VII. The Lost City

[dmw71]

Bingus and Dorin, now alone on the island, miraculously manage to secure a night of rest in the wreckage of the Mistress, and, feeling as restored as they're likely to, decide to re-visit the ruins of the lost city Bingus is familiar with. The early morning sun is intense and the approximately two mile trip north along the beach is uneventful.

Bingus is able to locate the path leading into the forest he discovered previously. Dorin, the obvious choice to enter first, approaches the trail leading into the jungle. Peering inside, the jungle remains thick on all sides with a narrow path which has been largely cleared out through what was apparently a more well-traveled route. There are no unexpected noises or immediate signs of movement from within. Bingus, sensing some uncertainty from his dwarven companion, assures him that the jungle begins to clear somewhat after a few hundred yards, and the city is not much further beyond that point.

Clearing some overgrowth, Dorin enters on the path with Bingus trailing closely behind. After several hundred yards of slow progress, the path begins to become slightly less obvious, and a thick grass starts sprouting up in spots in the path before, as promised, becoming less dense a little bit ahead. "There," Bingus says, pointing through the the still thick vegetation, at a stone wall just ahead of their current position.

What catches Bingus by surprise is the unexpected activity near the small building on the southern side of the lost city, where the pair spy a handful of humanoids exploring the area. After studying the new group for a moment, the pair make out a dwarf, three elves, and a human. With it being just the two of them, the pair agree to hail this new group and hope to join forces and minimize the risks they have if they remain on their own.


Actions?


Alright, let's kick this game off again. Let's just start with some simple introductions. I will work on getting a map of the lost city tomorrow.

[Zhym]

An elf clad in chain mail armor bows formally and a little stiffly. He has long silver hair, large green cat eyes, and an almost translucent complexion. A sword hangs at his waist and a bow is strapped to his back. "Greetings," he says. "I am Lúthon Eldorrin. It is my pleasure to make your acquaintance. May our association be mutually beneficial. May I please introduce my sister, Malfindel?" With a flourish of his arm, he indicates a slightly taller, severe-looking elf next to him.

[Zhym]

The woman Lúthon called Malfindel is staring at the building. When she hears her name, she turns with a start to regard the newcomers. She has gold shoulder-length hair that frames a severe face with pale green eyes and thin lips. Her face seems to be wrinkled in a frown, as if she smells a really foul odor. She holds a spear in her hand, and a small axe hangs at her side.

"Yeah, hi," she grunts before turning back to look at the building.

[Inferno]

A great and mighty knight strides forward wearing gleaming, elegant armor and bearing a magnificent sword, spear, and eagle-crested shield.

"Greetings, I am Xhalh Vhaldharian!" the tall human says as if it should mean something, but it doesn't. (pronounced: ZAL ValDARian)
"Hail and well met... uh, verily," he continues in a deep, slow, thick voice that betrays a working class accent beneath the flowery sentiments.

[onlyme]

Waiting his turn to introduce himself, Rummus the elf finally speaks,

And greetings... Name's Rummus. I hope you two know the way out of here...

[AleBelly]

"Howdy" replies Bingus, nodding and puffing away on his pipe. "You been on this here island long? If so, I'd like to know where you been hiding. We ain't found nowhere safe. Natives here done killed half a dozen of us."

[Zhym]

"My memory is a dark veil through which I can perceive only shadowy shapes," answers Lúthon. "Why we are here, how we came to be here—the answers to these questions lie on the other side of the veil."

[Zhym]

"Uh-huh," says Malfindel over her shoulder. "I got no idea either. We're here, that's all that matters."

[Inferno]

Xhalh Vhaldharian, knight:

"A shipwreck," Xhalh answered. "Caused by a mighty sea leviathan! Forsooth 'twas one hundred feet long with fangs the size of spears!"

"Alas, I lost my beloved steed upon that lilting deck..." he says, looking out at the ocean, as if overcome by memories.
Then, in a gruff, uneducated voice: "By my troth, Fate herself must have conspired to bring us together for some larger purpose. Who are these natives of which you speak, gentle Bingus?"

[dmw71]

The group, having made introductions, elects to push forward, led by Xhalh. After closing another 50-feet or so, the trail begins to disappear as the jungle begins to open up slightly into a bit of a clearing. In this clearing, it becomes apparent that the group appears to have stumbled upon a pair of old stone buildings; each solid, but worn down structures with vegetation growing in patches on their outer walls. A smaller, 15-foot wide building is spotted off to the left, and a larger, 60-foot wide building looms directly ahead, with hints of additional structures beyond these two in the distance.

A lost city, perhaps?

Southern Approach.png (57.71 KiB) Viewed 1671 times

Actions?

Please keep in mind movement rates, with each square being 5-feet, and indicate the cell in which your character will end their turn.

Regarding the map, note that the dark green squares represent trees. There are a lot more than what I've shown, especially in the outlining areas, but to indicate them all would clutter the map severely.

[GreyWolfVT]

Well most of the group made them this one didn't get a chance to post yet......

Dorin walks up to the other dwarf half ignoring the others and their introductions he looks the other dwarf in the eyes smiles and they clasp forearms and have a hearty dwarf handshake "Aye glad ta be seein nother dwarf on this durned island. Names Dorin an who might ya be brother?"


Relve watches Bingus and the un-introduced dwarf come over to him and embraces him in a hearty dwarf handshake slapping the other dwarf on the shoulder with his left hand as they shake with their right "Aye I'm called Relve, long have I waited to find another dwarf, sound as if this place is full of trouble. What say we join up seeing as ya can't be all that bad ya have at least a dwarf with ya."

[Zhym]

"Shall we begin our investigation of these ruins in the smaller building?" asks Lúthon.

With amovement rate of 12", that should get Lúthon to about 125/126 or so.

[onlyme]

Rummus nervously nods his head and points toward the smaller building.
That one looks easier to inspect first.
He nocks an arrow, just in case.

[AleBelly]

It suddenly dawns on Bingus that he's the only one of the group to have been inside the small building.

"There's a ladder what leads to the underground. Some a my friends done died down there already, so we best plan good. There's a temple of some sort, with men in armor. If'n any of you can put things to sleep, save it fer them. I never could figger that one.

I reckon we'll face their guard bats first.

There's a bunch of rope bridges down there, so the one in front will be doing the bleeding. I can sent a air missile and hit one of 'em, but then I'm useless as teats on a rooster. I'll hold the light if any of ya have one."

With that, the tall, thin man waits for others to descend.

[Zhym]

"You have already made yourself invaluable," answers Lúthon. "Never underestimate the power of information."

"Xhalh is the most heavily-armored; he should lead the way when we reach the bridges. Or perhaps we or one of the dwarves could scout the room without need of a light and report back? Malfindel's and my arrows will be ready for the guard bats—guard bats? How unusual—and our spells will be ready for armored men."

He nods. "Let us proceed."

[Inferno]

Xhalh Vhaldharian, human knight:

It suddenly dawns on Bingus that he's the only one of the group to have been inside the small building.
"There's a ladder what leads to the underground. Some a my friends done died down there already, so we best plan good. There's a temple of some sort, with men in armor."

The uncultured cavalier grunted, "Uh... An evil temple, perchance? With evil men in armour?
"Prithee, gentle Bingus, why are we invading these peoples' home? What offence have the blackguards given thee?"


GW, do you want your chainmailed dwarf to go first in single file, so we can get two attacks on any foe, with Xhalh reaching over the dwarf with his spear?

[GreyWolfVT]

Yes the Chain mailed dwarf can go first.

Relve "I can take the lead if you wish to allow two of us to attack at once. Should the situation arise."

Dorin "Fine with me. I like ta charge in like a berserker, but might not work in what Bingus is describin'."

[dmw71]

The group moves to examine the small building, which turns out to be a small, 20-by-30-foot stone structure. While the structure is aged, with some stones missing outright, and others with loose mortar securing them, the dwarves in the group are convinced it is structurally intact. Two larger trees are found at the northwest and southeast corners of the outpost building, and there is a single cutout entrance on the far west wall (between 155 and 185).

Small Building.png (5.68 KiB) Viewed 1640 times

The inside of this small outpost building is mostly bare, with a natural dirt floor. There are signs of use, including a small firepit in the northeast corner which does not appear to have been used in some time. A naturally dug hole in the center of the structure, just wide enough to fit a large human through it, leads down, with a rope ladder secured leading down.


Actions?

[onlyme]

Rummus asks Bingus,
Say you already were down here, and many died? Did you look at the larger building? Maybe we should go another route?

[Inferno]

Xhalh Vhaldharian, human knight:

If Bingus didn't reply to his earthy entreaty, the lordish lummox would repeat it.

The uncultured cavalier grunted, "Uh... An evil temple, perchance? With evil men in armour?
"Prithee, gentle Bingus, why are we invading these peoples' home? What offence have the blackguards given thee?"

Thanks, GW.