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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 3, 2023 22:18:41 GMT -5
Javal was sitting down on top of a crate with his team around him. The Drakon Security Company had been commissioned by a pilgrimage of shamans to guard and guide them through Dragon’s Spine. Javal thinks it's a pretty easy mission all things considered Dragon’s Spine was familiar territory and he believed his employees and he was up to the job. Right now he was just waiting on the Pilgramge to finish loading their supplies to get ready to travel. Javal and his band didn’t need much they had all they need already equipped and ready to go. He was a bit bored and decided to help the shamans load their stuff he commanded his employees to do the same. The pilgrimage had gotten their supplies and some wagons ready and began to hit the road with Javal in front Nadia on the right, Asleipmir the Nightmare Steed on the Left, and Bootsamon in the front. His trusty Prismatic Spider was on his shoulder as he walked, their expedition had begun.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 6, 2023 0:07:54 GMT -5
Taki wandered the gathering group, helping others with their gear. She noted that the hired security was in the process of doing the same, which gave her reason to smile. Often, security was too focused or indifferent, so it was nice to see them participate. Each of the members of this group had an affinity for communing with spirits, and came from many different places across Charon. Once loaded, the shaman checked her pouch of Kunai, her quiver, and made her way to the rear of the group.
An arduous journey lay ahead, one that would push every shaman here to the limits of their experiences. Aside from the few lucky enough to have a wagon, the rest would be managing on foot, with little in the way of possession. The wagons mostly contained tools, containers and offerings to the spirits they might encounter along the way. Making their way across the Dragon's Spine was a tough task for even the most seasoned groups, and where they were headed was a remote ravine. In this natural formation between the crags and peaks, there was a fabled river whose falls were said to be a nexus for communing with spirits of nature, water, air, and life. Taki hoped that like the others, she too would find a companion spirit to become her guard, guide and companion in futured adventures.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 6, 2023 2:48:44 GMT -5
Javal and the pilgrimage were doing fine the journey was going smoothly. There was the bumpy road but besides that Javal had no worries at all. The group decided to stop for the night and rest at in the dessert. The pilgrims all camped out and rested while Javal and his team stood guard observing anything that could go wrong. For the next couple of hours besides the horrible thunderstorms and desert storm going on everything seemed decently fine. That was until Bootsamon sprinted to him and in a yelling whisper said, "Boss there's a mysterious figure on horseback approaching soon to the north of here".
"Bootsamon have the rest of the team patrol the whole area, I'll handle whatever trouble this guy brings" Javal tells his subordinate and mounts on Asleipmir and headed to the north side of the encampment awaiting this new mysterious figure.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 7, 2023 7:36:40 GMT -5
Taki had chosen to climb a tree to make her camp that night, stretching a simple, woven hammock across the forking branches of a large and twisted tree. She took the time to set her cover into place, made from her own shed scales and strips of flexible bamboo, it would repel water and keep the worst of the wind at bay. When she was finished, she dropped down and helped about the camp, particularly going to the youngest and oldest parties to ensure they were warm, and safe from storms. It took a while, but the work was worth the effort to ensure that others made the trip.
Hearing the commotion below, Taki rolled out of her hammock once again, having taken to a short rest and been puffing from her herbal traveling pipe. In the gloom, spirits whispered of a rider approaching the group. Tamping the embers of her pipe out, she sprang out of the tree and roused a few of the other shamans. Together, they could assist the group protecting them if need be, and would be able to gather everyone more closely to increase the odds of their defense being successful. She watched the security group, marveling at their efficiency, and glad they were here to help out. What would this mystery rider be here for? Why? Questions she might ask of this rider, if they chose to be cordial...
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 7, 2023 21:24:31 GMT -5
Javal had ridden Asleipmir as fast as he could what could this be he could only think.
“Is it a pilgrim that came late and managed to catch up, is it some sort of family member of one of the pilgrims, or was it… No it couldn’t be bandits”. His face turned into a scowl just thinking about bandits daring to show their ugly heads. If it was a bandit Javal was going to crush them.
He eventually made it to the north entrance to the makeshift encampment and there stood a masked person covered by a yellow robe on a tough-looking brown steed.
Javal shouted over the wind “Hello there stranger, state your name and purpose here”
The figure unveil its face it appeared to be a gruff-looking elf with a scar on its eye.
“I'm ere on behalf of the Onyx Bulldog Bandits to inform you that if you and those travelers you got there need to hand over all yer valuables. If you decided to resist and play a hero then I and my fifteen men will storm this camp and take it for ourselves and kill you all”.
Javal now face to face with the elf bandit yells as loud as he can, “I’d like to see you try wicked fiends, Drakon Security Company head to the north part of the encampment it’s time for a battle”
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 7, 2023 21:48:00 GMT -5
Swift as a striking viper, Taki dropped onto the ground. From her perch, she caught enough of the interaction to understand there would be a battle ensuing. Making ready, 3 shamans of varying background formed a defensive ring using the few wagons and whatever else was around camp for cover. It would probably only be moments, but these rigged fortifications could spare lives, stopping arrows and blades from reaching innocents. Nodding to the others, she checked her pouch of Kunai, tightened the strap of her quiver and moved to join the battle. 'Today is a good day to please the spirits of life and death' thought the shaman, whose connection to the realm of spirits always seemed strongest when there was to be a fierce struggle.
Making her way across the camp, now compacted into a defensive posture, she found the security forces making ready to defend the camp.
"I am called Shitakibo, Spirit of Life. Those who struggle with the name know me as Taki. My skills may not be geared to war, but I will fight to defend others, and stop those who violate nature. There are others among us who are willing to fight, they've made the camp ready for defense should we be pushed back in the coming assault. Not often am I of the opinion that such measures are appropriate, but this is definitely one of those exceptions... may you all be guided by the spirits of life, that your strikes might show our foes the ways of death." She addressed the leader directly, not used to chains of command or any form of military etiquette. She wasn't a war-like person, though she came from a people who adored war and even made blood sports just to improve their own advantages. It did make a certain sense, the Orochi were a small, isolationist group of serpentine humanoids who often were mistaken for Yuan-Ti or other monsters. People shunned them, so they in turn shunned people, defending their small territories with a reckless and wanton campaign of vicious raids and assaults.
Taki was no stranger to this very situation, even as a young girl her own parents would attempt to force her participation in such culture... She escaped this circumstance by learning all about the ranged weaponry used by her kind and honing her own skills until her parents finally stopped pestering her. Mostly they stopped when Taki proved to be cunning, capable and ultimately unwelcome in social games... seeing and hearing the spirits in all things gave her an unnatural advantage that few could understand and fewer would overcome.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 7, 2023 22:08:03 GMT -5
"Right, right you lot wanna play heroes that's alright with me. It'll make it more fun for us". He whistled loudly and soon Javal heard the sound of galloping horses approaching. Javal stood at the ready katana unsheathed and ready for battle. It seems that the bandit was not bluffing because once His black steed Asleipmir neighed loudly signaling his readiness to battle. He knew Nadia would be here soon he knew he could protect the pilgrimage he just had to do it. If he didn't the entire camp would die it was on him to protect them. Soon the entire bandit group arrived battle ready with evil smirks. Javal is suddenly surprised to see somebody here to assist him in defending the camp an orochi named Shitakibo it seems.
The bandit that spoke earlier just chuckled and asked, "Are you sure you want to do this the hard way"
Javal shouted back, "Yes, let's do this wicked fiends, you shall all know my blade's strength very soon".
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 7, 2023 22:27:05 GMT -5
"A small inconvenience to us, a matter of principal upheld and the demise of a group of thugs... this is entirely a situation beyond your understanding... poor creature." Drawing her short bow, Taki nocked and arrow, drew the layered limbs back til the strain made a creaking sound, and loosed a piercing tip at the messenger, aimed for a spot between his heart and throat. The arrow zipped through the air, propelled with great force and spinning from the design of it's fletching.
As the sound of hoofbeats grew, Taki nocked a second arrow. She aimed much higher this time, as if one might try to shoot at stars or the moon high overhead. Another twang of the taut string, another projectile launched itself skyward into the gloomy evening. The first shot hit something metallic, some kind of protective layer the man was wearing beneath his clothing. Still, the tips were designed to all but ignore it, and the man began to struggle and shout as the shaft protruded from his chest. A moment later, another member of the bandits was struck by the second arrow from a high angle.
This one pierced the rider's hand, pinning it solidly to their thigh. Struggling with the sudden pain and immobilizing shaft, the rider yanked violently at the reigns of their mount and sent the pair crashing into others, In total, 5 riders were incapacitated, either unhorsed or entangled in their own controls and the pile up of horses and riders alike. Taki looked up at the leader of the security forces for a moment, nodding to them as she switched to a higher position on the field. Ten frustrated voices shouted and clamored closer in the darkness, the sound of hooves growing louder and more frequent by the moment. They'd set the horses into a full charge, and there would be little in the way of stopping such a maneuver if it trampled it's way through the camp.
"Whatever you can do to unhorse riders, now is the time, otherwise, prepare to meet a charge!" She called out to the defenders all around. She nocked another arrow and focused on the road ahead, looking to cause more mayhem and take this battle down to foot level, where the defensive camp would turn this battle to their advantage.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 7, 2023 22:54:19 GMT -5
Javal was realized to see such a capable ally against these dreaded foes but it was now time to show everyone his strength. Javal raises his hands summoning a giant sand castle from under the charging forces.
He suddenly hears confused shouting. He makes three doors in front of him, “Shitakibo take a room, Nadia you and Gustave take another”, he throws down his big Gargoyle friend who roars to life, “I’ll take this room” he says as he approaches the room to the right.
He opens the door with a smile on his face and the four bandits all with surprised but angry looks on their faces.
“What do you think you’re doing”
“I’m taking down wicked fiends,” Javal says raising his Katana and slashing the crowded bandits.
They all try to surround Javal and tackle him but he just dodges and slashes them down. He slams his foot into each of their backs and says, “Well looks like this room’s clear” and walks out awaiting the rest of the group’s results.
Nadia appears smashing her longbow into the head of a bandit elegantly dancing and dodging any blows coming her way. She finishes her opponent with a final bow blow to the head while Gustave roars at his two opponents. He grabs the two other bandits by the head and smashes them into the sand until their both knocked out. He grunts when finished while Nadia says, “Alright Gustave our room’s done” let's leave and they both leave the room.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 8, 2023 0:18:00 GMT -5
Taki tucked her short bow over her shoulder, drawing a pair of her kunai as she entered the room created by the man's spell. Inside were a trio dressed fairly similarly to the messenger, though confused by the situation and sudden jaunt into the sandy building. Each of them had a weapon drawn, though none noticed her presence before she stepped through the door. As her foot touched the sand on the other side, she launched the first of her blades. It tumbled in an arc, sticking into the furthest member of the room and dropping them. The other two turned, one terrified by the sudden spray of their compatriot's life, the other enraged.
She launched the second projectile at the terrified bandit, ending their suffering. The remaining bandit launched a wild series of attacks with a spiked club. Back and forth, the thick carved stick with rusty nails and spikes jutting out swung wildly at the shaman. Dodging the attacks, she moved with the ease of a serpent swaying it's prey into hypnosis. After several failed flailing attacks, the last bandit raised their weapon high, gripping it in both hands and driving the crude implement into the sand floor. Now buried, they struggled to remove the weapon just long enough for Taki to sidestep and sink her long fangs into the last man's neck, puncturing the critical blood supplies and opening up holes in their windpipe.
Walking out the door, she felt little pity towards the fallen bandits. Even the one still clawing at his opened neck, dripping life away to be soaked into the grains of sand with the rest. She tucked away the blades she'd thrown after cleaning them carefully.
"The task is done, that one will only last a few more moments with such holes piercing their vitals." Taki relayed as she stepped out. "Well done all."
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 8, 2023 0:31:06 GMT -5
Javal dissipated the house leaving the dead bodies Shitakibo laying there as Javal and his employees ensnared the bandits tying them down.
"Well, don't follow us fiends", Javal says looking down to the incapitated bandits, "If you do I'll just keep beating ya down".
"We, wont we promise just don't kill us like the snake lady did our friends we beg", one of them yells
"Fine, fine leave and make something better of your lives being wicked does not pay"
He yells, "Pilgrims to get ready to continue their journey rest time is over".
He walks up to the honorable orochi who fought alongside him and bows deeply to her, "Thank you Lady Shitakibo for your help taking down these bandits. You are quite a formidable opponent, would you like to be my friend" the then holds his hand out waiting for a handshake smiling widely.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 8, 2023 4:14:51 GMT -5
"Your friendship is welcome." Taki replied coldly, shaking the man's hand. Her eyes held a deadly seriousness, unsure what to make of the situation. She had stricken many down, taken lives before they'd come for the lives of others... yet she felt conflicted at the ease with which she dispatched the bandits for the first time. One thing about her typical isolation, it made moral situations like the one she was presented with much more clear cut. Either eat or be eaten, defend what is important to you or find it gone... This was different, in so many ways, and so the shaman moved off from the group.
It took hours, but Taki took the time to gather the bodies of each of the bandits she'd hunted. She lay each to rest, wearing her scales down on a simple camping shovel. It wasn't a glamorous or proper funeral rite by any means, but it served to give Taki a sense of atonement for her violence. Unsure what else to do, she meditated for more than an hour, the scents of fragrant flowers and spices wafting from the handcrafted incense made from things around her home. The smells reminded her of things precious and important, calmed her emotions, and gave her solace despite earlier turmoil.
No matter how far she was, how long she spent around others, Taki struggled to put aside her past. A small group of spirits gathered around the area, whispering soothing praise to the shaman. As she stood up, she returned to the camp, which had been spread out once again in her absence. She checked in with the group, then headed to bed once again. Her hammock swayed gently, and she dozed deeply soon after settling in. Her dreams were fitful that night, and more than once she nearly was tossed to the ground as she stirred. Struggling against the inherent battle lust and serpentine nature of her kind, she felt as if she'd failed herself and the rest of the group.... not to mention the nature of their journey.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 9, 2023 12:00:58 GMT -5
Javal was very happy that Lady Shitakibo accepted his friendship, she fought well against those bandits even if she killed them. Which made Javal wonder why such a fierce warrior was traveling with a pilgrimage of shamans. Well, whatever the reason was he was glad she came along nonetheless. Javal rounded up the pilgrims and they all started packing up and getting ready to move out. He and his men helped making the process go a lot quicker, with bandits striking everyone was eager to move out. Eventually everybody was ready to go Javal told his team to continue the journey in the same formation as before, Javal at the front, Bootsamon at the right, Asleipmir at the left, and Nadia at the rear. As they started their journey a large storm started to set in and soon if they didn't do anything they'd be caught up in it.
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Post by Shitakibo on Apr 9, 2023 23:52:35 GMT -5
Taki made ready, packing up her modest campsite before helping others make ready. The group gathered round the few wagons once more, falling into a rough formation with the security company's watchful instruction. Bothered by her decisions earlier, she conversed with several of the other shamans about the matter. After several conversations, she felt she'd done what she needed to. By thinning out the horde of bandits, she had made the group of bandits wary and reminded them that there was life and limb at stake with each raid or scheme.
Above their heads, storms began to gather as the trail had just started to pass beneath foot, hoof, and wheel. A few of the others, swift of body, scattered ahead of the trail. As the security company started to react to parts of the group breaking off and going on their own, Taki did her best to make her way around to the members to explain. They were searching for a place they might seek shelter, and had affinities for earth and air spirits to guide them. Each had understood the risk of going off on their own, but that was heavily outweighed by the prospect of being caught out on the precarious path in a heavy storm.
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Post by Javal Zarrias on Apr 10, 2023 0:24:13 GMT -5
As the storm started to pick up Javal decided to hunker down and look for nearby shelter for their party. This was as he started to see some of the pilgrims start to leave the path. Javal got worried for them and sent his employees to check on them to stay with the group. They all were given an explanation that they were being spiritually guided to shelter, Javal could respect that and decided to respect their wishes. However he still had the rest of the pilgrimage to worry about getting to safety from the storm's wrath. He and his employees started to investigate the area looking for any shelter they could their options were sparse but Ariadne his prismatic spider managed to find a cave a little away from here but she said it looked big enough to fit the pilgrimage. Javal yelled, "Lets go people follow me" and started making his way towards the foreseen shelter.
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