Elder Scrolls: Interregnum Chapter 4 (Started, Open)

[TheDoctor455]

A few hours later the group were further north and were now firmly in the desert. The baking heat faded as the sun began to set beneath the yellow horizon.

''We'll need to set up camp soon. It gets cold at night in the desert'' Joncis said, ''Hold on, what's that over there?''

In the distance they could see smoke-- a fire.
After a few minutes of walking towards it they could see what it was: About 10 Khajiit of various shapes and sizes were huddled around a campfire. From the looks of it they were travellers, they had an elephant which carried several boxes strapped to its sides which was sitting near what appeared to be the group's leader.

Enthir approached the group first as the leader stood up to greet him (as did his comrades) while the rest of Enthir's group hung behind. ''Greetings human, what brings you out here?'' His voice was kind and welcoming, like that of a shopkeeper trying to sell you something. ''I could ask you the same!'' He said back, thankful that the caravan wasn't hostile. ''We're going up north. Started at Dar'Hraln, you wouldn't know it. Where some sense danger, we sense... opportunity.''
''More like deathwish.'' Endya said quietly to herself.

''There's room for more, if you'd like we could do with the extra company'' the Khajiit asked them.

''We wouldn't mind.'' Enthir said back, motioning his camel take a step forward. The Khajiit stopped him there ''Stop. Before you all can go any further, we need ...........something in return'' he said slyly. ''Such as?'' Joncis asked, stepping over to where Enthir was. ''Well we're sharing our light, warmth and company. Your camel should suffice.'' He said bluntly. Enthir patted his camel and looked over at the cat ''As much as the bargain tempts me, I think I'll have to decline on behalf of my company'' he said back bluntly.

''Oh, I see..... shame.''The Khajiit flicked his wrist twice and the his group pulled out their weapons. Mainly daggers and blades, with an archer thrown in. The quadrupal Khajiit merely hissed and prepared to charge, showing their sharp teeth while doing so.
On top of the elephant was another Khajiit, one that appeared to be a small housecat. It pulled out a miniature staff of sorts. Surely it wasn't a mage?

''Such a pity we couldn't sort this out like gentle folk but out here we have a low stock of supplies even at the best of times, and while this is far from the safest approach, I see some.... opportunity in your cargo.'' He finished, pulling out a scimitar and motioning with his wrist again for his friends to attack.

First were the arrows. Enthir ducked the first and as he trying to get off it an arrow hit his camel, making it moan and crash to the ground, trapping Enthir's leg underneath it.
Endya threw a few daggers, only one hitting it's target before being forced to get to cover near the dying camel to help Enthir up.

Apparently the housecat really was carrying a staff, as a bolt of red fire came hurdling towards the group, Joncis put up a ward and held it there. ''This ward won't stop arrows or swords, take out the archer!'' he shouted, kneeling down as the closest thing to cover in the desert were a few sand dunes out of his reach.

Croaker had been at the back of the group when the attack started, and being the paranoid old bugger he was, he had noticed the daggers being reached for, and had gone for his bow at the same time. In a few clunky, but quick motions, he had it out and fully-drawn, he took aim at one of the thugs Endya had missed. He fired. The arrow sped towards its target.

It really was a testament to Croaker's... ummm.... 'skill' (for lack of a better word), when he had been aiming for the khajit's stomach (the one directly ahead in his line of sight)... and hit the cat-person's leg instead. And made it through the apparently paper-thin armor the idiot thug had been wearing. The especially thuggish khajit (which stood at a good 6 foot 4, at least) yowled in pain and dropped its dagger.

Hurriedly, Croaker scanned the area around him for cover... and decided that the elephant would do for the moment. So he dashed for it.

As he ran, a brief, small flash of sunlight hit his left cheek, singing it slightly for a moment before his hood covered it up again.

Damn it! I hoped no one noticed that. Piss on all the sun gods!

Croaker had ended up behind the elephant before its drivers and archers on top had noticed (they were no doubt distracted by Joncis and Endya's quick response to the fight)... but a few of the other khajit on the ground had noticed. Including the very thuggish one, which Croaker had decided to label as Mr. Kibbles in the next segment of his Annals. At any rate, Mr. Kibbles limped towards Croaker, somehow managing to drip menace with every step. Or was that just blood and spittle? It was hard for Croaker to tell in this dry, arid, and above all, annoyingly sunny weather.

 

[IFS]

Snip

Dro'Araaj dove flat to avoid the arrows, springing back to his feet he adopted a fighting stance, he noticed a few were moving towards Croaker after the latter had taken cover behind the elephant. He darted forward, grabbing one from behind his claws dug into the khajiit's throat and tore. The thuggish looking khajiit and one of the others continued towards Croaker, but another turned to face Araaj.

Araaj grimaced, this one had a sword, and if he used it properly he could keep Araaj at a distance, whereas Araaj only had his claws and needed to get in close. He narrowly ducked the first swing, a blast of fire from the alfiq grazed him, but he ignored the searing pain and tackled the other khajiit, moving to where he was too close for it to swing its sword effectively. The khajiit tried to claw him but he clearly lacked the training and experience Araaj had in unarmed combat, and Araaj caught him and threw him into another blast of fire from the alfiq.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Snip

Dro'Araaj dove flat to avoid the arrows, springing back to his feet he adopted a fighting stance, he noticed a few were moving towards Croaker after the latter had taken cover behind the elephant. He darted forward, grabbing one from behind his claws dug into the khajiit's throat and tore. The thuggish looking khajiit and one of the others continued towards Croaker, but another turned to face Araaj.

Araaj grimaced, this one had a sword, and if he used it properly he could keep Araaj at a distance, whereas Araaj only had his claws and needed to get in close. He narrowly ducked the first swing, a blast of fire from the alfiq grazed him, but he ignored the searing pain and tackled the other khajiit, moving to where he was too close for it to swing its sword effectively. The khajiit tried to claw him but he clearly lacked the training and experience Araaj had in unarmed combat, and Araaj caught him and threw him into another blast of fire from the alfiq.

Croaker knew he most likely wouldn't make the shot, but he went for it anyway...

he aimed for Mr. Kibbles' head, and despite how rusty Croaker was at that point... he stuck Mr. Kibbles right in his left eye, which brought the big guy down to his knees. The other khajit that had been walking alongside Mr. Kibbles turned and tried to flee the battle.

Croaker turned his attention to the mage in their party and fired three arrows in as quick a succession as he could manage. The first missed, the second caught the bugger in the knee, and the third got him right in the throat.

 

[Josh123914]

Endya surveyed the area before getting down again and trying haul the camel off of Enthir's leg.
After several failed attempts she looked at him, ''Listen, just get down and play dead, I can't lift it. Only show signs of life when the fighting's over. If I don't come back you'll be on your own then.'' she said, getting up and running behind Joncis' ward. Enthir complied and made his body limp.

Joncis saw her coming, ''Go help Dro'Araaj and Croaker, I'll try to take out the Alfiq, it seems distracted.'' he shouted, dropping his ward and hurling a thunderbolt at it. The Alfiq deflected it and then shot a firebolt at the two of them. Joncis jumped out of the way and then conjured his Flame Atronach with what little magicka he had left. The Atronach was immune to the housecat's firebolts so Joncis kept behind it for the moment.

Endya meanwhile, ran to the side, whipping out 2 daggers and sprinting over to help Dro'Araaj. Out of no where a Pahmar tackled her to the ground, baring it's teeth at her neck. She stabbed it in the throat and then rolled under it before getting to her feet again and running over to the others.
''The elephant's moving!'' She shouted alarmingly.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Endya surveyed the area before getting down again and trying haul the camel off of Enthir's leg.
After several failed attempts she looked at him, ''Listen, just get down and play dead, I can't lift it. Only show signs of life when the fighting's over. If I don't come back you'll be on your own then.'' she said, getting up and running behind Joncis' ward. Enthir complied and made his body limp.

Joncis saw her coming, ''Go help Dro'Araaj and Croaker, I'll try to take out the Alfiq, it seems distracted.'' he shouted, dropping his ward and hurling a thunderbolt at it. The Alfiq deflected it and then shot a firebolt at the two of them. Joncis jumped out of the way and then conjured his Flame Atronach with what little magicka he had left. The Atronach was immune to the housecat's firebolts so Joncis kept behind it for the moment.

Endya meanwhile, ran to the side, whipping out 2 daggers and sprinting over to help Dro'Araaj. Out of no where a Pahmar tackled her to the ground, baring it's teeth at her neck. She stabbed it in the throat and then rolled under it before getting to her feet again and running over to the others.
''The elephant's moving!'' She shouted alarmingly.

"Shit!" Croaker dived out of the way as the elephant stomped right through the battle and out to the other side, taking its archers with it, "Shit-shit..."

Croaker dashed around, trying to dodge arrows hailing down from the elephant's back as it ran. Croaker made it to the top of a nearby, smallish sand dune before he noticed the shaft going right through his right thigh and out the shin. He fell onto his side, grimacing in pain.

"Goddamnit!" he howled. Oh... it'll heal quick... too quick... which means I'm going to have to pretend to have a limp for the next week and a half... at least! And I'm going to have to waste some of my gauze to hide the fact that my wound healed too fast!

Even through his pain, he tried to hoist himself up from the sand, but put too much weight on his bad leg and ended up rolling down the small dune.

 

[Josh123914]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

"Ugh," Croaker said, some time later when he deemed it safe to slip back into consciousness and slowly get up, "I assume that since we aren't tied up over a spit-fire that we made it through that little scuffle. And... thanks for saving my ass Endya. Wouldn't have made it out of that one without you. Hmm... where are we anyway?"

 

[Josh123914]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

"Ugh," Croaker said, some time later when he deemed it safe to slip back into consciousness and slowly get up, "I assume that since we aren't tied up over a spit-fire that we made it through that little scuffle. And... thanks for saving my ass Endya. Wouldn't have made it out of that one without you. Hmm... where are we anyway?"

''Still the desert, if we head a bit further north we should reach the ruin.'' She said, looking over the dune, she hurled another dagger, catching a pahmar in the stomach.
''4 of them left now, plus that elephant. And sorry, I'm no healer, ask Dro'Araaj about....that.'' she said quietly, nodding her head towards Croaker's leg.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

"Ugh," Croaker said, some time later when he deemed it safe to slip back into consciousness and slowly get up, "I assume that since we aren't tied up over a spit-fire that we made it through that little scuffle. And... thanks for saving my ass Endya. Wouldn't have made it out of that one without you. Hmm... where are we anyway?"

''Still the desert, if we head a bit further north we should reach the ruin.'' She said, looking over the dune, she hurled another dagger, catching a pahmar in the stomach.
''4 of them left now, plus that elephant. And sorry, I'm no healer, ask Dro'Araaj about....that.'' she said quietly, nodding her head towards Croaker's leg.

"Pfft. Never trust a conjurer's tricks for this sort of thing," Croaker replied, "I've seen what can happen when you have a careless rookie at the helm of a healing spell. Bone might grow in the wrong places, muscle tissue could reconnect in odd positions... ugh... its just one problem after another. Trust me on this. Besides, I can take care of this myself."

With that, Croaker set about carefully, and slowly removing the arrow from his leg. As soon as he got it out, he clamped his hands around both sides of his legs.

"Now, if you want to help," he said, putting on a show of labored breathing, "I'd really appreciate it if you'd get the gauze out of my pack and wrap it around my leg.

 

[Josh123914]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

"Ugh," Croaker said, some time later when he deemed it safe to slip back into consciousness and slowly get up, "I assume that since we aren't tied up over a spit-fire that we made it through that little scuffle. And... thanks for saving my ass Endya. Wouldn't have made it out of that one without you. Hmm... where are we anyway?"

''Still the desert, if we head a bit further north we should reach the ruin.'' She said, looking over the dune, she hurled another dagger, catching a pahmar in the stomach.
''4 of them left now, plus that elephant. And sorry, I'm no healer, ask Dro'Araaj about....that.'' she said quietly, nodding her head towards Croaker's leg.

"Pfft. Never trust a conjurer's tricks for this sort of thing," Croaker replied, "I've seen what can happen when you have a careless rookie at the helm of a healing spell. Bone might grow in the wrong places, muscle tissue could reconnect in odd positions... ugh... its just one problem after another. Trust me on this. Besides, I can take care of this myself."

With that, Croaker set about carefully, and slowly removing the arrow from his leg. As soon as he got it out, he clamped his hands around both sides of his legs.

"Now, if you want to help," he said, putting on a show of labored breathing, "I'd really appreciate it if you'd get the gauze out of my pack and wrap it around my leg.

Endya checked over the dune again, Joncis was on his feet again and covering Enthir with a ward, and the elephant was still running amok with the housecat on top. She sighed, reached over and tossed him the gauze ''I'm not big on magic or healing. Many consider that a failing of mine, been killing for centuries and never once perfected a school of magic'' she muttered, checking over the dune again ''You have anything that could pierce that thing's hide? Even if my daggers were sharpened back in Corinthe I doubt they'd be enough.''

 

[TheDoctor455]

Endya saw Croaker limp off and threw a dagger right through the archer's throat. She could hardly stab the elephant with her weapons. It's skin was too thick and it's pattern was irregular at best, seeing as no one was steering it. She ran over to where Croaker was, she was hardly a healer but she seemed to have grabbed the Alfiq's attention.

Joncis' atronach faded as three armed Khajiit headed right for him, he threw a thunderbolt at the first one, killing it instantly, while another was stopped by a jolt to the knee.
The 3rd tackled him to the ground, trying to cut him open with a dagger.

Enthir looked up slightly to survey the area. Joncis was pinned down by one Khajiit, with Endya and Croaker hightailing it from the elephant and mage. He couldn't even see the other three, ''did they make a run for it? no.'' he said to himself quietly, trying to stay positive. From what he could count 6 khajiit were left, and one was heading in his direction! There was no way he could play dead now. Enthir rummaged through the compartments on the camel's side in search of the emerald staff, ''Cut him open!'' the burly Suthay said, beginning to run full pelt at him. Enthir pulled and pulled. He couldn't unhinge it, the suthay was getting closer, his mace bouncing what little light from the setting sun at the ground. Suddenly the staff came lose and Enthir propped it up preparing to fire it just as the suthay was on top of him.
But something was wrong.
He was holding it backwards. Enthir clenched it tightly, preparing himself for a quick and painful death, but no such thing happened. Enthir opened his eyes as the Suthay dropped his mace on the sand and it's weight began to hang to the left, with the spear-like tip of the staff digging a large bloody gash in his abdomen.
Enthir pulled the staff out and breathed a heavy sigh of relief. Holding the staff right-way-round in case any others came his way.
He could hardly help anyone else with everything below the pelvis stuck under a camel corpse.

"Ugh," Croaker said, some time later when he deemed it safe to slip back into consciousness and slowly get up, "I assume that since we aren't tied up over a spit-fire that we made it through that little scuffle. And... thanks for saving my ass Endya. Wouldn't have made it out of that one without you. Hmm... where are we anyway?"

''Still the desert, if we head a bit further north we should reach the ruin.'' She said, looking over the dune, she hurled another dagger, catching a pahmar in the stomach.
''4 of them left now, plus that elephant. And sorry, I'm no healer, ask Dro'Araaj about....that.'' she said quietly, nodding her head towards Croaker's leg.

"Pfft. Never trust a conjurer's tricks for this sort of thing," Croaker replied, "I've seen what can happen when you have a careless rookie at the helm of a healing spell. Bone might grow in the wrong places, muscle tissue could reconnect in odd positions... ugh... its just one problem after another. Trust me on this. Besides, I can take care of this myself."

With that, Croaker set about carefully, and slowly removing the arrow from his leg. As soon as he got it out, he clamped his hands around both sides of his legs.

"Now, if you want to help," he said, putting on a show of labored breathing, "I'd really appreciate it if you'd get the gauze out of my pack and wrap it around my leg.

Endya checked over the dune again, Joncis was on his feet again and covering Enthir with a ward, and the elephant was still running amok with the housecat on top. She sighed, reached over and tossed him the gauze ''I'm not big on magic or healing. Many consider that a failing of mine, been killing for centuries and never once perfected a school of magic'' she muttered, checking over the dune again ''You have anything that could pierce that thing's hide? Even if my daggers were sharpened back in Corinthe I doubt they'd be enough.''

"Thanks," Croaker grumbled, trying to reach for the gauze without letting go of his leg, "As for getting through that elephant... its not a matter of how sharp your blade is, its where you cut. I haven't studied... elephant anatomy... didn't want to be a vet... but, most buggers are vulnerable under the armpits -or whatever passes for that... hmm... the trunk is probably nothing but cartilage and blood vessels, so that'd be another soft spot, hard to hit though. Failing that... go for the eyes... or throw a bomb into its mouth. Better yet, kill the idiot trying to drive the damn thing."

Croaker tried again to reach for the gauze. After a few moments, he sighed, gave up, and turned to the others.

"Umm... would someone mind helping me wrap this gauze around my leg?" he called out to no one in particular, "I'm having a little trouble trying to do it myself while trying to stop the bleeding."

Then, he felt it... the hunger.

Damn it, damn it, damn it! When the hell am I going to get a chance to sneak a drink out in the open like this?

 

[Josh123914]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

 

[TheDoctor455]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

 

[Josh123914]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

 

[TheDoctor455]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

"And now that I'm able to help with that, I will," Croaker slowly hoisted himself up, and made all of the appropriate pained grimaces that one would expect from someone in his position. Once he was up, he wrapped up the rest of the gauze and put it back in his pack. Then, he slowly limped about as he scanned the area around them.

"Well... I don't see anything quite yet..." he trailed off, "Get your daggers back out, someone's coming in on... horseback? Who the hell rides a horse into the dunes? Hmm... hard to say from here, but he's no no hurry... so... I don't think he's hostile. Still... I can see a faint glow from here... some kind of magic is going on so... I think it'd be a good idea to get your weapons out and your spells ready... or whatever."

Hmm... can't walk a bow like this... The rider got closer, Croaker could just make out a metal staff on the horse's pack. Yep, definitely a mage.



"Endya... if it is trouble... get behind me as soon as I cast a ward," he told her.

Spoiler: OOC

Whether is a fight or not is up to you, DM. I'm not in control of this guy. I just put him there. Thought it might make a fun diversion while we wait for the others to pitch in. Or... for recruitment to get going if necessary.

 

[Josh123914]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

"And now that I'm able to help with that, I will," Croaker slowly hoisted himself up, and made all of the appropriate pained grimaces that one would expect from someone in his position. Once he was up, he wrapped up the rest of the gauze and put it back in his pack. Then, he slowly limped about as he scanned the area around them.

"Well... I don't see anything quite yet..." he trailed off, "Get your daggers back out, someone's coming in on... horseback? Who the hell rides a horse into the dunes? Hmm... hard to say from here, but he's no no hurry... so... I don't think he's hostile. Still... I can see a faint glow from here... some kind of magic is going on so... I think it'd be a good idea to get your weapons out and your spells ready... or whatever."

Hmm... can't walk a bow like this... The rider got closer, Croaker could just make out a metal staff on the horse's pack. Yep, definitely a mage.



"Endya... if it is trouble... get behind me as soon as I cast a ward," he told her.

Spoiler: OOC

Whether is a fight or not is up to you, DM. I'm not in control of this guy. I just put him there. Thought it might make a fun diversion while we wait for the others to pitch in. Or... for recruitment to get going if necessary.

Endya hadn't even picked up the daggers that strewn the battlefield, fortunately she still had several, and pulled one out by her side just in case ''I doubt you'll be able to do anything with that wound. If you could I'd almost be impressed, seeing as you needed help getting to your feet.'' she mumbled, looking over to the others. ''I doubt this rider is hostile, and even if he is the others would be coming to our aid very quickly.'' She continued, staring at the figure in the distance. What kind of bandit would charge at his enemies in plain site?

 

[TheDoctor455]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

"And now that I'm able to help with that, I will," Croaker slowly hoisted himself up, and made all of the appropriate pained grimaces that one would expect from someone in his position. Once he was up, he wrapped up the rest of the gauze and put it back in his pack. Then, he slowly limped about as he scanned the area around them.

"Well... I don't see anything quite yet..." he trailed off, "Get your daggers back out, someone's coming in on... horseback? Who the hell rides a horse into the dunes? Hmm... hard to say from here, but he's no no hurry... so... I don't think he's hostile. Still... I can see a faint glow from here... some kind of magic is going on so... I think it'd be a good idea to get your weapons out and your spells ready... or whatever."

Hmm... can't walk a bow like this... The rider got closer, Croaker could just make out a metal staff on the horse's pack. Yep, definitely a mage.



"Endya... if it is trouble... get behind me as soon as I cast a ward," he told her.

Spoiler: OOC

Whether is a fight or not is up to you, DM. I'm not in control of this guy. I just put him there. Thought it might make a fun diversion while we wait for the others to pitch in. Or... for recruitment to get going if necessary.

Endya hadn't even picked up the daggers that strewn the battlefield, fortunately she still had several, and pulled one out by her side just in case ''I doubt you'll be able to do anything with that wound. If you could I'd almost be impressed, seeing as you needed help getting to your feet.'' she mumbled, looking over to the others. ''I doubt this rider is hostile, and even if he is the others would be coming to our aid very quickly.'' She continued, staring at the figure in the distance. What kind of bandit would charge at his enemies in plain site?

"I'll admit that I don't have much going for me at the moment," Croaker hissed at her, "But until the others get back, we need to bluff this guy if turns out to be a threat."

A few moments later, the stranger approached.

"Hello there," Croaker said, trying to hide his bad leg, "What brings you this far out?"

The pale man raised a robe finger towards Endya and made a series of clicks, and then looked at Croaker quizzically.

"Er..." Croaker turned to whisper to Endya, "If he's asking what I think he is... you're really not going to like this... but before I tell you, promise not to try and kill him, I don't think we can take another fight right now."

 

[IFS]

Araaj finished cleaning the blood out of his fur and claws, it was not an easy task in the desert, and rejoined the others. He glanced up at the strange figure and over at Endya and Croaker. He wasn't sure what was going on but figured that he would wait to see what this figure wanted before doing anything. The figure was speaking some strange clicking language, it wasn't the Ta'agra, the khajiit language, so he wasn't sure what it meant.

 

[Josh123914]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

"And now that I'm able to help with that, I will," Croaker slowly hoisted himself up, and made all of the appropriate pained grimaces that one would expect from someone in his position. Once he was up, he wrapped up the rest of the gauze and put it back in his pack. Then, he slowly limped about as he scanned the area around them.

"Well... I don't see anything quite yet..." he trailed off, "Get your daggers back out, someone's coming in on... horseback? Who the hell rides a horse into the dunes? Hmm... hard to say from here, but he's no no hurry... so... I don't think he's hostile. Still... I can see a faint glow from here... some kind of magic is going on so... I think it'd be a good idea to get your weapons out and your spells ready... or whatever."

Hmm... can't walk a bow like this... The rider got closer, Croaker could just make out a metal staff on the horse's pack. Yep, definitely a mage.



"Endya... if it is trouble... get behind me as soon as I cast a ward," he told her.

Spoiler: OOC

Whether is a fight or not is up to you, DM. I'm not in control of this guy. I just put him there. Thought it might make a fun diversion while we wait for the others to pitch in. Or... for recruitment to get going if necessary.

Endya hadn't even picked up the daggers that strewn the battlefield, fortunately she still had several, and pulled one out by her side just in case ''I doubt you'll be able to do anything with that wound. If you could I'd almost be impressed, seeing as you needed help getting to your feet.'' she mumbled, looking over to the others. ''I doubt this rider is hostile, and even if he is the others would be coming to our aid very quickly.'' She continued, staring at the figure in the distance. What kind of bandit would charge at his enemies in plain site?

"I'll admit that I don't have much going for me at the moment," Croaker hissed at her, "But until the others get back, we need to bluff this guy if turns out to be a threat."

A few moments later, the stranger approached.

"Hello there," Croaker said, trying to hide his bad leg, "What brings you this far out?"

The pale man raised a robe finger towards Endya and made a series of clicks, and then looked at Croaker quizzically.

"Er..." Croaker turned to whisper to Endya, "If he's asking what I think he is... you're really not going to like this... but before I tell you, promise not to try and kill him, I don't think we can take another fight right now."

''You sure about this? Besides that how can you understand him?'' she said back , staring at the hooded figure. She couldn't even make out a silhouette of the rider's face, and it'll only be harder to see with night passing quickly over the desert.

Joncis finished setting the fire and as Enthir did a quick stock check and began to ready a meal, Joncis ran over to Dro'Araaj. ''Have you seen the other three yet?'' he asked, casting a Magelight.

 

[TheDoctor455]

The Khajiit leader (along with one of his guards) climbed up to the top of the elephant's back and whispered something into the alfiq's ear, it knocked it's staff against the elephant's back twice and, as if commanded, it turned away from the group and started hobbling away at a suprisingly fast pace, leaving the last Khajiit to run off after them on foot.

''Leave him,'' Joncis said, looking over the area. It was littered with dead khajiit and the others were nowhere to be found. He could only find Enthir, still half trapped under the camel's body.
With a bit of effort Joncis pulled him out and got him to his feet. Enthir looked around as well, unsheathing his weapons and picking up his bags from his former pet's body, ''Maybe we should set up camp over the next dune'' he said, moving ahead.

Endya trailed after him. ''Cowards.'' she mumbled, offering Croaker her hand. ''You need help? We'll all be blind if we don't set a fire soon'' she mumbled, looking at the now stomped out fire of the mercenaries.

"Yeah, could use a hand, thanks," Croaker said as he nudged his head at the gauze, "Please help me wrap that around my leg, I can't exactly do it myself while keeping the blood from pouring out... after that, I'll happily limp along to help you build a fire... though I wouldn't worry about it too much, my eyes are a lot better than they look."

Endya came back, snatched the gauze and wrapped it around his leg quickly before tying it and handing the gauze back to him. ''C'mon, we need to move. Gods only know what crawls in the sand around here'' she said, lifting him up and moving towards a fire Enthir made from salvaged cargo left behind by the mercenaries.

"And now that I'm able to help with that, I will," Croaker slowly hoisted himself up, and made all of the appropriate pained grimaces that one would expect from someone in his position. Once he was up, he wrapped up the rest of the gauze and put it back in his pack. Then, he slowly limped about as he scanned the area around them.

"Well... I don't see anything quite yet..." he trailed off, "Get your daggers back out, someone's coming in on... horseback? Who the hell rides a horse into the dunes? Hmm... hard to say from here, but he's no no hurry... so... I don't think he's hostile. Still... I can see a faint glow from here... some kind of magic is going on so... I think it'd be a good idea to get your weapons out and your spells ready... or whatever."

Hmm... can't walk a bow like this... The rider got closer, Croaker could just make out a metal staff on the horse's pack. Yep, definitely a mage.



"Endya... if it is trouble... get behind me as soon as I cast a ward," he told her.

Spoiler: OOC

Whether is a fight or not is up to you, DM. I'm not in control of this guy. I just put him there. Thought it might make a fun diversion while we wait for the others to pitch in. Or... for recruitment to get going if necessary.

Endya hadn't even picked up the daggers that strewn the battlefield, fortunately she still had several, and pulled one out by her side just in case ''I doubt you'll be able to do anything with that wound. If you could I'd almost be impressed, seeing as you needed help getting to your feet.'' she mumbled, looking over to the others. ''I doubt this rider is hostile, and even if he is the others would be coming to our aid very quickly.'' She continued, staring at the figure in the distance. What kind of bandit would charge at his enemies in plain site?

"I'll admit that I don't have much going for me at the moment," Croaker hissed at her, "But until the others get back, we need to bluff this guy if turns out to be a threat."

A few moments later, the stranger approached.

"Hello there," Croaker said, trying to hide his bad leg, "What brings you this far out?"

The pale man raised a robe finger towards Endya and made a series of clicks, and then looked at Croaker quizzically.

"Er..." Croaker turned to whisper to Endya, "If he's asking what I think he is... you're really not going to like this... but before I tell you, promise not to try and kill him, I don't think we can take another fight right now."

''You sure about this? Besides that how can you understand him?'' she said back , staring at the hooded figure. She couldn't even make out a silhouette of the rider's face, and it'll only be harder to see with night passing quickly over the desert.

Joncis finished setting the fire and as Enthir did a quick stock check and began to ready a meal, Joncis ran over to Dro'Araaj. ''Have you seen the other three yet?'' he asked, casting a Magelight.

"I've been in the area before, I remember some of the local language," Croaker explained, "I can't hold a conversation... but I can definitely tell when someone's being a prick. And... well... I think he's asking how much we want to sell you off into slavery. Told you wouldn't like what he has to say. Let's just scare him off for now."

On that note, Croaker drew his bow, and nocked an arrow into it, and pulled the string as far back as he could (wasn't much, but should've been enough to convey the message) then he shook his head and shouted, "No thanks. Now get out of here!"

The stranger glared at Croaker, then stared at Endya for a moment before looking around to see that the rest of the group had been creeping in around them. The stranger got the message, turned his horse around and kicked it hard enough to leave a scar. Croaker put his bow and arrow away and relaxed.

"Well that's over with... but I don't think we've seen the last of him," Croaker turned to face Endya, "I guess we'd better do a casualty check from the last fight."

Spoiler: OOC

Thought we'd better settle which characters are still alive at this point. And, if there are any you'd like me to take control of to help out, let me know.