pneumatik's WotBS 2 - The Indomitable Fire Forest of Innenotdar

[Antithetist]

Arshen glares coldly at Liiros. "Lesser races? Stonework is the mark of a civilized people," he grumbles irritably. "If thou wouldst live amidst the trees like wild beasts then that is thy choice to make, but must thou speak so haughtily of it?

He approaches the door and puts his shoulder to it, impatiently motioning Liiros to join him.

[sblock=OOC]Take 20 on a Strength check to break the door. Hopefully Liiros can Aid Another for a total result of 25.[/sblock]

 

[HolyMan]

Shaylir thinks a non-burning tree to sleep under, or maybe in it's branches would be wonderful. She watches as the two men try and force the door open.

"What if someone lives here, and is just out?" she asks them. "Don't you think they'd be upset you broke their home?"

 

[Arkhandus]

"That one chooses to live apart from nature and believes himself above it, is haughty. To accept one's part in nature and enjoy it is grand. I think living in such places as Gate Pass or its ilk has given you as bleak and dour an outlook as those places promote. Even I have been embittered by just a short stay in that dreary, inhospitable pile of rocks and snow. Nature, and lord Corellon, never intended men like us to live in such places. You may think stonework to be a sign of civilization, but does not the lowliest goblin or simplest animal make its home in caves? Do not goblins and orcs build with stone as well? Woodwork is a far more elegant and vibrant craft, nobler and all the better to capture the essence and beauty of life. It takes a refined soul to shape the very trees into a house and yet leave those trees unharmed and still brimming with life and growth. Any goblin can pile rocks together and make a stone structure, however pathetic," the elven knight lectures in a philosophical tone, briefly reminiscing about Shahalesti's finer works of architectural art.

Then he opens his eyes again and scowls at the burning forest around him. "In any case, we need shelter to rest, and this is the closest place we are likely to find in this forest that would be comfortable enough. Whoever may yet live here, if anyone, will just have to learn to be a gracious host under the circumstances. Any who would not shelter travelers like us in the depths of this infernal Fire Forest must surely be a cantankerous and heartless hermit. The lack of a response, at whatever time of day it is, given that it is difficult to tell with all this fire blazing around us and lighting up the sky, shows that the tower is likely abandoned or something. It is not like the inhabitants could have just went out for a stroll, to gather burning fruits or something," Liiros explains.

Then he proceeds to try busting down the door, alongside Arshen.

 

[pneumatik]

Looking down at the river from the bridge, Shaylir sees that the heat of the fire forest has shrunk the river below. Both banks are now ten feet wide paths of dirt and river rock.

The late afternoon sun is moving behind the tower, putting the door in partial shadow. Arshen and Liiros step into the shade and try to force the door. After a couple of minutes of effort the lock mechanism snaps out of the door as the door opens inward.

The first floor of the tower is 20 to 25 feet across and circular. Two dried humanoid corpses are leaning against the interior wall, mummified by the dry heat. There are also stairs along the wall curving upward to the second floor.

Set into the floor directly inside the door is a one-foot square stone that appears to be on fire. Its surface is covered in flames except for where the words, "Say 'friend' and enter" in elvish are painted on it with black paint.

 

[Rhun]

Hollister moves to examine the corpses, kneeling down next to them to try and determine their race.

 

[HolyMan]

Peering over the edge of the bridge as the men folk work at the door Shaylir says, "Hmm... well at least it will be easy to follow the river."

She cringes as the door to the tower breaks. But she just watches the others from where she stands.

 

[Arkhandus]

Liiros shoves Hollister back when the overly curious mage tries to go inside before he and Arshen. "Hold up, let the armored fellow step in firstt. Besides, it looks like the tower did little to protect these occupants from perishing of the heat. We'd best get what little rest we can while Torrent's potions are still providing what small comfort they do."

The elven squire looks about, then, looking at the strange, burning stone, loudly says the elvish word for 'Friend", considering that the strange stone may be a magical trap. He pauses a moment afterward to see if anything happens, then carefully steps into the tower's first chamber. He keeps a wary eye on the mummified corpses, and waits for the rest of the group to follow and do whatever searching or examination they intend to.

 

[pneumatik]

The flames dim slightly when Liiros speaks an elvish word and spring back up when he steps over the rock. The flames give off no heat. Liiros notices that it's slightly cooler inside the tower. Cooler is relative, though, since it's still hotter inside the tower than any natural weather you've ever experienced.

Looking at the two bodies to make sure the aren't attacking, Liiros can see that they're probably elvish. They're armed and armored like soldiers, with longswords, chain shirts, daggers, composite longbows, and arrows.

"I hope it's safe in there. I need a break," Torrent says.

 

[Arkhandus]

Liiros turns to face the group again and replies "It feels slightly cooler, at least. But know first that I will not tolerate desecration of these corpses. They appear to be of my kind, and I will not see them disturbed. Now then, whatever enchantment protects the entrance seems to reset after each person that passes through it. Step in one at a time, and I'll speak the command word before each. If the flames don't dim when I speak it, then you may have to repeat the word yourself. I do hope your tongues are not too clumsy, my people's language is quite precise and nuanced."

With that, Liiros steps further into the room and keeps an eye on the flame near the entrance. He speaks the elvish word for "Friend" again and, if the flames seem to dim like they did a moment ago, he waves Arshen inside. Then repeats the process for each of the others behind Arshen on the bridge.

Once everyone is inside, Liiros slowly starts to head for the stairs and scout out more of the tower, sword and shield ready.

 

[Rhun]

Hollister follows after Liiros.