Running from the dead...

[Aguirre]

When the woman turns to leave down one of the 'paths', Eisinrhyr looks to Ezieer, and mutters, "Says she'll take us someplace safe... I'm not sure if we can trust her, but we smell like blood, and for all we know, there are a lot more of those lizards like what we met when first coming to this island."

He turns, and struggles through the brush after the woman, but not before giving Keorge orders to fly above, and keep a lookout for any signs of danger or ambush ahead.

 

[Ezieer]

"I'll let curiosity get the better of me... this alley cat has more than a few lives yet."

Ezieer follows the woman down the secondary path...

 

[DMEntropy]

The woman leads you all down the path she and Ezieer are on. She seems to get frustrated at the lack of progress that the rest of you make. For that reason she spends a good bit of time standing near Ezieer on the path waiting for you all to catch up.

After a long and grueling march through the foliage you arrive at the entrance of a cave on the eastern side of the mountain. She slips through the narrow entrance into the dark earth. After following, you find that the cave is dry with some dampness in the air. The floor is dirt and smooth. Dim light filters into the cave through the opening.

"I must get back to the village before the others realize that I am gone. There is a small stream in the back of the cave for water. I will try to come back tonight if I can get away. All are not followers of Malvec here anymore. He has become a follower of Fyndor. You must help us, please," she tells to Eisinrhyr in their language.

 

[Ezieer]

"Hmm.. seems she's led us to a place to hideout... we could stay here and make another shot at it tomorrow... Or we can just leave."

 

[Ezieer]

Ezieer checks out the mouth of the cave... (his natural curiosity coming to the fore).

 

[RJKrik]

Azeem Razuddi

Azeem struggles through the bush reaching the cave and sits with his back against a wall. "Phew, you know if I didn't know better I'd think Felicitas wasn't smiling on us right then. I think we have found the source of the "attacks" though. Although appearances can be decieving I would think the temple and the priest have something to do with what we're here for. I think we must consider a somewhat more stealthy approach next time." (He looks at Eisinrhyr) "Yes there will be a next time, something isn't quite right here on paradise island and I'd rather not see it spread, not to mention the fact that we still have a job to do. I'm sure we can manage it, it will just require a bit more planning that is all."

 

[Ezieer]

"Yeah I think taking out that guy in the back is all we need to do... forget those bones and slingers... a waste of time is all they really are. We just need to get you all healthy again... somehow. Then we can all go back and bum rush that guy.. all I needs isaire two guys to come with me.. ora at least one to go tackle him so I can slit his throat. That would be good anyway... then he won't be able to cast any o' evile' magics on us."

 

[DMEntropy]

Late in the night the woman returns to your cave. She enters quietly and sets down a woven basket filled with fresh and dried fruit as well as salted fish. She has some fairly well used bowls made from coconut shells and some eating implements as well.

Once the food is set out she looks around and begins to talk in Eisinrhyr's native language. He translates for you when she gives him the chance. It seems that the group of people here are from Ceomyr, far to the north. They left about 3 years ago in an uproar about religious directives in the church of Murryghn. Malvec their leader began to change after arriving here to worship the Mother in her paradise garden. Their worship began to examine the darker sides of the Mother's kingdom.

Malvec also revealed a surprise on his followers at this time. He had traveled into the wilderness of Ceomyr and procured eggs from one of Murryghn's children. They were carefully stowed in a safe crate and are now hatched. Six small dinosaur hatchlings now needed to be fed. Fishing efforts were to be redoubled.

After a time the fishing of the worshippers could not keep up with the rapidly growing carnivores. Two died in fights between their clutchmates. Malvec ordered one each to be taken to the two neighboring small islands and two be kept on the main island. He could exert control over them for growing intervals of time which made this easier.

The passing years saw Malvec move more deeply into the darkest aspects of Murrygn's teachings. He claimed to have been visited in his dreams by Fyndor, martyr of the dark cult. Fyndor instructed him to travel to neighboring islands and sacrifice their people to Murryghn. Her children were to be used to accomplish this.

For six months now they have raided the islands of the Mari tribe. When the weather is right, they will launch a large raft with the predator on it. It will then be released onto the island to hunt and eat. A different dinosaur is brought with each raid.

All of this is not so bothersome to the islanders. It is the way of nature to have cycles and death is a part of all cycles. However, Malvec has also began to claim the women as his wives. Two of the men disappeared after voicing displeasure at having their wives claimed by another man. Since then there have been no open objections. Many of the men and women are deeply disturbed by this trend. None know how to free themselves from what has now become their prison island.

After her long speech she begins to get up to leave. "I must get back before I am missed. My husband will be upset to know that I am taking this risk. Please help us. Free us from Malvec! You must be the one's responsible for the disappearance of the other priests and killing of one of the predators."

 

[Ezieer]

After getting the translation from Eisinrhyr...

"Whoa... thas means dere is one more o' those lizard beastclaws left on this island. Even killing it won't stop the threat though. Malvec would still have access to the other ones on the smaller islands. It all ends up around Malvec's head... and if we gots the juice to be the ones to go after it."

 

[RJKrik]

Azeem Razuddi

Azeem listens to the translation quietly and when the women finishes he looks to the rest of the group.

"Well, Felicitas it would seem may not have abandoned us just yet. Through Ezieer's curiosity, our own misfortune in battle, and the desperation of this women we have been lead to where we are needed. It seems fairly clear what we have to do then, this Malvec must be stopped." He pauses and then smiles for a moment.
"You know, this all makes a wonderful tale. I do hope we live long enough to tell it to someone... though, I think I'll leave out the part where we all almost die. Doesn't add much to the heroic feel I think." Again he pauses

"So, we should look for a way around to the back of the temple tomorrow. See if there is any way we can sneak up on Malvec without having to deal with his undead cronies. Once we have him, hopefuly his undead won't be quite as tough to deal with. Or at least without much direction. And the villiagers he has in his league may reconsider their loyalties. And I have to get my blasted crossbow back." he smiles at the last and continues.

"Well, I suggest we get some sleep and be ready for quite a day tomorrow. Eisinrhyr if you could think on spells that might help us against both the priest and possibly the undead, I think we will need every edge we can get. " With this he tries a bit of the fruit and tries to make himself comfortable inside the cave.