Chapt. 25 "Escape from Nyandar"

The Adventures of The Unknown
Episode 25
“Escape from Nyandar”

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                  Alexander: Ingaran clergy of Athena
                  Issic: Half Dragon from Sigil
                  Manderkarr: Dwarven master of Axe and Asskicking.
                  Flower: An Elven girl caring for a human child named Hannah.
                  Shanagra Darmal: A druid.
                  Rahshah: A Zakharan illusionist.
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The Place: Sameni is Nyandar's largest port city, with a population of 12,103 persons. Here is where Nyandar does most of its exporting and ship-building. It is largely built on the ground, unlike most of Nyandar's cities and towns. It has a GP limit of 40,000, with only 24,206,000 gp in ready cash.

The Time: Summer 23-29 Eul, Sixth Year, Eighth Age.

      Alexander joined the others in the tavern. A man walked past Alexander and whispered a quick word, "Sernath", before disappearing into the evening crowd. Alexander tapped Shanagra on the shoulder. "Do you know what sernath means?"
      Shanagra looked at Alexander oddly. "It is Elvish for Mind Death, or something like that. It is a terrible, terrible word in the Elvish language."
      "Really? That is odd; some one just walked by and whispered it to me."
      "Who?"
      "He isn't here any more. He was a five foot ten man with a beard, moustache and long hair wearing a brown cloak and wielding a sword."
      "Wasn't that word mentioned the last time we were talking about the invaders?" asked Issic. The Half Dragon stood up and peered over the crowed looking for the fellow. He saw six men who fit that description.
      "I think so," said Shanagra.
      "Do you think it was one of them?" asked Issic. "He has probably already changed his disguise."
      Alexander asked the sword if it sensed anyone. The sword said, Only the dragon.
      Mentally, Alexander asked, What does the dragon do? Just float there?
      Sometimes. Right now he is sniffing Issic. Probably preparing for one of his attacks.
      How is he going to attack? Or how does it attack?
      Usually with breath weapon.
      Will that reveal him?
      Yep. I am sure he is assuming Issic can sense him. Issic needs to act dumb.
      Yes, because then it would know you know. If I attacked it now would it be revealed?
      The sword did not respond. Shanagra said, "We should go get a boat."
      Alexander agreed. "Yes, let us go." He added, to the sword, Let me know if the dragon does anything else.
      Issic shook his head. "I will be back. I want to check out a couple of these guys." He walked toward a man close to the door that fit Alexander's description. The man looked at the half-dragon in a bit of alarm as he approached. A lot of people stared at Issic as he walked around the room.
      "Issic are you ok?" asked Alexander. "I got a strange feeling you might be in danger for some reason."
      "I am fine," responded Issic irritably, shooing Alexander away.
      "Are you sure?"
      "I am fine. Why do you keep asking?" Issic was hissing at this point.
      "Because I feel like something… something..."
      "Like something is what?"
      "Well, I have felt like something is watching us at times today," said Alexander. Issic eyed Alexander queerly. He looked around. Everyone looked afraid of him, but that was usual. Alexander whispered, "Lets gather up every one, Issic, and meet out side; I have something important to tell everyone."
      Issic followed Alexander out the door. Shanagra pulled on his cloak and motioned for Flower to follow him out. Manderkarr also made his way out of the tavern. Shanagra motioned for Rahshah also. The Zakharan followed along like a whipped dog. Flower, dressed in a purple-leaf dress, held the baby to her.
      "Come on, Manderkarr," said Alexander. "This is important and it might lead to battle."
      Alexander led them to the town square. Two knights guarded the nearby jail, and almost no one else was around this time of day. Alexander was glad they weren't in one of the interior Tree Cities of Nyandar.
      Alexander asked the sword mentally, Is it still here?
      Yes. It stalks Issic like a giant, stalking thing.
      Alexander drew the sword out, and it gleamed silver in the sunlight, rippling like liquid. Alexander said to the others, "Everyone ready yourselves for battle; I have a feeling it will come soon." Where is it?
      Behind Issic.
      Is it taller then Issic?
      Yes.
      Bigger, rather?
      Yes. It is probably bigger than his father.
      Alexander began to walk around the group. They stared at him as if he were mad. When Alexander got behind Issic, he yelled and attacked, shouting, "Duck, Issic!"   Issic ducked and Alexander swung the silver sword through the air, making a cool swishing noise. Rahshah sniffed the air, rather like a rat. Alexander mentally messaged the sword, is it still there?
      You got him! He's hurt! It has launched himself up in the air and is about to blast us all with a fiery inferno straight out of Hell!
      Alexander backed up quickly, saying, "The sword told me there is a dragon following us invisible!"
      Manderkarr watched Alexander backpedal and said, "I hate to inform you man, but Issic is part dragon."
      The sword urged Alexander to leave. RUN! RUN! RUN! RUN LIKE THE WIND!
      Although he saw and heard nothing, Rahshah decided to flee. He ran across the square.
      Manderkarr was annoyed. He said, "What in Tarnation is going on? I don't even have a good buzz and yer trying to play games with me?"
      Alexander, looking left and right, prepared for anything, said, "It said it is still here and that I hit it but I don't believe I hit anything. Rahshah, can you make invisible things turn visible?" But Rahshah was leaping over the small wooden fence around the town square as he ran off.
      The sword whined in agony, ARRRGH! I BURN, I BURN! YOU FOOL! I'M MELTING, MELTING!
      Flower said, "I think, you are looking for the wrong enemy." Flower held the baby tight to her.
      Alexander tried to mentally sense if a dragon was around. Is he attacking you mentally? How can I help you? Everyone here is fine.
      Yes, we are all dying! Can't you see? Flower is toast, so is Issic!
      Alexander noticed everyone was looking at him like he was insane. "Something isn't right."
      Rahshah, hiding in an ally, stopped running and looked back to see what was going on. He saw everyone standing around in confusion. Rahshah tried to detect illusions. He noticed that the two guards were actually mind flayers. Rahshah mentally kicked himself for his upcoming and predictable stupidity, but he didn't want to abandon his friends. He felt pretty sure that traveling with them would lead directly to his death. Then again, no matter where he went or with whom, he would be led to his death. Death, ultimately, was unavoidable.
      Issic snorted, "Let's go see what is going on at the tavern. We were made to leave for a reason I think."
      Manderkarr snarled, "Look, I ain't gonna stand here all night for nothing." The dwarf stomped off to look for a new tavern more to his tastes.
      Alexander tried to explain. "Listen, guys; earlier today, Hanako and I went around this town and helped the head of the knights here check for mindflayers. During the search the sword told me that there was a dragon following us and had been following us."
      Alexander, annoyed at the sword, demanded, The dragon isn't there? I don't know what you think you see but there is nothing there.
      Issic thought for a minute. "Since when and what do you think a dragon would want with us?" Issic looked at the pair of guards. He thought it odd that they did not react to the drawing of swords.
      Alexander said, "I don't know. The Gith that we took this sword from sometimes use red dragons as mounts. I thought they might be trying to reclaim the sword again."
      The sword thought to Alexander, The dragon has left, but all your friends are dead, I am afraid.
      They look alive to me. Are you sure you aren't being tricked?
      This dragon has trailed me for centuries! It always kills my hosts companions. The dragon had attacked the Githyanki party earlier.
      Rahshah walked casually toward the pair of guards, casting Chromatic Orb as he walked. When he closed in, he threw a white colored sphere at one of the guards, then took off running. The guard doubled over when the white sphere hit him.
      Alexander looked quickly at what the Zakharan was doing. "In Athena's name, what was that?" He pointed, and the guard that had been hit by the spell had turned into a mind flayer, its mauve tentacles waving horrifically. Shanagra whipped out his sword and whistled. A nearby bird took off flying.
      "Excellent detection Rahshah!" shouted Issic, drawing his sword. "Is the other guard one, too?" Rahshah nodded and stopped his headlong flight when he was slightly behind Issic.
      Manderkarr had just sat down at a table at a tavern by the square. The bird flew into the tavern and landed at the dwarf's table. The bird carved a Dwarven rune into the table, one that meant "Treacherous Combat." It flew off and Manderkarr ran out of the tavern, his weapons ready.
      The flayer stared straight at Shanagra with its pale, dead eyes. Shanagra fell to the ground, holding his head and screaming, "Iä! Sernath, Shoggoth!"
      Issic, roaring, slammed his sword into the backbone of the illithid. The mind flayer fell down in a spray of blood and goo.
      The other guard dropped its illusion, revealing its illithid form. Alexander thrust Alahamir at it, saying, "Light upon you all!" Rahshah dazed the mind flayer with a spell and Manderkarr threw his axe, which slammed into the stumbling illithid's shoulder. Issic stepped in and slew the mind flayer.
      Alexander asked the sword, Are there any more here?
      No. The dragon never gets reinforcements. Oh! The flayers! No... Just the two. Good thing someone resurrected your friends.
      Flower laid the baby on the grass, then cradled Shanagra's head upon her shoulder as the druid continued to spout gibberish. As far as she could tell, he was completely mad. The baby's face screwed up strangely with each of Shanagra's utterings.
      Issic clasped the Zakharan on the shoulder. "Rahshah, Good work. Are there any more around?" Rahshah looked around nervously, but could see no illusions.
      Alexander stood next to Flower and knelt down to Shanagra. "Oh, damn, Shanagra," said Alexander. "I think the flayer drove him insane."
      Shanagra looked Flower in the eyes and shouted, "Iä! Shoggoths! Lumley! Byleth Tenebrion!"
      "Does anyone know what he is saying?" asked Alexander. Flower recognized the word shoggoth. It was a word referring to a certain creature of horrible legend. She did not want to tell Alexander of the Elder Things that the Elves trapped. She hoped the illithids, in their delving, had not awakened any of them.
      Flower told Alexander that she needed gloves. She tried to hold Shanagra's mouth closed, but he would not be held. He fought against Flower and shouted, "Iä! Yogath shoggoth!"
      Rahshah suggested hypnotizing Shanagra, Issic suggested tying a leash to him and leading him around, and Manderkarr suggested knocking him unconscious and carrying him to the woods. Alexander decided to go with Rahshah's suggestion. "Try that Rahshah. If that doesn't work we will let Manny try. This, however, means we must hurry on to Ingara; I don't think there is anything I can do for him but others in my order might be able to."
      Flower asked Issic for gloves since Alexander, as usual, was ignoring her.
      "What do you need with gloves, Flower?" asked Issic.
      Rahshah made eye contact with Shanagra, and hypnotized Shanagra, willing him to forget anything about the encounter with the flayers, including getting mind zapped. Shanagra calmed down and blinked his eyes. "Did you ever figure out what your sword was on about, Alexander?" he asked. Rahshah sighed in relief, uncrossing his fingers. Flower hugged Rahshah. Rahshah, uncomfortable with personal contact (an Eastern prejudice), pushed Flower away. Flower picked up the little baby from the grass.
      Alexander said to Shanagra, "Yes, it appears to have a funny little quirk where it thinks its wielder's friends have been killed by a dragon now and then."
      "A hallucinating magic sword? Wonderful."
      "Something like that. Do you know what Iä! Shoggoths! Lumley! Byleth Tenebrion means?"
      "No."
      Flower went over to the mind flayers and dumped out one of her potions to the ground. She put some of the flayer's goo into the vial. Shanagra watched her, then he noticed the dead illithids. He looked at Alexander with alarm.
      Alexander laughed it off. "Oh yeah, we had a little run in while you were passed out."
      "I think it is time to leave," said Flower when she saw people starting to gather around. The guards came up.
      Alexander quickly asked Shanagra, "What about Eä! Yogath shoggoth. Know what that means Shanagra?"
      "Well, Yogath Hob is the dark god of evil. Other than that, no."
      "Anyone care to explain this?" asked the captain of the guard. Captain Yashmanaja II was dressed in a beautiful set of full plate armor. Embossed all over it were etchings of vines and leaves. His helmet was covered with nestled bird designs among trees.
      Manderkarr said, "They were attacked and I stopped them thingies over thare."
      Alexander said, "Well captain, I found these flayers pretending to be two of your guards." Alexander leaned down next to one of the mind flayers and found a small pouch with three large lumps in it, a vial of transparent, foul smelling yellow liquid, A handful of burrs stuck to a colorful bit of thread, a twisted metal fork, a wooden token, a scrap of leather, a parchment sheet, torn, with markings on it, a very small, teeny weeny wicker basket, a piece of paper that said, "The object in question is the miller's...", and a statuette of a horrible toad creature with illithid tentacles and a large phallus.
      The captain cleared up the details with Manderkarr and Alexander and ordered the illithids destroyed by fire.
      "They burn?" asked Flower. "Even with the goo and all?"
      "We will find out," said Captain Yashmanaja II.
      "I guess we should be doing some experiments to see what effects them," said Flower. She moved the baby from one shoulder to the next. Alexander said to the Nyandarian knight, "Captain, I hope you don't have any more troubles with these flayers." The captain nodded and thanked Alexander for his help.
      "I suggest we go to the boat now," said Alexander to his companions.
      "I agree," said Shanagra.
      Rahshah said, "Did someone mention a boat? Did I mention I am afraid of boats?"
      Shanagra said, "Too bad I cannot hypnotize, or know anyone who can. That could help you Rahshah."
      Rahshah sighed. "Does anyone happen to have goat liquor? That has helped in the past."
      Flower said, "If you drink that transparent smelly yellowish liquid, Maybe you wont get seasick."
      Rahshah said, "I bet if I don't go on a boat I won't get seasick."
      Alexander laughed. "Well, Rahshah, I find it odd that you are so afraid of boats but you have no problems staying in a town that is going to be over run by flayers in a few days."
      "Well, when I was a young sand mite, I had this slight problem that involved a boat, some camel grease, and a mean older cousin."
      "What ship?" asked Manderkarr. "I'm sure we can find some other way. Where are we going again?"
      Shanagra said, "How are we to find another way? An overland route would be a massive delay through Drychtnoth."
      Manderkarr snorted, "Then it's settled, Drychtnoth it is!"
      Shanagra said, "I think I can find you a different way, Manny."
      "If we go underground we will be passing through flayer controlled land," said Alexander.
      "All the better," said Manderkarr. "We'll wipe them out in the process."
      "Lets go northeast, guys, out into the forest," said Shanagra.
      "What do you have planned?" asked Alexander.
      Rahshah said, "Ummmmm, I also have this tiny problem with trees. They are so big! They make me feel inferior."
      "Is there anything you are NOT afraid of , Rahshah?" asked Issic.
      Shanagra smiled. "Something I hoped to avoid, but we can use a Stone circle to get there."
      Manderkarr laughed. "Sounds like a great idea! Can't go wrong with rock!"
      Alexander said, "Of course I would imagine that Issic was looking forward to meeting that other half-dragon."
      "Other half dragon?" asked Flower.
      Shanagra said, "Well, are we going by sea, or are we owing the Lords of Stone a huge favor?"
      "I'm for the Stone thing," said Manderkarr.
      "If this Stone circle is to be avoided then let's do that and go by boat. Unless Manny is a wussy."
      "Can you show me how to hypnotize people, Rahshah?" asked Alexander. He was ready to put Manderkarr out.
      The dragon is back. Just thought you ought to know.
      Thanks, thought Alexander back to the sword. He was ready to toss the sword into the ocean if he could just get onto a boat.
      Rahshah said, "Ahhh, stuck between the proverbial sandstorm and the rabid goat of the west. I will bow to the party's decision."
      Shanagra said, "Rabid goat? Iä! Shub-Niggurath! Black goat of the woods with a thousand young!" Shanagra fell over. Alexander checked on him, and he woke up. "Whoa," said Shanagra. "I keep falling over."
      "That settles it, we must go to Ingara as fast as possible to get Shanagra help." Alexander whispered to Rahshah, "Can you hypnotize Manny to want to go on the boat or think that he is one a cart or something?"
      "Sorry, but my spells are not powerful, and anything I could do would not last."
      "The fastest way is through the Stones," said Shanagra.
      Manderkarr agreed. "And the Stones it be as I ain't taking no boat where I can't see land."
      "Oh, let's take to stones, then," said Alexander.
      Flower asked, "Ummm, Shanagra, what happens if you fall over while we are doing the stone thing?"
      "If I mess up the ritual, we will all die, Flower."
      "The cost of the Stones, like the ale for Manny, is too high," said Issic.
      " Better than drowning, I see," said Manderkarr. "I'd rather die in earth than floating in the sea."
      "Oh, lets take the boat then," said Alexander.
      Issic said, "Anyone not wanting to get on the boat can just stay here and get overrun. Let's go!"
      Alexander said, "I am with Issic, we have taken too long as it is and I must get word to my order."
      Shanagra said, "First we need to agree that one of us will decide. then we need to agree to all follow the leader regardless of danger or personal fears."
      Manderkarr said, "We take the Stones; no one said no to them, right?"
      Alexander answered, "I have, if Shanagra falls during the spell, we will all die and no one will be able to warn the rest of the world about the flayers."
      Shanagra said, "I probably won't fall. It is only a three hour ritual."
      Rahshah said, "It is beyond me to judge people I have just met, but I would prefer someone who will not get me killed rashly."
      "And anyone who puts me on a boat will be killed quite rashly," promised Manderkarr.
      Flower said, "You would KILL me?"
      "If you think you can put me on a sea boat, I think I could."
      Alexander said, "We have to go on the boat; if you don't want to come you don't have to but I would ask you for our friend Shanagra to come with us. Look who has the inferior god now."
      Shanagra whipped out his scimitar. He reversed it and put the point to his heart. "L'wob! Nedoow llams!"
      Flower knocked Shanagra down and Issic took the sword away. "Iä!" Shanagra said, and feinted. Issic picked up Shanagra and slung him over his shoulder.
      "I'm sorry, but I'm taking no boat," said Manderkarr. "I'll deal with these mindbenders that seem all over here while you warn some humans if needed. I don't think I'll be any help. No, if we were meant to be in the water we'd have gills like fish. The gods made us land dwellers."
      Issic said, "you were not born with that axe in your hand but it fits quite nicely now. You can adapt to the boat too." Issic shifted Shanagra to his other shoulder.
      Manderkarr said, "Don't let me hold your rush, but I'd rather die than go. You'll manage. I may find another way."
      "Well," said Alexander, "I have to get Shanagra help if we don't he might die."
      Shanagra awakened. "We need an oracle. Which way is best? By sea, or by Stone?"
      Alexander said, "Shanagra, it has been not thirty minutes since the battle with the flayers and in that time you have passed out three times. There is no way you can make it through the three hours."
      "I wasn't involved in the flayer battle," said Shanagra. "Perhaps I can't, but maybe Flower can do the ritual for me."
      Flower yelled, "Of COURSE, I can! I memorized the words from last time. But, it's different asking rocks for something than asking trees. Trees actually like being helpful."
      Shanagra collapsed to his knees when Issic set him down. "I don't understand what is wrong with me."
      Alexander shook his head. "This is not good."
      Flower hugged Shanagra, careful not to squash the baby. She told him the story about what the mindflayer did to him and how he was hypnotized.
      "Saying those words are not good," said Shanagra. "If we are at sea, and I summon a Shoggoth, we are dead. Very dead."
      "What are they?" asked Alexander.
      "Shoggoths are REAL?" asked Flower.
      Shanagra said, "I don't know. I am saying things, and I don't know where... from whence any of it is coming. Of course they are not real. I cannot summon fantasies."
      "Do you think flower can get us there using the stones, Shanagra?" asked Alexander.
      "Yes. She is very tuned with nature."
      "How long to get to them?"
      "About two days. As opposed to a month long sea journey. I can teach Flower the ritual in that time."
      "Let's take the stones then, and hope we can avoid the flayers."
      Manderkarr sniffed, "Hell, the squid live in the sea, man."
      Alexander said, "No, they live in the earth. The sea is probably the safest place to be."
      Shanagra squirmed and plopped to the ground. "The squid live in the sea-men, yes, of course. The deep ones come. They call and... Iä!"
      "Let's get some horses or a wagon or something so we don't have to carry him the whole way," said Alexander.
      "Late at night, they whisper and I hear," said Manderkarr. "Don't feel or head no warning, don't feel the storm unfolding."
      They found a wagon, team, and driver who would do the entire journey for a silver piece. Alexander paid the teamster and told him to wait for them at the gate.
      Shanagra stumbled to the wagon and climbed in. "I hear them. I hear them. They are in my head, in my head. No one's home in my head. Filled with dread, in my head. Nest of termites, glowing red in my head. They are in my head."
      After Rahshah climbed in, Alexander said, "I am surprised you aren't afraid of wagons Rahshah."
      "Why would I be afraid of wagons?"
      Issic asked Alexander, "Can't your god do anything about the voices in his head?"
      "My god could but I do not think I am powerful enough to channel the energy that would be needed to help him. But others in my order could."
      The wagon moved through the gate and down the road. Alexander asked Flower if she could read.
      "A little. Why?"
      "Can you teach me elvish?"
      "No."
      "I bought a book in the market that is in elvish."
      " If it was meant for humans, it would have been written in common. You couldn't possibly understand an elvish book, even if you understood the words."
      The driver shivered and tried to ignore the conversation he heard.
      Suddenly, Alexander heard faint voices calling to him. The voices were around them, close to him, yet far away, sort of ghostly and inhuman.
      What is going on? Alexander asked the sword, Alahamir.
      The dragon speaks. He likes you.
      Well, I guess that is good. Why does he want to kill my friends then? How do you know the dragon likes me?
      He didn't kill you.
      How nice, I don't suppose there is a way I could talk to him is there?
      I want to kill flayers.
      Well, you have gotten to kill four or five in the past day and will get more of a chance later.
      "Iä! I experiment with myself in my head!" Shanagra said, then passed out again. Rahshah buried his head in his arms and shivered.

      The days passed easily and soon they were enveloped in a massive wood. The trees were hundreds of feet tall. Shanagra, while lucid, taught Flower the ritual, but he was obviously getting worse, slowly losing his sanity. Alexander prayed he taught her the correct ritual. Soon the path ended and all that was left were briars and thickets. The driver said, "Your destination is over yonder hill, about fifteen minutes or so."
      "Thank you," said Alexander, tipping the driver a couple of coppers. "May Athena bless you with wisdom."
      "Thank you, lords. Shall I wait here for you?"
      "No, we should be fine."
      Manderkarr handed the driver five gold coins. "This is fer keeper yer mouth shut and you never saw any of us, right?"
      The man looked in wonder at the dwarf, his mind recalling the tales of Dwarvish hoards buried in Dwarvish citadels. He figured the folk tales were true in this case. "Aye. I never saw none of ye. Fer whut it is wurth, I hopes yer friend gets well." He snapped the reins, waved at Alexander, bowed to the dwarf, and began his journey home.
      Alexander said, "Well, Shanagra lead the way to these stones."
      Shanagra said, "The stones are up there. Are you all sure of this? The Stone Lords will exact their toll."
      "And what toll is that?" asked Manderkarr.
      "I cannot predict the whims of the Stone Lords. When they want a favor, that is when you will have to pay the toll."
      "Sounds fair enough to me," said Manderkarr.
      "What kind of a toll?" asked Issic. "Since Manny insists on going this way, he can pay my share to the Stone Lords."
      "The way stones fall are never predictable, Demon," said Flower.
      Rahshah said, "I am already convinced I will die staying with you guys, so I guess it matters not how."
      Manderkarr clapped the Zakharan on the back. "That's the spirit, Rahshah!"
      Flower said, "You had all better be sure, or not do it, and you all must have complete faith in me."
      Alexander said, "Well, I wish if you were going to get second thoughts you would have had them in the town. Athena will protect us, she will not let misfortune befall us while we are on a mission for her."
      "Let's just get it done," growled Issic. He did not like the smell of these woods.
      Shanagra said, "Let's go." The brambles parted for Shanagra, allowing him, and each of them, passage to the Circle. The circle of monoliths was huge, even bigger than the one used before.
      Alexander held out his arms. "I will watch the baby while you are working, Flower." Flower handed the child to Alexander. "Athena protect us."
      Flower began the three hour ritual to summon the Stone Lords. Magic swirled around all of them, and they sensed stony hands grasping them and pulling them through the earth at an amazing rate of speed. All was dark, and they each felt insignificant and tiny.
      Then, they all appeared in a small circle of rocks on a grassy knoll. A small town was not far off. Alexander recognized the architecture as Ingaran.
      "Home!" whispered Alexander.

500 exp.