Toki shakes his head, Golden spire seems to stand out, but it means nothing to me...
"It's like it's something I should know..."
"The Golden Spire." Rilkus intoned with authority. "It is..."
History
"I know nothing of this Golden Spire. What is it"?
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Toki remembers a Golden Spire, but that was little more than a rather rundown and dingy brothel in the Barsellan district of Whore's Lot. He recalls the rather rotund and gap toothed proprietress. The big woman hired Toki to entertain folks as they waited in the small bar and common area. Beordt she hired as a bit of extra security. Things ended badly when the woman shorted Toki out of two weeks pay. She'd claimed he'd taken the coin out in special favors from the girls. The accusation was, of course, completely untrue at least according to the bard. Beordt recalls the place quite fondly, but neither can see what possible link the place could have to a bottle found here.
Dacknar knows of the place as well. He also knows its reputation among the hardy sailors of the Free City at the Edge of the World and which apothecaries one usually needed to visit if foolish enough to spend time under Madam Desdemona's leaky roof.
Lilly, having been shipwrecked for quite some time and with only a single religious text to read during that time, can only think of the Spiraling Spires of Secrets. A series of great red spiraling stones created by Eshu to record all of the whispered secrets and stories of Midgard. According to the tale as recorded in the Tricksters Gospel a legion of eavesdropping birds of all varieties listen at windows, doorways, while flitting along, anywhere and everywhere gathering secrets and then whisking them away to the great rose red stones where they are etched for eternity by a the smirking god. Although and interesting tidbit, this again, seems to have little relation to the words recorded upon the bottle.
When he first hears the words, Rilkus doesn't really respond. Instead there is a loud whirring sound followed by a rather ominous clacking originating from the back of the ironforged dwarf's head. This whir and clack cacophony continues for many seconds and causes the dwarf to vibrate like an over charged lightning rat. Finally, the noise comes to an end and the dwarf's eyes light up with sudden understanding and revelation.
The Golden Spire of Roomtoofoo of Gala'ikos. A massive steeple of crystal, glass, and gold that towered over the palace of one of the mightiest titan mages to ever stride the lands of Glorious Umbuso. The powerful archmages palace was a thing of wonder and glory filled with the riches of his travels, oddities of his experiments, and his most favored servants from among his human, gnoll, minotaur, and dwarven worshippers. Legend has it that as the great empire and rule of the titans crumbled, Roomtoofoo devised a plan to save his most beloved home and people. Using the massive arcane energies generated by the great web of ley lines harnessed by Glorious Umbuso, the archmage was able to transport the entirety of his palace complex, servants, guardians and all into a stable, everlasting, pocket dimension accessible only by Roomtoofoo and those he designated.
As time passed and the ongoing wars that ultimately destroyed the titan empire wore on, Roomtoofoo spent more and more time within his isolated realm and its fanatic followers. Years, decades, centuries would pass before the archmage was seen among the gatherings of his people. But it was during one such sojourn outside the safety of his palace, that Roomtoofoo met his doom. An ancient dragon ambushed and killed the titan in a devastating battle that reshaped entire regions of the continent. Upon Roomtoofoo's death, no one knew what became of the Great Golden Spire and all of its riches. Only that is was housed in a rather plain looking object of little anticipated value.
Over the years legends of the Golden Spire of Roomtoofoo have surfaced every few decades as treasure hunters, historians, cultists, and religious or historical scholars thought they had a brush with or lead on the whereabouts of the wonder only to discover them to be false. Although a few small few were never heard from again...
"It is the Golden Spire of Roomtoofoo of Gala'ikos. We will know it, because it is said to be a massive steeple of crystal, glass and gold that towers over the palace of a mighty titan mage, which in turn is filled with the spoils of a lifetime of travel and experiments. It is said to be filled by his worshipers, be then human, gnoll, minotaur or dwarf. It is protected by having created a pocket dimension powered by ley lines. Roomtoofoo sheltered there as the titan empire fell, until he was ambushed and killed by a dragon. Upon his death, it became unknown what came of the Golden Spire and the riches within. Only that rumors have surfaced every few decades."
Rilkus said, speaking with authority. "If we were to find it, it would represent the greatest discovery of a generation. Maybe more."
Certainly a worthy task of heroes such as us! Toki muses, then elbows Beordt, But then the Golden Spire of the Barsellan District was full of treasures of another sort, eh Beordt? Too bad that lady was a stingy rat...
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"She got real mad her girls giving it up for free. Jealous johns indeed."
"Well this other Golden Spire sounds like a honey pot indeed."
Hmm. Never heard of it. Sounds like we need to return here and investigate more after we find somewhere to base ourselves. I wouldn't recommend opening that bottle... but it's not my call".
While the little alcove along the cliff is perfect for catching your breath and getting out of the sun for a few minutes, it is no place to camp. This is especially true given the recently discovered remains, most of which still reside somewhere on the other side of the narrow crevasse. So the discovered bottle is tucked away, and while there are still a few hours of good daylight left, you all set out once again along the path south.
Soon enough the path curves inland again to wind its way around some steep, rocky hills. Busy hacking your way through the thick jungle, its takes a little while for anyone to really notice the sound of beating drums.
Thoom! Thoom, toom, toom, toom. Thoom! Thoom! Thoom, toom, toom, toom!
The rhythmic, deep bass percussion rumbles through the forest slowly growing in intensity and volume. By the time you reach what appears to be a small burnt and abandoned outpost, the drums practically rattle the trees with every reverberating thoom.
The outpost is little more than a chest high foundation of stone blocks and the blackened, partially collapsed remains of four walls and a roof framework.
Lil, look! Your people were attacked by some force... Toki moves to a nearby tree. Stopping, as if remembering all the things trying to kill them over the last few weeks, he checks for hazards first, then after finding a suitable tree, climbs up for a better look!
"Yes and the force could still be here.
I guess there goes the thought of warm beds and a hot meal in a peaceful village."
Dacknar slides off into the jungle to get a better look at the remains to see if any equipment is still visible by the bodies.
Perception.
Lily looks around the area dismayed at the carnage.
"Once again... not my people, I know none of them. I don't know why you think all Minotaurs are the same".
You are all one people, aren't you? I would expect the same if you said your people when referring to us humanfolk... I don't know why you feel the need to separate yourselves. I am more used to separating folk by weak and strong, Toki shrugs as if discussing the weather.
"I guess I understand what you are saying, but I just don't separate people at all. I consider all of you more "my People" than a bunch of people who look like me, but I've never met". She then shrugs and continues to look around. "Still I shall speak of it no more. You are entitled to have your own thoughts".
Toki shrugs, I guess I never thought of it like that... I will not refer to them as such anymore.
Can anyone see who the enemy is? Recognize the drums at all?
"Dwarves tend to see each other as being part of the same people. But then, we are a clannish folk. I had not thought outside of that line of thinking, myself, until I lost my body." Rilkus said, as he searched. "The lad meant well." He finished. "The fallen were not small. Whatever did this would likely prove dangerous to us as well. Is anyone able to figure out how long ago the attack took place?"
The drums continue to pound as Dacknar disappears into the jungle like a ghost slipping through its favorite cemetery. At the same time Lilly, Toki, and Rilkus each take a closer look at the fallen. Another half dozen bodies are discovered scattered about the backside of the outpost. Most are minotaurs dressed in the simple leathers and darkly colored clothing like those found upon your arrival. Curiously, there is no sign of arms or really anything metallic in nature. Two of the dead appeared to even have their belt buckles cut free as well as the buttons and clasps of their cloaks or shirts.
One other body lies fallen within the jungle grasses. This one is further away and appears to have been killed by a flurry of spears and iron tipped arrows, although none of the weapons remain. The first thing noticed is its thick, stark white skin, marred only by a multitude of tattoos that run along arms, chest, and face. The second are the obvious similarities to northern trollkin although no trollfolk have ever been known to have such coloring. Finally, the body is completely naked. Everything has been stripped clean leaving only the bloodied body to decompose in the jungle.
You are about to slip further ahead, when a sound stops you in your tracks. A rustle of branches and leaves overhead, yet there is no wind. You look up, but there is nothing immediately visible, yet that little tingle in your gut says something is out there. A hunter. Vicious. Deadly. Patient. Much like yourself.
Survival
Somewhat shaken at all the corpses Lily is unable to do much of anything. She simply stares at the jungle...and the ominous sound of the drums.
Beordt looks over the scene he goes to suggest staying together as Dacknar moves into the jungle. "These drums I wonder if they are a warning to us or meant to cause our terror."
"These bodies are not fresh, but the fungus has not spread far. Maybe a week." He pulls free one of the obsidian tipped arrows and shows the others.
I wonder what peoples could have done this? Still using stone weapons, perhaps another primitive culture similar to our frogkin friends? Toki muses.
Pulling the obsidian tipped arrow free, Beordt is surprised by the brief tingle of magic that he feels tickle his fingertips. Looking more closely at the arrow the bearkin spots a tiny rune etched onto the glassy black stone.
The drums continue to sound, the pounding rhythm reverberating in the growing shadows as the sun starts to slip beyond the western mountains.
Dacknar waits for about 5 min. knowing that is about the halfway point for the spell.
He then whispers an arcane word and makes a slight movement. And at max range, 10' in another bush, a sound of crunching leaves and/or a snap of a twig. To draw this hunter out.
"There is sorcery in this arrow."
Survivor, perhaps, headed South.
Arcana
Lil joins Beordt inspecting the arrow, and wondering if the Rune makes any sense to her.
She looks up at Toki's shout of a possible survivor, and joins him putting the arrow out of mind in anticipation of a real survivor.
Survival
She pats the man on the back and smiles. "Good catch. I never would have seen those tracks. Can you follow them? Perhaps someone needs our help".
"Do we want to wait for Dack before chase foot prints?"
”It would be foolish to get separated in this jungle.” Rilkus said.
Now who is luring who?
The drums continue to pound, but suddenly the other sounds of the jungle grow quiet. No monkeys screech. No parrots cackle. All grows still as you study the feint tracks and wait for Dacknar to return from his foray deeper into the jungle.
Dacknar impressed by this foe's skill and knowing that this foe will most likely kill him once his spell fades. But he still smiles that he has gained knowledge. Knowledge that what hunts him is not a beast but someone who uses weapons. And perhaps the use of words will keep himself alive more than his blades with this foe.
So he take one last hard look to find his hidden foe.
Then he takes a deep breath, lets his illusion drop saying out loud "We are not the ones who attacked you! We have come in peace!" as he puts his weapons away and steps into a clearing. He repeats the call for peace in Elven and Sylvan if there is no response from the first call. As he calls out he knows that at any moment one of those bone handled blades can be sticking out of his back if his hidden opponent decides not to listen.
Toki grimaces and draws his axe and readies his shield... I don't like this, be on your guard, friends.
Your words barely finish echoing through the evening air when they are answered by a throaty series of hoots and yowls from a tree above and to the west of your position. This is immediately answered by other bone chilling hoots from slightly deeper in the jungle and behind you nearer the ruins of the outpost. It also causes the drums to suddenly stop leaving only the primitive, animal like cries echoing through the jungle.
From the directly of the original noise a pair of arrows come streaking toward you. You manage to duck away from the first, but the archer gets lucky and guesses correctly on which way you'd leap. The second arrow slams into your leg. The sharp obsidian tip stings badly, but the wound isn't too deep until the added magical rune erupts creating a necrotic field that putrefies the flesh around the wound adding both pain and suffering.
The attack reveals an albino trollkin covered in a variety of tattoos and scars. Dressed in simple leathers and carrying primitive weapons it snarls and yowls once again as it swings upon a jungle vine, leaping to big limb just over your position.
"We are not the ones who attacked you! We have come in peace!"
Those are the words that burst from a hundred or so paces deeper into the jungle. Dacknar's voice. The near immediate response is an eruption of hoots, yowls, and screeching calls as the drums suddenly cease. Most of the calls are from deeper within the jungle. But at least three are nearby. Very nearby.
Moments later everyone easily spots a white skinned trollkin stalking the thick limbs of one of the larger jungle trees. It holds a short bow taunt and ready to fire as it directs its gaze down upon your position just outside the burned ruin of the minotaur outpost.
"Then we are not your foes." Rilkus intoned, turning towards the archer. "Do you know what caused this devastation?"
As the arrow pierces his leg. Daknar give a grunt. "Son of a sea hag! You didn't have to stick me!" he calls out.
"Stop attacking we are not here to fight!"
Keeping an eye on his attackers, he waits for their move.
Perception
Lily tries to find somewhere to take cover and let others do the talking. It's pretty obvious that there is conflict between the trollkin, and Minotaurs.
Dacknar attempts the diplomatic path one more time and is answered with another barrage of arrows. Seeing his foe has absolutely no interest in or intent to chatter, the elf quickly decides instead to turn tail and race back to the ruin.
It doesn't take long before Dacknar bursts into the clearing, a shower of feathered doom whisking through the jungle dark after him. Shouts regarding traps and running bursting forth as his legs churn a crooked path to rejoin his companions.
Toki scowls, What's the matter? Not satisfied killing these minotaur folk? You have bitten off more than you can chew!
psychic damage, fail means disadvantage on next attack.
Beordt roars and starts to run as he hears Toki's pointed jest. He pulls forth his greatsword and charges.