That's what we know them as Drak responds.
Presumably they are created after a deepest wish or desire is granted, but for what purpose is unknown. When they take that form their power is great, but fortunately our little group here has proven quite formidable itself. Once defeated they drop those orbs.
Drak will pick up the one that has fallen, bracing himself for what might come.
Drak picks up the orb and begins to see flashes of images, he sees Chamarel as it was long ago. There isn't much in the way of a village and the coloured with us more vibrant than it is today. A town starts to grow in the blink of an eye and much of the vegetation is leaving or being cut down. The next time you blink you are walking through a forest of nothing but tree stumps, your vision blurred by tears being held back. You see your hand, a hand with thick fingers run across some of the tree stumps. The next blink sees an axe you are wielding crash into a house shattering it, farmers and peasants coming in to stop you. The smell of sugar rushes through your nostrils as you can see the sugar fields set alight.
The next blink, you are in a prison, tied to a bench. You feel your hands loosen up. A purposeful pace can be heard on cobble stone, a man-in-white appears before you. Clad in white finery and a white tall hat. You begin to stutter "The land... it weeps, can you save it?"
The man nods he clicks his fingers and you find yourself in a plot of land, that is naught but earth. Next to the man is an ornate fountain, with three layers, first one is a circular tub about 10 feet wide, it has small openings at the base to let water come out. There is a pedestal in the centre that is holding another circular tub about 5 feet wide that is overflowing with water. This layers is feeding the bottom one. Lastly there is another pedestal on this layer with a fountain spout at the top that is releasing water into the layer below it. The man-in-white says "This is a fountain of life, it will bring you much joy. The trees shall forever grow in this glade, so long as this fountain produces water."
Hands come to rub your eyes with disbelief and you ask. "What glade?" Around the base of the fountain black seeds plant into the ground and trees instantaneously start to grow. You pick up one of these seeds before it sprouts and out of your hands a small dwarf child is left in your hands. You laugh heartily, as if a great weight has been lifted off your shoulders. Then, the vision ends.
Rybal spits, unable to hide his disdain of the Man in White.
No matter what else we've seen, he is the monster--he takes good folks, promises what they want most in life and twists it to suit his own goals. He's worse than a coward, worse than a poisoner--he's a man of false hope, preying on the weak. We need to find him, now.
"So what happens now, Dilong? You're free, but trapped far from home. And it seems difficult to travel anywhere through these magical caverns that we are in."
If he wants to come along with us, get revenge for what was done to him, I wouldn't say no.
Drak does indeed relate what he saw.
Twisting the desires of those he meets, turning them into monsters or worse. Glimpsing the past as if you are reliving it. It's cruel. He will find justice. Drak says out loud once he has recovered from the vision.
Drak will question Dilong about Qanickir, if he has heard or seen him during his imprisonment here.
Replying to Malthu Dilong says "I shall stay here, as much as I am inclined to take revenge like your friend says. I am in no state to even attempt that, I have not rested in years and feel like I should." Dilong starts to curl up in a comfortable state, like a snake coiling around its egg.
With his head now resting on his body Dilong says to Drak. "I have seen Qanikcir, she has occasionally come by here. She has distracted the guards to connect with me, she was able to telepathically communicate with me. She is trying to stop the man-in-white from what I understand. I do not know where she goes beyond this jungle but I know her main reason to visit here other than me is to attempt to make the son of the dwarf see the falsehoods of this place. I don't think she was successful."
Great, another enemy to deal with. And we killed his father. In a way this could be the most dangerous enemy we've made yet.
I just have one last question, any idea where Qanikcir went to next?
That, that is an excellent question.
Dilong nods "Yes the dwarf had a son, he never visited me. His father would talk about him a lot. About how he was growing, and how he wants to see the world outside the jungle. I am unsure why his father held him here."
Dilong then thinks about the question Drak poses. "She said she is entering a dark door, to a land of ice. One with frozen tundras as far as they eyes could see. Does that help?"
So, do we search for this bloody dwarf, or go freeze looking for Qanikcir? I think we have enough babies to guard for now--the sooner we leave here the better.
Qanikcir, definetely Qanikcir... but I can't help thinking that name is an Anagram or Palindrome - its just too awkward otherwise, says the Elven arcanist.
Well at least Rikaku might feel at home Drak grumbles, taking one last look around. Though I do wonder what will happen to this place now that Dilong is freed.
The group bids Dilong farewell, he bids you luck on your journey and hopes that you will all be kept safe in the coming future. The group returns to the doorway with the opening that is pitch black. Malthu as stated before marks a tree or the wall nearby with the symbol that Qanikcir said to leave behind. The group the all pass through the threshold and continue in.
They are greeted by a chill wind that hits them hard as they pass over. They see a frozen tundra in front of them across a large expanse of land. In the centre of this area is a small mountain that disappears into the clouds above it. A starlit sky is cradling the land in darkness but the group can see the fires of camps off in the distance. There are 2 camps that they see illuminated by light, to the east of the mountain there is a camp with furs protecting tents and another that is nested in the base of the mountain away from the harsh winds. The group also sees off to the west a herd of large mammoths migrating across the land. Beyond the mountain the group can see a sparse forest with a lake.
When the group turns around to see the doorway they see that it is still there, just a pitch black cave. Presumably there are more in this area that look like the one they came through. The group is starting to wonder how there exists quite so many climates next to a volcano, or why nobody in Chamarel has mentioned them before.
Rikaku is rather quiet as the group speaks with Dilang. He's obviously distracted - both by Drak's retelling of the orb's vision but also with the small kobold child that he had inadvertently borne. The dwarf mistfiend's 'child' seemed to be spontaneously generated just as this little one had been as well... and Rikaku wonders if the Man in White wouldn't have some horrible connection to it.
In the end, the kobold is not really one for such morose dreams, and so hurriedly shoves the thoughts away as he joins the others in the trek back across the jungle and into the tundra. Rikaku makes sure the baby is well rugged up and snuggled away in his scarves as they pass through the dark tunnel, unsure if it would be able to withstand the chill as he could.
"Rikaku much more like this place than jungle," he chirps up. The others might be shivering, but Rikaku shows no sign of being affected. Indeed, he seems somewhat invigorated by the cool conditions. He scans the distance, particularly the two camp sites in view. "Maybe see camps first?" he asks the group with a shrug. "Then can find black cave from them."
This is a powerful magic indeed, says Variel, awed.
He checks the outside of the gate again, detecting magic and trying to work out how it was done, certain that it is not home they have returned to but a new and distant location.
Knowledge Arcane
Rybal breathes deeply of the frigid air, lungs stinging. He looks to the casters of the group, alternating between them.
Rikaku, you have any magicks that can keep us warm? Or does anyone have a torch? This cold'll creep in fast. I think we should make for that camp and see if they have fire and food, and friendly intentions.
Rybal tries to note the direction of the winds, keeping in mind his training and hoping to avoid the worst of the climate conditions.
The cold means that Variels enthusiasm for his investigations cools as rapidly as his body temperature drops and his investigations and recollections are at best, poorly performed.
He tucks his head down like Rybal shows him and uses some loose clothing from his pack to improve hat and ear coverings, even so, it is bitter cold.
Lets hurry to that camp then, he says, his ardor for the magic used to bring them here all but replaced by his urgent desire for warmth and shelter.
Definately check out the camps Drak agrees.
If we need refuge from this weather it's our best bet. I would not want to be on the flat frozen tundra.
Rybal wraps himself up warm and gives out pointers to the group on how to keep the heat pumping through their body with minimal heat loss. Rikaku glosses over everything he is saying as he feels right at home in this weather. Variel and Rikaku at Rybal's behest lights some torches that are just strong enough to keep the group warm but quite enough to light the way if it gets dark.
Variel is unsure what spell exactly could cause a place like this, though he knows that it is based at least on some terraforming magic. It requires magics of ritual strength. Far greater than the 4th circle.
The group all agrees to head to the closest camp they trudge through the cold hoping to get out of the howling winds as soon as they can.
Thanks to the Rybal's instruction the group gets by with little hassle, they arrive at the game within a half hour of walking. The group passes the time by talking to one another about previous adventures.
Once the group arrives they see the camp is all but desolate, there is 5 tents in all covered in Furs. They are relatively large tents, about a head taller than the two half-orcs. They are circular at their base and form a dome which is what is covered in Fur. There are only 3 inhabitants here and they are all sat around the fire in the centre of the camp. A set of humanoid creatures with glazed bovine eyes and a bull-head. With the torso of a muscular human, these beasts are covered with thick, shaggy fur from the waist down. Its gnarled and callused hands grip the haft of a massive axe, the edge stained from the blood of its previous foes.
Off the the side there are 2 Aurochs tied up in a pen eating out of bags.
Whomever has the shard can feel it pulse in their pack or pocket. Taking it out the shard is glowing a faint green light, signifying that one of the portals Elrohir talked about is nearby.
Wary of these new creatures Drak thinks about what these creatures might be.
Drak realises that these creatures are minotaurs.
One of the minotaurs around the fire rises as he sees Malthu drawing up his axe. The minotaur is surprised to see Malthu in this cold. The minotaur grunts and the other two turn the upper halves of their bodies to look at Malthu. The one standing says in a gruff low voice. "I see no harm in that. Don't touch anything that doesn't belong to you and we shall have no qualms traveller." The other two shift over to give some room for the group by the fire.
One of the other minotaurs is curious and asks. "What are travellers doing here, with nothing to protect their soft pink skin from the cold?"
Variel's eyes go wide at the sight of the massive creatures but does nothing that is threatening.
We ask ourselves that same question... we are here but by what means we know not. We seek someone and this search has led us through many strange places. This being one of them.
We thank you for your gift of fire, perhaps we can negotiate on shelter? I am a healer of some ability if this is a skill that is needed among you.
Drak is staying perhaps uncharacteristically silent, prehaps still wary and feeling slightly intimidated by the creatures he knows as minotaurs. He concentrates on understanding these creatures and perhaps gleaming information about what they are thinking.
The one that addressed you initially leans in when he hears that Variel can offer healing. "Really? We do not need it right now but we don't know much about how to heal our own wounds when we fight other tribes or mammoths in the area. We let it heal up slowly on our own. Is is just shelter you are after?"
Drak doesn't understand much about what they could be thinking though at base level they feel scared
information would be good to have - where are we, who are the peoples and tribes of the area and we may have some questions for you regarding a man clad in white. as for shelter? If we could use one of your tents for the night it would be more than acceptable.
Rikaku seems rather buoyant as they cross the snowy expanse, although it's nevertheless clear he's holding himself back for the sake of the baby kobold that he still cradles. He makes sure the little koboldling is wrapped up tight in warmth and restrains his urges to go dig or roll around in the snow.
He eyes the minotaurs up carefully, taking a seat near the rest of the party but as far away from the fire as he can manage. "Rikaku no have pink skin," he declares sullenly, but not so loudly to interrupt the conversation.
His next question is louder, directed towards the minotaurs this time. "Rikaku also wonder, somewhere maybe there is strange dark cave here? Maybe go through is strange place beyond?"
Hail, friend, we accept your hospitality in good faith. Rybal stows his shield and weapons and approaches the speaking Minotaur with hand outstretched, to show no weapons bared and to shake hands. His hand is steady, though the frost gnaws at his ungloved fingers.
Though some of us are pink-skinned, and most of them are small and frail, don't let my companions' looks deceive you. They are strong, and skilled, and I am proud to stand with them. Their magic is strong, too--they can disappear, make you bigger, stronger, and yes, Variel here can heal your wounds with a touch. They are useful allies, and dangerous enemies. We will help you with what you need, so long as you share your fire with us. Perhaps a bit of strong drink, too, if you've any to spare.
"This snowy place we call Hoenheim. It is the whole world around us, the tribes are other ragebloods like ourselves. We vie for control of our patch of land, lest the other tribes take it from us. Our kinsmen hunt while we stand guard, if we are attacked our battlecry can be heard for miles around." The minotaur speaks quite proudly of this, there was no coaxing it out of him as he seemed more than happy to speak fondly of his people and the area.
"If you show us a bit of how to heal ourselves you are more than welcome to stay the night." One of the minotaurs says while scratching his chest.
The Minotaurs then deliberate amongst themselves about a legend for a moment before answering one of Variel's questions. "We know not of a man in white, though that is perhaps because we know of something by a different name. We know of a tale about the White Mage, a mythical man who plays a flute that is a sword. He walks the lands completely veiled by the snow, those dumb enough to fight him are cut down within moments. It is but a legend though, I can't say I have ever seen such a mage."
The Minotaurs shake their heads at Rikaku "There are caves but not like you describe, not that we are aware of."
One of the Minotaurs goes into a tent and returns with a water skin, he hands it to Rybal. "Drink, if you feel like your blood is thick enough!" The minotaur smirks enthusiastically.
Lastly to reply to Malthu one of the minotaurs says "It takes half a day to travel Hoenheim, the edges are surrounded by impassable rock and those that attempted haven't returned. We have lost a few brave calves to those adventures."
Variel will spend a few hours teaching them what he can[/b]
The minotaur points towards a tent. "That tent there has a magic circle of some kind, it felt important, I was not sure why it did but we defend it. I don't know how to use it but we don't want the other tribes to get a one up on us. Do you know how to use it?" It asks curiously.
The other minotaurs laugh at the prospect of the legend being true. "Ah yes and they say that mountains can explode into a fiery inferno. We'll believe it when we see it."
The minotaurs listen intently and take mental notes about the things that Variel is teaching them. One in particular asks a lot of questions and is quite enthusiastic about it. Once Variel has taught all he could in the small amount of time given the minotaurs show the group to the tent with the magic circle, it looks like the one from the tower. Same base pattern but different stroke finishes in the rune again. There are several hammocks strewn about, they are fairly large likely due to normally housing minotaurs. The hammocks look comfortable enough however.
One of the Minotaurs goes into a tent and returns with a water skin, he hands it to Rybal. "Drink, if you feel like your blood is thick enough!" The minotaur smirks enthusiastically.
Rybal smiles a tusked grin and downs the contents of the waterskin.
Drak not nearly having the fortitude of a trained Half-orc warrior will stay away from the drink unless pressed. He will only drink if asked, not wanting to seem cowardly in front of these minotaurs.
I for one would not mind a rest.
Rybal downs the content of the waterskin, feeling a kick as strong as a horse hitting him in the face. There is barely any taste but it doesn't matter at this point, the strength feels refreshing after a day of travel and hardship.
Despite the strength of the drink Rybal finishes his drink wiping his mouth. The Minotaur nods at him and smiles, clearly impressed by how Rybal can hold his own.
"Few of us can drink that much in one go, I hope your stomach doesn't hate you later" The Minotaur laughs heartily for Rybal.
"Rikaku can maybe talk Korina about baby," the kobold chirps up. "Rikaku no know how to care for baby... if fight Man In White how also protect for baby too?"
Maybe a trip back to town would be best if we could manage it then, I for one need rest.