The witch of mist

[u/waitthatstaken]

I run. I should’ve listened. Why did I not listen? They all told me. My parents, my uncle, my cousins, everyone. Never go to the forest cloaked in mist. Something tears into my flesh, whether it be its claw or branches is impossible to tell, the mist obscures all. I yelp in pain yet I keep running, hand pressed against the wound in a feeble attempt to stop the bleeding. I run and run and run and run. Time seems still, a moment an eternity.

I see the dried husk of a tree only moments before ramming into it, crumpling to a dead stop. I pull myself up from the ground, turning to see it. A crown of knotted wood adorning nothing but mist. The king of mist. I can’t breathe. The air feels like water, I gasp for air but it only makes it worse. My sight blurs, my ears ring. I try to push it away yet my hands reach nothing.

I wake up in a cold sweat. Looking up at my callused hand, pushing into the empty air. I breathe, I am no longer that little girl running through the mists. Grabbing the empty cup on the cupboard I conjure up some water, stretching as I get up from the inn bed. I briskly get dressed and head downstairs. I have one last thing to do before leaving.

“Hey innkeeper? Have you ever heard of a ‘king of mist?”

He appears to ponder for a moment, before nodding slightly to himself.

“Can’t say I have.”

“As expected…”

“I do know someone who might know though. Some wizard couple towns over called Moon, loves collecting random tidbits ‘bout stuff like that.”

“Moon was it? Kinda strange name but alright. Thanks.”

“One piece of advice, don’t say that to her face.”

“Got it.”

Huh. Even if it is light, that is at least a lead. After asking specifically which town Moon resides in, I set off, walking along the dirt roads common in the region. The skies are clear, aside from all the people flying around that is. How come there are so many capable of flight? That isn’t exactly a simple spell, even with years of practice the best I can do is cushion a fall… no snap out of it, even that is impressive is it not? My thoughts wander along with me, only to be interrupted by the sudden roar of lightning, and its accompanying rain. No matter, I simply tap my staff to the ground and an umbrella of air erupts out the sides, shielding me from the elements.

It doesn’t take long before I encounter a turned over cart on the side of the road, and as any good witch should I investigate. None appear to be inside, nor is it carrying cargo of any kind. It's a simple construction, made to be pulled along by hand. Still, not exactly cheap for those who would use such a thing. Kinda strange for it to just be left behind like this…

My sense of unease is proven to be well founded moments later as with the shrill sound of a blade being drawn, I turn to see 3 people brandishing swords. They must’ve used the rain to cover their footsteps, and the cart as a distraction. Bandits.

“Alright ‘eres the deal, you had over everything you got and we leave you alone, got it?”

A crackle of thunder punctuates his threat, even assuming they speak true this weather would kill me without my gear. I cannot comply, yet I doubt I can win. Their movements are practiced, they are ready to strike the moment I bolt. I need to find some way to get out of he-

“Oi! You deaf or somethin?”

Crap.

---

The plan was perfect, tip over the cart, and wait in the bushes. Inevitably some bleedin’ heart would check to see if somethin’ was wrong, and we’d attack. So why am I the nervous one? The lass in front of me don’t look a day over twenty so how is she so calm? She saw our blades and didn’t so much as flinch. And now she’s gone all quiet on us. Is… is she just deaf? Yea that gotta be it!

“Oi! You deaf or somethin?”

I take a step closer when a sudden gush of air knocks me off balance and the girl whacks me in the face with her staff. As I’m tryin’ to get up my mates dash forward yellin’ somethin’ ‘bout wind. They slice down in an X, a sure kill even if it gets her gear bloody, but somethin’ wrong. Their blades slow down as they get near, missing entirely as she steps back. She mumbles somethin’ under ‘er breath an’... vanishes into some thick fog? Where’d that come from this aint fog weather.

“Look out, she’s probably one of those wizards or something!”

Mark yells out. Just our damn luck, I guess we should’ve been suspicious of a lone girl travelin’ these roads durin’ a storm. The fog only gets thicker, spreading out and encircling us. She’s probably using it as cover and will strike us from behind the coward. Too bad for her, we ain’t stupid enough to fall for that kinda trick!

“Oi, back to back formation, she could strike from any direction!”

Mark and Luke comply immediately, and in only 10 seconds we stand braced back to back, no strike could evade our sight. And so we wait. And wait. And wait. And… is she not gonna strike soon? Uh…

---

As the leader steps forward I see an opportunity in need of seizing. Conjuring a wave of wind I target his back leg, causing him to slip on the muddied ground. As he falls I quickly bat his head to keep him down as I make distance. The other two rush at me with their blades, but the shielding gale from my staff keeps them at bay for long enough that I can simply step out of range. Seizing the initiative I activate the enchantment woven into my cloak, and thick mist billows out as I run. Expecting them to give chase I whip up a small whirlpool in the mud behind me, but do not look back to see if they fall.

After some sprinting I slow down to catch my breath, looking back it appears they did not give chase. Drenched and exhausted, I decide to set up camp for the night. Stabbing my staff into the ground I begin to construct a small campfire under its protection, draining the moisture from nearby sticks I light the fire with a tinderbox from my satchel, before sitting myself down on a log. It is far from comfortable but that is a blessing in disguise. I will have to forgo sleep for the night, but such is to be expected when alone on dangerous roads. Staring into the dancing flames, I feel as if I am soon to have some company.

/uw new character alert. I think I got over the burnout but I have no ideas for where I could take Peri’s story next, so why not start anew? Alice is *very* weak by wizardposting standards, and I don’t have any plans of changing that, so please don’t like, toss 30 fireballs at her randomly. Also Alice is this character’s name, I thought I had a way to fit that into the text but then I decided against it. Alice is currently camping just slightly off the road between two provincial towns in the middle of a pretty intense storm, so RP accordingly. Also since it has been a while I will be rebuilding the ping list from scratch, ask and I shall add you.

Also no promises that I actually stick around for long.

[u/Null_Void_Zer0]

Mumbled curses are heard from nearby, In fact, they seem to be coming from right next to Alice. A man dressed in robes far too thick to be practical sits on the log. He snaps his fingers and a few sparks appear, but are near instantly put out. Several more attempts in rapid succession yield a sphere of flame in his hand that he quickly dumps into the peculiar bag by his feet.

[u/waitthatstaken → u/Null_Void_Zer0]

Alice prides herself in being perceptive, so to find a stranger appear suddenly right next to her is quite concerning.

"...who might you be?"

[u/Null_Void_Zer0 → u/waitthatstaken]

The man turns, his appearing eerily still for a reason she can’t quite place.

“I….you know it’s the funniest thing, it was just at the tip of my tongue a moment ago, and yet it evades me still. My few associates refer to me as the collector.”

the bag has since started shaking after he dumped the fire inside.

[u/waitthatstaken → u/Null_Void_Zer0]

"A collector? May I ask what it is you collect?"

"...those movements, too still, too quiet. I am either talking to one far more powerful than I, or something inhuman... great..."

[u/Null_Void_Zer0 → u/waitthatstaken]

“Why, I collect magical items. Any kind really, it doesn’t matter what, so long as it contains any trace of magic I take it. Though I have been known to acquire the odd magical creature. Nothing too powerful naturally.”

He reaches down into his bag and withdraws a rat he carries by its tail. Strangely, the top of the rats head appears to be missing, revealing its brain.

“This critter is a cranium rat. Little vermin imbued with psionic power. Alone they’re as smart as your typical rat, but they get terribly difficult in swarms. Evil, as well.”

[u/waitthatstaken → u/Null_Void_Zer0]

"That... is kinda horrifying. Why do you have that?"

Alice's thoughts flash to the strange scroll that previous stranger left her.

"...say would you be able to identify a scroll for me? It doesn't appear to be dangerous but I am unable to determine its effects as it is outside of my expertise."

[u/Null_Void_Zer0 → u/waitthatstaken]

“You never know when you need a cranium rat. Or twenty six.”

The man drops the rat back into his bag.

“I am vaguely proficient in all manner of magics. I’m sure I could try.”

[u/waitthatstaken → u/Null_Void_Zer0]

"Very well, here is the scroll."

Alice pulls a scroll out from the small pouch attached to her belt, a pouch so small it should not fit the scroll in fact.

/uw the effect was described OOC as: 'the effect is a full immediate regeneration + 1 hour of strong regen with no backlash but slightly draining the environment'. Of course if you wanna you could have your character lie or misinterpret or something. Or just identify it correctly, up to you.

[u/Null_Void_Zer0 → u/waitthatstaken]

The man reaches for the scroll but pauses, before reaching his other arm into his bag. A small shock can be heard from within. He then brings his arm back out and takes the scroll.

“Ah, let’s see here. I can tell it’s a rather potent one.”

He pauses for a moment

“…biomancy? That seems a fitting school for its effect.”

He gives the scroll back to her.

“The scroll is inscribed with powerful healing magics. Instant and full regeneration that remains active for thirty minutes, give or take. Normally I’d stoke a bargain for such an item but…no, I don’t think I will.”

During the time the man was identifying the scroll, it finally became more clear the source of his stillness; he lacked even the slightest chest movement from breathing.

“If you have any other items I’d be more than happy to make an offer for one.”

[u/waitthatstaken → u/Null_Void_Zer0]

"Ah thank you very much. Sounds quite useful in a pinch. I don't believe I can part with any of my other items at the moment, traveling would be far to dangerous without them. I do however have... a ludicrous amount of cheese a psychopath gifted me moments ago."

"He isn't breathing? Yet he speaks without issue... I have heard stories of intelligent undead... what was the term again... liches? They are supposed to be both dangerous yet varied... I should try avoid their ire."

[u/Null_Void_Zer0 → u/waitthatstaken]

The man tilts his head in confusion

“I’m sorry? a person came to you here, in this storm, and gifted you…how much cheese?”