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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Jon Potter" data-source="post: 3803819" data-attributes="member: 2323">[PLAIN][Realms #408] At World's Edge[/PLAIN]"A bridge... I remember the days that they were so very important to me," Ayremac mused and, smirking, flexed his wings enough to make plain the point of his joke."So you could fly across," Anania observed. "But what of us? Can you ferry us across as well?" Ayremac looked suddenly embarrassed."I... um... Some of you, I can," he stammered. "I was just thinking that if there is only one bridge, it seems a great place for an ambush.""There are several bridges across the World's Edge," the elf maiden told him. "This just happens to be the closest.""I suppose if Ixin and I flew across - and I could possibly carry Morier over as well - we could scout the other side and make sure the bridge is safe," the holy warrior suggested."What are you so afraid of, fly boy?" Huzair scoffed. "Do not worry. I will cross the bridge first if that will make you feel better." The wizard glanced sidelong at Anania to see how she was responding to his bravado."It isn't a question of being afraid, Huzair," Ayremac retorted. "It's a question of tactics!""Ayremac's right. It wouldn't be a bad idea for the folks with wings to scout out the situation from above when we get there and cover each other's backs while they're in the air," Morier said and began using a stick to scratch out a rough diagram of his proposal in the dirt. "For the crossing we should split into two groups with a flier and a Ring of Communication in each. We'll have one group always covering one end of the bridge so those crossing have a means of escape if needed. I don't like the idea of fighting on the bridge, so if we can avoid it, let's." Karak looked at the sketch and harrumphed."Let's get to the obstacle before deciding how to tackle it," he grumbled and indicated to Anania that they were ready to move out."I don't get why we need a bridge," Ixin protested as the group began filing off after the scout. "Can't we just use Huzair's magic dust to float across?" The wizard looked at her and smirked."When you have known Morier as long as I have, you will learn that he always likes to do things the hardest way possible," he consoled her. "There is little point in trying to talk him out of it."It was perhaps an hour until dusk when the group caught up with Anania again. She was waiting for them in a bower with a pair of white-furred rabbits on a length of rope. She'd expertly removed the feet, guts and head and suspended the carcasses from a low-hanging branch to drain."The bridge is this way," she said as she gathered up the rabbits. "We can follow this road directly there and reach it before nightfall." Looking down it became apparent with some scrutiny that the remains of ancient flagstones were buried beneath eons of encroaching vegetation. A road that predated anything any of the Order had ever seen lay forgotten under foot and stretched off eastward toward the bridge and westward into the unknown depths of Spiny Wood.True to her word, the elf maid had them at the bridge before the last light of Orin's Shield had faded from the sky. It was a marvel to behold, composed of time-worn stone and spanning a gap of unknowable depth. Four sets of arched stone supports maintained the surface which was in startlingly good shape given its obvious age. Only Karak had seen similar marvels, and even he was impressed with the apparent craftsmanship. The near side of the span had been sealed by a gate at one time, but it had rusted into ruin long ago. A lone tower stood vigil on the opposite side; its uppermost walls and roof had collapsed in leaving the top of the tower broken and jagged. Creepers and moss had done their best to obscure both tower and bridge.Anania took it all in with a glance. "No apparent enemies," she announced, but Shamalin was unconvinced."Even so. Stand ready," the priestess said. "Let us watch the area for a bit before crossing.""It will be night soon," the elf observed, looking briefly skyward."We should observe the area first," Shamalin reiterated and the elf nodded deferentially."As you say," she told the cleric and stepped backward."Ayremac," Morier said, gesturing to the bridge. Ayremac nodded, spread his wings and took to the air.He flew up and over the World's Edge Gorge, taking one loop down and under the bridge. It seemed to be what Anania said it was: an old bridge and nothing more. He saw no apparent signs of life around the tower or in the encroaching forest. At ground level, one side of the tower had crumbled around what was probably the entrance, but it was otherwise intact, pierced only by narrow windows at various points around it.He landed on the far side and signaled for the second group to cross. Seeing her cue Shamalin invoked the power of Flor and cast Wind Walk on herself and Ixin. The two began to grow insubstantial, transforming over the next thirty seconds into creatures of mist. While they did that, Ayremac approached the ruined tower, calling on his own goddess-granted power to Detect the presence of Evil. He scrutinized the tower but saw nothing.He was about to turn away to inspect the area of forest to the right of the tower when he sensed something vile moving in the hole broken in the structure's side. That was all the more he had time for before three brightly colored rays of light stabbed from the interior striking him in the head and right arm. All three knifed through his spell resistance, but he shrugged off the power of the first without effect.[1] He felt his muscles harden briefly as the second washed over him, but his fortitude was such that he shrugged off the attempt to transmute his Flesh to Stone. The third struck his head and he felt his world reel briefly.He staggered, and when he'd righted himself he saw a giant squeezing itself out of the opening in the side of the tower. It was at least 18 feet tall - or it would have been if it weren't extricating itself from the tower - lanky and muscular with skin the color of sand or wax. Here and there plates of leathery hide protected its naked form. One enormous hand gripped a greatclub that looked like it was made from the trunk of an entire tree. But the most shocking thing was the fact that its head looked like nothing so much as a smaller version of Lord Hofralix himself. A crown of eyestalks ringed the top of the skull, a central malignant eye stared at the Officer of Umba, and a toothsome maw slavered below. It was as if someone had somehow grafted a beholder onto a giant's torso.No, Ayremac decided, that wasn't the most shocking thing. What was more surprising to him was the fact that he knew at once this creature was his friend. At least as good a friend as any of those he'd been traveling with."Hi," he said, smiling and raising a hand to wave.-------------------------[1] That first ray was Charm Person, but the spell only effects Humanoids and as Ayremac is not technically a Humanoid but rather an Outsider, it had no effect on him. Fortunately the giant also has Charm Monster, which is much more useful against Outsiders.</blockquote>

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