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Message: <blockquote data-quote="megamania" data-source="post: 2832451" data-attributes="member: 9255">EBERRON: THE CREATION SCHEMA04/01/06SEGMENT 211“Defenseless”The airship Cedious’ Ride circles the natural tower twice.  Capio looks at it and tries to figure out what the tower is.  It looks to be made of solid stone.  Many ramps and stairways have been carved into the sides leading to small shelters that are either homes or temples.  Few people seem to be there.  Pebbles looks at the structure.  “Cone”.“What was that?” asks Capio.“That is the cooled core of a small volcano.  Someone took away the earth and loose stone.  They then cleaned up the edges and carved in the rooms.  Well done in truth but not dwarven in make.”“Not?” questions Cedious.“Look at the stairs.  These were built for people much larger than dwarves.  I doubt the dwarves would have built something like this for a giant.  Giants built this.”   She says matter-of-factly.The crew notes two humanoids guarding a large balcony.  These humanoids are somewhat fat looking with thick gray hide and bony facial features.  Their attire suggests they are not front line fighters but monks.  The airship circles around once more then pulls up to this large balcony.  Cedious, Fighter, Pebbles and Bob climb down.  Cider and Capio remain on the ship as guards and to rain down death and destruction if this goes sour.DM NOTES:  The people playing Cider and Capio could not make it today and the characters were not left behind to be used.Hidden in the shadows is an elven archer whom has an arrow notched and readied even as Cedious releases the knotted rope used.  Cedious tries to talk to these people but their understanding of common is minor to none.  The elf steps up as a translator between the natives and the outsiders (The PCs!).After a quick breakdown of what Cedious wants and is looking for, the elf translates it the Rheks.  The two rhino men look at each other and talk about something.  The elf listens and waits for an answer.  They speak to him and he nods in agreement.“Welcome to Sanctuary.  The people here live in a life of neutrality and peace. This peace has recently been shattered and their leader went to speak to them.  She was struck down instead.  She is now dying.  The weapon that struck her down was designed to kill her kind and it appears there is nothing we can do to stop it.  She wants this structure to remain free and will anything to keep it free of war.  She may trade information for the protection of the temple until more help comes.”Cedious thinks about this. Then asks to see her.The doors behind them are incredibly large but easy to open.  They each measure 15x25 feet.  The hallway narrows to 25ft wide just inside.  There are several closed doors leading down the hallway on the sides.   Other doorways are open.  All of them are 10-15 feet wide.  All are built by giants for giants.  After walking several hundred feet they reach a series of steps.  Cedious finds it very cumbersome to climb these tall steps.  Pebbles, in her full plate, is not much better off.  Several more Rheks are here watching and look at the elven archer for answers.They pass them and cross a very large room.  This room may have been a meeting room or throne room.  In the back is a secret door.  It is designed for smaller people.  Pebbles looks at it for a moment and decides it was made AFTER the original construction.  A series of tunnels designed for people their size twist and turn and lead to an intersection of similar tunnels.  A Rhek is here guarding the tunnel.Several words are spoken in Celestial as the PCs later learn is being spoken.  Cedious only is allowed to proceed since he is the “leader”.  With a big smile he leaves the group.  Once he lost sight of them his smile disappears.  The tunnels twist some more and finally leads to a room.  Here a gurney is seen.  There is blood on it along with many large blood stained white feathers.  Cedious wonders what their leader is- a bird?He is motioned to wait there as the Rhek moves into the next room.  Cedious looks around the room some more.  The room is simple and has nothing of great notice.  He is about to look closer for secret spaces when the guard returns.  “Caame.” It stumbles on saying and again motions.Cedious walks through the 15-foot hallway to another room.  There are two Rhek here.  They have blood on their robes and look slightly distraught.  Many feathers lay on the floor.  Cedious hears someone speak softly in several languages.  “Common or halfling will do.” He says.“Halfling is not my greatest strength.   Cough cough.  Come forward lost halfling.” Spoken in common.Cedious steps forward and sees what he has heard referred to as an angel or archon.  The woman has beautiful soft features and large white-feathered wings.  Her silver- white hair is matted down in sweat and blood.  The only injury he sees is located along her ribs on her left side.  Many pads and wraps are on it but the blood continues to seep through it.“Vile …   injury.    Magical poison.  Very .. effective ..  if meant for …for the recipient….”Her entrancing blue eyes calm Cedious without his noticing her charming powers.  “I understand …  you are not from here.   And you wish to return …home.”“Yes.  We wish to return home.  We are on an important mission and have important news that must reach our matrons quickly.”“Yes…  I can see it… within your aura.”  This makes Cedious slightly nervous.   “I know of a place… a person that …can help you.”Cedious is less nervous and more anxious now to know how to escape this place.“I am not one …to normally do this …. Cough cough….  But I wish something in …. return.”“Go on” he says now wondering what kind of angel do-gooder this is.“We have called for help…. They will not … arrive for several hours …at best.  Cough cough.  I need someone …to hold the …. Temple … until then.”“It is only I and about 15 people.”“and there are … only six here now.  Ippikak is good … with his bow ….but not … that good.”Cedious’ mind races at the possibilities.  Uncertain what to do he agrees finally.   The worse thing that can happen is he is forced to flee.“Will you tell me who and where to go?”“I am sorry chaotic one.   I wish to …. hold you … to your word.  When the others arrive.”Cedious watches as four feathers fall free of her wing.  Will she even survive that long?  “And yourself?  How am I certain you will tell me the knowledge I need and more- know you will survive to tell me?”“I can tell … the archer.  He will tell you … if required.  Also … my people … know of the way.”Seeing no other way out, Cedious agrees.“Good luck against the Fiery One.  He has marshaled many … of his …cough cough…kin to aid him.”“His kin?”In the distance someone is calling an alarm.“Yes …his kin.  His cousins and ancestors …. The giants.”A rhek pokes his head in.  In celestial he says “GIANTS!”</blockquote>

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