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Arcanis: Gonnes, Sons, and Treasure Runs (COMPLETED)
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<blockquote data-quote="talien" data-source="post: 4055410" data-attributes="member: 3285"><p><strong>Madness in Freeport - Part 9: The Serpent Portal</strong></p><p></p><p>The boat landed on a beach facing a wide, curved, jade wall covered by a mural depicting two ssanu in red robes, standing on the summit of a jade tower shaped in the form of a coiled snake. The hands of the ssanu were raised to the sky, and far below a throng of serpent people looked on. </p><p></p><p>“Well, Black Dog’s treasure didn’t have the statue,” said Vlad. “So I really hope it’s behind this door.”</p><p></p><p>Between the two robed figures was an enormous, stone doorway. In the center of the door, a bas-relief cobra was carved out of the green stone. The mouth of the cobra jutted out further than the rest of the relief, its fangs bared as if ready to strike. Beneath the cobra was writing in some strange script.</p><p></p><p>Ilmarė scanned the text. “It reads, ‘All those who would enter the temple must pass the test of the fangs. Reach into the mouth of Yig, and your courage will be rewarded.’”</p><p></p><p>Beldin stepped up to it. “Obviously, this is a trap only a dwarf can handle. I’m sure it’s poisoned.” He thrust his hand into the serpent’s mouth.</p><p></p><p>“What the hell are you doing?” shouted Vlad.</p><p></p><p>“YAAA!” Beldin jerked his arm out of the door, flailing backwards. A stream of green liquid sprayed from the serpent’s mouth into Beldin’s face. </p><p></p><p>“Beldin!” shouted Ilmarė. “Are you all right?”</p><p></p><p>The dwarf was pale. “Contact poison,” he whispered, licking his lips. “Tastes like…dragon bile.”</p><p></p><p>“Great. Half his mind was gone already.” Ilmarė helped the dwarf to his feet. “Now he’s poisoned.” She glared at Kham. “This is all your fault.”</p><p></p><p>“My fault? I didn’t tell him to touch the door!”</p><p></p><p>“You know he’s not right in the head!” she shouted. “He keeps opening traps because he thinks he’s the only one brave enough to withstand them.” She looked back at the dwarf, whose eyes were glazed over. Ilmarė patted Beldin’s hand. “I’m starting to think he’s right,” she said softly.</p><p></p><p>Vlad took an antidote from his belt pouch and poured it down Beldin’s throat. “He’s the toughest dwarf I know,” said Vlad. “He’ll make it.”</p><p></p><p>“Oh, fine, fine.” Kham rolled up one sleeve. “I’ll do it.” He walked up to the door and took a deep breath. “Here goes everything.”</p><p></p><p>Kham thrust his arm into the serpent’s mouth. It felt as if the jaws of the serpent were closing over his arm. Pain shot up through his fingertips and pulsed at his shoulder. Kham’s fingertips brushed the edge of a doorknob. He strained his fingertips outward.</p><p></p><p>Every instinct screamed for him to remove his arm. It felt as if the flesh were peeling off his bones. Then he got hold of the doorknob. He turned it hard and the door opened.</p><p></p><p>Kham jerked his hand out of the serpent’s mouth. His hand was fine.</p><p></p><p>“Dwarves have stubby arms,” said Kham. “Maybe I should stick to taking care of the traps from now on.”</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="talien, post: 4055410, member: 3285"] [b]Madness in Freeport - Part 9: The Serpent Portal[/b] The boat landed on a beach facing a wide, curved, jade wall covered by a mural depicting two ssanu in red robes, standing on the summit of a jade tower shaped in the form of a coiled snake. The hands of the ssanu were raised to the sky, and far below a throng of serpent people looked on. “Well, Black Dog’s treasure didn’t have the statue,” said Vlad. “So I really hope it’s behind this door.” Between the two robed figures was an enormous, stone doorway. In the center of the door, a bas-relief cobra was carved out of the green stone. The mouth of the cobra jutted out further than the rest of the relief, its fangs bared as if ready to strike. Beneath the cobra was writing in some strange script. Ilmarė scanned the text. “It reads, ‘All those who would enter the temple must pass the test of the fangs. Reach into the mouth of Yig, and your courage will be rewarded.’” Beldin stepped up to it. “Obviously, this is a trap only a dwarf can handle. I’m sure it’s poisoned.” He thrust his hand into the serpent’s mouth. “What the hell are you doing?” shouted Vlad. “YAAA!” Beldin jerked his arm out of the door, flailing backwards. A stream of green liquid sprayed from the serpent’s mouth into Beldin’s face. “Beldin!” shouted Ilmarė. “Are you all right?” The dwarf was pale. “Contact poison,” he whispered, licking his lips. “Tastes like…dragon bile.” “Great. Half his mind was gone already.” Ilmarė helped the dwarf to his feet. “Now he’s poisoned.” She glared at Kham. “This is all your fault.” “My fault? I didn’t tell him to touch the door!” “You know he’s not right in the head!” she shouted. “He keeps opening traps because he thinks he’s the only one brave enough to withstand them.” She looked back at the dwarf, whose eyes were glazed over. Ilmarė patted Beldin’s hand. “I’m starting to think he’s right,” she said softly. Vlad took an antidote from his belt pouch and poured it down Beldin’s throat. “He’s the toughest dwarf I know,” said Vlad. “He’ll make it.” “Oh, fine, fine.” Kham rolled up one sleeve. “I’ll do it.” He walked up to the door and took a deep breath. “Here goes everything.” Kham thrust his arm into the serpent’s mouth. It felt as if the jaws of the serpent were closing over his arm. Pain shot up through his fingertips and pulsed at his shoulder. Kham’s fingertips brushed the edge of a doorknob. He strained his fingertips outward. Every instinct screamed for him to remove his arm. It felt as if the flesh were peeling off his bones. Then he got hold of the doorknob. He turned it hard and the door opened. Kham jerked his hand out of the serpent’s mouth. His hand was fine. “Dwarves have stubby arms,” said Kham. “Maybe I should stick to taking care of the traps from now on.” [/QUOTE]
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