Deep in the Hullack (Open RP)

[Lady Frost]

The priestess lifted her head and stood silently to listen for about the count of ten. After expectantly not hearing what she expected to not hear, she gazed out across the battered remains of massive spiders and their odd two-legged ettercap counter-parts. It had been a few long days of battling strange creatures, and her trek was taking her well deeper than she typically went. Leave it to the dark, unworn & winding paths, marauding goblins and wicked ghosts to make only a few miles take many hours to traverse.

Pulling her thoughts back, the metal-clad women made her way back into the brush to continue deeper.

Hours later the priestess again stood over her recent victims, this time a pair of beaten and broken goblins, both of which gasped and moaned in a sound that was eerily distant and faded. After rifling through what gear they carried, she once again went to make her way through the trees, aimed yet deeper into the forest.

Making it only about ten paces away, the priestess paused as the haunting sounds of the goblins suddenly stopped. A moment passed that seemed far longer. She knew what was behind her; she had expected it eventually but never actually expected it at any certain moment. Her fingers twitched as she slowly turned to face the pair of bow-wielding, dark-cowled elves that stood over the now remains of the goblins. After a brief pause, she took the lead; her voice calm, despite the uncertainty, "Ah, well, now, that was unnecessary. I believe I had finally convinced them to change their ways, too. Tsk. Now we will never know."

Obviously unamused, the taller of the pair evenly responded, "You are a long ways from your home, and you are not welcome out here. Leave the way you came."

Now, as long as she had been going and as deep as she was in the forest, this was not the deepest she had been. She knew she was less than a day out from it, and she would be taking a large risk continuing on her own. For, while only a pair stood before her now, she knew the Wardens had been aware of her presence in the forest within hours of her entering it, and many more were either watching her now, or could be very shortly.

The priestess nodded slowly, then with her hands still at her sides, suddenly spread her fingers. A small helm-hidden grin crossed her face as the pair of elves jumped slightly, their bows raising towards her.

Finally in response, and in a voice taking on a more direct and faintly aggressive tone, "I do not come out here often, for I understand the dangers your unseen bows pose, and yet, despite your animosity, never have I been attacked when I do, for I expect you know the dangers that I, myself, pose. If you dare to roll the dice, now is as good a time as any. If not, go back to your shadows and trees and keep watching. My walk in not yet complete." As if to indicate a subtle threat she careful adjusted the bracelet that sits snugly on her right wrist. She then turned away from the elves, removed her mace and shield, and continued into the brush and out of sight.

[mysticalkas]

*The Wardens would return home after their patrol, informing others of the incident. Amilith would nod slowly to their words asking simple questions of few words to find out what he wanted. He would then set out in search of her with another of the Wardens who speaks the common tongue. He would not skulk about when getting close to her location, she would hear the elven tongue spoken in a normal fashion.*


// If found he would initiate a conversation wanting to know why you are there and your purpose. He would take note of the bodies that are left, keeping sight on the path you took. Looking for destruction of the forests that were extreme usage of either magic or mace.

[Lady Frost]

It would only appear to be her and there wouldn't be any more destruction than her trampling plants as she makes her way through the woods. She'd leave looted remains as she goes; intelligent creatures, like goblins or cultists, would rarely be killed, apparently preferring to leave them battered but alive. Bugs, ettercaps, and incorporeal beings would be killed or destroyed. Her path would not be direct towards a certain area. She'd follow the flow of the land, winding this way and that, but it's likely evident her general direction is intentional.

She would only respond to Common. Unless asked specific questions, she would give vague answers about not getting out enough, wanting to get away, and seeing places she doesn't see often. As long as the conversation is vague she'd continue moving, pausing to speak here and there when questioned. Her tone is calm and smooth.

[mysticalkas]

Amilith would remain calm in his dealings with her, not concerned for anything except the forest and the animals that dwell there. Speaking with her through the translator, His questions are simple and to the point, he would look to her and raise a brow to her vagueness, then shrug keeping a calm persona about him. He would take notice of the path she has been on, knowing of the dangers and structures about the place. He would then see if she wished company on her journey.

[Lady Frost]

She keeps making her way slowly through the forest, deeper and deeper. She doesn't appear interested in looking for fights or wandering into ruins she passes. She simply deals with that which comes across her and continues. She'd mock the inquiry for company, stating that "You have all been shadowing me for days. I have more than enough of 'company'." She'd then remark about how curious it was that he is here asking all these useless questions. She'd talk about how he must not have had much training, and casually note how the Warden's must be struggling if -he- was who was sent to find her. That surely there must be someone else around that knows what they are doing and that it is a wonder the Drow have not tracked them down by now with this level of incompetence. She'd continue on casually taking jabs at him and the Warden's as she continued, should he be there to hear it.

[mysticalkas]

Speaking through the translator, he would simply walk along side her. The slightest smile touching his lips at some of the things she says. His demeanor remains calm. "We simply watch those who walk our forests should they require aid." He would look to her passively at her attempts on insult, tilting his head slightly at times. Mostly he would simply shrug his shoulders at the gibes. He continues on with her, while her conversations revolve around insults, He speaks to her of the animals of the forests, and over the plants and herbs they come across. Nothing in detail, but causal statements about being good for this or that. He would on occasion walk off and return a moment later. Speaking to the translator about the animals there. How pleasing it is to see the new births.

[Fenix]

At a point in their travels, the pair may cross a path where it seems more quiet than normal. Blood pools around a tree near a grizzly scene. Three men of indistinguishable features hang from a tree above the pool. One hung by his neck in a snare trap, contorted oddly to show that it was swiftly snapped by the spring of the trap. A second hangs from the tree, pinned there by seven dofferent wooden spikes of various length. The last lays facing the tree just below the man, his body torn open from behind. It looks like he was caught off guard while trying to release the second man. A venom drips from his wounds.

It is clear that some vultures and scavengers may have already begun feeding.

[mysticalkas]

Amilith would look to the scene a moment in consideration. He would then search the area looking for left over traps that could cause harm, disable those he comes across. He would then remove the bodies from where they are, placing them on the ground.

[Lady Frost]

(With a spot and search well into the 60's) Removing two small talon-shaped daggers from her person, Zodika would peer around the area slowly. She'd then approach the bodies, only looking. When the elf begins attending to them, she places the daggers away, arms herself with her mace and shield and continues on, leaving him to do what he's doing and to catch up if he wishes. Her journey and destination are appearing more and more obvious as she goes, though the path she takes still generally follows the land and is not direct. She keeps her eyes as much on the trees as she does the ground, expecting more conflict in the coming hours as she looms closer.

[mysticalkas]

*after competing the task he has he looks around for any signs who did this. He would then continue on and catch up to her along her journey. he simply walk along with her offering casual conversation if she bothers with him. he continues to ignore any badgering remaining calm and passive in his words that are translated by the Warden attending him. After some time of walking, he simply asks" What is it you seek in Arulem?"

[Lady Frost]

She lets the question hang silently for about 15 more steps before stopping and looking at him, her eyes hidden behind her platinum helmet. She speaks in a mocking tone, "Is that the direction I am heading? Surely it cannot be."
She turns and resumes stomping through the underbrush and along the minimal trails. She eventually comes to a point where she begins stopping and looking up through openings in the forest canopy. After doing this for a couple hours she eventually stops and fixes herself facing due east. Until this point, her pathing had been generally following the terrain; however, she now moved with a specific purpose straight east.

As the darkness of the night finally consumes the forest, the priestess, tired from the day's hike, comes to a north-south cliff face where she removes some fruit from her pack and eats. She doesn't appear to be planning to stay long.

[mysticalkas]

Amilith shows little concern for her direction of travel. He would shrug to her mocking statement remaining calm and passive. He would head off into the forest a ways while she takes her brief respite. After a short time, he would return plucking berries from his hand of what he just gathered. He would lean against a tree watching her calmly while he eats. His tone of voice holds no emotion when he speaks at any time during their walk. The only noted influx in emotion is when he speaks of the forests and animals with the translator. He then directs a question to her "Do you wish some berries?" he would ask through his translator.

[Lady Frost]

After her short break, she would reach into her pack and draw forth a scroll. She'd use the scroll of greater restoration, then cast ultravision from her memorized spells. Finally, after indicating she does not want any berries, she would gather her things and start north with a pace and intensity comparable to if she was just starting her trek, days before, with a full nights rest. Far from silently, she'd follow the cliff face, headed north.

[mysticalkas]

He would easily keep pace with her, walking along easily moving over the terrain. He would calmly regard her when she casts her spells, looking to the translator than back to her. His bow being ready, he reaches into his quiver pulling forth an arrow, yet one falls to the ground as he follows.

[Lady Frost]

She would attempt to continue trampling through the forest, along the cliff face, until she reaches the cave mouth that grants entrance into Arulem. She'd continue to refer to the elf as "impressively foolish", "surprisingly out-of-touch", and other such terms as she went. She wouldn't respond as to any reasoning for this, however.

[mysticalkas]

*he would calmly walk with her listening to her words. when they reach the cave entrance he simply stands there. He does not make any aggressive moves but simply walks over to the stones. he looks for a moment then reaches out his hand picking up an arrow that is gently wedged between the rocks. he then replaces it in his quiver returning his attention to her. he calmly stands there, a relaxed posture as he casually looks around the area. his gaze would linger briefly in places as he does this before moving on.*

[Lady Frost]

The priestess would watch him a moment before pulling her cloak around herself and turning to enter the cave. She'd continue slowly until stopped.

[mysticalkas]

He would calmly walk with her and speak through the translator. "It may be unwise for you to continue. I do not wish harm upon any. The path you are walking will not end well." His mannerism is calm relaxed, his tone of voice remains neutral in speaking. He looks upon her with his head slightly tilted to the side, waiting to see her decision.

[Lady Frost]

She comes to a stop and looks back at him, her voice is calm and smooth likely indicating her lack of surprise. "So... this is the boundary, hmm? This, here in the very cave that leads to your door, is where you tell me that I am daring to venture too far?"

She pauses and turns her helm to face the direction she was headed, before returning to face the elf. "Do you think /I/ am a danger in your home? A single lone human?" She continues after a pause. "I am not a danger in your home." She shakes her head some and moves to leave the cave the way she came.

Upon exiting ...

//waits for a response to this first.

[mysticalkas]

He would calmly regard her, speaking in his usual neutral tone, its translated. "I did not say you were a danger, simply that it would be unwise for you to continue. Your intentions are not known to me, and leave me questioning what motives have brought you here. You, as well as others are welcome within the Hullack. All that we ask is that you respect the forests and the animals. Cause no harm, but you are welcome to take what is needed as long as it is reasonable. *tilts his head looking to her* I would however ask, would you welcome others into your home given the same circumstances? If there is something you wish simply ask.

[Lady Frost]

Upon exiting, she'd continue for about 50 more yards, glancing up occasionally, before finally coming to a stop. She'd spin slowly for a moment, a heavy sense of magic suddenly overcoming the area, as she spoke what would appear to be a spell. After the spell, she'd turn to face the elf, her helm still blocking her face. She'd begin to speak to the elves as the small dragon on her bracelet suddenly came to life. The dragon would pick itself up, unfold its wings and jump off to flap around. Her voice would be calm and slow as if directing focus on her words. "Sometimes it is not the destination one cares about, but the journey. You have been kind to accompany me through the woods, but ..." The dragon would fly around, growing in size until it finally settled next to her, a full grown adult red dragon. The dragon would bear a Loviatan cat-o-nine etched into a scale on its chest. It would glare down to the elves but otherwise sit silently aside from the heavy breathing. "... time and time again history shows that kindness does not bode well for survival." She'd raise an accusing finger towards Amilith just briefly as if to make sure he knew she was speaking to him. "You allowed me to tromp through the forest in no quiet fashion right to your door, a door I expect many before you have battled and died to keep hidden. A door that I expect is now far less likely to stay that way." She'd go to climb upon the dragon before finishing. "Pray you have not made a mistake."

//I'll wait to have her take off to allow any responses to be made.

[mysticalkas]

Amilith would stand there calmly regarding her, upon her chanting other would be heard doing the same. The feeling of magic strong behind him comes across in waves. To her words he simply tilts his head and calmly replies.

"I know well what I have allowed. But remember, it is our kindness that lets you leave."

Upon finishing his statement many elves would be seen, bows trained on them, swordsman awaiting surrounded by the glow of magic upon their armors and blades. Mages and clerics stand scattered about while summons of their own stand at the ready.

"Let it be known, that we elves will tolerate much, but we are hardly defenseless. Should you wish to return, may prove unwise. And as for your pet, I know of one who would welcome a meeting with it."

[Lady Frost]

The dragon unfurls its wings as she offers her last words, calling above the rustling of leaves, "As I said, kindness does not bode well for survival. I am probably not the only one who learned something new today." With that the dragon would flap itself up and away through the opening in the canopy above her, sending leaves and branches scattering to the winds. The dragon would start north then turn can come back straight south, rising up into the clouds.