Post by Thyrdowhan on Sept 24, 2011 23:23:15 GMT -5
As he walked along the path, Xenophus saw the dead trees and the stunted growth all around him. This fair land had been despoiled and poisoned by the Dark Queen in her madness, but there were places where her magics had no power nor effect. Such a place was an ancient druid's grove where a magic far more poweful and older than hers kept her destructive powers at bay. His only knowledge of this grove came from his studies at a druidic college when he was younger, and even those records were sketchy at best. What he did know about this grove that it was one of the more powerful druids groves on this world, but also the most difficult to find. So difficult was this grove to find and so well guarded, that in due time many druids forgot its existence.
For many years, Xenophus had tried to find that grove, that is before he was taken prisoner under the false accusation of plotting to assassinate the Queen. Now that he was a free man, or one could say humanoid praying mantis, Xenophus could renew his search. He studied each area he walked through, looking for a sign that he was near that grove, but most areas gave no clue. He had fought off many undead along the way, from the voracious-yet mindless zombies, to the more intelligent ghouls, and he even fought a few wights. After he had slain these undead, he would have his giant insects devour the remains. These giant insects, called the Xenophim, were at his beck and call. Sometimes a few of them would walk along with him like six legged sheep, only these 'sheep' were giant beetles with manibles that'd bite a man's leg, limb, or head off.
On this particular day, Xenophus was walking in an area he wasn't all that familiar with. If he had traveled here, it had been before his arrest. He came across what looked like a mound of decaying greenery, but as he neared it, it began to quiver and stand up on two stocky legs. It had a vague, humanlike face along with appendages that resembled arms and hands. It stared at him though eyes the color of mistletoe berries and began to shuffle slowly towards the druid. Xenophus watched the plant creature with interest, for he had studied about them, but prepared to defend himself. He raised his staff while touching a rune upon it, and a huge scythe blade appeared on the end of his staff. The blade glowed a bright green. The plant creature stopped, as if to ponder whether to make an attack or not. Xenophus gazed at his opponent, and clutched his scythe/staff.
For many years, Xenophus had tried to find that grove, that is before he was taken prisoner under the false accusation of plotting to assassinate the Queen. Now that he was a free man, or one could say humanoid praying mantis, Xenophus could renew his search. He studied each area he walked through, looking for a sign that he was near that grove, but most areas gave no clue. He had fought off many undead along the way, from the voracious-yet mindless zombies, to the more intelligent ghouls, and he even fought a few wights. After he had slain these undead, he would have his giant insects devour the remains. These giant insects, called the Xenophim, were at his beck and call. Sometimes a few of them would walk along with him like six legged sheep, only these 'sheep' were giant beetles with manibles that'd bite a man's leg, limb, or head off.
On this particular day, Xenophus was walking in an area he wasn't all that familiar with. If he had traveled here, it had been before his arrest. He came across what looked like a mound of decaying greenery, but as he neared it, it began to quiver and stand up on two stocky legs. It had a vague, humanlike face along with appendages that resembled arms and hands. It stared at him though eyes the color of mistletoe berries and began to shuffle slowly towards the druid. Xenophus watched the plant creature with interest, for he had studied about them, but prepared to defend himself. He raised his staff while touching a rune upon it, and a huge scythe blade appeared on the end of his staff. The blade glowed a bright green. The plant creature stopped, as if to ponder whether to make an attack or not. Xenophus gazed at his opponent, and clutched his scythe/staff.