Tortok nods gruffly and prepares to fire a shard of earth at anything hostile behind the tapestry.
Hollowe bars the dwarf's way.
"No. You do not lift or move the tapestry. First, explain." Hollowe licks his beak, nervously. He feels as if he is overstepping something, but what he does not know.
"How do you know from which way we came? We might find another way - to somewhere else. Perhaps - through the tapestry? Why do you wish to go through?"
Unsure of what to do in this situation Kentalla has her bow at the ready to fire at any of those creatures that appear, or at the dwarf if things go sideways.
“At this point we all need to get out. He was a prisoner here and I do not intend on becoming one. Grotbaard lead the way.”
Grotbaard looks at Hollowe before trying to relieve the anxiety of his liberators.
" I caught a glimpse of what was behind there early and I think that it is some sort of machine that only activates when it is touched. If you will allow me, I will assume all of the risk."
"After, I will help you escape this place. They took my weapons though."
Hollowe's eyes crease at the strange word. "machine". Still, the dwarf seems...useful. Hollowe thinks for a moment, then changes his stance from barring the way with his spear to offering it to Grotbaard.
"I'm better fighting without this weapon. Look after it."
“Machine? What does this mean?”
Grotbaard nods with thankfulness that Hollowe allows him to proceed. He takes the spear and steps up to the tapestry, slowly pushing it to one side.
The movement of the hideous curtain reveals an alcove, a semi-circular, carved out into the rock, about eight feet high and six feet wide, The rotting partial carcasses of three of the lizard creatures, sloppily stacked in front of what looks like a fairly large humanoid construct manufactured from bones mostly. It has four arms and a small quantity of metal dispersed throughout its body including three blades at the end of three of the hands.
A blue gem the size of a fist glows faintly in the center of its chest. It is seated against the wall in a manner that appears as if it is resting.
”Aye, this is what I came for,” the dwarf mutters to himself.
to head what was said
“What was that, you’re looking for something? What is this?”
Tortok gapes at the curious device. "A weapon of some kind?"
"Well, whatever it is, I doubt we'll be leaving with it," Jorrick said, looking at the construct and then at the corpses.
Grotbaard takes the spear from Hollowe, quickly snaps off the head and then throws the shaft to the ground muttering, ”I’ll fix that for you later.” Quickly he moves in to the humanoid construct and starts to whittle carefully at the blue gem.
A jolt of energy rushes through the creature in an instant and it suddenly begins to come to life, posturing as if to stand up. In the same quick second, Grotbaard has the gem pried free and the creature falls lifeless to the floor. The dwarf cuts a piece of cloth from the tapestry and wraps the gem inside, tying it off quickly with a loose piece of sinew.
”That was a close one,” he speaks as if talking aloud to himself. ”Follow me and let’s get out of here.”
Grotbaard talks quietly as he leads the way back through the tunnels to the cavern with the three stalactites explaining that before this place was infested, it was a temple. The construct was placed as a sentry by a powerful sorcerer who lives in the north.
At the cavern, you recognize the chute that you went down is now stairs again, but there are also two tunnels to the left that remain unexplored.
Tortok moves to follow the dwarf. Here is someone with some knowledge of the outside world. Perhaps he can lead us to a new home.
"Still not planning to say why you've come here for a pretty rock?" Jorrick asks, as he follows the dwarf nonetheless.
"There might be more we can use?" Karsha indicates the two tunnels.
Grotbaard addresses Kentalla first while moving carefully toward the exit tunnel.
These ‘machines’ are warriors forged from bones, metal and wood, powered by magical gem shards. The shards are very valuable and sources of great power. To possess one can be the difference between life or death in some settlements. I’d like to find my camel and cart and get to the nearest settlement to recoup. Besides, I need new weapons.
The dwarf hopes that his explanation to Kentalla would be enough to placate Jorrick as well. He does remark on Karsha’s statement. True, there could be useful items down those tunnels, but at what cost? These creatures ain’t much fear fighting, but their traps can be deadly. Me, I’m anxious to get back to my cart. If you choose to explore them, I will meet up with you outside, but I am leaving at sunrise as I suspect my water has probably been pilfered.
Oh? And what settlement is that? Where are you from, anyways?” Jorrick inquired.
Hollowe isn't sure what amazes him more - Grotbaard's casual destruction of the spear Hollowe only just gave him or the strange mechanikal creature and its sudden awakening and just as sudden demise.
There is so much more to this desert than our yard,,, the avian thinks, somewhat stunned.
"I'm still keen to vacate these tunnels. Grotbaard seems knowledgable, and.... [here casts a wary eye at the dwarven stranger] ... resourceful. And yet they managed to catch him. I want not to be caught or killed in a trap. Let us leave."
”Yes, let’s be gone from this place,” Jorrick agreed, all too happy to avoid having to clear this place out one tunnel at a time.
With the majority happy to leave Karsha shrugs and follows them.
Looking down both paths. “I am with Karsha, there could be something that we need down there... We have no idea what we will be running into out there any the more resources we can bring with us the better... but, it seems like we are out numbered Karsha...”
Kentalla follows the group to leave.
If you want to stay, go ahead. I need to find my cart and camel, then backtrack to a settlement that I visited...days...weeks...maybe months...a while ago. You are welcome to come with. It was a small village, unusual temple, many nice people, goods to trade for. Are you coming?
Grotbaard, with the head of Hollowe’s spear tucked into his belt, utilizes the tools quickly on the chute to secure the stairs, Hurry, this way! he calls as he heads up toward the rune-carved entrance. You can hear movement behind you, but it hesitates to catch up to where you are at. Grotbaard turns to look at you and says, What was the sequence that gained you entrance to the cavern? Impatient, you don’t get the chance to answer before he speaks again, Nevermind! he mutters quickly before taking the head of Hollowe’s old spear and jamming it into the pressure plate on the floor. Won’t matter now, come on! Hurry!
Tortok growls softly and hurries after Grotbaard.
Hollowe needs not to be told twice, hurrying up after Tortok.
Turning to whoever is standing next to her, Kentalla says quietly; “This guy is forcing our hand to act before thanking... I don’t know why but he makes me uneasy. Hasty actions can get us killed.”
Hearing the noise come from behind, Kentalla draws her bow and begins to move towards the door that Grotbaard went through. She is waiting for something to appear and then she will let an arrow fly.
Karsha nod, keeping his voice down. "There was no cart or camel out there. Something is rotten." Like Kentalla he is prepared to fire off a spell the moment he sees something suspicious.
Jorrick nodded silently.
Grotbaard hurriedly leads the way with Cythraul right behind them. They quickly lead the party through the door when all of a sudden, incoming slingstones assault the party.
The stones mostly miss leaving little more than a scrape. It is still dark outside of the cavern, but the moonlight assists you in making out about five or six silhouettes in the darkness, short humanoids with reptilian features arranged in a semi-circle in front of the cave opening.
Jorrick
Hollowe
Karsha
Cythraul
Kentalla
Tortok
Grotbaard
monsters
Grotbaard takes the spear head from his belt after retrieving it from the pressure plate and launches it at a reptilian silhouette just twenty feet away.
A squeal indicates the death of the intended target, as Grotbaard rushes to the body to retrieve his weapon and prepares to engage another creature.
Hollowe charges forward, keen to engage the creatures and make them concentrate on him, keeping them where they are so his companions with ranged weapons can concentrate their fire.
[+2 Str, +2 charge]
[+2 Str]
Since he was at the back Karsha will move forward until he can see the creatures for this round.
Tortok gathers power and takes aim at the nearest foe not in melee.
+1 to attack and damage if within 30 ft.
Hollowe’s attack whips through the air in fearful and hard wisps, but fails to cause any harm.
You can hear the smack and echo of the sling stones hurled at the first few out of the cave. A spear is thrust by the two that Cythraul and Grotbaard are new as they get charged by them, but to no effect.
The earth explodes under the creature that just launched a sling attack, thrusting into the air creating a blood mist as it is ripped apart by the force of Tortok’s powers. Karsha tries to get a bearing on the beasts before acting.
Only four creatures stand to oppose the runners.
Kentalla steps back and takes aim and lets loose an arrow.
Jorrick moves ten feet forward and casts color spray, trying to catch as many of the enemy as he can in its area of effect without inadvertently targeting any allies.
Kentalla’s arrow flies right into the chest of the creature to the right of the , severely injuring that creature as he flees.
A wild burst of colored sparks spew forth from the fingertips of Jorrick catching the remains three creatures in the cone-shaped blast.
Two creatures fall unconscious immediately. A slightly taller one is able to shield its eyes as if it anticipated what was going to happen. It flees as well leaving the runners in a vast wasteland outside of the cavern entrance under a full moon and a gentle, but cold breeze.
Grotbaard points to his left, the direction opposite from which you hurriedly arrived here and says, ”This is the way that I must go to find my cart and hopefully, my camel. I left it hidden in a small canyon before I approached this place. You are welcome to follow me. I did promise a reward. At daybreak, I will make the journey to Holm, the nearest settlement.”
Jorrick draws his dagger and quickly moves to finish off the two unconscious creatures. After all, no sense in leaving survivors that might decide to follow them.
"Well, we may as well..." Jorrick said, looking uncertainly to the rest of the group. After all, what were the alternatives, wander aimlessly around the wasteland? Stay here and wait for more of these creatures to come to try and kill them?
Tortok nods. "This man is our best chance at survival."
"A settlement. Like another yard? Hopefully they are better off than ours. Ours didn't even have a name." the avian adds sadly.
If Jorrick has not already, Hollowe will check the bodies for items or equipment before leaving.
Seeing the one run off Kentalla takes aim and fires off a shot. “We don’t want to let that one flee, who knows what trouble it will bring to us.”
Kentalla’s arrow finishes off the fleeing creature. Jorrick’s dagger ends the victims of his spell for good.
Hollowe’s search yields a bone dagger per creature and one small bone spear. The taller reptoid has a pouch with a cord of black, shiny chips strung on it. There are about ten chips in all.
Grotbaard leads the runners carefully along the path in between the high, smooth cliff walls and the end of the dunes to the left of the group. The full moon provides enough light to make it safely. After about two hours of walking, the party does indeed find an alcove in the high cliff wall in which lies a winding sort of small canyon. Wide enough only to fit two to three people abreast.
Winding their way back in there a ways, the dwarf stops in horror as he discovers the rotting carcass of his camel, dried and pressed to the ground. The cart is still intact.
”Fraga! “ The dwarf cries out before lowering his voice to a mere mutter, ”How long was I gone?” he asks himself out loud.
After a time kneeling in front of the deceased beast, Grotbaard gets up and rushes to his cart. The cart contains two chests, both locked. Using his tools, he opens one of them and quickly pulls out a water skin and some flat discs of bread, tearing into them nearly choking, the dwarf sloppily satisfies his hunger and thirst.
The moon lights the small canyon from above.
”I will be off to Holm in the morning. You are welcome to join me. In case you would rather not go, let me get you the reward that I promised, although, truth be told, I would appreciate the company on the journey back there.”
He reaches into the same chest that he opened to get the bread and water and retrieves a metal cylinder and hands it to Hollowe. He hovers over the chest and pulls out another cord of ten black, shiny chips and hands it to Jorrick. He proceeds to grab more things, one for each of the runners. To Cythraul he gives a bag containing two water skins and ten discs of flat bread. To Tortok, he gifts a fancifully stitched, but sturdy backpack. To Karsha, he gives a flask of some sort of purple liquid. Finally, he retrieves a shiny short sword with a jagged razor edge and gives it to Kentalla.
Please except these gifts as tokens of appreciation for liberating me from my captors. They should come in handy on your journey whether you stay with me or go your own way.
Grotbaard builds a small fire to warm up the group and pulls a bedroll out. Sadly, he looks for loose stones to cover the body of his deceased camel in a mound shape.
I’m unsure if I can sleep, but if you are staying, can we take shifts watching out for any dangerous creatures looking to cull us in what remains of the night?
Weary, Grotbaard does lay down with his face away from the rest. You can tell by your experiences from the yard that he is softly crying.
Jorrick took the chips.
”Well, I suppose it would be best for us to stick together till we reach the settlement. Safety in numbers and all that,” Jorrick said, ”I can take the last shift.”
He gave a concerned look at the mourning dwarf, but, well, what could he possibly say to the man that wouldn’t just be pretty lies? So, he just silently helped him find stones to cover the corpse, before slumping down on the ground, weariness etched on his face, the events of the day having left him both mentally and physically drained.
Hollowe watches with keen interest as the dwarf approaches the wheeled object and begins to produce useful items from the boxes. The stone chips are evidently bartering tokens of some importance, and the other items are very welcome indeed.
Hollowe nods at Jorrick's suggestion, unsure why the two are placing stones on the leathery remains.
"Let us go to Holm. And from there, who knows?"
Karsha found a quiet spot and slumped down, back to the rock walls. He thought it strange the Dwarf wasn't taking any edible meat from the corpse. 'He must be used to more food than we are?'.
He studies the flask of mysterious liquid curiously.
Kentalla goes to retrieve her two arrows she shot just incase she has a chance to reuse any aspect of them for new arrows. She also searches the fleeing creature, if its not already been done. If there is no one claiming the items she will slide on of the bone daggers into her belt and snag a short spear and begins to use it as a walking stick.
Walking up to Grotbaard, Kentalla puts a hand on his shoulder. “I am sorry about the loss of your mount.”
When Grotbaard hands Kentalla the shiny short sword she examines the jagged razor edge and the balance of it. “Thank you! I have not seen a sword like this before, what is it made from and where did you find such a weapon?”
Tortok accepts the bag with a nod, and gives Grotbaard his personal space. This world takes its toll, he thinks, and we must each pay it alone.
He offers to take a shift during the night; the order makes no difference to him.
Hollowe's beady eye shrinks as he looks closely at the metal cylinder. He tastes it experimentally with his rather dextrous tongue. Finally he nibbles at it slightly, but learns little.
"Grotbaard - what is this thing?"
Hollowe learns that the metal cylinder is a telescope that allows him to see pretty far across the dunes. Karsha comes to find out that the flask contains a healing elixir. Kentalla is able to retrieve the arrows along with the dagger and spear. There is little else possessed by the creature.
The night in the small canyon is cold, but uneventful. In the morning, the runners and Grotbaard pack up what little they have and head west along the edge of the dunes with the high, red stone walls to the left. They walk nearly all day spotting no signs of life.
There is a small bend in the cliff wall that quickly opens up into an area not unlike their yard, but many times larger. There is a village occupying the open area with a large stepped pyramid in the center of the mud huts that surround it. A small market exists in the courtyard that is created in front of the pyramid by a lack of huts there.
You can notice a forge at the mouth of one of the caves to the right. The entrance to the village is choked off a bit more than your old yard. The formation of it along with a crude gate made of junk scraps makes it difficult for predators to enter the village.
It is only a few hours before dusk. There is an old woman sitting at the gate, sobbing and trembling with fear.
Jorrick looks around the village, a little awed by the size of the place compared to his previous home. Spotting the old woman, his expression changed to one of concern, and he asked her, "What's wrong?" After all, if the people of this seemingly secure place seemed to be so frightened of something, perhaps he too should be worried.