"The time has come. the hunting party will most likely find The Beast of Northingham, it only comes out at night, hunting down on lone women who walk the streets.
Word has been kept secret about this beast to not cause panic between the population.
But we are sure that this trap will work. now we can only pray. the Sergeant of the City watch has decided to join the Party. A skilled warrior or Noble descent. If he can't slay the beast i doubt we will find someone that can."
- Douglas Feathers Major of Northingham
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Jack lowered Brandon and laid him against a tree who was breathing heavily, the Petrification effect had covered most of his back and now was creeping around his waist.
Looking down at the village that was situated in a clearing near the woods, one of the houses was on fire illuminating the scenery in front of him, The village folk where gathered in the middle, most of them kneeling down, they seemed to have surrendered and became captive. a man in metal armor that shined with the nearby flames was tying their hands behind their back, another armored man held a child by the hair and had a sword against his neck, threatening to kill the child if anyone moved as a man with a long robe walked around with a wooden staff examining the prisoners.
The population of the village was not numerous since this was a border outpost, maybe 30 in total, the number of houses was half of that, a small wooden fence that was there to keep animals away failed to protect them from the human raiders who simply jumped over it.
Bodies laid around the floor, a couple of Elven males one of which was blasted in half by something, his wounds reminded Jack of IED victims from back in Iraq, five humans with armor laid lifelessly on pools made out of their own blood, getting colder each second passed.
As the house burned a man was laughing historically while watching it.
Jack had no time to waste, but he also knew how it would end if he charged in mindlessly.
even with Bosco he had little chance of defeating all the man at the same time, he studied the scenery, out of desperation he had an idea, it was a poor plan but it probably would work. now that the sun had set down, darkness was his ally.
After telling the kids to look after his brother Jack creeped down towards the village. the Pyromaniac was walking around the house that was burning, talking to himself he did not heard or even expected Jack approaching him.
The bayonet pierced trough the back of his neck and emerged tinted red from the front, between his chest plate and helmet the blade stopped the man from making any sound as he gaged on blood.
Jack dragged the man away from the fire and deep down inside the darkness of the woods.
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Siegfried reached the forest edge and observed the deserters, he had suspected that something like this could happen, the now newly formed group of bandits found a savage village out of sheer luck and decided to raid it. most likely they would try to sell the captives to some slave trader. With 20 healthy Elves a group of a dozen bandits could probably live of their earnings for close to a year. Elven females sold for a high price in the black markets, and the males where no difference, nobles and rich merchants payed good coin to satisfy their weird tastes, now that the group of bandits was halfen they would enjoy more coin per head.
Siegfried looked at the mage who was walking around inspecting the newly acquired merchandise, he raised the head of a young Elf and made him look him in the eyes, a naughty smile rose on his lips as the young Elf looked away disgusted, a Private approached the Mage slowly.
He adjusted the grip around his battleaxe, the bandits would spend the night here, most likely he could sneak in and kill the Mage in his sleep before he could cast any spells, dealing with the melee Fighters will be easy, but log range destructive spells where a trade mark from the Arkius Guild, he could not afford for a fight head on with the group even now that they where almost half their original numbers.
He gasped as he saw the Private approaching the mage stab him the back. then pick up his spear and stab the Solder holding the child in the side of the chest, between the gap of the chest and back plate, who released the kid and tried to swing his sword towards the attacker without use since he was clearly out out reach.
the soldier that was tying the Elves drew his sword and charged the Spearman only to get his head snatched away by a shadow moving with the wind. a Worg like creature held the head that still blinked for a few seconds not understanding what happened as its now severed body fell down to the ground lifelessly.
The two remaining soldiers immediately turned around and ran towards the woods. Siegfried did not knew why this was happening, but he welcomed it, now he only had to kill two of them and his work will be done.
He dashed around the forest edge without never coming out in the open and exposing that he was there, cutting out the retreat of the solders.
As he caught up with one of them he buried his battleaxe in his chest, the heavy and sharp pice of metal dived down going past the chest plate, he pressed his foot against the chest of the soldier and retrieved his Axe, a loud sound like a Ripe melon being split in half could be heard as the blade of the axe exited the gape that formed the chest of the soldier, he did not even need to use his Battle arts to take down this fools.
Siegfried looked towards where the other solder was running but he was not there.
A loud sound of the soldeir's neck breaking could be heard, Siegfried looked down and saw the Pitch black Wrog staring at him while twisting the solder's neck, Its maws released the now dead soldier's body.
Siegfried grabbed his Axe with both of his hands, preparing for a clash with the beast. A cold sweat covered his back, he never heard the beast approaching, deathly silent.
The Beast licked the blood around his snout, it smelled the air for a few seconds before sneezing in a cute manner, all aggression gone in the blink of an eye, the Worg disappeared in to the darkness of the forest.
Siegfried exhaled, all tension released from him the moment the beast stopped projected any more killing intent towards him.
he grabbed two corpses and lifted the left sleeves of each one, a tattoo with a number could be seen on their forearm, he skinned the corpses, as always with extermination missions you need Prof that you have completed the job.
After folding and storing the now thin pieces of skin in a leather pouch he headed down towards the village. he at last needed the Mage's staff to prove he was dead. and he knew that he probably could reason with the Elves. Or at least he hoped so.
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Jack undid the leather straps that held the armor he used to impersonate a solder and get closer to the Raider that looked like the mage that blasted the Elf in half. definitely the most dangerous individual of the group and the one that seemed in charge, while others worked he strut around examining the captives as if he was checking on apples at the market place.
After cutting a few of the Elves free he went back to the forest and picked up his brother.
A woman charged down and hugged the kids while crying relived and talking in Elvish with the kids, all three of them talked at the same time, he did not understood her words but he knew what they meant with them.
"Not to interrupted, but my brother is becoming petrified, the children told me that someone here could help" Jack said while looking at the woman who kissed her kids in the head
"Yes we can help, and Thank you." the Adult Elvish woman wiped her tears away with her hands and guided them down towards the village.
The group of villagers that where now freed from their bounds worked on extinguishing the fire that covered the house that was burning down. Jack ignored the stares he got as he entered a house the woman instructed him, he laid Brandon on a bed that was set against a wall. his brother was unconscious now, only groaning in pain each time he was moved.
After a few seconds a woman followed by an adult Elvish male entered the house.
"thank you for helping us" the man bowed his head while saying his words, after that he quit his formalities and approached Brandon examining him thoroughly.
he whispered some words and a light emanated form his hands.
"if you had brought him a few hours later the petrification would have reached his heart killing him. He will recover in a few days" said the Elf while massaging the stone covered flesh with his glowing hands.
"thank you" Jack said and was interrupted by someone screaming outside historically, Jack picked up his Spear and exited the House, grinding his teeth annoyed for being bothered now that he had a moment to rest.
Spoiler: Spoiler
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Brandon Callahan Age: 24 Race: Terran (Human variant) Status: Severe Pertification(recovering) Level: 8
Titles: Aprentice Scholar(+2 Int +2Wis)
Restless one(-2h of sleep neded each day to be fully rested)
Revenant(+2 Will, +2 Wis)
Dancing With Mermaids (Imroved Water Element Resistance)
Stats Status modifier Strenght: 12(+2) - 12 Agility: 9 - 12 Constitution: 11(+2) - 12 Dexterity: 17(+6) - 12 Inteligence: 24(+12) - 12 Wisdom: 24(+10) - 12 Willpower: 15(+5) - 12 Perception: 12(+4) - 12 Charisma: 11 (+2) - 12 Unasigned Status points 7 skills Advanced Literacy: Level 8 (+4 Int, +4 Wis) Advanced Carpentry : Level 5 (+4 Dex) Advanced Improvisation: level 8 (+4 Int, +4 Per) Intermediate Brawling: Level 3 (+2 Str, +2 Con) Intermediate Musician: Level 8 (+2 Dex)[+3 levels] Intermediate Wits: level 2 (+2 Int, +2 Wis) Intermediate Animal Training: Level 1 (+2 Char) Intermediate Meditation: Level 9 (+3 Will) Intermediate Well of Power Control: Level 1 Intermediate Fire Element Control: Level 3 Intermediate Bowsman: Level 1[+4 Levels] Begginer Flint Knapping: Level 3 Begginer Weapon Crafting: Level 3 Begginer Spear Mastery: Level 1 Begginer Woodsman: Level 7 Begginer Interrogation: Level 1 Begginer Hide treating: Level 4 Active Skills
Firestream Projectile
Imbues a projectile with mana, a Firestream will be projected forward after impact dealing fire Dmg to anyone hit by this Spell
Flamethrower
A steady stream of flame projected from any part of the Casters body dealing high Fire dmg to anyone hit by this Spell.
Advanced literacy modifier: -5 to mana drain per second
Jack Callahan Age: 31 Race: Terran (Human variant) Status: Healthy Level: 10
Titles: Aprentice Scholar(+2 Int +2Wis)
Death Defier(+4 to Willpower)
Blood Sworn(+4 Willpower +2 Charisma)
Peace Finder(+2 Int, +6 Willpower)
Engaged (+2 Char with Fiancee, -2 Char all other members of the oposite sex)
Homonaturae
Stats Status modifier Strenght: 22(+7) +/- 0 Agility: 12 +/- 0 Constitution: 22(+9) +/- 0 Dexterity: 21(+10) +/- 0 Inteligence: 17(+8) +/- 0 Wisdom: 14(+6) +/- 0 Willpower: 22(+10) +/- 0 Perception: 19(+4) +/- 0 Charisma: 10(+4) +/- 0 Unasigned Status points 9 skills Master Carpentry : Level 5 (+8 Dex) Advanced Literacy: Level 2 (+4 Int, +4 Wis) Advanced Fitness: Level 4 (+4 Con, +4 Str) Intermediate Boxing: Level 7 (+3 Str, +5 Con) Intermediate Combat Sense: Level 3 (+2 Per, +2 Char) Intermediate Fishing: Level 5[+1 Level] (+2 Dex, +2 Per) Intermediate Flint Knapping: Level 5 (+2 Dex, +2 Per) Intermediate Woodsman: Level 1 Begginer Battle tactics: Level 7 Begginer Ambush Countermeasures: Level 9 Begginer Weapon Crafting: Level 7 Begginer Armor Crafting: Level 5 Begginer Spear Mastery: Level 9 Begginer Hide Treating: Level 2 Begginer Clay Crafting: level 3 Begginer Well of Power Control: Level 4 Begginer Shadow Element Control: Level 2 Begginer Wood Simbiosis: Level 3 Begginer Infiltration: Level 1 [Skill aquired!]
Bosco Age: 7 Race: Doberman (Dog variant) Status: Healthy Level: 18
Titles: One of a Kind (+5 to all Atributes)
Guard Dog (Increased Dmg when defending Claimed Land from Hostiles)
Reaper (Critical Strikes are doubled)
Fenrir Kin (All Bite attacks are subjected to a 1.5 Dmg multiplator) [+1 Unique Active Skill]
Stats Status modifier Strenght: 21(+11) +/- 0 Agility: 22(+10) +/- 0 Constitution: 28(+15) +/- 0 Dexterity: 12(+5) +/- 0 Inteligence: 12(+8) +/- 0 Wisdom: 17(+8) +/- 0 Willpower: 26(+11) +/- 0 Perception: 46(+26) +/- 0 Charisma: 19 (+5) +/- 0 Unasigned Status points 0 skills Master Guard: level 4(+6 Per +6Will) Master Dog Senses: Level 8(+8 Per) Advanced Bite: Level 8 (+3 Str, +3 Agi) Advanced Hunting: Level 6 (+3 Per, +3 Con) Advanced Commands: Level 2 (+3 Int, +3 Wis) Intermediate Fitness: Level 4 (+3 Str, +3 Con) Intermediate Sneak: Level 5 (+2 Agi, +2 Per) Intermediate Feasting: Level 4 (+4 Con) Intermediate Tracking: Level 2 (+2 Per) Begginer Well of Power Control: Level 9 Begginer Wind Element Control: Level 3 Active Skills
Fenrir's Bite
Magically Empowered Bite attack that can pierce even through stone.
Wind Step
Using the Wind as a Vessel the Caster can move extreamly quickly without making any sound for short distances.