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Post by Fenrear on Oct 18, 2022 23:59:11 GMT -5
Ughhh so stupid. Word had come back from the group that had been studying the oozes that some of their researchers had gone missing. In the middle of the blasted swamp of all places. Sure, swamps were full of life but they were also full of bugs. Fenrear missed the desert. In the desert, if you saw a big bug, it would pull out some claws or pinchers or something and you would fight to the death. Very clean. Not in the swamp. All the bugs here just burrow into your fur and drink you blood. To top it off, might even give you a disease or at least be itchy for a couple days. Ugh, so stupid.
At least he had a good travel companion, Gerhart. Since their first journey, Fenrear felt that they found a good rhythm and understood each other, for the most part. But he still had some secrets. The big one that he was haunted by the spirit of the necromancer that he ate, so long ago. Peter had been strangely quiet during the ooze adventures, for which Fenrear was grateful. But he knew that probably wouldn’t last very long.
Picking up the trail of the giant ooze was not difficult. Even in the swamp, it left a wide swath of burning death that you would have to be blind to miss. He thought it odd that every ooze adventure they went on, the oozes got progressively bigger. Who knows, maybe one day a giant ooze will consume all of Charon and that would be the end of the world. What a morbid thought. He really needed to stop hanging around dead guys.
Fenrear looked at Gerhart. Getting close now yes? Find the researchers soon and get out of swamp. Look, my hair is all fluffy. Fenrear shows his fluffy arms.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 19, 2022 7:36:39 GMT -5
Gerhart still sported the bandages on his arms from their last adventure with oozes, but he had pretty much healed since then. Even so, the previous experience hasn't dampened his enthusiasm any. It would be hard to find an adventure that could do that to Gerhart. For the start of this leg of the trip, Gerhart took the lead, knowing a bit about the swamp.
He wasn't incredibly familiar with the Marsh Flats, but he had done some wandering. He did his best to keep them from having to trudge through the muck too often, though it was impossible to avoid completely. Traveling with Fenrear was at least more exciting than having to do this alone. They may come from two entirely different worlds, but it was really accelerating Gerhart's plan to learn more about the outside world.
Fenrear was right, it wasn't hard to pick up the trail. As grey and dull as things look in a swamp, the withered and melted trail was very easy to spot. He pauses a moment and looks around, trying to see the path it took.
"This thing was massive...." He holds back a laugh as Fenrear's fur is a bit puffed out. "What were they even looking for out here....we should probably trail around the outside of the path, looks like there's still a bit of ooze behind and I'm not keen on getting burned again."
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 19, 2022 10:32:10 GMT -5
Agreed Fenrear said as he continued examining the surrounding swamp. Don’t wear any shoes so walking in ooze slime not the best idea. Just to the side of the trail for now, yes?
As the two started trampling through the brush next to the trail, Kyle was starting to have a rough time so Fenrear picked him up.
Bwakka bak
Yes Kyle, this is a giant ooze. I won’t ask you to eat it this time.
Bagah bak bak
Even though Kyle must obey my commands, he can be a bit temperamental sometimes. He was in no real danger from the ooze but it doesn’t mean he liked it. I had no idea that chickens could be so complicated.
Bak bagah bak
Kyle says he can hear things up ahead. We may be close.
After a bit more shlogging through the muck of the swamp, some voices could definitely be heard coming from farther on. The finished maneuvering over the foliage only to find the 6 researchers marooned on a make shift island in the middle of a river of caustic slime.
Someone! Help us please! If we don’t get out of here soon, we are done for.
And our precious research!
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 19, 2022 11:35:21 GMT -5
“Still amazed and slightly haunted watching Kyle do that. It was impressive, if not a bit nauseating….if he likes bugs I bet we can find a treasure trove under a log or rock here.” He gave a grin across the way to Kyle, maybe a little motivation would help keep the chicken focused. “I’ll find you something once this job is over.”
Gerhart came to a stop as they arrived at the river of slime. It was just a bit too wide for him to jump over and Gerhart learned last time that the acidic nature was nothing to take lightly. He puts his hands on his hips as he looks over the situation. “Don’t worry we will get you out of here!” He turns to Fenrear. “Do you have any ideas? I have some rope, if we could find a spot to anchor it and get across the river then they could climb along the rope to get over.”
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 19, 2022 13:59:31 GMT -5
Fenrear looked at the situation and was very concerned. The make shift island would not last very long in the sludge. On top of that, he was not sure they would make it across on a rope with all of their research. Losing all of that research was not an option if this mission was to be considered a success. Maybe they should look at this differently.
6 people and research will be tricky tricky for a single rope. Might be too slow yes. Fenrear looked around the swamp and got an idea. Come, bring rope yes! He points to a bunch of logs that have fallen. Use rope to make a raft yes. Not long trip, should be ok and can carry books and people.
Fenrear carefully checks the logs for rot and signs of decay. He eventually finds 5 that will work for the life raft. He takes the rope and starts lashing the logs together. By the time he is done, there is enough rope for a safety line to pull them. He also finds some long branches that may work as river poles. They won’t last long but if they work fast, they won’t have to.
Look. Good plan yes. Help bring upriver to float down to researchers.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 19, 2022 14:13:13 GMT -5
Two heads are always better than one and it was proving truer and truer every time he worked with Fenrear. Gerhart jogs over with the rope to help find logs and tie everything together. Once it is together he takes a moment to double check the bindings, they were going to take a lot of damage, but they should hold.
“Hold on, let’s just quick test how long this will last.” Gerhart cuts off just an inch of the rope before tossing it into the ooze river. Slowly he would watch it dissolve until it was gone. It seemed like they had a good few minutes to pull this off, plenty of time. “You guys pack your stuff and get ready to hop on the moment it comes by all right? We will pull you to safety!”
“A-all right, but hurry, this is getting close.”
Gerhart nodded and started to drag the raft into position with Fenrear. “Worst case scenario, if the rope snaps and they start drifting could Kyle can like inhale them and just deposit them over here?” As always Gerhart was one to toss out any idea in the hopes that something works or at least give Fenrear inspiration for a good idea.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 19, 2022 17:51:11 GMT -5
Bakka bak bak
No Kyle, he was just kidding. No eating people….unless I tell you to. Turning to Gerhart. Although Kyle a chicken, best not to give him any ideas yes?
Now in position, they were ready to give it a shot. From the tree tops, came some large clacking noises. Chikkka chic shhhhh chicka. Fenrear looked up to see several groups of spindly legs descending on them from the canopy above. As they got closer, he could tell that the legs were attached to a group of giant spiders that had apparently found an easy meal.
It looks like we have company. Said Fenrear pointing up. We need to hurry and launch the raft.
The first of the spiders had landed just as the raft was launched. Calling to the researchers Grab the raft! It’s coming your way and there no more coming. Last chance, yes?
Fenrear grabbed a nearby stick and swung it at the spider to try to keep it at bay. He had his knives but didn’t want to get too close to these guys while they were on the hunt. Soon a second spider touched down, keeping a distance from the swinging stick.
We must move or more spiders than we can handle.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 19, 2022 18:26:03 GMT -5
Why is it always spiders? Gerhart groans as he grabs the rope and starts to pull faster. "Got it, no time to waste!" He hustles to get the raft into position, pushing it into the river with some effort to help launch it. "If you got any ways to make a lot of noise Fenrear, that could help. Spiders are sensitive to sounds......and smells, but that's more like oranges which I don't think we have."
Gerhart picks up a few rocks and starts tossing it at the spiders to at least keep their attention away from the easier prey. "We are going to have to deal with them even when the researchers cross......HEY EIGHT EYES OVER HERE!" He hucks another rock that just plops against a leg. "We could try herding them into the ooze, let that melt their legs away then I bet they would run off. Could make a torch and drive them back."
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 19, 2022 20:55:02 GMT -5
Fenrear could feel the little death monsters starting to crowd him. He starts swinging the stick harder and faster but they manage to adeptly stay just out of the range of his swings. He knew they were only biding their time until he either slowed down or made a mistake. He had been eating things a long time. He was very familiar with the tactic. Too familiar to fall prey to it now. He just had to get close enough.
The first spider was the one to take the chance. It waited till Fenrear turned and jumped right at his face. With a quick swing of his dagger, he ended him with a strike under his chin. The second spider went for his leg but Kyle jumped in front at the last moment, blocking the strike.
Bwak!
Grabbing the spindly corpse, Fenrear animates him and sets him against his friends. The spiders are confused at the turn and some of them start to attack each other in the shuffle. Fenrear takes the opportunity to kick one into the ooze river. It soon overtakes him and washes him away.
Fenrear rushes to keep up with the floating raft, Kyle fluttering behind him.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 19, 2022 22:01:40 GMT -5
"That...also works." Gerhart used the time given to run ahead with the raft. "Let's go! no time to waste!"
He helps guide the raft down the river by the rope to make sure it stays on course, straining to bring it to a slower stop as he gets closer. The rope and wood sizzles in the oozing river, but it was holding for now and that's all that mattered. He motions for the scholars to start making their way across the raft.
"Unless you know magic and can help fight, stick by us and we will make sure you get out of here!" Gerhart stops to hold the raft, bracing himself against a fallen log to make sure it would pull away with him. Slowly, the scholars started to make their way across with research in hand.
"How we looking Fenrear? Anything else coming our way? Please say no because the sooner we get outta this swamp, the better." He gave a strained laugh as he struggled to keep hold of the raft. This was a lot of work for some research, it better be important or Gerhart was going to shove them all back into the ooze river himself. He and Fenrear have gone through a lot for these oozes, the hope is that it would lead to something.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 20, 2022 7:53:07 GMT -5
Fenrear was getting closer to the group. 4 of the 6 researchers had successfully made it across. He could hear the click clack if spiders behind him as he moved and he could tell that they were getting closer. From the sound , he did not want to look back and confirm how bad of a shape he was in. His magic told him that his spider minion had already been torn apart so there would be no help coming if they caught him.
As he reached the group he was gasping for air. Move…quickly yes?
Flossy streams started shooting around them and the world was starting to get sticky. The researchers seemed surprisingly unconcerned about the turn of events. The lead researcher turns to a thin man with a medium beard and thick glasses. Looking at the man, he only says one word. Gary.
“Gary” steps away from the group a bit and faces the oncoming clutch of spiders. Flames appear in his hands that burn away the spiders webs until they are no more than ashy memories. With several complicated hand gestures and some chants, a fiery being emerges from the swamp. The spiders start to flee but not before the blazing creature can torch some of them and crush others under foot. The elemental continued its swath of destruction until no more spiders could be seen. Gary unassumingly pushes his glasses back up his face and returns to the group where all say in unison Gary.
Fenrear looks at Gerhart and shrugs. Gary.
Small fireball Large Fireball Summon Fire Elemental
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 20, 2022 8:07:34 GMT -5
“Gary.” Gerhart joins the chorus with a smile and weak laugh. “Here can you take the rope for a bit, my arms are killing me.” If he agrees, Gerhart will swap with Fenrear. He groans and stretches his arms to work out some of the soreness. Gerhart would make his way over to the raft to help the last few researchers across the raft. With all the researchers safely aground, or at least as safe as one could be in the Hauntwood, he gives a sigh of relief He was glad he didn’t have to get in the face of those spiders, spiders were his least favorite monster. Too many eyes and the webs are a nuisance..
“We shouldn’t dawdle around here any longer than we already have. Where are you headed? We will lead you at the rest of the way.” Gerhart wonders why Gary didn’t see fit to burn away all the ooze or do something sooner. He seemed like a pretty powerful mage, maybe Gary had some secret and could only use magic in specific situations……or maybe he was just lazy. In any case thankfully didn’t matter much anymore. Everyone was safe for the moment and they could get out of here.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 20, 2022 8:40:04 GMT -5
Fenrear takes the rope and ties it securely to one of the trees on the bank. Was a Gnoll scout. The remaining researchers make it across. Fenrear actually uses that same knot to tie up things he is about to eat but decides to keep that little bit of trivia to himself. If they had any idea what kind of monster you really were, you would have no friends at all. How many died screaming at your hands beast? No matter how many you bring back, you’ll never make up that count…Peter said with venom. There you are. I thought you had gotten lost in your own shirt or something. You will get yours cur. Stop messing around with the goo and give me a new body! Shhhh!
The group started staring at him like he was crazy. Come, it is time to leave yes?
As they walked, the lead researcher whose name was Payton, was explaining the situation. Umm yes, as I was saying, we have been studying the phenomenon of the giant ooze for some time now. There are very few accounts of an ooze getting this large but they do exist. Our theory is that this ooze we are following is not new, but the same ooze that has been around for centuries. Why it’s showing itself now is still a mystery.
We were examining the trail and the flood of goo came on suddenly and unexpectedly. As a result we got stuck out on that island. Despite several of us having magic, most of it was helpful keeping creatures at bay, but nothing that could actually help us escape. We definitely didn’t want Gary using his fire magic around our research. Disaster!
They were soon able to reach a well known path away from the ooze trail.
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Post by Ser Gerhart Stanislav on Oct 20, 2022 9:52:43 GMT -5
“You all right friend?” He pats Fenrears shoulder as he sees him zone out a moment. When he does snap back Gerhart lets it go for the moment, it didn’t seem like a thing to force a conversation about in front of all of the others. He nods and turns to look at the lead researcher as he explains. Giant oozes…that sounded bad. Especially if they are giant enough to create these rivers.
“That is sort of the annoying thing about monsters is they always show up at the worst times and definitely never when you expect it.” Gerhart does his best to lead, finding the most solid ground they can throughout the marsh. There’s still a lot of muck and grime to slosh through, but there’s not much of a choice.
As they reach a safe enough distance from the ooze trail, Gerhart slows down to keep pace with Fenrear. “You all right? Spiders didn’t get you did they? Don’t feel bad if you need to talk about something. If not, I won’t bother you. Just letting you know you have a friend to talk to.” He grinned brightly at the gnoll before seeing their way back into what counts as a road in the Marsh Flats.
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Post by Fenrear on Oct 22, 2022 14:18:08 GMT -5
No no, it’s ok young adventurer, lots to think about. Lots to consider. For simple beings, ooze creates lots of complicated problems yes? Fenrear did find some comfort in a Gerhart’s words. It reminded him of his pack which came with its own set of issues. But that was in the past now. He knew that he needed to move forward if he was going to get anywhere. There was no telling what lay ahead of him now. The one thing that he did want to know right now was more about the giant ooze. They had gone through too much at this point to not find some sort of conclusion.
As they continued down the path, they could see some lit torches posted the road. Civilization. Or at least as close to civilization as possible in this bug infested mud hole. The problem was that Fenrear didn’t see any end to the mucking anytime soon. There was a giant ooze out there somewhere and he knew, deep in his knobby knees, they were going to be hunting it down. Sooner or later, they would meet this thing face to face and get an answer.
He should have studied pies or something. When would he get a quest about the most delicious pie?
Bwak bwak
Yes Kyle, we can get a pie later….a mud pie.
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