RP:The Defenders

From HollowWiki

This is a Devout's Guild RP.


This is a Warrior's Guild RP.


Summary: When Rorin hosts a meeting to discuss an undead threat most dire, he is joined by an inquisitive Krice who seeks further information. The two men strengthen their bond as they express their commitment to the protection of a people and a place they hold dear.

Frostmaw; Old Camp

Rorin paced around the old camp and look at those who had gathered. A couple of familiar faces, a few loggers and hunters besides, not looking directly interested in what not to do so much as waiting to hear how bad it was. Rorin took a look at the old camp and his investigations so far and readied a report internally. Once he was ready, he faced the not-quite-a-crowd. “Hello, and thank you for coming. I suppose you all know why we’re here today. At the beginning of last month, undead have been seen West of Frostmaw, in the lands beyond the gate. At the end of last month, Undead attacked the gate in force and seemed to have even gotten through. Now we know they have.” He had collected a few bodies here, assembling them in a rough pile with a few animals. All had been gorged on, decayed, and then slain by his hand upon their return. “The undead are afflicted with a curse-“ he lifted one corpse to demonstrate the tissue, rotten through in a way that would make sense in a climate that wouldn’t have perfectly preserved them like frostmaw should. “Those who are attacked become sick, and even after they get back up, they continue to degenerate, but that alone will not bring them their end. The animals, the people, everyone is capable of being turned by it. We must express the most extreme caution, and dispose of them properly. Burning is the only way, and scatter the ashes if you can. We cannot be too careful.” Most of the undead were frost giants, mares, wolves, but some were feline, elves, refugees and more. Rorin allowed this a moment to set in.


Krice hadn't come to the training grounds with any prior knowledge to a meeting there. He was a patrolman, always on duty on his own way, scanning Frostmaw's surrounding landscape for threats. It had been a while since he had come far west so news of an 'undead horde' spreading across the frozen terrain was surprising. The warrior stood off to the back of the group, up on a slightly raised mound of snow, dressed in his usual black attire with his katana strapped to his back, partially obscured by robes that were open at the sides. Not the best attire for wintry climates, but better than his usual. Whilst Rorin spoke, he listened attentively, gold-freckled eyes scanning the pile of rotten corpses nearby. He squinted pensively, agreeing that it was peculiar for such degeneration to occur in a land where frost and ice should have preserved -something-. It was disconcerting at best. He was silent, awaiting more information before questions might be asked.


Rorin didn’t see any questions. “We believe that this not merely some sloppy spell gone wrong but a deliberate tactic. The tainted flesh gets into water, spreads to food, causes disease and death and undeath. This is not some accident, but rather the degeneration is a deliberate part of the attack. The only way to trust local water and food is to purify it, boil your water, treat your meats with salt and fire, no rare steaks unless you want it to be you last, not until we receive no more reports of these undead or the cause of them is dealt with.” The next question would be obvious. “The source has been identified, and it will be dealt with as soon as possible. A necromancer has set up a laid beyond the ancient gates. And yes, the rumors of the return of a great white dragon are true. We do not know the extent of this black mages power, but clearly he is strong, strong enough to raise one of the most fearsome kinds of undead. The west lands have become more dangerous than ever. If you ever believe you see this beast, do not go to face it alone. You will never return. Even now the Devouts Guild is amassing a force, collecting members for a party to go out and deal with this threat. If you want to help, or prove yourselves, form posses and track the lesser undead here to deal with, or man the walls. Keep your families safe at night and reduce the chance something might happen to them. That *this* may happen to them. That is all.” Rorin watched the gravity set in and the group disperse as he lit a fire to the corpse pile and said a prayer. Some gathered to talk amongst themselves about what could be done, but he waited to see if anyone would approach him.


Krice was more disconcerted the more Rorin spoke. The undead curse was spread even through food and water? Once the 'meeting' was adjourned and people dispersed to talk among themselves, the warrior approached Rorin. His steps were soundless but he'd be noticed coming in from outside the crowds. " Hi," he said first, acknowledging the other male. It had been a long time since they last saw each other; maybe it hadn't been since the last battle. " How're things for Frostmaw proper? The city--the food, water. Has this problem spread east?"


Rorin gave a small wave and a sigh. “It’s not bad yet. Hildegarde knows how to handle the situation and disquiet grumbling from locals. Guilds are offering free services to purify water and food, the guard is vigilant. There are still those who would disrupt the order for a quick buck though, and those are being put a quick stop to. With any luck, most citizens won’t ever hear anything more about the undead before the job is done. They’re lucky that way, but I suppose that’s how the job goes.”


Krice nodded at random intervals through Rorin's reply to show that he was listening, attentive, interested in the subject at hand. " Seems like a bad problem. As long as it's contained out west, I can help keep it here." He lifted his gaze to scan their surroundings, glancing over at the pile of rotting bodies. " Kill and burn any I see wandering around." He shook his head. " What do we know about the black mage?"


Rorin sighed tensely. “Not much. Not his name, or a way to stop him that’s not direct force.” It took him a moment of uncomfortable tightness to continue. “We may not all survive this one. It’s a big job, a hard job, and although we have a few good people willing to fight, it may not be enough. Someone is going to get hurt. But these are the sacrifices we must be willing to make so that others can survive.” He seemed to be making himself at peace with it more than talking to Krice. “His land is out west beyond the gate, that we do know - and it is most assuredly his land now. He. Has been holed up there for more than couple of months, who knows how long really, people don’t just go over there fo any little thing you know. We believe he may be holed up in the ancient graveyard where he’s had access to plenty of corpses. But that was just the start of it. This dragon business... it’s not good. It’s no amateur magician that can raise a dragons corpse from the dead. Best watch yourself out there, yeah? It’s not going to be pretty when it comes time to deal with that. Things are going to get really nasty around here, soon.”


Krice 's features were always guarded and under his control, which came easy to him; years of natural stoicism exacerbated by a variety of life-factors ensured as much. However, as Rorin spoke, a thoughtful frown passed through the warrior's brow, shadowing his eyes, conveying his concern for the future of their citizenry. Not everyone would survive; it was something they'd have to quickly accept if they were going to at least be useful against whatever caused their deaths. West beyond the gate... That earned Rorin a nod from the seasoned warrior. " Beyond the gate is something," he mumbled, pensively. Beyond the gate meant that there was some kind of distance between this black mage and the rest of the population. That gave the fighters time to work with. News of the dragon caused him to narrow in eye in further consideration and he acknowledged Rorin's warning of care with another nod. " You as well. I'll keep my eyes open." Before he departed, he asked, " What else needs to be done here? How many people know about this problem--Lionel?"


Rorin didn’t seem so concerned about this part. “Plenty. The Devout Guild received it and put it up as a quest, but everyone’s willing to pitch in at least a bit. Most of the Warriors Guild too, since it’s fighting and not an aid or relief mission. Going straight into the thick of it. You’re more than welcome to tag along when the time comes. Khitti, Lionel, plenty of hardened veterans along for the ride. Just a matter of time and location. We’ll get this bastard, even if I had to go it alone I’d do it though. No one gets to desecrate my home like this.”


Krice agreed with Rorin's passion by nodding right on point. " I would do the same." Fight alone to his last breath even if it only meant lessening the horde as opposed to dispatching it altogether. The warrior sighed thoughtfully, scanning the pile of undead creatures. " Let me know. I want to protect Frostmaw as much as you do." And the people in it, especially those he cared about.