IC XIV

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Koren n'Rhys · #101 Post by **Koren n'Rhys** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:22 pm

Quint Kacie
Quint watches the proceedings with grim interest...

Atlictoatl · #102 Post by **Atlictoatl** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 7:53 pm

Tev Meren, Fighter

Assuming Thurgan and Rhys are enough to work with Severi, Tev asks a question. "While they get that set up, what can you tell us of your captors, and your companions?"

thirdkingdom · #103 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Mon Sep 08, 2014 11:59 pm

The gnomes head sags, "I am Journeyman Ono Wineseller, and I was part of a caravan heading towards Threshold and southern Karameikos that was ambushed by a fierce tribe of orcs. I was knocked unconscious, and when I awoke I and a half dozen of my companions were in thrall in their caverns. There were another dozen captives there, that I did not know." He blanches. "It was horrid -- several of us were killed and eaten -- but not nearly as terrible as what has since befallen me. Some time ago -- I don't know when -- we were tied and hauled off, down labyrinthine passages, and brought to this place. The creatures that live here may look like orcs, but they are not. They are something older, and fouler, and degenerate. Our captors told us we were to be traded; they handed us over and were given control over several twisted monsters that the orcs claimed were "birthed" here. One by one, I have seen my companions 'fed' to these pillars, their flesh slowly dissolved as their bodies were absorbed." Ono shakes his head. "I can feel the meat slough off my bones as we speak."

Wyzard · #104 Post by **Wyzard** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:44 am

"It seems that we may be able to offer you no more than a clean death, and vicarious vengeance. Do you have any last messages you would like delivered? We will likely pass through Threshold again, and might remember you to someone."

thirdkingdom · #105 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 10:21 am

Journeyan Ono

"It was to be my first trip to Threshold; if you are ever near Highforge my clan will reward you well, if you bring them news of my passing."

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

The orc-like creature is dragged to the column, and, though he struggles upon awaking, he is joined with it. The proto-flesh pillar accepts the creature greedily, and he casts his gaze about, eyes wild.

Curiously, Rhys notes that whatever the column is made of does not seem partial to metal; it literally shrinks away from the orc's iron breastplate.

Koren n'Rhys · #106 Post by **Koren n'Rhys** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 1:45 pm

Quint Kacie
Quint approaches the gnome, and speaks with sadness in his voice.
"I am sorry we cannot free you from this horrible fate, friend. Go with the gods, and the peace of your ancestors. If within our means will will certainly carry word of you to Highforge, and rest assured we will carry out some measure of vengeance in your name."

He turns to the orc, now trapped and helpless.
"So, a taste of the fate you inflict upon your captives. I hope we can share the experience with more of you before we are done. We will ask just this once, and perhaps you may save your sorry life yet. Are you aware of any means of freeing someone or something from these pillars before they are completely consumed by them?"

MonsterMash · #107 Post by **MonsterMash** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 7:55 pm

Thurgan, dwarf

"In case there is no means of freeing from the pillars" Thurgan says and loads his crossbow ready to give a clean death to the gnome.

thirdkingdom · #108 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Tue Sep 09, 2014 11:56 pm

Rhys demands the remaining orok share the secret for freeing a captive from a fate worse than death. Bah!, exclaims the creature. Its orcish tongue is rough and barely comprehensible, a strange sort of dialect that Rhys has trouble following. Don't know. Never tried. Why would you? The Mother has to be fed, and new children birthed.

Atlictoatl · #109 Post by **Atlictoatl** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 1:36 am

Tev Meren, Fighter

Disgusted by the whole situation, Tev Meren slays the orc, then strikes its hand from its body and drags the orc away from the pillar by its leg. "Damned if I'm gonna feed that thing," he mutters.

"I am Tev Meren, Ono Wineseller, a member of the Puissant House of Lawful Reclamation. I will see your kin notified, by myself or a member of my guild. Go to your gods knowing we're going to destroy as many of these beasts as we can."

Wyzard · #110 Post by **Wyzard** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 2:06 am

"Hold on. It doesn't like metal. Pull the breastplate from one of these orcs, and see if we can save the gnome by using it sort of like, well, a spatula..." Severi grimaces at the grim thoughts this produces, if the gnome's flesh is truly sloughing off so rapidly. "And have healing magic ready."

thirdkingdom · #111 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Wed Sep 10, 2014 9:23 pm

Severi's suggestion works! Using the breastplate as an enormous spoon, such that a giant or other large creature might use, Ono is gradually released from his doom. However, he is in a sorry condition; the flesh has seemingly melted away from his bones, in part, but it does not seem to be life-threatening.

#112 Post by **Alethan** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 12:48 am

Rhys the Traveler

"Semele, can you see to his wounds?"

Seeing what the breastplate does to the column, Rhys wonders if the thing might be destroyed. He picks up a sword dropped by one of the orcs and chops at the column.

Wyzard · #113 Post by **Wyzard** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 4:28 pm

"What do we do next? I don't wish to retreat until we have slain more of these proto-orcs and hopefully stolen some of their treasure. On the other hand, this gnome cannot accompany us into combat."

Koren n'Rhys · #114 Post by **Koren n'Rhys** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 5:48 pm

Quint Kacie
"Well done, Severi!" Quint moves to the gnome's side and does what he can to help while Semele works her divine magics.
"What if we just get him upstairs? Those rooms are empty and seem safe enough for now."

MonsterMash · #115 Post by **MonsterMash** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 7:57 pm

Thurgan, dwarf

"there is always a risk of wandering creatures, but upstairs may be safe for a while as I would like to look further on".

thirdkingdom · #116 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:00 pm

Curiously, Rhys finds the material composing the column is only malleable in areas in direct contact with organic matter. Simply using his blade is not enough to sufficiently damage it.

Atlictoatl · #117 Post by **Atlictoatl** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:05 pm

Tev Meren, Fighter

"Let's explore the side passages, then, and leave the clearly occupied areas for last. If we can cause some mayhem and garner some prizes without rousting the entire complex, that would be best for our new friend. We can return to visit virtue on these vile vermin once we have taken him to some safety."

#118 Post by **Alethan** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 9:17 pm

Rhys the Traveler

Rhys shares his findings and tosses the orc blade to the ground.

If nobody bothered to search the dead orcs yet, Rhys will do that before they leave.

Wyzard · #119 Post by **Wyzard** » Thu Sep 11, 2014 10:20 pm

Severi suggests dousing the columns with lamp oil and seeing if they're fireproof.

thirdkingdom · #120 Post by **thirdkingdom** » Fri Sep 12, 2014 12:34 am

Wyzard wrote:Severi suggests dousing the columns with lamp oil and seeing if they're fireproof.

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