D&D 5E [IC] THE CURSE OF AMBERSTAR

[JustinCase]

Aanzu tilts his head, studying the giantess. Such a strange reaction! The dragonborn tries to ascertain whether it falls within the range of normal emotions for a fleshy humanoid, or whether the creature could be insane, broken.

"This one does not lie," the draconic prince speaks slowly, softly, the barest hint of danger in his deep voice. A perceptive spectator may see that he grips his greatsword a bit more tightly, muscles contracting slightly. He has stopped chewing on the ogre parts.

Seeing Icosa's interest as a diplomatic way out, the not very subtle Aanzu continues, "The home of the Icosa, lead us there."

 

[Neurotic]

"There are plenty of people both above and underground. Much variety. I am here because the cause of the catastrophy was up here. But we should talk somewhere safer." Thulwar offers another vial "This one is for you. Do not give it to the child."

 

[Archon Basileus]

Embla keeps her posture, although her features betray caution.

"I never meant to say you lie, Your Highness. Neither had I the intention to offend your allies. But these halls are known to drive travelers mad, and I, for one, had never been so far from home until now. These filthy beasts are the only ones desperate enough to come here, on occasion, and even so I suspect they had clear instructions." - she keeps her guard up, even as she speaks.

"Now, another problem ensues. I understand your wishes, and I am indebted to you. Honor compels me to guide you towards the Iron Cemetery, as you ask." - she seems particularly careful in her choice of words now - "But the only way I know lies beyond the Usurping Woods." - she glances east, towards the escape route employed by the orcs. "Madness has a strong grasp there, and only through careful rituals can it be avoided. The very air is known to steal one's memories, if breathed. This is why I fear the woods might affect you, except maybe for the machine-man. The only alternative I can see lies on the abyss..." - she points out towards the western side of the room - "...and from then on I can't tell what awaits us.

Her eyes scout the area once more, filled with concern, while she waits for the group's decision.

"Perhaps..." - one of the miners step forward, still rubbing his fists and arms, trying to find some comfort - "...if we could find a few of those masks..." - he seems genuinely frightened, perhaps of Embla, perhaps of the heroes. "...Either they needle up their arms with a strange concoction, or they use those breathing masks. Some might be found around here..." - he glances at the now lost excavation, unwilling to return to the site. He hesitates for a moment, and then continues, cautiously. "They had us digging for some Teraphim artifacts, after all..." - two other miners look at him in disapproval. Tension can be felt among the recently released.

[Harfik's keen perception doesn't capture any sort of movement around, even though he knows the orcs can't be far...]

@Greenmtn @hafrogman @industrygothica @JustinCase @Neurotic @Shayuri

 

[Shayuri]

"I do not 'breathe' as your kind does," Icosa assures the giantess. "Perhaps it would be safer if you simply provided me with a map, or directions and I proceeded alone? I do not wish to risk my companions on what could easily be purely personal concerns."

 

[Neurotic]

"You should probably take the child somewhere safe first. Give us the instructions and warnings of things you know while we move away from here. Icosa, this Iron Cemetery might be good thing to check, but we should essess te risk before going there. I could probably make us some defence against gasses if I can get one of those masks."

Thulwar looks at the group, giantess and then miners
"Do you think you could take the miners with you? They could protect you as much as you protect them and they would have some time to recover from this ordeal. Or we could escort all of you somewhere safer, if you know the way. And yes, my people don't ever associate with demons and their kind. Too destructive. Life in the deep is dangerous without bringing our own destructive forces into being."

Looking at the giant mother again
"You were lied to. The world is rich in life. Sentient life. Both below and above."

 

[Archon Basileus]

"Perhaps it would be safer if you simply provided me with a map, or directions and I proceeded alone? I do not wish to risk my companions on what could easily be purely personal concerns."

"I'd be glad to. East of here lies the passage to the Woods. Beyond, the halls advance towards the Spiral Road. Above rest the three cities of the Teraphim, Vanirskeep, as well as Nova Palatine and Amberilan's Heart; below are the Gates of Undru, beyond which the tribes live. It is there that you will find the Iron Cemetery." - she gestures around, as if trying to draw a rustic map with her fingertips. "If you have parchment, I'll draw the way to the extent of my capabilities."

"Do you think you could take the miners with you? They could protect you as much as you protect them and they would have some time to recover from this ordeal. Or we could escort all of you somewhere safer, if you know the way."

Her eyes betray a turbulent wave of sentiments as she hears Thulwar's suggestions. In the end, though, the smile upon her lips win the struggle, turning the harshness of her eyes into an amused sign of friendship.

"A warrior of Vanirskeep needs no protection! Your miners, on the other hand..." - she turns over her shoulders, meeting the ragged group, as well as the greenskin prisoner. "Nevertheless, the odds of falling prey to another ambush are, at this point... Rather large." - she breathes impatiently, remembering the cause of her bruises. "Although..." - she glances once more at the prisoner -"...the small rat might know if his companions are still inside the Woods or not. I believe they might find shelter here, since they're, at least for the time being, immune to the madness that plagues the place."

"And yes, my people don't ever associate with demons and their kind. Too destructive. Life in the deep is dangerous without bringing our own destructive forces into being."

"Indeed, no healer I heard of would partake of the blood sacrifices demanded by the demons below. That which they can't build under guidance of the Old and Young Gods they take by force, sharing in the blood of their victims and feasting on the flesh of the innocent. Monsters." - she seems disgusted to mention their brutal practises. "Many a greenskin has tried to do the same" - she points out towards Sardath - "hoping to become godlike as well. And many an aberrant as well..." - her poignant tone grooms her to silence.

"You were lied to. The world is rich in life. Sentient life. Both below and above."

"You are convinced that I was, no doubt about it. Still..." - she looks once more at Aanzu, carefully phrasing her ideas - "...if you are right, then the 'lies' you denounce came straight from the mouths of the Teraphim, who protected us and guided us for ages. Why would they do so? Wouldn't it make more sense to assume that you have been plagued by the afflictions of the impregnable garden that separated us, not so long ago, from the outside world? I've said it before, no one has come this far in ages, not even the inhabitants of Nova Palatine - not even those who craved this place's innermost secrets. No, I do not call you liars, but neither am I eager to accept such explanation." - she seems as direct as Thulwar, leading the topic to a halt before she might offend someone... Yet again.
[MENTION=24380]Neurotic[/MENTION] [MENTION=4936]Shayuri[/MENTION] [MENTION=6776182]JustinCase[/MENTION] [MENTION=6855102]Greenmtn[/MENTION] [MENTION=8858]hafrogman[/MENTION] [MENTION=23298]industrygothica[/MENTION]

 

[JustinCase]

Aanzu nods, quickly losing interest in the giantess until he remembers what the mysterious woman said before the sand fleas attacked.

"This one seeks a place of many caves, connected to a misty plateau on the mountain, where within the depts an ancient idol is revered. Is this the Usurping Woods the cat describes?"

 

[Neurotic]

Thulwar smiles encouragingly. "Opening to new ideas and questioning original assumption is a sign of a great leader. You will have to decide if all our different backgrounds and common meeting point make more sense as an illusion or madness. Or you should question your protectors willingness to lie to stay in power and remain important in the changed world."

He turns slightly motioning toward the group

"We each come from different backgrounds and some of us come from far away from the world around your mountain. There is a dukedom, just at the feet of the mountain. I believe he asked for heroes to find out what caused the catastrophy. I met them just before they entered your realm. I'm will not say we're not all receivers of strange visions and memories from this place. But you said yourself, you never saw anything like our dragonborn prince or myself. We're from outside."

He sighs
"Think on it while we walk, I'm will not state definitely we're not the ones in the wrong. We need to move away from this unstable place and find a way to protect the rest of you. Just think on it."

He turns back
"Miners! Where are your homes?"

 

[Greenmtn]

Harfik Human Monk

Harfik continues to look around the area, trying to note anything that seems out of the ordinary or "alien" while listening in on the conversations.

"You are from a Teraphim city you say? What is that like?"

 

[industrygothica]

Lyllie sits on a nearby rock as Poe takes flight and circles the cavern and it's adjacent corridors. Lyllie sees through his eyes, and is largely oblivious to the conversation happening right next to her. Instead, she's taking note of the layout of the canvernous complex, and possibly any threats that may be lurking in a corner.