Days pass.
Throughout the next week, a storm swells in from the coast, heavy with cleansing rain. It washes the stink of the Skaven from the fields and walls, their blood from the fields, and melts away the ash of their cremation.
The world feels new... Finally, a breath of fresh air. A new start. A new beginning.
Weeks pass.
More permanent encampments begin construction. Dorokor's orcs claim a portion of the city, working on restoring what was once there. Discussions about an inner city, built into the mountain, begin to form. Red dragonborn, now no longer needed at the castle, return to the coastline of Arkoshia to continue building the new port city. The kobolds, upon realizing there was a large lake further west of the camps, elatedly moved their entire colony to its shores.
Eggs have continued to hatch. More and more little kobolds can be seen skittering around in the shallows, catching fish and searching for river snails. Darr, having recovered from his close call with death, was dubbed with the incredibly honorable name of Darr Dragonheart. Even Tak was accepting of this, immensely relieved that Etny and Vele were able to save his life.
Months pass.
Ferrar and Leonar Axemage were able to locate an old forge used by the dragonborn in the mountain. Excited at the space and the salvageable tools, they've begun tutoring some of the orcs who've shown interest. Together they craft nails, brackets and more tools to help with the rebuilding. Commander Ironfist helps delegate the work, placing orders and keeping scouts on constant watch for threats. More than once he'd prevented attacks by sneaking skaven, earning the respect of the soldiers.
Panapip arrives a few weeks later wearing the same funny blue hat and leading a very eccentric looking donkey. He brings with him an entire team of gnomes and supplies, eager for such prestigious work. Although they require pay, their artisan-ship is more than helpful--improvements to the forge, fixing broken war machines, and repairing the small, old, tinkering bits of clocks and trinkets throughout the castle.
The gnolls, with permission, take to their old habits of traveling. Kiz and her brothers help hunt and bring in abundant game, furs and rare materials for travel and trade. They make their way to the outlying cities, spreading the lore of the great battles and adventures of Skyhold's inhabitants.
Dahlia, mostly healed with her arm in a simple sling, has gone to work with Oxious in his tower. His magic has been incredibly helpful with certain repairs in the castle. Together they map out new areas around Skyhold, detail designs for the new Fang, and Dahlia shares a floor in the tower--at least for the time being--with Kora and the children.
They've grown quickly already considering their bloodline and magic. Darzal continues to be the larger, more observant of the two; calm, quiet, but strong. Oxious has already banned having the kids anywhere near the top of the tower after some trouble he'd caused. Shaavra is loud, squeaky and incessant, constantly crawling about on her mother and whoever she can get her hands on.
Kora has recovered wonderfully, her original personality sinking back in. She roughly surprised Atriox one day, handing the children to him without explaining they'd started showing their dhampir abilities... little fangs and claws found purchase, their squeals of delight at drinking fresh dragonborn blood lighting up their eyes.
Atriox, your wounds have been healing well. Ribs mending, bruises fading. Your beard has even grown out more. You're becoming more comfortable being back in this place. You've had a few more diplomatic meetings with the Blades, and even some of the smaller surrounding hamlets who wish to pledge to your kingdom in exchange for safety. Already five have joined, with three others pending responses from their delegates.
Etny, you've recovered from the exhausting few weeks, and your black moods have continued to lessen. Keeping yourself busy, you've continued working on clearing a grove nearby the mountain where you hope to build a lodge--the Lodge of Shalafang--someday. On the more western end of the camps, you have access to some of the retreating rivers, the large lake occupied by the kobolds, and the howling wolves of the forest from which your lodge gets its name.
***
Morning dawns bright and clear, the snow-capped peaks of Skyhold glistening in the light. The previous night's clouds left a small blanket of snow on both the castle and the city. It shimmers now like crystalline quartz.
Atriox, you wake to a knock at your door. You've long since found and claimed one of the rooms in the castle, a comfortable room with a wide view over the city.
The knock rings again, louder this time.
Atriox grunts and gets up. He’s only in his black leather undergarments but he doesn’t care. It’s him. Besides he just suspects it’s about his kids
He mumbles
“I’m.....coming”
Over a big yawn
And opens the door
Ismene stands there, rocking on her heels like a child. It looks like she's been pacing about in the hall for a bit, admiring the stonework, the windows, the tiny cracks and snowy spirals on the sills.
"Oh! Atriox!" Her lilting, songbird voice perks up as she sees you. "Isn't this snow wonderful?" She's said this every time you've seen her throughout the winter, as if each new snow is unique and vibrant to her. You see flakes of it in her platinum hair as if unable to melt, like usual.
Atriox looks at her slightly surprised
“Mmm yes......just wonderful Ismene. Just fantastic”
Atriox means it dryly but he’s sure she won’t get it. She never does. It’s actually very entertaining at times..........this is not one of those times
As you expected, the dry humor is completely over her head. She floats around on her bare feet, not really noticing or minding your state of undress.
"Oh! that's right! I came here to tell you something important." She tilts her head, her bright little eyes focusing hard on whatever message it was. Looking out the window there is movement across the sky. "The birds of spring are starting to appear! Isn't that lovely?"
Atriox rolls his eyes as he stays at his open door and looks at her
“Yes just marvelous.......Ismene.....the message ?”
"Hm? Ah, I forgot it on the way here." She shrugs, her doe eyes dancing like fireflies. She smiles warmly as if this isn't a problem at all.
In the distance you hear a large explosion. It rumbles the mountain and the reverberations can be felt through your room.
"Oooooooh! That's right!" She beams brighter than before, excitement bubbling over. She says the next part in a whisper, as if it's a secret. "I came to tell you the gnomes were working on excavations for the orcs."
The forest nymph pouts, a little downcast. "The poor mountain though... Such a rough way to be molded." She runs her hand along the stone, pondering. "Not gentle at all like the wind and rain. It sounds like the mountain wasn't very happy about it."
It definitely didn't sound like the explosion meant to be as large as it was. That fact is concerning. But Ismene seems preoccupied now talking about other things; the small mice coming out in the fields and the new sprouts for spring making the ground bouncy with grass.
Atriox quickly pulls some leather pants on and straps his sword to his back. He’s still shirtless but who cares ? He’s just as much a fearsome sight. Atriox has never been built like most Dragonborn and he’s grown used to being lean. But lean does not mean you can’t be muscular or athletic and he knows it. He knows how he looks. His whit tails waves behind him as his draconic feet clack on the floors down the corridor
He doesn’t much care what happens to Ismene. She will follow or she won’t but Atriox needed to see what was happening
You make your way to the courtyards outside, but take a shortcut through the inner halls to the newly worked-on areas. You can't quite remember what this wing of the mountain was for originally--it was so extensive when you were a child, even exploring with your sister left you new places to discover every day.
Signs that the gnomes have been through here are already apparent--cogs and gears and wires and springs, blueprints and papers and leaflets cover little boards and workstations all along the way.
Coming out into the main outside thoroughfare, you are stopped in your tracks. A large plume of smoke is billowing out of a hole in the side of the rock, gnomes scrambling to get out of the way as stones crumble from around it. You see a blue-capped head bobbing away, coughing and sputtering and covered in soot.
Atriox grimaces and heads down to get answers.
***
You have your bowstring taut, sights set on a large, 12 point buck. You've been hunting him for a week now, and finally found him early this morning. Slow and steady tracking lead you to this moment....
KABOOM!
The explosion near the mountain surprises both of you and your arrow flies wide. The animal scampers away through the brush... hopefully to be seen later in the spring as the rut begins.
You know there has been building on the mountain, but nothing this extreme. It seems out of place.
"Shiza," Etny curses through gritted teeth. The explosion rocks her tho her bones, and she immediately shoulders her bow, making her way too the mines, her quarry forgotten for the time being.
***
Panapip practically bumps into you, wiping soot from his face with one hand and pulling his goggles up. He looks like a crazed raccoon, blinking in the bright light.
"Atriox! Hello! Glad to see you, I'm sure you got Ismene's... um... message..." He looks over his shoulder at the mess, then back up at you. "Just a little snag is all, nothing to worry about. Nothing at all."
Atriox raises a eyebrow and points at the giant smocking hole
“Define a little snag for me please because I wasn’t aware that THAT would qualify as a little snag.”
Panapip coughs, sending smoke out of his mouth. "Ah, yes, that. Well, things were going to plan. On schedule. AHEAD of schedule, really. We've been doing great, you should see--" He catches the look you're giving him and clears his throat again, embarrassed.
"Well, yes, so... We were doing some minor excavating. A little explosion planned, nothing like this. We are explosive experts, I'll have you know--gold mines require very technical, precise work."
Etny races through the forest, and up the mountain, to where the mines begin. She sees parties of kobolds and orcs gathering, and spots Atriox-dugairon picking through the rubble, with a gnome in tow. She catches up to them, and seeing the blazing look in Atriox's eyes, thinks it the wiser to keep her distance. She falls in line behind both Panapip and the Prince, and surveys the area.
Parapip continues dusting off his overalls and jacket, searching for something. He finally finds an item in his back pocket, some kind of field snack, and starts to chew on it. "We must have hit something on the inside--a tunnel or wall from the original structure, or more likely a skaven route. Packed with storage it was, something mighty explosive. Mighty flammable."
Atriox growls slightly but wishes to not take it out on the little man. He breaths deeply a few times before answering
“Very well. Since this is so odd and we do not know which it is fetch me some troops to this location now.”
Atriox doesn’t wait for a reply and heads to where the accident happened
Panapip nods enthusiastically, shoving the rest of the snack in his mouth as he hurries along, jumping down two steps at a time. You can see both kobolds and orcs mobilizing small groups to check on the damage as well, and the gnome heads straight for them.
You pick your way carefully through broken rubble and stone, seeing a mix of materials scattered around from the explosion. (make a dexterity save for me)
(Raw 16
You feel your clawed feet slipping on the stones beneath you as they start to give way. Leaping away just in time, you manage to steady yourself against the rock on the mountain as they tumble down below you.
(24 Perception, and seeing as he had to make a Dex save, here is mine: 15.)
Watching Atriox slip, you don't quite notice or feel the rock beneath you giving way. Panapip jumps, stumbling and sliding away. You barely catch yourself on the edge of the rocks with your fingertips, pebbles pelting your face and hair. Scrambling up back to safety, you catch your breath amid all the smoke.
Looking around, you both see a strange sight inside the immense hole. A very obvious skaven tunnel has wound its way up through here once, a long, long time ago. It's been sealed off apparently, but still carries their intense stink and scratch marks.
This tunnel apparently crossed paths with something else--a more practical, well-built stair leading down into a deeper place in the mountain. Something built by the original creators of this place--something ancient and draconic.
Etny, you look down both ways and cannot see any immediate threats. No skaven have passed through here recently--not in years... which is strange, given the battle was not that long past. Remnants of what exploded--old barrels of alcohol and spirits, along with other flammable clothes and sheets from inside the castle, were packed up against where the draconic stair met the skaven tunnel. You can tell immediately that they were building some kind of trap here. Something to prevent someone from getting in... or something getting out.
Atriox unstraps his sword,nods to Etny who he sees climbing up behind him, and goes through the entry
You step inside and immediately feel a breeze--something that was blowing through the excavated tunnels from deep in the earth, and sending the smoke up and outward.
(If both of you are standing together, go ahead and make another Dexterity Save)
(Nat 19
(16 Dex Save))
(Nice, both good)
You both instinctively duck as a large claw-like apparatus strikes out from the ceiling and down toward the opening where it meets the stairs; some kind of skaven device for certain. You're sure the tunnel leading down into wherever the skaven dug to is full of more nasty things like this--again, all facing this way... trapping something inside.
"Shiza! This place! Those filthy little beasts are--were--trying to keep something...or someone...from getting out of here. What do you think they'd want to keep inside? These tunnels are huge!"
Etny eyes Atriox, wondering what the Prince is thinking. Here eyes dart this way and that, scanning for further traps. (25 Perception.)
Further down the skaven tunnels, you spot them--claw-like contraptions along both the walls, floor and ceiling, set to trigger at a hairpin touch. Some of them have been set off prematurely in the explosion, their grating, metal claws dug deep into the earth and rock around them like the talons of a great beast.
At that moment a small troop of kobolds and orcs step up, careful of the sprung wires and loose rocks. There are probably about 12 kobolds and 8 orcs in all. One of the orcs speaks up first.
"Everything alright 'ere? Needin' assistance sir?"
"Shiiiiiza," exclaims Etny. "These could skewer a full-grown wild boar...or larger! I wouldn't want to get entangled in these things. I'll keep an eye out, Atriox-dugairon. Just...keep your eyes sharp as well."
Etny shrugs off her poleaxe, and takes it in both hands, and has it at the ready. She sees the orcs and kobolds, and awaits the Prince's orders and assessment of the situation.
Tak hurries up the steps after them, with his own small group of kobolds--another 4 in tow. It looks like they were recently out scouting and skinning game, or perhaps hunting skaven. He growls as he smells their stench coming from inside.
"What this? Not more here, surely?"
Atriox grunts at the huntress and pulls the snack banner out of his bag that’s around his bare shoulder
“I suspect something to do with this symbol. The symbol of those who took my home away from me long ago.”
Atriox looks to Tak then
“Brother your with me and Et, the rest guard this entrance. If we’re not back in a reasonable time send some in carefully after us”
The orc gives a stiff nod, and they back away to let Tak through. The other kobolds chitter around the entrance, looking down the skaven tunnels with disdain.
The green kobold pauses in front of Atriox, looking at the symbol in your hand--the snake banner. He furrows his little scarred brow, as if trying to recall something. He looks determined and ready to defend both of you with his life.
Etny, intrigued by the symbol in Atriox's hand, scans it over with her eyes, seeking to understand what it is. She is wondering if it is something she has seen before. She has seen many symbols and crests in her time traveling from her homeland, but she has a suspicion that she has never seen something like this before. It looks evil.
(Nat 20, or 22 total Investigation to peek at the symbol, to know if it is something I've seen before.)
(Oh nice.......... wow.)
You feel like you've seen it... somewhere. It makes your stomach turn, and your mouth go dry. It reminds you of the pale white kobolds... those ravenous little wyrms, devouring, destroying. Flashes come back to your memory of their red eyes. They never carried banners with them though, just bare and swift like malignant ghosts. It makes you involuntarily shudder when you see it.
"Einhycacht...," Etny mutters under her breath. "Filthy Einhycacht...."
Tak glances your way, noticing the look in your eyes. He doesn't say anything, but feels the disdain from everywhere hovering in the cavern like a mist. He glances back at the banner, then unshoulders his sword, leading the way toward the stairs.
Atriox glances at the huntress, shoves the banner back in his bag, and follows Tak
The three of you head further in, your footfalls echoing on the damp walls. It's strangely built, more ancient and archaic than any part of the newer castle. There is a silty smell in the air, pungent and stale.
(Investigation checks please)
(Ehhhhhhh...12)
(19 lol I’ll save you Et !)
(LOL, yaaaaayyyy!
Etny, your mind is still on that strange symbol Atriox found here, and what that could entail. Tak is focused on what is up ahead, his eyes most accustomed to the darkness herein. To help the two of you, he lights a small torch with a little vial--it's intricate and looks like something Vele would have made.
The light flares up in front of you three, dancing off the walls like sinister fae. Atriox, you are the only one who seems to notice... but along the walls, in varying intervals, are deep gouges. Long, vicious lines, traced through the ancient stone in one sweeping motion. Something descended here... something large.
Atriox stares at the gouges on the wall with intrigue. He’s hunted things across the world and has seen many marks that these monsters leave behind
He goes up to one of them and runs his hand on it.
(Investigation 15)
Your fingers follow the gouges, sensing their depth and smoothness. The stonework along this staircase is impressive, and has withstood the ages without signs of any damage... Except this. Something strong, stronger than the rocks found here, must have made it. No normal claw, tooth or bone.
Something comes to mind as you gauge the height of the creature. Something you fought long before now, in a graveyard just outside of Dragonshore. Something that could turn stone to dust with vicious speed, and decapitate a man with one strike.
Etny, seeing the Prince examine the walls, also notes the marks there. She comes up and runs her fingers along one of the marks. She has hunted beasts of varying horror and size in her own travels, and being a huntress, has somewhat of a knowledge of the natural world.
In the dim light cast by Tak's torch, she squints her violet eyes, studying...
(Ehhhh...13)
In the pale, flickering orange light, you don't seem to recognize the marks yourself... it does seem like something outside of the natural world, at least. Nothing natural could have done this kind of damage, you're certain.
"Tak, could you come here with that light of yours? I need a closer look at this," she asks, motioning for the kobold. She squints at the mark, feeling it, and she even whispers a silent prayer to the All-Mother.
(Adv.?)
(16 Nature!)
The two of you look at one another, realization sparking at the same time. Something this size, this power--something that terrified the skaven to the point they wished to blast it to pieces...
A gargoyle.
"Rukhara..," Etny mutters, unnerved. "Atriox-dugairon, we should tread carefully." her grip on her poleaxe tightens. Although she has never experienced or come across one in her lifetime, she has heard of them.
You both slowly become aware of a noise. It is quiet, almost imperceptible. A low grinding sound, like a mortar and pestle... a stone against stone...
When you stop, it stops... When you move, it moves. Always the same distance away, you can't ever seem to escape the noise. It is persistent. It is ever-present.
At times, the flame from the torch flickers, and it feels like the shadows eat up the light. But just for a moment...
If you look quickly at their movement, the movement of the shadows, they return to normal. Nothing has changed.
Has it?
Etny is unnerved by the shadows that seem to move but don't. She is also aware of the grinding sound somewhere nearby. She steals a look over her shoulder, daring to look back.
(20 total perception.)
In the flickering light of the torch, you look back. For the briefest of seconds, you think you see the shadows move and meld into a shape. Something large... Inhuman. But perhaps it is just your mind playing tricks on you... your eyes strain to see in the dark. You feel the hair on the back of your neck stand up.
The grinding noise comes closer.
Atriox see’s Etny look around frantically and looks behind them himself. The noise can’t be coming from nothing
(Investigation 17 perception nat 20 )
The noise stops. You look behind, feeling eyes on you. Many eyes. Even with your vampiric abilities, the darkness seems imperceptible. It's incredibly unnerving.
You feel some of the dampness drip from the ceiling onto your head. One drop, and then another. And then another.
Daring to glance up, you find yourself staring into the gaping maw of some hideous creature descending from the ceiling.
Only its face is visible, or what you assume to be its face. Mutilated and scarred, eyes like hundreds of blinking spiders, it swells down upon you with rows of pointed, dripping fangs, making to devour you up inside of it. Into the rock, into the mountain.
(Wtfffffffffff)
Etny gasps aloud, and throws her poleaxe at whatever thus thing is with all her might! She races to get in front of the Prince, putting herself between him and whatever this abomination is.
"Atriox-dugairon! Danger!"
(23 attack, 9 damage.)
Tak leaps forward a few paces, spinning around to help. Your poleaxe slams into the monsterous face, slowly sinking into it like putty. The shadow melts backward into the stone...your poleaxe clattering free to the floor and sliding down a few stairs.
The kobold looks at both of you as if he isn't really sure what happened. "W-what there? You see something?" He looks lost.
(5 perception)
Etny, breathing hard, turns to the kobold, and points up into the darkness. "Something was there, Tak! Something hideous!"
He holds the torch up higher to the ceiling, which drips water from the damp stone overhead.
"Tak not... Not see... Sorry Etny. Tak keep watch? Will keep going, you safe. It safe." He tries to be reassuring as he can as he continues to lead the way.
You finally reach the bottom of the stone stairs, the darkness growing infinitely out on every side of you.
Tak takes a tentative step forward, prodding into the unknown with his torch, when suddenly lights begin to appear. Your eyes slowly adjust. Small pinpricks at first; little blue and green lights, fading in like stars on a moonless night. A growing number, multiplying... Multiplying.
Tak looks up in awe. You find yourself in a cavern, a massive cavern... Lit by millions of tiny, bioluminescent flowers.
They cover the ceiling and walls, hugging stalactites like bridal veils. Their glow reflects on the water down below, a huge underground lake that seems bottomless in the darkness.
Statues of dragons, gorgeous and filled with detail down to every scale, are arranged in the room. Pedestals of limestone and jade are carved and arranged ever so carefully, like an underground garden.
Never before have you witnessed something so eerie, and yet, so beautiful.
Across the way from you, you see an archway bathed in shimmering aqua light. It looks like a door leading further in to... Whatever this place is. Runes above the door twist and meld in an ancient draconic tongue.
"Those who enter here within
Shall have their spirits tested
Leave your vices at water's edge
Or your fate atoned, be bested"
Atriox grunts reading the words over and over again. He looks at Etny in slight confusion
“Vices......I’m not perfect I have vices but none like drugs or something that’s on my person. You ?”
"I have nothing but my pride and envy, Atriox-dugairon," Etny says, a smile playing about her lips. It fades though, and she thinks some more on it.
Atriox thinks on it some more and drops his bag and then puts his magical wrings on top of them. He nods to Et and prepares himself
Etny nods back, and undoes her satchel, and dropping her poleaxe, she keeps her bow shouldered and hip quiver at the ready...just in case. "Well, my good Prince, shall we?" She half jokingly asks, "ladies first?"
Atriox slightly bows to her and as he does extends his arm out towards the steps while smiling at Et
“After you first........my lady”
"Well, aren't you just a gentleman, Atriox-dugairon," she says, smiling back. With that, she makes her way through the doorway.
(21 Perception
Tak waits for you both, watching behind with narrowed eyes. As you enter the doorway, you feel a strange sensation come over your body. There is a tingling as the magic touches your skin.
Your eyes are almost blinded as you walk into the next room. It is brilliantly bright compared to the cavern, luminescent blue crystals exuding a powerful glow. (Con save)
(13 Con save)
You're instantly dazzled by the lights, spots and pin pricks of their glowing essence invading your vision... even when you close your eyelids. It's disorienting.
You hear the sound of clawing against stone again... One long, grating drawl, like a knife blade against granite.
Somewhere around you... Above you... Below you... It's really hard to pinpoint here.
(You are currently dazzled/blinded for one round as your eyes adjust)
Atriox follows her in
(Con save xD with Disadvantage... Cause vampire, don't hate me 😂😭)
(Welp. Sheeeyaaaat!)
(I'm rolling for tak too with disadvantage)
(Pfttttt 5)
(Mmmmm 18 Lol that was my first roll the second was 21)
(🖕❤️😘)
(🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
"Shiza! Shiza! Atriox-dugairon, I can hear something! Do you see anything," she asks, desperately trying to swipe st her unseeing eyes.
Atriox, you enter through the doorway and find yourself in a glowing room full of beautiful blue crystals. The floor, the walls, the ceiling... They encapsulate you in a large, crystalline cocoon. It's stunningly beautiful, and for some reason, it brings unbidden tears to your eyes.
You immediately spot Etny, a hand up to her forehead as she tries to steel herself to the brightness. A moment later you feel like you are shoved further into the room by something behind you. Turning, you see Tak bumbling in with a cry, the light too much for him. The torch has instantly gone out.
Atriox try’s to recover himself and look around for anything he can see
(Guess what?)
(I cast Lesser Restoration!)
Etny rests her hand over her blinded eyes, and a bluish light emanates from her palm. She sings a song to the All-Mother.
Atriox, you look around quickly, scanning for threats. You can't hear anything out of the ordinary, except for a gentle hum coming from the crystals.
Tak stumbles around, trying in vain to rub his eyes back into seeing. He bumps face first into a crystal about his size, bruising his snout.
"OW! Krush-gana!" Growling, he drops his hand and puts it on his sword. His sight, just starting to return, causes him to pause... staring calmly at his reflection in the blue glow.
Etny, you feel the All-Mother's power flow through your fingertips. The cooling magic heals your eyes, bringing sight back to them. You see Atriox and Tak, and the clawing sounds have faded.
The floor pools together some type of message... You read, or almost hear in your mind:
"To gain true power and mastery of the self, you must be willing to sacrifice all"
The more the two of you stare at the crystals, the more you start to notice words forming... Draconic runes... molding and changing, reflected a thousand times in the beautiful structures.
"Cowardly... Cruel... Spoiled...... Devious... Abrasive... Apathetic... Resentful... Selfish... Cocky... Compulsive... Obsessive..." The list goes on with varying terms and narcissistic embellishment.
(Each of you please roll a d8 for me
(Sorry, phone was dead. Lol! I rolled a 7)
(Huh....uh huh... What's your alignment?)
(Roll a d4 for me as well)
(Ummm...4? XD)
(Neutral good.)
(For the next 4 rounds you transition to neutral evil)
You stare into your reflection and you feel overcome with a strange feeling... Something that churns within your gut.
Your heart hardens. Why'd you come here?
Etny stares and stares at the young woman staring back at her. Why indeed? She's wanted nothing more than vengeance against the Einycacht who slew her tribe, and enslaved her loved ones. There are Einycacht ago around her. It would be as simple as drawing her arrows at all of them around her. It would be so easy. Aaaaaaaaaall too easy...
The young woman in the reflection staring back at her smiles.
Her violet eyes are as emotionless as the soul within her heart.
(Rolled a 5 for tak, and failed a wisdom save)
The little kobold doesn't notice you--or anything else for that matter--now lost in his own reflection.
His clawed hand reaches out and touches the crystal in front of him, his eyes unblinking. He is overcome with a longing to look at it forever.
(I got 3)
You feel an overwhelming desire to attack the crystal. It grows immensely, and you start to hear the grinding noise again... Closer... Closer.
Atriox try’s to resist this sudden violent urge. He feels his grip around his sword tighten in preparation as he mentally battles with himself
(Wisdom save!)
14 lol
(Nope!)
Without warning your body floods with adrenaline as you make to attack the crystal.
Your sword passes right through it as if there is no resistance at all. As if it is an illusion... The point of your weapon exits from a different crystal nearby, dangerously close to Tak. He doesn't flinch or notice at all.
Etny begins to chuckle, a deep-chested, quiet laugh. The chuckle morphs into a light laugh, which becomes a chortle. Quite soon, she is laughing full-boil as she continues to stare at herself in the crystal. She wants nothing more then to slay the filthy Einycacht who took everything from her. Her violet eyes blaze with the desire to hunt. To slay.
(17 Wisdom saving throw to fight the urge?)
(That succeeds xD
(Two rounds in for you btw
Etny's laughter rings throughout the chamber, her eyes glazed over, her fingers itching for the bowstring, and the kill. Something deep within, however, curbs the immediate need to slay. Something compels her to continue to stare at her reflection. She is powerful, and strong, and full of hate. Yet, something far in the reaches of her heart and mind scream at her inner thoughts that this is not her. "Oooh, but it iiiiiiis," she remarks. "Einycacht took everything from me. Einycacht destroyed all I know and love. It was Einycacht that drove me from my homeland. They deserve to die--all of them!"
Was this in her mind, or was she saying it out loud? She almost couldn't tell.
Atriox growls and looks around as they all act out one moment and then are fine the next
“What In the name of Io is going on here ! These crystals are doing something to our minds !”
(17 investigation and 20 perception)
You look closer at the crystals, trying to figure out what exactly is going on. Turning around, you don't even see the door you entered through anymore. Just constant crystals, every inch, with strange runes continuing to plague you.
You notice one isn't glowing as brightly. Walking up to it, it's actually not glowing at all. Just a pure crystal, free of runes, free of narcissism, free of the strange charm-like magic that all the other ones possess.
You peer into it, and your reflection looks back at you. It looks humbled... Peaceful. Holding some kind of orb in their hands with delicate care.
(Anything you want to do with this crystal?)
Atriox grunts and reaches to touch the crystal hoping it sheds some light on the situation
As your fingers make contact with the crystal, it shatters into a million tiny, glittering shards that fall harmlessly to the floor. Etny and Tak both seem shaken out of their stupors, blinking from the noise. The light in the other crystals fades.
Behind the shattered crystal appears another shimmering portal. Above the archway leading beyond is etched the words, "Seek to become one with the elements, pure as the primordial god."
Peering inside, you see a room lit with a welcoming glow. On the middle of the floor is a large, circular emblem of brass with the number 8 inside of it. Surrounding it are 8, short pedestals with round indentations in the top of each.
You see 8 clear orbs in the center, as if arranged in a nest. They swirl with wisps of smoke, each containing a draconic rune floating inside. Each rune corresponds to one of the elements as follows:
Air. Earth. Fire. Water. Metal. Darkness. Light. Aether.
Etny, shaken from...whatever that was, turns and walks with Atriox into the next room. It is both mysterious, and inviting, moreso than the last room was. She could have shot Tak again, and she shudders at the thought.
Taking in the large space, the orbs, the pedestal, and the much warmer nature of this room, Etny looks around, studying the room with her violet eyes.
"Oleah! Atriox-dugairon, what do you make of this place?"
(16 investigation to check for any clues.)
You look around the area for anything strange. Tak follows closely behind you, perhaps a little nervously so. You don't see anything else strange. But you are certain the orbs go into the pedestals surrounding you both.
Atriox grunts and looks at her
“If I had to guess ? A religious puzzle of sorts.....all the dragon statues.....how old this place probably is.....something to do with Io I would guess.”
Tak tenatively steps away from Etny, distracted now by the center of the room. He approaches the strange nest of orbs, hovering his hand over them with a far away look. He's not seemed himself these last several weeks, with an age on his brow that doesn't seem to suit him.
"Tak... Tak can't read these..." He mumbles under his breath to Atriox, a hint of shame in his voice. "What need do?"
Etny, ashamed at what she had said, whether it was out loud or in her mind, she still couldn't tell. Nevertheless, she feels utterly guilty for it.
Stepping forward, she rests a reassuring hand on Tak's shoulder, gently urging him to step aside for a moment. "Maybe I can help, little one."
Etny looks at the orbs, staring deeply into their centers.
(Nat 20, so 22 total investigation.)
Tak jumps a little in surprise, quickly obeying and staying silent as he shuffles away. He takes the time to turn and guard the door you just came through, worried about whatever it is that is following the three of you. Faint scratches can be heard from the ceiling, clawing overhead... trickling against the rocks and ancient stone.
You look into the orbs, reading over reach of the runes in turn. "Fire... Water..." they seem so empty, so blank. Perhaps they need something to activate them? Something for each of the elements?
Atriox approaches the odd construct with care before looking at his companions with a questions in his eyes
“I think we’re supposed to fill it with the corresponding element ?”
Tak looks at the orbs again. "Maybe? Like... Like what? What they need?"
"One...one is fire, the other water. One is air, and another...steel? I can't quite make out the symbols as easily as I'd like. One says darkness, another light. I don't...," Etny takes a closer look at the orb in front of her, "I can't read this one. Atriox-dugairon, do you know what this rune says?"
Tak walks up to the one Etny Indicated was a fire rune. He mumbles something under his breath, fishing around in his belongings.
Pulling out a flint and steel, he sits cross legged on the ground and picks up the orb. Setting it in his lap, he strikes a few sparks and as the fire hits it...
Fwoooooosh....
The flame is almost immediately sucked inside, enveloping the rune with glowing energy. The whole thing crackles with a warm light, gentle to the touch.
Tak looks mesmerized and forlorn, holding the beautiful object. He carefully stands, walks to a pedestal, and on tip toes, places the red orb inside.
The whole pillar glows now.
Etny, finally comprehending what's to happen, and seeing Tak light a fire on the orb labeled as such, she quickly opens her water skin, and pours a few drops on the orb labeled "Water." Running up to the one labeled "Air," she breathes on it, letting her breath supply air to the orb. Next, she races to the one labeled "Metal (Steel?)," and touches one of her many arrowheads to it. She takes a cloth from her satchel, and covers the one labeled "Darkness."
On the one labeled "Light," she sings a song to the All-Mother, and conjuring some of the magic she was taught to use, causes small lights to appear on her fingertips. It is a soft blue light, but she feels is bright enough to give light to the orb.
Coming to the last one, she has no idea what the rune says, and calling upon the power of the All-Mother, she implores her goddess on what to do with this last one.
(This is the one labeled "Aether.")
Tak, wishing to help and almost overly eager to do so, takes each orb as carefully as possible and places it in a pedestal. Each in turn lights up, making the room glow like a prism. The large 8 on the ground begins to flow with magical energy...
And up above you comes the scratching.... Clawing.... Stone on stone sound again.
As you pray to your goddess, you feel a gentle tugging at your heart. You're not sure what this rune says, but it seems to need something special. More personal. Your arm aches slightly where the old wound was made by Dorokor, and the rune swirls about like a small dragon inside the orb.
Etny looks deeper into the orb, letting her violet eyes scan it carefully. Attempting to put 2 and 2 together, she guesses what needs to be done.
(22 Insight to put 2 and 2 together.)
You sense that this orb needs something spiritual: blood. The way it is swirling back and forth, you suspect it needs draconic blood specifically.
"Tak, or Atriox-dugairon,"Etny calls out, "would either one of you mind terribly if you pricked your finger on one of my arrows, and let a few drops of your blood touch this one? It is the final piece of this puzzle."
Tak steps forward immediately, glancing at Atriox and hoping he's not out of line. "T-Tak can do it. Can provide, don't know what happen after. You both stay alert."
The little kobold approaches the last orb, flinching as a grinding sound comes closer overhead. He feels the urgency and does as Etny says. His bright blood falls over the orb, soaking into it immediately, and he places it into the last pedestal.
A blinding flash of light erupts in the room, knocking you all back with a physical force. You can tell it is triggering something in the puzzle, but there is something more. The ceiling cracks, a long, sharpened claw stabbing through the stone as if it was nothing more than flesh.
Snakes pour in. Black snakes, green snakes, pale white snakes with blind eyes and three times the teeth. The floor, around the large ethereal 8, begins to swirl and open to the next room and the snakes fall, dropping them into the dark down below.
A hissing, abyssal sound clacks like a massive, tortured spider. From the ceiling descends shadows of darkness, all the lights beginning to flicker in the room from its presence.
A huge serpent, riddled with eyes and fangs and multiple tongues tasting the air, looks at the three of you with malice. You have entered the lair it has claimed. You trespass. Long one and two taloned, bony arms and legs force it down toward you. Scales transition to stone and steel, as if some mutilation between gargoyle and snake. 10 feet long. 20 feet long. 30 feet long....
"SHIIIIIZAAAAA," Etny cries out at the thing before them, mutating and disdending, distorting and contorting in its ever-transforming nature. "UGLUARCHA KIGU MORAKA AKKADA!"
Etny draws her bowstring back with an arrow nocked, and lets it fly, along with a second arrow immediately after.
(18 Attack, 6 damage; 17 Attack, 8 damage)
(10 initiative)
Both arrows strike the creature head on, digging deep into it's body. They're almost... sucked inside without any external injury.
The monstrosity seems unaware of the injuries, turning toward you and flicking four sets of serpentine tongues.
Claws whirling fast, it slithers toward you, eyes spinning in its head.
(Dex save!)
(Oof, 13)
It's great maw slams down, pressed up against your bow as it tries to devour you. You feel the floor shake and crack beneath the weight, starting to crumble. It seems the whole place is riddled with tunnels and holes dug out by this monster.
(10 damage)
Tak sees it strike and leaps atop it, stabbing and slashing across its neck with his basalisk sword.
(25 atk...holy cow, 11 dmg lol)
The stone heals over itself, thrashing up again to throw the kobold off.
Tak desperately tries to slash and stab at the beast, each strike healing over within moments. Flesh to stone, stone to flesh. Finally losing his footing he stumbles back from the roiling maw of teeth and eyes and is thrown toward the entrance of the room, slamming against a rock.
The monster slams once more against Etny, tongues and snakes lashing over your body and reminding you of an experience similar to this--once, many moons ago, in a dark forest near Dragonshore... snakes erupting from the carcass of an animal... slithering, flooding, filling the air with the sounds of death....
The rocks beneath you crumble... and you freefall. You can see the room up above, with its faint, prismatic glow, shooting away as you're drawn into the darkness. Somehow this room was supposed to connect to something further, something grander...
But not this.
Not this abyss.
Your vision fades into the pitch black....
Of the underdark.
****
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