Author Topic: Depths of Arhosa  (Read 34716 times)

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #60 on: June 03, 2019, 10:33:04 AM »
The shadows flicker and hover menacingly in the main tunnel, but whatever magic triggers their baleful nature appears to start just after the line at which the secondary tunnel intersects the main.

The secondary tunnel is far different in aspect than the primary – it’s narrow, spherical, and looks almost as if it was the burrow of a creature, for the stone shows markings of tooth and claw. It’s either that or a very strange pickaxe wielded by someone who crawled on all fours, for the opening is hardly wide enough for the Tokunnir to fit his shoulders inside. Lifter would never fit, and even the Chanwyr would find the tunnel too low to stand up in. Given that it was burrowed through solid rock, it means that whichever creature did such a thing has very powerful claws or teeth, ones that would find most forms of armour little defence.

Visible in the glow of Lifter’s raised weapon was the glittering of several objects dragged into the side tunnel, although the reflected light and odd angle made precise identification unwieldy. Based on their orientation and scatter pattern, the Professor thought that they must have been pulled in from the main tunnel, not left behind by something exiting.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #61 on: June 05, 2019, 07:02:08 PM »
"We should proceed with caution. In addition to the shadows, there may be tunneling predators around. We should avoid the walls where we can." the professor said. "We also need to push on ahead. Lifter and I can take turns setting off the shadow traps, while the others follow quickly behind once the shadows leave, and I will heal any injuries."

Knowing that one must lead from the front according to the art of war and not wanting to abuse his construct companion's vitality (only their strength) he makes the first push through the shadows.
Hmm.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #62 on: June 05, 2019, 07:34:40 PM »
Tarvon waits to see what horrible thing happens to the professor before following.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #63 on: June 13, 2019, 02:54:12 PM »
As before, the shadows approached the Professor, striking him with their biting chill then disappearing down the tunnel. This time, his natural resilience to such assaults failed him, although the magic inherent in the shadows was not enough to cause him to struggle with the attack.

The stone trudged past on either side, lit from behind by the glow from Lifter’s weapon. It cast shadows into the dark, strange elongated beings that flickered on either wall, sometimes drawing the eye with their perverse dances. Fatigue was beginning to creep up on the three, for it had been a great many hours since they had last rested. Such concerns did not affect the Constructed, but for the beings of flesh and blood with whom he travelled, it was perhaps time to take a break.


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Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #64 on: June 17, 2019, 07:31:07 PM »
The professor mutters an un-academic phrase under his breath and begins to heal himself. "Although there is no sign of our intended targets, these traps should indicate something of value lays ahead. Any opposed to further exploration?"

Hmm.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #65 on: June 17, 2019, 09:02:49 PM »
"Explore away!" Tarvon says from a safe distance.

Offline Omck4heroes

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #66 on: June 19, 2019, 01:51:56 PM »
The Constructed says nothing, and awaits a decision
Have you ever stood and stared at it, marveled at its beauty, its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives, oblivious.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #67 on: June 19, 2019, 02:53:54 PM »
"I must rest so you'll be exploring without me," Tarvon continues.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #68 on: June 23, 2019, 06:20:55 AM »
The professor looks around for a defensible position and begins to set up camp.
Hmm.

Offline Omck4heroes

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #69 on: June 24, 2019, 11:05:18 AM »
Lifter positions himself facing the way they were travelling, staring off into the darkness
Have you ever stood and stared at it, marveled at its beauty, its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives, oblivious.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #70 on: June 27, 2019, 03:44:38 PM »
Hours later:

Zzzzzzzzzz
Hmm.

Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #71 on: June 28, 2019, 09:44:28 AM »
As the two merely flesh and blood beings slept, their metallic servitor watched over their sleeping bodies, his eyes always roaming, his auditory units waiting for the first hint that there was something untoward happening. And yet, for hour after hour, as his compatriots slept, nothing happened, aside from the slow drip of a single runnel of water down one wall, the droplets ever so slowly falling through the air, only to disappear in a splash against the ground.

Even as they began to rise, stirring in their beds, or what passed for beds on the cold stone floor of the tunnel, there was no activity. But as they began to ready themselves for the day ahead, Lifter held up a hand, pointing it down the tunnel, in the direction in which the shadows had flown.

The echoes of feet had come to his ears, but with a pounding rhythm that meant it was hard to discern just how many approached. The pace was also rapid, suggesting that they were being pushed at speed, whoever came this way. And underlying the tromp was the higher tones of metal clashing with metal. Weapons and armour were involved.

Offline Omck4heroes

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #72 on: June 28, 2019, 10:57:38 AM »
"I hear many footsteps coming. Wearing armor"

As he pointed and spoke, Lifter moved to place his body between his companions and the approaching sound. He grasped his maul tightly, and stared into the darkness. The magma-red rune on his forehead pulsed slowly, in time with some imaginary heartbeat

Have you ever stood and stared at it, marveled at its beauty, its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives, oblivious.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #73 on: June 28, 2019, 01:08:47 PM »
The professor motioned for them to follow and moved in the direction opposite of the sounds. He looked around for any place that could obscure their positions and give them a place to ambush whoever is patrolling the tunnels.
Hmm.

Offline Omck4heroes

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #74 on: June 28, 2019, 01:11:54 PM »
Lifter follows the professor, keeping his broad back to the approaching sounds
Have you ever stood and stared at it, marveled at its beauty, its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives, oblivious.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #75 on: June 28, 2019, 09:03:15 PM »
Flute in hand, Tarvon looks for a good hiding spot.

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Offline Stratovarius

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #76 on: July 07, 2019, 10:37:17 AM »
The Chanwyr led them up the tunnel, away from the sounds, his eyes glancing left and right as he sought an adequate place of hiding. The professor was next, with the Constructed servitor using his bulk as a shield against any who might be following on behind.

Ten minutes passed as they hustled away. Then twenty. And nothing presented itself in terms of anything more than a slight dip in the wall of stone. While they searched, behind them the tromp of marching feet stayed constant. Whatever force came through this tunnel was marching on apace, resisting the fatigue that such an effort should engender.

Eventually, after half an hour’s searching, there was an alcove in the wall deep enough that they could hide if they desired, although it would provide poor shelter should they be discovered. A fissure caused by the earth’s shifting, the crack was perhaps fifteen feet deep, and wide enough at the back only for the Chawyr. But if the three squeezed in in order of size, Lifter would at least be out of sight from the main tunnel, although he would likely be discovered unless preventative measures were taken. And fast measures, for the marching force had not slowed in their travels, and rolled onwards.

Offline Nanshork

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #77 on: July 16, 2019, 06:58:35 PM »
There is nothing that Tarvon can do for Lifter and so he scurries into the crack.

Offline Omck4heroes

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #78 on: July 19, 2019, 12:16:32 PM »
"Hide behind me"

*With these words, the constructed moved to let them into the alcove, then stood blocking it. He faced outwards, then shivered slightly. The glow faded from his eyes, and from the rune on his forehead. All at once, he seemed like nothing more than a statue*
Have you ever stood and stared at it, marveled at its beauty, its genius? Billions of people just living out their lives, oblivious.

Offline skydragonknight

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Re: Depths of Arhosa
« Reply #79 on: July 19, 2019, 12:29:06 PM »
The Professor works with Tarvon, quickly working out a plan on how to position themselves in order to hide behind the 'statue'.

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Hmm.