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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 27, 2022 14:45:52 GMT -5
It was close to midnight as Shaa ambled sleepily down the well worn path towards Thunderhoof village. The town was already dark where the only sounds were of clacking hooves and small shrill insects filling the night air.
It was warm outside, like a deep blanket, that only added weariness to Shaa’s already tired hooves. He had been hiking for a week or so and he was ready to rest and restock. But all he needed at this moment was a soft patch of grass to lie down in. Provisions could wait until the morning. Not that he had a lot of Solars to spend.
It seemed as if he had only just barely dosed off under the crook of a fell tree when a panicked scream jolted him from his sleep. Shaa turned and propped himself up on his meaty elbow and squinted at the now bustling town that had burst to life. He could see busily hurried silhouettes move against flickering torchlight. He could also hear the movement of horses as well as the jingle of reigns being tightened. Whatever was happening, was happening fast.
With a quick swipe of his hand, Shaa scooped up his meager possessions and clopped quickly down the path towards a large and somewhat unruly group of people that were milling about just outside of town.
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Ray Castien, my character https://talesofcharon.proboards.com/thread/660/ray-castien-character-page
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 27, 2022 20:52:11 GMT -5
Ray was cresting the last hill between himself and Thunderhoof village. His feet were tired, blistered and aching, from the long journey over rough terrain but he was hesitant to use any magic in case others were more in need.
He pushed through the last bit of brush and the village came into sight. Small and quaint, yet obviously a historied location, the lamplight glowing from the small hamlet was warm and inviting. He would find an inn, then set about tending to the sick and wounded in the morning after he had some rest.
He approached the town center to find a large gathering just outside the village perimeter. Lanterns and torches burning under the pale moonlight illuminated faces of panic and fear. He approached quietly, hoping to learn what had happened. It was at this moment he saw a minotaur, a rare sight, moving towards the group from the opposite direction. Hopefully he was simply responding as well, and not somehow related to this commotion.
He approached the group and began to listen in...
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Post by Lilianne on Jul 28, 2022 2:44:00 GMT -5
Commotion was definitely not a good thing, especially at this hour.
Burning torchlights and sounds of screaming and chatter filled the streets of the village. This had been a new place for Lilianne, and as all new places went, the elf had decided to stay at a tavern for the night. It had become quite a habit for the half elf to find a quiet tavern every time she ventured to a new place, captivated by their originality and drinks. Tonight had been no exception in Thunderhoof village. She had found a little place off the beaten tracks, known for their storytellers and good food. Spending her solars on luxury living became a statement of her existence in some way and she was slowly coming to terms with this new lifestyle.
Clothed in a silk blue dress, she had been rudely awakened by footsteps and noises coming from near the entrance of the village. At first she dismissed it to be just a regular event of a party or group of drunk people making a scene. Until she heard a scream. Jumping out of bed, she grabbed her rapier and white overcoat, heading straight to the source. There were a group of people gathered, the frantic and tense nature of the tones they used when speaking meant the situation was much more dire than she had originally expected. Deciding not to raise further alarm with her presence, she simply slipped her way around the crowd of humans, trying to get a better understanding of just what had happened.
Of course, she would take note of the other two obviously unrelated presences that gathered there as well.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 28, 2022 11:14:57 GMT -5
“Who’s out there?!” shouted Eggar Slade, the villages magistrate and cousin to Braun Brighthoof the true village leader. Braun was nowhere to be seen. The unruly group quickly quieted down and turned their heads up as Shaa’s towering presence was illuminated in the torchlight.
“Just looking for a crooked tooth, smelly son of a goat.” Shaa said with a wicked grin. Eggars scowl soon vanished into a face of relief. “I’d rather smell like a goat than look like one” Eggar retorted. “ Who says you don’t?” Shaa laughed as he walked over embracing Eggar and several other members of the crowd.
After a moment of catching up, Eggars face grew serious again. “All joking aside, I am so glad to see you my friend. We could really use a seasoned tracker right now. And we have no time to waste. “ What in the world is going on?” Shaa inquired.
Shaa and Eggar sat down while the rest of the group broke out into smaller groups and started to disburse through the town.
Eggar then began to recount the strange events that had been transpiring over the last several months. About 6 months ago, a young girl of 12 named Kari Landry had come down with a mysterious illness. She had a high fever and was unconscious for days. No doctor was able to do anything but wait. When she finally woke up, the fever was gone but her eyes had turned whiter than the snow. She was now blind, or so they thought.
Days past and Kari got lots of visitors to check on her. As they did, Kari was able to tell where they had been, what they had done. Eventually, she was even able to tell what was going to happen to them and even warn them of danger with 100% accuracy. Kari, had become an oracle.
Kari’s fame as an oracle soon grew and travelers had started to come from all over to listen to her. She was happy at first but soon people tried to manipulate her and even threaten her. Her mother Tella had decided it was too much and stopped any more visitors. From then on, only Kari would decide if someone needed to know something.
A week prior, a strange band of men came to the town looking for Kari. They even had offered to pay Tella a large sum of Solars to take her with them. Tella threw them out but they still skulked around town…until tonight. Apparently they disappeared from the Tavern without warning. Soon after, when Tella went to check on Kari, she was gone.
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 28, 2022 14:04:45 GMT -5
Ray stuck around the group discussing the occurrence, the darkness allowed him to remain mostly unnoticed within hearing distance. He noticed that the other figure was the elf he'd met in passing earlier, a strange coincidence...
After hearing that a child was missing he knew what needed to be done. He wasn't a tracker, but had experience with the type of men they'd be hunting, too much of it actually. He approached the group, calling out as he got close.
"Excuse me sirs! I might be of some assistance, brigands and outlaws are a... specialty of mine." He moved in amongst the group.
"We'd best get a move on quick, they'll likely be moving as far as they can under cover of night. Point us towards the least traveled sections of the village outskirts, trees and brush would provide them cover." He thought a moment longer, eyes down.
"The closer it is to the nearest large settlement the more likely they've gone that way. They'll be needing a place to disappear, or to meet whoever they're bringing the girl to." He looked at the confused faces of the men he stood amongst.
"Oh, names Ray, Healer." He patted the religious text at his waist, hoping to reassure them of his intentions.
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Post by Lilianne on Jul 28, 2022 15:38:17 GMT -5
A missing child?
The half elf was already very angry that some people took a child as hostage, for whatever their motivations would be. Lilianne listened into the story and was already formulating different ideas about where they could have taken the child. The woman heard someone speak, someone who had come forward to offer his assistance to the matter. The silver-haired elf nodded her head in silent agreement, agreeing with the logic that went behind his suggestions. "I agree...my name is Lilianne." The girl spoke up at that point, making it known that she also could be of assistance.
"Let's try the least traveled areas first. I feel that someone who kidnapped a child wouldn't necessarily want to be sseen or heard. There are forests and mountains around here I assume?" The woman nodded to the two men and the one who had come up with the original course of action. Although she wasn't the most conversational of people, she wanted to find this child and the longer it took for them to find her, the less chance she would or could be found alive. "We should probably send out smaller teams to other areas to expand the search area."
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 28, 2022 16:55:19 GMT -5
Eggar looked over and saw two strangers speaking to one of the search parties. He walked over to the group, with Shaa following behind, and said “And what’s this then?
One of the search party explained that the two strangers had overheard the commotion and had offered to help. They had even offered a course of action to catch up to the strange men.
“Listen, it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer. But I already have one missing person and last thing I am going to do, is send my people traipsing around with strangers in the dark!”
Ray held up his book as a sign that he could be trusted. Eggar was about to re-argue his concerns when Shaa put a large hand gently on his shoulder.
“Eggar we don’t have time for this. We have to split up anyway. I can go with these guys while you finish searching the town and surrounding areas. If they give me any trouble, I”ll just eat them. Shaa said with a mischievous grin.
Fine, take this.
Eggar reaches into his pocket and withdraws 3 small yellow birds and hands one to each of them.
These little guys are called Swinries. If you find Kari, just throw one of those guys in the air with a note about where you are. They will always find their way home.
Eggar turned around and started separating the people into teams. Shaa turns to Ray and Lilianne and says “I’m sorry but we haven’t been formally introduced. My name is Shaa, it’s nice to meet you both. Shaa offers both his hands to them.
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 28, 2022 21:09:57 GMT -5
Ray understood that they struggled to trust him. Just years prior he took part in similar kidnappings, though never of children, he drew the line there. He was still earning the right to be trusted by others, and this seemed like a good step.
Ray reach his arm out and met the Minotaur's grasp, not surprised by the powerful grip on his hand. "Ray Castien, I'm a healer of sorts but I can hold my own in a fight." He gave a smile and nod.
He glanced about the group, thinking who might best guide them. They had called Shaa a tracker, and he seemed to be a local, he seemed like he would be the best option.
"Shaa, think you can guide us towards an area like what we mentioned? You seem like you know your way around ere."
"Glad you'll be joining us miss, the more eyes the better chance we have to spot em." He motioned for them to begin moving.
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Post by Lilianne on Jul 30, 2022 14:47:10 GMT -5
"Lilianne."
That was all she said as the two introduced themselves to her. It was now evident that they would be going off to search for the missing child in a group of three, starting with the least populated of places, perhaps. In essence, Lilianne was only here to help because she had happened upon it, and couldn't bring herself to turn a blind eye. The half elf would follow the two men quietly, her hand gently touching the rapier around her waist as they made their way to their first destination. In her mind, she was thinking about who could have taken the child and where they possibly could be hiding. Unfamiliar with the region, she figured that it was best to follow and not offer anything other than her mana if things became really rough.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Jul 30, 2022 15:38:38 GMT -5
Srane had been looking into some abductions of children for a while now. He still had no real clue as to what was going on. He knew it was not anything that was rumored to be like a ghost or some other mystical monster.
He was near another village and saw three people walking and decided to follow them as he got closer. He did notice a Minotaur among them. Now that could be a suspect thought Sarne. He had sworn an oath as a Vanguard of Solaria and was going to live by it.
Staying as quiet as he could. Sarne fallowed for a little while. Sarne made a bad call and got caught up in a bush next to a hut the nose was loud enough for the three to hear him. He froze in place. Hoping that they did not notice him standing in the moonlight.
Sarne dipped down some trying to play it cool well if the three were the one's behind the abductions. Then he would probably get to meet them here and now.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 30, 2022 16:29:19 GMT -5
With introductions out of the way, Shaa wanted to get right down to business. The way I see it, Thunderhoof Village is smack dab in the middle of the sunset plains. There are no nearby villages or forests to hide in. Sneaking out of this place unseen is near impossible unless he waves his hand out to the darkness you do it in the middle of the night.
We need better intel. I think our first stop should be going back to the tavern to see if we can learn anything about what they may be after.
The group nodded their agreement and turned to go back to the tavern. As Shaa started to go, he got a prickly feeling that someone or something was watching them but shook it off to avoid delay.
It didn’t take long to reach the tavern. A bustling place at even the most quiet of times, it seems that no one was sleeping or eating now, just buzzing and anxious with the evenings events.
As Shaa bent down to enter the tavern door, he scanned the room for Luther, a barkeep practically as old as the tavern itself. If someone knew anything about the strangers, Luther would know.
Eventually Shaa saw him in the corner, cleaning out a bar glass and in deep concentration.
Ho Luther! Luther looked up and a grin with spare few teeth cracked against his hoary face. Well call me Ooze snot. Get over here Shaa! Who are your friends?
Shaa made brief introductions and explained the situation. Luther listened gravely and his face grew tight.
So you think those strangers may have something to do about Kari’s disappearance? Poor girl, between her fathers death and her illness, nothing has been right for her. I’m sorry but I don’t know much about them. They left all of the sudden about 3 hours ago. Hang on…
Luther left for a moment and then returned with a small satchel.
When I checked the room, there was only some left over food and this. I am sorry I couldn’t do more.
Shaa took the satchel. After discarding some trash, he stopped. He slowly reached in the bag and withdrew one, large, blue feather. Shaa turned it over and sniffed it. Closing his eyes for a moment in though, he opened them and said
HARPIES
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Jul 30, 2022 17:46:13 GMT -5
Sarne waited as the three entered the tavern. It had the sounds of drinking, talking, and the smell of pipes smoking. Sarne saw the beautiful Elf women look back before she entered the tavern. They must have missed him. He got loose from the bush and walked to the tavern. thinking be for he went in they could not be the ones the one's behind the abductions. Their actions were not the same as the abductors. Sarne walked into the Tavern. It was easy to see this man was a noble men of some ranking. Sarne seeing the others he walk to the bar and asked for an ale.
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Post by Ray Castien on Jul 31, 2022 7:08:03 GMT -5
"Harpies?" Ray had heard about harpies sighted in the area, some said they nested on some islands off the coast of the mainland. He knew of one nearby, but there could have been more.
"They often live on islands close to the mainland. I guess that tells you where we need to head then Shaa?" He wasn't certain enough to offer precise advice.
As the group was sitting at the bar Ray kept a close eye on the door, he noticed a familiar face stroll into the tavern attempting to be nonchalant. Of course, his dress and demeanor gave him away as a noble, Ray knew him as the little lordling of Grey Citadel. They could use the extra hand and if Sarne was here it was likely for the same reason as them. He waved at the lordling to motion him over.
"Young Lord, over ere! I assume you're ere for the same reason we are." He gave a friendly smile, inside he longed to see the lordling react under pressure.
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Post by Lord Sarne Sequoia on Jul 31, 2022 11:34:09 GMT -5
As Sarne got his ale He heard the voice of Master Ray. He let out a sigh. So much for being unnoticed though Sarne. Then gave a small chuckle. "Hid in this backwater town?" He mumbled.
Sarne looked at Ray "hail, Master Ray how are you?" said Sarne loudly. Sarne walked to their table. Watched others around him and the reaction of the room. Sarne had found his nobility can have good and bad reactions and you can not always hide behind it.
He gave a slight bow "hello, I am Young Lord Sarne Sequoia, Vanguard of Solaria, Lord of Grey Rock" said Sarne introducing himself. "Yes, Master Ray some things have changed since I last saw you" explained Sarne.
Sarne looked at the beautiful elf. "Your instinct serves you well. I was the one watching you three," said Sarne He gave her a nod of respect. Then looked at all of them "from what I saw and heard a child was abducted?" asked Sarne.
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Post by Shaa Rhunn on Jul 31, 2022 12:08:35 GMT -5
Shaa stood up to his almost full 7 ft height and faced the young man who approached them with the mug of ale.
Well met young sir! Shaa smiles broadly and gives Sarne a friendly slap on the shoulder, rattling his teeth and nearly spilling his ale on the floor.
Shaa turns back to Ray.
You are absolutely correct. Historically, the most well known harpies are found on the other side of the continent, near the crescent isle. But, as it happens, I heard a rumor recently that a clutch of harpies was spotted near an island north west of here. By the way, it is an island one could get to traveling all night.
Pbssttt! Rumor nothing. said Luther. I hear stories of those wretched bird beasts every time a group slides in from the desert. They scower that coast like they lost a coin on the beach. If that’s where you are headed, you will need to move fast. If they make it to the island, swimming over will not be an option. Those birds will make sure of that.
Shaa’s face grew grave. OK, grab anything you need. We leave in 5.
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