RP:Coalition Encounter the undead! And an ogre too!
Background
After a long time drilling through the caves, the Coalition finally came across an expanse. However, their trek was halted with the demise of Morvious having taking to injury. Tired of the wait, Muraski heedlessly took a small group of explorers down into the pit with reckless abandon. Once they made it through the tunnels, they found four old sockets, each needing it's seperate key. Foolishly, the merchant began to toy with this contraption and it's defenses set in. All of the coalition had to battle off the undead (And an ogre) Or else they might find themselves a part of the security measure. When finally the scourge had fallen, they discovered four amulets and four riddles, one for each that seemed to point them towards where the keys might be, or so they believed. Soon, they departed, Muraski to hold onto three of the four for sake keepings, while Daeron held the last.
Coalition Encounter the undead! And an ogre too!
Muraski /sat up in the camp above the caverns to await the rest of the group, or some semblence of a group before he might proceed into the rocky depths. Once the others had finally gathered, Muraski beckoned all to follow down the tunnels and towards their final destination. Ropes, grappling hooks, weapons, torches, all supplies were secured so that they were prepared to move forward. Once through the airport, down the ropes, and into the main caverns, the merchant pointed at the end of the expansive opening. “That's our goal today, kids. I haven't been there yet, I don't think anyone has, and no one has fully explored the depths of this cave to any extent. So, we're going to do that.”
Daeron followed Muraski, resenting the fact that the vampire had just called him a kid. The elf had not been this far down the caverns yet. He viewed his surroundings in curiosity, intrigued by the phosphorescent plant-life partially lighting the way ahead of them. At Muraski's statement about the goal of the small team, the elf muttered to himself, "Obviously." Daeron lit a torch and readied himself for further exploration.
Muraski /rolled the single optic at Daeron's muttered word, “And perhaps we should grab samples of things along the ways.” He approached the light producing vegetation, “Like, these would do nicely.” He spoke the words but didn't place a finger upon the plant. “Eh, we'll get them on the way back.” Eye traversed the scene quickly, a scan of the area, the corpses to be noted with suspicion, “Any ideas what might have doen this?” A curious question rather then one of worry. Rather then wait around for an answer however, he began the slow trek down the road like path.
Daeron curiously examined at the bodies lining the road before continuing down the road behind the vampire. The elf held the torch high with his right hand, illuminating as much as possible around the bodies as he examined them. "It's hard to say." He noted the weapons and ruined armor surrounding them. "Whatever caused it, these men were killed here in this cave. Violently." Daeron put the thoughts of these bodies in the back of his head. There was a lot to explore. He lifted the torch again as he moved in line behind the vampire, looking side to side as he followed.
Daeron lifted his eyes to the vampire as he unceremoniously snatched the amulet from the body in front of him. Daeron's emerald gaze followed the amulet. "What is that?" The elf stepped closer in an attempt to see what exactly the vampire was holding. He shifted the torch to his left hand as he approached Muraski who was just ahead of him and on his right.
Muraski /blinked at the question entirely uncertain, just feeling a compulsion to steal this trinket from the body of the dead. “I couldn't tell you if I wanted to.” A sleeve raised as he wiped off the necklace with the cuff of his tuxedo. It seemed to be a small circular object at the end, dull though, no real point on interest or anything that might seem of value. Muraski however, couldn't figure out the item, he just seemed curious over it. A shake of his head was finally made, “Forget it, let's keep going. We have a lot of ground to cover.” He leaned over pulling from the ground a plant, roots and all, and used it to light his way.
Daeron didn't answer Muraski but continued on past him. He now held the torch over the shrubbery on his left as he walked and examined a little more closely the bodies amongst the glowing plant-life, more open to the possibility of some other valuables among them. The vampire was right when he said there was a lot of ground to cover. The dimly lit tunnel was extensive with no end in immediate sight. The elf stopped immediately for seemingly no reason. Only a half-second later a couple rats scurried across his path, probably in fright from the new visitors. The psion then resumed his step.
Muraski /sighed as the man made no answer, “You know, there is a lot of ground between here and the end. Even if you're a pompous pointy ear, you have to enjoy some sort of conversation.” He walked more confidently now, holding onto the plant. The trinket was constantly held in his left hand, plant in right, something around it was peculiar. Finally the small item was stuffed in a pocket, he needed to stop focusing on it. All btu to late, as he tripped upon a small rock on the ground and placed himself face first into the soft, plushy, grass.
Daeron stopped again. Was he being pompous? Probably. He wasn't a fan of others overstepping his authority, but then again, the psion wasn't the most socially-acclimated individual anyway. "A pompous pointy ear?" Daeron responded, raising a brow. The elf turned to Muraski. "Is that how you address your superior?" The shadows caused indirectly by the torchlight partially covered his indignant features.
Muraski /stood from his spot upon the ground, damned talisman had distracted him. He continued on the trek towards the other side the cavern, a sudden stop to be had at Daeron's words, “Superior?? Superior?” The second gave a small echo off the stone walls, bouncing to and fro as Mura spoke them louder. “Since when did the Coalition choose who was superior? Or inferior? As I remember, even Vhys himself spoke to us to say we were all equals, fool.” He kneeled next to a corpse temporarily, it's contents examined. “Now, pompous man, if you still believe yourself superior at another way you let me know and we'll have a test in that fashion.” Finally he stood from the corpse, the body having nothing of interest. Off in the distance the end was finally visible for all to see. “Oi, comon, 'superior', let's go get us to the end of this trek.”
Veriun was a figure in the distance to the approaching men. A white and silver silhouette contrasting the wall he sat leaned against. Positioned not unlike a dead man, with his legs straight laid in the moss beneath and head propped against a outcropping rock, the one evidence to his being alive would be the fact that he was reading some sort of note, regularly looking between this note and the scripture on the wall around the mysterious socket within the living stone. All in all he didn't do much. And said nothing. And might not be spotted at all from the still rather large distance unless one possesses impressively sharp eyesight and is especially alert for something that seemed not to belong. He seemed not to fill either of these criteria himself, has be made no acknowledgment or sign of noticing the far-off approaching comrades.
Daeron :: Anger built in Daeron as he heard the words of the defiant vampire. The psion exhaled and took a deep, calming breath. His mind focused on settling his anger. The elf puffed out his chest and straightened up in an effort to look a little taller. As the elf spoke, his voice was stern with only a hint of anger: "Whether you realize it or not, you agreed to the command structure of the Coalition the second you decided to join it." The elf stared for a couple moments at the vampire. As the vampire motioned to the path in front of him, the elf's keen senses and psionic awareness did pick up on the figure standing far-off. However, the elf did not see any movement from his direction. The silhouette could be either a dead body or a live one, but he wouldn't know until he approached. Daeron assumed the former but was careful not to write off the latter option. The elf turned and walked toward the figure apprehensively.
Muraski /simply shrugged at the males words a grin upon his face, “Like it or not, child, I choose who I listen to and what I listen to. The day I bow over and let some young whelp boss me around because he has pointy ears and believes himself in charge, yes, I think I'd sooner lock myself in with Davy Jones then let you take command over this equality ran clan. If you dont' believe me, speak with Vhys, he can reexplain the chain of command. Or, if you'd like, I can personally express how it works.” With that he kept on moving, plant in one hand, left hand free, no longer worried that something might attack. The cave seemed peaceful.
Daeron was still angered at the insubordinate sired, but did not reply. Instead the elf continued toward the leaning figure, still cautious. As he approached, he looked for signs of breath on the individual. The elf stopped immediately when he noticed slight movement. A retractable blade erupted from his right vambrace. "Who are you?" The psion demanded loudly.
Muraski /looked at the man that both him and Daeron seemed to approach once they reached the end. A grin was smugly upon his face, no words were mentioned to Daeron for Muraski realized exactly who it was. Rather then express this however, he left it up for surprise and took a stand beside the avian, a gesture for Veriun to introduce himself.
Veriun looked up from the paper, over at the somewhat hostile acting elf. Raising an eyebrow. He let out a somewhat given up sigh as he stood up and brushed off the sides of his coat before responding. Much like one would a younger companion being needlessly rash. "I am Veriun of the Coalition." he finally answers and locks his eyes with the psion. A absolute contrast, as he seemed amused at the tense man. "Is there a password I need to recite? If so I'm afraid you'll have to detain me; for I do not know such a means of identification." he smiled rather cryptically.
Daeron 's blade retracted back into his vambrace. The elf's features relaxed a little. He nodded to the avian. "Sorry. Last week, I encountered a trespasser, and I was unsure if this was another instance of intrusion. My name is Daeron. I know I've seen you around." The psion looked past the avian to examine the curious stone in front of him. He brushed his pale fingers along the keyhole and the writing above it. "Now this is interesting."
Muraski /seemed to twitch slightly as he stood against the wall, someone speaking into his head or something like that it seemed. The stone that Daeron looked over was looked upon with a grin, apparently seemingly to have four keyholes all in a circle. Each one read off something different, earth, heat, cold, and sky. Muraski began to recite the words, a soft glow to come from the pocketed talisman that he earlier claimed when the third word was spoke. His eye picked up upon the glint of light, removing the trinket from his pocket and a direction was pointed towards. “Hmm, it's pointing,” His arm stretched outwards, finger as well, “Over there.” Suddenly a rumble might begin to be heard, something off in the distance, as if a power had been stirred from their activities.
Veriun turned around and looked over at the stone wall, Sweeping a hand across it as the rumbling sound was made. "It seems we may have started something..." he said idly. Before stopping by a small text near the key-words for one of the sockets. "Slumbering within the land it awakened, the cause if it's name, the rival of heat may be found again.." he turned his gaze towards the other two with a slight air of interest. "I believe these are clues for the pieces to go within these sockets. It's a rather unoriginal system. If round about and indeed rather effective at keeping seekers busy."
Daeron brought his hand to his side and looked to where Muraski pointed. The elf heard the rumbling in the distance and caused his blade to erupt from his vambrace once again. He immediately sent a psionic pulse to sense the presence of any thinking beings nearby. He only picked up on the presence of mental activity on some rats and the two near him. The psion relaxed a little once again, but he kept the blade out. Daeron listened as the avian spouted his suspicions for the meanings of the clues in front of them. "What do you think is behind this wall?"
Muraski /nodded in agreement with the avian, “Indeed it does seem like the ground has begun to change upon us.” Eye settled towards the distance away from the sockets, back pressed against the wall. The dead they had passed suddenly began to rise, weapons and armor grabbed once more as they were all brought to life. Their corpses slowly began to move towards the group, lumbering together with one another. Off in the distance, near where they started, a roar could be heard and the ground around this being began to shake.. An undead ogre having risen from the dead! None of the undead seemed to have magic, though a few launched arrows, spears, and other sorts of projectiles at the group. The others without something to toss or launch, were with large weapons, or short swords and shields, though slow movements made them easy to pick off if careful. Muraski's armor to catch several of the throwing weapons, a hatchet, and a knife, embedded into the leather vest. “Sonuvabitch!” Ty was rubbing off on him, “ANOTHER frecken suit I gotta damned well replace!” The numbers of undead were hard to tell, their forms to rise seperately, different times all throughout pending on the amount of decay they had gone under.
Veriun stood still as a cliff, peering over his shoulder at the approaching threat. Somehow beeing able to ignore all attacks, that seemed to miss him by some unknown force. Perhaps luck. Perhaps a trick. "Well this is just another tried and true after another, isn't it? Theese kinds of things always repeat the same proceedures sooner or later, It'd seem..."
Daeron turned immediately at the sounds of movement behind them. The elf dropped his torch, allowing it to burn on the ground beside him while another blade erupted from a matching vambrace on his left arm. The elf took in a sharp breath as his emerald eyes danced from target to target. This exploration was more than anticipated. The psion exhaled and then took a deeper and slower breath as he prepared his mind for battle.
Tysinni drops to the ground, crouching low after sliding down the rope. The thief had followed the directions left in a note from Muraski and was fully expecting to find the vampire before too long. She follows the trail the clan party and had left, tracking their movements easily with her lantern held extended in front of her body. Turning a corner and heading through a hole in the rock face, she almost bumps into a rather large blockage on the other side. "The hell?" Ty looks up...and up and up some more, staring at the large, smelly undead ogre looming above her. "Frak." Before the ogre can do more than blink down at her, the thief slams her lantern into the side of his leg, watching it smash and catch on fire before taking off in a different direction. "Gods damn Muraski!"
Muraski /looked about at the undead, watching their movements and before long, had plans for the husks. His vambrace was pointed towards one of the back undead, an archer about fifty feet away, and fired. The grappling device was on it's way, quick to latch upon the unfortunate foes shoulder and then found himself tugged back towards LeskoVac. The vampire managed to smash three seperate corpses simply by using the back man as a wrecking ball before finally the archers corpse itself broke into shambled pieces. Four down, and way to many to go. Suddenly, a sword strike slammed into his armor, the attack to bring down blunt force but the blade not sharp enough to pierce. His body whipped around , the undeads second attack to be parried, and M uraski's first strike to be his end. Merchant was then off into the fray, sword to parry strikes and counter back, crossbow to fire round after round at each advesaries skull at close proximity. The vampire seemingly lost in the fray and dance, the rounds to go about as he fought off various undead and was forced into the thick of things. All the while Muraski was overwhelmed, the behemoth undead in the back found his leg suddenly on fire by a small thief. Two solid eyeballs greeted Tysinni's look as he looked down, and down, then down some more to finally spot her. Leg was lifted then dropped with force to the spot she was at just moments before. The air pressure from the drop enough to put out the fire from the lantern, instantly forcing it away, while the concussive blast hopefully enough to level Tysinni onto the ground. The massive club he held swung downwards at the halfling to squish frame and all underneath.
Veriun turned around and ducked as the undead charged, letting a thrown half-decayed spear pass over his shoulder and bounce off against the cave wall before he drew out the string less silver bow and started jogging forwards while Muraski preformed his wrecking ball maneuver. The avian drew his hand as if pretending to draw an arrow. But when he released the seemingly imaginary arrow, the two undead adversaries closest to him were launched backwards and upwards, shattering from a sudden and large concussive force striking with pinpoint accuracy at their center. Ducking and rolling from a following sweep with a rusty two hand sword for his head, Veriun passed in beneath another enemy in time to get onto his knees and sweep the bow by it's far end as if it was a curved blade. This send a sudden surge of wind erupting from the weapon, tossing nearby skeletons away from the avian as he spread his wings, just as the ogre raised it's club to strike down Tysinni. And in the next split second, the avian became transparent as if he was not truly there. And shot off into the air with a single flap of his wings before the flight seemed to become something different from what an avian is naturally gifted with. He shot trough the air at near incomprehensible speed. Passing through all in his pass as if he'd been picked out of this world and was nothing more than an image. Until he stopped just in front of the thief , holding up a hand above their heads. He became fully visible as he did this. The club came down on them and.. bounced off. There was no impact, but rather a rejection. It was as if the movement of the club had impacted itself without any force and then been reverse. As if touching the avian's palm had forced the club to rewind it's path of attack.
Daeron :: Another deep breath brought Daeron sharply in tune with his surroundings. He used his mind and pushed some extra adrenaline into his blood. The psion, hyper-aware and aided with his own body's adrenaline, moved to the side as an arrow flew past his head and clanked onto the rock wall behind him. He charged an undead which was less decomposed than others and with a swipe of his right hand, the enemy's left arm fell to the ground. Meanwhile, the elf's left blade plunged into another animated corpse to his left. The first undead stopped for only a second before swinging his right arm toward the psion, but that was just enough time for Daeron to force his right boot on the second living corpse, pulled his left blade from its torso, and execute his next swing. The nimble elf turned a full circle, using the momentum of his spin to slice through the first undead's rotting neck, severing its head from its body. Daeron only glimpsed a flame appear and then vanish a couple hundred yards away, illuminating the undead ogre for a moment. The elf turned back to wall where he had dropped his torch, and noticed some flames beginning to form on the mossy ground. Daeron cursed, jolted back to the torch and picked it up with his left hand. He stomped at the wisps of flame remaining and approached another group of undead to his left.
Tysinni found herself contending with a seriously pissed off undead ogre. This was not what she had agreed to when she had set out to follow after Muraski this afternoon. Just barely dodging the stomping foot of an enraged ogre, she throws her body out of the way in the nick of time. "Frakking great! Trying to get me pancaked! I knew it, I just knew it!" Rolling over to her back, she leaps to her feet only to be summarily forced backwards by the magically appearing avian. The thief watches in astonishment as Veriun seemingly catches the club and forces it back upwards in a display of magical strength that was truly impressive. "This is starting to become a habit for you, ain't it?" Grumbling to herself, she stats backing away slowly, "What the hell did you idjits do now?"
Amidst the turmoil of the walking bodies and the buried live, there would come a rather noisy shifting of stones originating at the rope down into the ground floor of the caverns. Light would suddenly pour out, causing the small section of the cave to seem as though it were lit by daylight. Closer inspection would reveal that the sources of light originated from a number of carefully cut stones that had spilled out of a sack that had fallen from above. A few moments later and a small black feline creature would step into the light. Intelligent green marble-like eyes would stare out into the sea of walking corpses as a pair of beings, each cloaked and hooded in black, dropped down upon either side of the creature from above. For the time being the trio seemed to be merely observing until perhaps the corpses would take note of them.
Muraski /continued to hack and fire routine, one round, one slash, a parry to follow and an attack to be absorbed upon his armor. He counted eight or so undead to have died so far to him alone, while he was entirely unsure what had happened to the others. His sabre to get wrenched inside the neck of another undead, unable to be retrieved.. Oh great, it was an orc. The blade was locked inside the throat and the orc simply hauled back his arm and released forward. A fist landed directly into Muraski's chest and sent him flying backwards several feet, an undead crushed underneath him in the process, “God damned frecken green skinned bastard.” Slowly his feet were upon solid ground once more and as the orc began to charge, Muraski used the second charge of the vambrace, or better worded, the other one. The shot was fired just behind the skull of the charging assailent and yanked backwards, the grappling hook to pull into his head, pull him downwards, and crush him into the rocks he was upon. Satisfied with a good job done, Muraski went back to work, though without a crossbow and a sabre, the other crossbow was pulled free and his parrying dagger in the left. Once more, into the fray he went! The matter with the ogre however, was far from resolved! As the club came barreling back towards him, he released it in an upwards fashion. Weapon collided with roof, rocks began to tumble loose, as soon several boulders, and a large mace, came down upon the trio. The ogre ran for the hills! His massive footsteps to cause the ground to tremble each time they fell, the unsteady earth , for all but him, perhaps a rather unfortunate thing for the others..
Veriun looked over at the woman he'd just saved with that strange smile of his. "Is it? Perhaps you'd be the one with the habits, on closer inspection. No?" he then looked back up as the boulders and mace came tumbling down while the ogre made for an escape. "Excuse me..." he said in the tone of a parent just noticing the baby woke up. A fairly well recognized tone of part annoyance and part resignation to ones duties. Tysinni may notice how the ground around them did not shake, despite that areas all around outside a certain reach did. Despite the ogre's steps. In fact. The avian had raised his bow to aim again. And each time the large undead took a heavy step, he fired. Three times. Each time a large impact, equal to the same force making the cave around them shake, slammed onto the side of the falling boulders, sending them slightly off course and thus making it so they miss the coalition members they would have otherwise hit. The mace was left alone as it was not on a trajectory onto anyone living anyway. "You were saying..?"
Daeron retracted his left blade while maintaining a grip on the torch in his left hand. He took a quick glance to his side and suddenly noticed the avian was missing. The elf wanted to search for him further, but his mind was forced to focus on the impending battle and a skeleton started to bring down its sword to Daeron's shoulder. With the elf's right arm inconveniently away from this undead, Daeron was forced to use his torch to block the attack. The force of the skeleton's blade nearly pushed the flames onto Daeron's pale face. The elf couldn't help but to briefly look into the flame two inches above his left eye. He closed his eye immediately and forced the torch upward into the blade, causing the skeleton to lose balance. Temporarily blinded by the sudden light change, Daeron swung aimlessly in front of him with is bladed arm. The skeleton fell backwards, but the elf felt an arrow graze the back of his left arm. Blood began to seep down the back of Daeron's arm. Daeron concentrated more on the battle than the pain, but his arm was still throbbing. Daeron stabbed the downed skeleton in the head and swung his torch at another undead attempting to flank him. The creature shrieked as he caught fire and fell to the ground.
Tysinni came to an abrupt stop as her back hit the wall close to where she had first entered the fray. The thief watches as Veriun deflects the falling debris and very large mace, her gaze tracking the oversized weapon as it landed directly on top of an undead, smushing it to a pulp. "Well, that's one way of doing it." Unconcerned about why the ground about them wasn't experiencing the same quaking, she quirks an eyebrow at the avian before saying, "Well, I was gonna ask who you pissed off this time. But obviously, its the dead in general. I always knew that Muraski could be irritating enough to wake the dead." Looking cheerful enough, she eyes the other enemies, pulling out her crossbow and aiming it at the nearest one. "Speaking of which, where is he?" Aiming and firing, the bolt shoots straight and clean into the forehead of a stumbling foe, causing it to keel over on a nearby rock. Instead of taking the time to reload, she stows the mini crossbow away, before unsheathing a longish knife from her boot, ready to defend herself.
Mark :: As the debris drop down upon the trio, the two bipedal figures move to protect the feline, stopping short as the stones are swept clear from above them. With the most imminent danger gone, the cloaked figures seem to take a few moments to orient themselves. Their heads shift underneath their hoods as they seem to communicate silently to each other. A sudden metallic shriek echoes throughout the cavern as, in a single fluid motion, four blades are drawn in complete synchrony. A pair of machetes for either one, parting their cloaks to reveal the black form-hugging attire worn within. Judging by their appearance, both were female. With fluid movement, both of the females engage hordes the of bodies in unison, each strike complimenting the other's. One strikes the arm to remove a skeleton's shield, allowing the other to hack at the torso, cutting the corpse in half…. The feline, left behind approached the scene casually, strolling casually towards the closest beings, Tysinni and Veriun, brushing past their legs as it passed by. It halts a small distance behind where the other two figures that had accompanied it and assumes a crouching position. A pair of bat-like wings unfolds from its sides as a strange, glowing, circular seal appears on the floor beneath the creature. Slowly but surely an amassment of arcane energy would begin to build around the creature as the seal beneath it changed and shifted, growing in size with rings that encircled the original seal as strange markings were etched into the arcane glyph...
Muraski /could see the horde beginning to thin, as eighteen or so of the undead had already fallen prey to his weaponry. The others seemed to be having just as good of a time with their slaughter. The ogre in back however still seemed to be slightly troublesome but the avian was holding his own. His fist punched into another undead's skull, the things seemingly fragile after being hauled into by vampiric strength. The bones shattered, brains impaled by cartilage and digits, as Muraski pulled away from the redead, undead. His hand shook mushy material off leather glove, “Gah, frecken undead, can't get a damned clean kill, now can I?”The second crossbow was reholstered, the ammunition emptied from both and rather then finding a new weapon he detached a leg off of his brainless foe. The new 'club' was swung around menaclingly into various enemies, smashing at limbs, heads, battering rib cages, and whatever else might be left open. Until! A troll came along.. How did Mura constantly find the damned green skins he'd never know! The troll swung a mace downwards, the vampire to nimbly dodge the first blow and retalliate by swinging the limb down upon the undead arm. A sheild moved to intercept the attack but continued forth, the side of it to slam into vampiric chin. Muraski fell to the ground, a quick kick the the trolls groin and the undead doubled over! Oh wait... What was he thinking? He didn't feel there anymore.. And, it was to late, Muraski swung the limb without waiting another second, the end to smash against his skull, bone to dig into cartilage, ear, and chin. The jaw of the unfortunate troll, removed. Once that was out of the way, LeskoVac surged forth, tackling the man, throwing the limb aside, and pounding fist after fist into the tough head of his green skin advesary. MEANWHILE! Back in the otherside of the cave! The ogre charged at Veriun, more like walked slowly, the ground still trembling underneath, until he reached his avian advesary. Arms reached downwards towards him, a hug to be had, as he attempted to squeeze the life directly from the wing one's body. If that didn't work, he stumbled forward and collapsed, hopefully on top of poor Veriun and Tysinni.
Veriun changed his aim onto the approaching ogre as it broke into it's unusually slow charge, after it came within a certain distance the trembles for it's step suddenly ceased. Instead; each time it took a step it was hit by a concussive wave of large proportions seemingly fired from the strange bow in the avians' hands. The final two shots before the hug was attempted was re-aimed onto the knees of the large creature, cracking them like nuts. This caused the lumbering creature to topple over like a log. Threatening to crush all beneath it. The avian acted quickly however and raised his hand, catching the falling corpse like he did the club. This time, however. It didn't bounce back. At first, it looked like it hadn't worked, as Veriun's knees bent somewhat. Then a disgusting noise was heard, and a large hole was blasted trough the chest of the now doubtlessly dead creature, leaving Veriun and his nearby companions standing in a large stinking hole opened within the gigantic corpse that would've otherwise crushed them. The avian letting out a deep sigh and wiggling his hand with a grip on his wrist, as if the action had brought pain to him.
Daeron :: Blood began to flow over the back of Daeron's left mithril armband after swinging his arm. The stench of burning and rotted flesh filled the area around him as the elf's last victim lay ablaze at his feet. Daeron's emerald gaze caught the archer who managed to graze his arm with an arrow. Daeron sprinted toward the undead archer, swiping his bow to the side with his right bladed arm and touching the torch to this living corpse's flesh as well. Another shriek erupted as the undead's corpse lit the cavern. The psion sighed and looked around. The area immediately surrounding him was void of the creatures. He looked to Muraski who was holding his own. Daeron then stomped on the flames surrounding the two blazing corpses in an attempt to snuff them out before they spread. Feeling his work was satisfactory, he searched for stragglers between Muraski and the ropes from where they came in an attempt to meet those of the Coalition fighting there.
Mark :: As the others were beginning to clear their areas of hostiles, a sizeable group of the skeletal beings began to form about the feline's vanguard. The two cloaked females fought tirelessly, but the corpses were slowly winning the battle of attrition, forcing the two back further and further to avoid being surrounded. Slowly the battle neared the channeling familiar until the battle was being fought but a few steps away. By that time, the seal beneath the creature had grown to impressive proportions, quadrupling its original size. The complete seal was a mixture of symbols encased in rings that was constructed into a beautiful, but seemingly random, design. At an unseen signal, two corpses fall once more into their petrified state before the two vanguards as the arcane energy surrounding the familiar reaches its peak, "MREOW!" the cry comes from the feline, but sounds more human than anything as the arcane energy is released, consuming the seal beneath the creature as a carpet of flames suddenly engulf the horde before it. With that, the creature sits down, seemingly pleased with itself as the cloaked females sheathe their weapons and take their positions behind it.
Muraski /seemed to pick off what remained of the stragglers and stumbled his way over to the phosphorescent plant like tree. A lean to be had against it as he turned to face Daeron. Respectfully, he nodded at the elf, “Look through the corpses, we need three more talismans, this one came to life at ice's scripture.. I'm going to assume it leads us there.” He looked at the ogre carcass and spotted the hole inside, only to follow where the chunk landed that was blown free. A glint of steel could be seen from it, a trinket pulled free, “Erm, make that two more.. Though, this one is going to need cleaned.”
Daeron winced, the pain of the battle finally catching up to him. He retracted his blade and brought his free hand to the back of his left arm. The elf checked his hand to find warm, sticky blood. Daeron knelt down and tore a piece of cloth from one of the twice dead corpses and tied it around his arm. He then began to search the corpses around him for trinkets similar to Muraski's latest find. Daeron was too tired to argue with the sired, and he knew that the vampire was right anyway. If they were to get any further, those trinkets seem to be the key.
Mark :: With naught but ashes strewn before the feline, but a single object lay glinting in whatever light reached the area. Deftly, the small creature bounds over to the object and picks up the strange talisman, markings etched upon its surface glow a crimson red after having been in contact with fresh flame, within its mouth to bring it towards Muaski and Daeron, a small bounce still in its quick steps. Behind the two cloaked figures followed at a slower, more cautious, pace. As they neared, Muraski and Daeron might be able to feel the stare of their gaze from crimson hues beneath their hoods.
Muraski /pocketed both of the items, they were to be brought back to the headquarters. He reapproached Daeron, “Did you find anything yet?” As the feline approached Muraski reached for it, “Hand me that, I'll bring them back to the headquarters for now.” If Mura was handed the item he quickly would head to his weaponry, sheathing whatever remnants were stranded about the area. With the items in tow he moved towards the ogre corpse, hacking away from the beast until those inside it's stomach, quite litteratly, could be freed.
Daeron looked up briefly at the feline and the vanguard before returning to his search. He recognized the feline. This cat was obviously more intelligent than he had originally estimated. However, Daeron hardly acknowledged the feline as he searched. In response to Muraski's question the elf shook his head. He continued rifling through the nearby corpses when he heard a grunt come from one of the undead he had stabbed in the torso earlier. Daeron's eyes narrowed. His right blade extended once again as he walked over to the grunting undead. The elf forced the blade into the corpse's face. He frisked that corpse and found the last remaining talisman tucked inside its vest pocket. "I found one right here," he called out.
Mark :: The feline simply held the talisman in its mouth, tilting its head questioningly to the side towards Muraski's extended hand, as if asking for more acknowledgement than that. Its tail, adorned with a sleek, faintly glowing, green ribbon tied in a bow, waved expectantly behind it. The item would be kept in its mouth until Muraski would actually reach down and take the talisman rather than wait for the feline to drop it into his hand. Silently, the two cloaked beings took their place behind the feline once more, no signs of affiliation with the coalition are upon them…
Muraski /had indeed then retrieved the third out of four talismans since he reached for it previously. The hacking of the corpse however, was much more important to him, as soon he made it about half way through the large ogre. Ty had begun to carve through the other side with her dagger and Veriun doubled their efforts using his magic on their force. All in all, soon there was a path leading out and one truly screwed up ogre torso.
Daeron pocketed his talisman and now looked questioningly toward the feline's vanguard. "Who are you?" He eyed them as they stood beside the feline.
Mark :: No reply from the shadowy figures, they remain motionless by the feline's side. It would be only the feline that replies with a simple, "Mreow?"
Muraski /was pleased that the duo had left the corpse behind and returned to the locks. A paper and charcoal were removed from his pack, the words above each written down. Once the scriptures were upon parchment he headed for the exit, “I'm leaving you two, sit around and purr or get out yourself.” He paused for but a moment, “Oh and pointy ear, not a bad job.” With that he proceeded towards the cliff, Tysinni already on her way out and Veriun having flown away.
Daeron stepped over the corpse he had just executed and approached the duo who hadn't answered him. He asked again, "Who are you two? I haven't seen you before." He said nothing to Muraski as he somehow managed to insult and compliment him in the same breath.
Mark :: Yet again no response, rather the two females simply turn towards the exit out of the caverns and begin in its direction. The feline on the other hand remained for a few moments more before turning it back on Daeron and following after the other two.
Muraski /climbed up the rope slowly, stopping at the half way point for breath.. A few minute break. Once done he climbed up once more and moved for his ascencion back into the world.
Daeron followed the feline and the vanguards to the rope. He assumed the duo meant no harm because they allowed the feline to bring the talisman to one of the Coalition. The elf jogged to catch up to the two. He ran in front of the two in an attempt to stop them. "Look, I don't know you, but I assume you are here to help." He then brought his hand to the now-covered wound on the back of his left arm. In a lower voice, he said, "I'm wounded." The psion then motioned toward the rope.
Mark :: Silence for a few moments before the two speak in unison, both in an emotionless monotone, "We are under no obligation to help you…" They bluntly stated. Even their voices sounded the same, although perhaps one with a sharp ear could detect that one voice was younger and the other slightly elder. With that, the two began to walk around Daeron, but halted short as the feline looked expectantly up to one who slowly bent down to pick up the feline to hold it out towards Daeron. Green marble-like hues gazed over Daeron's wounded hand for a few moments. "Mreow?" the feline seems to question as a paw reaches out towards Daeron's hand as if attempting to make contact with it.
Daeron sighed. He hated to beg. "Please?" He thought nothing of the feline as the two vanguards walked past him until the vanguard stopped and held the feline up to Daeron. The elf gazed to the vanguard with questioning eyes. He then watched the feline cautiously as he held his blood-stained hand to hold the cat's paw.
Mark:: "Stay still…" The one holding the feline, the younger of the two, commands after the creature and Daeron had made contact. A dim green glow would become visible underneath the man's makeshift bandage and the man would feel a slight warm tingle as a small seal, perhaps not visible due to the sleeve that covered it, would be drawn atop of the man's arm on his wound. The feline in the meantime seems to stare directly at the area. The crimson from the man's hand would gradually recede back up his arm and, should Daeron allow, soon all traces of crimson would disappear from the man's arm, having withdrawn back into his wound. The wound itself then would, underneath the cloth, gradually begin to close until no trace of it was left. In turn the seal and its glow would then disappear…
Daeron listened to the vanguard, keeping still while watching the feline in front of him. The cat seemed to be fixated on his wound. The elf immediately noticed the tingling on the back of his arm under his wound. He also felt the warm blood on his hand work its way up his arm, over his shoulder, and onto the area where the arrow had grazed him. Daeron was impressed with the actions of the feline to say the least. When the tingling hand stopped, Daeron removed the cloth and felt the area where his wound used to be, placing his fingers through the tear in his shirt onto bare flesh. He brought his hand back and saw no blood. The psion looked directly at the cat. "Thank you." Along with his spoken words, the psion sent a telepathic translation of his gratitude to the feline.
Mark :: Perhaps unexpectedly, a voice, that did not belong to either of the vanguards, responded to Daeron, "You're welcome…" The words reverberating within Daeron's mind would belong to a young, presumably kind, lady. Before further words might be exchanged however, the female carrying the feline would suddenly make for the rope and quickly make her way up to the cavern above with the feline tucked beneath her arm. Upon reaching the opening to the caverns, the female would proceed to leap onto the cavern walls, utilizing the temporary friction from each jump to leap to the opposite wall and so forth. The other female would follow closely in pursuit in a similar fashion. The two would quickly disappear into the darkness of the caverns above…
Daeron was surprised to hear a response. He may have communicated further with the feline, but the group had ascended the cliff with an incredible grace. The elf watched as they climbed but knew he would never catch up with them. He looked around the glowing cavern again before ascending a rope without a problem and returning to his tent, thanks to one certain feline.