Valkurm Encounter

The Valkurm dunes spread across a very large section of the continent of Quon. A Blisteringly hot sandy wasteland. Not as large as the Altepa deserts but still a large obstacle for anyone wishing to travel between the nations of Bastok and San D'oria. Flanked on either sides by the Highlands of Konstacht and the La Theine Plateau it still attracted more visitors than it would usually. In peaceful times large trade convoys would trundle through. Either to the two nearest city-states or to the port of selbina then onwards to far off Windurst. In peaceful times fishermen would come to hunt the crab on the Whitebone sands or to fish in the Selbina Harbour. In peaceful times Valkurm was inviting despite the heat. These were not peaceful times.

"IF HE MOVES AGAIN PUMP HIM FULL OF ARROWS." The voice of the Ranger captain of the second group called up. His group consisting of three rangers a healer and two paladins were providing the supporting cover for the hastily assembled alliance. They had just efficiently taken down two large looking goblins with the aid of the first group.

The first group was made up of close combat specialists. A lithe Elvaan Samurai led them in a blurry dance of death through whatever got in their way. Kimallas group (the final one) was charged with plugging any holes that might appear. Lizards hitting the main groups flanks had been dealt with quickly. As had some large mayflys that had descended and hit the Rangers group.

Two more goblins crested a dune with something very large between them. The setting sun behind them turned the figures into silhouettes and made the large thing between them hard to identify. That didn't stop the rangers though and the air filled with the whistling of arrows as they opened fire on the dark shape. Arrows clearly hit it and clearly hurt it. With a howl of rage the beast raced towards the archers. It ran past the first group and only stopped when it hit the wall of the two paladins. Out from the aura of the sun it became clear the Goblins had provoked a Brutal sheep to attack them. The second group formed up to face this threat.

The Goblins that brought the beast into the fight had already ditched the sticks used to herd the sheep and attacked the first group. The yells of the Samurai kept order in the face of these dangerous foes. The two red mages in the first group trying to keep the warriors up despite the heavy blows falling on them.

"Right we're gonna hit the goblins full force. Standard battle practice." Yelled Kimalla. "Everyone know their places?"

"The rangers are getting hit hard. We need to help them." Answered Rowan. Mugal Tugal nodded at his side. "If the beast gets past the paladins they are done for."

"No Kimalla is right" Rumbled Takker. "The goblins are bigger threat. They must be taken"

"But we can't lose the rear flank." Squeaked Mugal. "I'm with Rowan"

"GROUP THREE WHERE ARE YOU?" cried the Elvaan Samurai.

"Fine split up, me and Takker will hit the goblins. Rowan, you and mugal take the sheep. We'll have words afterwards." The glare she fixed rowan with could have stopped a Gigan in its tracks. It lingered a second before the party split. The Elvaan Healer T'lesta left standing where she was.

Kimalla covered the distance to the nearest goblin quickly. It was pummelling the shield of a Hume Warrior a large two-handed sword. A Galka lay near the pair motionless. A dark stain spreading over his cream fur from his belly. The rest of the party, attacking the other goblin, didn't notice their fallen comrade.

The first blow that Kimalla struck rang cleanly off the batsman's helm. The noise of metal on metal reverberating in the evening air. A blow from the embattled hume also glanced of the thick metal covering the goblin. The Goblin knocked the shield of the warrior aside and struck out with his own weapon. The stab was both accurate and brutal. The tip of the blade piercing the throat of the Hume and passing through to the other side. The blade withdrew and the red covering it was clear even in the failing light. With a gurgling sound the hume fell back and lay still.

Kimalla let out a scream of rage and lunged at the batsman's back. Focusing all her anger and fury at the target in front of her she managed to find a weak spot in the armour that allowed her dagger to slip through. The Goblin arched his back in pain and swung round to face this new threat. The large sword swung round in a blow that just missed Kimallas stomach. Showing excellent mastery of the sword, the goblin managed to use the momentum to bring the sword in a circular motion to strike in an Arc. The blow was deflected by Kimallas Buckler but the blow jarred the bones in her arm and left it numb. The goblin then lashed out with a mailed fist that caught her just below the ribcage. Kimalla fell to the floor gasping for air.

Takker appeared from behind the Mithra and started throwing punches into the Batsman's head and body. The clangs as the metal surrounding Takkers fists hit the armour of the Goblin sounded like the steady hits of a blacksmith at his forge. For a second it seemed that the Galka was turning the tide of the fight. Blow after blow struck the Beastman and it staggered back under the attack.

Suddenly the situation changed. The Goblin showed surprising agility by ducking under one blow and twisting round another. In a deft movement it swung it's blade again and aimed squarely for the Galkas throat. A blur of fur got in the way and the large sword embedded itself into the Monks arm. Takker let no cry of pain out as he again hit the beastman with his free arm. The second the arm came back the goblin briefly let go of the sword and launched his whole body at Takkers face. Squat but powerful legs drove the full weight of the goblin in a vicious head butt that caught his assailant off guard. Blood exploded from the Galkas nose and he too fell backwards. He was unconscious before he hit the floor.

With a grunt of triumph the Goblin hefted his sword from the arm of Kimallas fallen comrade. Standing over Takker he raised it high into the air. The low sun glinting off the blade where the blood hadn't dulled it. Everything in Kimallas head happened to quickly. A thousand plans of how to save Takker flew through her head. Each one was discarded in an instant. In the time it had taken the Goblin to raise the weapon Kimalla knew that Takker would die. Inside her she could feel her grief already starting to well. A large darkness gathered in her body and she trembled from within. One thought consumed her.

Takker will die. The goblin will bring down his sword deep into the galkas chest.

Takker will die. The goblins will take over valkurm and turn it into a haven for beastmen

Takker will die. The armies of the beastmen will come here and form another army.

Takker will die, Darkness will engulf the whole world.

Takker will die.

A scream erupted from Kimallas throat and brilliant flash erupted from within her. A wall of force that could be felt ripped from her body and struck the beastman standing over Takker. The scream lasted several seconds and all Kimalla could see was light. A brilliant light that was both painful and beautiful too behold.

A voice spoke too her then but it could not be heard properly. The voice didn't whisper nor did it speak a foreign tongue. Yet it seemed to be beyond comprehension. Kimalla listened for a long while. The sound calmed and soothed her even though she could not see the speaker. Gradually the voice faded from her ears and light faded from her sight.

A grinning hume came into view. "Welcome to the Valkurm outpost."