The Culling of Kullyr (open)

[Rune Dravre]

Kullyr. Yea even the named would make someone want to wrap themselves up if they had an inkling as to the frigid temperatures. So why was it that Rune, Lunette, Elly, and Ellis were starting to make frequent trips into the sometimes harsh lands of the Black Knight of Dunsany? Well that was the question of the century it would seem.
It all started with a shield race. The girls had gotten the idea from Ellywick as she zipped down the staircase at the Inne on the up-end of a rug. The crash landing would have been epic.... Had Elly not ended up ass over head beneath the table! Of course when great minds got together it ended up with the girls standing on the top of a mountain range in Kullyr and being that the girls had no clue that the lands were contested they took their shields and raced towards the bottom. Between tears from the wind, peels of laughter and some misplaced weight issues they had all made it to the bottom, well everyone but poor Ellywick! She had ended up having to walk. Rune had been buried beneath a pile of snow, and Lunette (perhaps the voice of reason between the three) had devised a way in which to stop (that she had not decided to share!)
It was about the time the girls were gathering their wits that a magnificent dragon descended from the heavens. His scales were as beautiful as the snowy mountain caps they had descended from. While majestic might have implored itself into the mind, fear of it's intentions were more than apparent with the loud boasting roar that had accompanied his descent. Lunette had seemed awestruck, while Rune's common sense seemed to catch up with her and she had tried to get her friend to move ass out of there. Of course Elly coming down the mountain and Lune apparently having no regard for the fact that a dragon could probably gobble them up they had ended up sticking around long enough to see the dragon morph into none other than Kythin, The Black Knight of Dunsany. (Yes boys and girls, such is irony that he is a white dragon shifter called the black knight, but what can we do?!)
Of course he hadn't seemed happy, but whether it was due to caring for their personal protection or not being happy with someone treading along in his territory it was hard to say. Still after a stern talking to the girls left in a huff. (Okay so Rune left in a huff, toting a less than happy about being lifted Ellywick with her!) The Inne hadn't proven to be as comforting for Rune after that and she had taken to Princer Lake. Much to her surprise and consternation really she was yet again eye to eye with the Black Knight. This having not been their first or even second meeting she had been all to willing to dart away into the safety of the trees had it not been for two factors. One the man now had seen her face sans her mask and knew exactly what she was and Two he could have caught her had he so chosen!
That very night marked the beginning of The Culling of Kullyr. Kythin offered Rune something that would make her life a bit easier, and her secret was safe from the prying eyes of the masses. So they had struck a mutual deal one in which Rune brought the very close knit circle of friends reluctantly into. With Elly, Ellis, and Lunette being in the know as to what she was and keeping her secret as well she and her band of friends gathered, heading towards Kullyr with a job in mind and a tentative understanding of what their help would mean.
[This is the story so far. Right now it includes only a handful of people, but others may join in to either be an antagonist or to help Rune and her friends seek out and eradicate the straggling vampire nests that could pose a problem in Kullyr. Below is a more in depth description of the adventure and some fun tidbits about Kullyr that need to be kept in mind before hopping into play!]

After the Vampire King's demise Kullyr would seem to be in capable hands, but of course with everything good there had to be some turmoil. There were still stragglers from his reign that would like nothing more than to see the Black Knight fail and to reclaim glory for themselves over the lands. Kythin couldn't very well go through his lands flushing them out for fear that it would simply scatter those that fought against the existence of the current state of affairs and allow them to regroup and grow stronger. It wouldn't cure the problem only prolong it's efforts. Rune however was a nobody in the lands of Kullyr and her friends just as nameless in turn. Sure some of them had prestige behind their name, but really who would think that they would come to aide Kythin in ousting any nae-sayers? No one. So the crew got together and started doing recon to see if they could get an idea of just what they were up against when it came to the Master Vampire's and the nests that might be cropping up. If there was anything behind these little rebellions other than vampires the group was at the moment unaware of their influence. Their first stop had been on the outskirts of Murkinn where they had found a brothel and with it came the hopes of perhaps some stories of people going missing or things that weren't supposed to go bump in the night. [This scene is still ongoing and the log will be put up for everyone to read]

Factors while in Kullyr:

• The climate is a cold one and it's not summer so what little reprieve summer might provide (which isn't much) isn't found. So if you have an aversion to the cold or it's a weakness please have some way of protecting yourself from the element. (Thankfully warm clothes will work for most warm blooded creatures and if Ellywick is along she can make them all the more comfy!)
  
• The Dunsany Soldiers know that Rune will be working for Kythin and therefore those with her have a slight protection even in warring areas, but that doesn't mean that they are protected from everything.
  
• Kullyrian might be spoken or common, though if they pass a nomadic group it's likely that they will be speaking in a native tongue. So being able to speak their language will make it easier, but might not be necessary.
  
• There might be times when the group has to hunker down for the night, which means people need to pack for the almost inevitable. These nests aren't going to always be found in the middle of a city or town or even village. 
  
• They might be in the middle of nowhere standing front of a house that seems to have all but been forgotten and is falling apart with the sleeping vampires below during the daylight should they have no immunity to it.
  
• The Dunsany Soldiers nor Kythin will be personally leading them to the nest or the Master vampire should he/she not be there. They cannot get involved so they will pretty much be on their own when going into this.
  
• Kullyrian Soldiers as well as the Blood (Knights) of Kullyr will both more than likely try to cause harm if they should find out whom the group is working with.

[This is a side story, one that I believe will be fun. I'll be adding pictures portraying certain places within the lands of Kullyr and pictures of the antagonists as they become known. That being said I will be seeking Kythin's (scales change) approval on most things that I add into the story. This does involve his character after all and it's in the land of Kullyr, so this approval only makes sense. If you want to join in on the adventure just let me know via an email [e-mail] or find Rune at the Inne or even in Kullyr if you can think of a reason for your character to be there and of course if you want to play an antagonist all I need is a heads up so I can get the okay from one of the mods. All of the logs will be added for people to read along and keep up with the story. Hope to see you there! ]

[Rune Dravre]

Rune: She glanced at her two companions and shook her head,
releasing that hood she would take her mask off and tuck it into the back of
her pants. " Well wasn't that man just a creepy fucker? Alright we need to
take the portal and then I know how to track the way back to the door I need... um
liberated of it's locking mechanism. "

Elly: Elly just snorted. "HeWasTheGuyIToldYouAboutEarlier.
OneOfTheCrazyPeople!" Ellis had missed her two very epic rants at the girls
about how they'd left her with the banshee woman and all alone to protect his
virtue. "LiberationIsAlwaysImportant."

Ellis: If anyone needed protected virtue, it was not Ellis. What he
was doing was flexing his fingers. He was no thief, but he'd done his share
of lock picking, and if proved to be beyond Elly, he wanted to at least be
ready to try. "Yea, totally kept talking about hell and some guy named Lucifer."
Ellis had no idea who that was. "Also don't worry about him poofing on you in
the bath, the upstairs of the Inne and your cottage are warded against
unwanted teleportation."

Rune: "I'm not worried over him doing much of anything, though
Logen did seem to take offense to the man I just thought he was a bit...
creepy in his pursuit of a woman that swore she was disfigured. " She snorted
and grabbed Elly's hand before darting through the portal. Hey she was getting
good at these. Why? Because they were easier than traveling several days to
get to a wanted destination! It had also become second nature to drag Elly
through them with her.

Ellis: "Logen takes offense at everything. He fancies himself some
great protector. Unless of course, he could be doing.. anything else, then he
just does that." He walked in after them, hands behind his head, as if he
hadn't a care in the world.

Rune: Soon they were lighting out at the coastal breach and she
was releasing the little terror. " I really am curious to see what we will
find here and I wouldn't know about Logen.. You know I have only heard his
name once or twice. "

Elly: Her hand being taken was just second nature at this point
and she let it happen so she didn't go jumping and bumping someone that she
didn't know. "ILikeLogen." This was not saying much. So far the only two
people she didn't like were Gus and Banshee woman. As soon as they were on the
other side though, the little arcanist started to mumble to herself a little
bit as her fingers and then she tilted her head over to look at Mr Casual.
"DoYouGetColdOrNeed Help?"

Ellis: "I am quite fine, lil lady." Boots of the winterfell, endure
elements, don't leave home without them! "So we're just here to see what we
can see? Do you expect resistance?"

Rune: She shook her head. " I do not expect it, but I wouldn't
expect much different. They had atleast three changing guard sets when I
watched it in the wee hours of the morning until just earlier, but when night
fell away they seemed to leave as if something spooked them. I wouldn't have even
realized there was a hidden door there or that it was locked if I hadn't been
watching so intently. Apparently the brothel that Lune and I stumbled in is
harboring more than just a few fang happy fuckers. " She snorted and started
weaving her way through the beaten path that was created by none other than
herself. " I had hoped that I could have gotten down there today, but it
proved that my lock pickin skills really do suck. So yea. " She gave a sheepish smile
before continuing on. There was nothing special about the area around them
other than it was frigid and rocky only to level out near the water. Little
buildings spotted around them, but the lights were either to dim to see from
this distance, or out completely. [d]

Elly: While Rune was talking and Ellis was around she was fairly
certain that she didn't need to say anything somewhere along the way she
paused just long enough to make the shadows dance and move over towards Rune
to wrap around her like an aura before they settled. Little feet running to catch
up before she did the same for herself. This way the chill wouldn't get to
them all because not everyone has endure elements! Once she was done
playing with her magic though she went to moving as quietly as she could.
"OhSoHiddenLockedDoor? MyFavorite!" Elly had the innate ability to find
locks even when they were hidden and it made for some really fun times. Her
words had been hushed though so that the two of them were the only ears
that might have heard her.

Ellis: "Brothels tend to be a vamp friendly business, all things
considered." And well, a lot of vampires were customers as well. He was
keeping pace, moving as silently as possible. And he couldn't help it he had
stuff!

As the small group of thieves in the night came upon the
brothel that Rune had been telling them about, two things became very clear.
The front was just that... A front. There were customers coming in and out,
but it wasn't the type of traffic that one would think nightfall would bring.
Bright lights seemed to burn in this building only and illuminated the front
path towards the side and back of the building. Guards were stationed not to
far away from the front doors, but if one looked there would be no guards at the
back of the building at this time of night. If their senses were good enough
they would hear the noises coming from within, boistering laughter and sounds
of sinful things going on in the bedroom, but not much else to help them
along the way. When the path's forked, one heading towards the lightened
front part of the building the other twisted towards a more secluded area,
thick brush and brambles growing and backlashing against the snow covered ground.

Rune:"That is the path we have to take ." She pointed into the
inky darkness, glad that she had darksight to aide her even if it was
tempering against the vague lights up ahead. " I've not be able to beat the
path down here though, so we are either going to have to tear through the brambles or
find a way around them. " She was thankful for Elly's warmth bubble, she
adored that her little gnome friend had thought to add her into it's
comforts! [d]

Ellis:"Well.." He mused quietly to the pair. "I can fly, but I'm
not strong enough to carry one of you with me. So unless you guys can as
well, I'll just cut through. Shouldn't tell me that long."

Elly:  Elly had started to play with shadows long before they
actually got to the fork in the path mostly because that's how she kept
herself out of trouble. "Can'tFly.. Yet. ICanDoTheLockWithin.." She had to
think about it as she looked at the brush and brambles to see if she could get under
them without an issue since she was so little. "TwentyFeet." The joy of
magical picking was that she was afforded some distance to avoid traps, bad
guys.. all the things that made fun less fun. -f-

Rune: "I can go into my shadow form and trail along if you two
can get there. " She touched Elly's shoulder and pointed ahead of her.
Obscured by the overgrowth was a door that looked to be far older than the
building itself. " There's the door, but we'll have to get just a bit closer before
you can try to open it. " She nodded a bit and looked at the two of them
before smiling. "Thanks for coming with me guys. " [d]

The brambles did seem to give way just below the path
itself, enough for one small human or creature to scuttle beneath it. There
seemed to be no other way to get to the door itself unless one could either
cut it down or get above or below it. For it being heavily guarded as Rune had
first said there were no foot prints that were clear and no actual path that
the guards would have traveled, though if they were apt at spotting traps and
other dubious ploys they would notice the shimmer of magic that barely closed
in on the door like a glove. [d]

Ellis: Well, Elly, he could carry, so as long as Rune wouldn't be
left behind by her lonesome. He rummaged in his bag, switching cloaks to the
Silverwyrm mantle. "Of course, dearest, that's what friends are for." He took
hold of Elly. "C'mon sunshines, we've got work to do." Then he flew
above the undergrowth, trying not to get clotheslined by a tree limb.
Hopefully Rune would be right behind them. Once on the other side, he'd drop
to the ground, set Elly down, then change cloaks back, because the Invisibility cape
would certainly come in handy.

Elly: She could have very well just crawled she thought but then
she was being picked up. There were some advantages to being a really small
child like being. All of the cracks she could have made were quickly
swallowed as she the little one hunkered down low and started to move her head
back and forth a bit over the door to see if she had something in her eye or
if there was something that needed to be noticed about the door.

 Elly would see what wasn't made apparent. About three feet
infront of the door was a systemic line of magic that seemed to criss cross
up until a foot before the door. The sparks of red and black seemed to hiss
and spit against anything that touched it. [d]

Rune:  Rune had broken apart into that shadow form slithered
across the bramble, weaving around the worst of it. She was not just an
entity of a shadow she was the shadows. Those tendrils danced around Ellis's
side a moment, poking Elly's shoulder before she began to solidify again. She didn't
mind doing it, but she sure as hell didn't prefer to stay that way. Crouching
down she waited for Elly, unwilling to get her ass hurt or anyone else's this
time around. [d]

Elly: "There'sATrap.
IDon'tKnowWhatItDoesOtherThanNotLikeThingsTouchingIt." What she wanted to do
was throw something at it but her head turned up towards Ellis.
"TriggerItOrTryToDisable?" Trigger could mean needing to hide or fight..
Fun Size Fantasy: both could be fun but really she wasn't about to make the
decision for the whole group. -f-

Rune: She frowned and rolled those shoulders letting her senses
flex out. " I'd rather we try to disable it, because I honestly don't know
what it would do, but at the same time I don't sense anyone around here or
close enough to hear if there is a backlash. I'm just getting this weird feeling
that we might not like what truths' we find below. " [d]

Ellis: "I would imagine we should disable it. You can do so from a
distance, right Elly?" He'd heard psychic thieves were good like that. "If it
goes off, I have you guys covered, don't worry."

Elly:  She wiggled her nose as she heard both of them and then
looked to see how much distance there was between them and the door.
Mentally gathering her thoughts as she started to wiggle around a little bit.
Her light steps leaving as little a footprint as she could make before she got to
another angle. Then there was another face she met as she moved to summon
her toolkit. It was true that she could do things at a distance in fact that
was one of the things she prided herself in. "OkayHereWeGo." She was quick to
scuttleback to within reach of Ellis just to make it less hard on him and
then she took a breath as she sent forth her senses to try and try and figure
out where the trap sprang from. Hoping it was something silly and stupid!

Rune: And what did Rune do? She stood very very still because
frankly she didn't want to get blown up. " You know. I don't think I say this
enough, but Elly is both terrifying and amazing. " [d]

Ellis: "She is that, then again.. so are you. So is Lunette. Part
of the reason I volunteered to tag along, can't risk the special ladies
getting hurt." He watched, his hand on the edge of the vanish mantle, ready
to turn them all into ghosts if need be.

Elly: "FancyShmancy.." These people with their complicated
traps. She pulled back her toolkit for a minute and then rolled her
shoulders as she prepped to go after the source instead of the eight points.
With a little bit of a gnomish
Fun Size Fantasy: children song coming from her breath, she made the angle
and went for it while trying to ignore them!

There was an audible pop, but it wasn't overly loud as the
trap seemed to fizzle from realty. Leaving a clear path to the door.

Elly: Elly moved to sit down and let out a really low sigh. She
was not about to tell them how close she'd been to making the thing go boom!

Ellis: "Hmm, good job Elly.." It didn't matter if it almost blew
up, she succeeded and that was all that matter. He was looking around for
threats before approaching, then his eyes picked out a glint in the snow. He
moved over and took the little thing in his hand. A looped metal with a dragon!
"This looks important.. recognize it?" He extended it towards Rune.

Rune: Rune frowned not seeing shit. Shaking her head she just
smiled at the little gnome. " That was awesome Elly, you had me scared there
for a milisecond. " The hushed little giggle was indication even she was on
edge. Frowning at what Ellis unearthed she took the dragon and turned it over and
over. " I have no idea, I've never seen anything like this and I don't know
the magic that seems to be in it. " They were here for Kythin, perhaps he
would have an explination. She offered it back out to Ellis. " Keep a
hold on it until we can run down Steelfang. " [d]

Elly: Oh.. There was a shiny. That was probably a good reason
to get off her hindparts as she moved slower over towards the doorand her
fingers reached out to snag up the jewel. "Oooh." But she still had to
unlock the door so she tossed it to Rune who she hoped had good reflexes and then moved
to work on the hidden lock because doors were beautiful when they were
locked. The mechanism was like a puzzle just begging to be figured out. -f-

 The door itself held symbols that seemed to weave around
and over oone another. The lock was nestled into a thick cache of stone, but
seemed to have no key hole, just an odd bulging cylinder with bars running
into the designs of the door itself. The right combination would get them in. The
wrong would get them jammed. [d]

Ellis:  "You hold onto it, doll. You'll probably run across him
before I will, and anything he has to say will be more pertinent to you." He
smiled reassuringly at her, and then crept closer to the door, to keep an eye
on her as well, in case the door opened to more surprises.

Rune: She started tucking the shiney's into random spots on her
body and shook her head tucking down to a side of the door that wouldn't
bother Elly and her vision. " Think you can crack it cupcake?" [d]

Elly: These were the best kinds of doors. The ones that a pick
wouldn't fix. "GoingtoTry. StayByWallNotInFrontOfDoor." just in case!
Gnomes loved a good puzzle better than anyone it's pretty much what they did
as kids before they picked their crafts. Though she did put her ear up to the
door which was closer than she was used to because she wanted to give it a
listen. And still smile at them both. Besides if she got caught.. she could
be slicker than whale snot sometimes. -f-

Ellis:  He sidled up to the door. "Ready cupcake."

The door clinked and clamoured as Elly worked her magic on
the ancient tumbling bar locks. As if in slow motion the stone door shuddered
and broke free it's tomb. Apparently the guards had been guarding something
that they couldn't get into or didn't want to unseal! Stones lined the walls
throwing off reflections of light and there seemed to be atleast three
alcoves in which had been formed who knew how long ago. To the left there was
a small pillar in which one had to pass around to get into the room. To the right
there was tattered sheeting and straight ahead there seemed to be old rusting
bars keeping everyone out. [d]

Rune: "Why can't these fucking places just have like one damn
room that you can search through and then get the hell out? I mean why do the
places that make you think of death always have more than one path. " This
was grumbled as she looked at her partners in crime. " Which way? " The
shadows looked like gaping mouths, but there was no sense to put her
darksight to use, she could see fine without it. [d]

Ellis: "Because then they'd be easily robbed." Slowly he stepped
inside, treading lightly and keeping on his toes. "My first instinct is
always to go left, at least at first. Though looking at this, straight looks
the most promising."

Elly: She let the other two go in and then she would follow in
instead. "AnEasyLifeWouldbeBoring?" That was Elly's idea behind it all
anyway. All evidence of her being a thief and not just a gnome were instantly
put away. "YouDontPutBarsOnSomethingBoring.. ThoughTheOtherTwoMayBeFasterLooks"

Rune:  She frowned. She didn't like the look of those bars. "
Yea, but what would you put down here behind bars. That's just creepy.. " She
looked left and right, sighing a bit. " I suppose we can go left and work our
way around. There can't be that many nooks and crannies down here, this is
all pure stone. " She slipped around the pillar and headed into the room
which hollowed out. The shadows were a bit thicker here, rubble and dust
everywhere. Along the walls were little shelves with random books and quill pens. It
looked for a lack of better words like an archaic study. [d]

Ellis: Oh, books.. totally his favorite thing.. No, not really. He
stayed close to Rune, ready to grab her and pull her out of harms way should
something happen, also keeping Elly behind him to be a shield. "Terrible
place for a library.. think maybe they built this fun house on top of something
else?" That was what it looked like to him.

Elly: There was NOTHING wrong with a study. She knew several
people that would love this kind of thing and of course the little gnome
wanted ot touch everything. "WhatNeedsBarsAndARoomofStudy?
APlaceofExperimentation!" And then she very slowly started to work on her search to
see if anything looked good.

Ellis:  "A torture chamber? ...Hmm, yea, sounds about right,
actually." Place for books, cells to hold your 'victims', and then the room
behind the sheet to do the sick stuff. Elly had it about pegged. "I think
torching this building to the ground wouldn't be too far fetched."

Elly:  The way her twisted little mind worked was kind of scary
and amongst the books and things she found a bottle with with gold mesh on
it. The jewel on the front certainly caught her eye like it always does but
then she realized that there was something inside. She did a quick crack to see
what it was and the smell was enough to make her sneeze and she quickly
capped it back. "Whoa. NoIdeaWhatThatiSButIt'sSpecial."

Rune:  She shook her head and started riffling around. " You know
I love you guys, but you are absolutely depraved. Maybe this was simply an
underground dwelling. " She didn't believe herself for one second though and
was riffling through the debris.

Ellis: He peered around. He didn't know much about books, but he
had trained his eyes to pick out certain things, colors, words, symbols, and
certain bindings. Including this one book in dragon skin. "This looks
important." He extended it towards Rune. "I have a feeling this is important, but I'm
not sure I should be opening it, so maybe Kythin should have one of his
battle mages make heads or tails of this, my dear."
"Also, depravity is part of my charm, don't lie."

Rune:  She took the book and stowed it inside of her corset along
her ribs. " Darling you could cuss like a sailor and women would flock to
you. Totally just who you are. " Looking around she shook her head. " I don't
think anything else is in here.. Let's go see the other room. Elly can you
store that bottle. I'm running out of room. " She grinned at that, happy to
not have to wear her mask before darting towards the other room before Ellis
could be sir gallant and try to shield her.

Elly: "WhoYouCallingDepravedLady.." That's All Elly would say
on it and part of her wanted to play with the liquid. Instead she got out
some cloth from her bag to wrap it in and then put it back into her back
since nothing could hurt it that way. dimension pockets for the win!
"That'sItImMakingYouABag.." That's all she would grumble
really as she made sure there was nothing else to get her gritty little
fingers on and then she was off and away to see the torture room. had to be
what it was!

Ellis: He couldn't help it, he'd rather it would be him than either
of them, and if she was going to be determined to go in front she'd just have
to deal with stolen glances at her posterior, though he'd stay close, just in
case. "You know how to make all the lads swoon, you do."

The moment they entered the room that had been haphazardly
covered by tattered cloth, they would realize that there was nothing to be
found here, but the memories of violence and death. There was a severly fine
line between torture and a deep seated touch of pure evil. This was the latter.
Not because it was unlike any other torture chamber ever seen before, but due
to the subjects which lay scattered in various devices. Hanging on the wall
from a stretching torture wheel was a young woman, or she would have been a
young woman if she hadn't been preserved after death, the fetus of her unborn
lying in ruins at her feet. It's tiny skeleton slightly dented from extreme
pressure. Bones littered the floor that led to a cage which held a corpse
that had half rotted between shifts so that tufts of scales broke out here
and there, a deep pool of what could only be a release of their bowels
lingering and adding to stench. Along one wall lay nothing but large vat jars full
of different body parts, both human and non-human. No there was nothing here
of importance, other than death.

Ellis: "I hate being right...."

Rune: She gagged jerking back as she stared at everything around
her. " See this is why I don't believe in god.. " She had bile in her throat
that wouldn't go away and wouldn't come up. [d]

Elly: Elly ducked in got a really good look of the room and
moved to get out as soon as she could but even then she knew that she had
seen too much already. Little fingers reached up to touch a small thing that
was hanging from her shield amulet and she shuddered a bit.
"ThereAreAllKindsOfGodsBecauseTheWorldIsFullofAllKindsofPeople." -f-

Ellis: "A God didn't do this, my dear.." He exhaled a sigh, gently
taking Rune around the waist and leading her back past the sheet, hand
reaching down to grab hold of Elly's hand to pull her away as well. "All we
can do.. is make sure somebody pays for this.. and I'm betting I know exactly
where to start..."

Rune: "And you wonder why I see myself as half a monster. " She
shook her head. She had a pretty good idea that the vampire above. The one
that was hiding from Lunette and herself the other night knew more about the
room of horrors, but she didn't dwell on that. Closing down that box of need
therapy fun she headed towards the barred up room and looked around. " Next
time I'll let you go first. " She huffed. Yep she was conceeding she didn't
want to see that shit.

Elly: Elly was half tempted to go back in there to double check
some of the non human elements but then she realized that they still had
somewhere else to look so she moved closer to the bars to see if she could
feel any locks that needed to be worried about before they continued..

There were no locks, there wasn't a door even .No traps.

Ellis: "Morality isn't born of nature, doll, it's a choice you
make." He gave her a reassuring squeeze as she slipped past him, and
followed. Something was.. off. He looked ahead, beyond the bars. "He..Hello?
Is someone there?"

Elly: Elly was tempted to see if she could squeeze between the
bars. Just for fun

Rune: Ellywick wouldn't have to as Rune searched around the bars
she was able to pull three four of the lower bars. " Elly.. I'm not sure
Ellis or I can get through this opening, but you can. " She frowned. She
didn't like that thought. "I will try though if you would rather stay here! " [d]

Ellis: "...What.." Was a cup calling him. He saw the little blood
goblet thing, leaning close to it, the whispers permeating into his head. He
picked it up. "What the hell is this...?" It looked like blood, didn't quite
smell like it, but it was totally whispering at him.

Elly: "NoNo.. ThisIsWhyYouBringShortPeople." She blew a kiss up
to Rune because really she needed this distraction from what she'd seen.
Hell she hadn't even really looked into the room that she was about to climb
in and with her bag being put down next to Rune's feet, she moved to climb
through the bars to the other side. "ShouldISearch?" And why did Ellis pick
up a goblet of blood.. that's gross.

Rune: She looked over towards Ellis and frowned hearing the
beckoning call as well. " Cover it Ellis.. Whatever it is isn't good and with
most things to deal with blood.. It has to be something along a more evil
path. Cover it and stop listening to it. " She smiled at Elly and watched her
scramble through. " Yes Elly, go in there and see if anything is in there,
but don't go into the shadows, my gut is telling me there is a reason for
this room and I'm not connecting the dots." [d]

Elly:  But she liked the shadows! They were her friends! She
nodded a few times anyway and moved to pull out her own seax from beneath her
armor to hold in her hand just in case. She was probably adorable but that
didn't matter and then * she began her search slowly at first and being
thorough. But she really did want to go to the shadows.. telling her no was
bad.

Ellis: "Yes, master." He said, wrapping a piece of canvas around
the lid, then stuffing it into a bag of holding. He had a ring that protected
his mind from compulsion or control, so he felt he should hang onto it, but
into the void where it would cease whispering. "If it was some kind of cell,
you'd figure it would have a door." Goblet taken care of, he eyed Rune as if
measuring her, then looked to the bars, then back again a few times.

 The room that was more shadowed than the other rooms was
simple and held a single pillar in the center. On that pillar was a very
small pendant yet again filled with blood. The pillar was no taller than two
feet off the ground and around it odd symbols had been etched into the ground
around it. Shadows seemed to darken from the cast off of the pillar. Now the
big question is to remove the pendant of blood or not. [d]

Rune: She blinked out a wha' type of look at the Master bit, but
just bit through her bottom lip as she waited to hear something from Elly.
She was getting more antsy by the moment, hating the closed in feeling of the
crap that had went down, down here. Atleast he had silenced the dark
seductive call of that goblet. All she needed now was to prove herself right.
[d]

Ellis: He reached over, and pat her gently on the back. "We'll be
ok, Rune. I promise." He turned towards where Elly had gone off to. "What's
it look like, lil pink?"

Elly:  Elly did a walk back and forther as she decided to look
over all the markings before she came back to the door.
"There'sAHunkOfJewelryWithBloodOverOnAPillar. JustSittingThere.
That'sCreepyRight?" She got the creepy vibe especially since like they said.. it
was a cage but no way in or out other than the way she had gone in.
"There'sAlso ABunch of SymbolsOnTheGroundAroundThePillar
AndTheShadowsWhichIDidn'tGoIn, Mother,SeemDarkButIForgotMyIounStone
OverHere." -f-

Rune: "Ellywick don't sass me. If you think you can get the
pendant then do, if not we will come back another day. Do not endanger
yourself!" She growled this out, wanting to claw through the bars. Something
wasn't right, it just wasn't right. [d]

Elly: She could sass who she wanted. She was SassMaster and if
Rune didn't want her other cool nickname that's totally what she was about to
get called. Bright eyes looked to Ellis to see if he was keeping his calm
before she moved over to the pillar. It seemed silly to leave it when she was
right there!

Ellis:  He was putting on a brave face, even with the unease in the
air. "Careful, Elly. Come back if it doesn't seem safe." He trusted in her
thiefy instincts to let her know when danger was present.

Elly:  Oh she was fairly certain it was dangerous but that wasn't
about to stop her.. really. What's the worst that could happen?! Taking a
deep breath, she made a jump to grasp at the pendant and move away just in
case the etchings decided to come to life or something.

Nothing happened. Absolutely nothing.

Elly:  Which just means that she was too stubborn to let
something happen to her? no matter how bad the DM wanted it to. So with the
pendant in her hand she moved back over to the opening and held it up for
them both to look at. -f-

Rune: Instead of looking she pulled Ellywick free and pointed
towards the caged room again.

The moment Elly was out of the room there was a shutter of
a sound and the pillar began to lower and turn, each one of the symbols
swirled to life with the help of blood that oozed from the shadows. Stepping
free of the shadows were massive hairless hounds, released from their prisons and
as pitch black as night. To big to get through the teenie tiny entrance.
They'd hear a shuffle and groan of rock as the door started to slide closed.

Rune: She blinked and jerked running to the few pieces of metal
she had removed and shoving them back in place. " I think our time here is up
" [d]

Ellis:  "Out... now..." He went for the door they came in. Hopefully
they were following.

Elly:  Elly looked back just in time to see the ugly hounds.
Little arms moved to scramble for her bag and she shoved one of the bars
they'd taken across the hole just in case and then she was moving to join
them as quick as her little legs could pump to follow. Nope Nope This place was no
longer fun.

Rune:  No need to pump away, Rune darted forward as one of the
hounds smashed into the bars that seemed to be waivering. Like they would
disentergrate to dust at any moment. Bending down she wrapped Ellywick up and
put on speed towards the door. " Fucking locking doors. " [d]

 The walls seemed to tremble with the thrusting of the
beasts, but they all seemed to make it to the door without a problem. Once
they were upon the entrance those bars would fall to the ground, shattering
in a pile of dust and the thud and heavy breathing of the hounds could be heard as
they chased their prey.

Rune: She pushed Elly through ahead of her and didn't even argue
with Ellis knowing that he would probably just not go before her she stepped
through after. There was barely enough room for a human body left, he had to
hurry and she'd be damned if she would let someone die from a hound dog. "
You okay Elly?" [d]

Ellis: "Come on girls you're both pretty..." Spoken as he ran for
the door, woo, out into the air. Once the three were outside, poof, they were
gone. (Vanish Mantle: 3 charges, you and 3 allies are invisible for 1 rd)
Just in case the dogs made it outside as well.

Elly: She blinked a little as she got pushed but then
she was rolling along the ground like nothing
happened and she was looking to the pendant in her hand. It made her wonder
what was in the damned  thing a she got closer to the other two.. pulling at the
shadows out of habit. "ThatWas.... Amazing!" Yeaaaa maybe next time elly
needed more sleep -f-

Rune:  The hounds were heard as the door slammed closed. She
wrapped both of them into a hug and just breathed for a minute. " We need to
get back home.. " Mumbled. Damned if she didn't need to feed as well, but one
thing at a time. Then  Elly was saying shit was amazing and she would just
eyeball the gnome. " That was so not amazing." But she did laugh. [d]

Ellis: He was ready for the dogs, standing silently, knowing he
couldn't be seen, but it seems like they didn't make it out. He turned just
in time to get all hugged up on. "Yes, let's depart.. quickly and quietly as
we came.."

It would seem that the group had stumbled upon something far more sinister than just a few vampires, and with that in mind who knows what might lay ahead of them on this epic journey or who might join them in their new cause. The greatest question thought is... WHY?! Stay tuned for more epic adventures in the Culling of Kullyr!

[Rune Dravre]

Remember. If you want to join in on the fun, please feel free to send me an IM or email and let me know! Hope to see more of you there!

[Rune Dravre]

Tracking down Kythin had proven to be harder than the little Dhampir had first imagined, but it was of utmost importance that she spoke with the male. So after giving the things that their little group had found to him she had given him a run down of what had happened within that torture chamber found beneath the brothel. Nothing good came of letting him in on the horrors and with him apprised of the situation she was able to go forth with her group.

The man himself had not known what had happened down below, nor could he explain how the hounds had been magicked there without anyone knowing, but while he sent his upper hand to get a glean into that situation she set forth in her pursuit of the next targeted area. The vampire that had been running the brothel had fled. She knew it the moment he had done so because the brothel itself had been shut down. Now it was up to herself and her group to get in and find him. The location? An old asylum that towered out in the middle of nowhere. Between dodging guards and trying to keep off the main path Rune had tracked herself quite the path to this newest place. Making sure that none followed her until she was sure there was a need to follow.

Hunkering down atop a tree she watched in the dead of night as lights flickered on and off throughout the massive asylum. Trying her best to discern if it were one person or several that  they would be dealing with. She knew Ellywick would be joining her, but was loathe to take Ellis along. They might need him later. No she would have to find and confide in a few people for this. It would be to much for herself and the gnome to converge on together and alone. So with that in mind she went back home to plot. It was time to move and time to truly hunt. No more running for this particular vampire would occur. Her very nature wouldn't allow it.

[Rune Dravre]

Rune: Rood at night. It was something to behold, if one could
get around the smell of foul people wretching from to many spirits or sloshed
over snow. A bit of a winter wonderland with the seasons changing and the
chill was about as bone jarring as ever. Rune had slipped away from the chaos that
was the town though, following the path that wound out of Rood and into a
more ruined side of the city itself. Here there were vagrants of all kinds,
buildings that should have long ago been used for materials to rebuild or just
burned away altogether. There was a presence about this area of town to Rune.
Dark and seductive in it's secrets. Secrets that she was sure would end her
up on the fighting end of a sword at some point. When she finally stepped
just this side of the Asylum she had been spending her nights scouting she
would rest back in the shadows of the tree and start working those charms of
hers. Ellywick's little mead cup charm was brushed and rubbed across as she
thought and welcomed the pink haired vixen to her side. Once she felt the
heat and knew the call was heard she'd move to the third charm, a depiction
of a smooth marble and brush across it, silently beckoning Lucy if she were around as
well. That fourth charm was a wolves head, and oddly enough it called the
Northsman. The sword charm of Ellis's was left untouched as she knew he was
off helping Maria. Elly, Lucy and Logen would feel that tug, the urging to reach
out and grasp through time to afix themselves by Runic's side, though if they
accepted or not was strictly up to them as were the rules. [d]

Ellywick: Elly had felt the tug and she knew she needed to accept
but it took a moment for the little one to grab her bag and then she appeared
as she had been in her store. The little woman currently dressed in a simple
tunic over her hide pants but the feel of the cold hit her before she actually
saw Rune. A quick inhalation of breath done between her teeth before she
started to cuss under her breath in Gnomen. What was with this woman and
snow covered places. A look given to her before she moved to crouch down next to
the tree with her. The magic coursing through her veins as she tugged upon
the nearby darkness to wrap itself around them and take away the sting of the
season for the time being. "At least I'm not in my nightgown this time... Are
you bleedin?" -f-

Logen: God damn, magics. The tug was felt more so as if his ears were
burning. As if someone were talking about him, but then it became clear. It
was someone needing him. Brows knit as he looked over towards his armor. It'd
take too long don the damn thing and so simply closed his eyes and embraced
oblivion. Into reality did he appear, looming over the both of them, eyes
snapping wide at the feel of the cold against his cheeks. The next thing
they'd hear was the draw of steel slipping across leather as the Wolfblade was
removed and gripped in both hands the instant snow touched upon his boots.
Quick scan found Rune and Elly.. and no enemies. Mutterance fell from lips in
the Voivan tongue before the Wolfblade found it's home again with the leather.
"The Hell... What's wrong?"[d]

Rune: She would have giggled if she wanted to be heard, but she
didn't. Rolling her eyes she hugged Ellywick a moment. " Nope, not bleeding
and it's so nice to see that you would come to my aid should I need it,
cussing and all Logen. Now could you please come play hide around this tree with us
before you awaken whatever might be beyond those walls? I'd really like to
not get found this early on. " That pert nose wrinkled and she gave a little
squirm. She could feel the darkness from here. There was something dark and
forboding around them, something a little to akin to either the undead or the
forsaken, but she wasn't sure which just yet. " Can either of you feel that
pull?" Of course it might just be her feeling the power, but a girl could dream that
she wasn't the only one able to be corrupted by the power darkness brought.
[d]

Ellywick: Elly had been pulling stuff from her bag to tuck around
her and one finger reached out to brush along Logen's boot as she gave him
the warmth of her aura as well. The shadows around her adjusting to slip
over to him and grant him an immunity to the weather. Then the curious little gnome
moved to lay on the ground and look at the building with her pink eyes
calculating before a final shake of her head was given. "I got nothing at
this distance.." She had assumed since Rune wasn't bleeding this time that meant a
locked door was about to be found. They were one of her favorite things and
Rune knew that. -f-

Logen: Logen slapped Elly's hand away as he did not need such. Logen
was just fine in the warm winter breeze of Kullyr comparing it to the fact
that he just came from Saguenay Hall in Alzorc Keep. He wasn't akin to magic,
nor was he happy to have it forced upon him. She didn't know this, but that's
why he only gave her a hand slappin. "I dun force myself onto you..." Spoken
low after having to come to crouch at Rune's behest and in defense of his
body. Eyes then turned to Rune for a moment in consideration. She was alone in
the allure of the darkness. Either he had enough of it, or it did not take
the interest in him that it should. It was then that he started his gaze
about, trying to figure out where they were. It didn't take long for him to
figure out... This was the city he planned on laying seige to in the months
to come. "You bring me to an enemy.." The wanted posters she would have seen
would have told her that. For assault and battery, murder and kidnapping.[d]

Rune: Yes, locked doors were usually involved when Ellywick was
present and she always brought someone stronger than herself incase they ran
into something ugly that they couldn't handle. She gave that level gaze right
back to Logen. " I brought you to the outskirts, to an asylum that has been
stoking my energy source for near over three weeks now. I want to know what's
going on inside. Would you rather I have been stupid and not had a plan once
I got here?" There was no infliction in her voice. No anger or coyness. It
was a simply asked question. Then she was addressing the pair, more for
Ellywick who hadn't been around her here of late. " Elly remember how you
said I've been acting odd and you thought I was mad at you? This is what has been
consuming some of my free time and it always leaves me different when I
leave. I don't want to go into the asylum tonight, but there is a cropping of
smaller buildings to the west of the main building that I would love to get in close
enough to see if we could find anything and perhaps get a closer inspection
of the asylum itself. " As it were right now where they were hunkered down
all they would see were the twelve foot brick inlay walls and the rusted Iron
gates some way down, but the path itself looked traveled and some of the
outcroppings of trees around them looked to be marked. " If either of you
want to go back home or stay here I'll understand, but I do not like going into places
with people I do not trust, so I called those that I did. " [d]

Ellywick: Elly just stared up at the giant of a man before she
realized what he meant. Her face said she was apologetic. She had done it
without realizing it really and it was good information to tuck away. Her
fingers immediately put into a pair of embroidered gloves as she turned to look at
Rune's face. A quick nod at her head. She still wasn't sure there hadn't
been anger from someone. Most of the group hadn't taken kindly to her
action. Now that she felt completely dressed she looked around again to give a
closer inspection to the area. "This is the follow-up to that torture
chamber.." A statement not a question. "Of course I'm not staying here." A
slight hiss to her words. "Not about to end the night with hard nipples and a slap
from that guy." -f-

Logen: "You are a curious creature." Eyes narrowed towards Elly for a
moment, but the grin soon came to follow. Focus was placed upon Rune and a
simple nod was made. "If you need me to keep you two safe from the
boogey-man, just say so." They would be hard-pressed to find someone as scary as him
when he needed to be. His attention turned to the buildings she had taken a
fancy to and simply nodded to himself. "Lead the way, unless you need me
to."[d]

Lucy: Poof. This time it wasn't her own psychoportation skills that
brought her to an unknown area, but the pulling of Rune's summoning charm on
her bracelet. She was just tugging on her new blue gloves when she popped
away from her room in the inne and was now wherever the group was located. She
finished tugging on the last glove and then blinked long lashes as she looked
around to find Rune, "You called? Is something wrong?"
She smiled and wrapped her hand around the other woman's
waist.

Rune: " Nothing is wrong. We are about to go check out spooky buildings is
all. I didn't want to leave until you got here. Sticking together would be
best. After the torture chamber Ellis, Elly and I stumbled upon I am not sure what
we are going to encounter. " She shuddered. Yea that still gave her
nightmares. Hearing Logen's words she nodded. " Actually I thought we might
use you to get over the wall. I don't want to stroll across through the gate or use
magic, because I swear I feel some dark magic here, and yet none of you can
seemingly feel it. " She sighed and looked back at Lucy. " Do you feel
anything?" There was a small hope it wasn't her demise knocking at her door again.
Shifting around she bent down and stood infront of Elly, which was normal
procedure when she wanted to put the gnome on her back. " Yea we don't need
your nipples cutting glass, but we could probably use your trap finding and lock
picking skills. " [d]

Ellywick: Yes.. curiousity was almost a flaw but she could control
herself.. sometimes. Though she wasn't entirely certain the man meant it as a
compliment. "Thanks." The word said anyway especially if he didn't mean it
as a compliment. Hearing that the big guy was here to give them a boost
over the wall she refrained from saying she didn't think she'd need help
because part of her feared he was just going to throw her over. At Rune
lowering down, there was the usual grumble but the gnome was quick to hop up onto her
back. They needed to just get a harness made for the woman that had loops
for Elly's feet. "They're going down. sheesh. Now just point me at a door.
Remember I don't need to be up on it to unlock it." She purposefully kept her
speech slow while she whispered. Previous experience had taught her long ago
that whispering plus normal speech meant no one understood a thing! -f-

Logen: Logen was unearthly silent as he parted from the three. For
two years it was his lifework to sneak through snow-laden grounds. Entirely
odd because Logen barely even left tracks as he skimmed across snow and ice
without a hiccup. Boots fell silent at the start of motion, even his form
disallowed for the chimes of his spurs. Once he made it to the wall, he
paused, set his back against it in a leaning brace, before lacing his fingers
together to form a step for those dead set on bounding over it. Since he was
accustomed to throwing Zorcans, the three lithe-framed women should not be an
issue.[d]

Lucy: She smiled and leaned over to kiss Rune on the cheek, then
wiggled gloved fingers to Logen and Elly. When asked if she could feel
anything, she glanced around the area and used her mix of magic and psionics
to "feel" the area. "If I could touch something could use psychometry, it would show me
what past events have gone on around it, even if I just touch the walls." She
was quiet, whispering, and waited as Logen went to get ready to put the
ladies over the wall into gods knew what. "I'll come over last."

Rune: Elly straps? Well she didn't have those, but she needed
her hands free. Rising she unbuckled two straps and loosened them on either
side of her corset before stuffing gnome appendages within and cinching them,
but not to tightly. "Arms around my neck sugar plum. We are about to go climb
a Logen. " Okay so it was cheesy, but Rune had her moments. She nodded to
Lucy, kissing her cheek in turn. " Just don't get to absorbed in it's
history. " Without another word she darted
towards Logen, the faster she moved, the less she left a print and with
fourty extra pounds on her it was a good thing. Reaching Logen she grabbed
his shoulders one booted foot sliding into the harness of his hands. " Alright big guy,
do your thing. " [d]

Ellywick: Now she was going to get stuck in Rune's clothes. This
was secretly a ruse to strip naked again wasn't it? But she did as she was
asked and moved to hold on with gripping at the woman's throat to kill her
airway. "One day.. I'll climb him all by myself.. don't tell him that though. I
can't wait to see his face." She just grinned when they got closer to the
man and moved to make herself as small as possible for the boost. The let's
carry Elly around thing was semi-ridiculous since she'd been threatened with
toddler slings in the past. -f-

Logen: Boot found purchase and arms found their strength easily
enough. Fluid motion would have Rune lifted and elevated with a toss to allow
her own feet to land atop of the concrete and stone barrier. Head tilted back
to watch her sail to be sure she landed proper and stable. Secured in that
worry, Logen set his eyes back over towards Lucy. If she wanted a boost,
she'd get the same treatment.[d]

Eona: ~ She'd stepped out of what was becoming a regular haunt
about an hour before. Her two companions had petered out and wandered off in
search of warmer company and venues. This left the leather and fur-clad
sellsword leaning against discarded crates on the side of a wall, pipe
clenched between her teeth and an eye angled alterately between the sky and
the wall. Most would have missed it. Most did not have Darksight. A bulky
figure slithered over and silently dropped to the ground. The pipe
tap-tap-tapped against the wood planks by her hip as she knocked the spent
leaf out and then she was striding in that direction. ~

Lucy: Well, she did consider using teleportation but having no idea
what was on the other side she didn't want something really terrible to
happen. She moved after the others, jumping up with ease onto the offered
perch by Logen and then using her affinity for air to give her a boost that would make
her exceptionally light for Logen to heave over. She hovered and used her
(Fly- Spell) to not land hard, instead she slowly lowered herself down and
dusted off her fine dress. She gave a gaze around, piercing into the shadows and
darkness with her natural darksight as she took in the surroundings and tried
to find something to touch to find out some history.

The asylum was massive, standing at least four stories up
and spanning over the land covering ground that most buildings would be
envious of. Surrounding it lay a heavy twelve foot fence of stone and
concrete and an almost rusted entry point. Those that had landed on the other side after
either making a pit stop at the top of the wall or flying down would finally
get a glimpse if one could see in the dark of the barren trees of a
courtyard. Numerous walk ways led to different entrances into the building. There
was a large hedge maze, though the hedges only stood around seven feet on a
good day and what looked to be personal staff housing and such along the
western portion of the grounds themselves, though it would seem that they would
have to go through the maze in order to get to them and there had been no way
to avoid the maze had they climbed closer over the wall in that direction.
Small fountains and various little ornate lawn art lay scattered, some broken
with age and weather, others looking quite new.

Logen: Say one thing for Logen, say he was Athletic. Once Lucy had
made her way over, he pushed from the wall and hurried away to give him a
thirty foot fun. Daredevil by nature, the sight of the twelve foot wall
seemed a challenge enough.Off in a dash did he run towards the barrier, feet unhindered
by snow or ice as he crossed the distance. His approach was direct and
allowed him the opportunity to scramble feet along the smooth surface, still
managing to find friction where other's would fail to do so. Distance covered
and the Northman would manage to slap an iron grip upon the ledge to impede
his curse of gravity. Left hand joined the ink'd right and slowly would he
pull himself up onto the ledge of the wall and then over he'd roll to land down
softly upon the snow with his form moving instantly into a crouch from
impact. Eyes scanned the area, looking for the Blood of Kullyr to be around.
Anticipation had his left hand drifting to the handle of the Wolfblade resting behind
his hips.[d]

Ellywick: Ornate lawn art.. there weren't any garden gnomes were
there?! As soon as they were over and starting to get close, the little pink
haired gnome moved to make sure her hood covered all of her and got her feet
ready to be loose. She planned to get down as soon as Rune would let her so she
could scuttle about. Sneaking was Elly's other favorite thing to do. "Which
way.." Her words even quieter since she was practically in the woman's ear.
If left up to chance you never knew what trouble she might find. -f-

Eona: ~ Green glint served as guide post for the sellsword, who
pulled her Midnight Hood low over her face to obscure her features from the
casual onlooker. "Oy." Her call was low, gaze sweeping the nearby area for
any unfortunates who might spy their meeting. ~

Logen: The cardinal's song was whistled towards Eona, if only for a
bit of jest at her nickname and hair color. With no one abound except for the
now four women, Logen pressed into a stand and moved to follow after Rune
while waving Eona on. Sight of the foreign scabbard and blade was a give away
for the merc. Joining the three, Logen came to kneel and keep an eye out for
Eona's approach. [d]

Rune: Rune looked at her little group and blinked when the woman
came along, be her friend or foe she'd let Logen deal with her for the
moment. She was crouching there, waiting on Lucy to try and get a read on
something for them, but she would murmur back towards Ellywick still latched onto her
back. " We head through that maze unless you can see another way around it..
" Working at the straps she started to free the little gnome and the paused.
" Just dont go running to far ahead or we might lose you. " With the
little reminder given she set the gnome free. [d]

Lucy: First thing she came to, probably a statue nearby, she pressed
her hand to it and closed her eyes for it was shown in her mind's eye. It
seemed this would be a good thing to her to touch as it was more centrally
located and maybe had seen various things. (Psychometry Skill)

Eona: ~ She melted into their midst easily enough, aware of
movements and experienced in blending. Just who it was who kept the Northman
company, was anyone's guess, but she trusted his judgement and his actions.
Answers could be got later. Still. The hood turned on Logen as she passed him,
though her meaningful glare was lost in the supernatural dark beneath the
cowl. ~

Lucy: She pulled her hand away and gave a little shiver, perhaps from
the cold, perhaps from something else. She moved over to Rune and reached out
to touch her shoulder so she could lean in and whisper to her what she'd seen
as some of it did not make much sense, and others were normal fare for a
place like this and then some of it was terrifying creatures. After
explaining what she'd seen she just ended with a little shake of her head,
blue curls bouncing, "It felt very odd, not-right. I don't know how to explain it."

Ellywick: Once freed, Elly crouched down in the snow and gave them
all her very best innocent look as if to ask would she do that? "Just want
to feel things out. Give me a minute. Be right back. Promise." A nod of
her head was given to the newcomer and then she was off to start moving over the
snow at a pace that as little a mark as possible. The gnome wanted to see
what was on the otherside opposite of a maze where they could get lost. Not
that she didn't like the challenge but more it was cold and dark and the last
thing she wanted was for it take too much time. Keeping to the shadows she
had played in since she was even shorter, she paused at a few locations that
allowed her to get low to the ground before moving again. -f-

Eona: ~ The tall newcomer turned to watch Elly skitter off,
scarred bare forearms crossed before her as she turned her black hood back on
the other two. Never mind Logen. ~

Rune: She grabbed Lucy's covered hip and moved with her through
the shadows, looking back to the new woman and Logen. " Logen if Ellywick
doesn't find a way around this Maze I'll need someone to go ahead. I don't
want to use to much magic here and from what Lucy saw if we meet and greet with
anything that was here recently we might very well be fucked. " She didn't
like it. It felt odd to Lucy, and Elly didn't feel anything. To her? The
asylum called like a siren. [d]

Ellywick: Once she was back towards the east side, the gnome
finished one last chance to feel about her for any hiding people. A trick
that had proven very effective after the Zorcan splooge incident. Finding
nothing, she had been about to give up with she felt the pull of the lock. The little
woman pausing and moving to stand near something else that had made a mark in
the snow as she felt the tug of something unexpected and fun. One of her
hands moving just enough to let Rune know she found something!

Logen: And this is why humans are superior. Once the three started
their path, Logen started his own following after them. The collar of his
highwaymen coat had been pulled up and buckled in place to cover the lower
portion of his face. With the small, basic disguise, he felt a bit more at ease
walking about. Anyone that caught sight of his gaze, well, the moment fear
was revealed, the next would find them freed of it. Low would he speak to
Eona if she followed in step, "You're going to want to see this... To know what's
lurking about in these lands." No doubt the Red Bitch had plenty of legend
herself, but this place was new.. And it'd be better to get a read on
something, before it got the drop on you. Gloved hands remained at his sides, fingers
flexing under anticipation.[d]

Eona : ~ Something in the foursome's behavior--and in the
Northman's tone--brought Eona along without a word. There was more than
meets the eye here, and while she had resided in the city some days,
ostensibly as a new citizen, she had never given this building more than a passing glance. Or
had she? She gave a small shake of her head to clear her thoughts of the
conundrum and kept a cautious eye behind them lest anyone think to get the
drop on them from that direction. ~

Rune: Those amber ringed hues caught sights of Ellywick getting
all happy about something she turned and looked to make sure the two were
following behind. Lucy was kept in her grasp only so the woman didn't get out
of pocket while she sorted through the histories of the place. Once she was at
Elly's side she canted her head, lashes fluttered a moment as she tried to
adjust to the smell here. Frowning those eyes cast about warily. The darkness
loomed and she felt the pull of that call. She almost, almost left Lucy's side
to go towards the Asylum itself and if it hadn't been for the newest of her
brands burning? She might have done just that. " What do you have for us
Ellywick?" [d]

Lucy: Lucy walked alongside, feeling the guidance from the hand upon
her hip from Rune. She was quiet, eyes slightly narrowed, as she studied the
place and allowed her psionic energy to reach out around her in case it might
help her be more aware of something before it happened. She had come so
suddenly she had not thought to ask if anyone wished to be granted
darkvision, but thinking of that due to the deep shadows and darkness of the
place she turned to send a whisper to Logen, carried by the wind, "Do you wish a spell for
darkvision?"

Logen: Logen simply shook his head at the offer. He might not be able
to see trouble, but he would find a way to deal with it. Unless it was total
darkness brought on by the whim of a devil, Logen would do just fine in
allowing his eyes to adjust. And if that didn't work, he'd just grab on to
someone's belt.[d]

Ellywick: Tiny prankster was bouncing in place when Rune came over
followed by the others. Part of her wanted to start the search for traps
like last time but she was doing the best a gnome could to behave at that
particular moment. There was something funny about this place that she had felt and
the last time before the last time she'd been in the snow with Rune had ended
with them being chased by things. It had been a blast but they still visited
her in the little sleep she got these days. "Door with a lock.. a locked
door." The words caressed as only Elly could before she motioned towards the
frame near the hedge. "You said no magic so I haven't looked for a trap but
this place.. " Her features twisted and scrunched in what could only be a
stank face. "It's .. odd. Uneasy even. Not right. Definitely not right."
-f-

Eona: ~ Eona took the offer for darkvision as including herself
and likewise shook her head. Among other things, the women had already
declared how loathe they were to use magic. So. It was the Red Bitch's
place to keep an eye out for trouble, which she was doing decently enough in a half
crouch while being mindful that the wolf pelt draped across her back and
right shoulder also covered her telltale blade. Nothing to be done about it
but hope for luck. ~

Rune: So everyone was pretty much feeling it now. Perhaps not
Logen and Eona, but it did make the lithe Dhampir feel a tiny bit better that
she wasn't going nuts. Again there was a moaning tug on something inside of
her and she actually stepped away from Lucy a moment. A shiver coursed through
her and those hues slithered on into crimson. Slanting a gaze at the door she
chewed against her bottom lip. " I don't want you walking into a trap
Ellywick, so do your thing should something sense us we'll deal with it. " She hoped,
but to what end of the fight she would be she had no clue personally. Instead
of stepping back away from the door she moved to stand beside Ellywick, her
feet touching the ground if Elly couldn't get a read she'd try. [d]

Ellywick: Rune had a serious love for her whole first name and it
made her want to chuckle. Sometimes she wondered if she was being chastised.
And yes she had felt something wrong with the ground as she tried to feel for
hidden things wanted to harm her. Her toolkit immediately brought to
her without a second thought. Though.. trapping an asylum was just begging
for someone to come in!

Lucy: She remained back while Rune and Elly stepped forward to the
door, after having given a nod to the two behind her that had forgone the
offer. Gaze swept one side then the other, adjusting her spectacles a little
for better view, as she watched to make sure nothing was going to simply pop up and
surprise them.

Ellywick: "Why would someone put a trap at an asylum.?" Wondering
gnome wondered as she looked to Rune. "I can do my thing from a distance or
we can just go back to the maze.. your call. You know what I found last
time." Lots of gross shit.

Rune: " I don't think I'll likely forget what we found last time
you unlocked a door for me. " She visibly grew paler if that was a possible
thing! Shaking her head she looked towards the Maze and then up towards
Logen. " I'd say let her try and disable it, but last time we kind of found a
torture chamber and a woman with a baby still hanging from her womb. So.. "
Nose wrinkle. She was asking others for their opinions. [d]

Eona : ~ Eona's haunches had gradually sunk to a lower quarter,
her head tilting to one side as though she was listening to some distant
strain that was just out of earshot and yearned to hear it in its entirety.
Her eyes, which had moments before been focused on the
corner, had now gone distant... ~

Logen: Fingers were drumming upon the hilt of the sword as his
patience was slowly wearing thin. And he'd wager the Blood of Kullyr would be
making their rounds shortly. Eyes looked towards Rune for a moment, unphased
by the visual. It was an act he was guilty of... Long ago. Velarius still plagues
his dreams from time to time. "No time for deliberation... Make your choice
Elly." It was her choice alone. [d]

Ellywick: If they were going in this was the way Elly would choose
so she motioned for most of them to at least lean a certain way as she put
distance between her self and the trap itself. The joy of her art was that
she could do it from thirty feet away. Her toolkit leaving her side as it went
for the little vibrating mechanism and made quick work of it's function but
sometimes she messed up which is why she made everyone lean away!
As soon as she was sure it was done for and the sheen had
disappeared that toolkit refused to stay still as she motioned for it
immediately go for the lock as well. May as well pop it while they were all
away from the spot.

Eona: ~ Eona planted two stabilizing fingers against the ground
to still a vague sway that she'd begun. Then, without any warning, she rose
to her full height and stepped towards Elly and the lock beyond, quite
unmindful of the fact that a delicate procedure was being executed or that danger
might lie behind the door. ~

Ellywick: And yeah she gave a little shudder of delight when she had
mentally made each of the tumblers click in just the right way. Lock 327..
done. Only 23 more for her yearly goal. -f-

Rune: Rune was having a bit more trouble than some would think.
She seemed to be glued to the ground, the pop and fizzle of the door being
opened and the ilk had been her only saving grace. Licking her bottom lip she
looked towards the open door and then back to the asylum with yearning. It
was to the point that she didn't even realize those shadows had started
dancing and weaving. Power so contained usually rolled across her flesh like
the waves of an orgasm. Slamming her eyes shut she took a few deep breaths and
nodded to Ellywick. " Let Logen go through first...... I'll bring up the
rear. " There was a slight hesitation in her voice, but thankfully her
resolve to stay with the group was holding true by the inflicting burn against the top
knotch of her ass. [d]

Logen: Quick footsteps had him approach the open door and slink
inside with an immediate draw of the saex knife he carried with him. Light of
the outside would illuminate the room enough for him to witness immediate
surroundings unless the entire place was bound by darkness. In that case, he'd just go
in blind... Thank god he had decent senses of hearing and smell. Though if
anything was amiss, anything alive within... Logen was probably going to kill
it.[d]

Eona: ~ Normally Eona's MO was to place the two blades at either
end of a line. Instead, she ducked in directly behind Logen. The oddest
phenomenon followed her in and was lost to the darkness, however.
An odd change to the quality of the dim light that reverted
the moment she'd left the area--a change that one could not put her finger on
just yet. Not at night. The sellsword's fingertips trailed the nearest wall
though she needed no help piercing the dark. This--this was euphoric. ~

Logen: The whipoorwill's call sounded the all clear as he secured the
area. Saex knife was set back within it's sheath and the left hand resided to
the hilt of the Wolfblade once more. Eyes went to the altaresque looking
thing that would be a makeshift signal marker. Of course, his eyes were set to
the bloodied path. But this... This would be Rune's decision to make. Logen
was simply here to bring the rest of them home from an assumed Hell Hole.[d]

Ellywick: Logen wants to go first. She'd let him. He was bigger
and she'd done exactly what Rune had wanted her for. Knowing that Lucy was
likely to stick with Rune she waited by the door to go before the blue-haired
beauty. A moment taken to sneak a look to check that her friend was okay
for them to be finishing or if they needed to pause for the night and come
back again later. But with two already inside, the little gnome snuck in as
well. Her eyes used to low-light situations such as this but she was prepared to
grab the stone from her bag if it was needed. Even though she was normally
low to the ground, she leaned down again anyway to put her ear upon the
surface to see if she felt any 'friends' nearby -f-

Lucy: Lucy rubbed her gloved hands together and continued to keep
watch outside while the others did whatever it was they all intended to do.
She still had no idea why they were exploring the place, or even where they
were. It was cold, she knew that. And it was an adventure, that's all she really
needed to know. When the others began moving inside after Logen had checked
it out, she moved forward as well and stepped inside, darksight as well as
true seeing in place as she glanced around the area, seeing clearly through
the shadows and what they might hide.

As the band of adventures entered the room that had been
hidden by the maze itself they would have little hardship in seeing as there
was a dull glow about the room. Logen had found the tri-alter that showed
three seperate paths. The center and the Right path looked to be blocked, one by
a boulder the other by a simple wooden door while the left path seemed to be
clear of anything. Should anyone look down the left pathway they would see a
light at the end of a very small hall, bouncing shadows off the walls as if
there was no way out once at it's end.

Lucy:She pointed towards the boulder that sat in the way, and gave a
shake of her head, "That's not real. There's a hallway there," was spoken in
each of their minds unless they had a way of blocking telepathy. She then
tucked her hands into the pockets of her cloak and began to move slowly
around the area they were in, searching for anything of note beyond what they
could see upon first glance. (search)

Ellywick: Elly almost jumped when suddenly she had a voice in her
head. You know it would have been easier to just use their little heart pins
right? Wasnt' that mental or was she the mental one?

As Lucy looked around she would note that there were small
little foot prints in blood that couldn't be seen if one were just looking at
the floor, and the door which they had come from while it still looked to be
there it was no longer available to the adventurers. As her eyes scanned
further she would also realize that over the top of the locked door that Elly
was eyeing lay four symbols which ebbed with some type of power. Only pulsing
when either Eona or Rune got to close to them and then fading when they
stepped back.

Logen: "Dun do that.." Head shook a bit at the invasive voice in his
head. He didn't like it when it was forced upon. His focus went to Eona for a
long while, seeing her reaction was to saunter and scratch like some damn
creature on catnip ready to sprawl. "You alright over there?"[d]

Ellywick: Elly moved closer to simple door by a hair and then
started to shift from foot to foot. She didn't have telepathy but she did
motion to the door she was staring at. "Company.. " and then she mocked
something tapping and then at the door again. Something was beyond that delicious
little lock but since it was locked and this was an asylum even she wondered
if she should.

Rune: Rune seemed to be dancing. Udilation of those feet sent
her slowly towards Ellywick, almost drawn to the woman, to the door. " Can
you unlock it?" Her voice was soft, coy even for Rune. She seemed to be
drifting towards it like she really really wanted what was beyond door number three. A
shiver slid down over her flesh. [d]

Lucy: "Oh right," she was so used to using telepathy she forgot about
the pins. She touched her pin, and used that instead, "I see bloody
footprints down the center path, and there are strange symbols over that one
door that pulse when Rune or whoever that is with us," points to Eona, "gets near
it."

Eona: ~ Eona gave a terse grunt in agreement to Logen's complaint
over the mental invasion. She'd drawn her hood down, the better to see. In
the dim light, she had taken on an eerie quality. She seemed now taller, now
shorter...though in the next moment it was revealed to be a mere play of
light and shadow and she remained utterly mundane. "Aye," she muttered in
answer to Logen, though her voice had a faraway timbre and her fingers
plucked at the air, eyes fixated on the locked door like she might pluck a few notes
from the empty air. It lasted only moments before she regained her self
control and she occupied her twitchy fingers by running them through her
rebellious curls instead. ~

Ellywick: Her own fingers found the black heart for just a moment.
"Of course I can unlock it.. probably but there's something behind it.. so.."
And she looked towards Logen. Unlocking door number 328 no skin off her back
but she needed him to be ready since these two seemed to be reacting to it.
Obviously it was tall woman catnip.

Logen: The look on Logen's face was much akin to realization....
Realization that he was probably going to have to smack the shit out of both
of them. And there was that part in him that would really enjoy it, too. His
focus moved back to Lucy and Elly, grateful they weren't taking part in the dizzy
dance. "Open it... Let's be rid of this trouble." The Wolfblade was then
freed and held loose in singular left hand. If the right had to join it, it
would take no time at all.[d]

Ellywick: Right... big man wants the door open. Elly pulled out
that telekinetic toolkit once more and got the hell out of his way as she
moved some distance so that he could be in front of her and she could do her
thing. Not only did she  fit in small spaces. She was useful!

Eona : ~ An echoing hiss of steel matched Logen's. The graceful
curve of the saber cleared its scabbard and Eona took up a stance just behind
and to Logen's left. ~

As with all things that were to easy, there had to be a
catch. That catch would sadly come in the form of everyone feeling the taint
now, though perhaps not in the packaging they had expected. Sitting inside
the room once the door drew open was a little old woman knitting with two slivers
of bone. She was humming a very low note that seemed to entice people towards
her, well certain people as it were. Hearing the door open she looked up, eye
sockets void of eyes. " Oh hello dearies.. Have you come to sit awhile?"
The woman did not move, nor did she seem overly harmful. There was no aura of
evil around her, but the offness was there leaking over flesh, or kissing it
depending on how you feel it.

Lucy: Lucy peeked in and upon seeing the ...thing ... sitting there
she gasped, gloved hand over mouth, and stepped back. Her face had twisted
into quite the 'ewww' face when she saw it too, and she looked around to the
others and then back, "That... is terrifying," she whispered.

Eona : ~ "Oh, ye jest want tae cover her in wee dancin' faeries
an' shadows, don'tcha?" Her musing was wistful, though the hand that grasped
Logen's bicep was strong. She seemed intent on grounding herself by the
touch...and it was working for the nonce. ~

Ellywick: "By Garl What is that thing..." There was a shudder that
came from her that had nothing to do with slutty 328 and everything to do
with the blob of flesh that was staring them down.

Rune: OH lookie there. Smiling she sighed and started dancing
towards the old woman. " Oh that sounds lovely. " Those pretty fangs of hers
were peek a booing from her mouth. [d]

Lucy: "RUNE, get away from that monstrosity before that massive maw
bites you!" It came out so suddenly when Rune just seemed to skip on towards
the foul thing.

Logen: Quick was the strike, strong was the pimp hand. Logen
slapped---

Eona : ~ POOF. Baby powder billowed everywhere... ~

Rune: She blinked, turning to peek back at Lucy and then Logen
was smacking her which made her purr and wince all at once. The flesh minion
was slowly slinking forward towards Rune, intent on the dancing prey that
still wasn't quite sure if she wanted to behave or go play and then baby powder?
Well shit on shingles. Blinking and sneezing she rubbed at her eyes as water
poured from the ducts. The brand on her back started to burn and thankfully
that got her to blindly backing away from the damn thing. If only to keep
baby powder woman away from her delicate senses. " OWWWW ITS JUST A LITTLE
LADY" [d]

Lucy: "It isn't, it's a monster, darling," she reached out and
grabbed Rune and dragged her over away from the creature and wrapped her arms
around her shoulders to keep her put for the time being. No doubt, fighting
would come soon.

Logen: "Let's go, She-Bitch."

Eona : ~ "Aye. Though tis a pity tae destroy such perfection." ~

[Rune Dravre]

Perfection came in the form of some very potent blood magic. As the Flesh Golem rounded on the band of adventurer's, Ellis and Logen raised their weapons in hopes of eliminating the problem. Another Golem joined the first and gave the men a run for their money. Two blood imps joined the fray corralling the women together, but Ellywick,Lucy and Rune gave their best and eventually they beat their opponents. What was meant to be recon turned into battle and not against just the undead variety. This added another kink into just a simple eradication of a few opposing forces. Blood Magic used, a letter in Vovian to the man that had trapped his lover here. A key to the sacred place of Kullyr and a hall that might lead to death. One thing was for certain, once they got started in the venture into madness.. There was no escaping it's call.

[If you wish to see the log from the Mission, just ask, but I will not be adding it here at this time!]

[Rune Dravre]

~*~OOC ~*~ Okay so I will more than likely be running something for the Culling of Kullyr SL on Wednesay or Thursday. Another mission that delves into the madness of the Asylum. I'll let everyone know a little in advance. Just have to see how Tuesday's quest goes!

[Rune Dravre]

After heading down a hall that pushed half of them into a land of memories the group finally regrouped inside the asylum itself. Rune might have made the wrong decision by touching a corpse of a victim from the sadistic mad man that was currently keeping the asylum as his play ground and Ellywick very well could have been playing with her target which happened to be some kind of serpent. Ellis and a female necro-hound might have danced the dance of the blade while Logen steam rolled through chasing his past with a vengeance and then might have taken that vengeance out on the male counterpart to the female Necro-hound. Lucy seemed to zone out and Eona was so caught up in what she saw or felt that she couldn't function. The group however did make it out of the mission alive and intact, which was all anyone could ask for!

{Again if you want the log ask, otherwise it won't be going up to clutter this page up}