Taldo’s eyes watering from the first gust of wind stands ready, wishing he could see what’s past the wind thing. He begins to sweat profusely.
great that first burst of wind made my eyes water…now they’ll think I’m a scared littles sissy…ask me if I peed myself, too, like my uncle does…still can’t let it by, even if they think I’m a chicken…what’s beyond it in the room? Why is it in the room? Is the wind thing a prisoner? Can’t we just shut the door? If we back up slow will it leave on its own? Can we avoid a fight? Yeah that’s sissy talk…
Noting Sera's words and the fact that the creature isn't advancing on them Maelius takes a step back and mimes looking around with a hand shielding his eyes like a scout hoping to communicate that they're just looking around.
Dominic's eyes go wide "It didn't get the message...it's going to attack!" He feels his heart quicken, as though it would burst through his chest. He could feel his jaw slacken and a cold sweat come over him. He moves his free hand slowly down to the pouch at his waist and withdraws a pinch of sand. He takes a breath to steady himself, moving his arm back, throws the sand towards the Wind Creature announcing "Somnus!" in a clear voice.
Iyers, hearing Sera's explanation, lowers his musket. He also pantomimes searching.
what to do...what to do...what if I'm wrong
Taldo, still standing in the doorway, slowly crouches down and places his shield and kunai on the ground in front of him. He then slowly stands back up lifting both hands slightly showing they are empty, making sure to keep himself between the wind creature and the other people. He eventually asks the Captain
Wh..wh..what n.n.n.now?
Sera will try to "explain" that they are not threats as best she can.
The wind picks up on the Captain's pantomime as well as Sera's hidden message, or at least that's what appears to be happening as it backs into the room, out of sight beckoning for them to follow. As they push forward a bit, the can see that the elemental is gesturing north.
Once you enter the room, you can see to the north there's a wooden door, and to the south, another door like the one you've just broken through, but which has seen considerably more activity. The northern edge of the room is in dim light. In the northwest corner, you can partially see an archway.
ok, were all ok, didn't need to fight, that's good right, how would I have done, would I freeze like I do when I'm talking
Taldo slowly picks up his kunai, putting it away and then picks up his shield, since he is standing in the doorway he steps into the room, seeing the wind creature point north he turns that way looking around carefully as he does, but stops and stands near the wall instead of going into the archway. Keeping a close eye on his own feet, waiting for the rest of the party to pass, so he can bring up the rear.
Maelius ducks and bows to show his thanks and looks north along with Taldo.
Sera isn't sure how to show thanks, but does her best to show her gratitude to the strange creature. She looks at the various options presented to them. She sees the well traveled area to the south, Do you think the men in question went south. It seems more traveled. Or is it a trap or a trick and the went north? Am I just over thinking all of this
"Well the creature seems to be gesturing north. If it wanted to hurt us, I believe it would have, so it must understand we're looking for someone, and I imagine it would point us in the direction it last saw someone go. Then again it could just be stretching, I haven't the foggiest."
Well don't want to anger our new friend so I'd do what it suggests to start
I agree Mel, let's go north as our airy friend has indicated
whew, I thought for a moment there I headed the wrong way, If they had gone south I would have felt so stupid
Taldo, doing his best imitation of the wind creature raises his arm and points to the arch, while keeping his eyes securely planted on his feet.
n...n...n...north
The Captain busts up at Taldo's impression (whether or not it was intended for humor), "I appreciate a man who can joke in the right situation, we all got very serious for a moment there!" The troop presses on to the door (since the creature is clearly pointing due north, and not at the archway in case I failed to mention), and the Captain tries it, and sees that it's regular wood, and not trapped.
As they enter the room, and Dominic's torch illuminates the part of the enormous chamber in which they find themselves, the townsfolk are made subject to a gruesome sight. Bloodstains litter the ends of what can only be understood as instruments of torture. Iron men, a table of crocodile shears and lead sprinklers, and even what's left of a humanoid corpse strapped to a cage which once held hungry rats, as is evident by the half-eaten corpse of one of its former occupants. This trying scene is otherwise littered with rotted wood and a pile of stones.
In the distance however, in the dim light to the northeast, they see something, it's Chase! Tied up and spilt on the ground, he's not moving.
"There's your man!" says the Captain. Raising his musket, he says, "Go and retrieve him, I'll cover you, just in case."
funny? I looked funny to the Captain, ohhh now he will never take me serious!
Taldo starts to blush and tear up, turning is head so on one sees, he tries to smile as he follows the team into the room. As Taldo enter s the room he recognizes the smell of blood, assuming they have entered a poorly kept kitchen, he lifts his head and gasping almost wrenches at the sight.
....O..o.oh g..g..gods
It's ok if he thinks I'm funny as long as I follow orders
when the Captain says "go and retrieve him" Taldo almost jumps at the chance to follow orders, his left hand over his mouth, with his right hand he begins to draw his kunai to cut his friend loose and heads across the room.
Maelius tries to keep from throwing up at the horrendous sight and fails. He drops to his knees near the entrance and turns his head as he wretches on the floor.
Just like Maelius, Seraphina doubles over as she wretches at the horrible and gruesome sight. The war never even produced sights such as these, ad I saw people with spears through their legs
Just as their new acquaintance Taldo, goes forth to retrive Chase, she looks up and towards the various piles of rubble. She sees a pair of beady little globes, and at first she thinks the light is playing tricks on her. She then sees them appear to blink.
Taldo, STOP. Don't go any farther. I see something in the rubble over there[b], as she point to where she saw it. [b]I presume it is a rat, since it seems like this is their home. [b]Captain, can you go check it out for me?
Unfortunately Taldo is too fast to hear Sera's warning in time, and as Taldo passes by it, the pile of rocks springs to life! The glowing orbs Sera saw reveal themselves to be the gemstone eyes of a creature made entirely of stones!
"What in blazes?!" Iyers shouts as he aims his musket at the creature and takes a shot, which hits it squarely in the torso-stone.
Order: Iyers, Mael, Taldo, ?, Sera, Dom
oh crap, oh crap oh crap. remain calm, what did Lucius teach me
after panicking for a split second Taldo slides his shield down his arm like Lucius had taught him and he then stabs a the rock thing with his Kunia
Taldo's weapon seems to glance off the creature's stone hide.
Pretty useless in a fight Maelius tries to reason with the creature. Please. We mean no harm.
The creature pays no heed to Mael's plead as it combines it's two stone-y fists and slams into Taldo. Fortunately, the creature's aim is way off.
Order: Iyers, Mael, Taldo, ?, Sera, Dom
Sera, moves forward, rather slowly. She gets within view of the strange creature. She does her best to hold her hands out and convince the creature that all they want is to get their friend who is hurt.
Dominic stares in stark horror at the rock beast before him. "Guys - I'm not sure it believes us", he manages to choke out. His mind reels, trying to figure out what to do. He moves to the rock creature and throws out his arm calling, "DELASSO!". His hand falls short of the creature missing it completely.
"I would agree with Mr. Tryst!" Iyers shouts as he fires another shot which unfortunately ricochet's off the creatures stony hide.
Maelius takes out his sling and desperately tries to bounce a rock off the creature.
I missed, how can I show the Captain I can be a soldier if I miss? How do you hurt something created from rock? What do sculptures do? Drive the chisel in a fracture, does this thing have any fractures?
Taldo, visibly shaking from fear or excitement or adrenaline, appears to take his time a little this time and studies the rock thing. Then stabbing in a quick uppercut he tries to drive his kunai into the creatures arm-pit.
S..s..s..stand s..s..s..till
As Taldo's kunai wedges in between the stone enemy's fragmented body-stone and shoulder stone, the tanner manages to pry the arm free. An action which seemed to dispatch the magical being entirely, as the stones fall harmlessly to the ground.
"Ha! Well fought young Taldo!" Iyers chuckles as he takes a moment to reload his musket.
"Ooh..." a voice escapes the young hunter in the corner.
Taldo notices that his hands are visibly shaking,
Why am I shaking? Even if I was afraid, the threat is passed, so why do I still shake, Iyer’s said well struck, is he making fun of me, does he see me shaking, do the others see the shaking
As Taldo hears Chase moan in the corner, he puts his weapon away and begins to walk toward his friend.
Well struck he said, I killed that thing, I’ve killed livestock before, but this felt different, it felt…exhilarating, does that make me some kind of monster, how can I be afraid and exhilarated at the same time?
When Taldo gets to Chase he carefully looks around as he kneels, gently turning his friend over and then says over his shoulder
H..h..help, h..h..he n..n..needs h…help
Seraphina, looks on as the threat is dealt with.
Good job Taldo. I never have been the best in confrontation.
Do you need any help, are you hurt. Is anyone else hurt?
If given the all clear, she proceeds over to Chase, to check him over for any wounds.
Dominic breaths a sigh of relief as the creature falls apart in front of him.
"Taldo, thank you!" He runs over and gives Taldo a tight hug. After letting go he readjusts his glasses, something that was becoming a bit of an annoying habit of his. "Here Seraphina, let me help, I've read a book entitled Medicus Adjuvare once. It was old and difficult to understand, but the diagrams in it are really quite fascinating." He beams slightly before remembering where he was and what was happening, "Oh, yes, not now." He leans in to see if he may be of any assistance.
as Dominic hugs Taldo, his eyes get large, and he stands very still, not used to physical affection being shown; he stammers
y...y...your w..w..welcome
Maelius, who doesn't have the Captain's experience, Taldo's battlefield training of Taldo, Seraphina's medical expertise, or Dominic's academic foreknowledge, sits down and puts his head between his knees and tries very hard not to pass out.
It's clear to Sera and Dom that Chase's wrists and ankles are sprained from having been tied up so long. He can walk, but only just.
"My...things..." he says weakly as they look him over. He points to an old chest against the wall.
Maelius...Maelius. Can you gather Chase's things. Captain, can you help Chase out of this awful place as she strains under his weight. I am not the strongest here
Maelius nods slowly and moves to comply with Seraphina's suggestion more than glad for any excuse to leave the horrible room.
should I offer, I toss around carcasses all day long, But what If I drop him, crap crap crap
as the Captain approaches Chase, Taldo touches the Captain on the arm, looking up for a moment and says
H..h..he's m..m..my f..f..f..friend, I..I w..w..will do it.
Taldo secures his shield to his pack and then bends over, wrapping his arms around Chases waist and gently lifts him like a sack of potatoes over his shoulder. showing little strain on his face, he then nods toward Seraphina letting her know he's ready to go.
Seraphina gives Taldo and Maelious both a reassuring smile. Lets go boys, I tire of the depressing place. Captain, if you could lead the way sir? she than leans over and gives Taldo a peck on the cheek, then leans over the Maelious and does the same.
Perhaps you could write a song of our bravery one day Maelious. Your first song of many to come, from an aspiring musician?
Maelius, very uncharacteristically, has nothing to say and nods at Seraphina with a weak smile. He exhales with relief as they leave the torture chamber. Is Chase alright?
Maelius finds the chest locked, and does what he can to open it, but finds himself incapable without the proper tools. Iyers sees him struggle, and hands him a rolled up leather pack, "I'll need these back when you're done with them, they're confiscated property, I just figured we might need for this outing."
It takes him a couple tries, but he opens it, after which he promptly hands the tools back to Iyers. In the top of the chest, Maelius finds a backpack full of supplies, a longbow and quiver, and a dagger; all covered in forest debris, very clearly having been Chase's . In addition, the musician finds a high quality climber's kit, a well-used short sword, a potion of Hide from Animals, as well as a few gems and coins.
Captain Iyers smiles and claps Taldo on the shoulder at his offer to carry Chase. Brandishing his musket he begins to lead the way out.
Pale and still shaking Maelius stammers a bit Don... Don't we need to find out who did this?