Aundairian Ambassador (Ayanna)
From Toosigma
| Title | Aundairian Ambassador |
|---|---|
| Author | Philip Mann - Ayanna |
| Campaign | Shattered Prisons |
| Session | Aundairian Ambassador |
| Posted | |
| Game Date |
Mmm...I love the rain. It seems to wash away everything that soils the spirit as it brings life to the land. Even in the village, people seem taken by it though many stay within their box-homes. Still, some are out in the center but none look happy to be there. I see Ioth and that strange girl he spends time with, and Malidin though he looks to have more strange garb hanging from him than any could want. I wonder where Marius is, but mayhap he cares not for the rain either however, finding him just beyond the village near me. His demeanor is curious as I thought him the representative of this village. He doesn't seem to want to be part of anything that is going on, but wants to observe. Mayhap he is not so different from me with regard to this settlement...
Aundairians arrive, and that explains a lot. People seem less than thrilled at their arrival while others welcome them greatly. How can this village not understand that walking into a cage is as sure a way to slavery as being trapped?!
As if on cue, screams from across the village. Marius seems to desire confrontation while I speed to aid those who are screaming. I did not see him after I rounded the buildings and passed two small zombies, so I imagine he got his wish of combat. Why do these men all seem to desire to fight before aiding others? No matter, I know this house and I will tend their wounds and see them to safety even if their neighbors will not come to their aid...
Okay, throwing a rock to get the giant's attention seemed like a good idea at the time. However it neither distracted the monster nor saved me from being attacked, but the attack was not so strong on me and a good slap was enough to crumble the zombie to the ground. I hope it didn't hurt too much...
I've never seen a warforged before, but I knew Vigil needed aid. To my surprise, none of his fellows in arms would help him, so I used the craft I knew to do what I could. In the rain nobody bothered us and I welcomed his quiet while I tended to the best of my ability. His wounds were not so different from those I have mended on my own body, but his size—so much bigger than me—meant that I had to climb about him while he helped me to help him. When my work was done I left, and the warforged returned to the side of his friends; I was glad that he accepted my aid and did not draw attention to that which I would do for any other...
A time later, I was met by Marius and Malidin and the others. They seemed convinced that the tribe of kobolds to the north had something to do with the zombies in the village. I thought this strange, but considered that Krax could explain as well as I could and that these people would probably be better to ask those whom they so easily accuse to answer directly. Strange how much noise these people make in the wood, but not unexpected. I can hear the village a great distance away on calm mornings, so drowning the sounds of Nature may be part of their ways. Malidin tries to be quiet, but he has a long ways to go, but he tries...
When those who follow Krax greeted us, I was surprised at the others' amazement. Of course I have been to this village before and I know well the way they live, far more in harmony with Nature than Silvervale to be sure. Why would I not know them? But, I told them that Marius came to speak with them as he seems the leader of the others whenever he is around. Mayhap these village dwellers throw their lot in with the strongest among them? I do not know, and I can hardly imagine doing such a thing. Mayhap that is another reason I am not so welcome there...
Threats from one mouth and slithery persuasion from another, truly I will never understand people. They all seem convinced that this village should be judged by the actions of others that do not live here, which makes only so much sense as judging all of the world of Man by the Aundairians who wish it under their thumb. Still, the dark girl insisted that I follow Krax's scouts to verify the place that they buried their dead; why she could not take their word for it I do not know, but trust even those who have absolutely no reason to lie seems a strange concept to them. Still, I departed with the kobolds and my sense of companionship changed only so slightly as I understood how the tribe works and I respect it...I may never understand the group from the village...
The graves were empty and there was a clear trail to the Northeast. The scouts could have and would have come back with that information, but if my presence helps their word to be trusted then so be it. While I was gone, the settlement came under attack by strange things which defied explanation. Aberrations of some sort I imagine, but only because they were not undead and were not of Nature. I did not miss that I was not here to fight. I hate fighting...
Krax told the group of such other encounters and the he was sure they came from a ruin to the Northeast. I remembered the ruin, but had never felt the urge to stay around...gives me a bad feeling to be around. Collapsed building and rubble, but probably some dark passage underground as these people seem to enjoy. Really! How can normally sane people enjoy so much time where the ground simply waits to bury them alive! I don't really care if it's been around for a millennium, but who's to say that the end of its lifetime is not right now? Nature makes things quite lasting by comparison and even the mountains do not remain forever! Still, away I went with them...
As we traveled I began to notice that the birds had stopped singing and even the ground creatures were not to be seen. I noted this to Marius who, I'm certain, would rather disregard anything I say. Horrible creatures these though, abominations of the wood's most noble wolves. Seeing them sickened me, and brought to me that this might not be only of the village; that it might be of my home as well. Some other creatures were with them, but I could not free the image of the wolf skeletons from my mind...it was as if they...so sad...
We arrived at the ruin and found it claimed by soldiers I did not recognize...they were not of Aundair, nor were they of any Man-tribe I had seen. But the strange creatures that came from the stairs among them were the same as those who attacked us before and I knew there would be trouble. The others debated and discussed from a distance how to deal with these people and my suggestion when unheard save by Ioth. I mean, why not allow the creatures displaced by these invaders to help claim their home back? It was fairly simple to find those who wished to help and all who returned with me to the ruin engaged the soldiers there. Even Baldus, the mighty dire bear, brought his power against those who disturbed his hunting grounds. Mouths agape, the village group watched as Nature made their plans and talk of danger to be nothing...but still, that moment was quickly over to them with “plans” and “goals” and “objectives”...
They descended into the darkness and I tried, but could not make myself stay. Too cramped and enclosed...no air...so light... But I tried to remain in the middle, so the walls would not grab me or fall on me and still I had to return to the surface again. Clearly the whole place is a trap for fools who don't have the sense to stay above ground! The wall even said it was so, but in an ancient druid tongue that seemed strange to them. After all went dark, I felt and ran toward the sky again but I hit someone. I hope I did not hurt the person I ran into, but I was trapped, I knew it...the walls were coming in again...I heard combat before and then but I cared not, I had to get out...no time, no time...
They told me the darkness was gone again so I crept in one last time...clutter and debris where I had seen none, and some I did not want to see even now...but I found the jewel-key and it looked pretty in a city-made way. The crystal was cool and gleamed in my tiny light...when I heard them debating about a key, I recalled what was found in the cave before...it looked like this but of a different gem. I gave it to them and the door that warned not to open came to life and allowed passage within...and there was the elemental pounding away at the writing on the far wall...and more creatures that I could not see...but could hear...and they all followed me to the sky again...
