III: The Swirling Forest

[marionarsis]

So much for extending the olive branch, Random thought. "Very well," is all he said to Rochin about the matter. He'd keep an eye on him as things progressed; he was confident there was something "off" about this fellow.

It was then Winip made the most improbable of stone slings. "Good heavens, Winip! What a shot!" The threat gone, at least for the moment, Random motioned for the injured wizards to hurry back to the carriage. "Come on, we only have about forty-five hours before our ship leaves."

[khaboom]

(Khaghtchan) Winip gives a sly smile. "I thought that would be an easy shot, hitting a tree from spitting distance but I swear it didn't keep still."

[andrew]

As Rochin voices displeasure toward Random, Zagnar examines the tree from whence the dryad appeared, but sees nothing but a small bole with, alas, no treasure.

With Zagnar assisting them, the wizards head back to the carriage, and once again the group is off to their destination. Broadaxe pushes the horses another half-mile between trees whose trunks are tangled in knots, and whose branches intertwine with other trees, seemingly joining together all the trees as one in this remote section of the wood.

"Here we are!" Broadaxe announces, suddenly. Looking over his shoulder, you see you're now at the base of a staircase. The stairs rise upward, vanishing into a thick mass of greenery. Broadaxe explains: "The stairs will take you to the upper reaches of the mountain where you'll find a door. That door is the entrance to the first level of Darksmoke's domain."


The staircase leads to the top of Darksmoke Mountain


He removes a chain from around his neck. At the end of it is a large green bauble. "When you exit the mountain this will allow me to locate you. There are many doors, many exits out of the dungeon. When you leave, find a clear spot to wait for me."

He puts the chain around the neck of the closest person to him--Rochin del Graz. "If anything happens to him, one of you better remember to take the chain." He adds ominously, "Or I'll never be able to find you, and you're stuck here for... a very long time."

Rochin del Graz looks at everyone and smiles. It's a rather strange smile.

"As Random said," Broadaxe says, finally, "you have about forty hours, plenty of time, to complete your task. After that, if I haven't heard from you, I'll assume you've all perished, and head back to break the news to the men aboard the Morbellos." He salutes you. "Good luck, everyone!"


(Mal gains one ST. ST=9; Khloemar gains one ST. ST=10)

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: No treasure? *mumbles Humpf!*

Once out of the carriage my weapon is ready. We move into the previously agreed marching order.

"We wouldn't want Rochin del Graz to slip and break his skinny little neck now would we?" *grins* "I would rather see one of the mages wearing that green bauble. No offense Rochin, but there is a less of a chance they might leave us behind."

"Now were is this entrance to level 2?"

[marionarsis]

Random returns Broadaxe's salute, because if there is one thing he is, it is polite. "Thanks for the guidesmanship, sir. It proved to be a most interesting and scenic route." He hops out of the carriage, and jumps up to the second step of the long and winding staircase, his shark-toothed terbutje at the ready. "I have a song for such an occasion as this. Would anyone like to hear it?"

[khaboom]

"Yes!" Khloemar says eagerly. "Anything to take my mind off that hit I just took. What key is it in?"

[mahrundl]

Rubbing his knees, Malutassial follows the others to the stairs.

[marionarsis]

"Why thank you, Khloemar. Since you insisted, I'll do it."

Random cleared is throat, warmed up by practicing the scales, coughed, counted on his fingers, then cleared his throat again. Then coughed again. 

He began, his voice that of songbirds in autumn, in flight, when there is much merriment.

Mysteries of ages told,
stories now
will unfold
Tales of the mystic days of old
are hidden in these walls. (He gestures to the mountain)
Hear the witches play their tunes,
sing their songs to the moon.
As they play the night will move,
we will groove, and gold coins ring
in the hall of the mountain king...

He continues repeating these line and making up rhymes along the way. Quite inspiring stuff. A minute later, he's done.

"Thank you." He bows. "That was 'In the Hall of the Mountain King' prepared by Igor the Irrefutable-But-Only-On-Matters-of-Certain-Heretofore-Unmentioned-Techniques-In-Song, with additional lines added by me, Random McBride, who studied under Horatio Windpipes and Melvin Melodies." He silences the applause with his hands. "Really, don't mention it....Really...don't."

[kwll]

Ignoring the song of Random, and preparing himself to enter the dungeon, Runkild says quietly and with a straightforward tone: "I also would like that someone other than Rochin del Graz carry the chain." He will not move until this happens.

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: "Good song Random! I liked it."

"I agree. Maybe Khloemar or Runkild could wear it? It strikes me as very odd (and sets off red flags) that Broadaxe would give it to Rochin del Graz and not one of the mages."

I ask Rochin del Graz to give it to Khloemar or Runkild.

[andrew]

As the applause for Random's singing dies down, Runkild and Zagnar request that someone other than the mercenary, Rochin del Graz, wears the green-baubled necklace. The sword-for-hire's eyes swim over the two who've voiced their concerns.

His voice is calm. "You trust my swords, and trust that I can lead you to the second level, but not my wearing the gem?" He shrugs. "As you wish." He removes the necklace, and says, "You wear it, songbird. You have magical skill." He tosses it to Random McBride. "I will tell all of you this much right now--this group won't make it to the second level and succeed without me. You don't have it in you. You couldn't even have defeated those tigers back there without me. Everyone here should try their best to keep me alive." With that, he folds his arms across his chest and falls silent.

* * * * * *

Make whatever final posts you wish. Afterward, that will conclude this chapter (if you address Rochin, he'll merely listen). We'll move on to the next chapter Monday. Do look at the GMs Scratch Pad for your updated character sheets---totals on Adventure points, STR, CON, etc.

Mal gained one ST (ST=10). Khloemar gained one ST (ST=11).

[khaboom]

(Khaghtchan) Winip whispers in Rochin's ear, "You can depend on me just as a my stone flies true." It is just audible to the others if not hard of hearing.

[colbite]

<Zagnar>: "We move on then."

[kwll]

Runkild adds no more words, and seeks the entrance to the dungeon.

[marionarsis]

Still basking in the afterglow of another fine singing performance, Random wasn't aware of the necklace coming his way until he saw a flicker of movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned, held out his hands, and by pure happenstance snagged one end of the chain before it slipped through his fingers and hit the ground. 

"Uhm, thanks?" It sounded like a question; it probably was. He placed the necklaced jewel around his neck, tucking the green stone inside his tunic. Basking and gem-wearing complete, the bard began to climb the steps that led all the way to the top of a mountain.