...I've lived a long life. That's something not many can say, I suppose, but it is what I say. I cannot recall how many centuries I've seen pass me by. Nor when I started to count by them. There was a time I counted by the seasons, excited to see the next one come and go, to dance in the falling leaves and to play in the snow... But now, now it is but a blink and those around me whither with time, while I've seemed to be forgotten, the grains of its sand to never sear my body, although I cannot say the same for my mind. Many things I've forgotten, only to remember them for the briefest of moments, then for them to drift away again in the sea of my mind, remembering the memories of the memories. Let me share with you, oh shade whom I've waited long for, of what I remember while I lay on my death bed...
I remember... ..."So as I was saying," a tall, masked human spoke as he shot a dirty look from behind the feline mask at the shorter human in the party, who only retorted with a look of mild disdain, "we shouldn't ignore that necromancer, we should do something about it!" "Well I'm saying why bother! He's by himself, he isn't our problem unless we can get paid for it. We didn't get in this business for kicks you know, we got needs. I need a griffon rookery, for instance, and I don't aim to throw that away to play hero." The short human shot back, his spear leaning casually on his shoulder. "So what, we're to just leave the surrounding area at its mercy? People don't even know that thing is even there! Who knows how long it might of had to gather its power!"
The imp, previously silent, stepped into the verbal arena between the two sparring humans. "More reason to avoid it, no? What could we possibly do against such a thing then? Maybe kill a few of its risen, maybe an apprentice if we're lucky, but all of them?" "We could get hel--" "Root's ahead." The pale goblin with the half-gilded face interrupted the conversation, during their conversation their trekking had indeed edged them closer to the town than thought. "Finally." The elf spoke up in his typical monotone flair.
Sighs of relief, by some, and sighs of lost conversation by others, all were soon cut short however when the goblin noticed something with his eye. Smoke, not just from a few buildings with wood stoves as is usual for Root, but smoke as if a mass burning was taking place. Hurriedly the troop moved to see what was remiss in the quaint little town, some out of duty, others out of payment, some out of possibility for more stuff.
The town was burning. Figures could be seen in the fire, some fleeing, others chasing, howls of agony, rage, sorrow, and greed could be heard throughout the previously quiet town. A man could be seen leading the assault, ordering them around as he waved a sword around in an attempt to look important. He was largely unneeded really, the looters seemed to have a very good grasp of the concept. The goblin stopped before the others, taking a step forward towards the man, drawing his attention. "Ah, if it isn't the good little captain, heheheh! I... ...Great Gods man, what happened to your face? The non-golden part that is, hah! You weren't a looker much before, being smacked by Midas hasn't seemed to have done you any favors. Run along now, I'm captain now, first mate but THE captain! Wasn't hard to get the crew on my side, let me tell you, heh. Now then, let me deal with your 'friends' there, I've got more important things than you... to..." The man's voice faltered and fell off as the goblin glared at the man with his single remaining eye, unwavering. It seemed losing an eye had done nothing but made his living one more potent in his 'diplomatic talks.'
"You steal my ship. You turn my crew. You insult me." The goblin enunciated slowly, drawing his sword. "Death will be slo--" The goblin would continue, but frankly his audience doesn't seem to be listening anymore, currently clutching an arrow shaft protruding out of his chest. "HAH! GOT'CHA YAH WOLFIE! THINKIN YAH COULD HIDE, WRONG!" A blind folded archer with a pitchfork on his back stepped out of the smoke, raising his bow in triumph. "Been hunting yah for years I have, got yah now!" He seems horribly confused as to where he is, but a battle started was a battle started, the looters certainly don't seem picky at seeing prey that fights back.
The battle was fraught with heroics to say the least, and horrifically bloody. The elf and the masked human seemed to have a contest over who was the better throw with a dagger, no clear winner there although that may be due to the overall lack of targets after a while. One of the looters tried to go for the blind man, but a stumble over some charred wood from the archer wound up with the looter having a pitchfork through his face for his trouble. The shorter human for his part stabbed many of them viciously, getting into a contest of his own making against the goblin over who can kill them the most horrifically. Sadly, the goblin seemed to be winning that due to the nature of his weapon and, well, his nature. The imp shouted helpful pointers from above, saving more than a few from an almost stab from the flank or back.
When the dust had settled, most of the looters laid either dead or fleeing from the troop of adventurers, the adventurers themselves only suffering minor wounds that would be healed in time. However, now, the question was of what to do. The town has been burned, its inhabitants having fled, most of the looters are either fleeing themselves or dying on the ground. Then there was this strange newcomer. "Well, we sure showed that pack what's what, didn't we fellas?" Most dismissed the man as confused and extraordinarily lucky, although with the imp, he was less sure...
But such matters were thrown to the back burner, for now a more pressing one entered. They have all the treasure they can carry, but no where to spend it. Truly a tragedy brought on by fate most cruel.
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Topic: Party of 6 (5 players remaining) Done (Read 7298 times)