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

[FortyThree]

Diocles hiked with a reserved and tired smile, but a sincere one nonetheless. He kept rank with Sul, speaking with her quietly.

"It's a bit sore, but... Mostly I just feel drained. ... I'm glad you found your voice. You shouldn't hesitate to speak your mind. That said, maybe.. Go easy on Thaedrin right now. He did the wrong thing, but if he hadn't, I'd.."

He trailed off with a frown.

 

[ShadowFolk]

With just a glance at that face, she was defeated. "I know... I am without a doubt thrilled that his plan actually worked. Only...well, I am sure you understand why it is a little upsetting. 'Little' may be an understatement." she mulled over his request for a moment. "I will try not to be so harsh. Unless he does something irritating. He's very good at that."

Sulahn'nehn thought back to just moments before the duel. "You are very brave to have done what you did."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles' smile returned.

"Considering the way things turned out, perhaps I'm simply an idiot. I really thought I'd win."

 

[Cinnonym]

"You will be well," Ghil attempted reassurance, "Once we are getting to town, you will be well."

She eyed him a moment longer, waiting to see if he would speak further; when he didn't, she took her hand from his shoulder and continued in silence.

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Maybe it is a little of both." she teased.

Sulahn'nehn pondered for a moment, fiddling with her fingers. Her voice dropped, "If it is alright with you, I would very much like to do that again. A-At another time. Where I am less..." she tugged at her singed and bloodied uniform.

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin nodded slowly at Ghil's words. The barbarian was good at reassuring him. He never expected that from a human. He almost felt like he'd fall over without her hand to hold him steady, but he did his best to lift his head high and keep walking. Only occasionally stumbling or coughing as he went. Hopefully they'd reach the town before they all collapsed from exhaustion.

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles grinned at Sul, fighting not to laugh. She seemed genuine. She was adorable.

"Less.. Clothed? My heart, Sul, you're forward!"

 

[ShadowFolk]

"Diocles." Sulahn'nehn attempted to keep a stern look on her face and failed to not crack a smile. She slapped Diocles' arm lightly, pointing her finger at him. "You are so bad. You know what I meant."

One could almost hear the 'although...' in her tone.

 

[FortyThree]

"Aye."

Diocles nodded, and for once he seemed sincere. Still very pleased with himself, but sincere.

"Well.. I'd be delighted to fulfil that request for you, Sul."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik fell in next to Thaedrin.

"Not much like Imperial Legion," he said, watching the recruits. "More like pack of Mabari."

He glanced over. "Not much blood in your body. Okay for walking?"

 

[Cinnonym]

"I don't see that there's much of a choice, unless you'd like to build me a sedan chair. I'm sure the elves would adore that." Thaedrin shook his head dismissively, folding his arms, "I have no hope that Tantervale will be anything more than a smoking ruin, but perhaps we can scavenge enough supplies to continue our journey. It was situated on the river, surely there must be one boat left in a usable condition?"

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik nodded. "Darkspawn not usually very focused. Would not destroy boats."

More quietly: "Cannot just use magic to steal little blood from another body?"

 

[Cinnonym]

His brows raised in surprise, "Are you volunteering? I wouldn't have expected that from a brigand."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik shrugged. "Have plenty of blood! Never seem to stop coming out when wounded. Or Diocles; you save life, he owe you blood anyway."

 

[Cinnonym]

Thaedrin looked forward of the line, at the archer and his elven girl. He murmured something, she giggled. Death, it would seem, had not made the man any less impertinent.


"No," he said lowly, "I imagine I ought save that favor for a later time. Here, give me your arm."


His knife was in his hand swiftly, and the cut made the moment later. Blood spurted from the deep gash, suspended itself, and twisted around Thaedrin's hands. With a murmur and a gesture, the power inherent in blood sacrifice rejuvenated his exhausted body. Spent, the blood spilled to the ground, splattering his sleeves and boots. He flexed his hands, nodding approvingly.


"You should sterilize that."

 

[duckflesh]

Alrik seemed unperturbed by being cut, but sighed when he realized that they had virtually no supplies for disinfecting his wound: no alcohol, salt, or even any easy means of making a fire.

He wistfully recalled an occasion when he'd used a substantial quantity of fine Tevinter brandy to clear out a sword gash on his leg; he'd gotten a lot of funny looks from the Imperials that day.

He wandered away from the group for several minutes without explanation. When he returned, he had a a beehive in one hand, several angry bees still buzzing around it. Alrik was busily rubbing honey onto his cut.

 

[Cinnonym]

?Alrik!?

Thaedrin cleared away from the man, swatting the insects away from his head in irritation. Even Ghil walked a little faster when she noticed the hive. It didn?t seem to bother the big man any.

After hours of hiking through the plains, following the banks of the river, the party reached Tantervale. Or, what was left of it. As the Constable had predicted, with the bridge burned out the Imperial army had not been able to prevent the Darkspawn from laying waste to the city. ?Though they couldn?t have saved them, anyway,? he thought. There didn?t seem to be any hurlocks patrolling, but then, what was left here that would be of any value to the creatures? The buildings were burned out husks, the majority collapsed in on themselves. Few had more than one wall left standing, and even those left with roofs were still too unstable to suggest taking cover beneath them for the night.

?Fan out, search for anything that may be useful. The Darkspawn may have looted weapons and armor, but there may be medicine, food, materials to build a shelter for the night. And a boat. Someone find a damned boat.?

Spoiler: Insight Check

Everyone roll 1d20+Ins, and report the total in the user group chat. We?ll see who finds what!

 

[ShadowFolk]

Sulahn'nehn ventured off as told. She cautiously tiptoed through the ruin as she searched for anything useful. What she found was a lot of ash and things so charred that they would be of little to no use. At least a first. In the corner of what used to be a bedroom there was a chest and inside were neatly folded blankets that suffered only minor damage to them from the fire. That, at least could keep some of the cold at bay.

On her way back she nearly fell over, tripping over fallen planks. Some of which didn't look too bad off. Maybe they would come in handy. The elf gathered the few she could carry and began finding her way back to the others, peaking over the top of her pile as she went.

"It isn't much...but this is about all I could find."

 

[Rosen2012]

Ulrin set to work scavenging what he could find. He didn't think there would be much, but right now he was thankful for anything. Even if all he could find were a few sturdy boards and old blankets spared from the fires and destruction in what he presumed was once an inn. they were scattered about, here and there from where it looked like the floors had collapsed causing the contents of the rooms to be strewn about.

The elf gathered what he could and brought it back to the group, "I think this should help us make it through the night."

 

[FortyThree]

Diocles split off from his elven companion, searching the remains of what had once been a trading post of some kind. He managed to dislodge a pile of rubble concealing some goods that had survived-Lucky, considering their flammability. He made his way back with difficulty, rolling a barrel of whiskey. A sack of rice was thrown over his shoulder.

"Sustenance!"