ROLEPLAY HQ - roots-of-dark

Our story begins in the city of Calogin. A city that had been developing quickly ever since the end of the last war between the Orcs and the Goliaths. The town has a bustling city center with a large market, which has been gaining tourists and new vendors. Through the streets are many people selling their products or performing for the public, some for profit and some for fun. The town consists mostly of more common races, that of Humans and Elves and Dwarves and other civilized races. The business and residential districts are still expanding to this day, creating a decently sizable town in comparison to the surrounding areas, which usually only host around 30 people to which this city has hundreds. Our adventurers find themselves arriving to the designated meeting spot, which appears to be a bright lively tavern by the name of Fiddle and Crow.

I enter the tavern, beginning to look around and noticing there is a pair of men who appear to be larger Humanoids fighting in what appears to be a prearranged fight.

Jakhur was seated at the bar of the tavern, doing his best to avoid drawing too much attention to himself. His entire appearance was ragged, with disheveled hair and patchwork clothing. A rough scabbard hung from his waist, a shortsword's hilt visible just under his cloak and the thick outline of a book on the other side. His eyes moved back and forth as he waited for the people he was supposed to meet with to arrive. Dammit, they were taking too long.. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era

She would be the last to enter her hair tied in a high ponytail with two smaller braided strands infront, wearing a nice long dress that outlined her figure nicely. The elf would gaze around the tavern spotting the larger humanoids fighting.. with crowds piling to watch. What a disgusting area *she thought as she would scoff quietly and looked around she’d walk further into the tavern trying to spot the people she was supposed to meet with, hard to do as she was finding herself getting pulled every each way with the drunken bards cat calling her trying to gain her attention but Eowyn ignored them all. She was on a mission to find these people as her green/golden eyes laid eyes on Jakhur sitting at the bar she’d approach him and stood next to him, leaning forward looking ahead at all the drinks that there was to offer as she spoke loud enough for him to hear “where’s the other…” @Era @Cecil

I eye you two and open my notebook, looking at it briefly while my eyes shift between you two and it. I determine you two are correct and go towards you, sitting down next to Eowyn. What appears before you is a hulking eight foot one Goliath creature, dawned with a black face mask that covers the bottom half of his face. He wears armor that looks a bit worn, with bits and pieces chipped into it from being struck at. The armor itself is black in color as well, with red streaks going through it (paint as far as one can tell) and a giant glaive holstered on his back. As far as equipment, he has a large pack as well, with two pouches on either side of his hip. He also has a small knife holstered on his side.

He glanced at Eowyn as he sensed her standing next to him, having to double take at her appearance for a few seconds before forcing his gaze back to his hands. That'd be such a terrible first impression if he stared, and there were better things to focus on. "No idea. I've been waiting twenty minutes for anyone to show up." When Gorm sat down, he took note of the sheer size and build of the goliath, reflexively flinching away slightly. "You the one we're waiting for?" @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I turn towards the human, not quite acknowledging the elf yet. I look you up and down, pulling out my notebook one more time and flicking my eyes between Jakhur and the notebook for several seconds before promptly placing it back in my pouch, and nodding once.

Well. This was going to make things difficult, if the goliath never spoke this entire time. Whatever, as long as they were able to get the job done, how they got it done didn't really matter. "If we've got nobody else to wait for, then it's best we be off, no?"

Her attention too shifted towards the giant Goliath eyeing him up and down , not afraid when he sat down next to her as she’d gaze towards the human who flinched slightly as she looked back to Gorm, getting a good look at his appearance. Her first thought was wow, he’s huge as she’d looked away and straight once more towards the variety of drinks ahead sitting on the walls of the shelf “I assume the Man doesn’t speak” she’d spoke as she’d swivel on her heels now so her back was to the counter as she leaned back on it looking between the two men next to her “I agree with the human.. we should head out, we’ve got no time to waste…” @Era @Cecil

Upon hearing this I promptly stand, motioning you two to follow and proceeding towards the door.

It seemed like the others were ready to go, so he reached into his bag and pulled out a small vial, downing it quickly. It was a bitter, hard to choke down medicine that he had made to help him stay healthy, but it did its job despite the taste. Upon hearing about this job, he had stocked up on a decent amount of it, along with his notes about how to make more, so he hopefully wouldn't have any issues with getting sick along the way. Putting the empty vial away, he stood and moved to follow the goliath. "..What exactly are we going to be doing? All of this seems very.. vague." @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I pull out a map and point out a city. On the map are some notes, pointing out the roots had recently torn the city to pieces, and that the citizens who didn't leave or been killed by it had been attempting to figure out ways to destroy the root before it disappeared.

Eowyn pushed herself off the counter and brushed herself off as she’d follow the two to the door lingering. Behind slightly to just look at the height difference between gorm and Jakhur, it felt surreal. As they exit the tavern she’d walked standing next to Gorm looking at the map as he pointed at the roots “search and save mission?” @Era @Cecil

"Or are we supposed to try and get rid of those?" He motioned to the roots.

I turn towards Eowyn and my eyes squint a little at you, I point specifically to the part where it says the citizens who didn't leave or die and shake my head. I then turn to Jakhur and point at him, while rolling the map back up and placing it in my pack.

20:55

I begin moving in the direction the town is in.

The man sighed after a second or two of Gorm walking away from them. It'd be just about impossible to get a solid read on the guy, with that mask and the fact that he never said a damn thing.. As he went to follow behind the goliath, his mind wandered. What were those roots? Why did they start to appear and destroy these towns? How were they supposed to stop them? Destroy them, even? Perhaps alchemy and magic would be the answer, but he wouldn't know for sure until he could get his hands on a sample of the roots and begin running experiments.. "How far exactly is this town?" @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I, of course, don't reply. All I offer is a bit of a shrug, and once again beckon you to follow.

Eoywn would have a slight frown.. great this was going to be one long journey and she was stuck with a man who didn’t talk and a man she didn’t know how to describe but as eager and yet mildy annoyed Eowyn sighed as she’d follow the Goliath her hands behind her back as she’d eye towards the human “this is going to be one hell of a trip” she’d mutter lowly so only he would hear as she’d then clear her throat and spoke loudly enough “So do we have a game plan?” she say curiously knowing she wouldn’t get a single verbal answer from Gorm @Era @Cecil

"Agreed." He mumbled back to her, eyeing the goliath ahead. "Don't even know how we're supposed to do what he wants us to do." Who even was this guy? Or this woman, for that matter? There were too many unknowns on this job, nothing like his carefully-planned experiments. Unknowns made him nervous, but they also made him want to find their secrets all the more.. Jakhur kept his attention forward, watching the Goliath as he waited for a response to the elf's question.

I continue walking forward, pulling the map out and handing it to you. I point at it, as if to indicate that the map itself is the plan.

The hell was that supposed to mean? Jakhur took the map and began looking it over thoroughly.

The elf was growing impatient at this point why won’t the damn Goliath speak! It lead her to many questions as she take a deep breath in and exhale. She needed to remain calm. As Jakhur took the map, she’d look at the map over his shoulder “This doesn’t mean anything!” @Era @Cecil

I halt in place and turn around, looking annoyed. I take the map from you and aggressively point to the notes that I pointed at earlier, explaining that we are going to investigate the roots, and question those who are still there.

22:28

I aggressively roll the map and sloppily shove it into my pack, walking forward at a much faster pace now.

"Hey!" He grumbled as the map was taken from him aggressively, and he gave the elf a look. "This job's gonna be hell, I can already tell.." He mumbled to her. Questioning people wasn't his forte, but investigating these roots might be.. It was all just a matter of getting there, which he had no idea how long it would take, and figuring out where to go from there. Not that the Goliath would be any major help during the inbetweens.. Without another word, Jakhur turned and tried to keep up with Gorm, though with his smaller size and the goliath's pace, it wasn't easy for him. Damn weak body of his.. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

She nodded in agreement looking back to Jakhur mumbling something in an ancient elven language as she watched the human struggle to keep up with the giant. Her on the other hand would linger behind but not too far keeping a good pace. Maybe about a foot or 2 behind. This was infact going to be a struggle.. having to follow someone who doesn’t talk and is incharge of the group.. what possibly could go wrong as she’d huff and looked around the nature around them. And then looked down to a satchel that was slung around her, opening it, inside was medial supplies, a dagger and some potions. anything to help tame these damned roots. After analyzing her satchel she’d close her bag and looked back up at the men infront of her as she’d finally catch up to them, squeezing her way in the middle of em @Era @Cecil

I venture forward at a fast pace, annoyed that I've essentially been tasked with solving a root problem I know little about and having to support two people on top of it. It'll be nothing more than go to one village, chop down the vines, and then figure out what to do next.

23:33

I abruptly stop as we get deeper into a forest, motioning for you two to stop as well

She halted the moment he motioned them to stop as she softly hum “hm..?” @Era @Cecil

He didn't noticed that Gorm stopped at first, bumping into the larger man and stumbling back. "Wha- Why'd you stop?"

I take my glaive out and move towards the treeline, swinging the glaive aggressively into the tree. Upon doing so, three goblins with little knives run out, screaming in Goblin and running away into a deeper part of the forest.

02:02

I retrieve my glaive from the tree, sheathe it, and begin walking again, slower this time.

Damn. If there were one group of goblins, there'd be more. Reaching into his cloak, he pulled out the book that was hanging on his hip, opening it and quickly flipping to the specific page. Yes.. A simple fire bolt spell would be enough for now, better to have the incantation ready. He repeated it in his mind as he carefully followed the goliath. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era

I turn while walking and make a odd look at the murmuring human, otherwise ignoring it and walking forward.

The women watched the Goblins scurry away with disgust. She hated goblins with a passion, what annoying little creatures. But what surprised her was how she didn’t catch on that there was goblins nearby. Usually good with her aura sensing. “Hmp..” *Shed dig in her satchel retrieving her Dagger and held to it as she closed her satchel and tossed the dagger up and down and walked next to Gorm “How did you know they were up there?” she spoke looking up to Gorm @Era @Cecil

I turn to the elf and tap my nose. I then wave my hand in front of my nose, as if to say that they smell foul enough he could sense them.

The fact that only the goliath had noticed them put Jakhur on edge. It wasn't like he was oblivious to these kinds of things, but he was starting to get the feeling that things might've been set up. Subtly, he flipped to a different page of his book and had another spell in mind. He just needed to watch and wait. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

As the sun started to get lower, I pulled out the map while walking, beginning to study how far away we were. I traced with my eyes the distance from Calogin to the city we are traveling to, determining it to be about another days time. With this, I put the map away and start looking forward for a safe place to set up a camp. The forest offered small clearings every once in awhile, but there were still dangerous creatures moving about.

Shed snicker a bit as she nodded “that they do smell but still.. amazing senses..” she’d mutter as she’d go back to trailing behind keeping her eyes peeled As the sun set she’d gaze at the beautiful sky painted in pink and oranges as she’d looked ahead “Why can’t we camp right there” she spoke as she point to an open area “one of us can stay on watch while the other two sleep, and we can rotate shifts..” @Era @Cecil

"Sleeping out in the open's how you get ambushed in the night.." He mumbled under his breath, following Gorm to wherever he planned on making camp. It didn't matter to him, since he wasn't all that experienced out here anyway.. But he'd still be keeping an eye on the goliath. He didn't trust him completely.

I walk to the area Eowyn pointed out and start scouting around, checking in the nearby bushes and trees, listening and smelling for danger. I turn to you two and nod, beginning set up a sleeping area.

Shed watch Gorm carefully.. analyzing him throughly head to toe, something about him didn’t sit right with her as she’d walk in-front of him only to lean forward on a nearby tree “I’ll take first shift watching” she spoke as she began to see the moon in the distance, a subtle smile creeping up her face

I look at Eowyn and shake my head, taking a position to watch the entire camp area on the other side.

A simple gesture, and Eowyn could hear Jakhur's voice whispering in the back of her mind. "This guy's giving me a bad feelin' You?" To the outside, it seemed that Jakhur had simply started setting up his own space to sleep in. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eoywn furrowed her brows hearing his voice in the back of her mind as she glare daggers towards Jakhur and away not bothering to give a respond as she’d looked up at the moon @Cecil @Era

He sighed heavily at that response. Great. A goliath that wouldn't speak, and a prissy elf that didn't want anything to do with him either. Quite the group they got going, huh? Shoving his book into his bag, Jakhur withdrew one of his vials and downed it, putting the empty vial back in his case before sitting on his bedroll. He dug through his bag for a moment before pulling out some of his rations and eating them silently, not looking at his companions, who he perceived as wanting nothing to do with him.

I stand nearly perfectly still, watching the camp with my eyes moving tactically between you two and the surrounding area.

I pull out a large box, and begin eating from it, keeping my glaive right next to me in between my fingers. I knock against the tree a little, pointing to your sleeping areas. I then point down, and do the "I'll watch" hand gesture.

Eoywn looked up to Gorm as she’d furrow her brows and scoffed “whatever fine!” as she’d kicked herself off the tree and walked to her designated sleeping area. She’d lay her satchel down by her bed and sat down taking some stuff out of her satchel like potions as she’d lay down and closed her eyes

With this, I turn my attention to Jakhur, awaiting him to do the same.

It took him several seconds to notice that the goliath was staring at him. "..What? Why're you staring at me like that? I'm eating my food. You've got your own."

I look at you and point at the elf, then at you, the I point down. I then proceed to continue eating.

"I've got my own sleeping area, I don't need to go over to hers." He grumbled, continuing to eat his food.

I squint my eyes.

01:31

I finish my food and set the box aside, once again pointing at you, then making the sleeping signal with my hands.

"..You're real pushy, you know that?" Letting out another sigh, he put the food away and pulled his book out, quickly marking an area around him and muttering an incantation. Then, he stashed the book and laid down, closing his eyes. Should anyone approach his area, the magic would wake him up and warn him, just in case one of them tried to root through his stuff or hurt him. Can never be too careful with people that obviously don't care for you..

While the other two sleep, I take the time to make some repairs on my weapon. The sun sets as a silent forest becomes our temporary home for the night. I contemplate the two I've been paired with, an elf who seemed friendly, but didn't seem like she'd be good in a fight. Then a human, who seemed to have a problem with anything he didn't understand. Seemed on par with the notes he got, but only time would tell whether or not they'd be of any use to me.

Eoywn sat up after a good Power Nap .. of ab 1 hour as she’d rub her eyes, yawn and stretched her arms her back was facing away from the two momentarily as she’d got up, fixing her outfit. She’d then reach in her satchel taking out 2 pieces connecting her bow and her arrows shed pivot seeing the human asleep and Gorm fixing up his weapon as she’d approach the Goliath “My turn.. go sleep” She say holding her bow in one hand and the arrows in the other

I look up at the elf and shake my head. I hold my weapon up a little, pointing out certain flaws that still needed fixing. I did however stand up, and take my large pack off, placing it on the ground where I was standing, and motioning towards it while taking a step away.

@Gorm (@Era) - jump Shed looked the pack he took off and looked back to him unsure what he meant by his gesture as shed looked away, turning her back to him as she began walking a bit further keeping her bow and arrow close, ready for any attacks to come. under the moonlight her eyes glew a beautiful, subtle green, the golden speck in her eyes finally showing under the moonlight

I looked at the elf, questioning why she wouldn't want to sit, but no matter. I stood next to my pack, continuing to tend to my weapon. I sharpened the blade and put the kit away, swinging my glaive in the air a little to see how it felt.

Eoywn would sense something in the distance, as she gazed in the direction. It should be mentioned that Eowyn did have night vision so it was very easy to see things and spot things as she shot her arrow at a goblin that was a good distance from them hearing the groan from the dying goblin followed by a soft thud the elf would quietly mumble under her breath not expecting anyone to hear "these fucking pesty goblins!" as Eowyn would go to retrieve her arrow and return shortly laying her bow and arrow set aside on a tree and lowered her hair from the pony tail as her hair would fall to her mid back, shed ruffled it and then ran her fingers through her hair as she looked to Gorm "So.. you dont talk at all.. right?"

I notice the skilled shot, and I nod in approval. While sheathing my weapon I look over at Eowyn as she asks me this, and upon hearing the full question, I shake my head no. After this I move a bit closer, looking at the arrows she has on the tree.

as he approached closer to her Eowyn stood her ground as the elven would look up seeing he was analyzing her arrow. She’d raise it so he could get a better look. There he saw the arrowhead was engraved in ancient elven language and laced with magic on. The base of the arrow was too carved with the same language almost similar to Latin. But no magic was on it. The arrow head tho was something unique however, only used by high elves , more particularly the shape of a crescent moon,as this was common for moon elves to have. They deemed it more deadly as it was stabbing into the person in two spots rather than one

I observe these arrows and I grimace a little at them. Ugh, magic. I reach into my pouch and pull out a whetstone. I then point to the whetstone and then point to your arrows, and raise an eyebrow at you.

Eowyn stared at him as she’d looked to her arrow and held the arrowhead closer to his eyes so he could see “you blind!? They are sharp! Sharp enough if you touch then you will bleed!” shed scoff lowering her arrow and pivoted once more so her back was to him

With this, I put the whetstone away and stood. I went over to my pack and pulled out the map from earlier. Looking over it again, I put an estimate of where we were over it with some ink from my pouch. I then proceeded to walk over and tap Eowyn, showing her my estimated distance on the map.

21:09

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eoywn would look at the Distance he drew as she nodded “not too bad… it will just be boring.. and very tiring for the human..” she’d mumble lowly looking back to Jakhur “Honestly surprised you even recruited a human” shed say as she looked up to Gorm with a smile @Era @Cecil

I look at you confused, and shake my head. I then move my finger in a circle, as if to say we are all in this together, and then I shrug. I roll the map back up and put it away, searching my pack for my bedroll. I then grunt and sigh, turning back to the elf. I point at your bed roll and then point at me with a questioning expression, realizing I had left mine behind, or lost it somewhere. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eoywn would roll her eyes “yeah yeah I know!” she’d harshly whisper “but still!” As she’d watch him turn his back to her “Whatever..” she’d mumble watching him point “just use my sleeping bag.. warning it may smell like sweet berries. But do not touch any potions!” she spoke with a threatening tone as she walked away from the Goliath and off into the distance to scope around @Cecil @Era

I turned to the sleeping bag and laid down, putting my glaive next to me, and my pack to my side as well. The bag was about two sizes too small, but was more comfortable than the bare ground. The smell of sweet berries was actually pleasant, providing a comforting aroma to drift off to. Before falling asleep, I put some gold next to your potions as a thank you, and I close my eyes for the night.

18:48

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

As the dusk turned into Dawn Eowyn returned with some berries she’d forged and a a couple of dead rabbits to cook before they journey out. She’d began a small fire and began cooking the two men a quick breakfast, cooking the rabbit to perfection and seasoning it with what seasonings she had in her pouch, putting it on a plate she created with her magic with some berries on the side “Rise and shine” she spoke walking to their sleeping bags, placing a plate down infront of Jakhur and then walked to Gorm doing the same. “Eat then she should go” @Cecil @Era

As soon as Eowyn stepped into the circle that Jakhur had marked in the dirt, his eyes shot open and he sat up, looking around quickly. Seeing as there was no immediate threat, he looked down at the food are stared at it for a few seconds. After scrutizining it, he turned to his bag and grabbed one of his vials out of it, downing it quickly before beginning to eat the food. Jakhur ate quitely and quickly, before standing up and brushing himself off, collecting his things. As far as he knew, the others didn't seem to care for him, so he didn't bother speaking to them as he got ready, putting the shortsword on his hip and his book in his cloak. Now he was ready to go, and he looked at the other two.

I awoke abruptly, immediately standing up and packing. After getting ready to leave, I then notice the meal that had been prepared for me. I eyed it, then looked at the elf, then looked back at the food. I picked the plate up and smelled it, inspecting it thoroughly before taking a bite. I held a stoic expression, chewing slowly. I swallowed the bite I had hard, and looked at the rest of the plate I still had. Slowly, I forced myself to consume the rest of it, holding a still expression the entire time. After finishing the plate, I held it out towards Eowyn.

“I’m not your mom?! I don’t want to plate” she look at Gorm and walked off gathering her stuff and packed them up gettin ready to go

I look at the plate in my hand, not really sure where to put it. I had assumed it was the elf's but perhaps it was the human's. I turn and extend the plate towards him with a questionable expression. As I do this, I sense a presence approaching.

"Why're you trying to give me that?" He looked at Gorm with a confused look.

The leaves on the edge of the camp rustle slightly as a figure pushes aside the foliage stepping onto makeshift campgrounds. He'd heard the chatter ringing clear over the soft ambiance of nature and figured he might as well check. They weren't the scariest group he'd seen out here by a longshot, although the Goliath was someone he found himself glancing at. Pin coughed softly to make himself known over the bickering looking a little stiff. Fuck, he hasn't had to concern himself with first impressions in a while.

When he heard someone approaching, Jakhur turned quickly and his hand went down to his sword, eyes narrowing at the newcomer to the group. "Who're you? What're you doing here?" @AhemIMentJupiter

Shed raise her bow her ears twitched hearing someone approach ready to attack at anytime she kept a cold gaze towards Pin “Answer the questions!” she’d exclaim ready to let go off the arrow

Pin hesitates, subtly glancing between the two. “I’m Pin,” he says evenly, calmly, I’m looking for a group that I was supposed to meet up with a day ago at a tavern. I was wondering if that was you guys. I’m not here to harm you.”

His eyes quickly turned to Gorm. "What, were you expecting another one?" @Era

I turn towards the commotion and look at the newcomer. Gods damn it. Another one. I pull out my notebook and start scanning through details and see one that starts to match as I read. I once again flick between the newcomer, the notebook, the newcomer, the notebook, and then I close it. I reach over to Eowyn and gently lower her bow. I then nod to the both of them and turn to the new one. I pull out the map and point out the date we were supposed to meet up and hold it close to you, pointing at it with an annoyed expression.

After the goliath nodded, Jakhur let out a sigh, shaking his head in annoyance and taking his hand away from his sword. "Whatever. Can we just get on with it, please?"

Pin relaxes as the tension defuses and leans forward to squint at the paper held out to him. What- Oh. He thinks. His eyes flick up to the big guy, pointedly dusting off some of the dirt and leaves from his coat. “I was dealing with something.” He says dryly masking the twinge of guilt he felt. He wasn't lying, but he wasn’t planning on holding them up any longer even if he was a little tired after trying to find them all morning. “We’re leaving now right?”

I look at the human and breathe heavily. At least the elf has a decent shot. The human might know some magic tricks, but this one seemed like they would be utterly useless. I rolled the map and turned towards the right direction, continuing to walk. As I took my first few steps, I paused and turned around. I pointed at the elf and motioned her forward, then pointed at the newcomer, then pointed at the wizard. When pointing at the wizard, I made the watch motion in the opposite direction of the one we were walking in. With this, I turned and began walking again.

02:48

@Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

So he was supposed to watch the back? Fine with him. As he walked, he glanced behind the group several times, flipping through his book as he walked and reading over his incantations.

As we walk, I couldn't help but think about what exactly we were on our way to deal with. A vine or root problem of some kind, and it really hurt that many people? Either they're very weak, or this... thing... is very strong. Either way, I an prepared.

Eowyn snarled as he lowered her bow for her as she’d slung it around her back and fiddled with her arrow. She’d flip her hair And looked away from the man As gorm motioned her forward she’d pivot and move Infront standing next to Gorm.. why was she the only person who was motioned to come forward while the other two were motioned too moved back? She’d shake her head from the thoughts and adjusted her outfit pulling her shirt down slightly as it exposed some of her cleavage line and pulled her pants slightly up “At least the group is complete” Shed mumble to herself, finally they had the extra pair of hands needed as Eowyn would tie her hair up in a high ponytail with a few strands out @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

I turn towards Eowyn and look at her for a moment, only because I saw the motion of her tying her hair. He took a moment to observe her, and pulled his eyes back and proceeded. She was good looking for an elf. He hadn't seen an attractive woman in some time.

Shed lower her hands resting one on her bow as the other on her quiver noticing his gaze upon her but choose to ignore it as she looked behind to the other men for a brief moment and then back ahead “So why did you have me upfront hm?” Shed spoke still looking ahead

I point at your bow, then lower my hand.

"Wouldn't it be smarter to have the one with the bow not in the front, in case of an ambush?" The human spoke up from the back of the group as he was checking the path behind them, eyes and ears open to any threats.

“… sooo wouldn’t it be —“ she pause and then point behind just about to say the same thing “He took the words out of my mouth”

I shake my head.

“there must be another reason then” she’d playfully hum taunting Gorm as she playfully bump his arm with her shoulder, chuckling

"It'd be one thing if you were going to have her scout ahead, but it's another if you just want to stare at her." He rolled his eyes.

I don't acknowledge the human, and I glare at the elf for a moment. They both choose not to think for a single moment. Basic militia formation. Two melee fighters. Myself and the new one. One long range fighter, that being the elf. And one wizard who's magical abilities we have no intel on range, effectiveness, flaws, or advantages. This is the only way to guarantee we have a front line fighter on both sides is to put the melee people separately. Thus leaving some kind of supporter behind them. But let them joke, it's just how they are.

“hey! Don’t give me that look I was merely joking!” she’d grumble as she’d stepped further from Gorm “you need to learn to take a joke every once in a while”

Ignored. Unsurprising, honestly. Not many people tended to pay attention to a sickly alchemist.. Speaking of which, he reached into his bag and downed the contents of another vial, quickly counting what he had left in his bag. A few more days' worth, at least..

I took notice to this, the illness of this human would surely slow us down eventually. I'll have to work swiftly so we can secure him more medicine before necessary. I begin walking a bit more briskly. About 1.7 times faster.

Eoywn watched as she’d linger behind gazing back to the human “you okay?”

"..Road's rough." He huffed. "Never been great at the whole travelling thing.." "Unless you mean about the vials. Yeah, i'll be fine as long as I don't run out, or I get the reagents to make more."

I turn around for a moment, then I take out my notebook and a quill and start writing things down, constantly flicking up my eyes to watch

@AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eoywn dug around her bag taking out a potion “here” she’d hand him the yellow/golden tinted potion “this is after you run out of vials. It’s a healing potion. Use it only in emergencies okay?” she spoke putting it in his hand with a soft smile @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

I make a note of this. The elf can heal. I was beginning to have a little faith in the elf's usefulness. Her and I had very different palettes, but she seemed to he somewhat versatile in her kit. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

He took the potion and examined it for a few moments. "The color's different from the ones that I can make. Is the elvish way of alchemy different from the ones you'll find the human kingdoms?" @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Pin watched the group converse. They were a little close regardless of how slightly dysfunctional they all were together. Pin kept to his spot letting the pair have their moment, eyes flitting around as he decided to keep watch while they talked.

As we walked forward I could see some red creatures in the distance. Small, likely more goblins. I stopped moving and put my hand up to signal the rest of you to stop, pointing out the goblin group ahead. They were about 100-130 feet away, and they were turned away from us, about 7 of them hunched over something we couldn't see.

17:03

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

He’d heard them already slowing down and stopping entirely when Gorm motioned to the rest of them. It’s always these guys. He takes a small step back considering his options, and glancing at the big guy. Usually he’s evade, fighting would just slow him down, but he isn’t alone anymore. “They haven’t seen us yet so we could just avoid them. It’d slow us down and waste resources to attack.”

I observed and considered what the new one had said. They weren't necessarily wrong, but they were directly in our path, and I wasn't going to sneak around them naturally. Too many of them to try diplomacy, and they've clearly already got something under their belt for today. I turn back towards the group and point at the goblins, giving a questioning look before I take any actions.

"I don't take the big guy to be particularly stealthy, so we'd have to swing wide to avoid drawing their attention." Jakhur shook his head, putting the potion Eowyn gave him in his bag. "That'd be a waste of our time, and if he draws their attention," He motioned to Gorm, "Eowyn and I can take them out from range, or I could get in behind and take care of a few with my sword." For a wizard, he seemed confident about his skill with a blade. "What're you able to do.. Pin? You said your name was Pin, right?"

Eoywn nodded at the humans question “correct we use what nature provides us like flowers and leaves..” she merely say as she began to catch up with Gorm “I say we take them out with range.. don’t let them know we are coming.. easier way to avoid a fight. Or just let me handle it I’ll take them down in matters of seconds” she’d exclaim holding her bow now @Era @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

The human pulled his book out and flipped it open. "I agree with Eowyn, we can take them out from a distance."

I look at the three of them and ponder. Yes, range would be the most logical option, but it leaves out the primary frontline fighter from being optimized. The best option would be to have them flank and hide while I approached, so everyone could be useful. Yes, let's suggest that. I point to the wizard and the elf, and point to the respective sides where the trees were. I then pointed at the new one and myself, and then made the walking sign towards the goblins.

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Eowyn pivoted going to her respected side and scaling up the trees, No footsteps heard, no leaves crunching nothing. It was as. If she was a ghost. She’d scale the tree high enough to where she was unseen by the goblins but also a good enough height where she’d draw back her arrow and eyed down to Gorm awaiting for his signal

With a shrug, he disappeared into the foilage on his side, carefully moving through and approaching the goblins, shortsword drawn and a spell ready to strike.

Pin nods taking the chance to get a closer look, curiously eyeing the scars littering his skin and his messy brown hair. The shifter contemplates showing his talons for a second before deciding otherwise. “Yeah, I’m Pin,” he nods, “I’m a close-ranged fighter. I have a dagger at the moment.” It’s not much, but it’s reliable. He subtly draws his dagger, stepping closer to Gorm. He’s ready.

There may be hope for this group yet. I approach, my glaive slowly exiting the holster. As I get within 30 feet, I ready myself. I look to my left and right, acknowledging the two, and then I lift my glaive in the air, and slam it down onto the ground to send them the signal.

18:40

@AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

When the signal came, Jakhur moved forward, an unnatural grace to his movements as an unusual humming seemed to be coming from his sword as he swung it, fire leaping from it to another nearby goblin.

Eowyn would shoot 2 arrows at once piercing 2 goblins straight through their hearts as she’d reload and look around the surrounding area shooting another through their forehead

Pin sprints a closer to the group as the two ranged shooters start their attack. With a quick flick of his wrist, he pierces a Goblin in the shoulder. It grumbles, stumbling, and Pin whistles softly, stepping back as he waggles another identical dagger over his head, luring the goblin away from the crossfire. He slashes at it, nimbly pulling out the first dagger before finishing it off, and immediately turning to entice one of the closer smoldering, half-dead Goblins towards him to bring it's swift end.

I take my glaive to the final few goblins and swing wide, cleaving them and leaving them leaking into the earth. I look around, making sure the threat is fully neutralized and I lower my glaive, flicking the blood off and sheathing it. I motion everyone to continue following, and give a thumbs up. Not bad. @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

The clearing falls silent as the last of the goblins are swiftly slain by the Goliath. After making sure the coast is clear, he cleans and pockets his blades. Pin glances around the wooded area, ensuring that the other members of their group were present before stepping over the gore to follow after the big guy. He couldn't help, but wonder what there plan was, and what else they discussed before he joined. @Era @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

A quick wave of his hand and a murmured word, and his sword was clean and sheathed. Quickly, Jakhur looked the goblin's corpses for any loose coin or unusual treasures they may have before quickly moving to catch up to the others, walking silently unless talked to.

I walked a bit briskly, but I turned for a moment, seeing that the wizard had cleaned his weapon at an instant. I thought for a moment and unsheathed my glaive, pulling out some coin as well. I extended the coin to the wizard and nodded towards my glaive in a questioning manner.

Eowyn would scale down the tree gracefully landing pickin out any leaves/ twigs attached to her as she was a bit further from the group waiting for them to catch up with her

He raised a brow for a few moments before shrugging, taking the coin, and casting his spell to clean the goliath's weapon without any other questioning. "There. Done."

I take the glaive back and observe it, giving the wizard a nod, then sheathing it.

Pin walked past the exchange idling by the elf while he waited. He didn't have much in the way of coin and he'd rather spend it on necessities rather than on a temporary cleaning. Now that he was close enough, he spared the woman a subtle, curious glance, taking in her presence.

Now with some extra loot in his bag, Jakhur let out a quiet breath and quickly caught up with Eowyn and Pin, staring off into the distance as he waited for the group to continue moving, a hand resting on his sword's hilt and the other hanging at his side. At the very least, he knew the elf didn't despise him, as she had given him a healing potion. The goliath was still an enigma, his motives almost entirely impossible to pick up on behind that mask and his silence, so he could believe that he didn't like him. If he offered more coin for simple cleanings, he'd absolutely take it, though. More money for him, in the end. As for the newcomer.. He knew nothing about him, yet. Except that he fought with daggers, and ran late.

Eoywn would look towards pin with a sharp look as she’d subtle nodded at him and looked ahead awaiting for Gorm to lead the way once more

Pin instinctively offers her a sharp, subtle nod in return, standing idly as he glances at the other two as they catch up. He lingers along the sides of the group as they walk along the dulling weeds. "Where are we going?" he questions quiet and reserved, dark eyes flitting between the three a few seconds later to see who'll respond. The ad had been lacking in explicit detail. It was a miracle the shifter managed to find them at all after running so late.

In response to Pin's question, he gave a motion to Gorm. "Goliath's got the map, and he doesn't speak, so don't try to get him to."

I began walking briskly, distracted momentarily. I motioned you all to follow, picking the pace up a little.

02:50

@Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

He sputters slightly, dark eyes widening. "We're all just following him blindly?" He whispers in faint disbelief. He quickens his pace at the signal, drifting marginally closer, and leaning toward the only one who responded to him, "Wait did he show you the map?" He barely managed to stop himself from asking, 'What was on it?' Not wanting to bombard the guy too much.

"He showed the map, though half the markings he put on it don't make any sense to me. Apparently he wants us to go figure out how to stop some vines from fucking up a town more than they already have? Why people don't just leave it's beyond me, but whatever. Least we're getting paid for checking it out." He responded to Pin, eyes constantly moving to keep watch for stuff as they walked.

As we walked forward, I started to feel hunger start up again. I turned to the group and made the eating motion, then shrugged.

People get really attached to their homes. Pin's seen that kind of loyalty firsthand so It doesn't really surprise him at all. He shrugs noncomittally at the words, looking off to the side as they walk. He'd have to ask to look at the map later. Pin comes to a stop on the path, shrugging, and nods at the Goliath's silent question. He was pretty hungry. Tragically he didn't have anything on him at the moment, but hunting came to him easily. He'd find something quick.

"..Guess we're stopping to eat." Jakhur looked between the group before walking over to a nearby rock to sit down, motioning to a space in front of him. "If you guys get some firewood, I can get a campfire going pretty quick, if you need something cooked."

I nod and begin grabbing the beginnings of the fire, but I quickly stop and point at the newcomer. I then pull out one of my larger rations and point at it, then point at him; noticing that he doesn't seem to have anywhere that would store food.

Oh. Pin appreciates that, but- “No, It’s okay,” he declines taking a step back, turning to look like he heard something in the undergrowth, “save it for your dinner. I’ll be quick.” After a few minutes, he ones back with who hares and passes them to Jakhur to cook them.

Eoywn watched the group create the fire as she’d be leaning back on a tree, she’d chime “anything I can do to help..?”

I looked towards the elf and made the watching motion around us.

16:20

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Just like before, a wave of his hand and a spoken word, and the small campfire was lit. Then, he got to prepping the hares. Being stuck inside his home for most of his life had allowed him to develop certain useful skills, cooking being one of them. While campfire cooking wasn't quite the same, the basics were there.. It didn't take long before he had the food ready. It was a little on the bland side, since he only had very basic seasonings, but it'd serve to keep them from being hungry.

Eoywn saluted, chuckling to herself as she did and kicked herself off the tree and began to take watch, walking a bit further from the group

A small smirk slid across Gorm's face, nothing anyone could see and it faded just as quickly. The elf was actually a bit funny. I hadn't been saluted in quite some time. The stoic expression returned as I began to eat my enormous ration box.*

17:09

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

He looked at Gorm for a few moments as he opened the rations, eyes narrowing. Well, if he didn't even want to try his cooking, so be it. Jakhur split the rabbits into thirds, taking some to the other two. "There you go. This should hold you guys off for now."

I notice this expression and return it, wondering what the human's problem is THIS time. I give a shrug towards him while squinting my eyes a bit more.

At this point, he just ignored the look ath Gorm gave him, returning to where he was sitting to eat his food.

I looked away, assuming that the human didn't care about whatever was upsetting him anymore. Emotional humans.

Pin was fidgeting with the frayed patches of his pants, glancing up instinctively, and nodding once, as he takes his portion from the spell caster. He didn’t expect the seasoning. It doesn’t go unappreciated, and the little interaction between Goliath and their resident chef doesn't go unnoticed by him either. Pin pops another piece of the soft meat into his mouth with a little more enthusiasm, eyeing the two. “So… what are everyone’s names?”

"..Jakhur. Some people back home call me 'Smoke', though." He mumbled inbetween bites of food.

I continued eating, having my back turned to everyone as I fed myself beneath my mask.

Pin turns slightly to Jakhur nodding in understanding. Smoke? He’d ask about that in a second. “Hm, Okay- What about the other two?” he inquires, jabbing a finger in the direction of the others as he looks at Jakhur still.

Eowyn would have denied the food as she wasn’t hungry, so she was sitting under a tree resting reading a book she brought along incase they took breaks like these throughout their journey

After finishing his meal, he motioned everyone to look at him, and he held up a 5.

@Pin (@AhemIMentJupiter) - jump "Ask them yourself. They didn't tell me their names."

Eoywn would walk back to the group slinging over her bow once more walking towards Jakhur and Pin “Eowyn or E for short”

I look towards the elf, that name was accurate too. Good to know they aren't being shady. I look at the group and give everyone a 1.

Eoywn pivoted, walking towards Gorm as she’d lower his hand “One minute we get it” she say looking up at him, tilting her head all the way back to just do so as she’d snicker and lower her head and stood next to him “How far are we from the town?” she spoke to him @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

He’d be a little more affected by the sudden shift in Jakhur's tone if he wasn't more than a little baffled by the fact that they hadn't introduced themselves. A whole day late and really he hadn't missed anything at all. No details, no names… what is happening here? Pin is just about to say something when the elf introduces herself. “Hey,” he nods at her, smiling faintly. It’s a cute name, fits her well he thinks, and finishes up the rest of his meal.

I look at the elf. I wanted to feel irritation, but at least she got the point. I pulled out the map and determined where we were, marking our position which was about an hour or two away.

16:03

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

He remained silent, watching the elf interact with the goliath. Pin hadn't asked him any other questions, so he presumed that he was done talking to him, and there was little for him to say. This whole mission had him in the dark- He didn't know where they were, what they were supposed to be doing, or how they'd go about doing it. Yeah, there were vague details about these vines or roots or whatever, but that's it. He didn't know whether or not he could trust these people fully, nor did he really know what kind of danger they were getting themselves into. That's what pissed him off the most, because he couldn't afford to be waltzing straight into danger without knowing anything about it. He needed to be careful about everything he did, because of his weak constitution. But at this point, he was already a day into this journey, and there was no going back now. He needed the money, either way. To be blunt, he wanted to get this over with. But he also knew that wasn't going to happen, nothing ever went simply in life. So he waited, and he watched.

I look towards you all, and nod. I begin walking towards the town, assuming everyone was ready.

17:45

@AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Pin stands and dusts off his pants as the Goliath walks away from the group. He glances back at Jakhur, and over to Eowyn before following along. He didn't mind talking, but it's been a while, and immediately kicking off his social life by having to pull information out of his teammates was already making him tired. Pin didn't have much money left, but he wouldn't stick around if he found something weird happening with this group. He wasn't in it for the money anyways. @Era @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eoywn would trail behind standing next to Pin as the group began walking “yeah.. he’s not much of a talker more of a gesture it quite weird but you grow used to it” she’d whisper as she leaned closer to pins ear @AhemIMentJupiter

It seemed once again that he was going to be on watch, so he constantly looked around as the group walked. The goliath was silently walking ahead, and the other two were talking amongst themselves. Just left him, it seemed..

Pin’s head tilts slightly, eyes drifting over the man as she speaks, and glances at her as she finishes. He shrugs slightly, he probably will. “As long as we can understand him then it's fine," he doesn't mind honestly. Pin would rather not talk sometimes too. "Can he write? Has he told you his name?” Does he even have one? @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eowyn giggled at all his questions as she’d shook her head no, moving away from his ear as she’d looked ahead, a soft smile forming “He can write.. no he hasn’t told us his name, and no I’m not so sure if he even has one” Shed say as she’d shrug “all I know is he is a Goliath and is in charge of this whole search party group” Shed say as her eyes gazed towards Jakhur who was watching the area around and then back to Pin

I mainly ignored their comments about me, focusing on the objective at hand. As we continued onwards, the remnants of a destroyed town lied ahead. I pointed at it and began walking a lot faster, glad that we made it to the objective.

@AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Once again, with the goliath rushing off ahead of the rest of them.. Rolling his eyes, he moved at a reasonable pace. No way in hell he'd be able to keep up with the goliath without wasting all his energy, so he didn't even bother trying. Though when he got a good look at the town, he stopped in his tracks. The hell? The job had described destruction but.. this? This wasn't what he was expecting.

Pin's eyes flick to her, face visibly pleased as she laughs. Suddenly he's feeling a little more at ease as they trekked through these barren woods. Oh. Oh so he can write. He'd save that nugget of information for later. Maybe that's how he'd ask for his name, or come up with a nickname at least? It was a little reductive to reduce him to his race, but Pin wasn't sure the man cared. He guesses he'd have to respect that if that's what he requested. "The next time we stop, we should ask for his name," He suggests to E. It probably wasn't important that he'd learn their details, but he liked it. The fact that it was a good way to get a read on them was just a bonus. E was lively, and Jakhur was tense and spirited in his own hot-headed way. The Goliath was distant, perceptive, and... maybe a little genuine, Pin thinks, with how he tries to interact with them. Ultimately, he was distant, but maybe part of that was because of his lack of words.

I walked into the destroyed village and checked my notebook, looking around for the supposed survivors. The village was completely destroyed. The buildings were reduced to rubble and there were bodies every few buildings that looked to have been crushed or otherwise killed by some kind of force. The scene is gruesome, something way beyond what any of us had been informed of.

@Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

After a moment's hesitation, he began to search the wreckage, spreading out from where Gorm was searching, so that they could cover more ground. If there were survivors, they'd likely need medical attention, which he'd be able to provide. A quick motion, and a simple message went into each of their minds: "If you find any injured, let me know. Save healing magic for fights, I can treat wounds." Then, he continued to search, picking through the rubble.

23:27

@Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

The wizard spoke through the mind, good to know. I began poking through the rubble, looking for any signs of the root problem that they told us about.

Pin stuff his hands in his pockets as he waits for her reply, idly glancing around until the rubbled remains came into view. His face drops, caught off guard as he slows to drift behind the Goliath as he takes in the wreckage. Pin hadn't expected to encounter it so soon. Pieces of cobble and splintered wood line the once-cleared streets. Pin steps over the remains of a thick clay pot, walking up to half standing house to look for details of the attack, and search through the surrounding destruction.

Eoywn nodded “If we get a reply I’ll be surprised” she’d say as they walked to the village her lively cheery personality faded as a look of horror and sadness appeared. It was nothing! All those lives taken as Eowyn covered her mouth from making a sound her eyes darting everywhere as she’d just gulped unsure what to say or do. Until the human spoke up she looked to Jakhur and merely nodded before she’d walked closer to Gorm shaking slightly “What. The. Hell… w-what. I me-ean” she was genuinely lost of words

I turned to the elf and put a hand on her shoulder, mimicking a deep breath. I then continued searching.

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

He hasn't found anyone yet, and Pin isn't sure how to feel about that. Only parts of this house are still standing, and with the doors having caved in, he had to walk around to find one that he could safely get into. There are matching crack marks along the bits of walls still standing. It's odd, as if something pierced through them, and it isn't until he gets to the end of a long line of houses that he realizes they were all likely wrapped and promptly crushed by one giant root. Fuck. Pin walks back over to E and the Goliath, suddenly worried about getting separated. How big could these things get? He hadn't noticed it before, but the forest is silent. Even with all of this happening days prior... it's like all the animals are still steering clear of this place, if they're still alive, that is. This is bizarre, ominous, and a very bad omen. "What do we know about what attacked these people?" he asks Gorm, uncharacteristically adamant as he glances up at the man. Someone has to know more.

I turned over some rubble when suddenly, a massive vine erupted from the ground. It was black and foul in nature, seeming wet from an unidentified black substance that oozed from within. The vine immediately shot towards me, which I narrowly dodged. It burrowed into the ground and began drilling itself downwards. Before I could slice it, the root came to an end and disappeared entirely underground. Just then, some of the corpses began to reanimate, a black substance oozing from certain orifices, and a vine sort of entanglement orchestrating their bodies like some kind of gruesome marionette. The vine itself came back up from the ground and hit me in the back, sending me quite far from Pin and Eowyn, at least 100 feet away, and left a large bleeding wound on my back. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

The damage was too vast. All of this felt eerie to Pin, and by the looks of it, this didn't look like the kind of job that should be tacted on a job board for just anyone to take on. Those thoughts get cut off abruptly, he goes stiff with chills and moves before the vine even picks its target. His daggers are in his hands as the corpses start to rise. He shuffles back feeling caged, glancing between the dark oozing corpses and where the vine had been, eyes widening in shock as Gorm is sent flying back as it reappears and strikes. (edited)

everything happened so quickly like a blink of an eye, seeing the vine emerge and just disappear like nothing?? Only for it to come back and slap away Gorm from the two Eowyn would shout “FUCK!” as she’d begin making her way towards him..

on the other hand nearby Jakhur the faintest sound was heard.. “help” a weak cry called as the girl was pinned under some rubble, her face covered in dirt and her ankle twisted the other way

I got up and my eyes were glowing red, the wound on my back glowing in a similar manner. My skin went from it's usual grey color to almost a bronze iron color. I turned around to the vine monsters that separated me and Eowyn, and a blood curdling scream erupted from me as I began to start ripping them apart with my bare hands. The entire time, there were grunts and shouts erupting from me as I continued slaughtering the revived corpses, my moves uncoordinated and brutal. @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

There were shouts from the way the others were, so they must've found something, but there was something else that caught Jakhur's attention, someone weakly crying for help. Turning to where the voice was coming from, he rushed over to where a woman was pinned under some rubble. "Sounds like there's trouble." Carefully, he did his best to remove the rubble and get her out of there, but it wasn't super easy for him. One look at the injury told him that if there was actually trouble, she wouldn't be able to get out of there in time and his medical skills wouldn't get her healed up in time.. He was a wizard, not a cleric, so his magic couldn't heal directly. It was all potions and salves.. None of which he could really make in a pinch like this.. So he reached into his bag and handed the woman the potion that Eowyn had given him. "Drink this. It's a healing potion, but let's get your ankle back in place and wrapped. Even with the potion, it'll still be sore for a while.." He gave her a moment while he produced cloth out of his bag and then put her ankle back in place and wrapped it as comfortably as he could. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Pin blanches faintly at the sight, but Eowyn’s shout kicks him into gear. He spins, dashing towards Gorm and as far from the corpses as he can get, reanimated corpses at that. He doesn’t even know if they’ll stay down when slain and he isn’t keen on figuring it out on his own. They’re are strength in numbers and as small as this outcrop of houses are, it’s looking like they need to go, now. He isn’t keen on leaving survivors, but if there’s any they’ve probably been claimed, he grits his teeth at the thought.

her ears lowered as she’d gazed up towards the man infront of her offering her the potion.. she’d carefully grab it and began drinking it as he worked on her ankle “T-thank you..” the bunny spoke quietly , pale to her skin like she was about to faint as she’d try her best to help Jakhur wrap her ankle as he finished she’d get up .. balancing herself on one foot as her ears shot up hearing the faintest noise, her head swiveled to see more buildings collapsed and a low rumble beneath them “W-we need to leave this area.. now!” @Cecil

His eyes turned to the direction his party was. "There's more of us, I don't know what's going on, but they can handle themselves. Do you need help walking? I can get you out of this area, and then I need to figure out what's going on." His plan was to take her back the way the group had come, get her to a safe and hidden spot, head back into town and deal with whatever was going on, before coming back to get information from her. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I continued rampaging through the root monsters, and upon ripping through them, I looked at Pin with murderous intent. I was breathing very heavily, and I was covered in black ooze and blood. @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

Pin throws himself back, his worn boots skidding violently against the muck and grass as he comes to a full stop several feet away from the scene before him. His eyes flit between E and Gorm, his chest heaving, swallowing hard as he takes a step back. Why... why is Gorm looking at him like that? Fuck, he doesn't dare look away, raising his dagger higher, bracing as he takes a defensive position. His ears are perked, paying attention to the reanimated corpses behind him as his chin tips towards his chest to stare Gorm down. Fuck. this went south fast. "E-Eowyn?" he pants, calling out to his other teammate. Confusion and hesitation color his face, eyes briefly flitting towards her before his head snaps back to look at the goliath.

Eowyn would look at Gorm covered in ooze and blood as she heard her name she’d turn her head “I’m here” she respond as she was nearing Gorm “Gorm are you okay..?” she spoke worried for him

Nafuna looked at Jakhur head turn her eyes following in the same direction as she nod “I can hear them…” she respond her ears were perked listening to every sound as she’d try to prop herself up “Come on.. let’s go!” the bunny would exclaim waiting for Jakhur to take her “we can escape through there..” she point to the left where there seemed to be little damage @Cecil

With a nod, he began to lead Nafuna through the ruined town, in the general direction of his party members. It took time, due to the distance he had wandered searching for survival and the slow pace, as to avoid further injury on the woman's part, but eventually they got to the edges of where the stand-off was happening. "I found a survivor!" He called out as he approached, but stopped when he saw the bodies on the ground and Gorm's tensed body. "..Looks like you guys encountered some trouble.. Everything good here?" @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

My body was still pulsing and red. I approached Pin with murderous intent as the main root jumped out and hit me again, pushing me off to the side. This time, I had a grip on it. I grabbed it with the other hand as it squirmed, and with a bloodlust scream I tore the root in half, the whole thing disintegrating in between my hands as it faded from existence. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

He took a step back, positioning himself between Nafuna and Gorm, a hand going to his sword. "..What the fuck was that?!" His eyes quickly jumped between his party members before returning to the Goliath. "I don't know what's going on here, but you need to chill the fuck out." @Era

I get up and my eyes set back upon you four, the rest of the corpses behind you fall, which only leaves the 5 of us. My eyes immediately set upon Pin again, seeing as they are in the front. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

With no word from Eowyn as soon as Gorm started approaching Pin ran. He didn't know what the fuck was going on, just that Goliath was striding towards him like he had a personal vendetta, pulling apart the roots as if they were paper. He could barely hear Jakhur's words, long gone with his daggers sheathed, talons out as he clambers over the fallen ruins of the town, ducking past the corpses as he slips under a statue to put many obstacles between him and the giant as he darts off into the woods. @Era @Cecil

Nobody was responding to him about what was going on. That was really, really goddamn annoying.. But at this rate, someone was going to get hurt. He needed to draw the Goliath's attention while someone else figured out what was going on. So, he ran forward and drew his sword, a strange humming coming from the sword as Jakhur began to move with unnatural grace. He had the incantation for a simple protection spell, in case the goliath managed to hit him, but other than that.. His focus was dodging. @Era

I look towards the approaching Jakhur and prepare for a fight. I take up a defensive position. @Cecil

"Don't know why you're going all fuckin' crazy.." He mumbled, taking a defensive position himself. "The hell happened?!" He shouted in the direction of Pin, and then looked toward Eowyn, trying to get any kind of information about what happened while he was away.

“Woah woah!! Relax” Eowyn spoke as she raised her arms infront of Gorm in hopes to calm the beast down “It’s just Jakhur” as Eowyn would look towards Jakhur shaking her head like don’t ask as she looked towards the new comer raising a brow as she pointed to the bunny on his back mouthing who is that? @Era @Cecil

"A survivor." He said, facing down the Goliath, barely looking in Eowyn's direction. Though he absolutely needed to know what was going on, why there were corpses laying around, why the fuck the goliath was acting like this.. Too many unknowns, dammit. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era

I slowly turn to Eowyn, as she got closer to me. I reach my arm towards her neck. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

His blade flashed forward as Jakhur tried to keep Gorm's attention on him and nobody else. It was meant to a minor wound to the arm, just enough to make him seem more of a threat, but not enough to be difficult to heal. @Era

I recieve the slash on the arm and instinctively punch in your general direction. The wound on my arm begins to glow as well as my skin turns a bit more red. I then turn towards Jakhur. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

A barrier appeared around Jakhur with a shouted word, Gorm's fist colliding with it instead of him. "You better figure out what's going on with him, you're the one who was here!" He said to Eowyn as he moved to draw the Goliath away from the others.

“IM TRYING IM TRYING!” eowyn shouted in response trying to think of something anything! She was confused why he was acting up as she analyze his body quickly running behind him as she’d grab gorms arm stupidly yanking him back with all the force she had, her eyes glowing white as she’d mumble a spell in ancient elven as Gorm would begin to feel sleepy! The cast she was using was one to put one asleep

A furious roar erupted from Gorm as he threw his arm backwards to get you off of him. The spell seemed to flow through and around his body, but it became a singular circle of light and it entered the wound on his back and the one in his arm, opening them both further and causing more bleeding. Gorm's skin turned darker in accordance, and he screamed out even louder as he looked back to Jakhur. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

There was obviously some kind of magic going on here. Using any kind of magic just made the wounds worse.. Magic absorption? What the hell could cause that to happen? Reaching into his bag, he searched for something that he could use to slow the Goliath down, or make him goddamn stop. ..Fuck it. This would be a gamble, and he had no idea if it would work, but if it was some kind of poison or disease, it was possible.. Jakhur pulled out one of the little vials he had been pulling out throughout the day of travel, it was his medicine, meant to boost one's resistance to such things.. The problem was getting the goliath to drink it. ..A part of him was sorry about what he was about to do, as he spun around and brought his knee right between Gorm's legs. If the goliath screamed, he'd force the contents of the vial down. @Era

Upon recieving this blow, a small grunt escaped me, but my mouth did not open. I quickly attempt to grab you. @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Dammit. He was running out of options quickly, and it didn't look like anyone was going to be able to step in.. And now that Gorm had grabbed him, it was unlikely that he'd survive unless he did something drastic, given the murderous intent clear in the man's expression. So, struggling against the stronger man's grip, he went to pour the medicine into the wound on Gorm's arm. @Era

Gorm yelled out in pain and let go of you, shoving you away from him. Both wounds were still bleeding profusely, and the ground around Gorm was beginning to cover in blood. @Cecil

He hit the ground hard, coughing. Gorm had to be low on blood soon, right? Then he'd be able to stop the bleeding and stabilize him, and then figure out what the fuck was going on. Quickly, now that he had time to breathe, he cast a spell to see if Gorm was under any kind of magical effect. If he was, he'd need time to cast a spell to figure out precisely what it was, but he could do that when the goliath was passed out.. @Era

No magic seemed to come from me at all. There was no sign of any sort of magical effects or curses or anything like it. All of this was purely Gorm. Gorm began to approach Jakhur, murder still all over his face. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

Great. Just great. A massive behemoth of a man was ready to kill him for no goddamn reason. He should've known that this job was too good to be true.. Rolling out of the way, he bounced up to his feet. He couldn't run, not with the injured woman still here. It was clear that the Goliath wasn't going to stop trying to kill him. His only option was to stand his ground and fight for now. "Eowyn! Pin! Get her outta here! I'll catch up later!" He motioned to Nafuna, raising his sword defensively again. All he had left was his dexterity. No more fancy spells. Just him, and Gorm. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

If there was anything he had learned in his lifetime, it was that if anyone looked at you like that, you run. The pin had been with the group for half a day, and someone already had it out for him—that was a new record. He got as far as a few trees deep, but still close enough to take another step back at the Goliath's shout, he would hear Eowyn too-- what the hell, why hadn't they followed? Pin circles back with some hesitance, walking the long way to use the trees as cover as he approaches a raging Gorm from the side, crouching in the foliage as he tries not to panic at the aggression presented in front of him, just in time to hear Jakhur shout his warning. His Jaw ticks, a bit of uncharacteristic anger making him shout a reply from the foliage next to them, "We should have left fucking ages ago! We can't fight him- we don't know anything about him!" He takes a breath, shifting to the side to eye the goliath with a steadying gaze, "Let's- let's just outpace him and trap him in the woods!" he suggests, still a little frantic, not knowing about the vial or any other things they had up their sleeves to subdue the giant. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

"The survivor is injured! We can't just leave, dammit!" He shouted in response. "I'm not going to just leave an injured person behind to get fuckin' murdered!" @AhemIMentJupiter

Survivor? What- Oh shit- His eyes widen as he glances at the woman. So there were survivors here, fuck, that seriously complicates things. There could be more. "Shit-" Pin curses, pushing past the leaves and running to the group, "I thought- I thought they were all gone. There were corpses back there- I thought the vines claimed the rest of the survivors- " he pants, eyeing Jakhur's back and the rest of the group as he rejoins this little standoff once again. "Can you run?" He asks the girl," What are your injuries?" (edited)

I continued towards the wizard, my blood trail following behind me as I dripped red and black fluid all of the ground in my stead. @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

“Fuck fuck fuck!!” Eowyn would begin chasing after Gorm. Seriously what has gotten into him as she’d skid towards the wizards side “I’m not leaving you alone to your death. I’ll help” she chime as she’d began to pull back her arrows

her eyes widen and her ears lower in fear as she’d look towards Jakhur and nodded frantically “y-yeah I think I can” She spoke as she began her best to begin running away without a second thought @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

I got close to the wizard and winded back a furious punch, my roar nearly deafening. My body was beginning to slowly turn more red, certain parts beginning to turn darker red. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

"I don't plan on dying." He mumbled to Eowyn, ducking away from the punch with a twirl and running his blade down Gorm's arm. "I'm just tryin' to stall him long enough to get you guys out of here, and then i'll follow." @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era

I scream out in pain, the wound once again glowing. His skin turned an even darker shade of red, and the glow from his eyes turned into a dark void. He then turned to Eowyn and winded back a fist. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

her eyes darted she was baffled on what to do here, her heart ached seeing gorm like this and she didn’t understand why, as she’d look back to Jakhur, a look of pain “I-l” she was conflicted on what to do as she took a deep breath looking to Jakhur again, nodding, her eyes watery as she looked back to Gorm once more and then ran off, helping Nafauna @Cecil @Era

My punch missed as she ran off, which invoked a rage driven scream from me. I began to move towards Eowyn and the injured survivor. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

"Hey! Focus on me, dammit!" He shouted, stabbing forward with his sword again. @Era

Her ears perked as she turned back seeing the giant go towards them, Nafauna would begin limping faster as Eowyn would turn

“here.. go..” She spoke as she began taking out her cursed arrows and pulled back shooting them in gorma knees in hope to slow him down

I turned towards the human and moved out of the way of his sword, one of the arrows still nailing me in the leg, causing me to drop to a knee and roar out in pain. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

Eowyn would wince in his roar of pain as she began to move closer to Gorm trying to figure out why he was acting out like this

"Dammit, get outta here!" He made a shooing motion to Eowyn. "He'll have to calm down eventually, but this isn't magic! I'd rather you not get killed!"

“NO! I’m not leaving “ she’d stubbornly say as she’d approach closer to Gorm, raising her hand and tempting to place it on his arm

My attention was still on the wizard, my hand on the arrow attempting to pull it out.

03:54

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

Gods above, this woman was going to get herself killed. This was a hyper-violent goliath ready to fucking murder them, and she was stubbornly refusing to run away like a sane person would. Now he'd have to worry about keeping him distracted so she doesn't get killed.. Shaking his head, he kept inflicting little wounds where possible to keep Gorm's attention on him.

Eowyn watched as she’d grab gorms hand prying it away from the arrow.. it was best if he stayed down for a bit as she grip onto it the best she could, trying to get Gorm to focus on her whole Jakhur did his thing

The goliath tried to keep his attention on the two different problems, and ended up shoving Eowyn away as hard as he could while punching towards Jakhur. For now, he was pinned down. @Cecil

He rolled with the punch, avoiding a fair bit of the damage. It still hurt like a bitch, don't get him wrong, and his arm would absolutely be heavily bruised by the day's end, but it wasn't like he had much of a choice now.. Reaching into his bag, he pulled out another vial of a darker liquid and a rag, dumping the contents of the vial onto the rag and lunging forward, trying to cover Gorm's mouth and nose with it. A simple sleeping medicine in a concentrated form. Hopefully it'd knock the damn goliath out so he didn't kill them.. @Era

All of the physical moving and roaring, plus the injuries, left me taking extremely frequent deep breaths, which caused my brain to quickly succumb to the sleeping medications. I slammed down on the ground and an extremely loud thud could be heard. My body began to go back to it's usual grey color, and my body began to shrink just a little bit as well. The wounds were all still bleeding quite a lot. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

When Gorm slammed to the ground, Jakhur dropped to his knees and had to take several moments to collect himself. To put it bluntly, he was exhausted, hurting, and was going to absolutely regret what he just did tonight. The ingredients for that sleeping medicine weren't cheap, and he only had that one vial, since normally a couple of drops in a drink was enough to help him sleep at night.. Adjusting himself so he was seated, he looked over at the others. "..Now does someone want to tell me what the fuck happened to cause him to start trying to kill us? I leave for five goddamn minutes to search the town, and when I come back? Gods above, I didn't sign up for this.." Letting out a harsh sigh, he dug through his bag and started to tend to Gorm's wounds, mumbling to himself about how this was a terrible idea.

Pin blinks as she dashes, moving a bit faster than he'd expected for someone who's injured. His eyes follow her, still processing when she stumbles and he instinctively takes a step closer. 'Fuck,' he thinks glancing back at the group. The whole purpose of this mission was to find survivors, but he hopes this doesn't reaffirm the idea that he's flighty in his teammate's eyes. He can't worry about that though, because they found someone, and Pin takes off running after the girl whose name he doesn't even know, carefully moving to stabilize her without accidentally spooking the poor girl and helping her get to safety. @Era @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Nafuna would take the mans help, wrapping her arm around his arm as shed limp as fast as she could with him to get somewhere safe. She was confused to what was even happening. Panicking her breaths shortening as she’d nod as a thanks to pin. She couldn’t even get any verbal words out

Eowyn would nod towards pin mouthing thanks as she’d look back towards Jakhur “fuck if I know!” Shed watch him patch his wounds up “I think we should leave him.. and us 3 get to safety. When he calms down he can find us.. if he wants” @Cecil @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

"If he finds us, he has some damn explaining to do.." Once he finished patching up the Goliath's wounds, Jakhur pushed himself to his feet and looked down at his arm and gingerly touching where Gorm had punched him and flinching back. "..Son of a bitch, he owes me shit to make all of my medicines again.." One quick look at Eowyn, and then he turned to follow Pin and Nafuna, obviously exhausted and in pain. His magic reserves were low, he was hurting all over due to nearly getting killed twice by the same guy.. How the fuck was he supposed to know that the person who brought him here would try and kill him? Stupid. This job was stupid. He was stupid for coming on this damn job. "We'll camp over here. Lay low." With that, he moved into a small clearing just off the road, concealed by foilage, and dropped into a sitting position beside a tree. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

A little while later, I awoke to a large pain on my back. It felt like I had been crushed by the force of a God. Standing up felt like an entire fist fight, and I had to use my glaive to support myself. I took a deep breath and began looking for footprints, finding a variety of them and heading in that direction. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

He heard Gorm approach, and with a quiet groan, he pushed himself to his feet and moved a bit back on the path before stepping out of the foilage, hand on his sword. "So what the fuck was that, back there?" @Era

Eowyn would perk her head up looking towards Jakhur, Nafunas head resting on her lap as her ankle was propped up on a rock

“oh no— is he still crazy d-do we need to run away?!” she spoke scared @Cecil @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

I stood there and stared for a moment, deciding what to do next. I took out a bit of parchment and wrote something, handing it to Jakhur. I then pulled out my journal, noting where we were supposed to report our findings. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

As soon as Gorm started to approach, Gorm stepped back and his hand tightened on his sword. "Nuh-uh. We're not doing this bullshit. You already tried killing me once, how do I know you're not going to do it again?" @Era

Eoywn would glare daggers towards Gorm still healing from her wounds as she’d scoffed and looked away picking up Nafunas head off her lap and rested it on a pile of clothes Eowyn carried in her bag to serve as a pillow “We don’t. We should leave , find out the cause of these damn roots ourselves”

I looked at the group, then down at my journal, drawing a deep breath. I put the journal away and gazed upon them again. The wizard had engaged him in one on one combat, the elf had attempted to assist him. The newcomer and the survivor made a getaway, and as cowardly as the new one was, he played a role in the combat situation. Just as a soldier would. I took the note I wrote and placed it on the ground in front of my gently, and moved about 10 steps back, creating enough space for the note to be grabbed and safely read. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

His eyes were narrowed as Gorm backed away from the note, getting more and more irritated at his refusal to speak. Slowly, he moved forward, picked it up, and backed away several paces and began to read the note. Clearly still paranoid, he glanced up at Gorm every second or two to make sure he kept his distance, a hand resting on his sword showing his intent to defend himself, should things go south again. @Era

Pin's eyes flicked up at the sounds of something slow and big approaching their camp. Pin shifts to sit on his knees beside Eowyn and the survivor as Gorm makes his presence known. He doesn't look enraged as before, but that only does so much to set Pin at ease, and the fact that he pulls out his notebook like nothing ever happened only annoys him more. On top of everything else, it did also hinder their mission. “What does it say,” he questions softly, distrusting, but curious as he moves to stand near Jakhur and the note.

The note reads, "I apologize. That was a hereditary trait." I stand there with my hands hanging freely, trying to seem non hostile. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

"..Hereditary.. trait..?" Alright, that was it. "So you're telling me that on the slightest provocation, you can just go fuckin' crazy trying to kill us? What the fuck even happened to cause you to do that?! I walk away for five goddamn minutes and then I come back and you're trying to kill us! If that happens every single time we go out into the field, that's going to be a deal-breaker for me. I don't have enough supplies- Which you owe me a considerable amount for, by the way- for you to be doing this every single fucking time!" @Era

I looked at the wizard as he accosted me and tried to figure out how I wanted to proceed. Granted, he raised a decent point. However, it's not everyday that I recieve a massive bleeding wound. I figured the wizard didn't know the details, so I shouldn't continue attempting to anger him. I take out a considerable amount of gold and wrap it in parchment, tossing it closer to the wizard. I turn around for a moment and take off my top half's armor and clothes, and expose my war defiled back. A symphony of scars and bruises and other pain indicators painted the entirety of my back, the newest one being an extremely large horizontal scar just below the shoulders. I point to that scar. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

"So you've got a bunch of scars." He said as he scooped up the gold and shoved it in a bag. "Didn't need you to strip for that." Jakhur shook his head and backed up more. Though a part of him was sure the ladies enjoyed the show, he certainly didn't. "Scars mean nothing, and explain nothing about why the fuck you tried to murder us." @Era

Well, there was no point in explaining further. I put my clothes and armor back on, and looked at the wizard. I then tapped on my brain and pointed to the two of us. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

Eowyn scoffed watching this interaction shaking her head in disbelief “use your words Gorm! I know you can talk!” Shed angrily shout at him still very upset tossing her hands up “Hereditary trait made you want to kill us please” Shed scoff rolling her eyes “You have to explain further on that or I’m leaving!” @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

"Yeah, I don't know what kind of idiots you take us for, but 'hereditary trait' isn't a good enough explanation. It's fucking stupid is what it is." His arms crossed, but at least he wasn't ready to draw his sword now. "Oh, and what about the fact you were absorbing magic? What, is that a 'hereditary trait', too? Are you just immune to magic? Do you fucking realize how difficult it is to take down a goliath with nothing but a shortsword? Especially when one grab is enough to shatter half the bones in your body?" With a sharp huff, he glared up at Gorm. "I'm gonna need a hell of a lot more to justify me staying here." @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

A moment's thought passed through my mind as the two of them shouted at me, one of violence. It subsided just as quickly, but the option was there. I once again pointed at Jakhur, then pointed at my mind. Then pointed between the two of us. I then took a piece of parchment and wrote something else down, then threw it towards Jakhur. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

His eyes narrowed, and his hand returned to his sword. There was a flash of danger in the Goliath's eyes. Something that made Jakhur ready to fight, despite his injured body and exhausted mind. "What, you want me to read your damn mind? That isn't how I work. I'm not some psychic." With a huff, he picked up the parchment and narrowed his eyes at it, reading it.

This note said: I am only allowed to speak to you.

"The fuck does that mean? Only 'allowed' to speak to me?" Letting out a harsh sigh, he flicked his wrist, casting his spell. "Spit it out."

I backed up further, seeing as I had to whisper to respond so no one could hear me. "I can only talk to you because you've proven yourself in combat. Clan tradition. What you witnessed was a genetic trait I can't get rid of. I used to have a charm that would make it so I could control myself when that happened, but it was destroyed in the war."

"Your clan traditions are stupid if it means you can't talk to anyone." He replied bluntly. "Especially in these kinds of situations, where talking about this kind of shit's important. But whatever." After several moments of silence, he shook his head. "You better get another one of those charms if you want us to stick around. I don't really feel like exhausting myself in a fight only to have you come up behind me and snap my neck."

I nodded. "That's why I'm doing this."

"That's vague and unhelpful. But what do I know? You're a goddamned enigma. Look, you're gonna tell me exactly what happened back there, because apparently nobody knows, and then I'm going to make sure everyone's ready to head back to town. You.. Watch the road, or do whatever it is you gotta do to stay out here. I still don't entirely trust you after that."

"I'm leading. Just as before. That was an unfortunate incident. I apologised, now it's over." "As for the root: the thing appeared from underground and attacked us, then it seemed to have influenced the corpses to reanimate and attack as well. The vine struck me in the back causing a large bleeding wound, which triggered the event that we are talking about. I neutralized all the threats, and you were there for the rest. " @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

Finally, someone decided to tell him what the fuck was going on. From what it sounded like, these roots could attack from anywhere and at any time, and if Gorm got hit by any of them, they'd be fucked. Plus, the root created undead. How exactly that happened, he wasn't sure of, but he could find out if the corpses weren't destroyed.. But, granted Gorm's murderous intent, it was unlikely that there was anything left to examine. "Go over there," Jakhur said, pulling out an empty vial and tossing it to Gorm, "And get me a vial of your blood. You were attacked by the root, I need to make sure there won't be any lasting bullshit because of venom or something- That thing was able to raise and control the corpses somehow, and I would've detected if it was magical." With that, he turned his attention away from Gorm and returned to the others, crouching down to examine Nafuna's injuries despite his sore muscles protesting. "Don't expect him to talk to any of you. Apparently he can't talk to someone who hasn't 'proven themselves in combat'. If he ever gets hit and starts to bleed, get the fuck away from him immediately." He then turned to Nafuna. "This'll heal soon enough. I can tell there's been healing magic used on it, and the potion helped a good amount. A few days for a full recovery, if I had to guess, thanks to Eowyn. You'll probably need help to walk at a moderate pace, which i'm sure anyone here would be willing to provide." He narrowed his eyes in Gorm's direction. "..For your own safety, don't ask him, though." Standing up, he looked around at their little camp. "We'll rest here for the night. I don't entirely like how close we are to the town, but we have several injuries to tend to and frankly, I'm too exhausted to keep going today." Another flick of his wrist, and he spoke directly to Gorm again. "Oh, and in the future, make your party aware that you'll go crazy if someone goes so far to cut you with a knife. Asshole."

16:17

Then, he moved to lean on a tree at the edge of camp. "I'll take first watch. I've gotta examine the goliath's blood for any contaminants anyway. Everyone settle in for the night, get some food going." Not that he'd get much sleep tonight either way.. He didn't like taking charge of the group in his current condition, but it wasn't like the goliath could, since he refused to speak to everyone else and likely didn't have their respect after today. He'd done his best to keep them all safe, especially at his own expense. That's what being a leader was all about, wasn't it? Keeping your team safe? Dammit, he just came to get paid, now he was dealing with this.. @Era @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

"What exactly makes you think that you can give me orders? You're the one who's convinced that the smallest wound will cause me to lash out. I'm still in charge. You want my blood? Plenty of it on the ground back in the city. End of discussion." Gorm takes a position on the other side of camp. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

Jakhur just rolled his eyes at that. "I doubt they're gonna follow you willingly. I don't trust you. You've given me very, very few reasons to trust you, all things considered. We've known eachother for a day or two at max, and you've tried to kill me because of some vague 'hereditary trait'. You won't even talk to them. And your refusal to give a little bit of blood and prove that the smallest wound won't cause you to lash out makes me trust you even less."

Nafuna would look towards Jakhur and Gorm talk her ears perked curious as she’d look back towards Pin and Eowyn “I wonder why he only pulled him aside..” she say as she’d try to sit herself up wincing in pain as she did

“damn bunny can you just relax for once” she spew in anger still furious at Gorm and his behavior, having 0 idea what was going on, Eowyn was livid mainly for trusting someone like this and catching feelings. That was her own stupidity.. as Eowyn would help Nafuna up, and moved the rock lifing her leg up so her ankle was resting on it “I’ll be back I’m going to forage the forest for some supplies for your ankle” Eowyn said as she’d set a vial down for Nafuna “drink this, it will ease the pain” as she leave

A flick of his wrist, and now Eowyn heard his voice. "Be careful. From the sound of it, that root wasn't destroyed, and it can come up from anywhere. Shout if you need anything." @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I had finally reached a point of annoyance with the wizard. I approached him and pulled out my glaive, standing about 5 steps from him. I took the glaive and gave myself a firm cut across my arm, letting the blood flow into the vial. I then capped the vial, and held it out towards Jakhur.

He stepped back as Gorm suddenly approached, his hand quickly going to his sword as he pulled his weapon out of nowhere. When he cut himself and put the blood in the vial, his eyes narrowed. "Set it down and go back over there. You can't just go walking up to someone and draw your weapon just after you try to kill them, dammit!"

I looked you in the eyes and didn't move. My hand remained extended with the vial, my wrist still slightly bleeding.

Eowyn would wave the air hearing that “yeah yeah I got it thanks” she’d mumble as she held her bow and arrow tightly looking for flowers to turn into potions

Nafuna would look back Jakhur with her ears lowered afraid as she’d try to back away from Gorm just seeing him

Fine. If he wanted to be that way, so be it. Jakhur stepped right up, refusing to break eye contact and grabbed the vial from Gorm suddenly. "Go. I've got work to do." With a quick glance toward Nafuna, he added, "And you're scaring her, too. Unlike the rest of us, she's only seen you as a bloodthirsty monster."

The wizard attempting to give me orders again stirred my patience. I went back to the tree I was at and began tending to my small wound.

He didn't care if the goliath lost his patience with him. This was what he wanted by demanding that he was in charge, despite having done nothing to earn anyone's respect. Jakhur wasn't one to take bullshit from anyone, let alone an asshole who tried to murder him. Taking a seat near Nafuna, he looked in her direction as he pulled out his alchemy supplies. "You holdin' up alright?" @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Nafuna nodded trembling slightly as she looked towards Jakhur “yeah.. thank you, and thank you for saving me” she’d say leaning on him as she’d look at the ground

Meanwhile Eowyn would come back with a vast supply of flowers and plants to make her potions, eyeing him seeing Gorm sitting by himself tending to his wound,she’d groan and approached Gorm slapping his hand away seeing him do it wrong as she’d kneel down and began patching the wound for him applying a homemade paste she made to make it heal faster and numb the pain, and the. Wrapped it up, as she’d walk away after finishing and sat in her own area beginning to create the potions @Cecil @Era

"Don't mention it." He said, beginning to test the blood for any ununsual components. "We came here to look for survivors, and unlike someone," A pointed glare in Gorm's direction, "I actually want to get people outta here alive. It's terrible what happened back there." And it pissed him off that Gorm seemed to not care. "You got anywhere to go after you get healed? Capitol's not that bad of a place, if you've got nowhere to go. Cheap housing in some places, though you gotta be careful to avoid the ruffians. Plenty of jobs for a pretty young lady like you." @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

The initial slap was almost enough to make me retaliate, but I allowed the elf to patch my wound and I watched her walk off. Admittedly, she did a lot better of a job than he would've done. After this, I took the time to tend to my glaive. I noticed the look the wizard gave me and didn't give it any attention. Humans were always the emotional type. It gave me a certain fondness for the elf, more objective focused. At least she didn't let emotion cloud her judgement.

Nafuna would snicker looking at him glare towards Gorm as she’d sigh in relief feeling much calmer, her face flushing pink slightly as he called her a pretty lady “Yeah.. I heard the capitol is not bad, I’m not so sure if I’ll go there or get a house, hopefully once I’m healed up I’ll have more of a clear mind..” she spoke as she’d look back to Jakhur “But I don’t want to slow you guys down either.. I don’t think it’s right for me to tag along since I’m injured.. so maybe it’s best to just drop me off at the capitol?” shed question

Eowyn would sit down far from the group as she’d began separating her flowers and leaves, taking out empty vials and a small board and masher as she began to mash the flowers together and add water, mumbling in her elven tongue to herself to activate the potions @Cecil @Era

He watched the elf work with her potions and looked through his bag. He still had some potion materials left from his old raids, and he decided to toss the bag towards the elf.

Shed look at the bag and back towards Gorm “what do you want me to do with this..” she spoke with venom @Era

"Up to you, in the end. I don't want to drag people into this unnecessarily, and I get the sinking feeling that this job's nowhere near finished." He replied with a sigh. "Until you get a place figured out, I'd be willing to let you stay at mine. It's a mess, and not in the nicest place in the city, but if I'm right, I doubt i'll be spending very much time there. Better it gets use than it just sitting there collecting dust."

I looked at the elf and shrugged, going back to my glaive. It was clear that the hostility was still there, so I wouldn't stir the pot by interacting more than necessary.

Shed nod with slight smile “thank you.. that would be nice..” she’d say as she’d sit herself up, leaning herself back on the tree as she’d close her eyes tired

Eowyn got up walking towards Pin Jakhur and Nafuna “why don’t you rest Jakhur.. you been through a lot, I’ll stay watch over him” shed eye Gorm and back “you sleep.. please we need to have all our energy” she’d say looking towards the bunny who was fast asleep, curled in a ball to warm herself up “I’ll be fine by myself..” Eowyn said as she’d walk back to her spot picking up the bag Gorm tossed her and opened it analyzing the potions in it @Cecil @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

"..Trust me, I would if I could." He replied with a sigh, looking at Eowyn. "But I have to take a medicine to help me sleep, or else i'll just be up all night tossing and turning. And that medicine had to be used to knock out a certain goliath, so I've got none left." The tests on the blood were inconclusive at best. That was good to know- It was just Gorm who tried to kill them, nothing from the roots specifically. It was partially concerning that it could control the dead, but at least they didn't have any mind-fuckery for those alive. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

I ignored the comments coming from the others. It was hard to remember that these people weren't soldiers. It had been so long since I interacted with civilians that I forgot seeing something like that would leave a lasting impression. After tending to my weapon, I started writing things down in my journal. Inside the bag were various potion ingredients, including trolls blood and a compilation of different flowers and herbs to make a decent variety of potions.

“if you need sleeping potions I’m making fresh ones now” Eowyn said as she’d finish up tossing him the vial of the purple/dark blueish mixture “it’s enough to make you sleep and stay sleep for a good 6-7 hours..” Eowyn said as she’d scour the bag “Interesting..” shed mutter taking out the blood, herbs and rare flowers as she glanced towards Gorm and spoke loudly enough so he could hear “Thanks..” as Eowyn could begin creating potions once more @Cecil @Era

I gave a thumbs up to the elf. At least someone wasn't all the way hostile towards him. I continued writing in my journal, planning on staying awake.

He caught the vial and looked down at it, nodding slowly. "..Wake me up when you go to rest." He said to Eowyn, before flicking his wrist again to speak to her with his spell. "I don't feel comfortable with all of us sleeping while he's awake. Too risky. I think we should go in shifts, especially if this is a long-term mission. Elves only require a few hours of rest, if i'm not mistaken, so you should be able to stay up for now, wake me up when you go to rest, and we'll be ready to go in the morning, no?" With that, he drank about half of the sleeping potion, saving the rest for later as he rested with his back against a tree.

Eowyn nodded as she’d lean back on the tree healing up her own wounds next as she’d wince and hiss here and there in pain pouring the potions on her open wounds, watching it close up as she’d lay her head on the tree “Fuck. Me..” she’d mumble

I looked at the elf, but I figure you wouldn't want my assistance. Just then, a sound emerged from the forest ahead of us. I reached for my glaive, but hesitated and looked at the elf, pointing between the two of us with a questioning expression.

Eowyn jumped on her feet immediately grabbing her bow and arrow as she’d look towards Gorm, mouthing stay. She wasn’t going to risk a whole other outburst from him as Eowyn would carefully trudge towards the noise @Era

I kept an eye on the sleeping ones while I held my glaive while in its holster. I watched between the sleeping group and the source of the noise, wanting to avoid any sort of conflict.

22:41

@𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eowyn would go to explore where the noise came from, Eager as she’d had her bow drawn back ready to strike as she heard ruffling noises in the tree above, she shot her arrow as the goblin would fall down from the tree “Pesky goblins” shed mumbled turning back not expecting a fight from tiny creature as she’d pivot walking back she heard the footsteps of the goblin following grunting in anger ripping the arrow out as it would raise its swords slashing towards Eowyn wanting a fight. Eowyn would sigh as she’d toss her bow and arrow aside taking out her twin sickles and twirled them clashing with the goblin’s swords. As the two would begin fighting. Eowyn would’ve been very flexible dodging every move the goblin through at her as she’d slash the goblin up a few good times. Only fucking up once when she left her right side open allowing the goblin to stab her as Eowyn would yelp in pain, and then growl in anger kicking the goblin back and prying it’s sword out of her, holding it as she’d dash at the goblin decapitating it with its own sword before tossing it aside. She’d grunt holding to her side that was bleeding profusely as she’d grab her bow and arrows off the floor and limped back to base, more specifically the small area she hide herself as she’d collapsed on the ground, forcing herself up as she tightly hold the wound to stop it from bleeding as she began to work on healing herself slowly. Her body trembling due to all the blood loss, at any point it looked like she was about to pass out @Era

I approached as she made the sound and saw her come limping out. I didn't want to approach, but I saw the severity of the wound and went into autopilot. I grabbed my bag and quickly went towards her. I kneeled next to her and put pressure on the wound, getting out my bandages and medicine and beginning to fix her up. I applied the medicine to ensure there would be no infection and applied some ointment to numb the pain. I then carefully wrapped a few layers of bandage around her, tucking it into itself and tightening it over the wound to create more pressure to minimize further blood loss. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eowyn jolted seeing him comes towards her putting her bloody hands up as she back away “don’t you dare” she spoke harshly towards him. But clearly her words went through his other ear cause he didn’t listen , she’d watch as he’d kneel down and take out the bandages and medicine. She’d swat his hand away refusing help at first.. as she’d collapse on him, huffing in defeat as he began to patch her up. Her nails dug in his bag as she’d hiss in pain feeling his medicine on her open wound as she’d mumble “fuck! Carefully you moron!” she’d say in the heat of anger and pain, not meaning it as she’d watch him then wrap the bandage around her, color finally coming back to her skin as she’d push herself off Gorm heavily breathing she was covered in blood hers and the goblins as she grab a cloth for herself and began to clean herself up.. she’d look to Gorm “.. I’m still mad at you but thank you” she say as she’d wipe his hands as well @Era

I allowed her to wipe my hands, glad that she was cussing and complaining. Anger meant thought, thought meant living. I looked at her and nodded. It had honestly been awhile since I had patched up somebody else. After allowing her to wipe my hands, I reached into my bag and pulled out a small vial full of a flaky substance. I pointed at my nose and handed her the vial.

Eowyn would sit herself down on the ground, laying her head back on the tree watching Gorm as she shook her head no “I’m not going to sniff that weird vial. I don’t even know what it is” shed say already out of breath. I didn’t even want to talk anymore as she’d wrap her hand around her wound letting it rest there as she’d closed her eyes, her breath shakey “I don’t understand why you’d help me but god Forbid I try to help you will your all manic you hurt me!” she say sadden as she’d just shut up “Just leave me alone Gorm.. go back into your corner..” @Era

I looked at the elf and felt remorse. I stood up, and slowly gave a nod. I walked back to my corner as requested, keeping a lookout for the group.

shed look around seeing everyone peacefully asleep, Nafuna tucked in a small ball keeping herself warm, Jakhur and Pin knocked out and Gorm… just sitting there wide awake. Damn it she knew she couldn’t fall asleep and she didn’t want to wakeup Jakhur because he looked so peaceful sleeping, so Eowyn forced herself to stay awake as quiet tears fell down her face. She was exhausted and frustrated and having a wound inflicted on her made it all worse. She felt weak and defeated

I took my usual occasional glance at the group and saw the elf crying. She said she didn't want my presence so I decided to let her be. I didn't want to offer her anything else she didn't want. I wasn't used to dealing with this much emotion from a group, I honestly was somewhat lost.

He shifted where he lay, his sleep beginning to become less and less restful as the events from the day really sunk in- Images of the goliath transforming into a monster and killing them all, roots tearing out of the ground and bringing armies of the dead to chase them down, the Capitol burning.. Even with Eowyn's sleeping potion helping him stay asleep, it was impossible for that sleep to stay refreshing as Jakhur's dreams were overtaken by nightmares. To the outside observer, however, it just looked like he was tossing and turning in his sleep. The only thing revealed something was up was how his face twitched every minute or two.

Nafuna, who was next to him would hear him toss and turn, her ears twitching each time as she’d open her eyes yawning to see Jakhur toss and turn.. along with his face twitching.. she’d tilt her head unsure what to do as she’d move closer to him and gently placed her hand on his arm stroking it softly “S-sir are you okay..it’s okay.. calm down.. I’m here..” the bunny spoke softly unsure what to even say in a moment like this

Eowyn on the other hand got up, wiping her face as she’d limp a bit further out to make sure there was no goblins or any more threats nearby

As soon as Nafuna touched his arm, Jakhur's eyes snapped open and he jerked forward, a hand going to his own throat. His eyes were wide and panicked, his breathing fast and uneven. When he realized that he wasn't in any danger, he let out a quiet sigh to himself. "Damn nightmares.." He mumbled, looking in Gorm's direction with narrowed eyes before looking back to Nafuna. "..Were you the one who woke me up?" @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Nafuna jolted her ears perking as she grab his hand and pry it off his own throat letting him calm down, as she held his hand, her heart racing terrified of his reaction once he calmed down Nafuna would lower her hand off his as she nodded “Yeah.. you looked like you were having a nightmare or something… sorry if I scared you” she spoke rubbing her ears to calm herself down as she look at him up and down “are you okay?” @Cecil

After making sure the coast was 100% clear Eowyn limped back slouching down in her spot once more and resting her head on the trunk of the tree her eyes looking up at the sky

There were several quiet moments as Jakhur collected himself, his eyes closed. "..I'll be fine. Yeah, I was having a nightmare, but i'm fine now." He noticed Eowyn had some bandaged injuries that she didn't have before, but if they were already taken care of, there wasn't any reason to bring it up. Didn't want to come off as overbearing. Pushing himself to his feet, he leaned against the tree and looked out. "..Everyone get some sleep. I'll keep watch." He wouldn't be able to sleep any more anyway, and he had gotten enough sleep. Enough to function, anyway. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I looked at him for a moment and went back to tending to my glaive.

His eyes narrowed as he knew Gorm was refusing to sleep. What kind of fucking idiot refused to sleep at all? Goliaths needed to sleep, just like the rest of them.. Y'know what? Fuck it. If he wanted to be exhausted, he could make his own damn choices when it came to that. Fuck him.

hearing his voice Eowyn nodded as she’d lay down on the grass and knocking out, needing a good night sleep

nafuna looked to him with sleepy eyes hesitant at first as she’d lay back down and slowly fall back asleep

I looked at the human and noticed he was once again looking at me constantly. I put my glaive away and began reading through my journal.

Whatever. He intended to keep watch, Goliath be damned. So Jakhur just pretended that he didn't exist and kept his eyes moving, scanning the evironment for any signs of danger. Should nothing happen, he'd just go and wake the others after dawn so they could keep moving.

After several hours of standing in silence, Jakhur went around the camp and shook everyone awake, still giving Gorm a wide berth and not speaking to him. "Alright. It's dawn, and we should get moving." He was sore and not fully rested, but at least he could tell his magic was recharged, should anything go wrong- Which was entirely going to happen, he believed. Nothing about this mission had gone smoothly in the slightest. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

I nodded and naturally walked ahead of everyone, waiting for them to follow. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

He remained standing beside the others, waiting for them to get up. That damned Goliath wasn't his leader, he'd make his own decisions. He gave a shit about completing the entire mission and not getting everybody killed. Gorm, in his eyes, only cared about the former.

Pin breathed soft and slow, ears picking up on the muffled sounds of footsteps that made their way around the camp. There wasn’t any yelling so it was most likely Jakhur pacing as he kept looking out. He let out a little breath, slumping against the soft ground waiting for dawn. The shifter had been keeping track of everyone’s movements as he couldn’t do much else but fall into a light dose the entire night. The surprised battle, being the recipient of that look, and the sudden threat of being hunted, again, replayed in his mind as he tried to rest. Even during the deepest parts of his slumber, his brain was subconsciously detailing a pair of birds nesting in the brush beside him and the squabbling between the group. Thankfully Pin was used to recharging fully on whatever kind of sleep he got. He was only slightly groggy and thankfully was able to stop the pointed stormy look of displeasure he instinctively tried to give Jakhur when he was shaken awake, especially after being tense for as long as he has. @Era @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

"You holding up alright?" He looked down at Pin as he got ready to get going. He was the only one that Jakhur hadn't checked up on recently, so it was only right that he'd at least ask. @AhemIMentJupiter

Pin turns towards the voice, his hands stilling for a fleeting second as he had been about to pull out his tie. "I'm fine," he instinctively says, his eyes briefly glancing at the bags under Jakhur's eyes and spotting the pale bandages on Eowyn out of the corner of his vision. It's said with enough casualness to appear genuine, and it's not a lie. Besides a bit of stress Pin is doing far better than the other two who stayed to fight. For a moment, he wonders if he should apologize for leaving the group a second time, and he figures he should. There's already enough tension and distrust amongst them, so he might as well bring some softness into the dialogue with those he can still trust. Gorm kind of eroded that, but maybe it was Pin's fault for not getting a better read of the man. "I'm sorry for leaving you to fend him off, the Goliath. I hadn't expected-" he squints slightly, trying to recall her name as he finishes neatly pulling his frizzy curls into a bun, "-Nafuna.. to run off like that." Pin fully intended to stay and fight once he knew he had backup, but he had to make a split-second decision. If Nafuna died, especially accidentally while trying to reach safety, then he felt like everything would have been in vain. (edited)

At least one of them wasn't any worse for wear. That was good. Pin would be able to be fully alert today, unlike everyone else who either got very little sleep, or had some kind of major injury. He went to turn his attention to the women in the group when he heard Pin apologize for leaving. Jakhur shook his head. "Someone needed to keep an eye on her," He motioned to Nafuna, "And I told you all to get out of there, so none of you'd really be in danger. Granted, Eowyn didn't listen to me, but that's in the past." Finally, he flicked his wrist toward Pin, and his voice appeared in his head. "Plus, I don't really care what happens to me. I've got nobody waiting for me back home, and very little chance at a good future. I'd rather spend my life helping keep people who can have futures safe. Don't feel bad about me getting beat up. I'm not dead yet." Then, he fully turned away, going to help Nafuna. @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era

I remained watching forward, waiting for the others. The wind was a bit cool this morning, and I could feel some fatigue from not sleeping, but I could power through for the rest of the day.

Yeah, Pin heard him, and it just further cemented his desire to stay and help out. He was sure they could have made it out, or tried to at least. The point of a group mission is not to split off, and as long as everyone extends the same respect and loyalty, he would do the same. Pin moved to speak, but his mouth clicked closed as Jakhur's voice echoed in his mind. He blinked softly, almost physically grimacing at the words, what he thought they meant and how "pot-meet-kettle" the situation was. Pin felt a little better these days even if he still had no one waiting- "Hey?" he questioned, pitching forward as Jakhur walked off. Pin called out in his mind, wondering if the connection worked both ways, before letting it go. He decided that he would talk to Jakhur later as he watched his retreating form.

He turned his head and flicked his wrist again. "What is it?" @AhemIMentJupiter

Nafuna got up, using the tree to help her as she’d stretched rubbing her eyes and leaning on the tree for balance.. seeing Jakhur approach her she’d tilt her head her ears flopping to the left as she’d notice he’d offer a hand to help.. as Nafuna took it nodding as a thanks, she didn’t feel like speaking not when Gorm was around Atleast as she’d wrap her arm around Jakhurs shoulders and began to limp Eoywn would have been up, not really getting a good night sleep as her arm was wrapped around her waist applying some pressure to her own wound, she would be standing nearby Gorm also waiting for the rest, leaning on a tree and looking down to the ground refusing any type of help. Her bow in her hand as she’d clutched to it like she was ready to fit again despite her condition

I looked at the injured elf and pointed at her injury, having a questioning expression and holding a questioning thumbs up.

Eowyn would notice him point as she’d look back and nodded looking forward again as she’d continue to trudge along, she refused to allow this injury to slow her down

I looked back at the group, they seemed prepared so I slowly began walking. The injured ones would likely slow us down, so it would probably take a full day to get back to town. I gave the elf a signal to come further up. The wizard would likely take care of the other injured one. I didn't want to leave the coward as the only fully availible fighter, but I didn't trust him to not run away when taking care of an injured person anyway.

The human was silent as he helped Nafuna walk, careful to not have her touch his heavily bruised arm or many of the sore places on his body. It wasn't possible to avoid everything, because of just how beat up he actually was, but Jakhur did his best. Damn mission. Damn goliath for trying to kill him. Damn himself for not packing more supplies. As soon as they were done with the job, which the goliath was certain would be soon, even if Jakhur doubted that, he'd just go home and make sure he had plenty of his medicine prepared. Plus, if Nafuna took him up on his offer to stay at his place until she got on her feet, he'd need to take care of her as well. Goddammit, this job just made more problems than it's worth..

E would roll her eyes reluctantly coming up further to Gorm as she gaze towards him “what” she say spitefully

the bunny would be careful to not place her hands on his bruised body as she’d walk with him she’d look ahead and spoke enough for only him to hear “you holding up okay..?” she ask concerned @Era @Cecil

"That's my question." He joked quietly. "I'm sore and hurting from fighting the goliath, but i'm stick kicking." He nodded to her. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I didn't reply to the elf, simply pointing at her injury and making the watching motion. I continued walking, trying to keep a slow enough pace as I took semi frequent glances back to make sure everyone was keeping up.

Eoywn rolled her eyes purposely walk ahead the group to keep a watchful eye

Jakhur Saknon

He turned his head and flicked his wrist again. "What is it?" @AhemIMentJupiter

Pin shook his head softly, motioning with his chin toward the injured girl who stood as Jakhur approached. They would have to talk another time, hopefully when everyone was less injured and they had found a decent place to heal up. As the Goliath and E took the front, Pin positioned himself at the rear, keeping a keen eye on their small group and the forest surrounding them.

Something kept bothering me in the back of my mind, the root disappearing when I ripped it in half struck me as some kind of magic. However, the human couldn't detect it in my blood. I would assume if he found it in the area he would have mentioned it, unless he was somehow involved in it. It seemed like much more magic than he was capable of producing, so I wouldn't raise any suspicions yet. I turned towards the elf and got a good look at her for a moment. It was a shame that I had upset the group, especially her. She seemed to be the most versatile so far, though the wizard had acceptable close range combat skills. I had yet to see much from the new one, and the rabbit thing was likely just a civilian. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

Eowyn kept her eyes ahead making sure there was no one nearby the group, her hand wrapped around her wound taking small breaks here and there to catch up on her breathing.. and then proceeding to keep a good 3-4 ft ahead of the group. Her skin turning slighty pale from just not getting any proper rest

Nafuna would remove her arm from Jakhur and limped on her own;she seemed to be keeping a good pace and her ears twitching and moving every so then hearing the lightest noises such ad twigs snapping , leave’s moving. The perks of having enhanced ears was being able to pick up on any small noises even a pin dropping.. but the down side was that Nafuana was sensitive to loud noises.. so when she stepped on a stick and it cracks loudly infront of her she jump back startled wincing in pain as she landed a bit hard on her broken ankle.. she’d cursed to herself and continued trudging along “I hate to be this person but… can someone tell me where we are going..? Is it even wise to keep traveling ought we stay in one place until your group is healed ?” @AhemIMentJupiter @Era @Cecil

I shake my head, and point up at the sun as it was starting to reach its peak for the day. If we wanted any chance in reaching Calogin by nightfall, we had to keep moving. I looked at the elf and produced my canteen from my hip pouch, offering it in her direction. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

"Back to town, if I had to guess." Jakhur replied to Nafuna, glancing in her direction before returning his eyes forward. "As much as I'd love to get some rest, it's best to just push through and relax once we're back in town. Safer that way, and as long as we don't encounter anything all that dangerous, there won't be any issues if we're a little roughed up. Like, I'm still able to fight in my current state. The goliath doesn't seem to ever show any kind of exhaustion from anything, so i'm sure he's still fighting it. Don't know about the others. If anything comes to attack us, it's best for you to get out of the way and lay low." @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

A silent, one pronged snicker escaped me. The wizard believing I don't get tired reminded me of the days in the war. Days upon days of constant battle with little to no sleep. Made me almost feel like I had it easy now. I wondered how the other soldiers were doing now. I looked ahead and saw a group sitting down. It looked like a few men and a couple of women wearing black gear. I halted our group and pointed to theirs, turning back towards our group. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

When Gorm went to stop the group, Jakhur took a few more steps forward to get a better look at the group, Goliath be damned. He wanted to determine if they looked like soldiers, and if he recognized any of their equipment, from this distance.

I took my arm and used it to force you to at least stay level with me, almost pushing you behind me. I then retrieved a scope from my larger pack, handing it to Eowyn. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

"Don't you fucking touch me." Jakhur hissed. "I'm just trying to get a better look."

Pin passively listens in on the chatter, eyes flitting about the sparse canopy overhead and the odd, faint shufflings of small animals within the underbrush. Before he had turned to look at he, Pin was pitching forward to grab Nafuna as she recoiled from the branch Pin let out a small sigh of relief when he realized she'd scared herself, easing back into his usual light stance listening as they begin to speak. “If you need to get to safety-” Pin starts abruptly on the tail end of Jakhur’s comment, with a faint firmness in his words looks at the only survivor they managed to rescue, “-Find me. I’ll help you move a safe distance away.” He slows when Gorm stops the group in their tracks. Pin moves to the side, narrowing his dark eyes to take in more of the scene in front of him. Although he can't blame Jakhur, he side-eyes the two from behind the group as they clash once more, resigning to focus on the people in front of him.

Eoywn grabbed the scope and looked ahead “it’s some men and women in black gear” shed softly say as she’d looked back to Nafuna

Her ears were perked and her eyes closed concentrating on listening into their conversation @Cecil @Era @AhemIMentJupiter

I look back to the group, pointing at my glaive then their group and shrugging.

“are you fucking stupid” the elf squealed slapping his arm slightly hard “If they arnt causing us harm then we don’t need to fight them. We can detour. besides you have 3 injured people here I want to avoid a fight as much as we can!”

With a quiet sigh, Jakhur looked between the group. "I'll go figure out what's going on, I can send a message to one of you once I know what's going on, and if they turn out to be violent, I've got ways to protect myself from harm." He pointed to the trees. "Get out of sight. If things go south, run." It didn't matter to him if the goliath didn't listen to him, it was the most sensible option in Jakhur's mind. He was the only one with communication over a distance, and, as far as he knew, was the only one with spells that gave immediate defense. He also wasn't overly wounded, like Eowyn or Nafuna, just a damaged arm, so he'd still be able to fight if running wasn't an option for him. One defiant look at Gorm, and Jakhur turned, giving the group a moment to leave the road before he started walking forward, doing his best to remain non-threatening while still having his protection spell ready to cast. @AhemIMentJupiter @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

I gave a nod to Jakhur as he left, the plan wasn't terrible. I motioned to the trees and stood watch on the road, waiting for Jakhur. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Eoywn kept watching via scope as she watch Jakhur approach the group making sure nothing went wrong. Her other hand placed on her bow incase she needed to draw it out

Nafuna on the other hand kept listening to their conversation picking up on keen words mumbling them to herself @AhemIMentJupiter @Era @Cecil

"Hey there!" Jakhur raised his voice in greeting as he approached, a hand raised to show that he didn't mean any threat to the group. "It's rare to see a group of travelers so close to a wrecked town. Were you hoping to get rest in town too?" He asked, doing his best to seem like just a simple traveler. Jakhur could easily look the part, with worn clothing and no obvious martial training, his only weapon being a simple shortsword. @AhemIMentJupiter @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

The group sort of looks at you funny. Upon further inspection, these people look quite well off for adventures. Their gear is very pristine and expensive looking. The eldest one among them stands and looks at you. "No. We're going to investigate some kind of monster that was spotted in some town over yonder. Some traveler reported they saw a giant red beast destroying a town over there. Any chance you encountered it? You're coming from the direction the town was." @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

He shook his head. "No, I didn't encounter any big red beast or anything like that. When I got to this town, it was already destroyed." Jakhur eyed their equipment for a few moments before making a mental note that things likely wouldn't end well for him if it all went south. He brushed his hand on his pants to mask a flick of his wrist. What's this about some massive red beast in the area? A very annoyed Jakhur asked Gorm. What else was the Goliath not telling them? @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

"They're talking about me." The group looked at you even more suspiciously. "So you've been there already? What did you see? Anything to note? Survivors?" @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

How the- Y'know what? Whatever. I don't care how you pissed these people off, but it's not my problem. Just don't cause any more problems for me, they don't seem like they'd be too friendly with you. He put his hands up when they started looking at him suspiciously. "Hey, hey, no need for any hostility, guys. The place is totally wrecked. Whatever tore through there really did a number on the people there, unfortunately." He paused for a moment, looking over their weapons again before sighing inwardly. The way things were going, there'd probably be a fight, especially if Gorm got involved.. "Yeah, I found a survivor. Did my best to treat their wounds, and i'm taking them back to town so they can get more professional healing." @Era

The group were now all standing, taking notice to the Goliath in the distance. "Who's that? He with you?" The group pointed to the Goliath, who stood there with his hands by his sides, watching. @Cecil

He looked in Gorm's direction, his eyes showing anger for a moment before it smoothed over. "Oh, that's just someone I found while passing through. He doesn't seem to speak, which is strange, but he seemed to be heading in this direction, and there's safety in numbers, especially with an injured person." @Era

The group begins to approach you. "So that's him. Good. All of you are coming with us. You were the ones our lord sent to investigate the root problem. We were busy with another mission, hence why you were sent in our stead. Go gather the others, I'll stay here." The group walks past you and heads towards Gorm, one person staying by you and putting up a hand for you to stay put. @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

He flicked his wrist subtly in the direction the others had gone into the woods, specifically messaging Eowyn first. Some people are claiming to be the ones who were supposed to be investigating the roots. They're giving me a bad feeling, so just be careful. He then sent the message to Pin as well. Gorm wouldn't care either way, so he didn't bother. @Era @AhemIMentJupiter @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eowyn nodded subtly as she’d draw her bow and arrow ready to strike at any time @Era @AhemIMentJupiter @Cecil

The group approached Gorm, seemingly unaware of the ones in the forest. "You're coming with us Goliath. By order of our king. He sent you on this mission. I presume you're the silent goliath we've heard about?" G: I say nothing, squinting and my hand slightly moving back towards my glaive. One of the three puts her hand up. "Don't bother. It's three on..." She looks towards the group's direction. "Probably 5. You have injured people in your party. Including yourself. If we were here to kill you, you'd be dead already." G: I take my hand away and sigh a moment. I then nod and motion the group to come out. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Pin tenses at the message, eye flitting between Jakhur and the group approaching the Goliath as his fingers brushing against the hilt of his dagger. @Era @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

The human just sighed, crossing his arms and turning to the person standing beside him. "So who exactly are you? Some kind of mercenaries? Soldiers?" They had to be well-paid, given their gear. Knowing his luck, the Goliath got them dragged into some kind of trouble. "Who even is your 'lord'? Are the roots a widespread issue? Believe it or not, nobody wants to tell me anything about what's going on."

The one you're speaking to looks at you. "We are knights of the kingdom of Anarath. Our lord was one of the first to receive word of the root problem, and he delegated the task to us. We were busy cleaning up remnants of the war, so he sent word around to recruit people to investigate in our stead. Upon our return, we were told to find the group that encountered the roots and bring them to our kingdom immediately so they can share the knowledge. We will still stop by Calogin so all of you can rest and heal. After that, it'll be a few days until we reach our kingdom. I take it you're the wizard we have note of? I've heard your alchemy is quite remarkable for a human." As for the others, Gorm motions the group to come out of hiding. One of the three that are standing there speaks up. "We're knights sent from Anarath. We're here to escort you safely to our kingdom so we can deal with this root nonsense and be done with it. There's no sense in hiding anyway." @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter I'm so sorry for the delay I was hella busy the last few days. New job keeps my occupied as well.

He narrowed his eyes. Why would a king from another kingdom care about what's going on here? How did they know that he was a talented wizard at all? It wasn't like he advertised his magic all that much, especially since most of his spells were more utility oriented, not the kind of thing that would be useful in the field. "..I'm an alchemist, yes.. Don't know if it's anything to write home about, I mostly just make medicines." Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to Gorm and the others.

Eowyn carefully listens.. why are there knights here out.. and now? So many questions roamed her head. How many other kingdoms sent people to go explore this .. “It sounds like a trap” the elf said folding her arms @Era @Cecil

If those roots were trouble enough to attract the attention of neighboring kingdoms then… fuck. He'd figured it was just some warlock went rogue, or a particularly nasty failed experiment, but with soldiers getting into the mix then the issue might not be so cut and dry. The soldiers could just be doing their job, trying to get ahead of this problem, but he wouldn’t be so optimistic, and that’s assuming they're telling the truth… Pin lets out a small sigh, brow knotting as he straightens. If there is a chance to get this information to people who have the resources to help then they should at least try to pass on what little they know. With that he steps out of the bush, mentally agreeing with Eowyn as he picks up on her words. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

I awaited the others to come out of the bush, the soldiers stood patiently waiting as well. One of the soldiers looked up at Gorm. "So, you're the goliath they picked out huh? Kind of surprised you let the wizard best you in combat. What's the deal with the turning red and getting all enraged?" Gorm does not answer of course, giving him a piercing gaze, which the solider replied to with silence and looking away. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Shed stand There looking towards Gorm chuckling quietly to her self

@Era

I'd look towards Eowyn and squint a little, looking towards the soldiers as they motioned us to walk with them towards Jakhur. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

He turned away from the others, staring down the path ahead. He had a bad feeling about this whole thing.. Not fear. No, very little tended to scare Jakhur, mostly because he just didn't give a fuck about most things. If he died, then it'd just mean he wouldn't have to deal with the sleepless nights or terrible feelings any more. No, this feeling was different. These people didn't have people's best interests in their hearts. They didn't care about the people in this kingdom, only their own, and why send a bunch of random people to try and figure out a problem in another kingdom? It all just didn't make any sense to him. Not to mention the lack of solid foundation within his own group. He knew nothing of his companions, except that the goliath was bound by some stupid code and would try and murder them if he got wounded in battle. There had been no time to get to know each other, so there was no trust. No camraderie. There was nothing holding this group together except the soldiers, at this point. And the damn goliath thinks he's in charge just 'cause he said so. The moment they were done with this job, Jakhur was outta here.

The group approached Jakhur and the soldier he was with. The one standing with Jakhur spoke first. "Alright then. Onward, Anarath is a few days travel. We will stop in Calogin to heal and rest, then we embark first thing tomorrow morning. Anyone have any questions?" @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

The wizard remained silent, only glancing back toward the group with a cold expression. Show no weakness. Show no pain. That's what being an adventurer was. Push through your ailments, be more than ordinary. Every hero in the stories pushed past their flaws. He could too. After all, he was a wizard. Wizards could do incredible things, but they had to push themselves to be just that much more.. Everything be damned, he'd push.

The group lead ours forward, Calogin was still a couple hours away, and they had more people to account for now. The soldiers took a formation of 2 in front, one in the middle, and two behind. Gorm insisted on standing between the two in the front. @Cecil @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @AhemIMentJupiter

The wizard didn't give a fuck about Gorm, or anything else in the group, honestly. He remained completely silent as they walked, barely even looking at anyone else. He was focused on looking forward, and that's all.

Eowyn would follow reluctantly, as did Nafauna. She was quick skeptical about their formation as she’d keep a keen eye on the guards infront, she had an uneasy feeling in her stomach as she limped @Era @Cecil @AhemIMentJupiter

Pin quickly glanced between the Goliath and the soldier that addressed their group's self-appointed leader as he approached, careful to stay a stop a short distance from the both of them. His expression remained neutral even as he felt himself close off, though the piercing look the Goliath shot at the soldier was enough to make his eyes flit to the side to mask a soft amusement. They were far too trusting, too confident for Pin’s liking, and it only further fueled the concern brewing in his chest. At least everyone seemed to be on the same page. This group might be a tad dysfunctional, but at least they had some sense. Pin followed after the group trailing slightly with his arms crossed over his chest, dagger shoved hastily in his waistband taping at his elbow with every step they took deeper into the forest.

As the group moved forward throughout the forest, most remained silent. Every once in awhile the soldiers would ask each other something, and a brief answer would return them back to the silence. Gorm moved just ahead of everyone, refusing to stand next to these soldiers.

Eoywn watched as Gorm would stubbornly refuse to stand next to the Solider, she’d smirk as she’d walk/limp to catch up to Gorm “This is entirely sketchy dont you think..?”

He, like most of the group, was silent as they walked, a frown on his face the entire time. The people he was supposed to be working with were sketchy or tried to kill him already, these soldiers were suspicious.. There wasn't a single person he trusted at this point, outside of maybe Nafuna, but she was a civilian, and likely wasn't a major threat.

I looked at Eowyn as she approached. I gave her the calm down symbol and pointed to her leg, offering my arm for support. I then nodded once, but put my eyes forward. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

Eoywn sighed grabbed his arm for support resting her head on him as she walked @Era

I felt a small jolt in my body as she put her head on me. I supported her weight by holding my arm up a little to make her steps as light as possible. I had half of a mind to carry her there, but I figured she would take it in a hostile manner. I took a few moments to look at Eowyn, and my eyes softened for a brief moment before returning to their usual glossy gaze, and looking ahead. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

A glance back at the others, and the wizard scoffed quietly to himself and shook his head. Why the hell should he envy the goliath's position? Maybe because Jakhur felt like Gorm had done very little to deserve the attention he was getting? A deep frown formed on his face. The physically fit always got more attention than those that had to put in more work to be on an equal playing field. It was just a common fact of life. Not one worth fighting. The proud, tough soldiers always got more praise than the less buff people like him. Man.. jealousy didn't look good on him.

Eowyn would fixate ahead not noticing Gorms softened eyes or Jakhurs jealously expression.. she just wanted to rest, as she was limping to keep. Good pace “Fuck.. how far are we?!” @Era @Cecil

One of the soldiers turned towards Eowyn and Gorm. "An hour or two more. If you can't handle it, have the goliath carry you or catch up with us later." The soldiers continued their march. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

“Car— what!? No I’ll just … ugh I’ll suck it up” she grumble hissing in pain as she picked up the pace @Era @Cecil

I took a look back at Jakhur and looked back to Eowyn, tightening my hold as we moved forward. The town began to come into view as the party approached. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

"Finally." He grumbled under his breath as the town became visible. "Let's just get to town and get rested up." He didn't like the way Gorm looked at him, or the way he tightened his hold on Eowyn. Was that a bit of possessiveness he saw, perhaps? Like Jakhur would even care. He didn't give a damn about Gorm, or really about anything other than getting the job done and people like Nafuna back home safe. Speaking of which, "You holding up alright?" The wizard turned his attention to the wounded civilian. "We'll be there soon, looks like. Then you'll be safe." As much as he'd love to ditch this job and go back home, he didn't have the money to. And now that he was low on medicine, he needed the money now more than ever. Damn goliath.. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Eowyn would sigh resting her head on his shoulder, tired.. just wanting to sleep as the town finally came visible “ugh finally..” she’d say hoarse, limping Na Nafuna nodded as she’d catch up to Jakhur “yeah.. I’m fine…” she quietly say @Era @Cecil

As the group approached, the soldiers looked to the group. "Get yourselves rooms unless you live here. We will leave within a few days. Room together if you can be adults about it." The soldiers moved ahead, splitting apart to go to different places. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

With a harsh sigh, he turned to look at the others. "I'm going home, Nafuna, you can stay with me if you'd like and live there when we leave. Better someone gets a use outta it than it just being empty while I'm gone. We'll meet at the tavern in a few days to go with the soldiers." With that, he turned and walked to go home, not even bothering to extend an invitation to the others. In all honesty, his home would barely handle two people as it was, and it wouldn't be able to handle someone as big as the Goliath anyway. @Era @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Gorm began to head towards the inn, holding Eowyn a bit loosely as he counted some coins in his bag. His eyes were narrow, and his breathing was labored. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

Nafuna nodded as she’d chime “yeah.. I guess I’ll go with you…” she said wearily unsure where else to even go.. besides Jakhur was the only person she’d know as she began to follow him keeping. A safe distance

Eowyn would step away as soon as he let her loosely go.. she’d stand herself holding her arm around her wound.. and backing away from Gorm she was pale.. and tired from traveling as she dug in her bag slowly, trying to find her coins @Era @Cecil

I somewhat hesitantly patted her wrist and shook my head. I then pointed towards the doctor's area. I then pointed at my purse and the Inn, tapping my chest. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

she’d stare at him.. blinking, confused “can you use your words *puh-lease” @Era

I point to the doctor and then at you. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

The wizard lives in one of the cheaper parts of town. Not the slums, so it wasn't especially dangerous, but definitely not a nice part of town, with buildings packed in tight. Pulling the plain metal key out of his bag, he unlocked his door and stepped inside, leaving the door ajar for Nafuna. To be honest, the house was a mess. But not a terrible one. Almost every surface had books and pages full of diagrams on them, as well as far more intricate alchemical devices than what he could take with him on the road. A cabinet on the far end of the room contained several shelves of potions behind its glass doors, and tucked into the corner was the only clear surfacr of a single table and chair. "Just be careful not to break anything. Bedroom's in there." He motioned to a door. "That's where you can sleep." @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻

Nafuna would walk in, not minding the mess honestly as she’d looked around the house.. nodding as he pointed to the spare bed, she’d carefully make her way there

Eowyn would sigh and limp about towards the medic area

I entered the inn and went up to the barmaid, putting down 30 gold for a room with two beds. I then went up, put my equipment down, and removed my armor before heading to sleep. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Cecil

Now that he had someone staying here, and he only had one bedroom, Jakhur spent ten minutes or so cleaning and reorganizing his living room so he could lay down on the couch. It wasn't much better than the ground, but it was something. Grabbing a vial of medicine from his cabinet, he drank it before laying down on the couch and trying to sleep. @𝓢𝓪𝓫𝓫𝔂 𝓢𝓴𝔂𝔀𝓪𝓵𝓴𝓮𝓻 @Era