Quiet grasslands | Fangwood - Chapter 1 in Legends of Elohey Discussion Boards | World Anvil
Legends of Elohey Discussion Boards Fangwood - Chapter 1
  Kummer wolfe
Mon, Dec 11th 2023 01:14   Edited on Sun, May 5th 2024 04:00

Quiet grasslands

Lia and the Grassland by CB Ash using Midjourney
 
Thin, specter-like clouds reached over the sky with slow fingers while the wind danced. Tall grass swayed under the sun, bending to the breeze. Nearby, grapevines heavy with purple-pink Fadish grapes lined the gently hills North of Churdawn.
 
There were no trails where Lia crept, only tall grass that teased her with the urge to reveal her position. Def flew lazy circles overhead, not conspicuous but neither was he all that subtle.
 
Tracks on the ground were both from trolls and coyotes. Two in the case of the former, six for the latter. Both sets of tracks wander in and out of the vineyard until the troll tracks appear to follow the edge of town, moving to the east. The coyotes follow but then turn south and into town.
 
Or they appear to at first.
 
A few yards later, where the trolls and coyotes seem to part ways, both tracks become muddled. Then confused. Lost among the grass and mud.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, what do you do?
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Wed, Dec 13th 2023 04:23
Finding a place shadowed in the low hanging vines of the vineyard Lia feels a small sense of comfort as this terrain is one she favors blending in with the leaves letting the scent from the ripe fruit help to mask her own. Lia slowly weaves her way closer to the town. She is trying to get closer in hopes of finding out more on the Coyotes and Trolls movements, also as the sun moves closer to setting the shadows on her side of the town will lengthen and give her more of a chance to get a higher vantage point to better find out what is happening here. The dark windows are bothersome as they could easily hide a sniper, but Lia knows Kavi and the others are depending on her to give them information. Derf, she knows is watching, and if she misses something he will give warning to her if he can. Lia takes her time crawling on her belly if she must to maintain the cover the vineyard is providing. Lia knows this is risky and it's not the first time she has taken such risks, but she needs to be in a better position in the hopes of saving lives and keeping her Kwi’Sakdi brothers and sisters safe.
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Jan 7th 2024 02:15   Edited on Mon, Jan 8th 2024 11:42
Lia crawled through the grass and under the thick Fadish grapevines. Slowly, she eased to a stop below a wide knot of grapevines and thick leaves. All around her, grass waved like rolling green waves along the hillside. Overhead, the grapevine leaves rustled in the light breeze. A hushed whisper that suggested the promise of tranquil rest and pace if only Lia would just relax and stay awhile. Deceptive words, given the troll encounter earlier.
 
Squinting at the buildings, it was ominously quiet. Nothing obvious seemed to move. The buildings were in good condition and looked normal. But through windows she saw a different story. In the shadows, plates and bowls looked left out on counters. Some even still held food, as if the owners had left while in the middle of their daily routine.
 
Some of the food looked spilled and splattered. As if something had come by later to sample what was there. Even with Lia’s sharp eyes, it would take a closer look to find out. But the town itself seemed too still, too quiet.
 
Suddenly, to her right a short figure popped up out of the grass. It was if they simply sat up but because they were so short, their eyes and head barely cleared the grass.
 
It was a kobold. One dressed in what could be monk’s robes. His, if Lia was any judge of kobold gender, scales were a soft yellow-green. It let him blend in almost seamlessly with the grass.
  Crimes in Progress
Sun, Jan 7th 2024 02:16
“A kobold wonders,” he whispered as he fixed Lia with a series gaze, “why an orc stalks a grapevine? Was a grape suspicious?”
 
He arched his right eyebrow ridge at her.
 
“A kobold sympathizes since a grape can be stubborn. Often untrustworthy. A rutabaga is much more agreeable.”
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Heh heh, ok Lia, how do you want to handle this?
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Mon, Jan 8th 2024 12:58
"An Orc agrees," Lia whispers in Noru as she attempts to compose herself after being outmaneuvered by this wily Kobold." An Orc wonders what makes a vine that bares such sweet fruit stand with vinegar in its heart and with such hunger. Did a town make it wine? An Orc wonders why a Kobold lies in the long grass. Is a Kobold in a jam?Are the dogs nipping at a Kobolds heels?" Lia is now wary of this one as she doesn't know if he is friend, foe or liability. The Orisnuc have long understood that Kobolds are known to be brutally cunning.
  Crimes in Progress
Tue, Jan 9th 2024 12:49
The kobold let out a low grunt, his eyes serious.
 
“A dog is complicated. Mean and rather greedy,” he said. “But a kobold travels safe so avoided both a dog and a not-dog. Instead, a kobold made his way between hills and trolls. A troll is brutal, and prone to murder.”
 
He sighed, then side-eyed the town at the bottom of the hill.  
“But a troll is stupid and is herded easily, leaving a not-dog to be greedy.”
 
The kobold looked Lia in the eyes again.
 
“But that leaves a kobold at a crossroad. To go into a town and travel for a bed? That would be nice for a night.” He shook his head. “But a kobold knows he stays crunchy in milk, and a troll likes to crunch when it can. So a kobold took a nap under a vine that is stubborn and blocks the view. That way a kobold can think of what to do.”
 
The kobold tilted his head to the right.
 
“Does an orc travel safely? It does not seem so, if an orc is under the grapevine, too. A troll could find an orc crunchy in milk, too.”
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Jan 21st 2024 12:38
Before Lia could reply, the sky spit heaven’s own fury. The explosion of celestial anger and lightning snapped both Lia and the kobold’s attention to the far side of town. A spot on the road where Lia had left her companions.
 
In the distance, red lightning arced through the sky. Lia couldn’t see where it started or where it landed because of the vineyards, but she did hear the yelp and snarl of coyotes. Sounds of pain, anger,… and a fury laden spell being cast in return.
 
That paled in comparison to another sound. A cry Lia had long grown accustom to in times of strife and danger.
 
“Oy!” Derf shrieked at the top of his little raven-lungs. “LIIIIIAAAAAA!!! OY! I’VE GONE AND FOUND SOMETHING… UGLY!” The raven followed this up by a panic-laden dive bomb for the safety that was Lia. “IT’S GONNA EAT ME!… After them…”
 
On cue, down at the bottom of the hill, a set of shrill screams preceded a human boy and girl, no more than ten years old each, running into view from behind one of the silent houses. They turn and instantly try to run out of town in your direction.
 
Their clothes are dirt-streaked and torn. Fear paints a horrifying picture across their face. Behind them runs an orc lady wearing a fighter’s leathers and light armor. She’s bloody, cut and worn down. Fatigue weighs heavy in her eyes. Long gashes mar the green skin of her arms. Blood drips along her elbows.
 
With a last longing look at the children, she draws her long sword and faces back the way they came. Sunlight gleams along the metal with a righteous fury of a thousand ballads, while her back muscles bunch their back muscles to prepare for the inevitable.
 
She plants her feet to square off against three coyotes that have herded one thin troll that bristles with thorns. Whip-like tentacle appendages that trail like deadly streamers off its arms. A troll, that if it could be possible, has found a new and inventive way to deliver thorny painful murder on demand.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
LIA!
 
You have two choices:
 
Option A: Abandon this scene and head back to your companions who may be in trouble in the other thread!
 
Option B: Stay to deal with this potential problem of the packed and planted kind!
 
Now!
 
If you choose Option A, you will arrive in the other thread at the end of the round, which means you have to wait until after Sulini, Chaliimriia, Kavi, and Nahbi have posted BEFORE you can post in the thread!
 
BUT!
 
If you choose Option B! You gain an Attack of Surprise with Advantage with any weapon of your choice, because you found such a great hiding spot in the vines!
 
You must choose…
 
…but choose wisely!
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Sun, Jan 21st 2024 02:42   Edited on Sun, Jan 21st 2024 11:06
One word hisses out of Lia's mouth before she begins to move into action "Magwi". She turns to her frantic raven companion and in a soothing voice that belies the death in her eyes,"Little bird you will lead the children to safety." She turns to the Kobold and in the same soft voice, If a Kobold isn't fighting will a Kobold see those younglings to safety?" Not waiting for a response Lia bursts into action. Rolling out of cover and up to one knee Lia draws back her Elk horn bow,her arrow is aimed at the lead coyote. In Noru Lia yells out," Step left", to the Orish warrior knowing that if she is of any salt she will react giving Lia a clearer shot and also to let her know that she is not alone in this conflict. "Ot'meh guide my arrow true". Lia releases her breath slowly and then releases the string on her bow sending the arrow toward her target.
  Kummer wolfe
Mon, Jan 29th 2024 05:24
Any reply from Derf or the kobold was lost in the moment.
 
The Orisnuc warrior darted to the left. She moved with a panther-like grace that defied both armor and injuries. Once she came to a stop, she flipped her shoulder-blade length hair braid aside to glance at Lia and nod. After that, the orc warrior woman tensed, corded muscles bunched while she waited for a chance to attack, or defend, against all comers.
 
Lia’s arrow was a blur of fury. It sliced the air, then cut away a few loose hairs from the warrior’s braid, before the arrow reached it’s target. Arrow met troll eye and wooden socket with a wet, dull thud. The beast shrieked while it tried to claw the offending thing from its face. Instead of ripping it out, the murder moss drove it in harder until the arrowhead stabbed out the back of the troll’s wooden skull. Green ichor streamed down over dark, already damp moss.
 
The thing rushed for Lia, black wooden claws and thorn-rich tentacles extended. Instead, it met the Orisnuc swordswoman as she blocked it’s path.
 
She parried the beast’s claws up, then sliced down at an angle. But the sword barely cut a slice through the troll’s mossy hide. Still, the half-blinded creature stepped back from the threat.
 
At the same moment, the three coyotes raced around the combatants. One on the left, and the other two to the right. The one on the left stopped to bare its fangs at the Orisnuc swordswoman while the two from the right charged right for Lia.
 
There was still some distance for them to go, short range for a bow at best, but still it wouldn’t take them any time to cross the distance.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, how do you want to handle this?
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Mon, Feb 5th 2024 03:26
Several scenario's play through Lia's head most ending up with the Brave Orisnuc Warrior Woman being slain, Lia herself being mauled and slain and the children then being turned on by the Coyotes. The answer coming without thinking, the smooth arrow shaft that felt different from the rest fell right into her fingers. As she knocked it into her bow and with a whispered breath Lia drew back the string of her Elk horn bow,"Dolin you tricky bastard I hope you have pointed me in the right path," and releases the arrow of healing, launching it toward the broad muscular back of the struggling warrior woman.   Then Lia is moving,throwing herself to the left and into the next row of grape vines, dropping her bow in the process, so that she comes up with her twin short swords in hand on the other side." This where I'll make my stand."
  Kummer wolfe
Mon, Feb 19th 2024 12:07   Edited on Mon, Feb 19th 2024 12:12
Lia stood up, then dropped to a crouch, swords in hand as two coyotes raced right for her. They spread out, one on either side. Snarling as they ran up, the first leaped at her, fangs bared.
 
The beast's bite snapped down but only found Lia’s bracer. She spun with the coyote's leap, deflecting it past her. It lost its grip on Lia’s bracer, then tumbled into the grass. A second later, the other coyote snapped at Lia’s leg. The beast’s teeth missed flesh but tore an ugly gash in her clothing. Disgruntled, the coyote backed off a step, swapped a glance with its companion before the pair circled Lia with the wariness of seasoned swordfighters.
 
Meanwhile, Lia noticed the remains of her healing arrow on the ground. The healing fluid it carried was splashed over the warrior woman’s back. As the fluid ran down the woman’s muscled green-bronze skin, wounds knit and closed. The woman stood straighter, almost as if invigorated from a second wind.
 
The third coyote snapped at the Warrior Woman, who neatly side-stepped, then slapped the beast aside with the flat of her blade. The swing was casual, but the effect was as sharp as a thunderclap. The coyote stumbled away like a drunkard fresh from a tavern.
 
With coyote out of reach and the troll staggered back, the Warrior Woman spun on her heel toward Lia, hand on a dagger. She snapped the blade out and tossed; it crossed the space between the woman and a coyote near Lia in a blink. There was a sharp yelp as one coyote staggered back, a dagger slammed home in its rear left hip.
 
The Warrior Woman gave Lia a bright smile and wink before she turned her attention back at her own lethal problems.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, how do you want to handle this?
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Mon, Feb 19th 2024 01:54   Edited on Mon, Feb 19th 2024 02:00
Lia nods to the Warrior Woman in thanks in return for injuring one of her assailants. "Dolins Balls", she thinks as she looks down and see's the torn scrap of pant leg hanging from the coyotes mouth,"more mending." When the circling coyote is farthest from its injured companion Lia launches herself at the uninjured coyote hoping to end this confilict quickly, so that she can get back to help the others."Ot'meh please guide my Derf and lead those children to safety" is Lia's last thought before she attempts to slash the coyote with her twin Masterwork short swords.                                                          
  Kummer wolfe
Mon, Feb 19th 2024 02:09
Lia crosses the space to the circling coyote in seconds, blades at the ready.
 
Instantly, the coyote stands on its hind legs, fangs and claws bared. Lia ducked low and pressed in on the attack with a quick stab, then a slice that tore ugly rents in the beast’s right side. The coyote yelped in pain, dropped to all fours and stepped sideways, eager to avoid another cut.
 
But the move was a feint, and the beast charged forward despite the lethal wound. Coyote blood splashed over Lia as the beast’s forepaws raked over her armor. Its muzzle chomped at Lia’s arm, but missed. Instead, the coyote managed a savage bite against Lia’s left thigh. Pain shot through Lia like a lightning bolt as the coyote jerked back, fangs bloody.
 
Meanwhile, not far away, the second coyote limped sideways and struggled to remove the dagger. Past it, the Warrior Woman raised her sword as the troll, now half-blind and insane, bull rushed the woman with a shrieking charge. She neatly blocks it, but the force of the impact still drove her to the ground.
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, how do you want to handle this?
 
  Hruthgar
Tue, Feb 20th 2024 07:40   Edited on Tue, Feb 20th 2024 07:42
"Pain, yes it hurts, but we fight through it Little Bird. We don't let it stop us."The voice of her Father rings in Lia's ear as she looks down at her thigh where the wooden practice had struck her hard enough to make her leg feel a bit numb, only there is a bloody wound instead. "Get your head in the fight girl, Lia whispers." Shaking off the momentary stun Lia brings up her main hand weapon and turns her off hand weapons blade downward so she can use that blade to block with."Those blows were lethal, how is it still alive,her mind screams?"Lia moves forward again slicing at the wounded coyote with the weapon in her main hand and block incoming attacks with the offhand weapon.
  Kummer wolfe
Tue, Feb 20th 2024 01:14
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, roll perception to see if you notice anything about the coyotes
 
Perception check 1d20+1 (raven leaf cloak) 9
  Lia ot’Marota, Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Tue, Feb 20th 2024 09:36   Edited on Tue, Feb 20th 2024 09:36
  Kummer wolfe
Wed, Feb 21st 2024 09:28   Edited on Wed, Feb 21st 2024 09:31
Through the pain, Lia studies the coyotes. They are wounded, mortally in one case and nearly so in the other. Demons, really most any Outsiders from the far realms of Outland, have some sign they are not from the mortal plane. A scent, an unearthly glow, there is always something.
 
Not this time. Not here. Not now.
 
There isn’t a single sign about those coyotes that indicate they are demons or outsiders from Outland. Not a scent, or even a pale supernatural aura.
 
But, something else catches her eye.
 
The two coyotes slink painfully around. One more healthy, relatively speaking, than the other one. How they move is different. Unusual.
 
While they look like they are on all fours, they aren’t. It’s a ruse. Both coyotes are occasionally crouched on their hind legs for far longer than a normal coyote can tolerate.
 
But this is something Lia clearly remembers seeing Nahbi do more than once. Crouch very low and stay there for a long time. It’s almost as if, those coyotes were as much a human, ork or someone trained as a monk… as they are a coyote…
 
  Storyteller Instructions  
Lia, well… how do you want to handle this?
 
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Tue, Mar 5th 2024 02:05
Lia moves forward again slicing at the wounded coyote with the weapon in her main hand and waiting to block incoming attacks with the offhand weapon. As she moves in closer to one of the coyotes she sees again that it is not acting like it should. It should fall down dead, it should run away once it has been hurt that badly, it should not be looking like it has thoughts and is trying to devise a strategy.   Lia spares a glance at the warrior woman fighting the troll. Her battle is not going well either.
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Mar 31st 2024 04:57   Edited on Sun, Mar 31st 2024 05:07
Lia darted forward, taking quick slice at the odd coyote. The beast reared up and tried to leap back, a desperate attempt to avoid the blade. It was quick, but not quick enough. The beast fell in a heap at Lia’s feet, dead.
 
To one side, the warrior woman was on the ground, rolling to one side to avoid the troll. The creature slashed twice, cutting ugly marks into the woman’s left shoulder. Undaunted, she rolled to her feet, cut and slashed back in a blur of motion. The troll’s shriek was deafening.
 
A noise behind Lia made her turn quick, fast enough that she was a blur of deadly motion. The second coyote leaped at her throat but misjudged, missing Lia by inches.
 
The coyote hit the ground, yelped in pain from its wounds then turned to face Lia with a snarl. Before the beast could move, a sword speared it like a harpoon, killing it instantly.
 
Before Lia could look over toward the warrior woman and the troll, the world spun as she was lifted off the ground. A warrior’s whoop of victory filled the air as Lia was pulled into a massive hug against the warrior woman’s chest.
 
Suddenly, as quick as it started, the hug ended as the warrior woman let go, then quickly backed up a step, visibly blushing and embarrassed.
 
“Ah, uhm. Sorry,” she said, stumbling over her apology. “I got carried away. I’m Okitu ot’ Tamona.”
 
Okitu glanced over at the quivering body of the sliced troll on the ground nearby.
 
“So, do you have any fire? We need to burn the thing quick then find the kids.”
 
As if life wasn’t done with Lia and Okitu, that was when the two dead coyotes slowly, magically transformed into the now dead body of an orc and a human wearing ragged, dirty farm laborer clothing.
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Tue, Apr 2nd 2024 05:38   Edited on Mon, Apr 8th 2024 05:17
Before Lia has time to process the sword piercing the "not Coyote", as the wily Kobold had called it, her world is abruptly thrown off kilter as two very strong arms grab her and lift her bodily off the ground as if she were nothing more a bundle of wheat straw. Lia's body stiffens as she is not used to anyone getting into her personal bubble unless she chooses for them to be there. Lia stops herself from fighting this unknown threat only after realizing she isn't being attacked.   The warrior woman after stumbling over an apology obviously coming down off the rush of battle and the heady thriller of still being alive offers Lia her name as an introduction. Lia sheaths her swords after wiping them down. Looking up at the Orisnuc warrior Lia's face half hidden on the right side by her hair holds up her hand palm forward with one finger pointed to the sky, her mouth opens to speak then closes, then opens. Words tumble out of Lia's mouth as is prone to happen when she is flustered or caught off guard,"I am Lia ot’Marota Vayla Ravenspeaker I need my bow there are fire making tools in my pack those poor bastards were probably cursed the children were led to safety by my raven companion and I need to get all this information back to my Kwi'sakdi on the outskirts of town and our wounds need tended i'll be right back.   Lia lets out a long breath as she turns back the way she came to retrieve her bow and backpack. She will then return offer Okitu her water skin to drink from, help with the fire and take the necklaces the kolbold pointed out from the necks of the dead bodies with gloved hands and will wrap them up in a cloth to show Kavi and the others. When all of this has been accomplished Lia will ask Okitu to come with her to find the children. Lia will also try to retrieve the arrows she fired.  
  Kummer wolfe
Sun, Apr 21st 2024 06:15
By the time Lia had returned, Okitu had gathered up troll and troll parts into a haphazard pile for a quick bonfire. The warrior woman gave Lia a wink.
 
“Got ‘em bunched up more than lined up, but they’re ready to be lit up,” Okitu said with a grin. “Once you’ve got the fire going.”
 
Fire and tending the wounds were done in short order. Once the merry stench of burning moss filled the air, Okitu listened politely to Lia’s explanation and question. At the same time the tall warrior woman helped recover the arrows, politely handing them over to Lia.
 
“Of course I’ll come along!” She replied, followed by another grin that would light a fireplace. She gestured to the two dead farmers. “I didn’t know them but a curse sounds likely. This all happened so fast…”
 
Okitu shook her head then took another drink of water, after which she handed the waterskin back to Lia.
 
“That means a lot more that I’ve seen might be more cursed folk,” she said sadly while she jogged alongside Lia. “I’m glad you showed up with your Kwi’sakdi. You know, I owe you a debt. Thank you,” she said with a light blush.
 
Clearing her throat, Okitu quickly added, “what is your group doing here? Do you have anyone that can lift curses? And that’s your raven? He’s cute!” She pursed her lips. “Sorry, I talk when I’m nervous.”
  Lia ot’Marota , Vayla Ravenspeaker (She/Her)
Sun, May 5th 2024 04:00   Edited on Sun, May 5th 2024 04:24
Lia, head bowed and bangs over her eyes shuffles her feet in the grass for a second. Completely out of her element,"D-Derf is Little Bird's com-companion. He speaks to me."Pulling a shiny stone of Amethyst Quartz Lia had found some time before in a stream on one of her trips through the forest from a pouch on her belt, she hands it to Okitu the way a Raven will bring a shiny object and place it into the hand of someone they are befriending."The Priestess enjoys handing out blessings."Lia begins to gather her gear and shoulders her pack." They talk to me." Lia says without looking up." The ravens. We should hurry. Kavi talks better. He can give you answers. Can you keep up?" Lia slowly raises her head and looks at Okitu with the uncovered eye, a small grin on her lips.
Legends of Elohey is a work of pure, unabashed fiction. In fact, it considers itself rather fancy and quite proud of itself, when it isn’t worrying itself to distraction. Names of characters, places, events, organizations and locations are all creations of the author’s imagination for this fictitious setting.   Any resemblance to persons living, dead, or reanimated is coincidental. The opinions expressed are those of the characters and should not be confused with any of the authors, since the characters and the authors tend to disagree a lot.   Unless otherwise stated, all artwork and content are © CB Ash, 2016-2024, All Rights Reserved

Find your way!

Resources

WHO WE ARE

LEGAL

Get the news

Our Shop

Development

EVENTS

REACHING OUT

A BIG THANK YOU

To all our Our Patrons for their unwavering love and support.

For the amazing images. His Titanship Christopher Dravus of Ironrise Games, Our Revered Deity Basic Dragon / Rin & His Majesty Caeora