Jubilex
The Faceless Lord of Chaos
Posts: 635
(12/16/02 10:07 pm)
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Re: The Tower
Ruig and Draxim, who both seem to know what they are doing, manage to pry up one of the large flagstones. After raising two more of the stone slabs and borrowing a shovel from Grugni a small grave is dug and the liquescent remains of the unfortunate victim are poured into the ground. Ruig says a long and droning prayer in dwarvish, a sort of dirge for the dead. He then replaces the stone and chisels a simple mark on one of the stones.
The explorers return to Grugni's house sore and a bit stunned by the day's events. The afternoon slips into the evening and everyone finds an excuse to nap after the harrowing adventures of the night before. Grugni and Vala are both keen to hear what happened down below but no one is able to come to a clear consensus. So much was left unknown in stale air of the cavern, it all seems a little dreamlike.
A hot meal takes its toll and everyone is sawing logs before the night falls. The morning comes and no one is in a hurry to move from the warm fireplace and comfort of their bedroll. At last Grugni's hammering is enough to rouse everyone from their beds. She is putting the finishing touches on the torn shutters on her house.
By lunch Madragar is itching to return, perhaps to find some meaning in the strange inscriptions. So, gathering their gear the four return to the tower. The same stale air greets them, reminding Madragar of the consequences of uttering magical phrases in the place. The young wizard stands before the massive stone doors (and presumably outside whatever power ruins his spells down below) and intones several familiar incantations. He then plunges into the darkness. Hurrying to the enscribed wall he stares intently at the bizarre script, his eyes glowing with energy and perception.
After a few minutes of intense concentration Madragar curses loudly, then concentrates, staring at the inscriptions... then curses again. Ruig, Draxim and Kezib are a little surprised when the wiry young man suddenly kicks the wall in frustration.
Despite his magical aid Madragar cannot make sense of the inscriptions. Just as he begins to decipher a character or symbol its meaning dances away from his mind. It is an act of supreme concentration to even look on the wall as the writing writhes and glows under the wizard's gaze. To the others, of course, they see nothing but some senseless scribbles.
Ruig decides to descend into the pit one more time, searching for anything that might give some explanation to this place, but finds nothing. The ooze beast apparently had no trouble dissolving bone as well as flesh.
At last everyone must conceed that the cavern has been explored thoroughly and holds no more secrets that they can divine... at least for now.
It is a few hours after lunch, when a gang of familiar faces comes into view from the east. Vala dances into the room and shouts "they're here!"
Everyone piles out of the house and peers down the road toward the advancing crew. A quick head-count reveals that everyone is still alive.
[New thread: Reunion.]
Edited by: Jubilex at: 12/16/02 8:02:07 pm
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