Log:Dirty Dreams

Dirty Dreams
Keep alert. I would expect trouble of one kind or another.
Participants Omar Thorn, Paige, Saulot	5 April, 2017 Singing Sky turned out to be a wash for many reasons, and as such things are turned further east. The Bloody Hob Marsh is the next destination for the Harvestmen. It's a disgusting place to be sure, but their luck could always turn around. Hopefully. Where hope would fail, Lieutenant Thorn will be leading the charge through these dangerous lands. Part of Real Estate.
Location Soggy Hob Marsh
It's later into the evening, and difficult to see who or what may be out here in turn. The rain falls, and further obfuscates the journey of the Harvestmen while allowing the same for any would-be troublemakers. The marsh is already painfully difficult to traverse, but the rainfall serves as a greater deterrent. However, there's work to be done. From what information Byron could gather the place is rich with Hobs of one flavor or another. The most troublesome are the wisps. Small, ethereal things that live of to the more mundane myths whose sole purpose is to lead travelers to their impending doom. The marsh peoples are the most numerous, and split into several smaller tribes that separate themselves by culture and markings often hidden away behind caked up mud. Were it not for the rain they would've been easy enough to spot due in part to the repugnant odor they leave in their wake. Most obvious of all is that the marsh is rife with briar wolves. A bit of mud offers camouflage and the many trees offer many a hiding place when hunting down fresh prey. It's not the ideal location. If he had a choice, Thorn wouldn't want to be mucking around a marsh, but duty calls and he has his orders and a mission to accomplish. His lack of weaponry and apparent armor doesn't mean he views the terrain as perfectly safe. No, it's simply a lack of equipment combined with an unerring confidence in his martial skills. Or something. At the edge of the marsh, he calls a halt for his squad of Harvestmen, eyes narrowing as he squints into the mist and takes a look around. Not much to see, but plenty is going to be out there. "Keep alert. I would expect trouble of one kind or another." he rumbles without looking to his sides or back to the others. "Stay tight. Paige." he gestures her up beside him with a flick of his wrist. "Take point." Paige has come prepared for...well, anything she can think of, really. She's got a backpack full of gear, and a knife at either hip. A raincoat was found somewhere and is tossed on, but it doesn't do a whole lot of good. And it's certainly not helping the hedge-falcon perched on her shoulder. Poor birdie. But they're both watching, keeping an eye out for possible dangers. And at least Paige's nose wrinkles at the smell left behind from the marsh people. "I always expect trouble," she tells Thorn with a quick grin. She eases up at Thorn's last words and moves past him, the tiny ogre taking point without a question, while her hands hover near the hilts of her knives. The trod itself is difficult to navigate due to the flora present, and the rain only exacerbates matters. However, the pair of Harvestmen are able to make their way through. There lies a path to the north, but the wisps lighting that trail betray certain danger. Things to the south are a pain to go through. There's nary a bit of open space, and the trees make it difficult to see everything that lies ahead. A howl can be heard in the distance, soon followed by a canine chorus that howls in tandem. Luckily, it's in the opposite direction they've went, and the only signs of life beyond themselves are markings carved into the trees. To the east and up the trees they can see makeshift housing that looks to be empty. To the west several once used pyres can be seen, but it's impossible to tell their last use from how far away they are. Further south the path narrows, and at its end is a cave that goes into the mountain. The pace is slow and plodding, which is how Thorn seems to like it. Plodding about slowly and taking great care to do things properly rather than quickly. He is a methodical man. The howls make his head tilt but he can tell they're the other way. Something to be aware of, but not be concerned about for the moment. "Hold up." he calls the halt and looks in the directions that seem most likely. Wolves behind, likely hob settlements to the east and west, perhaps unused or abandoned. Cave to the south. That seems the most promising. "Let's go south." a pause as he looks east and west again, eyes narrowed slightly, "If those are both abandoned sites, might have hobs in the cave." the ogre grunts and lifts his chin southwards, "Let's go over anyhow. Move out." really, they're unncessary orders but he enjoys the military aesthetic. Paige doesn't seem to mind the pace either, or being at the front of the group where an attack might come first. Still, she holds when Thorn calls out and she glances back at him, then around. "If we find the caves are inhabited, we can always try those things in the trees," she says, nodding and turning south. And given the howl they heard? Well, she does draw one of her knives, just to be safe, while the falcon mutters in her ear. Probably complaining about the rain. A peal of thunder echoes from above, and a bolt of lightning strikes a tree in the distance. The torrent of rain stops any potential fires, but the smell of smoldering wood impregnates the air. The cave they near offers protection from the rain. It smells of Thorn does a fair job of ignoring the elements and the natural impediments to their progress. Onward! So he ignores the lightning and the smell of burning wood and instead focuses on the cave before them. "Yeah." he offers to Paige in response, nodding. "Footprints. And you hear that?" turning his head, he covers the ear away from the cave opening to prevent too much ambient noise from distracting him. Face furrowed in concentration as he listens to the chittering, he finally grunts. "A chittering cave with evidence of habitation. Well." he is typically a decisive sort and so after only a few seconds consideration, he steps in front of Paige and moves toward the cave opening. "Let's go in then we'll check the buildings. Be ready. I don't like the idea of going in through here too much. But we will." "I'll provide the light." heat radiates off him due to his mantle, of course, but as he steps into the darkness of the cave, he suddenly bursts into light. Paige, as a stout member of the Court of Wrath, probably won't mind the sudden brightness of the noonday sun. Thorn doesn't mind it either and now the way is lit. Of course, what's inside may mind the sudden infusion of bright light in all directions. Paige doesn't mind the light, but then, she's no creepy Darkling! "That's better," she murmurs, stepping a little closer to him, and to the side, so she can peer beyond him and into the dark. Her knife remains out, just in case. She's a cautious sort, and prepared for something to come flying out at them. The cave clearly is home to something else. While there are no such markings or notations of civilization around they can make out something scratched into the right side of the cave's wall: GET OUT. There is sign of life here, though. Webbing can be seen splayed here and there with bits of it hanging from the ceilings and walls in tatters. Further in, however, the webbing proves to be an obstacle they'll have to remove to get through. Thorn looks to one side at Paige after seeing the words scratched into the wall. "I'm inclined to take that warning to heart." there's nothing cowardly in the statement or the lieutenant, just pragmatic. Two Harvestmen in combat within tight quarters against one large or several many medium or small spiders? They don't have the manpower at the moment. Thorn falls silent for a while, keeping near the cave mouth and looking around to see if anything else catches his eye. Nothing does, but he gives Paige time to do her own observing, "Webs, chittering. Some sort of arachnid hedgebeast or many of them. If we end up here, might be we could clear it out. Or seal it in." he pauses, looking at Paige once more, "What are you thinking?" The words aren't new, but an exact dating is difficult to make out. The footprints found in the earth don't help much at all, but there's one pair the gives a manner of insight. Whomever carved that into the cave wall wasn't too tall or had some particularly tiny feet. Additionally, the faint of those prints has no wetness too them despite the rainfail and snow of the last few months. All things considered this was set here sometime during the summer of last year. "Mmm...The scratching on the wall doesn't seem new, but there's still definitely something here," Paige says, glancing toward the back of the cave. "I'd rather not clear out inhabitants unless they threaten the freehold though, so...wanna check out those trees?" As Paige concurs with him, Thorn nods and turns. Headed for the mouth of the cave and back out to the rain and muck, the ogre dims the bright light around him some to avoid drawing undue attention when not needed. Still, he's a little bright than normal, just muted from the darkness of the cave. They've gone south along the narrowing path and now they head north with the intention of trudging toward the eastern housing. Now they seem the most promising locale in the dreary swamp. Paige heads out of the cave, lifting her free hand to absently touch the falcon, reassuring him before she steps back out into the rain. "Hopefully we dont' find any signs of recent inhabitants there. I really want us to find a good place to set up camp. Be nice to have a place that's /ours/," she says, trudging along beside Thorn. The way back isn't difficult to find. Looking straight up is difficult with the rain, and from what they can see below there isn't much in the way of anything up there. However, they can make out the little pitter patter of feet moving amongst the many houses. They move in synch with the storm, and it doesn't take a genius to realize that whatever is up there is doing so intentionally. Thorn dims his light as much as he is able, keeping his voice low, "But a hob and spider-infested marsh?" he leaves it at that and falls completely silent as they make their final approach to the grouping of houses. "Sounds like inhabitants. Have they seen us?" he crouches down as if that will help much. "Go sneak a peek." obviously, he's not a stealthy sort. "Just take a look and try to remain unseen for now." his expression is mildly disappointed that the exploration he is leading doesn't yield immediate results. Maybe it has to do a little with the rain, but with spider(s) in the cave and raindancing hobs, he seems doubtful of a successful location. Paige grins at Thorn. "I don't mind spiders too much. And does sound like they have. Maybe are tracking us. Hunter, hang out with Thorn for a sec," she says, and the falcon flies off her shoulder and over to the big guy, landing on him if allowed. Paige presses a hand about the top of her sternum then...dissipates. Literally. Well, he said be unseen, and she's certainly that now! And as a living breeze, she goes to investigate. The makeshift homes made of vines and wood count a little over a dozen at fifteen. Adorned on the threshold of each are carvings, although their exact meanings are difficult to interpret. Most of them, at least, appear to symbolize the various creatures native to this area of the near hedge. These homes belong to hobs that'd stand about as high as an average person's waist. They're clearly humanoid, although much of their visage is difficult to discern with all the mud covering their bodies. As expected they move in rhythm with the rain, and appear to be preparing for conflict. A few can be seen with spears or knives, but the vast majority carry bows as they await something unknown. Thorn remains as out of sight as he can, waiting patiently in the rain for Paige to complete her reconnaissance of the little hob village. In the meantime, he keeps his eyes and ears out for any potential threats. Especially wolves. Paige watches for a minute or two before she returns to Thorn and the others, moving more quickly than she could if she was solid. "They're inhabited. Hobs shorter than me, armed. Bows mostly, but not only. They seem to be waiting to be attacked. So...probably not a good choice for us," she says, her voice, well, airy in her current form. Thorn considers for a few moments, looking up where the village is then back over to the south and the cave and then turning about some to peer into the west where the pyres are. His silence lasts for a time, the wheels turning in his mind as he thinks things out. "You good with hobs?" the question comes as he's slowly rising to his feet. "Let's go say hello. At the very least we can figure out what's going on - maybe - and get a lay of the land. Figure out what they're gearing up for." he smiles faintly as he begins to walk toward the village, "Hopefully they're not getting ready for war with us." the ogre lets out a bark of a laugh and proceeds toward the hobs, trying to look friendly. Maybe he should have sent Paige first. "Not too bad," comes the voice from the air, literally, one that keeps pace with Thorn, while the falcon tries to spot her in the air. "Be very careful, approach slowly. I don't want them putting an arrow in you. Or any of you. Do you want me to stay unseen or go back to normal?" The downpour doesn't make climbing an easy task. Through a bit of effort the Ifrit's able to make it up to the balconies of those homes in the canopies. However, he isn't welcomed with open arms or flowers. He's met with several arrowheads pointed his way from mud-covered hobs all staring him down. "Border-breaker," one calls to Thorn." He steps forward, and on the caked up mud is a chevron painted over its face. "Here for blood, or something to make another of your trinkets?!" "Go back to normal. Let them see you. I think we'll be fine." whether it's true confidence or just a brave front is irrelevant. Thorn appears perfectly calm and collected as he begins the ascent to the hob village, moving along slowly and making sure his footing is secure. The goal is to move slowly, be careful, let the hobs see him and look nonthreatening. As nonthreatening as he can. Hands out to the sides. He has neither weapons nor armor but those Warmasters always look a bit dangrous. He remains calm for now as he's met with arrowheads. This is all right for the moment. Hands held out now, he avoids smiling. That might not work. "Neither." he insists, a tone of truthfulness since it's the truth. "Searching. I heard you and grew concerned you might be in danger." he addresses this to the chevron-emblazoned hob that must come up to somewhere around his thighs. "If I'm intruding, I will go in peace." Paige starts to nod but...no head at the moment, not really. So instead she materializes beside Thorn and smiles, looking as unthreatening as possible. And hey, she's cute! How hard can it be? "We're not here to hurt anyone. And like he said, we can totally go if you don't want us here. We're just looking for a home. Yours is already taken, so we'll look elsewhere. But like he said, if you're in danger..." The leader lowers their bow, and the rest of the hobs do so in turn. The weapons aren't put away, but the threat against the Harvestmen's lives is gone for now. "What say you about this home? Most of your people leave this place alone. They stick to the path or die to a white light's trap. Only we and the others live here. The rest are beasts, but can trust a beast." "A place to establish ourselves." Thorn isn't going to get into the details at the moment. The ogre lowers his hands but keeps them in plain sight to avoid any misunderstandings that might turn him into a pincushion full of arrows. "Tell me about the others." that seems an obvious topic to discuss and refocuses the conversation back to the hobs rather than what the two Lost are up to. "We saw the pyres back the other direction. We saw the cave and avoided it." "You can. Beasts don't tend to lie. No point, no need and they just don't think of it," Paige says, still smiling as she nods. "What were you guys preparing to fight though? It wasn't us, was it? Because we really, really don't wanna start any trouble. No point in it, you know?" The hob shakes his head to the negative, and in the process sends rain about. "We're always ready. One of your kind said you'd be out here to take us as your kind usually does." To that it spits off to the side. "This is Awk clan," it announces with an obvious measure of pride that revereberates throughout the lot of them. "The fire sticks are the Eef clan's, and traps for your kind. You won't see them. Redv calls the caves home. Why do you wish to call the marshes home?" Thorn listens with clear interest, keeping his attention focused on what he has decided to call the sergeant. Chevron. "It is an honor to meet the Awk clan." it would be an honor to meet the Eef clan as well if they had gone over that way. The ogre inclines his head in what he considers to be a respectful nod. "We're not here to take you. Are the Eef clan less friendly than you?" he asks, looking around at the other hobs briefly, "We don't necessarily want to call the marshes home. Especially if you live here and we would be intruding. We are just exploring the local area for potential locations. I don't think this is an ideal location." Paige smiles brightly. "It is, it's a great honor. And like we said, we don't want to start any trouble with you guys. Live and let live is my motto. Unless you attack me or mine, I won't attack you. Which also means no taking your homes. No taking your people. You've never done anything to us." The marshes are an overall large place, but the danger is rather evident. "We do not care where you go so long as you leave us to our dsires. No bloodshed, and we will allow you pass or to put up whatever walls your kind uses. Your kind that was here was certain you would have many more waiting to destroy us as we do prey." His eyes narrow, a judging look to Paige and Thorn. "We do not speak for the other clans. Only for ourselves."