Corum grips Sapphire's hand in a warrior's handshake and laughs. "Are you trying to tell me to cook?!"
He laughs long and hard at his joke then coughs and winces. "Got any potions going spare Grey?"
As they walk back to a more defensive position to rest he asks. "Anyone know what the hell that thing was back there?"
"Big?" Del asks helpfully as the group limps away from another savage fight. "Horrible? Possibly-the-worst-thing-I've-ever-seen?" He shakes his head, "Sweet Desna I hope I never see a spider even a fraction of that size again. Elephants are supposed to be that large, spiders not so much."
"I suppose the bes news bein I still haven't seen any spiders tha' big."
Sapphire eyes Corum with a stern look
Come now, you've eaten my porridge, I'd swear from the look on your face then you'd rather have taken your chances with yon beastie there!
she nods at the dead spider thing and grins
Of all the things we value, it's our bellies that'll feel safer with you amongst us again!
She claps him on the shoulder and wordlessly hands him a potion from her pack
Del, would your readers know what one of those ele-things are? Best you call it the size of a dragon perhaps?
she muses, before continuing
Right then, who's up for a bit of camping?
"A rest'd do best for my useless eyes."
Lucrezzia...
Sapphire turns to the shaman
Your abilities saved Ellri, allowed him to summon flame to burn that thing...
She shakes her head in recall
Eyes or not, you're a great asset in this place, thank you
The swordswoman offers a fatigued smile.
From the floor he speaks up. "Does it matter? It's dead now... This place will continue to throw things like that at us, how much longer can we go on?" He takes the bag off his back and slights it to Corum. "There's a potion in there you can use. Take the dark red one."
Csw
Cmw
Corum quaffs the potions and his wounds heal significantly. The terrible gashes almost close and only a small trickle of blood remains. He binds the rest with strips
Of cloth and dons his furs again.
"Thanks both. I feel much stronger now. Let's find somewhere to rest."
It does not really matter Greyston, the spider is dead but it toook a lot of punishment. I have studied many creatures both natural and unnatural but I have not read anything that describes this .
I would like to know how it withstood Corums axe, how it has demons in its food store and where it came from. Once we return to the hut I think I will make use of Baba Yagas library and find out.
Now I think we should we head back to the area we rested in last night, not too far away.
Unless you feel there is somewhere safer Corum, I defer to your judgement on such things, then I think that is our best option
He says as he moves toward Lucrezzia.
take my arm Lucrezzia and I will lead you , I move quite slowly anyway so you should be ok
They make camp and lacking wood for a fire they eat trail rations. After eating Corum turns in and sleeps for several hours, waking to take his turn on watch at the end of the 'night' to enable everyone to get a full 8 hours rest. When he wakes to take watch he notices his wounds are healing well and almost entirely closed. He sits and stitches his torn furs as best he can while the others sleep.
When they wake they eat more rations. As they eat Corum says "I feel stronger today. As hard as this place is I think it is toughening us up. That's good! That's going to help when it comes time to kill the one who holds the keys. What was his name again?"
Grayston spends most of the night to himself, pouring over his alchemy journal and scribbling down a lot of notes, and setting up to brew some potions.
In the morning he mixes up a few potions and hands them out.
"Let's get this done, I think I have something new that will help us a lot. No more holding back."
"No more holding back? Now you're talking Grey! Come on, let's go and clear the rest of this place. Getting tired of this damned cave."
When the others are ready Corum leads them down the passageway they have not yet checked.
After eating a meal that he barely tastes Elleross lights his pipe and sits back in the shadows and puffs away slowly, the sweet smoke framing his head like a halo as he takes himself away to his memory palace.
He has much work to do before he can rest, his powers grow with each passing day. Each struggle gains him another insight into the arcane and his repertoire of spells is expanding.
For hours he sits in silence but he is far from idle.
He selected items seemingly at random as he built the complex spell matrix before him, adding the final touches to the spell before he would ascend to the tower of the sun and scribe these new spells into his spell book.
He now had the power to cast these higher tier arcane spells he just needed to decide what spells he wished to utilise. There were so many potentially useful spells he could create, he just had to come to a descision.
He had begun his research with Corum in mind, he trawled his mind for a means to protect the warrior in battle. The obvious spell choices he lacked the resources to cast and his existing protective spells were of no use.
no matter how many times he tried to alter the weave of the magic, no matter how he tweaked their composition, he could not alter the designated target. He could not devise a way of casting the spells upon the Warrior, they would only work upon himself.
Frustrated for the moment he focuses on completing some new spells that may help them in a tight situation and as the old saying went " attack is sometimes the best form of defence "
Finally completing his work he dismissed the storm of research and made his way through his great manse toward the tower of the Sun ....
Finally he lay himself down to rest and mercifully the night passed without incident.
Rising early he struggled to get himself up and about. His body ached all over from the hardships they had endured and he felt his age most keenly.
Drawing out his spell book he set to work, preparing himself for the day ahead.
Finally done he stowed away his book and joined the others to eat their meagre breakfast.
we are fortunate the night passed quietly, now we have much to do.
Corum I will tend to your armour whilst we wait for Lucrezzia to rise.
If she cannot restore her sight then I will use my spells to do it.she cannot go on as she is. he says as he busies himself gathering all the pieces of Corums armour together.
Drawing out his spell components pouch he begins to cast, merging two other spells and combining their power he unleashes the results upon the scale armour.
ligabis,vis Instaurabo
Rubbing his hands together rapidly he suddenly opens them and a bright spark hangs between his palms and with a sudden bang he brings his hands together in a loud clap that shatters the spark into a hundred fragments. These he casts over the armour and they suddenly melt into what look like small moulten pools of light. Spreading all across the metal and leather of the armour they draw the pieces together and bind them as if they had never been rent apart, and after a matter of minutes it is done and the suit of scale mail is made whole.
Right then... the corridor leading away from the spider's lair?
Sapphire enquires as the party readies to journey forth again.
The corridor running south west from the spider chamber climbs sharply with stairs carved out of the living rock.
The air is still and rancid emanating from the cavern ahead, permeated with the scent of rotting flesh.
Lucrezzia enjoys the group's chatter as they settle in for a good rest. She sits with Mr Magee on her lap or with him chitting around. It feels good to be with a group of seemingly honest folks. Her time with the lying hag seems surreal as she thinks about their conversations; if it wasn't pumping her for information Moina was so dismissive.
Come the morning, she is refreshed and anxious. She works her chant and her sight returns her first vision is of Mr Magee and his enigmatic smile looking up at her. "Well, tha' be a weight lifted! Nah wit' mah eyes I can be of full service to this cause!" She snaps her fingers as if remembering something and rises to her feet as the others draw around her. "A thing I can do, an' have done for other causes, is carry a set a' colors. Like the ensign onna vessel. If I ken an idea for our colors, I ken set ta makin' one a'new."
Elleross repairs Corum's armour and the stocky warrior thanks him before pulling
The steel over his head. When Lucrezzia talks of a flag the warrior frowns and shrugs "Up to you Lady. Make sure the picture is something to scare our foes."
He turns with Sapphire and leads the group down the passageway and up the stairs. As they head up the distinctive, sickly sweet smell of decaying flesh comes from up ahead.
"Better get ready." Corum whispers and leads them into the cavern with his axe ready.
"Good job Elleross, we'll keep Corum going."
--
"Your choice Lucrezzia, if it helps us it will be more than welcome no matter what you choose." Grayston then follows in line.
Level 0 arcane mark,detect magic,disrupt undead, light
Level 1 magic missile x 3, grease, Mage armour, feather fall.
Level 2 blindness/deafness, create pit, mirror image x 2, scorching ray x2
Level 3 dispel magic x2, haste x2, spiked pit X1
Level 4 ball lightning, boneshatter, emergency force sphere
Level 5 lightning arc, teleport
As Corum dons his armour Elleross completes another spell and shrouds himself in his own armour.
it is good to have you restored Lucrezzia, as Greyston has said the banner is ultimately your choice but if I were creating it I would surely use the colours of yellow and gold to represent the sun, I always welcome the dawn. The rising of the sun is something that I will never tire of seeing, it fills me with hope and a feeling of better days to come. he says as he remembers the long years of his incarceration below ground. He did not think he would ever see the sun rise again and upon his release he can still remember the intense brightness of the sun above and the tears streamed from his watery eyes as he basked in the light and warmth.
He had watched the sunset that first night with an immense sadness, a crushing wave of melancholy as the light faded from the world and he can remember being gripped by an irrational fear that the sun would not rise again the next day.
That first night of freedom was almost as long as his first night in prison and when the dawn finally came he had wept.
Dragging his thoughts back into the present he clears his throat.
I accomplished much last night, I have mastered the art of teleportation. I can now cover vast distances in an instant . If anyone has need of any supplies it may be that I can now source them .
Following the others as they head back to the spiders lair he wonders what else this strange place may have in store for them.
this place stinks of death Corum, lead on carefully.
During the evening, Del tuts at Elleross as the elf makes to put away his snuff box without sharing some of his tobacco. With the leaf at last shared, Del passes the time puffing wispy rings up toward the ceiling and telling the tale of the first time he'd encountered an elephant.
"My sister tried to pet a calf - which itself was already larger than she was. I thought she was going to get stomped flat! It seems momma wasn't very comfortable with anything approaching her baby, and if my dear sister had been any slower... well, I shudder to think what that otherwise gentle giant might have done to her."
---
With Corum outfitted in his armor once more and the group readying to depart, Del nods at the steel hanging from his bullish companion's shoulders. "So, is that more a stylistic choice than practical one then, Corum? For as often as you seem to like leaping into blades and claws and teeth, perhaps something a little more dashing might suit you?" He gestures at his own flowing coat. "Stylish and much easier to stitch back together." He bounces his eyebrows playfully and offers a grin.
The air is still and rancid in this cavern, permeated with the scent of rotting flesh. At first glance, the floor and walls appear curiously wrinkled, but closer inspection reveals they have been carpeted with some sort of dried flesh.
In the center of the chamber, five wooden totem poles hold aloft a macabre canopy crafted from an untold number of poorly preserved skins crudely stitched together. The poles supporting the canopy are carved with the leering faces of old women. Each of the carved faces is slightly different, though all are hideous and disfigured, with hooked noses, oversized warts, snaggletoothed maws, and other exaggerated features.
A creature dwells in this horrific chamber. It is as if the world’s most revolting lapdog had somehow learned to walk on its back legs and it busies itself by licking rotted flesh from the long, sharp quills that sprout all around it's head like some kind of bizarre lion.
What are you doing here? Interrupting my work, that's what!
Doing his best to breath as shallowly as possible Elleross follows the others deeper into the stinking cavern.
the smell is getting worse, we must be close he says trying not to gag on the foul air as they advance, soon the strange hut of skins comes into view and it's stranger sole occupant.
Half a dozen or more shambling creatures sway gently around the chamber.
I suppose by work you refer to the practice of necromancy. You are fond of keeping company with the undead are you not?
Indeed I believe the poison you carry within your spines allows you to re animate those that you slay.
What are you doing in Atrosa?
Elleross asks as he watches the moving shapes around the room warily.
Teeth clenched firmly together to keep from retching at the sights and sounds of the chamber, Sapphire minds her manners as Elleross engages with the creature, but whilst her drawn sword is held point down, it's ready to be put to use with a moment's notice.
Grayston stares on at the undead shambling around the room and the Pukwudgies that is unhostile for now. He stands his ground waiting to see where Elleross is going with his conversation.
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Aside to Greyston, "To make a joke, I coulda waited a bit longer to restore mah sight." Otherwise she waits, calmly hoping the old man can get past this thing without getting the party hurt.
Del cringes at the sight in the chamber, his face twisted in a grimace of disgust. He offers hesitantly as he looks at the stitched together face, "What.... 'interesting' work you have here."
Yes, yes. the pukwudgie agrees, licking some more of the rotten flesh from his quills. I have a fresh batch just raised. he jerks a thumb over his shoulder at the zombies.
Gaoling. it says. Baba Yaga herself asked me to take up the position and in exchange I had lots of meat for my work, passing travellers, explorers, that sort of thing. it adds nonchalantly. Not much gaoling to be done now of course.
Never mind, these will keep me going for a while. What about you, not seen you before. You based in the Maiden perhaps?
It seems as though the pukwudgie assumes you are employees of Baba Yaga as is he.
Seeing a potential opportunity, Del offers a conciliatory nod and with a tired tone adds, "Who even knows anymore. We're having to bounce through all three of late. We're hunting giants, you see. Some centaur and a band of the towering thugs have made their way to the Eon Pit. Been trying to make our way there and clean up any stragglers but it's just one big mess after another. You should've seen what the nymph did to the ones she got her hands on."
Nymph. the pukwudgie scoffs. Don't talk to me about nymphs. That Kyrisjana's bastards are down there, practising their pitiful vivisection. he jabs a thumb toward a corridor leading east out of the chamber. I've lost count of the amount of times I've told them that it's not an art in itself, it's just a tool of necromancy but will they listen? No!
He begins rubbing his hands then, a sly grin on his face.
I'd love to get my hands on one of those giants though, there's a few of them blundering about here, trying to find their way between Mother, Maiden, Crone. Idiots. But big though.... yes. Very big, very interesting subjects.
But I've kept away from the Pit. Until I've made some backup anyway. But I figure Baba Yaga won't stand for those centaurs clopping about here much longer, she'll root them out before long if Jadrenka isn't up to it.
"Who do you think Jadrenka gave the job to?" Del continues to assume the tone of a tired, slightly jaded co-worker who is overworked and in over his head. "Say, you wouldn't mind lending us a hand would you? Not that we'd want to pull you away from your work and gaoling, but you don't have anything on hand that might help take down one of those stupid-headed giants, do you? Maybe we could leave a giant tied up for you?"
Corum watches and waits while the others talk to the strange being. He keeps a wary eye on the shambling undead and grips the haft of his axe tightly.
Perception
Elleross listens intently as they seem to gain the trust of the disgusting creature.
you mentioned the pit of Eons, you plan to go there? do you know how to enter the pit safely? Elleross asks , this gaoler may hold the knowledge they need to counter the curse of the pit.
Not really. It's not my place, I'm just taking precautions because if they claim Artrosa then I'll be out on my ear.
Besides, there's not much I can do about the Curse of Ageing - looks like you've had a touch of that yourself! Haha! he jibes at Elleros. At least my pets are immune so that's something.
He scratches one of his quills in thought.
Hmmmm... not much I can do to help I don't think. I don't really want to lend you any of my pets in case those centaurs decide to come after me. I can give you two of them I suppose... But if you don't find a way around that Curse of Ageing you'll find yourselves knackered before you start - the centaurs must have thought of something to have been in there so long.
You can borrow my Bone Razor if you like though, it's always hilarious when you turn someone's friend into a zombie against them hahaha!
Grayston continues to watch and listen holding his tongue as Del attempts to talk their way to a better out come. "These zombies are more liking to turn on us.."
"Oh really?" Del assumes a tone of genuine surprise and appreciation. "If we could turn one of those blighted giants that'd make things a lot easier. Presuming we're able to oust these invaders and the pit doesn't kill us, I'll be sure to put in a word with Jadrenka."
Provided nothing triggers Del's inward alarms, he steps forward to accept the offered razor with a relieved look on his face.
Elleross smiles thinly at the jibe, he felt his advancing years most keenly.
indeed, I suspect I don't have too many years left to waste.
We are grateful for your help, the razor is help enough. You should keep all of your creations in case the Giants come this way. Elleross says not relishing the idea of taking the zombies with them
So the curse brings on rapid aging then? As if time is flowing much quicker than normal.
Do you know of anyone that may be able to help us counter the curse?
He asks as Dell moves to accept his gift .
The weird quilled creature thinks for a moment before shrugging.
Aside from Jadrenka herself you're probably best speaking to Nostafa. She's been here almost as long as Jadrenka and Baba Yaga trusts her.
Since Baba Yaga placed the curse maybe Nostafa has some means of countering it? She's in the Mother somewhere.
once again we thank you, but one last thing.
There are a lot of interlopers within Artrosa, how will we recognise Nostafa? We would not wish to inadvertently make an enemy of one who should be our ally Elleross asks , wondering who or what Nostafa is .
Yeah, she's not the friendliest, the sort who'll fireball first and ask questions later. I bet she's none too happy about what's going on here so when you find her make sure she knows you're servants of Baba Yaga.
You'll know her when you see her though, ashen skin and ram's horns. She's some kind of demon I think.
He pauses for a moment, looking quite intently at Greyston.
I know this might be... indelicate.... but you have quite a remarkably shaped skull, trust me I know about these things. I'd love to raise you as a zombie... only after you've gone of course. If I do come across your body in Artrosa I can assure you I will do my very best work with it.
He offers Greyton a smile full of pointed little teeth and you realise the thing is actually trying to be complimentary/
Corum interjects "He ain't gonna die. I'm gonna make sure of it right?!"
He gestures meaningfully with his axe to illustrate his point.
Grayston stares at the pukwudgie large point smile. "I'll be keeping my skull to myself, you keep your hands off me and my friends." He says with a nod. "Now we'll be moving on."