During the trip I try to answer Eella questions as best I can but keeping my distance, which has proven to be hard.
When I get the chance I go to Jen Something smells fishy and I don't think it's the marshes, but maybe it's just me
Maybe everything seems a bit odd, but all we can do is trust and hope.
Besides, the marshes are the perfect combination of earth and water. Try to enjoy it.
Leorn nods at Aiden's Concern "Right direction but I have always heard that the Lizardfolk are susceptible to the power of the obelisk. I don't know how far the power has reached but last I heard it had passed into Myyrian. I wonder if it may have touched the lizards home. Regardless, we have defenders and it is the only direct way into the darklands. Let's continue."
You all push on through the marsh. Bugs and nats of all forms are thick and buzzin into your eyes and ears. Some even crawl into your clothes causing a creepy tickling sensation. They also bite too. Before the night comes you are covered in bug bites. Kershak administers a salve that will help control the problem. Sleeping is miserable, the grounds is soggy and the noises of frogs and other marshland critters is loud and persistent. Few of the party are in the mood too talk. Leorn and Arastil seem the most miserable out of the group unless any of you think you could top them.
The Marsh on day too isn't anymore pleasant as it starts to rain. You trudge on occasionally having to wade waist deep in muck and every time you pass through the lizards go thoroughly over your bodies looking for leeches.
Cold, wet, ichy, tired, and miserable you all push on and at last you see before you the lizardfolk swamp village. The trees are as tall as skyscrappers and the walkways and houses in the trees would remind you of the Ewok village from Star Wars (For those of you who have seen it) Huts both in the trees and on the ground. "Finally" Leorn says. "We are here at last."
Maybe everything seems a bit odd, but all we can do is trust and hope.
Besides, the marshes are the perfect combination of earth and water. Try to enjoy it.
I do enjoy that, but the bugs as I swat one is a total different story looking my hand with some disgust.
Rain is very peaceful and fun, but muck is not my sort of swiming pool I have in mind Jen chuckling at my joke and winking at Jen.
Well about time, I was enjoying my self during my trip here so much with a very sarcastic joking tone I could also need a bath
Jen smiles at Frank's joke. It might've been the only interesting thing that day, at least until they got to the lizard's swamp home.
It was basically a lot of treehouses connected by walkways above the swamp, and Jen had always enjoyed playing in treehouses.
Have you been here before, Leorn?
Aiden plods miserably alongside Leorn until the reach the Lizardfolk city at last.
The red sorcerer's heart falls to see such an extensive network of tree houses and biways.
Escape from this place will be nearly impossible should the need arise.
Aiden forces a smile. "You home is lovely Kershak. Is there someplace we might refresh ourselve before meeting with you Shaman?"
"You like it too, Aiden?" Adina asks. "It's been so long since I've been in a tree house."
Aiden smiles weakly at Adina.
Adina looks at Aiden for a moment, then puts a hand over her mouth to hide a smile.
"Aiden, are you afraid of heights?"
"Kershak, I like your home too. I can't imagine what it would be like to explore this area."
"Sure. Why not? I am afraid of heights..."
Taking a moment of time I go pay a visit to Arastil and just have small talk to keep the good spirits between us incase something happens. Then I will go to Arshal and his people to continue to learn their language.
Kershak leads you all to a longhouse on ground level. Inside you find a hardwood floor and places to sit and finally relax. The room you are in is very large. Wooden stools and some wood surfaces like tables are all over the place. There are also a good deal of hanging baskets of herbs around the room. Lastly and most importantly it is dry and not so stuffy in here. You feel like you can breath for the first time since entering this miserable swamp.
Kershak's men disperse and leave the building. Other than your comrades, this building has no other attendants in it. "Thiss iss the guesst housse." Kershak states. "You resst here. I will find our head Sshaman and inform him of your arrival. You will likely receive dinner soon as well." With that Kershak leaves.
The rest of the party begin to relax and clean of their gear using buckets of what appears to be "drinking" water, if you can call green murky water fit for drinking. The dwarves really go to town rinsing all the mud off them as they are the most filthy......not that they were clean before going into the swamp that is. At least the mud seems to mask their original body odor.
The four Delven bodyguards stand at attention as Arastil uses her waterskin water to clean off.
The Relves uses the swamp water to clean themselves too. Of all of them the blond female relf seems the most upset. "I cannot believe we had to go through that! One of those miserable lizards could have at least carried me!" Gene rolls her eyes. "Hey listen up. We all suffered equally and there is no use in crying about what we can't fix."
Dunnely chuckles. "Pathetic. Even the wild elves can stand to get dirty hehe." Suddenly one of the Relven males gets up and draws his sword and approaches Dunnely with hostile intent. "How dare you talk to our woman like that you filthy little man!" Dunnely reacts quickly pulling his pistol out of it's waterproof tarp he kept it in and aims it right at the warrior. The Relf stops in his tract staring straight at the weapon. "Don't try it sunny." Dunnely says. Suddenly other relves get and aggressively approach. The dwarves quickly arm themselves also and rise to meet the Relves. The two groups are on the verge of a violent engagement right now.
Just as this trouble is beginning to unhold, Leorn slumps over and passes out. The two groups do not seem to notice and seem as though they would attack each other in a moment.
Jen walks out unarmed between the two groups, her height being not much taller than the dwarf.
The first to cast a stone or strike with the first axe should kill me first. It would be the same as if Drethrum had caught me alone or if we had marched up to the accursed mountain with little training. Yet that is what you are dooming us to if you cut down one of our allies and we lose your number as well.
To fight each other means that you have given up hope in the prophecy and hope in our chances of saving this land. It means that you have fallen subtley into the Obelisk's power, but I know that you are of strong will and of strong mind.
So let the first to strike me down be the first to abandon our quest and the first to abandon the hope that their children will live in freedom.
Jen kneels down in prayer, making it clear that she is completely helpless.
Aiden smiles at Jen's gentle berating of their allies. When she kneels, he squares off against Dunnely, pistol muzzle on his breast.
"If you choose to fight, it will go poorly for you. I am the lord of fire and so your gun cannot harm me. Instead, that ball of lead will penetrate your racist skull if you foolishly pull the trigger."
Enough! I scream as I get outside the guest tent giving an intimidating scowl to all present.
Intimidate
I walk up to the middle of it all Looking at Aiden and speaking in Gaelic
Now as for this minor quarrel, I do understand that you all have your own culture and it is easy for each other to insult without intent sometimes looking at the Relven people I apologize in behalf of my friends giving a side look at Aiden and the dwarf. I bow deeply What would you have me do to repair the slight to your people I cannot offer much except my eternal gratitude if you forgive this slight and make less of it and whatever else is within me to do I will if I can
Looking at the Dwarves i understand master Dunnely you have little tact and somewhat of crude way at social things and very to the point so let's get at it! as I grin to him I will ask of you to be somewhat more considering of others culture for there might be moments you might be insulted by some words also without intent on doing so
Then giving a cold stare to all present Unless you already sold yourselves to the enemy and are here to folly this endeavor, best get on with it and let it be known for ever the treacherous bastards you are, or learn to cooperate and with each other I don't expect for you to be jolly friends but I do expect you to respect each other and work together to achieve a common goal the I just turn around to pick up Jen As long as I live no harm shall come to you as longs I can protect you Then I kiss her hand slightly and then turning to face the crowd still holding her hand, I wave my hand like encompassing all the different races and people gathered there to help us We have our Fianna Fail I smile and demonstrate pride as I do so That is "Soldiers of Destiny" which was bestowed to the very best in my ancient language and culture
Dunnely shrugs. "I am good enough to put a bullet though ye lass an still kill my target and not ye ya know." When Jen kneels before them Dunnely smiles at the Relves. "Aw look wat ye gon an dun. Ya herd her. Put away yer weapons an lest be best of friends."
The one relf seems very angry, almost ready to fly into an uncontrollable rage. "Drop you boom toy an fight me with the hammer on your back, unless it's just for show and shootin is all your good at."
Dunnely raise his puffy white eyebrows as though he is seriously considering the proposal.
Dunnely narrows his eyes at Aiden and sets the hammer on the gun ready to fire. "Hmm.....its been a hundred years since I last put a bullet through a fire born sorcerer. He was a lot meaner looking and far stronger than ye. Wonder if it's still the same?" The Relves push and the dwarves seem ready too fight.
Dunnely shrugs. "No need to apologize fer us boy. I meant to insult. These savages had done us plenty of harm ta merit it an with as angry as that boy is, I wouldn't be surprised if he turned on us out in the dark lands. Best to put him out of his misery now befer he comes after us all."
"Why you!" The relf makes a push but Ashal stops him. "Hold it Galad! The dwarf is right. Your anger isn't an asset anymore. You need to control it or the dark power with turn you for sure." Ashal glares at Dunnely and then looks apologetically at the four of you. "I am truly sorry. Our intention was to help not hinder. We won't trouble you.....any of you, again." Ashal moves the relf identified as Galad over to the chairs where they were sitting.
Dunnely puts away his pistol and glares. "I'm gonna hafta keep an eye on him. That one is way too hot headed to be out here on this quest. Ashal knows his men best but I've still got more years dan he does. That boy will be trouble. Count on it."
Um hey, not to break up this fight or anything, but Leorn seems to have collapsed. Maybe he is fatigued from the journey through the marshes or is infected by some sort of parasite. Or maybe he couldn't stand to see our allies fight with one another. He didn't look so good when he was walking.
Do we have a medic around here?
Jen moves Leorn so that he is laying on his back.
"Is cosúil go siad ach amháin in ann a thuiscint agus bagairtí foréigin. Táim brón orm, bhí mé ag iarraidh chun cabhrú leat. Tá mé tinn ar a suaimhneas anseo. Táimid ag undefended san áit seo, agus na tíre go bhfuil an chuid is mó seans maith le cumhacht obelisks na ndaoine a bhíonn againn go fóill. Tá mé buartha go mbeidh muid a ghabháil."
"They seem only able to understand threats and violence. I am sorry, I was trying to help. I am ill at ease here. We are undefended in this place, and these folk are the most prone to the obelisk's power of those we have yet encountered. I am worried that we will be captured."
After speaking to Frank, Aiden goes to Leorn's side, unable to help, Aiden tries be be a comfort and a defender.
Everyone had stopped fighting, and now Adina had no one she could yell all her frustration at. She was angry at Dunnely for saying something he knew would be offensive, angry at the relves for letting it get to them and drawing blade, angry at Aiden and Jen for putting themselves in arms way... and angry at herself for not doing something her self.
She took a moment to calm the storm raging in her, then another, and yet another, trying to get to the point she could say something without screaming.
"He sounded so stressed out back in town." She quietly says when she finally calms down, sitting down next to Leorn and placing a hand on his brow. "I hope he's just exhausted."
She casts breeze to get some cool air blowing in the room, hoping it will help Leorn even the tiniest amount possible.
Hearing the commotion, Dunnely, Ashal, and Arastil all race over to see whats happening.
"Whats going on? He looks really sick."
"What matter of disease is this?" Arastil asks
Ashal pipes in "I'm not sure. He's deadly sick though. Maybe a bug?"
Dunnely inspects closely. "Manomena, I am sure of it. It is a disease I have seen before. It comes from a bug that lives in Myyrian" Dunnely turns to the group. "Quick! Find a lizard witch doctor or something! Hurry time is of the essence!"
Jen uses her track skill to try and find the witch doctor.
Adina goes looking for a lizardfolk, running swiftly. When she finds one...
"Please, where is your shaman? Leorn, my friend in the guest house, has become sick with something called manomena!" She explains. "A shaman must be brought as quickly as possible! He can't die!" She fights hard to keep the tears out of her eyes, trying to stay strong and calm. Yalm had already died, if Leorn did too...
I try to find Kershak
Kershak it is of great importance to see your shaman at once, one of our companions is sick with manomena we need his help with this
Untrained Diplomacy
Seeing his friends dive off in search of aid, Aiden chooses to remain with Leorn to bear witness if he turns worse and to deter treachery.
The language barrier is proving to be a challenge as none of the lizards seem to have any clue as to what you are talking about. They simply choose to ignore you and if you get physical, They shove you violently away. There has to be some other way to get help. Any ideas?
Jen scrawls some stick figures like pictionary to try to communicate with them, instead of with languages.
Jen is able depict what is going on to the lizards and they are able to fetch a witch doctor of some sort. A spineless, frillless, lizard comes into the long house bearing some herbs. She quickly mixes them into a fluid and pours them down Leorns throat.
None of them speak common but soon Kershak arrives and begins speaking with the doctor. He then looks too you. "Real ssayss Leorn will be fine." He looks to each of you. "Ssavelok iss ready to see you. Jusst the four of you. Come with me." Kershak leads the way. Do you follow?
Jen follows along, grateful for their treatment to Leorn and wanting to thank them for their help.
Aiden nods his thanks to Kershak and the medicine lizard. At the opportunity to meet the shaman, Aiden whispers to Dunnley, "If we don't come back in 2 hours, come save us."
Aiden takes Adina by the hand, if she allows it, and follows Kershak. He is clearly fearful of meeting the shaman on their own.
I go behind Jen putting my hand on her shoulder It's going to be fine give her the best reassuring smile I can even tho I'm filled with doubt.
Adina lets Aiden take her hand, strangely anxious. They were going to meet someone who could use magic, right, like Yalm? What if he didn't like them? She squeezes Aiden's hand to reassure herself.
Kershak leads the group to an old school, seriously old school elevator to take you up to the trees. The view is spectacular as you go up at least ten stories. Once you reach one of the higher branches, Kershak leads you out onto a walkway. You follow the walkway up even higher, it even bridges across an open span of about 300 some od feet with only a vines as guard rails.
If you look down at any point, you will notice it is a long way down. This lizard city is huge. Bigger than you could have imagined. The fact that it also goes into the canopy itself means that there could be more than 100,000 lizards living here.
Eventually you reach one of the thicker trees. Inside you find a winding stair leading up into the tree. It is a tiring climb as you procede up another five stories. Once again you exit out onto another walkway.
You follow this walkway abit and eventually find a spot with several platforms and sturdy looking bridges between them. You follow one of these wide bridges to what looks like a wall of willow braches. You pass through them into what appears to be a neighborhood in a tree. There are several huts up here and lots of lizards about.
Kershak leads you through this town hovering over 15 stories above the forest floor. It almost no longer feels as though you are this high. You find yourself at a the highest hut in this town. The smell of sweet incense fills the air as you approach.
The trip took in all about half an hour and you are a bit worn out from the hike. Kershak gestures for you to enter. "He wishess to meet with you alone."
If you go inside you see several cushions circling a floor table, one of those tables that is only two feet off the floor. Sitting at the table is a large frilled lizardman with twin crests atop his head. His eyes are pure white and his scales are an arrange of exotic patterns and colors. He speaks. "Please, have a sssseat. Tea will be ssserved. I requessst that you would drink it." As you take your seats, smaller lizardfolk, about two feat in height, scurry about putting wooden cups in front of you and then filling them with an odd smelling liquid. "I am Sssavelok. Oracle and ssseer of our tribe. Pleassse, introduce yoursselvess and your occupationsss if you pleasse."
Do you drink the tea? Do you give him the info he seeks?
The tea seems to slide down your throat. The flavor is strong spicy, not hot kind, more a tingle kind. It is followed by a sweet after taste. It is an addictive stuff too. You just seem to get over having this stuff in your mouth. It is gone fast and as soon as you finish you feel as though your mind just got washed. It takes only a second to recover but you know something is different.
Aiden makes a mental note of the trip up, hoping he can remember all the turns were they to need a quick getaway.
Upon reaching the Oracle's hut, Aiden enters solemnly and sits.
"Greetings Savelok. I am Aiden Frost and where I am from I am considered too young for an occupation. My days were spent in scholastic study."
Aiden is trying to sound intelligent as well as remain somewhat ambiguous. He continues talking so that he might have an excuse to decline the tea.
"I am curious as to what fascination my friends and I hold for you that you would honor us with an audience?"
Honored to meet you and my thanks for saving Leorn's life as I take a seat and nod in thanks to the little ones.
Smelling the tea for a moment Smells interesting giving it short sips but nonetheless drinking it fully I enjoy my tea Savelok what is it made of if you don't mind asking?
"I agree with Frank. Thank you very much for saving Leorn." Adina says before she finishes her cup. [b]"This is great! I'd love to know the recipe.
Jen comes in after the others, trying not to really impose or make much of a scene. She sits and listens to the others rave about the tea, but she doesn't try, since caffeine only makes one tired on a hike.
For the tea aficionados that haven't introduced themselves, here are Frank and Adina. I am Jen.
What do you mean by occupation?
"*hisssss* I will ssspeak only when you've finissshed the tea."
Jen takes a drink of the tea and pretends to enjoy it, not wanting to offend.
Perhaps she doesn't quite succeed, because she has a small involuntary spasm before downing all of the tea.
Aiden slams his tea like a shot; he tries hard not to let his frustration show.
The shaman angles his head so he can look at each of you. He speaks but in the hissing and snarling noises of the lizardfolk speech, however "So did you find the tea to your liking?" It sounded lizardy but you understand it. He continues in his native tongue. "It seems trust is going to be an issue for you in your adventures if you would so easily refuse an allies offering. Or maybe it is just bad manners." He lets out a heavy rumbling sigh. "What you have just drank is a herb of tongues. It enables you to understand languages you know but it requires certain intellect to work. The smarter you are, the more languages you will understand and can speak. Also, you can further study a language and may add it to your collection of languages in time. It only works if you have heard the language before. Also, when I asked about your occupation, I was curious what kind of work you did in your old world before coming to this one. I want to know more about you so I can understand what it was that Yalm had hoped to achieve by bringing you here to be sorcerers."
Languages now work normally with one exception. Any language you learn you must have heard at least one phrase. You now get a language for each modifier in intelligence you have. You can now take ranks in Linguistics and gain a language for them as normal. To roleplay this, simply have your character think on a language he/she has heard. Once they finish thinking on it, they will know the language. The following are the languages you have already heard. First you instantly have Liziak added for free. The other choices available to you are, Cherep, Dwarven, Delven, Gerkan, Orc, Pteron, or Relven. You can save ranks and spaces for future languages if you don't want any of the following.
"This is quite the gift. Thank you. I really must apologize. I do not mean to be rude, nor do I refuse your friendship. I guess it is in part our newness to this land, our percieved importance, and the fact that we have endured many attempts on our lives in the short time we've been here that I am so mistrusting. Please accept my sincere apology."
Aiden inclines his head to the shaman.
Thank you, wise shaman. I am Jen and I was only a student in the old world, but I liked to explore the woods. I'm not really sure what Yalm saw either, but he is a smart person and I'm sure there is a very good reason.
Jen tries to focus on learning Delven, but sadly her lack of super-intelligence made it difficult for the words to come to her mind. Perhaps later.
"I... I thank you, Savelok, like Aiden said... this is quite a gift. I'm not quite sure how to repay it, actually..."
"I was a student like Jen, and I liked learning the arts. I loved cooking, dancing, painting and playing instruments. In fact, when it came to painting, I was relentless in looking for the best view. I got stuck in a tree once trying to draw a lake how a bird would see it." She adds sheepishly.
Many thanks for the tea, I really enjoyed it even before I knew it's effects with a smile in my face a bow in respect to him.
I trained as a soldier and was a student in my world. I was a good reader and practiced my fighting skills with combat knife and guns similar to what the dwarfs carry but more powerful.
The shaman leans back and enters a trance like state. He begins to mutter to each of you.
@Aiden - "Fired blooded noble man. Your potential is limitless and the fire that is within you shall drive you to succeed."
@Jen - "Lover of green and the wilds. You are at home in these places. Many who have care for the wilderness have died or left, yet you may be the one to return them someday. The trees are your friends and the you may one day possess the power to awaken them to their former glory."
@Adina - You are a fine maiden of the stage and will be the warm glow of hope in the dark times ahead. It is your light that will aid in banishing the darkness and lift the spirits in others hearts."
@Frank - "You are strong and proud man. Your future is filled with glory and honor. You need only to seize it at the right times. You could be the change of the tide in this world and the future you hold their after will be of your own design."
Once the shaman hangs his head and sways it side to side. He then raises his head to examine you all. "Yalm lied to you. There is no prophecy concerning four sorcerers from another world. No prophecy at all. Yalm brought you here because people from your world have a natural connection to the spirits. I am not sure what motivation he had to bring you here. Maybe he does want to save this world. It interests me. Regardless. You are here now. Yalm is not. You must acquire more power in order fight Xivasar and prove your worth. If you do not, then what will you do?" He looks to each of you for an answer.
Aiden's jaw drops.
There is no prophecy? That was the one thing keeping me going..."
This place is so different. I could DIE here, have no way of going home, and no guide...
"Yalm told us that by defeating Xivasar, we would open a portal home. That's not true either is it? Of course it's not..."
A tear of stress rolls down Aidens set jaw line.
"Do or do not. There is no try."
Aiden chuckles half-heatedly.
"I will succeed. I have no other choice."