The continued adventures of not Vikings

[Dekaru]

Demonstrating an extreme lack of care for his brothers health, Gwain continues on his way towards the cellar with narry a concern for his Robillards missing eye. Thistle, equally uncaring though much more excusable, follows after with Robillard in tow (perhaps he was always missing the eye?). With Frey’s forces now entering the forts center the odd trio hurry towards the kitchen while trying not to draw attention to their activities. Arriving at the door it is quickly revealed the way is barred undoubtedly by terrified peasants inside. Far beyond caring for negotiating with those that may be inside Robillard kicks the door in one mighty go and the loud crash of breaking wood responds as the door flings wide open.

Pathetic whimpers from a group of five starving peasants hiding in a corner greet the trio as they enter. No caller hatch or door is immediately visible within though the poor lighting and dirty hay on the floor may be hiding the cellers entrance.

———————————————————————

Leewan, somehow teleporting from the walls to the fort gate, surprised Frey with his forwardness and the suddenness of his question. Looking back towards the gate Frey responds to Leewan inquiry “I’m afraid the cadaver you speak of could barely be called such. It is painful to say it but the late King was mutilated terribly and is an unfitting sight for any honest man. I’ve ordered he be brought down and burned alongside those who have fallen here today. Better his son only see ashes.”

Turning back to Leewan Lord Frey raises an eyebrow and says “You say your brother slayed the Lich? I did not think the monster would be present. I didn’t know the church had sent the means to fell the creature with us.”

[Zwiche]

"YOU!!! YOU BEATEN SHADOWS OF HUMANITY!!! SHOW US THE ENTRANCE TO THE CELLAR OR PERISH!!!" Rob thunders at the cowed, cringing peasants. His empty eye socket throbs in pain and his heart pounds a rhythm of rage.

[Dekaru]

The poor souls practically reel in pain at Robs shouting. One in the group weakly raises a hand and points to a pile of hay in the corner of the room. Quickly moving to clear the obstruction Rob soon finds a trapdoor that presumably leads to the celler.

[Interovegas]

"Enchanted flesh is still butchered by metal. The creature had tenacity beyond regular mortality that required an extra degree of cutting to be put down. It is behind us now. What is ahead is confirming the kings corpse by any means necessary. Those foreign folk contracted to me will be willing to search it for clues. Too much uncertainty surrounds the circumstances of this 'war' to continue blindly lord Frey."

[Zwiche]

"Quickly, Gwain! Use the key and let us descend further into this hellscape! Though they torture us and mutilate our flesh, we shall not be deterred! We shall press forward, inexorable, until our strength is exhausted from having to shove aside their corpses."

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Gwain nods and opens the cellar.

[Thistle]

Thistle backs up to let the two brothers down the caller ahead of her, mouthing a quick "sorry!" at the peasants huddled behind them.

[Dekaru]

Frey's expression changes from confusion to realisation. Looking around at the walls he says "Then the Lich is not permanently felled. Our men will need to sweep this fort to ensure it's abominable spirit has not found purchase in flesh again."

Waiving one of the officers over he speaks tells the man to do a thorough search of the fort. Once the officer runs off Frey turns his attention back to Leewan "Those damned fiends always overstay their welcome with the living. The day the church supplies us enough Glass to slay them all is the day Themis descends from the heavens." The last sentence is said with poorly hidden bitterness and a moment of awkward silence follows with Leewan unsure how to possibly respond.

Snapping his attention towards the gate Frey nods and says "You wish to confirm the death of our King? Don't say I didn't warn you of the terrible sight he is." Immediately stomping off, Leewan follows quickly behind. The soldiers rushing through the gate make movement slow but with a few shouts from officers a path is made for the two lords of Acren to pass and Leewan soon thereafter gazes upon the mutilated corpse of the king. Upon seeing the disfigured body, Leewan realizes Frey wasn't exaggerating; eyes and tongue pecked out by carrion make up the least gruesome injuries to the body as the jaw gapes open having been broken similarly to the limbs, bent and twisted to unnerving angles. Most terribly the stomach was opened with a knife leaving innards hanging halfway but the intestines pulled out to act as rope used to hand the corpse from the gate. Were it not for Leewans experience with battle and the more... unsavoury elements of statehood he would be forced to avert his eyes.

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Opening the celler Gwain is immediately greeted by the unmistakable smell of rotten meat that emanates from the dark room below. The smell is so strong that it rapidly fills the room and forces everyone within to cover their noses in an attempt to save their sense of smell. Robillard, eagerly ready to leap down into the unknown, takes a moment to wonder what could be down below him and realizes that the hay on top of the entrance was likely there to seal the smell as best as possible. Perhaps a warning or simply the Lichdoms tendency to utilize any food, no matter how spoiled.

[Zwiche]

Fearing no smell, but wishing that the Lich had removed his nose instead of an eye, Rob jumps down into the pit, prepared to slay whatever he finds.  Any doubts he has are masked at the satisfaction of having 100% totally murdered the shit out of a lich that's will definitely not rise again.

[Dekaru]

Rob leaps down into the cellar landing with a loud thud due to his heavy armour (somehow not breaking his legs either). Looking about it becomes apparent that the cellar extends farther than Robillard can see in the pitch black. What Robillard can see is a large number of barrels and wooden crates stacked against the walls. Many of the wooden containers have been broken open with stores of rotting meat and spoiled grains spilling out onto the ground. Clear scratch marks can be seen on most of the broken containers despite the darkness.

[Zwiche]

“Someone  throw down a torch! The stench is merely the rotting supplies of a rotten heretic keep. Themis sees their foulness and brings it to light. When we are finished with this monstrosity of a castle, we can burn it to the ground and purge their filth from these lands.”

[Dekaru]

Before a torch can be thrown down Robillard hears a rustling from beyond the darkness. Turning towards the source the sounds become louder and the telltale strobing begins to eminate from the darkness. One by one more of the demonic beasts appear until, to Robillard's horror, six pairs of eyes as red as hellfire stare at him.

[Zwiche]

"COME YOU FIENDS!!! I HAVE SLAIN YOUR MASTER AND I SHALL SLAY YOU AS WELL!!! LET US DANCE IN THE DARKNESS!!!"

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Seeing Robillard, jump heedlessly into the void, Gwain lets out an exasperated sigh, "there he goes again." He hands Thistle a torch. "Here, light this." Just then, his face darkens as he hears a telltale growling that can only mean one thing.

"Robillard!" he calls in worry, "come back to the door right now! Don't make me come in there after you!" Even as he says this, he draws his bow and knocks two arrows.

[9 on initiative]

[Dekaru]

Gwain shouts down to Robillard but before he can act three of the beasts spring into action charging towards Robillard and as one leaping into the air towards him. One by one Robillard avoids the beasts charges until the third collides with him knocking the titan of Griswald to the ground and pinning him beneath its terrible stomach. Gwain, watching from above, knows what comes next when a man is pinned by these beasts. The hellhound pinning Robillard rears momentarily bearing its many daggers that pierce from its stomach and mauls Robillard while the two beasts that had failed to pin Rob grab hold of his limbs to hold him down.

[15 on the attack that pins Robillard and 38 on the follow-up the attack with assistance from the other two beasts. No damage from charge but 7 damage per DoS on the follow up attack]

Thistles turn then the other three beasts

[Zwiche]

The first attack knocks Rob to the ground. He grunts as he falls, taking 4 damage [1 additional degree of success, plate armor of 10].  The following attack wounds him greatly however, as the ferocious stomach teeth manage to rip into his flesh. At least this time he has held onto the sword.

[Thistle]

Taking the torch from Gwain, Thistle fumbles for her flint and steel before she spots one of the conveniently lit wall sconces and shoves the torch at it. It lights and she drops the torch down below, aiming for a dry patch that hopefully won't let it gutter out. It survives the landing and casts a wide yellow ring of light below.

"So is this your family's normal reaction to unexplored, dangerous fortresses? Just jump in and start swinging at things?" She says to Gwain. "Anyway, nevermind. Let's try to get him out of trouble. "

Thistle pats Nibbs on the head. "If any of those nasties comes up the ladder somehow, maul them."

She pokes her head over the cellar door, and eyes the scene below. From the glow of the dropped torch, she can see the six neon wolves circling Rob. One of them lurks towards the back, behind one of the other wolves. Thistle half turns to Gwain, catches his eye, and points at the wolf hanging back. "Don't hit that one, let me deal with it."

Taking a deep breath, Thistle braces herself and reaches out with her mind and does the warg mental equivalent of a football tackle to the wolf.

[Dekaru]

The torch drops illuminating the space below completely (it's not very big; only eight feet wide and fifteen feet long). As Rob had observed on landing, the walls are lined with crates and barrels with many broken open and spilling food onto the floor. Thistle, after giving Gwain a most peculiar request, extends her consciousness to one of the beasts. Disturbingly, Thistle doesn't find the brutish consciousness of a beast nor the more refined and guarded thoughts of a human within; instead, the beasts consciousness is a storm of intelligent thought and a drive to consume. Despite this, Thistle manages to wrest control of the creature and opens eyes not her own. Seeing not the vivid colours of the world nor the black and white that some animals do Thistle sees a world of blazing fire and freezing cold.

Perhaps befuddled by Thistles request, Gwain does not react fast enough and two of the remaining three beasts spring into action. Leaping past the pinned Robillard the two creatures jump the height from the cellar to the floor above in a rapid blitz. Nibbs, having been ready for action, charges one of the beasts. Despite the claws and teeth brought to bare Nibs attacks do nothing more than tear off fur (and probably piss off the creature). The other beast leaps right in front of Gwain and eyes him hungrily.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Hang in there brother!" Gwain shouts desperately as he draws two arrow and sends them streaming into the encroaching beast's gaping maw.

[24 on the first and 20 on the second, 6 + 1 piercing per degree of success]

[Dekaru]

Gwain loses his two arrows and they fly true into the beast's skull killing it instantly as it slumps over as quickly as it had leapt up to attack him. Meanwhile, Robillard fails to release himself from the beasts mauling him and before any help can arrive he is attacked by the three beasts.

[one attacks from the one on top of Robillard 12 with 7 damage per DoS. One attacks from each of the beasts on Robillards sides 19 and 17 with 5 damage per DoS. Being grabbed imposes a -5 penalty to combat defence mind you. Two beasts not grappling dodge and the one grappling expends a greater action to maintain the grapple]

Thistles turn

[Zwiche]

By twisting and turning quickly, Rob is able to avoid most of the first attack, taking only a scratch. However, the next two attacks land deep, tearing out huge chunks of flesh. He lies there, too wounded to stand.

[Dekaru]

While the trio of beasts chow down on Robillard the beast strangely standing still in the back of the cellar finally lurches into an explosive motion. Leaping at its brethren, the beast tears the creature pinning Rob off with its charge causing both to tumble over him. While Thistle feels herself bite into the offending creature her attempt to pin is met with resistance. With both beasts regaining their footing the two stare at each other Thistles opponent flashes a blur of signals which are instinctively interpreted as confusion.

Meanwhile, the second creature above the cellar lashes out at Nibbs who is protecting Thistles comatose body with his life. With a bite as fast as a viper a vicious blow is dealt and the creature then immediately adopts a defensive posture with the clear intent of dodging any incoming blows.

[23 on the attack against Nibbs with 5 damage per DoS inflicting a wound]

Rob and Gwains turn

[Gwain Von Griswald]

Utterly confused by Thistle's sudden unconsciousness, Gwain knows only one thing for sure: his brother is in grave danger. Hoping against hope that Nibbs will be able to keep the beast beside him occupied long enough, Gwain fires two arrows at the one of the predators now tearing through Robillards armor.

[24 and 28, 6 + 1 piercing damage per degree of success.]

[Zwiche]

Rob, bleeding from his copious wounds, managed to stumble to his feet. He holds his sword and shield high and stares down the two wolves remaining against him. Wounded as he is, his attacks lack grace, but he still swings a savage blow.

[5k2 -1 +1 gives me 7. 11 damage per degree. This is at the one Gwain did not attack.]

[Dekaru]

Looking down Gwain strings another two arrows and just as quickly as he felled the first beast he fells another that attacks his flailing and helpless brother as the beasts easily dodge his clumsy and slow swings. The remaining beast fighting Robillard attacks at him with vicious bites while other two beasts down in the cellar square off. The one fighting Thistles controlled creature responds similarly and attacks at its offending brethren. Gwain can see Nibbs do its best to fight off the beast pressing towards Thistle but the monster deftly avoids swipes from the Shadowcat.

[7 on the attack against Rob and 18 on the attack against Thistle (doesn't force an injury or wound)]

Thistles turn

[Zwiche]

Robb laughs.  
"You weaklings!" he coughs out, spitting blood as he talks. "You will never take me down! You stand no chance before my blade!"
Either the blood loss or alcohol poisoning has accentuated his ever-present hubris.

[Interovegas]

Leewan is hardened to the core, a man with little in the way of remorse or fear. He looks down upon the old King's corpse and wonders what folly choices brought this once revered sovereign to such a state. Pictures of scheming and plotting play in Lord Griswald's mental landscape. Permutations of plots involving blue and black clad priests, ambitious princes and unsatisfied lords run through act after act but none fit just right to materialize the conclusion here in this rotting fortress. Leewan quashes his contemplation and asserts himself back into the dialogue.

"So be it. He has passed. Now we deal with the present. The soldiers have begun the ground work for defense but we cannot stand against invading forces for long in this earthly hole. What scouts can be scattered to unveil the layout of the neighboring slopes and mud flooded valleys?"

[Thistle]

Still controlling the neon wolf, Thistle is going to attack one of the wolves attacking rob again. 

Upstairs, Nibbs snarls when she gets bit, but tthrows herself at the wolf, trying to try to claw the wolf (18, five damage per degree of success) and, no matter the outcome, is going to go back to a defensive position again as well.

[Dekaru]

As Robillard swings his blade to no effect and shouts his boasts the beast Thistle controls attacks the offending creature. Though no injuries are inflicted she nonetheless inflicts a significant blow upon the beast. Unknown to Thistle, Nibbs fights for its life to little effect against the beast upstairs. Either realizing the real threat or simply disinterested in Nibbs now the beast fighting the Shadowcat turns its attention to Gwain and leaps at him. Just as the beast is about to pin him and wound him terribly Destiny intervenes and Gwain manages to struggle against the creature preventing him from being knocked to the ground though.

[14 on the charge with 7 damage per DoS]

Gwain and Robs turn

[Zwiche]

ORob again sees no option but to best the monster in front of him. “Why won’t you stand still,” he pants out, barely able to move at this point from the weight of his armor. 

[Got a 9 this time. Still 11 per degree.]

[Gwain Von Griswald]

No longer able to ignore the beast which just came close to turning him into an evening snack, Gwain fires two shots at it, hoping desperately that Robillard will be able to survive for a precious few more seconds.

[18 and 26, 6 + 1 piercing damage per degree]

[Dekaru]

Quickly stringing two arrows and losing them into the beasts gaping jaws Gwain fells one of the few remaining beasts. Perhaps distracted, Robillard manages to land a blow upon the beast but not strong enough to cause any lasting harm. In retort, the last beast that still fights bites at Robillard in an attempt to deliver one final bit of lasting damage.

[14 on the attack 5 damage per DoS]

Thistles turn

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Frey gestures past Leewan with a nod and the sounds of metal shoes sloshing into the mud get louder and louder. An irritatingly croaky voice fills the air "What does the Lord Griswald require?"

Turning to see the new member of the conversation Leewan finds the familiar face of Kleiner to greet him. Somewhat worse for wear as a streak of blood runs from his forehead, along his cheekbone, and finally to his thick beard the man rubs at his throat. Frey, showing obvious concern for a longtime compatriot, asks Kleiner "You know full well you're not to report to me if you have suffered a serious injury. I'll not have you lose any more limbs so you can simply give me an after battle report or protect me."

Kleiner, forcing himelf to stand at attention while still keeping his hand on his throat, responds "It's nothing, sir, just got banged up a bit. Got knocked on the ground and landed hard enough to knock my vocals off kilter. What does the Lord Griswald want?"

Frey, clearly frustrated, humphs to himself and says "Lord Griswald expresses concern over the dangers immediately surrounding us. I find myself agreeing with him and we must form scouting parties and secure the defences of the fort immediately. I know the Griswald forces have contingents of scouts and I desire your own scouts to coordinate with theirs."

Kleiner nods in acknowledgement "I'll assemble three squads for the mission. Where do you fear our enemies will strike us from?"

[Zwiche]

Rob manages to block the worst of the blow, and his armor stops the wolf's fangs from causing any further damage. He still stands, bleeding heavily, but no hurt than he was a moment ago.

[Thistle]

Worried about the situation upstairs, Thistle forces the neon wolf into throwing itself at the other wolf in the basement for one last attack, trying to bite and gouge with the belly spine things. 

Upstairs, nibbs is going to attempt to aid Gwain in whatever way she can, since he's the only effective person up there right now.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

With only one beast remaining, Gwain draws his bow and aims it at the foul creature threatening his brother's life. "Lights out, bitch."

[22 and 23, 6 + 1 piercing per degree]

The arrows strike true and the beast falters for just a moment before crumbling into a limp pile of flesh. Once Gwain sees its haunting flashes recede into the warm glow of the torch, he lets out a breath and stows his bow in a flourish.

[Dekaru]

With Gwains flourish ends the battle and the son of Griswald turns to see the peasants who had been hiding in the kitchen earlier have since run for their lives when the beasts began attacking. Robillard, barely alive, finds himself alone in the cellar with still one beast that strangely does not attack him. Nibbs, wounded, moves over to a corner of the kitchen and lays down panting in pain.

[Zwiche]

Robb wants to follow Nibs’ example, but decides against it. Instead he masters his pain and awkwardly bends over to lift the torch high. He examines the basement, looking for signs of what is stored here, or any additional passageways. As for the wolf not attacking him, he considers it beneath his notice. Clearly Themis has broken the mind of this foul beast, protecting her chosen one.

[Dekaru]

Robillard, doing his best to ignore his wounds, looks around the cellar doing his best to not trip over the dead creatures at his feet. Looking in the crates Robillard realizes his initial observations were correct. Foodstuff fills every crate and barrel with cloth stacked towards the far end of the cellar. Not deterred easily, especially after shedding blood for this endeavour, Robillard examines the areas beneath some of the barrels and the walls. The barrels have scratch marks and some are broken open, likely because of the former occupants, and the walls look old and decrepit with moss covering the moist surface; all save one. The wall at the far end of the cellar is not covered in moss and, upon a cursory inspection, the bricks are clearly newer than those on the other walls.

[Zwiche]

Rob calls up to his companions at the top. “It looks like they built a new wall here! Perhaps we can break it down and explore it after a moment to rest. I’m sure I’ll be ready to continue on after only a few weeks.”

[Gwain Von Griswald]

While Gwain is curious to explore the cellar his brother nearly died entering, his attention is fixed on the seemingly harmless girl next to him. Until now, Thistle's claims about her abilities could be dismissed as the ravings of a mad woman, but there was no way to deny that one of those impeccably trained beasts had just turned on its companions and tried to defend Robillard.

"You're... controlling that creature aren't you?" Gwain breathes in amazement, unsure if Thistle's barely moving form will even be able to answer.

[Thistle]

Thistle upstairs doesn't make any comment (poor Nibbs ) and keeps drooling. Thistle in the basement, still in the neon wolf, sighs and takes a good whiff of the basement to check out its contents, really taking in the scents by the maybe new wall that Rob found. Then, when that's done, she trots over to Robb, looks up at him (trying to look as harmless as a vicious, knife bellied, neon wolf can), and then very pointedly lifts a paw and jabs it in the direction of the ladder. Just to make sure it really sinks in, she repeats the gesture a few times, then sits back down, takes a good long yawn, and waits to see what'll happen.

[Zwiche]

Rob’s jaw drops, and this time, not because it’s been dislocated.

“Grain!” he calls up, his voice higher pitched than it has been in years, “Themis speaks to me! Prepare a rope harness. We must take this miraculous creature with us!”

[Thistle]

If dogs could roll eyes, Thistle would be doing that right now. The wolf shakes her head back and forth. She lifts her paw again, points at Rob, then points at the ladder, insistently. 

Alarmed that this is going to turn into some weird religious thing, Thistle starts scratching out on the dirt floor a stick figure Rob climbing the ladder while the wolf stays behind. Since wolf claws aren't great for drawing, it looks a bit wobbly but it gets the point across

[Gwain Von Griswald]

"Well I'll be... magic before my very eyes." Gwain comments to himself in wonder. "Well I better get down there before Robillard finds a way to get himself killed" he mutters before moving Thistle gingerly into a comfortable resting position against a wall and then descending into the room below.

"Do you grow stupider by the day, or have you always been this careless?" Gwain chastises as soon as he and his brother are face to face. "Now what is this you are about now?"

[Zwiche]

"Behold, brother, proof of Themis' guidance!" Rob says with awe as he gestures at the holy wolf.  "Her holy presence has entered this wolf and tamed its foul nature.  Much as before, when she spoke to me through a bird!" Rob's eyes open wide in the realization.  Not once, but twice, Themis Herself has intervened in his life, sending him a message.

This is a sign, he thinks. In a passionate explanation, he speaks again, "Before I was too blind to see, but now I realize the truth. Themis does not wish us to hear her words through the false fathers preaching in their gilded cathedrals, but through her own creation, through all the beasts and birds of these lands.  Yea, even unto the twisted monsters of the Blasted Wastes.  How else was I able to commune with Guinevere through nought but the power of prayer? How else was I able to find your prison, just in time to save you from certain death? Themis is speaking to us, all the time, from every direction!"

Rob lapses into quiet muttering, perhaps due to his blood loss. "I must spread the Word, Brother! Promise me, you will help me take this wolf out from here and we can use it to show the world the proof of Themis' power.  Her Faith will enter their hearts and She will rule triumphant!"

[Gwain Von Griswald]

As Robillard rants, Gwain starts applying a clean cloth to the giant's still bleeding wounds. "Okay big boy, why don't you just have a seat for now and keep those gashes covered? Wouldn't want you to loose consciousness and miss Themis' glory right before your eyes."

"In the mean time, I have work to do" Gwain says, more to the oddly docile predator next to him than his half-delirious brother. He heads over to the suspicious looking wall at the far end of the cellar and beings looking for a way through.

[Dekaru]

As Robillard continues to mumble to himself Gwain does his best to find an easy way through the wall to no avail. Whoever had laid the bricks had sealed it flush against the wall and the mortar is fresh enough to not be showing any cracks. This freshness is in clear contrast to the masonry of the other walls in the cellar confirming his brothers suspicions. Themis knows how long it would take to chip the wall down piece by piece and Robillard is in no condition to be attempting breaking it down (if he even could at full strength. Truly, it would take an individual of monstrous strength to break a brick wall down singlehandedly. As Gwain ponders this he realizes that it’s only a matter of time before some of the soldiers come poking around.

[Zwiche]

Rob indeed holds the cloth to his wounds, stuffing it into his armor to try and stop the bleeding.  

"Just give me a few moments and I'll be right up to deal with that wall, Gwain! Just a few... more... moments..." 

The alcohol and blood loss are finally taking their toll.  Rob begins to slip into unconsciousness.

[Interovegas]

Scout north and east. If you are certain no foes are in immediate approach in those directions then we shall suspect a touring force originating from the south.

[Gwain Von Griswald]

With no way forward, the only possible path is back whence they came. Gwain rummages through the supplies around him to find a sturdy looking rope and ties it around Robillard's waist. He cautiously approaches the creature waiting patiently nearby, and offers it the end of the rope. "Uhm..., play tug?" Together, hey both begin dragging Robillard's unconscious body to the trap door. Once he is lifted out of the cellar, Gwain removes the rope and begins coiling it in preparation for more work. He looks to Thistle, then back to the creature, then ever so carefully starts binding the beast's legs and mouth. He closes the trap door, locks it, then moves the hay lying in the corner back over the trap door to conceal its presence once again.

Finally, he draws his bow and points a knocked arrow at the hopefully helpless beast. He gives it a nod, then waits. Not knowing what will happen next, he simply stands at the ready, anticipating a contingent of soldiers to come roaring in or the beast to snap its bonds at any second.