Under a Dark Sun(2nd Ed. AD&D) - Page 7

Kazilan · 03-25-2007, 07:04 PM

Bas enjoyed his time at watch, gazing at the stars and listening to the sounds of nature. As morning dawned he stretched and offered a silent thanks to the spirit of the place for the survival of himself and his companions. He hefted his staff in his right hand and walked to the river, taking a moment to rinse his wounds before joining the others.

"I'm ready to move out when you are. Tamora, I assume that you will take the lead?"

Armen · 03-26-2007, 08:55 AM

Tamora

Tamora nodded in response to Bas’ question. “I shall. The erdlu ran off into the jungle in roughly the direction we're heading so we should keep an eye open for him. But in truth I was already concerned that his being with us was not right but at the same time I was reluctant to force him away directly. I think then it is for the best that it no longer follows us. I will not search for it but rather let nature take its course.”

She slung her pack over her shoulder along with her bow and picked up her spear. Leaning on it slightly to take some weight off her injured leg she watched Balth and Anne make their last minute preparations.

[ 03-26-2007, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: Armen ]

PurpleXVI · 03-27-2007, 10:04 AM

Lorath, Evon, Ulik

Lorath spotted little with his infravision as he scanned the room, a few beetles and spiders were clinging to the ceiling, but aside from them, him and his companions, no one was in the room. At least no one that gave off a heat signature.

"What do your elf-eyes see, Lorath?" Asked Evon, who was inspecting some of the fungus on the ceiling, "Anything we need to be wary of?"

Tamora, Bas, Anne, Balth

Tamora easily managed to pry the long, curved claws and the creature's massive teeth loose, netting her four teeth and twelve claws(Three from each limb.).

After she was done with the grisly task, the group set out on the march once again, albeit at a slower pace, considering that Tamora, Balth and Anne were all limping along. Another one of the periodic rain storms, which struck only a day after the battle, didn't make going any easier, as the river swelled and overflowed it's normal banks, forcing them to either wade through soaked, marshy ground or the thick forest farther from the water.

By the time they arrived at the lake, they were a day later than they had expected to be. It was late in the afternoon, and with the sun descending towards the horizon, the temperature was dropping. Things were not quite the same as when they had left the area, though. The small lizardman village, located to the west of their arrival point, on the northeast shore of the lake, seemed to have swelled considerably in size. Upon closer inspection, most of the new structures were temporary, tents and lean-tos, but they still meant the village was almost twice as big as it had been before. The village didn't seem much more active or bustling than before, but there were many guards around the edges. All of them were armed with spears or javelins and seemed vigilant.

Other than that, the area looked like it had when they were last there.

(Everyone recovers 3 HP from three nights of normal rest. Bas is at 24, Tamora is at 36, Anne is at 26.)

Armen · 03-27-2007, 03:42 PM

Tamora

Tamora turned to the others. “Something seems to be wrong here. If you are willing I shall approach and seek entrance for us. These guards should be more relaxed with only one of us and hopefully they’ll remember me.” She cast a glance at Balth who was just emerging from the jungle a few yards away and looking towards the village. She drew close to Bas and whispered, “if we are separated I will try to get back to the clearing where we arrived. Remember that there will probably be guards we cannot see in the jungle”

Unless the others object, Tamora will walk towards the village, telling Balth to stay where he is as she passes. She’ll head towards, rather than seeking to avoid, the guards hoping to recognise someone from their earlier encounters. She’ll carry her spear casually over her shoulder as a hunter returning and will raise a hand in greeting once the guards show any sign of noticing her.

Man Who Fights Like Woman · 03-27-2007, 03:46 PM

Lorath, having cast his Strength, Cat's Grace, and renewing his Armor spell before stepping through the portal, was confident that if somethign went down, he would be able to handle it. "My elf eyes spot nothing. If we are truly alone as they show me, then we should get through the door quickly before it returns." The elf, steeled for battle and ready to purge the unclean, moved to open the door.

Kazilan · 03-27-2007, 04:30 PM

Bas nodded at Tamora's words and waited as she approached the village. The druid leaned on his staff and examined the new tents, worried that some strange force was driving these people out of the jungle. Whatever was at work here, it could be a threat to him and his companions.

"Balth, do you know anything of these lizard people?"

Caleb808 · 03-28-2007, 06:37 AM

"Let's go then and be quick about it."
Ulik moves behind Lorath, but faces the opposite direction, still wary of something coming up behind them once the door was open.

PurpleXVI · 03-28-2007, 09:25 AM

Lorath, Ulik, Evon

"Indeed, get it over with, Lorath," said Evon, who had draw his short sword in preparation for anything bad, and was watching the direction away from the door like Ulik was, but seemed a bit nervous, as he stuttered the occasional word, "J-jam it in already and let's see what's on the other side."

The door's mouth closed itself around the elf's hand, and again he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he was being tasted, there was a mild prick in the palm of his hand, like the tip of a needle, and then the mouth let go. As he pulled out his hand, the door's root-like tentacles moved aside to permit the group to pass.

On the other side of the door, just a few paces in, was a stair. It was short, but extremely steep, rising about seven feet upwards in three feet of distance, and it was almost more climbing than walking to get to the top of it. Once they had gotten up, and well out of the water, they found themselves at one end of a rectangular chamber. Everywhere in the chamber there were wooden pedestals, most in varying states in of disrepair, many appeared to be rotting and others had already collapsed.

Each pedestal was about as wide as a man's thigh and rose to waist-level, ending in a sort of four-fingered claw that, for the ones still standing, held more of the crystal spheres Ulik had found to contain symbiotes earlier. The many spheres scattered across the floor, several of them cracked and damaged, suggested that the broken pedestals had also held spheres once. A quick count brought the number of spheres to at least a hundred, possibly more.

Between the spheres and pedestals, it took careful steps and twisting to avoid bumping into anything. It was as though the interior had been designed for people smaller than the three explorers.

Aside from the damaged fixtures the room seemed in much better repair than the rest of the complex. No roots intruded through the ceiling, and except for the water that they was dripping off them and unto the floor, the place was dry.

At the far end of the room was a wide niche which seemed to contain a stone tub about large enough for Ulik to get into. It was full to the brim with a brown, watery liquid, they could see that even from where they were, at the other end, which seemed to be bubbling faintly. The liquid was completely opaque an inch or so below the top.

Anne, Bas, Balth

"Not a damn thing except they're lizards and people," replied Balth to Bas, as Tamora wandered off towards the village, he shaded his eyes with his hands as he looked towards her, trying to avoid the sun blinding him, "And she's headed right for them, huh, sure hope she knows what she's doing." He sat down on a mossy rock at the edge of the treeline, "I've never met one of these lizard people before, didn't think they existed at all. I'd heard they were extinct."

Tamora

As Tamora approached the village, she could see the nearest guards had spotted her, they still held their spears and javelins upright, butts planted in the sand, rather than levelling them at her. They did not appear to be preparing to impale her, possibly because she was alone and therefore not a threat, but they kept their eyes on her.

Upon closer inspection, she saw that the lizardmen were also wearing what looked like war paint, striking patterns of ochres and bright reds painted across their chests and faces.

When she made her friendly gesture, one of the guards stepped forward and returned it, in a way. Rather than a raised hand, he thrust out his free arm straight in front of him and opened his palm towards her, clearly warning her to stop where she was.

(OOC: This next bit checked with Armen.)

When Tamora stopped, he turned his head and yelled a command at one of the other guards, who raced off into the camp for indiscernable reasons. The other guards kept their eyes on the ranger, not letting down their guard for a moment.

Armen · 03-29-2007, 02:42 AM

Tamora

Tamora had nodded to the guard who had indicated she should stop and she had done so immediately. Leaning on her spear, she tied to appear casual while intently studying the village for clues to what was happening. The brightness of their war paint, if that was what it was, surprised her. She would have expected the jungle hunters to decorate themselves in a manner to help them blend into their surroundings. There was really no way of knowing and, not for the first time on this still strange world, she would have to wait and see.

She took a glance behind her to see where the others were and what they were doing and also looked towards the jungle picking out exit routes for if things went badly wrong here. And then another mystery struck her. Why had they not been stopped by a patrol before they even got this far? So, thinking and wondering, Tamora waited.

Kazilan · 03-29-2007, 06:54 PM

Bas kept his eyes on Tamora and the guards as they interacted.

In response to Balth's comments, Bas said, "We encountered the lizard people here before, and they weren't hostile to us. There is an aggressive predator in the lake, however, so be sure to stay away from the shore."

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03-25-2007, 07:04 PM	#61
Kazilan Elminster Join Date: October 31, 2003 Location: USA Age: 42 Posts: 485	Bas enjoyed his time at watch, gazing at the stars and listening to the sounds of nature. As morning dawned he stretched and offered a silent thanks to the spirit of the place for the survival of himself and his companions. He hefted his staff in his right hand and walked to the river, taking a moment to rinse his wounds before joining the others. "I'm ready to move out when you are. Tamora, I assume that you will take the lead?"

03-26-2007, 08:55 AM	#62
Armen Symbol of Cyric Join Date: February 11, 2003 Location: UK Age: 54 Posts: 1,375	Tamora Tamora nodded in response to Bas’ question. “I shall. The erdlu ran off into the jungle in roughly the direction we're heading so we should keep an eye open for him. But in truth I was already concerned that his being with us was not right but at the same time I was reluctant to force him away directly. I think then it is for the best that it no longer follows us. I will not search for it but rather let nature take its course.” She slung her pack over her shoulder along with her bow and picked up her spear. Leaning on it slightly to take some weight off her injured leg she watched Balth and Anne make their last minute preparations. [ 03-26-2007, 09:35 AM: Message edited by: Armen ]

03-27-2007, 10:04 AM	#63
PurpleXVI Emerald Dragon Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Denmark Age: 38 Posts: 903	Lorath, Evon, Ulik Lorath spotted little with his infravision as he scanned the room, a few beetles and spiders were clinging to the ceiling, but aside from them, him and his companions, no one was in the room. At least no one that gave off a heat signature. "What do your elf-eyes see, Lorath?" Asked Evon, who was inspecting some of the fungus on the ceiling, "Anything we need to be wary of?" Tamora, Bas, Anne, Balth Tamora easily managed to pry the long, curved claws and the creature's massive teeth loose, netting her four teeth and twelve claws(Three from each limb.). After she was done with the grisly task, the group set out on the march once again, albeit at a slower pace, considering that Tamora, Balth and Anne were all limping along. Another one of the periodic rain storms, which struck only a day after the battle, didn't make going any easier, as the river swelled and overflowed it's normal banks, forcing them to either wade through soaked, marshy ground or the thick forest farther from the water. By the time they arrived at the lake, they were a day later than they had expected to be. It was late in the afternoon, and with the sun descending towards the horizon, the temperature was dropping. Things were not quite the same as when they had left the area, though. The small lizardman village, located to the west of their arrival point, on the northeast shore of the lake, seemed to have swelled considerably in size. Upon closer inspection, most of the new structures were temporary, tents and lean-tos, but they still meant the village was almost twice as big as it had been before. The village didn't seem much more active or bustling than before, but there were many guards around the edges. All of them were armed with spears or javelins and seemed vigilant. Other than that, the area looked like it had when they were last there. (Everyone recovers 3 HP from three nights of normal rest. Bas is at 24, Tamora is at 36, Anne is at 26.)

03-27-2007, 03:42 PM	#64
Armen Symbol of Cyric Join Date: February 11, 2003 Location: UK Age: 54 Posts: 1,375	Tamora Tamora turned to the others. “Something seems to be wrong here. If you are willing I shall approach and seek entrance for us. These guards should be more relaxed with only one of us and hopefully they’ll remember me.” She cast a glance at Balth who was just emerging from the jungle a few yards away and looking towards the village. She drew close to Bas and whispered, “if we are separated I will try to get back to the clearing where we arrived. Remember that there will probably be guards we cannot see in the jungle” Unless the others object, Tamora will walk towards the village, telling Balth to stay where he is as she passes. She’ll head towards, rather than seeking to avoid, the guards hoping to recognise someone from their earlier encounters. She’ll carry her spear casually over her shoulder as a hunter returning and will raise a hand in greeting once the guards show any sign of noticing her.

03-27-2007, 03:46 PM	#65
Man Who Fights Like Woman Manshoon Join Date: January 4, 2007 Location: USA Age: 37 Posts: 218	Lorath, having cast his Strength, Cat's Grace, and renewing his Armor spell before stepping through the portal, was confident that if somethign went down, he would be able to handle it. "My elf eyes spot nothing. If we are truly alone as they show me, then we should get through the door quickly before it returns." The elf, steeled for battle and ready to purge the unclean, moved to open the door.

03-27-2007, 04:30 PM	#66
Kazilan Elminster Join Date: October 31, 2003 Location: USA Age: 42 Posts: 485	Bas nodded at Tamora's words and waited as she approached the village. The druid leaned on his staff and examined the new tents, worried that some strange force was driving these people out of the jungle. Whatever was at work here, it could be a threat to him and his companions. "Balth, do you know anything of these lizard people?"

03-28-2007, 06:37 AM	#67
Caleb808 Dungeon Master Join Date: January 17, 2007 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Age: 39 Posts: 89	"Let's go then and be quick about it." Ulik moves behind Lorath, but faces the opposite direction, still wary of something coming up behind them once the door was open.

03-28-2007, 09:25 AM	#68
PurpleXVI Emerald Dragon Join Date: April 6, 2005 Location: Denmark Age: 38 Posts: 903	Lorath, Ulik, Evon "Indeed, get it over with, Lorath," said Evon, who had draw his short sword in preparation for anything bad, and was watching the direction away from the door like Ulik was, but seemed a bit nervous, as he stuttered the occasional word, "J-jam it in already and let's see what's on the other side." The door's mouth closed itself around the elf's hand, and again he couldn't quite shake the feeling that he was being tasted, there was a mild prick in the palm of his hand, like the tip of a needle, and then the mouth let go. As he pulled out his hand, the door's root-like tentacles moved aside to permit the group to pass. On the other side of the door, just a few paces in, was a stair. It was short, but extremely steep, rising about seven feet upwards in three feet of distance, and it was almost more climbing than walking to get to the top of it. Once they had gotten up, and well out of the water, they found themselves at one end of a rectangular chamber. Everywhere in the chamber there were wooden pedestals, most in varying states in of disrepair, many appeared to be rotting and others had already collapsed. Each pedestal was about as wide as a man's thigh and rose to waist-level, ending in a sort of four-fingered claw that, for the ones still standing, held more of the crystal spheres Ulik had found to contain symbiotes earlier. The many spheres scattered across the floor, several of them cracked and damaged, suggested that the broken pedestals had also held spheres once. A quick count brought the number of spheres to at least a hundred, possibly more. Between the spheres and pedestals, it took careful steps and twisting to avoid bumping into anything. It was as though the interior had been designed for people smaller than the three explorers. Aside from the damaged fixtures the room seemed in much better repair than the rest of the complex. No roots intruded through the ceiling, and except for the water that they was dripping off them and unto the floor, the place was dry. At the far end of the room was a wide niche which seemed to contain a stone tub about large enough for Ulik to get into. It was full to the brim with a brown, watery liquid, they could see that even from where they were, at the other end, which seemed to be bubbling faintly. The liquid was completely opaque an inch or so below the top. Anne, Bas, Balth "Not a damn thing except they're lizards and people," replied Balth to Bas, as Tamora wandered off towards the village, he shaded his eyes with his hands as he looked towards her, trying to avoid the sun blinding him, "And she's headed right for them, huh, sure hope she knows what she's doing." He sat down on a mossy rock at the edge of the treeline, "I've never met one of these lizard people before, didn't think they existed at all. I'd heard they were extinct." Tamora As Tamora approached the village, she could see the nearest guards had spotted her, they still held their spears and javelins upright, butts planted in the sand, rather than levelling them at her. They did not appear to be preparing to impale her, possibly because she was alone and therefore not a threat, but they kept their eyes on her. Upon closer inspection, she saw that the lizardmen were also wearing what looked like war paint, striking patterns of ochres and bright reds painted across their chests and faces. When she made her friendly gesture, one of the guards stepped forward and returned it, in a way. Rather than a raised hand, he thrust out his free arm straight in front of him and opened his palm towards her, clearly warning her to stop where she was. (OOC: This next bit checked with Armen.) When Tamora stopped, he turned his head and yelled a command at one of the other guards, who raced off into the camp for indiscernable reasons. The other guards kept their eyes on the ranger, not letting down their guard for a moment.

03-29-2007, 02:42 AM	#69
Armen Symbol of Cyric Join Date: February 11, 2003 Location: UK Age: 54 Posts: 1,375	Tamora Tamora had nodded to the guard who had indicated she should stop and she had done so immediately. Leaning on her spear, she tied to appear casual while intently studying the village for clues to what was happening. The brightness of their war paint, if that was what it was, surprised her. She would have expected the jungle hunters to decorate themselves in a manner to help them blend into their surroundings. There was really no way of knowing and, not for the first time on this still strange world, she would have to wait and see. She took a glance behind her to see where the others were and what they were doing and also looked towards the jungle picking out exit routes for if things went badly wrong here. And then another mystery struck her. Why had they not been stopped by a patrol before they even got this far? So, thinking and wondering, Tamora waited.

03-29-2007, 06:54 PM	#70
Kazilan Elminster Join Date: October 31, 2003 Location: USA Age: 42 Posts: 485	Bas kept his eyes on Tamora and the guards as they interacted. In response to Balth's comments, Bas said, "We encountered the lizard people here before, and they weren't hostile to us. There is an aggressive predator in the lake, however, so be sure to stay away from the shore."

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