[Game Thread] A Pulse

[Lixy Parmenter]

Reluctantly nodding in agreement, Larissa puts her slender frame to use in assisting Aetius. "Are you both still alive? Try not to get caught on anything."

[julian]

A sigh of relief escaped Tulis' lips as he watched the last of the large eagles fall. That could've been bad, he said to himself. You guys ain't no amateurs, that's for damn sure, the swordsman called out as a way of thanks to the group above him. I owe you. I'd hope for a chance to repay ya but I don't think any of us want to be fighting for our lives again. How's about a drink when we get back? Sheathing his sword, Tulis looked back at Varudo. Let's get up this thing. Won't feel safe til my feet are on solid ground.

[Paul the Bald]

When he was a boy Gavin had once broken his arm falling from a hay loft, although the memory of the pain had faded with the years, he did not think it had been anything like what he was feeling now. Blood still dripped under his armor, and though the mithril had saved him from having his arm ripped off, there was still enough damage to make him wince as he took hold of the rope with Aetius and Larissa.

He tried not to groan out loud as they pulled up their companions. When the two were up safely he sat down heavily on the ground and gingerly pulled off his armor. He looked over the chain and saw that it were only scratched; the claws of the giant eagle had managed to catch under the collar and dig into flesh. He dug through his pack to find something to bind the wound.

The chain shirt he folded neatly and placed into his pack for the time being. It had been part of his inheritance. His father had owned it although he had never talked about where he had obtained it. After his death Gavin had found the mail and other weapons and odds and ends that suggested his father had been a soldier at one time. Why he had never talked about it Gavin didn't know.

[Lixy Parmenter]

Once everyone has been pulled to the top of the cliff, Larissa produces a small oak wand with a flourish and a grin. "If anyone needs has any wounds they'd like me to take a look at..."

[Paul the Bald]

"Uh, the eagle did do a tiny bit of damage when it shredded my shoulder. Not that I'm complaining or anything." He smiles at Larissa, but winces suddenly as a piercing pain from the wound shoots through him.

[Lixy Parmenter]

"Hold on then, I'll get that," Larissa tells Gavin. Clearly pleased to be so useful to the rest of the party today, the tiefling

Dice Use Magic Device:

1d20+11

(14)+11

Total = 25

mutters a few obscure words and swishes the wand a bit, ending by touching the tip of the wand lightly to Gavin's wound. The wand and the wound both glow slightly, and the wound begins to

Dice Healingz:

1d8+1

(7)+1

Total = 8

heal itself with supernatural speed, leaving only a sore and inflamed patch in it's place. Looking at Tulis' visible injury, she asks, "You're sure you don't want me to do something about that?"

"If not, we should get going again, unless someone wants to make one of those birds up for dinner." Larissa coils the rope back up from the climb and gets ready to move back out.

[Paul the Bald]

Gavin pokes and prods at what was once a bloody mess. The pain is gone. More magic. He feels almost overwhelmed with the wonderment of it. Nothing in his life compares to the last few days in terms of frightening excitement. He feels invincible at the moment, but tries to keep the amazement out of his face and voice.

"Thanks, Larissa," he says humbly, looking down at his feet. "That was...terrific. Thanks," he finishes awkwardly, not having any real experience at continuing a conversation with...anyone for sure, but certainly not with a young woman, and definitely not with a woman of a different race.

[julian]

Far be it for me to turn away help when offered, laughed Tulis as he watched the wounds on Gavin disappear. He was pleased to see his earlier estimation of Larissa had been close to the mark. I got twice the years Artren here's got. he said smiling. I ain't modest or proud. Need me to take anything off?

[Lixy Parmenter]

"Keep your clothes on Tulis, and don't get your hopes up. I don't 'lay on hands'," Larissa jokes. She

Dice Use Magic Device:

1d20+11

(14)+11

Total = 25

repeats the procedure with her wand, and the wand and the wound once again

Dice Cure Light Wounds:

1d8+1

(4)+1

Total = 5

glow with healing energy. The healing, however, is less complete than Gavin's, and Larissa shakes her head. "While I'm playing doctor, I might as wel try that again..."

Dice Use Magic Device:

1d20+11

(2)+11

Total = 13

With a gesture and a few words, a frustrated look, and then

Dice Use Magic Device:

1d20+11

(11)+11

Total = 22

another gesture and a word in draconic, the wand pours

Dice Cure Light Wounds:

1d8+1

(3)+1

Total = 4

forth more healing power. "That should do it," Larissa declares with a satisfied nod.

[julian]

Trust me that ain't something you gotta worry about with me. Uh uh. I'm reaching that age where I can finally be ruled by logic and reason. Tulis gestured off into the horizon absentmindedly while he spoke. The swordsman's excited voice helped mask the nervousness he was feeling right now. It wasn't that he didn't trust magic, it was that it was still very foreign to him and foreign things always made him a bit uncomfortable. All of that stuff I lost when I turned 13? Common sense. Any and all awareness of self and others. Yeah, that stuff? On its way back.

Before he could continue his spiel, the healing magic began to take effect. Oh- grunted Tulis caught off guard by how suddenly it had happened. One moment he was his normal seld and the next it felt as if someone had poured cold water into his veins (cold, brisk water spilling over his insides like a crisp winter morning). The healing magic spread throughout his body in distinct pulses as if riding the beating of his heart. It wasn't until the last wave rode through him that Tulis spoke again. I can scratch whatever that ways off my bucket list. Damn...I feel-

The swordsman moved his arms around as if testing to see if his joints were working as they should. Finding them adequate he switched to his knees, squatting and standing again, waiting for the normal pop that had always accompanied that movement. To Tulis' surprise it didn't come. I feel great! I owe you, Larissa.

[Nasrith]

Varudo was the last to be healed by Larissa's magic. With one swift flick of the object, the gash on his leg was prepared and he thanked her graciously. With that, they were all ready to keep moving.

The mountain wasn't any easier to climb higher up. The shear rock faces seemed to stretch on forever as, hour after hour, the party struggled up Ironridge towards their ultimate goal. They sidled along ridges, crawled between jutting rocks, and pulled themselves up the mountain, little by little coming closer to the cave. The air chilled considerably by the time the darkness came, both because the sun had disappeared and because they were much higher up than they had been at the beginning of the day. Still, they were drenched in sweat when they retired for the night.

25th Day of the Lucky Moon in the Year 628 - Mid-Day - In Sight of the Cave

This was the party's third day on the mountain. They had scaled Ironridge, one of the most renowned mountains of the entire Divide, without all but basic equipment. Magic had aided them as well; Larissa was able to repair and prevent most of the would-be wounds.

Warm breath turned to heavy mist in the frigid air around them. Sometime on the second day of the climb, it had been decided that they had better bundle up as best they could before the air, growing colder the higher they went, took a heavier toll on their bodies than any fight ever had. Their muscles ached from the exertion of their collective feat.

Aetius pulled himself up over a snowy ledge with the aid of his grappling hook. The particular drift of snow that he had stepped into was deeper than expected, and he faltered. Catching his balance after a few clumsy, tired steps, he looks up.

Ahead of him, beyond all belief, is the cave the party has came all this way to find. It opens its gaping mouth a dozen tantalizing meters ahead of him, promising a relief from the cold and from the climbing. This idea is so prevalent, so welcoming, it makes the knowledge that the dark stomach of Ironridge holds many dangers of its own slip just beyond conscious thought.

[Lixy Parmenter]

Clinging to the side of the mountain below him, Larissa watched Aetius climb over yet another ledge and then come to a stop. Much less agile without the aid of her magic, Larissa opted for a policy of caution and self preservation, trusting in her companions to aid her over the more mundane difficulties and only using her limited arcane powers under exceptional circumstances. Bundled in furs and with her face hidden behind a large scarf, she shouts, "Is it the enterance? Are we there?"

[julian]

Looks like it, answered Tulis grateful to have actual ground underneath his feet again. It meant he'd be able to make use of his footwork and agility again. And that he wouldn't be bait for giant birds which was, of course, a definite plus.

The swordsman exposed the hilt of his sword from behind his traveler's cloak (having doned it in hopes of fighting the cold) and placed his right hand over it. Arten, Aetius. Either of you gentlemen wanna take point. My eyes ain't the sharpest they could be and what with you two being archer's and all.

[Oceanic]

"Alas, my fellow travelers, relief from the bitter cold and relentless wind is near." Aetius tried to speak over the howling wind. Spying the magi struggling with the rope, he extended his hand to help them up. Then, the ranger dropped his hood, which had been keeping him warm since early morning, to get a Spot 25 (15) for dangerbetter view of their surrounding.

Thankfully, he was not the only one in the party to remain wary of their situation. Tulis, his hand already on the sword hilt, was squinting at the cave entrance against the dazzling white snow. He nodded in response to the swordsman's concern and moved to point, which felt as natural as walking to him. "We are likely not the only creatures to think this cave is a great place to take shelter. Up here only the most ferocious of beasts survive, so don't let your guards down." Aetius glanced back one last time to make sure no one had fallen off the cliff when they weren't looking, then made for the entrance into the heart of the infamous Ironridge.

[Paul the Bald]

The exertion of the climb had kept his body at a comfortable temperature, but as soon as he climbs over the ledge and stands, marveling at their surroundings, the beauty of the mountain, the smallness of the lands below them, he suddenly feels his body temperature drop as the coldness of the air penetrates his cloak like a dagger. He shivers so violently he thinks his body is going to shake apart.

He is about to jog to the cave when Aetius gives his warning. Something he should have thought of himself. He silently takes up a position at the back of the party, though he doesn't think any danger could come from behind them.