Guardians of the Citadel — Legacy Forums

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#321

Lucky panted in contentment the pain from his wounds largely lessened after Echo's healing touch, although many still remained. (I'm a little under 1/2 health if you want to heal me a second time hint hint. ;) He suppressed an urge to gag at the smells that rolled him, eyeing the stranger with uncertainty, the idea of encountering a potential ally in this land of hostiles sounding almost too good to be true.

He rose to his feet and licked Echo's hand in thanks, keeping a watchful gaze on the child, "Do we know if he has family, or are we his new parents?"

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#322

Again, he stopped to listen, and to smell. His vision could carry him only so far, and perhaps betray him. He even felt for the movement of the stone - for the movements of masses of men, the clanking of some machinery. Anything to give him some hint.

Satisfied no-one was in immediate proximaty, he put his lit oil flask down a few feet away, so only the barest flickers were near the discolored patch, and poured fresh oil from a second flask - only a touch - onto the mechanism. Ideally it would keep the ages old mechanism from betraying him. Would that he had some wd-40....

So yeah, unless he hears something, he pulls the lever, slowly...

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#323

Making his way to the inn near the front gate of the keep Tusserk stopped occasionally to look into the windows of shops, the better to cast sidelong glances to see if he was being followed. The scrolled tucked against his chest did a decent job of hiding any blood seeping through the robes he was wearing but would not keep it hidden for much longer. Picking up his pace slightly, he weaved through the crowd as nonchalantly as possible. He passed the inn completely before sidestepping into an alley quickly and peering around the corner to observe the crowd for nearly a minute.

Satisfied that he was not being observed, he stepped around the corner and into the inn. Taking a corner that allowed him to watch the main entrance, kitchen, and stairs that led upstairs, Tusserk unrolled the parchment and set about studying the writing as he waited for the group to gather. Hopefully something of interest would be scribbled onto the paper.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#324

It would all depend on what he considered to be of interest. The scroll was long and dry, detailing nine generations of Roddens, their quirks and traits, their ruling styles. It spoke of Felvis Rodden who first began to breed the eels that called the moat home. It spoke of alliances and feuds, marriages and deaths. It even mentioned the three ancestral items buried somewhere in Coldmoat's vaults. Something called the Bands of Kruaa, Headtaker the pole-axe, and Blidd's Book.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#325

Rolling the scroll back up and slipping it into the scroll case on his hip, Tusserk ordered some food as he waited. The group would either arrive or he would head out in the morning.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#326

Once the paralysis had worn off, Mystic wandered off a little ways and sat down heavily on the grass. He felt his insides roiling from the sights and the smells. I've seen plenty of bodies in the anatomy lab in college... but their faces were always covered. Now I know why.... Not sure if he was going to pass out or start puking, he just sat there and waited for it all to settle down.

When he could act again, he stood up and walked shakily over to the others.

"You doing ok, Lucky?" he asked, reaching out to make contact, patting the fur in what he hoped was a mutually comforting motion. "Oh, good, you made it out, Echo. Any sign of val or Tuss?"

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#327

Spiderheart approached the woozy Mystic, and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Aye, trolls. We suffer from their depredations in the Vast as well, warrior."

The monk continued studying Mystic a while longer. "You must remain strong. You will be needed." He said then turned to the group.

"If I may..." He began in his soothing voice, "I can fetch your compatriots at this inn you mention. Surely it would be needlessly dangerous for you to return."

Getting no objections, Spiderheart turned and quickly strode toward Coldmoat, as darkness descended once more on the rills.

---------------

Tusserk kept his head down mostly as talk raged inside Rodden's Rest of the castle assault by daring adventurers. Guards were combing the town looking for the interlopers.

He looked up to see a tall bald man smiling down at him.

"I am Spiderheart, sent here by your comrades to retrieve you. They camp outside the city gates. Will you come with me now?"

That left only Val the thief unaccounted for...

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#328

Meanwhile, young Willem pointed to the burning hole and said to Sil, "Mother is down there somewhere," not comprehending what had just happened below, "Father left to find help", he didn't even realize that Thom's corpse lay nearby, "And auntie Tuyana lives in Webhold."

----------------------

Val pulled the lever. Something creaked, though not the newly-oiled, rusty lever.

Two things happened at once.

Firstly, the stone staircase descending into impenetrable darkness near him, suddenly flattened, the steps receding, until the staircase resembled a chute. Pebbles cascaded down, and he could hear feint "ploops" and "plops" far below.

Secondly, the stone wall groaned around him, and another secret passage opened. Not back into the castle but rather facing away, like the previous stairs.

It opened up unto yet another descent of doom...

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/b7/f2/1d/b7f21d7719abd79a38f3be4ed8bb3915.jpg

Two options. He could keep searching the nooks and crevices behind the castle walls horizontally, or he could get vertical and...descend into the depths. The fact that the parallel staircase was booby-trapped gave him pause. Both options were viable and dangerous. Skulking along the insides of the wall, wouldn't get him down. Going down could get him killed. Or out.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#329

Lucky licked at Mystics hand, nodding at his question, the pain of his wounds mostly subsiding, "I'll be okay in time, if not for your thrown net I'm not sure I'd still be alive." He told him softly, his voice a deep growl. "Thank you for coming with us, this monster was not one Jenny- I mean Silveressa," He stammered, shaking his head at the slip up, "And me could have handled alone."

He turned to regard the new comer and child with hesitation, wondering if a man called Spider Heart could truly be trusted, but seeing no reason to doubt his apparent kindness , "Poor child, at least we arrived in time to save him, and avenge his parents passing."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#330

The chute might be an eel feeding device, on second thought. The new decent of doom seemed 'safer' if at least he would have control over his movement. Keeping his eyes peeled for traps Using appropriate skill! :) he descended, the poor flickering light of his 'lamp' his only companion....

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#331

He reached the landing and froze, taking the place in with all five senses, and hopefully the sixth.

A silent perpendicular hallway greeted him. To the left about thirty feet away was a window-like opening, at ground level, barred with rotted wooden shutters. Checking it, Valadaar quickly ascertained that the opening led directly into the open air, and the moat below. Now approximately thirty feet down, as opposed to sixty.

It was night outside. He considered. A dive, a quick night swim, and he could be long gone. Bloody eels though...

To the right, the hall went on a bit longer and seemed to be descending. Following that he spiraled around and down. And further down. He paused.

At this point he had to be at water level or...lower.

Continuing on he finally came to an archway, which led further downward still, twenty seven wide stone steps (he counted because why not).

Here a wide hall opened up, the dank stone itself reeking of bygone ages. Somewhere near him or overhead(?) he could hear dripping water. Peering into the gloom he could make out what looked like sarcophagi of stone, lining the walls. He glanced at a few close up...

"Lord Felvis Rodden, Lady Iolina Rodden, Lord Fedolf Rodden..."

The last standing tomb featured what looked like recent scrawling, "Lord Werner Rodden", this must have been the husband of Karkayla, and the last Rodden lord. He listened for sounds. Other than the rhythmic dripping, silence reigned. Utter darkness mocked him inches away from his meager light.

Continuing past the tombs of the Roddens, he at last came to a dead end and a door, one that resembled the one he had spied on the tapestry. Which according to the same tapestry opened with a large, black key, just like the one he had on him.

Shadows danced with darkness.

http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/236x/f5/f1/41/f5f141052820cac7edb9f42b10230df0.jpg

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#332

"I search the tombs" his character would have said, but val didn't really want to search corpses which might be little more then bones and leather, or worse- flesh oatmeal.

Before he tried the lock, he checked the walls for possible seams, holes (Indian Jones style) or other traps. Everything seemed so old he had a hard time believing mechanisms would still work. But still he checked.

Satisfied that no obvious traps were present, he used the key. If it didn't work, he could always try picking it.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#333

"Once Spider Heart comes back with Tusserk and Val we should head for Webhold and let them know their troll problem is dealt with and see if Wil's aunt will look after him," She suggested with a nod, "Echo, did Spider mention how far away the monastery is? Holing up at Webhold for the night may be wise."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#334

Val heard a most pleasing "click" and the door opened inward slowly.

Inside lay the Rodden's vault. A twenty by thirty chamber, choked with dust and age. Two chests sat near one wall, covered in grime and mold. An alcove held a stone pedestal upon which sat a great book, a foot and a half across, from spine to tip, the cover etched with esoteric sigils, and bound with garnet-studded bronze clasps. Against another wall, leaned a fearsome looking pole-arm, half again as tall as a man, a gruesome hybrid of bardiche and glaive. Inside yet another alcove, upon yet another stone pedestal sat twin arm bracers of silver. They gleamed in Val's light, untarnished.

An ancient iron-wrought mirror, seven feet high, and four across took up the fourth and final wall. If he turned the light to it, Val could see his own reflection easily enough. There he was, a thief on the prowl. Tomb raider!

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#335

"Just the one, I found." Spiderheart's almost feminine voice reached their ears, just as they finished getting a fire going for the night.

Tusserk stepped into view, and Spiderheart sat down crossed-legged by the flames.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#336

Lucky padded over and laid next to the fire dozing lightly until Spider Hearts return roused him from his light slumber. "Where's Val?" He asked, twitching an ear and sniffing the air, the scent of fresh blood awakening his primal hunger. "You're hurt." He focused on the monk with his ice blue eyes, wondering at the extent of his injuries.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#337

Silveressa turned at the new comers arrival, pausing in her rhythmic stroking of Lucky's ears, the dire wolf voice the question that rose to her own lips and mentioning a more pressing concern. "How bad?" She asked Tusserk, raising her voice in slight concern.

"Anyone know how far away Webhold is? We can either make for there or camp here for the night but we need to decide now before the darkness deepens."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#338

Tusserk settled next to the fire, wincing slightly as he tried to keep from bumping his left arm on anything. “Well, I will never dance again. No wait, I will never do a backflip again.” Lifting his arm as he drew the robes off, he exposed the crossbow bolt buried in his shoulder for the group to see.

“Clodo of the High-Pitched Voice is most definitely NOT a friend. Bastard could not even take some constructive critiquing of his choice of words and behavior.” Tusserk relays the conversation that the cleric had and then the very short and very one sided conversation that he had with Clodo, to include an overly graphic account of the spinning spear to the balls.

“I also took the liberty to liberate this scroll. It mentions some of the treasures in the Coldmoat vault and some of the history of the family and area.” Tusserk produces the scroll from his map case for the group to examine.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#339

"That must be the reason he was seeking the key, to unlock treasures that are not his. Luckily, I know of a secret passage we can use anytime to come in and dispense some justice."
The cleric shrugged, still petting Lucky. "As for your shoulder, Tusserk, it will be better tomorrow once I've had a chance to rest - but let me look at it now with more mundane skills."
The artery is hidden well in the axilla, as are the nerves. This is but painful, a shaft through the muscle. A little anesthesia-free surgery, and burning out the wound, cleaning it with alcohol...
"Sure, I can do this" the doctor got to work. "Bite down on this, and if you're a good boy, you'll get my wine."Five months of surgery internship, you can do this! Put that A in anatomy to good use, Echo!
The monk flinched at the ministrations, but rather little. Their legendary training of body and spirit showed in his calm mien as he recounted daring tales of groin-stabbing and escape.
"The magic will take care of the rest tomorrow."

"As for tomorrow, let's wait for Val until morning, and otherwise leave a message for him in English at the inn. I don't think any of the frolicking elves and surly dwarves speak Shakespeare's tongue. As for the travel to Webhold - how long will it take, and what dangers await?"

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#340

Val, remembering something, took pains not to look directly at his image in the flickering light. He was going to tempt fate enough already.

He examined the pedestal for traps, looking for a seam that might move if the book were lifted. Satisfied, he took his backpack and scooped up the book without touching it directly. If magic existed in this world, it was something he was interested in.

The bracers, he donned and slid under the thin leather of his armor. Even if they did nothing, this was easier to carry and who knows, might actually protect his wrists.

Finally, Val took the pole-arm. He had used some in the SCA, and at the very least he could use it to probe ahead.

"Spoils of war", said Valadaar quietly to himself as he began to retrace his steps to find a way out. The tomb seemed to be an .. end.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#341

"Webhold?" Spiderheart interjected, "Four days south as the loon flies. The surly Lord Webber rules the castle and surrounding lands." He paused as a moth landed on his fore head. The monk gently flicked it off. "It is on the way to the Soulmarsh Vast, where your brethren await."

The monk then absentmindedly began to scrawl images with a stick in the dirt, by the light of the fire. Decent artistry considering his tool and milieu.

He drew a wolf and next to it what looked like a hydra of myth and lore. He drew an obviously massive warrior and next to him, one even larger and more ferocious looking. He drew a plain nondescript man and next to him another, this one adorned in jewels. He drew an elf with a bow, and next to her, what looked like a monstrous troll-like beast. He drew another elf and next to her a question mark. He drew a knight and next to him what looked like another knight shrouded in flames. He drew another plain looking man and next to him what looked like a sorcerer or some grand wizard from fairy tale.

Finally satisfied with his sketches in the dirt, Spiderheart closed his eyes to sleep.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#342

The thief retraced his steps, polearm bobbing and scraping stone as he went. The book was heavy too, weighing down his backpack. The bracers were a great fit however, and emboldened his step.

He angled upwards, and reached the window looking out into the moat again. A brief look...

Dead of night. There was only a sliver of moon to shine upon the moat. Lights from the market square across the water beckoned to him.

If not, then it was back up the stairs to the stuffy corridors behind the castle wall, and out the tapestry door...

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#343

Wait a minute! They left the drawbridge down.

A quick plan formed his mind.

Sliding out the window, awkward with his toys, Valadaar clung to the aged stonework, his dexterous hands letting him find every crevice as he circled the keep. The deadly waters beckoned below, but he couldn't see anything moving. For the best to be sure.

He got to drawbridge, and with great effort, moved hand over hand across the edge of the structure. He nearly slipped halfway over, but recovered and after what seemed an eternity, gained the opposite shore.

He neither tarried nor ran, for such movement would draw eyes, and that was the last thing he wanted. A quick dip in the mud made the pole arm less remarkable. He moved among the buildings in the village and found a dark ally. Pulling out his rope he wrapped the blade up, concealing it further. No shine from it to betray him now.

Next stop, the Inn.

He opened the door carefully, but was downcast to see no sign of his companions.

The innkeeper looked up at him, scowled, and said “You, someone left a message for you”

"Valadaar, camped out a mile east from town"

“Thanks, “ said Valadaar wearily, as he tossed the innkeeper a silver.

No more words, he turned to leave.

It was in the dead of night when Valadaar came across their fire.

Lucky was the first to sense him - a familiar scent accompanied his approach to the camp.

He didn't speak much. Looked over to where Mystic was sitting, he put the pole arm down beside him. “Present for you.”

Exhausted, he found a spot near the fire and crashed.

(13:35:24) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d100 and gets 8.
(13:35:28) Minion: valadaar rolls 1d100 and gets 45

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#344

Silveressa partially drew her Scimitar as Lucky rose to his feet and peered into the darkness, sheathing it as he clarified the new arrivals scent, giving him a quiet nod of thanks and greeting Valadaar with a warm smile upon his arrival, gesturing to the camp fire and keeping her voice low. "Glad to see you, we were getting worried, there's roasted deer from last night, and some dried berries and nuts from my rations if you're hungry, we can talk more in the morning."

She gestured to her rucksack next to her tent and yawned, slowly whittling on a small wedge of wood with a skinning knife and eyeing the crackling fire silently, one hand reaching out to softly pet Lucky as she pondered the events of the day, and wondered if the boy would find a new home with his aunt or if they were going to find themselves paying homage to Willow in the coming weeks.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#345

Herein ends Chapter I of the ongoing saga of the Guardians of the Citadel. What will happen in Chapter II?

Will our heroes vex Clodo further by stealing Coldmoat's silver and gold?
Will they do to Webhold what they did to Coldmoat?
What will they discover in the dreaded Soulmarsh Vast?
Will they figure out how to return to New Brunswick?
Will Dozus ever reappear?
Will Willem Mell find a family?
Will Sagetongue ever find his tongue?
Will Clodo be able to procreate?
Will Morena come to eat their souls?
Will they ever find The Alchemist?
Will the professor reappear?
Scras?
And what about this weirdo, Spiderheart?

Stay tuned for their next adventure, where practically none of these questions will be answered!! :P

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#346

The following morning at approximately 10am....

Silveressa stretched half awake, her foot kicking the support post of the tent. causing it to sag down across her and Lucky, ruining the otherwise pleasant beginnings of the day, the brief entanglement of fur, canvas, and leathers making her quietly utter a few choice curses in Elvish, the musical language transforming even vulgarities into sweet sounding compliments.

Lucky growled softly at the sudden intrusion upon his rest, snapping angrily at the tent and yipping softly in surprise as Silveressa's elbow jabbed him painfully in the side and she knelt on his paw, nosing his way out of the tent and sniffing at the late morning air, the rest of the camp still slumbering peacefully after the recent lack of sleep.

He cast a glance back at the mostly collapsed tent and panted in amusement, memories of camping as Carly with Jenny, Lucky, and Rosella, on earth back in the summer of 2014 momentarily flooding him with nostalgia.

Silveressa poked her head out and stood up, brushing bits of fur from her dress, pulling a twig from her hair, and staring up at the sky, marveling at it's nearly blinding cerulean color.

With a satisfied smile she stepped over and crouched down, kissing Lucky contentedly on the muzzle, the memory of the previous night still fresh between her legs.

Lucky panted in happiness, sniffing at the still hot ashes from the remnants of the camp fire before snorting in displeasure and padding over to his saddle bag, pulling forth the gnawed on deer leg and chewing noisily.

Humming softly to herself Silveressa sat about re-kinding the blaze and heating water, ready to wake the rest of her companions in a handful of minutes with fresh blackberry leaf tea alongside cornmeal and cherry pancakes with fried deer strips roasted in the last of her meal kits seasonings.

As the food cooked she pulled her flute from her traveling pack, sitting down on a nearby log and playing a slow haunting melody, a deep feeling of tranquility washing over her.

http://youtu.be/kH8nsXpxlxU

The previous was created by Silveressa and Lady Wolf in chat then posted by Silveressa.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#347

Shifting slightly as the dull throbbing of the wound woke him up, Tusserk paced quite a bit during the night. His mind wandering over every fantasy game he has ever played or read about. Very few of them had actual modifiers for pain beyond the encounter and yet he could still feel the wound as it throbbed, the pain peaking and then getting dull over and over. He would definitely have to watch his actions more. No sense in ending up dead due to stupidity, not that it has ever stopped him before.

After finally falling asleep in a position that did not aggravate his arm, Tusserk woke to the smell of tea and a small breakfast.

“Gather some of the leaves, and roots if possible. The medicinal properties are good for stopping blood loss, and can be used as mouth wash, sore throats, and probably more uses than I can remember.” Turning to Spiderheart, Tusserk looked the man over before pointing to the drawing that he had done the before they had fallen asleep. “Which one of these is me?”

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#348

The music roused valadaar. He did have a thing for flute music.

Looking over at Tusserk, "Natural healing takes forever. Maybe our cleric can help.."

Valadaar opened his backpack, revealing the fancy book. "Too bad we don't have Dozus any more. I"m sure he'd love this. Not planning on reading it myself, in case its one of the dangerous books. We should get a magic user to check some of these. Echo - you can get Detect Magic, right? I'm sure that polearm, this book, and these, " he showed the bracers, "should get checked."

"And, there was a bunch of chests in that castle's dungeon. Didn't want to try messing with them right then, but they may be worth a visit some time. "

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#349

"The moment we decide to move against Clodo, we can plunder his remaining chests as well. As for Detect Magic, I'll need to prepare it the next time we rest. Convenient, isn't it? But I wouldn't mind having a little alone time with the massive tome. Our stay here was woefully poor in reading opportunities and quality literature."

"So, gang, what is the plan? I personally am in favor of moving away from Coldmoat as of now. Clodo will be wary, and ever so angry. And, the monastery seems to be the best potential base of operations. Webhold less so, considering that Clodo is likely in cahoots with Webber. Plus, Spiderheart seems to be the nice kind of creepy. So, south?"
She shrugged, decidedly girlishly. Echo had to laugh at himself - the motor memory of the Elven body overrode even such trivial gestures.

Echo proceeded then towards Carly - the poor wolf was still badly hurt. A little healing would do it good.
+3 HP :)
"Sil, technically I would have to object to you having intercourse with my patient."
The two looked sheepishly.
Echo sighed: "...unless, as you seem to imply, it speeds the healing process."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#350

"This is a Fantasy world," quipped Valadaar, "be careful or you might end up with a nice baby Wolven out of the mix. Though I think those were Palladium Fantasy...".

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#351

A few minutes earlier...

"which one of these is me?" Tusserk inquired.

The bald monk looked up at the blonde monk, and then back down at his sketches.

"I have yet to see you in my dreams." He answered Tusserk evenly. "But I suspect that I yet may. Nor have I seen this child" he pointed at the still sleeping Willem.

"Seven I have seen, traversing the myriad planes, hurtling through the ether and into this world. A knight, a thief, a fledging mage, a warrior, an elven priestess, an elven ranger and her dire-wolf companion."

Spiderheart closed his eyes, as if by doing so he could recall the images.

"Seven arrived and seven have vanished. Your arrival has somehow caused seven beings from this world to disappear into yours, among them the goddess herself, Morena."

The monk paused, "I am merely a sufferer of these lucid dreams. I know not why I see what I see, or what the dreams truly mean or portend. From the few glimpses I've seen of your world, it frightens me."

"The Hidden Monastery counts the elves of the Vast as friends, and thus I approached them with these visions. They bade me to find you and bring you to them."

With that the monk rose and gripped his quarterstaff. "I will train now". He walked off a fair distance from the camp, and began a weird series of calisthenics, oblivious to being watched.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#352

Silveressa listened to Valadaar's report with interest, offering an idea of her own in regards to the recently aquired equipment, "Perhaps my Elven stores of knowledge will prove helpful is identifying the halbeard, bracers and book?" She took a moment to famalirize herself with each in turn, lookign them over and letting her mind wander freely over the her elvsh minds by gone ages of experience.

Using the Elvish skill of Remembering as created by Muro and listed on my char sheet but no idea what dice (if any) we are supposed to roll so:
(16:06:11) Minion: Silveressa rolls 1d20 and gets 11.
(16:07:48) Minion: Silveressa rolls 1d100 and gets 39.

She looked up several moments later at Echo's summary of the current situation, gesturing to Wilem, "We shou'd make a brief visist to Webhold and inform the boys aunt of his parents passing and see if she is willing to care for him, if not I see little choice but to bring him with us to the monastery." She give the child a warm smile, kneeling down and reaching into her traveling pack, pulling out three small carved figurines she had whittled during guard duty the night before, a grinning barbarian, a slender elf and hulking dire wolf, poised as if ready to enter combat. "Here, Wil, I shall have more of us rendered into wooden form for you to play with in the days to come," she promised him, hoping the simple toys would help him forget the horrors of the previous day.

"...unless, as you seem to imply, it speeds the healing process."

She blushed slightly at Echo's comment, her blush changing into musical Elven laughter at Valadaar's humor, eyeing Lucky momentarily, Spiderheart's comment to Tusserk derailing her train of thought.

"If what he says is true and they have arrived on our world then I think it's safe to assume they inhabit our bodies." She cringed in thought and shook her head. "By now I wonder how may of them have found themselves arrested for multiple felonies and awaiting a lengthy prison sentence or stay at a mental institution? Given our own difficulties here and the complexities of modern civilization I don't foresee them remaining un-entangled with the authorities back on earth for more than a few hours at best."

She sighed and shook her head, "Not a mess I would wish to return to, even if I had desired to go back there in the first place."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#353

"Oh my, psychiatry ward, here I come!"
Echo shifted her voice in an attempt to be booming and dominant: "Foolish mortal, unhand me! I am verily a god! Prepare to be smitten! Smote! No, a god does not need to wear clothes!"

"I am pretty irreverent for a priest. Regardless, Webhold it is."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#354

Lucky panted in contentment, half listening to the discourse as he continued to gnaw into the deer haunch, now more bone than meat, Echo's healing attention a welcome balm upon his still tender injuries, her commentary and Valadaar's witty insight eliciting a barking laugh as he licked the side of Echo's face in thanks.

"Better we err on the side of caution and keep at it just in case," He told the cleric, giving Silveressa a wink and panting in amusement as her cheeks flushed in yet another blush.

He tilted his head as Spider Heart relayed his sobering tale, followed up by Silveressa's commentary, eyeing the carved figures with interest, "I'm with Echo, Webhold and then the monastery, we can pilfer the treasure Valadaar discovered once we are better prepared for the undertaking." He added, padding back over to retrieve his deer bone and nose it back into his saddle bags, Echos mimicry of a goddess causing him to chuff in mirth.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#355

Watching Spiderheart start his exercises caused Tusserk’s muscles to flex and relax until he finally stood up and walked over to the man. Settling into a relaxed stance, he watched the movements until he saw a natural pause. Lifting his arms to copy the stance of the other man, Tusserk let his body follow the movements albeit a quarter second behind the other man. The slow weaving of his torso followed by the immediate circular strikes reminded him of the Ki Gung exercises during eastern theory and energy work that he had practiced while studying massage therapy.

His arms swept downward from over his head as his foot slid across the ground then reversed to strike his imaginary opponent’s ribs as the left hand drove two fingers into the lumbar region. The moves started to pick up a bit of speed as their bodies twisted to offer strikes at odd angles and various speeds. Keeping his movements just a tad slower to not rip the stitching or bandages, Tusserk silently followed the movements of Spiderheart as he went through the exercises.

As the exercise neared its end Tusserk slowed down enough to watch the monk speed up even more as his body twisted in ways that should not be possible. The left arm whipped behind and around his hip to strike at his opponent’s abductors while the body bent down and forward so the right arm would have snaked through the legs and up to spear into the man’s neck. Tusserk watched the near impossible positioning as he noticed the strikes were knocking leaves off the trees that surrounded the area, several of them were well outside the range of the strike. Studying the moves and strikes with intent, Tusserk watched as a branch bent with no wind before snapping sideways, in line with the fingers of the monk exercising.

“Where we are from it is rumored that masters of various martial arts can perform moves that science cannot explain. I would like to learn that if possible.”

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#356

She grinned at Echo's joke, privately grateful the new information made it easier to feel good about her decision to remain in the world, the idea of returning to her diseased and failing body after experiencing Elven youth and energy, one that made her mentally shudder. She realized with a flash she had yet to tell any of her companions the secrets of the treasures in their poession.

"From what I know the bracers once belonged to a Felvis Rodden, the one who centuries began breeding the eels into the legend they are today, I recall they were said to have resistance to shock, as well as other abilities I cannot recall as of yet."

She paused for breath and gestured to Mystics polearm. "Your weapon once belonged to a Fedolf Rodden, centuries back, he has a love of using it to fell many a foe, as well as public executions. Called it Headtaker, apparently it began to thirst for necks to sever as the years went by."

She turned to regard the book with a critical eye, "Now that book is a true treasure, it belonged to the erstwhile Lady Iolina Rodden, one of the few practitioners of magic in the entire history of the Rodden brood. Inside it's pages you'll find tales from bygone ages, and hidden cleverly within these tales, are said to be the Lady's spells, a pity none of us possess the affinity for such magics."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#357

"I really hope we can find Dozus... I mean, I'm sure he'd be handy with the book, but it's a little scary, thinking he's just gone. And Scras... This is all becoming depressing.

"Do... do you guys think the professor did this to us? On purpose?"

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#358

Spiderheart paused, his bald head glistening with perspiration.

"I know not of this 'science'." He said studying Tusserk for a few seconds, then he surprisingly tilted his head back and laughed heartily.

"The gods grant me visions of other worlds, but I fail to recognize a fellow practitioner of the arts standing in front of my nose." He said still smiling.

"I am no Master. I have only achieved the fourth circle of enlightenment, but I have been taught by a true Master, Tun-Zin of the West Wind."

He studied Tusserk further looking into and through him, with pale jade eyes.

"Your movements are stiff." He suddenly adopted the strict tone of a teacher speaking to a student. "Due in some part to your wound no doubt. Heal up, we can begin in earnest on the morrow."

On the walk back to camp he spoke further,

"Air", he said gesturing with his hand, "It is all around us and cannot be seen. Yet it can be manipulated. Firstly, you must learn to breathe..."

"Water. We are mostly made of it. You must learn how to control it. How to master and ride the great wave within you..."

"Fire. It is just there, in your gut, your inner core," Spiderheart lightly jabbed just below Tusserk's stomach, with the butt of his quarterstaff. "You must learn how to control its temperature..."

"Only then, can I help you learn how to kill effortlessly." He concluded and a thin smile spread across his feminine lips.

Back at camp, it appeared as if the Guardians of the Citadel were ready to embark on the next leg of their journey.

Spiderheart addressed the group then began walking south at a brisk pace.

"I should probably let you know why they call me Spiderheart, firstly", The monk lifted his robe and showed the companions his chest. Beneath his left nipple, the monk had a peculiar birthmark, a slightly raised bump of flesh, with blood-vessel scars extending like little spider legs in six directions from the oval. "You see?" He said, "Nothing sinister. When I was a young lad, an orphan on Nebberdon's streets, and shirtless for lack of funds, the other children named me Spiderheart. I never knew my birth-name."

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#359

Young Willem took quickly to the wooden figurines Sil had carved for him, and played with them constantly, as the group traveled. He had also taken a great liking to Lucky, and rarely strayed too far from the wolf.

"Earth. Our technique ignores this aspect. We of the soft styles see earth as an external force, whereas air, fire, and water are internal..."

Spiderheart droned on as he walked beside Tusserk.

"There is a northern school far from here which preaches and practices the hard styles. Those of the Earth. Of wood, and of stone, and of metal. These men and women can shatter rocks with their heads, puncture holes into oaks with their fingers, and bend steel with their fists and knees..."

"Remember, no style is perfect. Each technique has its strengths and weaknesses. Only the Grandmasters who combine all the techniques into one, can achieve perfection. You and I must persevere, select one style, and attempt to master it." He smiled and looked toward the horizon.

"Hold," he suddenly said, spying a cloud of dust up ahead. "Look there, many riders."

"They ride with purpose. Perhaps we should avoid them."

They were five hours into their trek toward the south and Webhold.

Indeed, they could now make out a large contingent of riders in the distance, one hundred at least, maybe more, riding north toward Coldmoat, with as Spiderheart said, purpose.

Re: Guardians of the Citadel

#360

"Sil, I'd like to study the book then - who knows, it might be feasible for me to multiclass - eh, branch out into the arcane areas of study - and I could do wizardry even in this fancy armor of mine. Or a better one. I'm surprised, but check the tone of my bow - this girl is pretty strong, in addition to being nimble.

As the riders approached, Echo perked up, the pointy ears twitching.
"I'd say we abscond, and observe", the priestess darted towards the trees, hiding in the shrubbery.
Perhaps the Even memory would be teased into action as they passed by.