RP:Yeehaw For Frostmaw
This is a Warrior's Guild RP.
Part of the Dissonance Theory Arc
Summary: Just go out into the wilderness of Frostmaw and convince a reclusive band of extremist druids to join our fight, says Lionel….
Friends,
”SITREP” means situation report. I think. So here’s your situation report. Which is admittedly a lot more like a fresh set of orders. But let’s not split hairs here.
In a little under two months, Frostmaw will be attacked by Xicotl. This will mark the beginning of the end for Lithrydel. Thanks to warnings from our very own Rilla and Penelope’s now-dead future counterparts, we’ve been given a heads-up. That means we’ve got a little under two months to prepare.
I am entrusting Commander Rorin Garecht with this mission. Kailani, Orion; I believe the two of you are uniquely qualified to not only offer assistance but even to lead if necessary. Rorin, rendezvous with your small squadron of troops up near the old Warrior’s Guild HQ. Once all of you are together, I need you to head out into the “Full White” — that’s what we used to call the seemingly endless expanse beyond even the Academy and hunting lodges; all those old war ruins, haunted and dour.
I’m attaching the approximate coordinates of a little-known tribe of druidic extremists to this letter. This is your destination, far out into the Full White, within an isolated, snow-capped forest. These druids are said to protect the natural balance where none others would dare. Kailani, I hope you’ll see why I want you on this team! If anybody can get through to them, I believe it will be you.
Stay together. Remember how much is on the line if we fail. But if things get too hot, pull back and head home. I don’t want good people dying trying to subvert a future where good people die. That’s just db.
Whispering Wind
Trying to gain an audience with a tribe of druids that values their privacy was not an easy endeavor, despite being provided coordinates from Lionel. One cannot not simply walk into the druids homestead and expect to be heard out. It is with the combined efforts of the team that they are able to get a message to the druids in a noninvasive way. The old Warrior’s Guild HQ would indeed be utilized while they try to make contact with this tribe of extremist druids. Rorin would provide the more in depth knowledge of Frostmaw, giving Kailani and Orion the means to deliver the word. How exactly? A message carried by the wind, druids can be quirky like that. The end result is that the team of warriors will get the conversation that they want...but it will be at a place, date, and time that the druids select. The group will not be granted an open invitation into their campsite.
The day of the meeting comes, and when the three warriors arrive at the site selected by the druids, they will find that a member of the tribe is already waiting for them. It is a man, one who is tall and lean, but all of the furs worn to help battle the cold climate creates the appearance that he is bulkier than he really is. He appears to be alone. The tribesman’s expression is firm, seeing no reason to take an overly friendly approach with a group of people that are effectively considered outsiders. Yet he is amiable enough that as each of the warrior’s approach, they are greeted with a nod. He waits until all three of them are present and attentive before speaking. “The name is Loch.” As the druid speaks, his brown eyes travel amongst the warrior’s, both to assess them and because he is addressing them. “I see no reason to not get straight to the issue at hand. I am sure that this was not a request that was made without reason. So please, explain your purpose.”
Kailani :: For the sake of brevity, Kailani is present, dressed for the winter chill, and standing near Orion. She has not brought the young dragon that she has been seen with in recent times. Hopefully no one is expecting some amazing pitch to come from the blue-haired woman. Based on her silence, it seems like Rorin and Orion will be doing the talking.
Rorin had created a small team of about half a dozen, including him and his squire, setting out from the Academy with a massive species of native Alpaca driving a sleigh of supplies. He had expected the Druid’s to be of the seclusionist isolationist kind - the only sort who’s culture allows them to survive in such a harsh frozen wasteland. They weren’t far from the ancient gates that lead to aramoths library, but they were very far from signs of living civilization. Only the ruined necropolis infested with war torn spirits of the past lay between them and the Full White. Traversing here had come with all the complications one should expect it to. Rorin only hoped they wouldn’t be walking back empty handed. “Arkhen guide us, and allow us safe passage through this land.” Also maybe throw in a bit of divine inspiration so Rorin could persuade the Druid’s to help now that Kailani had set up this meeting.
Rorin || The pilgrims forces huddled around the sleigh as he dismounted with his squire. Laffaire had told him as much as she knew about this tribe and her people’s interactions with them but it wasn’t much. They had a thing for big snow cats, and otherwise they were no more or less violent than anyone else living in the Full White. Having never been raised as a diplomat, Rorin was glad that such a cold-shouldered people loved getting to the point. “We call for aid. Xicotl prepares his forces to attack. They are too many, of a nature too vile, for us to withhold alone. Your people have kept the balance here, between the living and the dead, between the changing state of nature and the echoes of the past. The people of Frostmaw will fall to a force beyond our reckoning in merely a few weeks time without your help. If Frostmaw falls, Xicotl will push through the gates, and corrupt the Full White with unearthly magic. Only together can we save all of this lands people, and the land itself, from his curse.”
Orion was familiar enough with Frostmaw to know not to dress lightly for such an adventure. He’s in a self-made winter outfit consisting of winter wolf fur and deer hide that make up his boots, pants, gloves, and a surprisingly well-made hooded winter jacket. The flowers that normally house his beard have been left back at the lake with Orion and Kailani’s baby blue dragon. Orion’s weapon of choice at the moment, a double-bladed battle axe, hangs off of the griffon’s saddle. Grimclaw follows close behind OriKai, occasionally wondering to the sides of any paths taken to bring them to the meeting place. Grim was a winter griffon after all and Frostmaw was his home until he was rescued by Orion. As they arrive at the meeting area and the druid speaks, Orion takes a subtle step forward then bends down to one knee, ready to address the druid directly but Rorin’s words were straight to the point. Orion clears his throat and adds, “My girlfriend and I,” he winks to Kailani, “..we live the same type of lifestyle as your people. We keep to ourselves and want nothing more than to be left in peace and away from cities, but my friend’s words are honest and true. Xicotl’s forces grow by the minute and our merry band of warriors and legends cannot face this threat alone. Thank you.” Well. That was a little awkward, Orion. Nice. The bearded one bows his head then stands next to Kailani once more.
Kailani keeps up her silent charade. She’s gotten really good at it, but there are parts that at least cause her to smile, and other parts that cause her to nod in agreement. This is her contribution to their request. The name Xicotl did not seem to register with Loch, but the information he is presented with is not dismissed based on his lack of knowledge. “Ah. So you come asking for our assistance,” Loch begins, but as he is explaining his stance he is moving away from the group. There is a motion to follow and when they do they will be traveling closer to the “While it does sound as though there is merit to this request….I believe that it would be foolish for us to agree to help without first asking for some sort of demonstration from the three of you.” This might seem like the perfect time for Orion to start flexing his muscles or for Rorin to show off what he has learned from his years of training, but alas. Loch continues, “Our closest allies are a group of saber tooth cats that live beyond the ancient gates. If they deem you worthy, then we will promise our aid.” Does the challenge seem odd? Kailani certainly does not think so. By the time Loch is done with his proposition, the group is standing in front of the entrance to the “full white”, as Lionel referred to it. The ancient gates have been severely damaged by wars past and the harsh climate, with chunks of stone having crumbled into the road and a battering ram partially blocking the path. It was not impassable though. As far as Kailani was concerned, the only answer to this challenge was to press forward and that is exactly what she does. She does not move so far ahead that she is completely abandoning the team, giving pause and looking behind her to make sure that she was not gaining too much ground between herself and them. As the group moves into the “full white” the terrain changes significantly. The ground becomes flat and the earth is covered with ice, making every step a dangerous one for those who are not mindful of their footing. The chill within the “full white” feels more extreme, despite any precautions that the group might have taken to help keep warm? It was intense enough that it was bone-chilling. For those not familiar with the area, it will soon become apparent that they are traveling through a long abandoned battlefield. It is littered with frozen dead, no attempt made to give any of them a proper burial, their bodies sometimes obscured by ice. Bodies were not the only thing that the team would be able to locate. It was a sight that many would consider unsettling.For those paying close enough attention, they would see the signs of the large cats they were looking for. They would just have to do a bit of tracking.
Rorin didn’t really expect Orion to walk up and start talking. It struck him as a little odd- funny even, bowing to a stranger in a strange land as if he were a knight, talking about your girlfriend. Rorin fought off a little curious smile as he waited to judge the barbarians reaction. He would have to file Orion away as a “talker” and suppose that was part of the reason for the kailani-Orion tag team alliance Lionel had put on this mission. A Druid and a... battle bard? Hm. Rorin heard the druid’s proposal and he passed a questioning glance to Laffaire, an Outcast Wanderer from this region. She shrugged, not uncat like herself, as they began to move forward. The Dire Alpaca wasn’t happy about where they were going, but Rorin knew better than to leave it behind. He had thought the druids might request aid of their own, outright refuse him, or perhaps stage some sort of trade. A little tit for tat and quid pro quo. Proving himself to some saber tooth cats hadn’t occurred to him, but the pilgrim supposed it would just have to make its way onto his agenda. He debated internally about whether or not he should use his aura to fend off the unnatural chill- but considered if using holy magic might seem offensive as well. Having lived in frostmaw for the past five or so years though, the pilgrim had learned to shoulder such temperatures with meditation. Were the cats sacred to these people? Did they prey on equally vicious saber mice? Plenty of questions.
Orion nodded slowly at Loch's request then looked to Rorin to give him a shrug of his shoulders that practically said, "Might as well.." Internally he was freaking out. In a good way though. Sabretooth cats?! This is going to be exciting!! As the group grew by one and travelled to the new site, Orion was already formulating a plan in his head. Or at least two plans. How do you prove yourself to a massive feline? Okay, three plans were formulated. With Kailani leading the group of warriors, Orion and Grim followed close behind, occasionally bumping into one another and give the other a solid headbutt. At some point, Grimclaw pranced, yes, pranced, to Kailani and around her to give her a slight hip check before returning back to the horseplay with Orion. The bardbarian was careful to not get too rowdy with the griffon. They were on a mission. This type of mission requires a level of seriousness when need be. Eventually, Grim would get caught with a headlock and a noogy as Orion whispers, "Game face, Grim." He releases the griffon and marches on until it was evident they were close to the pride of sabretooth, "Shouldn't be too much farther, eh? I can smell them.."
Loch travels with the party for a small period of time, mysteriously disappearing from the group shortly after they make their way into the full white. It’s a bit strange how easily he is able to vanish given that there is nothing but open terrain surrounding them, but he has accomplished it. It would be foolish for the group to think that they were not still being watched closely, but Loch is hoping that observing from a distance might give him a clearer understanding of the caliber of people asking for the help of his tribe. For some, out of sight really is out of mind.
Kailani :: Grimclaw’s playful antics earn a wide smile from Kailani, bestowing the griffon with a bit of affection before lightly chiding the beasty, “Listen to Orion.” Honestly, someone in the OriKai relationship needed to be a talker. Where would they be otherwise? Probably bored. Perhaps one day the bardbarian’s charm will rub off on Kailani, this does not seem to be that day...As Orion is about the only person that Kailani -is- talking to, but for the moment it is about very down to business stuff. Namely the tracks, the direction they are moving, if they are fresh or not, etc. They have to be fresh, or else the wind would have covered them with a fresh layer of snow. Still, they would be traveling well into the frozen wargrounds before they stable across any of the sabertooth cats. They would hear the cats before they would see the cats, the sound of growling and hissing echoes throughout the expanse but also provides further direction for the searching party. Maybe they were hunting one of those saber mice that Rorin was just wondering about? As the team advances closer to the sound of a scuffle, they would soon learn no. From a distance, it seemed like they were fighting...maybe amongst themselves? But as they got closer the transparent forms of spirits would soon become clearer to the team’s vision. The frozen souls of war that the druids of the region attempted to keep placated were harassing the family of sabertooth cats. The cats that yes, that tribe of druid did view as idols. Idols and allies. Hopefully no one is surprised that Kailani...doesn’t pause to check with the team about any sort of plan of attack. She’s just going to rush forward toward the cats, quite intent on assuming the offensive. Neither Rorin nor Orion will be granted the chance to do the same though. For Kailani just charges forth, more spirits from battles past manifest on the battlefield, effectively separating Kailani from the rest of the team. It’s hard to define how many, it’s not like there is a shortage of dead in the area...It’s fine though! This group of angry spirits are not interested in Kailani. These spirits in particular seem quite intent on shredding the other warriors to bits. A bit of creative thinking is going to be needed, the ghosts seem quite capable of easily harming the warriors….but swords are really not that effective against them.
Rorin enjoys seeing his comrades in arms also be lovers in arms. It gives something nice and warm to look at while traversing the frost covered battleground. Laffaire, Rorins squire, seems to be astutely processing the area around them using her cat like eyes and pointed ears, quiet and alert. Soon enough the Dire Alpaca gives a warning bleat from the sounds of the saber cars tearing into battle and the fight is on. He tries to issue a warning to Kailani but it’s too late. The squad disembarks from the sleigh to protect the cargo and the alpaca as Rorin and Laffaire put their backs together. “Orion, on me!” The pilgrim draws a large round shield from seemingly nowhere as his other hand works militant arcane gestures into the air. With a prayer like chant, divine light erupts from the center of the shield, seeking out their weapons to inhabit and enchant them. “Now- we push forward!” The pilgrim motions Orion over the left and Laffaire to the right as he stands at the head of the party, surrounding the sleigh, a bullwark against the spirits and the storm. “We have to reinforce Kailani and the saber cats.” Once they reinforce the allies numbers, Rorin can try using his magic to assuage the spirit-storm.
Orion smiled brightly as Kailani rushed forward and was quick to do the same until the ghosts separated OriKai. Orion slid to a halt then quickly regained his footing. Realizing he and Rorin were the targets, the bardbarian slowly steps forward and pounds at his chest with a closed fist. The impact closely resembles war drums on a battlefield. Very appropriate. Those jade green eyes watched as Grim was quick to take to the skies to rush to Kai's aid. Grim flies just low enough that Orion can reach up and snag his axe off of Grim's saddle where it was attached. He then shifts to Rorin to get an idea of what the pilgrim was about to do. Orion smirks, nods, then continues to step forward as Rorin directed to take his defensive place. The thunder continues to roll in the distance as Orion marches on. Orion suddenly hits the side of the sleigh with the flat side of his axe to send a bolt of lightning from the sky aimed at the ghosts of war. Between the pounding of his chest and the clang of metal against the sleigh, they had battle music to get their adrenaline pumping. Each hit against the sleigh sends a bolt of lightning to the battlefield to help clear the way to Kailani, Grim, and the sabrecats.
Kailani :: The team will be relieved to know that Kailani is not the damsel in distress in this situation….! The average blade should be ineffective against ghosts, yet Kailani has managed to take her ranseur into grasp at some point while closing the gap between herself and the big cats. Orion is probably quite familiar with Kai’s weapon, given that he probably sees it laying around their camp on the daily. On most days it would look, it looks like a standard pole-arm. On this day? The blade seems to have an odd sheen of blue to it, and when it makes contact with any of the spirits? They dissipate from the field entirely. While this is a great advantage for Kailani, she’s still not able to wield her weapon as she normally would, by utilizing the butt end of her weapon to hinder opponents that might be behind her. This means that any spirits that might flank her would have a clean shot at attacking from behind, especially when she is distracted with an enemy in front of her. Those moments do happen, Kailani would not be walking out of this without a few scrapes and bruises, but they’re greatly reduced the moment that Grim joins her in the scuffle. Honestly though…? Kailani seems to get the easy part. There were a handful of spirits for her to deal with, and then soon it was just her and the cats. Already agitated, it stands to reason that the carnivorous cats could easily turn on the druid. Grimclaw looming behind her convinces them to think twice. While Kailani is concerned about what is occurring behind her, she’s not about to turn her back on the family of cats. She instead attempts to soothe them. On the other hand, Rorin, Orion, and the squadron of troops seem to be stuck dealing with the brunt of the ghosts. Maybe it was because they were attracted...or offended..by the energy the paladin was putting off. Rorin and Orion were definitely making progress forward, the distance between themselves and Kailani was definitely being reduced. But the number of spirits they were forced to deal with? That did not seem to be decreasing. For every ghost that vanished, another seemed to manifest.
Rorin marches on, unaware of Kailanis success, focusing on fending off the spirits that assault them. He could withstand a whole barrage of them thanks to the shield granted from surviving a similar spiritual bombardment in the cave of despair, so reaching Kailani wasn’t going to be the problem. “Focus on keeping them back. We just need to make it to the cats.” Once they arrived, he would switch positions to the rear of the group, knowing he was more or less a focus of the spiritual energy while keeping it at bay. “I’m no priest, but I’m going to try something. Switch tempo Orion.” Rorin began to... dance! Yes, that’s definitely what it looked like, he was dancing, doing a sort of soft swaying motion with a lot of arm movement and some solid shuffling footwork. The paladin would do his best to eminate an aura of peace and tranquility, using a sort of prayer chant the native frost giants say when laying to rest their followers of Aramoth. He didn’t know wether such a thing would be effective or not, but Rorin is nothing if not willing to improvise.
Orion does indeed change the tempo. He quickly studies Rorin's movements and adjusts the tempo to match his footwork. The thunder continues to roll but the lightning stops crashing. The axe hitting the sleigh is replaced with Orion emitting a low, bass filled hum that echoes through the battlefield in key with Rorin's prayer. The thumps against his chest soften as he offers Rorin another look and shrug. Maybe not every battle needs to be won by violence. -That- is a warrior moment.
Kailani looks at Rorin like he has lost his dang mind but actually...Rorin is on to something with his suggestion. Look, music was just going to be one of those things that Orion was going to have to school Kailani in. Does...Kailani even know any songs? It doesn’t seem like it because she does not seem to be joining in on the musical fray here (...but it is probably for the better she does not burst into song, tbh). What Orion and Rorin began, the tribe of druids will finish. They finally make themselves known again, all them, Loch included and circled around the warriors currently being assaulted by the spirits. And wouldn’t you know it….? It will be done by adding their own rhythmic chant to the battlefield. It’s very evident that yes, not every battle needs to be one by violence, because the moment that everyone stops feeding the area with that aggressive energy? The spirits finally seem to calm and fade completely from view. They’ll continue to be a problem in the area, there has been too much bloodshed for this land to ever be free from the souls of war. The area is quiet again, but it will never feel peaceful. For the moment though, the biggest threat to deal are the sabertooth cats. And they are so threatening that both Rorin and Orion both have to deal with these large-tooth cats trying to headbutt them affectionately as a show of appreciation. Does this mean they are worthy? It seems so because Loch is approaching the warriors and speaking to them, “You can tell the others that we will offer our support when the time comes.” Translation: Rorin will probably be left to update Lionel. What is Kailani doing during all of this? Flirting with Grimclaw, she’s got to say thanks for him coming to help her in battle, afterall. This also means she is quite conveniently placed for a flight back to Venturil.
Rorin finishes the dance with a sort of calm wave after the Druid’s join in. Although the affection of the saber cats is unexpected it is greatly appreciated for the warmth alone. Once Loch has cemented the status of support Rorin will give a solemn bow to the spirit Druid’s. Turning around the Dire Alpaca and looking at his squire the team begins to head home. Hopefully everyone learned a lesson or something. He would be glad to recount the story of success to Lionel. Surely this will improve their chances in the battle to come.
Orion almost claps happily but stops himself. The whole area would have been flattened if he had done so. He golf claps instead and nods his head in thanks to the druids. Kailani is quick to gain Orion's attention. He briskly walks over to her and wraps an arm about her waist to pull her in for a soft kiss to her cheek, quietly asking if he was okay. However, a sabretooth cat nudges him. Orion is quick to kneel down and love on the sabretooth. He calls out to Rorin meanwhile, "That was great thinking, sir! Well done!" He finally stands and pats Grim as he climbs onto the saddle and offers a helping hand to Kailani. Back to the much warmer lake they go to celebrate the successful mission!