"Yes, a hunt of sorts," The priest replied after eagerly nodding in agreement to the confirmation of their task by Beaumont, having locked eyes with him briefly before almost preparing to address the elven woman before the giant came to in her own plain, determined words, "Only this is not a task for sport. The village claimed the land, I am sure likely with dear prices paid generations ago, long before I was even a boy or any of us stood in this sacred temple, so I cannot say that the creatures here own it anymore."

The man sighed, rubbing a few fingers over his forehead in thought before continuing thereafter, "If... if you can persuade them to go away and stay gone, by the will of Erithar please, do so. I would prefer you resolve it without violence if you can manage it but the Marches are harsh and well..."

His eyes scanned each of their figures for reaction or expression this time, only stopping upon Tracan, "Unforgiving, as you know. If anyone should know, that is."

All of the implications and implied content weighed squarely upon the young outcast's shoulders. It may well have been the priest knew more than he let on, seeing how he settled his attention upon her before folding his arms over his chest and leaning back slightly, his spine curved as he sized her up. Or, a man who lived his whole life in this forsaken countryside of human making likely knew well enough a lone, not immediately hostile elf was probably something well outside the norm - either a seemingly genuine forgery of the true elves of the east or some sort of exile, willing or not. Considering she carried a bow as armament, it was quite likely it was not so willing. His emphasis on her pointed out to the other four fell away as he allowed his arms to go lax and returned to addressing them as a sum.

"I expect it will not be easy but you all are certainly more prepared than any of us to do so. The beasts and monsters in the wood around Reddenbarrow are more vicious than anything else you may have seen elsewhere."

@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex

Deleted

Gorosk was altogether rather happy with this assignment. Falsely imprisoned, declared innocent in the eyes of the Gods yet still beholden to whatever sins these men decided he had probably maybe committed, he had worried the task they were to be held to might be some unspeakable sin itself. Some sort of political assassination, some manner of act no man or woman would do without the spectre of a return to those miserable prisons cells perhaps this time for life. Instead, the charge proved rather reasonable at least at first glance. To clear out the encroaching wilds here at the border. It was downright fitting for a follower of Aeridun.

Though he didn't ascribe to the new teachings he had some respect for them and through their practice he might move closer to the perfection of the self as was the true purpose of the veneration of Aeridun. The modern Aeridun worshiper sought to bond society, to form literal and figurative foundations for civilization. These were not his concerns, yet they were legitimate concerns. Whatever bit of civilization had been established here had been overrun by nature. In returning it to the hands of man perhaps he might learn something. As the Elf had suggested perhaps there was a solution to this problem that didn't involve simply running off or killing whatever animals had made their den in the stead. It sounded like a more difficult approach to Gorosk, but sometimes one had to do difficult things to grow.

And they may end up beating some wild animals away despite their best efforts. Gorosk looked about the party, now rested, armed, and it seemed to Gorosk more than ready to settle this "Debt" of theirs and regain their freedom.

"I am in agreement with the others, let us be about this business of ours."

The priest nodded in agreement yet was certain to emphasize he was not going with them. As they were before, they would be going without anyone who could mend wounds or injuries, something the man alleviated some in telling them that he would heal them of their ailments and damages incurred when they returned to the temple all before awarding the scroll to the man who seemed the most adamant in completing their collective tasks, that of the fallen paladin Beaumont. Placing the scroll case and the map into his hands, the priest marched off hastily to one side of the temple, robes trailing with him, and produced from his quarters presumably some of the few things the temple owned. Perfumed as he was by the incense and seemingly as genuine as it came, perhaps the holy men of this region were more sincere and noble than their far more populous counterparts to the west.

Warning them that they should not delay, noting this should take them until the hours before twilight, the man calmly ushered the five out on to the street. As empty as it was before and muddied from the melt and rains of the season, it was far less pleasant than the subtle warmth and mundanely mystical glow of the stained glass in the temple. It was, unfortunately, part of their trial to be cast out to fend for themselves - a literal "trial by ordeal" made manifest collectively. But the grumbling about the wet ground would ease as their entourage marched out and along the road leading further east toward the stead they were promised held their first endeavor for freedom. The walk there was met with no resistance of any kind from the land, the path flanked by greening grasses tall and sprig-like, and the air clean and pure unlike the village which was tinged with smoke and agriculture.

Were one not any wiser, this place just south of the Hinterlands would be readily mistaken for prime claims. Just how many men had come this way in these hopes and these lies for year upon year before they realized the wilderness itself would revolt? It must well have been since time immemorial, a siren's song to so many would-be adventurers and land seekers to create their status. As growing and green as it was along the way, this place was surely littered with bones, the dead hidden in plain sight. It was an illusion without the magic, a terrible trick to be played upon any, but just for this moment it seemed all too reasonable a conclusion that it was not what it was told to be.

Then they came to a clearing in the woods, a swathe of land they could not mistake, for out in the middle of it laid a blackened structure whose design was skeletal. Some of the surrounding land about it was likewise blackened, consumed by fire, and parts of its once sizable field equally burned. What had not gone up in flames was the spoils of the seasons past, rogue plants that flowed like a wavering sea of green and gold. There was no sight, sound, or smell of anything out of the ordinary here and it gave an eerie presence by that alone. Were there not creatures for them to oust? To remove from this plot? Was this place not being slowly reclaimed by the beasts of the forest surrounding it?

For such a large area it was strange indeed, yet for the moment it seemed all were safe upon the dry, earthen road they had walked. Danger, however, was only a short ways off in every direction for them...


@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex

Vah'lux, watched as the priest disappeared into one of the smaller rooms momentarily, and her eyes couldn't help by glance back at the rolled up map placed into the human's hand, the one called Renault. She supposed he had been the one chosen to “lead” the group in the priests absence, which was fine by her standards, as long as the human kept his wits about him in the unknown. Overall, however, her opinion of the group was on the more positive side, sizing up each based combat prowess, chosen weapons and armor, and general disposition. The Goliath herself, while still fairly young and inexperienced regarding the world and what lies beyond the unknown lands, still retained a confidence in her own abilities as a warrior and hunter.

But she had to, as there was no other recourse.
Finally on their way, traveling under the open sky with the village to their backs was most welcomed by the Goliath, despite the wet, muddied path that went on for some time. To once again hear the ambiance of nature and feel the dampness of lingering moisture on her slate-toned skin, lifted a spirit that had otherwise begun a slow descent into darkness while caged behind iron and stone. She shook off the thoughts, however, hoping to never find herself back in such a situation again. Her people were never meant to be locked in a cage, thrown into captivity, and used for sport like they had been through the ages. Vah’lux only hoped one day soon to find her tribe, to join them in rebuilding, and help protect what future generations may come.

“Only death resides here.” The pseudo-giant spoke under her breath, slowing her pace as she surveyed the area that had been riddled with bones as far as the eye could see. There were plenty of animal remains, and perhaps those of humans as well. What could have happened here? A great battle? Natural selection?

When the group made it to the clearing, the site of the charred farm house as well as the surrounding area, put the Goliath on alert, as she clenched her glaive, ready to defend at a moments notice.

“There is much death here as there is life.” Vah’lux said loud enough to be heard by the group. “Be on guard.”

---

Renault couldn't help but shift his gaze to the group's mysterious Elf companion with a look of tired agitation. In the short time he'd known her, she seemed devoted to biting the hand that freed them by any means necessary. They were prisoners, still, and didn't exactly have the privilege of objection in the tasks assigned to them.

The Marches were no mere woodland, and it was more than likely that any creature they encountered would be beyond taming. But Renault was thankful that Marthan was a man of patience and reason, more suited for the robe he wore than the stern helm of distributing justice. Not an insult, for there was more virtue in a heart that bled heavily for others than one hardened to the world's cries.

Though doing his best to present himself - and the group - with a certain confidence, Renault could not deny the anxiety that was welling in his chest as the reality of their task sank in. He rarely, if ever, dealt with wild beasts in his time as a Paladin. Andallia and Dorrathar boasted walls and fortifications sufficient enough to weather even Nature's might. But the unwalled towns and villages on the outskirts, much like Reddenbarrow, had to make do with whatever manpower they could muster. Those closest to the cities could count on at least a detachment of trained guardsmen to respond to threats, but a wolf pack or lone brown bear could make quick work of several men if caught unawares.

It was times like this where Renault missed the protection of full plate.

With Renault entrusted with the scroll and its case, it was time for them all to be on their way. Using the temple's only other room, Renault took the spare few minutes they had to don his scale armor, ensuring every buckle and strap was comfortably secured to his body.

Now as prepared as he was going to be, Renault and his four companions were gently ushered out of the temple with reminder of their task's haste and the time it would take to reach their destination.

Walking towards what would almost certainly be a fight, Renault's muscles tensed, his heartbeat quickened, and his eyes glanced all around them for any sign of ambush. But the walk south was quiet...peaceful, even. As fortunate as that was, it did little to calm Renault. He anticipated battle, and unseen as it was, the threat still loomed overhead, manifesting as flashes in his peripheral vision that he would have ignored in any other circumstance.

Stopping when their group came across the clearing and the charred husk of the farm Marthan spoke of, Renault swallowed hard. It was unsettling for him to see the vibrant green-gold of the vegetation creeping onto the scorched earth and blackened wood of what was, at one point, a quaint and fertile land.

“There is much death here as there is life. Be on guard.”

Renault looked to Vah'lux and nodded in agreement at her words. With hand reaching towards the hilt of his blade against his hip, Renault allowed instinct to take over as he cautiously began to move further into the clearing; and closer to the desiccated corpse of the farmhouse.

"Form up, don't stray too far." He warned to the others, scanning both the burned building and the outlying woods for sign of life, be it passive or hostile.

Deleted

Gorosk had walked along with the others, not particularly concerned with who maintains the map or the potions. Despite the burden of this task he was for the most part free again and walking through nature. The breeze on his neck and face, plants waving in the air, bones sticking up through the dirt. As had the others Gorosk felt a chill through his spine. Something here was amiss. The bones of all manner of animal littered the ground, in numbers that obliterated any notion of natural random splay.

Man would pile them up with a central dumping location, or perhaps in a fire pit, or placed in to the earth to aide in agriculture. However they did it it would have some degree of order. Or, if they were slovenly, they might cast them out from one central location. They might take their meal beside the fire and cast the bones out toward the tree line. This was none of that. And the bones were not only of animal, there were plenty of man bones as well. Now was not the time to check, the hairs on his neck still stood at stark attention, but Gorosk was confident that were they to take the time to inspect these lands they would several human bones and many of them would have been cracked or gnawed away at.

Gorosk shared the feelings of the party, as they voiced them one by one. The priest's warnings had been well deserved there was something out there. He prepared himself, holding his quarter staff in a mixed overhand / underhand grip and waited for the situation to develop. Gorosk thought to himself perhaps in another life he might make such a place a home. Close to the wilds, independent, quiet, but then his gaze fell upon a bone which was unmistakably human in nature. Perhaps it was good he was a wanderer after all.

With each moment of wizened preparation they took, it seemed to almost be in vain. The wasted stead, burned as it was, came as calm as any other sight short of their innate knowing. Had they just so happened to have past it by it would likely have given them this same feeling, that it was all to tranquil. All the death along the way they had seen scattered between the brush and the life of the season coming was foretelling; so many things had died clambering over this little spit of land. Ages past, years even, and only was it here no one dared disturb it. Except, of course, for the brave or foolish lot of five who scoured the remains before them where all they saw was the sweeping, wavering field, and the faint sound of the breeze.

From where they stood, it only settled in upon them that they were not along the longer the waited and watch. It was keen of them to not rush in, as they began to see three distinct silhouettes among the field, and in short order they realized just what they were; boar, wild boar more specifically, which had seemingly stopped rooting and were watching them back. The two groups spent a painfully long moment observing one another before the hoofed creatures, with no warning, bolted away and into the woods. Their fleeing figures first covering the blackened farm, through its remains, and off into the woodland beyond.

Boar, let alone three, were no idle game for any man. They were deadly and even skilled huntsmen put their life on the line to down one such a pig from a position of advantage. A single thrust of a lacerating tusk could pierce a man's flesh as violently as any sword or spear and worse yet, like the scratch of a cat, leave them with a wound that might never heal without aid. Perhaps they all sighed a collective breath of relief or perhaps the moment of seeing their quarry flee at first threat was disheartening - expecting a fight instead. Yet it was telling just what was withing spitting distance of the town and how the warnings were far from old wive's tales; the boar would have gutted them all had they the chance. Whatever shyness they displayed likely only came from the fact their opposition was much more numerous than they, to include both elf and giant at that.

But with the stillness of the moment settling in, it begged the question, where to begin searching the stead? Would they dare the field first? The cellar? The home itself? Each needed to be investigated and there was no telling what else was lurking nearby or, perhaps more deviously, waiting for them.


@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex

---

There was a stop in his gaze as he scanned the perimeter of wild-land beyond the once-claimed homestead. A shape - no, three - large and squarely built. Renault's eyes met with one of them; beady black orbs piercing back at him. 'Boars...' For awhile, at least what felt like awhile, both parties did nothing but stare at each other in tense showdown.

Silently cursing the fact that his shield was still secured to his back, Renault came-to-terms with the possibility of fighting with only a blade. He'd have to be quicker on his feet; dodging the beasts' perilous tusks and responding with a slash of steel. There was little doubt that he'd be forced on the defensive in a contest of strength, if not overwhelmed outright. But more than anything else, he had to stay standing. Falling prone would be a fast way to a gruesome death. It was uncommon for a boar to kill a man outright, though not out of any mercy or malice on the beast's part. Most men gored perished within a day or two from infected wounds too deep to be properly treated without the aid of a dedicated healer.

But Renault's thoughts and worries dissipated as the three boars ran - not towards them but away, back into the woods where they made their home. Most men would have breathed a sigh of relief, let their guard down, if only for a moment or two. But boars, like all beasts of the wild, operated under survival instinct. Did their party present a threat the boars weren't willing to engage? Or was there something stronger, tougher lurking just beyond their sight?

With the threat gone for the moment, Renault took a moment to retrieve his shield, securing it to his forearm. "Best keep going." He said mildly, treading cautiously toward the field.

“Mhm.” With a slightly amused expression upon her face, the Goliath returned a glare at the trio of wild boars in the distance, their ivory tusks catching flecks of yellow-orange ambient sunlight. Oddly enough, it was as though she could hear the beasts whispering, wondering why such a motley group of adventurers had entered their domain unannounced. Who could blame them though? The group didn’t belong there, but it was all a big game nevertheless, and so there they were, trespassing on lands that should have been left to the wilds.

As the boars vanished into the thick woodlands, Vah’lux sighed, allowing the afternoon breeze to melt away the beaded sweat along her brow, cooling her massive body in the process. On the one hand, an animal hunt would be quite favorable considering the weather conditions, wondering what the meat may taste like from a land so far away from her own. However, she suspected there would be no real food aside from their rations until their quest was completed and they had returned to the human village. But there were no guarantees in the unknown.

The woman narrowed her eyes as she continued to survey the area for anything further that may be lurking in the shadows and otherwise, following the lead of the human Paladin towards the field...

What the goliath was rewarded with in her staggering stare out into the fields was twofold. First, from her vantage point and height, it became evident the boar had been up to their business rooting in the earth, tearing up the remains of the crop that had gone wild in the absence of man. Second, it was that what they had been rooting around had made the earth uneven, another given she expected with no second thought on the matter. The last, however, was that there was not just ragged gouges into the earth from turning tusks and kicking hooves, rather something different altogether; the earth was pulled in at the center, mounded about around it. The field seemed to be littered with burrows now, fitting for a place that was open among the woodland, yet it was obvious these were no mere burrows of a fox or hare or anything of that variety and that they were instead far larger with wide mouths.

The boar too had been standing clear of them, at least enough that when the entourage of five bodies arrived inexplicably, they withdrew at the sign of commotion and threat. This ultimately played into something else, something that had crossed the child of the mountain's mind. Was it some sort of elaborate trap? Nature was rife with cunning deceit, just nothing ever this coordinated without orchestration. It instead was paranoia and dismissed as much, but the thought did not leave her that had she not taken a moment to survey, she might not have initially noticed the large burrows and surely whatever lived within them.

Tracan, in the meanwhile, plucked the string of her bow idly and watched the boar flee. It was a relief to her and made her tenseness at this uneasy place relax and relax enough for her mind to surrender for a moment. Three less animals to kill. Her thoughts traveled to in that time, thankful that the beasts chose to save themselves rather than be butchered. But something about all this was just wrong, the woods hadn't started to devour all the remains of the farm and she knew that. The real question was why not? Sure, the bandits probably burned and salted the fields, maybe poisoned the water if they felt cruel and to make a statement, slaughtered all the livestock they couldn't steal, who knew and who cared, it was passed, but this was all just off. Something worse was at work here and it made her sick to her stomach to wonder what it was.


@Hellion@Lauder

Gorosk was relieved as the three boars turned and fled. They were animals that only a fool underestimated. They were heavy, fast, and aggressive; with thick hides and two large bone knives growing out of their faces. The boars likely would have all died had they not turned and fled, but at least one of the party would all but certainly have been injured and that injury may well have been fatal. It was easy to see how the settlers of Reddenbarrow might have been frightened off form attempts to retake this stead.

The Half-Orc moved slowly closer to the stead holding his quarterstaff out before him, the boars may well not be the only danger here and perhaps a closer look at the remains of the stead might tell them something about how it had come to be in it's current state. It was a bit eerie, the ruined state of the only civilization out here in contrast to the blossoming vivacious nature of the foliage and the only eyes that had been on it until just now were the beady porcine eyes of those three boars. Ugly, frightening creatures. What a horrible way to die that would be, but were there more of them out here and were they what had killed the settlers?

Certainly they could have, but could they destroyed the stead? And would they have? It seemed unlikely to Gorosk.

Deleted

“Tread carefully, my friends.” Vah’lux turned to the others to be heard, her husky voice cutting through the ambient sound of the breeze rushing by. “Keep watch. Not only ahead, but under your feet as well. I suspect there may be other creatures lying in wait.”

This wasn’t something unfamiliar to the Goliath living in the region she hailed from, as a handful of small and large creatures spent most of their days burrowed under the protection of the land from that of the unknown and very unpredictable surface. Not too often does it happen, but when said creature feels threatened enough, they will not hesitate to leap from their nests and strike at invaders.

The large woman only hoped this was not one of them...

---

With a look of concerned bewilderment, Renault once more set to discovery and investigation. There was something off in the air, something that caused his hair to stand on end. With each step he took, Renault couldn't help but wonder if there were another set of footprints he was hearing, just behind him. The burrows surrounding them, like jaws of oblivion clawing to the surface. It was enough to make any man wary.

There was a whisper in the back of Renault's mind, the whisper of instinct, one he'd tried for the past seven years to ignore. He had forsaken the powers and abilities that Erithar once granted him, for his sin made him unworthy of bearing the title. But maybe...

His movements clumsy and uncertain from time spent out of practice, Renault first dropped his shield upon the ground, drawing his hand to the crest that felt like a millstone around his neck. There was a pounding in his chest, whether from his heart or Erithar's symbol pulsating remained uncertain.

Though unable to grab his pendant proper through his breastplate, Renault could feel it even through the layers of armor-and-clothing he wore, and hoped it would be enough. With opposite hand, Renault outstretched his arm towards the field and burrows before him, eyes fluttering shut.

One of the first lessons he was taught in the Order was to perceive beyond his five senses. Good and evil were energies present in all things, living and non-living. Energy that, when properly strengthened, could bind itself even to wood or stone.

Tapping into means Renault thought he had forgotten, he opened his unseen eye to search for any presence of Evil that may lurk here, with a hushed "Reveal yourself" completing the spell's verbal requirement.

The Goliath continued along the path not far behind the human Paladin, Renault, gazing out as far ahead as possible for oncoming danger. Something certainly didn’t feel right at that moment, and the fact that the one leading the group stopped and grasped the pendant around his neck, elicited a raised eyebrow from the woman.

“What are you doing?” She whispered, standing only a few feet from his location. Vah’lux may have had some idea of what the human was up to, as he claimed to be a holy warrior, a representative for the gods as well as their right hand of justice. Perhaps he was simply praying, but that feeling in the air didn’t go away, and maybe something more was transpiring around the group.

Shield resting against the armor of his greaves, heart reaching out across the divide to the heavenly cosmos beyond the physical world, the troubled spark that Beaumont sought was still very much a part of himself. It took a few moments after his incantation and prayer, the kind that forced him to focus beyond the equally hushed words the giant spoke. At first they rung dully within his ears as the fallen paladin felt the touch of his god for the first time truly in ages, that Erithar still acknowledged him, that his mightiness and glory, his forgiveness was very much alive - how this quest was surely right and noble. All the surge of aspiration and emotion came back to him at once and gripped him, until of course he suddenly realized he was looking almost blankly upon the stern face of the woman who made him but a dwarf before her. Her brow cocked in curiosity and clearly anticipating, awaiting some sort of answer.

Before he could mumble one, her expression turned more to a scowl as she noticed what she had worried about earlier, those dens in the field nearby were not empty. Soft impressions around them moved through the field now and her pupils dilated, her pulse quickened; the enemy, whatever it was, was at last here and hurrying upon the ground toward them. Before she could speak, the little vermin attacked, their attempted surprise ruined by her watchfulness that alerted the rest of their entourage. Two of the almost dog sized creatures leapt at Renault, who wisely stepped back, only to find one biting at his shin from behind and drawing blood, while both Vah'lux and Quentin were equally swarmed. With a kick, the barbarian drove one of the creatures back, avoiding it's bite, whereas the soldier's shield did its work and easily pelted off their efforts.

This in turn spurred Tracan to draw back the string of her bow, watching the field shift before her in almost a pattern of five trails leading toward them and soon right to those in front of her. Following one, she let her arrow fly, only for it to plant into the dirt just where the mottled grey little thing had been, its body launched a few feet back by the largest of their group keeping it away from her; Vah'lux having harpooned and slain the other snarling rat with a single thrust of her blade before then.


@BangoSkank@Hellion@Lauder@Lord Wyron@TyrannosaursRex

In a moment they had been set upon by rats damn near the size of dogs. Gorosk hadn't even seen them coming, they were fast little bastards and well suited to these wilds. Without the watch of the giant they may well have been caught completely unawares, even so in an instant four of the vermin in their midst and one lay at their feet disemboweled and nearly bisected by the massive glaive of Vah'Lux. Gorosk moves to aid his party, for whatever reason the vermin had targeted others, but only Renault had drawn the attention of two of them.

Gorosk made two attacks in a flurry of blows, relying on his practice as a monk to attack swiftly, but his time in isolation passing the hours in silent contemplation must have made him rusty. Twice the Half-Orc stomped down at the vile beast that had drawn his companion's blood. The first hit had struck true and he felt the fetid bend and snap, in response it must have moved in some unexpected way for Gorosk's second strike missed the rat dog thing entirely disturbing nothing more than the earth around them. The rat moved no more, killed by the first stomp, yet still the other three beasts were there, angry and amidst the party.

Gorosk drew his quarterstaff under his right armpit, pointing it as one might point a spear, and roared at the creatures trying to orient himself towards the next threat as the three remaining rat things snarled and bit.

Deleted