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

[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?"