Elendor
Netting a Bear!
Under orders from the orc Grishnakh, perhaps, Iswas attempts to catch Mobeorn in a net, while Elladan, Cecilia and Henleg just try to kill Iswas
Sort Date: no date set
Location: Southern Mirkwood-DolGuldur Road
IC Time: Evening
Description: Nearly a day has passed since the last attack, the sun now already starting to sink down behind the mountains, the night ahead promising to be cold and windy. Campfires are lit--it has been a never ending battle to have enough dry wood on hand to keep the fires going at night, an important part of trying to keep the enemy at bay.
Many are wounded from the previous evening's attack, and should the orcs strike again this night, things might be grievous. There is a fire near the tents of the healers, and there sits Mobeorn, looking rather pale and wan for the big man that he is. Bloody bandages are soaked through, the rent on his side from the previous day worse than it ever was.
Cecilia moves over to to Mobeorn, kneeling down next to him as she sets down her bag of healing supplies. The young woman has a worried crease to her brow and she reaches to begin untying the bandages at his side while asking in a soft tone, "How are you feeling?" She's been busy tending to all the wounded, getting little rest as she moves from person to person. Whatever her questionable attitudes or bravery in frightening situations, Erik taught his daughter well when it comes to healing.
"Been better," Mobeorn grunts, trying to hide a wince even as Cecilia unwraps his bandages. It's the wound that Grishnakh gave him the previous day that is causing him the most trouble--it has re-opened and is bloody again. "If they come at us this evening, this may go ill. Hate to say it, but we might want to think about moving north, toward home."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "I need to sew this.. Can you lie back, please?" Cecilia asks, turning to dig through her bag, seeking out a needle and thread. She squints in the fading light to get it threaded, then sets it aside while she works at preparing a numbing herbal mixture. "Isn't that what Elladan was speaking of yesterday?" She asks.
Mobeorn doesn't like that one bit, getting his skin sewed shut, and it shows in his face. On the other hand, he knows better than to argue with a healer--in particular this healer--so he does what she asks, and lies back, propping his head up with his hands so he can talk to her. "That's what he was speaking of, yes. There is...dunno..a source of evil here in this part of the forest. A fort, did he say? Can't remember..." He sighs--the wounds are giving him some pain.
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Maybe we should return home and gather more warriors.. come back in the spring." Cecilia says, frowning. She leans foward and begins smearing a pasty mixture over the wound, her touch light. It stings, but the numbing should settle in soon after. "I don't know that we have enough to spare, though. Do you think?"
"No...we don't." Mobeorn shakes his head. "We barely have enough to keep the Pass and the Carrock protected, much less go up against an army of orcs in this dark place. But there is worse: the Herion said," he continues, using the name that Elladan uses among men, "that orcs such as the one that walks in daylight are more numerous in the south. Destroyed a city in the south a century ago."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "And now they are coming north.. up here." The healer says, moving to what seems the obvious conclusion. She reaches for the needle and begins making neat stitches along the gash at his side, pinching the flesh together with fingers that are cold from the winter weather. "The Laird will know what to do. We should return home, before we lose those that we cannot replace."
"We should, aye..." Mobeorn is hesitant, though, considering that. He doesn't flinch as the woman stitches him up--her paste has apparently numbed him enough. "Even Herion says we must protect our own lands. And now that we've found this day-walknig beast...but still, we cannot kill him."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "He is down here. If we are back in our lands, we will have stronger numbers to hold against him, and we know the terrain better. We will be healthier too. This cold air is very bad for those that are wounded." Cecilia says, her brow still creased as she works. When finished, she smears a bit more more of the herbs on the wound, then begins bandaging it up again.
"All true," Mobeorn rumbles. He starts to sit up as Cecilia finishes her work. "I will talk to the Herion when I see him next. I'll not just abandoned the elves here, either. And it's a long trip back to our lands."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "No.. we shouldn't abandon them here. But.. we could pull back to the edge of their woods and then head north." Cecilia answers, cleaning up the supplies. She looks him over carefully and changes a few other bandages he has, concern still on her face. "Make sure you eat something, you are not a good color."
"You sound like the healers in the village. And the elves. They want me to eat, too," Mobeorn sighs. "Maybe there's some soup about? Don't think I can get more than that down...and the Herion...find him?"
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Yes, I will look for him." Cecilia grins suddenly, looking up from tucking the last of her supplies back into her bag. "Do you want to hear something funny?" She glances around them and lowers her voice, "Elaos was worried that I wouldn't be able to help people, simply because I did not wish to dig in the dirt."
"Dig in the dirt?" Mobeorn squints, then shakes his head. "I don't understand."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "He was digging up some roots for medicine.. And I was talking with him. I did not wish to get dirty so I asked him to dig some extra up for me as well. That was when he asked if I would be ready to help people in a fight." Cecilia says in amusement. "Of course, I told him that my father taught me well.. "
Mobeorn chuckles. "I don't think that getting dirt under your fingernails is necessary for being a good healer. Or a fighter. As long as we can count on you when you're needed." He eyes her. "I assume we can?"
Cecilia draws back, scowling at him. "I just sewed up your skin, didn't I?" She asks in mild offense. "You want me to cut the stitches back out?"
"No, no," Mobeorn answers hastily, waving a hand. "I was just wondering how you fare with all this warfare going on? Healers aren't meant to be in the thick of things like this."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "You didn't see the arrow I shot that orc with!" Cecilia says, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Even Vernon would have been impressed." She says, grinning with pride. Then her smile fades and she gives him an injured look. "You were worried that I would not fight?"
Mobeorn thinks for a moment, looking at the girl, then shakes his head. "You..no. Other healers, perhaps. Not you, though, lass."
Cecilia grins again, her smile radiant. She reachs over to pat him on the shoulder. "You're so sweet, Mobeorn. Just like the honey that you love. I'll see if I can find a honeycake, and the Herion." She stands now, brushing off her skirt and pantlegs.
Mobeorn watches Cecilia stand and then slowly gets to his feet himself. He squints off into the night, toward the dark woods, ever watchful for yet another attack. Campfires are lit here for the night and there are guards posted--mostly elven.
Cecilia flashes Mobeorn another grin, slinging her bulky cloth bag of healing supplies over her shoulder. Then the healer begins moving through the camp, heading towards the outlying edge, searching for Elladan as she promised that she would.
[Iswas(#32393)]
A soft hoot wafts again from the trees. They've been ever present, the watchers. This noise sounds a bit closer though. No leaves rustle. No twigs snap. Eyes can be felt though. Staring eyes.
[Cecilia(#23897)] The sound reminds the young healer to have her bow at hand as she ventures to the edge of camp. She pauses at her tent, grabbing up the weapon, and begins moving again, stopping to ask one of the Beorning scouts if the elf has been seen.
Mobeorn may be injured, but he's not the type to sit about while danger appears to be near. He's moving slowly, but he does move, brown eyes squinting toward the trees.
[Iswas(#32393)]
TWING! The only sound heard from the still night. An arrow races from just under the boughs of the devilish trees. For Cecilia it flies, black as death. Only one shot. No more follow. No more sounds.
Iswas launches an arrow...
Iswas's bowshot hits Cecilia, moderately wounding her.
[<#27059>] A grey figure emerges from the other edge of the camp, raven hair flying loosely around his head as he leaps towards Cecilia. Tall is he and swift and a great longbow is carried. Quickly an arrow is nocked and the string is drawn. " Back to the camp," he calls.
Cecilia is good with a bow, but she's a healer and doesn't have the instincts that others might when traversing dangerous terrain. The sound of an arrow being loosed isn't unfamiliar, but even as the girl stops to look around she looks completely stunned as it flies at her, cutting into her woodman armor. Her gray eyes consider the arrow for a moment, then she grabs it and pulls it out. Blood wells around the wound and the Beorning gives a small, "Ow.."
Cecilia looks up at the elf, then around in the woods where she thinks the bowshot may have come from and sets the arrow to the string of her own bow. "It shot me!" She tells Elladan, incredulous.
[Iswas(#32393)]
The silence continues to ooze from the woods. 10 yards to the right of the first shot, comes another. This one aimed for the super model half-elf. The bowshot rings out, again alone. Again naught but silence follows.
Iswas launches an arrow...
Iswas's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
Mobeorn, it would seem, has overestimated his own strength--he gets to Cecilia as the woman is pulling an arrow out, but the shapechanger has to lean over, in obvious pain. "You...all right?" he gets out to her. You would think he would be in bear form by now, but he is not.
Elladan twists his head, shifts his body to whence the arrow came flying and releases his shot. The elven longbow sings as well and a yard-long arrow is sent flying to the woods, slightly right of the source of the last attack.
Elladan launches an arrow...
Elladan's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Yes.." She answers as all the manly men rush to her side, and that bolsters her confidence. She draws back the bowstring and lets the orcish arrow fly back in the direction wence it came, a fiece scowl on her face. "Keep your arrows!"
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Iswas, lightly wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
A voice whispers from the woods. Quite a few paces back to the left. In a spot where the trees thin out in an entrance to the thick woods, "I'm not over there anymore." The creature can be seen now, the firelight flickers on his blacker form among the shade. This time it isn't an arrow he launches. The orc reaches behind him and hefts a spear up. He sights it and launches the sharp object. Firelight flickers on the barbed steel tip. Still, he acts solitary, apparently bereft of any backup. he seems to be looking for someone, his eyes flicking around, not spotting the dart flying at himself. It buzzes past him, bouncing off his armor and doing litle real damage.
Behind Cecilia, Mobeorn scowls, restless, catching his breath. He can't help stand by and do nothing, it would seem--in the shimmering glow of the campfires, his shape shifts from man to an overgrown brown bear, towering over Cecilia now but not threatening her. Its eyes peer into the forest, seeking for the enemy, and it starts to take some slow steps that way.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas throws a spear...
Iswas's spear throw hits Elladan, mildly wounding him!
The spear lies now upon the ground now at his feet.
[Elladan(#27059)] The new missile merely scratches along Elladan's armor - a bruise might be the result, not more. And with the fell creature exposing itself to the light, the elf sends another arrow flying at the lone orc.
Elladan launches an arrow...
Elladan's bowshot hits Iswas, badly wounding him.
Cecilia glances back briefly as Mobeorn changes into a bear behind her, then watches him move ahead. She frowns, but says nothing. If he wants to get himself killed... The healer draws an arrows from her quiver, sets it to the string and draws it back. She tries to track where the goblin voice came from, then sees him off where Elladan shoots. She sends her own shaft flying in his direction.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Apparently that particular shift into bear is exactly what the orc was looking for. His eyes widen in glee and he gives a light sound as he shifts to pull another spear from his back. He shifts and gets shot right through the stomach! Owww! The look of that big arrow protruding from his bowels gives Iswas a reason to not look so gleeful anymore. He shudders and snaps the arrow off, leaving inches sticking above the armor. He backs into the trees, retching quietly, trying to recover his proper footing.
[Henleg(#20696)] Yet another bow sings as the brave Beorning woman shoot her own bow at the goblin, who for a moment is in plain sight. The arrow buzzes as it seeks its target, which suddenly turns tail and begins to move towards the shelter offered by the trees.
Henleg launches an arrow...
Henleg's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
So maybe the bear is just _dumb_. Certainly it doesn't catch on that the orc was looking for it to shift from man to bear, for it lopes on after the orc, following it into the woods. Its pace is slow, though.
[<#27059>] Elladan says in Eothrik, "Mobeorn, stay where you are! Do not pursue that petty orc into the woods!" Elladan calls out as the bear marches towards the woodline. Again he draws the string and aims at the trees, ready to provide cover for the shapeshifter.
[<#23897>] Cecilia hesitates, standing next to Elladan with worry on her face. Then she calls as well, " Come back! I cannot shoot if you are in the way!" She also prepares an arrow for when a clear shot presents itself.
[Iswas(#32393)]
More noises come from the woods as the bear comes closer. The retching ceases. Light sounds of voices speaking an evil tongue can be heard. The first orc, looking a bit more ashen than prior sightings, leaps forward, launching another spear at the bear. The two are just at the very edge of the trees, the orc closing fast and drawing it's last spear as it runs the final yard.
Behind him comes four orcs. In their arms is a net. A big sturdy looking net. Big enough for a bear. A few rocks fly from the trees. A few scattered arrows at any others seen. The orcs move swiftly, they'll be on him quick.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas wields Spear.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas throws a spear...
With a quick stroke of your beijabar fists, you knock the spear out of the air! Nice move!
The spear lies now on the ground at your feet.
Iswas removes Spear.
" Nets! A trap!" Mobeorn howls, front paw going to knock the spear out of the air so that it lands harmlessly. He backs up hastily, wounded but trying to outrun the oncoming orcs. " Shoot! Go ahead and shoot!"
[Iswas(#32393)] The lead orc attacks with his spear, coming at the bear in a mad rush. He hurls it forward in a jab at the bear's face, his body swiftly following in attempt to slam into the larger creature.
The four orcs leap out, each holding a corner of the net. They try to flank the bear. Their intent is clear.
Iswas attacks you with his Spear!...
...and you parry his attack with your Beijabar Fists!
The bear throws himself into this fight, newly stitched wounds starting to leak blood. Enough is enough: One paw smashes against the spear, pushing it out of the way, the other paw aims a blow at Iswas's face. Meanwhile, that net is coming down on the bear, tangling him up, but not before he tries to kill Iswas.
You attack Iswas with your Beijabar Fists...
[Combat(#13388)->Mobeorn]
Your attack against Iswas badly wounds him!
[Iswas(#32393)]
The orc flies at the bear. Though the claws rip through armor and flesh, his momentum is too much. He falls into the bear. His next movements are attempts to get free of the net his comrades pull down.
Cecilia hears the warning from the bear, and translates for Elladan "A net!" She rushes forward now and fires her arrow into the tangle of orcs, brush, netting, and bear.
[Iswas(#32393)]
The thrashing of the bears squirts the agile Iswas from the bottom of the net before the tangle becomes too great. he howls in glee, leaping around to guard the 'package' as the orcs try to haul in deeper into the woods. Hoots and laughter rises from the woods. Followed by a few scattered arrows.
Cecilia fumbles to draw another arrow, panicking as she sees her friend being drug away. She sets it to the string and shoots at one of the orcs, desperate.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Elladan, mildly wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Iswas stands in between the net and the camp, spear ready for any advances. The four orcs pull at the net, barely making any progress. An arrow from an elf pierces the eye of one, slowing progress even more. A couple more orcs leap out in an attempt to help. another is bowed down as he comes from the trees. Still four orcs try to drag him away. The trees are only a few yards away. Inch by inch they go. Iswas howls in a strange language and the orcs try harder still.
[Elladan(#27059)] An arrows whistles past Elladan, scratching his right cheek. "Ai," he calls out ins surprise as this shot was unexpected - coming from behind. The bow is tossed to the ground and instead his blade springs forth from the sheath as the elf darts forward to aid the entangled bear.
[Combat(#13388)] Elladan draws his fell sword Nallaklaure ringing from its scabbard
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Sorry!!" Cecilia cries in alarm, and she takes more time to sight her next shot. The elves move so -fast-. It's really their own fault for getting in the way. She lets another arrow fly at one of the orcs.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Iswas, severely wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Another arrow takes down a net tugger. No more seem wanting to risk their heads for this, as no more orcs come forward. The three remaining, keep trying, their progress hampered to a near stop.
Iswas leaps at the elf and his bright steel. Death's fire lights his eyes. An arrow whizzes jut past the elf and crunches into his shoulder. From there it smacks his face and skitters away. The spear is launched in a quick stab at the half elf's chest. Anything to get their prize into the woods!
Iswas attacks Elladan with his Spear, but he misses by a mile.
Elladan dodges the attack with ease as he leaps forward. Another net tugger is hewn as the elven archers from the campsite spill into the woods, blades drawn. Elladan thrusts his forward at Iswas though, trying to impale him
Elladan attacks Iswas with his Longsword, but Iswas parries the attack with his Spear!
[Iswas(#32393)]
The gasping, bleeding orc barely gets his spear in the way of the sword, hardly having the strength left to knock it away. Behind him the remaining orcs drop their hold on the net and attempt to run away. Iswas cannot. He is trapped and he knows it. They weren't quick enough. His reward will be death either way.
With a grim look on his gnarled face, the orc snaps the spear up at the elf's throat as he tries to worm too close for the sword.
Iswas attacks Elladan with his Spear, but he misses by a handspan.
Cecilia continues shooting, aiming at the fleeing orcs for another few shots. As soon as they are far enough away that she deems it safe, the healer races over to the net and draws her knife, struggling to cut the bonds away from the bear.
[Elladan(#27059)] The half-elf has already leapt around Iswas and thus the spear strike goes awry. In return Elladan wields his blade now in a fierce swing at the orc's neck. The blade seems to spit a white light at Iswas as it approaches its target.
Iswas collapses to the ground, defeated by Elladan!
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas's weapon "Spear" falls to the ground...
[Iswas(#32393)]
The cracking of bone splits the night air, even as all the woods go silent. The sword is true to it's mark and cleaves the head right from the beast who orchastrated this fiasco. A geyser of black ichor floods from the orc's suddenly headless body, gushing out in tremendous spurts in the direction of elladan. Iswas' head goes rolling away, towards the fires of the camps, a twisted snarl of defiance still on it's face. The body drops to the knees and falls forward to the dirt. All is quiet. The orcs have fled from sight at least, deeper into the woods. The body of Mobeorn lies tangled in the net, unconscious and unmolested. A close one for the bear....
[Elladan(#27059)] "Fie!" Elladan spits out as his head is covered in black. The fierce sword that even just claimed the life of Iswas is now used with extreme precision to cut the net around Mobeorn. "Wake up, Mobeorn," he urges the bear. "It is over!" From afar, the other elves come closer and surround the small group, ready to help carry the bear if need be.
Cecilia helps cut the netting, but she's starting to feel the pain where the arrow caught her. The healer grabs up one of the spears and uses it to lean on as she makes her way back to the camp, letting the men drag the bear back while she binds up her own wound, then prepares some herbs to take care of Mobeorn.
Many are wounded from the previous evening's attack, and should the orcs strike again this night, things might be grievous. There is a fire near the tents of the healers, and there sits Mobeorn, looking rather pale and wan for the big man that he is. Bloody bandages are soaked through, the rent on his side from the previous day worse than it ever was.
Cecilia moves over to to Mobeorn, kneeling down next to him as she sets down her bag of healing supplies. The young woman has a worried crease to her brow and she reaches to begin untying the bandages at his side while asking in a soft tone, "How are you feeling?" She's been busy tending to all the wounded, getting little rest as she moves from person to person. Whatever her questionable attitudes or bravery in frightening situations, Erik taught his daughter well when it comes to healing.
"Been better," Mobeorn grunts, trying to hide a wince even as Cecilia unwraps his bandages. It's the wound that Grishnakh gave him the previous day that is causing him the most trouble--it has re-opened and is bloody again. "If they come at us this evening, this may go ill. Hate to say it, but we might want to think about moving north, toward home."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "I need to sew this.. Can you lie back, please?" Cecilia asks, turning to dig through her bag, seeking out a needle and thread. She squints in the fading light to get it threaded, then sets it aside while she works at preparing a numbing herbal mixture. "Isn't that what Elladan was speaking of yesterday?" She asks.
Mobeorn doesn't like that one bit, getting his skin sewed shut, and it shows in his face. On the other hand, he knows better than to argue with a healer--in particular this healer--so he does what she asks, and lies back, propping his head up with his hands so he can talk to her. "That's what he was speaking of, yes. There is...dunno..a source of evil here in this part of the forest. A fort, did he say? Can't remember..." He sighs--the wounds are giving him some pain.
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Maybe we should return home and gather more warriors.. come back in the spring." Cecilia says, frowning. She leans foward and begins smearing a pasty mixture over the wound, her touch light. It stings, but the numbing should settle in soon after. "I don't know that we have enough to spare, though. Do you think?"
"No...we don't." Mobeorn shakes his head. "We barely have enough to keep the Pass and the Carrock protected, much less go up against an army of orcs in this dark place. But there is worse: the Herion said," he continues, using the name that Elladan uses among men, "that orcs such as the one that walks in daylight are more numerous in the south. Destroyed a city in the south a century ago."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "And now they are coming north.. up here." The healer says, moving to what seems the obvious conclusion. She reaches for the needle and begins making neat stitches along the gash at his side, pinching the flesh together with fingers that are cold from the winter weather. "The Laird will know what to do. We should return home, before we lose those that we cannot replace."
"We should, aye..." Mobeorn is hesitant, though, considering that. He doesn't flinch as the woman stitches him up--her paste has apparently numbed him enough. "Even Herion says we must protect our own lands. And now that we've found this day-walknig beast...but still, we cannot kill him."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "He is down here. If we are back in our lands, we will have stronger numbers to hold against him, and we know the terrain better. We will be healthier too. This cold air is very bad for those that are wounded." Cecilia says, her brow still creased as she works. When finished, she smears a bit more more of the herbs on the wound, then begins bandaging it up again.
"All true," Mobeorn rumbles. He starts to sit up as Cecilia finishes her work. "I will talk to the Herion when I see him next. I'll not just abandoned the elves here, either. And it's a long trip back to our lands."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "No.. we shouldn't abandon them here. But.. we could pull back to the edge of their woods and then head north." Cecilia answers, cleaning up the supplies. She looks him over carefully and changes a few other bandages he has, concern still on her face. "Make sure you eat something, you are not a good color."
"You sound like the healers in the village. And the elves. They want me to eat, too," Mobeorn sighs. "Maybe there's some soup about? Don't think I can get more than that down...and the Herion...find him?"
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Yes, I will look for him." Cecilia grins suddenly, looking up from tucking the last of her supplies back into her bag. "Do you want to hear something funny?" She glances around them and lowers her voice, "Elaos was worried that I wouldn't be able to help people, simply because I did not wish to dig in the dirt."
"Dig in the dirt?" Mobeorn squints, then shakes his head. "I don't understand."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "He was digging up some roots for medicine.. And I was talking with him. I did not wish to get dirty so I asked him to dig some extra up for me as well. That was when he asked if I would be ready to help people in a fight." Cecilia says in amusement. "Of course, I told him that my father taught me well.. "
Mobeorn chuckles. "I don't think that getting dirt under your fingernails is necessary for being a good healer. Or a fighter. As long as we can count on you when you're needed." He eyes her. "I assume we can?"
Cecilia draws back, scowling at him. "I just sewed up your skin, didn't I?" She asks in mild offense. "You want me to cut the stitches back out?"
"No, no," Mobeorn answers hastily, waving a hand. "I was just wondering how you fare with all this warfare going on? Healers aren't meant to be in the thick of things like this."
[Cecilia(#23897)] "You didn't see the arrow I shot that orc with!" Cecilia says, a hint of excitement in her voice. "Even Vernon would have been impressed." She says, grinning with pride. Then her smile fades and she gives him an injured look. "You were worried that I would not fight?"
Mobeorn thinks for a moment, looking at the girl, then shakes his head. "You..no. Other healers, perhaps. Not you, though, lass."
Cecilia grins again, her smile radiant. She reachs over to pat him on the shoulder. "You're so sweet, Mobeorn. Just like the honey that you love. I'll see if I can find a honeycake, and the Herion." She stands now, brushing off her skirt and pantlegs.
Mobeorn watches Cecilia stand and then slowly gets to his feet himself. He squints off into the night, toward the dark woods, ever watchful for yet another attack. Campfires are lit here for the night and there are guards posted--mostly elven.
Cecilia flashes Mobeorn another grin, slinging her bulky cloth bag of healing supplies over her shoulder. Then the healer begins moving through the camp, heading towards the outlying edge, searching for Elladan as she promised that she would.
[Iswas(#32393)]
A soft hoot wafts again from the trees. They've been ever present, the watchers. This noise sounds a bit closer though. No leaves rustle. No twigs snap. Eyes can be felt though. Staring eyes.
[Cecilia(#23897)] The sound reminds the young healer to have her bow at hand as she ventures to the edge of camp. She pauses at her tent, grabbing up the weapon, and begins moving again, stopping to ask one of the Beorning scouts if the elf has been seen.
Mobeorn may be injured, but he's not the type to sit about while danger appears to be near. He's moving slowly, but he does move, brown eyes squinting toward the trees.
[Iswas(#32393)]
TWING! The only sound heard from the still night. An arrow races from just under the boughs of the devilish trees. For Cecilia it flies, black as death. Only one shot. No more follow. No more sounds.
Iswas launches an arrow...
Iswas's bowshot hits Cecilia, moderately wounding her.
[<#27059>] A grey figure emerges from the other edge of the camp, raven hair flying loosely around his head as he leaps towards Cecilia. Tall is he and swift and a great longbow is carried. Quickly an arrow is nocked and the string is drawn. "
Cecilia is good with a bow, but she's a healer and doesn't have the instincts that others might when traversing dangerous terrain. The sound of an arrow being loosed isn't unfamiliar, but even as the girl stops to look around she looks completely stunned as it flies at her, cutting into her woodman armor. Her gray eyes consider the arrow for a moment, then she grabs it and pulls it out. Blood wells around the wound and the Beorning gives a small, "Ow.."
Cecilia looks up at the elf, then around in the woods where she thinks the bowshot may have come from and sets the arrow to the string of her own bow. "It shot me!" She tells Elladan, incredulous.
[Iswas(#32393)]
The silence continues to ooze from the woods. 10 yards to the right of the first shot, comes another. This one aimed for the super model half-elf. The bowshot rings out, again alone. Again naught but silence follows.
Iswas launches an arrow...
Iswas's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
Mobeorn, it would seem, has overestimated his own strength--he gets to Cecilia as the woman is pulling an arrow out, but the shapechanger has to lean over, in obvious pain. "You...all right?" he gets out to her. You would think he would be in bear form by now, but he is not.
Elladan twists his head, shifts his body to whence the arrow came flying and releases his shot. The elven longbow sings as well and a yard-long arrow is sent flying to the woods, slightly right of the source of the last attack.
Elladan launches an arrow...
Elladan's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Yes.." She answers as all the manly men rush to her side, and that bolsters her confidence. She draws back the bowstring and lets the orcish arrow fly back in the direction wence it came, a fiece scowl on her face. "Keep your arrows!"
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Iswas, lightly wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
A voice whispers from the woods. Quite a few paces back to the left. In a spot where the trees thin out in an entrance to the thick woods, "I'm not over there anymore." The creature can be seen now, the firelight flickers on his blacker form among the shade. This time it isn't an arrow he launches. The orc reaches behind him and hefts a spear up. He sights it and launches the sharp object. Firelight flickers on the barbed steel tip. Still, he acts solitary, apparently bereft of any backup. he seems to be looking for someone, his eyes flicking around, not spotting the dart flying at himself. It buzzes past him, bouncing off his armor and doing litle real damage.
Behind Cecilia, Mobeorn scowls, restless, catching his breath. He can't help stand by and do nothing, it would seem--in the shimmering glow of the campfires, his shape shifts from man to an overgrown brown bear, towering over Cecilia now but not threatening her. Its eyes peer into the forest, seeking for the enemy, and it starts to take some slow steps that way.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas throws a spear...
Iswas's spear throw hits Elladan, mildly wounding him!
The spear lies now upon the ground now at his feet.
[Elladan(#27059)] The new missile merely scratches along Elladan's armor - a bruise might be the result, not more. And with the fell creature exposing itself to the light, the elf sends another arrow flying at the lone orc.
Elladan launches an arrow...
Elladan's bowshot hits Iswas, badly wounding him.
Cecilia glances back briefly as Mobeorn changes into a bear behind her, then watches him move ahead. She frowns, but says nothing. If he wants to get himself killed... The healer draws an arrows from her quiver, sets it to the string and draws it back. She tries to track where the goblin voice came from, then sees him off where Elladan shoots. She sends her own shaft flying in his direction.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Apparently that particular shift into bear is exactly what the orc was looking for. His eyes widen in glee and he gives a light sound as he shifts to pull another spear from his back. He shifts and gets shot right through the stomach! Owww! The look of that big arrow protruding from his bowels gives Iswas a reason to not look so gleeful anymore. He shudders and snaps the arrow off, leaving inches sticking above the armor. He backs into the trees, retching quietly, trying to recover his proper footing.
[Henleg(#20696)] Yet another bow sings as the brave Beorning woman shoot her own bow at the goblin, who for a moment is in plain sight. The arrow buzzes as it seeks its target, which suddenly turns tail and begins to move towards the shelter offered by the trees.
Henleg launches an arrow...
Henleg's arrow flies wide, doing no harm.
So maybe the bear is just _dumb_. Certainly it doesn't catch on that the orc was looking for it to shift from man to bear, for it lopes on after the orc, following it into the woods. Its pace is slow, though.
[<#27059>] Elladan says in Eothrik, "Mobeorn, stay where you are! Do not pursue that petty orc into the woods!" Elladan calls out as the bear marches towards the woodline. Again he draws the string and aims at the trees, ready to provide cover for the shapeshifter.
[<#23897>] Cecilia hesitates, standing next to Elladan with worry on her face. Then she calls as well, "
[Iswas(#32393)]
More noises come from the woods as the bear comes closer. The retching ceases. Light sounds of voices speaking an evil tongue can be heard. The first orc, looking a bit more ashen than prior sightings, leaps forward, launching another spear at the bear. The two are just at the very edge of the trees, the orc closing fast and drawing it's last spear as it runs the final yard.
Behind him comes four orcs. In their arms is a net. A big sturdy looking net. Big enough for a bear. A few rocks fly from the trees. A few scattered arrows at any others seen. The orcs move swiftly, they'll be on him quick.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas wields Spear.
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas throws a spear...
With a quick stroke of your beijabar fists, you knock the spear out of the air! Nice move!
The spear lies now on the ground at your feet.
Iswas removes Spear.
"
[Iswas(#32393)] The lead orc attacks with his spear, coming at the bear in a mad rush. He hurls it forward in a jab at the bear's face, his body swiftly following in attempt to slam into the larger creature.
The four orcs leap out, each holding a corner of the net. They try to flank the bear. Their intent is clear.
Iswas attacks you with his Spear!...
...and you parry his attack with your Beijabar Fists!
The bear throws himself into this fight, newly stitched wounds starting to leak blood. Enough is enough: One paw smashes against the spear, pushing it out of the way, the other paw aims a blow at Iswas's face. Meanwhile, that net is coming down on the bear, tangling him up, but not before he tries to kill Iswas.
You attack Iswas with your Beijabar Fists...
[Combat(#13388)->Mobeorn]
Your attack against Iswas badly wounds him!
[Iswas(#32393)]
The orc flies at the bear. Though the claws rip through armor and flesh, his momentum is too much. He falls into the bear. His next movements are attempts to get free of the net his comrades pull down.
Cecilia hears the warning from the bear, and translates for Elladan "A net!" She rushes forward now and fires her arrow into the tangle of orcs, brush, netting, and bear.
[Iswas(#32393)]
The thrashing of the bears squirts the agile Iswas from the bottom of the net before the tangle becomes too great. he howls in glee, leaping around to guard the 'package' as the orcs try to haul in deeper into the woods. Hoots and laughter rises from the woods. Followed by a few scattered arrows.
Cecilia fumbles to draw another arrow, panicking as she sees her friend being drug away. She sets it to the string and shoots at one of the orcs, desperate.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Elladan, mildly wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Iswas stands in between the net and the camp, spear ready for any advances. The four orcs pull at the net, barely making any progress. An arrow from an elf pierces the eye of one, slowing progress even more. A couple more orcs leap out in an attempt to help. another is bowed down as he comes from the trees. Still four orcs try to drag him away. The trees are only a few yards away. Inch by inch they go. Iswas howls in a strange language and the orcs try harder still.
[Elladan(#27059)] An arrows whistles past Elladan, scratching his right cheek. "Ai," he calls out ins surprise as this shot was unexpected - coming from behind. The bow is tossed to the ground and instead his blade springs forth from the sheath as the elf darts forward to aid the entangled bear.
[Combat(#13388)] Elladan draws his fell sword Nallaklaure ringing from its scabbard
[Cecilia(#23897)] "Sorry!!" Cecilia cries in alarm, and she takes more time to sight her next shot. The elves move so -fast-. It's really their own fault for getting in the way. She lets another arrow fly at one of the orcs.
Cecilia launches an arrow...
Cecilia's bowshot hits Iswas, severely wounding him.
[Iswas(#32393)]
Another arrow takes down a net tugger. No more seem wanting to risk their heads for this, as no more orcs come forward. The three remaining, keep trying, their progress hampered to a near stop.
Iswas leaps at the elf and his bright steel. Death's fire lights his eyes. An arrow whizzes jut past the elf and crunches into his shoulder. From there it smacks his face and skitters away. The spear is launched in a quick stab at the half elf's chest. Anything to get their prize into the woods!
Iswas attacks Elladan with his Spear, but he misses by a mile.
Elladan dodges the attack with ease as he leaps forward. Another net tugger is hewn as the elven archers from the campsite spill into the woods, blades drawn. Elladan thrusts his forward at Iswas though, trying to impale him
Elladan attacks Iswas with his Longsword, but Iswas parries the attack with his Spear!
[Iswas(#32393)]
The gasping, bleeding orc barely gets his spear in the way of the sword, hardly having the strength left to knock it away. Behind him the remaining orcs drop their hold on the net and attempt to run away. Iswas cannot. He is trapped and he knows it. They weren't quick enough. His reward will be death either way.
With a grim look on his gnarled face, the orc snaps the spear up at the elf's throat as he tries to worm too close for the sword.
Iswas attacks Elladan with his Spear, but he misses by a handspan.
Cecilia continues shooting, aiming at the fleeing orcs for another few shots. As soon as they are far enough away that she deems it safe, the healer races over to the net and draws her knife, struggling to cut the bonds away from the bear.
[Elladan(#27059)] The half-elf has already leapt around Iswas and thus the spear strike goes awry. In return Elladan wields his blade now in a fierce swing at the orc's neck. The blade seems to spit a white light at Iswas as it approaches its target.
Iswas collapses to the ground, defeated by Elladan!
[Combat(#13388)] Iswas's weapon "Spear" falls to the ground...
[Iswas(#32393)]
The cracking of bone splits the night air, even as all the woods go silent. The sword is true to it's mark and cleaves the head right from the beast who orchastrated this fiasco. A geyser of black ichor floods from the orc's suddenly headless body, gushing out in tremendous spurts in the direction of elladan. Iswas' head goes rolling away, towards the fires of the camps, a twisted snarl of defiance still on it's face. The body drops to the knees and falls forward to the dirt. All is quiet. The orcs have fled from sight at least, deeper into the woods. The body of Mobeorn lies tangled in the net, unconscious and unmolested. A close one for the bear....
[Elladan(#27059)] "Fie!" Elladan spits out as his head is covered in black. The fierce sword that even just claimed the life of Iswas is now used with extreme precision to cut the net around Mobeorn. "Wake up, Mobeorn," he urges the bear. "It is over!" From afar, the other elves come closer and surround the small group, ready to help carry the bear if need be.
Cecilia helps cut the netting, but she's starting to feel the pain where the arrow caught her. The healer grabs up one of the spears and uses it to lean on as she makes her way back to the camp, letting the men drag the bear back while she binds up her own wound, then prepares some herbs to take care of Mobeorn.
Players: Iswas,Cecilia,Elladan,Henleg,Mobeorn
