IC Area - Chapter Three - "Lair of the Lizard Queen"

[apn]

Klarrrrchur stomps into what is clearly some kind of workshop albeit one in which a meticulous worker has battled against the forces of chaos (in this case fledgling Dhesiri by the dozen) and lost.

Anything that had been placed on the rough made workbench or in racks has been pawed over, played with, broken and smeared in snot/sludge and poop.

The Old Dhesiri turns and appears surprised for only a moment when he sees Klarrrrchur and Will enter the room followed by Firdle. Then his face drops as he sees Glarpy and the old lizard man grumbles "I had some weapons ready to go but..." and he waves a hand at the chickenlike younglings scampering about, cackling and squeaking "Glarp! GLARP! Glarrrp! Glarp!" incessantly.

"Wait." said the Old Dhesiri as Klarrrrchur bats a youngling away. The Dwarf winces as he hears a CRUNCH and a feeble "Glaaarrr..." followed by more crunching as Glarpy 'chastises' a youngling that got too close and attempted to nip the warriors ankles.

The old lizardman raised a lump of skin above a snakelike eye - an eyebrow - and muttered "Are you... Delvers? That warrior is bound to you, is he not?"

"Glarp." hissed Glarpy.

"Glarp." replied the Lizardman. He then turned to the delvers and explained "He sssaid that the Dwarf isss hissss and to keep my clawsss off or he will eat my fesssstering heart and later on add it to the mountainoussss sssshyte mounds in the previous roomssss where the ssssoiled remains of thisss once great clanssss enemies rot." There was a pause and the old lizardman added "More or lesss. Sssomething is lossst in transsslation."

Firdle forms an image in his mind, puts the words to voice and waves a hand before touching the manacles which part with a clunk!

The old Dhesiri looks down and up at Firdle. "Ahhh thank you my friend, but I could have freed myssself..." he waves at the various rough/battered/stolen/bodged tools on the workbench. "It'ssss not the freeing, it'ssss the getting away." He pointed to his ruined leg, mangled to such an extent he could not walk straight. "Broken too many timesss. I accept my fate now."

"What do you here?" he asks "But please, do not conssssider me ungrateful. Any resssspite from the chattering younglingssss of thissss clan issss a blessing."

OOC Firdle earns 1AP (55AP total) and is on 14/20 Wiz/7Focus

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "Why were you chained up, uh, sssssir?" asks Will slightly resentful of the developing bromance between Klarrrrchur and the younger Dhesiri. " we come, not for loot or battle, but to serve a friend of ours who lies at death's door. Perhaps there is some way in which we might help one another. " Will can't help wondering exactly how a pair of Dhesiri would be received in Jepistra. He suspects they would not be made welcome unless they arrived in the form of an elegant pair of boots.

[apn]

The old Dhesiri sighed (OOC sorry, ssssighed).

"I was a warrior like thissss young lizard." said the Dhesiri with a nod to Glarpy. "Yessss, young compared to me. This one, called 'Sssslimeclaw' I believe he ssssaid his name wassss, issss only a few years old. Thissss jungle acceleratessss the growth of thingssss and sssspeeds up the life cycle. Knowing that I would only live a few yearssss before dying of old age I moved away from the jungle and learned your language whilsssst working as a bodyguard on a trade caravan, amongsssst other thingssss."

"I made friendssss, I gained resssspect as a tradessssman making weaponssss. Finally, having lived a long happy life away from the jungle and killing thingssss I came back here to live out my lasssst dayssss thinking the jungle would sssspeed up my remaining yearssss and bring me peace. Unfortunately the Ree! clan of which I wassss part have long gone and thesssse Glarp! that live here were not amenable to my pressssence. I had to barter for my life by sssshowing how I could make weaponssss and make more for them."

"One night I had all I could sssstomach of making weaponssss that would tip the balance of power against the Glop!, Ssssnee! and otherssss and tried to esssscape. I wassss caught, being old and sssslow, and they hamsssstrung me the first time. Ssssince then the ssssame leg has been sssslashed, broken, twisted, nailed to a sssstick sssso it wouldn't grow back right and here I am living as a sssslave in torment. For ssssome reason the jungle hassss not accelerated my life assss it did before sssso I may live decadesssss yet, a sssslave to the Glarp clan."

"I just want to die. Everyone I knew issss gone." sighed the old Lizard.

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Well if that is what you want,” states Klarrrrchur, “I can oblige, but first we need your help. We search for a rare flower that grows in this temple. We need it and need it fast so we can return and aid an associate!”

Can you help?!”


Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Slinging his shield, Klarrrrchur will strangle the old lizard-man and as painless as he can with a powerful arm around his throat and crush his throat try to hold him ridged and let him focus on the freedom he inducing into him.

[apn]

OOC Are you strangling him before or after he answers about the flower? It might affect how clear his answer is. Or isn't.

The old Lizard sighs. "Ssssomething has happened to change me I fear."

"Living here, moving away, coming back. The magic hassss changed me."

"Glarp." mutters Glarpy.

The lizard looks up. "He sssaysss he issss no longer of thissss clan, but of the mad ssssmall onesss clan who wieldsss death in each eating ssstick. I think he meansss handsss. Transsslation issssues you understand. He sssaysss you are too tough and chewy to digessst ssso will follow you until the time isss right to find glory at the head of hisss own clan, creating a legacy that will last through the generations and have his name sssung by the younglingsss whilssst the malesss bow and the femalesss fawn over him." there was a brief pause then "Alssso he doesn't like the queen, sssaysss ssshe'sss a right ssssour faced old cow."

"If there isss such a flower in thisss place you can assssume it isss with the Queen and well guarded. The flower, like every other living thing in thisss jungle isss changed by magic. I expect it will do sssomething or other to the Queensss breeding cycle so we can all sssoon look forward to the joysss of thousandsss of youngling warriorsss with sssharper teeth than thessse dronesss to terrorissse the jungle for milesss around. My anticipation at such a joyousss event isss without limitsss." added the old lizard, somewhat dryly.

"Glarp." said Glarpy.

"I know little of the layout of thisss place having been a prisoner. He knowsss little having been bullied, battered, beaten, attacked, brutalisssed and turfed out to act as a guard, ssscout and warrior. Only comesss in for more beatingsss. Sssaysss he quite enjoys visssiting 'mom' when he can ssstand again asss it givesss him renewed hate for her." explained the Old Lizard. "I can come with you if you can protect me." he ponders. "But it looksss like you (talking to Klarrrrchur) are ready to ssstrangle me anyway."

"Glarp." said Glarpy.

"Oh ssssod off." said the Old Lizard in reply.

[houndle]

Will Darness
"Are you sure this strangling business is a good idea?" asks Will in some bemusement. It's not clear whether he is addressing the Old Lizard or Klarrrrchur; in truth he's not sure himself. "Perhaps a visit to a healer once we get out of here, a nice long drink of... whatever Dhesiri drink and a pension might do just as well?" He looks anxiously from one to the other. He also spares a few anxious thoughts for the little glarplings who are presumably still clustering about. "These little 'uns aren't going to split on us are they?"

Will has a look around the room, hoping in spite of all expectations that there might be something useful or valuable to be found. If the Old Lizard is as skilled as he claims to be, perhaps there is a usable weapon or other equipment to be found. A thought strikes him and he turns to the dwarf.

"You can't just go around killing people, Klarrrr. That isn't what delving is about, at all!"

ACTIONS
Has a look around the room for anything useful, kicking away any small creatures that get too close.

OOC All purpose saving roll, taking it against Luck.
WillDarness rolls 2d6+13 = (5 +6) + 13 = 24

[apn]

The old Dhesiri shrugs. "We lizard people heal at a remarkable rate and anyone born in the jungle even fassster."

"My leg isss, I fear, beyond even that though... I sssuppose I could cut it off and sssee if it grows back ssstraight?" he ponders, chin in hand.

"Glarp." growled Glarpy.

The old one looked up. "He sssaysss that the younglingsss will not cause any trouble beyond what they cause me. If I try to essscape they have been taught to tell the warriorsss and drag me down. For that the warriorsss allow them to bite me and the younglingsss are thrown sssomething for their effortsss. Anything elssse they trouble the warriorsss with, they are generally bitten in half ssso quickly learn not to do that."

"With that being the cassse perhaps I ssshould remain here. If you would refrain from ssstrangling me and help me essscape I can find sssome way to repay you."

"Glarp."

"Hmmm, thank you but I ssshall not take you up on your kind offer to ssstrangle me then amputate my leg. And eat it." he replied to Glarpy. To Will he said "I'm afraid young man, you'll not find much of interest in here. In return for what ssscraps they throw me - and of course on pain of disssmemberment or death - I have to make weaponsss for them. Sssuch weapons as thessse though..." he waved a hand at wobbly sticks, misshapen axes and clubs, arrows with ill fitting flights... "To my ssshame I cannot build better with the rubbisssh they tossss in here at me. A lifetime ssspent crafting weapons and armour, learning from masssters, and the best I can do..." he holds up a weapon "Is a wobbly ssspear."

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

Listening to Glarpy's Dream Klarrrrchur states, “sound like a good idea!”

“And where is this queen,” the Dwarf pauses... after the split personality old lizard-man cannot comprehend what he want and then to make the Dwarf and his generous offer seem like a fool..., “only if you want to pass beyond the mystic veil. If ya want to join our motley crew, the more the merrier, but...?!!

He turns to Will and just stares...

Then back at the old lizard-man, “now ya want to stay?!...” He exclaims in exasperation... “We might not be able to come back this way, there is a Snee wargroup outside this temple and we might have just let them in, if the did not shut the door behind us,” he states looking at Will who was guarding the rear...

“You need to come with us," he then turns to the new recruit, “Glarpy,” he states to Glarpy and points at the hatchlings, “Glarp!”


Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Pondering whether just to kill every Dhesiri in room bar Glarpy (at this present moment).

OOC: Yes, before. I can communicate with his ghost afterwards (or better still, get Will to do that as he a professional ghost-talker)...

I state we take the old-lizard-man. One: he can translate for us and Two: fight slightly and if not arrow-fodder and Three: an old warrior will prefer to die in battle, right?

[apn]

"Ahh. Allow me to transsslate." coughed the old Lizardman. "Glarp." he rasped.

Glarpy, having heard Klarrrrchur speak and stood stock still in shock seemed to roll his head in realisation and turned to the younglings "GLAARRRP!" he rasped!

They shrieked and scattered in every direction.

The old Lizard man turned. "Allow me to explain. What ssseemsss to be a one word language isss very nuanced in reality. It's not just how you sssay it, but the tone and rasssp of the word, sssomething a Dwarf or Human might not be able to replicate."

"Glarp." he said to Glarpy who seemed satisfied to that.

"I just explained that you did not mean to suggest he go fornicate with the nearessst ssspikey tree or cactus. Besides, there are no cactii in the Jungle, hence hisss confusssion."

The old lizard looked about, taking up a battered skin satchel and inspecting a few tools and weapons. With a sigh he fished under the rough table and brought forth an axe. Still rough made but the flint was of decent quality and weight and the weapon looked at least usable. "I had intended to usssse this againsssst my captorsss in one final death charge but could never plan with those incessssant younglingsss around. Perhaps... if you will allow me... I will join you for a way. I usssed to be able to fight."

Glarpy snorted.

"My name is Sssslyclaw. Just one sss. His..." he said with a nod to Glarpy "Is Sssslimeclaw but Glarpy will do."

"Glarp." said Glarpy.

"He agreesss. Ssssort of." said Slyclaw.

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "So. Back to the other room and try the door then?" offers Will . He bows formally to the old lizard. Inwardly he has a few misgivings. "Another old bag of bones for us to carry round," he sighs to himself.

OOC. Party order? Glarpy and Klarrrrchur at the door, Firdle and Slyclaw in the middle, Will watching the rear?

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

There is little to wait about for, so Klarrrrchur moves towards the exit as he reattaches the shield to his left arm.

So returning to previous room (R5). The Dwarf makes his way to the only other door in the centre of the (east) wall.


Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Ready at door, Dwarf will try to listen, scan for traps and test if locked, etc... (presume you will roll in secret for that apn?).

OOC: Bit confused on which way north is as think north is in south, yes?

[apn]

OOC think of bottom of the map as South for our purposes.





Slyclaw limps along using a not very good spear for support and trying to ignore Glarpys hostile glances. It seems these creatures are bred for hating just about every other living creature including their own kind unless one manages to 'break the cycle' like Slyclaw did.

Shuffling to where the Dwarf is listening at the door, he coughs and whispers "Ahm, occasssionally this place gets visssitors of a mossst unsssavoury kind. Urucksss. They are... mercenary tradersss... piratesss if you will. They will take from merchant vesselsss and drag their ill gotten gainsss through the jungle to thisss and other placesss. Dhesssiri have no need for gold or trinketsss. If it doesss not help them kill their food or their enemiesss it isss of little ussse."

"Ssstill, they are learning that for the Urucksss to make the trip into the jungle with food, sssupplies, cloth, leather, metalsss, fine weaponsss and ssso on that gold and valuablesss have value to sssomeone. I am used to transsslate. For this tasssk I am rewarded a ssshort ressspite from the younglingsss."

He reached past Klarrrchur and turned the latch on the door. (OOC Description above)

"It was thisss day but sssome time ago when the Urucksss were here. They may have left or... ssstill be in the temple." Slyclaw added.

There is a door in the southwest corner of the thirty foot square room. Other than that, no one here...

Glarpy sniffs then growls. "Glarp." he mutters.

"Urucksss. He sssmells them. Sssays they are ssstill here. Sssomewhere." translated Slyclaw.

[houndle]

Will Darness
 "It's clobberin time," mutters Will inappropriately . As far as Slyclaw is concerned, "slobberin time" might be more apposite.I

 "I'm guessing Urucks and Glarps don't mix well. Maybe we should try the other way before Slyclaw opens the... oh."

 ACTIONS
Will is staying alert and ready for anything. Fighting, projectile vomiting, bathing in Dhesiri poop... bring it on.

[nialldubh]

Klarrrrchur Deathaxe:

“Uruk, eh Slimeclaw,” grunts Klarrrrchur as he patrols the room. He turns to Slyclaw briefly, “what lies behind the eastern door of your workshop?” he asked plainly.

He turns to Firdle and Will, “if the Uruks are here and are escorted to this chamber via another room, not the dung infested rooms we just passed through. Then I presume they will not be lead to or through the 'Queen's Throneroom, this should be as far from them as possible, perhaps in the other direction?!”

“We have no true way of knowing our direction and in this place even logic has no place!”


Actions:

Actions of Dwarf... Debate and guard...

OOC: I note a door leading from Slyclaw's old room, we might go back to that?

[apn]

"Glarp." says Glarpy.

"Yesss it isss asss he sssaysss. Beyond the door of my ... workssshop isss the ressst of the temple and sssomewhere in the middle, the lair of the Queen. I have been taken through the door only once and wassss beaten sssso badly at the time that I cannot remember detailssss. They made it clear I wassss to work for them or they would remove sssseveral limbs. When I recovered I wasss in my workssshop and ssstarted making weapons. My life wasss over at that point."