Crimson (aware of her surroundings) let out a silent gasp. "Oh Minather you were so smart, how did they get to you? She thought. She wondered who he betrayed and how. She silently prayed to God for mercy on his soul. Perhaps there may be a some clues on him? She quietly looks through his pockets and checks out the dusty desk (checking for traps along the way). She then heads towards the door and inspects it for traps and wishes to continue on her journey...carefully
Guy braces himself, confident. He has had significant training in battling a mounted foe, particularly one armed with a lance... not that he's had many opportunities to use this skill, but he feels ready.
The noise in the arena builds as the creature charges forward, the blood lust of the observers building. Chanting continues to flow from the illithid. With a powerful roar, an invisible wave of energy flows from Rhell and hurtles toward the oncoming attackers. The lizard halts, as though passing through a thick gelatinous substance that brings it's movements to a pace that seems as though it were still. Time is slowed in a bubble surrounding both rider and steed as dust kicks up from it's webbed claws making the air between its feet clouded.
**NOW WARRIOR**
((The lizard and rider are 15 feet away in front of you. To your left and right are open arena and behind you is the sealed door that you walked through, what do you do?))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
The clothing is stiff but the deft hands of the rogue make quick work of the cadaver's pockets. Inside she finds a monocle, a broken wand, and a crumpled up piece of paper. Crimson carefully opens up the paper to find, scrawled in hurried letters:
They strike at Underport, 10 days before the first frost.
10 days before the first frost. The words are unfamiliar at first, then it hits her. A conversation, years ago with an old farmer. The first frost was midway in the season of crows. This would mean that whoever Minather discovered, planned to strike....today.
Underport has been her home since she left that cursed mountain, now what evil will befall it with Crimson so far from it's shadowy cove?
((Backstory-Crimson has been hiding in Underport sharing home with Livia. Underport is a wretched hive of scum and villainy where most won't look your way twice. It's a great place for fugitives to live and the last free city known in Agronon to avoid the taint of the Necromantic King.))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
As Livia peers through the glass, she strains her eyes against the shadows. The dust on the floor looks disturbed, as though feet have passed through it recently.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Volstaid smiles and gestures through the open doorway. "My home."
The party approaches the small door which opens into a massive cavern filled with stone pillars. Each of these pillars are carved with doors and windows. Light flickers from inside of them, as though hollowed out as hundreds of people travel the cavern floor and along wooden walkways that lead up the pillars connecting to the doors. Above there are dozens of bridges, each connecting the pillars to each other. The pillars appear to be massive natural formations converted into homes for the Hestic. The cavern floor is abuzz with the excitement of a busy market.
Most you see are Hestic, men, women, and children. Occasionally you see elves or dwarves and every so often you see something that you are not able to identify. Creatures from myth or legend itself.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
The city opened up to Kratimos and with it a flurry of emotions. He closes his eyes to soak in the air and the sounds. Five years locked away as a mad dog, the hustle and bustle of the city breathed some humanity back into him. He feels Anna's little hand grip his tighter out of excitement.
"That's something, isn't it?" He whispers to Anna.
To Volstaid, "This is incredible. What's the plan?" Kratimos looked down at his clothing and the borrowed mace. "Speaking of which, any place I can pick up a sword or some armor." He fiddled the gold coins in the change purse. "Or more money?"
Oh my! Crimson says a silent prayer for her home town and vows to check on them as soon as she is able since there is little she can do from here. Perhaps her work here may slow things down? Time will tell. Crimson proceeds to the other door moving quietly and keeping an eye out for traps. This place is REALLY dangerous
Volstaid simply smiles in response to Kratimos' request, turns, and walks toward the commotion motioning the others to follow. The other Hestic that were with Vostaid split off, entering nearby homes or pairing off with other Hestic to begin conversing. The sights, the smells, the conversations. So many creatures buying and selling. Various stalls open with wares displayed. Most are common items, easily identifiable, however there are several booths that have objects that confound. After 10 minutes of pressing through the crowd, Volstaid leads the group to a new area.
An open portion of the cavern stretches out. The larger pillars form a perimeter. There in a circle, upon shorter pillars, the party can see large silver mirror frames shaped like ovals. The frames appear to be empty, however every so often a new person or creature will pass through them as though materializing from nothing. The air itself in the center of these frames ripples as though it were liquid. Twelve such pillars are visible, each with ornately carved stairs leading in a spiral around the pillars to the floor of the cavern.
((If you are interested, roll knowledge dungeoneering, knowledge history, knowledge the planes, knowledge architecture, knowledge arcana, bardic knowledge, etc. to help better identify items, races, creatures, etc.))
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
The silence embraces each movement crimson makes. The air itself seems to go undisturbed as she skillfully moves toward the door. She searches the door, from what she can tell there don't appear to be any traps.
The muffled voices seem to be a bit easier to understand if she were to focus.
Jeremiah 20:9-But if I say, "I will not mention him or speak any more in his name," his word is in my heart like a fire, a fire shut up in my bones. I am weary of holding it in; indeed, I cannot.
With the discovery of her departed friend and the news of her home town's peril, Crimson nearly forgot about the voices that she faintly hears. She listens closely to try and make out what they are saying
(( Sorry, Arch. I think that, unless you're a bard, you can't take a knowledge check in a subject you're not trained in. Since I am, though....
Bardic skill check
[dice]0[/dice]
And since I do have Knowledge: Local and Knowledge: History....
Knowledge: Local
[dice]1[/dice]
Knowledge: History
[dice]2[/dice]
Trip will be focusing mainly on the odd portals and any decorations or artwork to try and understand the culture and history of this place. Does any of it sound familiar to the stories he's come across during his travels?))
Winthrop looks around, fascinated by the sights of the underground city. "Amazing..." he remarks. "What is this place called? Where are we?"
