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The zeal of the paladin drains nearly like the blood from his face. Without turning around Agriver mutters. "This is the trap that took me. It winds around and around, and ghostly serpents that are immune to pain herd you toward the middle where they breath poison gas upon you. Vala you may enjoy this, but I would rather not walk this path again."
Vala examines tbe trap for a short time. She sees the same magic blueprint tied to the statue trap...
The trap seems armed for if someone enters.
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Vala cocks her head to one side and cracks her knuckles before moving to delve into the task.
Just as she enters she glances over at Agriver and seems to make a decision.
"You guys keep watch. I'll be at this a while."
Disable device take 20 for 20 + 21 = 41
She takes her time studying all the intricacies of the trap, trying to get into the head of the creators. Studying it and taking extra caution not to set it off unintentionally.
Vala successfully disables the serpent trap, opening the curling corridor to the party.
Agriver stands quietly looking into the corridor with an expression of frustration on his face.
'The metal skinned one doesn't smell right,' thinks the she-wolf. 'Brother, check him out.'
The party explores the Serpent Maze and find nothing of interest as it ends where Agriver first appeared...
They begin a slow careful exploration of each room thius far, starting near the Emerald Bridges, the pit trap room, the jails, the steam room, the room with a cavern leading down and away from the Spire.... and finally back to the Serpent Temple. The Eastern door still closed, is quickly checked for traps... and then opened.
This entire chamber is bathed in a green radiance emanating from the Emerald Spire that pierces the room. Carved into the wall around this pillar are large nests holding pearly eggs.
As Agriver stares into the room, Robin brushes by to examine the eggs up close. As he examines the serpentfolk eggs, a camouflaged snake lunges out and bites at him.
Robin is pissed off at the nasty bite from the snake and the weakness in his veins
- Bold may Act
Robin
Vala
Ayame
Yon
Ansel
Cobra
Rboud
Agriver
The she-wolf immediately attacks, seeing her manling get hurt.
She gives a thorough "doggie shake" to the serpentfolk to make sure it knows her displeasure.
Robin hits the snake back but it is still pissed. Ayame also bites it
Vala tumbles in behind it, and stabs hard for alot of damage.
The snake continues to attack the first intruder Robin
Robin appears in very bad shape but resists the poison.
- Bold may Act
Robin
Vala
Ayame
Yon
Ansel
Cobra
Rboud
Agriver
The she-wolf attacks, seeing Robin's pause.
Agriver hits the snake hard before Robin finishes it off with 2 harsh slashes.
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Agriver looks at his friend and smiles.
"Pain is the gods way of reminding us we are not finished yet."
The paladin lays his hands on the ranger, letting the warmth of his deity wash over him.
Closing his eyes he continues the flow of positive energy.
"There you go.. I am a bit surprised you took it to the snake like that - I always thought druids and rangers were close with animals."
Looking about the room he speaks to the group.
"Search.. let's sweep this floor - ensure we are good with where we leave it.. and lets get back to the fort. Abernard should be made aware of what has been transpiring in the spire. These serpent men.. they must be the footmen.. something greater lies below I am sure. And it needs to be purged."
With that Agriver begins watching the entrances and exits of the room as the group goes about their business.
Amongst the many serpentfolk eggs lies a thick gold chain worth 200 gp. Dangling from this chain is a stone fang - matching the one from the previous level.
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Ansel approaches the nest just enough to grab the stone fang with mage hand and bring it to himself. He compares the two, "Think we got ourselves a puzzle. If I remember right a statue back there was missing these.." he trails off with the unanswered question of what trap such a thing might trigger.
robin verifies the loot is all collected as Ansel and Yon return to the Temple where the statue with the Emerald stone 25 feet off the ground. Around the mouth of the serpent are 2 missing fangs - that Ansel seems to be holding.
14 Serpentfolk eggs remain intact near the Spire.
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As the others leave the nursery, Robin pulls out his Fang. He looks towards Agriver, but the look of hatred is strong in his friend's face, so he continues to do what needs be done. "Agriver, Ansel needs you, I think" says the ranger, in a flat tone.
He waits for a moment, but regardless of whether Agriver leaves the room or not, he takes the time to destroy each of the eggs, without guilt or remorse. "There, it is done, Ayame." he says to his companion. "Fourteen more of those evil bastards that will not be around to threaten us or ours again."
He cleans off his Fang, and checks the room one more time, and then finds the rest of the team.
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Agriver doesn't move, we watches the ranger kill the young of the evil creatures without so much as a hint of disapproval.
"It needed to be done. Root and stem..." echoes of judgement resonate within the paladins voice.
Let's be done with this place for a time. I need to commune with Iomadae, my thoughts are clouded with anger.
Ansel carefully climbers up the statue.
As he completes his spell, the fangs fully attach and the emerald's adamantine brackets retract, releasing the 5,000 gold piece emerald.
With the slaughter of the eggs, the party wipes out the last existence of the Serpentfolk tribe.
The party concludes its sweep, collects its gear and begins the trek back to Fort Inevitable
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Agriver passes time quietly as the group makes their way back to the fort. His mind dwelling on his cellmate, and the foul profane magic that was used on him.
I attacked Vala... I hit her, and I couldn't stop myself.. Iomadae help me not be so weak - ever again.
When the party passes through the gates into the massive keep he quietly excuses himself from the group agreeing to meet for dinner as usual later.
"I need to take some time and commune friends."
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Once close to Fort Inevitable, Robin and Ayame break off from the group (while tacitly inviting Yon and Rboud along). They head to the river, to clean up from the rigors of adventuring, but not before creating a tiny raft out of twigs and grass to float down the river.
They then take some time to hunt some game. After bringing down a small deer, they then make their way to the Stonde residence.
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Returning to the surface, Ansel wishes that the Fort was in a little less open country. He keeps those feelings to himself though, as he watches the rest of the stretch and enjoy the sun's rays upon their faces.
Back in the Fort, Ansel spends most of his time between working in the shop or researching in the library with small spurts of visiting at the magic shop in-between. The several large pieces of statue that he dragged out of the Spire sit on the floor next to his keg, covered for now under a tarp.
Most nights are spent staring into the green gem. The Dwarf is easily enchanted by it. He wonders if the others will want to sell it and begins to formulate plans for why they'll need to keep it.
Robin and Ayame make it to the Stonde farm, and the she-wolf is instantly swarmed by the three kids. Instantly, she starts herding the pack of man-cubs around, nipping at their heels, and nudging them around. Her playful demeanor is a stark contrast to her normal, silent, vicious self.
The kids all giggle and run around, playing with the large wolf, though always in a respectful way, as if they know that is what she expects of them.
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Robin watches the kids and Ayame as Ilyana comes out. The two look at each other for a moment, and Robin cannot hide the look of pain in his eyes. She comes forward and embraces the ranger, leaving unspoken the source of his pain, just accepting him.
The two work together to break down the roughly dressed carcass, and soon a joint is roasting over the fire, and the bones are simmering in a large stockpot.
"Please stay for dinner, Robin" implores Ilyana. "Your friends will understand if you don't make your normal evening meetup. You could stay longer, you know."