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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 24, 2023 17:40:44 GMT -5
Small clouds of ash and dust would keep up with each step that Leandros took, the sheer weight in each step kicking up the puffs. Traveling up a volcanic path was certainly more arduous when cooking yourself in your armor, but despite the sweat he kept trudging forward. Thankfully he had stamina to spare for now. We will see how long that holds if this becomes anything more serious than escorting a researcher back down the hill.
As he trudged, the knight figured there were two options going on here: the researcher either got stuck somewhere and is scared so he called out or there was some sort of monster hiding in these ruins that kept him from escaping. At the moment it didn't seem like there was much going on, but the quiet was often more of a sign to be worried than it was to relax. He looks through some of the ruins as he idly scans through crumbling doorways and past ruined arches.
"Hello? Sir? If you are hiding somewhere, it's all right now. I've come to take you down the mountain." He cupped one hand to his mouth as he called out. The faster he could flush this researcher out, the faster he could get into a cold bath.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 25, 2023 18:22:37 GMT -5
Del stood at the crest of the hill, having the benefit of not having any armor to cook in weighing her down. She had picked up the assignment maybe a little bit before Leandros, though she was certain that multiple people were out here looking for the missing researcher. Her hands were propped on her hips, listening to the world around her, and looking for signs and clues of this researcher. Nothing as yet; it was quiet, too, but there was so little to hear. She was conductin a lateral sweep of the area to look for clues, but as yet, had not yet found the man's camp.
Once she had spotted the ruins through the trees, she went to investigate. Just as Del arrived, she heard the voice calling out, also evidently in search. She stepped out from behind a broken pillar near the periphery, hands lifted peaceably. "I'm out here searching too. No sign, yet," She sighs, lowering her hands, and then inclining her head to the armored man. He appeared strapping and capable, if a little... sweaty. Not that she could blame him, it was hotter the higher you climbed, and the area was far from stable. "Delaela Asiliari. I haven't been at it long. Did the outpost below send you?"
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 25, 2023 19:58:47 GMT -5
Leandros heard the footsteps before the voice, spinning and reaching back for his halberd in a smooth motion, but stops short as his eyes focus and spot Del. Before even beginning to draw his weapon he relaxes with a soft smile that held a silent apology. He let out a little breathed and straightened his posture from a fighting stance.
"It would make sense they would send more than one person up here." He offered a hand, "Leandros Aurthurian of Capitol Landing.....I imagine they are sending anyone they can up here and whoever comes back with thme first actually gets the reward." The gentle giant laughs as he rests his hands on his hips.
Once the introductions were made Leandros shifted to once again start scanning the area as they spoke. "These ruins are a lot more expansive than you would think.....it's hard to tell what is ruin and what is just some volcanic formation.....We might as well join efforts together. Split the reward and such, sound like a fair agreement?"
He looked over to the elf to see how agreeable to the plan she would be. There was no sense competing to save someone, but if that's they wanted to do he at least wanted to be sure they were honest about that.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 25, 2023 22:32:34 GMT -5
She nods, understanding the reaction and taking no offense. If he had been the one to sneak up on her, Del would have had a very similar reaction. She steps up and shakes the tall man's hand, her hands rough and heavy with work callouses and scars. Del nods an agreement, "Almost certainly. The mountain is big, and he could be anywhere, though, this does seem like the most likely place." Her gaze shifts to the daunting structures around them.
The offer returns her eyes to him, brow lifted slightly. Not out of suspicion, but curiosity. It wasn't often that people were so willing to split the credit-- but Del truthfully wasn't in this so much for the coin as she was trying to help get a lost soul back home safe, if it was possible, or at the very least, find out what happened to them. She nods, smiling gratefully. "Sounds fair to me. We'll definitely save valuable time doing this together." She nods back towards the way she came, away from the ruins. "I came from the West, did a sweep of the ledge here for a camp, and couldn't find any sign. So at least we know where not to look. You haven't been in here before, have you?" She gestures to the ruins.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 25, 2023 22:42:24 GMT -5
"As simple as it seems, looking for a researcher....well old ruins seems like the obvious first spot." The sound of his laugh is low, but soft as it comes from his chest. "I came up from the path to the..." A pause as he turns to recapture where he came from and general direction. "Southeast....so it might serve us well to start walking north."
Leandros looks at the way Del says she came from and then to the rest of the ruins, this old and burned city certainly was expansive. They would have a lot of ground to cover. No time to wait then.
"Is it so obvious? I've only recently started my travels, wanting to learn more about Charon and all. I may not have the mind to be a scholar, but that serves as no reason to not at least try and broaden what I know." The knight starts heading down the craggy path before them, slowing his pace just a bit to make sure he could stay sure footed on the uneven terrain. He would not begrudge Del if she wanted to take point and let him bring up the rear. At least until they find something a bit more sturdy.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 27, 2023 15:19:45 GMT -5
Del is more than happy to take point, having been through this area before, though not specifically this particular set of ruins. She nods along, tossing a small smile over her shoulder as the talk. "Well, you are decked out in a lot of armor. That's not a bad thing, most people who come through the area would eschew it because of the heat, but I actually think it's smart. It's a good level of protection. And it looks very well crafted, if I might add." There was a keen eye looking over the pauldrons and greaves specifically. Not a squeal or squeak to be heard as Leandros walked. He clearly knew how to wear it. Though he also did hold himself with a different bearing than she was used to seeing out here. Someone who was taught a certain posture from an early age. Wealthy family, maybe?
"We're all scholars in some way, just not all of us use books," Del muses out loud, agreeing with the concept of broadening what one knows. Seeing Leandros having a bit of a time with the loose ground beneath their feet, on each of Del's steps, she wordlessl kicks deep with her heel to make divots as they walk so he will have a better foothold for traction. "Have you enjoyed your journeys so far?"
Del pauses as they approach a rise, testing the stone with her feet and listening. There was something making noise in somewhere in the area, though she couldn't pinpoint where. "I hear something. Sounds a little like a bird, maybe?" Not a songbird, though, and something deeper, more harsh, than a raven's croak.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 27, 2023 16:28:40 GMT -5
"We will see how fortiutous a decision it was by the end of this adventure." There's a soft laugh followed by a sigh of relief as they reach a flatter area and he can stop penguin walking. He took a few strange steps just to stretch out the muscles that had been put through an odd workout.
"That is true, at the risk of sounding as a braggard I know I have a fair bit of knowledge when it comes to fighting and warfare...but.." He pauses, looking for a few of the footholds Del left behind. A silent thank you shared between them. "But men like myself who only know how to fight and wage war are why there happens to be continous fighting....but sorry, that wasn't the question." Another little laugh. "I have been, the few people I've met so far have all offered new perspectives on things which gives me much to consider."
The knight comes to a stop with a gentle breah, looking over the area...."No, that's much too low to be a raven, unless it has doubled or tripled in size." He squinted as he looked over the horizon trying to discern any details.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 29, 2023 4:00:14 GMT -5
Hmm. Her brow lifts at that admission, finding herself impressed. Not many in a privileged position would be willing to admit to any fault whatsoever, nevermind address it with such address it with such humility. "That is good... and it is also good, I think, that you understand what you don't know as much as what you do. That will carry you far if you continue your journey." Would it be polite to ask someone what they were away from, as far as their home went? Some people undertook journeys as a coming-of-age type of thing, or a necessary escape from a bad situation, or perhaps it was an assigned quest whereupon they had to find something specific. Del found herself interested in that potential motivation, aside from self-betterment, at least.
Before she can actually ask this, however, she is distracted by trying to find out what sort of creature made those noises. "I'll check," she says under her breath, trying to not be overheard. Furrowing her brow, Del starts forward again, stepping silently along the path[1] a little ways to see if she can get a good look, her footprints leaving no discernable trail.
Rifling through what looked like a canvas bag on the other side of the ruin wall appeared to be... an imp. It was chattering and croaking, stuffing its face with some paper that had been inside. While the bag was in terrible condition, there was no clue as to the owner.
Del looks back to beckon Leandros up, indicating it is safe enough for him to come get a look himself and to make a decision as to how to handle the situation. The imp is certainly well and distracted at least, though there could be more in the area.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 29, 2023 11:11:44 GMT -5
"One man may not be enough to change the world on his one, but there's something they say about an avalanche can be started by a single snowflake." He smiles as he huffs, panting slightly as they reach their stopping point to look over the horizon.
Leandros puts his hands on his hips to collect his breath while Del scouted ahead. The way the sound of her footsteps quickly trailed off was something, she was clearly a woman of hidden talents. Leandros practically announced what he was capable of, so it was always interesting watching those with the more subtle approach.
He takes a light jog forward to catach up with Del, leaning around the corner to get a look at the creature. "Devilish little thing hm? I don't know the speech of devils to converse with it, but I'm hesitant to just eliminate it. The thing could know where our researcher is. I would wager that bag belongs to him."
If Del was of the same mind that they should attempt talking to it, then Leandros had a plan. He would approach as quietly as he could, drawing his halberd. Before it could scurry away he would reach out with the polearm and trap its neck in the bevel of the axeblade, the area wouldn't cut or harm the imp, but if it moved too much it could get cut.
"Tell us your purpose here devil!"
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Jan 30, 2023 19:35:48 GMT -5
Del nods, not taking her eyes off the creature. "I don't speak it either, but perhaps it knows a few common words that can clue us in." Allowing Leandros to take the lead, Del waits a few beats before following behind, sticking close to the shadows so as to be able to watch her companion's back more effectively. As the creature is ambushed, so enthralled by chewing on paper, Del slips nearer, only to get a good look at the bag the creature had been tearing through.
The imp screeches, struggling against the halberd that pinned it against the wall. It slaps feebly at the blade, snarling in a gutteral, gnashing language that is difficult to decipher. Clearly, the thing is afraid, trying to call out for help, but unable to make the sound loud enough to alert any other imps or creatures in the area.
Lifting her gaze from the bag of books and paper, Del's head slowly tilts to one side, amber eyes widening around the edges. "...Did you understand what it said?" she asks quietly to Leandros. Because she had.
"Leggoooo" The imp pleads hoarsely, common this time. Their accent very much has a hissing quality to it that the other language did. "No fight! Leggo! Searching... fooood!"
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Jan 30, 2023 20:09:53 GMT -5
"The second part was much more easily understood." He stares the imp a moment before stepping closer, holding firm to his halberd to keep it pinned in place. "Didn't know imps to eat books, where is the man who this bag belonged to?"
"N-no man! No man, just found! URK!" The imp coughs as the blade is pressed just a bit tighter. "TRIBUTE GIVE TRIBUE MAN MAKE GOOD TRIBUTE TO GODDESS." The words are croaked out as the imp kicks and flails, clearly scared beyond belief.
Leandros pulls the halberd free and lets the imp breathe, putting a foot on its tail so it can't immediately leave. "Goddess? Do his research notes say anything about this? I've never heard of imps worshipping anything, let alone a goddess."
"Yes, yes, goddess is mighty, want tribute....want know things...why me eat food....make know things, consume knowledge like goddess." The imp's chest heaves up and down as it pants and catches its breath.
Lee looks over to Del hoping she can discover something to make sense of all of this. If there was some sort of impish cult worshipping a psuedo-deity he could understand why that would garner such interest. He also understands why the researcher may have gotten abducted.
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Feb 1, 2023 18:49:25 GMT -5
Del listens, still frowning a little to herself as she looks through the papers in the bag, though some have clearly seen better, less tooth-filled days. She had understood the language it had spoke, but it was... odd. It had a connotation to it that was less words and more translation, something that their common tongue didn't have a word for. It was a feeling, more than a word.
"Could have been conned," Del replies, finding a journal with a cracked spine and opening it. She skims through the first couple of pages until she finds an illustration of a goddess bearing a deer skull head, hands raised palm up to the sky, fire in one and a book in the other. From there, the words become less uniform, less consistent in size, spelling, and angle, and the speech more detatched. "Or it's a powerful spirit who has convinced some other, less powerful creatures to do its bidding."
"GODDESS IS GODDESS, NO SPIRIT," the little imp insists. Del gives a brief look to the imp, but says nothing, instead shifting her eyes to Leandros. "Look at this." Del holds up the book for Leandros to be able to see the image she was looking at. "It seems as though there's a legend around here that had to do with the bestowing and taking of knowledge. A Secret Keeper of some kind, though maybe an entity of..." Del trails off for a second, making a connection.
Turning once again to the imp, Del frowns. "The first thing you said when we caught you was... Primal, I believe? You were trying to invoke it's name. Is that this thing here?" She gestures to the book.
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 1, 2023 19:42:42 GMT -5
"Whatever it was or is....it's powerful enough to be attracting others which can be an issue." Leandros puts his hands on his hips with a huff as he looks at the drawing. The knight is fully ignoring the imp and this point and the imp seems to be pretty happy with this deal.
It flutters past Leandros, slapping its tail against the knight's face while pretending it was an accident. The imp wobbles in the air as its little wings work to keep it afloat while it looks over the book. Whatever language the researcher wrote in seems foreign to the imp....or it is illiterate there is a good chance either is true.
"Yes, yes is goddess, take you to?" It nods vigorously.
If agreed to, which Lee will begrudgingly, the imp floats deeper into the cave they had found themselves in. For a moment it seems as if the imp is lost and leading them nowhere as the features start to blend together in the heat, but as they round the corner they stand at the precipice of a room with an oppressively searing heat coming from it.
In the middle, in front of some altar is a scholar, his robes burned and charred, hands scarred with burns, but he seems to be in no pain. The man is blissfully unaware of the heat slowly picking away at him.
"Goddess is consuming him!"
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Post by Delaela Fenastra-Asiliari on Feb 3, 2023 1:55:59 GMT -5
Scoffing a little at the audacity of the imp that swatted Leandros across his face, Del stands, putting the rest of the research materials into the satchel, swinging it again over her shoulder. "Yes, we would love to meet your, ah. Goddess." She exchanges a glance with Leandros, lifting one shoulder in a small shrug as if to say 'Weird, but might as well roll with it.'
Approaching the cave fills her with a sense of trepidation. There was some disturbed ground here, footsteps dragging toward the entrance, a smear of... something along the cave wall, perhaps as a marker. Ink, maybe? It didn't quite flake like blood did, but it was black and viscous and made her wrinkle her nose. It was like ichor. It was probably nothing. She pressed on after Leandros, feeling the sense of dread mounting again in her gut.
Adjusting to the low light faster than she normally did[1], Del tried to track their path so deep into the cave. Measuring turns, Noting any other black marks she noticed along the walls the deeper they went. Del silently checked in with Leandros to see if he is holding up well with the increase of heat. It was sweltering, even for her.
The monotony breaks up as they round that final, fateful corner, and come across their quarry at last. Del looks horrified-- there's a horrible sensation moving across the bones in her skull, almost a faint skittering that infuriates her, for some reason. Seeing the state of the scholar, burned-- burning, her jaw sets in resolution. "I don't bloody think so," Del growls, pushing past the imp and marching forward to try and remove the scholar bodily from the circle, but pauses at the sudden, oppressive weight of the heat emanating from the statue. She curses under her breath, looking at Leandros. "If we don't do something, he'll die there. I can get close and I might be able to get him out-- but I don't know if whatever is causing this will impact us, too if we step too close." And that didn't even cover the matter of the altar itself-- it drew people here and would continue to do so if they stopped her.
The imp looks back and forth between Del and Leandros, clearly torn about something or other. It was afraid of these two outsiders, but clearly the reverence it held for the Goddess might just edge out that fear by a fair margin. "Man is commune with goddess! Not to disturb! Pain it will be, fire of knowledge, yes."
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Post by Leandros Aurthurian on Feb 3, 2023 16:01:47 GMT -5
Leandros shields his eyes from the heat somewhat, but there's little to actually do. Even with his tricks to keep himself cool, this was oppresive. The added pressure that was somehow coming from this room made it hard to even step forward, he wondered how that man got in so far. Likely some sort of trick of the mind or willing acceptance of the goddess, two things he wasn't going to submit himself too.
"I will retrieve him." Before Del can stop or protest, Leandros is willing himself forward. As his first heavy footstep hit the ground inside of the altar chamber the heat seemed to flare up as if whatever was fueling this had now been made aware of their presence.
"Yesss, come forward and offer yourselves, let my fires consume you."
"Silence! Fiend, elemental, primordial force of the volcano, whatever you are! A Lion bows to no one!" That soft edge to his voice was replaced with a deep and authoritative bass that you would expect his normal voice to be. In hindsight he would realize what he said was a bit trite, but he'd read about these kinds of beings. The stronger resolve always won out and he was about to prove himself the winner.
The flames and heat kept climbing, the air itself occasionally sparking into flame to try and deter the knight, but he would not be stopped. He grabbed the scholar by the scruff of his robes and tossed him gently back towards Del.
As Leandros exited the flames he was gasping for air, lungs burning, there were a few burns hidden under his armor but nothing that time and attention wouldn't heal.
"Will he live?"
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