The four guardians traveled for nearly half a day through the cold, unforgiving mountains. They followed the old path, and the spell that hid them had faded. They were exhausted, and when Gilreg found a safe location, he ordered them to stop to rest. They were on a wide ledge with their backs to the mountain, and in front of them was a long steep drop. The rocky Wastelands were below.
"I've never been to Haven," Nulrok observed, and the others nodded in agreement.
"It is a large city with representatives from all the tribes and races within the Wastelands," Raine recalled.
"Can we enter the Dungeon from there?" Gilreg asked.
"There is rumored to be a portal that can take us directly to the Dreaded One's lair," Raine answered. She was well-read on the lore of the land.
"How much further? I'm getting hungry," Shaymus whined. Gilreg handed her and the others some dried jerky meat. Nulrok produced a wineskin with a sheepish smile.
"If we took the road, we could have been there by now. Through the mountain paths? Another day or so," Raine answered, chewing on some jerky. For a moment, the four paused eating and passed the wineskin around. The liquid made them feel warm and comfortable.
Gilreg was going over his fight with the templar in his mind. He swung his shield and sword through the maneuvers. He learned a lot from that fight, and Shaymus watched him with interest. She picked up her sword and dagger and went over to the warrior.
"I want to see something. Hold out your sword," Shaymus said. Gilreg extended his sword, and Shaymus practiced a parry that deflected his weapon, and she moved to close the distance so that she could attack with her dagger.
"You can close the distance with someone my size, but a larger opponent is going to be tricker," Gilreg said.
"I should have sliced his hand," Shaymus observed. She recalled her fight with the Legionnaire when she attempted to get into knife range. The human stopped her by grabbing her neck. She was so focused on stabbing his vital spots that she didn't think about his reach advantage.
"Yes, that would work," Gilreg answered.
"That was the strongest group of adventurers we have ever faced," Raine said, and Nulrok nodded in agreement. Shaymus and Gilreg continued to go through combat moves in slow motion to study the minor details that could mean life or death in a fight.
"Nulrok, have you ever tried to use your ice magic to freeze the target? Instead of creating a wall?" Gilreg asked the mage.
"I don't know. Magic is about exerting control over the environment. All sentient beings have a will, an influence within their immediate surroundings. Overcoming that natural resistance is extremely challenging. Some people have developed a stronger resistance through training," Nulrok answered.
"Like the templar," Raine observed, recalling how Shimlock could not succeed with their mental attacks against the knight.
"Some spells target the individual, like Shimlock's mind spell on the ravager. So can you cast your ice magic on a person?" Gilreg asked.
"Our Shaman's spell affects the mind. A specific target. Attacking the whole body would be nearly impossible," Nulrok said.
"So, cast the ice spell on my hand. This would make me drop my weapon and hamper my ability to fight," Gilreg said.
"Okay, I have never thought of that before."
Raine and Shaymus stood back to give the mage and the warrior space. Nulrok focused his ice magic on Gilreg's sword arm. The first try resulted in some frost around Gilreg's hand, but it was minor, and the warrior could maintain a firm grip on his weapon.
"Whew, that was hard. I think I can get it. Give me a moment," Nulrok said as he tried again. He strained his face in concentration, and this time, Gilreg's arm was encased in ice, and the warrior dropped his blade in pain.
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"Sorry!"
"No, this is good. This can come in handy," the warrior said as the ice magic dissipated, and his arm was fine. As usual, once the spell ended, the ice disappeared without a trace.
"Do it on me!" Shaymus said. After taking a break, the mage tried it again. The ice-encased Shaymus's arm, but the pale-eyed goblin shook it off, and the spell faded.
"Did you feel anything?" Gilreg asked Shaymus.
"Very little. It wouldn't stop me."
"Even people who do not know magic can resist it if they focus," Raine observed.
"Let's keep practicing! And this time, try to freeze our legs," Gilreg exclaimed.
For the next ninety minutes, the four trained. Not hard training, but a recap of their battles and discovery of what they learned. Nulrok practiced freezing their legs, and they, in turn, practiced their resistance to magic. The mage always knew that he was able to shape his ice spells. He never knew he could apply it toward living targets. It was difficult at first, but with practice, he succeeded a few times.
"We were lucky that Shaymus took out that wizard. He was highly skilled in the way he was able to dispel Shimlock's attacks," Nulrok reflected.
Shaymus cackled with glee. "Remember that Nulrok, no matter how powerful you get, a knife in the back is a knife in the back." Nulrok laughed but was terrified as Shaymus continued to stare at him.
After a while, Nulrok needed to meditate to refocus his mind. Magic was straining, and practitioners of the art needed to guard against insanity. The other three continued to practice their swordplay. Eventually, like when they were younger, their practice devolved into wrestling contests.
"We stopped for long enough. It is time for us to leave," Raine said. As usual, she was the most serious and focused on their quest.
GILREG (WARRIOR)
Stats:
Toughness
Above average (3)
Speed
Above average (3)*
Mind
Average (1)
Combat Skills:
Defense
Skilled (7)*
Resistance
Novice (3)*
Melee combat
Proficient (6)*
Thrown weapons
Proficient (4)*
Skills:
Singing, Diplomacy, Leadership, Stealth 1
Talents:
Two Weapon Fighting, 1H swords 1, 1H axes 1, Shields 2
Gear:
Low quality Hand axe, Low quality Scimitar, Stitched Padded armor (torso, Limbs), Round Shield
SHAYMUS (ROGUE)
Stats:
Toughness
Average (2)
Speed
Above average (4)*
Mind
Average (1)
Combat Skills:
Defense
Proficient (5)*
Resistance
Novice (3)*
Melee Combat
Proficient (5)*
Skills:
Stealth level 2, Mechanical, Trapmaking,
Talents:
Discern Vitals 2, 1H Swords 1, Minor Awareness of Demon Blood Ancestry
Gear:
Low quality daggers x2, Stitched Padded armor (torso, Limbs), Good quality Side sword
NULROK (WIZARD)
Stats:
Toughness
Average (1)
Speed
Average (2)
Mind
Above average (4)*
Combat Skills:
Defense
Novice(2)
Resistance
Proficient (4)
Magic
Skilled (7)*
Skills:
Stealth level 1, History, Botany
Talents:
Ice Magic 2, Fire Magic 1
Gear:
Stitched Padded armor (torso, Limbs), fire focus wand
RAINE (EXPLORER)