Tamora eventually stopped staring at the lake where the creature had been. The lizardmen seemed relaxed enough now but she knew it would take her longer to get over her first real experience of the chaos of combat. The animals she had hunted and defended against at home were so predictable compared to this monstrosity – she shivered. She merely nodded at Lorath’s words and looked at the ground. When Gan spoke she looked at him closely for the first time and winced at the sight of his wounds. She watched the injured warrior offer to help Evon to the fire and shook her head in something close to amazement. She hoped Bas would be able to help him as he had Jonas – she certainly knew she couldn’t do anything for him.

In her current frame of mind then it was with relief that she heard Anne ask for someone to accompany her around the lake. Tamora turned to the human woman. “If no one minds I’ll go with you”, she said. The young elf slung her bow and picked up her spear. Noticing the uncomfortable way the woman was holding her liberated weapon Tamora smiled for the first time. “If we are attacked”, she said, “the pointed end goes towards the enemy. But I think I’d rather test how long those tentacles are before fighting that thing again”.

[ 01-22-2007, 05:43 PM: Message edited by: Armen ]

<font color=silver>Gan Vahnsen

The half elf nodded at Evon’s words, <font color=skblue>"You are right, of course. Perhaps the lizardfolk will be grateful at our… intervention.”</font> He offered a half smile, suggesting that perhaps their ‘interference’ may not have been enough to tip the balance, but perhaps the lizards would be grateful all the same, <font color=skblue>"Healing is always welcome. Perhaps we should wait for a healer before examining the antidote.”</font> he suggested and leant back, basking in the warmth of the fire. If the lizards had relaxed, then hopefully it meant there was no immediate danger – however, being a ranger, he always kept an eye on his surroundings, no matter how relaxed the natives were. It was possible the lizards might turn on them, or see their kind as the ones who disturbed the waters of the lake. Who could know the mind of a lizard?

<font color=skblue>"So if you are not a fighting man,”</font> he inquired, making small talk, <font color=skblue>"Mind if I ask what your area of expertise is?”</font>

Between conversing, Gan would decline Anne’s offer of scouting. When asked, he simply said, <font color=skblue>"As much as I would like to join you, being struck in the face by a tentacle isn’t pleasant. I’ll sit this one out for now.”</font> Hopefully, the half elven ranger inwardly sighed, the blisters would go away and not be permanent. He did not wish to be scarred for life, or worst, lose the use of his eyes/feeling in his face.</font>

Anne

Anne watched after Gan as he sat down, concern playing in the corners of her eyes. Reluctantly she lifted her gaze from him. He was in good hands and she could do nothing to help him. Anne quickly told Tamora what she had observed of the creature that had attacked them.

"The creature has to have a weak spot. I noticed it never lifted its head from the water, never exposing it to harm. I'd bet quite a bit on the fact that its tentacles are its strongest line of defense. I'd also wager that this creature, as many water dwellers, does not like fire. Might be a good idea to take a burning branch as a torch."

Anne surveyed the surface of the lake. Apart from the fine drizzle of the rain hitting the water, nothing moved, nothing was evidence of the horrendous struggle just a few minutes earlier.

"Clock-wise or counter clock-wise?" Anne asked turning to Tamora.

Tamora thought for a moment. "We should continue anti-clockwise", she answered. "At least then we will be on familiar ground if the sun sets before we return". She looked out over the lake and then back to Anne, "I would prefer not to carry a torch. I . . . I have no intention of standing and fighting that creature again with or without fire and I worry about what else the light might draw to us".

(OOC: if Anne wants to bring a torch Tamora won't stop her)

"Well, if you feel you'll be all right," Evon said with a somewhat hesitant shrug. He shrugged again when Gan asked him what his expertise way in, giving his reply softly in a wry tone. "Well, I'm not really an expert at anything, I'll admit - I'm afraid I've traveled without ever choosing one thing or another to focus on. I learned some carpentry from my father, and I'm a half-decent artist, but I suppose those don't matter here unless the lizardmen want to barter information for footstools. I know which end of my sword to stick in the other fellow, and sometimes I can even convince that fellow to just drop the issue before there's any blood on the ground - I'm pretty good at that, actually. Really though, it's a bit of this and a bit of that. You yourself are a man of the sword, I think I can safely assume?"

When he heard Anne talking about the weakness of the creature's body, he turned to her and said, in a friendly manner, "You know, you may be right - I'm not sure I'd want to go swimming with something that big, though. Besides, maybe it just can't come on land." Nodding to Tamora, he added, "I'd also be wary of bringing a torch - if that creature comes it could probably just splash out the flame, but the fire might lure something else to you. By the way, I don't believe I know your name..." He trailed off, assuming Tamora would introduce herself.

She did.

[Armen asked me to add in the last line to avoid a one-word post.]

[ 01-23-2007, 01:30 PM: Message edited by: Encard ]

<font color=silver>Gan Vahnsen

<font color=skblue>"I suppose you could say that.”</font> Gan replied to Evon's 'You yourself are a man of the sword, I think I can safely assume?' <font color=skblue>"I am proficient with a blade, and while I can track a little, I fear I claim little else."</font> he shrugged, <font color=skblue>"If this,"</font> he waved a hand before his face, <font color=skblue>"Gets any worse, then I'll take the antidote; if not, well, someone else may need it more than I before the day is out. I've survived worst, I think."</font> He forced a grin and changed the subject, <font color=skblue>"So what brings you here, Evon? Wealth, fame, glory? Just a need to get out the house and go somewhere?"</font></font>

Everyone

The rain slowed to a drizzle, then a fine mist and eventually died away as the clouds above slowly drifted away to the south. Above was left a blue sky, slowly growing purple in the west, with alien constellations visible just above the horizon there. In the east the sun was still a few hours from being completely gone. The baleful red orb seemed almost large enough and close enough to swallow the world as it sank.

All around them, the jungle's day sounds were replaced by the jungle's night sounds. Insects were chittering in the brush, some of them worryingly large by the sound of it, and the occasional howl or shriek would rise in the distance from time to time. The sounds were reminiscent of home, but never quite the same, which just made them seem all the more unusual.

Still, some things were apparently the same in all corners of the universe, for soon the air was swarming with small flying things that came for the light of the campfire and their blood. No one was going to wake up without at least a few itches. Except possibly Evon, for no apparent reason they seemed to keep a distance from him.

The group found that their lizardmen hosts kept a respectable distance at all times. But even so, they still kept an eye on them.

As they talked among themselves, one of the creatures dumped a pile of thin straw mats near the fire. The best guess seemed that they were being invited to stay the night, rather than having to travel back to the portal in the darkness or camping out in the alien jungle.

It still seemed like Tamora and Anne could make their trip around the lake and return before complete darkness, but they would be making a lot of the final half in a black twilight where just about anything could ambush them unless they kept on their toes.

Bas walked to the group around the fire, staff in hand. He nodded at the people from his group, pausing to introduce himself to Evon. He then knelt down to examine Gan's infected wounds. "I can offer you a healing spell, but curing poison is beyond my abilities."

If Gan gives his agreement, the druid will cast a healing spell, then withdraw a few steps away from the group and find a place to sit and listen to the sounds of the jungle, hoping he can identify noises as creatures that also exist back home.

Evon nodded and let the issue of the antidote drop, figuring Gan would presumably be able to choose what was best for himself. "Just curiosity, really. I want to know what this new world holds. A bit of gold never hurts, of course - everybody needs to eat now and then, and I'm not much of a hunter." As he spoke he stared into the fire with his eyes unfocused, apparently mesmerized by the leaping flames. After pausing for a moment to shift positions, wincing at his badly bruised ribs, he asked, "How about yourself, Gan? What's lured you here?" The flames cast steadily deepening shadows across his face as the sunlight faded, forming pools of darkness that only accentuated how gaunt the young man was, turning his face into the semblance of a carnival horror mask.

[ 01-22-2007, 08:50 PM: Message edited by: Encard ]

Anne

"I guess you're right," she replied to the comments about a torch possibly attracting unwanted attention.

"I'm ready to go if you are," she said turning to Tamora.

“I am” Tamora answered and the two of them left on their circuit of the lake. Some of the lizardmen glanced up as they passed alongside the village but seemed unconcerned at the two women’s departure. Once out of the immediate area of the village Tamora’s deliberately casual attitude was replaced by a wary openness as she moved forward dividing her attention between the ground ahead, the lake waters and the trees to her right. She would attempt to make good time but equally wouldn’t rush into trouble if anything struck her as out of the ordinary.

Lorath sat next to the fire, and grabbed a stick out of the sand. The others were going about their tasks - investigating the immediate area, listening to the jungle, or just talking. Not wanting to interrupt any of them, he began thinking of what they could do the next day. They didn't really have anywhere else to go, except back to the encampment, and he felt that their work out here was yet to be finished.

Taking the stick in his fingers like a pen he began drawing in the sand. Nothing in particular at first, just some doodles that would get washed away in a matter of hours, but quickly became something else: a plan.

<u>Bas</u>

No one disturbed Bas as he sat at the edge of the jungle, focusing on it's sounds, indeed, they almost seemed to keep a certain reverent distance.

The sounds reaching his ears were both like those at home, and not. He heard birdcalls and howls, mixed with the song of nighttime insects emerging from where they had hid during the day's brutal sunlight. All around him, in every direction, things were living and dying, even if the sounds and their creators were alien, the way of nature seemed much like it did at home.

Still, at first the jungle, apparently a place of vibrant life, seemed more silent than at home. Almost abandoned to one who was used to hearing the sounds of a healthy, Achenian forest. Slowly, though, Bas detected an undertone to it all. All of the sounds he was used to were still there, even in the same amount, but they were more quiet, more muted, almost as if the creatures of the jungle were descendants of the ones who knew not to make too much noise.

The druid wasn't just hearing, though, on some primal level the world itself was communing with him, imparting him with intuitive insight. At home he would have had to call upon the spirits for such, but here they almost seemed starved for a guardian. He learned that he was upon a world where only the strong survived, a world that forgave few mistakes and where the only living things were the ones whose ancestors had stood atop the corpses of their competitors.

No nature was ever gentle, and the weak had a habit of not being the ones who bred, but whereever he was, the blade that weaned the weak from the strong made the one in his homeland seem like a butterknife in comparison.

The forest was quiet because there were hunters out there the like of which he had never met before, ones that would make the greatest dire wolf tremble and which no ranger could soothe. Creatures which were never meant to be part of the natural order.

Abberrations.


<u>Lorath, Evon, Gan</u>

While most of the villagers kept their distance from the campfire one lizardman separated himself from the crowd and headed for the adventurers. He had nothing to differentiate him markedly from the others, except that he was slightly shorter, and that carried a cloth-wrapped object some two feet long and about half as wide. Without a word he sat down on the opposite side of the campfire from them, closed his eyes and looked like he didn't notice they were there. As he sat, he kept the bundle cradled in his arms.

Aside from the bundle and the physical characteristics, the only thing unusual thing about was that he was extremely at ease and relaxed. Like he had some sort of deep-seated satisfaction with the way of things and no desire to rush out and change them. Most of the other lizardmen were constantly doing something, and even when they were relaxing or on watch at the edge of the village, they somehow contrived to look very focused on their task, as though it demanded every inch of their attention.


<u>Anne, Tamora</u>

Leaving the fires and torches of the village behind, Anne and Tamora soon found themselves in the rapidly darkening twilight beyond. Away from the bustle, they could also hear the sounds, sparse as they were, of the forest much more clearly. Occasionally something would rustle in the trees next to them as they made some poor creature scamper away in fear, but otherwise they encountered few creatures on the first stretch of their journey.

As they reached the northwestern shore of the lake, they got a view of some things to the south and east that they might not otherwise have seen. With enough distance between them and the trees that they could look over them, they saw far-away snow-capped mountains painted in sunset colours. And not just a few peaks, either, but a vast chain. It curved softly away east and south. Letting their eyes drink in the vista, it almost seemed that they could make out the occasional building up among the mountain-tops. Perhaps their imaginations were just transforming piles of rocks and cliff spires into towers and battlements, or there was civilization in that far-flung place so close to the heavens.

Before they could enjoy the view further, though, a bizarre creature stepped out between the trees right in front of them, apparently unperturbed by the presence. It looked like a weird nightmare cross of bird and reptile, with long legs and neck, the creature was almost seven feet tall, well taller than both Anne and Tamora. It's wings were small and vestigial, and could almost certainly not support the creature, but it seemed doubtful that it or any of it's ancestors had ever taken to the skies, for it lacked feathers. Instead it was covered in fine scales that shaded from red to gray in apparently random patterns across it, though gray seemed more common on the front, and red more common on the back. It's bird-like feet seemed almost comically large, but since it was accompanied by correspondingly large claws, it didn't seem like it would be a laughing matter if someone pissed it off.

Completely ignoring them aside from a quick glance, it stepped past the two travellers to drink from the edge of the lake. As they got over their initial surprise they noticed that it had what looked like someone's belt looped around it's neck. Hanging from the loose-fitting belt was a large leather satchel.

[ 01-23-2007, 05:13 PM: Message edited by: PurpleXVI ]

Anne

The creature emerging less than three feet ahead of her from the tree line had caught her completely by surprise. By the time her shock subsided the strange shaped bird-ish reptile was already quenching its thirst at the side of the lake.

Anne motioned to Tamora to stay silent as she examined the creature and the leather satchel it woe around its neck. Clearly the arms and legs it had could not have closed the clasp of the satchel, so either it had somehow taken it or someone or possibly something had given it to the creature. That could mean that some other creature could be very close by. Anne warily scanned the trees, trying to see under their shadowy canopies. She did not move lest the creature by the waterside become afraid of their presence.

[ 01-23-2007, 03:19 PM: Message edited by: dplax ]

Tamora caught Anne’s eye and signalled to move away from the creature. They stepped backwards together slowly until twenty yards away where Tamora planted her spear and carefully readied her bow and knocked an arrow. She risked a glance at Anne again and held up one hand as if to indicate that they should wait. Anne nodded, surveying the trees for whoever or whatever had attached the satchel.

Looking back to the reptile bird Tamora studied it carefully while keeping half an eye on the lake in case anything was drawn to it. She hoped it would return to the forest soon and they could continue on.

(OOC: Anne's actions from dplax)

[ 01-23-2007, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Armen ]

Lorath stepped over and sat next to the lizardman with the bundle. He looked at him with an inquisitive look on his face, and held his arms close to his body to mimic as if here were holding a bundle like the one the lizardman had. Then he took his right hand and acted as if he were pulling the corner of the cloth that would be over his to reveal what he would be holding, and pointed to the lizardman. Finally he pointed to his own eyes, then at the bundle, and held his hands together, palms out. He finished by moving his hands apart, as if revealing something.

While waiting for Gan's reply, Evon watched Lorath's pantomime with interest. He was curious whether the lizardman would actually open his eyes, or if Lorath would simply be acting for the rest of them.

<font color=silver>Gan Vahnsen

<font color=skblue>“Ah, well I just needed a change of scenery,”</font> the half elf shrugged to Evon, in answer to his question, <font color=skblue>“Grew tired of my father’s people butchering my mother’s and being caught in between.”</font> he made a face, <font color=skblue>“Really rather a common tale, I suspect. Nothing special to it. So I left, leaving them to kill each other off and I’ve been making my way around the world ever since. I didn’t like what I saw, so I figured that I’d come here and see if this place was any better. Not that I have high hopes, but as you said, gold is always helpful.”</font>

Another shrug. Staring into the fire, the pale half elf sighed, <font color=skblue>“I guess I’m also looking for something. I was told my fathers’ people could use their minds to aid them; not magic mind you, but something similar. In all my travels… never once on our home world did I find any capable of such, at least, not among the humans. I was half hoping to find some form of sentient life here would might possibly teach me – or show me how to use it.”</font> He laughed, <font color=skblue>“Well, we all have dreams, right?”</font>

As Lorath moved over to the short lizardman, Gan watched in fascination, wondering what would happen next… …and then he would sleep.</font>

Lorath, Gan, Evon

The lizardman opened his eyes and impassively watched Lorath's pantomime, then he closed them again and took a deep breath through his nostrils.

Gan and Lorath both suddenly felt an unpleasant, but not painful, feeling of pressure in the front of their heads, as though someone was pressing a finger against their frontal lobe. Briefly, however, the pressure subsided, and they both heard a voice inside their head. Though heard might have been the wrong way to describe it, for they did not hear anyone speak, rather a memory of someone having spoken, and what they said, instantly appeared.

"Remain patient, outlanders," the voice, which was low and sounded like a toad who had mastered speech, said, "The sage wishes to speak to you, and shall do so when all your friends arrive. I do not know your words, so do not waste your breath speaking to me."

Letting the bundle lie in it's lap, the lizardman opened it's eyes again, this time looking at Evon. It maintained the stare until it had his attention, then put it's palms together as though it was praying and placed those palms side-on at it's forehead. Slowly, it spread the palms apart, the wrists remaining in contact, like something opening. It seemed to be waiting for him to act.


Anne, Tamora

It appeared as though no one was going to leap out of the forest and claim the satchel as theirs, and whatever dwelled in the lake seemed to have had enough of dealing with non-aquatic creatures for one day, for no vengeful tentacles lashed out to devour bird or adventurers.

Finishing it's drink, the bird wandered over to the two women and seemed to study them, turning it's head this way and that. It didn't seem particularly bright, but it did seem curious.


Bas

(OOC: Apologies for posting before you've gotten a post in, but it's been 24 hours, I felt it would be unfair to leave the others hanging.)

[ 01-24-2007, 01:46 PM: Message edited by: PurpleXVI ]

Bas stood and paced back and forth, his staff making regular thuds against the ground. He was confused by what he sensed. It seemed that the balance that existed back home did not apply here, at least not in the same manner. He looked at his companions by the fire and wondered if he should try to warn them. But how? What could he say to convince non-druids of the strangeness, and what effect would it have beyond creating paranoia?

No, he would not discuss with them, not yet. He needed more information. He needed to speak with the native animals, the ones who needed protection.

The druid walked a couple of steps further away from the fire and peered into the darkness, attempting to spot any living creatures using his infravision.

Tamora

The young ranger looked thoughtfully at the animal, her head tilted to one side in a mirror of the position it had adopted. Tamora’s eyes creased in thought. This was obviously no instinctive predator and both its behaviour and the presence of the satchel suggested a trained or at least tamed animal. This, and the presence of the tooled leather satchel, suggested that there were others on this world more sophisticated than the lizardmen hunters. And if that were true then she and her companions needed to know more about them.

Apparently reaching a decision she relaxed her defensive posture, returned the arrow and slung the shortbow over her shoulder. Gesturing to Anne to be wary she turned her full attention to the creature and adopted a posture of openness and absolute confidence. She stepped forward to calmly place a hand on the creature’s neck.

(OOC: If the creature seems calm and friendly Tamora will open the satchel and have a look and if she’s still alive at that point maybe remove it if possible)

Lorath tentatively lifted a hand to his forehead and felt around for anything that was different. That was certainly an... odd experience, he had to admit. It was like he had heard someone talking, but didn't see them, nor did he remember actually hearing it. Something was definitely awry, though he wasn't sure what.

Not wanting to worry the others or sound crazy, he didn't speak of it. Instead he made it look like he was rubbing the front of his head in thought, and keeping a watch for anything blatantly out of the ordinary.

(OOC: Apologies to dplax, Encard and Calaethis, but the show must go on.)

Bas

The darkness of the approaching night, illuminated only by sparse torches and the stars above, slowly faded into the brilliant colours of Bas' elven infravision. Above him, in the heights of the thick vegetation, he saw birds at rest, and coiled in a tree just a few feet from him, at nearly the same height as his head, was a lazy serpentine form, only barely visible as a slight deviation from the temperature of the plant. It was almost as big as he was, but only seemed to watch him cautiously for the moment.

There was probably more life in the area, but the trees and vines of the thick jungle were in the way. Occasionally small, squirrel-like creatures would skitter along on the ground or leap from tree to tree, and not far away the druid could hear the growls of some large feline.


Anne, Tamora

At first the animal tensed under Tamora's touch, but it swiftly relaxed and allowed her to put her hands on it's slender neck.

Now close to the satchel, the ranger could see that it seemed very light. If it wasn't empty, whatever was inside didn't weigh much. Definitely not gold or heavy metal objects.


Evon, Lorath, Gan

No crazed ventriloquists or bizarre creatures came charging out of the night to scream "Gotcha!" at Lorath or Gan. The only odd thing around was Bas who, some distance from the group, was standing at the edge of the forest staring into the impenetrable darkness only broken by the occasional firefly or a bit of starlight catching a shiny scale.


Everyone

Above the western horizon, a white crescent moon began to rise. It seemed unremarkable, but it added a bit of light to the dark night.

<font color=silver>Gan Vahnsen

Gan chooses to take the oppertunity to rest - sleep is often a luxury denied him when he is on the move and since they must wait for this lizard anyway, there's no point staying up when he can be resting instead. He is uncomfortable with the short lizard's voice in his head, but what can he do about it? Nothing. So he ignores it outwardly and bids the other two 'good night'. He will offer to take a watch, if they are agreeable, and if not, well, sod them then.

Whatever is worked out, he'll go along with - and get his much needed sleep.</font>

[ 01-25-2007, 05:57 PM: Message edited by: Calaethis Dragonsbane ]

Lorath glanced around a couple more times for anything out of the ordinary. Nothing seemed to be going on, and he wasn't tired enough to sleep. If he tried, it'd feel like he was wasting time. Most of the others seemed to be doing reconnaissance, so he figured he should probably do some too.

He stood up and looked around. Everyone seemed to be going about their normal business, so he approached the lake. For a few seconds he gazed at the moon's reflection on the surface, and tried to see past it to what was under the waves. Then he switched to Infravision, looking for any anomalies near the surface and hopefully find the trail of the tentacle monster.

Tamora

Reassured by the big bird’s apparently friendly demeanour, but not so relaxed that she didn’t keep half an eye on it for signs it was about to bite her head off, Tamora opened the fastenings of the satchel and looked inside but could see little in the darkness. Closing it back up she dextrously undid the belt and removed it from the creatures neck. Still watching the bird she whispered to Anne "I think we should head straight back to camp the way we came. It's too dark to see much out here any more and we'll need light to see what's in this bag."

(OOC: If Anne agrees, Tamora will head back to the camp the way they came)

[ 01-25-2007, 07:36 PM: Message edited by: Armen ]

Anne

Anne examined the birdlike creature. It seemed quite peaceful and Tamora had it almost completely calmed. She had heard of the ways of a ranger that calmed beasts of the wilderness, but had never before seen it done right before her.

"I guess you're right. Who knows what could await us in the darkness. Will the bird follow us?" she asked, not sure which answer she would prefer.

"Yes, we all do..." Evon replied, looking wistful at Gan's mention of dreams.

When the lizardman made its motions to him, Evon looked back intently for a fair while, looking perplexed. After a time, he gave the lizardman a small nod.

Tamora

Tamora considered Anne’s question. She knew nothing about trained animals and if it did follow them she certainly didn’t know how to keep one on this world even if she wished to. She stroked the big bird’s neck as she replied not looking round to Anne. She sounded thoughtful and distant, almost as if thinking aloud. “I don’t know,” she admitted, “I doubt it would follow us to the huts and fires of the lizardmen in any case but truly I don’t know. Maybe if it does follow us close enough the Learned One may be able to discover something.” Tamora looked at the woman just behind her and felt a moment’s discomfort. She was not used to being unsure of herself in the wilderness. It was her duty to know, to protect and to guide and here she was admitting doubts and to a human – practically a stranger.

She took hold of her spear and settled the satchel over her shoulder. “Come,” she said, “we should move quickly”. So saying, she turned and strode back towards the camp.

[ 01-26-2007, 04:51 AM: Message edited by: Armen ]

Bas closed his eyes as he turned to the fire, allowing his vision to change to normal. He returned to his seat near the fire, just beyond his seated companions.

The druid took a deep breath and closed his eyes, hoping that meditation on the situation at hand might provide some insight.

Anne, Tamora, Bas, Gan, Evon

Anne and Tamora reached the camp again without incident, surprisingly enough, the bird continued to follow the ranger, apparently having taken a liking to her. The lizardmen seemed a bit puzzled by it, but didn't immediately crap it and turn it into their dinner, and neither did the bird try to peck out their eyes.

By the time they arrived, the campfire had been reduced to embers, leaving those sitting or lying around it shrouded by darkness, only barely lit by the faint glow. They got there only a few minutes after Bas.

As they got there, the lizardman started to unwrap the bundle he was carrying.


Lorath

Aside from the glow marking a few fish and other aquatic creatures, Lorath's infravision showed him little, it's reach was quite limited and the lack was almost three miles across. There were many places a beast, even one as big as the tentacled thing, could hide.

Without bait or a trip into the lake, it seemed unlikely that he'd find it.


Ulik

(OOC: This is Caleb's character.)

Ulik arrived by the shore of the lake, the trail had lead him exactly where he had been told it would, and on the far side he could see the campfires and torches of the village that was supposed to be there. Except for what he could see by the light of a moon that was barely there, by the light of the stars and with his infravision, all was pitch blackness.

The village was supposedly where they were, but he had not been followed and no one seemed to be watching over him. What to do about the new land and it's inhabitants was up to him. He knew what was expected of him, but without someone holding a knife to his throat, it was hard to force him.

In the palm of his right hand he felt the bone ring he had been handed, smooth and featureless but for the faint etchings along it's surface. Under his feet he felt the sandy shore of the lake, still wet from the rainstorm that had ended just as he arrived through the portal. The same storm had left a few fallen trees for him to climb over as he made his way along the trail earlier.

[ 01-26-2007, 12:56 PM: Message edited by: PurpleXVI ]

Tamora

Tamora sat down at the fire and looked at the old lizardman with the bundle. She looked questioningly at the others but they seemed to be waiting. She turned her attention back to the old one, tried to ignore the sound of the big bird pecking around the camp, and watched.

Lorath turned away from the lake, wondering how he was going to coax the tentacle monster back to the surface. For now, he thought it might be wise to get ready for the next day. He went back and sat down next to the fire, then opened his spellbook and began rememorizing his spells.

Upon seeing that the lizardman was unwrapping his bundle, he poked Gan to wake him up. "Hey," he whispered, "the lizardman's showing us his package. You might want to see this."

[ 01-26-2007, 10:14 PM: Message edited by: Man Who Fights Like Woman ]

Ulik heads towards the village and seeks out the group's campfire. When he reaches it, he hovers on the edge of it's light, as if he was afraid of the fire. He addresses who ever is present at the time "Greetings, I am Ulik, an adventurer from Rhost. I had heard of your passing through the portal before me and was wondering if I might join you? Safety in numbers and all that eh."

Ulik is wrapped in a heavy cloak that conceals most of his skin, but from what the group can see, Ulik is very tall, about 7'0", with a lanky build. He has disproportionately large ears, nose and extremities, like a dwarf, with a hirsute body and a long, black beard.

While he's waiting for a reply, he notices the birdlike creature and draws closer, licking his lips and rubbing his hands together, exposing large, sharp canines and nails, slightly green skin and a distinct odor that was like a mix of hot garbage and elderly people.

[ 01-26-2007, 10:29 PM: Message edited by: Caleb808 ]

Anne

At first she was surprised by the reptile-like bird following them, but gradually she got used to it trailing them by a couple dozen feet. Once back in camp, sitting next to the dying embers of the fire, Anne had positioned herself close to Tamora. No one seemed to inquire about what they had found, so Anne softly asked her scouting companion: "Have you looked at what was in the satchel yet?"

She noticed the new arrival at the edge of the camp-fire and took note of the way he watched the birdlike creature, but did not react to him in any way yet, more interested by the contents of what they had found attached to the creature's neck.

Tamora

"Not yet", she said quietly to Anne, "I was waiting for the old one first." She noted Ulik's presence but was unsure how to react. She was concerned about his appearance but not that much more than she had been by the first humans she had met. She decided to wait for Lorath and Gan's reaction and to follow their lead.

She slung the satchel off her shoulder and placed it casually between her and Anne and turned back to watch the bundle being unwrapped.

<u>Everyone</u>

The lizard-bird noticed Ulik's attention and stopped pecking at it's surroundings. Instead, it stood still for a moment and then, very carefully, walked in a wide circle around him to hide behind Tamora, it's eyes never leaving the robed man.

Apparently not bothered by the new arrival, the old lizardman finished unpacking his bundle, then threw the cloth aside. What he then held in his hands looked exactly like an elongated brain, except much larger than anything that could ever have fitted in a human's head. The only decorations on the thing were blue and black runes, running across the it in geometric patterns, the blue runes rhytmically pulsing with a faint light, like a heartbeat.

Grabbing the thing by one end, the lizardman held it a few feet over the embers of the fire and let go of it. Instead of hitting the cinders, however, it remained in the air. With a few gestures, it's owner motioned for them all to put one of their hands on it, even Ulik.

[ 01-27-2007, 12:43 PM: Message edited by: PurpleXVI ]

Lorath watched with fascination as the object hovered in the air. He'd seen people accomplish the same effect with spells, but the lizardman had spoken no arcane syllables, at least not that he heard. Whether it was being held in the air by innate magical power or if it was being fueled by the heat from the embers was unknown, but either way it was an accomplishment.

Never in his life had he seen anything like this. He always thought things like this had existed behind closed doors where he came from, but they never let him back there to see exactly what was there. When the lizardman motioned for them to feel it, there really wasn't any choice - he was going to anyways. Quickly his hand reached out and felt the object, going first for the pulsating blue runes.

Bas looked up in surprise at the large bird hiding behind Tamora. He studied it for a moment before slowly moving towards it for a closer look. Before he could reach the creature the giant brain was unwrapped.

The druid recoiled. This.... thing looked unnatural. He did not reach out to touch it, instead keeping a close eye on his companions who did so.

The new giant adventurer barely registered in the back of Bas' mind. He could only deal with so many new stimuli, and the brain was absorbing all of his attention for the moment. Once he was sure his companions were not being harmed by contact with the object, Bas would return his attention to the bird-like animal.

<font color=silver>Gan Vahnsen

The half elf awoke at Lorath's touch and at the elf's words, he nodded and murmured his thanks. Gan had been dreaming when he was woken and so, was not really with it. He nodded a polite 'hello' at the newcomer, mostly a reflex action than an actual conscious gesture.

He watched bemused as the old lizard unpacked his bundle, still only half taking everything in. At his command, Gan shrugged to himself and decided the lizards might take offence if he didn't obey their elder. Despite the warning feeling in the back of his head suggesting caution, he reached out and placed his hand on the 'brain'. It occured to him that perhaps this was their way of communing, and passing on knowledge. As far as position was concerned, his slender white hand was beside Lorath's, on the left.</font>