Barely standing, Uragum could hardly make out the situation as it transpired. His focus was purely on sustaining his magic and it's destructive connection to Bogclaw. Even as Bogclaw fell, Uragum maintained the connection but not getting up for a few seconds, Uragum understand that. Letting go, he saw his companions around the fallen Lizardman then Sylyra stomp up to him. "Lost me?" Uragum says as he reaches down and puts pressure on his stab wound. "Just a flesh wound my friend. Isn't anything some rest, some ale and belly full food won't cure. That and some powerful healing magic."
Following after the others, Uragum limps himself over to the body of Bogclaw where they seem to be congregating. "If given the choice, Id vote for a rest. Take a moment to regroup.... A few of us... a lot of us if we include the recently freed, need to tend to our wounds. Boil some water, clean 'em and bandage 'em. If don't, I'll be more than half of us take on an infection. But once we are bandaged, yes, we should get the heck out of here. Fear has cause the lizardmen to break but who knows, give them a day and that fear may fade and they'll be back."
Auriel is left somewhat surprised when Hex doesn't react to his wave. Not really sure if she hasn't seen him or if she's ignored him, he just moves that hand from mid air to his hair, which he caresses a little while thinking about this and the conversation he's having with the rest.
- That sounds wise - he answers Uragum - I'll go check on them too - he adds, shooting a glance towards Hex - But first, here. - He says, placing a hand on Uragum's shoulder firmly - It's not much, as I'm almost depleted, but it will ease the pain a little until you get your rest. - He then crouches towards the still lying Sylyra and does the same, though his touch is a little gentler in this case.
(OOC: it's 3 HP lay on hands to Uragum, 2 to Sylyra)
As he stands up, he asks the others if any want to go with him, especially Carl, as he is in better health. He doesn't approach Hex initially, as he wants to take a first look at how many rafts are still available after the lizardfolk have escaped, and if any of the ex-prisoners he helped arm up are alive. He'll gather any of the javelins or shield they could have left lying down in case they haven't, and then he'll try to have a quick count of the survivors (both persons and animals). All of this could look a little bit cold, but knowing that this is not over yet and that they still have to protect these people on their journey back, he feels is important.
Once that is done, he approaches Hex.
- Let me help. Please?- he says as he crouches next to her.
Sylyra lifts one arm and places it over his eyes as he lies on his back. He feels Uragum leave his side, but he isn't curious enough to think about it too much. His body aches, and it feels like he weighs a million pounds. If the ground were any softer, he knows he'd break through and fall forever, plummeting, unable to break free of the weight. There's a little voice in the back of his weary head that whispers that a dragon is returning, but then the pain in his gut screams louder, drowning out the warning. He could change into an animal. The animal would be whole. There would be no pain for a while. But then the voices of his companions filter in through his disjointed thoughts. He moves his arm and turns his head to squint in their direction. "When is the dragon supposed to return?" he asks.
OOC: FairIthilien posted as I was writing, so let me make this change ...
He could change into an animal. The animal would be whole. There would be no pain for a while. But then the voices of his companions filter in through his disjointed thoughts as he feels a hand on his shoulder. The touch is warm and comforting, and there's a noticeable lessening of the pain in his gut. He moves his arm and turns his head to squint in that direction to see Auriel stand and walk away toward Hex. "When is the dragon supposed to return?" he asks, watching the eladrin.
"Fear has cause the lizardmen to break but who knows, give them a day and that fear may fade and they'll be back."
"A day? We're in their territory, they could be back in an hour with more o' their scaly butts to finish us off," a gruff dwarven man grumbles as the few surviving prisoners who took part in the battle group up near the party. The dwarf is spattered with blood, still holding one of the javelins given to him. How much of the blood is his is up for debate.
"Fuselad Bigtoe," he says, saluting with the javelin. "That was one heck of a show. And if ye don't mind me sayin', ye got a lot o' scared and hungry folks lookin' to ye to get 'em outta here safe. Am I hearin' right ye're gonna tell 'em they gotta sleep another night on this blasted island where the drums been beatin' night after night?"
His eyes travel to the edge of the island, where the freed prisoners have gathered their rafts. All eyes are focused on the center of the island where the discussion is taking place.
When Auriel crouches next to her, Hex nods and gives him a small but strained smile. "Mm, of course." She continues to move the bodies in silence with the paladins help and looks as though she is about to say something until Fuselad speaks up. She stands, dusting off her hands and clothes, before turning to reply.
"It's unlikely the lizardfolk will return anytime soon and even if they do, we can deal with them. The only one we struggled with was Bogclaw and he's dead. The marsh is full of dangers and travelling through it while we're still weak is a death sentence. Staying here where we can rest and lick our wounds is a much better option than travelling into the marsh just to get picked off and eaten by giant frogs. Like what almost happened to your mate Carl over there." She motions her head towards Carl with a soft but playful smile. "He almost got eaten for you, you know."
She continues to speak as she looks around at all the freed prisoners. "If you wish to leave and face the dangers of the marsh yourself, you're free to take one of the rafts. All I ask is that, if and when you reach the village, tell them where we are and to send as many boats as they can spare to pick up anyone who stays, the livestock as well as the bodies of the dead... their families will want to know what happened to them and to bury them properly."
Carl smiles at Auriel, a happy worn out smile when he claps him on the shoulder. “You’re right, I better have a looksee. I can’t believe we did it, you nearly cashed in back there Auriel, I couldn’t shoot straight when I saw you go down…”. He takes some deep breaths as he gathers himself. “I could do with a rest too, I believe. Whew!” Carl agrees to accompany Auriel since he managed to escape unscathed, his magical misty step protecting him from the monstrous lizardfolk.
And then, a familiar gruff voice speaks up. Carl spins around and hops on one foot then another, a look of glee and relief on his face. “Fuselad! C’mere you son of a bugbear! What the hell, I’ve been looking all over blue blazes for you, in the swamp, in streams, inside toads, all over the friggin’ place!” Carl ignores any offered hand and gives the meaty dwarf a bear hug, pulling him this way and that. “I came to hunt you down, cousin. And it looks like I found you, ya big chunk.” After a moment of happy greeting, Fuselad’s serious words sink in and he contains his excitement and says “Right you are. We need to get these people outta here. And if the dragon is expected to return that soon, I don’t know that we want to wait…”
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sylyra watches the dwarven exchange with a wry grin. "Auril's kiss, there's two of them," he says, sitting up. Looking around, he motions toward Bogclaw's body. "To help protect those who stay — and I'm not saying I'm prepared to do that myself — we should put his body or at least his head up on a spike as a warning." He waves a hand. "Put him over there by 'Daddy'." Sylyra groans as he gets back to feet. He pushes his curtains of hair back behind his shoulders and looks around. "What is there to eat and drink on this awful island?"
As the ranger and the paladin finish preparing the bodies, Auriel also takes a look to see if they are carrying anything that could be worthy to their families.
- Their families will surely appreciate anything they could have been carrying on themselves, in case the bodies cannot be recovered.
As he says this, he eyes Hex, noticing her tense smile. "What is wrong...?" he's about to ask just when she's about to say something, only for both of them to be interrupted. The eladrin just lets out a slight sigh. Later, they will speak later. Or at least he'll try to. He's not just found a group he's already fond of just to loose it right away because of ... what?
He turns his gaze to where the others are standing just in time to see Carl profusely greeting someone who must be his cousin. Well, that's one other good thing they've helped fix. He smiles and shakes his head a little thinking of the nice coincidence that Fuselad is one of the dwarves he managed to give one of his javelins to.
The paladin then walks back to the group and ponders everyone's opinions.
- It's only natural that these people want to leave this place right away. But I agree with Hex that the journey back won't be an easy one. And we - and he moves a hand in a circle indicating that he's refering to the ones gathered around Bogclaw - are the most prepared to help them get back safely. And as such, I think we need to rest for whatever time we need until we are ready to do that. If that is a few hours, instead of a whole night, then so be it. But I think no one should run away just as they are right now. Haste will be everyone's death.
When the druid speaks about the dwarves, Auriel rolls his eyes and lets out the slightest of smiles. There we go again, and he was being so ... he can't find the right word... but a moment ago. He says nothing but keeps focusing on the rest of the conversation. As the eladrin keeps speaking, and perhaps because he's been able to shake off a good part of the tension of the fight, he begins to feel another turn of the seasons is coming. How strange. How very strange. To have changed only once in so many years and be experiencing it now twice in a day.
- Auril's what? Is that a thing in this plane? - he asks, looking at the druid. Auriel had done his fair share of study of the so called material plane, as well as history of other planes and places, though perhaps not as thoroughly as he thought - Anyway. Regarding Bogclaw's head, I won't stop you guys if you all want to do that, but I think we should not act like the lizardfolk did.
"Aye, ye found me," Fuselad tells Carlthuzad. "And a good thing ye brought backup, seein' yer aim!"
After a belly laugh at Carl's expense, the dwarf suddenly gets serious. Sylyra's mention of food elicits an audible growl from his stomach. "We been fed, but it ain't been pretty. Us dwarves are hardy folk but a lot of folks are weak and hungry. They can prob'ly last a couple hours more, but...don't make 'em wait the whole night in this blasted swamp when we got daylight to burn ahead of us," he says. "You tell me what to tell 'em and I'll tell 'em. Moradin knows we ain't survivin' this swamp without ye lot."
Uragum runs one of his big hands over his scalp and sighs. "Suppose the dwarf has a point. No one wants to stay here long," Uragum says. He casts his eyes out over the lot of newly freed prisoners. He takes a deep breath ready to speak and then winces as it stretches his fresh wound. He tried not to draw any attention to it and then continued, "Tell the others we're taking a break. An hour, two tops. The ones that are wounded, stitch them up as much as possible. Those that are rested enough, have them gather what weapons they can from the fallen or search the lizardmen's camp for supplies or make any food if any can be found. They don't have to do anything complex but keep'em busy."
Hex searches through her pack and pulls out all the rations she has on her (13 in total) and hands them over to Fuselad. "Here, ration these out so everyone can have at least something to eat. It probably won't be enough to satisfy but it'll have to do for now."
As Uragum exclaims they're all going to take a break, Hex turns away and shrugs, returning to where she was before to continue tending to the dead bodies. "Like I said, leave if you want. I'm staying behind though. Someone needs to make sure the bodies aren't eaten by whatever animals live in the marsh," she pauses to look around for a moment before continuing, "As well as herd all the surviving livestock."
Auriel adds his rations to Hex's (9), glad for the ranger's quick and practical thinking. Then nods in agreement with Uragum and adds:
- Let's make it two hours rather than one. That will give us the time we need to care for the bodies and the animals, as Hex says, and also time to rest and refreshen.
He eyes Hex when she insists that Fuselad and the rest of ex-captives can leave when they want, but doesn't say anything, hoping it doesn't come to that. But the thought of leaving with the prisoners if they end up doing it crosses his mind.
The paladin is once again reminded that he hasn't still pronounced his oath. An oath to protect. To be the shield of those who most need it. But as much as we wants to do it, to find a quiet spot and moment to say the actual words to Tyr, he doesn't need it to happen to begin, or better said, keep abiding by them.
Auriel unconciously touches the holy symbol as he's thinking all this, and then nods to himself. He will follow his unpronounced oath - along with what his heart whispers to him - and adapt to whatever happens next.
With this, the eladrin turns once again to Uragum:
- Why don't you and Sylyra rest this whole time? You are still seriously wounded. Let Hex, Carl and I - and the others - take care of everything that needs to be done before leaving, okay?
OOC: If possible I would like to help Hex for an hour and use the last one to have the actual short rest before leaving.
Carl nods with the plan, saying “I only need an hour to recover. After that, I’ll help with preparations to leave. Let me have my unseen servant help with dragging those bodies out of the way and let’s look for more boats. I think we all want to be out of here before that dragon returns..” Carl begins a short rest - -
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"We been fed, but it ain't been pretty. Us dwarves are hardy folk but a lot of folks are weak and hungry. They can prob'ly last a couple hours more, but...don't make 'em wait the whole night in this blasted swamp when we got daylight to burn ahead of us," Fuselad says.
Sylyra sighs and nods to himself. He should have known these scaly devils wouldn't have anything gourmet out here in the swamp. He begins to think about what he might eat once they return to civilization. What he really wants is a bottle of wine. Something expensive. When he sees Hex begin handing out her rations, he feels a pain in his gut that he doesn't like. He scowls and sits down, turning his back to the tiefling.
"Like I said," Hex says, "leave if you want. I'm staying behind though. Someone needs to make sure the bodies aren't eaten by whatever animals live in the marsh. As well as herd all the surviving livestock."
Sylyra looks around the island, once again taking stock of the animals. While some had fled into the waters at his urging, many were still milling about, trying themselves to find food among the carnage. Luckily, their pallets are satiated by the tender grass and other swamp plants that are plentiful. A tenday. How trustworthy are lizardfolk? Do they really have that long? Sylyra can't help himself, and his eyes turn toward the sky again, searching for any signs of his greatest nightmare. With another sigh, this one full of frustration, the elf wrenches open his bag and pulls out seven rations. Holding them out like an obstinate child toward Hex, he gripes, "Here. These can go around as well."
- I'm liking your invisible helper more and more by the moment, Carl - Auriel smiles - You should consider giving him, or her ... erm, them ... a name.
The paladin's smile increases with Sylyra also giving away his rations. The matter of the food is really improved now. Leaving the suggestion that the wizard and the druid spend the hours left in this island resting to their own choosing, he begins to make his way towards Hex. It is when he is almost upon her that the autumn eladrin realizes what she meant a moment ago.
- Wait. - he asks her directly -Did you just say that you intend to stay here until all bodies and animals can be recovered? Do you mean you will stay here for days even if the rest leave?- he looks astonished, not knowing what to say. For starters, he's in no position to tell her anything regarding a forseeable splitting of the party, since he himself thought about doing just that. He also doesn't want her to feel that he doubts her abilities to do that and stay safe in case danger arises. After the short time he's known her, he is pretty sure that the tiefling is capable enough to achieve a great deal of things. But that doesn't mean he likes that situation either. In the end he says - I don't know what to say, Hex. I'm no one to try to convince you against that, since your intentions are absolutely valid. But I don't feel okay with it either. Perhaps there is a way to achieve a better solution? - he wonders, once again trying to figure out the numbers to do that.
And though he isn't very sure what the tiefling's reaction will be to all of this, he also adds:
- Why are so intent on this, Hex? The danger and the pressure of time is clear for everyone, as is the reason for focusing on what we could call "the needs of the many". - He asks this wanting to understand the full picture and trying to see if there is really that much room for improvement in the plan discussed around Bogclaw's body.
(OOC: Will leave an insight roll in case I can read into what she answers, or what she decides to keep for herself. 16).
Hex can't help but let out a chuckle as Sylyra hands over his rations to her. "Well, with these, everyone is sure to have a good meal now. Thanks, Sylyra." She heads over to Fuselad and hands him the extra rations before returning to her work.
When Auriel questions why she is so intent on staying, she looks away from him and bites at her lip, a worried frown forming on her brow. "I... just don't like the idea of leaving them here to rot away. Their friends and families as well, they'd want closure. They'd want to bury them properly." She lets out a sigh and sits down on the ground, looking up at the paladin with exhaustion on her face. "As for the livestock... Well they were the livelihoods of the farmers back at the village. Without them, they might struggle to get back on their feet after such a lost. Not to mention what fate the animals would meet if they stayed in the marsh..."
Hex rubs her face with her hand, a little more rough than she probably should, with another sigh escaping from her lips. "I don't know. I guess I just feel a little responsible for their deaths. We came here to save them and yet there they lay. Dead. These people... they weren't fighters. They were just normal people who had their lives taken far too soon."
For Auriel's insight:
She's pretty much telling the truth - there is definitely more than a hint of guilt behind her words. She really wanted everything to end with as little bloodshed as possible and yet somehow it seems to have ended the opposite. There seems to be a little something more when she says "They were just normal people who had their lives taken far too soon." though. Her frown deepens and she looks more sad than anything.
The eladrin pays silent attention to what the tiefling is saying, as they keep working on the bodies. When she stops and sits down, he sits along with her and after pondering for a moment his next words, he says:
- That is thoughtful of you, Hex. We could all learn from your empathy, me being the first one in that list. I have been thinking solely of making the way back, but didn't stop to consider farther than that. Having said that, let me tell you this: I think you are putting an excesive weight on these - he says, gently touching one of her shoulders - It's good to have a certain level of self-criticism. Many people are usually lacking in that matter.But an excess of it can be dangerous, as it makes us set impossible objectives. I believe we did the best we could, and that not even the best of plans can survive that which is out of our control. We couldn't know that the freed prisoners would want to fight, instead of fleeing, for example. Nor that the Muckmarsh wouldn't want to listen, or the Rootwater free the captured. Nor that Bogclaw would have a bloodlust that would lead him to kill even his own. I fear to think what would have happened to these people if we hadn't been able to stop him.
He stops for a moment, a bit embarrassed after what he's said.
- Sorry, pay me no mind. You are exhausted and here am I, lecturing you as if I knew better. Which I don't. Just let me say that since you want to stay, I'll do my part coming back as soon as possible with help. And, please, do stay safe. There will be plenty of opportunities to help those in need in the future, and room for improvement to do it better - he smiles a little shyly as he adds - It's just ... I'm glad to have found you all. First Carl, and then the three of you. It would be great if we could stick together for a while, don't you think?
Auriel then stands and offers the ranger a hand to help her do the same if she wants to. He feels there's still something Hex hasn't shared, and that there's more than that feeling of guilt that she isn't saying, some feeling of sadness, but decides not to push the matter. There will be time for all of them to get to know each other better.
- I should be taking some rest before the journey back. Let me know if there's something else I can help with before leaving, okay?
The eladrin then looks for a quiet spot where he can sit seiza style, hands resting on his thighs, eyes almost - but not entirely - closed and slowly breathing in and out. He will meditate in that position for a while, emptying his mind, relaxing body and soul.
OOC: Auriel too, begins a short rest (let's use his last hit die).
Hex listens quitely to Auriel, feeling a little weight lift off her shoulders as he speaks. When he stands she takes his hand to stand and does a little stretch before placing a hand on the paladin's arm. "Thank you, Auriel. I'm glad we found you two as well. I don't even want to think about what would've happen if we didn't stumble upon you."
Hex spends the next hour or two helping out any of the now freed captives with anything they need, food and water or tending to their injuries as best as they can with the resources they have. She even casts Speak With Animals to try and herd as much of the livestock onto the island and in a safer more managable place. With what time she has left, she uses it to search through the lizardfolk's camps, looking for anything useful they could use.
After however long it took for her to complete all her tasks and her muscles begin to ache too much to bear, Hex looks for a shady spot under a tree and lies on the ground, arm over her eyes, to finally take a short break.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Barely standing, Uragum could hardly make out the situation as it transpired. His focus was purely on sustaining his magic and it's destructive connection to Bogclaw. Even as Bogclaw fell, Uragum maintained the connection but not getting up for a few seconds, Uragum understand that. Letting go, he saw his companions around the fallen Lizardman then Sylyra stomp up to him. "Lost me?" Uragum says as he reaches down and puts pressure on his stab wound. "Just a flesh wound my friend. Isn't anything some rest, some ale and belly full food won't cure. That and some powerful healing magic."
Following after the others, Uragum limps himself over to the body of Bogclaw where they seem to be congregating. "If given the choice, Id vote for a rest. Take a moment to regroup.... A few of us... a lot of us if we include the recently freed, need to tend to our wounds. Boil some water, clean 'em and bandage 'em. If don't, I'll be more than half of us take on an infection. But once we are bandaged, yes, we should get the heck out of here. Fear has cause the lizardmen to break but who knows, give them a day and that fear may fade and they'll be back."
Auriel is left somewhat surprised when Hex doesn't react to his wave. Not really sure if she hasn't seen him or if she's ignored him, he just moves that hand from mid air to his hair, which he caresses a little while thinking about this and the conversation he's having with the rest.
- That sounds wise - he answers Uragum - I'll go check on them too - he adds, shooting a glance towards Hex - But first, here. - He says, placing a hand on Uragum's shoulder firmly - It's not much, as I'm almost depleted, but it will ease the pain a little until you get your rest. - He then crouches towards the still lying Sylyra and does the same, though his touch is a little gentler in this case.
(OOC: it's 3 HP lay on hands to Uragum, 2 to Sylyra)
As he stands up, he asks the others if any want to go with him, especially Carl, as he is in better health. He doesn't approach Hex initially, as he wants to take a first look at how many rafts are still available after the lizardfolk have escaped, and if any of the ex-prisoners he helped arm up are alive. He'll gather any of the javelins or shield they could have left lying down in case they haven't, and then he'll try to have a quick count of the survivors (both persons and animals). All of this could look a little bit cold, but knowing that this is not over yet and that they still have to protect these people on their journey back, he feels is important.
Once that is done, he approaches Hex.
- Let me help. Please? - he says as he crouches next to her.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Sylyra lifts one arm and places it over his eyes as he lies on his back. He feels Uragum leave his side, but he isn't curious enough to think about it too much. His body aches, and it feels like he weighs a million pounds. If the ground were any softer, he knows he'd break through and fall forever, plummeting, unable to break free of the weight. There's a little voice in the back of his weary head that whispers that a dragon is returning, but then the pain in his gut screams louder, drowning out the warning. He could change into an animal. The animal would be whole. There would be no pain for a while. But then the voices of his companions filter in through his disjointed thoughts. He moves his arm and turns his head to squint in their direction. "When is the dragon supposed to return?" he asks.
OOC: FairIthilien posted as I was writing, so let me make this change ...
He could change into an animal. The animal would be whole. There would be no pain for a while. But then the voices of his companions filter in through his disjointed thoughts as he feels a hand on his shoulder. The touch is warm and comforting, and there's a noticeable lessening of the pain in his gut. He moves his arm and turns his head to squint in that direction to see Auriel stand and walk away toward Hex. "When is the dragon supposed to return?" he asks, watching the eladrin.
"A day? We're in their territory, they could be back in an hour with more o' their scaly butts to finish us off," a gruff dwarven man grumbles as the few surviving prisoners who took part in the battle group up near the party. The dwarf is spattered with blood, still holding one of the javelins given to him. How much of the blood is his is up for debate.
"Fuselad Bigtoe," he says, saluting with the javelin. "That was one heck of a show. And if ye don't mind me sayin', ye got a lot o' scared and hungry folks lookin' to ye to get 'em outta here safe. Am I hearin' right ye're gonna tell 'em they gotta sleep another night on this blasted island where the drums been beatin' night after night?"
His eyes travel to the edge of the island, where the freed prisoners have gathered their rafts. All eyes are focused on the center of the island where the discussion is taking place.
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
When Auriel crouches next to her, Hex nods and gives him a small but strained smile. "Mm, of course." She continues to move the bodies in silence with the paladins help and looks as though she is about to say something until Fuselad speaks up. She stands, dusting off her hands and clothes, before turning to reply.
"It's unlikely the lizardfolk will return anytime soon and even if they do, we can deal with them. The only one we struggled with was Bogclaw and he's dead. The marsh is full of dangers and travelling through it while we're still weak is a death sentence. Staying here where we can rest and lick our wounds is a much better option than travelling into the marsh just to get picked off and eaten by giant frogs. Like what almost happened to your mate Carl over there." She motions her head towards Carl with a soft but playful smile. "He almost got eaten for you, you know."
She continues to speak as she looks around at all the freed prisoners. "If you wish to leave and face the dangers of the marsh yourself, you're free to take one of the rafts. All I ask is that, if and when you reach the village, tell them where we are and to send as many boats as they can spare to pick up anyone who stays, the livestock as well as the bodies of the dead... their families will want to know what happened to them and to bury them properly."
Carl smiles at Auriel, a happy worn out smile when he claps him on the shoulder. “You’re right, I better have a looksee. I can’t believe we did it, you nearly cashed in back there Auriel, I couldn’t shoot straight when I saw you go down…”. He takes some deep breaths as he gathers himself. “I could do with a rest too, I believe. Whew!” Carl agrees to accompany Auriel since he managed to escape unscathed, his magical misty step protecting him from the monstrous lizardfolk.
And then, a familiar gruff voice speaks up. Carl spins around and hops on one foot then another, a look of glee and relief on his face. “Fuselad! C’mere you son of a bugbear! What the hell, I’ve been looking all over blue blazes for you, in the swamp, in streams, inside toads, all over the friggin’ place!” Carl ignores any offered hand and gives the meaty dwarf a bear hug, pulling him this way and that. “I came to hunt you down, cousin. And it looks like I found you, ya big chunk.” After a moment of happy greeting, Fuselad’s serious words sink in and he contains his excitement and says “Right you are. We need to get these people outta here. And if the dragon is expected to return that soon, I don’t know that we want to wait…”
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
Sylyra watches the dwarven exchange with a wry grin. "Auril's kiss, there's two of them," he says, sitting up. Looking around, he motions toward Bogclaw's body. "To help protect those who stay — and I'm not saying I'm prepared to do that myself — we should put his body or at least his head up on a spike as a warning." He waves a hand. "Put him over there by 'Daddy'." Sylyra groans as he gets back to feet. He pushes his curtains of hair back behind his shoulders and looks around. "What is there to eat and drink on this awful island?"
As the ranger and the paladin finish preparing the bodies, Auriel also takes a look to see if they are carrying anything that could be worthy to their families.
- Their families will surely appreciate anything they could have been carrying on themselves, in case the bodies cannot be recovered.
As he says this, he eyes Hex, noticing her tense smile. "What is wrong...?" he's about to ask just when she's about to say something, only for both of them to be interrupted. The eladrin just lets out a slight sigh. Later, they will speak later. Or at least he'll try to. He's not just found a group he's already fond of just to loose it right away because of ... what?
He turns his gaze to where the others are standing just in time to see Carl profusely greeting someone who must be his cousin. Well, that's one other good thing they've helped fix. He smiles and shakes his head a little thinking of the nice coincidence that Fuselad is one of the dwarves he managed to give one of his javelins to.
The paladin then walks back to the group and ponders everyone's opinions.
- It's only natural that these people want to leave this place right away. But I agree with Hex that the journey back won't be an easy one. And we - and he moves a hand in a circle indicating that he's refering to the ones gathered around Bogclaw - are the most prepared to help them get back safely. And as such, I think we need to rest for whatever time we need until we are ready to do that. If that is a few hours, instead of a whole night, then so be it. But I think no one should run away just as they are right now. Haste will be everyone's death.
When the druid speaks about the dwarves, Auriel rolls his eyes and lets out the slightest of smiles. There we go again, and he was being so ... he can't find the right word... but a moment ago. He says nothing but keeps focusing on the rest of the conversation. As the eladrin keeps speaking, and perhaps because he's been able to shake off a good part of the tension of the fight, he begins to feel another turn of the seasons is coming. How strange. How very strange. To have changed only once in so many years and be experiencing it now twice in a day.
- Auril's what? Is that a thing in this plane? - he asks, looking at the druid. Auriel had done his fair share of study of the so called material plane, as well as history of other planes and places, though perhaps not as thoroughly as he thought - Anyway. Regarding Bogclaw's head, I won't stop you guys if you all want to do that, but I think we should not act like the lizardfolk did.
He pauses, and then adds:
- We must be better.
God of War anyone? (beware spoilers)
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
"Aye, ye found me," Fuselad tells Carlthuzad. "And a good thing ye brought backup, seein' yer aim!"
After a belly laugh at Carl's expense, the dwarf suddenly gets serious. Sylyra's mention of food elicits an audible growl from his stomach. "We been fed, but it ain't been pretty. Us dwarves are hardy folk but a lot of folks are weak and hungry. They can prob'ly last a couple hours more, but...don't make 'em wait the whole night in this blasted swamp when we got daylight to burn ahead of us," he says. "You tell me what to tell 'em and I'll tell 'em. Moradin knows we ain't survivin' this swamp without ye lot."
See my profile for all my PbP threads!
Uragum runs one of his big hands over his scalp and sighs. "Suppose the dwarf has a point. No one wants to stay here long," Uragum says. He casts his eyes out over the lot of newly freed prisoners. He takes a deep breath ready to speak and then winces as it stretches his fresh wound. He tried not to draw any attention to it and then continued, "Tell the others we're taking a break. An hour, two tops. The ones that are wounded, stitch them up as much as possible. Those that are rested enough, have them gather what weapons they can from the fallen or search the lizardmen's camp for supplies or make any food if any can be found. They don't have to do anything complex but keep'em busy."
Hex searches through her pack and pulls out all the rations she has on her (13 in total) and hands them over to Fuselad. "Here, ration these out so everyone can have at least something to eat. It probably won't be enough to satisfy but it'll have to do for now."
As Uragum exclaims they're all going to take a break, Hex turns away and shrugs, returning to where she was before to continue tending to the dead bodies. "Like I said, leave if you want. I'm staying behind though. Someone needs to make sure the bodies aren't eaten by whatever animals live in the marsh," she pauses to look around for a moment before continuing, "As well as herd all the surviving livestock."
Auriel adds his rations to Hex's (9), glad for the ranger's quick and practical thinking. Then nods in agreement with Uragum and adds:
- Let's make it two hours rather than one. That will give us the time we need to care for the bodies and the animals, as Hex says, and also time to rest and refreshen.
He eyes Hex when she insists that Fuselad and the rest of ex-captives can leave when they want, but doesn't say anything, hoping it doesn't come to that. But the thought of leaving with the prisoners if they end up doing it crosses his mind.
The paladin is once again reminded that he hasn't still pronounced his oath. An oath to protect. To be the shield of those who most need it. But as much as we wants to do it, to find a quiet spot and moment to say the actual words to Tyr, he doesn't need it to happen to begin, or better said, keep abiding by them.
Auriel unconciously touches the holy symbol as he's thinking all this, and then nods to himself. He will follow his unpronounced oath - along with what his heart whispers to him - and adapt to whatever happens next.
With this, the eladrin turns once again to Uragum:
- Why don't you and Sylyra rest this whole time? You are still seriously wounded. Let Hex, Carl and I - and the others - take care of everything that needs to be done before leaving, okay?
OOC: If possible I would like to help Hex for an hour and use the last one to have the actual short rest before leaving.
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Carl nods with the plan, saying “I only need an hour to recover. After that, I’ll help with preparations to leave. Let me have my unseen servant help with dragging those bodies out of the way and let’s look for more boats. I think we all want to be out of here before that dragon returns..” Carl begins a short rest - -
A wizard is never late, nor is he early, he arrives precisely when he means to.
"We been fed, but it ain't been pretty. Us dwarves are hardy folk but a lot of folks are weak and hungry. They can prob'ly last a couple hours more, but...don't make 'em wait the whole night in this blasted swamp when we got daylight to burn ahead of us," Fuselad says.
Sylyra sighs and nods to himself. He should have known these scaly devils wouldn't have anything gourmet out here in the swamp. He begins to think about what he might eat once they return to civilization. What he really wants is a bottle of wine. Something expensive. When he sees Hex begin handing out her rations, he feels a pain in his gut that he doesn't like. He scowls and sits down, turning his back to the tiefling.
"Like I said," Hex says, "leave if you want. I'm staying behind though. Someone needs to make sure the bodies aren't eaten by whatever animals live in the marsh. As well as herd all the surviving livestock."
Sylyra looks around the island, once again taking stock of the animals. While some had fled into the waters at his urging, many were still milling about, trying themselves to find food among the carnage. Luckily, their pallets are satiated by the tender grass and other swamp plants that are plentiful. A tenday. How trustworthy are lizardfolk? Do they really have that long? Sylyra can't help himself, and his eyes turn toward the sky again, searching for any signs of his greatest nightmare. With another sigh, this one full of frustration, the elf wrenches open his bag and pulls out seven rations. Holding them out like an obstinate child toward Hex, he gripes, "Here. These can go around as well."
- I'm liking your invisible helper more and more by the moment, Carl - Auriel smiles - You should consider giving him, or her ... erm, them ... a name.
The paladin's smile increases with Sylyra also giving away his rations. The matter of the food is really improved now. Leaving the suggestion that the wizard and the druid spend the hours left in this island resting to their own choosing, he begins to make his way towards Hex. It is when he is almost upon her that the autumn eladrin realizes what she meant a moment ago.
- Wait. - he asks her directly - Did you just say that you intend to stay here until all bodies and animals can be recovered? Do you mean you will stay here for days even if the rest leave? - he looks astonished, not knowing what to say. For starters, he's in no position to tell her anything regarding a forseeable splitting of the party, since he himself thought about doing just that. He also doesn't want her to feel that he doubts her abilities to do that and stay safe in case danger arises. After the short time he's known her, he is pretty sure that the tiefling is capable enough to achieve a great deal of things. But that doesn't mean he likes that situation either. In the end he says - I don't know what to say, Hex. I'm no one to try to convince you against that, since your intentions are absolutely valid. But I don't feel okay with it either. Perhaps there is a way to achieve a better solution? - he wonders, once again trying to figure out the numbers to do that.
And though he isn't very sure what the tiefling's reaction will be to all of this, he also adds:
- Why are so intent on this, Hex? The danger and the pressure of time is clear for everyone, as is the reason for focusing on what we could call "the needs of the many". - He asks this wanting to understand the full picture and trying to see if there is really that much room for improvement in the plan discussed around Bogclaw's body.
(OOC: Will leave an insight roll in case I can read into what she answers, or what she decides to keep for herself. 16).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Hex can't help but let out a chuckle as Sylyra hands over his rations to her. "Well, with these, everyone is sure to have a good meal now. Thanks, Sylyra." She heads over to Fuselad and hands him the extra rations before returning to her work.
When Auriel questions why she is so intent on staying, she looks away from him and bites at her lip, a worried frown forming on her brow. "I... just don't like the idea of leaving them here to rot away. Their friends and families as well, they'd want closure. They'd want to bury them properly." She lets out a sigh and sits down on the ground, looking up at the paladin with exhaustion on her face. "As for the livestock... Well they were the livelihoods of the farmers back at the village. Without them, they might struggle to get back on their feet after such a lost. Not to mention what fate the animals would meet if they stayed in the marsh..."
Hex rubs her face with her hand, a little more rough than she probably should, with another sigh escaping from her lips. "I don't know. I guess I just feel a little responsible for their deaths. We came here to save them and yet there they lay. Dead. These people... they weren't fighters. They were just normal people who had their lives taken far too soon."
For Auriel's insight:
She's pretty much telling the truth - there is definitely more than a hint of guilt behind her words. She really wanted everything to end with as little bloodshed as possible and yet somehow it seems to have ended the opposite. There seems to be a little something more when she says "They were just normal people who had their lives taken far too soon." though. Her frown deepens and she looks more sad than anything.
The eladrin pays silent attention to what the tiefling is saying, as they keep working on the bodies. When she stops and sits down, he sits along with her and after pondering for a moment his next words, he says:
- That is thoughtful of you, Hex. We could all learn from your empathy, me being the first one in that list. I have been thinking solely of making the way back, but didn't stop to consider farther than that. Having said that, let me tell you this: I think you are putting an excesive weight on these - he says, gently touching one of her shoulders - It's good to have a certain level of self-criticism. Many people are usually lacking in that matter. But an excess of it can be dangerous, as it makes us set impossible objectives. I believe we did the best we could, and that not even the best of plans can survive that which is out of our control. We couldn't know that the freed prisoners would want to fight, instead of fleeing, for example. Nor that the Muckmarsh wouldn't want to listen, or the Rootwater free the captured. Nor that Bogclaw would have a bloodlust that would lead him to kill even his own. I fear to think what would have happened to these people if we hadn't been able to stop him.
He stops for a moment, a bit embarrassed after what he's said.
- Sorry, pay me no mind. You are exhausted and here am I, lecturing you as if I knew better. Which I don't. Just let me say that since you want to stay, I'll do my part coming back as soon as possible with help. And, please, do stay safe. There will be plenty of opportunities to help those in need in the future, and room for improvement to do it better - he smiles a little shyly as he adds - It's just ... I'm glad to have found you all. First Carl, and then the three of you. It would be great if we could stick together for a while, don't you think?
Auriel then stands and offers the ranger a hand to help her do the same if she wants to. He feels there's still something Hex hasn't shared, and that there's more than that feeling of guilt that she isn't saying, some feeling of sadness, but decides not to push the matter. There will be time for all of them to get to know each other better.
- I should be taking some rest before the journey back. Let me know if there's something else I can help with before leaving, okay?
The eladrin then looks for a quiet spot where he can sit seiza style, hands resting on his thighs, eyes almost - but not entirely - closed and slowly breathing in and out. He will meditate in that position for a while, emptying his mind, relaxing body and soul.
OOC: Auriel too, begins a short rest (let's use his last hit die).
Peindre l'amour, peindre la vie, pleurer en couleur ♫
Auriel | Shenua | Arren | Lyra
Sylyra wanders over to mill about with the animals on the island, speaking quietly to them and assuring them that they will be safe now.
Short rest started.
Hex listens quitely to Auriel, feeling a little weight lift off her shoulders as he speaks. When he stands she takes his hand to stand and does a little stretch before placing a hand on the paladin's arm. "Thank you, Auriel. I'm glad we found you two as well. I don't even want to think about what would've happen if we didn't stumble upon you."
Hex spends the next hour or two helping out any of the now freed captives with anything they need, food and water or tending to their injuries as best as they can with the resources they have. She even casts Speak With Animals to try and herd as much of the livestock onto the island and in a safer more managable place. With what time she has left, she uses it to search through the lizardfolk's camps, looking for anything useful they could use.
After however long it took for her to complete all her tasks and her muscles begin to ache too much to bear, Hex looks for a shady spot under a tree and lies on the ground, arm over her eyes, to finally take a short break.