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Ragnar sleeps deep and still, only the slow rise and fall of his chest even gives away that he still lives. Around him the spirits, now visible, make things more complicated for everyone, though a few try to make themselves useful.
From his position on watch, the shade of Ragnar's brother narrows his brows. He strides over to the place Sorok indicates and takes a long look.
"Wake up every one, I don't know what's happening but it does not seem right."
"Ilona, Chops, Ragnar, come on, wake up, right now."
Having donned his armor, Duncan gently shakes Ilona awake. "My lady, please wake up. Something is happening."
He does the same for Chops, and comes to the front once again to stand next to Gilian.
"Lady Gilian, I do believe that this corridor was used recently. I think that I was too tired when we came here to truly notice."
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"Wake up every one, I don't know what's happening but it does not seem right."
"Ilona, Chops, Ragnar, come on, wake up, right now."
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Having donned his armor, Duncan gently shakes Ilona awake. "My lady, please wake up. Something is happening."
He does the same for Chops, and comes to the front once again to stand next to Gilian.
"Lady Gilian, I do believe that this corridor was used recently. I think that I was too tired when we came here to truly notice."1d20+6
"Somebody is casting a ritual in this tunnel. And the crystals are acting as wards. Solvistania, can you find where the nexus is and help me figure how we can pass the wards?"
"This dwarf is probably not alone. And if there are more, they are probably descendants of the elder fay race of dwarves who lived in the down above. I believe that it is safe to assume that they are enemies of both the Fell and these fiendish Mushrooms. We need to show to them that we are not enemies as well. They have probably never even seen anybody who is not their enemy in a long, long while."
Having said that, Duncan resheaths the broken sword and steps up front towards the door, holding his empty hands for anyone who might be watching from the darkness to see that he has no ill intentions.
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A voice suddenly shouts:
"I see a dwarf approaching us with weapons drawn. What are they saying, master Sorok?
Anyway we need to let them know that we mean them no harm. For once, we shouldn't fight. Everybody, stand down, and put your weapons away, but do not discard them. Let's see if we can negotiate this one."
Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, Chops moans"They want us to back away from the tunnel and are pointed springbows at us. What the hell is a spring bow?" He stands and walks towards the tunnel.
Solvistania nods at Gilian, "I believe I can sense the Nexus, but it will take time, time I fear we do not have now." She steps close to Chops, making sure she is unarmed and her hands are opened in a peaceful gesture.
She calls out,
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Sitting up and rubbing his eyes, Chops moans"They want us to back away from the tunnel and are pointed springbows at us. What the hell is a spring bow?" He stands and walks towards the tunnel.
** spoiler omitted **
A silent SNAP announces the flight of a two foot long slender bolt that swishes an inch past Chops' head and strikes the nearest pillar, penetrating the stone. The shaft made of some kind of chitinous material quivers while the stone around the head bubbles slightly like it's melting.
Ilona rises from Ragnar's side in a single fluid motion, hand grasping Requiem's hilt as she stands in her linen shift n time to witness the arrow's flight.
Her eyes narrow, shrewdly calculating the skill reqquired to accomplish such a shot and the intent of one inclinated to do so.
She steps forward slowly,smiling reassurredly at the ghost chilren as she basses them, occasionally reaching forth as if to tussle intangable hair.
"It seems you have us at a disadvantage. Not all of us speak your language but to find one down here that does not murder those they do not know while they sleep is rare indeed."
unsure of wether or not her words are understood, her tone is flawless, confident and unafraid, yet non-threatening.
Diplomacy
A silent SNAP announces the flight of a two foot long slender bolt that swishes an inch past Chops' head and strikes the nearest pillar, penetrating the stone. The shaft made of some kind of chitinous material quivers while the stone around the head bubbles slightly like it's melting.
** spoiler omitted **
Chops smiles. He just can't help himself.
He whispers to Solvistania, "These are probably good folk. Just wary I think."
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A dwarf slowly approaches the doorway in front of you, coming down the corridor. He is almost as wide as he is tall, at first glance looking like an amalgam of Chops and Sorok, dressed in full body studded leather armor, covered in hooks, blades and spikes, with a wide belt from which a number of metallic-looking tubes lead to his mouth. In his hands there are strange wicked-looking bare blades, wide and curved and with a sharp edge on the inside of the curve. They look heavy, but the dwarf holds them like they are no heavier than the rays of the moon, that decorates them, in all of its various phases.
His eyes seem almost blind to you, light in color and wide. His head is bold and decorated with sharp, spiky tattoos and his short beard leaves his upper lip bare.
He looks at Ilona, and then Chops and Sorok, but his gaze falls on Ragnar and the spirits around him.
Ragnar continues to sleep peacefully in spite of all the commotion.
Sorok looks back at the group. "Move back from the tunnel." He stands at the head of the group, shield out, but Umbra stays at his side and speaks to the Dwarf.
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Dwarf just looks at you, and then nods, as if to himself. A moment later shuffling steps can be heard coming from the corridor. After some time, the soft glow of the crystals reveals a hunched figure dressed in gray robes, moving with slow measured steps with the help of a staff topped with large crystal.
Figure turns out to be an ancient female, of the same race as the dwarf in strange armor. Her eyes look almost blind and her face is wrinkled and deeply lined. Her head is also bald, but instead of tattoos, her scalp is studded with many crystals of different colors.
She shuffles up next to the dwarf and haltingly speaks, using Common Tongue.
"Those armies are of no concern to us. They can not pass the wards. On the other hand, you did. I am Speaker Vrin, of the Council. This is my Warder, Vrom. I was sent by the Council to investigate this new threat to our land. And who are you? Are you a threat?"
"Honoured Speaker Vrin, and Warder Vrom, my name is Duncan Bloodforged, and these are my companions, ladies Gilian, Ilona, Solvistania and masters Chops, Sorok, Lyj nad the one you are cautious about is master Ragnar. We are only a threat to does who serve the Shadow, or themselves have shadows in their vile hearts. We dislike death, and kill only when we are forced to. We were in the ancient city above, and were pursued by the Herald of the Skeleton King because we slew his Fell Librarian and his slave in undeath when they attacked us. Fleeing the fell armies, we ended up in these caves and passages where we encountered those Mushroom Men with fiendish taint. They also attacked us, and tried to destroy us. In the end, two enemies clashed with each other and we found the opportunity to escape. We were exhausted when we found your wards, and we knew that they would keep us safe. We mean you no harm and we have no intentions of endangering your people and your land. Ragnar, who is still sleeping is also not a threat, do I do imagine the spirits that surround him do not put anybody at ease. He has suffered a century of horror, and you might say that it is a somewhat of his curse, though he tries to use it for good. Those spirits with him are not his slaves, more his companions.
And I must apologize for our unwillingness to discard our weapons, for we too are a bit wary of strangers, since most down here wished us harm. But you have our word that we well not draw weapons unless threatened.
So there is our story in short. I do believe that we are nowhere numerous enough to really threaten your land, and we managed to pass your wards who are undoubtedly set in place to keep evil away. We come in peace, and maybe as allies and guests, if you would have us."
From a ways back, behind the wards, Eyvindr sighs. "Yes he does," he says in a clear baritone, "but tomorrow he will not. Tomorrow he will be as fully alive as any of you, but only for that day. When the full moon fades so will we, and he will return to being a man caught between two worlds."
The Dornish ghost, surrounded by those of the children of Nalford, stands in vigil over the sleeping Ragnar. "but for these few days, every month, my brother can rest."
"Like I said, death is his companion, but it stays attached to him alone. He deals no more death than any other of us. Those are his relatives, people and friends that hang around him. But they are not enslaved spirits as the Skeleton King might keep them. They stay with him willingly and give him aid an council when he asks them. And they are not twisted abominations like Fell, but merely souls of the dead that have no where to go, so they chose to stay with him. Be not afraid. Like his brother said, he will sleep for a while undisturbed. Maybe when he wakes up, he will be willing to tell you his tale, for it is indeed a remarkable one. If needed, I will vouch for him with my own life and blood."
Duncan's expression is grave, and it is apparent to everybody that he is serious about his offer. He unbuckles his swordbelt, lays it on his shield and offers it all to Vrom as a token of trust.
"Take this, and take me as a prisoner until you determine that Ragnar is a good man. Now, honoured Speaker Vrin, what shall it be? Do you believe us your foes, or we can be allies?"
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The dwarf looks at Duncan, but makes no move.
Vrin chuckles to herself, before answering the Dragon Knight. "You talk prettily and you are not hard on the eyes, even if you are of no intelligent race that can be found in the Circle's records. Even your language is limited. I had to pick the basic concepts from your minds." She stops speaking for a moment. "Well, you are very convincing, but the very fact that you have reached the lower depths tells me that you are dangerous. And that one seems to me like the scion of Skeleton King himself. This is a decision for the whole Council of Speakers. You may remain here, but know that all the exits are guarded by Warders. I will return."
She turns and leaves, and Warder Vrom follows her with measured footsteps, turning his back to you as if you are no danger to him.
Ilona practically vibrates with restrained aggression as they leave with thier comment. Slooks Duncan in the eyes, craning her neck to do so.
Thank you for everything you said Duncan.
She looks back over her shoulder at the sleeping Ragnar.
"If they try to lay a hand on him, every last one of them will end up joining his retinue."
The protective anger that washes off of her is almost riotious.
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You are left alone, but watched from the corridors. You can see the strange dwarfs with their even stranger hooked armors and weapons. Some of them are holding some things that look like crossbows, only without the bow part. Large wooden things with three sharp spike projecting from the ends. Those must be "springbows" that someone mentioned.
Solvistania sighs in relief hostilities have not broken out. She nods imperceptibly to Gilian, and attempts to sense the Nexus, which surely must be close by.
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Solvistania sighs in relief hostilities have not broken out. She nods imperceptibly to Gilian, and attempts to sense the Nexus, which surely must be close by.
you are allowed a DC 15 Wisdom check to detect it. If you detect the nexus, you may spend an entire day attempting to pinpoint its exact location, which requires another DC 15 Wisdom check.
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Until it reaches a heart of fire. A blazing glow of arcane might, such as she has never felt before. No... She did. When she visited the queen in her tree, she has felt similar power blazing in her mind.
This Nexus... It is even more powerful.
Solvistania says nothing, and tries hard to hide any visible reaction, but for those who have traveled with her these many months, it is clear to them she is as excited as they have ever seen her. Indeed the look in her eyes is filled with pleasure of an almost sexual nature.
Duncan stood watching Vrin and her Warder walk away, and then turned to the others, catching Ilona's silent message. Giving only a slight nod, he observed his companions for a while, and after seeing the glow in Solvistania's eyes, he says:
"Last night, while I was on watch, I sensed Dracarys again. It is near, but still somewhere below us. And I think I know what it is. It is an ancient sword with a wavy blade, much like flame"
"Last night, while I was on watch, I sensed Dracarys again. It is near, but still somewhere below us. And I think I know what it is. It is an ancient sword with a wavy blade, much like flame"
"I think the last thing you need is another magic sword." the shade of the thin Dorn standing next to Ragnar's brother says acerbically.
Duncan smiles at the spirit. "Well, seeing how I'm currently lacking a new blade, I would say that it is precisely what I need at the moment. Do not worry, I intend to get myself a nice supply of swords, so that I can always have a spare one ready. But this time I intend to embed my family jewel in something that I will not manage to break so easily. In my defence I have to say that technically, I didn't break lady Sorrow here, I just happened to hold her in that moment." Duncan gives the shade of Sorrow a sad and guilty smile.
Settling down next to Gilian, Duncan continues without the joking tone of his voice used previously to face Anivinder's comment:
"Not much to do now but wait. I do think that the Council will decide favorably for us, but we still might have some problems convincing them that Ragnar is NOT a servant of the Skeleton King. Down here they probably do not know of any others that have Ragnars powers, and who are not his minions. For that we must devise some ways to prove that he is not an evildoer. And we should try to avoid a confrontation at all costs. What do you think? Any ideas?"
The ghost of the young woman smiles shyly at Duncan and then hits the lanky Dorn in the arm. "Shut up Anvinder."
Ragnar grumbles and rubs his eyes, blinking away the fog in his brain. He looks around at the group as they stand around talking. He sits up. "Did I oversleep?
His stomach growls loudly. "Hmm. Food. Right."
Solvistania glances at Ragnar and nods in greeting. "No, Ragnar. I sense our journey is nearing an end. Soon we will begin another one, with more answers in our hearts than when we first joined together."
"If these wards can prevent the spirits from passing through, this may be the reason why we were sent here. The question what are we supposed to do here? Is this Drakarys the one we seek?"
As for Ragnar, I'm afraid you'll have to tell your story. What I do not know is how much they know about the outside and the Shadow.
Sorry Ragnar, you may wonder what I'm talking about. We've met some dwarves, really old ones that have been here since the fall of the city upstairs. They are not really happy with your powers to summon spirits and squeletons. So we'll have to convince them you are not a spawn of the dead king upstairs."
Sorok sit's at the wall warily eying the Warders set to watch them for a time. Some time later though he finds himself listening to conversations of his companions.
Ragnar sighs at Gilian's words. "I am not a very adept speaker. I wish the dead could simply speak for themselves."
"At the moment, we can." Eyvindr says in a low rumble.
"The full moon again? Of course. I slept. It must be. Fortunate timing." Ragnar frowns. "I am not sure I can tell my story. I scarcely understand what happened myself. I spent most of the night the city fell locked in a basement. After that it was simply a matter of surviving."
"I remember." The ghost that was once a sword says quietly. "I remember it all. In that entire city, the only one who's memories I do not possess are yours, Ragnar. I can tell them what happened."
"You possess my memories?" Eyvindr says, alarmed, "How?"
"I possess the memories of every Dorn who lived and died before I was forged." Sorrow says shyly, as if she is ashamed to admit she knows Eyvindr's secrets.
[b]"So you remember my life until I died. Hmm. It is the memories of living that are hardest to remember now. Later, we should speak."
"If these wards can prevent the spirits from passing through, this may be the reason why we were sent here. The question what are we supposed to do here? Is this Drakarys the one we seek?"
Solvistania looks at Gilian, an uncertain look in her eyes. "It is...possible, perhaps likely that is the case. From what Duncan has told me about his visions, it is within the realm of possibility. I need more time to determine exactly where the Nexus is, but to have two power sources so close to one another stretches the bounds of chance."