|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 12, 2023 9:52:27 GMT -5
It had been quite a few days, between devils and undead. Te'kaal didn't seem so quiet anymore. Or was it ever really? Verdi was going deeper and deeper into the jungles, and had a group of adventures, capable ones at that.
Now they were exploring a recently reclaimed ziggurat. On a timer, the devils wanted things. Bones and Rorr were working the most on that, sorting and writing...
Verdi didn't have much sway, or say, really. Or at least he didn't think he did. Earlier, they had stumbled across some Kobaloi ruins, a recently discovered race on Te'kaal that kept themselves hidden. They wanted to check it out, since the others were quite interested, he didn't want to crowd the ruins.
He had mentioned meandering to the others, and asked if Vanya wanted to come along. It would take some time to navigate the ziggurat to the ruins, not wanting to take the water ways like they did before, but they would find their way there eventually.
"I am really interested in the Kobaloi... I should ask Karn and Rua some questions... I'll take notes here... do some sketches..."
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Oct 12, 2023 10:58:50 GMT -5
Verdi and Vanya encountered a degree of hustle within the halls of the temple as a number of Summers' guests were tasked with the honor of picking things up and putting them down.
Though the roomy nature of the sprawling labyrinthian halls meant the direct interaction with those creatures was limited, the noise they made carried. There was an occasional crash, the occasional echo of laughter, and more than once a loud curse from the bedraggled warforged escort- turned-chaperone.
(Handwaving here, assume that it's easy enough to get ahold of an NPC if needed.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 12, 2023 19:19:48 GMT -5
"This place is incredible," Vanya murmured as they navigated the zigguooohrat, down into the depths were the kobeloi ruins were hidden away. "The degree to which that man mined out the interior and put in his own equipment is... astonishing. Terrible, but astonishing..."
As they approached the ruins, Vanya's expression grew more sober. She had cleaned herself up to the best of her ability since they had met up with the other, and currently had her hair drawn back in a simple braid, although some locks of hair had come free and drifted about her ears and face.
"They sound like such an interesting people... to be hidden for so long, and to lose your heritage like they have... I'm sure they would appreciate any knowledge you could bring back to them of this place."
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Oct 12, 2023 20:35:53 GMT -5
Verdi had a rough idea of where in the temple the lost chamber could be found, but navigating in that direction proved non-trivial. Following in the wake of those engaged in a campaign of re-appropriation, however, the many tiny creatures left many tiny trails- not all of which were destructive, even. Like a liquid finding its way into every corner, the number of entities involved in the efforts revealed paths the party hadn't seen during their first trip into the depths.
Occasionally the duo would come across the remains of traps. Either jimmied shut with tools and bits, tripped and left unarmed, or seemingly just deactivated with the former residents no longer present to maintain them, the defenses of the Mad Artificer's lab seemed almost harmless.
In following Verdi's sense of direction, the duo made their way through unknown halls and into a still-hot smithy. The furnace was still glowing barely. Work tables and assembly spaces were left abandoned by former union workers. A cursory investigation revealed a gap in one of the walls just large enough for a medium humanoid to fit through. A nearby warning was scrawled on the wall, one which labeled the space beyond as 'collapsed' and 'dangerous,' and for those who heeded it to 'not be an idiot' about it.
Further reading suggested those who were regulars to the space intended to patch and seal the wall toward the collapsed halls beyond, with an pledges to 'get to it eventually.'
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 13, 2023 8:11:28 GMT -5
"I know Karn and Rua have checked the runes out... I'm just curious. It's fascinating how many races and people seem to be drawn to Te'kaal."
"If I get a decent sketch, they will have a visual of the ruins at least..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 13, 2023 14:17:45 GMT -5
Vanya thought about that as they proceeded further. "You're right, Tekaal has a strange magnetism to it. There are all kinds of unique people in Nyanzaru, and even more oddities in the jungle, like the mushroom people. Do you think there may be other strange species deeper in the jungle?"
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 14, 2023 19:08:36 GMT -5
"Likely." Verdi glanced to her as they walked, smiling. "We saw new Lizardfolk when Port Nyanzaru was under attack. Tribes from deeper down, where things have been less explored due to the dangers of the undead. There's tabaxi tribes that haven't made contact with the outside world in... ages. Mushroom people, and the Kobaloi... I feel like we're going to discover a lot more..."
He folded his arms, thinking. "And now with the Feywilds being linked here, there will be even more attraction to Te'Kaal. Feels like this island is becoming a melting pot."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 15, 2023 19:18:51 GMT -5
Vanya frowned. "Mm... that's true. Although... the port invasion was incredibly dangerous, and the fey are... fickle. I suppose we shouldn't overlook the dangers such a melting pot could bring..."
She hesitated. What else might the island draw to itself...? "I think it might be a good idea to be cautious about what doors to Tekaal are opened... some of them are not so easily closed."
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 15, 2023 19:43:21 GMT -5
"I agree. I have hopes for good things, but you never know what the intentions of folks are, either." He frowned some, as they moved along, deeper into the ziggurat.
"So, don't make deals with fey. Don't make deals with..." Verdi trailed off some. "Well, don't make anymore deals with devils. Maybe." Verdi's tail coiled some behind him, and relaxed.
"Is it bad that I want to talk to Kelevera more? She... she knows things about tieflings. Things no one has ever known about them. Our origins. And... that power she brought out of me." He puffed his cheeks and sighed.
"It's not like Bulgup's pact- I don't trust him..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 16, 2023 15:38:26 GMT -5
Vanya was quite for a long moment before answering. "In Gilneas, there are tales told of the Witches Three - Nana Fortune, Granny Nightmare, and Grandmother Winter. Babas Lysaga, Nachtmora, and Zima. They are sisters, and they are all terrible, in their own ways. If you were to encounter any of the Witches Three, though, it is said that it is best to encounter Nana Fortune.
"She wanders Gilneas as a fortune-teller, or a beggar, bartering favors for a coin here, a bit of bread there, your last breath, or your child's first. She can grant wishes, and share secrets no one else knows... but there is always a price. Every tale of Baba Lysaga speaks of well-intentioned heroes, or hapless bystanders, who think they can outsmart Nana Fortune and get what they want without losing anything in return. And every tale ends in tragedy, as only fools think they can evade Fortune's grasp."
She paused again, briefly, before continuing. "This Kelevera... She is a devil. That she knows much, I have no doubt. That she is willing to share that knowledge, I believe. What she wants from you... that is what I am wary of."
Vanya hurried forward and rested a hand on Verdi's shoulder so she could move forward to look at him. "That power you wielded... it was a terrible thing. Much like my own power. I don't believe such things are inherently evil - I refuse to believe it - but beware the gifts of witches and devils, particularly those eagerly given."
|
|
|
|
Post by opius on Oct 16, 2023 16:06:19 GMT -5
The break in the wall lead the two down a hallway. The cool air carried the scent of moss and flowing water, and soon enough the duo could hear the sound of a babbling stream filtered through arched stone hall. As they moved further, they came across the occasional fallen ceiling stone- the inevitable disrepair from so many years of disuse.
And As they moved further still, those tell tale marks of degradation grew numerous. Soon they were navigating around piles of rubble. And eventually, a large collapse stood between them and the space beyond. The pile of rubble nearly sealed the way forward, but there was enough space for a couple of adventurers to squeeze. A faint green ambience could be seen beyond the break, and little flecks of light reflected off of the walls and ceiling. Moving water was somewhere beyond the break, just out of sight.
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 16, 2023 18:51:19 GMT -5
"She said it was part of me... something within." Verdi frowned, and watched Vanya, as they walked. "I just... you were in danger, and I... acted."
He looked to the ruins as they approached, ears flicking to and fro at the sound of the water. "I had a vision. I don't get visions, but I have been visited by two spirits. Shagombi was the first, she warned me of things, and told me to kill Displacer beasts... something I didn't think I've seen much of, but now there's signs of them on the island. The second was Fydor. He came to me, to warn me about you, the dangers you and the others would face. That was... incredibly emotional... and I panicked."
"When Kelevera told me she could get me there quicker, I accepted it... I traded a strange egg shaped item, but it is a temporary trade, for in turn to find her a place to stay... I need to speak to Bones about New Haven..."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 17, 2023 9:17:13 GMT -5
Vanya smiled and moved her hand to Verdi's, his fingers entwining with his. "You were worried. I'm curious about where these visions came from, but they were true seeings, it seems. I did need you." She looked away from him to regard the collapsed path ahead, her smile fading slightly.
"And the devil recognize your concern and provided you a way to act quickly, in exchange for a place of residence on the mortal plane. Devils are... honest, in a way. But sometimes honesty can be more manipulative than a lie.
"What's that light?" It wasn't that she wanted to change the subject, but she saw the glow ahead of them and pointed at it, curious.
|
|
|
|
Post by CautionCat on Oct 17, 2023 20:35:42 GMT -5
Verdi squeezed her hand, and lifted it to give the backside a kiss. "I was very worried. I don't think I have felt like that since... for a long time."
He looked up as she asked her question, and he raised his brows. "Hmn? Oh... Phosphorescent moss." He smiled, and squeezed her hand again. "It's quite pretty. It's growing all around the collapsed waterway."
|
|
|
|
Post by Ancelas on Oct 22, 2023 18:10:10 GMT -5
Vanya cast Verdi a quick side smile at his words. That he was concerned for her... it was warming. And then she was looking ahead again, enjoying the warmth of his hands in hers. "Phosphorescent moss... we should acquire a sample. If it lives down here, though, we should probably keep it someplace dark and moist..."
|
|
