A pool of clean water, one of a few that were relatively safe for the living to use who dwelled within the predominantly undead lands, began to change. It was not unlike any other source of water except for two things. The first being that it was beginning to darken and become deeper than it should be. The second being that many red glowing eyes, jagged white teeth and black tendril-like limbs were forming beneath the now roiling surface.
A figure rose up from the water, much as one would from suddenly awakening from a terrible nightmare. With a jolt a human form was pushed up to the surface by myriads of soot black arms lined with needle teeth and bloody eyes. The human form wore long clothing, gloves and thick boot with the pants tucked in. It was as if they didn't wish for any portion of their skin to be visible or become directly touched by anything.
The human walked across the now fathomlessly deep pool upon the outstretched and open palmed hands that shot up from the watery depths to catch each foot fall before they had a chance to touch the water's surface again. Once on the shore the human lifted the hood over their head and removed the cloth and goggles they wore to obscure or possibly protect their face.
This person was not overly attractive nor were they unsightly and displeasing to the eyes. They did however have auburn red hair that was cut short and somewhat sloppily - though this style might have either been intentional or the person it belonged to did not take too much stock into what others thought of them.
They also had striking greenish blue eyes, eyes that had an apathy and a sharpness to them that seemed both contradictory and perfect at the same time. These eyes were currently scanning their immediate area to observe and catalogue everything they witnessed.
Finally their skin, most people would picture someone who had blue eyes and red hair to be pale or fair skinned. This was not the case, this individual had very tan skin. Much more tan than one would imagine anyone having, especially coming from an inky black abyss that appeared from seemingly no where and with no explanation as to why.
After becoming satisfied from what they witnessed around them they would whistle a small tune. From the still boiling depths came another form, this one was a lot less human looking. In fact it was more of a combination of dog and man overlaid with inky black tendrils, extra arms, red eyes seemingly everywhere and several rows of teeth - not all of which dwelled specifically in the snouted mouth of this abominable looking eldritch beast.
The beast would make a small sound to the human that had beckoned it out of the abyss. To some this sound would be chitterings of small benign creatures, some would hear soft but not yet understandable whispers from multiple yet indiscernible individuals, a rare few would hear various last sounds of violent deaths - screamings. The human looked back and smiled knowingly at the towering dog like humanoid beast.
"Yes, we are someplace new. Someplace we have never been before. Yes, I will close the Abyss." The human said as he turned from the beast and back to the pool of endless dark waters. With a wave of his hand the hands, eyes, teeth and darkness faded away like sand settling on the floor of a pond. Slowly becoming more and more nonexistent.
The beast spoke once again to the human.
"Yes. I understand. Let us explore this place, here is as good of a place to start as any other we have seen before." The human said before turning and walking away from the pond with his beastly partner in tow.
A figure rose up from the water, much as one would from suddenly awakening from a terrible nightmare. With a jolt a human form was pushed up to the surface by myriads of soot black arms lined with needle teeth and bloody eyes. The human form wore long clothing, gloves and thick boot with the pants tucked in. It was as if they didn't wish for any portion of their skin to be visible or become directly touched by anything.
The human walked across the now fathomlessly deep pool upon the outstretched and open palmed hands that shot up from the watery depths to catch each foot fall before they had a chance to touch the water's surface again. Once on the shore the human lifted the hood over their head and removed the cloth and goggles they wore to obscure or possibly protect their face.
This person was not overly attractive nor were they unsightly and displeasing to the eyes. They did however have auburn red hair that was cut short and somewhat sloppily - though this style might have either been intentional or the person it belonged to did not take too much stock into what others thought of them.
They also had striking greenish blue eyes, eyes that had an apathy and a sharpness to them that seemed both contradictory and perfect at the same time. These eyes were currently scanning their immediate area to observe and catalogue everything they witnessed.
Finally their skin, most people would picture someone who had blue eyes and red hair to be pale or fair skinned. This was not the case, this individual had very tan skin. Much more tan than one would imagine anyone having, especially coming from an inky black abyss that appeared from seemingly no where and with no explanation as to why.
After becoming satisfied from what they witnessed around them they would whistle a small tune. From the still boiling depths came another form, this one was a lot less human looking. In fact it was more of a combination of dog and man overlaid with inky black tendrils, extra arms, red eyes seemingly everywhere and several rows of teeth - not all of which dwelled specifically in the snouted mouth of this abominable looking eldritch beast.
The beast would make a small sound to the human that had beckoned it out of the abyss. To some this sound would be chitterings of small benign creatures, some would hear soft but not yet understandable whispers from multiple yet indiscernible individuals, a rare few would hear various last sounds of violent deaths - screamings. The human looked back and smiled knowingly at the towering dog like humanoid beast.
"Yes, we are someplace new. Someplace we have never been before. Yes, I will close the Abyss." The human said as he turned from the beast and back to the pool of endless dark waters. With a wave of his hand the hands, eyes, teeth and darkness faded away like sand settling on the floor of a pond. Slowly becoming more and more nonexistent.
The beast spoke once again to the human.
"Yes. I understand. Let us explore this place, here is as good of a place to start as any other we have seen before." The human said before turning and walking away from the pond with his beastly partner in tow.
A young girl from the nearby village had been in the process of removing the ice from a small portion of the pond and drawing water into buckets, having filled both the pails with the ice-cold water before spotting what had begun happening to the pond. With a scream, the girl ran from the place, carrying both pails and splashing water out of both, leaving a trail of footsteps and spilled water in the snow.
She had run back to her small village, going on and on about how the pond had seemingly grown teeth and gotten darker. This being the nation of the dead odd happenings were commonplace, but this was the first that anyone had seen anything being done to the water. The undead never experimented on anything vital to their survival. At least, not that they had known about so far.
The town had a very quick meeting, no more than ten minutes, about what would need to be done about this strange happening at the well. Before long a small group of the men who were assigned to the village militia headed out to investigate what was happening at the pond. Each of them were armed with Hastily grabbed weapons, such as woodcutting axes and shovels. The one who seemed to be leading them at the time was the only one to grab a sword, and throw on a chain-mail shirt underneath his hide covered clothing.
The group set out through the woods, trudging through the snow and leaving a blatantly obvious trail to anyone who wasn't blind. They stopped a good 15 meters away from the pond, just watching what was happening with keen interest. Once the...Creature, had been summoned out of the pond they all stood and moved closer to the pair, keeping some distance between the both of them.
"You there! What business do you have here? And what foul magic have you used upon that pond? Our village draws upon that pond for our water, I'll have you know!"
All of the men kept a tight grip on their weapons, the one who seemed to be leading them had his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword, although he had made no move to draw it just yet. They were all on edge, nervous. It was hard not to be nervous when every year two fifths of all the children born were taken away as a "Tax" to the undead.
She had run back to her small village, going on and on about how the pond had seemingly grown teeth and gotten darker. This being the nation of the dead odd happenings were commonplace, but this was the first that anyone had seen anything being done to the water. The undead never experimented on anything vital to their survival. At least, not that they had known about so far.
The town had a very quick meeting, no more than ten minutes, about what would need to be done about this strange happening at the well. Before long a small group of the men who were assigned to the village militia headed out to investigate what was happening at the pond. Each of them were armed with Hastily grabbed weapons, such as woodcutting axes and shovels. The one who seemed to be leading them at the time was the only one to grab a sword, and throw on a chain-mail shirt underneath his hide covered clothing.
The group set out through the woods, trudging through the snow and leaving a blatantly obvious trail to anyone who wasn't blind. They stopped a good 15 meters away from the pond, just watching what was happening with keen interest. Once the...Creature, had been summoned out of the pond they all stood and moved closer to the pair, keeping some distance between the both of them.
"You there! What business do you have here? And what foul magic have you used upon that pond? Our village draws upon that pond for our water, I'll have you know!"
All of the men kept a tight grip on their weapons, the one who seemed to be leading them had his hand wrapped around the hilt of his sword, although he had made no move to draw it just yet. They were all on edge, nervous. It was hard not to be nervous when every year two fifths of all the children born were taken away as a "Tax" to the undead.
The red haired man hadn't made it too far from the pond when he came under the unmistakable impression that he was being watched. As he turned he saw the small posse approach leaving a wide and messy path through the snow to where he could only imagine a settlement was. "Already headed in the wrong direction... Who knows how long we would've walked that way until the next town." He whispered through closed lips to the beast behind him, he appeared to be skilled with ventriloquy.
"My business is that of traveling. And as foul as that magic would appear I can promise you it would not cause the likes of you Mundies any harm. Your pond and what it provides you is safe." The man replied, giving no hints as to his prior or future comments to the monster that followed him. "To whom do I speak?" The man inquired. He sized up in an instant of what precautions he should take to protect himself and his creature, anything within an 11 foot radius would be cut to ribbons or burnt up into ash and charred bones. Anything outside that radius would want to stay that way. Thrown weapons could be easily dealt with and put to a "better purpose" and he saw that these people were scared, but of what exactly he did not know. It wasn't him, at least not entirely; nor his beast, again - not entirely. Something else... But what?
"My business is that of traveling. And as foul as that magic would appear I can promise you it would not cause the likes of you Mundies any harm. Your pond and what it provides you is safe." The man replied, giving no hints as to his prior or future comments to the monster that followed him. "To whom do I speak?" The man inquired. He sized up in an instant of what precautions he should take to protect himself and his creature, anything within an 11 foot radius would be cut to ribbons or burnt up into ash and charred bones. Anything outside that radius would want to stay that way. Thrown weapons could be easily dealt with and put to a "better purpose" and he saw that these people were scared, but of what exactly he did not know. It wasn't him, at least not entirely; nor his beast, again - not entirely. Something else... But what?
"Travelling you say? What kind'a traveler opens portals in the middle of a freezing cold pond out in the backwaters of Ahn'kahet? You some kind of fool? Nobody comes through here without permission of the Lords." They all just looked down at their feet for a moment, one of them shivering a little bit as the man with the sword so much as said that word Lords. He looked up once again however when the conversation carried on. "And you are currently speaking with the leader of the town Militia. The name is Jerard, and yo-" Another of the men with him, clearly one of the more excitable ones, started walking toward him. His shovel was held loosely at his side, with his right arm extended. "Hey there! The name is Ferris! Nice to meetcha stranger! Who's that feller that you got behind you?" The man had unknowingly crossed the boundary between them, his hand outstretched as if offering a handshake.
The rest of the posse just stood back and watched, Jerard just went silent and watched Ferris, his grip on his sword tightening. He wasn't sure if he could trust this man.
The rest of the posse just stood back and watched, Jerard just went silent and watched Ferris, his grip on his sword tightening. He wasn't sure if he could trust this man.
Duncan smiled, obviously amused by what the man who called himself Jerard was saying. He could go where he liked, no one had ever had the stones to make him do otherwise. "I am no kind of traveler you have ever encountered I can promise you that." The man replied, his voice filled to the brim with mirth. "And I take no orders from anyone; for I serve and pledge allegiance to no Lord, Nobility, General, King or even deity of this realm. I do as I please, just as I always have done and just as I always will." Duncan said aloud for all to hear around him.
As Duncan began to commit Jerard's name and face to memory he noticed another coming dangerously close to his array and crown. By ever so slightly realigning the paths of his shrapnel field, to an extent that no one would even notice a slight shift in their vision, Duncan was able to allow this new person to enter his crown without harm. It took an enormous amount of focus to do so and no small amount of magic either, the water closest to the shore and Duncan stirred slightly in response but quickly returned to normal as the placidity of the pond continued to reestablish itself.
Duncan smiled warmly and quickly but gingerly closed the gap between himself and the man called Ferris, Duncan wanted to put some more distance between himself and the pond so as to not accidentally open the Abyss again. "A real pleasure to meet you Ferris, my name is Duncan, Duncan Erised." Duncan said as he took Ferris's hand and gave it a firm but altogether genial shake. "This is my Amalgam and partner, Braun. Say hello Braun." Duncan said as the air behind him shifted visually. The hulking form of the beast slowly transitioned and reformed into the form of a man.
The new man wore a long sleeved white tunic with the pattern of a leafless tree, a long greyish-blue scarf, and long and somewhat baggy charcoal grey pants with boots. His jet black hair was both short and messy, his eyes were the color of the ocean on a sunny day and his skin was almost as pale and fair as the snow he stood on. His features were hardened and his overall body and size indicated he was used to doing things that were physically demanding of him.
"Hello Ferris, you can call me Baurn." The once beastly man said plain as day, his voice was deeper than Duncan's but was perfectly clear to hear and understand by all around him. Braun however did not offer his hand, he kept his to himself and deposited both into his pockets.
As Duncan began to commit Jerard's name and face to memory he noticed another coming dangerously close to his array and crown. By ever so slightly realigning the paths of his shrapnel field, to an extent that no one would even notice a slight shift in their vision, Duncan was able to allow this new person to enter his crown without harm. It took an enormous amount of focus to do so and no small amount of magic either, the water closest to the shore and Duncan stirred slightly in response but quickly returned to normal as the placidity of the pond continued to reestablish itself.
Duncan smiled warmly and quickly but gingerly closed the gap between himself and the man called Ferris, Duncan wanted to put some more distance between himself and the pond so as to not accidentally open the Abyss again. "A real pleasure to meet you Ferris, my name is Duncan, Duncan Erised." Duncan said as he took Ferris's hand and gave it a firm but altogether genial shake. "This is my Amalgam and partner, Braun. Say hello Braun." Duncan said as the air behind him shifted visually. The hulking form of the beast slowly transitioned and reformed into the form of a man.
The new man wore a long sleeved white tunic with the pattern of a leafless tree, a long greyish-blue scarf, and long and somewhat baggy charcoal grey pants with boots. His jet black hair was both short and messy, his eyes were the color of the ocean on a sunny day and his skin was almost as pale and fair as the snow he stood on. His features were hardened and his overall body and size indicated he was used to doing things that were physically demanding of him.
"Hello Ferris, you can call me Baurn." The once beastly man said plain as day, his voice was deeper than Duncan's but was perfectly clear to hear and understand by all around him. Braun however did not offer his hand, he kept his to himself and deposited both into his pockets.
"That's quite the assumption. You obviously don't know where you are stranger. This is Ahn'Kahet, nation of the dead. Strange things happen here most times, but you're the first to make a portal in our pond and have some walking monstrosity as some kind of pet." It was Jerard who had replied then, tilting his head to the side when hearing that he would not take any orders from anyone. "I suggest that you take that thing and leave then. The ones in positions of authority around these parts don't appreciate upstart wizards who think they can do as they please, when they please." Jerard spoke calmly, likely having some level of experience speaking with wizards and other users of magic.
Ferris shook the males hand firmly, his skin heavily calloused and could be described as leathery. When the handshake was concluded the male pulled his hand away and rested it on the haft of his shovel, putting the tool point first into the ground and leaning against it. He seemed to be ignoring Jerard. "Th' pleasure is mine, Duncan. Although I'm curious. Why did you come here of all places? Why not pop out in some other nation, or better yet into unoccupied territory?" The farmer inquired.
The rest of the group just watched the two converse, other than Jerard of course who had already been involving himself in the conversation. The other two whom had been in the group spoke to one another in hushed tones, their eyes flicking back and forth nervously with the pair occasionally glancing over at both Ferris and Duncan, although more specifically they were looking at Braun.
Braun turning into a much more human form put the villagers at ease, but only slightly. The fact that they had already seen what he really looked like however was still disconcerting.
Ferris shook the males hand firmly, his skin heavily calloused and could be described as leathery. When the handshake was concluded the male pulled his hand away and rested it on the haft of his shovel, putting the tool point first into the ground and leaning against it. He seemed to be ignoring Jerard. "Th' pleasure is mine, Duncan. Although I'm curious. Why did you come here of all places? Why not pop out in some other nation, or better yet into unoccupied territory?" The farmer inquired.
The rest of the group just watched the two converse, other than Jerard of course who had already been involving himself in the conversation. The other two whom had been in the group spoke to one another in hushed tones, their eyes flicking back and forth nervously with the pair occasionally glancing over at both Ferris and Duncan, although more specifically they were looking at Braun.
Braun turning into a much more human form put the villagers at ease, but only slightly. The fact that they had already seen what he really looked like however was still disconcerting.
Braun's eyes darted quickly at the word "pet", the space around his left eye flickered between two images. One of his human blue eyes and the other of the many red eyes, these flickers lasted very shortly as Braun regained his composure and his falseform returned to normal as his kind face turned upside down into an irked scowl. "I am no mere beast, I was once just as much a man as you are now." Braun replied, his temper flaring slightly.
"Easy there buddy," Duncan said soothingly, it was as if the very words he spoke had power over the reality of things around him. "You mistake me for some wayward youth and a cheap conjurer of tricks, but there is a power to my words. I am bound to what I say as is anything I speak to or command. I care not what your Lords say or try to do to me, they have no power over me." Duncan promised, and in doing so made it so within his crown, his sphere of absolute influence.
Duncan then returned his attention to Ferris and the question he had asked. "Truth is, that is one of the few things I don't have absolute control over. Portals betwixt two or more nearby locations is simple enough to manage. But from different realms, worlds or realities? That gets tricky. I suppose I was just lucky enough to arrive here and meet you, now wasn't I?" Duncan said in a chipper tone as he replied to Ferris.
"Easy there buddy," Duncan said soothingly, it was as if the very words he spoke had power over the reality of things around him. "You mistake me for some wayward youth and a cheap conjurer of tricks, but there is a power to my words. I am bound to what I say as is anything I speak to or command. I care not what your Lords say or try to do to me, they have no power over me." Duncan promised, and in doing so made it so within his crown, his sphere of absolute influence.
Duncan then returned his attention to Ferris and the question he had asked. "Truth is, that is one of the few things I don't have absolute control over. Portals betwixt two or more nearby locations is simple enough to manage. But from different realms, worlds or realities? That gets tricky. I suppose I was just lucky enough to arrive here and meet you, now wasn't I?" Duncan said in a chipper tone as he replied to Ferris.
Jerard didn't so much as flinch at the little change. This was the nation of the dead, and he had seen and killed far more horrifying creatures than this...Thing, that stood infront of him. "While that may be, it is similar to comparing a bar of iron to a tool made from said Iron. It may have once been a bar, but it is no longer. Take no insult from it, there is nothing degrading or to be insulted about to be known as a beast." Jerard spoke calmly before turning his attention to Braun's owner. "I shall not be "Easy" Interloper. From the way I see it you're a man with a little magic at your disposal. Hardly rare around the Expanse. And you seem to be in a very large overestimation of your own abilities. The Deathlords and Lich Council would likely enjoy having a few words with you if you wished to stay here. Otherwise I suggest you take him and go.
Ferris slowly began to back away from the man, giving him an apologetic look as he went back to rejoin with the main group. The farmer spoke, voice a little shakey. "What Jerard says is true. You have two choices it seems. You can stay, speak with the council and gain permission to reside here, or you can leave before the council notices someone has just appeared on their lands and comes to investigate."
Ferris slowly began to back away from the man, giving him an apologetic look as he went back to rejoin with the main group. The farmer spoke, voice a little shakey. "What Jerard says is true. You have two choices it seems. You can stay, speak with the council and gain permission to reside here, or you can leave before the council notices someone has just appeared on their lands and comes to investigate."
Braun seemed to get more and more aggravated by Jerard's comments the more he spoke. He would begin to speak but would stop and glance over to Duncan, Duncan merely shook his head as if to say that arguing with stone-headed people like him was pointless.
After Jerard had left to be with the other group Duncan returned his attention to Ferris. "From where I come from thinking like that is just what people with all the power want you to think. I've learned that you always have a third option, make your own option that works best for you." Duncan said with a wink. As he did so Braun began to drop his falseform and shifted reality back to how he should look. "I say, why not do both and neither at the same time? Duncan announced as he levitated off of the ground and did a back flip through the air and landed cross-legged on Braun's back, the forest of soot colored tendrils and arms waved out of the way to allow Duncan to sit comfortably among them. Most of the forward facing red eyes focused on Ferris, while around the three of them there suddenly appeared a field of nearly identical sharp cleavers floated still in the air for a moment before all flying to Duncan's outstretched right hand. All the knives seemed to meld together into a single knife before being affixed to an empty harness on his side.
"Come on Braun, let's get started. We have a lot of places to explore." Duncan said as he patted the monstrosity on the side. Braun made a noise that sounded like a bird's soft chirping to Duncan but probably sounded a lot louder and a lot more sinister to the others nearby. "Maybe we'll run into those Lord's? Wouldn't that be fun?" Duncan said as Braun began to take leaps and bounds like a wild jungle cat that could momentarily float through the air and yet land as gently as a feather despite his enormous size. They would leave this area to explore the surrounding area before widening their explorations elsewhere in the kingdom.
After Jerard had left to be with the other group Duncan returned his attention to Ferris. "From where I come from thinking like that is just what people with all the power want you to think. I've learned that you always have a third option, make your own option that works best for you." Duncan said with a wink. As he did so Braun began to drop his falseform and shifted reality back to how he should look. "I say, why not do both and neither at the same time? Duncan announced as he levitated off of the ground and did a back flip through the air and landed cross-legged on Braun's back, the forest of soot colored tendrils and arms waved out of the way to allow Duncan to sit comfortably among them. Most of the forward facing red eyes focused on Ferris, while around the three of them there suddenly appeared a field of nearly identical sharp cleavers floated still in the air for a moment before all flying to Duncan's outstretched right hand. All the knives seemed to meld together into a single knife before being affixed to an empty harness on his side.
"Come on Braun, let's get started. We have a lot of places to explore." Duncan said as he patted the monstrosity on the side. Braun made a noise that sounded like a bird's soft chirping to Duncan but probably sounded a lot louder and a lot more sinister to the others nearby. "Maybe we'll run into those Lord's? Wouldn't that be fun?" Duncan said as Braun began to take leaps and bounds like a wild jungle cat that could momentarily float through the air and yet land as gently as a feather despite his enormous size. They would leave this area to explore the surrounding area before widening their explorations elsewhere in the kingdom.
Jerard would have continued the conversation without problem, but started to find it a little tiring to attempt to converse with the amalgam and his master. They both were rather puffed up on this ego of theirs. Tended to happen with Wizards and the like, he found.
Ferris only shrugged at the statement, looking around. " True, true. However those same people in power are the reason why we can even survive in this frozen land. Third options are all well and good my friend, but sometimes it's just better to live a simple life and not cause problems for the people who take care of us." Seeing the man levitate off the ground, and perform a backflip with nothing to push off of on the ground was surely a feat. The farmers, including Ferris all looked shocked. Jerard merely rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. The same thing happened with the field of knives. The farmers clutched their tools tightly and all seemed to move closer together, huddling close to one another. Jerard stood still, tilting his head to the side. It was a cute little spell but it wasn't all that intimidating.
"Do as you wish stranger. Just know that you can only blame yourself for what happens in this nation. Nobody is coming to save you. You will die here if you are not careful." With that the assembled group of men turned and left, walking back to the comfort and safety of their village.
Ferris only shrugged at the statement, looking around. " True, true. However those same people in power are the reason why we can even survive in this frozen land. Third options are all well and good my friend, but sometimes it's just better to live a simple life and not cause problems for the people who take care of us." Seeing the man levitate off the ground, and perform a backflip with nothing to push off of on the ground was surely a feat. The farmers, including Ferris all looked shocked. Jerard merely rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. The same thing happened with the field of knives. The farmers clutched their tools tightly and all seemed to move closer together, huddling close to one another. Jerard stood still, tilting his head to the side. It was a cute little spell but it wasn't all that intimidating.
"Do as you wish stranger. Just know that you can only blame yourself for what happens in this nation. Nobody is coming to save you. You will die here if you are not careful." With that the assembled group of men turned and left, walking back to the comfort and safety of their village.
Duncan would travel far and wide around the kingdom but would steer clear of the major towns and cities and make sure that he and Braun did not linger at any one location for too long. A common practice of his that he had learned back during the war days in his home realm. It made tracking him a long and difficult task for anyone and anything. Braun could last at a full sprint for hours on end and required very little rest to recover from fatigue.
Duncan wouldn't bother keeping track of how long that this traveling and exploring went on, but he did find it curious that no one else had bothered them during this time. He and Braun would set up camp again to spend a few hours resting before heading off again, there was little of the snow covered kingdom left for them to explore aside from the more populated areas.
Duncan wouldn't bother keeping track of how long that this traveling and exploring went on, but he did find it curious that no one else had bothered them during this time. He and Braun would set up camp again to spend a few hours resting before heading off again, there was little of the snow covered kingdom left for them to explore aside from the more populated areas.
There would be little for the two to find out there in the frozen woods and area that made up the majority of Ahn'Kahet. Here and there were groups of bodies, their blood dried in the snow. Miscellaneous weapons such as axes, swords and spears were common along the snowy paths. Most of those weapons were in poor rusting condition, however if one bothered to look around it wouldn't be all that hard to find a blade that wouldn't snap after the first few blows that a person would strike with it. From what either Duncan or Braun could tell, there was nothing following them. There were no footsteps following after them in any direction if they happened to double back, and the only real creatures that they would see at night would be the local Wolves, carrion birds, bears, Elk, and deer and the like. Luckily nothing too dangerous had come across them just yet.
While they made camp the nights were as freezing cold as ever, and seeing as how Duncan had certainly not brought clothes for the kind of weather that was known in Ahn'Kahet nearly year round, he would likely be very, very cold. More than likely getting frostbite in a few areas, and that is even with the possibility of the two making a fire while they camped.
While they made camp the nights were as freezing cold as ever, and seeing as how Duncan had certainly not brought clothes for the kind of weather that was known in Ahn'Kahet nearly year round, he would likely be very, very cold. More than likely getting frostbite in a few areas, and that is even with the possibility of the two making a fire while they camped.
As time went on Duncan became more and more disappointed with the snowy bleakness as that was all he seemed to find aside from the occasional corpse, derelict weapon or native wild life. He would often find himself wondering why anyone even stayed here, surely there were warmer and more hospitable places than this - certainly more exciting ones at the very least.
Despite a lack of suitable clothing Duncan appeared unfazed by the elements and did not show any signs of adverse effects like frostbite and the like. His skin was perfectly fine and his body remained perfectly health. He had long ago cast a spell over himself that would protect him from even the harshest of elements and after doing so had cast another over that spell to make the effects there of permanent. Braun too showed no signs of being affected by the cold, it was as if his beastly form could readily resist the cold. Finding food was easy for them, the hunted just enough to get by for a couple of meals and always in the same general areas where people could be found.
"Ugh, this place is so boring. We've been here and there in this nation for almost two weeks now and still nothing impressive about it. Guess it is probably time to move onto the next place, this is getting really boring really quickly - just snow and woods as far as the eye can see..." Duncan finally said aloud one day. Braun merely shrugged as his multiple mouths were busy gnawing on animal bones from his latest kills. He didn't seem to care too much about how boring or exciting the situation was.
Despite a lack of suitable clothing Duncan appeared unfazed by the elements and did not show any signs of adverse effects like frostbite and the like. His skin was perfectly fine and his body remained perfectly health. He had long ago cast a spell over himself that would protect him from even the harshest of elements and after doing so had cast another over that spell to make the effects there of permanent. Braun too showed no signs of being affected by the cold, it was as if his beastly form could readily resist the cold. Finding food was easy for them, the hunted just enough to get by for a couple of meals and always in the same general areas where people could be found.
"Ugh, this place is so boring. We've been here and there in this nation for almost two weeks now and still nothing impressive about it. Guess it is probably time to move onto the next place, this is getting really boring really quickly - just snow and woods as far as the eye can see..." Duncan finally said aloud one day. Braun merely shrugged as his multiple mouths were busy gnawing on animal bones from his latest kills. He didn't seem to care too much about how boring or exciting the situation was.
(Are we still RP-ing? I was kinda hoping Duncan and Braun could meet a Deathlord or two.)
(Unfortunately I've been thinking about that. There currently are no deathlords that are just wandering the wilderness at the moment. All of them are stationed where there are large concentrations of undead or living.)
(Oh, okay. I guess our RP ends here then, unless you want to continue of course.)
(Unless you wanted to wander the frozen wastes for a long time, I suppose so.)
(I'll leave that up to you, I'm fine with whatever you decide.)