The Harbinger of Ferocity

There Are No Heroes

Carver's palm rested on the skin of his arm, just below the sleeve's cuff, overtly paying Chris' response the most mind. It wasn't subtle, but the man himself didn't even come across that way either; it was clear he could care less if the ornery man across from him had to feel about it. There was work to be done after all and that seemed to punctuate his interests. He proved to nod once at the notion that what Chris had seen contradicted the official statements they seemed to be talking about.

They were wolf attacks, said to be rabid at that, residents even being warned to carry firearms now if they ventured too deep into the forest. There was some talk of the federal government sending in professional members from the various disease control agencies, but that was just hearsay. Baseless talk of skeptical and unsettled townsfolk really. Jennings wasn't worth that much money as there'd only been two deaths, the rest were just unfortunate pets that seemed to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. That did little to change the discomfort it all had about it though, especially with the truth of at least two outsiders being involved, both of which were apparently working with the sheriff's department here.

"I'm Piper." The woman spoke up, looking away from the computer at last and leaning forward on the desk, seeking answers between them both it seemed.

"Well, Piper," The man acknowledged, "You seem to be from here, given you work here, so I suppose it is only fitting I ask to learn what you've heard."

His attention left the office for a moment, fixating on a logging truck that had began rumbling down the main drag; the huge vehicle audibly whining in the thin mountain air. Carver seemed unconcerned about it, prying Piper with his inquiring expression following after; it was though he was a bit paranoid. Distrusting of this unfamiliar place, not so much its people. Something else was on his mind, building off the exchange so far.

@Kidd@RedXCross

There Are No Heroes

"It is a bit more important than that - how often do you think they send someone out to fetch people? Not often I take it, right?" The stranger continued, emphasizing the oddness of it all.

The sort of thing that so slightly raised the hair on the back of one's neck. He wasn't worried by the confrontation, if anything it seemed like he might have leapt into the fray himself - perhaps even broken it up. The man hardly had the looks to him of a marshal or the like, too. So what interest did he have? Deputy Pierce was one of only a couple law enforcement members in the area. Pierce also was pretty, for lack of better words, cowardly. It all just felt off... weirder than it needed to. Fortunately Jimmy Jr. and the other mechanic saw themselves out before the conversation carried on any further, lending a bit less stress on the tightly strung nerves of Chris - or so the man seemed to hope.

"Point being, there's something different they need you for. Something odd, you tracking?" The man folded the thick of his arms, some fading tattoos visible further up just beneath the rolled sleeves, "So, are you going to take them up on your hunch or not? I don't know the details of what you've been telling Pierce, just that you keep disagreeing with their assessments."

Shaking his head side to side slowly, watching the woman as each press of the computer's keys clicked loudly. His attention on her seemed to speak silent volumes, the sort of expression that went along the lines of, "As for you, try to lay off the boozing on work days." It was an equally strange scorn, a bit hostile, almost patronizing, but in the same sort of coming from an angle that wasn't too upset about it all, maybe even understanding.

"I'm Carver, by the way." He said, directing the words toward Chris, but being obvious enough about it so as Piper was acknowledged.

@Kidd@RedXCross

There Are No Heroes

The new addition kept keen attention on Chris, namely the moment the man dropped the clipboard loudly upon the Asian looking woman's desk. She jarred, a bit more pale than one would expect; it wasn't subtle she was plenty hungover even now, owing to whatever hobbies she had that involved that much alcohol. The pair seemed to exchange aggravation without much resolve, the mechanic stepping back and palming the table. Despite the differences in size and build, she had the boldness to not be so easily pushed over.

The quiet man, nodded slightly at first to the woman's reply, his expression having changed. It wasn't the blank slate it was before, unsurprisingly, and seemed a bit more skeptical if not outright defensive. He intervened when the woman proved to get just as hostile back with her words, drawing up a hand with his palm up.

"Hold up for a moment," He started, his head canted slightly as he assessed the pair - both of whom were perfectly willing to square off with one another still, especially after the keying the car remark, "Can we just settle?"

There was a sternness to his voice, the sort of gruffness of a man not quite into his thirties but verging there, but it wasn't condescending or worrisome. He looked over his shoulder to the few others present, one who seemed to be dressed a bit more well off - either the manager or owner - and a man in an oil stained jumpsuit. His attention turned forward, again addressing Chris and Piper; the latter more than the former first, given she seemed to have only made things worse.

The man waited for a brief pause before continuing on, adjusting the bill of the battered flag emblazoned hat a bit further down his brow.

"Now that we took a breath, I am looking for someone; the local deputy sent me, officer by the name of Pierce." The man, in his brown cargo pants, looked to the other man and continued, "You must be Chris, the guy they're looking for."

@Kidd@RedXCross

There Are No Heroes

Preferred, albeit not mandatory, @Kidd. Previously I have found that it keeps the attention of those involved and notifies them they need take an action in the roleplay or that something relevant has taken place.

There Are No Heroes

Through the cloudy windows of the aging autoshop, the silhouette of an older truck drifted by, proving to soon turn in to the gravel lot that made up the parking area. Off the pavement as it was, the faded camper's green paint and white hardtop was nothing out of place for the region or the people; most took pride in this in an era where a single loan was a nearly unobtainable goal. Accounting for this, it spurred little attention, as did its driver who stepped out from its open door. The man himself, tall and fairly built with rough and dark, short kept facial hair, could pass for any local to the uninitiated, but he certainly was not. There were plenty who came through the town even these days and outsiders were just something one from Jennings was accustomed to.

He spent little time outside in the overcast, adjusting his rolled sleeves and kneeling to secure one of his boots, but soon approached the shop itself. The worn drab ballcap he wore was a dead giveaway that he wasn't any of the regular wanderers one would get; certainly no hunter, no logger and no city folk. It wasn't ominous, just... odd.

Hand to the door, not more than a minute or two behind Chris and Piper, he proved to invite himself in to the office. The garage however, started to life - if one could call it that - as work resumed. The other mechanics likely hadn't ignored the aggravated man or his introduction to Piper; probably a conversation that would keep them snickering in private throughout their day today. The stranger meanwhile seemed content to stand off to the side, just out of reach of the taller man who seemed to emit an aura of frustration; in a town this calm and bored, it could be felt just as the fog could.

Doing little more than crossing his arms, his eyes presumably watched Piper as she wrote, concealed by sunglasses.

@RedXCross@Kidd

There Are No Heroes

I will be introducing the first piece shortly.

D&D 5e - Hoard of the Dragon Queen

Patience had once more paid for itself, avoiding a bloody conflict that would have done good to none at all. The lone man was, just as he seemed, quite alone and sorely put into a position of what could have been swift death; the raiders struck in gangs, many of whom were at least capable enough with bows to hit their marks or lucky enough with their stones. It was divine providence these turn of events that the corporal was not only present, but that he was in fact seeking anyone else who had escaped the raid and that by equal fortune, the cadre and their armed escort stayed their armed hands.

Relaxing the string of the aged weapon, the knocked arrow drooping against Brannor's now crimson tinged leather gloves, he exhaled calmly. This was more than he could have hoped for, let alone expected, for both better and worse. Watching the injured Cuth, the outlander was pleased the two seemed so friendly toward one another as unless magic was at play, which it seemed not to be in large short of the power the dragon surely commanded, there was no reason to disbelieve the exchange playing out before him. It was owing to this that the large human stood, revealing himself fully from his shadowed concealment.

He followed without a word, stubbled jaw closed and senses opened.

Piercing the night with the gold that was his vibrant, beastly eyes, the knight-aspirant soon found himself in the lantern lit and candle glow of the tremendous keep's stony walls; the door behind their collective shutting with a deep metallic echo. Men set about reinforcing the barricade, wisely so if the invaders found themselves so bold as to copy their presumed master and descend upon the keep. It was only now the huntsman shouldered the bow, string across his breast and arrow sheathed to its mates in quiver.

Some of the more senior men, as Brannor took it by their wear and the aging that had set in on their figures, exchanged names and words that were of some importance. Whatever they were, he would not know - at least now - for even his previous stay in the now ruined city of Greenest was brief, limited. It still lingered upon the man, the fire of battle having grown cool in his heart now and thought allowing itself to sink in; the wilderness had called him back, seeking, searching - this likely preserved his life whereas he would have undoubtedly perished fighting the overwhelming invaders had he not.

Approaching, having turned both himself and his attention away, the captain of the guard spoke to the group.

"And that leaves you people. I presume I have you to thank for saving some of our good people, so it would be good to have you in my books. Please. Names and occupations."

Perhaps it was defiance in Brannor's untamed spirit that did not wish to entertain this question, but it was his personal honor that kept it in check; if they were to be recognized, even if only as ink upon a page, the young paladin wished for this act of selflessness and defiance to the dark to be recorded. Looking down ever so slightly, he thought for a moment how to introduce himself in a manner most befitting.

"I am Brannor, huntsman and aspirant of the Silver Lady." His tone remained steady as there was no doubt about his claim - his ornate talisman and set of hide, leather and chain draped in a hunter's cloak spoke to this. The build and presence he carried himself with seemed to ward any suspicious as well, be it his golden eyes or his engraved sword.

@Hekazu@Lucius Cypher@Ryonara

There Are No Heroes

All I ask is that if you do elaborate on them to any length, just please let me know so I can add a small amount to the characters section. My intent for that area is to know someone at a glance without needing to delve into all the posts and gain meta knowledge, @Kidd.

There Are No Heroes

Characters

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The characters below belong exclusively to the participants of the roleplay, having the focus versus others. The setting at hand deals with them as the protagonists, but is still only for reference material at a glance. These characters are not introduced without an actual profile submission. They may not be controlled by other players.

• Chris Arnold Grey, one of the veterinarians of Silverstone.
• Piper Flynn Holmes, one of the mechanics of the autoshop in Jennings.
• Carver, a seemingly seasoned drifter to Jennings.

Other Characters

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The following are aforementioned and previously established characters, collected here for ease of use and reference. Whenever introducing a new character, please forward relevant information. This list is not all inclusive of their details, qualities, traits or personalities, but is for the purpose of knowing other individuals of the locale. Where appropriate, they may be controlled by other players but are in the hands of the moderator.

• Jimmy, owner of the autoshop in Jennings.
• Jimmy Jr., son of Jimmy, manager of the autoshop in Jennings.
• Deputy Timothy Pierce, sheriff's deputy of Jennings. Pierce is quiet and soft spoken, if not truly timid and the sort who keeps to the background, focusing on others first.
• Daniel Cutter, the town drunk of Jennings. Cutter was and is even yet a seasoned hunter, but most of all a man considered a raving lunatic with countless tall tales.

Locations

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The locations described below are relative to the region in question. While vaguely described, their overall appearance should be consistent and constant within the region of the story. Most are fairly separate from one another, with continuity between them flowing only by the roads that connect them usually.

• Silverstone, the largest city in the immediate area. It has since become impoverished with the failing industry and has a disproportionate rate of crime.
• Jennings, a small town south of Silverstone. It is surrounded by woodland and mountains, built around and along a formerly prosperous highway.

There Are No Heroes

To my awareness, I see no issue and I have no doubt @RedXCross will elaborate appropriately. I appreciate you just throwing some other characters into the mixture, @Kidd - it gives me more to work with in the long run when not everything I have conjured up.