DARKSUN: RUINS OF DESTRUCTION
SEGMENT 002
ADVENTURE ONE: LEDOPOLUS
11/26/16
190 KA- DESERT FURY 13TH DAY OF 3RD MONTH
The paranoia of Hamanu seems worse than ever. The gates are closed. No one can leave and no one can come in, not even the trade caravans of House Stel. With determination, you stride up to the templar in charge of the gate you wish to leave through. “We have great need to leave.” Delphia Sand-Caller declares.
“And just what kind of wench are you and why do you feel the need to leave so quickly?” demands the guards with the templar. “Is daddy angry with you?” The templar and the guards laugh at the poor joke.
She lets out an angry sigh to get the templar’s attention. “Templar Senshaw has us doing Urik business outside of the walls. He was quite insistent for us to be on our way quickly. If you wish I can return to him and tell him of the wonderful job you are doing keeping everyone, including us, in here.”
The templar reddens in anger then softens in quiet confusion. If she is right, Senshaw may order his own tour in the mines. “What business would the city have you do?” He asks to regain control of the situation. The guards closest to him stiffen and hold their spears tighter.
“An important message of his own want and desire. You are holding us up. I am sure he will understand the delay.”
Renewed frustration and uncertainty. “The doors and be quick about it. If Templar Senshaw is displeased it will be YOU to enter the arena or mines.” The guards hurry to open the gate doors and the three of them step out. The door nearly strikes Torruk as he exits.
If things looked oppressed inside, then outside is hopeless. Caravans are lined up and being searched by guards and with psions. Never can you remember this level of security. It is clear something is happened. There are rumors of raiders and storms but nothing proven. Perhaps Tyr is looking to start a war again.
Beyond the caravans of Kanks, Crodlus and the monstrous Mellikots , there is a tent city of poor, desperate and farmers. In some cases, caravan personnel that are not in favor with Hamanu or the gate guards. For the better part of the first day, they walk through the city farms. Sparse wheat and other grains struggle to grow in the land surrounding the city. Thousands of years of corrupted magic use has devastated the planet of Athas. Rumors and legends suggest it was once a land of forests and plentiful game. Utopia. Instead it is a barren land and all life struggles to survive. Even the cactus can be deadly.
190 KA- DESERT FURY 14TH DAY OF 3RD MONTH
Torruk awakens and rolls his eyes. The other two have begun the usual morning rituals. She castes multiple spells of create water. It is enough to fill their water skins and little else. Then she and Balik take a “walk” just out of sight. Not always out of earshot. The half-giant sighs and lays back down to await their return.
They return and the big barbarian prepares breakfast. He came across a few Erdlu eggs at Urik’s market before leaving. He has become an accomplished cook. Some mages have special hidden pouches for spell components- he has one for spices.
They travel the trade road from Urik to Silver Springs and beyond. Of course, there are various threats on the road. Bandits, rogue elementals, hungry creatures and even undead come to the road for easy meals.
Though over 100 degrees, their travel gear is designed to be cooler for travel purposes. They are on constant guard for possible ambushes. These ambushes can come from nearby or from the distance. Delphia’s sharp eyes spots a small disturbance of dust and sand in the sand coming their way.
“Wind?” asks the mul.
“I don’t think so…” answers the half-giant.
“I think it may be … elves?” She cups her eyes from the glare of the sun. “No… not elves. Not fast enough. But they are coming for us.”
The half-giant readjusts his grip on the massive sword. The three of them await the oncoming rush. Five humanoid figures are running directly at them. Their skin is grey and they wear no clothing or armor. No weapons can be seen neither.
The first three rush up then tumble before Torruk. As they tumble, they kick up sand and grit in their hands and toes of their feet and spray it into the air. With his greater height, they do not distract, much less blind him. Another creature comes up to him from the side expecting him to blinded. He blocks it’s attack.
Now that they are closer to see, the three adventurers see more details. Their grey skin is ruddy and lumpy. Red veins are on the surface of their skin. Black eyes look at them with malice. Their mouth is circular and filled with long sharp teeth. (Dust Blights)
Torruk is struck several times by bite and claws. Calling up a psionic shield, Balik protects his mistress and strikes at any of the creatures if they come too close to her or him.
The battle goes poorly, especially for the half-giant whom they seem to be concentrating their attacks on. As he stumbles to the side, Balik steps up and takes down one. Delphia calls on her clerical power over the earth elements and quickly scoops sand and dust onto some of his wounds. He clenches his teeth as the grit works at his skin like sandpaper a professional wood worker may use. Then as the earth is shrugged off by him, the wounds are gone- only bright pink fresh scars remain.
Another creature goes down leaving one for each to concentrate on. Another failed dirty tactic of throwing dirt but this time at the elf. Balik strikes that one extremely hard and a second time when it was not even needed.
With three down, the remaining two turn to leave. Only one successfully escapes.
190 KA- DESERT FURY 15TH DAY OF 3RD MONTH
The three of them have enjoyed another very good meal. He has added spices to basic rations and greatly improved their flavor.
Late morning, they come to a section of road where the cacti have grown very very close to it. Cautiously they walk on the road. They have seen cacti that seem to have an evil intelligence attack by firing quills and some even have quills with tendrils attached to them to reel you in to feed on the water within you. Athas is a dangerous place to be.
As Balik goes to get cacti that can be eaten, the ever watchful elf spots movement near him behind tall and thick drums of cacti. A large spiky scorpion chitters out looking for an easy meal. Fearing the barbed spikes and large pincers, Torruk tries to strike it with a few spears he often carries. As extra precaution, he and Delphia have climbed a flat rock for height and cover.
Balik slams it with his obsidian mace. Little is done to it and he is startled by how close he nearly pierced his own arm on the vermin (barbed Scorpion). He also climbs the rock making the creature fight at a disadvantage. Backing up, Torruk growls in frustration and anger. Raging, he charges it with his sword and stabs it through the head. The death throes of its stinger lacks aim and guidance as it tosses and turns in pain before twitching to a stillness.
190 KA- DESERT FURY 18TH DAY OF 3RD MONTH
Late in the afternoon, they reach the first openly known public oasis- Silver Springs. The oasis is enclosed and guarded by the Silver Hands elven tribe. For five ceramic bits they can refill their waterskins and/or take shelter within the walls. Assuming you trust the elves that is. Torruk is uneasy. The one elven guard doesn’t hide the fact he is envious of the sword. It is nearly eight feet long. Though not metal, it would still fetch a good sum of coin. He sleeps with it under his arms and legs.
They set up their tents and Delphia and Balik quietly entertain an eaves dropping elven child.
In the morning, several elves linger as the smell of spiced scorpion meat floats through the air. Listening to various conversations if spoken in a language he can understand, the half-giant learns of rumors. There may be a great Gith leader organizing and joining several large clans together. If true, they could threaten any caravan on the road- even Stel or the military units.
Next settlement- Abalath.