Grimsages Exiled Lands IC (NSFW)

[Matariel]

The Hyrkanian was glad for an early warning, if they encountered a large predator unarmed their newfound freedom would be short lived indeed. She laid low with the others "Whoever is the most quiet should check this noise out. Else we might just give it a wide berth. Who is confident enough to scout this out?"

 

[Silverbird]

Citra shook her head, silently declining to volunteer, and folded her arms as she moved to wait in the shade of one of the pieces of protruding stone ruin. The Zamorian could move quietly enough when she had cause, but she wasn't so overconfident as to believe she could safely sneak up on some unknown beast without being detected — and besides, if one of the others did feel so confident, she was happy to let them be the one to risk their neck.

 

[Cherubian]

"I will check what this is" the Stygian ex-Raider whispered, barely audible, as her ears already focused on the sounds ahead.

She took a minute to to scan the stone tablets and other natural obstacles to map out the best route to approach, the one that would give her the most cover. Once that was settled on she seamlessly fell into her ould routine from days youre, dropped into a crouch and soundlessly(?) advanced.

 

[Grimsage Matt]

The raider moved up the slope and the stairs with no sound, no shifting of the sands or loose stones, her feet able to avoid all things that would give her away. There, she beheld the ruined remains of a courtyard, arches on the northern side, as a creature feasted on what seemed to be a man. The creature resembled a the mixture of a great bat and man in some strange and terrible ways, as ears swiveled and the monster's head rose from its feast.

Upwards did it move, standing at its full height, wings spread out as the gore drenched muzzle opened and a shriek rang out. It was at once something hollow and mocking and chilling, managing to carry a depth of malevolence that bit into the soul, even as legs bents, wings slammed down and it leaped into the sky, winging its way to the north-east, even if it was soon out of sight from the ground.

​

In the wake of the beasts departure, it was silent, save for the gentle sighing of the wind over the sand, and the quiet background of insects going about their lives in the shrubbery.

 

[Cherubian]

Asenath ducked behind what cover she had managed to find that shielded her from the creature, observing the man beast or moster or whatever it was in silence until its dramatic departure. Unce it was no more than a speck inthe sky she just as silently emerged from her hiding place to return to her current comrades.

"This land is home to strange denizens" she commented, flatly. "Half man, half giant bat. It is gone now, though, so we can proceed. And check the belongings of his victim, while we are at it ..."

 

[Matariel]

The Hyrkanian let out a soft sigh, looking at Asenath "Giant man-bat-thing?" She asked and made a quick, tribal sign to ward off evil. No real power or magic behind it, only mere superstition.

"It is obvious now we will need weapons as urgently as we need water and food. For now let us just be glad the beast is gone. Shall we move on?"

 

[Silverbird]

Citra wordlessly nodded her agreement with Marhyan's words, and mentally added 'shelter' to the Hyrkanian's list. If even the skies housed threats around here, then it would not be wise to remain out in the open too long — and that was to say nothing of the relentless heat of the sun.

Though she had not seen the bat-creature up close herself, its departing cry reminded her of the strange monstrosities her former master had sometimes seen fit to chain and bring into the lower depths of his home. Some had been experiments, others tools or sources of twisted entertainment. All had been deadly. The thought that similar beasts roamed these sands freely was not encouraging...

She pushed that thought from her mind. There was nothing to be gained by worrying. Instead, she focused on the rest of Asenath's discovery. Another body might be a sign that a settlement, or some other group of people, was nearby; though it could also be another lost wanderer like themselves. The Zamorian started up the slope to join Asenath and see this victim for herself.

 

[Tenshi]

Carmen clutched nervously at her improptu dagger as the beast was described. "how horid," seh whispered. "I guess... Let's go see what this creatures unfortunate victim may have left us."

The Sienna skinned girl headed down and around to check out the savaged remains.