Shun The Nonbeliever

[el_tybs]

WHO: Ellana Ashara, Samouel Gareth, Maria Hill, Nari Dahlasanor
WHAT: Quest! There have been reports of a strange creature in the area.
WHEN: Firstfall
WHERE: Fallow Mire
NOTES: The report. Spirits, undead, swearing, all the good stuff.

The report had said that there had been a sighting of a strange creature - apparently large by the description which was vague at most. So here they were, the four of them, wandering through the bog towards the particular statue that the sightings had been happening around.

The group seems well rounded, even if he doesn't know what to expect from everyone. He's talked to Nahariel before but he knows more about her abilities to craft than to fight. Ellana is another mage, though all he knows is that she is from the Ashara clan. And Maria was a woman who looked like you shouldn't mess with her, with being a Templar backing that up.

"So..." he begins, tripping a moment as his foot catches on rock under the water, "does anyone else have more information on this thing, or is 'big mysterious creature' all we got?"

Comments

[serannas]

While Ellana has met Nahariel, the other two are a mystery to her. One being a mage means she feels a certain kinship to him already, and though the other is a Templar, she's holding her judgment until she sees what kind of person Maria is outside of her title.

"Careful," she says to Sam, but then shakes her head no. "I haven't heard anything else about it. What about you?" She addresses the two other women, but especially her fellow elf. As a hunter, maybe she has an idea?

[nofury]

"Nothing specific. But an unknown creature strong enough to survive these conditions? My gold is on it being something formidable."

Between the undead and demons, it seemed little wild life other than the ever present bears had fared well. Whatever they were tracking was likely worth the effort.

[nadasharillen]

"Strong or stealthy," Nahariel replied, squinting off into the seemingly ever-present wet mist, "...or one of the dead itself. Whichever reason, we ought to treat it with respect."

She blinked once at a shape in the mist, and then squinted harder, "Is that the statue?" she asked, pointing towards the darker place.

[serannas]

Not knowing what they were dealing with was a dangerous thing, but also exciting. Ellana hoped they were successful in finding what it was.

Following Nahariel's finger, she too squinted, but couldn't quite tell.

"Only one way to find out," she reasoned, since it was still too far away to get a clear idea.

[el_tybs]

"Hopefully, because I don't feel like trekking all the way back to make sure." Hopefully it was the statue, and hopefully it was the right one.

"We should probably approach with caution. The creature could be there already." He really hoped that wasn't the case, but at the same time that would make this all a whole lot easier.

[nofury]

Maria slipped her shield into position just in case. Even if the creature wasn't there, there was no promise something else wouldn't be.

"Seems clear for the moment. I'll keep a look out for if that changes."

[nadasharillen]

"Should I range out a bit, see if I can pick up any tracks?" the hunter asked. She wasn't the best at it to begin with--that had been Isen's forte--and the ground was nightmarish terrain to track in, to say the least, but if the beast were big enough or came around often enough, there'd be something.

[serannas]

"That could help," Ellana replied, looking off into the distance. "If it's coming from a certain direction, we can focus more attention on that area, right?" Despite what Nahariel thought of her tracking skills, they were far more than what Ellana had. She was never taught any of that. Hopefully her magic could be of use here.

[el_tybs]

"Just make sure you stay within range in case something shows up." It wasn't only the creature they needed to be cautious about; corpses popped up at some of the most inopportune moments, though he couldn't sense any serious flares in the spirits just yet. For good measure Sam slips his staff from the holster on his back.

Thankfully the rest of their trek was uneventful, and even at a cautious pace, they made it to the statue in a decent amount of time. Nahariel was the first to reach the spot, quickly getting to work on working on seeing if there was anything for her to work with to track whatever they were after.

Sam's footsteps slowed as the rest of them approached, his eyes darting around as if trying to pinpoint something. It seemed Ellana was picking up on something as well, immediately heading over to the statue to see if there was anything in particular about it. By how the Mages were reacting Maria set herself up to keep watch and guard.

Nahariel was able to confirm that they were indeed in the right location, pointing out the hoof prints, but with the water it would be impossible to track the creature. 'We won't have to' came Sam's reply when he started to circle the statue, as if following a path. He couldn't quite place it, but he could indeed sense a lingering essence of a spirit. Mentioning that spirits had been making other wild life act weird it was possible that this could be the same case.

With all that known the group decided that it would be better to wait and see if anything returned to the statue, rather then return to camp. Course that meant camping out here without a fire - in case it attracted other things they didn't want - and waiting in the wet and cold was less than pleasant. Each of them took a post around the statue so that they had all directions covered if something approached, Sam taking the spot that he felt the presence come and leave from.

Just to be safe he cast a paralysis glyph, making sure that the rest of them knew of it so they wouldn't accidentally run into it.

[nofury]

It was some time, but eventually the animal shows- and it certainly isn't what Maria had expected. She blinks as it charges into sight, not expecting that monstrosity. It's only a few feet away from the glyphs when she sighs.

"Naturally it's undead."

[nadasharillen]

"...Naturally." Nahariel replied quietly; and then it triggered the glyph. The spell glowed brightly through the muck, and discharged with a crackle. The "horse" shied away from the noise and energy, but too late to escape the magic that froze it in place.

It was... well. Nari had never seen anything like it. Nearly skeletal, with dark leathery skin and a mane the color of still drying-blood, the thing was a truly unnerving sight. That was before considering the "horn"; a great rusted blade stuck up through its skull, the cross guard snug below its chin near the neck, and the blade emerging in full through its forehead. A grisly death for a horse--Nari nearly felt bad for it.

Obviously Ellana had similar feelings, because the elven woman approached it as if it were a lost halla, even going so far as to stroke its gaunt nose and murmur to it. As the glyph waned, the others started forward; Sam to comfort as well, eyes distant with magic, and Maria and Nari just in case it thought to rear or bolt or--Creators forbid--toss its head, but Ellana's ministrations actually seemed to have some effect on it.

"It's not... all dead. Sort of," said Sam. He received odd looks from the non-Mage contingent, and so gestured a bit awkwardly and continued, "It's sort of... part horse, part spirit. Or at least, there's a spirit that merged with the horse part. A long time ago; definitely before the Breach."

"Maybe... when it died? And the new spirit sort of... took over and kept it going?" asked Nahariel, staring at the bizarre sight

Sam shrugged. "Maybe? Anyway, it seems like It's mostly horse-ish. After all, Ellana seems to have gotten it calmed."

The aforementioned elf turned to smile... and then something splashed off in the distance, and the thing spooked. Then bolted. Straight at the Templar and the hunter. One deftly sidestepped, combat reflexes sharp and quick even in heavy armor and muck--the other had an entirely different reflex. Nahariel ducked the head, grabbed a double handful of lank mane, ran alongside it for a moment, and then leapt. It would have been a rather impressive mount if not for two things. One: it was taller than a halla by a few hands, and two: the mane pulled straight out of the beast's neck at the last second.

"Fenedhis lasa!"

And that was how Nahariel Dahlasanor ended up scrabbling for purchase, fingers grasping at the bony back and sides, one leg half over the back of a vaguely possessed beast running through the Fallow Mire.

[serannas]

Things had been going too smoothly, so of course something would happen that would turn everything on its head. Ellana had stumbled back as the spooked horse took off and her eyes widened in alarm as Nahariel attempted to ride the creature. They were just in range for Ellana to throw a barrier over horse and rider to protect them from getting hurt, because there was no way for her magic to stop the horse without hurting Nahariel too. It was a relief when she saw the elf finally pull herself fully onto the horse's back and try to make it stop, but it seemed the animal was having none of it. And it didn't help that the horse went running through the water, causing corpses to rise.

"Just what we were missing," Ellana grumbled, no longer able to keep an eye on Nahariel as her focus was taken but the enemy. She, Sam, and Maria quickly went to work attacking the undead while a wild, possibly undead horse kept running around the area. Just an average day in the Mire, really.

Eventually, the horse either grew tired, or came to realize that its rider and her friends meant it no harm, and it slowed to a trot beside the statue. Without it stirring up the water, the corpses stopped coming and everyone could stop to catch their breath. Ellana put away her staff and slowly approached the horse once more.

"What do we do now? If there's a spirit inside it, we should make sure it's not really a demon, shouldn't we?"

[el_tybs]

"Oh, thank the Maker..." The corpses had finally stopped now that the horse had settled down and was just pawing at the ground near the statue. He was tired now that he wasn't throwing out spells and running through the mud, the adrenaline starting to leave his system. "Let's not do that again. Everyone alright?" Maria and Ellana looked fine, save for being tired and wet, but Nahariel seemed a bit shaken up. Granted she had been clinging for dear life on a dead spirit horse as it ran to and fro through the bog.

Sam waited a moment to approach and when he did it was with hesitant steps. Mostly because it felt like the damn thing was watching him, even if it didn't have any... eyes. Getting up close to it has the hairs on the back of his neck standing up. "Spirit... demon. Whichever it was before it isn't quite that anymore- wh-!" He jumps slightly when the damn thing bumps his shoulder with its nose.

[nofury]

This entire incident was going to be an interesting report to write up, to say the least. Sprinting through a mire after two mages and an elf on a demonic horse was a new one.

As the thing finally stops running and the others make their approach, Maria takes a cautious step forward as well, shield half raised just in case even as she goes to offer Nahariel a stable arm. Not a demon anymore wasn't the most reassuring thing, but given their circumstances it could have been worse.

"You've made a friend."

[nadasharillen]

Uncurling her fingers from the bony protrusions was more of a feat than Nahariel thought it would be, but after a few moments she managed it. She rubbed the joints with a wince, straightening up atop the horse, and chuckling when it bumps Sam's shoulder. "A strange one, but... surprisingly normal for a possessed horse with a sword through its head."

It shifted beneath her as she took Maria's offered arm to dismount.

"Do we have rope to use as a lead? Can use a belt if not," Nari said, shaking her head slightly, "It might be frightful looking, but... it's got power. And it might not tire like other horses. Might be a good mount for long distance messengers?"

She grinned. "Bandits aren't like to harass a lone messenger if their mount looks like this."

[serannas]

Despite its appearance, it seems to be a good horse -- or spirit in a dead horse. Whatever it is, Nahariel is right and Ellana has to vocalize her agreement.

"If the spirit holds the horse together, it probably has no need for food or rest, does it? I think we should at least bring it to show Scout Harding and see what she thinks."

[el_tybs]

"Yes, so I have," he drawls, raising a hand to push the thing's nose away, wrinkling his nose at the feel of it. Even with him doing that the horse is insistent and continues to prod at him. It's clear it wants something, but he can understand it even less then the other spirits that try to get his attention. At least it doesn't seem to feel the need to run off now.

"Even if it would be good for messengers just because it doesn't need to rest, eat or drink like other mounts, who would want to even ride it?" If bandits would think twice about attacking someone it, who in their right mind would want to be upon it's back.

"Bringing it to Scout Harding is probably best - will you stop... Someone might be interested in studying it."

[nofury]

"Poor Harding."

Maria severely doubted the woman had this in mind when she signed up for the Inquisition, but she's content to leave it up to the scout whether they put the wretched creature down or took it with them. Or at least leave it to the dwarf to write the report and get instructions.

"I've some leather I can put around the...sword."

She shook her head slightly as she stepped forward and used the thing's current fascination with Sam to tie a makeshift harness.

"Just what kind of spirit are we looking at?"

[nadasharillen]

[skip to Ellana's tag, since the question's for the mages. :) Nari's worn out but interested]

[serannas]

"Well," Ellana pauses to exchange a look with Sam. "My Keeper taught me about spirits. I'm no expert, but I know spirits of Hope rarely cross over from the Fade, so probably not that. There are spirits of Compassion, Wisdom, Justice, Valor. One of Justice or Valor could have entered this horse to keep the rider from dying in battle too?"

She pauses, shaking her head. "Though it wouldn't have to be so clearly defined, would it? It could be a simple spirit: a wisp."

[el_tybs]

"I think Ellana is right, it was probably a simple spirit," he nods, not putting up as much of a fight with the horse while Maria worked on tying it up. "Much like the ones that are possessing the corpses now. Confused, lost, and found something it could attach to."

It certainly wasn't a strong spirit, they normally didn't bother with this realm unless compelled by a person. A demon seemed less likely now, since a living host would have been better. "It's been like this for a long time though. I can sense it, but it's harder to understand then the others."

[nofury]

"Hm. Well, it's done the worst job at temptation I've ever seen. If it's secretly some demon in disguise."

Which is the closest she's getting to saying it's not a demon. That possibility must always stay open, but...well. She gave it a skeptical look, then glanced around to see if anyone else was interested in taking the 'reigns' of their new friend.

"I'll buy simple."

[nadasharillen]

"There was certainly a 'temptation' to roll off of it and let it run away," Nari quipped wryly, then winced as she rubbed a sore spot along her ribs that had been jammed repeatedly against the 'horse's bony back as it ran. "It's going to need a damn good saddle if it's to be anyone's mount, though. Even enough gait, but not a very even body."

She reached a hand out in an offer to take the makeshift reins from the Templar, "I'll take it. Then Sam and Ellana can look at it a bit more, and you're in better fighting shape than I am in case anything else stirs up." A chuckle. "What should we call it?"