Private Tales Jungle Trek

[Rämna Sisters]

The morning arrived with a blanket of fog, and already several men had a fire going for breakfast. Thick slices of ham, fresh eggs, chopped leaks, warm bread, it was a veritable feast. They would all need to eat their fill, as there would not be another meal like this for some time once they left camp. While the inn where they had met was providing this meal, they would be on their own for the next few months.

It was a good size group, perhaps ten or so adventurers would be setting out into the wilds, hired by a single benefactor to explore a relatively unknown section of the Ixchel Wilds. The sun had barely risen above the horizon, but already it was muggy. Faith had ditched her thick traveling cloak, choosing to leave it at the inn to retrieve upon her return. She was plenty warm in more breathable garments she wore beneath it.

She sat at one of the wooden tables that had been erected out back of the inn, enjoying her breakfast. She was a little nervous, but more excited to begin. She liked traveling and the Wilds were a place she hadn’t seen much of yet. When the call came out that an adventuring group needed a healer, she was more than happy to oblige. With her magic she was confident she could keep the group safe, and she had a full reserve of divine energy from her morning prayers ready to go.

| Smiling One |​

 

[Smiling One]

“Ah Lothering the most average town you can find,” average was fitting for Willis. He wasn’t a fan of staying in one city for too long as it always gets chaotic. Willis wasn’t a person who stays in one place too long, the call of adventure always gets to him. Which is why he became a traveling mercenary, he can fight and explore Thedas. He was running out of coin so the young man was forced to stop at Lothering to go to the Monster Hunter board for work. “Let’s hope they got something good,” he mumbled stepping into the city.

The small village was bustling with men and women getting ready for the day. Willis went through Lothering a couple of times in the past, it was surprising that the quaint town suited him being a restless person who often lived a dangerous life there was something about Lothering that attracted Willis. “Maybe it’s the pretty barmaids,” he said. “I remember Bessie with the big tits.” Willis entered the inn ready to get buy a drink was about to approach the board before he accidentally bumped into a girl who was sitting on the table “Shit!” Willis said staggering back. “Sorry!”

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Faith was jostled to the side by Willis, her utensils clattering and the cup of cool water toppling over. She quickly picked it up, but it ran between the cracks in the wood and onto the ground.

"Oh! That's quite alright," she said, getting up. Faith never was one for confrontation, and surely it had been an accident. A barmaid was already on her way over to clean the mess, and when Faith offered to take the rag and do the job herself, she was refused. "Not a problem, miss," the woman had said, "I'll have this done in no time." True to her word, the table was dry in seconds, and Faith was brought a replacement glass of water.

It still felt a little odd to be waited on, but she wouldn't need to worry about that in the jungle, they would be quite on their own. "Are you here for the expedition?" she asked the man who had bumped into her, wishing to break any tension. She absentmindedly ran a hand over her hair, which was braided into a single, tight cord running down her back.

 

[Smiling One]

The young man turned around seeing a beautiful woman around his age getting near him. Willis couldn't help but form a smirk as his eyes darted up and down examining the woman's features. She had chestnut brown hair that fell past her shoulders along with fair skin and eyes that were larger than usual. As Willis observed, the woman seemed to be the shy type judging by the way she hunched over trying to appear small. It was rather cute but Willis may need to be a little cautious, the last shy girl he flirted with ended with him being punched in the face due to him flirting a little to aggressively.

"Expedition?" Willis smiled honestly he was just here to get a drink and move back on the path. But perhaps some coin wouldn't hurt. "I guess I'm going if you are," the young man sat next to the woman. "I can't help but be memorized by your beauty."

Willis motioned the barmaid for a drink before leaning against the table. "So what's your name sweetheart?" he asked. "The name's Willis Reede."

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Faith stood rigid at his words, her lips tight. She wasn't sure she cared for this man's tone, and while she strived to be polite, she never did know how to respond to people's comments on her looks. She'd dealt with her share of scoundrels, and she sincerely hoped this Willis Reede was not one of them.

She collected herself. "My name is Faith Rämna, and I am a Sister of the Convent of the Holy Creator." She put a little more emphasis on her title than usual. She was proud of it and the accomplishments it represented, although she would not admit this to herself. Pride was unbecoming of a Sister, and humility was what she had been taught, along with devotion, obedience, and chastity.

The morning air continued to warm, and the smoke from the firepit was steadily mixing with the fog all around them as they stood outside. "Jungle Team, form up!" Called a gruff-voiced man who beckoned the adventurers to the fire. Faith looked up at attention.

"Excuse me," she said to Willis, "I believe we are to head out soon," and with a polite nod she walked quickly to the fireside with a host of ten capable-looking people bearing weapons, maps, and various styles of armor and gear. Faith suddenly felt ill prepared in her simple traveling clothes and without any weapons to speak of, but she reassured herself at the tingle of divine energy within her. The Holy Creator had given her more than enough to deal with anything she came across.

"Right," the man continued. He was tall, fire-haired, and wearing an eyepatch. His face looked like it had been aged by experience as much as years, but there was little gray in his ginger beard. "It's a three day trip to Ix'quentzal Temple, our first stop. We've contracted some of the locals to meet us there with supplies, but the trip will be hard and merciless." He gazed around with his singular eye, and Faith wondered if it had been on one of these very journeys that he had lost it.

"Any questions? Any weak knees?" he asked of the group, seeming to dare anyone to show fear. Faith remained still.

 

[Smiling One]

Willis grimaced a bit the moment Faith mentioned that she was a Sister of the Holy Creator. He's heard multiple things about the organization: They often were camp followers during times of war where they heal the wounded and give out sermons to soldiers who would listen. Though from Willis' perspective the soldiers weren't really interested in what the women were saying rather than admiring their looks.

The all female nuns were also common in the outer city of Alliria where they have a base of operations located in the middle of the city granted to them by the Merchant Council. Willis did work for the Sisters as a bodyguard for a brief time only to be kicked out due to him sleeping with one of nuns he was flirting with for the past few days. The Nuns were helpful and damn it can they have some fun now and days?! Why do they always have to so damn uptight?

"Very well," Willis said his tone neutral. He had to respect what Faith said even if it was disappointing that she took a vow a chastity.

Willis followed faith to a man whom he assumed was the leader of this expedition. Willis shuddered at that thought, the last expedition he was on ended in disaster. An entire species was nearly wiped out due to the ancient spirit that lurked where they camped. "So any monsters that we need to be aware of?" Willis said crossing his arms. He took a brief look at Faith and wondered if she wore a Chasity belt some nuns wear them so they can resist the urge to not sleep around. It was a shame that the woman Willis slept with wasn't wearing one.

 

[Rämna Sisters]

((Willis must have been thinking of another organization, for while the Convent of the Holy Creator did offer their healing services in times of need, their history was different than what was described))

The one-eyed man turned his head to Willis' question, was silent for a moment, and then burst into a raucous laughter. "Monsters?! You bet you're arse there's monsters! This is the wilds, lad! There's a beastie around every corner!" Some of the larger, more armored men chuckled to themselves, but Faith's brown furroughed. She knew there would be danger, but she too was concerned about some of the more fantastic rumors she has heard.

The fire-headed man raised his hands to quiet the laughing. "Aye, lad, just a bit o' fun. But yes, there are wildcats and vipers between here and the temple, and much worse beyond. Most won't attack a group o' this size. Luckily the leopardmen haven't been seen this far west in years and we're too far north for naga... but keep yer eyes open."

Faith swallowed. She hadn't even thought of naga or leopardmen...

A tall armored figure approached the pair. They wore a shining steel breastplate and helm, with chainmail elsewhere. When the helmet was removed a a shock of short, blonde hair greeted them, and Faith was surprised to see a woman's face beneath it.

"You look like you know your stuff," she said to Willis, eyeing him up and down. "You weren't asking about tigers, were you? I know a true Monster Hunter when I find them. Name's Jeannette." She looked up at Faith, seeing her nervous eyes.

"Stick close to us, lass. You'll be fine."

"Oh! Um... thank you," she said, embarrassed at being caught off guard and intrigued at the mention of Monster Hunters.

 

[Smiling One]

"Naga....." Willis heard about the Snake folk they had a Kingdom in the Island of Nagi, occasionally they would had slavers venture forth into the Ixchel Wilds to gather slaves presumably for sacrifice. The Monster Hunters once waged war with the Nagi during the Age of Urogosh and drove them back to the sea. Though like many documents in that era, not much is known about this war especially when the Monster Hunters at least today are don't take part in war or politics.

"It's gonna be okay Faith," Willis said nodding at Jeanette who also assured her. The woman looked to be in her late twenties or early thirties with long red hair, and freckles on her cheeks. Jeanette was burlier than the average woman indicating that she was either a long time merc or a maybe a career soldier but the most defining feature was her large chin you can fit a fist on it.

"Monster Hunters don't often stick out," the young man smirked. "Name's Willis Reede do you have any idea where we're going again?"

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Jeannette nodded as Willis introduced himself. "Didn't you hear Rost?" she smirked, "Ix'quentzal Temple, some ruin three days walk from here. After that we're to explore the area north, even deeper into the wilds. Apparently whoever sponsored this group wants to know what's out there, so that's what we'll do."

Faith, for one, was excited by the idea of exploring unknown areas. She nodded in thanks at the two warriors' reassurances, and she did feel better being in their company. While she did not wish harm to come to anyone, she knew it was more than likely that her services would be needed, and she'd be happy to prove herself useful.

She hadn't anything to gather save her travelling cloak, which was still too heavy to wear in the morning heat, so she bundled it under her arm and formed up with the other adventurers by the jungle's edge.

"Alright!" called Rost after a few minutes, his one eye moving over the group. "We're moving out! Keep up, we need to make good time!"

Faith was not a warrior, but she had endurance. A lifetime of nomadic wandering made sure that long treks were something she could handle, and while the ground was uneven, muddy, and riddled with roots, she walked along in time with the rest.

She stuck close to Willis and Jeannette, as these were the only two people whose names she knew. "So, what exactly does a Monster Hunter do?" she asked, eager to entertain herself with conversation during the walk. It felt like a very foolish question, the title "monster hunter" was pretty self-explanatory, but she wondered if perhaps there was more to it than that.

 

[Smiling One]

Willis recognized the armor Jeanette was wearing steel plated along with the symbol of Alliria on the right side of the breast plate. She was a Guard of Alliria more specifically a Guard Captain judging by how detailed armor was. Given that he was thief and a pirate, Willis has been rather apprehensive of authority figures and the name: Jeanette sounded familiar. What was she doing out here in the wilds? The young man decided to remain silent about the issue for now as they trekked through the jungle.

He hadn't traveled much in the Ixchel Wilds but Willis knew it was a gold mine of Monsters. Sadly not many villages settled in the wilds due to the aforementioned monsters, deadly tribes that reside in the Wilds and most recently: The Naga who would occasionally look for slaves to take back to their Kingdom. That being said, the Monster Hunters had a strong interest in the Ixchel Wilds due to the rare Monsters that lurk there setting up safehouses around the area. It was mostly research stations so they can observe and study the Monsters so they can find easier ways to combat them.

The young man leaned against a tree taking out his pipe to smoke. "Well," he said to Faith taking a huff of smoke. "It's pretty much in the name: We hunt monsters but we also do research studying monsters in their habitats and read stories and legends about them. There's like a big book of the history of Monsters in Elbion, it dates back all the way from the Age Urogosh and it's been maintained for Ages."

Willis then stared at Faith. "So what about you sweetheart?" he said taking another inhale of smoke. "What do you do as a person who belongs in a faith?"

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Faith listened with interest to Willis' explanation. Learning about exotic monsters and creatures sounded very interesting. Perhaps, depending on the journey ahead, she could consider traveling with them in the future. Surely such people could use a healer in such a dangerous line of work.

She pondered his question, not many actually asked her about herself nor her faith. As the group continued their walk into the humid wilds, she answered. "Well... I am a healer. Almost all of the Sisters are. We follow the teachings of the Holy Creator, and that really means we help those in need whenever we can." It was actually nice to talk about herself for once, so she kept going.

"Not all of us travel as much as I do, that is a personal choice. I was sent to the convent as a girl. I was a... troubled child... but the sisters helped me through that. They taught me to heal and protect, and to discipline my mind. I truly cannot thank them enough."

The "troubled child" was how she chose to describe her tumultuous relationship with her sister, the second consciousness that lived within her head. The mental discipline from the convent helped immensely, and now she was able to fully keep Melody at bay while the sun was in the sky. Did she feel guilty for locking her sister away? Sometimes... but it was for their own good. She had convinced herself of this.

The sun was high enough now that the wilds were alive with sound. Frogs, birds, and insects of all varieties called out constantly. Here and there a more threatening sound emerged, but they were distant. That is until a piercing shriek surrounded the group.

"Hold!" Shouted Rost, lifting a burly arm into the air and peering around. It didn't take more than a few seconds for the threat to reveal itself.

Terror Bird
​

Three massive birds burst from the underbrush, and Faith was astounded at how dense these wilds were that it could hide such titans for so long. Each one stood taller than horse with beaks that dwarfed most axes. Naked heads and thick necks stretched from ragged feathers and vestigial wings, and their legs were like tree trunks that ended in four lethal talons.

The party sprung into action drawing steel and conjuring fire, lightning, and ice. Faith whirled around just in time to see one of the creatures strike towards Jeanette. Instinctively, she swirled her arms through the air and a golden shield manifested before the woman, blocking the creature's bill with a hollow clang. The shield would remain long enough for Jeannette to draw her weapon before it fell and Faith redirected her protective magic towards others in the group.

 

[Smiling One]

As soon as he heard the roars, Willis immediately drew out his Cutlass eyes darting throughout the forest looking for the monsters. He recognized the roar: It was a Terror Bird, a fairly rare creature that usually lives in the Spine though according to reports from other Monster Hunters they also have been spotted areas like the Steppe and the Ixchel Wilds. They were often mistaken for Cockatrices by villagers due to their similar body types.

What distinguished Terror Birds from Cocaktrices were their large beaks which were as hard as a regular shield something that was favored by tribesmen of the Steppe at least according to what Gihvri told him. Jeanutte blocked the beaked attacked with her sword before bashing it in the skull with her shield. Willis felt Faith's magical barrier around him as he sidestepped the second creature and sliced its knee forcing the Terror Bird to cry out in pain.

"Terror Birds rely on their speed!" Willis said. "Aim for the legs!"

 

[Rämna Sisters]

The group fought valiantly and bravely, keeping the terror birds at bay and, importantly, off of their supplies. Faith kept herself within the ring of shields and swords that had come up around the small caravan and she whirled this way and that, trying to keep an eye on everything.

She had prayed for extra strength that morning, and it had paid off. She could feel the divine energy cracking through her, and when a beak or talon threatened to break through the defensive line it was met with a transient golden barricade.

Willis had incapacitated one bird already, with its leg cut deeply it limped back, not willing to risk further injury. She saw a man swinging a large hammer at another bird, and it quickly pulled its head out of the way and darted forwards with its massive beak.

Faith could not stop the blow, it happened too quickly and was too close to the man’s face. The beak cut into his shoulder and he fell to the ground. Before the bird could kick him into the dirt, however, another blade sliced its throat.

The third circled around, looking for ways to assist its newly wounded flockmate. It kicked from the side, hard, at Jeannette, ready to follow up with a vicious bite.

 

[Smiling One]

Blood from the Terror Bird splattered on Willis' boot. Jeannette stabbed the Monster across the neck piercing its arteries. The beast wobbled helplessly as it stumbled and then collapsed, "I fight for all!" Jeanette cried out bashing her shield against the other Terror Bird's large beak.

"What are you a Knight?!" Willis whipped his head just in time to see Jeanette being pinned to the ground by the third Terror Bird. Just when it was about to raise it's massive beak, Willis ran towards the Terror Bird and blocked its attack with his Cutlass. He felt his arms vibrate violently due to the sheer force of the Terror Birds peck and he felt like his arms were about to come out from its sockets.

The Terror Bird roared stomping its feet Willis stood in front Jeanette and turned to Faith. "Check Jeanette!" he told the young woman. "I got this Terror Bird!"

 

[Rämna Sisters]

Willis' voice rang out, and Faith turned her attention to it. The final bird was engaged with him, but Jeannette was down. She ran over and quickly knelt beside the fallen woman, holding her down with more strength than one might have expected from such a slight frame. Years of endless travel did wonders for fitness.

"Stay down," she said kindly, but in a tone that would not be questioned. Jeannette looked to the battle between Willis and the bird, and Faith knew she longed to stay in the fight. They usually did. She placed one hand on Jeanette's forehead and another on her breastplate.

With a practiced ease the healing magic flowed from her fingertips and throughout the woman's body. It went to work at once, sealing wounds and repairing any damage it found. It hadn't taken much before Faith felt the telltale resistance to more magic, like a pitcher that had been filled to the brim, that let her know the task was done. Jeanette's armor had taken the brunt of the Terror Bird's strike, and a couple of fractured ribs and some nasty bruising were easy enough to fix.

She looked back up to check on Willis' progress with the final monster.