Vale of Shadows Part 6

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Sat Jan 22, 2011 5:09 am

Nodding slowly he didn't like the smirk, it was probably a death trap if anything. Nodding slowly he took the money... 50 coins... he's done rat killing jobs for more.. Walking to the pens he signed to her' I swear if this is going to possibly get us killed. He owes us this whole bazaar.. and I have no problems reaping everything he has.'

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:06 am

Inrii signed back, "[color=blue:34tuuk0d]if worst should come, we got a cleric at our [i:34tuuk0d]disposal[/i:34tuuk0d]. right?[/color:34tuuk0d]" she has a half smirk signing it.
Inrii took a camel, mounted it and headed out the pen with the others. it only took a moment for them to adjust to the mount, the camels well trained and equipped. Inrii estimated they should arrive, assuming nothing happened, late tomarrow.

the rode in relative quietness up to the main trail thru the desert, the Black road. the Scimitar Spires growing larger as they neared. the sun was high, the light nearly blinding off the sand, and uncomfortable to even a desert folk. the cleric remained rather quiet on his camel yet vigilent as the companions.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Thu Jan 27, 2011 7:17 am

the cleric after a while, noticing something odd about the aasimir and that he was a man of faith (clergy type) cleared his throat.
"how or why does one such as yourself have them for friends?" he asked plainly tho truly confused and bewildered by it. to be friends with such was strange for one such as him, dark elves and a demonfay? he could tell that their werent truly evil, but neutral was a large catogory. and some tendencies never go away.

Inrii rolled her eyes to the question she heard behind her. '[color=green:302qkx0k]this should be good conversation[/color:302qkx0k]' she thought to herself.

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Fri Jan 28, 2011 6:57 am

Veraka and Neriah nodded towards the sheik, agreeing to hear his proposal. After hearing what the chieftain had to say, they both nodded again in agreement to perform his asked task for him.

Veraka then accepted the payment of coins from the young cleric, as did Neriah her payment of a clear cut, blood red diamond from the cleric as Inrii did at the same time.

The aasimar and fey'ri proceeded to mount up upon their respective camels, and proceeded to follow Inrii, Zek and their guide.

At the young man's question, Veraka turned about and regarded the young cleric.
"[b:mzr36osc]How[/b:mzr36osc] I have these folks around me as friends is quite simple; mutual necessity for the given circumstances initially, but after a while, ya tend to like the ones whom ya travel with, for the most part, as long as they're not trying to fry your ass. [b:mzr36osc]Why[/b:mzr36osc] I travel with them is because I can, and until we all get to where we're going, they need someone who can take the heavy blows for them. Figures it mine as well be me. Also because, they've earned my trust."

He left his answer there, letting the cleric interpret whatever blanks he drew from it as he wished to.

Ogrim · Post by **Ogrim** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 5:48 am

[OOC: I've plotted my in on here, and it may take some time before you see an involved character please bear with me?

]

While the companions and their newly acquired cleric mount up and prepare to cross the desert, out upon the dunes in that sea of sand, other eyes watch. Like a lone sentinel, out on the sand, not so far off but at a safe distance from even the best of longbows, a lone black jackal watches. No magic about her, no great depth of intelligence, no specific will of her own compelling the observation of the dark elves and their myriad companions about to cross into those inhospitable lands.

To some, sighting the jackal is like spotting a common pest, nothing more, to others, it might be an omen though, with mixed opinions of whether it is one that bodes well, or ill. A mark of death, or that some desert god or another has taken interest. The simple folk most of all, would be the likeliest to stop and point, to stare and speculate, and to be afraid or speak well of it.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Sat Jan 29, 2011 9:46 pm

the man looked at the aasimir quizically. but some he had to agree, if they earned trust. close nit families of the Bedine, trust was a big deal. but what stories he heard of both types of elves, it was hard to believe. demons or dark elves. allies were only as good as usefulness.
he noted others listening to the conversation no doubt not likeing what was being said. but he never cared what others thought. and future prince of his clan...well...
"and when they prove otherwise?"

--
Inrii kept a keen watch, despite the sun beeming off he sand and into their eyes uncomfortably. the wind picked up enough to where a cloth over the face was needed to not breath in the dirt flying around. it boded ill for them. probability of sandstorm was high.
in the distance the drowess spotted the being. there was nothing magical, but that didnt mean much here in Anauroch and with the distant spires, all kinda of creatures would be.
she motioned and sighed to be (more) on guard.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Sun Jan 30, 2011 5:19 am

As they had set off he kept his guard high, taking a bit of cloth he had saved, he wrapped it around his head having enough of a space to leave his eyes exposed, it would be enough to keep sand from his face and protect the eyes from light, just enough to not be a burdon.

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 4:46 am

Neriah overheard the cleric's toward Veraka, and turned to the big aasimar, wondering what Veraka would say in response.

The aasimar turned towards the young man, and responded simply, "then I simply leave them, unless the actions in question warrant my attention."

The aasimar noted the incoming high amounts of dirt with a sigh, switching to his helm to keep the dirt and grit outta his face and mouth.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Mon Jan 31, 2011 6:01 am

the cleric seam to think about it. a few minutes, silently in contemplation as he pulled his own cloth over his face where only his eyes were seen.
"how did yall...meet up?" he started.
his eyes not nearly as keen as the drow could not distinguish the shape, but he was on more alert that before, a hand going for his mace on his back.

the camels were content on just trudging (is that the word?) along minding no one and well trained in obedience. in the far distance on the same Black Road was another lone figure (NPC). he was stumbling, clothes ragged and worn, and very partched. seeing the 5 camels he began waving to them. but he was a good many miles away and top the next hill. the sand-wind blowing blocked any sounds he attempted to make.
"for a desert, it sure is busy" Inrii noted, a cloth over her own face now to add with her piwafwi's protection. thankfully it was winter and not as hot or her black garb would be roasting.
Inrii, nudded her camel to pick up speed from a walk to a canter(?).

the man was still waving his arms when suddenly, an enormous, bristling worm-like being of a long, mottled body, nearly 40 feet in length and covered with stiff, sharp bristles that dripped with a green venom (the venom part not seen from our distance) reared up and blasted its prey with a 60 ft line of fire. the it quickly grappled the severly injured man, venom spikes doing their work shredding into his flesh. the screams of the man were barely heard over the wind, but chilling enough to most.

(( http://www.realmshelps.net/cgi-bin/main ... une_Winder . this is a harder monster...so keep that in mind as well as its abilities. ))

Ogrim · Post by **Ogrim** » Tue Feb 01, 2011 6:53 pm

To the commotion of the Dune winder, and its unfortunate victim, the lone jackal did glance. Taking note of the area it's sighted within, and once content that it is not on the move toward her, back goes her attention to the camels and their passengers. It would not be long, and those very same camels and passengers would be passing so very near the dune she occupies. If sighting her from a distance had not disturbed the cleric on loan, that very unnatural behavior, as the black jackal holds her ground, watching them pass by, very well might.

Among the many pantheons of the desert, the slender, black-furred canines have been associated with one of many gods to carry the mantle of Death. A power both neutral and often unsettling to those who love living. As such, it stands as one of only a few reasons the favored animals of the god Anubis, could be so brazen, just watching as a city guard might watch a shifty-looking person entering their city.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 2:24 am

At the question he shrugged" I met them on a whim." Was his main answer to the question. Catching movement in the distance he looked at it focusing. Perking a brow at the new arrival. The screams didn't bother him, it was more of the fact that they had very unwelcome company. Muttering" He owes us a bit more than what we got now... First encounter out here is this? Looks like we're in for a very long interesting trek."

veraka · Post by **veraka** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 3:56 am

Veraka heard the scream, as did Neriah and the wolf.
"What the [b:2dk1ekzb]hell[/b:2dk1ekzb] was that?" Veraka exclaimed, Marala Vharc coming out of its sheath simultaneously.

"[b:2dk1ekzb]That[/b:2dk1ekzb] was the sound of someone taking our potential death for his right now," Neriah said in reply, twirling her sais into a ready position in front of her.

Aurora merely barred her teeth in a threatening visage.

Inriiaynrae Jaelre · Post by **Inriiaynrae Jaelre** » Wed Feb 02, 2011 4:22 am

the cleric hesitated only a moment realizing exactly what it was.
"Dune winder!" he called and moved his own mount in a hurry. they werent evil nor good, but likey hungry. and thats what made it dangerous. plus the blood and scraps left over could attack more carnivores and enemies. his mace in his hand he barely noticed the jakel creature. this wasnt good at all.

Inrii was moving faster, more for figuring out why the lone man was out here. and what had removed the rest of his group. so much for that idea.

the worm monster began to "tenderize" its meal before consuming it slowly. the man barely alive still was no longer moving as the posion moving thru him was working as well as being eaten.
the sorceress steadied her body on the camel and prepared her fireball, it sizzled from her hands twords the creature.

the cleric called out, "no!" but her fireball hit as his warning was blocked by the picking up wind storm. he couldnt even get words out to warn them about killing it.
Instead he hurried to the shreded man, blue magical energy growing about him.

Inrii saw that her fire did nothing but make it angry, aiming its breath weapon. the line a fire came at her in a flash of blinding flames. the camel reared trying to turn but the speed of the fire was too much. she fell to the sand and rolled with it just outta range of getting hit. her camel bellowed before collapsing to the sand.
"stupid porcipine! that camel was expensive!" she hollared at the monster into the wind.

Zekafae · Post by **Zekafae** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 12:27 am

Muttering the entire time he removed the bow from his back and notched an arrow. Tightening the grip with his legs on the camel he gave it a quick swat to make it charge. Notching an arrow and pulling the string back he took aim at their large unwelcome guest. The arrow screamed towards it's target. By the time it'd be near the beast he would be already moving." This is why caravans are a bad idea!"

Ogrim · Post by **Ogrim** » Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:00 am

Never would anyone who knows the normal behavior of wild jackals, believe they might be so bold as the female who has stood vigil so long, to watch the passing companions, without some guidance or dominating will, and so when the will behind her watching realizes the danger she's in, it is within mere seconds, that her leader, her 'Alpha' as it were, appears as his form slips from between the boundaries of the Material and Shadow Planes. Tall as a human man, slender and sleek as the black jackal upon the dune, whom knows upon his appearance to charge down to his side, he is a jackal of humanoid shape, dressed in the customary white linen robes of a cleric of Anubis, a following often unwelcome even among the Bedine societies.

Not a word does this new arrival utter to Zek as he charges, but rather he appears with words of prayer on his lips, and looses his spell in the path of the fiery breath, raising a [b:1klmo8ed]Wall of Sand[/b:1klmo8ed] in the path of the flames, obstructing the remaining stream of fiery breath entirely. Into the shadow of the wall he moves then, and calls back to the travelers, extending one of his black-furred hands to them, and the other resting upon the mundane jackal at his side, "Come with me if you value your lives! One fool on foot in the beast's hunting grounds, is enough!"

He'll surely not wait long, and clearly has no intent to stay in the path of the enraged worm-like beast for more than the time it takes to save his companion,and whoever will accept his rescue.

((OOC: This may take you off of your planned route, somewhat, by redirecting to an underground lair, of magically shaped tunnels, afterward filled and held up with stone work, connecting to an old necropolis, for mundane travel and airflow, the lair itself is a mere 3 miles away, if you measure a direct line through the sand. OR the party can decline his offer, depending on how well they survive the Dune Winder, he might return sooner or later on, either to follow and watch or with spells of healing prepared.))

Different outfit, but here's an image of a Jackal Lord: [url:1klmo8ed]http://www.wizards.com/dnd/images/ff_gallery/50085.jpg[/url:1klmo8ed]