The Night's Plague

[Allanon Creel]

A paperwork filled day had exhausted the master of the local trapper's guild. He ascended to his second floor room, to where his sleeping wife slept, changed and shivered Odd, I could have sworn I'd closed that window... It was then the man saw the figure sitting on his chair off to the side- shocked, he went to the window and looked down for a ladder, to find none."P-Please.." He wispered, looking at the man with his house's hidden sword on his lap, drawing his dagger to stand infront of his bed, "Please, whatever tasks you have to do-" He looked over at the sleeping woman again, "Let..Her be" Dissapointment. Appologies are needed to acquire information now, sigh.Problem? Somewhat, relevance? Wasted time. "I am sorry, I found your blade as I waited and fiddled with it. I am here of my own accord, not to harm, but to enquire...of something with your years I am sure you have heard of." The man who's nickname was Catcher put away his dagger and decided to test the boundaries of the stranger's leniency. "So... you break into my home at this hour, for, a contract? What would make this either interesting enough, or.. worth my while to not scream for aid?" He paled at the feral smile that made his skin crawl Okay, I'm not doing that a second time Courageous, and enjoyable. He is willing..possiblyProblem? None, relevance;none. "I would like to know about the Barghast. All that you know and have collected in your basement and vault I would like douplicates of- also, you may wish to change your lock's code." Finally, finally he had found his way out of this crazy obsession he had developed- looking up this myth, passing it onto this loonatic! "I'll get it all right now." He rushed off and minutes later came back with a large book, passing it to the man's feet. "Here is all of it, now please leave, my wife is wa--" He was cut off by the figure taking the book, putting it in some satchel, then climbing out the window and seemingly dissapearing into the night.

[Allanon Creel]

He scaled the rest of the house to the roof and hopped along to the highest managable building possible, to get the least obstruction of the moon's light. Appalment- the creature has been sighted in all spans of the continent.Problem? Indefinately, relevance; no earliest recording of sightings. "Ah Quicksilver, your ability to follow me while on all fours still surprises me, what are your thoughts on the matter?" The wolf looked over at him slowly. My thoughts are that you should destroy the book, and we leave this be; you will not do that, however so I believe we go to the nearest sighted area and see what happens from there. He heard paddings sounds as his companion left, while he read. Gothos read through the book, and when he took a break, he realised it was dawn and hurried down the building to his usual beggar's post to see Quick already sleeping. You sure took your time reading."Thank you, you are all too kind sometimes." A trader was passing by and gave him a scowl at the misinterpreted random sarcastic remark. "Get a job, maybe then you wouldn't be such a rude bum." The laughing in Gothos's head was loud and long lasting as he silently waited for the man's need to do more important things outweighed his irritation at a miserable beggar. Stop laughing, and listen. I have read some of the book-- It took you that long to read some? Sometimes I wonder if some of your kind of wolves aren't as angelic as they seem. Anyways- we shall travel to the points leading to the sithis range- for the are the most rescent. He would now need to go to the market and spend his hidden cache. He sighed, spending his not-so-legally acquired wealth was always hard but necessary, for to take and keep it would be parasitic to the city. He made and posted his papers of requiring a protective company for a long distance, that if successful, could prove fatal. You truely are ignorant to successful persuasion among your kin, aren't you? Which mortal would willingly partake in an endevor that could kill them thus causing wealth irrelevant?

[Allanon Creel]

Edicus considered the day fairly successful, he had won a bar fight and now planned on spending his winnings at the market. Upon entering the market however, he witnessed some man in rags pin a paper to what he thought was a wall- which was actually a very tall very large man who squealed in pain. "Ow ow ow!! What are you doing, you filthy rat! Shoo, begone!" the feminine voice of the man shrieked. The man in rags realised this when the yell was sounded, jumping back startled causing Edicus to fall to the ground laughing so hard he was crying. "Oh, were all days so amazingly special as this!" He said,as he tried to calm himself, neither beggar nor fatman were around, yet the paper still remained thrown on the ground; so he felt like seeing what it was the poor man could offer. As he read two things interested him- that the 'beggar' could actually have some reward worth possible death, and that such a voyage was going to be performed by such an ill-prepared man- so he decided to sign up. "Should I come back later, or are you actually talking to your dog? I am here to escort you to what could be my doom, apparently." Edicus grinned upon seeing his could-be employer.Feined embarrasment; I was indeed but I care not. This man seems acceptable, obviously drawn here because of the act earlier, thus more into the endeavor to witness my foolishness than for a prize. Problem? None."Ah, no I was not exactly speaking to my hound... I was giving him a command he would not abide. That is irrelevant; you wish to accompany me very well. I hope you do realise that this will be long. Very long; perilously long. So, are you still interested?I do not trust this one-he is corrupt and comes to witness your folly.I can't explain why, but I believe he'll work out. Edicus watched him stare at his dog again--no it wasen't a dog it was too...feral looking. They seemed to be attempting communication by force of will alone, intently looking at eachother- his grin was growing fast, and it was the dominating factor of his face despite his efforts when the man looked at him. "You're 'talking' to your dog again, and I will be honest with you; which I'm not with most- I find that fact and your self-talk mumbojumbo pretty damn hilarious. So much so I don't even think I'll need.. yeah I'm sure-- I won't need the payment the experience if you stay this way will be well worth the while." The hound bared it's teeth in something resembling a grin.. if dog's could, he supposed he was a little too drunk right now. "Well, the day's wasting and night's perilous where we're going." "God I love you melodramatic types."

[Allanon Creel]

Sigh.The man's verbal pokes never cease and most likely will only grow more profound as the journey goes along. Problem? Mild irritation only, yet it seems there is humor in the statements that is wearing down my defences."You sure are a funny dwarf, Edicus, yet please refrain from your comedy until we leave the gates and are underway." They exited the gates and walked for a short time, during which the small man had decided to end the blissful silence with tales of his drunken adventures. "So there I was, one arm LITTERALLY tied behind my back facing off with a HUGE son'of'whale comin at me, so I hit the only available target. Right in th.." Gothos ignored the vivid description, instead chosing to observe the forest for tracks; this was one of the locations it was spotted in, multiple sightings in several days. Irritation; I was hoping this would start off easy. Problem? Slight-we shall camp here after looking. "You go in that direction, I shall in this-if you see any abnormal footprints about the length of your forearm, call out to me. No, please, if it's unimportant just go, time is wasting." I was incorrect about this fellow. To a degree, yes, he is evil and corrupt yet so long as he sees challenge in someone- you would have enjoyed how a specific tale ended- he is very entertaining. Gothos ignored him with a scowl and set off to be interupted in his search by a green glow to his right. You come in hopes of finding evidence of a creature that even with evidence of its existance you question. Be assured, Guardian, that it is very much real, having slaughtered many here and nearly killed me from a single half-hearted swipe of it's tail. He looked now upon the Driad; the left part of its body was broken and mangled. If the driad had shown itself then its guardian must have fallen, he now peered at an area where wisps of fog shrouded an assortment of corpses. Wolf, bear, elk, birds and in the center, the guardian; morphed into his gifted form of a wolflike man said to have inhuman strength, yet it did not matter, for his features looked warped beyond comprehension. His skull taken clean off in a single blow, his right leg torn off, and his chest had caved in on itself at the center. Gothos was staggered by the force of the forest's recollection of the pain running through it's former defender, who had lasted until decapitation, somehow. His head was spinning for what seemed forever until the Driad's voice, hollow with anguish, sounded again. He knew he was outmatched, I offered to release him of his charges, but he was not going to willingly allow what was inevitable. I am surprised he managed a single dodge- that tells of this thing's speed, it is faster than anything this world's nature can put up. He felt her retreat, and in its place he sensed a pair of boots treading far lighter than he, " Oho, that is one big puppy! Or... Was, until I presume what we are looking for decided to burst him like a pinata. Then again though, a turkey feast reference could be made about the leg, OOH the humorous possibilities!" Gothos paid Edicus no attention, listening to the howls of wolves in responce to Quick's mournful cries. By and by, however, as they set up camp the dwarf's grin faltered at the realisation the wolfman had importance to this place. "I...suppose the jokes will have to stop for the time being... with the whole forest up in arms over it apparently- I wouldn't want a worm burrowing in my brain after all! Hah hah!" Gothos gave him a sick, thankful smile. Depression,sadness; the guardian of this forest is dead so easily, imagine how many others could have shared this fate? Problem? A question not needing voice- butchering of life for the enjoyment of slaughter."He was a being who made sure the balance was kept in this forest, assuring equal hunting for predators, limited hunting so prey may grow in population and other numerous tasks needed to uphold order. The forest will need to produce another champion, yet with all the deaths it may not have to force to produce such a being through the badly injured Driad." He got up from the fire they had prepared, said over his shoulder, "I will attempt to heal the forest, and will wake you when we are leaving. Sleep well, Edicus." Gothos walked to the heart of the forest, to what would be the Driad's life-tree and walked around to the waters which transported its power to fend off desieses,infections and the lot from the inhabitants of the forest and knelt in the ankle deep waters. What you offer is something the forest cannot repay, guardian. You offer your strength which will leave you as weak as a child, rendering you crippled for the next few days, upon which you will travel dangerous roads. Think carefully upon what you offer. Gothos thought upon it, and placed his hands in the water which had now solely risen up to his chest around him but nowhere else, and as the strength was drawn from him and as the water was beginning its blanketing of him, he heard the voice a last time May the Great Mother watch over you...Savior.

[Allanon Creel]

Edicus rolled over while grogily raising himself to a sitting position, looking over his shoulder to the huge hairy form he assumed was his bed partner. "Whoa, aren't you hairy?" he croaked, jumping back when the bear stared back at him, slumping its shoulders. You did not do what you fear you did, dwarf. You fell asleep after drinking enough to not fear her roars as you endered her territory and she may have taken a liking to you. The mended Driad smiled as he he looked panicked for a moment before collecting himself. "Well, I guess m'charms are too much for any and all mortal females. You better watch yourself, or you might just end up followin' me too, all drooly'n' big eyed." She vanished into a tree, which summed up his care for that conversation, as he now walked over to find where the druid went. He didn't notice the giant grizzly following him until he reached the lake. "Look, there are too many attractive female people in this world for me to attatch myself to a three-thousand pound mass of teeth and claws- if I wanted that, I'd still be in Heartshire. Besids, I'm not stayin in a fores- what are you lookin at? Ooh, there he is, I guess I owe you thanks for findin him." The sleeping figure was about 7 feet under water, on the pond's floor, and Edicus was forced to swim over and drag him back onto the shore. He thought about it for a second, then, "Wait why am I talking to animals? Ugh, I must still be drunk. Whatever- You there, grizzly, if you really are crazy for me then do mouth-to-mouth with this fellow!" He looked down again, to see Gothos's eyes wide open and a moment later the man hurridly got up and shook himself of the water. "I do not require such services, thank you though, grizzly. Edicus, we must be off at once so gather the things we are leaving." The dwarf jogged off and a while later came back with the camp supplies and food, handing some for his charge to carry some as well. They walked for a time until nightfall was upon them, laid their things out and Gothos went hunting. Edicus felt eyes on him and turned to stare back at the dog. A sleek coat of black with a line of white along one of its golden eyes. "Your pal, he ain't as crazy as he seems, is he?" He looked down at the flask in his hand to confirm he wasen't sober and doing this. "Quick, that's an odd name for a dog--whatever. No, I don't think he's that big of a lunatic as it seems, is he quick. There's somethin goin on here that I'm not gettin in on, but rest assured I'll find out." He found himself nearly noze to muzzle with the dog, its face like before when he thought it was laughing. You are perceptive, Edicus Dewbikus. The small man lurched back, slamming his head against a rock, falling unconcious, yet he thought he could hear someone chastenising the dog as he blacked out, as well as something bristling pawing at him gently to move him from the rock.

[Allanon Creel]

Gothos felt his face beginning to flush and forced himself to speak calmer. So, you do not see any reason why any man- enibriated or not would find a talking dog something to be scared by. He said with his best dead-pan look. He's always had suspicions, so it was best that we not simply 'keep him on the leache', per say. Gothos sighed, looked over at the giant hunched figure looming over the unconcious, sleep-talking dwarf. You do know he believes you care for him in the other sense. I am unable to see him in any other light. If you could not make him aware of my being here, that would be appreciated, as this situation seems... unacceptable to him at the moment. Gothos answered the question with an answering silence as the bear trodded off to dissapear into the dark, and started eating his portion of rabbit.

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Gothos awoke back in the forest they had passed, his companions nowhere to be found, a thick, unnatural fog was swirling about the forest. He caught movement off to his left, hurried over to see the Driad and a man conversing, tried to get their attention; failing that he tried to grab one, but his insubstancial hand drifted through the Tree-Spirit. Please, you do not have to do this, I beg of you! Whatever it is, it is nearly upon us, and we both can sense it's malicious intent, just leave! The Driad pleaded in his head. Gothos now understood he was witnessing the events previous to his arrival. The man grinned resignatedly, and Gothos presumed that half smile in other circumstances would have been infectious, but for the time it was a sad one. "You already know my answer, Meliai- I would die a thousand times over to defend my bretheren of this forest, but above all, to shield any harm that comes to you." A luminescant yellow drop rolled down the green woman's cheek and upon landing on the ground a rose started to sprout. "Come on, we both know I can take anything right, cheer up! I'll send this no-gooder on his way, and there'll still be plenty of time to admire the stars as we normally would!" He said, tilting her down-cast head up some with his hand. He changed then, becoming taller, his legs bunches of muscle and his arms- taunt ropes of sinewy strength, howled a challenge to the night, charging off into the dark. The Driad dropped to her hands and knees, head hung as flowers borne of her tears sprouted. Gothos hurried to see what the Barghast looked like, to witness what could so easily kill a Werewolf, and stopped upon finding the area he knew the fight would begin at. Wolves and a mountain lion had come to aid the Werewolf, to face off a huge shadow with purple hued eyes and massive teeth flickering seemingly transparent then solid once more as it measured the threat. "Destroyer; now is your final hour. You have slain far too many innocents to be eligable to exit this forest with your life."

[Allanon Creel]

Gothos haden't even finished his full observation of the creatures gathered before it bolted straight for the mountain lion, catching the beast with a claw that cut the poor creature in half instantly. the wolves dashed at it in a half-circle for the flanks while the Werewolf charged straight at it. It dodged the guardian's slice and returned the bites all around it from the wolves with two brutish swings of its frontal paws and tail that found purchase on about 5 of the wolves, snapping their spines or tearing them open. Gaia-fend, how could I ever hope to stop...Rebuff...This? The demon did a quick roll on the ground avoiding a powerful set of swings and a bite from the Werewolf, both maneuvers so fast Gothos could barely see what had happened, but he heard the crunch of a wolf having been taken off in the roll. The demon stared, amused as the Werewolf glared with a palatable hatred at the the thing. The Barghast turned its eyes past the Werewolf at him, which he thought could not be possible!-- He was insubstancial-- this was a recollection, but it spoke to him in an ever-echoing whisper that seemed to be reverberating in his head repeatedly stirring a rage in him that must be the effect of having its focus. Youyou Areare helpless-ss, turn-nn back-ck-ck in-in your-your efforts-ts Mortal, or DIE. The Werewolf growled and charged, the demon more than willing to do the same, and as they were about to clash, the demon half-turned in mid air, avoiding the Guardian's raking claws once more, and for Gothos, it seemed as if time had slown down, as he witnessed; in mid-air upturned the thing thrusting a muscle-clad, taloned paw into the torso, crushing it. The Werewolf hit the ground, gasping and spitting bloody flegm as the demon now licked its blood-stained paw clean, then fluidly moved over to the crippled half-wolf. SS-surender yourselfself to-to me-me. Wasteaste not-not your-your powerpower, give-give me-me your-your Soul, inin return-turn I-I shall-ll leave-leave this-this place-ace be-be.

[Allanon Creel]

The Wolf spat blood on the creature's neck. "I would rratherr, and willll Die beforre you get anythinng otherr thann my jaws' rround yourr nneck! Let--" He coughed up more blood, then continued. "Let alonne my enntrrusted powerr." He sneered. The Barghast blankly stared down Pitypity. Its voice echoed, then using a its claws of one forarm raked the Guardian's leg off as blood immediately started gushing blood. The Wolf half-roared, half-yelped as pain flowed through him. The Demon looked at the victim again with an expectant and slightly amused face. Gothos heard a sob somewhere to the commotion's left and saw the Driad, Meliai failing at covering her eyes with her hands, leaning against a tree for support. "Rrrunn MELIAI, Lea-" He was silenced by the demon having moved unimaginably fast to wrap a paw around her arm, trapping her and bringing her before the dying Wolf. This-this is-is leaverageage, is-is it-it not-not? He-he-he, Now His forarm seemed to go transparent and her arm with it and she shrieked in pain, as her left half started to wilt, to die. Surrender-der your-your lifeforce-force, Guardian and-and she-she livesves. "Leave...Herr, please.." The wolf's weak reply came, after a time. Ah,-ah, I-I sense-se the-the lifewaters-waters nearby-by. Excellent-ent. It took the wolf's head clean off with a dismissive swipe then tossed the wailing Driad to the ground, then suddenly turned to Gothos again. Beware-ware. It walked over to the water which even at this late of hour was shimmering a bright, healthy blue colour, many beautiful looking fish swimming near the surface. It observed the pond for a moment, then dipped its paw which upon contact went transparent as it did with the Driad, causing most of the water to turn black, and as the energy of the water was taken from the black water, the depth of the water became more shallow, until all that was left was a small puddle of murky water. Sated, the beast padded into the the darkness, the mist retreating in its wake.

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