OOC: Those who decide to take the left hallway, join this thread! [hr] [/hr]
The worn marble under their feet seemed to suggest this hallway had been well used at one time unless one held the theory that countless rats had traversed this way, a theory which some folks believed. The wide hallway was level and smooth and not at all troublesome to walk upon. Far from straight however, the wide hall seemed to bend a bit, enough so that seeing more than about 20 paces was impossible as you only saw the gentle curve of the wall. Winding back and forth through the rock, eventually, this passageway emptied into a small room, nearly square, about 20 paces across and 25 paces long.
Benches lined the walls here and to the right, was an exit into another hall. The walls were painted frescos, depicting Grandfather Kennis and his people, gay pictures alive with color and life. Amazingly, the colors had not faded much though they did have a darker, almost dirty look to them as if soot from a fire had coated the walls.
Last edited by Shaeliana on Mon Feb 23, 2004 3:51 am, edited 5 times in total.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
Having nothing more to say to the people in either group and not very happy with the Ramsel-Ahn, he strode through the hallway first. Alarmed a bit by the curving halls, he still remained strangely relaxed, almost calm. Like nothing could go wrong. But, logic kicked in. It could become really ugly, really fast. He shook his head and unstraped the mace from his belt and a shiedl from his back. Wincing slightly to the clanking sound that made he continued down the hall, until it opened into a room.
Raising his hand to halt the others, he peered into the room carefully. Nothing seemed wrong. Nothing apart from the fact that something was burned down here some time ago.
Taking another carefull look he proceded to the room, keeping to the walls. It was not easy, but he managed to keep himself from exploring the room and proceded to the other doorway. He planned to keep an eye for trouble while others explored the room.
FORTH they went, the troubled two
To see the world and kick ass too!
[b]Syrawenn and Gavin Saga, Verse 1-2[/b]
It was a cold and evil place Anarión now entered. The evil pulsated inside, and he could feel it's lust to be gone with them. We are intruders on it's ground and have no right to be here. But if we are to help the old man and free this place from the evil harbouring here, we have no choice but to continue. And with that he entered the hallway after Gavin.
The long, narrow tunnel had once been a place of joy and good, with it's once so beautiful marble floors and it's smooth walls. It was not very far the group could see at first. The hall curved slightly, and left only to one's imagination to think of the dangers ahead.
Anarión followed Gavin and soon they approached a larger room. Gavin entered the rooms first, keeping to the walls, and after him Anarión. He decided to stay to the other side and also glue himself to the walls. There was no way of knowing what was inside the rooms, so they entered with caution.
His keen elven eyes soon got accustomed to the dark, and around him Anarión could watch amazing frescos of Grandfather Kennis and other lively parties. Nothing of what he had expected, though the old man had told them this was once a place of good.
Goldentree fallowed the others in the corridor, that once represented the glory of the temple and now represents death and sorrow. He entered the hall right after Anarión and walked, too with his back to the wall, he went to Gavin's side and stayed there, waiting the others to arrive.
The pictured obviously showed the happiness that was here before, and Goldentree work hard to remember what was in it, maybe this will help them in their way.
Because he couldn't see what was going on farther more he decided that this is the best time to take out his bow. He hung the lept to his belt and took his bow and one arrow, replacing in on the string, and ready for a quick move, just in case.
A soft cool breeze flowed through the halls, so soft it was barely noticable. The room seemed innocuous enough as the adventurers hugged the walls in an effort to protect their backs. However, the temple had many secrets, one of which the seekers were about to discover.
Imperceptible in the blueish glow of their lantern sticks, the small insects had developed to take on the coloring of their surroundings and this part of the temple had become their home. On the right side of the room, a small crack led down into the depths where thousands of eggs were nurtured, the keepers patiently awaiting the newest hatchlings. The rest of the adults, the warriors and food gatherers, lived outside the nest, on the walls.
Never had the insects seen such foes, dangerous large beings that could move at will and would no doubt cause great havoc. Protecting the nest was vital and tantimount. As the seekers pressed against the walls, the walnut sized bugs began to move, swiftly swarming down over the unwary victims, small mandibles seeking soft flesh to tear and cut. The enemy must be destroyed.
And so they moved, thousands of the hard shelled six legged insects marched forward as if an army, touching Anarion first followed by Gavin almost immediately and reaching Goldentree a burn later.
Last edited by Shaeliana on Sat Feb 14, 2004 5:33 am, edited 1 time in total.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
Witht their backs to the walls, Anarión figured they would be up for a frontal assualt if there ever was one. But alas, they were cruelly mistaken. Something invisible from the walls swarmed over first himself, then his companions. Insects of some unusual sort...
"Ed' i'ear ar' elenea!" Anarión called out with surprise when the small bugs attacked them, images flashed through his mind. Fire was always the better way to kill or just scare insect, but Anarión was not about to set himself on fire.
Left with little choice, the tall High Elf now in very lively coloured clothing, crashed to the floor in a desperate effort to rid himself of the attackers. He began to roll around, clutching his head for protection, so to squeeze the little critters. Round and around until he felt dizzy.
"To the ground, roll around," he yelled at his companions.
Goldentree stood there, in the darkness of the hall, waited for more people to come. As they waited in silence his senses sharpened. He thought he heard some noises above. but he ignored it, he thought it was imagination.
As the insects reached him he did exactly what Anarión did. After some moments of rolling on the ground he thought that the light probably scare those creatures, that are used to live in the darkness.
He tried to reach and release his lamp from his belt, and to remove those flesh- eating insects.
As soon as he felt the first couple of bites, Gavin's hand flew to his back. He clutched a bug and immediately realized why the walls were scorched. But, the pain prevented him from clear thinking. All he could do was get away from the wall. So he jumped and ran towards the right doorway.
As soon as he reached the doorway he heard Anarion yell to drop and roll. And took his advice. With a loud clank he fell to the ground and started to roll furiously. He regreted it soon enough as the mace hit him in the stomach. But, he still kept rolling.
FORTH they went, the troubled two
To see the world and kick ass too!
[b]Syrawenn and Gavin Saga, Verse 1-2[/b]
Amica did love the darkness, an attitude etched into her being after many yahren of life in the harsh desert wastelands of Terra Incognita. There the desert lived, and the sun ruled supreme, and those that would cross it's rolling, dune-covered expanse did so at great peril from the likes of raiders, dragons, and creatures better left unnamed. But it was not these perils that claimed the most lives in that country: it was the desert itself, for just as it lived, it hated, and the People of the Sands had long since learned to travel by night and in darkness to survive.
Her eyes were things she had learned to distrust, for they could be deceived so easily. Even the desert, with it's malevolent cunning, could trick her eyes to see what was not there. Within these corridors, she would rely upon her nose to smell her surroundings and her ears to hear coming danger...
"To the ground, roll around..." came a shout, easily heard down the corridor to her left. There were others within, souls that braved these passages for whatever reasons they had. Ami did not know how she came to be here, but she knew why, for this was a spirit quest, and she must do her part to resolve the torment within these walls as part of her journey. And the voice she heard seemed to be in pain. I am late!
Turning towards the voice, she sped down the curving corridor, her movements not unlike the lynx or the coyote: deliberate, swift, and light of foot, though the strong thumps of her leather souls striking the floor below could be easily heard even over her own thunderous heartbeat that hammered all through her head. Bursting into the room, she glanced around quickly and found several people twitching and rolling upon the ground as if they were on fire.
"Art cursed? What magic ails you?" she muttered, staring at them with confused horror before she noticed the insects climbing down the walls. At least it isn't magic. They will live through this, with any luck at all... she thought, watching the floor near her feet towards the center of the room for any of the little creatures. And yet they may be poisonous. I must know.
Most smaller creatures in her homeland were venomous in some way, from the scorpions that found homes in carelessly placed boots to the hypnotically colored snakes that could blend in with the sands so well they went largely unseen. Ami tried to collect the corpse of one such bug...there would be many around these adventurers, and she could always step upon one that strayed too close to her...and she would test it upon her own flesh as soon as they escaped this room. Moving over to the bearded warrior (Gavin), she slipped beyond him to the next passage and crouched low to call back to them in a steady voice.
"Flee towards me, and they will not give you chase..." she called, providing them a sound to which they could move if they needed it. Her words were but a theory only, and one she could only believe based on how any other hive of insects would behave.
Away from the wall he rolled, away from the small, attacking creatures. Anarión knew the forest and the beast of the woods, but this was something very differen. These creatures were of some kind he had never experienced before.
A voice inside of Anarión told him him of the old forest, and the way he had traveled every inch of it. Once he had encountered a wolf with her younglings, and he had had to flee from her rage. But when he was far enough away from her kittens, she had halted and left him.
Maybe all the little bugs were only protecting their ground, so they would leave him alone when he moved away. Anarión stumbled to his feet, when he heard a whispering from not far away. Hurrying towards the sound the tall High Elf attempted to brush of the attackers from his shoulders.
Gavin barely noticed the girl as she ran by.But, he heard her well enough. The pain was still there, but he willed it away and rose slowly. The bugs continued to bite him, but he knew the girl was right. So he ran after her with all the strength he could muster and repeated to himself. Keep going. Keep going. The pain is not there. They are just tiny bugs and they can't hurt you. You are fine. The pain was still there but he repeated the chant as he ran after the girl.
FORTH they went, the troubled two
To see the world and kick ass too!
[b]Syrawenn and Gavin Saga, Verse 1-2[/b]
Goldentree gave up his attempts to reach his lamp, the pain was too high and all he could do was to throw this pests away from him and role over. Time had lost it tracks as he fought those creature, and fought the pain that wanted to over-run him. When he heard the woman's voice he knew he needs to do what she is saying, just for doing something else but senseless rolling.
He tried to get up, it took him several moments but he managed, he could se the others running to the same place that he was heading. He was covered with bugs, they were on his clothes, under his clothes and on his body. As he started to run he saw his bow and quiver which he dropped in the rolling, he picked them up and ran, as fast as he could, ignoring the pain, to the voice of the woman.
Their mission, to protect and nurture the nest. And so they did, attacking the interlopers with a savage intensity bent on destruction. As the seekers rolled on the floor, the crisp sound of hard shells crunching under their weight, more bugs joined those that had given their lives, for that was their purpose for being. Some sought the death of the enemy while others checked this new prey out for a potential meal. Hatchlings need food after all.
Aware of the danger before entering the room, Amica managed to tiptoe her way through the room with little damage though she did suffer a healthy number of bites on her ankles and lower legs. While the bites did tend to swell a bit, there was no sign of a poison that might be dangerous to the adventurers.
It wasn't long before the food gatherers had left Gavin, not caring for the taste of him and as he made his way out into the waiting hallway to join the newcomer, the militant insects did not follow, but swarmed back to the room as he knocked them off his broad shoulders.
One by one, the others made their way out of the nightmare of crawling bites, the stinging raw places starting to itch mildly. But while the bites were annoying, there was no blood loss or poisoning and the seekers remained in full control of their senses.
The hallway they had fled went about 10 paces before it once again split, one wide corridor headed to the right while to the left was a narrow corridor. Both were too dark to see where they led.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
Ami crouched in the darkness, balanced upon the balls of her feet, waiting until the rest of the adventurers were clear of the room. As they came clear, she checked them for the cursed creatures that had plagued them, relieved to know that no venom would force their withdrawal. Once she was convinced that these men were unhurt, she spoke, though she did so in a low tone as if too much noise might shatter the walls around her.
"I am called Amica Tempastatis of the Tribus Negri. You would honor me to call me Ami..." she said, examining these men as well as she could in such dim light. Two were elves...and they brought longbows, which would not help them much in this cavern. Still, they were small, quick, and quiet. The large man, however, was different: he was armored well in the fashion of the wetlanders, and was easily larger than most men she had seen before. He would not move with the same silence as the elves, but he would be undeniable should they find a creature worthy of combat.
She spoke again, her accent making it clear that the common human tongue was not her native language. "Perhaps we might benefit to move within our strengths. A Quessir to scout to the fore and rear..." she motioned to the elves "and your strength to anchor us," she nodded to Gavin as she loosened her cloak such that she might use her spear more effectively. "We must continue to keep an unbroken wall to our left, else we lose our way in these catacombs..." she finished, squinting down the narrow corridor to the left with some anxiety.
Goldentree collapsed to the ground when he stoped running. He knew the bites weren't deep, but it still hurt him and the memory alone brought shimmers to his spine.
He got a grip on himself and stood up just when amica started to talk. Goldentree nodded and said: "Hallo Ami, I thank you for rescuing us, we owe our life to you." after several moments of thinking he said: "I want to go in the front, it that is fine with you all, oh and by the way, my name is Goldentree".
He didn't know why he did this, running so foolishly to danger, but somehow he didn't care so much, he wanted to prove to himself that he can.
Last edited by goldentree on Mon Feb 16, 2004 2:24 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Gavin waited a few moments to catch his breath while the girl spoke. There was wisdom in her words and he was glad she came along. He had no problems with following orders especially if they were wise.
"My name is Gavin, Ami, and I see wisdom in you. If we keep to the left we will explore the entire complex eventually and we take little risk in losing our way. So who takes the front and who takes the rear?"
FORTH they went, the troubled two
To see the world and kick ass too!
[b]Syrawenn and Gavin Saga, Verse 1-2[/b]
That other High Elf had no pride, and though she was correct to a certain degree, the foreigner, Ami, had not saved their lives. The three had been in a tight spot, but Anarión was confident they could have managed fine by themselves.
Attempting not to offend Ami, the blue-eyed High Elf spoke to all, "Saving our lives? Please do not take this the wrong way, Ami. But Goldentree, I believe we could have handled the little critters fine," finishing his little speech before turning his full attention only to his fellow kinsman and spoke in elven.
"Pull yourself together, Goldentree, you are an Elf and with that comes much. Do not let me see you embarrass us and our kin in front of humans again. Ever. Much is expected from an Elf!"
Anarión had not meant it to be so harsh, but Goldentree needed to brace himself. This was only the beginning of a long adventure, and the attack only a small taste of what lay ahead. Next time he would be prepared, and so would Goldentree. Anarión would see to that himself.
"Let us go then. I will guard the rear, but I wonder, Ami, where will you be? With Gavin? I say you go in front with Goldentree. Four eyes at front can see more than two, even though yours might not be as sharp as a High Elf's."
Last edited by Anarión Herunna on Mon Feb 16, 2004 6:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Smiling at Goldentree's misplaced gratitude, she opened her mouth to point out that the creatures were not harmful, and his life had never been in jeopardy for a moment. The unnamed elf managed to do this for her, however, as well as to lecture Goldentree on how a proper elf might act. She closed her mouth at this and waited, glancing at Gavin with some confusion. When he proposed that she might move ahead with Goldentree, she returned her attention to the elf with a sudden jerk of her head.
"No," she responded instantly. She imagined how impossible it would be for her magics to help them if she were in such a place. She also could not imagine that she could be as quiet as Goldentree. "It is not eyes we seek, but silence. Until my skills are needed, I will keep my spear by Gavin. Go ahead, Goldentree: do not be in haste, and return to us if you find something amiss. We will follow but ten paces behind."
Ami had only met a few elves. They did not enjoy the desert at all, and usually remained in the forests far to the North. When she had had occasion to meet them in the past, they were often very friendly, easily trading with the tribes and sharing their camps readily. They did not seem overly proud in those rare moments. But then, the desert humbles us all...and binds us together against her... she considered, as she wrapped one of her scarves around her head to cover her face and mouth, a common practice in the sand-swept countryside, especially before a battle.
Giving Goldentree perhaps twenty flickers to pull ahead down the left corridor, she motioned to Gavin and set off with him, still sniffing the air for signs of what might await them.
Goldentree was not a man (or Elf) that talks before he thinks about what he's saying but now the words flew out from his mouth, he pointed his words to Anarión: "(In Elvish) As an ELF, you should appreciate life, especially your own, if this woman was not here me AND you were still rolling on the ground, covered with those bugs, I guess I know why you hate humans, but in this place we need to leave our racism behind and work together!"
He didn't wait for a response, he looked at Ami and said: "I will not disappoint you all, I will move quickly and quietly, I will inform you as the wall to the left will come to a stop, then we will decide where to go"
He pulled an arrow from his quiver, his first one was lost in the room they came from, and he didn't want to go back in, and placed it on his bow, ready to draw and aim, his daggers were at reach on his belt, he was ready.
He started to walk, but stopped almost immediately, the corridor had split to two corridors, he waited others to come ans said: "Where do you think we need to go? I prefer the narrow one, maybe there it will help us to defend ourself in the best way".
Last edited by goldentree on Mon Feb 16, 2004 8:01 pm, edited 3 times in total.
All the time since they entered the dungeon, theodred felt like he was walking through molasses, athough he moved no slower than others in his group. Even worse, thick feeling clung to his mouth and he wasn't unable to speak. But the feeling was gone now, he had no idea if it was because they were deeper in the coridors, or maybe a bug bite somehow dispelled it. Whatever the reason, he felt anger rising in his chest.
"Now, really, Anarion. I am aware you're proud of your heritage, but that's no reason to despise ours. the way you were born gives you no rights over us. ", he swept his arm in a wide arc around them. "this is a dangerous place. if we don't stick together, we won't survive. We don't ave to like each other, although it's preferable.", he inhaled deeply. "But at least we can be tolerant."
he drew his sword, and, satisfied with the way it felt in his hand, spoke "I am willing to take the front or rear, whichever suits the rest of you. I'm not afraid to take a brunt of next attack, whatever it is. What say you?"
Here, the floor had evened out and the narrow hallway no longer seemed to descend. A floor made of some sort of rough sandstone, a sharp contrast to the smooth surface of the marble. Moving further into the corridor, the air took on an old moldy smell, growing stronger as they moved along. However, no insects followed and the walls and ceiling were unremarkable save for the metal torch holder which now stood empty.
Only about ten paces down the hall, it curved gently to the right revealing another long hall. This passageway was nearly forty steps before it emptied into a large room, shaped much like two diamond shapes that intersected. Crates and barrels lined the walls of the first room. The smaller diamond shaped room was lined with shelves containing an assortment of jars, bottles, tins and sacks.
[color=hotpink][i]The secret of success is sincerity. Once you can fake that you've got it made.
- Andolin
[/i][/color]
She could not understand the words the elves exchanged now, but she could not miss their meaning. Regardless, she waited until they seemed to have stopped before she nodded towards the narrow corridor on the left. "We will take the left turn, Quessir. In all ways, we will keep the wall to our left. Take all turns and doors in that way, such that we will not become lost."
Once the elf was on his way, Ami turned to the newcomer, her smile hidden under her face scarf. "Greetings, warrior. The elves will use their ears and silence to warn of us enemies, and we will stand ready to respond. The elf named Goldentree scouts ahead. This man is called Gavin. I am called Ami. I do not know this one's name, but he will scout behind us such that we are not trapped or taken unaware...." she said, inspecting the new arrival and the heavy armor he also wore.
Ami was already comfortable that they would not be surprised or ambushed. With another large warrior, they could not be overcome easily as well. And what of black magic? she thought, as she waited for Goldentree to move far enough ahead before she set out down the corridor. Will I be able to protect them against the curses of another witch or djinni? Perhaps I will not. But I could certainly buy them time...
Surprised that he did not hear the young Paladin approach, Gavin still remained calm. And he smiled when he saw him. It was good that he decided to come this way. The other group seemed different. They argued a lot and everyone seemed eager to lead.
Highlander listened to the exchange between Ami and the knight. He pointed to the elf at the rear.
"That one's name is Anarion, I believe. I am glad you decided to come with us. I am honored to stand by your side." - he said to the young Paladin. "Might I know your name as you already know mine?"
FORTH they went, the troubled two
To see the world and kick ass too!
[b]Syrawenn and Gavin Saga, Verse 1-2[/b]
Humans were of a kind, unmistakably they always jumped to conclusions. Haste, as if it was not time enough, the Gods willing, in a lifespan to accomplish what one set out to do. Anarión was furious with the newcomer and Goldentree, none of the two had listened closely to his words. Speaking in common so to address the both, "You both misinterpret my words, and take your harsh words elsewhere. I agree, we need to stay as a group to be strong, yet there is no need to be overly friendly."
"You say I am racist, Goldentree. When did I utter a disapproving words of the human race? If those bugs had been venomous, you and I had been dead long ago!"
"And since when was it the custom of humans to put one's hand between the hammer and the anvil, Theodred, next time don't bother to get mixed up in elven affairs! I did not speak even a word of your race, paladin!"
Anarión was surprised to see the Wood Elf also hastily read more into the words than had been spoken earlier. The life in the forest, busying oneself with trees and nature. Somewhere this particular elf had lost the elven way, somewhat disappointed it was up to him to claim the elven heritage here, Anarión walked to the rear of the band.
Last edited by Anarión Herunna on Tue Feb 17, 2004 8:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
Goldentree wanted to laugh at Anarión's face, he almost did, but took a grip on himself at the last moment, he didn't want more arguments.
Goldentree lived most of his life on Pan's isle, and there he never met humans. On his ship for TAQ he met several. Some of them where just as the Elves in his homeland pictured them: noisy, hasty and sometimes even cruel, but several of them where honest people, brave and good people, friendly and they lived their short lifes as the best as they can. Goldentree learned a while ago that humans are much more then some Elves say they are, he was surprised Anarión haven't got the chance to learn it too.
He moved on, getting ahead from everybody, but not too far. He moved in silence, silence that was sometimes broken by the sound of the people that walked behind him. As he walked he sniffed the air and felt the mold in the air, this tunnels haven't been in use for a long time.
As he reached the passageway before the long hall, there he waited for them all to arrive, when they did he said quietly: "Which room do you think we need to go to?"
