Travels in the North: a young druid and his Fantastic Indigo Woodpecker

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Feb 27, 2001 4:40 am

Chapter 1

1)A solitary figure, burdened by his pack, climbs a white slope. The gentle snow fall obscures his vision and slows his progress, a gnarled staff gripped with both hands aids his ascent. A worn cloak is pulled around him - his clothes a fading grey mixed with drab green and links of mail. The non-descript scene is interrupted by a flash of bright colour. A small Indigo Woodpecker circles repeatedly just above the man's head. There is only one word to describe the bird: Fantastic.

[This message has been edited by Gruntboy (edited 02-27-2001).]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Feb 27, 2001 5:04 am

2)As the figure reaches the crest of the hill the Fantastic Indigo Woodpecker lands on the tip of his staff, then hops to perch on his shoulder. Snowflakes fall softly all around. The bird seems to examine the Druidic markings etched on the man's staff and cloak - he even has a few tattos visible on his neck. They are old and worn, like everything about him. They are in the past, reminders of a life he has left but not entirely given up.

As the man rests on his staff from the ardous climb, the Fantastic Indigo Woodpecker notices movement from the corner of its eye. It sharp features flit around to notice a white wolf peering at them from a nearby treeline. Almost invisible against the background and branches heavy with snow, only friends would have reconised its presence. The man acknowledges the wolf, his spirit guide. Her eyes glow green with an other-worldly presence.

[This message has been edited by Gruntboy (edited 02-27-2001).]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Feb 27, 2001 6:43 am

3)Resuming his journey, the traveller heads North once again. The hill seemed yet one more gruelling obstacle placed in his path by nature. A test. He had left behind him a path through wary human tribes and hungry creatures. Avoided lairs and wide rivers. Directionless forests that swallowed all light and now even the weather was against him. The snow became heavier. Yet the way forward seemed almost at an end. The Fantastic Indigo Woodpecker was able to fly as if finding a lull in the cold front. Regardless, his spirit guide watched over him - guarding the way where no other individual might pass. The man drew strength from his companions, doubling his efforts and fearing not the denizens of dark caves that might be watching from the hillside. His stumbling up the hill became a stride across the high plateau as he felt the end of his journey, just ahead through the worsening drifts.

A flash of Indigo showed him the way.

<200 IWD posts - woo hoo!>

[This message has been edited by Gruntboy (edited 02-27-2001).]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Wed Feb 28, 2001 3:16 am

4)Tap tap tap, went the cabin door. A wary face peered through a thick, dirty window. The zero visibility and harsh environs waranted no reply. Tap tap tap. Even somone on the outside would have seen but a small Indigo Woodpecker tapping on the door. At the third 'tap tap tap' the door creaked inwards (the lying snow was almost 3 feet high and it gently crumbled into the cabin) and a pointed axe poked through the gap. The weapon prodded the gloved hand of a man lying face down in the snow just a little too far to have reached the door.
"What is it? Goblins?" Came a deep voice from further in the room.
"No, a man, near death an' all"
"Bait?"
"Trouble seein' the cabin in this storm, ne'er mind settin' to kill us." The wind howled around the cabin and snow pelted the rough-hewn window.
"Must be a pilgrim, drag 'im in and see if he's any gold."
As the door opened wider and a pair of burly arms began to drag the man insire, a brillian flash of Indigo burst into the room.
"What the 'eck!"

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Wed Feb 28, 2001 6:59 am

5)After thrashing about the room, startled by the Fantastic Indigo Woodpecker, the two Northmen calmed down. The bird had posed them no threat, it just surprised them, and was now neatly perched on top of a bunk-bed. The Woodpecker preened itself whilst the two men considered what to do.
"Ee's still alive"
"What are those markings?"
"Holy symbols, maybe ee's a Shaman?"
"Which tribe?"
"Whatever - best take care o' 'im, nature's angry enuff for today."
When they young man next awoke he was wrapped in several furs and seemed relatively unaffected by his recent ordeal (this fact amazed the 2 Northmen). His pack and belongings lay in the corner. The Woodpecker sat on the windowsill. The snow had stopped outside. The 2 men were watching a wolf that had been prowling around for the last half hour. The men displayed reverance and when he became coherent and had a meal of salted fish they asked him why he had come to the foothills of the Spine of the World at this time of year.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Wed Feb 28, 2001 9:27 am

6)The young man began to relate his story - afterall it seemed polite given that his hosts had, to all intents and purposes, saved his life. His name was Mallik. He had indeed been a holy man. A druid who protected the local peoples from the ravages of nature and beast alike. Indeed, although he had moved on in his life (he neglected to mention this fact), he was very much in tune with his land and its spirits. He onced lived in these lands and was making a pilgrimmage to see his druid brothers when the storm caught him. He had intended to move to the foothills near the end of winter - the journey, he thought, would not be that dificult. He would then be in an excellent position to clear the passes with the thaw.
"And the Woodpecker?"
Oh, he is my eyes. A woodland creature that summoned to my aid for protection. Our will is the same, we provide for each other. He is Indigo and Fantastic.
"And the She-Wolf?"
She is my spirit guide. The Northmen understood the natural link with a extra-planar spirit. They had grown up and witnessed the power of tribal shamans. At this, they let the wolf inside. Mallik then asked what his saviours were doing here at this time of year.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Fri Mar 02, 2001 6:45 am

7)The She-wolf lapped at a bowl of water as the three men talked. It wasn't real, Mallik chuckled to himself, just something she did to make primes feel comfortable. The two Northmen, Aelred and Hektor, we're outcasts from their tribe. They yearned for a life of adventure and had broken from their tribe. The tribe had slowly moved to less harsh climes and the men wished to stay with the cluster of tribes that remained their home. They too were moving in close for the thaw that would let them through the pass. It was a matter of weeks now. But with Mallik's protection they agreed they could leave when the storm, the last gasp of Winter, was over. They had been surviving on melted ice, frozen game and fish caught from a nearby small lake. They were sick of the fish. The Indigo Woodpecker didn't seem to mind. Although Fantastic, the bird was thoroughly grounded in the material plane (although bound to our young druid's will) and was partial to a bit of fish.

The men would take Mallik through the passes - it was of mutual benefit. They would go as far as their Winter campgrounds, where they would all be safe. The group waited till the storm died down. There was little to do except sleep - much needed rest that Mallik was grateful for. 2 days passed before the fierce winds died down and the snowfall stopped. Taking extra provisions, the men stepped out into the fresh snow. Cruching at first, they soon had to wade through it up to their waists. It was hard going but the sun shone gloriously on their faces - a good omen that they had started at the right time. They should reach the passes just as the thaw begins.

The She-wolf was nowhere to be seen - under the snow the barbarians thought. Not needed for now, she had retreated to her spiritual plane to await the need of her master and charge. The Woodpecker led the way - an Indigo spark that showed the easy path.

[This message has been edited by Gruntboy (edited 03-02-2001).]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Mar 06, 2001 9:48 am

8)For three days the men slogged through thigh-length snow and slept under trees where they could - guarded by the druid's incantations to nature. The sun slowly melted the terrain around them. Small rivers began to flow south, bringing chunks of ice with them. Eventually they reached the lowest of the passes know to the Northmen and began to feel as if they were in a zone of safety.

But the rocky pass sides hid danger. Goblin eyes viewed the mens' progress with the intent of ambush and looting. Mallik was fully aware of this fact - alerted to their presence by his ever-watchful Indigo Woodpecker. Still, it came as a surprise when 6 of the foul creatures burst out of the snow drift in front them. Forewarned, the two Northmen leaptinto a counter-attack. Hektor swung a battle-axe, splitting skulls and parrying blows with his round, wood shield. Aelred's broadsword removed heads from necks and limbs from bodies. He pushed down the smaller creatures with his shield - both men making a tribal war-cry. Their hide and chain armour deflected the weak enemy blows.
<thunk>
A small arrow hit Hektor's shield. Just as they were dispatching the last Goblins, another party of 5 appeared from the rocks firing with bows. Charging this new threat, they almost reached the abysmal archers when Hektor was again hit, this time in the leg. Mallik, who'd barely had time to react to the first group, had drawn two curved blades, was also hit in the shoulder. The trio ploughed on and into the archers, dispatching them quickly as they began to flee.

Hektor limped.
"Arh. Damned Goblins."
"Starting the raiding season so soon? Sure'n there's more o' 'em close by."
Mallik pulled the arrow from Hektor's leg. His own was lodged in the mail chinks and drew no blood. After giving what attention he could in the circumstances they decided to move on quickly - fearing worse foes than goblins.

[This message has been edited by Gruntboy (edited 03-07-2001).]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Mon Mar 19, 2001 9:47 am

9)The 3 men moved on quickly. The rapidly melting ice made progress easier. Hektor lagged behind and although his companions aided him, he soon began to look very pale. The wound was bad and he had lost much blood. There was little even the druid could do to assuage the flow. He stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Leave me here" - his voice becoming weak.
"Nay, never will I leave a battle brother...
Hektor cut him off by grabbing Aelred's jacket.
"I canna walk, I'll slow ye down. We'll all be food fer the Goblin's then." He smiled a weak, pathetic smile, as much as his proud heritage would allow.
It was academic. The icy wet snow around them was turning pink. The cold had bitten hard at Hektor's cruel wound. He seemed to relinquish his life there and then to stop any more arguements from his bretheren. The two men watched solemnly as Hektor's soul departed to continue his fight in the next world.
"Damn Goblins." He breathed his last.
"Come, we will celebrate his feats at a more fitting time... where is my Woodpecker?"
There was no time for mourning as the young druid's heart leapt at this sudden realisation - the death of his companion had distracted him.

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Wed Mar 21, 2001 7:56 am

10)"So call for him" said Aelred.
"I... don't know..."
"Call for him, what's the matter?"
"I've never had to, he has no name."
"Oh. Well, try Indigo, after all he is Fantastically Indigo."
"Yes. INDIGO!"
"INDIGO!" Aelred joined in.
"INDIGO!"
The two men stood in the snow. Nothing.
"Come, this houting will only attract more goblins, we'll find your woodpecker somehow."
They slogged off, leaving Hektor where he lay. It pained Aelred to do so, not giving him the proper respect or burial. But he had at least died from battle.
Their progress through the snow melting in the pass became easier as the slope started to go down. An hour had passed before they came to a thick copse of fir trees. Huge cords of sticky silk weaved through them and Mallik was sure, amongst the little bundles bound in what was obviously a gigantic web, he could make out some indigo.

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Thu Apr 05, 2001 8:54 pm

Grunt m'dear, not to spam your lovely story..but I WANT AN UPDATE

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Mon Apr 09, 2001 5:18 am

<Grrr...

Just kidding>

11)Mallik unsheathed his 2 scimatars and began to work his way through the gigantic web - slashing at the sticky strands. Aelred hung back and readied his Broadsword. Both new that sooner or later they would hear the sickening chatter of a an extremely big spider upon disturbing its web.

Sure enough not 1 but 2 huge spiders stuttered from the trees down the web. The horrible noise of legs rubbing against their bodies announcing their intent to attack. Mallik stood his ground, determined to free his Woodpecker. Twirling his blades to face the first creature, he invoked his bond with nature to even the odds. Heeding his call the branches of the trees seemed to strain and clutch at the spiders, entangling one and slowing the other. As the twin blades fenced with the gigantic spider's mandibles, Aelred watched in horror as a third huge arachnid slid down behind the fight on a cord of silk.

Letting out his war-cry, Aelred charged and split the descending creature almost in two. The young druid made short work of his opponent, expertly slicing the beast with his swords. They approached the remaining spider when it suddenly broke free from the surrounding branches. Lurching forward, it caught the men off guard and sank its mandibles into Aelred's leg and pumped in venom.

<Happy now?

>

[ 04-09-2001: Message edited by: Gruntboy ]

T'lainya · Post by **T'lainya** » Mon Apr 09, 2001 7:30 am

Thank you Grunty

And I was starting to think you didn't care..

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Mon Apr 09, 2001 7:38 am

I'll "didn't care" you

for spamming up my story. J/k. If it was anyone else I'd butcher them like hogs

[ 05-01-2001: Message edited by: Gruntboy ]

Gruntboy · Post by **Gruntboy** » Tue Apr 24, 2001 3:32 am

12) Aelred let out a cry. Mallik then sliced the spiders mandibles off with a swing of his swords and sunk both of them into its hairy back. It screeched, shuddered then fell lifeless and impaled. Pulling what was left of it from Aelred, who had now collapsed in agony, Mallik tended to the wound and poison, calling on his knowledge gleaned when was young. He was soon also cutting down his Woodpecker, saved as the Spider's next meal. The bird flexed its wings and leapt into the sky, singing at freedom regained.

Rummaging in the web, Mallik found a pile of bones from which he liberated a Northman's helm. The once proud bearer must have been of noble birth given the intricately designed mask - it had caught his attention immediately. Not wishing to linger and aware of his failure to save Hektor, Mallik tended to Aelred and supported him as they withdrew from the trees and continued on their way.

After a short way they stopped. Scrabbling at the base of some dead plants produced the required roots that Mallik boiled down to paste and applied to Aelred's wound. It was not a bad wound and the poison was not strong but it had weakened the warrior and was open to infection. They spent a night in a snow shelter and early next morning Mallik helped the deathly-looking but alive Aelred further down towards the entrance to the pass.

[ 05-01-2001: Message edited by: Gruntboy ]