Zevran was really starting to regret going into the damn maze. It was turning out to be a lot of trouble, but after coming across what looked to be a shipment attacked and picked over by bandits, the curiosity got the better of him and next thing he knew he followed the trail back to a maze and figured, what the fuck. What the fuck indeed.
So far he was doing an all right job avoiding traps, but unfortunately not avoiding bandits. After killing a couple, Zevran retreated down the closest path as quickly as possible. While the bandits regrouped, he was able to get a decent head start on them.
Next thing he knew he’d found more people, two elves and a dwarf. It took him a second before realising he knew the dwarf and then wait, he knew one of the elves too. Well, this was fortuitous, running into people he considered allies.
He tried to keep his voice low as he called out to them, Zoltan! Megara! I can’t believe you’re here! It seems I've stumbled upon some trouble. We have company headed this way, bandits. We should get ready for a fight or find a way to avoid them. He was out of breath and had some minor injuries, nothing too troubling, but enough he could definitely use a healer’s touch if he was going to face another round with the bandits.
Something shiny caught her eye as they began walking, and crouching Meg would fished out a coin from the path. Her brow furrowed, righting herself and pausing to study it’s odd markings a moment. It didn’t carry any of the markings of a country of origin, at least none she recognised or was familiar with. Curious, but a free gold piece was a free gold piece and it soon found her pocket.
Glancing up to find herself behind, Meg had barely taken a step before witnessing Revas being indecently hurled into the air, his body almost bouncing mid-air as the rope caught taut. Her mouth hung open in shock, but from the other side of the path stumbled forth an all too familiar face and fair hair.
Megara did a double take, caught between helping Revas and finding her old friend here of all places. And injured. Her gawking mouth switched to a frown instantly, worry furrowing her brow, [color=#008e02]“How? …Some trouble, Zevran?!”[/color] She’d approach the assassin, taking his arm into her hand to begin examining his wounds. [color=#008e02]“I swear you and boys may one day be the end of me.”[/color] Shaking her head the mage would still grin though, life was so boring without a few troublemakers in one's life and the mild chaos kept hers interesting.
[color=#008e02]“Zoltan will get Revas down and things will be fine.” [/color]
No matter Megara's glee at what she thought to be impressive, a shake of his head was at first all she would gain from him as a response. Impressive to some perhaps, but when compared to the feats of magic he had seen, it felt rather like a simple parlor trick to amuse waiting guests. In fact he was almost certain he had done similar a handful of times before as a distraction. [color=#008e02]"You are far too generous with your praise Meg, that was hardly anything noteworthy."[/color] A quiet and soft dismissal and if she wanted to protest about it, he knew she likely would later. For now their focus was getting through this place, regaining what had been taken, and leaving as swiftly as possible. Entering and taking the left path proved a smart idea, though the odor was hardly one that he wanted to become accustomed to out here.
So focused on guiding the others, that even when they come to a fork in the road his eyes do not waver from the two of them, it is no surprise then that he does not seen what lies beneath him. A brief sound of surprise leaves him before it is clamped down on as he is launched high into the air, enough to see a few useful things. Well at least he'd been up in the air already, so being swung about hadn't made him dizzy. The problem was, even as he came back down, those in the maze wandering closer. Bandits. Clearly going about a certain route, or searching for something, did they have a hideout stashed in the middle of this place? It would certainly explain some of the strangeness left within the maze.
Of course when another appears, not to attack but seemingly... help? Revas keeps to himself, elf or not, he does not know him and it had always been his preference to watch and listen, to assess before making a judgement call. Even more so when someone first appears while bleeding. Still with a little effort and a touch of magic to cut the binds that held him, he drops down to the ground easily enough. [color=#008e02]"I'll take that statement as you asking me to deal with all of them Megara. Dead or merely unconscious?"[/color] It felt more their choice as a group then his own, usually he'd end them and be done with it but perhaps one of them had some useful information. A hand outstretched, mana flowing through to form a barrier around the three and one around himself. Though he moved to stand before the occasionally shimmering force and simply wait.
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
Zoltan was honestly a bit relieved to run into Zevran, even if surprised, bolstering their numbers could only be a good thing, especially with bandits about. Not that Zoltan didn’t know where to point the pointy end of a dagger, but he was no fighter. The only reason he’d decided to come was because he was curious, temporarily forgetting what curiosity did to the cat.
Zevran, trouble following you? So it must be a Tuesday. He said with a grin as he adjusted the rarely used dagger on his belt and swallowed a bit hard. This was fine, everything would be fine, especially now that Zevran was here.
Zevran just grinned at Megara and then shrugged at Zoltan, all while glancing occasionally at the elf he didn’t have the pleasure of knowing. He only assumed if the man was travelling with Zoltan and Megara, he must be good people.
My nose for trouble precedes me I see. What can I say, when I stumbled upon a maze seemingly in the middle of nowhere, I simply couldn’t resist poking my nose in. He said as Meg worked on his injuries. Then got back to the matter at hand.
I took down a couple before they got the upper hand. They don’t seem happy to have intruders in their little maze. I ripped an insignia off one of the dead ones before fleeing. I’m sure between the three of us we’ll have no trouble cutting down the last two. Though if we managed to keep one alive long enough to question, it might prove fruitful. He said quickly and concisely as the bandits were nearing. Once Meg was done with him he drew his daggers in preparation.
The freedom of using magic so openly was still relatively new for the younger elves and those blessed with magic. They had been subjected to so much stigma, fear and hatred that publicly using it so effortlessly took Meg by surprise. She was never one to show off even if given the chance to. If she wasn’t good enough then the patient died, life was not so much a game to her in that regard. Meg shook her head at his reply, continuing on into the maze.
With Zevran joining them, Meg also felt more at ease. She didn’t wish for Revas to shoulder the bulk of any fighting, not that she doubted his abilities, but that he shouldn't have to alone. While she did have spells and skills to draw on, Megara refrained as her role was supporting her allies, bolstering their magic and skills. Still frowning as he spoke, the healer then tutted. [color=#008e02]“You and Ruth, such nosy fishwives, honestly.” [/color]
After ensuring none of his scrapes had any lingering poisons, the healer let him go, ruffling his hair for good measure. [color=#008e02]“Let’s at least try and give them the chance at not dying… they might change their minds once they see us all.”[/color] Flashing a half-grin, Meg moved back, taking a position where she could easily offer cover. A wave of regeneration rolled off her presence. [color=#008e02]“Let's see if they want to dance, yeah?” [/color]
The bandits, aka Harold and Kumar, eventually catch up to the group. They immediately see the situation and ultimately decide to flee a different way from where they came in, realising they are outnumbered and not wanting to die today.
Zoltan ultimately concludes which path they should continue on, based on logic and reason.
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
With a palpable sense of relief washing over him, Zoltan watched as the bandits hastily turned on their heels and fled into the distance. While he wasn't overly concerned about the prospect of a confrontation—after all, he was in the company of Zevran, Megara, and Revas, whose combined prowess offered little chance that he'd be required to engage in combat—he was nonetheless grateful that they had managed to steer clear of an outright conflict on this occasion. Despite this narrow escape, he harbored no illusions about the reality of their situation. He knew all too well that their journey through the twisting, treacherous maze would not be as uneventful. Doubts gnawed at him, threatening to overshadow the relief he felt. He cast a furtive glance at the others, trying to gauge their reactions and pondering where they should head next.
"Considering we came from that direction, we know not to go back that way. Zevran came from that direction over there, so I assume there’s no point in going that way." Zevran nodded in agreement, having only encountered bandits and a dead end on his route. Zoltan continued. "No point in following the bandits, they would want to keep us from the goal, not lead us to it. I say we go the only way left to us." He looked at the others to gauge their reactions.
Zevran, a man always ready for a skirmish, couldn't help but wear his disappointment clearly on his face when the bandits hastily retreated at the sight of him, Revas, Megara, and Zoltan. With his adrenaline pumping and his body primed for the thrill of battle, he was somewhat deflated by the abrupt anticlimax.
He was confident, however, that this wouldn't be the last they'd see of the cowardly bandits. Despite the immediate letdown, he clung to the anticipation of another inevitable confrontation, turning his momentary disappointment into renewed determination. When Zoltan spoke up, Zevran listened intently, nodding at the remark about his arrival direction. Once Zoltan finished speaking, Zevran looked at the others and shrugged.
Seems as good a direction as any, logic seems sound. As the party discussed and agreed, Zevran fell into step with the others, heading further into the maze, while also making sure Zoltan was in the middle of the group in case they ran into trouble or trouble ran into them. Zevran decided to pass the time with chatter.
You know, I managed to get an insignia off one of the bandits. I do believe these bandits are known for being muscle for hire, at least that’s the rumours I’ve heard about them. He explained, keeping his attention on high as they walked. Places like this, who knew what sort of traps laid about for them to run into.
It was pretty comical watching them turn tail and run. Megara burst out laughing, throwing her head back and then pitched forwards as her hands rested on her hips. They’d be drawn up to clap a few times, applauding the whole outcome. [color=#008e02]“That was hilarious, and we saved ourselves gettin’ covered in bandit innards? Nice.” [/color]
As Zoltan took the lead and figured their next turn, Meg nodded along and moved back into the heart of the group. [color=#008e02]“Yeah, it’s the cleanest path out of the rest,”[/color] nodding absently as she double checked Zev’s wounds. She’d follow behind him, brows lifting as he talked about his find. [color=#008e02]“Really? Is it one you know, or recognise? Might be we can talk ‘em out of this with a better offer?” [/color]
Meg shrugged. Talking could mean they all got out of this place, bandits included, unscathed. [color=#008e02]“I suppose that depends how stupid they are though.”[/color] Taking her cue from Zev and Revas, she tried to keep her eyes open, a shield prepared just in case something came lunging out as they walked.
But he had, foolishly so perhaps. Prepared as he was, watching the few bandits that showed up turn a rather ghostly pale white, only to very quickly turn around and run back as far away from the group of them as they could get like scared children. It was disappointing, and left the elvhen heaving out a quiet sigh at them fleeing, it reminded him of those that had tried a few times to harm others vastly superior than those they were attacking. Seeing them flee, only to be set ablaze at a distance and hearing sudden screams before they turned to ash. While that was certainly an option here, he doubted it would help their situation in the long run, or his mana supply if he was going to be so careless. Better to wait.
Instead with a wave of a hand, Revas lowered the barrier he had raised moments before, fading away as if it had never existed to begin with. Megara had asked him to try to not murder these bandits, so perhaps they might yet survive for a little while longer. Though he very much doubted that would be the last time they would see those two within this maze, or anyone else aligned with them either. With the four of them now left alone, came the choice of where to head next. Given all the evidence they had at present, the child of stone's suggestion made sense, a nod of agreement given as his response as they began to make their way deeper into this place.
Revas kept to the rear of the group, it would allow him to keep an eye on all of them, and he could always reach ahead of them easily enough if needed. Better that, then having his back to someone he had never met before, and did not trust. Megara may think kindly of their new arrival, but no matter good intentions or not, he had never been quick to trust. Even more so for those that could wield a blade properly. No one person learnt how to fight and kill without a purpose after all. For now however, they had a job to do, finding these shipments and getting back out of here. Until it was sorted, he'd keep such opinions to himself.
The party has moved further into the maze. They’ve come to another clearing, with rune stones on the ground between them and the way to go further into the maze. Meg accidentally stepped on one and was thrown back. Zevran is focused on helping Meg back to her feet. While Zoltan is focused on the cat. Revas detects old magic emanating off the cat and can see the same runes on the cat’s collar that’s on the ground. It also seems the cat knows it’s way around the maze. The cat won’t come closer to Revas, but then when Zoltan pspsps it comes a bit closer, sitting on one of the runes which is either not triggered because the cat doesn’t weigh enough or cuz the cat knows which runes are safe to step on.
Diplomat/Ambassador representing the Dwarves and Tantervale
Played by: bach
Zoltan did his best to get the cat to come closer, while also looking sympathetically over at Meg and Zevran, making sure that she hadn’t been too stunned. The cat was quite stubborn and came two or three meters from reach, perched on one of the rune stones that seemed like it either didn’t register the cat because it wasn’t heavy enough, or was a safe run to step on.
Anyone have any tuna on them? Or anything really that might tempt the cat to come closer. Is it just me or does it seem like it knows which runes to step on? Maybe it was a coincidence, he wasn’t entirely sure really, only thing he knew with certainty that they either had to get past the runes or turn around and find another way through.
She’d thought the worst passed since the bandits hadn’t decided to stick around, but no, her lack of observance had cost her a trip across the way. Crossing the rune accidentally, the sudden surge in magic left her unable to react or prepare herself for being sent airborne. All Magara could manage was a small ‘yelp,’ as her centre of gravity shifted abruptly. Mercifully for all involved, the landing had just been shy of some rather large spikes hidden in the bushes. Being so short had been a slight advantage. So, Megara decided to take the silver lining as she drew up to crouch on all fours.
With Zevran quickly coming to her aid the healer would eventually get back to her feet, though far more wobbly than usual. [color=#008e02]“...Don’t… let me do that again. I, ugh, I’m gonna need a second.”[/color] The disorientation had made her a little queasy and Meg leaned forwards, hands resting on her thighs to steady herself. [color=#008e02]“I’m ok… Just. Ow,”[/color] she’d chuckle, flashing the group a small smile in reassurance. Her head would tilt at Zoltan’s suggestion though, [color=#008e02]“Well, we know not to step on that one at least.” [/color]
Travel was slow and steady, as it likely ought to be in a place such as this. No matter how much it might have sped things up to burn the pathways of this maze to ash and grant them all a clearer view of what may be ahead. It was not a risk he could afford to take, no matter how skilled of a mage anyone was, errors and mistakes still happened. Case in point as they rounded the last unknown path truly left open to them, given no time to react as runes are before them and in turn Megara is sent flying. Back on the ground with a light thud before he can even properly react. Though others were at her side before he, the elvhen mage kept his distance once assured of her safety, and in turn silencing a worrying June as well.
Instead his gaze focused both on the runes laid out before them, too many to leap across, even for him with a running start. And that strangely of a cat, not a shapeshifter from what little he could tell, but even that could be false. While the creature triggered none of the path before them, likely due to a difference in sheer size compared to the rest of them, something else concerned him. Certain as he was that this cat knew their way around this place, what was worrying was the magic that swirled about the collar resting upon it's neck. Not just the runes, so similar in shape and design but the magic that comes from it. Old but faint, from times before those so called gods sought to murder one of their brightest and best. [color=#008e02]"It does, but that collar is engraved with the same runes. Likely keeping it safe regardless of where it steps, what concerns me is the magic coming from it,"[/color] Calm and critical, even as he glances towards Megara as he begins to speak once more. Sometimes it was better to work through problems aloud, or so he had found when in the company of others. [color=#008e02]"It is faint, but the magic is old and familiar."[/color] Without a closer look at the cat, he could discern very little else.
[color=#008e02]"While I believe I have a way for us to all cross these runes without disturbing them, given this creature is here, I would think it better to cross them properly as to be respectful."[/color] Of course, if they wanted to bypass this altogether, that was another choice to be taken.
