Completed Play-by-Post: In Search of the Sorcerer

[Grimgravy]

"What does this mean, do you think? Are these past victims of Blaidd Mawr or is this area, perhaps, home to wolf people?"

 

[L'ennui]

Urash's eyes go wide and his expression conveys complete disgust as he realizes he is standing in a pile of bones.

"This just keeps getting better and better, doesn't it? Ugh... in any case, I'd wager these bones are from the likes of Uvan. Whether they were victims of the beast or denizens of this cave, I cannot say.

Now where is that damn beast, anyway?"

 

[nikolokolus]

It takes Rhenmyr and Urash about 30 or 40 minutes to complete their survey of the antechamber below the waterfall. Those who climbed out of the caves are standing on the saturated hummocky ground outside and notice that that the mist is growing even denser and the temperature has dropped some. Maybe it's the heavy fog, but it feels like it's getting late in the day; like the sun is about to set behind the horizon.

 

[Grimgravy]

"Do you feel the temperature drop? I think the sun is setting. We shouldn't have too much longer to wait."

 

[Wayward Son]

"Lucky in that respect we are. Let's send him back to hell!"

 

[Helly]

"So, what's the strategy here? We trap and kill it? Then what? Are we sure it's not going to just go somewhere else afterwards?"

 

[nikolokolus]

As folks mill about catching their breaths or searching the caves, it suddenly occurs to people that Rashid is no where to be found.

 

[Grimgravy]

"Uh. Where's Rashid? When was the last time anyone saw him?"

 

[Wayward Son]

"Oh, by all the gods in existence. Where the devil did the man go? We should find him. I'll search the mouth of the cave." Mab proceeds to the mouth of the cave, all the while calling lightly for Rashid.

 

[Grimgravy]

"Did he enter the swamp? Having gotten his revenge, perhaps he scuppered off."

 

[L'ennui]

Urash strikes an disdainful look.

"Perhaps he is still somewhere around here... stalking us. I would not put it beyond him to fancy depriving us of some distinguished possessions, or worse!"

 

[Grimgravy]

"I'll see if he's still in the larger chamber. Maybe he fell into the pool while we weren't looking."

 

[nikolokolus]

Rhenmyr reenters the cavern complex looking for any sign of Rashid. Nothing.

He climbs back up the rope that descends from above and looks carefully around. About twenty feet away from the cavern mouth, a very deep set of footprints right below a large branch of a cypress is found and these seem to head back out of the swamp following the trail you made on your way in. Some (inexpert) attempt has been made at obfuscating the trail -- branches dragged over the trail, tufts of grass stuffed into footfalls, etc.

The day's light is definitely beginning to fail and the chirp of birds is giving way to croaking toads and the weird tittering of bats that can be sensed flying about.

 

[Wayward Son]

"I think it may be best for our health to assume the worst at this point. I'm sorry, but we need to hole up and be ready for the Wolf. We can resume the search for your comrade afterward."

 

[ERYFKRAD]

Borric spits at the ground, "Bah, craven wolf-thing." "I have half a mind to set this cave afire, just to see if we can flush the accursed beast out."

Borric's better sense does prevail, and instead of setting the place afire, his mind casts about for memories, and he yells a fierce warcry in the same manner as Ulfheonar, hoping that the challenge of one who has bested Blaidd Mawr would grab its attention.

Spoiler

 

[Siveon]

"Rashid seemed like a crafty man. Men like him have ways to survive, I pray we find him before any harm comes before him. And I pray we find the beast... all the same."

 

[Grimgravy]

"Given Rashid's proclivities, we should check to see if anyone is missing something." Rhenmyr checks his meager belongings.

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab does the same. "I swear to all the gods if he stole anything... We need to prepare, in any event."

 

[Llywelyn ap Gruffydd]

Cormac checks his belongings. "I don't have much to steal, but I would not be happy if he stole my coin or my food. I need the coin for food of course."

 

[Siveon]

Marcán chuckles, as well as checking for his valuables. "This would be the right time to run."

 

[Helly]

"Don't you run too, Marcán! We need you to sing our story once the beast is gone!"

 

[Wayward Son]

"Yes. Sing of days come and gone. Of heroes alive and dead. Let us just hope we aren't the latter. We need every able hand we can get... If we are to succeed."

 

[Siveon]

"Mark me, songs of our tales will be remembered by even the drunkest of patrons, the dumbest of royals and the lowliest of peasants. Else my time here on this land be wasted." Marcán boasts.

 

[L'ennui]

"Indeed, and if I can help it at all, you will all join the legends told in Acadia, and your names will be registered in the Great Library of Kor! There is no greater, more distinguished honor! Especially for ...uh, foreigners."

Urash somehow manages to sound bombastic and prideful, even though he whispers all of this as he surveys the treacherous, encroaching gloom all around.

 

[Wayward Son]

Mab grunts. "As long as this thrice-damned creature lies dead by tonight, I will be happy, although drunken bar tales with my name in them would definitely be a marvel."
Mab attempts to sound full of conviction and righteous anger, but it comes out fearful, the quip at the end doing little to lessen the dread in his voice.