Landlocked Chapter 1: Gaining ground, Stealing wood. (Open)

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Season of Winter, Day 4, 511 AV

Early Morning
Two Hours Walk from Zeltiva

Blazing sun on a chilly winter's day, hills, hills and more hills, it had taken him some walking to find anything resembling a lake, being by a source of his ancestry brought him a measure of good cheer. Finding wood to chop down was easy enough, but not as effective as taking that which might already be cut down, and so he sort out a stockpile or something to salvage. Svefra as a rule didn’t spend much time at all on land, but he had often come ashore to build temporary, rudimentary shelter; it used to be their way, when he had a people or kin to call his own.

Kvar grinned broadly, enough reminiscing, there was adventure to be had!

Moving at a steady pace, the traveller pushed through some thicker brush up ahead. He needed good quality wood to rebuild that which had been lost, it might take him a life time to get back to sea, but he wouldn’t give up. Kvar knew enough to avoid treading too heavily upon the earth out here, plenty of wildlife in this place wanted to make a meal out of you, but that’s what made life interesting. Placing footsteps which although not overly heavy, were far from practiced at stealth, he crunched the occasional twig but avoided excess noise. At least he wasn’t too far from what passed for land based civilisation, he guessed all he’d probably meet out here were thieves, bandits, the kind of people he’d more than likely of been sharing a meal with before last week.

Blinking upward at the jewel shining in the sky, the young traveller turned to scan the horizon with his ocean blue orbs, looking for any small sign of civilisation. In all honesty, although observant of any clue offered to him, it would be dumb luck if he caught a break. A passing glance was paid to any local foliage, being a vegan he sort berries, or plants that he might of seen in trading halls, on docks, or even if he was really fortunate in wine cellars!

Ha, the seafarer chuckled at the thought, getting the priorities straight at least Kvar! Moving his fingers around the shape of a small, trimmed beard on his chin, the tidy facial hair contrasted the more wild, wavy black locks that ran just below the neck, still almost jet black from his time spent at sea.

Wearing chainmail, it chafed as he moved but allowed him flexibility enough to make good time, a battle axe in one hand, an expensive sword breaker sheathed at the hip, and two throwing axes clipped to the belt, he was armed enough to take on the world! The only problem was he had no idea how to swing a weapon, still first impressions count, right?

Right, thought Kvar with a smirk. Well at least the lake is nearby if this trip goes south.

OOC Click :

Open to all, feel free to either push the thread in your own direction, or follow the path of it. Looking to raid, or come across a cache of wood, supplies etc. Musical Inspiration

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Light hit the lake and was carried across small ripples that the creatures underneath created, it drew the imagination to their self contained world, an entire culture in that lake that few would ever glimpse and even less understand. He found himself touring a quaint small forest by the water, the perfect place for a cabin view, but lady luck was not smiling on him today it seemed.

After walking, walking, and some more walking, how did these land dwellers stand it? Nothing was moving, the ground was hard and unfriendly, even the animals were climbing the trees to get off of it, and no wonder. Swatting some small insect away that was biting off his hand, one nibble at a time, the Svefra came across something interesting, a few stumps of trees up ahead. Perhaps someone was logging nearby. The damage around the site gave him pause, but the cuts to the wood looked fine enough to be done by a human hand.

Taking the obvious route deeper into the forest, the further he got up this makeshift trail the more the whole idea felt off, it was clear it had been cut out of the woodland, but there was extensive damage surrounding what had been done. Running his hand along the back of his neck, he felt his muscles tensing up, it was probably excitement, or maybe it was this whole place getting to him. Rolling his head, left than right to relax, Kvar continued on regardless, paying heed to the fact many branches had been ripped to shreds the further he went. His axe was already in both of his hands, at the very least he’d get plenty of ready broken trees from this, though from the way the wood had been easily smashed, he doubted any quality ship building wood was likely.

At the end of his venture into this foreign wooded place, was a small circle that had been cut out of the brush. Oddly the circle was really well made, like it had been handled with care, created out of the trees almost in an exact replica of a circle shape. At the center… a body lay, an elderly man, a simple peasant by the look of his clothes, slumped against a makeshift small wooden altar of sorts.

Looking left and right, now creeping, hunched over, Kvar held his weapon close to his chest, every step mattered. Should he stay or get out of here now? He was just about to look the body over, when the low growl of something behind him answered that question for him.

Snarling, rage dripping from its jaw, a bear on its hind legs roared a territorial call, the black beast must have been seven feet tall! He span around on his heel, looking at the animal and making definite, clear eye contact. The novice explorer had been well and truly caught off guard here, as most likely had the man laying dead behind him. Unknown to Kvar, probably the only reason the animal didn’t immediately attack him, is because he didn’t run, it was instead posturing in a display of its strength first before it ripped him to shreds.

Beads of sweat ran down the side of his face, and suddenly that battleaxe in his hands, felt far too small.

[Kvar Driftweaver]

The decision he made here was everything, right now it was life or death, he could see the animal was doing a display and so Kvar did the only thing that made sense, doing exactly the same. Raising his hands to seem much taller than he was, the 6ft 3 Svefra, more than equalled the height of the bear with raised hands. Why he did this was simple really. Something in his gut told him that if he ran he was dead, if he stayed here he was dead, if he fought the odds were badly against him. So he mimicked what he saw, all this land was strange, it seemed better to copy its odd nature than be an outsider to it.

Taking a careful step back, while still remaining as big as he could be, thankfully the bear stayed where it was, and tried to match the height of the top of Kvar’s arms, still in its posturing mentality. Unknown to Kvar, most bears won’t attack to eat, only if startled; the bigger ones perhaps, but they wouldn’t sustain it for long, only the most vicious were sure to attack all the time.

This creature didn’t look friendly by any stretch of the imagination, but the animal didn’t have the height and so the confidence to just come out and charge. These steps away from the animal in its doubt were critical, giving him increasing distance. Narrowing his eyes, the Svefra kept edging back, but tried not to show any fear.

No fear, was the repeating thought in his mind, as he tried to hold a cool, calm expression.

It seemed too easy... it was.

Snap he trod on a twig, glanced down, and that was it. The huge lumbering animal came right at him.

Taking a deep breath, he didn’t freeze, this was a heck of a rush. Moments like this you felt alive. Kvar jumped up to try and clasp his hands around the nearest tree branch, kicking his legs up as best he could, the axe really wasn’t helping matters and fell straight out of his grasp.

Unfortunately for both animal and man, the falling steel caught the charging bear straight across the shoulder, giving the animal a nasty gash, but only making it angrier! Leaping and snarling for all it was worth, the creature almost took the Svefra’s foot clean off, missing by inches.

“I don’t suppose we can talk about this?”

Heart pounding a hundred miles an hour, pushing up, he climbed for a second branch, trying to get out of reach and come at the situation from a different angle. While with a furious roar behind him, slashing claws came upwards, again seeking retribution...

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Climbing in chainmail with a backpack was far from easy, it really pressed the muscles almost to breaking point, struggling to pull up the trunk of the tree to get clear, Kvar was desperately looking to find a foothold further up to push off of, to fully get on the next branch. In a shattering blow, the branch below was severed by the sheer force of the hungry, enraged animal, its rage took a good chunk of the tree with it.

For an unsteady second the entire tree creaked. Darting his eyes to the dead man on the floor, and then back to the bear, Kvar realised this is exactly what the last man might have done, trying to climb free, worse what if he had summoned or called for this bear? No time for that now. The creature was absolutely fixated on him, holding fast to the trunk of the tree, the trapped man caught its eyes and understood its intent.

Don’t you dare. The firm look on the Svefra’s face said it all. The readily apparent tree damage that he had encountered since arriving, was right at the forefront of his mind, and right on cue the bear went straight for the tree. Whereas most animals might have given up bored, this one had an understanding that it could bring its food to it.

Wood was ripped asunder, and all he could do was brace for the fall. Holding two hands on the highest branch he could reach, he let his legs hang free, at the very least doing this he could control when he let go. With a lurch backwards, and then a fatal fall forwards, the wounded tree reluctantly gave way to the bears tearing, coming right down towards the predator.

Split seconds before impact passed like hours, as the Svefra saw the land rushing up fast to greet him, his greatest enemy in all things.

The predator got its wish, but more than it bargained for, the downed tree falling not just towards the bear, but right on top of it! Kvar was tossed a good few feet, but he was able to let go before he was hammered into the ground or into anything else thankfully. Rolling heavily on impact, he smashed his right knee into a branch on the second tumble, and ended up in a dazed heap. With another almighty crack, the bulk of the trunk split right over the bear’s head and back, perhaps in some small way it was the forest showing its own contempt for this battle that tore at its innards. The furry predator made a last half hearted growl, and finally collapsed in a heap as well.

Silence reigned once more, only the breeze and the gentle lapping of the lake could be heard, almost as if nothing of the last few minutes had happened at all. A distant memory in the wilds that saw events like this every single day, man and beast locked together in their struggle for dominance.

Standing to his feet groggily, the hazy look to his eyes was subsiding, how long he had been out was anyone’s guess. Kvar picked up his battleaxe, staggering over to the dead man’s body on the ground and taking what coins or small mementoes he could find. Perhaps there was a clue in the belongings, as to this altar’s origin, or the man’s purpose at least.

Hauling the altar up to his shoulder, it would make useful wood if nothing else. Given how that tree just came down, most of the rest of the trees seemed far too flimsy for ship building, just as he had first thought. His right knee was obviously bruised, he wouldn’t be running anywhere but other than that it didn’t feel too bad, or so he thought, the irritating chainmail had saved him from worse hopefully.

“Let that be a lesson!” Kvar smirked, a rogue-like grin setting on his face, as he pointed the axe in the direction of the unconscious animal. Shaking his head and holding the bridge of his nose, the steps on the bruised knee became a bit more solid, so he began trailing off back up past where he had come.

Almost back to the lake however, an all too familiar high growl was emanating from somewhere behind him.

It never ends, why did it want him so badly? Surely this was more than any one meal was worth?

Closing his eyes he breathed in, speaking softly. “I’m done running from you.”

OOC Music :

Written to this

[Kvar Driftweaver]

The beast was wounded and the worse for wear, its charge did not have the same ferocity, but its intent was exactly the same. Putting the axe in his belt, and placing the simple altar to the floor, idly he wondered if the animal was connected with his trophy, or if it really was just this hungry.

Drawing a throwing axe from his belt, he held it uncertainly, the grip of the unfamiliar weapon felt awkward. Lining the head of up as best he could, just as he had seen family members do before, Kvar threw it towards the relentless creature. It dropped short and harmlessly off to the side, he cursed silently to himself, he should of paid more attention when old Bruven was giving lessons. Taking an aggravated breath, Kvar drew the second axe in his right hand and hastily did the same again, this one cut the air better, whistling as it flew and managed to nick the black beast across its good forward limb, grazing it lightly. Barely noticing the light wound, the bear was too far gone to care, and only came at him faster. One of them was not walking away from today.

Danger drawing closer and closer, time was short and he was out of options, thankfully he had picked to stay closer to water for a reason.

Focusing with ocean blue eyes, where the water always dwelled in his gaze. He held his hands outward and to his sides, becoming the silent blue current upon which all are humbled. Even in this foreign place, water lay foundation and the liquid element ruled life eternal. Behind Kvar the lake stirred, concentrating his own personal Djed into a projection of himself, res, he became part of the current from which everything flowed. Reaching to the central source, that which was created from the distant soul places he did not understand, the pull of it was tempered, and balanced with his training for his trade. He took from the energy which made up the layer he knew was safe to work with, created by food that was not yet digested, the water in his belly, in part the air in his lungs, leaving the core of him intact, and not stealing from what made him, him.

It was a familiar sensation, only with more urgency to the task, that he had always been a drop in this current of life spilling outward. Connecting on this level to the Djed running through him, always felt a bit different, sensations he only had the capacity to know of but not yet to comprehend their purpose or meaning. One day perhaps when someone wiser than he explained these things, he would find understanding as to where these abilities came from. For now he was just a sailor, braving their seas.

From his sides and around the man, the lake spilled, two jets of liquid shot forward into a stream, coating the already cold ground ahead of the bear with near freezing winter water, slippery ice almost as the manipulation of his own energy met the cursed ground. It was winter and cold already, the lake’s resource was hardly any distance away, the only exceptionally difficult part for the novice was making sure the flow of the water went around him, not into his back, that took extreme concentration, and was evident across his straining expression.

Sloshing into the water soaked ground, the running creature began to slip and slide, tumbling end over end, as it fell all its bulky weight heavily on its forward right paw, breaking it in more than a few places. The young Svefra slumped aside exhausted, and felt drained, while the bear went straight into the lake with a hefty splash.

Watching the water, he took a moment to steady himself, standing up gradually. For now all was again silent...

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Silent it would stay. Red water overtaking the purity of a once peaceful lake, was a sign the struggle was over. Not taking any chances, the glint of the weapon showed the axe raising and hacking, not once but four times. This time the unfortunate bear was staying down. Slumping against the dead animal, he patted its side. Kvar could have used the fur to fend off winter’s clutches but the animal was simply too big to get out of the water it was in, he tried skinning it with the sword catcher where it was, going for a good half an hour at it. All he ended up with were mounds of wet hair, and a very messy weapon, that was a talent he did not have the slightest clue about. What he did do was cleave the animal's paws off with a good few hacks of the axe, the first real adventure he’d had since making landfall was worth remembering in some small part, hopefully they were intact, and perhaps the large claws would be worth something somewhere down the line. Washing off his face, and weapon, then taking a long drink of some of the clearer water. Kvar began picking up everything that he needed, he was back on his way, altar over his shoulder in no time, Svefra spirit taking the day in his stride. Today had turned out more interesting after all, he’d not found much wood, but he’d got a story which was well worth telling. The bruised knee was giving him some problems, but he was more concerned that he needed food, he’d expended all that energy in his casting, and his stomach was rumbling. Being a vegan was a huge disadvantage in tracking down what he needed, though something he had some small experience in. Nothing around this odd place looked like he remembered it, he came across some squashed berries, obviously some land animal had been having a bit of a feast, probably the landmad bear, but there was nothing left. Not all berries were safe for human consumption, avoiding vine berries unless you were very sure about them was a good starting point, and a bit of old folk lore, after that it was hit or miss if you didn't know the type. Having eaten them regularly he was starting to get a good handle on what some basic types were however, and after some more foraging, close to the ground where they were not always seen, Kvar found a handful or two. Finding any in early winter was a challenge, but not impossible, they seemed familiar, the color and tint, feeling the texture in his finger tips brought back memories of meals around the campfire’s of old. Winterberry, at least that was the Svefra name for them. Happily eating his find, and retracing his steps, Kvar looked toward the coast for shelter, if he was to be sleeping rough, it would be with the smell of home nearby.

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Never did it cease to amaze him how beautiful the beaches looked in the evening's light, a view that drew upon that same longing to get back on the waves, that wanderlust, a thread which ran through his every waking thought. Reaching the coast without too much more bother, Kvar was looking around for a more secluded cave. It seemed few souls came this way, for the wilds were a place few dared to tread, but how could a man be alive if he did not know fear. That thrill that pumped through you when faced with uncertainty. As his father used to tell him, that was when growth happened, when the currents were against you and only grit got you through them. Well dad I sure could use some of that now, and maybe a strong drink. Picking a few dry twigs up, and making very sure to only get dry wood, he collected an arm full for his back and bodypack. The wanderer didn’t take the first two obvious resting places he came across, evening was drawing in, and it made Kvar readily aware that the lack of light, would likely bring hunters he had little chance of besting in open combat. It dawned on him to pay attention to any footprints or animal markings in the sand. He could tell logically if something came this way regularly, avoiding any obvious sign. Following that realisation, cunningly Kvar thought it perhaps a good idea to start removing his own footprints too, and so started covering them up as he walked, as best he could at least. It was just a small consideration of stealth that might work in his favour in case he was tracked, he wouldn't be easy prey for anyone! At the end of it all, nothing was here, just him, the ocean, and the wanderings alone. It was a far cry from happy camp fires, stories and song. A world apart, he didn’t care for the seclusion, becoming more determined than ever to take back those memories and times anew, carving out his own piece of the pie, starting right now. Walking across a promising alcove, almost by accident, it wasn’t big, but it was secluded enough to offer shelter, near enough to the ocean to play to his strengths, and best of all hidden from obvious view. It was cold, but he needed a rest from the chainmail’s irritation, he'd sleep in the armor if he woke up freezing. For now the wander tried to get by without the extra layer. Some furs would be nice, much further into winter and he would definitely be suffering without anything to keep warm. Taking off his packs and chainmail, but keeping his weapons, there was a cold shiver down his spine. Something needed to be done immediately to warm up. Some daylight was left, and it was high time to make use of it. Carefully arranging a small fire, the dry wood was lit ablaze. Soon warming his hands by the light of elements, if there was one thing Kvar respected, even after being thrown off the sea, it was the elements, and their power, they were fundamental to all living things. Here and now they were his lifeline, just as the small crystal container around his neck was the line to his ancestry. It was not the best attempt at a fire as it gave off some smoke, thankfully the light of it was blocked out inside the small cave, possibly further helping throw off any nearby predators. Flickering in the shadows created by this warmth, Kvar’s silhouette could be seen raising his axe above his head, and swinging it down practicing; doing the same several times to try and get a feel for the battleaxe, he looked a sight. The weapon was so foreign to Kvar, the weight was all off, and the swing felt very awkward. Much like a child picking up a toy for the first time and trying fathom out how to use it best, it came off like a novice because he was one. Bending his knees, he found some stability in the swings, but they were all over the place, and twice the weapon went clean out of his hands. Anyone watching this would have been in fits of laughter. The Svefra himself let out a laugh, and then thought the better of making too much noise. As evening took hold the calls of the night's hunters, and predators, were all too obvious to the ear. Music : Written to this.

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Shadows of the fighting silhouette continued off into the night, he wasn’t going out as unprepared as he had been again. Sweating lightly, the muscles began to loosen up, letting Kvar have a good training session. The Svefra was wincing a bit on the bruised knee, but it didn't stop him getting into a few good swings with the axe, amongst the obviously untrained ones. Overtime his stance had slowly settled into having his feet shoulder width apart, one foot in front of the other, and he found himself favouring his right hand almost exclusively. The moves were still basic, overhead swings and slicing cuts, picturing someone of his own height to fight against. Bruven used to tell him axes are not just about raw power, but about trapping your opponent’s weapon. Kvar had barely paid any attention to the old sea dog at the time, but he was valuing every word and phrase he remembered. Almost losing the weapon out of his grip yet again, the novice axe fighter began to find that if he stopped a bit short, the blade wasn’t as loose in his grip, this made it steadier and straighter, unknown to the inexperienced novice, in time, it would become significantly more lethal as a result. There was one last thing before he slept, he believed people died out here on their own because they were lazy or careless, he wasn’t. Taking the toolkit out of his pack, he began sharpening up some makeshift spears, using the branches left over, he had three good ones. After getting a couple of fairly pointed edges, not being skilled enough in carpentry to make them sharp by any means, he put them in the cave’s opening, pushing the spears firmly into the sand. Pointing up and outwards toward the beach, the three spear line formed a very basic palisade, easily breached if spotted in the dark, and so behind them he scattered twigs, The small cave's entrance became a rudimentary, two layered, early warning trap system. Sucking a splinter out of his finger, he nodded, content with his work. It was a very simple design, perhaps enough to give animals pause, and men would have to walk on those twigs if they spotted and stepped over the small wooden spears, else risk making noise removing, or better yet painfully walking into it all. Tired out, Kvar soon found himself curling up by the fire, drifting off to dream of easier times and happier places. He'd learned a lot today, and would conquer his dream of a boat, one tree and cave at time!

[Kvar Driftweaver]

The best laid plans. Already becoming a bit cocky as he slept, overconfident in his abilities, Kvar was dreaming grand dreams of wealth, riches, ships, adventures and women. Of course he didn’t snore, or would never admit to it at least! So when he woke up, sand across his face, and with an itchy nose, the clicking in his ears couldn’t readily be explained by any left over snoring. Sitting up with a jolt, he saw not one but two gigantic looking crab creatures, they’d breezed in past the sorry excuse for a wall, and silently barely made a sound over the twigs. Looking around desperately for his axe, it was just too far away, he reached over for the weapon, and one of them immediately started reacting, slowly the Svefra edged his hand back to his side. Maybe two and a half feet long, each with one pincer that could shatter bone, and likely had to get enough meals to become that big in size. They had hard shells, and offered no way around them to get out, what a paradise this trip had turned out to be! Out the corner of his eye, he could see a third animal walking sideways, and picking up the wooden altar very gently in its claw, it was about to make off with it! “Hey!” He hadn’t gone through all this to be denied any wood at all, that was going to be a centrepiece of the boat! What in the world was so important about a tiny scrap of wood! With no further ceremony the two crabs cornering him came at the man, forcing him step by step back to the far wall. Drawing a genuine family heirloom, a cold iron sword-breaker from its sheathe, it shone brightly showing just how well made it was, stunning really. Like many of his trinkets it was entirely for show of course, because he’d spent little to no time using it practically. Swinging a flailing broad sweep with the weapon, both of the advancing animals scuttled sideways to avoid him, moving back a distance. The crustaceans were still intent on pinning him towards the wall, while the third made off with his find! He stabbed the weapon out with no real power at the nearest of the animals, glancing off its shell, and the crab tried to catch him with its pincers in return. The vicious claw only succeeded to tap against the sword-breaker's custom made guard, never had the Svefra been so thankful for that little addition to a blade. With a solid kick he sent a stone from the burnt out campfire straight into the nearest animal, it connected and both tumbled backwards. In the same moment its companion just ran straight into Kvar, using its claw as a sideways battering ram, and trying to crush his knee between its pincers. Having no armor on to weigh him down, the reeling Svefra got out of the way, but the gash it left across his right thigh caused his eyes to roll back in pain. Lifting the biggest rock he could find above his head, Kvar dropped it straight on top of the animal. There was a crack, now it felt pain, thrashing around wildly, the Svefra felt like doing the same, but gritted his teeth and steadied himself.

[Kvar Driftweaver]

Like water over the falls, the best of us takes its form, sail free Svefra! His people’s legends, and their pods lore at the forefront of his thoughts. Embracing that which he could from the heroes in his stories, the Svefra stamped his weight down hard, using his good leg to push off the large rock, which was crushing the nearest crab. Underneath his boot the sound of crunching shell, and limbs, indeed the animals very life fading could be heard. With all the weight he could bring to bear, he jumped up, to thrust the sword-breaker down into the second crustacean. The shell of his next foe chipped and cracked from the impact of the blade. While the well forged cold iron did not pierce its target, it seemed to show no signs of obvious wear either. With an unnerving click, the animal grabbed his blade in its claw! Kvar went with its pull, like water over the falls, allowing the sword-breaker to be pushed into the ground, a jagged edge on the blade hooking itself around part of the pincer. Stamping his foot down, straight on the exposed claw joint, once, twice, three times, the animal’s claw opened, damaged beyond repair. Tossing the creature over with the tip of his blade, the sword-breaker was struck down again, and pierced the soft underside of the crab, which soon stiffened in agony. Some said crabs could not feel pain, watching the way it died he would disagree, it knew fear before the end. Kvar leaned down, clutching his bleeding thigh in both hands. One thing was certain, he could feel pain. Opening up the nearby pack, he ripped aside part of the bandages from his healing kit, not knowing what he was doing but remembering tight was better. He painfully pulled a bandage as tight around the flesh wound as possible, cursing whichever god put him here in this infernally dry place. Picking up the battle axe, and sheathing the other blade, the weary Svefra limped off after the altar, this wasn’t over, not till he had what was his. Sure enough outside the third crab was waiting for him, eerily sizing him up. Kvar tensed his grip angrily around the axe handle, the blade on the end raising and dipping. A few uncertain moments past, before the crab dropped the wooden prize and scuttled off. This was all far too strange for him, he cared little for the games on display, this whole place was landmad. Picking up his wood, the young wanderer stomped off back into the cave, gritting his teeth as he did so. At least he’d be bringing back a feast, crab meat was no small delicacy in the often food starved Zeltiva, and being a vegan he had no use for the meat himself. Trying to understand today would be like trying to explain culture to a Zith, fruitless and full of unanswered questions. Yet life still pumped through his veins, he had goods for barter, and he had some small trophy of wood. A grin formed once more across his face, life was not without its charms. Maybe someone in the city could explain why this wood was so valuable exactly, maybe something he found on the corpse earlier would give a clue? Packing up what was his, he took the spears, the crabs, the bear paws, his packs, all of it. His back and shoulders straining, was a good sign that he would eat well tonight! Fin