X5: To the Temple of Death - IC - Page 8

renau1g · 28th August 2009, 03:11 PM

"Well, I guess we should go see what this Master is all about?" Father Fuller suggest, gesturing for Aram to lead.

Rhun · 28th August 2009, 03:51 PM

"Indeed," says Aram. "Is it safe to proceed in this direction?" asks the dervish, gesturing in the way they were going. "I'd hate to experience anymore of that gas."

kinem · 30th August 2009, 07:09 PM

The way ahead is certainly not safe in any way, but the party has no choice but to proceed if they are to accomplish their mission.

The tunnel branches ahead more than once, but most of these prove to be dead ends. As you travel, you hear stony clicks at various times, and knowing that this means that the boulder-creatures are near you proceed cautiously, but you are not confronted and there is little point in attacking every rock on the chance that it might be an enemy.

You are all tired. It's hard to keep track of time in the tunnels but it certainly feels like you've had more than a day of travelling. The party sets up camp, with a meager dinner consisting of game caught before you entered the tunnels.

Throughout the 'night' there are numerous odd noises and stony tapping, but you see nothing causing it. When you feel you have rested enough (for there is no sunrise here), you resume the journey.

Finally you see light at the end of the tunnel. You emerge into a large sunlit valley. Across the valley are yet more mountains, though. Father Fuller is not too surprised by this, as he'd heard that there are valleys within the Great Pass that must be crossed before entering yet more tunnels.

This end of the valley is a broad plain, very level and free of stones. The grass appears to have been neatly cropped so that it is no longer than 2” in any place. Small brooks criss-cross the valley. Their banks are very soft and marshy. No trees, buildings, or other cover are in sight.

Girgal notices horse tracks as the party crosses one of the streams. There are small fish there as well.

After about a mile of this, you see a group of about half a dozen creatures ahead. They appear to have the bodies of horses but with humanoid upper bodies in place of the horse head - centaurs. They gallop away.

Soon a larger group of the centaurs approaches, about 15 of them. They are armed with composite longbows and lances.

The lead centaur, a male, hails you warily. "Greetings, travellers. Who are you and what is your business here?"

Rhun · 30th August 2009, 10:06 PM

"I am Aram Al Tarik, of Ylaruam." The dervish offers the centaurs a low bow. "My companions are Girgal Scalefoot and his mount Ripclaw, Father Fuller, and Kiera Elzmyr." Aram gestures to each of them in turn. "We seek to cross through the Great Pass, to the far side of the mountains," he adds, careful not to tell these beings the exact nature of their mission until he knows more about them. "And you and your kin? Who are you, and what brings you to this majestic valley?"

kinem · 31st August 2009, 05:33 AM

The lead centaur gives a slight bow. "Well met. We are of the Holfield clan, and have lived here for many years. I am Rodree.

I mean no disrespect but we know all of the tunnels are well guarded. These days, no tourists come here. Do you serve the Master?"

Rhun · 31st August 2009, 03:33 PM

Aram remains quiet a moment, as if in thought. If the centaurs served the Master, they would have to be dealt with, so he no longer saw any reason not to tell the truth. He looks into the eyes of Rodree as his hands drift nearer the hilts of his blades. "We are enemies of the Master, and have come to rid the land of he and his dark servants. Please tell me that you are not counted among them..."

renau1g · 31st August 2009, 03:39 PM

Father Fuller stares at the centaurs to gauge their reaction to Rodree's question, to see whether they are allies or enemies of The Master.

OOC

kinem · 31st August 2009, 05:19 PM

The centaur's dark eyes search you, but he scowls.

"Do you take me for a fool? The tunnels are well guarded. If you were real enemies of the Master, and if you had any brains at all, you would just say you serve the Master and we would have let you pass on through.

Have the geonids put you up to this? Trying to provoke us into admitting we oppose the Master so that you can report it and have us crushed? Those damn rock creatures have been a thorn in our side for too long. Well, if that's it, I won't fall for it!"

renau1g

renau1g · 31st August 2009, 05:33 PM

"Ho-ho-ho." Father Fuller chuckles.

"No, good creature, I believe that my desert friend here is no more capable of lying than I am of harming a servant of good. I follow Amaunator, god of the sun and enemy of the undead. What's a G-O-nid?" he continues, drawing forth his holy symbol and displaying it for them to see.

OOc

kinem · 31st August 2009, 09:15 PM

Rodree studies Father Fuller.

"Is this a joke? I don't recognize that symbol, but your armor marks you as a servant of the Master" he says.

"If the boulder-creatures promised you gems or gold, they have deceived you. There is nothing worth mining in the tunnels.

Enough of this ridiculous conversation. If you were truly enemies of the Master, you would never make it through. The snake-haired ladies at the far end of the valley would turn you to stone. And even if you got past them, you would never get past the gate."

He turns and trots off, and the other centaurs follow his lead, starting to gallop away.

Rhun · 31st August 2009, 09:59 PM

Aram shrugs his shoulders and laughs as the centaurs galloped away. "Even those that despise the Master won't stand up to him. I guess that leaves the situation, as always, in our hands." Aram again begins walking, waving his companions to follow. "At least we have a bit better idea of what lies ahead."

renau1g · 31st August 2009, 10:47 PM

"Hmmm, truly odd creatures. Well, maybe on our way back we can convince them the truth of our words with the Master's head?" Father Fuller says, "Hey, what do you think those snake women are he was talking about?" he adds.

Rhun · 31st August 2009, 11:00 PM

"I'm not sure..." says Aram. "But if they can truly turn us to stone, then we must be on our guard against them. Kiera, Girgal? Have you ever heard of such a thing?"

kinem · 1st September 2009, 04:19 AM

WD

Walking Dad · 1st September 2009, 10:38 AM

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 63/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 48/57

"I only know tales and legend; a creature called medusae which looks like a human but with poisonous snakes in place of hair. The legend says, that the sight of her face turns the viewer to stone. I don't know if there is an entire race of them.
We shouldn't get near her unprepared...", Girgal says cautiosly.

ooc

Rhun · 1st September 2009, 03:57 PM

Aram is mildly uncomfortable with the thought of becoming a statue. "You boys wouldn't happen to have any magic that would help keep us from turning to stone, would you?"

kinem · 2nd September 2009, 04:15 AM

"I don't know what you boys can do" Keira says "but I can sense things around me with my eyes closed. Draconic heritage, y'know. It may help against those stoners."

As the party continues deeper into the valley, the vegetation becomes more dense and a few trees can be seen. You see a group of tents in the distance and centaurs patrolling around it, but they don't look too inviting.

A few miles in, the side of the valley to the left opens up. You can head that way, go straight ahead, or try approaching the horse-men.

In the meantime, Girgal finds some edible plants and small game that he could catch to replenish the party's supplies, and the streams look safe to drink from.

Walking Dad · 2nd September 2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rhun

Aram is mildly uncomfortable with the thought of becoming a statue. "You boys wouldn't happen to have any magic that would help keep us from turning to stone, would you?"

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 63/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 48/57

"I know a spell I could pray for... it is mighty magic and allows one to 'see' like a bat, not using ones eyes. But perhaps the gods bestow the Father with a more specialized miracles... I would need to pray for it though. Better we take a rest here, until we have a better tactic." Girgal suggests.

ooc

Rhun · 2nd September 2009, 03:47 PM

"Then let us rest here," agrees Aram. "We should post watches though, here within easy reach of the Master. What do you think of trying to approach the centaurs again?"

Walking Dad · 3rd September 2009, 10:39 AM

Girgal, AC 23 (T15, FF20), HP 63/66, F +11,R+8,W+14
Ripclaw HP 48/57

"For what? I don't think they will attack. We already know of the danger ahead and got food and a resting place. What could they give us more? Perhaps killing this medusa will earn their trust." Girgal replies.

ooc