Dragons and Magic II: The Hunt for DreamWeaver

[Mantra]

Ona

"Hello in the camp!" Ona called out. She held her arms out from her body, palms toward the group, to show that she held no weapons and took a few steps forward. "I mean no harm. May I approach?"

As she called out, a flury of activity burst through the camp. There were some shouts and cries from the center of camp while men scuttled about, readying weapons or spears. From behind them a baby began crying but quickly nearly a dozen armed men steeled themselves for a fight while the rest of the camp huddled together around the center fires and wagons.

Ona was a bit wary of all the activity, but not suprised. There were odd things about and these people were far from anyplace they might call a home. Most notable though, was the feeling which tingled in the air. There was adrenalin to be sure, and angst, but there was more...

They were terrified.

"Who are you and what do you want!" one of the men called.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac lowered his sword, but did not sheath it. "I am Cormac Rua-Wolfbrother clan Bladesong, a traveling warrior. My companions and I merely heard noise from this direction and came to investigate, Who are you brother?"

 

[Mantra]

Khan

The shamblers were dispatched without effort at all but at Khan closed on their leader, Khan was forced to bring his shield up as a heavy mace smote against it. Khan brought his sword around, only to have it parried by the mace-wielding man. A second exchange and a third followed as the two battled, but Khan was quickly sorting out his opponent. He was neither stronger nor more skilled than Khan was, and so on the next exchange, he blocked the mace on his shield again, but then drove forward, slamming his shoulder against the shield which in turn slammed into the man, throwing him backwards.

Khan's sword came around and the flat of the blade swatted the mace out of his opponent's hand. The leader slipped and fell to the floor with Khan's sword resting on his neck.

As the battle had been joined, two unique things happened. One, the leader's helm had fallen off when he himself had fallen. The leader was not an elf at all, but a human. The second was that Khan's illusion had been dispelled, revealing his true appearance. The fallen man's eyes were wide with shock and fear.

"You?!? What are you doing here? I thought your kind never left the mountain?" he asked.

“Tell me, what has happened here before I make death look inviting,” Khan demanded.

"The..The elves were to be destroyed. They have something that Malus wants. I don't know what it was... I was just gathering... resources."

 

[AmenRa]

O'Bonn stood slightly behind Cormac and to his right. He held Talon low, its downward curve resting against his right leg. Should an untoward gesture be made to his warrior friend, O'Bonn would bring the blade up and cause its mighty arc to slice flesh and rend bone.

He made no introduction himself, keeping his head in shadow, and remaining quiet. The Elves of the Great Northern Lands had enemies, and since he was the son of the king, he would be a valued prize amongst them. Of couse he knew not if those Cormac hailed were friend or foe, but until he could be sure, he would do nothing that would put his companions in danger at his expense.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

The Interrogation

Khan saw the mace before it was swung, and he whipped out his shield with practiced speed, which in turn caused his cloak to open and stay open. He proceeded to fight the leader, and when he knocked the man back, he found it to be a human, not an elf.

Khan hadn’t noticed is illusion had been dispelled until the man spoke. So, he thinks I’m one of the dragons in human form eh? Well, there are benefits to looking like one, thought Khan. He smiled, showing a mouth full of viciously sharp teeth. His eyes were not those of humans; they were an orange, fiery color, with vertical slits for pupils. Behind him, attached to his back, were a pair of large leathery wings; the cloak was laying in the gap between the wings.

“The elves were to be destroyed? Now, I’m going to ask a series of questions, and you better answer them all truthfully, or death will become mighty inviting. First, who is Malus? Second, what ‘resources’ were you gathering? And third, were you successful in destroying the elves completely?” said Khan, in a calm, menacing voice. “And finally, you may not know what it was Malus wanted, but do you have any ideas?”

He kept the blade pressed against the man’s throat, waiting for a response.

 

[Mantra]

Ona, Cormac and O'Bonn

A few of the men jumped when the newcommers stepped from the shadows but they stood their ground, grim faced and determined. Finally one of them, an older man near the center, called back to them.

"I am Dolomas. If you mean no harm, then lay down your arms, state your business and advance to be recognised."

 

[Mantra]

Khan

Khan's sword held firm as he asked his questions.

"Malus it the one who has been named to lead the armies of the South. It is his duty to sweep the lands clean and we are taksed to help him. I don't know what the elves had, only that Malus wants it enough that he personally commanded they all be put to death to get it."

"I had nothing to do with the battle, I am only a collector, sent to gather ... resources for the army. Much of the gold I plundered is hidden on a cart outside."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Interrogation continues

Khan studied the man’s face, seeing mostly the fear inspired by seeing one who appeared to be one of the dragon kind. But there was something else, too, that popped up with the man referred to ‘resources.’

“Sweep the lands clean? Clean of what? And who is ‘we’?” demanded Khan, his sharp teeth exposed. “What do you mean by ‘resources’? You mean mindless zombie slaves, don’t you?”

Khan broke eye contact for a second to glance around. “Was there anyone else with you other than those four?” said Khan, indicating the elves he had just sent to rest in peace. He kept the sword up against the man’s throat. Of course, he had heard about the plundered gold, but that didn’t pull at him nearly as hard as would have someone else, but he would remember that.

 

[Mantra]

Khan

"Resources for our army." The man repeated, motioning slightly with his head towards the now ruined shamblers and the hanging corpses. "Armies are expensive.. in one way or another."

His lips twitched slightly at the last, but his voice had stopped quivering when he spoke although he did nothing to challenge Khan's position. Whatever suprise and shock Khan had gained when forst confronting this man was wearing off as his wits settled.

"Yes, there are more shamblers around the town, but they will obey me. What of my life dragon? If I lead you to my spoils, will you agree to let me go?"

 

[Bladesman]

Draken studied the knife for a moment. It was pointing to the east which meant that his target was to the east. He groaned quietly as he looked over the forest and considered something. There was only one part of this that he did not like. The walking annoyed him to no end, he needed somthing to ride, something that would allow him to travel much faster, but with that thought in mind, Draken sheathed the dagger and began to walk, heading to the east.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Khan grabbed the man by the throat and threw him against the opposite wall, and before the man could recover, Khan had his sword back at the man’s throat.

“Do not think for one second that I can be bought with whatever you have plundered,” Khan growled at the man. “I will decide upon what you tell me whether or not to spare your life; of course, there are some things out there that are worse than dieing. You still haven’t answered my previous questions. Sweep the land clean of what? And who is ‘we’?”

Khan continued to study the man’s face, looking for any hints that the man was lying to him.

 

[Optimas]

"Excellent." Doorna purred. "Your strength and ferocity will be a great asset to our armies. You shall be give the honor of one of two battlefields, either against the Dead Ones or against the mountain. Either way, I do not doubt that you will achieve greatness."

He cocked his head for a moment in thought. His pointed ears twitching a bit before speaking again.
"Still, there is your banishment to deal with. If you could lead a force of beast men to victory and glory, I would be able to sponsor your position as War Chief before the Stone."

"It just so happens that I have a task force that I myself was going to lead, but I shall yeald that honor to you, that you may regain your favor."

"Do you wish to lead them in battle?"

Borgus looked deep into the catmans eyes, as if to read him. He paused and made up his mind ,"Borgus like you, and Shall enjoy killing dem dead ones." The giant minotaur pulled himself to his full hieght and let out a booming war cry, a sound so beastial birds flew for miles around.

 

[Mantra]

Draken

Draken had dutifully marched for the remainder of the day and half og the night. He actually made better time at night as his Drow blood and upbringing was more accustom to the dark than day. His eyes were not as sensitive as Drow eyes were, but bright sunlight still bothered Draken.

In any case, he noted he was traveling more or less towards the human settlements. The woods were more or less bordered by humans, to the West were tribal, savage human tribes called Riada or some such blather. Superstitious thuggish humans pretending they actually knew something about the land. To the East were more huimans, encroaching, meddling, ignorant humans who actually believed they were 'civilized' because they built towns and claimed to 'tame' the wilderness.

Humans lived in the wood lands too, but the woods was claimed by demi-human clans as well. Most of all however, were the elves who held the most power.

Draken ducked behind a large tree as his keen senses detected movement ahead. Speaking of elves, Draken spotted three wood elves just off the path ahead. Two looked to be foraging about while a third stood watch, bow in hand. Just behind the watchman was a small two wheeled cart pulled by ... a horse, who stood quietly as it nibbled on the grass at it's feet.

 

[Mantra]

Khan

The man hit the wall with a snarl and crumpled. He attempted to right himself but Khan's swork kept him down against the wall.

"You have no concept about what is beyond death...." he growled, staring daggers up at Khan.
"And your actions do not encourage me to expect a fair compromise on your part....."

"Very well, dragon. I will answer your questions. We will sweep aside all those who oppose us. Our will shall be the way of all things. Malus seeks to set himself upon a throne of bones and rule over a necropolis which shall reach from sea to sea"
"There is more, but it requires me to show you."

 

[Mantra]

Borgus

Doorna gave Borgus a half-smile and hodded appreciativly.

" I admire your zeal Borgus WarChief, but it is not the walking dead that I was tasked to destroy, at least not yet."

"The United Clans have any enemies about us. Surely you would agree that our own territories must be free and under our control in order for us to confront the threat of the Dead Ones and the Mountain. There is an outpost, a garrison of wood elves that could threaten our flank and disrupt communications and supplies. They are allies to those who would be our enemies and must be removed."

"I have been given the honor of exterminating this garrison and striking the first blow against your enemies. I will give this honor to you and act as your second. My own tribe is a part of the force I have been given to lead and will fight under your leadership."

"If you are successful and do well, then I shall speak on your behalf and nominate you as War Chief to lead our armies against the Dead Ones."

"Do you accept this charge?"

 

[Bladesman]

Such stupid fools, these surface elves. Their intelligence level was not much better then the worthless human vermin that plagued the surface world. He pushed back his cloak as darkness fell over the land. It was not the normal darkness of the land but the unnatural darkness that signalled the arrival of evil in the land. Both the stars and the moons were hidden as stillness spread over the animals and bird of the land.


Letting his heat vision float over his eyes, he looked towards the elves again. They were uneasy and the horse was spooked as well, Draken grinned as he saw it and slowly strung his bow and pulled a barbed arrow from his quiver. He watched one elf move away, heading out to scout around their camp. Draken climbed into a tall tree and began to watch the elves, taking note of the one that was on watch, making sure of where he would walk and how often.

As he watched the scout, one of the elves laid down to rest. That left only the scout and the elf tending the fire. He drew his bow nocking the barbed arrow and drew it back. He sighted down the arrow, drawing it on the fire tending elves throat before releasing. The arrow flew from his bow with not even the faintest whisper of sound. As soon as he released the arrow,he cloaked himself and hid within the tree just as the arrow pierced the elves throat, killing him instantly.

 

[rengadeirishman]

Cormac sheathed his sword but kept his hand subtly on one of his long knives. "Ive put up my sword friend, I say again that we mean no harm."

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Khan

“Of course I have no concept of what is beyond death, for I have yet to die. But I know how to send you straight to hell, and how to make seem like you’re already there even before you draw your last breath. I know what kind a hell life can become, and I’m not afraid to make someone else’s life a living hell,” Khan growled at the man. “As for what you need to show me, do your best to describe it first. Then I’ll decide to see it with my own eyes.”

Khan grabbed the man by the collar and pulled him outside. “Call forth the rest of the zombies you have under your command, and then order them to kill each other.”

 

[Dracona]

A few of the men jumped when the newcommers stepped from the shadows but they stood their ground, grim faced and determined. Finally one of them, an older man near the center, called back to them.

"I am Dolomas. If you mean no harm, then lay down your arms, state your business and advance to be recognised."

Ona stepped closer to the fire, her arms held out from her sides. She felt her companions nearby but stayed focused on sending out waves of good will to the group they faced. The terror of the women and children beat at her and she clenched her teeth trying to insulate herself from it. What had these people been through that could cause such nearly overwhelming fear?

Slowly she reached for the dagger she wore and removed it from its sheeth. It wasn't much of a weapon, and she didn't really need it for fighting, but it was something that the men would understand. Locking her gaze on their apparent leader, Dolomas, she bent carefully and laid her blade on the ground with the hilt facing him then straightened and took a step back.

"My name is Ona." she said in a soft voice and gave him a small smile. "My companions and I are travelers. We...saw your fires and felt we should investigate. In such times as these it is best to be aware of who your neighbors might be, don't you agree?"

She let her gaze travel briefly along the line of men and then returned her focus to Dolomas. Keeping her movements slow and obvious she lowered her arms to her sides but turned her palms forward enough so that the man could see she wasn't reaching for any hidden weapons.

"It would be appreciated if you could tell us in which direction you traveled from and what perils lie that way, if any. Anything you can tell us may help in planning our own journey." She knew it wasn't exactly the truth, their path was pretty much planned. Any information they could get could prove helpful though, and maybe give them some clue as to who these people were and if they were any kind of threat as unlikely as that seemed.

 

[Mantra]

Draken

The arrow flew straight to its target, striking the first elf through the throat. He fell with a muffled gurgle, his own half drawn arrow springing away to be lost in the brush. As the sentry fell the other two looked up and in a flash, vanished into the brush on either side of the path. The tiny campfire gutted out leaving only the dark of night around them.

The horse, nervous as it was, began plodding away slowly down the path as soon as it's keepers had moved away.

The hunt was on.

 

[Mantra]

Cormac, Ona and O'Bonn

Dolomas hesitated for a moment before putting away his own sword. He came out of the ring of spears, walking out to meet with Ona and Cormac. Behind him, the men seemed to relax, but they did not return to their previous duties.

Dolomas stayed just our of arm's reach and surveyed the three of them carefully. "Most of us are from the southern villages, Kent, Maid's Meadow, Gator's Rise... They exist no longer and we are all that remain."

"Twice now, we have been attacked on the road, once by orcs and once by goblins. We have nothign save the few posessions scrounged from the ruins and we flee westwards, hoping that the Riada will take pity on us until we can make out way across the forests to the eastern cities."

"Who are you three who wander in so inhospitable a place alone?"

 

[rengadeirishman]

"I am Riada, we picnic where others fear to tread." Cormac said, "We are warriors on a quest. I am sorry for your losses, But I believe my people will take pity on you, enemies of greenskins are friends to us, travel to stonebridge, and say you were sent by Cormac Rua Wolf-Brother." He said, taking his hand from near his knife.

 

[Mantra]

Khan

Khan's captive slowly stood.
"Bah! How can I describe glory or the future? Especially to one so thuggish. Still, if you wish to dispatch my shamblers, then you may wish to look behind you..."

Khan was wary of a trap but s soft 'thud' and scrape from behind him caused Khan to turn slightly to see the first of several animated moon elves shuffled into the door way.

"Kill him!" Khan's captive called out. Khan lashed out at him, but the man had thrown himself sideways at the same moment. Khan was forced to turn his attention away from the human as the moon elves, seven in all, surged forward at him with the sole intention of ripping him to bits....

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Khan

Khan tried to grab the man again, but he had gotten away. Now he had to deal with seven zombies. Dukar, which was still in his hand, glittered with a bright white light, and Khan smiled. Seven zombies would pose much of a problem, would they? That was what Khan was thinking until something shot past his ear, from behind, and buried itself in one of the zombies: it was a cross-bow bolt. The zombie that got hit staggered, but remained standing; the bolt buried in the meat of his abdomen.

Khan turned around to see three more zombies behind him, one with a cross-bow in its hands. That upped the difficulty quotient. Khan quickly assessed the threats posed by the seven zombies closest to him, and the three zombies farthest from him, one of them with a cross-bow. Seeing as how the others were unarmed, Khan decided that the one with the cross-bow was a greater threat, thus first to go.

Raising his sword, Dukar, he ran towards the zombie while it was still reloading the cross-bow. Cross-bows take longer to reload than bows, and it takes even longer for a brainless zombie to do it. The zombie looked up just in time to see Khan swing his sword and take the heads off all three zombies in one stroke. With that threat done with, Khan turned his attention back to the other seven.

With a few strokes of his blade, he quickly dispatched the seven zombies. Looking around to see no more zombies, he sheathed his sword, put his illusion back in place, so as to appear to be no more than a man in armor, and took off after the man who got away.

 

[Mantra]

Khan

The zombies were dispatched without much effort. The things were slow, clumsy and most importantly, stupid. They did however, take time to destroy, time enough for the human to wheel around and flee back inside the ruined building.

The fight did not last long and Khan pursued the human back inside, moving warilly in case of a trap or more zombies but there were none. As he entered, Khan heard the final verse of some sort of chant or prayer. The hairs on the back of his neck stood as he traced the sound back towards the hanging corpses and barrels. He saw the human lurking in the dark behind the bodies. The chant ended and there was a split second of silence, then there was a creak, then a crack, and then another... finally the wooden barrels split apart, spilling their red, liquid contents out to flow across the floor.

The sudden blood spill did not flow out far, instead seeming to coagulate and gel into a red mass instead. The mass quivered for a moment, as its center grew, becoming a four foot glob in the midst of an eight foot blood stain. Amoeba like, the thing oozed forward, towards Khan. As it approached, it drew it's bulk up becoming taller but less wide. It finally stood some seven feet, roughly pillar shaped, with the vaguest hints of a human torso, head and finally, broad arms formed out from the mass on it's sides.

The blood-thing stood impasivly between Khan and the human. It made no sound except a sickening slurping, squishing noise as it moved. It had no real definition, no face, nopersonality, but still radiated a palpable menace as it advanced.