The blackened drake leads you on toward the smoke, explaining as you all walk.
“The man I have befriended is like you gesturing toward Aak. He is of two peoples. One the cultists seem to hate all the more. His home, his family, destroyed. All that is left is rage.”
"Where are we?"
The blackened drake looks toward Rheynold, talking while he leads the group on.
"If my guess is right, you're people are from beneath the desert to the East. Though the sands take up near half this continent, there is still yet habitable land above ground. We are very near the West coast of the continent, near the mountain range that runs near the coast."
Nearing the smoke you see a man sitting upon a toppled stone sculpture. He angrily talks aloud, not seeming to care if anyone is listening.
“We’d held the line. We’d defended our ancestral forest for days. Even the enslaved elementals they’d corrupted to their purpose had been fought off. Though we were tired and hungry, hope was in sight as twilight settled over the tree tops. Looking into the distance.
The largest Druegar army I have ever seen approached. They shook the very ground. We rallied at the sight of fear among the cultists. We joined our stalwart allies as they slammed into the cultist’s forces. As we broke their lines I could taste the meal we would share to celebrate our victory.” A lone tear falls from his face as he looks toward lines of trees that have been literally ripped from the ground. The thick oaks look to be hundreds of years old.
|
Aak will think about what he may need for the journey. He is about to ponder more healing, but then it is brought to his attention that Rheynold can channel positive energy, albeit a little weaker than Aak. He cannot think of anything and joins hands to complete the circle. He nods, and the drake does her thing.
Aak is slightly disoriented as everything whizzes by him, his feels woozy for a moment. As things start to slow and sweetly, his eyes go as wide as dragon eggs. He cannot beleive his eyes, Is this real? Is this a dream, an illusion? Am I really... his grid voice trails off as he witnessed the sights and sounds before him.
He picks up a handful of dirt...it feels incredible in his rough hand. He takes a couple deep breathes, it has been some time that he got crisp, fresh air and not harsh sand in his lungs. The dome may have been "fresh", but not like this.
This, my friends is where I came from. The mountain range is where my tribe used to be, the fresh air is amazing, isn't it? The temple, ahead, I remember was seized by orcs. My friends and I, we overtook the temple and restored it back to its former glory. I wonder how everyone is...or perhaps I am the only one left.
Aak travels onwards, towards the smoke. Upon seeing the man, he stows his weapon and grabs his canteen.
Moving slowly, and trying his best as to not pose a threat, Sir...sir. would you like some water?
The sight of the toppled trees.....actual above ground trees...a thing of myth is overwhelming to Tamayra, her concept of the world being literally redefined before her.
She watches silently as Aak addresses the man.
Noticing your approach, the man addresses Aak directly.
“A sound I will never forget rose from the cultists’ rear guard. The yells of elf, orc, and dwarf - dying at once. As word of the slain prisoners made its way through our lines we pushed forward only to be met by flocks of harpies - diving down from the darkening clouds. As their songs held many of our number enthralled - a demon stormed to the front. From the nearby smoke the man shapes the image of a creature that possesses the body of a tall and powerfully built man with the head of a hawk. Four great wings with a span twice its height spread out behind it. Instead of feet, it has cruel bird talons that continually clench as if they wish to seize the world and squeeze all the goodness from it.
Looking vengefully at the smoke figure he's shaped, he continues his tale of anguish.
"Those that had been enthralled had just enough time to turn in retreat before they were slain by the demon's acid breath. It’s presence enraged the harpies. They tore through our lines as we were pushed back into the oldest part of the forest. Before the trees fell the Druegar army was broken. Every single one of them would have died if there had been hope to save our ancestral home. There was no hope. The last lament was sung as the ever-living tree was split in two.
I watched as our leaders were consumed by elemental fires. Any hope of replanting our home rested in saving our people. Though a few like myself made the retreat into the nearby caves, every elf was killed. If it hadn’t been for the orcs and dwarves that rushed from the caves the oldest line of the Druegar would have been broken. We fought together, turned our retreat into a counter attack. The harpies fled and that thing gesturing toward the smoke image was no where to be found. Gesturing at the ash at his feet.
Only ash was left of the fallen. No bodies to mourn. No home to rebuild. Nothing but smoke and ash. And now they travel freely through what is left of the forest, corrupting our world further with their shadowy crystals”
"Sir, that sounds like a grave misfortune, but we've come to lend any hand that we can."
Shadow crystals. They seem to be at the heart of all of this. An army of Druregards... harpies.. I do not know these creatures. Led by a demon? Do we know where they are headed next and how we could hope to fight an entire armed force?
The man stands, introducing himself.
"I am Enix and I welcome any help. I am afraid the demon was gone when we emerged from the cover of the caverns. The harpies hide high in the mountains. As for my brothers, the Druegars have returned to their underground home. However, I do have a contact in the nearby port city, Simez. He is powerful enough to have managed to survive the cultist’s as they’re influence has grown. He had found a group to assist him, but the cultists got to them before they could make it to port city. All that I was able to recover from their remains was this.." He holds an odd shaped key in his hand.
|
|
Aak, steps up and offers his hand to the man. I know much about loss, I am sorry for yours. He listens as the man describes the aftermath briefly, and when he hols out the key, Aak's eyes go wide as dragon eggs again.
He grabs the key, almost out of reaction, realizing after a few moments what he did was extremely rude.
Shayne, Caylen, Silx, Sadhvis. I remember them, like it was yesterday...I hope they.. his thought trails off as he unclench his fist, revealing the whale shaped key.
Sorry, all, as he looks around to all standing there with him. This key, well, it reminded me of some close and dear friends that journeyed with me as I searched to find myself and help out others who needed some guidance of their own. This key is very special, it has many functions.
After a few moments pass, This allows one the breathe underwater. Not freely, but the blowhole will produce tiny air bubbles that you or I could breathe to gain air in our lungs. The key will also allow the holder to discern what object or location it is attuned to. If I may?
Aak, will hold the key , and figure out the object or place the key is attuned to, the general direction if I read the item correctly.
We should get to this Simez as soon as we can to see what can be done about these invaders. Aak, the rest of us are... lost in this above. Can you guide us there?
Enix looks toward Aak, then everyone.
"I am happy to help, if need help finding your way."
Enix nods.
"I'd be happy to follow. If you can find your way from here I can easily.get you to the port from wherever this temple is."
Tamayra is quiet. Though a skilled tracker and capable of finding her way below, the foreign nature of the environment was quite daunting.
Jenya nods. We need allies and gets ready to move on. She squints up. Is the.. sun always so bright? And does it always burn the skin so?
|
|
Aak cannot help but chuckle, Jenya, you begin to understand how I felt being in your native environment. But yes, the sun shines bright for about ten to twelves hours a day. It provides life and sustenance to all on the planet. It is a good thing, I promise, as he clasps Jenya on the shoulder as they travel towards the temple.
Aak leads the group from the clearing toward a well traveled path, heading northeast for less than an hour, he then heads into thick over growth. In spots you can see beneath the plants what once had been a well traveled path. Once through the overgrown path, near the ridge the path looks to end. The ridge appears to play a trick on the eyes as Aak continues toward what looked like one solid rock face turns out to be two rock faces of very similar tone and color. Separating the two sections of rock, is another short path that leads up a short distance.Once up this shorter path, the temple and surrounding buildings come into view.
From the outside, the temple is nothing more than a square building with a polished bronze dome in the center of the roof. The bronze is now badly tarnished and the walls are crumbling with age and neglect. The main doors, clearly visible from the approaching trail, are tarnished bronze and are marked with a symbol.
Three small outbuildings stand within the confines of the temple boundary, but appear dilapidated and abandoned.
Enix seems impressed with the hidden refuge, "Such a place could serve as quite a refuge from the cultists."
Perception rolls:
"Someone is definitely cooking something inside." Tamayra says looking around.
Just inside the temple doors is a brazier. A make shift grate has been placed over the flame, where several bits of meat are cooking. A young man and a women with a strange bluish complexion are gathered around the cooking food. They turn, as if expecting someone. Their eyes grow wide, their mouths open, but they don't seem to be saying anything.
Lining the temple are series of one-foot-high statues standing in niches along both walls. All are in differing states of repair. Torch sconces line the walls in between the niches, which look to have been recently replaced. At the far end upon a dais stands half of a blue marble statue of a muscular knight with long wavy hair in plate armor. The other half lies supported with wooden scaffolding, repairs look to be nearing completion. Flanking the dais at the far end of the room is a double set of stairs rising to a higher-level gallery that encircles the outer wall, leaving a large open space in the ceiling through which the bronze dome is visible.
Through an increasing amount of tears, Rema struggles to speak.
"We.. I was sure you were.. You're not.. I can't belive it's you."
|
|
Aak heads over, extending his hand, but then he grabs Rema and embraces her and gives her a bearhug, following it up with Peter.
You know me, it takes a lot to kill my stubborn ass. So, let me introduce you to some new friends, who have taken me in, and help me get back here, he says as he points at Tamayra, Jenya, and Rheynold.
I will let these good folks explain themselves, but I can vouch for each of their strong wills, and dedication to noble causes. How is this place doing, it seems like it has seen better days? What did I miss while I was away?
Rema nods with deference toward Tamayra, Jenya, and Rheynold. She does her best to stay composed, but the news of recent events soon gets the best of her. Meanwhile, Peter seems entirely distracted by the blackened drake who has perched himself on one of the other braziers nearby.
"Well met. I am glad to stand with any that stand with those like Aak. In times like these we will need one another. Looking around. Though repairs have begun, I am afraid they may not be enough. Just days ago we received word that Tolin, one of the cultist's leaders if you recall, not only stormed the monastery, but killed the revered leader of the monastery Master Toe'n. The monastery has been captured by the cultists, I fear even now they attempt to break into the sealed areas - the treasury, the archives. Mal'c will be greatly encouraged to learn of your return and the new allies you have brought with you."
Jenya greets what seems like Aak's friends with a salute.
We have travelled a long way, Aak has helped us with troubles in our homeland so it only seems right that we help him with his. And it seems like there are more than enough troubles to go around sadly. I am Jenya, of House Desoto of the Obsidian Dome... though I suppose no one here has heard of us... We live under the vast desert in the east.
This reminds her of something. Turning to Tamayra, Rheynold, and the drake she says We need to get word back to the elders somehow about where we are. Does anyone have any idea how to do this?
Maybe not overland, that seems like too much for the little mechanism... but through that inbetween place that transported us in the first place? Is that possible? Jenya looks at the drake.
Looking over the creature reminds you all of the elemental leader's words concerning the creatures ability to send messages, which is currently keyed to Ask. He may command it to follow anyone else.
Looking toward Tamayra, Jenya, and Rheynold.
"As interested as I am in seeing more of this creation you have brought with you, it seems your friends have an important message to send."
"I can do it. We can sand a message of our curent situation to the Elders. Tamayra responds.
Jenya nods That sounds well. We are very far away from home but it seems like it is the same enemy that attacks us at every front. Perhaps if we take back this monastery from this Tolin then that would relieve pressure on the Dome
Rema looks hopefully at Jenya.
"Oh how I wish that were possible. Perhaps if we had enough allies on our side we could accomplish such a feat. Mal'c is working on a plan to retrieve items from the sealed areas - the treasury and the archives - I do not know what he has come up with, but I am sure he would welcome help."
"So we have 25 words. Let's hash out what information we need to convey." Tamayra says thoughtfully to the others.
Jenya considers
Safe. Learned troubles caused by cult using shadow crystals. Now fighting them in Aak's homeland above and far to the west.
I believe that conveys everything that we know. Anyone have any other suggestions?
I couldn't have worded it more eloquently myself.
"Perfect." Tamayra agrees taking up the clockwork creature.
The creature chirps away for a moment, apparently sending the message. Moments later it becomes very still, the voice of Oso the elder emerges from the creature.
"Message received. Elementals helping repair. Cannot keep up with the damage. Reinforcing the dome. Safe for now. You fight now for our survival. Good luck."
A monk walks calmly through the temple doors, heading right for Aak - embracing him.
"Master Toe'n was right. He foresaw your return.. Just days before he was lost. Looking to the others. And who have we here. Strong allies to fight the wretched cultists I hope?"
Jenya rises and nods at the newcomer. Jenya, Jenya Poole of House Desoto. We came here with Aak.
Mal'c bows toward Jenya.
"Well met. I look forward to learning how all of you found Aak, However, I'm afraid I have a pressing matter - great treasures locked within the monastery are at risk in the grasp of the cultists."
"I am Tamayra, well met. We would aid you against these cultists, it seems we may have a common enemy."
Nodding
"I would welcome the help. There is a cavern, not far from here.[b] Looking toward Aak [b]I believe our mutual friend is familiar with it. At the founding of the monastery a secret entrance was constructed deep within the caverns connected to the caves. The area has since become inhabited, but Aak and his friends helped to broker a peace. Though there are many other dangers in the deep, at the least we have allies nearby - allies who have no love for the cultists."
Then let us head there and see if these allies are willing to help save the treasures of your monastery