| Logs |
2001 July 24
| Paradon |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Paradon Logs |
Deserting the Post
Rechan eyes the two sleeping kobolds on his chamber floor. Oy. I probably should go back to sleep; I need to get back into the night-owlness. Rechan leaves his equipment on the bed, and simply sets his spellbook in his pack, hiding it beneath the makeshift bed. Feeling as though he won't need much, the kobold then slips quietly from the chamber, moving about the nest. Hunger has found him. If I get something to eat, I'll likely be able to sleep more. Glancing around, Rechan has to wonder if anyone has arisen.
The whistling breathing of the slumbering kobolds fills the chamber in an almost soothing, rhythmic pattern. The bodies of the sleeping line every wall of the main chamber while the still warm coals of a small fire sits in the center. At the far side of the chamber there seems to be two posted guards, half asleep at their post but as is the kobold habit the outer guards best be awake and ready to alert the nest of any dangers.
Rechan never had understood the simple workings of his kind. True, nocturnal was when most humans, most races slept, thus giving the nightwalkers free reign. However, humans were much more likely to invade at day. Drawing closer to the guards, he clears his throat. "Look alive," Snaps the wizard.
One of the guards flinch and open a weary eye to the bright eyed Rechan before grunting and resting his head back on the spear that he props himself up with. The other guard continues to lean against the wall, unmoving.
Rechan lifts a hand, rubbing his eye. "Be glad our chieftain isn't making his rounds. However, I am told he rises in a handful of hours." The threat is obvious. "Is there anyone within the kitchens?" He refers basically to a stone chamber with an actual fireplace, several spices, and a few iron pots.
The half-awake guard grunts once again at Rechan before pointing off with a swing of his arm towards the cooking room, "Fer eatn not sleepn. ya sleep now. me sleep now"
Rechan smirks. "I'm up, and so should you be. When we're invaded by ambitious humans, I'll insure you're dropped for not being ready." With that, he turns, and drifts toward the kitchens. The kitchen is in complete shambles. Pots lying about here and there, large chunks of bone littering the floor, some having fallen into a tub of what could only be some sickening stew. The stone slab that serves as a table is stained with blood and the dug out 'oven' has grown cold.
Rechan sighs. The kobold looks about, hungry. "Rations it is, it seems," He says glumly. Turning, he starts down the halls, once more. In fact, he's at a loss as to what to do. He draws back to his bedchamber, and wakes the little ones. "Rise," He commands, taking his equipment and chewing on a bit of dried meat from his rations.
Iktol and Barur wake and stretch wondering why they have been awoken. "Why ya sleep all night Rechan? Thought we were ta git power but ya just sleeped." spouts Barur.
Rechan nods his head. "Too long in with humans; they rise with the sun, and sleep at night. I grew too used to it. But, if we start now, we have an advantage; some of the nastier inhabitances of the mountains awaken at night. Would you rather chance meeting humans, or something Worse at night?"
Iktol doesn't question the wise 'humun-spy' but instead just gathers his stuff and readies his halfspear and stands at attention. "Me first mission fer what I trained. Come, we git power now."
Barur bumbles about for a moment then stands ready next to Iktol, seeming a little worse for the wear and a bit sleepy still.
Rechan nods. "Once we find the power, we'll rest while I study it, and find what it does. Then, we'll set out during the night." He rises, and tips his head toward the exit. Rechan leads to two out of Spinterfletch and along a path that leads north along the base of the Mountains of Chaos. The sky is clear and there is a breeze but it's a gentle one. The trail they follow is a tough one. Many steep climbs and sudden drops that the ever-prepared Iktol had his rope ready for and he scolded Barur for not bringing any supplies. The walk is long and hard and takes a good portion of the day but eventually the three reach the area designated by Rechan's map.
Rechan gazes around the area, and nods, regarding his map. "All right, you two," The wizard announces, "Keep alert, while I look for the boulder. I don't want an ambush while I'm wandering around." With that, he looks about, and back at the map, trying to locate the boulder.
Upon reaching the clearing the wind picks up dramatically. The sound of a repeated *WOOSH* echoes off of the cliff face that frames the northern edge of the clearing. The wind does not only blow but the gusts seem to pulsate as if someone was waving a huge fan. Iktor and Barur crouch down, each holding their halfspears at the ready and follow Rechan closely.
Rechan glances up at the strong wind, frowning slightly. The kobold continues to move, looking over the landscape, to see if there are any boulders that resemble the one on his map.
Peering around a shrub into the clearing Rechan sees a vaguely humanoid form that seems to be formed of clouds rushing south out of view as a large gust of wind bursts from that direction. The form seems to back up, coming into view again only to rush back out of view at the same time as yet another strong gust of wind blows through.
Rechan holds a hand up in a motion of halt, as he peers through the bush. He frowns, slightly, before glancing back at the two others. "To be honest," Breathes the kobold, "I've no idea What that is... It might be an illusion, or mayhap an air elemental..." He eyes the two. "Have either of you a spell in you? Or simple skill with spear?"
The two look back at Rechan, both grip their spears and shake them slightly to indicate that their only weapons are at the ready. They don't seem disturbed by Rechan's hesitation, just happy to be involved in some action.
Rechan considers this, and nods. He points to the closest bush, and peers back at Barur, "You, go hide there, and weight for my signal." His hand moves, pointing across the ways. "Iktol, see that cluster of bushes? Settle in there. When either of you get a signal...I'll stomp my foot, Iktol, you throw your spear. Barur, you close in and help me. Clear?"
Rechan whispers quickly. "Wait. First, we need to know if we can Hit it. My signal is I'll hit it with something; if it doesn't even affect, you two hold your weapons."
Iktol looks a bit confused at Rechan and shakes his head then speaks in a low whisper that barely reaches Rechan in the strong winds, "Me much better wit spear. Barur, better thrower. Me trained warrior no just trap maker like Barur. Me help you fight thing." Barur seems to like Iktol's idea much better than Rechan's.
Rechan nods his head to Iktol. "Good thinking. I'm not too sure on your skills. Then, you go over there," Gesturing to the spot Barur was meant to go, "And Barur, you move to the cluster of bushes. Now, Go." He stresses.
The two begin to travel off the path and over the harsh uneven stones. Their movement is slow and troublesome. Obviously attempting to move in quietly on their prey but having problems maneuvering through the uneven stone face, often times having to help each other over a large rock or having to use their spears for balance the two get into position and wait for Rechan's signal.
Rechan nods to himself. Taking the components out for a Color Spray spell, he keeps it in hand, while taking up his crossbow. The sand is in one hand, while the bow in another, hands are left down on his sides. The kobold carefully moves down the path, straight toward the wispy shape. He clears his throat, before, at a careful distance, calls in common, "Who goes?"
The shape stops for but a moment before continuing its attempts, dashing straight at a boulder at blinding speed only to have it's mist formed body explode on the boulder with a huge burst of wind. It's form reforms and backs away from the boulder ready to charge at it again.
Rechan looks at the thing curiously, and tips his head, looking at the boulder the misty thing keeps hitting.
Rechan clears his throat. "Iktol, move behind that boulder it keeps striking. When it comes close, stick your spear over the top, and see if it bothers your weapon when it hits."
Iktol seems confused, as if he can't hear Rechan's orders over the pounding of the wind. He seems to understand Rechan's hand movements and tries to act accordingly, moving up behind the boulder then trying to climb on top so that he can attack the thing from above. He tries and tries but he can't seem to find any way to pull himself up on the taller, wind warn boulder. He turns to Rechan and shrugs.
Rechan hms. The wizard sighs. He's putting himself in incredible danger, but, he can't exactly use one of the little ones as cannon fodder. Rechan creeps toward the misty creature's form, picking up a stick. Putting the components back in his pouch, he stands beside the thing's path, and sticks out his stick in its path.
Seeing Rechan moving in on the creature Barur takes action, he darts out of his hiding place behind the tree trunk and heaves his spear with all of his might towards the creature.
The cloud creature darts forward, but this time straight towards Rechan! Barur's spear flies through the wind being pushed in every direction before the skill of its wielder is shown as it solidly strikes the creature before it can reach Rechan. The spear seems to impale the creature before falling to the ground at the base of the boulder.
Rechan whips his crossbow up, and lets the bolt lead in his launch, having seen Barur's attack sting it at least somehow.
The creature, realizing its situation turns aggressive. The mists of it's body begin to spin violently and picking up speed. Dust and even small rocks from the clearing are picked up in the torrent of wind that now forms a strong and stable whirlwind!
Barur, seeing that his spear did some damage, but left without a weapon ponders what to do. His weapon rests at the base of the boulder, but also nearly at the feat of the wind creature and Rechan! In his cowardice he slinks back to the tree trunk looking for an opportunity to run without being noticed or to dart forward and get his weapon.
Backing away, rather quickly, Rechan drops his crossbow to the side. He calls out, "Iktol!" Fingers move quickly, making the gestures and words of a simple incantation, and lets the sting of white light, a ray of chilly power, jump from his hand, streaking toward the creature.
The ray darts forward unerringly outwards from the hand of Rechan who unfortunately in his haste to retreat didn't have enough time to aim the spell correctly. The ray darts into the ground just before the wind creature, cooling the ground slightly.
Iktol, taking grasp of the situation on the other side of the boulder darts around it, ready to attack the creature only to find it now transformed into a 10' whirlwind! Surprised he quickly jabs at it more as a threat than an attack before running back behind the boulder for cover.
The whirlwind springs forth into motion, it's howling sound racing towards the cowering Barur.
Iktol sees the creature dart around the corner and was waiting for his opportunity to strike. He thrusts out at the whirlwind seeking the center, and hopefully the source of the wind. The spear strikes the mist center of the whirlwind and meets some resistance. Not slowed the whirlwind continues by Iktor towards Barur. With another chance to strike and the creature as it heads away towards Barur he lunges forward, again hoping that the spear will find it's vague target but the speed of the wind fiend proves to be too much for Iktol whose attack winds up far short.
Rechan blinks, and watches the thing. He pauses, gazing toward the boulder that the thing was attacking. "Wait...maybe..." Rechan takes a running start for the boulder, hands before him. Going at an angle, if not slightly toward the whirlwind itself, he charges the boulder, hoping to push it over. The boulder doesn’t budge.
Barur is hit by the rampaging whirlwind with the force of a solid club and is knocked back against the tree trunk, visibly damaged by the attack. He scurries around the back of the tree trying to find some cover from the creature and ready to react if it comes at him again.
Rechan moves, getting in line with the creature. Not much of his spells can really affect whatever the thing is, but a simple cantrip might. Once more, he moves into the complexities of a spell, and shrieking the pinnacle of the incantation, points his finger, letting the cold ray leap from his fingertips. The ray shoots forth from the little hands of the lizard and darts out towards the whirlwind. The beam of cold passes through the whirlwind and strikes the tree causing a bit of frost to form on the bark.
A burst of wind seems to solidify in the whirlwind as it spins now towards Iktol who somehow sees the threat coming and stumbling backwards avoiding it. Barur sits and waits behind the tree, figuring that keeping the tree between it and the wind creature is the best tactic.
Rechan looks up, seeing that the two are trapped. His eyes dart about...Ah! First the wizard scoops up his crossbow, and then the spear at the base of the boulder. "Barur!" Rechan, not being schooled in using the item, simply doesn’t attack, but reels back, and hurls the weapon towards Barur, aiming for the bushes off to the side. The spear is thrown quite accurately landing in the bushes slightly to the left of Barur but then skids through and out the other side onto the path beyond, but still within a distance for Barur to make a dash for it.
Off balance and unsure of his target's next action Iktol trusts his spear forward in a feeble attempt to push his attack away, but he catches only air, nothing sold in the process.
The whirlwind however comes ever closer, darting back and forth the vague form bats at Iktol, battering him with the winds and small rocks. Blood begins to drip slowly from between the scales of the warrior lizard.
Barur rushes off after his weapon so thoughtfully thrown to him by Rechan. He picks it up and returns to his position behind the tree, ready to attack at the next opportunity.
Rechan has already a bolt in hand, having left one or two strapped to his belt. Hurriedly, the kobold loads his crossbow, and takes aim, glaring down the weapon at the spinning devil. Teeth grit, he pulls the trigger, launching. The bolt darts towards the wind fiend but is blown off course and imbeds itself in the very tree that Barur hides behind. Barur let's out a quick "Yip" as he jumps from the surprise and gives Rechan a quick glance.
Not wanting to stand and fight this unknown alone Iktol back up into the clearing and onto more stable ground. He readies his weapon for a strike should the thing come within range. And just as he sets himself for an attack the wind force darts towards him again in an aggressive attack the winds kicking up all around it. Iktol Lunges forward with a desperate attack. The spear fights it's way though the wind but fails to find the center. At the extent of the lunge Iktol take a stone to the head and creates a small splattering of blood to shoot out and join in the whirlwind.
Barur takes his chance and runs up to the wind being and thrusts his spear forward but fails to hit anything. His fear begins to take hold and he begins looking for a retreat route.
Rechan grits his teeth. This tornado is taking its toll on his men. Moving to the side, so as not to put a quarrel in Iktol's back, Rechan loads his bow once more. A faint breath, hoping for luck to come, he raises the cross bow once more. "Speed true," The wizard offers, and fires.
The bolt once again shoots forward passing right through the whirlwind, but this time as it reaches the center the whirlwind explodes in a burst of air sending the dust and small rocks in every direction as the bolt spins off down the mountain side. The wind dies down to a soft breeze as the wind creature’s presence departs.
Iktol slumps down against the boulder and Barur walks up to join the others, but doesn't speak a word he just slumps down next to Iktol and looks to Rechan with a weary look in his eyes.
Rechan drops onto the ground, sighing in exhaust. He puts his bow down, rubbing his face. "I'm glad you hurled that when you did, Barur," Rechan calls. "Are either of you hurt?"
Iktol raises a hand to the side of his head, wiping off some of the blood and checking to see how badly he is wounded, "I got hit by thing. Am hurting."
Barur checks his wounds also but find no blood, "I be okay, only hurt little."
Rechan draws up, and puts his crossbow back on its strap. The wizard moves over to Iktol, "How badly? Does either of you know how to patch things up?"
Iktol motions to behind the boulder, "In bag, I can patch wit stuff but not patch meself"
Rechan nods his head, and moves to the bag, pulling it over. He looks up at Barur. "What about you?"
Barur shakes his head at Rechan.
"Where is power Rechan?" asks Barur, "Me want to go back to nest now."
Rechan digs into the bag, and starts taking a few items out. I Believe it's...under there," He glances at the boulder that the two rests against. He lifts his hands, trying to patch up Iktol's head.
Rechan glances at the boulder. "Here...help me push it over. Barur, get your spear."
The wrapping on Iktol's head seems to ease the pain a little, "me'll be okay" he says, "We have ta push it over?" Looking at the wind warn boulder.
"With some work," Offers Rechan. "Get a spear."
Barur and Iktol get their spears and dig little holes at the boulders edge and together they begin trying to move the heavy thing. "How day get power under here?" Barur asks in between grunts.
Rechan nods his head, and moves to put hands on the boulder, starting to push, with the warriors' help.
While trying to pry the boulder from it's place Rechan hears the echo's of a screaming kobold, apparently running and the annoying sound of a mountain goat.
Rechan stops. "Wait! Do you hear that?" The wizard asks, looking around, trying to figure where the sound's coming from.
As the sound gets louder it's easy to pick out. Iktol and Barur both realize what, and who it is. "Canor!" they both say in unison as they look at each other with wide eyes.
Rechan frowns, and starts to get his crossbow loaded again. Stepping from behind the boulder, he looks around. "Where is he?"
At that moment down the path an even smaller kobold, obviously a young one comes running down the path being followed by a big mountain goat who seems intent on running the little guy down.
Rechan thinks quickly. "Barur, over there, and ready to throw," He points to the small cluster of boulders by the cliff. "Iktol, you stay here." Moving over the uneven ground, calling, "Canor! Here!" His hand is ready, to launch if the goat nears.
Barur follows the orders and yanks his spear out of the ground and quickly runs over to the area Rechan specified. He hides around the corner of the large boulder and is ready to throw at the goat. Iktol makes ready and watches what Rechan intends on doing. Canor, running for his life continues running down the path then jumps into the bushes on the side, towards Rechan.
The goat, now in better view and no longer made to look so large compared to the small kobold, is just a typical mountain goat, but still intent on stomping the life out of the little one. He dashes up the path towards the bushes that Canor leapt into and bats and the bushes with its horns.
Rechan frowns, as the goat starts to rip into the bushes. He levels the crossbow, glancing at the boulder. If only he could get the goat to come after him... "Hey!" The wizard calls, as he fires the bolt at the beast.
The bolt lands solidly into the flank of the angered goat. Blood begins to trail down its leg as it looks up at Rechan and gets a tinge of fear in its eyes. Barur jumps out from behind the boulder but doesn't need to throw his halfspear. The goat is already making it's way down the trail bouncing from rock to rock, running for it's life.
Canor crawls out of the bush and looks around, "Iktol, Barur... w-where are you?"
Rechan blinks. "Hm..." The wizard wanted to use that charging thing to help knock the boulder in place. Shaking his head, he draws toward the younger kobold. "Are you hurt?"
Iktol walk over to Canor and pull him out of the bushes by his arm like something an angered parent might do, "Why ya here? Ya should be back at nest with mother till ya bigger. ya not trained like us and ya could git hurt fer being out here!"
Rechan eyes Iktol. "Now, don't manhandle the little one; let him have his say." He draws closer, putting his crossbow on a strap. "Now, why're you out here, Canor?"
Canor just begins to cower away from Iktol's scolding. The torn shirt he wears falls loose to the ground revealing an odd marking of a paw with three claw marks on top of it. It looks something like a tattoo or a birthmark except for the fact that the claw marks seem to shimmer slightly. "I-I just followed ya out, I wanna help git power too. Everyone talking bout it. I just wanna help."
Rechan hms. He draws closer. "Canor, where'd you get that?" The wizard points at the spot on the young one's chest.
Iktol scolds the younger further, "Ya know ya can't come out here like dis." spotting the mark Iktol's eyes light up. He quickly grabs the shirt and covers the youngling once again. "Yer ganna be in trouble when we git back to da nest!"
Canor turns to Rechan, "Git what?"
Iktol interjects, "It's nothing... just a scar from when he be little."
Barur approaches the mess, "Canor ya shouldn’t have come. Iktol always protect you and keep ya safe. He take ya out when ya ready."
Rechan nods his head, waving his hand. "Hush, you two. Let the boy speak. Canor," he announces, eyeing the young one. "The mark; what caused the mark on your chest?"
Before Iktol can cover the young one's mouth Canor spits out, "It my power da- MMMmmM mMMm mM mMMMM" the rest comes out muffled by Iktol's hand.
Iktol interputs, "It be nutn' Rechan. Come we git yer power and git to nest now"
Rechan stalks towards Iktol. "Tell you what. You want to go home, hm?" Pointing to the boulder, "Start digging at the underside of it on that side. Barur, go get my crossbow bolts I missed. Then we'll try and roll this thing over. But, I'm not getting it until either of you do it."
Barur goes about looking for the bolts without a word. Iktol spits out "Fine" as he drags Canor along with him to start digging.
Canor breaks free of Iktol's hold and spurts to Rechan, "I cun push it. I wanna help."
Rechan says, "Hold on." He reaches and takes hold of Canor's hand. "This is magic stuff, Iktol. I think I know about this sorta thing. Go dig." He looks at Canor, "Now...what's this about power?""
Canor blurts it all out really fast and tells Rechan all about how he was born with the mark and Iktol and his other brothers made him not use his powers and helped him hide them. He explains that if the leaders found out about the markings that they might kill him because they don't want humans coming and hunting down the nest to find someone like him. "I tell ya cuz I know ya a good family Rechan."
Rechan nods his head to Canor. "Interesting. You should try and develop this power of yours, you know. You could be an asset to the nest. And, no human would know, simply if you don't show it off around humans. What does this power do, exactly, Canor?"
"Make me strong like a bear" he smiles back.
Rechan smiles brightly. "Great!" He moves to the boulder. "You *Can* help. Ok, Barur, Iktol, come! Get your spears, we'll try to roll it over now."
Everyone gets in position, spears in the ground, hole on the other side of the boulder everything is situated. "One moment" pipes up Canor as he reaches into his shirt, placing his hand on his mark. Suddenly he begins to grow in size and mass. His lizard like snout elongates slightly, his arms bulge with muscles. The claws on his hands grow as his back expands to nearly twice his normal size. When the transformation is done the tiny kobold Canor looks now to be almost half bear man. He turns to Rechan and gives a toothy smile as he leans into the boulder with both arms pushing with all of his strength, His strength combined with the other three and the hole dung on the far side of the boulder are enough to life the boulder out of it's resting place and sending it crashing down the mountainside kicking up dirt and crashing through trees on it's way down.
Rechan grins, nodding to Canor. "Thank you! Thank you, Canor. Thank you, all three of you. Now..." He kneels down, and starts pawing at the ground, looking for the item that was said to be beneath.
Looking at how the rocks are piled it soon becomes obvious that things had changed since the boulder was placed here. The rocks look to have been set up so that the boulder would be easy to move but some slid, others cracked under the weight of the boulder as it settled over time. In the center, at the bottom of a pile of small rocks is a piece of thick leather wrapped around something, perhaps another rock. No, whatever is wrapped in the leather is far too smooth to be a rock.
Rechan eagerly drops his hand, taking up the item wrapped in leather, pulling it up carefully, before starting to slowly unravel it.
Now back in his usual form Canor pipes up sounding a little winded, "Is dat it? is dat da power?"
Rechan lets out a Shh. "Let me see, first."
Unraveling the leather reveals a orb of solid metal who's surface is as smooth as could be. Scratchless, dentless, the orb is in every way a perfect sphere. Rechan's reflection looks back at him as he examines it.
Rechan eyes the object, and tilts his head, gazing into it. He then places his bare hands upon it, and tries to focus on it, to see if there's anything he can learn from the object.
The instant his hand touches the metal sphere it seems to spring to life. An electrical arc springs forth from the orb creating a line that runs from the exact top to the exact bottom of the sphere. It doesn't harm Rechan but does give him a slight tingle.
Iktol seems amazed, "Ohhh wut it Do Rechan?"
Rechan blinks, and strokes the sphere, turning it in his hands. Rolling it over, he gazes curiously at the light-arc. "I don't know, yet."
No matter which way the sphere is turned the arc acts as if it was never turned at all. Always leading from the exact top to the exact bottom of the sphere, the line always being in the exact same position on the sphere, as if it were pointing somewhere, towards the cliffs.
Rechan gazes at the light, before standing up. An idea hits him. He starts to turn, seeing if the light will turn as well, or stay.
The arc continues to point in the same direction as if the sphere never turned at all, as if it was attracted to something in that direction.
Rechan, turning his head to the side, looks in the direction the light leads, before starting toward it, lining up fully.
"Well Well? what is it Rechan?!" the ever questioning Canor asks.
The arc seems to line up vaguely, from what Rechan's map said was northeast.
"I don't know," The wizard says again. "I think it's like... it's a map." He follows the path, continuing to walk in the direction the orb points, looking for anything that it might be indicating.
He heads off in the direction the sphere's arc points, walking straight up to the cliff face. Looking around and waving the orb around a bit reveals nothing.
Iktol questions his magical leader, "A map? how could dat be a map Rechan?"
Rechan says, "Look at the light," He replies. "It points in a particular direction. It's pointing the way for Something."
Something catches Barur's eye, a glint of something shiny. Unable to resist he heads off into the uneven ground where they battled the wind creature. Looking around he bends down to pick something up, something shiny. While the others are questioning Rechan about the 'map' Barur pockets his newfound treasure and returns to the group.
"But it points to da rock only. How dat help you get anywhere?" asks Canor.
Rechan says, "Because there might be something IN the rocks, or hidden around. Remember, this thing was hidden Beneath one." He keeps walking, glancing around curiously, peering over the sphere. "Tell me if any of you spot anything."
After spending a while searching the area, moving from side to side along the cliff's face with the arc on the sphere never changing Rechan comes to the conclusion that it is some sort of compass but that it points to something distant.
Rechan rubs his chin lightly. Looking upward, "I may have to go over the cliff-face, and keep looking." He glances along the cliff, looking to see if there are any good handholds.
Rechan looks up the cliff, and then frowns. Looking back at the other three, "Are any of you any good at climbing?"
Iktol says, "I can climb. I have a rope too that I can throw down to yas if we want ta go. Why not look up path for way up instead of climbing rocks?"
Rechan nods his head. "Fair enough...but I get the feeling it's not going to be close." He lifts a hand to scratch his chin. "We may need to head back to the nest. However, I want to stop by Windspear. I'm going to...steal something from the humans."
All of the other kobolds perk up, "We are going to raid humuns now?!" smiles Iktol before the throbbing of his wounds remind him of his condition causing him to wince slightly.
Rechan shakes his head. "No. They know me; I'm going to sneak in and steal a book. No raid. But I can sneak in and get some food and a book that might help me figure it out. You may need to stay in the forest, or head back to the nest.”
All of the others seem to agree that heading back to the nest before Konsig wakes would be a good idea. They dust themselves off and head back down the trail. If they hurry they might make it before sundown.
Rechan, later that evening, climbs out of the well, after insuring there's no one around. He scrambles out into the area, and moves as quickly as possible toward his master's home.
He finds his way there, ducking around a corner here and there to avoid the villagers but otherwise unhindered. The warm smell of bread is in the air again and the flickering light of a fireplace can be seen pouring out of the master's house coming from just past the door which remains slightly open.
Rechan pushes the door open quickly. "Hofnoron! Hofnoron! I need your aid, please, for all that you can, Help!"
A weak voice calls from the bedroom, "Little one is that you? Come to me..."
Rechan pulls the door open, and slips inside. "Yes, master?" He scurries in.
Pushing aside the door Rechan's eyes fall upon the sad image of his master, nearly beaten to death and looking sickly. His face battered and bruised, his body showing signs of pain even in it's rested position on the bed. "Why have you come back little one. It's not safe for you here. They will not think twice about running you through... But I am glad to see you."
Rechan is nearly aghast. "Hofnoron...who...what... By the nine hells man, what happened?!"
"Later Rechan, tell me why you are here so that I may help you and set you on your way." He responds, apparently saving his energy.
Rechan moves to the bedside. "Master..." He sighs. "The Nests are going to attack the city. Konsig is calling in warriors, spell hurlers from the other nests, and is going to launch an attack on Windspear."
"Little one it is worse than that." Hofnoran places his hand on Rechan's, "They know. They know about me and they assume you taught me. They are preparing to attack the nest."
Rechan rubs his eye faintly. "When?"
Hofnoran's voice cracks in pain as he inhales to take a breath, "Tomorrow. They sent for men from Danth, they should be here in the morning. I'm so glad you came. So glad I could warn you little one."
Rechan reaches into a pocket, extracting the metal orb. "I found this, in the place you indicated, master. It's...some sort of pointer, pointing off somewhere far. I would've went after it but... I wanted to warn you... and I seem to be too late."
"Good, take it and look after yourself Rechan. I have a feeling that leads to some great power, but anything that is powerful is also dangerous little one. Be wary of going after such a treasure before you are ready. Live your life as I should have Rechan, seek the magic, seek truths and live well." he coughs painfully again, "but live Rechan, and here is not the place for you to do it. You need to leave."
Rechan nods his head once, and reaches his taloned hand to pat the old man's forehead. "Master, you're going to die. If not now, soon. The villagers, they will suffer losses, and if you do not die tonight, they will take their scorn upon you..." He sighs. "I hate to ask this, master, but I will need more supplies. More everything... I do not wish to sound ungrateful, master, but, where is your spellbook? I do not want the villagers burning it. It is Yours, and it needs to be kept preserved, even if you cannot be.”
Hofnoran looks completely defeated at that last remark, "Look about and take what you can little one. You'll notice most of my books have been tossed into the fireplace, I would guess my spellbook included. Anything I have is yours Rechan. They have kept me here to watch me die slowly rather than kill me outright. They might even keep me alive just to watch me whither in old age. I will die little one, but not tonight. Tonight I rest and bid farewell to my best friend."
Rechan looks up at the old man sadly. He would offer to end his suffering, not for cruelty or anger, but to stop the man from slowly withering away. However, he can't; he can't even say it. "Come with me. You've spells about you, master, you can walk, can't you?"
"I wouldn't make it out of the village little one. And even if I could I doubt I'd be able to survive for long in the wilderness, even with your kind care me. Besides, this is my home... Gather your stuff and be quick about it. They do come and check on me every so often." he returns.
Rechan looks defeated. How he wants to just give his dagger to the old man. With a heavy heart, the kobold moves about the room, searching, even poking at the fireplace to see if anything survived. He finds some old mundane, half burnt books, some loose papers but no signs of an actual spellbook. He then slips out of the house quietly, having packed all the simple supplies, as well as food, but left half for his master. The kobold sighs, having said good-bye and left as quietly as possible. He moves out, and toward the town's well, using homes and alleyways.
Rechan closes his spellbook, and gazes around, as he returns the tome into his pack. After enjoying a meal of simple rations, and removing the orb from his pouch, the kobold is ready to set forth. Turning to Canor, "If we are to get into some sort of fight, I want you to be careful. Stay off to the side, out of the way."
Canor continues to sleep, his reptilian body curled up into a tight ball, emitting the sound of snoring that stops at the sound of Rechan's voice. He looks up, "Huh, We be leavn' now? But it morning."
A pause. The wizard considers. "Go back to sleep. We'll set out in a few hours, all right?" He offers.
Canor drops his head back to his backpack in response, closing his eyes.
Rechan, after loading his crossbow and hanging it on his belt for easily access, starts to search around the countryside, but staying within eyesight of the tree Canor sleeps beneath.
The wind seems to grow stronger, picking up dust and throwing it around the area making it hard to even look into the wind. Large birds can be seen in the tree branches huddled up, hiding from the sudden forces of the wind as if they were use to this sort of abuse.
Rechan pauses. He suddenly remembers the air creature. Lifting a talon, scratching his chin, the wizard starts to gaze about, as if expecting to find the source of such breeze.
But there is no such source. This is natural wind for the area, even the clouds are pushed quickly over the windswept mountain range. Other than the strength of the fierce wind the day is pleasant, the sun shines down through the treetops warming the ground and the air, in the moments it is not rushing past with a gust full of dust is cool and refreshing.
Canor awakens after a short while, groggy but awake, "Rechan, Where are we going today?" he asks while he gathers his stuff, stands and is ready for travel.
Rechan removes the orb from his pouch, and returns to the tree. "We're following this," he replies, tossing the orb up slightly to catch.
Canor nods, bows his head and begins following Rechan along the mountain path, heading straight into the wind.
The two travel for hours on end, stopping for only short moments to search for the rations in the backpacks. There is almost no conversation between the two, even if there had been reason for it, the sound of the wind whistling in their ears as they travel disallowed idle communication. The path wound it's way to near the top of the mountain ridge, then began it's decent on the eastern side. Animal life, besides small groups of mountain goats, was nowhere to be seen, all having taken cover from today's fierce wind that made this trek so difficult on the two travelers. Just before nightfall, the base of the mountain can be seen, the path opens up into the foothills below.
Rechan swears, noting the underfoot hills. Calling over the wind, "We May need to be Careful! This is Ling country!" With that, he starts down toward the east. This has to lead somewhere. I truly hope I'm not wasting my time. He wants to travel a while into the night, in hopes of eventually getting his sleeping schedule to a night-oriented period.
Canor doesn't seem surprised and there are no complaints from him. The two continue onward a short ways, nearly reaching the base of the mountain when he calls to Rechan, the wind having died down this low on the mountain, "Rechan, look" He points out over the foothills a ways where some light can be seen. The light seems to be coming from some sort of a fissure in the earth but it's hard to make out at this distance.
The wizard tilts his head, and seems suspicious. He holds up the orb, and turns slightly, in either direction, to see if the line points directly at the light source.
The orb is steady in it's course, almost directly east now, from what Rechan can tell, remembering the maps and the fact that the mountain range ran roughly north and south. It seems to point into the distance, having no reaction to the light source.
Canor concentrating on peering into the distance, watching the light as it now seems to be traveling along the ground, coming vaguely closer to them, completely misses the sound of someone circling around the two travelers.
Rechan's head tips, noting the sound, and frowns, glancing around. He whispers, "Canor, be very quiet, and Very still..." After a moment, subtly continuing to watch, Rechan lets his hand fall to his crossbow. "Canor, just keep walking, but no sudden moves." With that, the reptile starts forward once more, though casual, slow.
Suddenly, out of the darkness and from behind rock formations in each side of the trail slings a net, aimed right at the two lizardlings. The first net, flung at Rechan misses, landing on the ground next to him but the other captures the unwary Canor with ease.
Canor gasps, "Rechan!" and panics for a moment, trying to struggle free.
Rechan snarls, and keeps his crossbow close. He kneels down beside Canor, thrusting his boot, to offer the little lizard one of his daggers, while keeping his eye on the nets' source. "Take the knife, cut yourself out, all right?"
Canor takes the knife and begins cutting at the ropes of the net just as four creatures, two from each side leap out from behind the rocks. The creatures have the look and the build of human children except that their hands are adorned with claws, their mouths filled with row upon row of sharp pointy teeth and long fleshy tendrils grow where one would expect hair to be. The rush out screeching a high-pitched yell of some sort, raising their wooden clubs to attack.
Rechan, having been cautious of some fight, had prepared his components for such. Twisting his wrist slightly, the small pouch in his sleeve releases the needed components for a spell. Backpeddling, be starts to cast, and snarls the pinnacle of the spell, directing the blinding blast to the pair on his left, hoping the eruption of color disorients the things.
The lings rush out, getting blasted by a bright flurry of color springing forth from Rechan's hands. The first of the two is caught by the colors and quickly reaches for his eyes before falling unconscious, hitting the ground hard. The second is able to ignore the color, rushing forth to attack Rechan with his club.
The club swings, right where Rechan would have been if he hadn't taken a step backwards as he was casting the spell. The other two fare as poorly as they swing at Canor, hitting only net.
Canor, now being attacked reaches under his torn clothes and touches his magical symbol, invoking its power. As before the aspects of a bear come to him. He stands and attempts to rip through the net with his new, magical strength. The net, having already been damaged by the knife tears apart in Canor's hands, setting him free.
Rechan continues to backpeddle, and, out of the corner of his eye, sees one of the boulders alone the side of the path. He scuttles to the side, and, half-hiding behind the boulder, brings his crossbow up to bear, and lets the bolt jump at the closest ling. The bolt flies wide, hitting a boulder and cracking in half. The Ling steps forward and brings his club down at Rechan.
Rechan is missed yet again but Canor isn't so lucky this time, one of the lings lands a solid blow on the little, fierce looking one.
Canor responds with a fist, his magical beast strength guiding its way. The ling tries to bat the fist away with his club and only manages to distract Canor, which happens to be enough because the fist lands short of it's target and Canor ends up overextended.
Rechan ducks behind the stone once more, dropping the crossbow lightly, and starting another spell. The kobold reaches out, coming back in line with the assaulting ling, and unleashes a bolt of icy power, the cyan beam streaking in on the assaulting beast.
The beam streaks forth and strikes the ling dead in the chest as it comes around the corner to attack Rechan. It seems unphased by the small bit of frost that the ray caused and is more worried about chasing Rechan around the rock to get a good strike. The club, with a clear view of Rechan, still manages to smash into the boulder missing.
Canor, caught overextended and unprepared gets smashed by both of the lings attacking him and falls to the ground, unmoving.
Rechan keeps dodging the advancing enemy, unaware that Canor is down. He moves back around the rock, however, and spots the unmoving kobold-bear, nearly panicking. He keeps steady, though, and starts moving back the way that Canor and he had originally come from, keeping on the defensive. Calling to the two over Canor, "Hey! HEY! Over here!"
Frustrated, the Ling in Melee with Rechan swings again, this time hoping for better results but finding none. His club hits only air again. One of the lings standing over the fallen Canor charges at Rechan, bringing his club up in a dangerous uppercut. The club connects, but barely. The other ling does not rush Rechan, but instead gathers the net that is still intact and moves in closer to Rechan.
Rechan grunts, as the club cracks against his scales. Fingers tighten around the sand still in his hand, and steps back, moving around, hoping to get into proper position. Then, he starts casting, and, at the pinnacle, unleashes the blast of color, intent on getting all three in the blast radius.
A spray of colors shoots forth from the hands of Rechan again, catching all of the Lings this time. The two that had been attacking Canor drop to the ground while the third reaches for his eyes screeching a high pitched screech, blinded.
He flails around blindly as he continues screeching, as if calling for help. His club swings back and forth but doesn't find Rechan.
Rechan draws backward, grinning grimly, and removes a dagger. Noting the Ling's current handicap, he flicks his wrist, sending the blade twirling.
The Ling's spastic flailing manages to keep him out of range of the dagger, but doesn't help his weapon find Rechan. He continues his screeching. In the distance, more voices, screeching voices begin to ring out.
The ling dropped by Rechan's first spell begins to rouse, only to find himself blind. He fumbles around, crawling on his hands and knees.
Glancing around, not sure exactly what to do, the kobold scurries back to the bolder, and hunkers down, moving to load his bow. He can't kill the stragglers, nor can he run and leave Canor behind. He has to hope Canor is simply unconscious, and not dead. His eyes scan the vicinity, looking for a place to hide.
The Ling continues to flail at the air, not giving up his attack but unsure of where Rechan is, while his kin continues to crawl around, blind as well. The distant screeching is coming closer, glancing down the trail Rechan can see the vague form of more lings approaching. The number of them unknown, but there are at least three forms.
Rechan has very few options. Either run, use his remaining spells to scare the buggers, or start picking them off. To insure he wont' have trouble with any more cured of blindness, the kobold moves out from behind his rock and, leveling the bow on the ling with the Club, lets his missile fly.
The bolt lands squarely in his back, he screams in pain reaching his hand behind his back to see what's hit him as he turns and fails at air some more.
Rechan is likely wasting his time, but, he has few options to go on. Removing from his quiver another bolt, the kobold loads, and readies, kneeling down, setting the shot, and fires toward the screeching, wounded ling.
The bold strikes true, just as the last. This time the blood of the ling is drained, as well as his life. He falls to the ground dead. The other lings rush up the trail, there are more than three, perhaps 5, maybe more. Rechan can't tell but they seem to have spotted him as the lead Ling pulls out a net and rushes forward, followed by the rest.
Rechan, seeing his options, simply hops to his feet, turns, and runs, hoping to outpace the club-wielding beasts, dropping his crossbow to his side.
As Rechan takes off a net flies past him, landing on the ground. Rechan leaps over it and takes off up the path, the Lings hot on his trail.
Rechan, as he runs, having the creatures on his tail, wonders exactly if he could negotiate with the beasts. Of course, that would require knowing if he even knows a language of theirs. As he runs, the kobold calls out, "Wait!" In every language he knows, from the common tongue, down to the elven that he'd learned in his master's tomes.
The screeching behind the weary Rechan grows louder, ignoring his pleas, as he runs for his life back up the trail. A club flies over his shoulder missing him, as he looks back he barely dodges another that was thrown at him but there was no escaping the net. It entangles Rechan causing him to fall, crashing into the rock and dirt of the path. The lings quickly catch up and beat him into submission. His vision goes black to the sounds of celebrating ling screeches...
Rechan opens his eyes to find himself in a long cage that is separated into many different sections by iron bars. In the cage sections both to the right and left sits a single dwarf, each of them large and haggard looking. Small wounds cover their bodies and blood stains their armor. Taking a look around, the cage is set up near a strange cliff face and looks out towards what one could only guess to be a ling encampment. A ditch or trench can be seen beyond a large bonfire they appear to be concentrating on building even bigger. Canor, unconscious with his hands tied behind him is bound to a large wooden been that has been stuck into the ground near the fire. Lings, at least twenty of them circle the bonfire, tossing small logs onto it. The glimmer of drool can be seen dripping from their tooth filled maws as they peer at Canor.
Rechan glances around, almost frantic. Hell. He starts tapping on the bars, peering at the dwarves, wondering if they're simply trying to sleep. "Wake up," He rasps, both in the common tongue, then in the orc. Dwarves, he'd heard, held utter hatred for orcs. They'd likely speak the tongue...right?
The dwarf on the left whispers gruffly as he reaches outside of his cage fiddling with the lock, "Shut yer trap kobold"
The other dwarf responds, "Bah it be a kobold yer talkn' to. Aint no use n' talkn' to da trash. Ye know dat."
Rechan snarls. "Listen to me, both of you." He points to the gathered masses. "Once they're through with him, they're going to get bored. Now, both of you may want to stick around and be their entertainment, but I want to escape. I've got magic about me; I'm sure that can serve as at least a distraction, eh?"
Both of the dwarves looked shocked that the kobold has an actual grasp of language. A faint *click* comes from the left as the cage door swings open slightly. "I sad shut yer trap kobold. I aint gonna be stayn' 'ere ta be food fer da lings n' ifn' ya want outa 'ere ye better be follown' me n' me brothers lead." says the one on the left.
The other responds, "Durben ben' right he is shut it n' ye might be leavn' wit us, oderwise ye'll be food like dat one out there."
Rechan turns toward the staked Canor. "All right, agreed. But, if I can, I'd like to free him. He's just a boy. What's the plan? I can magic you weapons, if I can see them."
As if on cue Canor SCREAMS at the top of his lungs. Glancing out Rechan sees Canor being placed on the fire, propped up as if on a spit. Dinner is being cooked.
Rechan swears a curse ripe enough to turn a sailor's head. His voice is more harsh. "What is the plan?"
The Dwarves look out. The larger of the two, the one on the right says, "Well now dat Dorben got his cage unlocked, I be sayn' we git going." He pushes the back of the cage off with ease. The piece of the cage extends beyond his cell and into Rechan's freeing him as well. The piece had obviously been broken before and was propped up to look solid.
Dorben nods. "Argus be right, n' yer friend be already dead. Lest ye wanna be yerself come wit us." He sneaks out of his cage and skirts the cliff face, circling around the encampment, Argus following close behind.
Rechan, with heavy heart, pushes out of the cage and follows the dwarves. Keeping his voice low, "Are either of you headed for your supplies? Your weapons? If not, then I cannot follow; there are things I can't loose, these hairy orc-midgits have of mine."
As the three turn the corner a light horse still tied to a cart with what looks to be a pile of equipment in it is grazing. Argus points, "Dare ye stuff be, as wit ours."
Argus creeps up, now moving out, away from the cliff towards the horse and cart. Dorben follows closely behind and turns to watch the Lings only to meet one's gaze directly. He let's out a low growl, "Damn... Go Argus, RUN"
Swearing once more, the wizard digs his heels in, and starts running to the cart full speed. He hopes that one of the dwarves can hitch and ride a horse.
Argus glances to the side as the screeching o the lings fills his ears. He sprints off to the cart, leaping onto the horse which let's out a large 'NEeeEY' as the screeching of Lings rise from the campfire. "In da cart, now!"
Rechan, making it before Dorben, and moves, intent on scaling the side. Rechan leaps up, cutting off Dorben's leap and knocking an axe that had been resting on the side out of the cart as it begins moving forward, without Dorben.
Dorben runs to catch up, looking back to see how close the lings are, their screeching having grown ever louder. They were almost on them. Three clubs come flying at him, one of them striking his leg just as his foot catches something heavy, his AXE! He tumbles to the ground, lings almost over him. He rolls up, grabbing his axe. He glances to the cart, out of reach. "Ride me brother, Argus Ride and be rich" He turns to the lings weapon in hand, ready for battle.... Ready to die fighting.
Argus turns to see Dorben's first swing of his axe, cleaving into the wave of lings that wash over him. Argus turns his head back and spurs the horse on faster.
Rechan calls out, "Slow down a little, I have an idea! Dorben, don't mind the goat!" His fingers, lips spilling arcane syllables in the motions of a spell, to conjure up a flash of light, and from it charges a goat...or, a goat from the forest of freaks. Horns looking wicked and spiked, glowing an eerie red, running into the throng of the beasts.
By the time the image of the goat appears in full force Dorben can't be seen, only a cluster of lings and a few dead bodies. Argus doesn't slow, but in fact speeds up catching Rechan by surprise. The horse leaps into the air over the trench in the earth. The cart leaves the ground for a moment but doesn't even come close to making it over the trech. It crashes hard into the far side of the trench before the horse is able to pull it up. Rechan is thrown from the cart but somehow manages to hang on to it and pull himself back in. Some gear falls into the trench where unsuspecting Lings jump upon it, tearing it apart, as would have happened to Rechan had he fallen in. Argus pushes the horse as fast as it can go, causing the ride to be bumpy as the cart's broken wheel splinters and splits. The wheel lasts long enough to take them a good distance away from the lings. Their bonfire can still be seen, but they are far enough they won't be followed.
The wheel broken, the cart tipped, the horse exhausted, Argus slips from the horse without a word and sits upon a small rock on top of the grass mound where they have come to rest.
Rechan searches, and is relieved to find his orb, and more importantly, his Book is there. Returning them to the needed areas. He glances up, spotting the dwarf, but says nothing.
Argus slips off of the small rock and begins using it as a pillow, rolling over to his side, back to Rechan and grunts out, "Goodnight"
"Hold on, hold on there a minute," he replies, though quiet. "First, do you think it's safe we set camp Now? Those things could be coming after us." Gazing around. "Secondly... My sympathies for your brother."
The night sky is clear, the stars shine brightly and from their vantage point on the grass hill, one can look out for miles over little more than grassy or dirt hills. The air is brisk, but not cold, and quiet. Very quiet and still, interrupted only by Argus's quick grunt as he answers Rechan and shifts his body.
Rechan, deciding he's going to get little information from the dwarf, sits back in the cart, and settles for sleep, if it will find him. He's been out, and may not sleep. If he doesn't, the wizard is going to keep watch.