The Wylde Hunt.

[Avus_Insectium]

(If you are interested in joining this, please I/M me first and we'll talk. Thank you very much. POSSIBLY open to two people.)

Day 1-

Avus had arrived in Raiaera sometime ago. He always wanted to visit the Elven folk's Red Forest and learn if he could survive in the wild lands. Avus sat against a study oak tree and wrote in a journal. He kept detailed records of his findings and explorations. He was attempting to see the aftermath of Xem'Zund's devastation for himself. In truth, he was also trying to find some clues about his own mysterious past. The Elven folk did not shun Avus as much as the rest of Humekind. Avus was a beastfolk, most importantly, he was of the insectoid phylum and order. Of his particular species, he resembled the Spider Magi variety of Beastkin. However, his appearance was likened to a giant grasshopper. The only difference being was his head was much rounder than the somewhat triangular shape of the grasshopper.

Avus concentrated as he wrote in his journal. The day's findings were somewhat depressing. He'd hoped he find a thriving metropolis in the form of Eluriand, but much of the Elven population was scattered across Raiaera and the world. The world had not lifted a finger to assist the Elves during their time of need. Avus was angry at that. But he would not let his emotions cloud him.

The earth beneath him felt good. There was a light layer of grass, and the root he sat on was surprisingly comfortable against his scaled flesh. Avus was writing down a detail record of his thoughts and many observations. He had set up a campfire nearby to his position that would keep him very warm. His hands scribbled notes carefully that were surprisingly detailed. Mostly, he was discovering the properties of various known herbs in the area, roots, and other medicinal plants. He was wondering how far down the rabbit hole actually went. As he jotted his notes down, he took a look at the tent he'd set up. It would adequately supply some protection against the tropical weather.

Once he was done writing, after the better part of two hours, he replaced his journal in his travel packs. Then stood up and walked over to his tent. He had a bed roll set up with him and he was growing quite tired. He was a beastfolk but that did not mean he was a savage. Avus moved into the tent and carefully slid into his bedroll. He was tired, he'd done an extensive amount of work to secure himself an adequate campsite. Further, he knew nighttime hours were more dangerous than any other time. Avus would allow himself a few hours sleep to recharge the batteries. He moved the pillow a few times until hew was comfortable and then decided that he would finally sleep. Avus closed his eyes...

[Avus_Insectium]

The sound he heard next was a shriek.

Startled, Avus awoke quickly and went outside. He looked about, his first impulse was to locate the source of the scream. Looking about he saw something that would change his life for the rest of his days. A small squad of elves had assembled on his camp, however, they were being followed. Close behind the elves was a small group of The Scourge. In his journeys there in Raiaera, Avus had encountered The Scourge several times. He knew how to fight them. Immediately, he moved towards the elves that were being attacked.

"Look out!" Avus yelled. In the heat of the battle, the nearest of the Elves turned towards Avus and nodded.

"Scourge are coming! Prepare for battle." The male elf said calmly, they were wearing the uniform of this or that Elven settlement.

Avus flexed his claws for a moment. "Stand back, I will distract them!" Avus said carefully.

Avus lunged at the incoming Scourge warriors. He knew their strengths and what they were capable of doing. He knew that a few were capable of free thought and tactical planning. Avus felt his rage building up in his heart, and assaulted the nearest of the Scourged warriors. He ran towards the closest one, lowered his shoulder and attempted to physically tackle the undead creature down to the ground. Avus vaulted himself through the air, the undead before him was hideous indeed. Part of it's flesh was marred horribly from rot, further he could see tissue and putrid flesh. The whole appearance of the Scourge was horrid. The Scourge had long hair that was surprisingly still intact and not fading away. Avus did not know what form of necromancy kept the hair intact. When he noticed the undead's eyes, he hated the effect of it. The undead all had glowing vortexes of pure energy instead of physical eyeballs, a mark of whatever devil or necromancer arose them from their graves.

After a moment of flying through the air, Avus hit solid ground. He rolled a few paces, and picked himself up. Soon, he found himself in just the situation he wanted to be. Surrounded by the Scourge. Avus moved into a basic combat stance, and took a brief moment to count how many there were. Five. Five fully trained undead were surrounding Avus with looks of greed about them. Avus did not have time to see if the Elves were still present or not. He had to buy them escape time.

Strangely enough, the Scourge did not attack Avus right away. Avus was certain from his past encounters with them, that they would simply just tear him apart. "What are you waiting for!?" Avus suddenly found himself yelling.

One of the Scourge walked over towards Avus very carefully. "Are you Spider Magi?" It suddenly asked in a raspy voice that seemed to permeate from beyond the grave.

Avus shook his head. "I'm something else." He said coldly, and attacked. He sent his clawed hand towards the face of the Scourged creature. He was looking to rip it's face completely to shreds. From what he was seeing of the Scourge, those wore basic equipment that were kept in poor shape. A few had mail chest guards that would be a problem to cut through. A moment later, Avus's attack actually connected that time. He'd managed to catch a preemptive strike against it, and his clawed talons ripped through the creature. Avus grabbed when his claws cut, and he pulled, tearing a good chunk of the creature away. Black ichor splattered everywhere, and Avus continued with the attack.

His claws had shredded a good portion of the creature's brain. Brain matter hung from his claws, and he knew that the creature would be dead. Avus growled angrilly, his claws dripping with the black blood of the undead. After a moment, the Scourge took a step back, clearly not quite aware that it was permanently dead. Then it fell. Avus knew the procedure, he would have to burn the bodies once he was done.

Avus fully turned around and looked at the remaining undead. "You picked a bad day to rise from the graves, filth." Avus spat. The Scourge were disgusting, and made him angry to the very blackest depths of his soul.

"Circle it." One of the Scourge said carefully.

They moved in a pattern around Avus, but Avus was unafraid. He knew what Scourge did to those they sensed fear in. There was something in fear that the Scourge liked. Avus remained calm, and began to plan his next line of attack when suddenly, he saw one of the Scourge fall down to the ground, dead. It had a brilliantly manufactured arrow piercing from it's face, and it too was dead from the sudden attack. Avus did not need to thank the Elves that were starting to rally and pick off the undead with their deadly accurate weapons. Avus simply needed to remain on the attack, and remain aggressive.

Using his massive strength, Avus leaped towards the nearest of the undead. It attempted to move, but Avus was ready. He reached out with both of his clawed hands and grabbed the head of the undead with a mighty roar. Twisting his weight powerfully, there was a sickening snap as Avus leaped the air. He held on to the head of the Scourged creature, twisting it several times before landing. He then pulled the head off of the creature's neck with an audible pop. Avus held the creature's head for a moment, looking at how disgusting it was, and then rotated his body holding the projectile like head in one hand. He fully rotated his body and THREW the head at the nearest of the undead, like a missile weapon and send it falling against the ground beneath. Two more remained. Avus looked at the last two.

"If you don't leave now, I'm going to destroy you devils." Avus said carefully. There was a fire burning in his eyes, a bestial rage.

The Scourge seemed to ponder what was said. "You win the hour." One of them said in response. "But time is always against your kind." The Scourge responded, and went to his companion. He was only just starting to stand from the head that had struck him. The trio of undead gathered themselves and took off to the hills.

Avus was left breathing heavily, his skin hot to the touch and his anger swelling.

The hate...the hate for the Scourge burned his powerfully beating heart.