"I see. I can see how the lure of a long lost city ruled by a sorcerer might elicit some interest." he smiles wryly.
"So, how did you build these so fast? I assume it's some sort of magic, but I'll admit I'm not well versed in traditional magics."
As the others were handling the thier own antics, Cooper mingles among the merchants, taking in some of the sights.
paying particular attention to any of the ladies. at the same time listening to conversations, taking note of attitudes. towards this group as well as each other.
You notice that there are quite a few adventuring parties, just like yours. They tend to be mainly friendly with members of the same group, and are avoiding others. Mainly, you are seen as just more competition...
However that doesn't stop some dwarven women from taking an interest in you.
"I see. I can see how the lure of a long lost city ruled by a sorcerer might elicit some interest." he smiles wryly.
"So, how did you build these so fast? I assume it's some sort of magic, but I'll admit I'm not well versed in traditional magics."
The man nods. "Aye, these wizards sprung some of these building out from the dust! Others used telekinesis and the like to move heavy materials. It took not more than a few hours."
"Wow! Looks like you guys have everything well in hand then. Thanks for the chat, I'll leave you to your work."
And Agnir then turns on his heel and heads towards where Alkyd went.
Cooper stops once he realizes one of the dwarven ladies has shown an interest.
Good day ladies, Lovely day today, isn't it. Captain Alistair Cooper, Sothis Militia. he says introducing himself with a touch of gentlemanly flair.
"A captan you say?" She turns to her friends and giggles, before looking back at you, stepping close. "And a handsome one at that! Tell me, Mr. Cooper, what brings a strong, handsome man such as yourself to this island?"
And to move things along...
And as the bard gets the details of where the dwarven lady will be staying for the next few nights, you all meet up with Alkyd.
"I was flying overhead on the island while you all were fooling around," she explains. "Turns out, I know exactly which way to go, but have no idea what to expect when we get there. Here's the thing. I saw a large formation of ricks in the shape of a grinning face!"
After about thirty minutes of walking, you eventually find that the jungle has started to clear, and you are presented with large flesh colored obelisks* which Andross tells you made up the grinning face formation that marked the spot you were supposed to search.
Strangely enough, when you look past the outermost obelisks, you notice that all the grass on the ground suddenly... stops. Everything beyond the point where the obelisks are seems dead in a sense and you even notice that the leaves in the air strangely never seem to be blown into the area.
"A small formation of Ricks? Is that an odd term for an army?"
*30 minutes later*
"Ohhhhhhh..."
"That's...disturbing."
"I was flying overhead on the island while you all were fooling around," she explains.
"Perhaps I won't mention the lich. I don't want to bore her with tales of my foolish en devours" Ransaq thinks to himself, offended at the vampires assumptions.
"Wait here if you like, I'm going to have a closer look". Moving quietly, Ransaq scouts the area.
Having made small talk with the dwarven ladies. Cooper bid his farewell and was soon off. confident he has secured a safe place to rest, at least for the next few nights, should the need arise.
It was a shame that his advice went unheeded by the others. a safe base to fall back to is always a good thing. after all it will be in this town that we would be bringing any goods we may obtain.
Cooper finds his way to the rest of the group. a smile on his face. so, what have we found? something interesting I hope.
Cooper goes to investigate one of the fleshy obelisks.
Thule will call upon Nethys' blessed sight to see if there are any magicks in the area.
Agnir inspects the fleshy obelisks...from a safe distance.
The obelisks don't appear to be special, save for the fact that they are made of skin.
As for those who detect magic, well, you are nearly BLINDED by a wall of powerful magic that seems to be coming from the obelisks as well as the perimeter they inhabit. There seems to be a whole mess of different auras, but those that are most notable are illusion and conjuration.
Ransaq spends a moment to try to identify the auras.
"This place has been blessed by my lord. We should tread carefully."
"There are more aura's here than I can even count. I've never seen anything like it..." Ransaq says in amazement.
"This place has been blessed by my lord. We should tread carefully."
"And what gives you that impression?"
Agnir, you notice that the sandy bank I mentioned that is near the center of the entire facelike structure... and it is not the same kind that you may find at a beach. In fact, it looks more like degraded sandstone, the type you might use for building temples.
"Hm. That sand is a bit odd. Looks more like sandstone than anything. Could be our way in, I think."
Cooper was still focused on the obelisks made of flesh.
he lays his hand on one wondering if it is warm, does it "feel" alive?
pulling out a small blade he makes a tiny cut, wondering if it bleeds.
Cooper, Cooper, Cooper... Oh boy, hold on...
As Alistair decided to slice open the column, a stream of thick, black blood begins to form into the shape... Of a huge, four armed, towering monstrosity, with pincers making up two of those hands and smaller, more humanoid hands making up the other two. It looks at you Alistair and lets out a booming laugh before saying something in Abyssal.
Agnir slowly backs away from Alistair.
As the creature forms Cooper takes a few steps back. hand on his pistol, ready to draw.
Ahhhh, Improtant Safety tip, Don't cut the obelisk.
No idea what this is Alistair.
The creature twists its monstrous lips into a smile, and all of you suddenly hear a maniacal voice in all your heads (No worries about language).
"The rest of you may leave peacefully... but the human who summoned me is mine."
Ahhh, yeah, about this "summoning" thing? I do believe there is some misunderstanding, I don't have the, ahhh, shall we say, ability, to summon one such as you. perhaps you were in fact imprisoned there by someone else, and I have set you free to return to home.
As he speaks he continues to back up making sure he he making for the fastest possible way out of any "protected" area.
Oh, as you back up, the beast is following you, step by step. The voice rings out in your mind again.
"You made the cut on the pillar, did you not? If so, YOU summoned me. But fear not mortal, I come with good tidings. You summoned me here and thus you are mine... and I am yours. We are connected you see, and thus I offer you the gift of one wish. I will offer anything in my power. Say it... and it shall be done. But do not wait... ask me... now."
"And what gives you that impression?"
"I have used the sight of my lord, and his power flows mightily in this area. Such workings are not easily done."
........................................................................
"Hellbeast, return from whence you came and trouble us no more!"
Bellows Thule as he levels his staff at the demon.