Archon Basileus
First Post
"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?"
Embla seems to consider Aanzu's words for a while.
"I have no knowledge of misty valleys or paths through the Woods, except the one that ends here and the other that leads to the cities. Your best shot in finding it might be around these halls, I imagine." - she pauses for a moment, studying the hall. "Is this misty valley outside?" - she stares at the prince, considering his questions as parts of a puzzle. "As for idols, well... Some guard the Gates of Undru, while others were conceived by the tribes as means of communication with their dark masters. Maybe you'll find what you seek down below..."
"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."
Suddenly, the giantess is taken by a vivacious impulse. She quickly improvises a carrying basket from leather strips and pieces of armor, tying her newborn to herself while she speaks. "What am I thinking, I can't leave this place without understanding what's in here! Sardath's warriors wanted something, and as soon as they decide who's to lead in her stead, they're bound to return and finish what they started. And I bet it won't be good for the cities." - she rises suddenly. "Some of these gates should open under pressure" - she rises, turning on her heels to decide where to go next. Choosing north, she starts towards the doors.
"Come, prince, maybe your idol lies beyond those gates."
She strolls towards the doors, looking at tink's prisoner. "Will you interrogate the greenskin?" - she asks the heroes.
"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."
She begins to study the gates. Swiftly, she tatters around, trying to find a delicate way to open them. The twin sheets are forged in some strange league, akin to bronze in the way it ages. The high relief turned dark green long ago, as it seems, but this did not make the doors any frailer.
"No offense, but you could be aberrant. many things turned as the years passed. Some are completely distinct. Surprising, even to sages." - try as she may, she can't find her way in. "Anyone here knows locks and contraptions? I really don't want to risk bringing the room down as I mash the gates..."
"You are from a Teraphim city you say? What is that like?"
She begins to push the gate, her muscles tensing under the effort.
"Ghn! Well..." - she stops for a moment. "It's better than living on your own. The caves aren't for the weak. Besides,..." - she goes for another push - "... Ghnn... The Teraphim guide us... Mmmmrrrm!.. They've done so for a long time." - she stops once more, rearranging the bay around her back. "They communicate with us through Nova Palatine. There's where the Alfar roam... It's a place to serve all, as they would put it, with the chosen armies of the Teraphim to guide us, of course. If you ask me, I wouldn't trust them, not without direct involvement of the Teraphim."
She looks at the gates once more, studying potential alternatives.
"Amberilan's Heart, on the other hand... There's the place to serve all. And in all manners, as well..." - she smiles, satisfied. "My giant brethren, for example, found a place among the smaller races there. No prejudice or limitations. It's said to have been built by the Grey Architects. They still live there, helping preserve the roads and expand, when needed. Nice place to find jobs, food and fights!"
Instead, she's taking note of the layout of the canvernous complex, and possibly any threats that may be lurking in a corner.
Meanwhile, Poe detects distant movement down the abyss. His keen eyes are able to detect the noiseless crawling of shiny little eyes, several feet below. They do not seem interested in conflict, only in eavesdropping, if much. Their distance, though, suggests at least a fall of sixty feet more, beyond the bottom of the thick plaque that grounds the banquet hall the heroes now occupy. Poe's flight is accompanied by the soft gliding of the second raven, the one that warned the heroes about the storm, back at the surface.
the creature goes across the hall and perches around a half-broken statue, remaining silent for the time being.
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