A Beast Put To Rest.

[Temp 2006]

 

((Note: It was a Hippogriff.))

 

A small convoy of men, varied in race and size move about the mountains in what had been deemed, ‘No man’s land.’ Minor report had been given of a winged beast flying over the mountains. The creature was immediately assumed to be cockatrice and the men had brought a means in which to deal with the beast. For 3 days, the convoy moved on in silence, making camp as the nights approached and continuing on before the sun had risen.

 

Eventually coming to the lands reported as nesting ground, the men made camp just over the opposite peak, awaiting nightfall. As the night set upon the camp, 3 men departed from the camp with a wagon of lumber and shovels. In the odd-placed silence of the night, the men dug into mountain’s side and lay lumber in an effort to reinforce the work made.
For what felt like hours, the men persisted, eventually forming a sizeable pocket in the mountain’s side and 2 men were sent back to gather the tool brought in effort to be rid of the creature.

Noon of the next day, the men arrived with disassembled siege engine and looked to the land. The group spoke amongst themselves, laying plan and beginning to arrange equipment for the events to come. With Ballista in place, the area was thoroughly scouted and nest was spotted. It had been empty and there was no sign of the beast, aside from assorted feathers and remains of prey.

Once agreement had been made, the men made their way back to the campsite and held the small stretch of land about the camp for roughly 2 weeks. For a time, it had just become another home. Generally untouched, the land had plenty of wildlife to survive on and grain brought alongside the group had made life generally easy. Somewhat displeased with what’d they’d now assumed rumor, they’d begun discussing returning home but, without warning, a shadow cast itself over the camp, moving toward the nest that had been considered abandoned and useless.

 

Without word, the camp went into a flurry of activity, men moving to their tents and sliding on their armor or gathering the gear intended for their role. Within the hour, the men departed from the camp began moving, the beast bringing itself over the men several times in what they’d assumed to be observation. They made their way to the site intended for ambush, beast now outright assaulting the men.

Several times it swept over the men, placing talon to armored figure and moving on before retaliation could be made by the men. The group had split itself in two, 3 men standing before the makeshift ‘bunker’ in an effort to draw it’s attention whilst two ran into the bunker and tended to ballista.

 

It was during this time that the massive feathered beast had set itself upon a pale haired member of the party, making an effort to take the man within it’s grasp. The men hadn’t the slightest bit of knowledge of the beast, it’s head that of an Eagle and it’s body that of a fine racing horse. It’s size was nothing short of what the men would depict as ‘ungodly.’

 

From within the ‘bunker,’ visibility had been beyond strained and the men took to the siege engine, drawing back string and placing bolt. The weapon was aimed to the creature and the men operating the engine awaited opportune moment, a bead of sweat rolling down a bald figure’s head as he looked unto the beast with noteable disgust. As the creature brought itself down unto the pale haired man of the group, order was given for the engine’s bolt to be flung and yet, there was nothing. The second man within the bunker simply stared on, perhaps in horror, perhaps in awe. Agitated the bald man moved about the bunker, taking grip of ballista and releasing bolt.

Now atop the pale haired figure, the beast was violently tossed aside, large bolt digging deep into the creature’s side. As the creature lay motionless, the men set themselves upon the creature, driving blade into any portion of unstained hide visible to them. After moments of relentless assault, the creature remained motionless.

((Those that attended, feel free to post from your perspective.))

[Demotheus 651]

"Why would they slaughter such a beautiful creature?"

[problematic z 477]

Adeon looked down at the dead monster, his hands still slightly trembling from the rush of the battle, with a sigh of relief he looked at the other men in his company.

 

"I almost went for a bit of a ride there, heh."

[Aetosion 2062]

"Why would they slaughter such a beautiful creature?"

A note in an old leather-bound Orenian culinary text bears the following reference,

"... and when fried, [this creature] makes for the most exquisite gourmet experience..."

 

Kaldonian Fried Cockatrice

[Temp 2006]

A note in an old leather-bound Orenian culinary text bears the following reference,

"... and when fried, [this creature] makes for the most exquisite gourmet experience..."

 

Kaldonian Fried Cockatrice

 

coughHippogriffCough

[leave me alone 995]

peasant says "yay"

[calculusdesola 1658]

"The Imperial Disciplinarians unto their finest once more."

[Dohvi 622]

The Hippogriff was quick. Faster flying than anything the High Elf had previously faced. Tasked with drawing the beast towards the ballista-bunker, he knelt outside with his crossbow in hands, firing bolt after bolt. Each reload wasted precious time, and when his quiver was emptied he still wasn't sure any had hit their mark. A white-steel blade was drawn next, as the inevitable scuffle draws nearer. When the ballista's bolt grounded the Hippogriff and it let out its shrill cry of pain, he joined the charge to finish it.The High Elf panted once the fight was finished, his sword just one of several embedded in the creature's hide. It would have to retrieved later however, as there were more orders to attend to first.

[Aetosion 2062]

coughHippogriffCough

The Imperial Chamberlain instructs the chefs to begin preparing the fried beast for the court's consumption.

 

((You mentioned in the OP that you thought it was a Cockatrice, so I stuck with that because KFH doesn't work quite as well :') ))

[Birdwhisperer 1174]

Moved to the Great Library. It shall be sorted into appropriate category shortly.