Paths of Eriador Free RP

[Rillewen]

@Rune Eisahn

Daedhrochon
"Daed"
In camp a short ways off of the North-South Road

It had been a long day for the weary ranger, trekking for hours through the woods from one place to another, (for he rarely used the road) only to find not what he was looking for, and having to go to yet another place to find the person he was told to talk to. And then that turned out to be a wild goose chase, as that person didn't have the answers he sought, and so he was annoyed and felt that his entire day had been wasted by the time he gave up for the rest of the day. Tired and hungry, and without any provisions left, Daed had used his skills and patience to capture a measly little critter which he still had to cook. Having acquired a little meat now, next he must find a suitable place to build a fire, where it would not draw unwanted attention, and so on. It was some time later before he had found a place and built his fire. His stomach, meanwhile, was protesting more and more at this long wait before being fed.

Daed was busy skinning the small rabbit he'd managed to snare when he heard the sound of fighting. It was nearby, and brought a frown to his face as he looked up from his work. What could that be? Listening for a moment, he looked down at what would be his supper, and first meal of the day at that, then sighed, covered it with a blanket to keep flies off, and hoped nothing would snatch it in his absence. Taking up his sword from where it lay resting beside him, the ranger set off with all stealth, following the sound to the source to discover what might be going on. It had better be worth putting off his supper a little longer.

Arriving near the edge of the road, Daed stood hidden behind a large oak tree, observing the scene before him with a raised eyebrow. He watched one man fighting several, and was rather impressed by how well the one man handled himself. Daed's keen grey eyes took in the rest of the details; the single fighter appeared to be a traveler, judging by the wagon nearby, and the other mismatched, disheveled men looked to be scavengers, bandits, or some other such troublemakers. Whatever you called them, they were up to no good, and Daed frowned deeper as he watched. He had arrived, it seemed, just in time to hear the leader calling out,
"What are you useless louts waiting for?! There's only one of him, remember!"

At that, Daed again raised an eyebrow and felt a smirk tug at his mouth. He decided now would be a great time to surprise these outlaws by revealing himself, and so he emerged from the woods, sword drawn as he called out, "Halt!" He was relieved to see that it had worked; in their surprise, the outlaws stopped in their tracks. Daed spoke before they had a chance to react, "It seems you ought to learn to count," the ranger informed the bandit who had thus spoken. "For he is not alone." Then, thinking of a plan to cut this whole thing short, he immediately added, "nor am I." He indicated that they listen around them, and was glad to hear a few birds chirping here and there, not too close, but not too distant, either. "Do you think those are birds you hear?" He asked, with a knowing smile which was entirely an act. "Do not be fooled. For there are, unseen to you, a host of elven archers hidden among the trees, awaiting my signal to put an end to you all. You have but this one chance to flee." He informed the outlaws, hand resting on his sword handle as he took a couple of strides forward, staring down the man who seemed to be the leader, leaving the choice up to him, though he hoped at least a few of the others might turn chicken and run.

It would be favorable if the bandits were to abandon their prey and run, thus making it unnecessary for further battle. But, at least two men fighting is better than one alone, and Daed felt that between the two of them, they ought to surely be able to get out of this alive. Still, 'getting out alive' is not nearly as pleasant as 'getting out completely unscathed and without having to fight at all', Daed always felt. His pulse raced as Daed waited, hoping as hard as he could that they wouldn't call his bluff. More than anything, Daed wanted them to flee, so he might check how badly the other man was hurt by that arrow, and then get back to cooking his supper, but with how his day had been going, he suspected things might not be so easy.

[Rune Eisahn]

@Rillewen

Rune Eisahn
North-South Road
Accosted by Outlaws

The Monsters We Choose
(Open to All)

"Halt!"

The sudden shout caused all the men to stop in their tracks, Rune included. Briefly, he considered that the voice could've belonged to another ally of these brigand before dismissing it. Anyone worth their salt knows it's easier to stick a charging boar with more spears than one. If whoever had spoken were allies to these men, they'd have been better served biding their time for the opportune moment to strike Rune while he was distracted by the others. That meant, whoever it was, either was an idiot, a brave fool, or another weary traveler with steel in their bones.

Rune hoped it was latter.

Taking a peek at the man who had interrupted their melee, Rune saw that he was a haggard looking man with a dark and dirty cloak clasped across his shoulders, Though he wasn't close enough to spy distinct facial details from the man, he could see enough to tell the man had weathered his fair share of storms. The sword he held loosely in his hands was well maintained, unlike what these outlaws carried.

The newcomer then strode forward toward the unarmed leader of the bandits. "Do you think those are birds you hear? Do not be fooled. For there are, unseen to you, a host of elven archers hidden among the trees, awaiting my signal to put an end to you all. You have but this one chance to flee."

Rune could not lie. He was soon to dismiss the man for a fool when he began speaking of birds. This was not the time or place for one to practice their tavern routine. Feh, Bards. But then, then! Then the man began to speak of his elven allies in the surrounding wood and, despite himself, Rune found his eyes scanning the treeline around him. "Elves? Truly?" He thought, excitement eating through the adrenaline and pain filled haze of battle. Finally, he could meet the immortals and enlighten himself with their knowledge. The precipice of his life's journey was possibly but feet away.

Whereas the mention of Elves brought a touch of anticipation and excitement to Rune, it made the outlaws outright shiver in their boots. Even their leader seemed perturbed, dark eyes scanning the trees in an attempt to discern his enemies position. But even Rune, with his limited knowledge and understanding of Elves, knew enough to know that they were near unparalleled masters of woodcraft. There was no way the outlaw could see them.

"I don't see any of them pointy ears," the outlaw leader said. He took a step back.

"Boss, you know I love a good fight," said the straw-chewing outlaw, eyes wild, "but you an' I know this ol' cart ain't worth catching the eye of Them."

"They say," said the large outlaw holding the axe, "that They can shoot-"

"No," said the outlaw leader. "None of that. Bad enough that we may be surrounded, but now you gotta remind us how easily we could die?" He grunted before taking a deep sigh. "Best to cut our losses for now." He took another look at the cart, then to the newcomer, and finally at Rune. "Besides, there's plenty of road than this."

At that, the outlaw leader turned and stalked away from the road. The others of his band followed, with the large bear-like man carrying the scrawny lad over one shoulder. The straw-chewing chap threw a glare Rune's way, but the southerner paid it little heed. His attention was still on the newcomer. After but a moment, the road was clear.

Rune laughed.

"Marvelous work, friend, marvelous work!" He clapped. "Arden. Arden! Get up and compliment the work of your savior." He paused at that, scratching at his chin. "Not that you needed a savior, mind you. I was absolutely going to demolish them, but it's not as quick as the bards make it seem in song. I mean, you didn't even see me use my knives!"

The portly man gave him a blank look from his crouched position within the cart. "Your . . . knives?"

"Yes, my knives. You know the ones. Short, lethal, and sometimes shiny. Knives, man!"

When Arden didn't respond, Rune continued speaking without skipping a beat. Inclining his head, he said, "My name is Rune Eisahn. I come from far south." He pointed at the newcomer. "And you, sir, you! Well, you certainly come in high company. Bringing Elves to a highway robbery, why, I almost can't imagine it catching their notice. Not that I'm not grateful it did - I certainly am, but well . . ." Rune lowered his voice a bit, stepping within earshot of only the newcomer. "I didn't really imagine something like this would be on their radar. You know," he gestured at the blood on the ground and on his blade,"Men being Men."

[Rillewen]

@Rune Eisahn

Daedhrochon
"Daed"
North-South Road, with Rune and Arden

Daed kept his expression stern as he watched the bandits begin to lose courage, and then, with a feeling of relief, watched them all turn tail and run. Only once they were out of sight did he allow the grin to finally emerge on his face. He honestly had not fully expected that trick to work, and so when it did, he couldn't help being delighted. "Well, that was an easier battle than I'd hoped." He proclaimed. Turning to the wagon with some surprise as the man spoke to another to come out, Daed half-expected to see a child pop up, but it was an old man, instead. He understood the reason, of course. Keep the old man safe, and Daed thought better of him for that quick thinking. "I'm quite certain that you could have demolished them, indeed." Daed replied, with a slight smile. "As could I, quite easily, though it's always better when fighting isn't necessary."

Sheathing his sword, the ranger paused for a moment, hearing the stranger go on excitedly about the elves Daed claimed to be traveling with. Daed recognized the fact that the stranger he had come to the aid of looked quite excited at the thought of meeting elves. Daed couldn't help remembering the first time, as a very young man, he had met elves, and could understand. There was a certain intrigue and mystery about the Fair Folk, even when one has known them for a while. If a person had only heard rumors of them, he might be very curious to actually meet one. Rune, as he stated his name to be, seemed unable to stop talking for a moment, and Daed smiled, recalling his first few ventures out into the wilds, with his father and older brother...

Clearing his throat, he figured it was time he dashed Rune's hopes and dreams before he got any further in his excitement. "I'm sorry to disappoint you," He told the man, hoping he wouldn't be too terribly crushed, "but I'm afraid that was only a bluff. There are no elves near here, at least none that I'm aware of." He admitted, though he couldn't help a small smile tugging at his lips. "I didn't actually expect that bluff to work, but I'm glad it did. I'm tired and hungry, and have no desire to waste time and energy fighting the likes of those scavengers," He confessed. "Although," he added, "I will say this; I've met a few of the Fair Folk in my time, and I don't know a one of them that, coming across a scene like this, would stand by and do nothing." Not to say that no elf would merely slip past without helping, only that of all those he knew, none would do so.

That said, he moved on to introducing himself in return, "I'm called Daed*, by the way. Although, I think rumors of my death may be greatly exaggerated." He added with a smirk. "And if you would prefer to stay that way yourself, I advise you using a bit more caution in the future. I have been keeping away from the road, of late, and was unaware of those bandits being here. I shall be keeping an eye out for the remainder of that band, of course, but there are likely others, as well as orcs, and other foul things which may waylay you on your travels." Guessing that the old man may be a merchant, he understood there was little other choice than for him to take his wagon upon the road, or he might have suggested they travel off the road. "I would suggest, perhaps, that you make for the Forsaken Inn. I believe that may be the nearest establishment where you're likely to find people to buy those wares of yours," He added this last bit to Arden.


*I imagine "Daed" would be pronounced more like day-d, rather than dĕd, but it's still close enough to sound like dead