Darc stands still, watching Simbala as much as the swarm. He resists the urge to stamp on the creatures, almost respecting 'The Maker'.
|
Eretria takes a breath, trying to keep her explanation simple as she was unsure how smart the maker was. "We come from another world, almost exactly as this one... and like this one it is suffering damage it was not meant to have, however to fix our world we must fix others of what has gone wrong in them so now we travel... we travel north, up your river to the point which needs repaired. Time is of the the greatest importance here, we must get to Kyonin and those mats in your river slow our progress greatly, the rifts between our worlds cannot remain open or the damage will be irreversible."
Xavier nods at Eretria's explanation.
Wish the old man hada just said it to me simple, like that.
The constant movement of the swarm halts at Eretria's words, before continuing a few seconds later, with a perceptibly greater haste and complexity. As quickly as they came, the spiders withdraw from the grove.
Simbala is left looking at the group and shaking her head. "From another world? Did you tell Luntz that story, too?"
Besmarial interjects, "That is correct. Darc's original companions told Luntz the story. Although Luntz treated them well, he clearly did not believe them...at least at first. If you like, I can repeat the conversation verbatim."
Simbala smiles. "That boy still has good sense. I don't believe you, either."
It is around this point that Eretria and Rashun hear a sound out in the forest; it seems to be the swarm returning. Sure enough, the mass of spiders again enters the grove. As they are lining up on the drums, though, more and more approach the grove but don't enter it. Conservatively, it looks like the swarm covers several hundred square feet, and it's still growing at the edges. Spiders carpet the ground and the trees near the grove.
From the drums comes the voice, now sharper and more controlled. "You should believe them, Simbala. They speak the truth." The old druid starts, staring at the swarm. The drum voice continues, "You may pass...but a service is required. Though this entity has great power, the tie between many small brains and one composite mind is a tenuous one still. There is a creature who passed through this area whose very thoughts disrupt that tie in the zone around it. Its imminent return from the north is sensed. You are asked to find it and slay it before it brings others of its kind, and destroys this one by its presence alone. Will you accept?"
"Darc pledges." the half-orc says gruffly and brings his flail across his chest in a kind of salute, offering his hand in the struggle to come. "Glory"
At last, something that really needs doing. I'm a fighter not a talker. Let's get to it
"I have never agreed with Xavier more than I do right now."
Sami nods solemly. Of course we will; it's kmperative that we be allowed to continue. Do you know where this creature can currently be found?
"The creature is north of the Verduran Fork and coming south towards this island. It is hypothesized that the creature has realized its effect and wishes to disrupt the river blockade. A way shall be made for you. Return to your boat and proceed east up the Fork; your landing point on the north bank shall be made plain to you. Gratitude is given to you. When you have completed the task, return to the river and your way north will be opened. It is deduced that your mission must be completed before the beginning of the conjunction with Aucturn, four weeks from now. The weather shall be manipulated as best it can, to speed you on your way."
With that, the swarm disperses. Simbala still looks a bit shell-shocked, but comes to the point quickly. "This is important, so don't you wait on an old woman. Hurry back to your boat and get on your way. I still think you're not right in the head, but the maker believes you." She looks back at the drums. "Never seen so many come together at once. Big goings-on."
Once again the fates have called and we shall answer. Come.
Xavier turns and leaves, glad to be away from the magical....thing.
Eretria, I know I said I'd pay more attention to magic....Just how powerful would someone have to be to create whatever that thing was?
Sami nods and steps in behind Xavier, only after bidding fond farewell to Jory. He turns his thoughts toward the continuation of their quest, the departure from the island and journey to the east.
So a circle of Mages can combine thier efforts to cast bigger spells? It's a wonder mage schools are allowed. Get a whole bunch of Students under a single evil master for some massivespell and their destructive power would be too dangerous, wouldn't it.
Darc matter of factly just "We go." as he limps one, tenderly touching his flail.
You pack up and board the boat. The wind picks up out of the west as you row away from the quay, so you're able to raise the sail once you're away from the island. An amazing sight greets you as you sail east: the vast network of vines that would normally have blocked your path is slowly and ponderously moving to leave a gap. The floating mats draw closer to shore and stop their apparently-random movements, and even the vines that are anchored below the water's surface are changing position. As you round the curve of the island and make for the northern bank, you see that the network reaches to that bank as well; taking the boat overland would not have helped you avoid it. But the immense web that would surely have entangled your fragile vessel is instead opening before you, leaving a lane of open water all the way to the north bank.
Rashun looks around for hidden enemies or anything else that might be useful.
Perception check:
Sami concentrates on guiding their small boat through the opening, realizing now that they hadn't had a prayer of making it through without the Maker's assistance. He watcjes for the north bank, but relies on his companions to keep their eyes out for interlopers or natural dangers.
I meant no offense my lady, I only meant that a sword is a sword. That is all it ever is. 2 or 5 swords are just that. Seeing that thing though to me like taking 5 swords and getting a Seige Engine. The whole is greater than the parts? I guess what I'm saying my lady is, fighters don't scare me. I can kill 5 warriors but wizards scare me. The way they can take something as harmless as alot of spiders and turn it into a thing of such power.
What is more dangerous to you? A man with a sword or a wizard who can fly, turn invisible, blast you from afar or just turn you into a frog?
Rashun pipes up:
"Each is a tool to be used, and each has its weaknesses to go with its strengths. Each one is also a little less scary as long as you know about it. It is the unknown that is truly dangerous."
Xavier smiles at the two. Then we shall watch each others backs and cover our weaknesses. And Eretria if anyone ever aims a dagger at you, I swear they will find the hand that wields it separated from thier arm before the strike.
Sami keeps to his own during the conversation, though he grins at Xavier's last comment. A hound on the hunt never rests.
Darc is quiet, ignoring the fruitless conversation between the man and woman. In his mind are not words like frightened, but thinking on the challenge ahead. Such power to manipulate those vermin cringes at the enemy from the north. Will need all our abilities and the blessings of the gods, if we are to live through. Though the death would be a glorious death, 'tis better to fight another battle. He rubs his leg, as it stiffens in the damp atmosphere of the river, looking at the heavy weapon that has split tens of men and dwarven heads asunder, but that was in a different life. He sighs, watching out over the land and water.
As promised, the landing site is obvious. You pull the boat into a small inlet and beach her. There is a narrow path following a small stream that meets the river at the inlet. Although the trees around here are draped with vines and spiderwebs, there are only a few spiders visible at the moment. Those spiders, incidentally, are on the ground, arranged in the shape of a long skinny arrow pointing towards the path.
Upon seeing the spider-arrow,.Xavier remarks, Hey, that's nice. Looks like the giant spider..king wants to make sure we head in the right direction
Seeing the sun shine off thier.Cassian guide, You know, sir Helm, you'd look fantastic on a true warriors head. Should you tire of flying, I volunteer to carry you.
Darc readies himself as much as he can, ready for war, for surely that is what he expects.
Sami glances down at the spiders, still thoroughly amazed at the power of the controlling "hive-mind" of the maker. His awe is tempered a bit by realism, as he understood the problems that centralized focus could present. Those problems were what had driven him to explore other styles of fighting, eventually creating his own, highly adaptive and individual form. With a nod to the others, he follows the path, his hands free but empty, and his eyes searching for whatever creature they were tasked to defeat.
Drawing his sword, Xavier leads off. Well, we've a monster to kill sha we?
On! replies the half-orc, indicating the forward path for Xavier to follow with his flail.
You march grimly through what would otherwise be a very pleasant forest (for all that even some distance from the water you still see the occasional shred of webbing in the trees). The spider arrow disperses after you move on, but at every point where the trail branches, or you have multiple possible paths, the arrow returns, growing shorter and thicker.
The arrow is very nearly a square with one pointy side when Rashun hears something ahead of the party. It sounds like many rapidly moving feet, with distinct tones as though something large is pushing through the brush. Rashun, you figure it's probably between 100 and 150' away. Almost immediately after you detect it Besmarial and Sami notice it as well. Rashun, almost as soon as you notice it the source of the noise seems to change direction and begin to move towards you.
Actions?
Initiative order:
Big ugly
Sami
Eretria
Xavier
Darc
Rashun
Besmarial
Darc sensing the fear and danger spreading from the approaching creature, takes a a wizened thorny stick from out of his backpack, he calls out an in orchish and a light flashes out from the stick. The light penetrates the parties being filling each with warmth and confidence against whatever might be coming their way. He carefully replaces his wand and gets his flail and shield ready.
I'll stand here in the open. You guys should quickly hide and charge in from the flanks. Go now and I'll make lots of noise once your in cover. Eretria, hide and blast it.
Xavier feels the rush of impending battle coming.
Eretria will like that. That was real noble like.
Sami winces at the plan, loathe to leave someone out as bait. Ultimately, though, he realizes the worth of an attack at one's flank, and he sprints away into the surroundings to Xavier's left, trying to find some way to conceal himself until the beast moves in.
If we are getting a free round/action-->Protection from evil.
If the PoE is allow my AC is 19.
I forgot to roll the stealth check before.
Stealth check:
edit:
I have Xavier standing up as the obvious target while Sami, Rashun, and Eretria move to the sides. Darc, are you going to try to set up a flank or stand with Xavier?
Rashun and Sami, the creature is moving much more quietly now, and you have to strain to hear it. No one else can hear any movement for the moment.
Darc, not wanting to leave his friend to face the creature alone, skulking in the bushes was never something that Darc contemplated as a strategy, rather to meet the enemy head on. He stands next to Xavier, "Fight together." is hissed through his lips as he awaits he onslaught, his flail held tightly as is arm swings slowly raised from side to side, ready to smash into flesh and bone. His shield to protect him.
But it's smarter to fla..Oh Sod it. Nevermind.
Xavier waves his arms about but keeps his feet ready to counter charge.