Metropolis - The Weight of the World (and Found Wanting)

[Phoenix]

"The Asset Treasury. The Septre might be in there." Jen says.

[sblock]Jen Fortitude Save (DC 23) +16 - Failure
Jazick Fortitude Save (DC 23) +20 – Failure
Jen and Jazick both suffer a Temporary Negative Level.[/sblock]

Jen and Jazick had wandered through what seemed like endless dark halls that lie beneath the main cathedral. They’d guessed they were on a fifth or sixth basement level, but it was hard to tell. The chilling cold from the cathedral was unrelenting, funnelling through every corridor and catching in every room. A few hours exposure to the freezing wind had begun to take its toll on the two, for nothing they attempted to escape it seemed to work. It was unrelenting, and unnatural.

Eventually a set of large double iron vault doors stood before them, one slightly ajar. It took only a quick look to determine that perhaps their assumption about the treasury was a little off.

Within the vast chamber were thousands and thousands of bones, each of them fortified by iron bracings, old armour, ancient swords and carefully tended to and ordered into anatomical placings and condition.

 

[Phoenix]

As Thom bolts Ymris smiles and takes off after him. "My thoughts exactly..."

Ymris will study each point where the branches hang near the compound in an attempt to determine which spot would allow her the greatest success at moving along the branch at speed and leaping over the spiked top of the wall. Then she'll continue her study of the perimeter, avoiding coming near the front gate. Returning to the location she deems most suitable she'll settle down and wait until it is nearly dark.

Before it gets too dark for Ymris to see, she'll shinny up the tree as best she is able to get a look around the interior of the compound in general and her landing spot in particular. If what she can see of the potential landing spot is too rough she'll move to her secondary location.

When it is full dark Ymris will look at Thom. "I'm afraid you'll have to wait out here unless you can find your own way in, old man." Then she'll cast Prestidigitation, darken her cloak to black, secure her staff across her back, and begin her ascent of the tree. At the branch she'll rest a moment against the trunk, survey the compound again for lights and movement, and then begin her crossing by moving down the branch as quickly as possible and leaping across the wall.

[sblock=Skills]Listen +10; Spot +10; Balance +9; Jump +14; Tumble +11[/sblock]

[sblock]Ymris Balance check (DC 12) +16 - Success
Ymris Jump check (DC 22) +24 - Success
Ymris Tumble check (DC 15) +19 - Success
Ymris Hide check (DC hidden) +18 – Success?
Ymris Spot check (DC hidden) +21 – Success?[/sblock]

The night slowly crept into the District of Leagues and the darkness that it brought wrapped Ymris in a darkened embrace. The storm blew harder and spat more vile rain into the district, it was foul smelling but the noise would cover Ymris’ activities effectively.

With little effort Ymris almost danced across the tree limb and used its natural spring to launch herself through the air. Mid-flip she felt one of the hairs of her head catch on the spiked railing and snap, causing a twinge of pain but hardly enough to distract her. Landing softly on the muddy lawn on the far side, her eyes searched the darkness for guards.

Nothing.

It was a short dash to a smaller building that stood alone near this wall. It looked like residences, and girls moved around inside setting up candles and lanterns for the night. The outside of it was full of shadows, but there was a great deal of activity within.

A longer dash was needed to make the main school. It looked like everyone had left for the night, but its exterior was well lit with dozens of lanterns. All of the doors and windows were closed, but few lights were visible within.

 

[Fenris]

Dragon stares into the ruins and speaks. "The tower is not far from the docks, the people would not dare to attempt living in this place without being able to drop everything and run. My concern is that if we give them the chance to wound us badly, we may not be able to escape."

"I agree, I have fought wizards before, as well as all manner of unearthly beasts. I say we ride in and hit them hard and fast, burn everything in sight, then ride like the devils back to these docks." Whale drank deeply from what was left of his Burgi as he spoke.

The Boar urged his mount closer to Alexi. "If you wish to scout ahead, I agree. We can go ahead under the stealth of magic, the other two can follow behind if it is safe. I warn you though, there are beasts of magic and evil out here that can smell the life in our bodies."

"I have the magic of my learnings, Dragon has his god on his side, as may you if you are a Paladin. I worry more for Whale. I would like to ask you to make this decision, if only to see if your god will protect us all."

"One god is a good as another in Metropolis, my friend, and some gods ain't worth much at that. Where we go I doubt, there is little outside of the strength of our arms and the courage in our hearts that can help us. As for our freind Whale, much more Burgi and he will be breathing fire himself, so let other beware. Come, though, if this is to be done then it is best if done quickly. However, how shall we cross the river went finished, if pursued? And need we merely kill this wizard and what token is required?" queries Alexi

 

[Bront]

Jen gasps, "It's like they were building an army in here. This is incredable."

Jen looks around for anything that seems out of the ordinary, perhaps an item that looks different, something that looks used reciently, or perhaps something that just seems less worn than it should.

 

[Phoenix]

"One god is a good as another in Metropolis, my friend, and some gods ain't worth much at that. Where we go I doubt, there is little outside of the strength of our arms and the courage in our hearts that can help us. As for our freind Whale, much more Burgi and he will be breathing fire himself, so let other beware. Come, though, if this is to be done then it is best if done quickly. However, how shall we cross the river went finished, if pursued? And need we merely kill this wizard and what token is required?" queries Alexi

“We had discussed this at some length on the barge between Dragon and myself. The wizards should have some means of transportation from their tower to the city, one that we intend to steal. If fate deals us an unlucky hand, it seems that at least one of us may have to cross the river to get the barge once more, a prospect that I’m sure none of us relish.”

“So then Stag, to believe that a thunderous approach is our best method of attack then? Fast, loud, and intimidating to the creatures of this place, rather than a stealthy approach? I’d have to say it is risky, but our presence may force creatures to think twice about us as food. Make no mistake though, there may be creatures that would simply see this as a beacon to attack us!”

 

[Phoenix]

Jen gasps, "It's like they were building an army in here. This is incredable."

Jen looks around for anything that seems out of the ordinary, perhaps an item that looks different, something that looks used reciently, or perhaps something that just seems less worn than it should.

The chamber was large and had two archways that led into other rooms with near identical contents. The tools were sub-standard, but it seemed that the bones had been kept in excellent condition. Little of value was here, and the order of the vault left it difficult to hide anything, there was simply no clutter.

 

[Fenris]

“We had discussed this at some length on the barge between Dragon and myself. The wizards should have some means of transportation from their tower to the city, one that we intend to steal. If fate deals us an unlucky hand, it seems that at least one of us may have to cross the river to get the barge once more, a prospect that I’m sure none of us relish.”

“So then Stag, to believe that a thunderous approach is our best method of attack then? Fast, loud, and intimidating to the creatures of this place, rather than a stealthy approach? I’d have to say it is risky, but our presence may force creatures to think twice about us as food. Make no mistake though, there may be creatures that would simply see this as a beacon to attack us!”

"Alright, we shall trust to fate to find our way back across the river. As for our approach, I do not advocate a charge from here. On the field you don't charge until you see the enemy arrayed against you. Let us proceed cautiously and quietly, at least until challeneged, for then we shall truely be known and then we shall unfurl our power and overrun our foes." replies Alexi.

 

[Phoenix]

"Alright, we shall trust to fate to find our way back across the river. As for our approach, I do not advocate a charge from here. On the field you don't charge until you see the enemy arrayed against you. Let us proceed cautiously and quietly, at least until challeneged, for then we shall truely be known and then we shall unfurl our power and overrun our foes." replies Alexi.

Boar nodded and stood high in his stirrups, gesturing with long sweeps of his arms and incanting magic again. Alexi looked around and expected something mystical or amazing, but Boar was finished quickly and nothing had happened.

"We can leave now, we should have a few minutes at best head start."

Dragon was the first forward, muttering under his breath and gesturing, perhaps magic of his own. Boar seemed to keep to the middle of the group, concentrating intently, perhaps his magic required more than a simple gesture to keep working. Whale bounced in his saddle next to Alexi, his ever-present smile gone from his face.

The knights rode for nearly an hour into the ruined city, there was nothing left intact here, it was nothing like even the most rundown of suburbs. This place looked like a war erupted in the middle of it, and nothing was spared.

At one point there was a growl in the shadows, eight strange insect-like dogs prowled into the streets sniffing at the horses. Boar had lifted a hand and gestured silence though, and the creatures roamed away. His magic worked it seemed.

In the distance over the shattered buildings, through the mounting storm, Dragon pointed to a large structure. "The tower, let us be careful."

It was too late.

The ground heaved, the horses reared. A huge fungus-like tentacle writhed forth and snapped around Whale's head. An enourmous mound of rotten filth burst forth from the ground, tentacles snapping at the knights, one massive slimy maw gaping wide, screaming in hunger...

 

[Bront]

The chamber was large and had two archways that led into other rooms with near identical contents. The tools were sub-standard, but it seemed that the bones had been kept in excellent condition. Little of value was here, and the order of the vault left it difficult to hide anything, there was simply no clutter.

"Well, this seems a dead end," Jen says, not liking the implication. "Perhaps the Halls of Doctrine?"

 

[Scotley]

Jazick

"Any place warmer would agree with me. I mislike this icy tomb." Jazick responds struggling to keep his teeth from chattering. "Besides documents are likely to be more of use to me anyway."