Erna shook his head to try and clear it. He didn't want to enjoy himself too much-his sudden and unprovoked yell of 'Mehrunes Dagon' had nearly given him away, and if it wasn't for the din of battle his travelling companions would definitely have noticed him.
He crouched down next to the corpse of one of the Ashlanders he had killed, poking at the man's crushed windpipe, before getting up and calling out; "Anybody got a potion?"
He would have rather left the few cuts and bruises he had sustained present as a tribute to his master, but he could ill afford to draw suspicion to himself.
Erna panted with a grin of manic glee, his chest rising and falling rapidly as the adrenaline pumping through his veins began to subside. After a few moments of standing there, savouring the pure, destructive joy of the short moment, Erna shook his head to try and clear it. He didn't want to enjoy himself too much-his sudden and unprovoked yell of 'Mehrunes Dagon' had nearly given him away, and if it wasn't for the din of battle his travelling companions would definitely have noticed him.
He crouched down next to the corpse of one of the Ashlanders he had killed, poking at the man's crushed windpipe, before getting up and calling out; "Anybody got a potion?"
He would have rather left the few cuts and bruises he had sustained present as a tribute to his master, but he could ill afford to draw suspicion to himself.
Rianne
Rianne handed Erna a vial, a purple one which she took from her backpack. it was a good potent potion, made by herself in fact.
"Here you are" she said politely "it will get you fixed rapidly" she added with a faint smile
Then she looked for Dralas and noticed he'd gone up to the rock where the archers had been. He was standing looking at the corpses. Rianne sensed some awkward feelings and went up to him.
"Did you know him?" she asked...
Rianne handed Erna a vial, a purple one which she took from her backpack. it was a good potent potion, made by herself in fact.
"Here you are" she said politely "it will get you fixed rapidly" she added with a faint smile
Then she looked for Dralas and noticed he'd gone up to the rock where the archers had been. He was standing looking at the corpses. Rianne sensed some awkward feelings and went up to him.
"Did you know him?" she asked...
Dralas
Dralas nodded solemnly, "For as long as I can remember."
His mind was full of scattered thoughts at that moment, and he didn't know what else to say. Maybe nothing needed to be said. He noticed Dranas moving along, and the others getting ready. He finished off his hackle-lo and tossed the rest on the ground.
"I think they're trying to move," he finally said, "Want to help me get Morrie so we can go?"
Dralas nodded solemnly, "For as long as I can remember."
His mind was full of scattered thoughts at that moment, and he didn't know what else to say. Maybe nothing needed to be said. He noticed Dranas moving along, and the others getting ready. He finished off his hackle-lo and tossed the rest on the ground.
"I think they're trying to move," he finally said, "Want to help me get Morrie so we can go?"
Erna
Erna gulped down the potion Rianne had given him and nodded his thanks to her as she went off to have heart to heart with her ashlander boyfriend.
He wandered over to his guar, which had stayed where it was during the fight. That was good; it meant that his experiment was working. Just to be sure, hem ran a hand over the tiny, almost invisible runes etched into its back and felt a throb of power from them, instigating a grunt from his guar.
He grabbed the reins and called; "C'mon, let's go!"
Erna gulped down the potion Rianne had given him and nodded his thanks to her as she went off to have heart to heart with her ashlander boyfriend.
He wandered over to his guar, which had stayed where it was during the fight. That was good; it meant that his experiment was working. Just to be sure, hem ran a hand over the tiny, almost invisible runes etched into its back and felt a throb of power from them, instigating a grunt from his guar.
He grabbed the reins and called; "C'mon, let's go!"
Eno Arval
Eno was still shivering as the pilgrim led him firmly back to his Guar.
"We can't give you time to rest. You'll have to come with us now." The hooded man rasped. If it was meant to be apologetic, it didn't sound like it.
The instrument-maker had been shocked by the sudden battle. There was no way he could deny it. But it wasn't just because of the bloodshed and his response to it, it was also the knowledge that he was the only one who had practically collapsed into a gibbering wreck.
"I shouldn't be like this. I was Redoran once, ALMSIVI! Am I not supposed to be strong of mind and spirit? Just what happened that I become so stressed at the mere thought of combat?" He thought, his body now moving on its own and guiding his Guar, the Kagouti bone strapped to its side bobbing with each step.
He knew the answer to that question of course. Some people could face death while their spirit remained tranquil like the lake that housed Vivec. But others, like him would be swept away in the raging waves of their own fear. He had faced death, and had sunk beneath the waves. That was why he was no longer Redoran, and that was why he had broken down now.
Eno was still shivering as the pilgrim led him firmly back to his Guar.
"We can't give you time to rest. You'll have to come with us now." The hooded man rasped. If it was meant to be apologetic, it didn't sound like it.
The instrument-maker had been shocked by the sudden battle. There was no way he could deny it. But it wasn't just because of the bloodshed and his response to it, it was also the knowledge that he was the only one who had practically collapsed into a gibbering wreck.
"I shouldn't be like this. I was Redoran once, ALMSIVI! Am I not supposed to be strong of mind and spirit? Just what happened that I become so stressed at the mere thought of combat?" He thought, his body now moving on its own and guiding his Guar, the Kagouti bone strapped to its side bobbing with each step.
He knew the answer to that question of course. Some people could face death while their spirit remained tranquil like the lake that housed Vivec. But others, like him would be swept away in the raging waves of their own fear. He had faced death, and had sunk beneath the waves. That was why he was no longer Redoran, and that was why he had broken down now.
Rianne
"Sure!" She smiled and snapped her fingers twice. The big Guar came shambling towards her, waving its big head
She put her hand on its neck and whispered something in its ear...
"Ok, let's get moving then."
Rianne took out her flute and started playing....
"Sure!" She smiled and snapped her fingers twice. The big Guar came shambling towards her, waving its big head
She put her hand on its neck and whispered something in its ear...
"Ok, let's get moving then."
Rianne took out her flute and started playing....
OOC: how fast are we trying to get to ghostgate? i think we should try to get there soon...
Dralas
As the flute played its melody, his thoughts drifted-- mostly towards the past. Back to a time where he and the Shishara brothers hunted together. Musan even saved his life once when they were young. They had accidentally stumbled on a kagouti's nest, and the mother kagouti was none too happy. Dralas remembered being cornered by a steep cliff, and closing his eyes tightly, fully expecting to die. If given another second, the kagouti would have impaled him, but Musan had shown up with an arrow just in time.
And I repaid the favor by killing him. he thought to himself bitterly. So much in life could change so quickly. The ironic thought crossed his mind that Musan had always been far better with a bow and arrow than he.
His mind snapped back to the present, and he stared at the ground. There were hundreds of footprints left by the men, mer, and guars ahead of them, but it was unnecessary to follow them. The foyada was the ashlander equivalent of a road, and it was one he'd seen often. Dralas predicted that it would be a fairly smooth journey from here, assuming his luck would leave him alone for a day or two.
Dralas found this leg of the trip more enjoyable than the previous. Traipsing around with the caravan seemed like living in a moving city, while traveling with a small group such as this was more to his liking.
Dralas
As the flute played its melody, his thoughts drifted-- mostly towards the past. Back to a time where he and the Shishara brothers hunted together. Musan even saved his life once when they were young. They had accidentally stumbled on a kagouti's nest, and the mother kagouti was none too happy. Dralas remembered being cornered by a steep cliff, and closing his eyes tightly, fully expecting to die. If given another second, the kagouti would have impaled him, but Musan had shown up with an arrow just in time.
And I repaid the favor by killing him. he thought to himself bitterly. So much in life could change so quickly. The ironic thought crossed his mind that Musan had always been far better with a bow and arrow than he.
His mind snapped back to the present, and he stared at the ground. There were hundreds of footprints left by the men, mer, and guars ahead of them, but it was unnecessary to follow them. The foyada was the ashlander equivalent of a road, and it was one he'd seen often. Dralas predicted that it would be a fairly smooth journey from here, assuming his luck would leave him alone for a day or two.
Dralas found this leg of the trip more enjoyable than the previous. Traipsing around with the caravan seemed like living in a moving city, while traveling with a small group such as this was more to his liking.
Dranas Heleran
Satisfied that at least some of the party was ready to move, Dranas turned and started walking, and quickly. Probably they wouldn't be able to catch up with the caravan this night, but he wanted to cover as much ground as possible.
He steered his guars around the fallen ashlanders and moved implacably up the foyada.
Satisfied that at least some of the party was ready to move, Dranas turned and started walking, and quickly. Probably they wouldn't be able to catch up with the caravan this night, but he wanted to cover as much ground as possible.
He steered his guars around the fallen ashlanders and moved implacably up the foyada.
Haz
Haz looked at the fallen Dunmer and sneered. He had no love for them and welcomed their death but at the same time, he cursed them for the delay they had caused. Who knew how far the caravan had gotten ahead of them now. And while they'd survived this obstacle, they might not be so fortunate next time. Not to mention that their tools of healing were limited.
"And the fact that I can't use them." He thought, rubbing the wound on his arm.
He looked at the only woman in the group, who was playing a flute.
"So soon after killing their own kind. Have they no love for their own blood brothers and sisters? How barbaric."
He next focussed his attention on the pale one. The man seemed to think himself the leader, and Haz wondered how long it would be before someone would challenge him for that position.
"It doesn't seem as if the others take his word willingly."
Haz looked at the fallen Dunmer and sneered. He had no love for them and welcomed their death but at the same time, he cursed them for the delay they had caused. Who knew how far the caravan had gotten ahead of them now. And while they'd survived this obstacle, they might not be so fortunate next time. Not to mention that their tools of healing were limited.
"And the fact that I can't use them." He thought, rubbing the wound on his arm.
He looked at the only woman in the group, who was playing a flute.
"So soon after killing their own kind. Have they no love for their own blood brothers and sisters? How barbaric."
He next focussed his attention on the pale one. The man seemed to think himself the leader, and Haz wondered how long it would be before someone would challenge him for that position.
"It doesn't seem as if the others take his word willingly."
Rianne
She walked beside Dralas, noticing his thoughtfulness. She had understood he knew the fallen ashlanders but not to what extent, and reading his facial expression she got a feeling he knew them better than she really wanted to know. Rianne continued her playing, while she looked at the others in the small group.
She noticed resentment from the cloaked figure she noticed before, he probably thought it was unappropriate to play music when there had been killings, killings of her own people, but how could he know that the tune she played was of honor to the dead!
She shrugged and continued walking...
She walked beside Dralas, noticing his thoughtfulness. She had understood he knew the fallen ashlanders but not to what extent, and reading his facial expression she got a feeling he knew them better than she really wanted to know. Rianne continued her playing, while she looked at the others in the small group.
She noticed resentment from the cloaked figure she noticed before, he probably thought it was unappropriate to play music when there had been killings, killings of her own people, but how could he know that the tune she played was of honor to the dead!
She shrugged and continued walking...
Eno Arval
Eno had never dared dream that he would ever be glad to see the jagged dark edges of a Daedric shrine. Yet, when his eyes caught the first malevolent peak piercing the sky, he muttered a few words of relief.
"Finally, we're there." He whispered.
"Now all I want is to turn right around and take the first caravan home. No more adventurous journeys through the ashlands!"
As they approached, a few members of the temple approached them, flanked by a pair of Armigers.
"Halt! Who are you and why did you come?!" One of the Armigers shouted. Then, he lifted his helmet to get a better look.
"By the...Hey, are you part of that caravan that came through here not too long ago? It's captain claimed that a small group went back to take over a dead Guar's load, only to never return. Reckoned they'd been slain by wild beasts, or worse. Well, are you that group? If so, praise be ALMSIVI. If not, I have to ask you once more. Who are you and why did you come?"
"Wild beasts? There were Dark Elves, but no one slayed us." Haz muttered in return, so softly that only those closest to him could hear.
"Please...somebody else talk to them. I just don't want to remember that." Eno gagged.
Eno had never dared dream that he would ever be glad to see the jagged dark edges of a Daedric shrine. Yet, when his eyes caught the first malevolent peak piercing the sky, he muttered a few words of relief.
"Finally, we're there." He whispered.
"Now all I want is to turn right around and take the first caravan home. No more adventurous journeys through the ashlands!"
As they approached, a few members of the temple approached them, flanked by a pair of Armigers.
"Halt! Who are you and why did you come?!" One of the Armigers shouted. Then, he lifted his helmet to get a better look.
"By the...Hey, are you part of that caravan that came through here not too long ago? It's captain claimed that a small group went back to take over a dead Guar's load, only to never return. Reckoned they'd been slain by wild beasts, or worse. Well, are you that group? If so, praise be ALMSIVI. If not, I have to ask you once more. Who are you and why did you come?"
"Wild beasts? There were Dark Elves, but no one slayed us." Haz muttered in return, so softly that only those closest to him could hear.
"Please...somebody else talk to them. I just don't want to remember that." Eno gagged.
Apelles Velvus
Apelles spoke up. "Yes, we are that group. A rogue group of Ashlanders attacked us. Miraculously, we all survived the attack. I doubt we'll be seeing more of them, but I won't rule out the possibility that there are still a few following us.
"Wait, did you say 'passed through?' I was under the impression that the caravan would be resting here for the evening."
Apelles spoke up. "Yes, we are that group. A rogue group of Ashlanders attacked us. Miraculously, we all survived the attack. I doubt we'll be seeing more of them, but I won't rule out the possibility that there are still a few following us.
"Wait, did you say 'passed through?' I was under the impression that the caravan would be resting here for the evening."
OOC: Good point there. I'll try to work it out.
Random Armiger
The Armiger nodded.
"That is good to hear. You should visit the camp and make your presence known. They'll have to scratch you off the list of losses. Our administrative section, as well as the blacksmith and alchemists are located inside the shrine itself. You need to ascend the stairs of that building over there to find the door. The healer has placed a tent at the bottom of those stairs. We would go with you, but our task lies in patrolling the perimeter." He answered. The man put his helmet back on, while muttering a few curses regarding the uncomfortable object under his breath and then pointed towards the center of camp.
"Well, when I said pass through, I meant that they passed us, the guards. My apologies if I was unclear. I believe that they haven't gone any further yet. Check out the other side of the ruins. I think they set up camp there. Now if you excuse us, we should be going. If there are Ashlanders out there, we'll have to deal with them. Scare them off. Oh, and one more thing. Welcome to the half-way camp, travelers."
OOC: I hope this works. Any objections with the layout of the camp? I figured that for the most part, the camp would be inside the shrine itself because of the shelter it provides, with only the caravan and guards staying outside. I put the healer on the outside because it is hard to go up stairs with a broken leg.
Random Armiger
The Armiger nodded.
"That is good to hear. You should visit the camp and make your presence known. They'll have to scratch you off the list of losses. Our administrative section, as well as the blacksmith and alchemists are located inside the shrine itself. You need to ascend the stairs of that building over there to find the door. The healer has placed a tent at the bottom of those stairs. We would go with you, but our task lies in patrolling the perimeter." He answered. The man put his helmet back on, while muttering a few curses regarding the uncomfortable object under his breath and then pointed towards the center of camp.
"Well, when I said pass through, I meant that they passed us, the guards. My apologies if I was unclear. I believe that they haven't gone any further yet. Check out the other side of the ruins. I think they set up camp there. Now if you excuse us, we should be going. If there are Ashlanders out there, we'll have to deal with them. Scare them off. Oh, and one more thing. Welcome to the half-way camp, travelers."
OOC: I hope this works. Any objections with the layout of the camp? I figured that for the most part, the camp would be inside the shrine itself because of the shelter it provides, with only the caravan and guards staying outside. I put the healer on the outside because it is hard to go up stairs with a broken leg.
OOC: I have no objections to the layout. Seems reasonable enough.
Dranas Heleran
Before setting off to the other side of the ruin to set up camp Dranas decided to drop his armor off inside the shrine for repair. He was a fair hand at repairing most weapons and armor, but working the netch leather of Morrowind was different enough from his training as a youth to make him prefer a professional's work.
Dranas Heleran
Before setting off to the other side of the ruin to set up camp Dranas decided to drop his armor off inside the shrine for repair. He was a fair hand at repairing most weapons and armor, but working the netch leather of Morrowind was different enough from his training as a youth to make him prefer a professional's work.
Dralas
They arrived at the shrine, only to find that they hadn't really been expected. In fact, they'd already been listed as casualties. Something about that didn't sit well with Dralas, and the armiger's remarks concerning ashlanders did little to help. As usual, though, Dralas kept his mouth shut. In his experience, listeners fared better than talkers.
He lit a hackle-lo, and after a few puffs, handed it to Rianne.
The layout of the camp was simple enough, but no part of it really appealed to him. Services inside, their lost caravan outside on the other end of the ruin.
"Where to?" he asked her. More than anything else, he was trying to speak with her privately, and gave a hand signal that said as much without alerting their non-ashlander companions. The wise woman topic needed to be addressed.
When he'd first met Rianne, she had looked like any other civilized dunmer woman. Then he learned that she was in fact Ahemmusa. Now she was a wise woman? Why was she here? Hopefully she'd be able to answer all those questions as promised. Hopefully she was no mabrigash.
They arrived at the shrine, only to find that they hadn't really been expected. In fact, they'd already been listed as casualties. Something about that didn't sit well with Dralas, and the armiger's remarks concerning ashlanders did little to help. As usual, though, Dralas kept his mouth shut. In his experience, listeners fared better than talkers.
He lit a hackle-lo, and after a few puffs, handed it to Rianne.
The layout of the camp was simple enough, but no part of it really appealed to him. Services inside, their lost caravan outside on the other end of the ruin.
"Where to?" he asked her. More than anything else, he was trying to speak with her privately, and gave a hand signal that said as much without alerting their non-ashlander companions. The wise woman topic needed to be addressed.
When he'd first met Rianne, she had looked like any other civilized dunmer woman. Then he learned that she was in fact Ahemmusa. Now she was a wise woman? Why was she here? Hopefully she'd be able to answer all those questions as promised. Hopefully she was no mabrigash.
Rianne
Rianne accepted the hackle-lo from Dralas with a faint smile. She understood he wished to speak with her in private and also figured that he had some questions..questions about her acting so far.
Quite understandable, he is one of us, he knows the secret signs and I have revealed nothing...but maybe I should, he seems to be reliable...besides, I have gotten fond of him, he is a good man, I can feel it
"Here, follow me to the eastern side, I know this shrine and there is a cave there which nobody use" she said.
Morrie was left outside the cave and Rianne took a blanket from her backpack and sat down.
"Dralas Lasamsi, because I trust and like you I will tell you a few things about myself, which I sincerely hope will stay between us, at least for the time being"
"I was brought up by the Ahemmusa Wise Woman, Sinnamu Mirpal, and yes Dralas, I know the rituals and things that Wise Women do. It is a fact that I am supposed to be the next Wise Woman of the Ahemmusa, but the time has not come yet, I have not finished my education completely. I still have to learn about life and my people, the Ashlanders"
Rianne silenced, and asked Dralas for another hackle-lo. After lighting it she continued
"I joined this caravan for a number of reasons, but first of all to learn...then of course since I also am adopted inte the Sarethi Family of Great House Redoran and my step-brother, Salyn Sarethi at the moment is doing his duty as an Armiger at Ghostgate, I think it would be a good idea to visit him and offer any kind of help or so...which leads me to my other deep secret..."
Again she was silent..pondering if she really should tell him...
"Ok...this is classified information...I am a member of the Morag Tong! Yes my dear friend I...Rianne am an assassin, and a damn good one if I may say so!"
"So do not fear me, I have nothing but good intentions fo being here, and I hereby offer my services to you, I am a healer, almost a Wise Woman and a pretty good assassin..although I do hate senseless killing, but I am sure you understand"
Rianne stood upp and started walking back and forth, this was the longest speech she had made for quite some time and she was worried that Dralas maybe could misunderstand..maybe, but somehow she figured he would understand and let her in on his mission, she had a pretty good guess of what he was up to and if she was righyt, they would be a good team...
OOC I am on holiday, and will be leaving for Germany tomorrow for a camping trip, so I do not know when or even if I will be able to get online the next three weeks, but I will certainly try! If not, will you please control Rianne for me Danny!
Rianne accepted the hackle-lo from Dralas with a faint smile. She understood he wished to speak with her in private and also figured that he had some questions..questions about her acting so far.
Quite understandable, he is one of us, he knows the secret signs and I have revealed nothing...but maybe I should, he seems to be reliable...besides, I have gotten fond of him, he is a good man, I can feel it
"Here, follow me to the eastern side, I know this shrine and there is a cave there which nobody use" she said.
Morrie was left outside the cave and Rianne took a blanket from her backpack and sat down.
"Dralas Lasamsi, because I trust and like you I will tell you a few things about myself, which I sincerely hope will stay between us, at least for the time being"
"I was brought up by the Ahemmusa Wise Woman, Sinnamu Mirpal, and yes Dralas, I know the rituals and things that Wise Women do. It is a fact that I am supposed to be the next Wise Woman of the Ahemmusa, but the time has not come yet, I have not finished my education completely. I still have to learn about life and my people, the Ashlanders"
Rianne silenced, and asked Dralas for another hackle-lo. After lighting it she continued
"I joined this caravan for a number of reasons, but first of all to learn...then of course since I also am adopted inte the Sarethi Family of Great House Redoran and my step-brother, Salyn Sarethi at the moment is doing his duty as an Armiger at Ghostgate, I think it would be a good idea to visit him and offer any kind of help or so...which leads me to my other deep secret..."
Again she was silent..pondering if she really should tell him...
"Ok...this is classified information...I am a member of the Morag Tong! Yes my dear friend I...Rianne am an assassin, and a damn good one if I may say so!"
"So do not fear me, I have nothing but good intentions fo being here, and I hereby offer my services to you, I am a healer, almost a Wise Woman and a pretty good assassin..although I do hate senseless killing, but I am sure you understand"
Rianne stood upp and started walking back and forth, this was the longest speech she had made for quite some time and she was worried that Dralas maybe could misunderstand..maybe, but somehow she figured he would understand and let her in on his mission, she had a pretty good guess of what he was up to and if she was righyt, they would be a good team...
OOC I am on holiday, and will be leaving for Germany tomorrow for a camping trip, so I do not know when or even if I will be able to get online the next three weeks, but I will certainly try! If not, will you please control Rianne for me Danny!
Haz
With the group splitting up, Haz decided he would find a lonely spot among the ruins himself. As soon as he'd settled down in the shadows cast by a Daedric arch, he rolled up his sleeve to inspect the wound on his arm. The bleeding had stopped by now and it looked reasonably clean.
"Besides, there is no water for cleaning here so I wouldn't have been able to deal with dirt if needed. All I have on me is for drinking and this place is so dry, I'm thirsty all the time." The Argonian thought to himself.
"I'll join back up with the caravan by night. And hopefully no one will ask inconvenient questions. At least I'm rid of the Guar."
With the group splitting up, Haz decided he would find a lonely spot among the ruins himself. As soon as he'd settled down in the shadows cast by a Daedric arch, he rolled up his sleeve to inspect the wound on his arm. The bleeding had stopped by now and it looked reasonably clean.
"Besides, there is no water for cleaning here so I wouldn't have been able to deal with dirt if needed. All I have on me is for drinking and this place is so dry, I'm thirsty all the time." The Argonian thought to himself.
"I'll join back up with the caravan by night. And hopefully no one will ask inconvenient questions. At least I'm rid of the Guar."
Dranas Heleran
It hadn't been difficult to find the armorer. A smoking forge will do that. The proprietor was a well-muscled middle-aged dunmer named Gavis. Could he repair netch leather? He could.
"Great. My pauldron here is in a bad way. You think can manage a fix before the caravan's off in the morning?"
The armorer's face assumed a thoughtful appearance. It was the look that Dranas understood to mean, "Yeah sure, I can do it. So long as you pay me double." After a moment of this 'thought' the armorer, Gavis, grabbed a quill and a sheet of parchment and made a few scratches--really hamming it up, Dranas thought. Finally the armorer spoke.
"I reckon I can finish by morning if I work through the night, but overtime like that is going to cost extra, you understand. Say, 50 drakes?"
Of course, all that acting had given Dranas plenty of time to formulate his own bargaining strategy.
"15 drakes, or I'll just fix it myself, Gavis."
The armorer flashed a dubious look. "I know it seems pricey, but for a delicate job like this..."
Dranas cut him off with a raised palm. He held up the pauldron. "Look, I know netch is a pain to fix, but I'm no fool. I can fix this up pretty good in something like three hours, so I know damn well that an experienced fellow like yourself can do it in half the time, and that time damn well ain't worth 50 drakes."
For a moment the two mer were quiet, even as others passed to and fro.
Gavis' face had gone blank. "25 drakes, all up front."
So had Dranas'. "20 drakes. Half now and half when you're finished."
"Deal."
It hadn't been difficult to find the armorer. A smoking forge will do that. The proprietor was a well-muscled middle-aged dunmer named Gavis. Could he repair netch leather? He could.
"Great. My pauldron here is in a bad way. You think can manage a fix before the caravan's off in the morning?"
The armorer's face assumed a thoughtful appearance. It was the look that Dranas understood to mean, "Yeah sure, I can do it. So long as you pay me double." After a moment of this 'thought' the armorer, Gavis, grabbed a quill and a sheet of parchment and made a few scratches--really hamming it up, Dranas thought. Finally the armorer spoke.
"I reckon I can finish by morning if I work through the night, but overtime like that is going to cost extra, you understand. Say, 50 drakes?"
Of course, all that acting had given Dranas plenty of time to formulate his own bargaining strategy.
"15 drakes, or I'll just fix it myself, Gavis."
The armorer flashed a dubious look. "I know it seems pricey, but for a delicate job like this..."
Dranas cut him off with a raised palm. He held up the pauldron. "Look, I know netch is a pain to fix, but I'm no fool. I can fix this up pretty good in something like three hours, so I know damn well that an experienced fellow like yourself can do it in half the time, and that time damn well ain't worth 50 drakes."
For a moment the two mer were quiet, even as others passed to and fro.
Gavis' face had gone blank. "25 drakes, all up front."
So had Dranas'. "20 drakes. Half now and half when you're finished."
"Deal."
Erna
Now they had arrived back at the ruins, Erna decided his presence wasn't needed. Instead, he took his guar and decided to go exploring.
He remembered the guard's words of advice how the semi-permanent offices and services the camp had were located up some stairs in the ruins, but he knew places like these. They were a maze of tight, winding corridors, strangely out of kilter with the laws of nature. He wouldn't be surprised to find a whole new network of tunnels beneath the surface.
He skirted around the stairs that led up to the offices, looking for another entrance and trying not to attract attention. Eventually, he found an entrance, a wooden door, half rotten with age and partially sunken into the ground. He doubted anybody knew about it, not even the cultists that had once inhabited it. It was not doubt dangerous, possibly with some ancient, and extremely hungry, daedra lurking within.
This would be fun.
Erna glanced around to see nobody was following him, tied his guar to a nearby pillar and kicked at the door. It thudded, but didn't move, so Erna tried twice more before it splintered of its hinges. The soft ash that had covered up the door began to slide slowly in, and Erna crawled through the small gap on his belly, before tumbling through into a corridor. It was dark, except for the light shining through the gap in the wall of dirt and ash that had built up around the door. It would probably take some determined digging to clear his way out of here.
No matter. The digging could wait.
Clicking his fingers to summon a small, sputtering flame in the palm of his hand, Erna raised it above his head and in the dim light, stepped into the dank darkness of the shrine's ancient corridors.
He already felt at home.
Now they had arrived back at the ruins, Erna decided his presence wasn't needed. Instead, he took his guar and decided to go exploring.
He remembered the guard's words of advice how the semi-permanent offices and services the camp had were located up some stairs in the ruins, but he knew places like these. They were a maze of tight, winding corridors, strangely out of kilter with the laws of nature. He wouldn't be surprised to find a whole new network of tunnels beneath the surface.
He skirted around the stairs that led up to the offices, looking for another entrance and trying not to attract attention. Eventually, he found an entrance, a wooden door, half rotten with age and partially sunken into the ground. He doubted anybody knew about it, not even the cultists that had once inhabited it. It was not doubt dangerous, possibly with some ancient, and extremely hungry, daedra lurking within.
This would be fun.
Erna glanced around to see nobody was following him, tied his guar to a nearby pillar and kicked at the door. It thudded, but didn't move, so Erna tried twice more before it splintered of its hinges. The soft ash that had covered up the door began to slide slowly in, and Erna crawled through the small gap on his belly, before tumbling through into a corridor. It was dark, except for the light shining through the gap in the wall of dirt and ash that had built up around the door. It would probably take some determined digging to clear his way out of here.
No matter. The digging could wait.
Clicking his fingers to summon a small, sputtering flame in the palm of his hand, Erna raised it above his head and in the dim light, stepped into the dank darkness of the shrine's ancient corridors.
He already felt at home.
Eno Arval
The group began to split up as soon as the Armigers had left. Eno bid farewell as well and, after tying his Guar to a convenient post, he headed up the stairs. He was certain that there had to be some sort of administrative office in the camp, and he was going to find it.
Inside the shrine, he struggled to make out anything. While there were a few candeliers burning with fire, the walls, the ceiling and even the floor seemed to suck up all the light. It was quite unnerving and Eno half-expected some horrible monstrosity to jump out of the darkness.
"Come on, old man. Get a grip of yourself. This place has been in use by the Temple for months now. The only danger there is is tripping on those bloody impossible to see stairs. Now get a move on." He admonished himself and walked deeper into the shrine.
The group began to split up as soon as the Armigers had left. Eno bid farewell as well and, after tying his Guar to a convenient post, he headed up the stairs. He was certain that there had to be some sort of administrative office in the camp, and he was going to find it.
Inside the shrine, he struggled to make out anything. While there were a few candeliers burning with fire, the walls, the ceiling and even the floor seemed to suck up all the light. It was quite unnerving and Eno half-expected some horrible monstrosity to jump out of the darkness.
"Come on, old man. Get a grip of yourself. This place has been in use by the Temple for months now. The only danger there is is tripping on those bloody impossible to see stairs. Now get a move on." He admonished himself and walked deeper into the shrine.
Erna
The corridors wound around and around in the darkness, seemingly endless and at impossible angles, physics discarded as they wound round each other like the intestines of some colossal beast born within the deepest pits of Oblivion.
As far as Erna could tell, he had only been within the depths of this shrine for a few minutes, yet already it felt as if he had been wandering for hours. He wasn't afraid. He knew that, once recognised, anything within here would grant him passage, should anything remain in these depths. And if it didn't, then he would be killed. No great loss-he'd still win in the long run.
He rounded a corner and then, without warning, found himself within a large hall. Torches in brackets were bolted the eight pillars that supported the cavernous room, their flames a sputtering, dirty crimson. It was what was at the far end that caught Erna's attention.
Behind a great bowl, filled with flame, stood a colossal statue of Mehrunes Dagon. His great axe was in one hand, his spike and barbed blade in the other, gemstone eyes glaring down at the doorway where Erna stood.
The dark elf smiled as he saw it.
"I'm back, master," he said quietly. "And my mission goes well."
The corridors wound around and around in the darkness, seemingly endless and at impossible angles, physics discarded as they wound round each other like the intestines of some colossal beast born within the deepest pits of Oblivion.
As far as Erna could tell, he had only been within the depths of this shrine for a few minutes, yet already it felt as if he had been wandering for hours. He wasn't afraid. He knew that, once recognised, anything within here would grant him passage, should anything remain in these depths. And if it didn't, then he would be killed. No great loss-he'd still win in the long run.
He rounded a corner and then, without warning, found himself within a large hall. Torches in brackets were bolted the eight pillars that supported the cavernous room, their flames a sputtering, dirty crimson. It was what was at the far end that caught Erna's attention.
Behind a great bowl, filled with flame, stood a colossal statue of Mehrunes Dagon. His great axe was in one hand, his spike and barbed blade in the other, gemstone eyes glaring down at the doorway where Erna stood.
The dark elf smiled as he saw it.
"I'm back, master," he said quietly. "And my mission goes well."
QUOTE(minque @ Aug 9 2009, 04:54 PM) 
Rianne
Rianne accepted the hackle-lo from Dralas with a faint smile. She understood he wished to speak with her in private and also figured that he had some questions..questions about her acting so far.
Quite understandable, he is one of us, he knows the secret signs and I have revealed nothing...but maybe I should, he seems to be reliable...besides, I have gotten fond of him, he is a good man, I can feel it
"Here, follow me to the eastern side, I know this shrine and there is a cave there which nobody use" she said.
Morrie was left outside the cave and Rianne took a blanket from her backpack and sat down.
"Dralas Lasamsi, because I trust and like you I will tell you a few things about myself, which I sincerely hope will stay between us, at least for the time being"
"I was brought up by the Ahemmusa Wise Woman, Sinnamu Mirpal, and yes Dralas, I know the rituals and things that Wise Women do. It is a fact that I am supposed to be the next Wise Woman of the Ahemmusa, but the time has not come yet, I have not finished my education completely. I still have to learn about life and my people, the Ashlanders"
Rianne silenced, and asked Dralas for another hackle-lo. After lighting it she continued
"I joined this caravan for a number of reasons, but first of all to learn...then of course since I also am adopted inte the Sarethi Family of Great House Redoran and my step-brother, Salyn Sarethi at the moment is doing his duty as an Armiger at Ghostgate, I think it would be a good idea to visit him and offer any kind of help or so...which leads me to my other deep secret..."
Again she was silent..pondering if she really should tell him...
"Ok...this is classified information...I am a member of the Morag Tong! Yes my dear friend I...Rianne am an assassin, and a damn good one if I may say so!"
"So do not fear me, I have nothing but good intentions fo being here, and I hereby offer my services to you, I am a healer, almost a Wise Woman and a pretty good assassin..although I do hate senseless killing, but I am sure you understand"
Rianne stood upp and started walking back and forth, this was the longest speech she had made for quite some time and she was worried that Dralas maybe could misunderstand..maybe, but somehow she figured he would understand and let her in on his mission, she had a pretty good guess of what he was up to and if she was righyt, they would be a good team...
Dralas
This was a lot of new information to take in. How could a single person have so many allegiances? What if they conflicted one day? Dralas held no love for assassins or the Great Houses, but he knew that everyone had their secrets. Himself included. His opinion of Rianne hadn't changed, only now he knew that Rianne had connections in the 'civilized' world. What were the chances of him meeting such a person at random in a tavern? Dralas didn't think that their meeting was chance.
Everything happens for a reason. he thought, remembering what his mother used to say.
He didn't ask Rianne any more about her past; if she wanted to say more, she would.
"Well," he finally said, "While we're on the subject of secrets, I guess I have my own. I'm no Erabenimsun. Or, at least not anymore. A few months ago I was banished from the tribe for killing my clansmen. They were going to give my ancestors to the Tribunal Temple, and I tried to stop them. I failed, and was shunned. I tracked the bones as far as this caravan we follow, but I can't find them."
QUOTE(Dantrag @ Aug 29 2009, 08:23 PM)
Dralas
This was a lot of new information to take in. How could a single person have so many allegiances? What if they conflicted one day? Dralas held no love for assassins or the Great Houses, but he knew that everyone had their secrets. Himself included. His opinion of Rianne hadn't changed, only now he knew that Rianne had connections in the 'civilized' world. What were the chances of him meeting such a person at random in a tavern? Dralas didn't think that their meeting was chance.
Everything happens for a reason. he thought, remembering what his mother used to say.
He didn't ask Rianne any more about her past; if she wanted to say more, she would.
"Well," he finally said, "While we're on the subject of secrets, I guess I have my own. I'm no Erabenimsun. Or, at least not anymore. A few months ago I was banished from the tribe for killing my clansmen. They were going to give my ancestors to the Tribunal Temple, and I tried to stop them. I failed, and was shunned. I tracked the bones as far as this caravan we follow, but I can't find them."
Rianne
She heard him out, and nodded slowly. I figured it was something like that and I have a feeling he still is a bit suspicious...of me!
"I see!" she said "And I will help you find the bones, trust me Dralas...hmm Do you believe in destiny? Do you think we were meant to meet, that our fates are somewhat connected? You see I was sent out to join this caravan by my Wise Woman, could there be a chance that she knew you'd be here?"
Rianne lit another hackle-lo and stared out in the darkness
"Whatever happens, Dralas, remember I'm on your side and I won't hesitate to do what needs to be done to keep us safe...but also remember, I do not take lives just like that...!"
Rothan
As they approched the tangled domes and arches of the ruin Rothan shuddered and rubbed at the mass of scars on his right arm. He'd met the clanfear which did it in the last ruin he'd been into. This one is secure though. There's Armigers everywhere, he told himself. Even so he doubted he'd get much sleep.
Reluctantly he ascended the steps and went inside. The architecture was a strange as it was outside, there was something disorientating about the curve of the walls. Rothan did his best to ignore it and went in looking for the temple representative. Instead he found Eno looking rather tense.
"Hello," he said gently.
As they approched the tangled domes and arches of the ruin Rothan shuddered and rubbed at the mass of scars on his right arm. He'd met the clanfear which did it in the last ruin he'd been into. This one is secure though. There's Armigers everywhere, he told himself. Even so he doubted he'd get much sleep.
Reluctantly he ascended the steps and went inside. The architecture was a strange as it was outside, there was something disorientating about the curve of the walls. Rothan did his best to ignore it and went in looking for the temple representative. Instead he found Eno looking rather tense.
"Hello," he said gently.
Dralas
"There's always a chance that a Wise Woman knows something no one else does," he answered. He didn't say it out loud, but he did feel the tug of destiny around Rianne.
At this point, they seemed pretty far from any enemies. The Shishara brothers wouldn't dare attack a whole caravan, and they'd made no real enemies among their fellow travelers. If all went well, it should be smooth sailing from this point forward.
So why did he feel so on edge? He could sense the same feeling in Rianne. The calm before the storm maybe?
"So you're an assassin that hesitates to kill," he said, "What does it take for someone to deserve death?"
It seemed like a strange question, but it was very important. Dralas figured that if he and Rianne were going to be a team, they'd have to be an effective one. He couldn't be guessing about when she'd sit out of a fight and when she'd fight a fight.
"There's always a chance that a Wise Woman knows something no one else does," he answered. He didn't say it out loud, but he did feel the tug of destiny around Rianne.
At this point, they seemed pretty far from any enemies. The Shishara brothers wouldn't dare attack a whole caravan, and they'd made no real enemies among their fellow travelers. If all went well, it should be smooth sailing from this point forward.
So why did he feel so on edge? He could sense the same feeling in Rianne. The calm before the storm maybe?
"So you're an assassin that hesitates to kill," he said, "What does it take for someone to deserve death?"
It seemed like a strange question, but it was very important. Dralas figured that if he and Rianne were going to be a team, they'd have to be an effective one. He couldn't be guessing about when she'd sit out of a fight and when she'd fight a fight.
Apelles dropped his slightly damaged cuirass off at the armorer's and headed toward the administrative area to report.
As he approached, he could hear Salms Ralas having a spirited argument with the administrators. It seemed to be quite important. He stood and waited as they continued talking.
"I'm sorry, Salms," he heard one of them say, "but we simply can't spare anyone from this garrison. Grand Marshal Omayn just took some of our best last week to go guard the construction workers. Attacks at the site are increasing every day. Frankly, we're barely scraping by as it is."
"But...surely you can see that the caravan has the greater need! I know for a fact that this camp has not suffered any significant attacks in months. I just lost seven caravaners and an experienced scout. You know damn well that my outfit is thin on experience." Ralas put his hand on the other mer's wrist. "Sadas...I know Command has been bleeding you dry, and you're running short as well. But I'm willing to make an exchange a few rookies to help you keep this place in order for just a couple of mer with experience."
"I'm sorry, Salms, but my hands are tied. I need to keep these men on standby - Omayn wants me to be ready to ship them off at a moment's notice. I'm not authorized to make any changes in personnel. Besides, Daedra have a tendency to pop up around these places at inconvenient times. You know that as well as I do. Believe me, I'd help you if I could."
One of the other Armigers noticed Apelles standing in front of them. "Is there something you need, outlander?" the visibly irritated Dunmer asked.
Apelles cleared his throat and saluted. "Sirs, Apelles Velvus here reporting to Salms Ralas."
Ralas's eyes widened in shock. He turned to the Armigers gathered around the table, still looking as white as Apelles had ever seen a Dunmer look. "Excuse me, gentlemen...I'll have to leave you for a moment."
As he approached, he could hear Salms Ralas having a spirited argument with the administrators. It seemed to be quite important. He stood and waited as they continued talking.
"I'm sorry, Salms," he heard one of them say, "but we simply can't spare anyone from this garrison. Grand Marshal Omayn just took some of our best last week to go guard the construction workers. Attacks at the site are increasing every day. Frankly, we're barely scraping by as it is."
"But...surely you can see that the caravan has the greater need! I know for a fact that this camp has not suffered any significant attacks in months. I just lost seven caravaners and an experienced scout. You know damn well that my outfit is thin on experience." Ralas put his hand on the other mer's wrist. "Sadas...I know Command has been bleeding you dry, and you're running short as well. But I'm willing to make an exchange a few rookies to help you keep this place in order for just a couple of mer with experience."
"I'm sorry, Salms, but my hands are tied. I need to keep these men on standby - Omayn wants me to be ready to ship them off at a moment's notice. I'm not authorized to make any changes in personnel. Besides, Daedra have a tendency to pop up around these places at inconvenient times. You know that as well as I do. Believe me, I'd help you if I could."
One of the other Armigers noticed Apelles standing in front of them. "Is there something you need, outlander?" the visibly irritated Dunmer asked.
Apelles cleared his throat and saluted. "Sirs, Apelles Velvus here reporting to Salms Ralas."
Ralas's eyes widened in shock. He turned to the Armigers gathered around the table, still looking as white as Apelles had ever seen a Dunmer look. "Excuse me, gentlemen...I'll have to leave you for a moment."
Eno Arval
Eno stiffened and almost let out a yelp at the sudden greeting from behind. He turned around and vaguely saw Rothan's face in the poorly lit hallway.
"Oh, greetings to you sir. It sure is a good thing to have arrived at a place that is actually safe, isn't it? Although I would have preferred an architecture that's...less discomforting to the eyes." He said in response and tried to smile.
"Forgive me for asking, but do you happen to have any experience with places like these by chance? I'm certainly not hoping that these stairs end at the start of some hideous maze. I'm just looking for an administrator, not a chance to get lost forever."
Eno stiffened and almost let out a yelp at the sudden greeting from behind. He turned around and vaguely saw Rothan's face in the poorly lit hallway.
"Oh, greetings to you sir. It sure is a good thing to have arrived at a place that is actually safe, isn't it? Although I would have preferred an architecture that's...less discomforting to the eyes." He said in response and tried to smile.
"Forgive me for asking, but do you happen to have any experience with places like these by chance? I'm certainly not hoping that these stairs end at the start of some hideous maze. I'm just looking for an administrator, not a chance to get lost forever."
Rothan
Rothan gave a dry smile. "I've been in daedric ruins twice before, once to preform a rite with ordanators looking after us, the other... well it was less safe," he held up his arm, "Met the wrong end of a clanfear. It was only luck and an intervention scroll that got me out of there. I'm sure this one will be safe though, how well hidden can the leaders be? I think we should be fine just walking this way." He started down the corridor.
OOC: were you intending to get lost? feel free to lose Rothan along with Eno or have them show up at the admin.
Rothan gave a dry smile. "I've been in daedric ruins twice before, once to preform a rite with ordanators looking after us, the other... well it was less safe," he held up his arm, "Met the wrong end of a clanfear. It was only luck and an intervention scroll that got me out of there. I'm sure this one will be safe though, how well hidden can the leaders be? I think we should be fine just walking this way." He started down the corridor.
OOC: were you intending to get lost? feel free to lose Rothan along with Eno or have them show up at the admin.
Dranas Heleran
After he haggled away with the armorer, Dranas Heleran was left with nothing much to do. After quickly setting up his camp and picketing his pack guars he decided to idle away the evening with a casual walk through the encampment. And if he happened to "discover" some new merchandise in the process, well, all the better. And so Dranas wandered through the gathering darkness...
After he haggled away with the armorer, Dranas Heleran was left with nothing much to do. After quickly setting up his camp and picketing his pack guars he decided to idle away the evening with a casual walk through the encampment. And if he happened to "discover" some new merchandise in the process, well, all the better. And so Dranas wandered through the gathering darkness...
QUOTE(Dantrag @ Aug 30 2009, 05:40 PM)
Dralas
"There's always a chance that a Wise Woman knows something no one else does," he answered. He didn't say it out loud, but he did feel the tug of destiny around Rianne.
At this point, they seemed pretty far from any enemies. The Shishara brothers wouldn't dare attack a whole caravan, and they'd made no real enemies among their fellow travelers. If all went well, it should be smooth sailing from this point forward.
So why did he feel so on edge? He could sense the same feeling in Rianne. The calm before the storm maybe?
"So you're an assassin that hesitates to kill," he said, "What does it take for someone to deserve death?"
It seemed like a strange question, but it was very important. Dralas figured that if he and Rianne were going to be a team, they'd have to be an effective one. He couldn't be guessing about when she'd sit out of a fight and when she'd fight a fight.
Rianne
"They do, that is correct, and sometimes I know things as well, things that noone else knows"
She gave a faint smile and took Dralas' hand in a firm grip, looking him straight in his eyes...
"Dralas Lasamsi, I'm sure you're familiar with the rules of Morag Tong, we do not kill anyone unless there's writ...And I do not have any writs in my possession right now! My , what you call hesitstion to kill is just that I do not enjoy taking lives per se...Killing for the Tong is different, it's regarded as honorable and I try to see it that way. "
She silenced and took a sip from a bottle she took from her backpack. Then she handed it to Dralas; "Here, it's pretty good brandy!"
"Now listen to me" She continued "We're together in this, ok? My gut tells me it won't be that easy to recover your ancestral bones, there's something special about them, and I can't figure out what....yet! But remember this, anyone who is any kind of threat to you or me, any threat...deserves death. I will stand by your side, I will fight with you, but there can be other ways of dealing with people than just slaughter them, so you must trust me also.. I will never let you down...remember that!"
Rianne leaned her back against the wall and closed her eyes.
If I only could figure out what is wrong...somethings gonna happen...and it might not be pleasant
Dralas
"I trust you, Rianne, more than you know," he assured her after a few sips of brandy, "But you do have a lot to learn about the ways of our people. A name written on a scrap of parchment does not make anyone's death more honorable. Honor is found in the way you fight, the reason you fight, and in the way your enemy dies. To us, there is no honor in Tong executions."
Dralas meant no offense, but he felt that it had to be said. Rianne said she needed to learn about her people, and he merely felt the need to teach right then.
He wondered then if Rianne had become too used to civilized living to truly return to her people as a wise woman. He didn't know how long she'd been away from her tribe, but while she was well-versed in many aspects of ashlander culture, she seemed ignorant of many others. Most ashlanders held at least a little disdain for the Houses (though Redoran was admittedly the lesser of five evils) and civilized life in general. Rianne seemed to have adopted a bit of both cultures. Maybe too much of one?
Or maybe not. Perhaps this was a part of the destiny they spoke of earlier. Rianne did serve as his 'interpreter' more often than not when he didn't understand city ways, and he could teach her the ashlander ways. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Apart, well...
"I trust you, Rianne, more than you know," he assured her after a few sips of brandy, "But you do have a lot to learn about the ways of our people. A name written on a scrap of parchment does not make anyone's death more honorable. Honor is found in the way you fight, the reason you fight, and in the way your enemy dies. To us, there is no honor in Tong executions."
Dralas meant no offense, but he felt that it had to be said. Rianne said she needed to learn about her people, and he merely felt the need to teach right then.
He wondered then if Rianne had become too used to civilized living to truly return to her people as a wise woman. He didn't know how long she'd been away from her tribe, but while she was well-versed in many aspects of ashlander culture, she seemed ignorant of many others. Most ashlanders held at least a little disdain for the Houses (though Redoran was admittedly the lesser of five evils) and civilized life in general. Rianne seemed to have adopted a bit of both cultures. Maybe too much of one?
Or maybe not. Perhaps this was a part of the destiny they spoke of earlier. Rianne did serve as his 'interpreter' more often than not when he didn't understand city ways, and he could teach her the ashlander ways. Together, they were a force to be reckoned with. Apart, well...
Rianne
She nodded. "I know that in my heart, but I had a good reason to join the Tong...ah well I'm gonna tell you the whole story, the nasty life-story of Rianne de Zoete"
She figured she needed more strength to talk abot this so she took a good sip of the brandy, lit another hackle-lo and started talking:
"I had a lucky childhood, I never knew my mother, she died giving birth to me, but Sinnamu Mirpal, our Wise Woman raised me as her own daughter. I learned everything I know from her, she raised me to take over after her. Everything was set, life was good! Until spring the year I was 21! To broaden my education I was allowed to join the hunters of our tribe on their missions to gather food and look for better pastures for our herds of guars. One of these missions went terribly wrong, we were attacked by a group of imperial soldiers!"
Rianne closed her eyes in pain remembering this, she sighed and continued with a voice thick with emotions.
"My clanfriends were slaughtered, and I was taken prisoner. The commander took me as his personal slave, you might imagine what he did to me! He kept me as a slave for a year, then he married me. Then another kind of slavery began. Marcus de Zoete, his name was and he wanter heirs! I didn't understand why he wanted to have a child with a Dunmerii woman, and I never found out the reason for it. Anyway I had no intention to bear his child so I made sure not to get pregnant."
Rianne smiled, "Wise Women know these things you know!"
"Now this refusal to obey my husband and master caused me unspeakable pain, he started to treat me very bad, he hit me, very hard and very often. Sometimes he nearly killed me, I can show you the scars on my body...."
She shrugged and put her arms tight around her, took a deep breath to compose herself.
"I endured this hell of a life for almost two years until something happened that changed my life...for the good I think. It was a big day at the garrison at Gnisis, the imperials had had some military success and there was festivities to be held. I was there, Marcus never let me out of sight, and now the men wanted to eat and drink and...have some fun...with me as it turned out."
"They got terribly drunk and I don't think I need to mention the "fun" they had with me! I nearly died that night, but the urge to survive was strong in me and finally, when the men were almost unconscious, I managed to slip away. I dragged myself out of the garrison and out on the road to Ald'ruhn. I don't remember how I did it, or where I crushed in the middle of nowhere, but I do remember the face of the man who saved me, the man who I owe my life!"
"He was a tall Dunmer, with a tattoo of a black hand on his face and e took me to the Mage's guild in Ald'ruhn, where I was healed and nursed by Edwinna Elbert. After I had recovered, I asked Edwinna who my saviour was, His name is Sethyas Velas and he is a Morag Tong assassin, she told me. So I went to the Morag Tong guildhall in Ald'ruhn and asked for him, I wanted to thank him for saving my life. He wasn't there, but the guildmaster told me that the best way of thanking him was to join the Tong and perform some duties."
Rianne gave a faint smile.
"I usually do as I'm told, so I agreed to this and became a Morag Tong assassin. I stayed at the Mage's guild for some months and performed two "duties" No I can't tell you more about that!, not now anyway"
"One day I was called to Sarethi Manor, there had been an assassination attempt on the Councillor and they had need of a healer. And as I was a trained healer, Edwinna thought it was a good idea of sending me. Serjo Sarethi was pretty badly injured but I somehow succeeded healing him. He is a very kind man and offered me a home as hefound out I actually lived at the guild."
"I spent all in all my last six years among the "others", and I've learned a lot from it, which can be useful...now! But...I'd really like to learn more from you, Dralas, about "our customs" You see, in my heart I'm an Ashlander, and will always be, but my knowledge about the others might be useful for us."
Then she put her hands on his shoulders...
"What I've told you here must remain a secret...."
What a strange relief it was to finally talk about this, now I really can move on, for hearing me out I thank you Dralas, I will protect you with my life
She nodded. "I know that in my heart, but I had a good reason to join the Tong...ah well I'm gonna tell you the whole story, the nasty life-story of Rianne de Zoete"
She figured she needed more strength to talk abot this so she took a good sip of the brandy, lit another hackle-lo and started talking:
"I had a lucky childhood, I never knew my mother, she died giving birth to me, but Sinnamu Mirpal, our Wise Woman raised me as her own daughter. I learned everything I know from her, she raised me to take over after her. Everything was set, life was good! Until spring the year I was 21! To broaden my education I was allowed to join the hunters of our tribe on their missions to gather food and look for better pastures for our herds of guars. One of these missions went terribly wrong, we were attacked by a group of imperial soldiers!"
Rianne closed her eyes in pain remembering this, she sighed and continued with a voice thick with emotions.
"My clanfriends were slaughtered, and I was taken prisoner. The commander took me as his personal slave, you might imagine what he did to me! He kept me as a slave for a year, then he married me. Then another kind of slavery began. Marcus de Zoete, his name was and he wanter heirs! I didn't understand why he wanted to have a child with a Dunmerii woman, and I never found out the reason for it. Anyway I had no intention to bear his child so I made sure not to get pregnant."
Rianne smiled, "Wise Women know these things you know!"
"Now this refusal to obey my husband and master caused me unspeakable pain, he started to treat me very bad, he hit me, very hard and very often. Sometimes he nearly killed me, I can show you the scars on my body...."
She shrugged and put her arms tight around her, took a deep breath to compose herself.
"I endured this hell of a life for almost two years until something happened that changed my life...for the good I think. It was a big day at the garrison at Gnisis, the imperials had had some military success and there was festivities to be held. I was there, Marcus never let me out of sight, and now the men wanted to eat and drink and...have some fun...with me as it turned out."
"They got terribly drunk and I don't think I need to mention the "fun" they had with me! I nearly died that night, but the urge to survive was strong in me and finally, when the men were almost unconscious, I managed to slip away. I dragged myself out of the garrison and out on the road to Ald'ruhn. I don't remember how I did it, or where I crushed in the middle of nowhere, but I do remember the face of the man who saved me, the man who I owe my life!"
"He was a tall Dunmer, with a tattoo of a black hand on his face and e took me to the Mage's guild in Ald'ruhn, where I was healed and nursed by Edwinna Elbert. After I had recovered, I asked Edwinna who my saviour was, His name is Sethyas Velas and he is a Morag Tong assassin, she told me. So I went to the Morag Tong guildhall in Ald'ruhn and asked for him, I wanted to thank him for saving my life. He wasn't there, but the guildmaster told me that the best way of thanking him was to join the Tong and perform some duties."
Rianne gave a faint smile.
"I usually do as I'm told, so I agreed to this and became a Morag Tong assassin. I stayed at the Mage's guild for some months and performed two "duties" No I can't tell you more about that!, not now anyway"
"One day I was called to Sarethi Manor, there had been an assassination attempt on the Councillor and they had need of a healer. And as I was a trained healer, Edwinna thought it was a good idea of sending me. Serjo Sarethi was pretty badly injured but I somehow succeeded healing him. He is a very kind man and offered me a home as hefound out I actually lived at the guild."
"I spent all in all my last six years among the "others", and I've learned a lot from it, which can be useful...now! But...I'd really like to learn more from you, Dralas, about "our customs" You see, in my heart I'm an Ashlander, and will always be, but my knowledge about the others might be useful for us."
Then she put her hands on his shoulders...
"What I've told you here must remain a secret...."
What a strange relief it was to finally talk about this, now I really can move on, for hearing me out I thank you Dralas, I will protect you with my life
Eno Arval
Rothan's explanation took the edge off the tension that Eno was feeling.
"Well then, praise ALMSIVI you got out of there alive. And you're right, I am getting worked up over nothing. Let us continue on then." He replied as they descended the stairs.
True to the priest's words, they found the actual camp not much further down. It was uncertain just how far the ruins carried, but it was obvious that the temple at least had chosen to settle down as close to the entrance as possible. It was easier that way after all. A simple wall of hardened clay had been erected to seal off the rest of the ruins. Matts lay on the floor, reflecting the torchlight that would have otherwise been sucked up by the Daedric material.
Priests, acolytes, Armigers and even a handful of Ordinators went about their bussiness as the two men reached the end of the stairs.
"Ah, this must be the place. Now I just need to find whoever is in charge of the paperwork here. See if I can join a caravan going the other way. I've had enough adventure for a lifetime."
OOC: I took some liberties here with describing the inside camp and also with leading Rothan down the stairs. I hope that doesn't cause any problems. And I must admit that I wasn't planning on getting lost. I was just using Eno's superstition to draw an image of what I think that the Daedric ruins should be. In-game, they're often just a straightforward stairs-big open hall combo which is kinda boring.
Erna can be in the sealed off section. So if you want to summon some Daedra to cause a ruckus colonel, feel free to have them break through the clay wall.
And one last question, is Apelles inside the ruins or outside? I'm not planning on doing much, beyond wave hi if he and Eno are in the same place.
Rothan's explanation took the edge off the tension that Eno was feeling.
"Well then, praise ALMSIVI you got out of there alive. And you're right, I am getting worked up over nothing. Let us continue on then." He replied as they descended the stairs.
True to the priest's words, they found the actual camp not much further down. It was uncertain just how far the ruins carried, but it was obvious that the temple at least had chosen to settle down as close to the entrance as possible. It was easier that way after all. A simple wall of hardened clay had been erected to seal off the rest of the ruins. Matts lay on the floor, reflecting the torchlight that would have otherwise been sucked up by the Daedric material.
Priests, acolytes, Armigers and even a handful of Ordinators went about their bussiness as the two men reached the end of the stairs.
"Ah, this must be the place. Now I just need to find whoever is in charge of the paperwork here. See if I can join a caravan going the other way. I've had enough adventure for a lifetime."
OOC: I took some liberties here with describing the inside camp and also with leading Rothan down the stairs. I hope that doesn't cause any problems. And I must admit that I wasn't planning on getting lost. I was just using Eno's superstition to draw an image of what I think that the Daedric ruins should be. In-game, they're often just a straightforward stairs-big open hall combo which is kinda boring.
Erna can be in the sealed off section. So if you want to summon some Daedra to cause a ruckus colonel, feel free to have them break through the clay wall.
And one last question, is Apelles inside the ruins or outside? I'm not planning on doing much, beyond wave hi if he and Eno are in the same place.
Rothan
"Are you sure you want to return? I mean if you just make sure to stay with the guards nothing can really go wrong. They were incompetent not to send any Armigers back with us. And no one was hurt permanently so its just a good story now," Rothan gave Eno a grin.
The bureaucrats were at the back. This didn't surprise Rothan, whether they were simply pushed there or if it showed true dedication to being as awkward as possible he wasn't sure. In this case though it may well actually have been the best place as the clay wall reflected a lot more light than whatever devilry the rest of the ruin was made of. He made his way to a mer in long robes. Rothan didn't know him but he looked like he was in charge of the running of temple matters.
"Are you sure you want to return? I mean if you just make sure to stay with the guards nothing can really go wrong. They were incompetent not to send any Armigers back with us. And no one was hurt permanently so its just a good story now," Rothan gave Eno a grin.
The bureaucrats were at the back. This didn't surprise Rothan, whether they were simply pushed there or if it showed true dedication to being as awkward as possible he wasn't sure. In this case though it may well actually have been the best place as the clay wall reflected a lot more light than whatever devilry the rest of the ruin was made of. He made his way to a mer in long robes. Rothan didn't know him but he looked like he was in charge of the running of temple matters.
Dralas
Dralas took a moment to light his own hackle-lo as he listened to Rianne's story. He felt bad at first for making her tell it, until he realized that it made her feel better to get it out.
"You're a much stronger person than I," he admitted when she was finished with her tale.
Then she put her hands on his shoulders and asked that he keep it all a secret. He put her hands in his, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I won't utter a word of what you just told me to anyone," he promised. Though his promise was more sincere than any other he'd made in the past, he thought crossed his mind that he had no other friends to tell.
"Hungry?" he asked with a smile, trying to get them both out of their now-somber moods.
Dralas took a moment to light his own hackle-lo as he listened to Rianne's story. He felt bad at first for making her tell it, until he realized that it made her feel better to get it out.
"You're a much stronger person than I," he admitted when she was finished with her tale.
Then she put her hands on his shoulders and asked that he keep it all a secret. He put her hands in his, and looked her straight in the eyes.
"I won't utter a word of what you just told me to anyone," he promised. Though his promise was more sincere than any other he'd made in the past, he thought crossed his mind that he had no other friends to tell.
"Hungry?" he asked with a smile, trying to get them both out of their now-somber moods.
Rianne
Rianne smiled, squeezed his hands, bent forward and planted a kiss on his forehead
"I know" she whispered
"And I'm completely starving!" she laughed "How about hunting down something and cook it?, Where are the others, havent given them a thought for a while"
Rianne smiled, squeezed his hands, bent forward and planted a kiss on his forehead
"I know" she whispered
"And I'm completely starving!" she laughed "How about hunting down something and cook it?, Where are the others, havent given them a thought for a while"
QUOTE(jack cloudy @ Sep 1 2009, 11:21 AM)
And one last question, is Apelles inside the ruins or outside? I'm not planning on doing much, beyond wave hi if he and Eno are in the same place.
OOC: Inside in a different chamber. At least, I'd say it's a different one. If you want them to bump into each other, that's fine.
Apelles followed Salms Ralas into an empty chamber of the ruins. Ralas looked straight at him with a penetrating and direct stare.
"How many dead?"
"None, sera. By the grace of the gods, all eight of us survived the ordeal."
"Almsivi be praised…" he breathed, relaxing momentarily. Then, the concern - the panic - returned to his face. "What was it? Was it the ash creatures? It was the ash creatures, wasn't it? Dammit, they're getting farther and farther out, coming more and more often! Surely there'll be more of them!"
Apelles stared at Salms for a moment, surveying his wild, yet sunken and tired eyes, heavy with worry and fear.
He's still haunted by the fate of the last caravan, Apelles thought. Then he spoke. "No…no, it was a gang of outcast Ashlanders."
Ralas's expression of fear turned to one of surprise. "Ashlanders? This far out? The nearest camp is hundreds of miles away."
"I know. My guess is they were probably outcasts, desperate for food and supplies. Nasty folk, those outcasts - I reckon the tribe kicked them out for a reason."
The Armiger relaxed. "Ah, yes...not common, but I've heard of it happening before. Never seen them this far out, though. In any event, it lightens my heart to know you all survived."
"You're telling me. I STILL can't believe I'm standing here." He allowed himself to smile for a moment. "By the way, I overheard that conversation you were having with the administrators."
Ralas shook his head and sighed deeply. "Yes, well…I suppose there's no point in denying it. We Armigers are spread thinner than cuttle on a Hlaalu's morning hard tack. Most of the Armigers escorting the caravan are rookies. We've got precious few experienced officers and a lot of new faces."
Apelles cocked one eyebrow. "Really? This'd be the first I've heard of it."
"The Temple is good at keeping secrets, my friend. The seams won't show as long as we don't run into any trouble. But when we do..." Salms snapped his fingers. "...three hells will break loose."
"Gods' blood..." Apelles gasped. "Then again, I suppose I ought to have known. Why else would you be hiring so many mercenaries?"
"Quite frankly, I don't think we're hiring nearly enough. But the situation is mostly the same everywhere, BUT...Addamasartus has some experienced men to spare. Maybe an officer, some additional men, but most importantly, they've got some experienced NCO's sitting here on their backsides doing next to nothing. I could get them out doing something useful, but instead they're here, keeping watch over this glorified guar stable! And that FETCHER Sadas Drathen knows it, too! But he won't hand them over to me. He's holding HIS personal grudge against me over the needs of the Temple! Over the lives of MY MEN!" He slammed his fist against one of the ornate stone pillars inside the chamber.
Apelles paused for a moment before gingerly proceeding with a question. "If...you don't mind me asking, sera, what exactly does this Drathen have against you?"
"A long story, not worth telling," he replied bitterly. "Suffice to say, it was a number of imagined slights, culminating in the day when the Patriarch appointed me to the prestigious post of head guard at the Tower of Dusk instead of him. It's considered to be a real honor, a test worthy only of the truly strong and pious warrior. Which is why he wasn't chosen, the worthless s'wit."
"Oh. Sounds like it'll be an uphill battle to convince him, then."
Salms' voice went quiet. "Yes, yes it will be. So are most fights worth fighting. And this...war against the Sharmat and his...vile thralls...is a prime example. It's claimed so many of us, stretched us beyond our limits, and the battle has scarcely begun. Sometimes I wonder if I even have the stomach for it anymore. I keep telling myself that Lord Vivec will protect and provide, but..." Ralas sighed and stared out into space for a moment. Then he looked back up at Apelles, his eyes almost dead with weariness.
"Do you know how old I am, outlander?"
"No, I don't."
"I'm seventy-four years old. I have wounds in places I can't even see. Right now, I'm one of the best...but that won't last. I figure I have about three, maybe four good years left before I start to break down. After that...I don't know. Probably forty years of teaching children the virtues of the Seven Graces, before my body takes its final revenge on me for treating it so damned badly. From the cradle to the grave, I will have served Lord Vivec with every breath I've ever taken. I shall sacrifice my body to him.
"And what do I have? Nothing...an Armiger's pay, no true home, no family, and nowhere else to go. Most of my friends seem to be dying left and right. Soon, I won't even have my health.
"Sometimes, I can see my friend's faces - death masks in my head. And I wonder...why Vivec didn't protect them. And I ask, when's he going to save us, if not now? And I wonder if, maybe...it's because...he ca-" He gulped, stopping himself, barely holding back tears.
"I know..." he wheezed, voice quivering, "...that Vivec has a plan. I believe it as an article of faith. But sometimes I wonder if it would be best if I had no part of it."
Apelles could see his body quivering, shaking like an old man without his cane. He could feel the words that were left unspoken upon his lips. Words of doubt and bitterness - an unspoken heresy that he was struggling with all his heart not to believe. His every word conveyed a deep, quaking religious terror.
Apelles put his hand on Ralas's shoulder, unsure of what to say.
"Are you going to be okay?" Apelles finally croaked out.
"I'll...I'll be fine," he answered.
"Are you sure? Because I'm here to help if you need me. We can beat this together. I'll even pray with you, if that's what you want."
"I know," he whispered. "You haven't let me down yet in the brief time I've known you. But I'll be fine. It's just...a bit of officer's anxiety, is all."
Suddenly, he straightened up and stood tall. The tears, the weariness, and any other sign of doubt were gone - he was, for the time being, every bit the confident Dunmer he seemed to be in Balmora.
"Besides," he continued, "we're thin enough on officers as it is. This caravan can't afford for me to quit now. Hell, if we lose any more officers, we might need you to take charge. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go back and continue to beg for Drathen's table scraps."
And with that, he both his way back to the main chamber, with Apelles following closely behind, not quite sure if he would ever view him the same way again.
Erna
Hasha Yockhet Payem Roht!"
The challenge rang out from within the depths of the hall, where the flickering, schizophrenic illumination of the bowl's fire did not shine. Erna jumped when he heard the voice, but relaxed when he recognised the language. Daedric.
"Ankyit Geth Iya," he called, mimicking the guttural tones of a daedra.
A figure, wearing jagged, spike heavy armour stepped forwards from the shadow. A long, slender and barbed sword was held with the lazy ease of one who knew how to use it like an expert, its tip held a few centimetres above the flagstone floor. A pair of short horns folded up towards the forehead over its greyish blue skin.
"You speak the tongue of the daedric?" the dremora asked, its fingers drumming along the hilt of its weapon.
Erna nodded.
"You'll find no mortal servant of Mehrunes Dagon as loyal to our master as me, friend," he said.
"What brings you here?" the dremora asked, still glaring at Erna suspiciously. "None have come for many years now."
"Yet the torches still burn," Erna said.
"That is my work," the dremora said. "I am Khallet, Keeper of this Temple's flame. And the guardian of this place, as hopeless as I have been at this task."
"You mean the camp?" Erna asked.
"Oh yes," Khallet said. "I have been trapped here for many years, but I felt them above me, moving in like fleas. Staying and infesting this place, corrupting it with their stupid, petty obsession with order and cleanliness. They are killing this place, and I can do nothing."
The daedra's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fingers around his blade.
"Soon all influences of my master and his brothers shall be gone," Khallet said. "And I will have failed in my duty, most likely on the day when the spells that anchor me here dissipate, thanks to the influence of these mortals. I am trapped here, dark elf. I have have no way out. Yet you have a way in. Where did you find it. Show me, and I shall wreak my vengeance."
"And what will you do?" Erna asked. "Kill a few people before the ordinators banish you back to Oblivion?"
He shook his head and laughed.
"I'll tell you what," he said. "Let's get some friends, huh. There must be some other way out of here, so we can get a little army out. Really make a mess."
"And what will difference will many daedra make compared to one?" Khallet asked.
"Daedra always appear randomly around this sort of place, don't they?" Erna said. "So, we get lots of them. Don't even have to be particularly powerful ones, maybe half a dozen, a dozen clannfears and hungers. COnvince that maybe the daedra aren't happy about a bunch of order lovers moving and taking over. Maybe we can even frighten them enough to make them move."
"Perhaps, but they shall just return," Khallet said.
"Tell me, Khallet, how long have you been trapped under here?" Erna asked.
"Many years," Khallet said. "What news is there of the outside world that is relevant to this?"
Erna nodded.
"Yes," he said. "That makes sense. So, Khallet, I'll tell you what's been happening over the past few years. Believe me, if we can shift this lot away from here we'll make a bigger mess than ever."
"And how is this?"
"I'll explain," Erna said. "But let me put it like this. I think of things in the long term."
Hasha Yockhet Payem Roht!"
The challenge rang out from within the depths of the hall, where the flickering, schizophrenic illumination of the bowl's fire did not shine. Erna jumped when he heard the voice, but relaxed when he recognised the language. Daedric.
"Ankyit Geth Iya," he called, mimicking the guttural tones of a daedra.
A figure, wearing jagged, spike heavy armour stepped forwards from the shadow. A long, slender and barbed sword was held with the lazy ease of one who knew how to use it like an expert, its tip held a few centimetres above the flagstone floor. A pair of short horns folded up towards the forehead over its greyish blue skin.
"You speak the tongue of the daedric?" the dremora asked, its fingers drumming along the hilt of its weapon.
Erna nodded.
"You'll find no mortal servant of Mehrunes Dagon as loyal to our master as me, friend," he said.
"What brings you here?" the dremora asked, still glaring at Erna suspiciously. "None have come for many years now."
"Yet the torches still burn," Erna said.
"That is my work," the dremora said. "I am Khallet, Keeper of this Temple's flame. And the guardian of this place, as hopeless as I have been at this task."
"You mean the camp?" Erna asked.
"Oh yes," Khallet said. "I have been trapped here for many years, but I felt them above me, moving in like fleas. Staying and infesting this place, corrupting it with their stupid, petty obsession with order and cleanliness. They are killing this place, and I can do nothing."
The daedra's knuckles whitened as he clenched his fingers around his blade.
"Soon all influences of my master and his brothers shall be gone," Khallet said. "And I will have failed in my duty, most likely on the day when the spells that anchor me here dissipate, thanks to the influence of these mortals. I am trapped here, dark elf. I have have no way out. Yet you have a way in. Where did you find it. Show me, and I shall wreak my vengeance."
"And what will you do?" Erna asked. "Kill a few people before the ordinators banish you back to Oblivion?"
He shook his head and laughed.
"I'll tell you what," he said. "Let's get some friends, huh. There must be some other way out of here, so we can get a little army out. Really make a mess."
"And what will difference will many daedra make compared to one?" Khallet asked.
"Daedra always appear randomly around this sort of place, don't they?" Erna said. "So, we get lots of them. Don't even have to be particularly powerful ones, maybe half a dozen, a dozen clannfears and hungers. COnvince that maybe the daedra aren't happy about a bunch of order lovers moving and taking over. Maybe we can even frighten them enough to make them move."
"Perhaps, but they shall just return," Khallet said.
"Tell me, Khallet, how long have you been trapped under here?" Erna asked.
"Many years," Khallet said. "What news is there of the outside world that is relevant to this?"
Erna nodded.
"Yes," he said. "That makes sense. So, Khallet, I'll tell you what's been happening over the past few years. Believe me, if we can shift this lot away from here we'll make a bigger mess than ever."
"And how is this?"
"I'll explain," Erna said. "But let me put it like this. I think of things in the long term."
Dralas
While the idea of hunting always appealed to him, he wasn't sure it was a good idea in this particular instance. It would require leaving the camp, finding and killing an animal, dragging it back, skinning, cooking... The work didn't bother him but the time it might take did. Dralas wasn't keen on getting left behind again.
He shrugged, "I bet they're all around here somewhere. We should check the common area for food and maybe we'll spot one of them."
While the idea of hunting always appealed to him, he wasn't sure it was a good idea in this particular instance. It would require leaving the camp, finding and killing an animal, dragging it back, skinning, cooking... The work didn't bother him but the time it might take did. Dralas wasn't keen on getting left behind again.
He shrugged, "I bet they're all around here somewhere. We should check the common area for food and maybe we'll spot one of them."
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