(CLOSED) Aside: Tafari Goes on Safari

[Synthalus]

ARAMIS

Aramis is slightly unnerved by the tiny metallic dragons moving around behind him but try's his best to ignore them. He straightens out his Studded leather armor as best he can and takes in a deep breathe, puffing up his chest as he speaks.

" I am Aramis Woodsoul. I am here, how do you say it, to become an adventurer? I wish to go on adventures and become wealthy. If you could point me in the direction to find adventurers I would be thankful. I must ask them how do I become one, unless you two know how?

Aramis cannot help but feel as green as the deep forested mountains he left behind. He barely understands this new language he now speaks.

[Antman9]

Summary

The two Bronze Dragons begin the get antsy and start to chant in unison, "Darkness! Darkness! Darkness!," then alternately, "Yes," "Yes," Yes," "Yes."

The two guards begin to stand when a passing man, thick, pale, and rough-looking, his garb clean but worn, steps up to the guards and says, "I'll take this one gentlemen. As you were." The two guard shrug their shoulders and return to their game of tiles.

The man moves toward Aramis with determination in his eyes. He parts his lips to speak, but the Bronze Dragons are still chanting "Yes!" He looks at them and says firmly, "Quiescite!" Turning to Aramis he says, "Hello friend. I am Gunther, Gunther Whilmhest. I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I couldn't help but overhear that you were looking for a little adventure. I believe I, or rather my master, may be able to assist you in that reguard." He takes a step closer to Aramis and whispers, "There are certain folks with whom you should not speak." and he secretly motions to the guards, "Brickfoot's men."

Gunther smiles and says, "If you are game I believe you might fancy a bit of adventure for a few coins. What say you sir?"

Actions!

Calendar:
11:31 am
June 24rd, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 82.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 11.5 mph from the NW
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Humidity: 62%
Moon Rise/Set: 3:43 am/6:09 pm
Moonlight: 11%

[Synthalus]

Aramis

Aramis nods is head yes in agreement and says;
" I know not the ways of civil eyes nation, it is new to me. I thank you for your warning. I will be alert to danger from the brickfoot. If you would have me I will adventure with you."

[Antman9]

Summary

Gunther smiles at the young man and says, "I believe we can accommodate your desire for adventure. Follow me please."

Gunther leads Aramis through a winding maze of streets, alleys, and main thoroughfares, lined primarily with dirt rather than cobble, and eventually comes to an end at a crumbling tower of grey stone that looks older than the planet itself. Two hideous stone gargoyles block the front of an immense steel-barred door preventing further passage; one holds a massive steel broadsword, the other a thick spear.

gargoyle__400x300.jpg (25.31 KiB) Viewed 1114 times

Gargoyle.jpg (25.61 KiB) Viewed 1114 times

Aramis looks puny in the shadow of the two massive gargoyles. The two hideous looking beasts block the door without a word or sign of life. A smaller Gargoyle, not so hideous looking, and nearly the same size of Aramis, suddenly appears, out of thin air, in front of Gunther and says, in a childlike voice, “Gunther, I welcome you back to us. Who is it you have brought to see us?”

Small_Gargoyle.gif (36.85 KiB) Viewed 1114 times

Gunther smiles and says, "Hello my friend. This is Aramis, he will be one of our new adventurers." Turning to Aramis and pointing to the small Gargoyle Gunther says, "This is Tiny, he is the tower's ward. Let us see if your fellow adventurers are ready."

Gunther whispers a few words to the small Gargoyle who promptly disappears. The two larger Gargoyles step to each side of the doorway and the large door opens of its own accord. Gunther ushers Aramis up several flights of stairs and through a heavy wooden door on one of the upper levels.

Inside the room are cases and cases of books and parchments of all sizes and shapes. In the center of the room stands a large ornate wooden table with six carved wooden chairs to match. Setting at the table are a Kender, a Kobold, and a Human. Gunther points to each in turn and says, "Aramis these are Xirtan, Zee, and Crow. Gentlemen this here is Aramis. You will be fellow adventurers for a time."

Gunther pulls a small leather pouch form one of his pockets and hands it to Aramis. "Here is your first installment. General practice for the High Wizard Netheril. You will accompany these fine gentleman on a matter of urgent importance. It seems that a local apprentice of Netheril has, er, misplaced one or more, uh, baby dinosaurs. We believe them to be terrorizing the locals from within the extensive cistern system just below our feet. Netheril prefers they be taken alive but understands there may be casualties. The more you bring back alive the heavier your final purse will be. I have an additional errand to run before I give you the final details of your task. Have a seat and familiarize yourself with your new companions to the best of your abilities. I will return shortly."

The leather pouch contains 50 gp

You may now introduce yourself to the others in the "Kobold State of Affairs" thread.

Actions!

Calendar:
11:45 am
June 24rd, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 82.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 11.5 mph from the NW
Condition: Mostly Cloudy
Humidity: 62%
Moon Rise/Set: 3:43 am/6:09 pm
Moonlight: 11%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 1/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Follows Delea

Zirus keeps his eyes open as he trails Delea through the area.

[Antman9]

Summary
Zirus & the Witch

Delea escorts Zirus down a narrow path, leading south away from Netheril’s grey tower, through a maze of back alleys and crumbling building left behind from the Age of Darkness. The pouring rain has given way to a light mist. As the two pass by a garden area surrounded by a short wall Delea discusses Zirus’ fate with him, “This affair will not be pleasant or easy for you Zirus. I hope you are prepared. I envy your desire to master your demons. This cannot be an easy choice for you I know very little about your people. They keep themselves it seems. What little I do know came from books and scrolls that were written before the Age of Darkness.”

Delea takes Zirus to a path that travels along the top of the cliff, traversing the edge of the cliff, that looks over the Seamyst Ocean. The cliff towers above the ocean some hundreds of feet. Massive waves can be heard crashing against the cliff far below. Delea travels east along the top of cliff where it meets a rift in the land, tearing Dragons Belch nearly in two.

Torch lights flicker, winking in and out, well below the surface on the far face of the rift; evidence that there is far more life below Dragons Belch than one might think. Delea stops in front of a small wooden structure that looks more like a chicken coop than a domicile. “My journey ends here. You must complete the last leg on your own. Within you will find a series of passages that will lead to the Undercity. Take the following path and you will arrive at Madam Acenith: 1st right, 1st left, 2nd right, 3rd left. She is waiting for you. Good luck and may the gods be with you." Delea holds her hand out to Zirus in a show of respect. She will wait for Zirus to enter the structure before she departs.

Actions!

Calendar:
1:30 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 1/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Enters the Undercity

Zirus holds his hand out, mirroring Delea's gesture before taking Tobias with him into the tunnels. He is strangely silent during the entire trek. The elf maid appears succulent and edible, too, yet something about her scent does not trigger his frenzy. Around elves, he can retain control. And yet humans... just the right amount of fat versus muscle, just the right texture.

He wonders. Is he indeed going against the will of his people? Only a fool would want company with food, they would say. If the goddess does not wish for us to eat them, they would have said, Then why would she have made human beings out of meat?

He pushes the thoughts to the back of his mind, descending into the tunnels and taking pleasure at the coolness found there. His people are wrong, and outsiders must be judged on merits other than what they taste like.

1st right, 1st left, 2nd right, 3rd left. He has burned the directions into his mind and by concentrating on these, he is able to put doubt aside.

[Antman9]

Summary
Descent to the UnderCity

Zirus pushes a flimsy, termite-ridden, wood door to one side and enters into the darkness of the wannabe chicken coop entrance to the UnderCity. A thick almost viscous, rancid tasting air immediately sticks to Zirus’ tongue and a hundred scents and tastes batter his mind, with Human being prevalent, but not overpowering.

Zirus follows his instructions to a tee: 1st right, 1st left, 2nd right, 3rd left. The 5’ wide and 9’ tall corridors and stairwells are all crafted by some ancient stonemason with dull grey stone and, possibly, in the far past, might have been clean, almost elegant in appearance and structure.

Tobias slinks along behind Zee sniffing and testing the air as they go. The way is eerily easy and filled with darkness. On the final turn the two adventurers encounter a heavy steel banded wooden door with a strange writing on it. Tobias transforms into a short Human and eyes the symbols carefully. “They are Theban Runes. It says ‘Speak and Enter.’” Tobias looks at Zirus and whispers, “There is a Witch behind this door.” He says nothing more and waits for a response or action from Zirus.


Actions!

Calendar:
2:00 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 1/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Speaks and Enters

The scent of humans assails Zirus. He is being tested already. As Tobias reads what is written there, Zirus considers for a moment, then announces his presence. "Madam Acenith," he hisses, "I s-s-s-eek an audience with you." He pushes in through the entryway, pausing after this in order to take in the scene.

[Antman9]

Summary
Meeting with a Witch

Zirus rapts smartly, speaks Madam Acenith’s name, and carefully enters her domicile. As the door creaks open a puff of incense laced smoke issues forth followed by a flickering red and yellow light. A small table sets in the center of a 12’ x 12’ room. A narrow path, leading up to table and around one side, is surrounded by dried herbs and plants of all kinds and sizes that hang form wood rafters above by hemp cords. The edges of the room are filled with small benches and shelves filled with jars, bottles, bins, and tubs, piled and filled with all sorts of dried fauna, some whole, some only with pieces and parts.

A crickety voice calls from the dark gloom beyond the table, “Come, I have been waiting for you. Do not fear me, your way has been paid.”

Having come this far Zirus has no choice but to obey. The crickety voice begins to sing softly, “Come spirit, come body, come soothing delight…” her voice trails off into words Zirus cannot understand, but his body obeys and he moves forward, no longer of his own will.

A darkness soon envelops his vision as his fluid movement becomes a hypnotic dance. Zirus’ body betrays his mind, flowing to some ancient thread of power. It courses through him, lifts him from his physical body, depositing him in a small chamber, no more than 9’ square, filled with blue and red candles. A small round table, 1’ in diameter, perched precariously on three spindly legs, wobbles lightly as a frail, nearly opaque skinned woman kneels nearby grinding some acrid and pungent smelling concoction in a stone mortar with a bone pestle.

Madam Acenith’s looks up as Zirus gently falls to the floor from some invisible ceiling high above. As he descends he can see his physical body curled into a ball in one corner. With yellow glowing eyes she says, “Your need is powerful, the cure more so.” She offers the stone mortar to Zirus’ disembogued spirit, “Journey and be free or return and suffer two-fold.”

Tobias can be heard in the background calling, “Zirus! Zirus, my friend, can you hear me?”

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 1/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Takes his Medicine

Zirus blinks, completely disoriented as he is dropped into spirit-form. For a while, he floats and blinks his eyes and flicks his tongue before settling down toward the table. The witch appears human to him, but out of his body now, the urge to devour is absent. Yes, he suddenly realizes, Yes, this is-s-s-s it. He is reunited with his enlightenment experience from the temple in his homeland. He is beyond the hunger and knows there is no need to devour anyone. Food is not identity. It is merely a practical means to sustain the physical, and the highest food is that taken during full awareness, as a mindful choice, not as a habit.

Zirus has no idea what the Witch means when she speaks of journeys or returning. But, reunited with his realization, he believes the Witch will be able to help him. As Tobias continues screaming in the background, Zirus reaches forward with both hands, takes the concoction, smells it, finds the scent bitter, and then drinks of it with eyes wide open.

[Antman9]

Summary
A Test

The gritty bitter paste-like watery substance stings Zirus’ throat as he gulps it down in stringy oozy pulpy blobs. As soon as the last bit is gulped down his eyes begin to throb and pulse and the world around him flashes between black and white, increasing in frequency until all goes dark.

Moments later Zirus opens his eyes to a harsh sunlit day. He finds himself curled in a tight ball on an alien prairie. His body feels solid and real. Brown, green, red, and purple grasses march off into the distance and out of sight. The land is flat as a plank without a rise or hill in sight, just an endless expanse of prairies grass. The sun is high in the sky blasting the hard earth below Zirus’ feet with pulsing rays of heat turning it to dust. The temperature feels a stifling 90+ degrees. Waves of heat pulse and wriggle the edge of the horizon.

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 0.5/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Reckons with Landscape, Makes Shade, Casts Resistance

Zirus's first thought upon seeing the landscape is that he has been betrayed, banished from the world into this harsh, inhospitable place. He revels at first at the heat, for the warmth is welcome, but it is not long before he realizes that it will soon cook him and draw the last of the moisture from his skin. Zirus instinctively reaches for his waterskin, but then realizes that he must hold out without it as long as possible for he knows not how long his journey will be.

Zirus produces a light blanket from his belongings. This he can use to shade himself as he travels. He also takes some time to ask the goddess for protection from the elements (casts 0-level Resistance). With this finished, he sets off in the direction of the purple grasses, doing his best to maintain a straight line toward the horizon. He knows not what he might find, but Zirus refuses to stand still and await dehydration.

Spell Roll, Resistance (I assume I need HIGH to pass the check, 50% chance of pass):
[1d100] = 97

[Antman9]

Summary
A Test

Zirus, a little confused, and trying to make the best of his predicament, casts resistance to protect himself form the blazing sun and moves off toward the horizon in search of something.

After a short jaunt the Purple Sage begins to rise up out of the prairie and Zirus soon discovers they are not so much plants but small scrubby trees, most of which are 12 to 15 feet high. Each plant rises 10+ feet on a single stalk then splits twice and twice again and so on creating a canopy that resembles a giant toadstool-like framework. Their scruffy bark, peeling in fine threads, ranges from dirty brown to purplish red, and at the end of each branch tip is a single purple tubular fruit ½” in diameter and 2” long.

As Zirus approaches the small forest a whooping cry followed by various grunts and loud clacks issues from the north.

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 0.5/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Breaks for the trees

Zirus keeps his hand on the chain of his mirror in case anything hostile appears, but for now leaves the glass tucked inside his robes. He glances toward the sound, but redoubles his efforts to reach the strange purple trees for they may yet grant him some shade and hopefully also cover. He realizes that the blanket blowing in the wind would be an additional giveaway, so he pauses briefly to tuck it under his arm as he continues his run.

Hot... hot... hot...

[Antman9]

Summary
A Test

Zirus tucks tail and makes a last ditch surge for the strange forest, his blanket flowing in the wind behind him. He moves just far enough into the forest to see out beyond the edge and waits for whatever made the sounds to appear. His wait isn't long. A few moments a moving mass of figures appear on the horizon. As he watches the party moves south, crosses his path of escape, and comes to a full stop. A barbaric yawp sounds from the pack followed by a snarling growl and the mass of creatures move in Zirus’ direction. A short time later they come into view.

At the head of the pack is a large dog-like creature, looking more lion-like than dog, standing 3’ high and 5 feet long, with a massive main of bristle-like fur, and color ranging from deep red to black. It is led by a 9’ tall Neanderthal creature (early Humans) with shaggy blonde hair and animal hide for clothing. The rest of the pack, all 9’ tall Neanderthal’s follow swiftly behind the lead man, across the prairie, in Zirus' direction. A total of 15-20 in all, roughly 250 yards away.

Zirus is to the west of the group of Neanderthal's, the wind is blowing to the SSE.

neandrathal.jpg (64.42 KiB) Viewed 1099 times

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 0.5/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Backs Off

Hells! whispers Zirus under his breath, Humans! He comes to a halt. His eyes are starting to twitch. No, no, no, no, not now... He takes a step back. They're too far away to trigger his human flesh response. But he can't get any closer. A second thinking about what the outcome would be against these giant-sized primordial human beings is all he needs to motivate a decision.

He begins backing away, slowly at first. But he is ready, should they approach any closer, to break into an all-out run.

[Antman9]

Summary
A Test

Zirus begins to panick realizing these creatures are Human, and far too many of them to overpower. As he readies himself for an encounter, hoping they don’t come near or find him, watching their progress, he can see that these creatures are a swift moving hunting party and mean serious business. Many of them wield large thick blackened spears made of some wood-like material, while others carry massive bows.

They stop just short of the forest, their hound sniffs the air and growls in response to something in the air. The lead man look back at his comrades while pointing into the forest and says, “Hit sy innan dæl.” He then waves his hand around in the air saying, “Bebúgan hit ond feng.”

The rest of the creatures begin to spread out and enter the forest from many different places, stalking between the ruddy stalks, carefully placing their footsteps and scanning from left to right. The lead Neanderthal with the hound waits several moments and enters the forest along the same path Zirus had taken, the hound sniffing and pawing the ground as it moves forward.

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%

[Sol]

[Zirus - Lizardfolk Aspiring Cleric 0] (MP: 0.5/2) (HP 10/10) (AC: 19)
Actions: Surrender

A dozen thoughts flood through Zirus's mind. He can run. But he is surrounded, they will catch him, they have an animal. He can hide, but no, he will be tracked and discovered. He can fight, but no, they are many, they will destroy him. His magic... insufficient... he has nothing at this command that can deliver him. He could... climb a tree... again, no, he will be tracked and found, there would be nowhere to hide...

There is no where to hide... he will be found, he will be caught, and when that happens, he will succumb to the flesh weakness and attack them and he will be killed.

Zirus takes a deep breath. This is the hour of my destruction.

Unless... one chance. One slim chance. He takes the blanket and lays it down. He opens his backpack and drops the contents upon it. Some of the items here are very shiny, some must be intriguing to the Neanderthals. He thinks not of rescuing any items for himself. He only keeps the spellbook under his arm before raising his hands up and proclaiming:

"I am here." He says this in a voice which is free of anger, "Spare me, for my life, I offer you these gifts. For you," he motions to the blanket, "I offer this gift to you."

He allows himself to be seen, then slowly backs away from the blanket. He moves back ten feet, twenty, forty. He prays to his goddess to give him mastery over his urge to rush in and devour these humans. The feeling has not risen in him as of yet, but he does not know what will happen when the humans come close. He keeps stepping back, hoping that they will not come close, but he recites the sounds of an old chant in his mind, the chant he practiced in the temple in the swamp, hoping that the tone brings calm to him while soothing the hearts of these savages as well.

[Antman9]

Summary
The Test Continues

Zirus backs away slowly, his belongings spread out for the world to see, hoping they may spare his life for the prize of something shiny. The Neanderthal’s close in on his position, crouched, ready to spring at the least provocation.

Their heady scent tingles on Zirus’ tongue and nostrils, his mouth begins to salivate, and the urge to chew their supple flesh begins to grow and urge him forward. The Neanderthal’s come within leaping distance. Tension builds, eyes flash, tongues wet dry lips, and breaks. The two sides lunge and leap, arms outstretched, weapons thrusting, claws slashing…

All goes suddenly dark on Zirus’ vision. A cold wet drizzle falls softly on his head and shoulders. His vision clears and he finds himself in a dark tropical forest staring at the steps of some ancient temple, long forgotten by men. Zirus scans the architecture database in his mind and concludes the architecture has a distinctly human look, though not from ancient times. The lines are crisp and the stone blocks hewn with precision and care, each one placed precisely, and appear to be molded and fit together like a puzzle. The combination of straight lines and curved arches is alien and cold.

Before Zirus can complete his survey a sound echoes out of the darkness form the ornate arching entryway: “beep beep……beep beep……beep beep.” The strange sound continues, repeating endlessly.

Actions!

Calendar:
2:01 am
June 27th, 9001
Sun Rise/Set: 5:37/8:30
Temp: 77.0°F
Visibility: 10.0 Miles
Wind: 9.2 mph from the SSE
Cloud: Thunderstorm
Humidity: 61%
Moon Rise/Set: 5:38 am/8:30 pm
Moonlight: 3%