Gathroc begins chanting in Infernal, which causes a purplish pentagram to appear underneath him and a spinning box over his head. Suddenly, his Warhorse bursts forth in a blast of flames, and he mounts up.
The mounts appear as summoned and you are not challenged as you ride from the cove. The plains of Nex open up before you and the dead Mana Wastes are to your South.
Vesta will hold onto someone's horse and ask, "Through the mana wastes or around?"
"Considering the urgency of the summons as well as how important the book is, I would say straight through the Wastes, but then I would not be overly affected by its magic warping properties."
"Considering the urgency of the summons as well as how important the book is, I would say straight through the Wastes, but then I would not be overly affected by its magic warping properties."
"I don't think I will either so long as I don't cast spells, but honestly I'm not sure. Perhaps if we come across a mortal shell for me to inhabit that could offer some protection, just in case. "
We should probably avoid traveling through Nex; I imagine it would be possible for the Gnome to stage a 'rescue' mission on the book whilst we are there; if we travel through the Mana Wastes, that will be more difficult...
"Mana wastes it is then. Off we go." She encourages those who control the mounts.
The motley party of beasts that draw no breath begins it's journey back to Mechitar. Given the fact that rest is not required and dead horses do not tire you make very good time as you streak across the wilderness. Keeping mostly to the coast as your guide and avoiding any settlements as they could lead to delays.
The border of Nex and the Mana Wastes soon comes before you and you cross out of the territory of the enemy and into no-man's land.
The motley party of beasts that draw no breath begins it's journey back to Mechitar. Given the fact that rest is not required and dead horses do not tire you make very good time as you streak across the wilderness. Keeping mostly to the coast as your guide and avoiding any settlements as they could lead to delays.
The border of Nex and the Mana Wastes soon comes before you and you cross out of the territory of the enemy and into no-man's land.
No active spells
The party continues blazing a path down the coast for another night and day. As dusk approaches you spy a burning village in the distance, which will loom up before you quickly if you continue on your current vector.
Perception
"The village appears to be deserted though there are two large statues of some sort on the far side of town."
"Vesta, be so kind and investigate? I doubt that village is anything we need to worry about, but I also would like to make sure there aren't any actually dangerous bandits or soldiers wandering around."
Perception
Vesta goes invisible and scouts around
stealth
"Interesting. Very interesting."
As Vesta gets closer you see that the large statues are of six armed giants wielding twin swords and are garbed in Vudra clothing. From this distance they appear to be quite well preserved and painted.
Behind them is a vista of destruction. Houses afire and most structures broken to pieces. The only building that is standing is immediately behind the two statues and seems non-descript from the outside - a wooden two or three room house on small stilts to raise the floor up from the earth.
Extremely wary of the statues vesta slowly gets closer. If she can get within 60 feet of the statues without them moving she will detect magic on them and just generally get a good look at them. She'll also more closely check out the cottage.
Perception
If the statues start moving Vesta will go below the ground line and only stick her head up a little to see what's happening.
As Vesta approaches closer she notices an almost imperceptible movement of one of the statue's heads and has a sense that she is being watched...
The figures are six armed and roughly 14ft tall. Garbed in ancient looking bronze and jeweled armor with two khopesh at each of their waists. Their stance is relatively neutral, though clearly at a state of attention.
Vesta returns to her companions to describe all she found without traveling closer.
"It was odd." She adds.
This does seem very odd. I've never heard of anything like this. Granted, I was never known for my knowledge of the strange in life."
Knowledge Nature
"They sound vaguely familiar, but I can not recall what they are, or if I am even sure I've encountered them"
Daemon can identify the beings as likely Calikang - and is able to recall this information.
They are known as patient guardians, though they are powerful indeed.
After explaining everything in the link,
"we could probably take them, Vesta and myself would be stuck in support roles due to their ability to absorb magic. as long as we are using spells that do not target them directly it should be ok, if it were not for the location that we are in."
"While I do not doubt our ability to destroy these creatures, the question is do we need to? It seems rather pointless to me when we have bigger things to attend to"
"While I do not doubt our ability to destroy these creatures, the question is do we need to? It seems rather pointless to me when we have bigger things to attend to"
"They probably guard something valuable." Vesta adds.
"I was thinking the same thing, only a single standing structure seems fishy to me"
"More valuable than what the Shadow Claw has promised each of us?" Gathroc thinks back to what he was shown were they to be successful and if was capable of true emotion he would be smiling hugely. As it is, his eyes flaring is the only betrayal of how he feels about what awaits him. "A few of you may be practically idestructible, but I am not. I would rather not risk my unlife unless we are absolutely sure what's being guarded is worth fightng these things. Gabriel, you might be our best bet to scout this lone building out and not be seen at all."
"Perhaps we can make a note and come back later."
"Agreed, there will most likely not be many wandering the mana wastes and those guardians are formidable, we can always come back."
Leaving the calikang where they stand at guard, the companions return to the long and steady ride back to their master's home. After some more long days and nights on the saddleback you see the dark spires of Mechitar looming far before you.
In your mind the Shadow Claw's urging is growing stronger and stronger, willing you to make haste through the gate and to his dwelling.
Gathroc spurs his mount on, riding through the city of the damned as fast as possible without crashing into people or things. When he pulls up in front of the Shadow Claw's dwelling, he jumps off and with a wave of his hand dismisses his steed. Then waits for his companions to enter.
Gathroc spurs his mount on, riding through the city of the damned as fast as possible without crashing into people or things. When he pulls up in front of the Shadow Claw's dwelling, he jumps off and with a wave of his hand dismisses his steed. Then waits for his companions to enter.
Vesta joins him.
Your hurried path through the city brings back memories of when you were first summoned by the Shadow Claw, though rather than trepidation - this time your excitement is tinged with the colour of confidence and success. You know that your task has succeeded and your master in shadow will be pleased with you.
Arriving back at the unweathered pyramid that is bedecked with an obsidian claw - you note that this time the claw has what looks to be blood upon it's talons. The two skeletal warriors subtly shift position as you pass between them and into the internal corridors. Moving through the corridors with the same familiarity as your first visit - you are disgorged into the waiting room with cold burning torches and red and brown woven tapestries... though this time there are but four chairs.
Gabriel's digits quiver in excitement as he feels his Master's exultation.
"The Shadow Claw will be with us, shortly. He has momentous news to share..."
Fantastic.
You are left waiting for some small span of minutes before feeling the telltale wave of negative energy flooding through the room that signals the arrival of your patron. The rear wall of the room shimmers and gradually fades from existence again.
The Shadow Claw lies in the larger room again, though his appearance is different than before. He is as impressive as when you first met, though you are struck with some changes. The weathered yellow bones that make up his form are streaked with gouges and scarring. Hanging over his frame is a massive set of ancient bronze barding. The copper points on his claws still bear strips of flesh and his maw is blood flecked.
The sheer power that you feel in his presence is undiminished and his violet heart beats with power and excitement. Gravelly and grinding the deep voice sounds out "You have the book... I feel it. Present it to me."
Vesta looks to Gabriel
Producing the book from his glove with a flourish, Gabriel presents the recovered codex to his Master...
Taking the book from Gabriel through means of telekinesis the Shadow Claw holds it before his eyes a few moments and the pages flick by rapidly. Issuing a deep chuckle from his throat "You have done well minions... the weal promised you is yours. If you are willing, there is another task that I would also put to you.... war has come to Geb."
Taking the book from Gabriel through means of telekinesis the Shadow Claw holds it before his eyes a few moments and the pages flick by rapidly. Issuing a deep chuckle from his throat "You have done well minions... the weal promised you is yours. If you are willing, there is another task that I would also put to you.... war has come to Geb."
"I'd be willing to listen."
I 'live' to serve, my liege. I will do whatever is required of me,Gabriel comments with a dry chuckle.