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The Realms of Enlightenment: The Grey Companions
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<blockquote data-quote="Jon Potter" data-source="post: 848068" data-attributes="member: 2323"><p><strong>[PLAIN][Realms #217] Ambush![/PLAIN]</strong></p><p></p><p>Finian looked down at the dark cave opening and the bloated horse corpse that lay beside it. The bodies of the two carrion crawlers that they had killed the night before were gone. "I'd sure feel a lot better about going in there with some more healing," the Archer said looking hopefully at the cleric, but Ruze just shook his head.</p><p></p><p>"Just take it easy and preserve your energy," the Battleguard told him. "I'm unwilling to venture into harm's way without some divine reserves. I'll not squander the blessings that Shaharizod showered on me when we might need them more later."</p><p></p><p>Finian scowled at that. "The stronger we go in the better, Ruze," he wheedled. "If-"</p><p></p><p>"Finian, we're all still hurting from last night," Ledare interrupted. Draelond and Ixin shared a guilty look since they had both been fully healed through Ruze's magic and Rherram's salves respectively. "There's little sense in arguing with Ruze about it. He knows his goddess' will better than any of us."</p><p></p><p>The Archer's scowl deepened and he shook his head in resigned disgust before turning away from the group to look back down into the clearing. "Fine," he grumbled.</p><p></p><p>"Don't be afraid, mister. I'll protect you," Den Lant said with a touch of mocking humor in his voice. Before Finian could retort, the lanky man stood and trotted down the hillside, his feet squelching in the mud as he went.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, he's <em>real</em> quiet," Finian quipped in a voice dripping with sarcasm. Ledare laid a hand on his shoulder before he could follow the older man down into the clearing.</p><p></p><p>"We hardly know this man," she cautioned, angling her head toward Lant. "Keep your wits about you." Finian nodded grimly and hustled down the slope, making a good deal less noise than Lant had.</p><p></p><p>"Go on," Ixin urged her familiar. "If you spot anything dangerous, get the fairy-born's attention and then come back to me." The owl hooted in reply and took reluctantly to the air, drifting silently down toward Lant and Finian.</p><p></p><p>"Fairy-born?" Ledare asked and Ixin nodded, indicating the Janissary's pointed ears.</p><p></p><p>"Isn't that what you half-sidhe are called on this world?" the mage responded innocently and Ruze stifled back a chuckle.</p><p></p><p>"Oh, Finian's going to love being called that," he said, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>"I can't make any sense of these tracks," Finain admitted with some reluctance as he stood and wiped rainwater off his face. "Something or someone moved those two carrion crawlers we killed, but I can't say where they moved them to."</p><p></p><p>Lant grunted in response and headed toward the cave entrance, grim-faced. Martivir, who was perched on a low branch of the nearest tree watched him go with his shiny yellow eyes. Finian shook his head again and went to follow. Once he'd made sure that there were no traps or enemies waiting for them in the uppermost cave, the Archer walked back out into the rain and motioned for the others to join them.</p><p></p><p>Draelond came first, followed by Ixin and Ruze, with Ledare bringing up the rear. The Janissary had her hand crossbow drawn and was watching and listening attentively for signs that anyone or anything might be following them or lurking amongst the trees nearby. She noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but couldn't quite shake the sense that something wasn't quite right. For her part, Ixin's magical blood made her aware of the presence of a magical power nexus nearby. If she hadn't been so wounded the night before, she couldn't have helped but notice it then. Her veins nearly thrummed with the chaotic currents of magic moving through the air around the cave.</p><p></p><p>When they reached the cave mouth, Ixin called for them to pause a moment. She closed her eyes, focusing on the raw magic flowing around her. She could sense the nexus pulsing within the cave somewhere, but couldn't quite get a fix on its location. It seemed slippery as if it were warded against her in some way. She couldn't anchor to it at a distance, and even more troubling was the fact that in such close proximity to a nexus point she'd be unable to even tap a ley line to boost her power. Disappointed, she opened her eyes and looked at the others.</p><p></p><p>"There's a source of magical power inside the cave," she explained. "If I can get close enough, I can use it to fuel my spells."</p><p></p><p>"Fine," Ledare said, unimpressed. Ixin sighed.</p><p></p><p>"If things get ugly in there, I can cast shadows and we will be able to hide," the mage whispered. "The problem will be we will also not be able to see each other. A better option might be for me to cast sleep. If we can find it, I can utilize the nexus to add power to that spell."</p><p></p><p>"That is a better solution, Ixin," Ruze told her. "The bat creatures seemed unaffected by the loss of their vision when Finian used the flash pellet on them. I believe they may have a form of blindsight."</p><p></p><p>"I can also cast magic missile if that seems like a good option," the sorcerer added. She flashed her claws and grinned. "And I can hold my own in hand-to-hand combat."</p><p></p><p>"Let's hope it don't come to that," Lant muttered from the shadows. "But if it does, I'm right glad you're on my side."</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>The upper chamber was as they had left it although Finian was able to determine that there had been a great deal of movement in the room. Bare humanoid footprints criss-crossed the chamber many times over and something - most likely the carrion crawler corpses - had been dragged down the narrow staircase that they had previously explored.</p><p></p><p>Again, Finian, Martivir and Lant ranged ahead, using the Archer's magic sword as a light source. They had just reached the bottom when Finian's boot snagged on a tripwire that had been rigged low across the foot of the staircase. No sooner had this registered to the Archer than a small clay jug tied to the wire smashed to the ground at his feet. He tried to leap aside to avoid being splashed by its contents, but was unable. Lant and Martivir had no opportunity to avoid the dark liquid either and both were splattered with it.</p><p></p><p>"Poison!" Lant hissed, but Finian didn't think so. The pungent, foul stench that wafted up from the puddle of fluid was strong enough to overpower the general midden-pit reek of the chamber beyond. It smelled like musk of some kind.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>Martivir came fluttering up the staircase in a panic. His feathers were splotched with the liquid that had come from the small container, but he seemed unhurt. He alighted on Ixin's shoulder and hooted into her ear.</p><p></p><p>"A trap," she told Draelond and Ledare. "They've sprung some kind of trap and got splashed with... something. Something that doesn't smell very good." She turned her face away from her stinking familiar and blinked her stinging eyes.</p><p></p><p>"Great!" Draelond deadpanned as he unsheathed Ravager and headed down the stairs. Ruze followed close on his heels.</p><p></p><p>Ixin looked at Ledare and the Janissary pointed at the staircase with her crossbow. "You next," she said simply. "I've got the rear." Ixin nodded, drew her morningstar and started down toward the distant glow of the ranger's longsword.</p><p></p><p>Ledare heard movement behind her and looked around, trying to pinpoint its location. It didn't take her long. The gray light coming in from the mouth of the cave revealed a pair of carrion crawlers moving out of the cul de sac in which they had been feeding since the night before. Their pink tentacles flailed at the air a moment before both worms turned and headed straight for her. Apparently, they hungered for something other than carrion.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>"I don't think it's poison," Finian cautioned, sniffing tentatively at his fingers. "But I still don't like the fact that-"</p><p></p><p>An arrow striking him suddenly in the chest cut off his words. A second slammed into left thigh, but he hardly noticed it; a cold sensation was spreading outward from the wound to his chest and it numbed him as it blossomed. Lant cried out as an arrow pierced his hand and Finian managed to half-turn his head toward the taciturn man before he completely lost the ability to move at all.</p><p></p><p>"Arr, you b*st*rds!" Lant wailed into the darkness as he yanked the quarrel from his bloodied hand. "What have you done with my daughter!?"</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Jon Potter, post: 848068, member: 2323"] [b][PLAIN][Realms #217] Ambush![/PLAIN][/b] Finian looked down at the dark cave opening and the bloated horse corpse that lay beside it. The bodies of the two carrion crawlers that they had killed the night before were gone. "I'd sure feel a lot better about going in there with some more healing," the Archer said looking hopefully at the cleric, but Ruze just shook his head. "Just take it easy and preserve your energy," the Battleguard told him. "I'm unwilling to venture into harm's way without some divine reserves. I'll not squander the blessings that Shaharizod showered on me when we might need them more later." Finian scowled at that. "The stronger we go in the better, Ruze," he wheedled. "If-" "Finian, we're all still hurting from last night," Ledare interrupted. Draelond and Ixin shared a guilty look since they had both been fully healed through Ruze's magic and Rherram's salves respectively. "There's little sense in arguing with Ruze about it. He knows his goddess' will better than any of us." The Archer's scowl deepened and he shook his head in resigned disgust before turning away from the group to look back down into the clearing. "Fine," he grumbled. "Don't be afraid, mister. I'll protect you," Den Lant said with a touch of mocking humor in his voice. Before Finian could retort, the lanky man stood and trotted down the hillside, his feet squelching in the mud as he went. "Oh, he's [I]real[/I] quiet," Finian quipped in a voice dripping with sarcasm. Ledare laid a hand on his shoulder before he could follow the older man down into the clearing. "We hardly know this man," she cautioned, angling her head toward Lant. "Keep your wits about you." Finian nodded grimly and hustled down the slope, making a good deal less noise than Lant had. "Go on," Ixin urged her familiar. "If you spot anything dangerous, get the fairy-born's attention and then come back to me." The owl hooted in reply and took reluctantly to the air, drifting silently down toward Lant and Finian. "Fairy-born?" Ledare asked and Ixin nodded, indicating the Janissary's pointed ears. "Isn't that what you half-sidhe are called on this world?" the mage responded innocently and Ruze stifled back a chuckle. "Oh, Finian's going to love being called that," he said, his dark eyes twinkling with mischief. "I can't make any sense of these tracks," Finain admitted with some reluctance as he stood and wiped rainwater off his face. "Something or someone moved those two carrion crawlers we killed, but I can't say where they moved them to." Lant grunted in response and headed toward the cave entrance, grim-faced. Martivir, who was perched on a low branch of the nearest tree watched him go with his shiny yellow eyes. Finian shook his head again and went to follow. Once he'd made sure that there were no traps or enemies waiting for them in the uppermost cave, the Archer walked back out into the rain and motioned for the others to join them. Draelond came first, followed by Ixin and Ruze, with Ledare bringing up the rear. The Janissary had her hand crossbow drawn and was watching and listening attentively for signs that anyone or anything might be following them or lurking amongst the trees nearby. She noticed nothing out of the ordinary, but couldn't quite shake the sense that something wasn't quite right. For her part, Ixin's magical blood made her aware of the presence of a magical power nexus nearby. If she hadn't been so wounded the night before, she couldn't have helped but notice it then. Her veins nearly thrummed with the chaotic currents of magic moving through the air around the cave. When they reached the cave mouth, Ixin called for them to pause a moment. She closed her eyes, focusing on the raw magic flowing around her. She could sense the nexus pulsing within the cave somewhere, but couldn't quite get a fix on its location. It seemed slippery as if it were warded against her in some way. She couldn't anchor to it at a distance, and even more troubling was the fact that in such close proximity to a nexus point she'd be unable to even tap a ley line to boost her power. Disappointed, she opened her eyes and looked at the others. "There's a source of magical power inside the cave," she explained. "If I can get close enough, I can use it to fuel my spells." "Fine," Ledare said, unimpressed. Ixin sighed. "If things get ugly in there, I can cast shadows and we will be able to hide," the mage whispered. "The problem will be we will also not be able to see each other. A better option might be for me to cast sleep. If we can find it, I can utilize the nexus to add power to that spell." "That is a better solution, Ixin," Ruze told her. "The bat creatures seemed unaffected by the loss of their vision when Finian used the flash pellet on them. I believe they may have a form of blindsight." "I can also cast magic missile if that seems like a good option," the sorcerer added. She flashed her claws and grinned. "And I can hold my own in hand-to-hand combat." "Let's hope it don't come to that," Lant muttered from the shadows. "But if it does, I'm right glad you're on my side." The upper chamber was as they had left it although Finian was able to determine that there had been a great deal of movement in the room. Bare humanoid footprints criss-crossed the chamber many times over and something - most likely the carrion crawler corpses - had been dragged down the narrow staircase that they had previously explored. Again, Finian, Martivir and Lant ranged ahead, using the Archer's magic sword as a light source. They had just reached the bottom when Finian's boot snagged on a tripwire that had been rigged low across the foot of the staircase. No sooner had this registered to the Archer than a small clay jug tied to the wire smashed to the ground at his feet. He tried to leap aside to avoid being splashed by its contents, but was unable. Lant and Martivir had no opportunity to avoid the dark liquid either and both were splattered with it. "Poison!" Lant hissed, but Finian didn't think so. The pungent, foul stench that wafted up from the puddle of fluid was strong enough to overpower the general midden-pit reek of the chamber beyond. It smelled like musk of some kind. Martivir came fluttering up the staircase in a panic. His feathers were splotched with the liquid that had come from the small container, but he seemed unhurt. He alighted on Ixin's shoulder and hooted into her ear. "A trap," she told Draelond and Ledare. "They've sprung some kind of trap and got splashed with... something. Something that doesn't smell very good." She turned her face away from her stinking familiar and blinked her stinging eyes. "Great!" Draelond deadpanned as he unsheathed Ravager and headed down the stairs. Ruze followed close on his heels. Ixin looked at Ledare and the Janissary pointed at the staircase with her crossbow. "You next," she said simply. "I've got the rear." Ixin nodded, drew her morningstar and started down toward the distant glow of the ranger's longsword. Ledare heard movement behind her and looked around, trying to pinpoint its location. It didn't take her long. The gray light coming in from the mouth of the cave revealed a pair of carrion crawlers moving out of the cul de sac in which they had been feeding since the night before. Their pink tentacles flailed at the air a moment before both worms turned and headed straight for her. Apparently, they hungered for something other than carrion. "I don't think it's poison," Finian cautioned, sniffing tentatively at his fingers. "But I still don't like the fact that-" An arrow striking him suddenly in the chest cut off his words. A second slammed into left thigh, but he hardly noticed it; a cold sensation was spreading outward from the wound to his chest and it numbed him as it blossomed. Lant cried out as an arrow pierced his hand and Finian managed to half-turn his head toward the taciturn man before he completely lost the ability to move at all. "Arr, you b*st*rds!" Lant wailed into the darkness as he yanked the quarrel from his bloodied hand. "What have you done with my daughter!?" [/QUOTE]
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