00. Intro: Jareth & Kaltar [Computer +1 & saalaria]

[dmw71]

*** REMINDER ***
Please refrain from viewing the other "Introduction" threads!

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Aside from some good conversation, the two of you have been travelling for two uneventful days. Since neither of you have never ventured this far and lack travel experience, your journey has still been quite exciting. By the second day, you are both completely unfamiliar with your current location, but revel in the fact since it's this unfamiliarity that you originally sought.

A few hours ago you entered a forested area which slowed your progress and forced you to take extra precautions. As you push on, your suspicions are confirmed:

You're convinced you hear the sound of running water in the distance ahead.

[saalaria]

"Garth that is definitely water I can hear - it is a long time since I walked in the forest properly like when I was a boy but some nature-sense is always with you! Shall we refill our skins at this stream?"
Kaltar is almost hopping from foot-to-foot in his eagerness. He is keen to push on with their quest.

[Computer +1]

Aye I hear the water too. I jus' hope if we gotta cross we can find a way to stay dry.
Jareth looks around at the trees as they walk.
I grew up in places like this workin' with me Da'.
He stops walking for a moment to takes a deep breath while leaning on his spear.
I love the smell o the forest.

[Computer +1]

"Garth that is definitely water I can hear - it is a long time since I walked in the forest properly like when I was a boy but some nature-sense is always with you! Shall we refill our skins at this stream?"
Kaltar is almost hopping from foot-to-foot in his eagerness. He is keen to push on with their quest.

The name is Jareth btw. Next time you get it wrong I go evil paladin on you!

[saalaria]

Doh! A thousand apologies....you can probably tell where I got the other name from!
Kaltar proceeds carefully to the sound of the water but he will remain in cover to assess the ground before walking up to whatever the source is.

[dmw71]

Jareth and Kaltar proceed carefully towards the sound of the running water. At first, the sound of the running water is quiet – almost peaceful – yet, after several minutes of a cautious approach, you’re each left with the impression that there is still a good distance yet to travel before you reach the source of the sound.

The notion that this sound is being generated by a stream is quickly dispelled; this is something more powerful.

[saalaria]

Kaltar is intrigued but continues (assuming Jareth agrees) to just short of the edge of cover or sight of the noise source - whichever comes first...

[Computer +1]

As they continue towards the sound Jareth mumbles.
I think we are gonna get a wee bit more water than we hoped fer

[dmw71]

The pair continues to carefully approach the sound of running water.

Running water?

As if in direct correlation, the sound of the water continues to grow more loudly while the thickness of the forest they find themselves starts to thin.

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The sound of the water almost reaches roar-level when they near the edge of the forest. While still under the cover of trees, looking into the distance they can see the forest open up into what appears to be a rich, open grassy area. On the far side this this open area, an estimated several hundred yards distant, is the face of a sheer cliff.

Thundering off the top of this cliff, plummeting into a heavy stream, is a tremendous waterfall.

[Computer +1]

Well it is mighty, beautiful, majestic and a pain to cross, eh Kaltar?
Jareth scans the area looking for any type of crossing point.
We might as well take a closer look.

[saalaria]

"hold my friend - let's scan around for a few minutes just to make sure there are no other creatures in the immediate vicinity. You are right - it is beautiful to behold. Mother Nature in all her glory!"
Kaltar will remain in cover and scan all around the waterfall for any activity for at least 5 minutes

[Computer +1]

As Kaltar scans the area Jareth moves in closer.

[dmw71]

Before Jareth is able to take more than ten steps, Kaltar whistles to catch his attention. Jareth turns around and sees Kaltar crouching down, encouraging Jareth to do the same, before waiving for him to return.

"There." Kaltar says. "At the base of the waterfall. Do you see it?" It's distant, but after several moments of intense focus, Jareth spots it too.

But what is it, exactly?

Between the constant downpouring of water from above and the large splashes once it reaches the end of its fall, it is impossible from this distance to make out, but the pair definitely notices the occasional motion of some kind at the base of the waterfall.

[saalaria]

"shall we go in for a closer look my friend?"

[Computer +1]

Aye. Adventure waits for no man.

[dmw71]

You almost feel naked as you step into the wide open area of plains after having been under the relative cover of the forest for so long. Even more caution is required now and, after each step, your nerves begin to make the hair on your arms stand up.

With your eyes fixed at the base of this waterfall, the movement you earlier detected is now more obvious... something is clearly there. As you continue to cautiously approach, the source of the movement, which seems to have been pacing back-and-forth, appears to suddenly stop.

[saalaria]

Kaltar freezes and slowly sinks to the ground and then will move slowly to the closest cover , still keeping eyes on the waterfall/movement

[Computer +1]

Jareth shouts out loudly
Hail! Who is there? We mean ye no harm"

[dmw71]

Almost immediately after you issue your hail, a chain is heard violently thrashing back and forth and some vicious snarling sounds with an occasional, odd-sounding bark is heard from the base of the waterfall. Whatever it is making this sound, it is highly agitated at the moment.

[Computer +1]

Jareth turns to Kaltar and smile
Sounds like I pissed some kind of hell beast off eh'.
He lets out a deep laugh.
I will leave it up to ye, do we press on or leave?