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Post by zipp on Mar 15, 2009 1:57:00 GMT
Behind them the roars got louder and closer. In front of them the path led ever onward. That at least was good. It meant they could keep running.
But things didn't stay good long. After about fifteen minutes of running (it felt that they were moving uphill) the companions arrived, out of breath and soaked with rain and sweat, in the middle of a cul-de-sac made up of large squat houses.
Sherri panted and fell forward. "I have no idea where we are!" she screamed. "None of this looks familiar!"
Behind the companions, another roar sounded. Looking back, they could see they were indeed on a small hill, as the street drifted down a long slop behind them. But it turned a corner and disappeared behind more houses before going too far. If their pursuer were to appear, they would have little time to react.
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Mar 15, 2009 2:29:40 GMT
"Keep moving!" says Sir Aram. Without hesitating or looking back, he continues running behind the houses, leading the way onward. He doesn't know where they're going, nor does he care, so long as they put as much distance as they can between them and their unseen pursuer. He still holds his sword and shield clenched in his hands, and sweat pours down his brow underneath his helmet.
As he runs, he wonders where Bonnie has gone. He hasn't known the Border Ranger long, but he is confident that she is still alive somewhere in this accursed city. If only they could have found her tracks and followed her - but, ironically, she was the only one among them who could have read those tracks. We shall meet again, Bonnie, he thinks. If not at Sherri's mother's house, then at the Citadel. Next time I'll do a better job of protecting you, and when we've accomplished our mission, I'll see you safely back home.
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Post by Gregor on Mar 15, 2009 6:51:54 GMT
Gregor still had his hand clasped firmly in Sherris. He had pretty much been dragging Sherri along with him, for what is was worth. The girl was scared, and if he was honest with himself, so was he. The crowds the group had encountered where bad enough, but that noise! That scream out of nowhere! Gregor pondered this as best he could, as the group now stood momentarily trapped in a dead end. What had cause those people to go as mad as they did? Why didnt the crowds go after Sherri along with the rest of them? She was there, surely. Could it be that there was some innate recognition built into these people for one of their own?
Even more worrying, or disturbing depending on the current outlook, was the sudden depature of the ranger Bonnie. Gregor mentally shrugged to himself. He had never quite trusted that one, her devotion to her task seeemed to change as often as the wind. She knew her job, she had been ordered to come to Oasis. But she seemed to have resigned herself to the fact that she wouldnt be coming back, ever. Not only that, she had in her own mind lumped the rest of the group along with with same fate! Maybe it is better she has gone, thought Gregor. He certainly didnt need some ranger deciding his own fate, especially now he had Sherri with him. Sherri.... he had promised her. Promised to get her home. He could do- no, he would do. He wouldnt fail her. Not again....
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Post by zipp on Mar 15, 2009 7:55:48 GMT
I think there's a bit of confusion here, and I think it's due to my wording. You're at a dead end right now, in a circle of houses. Are you trying to push beyond these houses? The "behind you" path is literally the one you've come up, and it leads TOWARDS the bad noises... and 50 threat level.
Just trying to get a handle on where you're going.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Mar 15, 2009 9:19:39 GMT
Meldorac snarls as Sherri breaks down. If only they still had the border ranger. Then Meldorac sniggers at that thought too. The border ranger that managed to turn her back on ambushes or lead them right in to ones. A fool, but at least an honest fool as far as Meldorac could discern. Still, Meldorac can see the practicality in surrounding oneself with honest fools not skilled unknowns. Sadly, Gregor aside that is exactly where he is. And Gregor seems too eager to look after the apparently useless Sherri compared to his mission. The knight is still a mystery and now on edge, and Owain... Meldroac will still not turn his back on that one yet. Yes, perhaps all told Meldorac should not be so quick to dismiss Bonnie's absence. Perhaps he will have cause to miss her before this is over. Once again, the player misses bonnie, the character - not as much, except for the reasons stated!  "Sherri," barks Meldorac aggressively, "pull yourself together. You don't recognise this place, but you still know how your town constructs buildings. Does the front door lead easily to a back door? Does a front door lead to a hall, or would we walk right in to a dwelling room with people? Do you have connected alleyways that let us get passed this cul-de-sac or are we truely at a dead end? Tell us!" |
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Post by Brother Owain on Mar 15, 2009 10:00:30 GMT
Owain hopes Bonnie did not double back on herself to run into the jaws of whatever is pursuing them.
While she had seemed stern and secretive to Owain, there was no doubt that, whatever her true purpose, her skills had helped the group survive this far.
A tiny, paranoid voice at the back of his mind was concerned that she had departed to carry out some ulterior purpose, but the priest ignored it. He had no evidence the Ranger was a traitor, and even if she was, nothing could be done right now. The group had other concerns.
Owain waits while the others try to help Sherri regain her composure and tell them in which direction to continue their flight.
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Post by Naseir Shah on Mar 15, 2009 16:55:39 GMT
Suddenly, the door too the nearest house swings open widely and violently. Charging out is a dark-skinned man. He bears a shaven head and wears the trappings of a city guard. An aggressive expression marks his countenance.
"You," he shouts, pointing to Aram, "why do you have weapons drawn?"
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Post by Dirac Sil on Mar 15, 2009 17:05:56 GMT
Meldorac spins around from interrogating Sherri, and puts a hand to his dagger. Not being a total fool, he also takes a step backwards to allow Aram to be the focus of attention.
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Mar 15, 2009 17:25:59 GMT
In that case I would have been trying to go between the houses, but it's a moot point now.
Aram lowers his sword, but maintains his grip on it and does not return it to its sheath. "Because we were just attacked by a vicious plague-infected mob, and something even more dire is pursuing us. Can you not see that my companions are wounded, nor hear the noise behind us?" He takes a deep breath. Though the knight's blade and armor are covered in blood, none of it is his own. "I am Sir Aram, Knight of the Realm. We need to get inside quickly. Who might you be, sir?"
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Post by Naseir Shah on Mar 15, 2009 17:44:49 GMT
"I am Naseir Shah," the man replies, "of the guard. Get your people in this building." Shah indicates the door from which he has just exited. As he looks the group over, he seems to believe Sir Aram.
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Mar 15, 2009 17:53:44 GMT
"Everyone inside, quick!" says Aram, nodding in thanks and already heading through the open front door.
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Post by Dirac Sil on Mar 15, 2009 18:48:14 GMT
Meldorac seems none-to-happy to be ordered around by previously insane knights nor sudden sword weilding guards of this place, but neither does he make any comment to the two men.
Hand on his dagger still, and a quick darting glance backwards, he moves to the building as indicated.
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Post by Gregor on Mar 15, 2009 19:56:43 GMT
Gregor looked at Sherri and smiled as best be could.
"Come on Sherri, lets get in with the others."
He tried to sound calm, for her sake at least, but he couldnt help notice the slight wavering in his voice. Hope she didnt notice that, he thought...
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Post by Naseir Shah on Mar 15, 2009 20:05:08 GMT
[blue]Pending Owain's entry, also Zipp's description of the room.[/blue]
Naseir waits until all the others have entered the building before entering himself and closing the door. Looking at the wounded, he decides to see what he can do to help.
Turning to Aram, who he assumes to be the group's leader he inquires, "Tell me about this plague mob."
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Sir Aram
Hardened Gamer
Is Mr. Handy
Posts: 350
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Post by Sir Aram on Mar 15, 2009 20:35:37 GMT
"We heard a girl crying in an alley, so the priest and I went to see if we could help," says Sir Aram, indicating Owain. "We found her chained up in a dead end, but when we went to help her she suddenly transformed into a horrible monster and let out a piercing shriek that made my ears bleed. She latched onto me with superhuman strength, and the mob answered her cry, swarming out of the nearby buildings and attacking my companions. I finally freed myself and dispatched many of them. There were only a few left when we heard something large and powerful approaching. Even the plague victims feared it, for they fled at that point - as did we."
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