Silent Slough

[Bhaern Quel]

Studies and listens.

I am not well schooled in these things, some lore says demons can be banished to the depths of earth where they came from. A Cleric would know more about such things. Though the last question is important. A long time ago is when it started. Are they still any there, living or dead? A careful scout mission might be useful.

Wants to learn more, but not sure what to ask yet. Maybe Slog can offer a little more information, but he does not appear to want to say much except danger.

[Drathiranon]

Bludgeon gives a grunt in agreement, folding her arms, still holding the sword, and nodding her head.

Slog looks at Bludgeon, who he once felt is the orc woman of his dreams, now she is one of them, the evil Red Eye. He is at first disgusted, even a tad angry. But then, at her words he is confused. Before he can bring himself to speak, Llelanni gives her opinion on the matter.

Sir Tarvis is right, a scout mission is a wise choice.

She turns to Slog.

You are a brave warrior, skilled in the arts of battle. Surely you must have witnessed something important, have some kind of knowledge that we can gleen in order to protect ourselves and do away with this thing?

Slog pulls himself together quickly. Bludgeon's eyes are green, how could she be part of the Red Eye Clan with green eyes? Wouldn't she have been sacrificed? Aren't such evil orcs beyond redemption? The orc man shakes his head in confusion and puts his hat back on.

When Slog found this village, was night time, passing by the road to Rozdrurra. A giant shadow, taller than the hills passed over Slog's head. Slog hear bones rattle and break. A great hot wind came and fire burned everywhere along the road. The ground quaked like thunder. A loud, heavy voice cried out, carrying a long distance through the air. Slog could feel it moving through his body.

The fairy places a finger to her tiny lips. This doesn't sound good at all.

Right, I'll be seconding that. We need to scout out the ruins, then prolly find a cleric or paladin, if'n ye want to raid the cairns on the hills.

[Bhaern Quel]

Speaks softly, to be respectful

When I collect Fire Bloom, I do it under such conditions. Nature though is the reason, I can walk among burning ground and smoke over head. The sound of breaking rocks. But here I do not see the fire mountain that all that comes from. With that lack the event points to magic, fire from the deep maybe?

Well it makes no sense to not explore and defeat if possible, though a retreat might pay better. Right now the thing that interests him is solving the puzzle as the land does not appear really cursed. No sigh of raids and the ruins appear fairly close. Waits to see what else might be learned. A volcano as well is not something to stay near by either and despite some familiarity to conditions appears unlikely the true reason for what Slog experienced.

[Drathiranon]

Both the orcs ears seem to perk up at Tarvis' mention of Firebloom. A rare spice to acquire and indeed found in some of the most inhospitable places. Slog stands up to have a look at the map.

Llelanni joins him, also to take a look at the map and speak her thoughts.

There doesn't seem to be any volcanos or recognizable caldera near the site. But a Tanarukk can produce fire damage naturally. Since they speak orc, we will definitely be able to communicate with the fiend. If it is not undead, then mortal like a tiefling. Perhaps I should consult some of my references.

Llelanni digs through her bag of holding for an old scroll she used to keep her notes during travel and a very dusty old book written about the history of Hellgate Keep. She sets the book on the counter and begins to skim through the pages, looking for details, and taking notes.

Bludgeon is intrigued by this information. She moves closer to the dark elven woman to have a look at the book, perhaps hoping to find pictures or drawings of the creature.

Well, been no smoke around here other than boar meat cooking. Ye can be quite the scholars but ye won't know anything until we see it fer ourselves!

The impatient fairy seems to be burning with curiosity.

Laddine, sure, tis fine, good, and all to stall the ball for safety but daylight be burning at the wee both ends. Before we know it, the fog will rise and the light of day no more.

[Bhaern Quel]

That is enough information, he decides.

Little one you are eager so you and I will go. Just let me put on my working boots

Slips a pair of boots from the back pack, a blue aura seems to surround them, he puts them on, taking the pair he was wearing and placing then in his pack,

We will travel quick, how fast can you fly?

[Drathiranon]

G'way?!

Mouxsie's eyes nearly pop out in pleasant disbelief.

Now we're talkin'! These wings could use a good lash! The rest of ye dossers just wait here til we bring on the craic!

The little fairy's wings vibrate and move with the graceful speed of a huming bird. Her tiny body coils around Tarvis at break neck speed in a figure eight pattern. Even to hover mid air, upside-down, in front of him, looking into his face with a wee wink before darting off over the collective heads of the group.

If one o ye would be so kind as to open the door?!!

[Bhaern Quel]

Steps to the door and opens it, then with the fairy flying about him, steps out and starts to run to the South. With the boots he is wearing jumps over fallen trees and travels at speeds faster than of a horse. Soon to reach the ruins and sees the gateway and surrounding area. Here pauses to see what the fairy has to say and see what reaction the area Provides.

Here quickly, away quick if we need.

[Ssin'urn Streea]

As the two arrive near the Eye of the Needle, they experience a sudden chill. Not from the cold breezes weaving their way through the arches or the fallen snow clinging to the stone ruins, but something more personal, internal, intense.

There is also a pervasive sense of being watched. Light tapping, crunching of snow underfoot, undescribable yet barely audible murmurings and low moanings. The entities whose attention they have unwittingly drawn seem to follow and distract from Tarvis and Mouxsie's every move.

For now they remain hidden, unannounced. Perhaps they might not really be there at all. It could just be the imagination running wild. These beings are not of flesh but there does seem to be a subtle yet complex mingling of memory, regret, and loss of purpose still ligering around the fairy and human.

The path winds ever on until reaching the second gateway. It appears to be the grand walled processional path leading to the final entryway into the heart of the ancient orc city.
The land has thawed, dried, hardened like clay, as they are nearing the center.

[Bhaern Quel]

Well there clearly is a felt of time, at least no danger visible for now. Proceeds with care further up and into the city. Wondering what the fairy senses, does not speak because of the nature of scouting. See, not be seen if possible. Avoid drawing attention by noise or quick action. He intends to quick going in until there is something to cause a stop or flee. The only way to learn about this place. He looks at everything and steps lightly now.

[Ssin'urn Streea]

It would indeed be prudent at this juncture to keep low and foot falls light as Mouxsie and Tarvis arrive in the courtyard of the large complex. There are no special markings, just a simple foot path leading ever longer, yet closer to the expected entrance.

The chilling sensation continues to attach itself to the back of the two travelers necks. They can almost sense the lecherous expressions of stalking creatures following them in the shadows as they proceed deeper into unknown territory. No matter where they move or what they do, they can not escape the scrutinizing sensations of evil intent until locating a hoarfrost covered turn in the path.

[Drathiranon]

Mouxsie nervously looks over to Tarvis as if expecting to see something just awful. She moves closer in toward Tarvis to rest on his shoulder and whisper her thoughts during the experience they are sharing.

Me Laddine, I sure dinna tink we'd be lost in the weeds like this.

Her tiny eyes search for abnormalities in the woodland.

[Bhaern Quel]

We come in peace to bring peace. Said in orc

Spirits maybe, no doors closed behind yet. said softly to Mouxsie as looks for any sign of movement. Waits here for any reply, looks at all the features of the courtyard, turning around as he studies the area.

Slowly moves toward the entrance.

[Ssin'urn Streea]

Tarvis' voice carries throughout the dense tree stands and rustling leaves, "pea...ea...ea..ce".
A murder of crows flash fly, spreading out and away, over their heads. "cacaaw!"
Mouxsie's ears tune into the human man's echo in the short distance, signaling a solid structure up ahead. The wind subtly picks up, gently pulling at their clothing as if beckoning the travelers to move forward into its suction of current.

At last, the forest disappears, taking with it all sounds of the autumn world, leaving only a gentle, icy cold breath. The scene is one of a lonely, bygone isolated place resting loftfully at the highest peak in all of Silent Slough. Snow dappled tree tops and stone appear as the blanket of fog rolls away to reveal what the pair of scouts now see, a great depth of the land below the trail on either side. Hopefully they will mind each step going ahead.

The name of the great orc city is carved deep into the massive overhead lintel. A glint of sunlight smooths over the ancient stones.
"ROZDRURRA."

[Bhaern Quel]

By Odin's beard wishes he learned speak with crow. So the trap calls forward with easy excape down, Nice touch,

Have you seen enough Mouxsie, there is no salt here.

Walks on forward to see what will spring the trap/cause the watches to act or something besides the aura. Searching also for signs of traps.

[Drathiranon]

The little fairy flutters closely around the inside of the entrance.

Well, we been fairly jammy up to this point, Mate. Nothing special to look at and no visible wards guarding the door. Doesn't smell as manky as the bog.

She scratches her head.

Aside from the weird vibes of the place, me be thinking there might be pottery and individual dwellings. Looks much like any other orc residence, to be honest.

Mouxsie moves closer inside to get a better idea of what might be lying in wait for them. She wrinkles her face.

Cripes, it looks like a giant spider hidey hole in there.

Curiously, she follows Tarvis further inside.