Open Chronicles The Pale Plague

[Lia]

Allir Reach - Lirrien

Lia wrenched her blade free as the pale man went crumpling to the ground. He landed on the forest floor with a sickening crunch, his body rolling over to his back. The odd features of his face came into better view under the light of the moon, his elongated canines, the strange slit eyes, and skin more pale than that of a Drow's.

"Vampire." Lia said as she kicked the corpse and wiped off some of the brackish blood from her blade.

"Lesser."​

The Templar in her party quietly corrected, glancing at Lia's sword with a slight frown. The runes etched up the side of the blade glowed softly, though as the blood was wiped away the light began to fade away. "Didn't seem anything 'lesser' about it, still took three of us to kill it."

A nod was her response, though the armored Templar leaned down and poked the corpse, pulling back it's lips and pointing to the fangs.

"You can tell from these. He's a vampire, but the disease didn't take proper hold. Think of him as more of a...soldier, like from an ant colony. Someone made him for a specific purpose. He was no better than a Ghoul really. Probably a scout. Just like the other four we found."

Lia frowned for a moment, feeling a small pit in her stomach form.

"So it's likely true then." The Templar nodded solemnly.

Four days ago a Ranger outpost had received word that the town of Lirrien had been overrun by a sect of Vampires. No one had believed it of course, Vampire's were not common in the Reach and to have an entire town taken over seemed nearly impossible. Especially given that Lirrien wasn't exactly small, with over two thousand residents and a wall the city was a major stopping point for many traders.

Lia had been sent to investigate, and of course she'd recruited the Templar and a few others in order to help. They had now found four of these 'lesser' Vampires, and each of them had been moving freely around the outskirts of where Lirrien lay. "We'll need to get closer."

The Ranger said finally.

"Find out whats happening in the city, see whose doing all this." Slowly the Templar stood from his crouch, nodding as Lia sheathed her sword.

Without another word the group set off towards the West, heading directly towards what was now a city of Vampires.

 

[Jirou]

Like a moth to flame does the warrior find a new path perhaps every month. It was but a rumor, yet a rumor the ronin had found worthy of investigating. His hat of straw covered all but his mouth, within which he toyed with a piece of wheat. The forest ground was damp, as the rain had been on and off. His feet were cold but it was no unusual sensation. That is what one gets when they travel as much as Jirou does.

The night was quiet besides the scurrying and chirping of the forest creatures. The exorcist sang himself a low hum to stay preoccupied. Aside from that, it was peaceful. According to what he'd heard, Lirrien faced a vampiric threat. Though to the degree of it he couldn't say. Jirou didn't want to assume that there cannot be peaceful vampires. A threat to a city was enough to make close that gap.

He walked calmly through the dead of night as a branch snapped above him. His eyes carried upward as his stance became stern and his hand gripped the hilt of his sword tight. His eyes were met by the spirit of a lone boy, couldn't be older than eleven. He softened his stance and knelt down, pulling his hat back to show his eyes and warm smile.

"Hello there, little one, what drives you to the forest tonight?" The hardest part of being a medium was that some spirits didn't know or didn't want to accept they were dead. It was best to speak with them as if they were still flesh.

"Monstas'. Monstas' everywhere, mista'. They hurt ma' family. They tried t'hurt me. Please help them. I can't go back I jus' can't."

Jirou stood up and bowed to the soul of the child. "I will do whatever I can to help your family." And with that he left the spirit alone. The poor kid wasn't going to hurt anyone in this life or the afterlife. No need to banish someone for having a horrible fate.

After another half hour of walking it seemed his path would be then interrupted by what looked like a group of rangers headed the same direction. He looked to Lia and her party and let out a sharp whistle.
When they looked, he'd offer a wave to show he was friendly. He would approach them slowly, should they allow it.

 

[Lia]

Lia's head shot up at the sound of a whistle.

They were only an hour from the edge of the town now. Through the wood she could smell the scent of fires and lanterns, Lirrien's presence making itself known even this far out in the wild. The sun was beginning to set now, and although they'd not run into any more scouts her party had been on high alert.

When the sound of Jirou's whistle broke through the tree line everyone with Lia immediately turned. Some knocked arrows, others held blades. Lia herself crouched low, eyes focusing in the dark until she spotted a decidedly human figure.

Through the light of the moon she saw no fangs nor pale skin, though that didn't mean much of anything. "Come slowly!"

The Ranger hissed quietly.

"And show your teeth." The words might have seemed silly in any other instance, but given the situation just a few miles from here she figured it was just about the only way to actually identify if someone was friend or foe.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou approached the group cautiously but had a hard time not chuckling as he got closer since he was forced to pry open his mouth. He let out a sarcastic "ahhh" as if he was getting his teeth with worked on by a specialist, and when they were satisfied closed his mouth enough to hold a wide smile.

"Greetings travelers." He said, walking his sword hidden as cane towards them. Though he doubted this was the scenario he couldn't immediately trust that they were all fang-less either and it would be best in his opinion to keep his weaponry a secret for the time being.

He looked at the party who bore faces long from what they'd already seen, he pushed his hat to hang on his back and show his whole face. "I don't suppose you all are planning to head to Lirrien, are you?" He already knew the answer to this question. They were either foes who he could thin the numbers of right here or they were also investigating this situation. He greatly hoped for the latter.

 

[Solith]

Solith was sent to hunt a new prey, something that had eluded his client for sometime. Solith knew his client didn't want to hire him but it seemed this prey somehow escaped his client's personally trained assassins called shinobi enough times that they needed someone different to do the job. Solith was that different type of assassin they hired.

It took Solith a month to finally get on the trail of his prey and from what he could gather the prey was heading to some place called Lirrien. This was all fine except for the part that apparently the place was filled with the hunger or what people of this land called vampires.

For now Solith made his way to the town keeping to the shadows and nearly having an encounter with one infected with the hunger which was something Solith did not want to deal with. On his way he heard a whistle. Solith climbed up the closest tree and started to leap from tree to tree. Solith needed to confirm if that was his prey for the hunger wouldn't have made any loud noise like that unless the hunger in this land was different. Once Solith spotted the group just incase they heard him leaping he used some magic to change the colour of his carapace to green hoping that would blend him in with the leaves of the tree he currently was on.

Now it was time to figure out which one was his target if any of them were. It was most likely one of the males in this group and most likely the least armoured one but then those in hiding sometimes change their look and style to evade assassins so for now Solith watched the group.

 

[Lia]

Lia did not notice the creature lurking around them in the forest. It's movements were too quiet, and the magic it used to hide itself combined with the dusk looming over them meant none of the other Rangers saw it either.

The man in front of them though was a different stories.

Weapons were lowered and eyes quickly darted out towards the forest as the man showed his teeth. Most seemed to relax, though it was obvious that tension still lingered within the group. Of course, such things were only natural given the city they were close to.

"Aye." Lia confirmed with a nod of her head. "We've been sent to see what's happened to the city."

The Ranger looked west towards Lirrien. "You're welcome to join us, though I'm afraid you'll find nothing pleasant there."

She could use all the help she could get.

 

[Jirou]

The forest was given a glance by the ronin, as he sensed something lurked in there. Though his suspicions were let go quickly as he knew many things in the forest were watching them. Those things were in no way as dangerous as what they were to face. At least usually. Jirou had no idea what was actually trailing them.

He continued his stride towards them and lifted his hat off his head to hang once again when he was close enough. The group looked wildly stress, and his common smile would not be welcomed or understood. He cleared his throat into his fist and kept his face stern. "It was not my intention to find anything pleasant. Rumors boundless have led me this direction. Supposedly there is a vampiric infection spreading in the city, and I was hoping to see if I could stop it at its source. Pity, really. I never like to target something misunderstood, yet." He put a hand to his chin in thought.

"The entire city has been said to be attacked, which seems unusual. The thing that bothers me is someone must be leading such a grotesque display. If those afflicted are simply followers perhaps the leaders head is all we need." He looked upward with his hand sitting atop his cane.

"That is all speculation, however. I suppose I'll know more when we get there. Let's hope for less rain."

 

[Solith]

The prey had sense the hunter and it was only a matter of time till it realises it is being hunted. With the others around Solith could not attack yet for he might be able to get the kill the others will surely overwhelm him plus this could still be the wrong prey. It seemed the prey thought the hunger had some good in it which was just foolish.

For now the prey and the others were planning on heading to and entering Lirrien. If Solith could reach Lirrien first he could possibly set up a trap for the prey of course the hunger would be there but maybe they could be used for his own gain.

Solith leapt to another tree this time not caring for any sound he made, planning on getting to Lirrien as quickly as possible before the others and his prey could.

 

[Lia]

Lia listened as the man spoke. She couldn't help but agree with his words. It was unusual for Vampire's to attack in force, even more so to go after an entire village. Someone had to behind all of this, someone who wanted more.

The Ranger was about to open her mouth to answer the man when she heard the crack of a tree branch. Her head immediately whipped around.

Out of the corner of her eye she caught the motion of something within the trees. She could not quite make it out, but it moved faster than any human could. "Shit."

Lia cursed.

"Scout." She did not know the truth of what Solith was, but her assumption had to be a Vampire Scout had caught sight of them. "We need to move quickly."

There was no waiting for an answer, the Ranger and her party breaking into a jog towards Lirien.

 

[Jirou]

The sense grew stronger as Solith gave up his intention of staying hidden to gather speed. Whatever it was Jirou felt it was indeed fast. And certainly watching them. He had seen no trace of vampires on his way there and so he highly doubted that's what it was, yet it traveled towards the direction they themselves were headed. No scent of a vampire, no sight of a phantasm. The others clearly felt it was as well. Even spoke it as a scout. There was a possibility of that but his senses rarely betrayed him.

And the ronin had the oddest feeling whatever it was, was going to be an enormous problem.

They were correct though. This was no time to dawdle or speculate. They needed to move. He nodded their direction and without a word lifted his cane and held it to his sign, revealing that it was indeed just a mirage hiding his sword. He followed their pace as they hurried through the forest. At this pace the time to reach the city would be shorter. Whatever fled before them would certainly get there first.

He spoke mid stride, "Do you have any leads whatsoever on where we should be looking in the city? Or are the words you follow as vague as my own?"

 

[Solith]

Solith slowed down once the City was in sight for it be best if the hunger didn't know he was here. Interestingly despite the rumors the city entrance did have a few guards and even at this distance Solith could tell these guards were not infected by the hunger. Still the stench of the hunger could be felt.

Solith went to move towards the wall but underestimated the attentiveness of the guards. "Oi! you see that thing. It clearly ain't some blood sucker" the guard shouted to his partner. Unlike before where he could be mistaken for a common beast or vampire in the woods these guards most likely would report his presence to who ever was incharge.

Solith had to move quickly as one of the guards was moving towards him halberd out. Solith climbed up the wall preventing the guard from catching him.
"Dam it the thing entered the city. James inform the cap that some monster sneaked in"

The guard called james nodded and entered the seemingly desolate city. Solith stalked James waiting for the time to strike. Finally it was the time to strike as James turned the corner into an alley way. Just before Solith could attack it seemed the hunger was on his side. Seems not even the guards were safe as a member of the hunger came out of the shadows tackling the guard. One prey down two left.

If the gate guard thought he was safe from Solith ue was surely wrong. Wasting no time stalking Solith leaped from roof top to roof top until he reached the gate again. This time the guard had his back turned to Solith making this a easy kill. Within a few seconds the guard was pinned down by Solith. Solith using his mandibles chomped down on the guards neck trying to make it seem like one infected by the hunger had killed him. It might fool a peasant but anyone who has dealt with vampires should easily tell this was not vampire kill

Solith wasn't happy as he was wasting time doing stuff not contributing to his hunt. Maybe he should let the hunger kill his prey.

Solith no longer had enough time to set up some trap so he just climbed ontop of the gate and using his magic made his carapace look more like stone. Maybe he could attempt to pretend he was a stone gargoyle statue.

 

[Lia]

"No leads." Lia admitted as the party moved quickly along.

The truth was that there was very little information about what was happening in Lirrien. She suspected that it was meant to be that way. Vampires did not often act together, so whatever was bringing them here likely had designs beyond the city.

At least that was what she assumed.

"But we've seen what those things can do." She told Jirou with a deep frown. "One of them took three to kill."

Not good odds. "I suspect if the village really has been taken...we'll have problems."

In the distance the lights of Lirrien came into view. Torches were still burning, lights and lanterns dancing in the darkness of the night. The wooden wall was still standing, and oddly enough the village itself still seemed alive.

At least from this far.

 

[Jirou]

"Three?" That seemed absurd to him. Vampires were strong, sure. Yet he'd seen many skilled warriors take them down in seconds. Even he had to use no less than two rends to finish one. "That isn't right, at all." He spoke with confidence. "You all seem to be more than capable in your field. There is no earthly reason a single vampire should have taken that much steel without slowing. That is truly bothersome." Something really was amiss here. A leader became a much more reasonable thought. Someone who could amplify their abilities.

"There very well may be something guiding them then. All of this is strange. It isn't inherently as bad as it seems, however. If that IS the case then the serpents head may be we all need to aim for. Finding it will be a different story."

This was of course but a hope. Yet one he didn't think too far off from whatever the truth may be. As the walls of Lirrien came into view Jirou's heart sank. Despite his confidence there was a nagging at the back of his head of something incredibly sinister awaiting them. Knowing he was heading into a vampires nest did not drive this fear.

He began to sweat.

 

[Ashieron]

The night air in the forest was welcoming to the elf as he ran through the trees. Hearing that vampires might be causing a bit of an issue by his dear friend Jirou. Ash could not say no to joining in on the invention. Though he was not a hunter of beasts, but this one did seem to warrant his attention. It was a nest of vampires, so they might need all the help they could get.

Taking a deep whiff of the air Ash smells the sake that Jirou somehow always had on him. It smelled amazing also! Looking to his right he’d see the familiar straw hat. With a gleeful smile he runs to the exorcist and gives him a running hug. “Found yah!” Ash laughs squeezing his friend tightly before letting him go. He’d turn towards the woman and gives her a flight bow, “My name is Ashieron, pleasure to meet you.” He introduces himself before looking towards the village with his ears twitching some. He smelt the dried blood on the wind, its copper scent making him excited. “If you want me to I can head into the hive. Afterall Devil might like it a lot.” Ash jumps up a tree and looks out over the village from the top of the tree. “Or I could get my dragon here or use some draconic magic.” He offers jumping off the tree and landing next to it. “We could distract them a good bit while you guys go after the serpent.”

 

[Solith]

Idiot you have trained your whole life and within a few hours you forgotten how to properly sneak, you already got spotted by two guards which you took too long to deal with. Now you rushed to pretend to be some inanimate decoration that you failed to make yourself look like the correct material. A stone gargoyle on a wooden wall and gate wasn't smart a waste of your limited magic.

It was lucky that the stuff ups Solith did tonight happened at night time giving a bit more room for error. Solith once again used his magic to change his carapace to a more wooden texture which wasn't as good as his stone camouflage but hopefully the night sky will stop those with keen eyes from noticing.

The prey finally came in sight hopefully unaware of the hunt but it seemed a new issue arose. The others had increased in number by one making this hunt slightly harder. Hopefully the hunger will slaughter the others giving Solith time to kill his prey.

 

[Lia]

Lia blinked at the newcomer.

He seemed to be known by the man that had come to them earlier, and although that hardly put her instantly at ease, it did offer some leeway. "Dragon?"

She repeated with a frown.

"What are you mad? We have no idea whats going on in there." They had no idea if the entire city had been taken or if it was just some of the populace. They couldn't risk any damage, and they most certainly couldn't risk all out war.

There was a reason no army stood at her back. They had to scout what was going on in the city first.

Jirou was right. Something was guiding this. They had to find out what...or who, and go from there. Lirrien was isolated, one of the few holdovers in this area of the Reach. It was what made the town so prosperous, there were few other places in the area to get food or drink.

"The gates aren't guarded." She noted. "We make our way into the city as quietly as possible, find out whats going on."

Then they would go from there.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou was taken completely off guard by Ashieron hugging him from behind. "Huh?" He managed to squeeze out as he took in what happened. He looked at his elvish friend with confusion before a sigh returned his smile. "You sure got lost for a while. I'm beginning to learn that may be a favored trait of yours." He looked at Lia who was barely accepting Ash's presence. "They'll be great help. I promise."

The gates weren't guarded? "We cannot enter through there." Jirou was immediately back to his suspicions after introductions ceased. He peered upon the gates themselves and was filled with dread. That same sinister feeling he'd had from deeper into the woods. "At least not all of us should. A city in its best standing would never leave their gates unguarded, especially under threat of an attack like this. That is not normal. We need angles. Rangers." He turned to face Lia and her squad. "Is it possible for you to gain vantage at a different entryway, or even via the trees near us? My skill set is stronger suited to melee situations. I can wander into the city as a traveler, since I am dressed the part already. My weaponry is well hidden and easily accessed. So long as your eyes can aid me I can be a permanent trap trigger."

Jirou turned back to Ash. "Friend, this could get ugly. Is that," Clearly speaking of the devil. "going to be okay? Your magic will be a great help only if you're feeling up to it. I'd prefer you stay closer to me as ambushes are bound to be prominent."

 

[Ashieron]

Ash listens to the woman speak and shrugs thinking, All your seriousness is going to lead to more wrinkles. Ash sighs rubbing his temples. “Im just saying if worse comes to worse then we could have a bit of assistance from the air.” Ash points towards the sky. He’d wait for Jirous to finsih his talking before Ash smiles cracking his fingers, “Im not all about magic you know.” The elf had an excited glint in his eyes. Tracing a line into the air a bone glaive appears then it disappears, shattering into ash. “Besides my magic has changed a good bit through these months. I’d rather not have to resort to using some of it.”

“Either way, I got you covered.” He gives Jirou to a nod, “I’ll be fine. If I need to retreat because its getting too much I will. You might want to use this.” Ash hands Jirou a little spray bottle, “Not saying that you smell bad but the smell of foreign people not from the area is a dead give away of presence. Particularly with the wind. Best to not smell like a exotic meal fresh for the slaughter if you’re being sneaky.” He’d give his nose a little pointing with a smirk, “Take it from someone like me,” He’d inform Jirou hinting at him and Devil. Followed by a slight bow and chuckle before his eyes go red and the elf disappears into the night time shadows, leaving little stars and mist to disappear in the air.

 

[Solith]

It seemed the prey and others did not notice the dead guard near the entrance most likely due to it being quite dark and they were still a distance away from the gate. It seemed this actually caused a bit more problems as Solith noticed they seemed a bit hesitant to enter which he couldn't blame them for.

Now the biggest issue presented itself as Solith watch ash just disappear from sight and while a fool might consider that they were no longer problem. Solith saw Ash as the biggest threat to his hunt for ash could simply be like a unseen bird warning the deer of wolf stalking or like Solith could easily be an ambush predator attacking Solith as soon as he goes for his prey. Every passing minute this hunt gets harder and harder and this isn't even accounting for the Rangers and Templars who are already on high alert due to the vampires.

 

[Lia]

Lia's own strength had laid with the sword and not the bow.

Her father had always said it was a more noble weapon, and while Lia hadn't particularly cared about such things she'd found much better practice there then at range. After a few seconds of thought, and after watching Ashieron disappear into the night, she answered Jirou.

"You and I can make our way into the city." She offered.

Two would move more quietly than eight, and it would also mean that neither of them would have to fight anything alone. The Templar at her back frowned slightly, but he did not go against her suggestion.

" Everyone else can post there, there, and there." She quickly pointed to a series of trees. "It's close enough that the long bows will be in range."

After just a moment of hesitation the party quickly split up. The Rangers and Templar quickly moved to their assigned positions, hefting bows and crossbows up into positions in the trees and Lia and Jirou began to point themselves to enter the city below.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou couldn't help but chuckle at the presence of Ashieron and his over explaining. Truly what made the elf who he was and the ronin loved that about him. He watched as his mage friend vanished under the veil of darkness and towards their destination. Having Ash at a point where he could counter any ambushes would be undeniably game changing.

As the exorcist peered into the city walls he couldn't shake the unsettling in his stomach. Whatever awaited them inside Lirrien was going to be a grand task, even for a party of their caliber. He gripped his blade tight by its hilt and lowered his hat to veil his eyes. "Shall we then?" He spoke to Lia and continued forward to walk into the den of death.

His eyes immediately caught the glimpse of a wooden gargoyle perched atop the city gates. There was no mirrored statue on the other side which he found a bit odd. Was it truly designed this way? He looked at it while he walked for a long time before he decided the other must have been destroyed in the carnage. His eyes then pointed back towards their path, darting into the windows of houses and the corners they would face.

 

[Ashieron]

Following close to Jirou, well as close as he felt comfortable without revealing his pressence. Ash kept to the darker shadows, avoiding as much light as he could. His eyes still red as he maintained his spell. But it was not easy, as a few laterns laid lit within the city. He’d sigh quietly, watching his friends enter the city from the alley way close by, the elf looks at the gargoyle. The hair on the back of his neck stood up but he did not want to ruin his location just to attack something that may or may not be a statue. He wanted to be completely sure, since even artists had their bad days!

His eyes looked towards the area around them, a many plumes of colored air came from some of the establishments. It was overwhelming for his nose he jumps up onto the rooves, where it would be easier to follow and keep and eye on the group. Once he did, he felt the fresher air breeze away all the mingled scents, it was a relief to the elf. He’d continue to follow Jirou primarily, just like his friend had asked him.

 

[Solith]

The prey entered the city with one of the others. It was clear this other was the leader of atleast most of the group as she ordered those with crossbows and bows to stay back and provide cover.

There were a few threats to this hunt not including the prey. There was one other who vanished from sight and could be anywhere, one other stayed with the prey meaning currently if Solith attacked he would at least deal with two people, the hunger still lurked in this city and could attack at any moment and finally the others in the tree line would most likely shoot Solith if he made one move.

How was he to kill the prey with so many odds stacked against him. There was one way but came with a massive risk and if it didn't work most likely meant certain death for Solith. Staying perfectly still apart of some small mouth movements that hopefully the rangers in the trees wouldn't notice "I wouldn't enter that town if I were you. The hunger lurk within"

 

[Lia]

Lia put her hand on her sword almost the instant she heard a voice.

The blade was not quite drawn, but she reached over her shoulder to pull it free at any sign of actual danger. Her lips thinned, and she quickly glanced up towards where she thought the voice had come from.

There she saw the gargoyle. "Yes."

Came the Ranger's answer.

"We know." The Hunger was an interesting way to refer to Vampire's, but surprisingly she had heard the term before. She could not quite remember where, but it clung to the back of her mind. "We have to stop it."

Lia offered the gargoyle, not quite sure what it was trying to accomplish. "What do you...know of it?"

Was she talking to a statue? Or something else.

 

[Jirou]

Jirou spun around as the voice from above echoed. He'd known that something was off about that gargoyle. Did it speak? His stance was adamant as he turned to look into the eyes of the statue by lifting his head so he could see through his hat. That sinister feeling returned that had been haunting him since the forest. He swung his hat back to get a better view.

He glared intently at Solith without knowing if it was something living or not. It did speak, did it not? He pushed his sword out of its sheathe by way of his thumb to show just a bit of the blade. Despite the warning it'd spit he felt no ease at the presence of another. They knew they were walking into a den of fangs.

"Hey." He spoke towards Lia. "I don't think we should linger. We can find answers on our own. That voice isn't that of something we can trust." He said quietly, his eyes never peeling from the gargoyle.