On The Shores of Despair Pt. 2

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

Pwdn stood as soon as she was able, and moved among the dead with sudden resole. The icons of Bane she'd found, along with others of evil gods once she'd run out, were carefully placed under the tongue of each corpse and bade them reconsider before their judgement. At least if they did, a greedy god might accept their souls despite everything, the token placed as in a burial rite giving them some legitimate claim to do so. It was ultimately the most she could do for them, and returned to the saddle-packs where she had resided the previous day in order to sleep off the fatigue.

((Note of interest, she's actually reached epic levels before; there was a lot of Exp thrown around during the finale of an earlier game. Burned about 9 levels in one week of in-game time. GM decided since we were deciding the fate of the world it was okay to cast Miracle that often, and having an in-character reason to do so I of course abused the decision mercilessly.))

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

"well, I dont know much in that area as for what to say. But life in oblivion seams beyond cruel. and I would not wish that on anyone, not even my older sister."
after Pwdn was able to stand and head to her horse(?) Zarae made her way to check out what equipment was dropped or could be of use for the trip. and with the days as cold and snow not letting up, it was the smart choice.

[veraka]

Veraka stood watching Pwdn go about the corpses of the soldiers that he, Adian, Lyon, Frad, Cinder and Zarae had slain. Glaring through his helmet at the corpse of the dead soldier that had worn the Eilistraeen amulet, he went over and collected the symbol knowing that it was not for these murderers to wear.

Once Veraka had done this, he walked over to Adian, pulled off his helm, and gave the young paladin the necklace, saying "keep this close to you, and when you arrive upon a temple of the Dark Maiden, do me a favor and make sure this see's it way to a priestess; tell her what happened to the young soldier who wore it and let her know that his death has been payed and honored." The storm warrior walked off without a word.

To those with a sharp eye, a single tear could be seen, tracing it's way down his blood-stained, grim-covered face. Veraka rarely shed tears, and when he did, he was truly hurting inside. Few things made the aasimar cry;seeing innocent kids and younglings die for no reason was one of them.

Veraka sent up a silent prayer to Bahamut to watch over the soul of the young owner of the amulet and one to Eilistraee, to make sure that the young warriors soul made it to her sanctum.

"Why is that the young must die in this world; if this continues, can all who are sentient truly believe that what we are doing is for a greater good if our own children must pay the price?" the mighty warrior sank to his knees, his face one of sorrow.

[Adian Novar]

Adian took the necklace solemnly and placed it in a pouch: He didn't feel worthy of wearing it. He wondered about the owner...who had they been and what had their hopes and reams been?

When the storm warrior dropped to his knees, Adian walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Without those who fight for that greater good," Adian said. "Far more would almost certainly die than do now. We should try to belive that...no, we [i:1bjh06uu]have[/i:1bjh06uu] to believe that, or risk falling into complete despair."

[veraka]

But why, my friend? Why is it that always the young ones must take the damage for the most part. Everywhere I go, every place I see, I find the children of every race always the first ones to fight and die for some unknowing, stupid reason," the storm warrior looked up to his drow paladin friend, his face one of solemn sorrow; "ask yourself this, Adian; have you ever seen, in your entire life, children slaughtered, massacred, or just all out enslaved and brutalized, and have you ever wanted nothing more than to unleash all your anger, hate, malice, and rage upon those that did such atrocities willingly."

The aasimar stopped for a split second, letting his question sink in, "because, if you have, then we are not so different in our mentality toward those who are yet still innocent in my eyes, anyways. That was why I became a champion of the Dragon Father, that is why I would willingly take a killing blow for any youngling, or expecting mother, in a heartbeat. For there is no worse crime in all of Toril then to destroy those who have yet to experience life to its fullest."

[Adian Novar]

"I have not," he said. "Though, sadly, I may one day. Evil pursues the vulnerable. By its nature it is cowardly and seeks those who cannot resist it. We have our gifts to protect those who cannot defend themselves. Other than that, I have no answers."

He sighed.

"We have done all we can here," he said. "Time to leave this place behind. There is still the cave, and then the lake."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

Zarae nodded her agreement after picking up a longbow and quiver. she needed a ranged weapon, so it would work.
She made her way back to her mount and hopped back up on his back.
--
the hunters had made good time now. but the snow was something they were having a hard time dealing with.
"stop winning. you like such children," she hissed back to the male. her threat was emphasized by a hand on her weapon.
the male shut up, not willing to tangle with the already volatile leader.
"It cant be far, their only a few days ahead of us at the most. but we will stop soon."

(i will head to go 'fight' these guys to explain my absense when i head off in june)

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

Leon and Frad, having mounted up, were quiet. Frad had little to add, and Veraka's comment had shaken Lyon somewhat. He felt that he could all-too-easily find himself feeling so, and it would be testing to fight with the true reason for his choice foremost in his heart. "I suppose it's a question of vengeance or revenge. An insult would be revenged, an injustice would be avenged. Beyond a certain point, it's just needless cruelty." He looked back as they moved on, to the snow stained crimson with blood and littered with the fallen. "They would have killed us, and more innocents besides, but to see what we've done here today. . . it's difficult to see that when your hands are still stained with blood. Does it ever get any easier?"

[veraka]

Veraka knew that in what Adian said was a truth beyond all reason or doubt, but he still felt lost somehow, being the after-witness of yet another younglings death. Gritting teeth in determination, he heavily pushed a fist into the reddened snow, and heaved his heavy frame onto his feet.

Making sure that all his kit was packed up and on his back, Veraka took up a forward position along the group as they started off toward. Hearing Lyon's comment, he replied "I don't think it'll ever get easier, Lyon; not for you, not for me, not for any of us I'm affraid," he turned to regard Frad, "I believe now I understand what you meant by when you said that I will die young because of what mantle I've taken up."

The storm warrior looked down, and saw his own platinum dragon plate armor was painted a deep hue of red in a camouflage pattern, giving him a menacing appearance in his armor. Looking at his armored gloves, which were stained in the enemies blood, Veraka said in a low voice, "now imagine that; a descendant of a heavenly being whose taken up death and killing onto his shoulder's, some things are truly ironic."

((By the way, Adian, I gotta say I like your new avatar picture, nice one ))

[Ra'Sona Races-The-Wind]

Frad looked sullen, but nodded his support to Veraka. Lyon looked at his hands, and nodded to himself. "Good. It shouldn't get easy, taking a life shouldn't be able to become rote." He spurred Phenix on, encouraged by this revelation. "That helps a lot."

[Adian Novar]

(Thank you. I can't even remember where I originally got it from...I found him in an obscure folder of mine.)

"The outpost is about a day's ride from here," Adian said, to get everyone back on track. "We should come upon it by midday tomorrow or so depending on speed or...delays. We may be able to resupply there if they are friendly."

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

"thats hoping they dont see us and attack right out," Zarae said bluntly.
that had been her experince for most of the week on the surface. thus she learned to keep hooded and stay hidden for the most part. Bitterleaf had been the first town to open accept her, obsidian skin and all.

Moonlight neighed as they got going. Argo following Phenix, his rider still haven not shown back up. Zarae brung up the rear in the pack, guessing thats was where she would be the most helpful. but also becuase she sensed something or someone possibly following them. Numerous times she looked back behind her, half expecting Matron MaeVir's mercenaries to jump out and ambush them any moment.
---

"so how will we know it's her? she will likley be disguised or possibly among eilistraeens," the youngest female asked. "I mean apart from the fact that many keep the common dress of the cities."
"quite easy," the cold voice cooed, "her face carries a mark of Lloth. and it can be seen with magic."
the female thought about it and smiled. maybe this trip in the cursed realm wouldnt be as bad. at least he would get a fight had the female actually found allies or friends. even better if they had been heretics and she could slice a blade thru one such heart.
they trudged to a small alcove of evergreens to rest a while. their prey moving further on by the minute.

[Adian Novar]

"Sadly true enough," Adian said. "But the priest said he had sent word of us ahead...so it may be less likely this time."

[veraka]

Veraka sat back listening to Adian and Zarae talk about the last village that they visited had been the first to openly accept them for who they were, and not draw swords upon seeing their faces.

He let out a sigh, "I suppose that I shouldn't be surprised upon hearing such a sad travesty be bestowed upon you guys; I suppose ignorance and stupidity never go out of style, especially when it comes to prejudices."

Seeing Frad, Lyon and Pwdn on their mount brought up a thought from his memories; "Frad, let me ask you something. How did you come to team up with Pwdn and Lyon; or for that matter how did the three of you come to together as the way you are right now, how did you guys meet?"

[Zarae Zyne Kilanatlar]

"well, One can become bitter, or one can prove them wrong. I learned to ignore it, move on when they became violent," she replied back. "maybe one day we will be accepted for who we are."
she heard the warrior question and chuckled, remembering that night, the humorous situation they walked upon.