Long ago, Krevster had determined that the lower torso was the best target. Of course, the helminth acrobatics displayed earlier had been an interesting surprise, but the general area would be furthest away from the teeth and deadly tentecles, and offered the best angle from which to target major organs.
An unintentional slip from the worm broke Krevster's charge, as the backwards drag enabled it to reach him with the weaving tentecles, weapons which were justly feared. Making things worse was the fact that visibility was less this far from the burning cloak. Caution would be needed.
One discovery not lost upon the trained warrior was that the worm's senses were finite. Thus, if the worm was kept under pressure, it could be forced into making mistakes.
Such as falling in the hole to begin with.
One clear angle presented itself as possible from which to make a charge, but that was too close to the edge which the worm was clinging to, and the power of the beast could easily send him over and falling to his doom.
Thus, he would have to brave the tentacles.
Deftly twisting the sword in hand, he led with the serrated edge. Less likely to break through the armour but far better suited to raking through the more supple flesh which comprised those mighty limbs.
Which was exactly what he had in mind.
A limb lashed towards him and he jumped back, hardly out of range but buying him more reaction time. He dragged his sword down in a quick cut, one that a waving tentacle avoided, then twisted his sword to resemble a hanging guard as he counterstroked upwards, bringing the barbs to bear against a striking limb.
Heaving upwards on the blade, he attempted to force the attack harmlessly high and rip the jagged blade through the thrashing flesh. He then sidestepped, and twisted, expecting a sudden change in direction to thump him in the back. Now he was side on to his destination, instead watching all of the appendages targeting him. As he targeted them right back. Another lunging tentacle recieved the same short overhand stroke as before, which followed on to a backhand stroke at the grappler coming in low from the far side.
In the meantime, he made what progress he may sidestepping, as this was taking some intricate bladework to stay alive. For the first time, he was able to count six tentacles, a number which needed cutting down on. Literally.
If he could get his way past the danger zone, the creature would be at his mercy.
And Krevster Darkheart had no mercy.
Cemetary Crypt
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
-
Morsereg Dindaedel
- Citizen
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:26 pm
- Race: Vampire
Morsereg hissed at the Worm as it continued it assault and seemed to just not want to die. The giants' tentacles in the air were bleeding profusely and ripped apart. He would need more blood if the fight was going to continue, though he didn't like the idea, as there was something...tainted, about this worm's blood. He couldn't quite place it, but the blood was tainted.
At once, two tentacles came at him in a subconscious attempt by the worm to close him in. He ducked initially to avoid them, before shooting both of his clawlike hands up to grasp them, ripping flesh and tearing the tips of the tentacles off. As he stared at the beast, he tilted his head back and lifted one of the tentacles above his mouth, letting the blood pour inside and outside of his mouth.
As he fed, he felt a renewed vigor flow through his body. His senses were almost back to their full capacity...And he noticed debris around the room, from when the worm had roared, causing parts of the cavern roof to fall. He walked over, never taking his eyes off of the worm and its tentacles. Morsereg leaned down to pick up a few rocks, pelting them at the creature. As he got its attention, and it reared its ugly head, he smiled. "Come on, then. You never gave me the fight I asked for. Beast to Beast. Let's go, worm." He muttered to himself, tossing another rock. With a normal being, the rocks would do little, but coming from a Vampire...unless it's skin was hardened, the rocks would likely lodge themselves in the skin.
He could only hope that Darkheart could take advantage of his distraction.
At once, two tentacles came at him in a subconscious attempt by the worm to close him in. He ducked initially to avoid them, before shooting both of his clawlike hands up to grasp them, ripping flesh and tearing the tips of the tentacles off. As he stared at the beast, he tilted his head back and lifted one of the tentacles above his mouth, letting the blood pour inside and outside of his mouth.
As he fed, he felt a renewed vigor flow through his body. His senses were almost back to their full capacity...And he noticed debris around the room, from when the worm had roared, causing parts of the cavern roof to fall. He walked over, never taking his eyes off of the worm and its tentacles. Morsereg leaned down to pick up a few rocks, pelting them at the creature. As he got its attention, and it reared its ugly head, he smiled. "Come on, then. You never gave me the fight I asked for. Beast to Beast. Let's go, worm." He muttered to himself, tossing another rock. With a normal being, the rocks would do little, but coming from a Vampire...unless it's skin was hardened, the rocks would likely lodge themselves in the skin.
He could only hope that Darkheart could take advantage of his distraction.
((NPC Post))
The worm clung to the ground with it's many legs, pulling itself out of the hole foot by foot. It had made a mistake, a critical one, by backing itself into a corner, and it had almost no choice but to ignore the attacks made by it's prey as it continued to drag itself out.
Krevster successfully fended of the distracted attacks of the tentacles, cutting deeply into one to the point of nearly severing the tip. The worm continued to fight its way to freedom, still working at keeping Krevster and Morsereg from harming it. It's fighting back was now hindered by having too many things to concentrate on. As supernatural as it's senses were, they did have limits.
Another roar of pain erupted as Krevster sliced the tentacle, followed swiftly by another as Morsereg shredded another tentacle. Tentacles whipped wildly, three at a time suddenly swinging at Krevster as he slipped in close to the worm's body. It was a last ditch effort at defense as it sensed he was getting close enough to harm.
Other tentacles flailed at Morsereg as he dodged away, only to try to mount a defense as the vampire began throwing debris at it. Large chunks of rock slipped through the defense of the tentacles only to bounce harmlessly from the thicker protection of it's armored body. The force with which the vampire threw was such that the larger bits of rock would create small cracks, and some found their way through to chinks in the so-called armor. The tentacles, nearly all damaged in some form or another, began to weave a full defense, sacrificing the softer flesh to create a shield over where the worm was more vulnerable.
For a time, the worm didn't move, only fending off the attacks of it's prey. The claw tipped legs dug deeply into the earth to keep it from moving any further into the hole, helping it to not lose the ground it had worked so hard to gain.
As much of a creature as it was, the worm was backed into a corner. Often such creatures react in surprising and often fatal ways for those that corner it. Fear was a new feeling for this creature, and the worm was close to using desperate measures simply to escape.
The worm clung to the ground with it's many legs, pulling itself out of the hole foot by foot. It had made a mistake, a critical one, by backing itself into a corner, and it had almost no choice but to ignore the attacks made by it's prey as it continued to drag itself out.
Krevster successfully fended of the distracted attacks of the tentacles, cutting deeply into one to the point of nearly severing the tip. The worm continued to fight its way to freedom, still working at keeping Krevster and Morsereg from harming it. It's fighting back was now hindered by having too many things to concentrate on. As supernatural as it's senses were, they did have limits.
Another roar of pain erupted as Krevster sliced the tentacle, followed swiftly by another as Morsereg shredded another tentacle. Tentacles whipped wildly, three at a time suddenly swinging at Krevster as he slipped in close to the worm's body. It was a last ditch effort at defense as it sensed he was getting close enough to harm.
Other tentacles flailed at Morsereg as he dodged away, only to try to mount a defense as the vampire began throwing debris at it. Large chunks of rock slipped through the defense of the tentacles only to bounce harmlessly from the thicker protection of it's armored body. The force with which the vampire threw was such that the larger bits of rock would create small cracks, and some found their way through to chinks in the so-called armor. The tentacles, nearly all damaged in some form or another, began to weave a full defense, sacrificing the softer flesh to create a shield over where the worm was more vulnerable.
For a time, the worm didn't move, only fending off the attacks of it's prey. The claw tipped legs dug deeply into the earth to keep it from moving any further into the hole, helping it to not lose the ground it had worked so hard to gain.
As much of a creature as it was, the worm was backed into a corner. Often such creatures react in surprising and often fatal ways for those that corner it. Fear was a new feeling for this creature, and the worm was close to using desperate measures simply to escape.
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
Discovery was always an eventful process. Most recently, was the discovery that Krevster could multi-task. For example, just now, all at once, he was simultaneously dodging one tentacle, parrying another, and being clobbered by a third.
Which proved that he could do three things at once.
If not all of them voluntarily.
A deep ringing echoed through the cavern from the impact against a metal pauldron, leaving Krevster feeling like a bell with legs. Weak legs at that. Such a mighty blow, combined with Krevster's weakened state, was enough to force him to his knees.
One mild saving grace of that position was that now there were fewer angles from which the limbs could strike. A variation on a hanging guard covered all of them. Even a crushing smash from overhead could be greeted with a raised ox-parry from the serrated edge.
Witnessing the tentacles pull back on the edge of his peripheral vision, Krevster attempted a spring from his position. It was a weak spring, unlikely to send him into the clear, but it gained what ground it could before the beast was on solid footing again.
With some surprise, Krevster realised that the appendages were not pressing down upon him like giant serpents of doom. Instead, they had shifted towards Morsereg's side, trying to fend off whatever inventive assault he had concocted.
Never one to pass up the chance to kill something, Krevster pushed himself forwards in what was more a lunge than a charge. Shifting his grip on the sword, Krevster presented the chisel-edge forth in the true-edge position, knowing it to be more effective against armour. An ache in his shoulder warning against this, Krevster finished his advance in a leaping bound, launching a vast overhand cut chopping powerfully at the creature's body.
Which proved that he could do three things at once.
If not all of them voluntarily.
A deep ringing echoed through the cavern from the impact against a metal pauldron, leaving Krevster feeling like a bell with legs. Weak legs at that. Such a mighty blow, combined with Krevster's weakened state, was enough to force him to his knees.
One mild saving grace of that position was that now there were fewer angles from which the limbs could strike. A variation on a hanging guard covered all of them. Even a crushing smash from overhead could be greeted with a raised ox-parry from the serrated edge.
Witnessing the tentacles pull back on the edge of his peripheral vision, Krevster attempted a spring from his position. It was a weak spring, unlikely to send him into the clear, but it gained what ground it could before the beast was on solid footing again.
With some surprise, Krevster realised that the appendages were not pressing down upon him like giant serpents of doom. Instead, they had shifted towards Morsereg's side, trying to fend off whatever inventive assault he had concocted.
Never one to pass up the chance to kill something, Krevster pushed himself forwards in what was more a lunge than a charge. Shifting his grip on the sword, Krevster presented the chisel-edge forth in the true-edge position, knowing it to be more effective against armour. An ache in his shoulder warning against this, Krevster finished his advance in a leaping bound, launching a vast overhand cut chopping powerfully at the creature's body.
If violence is not the answer, you have asked me the wrong question.
((NPC Post))
The worm knew it had hit Krevster, but it turned to the new threat of Morsereg quickly before it could end Krevster's threat. The rocks thrown by the vampire were damaging it's tough hide, and it knew that it would only take so long before they would start damaging more crucial elements. All of the tentacles came across to weave a shield in front of Morsereg, to keep the rocks from getting through to more sensitive areas.
But it paid for the sacrifice of allowing one freedom while concentrating on the other. In mere moments, Krevster had his sword planted inside the worm to the hilt, and pain again shivered through the creature. Instinctively it knew that something important had been hit, and it reacted in the only way it knew how.
The front third of it's body released it's death grip on the ground, rising swiftly only to slam straight back down again in pain, anger, frustration and fear. In the seconds it was off the ground, the weight of the waterfall pulled it several feet deeper into the hole before the worm contacted the ground again.
The ground shuddered beneath the gargantuan worm as the weight of ten thousand stone crashed into the earth with all the force of a large, angry worm behind it. Cracks appeared to either side of the worm, spreading quickly in webs away from the epicenter. More rocks, even small boulders, fell from the ceiling followed be a deluge of dust and smaller debris.
However, the worm didn't stop there. With another roar of anger and pain, the worm reared up again, just as swiftly slamming it's body into the ground. Mad with anger and pain, the worm no longer seemed to care about it's own safety, instead seeming intent on bringing the cavern down on everyone within it. Cracks from the previous blow widened, and more cracks began to appear, spreading further throughout the cavern. Several stalactites fell from the ceiling, along with more dust and debris. The fire suddenly went out as dirt and rocks poured onto it, leaving the cavern in blackness. The worm's roar was louder even than the sound of falling rock, filling the entire cavern, seeming like one could reach out and touch the sound as it rebounded from wall, floor and ceiling.
The downpour of rock and debris stopped, dust permeating the entirety of the cavern. In the almost deafening silence that followed, only the waterfall could be heard, as well as the minor shifting of piles of rocks and boulders.
The worm knew it had hit Krevster, but it turned to the new threat of Morsereg quickly before it could end Krevster's threat. The rocks thrown by the vampire were damaging it's tough hide, and it knew that it would only take so long before they would start damaging more crucial elements. All of the tentacles came across to weave a shield in front of Morsereg, to keep the rocks from getting through to more sensitive areas.
But it paid for the sacrifice of allowing one freedom while concentrating on the other. In mere moments, Krevster had his sword planted inside the worm to the hilt, and pain again shivered through the creature. Instinctively it knew that something important had been hit, and it reacted in the only way it knew how.
The front third of it's body released it's death grip on the ground, rising swiftly only to slam straight back down again in pain, anger, frustration and fear. In the seconds it was off the ground, the weight of the waterfall pulled it several feet deeper into the hole before the worm contacted the ground again.
The ground shuddered beneath the gargantuan worm as the weight of ten thousand stone crashed into the earth with all the force of a large, angry worm behind it. Cracks appeared to either side of the worm, spreading quickly in webs away from the epicenter. More rocks, even small boulders, fell from the ceiling followed be a deluge of dust and smaller debris.
However, the worm didn't stop there. With another roar of anger and pain, the worm reared up again, just as swiftly slamming it's body into the ground. Mad with anger and pain, the worm no longer seemed to care about it's own safety, instead seeming intent on bringing the cavern down on everyone within it. Cracks from the previous blow widened, and more cracks began to appear, spreading further throughout the cavern. Several stalactites fell from the ceiling, along with more dust and debris. The fire suddenly went out as dirt and rocks poured onto it, leaving the cavern in blackness. The worm's roar was louder even than the sound of falling rock, filling the entire cavern, seeming like one could reach out and touch the sound as it rebounded from wall, floor and ceiling.
The downpour of rock and debris stopped, dust permeating the entirety of the cavern. In the almost deafening silence that followed, only the waterfall could be heard, as well as the minor shifting of piles of rocks and boulders.
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
So the ache in his shoulder was right. If for different reasons.
Hacking at the cornered beast proved itself to be a very bad idea. Up there with bad ideas such as, well, getting into a fight with a giant worm in the first place.
When the worm began thrashing in what Krevster hoped were death throes, one thought stood out above all others.
RUN!
So he did. Even better, he ran away from the frenzied behemoth. A mark of wisdom.
When cracks spread from the ledge, Krevster knew that he was right. The ground shook. Another bad sign. Further evidence that somewhere else would be a marvellous place to be. What Krevster was expecting was for the worm to break of that section of ground from the rest of the cavern and send them both plummeting to their doom.
Hence the decision to get away.
Unsure of his ability to get clear of the cavern when armoured, and with possessive instinct tainting his logic, Krevster ran for his shield. One hope was that he could somehow shelter under it, although with the state of his shield arm, he wondered. If he had a choice, this might have changed his decision.
Showering dust stole away the brightness so needed at this point. Still, Krevster worked by memory and made an intuitive judgement of the distance to his shield. Throwing himself flat, he grunted as a rock bounced from his backplate, leaving him very sore between the shoulders. With his left arm refusing to stretch or raise out of protest of the harsh treatment received, Krevster used this hand to hold his sword. Thanks to his steel gauntlets, he could easily grip it by the blade and avoid any fuss. In the dark, his hands closed around the shield rim, and Krevster heaved it above him.
Weathering the vengeance of the maltreated roof, Krevster could not tell which side of his shield was facing upwards. All he knew was the shelter of his forearms beneath the metal ward, and his sword tightly pressed against his armoured chest.
The only thing that would make him shift at all would be Morsereg seeking to join his shelter. While he was concerned for his ally, he was also hoping that vampiric strength would be an asset against the pressure of the cave in.
Rubble ceased the rocky storm. While the sanctity of his armour had mostly held out against the striking boulders, dust had found it's way into places Krevster never knew he had.
No roar. No scuttling. Only the rush of water and the shift of uncomfortable rocks.
A spiteful thought was cast out, aimed at the exultant presence which had been his guide. How am I doing?
Coughing away the mountain of dust inside of him, he bitter comment followed, though more weakly than any voice Krevster had ever remember from his own mouth.
"Please tell me that bastard worm is dead."
Hacking at the cornered beast proved itself to be a very bad idea. Up there with bad ideas such as, well, getting into a fight with a giant worm in the first place.
When the worm began thrashing in what Krevster hoped were death throes, one thought stood out above all others.
RUN!
So he did. Even better, he ran away from the frenzied behemoth. A mark of wisdom.
When cracks spread from the ledge, Krevster knew that he was right. The ground shook. Another bad sign. Further evidence that somewhere else would be a marvellous place to be. What Krevster was expecting was for the worm to break of that section of ground from the rest of the cavern and send them both plummeting to their doom.
Hence the decision to get away.
Unsure of his ability to get clear of the cavern when armoured, and with possessive instinct tainting his logic, Krevster ran for his shield. One hope was that he could somehow shelter under it, although with the state of his shield arm, he wondered. If he had a choice, this might have changed his decision.
Showering dust stole away the brightness so needed at this point. Still, Krevster worked by memory and made an intuitive judgement of the distance to his shield. Throwing himself flat, he grunted as a rock bounced from his backplate, leaving him very sore between the shoulders. With his left arm refusing to stretch or raise out of protest of the harsh treatment received, Krevster used this hand to hold his sword. Thanks to his steel gauntlets, he could easily grip it by the blade and avoid any fuss. In the dark, his hands closed around the shield rim, and Krevster heaved it above him.
Weathering the vengeance of the maltreated roof, Krevster could not tell which side of his shield was facing upwards. All he knew was the shelter of his forearms beneath the metal ward, and his sword tightly pressed against his armoured chest.
The only thing that would make him shift at all would be Morsereg seeking to join his shelter. While he was concerned for his ally, he was also hoping that vampiric strength would be an asset against the pressure of the cave in.
Rubble ceased the rocky storm. While the sanctity of his armour had mostly held out against the striking boulders, dust had found it's way into places Krevster never knew he had.
No roar. No scuttling. Only the rush of water and the shift of uncomfortable rocks.
A spiteful thought was cast out, aimed at the exultant presence which had been his guide. How am I doing?
Coughing away the mountain of dust inside of him, he bitter comment followed, though more weakly than any voice Krevster had ever remember from his own mouth.
"Please tell me that bastard worm is dead."
If violence is not the answer, you have asked me the wrong question.
-
Morsereg Dindaedel
- Citizen
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:26 pm
- Race: Vampire
"I believe it is," Morsereg spoke from Krevster's side, having followed him the moment he saw him run. There was something about his ally that forced the vampire to, almost, respect him, and knew his judgement would be for the best if he chose to run, so he thought it wise to follow him. "My sight isn't as great as it could be down here, I think there's something blocking it, but I can't see the damned behemoth."
"How are you?" Morsereg looked to his companion, no sense of compassion in his voice, nor worry. His tone seemed strictly business, to make sure that Darkheart would still be able to move on. "I only count two of us..." He idly noticed, looking around, "I wonder if that damned cat got out..." He scoffed, "Good riddance if she didn't."
Then, something else hit Morsereg, and he sighed. "We've lost our guide, and our light. Do you have any idea how we're to find our path again, Darkheart?"
"How are you?" Morsereg looked to his companion, no sense of compassion in his voice, nor worry. His tone seemed strictly business, to make sure that Darkheart would still be able to move on. "I only count two of us..." He idly noticed, looking around, "I wonder if that damned cat got out..." He scoffed, "Good riddance if she didn't."
Then, something else hit Morsereg, and he sighed. "We've lost our guide, and our light. Do you have any idea how we're to find our path again, Darkheart?"
((NPC Post))
The worm wasn't dead. It simply rested, bleeding ichor and stinking blood onto the piled rocks and ruptured floor next to it. It had used up much of it's energy in it's thrashing, but it had accomplished that which it had set out to do. Though not intelligent as humans, it did have a canny way that mimicked many of the human thought processes. It was aware enough to realize that the last two times it had slammed the ground, bits of the ceiling had fallen. It also realized that though this could hurt it, in it's moment of desperation, this was a risk it took in order to be rid of the pesky bits of food that were injuring it so badly.
And now it rested, the injury from Krevster's sword deep, though not as deadly as it might have looked. It was more injured from the large stalactite that had fallen across it's upper body, nearly pinning it to the ground. The stalactite, several dozen feet long, wasn't nearly as heavy as the worm, but in it's weakened state, the worm couldn't even attempt to throw it off.
And so it waited, allowing it's senses to feel around it, perfectly comfortable in the dark. It didn't know where the warm bodies of it's prey were, yet, but it was searching, methodically. It started where they had both been previously.
Still rocks and bits of debris shifted in their piles, loose bits occasionally falling from the ceiling to patter and bounce off other, larger stones.
And still the worm waited, and rested.
The worm wasn't dead. It simply rested, bleeding ichor and stinking blood onto the piled rocks and ruptured floor next to it. It had used up much of it's energy in it's thrashing, but it had accomplished that which it had set out to do. Though not intelligent as humans, it did have a canny way that mimicked many of the human thought processes. It was aware enough to realize that the last two times it had slammed the ground, bits of the ceiling had fallen. It also realized that though this could hurt it, in it's moment of desperation, this was a risk it took in order to be rid of the pesky bits of food that were injuring it so badly.
And now it rested, the injury from Krevster's sword deep, though not as deadly as it might have looked. It was more injured from the large stalactite that had fallen across it's upper body, nearly pinning it to the ground. The stalactite, several dozen feet long, wasn't nearly as heavy as the worm, but in it's weakened state, the worm couldn't even attempt to throw it off.
And so it waited, allowing it's senses to feel around it, perfectly comfortable in the dark. It didn't know where the warm bodies of it's prey were, yet, but it was searching, methodically. It started where they had both been previously.
Still rocks and bits of debris shifted in their piles, loose bits occasionally falling from the ceiling to patter and bounce off other, larger stones.
And still the worm waited, and rested.
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
Who is pleased? Who is 'he'?He is pleased.
Gasping and grunting, Krevster tried hauling himself to his feet, aware of the sreams of dust pouring from his armour like tiny waterfalls in their own right. So far, this was difficult. A little sense would profit more than stubborness.
Sliding the shield away from his arm, Krevster gripped the hilt of his sword and rammed it back into it's sheath with a loud click. Clumsily in the darkness, he strapped the heavy shield around his pack. A struggle due to his injured arm, but now he could get his way to his feet, using his healthy arm to push himself upwards.
None of this was easy.
"We had best make sure. That worm is too deadly to let live." Darkheart announced, the returned strength of his voice alarmed him somewhat. Every time he spoke, he gave away his position. With luck, the worm could not hear.
Morsereg had mentioned something about his sight. Well, for vampires to see in the dark would make sense. A possibility was opened for Darkheart. "Can you find any of the torches? We will need the light down here. If we deal with the light and the worm, then hopefully I can sort out a new guide." Krevster alluded cryptically.
Playing along to mask what he had discerned, Krevster cast another thought out into the void. What is your will? A meager deception. Such a secretive entity had given no reason for Krevster to gain from it knowing what he had discerned.
If violence is not the answer, you have asked me the wrong question.
((NPC Post))
There! One of them was there, to the right, and a hundred paces away. It had survived the rock slide, and was up and moving again. It could sense the vibrations from it's movements, from it's voice traveling through the air to wash over the worm's sensitive skin.
It knew they would try to finish it. It had never been in this position before, but it had been on the other end of this situation. Instinct told it that it needed to get free, and to tear the creatures that had caused it so much pain limb from limb. The worm felt trapped, pinned beneath the large stalactite, and it's rage and need to be free began to mount.
With one wild thrash, which cost it precious feet to the continual downward tug of the tumultuous waterfall, the worm lifted and wriggled back and forth. This caused the stalactite to shift to a less confining position, and with a final lift, and with the aid of it's severely injured tentacles, the stalactite was thrown back and down into the hole through which the falls went. The large rock bounced on it's way down, sending echoes back up. Rubble that nearly buried the huge worm shifted and fell, freeing the worm more. The floor cracked a little more with sharp, grinding noises.
The worm began it's slow, inexhorable climb back out of the waterfall hole. The bottom third of it was in the hole, nearly twenty-five feet of the creature, and it needed to be free of this trap to deal with it's dinner turned torturers.
There! One of them was there, to the right, and a hundred paces away. It had survived the rock slide, and was up and moving again. It could sense the vibrations from it's movements, from it's voice traveling through the air to wash over the worm's sensitive skin.
It knew they would try to finish it. It had never been in this position before, but it had been on the other end of this situation. Instinct told it that it needed to get free, and to tear the creatures that had caused it so much pain limb from limb. The worm felt trapped, pinned beneath the large stalactite, and it's rage and need to be free began to mount.
With one wild thrash, which cost it precious feet to the continual downward tug of the tumultuous waterfall, the worm lifted and wriggled back and forth. This caused the stalactite to shift to a less confining position, and with a final lift, and with the aid of it's severely injured tentacles, the stalactite was thrown back and down into the hole through which the falls went. The large rock bounced on it's way down, sending echoes back up. Rubble that nearly buried the huge worm shifted and fell, freeing the worm more. The floor cracked a little more with sharp, grinding noises.
The worm began it's slow, inexhorable climb back out of the waterfall hole. The bottom third of it was in the hole, nearly twenty-five feet of the creature, and it needed to be free of this trap to deal with it's dinner turned torturers.
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
More good news.
Well, that answered the question of if the beast was dead or not. The wild crash in the dark made the veteran warrior wince. Many times had he fought in poor lighting, but never in pitch dark.
"Pelt it with all the rubble you can find." hissed Darkheart to Morsereg. Granted, it was lightless in the cavern, but Morsereg had some sight in dark places, and the humungous mass of the worm was difficult to miss. All they needed was a vague idea of it's location. Something which the behemoth eagerly provided.
By his memories, the creature had been struggling to pull itself free, a fact he had previously capitalised on. With luck, this allowed him some time to adjust and be anything less than vulnerable when it was finally released.
"Once it is up, stay on the move and throw boulders." Krevster instructed, "Keep away from it but keep it harassed."
With that, Krevster followed the mental map in his mind. Where he remembered the torches. The immolated claok would be no use anymore, but he still had torches left. He began scrambling to where they last were, hoping that Alalia had not moved them.
Once he was near were he last thought they were, he felt blindly in the dark, shoving boulders aside in an effort to retrieve the torches.
Well, that answered the question of if the beast was dead or not. The wild crash in the dark made the veteran warrior wince. Many times had he fought in poor lighting, but never in pitch dark.
"Pelt it with all the rubble you can find." hissed Darkheart to Morsereg. Granted, it was lightless in the cavern, but Morsereg had some sight in dark places, and the humungous mass of the worm was difficult to miss. All they needed was a vague idea of it's location. Something which the behemoth eagerly provided.
By his memories, the creature had been struggling to pull itself free, a fact he had previously capitalised on. With luck, this allowed him some time to adjust and be anything less than vulnerable when it was finally released.
"Once it is up, stay on the move and throw boulders." Krevster instructed, "Keep away from it but keep it harassed."
With that, Krevster followed the mental map in his mind. Where he remembered the torches. The immolated claok would be no use anymore, but he still had torches left. He began scrambling to where they last were, hoping that Alalia had not moved them.
Once he was near were he last thought they were, he felt blindly in the dark, shoving boulders aside in an effort to retrieve the torches.
If violence is not the answer, you have asked me the wrong question.
-
Morsereg Dindaedel
- Citizen
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:26 pm
- Race: Vampire
As soon as he heard the thrashing of the worm and Krevster's battle plan, Morsereg plunged into darkness, soon disappearing from sight and sound. Silently he traversed the cavern, picking up every piece of rubble he could find and throwing it in the direction of noise. Whenever he felt the worm would have a good idea where he was and start to feel around soon, he disappeared to another part of the cavern completely, and began to harass the demon from there.
As he threw stone after stone from various sides of the beast, it was as if multiple assailaints were attacking at once, they were coming in such rapid succession. They needed to finish this, once and for all. "I hope the fool knows what he's doing," He hissed to himself as he made his way from one attacking position to another. If Darkheart could finish off the beast, they'd be done, and able to move on. This had gone on far longer than Morsereg would have liked. "Finish it," He inaudibly, almost silently, muttered to himself.
As he threw stone after stone from various sides of the beast, it was as if multiple assailaints were attacking at once, they were coming in such rapid succession. They needed to finish this, once and for all. "I hope the fool knows what he's doing," He hissed to himself as he made his way from one attacking position to another. If Darkheart could finish off the beast, they'd be done, and able to move on. This had gone on far longer than Morsereg would have liked. "Finish it," He inaudibly, almost silently, muttered to himself.
((NPC Post))
The worm inched it's way forward, gaining ground and security back on the main cavern floor. It had made it's way several feet before the first of the large rocks came winging it's way in at it. The first simply bounced near it, causing the ground to rumble, skipping across the rubble to slam into the side of the worm. Something akin to a grunt came from it.
It knew that it's hard, scaly outside would protect it for a while, with luck until it was able to get back onto secure ground. Several more rocks rained down around it, some striking glancing blows, some landing solidly. Only one made it lose it's grip on the rock, causing it to lose precious feet in it's battle against gravity and a waterfall.
Though less than intelligent, the creature knew that it's only chance was to get back to solid ground so it would be able to fight on it's own terms. It also knew it would only be a matter of time before the second prey became involved in the fray.
With redoubled effort, the worm pulled itself further from it's hole.
The worm inched it's way forward, gaining ground and security back on the main cavern floor. It had made it's way several feet before the first of the large rocks came winging it's way in at it. The first simply bounced near it, causing the ground to rumble, skipping across the rubble to slam into the side of the worm. Something akin to a grunt came from it.
It knew that it's hard, scaly outside would protect it for a while, with luck until it was able to get back onto secure ground. Several more rocks rained down around it, some striking glancing blows, some landing solidly. Only one made it lose it's grip on the rock, causing it to lose precious feet in it's battle against gravity and a waterfall.
Though less than intelligent, the creature knew that it's only chance was to get back to solid ground so it would be able to fight on it's own terms. It also knew it would only be a matter of time before the second prey became involved in the fray.
With redoubled effort, the worm pulled itself further from it's hole.
-
Shadowsong
- Citizen
- Posts: 193
- Joined: Sun May 14, 2006 3:28 am
- Race: Human
Success!
A wooden shaft entered Krevster's hand from beneath the mass of rubble. Hope surged through him as he saw his chance to rejoin the fight and finally put an end to the life of the worm that had been infuriating him for so long. The injuries were not cause for fear, hatred and bloodshed made a way of life for the mercenary.
Pulling it free from beneath the rubble, Krevster raised it triumphantly, eager with anticipation. Then he noticed that it did not drag in the air like most torches.
Because it was broken.
Casting the sundered stick far and wide, with the clattering hopefully misleading the worm as to his location, Krevster re-thrust his mailed fists into the mass of debris and began to heave the rock pile upwards. On cleared ground the clatter of wood was heard, he followed it with his ears and felt blindly for it.
There. Got it!
Lifting the torch, extra weight was felt. Not that this was much of a problem for him, even with his injured arm, but it was a sign of something more to worry about. Shaking the length of wood, falling dirt scattered noisily. Another shake more dirt.
Another shake, more dirt.
Reaching up he began pouring at the wrapping, trying to clean it away. Chances are that his filthy gauntlet was only doing a meager job but he was depending on this torch and there was only so much he could hope for.
Bracing the torch-head within the crook of his steel-clad arm, Krevster pulled out the flint he had used earlier and scraped it against his vambrace up to the torch. It... tried. Another strike, another spark. Now it began to light softly.
Don't. Dim. The lights. Casting these thoughts out came naturally to him now, in a semblance similar to praying. Krevster was never a religious man, although he honoured the spirits of war he seldom called for guidance from beings who may not be listening.
Though when he knew that one was, he had no problems communing with it. Anything remotely resembling bowing down to it would require something really special from it.
Shadows and silhouettes were seen. While details remained clouded by the black fugue ahead, movement and shapes were apparant. Not much, but even with silhouettes alone there was little chance of mistaking Morsereg for the worm. And if by accident he killed Alalia, that would such a pity.
With the faint brand raised in hand, even that was painful for Krevster. So he kept the torch tilted as high as he could without major effort and drew his sword. Navigating the rocks was difficult in the dim light, but Krevster was careful. A rush would not be wise. Occasionally stones were dislodged but something easily missed while being bombarded with debris by a vampire.
On a guess, the creature was blind. It had senses for the dark so light was unimportant to it. So the torch would not give him away. Good. Few things would be more interesting than carrying a lit torch during a stealth kill.
A wooden shaft entered Krevster's hand from beneath the mass of rubble. Hope surged through him as he saw his chance to rejoin the fight and finally put an end to the life of the worm that had been infuriating him for so long. The injuries were not cause for fear, hatred and bloodshed made a way of life for the mercenary.
Pulling it free from beneath the rubble, Krevster raised it triumphantly, eager with anticipation. Then he noticed that it did not drag in the air like most torches.
Because it was broken.
Casting the sundered stick far and wide, with the clattering hopefully misleading the worm as to his location, Krevster re-thrust his mailed fists into the mass of debris and began to heave the rock pile upwards. On cleared ground the clatter of wood was heard, he followed it with his ears and felt blindly for it.
There. Got it!
Lifting the torch, extra weight was felt. Not that this was much of a problem for him, even with his injured arm, but it was a sign of something more to worry about. Shaking the length of wood, falling dirt scattered noisily. Another shake more dirt.
Another shake, more dirt.
Reaching up he began pouring at the wrapping, trying to clean it away. Chances are that his filthy gauntlet was only doing a meager job but he was depending on this torch and there was only so much he could hope for.
Bracing the torch-head within the crook of his steel-clad arm, Krevster pulled out the flint he had used earlier and scraped it against his vambrace up to the torch. It... tried. Another strike, another spark. Now it began to light softly.
Don't. Dim. The lights. Casting these thoughts out came naturally to him now, in a semblance similar to praying. Krevster was never a religious man, although he honoured the spirits of war he seldom called for guidance from beings who may not be listening.
Though when he knew that one was, he had no problems communing with it. Anything remotely resembling bowing down to it would require something really special from it.
Shadows and silhouettes were seen. While details remained clouded by the black fugue ahead, movement and shapes were apparant. Not much, but even with silhouettes alone there was little chance of mistaking Morsereg for the worm. And if by accident he killed Alalia, that would such a pity.
With the faint brand raised in hand, even that was painful for Krevster. So he kept the torch tilted as high as he could without major effort and drew his sword. Navigating the rocks was difficult in the dim light, but Krevster was careful. A rush would not be wise. Occasionally stones were dislodged but something easily missed while being bombarded with debris by a vampire.
On a guess, the creature was blind. It had senses for the dark so light was unimportant to it. So the torch would not give him away. Good. Few things would be more interesting than carrying a lit torch during a stealth kill.
If violence is not the answer, you have asked me the wrong question.
-
Morsereg Dindaedel
- Citizen
- Posts: 61
- Joined: Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:26 pm
- Race: Vampire
A slight grin spread across Morsereg's lips in the dark as he heard (and partially felt) the worm slide back, farther into the hole. The rocks were doing something. If Darkheart could successful send this creature back more, they'd be done with it.
His grin evaporated when he felt the slight rumble of the worm lifting itself back. He continued to traverse the cavern, throwing rocks at his enemy. Occasionally he would look for Alalia, not so much out of concern for where she was but as a partial thought of "Could I kill her now?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a faint light some ways away light. Darkheart had found a torch. The human could see once again as well. Using the same logic Krevster had, he surmised that the worm did not have eyesight but had a feel for the dark, as it was its natural habitat. Morsereg could see in the dark, but was relying more on instinct. It was such, then, that he gave up almost completely on eyesight, and gave in to his instincts...
He needed Darkheart, and was smart enough to know that, so his instincts would not have him going after his ally. He trusted his animal instincts enough to know ally from foe, and soon found himself feeling nothing, knowing nothing, but the worm before him that was destined to die.
Now with a renewed vigor, he threw rocks. Occasionally he would pause from his rapid-fire to pick up exceptionally large pieces of rubble, hurling it at the creature in an attempt to shatter its protective shell.
His grin evaporated when he felt the slight rumble of the worm lifting itself back. He continued to traverse the cavern, throwing rocks at his enemy. Occasionally he would look for Alalia, not so much out of concern for where she was but as a partial thought of "Could I kill her now?"
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a faint light some ways away light. Darkheart had found a torch. The human could see once again as well. Using the same logic Krevster had, he surmised that the worm did not have eyesight but had a feel for the dark, as it was its natural habitat. Morsereg could see in the dark, but was relying more on instinct. It was such, then, that he gave up almost completely on eyesight, and gave in to his instincts...
He needed Darkheart, and was smart enough to know that, so his instincts would not have him going after his ally. He trusted his animal instincts enough to know ally from foe, and soon found himself feeling nothing, knowing nothing, but the worm before him that was destined to die.
Now with a renewed vigor, he threw rocks. Occasionally he would pause from his rapid-fire to pick up exceptionally large pieces of rubble, hurling it at the creature in an attempt to shatter its protective shell.