Understanding Yho Yho's physiology, Merge unstraps the stone and lofts to the yhohm. Yho Yho swoopes a tick, catches the stone in his mouth, and swallows it. The stone descends and settles into Yho Yho's gizzard, assimilating itself into his being. Unlike those that would be later expelled, this would be a permanent resident. Yho Yho cocks his neck and muses as any foreign sensation disappears.
Not remiss of duty, he makes sure to stop into the infirmary to spend his remaining healing abilities. There are a few who were at the scene who have small bits to say about his charge, but they are quickly dismissed with by some uncomfortable chuckles and diagnosis of delirium.
It would soon seem a contagious delirium as, later that night, he would wake from a restless sleep caught in a miasma of webbing. He instinctively flared up his holy fire to burn away that which sought to trap him, only to be assaulted by more. Even as his holy fire remained a constant burn, an utter onslaught of sticky strands came for him, matting him down far faster than he could burn through.
And then he heard it, a rhythmic chitter steadily getting louder. Suddenly, an errant form skittered across the intricate pattern of webs. Although Yho Yho couldn't establish a singular positive identification, he could make out a vague visage of the grotesque nemesis inhabiting the structure.
Eight pairs of arachnid eyes stared hungrily at him behind a viciously mandibled maw. A scorpions tail reared up to pierce the Yhohm, who floundered helplessly in the silken snare. It shot at him at lightning speed...
Yho Yho snapped awake from the harrowning nightmare to the sound of a steady sizzle. Rivulets of fire streamed off his fireproof nest, singeing the floor below. One word came out in a dissonant chorus,
♫"Rovagug!"♫
Yho Yho now fully understood the full gravity of his presence...the avatar of Rovagug "walked" this ravaged world. It more like crawled than you could say walked-some twisted marriage of spider and scorpion wrapped in a wreath of undeath. But the question was...did Saenrae send him here because of it? Did Rovagug, in turn, send whatever it was in response to Yho Yho's deliverance? Was it some sort of mutual pairing-a final standoff between the two archenemies?
Questions plagued Yho Yho for the next day or so...he would have to assume the fiend knew of his presence-yet he would have to be ready to exploit any tactical advantage he had in case it was otherwise. In the middle of Yho Yho's solemn contemplation, the stone suddenly jolts.
Unprepared for the sensation, a small stream of magma splurts to the ground. Though the initial sensation was was abrupt and disconcerting, Yho Yho once again cocks his head and accepts it into his being.
Fenrir approaches the Lizardmen who are largely responsible for patrolling the difficult mashes and swampy waterways in this area. They are all agitated and they display it many different ways. Some have neck flaps out and fluttering, some have changed threatening colors, and some others are hissing or rattling.
One Lizardman, a chief if you're reading those totems right, steps up and shouts, Those abominations want to lay eggs near the sacred pool of <some hissing noice you couldn't possibly reproduce>! This is an affront to us and a violation of their territorial allowances under The Golden One!
The others all hiss and simmer and boil like water on a hot pan.
Regardless, he was back in his forest now, waiting for the next call to rejoin the Strike Force. He helped some with what had been his usual tasks over the next few days, but found himself with far more personal time than he was used to. The bulk of his duties had been inherited by Solstice, a well-meaning juvenile Unicorn who'd arrived alone some years ago. Mar had taught the young colt what he could, when he could, and knew the forest was in the care of a capable custodian. Ideally Solstice would have had a longer apprenticeship, but it seemed that Mar might be back with some frequency, and so he wasn't particularly concerned.
When the call came to rejoin the team, Mar was ready, having taken a relaxing run across their territory. Honestly, he was feeling more relaxed than he had in years, even as he knew he was putting himself on the front lines. Good. This was Good Work, and he was glad to be doing it.
Mar would have normally followed Fenrir to the Lizardmen- his draconic scales were as likely to endear them to him as they were anyone, but he had personal experience dealing with OwlBears. They could be difficult and surprising, and he didn't want anyone to be surprised by the creatures. Making sure to walk and not fly, he trotted to the Owlbear side, and inquires of the largest, making sure to drop their leader's name to keep things calm:
"What is happening here? If you have been wronged, tell us, and we shall try to help, on behalf of Lungarfiliax."
|
Those abominations want to lay eggs near the sacred pool of <some hissing noice you couldn't possibly reproduce>! This is an affront to us and a violation of their territorial allowances under The Golden One!
Fenrir nods. "That is indeed most troubling. May I see the pool, where they intend to lay eggs?
Fenrir doesn't care about this dispute- where he came from, if someone wanted something, they took it. Fought for it. But, Lungarfiliax had this thing about the various creatures in Sanctuary not fighting each other, so Fenrir figured he'd do his best not to let a fight break out. But, if it did, it would solve a lot of problems.
Frist heads back to his warm cave as soon as his muscles allow.
Arriving at the scene, Frist moves toward the Lizardmen, knowing he at least has some minor things in common with the odd creatures. The owlbears just look like food to him. Once he hears the topic of the fight, he is very interested.
"Eggs...OK that is IMPORTANT."
Ardwellyn will also make his way to the Owlbears and try to determine what the cause of the disagreement is.
Something in the atmosphere reeked of internal conflict that morning, as a result, Yho Yho opted for a diplomatic selection of spells when he meditated. When Merge called, he quickly flew to the disputed area.
Since letting it be known that he was the Avatar of Sarenrae, Yho Yho had become somewhat of a celebrity in the sanctuary. It was nothing he really meant to ask for or anything he really wanted, for that matter-he was simply introducing himself for who he was. With the present circumstances they way they are, though, he was going to have to not only embrace it, but milk it for at it was worth.
When he arrives to the strip of land in question, he will wait for the individual emissaries to do their initial investigations, and then call the leaders of the respective tribes to meet with him.
When the leaders are summoned he will cast Tap Inner Beauty. When the leaders arrive he will announce to them that he is going to create a zone of diplomacy so that everyone involved may resolve the situation in the most civilized manner, He will cast Calm Emotions and invite the leaders into "The Zone of Diplomacy" he has created.
The owlbears are not a patient or calm species at the best of times. Now, they are on the verge of riot! The biggest one steps forward. It squawks and screeches until Merge makes his? way over to interpret. The lizardmen seem to be handled well enough, but you daren't look at them too long.
The Eggs! The Eggs! They touch our eggs! New Nest is not Clean!
The Lizardmen seem mollified that so many have chosen them first. The leader calls over a younger looking lizardman and he leads you up river a few hundred yards to a good sized pool connected to the river by a small inlet. It is shallow, calm, and warm with a muddy bottom. The all around the pool there are signs of a struggle. Torn grass, deep paw/foot prints and body-shaped impacts can be seen.
Alpha decides to talk to the Owlbears, figuring he can relate more to something mammal looking. His slow decision making, however, means that the Owlbears get riled before he has a chance to interact.
He follows the rest of the group towards the disputed area in question.
While there is clearly signs of a struggle, he finds no blood, meaning that both sides, who are each perfectly capable of causing such damage, didn't.
He remembers what the Owlbears squawked about the nest not being clean, summarising that perhaps bloodshed would make the location even more so.
This is pointless. The Lizardmen have gotten this pool and made it sacred. None of us were here beforehand. They could just choose a different pool. Just as the Owlbears could choose a different nesting place. But if the Lizardmen are right, and it's in their territory, then they were both here first and within their designated borders.
Alpha shook himself, he could deal with disputes from within his pack, they all had the same ideals and motivation; the continuation of the pack. Within the Sanctuary, they acted as one group went it was convenient or necessary.
He thought it safe to assume that to both the Owlbears and Lizardmen this was neither type of situation.
Frist's draconic senses tell him that the struggle at the pool was restrained. Obviously, neither party pushed to the point of bloodshed. However, if the matter escalated...
Gods! Thinking gives me such a headache!
Trying to sound regal and all-knowing, Frist tries to help calm the Lizardmen. Their kind usually look up to dragons...
"If you wish to settle this dispute without bloodshed, you must calm down and be willing to listen to our words."
Caraid, completely out of his figurative depth, simply stands between the groups with little to contribute.
"Why did you move your eggs into their nesting ground?"
Frist is able to get the rabble to settle down marginally. It's enough to speak, but the tension is still palpable. The Owlbears squalk and shutter and strut. Merge translates, Their assigned breeding grounds are... dirty? Polluted? Corrupted?
He turns away from the owlbears with clear concern. That cannot be. They were nested in the core sectors for this very reason. If their nests are attacked they Will expand and cause trouble we cannot afford. It's their nature.
"Could the evil from outside find a way so deep within? I thought the core was nearly impenetrable!"
Looking panicked, Frist begins to worry, although he's not sure of his response to this situation or why its happening exactly. He then turns to Merge, obviously distressed.
"Where are these corrupted grounds? We MUST protect the eggs!"
This turn of events causes a dramatic shift in the attitude of both parties. The Lizardmen, realizing that the Owlbear nests may be in danger, suddenly back off. Some only do so under direct threat of violence from their superiors, but they do it.
The Owlbears lead you deep into their territory, but not entirely willingly. The leader is challenged several times by other highly agitated and territorial members of its kin. The elder Owlbear shouts them down and you are led into the heart of their habitat.
You come to a series of heavily guarded pools not unlike the one on the border. They look fine. The water is clear, the grass is green. There are even little god-rays of light filtering through the lush foliage all around.
Frist refuses to leave without investigating completely.
Together, the drake and the jackalwere smell something... off. It's too sweet around here. The smells are too perfect. Something is being covered up. Nothing smells That perfectly normal. You narrow down the source of the perfection to the water in the pools, or, maybe something in the water in the pools, you can't be sure.
Frist kicks a small boulder over and with his tail, knocks it into the water from at least 10 feet away!
Realizing he is waiting for something to happen,Yho Yho decides to take a more proactive approach and join his group.
The water gushes out of the pool. It spreads over the grass and every blade it touches starts to turn brown!
"That...doesn't look good..." Mar says, taking a step back, and beginning to 'Detect Evil'.
"But it looks like you found the problem, I guess. Anyone know what does this? If it were to spread..." Mar trails off, thinking of his own forest and the countless other habitats like it.
Frist ignores his headache as he thinks.
"Having living briefly near one, I know certain volcanic effects turn water semi-dangerous with sulfurous emissions. But this smells too...nice. It's like it was poisoned, but someone tried to cover it up somehow? These are hot-springs? Right? Are there any tunnels, or old lava vents near here? Could something be poisoning them from underneath, at their source?"
Noting Ardwellyn the most core intelligent of the group, Yho Yho casts Karmic Blessing on him giving him the class skill KNowledge Arcana...
♫"May Saranrae envelop your mind with her divine inspiration to grant you the knowledge we seek!"♫
Ardwellyn focuses on what he would know about such phenomenon and says "Even with your magic, I have not heard of such an spell effect before. There is likely something more at play."
"No-one should touch the pool certainly." Caraid agrees, focusing on the pool's aura. "I may be able to protect myself from it for a short time if we must investigate..."
The pool radiates evil
Just then you get another Tingle! The Scar is under attack again! You feel for the location... the East, near the Troll mounds! If you loose them it will be a serious blow. Trolls are some of your most valuable shock troops because of their ability to nearly die in battle and just walk it off.
A choice stands before you. Leave this situation at the Pools unresolved for now and go deal with the threat from without or stay and manage this threat from within and risk serious damage to your troll mounds!
♫"You guys go on ahead, I will try and calm things down here enough to get everyone by and try and meet up with you all later"♫
First thing, Yho Yho does is cast Purify Food and Drink multiple times to see if he can make any headway.
The water is not poisoned and your magic does not affect it besides removing sediment and other such normal stuff.
Frist is reluctant to head for the Troll Mounds.
"I feel...wrong about leaving this. Should we split up? Yho-Yho and I can try and figure this out and you guys get to the mounds. They don't like my kind much there anyway."
First appears obviously torn. He wants to go fight, and would hate to think anyone could consider him a coward, but he can't just leave the eggs to be hurt either!
"The pool is cursed - much evil. I will go to the mounds. Good luck!"
Unable to do much more than he has already, Caraid leaps into the air and then begins flashing through the sky like a flickering meteor as he charges towards the mound.
Glad something had come up he can actually hemp with, Alpha leaves this to the more intellectual types and bounds off to the east.
His headache throbbing, Frist grabs Alpha for a second with a wing-claw, then points with his other wing and asks for a small favor.
"Can you freeze some of the water for us before you go? I want to try something."
"I will remain here and attempt to assist in resolving this issue. Destroy them all!" says Ardwellyn. "If we finish this quickly enough, we will move to join you."
Alpha isn't sure what Frist is planning, but consents to hold off going to aid the eastern front to use his breath to freeze the surface of the pond.
Once he is satisfied, and Frist appears to be as well, he bounds off towards the trolls territory and the attack on the barrier.
Ardwellyn looks to the water, trying to locate the source of the evil that taints it using his innate ability to track such auras.
Mar feels torn, but decides the warring factions of the living have a better chance of getting along than do the trolls with the dead. Leaving the owlbears with encouraging words begging for peace and patience, he follows along to the Mounds.
"Trust us, friends, some patience and all will be well."
The Pools: Alpha's supernaturally cold breath flash-freezes a good chunk of the pool.
The Mounds: You arrive to find the battle in full swing. The trolls are doing a devastating amount of damage, but it's rather like trying to keep a sandcastle whole while the tide comes in. Merge stayed with the Pools in case translation was needed there. What do you warriors do?
Frist's brain feels like it is melting from the inside, but he can't seem to stop himself from thinking...
If the ice seems normal and shows nothing different, then first will drop a couple of green leaves on it. Do they still blacken and shrivel up?
Once that test is completed, Frist will drool some of his fire-bile onto the ice, careful to avoid any steam created, then holds a small branch of green leaves in the steam to see if they turn brown and black instantly too.
Frustrated, Yho Yho is willing to entertain little more experimentation. He casts Light on a large stone and asks that someone safely heft it into the water to see if the emanating light will reveal a physical stationary object polluting the pool. He then casts See Invisibility and scans the area for anything they missed in that respect.
Frist: The branch on the ice block does indeed shrivel and die, as do the steam-exposed leaves. However, you notice that the grove itself is fine, meaning the effect, whatever it is, probably looses potency after a certain amount of time after being separated from the pool.
Yho: your light reveals nothing but deceptively clear, spearkling water. Your spell, however, reveals a nearly impreceptable object at the bottom of the pool that seems to be about the size of a coin and is nearly transparent to even your enhanced sences.
Battle Group: The sky above you shimmers and dances as Cabal artillery bombbards the Sky Shell and you race over rocky, uneven ground that provides ample cover from ranged attacks in some areas, no so much in others. The breach here is significant and there is no dragon yet to seal the breach like last time. Trolls are absolutly Butchering lesser zombies and skeletons, but the horse seems to have no limit. The biggest thing here by far is a cadre of Hill Giant zombies who are acting as local artillery support. They are digging up massive boulders and the shattering stone when those boulders impact causes terrible cuts and blunt-force trauma. The trolls, however, (being trolls) are ignoring most of this deadly sharpnel and gleefully tearing the unending horde a new one.
Your own artillery consists of a regiment of Terra Cotta Archers operating several ceramic-looking catapults provided by one of The Great One's favored servants.
Fenrir rushes into combat, but things don't start off very well for him. His attack misses completely.
Yho Yho, feathers clearly ruffled from the stress that the corrupting enigma has caused, screams as he spies the apparent culprit,
"Gotcha you rotting little bastard!" There is absolutely nothing musical about the screech that leaves his beak.
The stares and awkward silence that follows causes him to straighten himself up, start preening his feathers, and pretending to clear his throat.
♫"Ahem..er...I mean...The blessed power of heightened sight granted unto me by the goddess has revealed the plausible nature of this corrupting force"♫
He then reveals what he knows, and confers with his allies in order to form a plan of extraction.
Now that an identification had been made, his headache starts to subside a little...action is so much easier than thinking.
"A cursed object then? That makes sense. Can you tele-kinetically manipulate it Yho-Yho? Or should I boil the water away? That should reveal the corrupted object so we can retrieve it manually. Or is it objects...plural? One for each pool?"