So I'm in a post-apocalyptic DnD game playing a Chaotic-Horny bard when we are given an interesting opportunity to make some quick XP. During our first real downtime if we could write up a short story or describe "Something Cool" tm that happened during downtime we'd get 2,500 XP and a magic item of the DM's selection. So me being the XP whore I am jumped at the opportunity to get even more and churned out a short story for the occasion. I had this great idea of a story containing intricate plot and well crafted descriptions but ended up with something a little less than I'd hoped for. But since I still like plastering my creations on the internet I figured I would go ahead and post the story as well. So for ya'lls entertainment/torture I present: The Rescue The full moon shone bright over the midnight sky as Jake hurried through the bushes and dormant trees of the forest. The freezing winter air chilled Jake to the bone and he could hardly see a few feet ahead but he carried on, rapidly moving in the direction he thought was correct. Anyone with half a brain would have known that traveling this late at night was idiotic at best and most likely suicidal. Jake being a professional traveler himself knew this to be true but continued forward anyways. Tonight was different; tonight he was on a mission. Just a short while ago the caravan Jake and the others had been a part of was ambushed by Kobolds. It was late and many were asleep. But then with only a slight whisper as warning, a hail of arrows rained down from the darkness. The commotion woke the guards and the rest of the group but the damage had already been done and the assailants had retreated deeper into the woods. That's not to say they didn't leave presents for those who tried to give chase. Jake winced in pain as the wound in his shoulder reminded him of the trap which he had blundered into. This normally wouldn't have been such a problem except for the fact that the trap had been laced with a nasty poison threatening to cause him all sorts of problems once John's spell, which was keeping it at bay, wore off. The whole event was so chaotic and was over so quickly that all Jake remembered was blurry flashes of images and pain. He was however certain that when he returned to the caravan not only were most of rations and valuables gone; so was a member of the group. The camp was checked several times along with the surrounding area but it was no use; she was gone. "I can't fail." Jake thought to himself. "We were just starting to get to know each other. Sure she's a little stubborn and rough around the edges but I was finally making progress and I really think we had reached an understanding. And to think of what those little bastards are doing to-". Jake's thoughts were cut short as he spotted a canine figure up ahead; it was Darg. Darg waited as Jake caught up with him. Every step Jake took made the young druid cringe since probably half the forest heard Jake's approach. Jake came to a stop and bent over trying to catch his breath. Darg waited for a second and then motioned forward with his snout and jumped back into the foliage. Jake stood still for a while longer trying to slow his pounding heart. Fumbling into his pouch with shaky fingers he pulled out a small rolled up piece of paper and put it in his mouth. Holding up his finger and shooting a small jolt of magic Jake lit the makeshift cigarette and breathed deep. Taking several deep puffs of smoke he went over the plan in his head one more time. The plan was simple enough. This was a standard search and rescue. Darg scouted ahead following the scent of the little beasts while Jake stayed in the back and acted as backup once the Kobold camp was located. Etch was supposedly nearby as well though Jake sure as hell didn't know where and John was stuck babysitting the caravan and helping the hurt. According to Darg the camp was nearby which meant that everyone was waiting for Jake to-. Rustling bushes snapped the bard out of his thoughts as he looked for the source of the noise. What he saw did little to calm his nerves as dozens of orange eyes stared back at him. And not just from the bushes; looking around it seemed like the sneaky buggers had surrounded him without him realizing it. Jake berated his obliviousness as the Kobolds launched nets through the air at the outnumbered human. "It looks like they want another hostage; or at least live meat" he thought as the hooks dug into his skin. A wide grin crept over Jake's face as he flicked the cigarette into the air, closed his eyes and yelled "NOW!” The tiny embers erupted into brilliant flashes of color that illuminated the forest. In moments a canine figure leaped from the trees onto a stunned and blinded Kobold ripping into his flesh. Arrows appeared out of nowhere striking vital organs and causing more of the wretched creatures to cry out in pain. The few who were still able to fight back found themselves on slippery ground unable to stand up. This wasn't an ambush; it was a massacre. Jake pulled free from the nets as the last of the Kobolds were dispatched. "Where is she!?" Jake yelled frantically looking at Darg. Wasting no time with words Darg sped off with Jake and Etch trailing close behind. The camp was close alright as the group walked into a nearby clearing. Several ragged tents dotted the lifeless area. Stopping at the largest tent Darg motioned inside. Jake rushed past the dog and into the tent hoping to find her safe. "Jasmine! Are you alright?" She was lying on the floor, completely motionless. Falling on his knees Jake cradled her in his arms. "Oh Jasmine, I thought I had lost you forever. They didn't hurt you did they?" Again she remained perfectly still. "Don't' worry baby you'll be just like new in no time. And don't you listen to a word that mean lady Clarissa said about you. You are not a piece of junk that should be left to the Kobolds." "Fascinating" said the inquisitive construct behind him "I didn't know your guitar was intelligent as well. What does she say? Is she much of a conversationalist? Maybe she and Mac should chat awhile." But Jake wasn't paying attention. He had been reunited with his Jasmine and all was right with the world. | 
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