The Bridge to Nowhere

[Zilfer]

Preceding down the road it takes a few twists and turns. There appears to be signs of traffic though the amount is hard to tell. After walking for about two hours in that direction you come to a camp along the side of the road where it looks like four figures was sitting around a fire in broad daylight. They seem to be taking a break from their travels. One sits on a stump while another stands looking into the fire. The two others are trying to outdo each other at arm wrestling on another stump each smiling at the other as they continue to best another.

“Well there’s people here for sure it seems,” says Lin starting to head that way, she seems confident that she could handle the situation, and with the longsword at her side few would say differently.

Sentinel Angelo remained with the bulk of the group still examining the surroundings as if he expected something to jump out from behind the large rocks lining the path you had taken. Though alert his mind seems elsewhere.

“She likes to take charge I see,” said Dexter to Terik as he crossed his arms he seemed content to watch what exchange was about to go down.

“Look all I’m saying is those two have been at it for hours now, we should get a move on,” said the one sitting down. One of the arm wrestlers looks over grunting a bit. “No we can’t until we settle this! I almost have him!”

“You’ve almost had him for an hour!” Suddenly the tides turn to the other side as the second man seems to gain the upper hand in a sudden surge of strength. “Slow and steady wins the race my friend!”

“This isn’t over yet!” they banter back and forth to each other.

“Hail, and well met,” says Lin as she approached. The two seem to engrossed in their arm wrestling match to notice, but the standing one who had yet to speak takes off a hat to her.

“Hail and well met my lady, what brings you and your companions here? We are just waiting for these two fools to finish their little charade so we can move on,” said the man scratching his beard.

“Where are you all headed from and to?” she asked, though none of them really seemed apt to respond right away but eventually the bearded man caved in. “We’re from Draken trying to get as far away from it as possible.”

“Something wrong there?” asked Lin, and the two near the fire looked at each other for a moment but said nothing.

[VAN]

Terik always admires determination. She leans to Dexter and says:

"I bet she has these two that do the arm wrestling is she wants and if they try anything she would just chop their arms off...Lets go closer."

Listening that these people are actually leaving Draken Terik's curiosity kicks in so he joined Lin.

"I'm sorry I happened to overhear your discussion. You said that you actually leaving Draken? May I ask why? We are actually heading there and for sure we would like to know what is going on and if is actually safe to go there."

[Metaflux]

Listening in on the conversation, Tammerin also percieved their clothing and etiquette in an effort to see if he knew where they might have been from. In the cleric's thoughts, if they were running away from Draken, and these men were travelers, they might have experienced the black door as well. Noticing what region they may have come from previous to Draken might be useful.

[Zilfer]

He doesn't seem to forthcoming with his answer but with a little prodding from everyone. "Look there's talk of people disappearing and the dead walking... something in Draken doesn't sit right with me. The folks around here crucified a false priest of some foreign order for sniffing around the graveyards, If I were you I'd steer clear," said the man.

Angelo's eyes narrowed at the mentioning of the false priest. Though it still does not stir him to speak. Though it is clear that he took interest in that comment alone. “Yes... well perhaps we should be on our way?” suggested Dexter looking at Angelo's intense look.

"I can’t say the same these two don’t show signs of stopping any time soon,” said the man looking back at his two companions who suddenly stood up letting go of each other’s hands and turned towards everyone with the same smile on both their faces.

“We’re done, it’s time to be moving on!”

The standing man remains slack jawed for a good moment before the one sitting on the stump stands up slapping his legs in the process. “Well you heard him! Lets get a move on before they find some other joke to play.”

[Metaflux]

"False priest, you say?" A shiver ran down Tammerin's spine as he remembered the many burnings he had witnessed in his experience as a priest. "Well, if we were to go into town, what could you tell us to prevent the populace from potentially hating us, besides not going to Draken?"

[Zilfer]

"They worship some being named Tobi. Not sure I didn't stick around long enough to find out after seeing that. Good luck, but we really must be going." said the man getting his pack together and starting to walk off. The two men that had been arm wrestling stare at you two for a moment smiling in union and then walk off hand in hand after the other two companions.

[VAN]

Terik raises an eyebrow at the mention of the false priest and was glad Tammerin asked about him. The wizard has heard of lands where especially arcane magic is banned and wizards get burnt and figures that same thing can happen with divine magic as well. The freedom to worship which deity you want was a benefit of very few people and only in certain lands. The usual line was "you are or with us or without us"..."

Seeing the group depart Terik raises his voice so they can hear him and asks:

"Can you tell us where are you heading? You know in case we have to leave Draken as well..."

[Zilfer]

"Far away from here as possible!" comes back the yell as two of the men burst out laughing at some joke or another.

"Well that was interesting...." said Lin watching them leave and then turning back to the others. "So what do you think, we continue on? Keep any of our faith's close to the chest?"

[Metaflux]

"That would seem best. I'd like to investigate this town, simply because when the men mentioned a 'being', never has a god or divine presence been truly recorded in the history of the realms, unless you count the many scriptures and lore on religious matters. Then, Gods are as common as the men who worship them. What are your thoughts, though? My view is rather narrow, and anything you might have to say on the matter is still quite relevant and valued."

[VAN]

Terik looks the group of men leaving for few seconds, something about them is bothering him but he can't put his finger on yet. Turning his head to look Tammerin as the religion discussion started he says:

"Well, I say press on to Draken before gets dark. Once there we will see what we will do. As far as I know people actually need deities, they need to worship someone more powerful than them, hope that this someone will help them in case of need and many times believe that if they don't worship this god instead of another they will be punished. I'm not that much a religion person but I do have faith and worship as well a bit. Everyone needs to believe that a greater being is looking for them."

[Zilfer]

The travel along the road is uneventful enough though the road’s condition is unlike most of the roads that King Azalin pays to have constantly maintained. Rough with holes along the road, you make your way through the misty day. It is a few hours before you come to a clearing, where the tree’s part and you can see a city in the distance small on the horizon a wall lifting up into the air and closed gates.

A figure comes running out of the woods seemingly out of breath! Somewhere in the distance behind him you can hear a crowd of something coming your way, though the tree’s current obscure whatever it is that is coming!

Dexter looks curiously in that direction, while Lin’s reaction is more immediate is to draw the shield off her back and place a hand on her hilt. Angelo just stares calmly off into the direction the man had been running from. "Now what?" asks Dexter crossing his arms.

[VAN]

"Trouble I'm afraid. Better be ready."

Following his own advice Terik goes few steps back so he whatever is coming will not get close to him fast and puts a bolt at his crossbow.

[ash]

Fox was taking deep breaths as he sprinted through the forest. He couldn't keep this up much longer. His legs burned from his constant dodging of trees, as well as trying to keep up his speed. He wasn't carrying half the items he use to have, but even his lighter load was enough to weigh him down enough to tire him before he even managed to run a mile.

His former companions were killed by the pack of things behind him. From what he could hear over his breathing and bootsteps, the gang went down in numbers, but it wasn't something he would care to take on himself. But luck seemed to be on this mans side. He could see a clearing up ahead, along with a group of people. He barely saw them before he broke through to the clearing, turning so he didn't run head on into them.

Woah, commin through!

Fox almost tripped, but managed to keep on his feet. He took a deep breath, steadying himself as he finally stopped running, but his adrenalin was still pumping. His dark eyes held a sharpness to them, but the sly smile on his face showed him to not be a stranger to danger. That still didn't mean he was stupid enough to fight against stacked numbers.

Yea. As a forewarning, there is a pack of ghouls heading up this way... Mind if I get a wee bit of help in dealing with them?

At saying this, Fox pointed with his left hand in the direction he just came from. With his right, he drew his bastard sword slowly from his back. If they said no, he would simply stow his sword away and keep running, but the ghouls would come right through here anyway, and, at least from what he could see, the fair elf maiden seemed ready for the fight. The same could be said by the man with a crossbow.

[VAN]

Terik looks at the man who was running full speed towards them .It was clear that ge was trying to avoid something or someone...His question was answered immediately when he comes closer and warned them for the approaching undead.

"Hello, not the best timing too meet mind you but I'm Terik. Now how many are the ghouls? Oh and sorry for that."

Not giving the newcomer time to reply the wizards waves his hands in a specific pattern and enchants few words in Draconic. A barely vusible grey hue appears and covers the wizard's body.

'I know that most people aren't used to magic but I'm sure that with ghouls coming this will be the last of your problem."

[Metaflux]

With a mighty roar from the depths of his bellows, Tammerin unsheathed his mighty greatsword with one hand, and in the other, raised his flaming holy symbol towards the sky. A voluminous light cascaded the full height of the paladin, making him glow with a brilliance matching only the sunrise of dawn.

"THE UNLIVING HORDE?! PRAISE THE SUN! LET MY JUDGEMENT PURIFY THEIR CORRUPTED SOULS AND WASH AWAY THEIR SINS!"