chromaticwyrmOct 22, 2015Oct 22, 2015 at 10:54 PM
#1
Job # 15
It was Chasianna's first mission as new recruit with the gulls, The silver haired Altmer looked about at her new found companions. Sern sat and rolled cigar between his teeth in the main tent of the companies three tent “base”, his chair turned about backwards as he leaned on the seats back. “Mar” sat silently, the big red guard that served as Sern's second in command seemed to hardly speak, his armor cut to show off the many self-inflicted scars designating his kill count. The fourth companion a short female khajiit with creamy leopard patterned fur was perched on a nearby cot sharpening her dual daggers.
“So..here is the deal.” Sern spoke cigar at one corner of his mouth. “We're hired by a mage named Decretum to help him recover some relic.” he puffs out along trail of smoke and flicks off ashes before speaking again. “He says the ruins are empty, maybe just a few traps, he says he had it scouted, easy job. I say he's full of shit, I spoke to some Bosmer who hunt the woods nearby they speak of strange noises and voices coming from there. I think he's lying for a cheaper price and if he is the cost will be going up before he gets what he is looking for.”
“This one doesn't like surprises unless they are hers.” the Khajiit named Ri'anhi looked up from her spot her blue eyes roaming to each team mate.
“Excuse me.” Chasianna raised her hand still a bit new to these people.
“Yes?” Sern asked shifting his golden gaze to their newest member.
“Do you have any idea what to expect then or is this a by the seat of our breeches thing. As a side note I wear robes.” Chasinna asked.
Sern chuckled “I prowled about myself, expect Deadra. You can handle such can't you? If not just stay back with our employer until you get some experience.”
The silver haired Altmer lifted her chin proudly “I am no first year mage, you just wait.”
“Hah! That's the spirit just watch your aim.” With that the rugged and scarred Altmer stood “I made extra potions take more then you think you need. Ri'anhi your on traps and scout. Mer watch her hand signals for trouble. Chasianna you're our first mage stay behind me for now we meet our employer at first light so get your gear packed and let's go.”
It was a uneventful ride to the strange circular door of the ruins. Sern led the way on his horse with Mar by his side. Chasianna rode behind them. Ri'anhi sulked through the forest just ahead and out of sight on her Senche panther. If Sern was so sure their employer was lying he did a good job of pretending to be oblivious as they rode up. The Altmer mage named Decretum seemed very eager to be underway, he tapped his foot impatiently as the company rode up.
“You're late, I should ask for a discount.” the Altmer fumed.
“You said sunrise and it's still rising..” Sern retorted swinging off his tall charger he swagger over to their employer. “I trust you have a way to open the door?”
“Of course I do, don't be stupid!” the mage spat back.
Normally Sern would have gotten aggravated being spoken to as such but the mage was paying well and as far as he was concerned will be paying more if his suspicions were right. Instead of backhanding the mage or growling a angry reply he simply smiled charmingly and waited for said door to be opened.
Once Decretum set the jewel he carried in place the door swung open. The air inside smelled dank and musty as it rushed out. The light faded to pitch black further down the tunnel. “See empty as I said.” but there was a tremble to the mages voice as he waved his hand with a bow. “Mercenaries first.”
Once inside the Khajjit disappeared in the darkness just ahead. Decretum wandered about in the area the morning's light illuminated by the door. He was so fascinated by the carved stone murals depicting Ayleid battles he didn't see the pressure plate. Once he stepped lightly upon it the heavy stone door they entered rolled shut snuffing out any light.
“By the fucking nine!” Sern grumbled as he fumbled to light a torch in the dark. Once he had it lite he began to search the interior of the door for any sort of release lever or mechanism. “Mar, Chasianna, anything?”
“No” they both replied. Sern turned angrily to Decretum “So now we have no avenue of escape if things go south, that is going to cost you..fifty percent more.”
“Fifty percent?! That's outrageous I won't pay it!” the mage stomped.
Sern oddly and immediately sat down “That's fine you go ahead alone...find a alternate way out then come back. We'll move then, or you can agree to pay another fifty percent.”
“Bloody thieves the lot of you! Fine fifty percent more if I get the relic.”
“Agreed.” Sern shook the mages hand on it with a wink and lead them into the foreboding darkness. Ri'anhi was waiting for them at the first intersection of tunnels she had scouted ahead by the faint glow of her enchanted daggers. “This one disarmed one trap but she hears echo's, she cannot tell where but this one hears voices.”
Sern nodded watching the flame of his torch “We have a draft from the right tunnel maybe a second way out so we go right.”
Once again the Khajiit disappeared ahead of them and for several minutes they walked in silence till a sudden loud thump echoed down the stone passage.
Decretum jumped like a scared rabbit “W..what was that? These ruins should be empty.”
“Should?” asked Sern you told me there were.
“Well considering only the gem can open the door from the outside I am ninety nine point nine percent sure they are empty.” the mage replied assuredly. Within moments of him saying that Ri'anhi crept from the gloom “You were right this one smells brimstone, there is deadra here.”
Sern smirked “Let's hope you sling spells better then probability calculations Decretum. If not maybe Chasianna can show you how it's done.”
The male Altmer mage looked down his nose at the silver haired “merc” mage “Doubtful” he replied. Chasinna snorted she was sure he'd be cowering behind a wall if a real fight broke out.
The party turned a corner to see the warm glow of firelight splashing from a open doorway halfway down the next hall. Ri'anhi seemed to melt out of the darkness itself. “This is bad, this one sees a large room with a central dais, upon it is a jeweled box.” Decretum's eyes light up at the mention of the box. “However,” the Khajiit continued “ this one also sees two Deadroths, six Clanfears, five Scamps, one Seducer, three Kynvals, and one very mean looking Kynreeve.”
“Right, I'll face off the Kynreeve and anything else that stands with it. Mar, your on the Deadroths, Ri'anhi take out the scamps as fast as you can. You two mages.” their leader Sern points to Decretum and Chasianna, "the rest. Keep a eye on each other this may get rough.”
The silver haired Altmer woman nodded but gave Decretum a suspect look. She had a feeling he would be useless.
Sern downed a regenerative potion, drew his two blades and stalked toward the door. “I'll say hello first.” he broke into a long legged trot not even stopping as he bolted through the door until he was in well within the grand chamber receiving a shocked look from the Deadra within. “Hi I was just in the neighboo...” he didn't even finish as Mar shaking his head at Sern's antics charged past leaping to attack the first Deadroth. The golden Altmer mercenary grinned and charged the Kynreeve who no doubt was the leader.
Decretum never even made it into the room he crouched against the outside wall his arms up over his head. Chasianna glowered at the coward of a mage “Figures.” she strode in behind the Khajiit who had already disappeared only emerge from shadows next to the Scamps. As for the silver haired mage she began to toss fire and electricity at the Clanfears.
As everyone engaged their targets Sern was fending off two the Krynreeve who tried to bash him down with a maul as heavy and tall as the Altmer himself and a scantily clad seducer. “Don't kill this one he'd make a pretty toy.” she whined to her better. Sern could only manage to grunt a reply to that has his crossed swords barely held off the mace driving him to one knee he rolled to the side and sprang back up to block the seducer's long blade. He was forced on the defensive and he didn't like it.
Ri'anhi had quickly dispatched the scamps. Mar had one Deadroth badly wounded the other was trying to corner the big red guard and roast him alive with fire. Chasianna had two Clanfears laying motionless on the floor but the Kynvals had chosen the mage for a target and were charging her way. They had been counting on a cowering Decretum for help but all the other he did was whimper in the hallway.
“Ri! Help Chas!” Sern roared ducking a sweeping maul. “But you..” the Khajiit started “I have this!” Sern lied through his teeth. “Go!”
The thin khajiit once again spun into shadow leaping from one Kynval to another slitting throats with deadly precision but by two dead the last Kyrnval guessed where she would be next and caught the cat with a armored elbow knocking the wind from her. A searing line of fire roared up and engulfed him reminding him a mage was still there. With a thank full nod Ri'anhi turned to help with the Clanfears.
Sern spun knocking a glancing blow from the Seducer away with one blade before turning and charging to drive his sword into the big Krynreeve. The Deadra stumbled back bleeding as the seducer enraged her superior was wounded began a series of blows driving Sern back toward the wall once more on the defensive.
As the Krynreeve looked down in disbelief Mar's heavy blade pushed through the creatures back impaling the creature who believed himself invincible. Maybe if he hadn't been staring down in shock at the first wound the Altmer had inflicted he would have noticed the Redguard.
The seducer cooed as she struck Sern's crossed blades “The things I shall do to you, you will beg me to stop.” With one sword lifted to bat aside another side swept long blade attack Sern spun about slicing into the seducers side dropping the creature to the floor. He stepped forward and drove the blade through her chest from above. “Sorry sweety I am taken.”
Chasianna strode up a bit weak, she had spent a lot of magicka but the room lay littered with the charred and dead. “Sorry sweety I am taken? That is your big finish line?”
Sern laughed wiping his blade clean on the dead seducers armor. “Hey I thought it sounded good!”
Ri'anhi already had the jeweled box from the dais as Decretum stepped out from the hall as if he had never been cowering. “That's mine give it to me cat!”
Sern held up a hand “Toss it here. We have a matter of complications and their compensation to discuss.” The haughty mage flinched as the box was tossed “That is a ancient relic!” he yelled at the group. Sern tucked the box beneath his arm and came closer. “If you want the box you will have to now pay twice the original agreement.”
“What?! You keep making this deal worse you scum!” Decretum screamed.
Sern keep his cool, calm grin. “And you assured me traps would be the worst things in here, and that price was set on your claim. I also know you were lying to me so cut the crap and pay what the job was actually worth.” Just to spur the mage on he tossed the box in the air catching it.
Decretum went pale watching his precious relic “Fine..fine!” Sern held out his hand “Payment now.”
The mage snorted his disgust but handed over a pouch that Sern threw to Mar “Check it.”
“It looks right, fells right.” Mar bounced the heavy sack of gold. “Alright.” Sern nodded and tossed Decretum the box “Let's get out of here.”
It was Chasianna's first mission as new recruit with the gulls, The silver haired Altmer looked about at her new found companions. Sern sat and rolled cigar between his teeth in the main tent of the companies three tent “base”, his chair turned about backwards as he leaned on the seats back. “Mar” sat silently, the big red guard that served as Sern's second in command seemed to hardly speak, his armor cut to show off the many self-inflicted scars designating his kill count. The fourth companion a short female khajiit with creamy leopard patterned fur was perched on a nearby cot sharpening her dual daggers.
“So..here is the deal.” Sern spoke cigar at one corner of his mouth. “We're hired by a mage named Decretum to help him recover some relic.” he puffs out along trail of smoke and flicks off ashes before speaking again. “He says the ruins are empty, maybe just a few traps, he says he had it scouted, easy job. I say he's full of shit, I spoke to some Bosmer who hunt the woods nearby they speak of strange noises and voices coming from there. I think he's lying for a cheaper price and if he is the cost will be going up before he gets what he is looking for.”
“This one doesn't like surprises unless they are hers.” the Khajiit named Ri'anhi looked up from her spot her blue eyes roaming to each team mate.
“Excuse me.” Chasianna raised her hand still a bit new to these people.
“Yes?” Sern asked shifting his golden gaze to their newest member.
“Do you have any idea what to expect then or is this a by the seat of our breeches thing. As a side note I wear robes.” Chasinna asked.
Sern chuckled “I prowled about myself, expect Deadra. You can handle such can't you? If not just stay back with our employer until you get some experience.”
The silver haired Altmer lifted her chin proudly “I am no first year mage, you just wait.”
“Hah! That's the spirit just watch your aim.” With that the rugged and scarred Altmer stood “I made extra potions take more then you think you need. Ri'anhi your on traps and scout. Mer watch her hand signals for trouble. Chasianna you're our first mage stay behind me for now we meet our employer at first light so get your gear packed and let's go.”
It was a uneventful ride to the strange circular door of the ruins. Sern led the way on his horse with Mar by his side. Chasianna rode behind them. Ri'anhi sulked through the forest just ahead and out of sight on her Senche panther. If Sern was so sure their employer was lying he did a good job of pretending to be oblivious as they rode up. The Altmer mage named Decretum seemed very eager to be underway, he tapped his foot impatiently as the company rode up.
“You're late, I should ask for a discount.” the Altmer fumed.
“You said sunrise and it's still rising..” Sern retorted swinging off his tall charger he swagger over to their employer. “I trust you have a way to open the door?”
“Of course I do, don't be stupid!” the mage spat back.
Normally Sern would have gotten aggravated being spoken to as such but the mage was paying well and as far as he was concerned will be paying more if his suspicions were right. Instead of backhanding the mage or growling a angry reply he simply smiled charmingly and waited for said door to be opened.
Once Decretum set the jewel he carried in place the door swung open. The air inside smelled dank and musty as it rushed out. The light faded to pitch black further down the tunnel. “See empty as I said.” but there was a tremble to the mages voice as he waved his hand with a bow. “Mercenaries first.”
Once inside the Khajjit disappeared in the darkness just ahead. Decretum wandered about in the area the morning's light illuminated by the door. He was so fascinated by the carved stone murals depicting Ayleid battles he didn't see the pressure plate. Once he stepped lightly upon it the heavy stone door they entered rolled shut snuffing out any light.
“By the fucking nine!” Sern grumbled as he fumbled to light a torch in the dark. Once he had it lite he began to search the interior of the door for any sort of release lever or mechanism. “Mar, Chasianna, anything?”
“No” they both replied. Sern turned angrily to Decretum “So now we have no avenue of escape if things go south, that is going to cost you..fifty percent more.”
“Fifty percent?! That's outrageous I won't pay it!” the mage stomped.
Sern oddly and immediately sat down “That's fine you go ahead alone...find a alternate way out then come back. We'll move then, or you can agree to pay another fifty percent.”
“Bloody thieves the lot of you! Fine fifty percent more if I get the relic.”
“Agreed.” Sern shook the mages hand on it with a wink and lead them into the foreboding darkness. Ri'anhi was waiting for them at the first intersection of tunnels she had scouted ahead by the faint glow of her enchanted daggers. “This one disarmed one trap but she hears echo's, she cannot tell where but this one hears voices.”
Sern nodded watching the flame of his torch “We have a draft from the right tunnel maybe a second way out so we go right.”
Once again the Khajiit disappeared ahead of them and for several minutes they walked in silence till a sudden loud thump echoed down the stone passage.
Decretum jumped like a scared rabbit “W..what was that? These ruins should be empty.”
“Should?” asked Sern you told me there were.
“Well considering only the gem can open the door from the outside I am ninety nine point nine percent sure they are empty.” the mage replied assuredly. Within moments of him saying that Ri'anhi crept from the gloom “You were right this one smells brimstone, there is deadra here.”
Sern smirked “Let's hope you sling spells better then probability calculations Decretum. If not maybe Chasianna can show you how it's done.”
The male Altmer mage looked down his nose at the silver haired “merc” mage “Doubtful” he replied. Chasinna snorted she was sure he'd be cowering behind a wall if a real fight broke out.
The party turned a corner to see the warm glow of firelight splashing from a open doorway halfway down the next hall. Ri'anhi seemed to melt out of the darkness itself. “This is bad, this one sees a large room with a central dais, upon it is a jeweled box.” Decretum's eyes light up at the mention of the box. “However,” the Khajiit continued “ this one also sees two Deadroths, six Clanfears, five Scamps, one Seducer, three Kynvals, and one very mean looking Kynreeve.”
“Right, I'll face off the Kynreeve and anything else that stands with it. Mar, your on the Deadroths, Ri'anhi take out the scamps as fast as you can. You two mages.” their leader Sern points to Decretum and Chasianna, "the rest. Keep a eye on each other this may get rough.”
The silver haired Altmer woman nodded but gave Decretum a suspect look. She had a feeling he would be useless.
Sern downed a regenerative potion, drew his two blades and stalked toward the door. “I'll say hello first.” he broke into a long legged trot not even stopping as he bolted through the door until he was in well within the grand chamber receiving a shocked look from the Deadra within. “Hi I was just in the neighboo...” he didn't even finish as Mar shaking his head at Sern's antics charged past leaping to attack the first Deadroth. The golden Altmer mercenary grinned and charged the Kynreeve who no doubt was the leader.
Decretum never even made it into the room he crouched against the outside wall his arms up over his head. Chasianna glowered at the coward of a mage “Figures.” she strode in behind the Khajiit who had already disappeared only emerge from shadows next to the Scamps. As for the silver haired mage she began to toss fire and electricity at the Clanfears.
As everyone engaged their targets Sern was fending off two the Krynreeve who tried to bash him down with a maul as heavy and tall as the Altmer himself and a scantily clad seducer. “Don't kill this one he'd make a pretty toy.” she whined to her better. Sern could only manage to grunt a reply to that has his crossed swords barely held off the mace driving him to one knee he rolled to the side and sprang back up to block the seducer's long blade. He was forced on the defensive and he didn't like it.
Ri'anhi had quickly dispatched the scamps. Mar had one Deadroth badly wounded the other was trying to corner the big red guard and roast him alive with fire. Chasianna had two Clanfears laying motionless on the floor but the Kynvals had chosen the mage for a target and were charging her way. They had been counting on a cowering Decretum for help but all the other he did was whimper in the hallway.
“Ri! Help Chas!” Sern roared ducking a sweeping maul. “But you..” the Khajiit started “I have this!” Sern lied through his teeth. “Go!”
The thin khajiit once again spun into shadow leaping from one Kynval to another slitting throats with deadly precision but by two dead the last Kyrnval guessed where she would be next and caught the cat with a armored elbow knocking the wind from her. A searing line of fire roared up and engulfed him reminding him a mage was still there. With a thank full nod Ri'anhi turned to help with the Clanfears.
Sern spun knocking a glancing blow from the Seducer away with one blade before turning and charging to drive his sword into the big Krynreeve. The Deadra stumbled back bleeding as the seducer enraged her superior was wounded began a series of blows driving Sern back toward the wall once more on the defensive.
As the Krynreeve looked down in disbelief Mar's heavy blade pushed through the creatures back impaling the creature who believed himself invincible. Maybe if he hadn't been staring down in shock at the first wound the Altmer had inflicted he would have noticed the Redguard.
The seducer cooed as she struck Sern's crossed blades “The things I shall do to you, you will beg me to stop.” With one sword lifted to bat aside another side swept long blade attack Sern spun about slicing into the seducers side dropping the creature to the floor. He stepped forward and drove the blade through her chest from above. “Sorry sweety I am taken.”
Chasianna strode up a bit weak, she had spent a lot of magicka but the room lay littered with the charred and dead. “Sorry sweety I am taken? That is your big finish line?”
Sern laughed wiping his blade clean on the dead seducers armor. “Hey I thought it sounded good!”
Ri'anhi already had the jeweled box from the dais as Decretum stepped out from the hall as if he had never been cowering. “That's mine give it to me cat!”
Sern held up a hand “Toss it here. We have a matter of complications and their compensation to discuss.” The haughty mage flinched as the box was tossed “That is a ancient relic!” he yelled at the group. Sern tucked the box beneath his arm and came closer. “If you want the box you will have to now pay twice the original agreement.”
“What?! You keep making this deal worse you scum!” Decretum screamed.
Sern keep his cool, calm grin. “And you assured me traps would be the worst things in here, and that price was set on your claim. I also know you were lying to me so cut the crap and pay what the job was actually worth.” Just to spur the mage on he tossed the box in the air catching it.
Decretum went pale watching his precious relic “Fine..fine!” Sern held out his hand “Payment now.”
The mage snorted his disgust but handed over a pouch that Sern threw to Mar “Check it.”
“It looks right, fells right.” Mar bounced the heavy sack of gold. “Alright.” Sern nodded and tossed Decretum the box “Let's get out of here.”
Edited Oct 22, 2015 at 10:55 PM by 0