ihinka

Moving on... "I'm glad we were able to help you old-timer... Vorgo. You took extreme measures to protect yourself from the Hunger Heart. Had we gotten to you a day later... I don't know if expelling the slugs would have worked." Dez looked about. Her eyes fell on the rusted metal and rotten wood that remained of the container for the heart. The rotten wood held no interest for her, but the metal... As any smith worth her salt, metal always posed an interest for her. So she crouched down and initially shifted the piece around with the tip of her axe. There were barely legible markings on it. Khyrivan as far as Dez could discern. And there was the faintest magical essence left in the chunk of rusted metal. Could be useful either way. Dez thought. If she cleaned the material from rust she could use it in a smithing project. Or the piece could be a clue or a lead, an item worth bargaining with some of the denizens of Zolkaris. "I'm taking this..." Dez pointed at the metal chunk, turning to Vorgo and Aura. "You're right, Aura, we need to collect anything of value along our way. It'll serve you to get off the island and me to possibly find my sister!" At the mention of Zed the weaponsmith's eyes widened and she turned to Vorgo in a flash. "Vorgo! Have you... I mean... this is long shot, but... Have you by any chance seen someone who looks like me on Zolkaris?! My twin sister, Zed, she... she came to Zolkaris some months ago and I've had no hide nor hair from her ever since. Much like you I had to take drastic measures to get myself exiled here in order to search for her." OOCGI on the rusted metal. Momentum burned for WH. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 2 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 // +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart - COMPLETE +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

The Heart still lingers... Dez listened to the old-timer ramble. He was far more coherent now. And lucid, even with the rambling. Especially considering how out of his mind he'd been during the slug infestation. Whatever damage the slugs might have inflicted on his mind, might well be permanent. Either way, he was probably better off now than while on the slugs. Even if they'd kept him from succumbing to the Heart's influence. As Dez remembered him mentioning something to that effect. So when the old man took off at a dead run in the presumed direction of the Heart, the weaponsmith cast a perplexed glance at Aura. Shrugged. "Let's finish this!" She growled, then grasped her axe in both hands and barrelled after the old-timer. Fully prepared to put the giant axe to good use. OOCNo rolls yet. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 1 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 / +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

The Guiltwood is no more! It took Dez a moment to decipher what the raven was trying to convey. But could it be this simple. Was smashing the dodecahedron to pieces all it would take to 'kill the Heart'?! But as the distorted wooden creature stuck to it's rickety chair back at the Heart tree kept wailing and hurling threats, and Aura implored her to end it at last, the weaponsmith decided there was little to lose. So she raised the Heart over her head and brought it down against the forest floor with all her might. Only for the thing to bounce harmlessly along the bed of fallen leaves. It trundled a bit, this way and that. Almost as if it wanted to escape the stone circle, but was unable. The raving of the tree-thing continued. While the raven poked at the heart more insistently now. And then poking at the standing stones. This time Aura figured it out first and sprang into action. Grabbing the Heart to smash it frantically, repeatedly, against the closest standing stone. This time the Heart shattered effortlessly and just as Dez was about to make a grab for Aura and try to prevent her from smashing her empty hands in the stone, the forest gave a mighty lurch. It was all the weaponsmith could do to not crumble to the ground from the earth shaking and undulating like a living and breathing thing. It was a horrific and magnificent thing to behold as Dez leaned against her sturdy axe to keep her balance. The woods slowly themselves free of this rotten influence over them. It took moments or eternity, Dez couldn't really tell. But, finally the earth stood still beneath them and finally... finally, the forest looked and felt like any other forest. No sense of dread. No trees moving under any other power but the wind's. The old-timer started dancing around, celebrating the demise of the Guiltwood. Slowly, Aura too came to her senses. As if emerging from a nightmare. And one could argue that they'd done just that. Dez grinned and shook her head at her companion's words. Apparently Aura still had some hang-ups about her past. And while Dez could sympathize with her about her inner turmoils, she didn't care much for anything Aura might have done in the past. "I can safely say it was a team effort." Dez responded, bumping her shoulder with Aura's. "I know you're eager to move on, but shouldn't we rest first? We're both pretty battered. Physically and emotionally." Dez turned to the old man. "Old-timer, you too... What do you say? We had a deal. We help you with the Heart, you help us. Do you think it's safe to rest here now, or do we push on to Second Hope?" OOCWH on Gather Information to examine the remains of the Hunger Heard. +1 momentum. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 1 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 / +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

Dez is just over the weirdness...! The moment Aura, Coyo and the old timer were behind Dez and moving away from the tree at speed, she also started moving. Only she moved backwards. Eyes tracking the movement of branches and roots. Just because the thing in the chair couldn't do much to harm them on its own, didn't mean this tree was somehow different than the one's that had attacked them before. Somehow Dez could tell it was and it was not safe to linger. So she kept backing up and away from the tree's clearing and only turned around to join the others in a dead-run when she thought they'd moved far enough away from the reach of the moving roots. "Run! Don't stop! To the clearing of the ord. Old timer, lead the way!" The weaponsmith grunted as she made sure to stay between Aura and whatever she'd retrieved from the tree's hollow. And anything that might come at them from where they'd just escaped. Dez tried to pace herself, remembering the clearing they found the orb at was a ways away. And she didn't want to get gassed in case they needed to fend off... whatever. But as they were all barreling through the accursed forest, suddenly... there it was. The clearing! The only safe place they'd encountered during their misfortunate trek through these woods. "Wait...?! What...?!" Dez skidded to a holt in the middle of the clearing. Turning around and around with the axe held slack in her hands. It should have taken them longer to find it. Shouldn't've it!? Warry that the Guiltwood might be playing one of its tricks on them Dez gave a thorough scan of their surroundings. Nothing! "Well... I guess we're here..." She stated the obvious for lack of anything more smart to say. "Anyway... Let's take a look at that thing!" She turned to Aura, hand outstretched in invitation to the assassin to hand over the shiny object. "Old timer, you come closer too. After all, this was your idea...!" OOCSH on Face Danger +edge (Fall back to the clearing of the orb); +1 momentum. Miss on Gather Information on the Heart. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 1 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 / +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

The end of the Guiltwood...? The thing in the chair was unnerving, no questions asked. But Dez was a veteran Bloodren. Even if retired. She'd had her full of odd, bizarre, grotesque, disturbing and plain old alien creatures and monstrosities. It did it's best to intimidate the group with threats of devouring them. Or rather, their souls, regrets and desires. Not to be outshined, Dez rejoined with a threat of her own. Running a sharpening stone along the edge of her monstrous axe. After all, wood feared but two things. Fire. And an axe! Oddly enough the creature payed her no mind. Instead choosing to focus on the old timer and Coyo. No matter, as long it left Aura unobserved to sneak about and snatch that thing she'd noticed in the hollow of the tree trunk. And, snatch it she did. As always most expertly. Dez admired her skill and fortitude in the light of such obvious peril. And the moment the shiny thing left the hollow, the rickety being let out a piercing wail. But, oddly, remained glued to the chair. As if it were literally glued to it. "Aura, quick, get as far away from the tree with it as you can. I'll cover your retreat!" Dez yelled, trying to position herself so that no branch or root could hinder her progress. "Old man, you go with her. Guide her!" Then she turned to the wood monstrosity. "You can wail all you want, creature, but your reign of terror over these woods is over!" OOCSaA to Aid Your Ally with +iron (+1 from Weaponmaster), miss. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 1 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 / +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ /// 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

Behold... The Heart! The group trudged, wounded and battered through the Guiltwood. But the woods didn't seem to have the same heavy sway over their psyche. Even Wild Dude seemed to have a renewed mental fortitude. And his ramblings carried a hint of optimism. Which was good. If they were to defeat whatever this Heart thing was, they would need all the mental gumption they could muster. Usually when Dez went into a mission to exterminate some monster, back in her Bloodren days, she would do so backed by seasoned warriors and specialists. But where her current crew lacked in experience, it made up for in desire to see this through and be rid of this forest once and for all. Powerful motivators. When the forest attacked the crew with a vision, Dez absorbed it. Resolute to power through regardless of the disturbing imagery. To her it appeared as if the woods were desperate and were throwing any last ditch effort in order to make them turn tail and run. "Not happening, wood!" Dez grunted and forged on. She hurt and ached all over. Tired and on the path to being disheartened. But she could not afford to falter now. Zed was out there somewhere and she would brave hell and high waters to find her sister. "Already did the high waters, I guess. So now I'm left with the hell." The weaponsmith muttered to herself. When Aura commented on Dez's scouting skills, she shook her head, shrugging. "Finding the monster is not usually the problem". Dez responded. "It's what comes next that's troubling." She chuckled morbidly. The woods seemed to let them find their way inwards more easily. Almost as if the Heart wanted them to find it. And when they finally reached its clearing, the forest was prepared to greet them appropriately. The tree was there, much like in the vision. No lizard thingy though. Dez was unsure, however, if that was a good thing. Since in its place was a grotesque approximation of a human. Or was it an intentional distortion of one? The ex-Bloodren looked for the tether that was on the lizard thingy in the vision. If there was, they could use it to attack the being. And if tree and humanoid tree were tethered and they broke that, it could also hurt the tree. "Look for a tether..." Dez whispered to Aura and Wild Dude. "Old timer, stay out of danger and look for week spots for us to exploit." OOCFace Danger +wits against tree attack, WH -> -1 Spirit and Endure Stress, Miss -> -1 momentum. SaA to Aid Your Ally with Delve +iron (climb a tree to get bearings), WH -> +1 momentum for Aura. Sheet CHARACTER XP: 1 Desdemona Zedmore +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 / +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 / SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0 +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3 0 -4 SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0 ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit. Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2. Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead. BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ // 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 3. Delve (Guiltwood) - COMPLETE TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC

  Tree, whether you like it or not... I'm climbing you! Dez sighed. She knew getting a straight answer from Wild Dude was next to impossible. He was too scattered. Whether from old age, too much time spent in the Guiltwood, or the prolonged infestation with the slugs. He kept repeating the same thing over and over with a slight variation here, a new addition there. But mostly white noise. It was a toss up if any of the new additions were useful pieces of information.   However, when the old man suggested using fire to hurt the Hunger Heart, the Guiltwood took exception! Violently!   Only... did it really?! Sure, the Guiltwood was the strangest forest Dez had ever had the misfortune of passing through. And yet, throughout her entire career as a Bloodren, Dez had never seen a forest that was, in fact, alive! And so the weapon-smith did something she knew might regret and opened herself and her mind fully to the woods and its weirdness and spookiness. All the strangeness and ickiness she and Aura had been trying to avoid throughout their trek within the Guiltwood.   And she saw it! If for but a second. And the next second brought the tall weapon-smith to her knees with a debilitating headache. Dez grunted, blinking rapidly, trying to stay ahead of the blur that overtook her vision. The wild, old-timer had been right after all. The trees did not move. The forest was not alive. It was all in their heads! And while Dez stood resolute as limbs lashed at her, sure in the knowledge that the trees were not actually attacking, Aura dashed about. Much like her feline companion Koyo, in an effort to avoid the thrashing branches.   After the danger, or presumed danger, had passed, the way out of the clearing was revealed for all present. They could finally mover forward. Or, rather, inward. But Dez was no longer satisfied with traipsing blindly through these accursed woods. No! Now that she knew the trees were not alive, she was not above using one to gain the higher ground and get some proper bearings for their trek. And while she was not nearly as nimble as Coyo when it came to climbing trees, the ex-Bloodren still managed to get enough height to look around for some useful headings and markers. OOCFace Danger +wits against tree attack, WH -> -1 Spirit and Endure Stress, Miss -> -1 momentum. SaA to Aid Your Ally with Delve +iron (climb a tree to get bearings), WH -> +1 momentum for Aura. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. Hurt the Hunger Heart +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ //               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  A friend in need... "Alright, old-timer, we get it. Quid pro quo! We help you, you help us!" Dez followed the old man's ground scratching as best she could. It looked like he was trying to draw a crude map of where they'd been, where they are and where this Hunger Heart was. And it looked like he wanted them to do something about this Hunger Heart. Dez wondered if that was also the answer to their predicament with the forest. What if the forest itself was a giant living organism and this Hunger Heart was its... well... heart!   "We get it, old man. You want us to hurt the Heart. Problem is, we've done nothing but get lost ever since we walked into these blasted woods! We have know idea how to get to this Hunger Heart. You say we move the forest... Is it something like wishful thinking?"   Dez crouched by the wild man and pointed at his chicken scratch.   "The only break we ever got in here was finding this... bird stone?!" Dez pointed at the now more or less useless orb. "For a while there it kept the weight of the forest from oppressing us too much. But now it just glows in the dark. You said the green slugs hate the Hunger Heart..." The weaponsmith stated pensively. "Do you remember how and where you got infested with the slugs. Do you know of other humans like yourself in the Guiltwood infested with green slugs? It would help if we could interrogate someone infested with them, before we exorcise the nasties."   Dez sighed. Scratched her head and sighed again.   "I just don't see a clear way for us to help you with this Hunger Heart. And it's not like we don't want to. I get the feeling it's what's also gonna help us get away from these blasted woods!" OOCSwear an Iron Vow to help Wild Dude. Miss! -2 momentum on top of the obstacle we'll face before we can even begin the Vow's quest. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ //               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  Let's blow this joint, shall we...?! Dez approached the old man, putting a hand on his shoulder to brace him. He was shaky and weakened. Understandably, considering the ordeal he'd just endured. And not only the exorcism of the slugs. Who knew what havoc the infestation itself had wreaked on his body. Dez also used the opportunity to scrutinize the wounds she'd treated last night.   On the surface, the man looked well enough. Only time would tell how well he actually was.   "Easy there, old-timer..." Dez said, her tone gentler than what one would expect from her. She slipped under the worn man's shoulder and wrapped a secure arm around his back. "Why don't you lean on me for a spell. I'm sure you are well aware of the risk should we take an axe to any of the trees here to fashion you a walking stick. So why don't you settle for me until we find you one." Dez winked at the old man. She had to bend down a bit in order to accommodate the wild-man's hunched posture. "I'm Dez, by the way. Sorry about the brutal exorcism, but it was preferable to the alternative, believe me. We encountered a boar the day before with the same affliction as you and unfortunately we had to put it down. It just wouldn't stop coming at us. In fact, it nearly put us down! Fortunately for you that gave me the opportunity to examine its carcass and I was able to figure out the slugs had an aversion to fire."   Dez tried to take as much of the old man's weight as their position and pace would allow her.   "My lovely companion over there and her furry friend are Aura and Coyo. We are new on Zolkaris. We are on our way to Second Hope. Alas, we are not having much luck getting there. So, don't be too shy about guiding us out of this accursed forest, eh?! We'd be ever so grateful." OOCSoA to Aid an Ally with Forge a Bond with the old dude - WH for +1 momentum to Aura. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ /               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  Cooler heads prevail... Or so they say... The improvised expulsion ritual was dangerous, brutal and ruthless. Even if ultimately effective. Dez observed with trepidation as the vile slugs evacuated the old man's body in the most torturous of ways. Bursting out through his skin, leaving nasty wounds in their wake. And with the fire pit surrounding them and the torch in Dez's hand, they had a snowball's chance in hell of survival. Especially if they tried to get fresh and seek refuge in Dez as their new host.   No!   The slugs were done for. And the old men...? Well, he was worse for wear. Naturally! Once Dez was absolutely sure no slug had survived, she rushed the wild man, medicine pouch at the ready.   "The exit wounds are the least of his worries..." Dez spoke in answer to Aura's comment on the man's condition. "This exorcism of sorts was almost terminally cavalier. Even if utterly necessary and unavoidable. Since his other option was just straight up death. Still... I have no way of knowing what sort of larger health concerns might arise from the slugs' expulsion. For now I'll treat the open wounds and we'll have to see what his condition is in the morning."   Dez was not a medicine woman. She was a functioning healer at best. Just what she needed to know to patch up any fellow Bloodren during a mission. This naturally bled over to knowing how to counteract any monster they'd encountered and its effects. But even so, she could only perform a bit of field medicine. And for now it would have to be enough. Hopefully the old man would pull through and maybe they would catch a break and finally manage to find a way out of this accursed forest!   Alas, misfortunes came in threes... As the saying went, for no sooner they went to bed, the orb that seemed to protect them from the forest's worst effects, began to flicker on and off. This allowed the wood's vile influence to seep back into Aura and Dez's bones and souls. Not only preventing them from a full night's rest, but piling onto the stress they'd already endured while trekking through the Guiltwood.   Fortunately, on the morrow the old man didn't look worse off than he was last night, or in any greater way affected by the restless energy of the Guiltwood. Maybe it was the benefit of being mostly passed out, rather than simply sleeping. But all in all, it looked like they could try and wake him up now. Dez by this point was beyond caring about their sinister surroundings. The stress she could handle. As long as she could find her sister, she would endure anything. And putting this old man back together again could be her first step into doing that. So she crouched down to the wild man and, as gently as she could, shook him by the shoulder.   "Hey, mister...! Wake up!" OOCHeal on wild dude - SH. Endure Stress - SH - take +1 momentum. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ /               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  Of slug roasts and new best friends! The moment Aura had the slug-infested dude restrained, Dez rushed in to help her finish the job. The guy's squeals and screeches reminded the Bloodren so much of the boar they'd barely managed to put down. She wondered if it was because both of them had been infested with the same nasty slugs. Or simply because both were crazed out of their minds. And while the boar had left them with no choice but to put it down. This dude... This dude they could at least try to save.   If Dez could only figure out a way to drive the slugs from his system without actually killing him first. She knew they reacted strongly to fire. And it seemed to drive them out of their host. Fire, after all, was the ultimate purifier. The problem was, it left little to nothing in its purifying wake.   "If we put him in a fire circle in addition to driving the slugs out of him with a torch..." Dez whispered in Aura's ear. "We could dig a shallow mote. Fill it with kindling and set it alight. I'll stand in the circle with him, driving the vermin from him with the torch. So they don't have anywhere to escape, but the fire. You and Coyo keep an eye on him, maybe start on carving the mote, while I go find us some kindling."   Dez started off in search of kindling, but quickly glanced at Aura over her shoulder.   "And be careful, yeah! Where else am I gonna find two unique friends like you!" The weaponsmith winked at Aura and proceeded with her task of gathering firewood for their mote. OOCSaA +iron w/Weaponmaster for Aura to hogtie crazy dude. SH (+1 momentum) Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ /               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  Black and blue! Finally, mercifully, the boar went down and stayed down! Dez waited a bit... Then two. Three! Before she dropped to the ground like a sack of potatoes. Her head thudding against the forest floor. Her arms flopping tiredly at her sides.   "You can say that again!" Dez answered Aura's comment on how close they'd come to biting the dust. "I'm with you on the not eating it part. But I'd be curious to rummage around it's corps. I may not be Zed, but I was a Bloodren. Knowing what makes monsters tick is kinda the bread and butter of knowing how to dispose of them..." Dez spoke from her sprawled position on the ground. Not moving even the tiniest muscle. Everything hurt. Aside from the actual gaping wound on her leg, which still benefited from the numbing herbs she'd thrown on it.   So when Coyo padded close to her and gently asked permission to lick her wound clean in an an apology of sorts for bailing on them, Dez just chuckled as she blocked his access to her injury. But giving him a few scritches behind the ear to lessen the sting of the rebuttal.   "It's okay, big guy. I appreciate the gesture, but there are some herbs in there you really shouldn't ingest. How about you just stand guard while me and your mommy tend to the aftermath of this clusterf*ck, eh?"   Dez gave herself some extra time just lying there, resting, before she slowly dragged herself to a sitting position in order to properly asses the damage to her leg. The injury was severe and it was only through some astonishing luck that the beast hadn't permanently maimed and mangled her. As it stood, she would have some nasty-ass scar, but she didn't think her mobility would suffer any. At least not after the wound had fully healed. Before that happened, she would be sporting a limp. Which meant, she would be wise to invest in some sort of walking aid.   One thing was for sure, they would need to spend the night before even thinking of moving on.   The next morning came too soon. But the trio was rested and relatively patched up.   "Well, then..." Dez gave Aura a crooked grin. "Easy does it..." She waved around the sturdy walking stick she'd fashioned herself before turning in last night. OOCDez takes +1 HP from Make Camp. WH on Gather Information to examine the boar's corpse. Miss on Delve the Guiltwood. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ /               2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ 5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  Time for lights out, boar! Bloody and dizzy with it and tired Dez still mustered all her remaining strength to give the hideous boar one last shock in the muzzle. The monster was visibly incensed by this fact and the fact it was on its last legs. But its stubbornness won out and it still stood and Dez could see in its eyes it wanted... it would charge at her again.   Fortunately for the weaponmaster the best didn't get the chance as Aura swiftly intervened, slashing it's hind-legs out from under it. More angry squeals followed as the boar kicked up a dust storm of vitriol and frustration at being thwarted. It lashed at Aura this time, managing to gore her leg, insanity glinting in its eyes.   The moment the beast's attention was off Dez, she stuffed a hand in a pouch on her waist. She wasted no time throwing whatever she'd grabbed from it all over her wound. The numbing herbs began acting almost immediately. Fast enough to allow her to stand with little to no perceived pain. Certainly fast enough for her to grab her axe, swing it high and bring it swiftly down onto the unsuspecting creature.   "Time for lights out, boar!" Dez roared as the axe came down onto the monster's head. OOCSH on Heal to stem the bleeding and regain initiative. WH on End the Fight. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕                 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

  This is all your fault, Zed! Dez realized she'd made a dire mistake in attempting to attack the boar with a bum leg the moment she hoisted the axe up in the air. The huge weapon was of respectable heft even with two good arms and legs to bear its brunt. But with a leg that could barely carry Dez's own weight, let alone balance a weapon and moreover, performing an attack maneuver... She was doomed before she even started!   Immediately her injured leg buckled. The axe stuck innocuously next to the monstrous boar. And Dez crumbled onto herself. She had little chance of getting back up without using the axe for support. And in her current condition she wasn't capable of digging the thing out of the dirt where it had wedged itself. And now the bloody boar was charging her again!   I swear to all the gods, Zed, if I die on this bloody continent while trying to save your sorry ass, I'm gonna be pissed at you for all eternity and haunt the hell out of you if you somehow manage to outlive me!   Dez squared the boar with a fiery gaze. And you, ugly beast, you think you got me right where you want me?!? Come at me! The weaponsmith thought as she prepared for the boar's charge. She didn't have that many alternatives, but she knew one thing... She would go down swinging! OOCWH on Turn the Tide to sock the Boar in the snout as it charges Dez. Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕                 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC                    

Who laughs last?! Both Aura and Dez managed solid cuts at the beast. But it either didn't notice or didn't care. It just kept going. The rampaging monster was surprisingly swift and coordinated in its movements and tactics. With Dez in close proximity it lunged for her with nasty teeth and tusks, aiming for her leg. Only this time the weaponsmith was not fast enough and the gruesome boar latched onto her, viciously chomping down onto her calf.   "AAARHGHHHHH!" Dez roared in pain as the boar shook her leg in a blatant attempt to tear it off maybe. While Dez, for her part, did everything humanly possible to keep her appendage and fend off the worst of the boar's attack with her hefty axe. And just when the Bloodren thought she would pass out from the viciousness of the onslaught and the pain and blood loss, the deranged boar let go of her with a smug look about it. If boars could even project such a thing as smugness?!?   Dizzy and weakened by the attack Dez mustered all her remaining strength, fighting to stay conscious. She propped her huge axe on the ground and pulled herself with shaky arms to a standing position, eyes observing the lunatic beast through a haze of dizziness. Dez shook her head to clear her vision, leaning heavily on the axe's handle. Her breath came out in labored pants.   "You're having fun, eh, monster?!" Dez directed at the beast. The boar looked positively delighted with the damage it'd done to her leg. "Well, let's see who laughs last!" The Bloodren challenged, drew herself straighter, gripped the axe in both hands and prepared to swing with all her might at the hellish boar! OOCPreparing to Strike... Sheet CHARACTER XP Desdemona Zedmore   +10 2 1 3 1 2 HEALTH +9 EDGE HEART IRON SHADOW WITS +5 +8 BONDS +4 +7 /                   +3 +6 VOWS +2 +5 1. Find Zed! (Background Vow) +1 +4 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC 0 +3 /                   SPIRIT +2 2. +5 +1 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +4 0                     +3 -1 3. +2 -2 TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC +1 -3                     0 -4   SUPPLY -5 DEBILITIES +5 -6 CONDITIONS BANES +4 MAX WOUNDED SHAKEN MAIMED CORRUPTED +3 10 UNPREPARED ENCUMBERED +2 RESET BURDENS +1 2 CURSED TORMENTED 0   ASSETS Asset: Path Weaponmaster ● When you Secure an Advantage by sizing up your foe in a fight, or in a charged situation which may lead to a fight, add +1 and take +1 momentum on a hit. ○ When you study or train in a new weapon or technique, you may obtain and upgrade that combat talent for 1 fewer experience. ○ When you Turn the Tide with a sudden change of weapon or technique, and your next move is a Strike, add +1 and inflict +2 harm on a strong hit.   Asset: Combat Talent Indomitable ● When you Endure Harm in a fight, count a weak hit as a strong hit. ○ When you go to Endure Stress, the -spirit you suffer is reduced by 1. If this would cause the -spirit suffered to be less than or equal to 0, ignore the stress and Embrace the Darkness, taking +1 momentum. ○ Increase your maximum health by +2.   Asset: Ritual Bloodlust When you mark your own, an ally's or a companion's arm, head and weapon with ancient sigil of rage made of blood, roll +wits. On a strong hit, mystic rage fuels the target. The next time they... ● Modr: Enter the Fray or Draw the Circle, add +X... ○ Sadr: Strike or Clash, add +X... ○ Skadi: Inflict harm, inflict +X harm... ... where X is the result on your action die for this ritual. On a weak hit, as above but X is 1 instead.   BONDS Dez's twin sister - Hertha Zedmore. Archaeologist/Historian. Against rules and regulations found a way to reach Zolkaris. Is missing and considered dead by the authorities, so no rescue mission is being considered. Sassy, but always as if in search of something... or someone?! Additional Progress Tracks 1. Failure Track TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕                 2. Journey to Second Hope TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕               3. Delve (Guiltwood) TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         4. Zolkaran Boar TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕ ⁕         5. TROUBLESOME DANGEROUS FORMIDABLE EXTREME EPIC