Meneus looks proudly at Titus: a good measure of respect clear in the stone-mason's eye at the legionnaire's noble behavior.
Ballio reluctantly follows: "This slave will not cause you any trouble, Dominus. But it is my duty" He clutches the slave tin plate dangling from his neck (the one that says 'Bereni' in Suel) "My duty to inform you, Dominus, that you are taking the property of the Bereni. To my humble knowledge that is an act punishable by death. I will say no more and stay quiet as you order."
When Gravus talks to Valka, she gives him that kinda weird look she gave him just before. She opens her mouth to say something .... buuuut ... doesn't.
Valka feels sick, and Bjarturius hitting that lead tablet is starting to give her a BIG headache.
"If its AT ALL possible, where do you think we can find something to cure the poison?"
Valka also looks at Valeriana when she says that!
Gravus frowns briefly at the reemergence of Valka's mysterious expression, as though trying to solve a puzzle. The frown disappears at her question though, and he drops his eyes slightly before answering, "I fear I don't know, Domina. While I've studied many poisons and their cures, I've never encountered this one beyond brief descriptions... I imagine that anyone who'd use the stuff may have kept a supply of the antidote in case of accident."
(Out of Ballio's earshot, or in a low enough voice that he cannot hear).
"My dearest cousin is not so knowledgable as she would like to think, I doubt very much that the curse tablet or any poison that is beyond your dwarf's knowledge has come directly from her. Perhaps her slave can inform us of who in the household might be her guide in such matters, though I doubt he has direct knowledge."
She points at the carving.
"This is Severina Berinia's work, her favourite oath and inspiration, the Furies. This one," she taps the central figure, "is Alecto, the Guide of Vengeance. Does it seem to you that she is perhaps pointing that way?" Valeriana points away from the villa (NNE, although she's probably fairly vague on that detail).
"I imagine that we could force our way into the villa, and perhaps even find what you are looking for, but what then? Think you you could explain such an action? It was probably a mistake to bring the slave with us. Maybe a fatal fall would be best."
Valeriana indicates a direction deeper into the rough hills, further away from village, villa and roads: the wilderness. And yes the drawn carving could be interpreted that way.
Veleda, who was carried by Bjarturius so far, is still in bad shape.
Valka, however, does seem to be a tad better, a healthier shade returning slowly to her face and a bit more vigor to her body. She is also hungry (vomiting your guts out will do that to you): another good sign.
Valka grabs a piece of bread and cheese from the bag and gets something in her stomach. She is happy to feel a bit better but looks at Veleda feeling bad that the poison meant probably for me affected Bjarturius’s innocent sister!
“I think I’m getting better, but we have to do SOMETHING for Veleda! And do it NOW! So what are our options? Going to the villa and see if Severina has a cure? What about that stone here, what’s THAT about? Are you saying Severina drew this? Why? And why do you say it points that way and what does that mean?”
Valka is angry at this point.
Tius looks slightly surprised at Valeriana's suggestion. He has my word that he will be treated well. He has done nothing worthy of death save having a lifetime of misfortune. Let us not add to that.
Looking at the rock, and back at the group he offers, If Severina wanted to recall the way, then we would likely be well served to follow as well. I wonder if she found that priest and has found a way to use his powers to her betterment.
Ballio, have you been here before? Do you know what is ahead of us, if we follow the directions on the rock?
Ballio looks truly puzzled at the sight of the stone, yet something there doesn't seem to surprise him: "I have never been here Dominus. These hills are barren: even the goat herders prefer to pasture elsewhere." Ballio hesitates, pondering whether or not to add something. He finally does, saying: "Domina Severina doesn't want us to wander in these parts. A slave doesn't question these things."
Bjarturius gives a few more powerful strokes, pounding the cursed lead plaque until the writings are gone... He smiles as he finishes, and if it wasn't for his brotherly concern, he would certainly look happy, as he always feels whenever he does something physical.
Looking at the group, he says:
"Te Trial of te Lort of Might... it's a choice ve hafe to make! To oppose Seferinia or not."
And looking at valeriana, his brow furrowing again:
"You sait you heart her... Going to see te Priest to protect te village from te disease of te warrior-maiten... Ten she knew apout it..."
He pauses, then adds:
"But nov te most important is finding a cure for my sister! I say ve start here, looking for te trace of tis old foice of Erytnul... May te blessings of Korud be wit us!"
"I think the choice to oppose Severina Berinia was taken from your hands hours ago, Coruskian. I have no doubt that she is ultimately responsible for the harm done to your sister, though she claimed she 'dreamt' of a disease falling on Valka Spartica."
Valeriana's calm gaze passes over Valka dismissively and turns on Titus, her fingers tapping on the whip coiled at her waist.
"You are a fool to treat your word given to a slave as any more binding than a slave's word given to you. To bring the Domina Berinia's eyes and ears with us..." She shakes her head. "You should perhaps at least search him for weapons."
Valeriana looks out at the rocky ground in the direction that the guide-marker seems to indicate.
"I would dearly love to have seen Severina struggling across this wasteland." She sighs and looks down at her dress, already dirtied and slightly torn from the journey here. "Ah well..." With clear regret but no shyness she draws her pugio and cuts and tears the lower portion of the garment so that while it now lacks in modesty or elegance it no longer impedes swift movement or climbing. "Lead on, Priest of Kord."
Valeriana tearing off the lower part of her stola (dress) reveals a surprisingly shapely and fit pair of gams (legs); both Titus and Bjarturius cannot help but make a double take at the comely sight.
Bjarturius picks up his poisoned sister in his arms with great ease and the group begins its journey following Alecto's (the Furie on the carving) indication. The Heroes trek a good while and reach a second similar stone carving/marker that dominates the immediate surrounding terrain (and thus can be easily found/spotted). Again on this one, Alecto orients the group further East until a small hidden valley is reached. By now the sun has fully risen and from its position in the sky it is almost Tertia (about 9m).
An old abandoned, partially collapsed temple-like structure is located at the valley's center, 200 or so paces from where the group emerges. The structure is rectangular: roughly 30 paces wide by 60 long. The western part was composed of 2 closed and roofed areas/rooms but one (NW) has collapsed with time. The rest is all open air: the walls (in black) being 12 feet high.
The raised dais at the center is 5' higher and the 6 statues represent Legionnaires (too far for details). The large statue is an impressive 12 feet high warrior's representation (damage to the statue and distance make recognizing it hard from this distance but Valeriana thinks it could be the Twin War God Roneus).
See Photo for details: http://sergioricophotography.com/ImpGame2.htm
Direct Link to the Photo: EBURACUM_HILLS_1
Seeing Valeriana Pia's legs makes Titus do a double take and then hoping he was not caught his eyes race to hers and he gives her his impish grin, but chooses to say nothing.
.....
When the structure comes to view Titus makes a stop motion with his hand, and then crouches low and moves as quietly as he can to have a closer look using whatever cover he can find. Looking over his shoulder he is hopeful to see Bjarturius with him. As he moves toward the structure he does not go toward the opening before him, but tries instead to move to the north in order to see in the large expanse of wrecked wall.
The group stops at the Legionnaire's hand gesture. 200 paces (600 feet) from the structure. Titus observes the rough hills offer plenty of cover and hiding spots for his approach. But he also remembers that what's good for the goose is also good for the gander, so he proceeds carefully as he wisely circles North hoping to use the wrecked wall to gain a better view and easier access.
As Titus gets to about ten yards away he hears Valeriana whispering as if she were standing at his shoulder.
"Do not panic, Milite. You and the Coruskian can hear me and I can hear you reply to me. I can maintain this communication whether I can see you or not. This way, when you need rescuing I'll know."
Bjarturius lets out a grunt of pleasure at the impressive sight in front of him. For a moment, his mind is entranced by the vision of invigorating athletic proceedings he loves to instigate and participate in. In those moments he truly does feel complete, one with the elements, while putting all of the will of his mind, all the proficiency of his skill, all his intuitive abilities and all his considerable strength behind all those feats he derives so much satisfaction from... all in the service of the Lord of Strength and Sports. "Te brafe ant fit shoult leat te veaker" as he reminds to himself one of the Lord's creed.
The moment fades, but his face is still flushed from the brief excitement. He slowly makes a few steps to better watch the rousing sight, a beam forming on his face. "By Korud the Almighty", he thinks… "Coult it pe?”. Intrigued, he stares a moment…
The temple he gazes at is similar to the ones devoted to his Lord: airy and spacious, in which incessant competitions are held, preparing one's body to meet any challenge the Lord of Courage might send to test the metal of his followers... Finally snapping out of it, he gently lowers his sister on the grass, smiling at her, before whispering to Valka:
“Guard my sister, please, I go see vhat avaits us here…”
Looking around the temple in an appraising manner, noting potential trouble spots where enemies could hide, he advances unhurriedly but steadily in the same direction as Titus, clutching his holy symbol at first, and then seizing his giant club in both hands. He reaches Titus to see what awaits on the northern side...
Valka's face turns a shade of red, she blurts out awkwardly:
"I am a warrior! If I had wanted to stay behind and live a quiet life I would have gotten married!!!"
Calming down a bit, she looks at who's left and says:
"I am taking Gravus too. We don't know really what waits for us there, maybe some crazy old priest! Gravus can also serve as a messenger in case. Valeriana and Ballio will watch over your sister ... right?"
She says that looking at Valeriana to make sure they are staying. She goes with Titus and Bjarturius, making sure Gravus is with me but a few steps behind her.
Titus, Bjarturius, Valka and Gravus begin a encircling movement arcing north approaching to a midway point roughly 100 paces (300 feet) away and directly north of the structure.
No movements or activity of any kind in or around the structure, and no signs of life or habitation except for perhaps something a bit odd: from the wide northern gap in the wall (x17-x24) the glint of weapons can be seen lying against or at the feet of 4 of the 6 legionnaire's statues. An axe and a morning star for sure, the rest is too hard to spot (the weapons are not being wielded: they seem abandoned or just lying there).
Titus realizes the morning sun just glanced off his own scutum (shield). It made the equite very aware of his presence. Looking at his 3 companions, he realizes how poorly they stealth through those rocks, except perhaps for Gravus who isn't doing that bad. Maybe that dwarven blood of his makes him at ease in the stones, Titus can't help thinking.
Valeriana from her position away realizes the same thing: Valka's chain shirt and spiked scutum gleam constantly in the sunlight, Bjarturius is as inconspicuous as an elephant marching at some Tribune's Triumph and Titus is barely doing any better. If anyone is there let's hope they are patricians with habits of sleeping in late, Valeriana can't help thinking.
Gravus makes a double take of his own when Valeriana reveals her legs, less due to appreciation, but rather more amused by the reaction of Titus and Bjarturius. No wonder humans propagate so quickly if the sight of those skinny legs is enough to get their blood pumping, he thinks to himself, managing to suppress a chuckle.
Peering cautiously around the rock he is using as cover, Gravus squints to make out more details.
"Those weapons," he whispers quietly, "some sort of offering?"
Only a few seconds (thirty yards or so) after the group leaves, Titus and Bjarturius again hear Valeriana's voice in their ear.
"I am not used to performing outside and I have misjudged the distance, if you need my help, you'll have to shout. In the mean time, I'll take care of the slave. Who you have left here, unsearched and unbound."
Guess who just worked out the BBCode tags.
Gravus looks at the 2 more visible weapons (axe and morning star): they are crude items and do not match the legionnaire's weapons who are traditional (Pilum, Gladius and Scutum). If they are meant as offerings the ceremonial aspect is rudimentary at best.
Valeriana has Ballio well under control: the slave remains unmoving, sitting in a ball position with hands together encircling his knees
Veleda moans as she tries to find a comfortable sitting position (she is awake even if sick and greatly impaired by the poison's effects).
Titus ignores the chiding of Valeriana and simply asks her to keep hidden, acknowledging that those three are as good as an exposed flank for the purpose of support. He continues as stealthfully as he can. His intent is to move until he sees some reason not to and barring that, will enter the outer walls.
Valka, really REALLY hoping to get some payback from almost being killed by poison, takes her javelin in hand, her spiked shield is in the other arm as usual! She follows Titus almost side by side, glad to have finally found someone not running away from a fight or using backstabbing and lying ways!! She also makes sure Gravus stays behind her, maybe by like 5 or 10 feet, but she won't like go crazy if Gravus does something else on his own (her non verbal is more like: I'm here to protect you, stay behind me)
Gravus obediently follows Valka, quite willing to allow her to stay between him and any potential danger. His hand hovers near the pugio on his belt as he moves stealthily across the rocky ground, and his eyes watch the many potential hiding places near the temple for trouble, but he does not yet draw the weapon.
The four Heroes carefully enter the old collapsed structure.
Titus at first can't believe his eyes: is the legionnaire statues' foot sweating blood? Was it already there before? Before he can even begin to grasp such notions, thick dark green blood begins to pour copiously and coalesce at the statue's feet at 2 spots: merging and growing until they become, in the space of a few heartbeats, 2 fully grown primal Hobgoblins. Taking form around the weapons, the humanoids hands appear already gripping and lifting them (Battleaxe for the western one, morning star eastern one).
The heroes believe they also hear a small chant that echoes throughout the old shattered walls, a chant that gains in intensity until the following final words can be discerned: " ... Erythnul Exulte!" ('Praise Erythnul' in Suel).
The Hobgoblins roar and spring into action: they are not intent on peace.
Links to Battle Map:
ROUND 1 SURPRISE
GRID MAP
Everyone roll Initiative for Round 2.
Gravus watches the green sludge transform itself at first with great interest, curiosity plain on his features, but as the hobgoblins begin to take form, that expression is quickly replaced by one of disgust and loathing.
Valka reacts with shock and says something unintelligible:
"ohh tabbba ...."
She raises her Javelin, aiming at the heart of the one with the axe, using her entire body movement and strength to give her throw all she can!
Initiative
Bjarturius thoroughly assesses the two forms shaping up, sizing them up. Briefly, his mind goes to the fight he and his companions, now dead, had on the small island near the cursed town of Karellum... The bugbear ambush, the large frogs waiting in the swamp, the giant centipedes and their deadly poison, the frogman shaman to Erythnul and his shadows… All of it to retrieve the Orb which Grakkus, Feretius and Forbo paid for with their lives…
The rising chant brings him back to the present, and as the hobgoblins roar his attention narrows on them, as he keeps one thought in mind: protecting Veleda...
"I vill cleanse this place of Erytnul’s foul preafh, by Korud's might!" he thinks with a quickening of breath in combat anticipation.
Titus maintains his grin on seeing the hobgoblins, but his eyes change and something hard and ugly forms in them, gripping his gladius tighter he prepares to dispatch these abominations. A side glance to Bjarturius brings him some confidence. By Pelor's prick we seem to have found a hive of hornets! he blasphemes under his breath but loud enough that the priest beside can hear him.
The dwarven slave glares harshly at the two creatures that have just formed from the strange substance, before dropping his gaze to the rubble beside him. After a brief moment of careful consideration, he takes up a pair of sizable rocks, one in each of his rough hands.
Stepping closer to Valka he hefts his chosen weapons with a practiced ease to judge their weight, and eyes the distance to the closest hobgoblin.
Valka throws her javelin at the heart of the Hobgoblin with the axe
Javelin Damage if it hits
After throwing Valka moves to the stairs (at x20y12) taking out her gladius quickly.
Bjarturius grabs his Holy Symbol and in a deep booming voice, utters a challenge, nay a promise, in answer to the chant calling on the blood of Erythnul:
"Nefer vill the Lort of Might let te bloot of Erytnul take holt vithout ansvering in Strengfh!"
He moves then to x21y6.
Valka's javelin hits the battle-axe wielding Hobgoblin in the shoulder, the tip biting deep into flesh. The humanoid growls and viciously rips the weapon from the flesh, leaving a long trail of blood. His yellow eyes narrow as he launches himself from his higher position at the warrior maiden, battle-axe in both hands and raised high.
The mighty swing is met by Valka's scutum. She absorbs the blow with ease.
Upon issuing his challenge, Bjarturius moves to x20y7
Titus moves forward to the side of Valka. Her ferocity is impressive! Once there he swings at the creature before him.
Go to hell you scab of Erythnal! He says darkly.
The strong words, the calm assured presence of the big Coruskian Priest in the face of danger stirs the warrior's blood within Titus: no wonder this Peregrinus has caught the eye of some!
Inspired, Titus sees an opening: the primal hobgoblin on Valka is attacking with an advantage of height yes, but the descending stairs should unbalance him forward. That is exactly what happens. Titus charges low and lunges in an upward thrust. The Hobgoblin is fatally impaled, the long gladius going through his left lung.
Titus sees the morning star wielding fiend charging him.
Titus could be in trouble: his blade is stuck through the dying hobgoblin's chest. But suddenly the expiring creature returns to the primeval blood that created him and melts in a dark green pool of the thick liquid.
His long Gladius now freed, Titus adroitly parries the oncoming blow with a back handed counter. So far so good, and only one left. Or wait, what is that at the statues feet?
Pools of dark green blood coalesce and grow into 2 more primal hobgoblins at the feet of the southernmost statues: one holding a falchion (SW), the other another battleaxe (SE).
Bjarturius is surprised by a spear throw launched from the right side corner of the dais. The short spear hits his breastplate with force, almost knocking the wind out of the tall Priest. That hurt. A hobgoblin female is the sneaky culprit.
Still partially covered by the side of the Dais, both Gravus and Bjarturius can see she is clearly different from the others: a 'normal' old hobgoblin hag, her sagging breasts showing signs of self mutilation. She has another short throwing spear.
Wearing a ragged brown hooded cloak, an old man erupts from the left side. He was keeping his head down to remain unseen under the 5 foot high dais.
Valka turns to face him. His cloak is opened, showing a dirty dark gray tunic under along with various pouches brimming with trinkets. He is holding a twisted pugio in his left hand. The man lifts his head, his skin is parched and wrinkled, his hair a thin crown of balding white: he is old, maybe in his 50s-60s. And his mouth, his mouth is moving, no, crawling, with insects? Valka can't believe her eyes.
The old man opens his mouth wide: a swarm of spiders, centipedes and sharp mandible beetles erupt in a vomited stream of vermin.
The creepy crawlers spread out and in an instant Valka finds herself overrun by the diminutive abominations. She feels a few bites on her legs as they try to climb and consume her alive.
Valka tries to fight off panic as the swarm tries to overwhelm her
To make matters worse the tiny bites have a numbing feel: could the dread things be poisonous too?
End of Round 2
END OF ROUND 2 MAP
END OF ROUND 2 MAP 2
GRID MAP
Round 3 starts: GRAVUS ...
When the scarred hag reveals herself, Gravus begins to line up a throw towards her, a murderous glint in his eye. But before he takes the shot, in the corner of his eye he catches a glimpse of the ragged old man, presumably the priest of Erythnul who had vanished so long ago, and the swarming mass that he vomits forth from his mouth that washes over Valka.
After a brief hesitation, he lets the rock he was about to toss clatter harmlessly to the floor and darts across the open space towards the central dais, hoping the hobgoblin woman doesn't take the opportunity to skewer him, and pulls something tiny from a pouch on his chest.
Gripping the object in his teeth, he gives it a sharp twist before deftly throwing it in a low arc towards the spiders.
Bjarturius is surprised by a spear throw launched from the right side corner of the dais. The short spear hits his breastplate with force, almost knocking the wind out of the tall Priest. That hurt.
Valka is seriously freaking out at having spiders and centipedes crawling all over her legs!!
With that numbing feeling starting to feel REAL bad, Valka tries to FOCUS, get out of that swarm and attack Mister insect breath with her gladius AND spiked shield!
When Gravus twists the object in his mouth, an alchemical reaction ignites: a fizzle of smoke begins to spurt from the strange thing. The low arced lob travels a bit wide to Gravus's left.
Upon impacting the stone floor, the object explodes. Though not a direct hit, spiders, beetles and centipedes are torched and blown West. The swarm tries to reform but its overall integrity has been severely compromised. Another shot like that, Gravus thinks, and that should be the end of them.
Valka does find her focus and tries to move to the old man's left. But the poisonous leg bites have begun to overwhelm her, leaving her calf muscles weak and in involuntary spasms. That and the sudden blast of exploding force blowing west makes her trip on the corner of the stairs. She stumbles, planting her scutum on the floor to avoid tripping, her weak hurried gladius swipe falling well short of its mark.
Bjarturius moves to x20y10 and, in a determined fashion, raises his club with both hands and attacks the hobgoblin at x19y11.
Bjarturius swings with both hands in a wide circular strike. The humanoid's primitive animal instincts save him as he ducks sideways, barely avoiding the mighty blow: Bjarturius narrowly missed by a couple of inches.
No, hit like this son of Kord! Titus teases cockily swinging his gladius at the foe before them.
An overeager Titus puts a lead foot on the second step and lunges his long gladius in an extended forward leaning trust, but once again the surprisingly quick reflexes of the primal humanoid belie his otherwise brutish appearance.