The Canterbury Tales- Chapter 4: Dead Drunk

[ethandrew]

"You're presence here means that he'll want to manifest himself to you, which will drain his energy. If he expends much of his strength, he will lose more control over his realm and parts of the temple will be claimed by the ethereal nothingness you see around us. You don't want to fall into the nothing, but if you can sap enough of his strength then Varath will have to choose between fading into nothing or remaining a glimmer of himself while letting you go back to the waking land. A warning... if you decide to accept Varath you will strengthen him again with your worship. Having a god indebted would come with consequences best left unimagined, both for you and your people. Varath is a trickster of sorts. Be wary."

Francis looks leery, mixed with an annoyed resignation. "So how do we sap his strength? Just by interacting with him, talking to him?" The young man shrugs, it didn't seem too bad. And really, what other choice did he have.

With that, Franics makes to the temple, not waiting for the others. He wasn't concerned over Varath tricking him or seducing him into acceptance. His faith was strong.

 

[HolyMan]

The Professor puts Halford in his hatbox and then ties it shut. Standing the lanky man holds his large suitcase and hatbox in seperate hands indicting he is ready to leave.

'Let's try this sturcture first he may not even be at home." he says walking towards the building.

[sblock=OOC] There is a building isn't there?? I guess we are not going to get any takers on re-recuritment. Should have more than three. Want us to play two characters or have a couple NPCs join us? [/sblock]

 

[Deuce Traveler]

OOC: There is a building here, and I will NPC the characters that are not being ran for a slight bit longer.

As you approach the handful of steps that lead into the stone building you can see it was put together expertly and by using large, staggered blocks. The entrance is not blocked by any door, and your eyes see a corridor weakly lit by nearly burnt out torches that stop at a T intersection several yards past the foyer entrance. The statues that you saw earlier stay blurred in detail despite your proximity, as if part of a dream.

 

[ethandrew]

Francis, taking the lead, looks both to the right and left corridors, curious about which way to go. "Anyone have any preference? I'm inclined to go left."

 

[Deuce Traveler]

As Francis gets closer to the torches their flames suddenly shoot up and brighten in intensity. The statues themselves come into focus and are a mix of painfully contorted human male and female figures reaching upwards into the sky as if for salvation. The sound of the drums continue, though they seem louder down the left corridor and somewhat less so down the right corridor.

 

[ethandrew]

"Okay, that was weird," Francis states aloofly, as if something weird and supernatural was unexpected in this bizarre place they found themselves trapped. "I still say let, any objections?"

 

[HolyMan]

"Wha-? What, oh no lead on if you will." the Professor says turning from gawking at the realism of the statues present.

 

[Dragonwriter]

Duncan takes his lance and club, leaving Gaoth outside the twisted temple. The place doesn't look like a good fit for a horse. He follows Francis, skeptically eying the disturbing statues... He suppresses a shudder at the sight of the figures as they come into focus.

The young paladin merely nods at Francis, bracing his lance and walking behind his companion.

 

[ethandrew]

The sound of drums intoxicating, Francis turned toward the left. He was inclined to go that direction in the first place, but he felt a compulsion now, a lure leading him onward. But just as quickly he snapped out of his reverie, wiping his hand over his face, washing away the cloudiness. The man outside had warned him, and he had to keep his wits lest he be trapped here, prisoner to a mad god.

 

[Deuce Traveler]

The party finds themselves in a small, circular chamber with burning coals emitting a wiff of smoke and a little heat in the center of the 20 foot radius chamber. The corridor continues directly ahead, and several murals of sleeping people decorate the walls. On the murals can occassionally be seen a spider hanging from a strand and over a sleeper's head, as if watching over the person. As you continue your examination, a man-like figure flickers into being, then out of existence, then back in again. He becomes more solid and real and you can make out features. The confused man looks as if he were just waking up from a dream and sputters in surprise to find himself standing and in your midsts. The bearded man is Borric Hawkins, a swordsman of some skill, and a member of your caravan.