It was dark, scary, smelly and quiet in the swamp. In the distance they
could see dangerous beasts in search of easy prey.
"WE ARE LOST" snapped the monk hands on her hips, glaring at the cleric
Ok maybe not quiet.
"We are not lost," replied Benni the cleric in a cheerful tone "Malfay gave us the gate potions instead of the beer.
"I knew that." Hiss monk "What do you think, that I thought POK has turn into some EVIL, TROLL INFESTED SWAMP!" The slender human shook in a barely control rage "LOST!"
The word lost echoed several times in the bleak swamp. The human paused, took a deep breath and continue with her verbal attack "No allies, No Measure of safety. We are going to head up dead and rotting and probably end up as some twice cursed shadow knight troll's pet."
Now Monk had say troll like being a dark elf or human shadow knight's pet would be preferred over being the undead minion to a troll shadow knight. Benni being a Bristlebane cleric (meaning she was a general troublemaker) asked her about it. Benni was rewarded by monk's skin turn a striking shade of red that was a very odd contrasted to her black hair, black eyes, and black leather. If monk had some horns and a tail she would look like some goody two shoes Paladin's arch villain.
Monk meanwhile was sputtering and hissing. One hand jerked around like it was trying to find a way to escape before the human exploded. Now Benni's amusement was destroyed by a sly horrible thought that perhaps it would not be such a good idea to enrage someone that can have you dead with their bare hands before you blink. Benni smiled. In her mind it was a warm smile- one that put people at ease. To everyone else it looked like the halfling was about to sell the Greater Faydwer Wizard spires for scrap stone.
"Look on the bright side. You wanted an adventure and now here we are on an adventure." Said the cleric holding her hands out. The human woman frowned; arms folded and raised one eyebrow at this rather hamfisted tactic for looking at the bright side.
"Think of everything you can kill." Purred the halfing
The monk brightened. She did like to practice her art on lesser creatures immensely. Benni's high iota smile dimmed slightly as she wondered why she teased her friend, it was similar to teasing a dragon.
A twig snapped. The two heroines turned. The human instinctively block the very friend that earlier she had been imagining drop kicking into the next zone.
"Did Mister Bristlebane send you?" asked the person in cultural gentle tone who expected form high elves or erudites. It caused a momentary loss of brain functions due to the fact it was coming from the most unlikely source- a scarred up troll.
Now clerics think slow. That doesn't mean they are stupid. Maybe it would be better to say they think big. They are always thinking; which spell will be most useful to the group? How long do I need to wait to cast greater heal on warrior to make the most of the mana? Do I cast blessing and bravery on the group or let someone handle the buffs? Do I heal the moron puller who pull the entire throne room again, the caster who attacks the monster that wasn't anyone else target for the fourth time? All these thoughts go around and around. Considering, planning, thinking about this particular strange experience dropped into the bubbling stew that is the cleric's mind. When you are thinking vast, it takes at least four small moments.
Warriors, rogues, monks and other melee types tend not to be big thinkers. The human was no exception. "The troll is not my friend and I can kill it." Were in fact the very thoughts that pass in military precision through her mind before she leaped forward with a Wu's fighting stick in each hand.
While the monk and the troll battled. Perhaps battle is the wrong word. The troll was trying very hard and only being modestly successful in not being beaten to death. Benni grasped. As the monk dodged a blow, the cleric reached out and grabbed the end of the human's long black braid. Now if they had not been in a muddy swamp, the monk would have easily escape her friend's gasp and continue to kill the troll. Luckily for the troll, the battle was in the middle of a swamp. Monk's feet slipped out from under her. As she landed on her butt in the slick stinky mud, Benni got a better hold on friend's braid. With a wave of her free hand and a few quick words the troll was healed. The human was struggling.
Now the troll was slowly backing away, his eyes shifting nervously. Benni sighed. The dumb troll was going to back himself into a kobold and then he would be troll kabob. She could see the burly kobolds in the distance. So far none had noticed the three poor souls. Benni glance at the monk. Benni knew she would survive most likely but the human and the troll would be dead.
"ROOT "she shouted and magical vines leap up circling the troll's feet to prevent him from killing himself
"Now who did you say was going to send you help?" she ask politely
The troll was turning a dark shade of green and his black eyes were huge in fear. "Uh a Mister Fritztop Bristlebane, ma'am." He said "He looked similar to you so I thought perhaps. I am sorry if I made a mistake. "
Monk interrupted "LET ME GO! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU AND THEN I AM GOING TO KILL THE TROLL"
Benni was surprise that monk had not had a outburst before now. Of course a new problem now presented itself. The situation was now similar to grabbing a gnoll by the tail. He can't attack but once you let go your butt is puppy chow.
"The troll is here because of Bristlebane. We are here because of a comedic mix-up. We are clearly destined to help the troll in his quest to ..." the cleric paused and look up from her friend "What is your quest?"
"Quest? You mean my goals? I would have to state that my immediate goals would be not having your companion kill me and located Mr. Bristlebane's help. However my main goals would be rescue my Luce and return home." At the mention of the name Luce, the troll's features shifted to a starry eyed dreamy look.
Then suddenly his face became pained and hard. "These people kidnap her from my home. I promise to protect her and I failed." A big fat tear rolled down his warty cheek. "Ok. Ok. Ok. "Mumbled the cleric in soothing tones "now what is Luce? That doesn't sound trollish?" She walked over and patted the troll on the arm. The troll had these big fat tears and was making very soft sad noises. "Trollish?" spoke the troll roughly "Luce is a beauty without compare. She is like the sun on your face, the scent of fresh roses- "Hey Ugly!" snapped the monk Benni frowned realizing that she had made a serious mistake. She had let go of her friend's braid. After that gnoll, it would seem that she would have learn that lesson, she thought to herself. Monk bounced to her feet effortless. A rather sly smile crossed her face giving her a predatory look. "We are looking for something more solid." Spoke Monk in slowly as if speaking to particularly dumb child "Size, hair color, race, you dumb Troll," The Troll jumped as monk spoke. Benni guess it was from nearly being beaten to death with someone's fist not five minutes before. "Luce is perfect. " Monk growled. "She is as tiny and lithe as a cat. Her hair is long and flowing and thick and smells like sandalwood. It is this dark brown that is like rich good Earth. Her skin is soft and pale as if made from moonbeams. Her eyes have captured the beauty of a perfect sky and her lips the-OUCH" Monk had hit the troll on the head with the Wu's walking stick. The troll took a step back only to have the monk used the second Wu's walking stick to sweep his legs from under him. She stood above him smirking. "I am Monk. That halfing is Benni. She's a cleric. " "It is a pleasure to meet you Monk and you Benni." "What do you do for a living Troll?" ask Monk "I am an IT guy." He said still lying in the mud "what do you do ma'am?" Monk blinked. "I am a monk, Troll." Rolland's head move slightly to the left and one eye twitched. "Your name is Monk and you are a monk." Monk the monk nodded her head slightly. The troll opened his mouth and then closed it. Whatever he was going to say remain unsaid. Benni was glad he was smarter than he looked. "And troll what is your name and what is a IT guy?" snarled Monk Benni smiled pleased that her friend had taken to the strange troll. Then the troll said something that made Benni what sort of madness lay before them. The troll frowned and sat up. He took a deep breath and asked very politely "Please stop referring to me as Troll. It isn't very nice. I am not a troll." Benni's eyebrows shot up disappearing into her hairline. Monk rolled her eyes and snapped at her friend "You and your damn crazy god."
Author notes.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I would like to take the time to thank my reviewer BoxieRoxie for her very nice review Very nice start. cant wait to read more. BoxieRoxie gets this free batwing crunchies cearl brought to you by the same people that brought you edible goo and rat steaks! Rodentia Chef INC making good stuff out of rodents since that freak accident. Please review because BoxieRoxie might get lonely being the only reviewer!
Next Chapter-Troll reveals his name and more about Luce. Also freaks out a bit about being a troll. Who wouldn't.
"WE ARE LOST" snapped the monk hands on her hips, glaring at the cleric
Ok maybe not quiet.
"We are not lost," replied Benni the cleric in a cheerful tone "Malfay gave us the gate potions instead of the beer.
"I knew that." Hiss monk "What do you think, that I thought POK has turn into some EVIL, TROLL INFESTED SWAMP!" The slender human shook in a barely control rage "LOST!"
The word lost echoed several times in the bleak swamp. The human paused, took a deep breath and continue with her verbal attack "No allies, No Measure of safety. We are going to head up dead and rotting and probably end up as some twice cursed shadow knight troll's pet."
Now Monk had say troll like being a dark elf or human shadow knight's pet would be preferred over being the undead minion to a troll shadow knight. Benni being a Bristlebane cleric (meaning she was a general troublemaker) asked her about it. Benni was rewarded by monk's skin turn a striking shade of red that was a very odd contrasted to her black hair, black eyes, and black leather. If monk had some horns and a tail she would look like some goody two shoes Paladin's arch villain.
Monk meanwhile was sputtering and hissing. One hand jerked around like it was trying to find a way to escape before the human exploded. Now Benni's amusement was destroyed by a sly horrible thought that perhaps it would not be such a good idea to enrage someone that can have you dead with their bare hands before you blink. Benni smiled. In her mind it was a warm smile- one that put people at ease. To everyone else it looked like the halfling was about to sell the Greater Faydwer Wizard spires for scrap stone.
"Look on the bright side. You wanted an adventure and now here we are on an adventure." Said the cleric holding her hands out. The human woman frowned; arms folded and raised one eyebrow at this rather hamfisted tactic for looking at the bright side.
"Think of everything you can kill." Purred the halfing
The monk brightened. She did like to practice her art on lesser creatures immensely. Benni's high iota smile dimmed slightly as she wondered why she teased her friend, it was similar to teasing a dragon.
A twig snapped. The two heroines turned. The human instinctively block the very friend that earlier she had been imagining drop kicking into the next zone.
"Did Mister Bristlebane send you?" asked the person in cultural gentle tone who expected form high elves or erudites. It caused a momentary loss of brain functions due to the fact it was coming from the most unlikely source- a scarred up troll.
Now clerics think slow. That doesn't mean they are stupid. Maybe it would be better to say they think big. They are always thinking; which spell will be most useful to the group? How long do I need to wait to cast greater heal on warrior to make the most of the mana? Do I cast blessing and bravery on the group or let someone handle the buffs? Do I heal the moron puller who pull the entire throne room again, the caster who attacks the monster that wasn't anyone else target for the fourth time? All these thoughts go around and around. Considering, planning, thinking about this particular strange experience dropped into the bubbling stew that is the cleric's mind. When you are thinking vast, it takes at least four small moments.
Warriors, rogues, monks and other melee types tend not to be big thinkers. The human was no exception. "The troll is not my friend and I can kill it." Were in fact the very thoughts that pass in military precision through her mind before she leaped forward with a Wu's fighting stick in each hand.
While the monk and the troll battled. Perhaps battle is the wrong word. The troll was trying very hard and only being modestly successful in not being beaten to death. Benni grasped. As the monk dodged a blow, the cleric reached out and grabbed the end of the human's long black braid. Now if they had not been in a muddy swamp, the monk would have easily escape her friend's gasp and continue to kill the troll. Luckily for the troll, the battle was in the middle of a swamp. Monk's feet slipped out from under her. As she landed on her butt in the slick stinky mud, Benni got a better hold on friend's braid. With a wave of her free hand and a few quick words the troll was healed. The human was struggling.
Now the troll was slowly backing away, his eyes shifting nervously. Benni sighed. The dumb troll was going to back himself into a kobold and then he would be troll kabob. She could see the burly kobolds in the distance. So far none had noticed the three poor souls. Benni glance at the monk. Benni knew she would survive most likely but the human and the troll would be dead.
"ROOT "she shouted and magical vines leap up circling the troll's feet to prevent him from killing himself
"Now who did you say was going to send you help?" she ask politely
The troll was turning a dark shade of green and his black eyes were huge in fear. "Uh a Mister Fritztop Bristlebane, ma'am." He said "He looked similar to you so I thought perhaps. I am sorry if I made a mistake. "
Monk interrupted "LET ME GO! I AM GOING TO KILL YOU AND THEN I AM GOING TO KILL THE TROLL"
Benni was surprise that monk had not had a outburst before now. Of course a new problem now presented itself. The situation was now similar to grabbing a gnoll by the tail. He can't attack but once you let go your butt is puppy chow.
"The troll is here because of Bristlebane. We are here because of a comedic mix-up. We are clearly destined to help the troll in his quest to ..." the cleric paused and look up from her friend "What is your quest?"
"Quest? You mean my goals? I would have to state that my immediate goals would be not having your companion kill me and located Mr. Bristlebane's help. However my main goals would be rescue my Luce and return home." At the mention of the name Luce, the troll's features shifted to a starry eyed dreamy look.
Then suddenly his face became pained and hard. "These people kidnap her from my home. I promise to protect her and I failed." A big fat tear rolled down his warty cheek. "Ok. Ok. Ok. "Mumbled the cleric in soothing tones "now what is Luce? That doesn't sound trollish?" She walked over and patted the troll on the arm. The troll had these big fat tears and was making very soft sad noises. "Trollish?" spoke the troll roughly "Luce is a beauty without compare. She is like the sun on your face, the scent of fresh roses- "Hey Ugly!" snapped the monk Benni frowned realizing that she had made a serious mistake. She had let go of her friend's braid. After that gnoll, it would seem that she would have learn that lesson, she thought to herself. Monk bounced to her feet effortless. A rather sly smile crossed her face giving her a predatory look. "We are looking for something more solid." Spoke Monk in slowly as if speaking to particularly dumb child "Size, hair color, race, you dumb Troll," The Troll jumped as monk spoke. Benni guess it was from nearly being beaten to death with someone's fist not five minutes before. "Luce is perfect. " Monk growled. "She is as tiny and lithe as a cat. Her hair is long and flowing and thick and smells like sandalwood. It is this dark brown that is like rich good Earth. Her skin is soft and pale as if made from moonbeams. Her eyes have captured the beauty of a perfect sky and her lips the-OUCH" Monk had hit the troll on the head with the Wu's walking stick. The troll took a step back only to have the monk used the second Wu's walking stick to sweep his legs from under him. She stood above him smirking. "I am Monk. That halfing is Benni. She's a cleric. " "It is a pleasure to meet you Monk and you Benni." "What do you do for a living Troll?" ask Monk "I am an IT guy." He said still lying in the mud "what do you do ma'am?" Monk blinked. "I am a monk, Troll." Rolland's head move slightly to the left and one eye twitched. "Your name is Monk and you are a monk." Monk the monk nodded her head slightly. The troll opened his mouth and then closed it. Whatever he was going to say remain unsaid. Benni was glad he was smarter than he looked. "And troll what is your name and what is a IT guy?" snarled Monk Benni smiled pleased that her friend had taken to the strange troll. Then the troll said something that made Benni what sort of madness lay before them. The troll frowned and sat up. He took a deep breath and asked very politely "Please stop referring to me as Troll. It isn't very nice. I am not a troll." Benni's eyebrows shot up disappearing into her hairline. Monk rolled her eyes and snapped at her friend "You and your damn crazy god."
Author notes.
I hope you enjoy this chapter. I would like to take the time to thank my reviewer BoxieRoxie for her very nice review Very nice start. cant wait to read more. BoxieRoxie gets this free batwing crunchies cearl brought to you by the same people that brought you edible goo and rat steaks! Rodentia Chef INC making good stuff out of rodents since that freak accident. Please review because BoxieRoxie might get lonely being the only reviewer!
Next Chapter-Troll reveals his name and more about Luce. Also freaks out a bit about being a troll. Who wouldn't.