Children Of the Damned [PM if you wanna join late]

[Gawfy]

@drunkensarah  @Legit Violet @Morgan Droud @Whim
The wind whistles through this Town as it blows through. One could mistake this town as a dead one.
Not a single person could be Found, the only sounds in this place where the rattling of Windows and the dripping of water. Everyone was on edge. This Town once being a resting place of Travelers now a graveyard of them.

Gawfy Wandered into Town that morning after spending Some nights in the woods. As he walked in he could see silhouettes moving in windows and People Closing their doors as he walked by. Gawfy shook it off. What else would they do in the sight of a Tall man in black armor. He had heard rumors about this town. How many died here and continue to die here. He Wasn't one To deny Superstition as weirder things have happened. The only place that Looked Remotely alive was the Town Bar. And it only had one light on and a broken door. Gawfy entered to See Some people who looked like they where from out of town. Gawfy walked up to the Bar and was met with a Pitiful look. A Gentle Humming could be heard as the bartender took cover with teary eyes.

[drunkensarah]

Azure had settled into the back corner of a tavern. The town seemed all but a ghost town, she could sense the fear that lingered there. The bar keep was clearly troubled, he had been going through bouts of sobs for the hour she had been there. She almost felt a ping of pity for him, almost. She found that she had difficulty feeling empathy for those that were grown. She actually found it, on most occasions, hard to feel about anything but disagreeable. Her eyes snapped up as she heard the door the the tavern open. Her vibrant blue eyes fell on a fully armored man, undoubtedly another warrior. He seemed a bit too tall to be that of Connlaothian descent, most men of her country a bit shorter and stockier. She quickly assessed him, something she did almost subconsciously. She didn't see him as a threat, he was covered in metal, his weapons were metal, he wouldn't stand much of a chance in his armor or with the giant sword he carried. So she paid him little to mind. Her focus returned to the mug of ale in front of her.

[Morgan Droud]

When Zynros opened his eyes, what greeted him was a blue sky, and silence. He had died the night before, courtesy of a rather slow poison he had taken a few weeks back. It wasn't the worst death he had dealt with, but was rather annoying, as he had needed to avoid most human contact for those weeks, seeing as most would get the wrong idea, seeking a dead man rise.

In the distance was a small town, apparently abandoned, but he set off in it's direction never the less. Starvation was the worst kind of death, and supplies were always welcomed.

[Whim]

The little village was a gloomy affair when Ewan came by. It was morning, and the sky a clear blue, but a thicket of gnarled and twisted trees filtered away much of the sunlight. Not only that but the muddy streets of the village were near deserted. This was the place - that much was cetain - whether the murders and disappearing children held the answers he sought was another question. He shivered and hurried toward the tavern. Was it the chill or how eerie the place was?

Inside it was dimly lit and its few patrons were armed to the teeth. They made Ewan clutch his spellbook, an iron-bound tome he could barely lift, as he neared the bar. A small boy was easy target for bandits or slavers. He scrambled atop a stool besides a young man of titanic stature, presenting the barkeep with several coppers, "Soup, um, please?"

"And... don't mind my asking but is it true? That... children here are being stolen away at night?" that question was to one on in particular. The gruff clientele and weepy bartender didn't look very talkitive.

[Gawfy]

Gawfy stood up from his Seat and walked out of the Bar. Walking towards the Town Square he  heard a scream, he ran over to find A flying beast attempting to take A child that had been crying. Upon hearing Gawfy's clacking armor The thing turned around.
It looked like a Child,but not one. Its Eyes looking like that of a Fly, Big and bulging. And wings like a Humming bird. Gawfy walked toward it as he Coo'd to the crying child Dont Be sad! Lets play! It said to the girl. Gawfy did not know why but it looked like she had been forced out by the Rope around her Feet. Gawfy was then Berated by the townspeople as he tried to intervene.  Stop outsider! If you dont let it take the child it will kill us all! Was yelled at him. The Creature Flew over to Gawfy. Thats Right Mister we had a Deal! The Creature started to pout. Gawfy Cut the Ropes on the Crying girl's Feet. NOOOOO The creature yelled as It slashed Gawfy with its claws.
In a Quick movement Gawfy impaled  the Child like Demon with his sword above his head. Leaving all of the townsfolk in Awe. A Mob quickly gathered around Gawfy. YOU KILLED US ALL[/color] and the like where shouted at him. He tossed the body off of his blade, then Helped the girl up.

[drunkensarah]

Azure walked out of the tavern as she started to hear yells, going to see what had stirred such a commotion  when minutes before one could swear the town was empty. She went to reach back for her sword as she saw the beast but let her hand fall once the armor clad fellow took care of the monstrosity. She closed the distance between herself and the armor clad man and child quickly, the dark blue hood she wore falling down to reveal her face.

"What is wrong with you people? Sacrificing your children for sake of a few more years for yourselves. You are cowards, what example are you setting for the children that happen to survive? You all are weak, and for your actions, for repentance of the children you handed off, you deserve death," Azure spoke, anger showing clear across her face. The few forming lines from age and stress exasperated from the ever growing rage boiling inside of her. She had half a mind to slay the pitiful excuse for flesh where they stood.

[Alize]

Standing near the back of the quivering crowd, Kino impassively watched the warrior-woman's outburst from behind the large, black glass ovals of her "plague doctor's" mask.

The wandering apothecary had been lodging in the town's inn for several days now, and had heard the muted whispers, the sobs, the cries of anguish over the forsaken children. Though she sympathized with the townsfolk, Kino was an alchemist and not some self-righteous paladin in shining armor. She was there to gather ghostweed stems, not to rock the boat. But now these two newcomers had shaken things up, and that changed the matter altogether. She didn't like the thought of getting in over her head, but she liked the prospect of a massacre a whole lot less. Kino's voice rang out as she made her way through the crowd.

"You're not wrong, stranger. These people are weak. They're pathetic. Do you see a single one among them who could wield a blade properly, let alone stand up to that... thing?"

She turned to the man in black armor who had just slain the aberration. "And what say you? do these folk deserve to be cut down for the crime of being unable to defend themselves?"

[drunkensarah]

"Alone, no, they wouldn't have much of a chance. Even if they banded together, there chances would be small, but it is better to die defending yourself and those who need your protection then to literally handing over the most precious assets this village has. I was six the first time I picked up a blade, you think I had much of a chance in battle then? There are mercenaries everywhere and they couldn't find one? I find that extremely hard to believe," Azure snapped as her gaze fell upon the robed and masked figure. She could sense the mask was metal, and was half temped to rip it from the being, but stopped herself. She had long learned to not follow through with the knee jerk reactions that popped in her mind.

Azure took a slow deep breath, regaining her composure.

"It is not that they are unable to defend themselves that they deserve death, it is the fact they hand over those who are even more helpless than themselves to be slaughtered or worse without seeking any sort of help. I haven't heard of any jobs for this town."

[Alize]

"Nor have I," replied Kino, sensing both a way to - hopefully - resolve the conflict as well as a burgeoning business opportunity. "But perhaps we should ask them directly."

"For if they were to actively seek aid, then they would no longer be the passive cowards that deserve your sword's edge, no?" The masked apothecary paused to clear her throat, making sure that her next words were heard by the quivering crowd.

"And I see three able bodies that they might hire to remedy this situation. And I'm sure that they would be willing to pay any price to be rid of these fiends."

Mixed murmurs of hope and despair ran through the quailing mob. Kino gambled that the fierce-eyed woman's sense of justice, or perhaps greed, would prevail over her rage.

"I could use a little mercenary work. What do you say? We could set things right for this village while making a tidy sum. And surely the blood of whatever lurks out there would adorn your blades better than the blood of these cowards. Are you up for some sport?"

[Gawfy]

Gawfy Had not been paying attention to the people around him as he Calmed the girl down from the Grueling affair. He Stood up and The Murmuring stopped It seems These things are demonic in nature. He looked over to the body. Im not sure a regular mercenary would be able to kill that  and im not about to charge a small farming village The people started to calm down Where did this come from? Gawfy asked toppling over them.  The Misty valley... One pointed  in the Northeast. Gawfy Patted The Girl on her head as she ran back to her mother.  The crowd parted As Gawfy started to in the Direction the men pointed.

[Morgan Droud]

Arriving at the town, Zynros noticed the people hidden behind closed windows, and from farther in heard shouting. They sounded frightened, the screams of those fated to death, something he was very familiar with.

Following the sounds, he arrived in what appeared to be the town square, where a mob of people surrounded an armored man and a child. He heard a whisper from somewhere in the crowd, and the man stood and walked off.

[Ice]

Mean while not to far away one of those creatures had made their way back to where its master was. She needed to tell him what happened ro their brother. " I have bad news father." She began when she found the cloaked creature. He turned and looked at her. She seemed upset. He got the feeling that something bad had happened. She then to him that one of his followers had been killed by a stranger who had came to his stalking grounds. That made joss the evil priest very mad. Nobody ever got away with getting in the way of his plan. Those who dared would be killed.

" its okay my daughter. He will not get away with killing our brother. No I will make sure that he and anyone else who is with him pays the price."  His words were soft and comforting. He wanted ger to believe that he would help her. That was the only way that his plan would ever work.

"Come let's get the others together." He said to her. He then went to where more of his minions were. He needed to get them focused." A terrible crime has been committed.a brother of ours has been killed. We must go out and punish the nonbeliever. We need to make an example of him" joss told them. The young creatures seemed to comply. They wanted to see the man pay. So a chant soon started.

" death to the impure. Death to those who don't believe. Death to the heavens." They all shouted. And the.shouts got louder and louder until they resounded though the entire valley.

[Gawfy]

Gawfy slowly made his way to the exit as he bumped into the kid from the Bar, dropping his iron tome the kid slowly got up. He picked up the Tome and handed it to the kid. Just as he Did the women yelling in the crowd Caught up with him.

[drunkensarah]

Azure followed after the armored man who seemed to be leading the way towards whatever things had been plaguing the village. She hadn't had intention of charging the village other than asking for lodging and food for a night once she returned.

The closer they made it too the valley the louder the chanting became. Azure grew a bit antsy, itching to draw and sword and lay waste to the beings. Demonic or not, she didn't fear the things. She looked around those that seemed to have taken up the mission as well, what a bunch. It was almost laughable. Though it could have been a lot worse. With three swordsmen, and two others that she could have only guessed as mages or something similar to the like, they were well enough rounded to face down the enemy.

Her favorite thing about the group that had formed was they weren't chatty, all just looking to do what they had to do. It was lovely, almost enough to place a smile on her face.

[Morgan Droud]

It was a bit abrupt, but Zynros had decided to follow the man. There was no real reason to it, and he had more important things to do, but there was a gut feeling that something was going to happen around this man.

A woman and a boy had joined later, chasing after the man, and caught up just outside the valley. As he approached, a multitude of voices grew louder, their chanting reminding him of the ones he had occasionally heard from the gathering of the more fanatic churchgoers.

It worried him.

[Alize]

Moments earlier, Kino was seriously questioning the choices that she had made. Her mind drifted back to the scene with the in the town square...

As the armor-clad man and fierce-eyed woman had set off towards The Valley, Kino repeated the mantra to herself. "Discretion is the better part of valor." Those words seemed to ring hollow now, especially with the forlorn townsfolk looking even more miserable. If the two would-be heroes failed, the villagers would be the ones to pay the price, and they knew it. It was unlike Kino to let her emotions get the better of her, but... Damn it! Knowing that cold-hearted pragmatists lived longer and kicking herself for what she was doing, the wandering alchemist clapped the pudgy innkeeper on the shoulder. "Forget about my tab and we'll call it even." She then set off after the two would-be heroes.

Kino was pulled out of her idle thoughts by the distant sound of beating wings and zealous chanting, quickly growing closer. Kino noted her companions readying themselves for battle as she drew an everglass throwing dagger. Red liquid sluiced around inside the hollow blade, and began to glow as soon as the body heat from her hand reacted with the everglass. She flicked her wrist and watched it sail in a graceful arc towards the fiend at the head of the unearthly flock.

The aberration cackled and jinked to the side. The knife sailed past it. Its ugly laughter was cut short as the knife detonated, immolating the fiend and several of its brood-mates. At least two dozen more of the bastards emerged from the low-hanging clouds to replace their fallen comrades. Kino drew a second knife as the flock grew closer.

[Whim]

Ewan was late to the crowd the scuffle had drawn. He managed to coax a vague tale from the barman about tribute to some sort of spirit. A daemon? The weepy barman didn't respond to further questions and left his soup. When he arrived outside... and saw the commotion, and the daemon-thing, he surmised why. Did they want him to stick around to be grabbed?

Of course, out in the fringes it wasn't uncommon for old gods to demand sacrifices. Sometimes it was maidens, young men, and sometimes children. Often it was by necessity more than you'd think; for greener crops, to solve drought, to ward off daemons. Not a sacrifice of the young for the old but the few for the many...

He was inspecting the insectoid creature when the giant of a man bumped into him. "Hey!" he yelped as he he tumbled to the ground. The armored man was, at least, kind enough to help him up. And already he was striding off into the woods.

"Hey! You! Ain't you curious what this thing is before you go killing more?" Ewan barked at Gawfy, pointing toward the insectoid beast "I'm guessing they're the kids that got took, yeah? Transformed or infected. Might be ways to reverse it."

Of course... his investigations were cut short by more cries of panic as dark shapes descended from the sky. Ewan yelped in fright and darted back from the carcass.

[Gawfy]

Gawfy smiled under his helmet as he took his sword in hand as the vanguard came down, He waited for the right moment and Swung. Killing five of them in one blow and Taking out a nearby tree with the back swing. The others making faces and Spitting as they flew away. He then observed the bodies. There was a Red brand on all of them. placed differently but it was still there. See this? It means they made a pact with a demon. He threw down the part he was observing. Kid or not a demon is a demon The Sun was setting and the valley started filling with dense mist. Gawfy dropped his bag and started a fire. Suns going down. Im staying here till morning Demons are stronger in the Night. he said as he stood up and pulled the tree he topped to the fire as seats for the rest of them. Name is gawfy by the way i at least owe all of you that since you wandered into my fight. He said as the scarlet sun ran away from sight.

[Alize]

"Kino Vanden. Pleasure t'meetcha."

[Ice]

It didn't go unnoticed to joss that more of his followers were being killed. No he knew and it really made him mad. He wanted to kill those who dared to rise against him. "Come on we have hunting to do. But be careful we don't need to lose anymore brothers and sisters." He said to the strongest of his followers. He the moved out of where he was . He was going to where they had last been spotted. Instead of letting them come him he was going to them.