|
This book makes no sense. Maybe after we rescue the dolts I can sit down and properly read through it
He will stow the book in his backpack. He gathers his gear, and request a pair of javelins to serve as his ranged options.
What is the cults connection in its most basic form to the flame elementals?
Any connection to the enemies from above?
Is the struggle between the elementals causing the crappy weather above ground?
What is the cults connection in its most basic form to the flame elementals?
- It seems long ago the coast to the north of the area under which the remains of which the dome was created (area where you are now) was home to a large city. This city was the capital city of a race of humanoid dragons. Of the many practices in the city, one religion revered flame. Flame was seen as a means of purifying the world through destruction and rebirth in ashes. A balance was honored between renewing only what had become old, useless, or sickened.
Any connection to the enemies from above?
-This idea of renewal seems loosely related to the cults talk of purifying.
Is the struggle between the elementals causing the crappy weather above ground?
- Though the notes don't have anything specific about the cause of the weather, it seems the dome society came out of whatever happened. Perhaps the guard or your fellow travelers might know more of the story.
A map of the mines if such a thing exists. And climbing equipment. I believe we have everything else we need in terms of supplies Jenya says and gets ready to move out.
The guard commander is happy to see all of you join him. He seems in a hurry to head out.
"I'll leave word with father to see what he can find in the library as far as maps go. For now we must go."
With that the commander leads all of you toward the main tunnel that runs through the mines mines. At its opening a single guard waits, looking with focus into the tunnel. He holds a lantern in one hand and a short sword in the other. He nods in silent greeting toward his commander.
"This is Franks. He'll be heading with you to the cave in. The patrol that was to be relieved has escorted the repair crew to the scene. They will depart as soon as all of you arrive on the scene. Good luck."
He gives a crisp salute to Franks and then turns back toward the barracks. As he does Franks nods in your direction and begins to head forward.
Between the rough description Franks provides you have a fairly good sense of how the mines have been dug. The cave in occurred in the central tunnel, directly across from the barracks entrance.
|
|
Aak, is impressed that he is even able to get any information out of the book. He files it away in his brain, to bring it up after the recuse mission is complete. After dinner talk as it were.
He takes point as they head into the caves, he uses his racial talent to see in the dark to help them should things get messy.
The walk to where the cave-in occurred is quick. As Franks closes in on the guards he stopes and salutes. After quickly returning his greeting, the guards depart leaving all of you to protect the repair crew.
The surface world? Jenya asks with some surprise. The people of the dome have not seen the surface for 300 years. We were driven underground by the sand we found you in. It took over the three cities above a long time ago and our ancestors fled downwards. The treated obsidian the dome is made of is the only thing keeping the sand at bay.
"Are you saying you're from the world above?" Tamayra asks incredulous.
So the entirety of the surface is not covered in evil sand? Jenya asks For that is what happened in this area
But you were born above ground and there were whole communities not covered with sand?
Iron Sprocket watches the repair work quietly while his companions until he is addressed.
"I was just a simple clockwork craftsman when I was drafted into a team sent to investigate the Symbionts. I had just come back from that expedition when I was drafted into this team. I guess you don't argue with the people who make all the decisions."
Jenya glances at Rheynold and looks like she's about to speak but decides not to. She does give him a suspicious look though.
The repair crew seems to hesitate as they begin to haul away a large section of fallen rock. At first you think it must be the weight of the haul, but as the shape of an elemental emerges you realize their caution. Though it seems uninterested in the crew, it immediately charges towards the four of you. Its powerful build, roughly humanoid-figure shaped of black stone give away it's obsidian nature.
Initiative:
Round One: All PCs acting.
The elemental halts almost as quickly as emerged from beneath the rubble. Grumbling sounds tumble from it quickly.
Then it turns back toward the rubble where the crew has uncovered not only a small tunnel into which the elemental heads, but something else. Something very strange. Among the rock and dust that is settling there seems to be an opening, more than a crack within the rock face, an impossible path can be seen within. A twisting dirt path disappears into a suffocating, smoke‐like darkness from which no light escapes.
"Apparently there's another master."
"Wonderful, because the last one was so friendly."
The repair crew is hesitant to continue working. Though they don't seem overly concerned about the elemental that has departed, they look a bit fearful about the strange opening. As a few of the workers toss stones toward the opening it seems quite unlike a carved or dug tunnel.
Perception rolls:
Should we follow the elemental? It might know what this... opening is
"It's bizarre... the door seems to be floating, like it doesn't connect to a tunnel or any of the mines I know of." Tamayra says in a puzzled tone.
"It must be your imagination... Either way, I think we have to be wary of a larger scale attack if that elemental's master is as reckless as the last."
Initially the rumbling that you feel and hear seems like it might be another cave in, but as you watch the repair crew examine rock, touch the floor and sides of the tunnel you are in it becomes clear from their response that a cave in is not eminent. One of them turns to share their conclusion.
"Something is approaching. He points in the direction the elemental had fled.
We should send word to the elders. See what they want us to do about this portal. Defend the tunnel until we hear from them.
With Jenya's suggestion, Franks nods and quickly heads back toward the barracks. Just as he is out of sight the source of the rumbling becomes clear. As a couple of obsidian elementals emerge from the small tunnel, a trio of magma elementals pass through the wall of the tunnel. All stand still until a fire elemental emerges from the small tunnel. As they gather around the fire elemental it transforms into the woman who you all encountered earlier within the vent. She speaks quickly.
"I have no intention of harming your or yours. A much greater danger has been revealed."
You want to watch the world burn and you are saying a greater threat has been revealed? Jenya says incredulously. Why should we trust you?
Shaking her head.
"You are mistaken. Here, near the fire of earth, I had planned to see it flow freely. To burn the world would never lead to renewal. There must be balance. Gesturing toward the opening. A great shadow has brought this darkness. Darkness has no interest in balance, it cares not for renewal. Darkness needs for nothing. Fire must have balance to burn."
With a wordless gesture she summons the elementals into action. Methodically they begin to continue the work the repair crew had been doing. They move debris, heat rock to mold structural repairs, and mend weakened areas to prevent further collapse.
Jenya lowers her pistol warily. The gesture of peace is appreciated.
The darkness comes from this... protal? she asks both the Master of the elementals and the guards from the Obsidian Dome. When did it open? What is the nature of the threat that comes from it?
The repair crew chats in hushed tones. One of them steep forward.
"We have seen things like this. They come and go. Whatever brings them weakens the rock, causes cave ins."
Nodding, the leader of the elementals gestures as the elementals' progress seems to slow.
"The dwarf speaks the truth. Looking toward the elementals as one of the magma elementals enters and emerges from a section of collapsed rock. They have located the trapped miners. They will assist in the rescue if that is permitted? After the repair crew steps forward, the dwarf that has spoken up nods. With a gesture the elementals move back into action. Satisfied their leaders continues.
The portals is only caused by the gathering darkness. Whatever it is that scoured the land above with sand gains power. Something or someone is feeding the darkness. With the feeding these portals appear. They lead to an in between place. As the power of darkness grows this place is pushed toward our place. Our world." Distracted by the approach of another figure the leader pauses in her description.
With huffing breaths Father appears. He slows, but does not seem surprised at what he sees before him.
Jenya performs a quick gunslinger salute towards the leader of the miners and says This woman is the Master of the Elementals. She has ordered them to help us in repairs and in rescuing our trapped miners. She says the portal is connected to the evil sands and speaks of a growing evil power.
Nodding solemnly.
"Then it may be worse then we feared. These portals that you speak of have been appearing all over the mines. Our most accomplished obsidian crafters believe that the boundary that protects us from the sand is protecting us from the portals. Wherever they appear there seems to be cave ins. As for what the elementalist claims I will have to hear her words for myself to know for sure. Bowing slightly before the woman. If you may my lady, I wish to hear what you've told the others."
As the woman begins to repeat what she has told all of you Father gestures and walks a tight circle around her. He listens intently as she speaks. Though she pauses as the circle is completed, her look of surprise does not keep her from continuing. As she finishes her thoughts on the portal, Father kneels at the wall of the tunnel. Breaking his prayer after a moment, he looks with concern back toward the barracks.
"She speaks the truth. I must inform the elders as soon as possible. Something must be done." Without another word he hurries back the way he came.
Jenya addresses the fiery lady. We take orders from our elders, they will let us know what we should do. How would you fight these portals?
Nodding sadly.
"Then it may be too late already. This portal will not last long. I fear by the time another is located the forces of darkness will have gained an edge that you and yours will be unable to overcome. pulling a small cloth pouch from her orange and red hued robes. If you are willing, I can provide you with the means to communicate with your elders. But I beseech you, all of you, to investigate the portal by entering it. Perhaps answers lie beyond. Perhaps you will be able to see who or what it is that works for this gathering dark."
She hold the pouch closely, looking on hopefully to see what everyone will consider of her request. As she waits, the elementals successfully help the repair crew rescue those trapped. One injured man hobbles to the cleared area as a bit of rock falls loose. An elemental quickly moves him out of harms way, but in the process is crushed. Their leader looks on sadly as the other elementals gather briefly, melding its remains into the surrounding rock. Then she again looks in your direction hopefully.
Tamaryra studies the elementalist as she considers the request.
"I say we go. Whatever is causing this is endangering everything, so we need to figure out how to stop it." Tamayra says after a few moments.
Jenya breathes deeply This is threatening us all and it is escalating. We should go she agrees.
"I guess we have no choice if it truly is a threat to us all."
The woman looks encouraged as three of the four of you have agreed. She slowly takes what appears to be a tiny metalic sphere of some kind from the cloth pouch.
"Let me explain what help I can provide while the last of you considers entering the portal. As she holds out the sphere in two open palms, it expands to about the size of a humanoid head. Small spider like legs flip from its metallic surface and insect like wings flap clumsily from its back, bringing it momentarily into the air before it lands back in the woman's hands. In my many excursions into the surrounding tunnels I have encountered creatures similar to this. I don't know who made it or where such skill originally came from, but it is an extremely useful contraption. I have studied it and others like it enough to modify this one for my own use. In addition to serving as a spy of sorts you can use it daily to contact anyone you wish. Beware, the message you can send will be limited. If you all decide to enter through the portal I will give this to you to use during your journey."
Nodding, Tamayra begins securing her gear, preparing to enter the portal.
Nodding toward Aak.
"Perhaps we may see eye to eye one day. I hope at the least this gift serves you well."
With that she stows the contraption back in the cloth pouch and extends it toward Aak.
As you pass into the opening a path lies before you, twisting and dirt packed it disappears into a suffocating, smoke‐like darkness that seems to hamper light. Behind you the opening seems to be closing quickly.
Jenya activates her bullesye lantern and shines it ahead of the group
The portal is still open behind us isn't it? she asks unnerved by the unnaturally dark environment.