Quest The Hunt for the Great White Dracopyr

Organization specific roleplay for governments, guilds, adventure groups, or anything similar

Ermengarde

Duellist
Member
Messages
164
Character Biography
Link
Through the ordeals of the return to Malakath and the subsequent shipwreck, Ermengarde was finally able to return to her colony established roughly one year ago in a prior expedition to this once undiscovered continent.

Cittanovà it is called, and since its conception as a few tents, has now grown into a substantial settlement. (Although it would still look impoverished compared to your typical Allirian countryside village)
The houses were out of local, opalescent wood, and or out of red soil bricks mixed in with grass.
Some buildings, usually the administrative ones were more opulent, and in just one such building, officially termed the 'bureau of commerce managment' was Ermengarde.

-

Sitting behind a desk with her boots on it, she was looking over some ledgers detailing exports.
The prestigious 'opiline timber' was a profitable export, but...
After a few people have disappeared, it was no longer safe to send out people to cut the timber. She herself dared to explore the now-abandoned lumbermills, and what she found was deeply concerning.
A clawed footprint as big as her torso.


Sending a message back to Alliria, Ermengarde hoped some unruly band of monster hunters or a big game beast-slayer would sign up for the task.
One ship was scheduled to arrive soon, and whoever signed up, was directed to the Bureau.
The promised payment was a choice between 200 coins or loot from the slain mystery beast.

Whatever that was, it had to be exterminated.
 
The worst thing about traveling by boat was the complete lack of scenery. Just go above deck, stare out across the vast waters of the realms, imagine what lay over the horizon and gaze upon fluffy clouds? Certainly, and then when Samara was done letting the Heavens whip her with invisible lashes perhaps she'd go below deck and set herself ablaze. A tolerance for sunlight despite the weakness of many Vampire did not mean she sunbathed or could stand to loiter. So, wooden walls on every side, beneath her feet, and above her head it was. Until nightfall. Thankfully a nocturnal hunter wasn't quite so unusual. After all, some beasts only came out at night and thus Samara had her reason for occupying the emptied decks with sailors that made sure the ship didn't capsize in the night.

There was one benefit to her condition, however. Samara didn't feel the least bit queasy from the rolling of the ship. Not even when the waves crashed against them and the entire vessel creaked and groaned under the assault of turbulent waters. It likely had to do with the fact as a Vampire she couldn't eat solid food. Another problem when trapped on a mobile island with others that might not appreciate such a predator aboard ship. Yet, being the nocturnal hunter she was there were fewer lollygagging about observant whether their passengers ate a "hearty" meal or not. As though the galley sported a world-renown chef.

A sailor or two might have awoken with a sore neck here or there along the way, of course.

On this venture, the Elven woman sported a wide-brim black hat to keep the sun off her face. Any cooling during the day was a welcome blessing. The black leather was oiled, and her red undershirt kept clean of spots or dirt. Broken in leather boots clomped over the deck as she sauntered away from the ship once they reached dock; a welcome change with far more stimulating landscape to behold.

As directed, the light skinned Dark Elf strode up to this 'Bureau' where the leader or hiring manager was said to reside. Samara stopped in the doorway and allowed her eyes to focus on the darker interior -- a welcome relief to her blue eyes. If the sun wasn't busy trying to cause Samara to collapse from heat stroke it was trying to blind her. "I hear there is a beast in these lands." Samara was fairly certain there were many beasts in these particular lands. That was part of the allure for people like those that'd setup settlements like the one she was in, no? Raw, untapped potential. Well, all loot had danger lurking nearby. "I am Samara."

For this trip, Samara had acquired a greatsword, which was strapped securely to her back with the grip sticking up over her left shoulder. A whip was secured along her right hip, along with a belt of many loops and an assortment of vials secured there. "I'm here to help." For a commensurate reward, of course. Mostly due to the pain and suffering of having to travel so far in the first place.

Ermengarde
 
  • Yay
Reactions: Ermengarde
After hearing mentions of a mysterious beast that needed exterminating grasped Cadwaladr's attention, it didn't take the brazen Nordenfiir too long to get excited about the idea of slaying a monster and while never having hunted any kind of monster before, he rashly thought it couldn't be too far different than hunting a pack of hungry wolves. With that thought in his mind, he gathered his hunting equipment, armour and stuffed himself full of food and mead before heading off to sign up for the hunt and then went on his way to board the ship headed there. Once at the ship he cheerfully boarded with a belly full of meats and mead and went below deck to find himself a comfy spot, while he had been on ships before especially when he tried fishing Cad was never the biggest fan of them and intended to simply sleep his way through this trip.

Finding a place to set his things down, Cad began organising the weapons that he had brought with him. First, he set down his oak longbow and quiver filled with iron broadhead arrows fit for hunting big game. Then after his bow and quiver, he set down his steel boar spear made for hunting boars but the lugs at the base of the spearhead prevented impaled creatures from getting closer to who held it. And last but not least, securely strapped to his belt was his trusty Seax, while he used it mainly as a utility knife it was more than capable of stabbing and slashing. After all his weapons were organised and accounted for, the large man stretched out his arms as he let out a deep and loud yawn before laying down and just going to sleep.

Despite the rocking of the ship along with the waves crashing into it, Cadwaladr didn't seem to wake or even stir in his sleep as he got rolled around back and forth during the trip.

Once the ship had docked up and folk began to get off, all the stomping above him on the top deck finally awoke the man as he climbed up to his feet and stretched once more, chuckling at how the trip was seemingly very quick, at least to him it was. Picking up his weapons and bag he quickly made his way up to the deck and onto the dock, taking deep breaths of the fresh ocean air as he wandered, becoming very irritated as the smell of salt assaulted his nose. Once off the dock, he went on a wander around the settlement to familiarise himself with it, and to clear his nose from the scent of salt by sniffing out all the different scents. Sometimes having a heightened sense of smell was a curse.

Though after a while he found himself being directed towards the Bureau and went along towards the building, his heavy footsteps sounding out as he entered the building behind the pale dark-skinned elf. "I too heard there was a beast to be hunted!" He proclaimed loudly in a brazen tone, offering a cheerful grin to those in the room as he tapped the end of his boar spear against the ground a few times. "I am Cadwaladr! Here to lend my strength in slaying the beast that plagues this land!" He once more remarked confidently, happy to just get the chance to hunt a monster but also excited as to the trophy he could get from it.

Ermengarde
 
Last edited:
  • Yay
Reactions: Ermengarde
»Beasts are all that reside in these lands, « Ermengarde leaned forward but had not stood up yet, only dipping her quill in the inkwell and writing down the name offered once interest was established.
She turned the parchment around and offered Samara to take a free quill.
Of course, another person came and Ermengarde felt a little more confident about this expedition. The right amount of skilled or clever combatants seemed like a key to success, diversity of arsenal was just as crucial. »Cadwaldr, what excitement, « she wrote his name down too and offered him the paper to sign.
»I only need a name or a cross on the dotted line and you'll be eligible for compensation of a reward consisting of beast loot or 200 crowns. If you might perish, the compensation will be sent to your immediate family or person of choice.«

»We know not what kind of beast this is per se, other than it will be quite large.«
The expedition leader then offered one and the other her hand for a firm handshake.

Samara Asenta Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
"A new land, and a beast to be hunted? What could be more exciting!" He stated very happily at Ermengarde's comment about excitement while the tall Nordenfiir stepped forward towards the paper he was meant to sign, giving a few blinks as his eyes scanned over it, he even appeared to be silently mouthing each letter of his name as he rested his spear against a wall and began to crudely sign his name on the paper. Quite clearly writing and reading wasn't his strong suit.

The earthy and somewhat musky scent of the man could more clearly be picked up on as he took his sweet time signing the paper and once done with the writing he reached out to give a firm handshake to the mousy haired woman. "Hah! A large beast you say? That just means its scent will be even easier to follow!"

After he finished speaking he turned towards Samara and dipped his head at the elf before holding out his left hand to offer a firm handshake as well. "I look forward to hunting with you, and seeing you use that blade!" he said, referencing the greatsword strapped to her back. Once he had done speaking, he turned his head to point his left ear towards the women as to hear if either responded.

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
  • Popcorn
Reactions: Ermengarde
Samara gave the man a sidelong look as he announced himself. There had been others on the ship, and it was actually welcome to find out at least one other was interested in the hunt. Tracking and slaying beasts was no new thing to the Elf, and despite her Vampiric boons Samara still preferred good company in the pursuit. It brought a little stability to her life.

"What do we know of this beast? Talons? Spear-like impressions? Webbing? Snapped or cut trunks of trees, perhaps?" Ermengarde said they knew not what it was, but surely they'd seen its influence over the land. Something had drawn a contract be placed on its crown. Though it seemed unlikely they would be able to confirm whether their terror was capable of flight unless giant feathers had been left in its passing.

Icy blue eyes glanced at the hand and then swiftly rose to regard the spear-wielder. Samara took the man's hand firmly, but with no intent to injure. "I usually prefer more refined blades, but I did hear this creature would be quite large. I did not come to tickle it," she replied followed by a broad smile on her dark lips.

"You are adept at tracking by scent? That should prove quite useful. I, myself, am versed in tracking creatures through the wilds. Though if this one is as big as sounds following its trail may not prove so difficult." Whereas this Cadwaladr might know if the beast was near by scent alone. A supernatural sense of smell was not something Samara herself possessed. Yes, her Creator enjoyed 'tinkering' with those She touched.

That said, Samara stepped forward to sign her name to Ermengarde's document. Unlike Cadwaladr, the Elven script was almost a work of art. One of the skills that remained from her time as a spellcaster. Not quite as refined as an Elf over one hundred years, but practically indistinguishable to the untrained eye -- most of the world that frankly didn't care how fancy a signature was. "There is none my share will need to go toward, if I perish," Samara confessed. "I'm sure the settlement here will find some use for it."

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
  • Popcorn
Reactions: Ermengarde
A Nordenfiir's scent truly was remarkable in an enclosed space. Perhaps they should hurry outside, heh.

»Welcome to the team then « she greeted both after each shake of the arms and offered an additional head nod to Samara's request.

But indeed, a type of a team has been assembled, the question was always, what would they hunt. But an answer of, the creature was never seen was not a welcome one.
»The beast was never spotted in the area in all its splendour, aside from a few disconnected footprints, « Ermengarde, after sliding the documents aside with her prosthetic, slid forth a drawing of two distinct footprints. One that looked like a telltale three-toed foot, and a silhouette of three-prong like claws that continued into something that might be considered a fourth digit pointing into the air.
»We have reason to believe that it can fly. Thus further investigation will need to be conducted there where its tracks have been found. I intend to join this quest not just as a guide.«

Samara Asenta Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
Listened to the elf query what was known about this beast as the thought of it perked up Cadwaladr's interest, he wondered what the beast could look like and how ferocious it could be, far from the odd boar or pack of wolves he'd faced before although that was mainly what attracted Cad to this hunt. Though his wonders were cut short as he felt a firm grip take his hand and the man looked to Samara as she began speaking about preferring refined blade, however, once she mentioned not wanting to tickle the beast, the Nordenfiir erupted into laughter at her statement and began to nod his head. "HAR HAR HAR! Not wanting to tickle it, that is a good one!" He loudly yet cheerfully roared out, still in the midst of his chuckling.

After a while of Cadwaladr's booming laughter, he eventually calmed down enough to nod his head at the elf's question about his tracking by scent, and offered a smile as she expressed her own skills with tracking. "There is very in the way of beasts that can escape my sense of smell, but I agree! With how big this beast seems to be, it will be easy to track down."

Once Ermengarde slid forth the drawings of the footprints, Cad's eyes shifted over to the paper as he inspected the drawings and nodded his head in agreement that it could fly. "If it can fly, perhaps its nest or den rests near where these people went missing? They may have entered its territory and became its prey." He suggested as he looked between the two others in the room to seemingly see what they thought about the idea. In his own mind, it made sense, while he's not all too familiar with the hunting habits of flying beasts he knew that some wild animals had territories they hunted in, like wolves.

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
A quick handshake and smile in the direction of her companions had been shared. They all seemed to get along well enough, which was always a positive sign.

"Flight." Samara nodded as she contemplated such a challenge. Her eyes shifted to the boisterous man and his gear. "Are you skilled the bow Cadwaladr?" It was good that he carried the weapon, but better that Samara made sure he could use it. "It would be best if we found a way to ground the creature, but if we cannot..." at least they wouldn't be flailing helplessly at thin air as if that would coax such a thing down.

"What weapon do you use, and what should we call you?" A smile graced her lips with a slight lift of her eyebrows. The woman had just ruled out 'Guide' as a name; Ermengarde would need to supply something other than 'hey, you.' The use of her species' name would seem racist. Not that anyone seemed to shed any tears when they screamed 'Vampire!' like she were the embodiment of evil -- they weren't even aware of that yet.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
Last edited:
»Sense of smell, perfect, who needs dogs,« she leaned slightly back before heading towards the exit door and swinging it open so the outside light would shine within once more.
»Freiin Ermengarde von Monterossa, Protector of Cittanova and a duellist with a rapier on hand, « she replied to Samara with a brief polite bow.

»Considering it could fly, we should stock up on some rope and traps from the warehouse, come... if it's for the mission it's on the house. «

Incidentally, the warehouse was seen from just outside the bureau. Similar architecture, nice and sturdy with a big double gate. What would they need? Hooks, rope, traps?

Samara Asenta Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
"Hah, there's never a need for a hound's nose when you have a Nordenfiir." He said with a prideful grin and another hearty chuckle as he reaches for his spear that leaned against the wall, holding it in his left hand he turned and walked from through the door Ermengarde swung open. Once outside in the sunlight, Cadwaladr took in a deep breath through his mouth, as he enjoyed the fresh air.

After his deep breath, he turned back to face the bureau's door and gave a grin to Samara at the question of him being able to use his bow. "Do not threat about me being a skilled archer, I've used a bow since I was a small cub. But aye, having a way to ground this beast would be better than me shooting it from afar." He remarked as he pats the quiver on his hip, it had around 28 broadhead arrows in it for hunting big game. "That way I might just run out of arrows! Har Har Har!"

"But I do ask, Ermengarde, if this warehouse stores harpoons in it, or would I need to speak with the sailors at the docks? If we could throw some Harpoons into it we could drag it to the ground with rope- or tie the rope to a tree." Cadwaladr asked as his gaze shifted over to the mousy-haired woman. He knew harpoons were made for whales and tuna but it seemed like a good idea to him.

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
Ah, good, a duelist with a rapier. Someone well educated and trained in combat with a blade. And the type of weapon Samara had just made light of given the scale of the beast to be slain. Well, here was to hoping this rapier was magical in some respect.

When their Not-Guide led the way outside, the Elf tipped the brim of her hat down to keep the sudden exposure to light from momentarily blinding her. Someday perhaps she'd find a peddler that had developed some kind of... light filter for one's eyes. Or a magical pendent to accomplish the same feat. Something to make the sun more tolerable.

"Run out of arrows?" Samara smiled for a moment. "You only need one to pierce its heart." A jest, of course. There was certainly no guarantee the hide could even be pierced by an arrow in the first place, let alone deep enough for one heart to fell the thing. Still, twenty-eight arrows was more than enough for a single target. If they weren't then arrows were the wrong weapon of choice altogether.

"We should stock up on climbing gear as well." Hooks, spikes, hammers. Not that Samara needed them really, but if there were any cliffs involved her companions might. If nothing else such things would make the rope handy in snaring the beast. Much like Cadwaladr's suggestion of using harpoons. "And any alchemical substances. Poisons, perhaps." Round about way of asking what they had in stock, really. Never knew what could be used and vials of deadly agents didn't take up much room. It was 'on the house' after all.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
Ermengarde briefly snickered before escorting them out.
»I'll handle getting the harpoon, but the rope and other such tools are in the warehouse. I'm certain you might find some useful alchemical reagents in the backroom too. « It shouldn't take too long to get all that was necessary and who else to sweet-talk the sailors other than Ermangarde?

And indeed, the warehouse was one massive space, though it was mostly useless wood and crates of resources that most likely are useless for the hunt, there were also other miscellaneous tools like hooks, hammers, saws and spikes.
At the back of the warehouse in a secure location were also large jars of various liquids. Some were marked as flammable, some were marked as corrosive, some were even poisons for pests.


Convincing some sailors to part with a harpoon, Ermengarde stopped by the barracks to take a not so shabby pronged spear to boot before heading off back to the warehouse to see what the two amassed in the meantime. They'll likely need a cart and a burden of beast haul their equipment too. Good one was set aside just for the occasion.

Cadwaladr Mikkelsson Samara Asenta
 
Cadwaladr nodded his head as Ermengarde mentioned she would be getting the harpoon. He nodded his head and offered a cheerful grin to her before he turned around and wandered into the massive space of the warehouse to look for sturdy rope and just going through all the other resources, even though they were probably useless for the hunt, he was just curious.

Once done rummaging through the random things stored in the warehouse, he made his way over to the back of the warehouse and spotted the secure location with the variety of jars. Walking over to them he slowly began to read the labels and yet again Cad seemed to silently mouth each letter as read. Once he read each label, he reached out his hand to give one of the corrosive jars a little shake before giving a small shrug and wandering off again in search of the rope.

"Are you experienced in hunting monsters, or do you stick to hunting mundane beasts?" The tall Nordenfiir asked, directing the question towards the pale elf, he wondered how experienced she is with dealing with monsters and normal hunting. Along with just wanting to make some small talk, learn more about one of the people he'd be hunting with.

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
Samara nodded to Ermengarde before accompanying Cadwaladr to the warehouse. Her fingers ran over a few of the assortment of material goods scattered about as she slowly moved through the structure. When she came across something that looked useful, like long metal spikes, the Dark Elf would test their strength with a very careful application of force. Just because she couldn't topple a Tower single handed didn't mean carelessly bending metal was wise. Then again, they should be strong enough to pierce some heavier hides. The hooks wouldn't need to be so sturdy, but enough to hold a great weight with the right rope would make them of use as well.

At the back of the warehouse after securing access to the area, Samara wandered the other side from Cadwaladr as she perused the jars. They seemed poisons made for more... common purpose rather than felling any kind of great beast. She kept her eyes open for those that might have been of high concentration with the intent of dilution just prior to use; those could prove of more use. Otherwise, her focus would be on crafting supplies with the intention of finding plants in the wild that might provide a more potent brew.

When Cadwaladr lost interest in the corrosive section, Samara wandered over to procure one along with two flammable concoctions. Not that fire was her best friend. Enemy of my enemy and so forth.

"I've hunted monsters most of my life," Samara replied as she turned from the jars. "Some of my Elders did not approve being so young, but then my home did not deal with world-ending threats that seem to plague some lands. Not knowing what it is we're about to face leaves a great deal that could go wrong."

Samara crossed her arms and leaved back against the counter. "What about you? Done much hunting?" A smirk tugged at her lips. The man carried a spear and bow, she certainly hoped they weren't just for show.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
Whatever they would take out of the warehouse, it needed transporting. Along the way, Ermengarde unstabled one of the gracile striders. It was a native beast to Malakath and seldom seen outside the continent.
This particular individual was a painterly looking male, about as large as an elephant, as befit most creatures on this monstrous continent.

A nice cart was secured behind him and the harpoon gently slid into a nice corner before she led it right before the entrance.
»Fear not, he's our friend, « Ermengarde announced before leading the gracile strider past the door.
As far as she knew, she couldn't quite gauge what the reaction would be. Fear was unlikely for monster hunters, surprise felt more like it?

»I suppose you've found what you needed? «

Samara Asenta Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
Cadwaladr at this point had picked up some bundles of rope and began to 'test' them, stepping on one of of the rope and heaving with all he could on the other end to test his strength, but more so just to look busy. "I've been hunting animals for as long as I can remember. My Pa was very adamant I learnt, from between watching him work at the forge and bringing back boars and wolves, he'd take me out in the woods to practice archery, tracking and the like" He explained as he thought back to being a child, giving a small chuckle as he remembered shooting his father's calf once. "But for hunting monsters and strange beasts, i'm new to it. Hah, but how different can it be! Just got to put them down like any other animal."

Quickly enough, Cad began sniffing the air as both Ermengarde and the large gracile strider approached. He picked up the rope he was 'testing' and began to coil it back up as he looked at the doorway, eyes widening at the sight of the behemoth being lead by Ermengarde. "What in the freezing tundra is that beast?" He questioned with, not fear or surprise in his voice, but excitement at seeing the creature.

Once he had gotten all he needed...which was basically just the bundle of sturdy rope , and if this warehouse had any axes he would pick one up before heading towards the door in amazement at the size of the creature! "Aye, i've found all i've needed if you've got the harpoon?"

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
"You'd be surprised," the Dark Elf replied to Cadwaladr's remark about monster hunting. "Some are quite intelligent." In point of fact, some had a dangerously keen intellect; one that could surpass that of most species that considered themselves the norm. As for Samara, herself, she didn't believe herself any more superior than when she'd been a humble Elven woman; yet Vampires were considered monstrous by some. Animals by a few -- living dead beasts terrorizing the countryside. If only things were so simple. The kind of simplicity she and hers had ignorantly believed being so isolated from the world as they'd been. As she had been.

Samara's eyes followed the man's turn in direction. Appeared his strong sense of smell detected something curious drawing near. What appeared before the warehouse was quite... curious indeed. The Elf hadn't seen anything like it before. It reminded her of a few creatures witnessed or read of, but none fit the exact description -- to be expected given how new things on this continent were. Difference branches in life's direction separated by such a vast distance untouched by those like her own kind. Samara stood there for a moment studying the beast visually. Her companion seemed a bit more vocal in his astonishment though.

Ermengarde's question drew the Dark Elf's blue eyes from beneath the wide brim hat. "Yes. Yes, we did." Samara turned to heft a few loaded up bags of supplies. With the ease and grace the Elven woman hauled them over to the cart, one might think them full of wool. Even without Vampiric strength she liked to work out -- admittedly being a Vampire did make genuine workouts incredibly difficult.

Perhaps if Samara could lift one of these gracile striders that would help build more upper body strength. Sadly, difficult to do something like that without someone seeing and asking some very pointed questions. Kind of the situation that went beyond 'I did not know Elves were so strong' and straight into 'what are you?'

"How far to the hunting grounds?" Samara asked Ermengarde. Be curious to know how much foraging they'd need to do to ensure their food supply lasted. Their food supply... which could potentially affect her food supply. If nothing else was around, of course. A healthy vampiric woman had to eat.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
She listened as the two discussed, before helping herself at opening the wagon so the equipment could be easier to load. Already fastening some of it to it, she replied back to Cadwaladr Mikkelsson .
» This is a gracile strider, one of the many beasts of burden used by the Malakathi giants. «

»Splendid, «
she replied to Samara Asenta as she went over and helped load the rest of the equipment.
The harpoon neatly got tucked beneath the benches, the chemicals had to be transported in a hay-stuffed crate. We wouldn't want accident's now wouldn't we?
Other knickknacks belonged again, beneath the benches.
»You've got quite the might, « she noted to her before Ermengarde hopped onto the cart and walked over to the strider and climbed up to its back to get to the reins.


»About an hour on foot, but let's take a seat in the wagon and we need not waste energy walking.«
 
  • Popcorn
Reactions: Samara Asenta
"That isn't too far, perhaps I'll get to see more beasts this land has to offer on the way!" He said quite happily in response to Ermengarde while he approached the gracile strider, a very unfamiliar creature to the Nordenfiir. As he approached its head, he wished to look it over and allow it to pick up his scent to gauge its reaction, wondering if the beast would react like a horse or hound and show fear or if it wouldn't bat an eye at it. And all the while he began to sniff the strider himself, familiarizing himself with its scent in case he or it got lost or perhaps taken by whatever flying beast they're hunting.

"And if we're lucky there'll be some Carrion along the way to snack on" Cadwaladr cheerfully and shamelessly remarked as if he didn't have much concept that other races couldn't stomach eating rotten flesh as he could. Though nonetheless once he'd gotten the Strider's scent he walked back to the cart and climbed inside, resting his boar spear next to the harpoon as he took his seat. "Let us hope for a bountiful and successful hunt!"

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
The Dark Elf peered at the woman from beneath the wide brim of her hat. "One of the reasons I'm still alive in this profession," Samara replied with a bit of a chuckle. Nothing but the truth. She'd gotten decent strength from the physical exertion of the hunt, but the dark energy infused in her had made it possible to escape even more arduous circumstances. Except the ones where they came prepared for Vampires.

At Ermengarde's direction, Samara climbed aboard the wagon along with Cadwaladr. Her eyes slid over toward the man as he seemed quite taken with the idea of seeing more of this foreign land. "To learn more about it?" An academic interest, or that of a sportsman looking for a new trophy? Given the job they'd both taken it was a fair question with a likely answer. It could be both, however. Even Samara would like to learn more of this new part of the realm. Though to leave everything behind seemed a bit...

Drastic.

Like the man's idea of a snack. "You're welcome to it; not fit for myself." The blood of the dead was not the least bit appetizing. Samara often felt the kind of vampirism she'd been... given didn't need the blood so much as the energy of life in it. Or perhaps it was just the perverse satisfaction of her goddess from the act of feeding on the living that brought satisfaction.

Which should make feeding on him just as appetizing as any other.

Despite his diet? Arguably. Not that Samara wanted to find out; and the Dark Elf could practically hear the goddess' laughter.

"The only way this doesn't end successfully is if the prey wandered off. Hopefully it's more territorial in nature." Though the locals would probably be happy if it just wandered away, and left them in peace. Either way it or something like it could return just as quickly. Unless this beast was so territorial even those like it would not come this way again for some time. All things they would have to learn the hard way.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
The gracile strider took off and surprising to its size, it moved with a certain kind of elegance and speed to it. Though Ermengarde had to look back at Cadwaldr as he made his carrion statement. Hmm yes, she returned her gaze forward once more as she let out a crooked smile.
»If you find yourself a meal, I'm not having a single bite! «

It didn't take long to see the first few beasts of colossal nature wandering about. Like a herd of elephants, more gracile striders from the young to the elders stopped by a watering hole to drink their fill.
»There is a chance, but I do not think it would move so soon, it might most likely make this area its new home.«
In no time though, a wooded area appeared before them in the distance. Those were the opalina-wood trees that Cittanova profited from.
»In five hours of travel time you can reach Thagretis from here going further upriver.«

Cadwaladr Mikkelsson Samara Asenta
 
"Not so much the land, and more the beasts that live in it!" He said in response to Samara's question, it wasn't exactly an academic interest and much more like of a sportsmans interest in the beasts that roam this land, which would become a little more clear the more he spoke as the cart is pulled along. "I am sure there are few where I come from who have seen these beasts, let alone their meat and pelts! I am not one who usually hunts for the sake of trophies, but I cannot pass up the oppertunity to hunt such large and powerful beasts!" As he spoke he flashed a happy and excited grim at the oppertunity he has, though his mind briefly begins to wonder if there's any furred beasts on this land as he suspects gracile strider pelt isn't too good for keeping out the cold.

Upon hearing Samara and Ermengarde's responses to his comment of finding Carrion, Cadwalader begins to cackle loudly to himself as he slaps his knee a few times as he nodded his head and patted his stomach, his armour making a few light clinks as he did so. "That just means more for me then! And I won't ever pass up a free meal, especially if it's out on a hunt! HAR HAR HAR!"

But as time passed and they travelled further Cadwalader's attention was grabbed as he sniffed the air a few times, his head and torso twisting around in his seat in order to find what he picked up, it was the scent of more Gracile striders. And as they moved past, his eyes were drawn to the herd at the watering hole like a child watching the animals at a zoo. "I must ask Ms Ermengarde, are you familiar with hunting the animals on this land?" He asked his question as he shifted and shuffled back into his seat, his head turning to look up front towards her.

Ermengarde Samara Asenta
 
"Well," Samara leaned back with a smirk, "don't get eaten." Hunting to say he'd had the honor of something never seen before. That wasn't so alluring to her, personally. Even the beasts and monsters you knew could still be lethal. Just because Samara knew how to kill them didn't mean it was always easy. Though there was a unique rush to having absolutely no idea how to win, and yet you managed to secure victory regardless.

The Elf's brow lifted and bowed slightly in good humor colored with healthy uncertainty. Cadwaladr's people certainly were... unique. Smell, talent, and now diet. Not that a Vampire should say too much about one's source of nutrition.

As the Nordenfiir's attention was taken with a nearby herd, Samara's blue eyes looked to Ermengarde for another reason. Thagretis. Five hours away? Must have been a city. Might be worth checking out since Samara had aleady come this far.

Dragon-worshipers. A sense of fancy could be felt in the bond between them. An absolutely delightful people. Are you certain you won't tell them I'm here, Sweet?

A people touched by dragon's blood they claimed came directly from their god. Was it any wonder Dshara liked them? If Samara asked, the Dark One would spin a tale of how she met this god and together they experimented and twisted the blood until they came up with a perfect specimen that -- sadly -- over the ages had been watered down to what it was today. Whether any of it was true was something only Dshara herself could know. The Dark Elf was skeptical of every ancient tale, especially the ones she yearned to be true.

"Are you on good relations with them, then? Being such close neighbors." Their guide hadn't warned about hostilities or to avoid the area for some vague reason. "No pact for protection though." Seemed self-evident if the camp had hired outsiders to come slay the beast that plagued them.

Ermengarde Cadwaladr Mikkelsson
 
»Many creatures are still well unknown to us, « spoke Ermengarde. »Tame beasts like these,« she petted the strider's neck, » are only one of the many gracile creatures, and the ones that prey upon them are many times their size. I assure you if you bring the head of whatever plagues the wood, you might just as well become a legend for bard's to sing about. How does that sound like? Cadwaladr Mikkelsson ? «
The duelist eventually chuckled before turning to Samara Asenta . »No. The relations are negligible aside from occasional trade we mediate between the continents.«

The density of the woodland grew thicker and the deeper they went, the moister the air was. Quite a refreshing change of pace from the scorching sun by the coastline. The scent was a strong earthy smell, albeit relaxing for some, going through the woods, one could not quite shake the feeling that they were watched by many smaller creatures. A lone giant mantis idly stood upside down from the canopy of a nearby Opalina tree, it's eyes tracing the band as it moved past them.
Eventually, more and more trees were cut down, and the party reached a large clearing with a derelict sawmill.
Tools were scattered around in a seemingly hasty retreat.

»...This is the place.«