Author: Suchus, Posted: Sat Jul 29, 2017 4:48 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

"Indeed." The crocodile, his eyes looking into those of the dog before him, started, in a continuation and an answer to his old friend's statement, "And it seems that we shall slaughter many more together once again.  She is, of course, quite talented." He then added vaguely; he did not desire to give his friend's identity and abilities away, recognizing that she would do it should she desire to, and it was then that, strangely enough, the corners of his mouth shifted, and he seemed to smile.

"But I believe it is best that we return to the road now. Azuk could have gone too far. We do not want him becoming stronger, and we should not await nightfall. We need to advance as much as we can and rest at night. We shall speak on the road and camp. Friend?"

Indicating the shape-shifter, he jerked his head to the direction in which they were heading, and he turned abruptly, resuming his path.

Author: Aspect, Posted: Sun Jun 19, 2016 5:19 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Aspect caught the gaze of Tavor and he walked towards her slowly. She stepped towards him and held her head up as a look of recognition cast across his reptilian face. He spoke to her and she perked her ears forward. She allowed her tail to wag slightly and she smiled. He remembered her. "It's good to see you again Tavor," she said quietly, so only the reptile could hear. She stopped in front of him and casually sniffed his legs, catching the scents of his recent travels and companions. 

She looked past the alligator and took in the sight of the dragon woman. Now that she was closer, her scent was also becoming familiar. She noticed the four wings on her back and they reminded her of another dragon she had run into a short time ago. She turned to look at her briefly and she remembered her eyes from before. Her suspicions were confirmed when she told the group her name. Helanaii. She nodded towards her as a friendly gesture. She didn't know if it was wise to announce to the group that she'd known the dragon previously. The men were hunting for a dragon weren't they? Hopefully not this one, but if needed, she could keep their alliance a secret in case she would need assistance later.

She directed her attention at the other man, taking in his features. His name was Sebastian. She watched as he removed his armor and pulled out a pipe to begin smoking. The scent was sweet and herbal and she enjoyed smelling it. The smoke rippled from his nose and mouth and reminded her vaguely of a dragon. He turned and looked at her. He spoke and she focused her strong blue gaze on him. She stilled her tail and was silent. She didn't know if he was trustworthy or not yet. She would stay as a dog for now and not give herself away. She answered in a low voice. "I accompanied Tavor on a journey a long time ago. We killed many orcs together."

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Sat Jun 18, 2016 7:26 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Sebastian's stance softened, and the corner of his mouth turned up a bit. Between the sweeping, courtly bow the woman offered, and his companion greeting the curious canine in a familiar manner behind him, he could not hide his amusement. What began as a quiet afternoon in the ruins turned into a quest, which may or may not be noble. Now, this was quickly becoming a party gathering that bordered on the absurd. At the winged woman's mention of her affinity for fire, his autumn gaze flickered with a knowing as he gave her a nod, which became a bow in return. He knew full well now what she probably was. This actually made him a little more at ease. He had fancied her kind since he was a boy.

"Sebastian," he replied. "Sebastian Black."

"I imagine there will likely be many more fires to come, lest we can locate a certain orc that has passed through here soon. I don't suppose you've happened upon any by chance, Helanaii?"

Sebastian turned, briefly observing the Tavor and the dog which seemed to immediately understand anything that was said. He took to unstrapping the silver gauntlets from his wrists, carefully slide them off, and tucked them away into inner pockets in his coat. Initially, he had assumed he and Tavor would encounter trouble much sooner. At the moment, however, the atmosphere had become quite casual. "I am going to smoke now, if no one minds," he announced.

Reaching into his coat once more, Sebastian withdrew a small, nearly flat oak box containing a pipe and a cloth bag of herbs. He packed a bit into the pipe, and put the box away. Facing downwind, he shielded with one hand as he snapped the fingers of the other, emitting a minute pyrokinetic spark. He puffed a few times, then inhaled deeply, holding it in for several long moments before lazily letting the fragrant smoke flow from his nostrils.
"So, where is it that you know our Tavor from?" he asked the great dane directly, his accented voice tinged slightly deeper and gravelly by the smoke. He was really not sure if the creature could speak back or not. He took a wild guess, though. The aura around her did not match that of any dog he had ever seen.

Author: Helanaii, Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 11:27 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Thoroughly satisfied with the ease of the atmosphere and lazy acceptance, Helanaii tilted her skull to the side, following the movement out fluid-like as she side-stepped, then bowed delicately to the male standing before her. Her nostrils twitched slightly while she took in the scents of the three. She snapped back up in her erect stance and made a gentle reply, choosing her words carefully as the reptilian one seemed a bit sketchy to her.

"Oh you know… fire, I suppose." Her voice was pleasing to any listener, softened with the faint touch of flowing honey; warm, and inviting. "I just wanted to see who was making all these little smoke piles on my land, love the smell." 

Her eyes flickered to the reptilian welcoming the canine, then quickly returned to the human male. It was an odd thing to say, but she was bluntly honest with them. She didn't have much to do lately, boredom leaves her to noticing small things, like man-made fires in the distance. Even as a dragon she does not possess the breath of flame, only the males of her specific breed did. To her, it was more of an attraction thing.

The hands of her wings clasped each other while she closed them completely.

"Well, my name is Helanaii. And who are you all?"

Author: Suchus, Posted: Thu Jun 16, 2016 10:27 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Tavor rose and turned around as Sebastian greeted the newcomer. He studied her for a brief moment, opened his mouth to speak, then shut it, giving a nod. His eyes caught something, and he turned his head to his right, spotting a large canine. Something about this animal was familiar…

He approached the dog slowly, with only his staff in his hand. He noticed the white mark on the dog's forehead, and relaxed. He recognized her.
"Long time no see."

Author: Aspect, Posted: Wed Jun 8, 2016 6:50 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Aspect followed the pair for a short while, enjoying the sudden quiet in the woods after the slaughter of the mighty bull. They walked slowly through a bright patch of woods along the trail and flecks of light was able to flicker down between the leaves and appear on the ground in front of her. She smiled. They reminded her faintly of large stationary fireflies and she enjoyed pawing at them as she walked by. She flicked her tail back and forth and shook her head as a large leaf brushed one of her ears.

She froze as she saw the shadow of something large fly over head. She saw the two travellers she'd been stalking stop and stand still and she realized that is was not something as mere as a bird or a bat. She ducked for cover under a log so she'd have some sort of cover while she triggered a rapid transformation. Great Dane. Her body changed quickly into the form of the large dog. Her black coat shimmered in the light as she walked towards the two men.

As she grew closer to them, she felt the wind from giant wings fly above them. She stopped a short distance away from the men and stood stiffly as she watched the creature descend down. It was a large dragon, that changed its shape to that of a woman. She had four feathered wings and clawed feet. Aspect inspected her closely and her erect ears were perked forward. She smelled of smoke and charred meat. She was likely the creature that had slain the cow a short time ago. When she spoke she nodded her head and glanced at the men when they to responded to her greeting.

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 7:25 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Sebastian did not possess a nose like Tavor's. That did not make his perceptions blind to the presences that orbited he and his companion, however. He took note of the rustling in the tall grass long before it had been mentioned. It was a small animal, no doubt. It did have a strange sort of energy to it. Then again, most things in this place did, so he thought nothing of it. He reached out telepathically. No words, or compelling imagery. He projected only feelings. Animals understood those, despite many opinions to the contrary. Abstract ones were projected - of warmth, of welcome, and comfort. The creature would either be spooked by the sudden mental invasion, or become more bold. Either way, that would be one distraction gone.

It was the larger presence he felt that slightly unnerved him. So much so, that he had not quite been paying attention when Tavor voiced his tracking assessment aloud.
Answers to what it may have been were brought to him immediately. Sebastian was already gazing upward when it came into view. The light of the dusk sun caught in its wings as it glided lower.
"Tavor…" he warned in a hushed tone, Autumn eyes never leaving the sky.

Roc was the first word that came to mind. That would explain the sound of the large animal crying out he had heard earlier. The shadow that passed over them was far too small to be one that he had ever seen though. They were massive birds. Sebastian stood perfectly still, even as the figure swooped dangerously close.
He shielded his eyes as the thing landed. The beating of its wings scattering dust all about, and his coat billowed in the winds they generated.

A…woman? Interesting.

He'd read descriptions of harpies, but she did not quite fit the bill. Atavian, perhaps? Whatever she was, she was not hard to look at. Which may have been an odd thing to say; but he had always been a bit odd, finding beauty in things most would be repulsed by. Beastfolk and half-breeds of many kinds had always appealed to him like any regular human or elf would. He could appreciate many different forms without prejudice, because that was not what was important to him in forming meaningful bonds and deals with another sentient, man-like being. It was substance.

"Top of the evening," Sebastian replied to her casually. "What curiosity was it that led you to us?"

She seemed civil enough. Thus far. If she wanted to attack them, she could have done so from the air. Sebastian kept his wits about him though, just in case. He focused his energy, ready to transverse beyond the treeline at a moment's notice.

Author: Helanaii, Posted: Tue May 31, 2016 2:22 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

A slight breeze lifted itself, causing the beast to become much more of a stilled figure. The searching ceased when her snuffling snout pushed the grass aside to reveal an ash scented trail leading off into the bush. The larger eyes narrowed while her crown was lifted, staring off into the distance. With a signaling blow of air through her nostrils, the behemoth slowly began to shrink in size until the once monstrous being molded into the more slender figure of a dark haired woman. Four wings still kept, however their length and width had melted into a mass that would suite the smaller body.

Helanaii was crouched over the trail. It took only a short while to pick out the scents from the heavier irony paste of blood that littered the area. These travelers were a messy bunch. The woman lifted herself, and brushed off the more ragged dress that clung to her lithe frame. Only one oddity stood out, a larger swollen stomach. This left her dress tighter around the middle, but it didn't seem to bother her one bit.

With a gently brush of her hand she pushed her deep oak hair from her face before continuing down the trail of the fire travelers. The grass was higher than her head at some points, other sections it was up to her waist. Only a minute into her journey did she come across an older scraggly tree that reached quite a bit above her shorter height. Helan approached the gnarled trunk and changed out her human-like hands and bare feet for a more reptilian appeal. Talons sank out of her nails, and enormous claws and feet replaced her own. With a short leap she sank her newly acquired climbing gear into the bark and shimmied up. It only took a short moment before she was bouncing around on the thin top-most branches. Her wings were unfolded while they balanced out her much heavier body. The woman placed her flattened hand to her forehead to act as a visor while she scanned out the horizon. Of course she could of have just flown, but after eating she was much too lazy.

In the distance she spotted figures appearing and disappearing throughout the grasses, they were small, but her excellent vision could see many details about them. One, lizard-like figure, seemed to be leading the way. They were in a bushed area, dead shrubbery stretched around the grasses at this distance. 

Seeing as it was unlikely she would be reaching the fire-maker quickly on her tiny little human feet, the woman removed her hand to her forehead and crouched on the thin branch while the wind picked up once more, she was now upwind of them. Her scent was strong, a muskier odor that would make a horse uncomfortable. It was unlikely the average nostril would be able to pick her up from the longer distance. After a short period of bouncing up and down again, Helan was beginning to feel slightly queasy. She lifted her lighter grey-brown wings into the air, closing shut the reptilian hands on their joints, and waited for another gust of wind. It wasn't long before she was practically torn off of her perch. One easy beat of her four wings, and the woman was now air-born.

She dipped down from her weight at first, touching the tops of the grasses before she began to give a constant flighty beat into the air. Slowly beginning to rise, she allowed the wind to do the majority of the work. Her body was high enough now where she saw the small bizarre group turn into much smaller figures, but she dared not drift to high up in case she lost sight of them.

This was a silent hunter that now closed the gap quickly between herself and her goal. Helanaii swooped down lower to the Earth now, for she was directly above them. Lower, lower, and lower still until the four-winged woman was only a mere 10 ft. above them. If they hadn't noticed her yet, they were blind fools.

She tipped her wings downwards while she continued to circle them like a vulture. She made sure that her eyes never left them, from above everything was made visible. A black haired man, a crocodilian man, and from above she could see the much smaller companion in close proximity. Or perhaps it was just a curious little fox. 

After two complete circles, the woman ceased her harassment and brought herself lower, landing with a thud and spewing up a cloud of dust from the powerful beats of her wings. She folded them neatly like a wise old bird and tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear once more, eyeing the pair with abnormally radiant green irises, wide-eyed and alert. Her voice was soft and gentle, and she figured she probably had the appearance and sound of a Siren, or Harpy. Usually people did not respond favorably to either. Hopefully they wouldn't be too quick to add judgement. Her focus drifted back to the main reason why she even cared about their existence; a scent of lingering smoke drifted to her nose. Helanaii pushed aside her impulse to remain silent and forced out a silk-woven expression.

"Greetings."

Author: Suchus, Posted: Mon May 30, 2016 1:55 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Tavor heard the cry of pain and surprise coming from a distance, cut short, but didn't acknowledge it. He moved alongside Sebastian, silently. There was a slight rustling in the tall grass once again. Alright, now he was sure he heard it.
"Indeed. This land has changed quite a lot. There might be beasts that we want not encounter."

His eyes glanced backwards, silently, smoothly, catching sight of a tail in the grass. That was an animal, all right. It was a small one, and posed no threat. Even if it was aggressive, which would be much less likely, the two can take it down as easily as a pack of hungry wolves attacking a wandering lamb.

"Azuk may or may not know of the Drachen, and I do not know if he does. But what else would bring him here ? He has other places in which he can hide, but perhaps because these ruins are visited by none but wild beasts. Either way, he must be slain before he can cause any more… Conflict."

He paused for a moment, walking in the tall grass.
 "The bounty on his head has been removed, however, so I can assure you that we'll be free to do whatever we will with him."

Then he spoke in a low voice, but he did not stop moving. His voice would barely reach Sebastian's ears.
"I believe we are being followed."
Tavor stopped after a few paces, and dropped to his knees, inspecting the disturbed earth before him.
"Heavy creature. Metal, I believe. Azuk may have passed here."

There were a few footprints, going Northeastwards. The rest washed away by rain or animals. The crocodile's eyes silently scanned his surroundings. A few broken low branches. So either a bear has been here, or something else, bulky as well. Most likely the Orc leader, unless he was very mistaken indeed, and it was only a large man in armour, which was far less likely. He let out a low grunt as he rose once again to his feet.

Author: Aspect, Posted: Sun May 22, 2016 6:03 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Aspect sat still and watched the interaction between the two men. She perked her ears forward as they discussed what she assumed was a mythical gem. She listened intently as Tavor described the legendary stone, sparking particular interest in that within the gem itself was a living dragon. A living creature, frozen in stone, and yet still alive. She didn't know how this could be, but she was curious about it now. She crept forward a little bit so she could hear better. 

Suddenly she heard a loud, bellowing cry that she recognized as coming from a large cow. She ducked down instantly, hiding her small body in the grass. Something was hunting nearby and she quickly flicked her ears down. She heard the cow once more and then it's call was abruptly silenced. She didn't need anymore knowledge to know that the large animal was dead. She didn't know the identity of it's killer though, she hadn't heard any wolves or other canines in the area. Nor any bears, and she knew that the boars wouldn't challenge a full gown steer.

She kept her eye on the men, and when she saw them start to pack up and leave, she morphed into a slender tree fox and followed after them. She kept a good distance away from them, her small body blending in well with the ground. Her small, fragile paws made barely a sound and her tail flicked back and forth behind her, like a small banner. She didn't have any desire to run into the mighty hunter that brought down the cow, so she would stay with the men.

She perked her ears forward as she kept an eye on the men further down the trail. If they looked back, they would see her. But she doubted whether that would matter much, she had nothing to hide and she hadn't stolen anything from them. She would stay a fox for now and not give away her shape shifting abilities. 

Author: Helanaii, Posted: Sat May 21, 2016 12:01 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

(OOC: Sorry!! I got really hung up with this busy week! Also, I thought it was night.)

The sleek beast shredded into the flesh with her sharper tipped beak, making quicker work with the auroch. It wasn't long before she was crunching down onto the last bits of bone with the powerful jaws that sent out the sound of crunching snaps for a slight distance.

A breeze began and drifted the warm scent of a once glowing fire into the narrowed slitted nostrils. She began to inhale deeply, expanding her snout with each huff. Lazily the female brought her heavier head around to the direction of the wind, now the smoke struck her head on, and she decided to investigate.

Rising from her relaxed position, the female began to creep forwards, not quite prowling. Her heavy feet made contact with the ground, receiving deep thuds as her weight was massive. Her beady eyes darted around and kept alert of movement while the scent of ash became stronger.

Her pace increased and it wasn't long until the heavy reptilian had trotted to the pit, her wings bouncing as she did so. Helan slowed down and bent her muscled neck to scattered pieces of burned wood.

She turned the pieces over gently with her beak and claws, extracting the smell of man. 

A sneeze emitted from this lazily mannered creature, quickly followed by the release of her wings as she shook her loose skin violently. Helan sort of just plopped down beside the fire pit and preened an itch in her feathers, deciding where to go from there.

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Wed May 18, 2016 6:13 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Drachen. Versed as he was in various bits of lore, the name was familiar to Sebastian. Indeed, he recalled having read or heard about it in passing. He never had given the legend much thought though. Precious gem or not, why seek after something that may or may not contain something alive? Many Dragons possessed a vibrant intelligence that made them quite a pleasure and wonder to cross paths with when they were friendly; but when they were hostile…
Creatures that were magically contained within such maddeningly minuscule (and obfuscated) prisons were likely put there for good reason, with few exceptions. If Tavor simply wanted possession of the gem as a matter of pride - fine. Bash would have no part in releasing what it contained, if the legends were true.

"Very well," Sebastian concurred as he rose to his feet. He began to gather his effects, so as to stash them in the ruins near where he had descended. "It sounds as though the world will be better off without Azuk in it. Crafty as he is…for an Orc…and if he knows anything about this fabled gem, then perhaps he will have more of value for my time than I previously gave him credit for. I will join you, Tavor."
Though he possessed senses his companion did not, and vice versa, Sebastian could not help but give a second glance around after Tavor's attentions had perked up. He dismissed it as well, and slung his pack over his shoulder.


A sharp, distant cry cut short made Sebastian freeze in his steps. Whatever gave such a call of distress sounded large. He glanced knowingly at Tavor. No doubt he had heard it too. Wordlessly, he hastily scattered their fire's logs, doused them with water from his own canteen, and smothered them with dirt. "If you know where we are going, lead the way," he quietly urged. "I trust something more fearsome than what we will face is on the hunt."

Sebastian patted the dust from his hands on his trousers and reached into his inner coat pockets. Upon withdrawing his hands, he tightened the gauntlets he now wore. They were elegant in design, modeled after many a pair of dragonscale gauntlets. They were crafted from some other material, however - mythril, silver, or some sort of alloy containing them. At first glance, the armored gloves looked like they could belong to a full set of mail; but these were without a doubt the gloves of a pugilist. They were mostly very flexible, with chain, and metal scale overlay. There were strategic points of reinforced plate on the wrists, across the spiked knuckles, and on the sides of the hands, so as to deflect small weaponry in melee combat. The fingers were pointed with sharp claws.

Flexing his fingers in the gauntlets a few times to adjust, Sebastian lowered his pack in a bush behind a rock wall. He sauntered silently behind Tavor, keeping close. "Let's go."

Author: Suchus, Posted: Tue May 17, 2016 7:16 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

[[Sorry for the late reply; I was quite busy]]

The crocodile listened to the man explain, nodding when he agreed at times. He spoke that he didn't seek what an Orc could have.
"Azuk is a murderer." Tavor explained, seeing Sebastian's slight hesitation to take on the orcs. "And a bloody thief. He was in the Hanging Gardens, but when the hunt was started, and hunters came for him, he had escaped. He fled to these plains with a low yet strong guard, not attracting attention. He fled secretly; even his own Orcs didn't know he had left. Azuk stayed in an old warehouse somewhere here, but after the Orcs retreated to their dungeon, he left, but he couldn't go North. Too many hunters, I think, so he stayed here. He is here. Close."

He raised his head and looked once again at the blue sky, and the sun was still high, shining upon them. But his attention was quickly caught by a disturbance; a rustling in the tall grass close to the camp. It was certainly an animal, alright, but it was not a boar. It was something much smaller than these boars which he had seen, and the sows were most likely at the nest taking care of the piglets. Certainly not a boar or a sow. A brief while passed and the noise was not repeated, so the crocodile relaxed, deciding that whatever's in there is not a threat. Most likely a cat or some other small creature, he thought.

He turned his attention once again to Sebastian. His stare was hard, cold, steely, reptilian. The eyes of a predator, one who can easily kill without mercy. The eyes of a vicious crocodile. "What do you say ? Kill the orc, take the drachen, maybe slay a few enemies here and there ?"

He thought about the gem. The lost drachen of Sot'eron. It was a dragon, small in size, snake-like, with a long, twisting body and four short legs with three clawed fingers each. It was trapped in a green gem, like amber or emerald. It became a myth that was forgotten, but when spoken of, it is said that the drachen is still alive, and that his eyes move, watching the dungeon below the once-was tower. They say that the drachen can be freed. But of course, the crocodile had no intention of freeing the creature, even if it was alive, nor of keeping it trapped.

Author: Helanaii, Posted: Fri May 13, 2016 11:17 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

From above the treeline glided a figure as darkness had crept into the landscape to provide cover for the nocturnal hunters, and huntresses. The sound of insects filtered the air in their  final attempts to find a partner, keeping the woodlands and plains very much alive, and awake.

Helanaii's glowing hazel eyes scanned the planets surface from a distance for a prey animal to feast upon, so far nothing was quite satisfying enough. An auroch was what the beast had a craving for that specific night.

The flight was just about silent as she cast a great black shadow in the sky, passing over the lighter hues of softly lit stars and lighter purple clouds against the dark canvis. Any stargazers may of have noticed, perhaps they blinked in confusion, but who would come to think much of it?

The wind had died down quite a bit which allowed Helan to glide easily without too much fuss with going against the current. 

Now she had escaped a short wooded area and swooped above the plain. A short distance away stood a slumbering herd of enormous black beasts, exactly what she was hoping for.

The reptilian beast tilted her snout to the heavens and pumped her four wings quickly, climbing a large height distance in very little time. When she was but a mere dot in the sky, she used her strong vision to lock onto a single plump snoozing Auroch. Helanaii collapsed her wings to her side and felt her body began to torpedo down. She kept her wings slightly away from her body while plummeting, and controlled herself to the single target. 

The timing was absalutely perfect; as soon as the female opened her taloned toes, her hind legs came into contact with flesh. Her claws sank around the spine and she ripped the animal away from the herd. The beast stood taller than half of her height, but her double set of wings made such a large hunt possible. 

A few strong strokes and she was airborn again. The bull made one surprised cry to break the peaceful night before two 10 inch sickle claws sank into the ribs, crushing them along with piercing any organs in their way. The prey went limb in her grasp.

She landed a distance away, at the treeline of a small of woods and she began to tear into her kill with satisfaction. 

Author: Aspect, Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 9:30 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Aspect sat a short distance away from the camp of the two travelers. The large shaggy dog flicked her tail back and forth as she waited patiently for her chance to slip within the light of the fire. She blended in well with her surroundings, the only give away of her presence was the small white diamond mark on her forehead between her eyes. She flicked her ear to the side as she heard one of the men through something in the river, she caught the scent and realized they were meat scraps. 

She walked over towards the water and pulled out a few pieces the man had thrown away. She grinned to herself as she emerged from the cold water with a large bone in her mouth. She curled up on the bank and proceeded to gnaw at it, her strong jaws breaking the bone so she could suck the marrow out from inside. After a short moment, she crawled closer so she was within hearing range of the pair. She listened as the larger man talked about the history of this land and the treasures the guard hid there. 

She recognized him as the half crocodile she had traveled with before. Tavor, we meet again. She thought to herself. She held no ill will against the croc and knew of his capabilities in a fight. There would likely be more than the few boar they had eaten lying about. Using her nose, she quickly found one of the dead pigs the men hadn't yet touched. With her mighty jaws, she dragged, and flipped, and ripped her share of meat off the carcass. 

Once she had eaten her fill, she left the scraps for the true scavengers of the plains and went back to the camp. She lied down in the tall grasses near the encampment and watched. She didn't have any intention really of actually approaching them, not yet anyway. She wanted to figure out their motives first and what they intended to do before she revealed herself. She positioned herself so that Tavor wouldn't necessarily catch her scent in the air, and that the human wouldn't be able to catch sight of her. If they moved a lot, there was a chance of her discovery, but she was content to stay there until then.

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 8:21 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

"Nothing is truly lost if at least one soul remembers," Sebastian mused cryptically, the fire casting strange patterns of light in his pyretic, October-faceted gaze while he looked into it, yet beyond it. "A trinket only has as much value as an individual or a society places upon it. There is no practical value beyond the monetary in what the Bohari so zealously hoard."
Sebastian's lips formed a wide, knowing grin. "Knowledge or glory are the only forces with enough pull to draw the more astute adventurers into peril, or to spend their years chasing a myth."

He chuckled. "That is only my opinion, of course."


"My presence here has far less specific of a cause than yours, Tavor, I assure you. I am called upon for many things. The written word is what most of my trade entails; though, I am, more often than not involved in…stranger…activities."
Sebastian took the last few bites of his apple, and neatly buried the core in the ground. He shifted the decanter out of the press frame once he had brewed the coffee to its desired strength, and took a sip.


"I have a knack for finding things that have been lost. I have no vested interest in this relic, but if it will be worth my while, I can be of some assistance to you."
Frowning as he popped a huckleberry into his mouth, Sebastian had a look of soured distress as though the fruit were not yet ripe. His food was not the cause for his grimace, however, but a mere passing thought.
"Orcs are not exactly known for anything I would be after…tomes, novels, and the like.  I've read Orcish poetry before. I'd sooner dance naked in the streets of Kurayo with cuts all over my body than read that bollocks again."

Sebastian chugged the rest of his coffee, then bit at his lip in thought. He muttered in afterthought to himself about the clumsiness of the prose and subject matter in the aforementioned poetry being akin to the sound of kicking a hog chewing on chain mail down a stairs. "What is happening to you from behind, and how can we make it stop?" Bash mouthed, and so on.
He caught himself in his habit for personal tangents and cleared his throat, regaining his composure.

"I do suppose it would help me sleep better at night knowing you don't run into any worse trouble than a sounder of wild boar," he offered with an exaggerated eye roll.

Author: Suchus, Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:14 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Author: Suchus, Posted: Thu May 12, 2016 5:08 AM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

"No, indeed." Answered the crocodile, finishing the last of his tasteless boar and throwing the remaining bones away into the river, where they got burrief beneath the gravel and dirt at the bottom of the river. He laid his eyes on the ruins behind Sebastian, then closed his eyes for a moment. He opened his eyes after a while, the nictitating membrane sliding sideways, just like a crocodile.

"There was once a great kingdom known as Sot'eron that was built on these lands," Tavor explained, "it fell many centuries ago, and was forgotten. Its remains stand here. It became a myth, then the myth was forgotten. Somewhere in these ruins, however, is a treasure unspoken of. Not the one the Bohari guard, but one of which they have not learned. A gem. A gem of great significance. But that is not all, for I have been informed that, after the rise and swift fall of the Orcs from the dungeons, Azul did not return ti the dungeons. He had fled his hiding place and was hiding in the plains of Bohar. In these ruins. I have come looking for him, and for the lost relic."

He looked once more to the sky overhead, and the sun was still high. Day was not yet lost. The crocodile rose after several minutes and examined the cold stone walls. They were strong as they once were, of course. The smell of food reached his nostrils, but he wasn't hungry. He had already eaten, and had no place for more food, and he also didn't eat the food that was being made, and it was not his to feast on.

The crocodile returned to the fire and sat opposite Sebastian, cross-legged as he was before, and as he sat he spoke.

"But you have not yet told me what brings you to tgese lands; to these ruins."

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 9:54 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Relief washed over Sebastian. He could not speak for any previous incarnations his soul had taken in other realms, but he was mostly gentle of spirit. He had a temper, to be sure, but he detested violence. His companion spoke, and was not hostile. What more could he ask for? Tavor was actually rather courteous. Sebastian was secretly amused at the figurative prospect of a friendly meeting inhibited by a communication barrier, but he was grateful nonetheless.

Sebastian observed curiously as Tavor field dressed his prey. Personally, he had never developed the taste for flesh. Nor had he needed it. When he was young, the thought behind it repulsed him. He had grown personally attached to many animals on the family farm. Later in life, he had come to see the spiritual reasoning in his choice, but he did not look down on his fellow man for indulging. The world was full of as many different types of people as there were races in general. Perhaps even more. All on many different walks, with different needs, sensitivities, and beliefs. Faulting any man, mer, or otherwise for what they naturally gravitated towards or away from seemed petty and childish.

The eviscerated carcasses did not turn Sebastian's stomach in the least, nor did the offering of meat make him ill. He did politely decline it though, having retrieved his backpack from the ruins while Tavor had washed the blood from his blade and his body. His bag contained a large canteen of fresh water, almonds, apples, huckleberries, cheese, dark bread, two potatoes along with an iron stein to cook them, a canister with herbs and spices, coffee, and a press. More than enough for a few days on the road. It was also a long-held habit for him to forage anything edible as he traveled, lest any journey unexpectedly become more taxing than anticipated. Replanting things as they were taken, when possible, was also very important to him.

"I always come to these outcroppings of ruins whenever I find myself in the area," Sebastian explained before crunching up a handful of almonds, and readying his stein and press to prepare food and drink over the fire Tavor had built. "Some would say otherwise, but I find it tranquil. The Bohari are aware of me, and leave me be. So do any wandering creatures. I have a way of making myself scarce, when need be."

Sebastian took a bite of an apple and filled the press with water. "I should ask you the same thing. You'll meet some trouble from the locals - or worse, if it's treasure you're after."

Author: Suchus, Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 8:42 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

"Tavor N'eveth" The crocodile replied. "I am not from here, indeed. I come from the swamp in the South."

The crocodile watched as the last of the boars fled, bloody and injured. He skinned one boar and started a fire, cooking the meat, while weaving a rope out of the boar's hide. He then wrapped the others in the hide rope, for later use. He studied the man before him; Sebastian. He was a strong one, that was a given. He had powerful magic, given as well.

This was a good hunt. Tavor could've just killed them all using his mist of darkness, but they wouldn't be of use. The meat was edible and the hide was useful. He looked down at himself, and realized he was too bloody for his own liking. He looked around, his eyes searching, his mind seeking. He heard the rush of water, and his eyes followed the sound, falling on a stream below the hill, where several of the pigs fell. He stepped into the water and the current got much stronger, yet his stood still like there was none at all. When, at last, his blade and body were washed, he stepped out, and the current returned to how it was before.

He wasn't dry, but he wasn't wet either. It was almost like his body had absorbed the water. He glanced up at the sky. Not a cloud to be seen. He returned to the fire and pulled the boar away, splitting it in two, and tossing one half to Sebastian. He had removed the entrails and thrown them into the river, where the current had taken them away, where fish or other wild animals would feed on them. The crocodile tore chunks of boar meat with his sharp teeth.

"What brings you here ?" He asked Sebastian before tearing another chunk of boar.

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 6:29 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Transversal would have been the simplest method of avoiding the animals; but Sebastian was not one to show his hand before all of the cards were on the table, so to speak. He knew nothing of the reptilian, that now transformed before his very eyes, shedding its man-like bipedal form to truly play the predator that it was. Bash silently reached out to the simple-minded swine that charged towards him, and the two of his brethren that followed suit, in turn. The trio came to a very abrupt halt, sliding, kicking up dust, and toppling over each other, tail over tusk, all the way up to Sebastian's boots.

As the boars rose to their hooves, they seemed almost…suddenly…docile. They regarded Sebastian with the mind-rotted, dopey-eyed stupor of farm-raised pigs, grunting happily.

Bash might have been mistaken in the crocodile's ability to handle the entire herd. He saw that one had gotten a lucky bite in, but overall, they were outmatched. Relinquishing control of the three boars, these too fled upon hearing the frightened squeals of the others, and ran last (and clumsily) into the den.

"That was quite the hunt," Sebastian called out, surveying the carnage around them both. He was not even sure if his present company spoke the common tongue, but he was determined to interact with him as though he were any other traveler he would meet on the road. "You look to be far from your home, but you managed the creatures as though you were raised here," he noted with praise. "Might I ask your name?"

Though wary of the wicked blade the reptilian wielded, and his observed propensity in combat for wild and sudden movements, Sebastian's stance and demeanor remained relaxed as he approached. He could not see thoughts, but he could feel intent, and was also adept at reading body language. He could not feel any more aggression from the warrior, but he had been wrong before. Some non-human races were good at hiding their emotions. What Sebastian saw in the nature of the violence and how he currently stood, the boars may not have on the agenda, and were merely in the way of some other, unknown goal. He would let this assumption lay for now until he learned more.

"I am Sebastian," he offered warmly with his outstretched hand.

Author: Suchus, Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 5:19 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Tavor N'eveth stood still, not moving anything but his eyes, slowly breathing, his khopesh in his hand. There was movement, he sensed. Not of boars, but of something larger. Not a bear, certainly, but a man. His eyes scanned the surrounding area, and landed on a young male, descending behind the boars. He had not seen the ruins until now; these must have belonged to Fragus, which meant he was closer than he had expected to his destination; almost there, as a matter of fact. But now he faced the peril which the boars presented. He can take on them, all of them, if he can transform.

The lead boar, larger than the rest, let out a loud squeal. It was a challenge. The creature charged forth, but the crocodile ducked and threw his hand below its belly, grabbing a leg, and immediately jerked it sideways, throwing the swine to its side. He raised his blade and rapidly lowered it, ending the boar's life. The other beasts squealed in anger. He stepped back, leaving the blade in the boar, and lunged forth, transforming into a huge crocodile, twelve feet long, his skull alone the size of a man; a sarcosuchus.

The heavy reptile landed on the land with a thump. One swine charged with a squeal, only to be met by the thick and long tail, sending it sprawling down the hill. In his jaws he caught another attacker, shaking it wildly then throwing the body at another. More came. He can't keep going on. The crocodile swiped his tail sideways, thrashing and biting, to catch any attacker that got close. But the pigs kept their distance. One, however, foolishly leapt and sunk his tusks into the crocodile's side. The large reptile let out a grunt of pain mingled with anger and surprise, before two more joined the assault. One was caught between the crocodile's jaws, the other in the tail. The biting boar opened his long snout to bite once more, but the crocodile spun and, when he was once again facing the other boars, dropped the struggling, bleeding body into the bloody ground below, and he stood still, his mouth open, ready for prey to get close so he can bite.

His eyes moved upwards once more, now that the boars were standing still, growling and grunting, squealing, in anger. The human was near, moving quietly, but the pigs seemed to have sensed him; two of them had turned to him. This didn't seem to bother him, however, it was intentional, it seemed to Tavor. A third boar turned to the newcomer then let out a loud squeal, before charging at the human. These boars were insane ! They were confused now, it seemed; for one moment their eyes and ears were with the reptile, for another with the human. Now was the time to strike. The crocodile lunged forth, swiping his tail sideways madly, and grabbed a boar. The creature let out a squeal of surprise as it was shaken wildly then thrown away. His tail hit a few boars, sending them sprawling here and there. The crocodile grabbed another boar in his jaws and threw him at a charging one. The animals were taken by surprise, and a few of them fled to their den in fear…. Nests, he had heard some farmer call them once in the past. The large crocodile once again transformed into a man-like being, and pulled his khopesh, his cape over his back once again. He stabbed one pig, and kicked another with his powerful leg away.

Author: Sebastian Black, Posted: Wed May 11, 2016 4:20 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

When between work leads and finding himself out of doors in the more pleasant regions of the world, Sebastian enjoyed just…being. Flames danced and floated before his Autumn gaze, embers that he mentally controlled as he stood in only his trousers, among the ruins. The cold, mossy stones felt good beneath his bare feet. Though he scarcely moved, Sebastian was sweating profusely. His hands were clasped in front of his chest as if in prayer, and he stood with a wide stance, as though mounted upon an imaginary steed.

There was no desecrated village. Grunt. There were no other times, places, or lives. Grunt grunt. Huff. There was only here. There was only now.
SQUEAL.

Sebastian tried to ignore the stirrings of a sounder of boar nearby so that he could maintain his intense concentration, but the sudden violence in the last utterance caused it to break. The flickering flames in front of him dissipated as he carefully crept behind a crumbling wall. Panting, he peered curiously across the expanse of the hill from his vantage point, wondering what had gotten the boar so riled. He assumed it was one of the Bohari, who normally left him well enough alone whenever he passed through here. As did the wildlife.

It did not take much observation to realize the source of the distress.

Though Sebastian was familiar with a variety of reptilian races, both from his travels and reading of them, he had to admit, he had never seen nor read of one so exotic. That was not the first word that came to mind, though. Bold was the apt descriptive. Obviously, the creature would possess physical abilities that far overshadowed those of the average human…but taking on a throng of swine that large…
Perhaps it was a young and impulsive one? He knew not. Sebastian was open and accepting of all races of the world, but he was not knowledgeable enough to determine the age of some. It had already killed at least one of them, it seemed. It wore one of their hides as a cape with, from this distance, looked to be a blade of Arrian or Abedian design.

Unsure if the daft creature had spotted him, or if it was capable of handling such a challenge that it now faced, Sebastian surreptitiously donned his effects. He did not put on his gauntlets though; of his subject in question, he was not certain. He would not worry unless it proved to be hostile. The boar, however, were very easy to manipulate. Having no need of what the animals provided, Sebastian would be loath to kill them, but he would prevent this hunter from being overwhelmed and gored. He descended from the ruins to make his presence known, but carefully, so as not to rouse the swine's ire any further.

Author: Suchus, Posted: Sat May 7, 2016 7:01 PM, Post Subject: Secret Passages {R, P}

Letting out a grunt of relief as he neared his destination after days of travel, Tavor N'eveth stumbled forth, and he felt weary, so he decided to camp where he was. He glanced up at the sky above, and light was fading, and the sky slowly darkening, light leaving the lands in which he was to return many hours later. There was a rustle as a slight breeze passed through the few trees and bushes, then there was a sound of an animal, no larger than a foal, and the crocodile turned, his eyes landing on the beast in the dimness. A wild boar.

Tavor quickly pulled his khopesh as the beast let out a squeal and charged, only to be met by the blade. The crocodile skinned the animal and feasted, and used the boarskin to cover himself as he slept through the night, under the sky, embedded with stars.

He woke at first light and, taking the boarskin with him, left for the Ruins once again. As he got to the top of a hill after many hours, the crocodile heard a familiar noise. A group of wild boards, similar to the one which he wore the skin of over his back, appeared, growling and letting out a shrill squeal or two, ready to attack, a particularly large one in the center. He's outnumbered. The crocodile replaced his staff over his back, under the boarskin cape, and pulled out his khopesh.