Last Stand of the Dorinthians (Chapter 3 - The Imperials)

[Nephtys]

Barok spits at the Ogre's face, crouches down and starts sawing off Mardok's head with his dagger. "Maybe this will keep you dead, you ugly bastard," he smiles at the decapitated head. "I think the Dryad will appreciate the trophy."

ooc: Coup de grace.

 

[hafrogman]

Ventus watches Barok saw for a moment while he cleans his blade and sheathes it at his side. Reaching behind himself, he pulls free the axe he borrowed from the dwarves earlier. The ogre may not be a tree, but it seems like threatening plants won't be important.

"This may be more effective."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Together, Barok and Ventus do their bloody work and Morduk is finally no more. On his body, in a blood-covered pouch, is a heart the size of a fist and made from fossilized sap, also known as amber.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Danica is dizzy with the aftereffects of combat, staggering slightly as she moves from place to place, feeling the corruption of the hilltop seeping into the soles of her feet, like dampness through cheap boots. She straightens her blouse, and shifts her pack to the other side, in an attempt to cover the hole, but the pain from her wound proves too muchm and she moves it back.

A small rat emerges from her pack and walks up to the corpses of Marduk and the satyrs, sniffing them, before scampering back and up Danica's leg.

Then she remembers to breathe, and inhales large gulps of the tepid air, but nourished by it anyway.

"There could be more dangers--I don't think the heart alone is enough. We should ensure that there are no more threats on this hilltop, or hidden among the walls of this keep. WHo will come with me?"

She looks to Dartis and the others, and, having confirmed that there are no more visible threats, wanders into the keep to seek new ones, evidently. She hopes she is not alone.

 

[hafrogman]

Ventus kneels down next to the dead Morduk, weighing the amber heart in his hand.

"She said we would know it when we saw it. . ."

He leans heavily on the gore splattered axe as he tries to catch his breath despite the pain from his various wounds. His eyes fall on the ogre's blade lying on the ground nearby and he pauses to consider the effect such a weapon would have had on him. He turns his head to face Silas for a moment, and gazes into his eyes.

"My thanks."

 

[Fenris]

"There could be more dangers--I don't think the heart alone is enough. We should ensure that there are no more threats on this hilltop, or hidden among the walls of this keep. WHo will come with me?"

She looks to Dartis and the others, and, having confirmed that there are no more visible threats, wanders into the keep to seek new ones, evidently. She hopes she is not alone.

Dartis makes as if to speak, but stops himself. Gazing at Danica for a moment. Then as if an internal question was resolved, whirls Swift and heads into the structure.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: I am assuming the rest follow.

Someone must like locusts, you realize as you enter through the fifteen foot high double doors of the temple. It's dark, but Silas is able to remove a torch and light it to reveal ancient brass walls covered in crawling insects...

At least that is your first impression until you take a closer look. The walls and ceiling are decorated with tiny, sculpted locusts crawling over one another. The flickering torchlight gives them the illusion of movement. The shape of the building is rectangular, and the walls are 50 feet away in one direction, while 30 feet in the other. The 35 foot tall ceiling is in the shape of a pyramid, with a large circular keystone in the center. From the rubble and chipped condition, this roof looks as if it has been greatly weakened by the ravages of time. Several bedrolls lie on the ground, and some small sacks lean against a bronze, stained altar. On the top of this 10 ft by 3 ft altar is a giant, brass locust, perhaps an object of worship for the ancient people that used to come here.

 

[hafrogman]

Ventus groans slightly as he rises to his feet once more. For a second he watches Dartis and Danica as they move to investigate inside the ogre's home. He returns the axe to his pack and draws his sword as he hustles forward, pushing past to be at the front once again. If he was going to spend any more time with these people, he was really going to have to teach them some basic military concepts. . . like formations.

"I hope we're up for whatever's in here. . ."

He looks around with disgust at the dominant insect theme.

"Nice place though."

 

[Nephtys]

Barok follows Venthus, keeping an eye out for traps and ambushes while avoiding the most exposed position. He groans a bit under his breath as his wounds chafe against his armor and clothing but otherwise keeps his composure.

 

[GlassEye]

Ventus: "My thanks."

Silas nods and looks as if he is about to say something when Danica makes her proclamation and heads into the ancient temple. Sighing with exasperation, Silas hurriedly snatches up the python rod and follows. "Danica. Wait. We've wounded..." Of course, by this time it is already too late and Silas has become entranced by the carvings and construction of the temple.

He runs his fingers lightly over the wall carvings. "The detail is exquisite..." Silas takes a moment to study the ceiling for structural soundness (+10 Knowledge: Architecture & Engineering) Responding to Ventus's "Nice place though," he turns and says, "I've never seen its like." It's quite obvious that Silas, however, doesn't mean it it the same sense that Ventus does.