Ragnar stands slowly, accepting the dwarf's hand. His eyes close tight at the effort. Once on his own two feet, he opens his eyes, exhales and rubs his temples. He looks at the air a few paces away and just stares hard for a moment."Yes. There is a rock outside covering a hidden entrance to the forge. Besides the front gates, it is the only way in and out. Dorzar probably does not know of it's location, but he may find it. We should move to the surface and rest there until Gilian has recovered her energies."
He takes a step and wobbles slightly, stops, steadies himself, then keeps going with an annoyed grunt.
Moving to take the lead. "Easy there. You're about as steady as a new born Boro and just as big. Just point the way and I'll lead. We don't need to lose our guide because of an uneven climb."
We don't need to lose our guide because of an uneven climb."[/b]
"Guide? Hmm."
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A new dawn comes and the cold air is sharp like a knife. This is just a third day since you got together by the fire next to the ruined tower so very far away, but it seems to you that eternity has passed. Ragnar stands and points towards the sun. "East", he says. "The tunnel is to the east." You pack your things and bank your fire. It is time for one more day fighting the Shadow.
Perception:
Perception
"It seems we are not alone here", she says to Solvistania, showing here the footprints. "But I think our scouts have already seen that. Pete, Ragnar, can it be dwarf footprints?"
"Yes, Gilian I see those tracks now, thank you for pointing them out. I wonder if it is Dorzar, or possibly the Progenitor. If it is either one, it does not bode well, we should hurry!"
Perception 1d20+9
. Pete, Ragnar, can it be dwarf footprints?"[/b]
Ragnar glances back at the tiny healer, taps the Dwarf next to him on the shoulder and points down at the tracks.
Anvinder keeps up with the group. Guess I have to trust them.
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You continue with your track and after several hours you reach a ravine covered with thorn bushes and thistles. Deep in the ravine there is a huge boulder, easily thrice the size of Ragnar and wide as the Northman is tall, covered in moss and lichen. It looks like it's laying there for a thousand years.
You continue with your track and after several hours you reach a ravine covered with thorn bushes and thistles. Deep in the ravine there is a huge boulder, easily thrice the size of Ragnar and wide as the Northman is tall, covered in moss and lichen. It looks like it's laying there for a thousand years.
Perception:
Looking at the huge boulder. So this is it then. Ragnar, Chops, Anvinder, Ilona let's see if we can get this thing moved. Gilian, Solvistania and... Pete, right? Keep an eye out for anything unusual.
Solvistania nods silently in agreement and takes a position behind the group, scanning the surrounding area for any threats at all.
Chops comes into the ravine last, just in time to hear Sorok's suggestion. He walks up to the boulder, shrugs his shoulders, and tries the brute strength approach.
"We may need to make a lever or something."
Ilona steps around and stand next to Chops giving him a grin as she pushes.
Her hands push into a lichen covered depression with a squelch as baby spiders run along the backs of her hands.
"Uuuagh, that was....disgusting."
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You try to move the huge boulder. For a moment it seems that it works. The rocks starts to move... and then - it continues to move, but not as rocks usually do when pushed. It starts to shudder and seemingly to break. Cracks appear. And then... a face in the stone. A huge face with a beard of moss and eyebrows of lichen. Then an arm. A second arm. Legs. In just a few moments a giant human shaped stone creature stands in front of you, looking like some old men made of the bones of the earth. Its eyes glint like diamonds or stars while it looks at you. His huge brows start to frown when he spies Sorok.
You try to move the huge boulder. For a moment it seems that it works. The rocks starts to move... and then - it continues to move, but not as rocks usually do when pushed. It starts to shudder and seemingly to break. Cracks appear. And then... a face in the stone. A huge face with a beard of moss and eyebrows of lichen. Then an arm. A second arm. Legs. In just a few moments a giant human shaped stone creature stands in front of you, looking like some old men made of the bones of the earth. Its eyes glint like diamonds or stars while it looks at you. His huge brows start to frown when he spies Sorok.
Looking first up toward the Stone guardian in momentary awe, then at Ragnar.
You didn't mention a guardian made of stone. I don't think he likes me being here.
As the boulder transforms into a more humanoid shape, Chops falls forward a bit but catches himself. His jaw falls open, exposing his sharp canines as he stares at the creature. Then he notices the look it is giving to his new companion. He is about to say something, but then the creature asks its question and Chops instinctually says, "We are the bone bearers, come to halt a dark ritual. And whom might we have the pleasure of sharing this fine ravine?"
Ilona looks up at the massive guardian, flashing the store creature a brilliant smile. "Yep, we're the good guys. We're here to stomp some orc and we need the key to stopping the bastards."
Solvistania approaches the stone creature, and indicates Sorok. "This one is no threat to you, he was destined to be a sacrifice to the Dark Gods minion. He is one of us, now."
"We thought that's what it was too," replies Chops. "But it turns out he was tied up and left in his own feces for a month. Anyone would smell like Izrador after something like that."
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"We thought that's what it was too," replies Chops. "But it turns out he was tied up and left in his own feces for a month. Anyone would smell like Izrador after something like that."
"So hasty... I was talking of you and the red eyed one... Hmmm... but I feel a scent of fay in you as well... I was friend with them once... Perhaps still am? Hmm... to squish or not to squish..."
Ilona holds back a snicker at Chops' quip and strides forward, staning before the massive creature to look the guardian in the eyes.
"If you can sense the evil in him you can also sense the opposite in him as well, the burning desire to destroy all those of the shadow and spit on Izrador's rotting corpse. See the black blood that covers most of our clothing. Know that orcs force themselves upon any before them with no regard,not all of those whose existence is a result are evil, and know this, if any oif us was one of the enemy, they'd already be dead."
Diplomacy
Chops reaches over to Solvistania and grasps her hand gently. He locks his eyes on her for a second before responding again, this time much more slowly. "Yes...she is very fay'r... to look upon. Isn't she? And elfen as well." Then he shuts up, realizing that there better minds and mouths for this moment.
Solvistania glances at Chops, and nods at him, then looks up at the stone guardian creature, her red eyes suddenly brimming with tears, and in a quiet forlorn voice says, "I...cannot hide what i am from you, I do hold the taint of the Dark One's servants in me, if I could remove such, I would do so gladly, but I cannot, as you cannot change who you are, you can only control how you will deal with your nature."
"Does such emotion seem evil to you?"
"Grrr...call me Dark One, do you?" Pete mutters, but the boulder-man is already asleep.
"When they said guardian spirit, I had assumed something else." Ragnar says slowly.
He looks at Chops, then at Solvistania, his brow furrows in thought, but he says nothing else.
"Well I'm going through. Watch my back." Ilona draws her sword quietly and walks towards the opening, prepared to react if the guardian strikes.
Solvistania does not miss the look Ragnar gives both herself and Chops. I have to come clean at some point about my heritage, it is so painful though...He, and all of my fellows deserve to know the truth about...who I am.
She waits back, watching the guardian closely, and still fighting back her tears.
"Well I'm going through. Watch my back." Ilona draws her sword quietly and walks towards the opening, prepared to react if the guardian strikes.
Watching the slumbering guardian. "Walk quietly. I'll lead. I've got the best vision in the Darkness. Assuming the Guardian doesn't awaken."
Stealth:
"I will come last." Ragnar says simply.
As the others file past, Ragnar continues to watch Solvistania. He gaze is open and without subterfuge or judgement. Simply a long, heavy stare, which he seems entirely unaware of as he thinks. As the scouts descend and the others become fixated on danger and safety, he speaks to her.
"Among my people, it is our Mægen, our karma, that defines us, and our Wyrd, our destiny, that drives us. Both are rooted in choice. Our Mægen is the sum of our own. Our Wyrd is the sum of the choices of others, and the pressure it exerts upon us. Every legend, every hero, of every people across Erdane teaches us that Mægen is stronger than Wyrd. What we are is far, far more than the weight of our pasts or the demands of our future."
Solvistania listems to the speech by Ragnar witout comment, and after he finishes, she stays back for a moment looking at him for a few seconds, her gaze unreadable. Then she speaks quietly, "I have studied many things before our paths have crossed, and there is truth to what you say." Her voice rises slightly, But consider this, there are those who lack Maegen, and are wholly composed of the Wyrd. Think on that, my friend." she then turns to follow the others.
Solvistania walks over to the Guardian and murmers, "Forgive us our haste, but the Shadows minions do not share the Elder Fey thirst for conversation. As we speak, a foul abomination raised by the spawn of Shadow called the Progenitor is stirring, and must be destroyed. We beg you to assist us now, would I had more time to converse with you, you have much to teach us.
"Why you want to keep us out? We not follow Izrador." Pete spits on the ground after saying the foul name.
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"Why? Yes...Why indeed? I don't exactly recall... Ah... remember now. The dwarves asked me to stand guard... I fell asleep... You know, we earth elementals sleep a lot... Progenitor wakes, you say? Oh, that is a bad thing... The dwarves sacrificed a lot to see him bound. Perhaps I should let you through... I must think... Zzzz..."