"Thank you, your dedication to our cause will be remembered." Hograth watches in silence, what he saw another setback another blow to the Harmonium's plans and cause.
For a moment he feels some wearyness, his heart and mind heavy from the responsibilities he has and the hoplessness of this situation. Quickly he tries to dismiss this thoughts, to once again focus on this task, his mission.
"Bad news but we still have our mission- and there are other ways we can use to return and we saw not all ships burning. There are soldiers who might have survived and we will not abandon them.
Have the men gather whatever supplies we can- catch some fish, catch some game. We have no means to carry the meat with us and not the time to prepare, salt or smoke it so tell the men to eat heartily.
As for you.... find some peace in prayer, try to find atonement should you feel the need for it.
You did well but as you know it will get worse from now on."
Turning to the troops he then gives his orders, to hunt, collect some food then move out quickly, once again letting their guide lead them.
Sacrifice!
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"My god shall not abandon us in our time of need. At dawn the Morning Lord will restore what was lost at this dusk. The night may be long and dark but dawn always follows."
The priest salutes and withdraws. Seemingly sharing Hograths sentiment on the situation that it would become far worse before they had it under control.
His men took turnes at guarding the camp and hunting. The troopers were high spirited as these sumptuos meals rare even though they knew there was a strenous journey ahead of them. Hours passed and midday became late afternoon before they broke camp.
Leaving the lakelands. They crossed a dense leafwood with heavy undergrowth forming a tight line of no more than two rows with the guide running ahead of them and returning after several hours away. The men stareted to trust him more as they started to predict him more easily despite his disregard for protocol. They eventually reached the high grounds nearer the mountain range. A dark wood of pine and fir loomed over the steep slopes they faced. The march slowed down significantly. The strongest and most fit spearheaded while the others followed close behind. A chlling wind sweapt down from the north. Hograth knew these mountains had to tremendously high as they had already climbed league after league with many peaks and few dells. Hoarfrost clad the trees in white. Pools of frozen water made the ground slippery and trecherous. The moonlight painted the Wood in a eerie bluewhite colour as the frost glimmered to the touch of the pallid rays.
On the third day the expedition finds themselves overlooking a dell with a settlement. A light snowfall with only a few flakes dancing down sluggardly. The houses all covered with a thin layer of snow. Numbering perhaps a seventy in total. No smoke was seen from the chimneys. Not any people on the streets. Had they not been as close as they were they might have mistaken the village for a cluster of hills. Two large long houses served as blockage from entering directly from their position forming a gate between them.
The priest salutes and withdraws. Seemingly sharing Hograths sentiment on the situation that it would become far worse before they had it under control.
His men took turnes at guarding the camp and hunting. The troopers were high spirited as these sumptuos meals rare even though they knew there was a strenous journey ahead of them. Hours passed and midday became late afternoon before they broke camp.
Leaving the lakelands. They crossed a dense leafwood with heavy undergrowth forming a tight line of no more than two rows with the guide running ahead of them and returning after several hours away. The men stareted to trust him more as they started to predict him more easily despite his disregard for protocol. They eventually reached the high grounds nearer the mountain range. A dark wood of pine and fir loomed over the steep slopes they faced. The march slowed down significantly. The strongest and most fit spearheaded while the others followed close behind. A chlling wind sweapt down from the north. Hograth knew these mountains had to tremendously high as they had already climbed league after league with many peaks and few dells. Hoarfrost clad the trees in white. Pools of frozen water made the ground slippery and trecherous. The moonlight painted the Wood in a eerie bluewhite colour as the frost glimmered to the touch of the pallid rays.
On the third day the expedition finds themselves overlooking a dell with a settlement. A light snowfall with only a few flakes dancing down sluggardly. The houses all covered with a thin layer of snow. Numbering perhaps a seventy in total. No smoke was seen from the chimneys. Not any people on the streets. Had they not been as close as they were they might have mistaken the village for a cluster of hills. Two large long houses served as blockage from entering directly from their position forming a gate between them.
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The frozen woods and mountains evoked memories of a childhood he had almost forgotten, which now seems to him like it happened in another liftime, a different life. Nevertheless he feels oddly comfortable, despite the cold, the thin air and the hunger.
He has hunted in woods like those, fought the Hextorites in mountains similar to those- followers of a faith he is now working with, he now is forced to cooperate with simply because the wrong blood running in his veins. Few know and it is not something he shares even with those he considers friends but he is biding his time to one day break this shackles of servitude.
Stepping over some snow covered rocks, keeping his balance on this treacherous ground despite his heavy mechaus forged plates he looks over his troopers, searches for wearyness of mind and body, ready to bolster and support those whos strenght are failing.
They are the Harmonium- they move and fight as a unit.
The irony is not lost on him- once again he fights the followers of a tyrannical god in snow covered woods, once again the deck is stacked against him- and once again he knows he can call mere surviving victory.
Seeing the settlement- looking so dead or abandoned- he orders his troops into a defensive formation, sending out four scouts to the two buildings- instructing them to move back over the right flank when threatened, positioning his crossbowmen on the left flank to provide cover.
Before sending them out he calls to their guide: "Do you know this settlement? What people live here, what do we have to expect?" Offering him his precious notebook and charcoal he hopes for a written response while he looks over the buildings, looking for matks of violence, clan or family markings. But being familiar with the tactics of evil cults and churches and being the Jasidin he is he also looks for the telltale signs of corpses hidden in the snow, lurking undead that are ready to strike.
He has hunted in woods like those, fought the Hextorites in mountains similar to those- followers of a faith he is now working with, he now is forced to cooperate with simply because the wrong blood running in his veins. Few know and it is not something he shares even with those he considers friends but he is biding his time to one day break this shackles of servitude.
Stepping over some snow covered rocks, keeping his balance on this treacherous ground despite his heavy mechaus forged plates he looks over his troopers, searches for wearyness of mind and body, ready to bolster and support those whos strenght are failing.
They are the Harmonium- they move and fight as a unit.
The irony is not lost on him- once again he fights the followers of a tyrannical god in snow covered woods, once again the deck is stacked against him- and once again he knows he can call mere surviving victory.
Seeing the settlement- looking so dead or abandoned- he orders his troops into a defensive formation, sending out four scouts to the two buildings- instructing them to move back over the right flank when threatened, positioning his crossbowmen on the left flank to provide cover.
Before sending them out he calls to their guide: "Do you know this settlement? What people live here, what do we have to expect?" Offering him his precious notebook and charcoal he hopes for a written response while he looks over the buildings, looking for matks of violence, clan or family markings. But being familiar with the tactics of evil cults and churches and being the Jasidin he is he also looks for the telltale signs of corpses hidden in the snow, lurking undead that are ready to strike.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Four scouts climbed down the craggy iceclad rocks leaving the majority of their Equipment behind armed only with a sword and dagger. The moonlight offered fairly good sight but clouds obscured it for various span of time. The wind grew stronger and so did the snowfall while it was still mild. The troopers remaine behind the ledge while their positions was maintained to counter any threat coming from the seemingly abandoned village. A layer of snow slowly building up on them as they laied in waiting perfectly still their pikes and halbers in a firm grip.
Their guide sciblbed eagerly in the notebook he was give. He had gotten a lot better as they had excanged more information between them. The ability to communicate was slowly returning to the solitary wildman. He ripped off a finished page and handed it to Hograth.
((A spot please! ))
Their guide sciblbed eagerly in the notebook he was give. He had gotten a lot better as they had excanged more information between them. The ability to communicate was slowly returning to the solitary wildman. He ripped off a finished page and handed it to Hograth.
As the wind blew directly southward he could smell smoke, yet it seemed stagnat somehow. And the stingy smell of blood, but it could be anything mayhap animals considering this was a hunting community by what the wildman could relaywrote:Sir
It is a hunting village. They lived here as long I've been here. Humans and half-orcs. Drove me off when I tried to steal dried meat from them. Distrustful of outsiders. The elders live in the round house in the middle. Perhaps they are watching us. Not even I can match their skill in hiding in these mountains. You need fur. Jacaal is much higher. Colder. Perhaps trade? They never see many outsiders here perhaps something small can persuade them. Strange silience, perhaps they saw us coming.
Sir
((A spot please! ))
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
(( Spot roll gave a total of 16 ))
Hograth nodded to the guide and gave the note to Cian as well, watching the scouts approach. What he learned is useful- perhaps they can trade some spare weapons they carry from their fallen for supplies or have their priests offer healing to the sick. If such trade is possible, if friends could be made....
...his thoughts return to the reality that lies in front of him, the snow covered mountains, the huts- and he looks for the main building their guide described. He knows from his own village that the house of the elders or chieftain often serves as some keep in times of danger and that if there were any survivors they might be found there.
Hograth nodded to the guide and gave the note to Cian as well, watching the scouts approach. What he learned is useful- perhaps they can trade some spare weapons they carry from their fallen for supplies or have their priests offer healing to the sick. If such trade is possible, if friends could be made....
...his thoughts return to the reality that lies in front of him, the snow covered mountains, the huts- and he looks for the main building their guide described. He knows from his own village that the house of the elders or chieftain often serves as some keep in times of danger and that if there were any survivors they might be found there.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The large roundhouse is seen in the exact center of the village. It is larger and more rigourous built than the surrounding houses made of timber. Made out of stone in a perfectly round shape. A large tree spreading its Crown from within the center of the house. Perhaps of some religious belief that had predated the alien religion plaguing this land now.
Hograth spots footprints behlow the layers of snow. More than a day old as Little remains of them. But the crusty snow was broken and softer new snow had filled the holes. Most of them too small for a full grown man howver exept only a few. Leading down into the path inbetween the two frontal longhouses.
He watches as the scouts make their descent and spread out searching the houses. One of them remains in sight opening a door to the nearest longhouse staggering backwards a few steps apparently appalled by somthing he sees inside. His blade held defensivly towards the open door as he fell to his knees with his free hand trailing along the wall. His face shifting sickly pale he couldn't stop himself from purging in a drove of snow that had been piled up under the roofline.
Hograth spots footprints behlow the layers of snow. More than a day old as Little remains of them. But the crusty snow was broken and softer new snow had filled the holes. Most of them too small for a full grown man howver exept only a few. Leading down into the path inbetween the two frontal longhouses.
He watches as the scouts make their descent and spread out searching the houses. One of them remains in sight opening a door to the nearest longhouse staggering backwards a few steps apparently appalled by somthing he sees inside. His blade held defensivly towards the open door as he fell to his knees with his free hand trailing along the wall. His face shifting sickly pale he couldn't stop himself from purging in a drove of snow that had been piled up under the roofline.
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
"We move." Hograth says- the faint tracks he saw forgotten for now as he leads the man down into the village. "Defensive formation, then get those two buildings secured. FRom there we work our way into the hamlet house by house. I don't want any surprises."
The Half Orc then approaches the house the scout just checked and he places a large hand on the man's shoulder in a calming gesture before taking a look into this hut himself.
The Half Orc then approaches the house the scout just checked and he places a large hand on the man's shoulder in a calming gesture before taking a look into this hut himself.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
Two men charge infront as vanguards the others follwowing assured there was no ambush for the main bulk. The longhouses are easily secured and surrounded from all four directions. Hograth notice the timber of all huts having a Think crust of coal. Some parts deeper into the village pealed so heavily you could see through them.
The trooper at the door steady himself fast getting up on his feet. The rancid stench owerwhelming. Rottening flesh that had been frozen and tawed only to freeze and taw anew.
As he peek into the longhouse he sees a mountain of flesh. Blackened and sickly pale bodies entivined in each other. Disembolved ribcages embracing heads with eyes locked in a frozen stare of fright. Mouths agape as if screaming still beyond death. Their bleak white eyes frore soilid still projecting the terror of their final moments in life. All of them children. Despite the cold maggots had begun to feast on the flesh that was still mellow and fresh. Much time had flown between the black old corpses and the fresher pale.
The trail of footprints slithered from the two houses and into the center. Disappearing from sight in the next row of houses.
The trooper at the door steady himself fast getting up on his feet. The rancid stench owerwhelming. Rottening flesh that had been frozen and tawed only to freeze and taw anew.
As he peek into the longhouse he sees a mountain of flesh. Blackened and sickly pale bodies entivined in each other. Disembolved ribcages embracing heads with eyes locked in a frozen stare of fright. Mouths agape as if screaming still beyond death. Their bleak white eyes frore soilid still projecting the terror of their final moments in life. All of them children. Despite the cold maggots had begun to feast on the flesh that was still mellow and fresh. Much time had flown between the black old corpses and the fresher pale.
The trail of footprints slithered from the two houses and into the center. Disappearing from sight in the next row of houses.
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*Selebius
- Posts: 1073
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The half orc whispers a quick prayer, the scene before him filling him with both anger and revulsion.
Fresh and old bodies... so people are still dying here. He leaves the hut again, runs an armoured hand over the blackened timbers. Fire that burns hot but not long.... probably combat spells or a small dragon's breath.
Leaving securing the houses to his troops he gestures to four troopers to follow him and he walks deeper into the village, following the trail in the snow, the half orc Measure tense and wary.
Fresh and old bodies... so people are still dying here. He leaves the hut again, runs an armoured hand over the blackened timbers. Fire that burns hot but not long.... probably combat spells or a small dragon's breath.
Leaving securing the houses to his troops he gestures to four troopers to follow him and he walks deeper into the village, following the trail in the snow, the half orc Measure tense and wary.
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*Krayt
- Posts: 544
- Joined: Thu Jan 01, 1970 12:00 am
The snowflakes became bigger and bigger as they danced down in a wilder dance twirling around the crimson shimmering men as the moonlight reflected in their armour. It became colder as night settled and the intensifying northen wind.
The wildman had disappared from sight but left a trail of fresh footprits caring Little that he could conceal any track with his own and cause confusion in their orderly progression.
The missing scouts had secured the street ahead and wavered behind a black burnt corner for the rest to andvance.
This place felt diffrent from the mountains they had just left. he felt as if the fabrics was loose. As if he walked in a world between worlds
Cian spoke seemingly unshaken by the sight and haunting feeling. He too wary of a trap "Slavers you think? Leaving the children taking the adults."
The trail lead deeper in the village. Melted ice that had frozen again in the shape of hooves was now paired with the adult and small foorprints. As they followed it a pale blue glimmer could be seen in one of the huts glassless widow ahead of them. Vanishing just as quickly as it was spotted. This one seeme half buried under the earth with a trapdoor as only entry aside from the window higher up at two meters hight.
The wildman had disappared from sight but left a trail of fresh footprits caring Little that he could conceal any track with his own and cause confusion in their orderly progression.
The missing scouts had secured the street ahead and wavered behind a black burnt corner for the rest to andvance.
This place felt diffrent from the mountains they had just left. he felt as if the fabrics was loose. As if he walked in a world between worlds
Cian spoke seemingly unshaken by the sight and haunting feeling. He too wary of a trap "Slavers you think? Leaving the children taking the adults."
The trail lead deeper in the village. Melted ice that had frozen again in the shape of hooves was now paired with the adult and small foorprints. As they followed it a pale blue glimmer could be seen in one of the huts glassless widow ahead of them. Vanishing just as quickly as it was spotted. This one seeme half buried under the earth with a trapdoor as only entry aside from the window higher up at two meters hight.