Blekk bounces up, grinning broadly. "Both missed me! Ha!" He then bites at Maulvorge.
Ravboom, seeing the rescued prisoner out of the corner of his eye - cowering in the room to the west - as he rushes into attack, stabs at the last remaining klaven... but his blade bounces off of exposed bone. Blekk, maniacal as ever, bites and claws at Maulvorge - one of his savage claw attacks ripping into flesh...
Gripping its blade in both hands, the klaven slices downwards at Blekk... a brutal strike sending the goblin reeling....
Standing amidst the pool of viscous fluid conjured by Palomia, it hisses as the group, "Surrender... you are merely delaying the inevitable by resisting!!!"
Ravboom growls at the coward. "Either fight or drop sword, die if we lose, coward." He calls at the cowering man. Turning back to the Maulvorge, he spits in the things face. "No! You surrender, all others dead..."
"Eep! Blekk, fall back!" Relas snarls, waiting for the perfect opening to strike once Blekk moves to safety. When it presents itself he shifts next to the klaven commander and unleashes a flurry of teeth and claws!
Blekk gasps in pain as the longsword bites deep into his flesh. He takes a step back out of range, then moves as far away from Maulvorge as he can before he has to stop from the pain.
Carefully stepping through the grease, Maulvorge follows after Blekk - threatening to make him klaven...
...and then comedically falls on his posterior!!!
"Ahh! He trying to follow me, someone stab him in the face while he's down!"
Ravboom glares at his sword, then stabs down at the Malvourge.
The blade slides into the prone creature's body with ease this time. "Stupid sword! When Rav stabby stabby you go in gutsy gutsies!"
"Oh boy...thanks for coming down to my level," Relas grins toothily before pouncing on the fallen Maulvorge!
Maulvorge, prone in the grease and covered in slick fluid, has fallen at the wrong moment – between them, Ravboom, Biggun and Relas land blows that hasten the klaven’s end. It is Biggun, his trident brought down firmly into Maulvorge’s exposed stomach, that finally slays the leader of the klaven guards…
Peering out from the western room at last, Baeden expresses his relief, "That... that should be all of the them. Lomrick didn't seem to see the need for more than a small force here... the presence of the gate here, its not well known and we're far enough out of Zel-Argose that discovery of Lomrick's operation was pretty unlikely. Stay cautious though... it's out through the doors to the east. I just hope my brother gets back with the caravan soon - it's too far and too dangerous to simply hike back"
Neither of the klaven shocktroopers are carrying anything of particular note... but Maulvorge's longsword, highly polished and elegantly forged, is hugely impressive - examining it in more detail, the magical aura snaking around its blade is obvious to those with the ability to see it... with a blackness about it, the weapon is a .
...and on a chain around its neck, a polished steel symbol of a black flame upon a winged helmet...
Ravboom puts his sword away, after wiping the blood off, and then holds out his hand. "You give back sword now, you not use, you not need. No need someone with sword at back if they not use it on people trying to kill us."
Once he gets the sword back from the coward, he reloads the BoomRav back up to 6 shots again.
|
With the Mally finally skewered on his fork, Biggun grinned before licking bits of gore from the fork. Giving a shrug of indifference, he looked around and picked up the sword. A grin spread across his face, almost seeming to split it in half, as he gave it a few swings before putting it in his empty sword sheath. "Biggun good to go. Find way to town."
On first examination, the pendant around the slain klaven's neck seems to be little more than decorative... yet none of its clothes, nor those of its fallen companions, suggest that the klaven wear anything that is more than utilitarian in nature. The intriguing conundrum is quickly resolved when Baeden - having sheepishly handed the sword back to Ravboom - observes, "That's a symbol of Thraxes..."
...and when his statement draws blank looks, the rescued caravan driver continues, "Thraxes is the god of war here on Argosa - and on other worlds. His followers call him, amongst other names, 'the Warlord' - whilst some of the 'rank and file' might pay homage to him, his principal followers are - or aspire to be - military leaders... I guess it makes sense that Maulvorge would be a worshipper of Thraxes".
Moving towards the eastern doors, Baeden observes, not for the first time, "We should get out of here... if Caeftin is bringing Lomrick, or any of his klaven, back with him, it would be better to be prepared. Maybe it would be better to be outside rather than trapped in here?"
Having confirmed that nothing is lying in wait for them, the group move through the doors that the klaven had come through into what appears to be a foyer area. Twin pillars flank a set of double doors that leads to the east, each one bearing inscribed constellations of unknown stars. Images of tall, graceful humanoids with smooth, indistinct features are carved in bas-relief among them. The engravings coil around the pillars as if in the throes of an elaborate aerial dance ascending towards some celestial destination above. The grand doors to the east are slightly ajar and a warm light pours through…
A thick layer of dust covers both the north and south ends of this foyer, but a clear area between the two doorways indicates a frequently-walked path. The air is both dry and fresh… far less musty than that of the main temple areas. There is little to see here though and so the friends investigate the doors to the east… already ajar, a gentle breeze of fresh air blows into the foyer - and, listening for a moment or two - and hearing nothing, Ravboom confirms what Baeden had surmised; that the troop of klaven guards stationed here have been defeated and that, to all intents and purposes, the friends have wrested control of the temple from Lomrick’s agents.
And so, emboldened by the turn of fate, the double doors to the east are opened… and, for the first time in many days, the friends see the sky...
High above, a cloudless blue hemisphere stretches out from the horizons… with a single sun, hanging gold in the heavens, warming the land below. Looking back at where they have emerged from, the temple has been hollowed from the side of a cliff-face - ochre sandstone chiselled into a series of quite understated pillars and murals. The cliff-face towers high above whilst, spread out in front of the temple, several rocky outcrops - each towering to more than a hundred feet - block the view… as previously suggested by Baeden, it seems that this temple may be quite hidden away. In the rocky ground leading up to the temple, a single well-trodden track leads away to the north-east.
Ravboom sighs. "Hmm, so, one exit from temple, one road away... If be follow up Klavan, we no be avoiding them if we want to get to town." He makes sure all the scavenged equipment (and his own) are still in Biggun's bag. "Ok, we need find safe place to rest, let Blekk mend. He not going to last if we walk him too hard."
Other than the fact that it is many days hike to the nearest civilisation, the group are not in a position to be heading out into the wild – Blekk, in particular, needs to recuperate after the fierce resistance of the klaven. And so heading back into the temple, the group start to investigate the rooms that they had passed whilst fighting their way to freedom.
Along the southern wall, a slightly ajar door leads into a small chamber - four stone slabs extend from the east and west walls of this chamber, staggered with a clear path running between them. A small shrine stands in the southwest corner with simple, stone bowls — some filled with water — resting on the floor near a collection of metal tools and sharpening stones. The shrine’s object of worship is a divine emblem represented as a black flame on a winged helmet (matching the holy symbol discovered on the body of Maulvorge). A secondary symbol — a scarlet-coloured helix that bisects a black sphere — also features prominently.
There is little more to be determined from the room with stone slabs and the shrine and so, keeping their wits about them, the friends move to the next room along the southern wall of the temple. Cautiously opening the double doors into the chamber, they discover two wooden tubs, fashioned like giant vats, and each large enough to hold a human-sized creature, sitting in the centre of the room. Behind them stand two, box-like contraptions with shelves of alchemical equipment and tubing which coils into the vats. The rest of the room contains piles of rubble, refuse, and dust swept into the corners, and a nauseating, coppery scent of chemicals and bodily fluids permeates the air. The tubs themselves appear to be of a similar design to those seen at Garsilt... vats in which klaven are formed.
Again, there is nothing here to hold the attention and so the group explore further to the west... finding, behind the third of the doors in the southern wall, a solemn chamber that stands empty other than two metal cages standing, both unoccupied, positioned along the east wall. The air has a decidedly musty smell as heaps of sawdust lay in piles around the cages... a single door leads west from this chamber. And it is beyond this door that the provisions which the group may soon need are found... what may once have been a kitchen and pantry holds several crates and barrels filled with dried, salted meats, water, and other long-lasting provisions
Turning their attention to the northern area of the temple, the group discover what, at one time, must have been a grand room. Four immense pillars stand in the corners of this room, each one decorated with patterns of stars and outlined in unrecognisable constellations. Shelves line every wall except for the southern side of the chamber, but any books once stored here have long deteriorated into piles of dust and debris, spilling to the floor. As a result, several footprints appear along the floor, passing among broken, discarded stone tablets and unsealed scroll tubes.
Ravboom sabotages the vats...
...so that when they are next attempted to be used they will hopefully go boom. He also scrounges any chemicals that look useful to clockwork crafting or gunsmithing (mostly acids and combustibles).
"Food, good. Meat better." He begins stuffing dried meat into his pack, Biggun's pack, Palo's pack, and Blekk's pack. If he can find another pack, he'll put one on the coward and let him carry meat. Finding a small keg, he fills it with water and shoves it into Biggun's pack too.
Rav looks for any usable scroll tubes, as they might come in handy for holding chemicals or food. "Library seem best place to set up camp? Not used as much."
|
|
With nothing else to do, Biggun followed behind. He was at a loss of purpose. He set out with Solie to help her grab the Sun, which was a good goal, but with her gone, he had nothing for himself. No grand plans, no secret goals. Nothing. It was refreshing in a way, he could do whatever he wanted, had no burdens other than survival. But... What did he want? Other that living until the next day, what did he want? Moving through the supposed kitchen area, he automatically placed some of the strange rations into his pack as he moved through the room. Even the strange symbols had only gathered his attention for a moment. Finally, as they settled down for the night, Biggun looked at the others and just asked, "What Biggun do now?"
Ravboom looks at Biggun, and then shrugs. "Up to Biggun. Ravboom going to find way home.. or find more Klavan to kill. Try keep Relus alive by keeping Palo from killing self. No really like slavers. No like being kidnapped. Biggun want to keep searching for Solie? Keep trying to catch sun? Find big gobbie to make small gobbie's with?"
"I'm sure Solie and Glob and the others are out there somewhere," Relas pipes up. "Maybe they just wound up coming out of a different gate on this world. When we get to Argosa and get settled, maybe we can try to find them!"
"Um...but even if we do find them, you don't have to keep following Solie if you don't want to, you know," he adds. "Just try to think about what would make you happy - and then do that!"
|
|
Biggun just gave a shrug at their suggestions. "Biggun not have home. Biggun join Solie cause chief not like Biggun, think Biggun want lead. Biggun just want find big weapon that fit Biggun. Now Biggun not even same...play-neet as tribe." Giving another shrug, he turned towards the fire. "Maybe...maybe Biggun find big weapon here? Big enough for Biggun to make big thing dead."
Rav laughs and bops Biggun on the knee. "If Biggun just want big weapon, Rav help him find big weapon. What kind of big weapon? If you want to make boom booms, I can build you a big gun." He waves his hands using Palo as a target, pulling them apart as if measuring something as big as Palo. "Make big big giant boom gun, if you want. But will take lots of effort to learn to use it. But I teach if you want. Imagine making hole in something size of Relas's head! Not the something, the hole in it! Like hole size of Relas's head in horse side!"
Before resting up, the group complete their exploration of the ancient temple... moving along from the looted library, they discover a flight of steps that heads downward, but comes to a halt as a cave-in completely blocks further progress.
...and then, finally exploring the double stone doors standing partially open where the lupine beasts came from, to this room, they find a long, rectangular chamber which carries the heavy musk of large animals cut with a peculiar scent of chemicals. The floor is swept clear of debris, save for the crumbled remains of ancient furniture shoved to the walls, each piece seemingly ready to collapse into dust. Gnawed bones strewn about the floor seem far more recent, however, and two troughs, each large enough for a horse, stand at the north end of the chamber.
Finally concluding that Lomrick has stripped the building clean of any valuables, the group set about securing the building and, having eaten, set up a watch as night falls...
Dawn comes the next morning with a glorious sunrise... and, from beyond the rock formations around the temple, the sound of approaching hooves...
Ravboom sighs. "More stupid slavers to kill probably. Want fight outside, or inside?" He asks, spinning the cylinder on the BoomRav.
Leaving the grand doors to the temple slightly ajar, the group hid near the block of murals in the largest room of the temple - somewhere where they are able to observe anyone entering the building whilst reducing the likelihood of being seen themselves. All the while, Baeden murmurs that it is likely Caeftin returned with supplies... and that, as far as he is aware, the location of the temple is an absolute secret - known only to Lomrick, Baeden and his brother plus the Klaven who are subservient to Lomrick...
Irrespective of Baeden's confidence, the friends stay alert until three wagons - each pulled by two vaguely equine creatures - pull up into the open space at the front of the temple. A portly fellow climbs down from the lead wagon... Baeden whispers to the friends, "That's Caeftin... and...", breathing an audible sigh of relief, "...there doesn't appear to be a klaven presence".
Baeden, seeing his brother, makes a move to call out to Caeftin...
+
Ravboom grabs the man with one hand. "Shhh, something moving under tarp, could be Klaven." He whispers in the man's ear. "Make noise, could get brother killed..."
"Wow, you really can't see that movement Palo? Human eyes must really be bad...it's a wonder you all don't walk around bumping into walls and tripping over rocks all the time!" Relas whispers in reply.
"Okay, so...do we keep watching and waiting and hope they'll go away or what?"
"Wait and see, could be Klaven. Could be rescue party here to attack and save brother." He whispers and hooks a thumb at the former prisoner. "If klaven, we attack. If not, maybe we say hi. Be nice to be ambusher of klaven instead of ambushee of klaven."
Baeden, who was right on the cusp of calling out to his brother, ducks down behind the rock when Ravboom hisses to him to be quiet...
In front of the temple, Caeftin gathers a cloak around himself and, looking back at the wagons, move towards the doors. Tentative, he calls out, "MAULVORGE!!! MAULVORGE... Are you there?" When there is no response, he shrugs - pulls a dagger from a boot - and waits at the temple door. Finally convincing himself that the klaven aren't going to rush out to greet him, he returns to the wagons and pulls the tarpaulins clear... revealing a pair of cloaked humans in each.
As they climb from their hiding places, Caeftin returns to the door and shouts once more, "BAEDEN!!! BAEDEN!!!"
...and, turning to the friends in their hiding place, Baeden whispers, "That's lads from the Dorgelf Coterie... they wouldn't be allied to Lomrick!!! Caeftin must have enlisted help... it's okay, I think it's going to be okay".
Ravboom nods. "Your brother, you let him know we not interested in killing today, if not forced to." Ravboom relaxes ever so slightly. He motions for the man to go see his brother.
Rav smacks Biggun on the back of the head, after climbing up his backpack to reach it. "Quit threatening Palo! Not her fault she long shanks!"
As Ravboom suggest, Baeden calls out, ”CAEFTIN!!! In Here!!! It’s safe… tell your lads that all is okay”.
Turning and seeing Baeden coming out from behind the block in the centre of the temple, Caeftin – the family resemblance is obvious now – laughs out aloud, ”Oh Baeden!!! It is good to see you!!!! I thought the worst when I saw the temple abandoned… how did you get out? And, who is this? I thought the location of the temple was known to no one other than Lomrick and ourselves?”
Baeden explains – as much as he can – that Ravboom (and the others now coming out of hiding) came through the gate, that they defeated Maulvorge and the klaven stationed here and that, having rested overnight, they are headed to Zel-Argose. After listening to the story, Caeftin goes around the group of friends and makes a point of shaking everyone’s hands, ”You have my undying gratitude… I had fully expected that I would need to fight for Baeden’s liberation – hence my reinforcements from the Dorgelf coterie – but you have already rescued my brother”, Caeftin smiles and hugs his brother once more…
As the men from the Dorgelf Coterie clamber back into the wagons, basking in the sun that is warming the air as it climbs into the sky, Caeftin grins, ”So… it seems that I have a few more passengers to take back to Zel-Argose then? We can get you past the city gates… but after that, I think Baeden and myself need to make ourselves scarce for a while. Lomrick isn’t the most forgiving of employers”.
Ravboom shakes the man's hand, glad to find someone or something that's not (A) pre-prejudiced against goblins, (2) trying to kill him, or (Delta) eat him. "Is no problem, was busy killing Klaven anyway, was easy enough to open cell door in passing." He hooks a thumb over his shoulder at the dead dogs piled up. "Want haunch of dog for road?" He asks, showing a mouth full of teeth.
Ravboom takes a half step after being kicked in the shin, falls over when he places weight on his now 'broken' leg, and catches himself on Relas. "Have to ride Relas now, dumb long shank break leg." He climbs up on top of Relas, as if riding a pony.
Caeftin smiles at Palomia, "What's Dorgelf Coterie? My, you folks really aren't from around here are you... the Coteries are the gangs that exert the real power in Zel-Argose. Dorgelf, bless them, are really nothing more than a collective of concerned citizens - they don't have a vote in the Peerage and so they don't really hold any sway. 'course you've got to be in control of a gate to get a seat around the big table!!!"
As the friends introduce themselves and clamber into the wagons, the sky above seems to become even brighter than before... the brightness from the sun, aloft and alone in a cloudless sky, is now accompanied by a distinct ray of brightly white light shining from one horizon to the other…
…and with Caeftin driving one of the wagons and Baeden another, the caravan is turned around within the clearing and, kicking up dust as they go, the equine-like beasts pulling the wagons break into a canter…