Quest The Longest Night

[Draedamyr]

In the heart of the reachlands, a darkness stirs. One that threatens everything.

• The village of New Hope sites on a river in the Alliria Reach
• Strange lightning storms have plagued the area for an entire week
• Lightning keeps striking a dark tower in the distance. One that no one remembers seeing before
• Strange, distant howls fill the night air
• Begin on the bridge, assembling by lantern light
• At the base of the tower will be an extensive maze form of almost impenetrable vines and thick thorns.
• The town sent several to investigate. They did not return.
• Allirian rangers and the townsfolk are offering gold for those willing to head out to the tower

Another fork of lightning lit the sky. Draedamyr slowly blinked. It stole his view of the world around him, but left the image of the dark tower seared onto his vision. A few more blinks and he could make out the laterns along the bridge. A few more and those few huddled together in the patch of light could be seen again.

He hands rested against his belt just inches from Reverie, his sword. There was magic in the air. The kind of change, of chaos. He didn't need to sense the magic to know that something was amiss. There was barely a cloud in the sky and no rain. Yet the lightning came, as it had every night.

"Is anyone waiting for any more?" Draedamyr asked those who had assembled. He was too old to feel fear. That would change before the night was over.

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

A small village as it was, Toruuk had only intended New Hope to be a brief stop on his endless journey through Epressa. Yet, fate seemed to have a way of guiding the mighty bull to extraordinary events, regardless of how mundane the path he traveled. Dry lightning was not unheard of to the itinerant behemoth, but something in the air felt off. As night began to fall, Toruuk's suspicions only became stronger in his mind. Something wicked and foul was afoot in this land.

It was, at first, difficult to get the locals to clue the bull in on what rumors and news was abounding at the moment. He was, after all, a terrible sight in his own right, a fact which he could hardly deny given the agape jaws and wide eyes of the villagers who looked upon him. In time, however, he managed to convince a few of the fair folks to share what information they had.

Perhaps they expected Toruuk to furrow his brow and decline, or to turn tail and get out of town while he still could. They were likely shocked to see the excited grin begin to form on the brute's face. A mysterious tower? Unexplained natural phenomena? Ominous howling? Missing investigators? This was everything Toruuk was seeking! Danger, perhaps a challenge, at last! The gold would only serve to pad the bull's pockets once he was ready to continue his travels. It was the potential fight that mattered.

Once darkness had fallen upon the sky once more, Toruuk made his way to the gathering at the bridge, using the lanterns as his guide. It seemed some had already assembled before him. Others who sought glory and tribulation, perhaps. Though he likely needed no introduction, he thought it best to announce his arrival regardless. A bellowing, guttural laugh preceded his advent.

"Wooohh ho ho ho! You don't need to wait any longer! The CHAMP is here, which means your problems are practically solved already, oh yeah."

 

[Sarek Valaren]

It had been an odd sensation in all honesty. A slight ripple, followed by a bitter taste in their mouths. This feeling was shared by all the magical inhabitants of his hometown, signalling something was amiss. Knowing the nature of his fellow Mirefolk, Sarek had decided it would be up to him to investigate and take notes for their library. The subsequent journey to the outer edges of the reach had gone smoothly, his heavy coverings made him unapproachable and, as a result, he'd encountered no trouble or issues reaching New Hope.

Interestingly, he'd only heard about the reward as he got closer towards the site of the disturbance. It was an added bonus and he'd certainly take it, but no doubt he would have come regardless. Making sure he was fully equipped with rations and the various miscellaneous items needed for exploring, he made his journey towards the group that had been gathering. They were easy to find and he settled comfortably at the back, awaiting their departure.

Sarek found his vision roaming around him, and he took in the sights of those gathered with some interest. Eventually, his attention was forced to settle on an elf at the fore of the group. He considered for a moment and then decided that Draedamyr was likely the most dangerous-looking individual he had ever seen. He had an air about him and reminded Sarek of a fox among hens. Shortly thereafter, he glanced towards the hulking behemoth that shouted in response to the elves question. It was decided then, that if a fight were to break out, he would stand near either of these two.

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Will it ever end...?
​

Still as stone, he observed. His head was shaded by a hood, and around him his cloak was pulled tightly. It was almost as though he hunched, like when one cradles a greivous wound. His eyes cast out over the darkened Reach, peering across it as light split the sky. Then gone.

He, like many of the others as he'd heard, felt a terrible trouble. He knew full well that there - out beyond the bridge and at the looming tower - this troubled rested, coiled like a serpant and hungry to strike. Or so it would seem.

Even as others filtered in, he knew only by their sound. His eyes remained where they were, diligent in his examination for all that it was worth. There was nothing for him to see.

He could only feel it.​

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

He was not like an explosion of colour in the dreary night. He was the explosion of colour in the dreary night.​

He hadn't been in New Hope for long, he had come with the expectation of adventure when an ill-found pigeon laid on the side of the road half eaten by rodents when he picked up the note, unfurling an arcane scroll to make the words pop in his ears as a literal call to adventure. It wasn't long before he began to trudge to find the limelight of the Lantern.

He was in the right direction, the firelight danced in the distance, the faded remains of a bridge with it's creaks and groans beckoned him closer as forms and shapes were made clear. He stopped there though. Not quite anything more than a speck of colour in the distance to the gathering crowd. He gazed, his eyes fading into the muted starlight above as a snap of lightning unfurled in a straight bolt, illuminating the grandeur of the black spiral.

It was a distant, towering and magnificent work of black rock. It made the overbearing trees seem insignificant in it's shadowing grandeur, it made the clouds around it part as if it was a spear lunged out from the world itself. It was adventure in it's truest form.

The speck of colour moved in the distance.
​

At first it was a blob of mixed colours like someone threw paint into a square and mixed it with their fingers, than it became a form, like they started to sculpt it, coming closer it became a figure, shaped more like a man than a living blob before it finally became a person, hair, eyes everything in it's place.

The look of the Arcane spoke loud, dressed in a flowing robe that was made nice and neat at the waist, a belt draped with a long series of scrapes of fabric each infused and written with faded almost unknowable words, and a great deal of tiny dirty scrolls along his chest, muddying the power of colour as it stepped properly into the waxing circle of light.

A Learned mage had come to the forefront, warm eyes to heat the coldness of what he assumed was night by the midnight blue skies. If it was day, than the lightning cackled at the whims of nature itself. He gave a Grandiose bow, a short quarter staff twisting in dexterous and calloused fingers before cracking longways against his back. He spoke to no-one in particular, and had yet to make out the details of the people in particular.

"Fantastic day for adventure don't you agree?"​

 

[Draedamyr]

If there was one thing Draedamyr could not stand it was enthusiasm for danger. Perhaps that was his age now. His youthful looks hid a very old soul. One that had wearied of the constant pursuit of proving himself in battle. In recent years he hd seen so much carnage that he tired of adventure.

Perhaps, he thought to himself, it was a sign that soon his outward appearance would reflect his age. Maybe it was approaching that time when an elf turned grey and started to wrinkle. The point when an elf was moving into their last century of life. It was overdue, but all elves were different. Despite their lifespan Arethil was so dangerous that few made it past five centuries.

He had lived a full life in some respects. In other ways he realised that devoting himself so single mindedly to swordsmanship for all those years had given him a narrow focus. He hadn't seen his children for years.

"Let's head out!" shouted one of the three Allirian rangers who led the sortie. A group of dwarven mercenaries carrying heavy picks and axes were quick to follow. Draedamyr decided to get across the bridge before the minotaur tested its weight.

---

• Its a short walk to the tower
• The tower is relatively featureless in the dark, no sign of light from any windows
• Don't worry about specific posting order. Hop on and post when you can

Thraxis Xyrdithas Sarek Valaren Toruuk Stoneheart

 

[Sarek Valaren]

Sarek glanced round as the party fleshed out, the last few additions dribbling in over the course of a few hours. A motley crew filled with as diverse a group as he had ever witnessed, interesting. He shied away from the rangers, seldom they came to his home in the swamp, but when they did they oftentimes turned their nose up at the Mirefolk. They would be the last to save him if something were to happen and, likewise, they would be the last he saved.

The final addition of the gathering was an odd one. Colourful robes and reeking of magic, Sarek sighed. An eccentric always seemed to point towards a college mage and, after several incidents, he had made an enemy amongst himself within the Elbion school. Regardless, it would be wise for him to try and befriend someone in case this venture went south.

"I wouldn't want to jinx myself, or the party, by responding to that." He'd never really understood that superstition. Having cast a jinx first-hand, he knew it was less about luck and more about buboes and pus. Either way, he didn't want to leave it to chance. Equipping himself with his gnarled staff, he nodded after Draedamyr and quickly set about onto the bridge.

The bridge swayed, rocked and creaked with his every step, but Sarek was unafraid. His hometown a loose collection of shipwrecks, warped by moss, sewage and humidity, by comparison, this bridge was a feat of engineering genius. That said, and he was certain others shared his sentiment, it felt like a wise move getting across to the other side before the loud horseperson.

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

That said, and he was certain others shared his sentiment, it felt like a wise move getting across to the other side before the loud horseperson.

It was indeed a shared sentiment. Erën briskly followed suite after Sarek, terribly disinterested in having to cross the river without the use of the bridge. He did reach out to grasp the rope, steadying himself with it.

He let out a muffled sigh through his nose as they traversed across. The howling in the distance perturbed him, roiling his contempt for the darkness he perceived. He found this whole situation distasteful and unnatural, wreaking with the stench of dark magic.

As they proceeded forth, his head shot around to see all those who followed. He took note of them, and then looked forward once more.

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

Toruuk observed the notable members of the others that had gathered about Draedamyr. A pale elf in spiked armor and dark cloth, and what seemed to be a leprous human or perhaps some sort of intelligent undead stood out among them. What all three had in common, the Minotaur noted, was that they were all incredibly grim. Toruuk smirked and shook his head. They had no reason to dread at this point, but they'd figure that out for themselves sooner or later.

A surprisingly fit human wearing a menagerie of bright colors, a broad hat, and wielding a staff seemed to be the only one among them that had the right attitude about all this. Which was all kinds of odd. Toruuk was intimately familiar with the mage type, and they were rarely so well built or positive.
"Fantastic day for adventure don't you agree?"
A big grin spread over Toruuk's visage. No dour tower was getting him down.

"Aaahhh! This one gets it! A chance for glory is what this is. What's your name, pal? Toruuk of Clan Stoneheart is with ya!" Toruuk exclaims rather amiably for one with such a booming, gravely voice. A big, meaty hand claps Thraxis' back...perhaps, unwittingly, a bit too hard.

In the meantime, the champ waits expectantly but patiently for the others to file over the bridge. Large as he was, it only made sense for the smaller folk to cross the rickety thing. Toruuk wasn't concerned, however; if the bridge knew what was good for it, it would hold. If it broke, then it was weak and probably had no right existing as a bridge to begin with. The bull had survived worse than a tumble into a river, anyhow.

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

Well. He thought to himself, his body slowly slid upwards as he looked at the... Less than spectacular crowd. Not in the sense they didn't standout, amongst the drab colours of nature that abounded around the bridge with all the shades of black they definitely stood out. They simply didn't pop with any viral colour.

The first to speak was a dreary husk of a man, who looked as if someone had shrunk his skin in the ocean than tried to stretch it out and over his bones. And his words done little too alleviate the misery and mire that came form what he imagined if he shone a light on him, were cracked and faded lips. "A Jinx? Why let something as mundane as that ruin our perfectly good run?" He responded, a long-loose-lipped smile stretched in a vain attempt to bring comfort, "I mean, if this is to be a last Hurrah? Surely we wouldn't let the Jinx be what makes us keel over. No I think I'll wait a little longer thank you." He replied with dismissive care, though an air of reassurance polished his words.

Than it came, the twang of power and thwack against his back, he heard the backend of his words, though he was a little caught off, even though he was fit a strange law called physics came into play, his body hurdled forward a half-foot, stopping with a graceful step as he turned on a back heel, almost prancing around to face the lumbering behemoth of fur and muscle with an even kept smile. Faded blue eyes slashed through the air to meet the massive frame. "Farzad Oldsummer, a right pleasure to make your acquaintance Toruuk of Clan Stoneheart!" He stated with eager gusto, tapping his quarter staff's pommel against the ground as he heard the slow and shoddy footfall of the party walking away. he turned quickly to catch up, the second last of the party naturally since he came to the ass end of it all.

He was careful. For all the joviality as he came to the bridge he tapped the poles that jutted from the ground twice with his free hand, before taking a step forward. He looked at the cracking shape of it, it was a hard movement to detect, he moved with strides the Staff almost used as a walking stick. But in truth, he tapped each plank once covering it behind his footfalls to not raise suspicion or worry. With his free hand, he pulled at one of his sashes, words spoken in hushed tones, "Bel Faun Bicote", to the keen Ear, but to others, all that happened was the silky orange fabric became softly illuminated, leaving the soft and warm hue of Orange to warm their way through the trudging night.

 

[Draedamyr]

It was years since he had seen such a diverse crew of mercenaries. A long time since he had heard anyone approach something as dangerous with outright gusto. He wasn't here for glory. He was here because he suspected that the dark magic permeating this land was the start of something worse.

He watched Farzad Oldsummer's odd gait as he tapped his staff to each plank in turn. In truth, the elf was light on his feet and was not worried about the bridge giving out. Not yet at least.

As soon as he reached the far side he looked towards the tower. It was still a short walk away. Then he focus returned to the bridge and the Minotaur on the far side.

"Think he'll make it?" Draedamyr mused. He tried to gauge how far down the river Toruuk would end up swimming before he cross if the bridge gave out.

 

[Emery Thatcher]

A bored yawn escaped the lips of the arrogant thief as he walked in the midst of the crowd of mercenaries hired by this Draedamyr. He figured it'd be best to hide with the crowd that crossed the bridge first. As someone with less strength and more speed he'd make a better scout than he would a warrior and wanted the opportunity for that to come as soon as it could.

"Nah, a bastard tha' dense will knock the bridge to pieces n' hit the bottom as'oon as'e touches the water." He laughed aloud thinking about the minotaur standing with his arms crossed at the depths. It was quite the riot to think about. He clasped his hands over his mouth and stood on his tip toes to call out to Toruuk Stoneheart.

"OI! COW MAN! 'URRY IT UP WILL YA? I WANNA SEE IFYA' CAN LIFT DIS TOWER WITCHA BARE HANDS!" He laughed to himself once more, even giving his knee a slap. The mercenaries near him clearly unamused by the antics of this boy. He'd unwittingly yelled in the ear of one who told him to knock it off and they had a short bickering that was ceased by another much larger merc. He brushed the too off and put some rolled tobacco in is mouth, lighting it with an allies torch. He planted an arm on the shoulder of Draedamyr in an incredibly invasive fashion.

"Whatchu' know bout' dis ere' towah, eh? I erd' some unlucky shits met their fate ere' and was wondrin' what we might be in fer, ya know?"

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Fantastic day...
​

The thought had lingered in his mind since the spellbound mage declared it, and he couldn't help but wonder. What was it with humans? So eager to mock the severity of their obstacles. But, apparently they were not alone in such thinking. The large Minotaur also literally laughed in the face of their imminent danger - though by his size alone Erën thought this at least somewhat more justified.

Best to stay on that one's good side, he wagered.

As they crossed the bridge, he realized the stench he'd detected might be none other than the man directly ahead of him. He seemed a putrid sort, infected by some manner of unholy... something. Regardless, he betrayed no immediate distaste - they all had the same goal here. He was however happy to distance himself from him when they'd made it safely across.

He did not go far, just far enough to look onward without much obstruction. But his eyes turned back when the young one shouted out to Toruuk, rudely at that. Or...playfully. Sure. He did find it somewhat humourous he supposed, cow-man was kind of funny.

His eyes narrowed upon Emery when his hand fell on Draedamyr's shoulder. He didn't know the elf, but he'd gauged him to be a proper swordsman. There was an air of experience there that rivaled his own, if it didn't surpass it. Such an intrusion could quite possibly go unanswered... but possibly it could be. This could prove to be an interesting interaction.

​

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

Certain that everyone else had already made their way across (or at least started to), Toruuk confidently strode onto the bridge...at first. It was a rickety thing, its dry rotting boards a tad bit narrow and awkward for the Minotaur's hooves. The champion grabbed hold of the ropes to steady himself and moved carefully, but purposefully. Certain as he was that he could ford the river, he decided that he preferred not to at the moment.

Just passed the halfway point he caught wind of Emery's jeering. His current position made it a bit difficult to snap back, but snap back he did, with a bellow that could be heard from either side of the crossing over the sound of the rapids below.
"OH HA HA. MAYBE WE'LL SEE IF I CAN THROW YOU TO THE TOP INSTEA--"
*creeaak, snap*
"SHIT!"

The bull stumbled and gripped the ropes tight as the board the he had just leaned all his weight on gave way beneath his bulk, splintered wood cascading into the torrent beneath. Tension hung thick in the air for the next several seconds, Toruuk's leg dangling through the bottom of the bridge. He groaned in exertion as he slowly, cautiously used the ropes to pull himself back onto the bridge proper. At least the integrity of the hempen coils hadn't given out.

A great huff of relief was the only sound Toruuk cared to produce once he'd righted himself. He made the final stretch of the short trek in silence. Arriving on the other side, Toruuk merely squinted and pointed at the ruffian who had mocked him prior.
"You. Shut up about it." He grunted, then moved on.

 

[Sarek Valaren]

Sarek was a bit overwhelmed to be completely honest. Usually, people avoided his disfigured and grotesque self, he wasn't complaining, however, and enjoyed the various characters and hubbub that was unfolding before him. That said, however, he almost had to stop himself staring at Emery. He had absolutely no idea what the man was saying and it took him a lot longer than he should have to understand him. He'd asked a question, about the tower perhaps... Sarek shook his head in uncertainty.

"From what I believe, it sprung up out of the blue. It claimed a few lives of those who investigated it and... it has a distinct taste of badness - to use the correct term." He wasn't an educated man was Sarek. His schooling had largely been from life experience and so his understanding of the magical world was limited.

Unfortunately, Sarek missed Toruuk's bridge shenanigans and instead began to prepare for the journey before them. His hand glowed a sickly green in colour and he carefully smeared his palm across a muddy patch of earth to the side of the trail. Suddenly, and without warning, a swarm of large rats burst forth from the mud. Clicks, squeals, screeches and, general, inhuman sounds escaped from Sarek's mouth - as if conversing with the pests he had summoned - and within seconds they sped off towards the tower.

His face darkened only moments later and he turned towards his party members. "I wouldn't wish to alarm you all, but... Several of my rats have just expired seemingly without warning." His voice was raspy and full of concern, the next stage of the journey might prove to be interesting.

 

[Emery Thatcher]

"WHAT A SIGHT THAT'D BE, WOULN' IT?" He barked back in response to being told he'd be thrown atop the tower. Maybe wasn't such a bad plan after all. He did want to scout ahead anyhow. Granted despite his own catlike reflexes and nigh unparalleled speed, he was still pretty sure he'd die. Regardless the minotaur gave him another cheery chuckle. Some of the mercs seemed to find amusement in his yelling finally. They were on a dangerous mission, humor was sometimes the light that guided.

He rarely went on missions. More recently his pockets were lighter than normal, which is sad to put politely. He hardly turned down coin but he was more interested in stealing it, usually. It wouldn't hurt the kid to put in some actual work every once in a while though. Especially since dangerous places often hid treasures he could swallow up allllllll himself.

Emery patted Draedamyr on the shoulder a bit too hard and turned to look at Sarek Valaren, who'd responded to his question quickly. He put his hands behind his head and dragged his tobacco roll from his teeth.

"Tha' so, eh? We got a strange one, don' we? I wanna try'n see if there's any openin's I can peer through, maybe get a gander of the troubles lyin' ahead, y'know? I can fight ifya' need m'too though sneakin' and climbin's more m'game."

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

Erën lifted his foot abruptly as a rat scampered by, eager to crush it. But from the sounds that came from the less than homely looking fellow stayed his stomp. Some form of animal telepathy or, somehow he could truly speak to them.

He'd heard of stranger things.

Even still, as his foot lightly fell back to the ground he couldn't help but cringe at the sight of the vermin. Disgusting, disease bearing vermin. But, Sarek's vermin all the while.

Very well.​

I can fight ifya' need m'too though sneakin' and climbin's more m'game."

A thief, no doubt. ​

His mouth curled into a frown, and he resumed his observing as the remainder of the group filled across the bridge.

"It would likely be best to stay together, gods only know what lies ahead of us."

 

[Farzad Oldsummer]

He came across the bridge just as the first plank underfoot came with a hideous crack, the hulking form of the Bullman an air shorter as it seemed he tried to pry himself free. He watched with baited breath, finger linked around the wooden haft of his staff a little tighter as the anticipation, though lack of worry, abounded in the gathered party. He was the closest he had to an ally in this expedition, and if a Jinx had been cast this was a rather cruel one.

Though it was lucky, Torukk had managed to pry himself free with careful steps, Farzad stood at the side of the bridge, arm leant on one of the poles that held it 'steady' and gave him a pat on the back. "What luck Stoneheart! We've crossed the bridge and already you've expired all the bad luck of that Jinx!" He declared, trying to break the monotonous negativity that plagued the vagabond crew.

It was only than he noticed it. The street dialect, the strange cut-up words like someone had put a jigsaw into a shredder and jumbled the pieces together. It was a hard language to decipher, he had read the scripts of ancients but even they made more sense with their outdated phrases than the slang of the modern man used. Honestly, with how he tongued and spoke it was surprising that no one had noticed the ankle biter beforehand. He was about to respond to him in his own tongue as unrefined as he may be at it, before the strange lithe man made that odd remark.

Farzad moved with an odd stride, eyes grew curious and cold, lips shifting into a long line as he came to the man around a foot aside from him, looking at the ground where the rats had burrowed and freed themselves, "How far?" He asked cryptically, a short pause before clarifying more fully, "Are they all dead? Same time? Do you know what could've killed them?" It was here the scholar inside him came out, he spoke rapid, almost short of breath as he inquired, his tone less jovial and struck with a bite of actuality.

 

[Sarek Valaren]

Sarek found himself staring once more at Emery if only to provide his lips in hopes of further clarification. That said, however, he found himself understanding the rogue with greater clarity each speech and hoped that soon he would be fluent. "I've sent my rats ahead, with any luck they should be back soon and it'll give us an idea of the tower. Once I've got the layout scoped I can give you an idea about any entrances." He smiled reassuringly at the figure, although from such a man as Sarek it was likely to have the opposite effect.

It was interesting, he considered, all these hardy adventurers gathered around, yet they all seemed perturbed by his rats. Instincts, he supposed, they were vicious creatures that signalled the death of things. It was in a beings very nature to avoid such organisms. They had their uses though and Sarek had even come to befriend some of his summoned creatures, thankfully the ones that had been killed so far were expendable.

As he turned to regard the colourful mage Sarek left an uncomfortable silence. Unintentional of course, he was simply trying to do a few calculations so that he may better answer the questions submitted. "Not all, no. They appear to have been killed close to the tower, as to what... I'm afraid I just know they were slaughtered simultaneously." That had been what worried him the most, the rats were killed at exactly the same time.

"I agree, I think it best if we stick together on this." He nodded slightly, setting about slowly towards the tower. His staff glowed an almost purpley-green as he prepared himself for what was to come.

 

[Emery Thatcher]

Emery himself wasn't too big a fan of rats due to the ratfolk situation he dealt with in the slums of Vel Anir. He could definitely be seen scowling at the sight of them but their presence wasn't interruptive in the slightest. It was probably best that some animals were checking things out before he was anyways but the group agreeing in tandem to stay together did earn a "Tch." from the corner of his mouth. He was genuinely hoping to find some treasures to keep to himself.

Something killing rats wasn't by definition a threat to people like them. It didn't even bother him remotely. He knew there was going to be danger, they all did. What concern would he need to show over a couple dead rodents?

"Don't mean we can't handle th'damn thing, whateva' it may be. Rats tend to be easier t'kill than men with swords n' bows."

 

[Toruuk Stoneheart]

"What luck Stoneheart! We've crossed the bridge and already you've expired all the bad luck of that Jinx!"

Toruuk snorted heavily, his confident grin returning in gusto. He rolled his shoulders forward a few times and shook his arms out as though warming up for a round of exercise.
"Luck ain't got nothin' to do with it, pal! Toruuk's just that good! Stick close, maybe some o' the champ's panache will rub off on ya."

Sarek's talk of rats definitely piqued the bull's interest. He wasn't sure if the fellow's apparent control over the vermin was the cause or the effect of his appearance, but it was rather unusual to see someone treat the critters as anything more than pests. Regardless, the man had used them to good effect; scouting ahead was always intelligent, despite the bull's tendency to charge recklessly into situations like this.
"Huh. Those lil' guys listen to ya, huh? I've seen folks ridin' horses and whatnot, and back in Candenord we trained titan beetles, but I've never seen somebody get rats to follow orders."

"Don't mean we can't handle th'damn thing, whateva' it may be. Rats tend to be easier t'kill than men with swords n' bows."

Ballsy. For someone who claimed to be better at "sneakin' and climbin'" he didn't seem shy about taking on whatever awaited the group ahead. Of course, he joined that group in the first place so he had to have at least a little hair on his chest.
"Ehhh...kid's got a point, rats aren't exactly the toughest of beasts." Toruuk stroked his chin hair thoughtfully, sizing up the terrain ahead. "Buuuut, the pied piper here isn't wrong to be cautious. Whoever threw that tower up probably has it well defended. If they're takin' the time to snipe rodents then they clearly don't want nobody comin' close."

 

[Draedamyr]

The hand clasped to his back was treated with complete disdain and then Draedamyr was relatively quiet on the walk towards the tower And not just because the writer was busy all day.

At least they seemed to have collectively come to the conclusion that this wasn't a task to be taken lightly.

The tower seemed close. A trick of perspective. It was far taller than it seemed. Another bolt of lightning painted a picture of the landscape on his eyes as it struck the tower.

"A garden?" he mused out loud.

As they approached the truth revealed itself. A thick hedge maze surrounded the tower. It was the height of two men with thorns the size of knives. Nothing moved, no danger revealed itself. Nothing but an eerie silence occasionally broken by the clap of thunder.

He drew his sword, Reverie. He turned its keen edge to the wind and listened to it sigh in pain as it was parted.

"Have many rats left?"

 

[Sarek Valaren]

The pied piper. He'd been called worse things, in fact, Sarek was almost smiling at the thought of it. He found himself increasingly fond of the odd selection of individuals that formed this party. It was a rarity, in the mire at least, that folk listened to him and now with people heeding his warnings it made him feel useful.

As they approached the tower he made a point of following in the wake of Draedamyr. Sarek found himself almost incapable of shaking off his innate fear of the elf. Good. This man was dangerous, which meant Sarek would be sure to stay close by to him.

He marvelled at the tower, the garden, the thorns, it was enough to take his breath away. Unfortunately, something more concerning washed over him and he was unable to give the landscape the attention it deserved.

Almost as if on cue, less than a quarter of the swarm came flooding out of the garden and each one was in a bad shape. Cuts, burns, blood, even smoke, every rat told a different story and none of them were unscathed.
They clicked, hissed and squealed at him and he, in turn, replied. Once the noise died down, Sarek waved his hand, the rats disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"None now, but they bring me a warning. Respect the maze, their kin that tried to cheat it to reach the tower were slaughtered without exception. Equally, they warn of horrors lurking within." He hesitated but said no more. His summons had seemed terrified, begging for an end to their lives, but he thought best not to include such detail.

 

[Eren'thiel Xyrdithas]

In this lack of light he struggled to see much better than the average Man - lacking his people's visual acuity in the dark. So he followed. He listened.

The sound the wind made as it was split by Reverie was a welcome relief to the tension he felt hung about them. Even within the reach of his ears he found nothing. Even as this Sarek's minions scurried about once more there was nothing else to detect.

Click​

Beneath his covering, both hands grasped his swords in backhanded grip - but in their sheathes they yet rested. An uncertain expectation.

His eyes scoured what he could see of the maze ahead of them, then he turned to Sarek.

"So your... friends..." he couldn't help the odd feeling describing field rats as someone's friends gave him - silliness almost, "... attempted to, you say, cheat the maze. How? Did they find another way, that perhaps we would be better able to take?"

In any event he thought their chances far better than any rat's.

 

[Emery Thatcher]

Emery held his hand and thumb to his chin. The information they'd been given was not anywhere near enough to know how to proceed. While the thief was hardly a genius when it came to danger he had a decent sense. The maze clearly had rules and likely traps. He couldn't detect them with any perception greater than the average man but he could aid a bit more as a front runner.

He tossed his tobacco roll to the side and stomped it out. A stretch of his arms following.

"Aight'." The young man stated aloud. "Mystery maze, buncha' freaks waitin' for passerbys, yada yada." He stepped forward to try and hide in shadow as a lead but he somehow couldn't get his footing in the darkness. There seemed to be nowhere for him to hide in. He began to feel a bit under prepared. He scratched his head and turned around to the crowd of allies.

"Aye so... Turns out I can't sneak t'well ovah' here. Cow man or rat dude feel like taking the lead?"