[Group 2] The World's Largest Dungeon - IC

[Mr. X]

... A long moment passes following Kulkov's call for peace, but in that time, no more arrows fall...

... In a few more moments Malthos' barrier fades...

As the winds die down, the great spiders skitter about, and the trees creak and yawn as they continue their slow, alien dance... But they do not attack...

The air all around you waivers, and the Elves appear... Materializing in a standing ring around you, each still as a statue, armored in glistening black plate that covers them from head to toe, and armed with long, pointed spears...

... One slowly raises a gauntleted hand, and one by one, the spiders de-materialize and vanish, and the trees take root and sleep once more.

When he finally speaks, it is in Draconic, his voice is low and smooth and slow.

"... Remember the old promises, we do..."

Stepping back, he slowly produces a small yew wand, and passes it over the trunk of a large pine...

The tree's bark slowly congeals, and peels back, revealing a black void within its trunk.

He stands aside, and gestures to the tree, as one might a waiting door.

"... Speak in peace, you may."

Spoiler

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The Elf casts 'Transport via Plants' on the tree.

Those of you with any ranks in Armorsmithing or Weaponsmithing, will recognize the elves' armor and weapons as being crafted from Adamantine.

The dark metal is wrought in elegent curves, and sliding plates fitted so masterfully together that no chink or gap may be found, and every smoothly curved edge is honed to razor keenness. Only their slanted eyes may be seen bare, deep within their helms.

All gain 3200 Exp.

[Simba]

Vlorah

Slowly and carefully Vlorah gets up from her hiding place and rejoins the others, making no threatening move. She ends up standing next to Elias. "Wow...." is all she says, her face showing fear, respect and wonder before she masters her features once more.

[Fates]

Malthos dismisses his summoning spell, trying as best he can to shroud his fear as he looks hopefully upwards at Kulkov.

[Sucrose]

Kulkav nods to the speaker, then glances back toward his companions.

"...I would not say that we are safe, but they will listen to us."

He then turns, squares his shoulders, and walks for the waiting darkness...

[Mr. X]

Kulkov steps into the void within the tree, and vanishes.

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Actions?

[Simba]

Vlorah

Vlorah looks up at the others, swallows, then steps after Kulkov.

[Mr. X]

Vlorah, likewise, vanishes into the void.

[Mr. X]

Fredric steels himself, and follows suit. Stepping into the tree and vanishing.

[Quakes]

Well we're all in now. Elias follows them into the crazy tree hole.

[Mr. X]

Stepping into the black void of the tree, you realize the darkness was merely a screen, as you step immediately out of the other side of the tree... And into a great grove of immense sentinel pines...

Glancing around, it is clear that you are no longer in the location you were previously, but owing to the density of the surrounding foliage, you could have moved a hundred feet, or a hundred miles... It is impossible to say.

For Kulkov:

Spoiler

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As you step through the tree, a tremor runs up your arm from the Ring... For the briefest of moments, you are aware of something looking down on you, smiling, as though satisfied, and even made proud by your actions.

In that briefest of moments, you feel your head anointed, and your brow crowned in flame...

Spoiler

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Crown of Flames

The hard road you've walked has instilled in you not just strength of arms, but strength of character as well.

Great strength without the wisdom to guide it, is a powerful, but dangerous imbalance.

Wisdom, without the strength to implement it, is wasted on the mind that holds it.

It is the marriage of the two... Possession of the wisdom to see the correct course, and possession of the strength to carry it out... That is the measure of a leader.

System
The Third Stage Power of the Sigil of Authority, the Crown of Flames, allows you to apply your Strength Modifier to all of your social rolls, and to your Will Saves.

The Crown may be suppressed or activated at will. When suppressed, its effects shall not apply.

For everyone else:

Spoiler

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As you step through the tree, you see flames licking off the brow of the Dragonborn striding before you, forming a flickering, ever shifting crown. It is clearly magical.

The grove you have entered is fairly wide. Wide enough to see the sky open far above the ancient and immense trees. The ground is carpeted in a thick, soft grass. Great standing stones ring the perimeter, each deeply chiseled with arcane runes and sigils.

In the center of the glade is a pond, its water black, and smooth and still as glass.

Before the pond a woman sits in the grass, staring into the waters. Her hair is pure white, and so long that it nearly forms a cloak around her. Her robes are cloth of silver, and lay swirled about her, and a long, gnarled staff, worn smooth through ages of use lays at her side.

But her face... Creased and wrinkled with age, even out to the tips of her pointed ears, it would be wrong to call her 'withered' or 'feeble', but those are the only two words that can approach how she looks... But yet she is beautiful...

... The biggest impression you get is that she was old when these trees were seedlings.

...

...

... She makes no motion at your approach, and does not even so much as acknowledge your presence.

[Quakes]

Elias let's Kulkav do the talking, as he doesn't speak the language that he has heard them using. He does however stand in a supportive position, and maintains a respectful posture in front of the elven matriarch.

[Sucrose]

Kulkav takes a seat before the pool, near enough to the ancient elf to be able to follow her gaze upon the waters. The flames of his crown fan gently in the breeze.

For the moment, he does not speak, thinking that it may be unwise to disturb her reverie.

[Mr. X]

The woman does not stir as you sit near her, her gaze remaining serenely at rest upon the surface of the pond...

As you take your place, you become aware of dim visions of far off places swirling within the depths of the pond...

A great army marches beneath a white and gold banner bearing a soaring black dragon. Clad all in fire-blackened armor, spiked and horned, and wrought in the shape of the powerful beast beneath which they march... These are the Dragonkights of Great Gate...

... The vision pans to the head of the column, where rides the Iron Crowned King. A great, pig faced man, riding an immense black destrier.

The King is flanked on one side by a Minister, cowelled in heavy and intricately embroidered robes, his face covered by a golden funerary mask.

On the other side, the King is flanked by a woman not so different from yourself... Her visage toothy and draconic, her skin black scales edged with flecks of green...

Stirring slightly, the Elven woman reaches out, and gently caresses the surface of the pond, sending out a string of ripples that waiver and distort the image... When the water stills, the image has changed. Now viewing the hulking fortress of Citadel, far to the North, perched upon the insane cliffs of The Narrows, that separate the Northern Marches from the mainland...

A great battle was fought here, and the city bears heavy damage... Many of the buildings are smoldering ruins, where a great fire swept through the city, before it was clearly defeated in battle, and then looted.

The Matriarch sits comfortably back, calmly watching the pool, and making no indication that she recognizes your presence... Indeed, you get the impression that you are actually beneath her notice... If you are going to have your say, you'll likely need to simply have it out, and say it.

[Sucrose]

Kulkav finally breaks the silence, continuing to speak in Draconic.

"....Ancient Lady, we came bearing tidings....but it seems that you already know much. So, instead, we ask: please, come to the world's aid! The nations are banding together to fight this war, but we will need all peoples, just as all were needed in ancient times, to contain the Worm."

[Mr. X]

The woman does not look up, but she absently waives her hand at the trees across the pond...

... As one, the ranks of trees uproot themselves and step backwards, forming a wide corridor through the forest...

... A waft of salty sea wind reaches your nostrils, and through the corridor, you can see far out, all the way down to the Eastern Ocean, where a great fleet floats at anchor.

Each ship a tree, or multiple trees, grown into their desired shapes, their sails miriads of branches and leaves, that twist and turn to catch the wind. Flocks of birds soar and sail around them, and countless squirrels scamper about their branches... Indeed, each ship likely holds a complete, stable eco-system unto itself.

And there are many elves as well... Crawling like ants, at this distance, over the shoreline, and moving in similarly crafted boats to and from the fleet...

The Elven Nation has mobilized.

[Quakes]

Hmph...it seems that was rather easier than expected. I suppose we should return to the king's army as we promised and deliver the news? Perhaps we should ask for an envoy to come with us that can communicate with the leaders here.

[Mr. X]

The air becomes suddenly cold as Elias finishes speaking... Your guts clench and your neck tightens with unknown certainty of something awful to come...

"You misunderstand, Bladebearer..."

You spin to find the speaker right beside you, her voice soft and angelic, her face pure and innocent, her matted hair black, and her flimsy shift white...

Yet her visage remains acutely unnerving, and horrifying on a level you cannot put words to describe...

"... They are leaving."

[Sucrose]

Kulkav stares, for a long moment, then whirls back to the Matriarch, eyes aflame.

"Ancient Lady, your patrol claimed that you remember the ancient alliances; was that a lie?! Fleeing over the ocean will not protect you- the goblins already have some understanding of seafaring. Again, I say- Fight alongside us! If there is any hope in this world, it is in the strength of all people!"

[Mr. X]

The Matriarch looks up at this, meeting Kulkov's fiery gaze with the look of a patient mother dealing with an upset child.

"... I do remember the promises... As do I remember the Threat when last it surfaced..." She gives a long, sad look at the ghostly child, "... It is the races of men who have forgotten."

She heaves a sigh, "... Their memories are short, and their lives shorter still. Their desires burn hot, driving them to act brashly, and consider naught but their ultimate benefit... And this shall be their downfall.

The Armies of Men yet march to converge, but they bear no unity... Great Gate marches to the site of the Seal at Beluvah, but moves as though through molasses towards that goal. The Silvermen of Star Spire have joined with the Dwarves of Deep Mote, but they are alone against the Blighted, and must surely fall... Citadel has been broken by the Barbaric hordes of the North... The Golden Knights of Timaril, seeking an enemy rather than a friend, tested their steel against the horde, and was found wanting..."

She turns a disappointed eye on Vlorah, "... But surely, you must already know this... No?"

Her gaze passes over each member of the party.

"In you there may yet be hope of victory... But you are but the flickering of a candle flame in a dark and stormy night... And you are not enough for me to risk the whole of my people."

She sits back,

"The Blight may find us upon the open seas, but it shall surely find us here. And we cannot join a loosing battle simply to uphold a promise that was forgotten even by the kings who have been forgotten."

[Simba]

Vlorah

Looking down at her own feet, Vlorah seems ashamed "Sorry...." she whispers.

[Mr. X]

The Matriarch looks softly at Vlorah, and speaks gently.

"My dear, you needed ever feel ashamed of a failure if you learn a lesson from it."

She sighs,

"And even if you had been closely watching all the events as they unfolded across the continent, would it have made any ultimate difference?

It is no fault of yours that the world is in no condition to meet this threat.

And despite all, you have already achieved much more than might ever have rightly been expected of you."

She gestures out to the ships laying at anchor,

"Come with us. This land is already lost. We shall escape across the endless sea, and wait. The Blight shall consume all life on this land, but then it must recede, and the cycle can begin anew. When that time comes, be it centuries or even millenia from now, we shall return. And the tokens with which the divines have provided you may yet be of incalculable value in the time of our return."

[Quakes]

We appreciate your offer, but I do not think we can accept it. We are not as long lived as you and your race, so what difference to us is it whether we stay and fight or go live on the see in seclusion? Either path would end the same.

The kings of the land may have forgotten their promises and pacts of long ago. But can you say this of all the common people as well. What wrong have they done in living their lives, working the earth, and building their communities to make a better place for their children? Would you see them punished as well?

We must fight for them, and the world. Fire may clear the way for new growth, but a blight will salt the earth so that nothing may grow again. If you abandon this place, likely you will never have a home to return to, or at least not one that is worth revisiting. You will just have to hope that there is some small corner of the earth that you can cower in fear upon and hope that the blight will not find its way to. Though with the size of the horde, I don't believe that any corner of this world will remain pristine for long, unless we all do what we can to stop them.

[Fates]

Malthos slouches backwards, an attempt to ease himself of the growing weight of his chains. Shedding his reserved facade, the shaman glares at the elf, and begins to laugh, a dry, bitter, and humourless laugh.

The cycle will begin anew...and you have the gall to claim that it is men who cling to false hope. Tell me, do you think us so naive that we might believed your claims, or have you succumbed to them yourself? If it is the former, than I laud you; surely, such lies would fall short in my mouth. And if it is the latter, than I curse you, for your delusions will serve only to lead your own people into oblivion. And either way, I pity you, for surely in all your years I would have hoped you might have obtained some token of wisdom.


Malthos begins to pace back and forth, chains whipping about as he raves further, his voice darker, graver, and more spiteful with every word.


The blight possesses a strength that is matched only by its relentlessness. The elves will not escape from it; they can not. No matter how fleet your ships or how stoic your soldiers; all will fall, writhing in agony, and be forgotten. You have seen for yourself the might of the horde, and the intelligence that lurks behind it; you have seen it, and yet still you delude yourself and threaten us all. If you stand with us, fight to end this monstrosity and preserve what remains of this world, I cannot claim that it will be the difference between victory and defeat; our odds will be slim, and our losses heavy. But if you do this thing, if you send your people away across the seas, the blight will find you, sooner than you may think, and certainly before the cycle renews itself; we know this, for we have seen the blight with our own eyes, and met it with our own might; we have not stood idly by and watched it ravage this world we love. Flee, and you will die, and those who survive, and generations of the future will curse you for your folly- for abandoning the world you might have saved. Fight with us, and even should you fall, you will be remembered as selfless martyrs who even with their last breaths dealt the enemy a grievous blow. I would think the choice to be obvious.

[Mr. X]

As Elias speaks, and then as Malthos vehemently follows him up, the Matriarch's face darkens. Her lip curls slightly, and she looks on you as one might a worm, or perhaps an incessantly barking small dog.

But then her gaze softens, and she says,

"... It is not the fate of every seed to fall upon fertile soil..."

Slowly, she rises to her knees, lifts her staff, and, leaning on it, gains her feet. Carefully, she walks around the pond, to the corridor through the trees, and looks out over the sea...

"... Yet even those that fall upon the path, or in the shadow, must grow, and seek out the soil and the sun... Even if they never find it...

...

... And we are yet ahead of the season..."

She turns back to you.

"... When we became aware that the Seal was broken, we prepared a great magic that, should the Blight fall upon us before our ships were prepared, we might burn our way free, and make good our escape.

Now, our ships are prepared, the Blight has not yet come for us, and the magic yet remains, hung in stasis.

Our course is set... But we shall continue to watch... If we feel that our intervention may turn the tide, we shall unleash the magic, and consider our return.

In this way, we shall help you."

At a wave of her hand, the corridor through the trees closes, the view to the ocean again blocked by the thicket.

"... May the gods watch over you all."

With that, she steps into a tree and is gone.

[Fates]

Malthos stands tall for a few more moments, his face a mixture of anger and disbelief, before he collapses to his knees in despair, dashing his fist against the earth. Curse them, gods be damned... fool, I'm such a fool!

The guilt-wracked shaman begins to shake violently, tears burning in his eyes. I have failed. I've failed you all yet again. We had all come so far, and I... He sobs. Every time, I let my anger and my passion lead me to folly. I sent us on this fruitless journey, and I ruined our chances, of victory, of survival....a failure, a curse upon the world. Father had the right of it...I should not be here, with you, at your sides. I am not deserving. I should have drowned myself the day my village...oh gods.

Malthos buries his face in his palm, the remains of his other arm hanging limp and helpless at his side.

[Mr. X]

Fredric takes a careful step forward, and lays a hand on the shaman's shoulder.

"... Be at peace, Malthos, and have faith. Our time has not been spent for naught.

The Elves would have left these shores regardless of our presence, and without us, would have closed their eyes to our predicament.

Now, they shall watch... And I would wager that any spell or power that the Matron would refer to as 'Great Magic', shall be powerful indeed. Perhaps even on the scale of a presence of an army."

He clicks the toes of his golden foot against a stone, almost smirking,

"Despite all appearances, I believe we have achieved a victory here."

[Sucrose]

Kulkov nods.

"....In truth, this is better than what we could have expected. The elves have been separate for almost as long as my people's memory stretches. That they might aid us at all is a great boon. And with the Planesmage's spell, we can still return in time to fight. We have lost nothing, and gained something that may be of value."

[Mr. X]

A chill again pervades the air, and the soft whisper of the ghost's voice echoes in your ears...

"... Thank you..."

Her voice almost breaks with an emotion that can only be gratitude,

"... Thank you, for staying..."

[Simba]

Vlorah

Slowly, hesitating at first, Vlorah walks over to where Mathos is kneeling in despair and carefully extends her hand to softly lay it on his shoulder.

"You did well, Malthos. Better than we could expect, really. We have done something when nothing seemed to be possible. The Elves do as they will, helping the only way they see possible and leaving to save what they can. They have offered help, after all. Mighty help, great power ready to strike when it is needed. Now we need to do what we do best: run to help where we think it is needed the most. So we need your power more than anything, your strength, your dedication. We need you, the world needs you. Come, let's find our next goal and strike another blow if the gods favor us. Lathander's light with you, friend. Find the light in the darkness, the small flame burning deep within you. Find it and raise your head in pride. Do your part and see the sun rise, bringing light where darkness held sway. Be yourself. Live!"

[Sucrose]

Kulkav pauses, leaving the matter of helping Malthos to his compatriots. He turns to where he heard the ghostly voice coming from, though she is likely omnipresent within the area, and murmurs,

"....It is only right, that we do as much....spirit, can you tell us anything of the approaching tide? Anything of just how they were last beaten back? Of what they are?"