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The Wind Riders: Tales from the Infinite Staircase (Updated September 13)
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<blockquote data-quote="RedShirtNo5" data-source="post: 4399912" data-attributes="member: 173"><p><strong>Slaiyiths and Lizardfolk</strong></p><p></p><p>The next day, the Wind Riders gather around the pit. The tentacles grab the party members and their mounts one by one, and carry them into the central cavern. There the Dark Dweller explains in its alien cadence that visitors contain "contaminants" that pose a danger to this plane, and the Dark Dweller exists to purge these contaminants by a process it called the "scouring". It assures them that the scouring is not harmful. </p><p> </p><p>Not trusting the creature, but not seeing other options, the party agrees to undergo the scouring in return for assistance. A flash of great heat cuts through the humidity. The adventures feel refreshed yet subtly different. They can't pinpoint the source of the later feeling, which quickly fades. <1></p><p> </p><p>"Scouring complete," announces the Dark Dweller. "Kindrid Moonsong and friends deposited near Slaiyith encampment. Proceed in direction opposed to current flow to triangle rock, then proceed uphill. Slaiyiths provide assistance."</p><p> </p><p>Less than a minutes later, the Wind Riders are deposited in a different river valley. The adventurers trek for an hour, leading their horses on the dark brown dirt of the river valley until the see a large triangular rock. They then turn uphill, and after fifteen minutes they reach a crest and gaze down into a small valley. In the center of the valley, next to a small stream, stands a stone obelisk inscribed with runes. </p><p> </p><p>Seven bizarre creatures congregate around the obelisk. Each has a mottled black bulbous body from which extend several pseudopods. Some of the pseudopods end in maws filled with chitinous teeth; other pseudopods end in red-rimmed eyeballs. </p><p> </p><p>The party approaches the Slaiyiths, their hands raised and empty to show their peaceful intent. Several of the Slaiyiths approach, making wheezing and watery noises. Geldar quickly casts tongues. </p><p> </p><p>"Hairy bipeds! Who are you and what are your intentions? What can you tell us of the grublings?" the Slaiyiths are asking.</p><p> </p><p>Geldar introduces the Wind Riders, and explains how they have been stranded on this plane and directed to the Slaiyiths by the Dark Dweller. One of the Slaiyith is not surprised. It explains that strange green and purple lights have been flashing in the sky these past two months. Twelve days ago, nearly a dozen scaly green-skinned bipedal creatures fell from the sky. When the Slaiyiths could not communicate, the creatures became angry, and stole the grublings. If the adventures retrieve the grublings, the Slaiyiths will activate the powers of the obelisk to open an interdimensional portal. Before his spell expires, Geldar is able to ask enough questions to determine that the creatures have set a walled encampment on the far side of the ridge.</p><p> </p><p>The Wind Riders march up the to the top of the ridgeline, then follow a slight trail down the other side into a region of large tubular plants. Needles scouts ahead. When the adventurers have reach nearly reached the riverside, Needles reports back. He has spotted a lizardman fort or encampment ahead. Apparently, the lizardmen have constructed a palisade from the tubular plants. The palisade cuts off a small spit of land that projects into the river. Inside the palisade are several flimsy buildings, and a cage containing five small squirmy tentacled creatures.</p><p> </p><p>Based on Needle's report, the Wind Riders launch their attack on the fort. Taken completely by surprise, the lizardmen are no match for the adventurers. Geldar casts invisibility on Needles and Ka'hari, who then strike down the gate guards. Rodney rushes to the cage and defends the grublings. More lizardmen are disabled by a stinking cloud, and others are dispatched with sword or hammer. Finally, their shaman leader emerges to fight Thantar and Reynard, but he is quickly slain.</p><p> </p><p>The lizardmen defeated, Ka'hari and Rodney load the grublings onto a makeshift sled, which they pull back to the Slaiyiths. As they travel, the grublings gnaw on their own eyestalks and spit up black puss. </p><p> </p><p>"I used to think most babies were cute," remarks Ka'hari, "but these creatures have cured me of that idea." </p><p> </p><p>When the adventurers reach the obelisk, the Slaiyiths rush out, waving their tentacles about. Geldar's tongues spell has ended, but clearly the creatures are excited. The party watches the Slaiyiths gently place four of the grublings into mossy nests. But the party also sees a Slaiyith squish one of the grublings into a black goo and then suction it up with an appendage. <2> Unable to communicate or ask questions, the adventures retreat from the obelisk, set camp, and rest.</p><p> </p><p>----------</p><p> </p><p><1> This is the point at which I asked the players to switch to the 3rd edition versions of their characters.</p><p> </p><p><2> So, are the grublings children or food? The Slaiyith biology is so alien that the grublings could be both.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="RedShirtNo5, post: 4399912, member: 173"] [b]Slaiyiths and Lizardfolk[/b] The next day, the Wind Riders gather around the pit. The tentacles grab the party members and their mounts one by one, and carry them into the central cavern. There the Dark Dweller explains in its alien cadence that visitors contain "contaminants" that pose a danger to this plane, and the Dark Dweller exists to purge these contaminants by a process it called the "scouring". It assures them that the scouring is not harmful. Not trusting the creature, but not seeing other options, the party agrees to undergo the scouring in return for assistance. A flash of great heat cuts through the humidity. The adventures feel refreshed yet subtly different. They can't pinpoint the source of the later feeling, which quickly fades. <1> "Scouring complete," announces the Dark Dweller. "Kindrid Moonsong and friends deposited near Slaiyith encampment. Proceed in direction opposed to current flow to triangle rock, then proceed uphill. Slaiyiths provide assistance." Less than a minutes later, the Wind Riders are deposited in a different river valley. The adventurers trek for an hour, leading their horses on the dark brown dirt of the river valley until the see a large triangular rock. They then turn uphill, and after fifteen minutes they reach a crest and gaze down into a small valley. In the center of the valley, next to a small stream, stands a stone obelisk inscribed with runes. Seven bizarre creatures congregate around the obelisk. Each has a mottled black bulbous body from which extend several pseudopods. Some of the pseudopods end in maws filled with chitinous teeth; other pseudopods end in red-rimmed eyeballs. The party approaches the Slaiyiths, their hands raised and empty to show their peaceful intent. Several of the Slaiyiths approach, making wheezing and watery noises. Geldar quickly casts tongues. "Hairy bipeds! Who are you and what are your intentions? What can you tell us of the grublings?" the Slaiyiths are asking. Geldar introduces the Wind Riders, and explains how they have been stranded on this plane and directed to the Slaiyiths by the Dark Dweller. One of the Slaiyith is not surprised. It explains that strange green and purple lights have been flashing in the sky these past two months. Twelve days ago, nearly a dozen scaly green-skinned bipedal creatures fell from the sky. When the Slaiyiths could not communicate, the creatures became angry, and stole the grublings. If the adventures retrieve the grublings, the Slaiyiths will activate the powers of the obelisk to open an interdimensional portal. Before his spell expires, Geldar is able to ask enough questions to determine that the creatures have set a walled encampment on the far side of the ridge. The Wind Riders march up the to the top of the ridgeline, then follow a slight trail down the other side into a region of large tubular plants. Needles scouts ahead. When the adventurers have reach nearly reached the riverside, Needles reports back. He has spotted a lizardman fort or encampment ahead. Apparently, the lizardmen have constructed a palisade from the tubular plants. The palisade cuts off a small spit of land that projects into the river. Inside the palisade are several flimsy buildings, and a cage containing five small squirmy tentacled creatures. Based on Needle's report, the Wind Riders launch their attack on the fort. Taken completely by surprise, the lizardmen are no match for the adventurers. Geldar casts invisibility on Needles and Ka'hari, who then strike down the gate guards. Rodney rushes to the cage and defends the grublings. More lizardmen are disabled by a stinking cloud, and others are dispatched with sword or hammer. Finally, their shaman leader emerges to fight Thantar and Reynard, but he is quickly slain. The lizardmen defeated, Ka'hari and Rodney load the grublings onto a makeshift sled, which they pull back to the Slaiyiths. As they travel, the grublings gnaw on their own eyestalks and spit up black puss. "I used to think most babies were cute," remarks Ka'hari, "but these creatures have cured me of that idea." When the adventurers reach the obelisk, the Slaiyiths rush out, waving their tentacles about. Geldar's tongues spell has ended, but clearly the creatures are excited. The party watches the Slaiyiths gently place four of the grublings into mossy nests. But the party also sees a Slaiyith squish one of the grublings into a black goo and then suction it up with an appendage. <2> Unable to communicate or ask questions, the adventures retreat from the obelisk, set camp, and rest. ---------- <1> This is the point at which I asked the players to switch to the 3rd edition versions of their characters. <2> So, are the grublings children or food? The Slaiyith biology is so alien that the grublings could be both. [/QUOTE]
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