Aw shaddup, ya walkin' furball, Toki retorts with a grin. In all seriousness, we have to leave, before the bulk of their force returns. We have a boat awaiting near the waterfall...
Looking over to Gauis "Well I guess they aren't going to eat us, at lest not right away. We better join them."
And Dacknar steps out to rejoin the group.
"Lead the way Grick."
The frogkin turn around and lead the way back to where you first entered the ruins. Smoke fills the chamber and there are shouts and the sounds of drums rumbling back and forth across the ruined city. Less ritual, more communication, is what you immediately surmise from the pounding rhythms.
A quick glance into the path and open area of the stables has you quickly ducking back for cover as several groups of trollkin angrily patrol the area or stand watch over a handful of the big dinosaurs while others work on rebuilding the corral. Layers of smoke drift in the air and the crackle of flames can be heard coming from the direction of the jungle.
The two frogkin worriedly wave you off from attempting to venture out into the open. Instead the one called Gnishap points down another dank, dark tunnel.
"*croak* My companions say there are many, many devils out there. Angry and hunting. We *groak* do not wish to doubt the heroes of Schphrigroadaz if you wish to move into the open." Grick says cautiously, his eyes darting among each of you. "But Bobogluup people good at *croak* hiding and living in secret. Long have we avoided the *groak* devils and their pots. Gnishap says it would be safest to hide for a while." He adds pointing down the same tunnel as the other frogkin.
Toki looks at the others then at the frogkin carefully, for sign of treachery...
Too exhausted to argue, Toki waves the others in first, watching for a patrol of Trollkin, in case it is necessary to lead them off...
Beordt nods.
Beordt finds a place to sit. He begins looking toward his many wounds.
Rilkus, ever the silent sentinel, took up position to watch the tunnel that they had come through. He needed rest, yes, but he remained aware while doing so. Many a time he wondered if there would come a time when he would not stir again, for when at such a vigil time seemed to lose all meaning. But that was a problem for another day, they had plenty of their own right now.
Grick and his companions appear both relieved and honored that you agree to continue on in their company. Leaving behind the opening leading to the jungle, the frogkin lead you on a twisting path deeper into another section of the ruined city. You pass a gurgling stream that burbles beneath an ancient stone bridge covered with moss and draping curtains of lichen.
At one point you reach an immense cavern lined with mud brick ruins, some as tall as four stories. Waterfalls pour into the cavern from three sides creating an ever present rumble and filling the entire area with a constant mist and fog. Adding to the fog are several hot springs and fumeroles, steam rising from their hot waters. Massive mounds of glowing fungi and mushrooms grow on the ceilings, walls, and various points throughout the ruin. Their phosphorescent glow providing enough dim light for all to take in the sight of this lost and ancient place.
Somewhere near the center of the cavern the three cascading streams of water converge to fill a small lake basin lined with old partially collapsed buildings. On the north shore of the lake, opposite your position, stands the tallest remaining structure. A five step ziggurat topped with some kind of shrine or other ritual like structure.
Your allies lead you along a narrow moss covered brick path that then descends via a set of switchbacked stairwells down into the depths of the ruin. On your way down you pass a variety of eroded fountains and spouts and stone lined drainage gutters. Curiously, you all notice the various frog faces and depictions that are still detectable in the ancient sculptures and architectural decorations.
Once descended to the cavern floor, the frogkin lead you through several winding, narrow alleys and passages and eventually through one of the ruined buildings and into a square atrium. Stepping into the atrium, you find yourselves in a small underground refuge. The burble of yet another hot spring drifts through the air along with the telltale scent of sulfur, although it isn't overwhelmingly strong. Dim bluegreen light illuminates thick beds of moss and planter boxes filled with mushrooms and odd tubers.
Grick opens his arms into the courtyard and waves you forward. "Come. Come. All will be well and safe here under the watchful gaze of Schaphrigroadaz."
The prisoners gratefully throw themselves where ever looks comfortable. A few take advantage of the warm springs to bath and clean their wounds and ragged clothes. As they do so, the frogkin reveal a store of caught fish that they quickly begin to turn into some kind of stew using the mushrooms, tubers, and several spices.
Beordt drops his gear and settles into the water.
Toki, seeing Beordt sink into the hot spring, sniffs his underarms, Beordt's got the right of it!
The young skald quickly disrobes and lowers himself in too, scrubbing himself clean!
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
During Rilkus' vigil, he had something that was close to a dream. He thought he could hear the holy words of Rava, the Gear Goddess of Fate and Industry, in his head. The words echoed within him, and he remembered that they were the words spoken when he was forged. When his soul was transferred from his broken and dying body into this new one. As the words filled him, his metal form slowly but surely fixed itself. The many dents, breaks and holds closed, leaving him as he was when he was first made. No, better. By the time his vigil was over he felt more nimble than at any time that he could remember, and more in control of his body. He took it as a sign that his Goddess was pleased with his actions thus far. He silently resolved to continue serving her, until the time came when she determined that he had earned his rest.
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Toki sits and looks at the wounded and produces what rations they received from the Minotaur folk, with full intention of fishing once they make it back to the boat...
The young skald does what he does best as he tells stories of Tor and Loki, Odin and Tyr... One particular story, he tells of Loki's clever hut that appears and disappears as he needs. As Toki stands and tells the story, waving his hand about the cavern as he tells the story, a campfire bursts into existence! As the light spills across the walls of the small cave, the cave walls appear to be the walls of a hut, warm and dry, with ten cots lined with fur...
Surprised, the young skald stops for a moment in surprise before continuing the story, a smile creeping across his face!
After the story, he walks to the hut door and calls Beordt over, I think Loki has seen me! He has gifted me this hut! It seems that it can only hold me and... he pauses to count the others in the hut, [/b]... nine others. This could be handy in the future![/b]
Fallowing the frogkin into their lair. Dacknar starts to take stock what these frogkin have unlike the ones that they were slaves. "How long have your people been here Grick? Was this a home for the fallowers of Schaphrigroadaz in the past?"
Seeing the pool of water, Dacknar is hesitant at first. Always thinking that some monster will leap out at any moment. He shakes his head and mumbles. "Ye need to relax sometimes ye old seadog." And he strips down to join the others in a much needed bath.
The frogkin and many of the prisoners look upon Toki's magic with wide-eyed wonder. For the manifestation of such useful things are more a rarity in this harsh, deadly land. Instead most arcane powers witnessed by many folk our harsh blood ritual, eldritch horrors, or elemental powers such as those displayed by the likes of Gaius. Little known are the ways to use otherworldly power for the benefit and well being of kith and kin.
It is because of this marvel that it takes a few moments for Grick to respond to Dacknar's simple question.
"What? Oh..Oh! Yes...err...no. *croak*" The startled frogkin breaks his enraptured gaze from Toki's newly manifested hut and cots. He swallows and bows his head apologetically to the elf.
"I'm sorry, let me *groak* begin again." He says. "Once in the long ago, *croak* many of our people dwelt here and in the greater city above. *groak* It was a great metropolis that stretched for miles up and down the coast. Smaller cities, *croak* *groak* were futher inland all the way to the mountains. Schaphrigroadaz blessed our people. We thrived and our enemies fled. *croak*"
"*croak* But then some of the people lost their way. Lost their faith in Schaphrigroadaz. *groak* Kin fought kin and our enemies circled. Eventually the light of Schaphrigroadaz was lost when the Red Horned Goddess *groak* stole his spark and her pale warriors slaughtered our people. Without the protection of Schaphrigroadaz we were *croak* lost and forced to hide or become slaves, servants, or supper."
He glances at each of you as he continues. "*Groak* with the return of faith, Schaphrigroadaz awakens. *croak* But he is still weak and vulnerable without his spark. A shadow of his former divine self. *croak* He calls upon his faithful to seek and find what was stolen and lost. With his divinity returned, so to can our people return to greatness. *groak*"
"Gnishap has had visions of the sunken temple." He points toward the great ziggurat whose top can be seen looming above the ruins of the city. "Visions that the Bobogluup *croak* peoples will find their salvation within its ancient corridors and chambers. So we traveled from our hidden village only to arrive and find the hated enemy already here *groak*. I was taken along with several others who are sadly dead."
"It is truly the guidance *croak* of Schaphrigroadaz that brought you here and aided my own rescue from their foul hands. Are you here to seek the Light of Schaphrigroadaz as well?" He says, the hope and desire clearly ringing in his voice for all to hear.
Beordt lets out a happy cheer for Toki. "Well he has seen you many times. Perhaps lately it has been more showing worth and less showing your @$$."
Beordt bobs in the warm water listening. "So these trollkin they are followers of the Red Horned Goddess?"
After awhile he gets up out of the water. And starts to look at his wounds now that they are a bit cleaner.
Toki laughs at Beordt's comment, slapping his rump, But this is worth showing, is it not?
Dacknar smiles at Grick "Schaphrigroadaz has plans with in plans. Those that seek Schaphrigroadaz are not always fallowers of Schaphrigroadaz. And those that don't fallow Schaphrigroadaz are not always unbelievers. I have sailed many a seas. I think I have seen many a form of Schaphrigroadaz in many lands."
And Dacknar steps away, hoping that he was able to side step that question.
Toki laughs at Beordt's comment, slapping his rump, But this is worth showing, is it not?
Beordt's dark eyes narrow and look about, "Which this?" Not sure if Toki means his worth or his hind parts.
The look almost at the same time regards Dacknar as he explains his 'plans within plans' remark.
Grick nods at Beordt's question. "Deep as the ocean runs her hatred of Schaphrigroadaz and the Bobogluup." He says of the Red Horned Goddess. "The white beasts are her servants. Feeding her power with blood offerings and defending her stolen secrets with their blades and dark magics."
The short frogkin listens to Dacknar and ponders the elf's words carefully before bowing and returning to his kin where the speak in hushed, hurried tones.
The former prisoners look much better after bathing and several hours of rest, but many are still weak from so long without food, water and rest. Still, they are all quite grateful for their unexpected rescue and the current respite from their former captors.
Eventually all are able to sleep, bath, and fill their bellies with the fish stew prepared by Gnishap and the other frogkin. Above ground a new day dawns and you all awake to determine your next move.
Let us get these refugees to safety first, and we can return to help you explore the city. This Red-Horned Goddess is nothing but trouble... Toki says as he packs up what little possessions he has.
Rilkus emerged from his vigil and spoke "Toki is correct. The safety of the refugees is of paramount importance. From there, we shall root out this evil."
Disappointed but nodding his understanding as Toki and Rilkus speak of needing to get the refugees to safety, Grick confers with his fellow frogkin. There is a lengthy debate even a bit heated at times. At one point Gnishap shows his disapproval and walks away in an obvious huff. Despite this sudden rift, Grick returns shortly after to make one last offer.
"Because you are the heroes of Schaphrigroadaz and *croak* you saved my humble self, *groak* I can show you the Bobogluup path to reach the river beneath the Falls of Thunder. The path is not easy *croak* and there are dangers, but the hunters will not find you or those you have saved." He glances to where Gnishap squats looking toward the great ziggurat at the opposite end of the ruined courtyard. "Some are *croak* uncertain of the wisdom in doing this. *croak* But I trust in Schaphrigroadaz and those who freed his people from the bonds of service and slavery.*groak*"
"If you wish it, I will guide you. *croak*"
Toki looks at the others, then back at Grick, Will they make it?
A quick gesture to the refugees indicates who the young skald is referring to as he gives an incredulous look.
"What type of dangers are these that you speak of?" Dacknar asks.
Grick looks thoughtfully at the prisoners. His bulbous, amber eyes weigh the look of each of the prisoners with what he knows of this secret path. He casts a doubtful look on the two most worse off creatures. A human and a ragged ravenkin. Both have yet to speak beyond a few muttered groans or frightened, pained cries as they recently slept. The ravenkin clearly recently lost his hand while the human suffers from a gnarled leg and some kind of rasping cough and chest condition. Eventually the frogkin shrugs.
"By Schaphrigroadaz's will they may all *croak* survive, but the world is a hard place no matter what path is taken." He says looking again at the two weakest refugees. "The dangers *groak* of the Bobogluup path are not minimal, but *croak* also not impossible. *groak* Also not full of the enemies blades and killing arrows." The thought of the trollkin sends an obvious shiver trembling through Gricks body.
He raises a finger. "First danger is the Crossing. Where the path crosses the underground branch of the Great River." He points to the big lake and a likely outlet somewhere on the opposite side. "The stone crossing can be slippery, but it is easy enough as long as no Screamers are nearby."
He ticks a second finger. "Second danger is the Stair to the Underworld. The switch-backing descent down a crevice that leads to Dacomar's Cavern at the base of the rising plateau and the back of the great falls.
Ticking a final third finger. "Final danger is passing behind the falls to reach the shore. Many Bobogluup peoples simply swim. the path is there, but loose stones can tip the careless into the waters. Most cannot survive the waters and currents."
Toki nods, We will take that path then. Beordt and I can help those that have trouble.
Seeing no objections to the decision by Toki to take the frogkin path, Grick gathers a few items, including a short spear from Gnishap and sets out once all are ready.
He takes you on a winding path through the ruins of the ancient city that runs parallel with the lake shore but stays far back from the waters themselves. The reason becomes clear over time as occasionally looking out upon the smooth waters, each of you glimpse something rippling the surface. Something large. Something with the unmistakable feeling of a predator all too eager for someone to get within striking distance.
Grick does not let anyone do so. Instead the frogkin leads you further from the shore until after another mile or you approach the end of the lake. The sound of rapids can be heard from ahead and a short while later you come to what used to be a bridge across a fast moving river. The outlet for the lake. About fifty feet wide along this stretch, you can't see how deep it is. It rushes along past the square pillars of the ancient bridge foundations. The pillars are spaced fairly close together so that it is only a short jump between each. But the stones are slick with damp and a few look a little crumbly from age.
During the trip. "What lives in the waters that we avoid?"
Once at the crossing Beordt looks around.
Friend Beordt, I lost my pack in the kraken incident, do you have spikes and rope? Even without the spikes, we could space us across to ferry folk through... Do you think we have enough rope to get leash them to us? Toki gets a devilish glint in his eye, You could throw them across... It'll like throwing the old goatball, eh?
First hop.
"Nah my gear thought it was captain o' the ship and went down with it." He shrugs. "I don't even have rope."
|
"Nah my gear thought it was captain o' the ship and went down with it." He shrugs. "I don't even have rope."
Gauis bathed with the others, but his mind was quite obviously elsewhere. He lounged in the waters, but did not rejoice in the new found cleanliness as others who lived in the moment might. He had been distracted before, yes, but this latest fog was all-consuming. His body was listless, almost limp. He spoke no words and made no reaction to any, save to sometimes mumble, "Yes, perhaps," every now and again.
He stays in the waters long, too long. His skin curls and whitens, but none to his notice. Only when it becomes late does he don smallclothes and turn to his quarters. But still no sleep takes him.
Be bends over the armor. His armor. His Magnum Opus. That one as slight as he should wield so massive a suit of steel and leather is itself a miracle to rival the works of the greatest mages.
But always there is more. There MUST be more.
"Perhaps, perhaps," he mumbles, using his arcane tools in concert with a blacksmith's kit, adjusting a cog here, organizing the lay-line capacitors there. "But what if we in-laid the Thoringian Martix with a Councilor's Black Knot...."
On the armor both arms move of their own volition.
Gauis shouts this over and over, running and screaming through the mud-laid streets of the village. Uncaring of time, or other people, or that he is all but naked. It is as if the Earth is ending, and the only thing that can save it is him screaming his voice raw of these very particular words.
In time he calms, and he sleeps deeply. He rouses late, forsaking breakfast to only much on cold twice-baked bread while putting on his armor.
When the group is prepared to move out, when asked if he is ready, he clenches both fists of STEEL and moves them up, in unison.
"Yes," he whispers.
|
|
"Grick wait!" Gauis calls out. His un-counted hours of poring over almost illegible scrolls of arcane writ has, in contrast to the popular perception, sharpened his eyes to a fine point.
"Something moves in the water. Perhaps we should kill it now, in unison, instead of waiting for one of us to haphazardly fall in to its ambush?"
|
|
It was all about power, of course.
While Gauis reclined with the others, he was caught by how ardently Beordt went on about the value of rope in this harsh, unforgiving and uncivilized land. Indeed it made sense, for if all you want to do is cross from point A to point B, the want of a rope might make an easy thing into a hard thing.
And so it was, after Gauis returned to his quarters to make the modifications he had yelled about so much only moments before, he pondered the question of power.
The armor itself ran on his own invention of ley-line capacitors. They were minor things, capable of harnessing the power that was always around them, and harnessing it for dedicated tasks, such as making the armor move under a power not his own, and a few other tricks.
Pondering the value of rope, he determined that if he de-powered the suit by a full level, he could take a normal coil of rope, and imbue it with uses and a power of movement of its own. Which seemed useful, given all that he had seen and where he was.
******************
Back in the present, Gauis postulates, "Perhaps the most sure-footed of us could go ahead, and hold on to my rope, while we tie the other end to some post we might pound into the ground? Thusly we might have our safety line.
Once we get to the rope's length, I'll just have it untie itself so we might start the process anew.
Although I still think we should slay those two fish that circle the central stone. If things are so dangerous that we had to make our great detour, I see no reason to take chances. Pause a moment."
Gauis looks around the shore for a stout tree branch. (Assuming he can find one) he files one end into a point of sorts, puts it against the ground, and pounds on the other end with his metal fists like an armored and living sledgehammer. Once the post is in to his satisfaction, he commands the rope to tie about it, before offering the other end to Toki, who seems to move about the stones with the agility of a mountain goat.
Rilkus looked at the rope dubiously. "Will this rope hold my weight?" The gearforged intoned. "I should go last, for should I fall I do not wish to impede everyone else's ability to cross."
|
|
"That is fair enough," Gauis replies to the armored saint.
Feeling that he's done all he can, Gauis takes a deep breath, jazzes his armor's chips, and leaps across the gap.
He lands so nimbly on the other side that he almost tips over into the water just out of shock.
"Whoa," he says, righting himself.
Now that he's closer to the central stone, he peers over and gets a closer look.
"That troubles me somewhat. I wonder if it's a mated pair of hungry fish just waiting for some bauble to fall into their mouths?"
Now that he can observe the movement closer, he thinks on the many books of fauna he's read and wonders if he can puzzle out exactly what they are facing.
Toki leaps across to the first pillar and is shortly joined by Gauis. Seeing the rippling movement in the waters the two watch closely to get a better look at whatever fish move about below.
A few moments later those on the shore see both men gasp. Gauis quickly pulls Toki back from the edge even as a pair of tentacles sweep up and slap the stone where they stood only a rabbit's heart beat earlier. Attached to the tentacles is a milk-white mass that briefly breeches the surface and then plunges back below. The upper half of the things body is round, flexible, even glowing slightly with some inner light very much like a jellyfish, while the lower half appears horrifyingly humanoid. An array of dark blue eye spots line the things forward section while numerous tentacles dangle along the outer edges.
Grick curses upon seeing the thing and steps back from the edge of the waters. "Schaphrigroadaz tests us." He says shaking his wide head and running his tongue along his mouth even as he pulls out his spear.
Pale Screamers is the common name given to these twisted creations of mad magical minds. Indeed they are part humanoid and part jellyfish, or sometimes octopi or squid are used. Typically servants of much more powerful, and horrible, masters these creatures serve without question and are often abandoned by their creators once a particular task is complete or they are no longer needed. Thus leaving them to prey on others. You recall several notes warning that creatures such as this can poison their victims with the venoms flowing in their tentacles as well as unleash a power ear shattering scream that can leave one deafened and stunned.
Toki looks down at the roiling lake and smiles as he draws his shield, Again, a challenge... Come, beast, try again. Gaius, get ready to strike...
The young skald starts with a song venerating Tor, the god of thunder, son of Odin...
"I remember the kraken incident well. Most tossed there items to help swim. I was able to keep my pack. So rope I have, but spikes is something I do not carry."
"Look over there, there is movement in the water....Are you sure you want to try and cross?
Watching as the creature takes a swipe at his two companions. "Watch out, that thing has a good long reach."
"Everyone get ready to strike, I will try and bring it to the surface."
And Dacknar cast Silent Image of a giant spider walking on the water near the two fighters.
|
|
"Careful everyone!" Gauis shouts, the pages of the EAWSR rushing back to him. "This is no ordinary monster of the deeps! Such creatures as these are made for a singular purpose, and then let lose into the wilds by their masters. Though whether this one is set to task, or has wandered about for some time, it can not be known.
It is called a 'Pale Screamer' for its ability to scream and cause temporary paralysis in its prey. So too, it can pass on poison with but a touch, though you may fear this less as I have prepared for such a contingency."
Seeing Dacknar create his ephemeral spider, Gauis sees the plan. He too readies an action to take the fight to the terrible thing.
As he waits in readiness, he wonders if the thing hunts by site, or by feeling tremors, like a spider.
Not seeing a foe that can stand toes to toe Beordt chooses not be o face it on its turf. He pulls out his short bow and fires when the main honey of the creature breaks the surface.
The creature breaks the surface again, its bulbous, billowing outer layer fully expanded to give it a balloon like appearance. But before it can do much, magic and arrows fly through the air toward its sickly white form. Beordt's arrow misses the mark as the creature bobs on the surface.
thunder damage, pushed back 10 feet on a fail. Save for half and no push.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
With no way to add to the onslaught, Rilkus made a rude gesture at the creature.