Vuatz Einuk - Trading Post - Disputed Lands - Canton Lake, Oklahoma
The gnoll bowed his head in gratitude, and motioned for them to stand. "We do not look to fight it yet, not yet..." He drifted off in thought. "Fighting it on our own terms would be preferable. Even with the machine priests, I still fear the devastation it could bring."
He exited the cabin, motioning for Widuak and the impromptu chief to follow. Plodding across the grassy field back to the camp, Vuatz eyes drifted side to side, scanning the horizon. The great beast could strike at any time. Perhaps it stalked the goblin band on their way to Canton Lake, and was waiting to pick off stragglers who left the safety of the camp. Gods knew some of these beasts were deathly intelligent. Moving to a small tent towards the center of the camp, Vuatz lifted the flap open, and stopped inside.
Aside from some hides on the floor, and a bedroll, not much lined the interior of the tent. It was spartan, even by the nomadic standards of the Grey Wanderers. Two small sacks sat on one side of the room. Untying one, Vuatz knelt down and rummaged within until he had retrieved an item from within.
Clutched in his hand was a small metal canister, sealed shut and topped with a slow burning fuse. Walking towards the outer edge of the camp, Vuatz began to scratch a piece of flint from his pocket against the side of the cylinder. It sparked several times before the flame finally caught hold on the fuse, and began the process of slowly burning down its tarred length. Vuatz tossed the canister into the empty field. It landed with a dull thud, and became lost in the tall grass.
"One of the Bandoin men shall accompany me, and several trackers as we search for the great beast. We will leave in a few hours time, after the machine priests loyal to me arrive. Once they see my signal, they shall come. No one of them is more than two miles away, they should be here soon. The few remaining we can gather after once we locate the beast. Then we will make the plan to kill it."
Almost on queue, the canister, hidden in the grass, began to emit a low hissing noise. Slowly at first, but growing in volume, a viscous purple smoke began to rise from the canister, spiraling lazily upward into the sky. There was little doubt it would be visible from many miles away. The smoke signal would last for several hours. He hoped it wouldn't attract any unwanted attention, although they would most likely have the forces to deal with it.
"We use the signals for long distance communication. The regents are rare enough, so we avoid the use of them. This particular color is unique to me." He mentioned offhandedly. "Hopefully that senile elder shaman doesn't make some brouhaha over this..." Vuatz muttered.
@SedentaryCobra GM - Drake
Time Skip - 1 week
Seven of the Warrior-Priests had arrived only a few days after the smoke signal was released. They approached Vuatz, answering their oaths of fidelity. The oldest of which, Dorgan, lead their ragtag group. With weapons that carried metal farther and faster than the eye could see, and sticks and blades that used the god's blue power, these men were to be feared. As the gnolls prepped themselves for a terrible battle, a huge disturbance was already among them.
Trallian, The Shaman Lord of the Grey Wanderers ventured forth from his reclusive home. He had not seen the light of day in an entire year. In his crooked and aged hands he held ancient manuscripts pertaining to the gods and their rituals. He felt the breeze and smelled the danger on the air. In a crackly voice he called out, "Vuatz! My child! Come to me at once!" Trallian, known merely as Lord Shaman to many, traversed through the cobbled pathways of Canton Lake. He eventually found his apprentice and spiritual son, Vuatz, at the village's eastern edge.
"Vuatz, hear me," he said, gripping the shoulder of the taller gnoll. "An evil, the likes of which we have never seen is upon us. Look to the East! As the sun rises, so does this great enemy of ours." Then Trallian turned, noticing the Warrior-Priests and the goblins. He immediately picked out Dorgan and, surprisingly, Widuak. "Dorgan, it has been so long. You were young the last time I saw you, and Widuak," he said, turning to the young goblin, "Your father brought you to me shortly after your famed mother's death. He had me bless you in our own religion."
Both Dorgan and Widuak were surprised. Widuak stumbled as he processed what the Lord Shaman had said, "Lord Shaman, what do you mean by that? Why would my father, who denounced your beliefs, bring me to you?" Then, cutting him off, Dorgan replied to the Shaman's words, "My Lord, as you know, we were all young the last time you left that tent of yours." Dorgan laughed heartily, lightly smacking Widuak on the head, reminding him of his place.
With a crooked, aged, and knowing smile, Trallian replied, "I know that well, Dorgan, and young Widuak, your questions must wait." Then, to Vuatz, he spoke, "Look, my child, to the rising sun. Can you not see that blight of darkness?" All of their eyes traveled to the point that Trallian's outstretched hand pointed out. On the horizon stood a gigantic, shadowy lion. The was a spear embedded in its front right paw and a steel sword in its side.
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10 Miles to the East of Canton Lake, at the edge of the Horizon
It roared. The reverberating, fear-inspiring sound went across the lands. The great beast had found its prey with the help of a column of purple that had arisen in the sky. Now, the lion could smell the blood of its still-bleeding victims. With a lunge, the beast ran forward towards the small village. Its feet impacting against the soft ground. A curious imprint left behind. It appeared like a large Y with bars set perpendicular to each branch of the shape. The beast's skin did not match its actual shape. A very curious thing that is. Though, this did not distract from the deadly force the monster wielded.
[OOC]
Surprise Me
Warrior-Priests: 2 have pistols, each with 5 bullets; 1 has a rifle, with 10 bullets, lever-action; 3 have highly electrified stun batons, they can kill; 2 have electrified swords; Dorgan has an emp grenade.
[OOC]