The Rod of Lordly Might

1. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #281

   OCC: Alexia, I am glad to see you have returned, and have put such thought into the story. But let us please pick up the pace and have some action. IMHO, the stage is set. I'll read your latest post when I get a bit of time. Thanks!

2. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #282

   OOC: Don't worry!! You know when it lags a bit I have a few...'suprises' up my sleeve!!
   
   I do ask everyone PLEASE start posting more often, even if it's nonsense, your character has to have SOME thought!!

3. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #283

   They made short work of the distance. Braandu came to a stop and Klaatu jumped down. He said in Common so all would know, "Here is the entrance to the mines. Braandu will help get this open, although you may help if you are able."
   
   The huge boy-man-construct put down the trunk and shoveled. Sometimes he would lift out a large boulder and toss it to one side or another. Soon there was a large hole leading into darkness.
   
   Klaatu entered, and sniffed. "We have company," he announced. "Deeper inside. Rockhounds, rockhounds, by what I can tell. Their master may or may not be within." He dug around inside the cave and soon dug out some crystals from a secret cache.
   
   "Here. Take some and tuck them in a warm spot, a warm spot. They were placed here to help visitors like you. I don't need light." He handed each person in the group a handful, and then lit his staff and quickly warmed up one stone for each member. When warm, the crystals started glowing with a variety of colored lights.
   
   The tunnel was uniformly round, about 8 feet in diameter and stretched away in the distance with gentle undulating curves. "Let's go!" said the mole-man, and trundled off quickly with Braandu following.
   
   He felt right at home.

4. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #284

   Alexia shrugged her shoulders, jumped down and started helping- somewhat. Though she moved some of the other pebbles, she jumped at the soft vibration and thud from the much larger rocks. It was when they finished that Alexia felt somewhat satisfied until she then realized they were just beginning.
   
   “Uh, Klaatu, what are Rockhounds?�
   
   ~*~*~
   
   Elu nodded his head in satisfaction towards Yinkus. Though Yinkus reminded him of nothing more than a half-witted Barbarian, he respected him for the alliances and fleets combing the lands to find what needed to be found. What he didn’t respect was the heavy drinking and unconditional ‘love’ for the soldiers.
   
   “Captain, I believe your ranks are out of order. Have you tallied the men completely?� Yinkus arched his brow at the sudden bluntness but quickly buried it with a proper nod. He opened the flap for Elu to visit him in his quarters.
   
   OOC: Sorry for the short posting. I’ve been physically ill and working. Though my excuses are becoming rather irritating to me, I’m keeping up with my posts, and I’ve seen a couple of you haven’t. Please start posting more often. I’m speeding up in my twists, but I’m just waiting for everyone to quickly write often. Thanks!

5. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #285

   "Oh, nothing special. Like large dogs, only much more dense, more dense, like most things deep underground. Graandu-people use them to sniff out certain fundimentals that carry little energy charge."
   
   "They also make excellent guard-dogs. Very hard to stop, to stop."
   
   
   
   As if on cue, they heard an incredibly deep growl, then out of the darkness three dark forms sprang toward them. They were about three times the size of a bulldog, short and powerfully built, with thick heavy jaws and even thicker teeth... but they had no eyes.
   
   Klaatu instantly stepped back behind Braandu and turned up his staff so the light was bright. He stabbed it into the tunnel floor so it stood on its own and reached into his robe.
   
   The first two rockhounds sprang upward into Braandu's chest. He staggered back and tried to grab the snarling creatures as they clamped down on his arms. It was hard to tell which was more surprised... the hounds, or the boy. Both were so dense that neither had the advantage they were expecting. From the effect they were having on the armoured figure, they must have weighed 400 pounds apiece.
   
   The third sprang past Klaatu and went straight for the Princess. The mole man cried out, "On Guard! They are very hard! Strike with all your might! DO NOT let them bite you!"

6. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #286

   There came a twitching of the ear as Alexia got completely in the dark tunnel. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness there came a brilliantly bright light to the left side of her sight, making things harder to see and adjust to. That was after there came a growl to her ears and then a forceful yell.
   
   Alexia turned to the attention of Klaatu’s voice before realizing what he had said. “Oh.� She whispered, mainly to herself. As the figure moved close to her, Alexia unsheathed both mithril blades, pivoting her foot.
   
   As the Rockhound moved in, Alexia kept her stance until thick breaths were looming over her. The sword on her right hand was pulled backwards while the other one was forcefully slapped out, hitting stone with a soft spark and a clink. Heavy breaths loomed in as her right sword hit mid-waist to the Rockhound.
   
   A howling corrupted her ears making her wince. Alexia couldn’t tell if it was rage or a defeated howl, since she’d never seen or heard of a Rockhound, until now. In one quick duck, Alexia headed towards her other sword where she had last seen it. Fingering the dirt floor there came another howl before she found what she was looking for.
   
   “You never told me exactly how I can kill it!� Alexia shouted out before ducking once more and quickly moving away.
   
   ~*~*~
   
   “And exactly how many men does it take to find one girl?� Elu questioned with rage. “I have caught eleven while you twiddle your time on finding something that needn’t be found, and yet look at you? You can’t find Benu’s daughter? This is an outrage!� There came a moment of silence until Yinkus arched his nose in the air. He sniffed.
   
   “Surely you smell that old man.�
   “Never mind the smelling, you have orders.�
   “The Goblins are joining us. I will send them down to Benuah.�
   
   Elu grunted, sitting down. He had known the Goblin’s would ally with the Humans but what Yinkus did not know was how Goblin’s would turn on Yinkus when he had everything. Yinkus moved outside when a horn blew, leaving the flap open for Elu. Nodding in approval, Elu headed behind Yinkus, looking at the thousands of Goblin’s lined up and ready. There came a twisted smile on Yinkus.
   
   “Shall we order the men now you damned old fool?� Elu smiled.

7. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #287

   Klaatu did not answer her. He knew there was no particularly good way to kill a Rockhound. That's why they made such good guard animals. Besides, he was busy. His hand found what he had reached into his robe to get. He whipped out a small silver whistle, and blew a blast on it with all his might. There was no audible sound to him or Alexia, but the three hounds stopped their raging and looked at him for a moment.
   
   "NOW!" he shouted to Alexia. "Stab hard at its neck!" ""
   
   Braandu took advantage of the pause to get a firm grip around the back of the necks of the two massive dogs. But his weight was three times that of the two beasts combined, and he pressed them to the floor of the tunnel and pinned them there.
   
   Klaatu ran back to deal with the third Rockhound in case the Princess or the others failed to kill it. She would only get one free shot at it, and the whistle wouldn't confuse the animal a second time.
   
   He couldn't help wondering briefly if her sword would hold up against the animal's rocky hide. Mithril was beautiful, but it wasn't the hardest of metals.

8. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #288

   OOC: Excuse me for the lag. My best friends father died battling cancer (which kind, I really don't know). I'm heading out for a couple of days to Georgia where the ceremony will take place. I shall reply on wednesday or friday or even thursday. I will be back in my state late wednesday.

9. The Rod of Lordly Might

   #289

   Very sorry to hear that. I hope things go well with you and your loved ones.

10. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #290

    OOC: Okay you didn’t mention anything about not killing the animal, so I’m assuming you can decapitate it. If not, let me know and I will gladly change.
    
    IC:
    Alexia didn’t have time to see what the mole-man was doing, although it stopped the rather large dogs from killing her or biting her, whichever. In a moments notice, Alexia raised her sword and plundered it through the Rockhounds throat. Taking it out, Alexia whipped the sword and decapitated the dog’s head.
    
    Movement was fast, but her sword seemed even faster. Then again, Alexia’s vision was nearly obsolete, but enough to see a figure and the rarity of it’s color. Nigh Vision seemed useless and in a way more comforting. It was the same as tough she were standing in the sun’s warmth.
    
    Alexia felt foreign warmth. It was liquid. It was blood. The stench had reached her nostrils as she moved away. Still the scent made her nauseous. Alexia bit down on her lip, holding back the vomit.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    “Aye. So it has been done then?� A voice called firmly from behind Aarnorn. His hands trembled from the casual beating of the cold wind. He had faked his identity so; everything about him had been done by magic. It was amazing. Aarnorn was not a boy; he was a man. He did not have light brown locks; they were dark strands of black. As were his eyes. Aarnorn nodded at the Captain. They were ready to dock and head south where the conflict had been and started over.
    
    He clutched a piece of parchment sealed from the Mistress herself. He was assigned to reenact Tatters. Where the Myth of the Fallen had been. Legend had been that the nine Kings were united in Tatters. Since they had been brethren and close friends, it was said the Gods favored one but not the others. His name was Sir Nomen Eluent Leet.
    
    Then war waged between the nine Kings. Another had gained favor and then the other. It was said, Sir Leet had fallen, begging the Gods to grant him one wish in his glorious favor. A rod of wisdom. Some say it was a rod of magical powers, granting wishes to the soul collector, other say it was nothing more than the troubles of war. Aarnorn believed it was neither. True it provided wisdom, the scrolls. Power; for the rod’s magic. But something more. Something unexplainable.
    
    “Lad? Ye alright?� Aarnorn looked up, his face paled from the harsh winds at sea. He just nodded. He was cold more so than he was seasick. The Captain nodded and headed back below deck, leaving Aarnorn looking over the railing at the peaceful waves. A secret. A letter.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    Yinkus stepped down from a adrenaline speech. He gloated it towards Elu, no words, just looks. Elu just grunted, and struck his staff in the brown soil. Nobody would know he was the one truly looking for the Rod to regain his father’s loss. Would he lose again? No. He could not afford it. The Leet family line depended on it.
    
    Elu needed a source or a host. He pondered, staring off at the thousands of Goblins. Camping. He thought back of a perfect tactic. Yinkus turned around and sat down next to Elu. Elu arched his brow, still gazing off. “They’re beautiful aren’t they?� Yinkus added, positioning himself comfortably on the log. Elu still didn’t speak until his focus was returned to matters. He had figured out the perfect way to find the girl. “Yinkus, do you know what each individual thinks?�
    
    “It’s none of my concern. I could careless. I just need them to do my bidding.� He snorted. “Yinkus, you will fall to your fears in a matter of time.� “Me? Fears?� Yinkus glared over towards Elu. “What about you old man?� Elu arched his brow for the second time. “I have many fears. I have already fallen, but I have to deal with my fears. I am my own fear. I will conquer.� “You will conquer yourself?� Yinkus thought, meshing his shaven face. It had been matter of minutes ago when he shaved with his favorite dagger.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    Siquest rose from her slumber. Rest. She needed it. Now, she was rejuvenated and could smell her home. Siquest rose, her light green complexion turned a soft gold against the firelight as she dressed in white robes. Her long hair had been braided and bunned and locked in gold jewelry. Oiling herself, Siquest felt her stomach growl. Opening the flap, she looked out to see thousands of her troops camping only acres away from campsite.
    
    “Where’s Captain Yinkus?� She asked a Runner Boy. He nodded his head in the direction of Yinkus and an old man. Dismissing the boy, she casually walked over towards him. Yinkus stood up straight, offering her a seat. In approval, Siquest sat down and looked out towards the men.
    
    It had taken a moment to realize who the guest was. “Ah, Elu. A pleasure.� “No, the pleasure is all mine.� His voice cooed softly. Her green eyes shifted to a lime green. Their version of glittering. She was most content and both knew it. “Are you sure you’re well rested?� Yinkus added towards her. “After all you seemed to need the rest.� Siquest arched her brow and nodded. “Well.� Yinkus didn’t have anything to do. Everything was tallied and counted. Pay was already in effect. Money was coming in by the Ox’s every day. Tents and supplies were stocked and restocked. Now, he was waiting. The opportune moment before total domination of the Humans.

11. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #291

    Tethon took the liberty to come around and, with a downward stroke of his blade "Waterfall into the River", pierced the back of one of the pinned rockhounds, Piercing the creature's lungs and silencing the animal's final cry.
    
    He did not finish the last one off, as he did not know what uses it might have. The Juggernaught seemed quite suited to deal with the last one as he saw fit.
    
    "Clean off your blade Alexia, you were taught better than that" he said as he wiped and sheathed his sword.
    
    "That was well done, but your footwork was sloppy, and your kill was dirty.
    You must make a clean cut every time, not just the times that you are prepared, or striking a soft material. What if this had been a Sodithie, with skin the strength of hardened steel. The angle of that cut would have only grazed it's skin and you would have been open for a return. We will train Forms later if there is time."
    
    "Also, these creatures have no eyes. That means that they listen for the vibrations in the earth, and listen for noise and speech. You have a potential advantage here. Silent movement on your part may make it impossible for them locate you quickly. Tracking by scent is not so precise as tracking by sight, and takes longer. If your footsteps had been more silent, you might have never been attacked."
    
    "You should note that it passed me without notice to get to you. My footsteps did not give me away. However, just because you think you have the advantage, stay prepared in case you do not. You never know when your enemy has a surprise in store for you."
    
    "Klaatu, do you know if these Rockhounds are sensitive to heat? It would be beneficial to know a little more about what we may be facing here. And exactly how many more of these such encounters could we expect?"

12. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #292

    OCC: Ummm, yeah, Alexia. I expected a bit more of a tussle. I had said that although rockhounds were the size of a large dog, that they were ultra dense, weighed 400 pounds apiece, and had a rocky hide. So let's say I am surprised that an elf-maid would decapitate such a formidable creature with one stroke. I had not seen other players providing D&D-style stats for introduced creatures, but if I need to do a better job, someone please let me know.
    
    
    IC: Klaatu stopped, looking surprised. The rockhound's head lay on the ground, severed from its body. "Impressive" he thought. "I'll have to test Alexia's sword to see what it's really made of."
    
    Turning to Braandu, he said in Common, "Son, just hold that beast until it settles down." The metallic giant had gotten up from his knees gripping the squirming rockhound firmly, even as it clawed pieces of his chain mail off his arms and chest with steely claws.
    
    Looking at Tethon, he spoke almost absent-mindedly, "Rockhounds track you the same way, same way I do. Mostly smell, and energy traces. All metals give off traces, traces. You have enough iron in your body to make a 10-penny nail, and other minerals, others as well. "
    
    "I doubt, doubt there are more or they would be here. My concern now is that we have killed someone's dogs, their dogs. Their cave is up, is up ahead, and I will have some explaining to do."
    
    The last rockhound had stopped struggling in Braandu's vice-like grip, so Klaatu wrapped a metal collar around its neck with a chain, and the beast tagged along sullenly behind the boy who led it.

13. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #293

    OOC: I think a better description of the Rockhounds would seem most appropriate. Well, we can just say it was a smaller Rockhound for Craps-and-giggles. Sorry for the ‘no-tussle.’ I’ll do better!
    
    IC:
    “Where here.� Came a distant voice. It was raspy and seemed to have a frog’s croak. Aarnorn looked up at the pale eyes of the Captain. He had fallen into a slumber. His eyes were glossy and wide. Usually the look of a dead person, Aarnorn however learned to sleep like true wizards. “We’ll dock up ‘n ower so.� The Captain continued, frowning as Aarnorn’s eyes changed softly, dilating once more.
    
    “I shall be thanking you and the port is not as sturdy Captain. I shall need my men on a small boat. If that is alright?� The Captain grunted at the simple request, but soon nodded in approval. “Un.� The Captain firmly stated. Aarnorn gave a stern look. The Captain’s left cheek twitched. He hated bargaining. “Three. No more.� The Captain grunted again, but nodded. He hated those terms. “I shall pay you in full and profit as well.� The Captain’s pale eyes seemed to go wide as a smile crept upon his face as his yellow teeth glowed.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    “The Council must fight back!� Spat a Half-Elf. He was tall, for sure, but he was stocky as he was tall. His chin seemed to have their own rumble as his teeth chomped down and his robes flung high. He was one of 254 male’s known as Myth’s Council. “If we do not, we are letting everything we stand for die! Goblins and Humans plan on attacking from every corner while we remain defenseless? What do you plan on doing!� Nods of disagreement and agreements were from every bobbling head in the Council.
    
    “We, can not.� A heavy croak calmly spoke back. Gudevlor Hunt was the eldest male in the Council. He was the last to have known two generations tide. His father’s family had been in the Council since the tides rise to know it’s glorious times. Now, time was turning and it was carried on him to make the ultimate burden. “We have no supplies. With war consuming our lungs, we have no choice but to retaliate! We have no ground!�
    
    There came an unpleasant uproar.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    “Well, you can’t expect me to see in this bloody darkness.� Alexia huffed to herself, picking up her blades and pursing her lips together. She did in fact; clean her blades, but she resented it. As Tethon spoke, she mouthed him off to herself; something she use to do to her father when he scolded her for her ‘secrecy.’ There came a ring as she sheathed her blade as she stopped to listen to Tethon speak and the mole-man respond.
    
    Alexia frowned. “Explaining?� There came a soft glitter from her dull eyes. Apparently she was either confused or growing irate. Setting that aside, she shivered at soft howling in the distance. “Klaatu, what more does this cave posses in other animals?�

14. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #294

    Klaatu didn't answer her. He indicated they should stop where they were. Turning down the light in his staff to a soft blue glow, he carefully sniffed and felt his way around a sharp bend in the tunnel as it opened up into a large cavern. The cavern had stalactites hanging from the ceiling, but the floor was smooth. A soft glow from the ceiling gently illuminated the entire room.
    
    "", he squeaked to himself. He carefully reached under a rock and moved a hidden lever.
    
    Standing up, Klaatu said in Common, "I disarmed this trap, this trap. Please allow me to go and speak, speak to its owner." Squeaking for Braandu to follow with the trunk, the two disappeared across the cavern to a structure in the middle. Minutes passed... There was loud squeaking in the distance... Then they returned.
    
    "He drives a hard bargain, and by the laws of the Graandu, could have demanded more, yes more. But we may pass through using his tunnels now."
    
    Klaatu looked down at the chunky animal with the large teeth trailing behind Braandu on the chain. "And it would seem that I have bought a dog, that is, a Rockhound." (He didn't look too happy about that.) Squinting up at the Princess, he added, "Do you want it? I can bond it, bond the beast to you if you wish. It would die to protect you, protect you."
    
    "Oh, yes, one more thing, one more. It eats rocks. Mostly limestone."
    
    "Tell me where, where you want us to go, please, Alexia."

15. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #295

    "How does the bonding process work exactly. It there some kind of magical aura that the dog is bonded to, or is there a physical attribute that the dog is bound to. I have heard of necromancers who can control a person even after they die and return in a different body. Is this the same thing?"

16. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #296

    Alexia waited impatiently. After the mole-man returned she arched her brow at his offer. Then Tethon spoke. “Yes, how does this work and why would the bargaining process be harder?� Alexia was interested. In fact, she was too curious for her own good. Better yet, her sentencing was off! Alexia sighed, puffing her cheeks and watching as her hair flipped up. She wasn’t bored she was trying to figure out the whole journey and exactly where she wanted to go.
    
    Alexia frowned. “Alright. The process can begin.� Alexia then dug into her pocket and pulled out a pebble. “Hold on. Before you do that, can you move that thing out of my eyes.� She pointed towards the light staff. As Alexia stepped out, she closed her eyes and turned East. Throwing the pebble downwards she heard a soft click. Opening her eyes she pointed. “Go East until we turn to the fourth tunnel, then head North until you find my little pebble.�

17. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #297

    OCC: Please be careful to indicate how far we must go, since my character is leading the way when underground. Otherwise I may think we are travelling a few miles while you may have had 20 in mind (a day's hike in good conditions on foot.) Thanks.
    
    
    IC: "This way then", said Klaatu. (Klaatu didn't know what to say to Tethon's question about Necromancers. That was a delicate subject. Glancing at his son plodding along next to them, Klaatu thought, "I will have to word my response carefully.")
    
    Instead, as they walked along, he provided answers to the other questions. "We trespassed. It's simple, simple as that. oolooVornio Randu and his family have taken up ownership of this sector, this sector of these tunnels and continues to mine minerals here. I had not told him, told him we were entering, and we killed two, two of his Rockhounds. Just doing their job."
    
    "So Randu was irate, irate over our intrusion. He made me pay for the two dogs, and then sold me the third at a hefty profit, hefty. It's a runt. Barely heavier than one of your woods bears."
    
    Braandu looked down at the eyeless dog that followed him. It was only two feet tall and three feet long -- but it had certainly felt heavy enough when he had been trying to keep it from tearing his steel chain mail off his form! In fact, the powerful animal had clawed and bit into Braandu's metal "flesh" enough that the boy had distinctly felt it. It seemed docile enough, for now.
    
    They walked past the first tunnel. Klaatu went on, "When we next camp, I can take a small sample of your blood, and let the Rockhound, the hound lick it, and smell you, and listen, listen to you carefully. He will never harm you then. You can carry, carry the leash if you like or just let him walk with you. However, be careful to leash him before any family, any family or friends run up to you or give you a hug. And don't argue loudly with anyone, anyone. The Rockhound will be very protective of you."
    
    "Very handy in a fight, a bonded Rockhound. You killed a pup. This one can rip a man's leg off with one bite, whether he wears armour, armour or not. Remember, it's three times heavier than you are. He's yours, if you want, but don't think you can take him home to the forest. He can dig through rock, but he can't climb, can't climb trees."
    
    Klaatu sounded like he didn't think much of trees.
    
    Braandu turned to look at the stony skin ripple on the beast as it followed, the massive jaws that blended into a heavy head, attached to powerful shoulders with almost no neck at all. Its hard feet were clacking on the smooth stone floor in rhythm to his own heavy footsteps. He thought, "maybe the lady won't want it? Maybe I could have a dog? If Father would let me..."

18. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #298

    He stood there, heartless and defensive. He watched. His green eyes ablaze. He could only hear his heart beat; it was enough for any elf to hear. Luckily, he had gone to see an Alchemist. Referring some of her old potions to nearly make himself invisible or at least unnoticeable to anybody and everybody; no matter the race. Truthfully, he downed it quickly. The squad would be highly upset- then again there was no ‘disappointment.’ It was death.
    
    Bifinazaar watched quietly. He knew what possessions Rockhounds portrayed. Their capabilities were a wonder. A true idol in the Goblin army. They had no hopes. For hope lead to fear. Fear lead to death. They all feared, but nothing showed. Bifinazaar watched a small group walk through; one had an almost-perfect stance with swords while the other seemed more off balance and easily dropping their swords. The Gods apparently favored the small creature since the Rockhound ended up dead.
    
    There was one giant. Easily taking two in hands. There was a smaller man. Almost mole-like. Odd. He had only heard of them. Never seen them. Bifinazaar was there for one purpose. Trailing. But who? He was to report anything and everything, event at least. There was no reason to be trailing in the tunnels. Damn Humans. Biff, known to many, was standing there. As usual.
    
    It was odd. He didn’t look. He only saw bits and pieces. They were moving. Worse. Luckily for him, they were going down the opposite tunnel. He wanted more air, but the potion was to wear off in two more days. Yes. His time to recover from everything. He couldn’t eat, for if he did, the digestion tracts would start to fail. His body was becoming thinner and his clothes bigger. He was looking horrible. Well, at least from what he felt.
    
    Bifinazaar waited until they had left sight. He would wait until nobody would hear him. He waited. He hated to wait. This was his punishment. Punishment for fear. He was to be the support everyone needed. He was the weak chain. Yinkus had told him. Biff waited, until now.
    
    Crawling the sides, barely able to walk, he headed out towards the light. It was actually dark. Better on his eyes. Getting use to the darkness was hard. He could understand why the Rockhounds were known for their ears. They had no eyes. That’s what the tunnels had taught him. Great. Two days. A two day’s ride to camp.
    
    If he failed, he had others in the tunnels. Farther out. Lucky for him. The only thing he could think of was to run. Run until he met base. If camp was where he had left it, he would be there by the time the potion wore off.
    
    ~*~*~
    
    Alexia continued to walk. She waited for a response. She was always curious in-group conversation. She liked to listen and then liked to talk when she needed. Alexia frowned to herself. “Klaatu, first off, that was nothing more than a pup?� Her eyes seemed to go wide, mouthing pup. It was hard enough and with hundreds more, possibly. “Also, I didn’t realize what connections you truly have!�
    
    The walls seemed to vibrate with every howl. At least that’s what she saw. Small vibrations. Shrugging her shoulders she saw an opening to the right and then the left…possibly the middle? Alexia widened her eyes, hoping to see something. Nothing. Where was her pebble? She then got the idea.
    
    Turning on her heel, she looked at nothing in particular. “Someone, talk to me about anything. Odd as it may sound, just do it.�

19. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #299

    "Talk?" For Braandu, that was impossible. For Klaatu, it was all too easy. "Glad to oblige, to oblige."
    
    He launched into one of his favorite lectures about the energy interactions of fundimentals, their places in the tables his people had organized over the ages, the various properties of several of the most important, and the mysterious and ephemeral nature of those calculated to exist but not yet discovered.
    
    Many times the mole-man had to resort to various squeak-words to explain a concept when the Common language had no equivalent term, which was amusing, but hardly helpful.
    
    For some reason, however, Klaatu got the impression Alexia was concentrating on something other than his speech.

20. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #300

    Alexia sighed. It wasn’t a heavy sigh. Just a tired sigh. She was exhausted. She had listened to the mole-man, but her attention was caught towards the direction. She had not found her pebble. On and off she would subconsciously walk towards it and then stop. She didn’t know she was walking towards it, but somehow she knew. Odd as it was.
    
    As the ‘lecture’ continued, Alexia thought more into what he said, thinking about the possibilities of every argument. It was strange. How she would be walking unpredictably towards one point and stopping, knowing she was thinking about the pebble.
    
    What seemed ages, turned into nothing more than a mere twenty minutes. A small echo hit as her foot moved her pebble. Smiling she leaned down and put it in her pocket. She was towards her destination.
    
    It took one glance up to see the ceiling in a dome shape. Her jaw practically dropped. Pure marble and gold entwined in the two-hundred foot columns to hold the jeweled encrusted in dazzling art work of the Gods and Goddesses. Though the color provided a cascading dark purple and blue in her vision it was a brownish-white.
    
    Alexia looked in the middle of the room. It was silent. As if nobody had used it in hundreds of years. There was a fountain. No water rushing. Alexia started to walk as if unsure there even were traps.
    
    Sure enough there were.

21. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #301

    Braandu stopped and stared upward at the ceiling. Even with his un-living sight he could see the decorations. "Father always tells me ornaments are useless", he thought to himself, "But I like it".
    
    His people, the Graandu, never use jewels, gold, ornaments or things of visual beauty for an obvious reason... They can't see very well. The maps in the trunk were made of gold foil for utilitarian reasons... it is thin and won't rust. The weapons he and Father had made were efficient and totally functional. No engraving or ornaments. So, either the Graandu had not been behind the creation of this cavern, or someone long ago had decorated it.
    
    Braandu was so impressed with this fabulous scenery that he walked forward without exercising any care. His enormous foot stepped on a trigger placed in the floor of the cave opening and the frightening rumble of an enormous rock slide was instantly heard. All along the tunnel, from many yards behind to as many in front, large boulders were released from their places set in the tunnel walls. They crashed toward the travellers. Braandu dropped the trunk he was carrying and braced himself as the first few -- each a yard in diameter -- struck him in the chest and legs. He fell beneath them.

22. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #302

    OOC: OK wait a second. Dream, you said:
    "All along the tunnel, from many yards behind to as many in front, large boulders were released from their places set in the tunnel walls."
    
    However Alexia described us as entering a massive room at least two hundred feet high, and, given the domed ceiling, probably just as wide.
    
    So unless I am missing something, and I could be, then according to Alexia's description, the trap that Dream had set doesn't work.
    
    Can anybody enlighten me here?

23. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #303

    OOC: Nobody...no, I'm letting Dream do a series of 'pop ups' where the adventures encounter the traps. I'm letting it be free reign right this moment. I'll steer soon enough.
    
    If you read my last statement, there were traps and are traps. Dream couldn't have gotten them all. I don't think Dream set traps..did he?

24. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #304

    OCC: Ummm, let's say Braandu is modeled after me. Or vice versa. Clumsy. So, you are right.
    
    But since this is fantasy roleplaying, I whip out my magic wand and "Presto!" The rocks are falling from their places set the nearby walls of the MASSIVE ROOM, as well as from the tunnel we just stepped out of!
    
    Handy, this wand.
    
    Hey, I'm humble. I make mistakes sometimes. It's disappointing, of course -- disappointing that it's only October, and here it is: I've already made a mistake this year -- but, like I said, I'm humble. Probably the humblest guy on earth! :oops:
    
    
    IC: Klaatu squeaked out a warning to Braandu... too late! It should have been obvious with the boulders set up in the wall, but he had been walking behind his son and had been daydreaming.
    
    "By the depths! Rockfall!" Braandu was being bowled over beneath nearly a ton of granite! Klaatu had only an instant to save himself. He whipped out a vial from his robe... one of his favorites. The sticky substance his people had long synthesized based upon analysis of spider webs. A recent development, since Graandu had not ventured near the planet's surface (with its spiders) until the last thousand years or so.
    
    He flicked open the cork with his thumb and slung it to one side where the most rocks were rolling toward him from the right. In a split-second the glue oxidized and foamed; splattering on the rolling rocks. As they turned, the globs of glue touched the ground as the rocks surged forward ominously toward the mole-man... ...and relaxed back in place; stuck to the ground with a gooey web.
    
    Other rocks were only a second away from him on the left. Klaatu vaulted with his staff to the right onto the webbed rocks while the rollers on the left crashed into the ones he was clinging to with reverberating "clunks"... narrowly missing his arm and leg, but crushing the shaft of his staff. A hissing, fizzing sound sputtered from the broken tool.
    
    Klaatu was mortified. His instant thought was, "The Princess! The others! They'll be killed! It's my fault!"
    
    He looked back, afraid to see what had happened to them...
    
    
    
    OCC: [Shameless advertisement section] For more really exciting information on spiders and their webs, please visit Freeform Roleplaying Thread, "The Last War". [End of advertisement]. :twisted:

25. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #305

    OOC: Dream, you're all right. Believe me, we all make mistakes. That's the fun part.
    
    IC:
    Alexia didn’t hear anything. Odd, considering her vision. She could only hear soft muffles from behind and continued to look ahead. Her gaze was transfixed on the water fountain. With each step it seemed she had been the only one to pass through it. Odd. She didn’t think twice about anything than the fountain. There was something odd about the fountain.
    
    It was circular. Three levels. At the top there was a female body, no head, arms, legs, just the neck to the lower pelvis. It looked ancient. It also was not made of stone. It was made of a golden powder. Once again, it appealed to many and fooled them into thinking it was stone or gold, it was powder.
    
    Alexia reached over and touched the navel. Odd. Alexia pulled back her finger to feel the powder. It was soft. Her fingerprint had not left the navel. Instead something happened. The floor shook. It started with the powder. It crumbled. Dust filled her nostrils as Alexia coughed. Then it happened. The marble fountain crumbled.
    
    Alexia’s eyes went wide. Reality hit her. Screams erupted from behind her. Alexia turned on her heel and started to head back. She stopped. There came a grumbling behind her. Frowning, Alexia’s ice blue eyes looked down. Nothing. Misted air blew towards her face. It was cool and refreshing. She rubbed her eyes with the palms of her hands. She then took a step back to where the fountain had been.
    
    Stairs…

26. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #306

    OOC: And nobody's going to respond? Hmm...

27. The Rod of Lordly Might

    #307

    No. Thanks. I think it's just not working.
    
    I learned a lot about the Strolen forums while I posted here, and that was a great experience, but I guess it's just best that I drop out of this thread.
    
    Best wishes to you, Alexia, on your stories. Maybe we'll team up again some day. :)

28. Re: The Rod of Lordly Might

    #308

    ooc: i'm back sorry about my hiatus, England was great, didn't have computer access really. got home had to finish moving into a house, register and start classes, and find a job. but i've read everything i missed.
    Andimia didn't hear much about the rod, dosen't know Alexia is royalty, she slept through most of that hehe. Knows that they're off to a desert to find something they need to help Braandu. While they were at the moleman's she made a few arrows too.
    
    
    Andimia's eyes scanned the massive room, looking at the ornate details with a silent awe. Suddenly she snapped out of her stare by a rumbling sound. Rocks were falling in all around. a trap? but there was no time to think, only react, but as Andi looked around, she feared she was going to meet her end in a dark dank hole under the earth and she regretted all of the missed moments in her life, but she then noticed the mole-man had something up his sleve, or in his pocket to be correct. She watched as he threw the vial of sticky substance, and as the rocks slowed their crushing decent the half-elf leped up onto them, balancing as they halted, the moleman seeking safety upon them as well.
    "is everybody alright?" She looked quickly for Alexia and found her safe in the middle of the room destroying the dust statue and let out a sigh.
    

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