open [REBOOT] Dragon Age: Shadows of The Deep Roads

[Lunar Umbra 14]

@,@, @@Lunar Umbra, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Scrambled_Egghead,

 

After the sun first began to peek over the mountains Rica already began waking up the recruits. Her method was not subtle. She walked to the empty cooking spit from the previous night and banged on it three times with the hilt of her dagger, making three deafening metallic clanks echo throughout the campsite.

Ümbrgrèss quickly got up out up of of the floor , disarmed his backpack trap, put on his backpack, and stepped outside (He had slept in his armour),

 

"Ready." He said simply, looking a little eager to began. He wondered if they would get on with the joining right here and now. Might as well, he thought. Better to get it over with.

[RaptorJaysus 178]

Alric was awoken by a large, metallic thudding noise. He looked around for the source and saw Rica holding her dagger. "Well, subtly knows no bounds..." Alric rose to his feet, preparing his mind for today's trials, this "joining" he had heard about. Rumors say it is a brutal trial, one which only the strongest of the strong survive, whilst others say it is a test of the mind, those with weak will are culled by the ritual. Alric still had no idea what he was in for, however. He picked his staff up and cleared his mind of troubles he previously had, leaving nothing but a blank slate in his mind. Walking over to the spit upon which Rica banged her dagger, Alric left his previous life behind, ready for the new one awaiting him. "I'm ready for whatever is in store."

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Annabelinda awoke abruptly; hair disheveled. She couldn't sleep well at night and tossed and turned with every nightmare.

 

She scrambled around and pulled her robes on, brushing her hair before leaving the tent. She walked up to Rica and the others yawning "Good morning...are we starting the Joining?"

Edited June 21, 2014 by RunsWithSquirlz

[Scrambled_Egghead 16]

Civera wasn't a morning person. When she heard the metallic banging, it felt as if her brain was pulsating. She sluggishly crawled out of her bed roll and began to put on fresh clothes. After she was dressed, she strapped her armor on on top of her clothes. This was the first time she had worn her plate armor in her present company. It offered a much needed layer of protection and warmth.

 

When she was ready, she walked out to join the others.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@,@, @@Lunar Umbra, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Scrambled_Egghead,

 

When Yuril saw that all the recruits were prepared and had their attention set on him, he spoke to the group. "I know most of you are wondering about the specifics of the joining." He said, "Rest assured this secrecy will make sense to you all very soon."

 

"I am not a coward!" Ser Thomas projected. "But I have to know more about this joining. I will not walk into something that I know nothing about."

"For the first part of the ritual, we will be going westward into the forest," Rica explained. "Deep in this forest are a series of access points to the Deep Roads. Darkspawn infest the lost Dwarven Thaigs and there are bound to be plenty of them walking around the forest as well. You will need to collect six vials of darkspawn blood."
 

"Darkspawn blood!?" Ser Thomas exclaimed. "Why do we need darkspawn blood? It carries their foul taint! The corruption of man's pride flows within them! Their blood is cursed!"

"The blood is for the ritual," Yuril explained. "I will be able to explain more about that once you have returned."

Edited June 21, 2014 by Snails

[Lunar Umbra 14]

@,@, @@Lunar Umbra, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @@Scrambled_Egghead,

 

When Yuril saw that all the recruits were prepared and had their attention set on him, he spoke to the group. "I know most of you are wondering about the specifics of the joining." He said, "Rest assured this secrecy will make sense to you all very soon."

 

"I am not a coward!" Ser Thomas projected. "But I have to know more about this joining. I will not walk into something that I know nothing about."

"For the first part of the ritual, we will be going westward into the forest," Rica explained. "Deep in this forest are a series of access points to the Deep Roads. Darkspawn infest the lost Dwarven Thaigs and there are bound to be plenty of them walking around the forest as well. You will need to collect six vials of darkspawn blood."

 

"Darkspawn blood!?" Ser Thomas exclaimed. "Why do we need darkspawn blood? It carries their foul taint! The corruption of man's pride flows within them! Their blood is cursed!"

"The blood is for the ritual," Yuril explained. "I will be able to explain more about that once you have returned."

"Should we discuss battle tactics before we go?" Ümbrgrèss asked.

 

"I would hate to see a couple of you burnt to a crisp when you run out right in front of the mages." Ümbrgrèss explained.

 

"I will try to sneak around to the back of the enemies and stab them if I can, I might also be able to scout ahead and provide intel." Ümbrgrèss stated.

[Anon In Equestria 57]

Connor awoke to the sound of clanging, he jumped off the bed roll and readied himself for combat, when he peered out of the tent he noticed that it was just rita, banging the pot to wake everyone up.

 

Connor dropped his sword and went to retrieve his armor, he put his chest plate on first the his gauntlets, and was about to move onto the boots when he noticed something.

 

"FUCK!!!"

 

Connor's left foot had changed shape during the night, it now resembled a lizards claw, with three toes instead of the normal five.

 

Connor quickly checked the rest of his body for changes but noted that nothing new had appeared, he still had the scales in the same places as before, and now his foot had decided to change as well, Connor knew that had less time left than he thought.

 

Connor awkwardly strapped his boots on, the left one having dented outwards to accommodate the changed limb.

 

Connor put his helmet on and grabbed his sword, he then left the tent just in time to hear yuril and rica explain the plan, he groaned at the mention of darkspawn blood and walked over to the group, limping due to his new foot.

 

"I think myself, thomas and civ should be up front, the mages should stay behind us and use support and ranged magics, they should target the weaker ones while civ, thomas and I handle the bigger threats, umbra can stick to the shadows and pick off any that split from the main group, that's my thought, take it or leave it"

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Annabelinda had a grim expression while studying Connor. He couldn't fool her, but the fact he kept it concealed worried her some.

 

"Im fine wherever im placed. I can handle 'strong' enemies." she stated in response.

 

She didn't know if Connor could even survive the joining with his blood already so corrupted.

[RaptorJaysus 178]

@@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

Alric smiled and laughed. "Do not worry, I can handle most things thrown my way." He picked his staff up off of his back and held it in front of him. "I am a shape-shifter, and I can turn into a bear." Alric chuckled at the remark. "Oh, you might want to stay back from any blue glowing things. They're spirit bombs. Nasty stuff."

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Lunar Umbra,@, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

 

"You won't need to worry about tactics. Just do what I tell you to do." Rica stated. "Finding six darkspawn will be the hardest task, and we'll be hiking the forest until we do." She sheathed her two daggers behind her back and paced to the edge of the campsite. "Make sure you're ready. We leave in two minutes. Yuril will stay back and prepare for the ritual."

Ser Thomas nodded, and since he was already ready, he waited beside Rica. 

[Lunar Umbra 14]

@@Lunar Umbra,@, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @, "You won't need to worry about tactics. Just do what I tell you to do." Rica stated. "Finding six darkspawn will be the hardest task, and we'll be hiking the forest until we do." She sheathed her two daggers behind her back and paced to the edge of the campsite. "Make sure you're ready. We leave in two minutes. Yuril will stay back and prepare for the ritual."Ser Thomas nodded, and since he was already ready, he waited beside Rica.

 

Úmbrgress nodded and stood at the ready. He was eager to began, going this long without stabbing or cutting something was making him antsy. He wondered about Rica herself, it appeared that she was a stealth fighter, with her daggers. But if she is attacking from stealth then how would we all do as she says as she mentioned?

[Scrambled_Egghead 16]

@@Lunar Umbra,@, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @,@,

 

(Sorry for the late reply guys, let's keep this going!)

Civera went to her tent to grab her sword and strapped it to her back. Her mind was constantly focused on the joining ritual.

 

She rejoined the group and stood next to Umbrgress to show that she was ready.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Lunar Umbra,@, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

 

(I'm just going to assume that the rest of you are prepared.)

 

Rica gave a silent nod to the recruits rather than speaking to them. She turned to the forest and stepped past a row of bushes, looking back to make sure the others followed.

 

The recruits began to hike through an unbiased path of trees and shrubs. The forest appeared to be no different from the others in Thedas, but Rica could feel the presence of darkspawn. She used this to guide the group on a seemingly random path.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Annabelinda followed quietly; trailing in the back of the group. She observed the rest of them, never had she traveled with such a varied group.

 

But she was worried about the Reaver and slightly about herself. Rica led them closer to the darkspawn, that would be the reason for the seemingly random trail; she guessed.

[Lunar Umbra 14]

Ümbrgrèss trailed behind the rest of the group with Anna as to not be as easily seen when the battle begins, still he keeps sharp frequently checking behin him to see if the group is being followed. He was curious about the path they where taking however, did they already know where the dark spawn where? Our was Rica simply just walking in one direction until we found them, because she did not seem to be following any trails to him.

Edited June 24, 2014 by Lunar Umbra

[RaptorJaysus 178]

Walking alongside the group, Alric looked around, hoping for any sign of these darkspawn. Why they needed darkspawn blood was unknown to Alric, but he assumed it was a major part of the joining. Alric took a moment to look at the scenery of his once home, the Wilds. He had known them as the Wilds, yet the others had simply called it a forest. He looked back to the group, noticing that Anna and Ümbrgrèss were anxious, and Alric was starting to feel it himself. He had never seen anyone walk through a forest the same way as Rica was leading them, but Alric knew she was doing it to find these darkspawn.

[Anon In Equestria 57]

Connor was following the group, his foot causing him to be walking at a slower pace than normal, and it didn't help that the boot was rubbing on his skin, er, scales yeah scales.

 

Connor looked to his left and saw anna, she looked like she was have a troubling thought, connor limped to her side and turned his head in her direction slightly, his helmet still hiding his face from view.

 

"Is something troubling you little one"

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Lunar Umbra,@, @@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

 

The group had been hiking for nearly an hour without anything happening until they came upon a clearing in the thick trees. The clearing opened up into a small dirt road that was clearly man made. She signaled for the group to stop moving and she ducked behind a bush that overlooked the road. She signaled for the others to do the same, interrupting what Connor was saying.

 

"Darkspawn are approaching from the west side of the road." She announced quietly. "Stay hidden until I can assess the situation."

Down the road, they could hear what sounded like faint footsteps several yards away.

[RunsWithSquirlz 274]

Annabelinda didn't answer Connor with words, she simply tapped the heel of his foot lightly. She knew what was happening to him. Rica told them to take cover, she did. Annasnuck up a small ridge and hid herself behind a small o it crop of rocks covered with dewy moss.

 

She waited patiently for Rica to give a sign.

[Lunar Umbra 14]

Ümbrgrèss drew his daggers and hid behind a tree, waiting for a signal. He hoped that the swords and magic would be flashy enough for him to get a chance to drop a few of the darkspawn from behind. He noticed Annabelinda tapping Conor's foot and realized it was very swollen. Great one of the warriors is going into battle injured.

[Literally Snails 2,307]

The foot steps became louder as if they were comeing closer. Down the distant right of the road, a human male with short brown hair came into view. He was wearing a full chantry robe and sandles, making him run much slower than he couldhave.mhe was in full sprint, running as fast as he could in his current attire. 

Behind him, only a few yards away were two Genlocks. One genlock was a regular foot soldier with a darkspawn shortsword and shield. The other genlock was a genlock alfa with heavier armor and a shortsword in each hand. The chantry priest had a lead on the attackers, but they were catching up fast.

 

Rica gave a verbal warning to the recruits, "Attack when you're ready, but I will not be helping you. This is your fight."

[Lunar Umbra 14]

Ümbrgrèss was the first to act, he hid behind the tree line and exited to the trail right behind the glenlock alpha and stabbed him in the back, kicked him n his privates and cut him with his off hand dagger in one smooth movement. (PS: for future reference Ümbrgrèss is left handed).

[Scrambled_Egghead 16]

@@Lunar Umbra, 

 

Civera watched Umbrgress quickly assault the alfa. When he cut off its hand, she readied her greatsword and thrust it into the alfa's gut, spraying the trees and bushes behind it with black, tainted blood. She twisted the blade, puled it out, and let the darkspawn fall to the ground.

[RaptorJaysus 178]

Alric walked out of the bushes, raising his staff. He chanted a few words and flung his staff in the direction of the other Genlock. It was soon covered in a blue aura, slowly having it's life force sapped away. "Now, if I were you, I would get away from that thing now. Right. Now." He raised his staff again, this time casting a more simple spell, a simple bolt of arcane energies, knocking the Genlock off balance in an attempt to stop it from coming any closer.

((OOC: The first spell was Walking Bomb. If you know what's good for you, I'd listen to Alric))

[Literally Snails 2,307]

@@Lunar Umbra, 

 

Civera watched Umbrgress quickly assault the alfa. When he cut off its hand, she readied her greatsword and thrust it into the alfa's gut, spraying the trees and bushes behind it with black, tainted blood. She twisted the blade, puled it out, and let the darkspawn fall to the ground.

 

After being stabbed, the Genlock grabbed the blade with his remaining hand and hissed, but quickly died of blood loss.

 

Alric walked out of the bushes, raising his staff. He chanted a few words and flung his staff in the direction of the other Genlock. It was soon covered in a blue aura, slowly having it's life force sapped away. "Now, if I were you, I would get away from that thing now. Right. Now." He raised his staff again, this time casting a more simple spell, a simple bolt of arcane energies, knocking the Genlock off balance in an attempt to stop it from coming any closer.

((OOC: The first spell was Walking Bomb. If you know what's good for you, I'd listen to Alric))

 

The Genlock stumbled back and fell to the earth before bursting open like a thin sack of blood and organs, spraying the road with its putrid contents.

 

@@Lunar Umbra,@@RunsWithSquirlz, @,

 

The priest had stopped running. Rica stepped out into the road and extended her hand to the priest to calm him. "We are Grey Wardens," She said, though she was technically lying since she was the only true Warden in the group. "Can you tell us where you came from? Are you from a village?"

 

The priest spoke frantically and through battered breath. "On blacken'd wings does deceit take flight, the first of My children, lost to night." He said, reciting a verse from the Chant of Light.

 

"What?" Rica questioned. "Just answer my question!"

 

"He can't say anything useful, he's a chanter." Ser Thomas said. "He cannot speak unless it is the Chant of Light."

 

The Chanter added, "Let all repeat the Chant of Light. Only the Word dispels the darkness upon us."

 

(You have a couple options here: Give up and move on without any information; Intimidate/persuade him to break his vow and speak normally; or use Ser Thomas to communicate with him.)