Return To The Ruins (Warlords Palace)

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus adjusts his helmet, leaving it resting back on his forehead. Drops of sweat bead on his face. He strokes his pointed beard for a few seconds, gazing at the gem.

"Certainly, this changes our situation. We can't just leave and abandon Drest to his fate, not knowing if he's still alive. I suggest we take that much-needed rest now, at the Matron's house, before beginning the search for our companion.

Since we're forced to explore this place before returning to Shambaala, we can start by investigating everything closest to this perimeter, before venturing into more distant areas.

What do you say?"

As an illustration of what he does with his helm.

2024-09-13 09_09_50-413716_416279768443885_987872801_o.jpg (1387×2000).png (260.6 KiB) Viewed 385 times

[shaidar]

Xenos seems torn for a few seconds, then nods:

"Agreed. There is no point in heading after Drest at anything but full strength."

[The_Wanderer]

Cyril

"I haven't changed my mind but I will come along for a rest at the Matron's shack. In truth I miss the sun but another day won't hurt."

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

"Magda. Skavi is bonded to you, how exactly? Is it a trained bond, or something magical? Can you see what he sees?" I'm not super versed in the Hyperborean magic.

Kain tries to explain further. "If, and this is your decision, Skavi touches the Gem and you are able to see what happens, maybe that would give us clues."

He sighs with relief as the others put a hold on touching the Gem, for now. "The Matron's hut is a fine place to rest. While we wait, those of you who were in the fortress before can tell us more about the snake people and what they were doing."

[subaltari]

EDIT

Magda has just shouldered her satchel and is picking up her lantern when Kain speaks, catching her somewhat off guard.

"My... pact with Skavi, really the entity we call Skavi, transcends the material world. The rat you see here could be anywhere in Hyperborea and I would see what he sees, feel what he feels. Your proposal is... interesting. However, were he harmed, it would have a dire effect on me as well.

"Too, he'd not be the ideal messenger to Drest, as he can not speak."

Skavi circles the pedestal once more then comes back to the group, stands up on his hind feet, and chitters loudly at Kain.

[OGRE MAGE]

Belloc takes a break from recording the strange glyphs arund the room into his journal to add a thought.

"At the potential risk of enticing our fair Magda, I brought writing materials. We could tie a little note to the rat explaining our intentions to Drest, if the uncouth man yet lives."

If you haven't noticed yet, I will be roleplaying Belloc for the time being as his player has decided to step away from the game as well.

[Karaunios]

Kainaxarthos

"While we wait, those of you who were in the fortress before can tell us more about the snake people and what they were doing."

Akhilleus

"The snake people... It was a surprise to encounter such beings here. When we first arrived at this fortress, we were attacked by a large group of former escaped slaves. We defended ourselves. As we ventured deeper into the complex, we discovered that there were some kind of priests leading them... and cooking prisoners. They ate human flesh.

The former slaves saw these priests as saviors and took part in their inhuman feast. We didn’t think twice and kept fighting, determined to put an end to that macabre display. We had to flee and hide, but they found us and almost killed us. They use amulets to change their reptilian appearance to human and blend in. I don't remember any more details.

Later, when we wanted to descend, we were attacked by the strange dwarves we encountered when we all came here together, at the beginning of this forray."

[OGRE MAGE]

Under The Zakath Desert
He Will Be Missed
No Idea On Time Or Day

Kain seems to thwart the idea that everyone should follow their Scout into the unknown, possibly preventing several people in the group from becoming extinct themselves.

Magda seems reluctant to allow her rat to be used as a tool, and by the appearance of his own actions, Skavi doesn't like the man who suggested it much at the moment either.

Akhilleus regales the others with their heroic deeds prior to this current endeavor. The topic of the horrid, tricksy snakemen is broached once again.

Most of the group appears ready to move on, despite their steadily dwindling numbers. Several suggestions are made head back to the Matrons mushroom shack, where they can rest in relative peace, eventually coming back to this place again to search for their lost friend. Belloc decides to stay here and continue his recordings. That way, if Drest does find his way back to this area, he will not be entirely abandoned. He pats his unpleasant looking staff with a smirk. "I think the two of us should be just fine here by ourselves. I can find a secluded place to nap, if necessary. And I would also be acting as a lookout, if anything nasty does come calling."

Actions?

If you are all moving back to the shack, can you at least tell me who rides in which craft? The skiff can hold up to 6, while the dwarf raft can transport at least 4 of you.

Also, can you give me an idea about the route you'd like to take to get back through the pitch black nothingness? (straight back to the shack?/back to the dwarf cave then straight across?/head to the shoreline and follow it south to the shack?/other?)

Belloc (M2) FA:0(20) AC6 20/14 Enlarge/Darkness/Enlarge
Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Drest (Sc4) FA:3 AC7 16/22
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 19/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

[silifi]

"I agree, we should take a rest. I would still prefer to leave this place at once... I have a feeling our friend may be lost to the depths of this evil place..." Sik says, reluctantly agreeing to spend yet another dreadful sleep in this place.

[subaltari]

Oops, was just trying to write this when the new turn came. I had the weekend to decide, Mr. Rose's idea might be worth it after all. Happy Monday everyone! anyway, there has been great roleplaying by everyone still in the game. I'm just glad to be a part of it, so here goes nothing...

Magda & Skavi

Although Akhilleus' report of cannibals and disguised snake-men up in the warlord's fortress is of great interest to Magda (I think Kain meant for him to wait and talk while we're resting at the Matron's Hut ), the witch is too preoccupied to give his tale the proper attention. When he's done speaking, she nods to Belloc. "Just one more thing Magister, cut off a strip of your parchment and one of us shall scribe the note."

Cue another PC to write a message to Drest. While the tiny paper is attached to a string or thong of some kind, the woman bends down to Skavi who runs up her arm and touches his snout to her dusky face, this time lingering for a moment. He then lets her tie the note around his neck before getting back down and proceeding to the gem stand.

(Magda sings in Thracian)
"If this small journey be a boon
We'll be together again soon,
but of Skavi if it's the end,
know I always was your friend."

With that, Skavi hops to the top of the pedestal and touches the bluish gem with his rodent nose. If nothing happens, he uses his head, or if needed, the weight of his entire little body to push the gem off the pedestal.

After this if Magda's in any condition to ride in a boat, she would prefer the skiff. She would also ask Belloc (again) if we can borrow Crestos to fly ahead and help us find the far shore.

[Rex]

Drest

[Karaunios]

Akhilleus waits to see what happens to Skavi.

We could go back straight to the shack, watching out for traps (without Drest )... I don't quite remember, but there was a trap back there (for sure in one of the corridos as we wanted to get to the last dwarfs).

Akhilleus will take the boat, but will look at both to see if they have been bored.

[subaltari]

Drest

[Ahlmzhad]

Taibhse

Is wondering if any are left alive in the trapped room, but waits patiently as is his way.

[Monsieur Rose]

Kainaxarthos

He smiles warmly at Magda, understanding the risk when is undertaking. "And You as well, Skavi. Be safe."

Kain stays back from the Gem and awaits the results. "I'd prefer the skiff, if possible, and I think we should go directly south to the beach and follow it to the shack."

He will stand by Magda, quick to see if she suffers and ill effects. "I still have healing, if the worst happens."

[shaidar]

Xenos

Xenos is happy to take the raft.

[subaltari]

Magda's hand is trembling nervously as she takes the arm of Kain next to her. Her eyes go glassy and unfocused, expecting the shared vision of wherever her familiar is about to go.

[OGRE MAGE]

There is no award for making the most posts in between updates.

Under The Zakath Desert
They Will Be Missed
No Idea On Time Or Day

After adamantly refusing to allow her rat to be used as a test subject, Magda suddenly decides it's actually a valid idea, tying a (blank?) scrap of parchment around the rodent before allowing Skavi to walk up to the gem and touch his little nose to it. Just as Drest did before him, Skavi suddenly vanishes from the room. Seemingly no worse for ware herself after the questionable decision, the Witch attempts to link minds with her pet, but gets only a confusing dull humming in her brain instead of receiving any visions or thoughts. That can't be good.

Belloc shakes his head, not sure how any spellcaster could attempt such a risky undertaking with their familiar. He was happy to offer up his writing suplies, but wont risk Crestos going with the group, since he fully intends to remain right here in case Drest, and now Skavi too, should ever return to this exit.

Kain stays with Magda for the time being, but offers to ride in the skiff, and suggests they head straight for the unexplored shoreline to the west, following along in the shallows to be safe.

Xenos hops onto the raft alone. Akhilleus eyes the skiff.

Sik is ready to get back to his dry desert, but cant decide on which watercraft to climb aboard, the raft or the skiff. Taibhse also looks undecided.

Actions?

Belloc (M2) FA:0(20) AC6 20/14 Enlarge/Darkness/Enlarge
Taibhse (Sh2) FA:0(20) AC5 11/11 CT Torch
Drest (Sc4) FA:3 AC7 16/22
Xenos (DS3) FA:3 AC5 17/17 CT
Akhilleus [/b] (F4) FA:4 AC4 19/35
Kainaxarthos (C3) FA:2 AC6 17/19
Magda (W2) FA:0 AC9 8/8 Sleep Hooded Lantern
Sik (Ba1) FA:1 AC5 9/12
Cyril (Pr3) FA:1 AC8 12/12 CLW, CLW, DM, HP Torch

Skiff
Kain
Akhilleus
Magda

Raft
Xenos

Route Option: Follow the shoreline?

[subaltari]

Magda suddenly decides it's actually a valid idea, tying a (blank?) scrap of parchment around the rodent

Magda was trying to let another PC volunteer to write a love letter to Drest... but sending him a blank note is fittingly ironic

Skiff
Kain
Akhilleus

Magda

[Karaunios]

Ahkilleus

"Let's follow the shoreline.

Did you get anything from Skavi, Magda? Should we wait a bit longer?"