[Respite] - Factions

1. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #881

   Fafnir nodded and began to seperate himself from the group his scimitar held high. He struggled to see in the half darkness but made up for it by telling himself that the others had his back.

2. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #882

   "I will take right flank. Darkness holds no terror for me."
   
   And so he did. The faster they explored that place, the quicker they'd have ore aplenty, and sweet civilization and a bright future soon thereafter. What was a haunted forest compared to stout men with steel axes?
   
   "Chop, chop, chop goes the woodsman, down, down, down goes the tree..." he sing-sang silently for himself as he explored the ruins.

3. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #883

   The party spread out and searched the city of abandoned and defaced buildings.  All the while, the green panels high overhead began glowing brighter and brighter.
   
   The glowing had brightened to the point where everyone could clearly see the defaced carvings on the wall, and gauge the dimensions of the cavern.  It seemed to be a grand hemisphere a thousand feet in diameter, with the curved ceiling peaking perhaps a hundred feet above.
   
   Balin found it first.  Deeper in the center of the abandoned city he came across what might once have been a park or central square.  Regardless it appeared to be the scene of a great battle, or at least a great slaughter.  Hundreds of skeletons poked up from the mossy ground, though all that he saw appeared of dwarvish nature. What had they fought against, for fight they did.  Broken weapons abounded, axes, spears, swords and shields, along with more of the strange crossbows.  Most items not of metal were rotted terribly, and most metal was corroded.  There were a fair number of weapons still in decent shape.
   
   Balin had held back, cautious, for other dead had risen against them so recently, but the dead rested, and told no tales.
   
   
   
   

4. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #884

   "I've found something, a last stand perhaps by the dwellers of these caves," Balin called out to his fellow party members. Should there be something else here to hear him it would have been aroused by the light first, so he was safe on that count.
   
   Balin began to search for bodies other than those of the dwarf-things, hoping that his kindred had done at least some good in their last hours.

5. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #885

   Fafnir came upon the scene of devastation. He hissed "What could have slaughtered so many of the stoutfolk? Why would sssomeone try to kill every one of these fellows?" He searched the corpses looking for clues as to how or why they were slaughtered. Perhaps he could find out who killed them all?

6. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #886

   Toboran came in close behind Fafnir. He did not stop to examine the corpses; the dead are dead, after all. Instead, he kept a wary eye out for anyone that he didn't recognize coming into the square.

7. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #887

   Balin and the others searched the square, but naught but the dried corpses of the dwarves could be found.  Did they fail to score against their assailants? Did they slay themselves? Or did their enemy see to their own dead, and left the dwarves to stay where they fell? The answer did not seem forthcoming.
   
   Now, the lighting had crept up in its intensity, equal now to a fullmoonlit night, and nothing but the sounds of the party, and the subdued roar of nearby warter broke the silence.  It seemed they were alone with the dead.

8. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #888

   "Well, it seems the dwarves did not move on... they all stayed here."
   Gideon scratched his head.
   "Something malicious had to fell them all; we must find if it lingers, and bring it down if we hope to mine here."

9. Re: [Respite] - Factions

   #889

   "Well Gideon, I know that in my home we would have great stores of ore in case we could not find a fresh vein for a while. it helped us keep a steady production while not letting our miners get lazy. Perhaps there is some here as well, I think it would give Respite enough for quite some time."

10. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #890

    "So, no bringing down huge nasty critters for added glory and ego? Don't be a spoilsport, Hrofgar! We need boasting material if we are to attract choice damselfolk! Those looks of mine don't exactly help in that regard."
    
    He tugged at his goatee, then added less enthusiastically: "Though, hauling a heap of ore home might be bragging material enough, especially if it involves less dying than battling baleful ... uh ... baddies."

11. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #891

    Fafnir began listening more closely to the waters roar. Turning to the others he said, "Perhapss the water will lead to more clues of our small friends demise. Either way we gain nothing by standing about, the search must go on!" With that he strode off in the direction of the water noise.
    

12. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #892

    As the other searched about for some added clue to the demise of the dwarves, Fafnir strode towards the sound of water, accompanied by Toboran. Not far past the end of the buildings, a huge underground river came into view, with warves and small shacks clustered on the edge.  Nearby was what appeared to be a stone mausoleum, in much better condition then the other buildings they had seen thus far.
    
    
    It was then that Jhoric felt a familiar presence, or somewhat familiar.  He could almost hear a voice and the sensation drew him on.
    
    He followed the sensation to a small garden - thats what it appeared to be, though with mushrooms and fungi, and statuary. Among the small dwarven statues - small even by theier measure, was a stone orb enscribed with more symbols.  A voice in his head, barely audible above the water sounds, could be heard.
    
    Touch it!
    
    
    Gideon was finding examining the sad remnents of the dwarves both tedious and unnerving, and was close to giving up when he encountered one better preserved then the others.  It was sitting up, its back against another heavily armored corpse, in one hand was a battle axe, the other clutched something that looked like leaves.  Hrofgar noted that the head appeared to have been removed rather abruptly.
    

13. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #893

    "Hey, fellow. You seem to have held out longer than the others, didn't you?"
    Gideon imagined himself in such a situation, surrounded and embattled. Well, there were worse deaths than that - like, being shot in the back while running.
    "Show me those ... leaves, fellow. You don't happen to have mining records scribbled on them? Or a map, towards a vein?"
    Examining the strange find, he further spoke to the dead dwarf: "We will give you a proper burial; I just wish I knew your name to write upon the headstone. And the axe of yours, we will take care that a deserving warrior wields it to continue its service, for a just cause. How would you like that?"
    
    He turned to the prospector on his back: "Well, Estwick, what do you make of this?"

14. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #894

    Fafnir was suprised by the presence of such an intact building. Turning to the others he called out " Look my friends! This stone building is largely intact. Perhapss we have found something important." With that he motioned for Toboran to follow him and he set off towards the mausoleum.

15. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #895

    As he was wandering through the strange fungal garden he had no interest in the mushrooms or statues, there was something here. Something he was meant to find. An orb? Touch it? Yes, we should recover all of the magical artifacts we can find. This orb is no doubt magical, just look at the runes.
    
    Jhoric picked it up.

16. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #896

    Estick peered at the corpse, and its contents.
    
    "Don't look like theres writin' on them leaves.  Maybe they was healin' or somthin.  Coulda tore 'em off something mayhaps.
    
    Anyway, this here place is a trove - there is good solid rock here, and other stuff.  We could be as rich as kings when we get back"
    
    
    
    Jhoric touched the sphere and immediately his mind lit up like a starburst.
    
    Sir, I'll need a Will check from you.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

17. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #897

    Jhoric's body tensed and his eyes started to roll back in his head as he touched the strange orb. What in the nine hells was this? Whats is going on? Where am I now? He fought for some semblance of reality to cling to, to bring his mind out of the chaos. He didn't know if this would be the end, or a new beginning.
    
    Will Save: http://strolen.com/guild/Themes/Winter30smfRC2/images/dice_warn.gif This dice roll has been tampered with!
    Rolled 1d20+4 : 16 + 4, total 20
    
    Edit: Changed post owned from Pieh to Jhoric, Will save was a total of 20. Don't know if the edit will mess with the roller.

18. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #898

    In Jhorics mind's eye, he saw the city as it was, dwarves similar to Hrofgar, but with ruddier complexions and brilliantly colored clothing.
    They seemed anxious and harried, moving about with an air of desperation.
    
    
    "This is what was," spoke a voice in Jhorics mind, cold and inhuman, "and could be again, if you are weak."
    
    A stream of warriors burst into the city, fleeing as if death itself was on their heels. 
    
    "Join us, become stronger!" the voice extorted.
    
    They moved to the center of the square, a priest of some sort, bedecked with shrunken heads and fingerbones was carrying a sphere that seemed  decidedly familiar.
    
    Jhoric yearned to join the voice that bespoke of power, but part of his mind signaled an alarm, something was ..wrong.
    
    They turned as one, and a great cry of anguish was raised in their throats as something came into view...
    
    Jhoric found himself back in the square alone with the sphere, and his own thoughts...
    

19. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #899

    Gideon packed up the axe and armor, and then turned to his compatriots: "Let's go on, explore further - for example Fafnir's find. Everyone accounted for? Hey, Jhoric, don't stand around all lazy! You magicky types always think others will do the hard work!"

20. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #900

    Jhoric stood quietly for a moment. He was confused. What am I holding, he wondered. He looked at the orb, decorated with symbols alien to him, until he could not stand to look at it any longer. Sometimes, he hated his gifts. For they were more than the gifts of most men, yet they were not strong enough to pierce the mysteries he came across.
    
    He pondered what his destiny might be as he heard Gideon's loud voice calling out to him. "I am sorry, Gideon, but my magic has found us something strange." Jhoric began to follow after Gideon, in search of the others. "It would appear this was indeed a city of dwarves, I saw them in a vision as I touched this orb," He held it up for Gideon to see, "I saw them, with brightly colored clothing an- Wait. I must go back to the square. There was a priest. I want to find his body."

21. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #901

    Noticing the lack of people who followed him, Fafnir turned around and yelled once more. "Come along my friends. This building may house the ore we seek, or perhaps something more valuable. Like answers!"

22. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #902

    While Jhoric again searched among the scattered dead with newfound enthusiasm, Fafnir, Balin. Toboran, Gideon and Estwick moved up the mausoleum.
    
    The structure was perhaps 40' on a side and tapered slightly as it rose perhaps three stories above.  On one side were two large doors which nearly extended to the roof.  Two huge brass rings protruded from the door more then ten feet off the ground.
    
    They look about the structure, looking for an easier means of egress.
    
    If it were not for the shrunken heads, Jhoric never would have found him.  He found a piece of a corpse - it had seemed the shaman had been torn into vittles that still had a belt about it on which were handing two dwarvish shrunken heads.  Their skin, though as brown as leather, bore ritual scarring that resembled the runes of magic.  Jhoric could not find any larger remnants he could attribute to the shaman.
    
    

23. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #903

    "Behold, troops! Those rings were made for me!" Gideon exclaimed giddily and pulled to bring the doors open. While his size was impractical at times, he delighted in any and all situations where it came in handy.
    

24. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #904

    "Well, what a sizeable door. Do you think that perhaps it was meant to keep something dangerous in? In that case, it might hide what destroyed the city. I do not like not knowing the answers, and whatever comes out will answer to my blade. Fafnir prepared for Gideon to wrench the door open and was prepared to slice open whatever emerged with his scimitar.

25. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #905

    With a mighty tug, Gideon hauled on the rings, and the doors creaked, stirring up a cloud of dust.
    
    Inside was deep darkness, unilluminated by the green glow that had revealed the dead city.
    
    But the outline of something large and angular could be seen within.

26. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #906

    Jhoric stood for a moment holding the shrunken heads and pieces of what was probably once a shaman. He let his magical insight flow into them to see if he could sense any traces of what type of magic this shaman might have done and if any power remained in the fetishes or among the debris. He would rejoin the others shortly, just a few more moments.

27. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #907

    "The darkness within is too deep for my eyes to penetrate, Gideon can you see what that shape is? Estwick perhaps you could light a torch and light the way for us surface dwellers? Either way, we must move onward!" Fafnir looked to Gideon and Estwick for an answer.

28. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #908

    "Sure thing. I'm taking the point."
    Gideon lumbered inside, sword at the ready.

29. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #909

    Balin followed the large warrior several paces behind, hands ready and a spell on his lips.

30. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #910

    Fafnir lifted his sword high, struggling to see into the darkness. Yet it yielded no secrets. He must simply trust in Gideon. He followed closely behind the great figure, hoping not to lose himself in the darkness.

31. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #911

    Gideon's half-orge eyes took hold and made out the silhouette in the dark.  Expecting either attack or perhaps a sarcophagus, instead he beheld a boat, as large as could fit within the small structure.
    
    
    
    Elsewhere Jhoric looked down at the shrunken heads and picked up the belt for a closer look.  At that moment, one of the heads winked at him...
    
    
    
    

32. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #912

    "Well if these eyes of mine don't lie, there's a skiff here, plain as day. The last thing I'd have expected, too." Wandering around it, he wondered whether there was a way to get it onto water, or from some water to this place. "I doubt the dwarfs built this thing here just for fun."

33. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #913

    "Whoa!" Jhoric nearly dropped the belt of heads as he was sure one of them had just winked at him. "What have I gotten myself into..." He muttered to himself. "Can you- Uh- Can you hear me, Little head? Can you speak?" Jhoric was sure he was losing his sanity, but it didn't feel all that wrong to him. Which is what was scary.

34. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #914

    Gideon did not need to look far to see water - the underground river was not far from the boat-house. Now that he was looking, he could see a faint impression that indicated that the boat was dragged to the water.
    
    
    Still thinking himself crazy, Jhoric saw first one then the other head open its' eyes wide and gaze at him.  Their eyes were as dark and leathery as their skin, but showed a shine of intelligence.  The left one had a triangular tattoo covering its forehead, barely visible through its pitch-black hair.  The second, clean shaven, bore innumerable small symbols on its face and scalp.
    
    The bald one gave him a smile that might have been described as warm when it was normal, but grotesque in its current shrunken, boneless form.
    
    

35. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #915

    "Has anyone an idea where the subterranean river leads? It would be awesome if we had a waterway from Respite to.. well, here."

36. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #916

    "I think that Gideon seems to have the right idea. Any way to link Respite with the stores that must lie here somewhere would be best for all involved. Anyway, I rather fancy a bit of boating right about now."

37. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #917

    Jhoric was nearly in a panic now. It... Smiled? What magic was this? Were these shrunken heads somehow... Intelligent? Is this real? He started to sway a little, his eyes widened, looking hurriedly around at all the dead dwarves surrounding him. He fell to his knees. The crunch of ancient bone beneath his weight made him cringe. For the first time in a long time, Jhoric wept. Just quiet sobbing, into his hands, with the belt of heads dangling from his wrist.

38. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #918

    A voice - somewhat high toned but still gravelly - joined the chorus in Jhoric's head,
    
    "Aw, ya made heem cry. But I suppose weeth your face it's no surprise."
    
    "You just shut up," A second deeper voice rung out, " He seems weak, doesn't he. "
    
    "A test?"
    
    "Yes a test!"
    
    "Now?"
    
    "Now!"
    
    
    
    

39. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #919

    Jhoric listened to the voices, unsure if they were real or imagined. They called him weak. He didn't care what their source; he wanted to prove them wrong. "Test?" He asked aloud.

40. Re: [Respite] - Factions

    #920

    Unknowing of the interesting things going on with the warlock, Toboran moved closer to try and see away to move the boat out of the boathouse and into the river.
    "We might as well try and get going; we aren't going to do anything if we just sit here staring."

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