Signs in the Mist: Part I : Team B.E.D.Z.

[Archelon]

oocContinued from first thread... Participants: Bob, Eridanus, Darik, Zenai Attention Team B.E.D.Z. It seemed her sudden reappearance had caught them off guard and the ghost smiled as she capitalized upon every moment of it. She even floated down to the point of where her incorporeal nose was almost touching Darik’s as she looked into his eyes.”Ah well take a look at you all now… such a fine foursome of handsome young fleshling lads. Even got a nice looking kid here I must say and the smallish man seems friendly enough. But enough for pleasantries! Business first as they say.” From behind the group a shadowy grey form began to rise from the cobblestones, its ghostly wailing deafening the party as it began to force itself up through the earth. Unperturbed the woman blinked out of existence long enough to appear a moment later over the still form as a flashing of white light appeared in her hands. A vague sight of a wisp like hammer formed of soulmist appeared and the ghost grunted with effort as she cocked it back like a golf club to swing it down at the Cravenly ghost. The greyish apparition sailed sideways into a house and the woman popped back out of existence a moment before reappearing back in her original spot behind the party. ”Ah well as they say, business first. A proposition for you all, great rewards too. Go to the Stone pits north of here, where they do all the bloody wailing and killing and things you barbaric fleshlings call sport and find the First Key. Take it the temple… Don’t worry you’ll know what it is when you find it. If you don’t do it- well… I’d say pretty much any fleshling’s in this town’s chances of survival after this night might be about Oh… Zero. Nada, Zippo ! Zilch! Not in existence anymore, Got it?" The woman’s figure rose slightly in the air before she looked down at them all, ”Oh Beware the Craven, they’re real bastardly sorts of ghosts that won’t mind killing you dead. The sentinel ghost’s should let you pass now. They’re just trying to keep everyone from the temple. Now be a good set of Dears and just go… don’t mind the risks though. I promise: rich rewards. Lots of good things too. Otherwise, well I’ll just have to find someone else to make good today.” The woman waited there a few moments for some assents to be given before waving goodbye once more and begin to rise again above their heads before stopping herself once more to look down as a curdling scream came from within the domicile she had hammered the Craven into. Within moments the sound of crashing glass came and a village thug’s body fell heavy to the alley floor. His eyes were red, shining from being possessed and his bones began to crack as the spirit inside him began to use his djed to morph him into a clawed figure, ”Oh dear, you might want to start running, it seems it found a host and caught the scent of you all. I won’t be able to hold it off forever so just Go. It’s probably already told others to begin the hunt , and I still have to find people to help with the other keys, so Hurry Up and Run!” The hammer of soulmist formed again and the ghost popped out of existence once more to flash back behind the wriggling body of the changing man. In another second the hammer came down once more, piercing into the body and jettisoning the grey shade sideways over the heads of the party and into the shields of Dolor’s creation where it fizzled into a fine grey dust. The woman would turn to look back at the party to see whether they had gone to their missive but the sound of pattering footsteps receding into the distance told her of their fleeing feet. Smiling a slight smile she let the hammer come down to rest upon the ground to wipe facetiously across her brow with an unearthly hand. Lucerne seemed to look down at her hand resting on her hammer and she pouted a little. ”Oh dear, I think I broke a nail on that one!” A momentary flash of befuddlement came across her face as she spoke to no one in particular, ”Wait can a ghost even break a nail anyway?” With a bit of perturbation she skipped out of existence only to appear moments later above the rooftops of Stumble Alley as her eyes began to search the city for others to enlist to her aid. Moderator Note:I Assume you will all accept this task. Within The Blood Pits... Gray ghosts flitted down towards a protrusion in the wall of the stone pits, deep within the mining tunnels. In their passing, Rats eyes began to glow cherry red and their tails swished as they began to gnash their teeth and grow violent. A few of the ghosts even entered some of the largest ones and used the animals baser instincts to drive the rats into a frenzy. From the soiled walls, a groaning sound began to be heard, and soon after the clanking of gears and clockworks would echo through the area as an armored figure in red tore itself from the bedrock of the mining tunnels. It’s eyes glowed red, simply standing there as it waited, watching, waiting amidst the shifting pile of rats as it pondered the reasons for its reactivation. A golem, a guard, and a key for the mysteries of the ancient temple of the unknown.

[Bob Barton]

Bob must be pretty special if the ghost had commented him, if only she did not put him in the same level as Darik. Darik was a kid alright but Sunberth brought him up as a psychotic nutjob. He was anything but nice. The ghost was entrusting the lives of everyone in Sunberth to him as well? Bob might be dishonest, wiley and selfish but when the going gets tough, he will go on Bobbing. Together with Zenai and Eridanus they would be more likely to succeed in getting that key thing that she was talking about. He knew that Zenai would do anything to protect people like he has been doing for Bob for so long and Eridanus he concluded would be a pretty capable fighter. With Bob making friends with all the beautiful ghosts who are not Craven, they could actually stand a chance. But Darik...why Darik? That kid was a lot more dangerous than any number of Cravens put together.

A proposition of great rewards are the sort of thing which will get Bob's full and undivided attention besides the fact that the ghost was beautiful. He listened to her words intently, nodding and sighing at disapproval when she talked about the barbaric sports. Bob knew the Blood Pits well. So well that he never ever went to it. Such a waste of life and good fighters that he preferred to take his custom to Tall Johnny's instead. Death always made him cringe just like the idea of what would happen if they fail to do this. To make matters worse, there was also those Cravens which made Bob frown a little. If he had to say anything, Bob and Darik were only being chased by the nice ghosts guardians who was under her control. They haven't faced a Craven yet and probably never wanted to.

She provided everything that might appeal to the group. Reward undoubtedly would be Darik's motivation to the task. Hopefully one that was so great that it would keep the boy focused long enough to do the task properly instead of going on off on his own like he always does. It would be the same for Bob as well who was just as greedy but his prize was a different sort. Self-preservation. For now Bob was part of the town, a fleshling and he would come under the nonexistent number. Zenai would be able to fulfill his desire to be the knightly hero that protects everyone he never could back in Syliras, even brag it to the taverns he frequented if he lived through this and Eridanus? It could be anyone from the above or one of his own. Bob was just not pretty enough to know what goes on in the ethaefal's mind unless they got to know each other better in the future.

Bob finally spoke up after some thinking and agreed that it was "fine...I'll do it" punching at Zenai's arm to tell him to do the same. He was not going in this alone, no way and he was going to drag his friend along by any means necessary like he always does. If Zenai wanted to, "you can bring your girlfriend along too" which Bob actually meant was Eridanus. But besides the rewards, "I would want some explanations about today too. You can save it until we make our delivery to the temple, or when we meet again while I haunt you as a ghost." Was that even possible? It should not matter because with Bob, the impossible gets done.

He was about to address the rest of the group while trying his best to continue to ignore Darik, the boy who would be in glee imagining the riches in his head about what they should do next when the ghost started to float up. "So..." he was going to ask until he was rudely interrupted by a curdling scream. As if things could not get any worse. "You heard the lady, run!" Bob cried out leading the charge blindly into the mist until they were far away from the remains of the morphing village thug and Stumble Alley.

"Do you even know where we are going or supposed to go?" he would ask Darik. That boy was without a doubt fast and could overtake any one of them but with that speed he was always wandering around aimlessly. "Come on, its really near. I know a shortcut" he would tell the group offering to cut through Stumble Alley and straight into the Wolf's Den. It always helps to know where exactly are the escape routes around especially if one day Bob decided that he could get past seeing the wasteful killing and throw some mizas around in the Blood Pits.

At the entrance of the Den, Bob will make a stop and look at the rest of the group to ask "are you guys really sure we want to do this? Ghosts and being heroes. They are wayyyyyyy out of our league. If we move fast enough we could escape Sunberth and go to Ravok or Syliras before we die with all the others." Anyone who is not going to be fully committed would be better off walking away now instead of running off once things got too dangerous like Bob would do. That was what Bob was trying to get them to think before they continue on. Where was Koffurn when you needed him? Bob could have sent Darik away and replaced him with Koffurn! Koffurn was of course the only one that Bob knew with enough experience to handle all this occult business in Sunberth. But he had to make do with what he had.

"Well? Are we going in? Someone should lead us" giving an offer to anyone who wanted to to lead them in. They haven't really decided on a leader yet but you never needed that when you are with friends. Bob was hoping that the one who would take the offer will be Darik. The boy always wanted to prove himself to everyone. By going first he could be proving to all of them that they are not walking into some form of elaborate trap. That was all he was good for today as far as Bob could tell. The boy's unnatural survival skills will be put to good use to show the rest of the group when they should be running away.

OOCAwwwwww...Team Snurglepuffs would have been awesome XD

[Zenai]

Season of Fall, Day 20, 511 AV

Of all the impossible things Zenai had seen during his lifetime, this would trump them all. He thought Reimancy was the most unnatural as mortals couldn’t normally throw fireballs, launch ice lances or shake the earth with a mere whisper. However, he learned enough that not all practitioners are bad; they’re only bad if they were too greedy and accumulated power and knowledge far too quickly for their mind or body to cope. Even then, practicing such arts would tend to leave one’s mind a little looser than the rest of humanity. Ghosts were something that Zenai was taught to avoid at all costs. Some were good like the one woman he saw just now but it’s safe to assume that most would just want to possess him and devour his soul.

The fog was ominous enough but when the ghostly woman told them that the city and its anarchist inhabitants were in terrible danger if they don’t do this quest, Zenai pretty much thought his life was a farce and he was really a character in some poorly-written adventure novel. It may also explain the motley band of adventures he is with; one was a thieving midget who wants to make a quick miza, another one was a boy who look too suspicious and could stab him in the back, then there’s a pretty-boy fallen angel being dragged into the matter and finally, there’s Zenai, former squire, Endal-who-is-not-to-be and failure of a son out who tries to be a hero of sorts. He would need to find the author and do a better job of writing his life.

If there was common theme in adventure novels, it was that both the hero and most generic characters would die. Zenai’s problem is that he’s human i.e. has human weaknesses like not wanting to die. Zenai didn’t exactly paid attention to his chivalric lessons during his time as a squire so the notion of sacrificing yourself without hesitation has not been embedded in Zenai’s psyche. Luckily, it was Bob who suggested that the young boy, Darik would take on the role as leader and most likely, hero. “Yes, I agree that the young lad would make a good leader seeing as he knows about Sunberth more than myself.” Zenai was a terrible person but so is everyone else. Sealing Darik’s fate, Zenai now just need to make sure he does his part so as to not be taken out just like some generic unknown character. Zenai is special too.

As for the quest itself, it seems simple enough; retrieve a key from the Blood Pits, which Zenai had heard so much about since his arrival in Sunberth, and bring it to the temple. Was there a temple in Sunberth? Zenai didn’t actually know that. It must be a sort of hidden shame for the people of Sunberth who, Zenai thought, would pride themselves by bringing down the establishments and authorities. He would let Darik and Bob to lead the way since they would know Sunberth better than Zenai himself. Zenai was hurt that Bob would need to make sure Zenai would follow Bob into doing this quest. Of course, Zenai would follow; Bob is a survivor and he knows best how to survive. Zenai? Not so much so that’s why he’s sticking with Bob. Luckily, they had some history and Bob owes him quite a few. Surely, he wouldn’t think Zenai would leave him out to dry. The temptation was there but Zenai thought better of it.

Of course, Bob had his reservations especially when the outcome was most probably death. Zenai has the same thought too but looking at their situation, it would wise to follow up on this quest. “Bob, going through these craven-ghosts as well as the dangers of the wilderness is far worse than if we just accept that ghostly woman’s quest and do as we’re told. Also, there’s a prospect of a reward. Don’t you like rewards?” Rewards were effective incentives. That and making sure Sunberth stays where it is so Zenai does not need to go through the wilderness where it would be full of monsters and bandits. Also, he hates travelling from place to place.

They were running towards the Blood Pits as the ghostly woman would hold off their pursuers for long as she can. Zenai had no qualms with that since he wasn’t exactly sure whether their material weapons would have an effect on ghosts. He had heard that ghosts could still be stab at but the real danger lies in its ability to possess mortal bodies and use those bodies against the body’s owner’s allies. Zenai didn’t like the prospect of that especially when one’s body is invaded instead of the usual invasion of space around the body. It is known for some people to expel the ghosts on their own but by most accounts; you would need to kill the body thus killing the innocent one as well. If only he gotten his talon swords blessed or magecrafted for this kind of thing, then Zenai would be more confident going against ghosts.

“And yes, Bob; I am in on this quest. Nothing like an exciting quest to thrill our rather dull lives.” Zenai said sarcastically. “Also, there’s also the matter of this quest handed to us by a ghostly woman. I don’t know about you but when I see something like a ghost giving me a quest and to do it, I think I rather do it than to see her kind haunting me the rest of my life.” Guilt also did that but it wasn’t as frightening and unnatural as ghosts. “You know Bob, this would be the high point of our friendship; us going on a quest together to save this city and its inhabitants. How are we not friends if we don’t do this together? That and either succeeding and become heroes as well as being rewarded or dying together in failure. If the latter happens, we’re still friends, right?” Zenai smiled and looked at Bob optimistically.

[Eridanus]

Eridanus thought he was probably going mad and imagining things when he saw a translucent figure come out of the wall and start addressing the group. He did not catch much of what she said due to him zoning, but he caught the important bits about treasure and great risks. These two bits attracted his attention and he snapped out of his reverie when the woman somehow conjured some sort of ethereal hammer to beat a formless shape that was sneaking up on the group. He heard Bob address the group, and were making plans on what to do, when his attention was properly caught by a loud crash, and then the appearance of one of Sunberth's many lowly scum, but this time the man's eyes glowed red and his hands were somehow changing its shape. Okay this is some really serious shyke that is happening. The ghostly lady commanded them to run as the possessed bandit approached them, and as the rest of the group began to turn tail and run, Eridanus did the same, his heart pumping from the fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of what the hostile ghosts might do to them, fear of what they might encounter, and basically just the primal urge to run and hide. However, he caught enough of what the ghostly lady said, and if she were to be believed there would be nowhere to hide. As the group stopped before the Wolf's Den, Bob presented an alternate option to them, and Eridanus immediately shot him down, "And where would the ships navigate with this thick mist rolling about? There is nowhere to go, Bob, and either we fix this or die trying. Either way if we failed we would probably die along with the rest of the city, if that ghost were to believed." It was a prisoner's dilemma of sort, and there was really no choice for the group anyway. At least the promise of great reward proved to be an added incentive to stay alive in order to spend that reward, and he clenched his fist in determination. "I suggest we run straight in, get whatever we're suppose to get and high-tail the hell out of there." He probably did not need to say it, for that was undoubtedly the thought that was on everybody's mind, unless anyone had some way of laying the hurt on the ghosts trying to get them. Monsters, he could handle. Wizards, he could still imagine himself taking them down. Ghosts, now that was a completely different matter. How in the world was one supposed to take down something that cannot be touched? He can only affect the djed within his body, and though he knew that a master of flux can disrupt another creature's djed, whether a master could affect a ghosts' one did not matter for he was no master, and his only hope of staying alive was to run the errand as fast as possible and avoid whatever evil creepy things that were thrown in their way. The group continued with a short discussion on who should be the leader, and Eridanus had no opinion for he barely knew the group and would go with whoever the group felt most confident and experienced. It would most definitely not be himself though, for he felt that he was completely out of his league here, and perhaps the more street-wise Bob or the ragged but tough-looking urchin Darik would be a more suitable candidate. As expected, Zenai and Bob agreed with Darik and he added his assent, the majority of the vote sealing Darik's place as the leader of the group. He was not comfortable following and trusting someone he barely knew, but if Zenai trusted the boy he would trust him too. There was no other alternative, really, for their group would have to heavily depend on teamwork and trust among each other if they were to emerge out of this incident alive.

[Darik]

Finally, Darik got some of the fame he deserved. The undying attention of a female. Sure, it was a ghost, but a beggar can’t be a chooser.((or at least a successful one)) He almost ruined his chances of getting a date by kneeing her right when she appeared. Luckily, she was a ghost and she couldn’t feel pain. Sadly, she decided to talk business first. Ohh well, Darik would propose to her after that. His day which started out lackluster got much better. The chance of rich rewards almost made Darik drool. He didn’t care about the risk, it was Sunberth after all. No biggy. He had survived before, what would make this time any different? She actually explained it, psychopathic ghosts would attack them. Usually this wouldn’t be a problem, ghosts can’t attack humans, but they seemed to take the body of a human. Wanting to keep his body, Darik ran fast. He didn’t know were he was going, but he still ran. He figured some type of landmark would be seeable in the thick mist. A short midget appeared in the horizon and ran to it. Even before he could see its facial features he guessed it was Bob, because any sane short person wouldn’t be in a town like this. He would actually have to work with Bob, because the midget seemed to be able to see but had no sense of direction. “Dammit, I went in a rectangle! I can’t see a bloody thing in this mist. We need to find our way to the Blood Pits. Unless there is another underground fighting pit in Sunberth.” There probably wasn’t, Sunberth didn’t like diversity. Darik couldn’t stop himself from snorting in laughter. It came out sounding like a hyena but that was acceptable, Darik was tired. ”You know a shortcut? I have been through these streets a million times and I promise there is no shortcut.” Still, Darik followed Bob intending to gloat to him about his failure. Bob actually went with one, but it didn’t throw off Darik. He figured he just didn’t know his bearings, and he had misjudged the previous street they had been on. When they were at the entrance of the Wolf Den Bob suggested a brilliant idea: Elect a leader. Darik figured that Bob would be the one to claim the commendable job, but he nominated Darik. Then the other two did likewise. Darik was stunned he thought he would have to take leadership by force, but they were all willing to let the urchin take command. He stepped in front of the group with a radiant smile. His egotism blinded him to the most obvious factor, walking in first was asking to be killed. ”Well if you all insist, then I guess I have no choice to accept this vast responsibility.” It was if Darik was showing off. Then he walked straight into the Wolf's Den. He didn’t even try to sneak, he was a leader goddammit! And leaders don’t hide, they fight! ”Come on pretty boy you scared? You missing your man parts? It’s only tiny little ghosts. Why run from something that can’t do harm to you?” He obviously didn’t remember the ghost taking over the hoodlum’s body even though it happened just a few minutes ago.

oocYou guys just brought eternal pain and suffering to your characters by making Darik leader.

[Bob Barton]

Were all these people really that stupid? Greedy and glorified suicidal nutjobs, that was what they were. The ghost was smart in giving her offers to sink her ethereal fingers into them until they cannot escape. Not Bob though because he was only out for staying safe. One way was that "with four people I am sure the wilderness would not be much of a problem. I bet you and pretty boy here can take down any beasts on the way unless we run into a monster of some sort" and unbeknownst to all of them, there was a monster at the end of all this. If only Bob could have somehow known then he could have used it to show them the futility of all this and that "rewards are not much of an incentive if we are all too dead to spend them unless we become ghosts like the woman who sent us here and I get some ghost on ghost action" not exactly of the fighting kind that Zenai or Eridanus might know but Darik would probably be too much of a moron to understand. Just what exactly was her plan? Bob did not know much about ghost politics to believe her right off the bat that they were all divided. "For all we know she is using today as a recruitment drive to add to her ranks" of undead when they all die.

The worst part was they seemed intent of finding excuses to continue on with this foolish quest. "Did I say ships? I said walk. We got this far in the mist didn't we? I am sure we can go further if we really needed to" and the promise of dying with the rest of the city was a really good to fill the need of going further. Choosing to ignore Darik right until the nomination he told Eridanus that "running straight in is suicide! We might not be able to see the ghosts but they can still see us. Have you met one before her? I did and they are bad. Just take my word for it like the mizas you are so intent on taking from her." To Bob his words may have less economical value than the treasure but it was a very valuable experience that was shared nonetheless and they should listen at least to help make their decisions.

But everyone was just too greedy to listen to reason and of course the reason Bob nominated Darik as the leader is because he knew the boy had some twisted ideas of how important he is. Understanding it only made him all the more reason to manipulate and like he told Eridanus that running in was suicide, he told Darik to "lead the way since you have been through the streets a million times" with a smile and short bow to mock his supposed rank. Darik could die thinking that he was the leader to keep the rest of them safe. As far as Bob knew he was the one in control. He was the one giving all the suggestions and ideas as well as having Zenai as his personal muscle. Like everyone should know by now, friends were one of the most important things to have in Sunberth. The free ones which will not cost any mizas are even better. "Yes Zen, we are still friends but I think you are a really good friend right?" Good as in morals so "I know that you will sooner sacrifice yourself for me in the name of our friendship because you are just so much more capable" as he had proven time and time again throughout without asking for much in return. Of course it was only Syliras then and there was no telling how much the man had changed by now.

Bob followed behind Darik with his weapon ready for action with all the good that it will do against the ghosts. But unlike their leader he made sure that he was as hidden as possible like the sword still in its cane until it came out. The mist should help to conceal them a lot but that does not mean that he should not take any precautions as well. With Darik being...Darik, Bob could practically be invisible with the misdirection. Moving quietly to Zenai, the only one he could trust among the group he started to whisper a private conversation only between them. Grabbing his shoulder to get him to slow down and keep a distance from their shining beacon of self important stupidity he complimented that it was "good to see that your mind is still not dull yet and lets hope that your sword isn't either" hinting about how impressed he was at Zenai picking up the plan but "that will never ever change the fact that you are still dull" which was why Zenai was looking for a thrilling quest. Only now, Bob was forced to join him too.

[Zenai]

Zenai was glad for the exercise for the onset of winter brought chilly winds and the fog just adds to the bone-chilling cold. Not to mention, the idea of ghosts and other unnatural things floating about doing unnatural things to the natural inhabitants of this natural world. That just adds to the psychological chills in his soul as if he didn’t need more inhumane acts to make him dull and immune to the horrors of the world. Zenai kept on running at a steady, not willing to see the horrors as much as eyes could see. To the others, Zenai ran quite comfortable at their speed despite the heavy armor he is wearing. Years of training as a Syliran Knight includes getting used to wearing the full plate armor that usually is the trademark of the knightly order in Syliras. Most would prefer much lighter armor, and skills at dodging and evasion rather than charging in as a walking fortress of pain and justice. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t; a matter of perspective.

As they ran, they make sure they ran as fast as they could away from the craven ghosts. With Darik leading them, they took the most efficient route possible; taking the shortest possible route while still evading the craven ghosts that somehow wanted to devour their souls and take over their bodies. Their quest to get to the infamous Blood Pits had taken them through alleys and…more alleys. Zenai guessed being out of sight and having places to hide behind would be better than going out in the wide open streets of Sunberth. This would be one the few times Zenai had to use stealth to get his accomplished. Petch him for not training for this kind of situations; he should have known that in Sunberth you would need skills for running and hiding. As they say, you can either hide or run but not both.

Zenai got his talon sword out in his right hand because there were more dangers out in Sunberth on this night than there will ever be unless you count a full out wars between the three main factions: Daggerhands, Sun’s Birth and Night Eyes. Now, that would make a day or night more dangerous on the streets of Sunberth. Zenai doesn’t know whether his sword can affect a ghost but that shouldn’t stop him from trying since there isn’t much he can do other than running and evading them if at all possible. Zenai offered a small prayer to Dira, the Goddess of Death, hoping that she look into her heart, if she has one, and took pity on Zenai to grant him the ability to slay ghosts. Can you even slay a ghost? Either way, he wanted an ability to make the ghost think twice before engaging him. However, the gods and goddesses are fickle beings and most likely his prayers will fall on Dira’s deaf ears.

All the while during their journey towards where the supposed key is, Bob made his case on why they shouldn’t go on this “suicidal” quest and what they should do is getting the heck out of Sunberth. Zenai didn’t blame Bob; he had his priorities and biases. He also had a natural instinct of running away or hiding from anything that would cause him harm. However, Zenai had his own flaws and one of them is accepting foolhardy quests even it will most likely kill him. The silver lining of getting killed would be he gets to haunt Bob. It would bring a whole new meaning to “Best Friends Forever”. “Yes, Bob; as your friend, I will sacrifice myself for you unless of course, you petched up thus I will forgive you then give you a response for your stupidity either using you as my shield or tossing you at the craven ghost.” Zenai said sarcastically. “I’m joking, my friend. I will sacrifice for you as a friend.”

After two chimes, a thought sparked into Zenai’s head; if they are to work together, he needs to know the others. Bob, he knew already and could trust enough not to let him down. Darik? An adolescent who, in Zenai’s quickly formed opinion, had high opinions of himself and just so to give him evidence; when he was declared “leader”, he took his “rightful” position at the head of the group. Works for Zenai since Darik knows the streets and alleyways of Sunberth better than Zenai and Eridanus combined. In addition, he was the “bait” and a shield of sorts if they were to be ambushed and attacked by craven ghosts and whatever else is out there. “So Darik, how long and how well do you know Bob? Are you his assistant or something like that? Or even friends? Employer or fellow employee maybe?” He shot the question to Darik. “Tell me more about yourself. I think we need to know more of each other if we’re going to work together. Simple courtesy, you see.”

Then there was Eridanus. “So, Ser Eridanus; tell me about yourself. All I know about you is that you’re…an Ethaefal and you slept in that abandoned building.” Zenai would have paused for the answer. If Eridanus answered in any manner, Zenai would continue, “I see. Oh, judging by those long swords, I say you can hold on your own in combat? Looks like we’re going to blood ourselves in some kind of warrior brotherhood.” Zenai hoped Eridanus would prove himself a potential ally in this anarchist city of Sunberth. If there’s one thing you would need in a place such as this, it would be friends. Friends to count on and asked for help but such an alliance goes both ways and Zenai is ready to meet his end of the bargain. They continue on their way towards the Blood Pits and by the time Eridanus and Darik had answer his questions, he would have reached the location of their quest item.

[Eridanus]

The boy named Darik had his chest puffed out at the thought of him becoming the leader, and he haughtily marched in front of the group, the sight of it so comical that Eri had to resist not to burst out laughing. He knew Bob's machinations very well as he remained at the side observing the group dynamics, and he could see quite well how the midget manipulated the boy's thought of self-worth to put him in front as a shield and bait for anything that he might face. It was a little immoral putting a boy as point, but hey, 'better you than me, right?', as the saying goes. Still, the boy knew his stuff, and the group travelled together, weaving in and out of alleys to avoid certain ghosts that they saw ahead of them. His orientation was already completely gone by now, no doubt aided by his lack of vision due to the mist, but Darik seemed to have an innate grasp of the layout of Sunberth, stopping every now and then to get his bearings and then bringing the group on. As they continued, Zenai began to make conversation, and as he turned to Eri he made some kind of morbid joke about 'blooding themselves' in some sort of 'brotherhood'. Eri found a flaw in this but he did not point that out, for the only blood drawn in a man versus ghost battle would be the man's, and he had no wish for any blood to be drawn tonight, especially not his, since ghosts obviously have no blood to spill. Instead, he just tersely nodded, reserving his stamina for any unforeseen circumstances that may lay ahead as the group continued a steady jogging pace. Still, he knew that the human was merely trying to be friendly, and he added, "I have been using these blades for quite a while now, though I fear they will probably be useless against our adversaries this time. I find that quite disturbing to know." It was rare that he faced a situation where he could just simply beat the shyke out of the obstacle facing his away, for ghosts were out of his area of expertise and he had no idea what were the properties and characteristics of ghosts. He only knew they were translucent and could possess some people, but other than that his knowledge drew a blank. Thus, when faced with the unknown the safest way was to find out more, and if he could not do so, avoid all contact with the said unknown. This meant getting whatever they needed to get, and run the hell out of there. It wasn't exactly a very original plan, but it was probably the best one especially with what they were facing tonight.

[Darik]

Darik walked arrogantly, not looking behind him to see if they followed. They did, but not how he would have suspected. The second person in line was about five feet away. Usually that wouldn’t be a big of a deal, but in the mist it was. Due to the variable of sight, that was like twenty feet away if they could see! Meaning he would have figured out that they were using him as a lure, trying to draw the monsters out of hiding so they wouldn’t be killed. Alas, he didn’t turn his head around so he never figured this out. As they walked through the dreary streets, the members under his leader ship started having conversations. Darik realized it was stupid, it would just draw the deadlier inhabitants to them, but he let them do it anyway. He figured he could handle anything their chatter would wake up. Still, he needed to be alert and not participate in it. ”Does it really matter who or what I am? No one, including me, is courteous in Sunberth. Now stop talking to me, you’re very distracting. And not in the good way.” His awareness paid off when he heard of rustling of some kind. He gave a low whisper telling them to stop making any motion. He had no doubt it was the Craven, the hurried rustling sounded just like them. He got low and withdrew his knife. He slowly advanced down one of the side streets looking for the sound. He got to a garbage can and he still heard it. He opened the garbage can…and stabbed it. Sadly, it wasn’t a Craven. A high pitch yelp went in the air as the knife pierced soft flesh. The shaggy dog let out a few moans, before it promptly died from blood loss. ”Dammit!” He shouted as he put the lid back on. He could have taken that dog back to killroys as a present for losing the weasel. But nope, he had let his caution ruin a perfectly good free gift. He walked back to were the rest of them were, because he had told them to stay there, and gave the news. ”It was just a damm scrawny mutt. I don’t even think what the ghost told us is real. I haven’t seen a damm Craven yet.” After a few more minutes of strolling, he heard the rustling again. He wouldn’t be fooled this time, he would not look like an idiot in front of his whole group again. He could hear it was on a sidestreet to their left but he didn’t even turn his head. Why should he, they probably didn’t even exist! Still, the moaning was a bit odd, but dogs sometimes do moan! In the sidestreet was the Craven. It still had a small limp from recently possessing a body. No doubt would it soon be back at full speed ready to tear them all into shreds. Its bloodshot eyes were on Darik intent on tearing him limb from limb. The other members of the party would undoubtedly see the Craven, but would they tell Darik? It would take all three of their silences to brutally injure Darik, while only one of their shouts would save the young lad.

oocSorry, I couldn’t resist.

[Bob Barton]

Besides the fact that Bob and Zenai were friends, he kept as close to Zenai as he could because he knew that the man had not one, but two separate lineages dedicated to fighting to live up to. That and he still could not bring himself to trust the newcomer Eridanus that much and that Darik was the most hateful person this side of Sunberth chosen by the group to bait ghosts, Craven and whatever else misty horrors they might encounter out there. But Zenai of course was still a newcomer to Sunberth and did not know how people should work in the lawless city. He tried to strike up a conversation with Eridanus which Bob did not mind because he thought that maybe they both knew each other from before having come in at the same time but Darik? Bob whispered the answers that Darik failed to answer, much to the lowly hoodlum's detriment. This was one of those times that he should have just gone on his usual lying spree instead of allowing someone else to tell the truth as everyone knew to destroy Darik's credibility in case said someone had to assert control when Darik did his Darik things. "Sadly, too long for comfort since he is not my friend" and glaring up to his friend, Bob gave good advice "or anybody elses friend for that matter. I'd rather he stay as the fellow employee I can use from time to time and leave it at that."

From what information Bob could get from the conversation between Eridanus and Zenai, the pair did not know each other from before sadly enough. This would only make Bob want to keep his distance from the ethaefal more unless circumstances forced them together like a fight as Bob thought when he spied on the swords in the Majestic. Even if Eridanus admitted that those will probably be useless against their current adversaries, which from Bob's past experience knew that "just hit the possessed people until they are near useless unless killing if your thing" like the one they saw hammered down earlier to expel them from their hosts or "run if you see the real wispy thing." The last part was the plan Bob is definitely going to stick to and if nothing else Eridanus would make a good shield while Bob made his escape even if it was not voluntary like Zenai.

Taking the advice of their "leader" Bob stopped whispering. As soft as it was the eerie silence and mist made a sense of impending doom and Bob did not want to put any more risk to themselves. Still following quietly from behind, Bob saw that Darik made a charge at something and attacked with a shout. Did he think that he could kill a ghost with that weapon? Better still he completely forgot his own order and gave away their position. He might have been the designated bai...leader of the group but he should at least do a smarter job of it. Bob really doubted that the boy was that stupid since he is still able to stay alive in Sunberth after this long.

When Bob passed through the spot where Darik killed the animal he paused in dismay whimpering the name of his own shaggy dog "J-J-Jinsen?" Face it all dogs looked the same and as long as Bob had his, the only way he identified it was with the collar it had around its neck. Bob rushed to pick up the body of what he mistook as his dog but after looking at it for another few moments he was relieved that it was not his since he could find no collar around it but for that little emotional trauma he was going to hate Darik a lot more. The boy should still count himself lucky though because if he really did kill Jinsen, Bob would find a way to get Darik killed too. It was a matter of principle and to Bob, Darik was no better than an animal to be put down so there would be no great loss to his morals or image to his friends like Zenai.

Bob continued following Darik keeping hidden at the debris littered at the sides so that nothing would find him unless they really wanted to so of course Darik was spotted first. And Bob was looking for signs of danger as well so he saw a figure on the streets. He could not tell that it was a Craven yet since the distance between them was greater than the distance between it and Darik but that did not stop Bob from taking precautions. Since Darik was already performing his role so well, Bob will leave him alone to it and abstain from giving any warning. It could be as well that the death of the shaggy dog earlier was clouding his judgement that Darik could be in mortal danger and the situation was very dire that it required the whole team to work together.

Nudging Zenai's side, Bob would tell his friend softly "just like old times" and point at the side opposite from them near Darik where Zenai should hide himself. If Zenai would remember properly there was this time that Bob really wanted to beat down some jerks in Syliras but unable to do it alone so he enlisted his friend's help to set up the ambush in an alley where he baited them to. Tapping at Eridanus shoulder he would also tell the ethaefal to "follow me" and draw his cane sword out on the way to some nicely stacked up crates to the side. Hopefully Eridanus would understand the plan too and hide as Bob did, leaning with his back to the crates and holding his weapons at ready. If not, well...hopefully the effects from the surprise will not weaken just because of the number of participants.