The First Blight: Curse of Dumat [RP/Closed]

[duckflesh]

The final Genlock was nearly dead on its feet; any sane man would have run by now, but this Genlock was no man.

It turned is bow on the brawny fighter on the ground who it saw dispatch a Hurlock earlier. Its barbed arrow flew true, piercing her flesh. It immediately drew another, ready to find a new target.

 

[FortyThree]

It never got a chance. Diocles put an arrow through the creature's eye as soon as it launched it's own, to much greater effect.

 

[duckflesh]

To the horror of the Wardens, a pair of Emissaries began running down the wall toward their position; to their relief, both were scooped into the air by a griffon and sent plummeting, their bodies breaking on the flagstones below.

Now that the Wardens could take a moment to catch their breath, they realized that the sounds of battle had grown significantly quieter. They had succeeded in holding this section of the wall, allowing the defenders to win the battle without being outflanked. Only isolated skirmishes remained, the few remaining Darkspawn climbing over the bodies of their companions and into the waiting pikes of the defenders.

After a few minutes, a half dozen Val Dorma guards were able to risk opening the gates, rushing out to help the wounded Wardens come inside.

As they passed the body of the Genlock who fell from the wall, the Wardens found that his quiver contained arrows of exceptionally high quality with serrated edges. There were fifty of them. ((+ 5 Damage))

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil grunted as the arrow found her thigh, piercing the leather of her trousers. She snarled and jerked it free, discovering the barbs too late with a howl of pain. "Blast this armor, what use is it!" She threw the bloody stick away from her and turned to watch the griffon that had saved them make another pass over the city's defenses. When she lowered her gaze, she saw there were ten Darkspawn corpses for every Grey Warden that had fallen. "But we survived... Soola! Ulrin?" She jogged out among the carnage, searching for her comrades.

 

[FortyThree]

"Get these mages some aid, now! And the woman needs a surgeon to excise that arrow clea-Nevermind."

If Ghil's wound hadn't been on his mind, Diocles would never have checked his foe's equipment. As it was, he claimed the Genlock's quiver as soon his friends (And Thaedrin) were seen too. These were truly fine blades. Much better for them to be killing darkspawn than aiding them.

 

[ShadowFolk]

By the end of the battle, Sulahn'nehn was in no condition to stand. Or move, really. She could feel that she was moving, lifted from the ground and carried away. Two close calls that were far too close together.

Her consciousness slipped away as healers saw to removing the arrow and mending her wound.

 

[Cinnonym]

The healers on the field, Warden and Imperial alike, tended to the wounded and brought them inside the city gates. Thaedrin was carried swiftly within, his wound requiring more than a patch-up. The rest of the squad that was still standing was brought inside into safety.

Within, the damage of fire was obvious, and those who had lost their homes and their loved ones were crowded into the streets and into temples, waiting for help. They tracked the Wardens with their eyes when they passed, they were so rare that they were nearly legend. The only light of hope against the Darkspawn.

The crew was invited to rest in one of the few inns that was still standing, to recuperate from the battle. Food was offered (simple fare, but fresher than what would be served in the Weisshaupt mess hall), and two bedrooms to divide between the four of them. The rest were filled with the wounded.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles was quite relieved his friends were safe, and the meal made up for Thaedrin's survival. Grinning at his comrades, he cracked what was, probably, one of his jokes.

"Alright. Who's risking bunking with me, then?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn woke up and it didn't look like she'd crossed over. She survived and that was all good and well, but getting mortally wounded was losing it's charm. Arrows were definitely not of the list of things she liked and-

Where is everyone?"

It occured to her that she hadn't seen the actual end of the battle. For all she knew, it could have gotten worse and they could all be suffering. She got up, thanked the healers and began to look for her comrades.

They lived! Fantastic news. Well, moderately good news, for Thaedrin still breathed, but she would take what blessings she could get. For now, a weight was off her shoulders and her mind eased. She sat herself down with her group, occasionally pressing her fingers against where the arrow had been. "I am thankful there were still healers on hand. How are you all feel- There is a risk to bunking with you? Why not take Ulrin, he is good with risks."

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin joined Ghil in her trek through the bodies seeking out their comrades. He saw the blood coming from her leg where she had ripped her arrow out and wondered if perhaps her whole body was not some strange armor on its own. 'How does she keep going with all those wounds?' he wondered to himself.

Like the rest he followed the still standing Wardens and healers into the city. There were enough healers on hand that he did not fear Sulahn'nehn would die from lack of care this time. After all it was not Theadrin they were asking to aid her. Though at the same time he saw the downside to their being ample help. Theadrin would be alright as well.

When their little group had reconvened at the inn he was more than eager to eat without worry. Though he chocked on his food at the female elf's words, "I suppose there is not choice in the matter... Though I think Ghil stands a better chance of being safe in Diocles' presence all night."

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Had there been a choice, the outcome would still be such. Is Ser Ghil not a beauty? Intimidating though she may be, she is still a gorgeous woman." she looked to Ghil, worried the compliment was somehow an offense. "I-If you'll pardon me saying, Ser."

 

[Rosen2012]

The rouge rubbed the side of his face, "I did not mean she was unattractive... I simply meant, our archer comrade would think twice before over steeping his bounds with Ghil." Ulrin took a sip from his drink, "But you are right... It wouldn't be proper either way to ask either of you to tolerate his humor for the night."

 

[duckflesh]

Delphina, one arm in a sling, stopped by the table to debrief them.

"You'll be pleased to know: the healers say none of you are in any danger," she told them, stealing some ham from Diocles' plate.

"Good work out there. There would have been serious trouble if you hadn't plugged up that section of wall."

 

[Cinnonym]

Ghil grinned, wiping ale from her chin with the back of her hand. "What sorry? I know this is true." Turning to Dicoles, she said, "It would seem you are very dangerous, for no one wishes to be with you when it is dark. Perhaps the three of us will cower together and you will have a bed to yourself, hm?"


When Delphina came by, Ghil gave her a curt nod, the closest she would come to a salute. "You shoot well, I saw."

 

[FortyThree]

"I think I'd be okay with that, actually, Ghil."

He grinned at Delphina, not begrudging her the food.

"And I know I'm in no danger, some of us know to dodge. .. You are alright yourself, Delphina?"

 

[ShadowFolk]

Her cheeks flushed with color, waving her hand in front of her, "No, no, no. I-I didn't mean to imply that you're dangerous. Just that there are certain implications of a pretty girl sharing space with a handsome man." she pressed her fingers to her temple, "Not that- That was no better. Let me start over..." Flustered, she decided maybe a bit of the ale Ghil was having was a better idea. A nice drink to shut herself up.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin chuckled at Sulahn'nehn's statement, no matter how politely she phrased it there was no way to avoid saying Diocles was anything but a safe option for a bunk mate. "I am not so afraid of him that I need to stay in another room, Ghil."

He looked up to Delphina, "We do not wish for the Darkspawn to succeeded any more than you do. We are just relieved our efforts are good enough to stop them."

 

[duckflesh]

Delphina grumbled, looking down at her sling. "It's low priority, so they haven't gotten around to healing it yet. It's not very becoming, is it."

She shrugged.

"Oh... and I'll thank you all for staying firmly OUT of Warden Diocles' bunk," she said pointedly, giving him a light thwap on the head. "Excitement is not good for his constitution."

 

[FortyThree]

"Oh, are you sure, Ulrin? You know how we Tevinters are with our perversions, and you are a very pre-Ow! Unprofessional, ma'am. You're supposed to order me to my death, not hit me."

Diocles took another bite of food, giving Sul one slightly quirked eyebrow.

Handsome man, eh? So her eyes weren't damaged. Good.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin snarled at Diocles, angry with the implications of his statement. Of course Ulrin knew Tevinters were twisted with their desires. He heard the tales from Twynne, even if hadn't suffered it first hand. Was the archer implying he was the same way as his old master's wife?

"I suppose you think joking about the actions of your kind with me will lighten the mood? Or distract from the fact that every Warden with experience here warns every new recruit to keep their distance from you? I am only sharing a room with you to spare anyone having to deal with a lecherous predator all night. Do not think the lady is the only one willing to strike you. I know too well what perversions your people can carry out on my kind and know that I am not one to stand for such treatment. Do not forget I came here a murderer, Diocles." He turned away from the archer resting his cheek against his knuckles. His mood soured for the night.