Nothern Shadows

[Rail]

"Thanks for relying on me Sedge," said Kilden. "I think it's important for us to trust each other implicitly, otherwise, well who knows what will happen..."

Sedge nearly choked on his food and grunted as if in agreement hoping to cover up his nervousness. He'd been trying to avoid thinking of the unpleasant possibilities of what could happen should they fail or prove incapable of besting this creature. He knew death was a possibility. He's always had a hard time accepting such things in the past, but it only got tougher the older he bacame, it would seem.

Suddenly, the food didn't taste nearly as good as it first did. Needed more salt, perhaps. Salt was somewhat hard to come by this far north, being inland. It was expensive, and Jalen was known to skimp a bit. Just a bit, though. Just like the way he occasionally fell to ruining some of the kegs of ale he purchased from the old brewer by watering it down. Jalen was a businessman first, and he sometimes cut costs. Even with the discount I always offered him, thought the master brewer grudgingly.

Sedge returned to his meal. "The weather's turning a bit for the worse, it looks. This wind's preceding a storm. There'll be no easy road for us for a few days, I'm afraid."

[Craig]

Vren was weighing the 2 thoughts; I could stay here and talk to him, that'd be ok if he wasn't a shapeshifter, and if it is I'd fight, but could I best it? No, he doubted it, but then he might run from an innocent man. Best run, he assured himself.

After sheathing his, now heavy, falchion he trotted to the local inn, opened the door, and looked inside. That must be him, Gheve had described anduin and his group, best go and talk to them...

[Nippy]

"The weather's turning a bit for the worse, it looks. This wind's preceding a storm. There'll be no easy road for us for a few days, I'm afraid."

Sedge sighed audibly at this thought, Kilden quickly finished his meal and had a long draft of his drink.

"Well, my travel from the South was quite difficult to. Leaving Baldurs Gate I had sun and a warm breeze, as soon as I even got a few miles past it I felt the cold of the North 'welcome' me. To tell the truth, I've never been bothered about cold, I think I have icewater running in my veins!" Kilden grinned at the older man and had another drink.

"So Sedge, let us get to know each other, I'd like to meet the people I travel with..."

Kilden smiled and waited for Sedge's reply...

[Aegis]

Anduin made his way down the stairs. It was early, even by his standerds, and he was still groggy. HE never liked waking early, but it was part of the life he was taking back up, and was he would be in store for many more days. He staggered through the common room in a half daze, working his way to where Sedge and Kilden were enjoying their breakfast. Pulling one of the wooden chairs out, he sat down heavily, and leaned back. Jaren knew what to do before the grizzled warrior even cleared the room, and a bottle of strong liquer was already waiting for him. It had become routine, using the potent drink to wake the warrior in the morning, if needed. Any other time, and Anduin would never touch the stuff. He stared at it, his vision still a haze, but somehow managed to focus in on it. Grabbing it in his hand, he brought the strong drink to his lips, and took a deep swig. The liquid burned the whole way down, and his eyes went wide. As always, the drink worked, and he was completly aware his surroundings.

Sedge smiled, amused at the specticle of it all, and pleased that it was one of his brews. Kilden looked in shock at the man who was twice his age knock back that potent a drink this early in the day. The dumbfounded looked lasted long enough for Anduin to catch it, and scowl in his direction. Obviously, Anduin was not a morning person, and Kilden made a mental note of that. He turned back to his spiced potatoes, and resumed to eat them.

"Glad you decided to come, Sedge." Anduin said, rubbing his forehead, trying to wake up still. HE grinned as he saw his friends face. "As you can see, morning still isn't my time." He smirked, and the two shared a laugh. As the merriment subsided, Anduin rested his hands on the table, and his face turned dark, and serious again, much as it was the previous night. "Anyway, I'm hoping Gilthanus will arrive soon. I told him to meet us on the road if possible. In case we don't cross paths, though, I gave Jerin and Kara some instructions on where to find us." Sedge nodded, hoping their old traveling companion would arrive soon. "We'll let Gheve sleep for now, and retreive him later today. The poor gnome has been through a lot, and probably needs the rest." Anduin sighed, and then turned to Kilden. "As for you. You seem like a scrapper, I just hope you know how to use that blade. I don't want to have to be dodging some berk while defending my own in a fight." This brought a scowl from Kilden, but Anduin ignored it, and turned back to the centre of the table. "Anyway, after you two finish your breakfast, we'll leave. I have some packs put together full of a tenday's worth of food, along with any extra gear we may need."

[Craig]

Vren was shaky, the affects of running so far and so fast started to take affect, but he tried to shrug of the aching feeling in his legs, what if that hadn’t been a doppelganger, he didn’t think they skinned people.
“Hello?” Vren jumped slightly as a kind voice pierced his thinking silence, he found a seat and said “Y-yes?” It was the barkeep,
“Are you ok?”
“F-fine” Said Vren his mind stumbling on the words, should he tell? What if it was just a man…?
“Are you sure? You look, well nervous…”
“I’ve been in the w-woods” Stuttered Vren “Can I have s-some thing to drink?”
“Are y…”
“Yes!” Replied Vren, louder then he’d meant to; he brushed of a few leaves and twigs from his clothes.

[Rob-hin]

A man came down the stairs; he looked like a tough fighter, a bit old perhaps. “Perhaps that’s Aduin” Casan thought.

“Just a sec, I’ll be right with you.” Jalen walked of to put some drinks a table. After a few minutes he came back. Casan didn’t like the wait. What if they already left?
“So, what can I do for you?” Jalen asked while he put an empty tray on the bar. “Like I said, I’m looking for Aduin, is he here?”

Jalen looked at him, he had seen him before but he couldn’t remember where and when. If Casan hadn’t left Lucky outside, perhaps he could have guessed it, it didn’t matter though.
“You are in luck; he just came down for breakfast. If you came here later you would have missed him” he’s the big guy sitting at that table. He pointed at the big man who came down the stairs earlier. “Mind your tongue, he is a bit cranky in the morning.”
“I’ll manage, thanks for your help.”

Aduin wasn’t alone and he wondered who his company was. There was a young man about his age, he looked like a stranger. He had seen the older man in the robes before, in the woods perhaps.

Casan walked over to the table. “Good morning, might I have a word with you?”

The three men looked up…

[Magus]

The chill morning breeze blew through his long, white air, making it billow behind him like a sail in the wind as he walked down the dirt road. Gilthanas drew his wool travel cloak about him, shielding the worst of it. Icewind Dale was just as he remembered it. Even in spring one couldn’t shed his woolen undergarments. He’d have to buy some once he reached Bryn Shandar.

Even now he wasn’t sure why he was returning. Twenty years ago he’d left to strike it out on his own, much to the dismay of his friend, Sedgemon. Gilthanas barely suppressed a smile at the thought of the eccentric mage. But he couldn’t settle down in a city, much less one full of brutish humans, and Sedgemon knew that. Raised by wild elves, the half-elf had a natural repugnance for cities, as well as an innate disdain for humans and their destructive ways. But most of all, the elves had nurtured in him a deep-seated bitterness, both towards the world and life in general. An infant discovered in the woods in the aftermath of battle, the wild elves had felt obliged to raise him, but they never accepted him. No matter what he did, no matter how hard he tried to fit in, he was always a half-human to them, a bastard outsider that should just be grateful for his life. He left before coming of age, under dubious circumstances that he couldn’t even recall anymore. Such was the trauma of the incident.

Gilthanas’s hand strayed to his katana, the comforting hilt resting firmly in his hand. A warm feeling spread through his body, banishing the unwelcome memories. His weapon was the only thing he could rely on nowadays. His weapon and his sword arm. His thoughts strayed back to when he had acquired the katana, back in his early days of adventuring before he met Sedgemon. He’d been accosted by a group of rag-tag bandits who hadn’t expected a prepared and well-armed target. Rummaging through their belongings, he had found an ornate katana, covered by grime and rusted beyond use. He had picked it up, intending to toss it aside as he searched for something worth selling. To his surprise the sword flared to life at his touch, shedding years of age and neglect in an instant. When the light faded he was left with a beautifully-crafted katana, perfectly balanced and sharp as the day it was forged. To this day he hadn’t sharpened it once, and it seemed keener than ever.

The sun peeked over the hills, glistening off the silver mesh of his elven chainmail. A parting gift from a young elf maiden met during his recent travels, Gilthanas couldn’t help feeling a sense of remorse. She had told him she loved him, but it was a love that could never bear fruit. She was an elf; he was a half-breed. Besides, he was and always would be an adventurer, a restless soul in search of danger and excitement. It was a match that could never be. So he had left, never to return.

And here he was, traveling down the road to Bryn Shandar, unsure as to the reason or what he’d do when he got there. Yet that wasn’t unusual. He had never been one to plan ahead. He was like the wind: cold and capricious. He didn’t know what he’d find in Bryn Shandar, but there was bound to be some adventure afoot. It didn’t occur to him that he missed the old days, with Sedgemon, Anduin, and the rest. He wouldn’t even admit that to himself. Yes, he was going to Bryn Shandar for adventure, nothing more.

His keen eyes spotted a thin trail of smoke in the distance. A campfire, he mused. Getting closer, he realized something was wrong. Traveler’s items layed all about the ground, yet there was no one in sight. He pulled a fine elven longbow from his back, bought from a merchant down south near Baldur’s Gate. He fitted an arrow, scanning the trees that lined the road to the left. It was a standard bandit tactic to ambush a traveler, than accost any others that were foolish enough to approach. No attack came. After he felt certain that no one was lying in wait, he approached the small camp, bow ready. Judging from the looks of it, a single traveler had spent the night there. Inspecting the ground, he found a faint trail of blood. He followed it to the treeline, where it abruptly ended. He looked up. From a branch above dangled a corpse, or at least what was left of it. The skin had been completely peeled away, leaving a grotesque display of muscles and organs. Gilthanas grimaced at the sight and looked away, more offended than sickened. Nonetheless, he couldn’t leave it hanging like that. He returned the bow to his back, replacing the arrow in its quiver. Then he deftly climbed the tree and cut the corpse down, hearing a crash as it hit the ground. He leaped after it, inspecting the body to determine what had done this. From the looks of it, the remains were no more than a day old. The maiming probably occurred last night, he figured. The cuts were clean and methodical, definitely not the work of a wild animal. Searching the ground, he found a couple of claw prints, barely noticeable. So it probably wasn’t the work of some crazed human, he decided. Not one to bury complete strangers, he was about to leave when he noticed a flash of white in the corner of his vision. In an instant he had rolled aside, his katana held in front of him as he bounced to his feet. The culprit was a small piece of paper, now curled around a falling branch. Gilthanas returned his katana to its sheath and snatched up the paper. It was a note from Anduin...to him! Surprised, Gilthanas began to read it, his senses all the while alert for possible danger.

[Aegis]

"Giltahnas,
Though it has been some time since we last saw each other, much less conversed in any means, the time has come again. I am sending this message, hoping it finds you soon, and in good health, though you should be the only one of us that still has their original hair colour. We have been having troubles in the Dale as of recently, a wave of odd skinnings, and murders. I cannot explain it, as it is something even I have never come across in forty years of wandering Faerun. Unfortunatly, I was unable to complie a sketch of it, and feel as if there is a lack of words to describe it. I have already called on Sedge, and I seem to have developed a following of brash youths. I hope that will aid us in seraching for this creature, as I do not feel that we will be enough.

Sincerly,

Anduin Leth

Gilthanas looked up from the note, a small smirk on his face. Many times before, fate had guided him in odd directions, and it seemed as if it was going back to it's old habits. He pocketed the note, and prepared to set out for Byrn Shandar, at double the pace.

*****

Gylderon woke. His head was throbbing, and his vision was blurry. He didn't know where he was, or what had happened, though one thought rang clear in his head. He was most likely a victim of the creature. He looked down, and saw the grim reality of it all as he watched the ground sawy underneathe. His arms were numb, as was everything below his waist, making an attempt to untie the bonds suspending him impossible. The blood along his chest and face had long since dried, and he felt the cake liquid begin to crack away like rust as his body once again began to move. The creature was obviously an intelligent one. His weapons lay on the ground, about ten feet away, and clearly out of his reach. It seemed Tymora had been away during this day.

*****

"And who would you be?" Anduin asked the newcomer.

"I apologize for interupting your morning, good sirs, but I have news from the forest outside of town." Casan began, trying hard not to speak in a panic. "First off, I am Casan. I help travellers caught at night to get to town." Anduin and Sedge nodded, having heard of the man. "Anyway, I went out this morning, and I found some disturbing things. Along many of the paths of the forest, the bodies of animals, humans and gnomes alike were hanging from trees, all of which were skinless!"

anduin stood up like a dart, and Casan froze. "Where abouts did you see tese bodies?" Anduin asked, his eyes bearing down on the man.

Casan blinked, as if coming back to reality before answering. "Uh.. About an hours walk into the forest. I could show y-"

Anduin cut Casan off. "Do so." He turned to Kilden and Sedge. "Get your gear. We leave in an hour."

*****

[Nippy]

"Aye, I have most things ready, allow me to gather some water and then we can leave."

Kilden moved quickly back to his room. He found a couple of waterskins and poured some of the water from a jug in his room into them both.

He was about to leave the room but a glistening flash of light flickered in his eye. He stood still, trying to locate the cause of this light and the source was a piece of metal beneath a floorboard. He knelt down and pried open the board with his dagger and he found a necklace, some sizes too small for him, meant for a smaller man, he daren't put it on, in case of any dangers or curses that could be placed upon the necklace...

He pocketed it and considered showing it to Sedge, asking him if he could find anything out about it...

He left the room and quickly made his way downstairs with his pack, weapon and the necklace hidden in his pocket...

[Craig]

Vren looked around nervously, no one had heard him, well accept the barkeep; he sipped his beer.
”Do you know who Anduin is? I have talked to Gheve, and went to the forest,” Vren thought wondered if he should be talking about the old man, no best not ”I have some thing to tell him, urgent”
“He’s over there” Replied Jalen and Vren saw through the busy throng, a small table, with two people sitting, it seemed two others were standing,
“The tall one,” He added helpfully
“I thought so but, isn’t he a bit old…?”
“Aren’t you a bit small” Anduin replied, he must have overheard, and Vren gave him a cold glare.
“Ok, ok my Halfling friend but what urgent new do you have for me?”

[Rob-hin]

Anduin cut Casan off. "Do so." He turned to Kilden and Sedge. "Get your gear. We leave in an hour."

A bit confused by this rapid decision, Casan was just staring at Anduin. “Get ready” Anduin repeated. “Yes, of course.” Casan relaxed. He didn’t need much, food perhaps.

A Halfling was talking with Jalen, Casan overheard their conversation.
“The tall one,” Jalen said.
“I thought so but, isn’t he a bit old…?” The Halfling replied.
“Aren’t you a bit small?” This reaction startled Casan. He didn’t think Anduin overheard them too. Obviously, the Halfling didn’t like this remark, even if he had it coming. He gave Anduin a cold glare.
Anduin broke the silence. “Ok, ok my Halfling friend but what urgent news do you have for me?”

Casan decided to take a step back and gave Jalen a signal to send him some food, any food, and ale. While he sat down, he saw the young stranger, who was talking with Anduin earlier, doing something on the floor.
At that time Jalen came with the food. “Please pay in advance.” Casan gave him the money, by that time; the stranger had left the room.

Casan was hungry, he didn’t have breakfast, and with this food in front of him, he noticed just how hungry he really was. While he was eating, he made sure he didn’t miss a word of the conversation between Anduin and the Halfling

[Rail]

Sedge was stunned at the speed by which things seemed to be progressing. Within minutes he had gone from having a great breakfast and better discussion, to having each of his companions run off to begin preparations and several strangers entertained the attentions of his friend. Well, not a great breakfast, mind you, but a fair one. A great breakfast would be like the one he had the last time he was in Silverymoon, at the Golden Unicorn, with goose eggs, salt pork, potatoes, and fresh fruit from the local market. Though this one was good, though Sedge still insisted it needed more salt. Jalen was a fair cook.

He brought his attention back to the events at hand. Kilden had run off to gather his things. Anduin had begun to converse with a smart-mouthed halfling. And the newcomer, Casam? Or was it Hassan? Sedge was never too good with names. Casam was diving into his plate full of foor, paying careful attention to Anduin and the halfling. From the looks of him, Casam seemed to be a man of the woods, strong enough and hardy. His boots were mudstained and still bore a few wet leaves, showing he had not traveled all the way to the inn by road. He was either brave or naive to have left the road. Or maybe he simply had no other choice and knew what he could face. Was the road truly any safer, anyway, with such a creature on the loose? Regardless, this..., Cassam, was certainly polite and well mannered, for one of this younger generation. Sedge was pretty sure he had seen him before, thought he couldn't place where. He'd have to give it some more thought when there wasn't so much going on.

The old wizard looked back at his pack and sighed. It was certainly heavier than he remembered, but there really wasn't anything he could leave behind. His spellbook was certainly a good portion of the wieght. He couldn't leave his food, nor drink. The others would certainly appreciate the latter after a long days traveling. Probably none of the others had remembered to bring cookware, so he couldn't leave that behind either. Besides, he wasn't sure any of them could cook worth a grain of barley. He knew Anduin couldn't, at least. The thought of that last meal the warrior had prepared still brought a sour look to Sedge's face.

Now, Gilthanus! There was a cook, though the elf really didn't seem to enjoy preparing the meals. Too bad, too, because the fellow had some talent. Sedge found himself desperately wishing the half-elf would show up soon. He clearly remembered the last adventure. If Gilthanus hadn't saved his life, he'd have never become the brewer that he is today. He thought fondly of old times around the campfire with Anduin, Gilthanus, Kiira, Saulen and the others. Times had changed and some of those friends were now gone, but the ties remained.

Looking back to his present company, he sighed as he realized it had grown. First Kilden, now Cassam. Who knows, at this rate maybe Anduin would next ask the smart-mouthed halfling to join. He seemed to take just about anyone willing to join. And Sedge couldn't blame him. He knew theyy were up against no tribe of goblins. This was a creature unlike anything theyy had encountered. The more blades, the better the chance they'd succeed. Sedge just wished he could be sure of what kind of people they were inviting along for the ride.

Things would be much better when Gilthanus got here. Sedge was certain.

[Aegis]

Anduin quickly dismissed the smart mouthed halfling, and turned to leave the common room. It wasn't until Vren realized what just happened, and spoke up. Vren proceded to tell Anduin of his experiance in the forest, but neglecting to tell of the old hermit he met. Anduin's shoulders sagged, and shook his head, exasperated.

"I thank you, little one, but that does not assist me in my task." Anduin began to walk from the halfing, but stopped before heading upstairs. "A halfling traveling late in the forest, and hearing some noises seems of little importance at this time." The gruff human then stalked up the stairs, and went to prepare his gear.

*****

The three were ready and assembled before the hour was up. Anduin was the first, feeling the most priority for the situation. He packed light, just like the days when he first started adventuring. He had nothing but a pack hanging off his hip, opposite his sword. He had doned his old, dark green tunic. The colour had faded, and bits of it were wearing thin. Underneathe, he wore a tightly knit chainmail vest. He was truly a sight, with his grizzled looks, and long, matted hair.

Sedge was a little more heavily packed. Hanging off his back he had a small set of cooking pans, two packs of provisions, and a rather large flask, that Anduin knew would not be full of water. Sedge still wore the faded robes, and the familar packets of ingredients that hung off his waist. He smiled, though forcibly, towards Anduin. He still was having a hard time believeing that Anduin convinced him to adventure... Again.

The two veterans waited for only a few minutes before Kilden came stalking out of his room. The young man was loaded for bear, weapons brimming off his body. Both Anduin and Sedge grinned at the sight, and almost burst into laughter. Kilden scowled.

"What?" questioned the youth, rather indignatly.

"We're going hunting for one creature, not an army." Anduin said, containing his mirth, if only barely. "You only need one weapon. Leave the rest of your armoury at home." Anduin turned and shook his head. This was becoming a habit for him, one he didn't enjoy very much. He was begining to think that it would be better if it were only him, Sedge and Gilthanas doing this.

When Kilden came back out of the building, he was less heavily armed, and was ready to depart. The three set off down the road that led for the forest. Before they reached the edge of town, they heard a shouting from behind them. Anduin turned around, and then realized what they had forgotten. Casan came running up to them. Once there, the man doubled over, breathing heavily, and looking insulted.

"Did you forget? You wanted me to show where I found the bodies!" Casan caught his breath, and stood back upright.

Anduin nodded in admission, and shrugged in apology. Anduin knew this was going to be a long day, and it hadn't even gotten pas mid-day...

[Craig]

Vren wondered why no one thought he was good as any of the tall ones! He wondered once again at his competence, he was inexperienced; no, he was as ready as any of the others are, “Ha” thought Vren, let them ignore you, and you can do this on your own. Doubt seeped into his mind, reassuring at first, safe in the knowledge that he knew his limitations, then he heard the Troll; you can’t do anything threatened the doubt. I can he thought firmly, and I will, and not on my own.

Vren finished his beer, that was strong, best be awake though, he scattered the bar with a few copper pieces, and head off, trying to tread lightly, and masked the shadows of the trees, and easily tailed the group; Vren had his suspicions that they were letting him.

[Durwyn]

Durn got up and decided he would enter the forest. He knew from the way he had seen them of their skill.

"Anduin is a experienced warrior, better than myself most likely" he noted "but the other, Kilden has had good training but has not been in many true fights, I myself have been in a few but not enough to truly call myself very skilled, but im not a newbie or anything." He saw the halfling up ahead. It looks like they didn't bring him along. Well I guess it's safer in groups than alone.

"Um, you there, uh hi, I see your looking for the beast also, do you want any help" said Durn.

Dang im bad at thinking up things to say to people thought Durn as he waited for a response...

(craig:you can reply any way your charcter would but try and remember im a half-orc, in the north they are widly distrusted, you probaly would be suspicious at least.)