Belelmund: The Folly of Sitanest

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Kelne
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Unread postby Kelne » Wed Apr 23, 2008 3:07 am

Leothe really didn't trust the blue light. Unfortunately, they couldn't very well turn around and go back at this point. There simply weren't any other paths to try. He kept on, moving as quietly as he could, while continuing to keep an eye on the waters.

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Unread postby Shinigori V2 » Wed Apr 23, 2008 11:41 am

Annetta kept one hand on her blade as she followed Leothe.

Every now and then, she'd switch her vision to see the astral plane, keeping an eye open for particularly offensive magics.
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Screw it, I'm overdue for exposition =(

Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Wed Apr 23, 2008 1:38 pm

"...Today marks the beginning of a new path for all of you, should you choose to follow it.

But I must warn you now, it is not a path for the weak-hearted.

All who follow the teachings of the Goddess, know that the gift of life is fragile, yet precious. It is a gift that must be protected at all costs. But the oath you will take today is far more difficult. Our brethen need only concern themselves with how best to protect Her gift.

We, however, must decide when to willingly end it.

You may be asking yourself, how is it possible? How can one hold all life as sacred, yet take an oath to end it? I wish that I could give you a clear answer to that question. But unfortunately, I cannot. For there are many answers, and you will need to find it for yourself. For some, perhaps you only feel such action is justified defending your own life. For others, you do so to protect another life in danger. For many, it is a desire to stop any who wish to end Her gift of life, without good cause.

You must search within yourself, and find your own answer.

If you are prepared to make that choice, and bear this burden, then step forward and take your oath. If not, do not think less of those who stay. For someday, the life they save may be your own.

When you are ready, raise your weapon before you, and repeat after me..."





Those words, which felt like a lifetime ago, play through Daniel's mind as he looks upon the fallen orc leader. He thinks of his own answer, one that took many years of soul-searching to find.

Any who would try to take another's life for no reason, or simply for their own gain, had to be stopped by any means. But no matter how terrible that person may be, the end of their life should be quick. They should not suffer needlessly.

He knew they were going to kill them all, there is no doubt in Daniel's mind about the orc's intentions.

...still, to see anyone suffer like this...

He walks over to his halberd, picking it up and looking down at the fallen orc leader.

"...I'm sorry it had to come to this."

Without wasting a moment, he raises the halberd overhead, then brings it down on the orc's neck. He then brings it back up to his side, as he says a small prayer to Ishtar.

"...Goddess, forgive us for what we have done..."

He then watches as Myrnal goes off to scout around, not entirely sure what to think. He knew her line of work often involved death, something that took him years to accept with his own sibling. He also knew it was necessary to save Neb, Paul, and himself.

But to see it like this... and watch the way it was carried out...

...there would be time to think this through later. Right now, he needs to worry about the others. He walks over to Neb and Paul, looking them both over for injuries.

"...are both of you alright?" Daniel asks.

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Unread postby NebulaQueen » Mon Apr 28, 2008 1:43 pm

Neb nodded slowly (well, slow to her, at least. Thanks to the effect of the spell, it would look more like a quick, jerky motion to anyone else). It wasn't the complete truth; the wound still hurt like hell, but it wasn't anything that would kill her. It wasn't anything that would slow her down. Dan could worry about it later.

She walked forward, motioning the others to follow her. While the magic she cast had started to fade, she didn't trust herself to speak just yet. For a moment she was tempted to cast her magic on Dan and Paul, so they could all be on the same temporal page, so they could just run and get away from this place and forget this ever happened, but she held herself back. It wouldn't do any good at this point; the village had fled, so who was there to run from?

After Neb left the hut, her eyes glanced over the dead corpses outside, and focused on the body of the former leader. She stared at him for a moment, almost like she was in a trance, before she wrinkled her nose and turned away. While Neb liked to think of herself as more or less unflappable, it didn't stop the nausea that welled in her stomach, or the chills that ran down her spine. It may not be the first time she had seen a dead body, but unlike her companions, this was the first time she had seen so many. Their clumsy escape turned into a slaughter in the span of minutes, all thanks to a few well timed chants...

Just be thankful you're alive, she told herself. And that everybody got out safe. Internal monologues about life and death can wait; right now they had a wagon to find and friends to rescue. She didn't know why they were brought here, but she'd find those responsible, and so help her if they hurt Leothe or Annetta or anyone else that was traveling her-

...well. She'd try to solve it peacefully, but she certainly wouldn't feel guilty about a repeat of the last battle.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Tue Apr 29, 2008 7:50 pm

It took a while, but the group located all their things again, scattered around the camp. Everything was in mostly decent condition, though Dan's armor would need a bit of work where Myrnal had gone through it. It couldn't have been easy for Dan to examine that armor... The woman had eviscerated the orc leader through it as though it weren't even there. Now it bore a sizable hole, and was positively soaked in blood.

They'd gotten their things together and were about to move on, when they found their way blocked by a portly, wrinkled orc sporting a long, scraggly black beard. He wore all manner of animal skulls tied into matted hair, and was marked with crude runes drawn in what looked suspiciously like blood. He held a gnarled oaken staff in one hand, which he gripped with thick finger, now pale with their tight grip on the object.

Behind him is a strange sight. It's torso is that of a dark skinned man, as dark as any Argovian native, but the shape of the face was wrong, the hairstyle too short to match the fashions of the tropical country. The lower body was wholly other matter entirely. The body of a snake, as wide around as a man, long and sinuous, covered in white and cream colored scales. His only garment is a loose looking hood tied around his neck, currently down and resting on his shoulders.

The orc cries in fury, and the air around his staff ignites. He points it at the four humans... and the creature beside him lays a hand on his shoulder, speaking a single harsh sounding word in another language, presumably orcish. The orc turns to him, and they start to trade heated shouts. The staff still blazes, though it is not consumed. Aparently, it isn't all over just yet.




Leothe, Annetta, Trevor and Anthony continue along the shore line. Annetta observes no strange astral forces at work here, it looks fairly safe so far. She can detect some small fish in that water, swimming around lazily. There's something nearby, something somewhat strong-- she can't quite figure out what it might be, though. She's never seen anything precisely like it before. And yet it feels familiar...

The path ends a few meters off. A dead end. What now?

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Unread postby Kai » Wed Apr 30, 2008 1:23 am

Myrnal knew she must look quite the sight, covered in the filth and fluids she'd torn out of the bodies of her enemies. Fortunately, black clothing was very hard to stain, and that might save her from another angry tirade from her grandmother over the sad and bloodied state of everything Myrnal owned.

The traces of gore on her skin had mostly dried by the time they encountered their next potential adversary, though her clothes and hair were still tacky with the thickening sweetly-reeking blood. The villagers had run from Myrnal like she was a monster, and truth be told she felt like one. She felt savage and unhinged, a ferocity surging through her body that she'd not felt in years, not since that time. She felt like everything she touched would die, scorched out of existence by a walking killing human curse.

Some deep and terrible part of Myrnal liked it.

She put her hands to the belt of knives she'd reclaimed, her fingers relishing the hope of warm blood against her skin... begging for one more chance to fight. Uncharacteristically and perhaps unwisely, Myrnal took a careful sidestep to place herself between these ones and her allies. She wanted them dealing with her, not Dan or Neb or Paul. She wouldn't hesistate, she wouldn't stop. They could not be left to themselves.

"Hey." Mistrust and anger sounded heavily in her voice as she spoke. "Tell me where my friends are, or by Kazeros the only survivors I leave will be children and housepets. What the fuck is going on here."

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Wed Apr 30, 2008 11:44 am

As they start to leave the camp, Daniel can't help but look between his gore-covered armor, and the equally gore-covered blade for hire. He accepted that they likely couldn't avoid this. When someone wants to kill you that badly, there's often no other choice. The sight of the dead disturbs him, but years of seeing such helps him deal with it for now.

What disturbs him more, however, is Myrnal herself.

She seems to show no sign of remorse, at least that he can see. In fact, for a few moments she almost seems happy, maybe even thrilled with her handiwork. The necessity to end a life, he can deal with. But to actually *enjoy* taking it... that goes against everything he believes in.

He wonders what kind of person Myrnal really is. And he worries what that says about Stephan, being friends with her...

...but all this thinking is abruptly cut short, as a rather irate orc starts displaying his command of the arcane.

He figured they would run into more trouble while getting away. He didn't, however, count on a Naga being alongside one of the orcs. Daniel knows little about them, other than many coming from the Argovia region. So to see one out in the middle of Baron's territory is a bit perplexing.

He's not sure what to do. Part of himself wants to say something, but another is very aware of the carnage behind them. Talking to them is likely not going to make much difference.

...at least, he thought so until Myrnal starts threatening them.

Now he has little choice but to await their response, and pray to the Goddess they can get out of this alive somehow.

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Unread postby NebulaQueen » Wed Apr 30, 2008 6:09 pm

They couldn't catch a break, could they?

Neb froze when she saw the Orc and the Naga, which gave Myrnal just enough time to step forward and play "diplomat". While she was a fearsome sight, the merchant doubted these two would be easily cowed by intimidation...or that Myrnal was bluffing.

This would not do.

Neb stayed where she was, and looked at the two in front of them. She didn't know what the relationship was between them, but the Naga seemed like the more coolheaded one of the duo. She'd need to keep that in mind.

"All we want is answers," she declared, with her head held high and her voice ringing clear. Fortunately, she was able to stop herself from shaking, and if she was lucky they wouldn't notice that she was beginning to sweat. "Give us our friends, and we'll leave peacefully. The last thing any of us want is more bloodshed."

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Unread postby Kelne » Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:33 pm

Leothe could really grow to dislike the Underdark. Full of twists, turns and dead ends, with no indication of whether they were even traveling in the right direction. And despite the lack of anything so far, Leothe's childhood had featured far too many tales of the horrors of the Depths for him to believe they weren't out there.

Reluctant to turn back again, he tested the water at the end of the path, hoping to see how deep it was. Swimming was an option, in theory, but without a destination, all it would get them was cold and wet.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Thu May 01, 2008 9:30 am

"...well bollocks." Trevor declares, visibly fustrated at the lack of path ahead of them. All that walking, and now they're at a dead end. Now they were left with two choices:

Go into the water, or turn back and try another path again. Given their lack of equipment, or proper preparation, option 1 isn't sounding very wise.

"Unless oneof you knows of a good reason to risk going into that water, I think we need to start heading back." Trevor says to the others.

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Unread postby Shinigori V2 » Thu May 01, 2008 4:31 pm

"...There's something ahead." Annetta said. "Something strong. I'd..Like to check it out. You may linger, if you'd like, I won't be but a minute."
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Unread postby Kelne » Thu May 01, 2008 11:10 pm

Leothe considered, "Splitting up down here is a bad idea," he said, "but then, so is all of us going into the water and emerging cold and wet. Best if two of us go, and call the others across if we find anything worthwhile."

Leothe clearly intended to be one of the two, and was setting aside his bow and outer clothing so that he'd have something dry to wear when they returned.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Fri May 02, 2008 11:23 pm

When the ladies spoke, the Naga silenced his associate with another harsh, single syllable with a bit of a hiss behind it. The fellow didn't flinch, but it was clear that he was at least temporarily deterred from his need to burn them all alive. The naga then turned his attention on the party.

"I don't know where these friends you speak of are. If you want to live, I suggest you shut up and follow me. This man is more than powerful enough to burn your bones to ashes inside your skin... without killing you. You just killed his son, and most of his son's hunting party. Be glad he doesn't speak common."

He started off, towards something they couldn't see... it was behind another of those baked mud huts.




Anthony nodded to Leothe, and stood close by Trevor, ready for trouble... if his stance is a bit lax. He doesn't seem to share their concern about under earth and watery horrors. Annetta started into the lake without waiting for Leothe. The elf took to the water, and his body immediately cried in protest at the coldness of it. Freezing, almost! Damnable lack of sunlight to warm it! It took him a moment to catch up, but he did, in spite of the cold.

Annetta dove under the surface of the water just as Leothe was catching up to her. He followed, and was at least pleasantly surprised to find the water extremely clean. Opening his eyes was comfortable enough, and he was able to continue following Annetta through the depths by sight. Annetta swam through an opening in the rock, from which the light seems to be spilling. As she and Leothe go through, they feel the water warming around them marginally. They're still cold, but they don't fear for hypothermia so much now.

They break the surface on the other side pretty quickly, and find themselves in a what looks like an enormous geode... every surface above the water here, about twenty five feet in any direction, is covered in thumb sized amethysts. They are nothing, however, next to the source of light in the room.

A white crystal half the size of a man sits amongst the amethysts, glowing softly and emitting just enough heat to warm the skin on their faces. Purple and blue and white light plays around the whole chamber. Now that they're next to it, they can both feel the subtle ebb and flow of mana coming from the crystal. It's far too large for them to do anything with, but it is a sight to behold: A natural mana stone inside a slightly decayed, huge and ancient geode.

There's a crack in the curve of the geode wall ahead of them. It looks like the cave continues past this a ways. Getting up onto the lip of the crystal formation will be a trick, with all those sharp crystals, but it's a posibility.

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Unread postby Shinigori V2 » Fri May 02, 2008 11:31 pm

"This...Might be worth looking into." Annetta says, pulling herself out of the water and observing the cave. "I'll leave it to you to get Trevor, if you feel it's worth it."
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Unread postby Kelne » Sat May 03, 2008 6:29 am

Leothe shook his head, "Not just yet," he said, likewise pulling himself out of the water, "We'd look pretty silly if it dead-ended a couple dozen metres in." Nevertheless, he felt a certain cautious optimism. Someone, it seemed, was watching out for them. Surely the gods wouldn't show them a sight such as this only to dash their hopes with a dead end.

The Underdark, he was coming to understand, held many wonders. He could almost understand how people might choose to live down here. At least, if it weren't for the neighbours.

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Unread postby NebulaQueen » Sat May 03, 2008 7:29 pm

Neb frowned, and watched the naga slither towards the huts. She didn't trust either of them farther than she could throw them, but they didn't have much of a choice. Even if he was just bluffing over how powerful the sorcerer was, she didn't think they could afford to take that risk. Besides, it wasn't like they could force them down and interrogate them.

With some reluctance and hesitation, Neb followed after the naga, while she kept a wary eye on the orc. She wasn't entirely sure he wouldn't go blast-happy with that staff of his, and didn't want to find out the hard way.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Sun May 04, 2008 11:35 am

It was a bit of an ordeal, getting out of the water. Annetta and Leothe's hands are a network of bleeding pinpricks by the time they manage it. Now that they're there and standing, though, it's a simple matter to investigate the crack in the geode wall.

The light of Annetta's hands reveals that the passage goes back quite a way... Something odd, though. It appears to be a carved passage, rather than a naturally formed one. There are reliefs of animals what are probably rune letters here and there, though some of it is too worn down to make out. The light doesn't extend far enough for them to tell what's at the end of the hall.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Sun May 04, 2008 12:57 pm

A strange mixture of feelings is going through Daniel, as he follows Neb toward the Naga-man.

On the one hand, the Naga *seems* willing to talk, which is an improvement over trying to kill them. There may be a shred of hope yet for non-violence.

But far more prominent in his mind, however, is the enraged orc.

He can only imagine what pain the man must be going through. Seeing his own son get hurt was enough to send Daniel into a fit. Were someone to end his life... he's not sure what he would do. But he suspects it would be much like this man's reaction.

He wishes he could do something, or even say something. But there's nothing within his power to do for his son now. And no apology or explanation could possibly ease this man's pain. They took his son away from him. And neither the orc, nor Daniel, would ever forget that.

As he walks, trying to avoid eye-contact with the orc, he can't help wondering to himself. What could he have done differently to avoid this?

If the others had just run away, when he asked them to...

If they had just waited a bit longer in that hut...

If he had done a better job as a protector to begin with...

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Unread postby Kai » Sun May 04, 2008 6:11 pm

Myrnal, by contrast, felt little remorse over what she'd done. Perhaps if the orc hadn't raised a sleazy scumbag kidnapper, his son wouldn't have ended up setting off the wrong pretty human girl. Not so pretty now, covered in the orc's blood, but it was just as well. This felt better. It felt like everyone else could finally see Myrnal the way she saw herself: angry, destructive, filthy with the blood of strangers.

She ground her teeth as Neb and then Dan turned to follow the naga. What were they doing? He said he didn't know anything about their friends. He had no information for them, and was apparently in league with these worthless flea-ridden barbarians. If they weren't so damned weak and easy to guilt into submission, they could have ganged up on that orc mage before he had a chance to avenge his son.

Maybe it would have even been the right thing to do, Myrnal mused bitterly. Parents ought never outlive their children.

But no. One little mention that Myrnal had killed someone with a family--something that was true of every mark, and every merc understood it--and her companions wander off after the first commanding person they see like motherless ducklings after a farm dog. Idiots. Now they'd lost control of the situation again and the best Myrnal could do was follow and make sure these people didn't fall apart on her. Again.

"He doesn't know anything," Myrnal muttered, quietly enough that only Dan could hear her, but without the attention-grabbing hisses of a whisper. "He said so."

Probably these two were just afraid of that orc. They didn't want to fight, didn't want to get hurt, didn't want to get killed. They'd rather be captives, obedient and meek. The thought of it made Myrnal's skin crawl. These friends of hers... what kind of people were they, anyway? So worried about the lives and welfare of proven enemies that their sympathy drove them into the control of someone else, likely sacrificing each other's lives and hers and potentially even the allies they'd been separated from.

Myrnal might have gotten into more than she'd bargained for. If she survived, Stephan owed her big time for this.

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Unread postby Kelne » Sun May 04, 2008 7:41 pm

"Well, if it's artificial, it's a good bet the tunnel goes somewhere," Leothe said. Which was certainly a step up from all the natural tunnels which hadn't gotten them anywhere thus far. Whether they'd enjoy meeting whoever made the tunnel was an open question, but that was a risk he was willing to take, "I'll get the others."

With that, he dived back into the water and set about swimming out again.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Mon May 05, 2008 12:21 am

Dan stops once he hears Myrnal. His shoulders pull back somewhat as his arms tense up, hands balled into fists. Then he turns to speak with her, giving a look that is decidedly not happy.

"So what in Ishtar's name do you want us to do, then? Just go on a murderous rampage? Carve more of them up like you just did? Will that make you bloody happy?!"

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Unread postby Kai » Mon May 05, 2008 12:59 am

Myrnal's paces halted just long enough for Dan to finish his sudden tirade. Her expression didn't soften as she listened to him in silence, but her anger began to splinter around the edges. Tiny spiderwebbing cracks drove all through it.

See? No matter how many times you save them, they always find out.

It was only a matter of time, and sometimes Myrnal wondered why she tried. What she was hoping to prove, and to whom. It never mattered. It was never right. They always found out.

All about you.

It wasn't his fault, in the end. He was only finally coming to the natural conclusion. What else could she do? What alternative was there? Still. The anger waited. It seemed sometimes like it was always waiting, just itching for the chance to destroy something. Make something bleed, make something burn, make something die.

Not him, though. She just wanted to scream at him. What did he want her to do? If something happened she wouldn't even have to go home and explain to Daniel's family that she couldn't protect him. She'd be dead too. There was some mercy in that, she supposed.

But no. This wasn't a screaming match. Myrnal had watched the two brothers shout at each other, and she imagined that it was occasionally over things like this. But whatever Dan may have been thinking of her, Myrnal wasn't Stephan.

You destroy everything you touch, and even when you try to destroy the right things...

Myrnal wasn't Stephan. Stephan fought back.

...you fail.

Without a word in reply, Myrnal turned away and continued forward. This was the path Neb and Dan had chosen for all three of them. Guilt wouldn't save them, and if they died they'd all die together. Myrnal couldn't allow that. She didn't know about Neb, but Dan had people left behind. It was different for people like her. Conveniently forgetting her grandparents and the friends who cared about her, Myrnal concluded that she would not be missed. It was different for people like them, and she couldn't just let her allies down. She couldn't let them let themselves down.

Let them hate her. They were right. The blessing and the tragedy was that it took Dan so long to realize it.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Mon May 05, 2008 8:57 am

Trevor and Anthony spent a few minutes in deep dark, the only illumination the pale light from the water, reflected onto the cave ceiling. It was creepy, this nigh soundless, totally windless environment, but they were ok. Then they saw a dark shape rising out of the water. It was the size of a man, and heading their way...

Leothe couldn't actually see the companions he and Annetta left behind, but he could still recall about where he'd left them on the lake shore. It should be easy to get back up and collect them.




Dan, Neb, Myrnal, and (after some confused glances between the previous three) Paul all head away from the battlefield, following the Naga. Around the edge of the hut, they can see what he's slithering off to: A caravan of carts.

There's about a dozen Naga operating the large vehicles, constructed wide and long to suit their unusual nature. Each one is driven by a Naga similar to the one they just met, coiled up in front on holding the reigns to a team of two to four chocobos. Neb's cart is being added to the back of the line now, though the royal carts are still curiously absent. As a matter of fact, they have yet to see the carts Chuck originally employed anywhere in the camp.

The make of the specific cart they are being led to is much simpler. It's little more than a flat bed with wooden planks around the edge serving as a low lip. There are some crates in the back. These are in the act of being handed off to some of the orcs, while in there place jugs are being loaded up... something that makes sloshing noises as it's placed on the cart, as well as bundles of wood. They seem to be getting much more, in pure physical volume, than they're giving.

Once the four have reached the cart, they can also see a half dozen mats on the bottom front of this cart. There's some rope loops by each mat, running through a small iron loop bolted to the cart floor.

"Get in."

The others miss it, but Dan notices something strange about those iron loops. They each have a strange, irregularly shaped crack along on side, which appears to run all the way through it. He could also swear he sees a spring in the edge of one of these, carefully hidden with faux rust. He notes the Naga looking at him as he studies it. He almost imperceptibly nods. Then, sounding harsh:

"Move it."

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Unread postby Kelne » Mon May 05, 2008 6:48 pm

"Well, we've found something," Leothe called as he swam back to where he left the others, "Artificial tunnel, looks like it goes somewhere." Already beginning to shiver again, he wasted no time in grabbing his gear. The bowstring was going to be ruined, but no help for that.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Tue May 06, 2008 1:49 am

Daniel curses himself, upon seeing the carts with their restraints. It seems they've traded one inprisonment for another. Suddenly, his outburst at Myrnal feels very, very stupid.

As they get closer to the cart, and start walking past the sides, he notices something odd. Something off with the rusting on one of the rings. He can't help taking a closer look, confused at their condition. Then he spots the spring mechanism, getting even more confused.

If someone were chained to this, they could very easily free themselves, unless Dan is overlooking part of it. But why would they make the rings that way to start? If they want to keep people secured to the cart, wouldn't it make more sense to have a solid ring? Why have a mechanism like this at all?

...unless...

Fortunately for Dan, the Naga notices his curiousity and tells him to hurry up. The man also gives the very briefest of nods, once Dan turns to look at him. While still unsure about the man's complete intentions, he strongly suspects enslavement isn't part of that. Why, is a question he hopes to have answered once they're out of there.

"...sorry." Daniel tells him, trying his best to appear nervous as he gets up into the cart. He glances over at Myrnal and Neb, wondering if they've noticed the same thing as well. For the sake of getting out of here in one piece, he certainly hopes so. He's not sure what he can do to let them know, not without possibly getting them all killed.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Tue May 06, 2008 3:09 am

Perhaps, were he a bit more battle-hardened, Trevor would have reacted better to the sight of a mysterious 'thing' coming out of the lake. Instead, he immediately grabbed the other man's shoulder in surprise, the force of it enhanced by his fear of a water creature coming true.

Fortunately for Anthony, after hearing Leothe speak, Trevor releases his vice-like grip. It seemed they were no longer in danger of becoming a meal for the foul lake monster. After several apologies for the pain caused to the shoulder, he starts talking to Leothe.

"That's... a very odd thing to find. Do you have any idea who could've put it down here?"

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Unread postby Kelne » Tue May 06, 2008 6:21 am

"Well, it's not drow architecture, which is a definite point in its favour. Animal carvings, runic lettering... Could be dwarves, I suppose. To be honest with you, I haven't the faintest idea who else might live down here. I do think it's our best shot at a way out."

There wasn't much more to be said, really.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Tue May 06, 2008 11:30 am

Anthony cursed when the ex-King grabbed him suddenly. Once he'd released, the mercanary spent a while rubbing his shoulder.

"We going in, then?"




Daniel sat down in the cart, and was quickly and efficiently tied to the cart, the ropes over his wrists and through the iron loop. Myrnal and Neb still hadn't seen what Dan had, and now the Naga was looking at them expectantly.

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Unread postby Kai » Wed May 07, 2008 12:11 pm

The anger that Dan had bled away flared open again when her fears were confirmed: they weren't just walking into enemy territory, they were being carted in as prisoners or--from the looks of the trading going on--as slaves. There was just no way Myrnal was going to accept going from one captivity to another all in one day. She didn't see what Dan saw, merely hearing him meekly apologize for dithering. Myrnal threw him a look as that hit as hard as a blow, but he didn't deserve her disgust. He just didn't understand yet. But he would, no matter how hard Myrnal tried to keep him safe. There was probably little she could do for him now but stay with him, just in case.

Myrnal watched the traders busying themselves, taking note of who was doing what. Not like there was much else for her to do. Not yet. There wasn't opportunity now; they'd certainly stop her from taking any of the numerous options available to her. That was fine. That was all... just fine. They wouldn't be able to hold her because there was no way they would watch her closely enough forever. There was always a way out, even if it was only just the one.

She closed her eyes for a moment, and reopened them. She swallowed her anger and resentment, and forced herself to watch. She watched with bland curiosity as their captors tied ropes around her hands and bound her to the cart. One way or another, this was only temporary.

"I got away from him, this is nothing," she muttered. But then... then she'd had help. A lot of help. Help that she hadn't earned and might never deserve. She couldn't ask for intervention from the powers of Kazeros this time. He'd done enough in her life. It was her responsibility. Still...

"....wish me luck," she whispered.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Thu May 08, 2008 12:42 am

"I, for one, am eager to get the bloody hell out of this cave." Trevor comments, starting over toward the water.

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Unread postby Kelne » Thu May 08, 2008 5:25 am

Leothe led the way back into the geode, helpfully guided by the light. It was a bit more awkward swimming with a bundle of gear, but given that he was traveling light (albeit not by choice), it wasn't too bad. And at least this time he had something to wrap around his hands when he climbed out.

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Unread postby NebulaQueen » Sun May 11, 2008 4:40 pm

Oh son of a...

Well, this was just one brilliant decision on top of Neb's long list of non-accomplishments. They manage to survive bandits, a potential assassination plot, and captivity, and for what? Apparently to walk straight into another band of slavers. How fantastic. Well, she thought bitterly to herself, you wanted to find out more, didn't you? If nothing else, she may have very well found a very important clue about who was behind all this. It just happened to be worthless, now that they were going to be tied up and shoved into wagons that headed gods-know-where.

Alright, she could get through this. She didn't want for it to come to this point, but if she could get close to her companions again, she might have a way out. However, Dan was already headed towards the wagon, and she doubted she'd have enough time to get her plan off the ground, anyways (or at least, not without becoming a human pincushion). She glowered, and held her hands out; all she needed was to be put in the same wagon as the others....

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Mon May 12, 2008 12:36 pm

After a moment of frustrated of anger, Neb allows herself to be tied to the cart with Dan and Myrnal. Their speaker, the as yet unnamed Naga, looks at Paul... who hasn't moved yet. His sword is still drawn, which might have to do with why no one's come within arm's reach of him.

"... What the fuck are you guys doing? We just nearly killed ourselves getting out of that same situation! Am I the only one who sees how stupid this is?! Ishtar, we at least could have run! You made mister knight there and miss stabs-a-lot faster than lightning! So why-"

Paul suddenly tips over, and hits the grass. He's snoring lightly. The Naga picks him up and starts to tie him into place next to the others.

"Honestly, humans."

Once he's finished, he heads to the front of the caravan. Loading and unloading are about finished, and they're soon underway, heading towards the desert.




Leothe, Trevor and Anthony head into the lake. With some work, they manage to get out of the water and into the Geode, and from there into the hallway, where Annetta waits.

(Sorry folks. I'll try to do better than this from now on.)

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Wed May 14, 2008 3:47 am

He doesn't really blame them for being upset. In their position, Daniel would be pretty ticked off as well. After all, it did probably look like he was just giving up.

He just hopes his hunch about these people is right. If he's right, the situation may not be as dire as it appears.

Deciding they were far enough from the orc camp, he leans down toward the metal ring. He attempts to see if his observation about the mechanism works in practice.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Wed May 14, 2008 9:56 am

They were only about a minute away from the camp, now, but it was far enough that the villagers might now see. Dan leaned forward, felt briefest resistance, and then with a clicking noise he felt the rope come free. Any of Dan's friends, watching him, would be able to see easily what had justs happened. His arms were still bound, but they were no longer bound to the cart.

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Unread postby Kelne » Wed May 14, 2008 7:45 pm

Leothe wrung out his clothing as best he could. Not that it would help much; it was still pretty wet. Still, it was at least now less weat. He also checked to be sure that yes, the bowstring was likewise soaked. Unstringing the weapon, he stowed it on his back and moved forward to check out the tunnel.

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Unread postby FF Fanatic 80 » Fri May 16, 2008 11:02 am

Dan breaths a bit of a sigh of relief, confirming his hunch. Now at least, he knows for certain they can release themselves. Still, it doesn't answer *why* they can release themselves. Or why these Naga's bartered with the Orcs to get them.

Considering how close they are to the orc village, just up and bolting now would probably be a bad idea. There's no telling who could be out here keeping an eye on them. For now, at least to Dan, riding this out feels like the best course of action. He wants some answers, and these people are probably the only ones willing to give them at this point.

Still, just in case, he figures the others should know about the mechanism. There's no telling what may still happen. He dreaded them thinking they were stuck to the cart, if they needed to get away.

"...Neb...Myrnal...Paul....over here." Daniel whispers. Once he has their attention, he nods toward his hand holding the freed end of the rope. He then purposely opens the mechanism again, attaching the rope back to the ring.

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Unread postby Kai » Fri May 16, 2008 12:52 pm

Myrnal's eyes were fixed on Dan and what he was doing, watching as he tripped the mechanism in the ring once again. For a moment she was too surprised to do anything but blink. Certainly not what she'd expected.

She had asked for luck. Kazeros didn't disappoint, even now.

Her eyes closed briefly and she turned to face forward again with her bound hands resting on her knees. The rope was chafing away at the blood on her skin, leaving it to flake away into the rope fibers. She really did need a bath. "Paul's out for the moment," she answered quietly. Not like she was discussing anything unexpected to their captors. "He should be okay, though. Find out when he wakes, I guess."

For a moment Myrnal allowed herself to entertain that they should be okay, too. Dangerous idea to get too attached to, but there was clearly more going on here than they'd assumed. Might not be all bad, either.

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Unread postby Besyanteo » Sun May 18, 2008 12:07 pm

Trevor, Leothe, Annetta, and Anthony are now together in the old hall way. Leothe starts to move, and at his insistence Annetta follows to provide light. It's common sense that Trevor and Anthony will follow rather than be left behind, in the near darkness.

The hall twists subtly as they go down it, showing signs of stress and warping here and there. Cracks abound over most of the surfaces, but nothing has yet collapsed. It eventually comes out in a large room, about fifty feet by thirty feet. The subtle scent of mildew hangs on the air. A carved stone bench runs along the wall closest to them, and turns to line the side walls as well. On the opposite wall there are two archways; The one on the right has a carved stone counter top beside it. A bare, perfect skeleton lies in front of this door, laid out as though the person had been lying down. It is still wearing faded plain leather pants, a few rings, and a golden necklace. Death being the great equalizer, it's hard to say what race this person might have been.




Paul is, indeed, still out. He snores lightly in his spot. As time goes on, they draw further away from the orc camp, until finally they crest a hill, and lose sight of it on the way down.

There are five carts in the Caravan, plus Neb's. These are all headed north at a slow pace, a small vanguard of Naga slither along-side the lead cart as well as Neb's cart in the rear, and two on either side of the prisoner cart. They are traveling over the rolling hills of the plains, and have just crested a slightly larger hill, and are going down the other side now, it acts as a visual barrier between them and the place they just left. There doesn't look to be any geographical feature ahead that will put them above that admittedly somewhat meager altitude again for a few miles, making it unlikely that their previous captors will catch wind of what has become of them. The desert is ahead, but it will be half a day's travel before they reach the sands.

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Unread postby Kelne » Tue May 20, 2008 7:46 pm

Leothe made his way over to give the body a brief examination, curious to know whether the person had died here or been placed here after death. Not that there would likely be any clues; it had clearly been here for a long time. Given the posture though, he was willing to bet on the latter.

He had no interest in looting the body. Trinkets had never interested him, and that kind of behaviour only annoyed the gods and the dead alike. Instead, he contented himself with an internal prayer for forgiveness for disturbing his rest before turning his attention to the archway before him.

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