Quest The Third Voyage (Xen)

Zinrah's Summer Questline

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This is Falyndar at its finest. Danger lurks everywhere - in the ground, in the trees, in the bush. Only the strongest survive...

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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Traverse on December 28th, 2015, 2:48 am

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It was true, that one's Dhani or serpent form lent itself to swifter more agile movements in the thick and heavy rainfall facing the hunters on this wet day. Though Xen moved cautiously, keeping his eyes peeled for Nor's bright coloration, he missed spying a large and obtrusive root that his foot became caught in, causing him to waver off balance and increase the uncomfortable situation of his clothing and armor when they became not only filled with water, but also mud as he fell nearly face first into the ground before him.

By some miracle of the Goddess's overseeing Falyndar, the fall made little noise other than a wet splashing squelch of Xen's body hitting the soft wet earth. In addition, Nor and Taylir still remained out of sight, and thus had not seen the embarrassing actions of one Viper.

As Xen worked to move himself upwards he noticed that mere inches away from where his face had nearly shifted directly into the earth lay a familiar large and two toed track filled with murky water, deeply pressed into the muddy soil. Glancing ahead he realized he had a fairly clear trail to follow whatever monstrosity made such an unfamiliar series of tracks.

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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Xen on January 3rd, 2016, 12:31 am

Xen knew he did not have the best balance—recovery at this point was useless—he could only flail his arms while falling to the ground. If he could perform a super cool summersault during his fall, he would have done so, saving himself from damning humiliation. Xen then hits the ground, but not with a thud. It was more like a mushy splat, like went something soft falls from a great height and hits the earth at high velocity.

Xen lifts his face from the mud and groans; he now could really see that the divine loved witnessing his misfortune and displeasure. When would his day come? Xen cleans his face of debris filled mud as he rises to his feet and grumbles to himself. The heavy rain starts removing the remnants of mud he failed to remove immediately, but leaves behind the pungent aroma of the jungle floor all over his skin, which he really did not appreciate too much. “ I´m glad no one saw that, but I´am concerned also ” Xen looks around—he couldn´t see far—a thick veil of rain limits his range of sight.

Xen was unsure of whether or not something heard his fall. So, he crouches low to the ground and tries to conceal himself in the undergrowth. “ .... ” Xen felt his fingers slip into an indentation in the ground as he crouched. He immediately looks down to make sure his fingers hadn't slipped into a spider hole and his eyes widen. “ These...tracks... ” It was like he felt his life expectancy drop a few hundred years, once he notices the footprints.

Xen follows the trail with his eyes, until he couldn´t see them any longer. The trail ahead looks as though it had been cleared by something as well. “ By the gods, Nor and Taylir are moving in the direction of this thing!? I have to warn them! ” Xen proceeds forward like he did before, remaining low in a crouched position. “ I cannot shout for them or run because this thing may be close by. The divine, please be with us in this jungle, ” He was scared now, unbelievable so, but he carefully and cautiously goes forth in hopes to find his companions before the monster does.
Xen

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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Traverse on January 14th, 2016, 10:50 pm

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Xen kept as quiet as he could while trying to maintain a pace that would catch him up to Taylir and Nor. He walked through a path that looked like it had been cleared by whatever beast made the two toed tracks. along with the deep heavy tracks the brush was trampled, and it was obvious whatever creature made this path was large...perhaps as large or almost so as a Tskanna.

Several tense chimes of traversing the path and Xen found his body freezing. He had been climbing a slight incline, and as he reached the top the mystery began to unravel, somewhat. There was a tree nearby, too large for the beast to have shoved out of the way, and behind it the Viper could take cover and see three massive creatures.

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They were not as large as Tskanna, but not much smaller. Giant mottled brown grey beasts, with noticeable tusks and insect like yellow eyes that paid no attention to their surroundings as they fought, growled, and snarled over the corpse of a large tiger.

While Xen stood, eyeing this new threat, utterly enrapture, a large hand grabbed Xen's shoulder. When he glanced up he saw the bright green hue of Nor's face, the male Constrictor jerking his head off a bit into the underbrush. When Xen followed the male would lead Xen to Taylir, looking more like a stick than a serpent by how rigidly she sat awaiting the male's return.

"I do not underssstand." She began.

"I have heard tales of large creatures that kept themselves isolated from Zinrah and Taloba, but I did not think they were predators." Nor said after a long pause.

Taylir shot him a look. "You've heard of thesse thingsss? I have never heard of anything that iss like sssmall carnivorous Tsskanna."

Nor shrugged. "There are many creaturess in Falyndar that no one findss becausse they do not want to be found."


Taylir snorted derisively. "Well if that'sss true then what the petch are they doing here?"

"That is what is worrisome...and if they are the reason the Dhani are all gone...dead, that means there are probably more of them."

The two mused on this, Nor glancing towards Xen to hear his thoughts.
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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Xen on February 10th, 2016, 2:04 am

Rain was pelting his body and face, but Xen was glad that he could still see his surroundings during this downpour. And thanks to Makutsi, all of him except for his feet and ankles, had been liberated from the embrace of mud. However, he still stunk like a sweaty hog going on an all mud holiday. Yet, despite being in the presence of the sulking earth and bothersome rain, Xen felt an odd sense of oneness with the jungle, with nature around him despite it all.

He had fallen in the mud and crawled through it; he'd been silently creeping through the undergrowth in search of his companions while avoiding danger at the same time. The situation, the fear and anxiety, relying on his instincts—all these things and stimulus's—seemed to roil a deep, dark, and primal part of him.“ Ah... This...feeling... I'll never forget it. To sprawl in the mud like a beast within the primordial depths of nature. To lose one's self...To be consumed by monstrous....impulses.” The rain and the sound of the swaying canopy seemingly slows around him, as though time was slowly being replaced by quiescence.

Xen continues forward, traversing the soaked path before him. Along the way he sheathes his katana, putting it away, so that he could move more freely. With his left hand covering his left eye, Xen tries to calm himself “ Remain focused, Xen. There are those relying on you ” He thought as he follows and observed the trail of flattened shrubbery and tracks. The more time he spent tracking the beast responsible for this mischief, the more his understanding of this creatures size and power grew.

This creature was definitely strong as the jungle terrain did not seem to hinder it's movements at all. Xen became so engrossed in his search and details around him that he did not notice the incline he'd been moving upon. However, watching the tracks swerve round the body of a large and impressive tree, and then looking back at the path he and creature created, made him aware of it. Xen takes a step, crouches then hides behind the large tree. And while trying to conceal his presence as best as he could, he peeks to see what was beyond the tree.

.... ” Xen wordlessly watches the creatures; almost instantaneously their forms seemed to meld into his mind. He'd been overtaken by their strangeness and instantly began to memorize their body color and features in hopes that he'd be able to take up their forms using morphing later on.
Their skin looks thick and rough, hmm. I bet its actually smooth and well defined like expertly crafted leather, ” Xen mused as he studied the strange creatures.

Then a large hand suddenly grabs his shoulder! Xen jumps, as though the soul within his body was trying to make a hasty retreat for Lhex's office, and quickly turns around. He was expecting an enemy of some sort, but it was only Nor. Xen sighs in relief and follows the veteran hunter until they both reunite with Taylir, who did not look relaxed at all.

Xen was willing to be quiet and listen to the conversation going on between the two experience hunters, but upon noticing Nor's glance, he resigns from his place in silence.

By the way those creatures were interacting with another one and behaving, it looks like they work well together, ” Xen kept his voice low as he spoke “ Like they're a pack or something similar to one, ” Then his eyes suddenly widened like he had seen some kind of horrific abomination. “ Are...are these creatures led by an even larger creature or alpha? ” Xen did not want to think that there were more creatures. He especially did not want to think an even larger variant of these creatures were lurking around, or worse....that these creatures nearby were just younglings.
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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Traverse on February 14th, 2016, 7:34 pm

Image
Nor nodded in agreement with Xen's assessment. "They are obviously working as a cohesive whole, especially if they have been hunting Dhani."

Taylir shook her head. "How could they take out ssso many experienced Dhani?"

"I think arrogance is the downfall of many of our brethren, as I mentioned before." Nor said quietly, and this time Taylir did not seem to disagree, simply gazing at the massive beasts. Before anyone had a chance to say something else the beasts began to move off, done with their meal, and their ears flicking to some sound or presence that the serpents' were not aware of.

The three did not need to say anything as they moved to follow the beasts, making their way through the brush staying quiet in the dense jungle, always behind and out of sight. They walked for about a half of a bell before Nor threw up an arm causing them to stop. The three beasts they had followed had stopped in a semi-circle around a small rocky hillock, and upon it crouched a shadowed figure, humanoid. They reached out a hand towards the center creature, who inclined its snout receiving a small reassuring pet, then the beasts turned to continue, and the shadowed figure stood upright, and began to descend the small hill.

Taylir shook her head. "They are controlling them! They are the reassson for all of thisss!" It was still a whisper, but one of rage and hate, practically screamed out from between Taylir's clenched fangs.

Nor reached out an arm to stop the massive female Constrictor, but she had already shot off into the jungle, and giving away their element of surprise gave out a piercing war cry filled with all the frustration and hate that had been building in her core since they had begun their journey.

Though a bit upset, Nor still smiled slightly, turning to Xen. "Do what you can, Viper, we will be able to keep the beasstss at bay if you can attempt to get thisss entity that may be controlling them."

And then he raced after his female companion, leaving Xen to plot his own path. As Nor had said, Taylir had already toppled one of the creatures, crawling on another and sinking her claws into its thick leathery hide. The mysterious figure pulled out a bow and aimed for the first black Dhani.

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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Xen on February 24th, 2016, 10:33 pm

The awkwardness Xen felt after Nor's response was what one would naturally feel after making an obvious statement. He then bashfully scratches the back of his head, and looks to his side, into the jungle beside him to avoid the gazes of his two companions. Though, he remained attentive to their current conversation. His inexperience and ignorance forbad inattentiveness, and especially so, when his life was currently at stake.

Mere moments after the conversation, the beasts began to move. Nor and Taylir began to follow the creatures, and naturally, so did Xen. The quietude that overtakes them during their pursuit creates a tense atmosphere within the jungle. And the silent and serious visages of his companions only seemed to amplify the tension permeating the air. Instincts within tell him to unsheathe his katana, compelling him to prepare for action. Xen unsheathes his katana, listening to his instincts, and then places the weapon within his left hand.

The katana felt strangely light within his grasp, like nigh complete weightlessness had seized the blade and hilt, but Xen does not give this sudden lightness surrounding the katana his full attention and assumes what he felt was a sign of him growing accustomed to wielding the sword.

Then onwards, they follow the mysterious beasts into the jungle. The time that went by during their pursuit was quick, seemingly nonexistent, as it felt as though they had only taken a short walk from the previous location to their current position. Yet, it was not times quickness that dumbfounds Xen, but the scene before him.

These things were companions of this individual and not a larger group? This is crazy, but I think it is best to keep our distan- ” Xen's thoughts were cut short by Taylir's sudden and hasty charge towards the enemy. “ Hey! Hey Taylir! What are you...Nor... She, Ugh! ” Xen could not say anything else once he saw Nor's little grin; things were going to lead to this moment eventually. So, there was no need for complaints he assumes.

Xen jumps into action and raises his shield in front of his body as he rushes from the brush. Afterwards, he steps into the archer's line of sight in an attempt gain their attention and intercept them. Xen aim was to pressure them into targeting him instead of Nor, and or, Taylir.

Either me or my companions, Mysterious Foe. ” Xen ignores the fear and uneasiness within him; he knew could not faulter or hesitate here.
The lives of his kin had to be avenged and the hearts of their families mended!

Xen was quickly closing the distance between him and the mysterious archer as he was moving at full speed. The way he charged forward was like he was going to run through the enemy and leave them in tattered and shredded pieces afterwards. Yet, that was not going to happen. Xen prepares to strike with the katana; his desire was to deal one decisive and fatal blow to the neck.

“ ”
Xen

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The Third Voyage (Xen)

Postby Traverse on February 29th, 2016, 11:36 pm

Image
Xen made for the archer, surprise on his side, as it was obvious the figure was focused on the beasts engaged with the two Dhani. As Xen swung his blade, a brief pique of triumph bloomed in his chest, only to be dashed as he saw the figures head turn, and their body duck and roll backwards. The katana caught cloak, and the barest hint of flesh, a long shallow red line appearing along the archer's left arm, then the figure was poised a good distance from Xen, his hood having fallen back, and a messy tousle of dirty blonde hair barely concealing forest green eyes. Xen could see the young human's chest, and upon it an intricate scene, that he knew better than to think was just just a tattoo, as it was the next to life like image that Caiyha marked her followers with.

The young man gave Xen a grin. "You are the first to see me, not so stupid to just charge in, but your companions still think they are strong enough for my friends. They are not."

He gestured to the scene, and Xen glanced over to see they boy was right. Though Taylir's initial confident advance had seemed successful, she had a huge crimson gash in her side from one of the creature's great tusks, and two of them were now taking turns bashing her body back and forth, making the massive serpent look more like a plaything. Nor was keeping the third at bay, a fight of strength, but it seemed clear the monster was slowly winning. When Xen looked back to the boy he had crept backwards even farther.

"The Tarrlon and I will leave you alive, so you can tell the others. The jungle will not tolerate you or the Myrians squandering Caiyha's gifts any longer."

Xen tensed, but when he made a move to lunge forward the boy gave a sharp whistle and leapt off the small hillock, sprinting at a speed that made even the quick Viper a bit jealous. The newly dubbed Tarrlon were quick to follow him, Xen noticing that both Nor and Taylir were flat on the ground, the female far more injured than the male.

Though her injuries were deep, Taylir insisted on going after the Tarrlon, only after chimes of argument were Nor and Xen able to dissuade her, and the group made their way injured, defeated, yet alive back to Zinrah, the only group to have done so thus far. Their tale spread rapidly, and though the threat was no longer unknown, the vein of fear did not leave the city, hidden under rage and anger at a potentially human boy being the cause of so many Dhani deaths.

Xen

Experience:

  • Endurance 2
  • Hunting 3
  • Investigation 2
  • Katana 1
  • Land Navigation 3
  • Observation 3
  • Shield 1
  • Socialization 2
  • Stealth 2
  • Wilderness Survival 2

Lores:

  • Constrictor Hunter Hassoralanor 'Nor'
  • Constrictor Hunter Reslentaylir 'Taylir'
  • Discovering Unfamiliar Animal Tracks
  • Tracking in the Rain
  • Using the Cover of Rain to Aid in Stealth
  • Finding a Mysterious and Unknown Beast Threatening Dhani
  • Falyndar Beast: Tarrlon
  • Identifying a Servant of Caiyha
  • Surviving a Tarrlon Attack

Additional Notes :
Apologies for this having to end so abruptly, but congratulations on being the only player to have, and probably have for a while any lores on the Mysterious and dangerous Tarrlon! And also thank you for RPing so consistently and for probably the longest of any PC in Falyndar during my time as an ST. It's been super fun to watch Xen grow as a character, and I have enjoyed having a constant in a lovely, but generally underplayed region. I know he'll keep doing awesome things, and I hope to one day write with you again.

As always Safe Travels,

-Traverse


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