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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 1, 2023 8:57:39 GMT -5
What better way to spend your time then to walk through a swamp filled with flies and dead corpses that has been dumped there for whatever reason. After all that is what the Bogaboo was, disposed corpses that had gained sentience as a collective. It was actually quite fascinating. After all, its nature might be related to his own.
Quick to contact Lloyd and claim his interest, Lloyd directs Aledüne to the swamp where the Bogaboo resides. It was bigger than he had initially thought, his senses recoiling from the stench and rot that seemed to originate from the entire region. He was glad he didn't have to enter the area quite yet, as Lloyd had mentioned a companion he had sent his way in order to support his search.
It was still early night, but there was an old path that had gone through the area where an old inn had been abandoned. Not much left but rotting wood, but it would serve as temporary shelter until this second individual would show up. Finding a chair to sit in and a partially ruined dart board that could help him pass time, Aledüne leans back and tries to pass the time.
Some hours later the scent of a living man can be felt outside the hovel walking back and forth in search of something. Aldeüne gets up from the chair he was sitting on and walks to stand in the doorway.
"I guess you are the one I have been waiting for to accompany me into this hellhole of a swamp?" His tone is pleasant but questioning.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 4, 2023 12:21:01 GMT -5
Each hoofstep becomes heavier and falls with a duller and duller thud as Leandros takes Byrr along the Marsh Flats. Even when they are on the "roads" it is still mired by the muck and makes travel difficult to say the least. A sigh leaves the knight as they trot along.
"That Lloyd better be appreciative of this work."
Byrr echoes a little huff, Leandros smiles and pats the horse's neck.
"I know, I can only imagine what this is doing on your hooves....You're due for a trim anyways."
Another small bray from the horse as the tail flicks away a horsefly.
"Yes you are due...Consider yourself lucky I am bringing you with."
The whinny is much more annoyed and indignant.
"You know exactly why...Askrr still feels awful about your injuries. Now I would look the fool to be taking you out to fight more monsters. You're just more stubborn than I am it seems."
Byrr flicks his head almost proudly only getting another laugh and shaking of the head from the knight. He pulls the reigns to a stop as they start to come up on a home. Lloyd hadn't been so kind as to tell him exactly who he would be working with, just that there would be another person in his company.
He smiles down from atop the warhorse, "I would assume so, unless we are both equally unlucky to be meeting someone this far out. The sooner we get it done, the sooner we leave."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 4, 2023 17:09:25 GMT -5
"Or lucky to be meeting someone at all." He offers a polite nod.
"The name is Aledüne, and yes I am on the errand requested by Mr. Lloyd." He walks properly out of the old inn and leans against the wall, folding his arms across his chest.
He is dressed in a rough red robe of good quality designed for the road but is well maintained, and a long dark cloak with pauldrons at the sides. The fabric of the cloak is black, but smooth as silk. Two jewels decorated with rubies are attacked to each side with a golden chain connecting the two sides of the cloak together to allow for ease of wear. The inside of the cloak seem to be red silk instead of black. The cloak is neck high with a hood that he has drawn over his head.
The man himself is a pale elf, with two beautiful blue eyes that seem to really penetrate Leandros in a way he might not be used to. His hair is is radiant, and almost seem to shine with an inner light, an ethereal quality perhaps from his elven lineage. He carries no weapons, but seems confident.
He looks you over and nods with a pleased face. "I must admit that I was somewhat worried about being partnered with some scholar with no ability to survive in the swamp, so I am glad someone of your apparent qualities have answered his call. I will look forward to seeing your abilities first hand Mr?"
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 5, 2023 21:38:18 GMT -5
"Leandros Aurthurian of Capitol Landing...With luck we won't have to fight anything, but I have heard too many tales of those who have worked with Mr. Lloyd to think we will actually be that lucky." The knight gives a small laugh as he looks over to the road ahead of him.
Leandros himself doesn't seem too offput by the way the man stares or how his gaze evaluates him. The Lion of the Landing has been under scrutiny since birth, so one more person is a drop in the ocean at this point. He holds his head high with a similar air of confidence, though the gentle smile and soft look to his eyes undercuts what could be an intimidating form.
The road ahead of them quickly becomes obscured as a thick fog rolls in with a breeze. The weight of the clouds seems odd, almost like they are a physical force in and of itself. Whatever was happening here was starting early in its efforts to keep adventurers like them out.
"Well then, I suppose we will not make much progress standing around here. If we are going to find anything, it's probably best we do so before the fog gets any worse."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 6, 2023 14:57:36 GMT -5
He looks back at the fog as it creeps across the the road from the swamp and nods. "Lets, though a swamp is dangerous to traverse when you can see, and lethal when you can't. I suggest we hurry and look for a suitable place to camp first before investigating anything."
He looks out across the forest and makes a sharp whistle.
"Then lets get going, we can talk on the way." He starts down the hill from the road leading down unto the path into the swamp. The forest path is small, and mostly overgrown and unused, but serves their purpose. It has now grown properly dark, but the few starts in the sky that can be seen above the clouds give off enough light that the two can see the the path.
"So I suggest we get to know each other so we can better prepare for the task at hand. I am a dark mage by trade, though it is mostly in theory I place my interest, as such I consider myself a scholar first. I am here now mainly out of personal interest, but having been on the road for a while I am versed in various ways of getting around and I know how to keep myself safe. Not a warrior mind you, but enough for the common thugs."
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 6, 2023 21:54:18 GMT -5
"I've trained and learned enough to know that my skill with blade and shield can only go so far and that more often than not wit wins out over strength. What does a blade matter to someone who can bring down stars on a whim or incinerate things with just a thought." He lets out another laugh, warm coming right from the center of his chest, as they walk along.
"I may also have my own thoughts and feelings about dark magic, but I don't think you came here to hear them, nor do seek to turn you from that path as it is not my place....We are assigned to a job together and if every adventurer who disagreed with another let that stop them, then nothing would get done."
The knight hopes he is being pragmatic or at the very least setting enough ground work the two could work together. He had a feeling if they were to sit down and hash things out they would end up further apart than they are now. At least in this moment, Leandros could believe him to be a good and upstanding person. He wanted to think that of everyone he met anyways.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 9, 2023 11:53:07 GMT -5
Aledüne looks surprised, as if he had expected at a lecture from someone like Leandros.
"It seems I misunderstood you then. I am glad we can work together despite different ways of life. I would have imagined most noble knights to be happy in sharing their personal opinions and world views. Wits over brawn seem to be working well for you." His tone seems a bit teasing, but he shoots him a grateful smile, showing that he was glad to avoid the unneeded arguments with someone that he was supposed to work with.
"Now that we know a little about each other we should probably discuss where we should make camp. Out in the open isn't an option I believe, and so I suggest we look for a cave of some kind or a building that might have been left in disrepair."
A small bat comes flying towards the two, and holding his arm out it lands in the palm of Aledüne's hand. It only stays there for a few moments before taking off again, flying over the treetops as the two continue to talk.
"My familiar." He explains. "It will help us look for a safe place to rest."
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 9, 2023 20:08:20 GMT -5
Leandros smiles and gently laughs, "You'll have to be sure to share your assesment with my wife. She often has to be the one to stop me from indulging in those opinions. Since she's not here, I have to be on my best behavior."
The knight keeps his back straight and head held high, keeping an eye to the distance. The thick fog that rolled in and threatened to take their ankles would make finding a place that is entirely safe. The Marsh Flats themselves were not exactly keen on outsiders, so this would only further complicate their efforts.
"We will be lucky to find anything out here in the mire, so any help is appreciated...Byrr and I are well-traveled enough, but this locale is...new. I have only passed through a few times and those times were brief."
As they continued forward, all sound except for them seemed to die out. The fog consumed even the sound of their footsteps it seemed, leaving the air unsettling and eerie. What was causing this fog? Was it natural or was something trying to keep them at bay? Any answer would help, if this boogaboo was real, they would need any advantage they can get.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 21, 2023 8:50:14 GMT -5
"I am sure we will figure out something as we walk further in. I have never been in the area myself, but with our combined effort I see no reason as to why we shouldn't succeed." Despite his words, Leandros can see on his face that there is something bugging him as well. His eyes narrow as he looks to the sky, and directs his gaze at the rolling fog that has surrounded them at this point.
The two walk in silence for a bit, still following the unused path leading into the forest. The silence was almost deafening, and any normal person who had found their way this far would usually have turned around at this point. Dead trees now littered the ground with broken and old branches, and some of the trees were in the process of being swallowed by the ever growing marshland. The danger of stepping off path was something the both of them had to be careful of now.
"Don't step off the path." Aledüne casually warns, putting his thoughts into words in a tone as if he expected the knight to already be aware of the threat. Seemingly distracted he continues to look to the sky suddenly, as the small bat comes flying back down. With his arm outstretched to allow the bat to hang from it, it looks at Aledüne and chitters.
"I call him Kip." He smiles as he looks to Leandros, introducing the small creature. "He says he has found a shelter further ahead. But the path there seem to be cut off by the marshland. Any idea how you wish to cross safely?"
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 22, 2023 19:21:45 GMT -5
Leandros does catch the other deep in thought about the marsh, but it wasn't surprising. He had his own concerns about this place, but he also had little experience in lands like this to know what is really off. Is the fog a concern or a natural part of the marsh climate this time of the year? Hard to say.
He did grow more concerned about the decay in the marsh as they traveled deeper and deeper. Again he asked himself if this was natural or a just cause for concern? The knight sighs as he realizes his inadequacies in survival, he had become to reliant on Gilder's help to do these things. The doldrums he finds himself in are swiftly avoided by the curious little bat.
"A useful friend if he can find that out." Leandros offers a calm little smile as he turns to look at the path ahead. "If it isn't so deep then it shouldn't be hard to talk across, but it will slow us considerably if something were to be waiting in ambush.....If there was a way to freeze or solidify the muck and mire then that should get us across. Unfortunately, I do not have any such magics available."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 24, 2023 15:07:56 GMT -5
"Yes he is quite the useful little fellow. Intelligent for his kind, found him as a youngling and raised him myself." He gives the little guy some scratches and it responds with happy chitters.
"I can manage to get myself across without danger, and could potentially carry you across if you would trust me with it. But your armour and horse makes that quite difficult. It might be best then to keep looking for a way around, but it might be a dangerous prospect as well as the path ahead seem to be overgrow. Do you perhaps wish to leave your heavy equipment here? Whatever you choose I am fine with it, but all that heavy armour is going to be a risk if you suddenly step off solid ground."
He throws the bat into the air as it flies of and begins to circle around.
"Its already dark, so an ambush might also be likely if this creature already knows we are here, but I find myself doubting it. As long as you do not sink then I think it should be fine to cross."
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 25, 2023 13:38:27 GMT -5
Leandros gives a small laugh at the thought of being carried, "I think you'll find I am no easy lift even out of all the armor. If it gets too deep, I will be able to rescue myself, do not worry."
The knightly urge to always appear as a knight does slow him considerably. Byrr is strong enough to pull them through the muck, but it is clear just how much slower they are. It feels like it takes endless hours just to cover a few miles, obstacles and dense forests are easy. Byrr can just leap through those, but this swamp? It is a test of their abilities to be certain.
As the steed's hooves slop forward finally onto more solid ground, Leandros dismounts and pats Byrr's flanks with an apologetic smile. He looks ahead to the shelter, seems straight forward enough of a path to get there now. At the very least it should be faster.
"Well as apologies for slowing us down so much I can examine the shelter ahead and start to set up camp. I doubt we will see sunrise in this bog, but having some rest will probably do us well in the hunt."
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 25, 2023 15:12:55 GMT -5
Rolling his eyes at the display of sitting on the horse armoured as it pulls through the swamp, Aledüne chuckles and waits on the shoreline for a while to make sure they seem to be able to pull through. Deeming the situation fine he takes a step and a jump and soars into the air as he grabs the sides of his cloak and starts flying over the murky swamp, easily circumventing the obstacle by air.
Once on the same side of safe side of the waters he lands and waits patiently for the horse to do its work. The bat continues to fly overhead and keeps and eye out, circling Leandros as if to encourage the horse in its job. And as he jumps off the horse when on dry land again, the bat lands in the saddle and chitters.
"We can do so together. I don't think we are in any danger here for now, so let us set up camp and rest for a few hours at least."
The shelter they had found was another old abandoned building. Upon further investigation it became clear that it had likely served as an inn for travellers in the area before the swamp started to spread. Sturdy enough that it wasn't likely to fall on their head, the two made a campfire in the centre of the building under a open part of the roof to allow smoke to exit. The place is damp and rotting, and it is clear that the mage isn't in his element as he looks for a comfortable place to sit that wasn't too dirty.
"Lovely." He comments.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Sept 28, 2023 20:59:47 GMT -5
Leandros unhooks the feedbag from Byrr's saddle and attaches it to a peg in the stables to give the horse a chance to feed while they searched the inn. The knight carefully moved things with his halberd, making sure there were no hiding monsters or mimics waiting to eat them alive.
He also checked the stores for food and drink, but this place had long been picked over several times. Well, the hope was that at least meant people knew there was no sense in checking this place. Though that would probably change once a fire started and noise trickled from the cabin.
"Don't eat the hay Byrr, it's likely rotted." He looks back to the horse before turning to his traveling companion. "Well, I am sure this is a far cry from what either of us call home, but hopefully the fog clears in the morn and we can make haste out of here."
He smiles and pulls over a crate to sit on, the best they are going to find in this place it seems. The knight has a small packed container of rations, nothing fancy, but salted meats and some vegetables his wife had packed. Things that will last a bit and get you through the night.
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Post by Aledüne Nevaar on Sept 30, 2023 18:36:34 GMT -5
"I wouldn't be so certain of it. For all we know the fog could be a defensive ability of the Bogaboo, a way to keep out of sight, but who knows. I sure hope the weather clears up." He pulls the hood over his head and eyes, leaning backwards as he relaxes in one of the somewhat solid wooden chairs.
"Tomorrow how do you wish to proceed? The only legends we have of the creature speak of nightly activity so I don't think we are going to find much during day time. I suggest we set up a location and spread out a search grid to get a lay of the land, and during the night we pay attention to locations of interest. By its given description it is likely undead and so the light of day is usually a time of inactivity for it. It might even harm it meaning there is no chance we will find it out in the open, and I highly doubt we will be lucky enough to find its lair by searching randomly."
He thinks for a short moment. "What we know suggest predatory behaviour and since we are on its territory it will likely start circling us soon enough. It might be safer to spend our time here trying to secure the area so we know if it approaches us. I would hate to get surprised by it."
He turns his head around slightly, twisting his body to look back at you as you walk around the room making sure no mimics are lurking in the area. "What do you think?"
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