Styrmwraith Tales

[Kitangel]

This is a continuation of the RPG "Styrmwraith Tales" from foru.ms.
I'll put a summary of what's happened so far in the RPG here as soon as I write one up.

The characters are in the Casting Calls section - I couldn't link here, sorry.

Here is the last couple of posts made:
Gam3rG1rl4Chr1st

Mikah watched the whole exchange silently. Rovanties seemed nice enough, trying to discourage them from getting into something as dangerous as this. But his statements about the king had her troubled. The king was not known for his morals or his fairness. And yet the thought of him trying to kill people over something stupid just didn't make sense. And was the king somehow involved in the disappearances at Shamar Pass? That troubled her because her grandfather was involved and he had always been faithful to the king. He had even been an advisor to his father when he was king. She hoped that he would have at least some respect for a fairy whom his father had trusted so much.

She pondered these things as Kirret cooled down Rovanties foot after Melody stomped on it. Rovanties and his horse had a very strange relationship. The language they spoke to one another sounded like Elvish to Mikah, but she couldn't be sure. It seemed to her that one of them, most likely Melody, didn't want Mikah and her friends to accompany the two of them. That was interesting. She wondered why.

But before she could wonder any further, Kirret suggested they move on and Rovanties agreed, both mounting their horses. Mikah floated down into the stall with Singing Elk and then climbed up onto her back again, grateful that she didn't have to walk.



SingingElk

Singing Elk was at the back of the group as they set out again. Now their number had swelled to five. "So now where are we going? What decision did we reach? I surely do not want to be venison for the King's dinner table and a head adorning his castle. He would want my antlers for sure if he is as bad as you say".


Thunderring

"It's said that he's all ready killed several imperial elk, Singing," Medoly informed her as she slowed to walk beside her.

Rovanties nodded. "She's right."

He then turned to Kirret and said, "What do you think my lady? Continue on you're journy or head toward the pass with us?"


PillsburyDoughboy

"Well then," Daynael said to Raven, "What do you think is going on here?" He then shot his look over to Miri, "You don't suppose the king is after us and these people just got caught up in it do you?" Miri pulled Daynael "Shut up you fool,' She whispered into Daynael's ear hoping on one could hear her, "No one needs to know about anything about you and the King." Miri looked up at the others, "Just ignore him, he is paranoid, I am sure there is a logical explaination to all of this that doesn't involve us directly."


7thDay

Gabriel had been listening carefully.
"I am not sure Miri..... True I went to that inn at random since I was looking for somewhere off the beaten path. I don't get involved very much but I like to watch. The only thing I can say is this. Why would they make such a fuss at that inn, wouldn't it have been easier to gather up some traveling mercenaries or even soldiers. Why risk a riot and risk doing something like that in a city when he could easily send soldiers to pick up fighting men as they near the city. How can the King be sure to that someone won't be missed and that someone won't talk. No I have serious doubts that this is being organized by the king. The king may be a just as much a puppet as we are....
Yes puppets after all whoever is in charge could have sent magic users and a larger force if he wished to destroy us...
We are being led by the nose.
Right now our choices are being narrowed by occurrences carefully manipulated. Our meeting, our escape, and now our march to......."
Where to? I am letting myself be led into lands I know from before. Yet so much has happened since I last came here. The forest was less dense and this trail was a highway..... Thoughts from before, easy too recall but in this odd land hard to use.....
I know this place. Let me Help you
HA.. you only know the path to death and despair. We are not headed down that path.
Aren't you, *chuckle*
Not while I hold a sword and keep God in my heart.
valiant words.... for a fool................*voice fades*
I AM WITH YOU


Kitangel

Kirret had been daydreaming. Ravonties words jerked her out of her vision.
"Huh? Oh, um, do you think we'd have more success in finding out what happened with the troops where it all went wrong than with the man who hears the whispers of the realm?"

Kiret knew the answer. She didn't have to wait.

"Alright, we'll come with you..... but we're going to need to head west, to hit the official trail to Shamar Pass. It's safer to travel a direct route. But this isnt all my decision to make."

Kirret turned to Singing Elk and Mikah.

"Would you like to come along, do you think we should go to the king, or do you think we should head t the pass?"


Kitangel

Vancile looked at Rynn. "Shouldn't we sleep sometime soon? none of us are made out of metal, we do tire easily."


BlueIceDragon

((People's there is some enchantment going on here... ))

"They all continued walking along the trail till the reached the clearing that Rynn had described. The torches had burned low and were now faint and obscured against the darkness of the forest. The discussions had ceased as they all became more and more weary and footsore.
What felt like an age later, they finally arrived at the clearing Rynn had promised existed.

"We'll camp for the night here," Rynn said wearily. "This place should be reasonably safe, but even so we should set up watch. Any volunteers?"
Syl said firmly, "I'll take first watch." She had observed the weariness come over all the adventurers - even the angel. While she was tired, she was not overcome like they were. This could only be enchantment... which she, as a dragoman, was resistant to. It remained to be seen whether it was for good or ill.



SingingElk

"I would rather head to the pass and keep my head, if that it OK with you, Kirret," Singing Elk finally said. "I looks like I have inherited my Great Grandmother's antlers". She hung her head. "She was murdered by a huntsman that was then but a Prince. She was a sixteen pointer. I last saw her when I was a fawn. She had an extra trey point on each side. It is possible this king is a son of this murderer".

Singing Elk rubbed an antler on her front legs. She was starting to get a tender spot at the base of her trey point. In time she too would have the extra tine.


Kitangel

"Alright, thats 2 out of 3. we head towards Shamar Pass."
Kirret thought of Winter, creeping ever closer.
"Fast." she added,


PillsburyDoughboy

"No I will take first watch" Daynael interupted, "You look too tired, I have trained myself to be able to stay awake for days I can keep watch all night." Daynael found a large rock and sat down on it, "Rest dragon, you need it, I am fine don't worry about me."


BlueIceDragon

((Part 1: Daynael, you're going to sleep. GM's rights! ))

Syl laughed as Daynael yawned widely immediately after plopping his body down on the rock. His body was disagreeing majorly with his bravado. She, on the other hand, while tired, still had her eyes wide open.

Rynn looked up from his bed roll sleepily and said "Syl, Daynael, both of you keep watch. Just stop arguing!"

Syl nodded and sat down nearer the edge of glade where, in the faint moonlight, she could see everyone lying in their rolls. Daynael had sat beside Miri bravely staring into the night, but after five minutes, he rolled off his rock and lay snoring contentedly beside his beloved Miri.

Syl grinned to herself again and waited for the enchantment casters to reveal themselves...


((Part 2: now for some fun...))

Syl sat perfectly still in her dragon meditation, yet fully alert and watchful for any danger. Around half an hour later, faint lights sparkling and twinkling came in and out of view as they made their way through the forest undergrowth. Syl raised an eyebrow as she realised what these beings must be. Wood-sprites, or faires, or maybe even ancient wights - guardians of this forest glade. She wondered if Rynn had heard any stories of this place - something she intended to ask him when they were on the move again the next day. Sprites were generally harmless creatures, and faries generally were agreeable, wights on the other hand, Syl grimaced, were untrustworthy at all times.

She waited and, as the lights moved closer, she heard the bubbly, squeaky voices of wood sprites. So far so good then, Syl relaxed a little. At length, the sprites entered the glade and investigated the trespassers. They saw Syl was conscious but, when she showed no sign of wanting to harm them, they ignored her and continued their study of the others.

Their leader went to each of the group and whispered in their ears, evidently listened for their response, liked what he heard, and walked over to Syl.

"Dragoman", he squeaked, "you would resist our magics of course. Glad we are that you are not hostile, much hostility have we seen of late. We have spoken to each of this party, and their intentions, as far as we can tell, are good. That one is arrogant, very arrogant", the sprite gestured indignantly at Daynael, "but still, his heart is sound if you can be patient with him. Each of them will dream tonight, possibly even dream of the future, but will wake refreshed for the morning. Many things will happen in the next few days that could alter the course of history as we know it. The Styrmwraiths are on the move!"

Syl was about to ask him what he knew of the Styrmwraiths, but on mention of the word, he shuddered and signed that he could talk no more. The other sprites gathered round him, and together they hurried back into the forest leaving Syl alone, brooding on her lack of knowledge.

She sighed, perhaps one of the group would have a dream revealing some of this knowledge they lacked. Ignorance was danger, and in this situation, she figured, they needed all the help they could get. Realising the sprites had not lifted the enchantment, she stayed on watch all night, resting only via her meditation. As soon as the sun came over the horizon, she went round the group waking each of them in turn.

"We should be on the way to the corral you mentioned, Rynn, as soon as possible," she said quietly. "Eat quickly, for there is a long road ahead of us." Suiting words to action, she promptly opened the packs that Rynn had provided earlier in the day and took out a simple ration of breakfast.



Donkey_Kong_JR

Once the group reached the clearing Raven found a good spot on the dirt and closed his eyes. If they needed someone else to take second watch they could wake Raven, but now he was tired. While the others decided who should stand watch Raven began to drift into a deep sleep. He soon awoke and heard shouting in the distance. Getting up Raven ran to see the group being attacked by some unknown force. They swung at nothing, and yet Raven could hear the sound of wings, and weapons clashing. Raven tried to run and aid them, swords already drawn, but he found he couldn?t move. He looked down at the ground and found himself to be slowly sinking. He tried crying for help, but nothing came out. Suddenly the ground around the group was engulfed in flames. The shadow of a single figure appeared in the flames walking towards Raven. He had an axe in his hands, and large wings, similar to that of a bat. The figure approached Raven. He felt sweat begin to fall from his face. He raised his swords to defend himself, but his hands were empty. The creature walked up to Raven and slammed his foot on top of Raven?s head, sending Raven into the ground.

Raven woke with a start. It was already morning and Syl was waking the other members of the group. Raven wiped the sweat from his brow and got up. The group was right where he had fell asleep at. No sign of fire, and no winged creature. Raven saw Syl get some food and decided to grab some as well. The he found a large rock and sat on it, dropping into deep thought. That dream had seemed so real. He had felt the heat of the flames on his face, and the sound of weapons clashing still echoed in his head. Raven shook his head. It had been a dream, nothing more.


Thunderring

"Then we are headed for the pass. Tell me Singing Elk are you as fast and as steady as the other imperial elk I have meet?" Ravonties asked staring stright ahead.


7thDay

Gabriel had fought the enchantment, not knowing what it was. His limbs had grown weary but his mind fought restlessly with the magic. His body had given up and laid to sleep, but his mind struggled to stay conscious. Finally Gabriel could no longer hold on all he could do was send up a silent prayer
Protect us Lord...
Sleep well my Son you are in my hands
A dome that repelled evil settled around Gabriel and those near him. Evil creatures would not be able to find the area, not as long as they carried thoughts of inflicting pain to one of the company.

Morning

I swear I heard voices in the night.
The dragon women hadn't slept he felt it in the way she moved, and he also knew that only she had been awake when he had fell asleep thus she must have resisted the enchantment.
Gabriel walked to the dragonlady.
"I misjudged you thank you for watching through the night. If anything happened it might be best if you shared it with the rest of us. Dayneal and some of the others might get incontent otherwise."


PillsburyDoughboy

~Dream~

Daynael was just a kid. He and his father were out berry picking. Just then an arrow flew across the field and pierced his father in chest. He fell to the ground. "Take this," His father said as he handed him an amulet. He then passed. Daynael ran as the strange man that fired the arrow approached him. He cried all the way home, and when he got there he found his mother in a pool of blood. A man then walked in, "Kill the kid." He said "But he's only four years old, what is he going to do." Someone else said. "I don't care if he is a newborn, no one steals from me and gets away with it. Kill the kid then find that stone!" The henchman didn't have the heart to do it. He led Daynael to a clearing and told to him to run to town and met him there. Daynael did and the man met him. The man took Daynael to an orphanage and signed him in. As the man walked out Daynael watched out the window as the other man from earlier appeared. He could see the nice man begging for his life as the other sliced off his head. Daynael reached into his pocket and pulled out the stone. "This must be what they were talking about." Daynael said to himself. "I don't know what it is but I will protect it with my life."

Daynael woke that morning covered in sweat and painting. "Did you have that dream again?" Miri asked. Daynael placed his hand into his pocket and grasped the stone. He nodded, hardly able to speak through the tears he tried so hard to hide, "But it is more vivid than it had ever been. How did you sleep?"

"I sleep fine, I had the happiest dream, I was talking to a bunch of little fairies that lived in the forest. We had the most delightful conversations. We talked about anything and everything. It is odd though." Miri paused for a second to think, "I have never dreamt quite like that before." She turned to others, "Did any of you have odd dreams as well?"

"I wouldn't be surprised." Daynael said "There something odd about this place. Like last night. I wasn't tired at all until we got here. I have never fallen asleep that fast before. It was like I was put to sleep." Miri agreed, there was something almost evil the woods they were in.


Kitangel

((guy's im going to use a real dream that i had last night and i'm STILL musing over))

Vancile dreampt.

In his dream, he was in a castle. It was warm and filled with light, but there was no one there. He saw double doors, that led to the outside, so in a hope of finding someone he opened them and stepped out.
He had stepped onto a flat roof. Facing him, were 10 wolves in a semicircle, seated with their heads bowed. In the centre of their line was a man. He had hair as black as midnight, and eyes as green as a forest in summer. He, too, was kneeling, but he was looking straight at Vancile.
Vancile walked up to each wolf in turn, kneeling before them and touching their forhead with his own. When he pulled away from each of them, they dissapeared. Lastly, he turned to the man. Kneeling down, Vancile wrapped his arms around the man and hugged him. When he pulled away, his hair had become a mane and his face held wolfish features.
His eyes never leaving the man's, Vancile walked backward. He reached the edge of the roof, and looked down behid him. He stared into nothing. He saw stars, he saw infinity, a void, a universe, with no end to it, bottomless, beautiful, and deadly. Vancile looked back into the man's eye's, and fell backward.
As he was falling, he continued to look at the roof edge, to see if the strange man had followed.

Vancile woke with a start. Light streamed into his eyes. After the starry universe he had dreampt about, this nearly blinded him. He looked about and saw the others doing the sme thing. Figuring it must be morning, he groped around in a small bag he had next to him and pulled out some breakfast rations.


SingingElk

"Yes, I am quite fleet on my feet," she replied to Ravonties. I have escaped a few huntsmen who were convinced that I was a mere beast. I wonder if they belong to this evil king you speak of. In the case of true deer, fit for human food, the hinds don't have antlers. They live but sixteen years at the most. At sixteen I was still a *****et. Then, a large party of the king's men entered the mountain glens on their horses. My mother hid me in a thicket and drew them off by running.

As I got a little older and my antlers got bigger, my parents knew I would eventually become like my Great Grandmother. We decided to settle in the forest of Ash where the king's hunters do not go.


Thunderring

"Good choice," he told her. "Melody?"

"Chud says that if we can give her an extra boost every now and again she'll have no problem keeping up with us."

"Good. Mikah, I do belive that we need to find you a safer traveling spot, unless you think you can hold on that is."

(I know its long, but we have read all this before anyway, its just something to base our next posts up)

Characters, feel free to post whenever.

[BlueIceDragon]

Syl grinned dryly at Gabriel. Her tail swished slowly as she stared through Gabriel and constructed her reply. She said, in a voice just loud enough for the group to hear, "We were visited last night by the Sprite king and his retinue. They were the ones who enchanted us, but their purpose was not ill, but rather to determine whether we were a danger to their realm. They mentioned that each one of us would find their dreams prophetic, meaningful, or at least eventful. He was not forthcoming about events either here or up north, other than he has heard of the Styrmwraith and they have been affected even here."

She paused for breath and Daynael interjected, "That doesn't matter, I can handle anything! This Styrmwraith is no match for my prowess."

Rynn grimaced and gestured for Syl to continue. She pursed her lips slightly and resumed, "I do have much more to add. The king only said today would be 'tough'. I did not dream anything as I was awake all night. Advantages of dragon meditation. Perhaps when I next sleep."

Rynn raised his eyebrows. "Interesting regarding dreams... I can only remember standing in a huge cavern with spires of twisted gold and moonsilver extending from floor to ceiling. Bright gemstones caught the light from the moonsilver and the torch I carried sparkling in the flickering light. The room echoed with a thousand voices yet I could see no one. As I stood there, frozen in awe, a single drip fell on my forehead sending me crashing back to wakefulness. I have never been to this place, but I will remember it till the day I die."

He and Syl turned to the others to see if they also had anything they wished to share.

[singingelk]

Singing Elk tried not to think about her grandmother's head hanging in some castle along with the heads of mere witless beasts. she was glad the group decided against going to the king's palace. She didn't know how she would have handled seeing the mounted heads of her kindred.

"I wonder if that king and his family even knows that I am an intelligent creature. She pondered aloud. I would like to have my chance to have myself heard".

[PillsburyDoughboy]

"Exactly where are we?" Daynael asked Rynn, "It is odd that we should all dream such vivid dreams, like we never have before. I agree with Miri, this is an evil place. I don't like it here at all, we should realy get moving."

[XoxOjo]

Aethelind stumbled across the forest path, blood pouring from the two arrows embedded in her back. Got...to find...shelter she thought to herself, attemping to fly. She fell to the ground with a roar of pain, staying there until the searing pain lessened enough for her to rise again.
At rising, she heard a faint voice, her dragon senses noting that the owner of this voice was nearby and heading in her direction. Walking to the nearest tree, the dragonkind painfully pulled herself up to the nearest limb that would hide her large body from view of the path beneath. Weakened by her extreme loss of blood, Athelind dozed off and on, approaching nearer and nearer to death's clutches, and waited for the stranger to approach.
A melodic voice suddenly shattered the peaceful silence of the forest, awakening Aethelind. As she peered out from behind the leaves that sheltered her from view, An Emperial Elk came into view, speaking to no one in particular, but followed by a young human on a horse, a fairy, and and an elf.
With this, Aethelind leapt out of the tree to land in front of them, blocking their way. She laughed menacingly at their suprise, and drew her broadsword. Her green eyes glowed from within the shadows of her hood, her wings unfurled, and with the entrance which drained her of her remaining strength, fell before them, unconcious.

[Kitangel]

At first, the group moved at a swift pace. However, everyone tired, as you do.
It was mid-afternoon, and the company of five were headed along a secluded path.

The first thing Kirret noticed about the surrounding landscape is that it was quiet. There were no animal sounds, and not a breeze ruffled the leaves of the trees.

There were moanings, a short distance away. Suddenly, something fell in front of them. Chud shied and reared, and Kirret fell off him. She winced - falling off horses was never pleasent - and looked toward the immobile lump in front of her

[BlueIceDragon]

Rynn shook his head. "I don't think this place is evil. Sprites generally are harmless creatures. Annoying at times, but not evil. Perhaps the dreams we've had are revealing something both about ourselves and our futures."

[Donkey_Kong_JR]

“Perhaps.” Raven said with a slight nod, “However Daynael is right we should get moving.”

[singingelk]

Singing Elk squealed and jumped back when the winged thing pounced in front of her. Thwing! Out slipped a broadsword that flashed in the sun as the creature laughed with a menacing laugh. The smell of blood infiltrated Singing Elk's nostrils and made her gag. The being suddenly weakened and flopped forward. Sticking out of its back between its great wings were two arrows. Singing Elk looked at Kitangel and blinked.

[Kitangel]

Kirret heard a thud roughly in the direction of Singing Elk. She looked over and saw Singing Elk staring at her.
"Singing Elk, are you ok??" Kirret asked. Then Kirret turned to the Arrow-embedded lump in front of her and crawled closer to it. It LOOKED immobile enough.... Kirret poked it.