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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 14, 2016 10:01:52 GMT -5
Kell laboriously knocked on the door to the forge, his knuckles barely containing enough energy to perform even that simple task. Turns out carrying iron for several days and nights was quite energy consuming, whoever would have guessed. Said iron lay next to him on the floor, piled together messily, that being the best he could do and more than he'd expected considering the strain his arms had been under.
The door opened and Kell was greeted by a once before seen scowl, Kevin put an arm on the door post and observed Kell's condition for several moments before his eyes spotted the iron on the floor by the exhausted half-Drokagr. Stooping slightly he picked the iron up in both hands and carried it inside, calling over his shoulder "There's a bucket of water on the side help yourself. Run into any trouble?" The iron ingots were quickly deposited to the side of the room in a neat pile and the forge was stoked, "Best get on with this while we've got light, what will we need to get things up and running?" Panting furiously Kell entered and drank greedily from the bucket, the cool water being as ambrosia to his parched throat. "A pick, if there's any left over an axe wouldn't go down too badly either." If they had a pick then they'd manage, they could harvest their own raw materials and iron hopefully then in order to build anything else they'd need, much easier than going off to that caravan anytime they needed anything.
"Sure, i'll get on it now then" Kevin said, tying a strip of leather around his forehead to prevent sweat drip. He moved over to a bench with hammers of every shape and size, selecting a middling one before pumping the bellows a few times and placing an ingot into the forge. "Is there anything I can do?" Kell ventured, now feeling marginally better for his drink. Watching the smith begin his work made him feel useless, he'd do the work once the tools were done but he didn't like having to make Kevin do all the work thus far.
Kevin pointed with a stern finger towards the bellows, "Pump them as hard as you can, the higher the temperature of the fire gets the more impurities we can burn out of your ingots, less impurities is better tools so put your back into it." The blacksmith explained, gathering up several sizes of tongs and placing them next to the anvil along with his hammer before putting on a pair of thick leather gloves. Meanwhile Kell set to his job, putting as much of his meagre muscle as he could muster into pumping the bellows, he was exhausted already but there was still far too much to be done for him to be able to afford a rest.
After several minutes of such activity Kevin retrieved the iron, laying it on the anvil and quickly drawing his hammer, raising it high and striking down on the iron, repeating the process of heating and forging several times, each time Kell manning the bellows and when asked passing the relevant tools.
Rolling to create Pick Axe
Simple (30) Iron Smithing I (5) MoM (5) Kell Help (5) Knowledge (11) Threshold: 56
gGmJILbL
The pick to Kell seemed to come out perfectly, a small smile was allowed onto his face. "Looks pretty good to me" He said, before spotting Kevins troubled expression before he seemingly at random hit it again with his hammer. At the touch of the hammer the pick shattered. "Looks good does it? This is what I get for letting you help i'm sure. Pass me another ingot." He said, running a hand through his hair before taking up his hammer again.
An ingot was heated again, repeatedly taken out and slowly hammered into shape, this time at a much slower pace, Kevin making sure there were no flaws in his workmanship as he hammered and heated the material. Kell was relegated once again to the position of handing tools and pumping bellows, although this time he had an eye kept on him at all times.
Rolling to create Pick Axe
Simple (30) Iron Smithing I (50) MoM (50) Kell Help (5) Knowledge (11) Threshold: 56
This one however didn't even make it out of the forge for the last time, if he didn't know any better Kevin would say he'd been cursed since Kell's arrival. Something so simple as a pick axe he'd now bungled twice. He'd never had this sort of issue before, in his past he'd been known to churn out twenty of the things and have them all work fine for. Putting his face in his hands for a moment Kevin turned to Kell, "You, you're a source of bad luck."
Kell SM: 19/20
Kevin SM: 19/20··
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 14, 2016 10:16:20 GMT -5
The two stood awkwardly for a second. Kell frustrated that they were down to their last ingot, Kevin frustrated the same, yet bothered by his seemingly sudden inability to create anything. He'd never had issues with this before, had he become rusty since the fall of the industry in the area had lessened the need for his tools, he hadn't made any in a long enough time. Unfortunately this wasn't really something that he could just give up on, they did actually need these in order to get the county working again, once they had got a pickaxe they could gather their own resources, and when they had access to their own they could afford a few failures, but right now they had a very limited supply of raw materials with which they could make things.
Kell voiced what they were both thinking, "We are down to the last ingot, is it worth me going and getting some more?" He really wasn't looking forward to that journey, it'd been bad enough the first time and he didn't relish the idea of having to do it once again. He'd have to wait a few days, setting out once again so soon was a bad idea in his current state. Kell rested a hand on the sword sitting in his sash, looking for something to say to Kevin that wouldn't seem as if he was questioning the craftsman's prowess at the forge.
"We'll try this last. If it fails i'll go myself, you've been once already and it's my own fault if I can't make a bloody pick-axe, im rusty in my craft, things haven't been so busy since everything collapsed on us." Kevin admitted, drawing up the hammer once again, a glint of determination still in his eye, he wouldn't give up quite yet. Nodding once to Kell he lifted the last ingot and placed it for heating, selecting a finer hammer this time and setting to work.
Rolling to make a Pick Axe
Simple (30) Knowledge (11) MoM (5) Iron Smithing I (5) Kell's Help (5) Threshold: 56
qnEImpgJ
Iron sung under the hammer, the heat in the small workshop was becoming oppressive from having the forge run for so long, yet Kevin hammered away with little notice of this fact, Kell next to him trying his utmost to do as the craftsman said as quick as he could and luckily not screwing anything up.
The pick came out of the final heating unbroken, was quenched in the water bucket and placed on the table before the two. "Done. Easily done without you getting in the way." He grumbled, yet Kell didn't mind the small dig at him, he was just happy they finally had what they needed to get things started. Kevin shuffled over to the door and swung it open to let the hot air out, although both were already soaked in sweat it was a much needed breath of fresh air to step out of the workshop, the pick in Kell's hands.
Kell SM: 18/20
Kevin SM: 18/20
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 14, 2016 10:56:49 GMT -5
As they stepped outside the two of them heard the trundling of wheels, both put on alert by strangers, they could see the cart rolling up towards, them, seemingly brimming full of goods. A look at Kevin followed by the craftsman shaking his head confirmed they were no one he knew and therefore could be trouble, even if they did appear to be only simple citizens. They were coming in this direction anyway so there was no avoiding them, surely the Drokagr and human had been seen by now.
Kell held on to the pick-axe with it's head resting on the ground, leaning on it, while his other hand came to rest on his sash, next to the handle of his shortsword. He had no real idea how to use the thing and wasn't looking to invite violence in, if these people came with no ill intentions then perhaps they could just have a nice conversation or something. Kevin moved towards the walls of his forge and leaned against it, seemingly at ease.
The tow at this point would just present polite smiles to the new arrivals should they choose to come closer, with a perfunctory nod of the head in greeting from Kevin also. They couldn't go about their business yet, that'd mean leaving the forge unattended and neither were willing to do so with strangers so close by, nothing against the approaching people specifically but what person would leave their home unattended with strangers outside of it.
When they got near to Kell and Kevin he would begin to speak, judging that he'd do better off than Kevin would as he looked by far less threatening to most, that and he was less likely to grumble at them. "Pleasant travels friends? What brings you to these parts?" Then moving to clasp hands with them in greeting and listen to whatever their response may be.
Kell SM: 17/20
Kevin SM: 17/20
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 14, 2016 18:07:33 GMT -5
"Oh we're just looking to trade some goods! Take a look at our wares!"
Rhotbrot
-Heals for 15% HP
-Cost: .7 gold
River Water
-Used in alchemy
-Cost: 1 gold
Cruinthian Horse
-HP: 400
-Maximum Daily Miles (MDM): 60
-Max Run Speed: 35
-Cost: 200 gold
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 14, 2016 19:07:42 GMT -5
Both let out a small sigh of relief when the two approaching people turned out to simply be traders, traders were much better, they tended to not want to cause trouble as it'd effect their profits. They didn't have a huge amount in the way of wares unfortunately, the horse was quite an attactive buy to Kell, considering all of the travelling he'd done recently and more he'd likely have to do in the future the horse could be a decent buy. The price however was to high, he had very little coin as things stood and couldn't afford to buy himself the horse even if he sunk all that he had into it.
The Count and Smith had both relaxed quite visibly by this point, both taking a moment to look over the wares and seeing that there was nothing that either had a need of particularly. "Sorry but we have very little coin to ourselves as is, and there isn't anything that we can afford to buy here." It was regrettable the horse cost too much as Kell's gaze kept getting drawn back to it, but there wasn't a way that he could change that at this point in time. "If you ever do come around again though in the future we'd be happy to take a second look at your wares?"
It was nice to see that although the traders didn't have much to offer, that wandering traders still existed. The caravan was a larger example of this, for all he knew these traders could one day grow to the size of that caravan, but if that were to happen they'd need to have decent goods to sell also, maybe he could see about supplying them with these goods later down the line.
Both Kell and Kevin would exchange polite goodbyes to the traders, assuming they choose to leave without further discussion.
Kell SM: 16/20
Kevin SM: 16/20
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 14, 2016 19:33:53 GMT -5
Shortly after the Traders had left did something else come stumbling down the road. It was a hooded figure. At first glance one could easily dismiss it as simply a man. But the way it shuffled, and the way its head bobbed when it walked was too strange to be written off as anything near normal. It turned and locked eyes with Kell, showing the half-breed its countenance. It was some distance off, a hundred meters, but there was no mistaking that it had spotted both Kevin and Kell. The creature was alone. Mist rolled in around it. It squawked, opening its maw of bone. It had no flesh on its head, and in the pit of its eye sockets was fire. Smoke rolled out of its mouth as it squawked. Kevin would recognize it from a children's tale he was told when he was young to keep him from wandering in the woods alone. It'd play through the man's mind in his parent's voice. "Caw caw!" Goes The Hooded Crow! Bounding on two legs as he goes!
His hood is long and black, like the feathers on his back.
"Caw caw!" Goes the Hooded Crow! Like his brothers on the tree bough!
In the dark he waits for true, to snatch a child or three or two.
He waits in the dark of the alley,
He waits in the dark of the gully,
and in the dark of the night,
and in the dark with a bite.
Here comes The Hooded Crow,
"Caw caw!" you must not go,
For you'll call The Hooded Crow,
"Caw caw!" and he will show.
If you run to and fro,
in the dark without a care,
Then there is The Hooded Crow
To snatch you as he will dare!
"Caw caw!" Goes the Hooded Crow! As he eats you alive and whole!
Down his gullet in to his stomach you will stack.
"Caw caw!" Goes the Hooded Crow! Like his brothers on the bough!
You have just became his tasty middle night snack!
Blackrock CrowHP: 780/780 MP: 540/540 It is the administrator's recommendation that you attempt to flee. |
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 14, 2016 19:56:58 GMT -5
The traders left, it seemed they hadn't taken any offence at Kell's inability to buy anything from them, if anything they'd semeed rather good natured to the Drokagr, if all Cruinthians were like this then he didn't expect things to go too badly from now on right...right?
And then he put his foot in it. A figure could be seen down the road, shambling, jerking, unnatural movement. That clued him in enough, but when it locked eyes with him he near emptied his bowels. The creature had no flesh on it at all, a skeletal maw and fiery pits where it's eyes should have been, what kind of demonic creature was this thing, he'd never had a real encounter with any sort of demon beast, till this moment. He'd never even heard of this kind, and what was it doing on his land, or in any land, it seemed as if it shouldn't belong in the world of the living.
From the look on Kevin's face he'd gotten the gist of it, deathly pale as he was, it seemed he was even more scared than Kell, a change from his usual stern appearance yet not one that Kell was particularly in the mood to notice or comment on. The voice playing in Kevin's head had all but stunned him, the memories of childhood rhymes and his parents safe voices completely shattered by the beast that had appeared on the road.
The weather even seemed to change with it's arrival, tendrils of mist writhing about it, it was definitely not a good sign. From the pure fear factor it was generating it was obvious this was something that they couldn't fight.
Kevin's mouth flapped open and shut a few times, but nothing came out, until finally a single word did. "Run." He managed to squeeze out, "RUN!" He said again, louder this time, seeming to snap out of his own head and back to the world of the living. Looking Kell once in the eye, his house wouldn't protect them. The manor house might offer slightly more and if they could lose it on the way there then all the better, but ideally they just needed to get out, this wasn't at all something they could fight.
Both broke into dead sprints, running as if death was on their very heels, which considering what was behind them probably wasn't all that far from the truth.
Kell SM: 15/20
Kevin SM: 15/20
Runaway Kevin Roll: IVmCyIY5
Runaway Kell Roll:
···
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 15, 2016 8:28:17 GMT -5
tKM9fraO
Result: 20
Crow travels 8 meters
Kevin travels 4.2 meters
Kell travels .6 meters
Crow's distance from Kevin: 96.2 meters
Crow's distance from Kell: 92.6 meters
As they began their flight, the crow began its chase. Kell stumbled and struggled to gain ground. Kevin managed to keep the crow from gaining too much ground on him. The monster was fast, to lose it they'd have to gain more ground or find a place to hide, if they could hide.
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 15, 2016 9:03:28 GMT -5
The two were trying to escape, Kell unfortunately had smacked into an upraised root and lost vital time righting himself again, he'd barely moved by this point. Kevin had hit his stride near, surprised at the speed that fear could lend him, it'd been a long time since he'd moved at anything faster than a brisk walk.
The Crow however seemed to float almost, gaining ground on the two, if they kept up like this the two of them were going to be cuaght by it. Horrific images of their possible fates swum past both of their eyes, the demonic creature didn't seem as if it'd let them off lightly. It'd be difficult to hide from as well, could it smell? Could it see? Did it have some sort of otherwordly sense that would mean it could track the two of them, they knew next to nothing about it and that was one of the most frightening parts. Kevin had only heard of it in children's rhymes and Kell never at all, it was truly terrifying.
Kell SM: 14/20
Kevin SM: 14/20
Kell Running: hvbV2aYb
Kevin Running: ·
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 15, 2016 17:12:27 GMT -5
_Fqrnmr8
Result: 77
Crow travels 2.3
Kevin travels 3.3 meters
Kell travels .1 meters
Crow's distance from Kevin: 97.2 meters
Crow's distance from Kell: 90.4 meters
The blackrock crow was having a hard time navigating a particularly thick patch of trees and brush, making little progress while scrambling through it. Its cloak became stuck on a branch, which slowed it down enough for Kevin to gain whole meter of distance between it and himself. Once it freed itself it managed to close the distance only on Kell, as he had once again stumbled further, almost going backwards. Both were lucky that the creature was not quite in range to attack them.
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 15, 2016 17:40:58 GMT -5
"You're not even moving anymore! We aren't playing tag boy this is a real life and death situation, this demon will eat you whole then come back for seconds, those seconds being me, and i'm not up for that. Run you idiot." Kevin near screamed over his shoulder, Kell having once again failed to make any sort of real progress, the crow was catching up on the Half Drokagr and if he didn't hurry things up much more he might find himself to be the shortest documented count in all of Cruinthe.
It wasn't for lack of motivation, Kell had motivation in heaps, motivation coming out of his ears, and if he wasn't careful soon coming out of his bladder as well. Suffice to say it wasn't because he wasn't motivated that Kell was making so little progress, his legs had seemingly turned to jelly as he tried to move, seeming to suddenly develop some amazing ability to detect every rock, bump and root in his path. Not in a useful way like would probably be good at this point, but more in the way that his legs seemed to be guided to every single obstacle in his path causing him then to trip, stumble and nearly fall over each of them.
The two would simply continue to run as fast as they could, or in Kell's case actually try and move.
Kell SM: 13/20
Kevin SM: 13/20
Kell Roll: 4XIxa_bE
Kevin Roll: ·
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 15, 2016 18:57:47 GMT -5
vsVbPedj
Result: 26
Crow travels 2.6
Kevin travels .2 meters
Kell travels 10 meters
Crow's distance from Kevin: 94.8 meters
Crow's distance from Kell: 97.8 meters
Kell appeared to have found his legs finally and bolted past kevin. Kevin had appeared to slow down just to berate him. The Crow gained ground on kevin, but lost ground on Kell. It was beginning to lose interest in either of them. This was tiresome, and was the primary reason why they hunted at night and snuck up on their victims. Children also had the tendency to be trusting and curious. Adults were informed and would only fall victim if they were ambushed and didn't have a chance to run, or if they were dumb, brave, and poorly armed and trained.
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 15, 2016 19:17:41 GMT -5
Kevin turned to berate the Drokagr once again, shocked at being unable to find Kell behind him, had the crow got him already? If so then he was next surely, there was no point in running any more he might as well face it and fight like a man, maybe if he was good he could at least cause it indigestion when it swallowed him.
Just as he stopped however was when he realised Kell had in fact passed him, the youngling shouting back "Why have you stopped just after telling me to run?!?!" The boy seemed to have finally found his legs Kevin noted, and was racing away now. Unfortunately looking back the crow was still gaining, it was going to be very close as to whether or not they escaped it.
Kell SM: 12/20
Kevin SM: 12/20
Kell Roll: tp1f0HyF
Kevin Roll: ·
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Post by Azuloth on Dec 16, 2016 9:05:10 GMT -5
-Crows roll fails due to hand of fate-
Kell's Distance from crow: 104.1 meters
Kevin's distance from crow: 102.8 meters
The Crow's pursuit came to an abrupt stop. As the creature maneuvered around a tree it slammed into another one. Not only was it stunned for a moment, but it was also thrown off course. It had lost track of the people it was chasing.
Kell and Kevin escape.
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Post by Kell Lo'Tharan on Dec 16, 2016 12:43:23 GMT -5
The two ran and ran, not stopping nor looking back till they reached the manor house, Kevin quickly producing a key and unlocking the doors, putting a shoulder to them when they wouldn't move as quick as he liked. Doors creaked open and the two dashed inside,
closing the doors straight behind them with a resounding boom. Kell drew his blade in one rather clumsy motion and tossed the pick-axe to Kevin, both being armed as lowly as they were at least they could attempt to fight back now. Raising weapons they waited for the initial assault of the demonic creature.
It took them several minutes before they realised it wasn't coming, they'd lost it, that or it'd lost interest in the two of them. Either way, with the speed it had been moving, if it hadn't gotten here by now then chances are it wasn't going to come at all. Kell's sword lowered, Kevin let the pick's head drop till it scraped lightly along the wooden floor. "We should stay here, just for tonight you see, just to make sure it's not just a bit slow, or planning something devious when things get darker." Kevin nodded his head in agreement and kept an eye on the door.
After locking it from the inside, the two settled in for a night of jumping at shadows and any little noise in the dark, keeping watch in shifts so that each got a decent amount of sleep still.
Kell SM: 11/20
Kevin SM: 11/20
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