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Himaran · 06-01-2004, 05:19 PM

Will Witfoot's post

Gortek marched on moodily beside the straggling line formed by his ragged and weary comrades, taking his sword to any bush or clump of weeds blocking his path. He swatted at a huge beetle possessed of a metallic sheen crawling on the back of his neck and spat out a curse. The accursed jungle was slowly wearing the party down, and even the mad dwarf's endurance was stretched to the limit.

He glanced at the young dwarves shuffling along like corpses with a gait crippled by the heat and eyes dimmed by fatigue and hardship. He knew that it was undeniably worse for the beardlings, who were not used to such hardship and danger. He wondered if they would be the breaking point for this party, the part from whence would begin the destruction of this expedition.
While Bali was a natural and able leader, the group lacked the bonding and camaraderie so desperately vital to any adventurers. You could never know when your life was going to be in the hands of your companions, after all, and the group was only as strong as it's weakest member.

The party continued to progress with a pace crippled by the harshness of the surrounding environment. After trudging on for what seemed like eternity they reached a well trodden path which seemed to head to the east. They stopped for a moment to debate about their next course and Gortek slumped down onto a boulder lying by the side of the path. It was important to harbor one's strength and rest whenever possible when facing such a cruel aspect of nature.
He felt more weary than he could ever remember feeling, in body as well as in spirit. Normally his indomitable happiness prevented him from loosing heart and gave him the strength to go on, but here, in this green, rotting hell that was the jungle he couldn't help feeling his age.

Hearing a bestial screech sounding from farther along the debated path, the group quickly changed their decision to take up along it. Instead, Bali and Haenir led them along the floor of the Canyon yawning in front of them and the march continued.

Gortek was jerked from his reverie by cries of "The Sea!" and "We found it at last!". Almost not daring to believe his ears he glanced up and spotted the silvery gleam visible from between the great trees, a gleam that could only point out to one thing.

With a new found vigor, Gortek joined the rest of the party in a wild dash for the Sea. Soon the trees parted to make way for the expanse of fine, white sand that was the shore. Gortek gained back his cheerfulness in an eye blink, giving a wild whoop of joy. Even the devil-spawned insects had been left behind into the jungle.

The moment Bali exclaimed that the water was drinkable, Gortek plunged his entire head into it, gulping and swallowing greedily. He resurfaced and hastily pulled off his leather gauntlets and plunged in again, this time sinking his arms into the sweet water up to the elbows. The coolness felt unbelievably good after weeks spent in the humid jungle.

After drinking enough and bathing in the Sea Gortek sat on the golden sand of it's shores, smoking the last of his tobacco. Behind him a few of the young dwarves were setting up the tent and getting a fire going. It looked like they might yet conquer this land.

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Himaran's post

The sea was beautiful.... so beautiful. Bali and the others halted their print on its sandy shores, admiring its sunlit waves from a distance. "It's really more of a lake, with two inlets," the dwarf explained. Walking out into the water, he bent down and scooped up a handful. When he tasted it, a smile spread out over his kind features. "Freshwater, as I had expected. We can drink it!"

The dwarves literally dove into the water, lapping up the cool liquid in heavy gulps. They had been without drink for over a day, and without a bath for weeks. Now the party could enjoy both! The young dwarves started to play, and soon a waterfight was in full swing. The water had a soothing effect, not only to the throat but to the mind as well.

Bali suggested that they dry off and break camp, and the group did so. There was nothing much to camp with, as only Durin still had a pack. Luckily, it contained the tent, and so they would have a little shelter for the night. "Dwalin, get the tent out," Bali shouted over the din of the other dwarves (who were arguing about the best way to light a fire). The young dwarve pulled up the strap only to leap backwards. A snake reared its head and hissed balefully, slithering down to the ground. Dwalin, who immediately remembered his past experience with a similar creature, did not turn his back but readied his axe instead. Leaping to the side, the dwarf swung downwards, severing the reptile in two. "I wonder how it got in there," he remarked, before continuing his work.

That night, the entire party stood at the sea, marvelling the shining lights which glowed brilliantly in its depths. "It must be treasure," Durin said. "Something of great value." The group began discussing the best way to investigate, but decided that it was best to wait until the morning. Bali was preocupied, however, watching Kain. The dwarf was staring intently at the lights, and had not taken part in the conversation. Bali hurried up to him, and took the lad by the arm, walking back towards the camp. "Come. You are on second watch tonight, so get some sleep.

In the middle of the night, the camp was woken up by a bloodcurdling scream. Bali rushed out of the tent, half-dressed and clutching his axe, and saw what he had feared. Kain was floundering about, a good twenty yards into the sea. He was trashing, as if ants were crawling all over his body. As his companions hurried to his side, Bali threw caution to the wind and dashed towards the shore. Diving into the cool water, (as he was an excellent swimmer), the dwarf struck out toward Kain.

Just then, Bali felt his entire body come alive in pain. Bright lights surrounded him. Then he realized it - they were glowing fishes! Flesh eaters! The fact that the treasure they had all come for was nothing more than a hive of devilish fish caused his heart to sink; and his body did so as well. Then an arm reached out, and he found himself being pulled up on dry land.

Coughing up heaves of saltwater, Bali looked out towards the sea. Kain was gone! The dwarf broke down into sobs, knowing that his companion had been pulled under and drowned. The entire company stood in silence, except for the sound of shedding tears. Many of the younger dwarves had never lost a friend in battle or by accident before; it was a completely new feeling of emptiness and loss.

"It was my fault," Dwalin remarked later. "He told me he was going to go out and find the treasure, to prove that he was strong and old enough to look after himself."

"No it wasn't, lad," said Bali. "If anyone is to blame, it it me. I saw the look in his eye, and put him on watch anyway."

"Tain't anyone's fault!" Shouted Haenir suddenly. "It is truely a terrible thing, but he was foolish. It was not a matter of leadership."

But at that moment, another howling screech was heard. Eruantalon jumped to his feet, only to be knocked to the ground. A dark figure leaped over his fallen form, and headed for the rest of the company, blade in hand...

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Novnarwen's post

Reaching the sea appeared to be the best thing on this journey yet. Finally, Dwalin too, cheered up. It was such a beautiful place. The water gave a trickling noise, which comforted Dwalin. The blue-green surface was bathed in the fading sun, and the dwarf smiled once more. He couldn't believe it at first however. The whole scenery, which he found himself in, seemed so surreal. It was like a dream-world which you only enter when you're asleep. It was idyllic. Yes, even Dwalin could put his hatred towards the jungle to rest now.

Ordered to get the tent out, he strode off and unpacked it. To his horror he discovered a long slimy oblong thing, having a great time inside the tent. Trying to relax and be calm, he grabbed his axe. Halfway running after it, he tried to make an end to its pitiful life, but missed by an inch. He dried his brow with the back of his hand, sweating like mad. He realised soon enough though, that he had been able to be perfectly civilised while handling the little creature. Proud of his accomplishment, he carried on; putting up the tent properly.

Nevertheless of Dwalin's accomplishment, the night ended terribly. To Dwalin's surprise, Kain had gone over to Dwalin's side just after putting up the tent, telling him (amongst other things) that he longed to prove himself useful. Dwalin who hadn't considered this to be at all very suspicious, saw to his surprise later that very evening, Kain braking the glassy surface of the water. Struggling to get up for air, Dwalin turned his head towards him, blinked, and saw him no more. He didn't realise that Bali had gone after him, but was already on his way back as the shore as the devilish fishes had indeed been Kain's downfall.

Unable to react as he would usually have done, he stood stiff watching the water stream over his companion. "No!" he found himself screaming, but there was nothing he could do. Reproaching himself, being shocked, he claimed his feeling of guilt. "It was my fault. He told me he was going to go out and find the treasure, to prove that he was strong and old enough to look after himself." He didn't hear Bali's reply, but he could see by the look in his eye that he wasn't blaming Dwalin for this accident However, nothing could help Dwalin now. Too shocked for his own good, he didn't notice a man coming out of nowhere attacking the dwarves.

06-01-2004, 05:19 PM	#11
Himaran Ash of Orodruin Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Thangorodrim Posts: 777	Will Witfoot's post Gortek marched on moodily beside the straggling line formed by his ragged and weary comrades, taking his sword to any bush or clump of weeds blocking his path. He swatted at a huge beetle possessed of a metallic sheen crawling on the back of his neck and spat out a curse. The accursed jungle was slowly wearing the party down, and even the mad dwarf's endurance was stretched to the limit. He glanced at the young dwarves shuffling along like corpses with a gait crippled by the heat and eyes dimmed by fatigue and hardship. He knew that it was undeniably worse for the beardlings, who were not used to such hardship and danger. He wondered if they would be the breaking point for this party, the part from whence would begin the destruction of this expedition. While Bali was a natural and able leader, the group lacked the bonding and camaraderie so desperately vital to any adventurers. You could never know when your life was going to be in the hands of your companions, after all, and the group was only as strong as it's weakest member. The party continued to progress with a pace crippled by the harshness of the surrounding environment. After trudging on for what seemed like eternity they reached a well trodden path which seemed to head to the east. They stopped for a moment to debate about their next course and Gortek slumped down onto a boulder lying by the side of the path. It was important to harbor one's strength and rest whenever possible when facing such a cruel aspect of nature. He felt more weary than he could ever remember feeling, in body as well as in spirit. Normally his indomitable happiness prevented him from loosing heart and gave him the strength to go on, but here, in this green, rotting hell that was the jungle he couldn't help feeling his age. Hearing a bestial screech sounding from farther along the debated path, the group quickly changed their decision to take up along it. Instead, Bali and Haenir led them along the floor of the Canyon yawning in front of them and the march continued. Gortek was jerked from his reverie by cries of "The Sea!" and "We found it at last!". Almost not daring to believe his ears he glanced up and spotted the silvery gleam visible from between the great trees, a gleam that could only point out to one thing. With a new found vigor, Gortek joined the rest of the party in a wild dash for the Sea. Soon the trees parted to make way for the expanse of fine, white sand that was the shore. Gortek gained back his cheerfulness in an eye blink, giving a wild whoop of joy. Even the devil-spawned insects had been left behind into the jungle. The moment Bali exclaimed that the water was drinkable, Gortek plunged his entire head into it, gulping and swallowing greedily. He resurfaced and hastily pulled off his leather gauntlets and plunged in again, this time sinking his arms into the sweet water up to the elbows. The coolness felt unbelievably good after weeks spent in the humid jungle. After drinking enough and bathing in the Sea Gortek sat on the golden sand of it's shores, smoking the last of his tobacco. Behind him a few of the young dwarves were setting up the tent and getting a fire going. It looked like they might yet conquer this land. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Himaran's post The sea was beautiful.... so beautiful. Bali and the others halted their print on its sandy shores, admiring its sunlit waves from a distance. "It's really more of a lake, with two inlets," the dwarf explained. Walking out into the water, he bent down and scooped up a handful. When he tasted it, a smile spread out over his kind features. "Freshwater, as I had expected. We can drink it!" The dwarves literally dove into the water, lapping up the cool liquid in heavy gulps. They had been without drink for over a day, and without a bath for weeks. Now the party could enjoy both! The young dwarves started to play, and soon a waterfight was in full swing. The water had a soothing effect, not only to the throat but to the mind as well. Bali suggested that they dry off and break camp, and the group did so. There was nothing much to camp with, as only Durin still had a pack. Luckily, it contained the tent, and so they would have a little shelter for the night. "Dwalin, get the tent out," Bali shouted over the din of the other dwarves (who were arguing about the best way to light a fire). The young dwarve pulled up the strap only to leap backwards. A snake reared its head and hissed balefully, slithering down to the ground. Dwalin, who immediately remembered his past experience with a similar creature, did not turn his back but readied his axe instead. Leaping to the side, the dwarf swung downwards, severing the reptile in two. "I wonder how it got in there," he remarked, before continuing his work. That night, the entire party stood at the sea, marvelling the shining lights which glowed brilliantly in its depths. "It must be treasure," Durin said. "Something of great value." The group began discussing the best way to investigate, but decided that it was best to wait until the morning. Bali was preocupied, however, watching Kain. The dwarf was staring intently at the lights, and had not taken part in the conversation. Bali hurried up to him, and took the lad by the arm, walking back towards the camp. "Come. You are on second watch tonight, so get some sleep. In the middle of the night, the camp was woken up by a bloodcurdling scream. Bali rushed out of the tent, half-dressed and clutching his axe, and saw what he had feared. Kain was floundering about, a good twenty yards into the sea. He was trashing, as if ants were crawling all over his body. As his companions hurried to his side, Bali threw caution to the wind and dashed towards the shore. Diving into the cool water, (as he was an excellent swimmer), the dwarf struck out toward Kain. Just then, Bali felt his entire body come alive in pain. Bright lights surrounded him. Then he realized it - they were glowing fishes! Flesh eaters! The fact that the treasure they had all come for was nothing more than a hive of devilish fish caused his heart to sink; and his body did so as well. Then an arm reached out, and he found himself being pulled up on dry land. Coughing up heaves of saltwater, Bali looked out towards the sea. Kain was gone! The dwarf broke down into sobs, knowing that his companion had been pulled under and drowned. The entire company stood in silence, except for the sound of shedding tears. Many of the younger dwarves had never lost a friend in battle or by accident before; it was a completely new feeling of emptiness and loss. "It was my fault," Dwalin remarked later. "He told me he was going to go out and find the treasure, to prove that he was strong and old enough to look after himself." "No it wasn't, lad," said Bali. "If anyone is to blame, it it me. I saw the look in his eye, and put him on watch anyway." "Tain't anyone's fault!" Shouted Haenir suddenly. "It is truely a terrible thing, but he was foolish. It was not a matter of leadership." But at that moment, another howling screech was heard. Eruantalon jumped to his feet, only to be knocked to the ground. A dark figure leaped over his fallen form, and headed for the rest of the company, blade in hand... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Novnarwen's post Reaching the sea appeared to be the best thing on this journey yet. Finally, Dwalin too, cheered up. It was such a beautiful place. The water gave a trickling noise, which comforted Dwalin. The blue-green surface was bathed in the fading sun, and the dwarf smiled once more. He couldn't believe it at first however. The whole scenery, which he found himself in, seemed so surreal. It was like a dream-world which you only enter when you're asleep. It was idyllic. Yes, even Dwalin could put his hatred towards the jungle to rest now. Ordered to get the tent out, he strode off and unpacked it. To his horror he discovered a long slimy oblong thing, having a great time inside the tent. Trying to relax and be calm, he grabbed his axe. Halfway running after it, he tried to make an end to its pitiful life, but missed by an inch. He dried his brow with the back of his hand, sweating like mad. He realised soon enough though, that he had been able to be perfectly civilised while handling the little creature. Proud of his accomplishment, he carried on; putting up the tent properly. Nevertheless of Dwalin's accomplishment, the night ended terribly. To Dwalin's surprise, Kain had gone over to Dwalin's side just after putting up the tent, telling him (amongst other things) that he longed to prove himself useful. Dwalin who hadn't considered this to be at all very suspicious, saw to his surprise later that very evening, Kain braking the glassy surface of the water. Struggling to get up for air, Dwalin turned his head towards him, blinked, and saw him no more. He didn't realise that Bali had gone after him, but was already on his way back as the shore as the devilish fishes had indeed been Kain's downfall. Unable to react as he would usually have done, he stood stiff watching the water stream over his companion. "No!" he found himself screaming, but there was nothing he could do. Reproaching himself, being shocked, he claimed his feeling of guilt. "It was my fault. He told me he was going to go out and find the treasure, to prove that he was strong and old enough to look after himself." He didn't hear Bali's reply, but he could see by the look in his eye that he wasn't blaming Dwalin for this accident However, nothing could help Dwalin now. Too shocked for his own good, he didn't notice a man coming out of nowhere attacking the dwarves. Last edited by piosenniel; 06-07-2004 at 01:32 PM.