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

[Kobold Stew]

Danica doesn't hear Silas' words, the after effects of the battle still ringing in her own ears. She is careful as she walks, but is impressed with the intricacy of the carving--she is not at all phased by the insects, it would appear.
"Is there any way to tell if these carvings were done by hand, or if they were made magically?" she asks, not knowing the answer herself.

She plays with her everburning torch, dazzled by the appearance of movement.

The sight of the bronze altar attracts her, and she carefully advances towards it.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Barok pokes around at the small sacks, but doesn't find any traps on them although he does see that they are full of coin. Since nothing else in the room stands out as a likely location for a trap, Barok does a close inspection of the altar, looking more for traps or secrets rather than admiring its architecture. Danica does a similar inspection, although she is careful not to touch the altar until the rogue makes sure it poses no threat.

Barok
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You find no traps.
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Barok and Danica
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You notice that the locust is somehow connected to the top of the altar without having been welded, almost as if it was carved out from a large piece of the metal. There is a noticeable strip of fragile stone that runs around the entire perimeter of the altar and divides the top with the bottom half. The stone is some kind of clay or concrete.
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Silas
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From the way this temple is decorated, you can tell that it was once a place of worship. But to what kind of god is unknown, and probably the religion has been lost in the annals of time. Still, maybe someone knows some of the oral history. The structure is sound, but the architecture is quite alien and very, very old from the look of the crumbling ceiling. The rectangular shape of the perimeter is a standard kind of design, but you've never heard of anyone that the Dorinthians have ever come into contact with to use a pyramid for a roof. In fact, the only obscure mention you've ever encountered of pyramid architecture has been of some far away people once subjugated by the Tallione Empire. And they supposedly built large buildings that were pyramids in their entirety. The locusts are so life-like in appearance that they almost appear as though live insects were turned into metal. With a frightening realization, you withdraw your hand. The walls still glow a dull green from the result of your detect magic spell, and you suddenly notice that the glow comes from significant transmutation magic.
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[hafrogman]

Ventus contents himself with standing guard while the others investigate the chamber. He occasionally looks over his shoulder to the outside, but mostly watches his companions, waiting warily for anything that might endanger them. He tries to calm his breathing after the exertion outside, but the blood dripping from his wounds is quite distracting.

"Well, is there anything that requires our attention?"

 

[Kobold Stew]

"How do we feel about desecrating ancient altars to locust gods?" asks Danica with half a smile.

She is dizzy slightly, but know others are more wounded than she is. She can wait.

 

[Fenris]

"How do we feel about desecrating ancient altars to locust gods?" asks Danica with half a smile.

She is dizzy slightly, but know others are more wounded than she is. She can wait.

"I think we should let the ancients keep thier secrets. Let us take Morduk's ill gotten gains" says Dartis pointing to the sacks of coin "for we shall be in need of it to clothe and feed the refugees. But if Morduk dwelt here, it may be an evil place. Even if not, the last time we disturbed the ancient past, we barely escaped. But come let us return Triete's heart to her, and free our people. We can ask the dryad about this temple. Perhaps she will remember who built it, or if there is any thing to fear from it." advises Dartis

 

[GlassEye]

Silas shrinks back from the walls where previously he was quite bold in fingering the carvings. He moves to stand in the center of the hall and nods agreement with Dartis. "I agree. And these aren't carvings. I think they are real, held by some magic. I fear if we toy with the altar then we might somehow animate them." He shivers.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

You begin to travel to Trieste's valley once more, and once again it seems as if the entire valley is watching you although this time you know you can erase a flock of crows and a mountain lion from the list.

When you reach the summit of the tall hills surrounding the dryad's grove, you begin to hear the lure of her song pulling at you. Any closer and you know it's affects would be even stronger. The grove of trees and tall grass is about 200 feet in diameter, with a shining pond that surrounds a small isle. On the tiny isle stands a great oak, but it's leaves and branches look twisted and wrong in a way that you can't quite understand. You believe you see a figure or perhaps two underneath the tree, but the night lowers your visibility to the point that it is hard to be sure.

 

[Fenris]

"We need to return the heart to the dark hole left in Trieste's tree. The question is how to do so with out being ensnared. I think this is best done either through speed, by me on Swift, force of will to resist by perhaps Silas. Or our best option may be a woman" says Dartis looking knowingly at Danica.

"Danica, how strongly do you feel the pull of the dryad? Even now I feel her song tug at me. How I wish we had Kel with us, or Alexander who knew so much of the natural world. But we move with who we have. I suppose the last option is to simply call out to Trieste. But she seems to not be herself and would not respond well to attempts to contact her.

So, how do we best proceed? Do we have other options?"

 

[Deuce Traveler]

Danica
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You also feel the pull of her song, but it's different from what the men are describing. It's a strong pull, but it's more of something that you want to hear more of and makes you feel lazy and tired versus something that makes you take actions you would not take otherwise.
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[Kobold Stew]

Danica is caught by Dartis' question. Her face goes blank, "Er." Her voice catches immediately. Clearly she doesn't know. But she courtseys as she bites her lip and and tries again.

"Lord Dartis, I don't know what effect the Dryad's song will have on me, but since it does not resonate with me as it aparently does with you, I will try. The song makes me tired, and at rest. The worst it will do -- or so I imagine -- is make me want to rest. If that is the case, then perhaps someone else could take the heart from my hands, and continue.

"I am not afraid," she says, visibly terrified, "But I shall do what I can. I believe the heart too might offer protection. The dryad must want it back. It is part of her."

She pauses, and a smile slowly grows over her face as a spark shines from the corner of her eye. "Besides, if something happens to me, I have all you men to come rescue me." She giggles.