HYPERBOREA » The Scorched Sanctuary

Eirvit · 5/12/2021 6:33 pm

Gundrabu interposes himself between Kondor and the immediate object of his ire.

“Peace, my barbaric friend. Hear you not that these speak like men?”

Gundrabu turns to the beast man who spoke, looks him up and down. “And dresses like them, besides?”

Gundrabu speaks more directly to this beast man. “Please enlighten me. What did we to result in this... ‘misfortune’ that you term your current condition? And who is this ‘He’ of whom ye speak?”

SullyB74 · 5/12/2021 6:37 pm

"Sky ships? What manner of sorcery is that?"

Iron Ranger · 5/12/2021 6:53 pm

The beast man again sniffs the air, then answers, "A night vessel from another place. Come, something foreign is on the draft. We may be watched. Let us to safer places."

Several of the beast men turn and move off down the tunnel toward shaft where the lighted daggers were placed.

SullyB74 · 5/12/2021 7:28 pm

Tillak moves to follow the beastmen, then pauses, looking at his fellows to see if they'll follow the beast men. Then, something tickles his memory.

"12 years??!!" he gasps.

Eirvit · 5/13/2021 8:20 am

Gundrabu follows eagerly.

fireinthedust · 5/13/2021 10:11 am

Kondor lowers and sheaths his blade, but keeps his hand on the hilt as he follows.

Iron Ranger · 5/13/2021 11:38 am

The beast man nods and slips the bronze rod back up his sleeve as he turns and moves off.
"Quickly, this way."
Several beast men press from the rear to keep pace. Then
Once back in the main shaft, the beast men move down an opposite tunnel.

Eirvit · 5/14/2021 8:09 am

Gundrabu continues to follow.

fireinthedust · 5/14/2021 12:48 pm

Kondor follows along, watching for another trap. He eyes the beastmen, too, for weapons hidden in their livery, or any motion that would signal a betrayal.

Iron Ranger · 5/14/2021 5:14 pm

Once passed through the main shaft, the corridor quickly falls again to darkness, illuminated only by the single pale glow of Gundrabu's dagger. The heavy panting of the beastmen betray their fitness.

The leader pauses and pushes up on a metal post affixed to the stone and series of small glass domes mounted to the stone wall each connected by a strand of glistening copper string suddenly floods the corridor in light.
The beastmen pour sweat, and their pace slows as again a rushing roar of water begins far ahead.

Eirvit · 5/15/2021 1:51 pm

Gundrabu marvels at the sorcery available to these beast men and if there is room for them, too, in Khalk-xu’s Evergrasping Coils. He determines to witness to whoever functions as a beast man leader, as soon as he is given the opportunity.

Iron Ranger · 5/15/2021 1:54 pm

Eirvit wrote:
Gundrabu marvels at the sorcery available to these beast men and if there is room for them, too, in Khalk-xu’s Evergrasping Coils. He determines to witness to whoever functions as a beast man leader, as soon as he is given the opportunity.

The leader of these beastmen treads just in front of Gundrabu...

[Gundrabu roll 3d6 vs CHR]

Eirvit · 5/15/2021 6:19 pm

Ha ha! 3d6 - 15!

Iron Ranger · 5/15/2021 7:22 pm

Gundrabu barely makes it past the opening salvo of virtues of the Kraken before the beast man leader scoffs, "Those old gods are fools for fools..." The rest of his insults are quickly drowned out by the sound of rushing water as the corridor opens to another flowing waterway.

Several beastmen begin to overturn wooden canoes lined against the wall.

[Gundrabu +1000XP for trying]

fireinthedust · 5/15/2021 9:29 pm

Iron Ranger wrote:
Gundrabu barely makes it past the opening salvo of virtues of the Kraken before the beast man leader scoffs, "Those old gods are fools for fools..." The rest of his insults are quickly drowned out by the sound of rushing water as the corridor opens to another flowing waterway.

Several beastmen begin to overturn wooden canoes lined against the wall.

[Gundrabu +1000XP for trying]

"Best watch your tongue, beast-man," Kondor barks. "You're begging one of those fools - and their friends - to save your sorry, bloated hides. After what your tribe did to us, why should we care what doom you curs have brought upon yourselves?"

Iron Ranger · 5/15/2021 9:40 pm

"It was you allied with the witch, barbarian. And it was you who freed the trapped nonman sorcerer. But ancient views are not best heeded at this time. We must work together, to free us all from this prison."

He turns to kinder ears - the cleric and warlock esquimeauxs. "Quickly into the boats."

Eirvit · 5/16/2021 9:40 am

Gundrabu prays silently to the Kraken. “Lord of Brine, leave these out of your grasp, to be shredded apart, for their infidelity, by the rending currents of the rushing cosmos.”

Then Gundrabu hastens into a boat.

Iron Ranger · 5/16/2021 11:14 am

Eirvit wrote:
Gundrabu prays silently to the Kraken. “Lord of Brine, leave these out of your grasp, to be shredded apart, for their infidelity, by the rending currents of the rushing cosmos.”

Then Gundrabu hastens into a boat.

Gundrabu's words are lost in the roaring cavern. But the deep cascade of current splashing begins to pound inside his head, forming thoughts, then words as another of the Kraken's truths is suddenly recalled.

[Gundrabu add another of your prayers to your active roster.]

fireinthedust · 5/16/2021 11:40 am

Kondor stays near Gundrabu and Tillak, getting into the boats alongside them.

Iron Ranger · 5/16/2021 12:32 pm

fireinthedust wrote:
Kondor stays near Gundrabu and Tillak, getting into the boats alongside them.

"No, Barbarian!" barks the beastman leader over the thick churn of hard waters. "If only your brains matched your brawn...and your rebellious tongue. Your drawn weapons and heavy armors will tip the boats. You must ride separately!"