Fantasy The Deadlands

[ArcticFox]

"I killed a couple of wounded, helpless people." Dynis rubbed at her temples. "You think I would have realised what I was doing before actually followinf through. Some hero I am." She felt horrible,but a small part of her was relieved. At least Helen and Manie had nothing to feel guilty about.

"I'm going to Magdarene too. I think both Helen and Manir will go as well." She sighed
"And I'm not about to leave that other idiot here, no matter how horrible his plan was." She moved to go outside. "I'm gonna try to find the two of them, then let's pack and leave thia place."

 

[Cartoonicat]

"Manir and I did not know either," Helen said, coming to stand beside her. "We all should have been more mindful. Next time, we will be."

On her way out, Daria grabbed Dynis lightly by the arm. Met her eyes, irises a bright blue. "Hey," her voice held sincerity, "it's shitty - trust me, I know - but the Deadlands earned its name for a reason." She let her go. "Death is not uncommon here." Daria appeared to be taking the death of her three tribesmen and women far better than Helen had her father, though perhaps that had to do with upbringing.

- Search the stables
- Search around back
- Stay inside
- Something else

 

[ArcticFox]

"I know, I've realised that already." Dynis shrugged and went toward the stables first.

 

[Cartoonicat]

Upon entering the stables, Dynis would find Wendel and Manir sitting on the floor, backs leaned against the wall. They were chatting and hadn't seemed to notice Dynis yet, as it was rather dark. Dynis could stay in the shadows and eavesdrop or approach them right away.

- Eavesdrop
- Approach them

 

[ArcticFox]

She had no time to skulk around and listen in. And frankly she did not care what they might have been talking about. She strolled with purpose to the two of them and said. "I'd like to speak with both of you privately before we leave." She eyed both of them with uncertainty. "That is, if you feel the same."

 

[Cartoonicat]

Conversation ceased the moment Dynis presented herself. Both men looked up at her, but only Manir stood without prompting. Wendel followed when the swordsman prompted him to. "What do you want?" Manir asked. "Wen-"

Wendel cut him off quickly. "I will not be going anywhere with you, if Daria is in the group," he said. Manir gave him a disappointed look, but said nothing. "Though you probably don't want me around anyway."

The archer seemed adamant about his decision, but Dynis could always try to change his mind. Though, he did not seem to be that happy with her at the moment. Neither man did, but at least Manir hadn't mentioned talk of leaving.

- Choose Daria
- Choose Wendel
- Try to change his mind
- Something else

 

[ArcticFox]

"Despite everything, I do want you around." She looked at Wendel first, then at Manir. "Both of you." She focused on Wendel then. "And where do you plan to go? They will swarm your hut in a couple of hours, perhaps they are already on their way. Do you want to continue through the Deadlands on your own? I know I'm not your favourite person right now and frankly, neither are you mine, but I'm not letting you go on your own at this point. Daria will leave us at Magdarene, that is barely a day's worth of having to put up with her."

 

[Cartoonicat]

Wendel narrowed his brows and kept eye contact, while Manir just looked away. "Somewhere, I don't know. Away from her."

"What if we dropped her off somewhere?" Manir suggested. "The closest place is Magdarene City. It's closed to the public, but I wanted to go there anyway. If Daria finds a way in, she'll probably be safe. Win-Win."

The archer turned his unamused look to Manir, then. "How do I win in that situation?"

"She'll be out of your hair, and Magdarene City is just a few hours North. You won't have to deal with her long."

Wendel seemed to consider the idea. "Fine," he said, "but if she tries anything, I'm killing her on the spot."

"So, Magdarene City, then?" Manir maintained eye contact with Dynis for the first time since earlier that day. His eyes held a challenge, as though daring her to disagree with him.

- To Magdarene City
- Go somewhere else

 

[ArcticFox]

"Yes, we are going there." Dynis nodded, allowing a little smile. Both of them were just big knuckleheads, no wonder they got along. "Let's pack and leave." She yawned, really just wanting to go back to bed.

 

[Cartoonicat]

The City of Magdarene​

They arrived at sunrise. Before the group of five stood a magnificent city of smooth, almost whimsical architectural design. It sparkled gold in the morning sun, occasionally shining blue. The city itself looked far bigger and more opulent than anything Dynis had seen before, even back in Napari, for it seemed to stretch on for miles further than what they could see. Several tall, ornately decorated golden pillars reached towards the sky. Sapphires embedded in the posts glowed a bright, beautiful blue. From the tips shot what appeared to be beams of baby blue light. Upon getting a closer look, however, the group would come to find it to be much more than that.

A force field.

Stretching around the magnificent structure and high above, towards the clouds and the city's spire that tried to reach them, was a shimmering shield of magic. Helen's lips parted in surprise, whereas the other three did not bat so much as an eye. Likely because Wendel and Daria lived so close, and because Manir had already been here once before, albeit stuck outside the gates.

"Well," Daria rested her hands on her hips, "excessive as ever. This will be a treat, tryin' to get in. Might as well make camp here."

Manir gestured towards Dynis. "Not yet; she's going to give it a try. They might let a priestess in."

Wendel snorted. "She looks nothing like a priestess, now, save for her staff."

Dynis certainly did not look as clean as she had when she arrived. If anything, she looked as wild as the rest of them, with unkempt hair and dirty, sandy clothes from the Deadlands. If anyone were to believe her a proper priestess at first glance, she'd no doubt need a wash and a bit of a makeover, but there wasn't anything out there from what she could see to actually accomplish that with. Then again, she did have her letter from Mother Elise and her Holy Book. Coupled with her staff, robe, and some charm it might work. Guards stood on the other side of the force field though they hardly spared the group a glance.

"Then what do we do?" Helen asked.

- Go with Manir's plan
- Propose a new plan
- Make camp
- Inspect the force field
- Inspect the pillars
- Do something else

 

[ArcticFox]

"Yeah, I don't like that plan." Dynis shook her head, firmly rejecting it. She looked at Manir. "Remember what happened the last time I strolled into a city in my robes? I was drugged and you were..." Her voice drifted away and she stopped. Coughed to clear her throat once. "I am not going to put on my robes and go knocking until I get some more information about this place." It did look imposing that was for certain. That is exactly why she did not trust it. "Helen, do you know anything about this kind of magic?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

Manir huffed, but said no more. The entire journey there, he'd hardly said a word to Dynis. It looked like that would not change any time soon. Helen, on the other hand, spoke up hesitantly. "I... am not sure. I know Kailu researched many types of magic, but I do not recall anything specifically about this. Then again... I did not actually listen, much," she smiled sheepishly at the last bit.

"Who's Kailu?" Daria quirked a brow.

"My brother," Helen clarified. Took a closer step to the force field, eyes squinting. "Maybe..." her hand reached out to touch it.

- Stop Helen
- Let her touch it
- Something else

 

[ArcticFox]

Dynis waited in silence to see if Helen had an idea about it. She watched carefully at her hand, ready to do something if the barrier proved to be dangerous. But still she wanted to see what would happen.

 

[Cartoonicat]

The second Helen's hand touched the force field, lightning crackled against her skin and she recoiled backwards with a pained yelp. "Ahh," she gritted her teeth. Turned her palm up to reveal awful, blistering red welts. The smell of burning flesh lingered in the air.

"Whoa," Wendel leaned in to look. "I didn't know it did that."

"Nobody did, obviously," Daria said. "Otherwise we'd have stopped her." The archer pursed his lips but didn't say anything in response.

Manir shook his head. "No, it wasn't like this last time," he said, walking up to the force field himself. "You could touch it before; I tried. They tightened security."

If they did tighten security, something likely caused it. Wendel lived relatively close, so he had a better upkeep with recent events than anyone, Daria coming in second. Also, without herbs, Dynis likely wouldn't be able to heal Helen's hand completely, but she could ease the pain a little. Or she could let Helen heal herself.

- Heal Helen
- Let Helen handle it
- Ask about the magic
- Ask about recent events
- Ask something else

 

[ArcticFox]

Dynis hurried to take a look at Helen's hand, eyebrows knotting in worry. "I can heal it a little bit, but maybe together we can do a better job." Before Helen answered, she looked at Daria and Wendel. "Would you two know of something happening around here that caused them to tighten the security of this place?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

Nodding, Helen gingerly placed her good hand atop the wound. She winced, hissing a breath through her teeth. Slowly, her hand began to glow a bright green - but it flickered in and out, as though she were having trouble concentrating.

Wendel adopted a thoughtful expression. "The scale hounds, maybe...?"

"Yer jokin'," Daria looked incredulous. "Ya think Magdarene would shut down so hard for a couple of hounds? They're snottish, but not sissies."

"Well what the hell do you suggest? I haven't-" suddenly Wendel stopped. Looked from Daria to the force field, then Helen's hand. "I hadn't heard it in a while, but..."

"What are you-" Manir tried to ask, but got cut off.

Daria gripped his forearm, jaw dropping. "No, it's still around? Ah shite." Tensing, Wendel brushed her off, looking incredibly offended. Daria hardly seemed phased by his reaction. Instead, she looked around warily. "We need to get inside before dark. Ya think it moved up here? Shite, I should have stayed in camp."

"If it did, we're dead."

It seemed only Daria and Wendel, however much they disliked each other, knew what was possibly going on. Talk of death, however, was not good for Dynis' own concentration - she needed good thoughts to heal Helen with magic. Luckily, Dynis had several first aid items in her pack.

- Shush them
- Ask for clarification
- Optional: Use a poultice on Helen's wound
- Optional: Bandage Helen's wound

 

[ArcticFox]

It was easier to use a poultice on Helen's hand as they both had trouble concentrating. "Here, this will help." Dynis said, taking a poultice out and handing it to Helen. Then she turned to the two who did not seem like they were gonna shut it any time soon. "What exactly is out here? And why do you sound terrified?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

"Thank you," Helen's voice sounded strained, but she accepted the poultice and set to work dabbing some on her boiled palm. She winced, but otherwise stayed silent.

Wendel opened his mouth to speak but Daria beat him to it: "Some feckin' mage or somethin' summoned a Nightmare - that's what my tribe, calls it, anyway - some hundred years ago. It typically sticks close to Mount Napari-"

"Feed off of the worms, there," Wendel managed a word in.

"-but it travels across the Deadlands, on occasion. I've seen the fecker twice, but only from a distance," she explained. "Back then, I didn't know I was supposed to be afraid - was just a little girl - so it didn't know I was there."

Wendel nodded. "Last I heard it was a few months ago, but it sounded far away. Still didn't leave the hut after dark, though."

"Maybe it was headed for the city? It has a taste for mages, and Magdarene is-... well..." She gestured to the force field in front of them.

At the mention of mages, Helen looked up, eyes wide. "Are you talking about the legend of Nondrasi? You're saying it's real?" Manir simply looked confused.

Daria spoke with her hands, fingers clenching as though she wanted to strangle someone. "Yes! I think? That's the elvish monster of night, right?" When Helen nodded, she continued. The woman was very chatty. "Nightmare, Nondrasi, whatever - point is, if this thing really is around, it will find us."

"It smells fear and, considering its preference for mana, Magdarene will probably be a beacon once the sun goes down."

"What the hell?" Manir finally spoke, sounding horrified. "I've been here for several years and never once heard of this thing."

"Lucky boy," Daria said.

- Ask more about Nondrasi
- Make camp
- Talk to the guards
- Form a new plan
- Something else

 

[ArcticFox]

Dynis listened to the exchange, feeling the dread maling it's way up her spine. She put down her pack and took out her slightly torn and stained robes. "Now, please turn around, all of you, I have to change."' She said. Better to be drugged again than eaten alive by some monster of legend.

 

[Cartoonicat]

"Well, that's no fun-" Daria yelped as Wendel grabbed her by the shoulder and roughly spun her around, back facing Dynis. The others had complied well enough without complaint. "The hell?" She shrugged him off. "I was kiddin'!" The archer crossed his arms and said nothing.

Meanwhile, Dynis slipped out of Helen's borrowed clothing and back into her Napari robes. They had been cleaned but still bore a bloodstain, though it was faint. She could proceed with the plan without input from the others on what to say, or she could collaborate. Daria had called Magdarene people "snottish" earlier; perhaps inquiring about their ways would be beneficial, as well.

- Call over the guards
- Collaborate on what to say
- Inquire about the people of Magdarene City
- Do something else

 

[ArcticFox]

After changing into her robes, Dynis called out to her companions.

"I don't know the Deadlands and I certainly don't know the people of Magdarene. Does anyone have any useful input? What should I say or ask of the guards?"

 

[Cartoonicat]

The four turned and glanced at each other curiously. "Erm," Daria started, "from what I know, they're haughty. They don't like strangers - obviously - much less anyone who looks like they don't belong."

"Hence the priestess robe," Manir said. "She looks fancy enough, right?"

Helen walked forward and adjusted some of the wrinkles on Dynis' shoulder, bunched up by the hole the scorpion had pierced through it. "If there were not a hole in her clothes," she said, frowning at the fabric that refused to smooth. "Or blood stains. I thought I removed those..."

"She looks significantly better than us, though," Wendel said. Scratched at his chin and glanced towards the guards. "If anything, they'll let her in and not us."

"Perhaps..." Helen hummed thoughtfully, following Wendel's line of sight. "Perhaps request temporary sanctuary? You can say we are escorting you through the Deadlands, to help with your pilgrimage. It is quite honest, actually."

Wendel shook his head. "I doubt they'd give a damn who's escorting you."

"If I were you, I wouldn't even mention us," Daria suggested. "Talk to the guards and get inside as a priestess, then turn on them."

"Because that's not an accident waiting to happen," Manir snorted.

Wendel pulled pack, gesturing for the others to do so as well. "Actually, use this," he offered her his invisibility potion. "Do you two still have yours?" They did, because they too handed them over. "Four invisibility potions equal roughly two minutes of complete camouflage. If they don't let us in, find a way to stop the barrier before sundown. These should help."

- Call the guards over
- Ask something else

 

[ArcticFox]

Dynis frowed at teh potions that were handed out to her. Even if her group was troublesome as it was, she still got used to them all. It would be very strange going in on her own.

"Let's try to get you in first and if not, we'll go with plan B." She took a deep breath and turned in the directions of the guards, walking over as close as possible. "Hello? I would like to ask for entry into your city! I am a Napari priestess on a pilgrimage!" She felt silly yelling like that.

 

[Cartoonicat]

One guard looked in her direction and murmured something to his fellow. Eventually, the two walked up to the force field. Their words sounded muffled from the other side, as though they were speaking underwater. "You shouldn't be here. The city is closed to outsiders, pilgrimage or not," They were both tall and intimidating, yet had a certain softness to their features that the Deadlands residents Dynis met so far had lacked.

Dynis could try to bribe them, for she did have quite an extensive inventory, or play the sympathy card and plead for entry. Flirting might help, too, but doing so in front of her group might be awkward for some. She could also try to find out why security was raised, or why the city closed down to begin with.

- Bribe
- Plead
- Flirt
- Something else
- Optional: Ask about the lockdown

 

[ArcticFox]

"We have nowhere else to go this night and I heard rumours abour monsters in this area?" Dynis spoke. "Is there any truth to these rumors?"