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Post by Xalmann Dakarr on Dec 19, 2022 1:56:44 GMT -5
Xalmann could practically feel the appreciation for the hand signals from Akari. He didn't realize how meaningful they might be to the mute man. He hadn't been nearly as appreciative of them when he had first been taught them by his tribe. He had just seen them as another tool to be used, like his axe. But over time he'd felt far more appreciation for his axe, a feeling like it was always there for him, part of him. A connection to the tribe he no longer had. Maybe he should have appreciated the hand signals more while he actually had people to use them with. Maybe, as someone with so few options to communicate with others, these simple hand signals were more meaningful than Xalmann had anticipated.
The Lizardman's philosophical thoughts are almost immediately interrupted as he sees that idiot Dragonkin using the rude gesture he'd done toward him as a joke toward Akari with a face like it's a friendly "Are you good?".
"Pfft-" He accidentally let out before turning around and placing a hand over the tip of his snout to stop himself. He hadn't expected to find something so funny while so annoyed by the mere presence of the annoying Dragonkin, but seeing him misinterpreting his gesture just really struck a funny bone that Xalmann had previously thought burnt to ash. He'd have to make sure Akari didn't have the same misunderstanding, but he didn't mind letting Perrath continue to misunderstand.
He turned back toward them, his face as stoic and emotionless as usual again, and gave Akari a nod before looking at them both.
"Alright. We go now."
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Post by Perrath on Dec 25, 2022 21:40:35 GMT -5
The tiny sound from Xalmann catches Perrath's attention, and his gaze cuts over to the red lizardkin. Suspicion fills his eyes. The glorified iguana man taught them these gestures and now scoffs that they use them? Pretentious prick. Irritation is clear in Perrath's body language as his hand drops and his arms cross. One hip pokes out just ever so slightly more than the other, and his tail twitches.
"Yes, let's be going," he says flatly. "We have bandits to destroy."
With that, he continues through the forest in the same direction as before, following the now dead bandit's instruction. The whole walk, Perrath simply stewed in his annoyance. Perhaps he'll find an opportunity to bring some "accidental" harm to the red bastard. That's likely a poor plan - they're supposed to be on the same side in this matter. If he can at least play nice now, he'll find another chance at another time to deal with the disrespectful reptile. Of course one descended from a red dragon would behave in this way. The red dragons are always fiery, overconfident, and so very irritating in every way another dragon could find imaginable. Perrath sees no irony in this.
It doesn't take too much longer for the sharpened log walls of the encampment to break the brush and trees. Finding a good spot to hide in some bushes, Perrath crouches and tries to catch a glimpse of the interior of the camp. It's difficult to see, but there are two guards at the entrance. They don't seem particularly well-equipped. Arrogant bandits, thinking that they're capable of protecting themselves without armor.
"Getting in will be simple enough," he says quietly.
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Post by Akari on Dec 29, 2022 21:59:17 GMT -5
Akari follows behind the dark-scaled dragonkin as they make their way to the bandit camp, blissfully unaware of any brewing tensions between his new companions. The ghost of a smile lingers on his lips until the first signs of their quarry begin to emerge from the forest. Signs of paths made by creatures too large to be simple game trails are the first indicators that Akari takes note of, leading to log walls of a well-fortified encampment.
The dark-eyed man cannot help but agree with Perrath’s assessment of the situation. The two standing guard hardly seemed prepared for an assault on their base. He watched with a dispassionate gaze as one of the guards standing vigil yawned and rubbed at his eyes, clearly barely clinging onto awareness.
Yes, this would likely be an easy fight to get in. The only question that remained would be what awaited them on the other side of that wall.
He flexes his fingers before taking hold of his borrowed dagger1 with wisps of shadow clinging to his hands. Akari was more than prepared to shed blood on this night, but as he looks between Xalmann and Perrath, there was a clear question in his eyes.
Were they ready as well?
1. Dagger of Torment - Borrowed for this thread from Perrath
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Post by Xalmann Dakarr on Dec 31, 2022 5:06:23 GMT -5
As they walked toward the Bandit's encampment with Perrath leading the way, Xalmann put a hand on Akari's shoulder to get his attention. He demonstrated again, pointing the crossed fingers at Perrath from behind and then leaned in close to whisper.
"An insult. Do not use it." he said, beginning to lean back again, but then added one more thing. "Do not tell him. It is... amusing."
After Perrath looked through the entrance from the group's hiding place, Xalmann held his hand up, signing for the two to wait. He was sure Akari knew the signal, he had been very attentive during the lesson, but wasn't sure about the dumb reptile. He looked at Perrath and repeated verbally to be sure. "Wait."
He placed his hands together and a second Lizardman appeared, the same he had summoned as he and Perrath had been running down the side of the volcano. They were a bit taller than Xalmann, but thinner, semitranslucent and covered in burns. A ghost of one of his fallen tribesmen. He looked to the ghost and spoke in the Lizardfolk language for a moment. The ghost nodded and Xalmann nodded back before the ghost suddenly disappeared from sight.
"He scouts." Xalmann whispered. It would be much easier to make a plan of attack if they knew what they would be dealing with in the encampment.
Xalmann wasn't much for idle conversation, so waited for the scout's return silently. Fairly quickly, after only a few minutes thanks to their invisibility and ability to pass through walls, the ghost returned and reported the layout of the camp to Xalmann, also speaking Lizardfolk.
"Two with spears at the gate. Two with crossbows inside. One in a tent to the right. Unarmed. One in large tent at the back, a sword and shield." Xalmann translated and looked to his current companions and also Perrath.
Call Ghost
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Post by Perrath on Jan 8, 2023 0:33:26 GMT -5
There it is again, that ghostly lizardfolk with burn scars. Similar to the red menace in front of him, but not the same. There's a story there. Perrath decides he doesn't care. If Xalmond wants to do something useful for them, then so be it. And to his surprise, it is useful. That kind of scouting capability is handy, indeed.
Perrath doesn't let his interest or appreciation show on his face. What was he whispering about to Akari anyway? Trying to turn the mute against him? Hmph. Let him try. Accidents are easy to fake.
Wisps of shadow gather at the edge of Perrath's form when the report is delivered. "I can sneak in and take down the one in the tent, unseen," he suggests. "It would reduce their forces before a forward assault. Then I can target the ones with range. Perhaps I throw the one up there off that poor excuse for a sentry station." With that, his dragon head nods toward the shoddy-looking wooden hutch that towers just slightly above the wall in the center of the camp. The top of a bandit's head can just be made out, but not much else. "If that suits you both, make your assault on the spearmen when their attention is drawn toward the center."
Perrath's eyes narrow with some suspicion, mostly directed in Xalmann's direction. "Of course, this means I put myself in a vulnerable position and will rely on a certain amount of honor and teamwork between us."
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Post by Akari on Jan 30, 2023 13:51:11 GMT -5
There is a flicker of confusion on Akari’s face when Xalmann pulls him aside to speak privately. An insult? He isn’t quite sure he understands the joke, but he nods to Xalmann nonetheless. These two were supposedly kin, weren’t they? Maybe it was like the games he used to play with his own sister, she often found much joy in them, even if Akari didn’t always understand.
Perhaps Xalmann and Perrath were much closer than Akari thought. That was good; they would watch each other’s backs during the coming fight.
When they finally arrive at the bandit camp, Akari’s demeanor shifts. Though he had been quiet and curious when walking with Xalmann and Perrath, there is a glinting edge of steel in his gaze when they finally catch sight of their targets. His borrowed blade rests heavily in Akari’s hand, and he turns it subtly, testing the weight of it and familiarizing himself with its balance.
The ghostly scout is a surprise, but Akari does not comment or waste time thinking too much of it. If Xalmann wished to explain, he would later. And it was not Akari’s place to question someone else’s specters when he had so many of his own. The ghost proves to be invaluable when it brings them back enough information to plan an assault, and Perrath’s plan, though risky, is a solid one.
His only response to it is a nod. The spearmen did not look well trained, not like Akari was and not like he imagined Xalmann was as well. They would have the advantage of surprise and could meet Perrath in the middle.
Akari looks to Xalmann with Perrath’s final words. He was already on board; now, it was left to the lizardfolk man to agree.
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Post by Xalmann Dakarr on Feb 18, 2023 18:12:00 GMT -5
Xalmann crossed his arms in front of his chest as he listened to Perrath's plan. Put himself in a vulnerable position and will rely on a certain amount of honor and teamwork between us? Was Perrath talking about the time he suddenly turned invisible and ran away to leave Xalmann to fend for himself against a giant volcanic crab monster?
Xalmann would have rolled his eyes if he didn't think Perrath would have a little tantrum over it. But, the plan was fine with him. At least Xalmann had already witnessed the coward's ability to turn invisible, so sneaking in unseen didn't seem impossible for him. And like this, Perrath could prove himself useful unlike their last encounter. And if he got hurt, Xalmann wouldn't really mind. Accidents happen.
Like Akari, Xalmann just nodded silently, hiding his internal disbelief over Perrath's gall to say such words behind his usual emotionless visage. He pulled his axe and dagger from their sheathes at his waist and held them at the ready, taking a position next to Akari to attack the spearmen once Perrath threw the guard from the tower. That would make a fine signal to let them know it was time to attack.
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Post by Perrath on Feb 19, 2023 18:08:45 GMT -5
With everyone on board for the plan, Perrath looks ahead and identifies the best entry point for himself: a break in the wooden wall cast in shadow. Luckily, as the day grows later, the shadows grow longer and give him more opportunity to move unseen. Dark, wispy magic gathers around his feet then consumes his form. Before the others, Perrath is nothing more than a shadow. He quickly moves along the ground, clearing gaps where bits of sunlight stream through the trees, then he easily slips through the opening in the wall.
It's a simple enough mission: a bit of infiltration and assassination. While not the most honorable tactics, they are the most effective in situations like this. It takes little effort to slip into the tent where one of these bandits has just woken from a nap and is actively working to get himself geared up. Hm, a leather cuirass could provide some protection from a physical attack, so why not take his life with magic? The shadowy dragonkin rises from the ground behind the bandit and raises an arm. Dark purple energy manifests along his hand into huge magical claws. He rakes it across the man's backside then reaches forward and covers the man's mouth to muffle his screams. The magic eats at the man's flesh, ignoring his armor, and Perrath holds him there until his screaming and struggling cease. He pulls his hand free then lays the man back in his cot, covering him with blankets to make him appear as if he's sleeping.
One down, one to go. Slipping out under the cover of shade, Perrath makes his way to the tower in the center of camp. At the top, a bored guard yawns, propping his crossbow on his shoulder while he stretches. Perrath creeps around him quietly while he's yawning then lets his cloak drop, a devious, toothy grin on his face. When the bandit notices him, Perrath boots the man off the tower, and he screams in terror as he plummets twenty or more feet to the ground and lands with a loud crack! This puts the camp on high alert, and the bandits turn to see the mangled remains of one of their allies on the ground and look up to see a haughty dragon standing at the top of their watchtower.
Cloak of Shadows Death Swipe
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Post by Xalmann Dakarr on Sept 7, 2023 12:46:02 GMT -5
With the spearmen turned away, focusing on the jerk at the top of the guard tower, Xalmann seized the opportunity. He ran forward, swinging his axe as he ran to combine the momentum, the spearman's head fell to the ground before the other even realized there was a second intruder in the camp, but by then it was already too late for him as well.
With practiced motions, Akari grabbed the man by the hair and pulled his head back to expose his throat. A single slash of the borrowed dagger had the man gurgling as he fell to the floor, grasping at his neck to try in vain to stem the flow of red seeping into the dirt around him.
With both of the spearmen taken care of, the guard dropping from the top of the tower had stirred up the few remaining in the camp. Tent flaps were pushed away as the two remaining bandits in the camp came out to see what the hell was going on. The man with the sword and shield and the unarmed man were all that was left. Both were dumbfounded at how this could have happened. Three of their allies were dead in front of them and one wasn't coming out of his tent.
"Who the hell are you!?" The larger of the two, the man with the sword and shield, yelled angrily. He was apparently the leader, or perhaps former leader would be more accurate seeing as almost all of his underlings were dead.
He pointed his sword at Xalmann and glanced between him and Akari, unaware of the third thread in the guard tower up above.
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Post by Perrath on Sept 16, 2023 1:50:29 GMT -5
From above, Perrath declares valiantly, “We are the bringers of your demise!” With a haughty laugh, Perrath leaps from the tower with his claws outstretched, wreathed in purple magic. He lands roughly on one of the remaining bandits, his armor clanking loudly on the fall. It probably did not feel good, but the bandit especially doesn’t feel good with magic claws raking across his face. With Perrath putting weight on his shield, it makes it hard for him to move. This shield will be his undoing!
The other bandit glances between Xalmann, Akari, and Perrath and decides to help his only remaining ally. Raising his fists, he charges Perrath and delivers a solid punch to the back of the head. While he’s distracted, Akari takes the opportunity to rush up with Perrath’s serrated dagger and expertly slots the dagger between the man's ribs. When he pulls it out, the man stumbles back. Suddenly overcome with horrible visions of death, the unarmed bandit screams in terror. Perrath looks at Akari approvingly then wrenches the sword free from the bandit on the ground with his tail and uses it to behead him before finishing off the other bandit.
Finally, the camp goes silent again, and Perrath stands up, pretending that he doesn’t have a limp whatsoever after his twenty foot drop for the purpose of drama. “Excellent job, Akari,” he says with a proud and congratulatory tone. “You’re quite adept with a dagger. Let’s get you one of your own.” With that, he searches the dead for a suitable dagger and offers it to Akari while clapping him on the shoulder with his other hand. “There. A prize from a job well done.”
But that reminds him of the other one here, and Perrath’s eyes cut over to Zedmund. “And you did fine too, I suppose,” he mutters.
prehensile tail Dagger of Torment
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Post by Xalmann Dakarr on Sept 18, 2023 11:52:07 GMT -5
"Hm." Xalmann grunted as he gave Perrath an unimpressed look, not outwardly reacting to the obvious attempt to annoy him. Perrath forgetting he was there wasn't anything surprising, given his low intelligence. That thought, Xalmann kept to himself. He didn't think Perrath would react well to it and he was apparently on good terms with Akari. He would have been fine with killing the ignorant reptile that thought he was better than him, but if Perrath attacked him, he had no way of knowing whose side Akari would be on and he didn't want the hassle of fighting 2 on 1.
And besides that, he also felt some slight kinship with Akari. Xalmann was a man of few words, while Akari was a man of none. At least, none vocally. He did have the sign language he was using to communicate with Perrath. How Perrath was fluent in such a language, Xalmann didn't know. As much as he didn't care about Perrath having things he didn't, he did feel a tinge of jealousy for knowing sign language. He'd have to learn it himself some time.
Xalmann gave Perrath the rude gesture he'd given earlier that Perrath had mistaken for something else, crossing his index and middle finger and pointing them at the the pretentious Draconynh before walking off into the camp to search for anything of value. The bandit camp had little in terms of wealth. Whatever coin they'd stolen before their deaths, they must have either used or hidden elsewhere. Some of the weapons were in good condition, but Xalmann had no need for them and wasn't very good at selling things. He did find some rations that he could take though.
With his meager loot acquired, Xalmann gave Akari a nod and touched his fist to Akari's shoulder, an actual gesture of friendship, and walked off into the forest alone.
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