[closed] hungered hunter

[Talon]

hungered hunter

34 Ash 120 Steel

Talon observed the warrior. He was taller than both Aoren and himself which, while not unheard of, was not particularly common except when dealing with those families known for their exceptional stature. It again stoked his curiosity.

“I will be certain to let your Captain know that you helped me.” Talon gave a smile as he inclined his head giving the man a moment to compose himself. He knew the stiffness that entered his body as he dematerialized his blade. The rigidness that entered the muscles was something that he was familiar with but only by proxy. He had seen his companion endured such things time and again. Reaving was a magic that fascinated him but one that he had shied away from for reasons he could not quite explain. There was a deep part of himself that felt moved to seek the magic. It was indispensable as a skill, especially when considering the sort of life he and other Avialae lived in close proximity to the Warrens. When the pain eased from Pahoran’s form and he gathered himself, Talon gave him an empathetic look.

Reaching into one of the pouches on his hip, Talon withdrew a vial of amber colored liquid he tossed it to Pahoran just as he extended one to his companion. Aoren uncorked the vial and drank the liquid in a few gulps before returning the vial to him. Talon felt him give his shoulder a squeeze in gratitude.

“Distilled illumite tonic. I make it now and then to help in these excursions. As I am sure you saw, Aoren is also a Reaver.” Talon held up the now empty vial. “These help ease the aftermath of the toll it takes. It will not stop the pain but it will at least help you get back on your feet once it is over.”

“It’s bitter but it keeps me from keeling over after a particularly terrible fight.” Aoren grinned at Pahoran. Talon tucked the empty vial back into the pouch on his hip. He answered Pahoran’s question once the young man seemed to be situated.

“I am seeking two shards actually. A greater aetherite stone and a greater lorestone. Of the two, the lorestone is the more important one. I did a bit of research and it led me to this cave entrance.” Talon nodded his head in the direction of the dark cave from which the hungered had crawled out of. “If what I read is true, there is something resembling the ruins of an enclave within the First Deep not far from this tunnel.With any luck, we might be able to find one there.”

Mnemonosyte was common enough. Lorestones were used as methods of recording important messages, documenting events and even serving as lore kept in libraries. It was the more powerful stones that were rarer. Talon was in the midst of working on a runeforging project. He would need one in order to complete it to his satisfaction. Talon motioned for the warrior to follow as he began walking in the direction of the cave. The mouth of the cave was certainly large enough for the three of them to walk side by side given that it had allowed the somaval to slip through. Talon kept himself alert as they approached it. He kept his sword drawn and at the ready in the event any more of the gravebound hordes crawled up from the earth. When none seemed to present themselves, he moved further into the dark.

“How long have you trained with the Sky Guard, Pah?”

"First Son of House Novalys"

[Pahoran]

Pah’s height was average for the men in his family, though even the woman, who while short compared to the men, where tall for women. The young man was grateful for the others understandings, though Pahoran had noticed that the black winged, Aoren, had also summon his weapon so Pahoran suspected that he was also a Reaver so they would understand the pain. His suspicions were confirmed with the empathetic look that he received from the two men. He nodded his head and smiled as Talon said he would let his captain know about Pah’s help. “I appreciate that. Though I am really glad I could help.”

Pah was a bit surprised as Talen handed over a vial full of amber liquid. The ice blue eyes looked at it before he reached up and opened in. Pah wasn’t a suspicious person by nature, though he was a bit cautious but felt that he wasn’t about to be poisoned by someone he had just helped. So when the explanation was supplied the young man smile and drank the concoction. As it went down he controlled his expression though he blinked a few more times then he normally would.

Pah handed back the vial and smiled. “Thank you.” Yes the pain was there, but he could feel that the edge was already fading. So it because more of a soreness, there and uncomfortable but not demanded all of the attention. “I did guess based on some of what I saw that you also did Reaving.” He said smiling at Aoren then looked back at Talon. “You make tonics and such?” Pha asked curiously. In his position as a guard and before that working with his family he didn’t deal with a lot of craftsman. Though most of the ones he had seen growing up though weren’t very much of fighters. Pah was finding this fellow young man interesting. He was the first son of the great house, yet he came to find crafting tools with out guards. He was very different from some of the others he had seen. Mostly if had been from his early years when they had wandered before coming to the city. He stood up straight and said. “That would be something very useful to know how to make, and easier then trying to mediate the pain away.” He titled his head then said. “Though not knowing how to make it maybe its not easier.” His smiled showed the humor in his statement as he mocked his own ignorance.

Pah titled his head and listened to the explanation and slowly nodded his understand, and gave a friendly smile, “well lets get those stones.” There was a certain amount of contained excitement at the chance to explore, but also the chance to destroy the monsters. Pah fell in line with the other three, moving comfortable next to other warriors. Pah was prepared to summon his blade again if necessary, but moved carefully and kept an eye out for anymore surprises.

Pah was a bit surprised by the question but he glanced over and answered, “I started this season.” He said with out hesitation. “I am still a squire, but soon I hope to join the Skyriders.” He said willing to have a conversation. “It has been different living in the barracks. My family is waggoners so not used to being in the same place for so long. Its kinds of nice though.”

[Talon]

hungered hunter

34 Ash 120 Steel

"My father has always taught his children to be independent and resourceful, to address a need when a need is presented using the skills we have.” Talon shrugged his shoulders. “Aoren is my Companion. When he suffers, I suffer. So I used my skills to ease that suffering.”

It was more than that. The research that Talon had put into making the small tonics was something he had gifted to the hospital run by House Ahtivin. He filled their requests whenever they made them and they made those requests fairly often. It was one of the cornerstone points of business for his shop and it certainly kept his apprentice and clerks busy. He had recently been looking into studying alchemy in search of ways of how to improve the concoction. As it were, he had not found the time to devote to studying the craft.

“If you are ever curious, you are welcome to visit me at the Skyforge in the city. I would be happy to teach you. The city is always in need of resourceful Sky Guard.” He smiled at Pahoran as they entered the cave, casting his gaze about in search of anything that struck him as dangerous. When nothing presented itself, Talon pressed onward. The old maps that he had studied provided a fairly straightforward path to the ruined enclave. Whatever purpose it had once served, he did not know but he did know that the text spoke of a cache of the memory stones. If the stone had been allowed to settle in that place, there was a chance that more might have grown there. When Pahoran answered his question, Talon blinked at him. He was a very new guardsman. To already be so skilled and be only a squire was surprising.

“You show a considerable amount of promise, Pahoran. I do not think I have met a squire who would have so skillfully faced down a Somaval. I do not need to tell you how ferocious they are, you just saw for yourself.” Talon had seen good men and women torn to pieces by them before. He had nearly just suffered the same fate. He thought on the soldier’s mention of wanting to join the Skyriders. It was not a surprising notion but he did not see many afforded the opportunity to become one. The Icewing eagles were notoriously picky with whom they chose as partners. But he could see this man riding one with skill and precision.

“My father is a Skyrider. At least, he was before assuming the throne. He seldom goes anywhere without his eagle when away from the palace. To see the two of them fly together is…” Talon searched for the right words. None immediately presented themselves. “...it is an amazing thing.”

He listened to Pahoran describe his family. The life of a wagoneer was nothing something that Talon was familiar with. It sounded as though his family might have been tied to House Veyl given that such a lifestyle reminded him of merchant caravans. When the white winged Avialae finished speaking, Talon nodded.

“I can imagine it is very different. To go from a life constantly on the move to being in one place would be strange. If I may? What did your family think of you becoming a Sky Guard? What made you decide to become one? It sounds like it is a bit of a shift from what you were raised around.”

"First Son of House Novalys"

[Pahoran]

Pah listened with a interested expression. The young man was aware of the Shokaze, but that figure was something distant and abstract really. One could hear about decisions made from the Shokaze, but Pahoran understood just because it came down from the Shokaze didn’t mean much. So hearing from his own son was enlightening. The man’s father wanted his children to actually be independent. Pah didn’t now many of the higher houses, but he had in his time seen some of the children of lesser nobles. Many lived off of the families name and position and not their own hard work.

Pah nodded at the mention of one’s companion suffering. While he hadn’t bonded with anyone yet, he still was aware of the struggle and pain that could come when the other was in pain. The young man felt a lesser suffering even when he saw others of his family in pain. He nodded approvingly.

Talon then invited him to come and visit his shop. The ice blue eyes grew thoughtful as he considered and his baritone voice reply. “I will take you up on that offer.” He said and then he grinned. “Though I haven’t ever tried mixing chemical. So we will see how well I can do.” Pah wasn’t all that worried since he understood the concept of following directions.

Pah looked around as they traveled farther into the warrens and towards there destination. His eyes were moved in a pattern that rotated between what was either side of path and then just a bit farther on. Then it returned to his companions. Pah felt himself blush a bit at the compliment that came out after Talon heard about how new he was. He gave a awkward smile as he answered. “I have been training with to fight long before I became a member of the guard. My family feels that the best time to train a fighter is when they are young, and given how dangerous wagonering can be unless you want to be a highway robber’s victim it is a good idea to know how to stab a man.” Pah didn’t mention that there were other dangers. Those who would kill any of his family just because of who they were. “Though the Somaval was far worse than any bandit I have seen, and frankly couldn’t have don that with out both of your help.” He said in a companionable humor.

“We will have to see what happens, but I hope to have the chance to ride a Ice Eagle myself on day.” He paused then to consider his answer as he looked around to make sure they were safe. “I joined the Sky Guard because I wanted a new challenge.” He said honestly. “Its hard to explain exactly, but I helped my father, brothers, cousins even guard the wagooner from dangers. I enjoy the challenge of a fight, but frankly only monsters and stupid thieves attack a caravan with at least half a dozen armed Avialea guarding it.” He smirked, “And even if they get past them my mother, sisters and cousins aren’t damsel in distress.” Pah paused. “So basically I joined the Guard because I felt I could help more people all the time. My family, while they miss me, were good with my choice.” His expression was serious. “Though if I had become a mercenary that would have been another story. Helping and serving the people of the city is admirable. Being a sell sword, I might have been disowned.”

[Talon]

hungered hunter

34 Ash 120

"Hey! The life of a mercenary can be a respectable one!” Aoren blinked at Pahoran in mock offense before breaking out into a smile. “I understand the sentiment though. There are those who would rather live for coin above all else but...there is a brotherhood among a band of mercenaries.”

Talon smiled at his companion before nodding. He looked ahead, inspecting the cavern before them with a critical eye. The ruin of some ancient outpost rest before them. Talon imagined that at one point, in an age that had long ago faded from memory, that it might have been grand place. Not for the first time he wondered exactly what was the Buried Empire. The sprawling civilization that was now dilapidated ruins beneath the surface, serving as home to monsters that looked to be a wretched mockery of humanity and other beings.

“There it is.” Talon looked to the great edifice of a fallen era. The gothic ruined architecture jutted out of the cavern wall. The shambling figures that shuffled through the shadows were all that he needed to see to know that they would not be alone in delving into the mysteries that were within the ruin. Ahead of them there was a great chasm that separated them from their ruined destination. He was not overly concerned about it given that all three of them could fly.

“The chasm ahead of us should not prove difficult to cross. What I worry about is exposing us to what might be lurking in the ruin itself. If what I have heard is true, there is a wraith somewhere in the ruins. I do not know what kind but of all the creatures that lurk within the First Deep, wraiths are some of the worst.” He nodded to the shuffling forms of the creatures roaming, digging in the dirt around the structure.

“Those appear to be shinaegri. Somaval are usually solo hunters. If we are lucky, we will not encounter any more but I would be on alert.” He looked to Pahoran and Aoren. “If we are swift, we might be able to take out the outer creatures without alerting what might be inside. Decapitate if you can, to silence them if they spot you.”

Talon had been on enough dives into the Deeps of the Warrens to know how to handle shinaegri. He had certain fought alongside enough Sky Guard to know how to deal with incursions when they happened. The shamblers were not an unknown creature to the broader populace of Kalzasi and any warrior worth his mettle had faced the monsters in combat before. Gripping his sword, Talon let out a steady breath. He stepped forward to more carefully examine what was ahead of them. There was a ledge toward the rear of the outpost that led up to a fallen wall. He pointed to it with his sword.

“If we can get to there quickly, we should be able to avoid many of the obstacles in the front.” He did not need to speak aloud to Aoren to signal him to be ready. His raven winged companion summoned both of his sword with a mere flick of his wrists. Aoren nodded to Talon then both of them looked to Pahoran. When the white winged Avialae signaled his readiness, Talon got a running start before spreading his wings and leaping into the air. With a powerful downward pump of his wings, he rose then dove toward the opposite ledge of the chasm. Ahead of them, a group of roughly six shamblers milled about, some of them tearing into the corpse of some poor creature that had gotten into their grasp. Talon brought the weave of the Aether Flux into his vision. Talon made no sound as he dove down, sword at the ready. As he flapped his wings, that was when one of the shinaegri noticed him. Talon dropped out of the air, bringing his blade down across the shambler’s neck, slicing its head clean off of its shoulders. He then reached out with his free hand and compressed the aether flux around the skull of the shambler nearest him. There was a sickening crunch as the creature’s head imploded.

Aoren followed, his Pact blade piercing through the skull of his first target. He then threw his second sword into the head of the nearest shambler, bits of brain and gore splattering out the back of its head.

That left two shamblers left for Pahoran.

"First Son of House Novalys"

[Pahoran]

Pahoran smiled at the dark wing Avialae as he jokingly defended mercenaries. “It’s true any group of fighters can build a brotherhood together, and mercenary groups are very effective when they do.” He said acknowledging the point. Pah didn’t really carry the point. Most of the mercenaries he had meet weren’t the group kind any ways. Though he did understand well the bound between people who fight for their lives together.

They made their way farther down to the Warrens and Pah’s ice blue eyes swept across the ruins as they explored. He didn’t say it but he also wondered who left these ruins. He wondered if it was some remnant of the elves golden age that was lost when the gates were overwhelmed. Then again with some of the weird things he though it equally could be something pulled from some where else. It would be nice to study such place without always having to be on the defensive.

It didn’t take long before they all found themselves at the ruins they were interested in. Pah casually looked down at the chasm but for a winged creature such drops weren’t of a concern to him. Though it also made it hard to understand none winged individuals attitude towards it. He still remembered his mother’s frustration to him and his brothers casual approach sitting on roofs.

He listened and raised an eyebrow at the mention of a Wraith, but he didn’t flinch. He looked it over and listened to the plan. It was good and plan and his nodded his blond head at the suggestion. He didn’t have a second bonded weapon yet, but he could feel his first and slipped a dagger.

Stepping back he took a running jump and flew it the air. He then pulled him in and with his feet pulled up close he cannoned balled into first of the Shamblers with his full body weight. He extended on had and summoned his blade so that it appeared as it sliced into the creatures throat severing its vocal cords and several tenses. While the creature wasn’t dead yet it could make any noise and with Pahoran’s substantial weight on its chest was in the throws of dying he as Pah stood up and sliced across other Shamblers throat, taking its head off.

He then returned his attention to the one he was standing on and finished the job. His blue eyes looked at the creatures wondering if once they had been intelligent beings or if they really were just creature that was created for no other reason then to consume. He carefully stepped off making sure that his footing was secure and then looked around in case more came out or possible something even worse.

Pah felt his years of training begin to surface. This place was a challenge, it held great rewards but it also would lie to you at every turn.

[Talon]

hungered hunter

34 Ash 120

Pahoran displayed the precision that Talon would have expected for a Sky Guard. He knew firsthand the amount of training that went into being able to tackle the dangers of the Warrens. It was a precarious relationship that his people had with the caverns below their city. On the one hand there were resources to be used and exploited on practically every level of the Warrens. The First Deep and Second Deep alone were teeming with riches. The dangers of plundering those resources however, were many. The now dead creatures in front of him were living proof of that. Talon kept his sword at the ready. He nodded to Pahoran and Aoren then stepped forward to the exterior wall of the ruined enclave. With careful steps he moved forward until he was pressed against the wall. Slowly he peeked just beyond it and what he saw waiting for him there was enough to make his breath catch.

Shining in the center of the space was exactly what he sought. It gave off a lazy glow that gently illuminated the area. The blue-orange crystal was growing out of a stalagmite jutting up from the ground. It looked almost as if the crystalline structure had burst forth from the floor. Throughout the interior, Talon could see several outcropping glowing softly. The evidence of mnemonosyte visible wherever he looked. He thanked the gods for his investigation having held true. The question was...where was the wraith? He had no idea what to expect if he set foot inside the interior. A wraith that had spent a great deal of time exposed to the power of lorestone? That was a frightening thing.

Wraiths were already dangerous because of the tricks that they played on the mind but he could only imagine what would have happened to one exposed to these crystals for such a long period of time. Raising a hand, he motioned to the other two quietly.

“It is here. The crystals I am looking for.” Turning to both of them, Talon crouched down. “If there is a wraith, I imagine it will have been affected by the crystals inside. Be careful. That means it can and certainly will play tricks on the mind.”

Talon looked back to the room. He opened his senses up to the flow of aether around them. He attuned his vision until he could make out the subtle variations of the aura’s inside. He concentrated on the crystals until he saw clearly the large mist of power that signaled what he was looking for.

“The crystal I am looking for is beyond the central pillar, just opposite of it. I do not see or sense the wraith. But there is a considerable amount of interference.” Talon blinked, dismissing his powers of Semblance.

“Aoren, you are with me. Keep a lookout for signs of movement behind us.” His companion nodded. Looking to Pahoran, Talon trusted that the guardsman would be able to handle himself. Everything he had seen thus far told him that the man was a skilled individual. “I need you to post here at this entry point. If things take a turn for the worse, we need to be able to secure an exit. If we make too much noise, it will draw the attention of the rest of the shamblers. Then we will have a swarm on our hands. But if we must, our lives are more important than a mere crystal.”

With that, Talon nodded to both of them. He rose to his feet, took a deep breath then stepped inside the ruined building. A heavy layer of dirt and dust thankfully muffled the sound of his boots upon the floor. It was curious to Talon to still be able to make out the shape of ruined desks, bookshelves, and even pottery. The odd nature of the First Deep, to appear as a lost civilization that could have been buried but a handful of years ago as opposed to centuries ago like scholars suggested, was a marvel to Talon. Not for the first time did he wonder if they were even on Ransera anymore whenever they stepped into the Warrens. But he pushed such things from his mind as he stepped deeper into the interior of the building.

He could feel Aoren behind him. He trusted his companion. There was no other he trusted with his life more. But both of them were uneasy. Shamblers and a Somaval were one thing. Those threats were physical. They could be damaged with steel and fist. Wraiths? They were another thing entirely. Talon had fought against wraiths by himself before. It had been a harrowing endeavor and he was not eager to repeat the experience. He was halfway across the room when he felt the temperature in the room shift. The shadows at the corners of the room pressed inward upon them, blanketing the light of the lorestones. The whisper of a breath exhaling a guttural moan was the only warning Talon had before a figure began to take shape out of the shadows.

“Aoren, run. Go.” Talon barely got the words out of his mouth when the blackness surged forth. Wicked claws formed out of the shadows as they reached for him. Talon felt his blood run cold. All of his thoughts fled from him. His muscles locked. His heart began to race and his eyes went wide. He was suddenly filled with the memory of being possessed by the wraith that had ensnared him the year prior. Fear overwhelmed his thoughts and he could not move. Just as he thought the shadows would overtake him, the roar of a flame coming to life shocked him out of the stupor. Beside him, Aoren hurled a ball of fire at the wall of shadows. The arcane flames burned at the darkness eliciting from the dark a pained screech. He was grabbed by Aoren who turned him to look in the eyes.

“Crystal. Now.” Talon blinked, nodding his head. He turned, opening his senses up to the aether. Again the auras of the crystals came into focus. He found the one he was looking for, it shone brighter than all the others. Aoren had dismissed his blades. He instead was holding his hands up, both of them wreathed in the fires of his elemental magic. The darkness writhed before swirling into motion once more.

“Here we go again! Be ready!” Tendrils of blackness lashed out at both Talon and Aoren. Opposite of them, the darkness sent crooked hands lunging toward their white winged companion.

"First Son of House Novalys"

[Pahoran]

The Warrens weren’t a place one could really rest and relax. There was always something that could be hiding in a corner or a shadow. The young knight wondered what had caused these places to become infested, and why it was so infested with death. What had twisted this place so that it was no longer a place of true life, but just hungered to consume it. The ice blue eyes knight sighed as theses thoughts raced through his head. He often wondered why things would become twisted like this. Life was many things beautiful and painful, but to want to just consume it all.

Despite his random thoughts he was focused on what was occurring around them especially as the came closer to their prize. Pah nodded as he was instructed to keep watch at the door. Placing his back against the wall of the entrance wall so that he could see inside and out and had minimal blind spot. He kept an eye on the area they had just come from in cause more of the shambles noticed them. He also would turn his head periodically to make sure that nothing came on him from his blind spot.

Pahoran was watching when the Wraith suddenly distracted itself from the shadows and charged forward towards his fellow warriors. Pahoran actually stuck his blade in the ground and bent and quickly picked up a couple fist size rooks from the ground. He had a post to watch and charging in could get them killed, especially since he trusted these two. He needed to keep the way clear but he wasn’t helpless.

It was actually a good thing he picked them up because a moment after he rightened himself the Wraith shot out a clawed hand to grab him. Pahoran wasn’t sure how much he would be against a Wraith, but he tossed the rocks a little to the side and front of him and before they were complely gone he spun around the wall so it was no between himself and the Wraith. The rocks which had original been intended as projectiles but turned into the distraction he needed to beat the claw around the corner. Like any thing the claw had paused in its reaction and almost went for the rocks before continuing its course towards were Pah had been, but he was gone, and even as he moved he called his blade to him from where it rested in the ground.

With a quick movement Pahoran brought the blade down on the clawed appendage that was confused trying to grab where he had been. The Knight focused on making as little noise as possible not wanting to draw the attention of the other monsters.

[Finn]

Review

Experience: 8 xp, and Pahoran can use his for Reaving should he return.

Lore:

Pahoran

Acrobatics: Rolling out of the way of an attack
Reaving: Returning Technique
Reaving: Using Returning tactically in battle
Blade: Using a dive to add power to a thrust
Blade: Stab to wound deeply
Blade: Slashing to server tentacles
Unarmed: Wings can blow up dust in a fight
Tactics: Using decoys while in battle

Talon

Blades: Evasive riposte
Blades: Dancing around enemies
Blades: Predictive riposte
Blades: Rapid, successive strikes
Blades: Reinforcing with kinetics to block incorporeal blows
Blades: Aerial dive strike
Kinetics: Perceiving the aether flow pathways within a living body
Meditation: Shaking off a PTSD episode by focusing on the moment
Semblance: Recognizing the aura of a mnemonosyte dragonshard
Semblance: Pahoran’s Aura

Injuries: All healed by now.

Loot: N/A

Note: Thank you for your service, gentlmen. Fewer wraiths make for happier citizens. And if you return, Pahoran, let me know what lores you might want.

Edit: Pahoran's lore request added. Welcome back!