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Middle World/Lakelands 1: Main Group
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<blockquote data-quote="Raven Crowking" data-source="post: 1584664" data-attributes="member: 18280"><p><strong>Eighth Session</strong></p><p></p><p>For three days, it rained. Finally, the River Princess appeared where the Selwyn bent to the east. One of the sailors gave the group a wave. Soon, the ship’s boat was headed toward the bank. Ahern Atwood leapt out. Looking at the group, he was quick to see that their number had been reduced.</p><p></p><p>“Where is Krog?” he asked.</p><p></p><p>“He has passed on,” Locke said, indicating the cairn they had raised for him. They told Ahern what had passed in the ruins.</p><p></p><p>“I would like to see these ruins for myself,” Ahern said.</p><p></p><p>“No,” Desu said. “You would not. All that is to be found there is death.”</p><p></p><p>“I would still hazard my fortune.”</p><p></p><p>“Didn’t you hear what we told you?” Locke asked. “There were wolves. And skeletons. We couldn’t even hurt them!”</p><p></p><p>“I’m not going down there again,” Nift added, shaking his head.</p><p></p><p>“Well, I am,” said Ahern, “whether any of you will go with me or no. I know the Lupine Tongue. I can speak to wolves, and we might learn something to our advantage.”</p><p></p><p>When it was clear that Ahern would not be persuaded otherwise, the sailors took the ship’s boat back to the River Princess to wait for them. As Ahern tied his rope to the worn pillar, his companions gave way and chose to accompany him.</p><p></p><p>They climbed down into the dimly lit chamber. Ahern led the way. They lit torches once more. In the accumulated loam and leaves that scattered the antechamber floor, Ahern found a single wolf track, but it was oddly faded and indistinct.</p><p></p><p>“Clearly, these are not natural wolves.”</p><p></p><p>They descended the stairs into the pillared hall. Moving cautiously to avoid slipping in the water and muck, they slowly approached the area where the wolves had appeared before. The signs of their last struggle had disappeared – not even the stains of Krog’s blood remained.</p><p></p><p>They watched the flickering wolf-images carved upon the wall, but these were just images so far as they could tell. As expected, the shadowy wolves appeared when the group leader stepped about forty feet from stairs. Again, the four shadowy skeletons appeared, blocking their way forward, as the wolves blocked their retreat.</p><p></p><p>“Hold,” said Ahern in the Lupine Tongue. “We mean you no harm!”</p><p></p><p>The lead wolf paused. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” it answered in the same language.</p><p></p><p>“I am Ahern Atwood, a ranger. Do not attack us!”</p><p></p><p>“We are Guardians here. If you try to go back, we must attack you.”</p><p></p><p>“Then we will not go back. What of these skeletons?”</p><p></p><p>“They are also Guardians, to prevent you from going forward. See that you do not retreat, brother, or I shall slay you.”</p><p></p><p>Ahern agreed, and then told his companions what had passed. His companions seemed hopeful at this news overall, though Nift still eyed the wolves nervously. Nift began to play his instrument, hoping to inspire his friends into acts of great courage. Nift stepped back away from the shadowy skeletons, and one of the wolves stepped toward him with a low growl.</p><p></p><p>Now the group faced the four skeletons with zeal. But their zeal soon turned to dismay, for the skeletons were no less like shadowy phantoms this time than last, and their sharp weapons seemed to do little to the bone when they struck. The skeletons were supernaturally swift, and did not seem to be affected by the slick floor. Once more, the adventuring party was swiftly in need of healing, and began to prepare for retreat.</p><p></p><p>As they retreated, the wolves stepped in, bringing them down gently with their mouths. Clearly, the wolves were not yet certain that it was a retreat. Ahern bluffed quickly, pretending that they were not retreating at all, but seeking more favorable positions to combat the skeletons.</p><p></p><p>Nift was again the first to retreat. Locke and Desu were not far behind. Although the wolves sought to stop them, they gained the stairs and then the rope. Ahern was not as lucky. As he darted past three of the wolves, one caught him and flung him down. Rather than risk another attack healing his fallen companion, or to try to pull him the short distance up the stairway to safety, the trio of remaining adventurers left Ahern there to be ripped apart.</p><p></p><p>Once more they waited a space before going back into the ruin. They gathered the pieces of Ahern’s body and raised a second cairn next to that of Krog the Hungry.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Raven Crowking, post: 1584664, member: 18280"] [b]Eighth Session[/b] For three days, it rained. Finally, the River Princess appeared where the Selwyn bent to the east. One of the sailors gave the group a wave. Soon, the ship’s boat was headed toward the bank. Ahern Atwood leapt out. Looking at the group, he was quick to see that their number had been reduced. “Where is Krog?” he asked. “He has passed on,” Locke said, indicating the cairn they had raised for him. They told Ahern what had passed in the ruins. “I would like to see these ruins for myself,” Ahern said. “No,” Desu said. “You would not. All that is to be found there is death.” “I would still hazard my fortune.” “Didn’t you hear what we told you?” Locke asked. “There were wolves. And skeletons. We couldn’t even hurt them!” “I’m not going down there again,” Nift added, shaking his head. “Well, I am,” said Ahern, “whether any of you will go with me or no. I know the Lupine Tongue. I can speak to wolves, and we might learn something to our advantage.” When it was clear that Ahern would not be persuaded otherwise, the sailors took the ship’s boat back to the River Princess to wait for them. As Ahern tied his rope to the worn pillar, his companions gave way and chose to accompany him. They climbed down into the dimly lit chamber. Ahern led the way. They lit torches once more. In the accumulated loam and leaves that scattered the antechamber floor, Ahern found a single wolf track, but it was oddly faded and indistinct. “Clearly, these are not natural wolves.” They descended the stairs into the pillared hall. Moving cautiously to avoid slipping in the water and muck, they slowly approached the area where the wolves had appeared before. The signs of their last struggle had disappeared – not even the stains of Krog’s blood remained. They watched the flickering wolf-images carved upon the wall, but these were just images so far as they could tell. As expected, the shadowy wolves appeared when the group leader stepped about forty feet from stairs. Again, the four shadowy skeletons appeared, blocking their way forward, as the wolves blocked their retreat. “Hold,” said Ahern in the Lupine Tongue. “We mean you no harm!” The lead wolf paused. “Who are you, and what are you doing here?” it answered in the same language. “I am Ahern Atwood, a ranger. Do not attack us!” “We are Guardians here. If you try to go back, we must attack you.” “Then we will not go back. What of these skeletons?” “They are also Guardians, to prevent you from going forward. See that you do not retreat, brother, or I shall slay you.” Ahern agreed, and then told his companions what had passed. His companions seemed hopeful at this news overall, though Nift still eyed the wolves nervously. Nift began to play his instrument, hoping to inspire his friends into acts of great courage. Nift stepped back away from the shadowy skeletons, and one of the wolves stepped toward him with a low growl. Now the group faced the four skeletons with zeal. But their zeal soon turned to dismay, for the skeletons were no less like shadowy phantoms this time than last, and their sharp weapons seemed to do little to the bone when they struck. The skeletons were supernaturally swift, and did not seem to be affected by the slick floor. Once more, the adventuring party was swiftly in need of healing, and began to prepare for retreat. As they retreated, the wolves stepped in, bringing them down gently with their mouths. Clearly, the wolves were not yet certain that it was a retreat. Ahern bluffed quickly, pretending that they were not retreating at all, but seeking more favorable positions to combat the skeletons. Nift was again the first to retreat. Locke and Desu were not far behind. Although the wolves sought to stop them, they gained the stairs and then the rope. Ahern was not as lucky. As he darted past three of the wolves, one caught him and flung him down. Rather than risk another attack healing his fallen companion, or to try to pull him the short distance up the stairway to safety, the trio of remaining adventurers left Ahern there to be ripped apart. Once more they waited a space before going back into the ruin. They gathered the pieces of Ahern’s body and raised a second cairn next to that of Krog the Hungry. [/QUOTE]
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