An unexpected meeting --- &RPaward

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plando
Posts: 116
Joined: Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:42 am

An unexpected meeting --- &RPaward

Post by plando » Sun Aug 29, 2021 1:00 pm

Ely edit 29 Aug 2021:

1-6 qps, depending on length and quality.

Potential +1 qp: if part of a series: o

Total: 2 qps

*****************************************

.. A particular ingredient was rumored to be located just north of the town of Whitebridge. Having spent a days travel through the night, Plando and his assistant Teben had arrived in the late evening, and seeked refuge and entertainment in one of the local inns. At day break, they set out on their quest to locate the mysterious material rumored to be growing in the woods there just north of the town ..

The North Gate of Whitebridge
Two perpendicular streets meet in a small cleared square in front of a
gate in the northern town wall.The oaken gate itself is also diminutive,
barely wide enough for a cart or small wagon. A single occupancy guardpost
has been erected just inside the doors, but no watchtowers or platforms
out from above the wall. Out over the gate arch the boughs of the
Braem wood, a direction from which the town does not see much traffic.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: Whitebridge
Door north: gate
A small purse is here. [2]
A tall dust-colored gelding prances in a circle here, being ridden by you.
A town watchman is here, patrolling the city.
Miloh lounges alongside the road, scratching his beard.
An avid Illuminator has arrived from the south.

Plando tips his hat to Miloh as he passes through the archway of the old wooden gate.

Plando says 'Miloh, good to see you friend.'

Miloh looks up from the wall, his old grizzled face bearing a smile at the sight of the entertainer.

Miloh says ‘Oh Illuminator, tis good to see you in Andor again m’boy!`

Plando winks suggestively at Miloh.

The gate seems to be closed.

Plando pirouettes atop his horse momentarily as he awaits for the gate to be opened, some local guards undoing the heavy wooden dowel that bars the gate shut.

The guards open the gate with a slight head nod, not terribly worried about local security.

Plando says ‘Miloh, I’d better see you later tonight when I perform, I have some of that fine Murandian port with me you like.`

Miloh looks intrigued, an old grin splitting across his sun worn face.

Miloh says ‘You bet, you rascal, make sure to save some for me.`

Plando chuckles as the two riders leave through the gates headed north.

Outside the Gate to Whitebridge
The forest stands just a short run from the small city walls of
Whitebridge. The small gate appears to head into the northern part of the
town proper and appears to be solely for use by hunters wishing to trap and
hunt in the dense and tangled woodland lurking to the north.
[ obvious exits: N S ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
Door south: gate
A tall dust-colored gelding prances in a circle here, being ridden by you.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalry officer watches vigilantly, riding a warhorse.
An avid Illuminator has arrived from the south.

Plando hops down from his steed just outside the gates.

Plando says 'Now Teben, we'll leave the horses here.'

Plando says 'you know what we're after.'

Teben clambors down from atop his horse and begins tethering them to an old oaken post just outside the gates.

Several Andoran Cavalrymen turn slightly, acknowledging their presence before turning back to their original conversation of beer and local bar maids.

Outside the Gate to Whitebridge
The forest stands just a short run from the small city walls of
Whitebridge. The small gate appears to head into the northern part of the
town proper and appears to be solely for use by hunters wishing to trap and
hunt in the dense and tangled woodland lurking to the north.
[ obvious exits: N S ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
Door south: gate
An avid Illuminator stands here gripping a pouch of black powder.
A tall dust-colored gelding prances in a circle here.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalry officer watches vigilantly, riding a warhorse.

Plando says 'you head into the forest to the left, and I'll walk the path to the right. I'm sure it's here.'

Teben nods as he finishes synching a knot to an old oak post just outside the gates.

A Woodland Path
Just away from the city a path strikes off east into the forest. Trees and
bushes line the edges of the path which has been kept from being overgrown
solely by the heavy traffic the area sees. Soft chattering can be heard
from above as the squirrels note someone's passage.
[ obvious exits: N S ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
There are some tracks of an animal leaving north. ^^
There are some tracks of an animal leaving north. ^^
A remnant of the Age of Legends juts from the soil.
An avid Illuminator has arrived from the south.

An avid Illuminator nods briefly before leaving to the west.

Plando yells after him, `Make sure to hollar for me if you find it!!`

Someone yells from the forest path, `Alright! I know the drill!!`

Plando grins to himself, mulling over the odds of Teben getting lost like usual.

Plando mutters under his breath, `at least there’s no bath houses for him to run off to this time.`

Within the Forest
The forest is alive with the sound of animals making their way through the
undergrowth to their homes. To the south a road winds lazily through the
dense stands of alder and tangled blackthorn bushes. In all other
directions the forest thins, new growth giving way to gnarled, elderly
oaks.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
There are some tracks of an animal leaving east. >>
There are some tracks of an animal leaving south. vv
There are some tracks of an animal leaving north. ^^
There are some tracks of an animal leaving west. <<
There are some tracks of a humanoid leaving west. <<
There are some tracks of an animal leaving east. >>

Forested Path
The path winds its way through the trees sweeping around the roots of the
forest's gnarled giants and cutting in close to the scrawny newcomers.
Beaten down by generations of animals and hunters alike the trail has
become a part of the forest.
[ obvious exits: E W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
There are some tracks of an animal leaving east. >>
There are some tracks of an animal leaving east. >>
There are some tracks of an animal leaving east. >>
There are some tracks of an animal leaving west. <<
A cute brown deer eyes you nervously.
A raven is visible flying high in the sky.

Plando spots a pair of eyes peering down at him from a hole in the forest canopy.

A raven starts following Plando.

Plando scowls at the sight of the raven.

Plando says 'pesky creatures.. Will have to get out from under that one'

Plando mutters under his breath about the dark one's eyes as he heads deeper into the woods.

Forrested Hills
The rolling hills are heavily wooded and travel through them is slow
because of the lack of a clear path through the trees. To the south the
hills seem to give way to more level ground and a dry stone wall crusted in
lichen peeks between the trees. To the east a small field can be seen.
[ obvious exits: N E S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.
A raven has arrived from the west, eyeing Plando curiously.

Above a Forrested Tunnel
The towering trees of the Braem Woods grow all around, lush and alive. The
le forest exudes a sense of peace and tranquility. The ground is muddy
and covered with moss. A dark hole in the forest floor leads down into the
cliffs that drop down to the east.
[ obvious exits: W D ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
A wild boar runs through the forest, snorting at the sight of an interloper.
A curious raven has arrived from the west.

Deep Within the Woods
The trees form tight nets, surrounded by large mushrooms and other vegetation.
Moss grows on all of the trunks of the trees around, covering the area with a
green glow. Grass grows thick and lush.
[ obvious exits: N S ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
There are some tracks of an animal leaving south. vv
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.
A raven has arrived from the south.

At a Woodland Stream
A small trickling stream filled with crystal clear water runs along to the
east of here. Tall ferns grow at its edges and trees grow around it.
Clusters of mushrooms that are dark brown in color grow intermitently.
Rings of dark green moss line the tree trunks.
[ obvious exits: S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
There are some tracks of an animal leaving west. <<
The waters of a stream chatter as they run over the streambed here.
A curious raven has arrived from the south, perching on a nearby branch with it’s head askance.

Plando tries not to make eye contact with the bird, but acknowledges it is following him.

The Andoran heat is something fierce under the forest canopy.
Plando wipes sweat from his brow as he stops momentarily on the path to admire a beautiful little stream flowing through the forest floor.

Plando stops by the waters of the small stream, taking a moment for himself to indulge in a long draught of crystal clear running brook water.

Tiny minnows can be seen dancing among the stream as they navigate the pebbled rocks and trickling waters.

Plando feels refreshed, but out of the corner of his eye finds the raven, still mocking his presence.

Plando frowns.

Plando says 'bloody lurker this one.'

Plando presses deeper into the woods, his eyes peeled and scanning the forest floor for his quarry.

At a Stand of Ancient Trees
Tall trees stand all around, their long branches stretching upwards. The
trees appear ancient and weathered beyond the rest of the forest. They have
long cracks running down their trunks and new shoots sprout up. Thick, lush
grass grows all around.
[ obvious exits: N S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge

Something glints in the sun, sticking out of the soil.

A twitching vine of creepers dangles from above.
An Ogier stonemason strides by briskly.
A green woodpecker is here flying around.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you.

Plando lights up, his eyes making contact with the glinting stone protruding from the Andoran soil just under a copse of old trees.

The light reflects off of the strange stone through a tiny opening in the forest canopy above.

Plando starts making his way towards the stone before something tugs at his cloak.

Turning on his attacker a menacing vine lurches towards Plando unexpectedly, startling the explorer.

The creepers tries to hit you, but you dodge the attack.

* HP:Healthy MV:Full - the creepers: Healthy >

Plando scythe the creepers's roots into bloody fragments!

The creepers recoil as Plando splinters a piece of one of the vines!

The creepers tries to hit you, but you deflect the blow.

* HP:Healthy MV:Full - the creepers: Wounded >

Plando scythe the creepers's crown into bloody fragments!


Plando swiftly dodge the creepers's attempt to hit you.

* HP:Healthy MV:Full - the creepers: Battered >

Plando scythe the creepers's trunk into bloody fragments!
The creepers tries to hit you, but you parry successfully.

* HP:Healthy MV:Full - the creepers: Critical >

Plando hacks wildly at his adversary, trying to fend off the attacker.

The creepers is dead! R.I.P.
Plando receive your share of experience...
Blood never gets boring, does it?
Plando's blood freezes as you hear the creepers's death cry.

Pausing for a moment to catch his breath he stares at the blade of his hatchet.

The hatchet is soaked with a liquid from hacking at the vines.

The forest becomes quiet, too quiet.

The raven that had been following Plando caws loudly before flapping it’s wings and flying the opposite way into the forest.

Plando stares around the forest, suddenly feeling exposed and alone, gripping his hatchet tightly in one hand as the hair stands up on his back.

The raven was gone, but something else was here.

The forest canopy begins to shake violently.

The forest canopy seems to come to life, leaves falling all around as more vines suddenly appear!

The creepers has arrived from the north.
The creepers has arrived from the north.
The creepers has arrived from the north.
The creepers has arrived from the north.
The creepers has arrived from the north.

The creepers tries to hit you, but you parry successfully.
The creepers tries to hit you, but you parry successfully.
The creepers tries to hit you, but you parry successfully.
The creepers tries to hit you, but you parry successfully.
The creepers knocks you off your feet, sending you sprawling!

* HP:Healthy MV:Full - the creepers: Healthy >

Plando stumbles as his legs become entangled.

Plando’s hatchet flys across the forest floor landing neatly next to a stump across from him.

The creepers begin lashing out, crawling towards Plando as he is cornered against the copse of ancient trees.

Plando draws a tiny copper dagger from his boot, stabbing wildly at his attackers.

An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you, uninterested in your predicament.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you, uninterested in your predicament.
An ancient, gnarled tree looms over you, uninterested in your predicament.

A twitching vine of creepers dangles from above.
A twitching vine of creepers confiscates Plando’s copper dagger
A twitching vine of creepers grabs Plando by the throat, squeezing the life from him.

Plando struggles and kicks as more vines begin to capture his limbs.

Plando screams loudly but, struggles to make it come out.

The world flashes before Plando, he thinks of his brother, Devin’s Ride, the Family farm.

Plando sees visions of his childhood, the river Erinin where they would swim, and the beautiful woman he witnessed in Watch Hill.

The twitching creepers explode violently into fragments of wood and sinew.

The twitching creepers let out a blood curdling scream as they recoil from the blow.

A swift form rushes about the twitching creepers, hacking menacingly at the creepers.

The vine around Plando’s neck loosens, leaving red marks.

Plando pulls the lifeless limb of the creeper from his neck, its grip still moderately strong but faded enough to breath again.

Plando clambors to his feet as the other creepers appear to be retreating from the swift figure’s presence.

A man in dark leathers hacks violently at Plando’s attacker, splinters flying everywhere.

Plando coughs loudly as he stares onward, the swift figure being assisted by what appears to be a pack of wild dogs.

A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously.
A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously.
A black wolf growls loudly, poised to leap.
A black wolf growls loudly, poised to leap.
A great wolf, leader of its pack, is here.

Plando dives for his hatchet nearby, gripping it with menace and turning on the remaining vines.

Together both the swift figure and Plando begin savagely hacking away at what was left of the evil flora.

Elyas Machera scythes the creeper’s branch into bloody fragments!
Plando scythe the creepers's branch into bloody fragments!
The creepers is dead! R.I.P.
Plando receive your share of experience...
Blood never gets boring, does it?
Plando's blood freezes as you hear the creepers's death cry.

Loud howling can be heard, piercing the silence as the creepers fall lifelessly to the forest floor in a heap of splintered sinew.

Plando collapses into an exhausted heap next to one of the trees in the copse where he had almost met the creator just moments before.

The swift figure turns to Plando, before disappearing as quickly as he had arrived.

Some time goes by..

A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously at Plando.
A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously at Plando.
A black wolf growls loudly, poised to leap at Plando.
A black wolf growls loudly, poised to leap at Plando.
A great wolf, leader of its pack, is here eyeing Plando.

Leaning up against the tree, an exhausted Plando stares back at the the pack of dogs, his mind racing.

Plando wonders if this was it, the life of an Illuminator cut short because he was eaten alive by a pack of wild dogs after nearly being choked to death.

Plando backs up against an old gnarled tree nervously, shielding his face.

A great wolf, leader of it’s pack approaches Plando calmly.

Plando looks at a great wolf, leader of it’s pack.

A heavily muscled black wolf stands here, looking into your eyes. Its lips are
pulled back, as it softly growls.

A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously at Plando.
A jet-black wolf bitch is here, growling dangerously at Plando.

Plando nervously peeks from behind his hands thrown up to protect his face, expecting to be eaten alive.

A great wolf, leader of it’s pack stares deep into Plando’s eyes, it’s gaze something older than the Age of Legends.

Lowering his hands nervously, Plando stares back at the great wolf, leader of it’s pack.

Plando whispers softly between terrified lips, `can you hear me.`

A great wolf, leader of it’s pack stares deep into Plando’s eyes, it’s body language unchanged.

Plando slowly extends his hand towards the great wolf, leader of it’s pack.

A great wolf, leader of it’s pack bares its teeth momentarily before sniffing the outstretched hand and nudges it with his nose.

A great wolf, leader of it’s pack stares deep into Plando’s eyes and lays down next to Plando under the copse.

A jet-black wolf bitch lays down near Plando.
A jet-black wolf bitch lays down near Plando.
A black wolf stops growling loudly and lays down near Plando.
A black wolf stops growling loudly and lays down near Plando.
A great wolf, leader of its pack stares intently at Plando, seeming to make some type of connection.

Plando whispers softly, `Thank you.. I .. uhh.. Thank you.. For saving me..`

A great wolf, leader of its pack stares intently at Plando before turning and walking back into the forest, the other wolves in tow.
A jet-black wolf bitch stands up and slowly walks back into the forest.
A jet-black wolf bitch stands up and slowly walks back into the forest.
A black wolf stands up and slowly walks back into the forest.
A black wolf stands up and slowly walks back into the forest.

Some time passes…

The forest sounds return slowly, birds begin chirping melodies, and the sound of Plando’s heartbeat returns to normal.

Something can be seen next to Plando glinting in the sunlight.

Plando half-chuckles, letting out a sigh of relief after that life and death experience and prys the glinting stone from the soil.
Holding the stone up to the light the colors dance as he examines it from all angles.

Plando eyes the stone momentarily before shoving it into his pocket and begins running towards the gate down the old woodland path.

Plando moves bushes and branches from his direction as he sprints down the forest path.

Plando thinks about the mysterious swift figure who had come to his aid.

Plando wonders why he felt as if the wolves could hear him, and why he felt like he could understand them.

Woodland Path
The path meanders through the forest turning at odd times to avoid large
trees. Directly to the south, thick snarls of brush tangle around the edges
of the trail. Birds fly amongst the branches of the trees along the path
and most sing a happy song.
[ obvious exits: E S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
A black wolf watches quietly from the path.
A man with yellow eyes sneaks through the woods.
A scarred wolf is here, eyes alert watching from just off the path.
A sleek wolf is here, ears alert watching from just off the path.


Plando feels a strange surge of emotion and eyes on his back as he sprints hurriedly down the path towards the gates.

open thickbrush

Woodland Path
The path meanders through the forest turning at odd times to avoid large
trees. Directly to the south, thick snarls of brush tangle around the edges
of the trail. Birds fly amongst the branches of the trees along the path
and most sing a happy song.
[ obvious exits: E S W ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
A black wolf watches Plando leave south to the gates of Whitebridge.

Plando turns to look back, making contact with the piercing yellow eyed gaze of a black wolf who appeared to have followed him through the woods.

Plando stare back at a black wolf, passing a message to the animal by no form of verbal communication.

Plando paused for a moment, as if he could understand the animal’s response to his vow to return to them..

The word `good` echoed between his ears.

Plando turned, arriving back at the gates shortly ahead.

Outside the Gate to Whitebridge
The forest stands just a short run from the small city walls of
Whitebridge. The small gate appears to head into the northern part of the
town proper and appears to be solely for use by hunters wishing to trap and
hunt in the dense and tangled woodland lurking to the north.
[ obvious exits: N S ]
Zone: Outskirts of Whitebridge
Door south: gate
A tall dust-colored gelding prances in a circle here.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalryman is here, riding a roan charger.
An Andoran cavalry officer watches vigilantly, riding a warhorse.
A raven has arrived from the north.
An avid Illuminator has arrived from the south.

Teben eyes Plando cooly before asking, `light, what happened to you?`

Plando pants, still slightly out of breath from sprinting back to the gates.

Plando stares back into the woods from which he came, thinking to himself about everything, the creepers, his life, the mysterious man with yellow eyes, the wolves, how he could hear them, and they could hear him.

Plando stares up at Teben, his hands on his knees and his arms badly scratched.

Plando says, `I fell.`

Teben scoffs at the idea, and laughs uproariously.

Teben eyes Plando in disbelief, `Blood and ashes mate did you fall off a cliff or what?`

Teben claps Plando on the back and helps him get atop his horse.

Teben laughs mockingly at Plando as he untethers his own horse.

Teben says, `well..?`

Plando says, `well what..?`

Teben says, `the thing, remember? why we came here and you had me tromping through the woods mucking up my new boots?`

Plando reaches into his coat and produces the tiny glinting stone, tossing it in Teben's direction without taking his eyes off of the woodland path just north of the gates.

Teben whistles appreciatively as he examines the stone in the light.

Teben says, `yeap, that's what Aludra said she wanted. Think that's a wrap, I'd say we head in for some drinks before the show gets on tonight eh?`
Teben clicks his horse into motion headed south through the gate.

Plando’s horse turns to follow Teben through the gates and back into the town, but Plando’s mind remains somewhere in the forest north of Whitebridge.

Geoff
Posts: 164
Joined: Wed Jun 13, 2018 9:03 am

Re: An unexpected meeting --- &RPaward

Post by Geoff » Mon Aug 30, 2021 7:40 am

This was a fun read, thanks Plando!

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