Fantasy World Creations

[info]Open to all. 100 exp for joining. Max 3 characters.[/info]
Walking through the forest, you happen upon what looked to be a set of intricately architectured buildings off in the distance. The path through the forest seemed to skirt the edges of the buildings and their courtyard, and though there weren't many that passed through this particular route through the region, you realized that travelers would come upon this very destination frequently. At the very least perhaps one or two travelers a day would come upon the site.

You expected some sort of rest stop, or perhaps some sort of inn hidden away in these forests, but as you came closer you realized it was some sort of shrine. The architecture was something akin to the Kyl'Marn kingdom, with curved roofs and edges. Statues that looked like large giant beasts decorated the entrance as if to welcome visitors. You even noticed a bridge further in creating a path over the creek that cut through the premise. It looked peaceful.


However, something felt wrong. It was too quiet as if the buildings were abandoned. There was no sounds save for the splashing of water from the creek. Even the wildlife seemed still. As you drew even closer you saw what caused the alarm.

Bodies.

There were both men and women. They wore red-trimmed white robes, with red streaks marring their clothes. It was blood, and from the color of it, was still relatively fresh.

Excellent.

There was no other way to describe it for Wolfrin. He always tried to take a different path back through the forest after a mission for just this reason. Despite having lived in the forest outside Ternadan for a few years, he had yet to explore the entire thing; it was rather large after all. Now he had found this place, whatever it was, that fit into the forest so well, so serenely. He immediately guessed that the inhabitants we're elvish in nature, for not many could exist in nature so peacefully as his long lived kin.

A detour was most certainly in order for a place like this, so Wolfrin approached the buildings, taking in the view. Almost immediately, and unfortunately, however, his enjoyment was stolen from him when he saw the bodies. He approached the closest body carefully, Buddy at his side, trying to figure out just what the hell happened here.

[spoiler]Perception roll to check the body for clue's as to how it was killed. Weapon type or such. Perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+12 : 13 + 12, total 25[/blockquote]
Buddy remains cautious of the surroundings, sensing trouble. Buddy Perception [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 20 + 10, total 30[/blockquote][/spoiler]

It was time for Vladimir to replenish his personal food supply, which was always best done in the depths of the woods around Ternadan. Deciding to change from the usual hunting ground, he headed a bit further south, and for the first time in his three years in these woods, Vladimir noted some intricate buildings off in the distance. Moving closer, he realized that this was, in fact, just off the beaten path, though it was an uncommon path. His hunting instincts still on high alert, he recognized that the forest was eerily quiet. Either this place was warded against wildlife, or the entire area was afraid of something. Maybe a storm or the like, but with the odd appearance of the building before him, he bet it was more.

He drew closer to investigate, which only brought a very familiar smell to his nose.

Blood...!? He thought in shock. Quickly, ready to draw at a moment's notice, Vladimir ran toward the main courtyard, following the scent. There, he came across scattered bodies. Recently killed ones. He noticed one of his guild mates had already made it to the scene, and approached cautiously. "Any idea what's happened here, Wolfrin? It seems recent."

Given the situation, he would have interrogated his ally, but knew him to be an archer, and his companion's white coat did not exhibit even a speck of red. It was something else.

[include u=356,2]You knelt down to inspect the bodies. The wounds left on the people were varied. You saw long gashes from sharp edges that could only come from swords, yet on some of the bodies there were large gashes and cuts that weren't so keen and precise. From your training as a druid as well as your understanding of animals, these marks reminded you of attacks from claws and bites.

You noticed a fellow guild-mate, Vladimir, approach you. Perhaps the man was taking a stroll down these forests as well. It was at that moment both you and Buddy heard a slight sound. As you trained your senses towards where it came from, you notice it was coming from one of the bodies further into the compound. It sounded like shallow breathing.[/include]

[include u=333,2]From a distance, you see Wolfrin kneeling down examining the bodies, he moved with care as he took a look at the wounds that each of them suffered. When you made your way towards him, reaching him, he seemed to react to something though further into the compound.[/include]

The itch had returned and none of the missions on the guild's board for the last week had sent her more than half a day away from Ternadan. None of her usual companions seemed to be around the guild and she had already tried putting her mind into training for an upcoming brawler's tournament to no avail. This had left Maeve at a loss of what to do. If she did not do something, she would more than likely make a rash decision. Thus, she decided it was time to explore.

Upon seeing the buildings through the tree, Maeve paused to decide whether or not she wanted to check out civilization or if she would prefer to continue exploring the woods. The breeze changing direction and offering up a certain smell made the decision for her. No wonder she had felt it oddly silent in this area. All the animals could probably smell it, too.

As she came closer to the buildings, her nose picked up other familiar scents. Vladimyar, Wolfrin, and Buddy all seemed to be there as well. Deciding that they might know what had happened, she followed her nose to their location. None of them seemed to have any blood on them, nor did they smell of fresh blood like all of the bodies laying around, meaning they must have arrived not long before her. Vladimyar must have just asked Wolfrin something, as he seemed to be awaiting a reply from the druid. Maeve decided to wait and see what they said before asking her own questions.

Wolfrin stood up from inspecting the body. "Hail Vladimir. None yet," He said as he turned towards the sounds of breathing, noting the approach of Maeve as well. He nodded to her as he quickly crossed the distance to the still breathing, if barely, lady. "If we can save her, we might find out though." Wolfrin had spells that could help the woman, but he had none prepared this day; it was rare he had to mend wounds. He mainly used his limited strength with druidic magic to help combat the opponents he found during his missions, and occasionally in the forest he'd made his home.

Luckily, he might not need spells. His knowledge of the human body and its workings might be enough.

[spoiler]Didn't want to make any assumptions but I had to call it him or her. Will edit if necessary lol. Also, Rolls!
Wolfrin uses Perception to see details about the body (any distinguishing marks, size and placement of any wounds, ect for rp purposes) (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/envision2013_smf20_rev3/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+12 : 17 + 12, total 29
Also, Wolfrin uses a heal check to try and stabilize the man(?). (can rp this in a post if desired once I know the type and placement of wounds, and if successful) (http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/envision2013_smf20_rev3/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+14 : 3 + 14, total 17
Edit: gender pronouns[/spoiler]

Everyone
Along with Maeve coming up, you see Wolfrin move up to what seemed like another corpse, however, he began pulling out some bandages and skillfully began treating the person's wounds. From your vantage point you can tell it was a woman, and from the looks of it, she was unconscious. Wolfrin methodically began his work, doing his best to treat the wounds.

[include u=356,2]Wolfrin (Hidden. Only Wolfrin can see.)
As you took a look at the wounds and began taking a look at the supposed shrine maiden's condition you realized that she was poisoned. The pallid and pale features, the light sweat on her brows, as well as her temperature proved that she was at least feverish. When you took a look at the wounds she was covered in sharp gashes. These ones were quick and clean, as if a sharp weapon had struck her down. She had multiple deep impalements however, and you can tell she was on the verge of dying. She was unconscious. But as you began treating, she did flutter her eyes open. Her eyes didn't seem to focus on you, and you can tell she was struggling to stay conscious.[/include]

Vladimir keeps his pace, running up beside Wolfrin and taking a knee. "She still lives, then? Good." He pats Wolfrin's shoulder while keeping an eye on their surroundings. "I'll keep an eye on the area, in case whatever caused this returns." He notes Maeve's approach and gives her a nod, then continues scouting the treeline and shrine buildings.

[blockquote]Perception:  1d20+10 : 12 + 10, total 22[/blockquote]

Vladimir
As you begin to move forward witnessing the garish scene before you, you begin to realize that most of the bodies were kept and centered around the actual shrine site. There were no bodies outside the boundaries of the place. None near the treeline where the rest of the forest began. And only a few bodies were found near the buildings of the outer edge. Most of the bodies seemed to congregate at the center most building.

Everyone
The shrine consisted of a large building that made up the center, surrounded by neatly trimmed and organized shrubbery. There even some more of the exotic plants not commonly seen in the country, which only helped accentuate the foreign look and feel of the shrine's architecture. Not far from the centerpiece building, was the stream that cut through the premuse, winding it's way around smaller buildings that no doubt served as either storage areas, or living quarters for both guests and the shrine caretakers.

[info] I'll consider a map later. For now there's one large and tall ornateb building, with around ten smaller buildings, that can fit around 6 rooms tightly, scattered around the campus. The stream snakes through the buildings.[/info]

"So many corpses..." Vladimir mutters to himself in disbelief. The strange, foreign appearance of the area already left him a bit unsettled, but with so much death it became eerie. It had been a long time since he felt this way. Seeing that all the bodies were focused toward the main building, he was much more attentive of its entrance. The deaths seemed brutal or beast-like, so it made him think that something might be using that building as a den.

"I'd be wary of the main building. Seems most of the damage was done near there." Vladimir then turned back to look toward Wolfrin and the injured woman. "How does it look?"

Whilst Wolfrin went to treat the wounded survivor's wounds, Maeve stood silent, listening. With how fresh the blood looked on the bodies, she knew that whatever had done this must be near. At Vladimyar's comment about staying away from the main building, the tigress looked to see what he meant. Indeed, there did seem to be more dead nearer there than anywhere else.  That did not mean, however, that whatever had done this was still there.

Still keeping her ears open to sounds, Maeve moved to look around at the ground in her group's immediate area. With this much blood, there had to be footprints, right? With footprints, one of them could try to identify what the creature was if they could not get information out of the injured woman.

[spoiler]Perception for sounds & looking for footprints.
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+9 : 8 + 9, total 17[/blockquote][/spoiler]

Maeve
Looking around specifically for any tracks, you did see a lot of evidence of struggle and fighting. You don't hear anything else out of the ordinary though. Most of the dead bodies were centered around the ornate building, with only a couple in the outer buildings, and none near the woods. There were places where the the grass had been trampled in a couple areas, but you weren't able to pick out anymore than that.

[info]If you want to track you will have to roll Survival.[/info]

Survival: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 12 + 6, total 18[/blockquote]

Maeve
You manage to find tracks. There were still relatively fresh. Boots had made them, and judging from the number of footprints, it must have been a party of individuals who had come through the shrine. You're able to make them out clearly, they were headed west.

"There are fresh boot purrrints here. It looks like a grrroup headed West after the bloodbath." Maeve said loud enough for her companions to hear and pointing in that direction.

Wolfrin began pulling some small white leaves from some flowers in a bag on his hip, popping them in his mouth and chewing them, he informed the others in a slightly muffled tone. "She's been poisoned by something." He nods his head to some bodies to the right and left. "There's different sorts of wounds here. Some by blades or weapons, and some," he pops the slightly chewed leaf mixture from his mouth and begins inserting it into the worst wounds in the woman's body, "seem to be from claws and fangs."

Now turning his full attention back to the woman, he sized up her wounds. She had numerous small wounds and a few quite deep ones. Should do for the small ones atleast. That poison though.... Well, do what I can. Clasping one hand to the belt he wears around his midriff, a dark leather simple thing with an oddly ornate, for Wolfrin, clasp; he then lays the other hand on the woman's forehead, covering her eyes as he feels the healing energy flow through him and into her prone form.

[spoiler]Using a charge of my healing belt to pump 2d8 healing into her, on top of the medicine check. [blockquote]Rolled 2d8 : 8, 7, total 15[/blockquote][/spoiler]

[info]We'll treat your original Heal check as a Provide First Aid attempt.[/info]

Using his belt, Wolfrin was able to channel its energies into the woman. Her wounds immediately closed up. Most of them were healing completely, though the deepest of gashes were still there. She was at least no longer bleeding, but her pale complexion and cold sweat was a clear indication of the poison still affecting her. In that regard, she didn't look very well off, whatever the poison was which was affecting her, seemed fairly powerful. The healing was enough to bring the priestess fully into consciousness at least, and she immediately propped herself up, reaching for something from her robe. It was something sharp with a metallic sheen; it was a dagger.

[info]Initiative requested. But talking is a free action.[/info]

Vladimir's eyes glint with understanding hearing that the woman was poisoned, followed by a pensive nod as he begins scouting surroundings again. But something caught his eye as he turned back, and seeing the dagger being brandished he immediately spun around to grab her arm. "Hold it! Calm yourself, miss. We mean no harm, we've only just arrived here and found you. You've this man to thank for attending your wounds." The swordsman eyes Wolfrin pointedly with his comment.

[info][blockquote]Initiative:  1d20+4 : 12 + 4, total 16[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Initiative: [blockquote]Rolled 1d20+10 : 6 + 10, total 16[/blockquote][/info]

[info]Initiative:
[blockquote]Rolled 1d20+6 : 7 + 6, total 13[/blockquote][/info]

The woman was surprisingly quick. The moment Vladimir called out to hold, and calm herself, she had pulled out the weapon and had attacked Wolfrin in the span of a single second. Even though Wolfrin was flat-footed from the attack, the priestess' swipe was awkward, and Wolfrin managed to avoid the blade.

[info]You can roll Diplomacy for Make Request, likewise Intimidate for Demoralize Opponent.

Wolfrin to take turn.[/info]

[spoiler=Combat]Initiative: Priestess, Wolfrin, Vladimir, Maeve
Log
Round 1
Priestess attacks Wolfrin, miss.[/spoiler]

[info][blockquote]Diplomacy for Make Request attempt:  1d20+9 : 13 + 9, total 22[/blockquote][/info]

Wolfrin sucked in his chest, turning slightly to immediately throw out a hand as the dagger tried to find purchase. "Wait," he called out hurriedly as his hand hit fur, stopping Buddy from lunging in at the woman's throat. At the same time, the hand that had been on the woman's head went quickly to the hilt at his waist, the blade being drawn with a whisper of sound as he tried to knock the dagger from the woman's hand.

[spoiler]Commanding Buddy not to attack and making a Disarm Attempt on the woman's dagger. Will sheath Wolf's Fang in the same fluid motion, regardless of outcome.
(http://forums.fantasyworldcreations.com/Themes/UX-R1/images/dice_warn.gif) This dice roll has been tampered with!
Rolled 1d20+8 : 12 + 8, total 20 To Disarm.

Has Wolfrin determined this woman's race yet?[/spoiler]

As you tried to knock the dagger out of her hands, the woman found the opportunity to attempt to attack, but the awkward position only made the disarm attempt easier for you, as you deftly struck out before she managed to strike. The woman yelped as her dagger came clattering to the stone floor.

[info]Vladimir's Diplomacy (Make Request, "calm yourself"): 22
Still sitting up with the dagger being dropped, the woman tried to move back, only to wince from pain from her still-existing wounds. Though healed by Wolfrin's spell. She still looked pale and rather weak. There were beads of cold sweat that continued to roll down her brow. Vladimir's words did register with the woman however, but instead of simply throwing up her hands in surrender, she began to speak.[/info]
"The temple...! You must help me." The woman began to say as she frantically looked back towards the temple - where most of the fallen bodies lay. "It's... It's been released."

"What exactly has been rrreleased?" Her two companions seemed to have taken care of the situation with the woman almost as quickly as it had started. Still, Maeve remained cautious as she walked closer to the group, ready to take action if the woman decided to attack one of them again.

"A... demon we were guarding." The woman said in a strained voice as a bead of sweat poured down her forehead.

The hair on the back of Vlad's neck stood on end as his eyes widened. "Demon?" That title wasn't stated loosely, especially considering their current environment. "What kind of demon? And why was such a dangerous thing being held here?" For the damage to the surrounding area to be caused a single entity was shocking news, but if it truly was a demon then it wasn't unheard of.