Tales From The Battlefield

The Spiritual Stag, by Rubiglo Kedar

The woods were different that day. It was almost as if the trees themselves sensed what was to come. The wind was still, giving me no hope of carrying any lingering scent away. I pulled a water skin from my pack. Earlier that morning I filled the skin with doe urine, and now I splashed it over my shoes and along my gloves, rubbing it along my hunting clothes to cover my scent. The pungent smell of it filled my nostrils, and my heart began to beat faster in anticipation. I tied my leaf covered cloak securely around my throat and re-checked my bows. The deep grains of my long bow was flawless, curving into my palm like it was another part of my hand. The weight was perfect, set to 60 pounds, with a string that I had tested to perfection. The enchantment on the bow was strong, and the quiver of arrows were covered in a subtle stickiness when I set them into place on my back.

I found my way to a place deep in the middle of the Dirimloth Forrest. The light was weak here, the canopy of branches so thick above as to block out most of the suns rays. But I knew my path well, I had studied this area for months. I knew every twig, every leaf that could be found in the small clearing. I positioned myself partially up one of the massive trees that ringed the clearing, and settled in to wait. Much time passed with no sign of my quarry, but then at long last, I saw my prize. The legendary Spiritual Stag, his huge rack so heavy his head remained low at all times, carefully stepped into the calm of the clearing. His suspicious actions made me worry that he had picked up some sign that I was there. But after a long wait while he carefully sniffed the air, he came into the clearing completely.

I silently drew back the bow, pulling the string taut, cradling the bow in my left hand and aiming slightly over his back. I tightened up my aim, bringing the sights down until I had him in view. My target…the flesh right behind his shoulder. I hoped to pierce his heart in one swift blow. But then, perhaps it was my clothes shuffling, perhaps my perch creaked, whatever it was, he sensed me. Just as my arrow shot off toward him, he crouched. Not a lot, but just enough for my arrow to miss its mark. Quickly re-loading an arrow onto the string, I fired off a second shot, but by then he was bounding through the air at full speed. My arrow struck, but not well enough to kill him.

Cursing my inexperience, I leapt from my perch and carefully inspected the blood the stag had left behind. Slightly pink and bubbling, I knew I punctured a lung. Not the worst shot I could have gotten, but not the best by far. Notching a third arrow, I dodged off down the trail, searching for signs of more blood, or my arrow. By this time, the webbing enchantment that infused the arrow should have been working it's magic. After several moments, when I did not come across my stunned stag, I realized that he must be immune to this enchantment. This would be done the old fashioned way. Quickly swapping my web bow for another bow I kept by my side, I continued to follow the trail.

I caught up with him at the next clearing, and shot my bow, it's glowing arrow thumping into the Stag with a heavy thud. He squealed with rage and pain, and was off again. We continued like this for some time. He would pause, dizzy with pain and loss of blood, and I would shoot again. My breath was ragged by the time he finally succumbed. He fell to his knees, somehow with dignity, and gave in to death at long last. I fell beside him, meeting his eyes as the last part of him that clung to life went slowly cold. Dragging myself upwards, I knelt beside him and bowed my head, offering a prayer Zir for my victory, and offering my deepest apologies to the spirit of the mighty Stag I just bested.

Hacking off the huge rack and returning to the hidden entrance of the Ranger's Guild was something I barely remember. I was high with pride. I displayed my rack with a flourish, and, having proven my worth to the elders, was allowed membership to the guild.

The Dreaded Lag Beast,
From the Desk of Radiant Rubiglo, Fighter's Mentor

Twas a typical day in Moorgate. The sun was hot, the air warm, and many friends and neigbors walked the street. But on this day I felt a calling, and, never one to ignore my instincts, I found myself heading west along Broadside Walk. I reached the end of the street, and saw a sewer grating that was slightly ajar, located to the north. I knew this strange calling was originating from the old passageways beneath the city, so I moved quickly towards my destination. I happened to have my trusty crowbar in my pack, a true fighter never leaves home without one, and in no time I was scampering along the corridors, in search of an unknown force.

Suddenly I was ambushed! Several of the sewers more ferocious denizens accosted me with no mercy. Thanks to the careful training of my guild tutors, I was able to dispatch most of the creatures, and was turning towards the last vile Assassin, when my over-confidence was revealed. There, without warning, a sight most horrible appeared before me. The dread Lag Beast was here! Before my very eyes! I tried desperitely to retreat, but it was too late. He dealt me a stunning blow, and I fell to the floor, dazed.

When I came to, the beast was gone, as was the assassin and my gold. They must have taken me for dead, more's the pity. But, after careful examination of the area, I was horrified to discover that they were not alone. In my unconscious state, I was unaware that the two were joined by the evil, horrific Lost Conn Ection! Imagine my horror when I found my marks gone, the very marks that would prove my worth to the town, allowing me to pass to the next level of my training. All those months of work and practice lost, in an instant. And all while under the spell of the Lost Conn Ection!

::sighs:: Well, my brothers and sisters, I have sent a plea to the great god OGCC, Keeper of the Sysop, and can only hope he takes pity upon my soul, and can wrest the marks back from my attackers. Be ware, friends, for you could be next!

Battle at Dark Blizzard Pass,
From the scrolls of Kerenith

The wind howled and the chill cut right through my robes and armour. I glanced at my companions and saw that Aquatica was pulling her cloak tighter. Grolsch was looking around, not even seeming affected by the cold. Aqua smiled at me; we were both always here at Dark Blizzard Pass but the cold wind still bothered us. I wondered if Grolsch was truly unaffected or just faking it.

I saw movement in the distance and hoped it was friends. Of course, it wasn't. Two ice demons and a yeti were headed our way. I sighed and murmured the words to a fireflames spell. Aquatica pulled an arrow from her quiver and Grolsch melted into the shadows, poisoned dirk in hand.

I pulled the yeti down easily while the other two went after the demons. Grolsch assassinated the first with an easy grin, and he and Aqua easily finished off the second. We looked around for others, half expecting an ambush, but the white expanse was apparently empty.

We had barely gone fifty paces when a young woman appeared on the path to the west. She was running for all she was worth, with a nasty swarm on her tail. She cannoned into Grolsch, nearly knocking him over, and he grabbed her and pushed her behind him. I thought I recognized her, but then an assortment of nasty beasts was upon us and we fought for all we were worth.

Grolsch took out an ice troll right away with an assassination, and Aqua was sending arrows at a frost giant as quickly as I could blink. The newcomer had also pulled out a bow and was releasing one arrow after another, but her aim seemed to be a bit off and she was obviously tired from running. In between my fireflames spells, I muttered the words to a Tiger-Eye and watched the green glow settle around her. I now recognized the young woman as Janae, a young ranger in the Fighter's Guild. I knew she was not yet strong enough to be here and wondered why she had been foolish enough to try. I also wondered how she had managed to not only pick up two ice trolls, six yetis, two frost giants and a white bear, but outrun them.

After a moment I put her out of my mind because three ice dragons were rushing to join the battle. Time after time I put aside my fireflames spells to cast heal on Grolsch. He was right in the fray, sending poison here and there, then jumping back into his beloved shadows. Aqua had to retreat quite a bit, as she was guarding me. Spells were whizzing through the air, a lovely sight when they weren't trying to hit us. Most people do not realize that Mages can see spells. Some of them are quite pretty. When they aren't trying to kill you, that is.

Aquatica, Janae and I were putting down the last ice dragon and most of the other beasts were dead or dying around us. The four of us were just catching our breath when my least favourite sight appeared from behind a rock. Janae had never seen one before, but the rest of us looked briefly at each other, then at the hydra. I was too tired. Grolsch must have seen it in my eyes, just before he slipped into the shadows. I couldn't fight any more just yet. Aquatica and Janae stood in front of me as I leaned against a nearby rock to rest, ready to grab my arms and run, if need be. I could tell that Janae was ready to go and it would take almost nothing to set her in motion.

We stood, the three of us poised to run, when Grolsch appeared out of nowhere and cut off all nine of the hydra's heads. Aquatica blinked comically and Janae stood openmouthed. I couldn't help but laugh at the impossibly smug look on my friend's face. Tossing a quick wink at me, he trudged off in the direction of the causeway and we three followed him. After a relatively uneventful walk back to town (after the hydra, anything was going to be a non-event), we dropped poor, shaken Janae off at her guild. When last we saw her, she was shaking her head and muttering.

And then we sauntered off to the Woo Hoo, where Aqua and I drank Grolsch under the table.