Silent as a Grave (29-5/8)
Aug 14, 2020 11:24:45 GMT
Jacinta Montajay, Queen Merla, the Sun-Blessed, and 1 more like this
Post by BB on Aug 14, 2020 11:24:45 GMT
Night has once again settled on New Hillborrow, and BB is once again working late in the flower shack. The smell of recently burnt incense hangs in the air as BB leans over the small table in the back, opening a well worn leather bound journal before dipping her black quill into a nearby ink pot. Her movements are accompanied by the slightest of hollow chimes as the delicate bones that have completely replaced her silver hair lightly tap against each other. Blue is nearby stretching their wings, getting used to having their form back, before they flitter up to BB’s shoulder to watch as she begins to write.
This week there was another call to Vorsthold (still no luck on that teleportation circle sequence), a summon by Morin of the Silent Circle. After myself, Ziarae, Daisy and Taffeta teleported to the south eastern edge of the Feythorn, meeting Pi and Baine there, we all were about to walk to the main gates when we happened upon a disgruntled merchant and her caravan. For some reason Vorsthold wasn’t letting merchants in? That instantly got us concerned, was the situation that bad in there? Baine gave the merchant some money and we were on our way, slightly more apprehensive than before.
Upon our arrival there was the usual scrutiny and uncertainty of visitors, but all seemed okay at the mention of Morin’s summons. We were questioned under the truth spell upon entry, which hadn’t happened before, and added to our concern of the situation. Another odd thing as we entered was the person who escorted us in blindfolded (the blindfolding was another new thing). As this person got close to put my blindfold on, I noticed my fur started to stand on edge, like when I cast some of my lightning magics. Annoyingly I forgot to ask their name at the time.
Eventually after an hour of blindfolded travel we were met by Morin (a pale dwarf with dark hair and silver bell on her belt) and Rangrin (a dwarven man with a burst of a red beard). Morin seemed very nice, I liked the fabulous coloured clothing and the silver bell trinket she was carrying around, though I suspect it was probably more of an arcane focus. Rangrin was definitely not happy with our presence, he was quite rude in fact, stomped off before he introduced himself to us.
Through Morin we learned of a group of advanced undead that had been battering against their defences. Morin called them advanced in the fact that they seemed to carry some intellectual problem solving in a situation i.e. they backed up before they were utterly destroyed by the dwarfs of Vorsthold. A scout group had been sent to track this group and discover more about them, but they hadn’t returned yet. So Morin wanted us to find these undead, and hopefully the scout group, and bring back an undead for her to study. She seemed as excited by undead studies as I am with flowers.
So off we popped to a random building constructed into the side of the cavern, where we were met by Vistra and another scout I did not recognise. Vistra would escort us though the underdark via a secret tunnel hidden inside the building itself. I think Vistra recognised me, as before she didn’t really say much.
Once into the Underdark (it was as interesting and glowy as I remember) we hiked around the large pool that also leads to the Stargrave mine, though going the opposite way when we turned off, and the others eventually found a group of tracks that were likely the scouts that had come this way before us. They also found something much more sinister. Not just in the smearing of blood across the ground, but there was also a group of tracks that seemed to belong to creatures with unknown limbs and unknown numbers of them.
We followed these to an opening in the rockface, the edges of the entrance etched with arcane runes. Their meaning escaped me (must finish that rune book I have) but scouting ahead with Blue made them flash, Blue then disappearing into darkness and a voice speaking out ‘Dead King’ in a creepy raspy voice. Looking through Blue’s eyes I last saw a flash of purple before their form was ripped from this plane.
After forming a temporary study group with Daisy and Pi to establish some spells, we all ventured beyond the tunnel entrance. The voice repeating in our ears the same phrase as had been uttered to Blue. Finding some runes further in after a sharp left, Baine sent Ari ahead this time, and like with Blue there was a bright purple flash. Ari was still with us, but much much more aged the poor lion. Daisy was able to quickly dispel the runes before we had to worry about our combined lifespans.
Moving on we arrived in an open cavern, a huge pit lined with golden spikes in its centre. Skeletal statues dressed in armour guarded the walls, coming to a peak at the further side where a corpse wearing a rusted crown awaited for us. Before we had even taken a step the crowned corpse spoke out his happiness at the arrival of more ‘flesh subjects’ before he swooped out over the pit, with the pile of corpses within starting to writhe.
At this point we all sprung into action, Baine marching forward to meet whatever came out the corpse pit. Daisy summoning a great whirlwind above the pit before changing form into a giant eagle, Pi summoning one of his spiritual helping totems near us. Ziarae swooped up to join Daisy at one point in a flash of angel wings and neon pink, Taffeta providing covering fire from the chaos of the ground. I tried to keep the Dead King cornered in the sky (because of course he was floating) with an army of my animated flowers. I also tried to animate one of the skeletal statues at the side, but it didn’t take, and as voiced my concerns they all indeed came forward under the King’s command.
At my position I was able to be a magical nuisance for the King, countering spells where I could, distracting his casting with the chaos I have gotten so used to over the years. But at one point, as usual, I lost control. At first I thought it wasn’t anything big, but then I noticed the tinkling of bones, like when Bon used to make his instruments back home. Then a strand of my hair swept into my eyeline, and yeah, my hair is completely made of little bones now I guess? At least this was a less violent surge than others past. (Talking of violence, I should really try and adapt my teleportation magics to not be so violent. I nearly took down Baine’s lion friend with it in this fight. One day I will pluck up the courage to give them sorry pats, but sorry flowers will have to do for now)
Eventually the Dead King was taken down, the remaining skeleton soldiers and corpses falling to the ground with him. Looking in the pit we did find what we thought to be the remains of the scout group that came here before us, Vistra confirming for us. Between all of us we managed to bring all the scouts back and some corpse specimens, including the Dead King, like Morin asked.
Eventually our sombre and slightly beaten corpse procession arrived back at Vorsthold, where Morin was pleased at the specimens and that we had brought the scouts back. It seems necromancy really is most revered here, and great care is taken to make sure all Vorsthold dwarves lead an efficient life, even in undeath.
Morin brought us all along to her workshop, including the still huffy Rangrin, to look further into the workings of the Dead King. As we were all huddled in this room while she was doing this, a strange pale yellow light came from the King’s eyes and a very different voice spoke out from it ‘You siminians sure took your time. Finally we may begin’. Then flash! Morin and the Dead King were completely gone.
Rangrin was understandably panicked and confused, much like the rest of us. More high mages of Vorsthold were brought in to discover where Morin was, if she was alive. But after several failed attempts no information was gained and we as a group were sent back out to try and find her. Triss, one of the high mages, was able to teleport us close to Morin’s location, which turned out to be ten feet above the big pool in the Underdark that we passed before.
Unsure of where to start we went back to the cavern where we met the Dead King hoping there was something we missed, or even perhaps that was where Morin was. But going there gave us nothing. So we’re all back at the pool when we decide to investigate the pool itself, it is where we were teleported to after all. Baine scouted the bottom and found a weird square tunnel that he couldn’t see into, not even Crow with his special hellish sight. So we all swam down and straight in.
Suddenly gravity shifted as we all emerged into some underground network with living quarters and laboratories. All abandoned. Only the laboratory had signs of Morin being there, or perhaps Morin’s escape from there, as all we found were blood stains, lots of scorch marks, and no bodies. There was a mangled silver cage and a chest with an inlay design of a skull on a seven pointed star. But none of us could really decipher what any of it meant, and more importantly, where Morin now was.
Eventually after accepting we had found everything we could, we all hiked back to Vorsthold with news of this hidden place. Rangrun seemed annoyed that we hadn’t found Morin, but perhaps they’ll find something in that underground place that we couldn’t. I hope they do.
The people of Vorsthold are not used to sharing, so any updates might not even make it to us. Maybe one day I’ll even get that teleportation sequence, would make helping them a lot easier and quicker. However I did hold onto the chest we found, it’ll be a good place to keep cuttings on a long flower expedition for sure.
Oh! The Professor’s botany book finally came through the post today. I’ll make sure to give it a good read before next going out, I’ll be intrigued to see how many flowers of the Savage Frontier also grow here in Kantas. I’m sure she’ll be intrigued to know too.
Much Love,
BB
This week there was another call to Vorsthold (still no luck on that teleportation circle sequence), a summon by Morin of the Silent Circle. After myself, Ziarae, Daisy and Taffeta teleported to the south eastern edge of the Feythorn, meeting Pi and Baine there, we all were about to walk to the main gates when we happened upon a disgruntled merchant and her caravan. For some reason Vorsthold wasn’t letting merchants in? That instantly got us concerned, was the situation that bad in there? Baine gave the merchant some money and we were on our way, slightly more apprehensive than before.
Upon our arrival there was the usual scrutiny and uncertainty of visitors, but all seemed okay at the mention of Morin’s summons. We were questioned under the truth spell upon entry, which hadn’t happened before, and added to our concern of the situation. Another odd thing as we entered was the person who escorted us in blindfolded (the blindfolding was another new thing). As this person got close to put my blindfold on, I noticed my fur started to stand on edge, like when I cast some of my lightning magics. Annoyingly I forgot to ask their name at the time.
Eventually after an hour of blindfolded travel we were met by Morin (a pale dwarf with dark hair and silver bell on her belt) and Rangrin (a dwarven man with a burst of a red beard). Morin seemed very nice, I liked the fabulous coloured clothing and the silver bell trinket she was carrying around, though I suspect it was probably more of an arcane focus. Rangrin was definitely not happy with our presence, he was quite rude in fact, stomped off before he introduced himself to us.
Through Morin we learned of a group of advanced undead that had been battering against their defences. Morin called them advanced in the fact that they seemed to carry some intellectual problem solving in a situation i.e. they backed up before they were utterly destroyed by the dwarfs of Vorsthold. A scout group had been sent to track this group and discover more about them, but they hadn’t returned yet. So Morin wanted us to find these undead, and hopefully the scout group, and bring back an undead for her to study. She seemed as excited by undead studies as I am with flowers.
So off we popped to a random building constructed into the side of the cavern, where we were met by Vistra and another scout I did not recognise. Vistra would escort us though the underdark via a secret tunnel hidden inside the building itself. I think Vistra recognised me, as before she didn’t really say much.
Once into the Underdark (it was as interesting and glowy as I remember) we hiked around the large pool that also leads to the Stargrave mine, though going the opposite way when we turned off, and the others eventually found a group of tracks that were likely the scouts that had come this way before us. They also found something much more sinister. Not just in the smearing of blood across the ground, but there was also a group of tracks that seemed to belong to creatures with unknown limbs and unknown numbers of them.
We followed these to an opening in the rockface, the edges of the entrance etched with arcane runes. Their meaning escaped me (must finish that rune book I have) but scouting ahead with Blue made them flash, Blue then disappearing into darkness and a voice speaking out ‘Dead King’ in a creepy raspy voice. Looking through Blue’s eyes I last saw a flash of purple before their form was ripped from this plane.
After forming a temporary study group with Daisy and Pi to establish some spells, we all ventured beyond the tunnel entrance. The voice repeating in our ears the same phrase as had been uttered to Blue. Finding some runes further in after a sharp left, Baine sent Ari ahead this time, and like with Blue there was a bright purple flash. Ari was still with us, but much much more aged the poor lion. Daisy was able to quickly dispel the runes before we had to worry about our combined lifespans.
Moving on we arrived in an open cavern, a huge pit lined with golden spikes in its centre. Skeletal statues dressed in armour guarded the walls, coming to a peak at the further side where a corpse wearing a rusted crown awaited for us. Before we had even taken a step the crowned corpse spoke out his happiness at the arrival of more ‘flesh subjects’ before he swooped out over the pit, with the pile of corpses within starting to writhe.
At this point we all sprung into action, Baine marching forward to meet whatever came out the corpse pit. Daisy summoning a great whirlwind above the pit before changing form into a giant eagle, Pi summoning one of his spiritual helping totems near us. Ziarae swooped up to join Daisy at one point in a flash of angel wings and neon pink, Taffeta providing covering fire from the chaos of the ground. I tried to keep the Dead King cornered in the sky (because of course he was floating) with an army of my animated flowers. I also tried to animate one of the skeletal statues at the side, but it didn’t take, and as voiced my concerns they all indeed came forward under the King’s command.
At my position I was able to be a magical nuisance for the King, countering spells where I could, distracting his casting with the chaos I have gotten so used to over the years. But at one point, as usual, I lost control. At first I thought it wasn’t anything big, but then I noticed the tinkling of bones, like when Bon used to make his instruments back home. Then a strand of my hair swept into my eyeline, and yeah, my hair is completely made of little bones now I guess? At least this was a less violent surge than others past. (Talking of violence, I should really try and adapt my teleportation magics to not be so violent. I nearly took down Baine’s lion friend with it in this fight. One day I will pluck up the courage to give them sorry pats, but sorry flowers will have to do for now)
Eventually the Dead King was taken down, the remaining skeleton soldiers and corpses falling to the ground with him. Looking in the pit we did find what we thought to be the remains of the scout group that came here before us, Vistra confirming for us. Between all of us we managed to bring all the scouts back and some corpse specimens, including the Dead King, like Morin asked.
Eventually our sombre and slightly beaten corpse procession arrived back at Vorsthold, where Morin was pleased at the specimens and that we had brought the scouts back. It seems necromancy really is most revered here, and great care is taken to make sure all Vorsthold dwarves lead an efficient life, even in undeath.
Morin brought us all along to her workshop, including the still huffy Rangrin, to look further into the workings of the Dead King. As we were all huddled in this room while she was doing this, a strange pale yellow light came from the King’s eyes and a very different voice spoke out from it ‘You siminians sure took your time. Finally we may begin’. Then flash! Morin and the Dead King were completely gone.
Rangrin was understandably panicked and confused, much like the rest of us. More high mages of Vorsthold were brought in to discover where Morin was, if she was alive. But after several failed attempts no information was gained and we as a group were sent back out to try and find her. Triss, one of the high mages, was able to teleport us close to Morin’s location, which turned out to be ten feet above the big pool in the Underdark that we passed before.
Unsure of where to start we went back to the cavern where we met the Dead King hoping there was something we missed, or even perhaps that was where Morin was. But going there gave us nothing. So we’re all back at the pool when we decide to investigate the pool itself, it is where we were teleported to after all. Baine scouted the bottom and found a weird square tunnel that he couldn’t see into, not even Crow with his special hellish sight. So we all swam down and straight in.
Suddenly gravity shifted as we all emerged into some underground network with living quarters and laboratories. All abandoned. Only the laboratory had signs of Morin being there, or perhaps Morin’s escape from there, as all we found were blood stains, lots of scorch marks, and no bodies. There was a mangled silver cage and a chest with an inlay design of a skull on a seven pointed star. But none of us could really decipher what any of it meant, and more importantly, where Morin now was.
Eventually after accepting we had found everything we could, we all hiked back to Vorsthold with news of this hidden place. Rangrun seemed annoyed that we hadn’t found Morin, but perhaps they’ll find something in that underground place that we couldn’t. I hope they do.
The people of Vorsthold are not used to sharing, so any updates might not even make it to us. Maybe one day I’ll even get that teleportation sequence, would make helping them a lot easier and quicker. However I did hold onto the chest we found, it’ll be a good place to keep cuttings on a long flower expedition for sure.
Oh! The Professor’s botany book finally came through the post today. I’ll make sure to give it a good read before next going out, I’ll be intrigued to see how many flowers of the Savage Frontier also grow here in Kantas. I’m sure she’ll be intrigued to know too.
Much Love,
BB
