bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:26:58 GMT -5
Chewing on his unlit cigar, the Dwarf slowly ran the oiled rag over his hammer. He could hear the commotion of his garrison's followers in the background, but gave them no thought. All orders had already been given for the day, and he was confident that they would carry them out to the fullest.
He'd already broken the back of the first one to fail him. The rest were too terrified to entertain the thought of failure now.
Putting a little more effort into his polishing, the Dwarf scrubbed out a bloodstain from the previous night's sortie. He didn't care for much since becoming a Death Knight, but caring for his weapons had become almost second nature to him now.
Drink, women, wealth; all of these paled in comparison to the ring of steel, and the feel of flesh giving way beneath his hammer.
The sound of someone clearing her throat interrupted his musings. "Commander? I'm sorry to interrupt you, but we have some trouble down in the mines." The Draenei's voice trembled in fear.
"What." The Dwarf rumbled as he turned to glare at her.
Wringing her hands and taking a small step back from his fierce gaze, she stumbled over her reply. "They...the miners...some beasts have been killing your workers in the lower mines. Even the guards cannot handle them."
Sighing heavily, the Dwarf rose from his seat before the fire. He couldn't really feel the heat, but he'd always enjoyed the way it danced in the hearth, calming him down.
"Go. I kill." He growled.
"The...miners or the monsters?" His assistant asked hesitantly. She never could tell who he meant to kill with his short replies, and she'd seen what he did to those who failed him.
Hefting his large hammer, the Dwarf brushed past her without even acknowledging her query. He didn't like speaking more than he needed, and he didn't deem her question worth answering.
He'd kill whatever was attacking his workers, and if anything else got in his way, well he'd kill them too.
Stomping down the mine's rickety stairs, the Dwarf flexed his shoulders. Seemingly doomed to yet another night of relaxing by the fire, news of a disturbance had instantly invigorated him. The only thing worse than long conversations, was having nothing to fight.
Miners and guards alike scrambled to get out of the Dwarfs way, not wanting to risk his wrath. Though he paid them well for their service, the Death Knight was just as apt to punish one simply for getting in his way.
He didn't take pleasure in smashing the head of someone foolish enough to impede him, it was just something that had to be done, and he never gave it a second thought.
Snatching one of the Dwarven guards by his collar, the Dwarf brought him close to his face as he spat out a question. "Where."
Uncomfortably close to the reeking breath of the Death Knight, the guard could only cough out a single word before choking on the stench. "Back."
Nodding in approval with the satisfyingly short exchange, the Death Knight made a mental note to ensure this guard got extra duty as a reward. He always tried to give his followers more combat when they proved themselves worthy. In this, he thought of himself as a good, and fair commander.
Releasing the guard with a shove that set him back on his heels, the Death Knight stomped towards the back of the mines where he'd been directed. Periodically slamming his hammer against the rock walls, the Dwarf also kicked any rocks that were in his path - aiming for the metal mining carts that littered the main walkway.
He was afraid that if he didn't make as much noise as possible, he'd never be able to find whatever was killing his workers down here.
As he approached a intersection in the tunnels, a loud snort and the thud of heavy footfalls were his only warning. A large, clawed fist smashed into his face as the Dwarf turned towards the sound.
With blood trickling from his nose, the Dwarf spat out his ruined cigar with a grimace. He couldn't taste the cigar any more that he could taste alcohol, but it had been a habit of his from before his death and subsequent rebirth.
Another clawed fist smashed into his breastplate, and he could feel some sort of acid beginning to corrode his armor. Readjusting his helm, the Dwarf gazed at the creature who had the misfortune of ruining one of his best cigars.
Standing only slightly taller than him, the creature was twice as wide, though none of it was fat. Drooping, muscular arms hung almost to his feet, and his giant domed head held a mouth full of sizzling, green teeth. Dull plate armor bands wove around its arms and legs, and a flat slab covered its head.
The Dwarf didn't know what kind of creature this was, but he didn't really care.
Extending a hand toward it, he clenched his fist and uttered a spell. The creature immediately began to strangle as the spell took hold. Taking the hammer in both hands, the Dwarf swung at it's midsection, obliterating it's rib cage. A second swing to the creature's head snapped it to the side, and it fell dead.
The Dwarf stood staring at it for almost a full minute. Disappointment filled him. This was the creature his guards couldn't handle? As much as he liked killing, this almost wasn't worth his time and effort. Making another mental note to punish the guards by allowing them less combat patrols, the Dwarf stomped back towards the mine's entrance.
His blood up and desiring a fight, the Dwarf contemplated the closest location of where he might be able to find something worthy to kill. He was so lost in thought as he made his way out, that he barely noticed as he stomped over an unfortunate miner who had accidentally tripped and fell in his path.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:28:02 GMT -5
Laughing uproariously, the Dwarf barely caught his breath before being hit again by the sword. Impacting on his pauldrons, the blow glanced off and didn't even stagger him.
"Another!" He crowed at his opponent. The Dwarf stood easily, his hammer held in a single hand and hanging at his side.
His foe narrowed his eyes and uttered a quick spell. Instantly, four ethereal wings sprouted from his back and a yellow glow suffused the air around him. The Paladin launched a ghostly looking hammer directly at the Dwarfs head, and brought his great-sword to bear.
Impacting on his helm, the Dwarf merely shrugged off the hammer blow and easily parried the sword with his own hammer. He didn't quite understand what was happening, but he was enjoying the humor this human was showing him. He'd never seen a Paladin pretend to be such a buffoon in battle.
The Dwarf had left his garrison after clearing the mines of the threat to his workers. Before he'd gone very far though, a brash looking Paladin had stood in his path and demanded a duel. Usually the Death Knight ignored such requests - he didn't enjoy fighting fellow Alliance - but his blood was hot and the Paladin was annoying.
He'd never guessed that the human was just playing a joke on him all along.
Growling to himself at the complete lack of respect the Dwarf was displaying, the Paladin increased the speed of his attacks in an attempt to stifle the laughter. Sparks flew and steel screeched as he rained blow after blow - some parried, some not.
The Dwarf only laughed harder.
Exhausted and exasperated, the Paladin finally shouted for the duel to end. Curious since he hadn't even begun, the Dwarf cocked his head in question.
"I'm clearly no match for you." The Paladin panted. "I'm new to the ways of retribution, having spent most of my career as a healer." He spat in disgust. "There is no need to mock me though, I only wanted to test my skills."
"Huh." The Dwarf replied, shrugging. He was disappointed the Paladin had stopped his amusing little act, but he conceded that it was probably tiring work to act so incompetent.
Not sure what to make of the Dwarf's reply, the Paladin continued. "Since you're clearly more experienced than I am, perhaps you'd allow me to follow where ever you're going and maybe learn some techniques?"
"We go kill." The Dwarf nodded. Although he didn't approve of the way Paladins were always talking to themselves - some called it "praying" - he could appreciate having another fighter at his side. It would allow them to fight more dangerous foes, ones he'd be hard pressed to down alone.
Also, the Human might decide to entertain him again once he'd recovered.
"My name is Bennit. Bennit McCafftery. Pleased to meet you." The Paladin said, extending his hand.
The Dwarf looked at the hand for a moment, then nodded and slapped a stick of jerky into it. Pulling out a stick for himself, he brushed passed the confused Paladin and began to walk down the road.
Bewildered as to what was happening, the Paladin turned and followed him. "Kill? What are we going to kill? Who are you?"
"Shingles." The Dwarf grunted over his shoulder. "Yes, we go kill."
Despite his terse vocabulary, the Dwarf's thoughts raced at lightning speed. Trotting along the dusty road leading away from his garrison, the Death Knight tried to think of a reason why this Paladin chose him to accompany. His prowess in battle was an obvious factor; Shingles was sure that anyone witnessing him in combat would be moved to join alongside him.
There was something more though, a flicker of sadness in the Human's eyes whenever he glanced at the Death Knight. Shingles guessed that he's suffered some kind of loss recently, and somehow his image reminded the Paladin of it.
The Paladin had been strangely silent after his initial flood of words. Grateful and approving, Shingles led the way atop his war pig.
A sudden commotion in the road ahead drew the pair's attention. A lone Draenei male was stumbling towards them on the road. His cloth armor was in tatters, he held no weapon, and blood ran down the side of his face from a wound on his head.
Nudging his companion, the Dwarf giggled and whispered, "Male Draenei."
Bennit just looked at him for a moment in confusion before kicking his horse in the flanks and speeding to the man's side. Leaping out of the saddle, he quickly uttered a spell of healing. To the Paladin's dismay, the spell wasn't nearly as powerful as he was used to.
Casting the spell again though, was enough to allow the Draenei to recover. "Horde." He coughed. "Horde have been attacking our people down the road."
"Be still." Bennit replied soothingly. "My companion and I will do what we can so save your people. How many of the Horde are attacking?"
The Draenei groaned as he attempted to stand up, leaning on the Paladin for support. "Five by my count. There may have been fewer."
Bennit nodded and looked up. "We'll do what we can, right Shingles?"
The Dwarf was already fifty feet down the road, urging his pig on to greater speeds.
Howling and kicking his pig in the flanks, Shingles tore down the road. Impatient to get into the fighting, he didn't give it a second thought that he'd left the Paladin behind. The Human could catch up on his own. As he reached a bend in the road, he could hear sounds of combat ahead.
Rounding the turn, the Dwarf beheld a scene of chaos.
Draenei civilians ran about a small camp by the side of the road, screaming in terror. Many were covered in blood from various wounds, with more of their number laying dead by the road. A small fire that had been used for cooking had grown when the body of a Draenei had flopped atop it, and it had begun to spread towards the burlap tents.
Amid the confusion, two figures instantly drew the Dwarf's attention.
Towering above everyone else, the large figure of a Tauren smashed it's way through a burning tent and set upon two Draenei that were attempting to flee. Slicing one with an enormous sword, the Tauren spun around and slammed the other to the ground with his shield.
A pair of guards attacked him before the Dwarf could engage, but their blows were easily blocked by the huge figure.
A bloodthirsty roar announced the attack of the second figure. Dashing through the confusion, the large cat's paws flashed out at passing figures, each strike drawing blood. Taking a charging leap, the cat crashed into the pair of guards assaulting the Tauren. Roaring with fury, the cat bit into the neck of the nearest guard, nearly decapitating him.
As the other guard tried to regain his footing from the assault, the Tauren vaulted over the cat and its prey to slam down on top of the guard. A quick executing stab and the guard crumpled to the ground.
With both of the immediate threats to them defeated, the pair turned towards the lone figure approaching them on it's pig.
Shingles turned the corner of his mouth up in a sneer. This would be a fun fight.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:28:18 GMT -5
Slamming the hilt of his sword against his shield, Craznys started towards the squat figure. So far their raid had gone surprisingly well, and he was beginning to think that nothing could stop the pair. Even the few who had managed to wound the younger Warrior had their efforts nullified as his Druid companion sporadically casted healing spells on them both.
They felt almost invincible.
Roaring in rage, the Warrior sprinted towards the Dwarf and brandished his shield. As he got close, he sped forward in a sudden burst of speed and crashed into it’s mount, sending the Dwarf flying from his seat and bouncing down hard in the road. One of the spikes protruding from the boar’s hide gashed his ribs, but he could instantly feel a small warmth throughout his body as Bebbit used his healing magics.
Using his shield to shove aside the boar, Craznys was instantly set on his heels by a furious attack from the Dwarf.
Recovering quickly, he blocked rapid strikes from the hammer as he backed away. The Dwarf wasn’t supposed to be this strong after a tumble like that. Each attack rang his assumptions false.
Hearing the pad of feline feet behind him, Craznys frantically parried the next attack with his sword, ducked his head, and threw his shield behind his head. He barely settled it in place and braced it against his back when a great weight slammed into him.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:28:29 GMT -5
Using the shield as a springboard, Bebbit leaped through the air and crashed down on top of the Dwarf. His paws lashed out with lightning speed as he ripped and raked at the Death Knight’s armor, bleeding him in half a dozen places.
As the Dwarf recovered from the whirlwind attack, the Druid gathered his strength into a mighty bash that left his opponent stunned. Roaring in anticipation of the kill, he swiped at the Dwarf’s helmet, knocking it off his head and revealing a huge bald head.
Turning his head towards his companion, Bebbit bared his teeth in a grin before going in for the kill. Craznys’ disbelieving expression made him turn back towards the Dwarf in confusion.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:28:51 GMT -5
Growling slightly to himself, Shingles froze his blood and shook himself free of the stun. Twirling his hammer around him once, he then enacted a spell that’s innate to all Dwarves. Stalking forward towards the large cat, the blood flowing from his wounds slowed, then stopped, as his skin took on a greyish hue. Slamming a fist against his chest and biting down harder on his cigar, the Dwarf shouted in defiance through his teeth as his stature grew to almost double his regular size.
“I fight now?”
Throwing a hand forward, orange tendrils shot from the Death Knight’s hands and wrapped themselves around Bebbit’s neck. The Druid began to choke as his air was cut off, and slowly lowered himself to the ground as he gasped for breath.
The Dwarf gave him a scratch behind the ears, but otherwise ignored him, opting instead to cast another spell at the Warrior who had begun to approach. The Tauren’s breath caught in his throat as a blast of frost slammed into him, chilling him to the bone.
Shingles stepped forward and brought his hammer around in a devastating strike. The Tauren was barely able to raise his shield in time to block, when he noticed another figure moving further down the road.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:29:10 GMT -5
Sprinting towards the fight, Bennit marveled at how quickly the momentum had shifted. When he'd first rounded the turn, his Dwarven companion looked all but lost. Now, it seemed like the Paladin might not even be needed. He nevertheless continued running towards the pair locked in combat.
Enacting his offensive abilities, four translucent wings sprouted from the Paladin's shoulders and back. Throwing an arm forward, he sent a ghostly hammer straight at the massive Tauren. Sparks flew as it impacted on it's shield and sent the creature skidding backwards. The Dwarf followed up with another strike at his knees, forcing the Warrior to continue giving ground.
A quick look at his companion revealed a few cuts on his arms and legs, so he instantly casted a healing spell that wiped away all of the Death Knight's wounds.
As he passed the choking Druid, Bennit caught a slight movement out of the corner of his eye. The strangulation spell was over, and murder was in his eyes.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:29:39 GMT -5
Roaring in bloodlust, the Druid leaped at the Paladin, dazing him slightly. Raking the Human across the face, Bebbit roared again and prepared to help his younger companion with a healing spell.
An icy blast struck him in the face and annihilated the spell from his lips.
Shaking his head, the cat cleared his eyes to see Craznys down, and the Dwarf turning back to advance on him. Desperate, Bebbit leaped out of his feline form and attempted to cast a spell. He had in his repertoire a whirlwind that would disable the Death Knight for a short time, allowing the other Tauren to recover.
Before he'd gotten halfway through the cast however, he felt a stinging blow in his back that interrupted his casting. The leafy armored Tauren clutched his back and turned, only to get hit in the face with the Human's large hammer.
Spitting blood, Bebbit instinctively shifted into his most durable form.
The enormous bear roared at the Paladin, the hammer blows proving to be ineffective against his tough hide.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:29:51 GMT -5
This was one of the best days in his life. Shingles made a mental note to keep the humorous Human around as a good luck charm. He hadn't had a decent fight in ages, and now within only a few minutes of meeting the taller comedian, he'd found a fight worth having.
He was slightly disappointed that the Tauren before him had gone down so easily. Despite it's massive size, he was beginning to think that this cow creature hadn't fully matured yet. While its attacks and defenses were clearly practices, the moo moo's strength seemed to be less than some others he'd encountered.
No matter, he'd be dead soon, and then Shingles would be able to cut himself a slice of bear steak. His mouth began to water as he imagined the taste.
Spitting on the ground beside him, the Dwarf raised his hammer for the final blow.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:30:13 GMT -5
Craznys was desperate. The last time that he'd been in dire straights like this, a certain Druid and his companions had saved him. Now that same Druid was being forced to be defensive, and none of their companions were anywhere around.
The hammer descended toward his head, and the Tauren just barely managed to throw up his shield in time. The force of the blow still carried momentum, and the shield was forced back and smashed Craznys in the face.
Rolling to the side and avoiding a second attack, the young Warrior drew upon all of his strength and determination, managing to stumble to his feet.
He could see a wild disbelief in the Dwarf's eyes, but that quickly changed to a crazed glint of amusement. If he guessed right, Craznys thought that the little beast was actually happy that the fight was not cut short by his death.
Though the Dwarf was half his height, his stocky legs and squat posture actually afforded him an advantage against the Tauren. Craznys had to keep lowering his guard to protect his vulnerable knees, but that just left his head more exposed as he'd lean forward.
Attempting to shift the flow of battle, Craznys slammed his shield into his shorter opponent, hoping to shove the him aside so he could pass and help the Druid.
The Dwarf didn't move his feet, only lowered himself closer to the ground.
His knees slamming into the Death Knight's body, Craznys could feel the horror rising in him as he sailed over it's head and landed on his face.
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bebbit
Tree Frog
Hi, I'm Bebbit™
Posts: 25
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Post by bebbit on Apr 8, 2015 14:30:33 GMT -5
Hearing the crash of armor behind him, Bebbit whirled around to see his friend laying prone again, and the maniacal Dwarf approaching them both. His massive shoulders shook as the Paladin landed yet another blow on him. This one stung. Growling, the bear examined the situation.
Each time he'd tried to cast a healing spell, an icy blast from the Death Knight had frozen his lips. Unable to heal either of them, the bear couldn't help his younger companion. The Paladin wasn't doing much to hurt him at the moment, be he knew that as soon as he tried to go on the offensive, the minor stings and blows would force him to go defensive once more.
He didn't even know how he would hold up once the obviously powerful Death Knight joined in on the attacks.
Craznys groaned and shifted in front of him, and Bebbit made a decision. Bashing the Paladin and stunning him once more, Bebbit shifted into his natural Tauren form once more. Grabbing a drinking horn from his belt, he quickly downed the disgusting concoction. He could instantly feel the change in his body.
The Tauren leaned back and roared at the sky as he grew to twice his normal size. Fiddling with his belt once more, he adjusted some dials on a curious device, and grabbed one of Craznys' legs. A sudden high pitched whine from the belt made him look down in alarm, but it was too late.
Clutching Craznys' leg in a death-grip, the pair shot high into the air as Bebbit's belt malfunctioned. Cursing the Goblin made contraption, Bebbit struggled to find his latest acquisition. Barely managing to wrest it free from it's respective pouch in his belt, the Druid enacted it's unique blend of engineering and magic, expanding the glider from it's tiny, mobile state, into a huge winged glider.
Bebbit grunted as he hoisted Craznys up beside him. The younger Tauren was still dazed, but coherent enough to clutch at the Druid in terror as they flew across the sky.
Looking back, Bebbit could see the Human and Dwarf far away below them. The Dwarf was doing some sort of dance, but whether is was in rage or glee, he couldn't tell. The Human had only put his hands on his knees as he tried to catch his breath.
Looking forward to where they were headed, Bebbit began to mumble to himself. Craznys attempted to hear over the rush of the wind, but he only caught pieces of words. One fragmented sentence in particular struck him as odd. Something about the need for shifting out of cat form while fighting.
Unable to support the weight of two heavy Tauren for long, the glider folded and collapsed just as they were passing over a stream. The pair plummeted down, striking the water and creating giant waves that crashed against the shore. As they crawled out of the river and onto the bank, the Druid kept mumbling to himself. Craznys eyed his companion with concern as the still huge Tauren ignored everything on his apparently aimless trek, muttering all the while.
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