"Well as desolate as this place is its better with company."
Altair replies as Tarnia retrieves her drink.
"I'm glad it was acceptable, I gave it a bit more salt than was needed." The pale skinned man responds with a pleasant smile. His brow seeming to twitch as he watches Tarnia's crocodile approach
What does it want now. Coming to beg fo-
The man suppressing a sigh as he watches the crocodile nudge his master. Who was holding alcohol. Over a lit fire. In an awkward position.
Altair lunged forward to prevent anything unfortunate from happening.
"Careful. the man calls in warning.
-------
Altair took whatever watch others did not desire and woke with the dawning of the light. The man groaning and stretching giving whoever was on watch at the time a nod and humming a tune as he prepared a simple breakfast. The siren call of food eventually permeating the area.
”Oh, yeah,” Tarina muttered stepping to the side away from the open flame, noticing how close she was, ”I...ah...will call it a night.” Tarina wandered away from the fire, took her pack off hanging it on the nearest tree, and took out her bedroll. She laid it across the ground. She promptly took off her cloak and then her jacket revealing a dark crimson tunic, cut short at the bottom, and a buttoned down white shirt, soaked in dry blood. Tarina then took off her boots, climbed in her bedroll, and shortly thereafter fell asleep.
When Altair awoke, Tarina was gone. Shortly thereafter, he found that she had taken the last watch. Tarina looked his way and nodded response.
"I apologize for last night," Tarina whisered, "I...probably was drunk and I could have made things worse.
On hearing the woman speak Altair gave a light grin and shrugged. The bags under his eyes giving the impression that he hadn't gotten the best of sleep.
"Heh. If that is you when you are drunk then I have little to worry over. It was an accident and wasn't even your fault, i'm glad nothing happened. It would have been a shame to get burned before having to travel, they are some of the more painful and long lasting injuries you can obtain. Though I didn't get a chance to suggest it earlier the wounds you took last night look bad enough you might want them stitched. I could do that after breakfast if you'd like. Might also be wise to ask Orntorias for a use of that miracle stick of his. It was effective on mine after all."
Altair responds as he poked the pan of bacon hissing and spitting over the fire.
"Oh. How do you like your bacon?" He asks giving the pan a twist and pours the excess grease into a second pan sitting next to a few bowls and what looked to be materials for pancakes.
The human then looking over to the crocodile and sighing.
"You know glaring a hole in my arm isn't going to get me to drop the bacon." Altair commented as he juggled tasks.
Never mind how concerning it is to wake up with your mug glaring right next to me. I'm sleeping on a roof next time. No if only I could have gotten that watch to stop ticking I'd have been able to sleep better.
Orntorias is fidgety as he wakes and beings to reequip himself. "Which direction should we off to next. I do not wish to stay here any longer than is necessary."
Karthan spends most of the morning in deep meditation.
"Nice and crisp," Tarina replied, "An' about Moria, haven't the slightest what she thinks of you. For better or for worse I'll keep an eye out. Savvy?" Tarina retrieved her belongings, from the tree she had hanged them on the previous night, packed up her bedroll, pushed her arms through the sleeves of her jacket, and slung her cloak back over her shoulders. After she had done so, Tarina turned to Orntorias.
"Orntorias," Tarina uttered, "As for our heading, I say we try the bridge for starters. Then, from there find this shrine."
Altair rapidly cooks breakfast and pulls a few simple plates out of his pack gesturing to each of his companions as the meal is ready.
"Well its good to know you'll rescue me then. Perhaps you can convince Orntorias to let you sit on his shoulders when you do. Every white knight needs a similarly colored steed no? I shall have to wear my good bonnet. Oh and I have syrup or honey if you'd desire some. Perhaps a bit frivolous to take to such a place but flavorless meals are the best way to find life dull." The man teases with a grin on his face Altair before looking over to Orntorias
" If you know where we ought to head to then excellent. I'm of a similar opinion to Tarina. If we follow the bridge it will likely lead to something important. Though it may be a challenge to get back ontop of it and as was so solidly demonstrated yesterday there is significant danger in that path. I have no idea what shrine you speak of."
You find the beastman to be happily compliant Orntorias, as he is quiet dead. Moving closer you see his body partially covering a piece of parchment. Large, erratic handwriting reads "seek the shrine".
Before Altair had lifted the Beastmen off the table, Tarina stuck the piece of parchment in a secret pocket on her person.
"Sorry, guess Orntorias," Tarina retorted, pulling out parchment from inside a secret pocket on her person, holding it out so everyone could see, "No matter, Orntorias had found this piece of parchment on one of the late Beastmen." Tarina cleared her throat before reading the parchment, "In big bold letters, it reads: 'Seek the shrine.' Truthfully, I don’t know how wise it’d be to look for it. May as well be chasing a fairy tale."
Altair gives an amused hum before speaking. "Well thats certainly not ominous at all. Though I'd argue that we are already chasing a fairytale by trekking through this land. Why not add a message from a dead man. I doubt it would hurt at this point." The man casually breaking down his cooking tools and supplies as he waits for the hotter ones to cool off.
" It should make for an interesting tale to tell anyone else we encounter in these lands. Well assuming they don't try to kill us that is."
Tarina sighed deeply, Altair, ye are right, but it bothers me that the note was left for us to find.
”I ere ye. It’s a fool’s errand, but ere me out,” Tarina advised gesturing with her right hand while the other rested about her hip; she began to pace continuing her thought, ”fairy tale or not, who’d leave a note that twas not important? Furthermore, this shrine may be this world’s last refuge.” Tarina let her hands fall loose to her sides and began to inch towards the bridge and then stopped mid-stride. Tarina spun around to face Orntorias.
”Hey Orntorias, Tarina blurted, "Altair had said something about a miracle stick. Ye have it handy? My wounds haven’t had time heal completely nor have Moria’s.”
"Hmm. I did find such a paper." He produces the hastily scrawled note. [/b]"I thought it the unimportant ramblings of beasts. I did keep it to be safe."[/b] With a small shrug he places the note back into a small pouch. "There are no shrines to be seen here." He says rather hollowly.
Without other words he produces a small length of wood and offers it to Tarina.
Tarina takes the stick from Orntorias and examined it. Tarina immediately recognized it as a wand; she read the runes casting Cure Light Wounds on herself.
Tarina then uses the wand on Moria Jr.
Now since that's settled. I won't need the wand's magic until later.
"Orntorias," Tarina stated handing the wand back to Orntorias, "Ere's ye's wand back. Thank ye, for allowing me to use it."
After she had done so, she straightened herself.
"Now then, Tarina chriped, "all of ye, ready to go?"
Altair frowns lightly as he packs his cooking gear away after cleaning it all with fire. " Fate seems to take a heavy hand to souls such as our own. We may yet end up at this shrine, hopefully discovering its importance before it bites us in the hindquarters. The one who left that note knew how to write, I suspect there are a few beastmen out here who are even friendly. Perhaps this shrine is such an inhabited place." the man finally removing the cooking frame he had used and shaking ash from it as it returns to the form of an off color iron rod.
" I am ready whenever we wish to depart. I'd say at the very least we will need to cross the bridge to the other side of the canyon. If the dragon returns we will want to run for cover and try to stay downwind. Last time I noticed it was leaking some kind of spore as it flew. I'm fairly certain its poisonous in some manner."
"Altair has a point," Tarina explained, "we cannot risk going all guns-a-blazing."
I suggest that we have a steel shank at our rear and head," she insisted, without missing a heartbeat, "then, Altair, Moria Jr., and I will fill in between. Savvy?" A most wise strategy, if do say so myself, she sighed, hopefully, our luck turns around for the better.
Orntorias stands ready to move out. "Very well. I shall cover our rear." He grasps his weapon and holds it aloft. "Heel." He growls softly as Sif pads next to him.
"Let us be off then" Karthan says as his bones crack when he gets up. "Death and dismemberment a no more or less unpleasant when it comes to find you."
"Moria! Bei Fuß!" Tarina commanded.
"Karthan, if ye please, lead the way," Tarina cooed, "and may the odds be ever in our favor."
The group makes the short trip to the cliff edge where they had spotted the rope bridge. They can see now that there is a series of plank platforms with additional shacks built into the cliff wall, hanging precariously over the expanse. Swaying gently beyond is the bridge.
"Ah, precarious buildings over a deepo drop. Exactly the thing I was expecting." Karthan says going through his pack and considering the options.
Altair sighs as he looks to the swaying platforms and then down into the descent.
" Well If measures call for it I have a method of flushing out any ambushes waiting for us assuming we face more beastmen or other breathing foes. A wall of smog I can see through and control. It is also highly toxic and likely to inflict lasting damage on those who remain inside it. If they've sense they would seek to escape it and any ambush they'd prepared spoiled." The man states as he looks over the village ahead of them. One gloved hand gripping the hilt of his dagger his voice seeming far away.
"I'll use it to block sight on our approach. The toxins in the fog would kill the young, infirm or weakened. I assure you it is disconcertingly effective at that and I refuse to have that blood on my conscious. If you must enter it for some reason be sure to hold your breath."
"Funny that ye should mention that," Tarina interupted, after Altair said 'spoiled', "When I was rapscallion, roughly seven winters ago, a band of rogues and I carried out a well-thought ambush in a village similar this, but that's a story for another time."
Those were the glory days when I had no taste of love or a care in the world, Tarina sighed, however, looking back, I was too foolish, too trigger happy, and worst of all, I was a black-hearted slut. Heh, I may have been as bad-to-the-bone as our leader which is saying something. To this day, she has resented her past, and since then, she has tried to do better. After he had finished speaking, she continued.
"I hear ye," Tarina grimaced, "killing innocents, it'd not be in our bes' interest. 'Cept, what choice do we have?" Tarina sighed before continuing.
"I hate to say this, but I guess one could walk in alone and try talking to them," she suggested, "and to be fair I'd not ask any of ye to go in me stead."
"Hmm. A good trick for these dark times." Orntorias states after a moment of thought as he gives Altair a soft clap on the shoulder. "Lead on. We shall be careful to not succumb to your smoke."
Altair nods to Orntorias before turning to Tarnia.
"Yes, I used to say such things myself. It is easy. So very easy to give up your choice in the matter and let the path you walk flow red. For king, for country, for vengeance." A glance out to the hanging village breaking his words.
" I make no demands of you and will do my best to not let my preferences get in the way of our travels. I will give no quarter to the enemies who seek us. Just know I will not permit myself the luxury of considering my enemies unfeeling monsters, all are equal in the eyes of the sun. If a path of peace is available I'd prefer to seek it." The black clad man taking point in the group and readying himself for the travel.
" My smog will not defend us from traps, I will keep it somewhat ahead of us so keep an eye out for any snares."
"Altair," Tarina mumbled so that only he could hear, "Katarina, that's me full name. Of all people, I thought that ye should know. Truthfully, I will support ye either way. I to know what it is like to swim in a sea of blood and hate."
Tarina sighed.
"If it'll keep us safe," Tarina surrendered, "then, I'm fine..." Tarina stopped mid-sentence as if she was withholding something she may regret saying.
Altair gives the woman a quirked brow but says nothing else We all have our secrets. If she wishes to tell me I imagine she will do so.
The man grabs adjusts the straps of his pack and sighs "Once we get closer to the town I shall activate my power.
The party descends into the maze of planks and catwalks with Altair summoning a plague-cloud to clear the path as they go. They quickly pass the lip of the canyon and are no longer able to see the horizon - their world is now relegated to the immediate area and no more.
Despite the winds that occasionally batter the party Altair is able to control his fog, pushing it into crevices and crannies. Anywhere that could conceal a potential threat. Fortunately for the former Blooded there are none to be found as the gently swaying huts are devoid of any life or even corpses.
As they make their way downward the party sees that there are a series of primitive paintings done on the canyon wall so that they loom over the village. The more observant of you recognize a drawing vaguely similar to the causeway from earlier in the scenery leading you to suspect that these paintings may be a recording of some war that broke out in the forbidden lands. Two armies are shown, one depicted as massive beast or lycanthrope like creatures while the other is embodied by a faceless host of armored warriors. The only other thing that draws your eye is a section that paints the battle itself; horrible and bloody with the beasts being cut down in swathes. Only when the valley is shown tearing apart do the tides turn as a colossal creature made of living stone crawls from the earth and sets upon the armored warriors. The painting shows the beasts having been victorious in that battle, but your gaze remains drawn to the colossus. Somehow looking at it fills you with unease though you are compelled to do so regardless. Particularly at a point on its back where there is a spot of light in an otherwise dark and twisted battlefield.
Besides the painting there looks to be a number of inscriptions on the wall, perhaps further describing the piece. Unfortunately, none of you recognize the language immediately. .
The winds around you have died down as you gaze at the painting and are beginning to change in timbre, sounding almost like faint chanting or a group of voices otherwise speaking in unison.
"Horrifying."Orntorias mutters aloud as he runs a hand along the great beast of stone, pausing on the spot of light. "I would shudder to think of facing such a creature." He says a little clearer, but his voice sounds less fearful and more anticipatory than the situation would seem to call for.
"A sentient golem of sorts," Tarina guessed, her gaze fixed on the stone colossus-like creature. Tarina was awestruck with size and power.
"Heck, I'd rather die by it," Tarina scoffed, in an attempt to lighten the mood, "Then, to have been mauled to death by a beastman."
Perception
Karthan observes the painting closely though he seems mostly unperterbed by the bizarre and bloody imagery. "Why the emphasis on the ebasts back. A weakness? A control point? Or purely an artists interpretation of something other?"
Altair frowns as he looks at the depicted creature "Well I can't say that is very encouraging as it seems to imply that it is an ally of the beastmen. As to the spot on its back I'd guess it to be a source of power or the artists cultures method of indicating its invulnerable or all powerful.
The mans face twists into concern for a moment "Do any of you hear that chanting on the wind? We should likely keep moving, it would not do for any beastmen to cut the bridge before we can got to the other side of the canyon."
You don't recall any information about that creature, based on your roll
The chanting intensifies for a split-second before disappearing completely. The silence is even more unnerving. Something is definitely happening, you can feel it in your bones!
Altair frowns seeing nothing approach. "Something just happened, the chanting stopped. Be on your guard."
He gestures and his plague cloud moves further on the path.
I don't know what just occurred but we likely don't want to get caught on the bridge.
Orntorias stops and casts a look around."Something is not right. Be wary." he states. He readies his weapon against anything that might be coming.
Altair moves the cloud and Ontorias takes up a guarded stance.
You feel a passing wave of compulsion suddenly strike you and for a moment you lose your sense of self. When you recover you get the sense that only your strong willpower saved you from something terrible.
Tarina draws her bow holding the grip tightly in clenched right hand. She takes out an arrow and gripping the shaft tightly in her left.
"Moria, bleibe," Tarina commanded, "Beschütze mich. Lassen Sie keine meiner Seite!"
"Avast ye, our enemies lurk amongst shadows," Tarina declared, "Together we stand, divided we fall. Can't let 'em bring the fight to us, but in case they do we can't let 'em take us dead or alive."
Round 1
Seeing that his apprehension was apparently unfounded Orntorias lowers his guard, keeping his weapon out and readied but no longer in a defensive stance. "It would seem this land has gotten to me. Apologies." He keeps a wary eye out for danger but continues to walk with Altair.
For a split-second you think you hear a woman's echoed scream coming from a building about 25 feet away from you.
You see no signs of a spell being cast other than Altair's fog
There continues to be no immediate source to the sense of dread some have felt.
"Did you guys hear that?" Tarina panicked, trying to make sense of it, "I thought I heard someone screaming..." She paused pointing at the building 25 feet in front of her. Something didn't feel quite right to her.
Some better not be playing tricks on me, Tarina groaned, I'm not in the mood for games.
Round 2
"I did not hear anything." Orntorias says as he turns his head towards the building, curious. "We should investigate none the less." He begins to move towards the building.
" Fair enough, to the building then." Altair follows pushing his cloud forward as he does.
Putting aside their reservations the party heads towards the building indicated by Tarina. It's a small lean-to, big enough only for a few people to live in comfortably. A quick investigation, however, shows that there is no one inside.
You feel an icy stab of sorrow making straight from your heart but you are able to recognize it as an outside feeling and guard yourself from it.
"Strange," Tarina muttered when they found the lean-to empty, "I swear I heard someone scream..." Just then she felt and icy stab of sorrow, but she did recognize it as her own emotions. Someone is playing tricks on us, Tarina grunted, I just hope the rest of the party has not had any mishaps.
"We're being played!" Tarina exclaimed, "Someone's playing mind tricks on us. Jus now, I had another tried on me. I don't know 'bout the rest of ye, but may be bes if we skedaddle." She hated being powerless more than anything, and who or whatever was out there was starting to get on her nerves.
"It may be best." Orntorias agrees.
You do not see anything particularly noteworthy in the lean-to.
The Inheritor's decide to make their visit to the lower village as short as possible. Making it to the rope bridge their confidence wanes, however. Time has taken its toll, and the rope on the bridge is frayed and wooden planks have fallen out in places. Crossing will require caution.
"We should tread carefully. I shall bring the rear as I fear my weight may be my undoing." Orntorias says as he steps to one side.