| Logs |
2001 July 31
| Inizii |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Inizii Logs |
Search and Rescue
Kyrel leads the way out of town, heading a touch east of north in the wake of the retreating vampires and his scouting familiar. Kiri is communicating more and more worry - he's being chased by a big bat. Bodan follows close behind at running pace pushing hard to keep up with Kyrel in his armor.
The pair travel out of the town at a quick pace, and soon, to the very sharpest of ears, the sound of flapping wings is heard. In the distance, trees can be spotted in the light offered by moon and stars. The 'skree!' of the fleeing bat is heard, and then a larger, darker shape quick on his tail can be spotted, some ways up in the air. As the pair approach it becomes obvious that Kiri is dwarfed by his pursuer. He is trying to get lower to the ground, but the larger one is swooping below, herding the poor familiar higher. Kiri is definitely more manueverable than his chaser, but the larger one is much quicker. When they are finally close enough to see clearly, the predator looks enormous, its wingspan nearly eight and a half feet.
Bodan, noticing the fluttering pair, perks up and asks, huffing, "Is that your bat? The smaller one right?" Kyrel nods. "Aye, that he is. Let's take out the big one." He starts with a brief incantation, aiming a spell of sleep at the larger bat.
Bodan looks around for some larger rocks, knowing that his reserve of javelins had been used in his previous encounters.
Having waited until there was a noticable gap between the dire bat, and Kiri, Kyrel's spell goes off. However, even though the wizard can tell that his target was in the area of effect, the spell simply doesn't work on it; the large creature still chasing Kiri, not even slowed by the enchantment. The half-elven mage grimaces as the sleep spell bounces, and his fingers move as he mutters another set of arcane words. A lightning bolt leaps up from his hands toward the creature harassing his familiar. Dive for me, Kiri, as soon as the spell goes off!
Kiri does indeed dive when the bolt zigzags through the air, but the larger bat doesn't even seem phased, flying straight through the streak if lightning. However, Kyrel seems to have annoyed it to no ends, for its course changes, flying straight toward him, instead.
Bodan finds some suitable rocks while Kyrel continues casting. He looks up, aiming at the large of the two forms and heaves the first rock at the creature just after Kyrel's magic lights up the sky.
The bat's course is nearly stopped by the incoming rock, but with wicked agility proves the master, for it dodges the stone, and keeps on coming. The second stone is too far off its mark to even divert the bat's attention. Kiri begins to fly around, keeping out of the dire bat's direct path, and taking a roundabout route to Kyrel.
Kyrel has time for one last spell as the dire-bat flies in for the attack, and suddenly there are 9 copies of the mage, spreading out in all directions and moving through each other to confuse the senses.
The dire bat swerves before reaching Kyrel, flying up over his head, and circling around, the 'skree!' of its echolocation sense audible as the creature senses the illusory copies of its target. The bat swoops downward, however, nearly touching ground some ten feet off. Just as it nears the ground, its body starts to pulse and shake, and from the winged creature's body, it splits as it lands. In its place, fur a midnight black, a wolf stands. However, it's nearly 9 feet in length, and audibly sniffing the air.
Bodan drops the rock in hand and charges forward at the shapechanger, now in wolf form. He doesn't call forth his warhammer this time, but instead attemts to tackle the creature. "Come on Kyrel."
As the paladin nears, the wolf snarls, and lunges as he approaches. Its enormous, fanged mouth bites deep into the paladin's thigh, and jerking back, tears into his flesh. However, despite the pain, the knight of suffering is able to pull back, keep on his feet, as the wolf makes a vain attempt to yank him to the ground.
The half-orc, trying to tackle and pin the large beast, is unsuccessful, the wolf simply bucking the armored knight off, its jaws releasing from his leg.
Kiri, by now, has fluttered back to the illusionist, and flaps in his face, wanting into the protective spot in Kyrel's tunic.
Bodan yells out to Kyrel, "Not sure me can hold this huge thing down, we might need another plan!"
Kyrel takes advantage of the wolf's distraction to ready his bow. Kiri flutters into his face briefly, wanting to get back to his usual safe spot, but lands on the half-elf's shoulder in response to a terse order. The shaft flies true, lodging in the creature.
The shaft sinks in along the wolf's shoulder. It releases an angry howl, before viciously coming on the offensive to the half-orc, once more.
The wolf comes on strong at Bodan, its jaws sinking into his flank. Even as the wicked bite comes in, up rise those front two paws, and with a jerk of the head and a shove, the dire wolf sends Bodan to the ground.
Bodan stands back up, calls forth his warhammer realizing that he's not going to be able to take down this large creature with bare hands and takes a swing.
The wolf draws back, and with a quick move, its body repels the hammer, having bent with the blow, and deflected it harmlessly. The wolf backs up, however, looking into the distance, before glaring at Bodan with obviously intelligent eyes.
Kyrel frowns and pulls one of the magic arrows from his quiver this time. He takes aim at the creature and lets it fly.
The streaking arrow flies harmlessly over the beast. An audible snort, a lupine laugh, comes from it, before it visibly backs up, moving cautiously out of Bodan's range. Hair bristled on its back, haunches raised, the beast almost seems larger then it is, just daring the half orc to approach.
Bodan steps up bravely, or perhaps foolishly, and makes an all out attack at the beast.
The paladin's god must have smiled, for both swings seem to sail in. The first connects brutally with the wolf's jaw, and the second crashes into its shoulder. A pained howl escapes it. Kyrel moves a little and sends another arrow streaking at the beast as the paladin moves to confront it. The wolf turns slightly to intercept Bodan, but the arrow scores its flank, rising another howl of alarm. It glances around, glaring at the paladin, snarling. The wolf doesn't look beaten, could obviously take more, but instead, its form becomes mist, the large animal seeming to melt into the vaporous form.
Seeing the form turning to mist, the Paladin takes another strike, attempting to get some more damage in while he can. The mist simply parts for the mighty hammer, the attack doing nothing but stir the wind, causing it to drift further out.
Bodan growls, the kneels placing his hand on his wounded leg and chants, "Ilmater, take upon my suffering and be greater. Bless me with your own pain so that I may take the suffering of others once more."
Kyrel snarls as the creature turns to mist - this one is still dangerous, since it was a voluntary shift. The creature still retains its volition. He watches it drift away... at least we have a direction. I really hate undead....
The mist visibly flies toward the edge of the woods, and hovers. The mist begins to solidify, touching ground. In its place, a battered, smaller version of the beast that was just fought materializes. It gives a glare to the two, ignoring the illusions. Turning, tail flicking in annoyance and as if some 'come here', the wolf runs into the forest.
Kyrel stares after the departing beast for a moment, then shakes his head. "No. Far to dangerous. There might very well be others, and it might be shamming itself. Back to town."
Bodan stands, looking at the mist before walking back to Kyrel with a small limp. His warhammer vanishes once again.
Kyrel gently takes Kiri from his shoulder, checking him to make sure that he's unhurt, while 'talking' to him to determine what he saw before the whatever-it-was attacked. Kiri chirps in response to Kyrel, retelling.
Kyrel communes with his familiar on the way back to town. The little bat, over his fright, flies around, happy to take advantage of the spell-warmth in the frigid air while he can... but he doesn't stray far from the mage.
Kyrel says, "Not good. The thing wasn't heading straight back to its coffin after all, but apparently deliberately led toward an ambush... He obviously made plans in case we didn't go for blackmail." Bodan nods. "And the thing has powerful forms to change into. It is something to contend with."
The two enter the tavern, back in town. A few people are huddled inside, some unable to find security in their homes at night, and better in a big, public place with others.
Derleth appears at that moment at the foot of the stairs, clomping down to give something back to the inkeeper. "Me thanks for the herbs, sirrah."
Kyrel sighs and sits down, nodding tiredly to Derleth. "It got away. He had backup. We'll need to find where he's lairing, but it could be almost anywhere within ten miles of town."
Kyrel thinks about that. "No, actually.. within 7 miles of where we fought the big bat. We'll narrow it down if we keep doing this... but we have to look tomorrow."
Bodan limps towards the stairway. "Me must go rest after that battle. In the morning perhaps we will search for the creature?"
Kyrel nods. "Exactly. Tomorrow, during daylight."
Derleth nods his greetings to the mage and the paladin. "Aye. We do yet need our sleep, don't ye know. Vane is't already upstairs, asleep, thanks t' some herbal aids. Hopefully, e' might recover on 'is own from the vampires touch...if nae, we can only hope that Oghma sees fit t' grant the Tarlbren priests the magics t' restore yer brother."
Kyrel nods grimly. "We can hope. The creature is going out of its way to make this personal. I can't believe that the axe is just a sentimental token."
Bodan nods, "Good then off to bed me go. My rest is needed for healing also. Hopefully we will get lucky. At least we know a general direction to search. Until then, Goodnight" He limps up the stairway towards his room.
Derleth says, "Let us 'ope that the axe is nae needed to permanently put 'im down. We dinnae have much time, ah don' think."
Derleth swivels to address Bodan. "I'd look t' yer wounds iff'n ye'll let me, paladin....surely the Crying God would wan' ye to be at yer best t' prevent more suffering?"
Bodan says, "Aye, you might be right. I take no worry to suffer meself, but suffering needlessly is what we aim to stop."
Derleth looks relieved that Bodan did not need much convincing, and goes over to the half orc, wincing slightly at his wounds as he brings the power of Lliara to bear, Her soft light stitching his skin back together to its unblemished state.
The paladin nods his thanks, before making his way tiredly up the stairs.
Derleth turns back to Kyrel. "The townsfolk were a bit skittish after ye left, but I t'ink I bespoke them back into complacency. At least, they all went 'ome."
Kyrel says, "We should be done with this for tonight. I'm just glad we're not far enough north to have night until spring... we'll need to keep our eyes open, though. Do you want Kiri to keep an eye on you while you sleep? You're by yourself now that Kaz has gone south."
Derleth seems to consider, and then nods. "Aye, ah suppose so. Though I 'ope we'll nae have any thieves rummaging through me stuff again."
Kyrel says, "I hope not, too. But I'm not going to count on it. Our friend was smart enough to keep an ambush on his backtrail in case of emergencies. He might also have been smart enough to keep some of his folks in reserve to harass us later."
Derleth claps Kyrel on the shoulder. "Rest then, me friend. We'll need it." With that, Derleth clomps back upstairs, not waiting to see if the bat is in tow.
Kyrel sends Kiri after the cleric, and heads up to the room he shares with his brother to get some rest, too. Kai will stand watch while they sleep.
Derleth's room is dark, quiet, the cleric's things simply tossed about. Kiri hangs from a crossbeam on the ceiling, the little bat watching vigilantly, though boredly for some time. Later in the night, however, a sharp knock comes to the door, quietly at first, as if someone was trying not to wake anyone else.
The cleric isn't stirred by the first knock. A feminine voice calls quietly, after a second knock, "Derleth! Wake up, please, hurry!" The sound is urgent.
Derleth groggily grunts, slowly becoming aware of a feminine voice calling him. He drags himself out of bed, dressed only in his underthings. As an afterthought, he grabs a vial of holy water as he goes to the door, opening it a crack.
In the hall in near darkness, stands a figure. And, after a few moments, Derleth can discern that it's Sara. The woman is in obvious disarray, though, with her leathers dirty and torn, bits of twig in her hair. Cloak pulled tight about her, she seems to perk up when the cleric finally answers the knock. "Derleth! You're awake! Hurry, we need to speak, before the dwarf's minions spot me!"
Kiri chirrips as things get more interesting. Boss? Got a visitor!
Derleth blinks stupidly for a moment, and then he opens the door wider, grabbing Sara's cloak and pulling her inside. The door closed, Sara suddenly finds a lot of Derleth embracing her. "Gods lass! I were worried sick about ye!"
She hugs Derleth back, but draws away, hearing the squeak of Kiri. Glancing up quickly, the woman pauses...and then nods to herself, noting it's Kyrel's familiar. Turning to Derleth, "Beware...the dwarf has his eyes and ears everywhere. I can't stay long, I have to speak quickly."
Derleth opens his mouth, having a million questions to ask...but then just nods, keepnig his peace. "Tell me, lass."
Sara seems to speak a mile a minute. "I...I went out to stalk the vampire, in Nemford. We fought... He wounded me horribly, and I limped off. He didn't come after me; some thugs came along, and he had said something about intercepting a thief...I don't know. But, he believes me dead. I've been stalking him ever since, following his trail..." She removes the broken stake, the rotting haft that was Ebrek's axe-shaft. "I tried to stake him in Nemford; it broke. But, I've been trying to pin him down since, but been unable. He's got traps hidden everywhere, guarding himself."
Derleth says, "Sara, ye should stay here and rest. We fought the beast this ver'e night...reduced him t' that black mist. We plan t' find his resting place in the morn and put an end t' him...ye shouldn't go limping back int' the night, wi' nae backup."
Shaking her head, she holds up a pale hand, showing her ring. "I need little sleep. I came here to warn you; he has eyes everywhere. I've had to hide under snowbanks, tried to do everything to mask scent, everything to hide from the beast and his underlings. However, I think I've found what the gem does! That is what I felt I must tell you; I hope you still have it?"
Derleth blinks. "Aye, lass. Tis what e' wanted...the gem and axeblade both."
Sara nods quickly. "Do you have them both? They're needed."
The door opens quietly, and Kyrel moves silently into the cleric's room as he sees the two figures. As the warrior woman speaks, his eyes widen. "Sara? By the gods, are you all right?"
Derleth points at Kyrel. "This one 'as em, actually. He had some crazy idee about remaking the weapon...Kyrel, look who's back..."
Sara turns slightly, and then nods to Kyrel, offering him a warm smile, before turning back to Derleth. "The gem...if linked to a weapon it... I've interrogated the dwarf at the Inn. He was created by a pact with darker forces...the gem it has a link to him. It can't be detected, but it is a Weakness for the vampire. If it's linked to a weapon, and damage done with the weapon, it bypasses his defenses, it wounds him greater."
Derleth blinks, and then looks at Kyrel. "What d'ye know. Ye had the right of it, Kyrel."
Kyrel nods. "I knew it couldn't just be sentiment. Vampires are more intelligent than that."
Kyrel sighs. "I should've talked to that dwarf myself. We ran out of time and I forgot to before we left. Sara.... forgive me, but I need to check something." He puts a hand out to touch her cheek.
She looks around, suddenly seeming worried. "I think I know where he's hiding. I'll have to check, however.... You said you turned him to mist?" She asks, urgently, to Derleth. "Good! Then he'll be easier to find, until he's healed."
She gasps, as Kyrel touches her, unexpectedly. She jerks her head back, turning toward him. "What're you doing?" Derleth looks at Kyrel as well, confused by his act.
Kyrel sighs. "Oh, my. Derleth... could you detect evil?"
Derleth says, "Detect...well, ah suppose that's nae a bad idee, see if there's anyone that followed Sara in...." He grasps his medallion and chants the necessary prayer....
Sara looks nerviously about, before simply starting to run toward the door. "I've warned you! Look for him at Troll Rock! That's where I'm headed." She speaks hastily, before speeding around the corner.
Derleth blinks, utterly flabbergasted. "What it the Lady's name...."
Kyrel looks up at Kiri for a moment, letting him recount the conversation. "She may have been telling the truth, or perhaps not. But... she didn't survive the vampire's attentions."
Derleth inhales a breath. "My gods...she's been turned intae one o' them."
Kyrel says, "Either she is trying to get us to kill off Ebrek so she can be her own vampire, or she really is fighting his influence to help us, or he's using her to set up a really devious and elaborate trap and the gem/blade weapon is worthless. "
Derleth sits on the bed, trying to absorb all this. "We may nae need the gem t' kill 'im, if e's like a normal vampire. But...let us get our rest and talk of such things in the morn, aye?"
Derleth says, "Ah suspect, howe'er, that she's not completely under. She did glow in response t' the spell, but t'was more like a taint, and nae like the dwarf 'imself."
Kyrel nods. "That's... well, better than I feared. She's probably telling the truth, then, mostly. Troll Rock it is, then, tomorrow. We keep our eyes open naetheless."
Derleth nods. "To bed then. Kiri'll keep watch."
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