{Monster hunting}

[Verfallene Hund]

It began as a rumor several days before. A patrol from town went out as usual, yet they did not return the following day. This in and of itself was not unusual, and it was assumed that the patrol must have fun upon a patrol that ended their lives without mercy. The following patrol set out the very next day, following the same path that the other did in hopes of finding this pack of monsters that caused such troubles. Once more the patrol did not return when it was expected, but again this was not a true cause for alarm. Until a survive arrived in the tunnels, bloodied and near death having lost most of his tail and one arm. He spoke of a beast, a terrible monster that attacked and devoured the entire patrol. Vicious, relentless and hungry beyond description. It would not die no matter how many times they stabbed or cut it. This was not taken well, and so a new party was put together, its purpose not to patrol, but to hunt for this supposed beast.

The old mercenary was of course chosen. His abilities especially were appreciated in a situation such as this. A man who commanded the elements and could not be burned by flame would indeed be a fine asset, though it did not hurt that he was an Anubis. As for the tools he chose to bring along... While none would speak against it, neither could they say they approved. It was odd to bring a smithing thing along on a mission such as this, yet for Verfallene it did not matter at all what was thought of him. This day the Immortal was dressed for his part. Robes and cloak with hood pulled up, his gem hung about his thick neck.

For once the weather was in his favor. Early morning, no rain yet expected, and from time to time the sun could be seen through the canopy above. It was perfect hunting weather, yet somehow Verfallene was not enjoying himself.

The Anubis felt wary... though not because of what he hunted. NO it was the serpents...far too many surrounded him. They slithered and slid, scales scraping against dirt and root, hissing in that horrid tongue of theirs. Oh how Verfallene wished it would stop, the hissing! The Anubis would have never dreamed that so many would be sent. 20... 20 cobras all gathered in a clump slithering through the woods. Oh how stealthy... Surely they would NEVER attract attention.

His eyes cast to the side, catching upon that one guard of interest in this slithering sea of scales. Perhaps it was not all as bad as it seemed. Now he had the constrictor out in the jungle... where anything could happen. Perhaps this day I will be rid of a troublesome snake.

[Hartnäckig Wund]

It was not unusual for patrols to die in Nysa. The towns were very rudimentary, and there were all sorts of dangerous beasts outside the walls. However, if a patrol died, it meant that one such creature was near the town, and there was always the risk of it breaking down the walls, and killing the people, whom were gathered together like a pen of pigs before the harvest.

Hartnäckig could not risk this. And, since the creature had already killed a few of his guards, he decided to hunt it himself. A personal vengeance, to honor the dead men, and to protect the people. So he travelled to the town, armed and ready.

He wondered what creature it was. A Silent Death? No, the corpses had blood left in them, there were no dried husks. Plus, a Silent Death never left a survivor. A few possible creatures popped into his mind, but the Minotaur was confident that he could conquer them all.

Hartnäckig approached one of the other men who had been chosen to go kill the creature. It was a bit unusual to see an Anubis outside of the deserts, or on their own. He noticed that the Anubis was eyeing some snakes.

“Do they bother you?” The Minotaur asked, his voice gruff and deep. It was sort of a greeting, he liked to know the men he worked with, and did not recognize this one. He wondered if the Anubis was a Crusader, but didn’t think so.

[Jacksoπ Flεtchεr]

    Nysa. A place as dangerous and stressful as it was breathtakingly beautiful. Jack had been spending a lot of time wandering this other world lately. He still took the time to manage his earthly affairs, of course, but instead of spending his spare relaxation time playing video games or watching television the young man had been traveling, exploring this unfamiliar place. He'd spent time among the locals, learning of the culture and language, in addition to hunting and studying some of Nysa's dangerous creatures. There was just so much to absorb.

    Wherever Jack went, he offered his assistance in exchange for tutelage, food, and sometimes even just for a story. Beautiful though the world was, it was also very dangerous. Numerous beasts existed that frequently posed an immediate threat to the various supernatural races that inhabited the world. He'd cleared out Karsrak packs that made a habit of attacking travelers and even hunted down a massive beast of epic proportions that had destroyed a faun village. So when he'd heard of the missing patrols, the young man had immediately made his way over to volunteer.

    Jack idly chewed some candy, contemplating what beast might be responsible between observing the rest of the group that had been sent out to avenge the patrols. They seemed competent enough, though were a somewhat mixed group. An anubis and minotaur seemed to have struck up some conversation and, wishing to know more about those he was traveling with, Jack made his was over to them.

    "Unfortunate what happened to the others. What do you allthink is behind these missing patrols? The description sounds like no beast I am familiar with."

[Mozoga]

     Mozoga had been sitting, waiting for people to show up to join the group. She was obviously a part of it, or at least obvious to the Master of Crusaders whom she worked for and with. Hartnackig was bigger then herself, which was saying something as Mozoga was no little springling herself. However she knew that she was physically stronger then he was, with more power to each of her attacks by far. Yet the Master of the Crusaders was faster then she was.

     Lifting her glass of ale, she took another long swing from it and set it back down upon the wooden table and sighed. She reached up with her other hand and wiped her lips with a handkerchief. There was still a little bit of ale left, but she supposed it was time to get up and start getting to work seeing as Hartnackig had moved over to engage some Anubian in conversation. Mozoga watched as somebody she actually recognized approached Hartnackig and the Anubian, and tilted her head with curiosity. It was a male she recognized from a few other encounters in Nysa before. He had introduced himself as...Ten was it not?

     Standing up, Mozoga followed after the male, and finally came to stand beside the male and beside Hartnackig. She looked between Ten and the Master of the Crusaders and chuckled. This was an interesting group that they seemed to be gathering together.