Dragon's Egg - Act II

[Ireth]

I turn and take a step after Darin as he heads upstairs, unsure of whether I am to be among those who speak to the Drimmen-delve. He did say I would be welcome there, after all...

 

[Nihal]

I knew it! I knew!

"Let's go warn them?" I take Burnbright's hand to make sure she doesn't linger near the passage. I feel excited by the discovery, but alarmed as well.

I bet it leads to a dwarven hold or somewhere near! Passing right under the Taint... I wonder if it will be a good or a bad thing.



((Not sure if we stumble upon the people searching for Burnbright.))

 

[Steerpike]

((Let's assume Hiljikki's ritual will be performed now. The post is here: http://mythicscribes.com/forums/dragons-egg-rpg/7263-dragons-egg-act-ii-49.html#post96433

The dwarves will not speak directly to the Drimmen-delve, they will only convey a message through Hiljikki. Hiljikki has asked that everyone but Burnbright and the dwarves vacate the room. I'll let you all decide how your characters respond to that request)).

The dwarves agree to do as Hiljikki requests. They do not seem suspicious of her attempt to use magic, a welcome change from experiences in human lands. Darin provides a detailed description of the gate to the Drimmen-delve, high in the mountains overlooking a tree-filled valley and crystal lake. He talks of the winding passages and stairways carved within the rock of the mountain, and describes a venerable dwarven female - Ula. She is the most powerful rune-caster among them, and surely if any can receive the message, it will be her.

The message is short: "Verstenn breached. Our foe may travel the pathways between."

After giving Hiljikki the necessary information, Darin and Bren follow her requests to the letter, keeping beat with their hands and watching her progress carefully. Burnbright absently fingers the necklace in her pocket as she watches.

 

[Nihal]

((Waiting to see if Ankari is going to bite Mauve's head off for "stealing Burnbright" before moving on))

 

[Ireth]

Seeing no indication from Darin that I should follow, I join Rydh at the opening, and frown as I peer at it.

"I would guess it is perhaps an escape route, though I would not know where it might lead." I wrinkle my nose at the smell of mold and decay that wafts up from the hole as I lean down to examine the sides of the hole. "Is it only accessible from this side? I would think an escape route would be able to open from inside, if people are able to move both ways."

 

[Legendary Sidekick]

I see Mauve and Burnbright standing together.

"Did I miss something?" I ask the ladies.



Don't tell me we need to delay our trip to Drimmen-delve!

Even if your friends discovered something, it might lead you there anyway.

Are you sure?

No. I don't predict stuff. That's not why I'm here. You know that, right?

Yeah... I know.

 

[Sparkie]

I nod to Cadell. "Perhaps you're right," I say. "Whatever's down there, we must be vigilant. I trust you're well rested. I slept all too well last night. Did you get enough rest?"

 

[Nihal]

"The secret opening... is open. The cleric saw to it." Because, you know, your elf ranger made such a confusion when I tried to ask that my request was ignored.

"I want to check something, I need my backpack..." I start, absently minded. "Oh, yeah, but wait." I look at her.

"I think you got some explaining to do to Burnbright."

 

[Ankari]

((OK, I'm back on track. Burnbright is with Hiljikki and the dwarves. Everyone else is not in the room they're using. Since this is what Steerpike is assuming, so am I.))

Outside, I find no evidence of her passing. She's inside. I return to the temple and note that many of my companions have evacuated. The rhythmic clapping and the subtle chanting means the druid is doing her druid business.

And my teeth are doing their grinding.

I pace before the entrance, my thoughts darkening with each step.

 

[Ravana]

((Let's assume Hiljikki's ritual will be performed now. The post is here: http://mythicscribes.com/forums/dragons-egg-rpg/7263-dragons-egg-act-ii-49.html#post96433

The dwarves will not speak directly to the Drimmen-delve, they will only convey a message through Hiljikki. Hiljikki has asked that everyone but Burnbright and the dwarves vacate the room. I'll let you all decide how your characters respond to that request)).

((Let's put it this way: nothing happens until they do. Hiljikki will not discuss, or even comment on, her requirements.))

((Therefore, for the sake of moving things along, I'll assume that the rest of the party complies, however grudgingly and however long it takes them to do so. They can all continue their conversations concurrently—and elsewhere—as the journeying takes a couple hours.))

The dwarves agree to do as Hiljikki requests. They do not seem suspicious of her attempt to use magic, a welcome change from experiences in human lands. Darin provides a detailed description of the gate to the Drimmen-delve, high in the mountains overlooking a tree-filled valley and crystal lake. He talks of the winding passages and stairways carved within the rock of the mountain, and describes a venerable dwarven female - Ula. She is the most powerful rune-caster among them, and surely if any can receive the message, it will be her.

The message is short: "Verstenn breached. Our foe may travel the pathways between."

After giving Hiljikki the necessary information, Darin and Bren follow her requests to the letter, keeping beat with their hands and watching her progress carefully. Burnbright absently fingers the necklace in her pocket as she watches.

((Therefore, this is what happens next…))

http://mythicscribes.com/forums/dragons-egg-rpg/7263-dragons-egg-act-ii-49.html#post96434

•

Dwarves are noted for their stolidity and endurance. Even so, the need to maintain an unvarying tempo over a prolonged period of time is draining… especially when what they're doing is meant to put someone in a trance: the most difficult part of their task is not to fall into one themselves. They too enter a form of timelessness. They do not falter, but duration drops away and there is only the rhythm, only the now.

Burnbright, given no specific task other than to sit and be still, is somewhat less resistant. She sees two dwarves clapping and chanting, one adult woman no larger than herself apparently sleeping, and one vihmakissa—whatever that is—staring in her general direction, his alertness suggesting intelligence beyond merely animal. He is by far the most interesting thing to watch; her eyes constantly meet his. There is something compelling within them.…

—She is startled by his movement. How long had they remained frozen in the unending moment? Täplä's head no longer rests on Hiljikki's shoulder: he has raised up on his front paws, and looks at Burnbright, then at the dwarves on either side of him. Burnbright shifts… but a moment later, the dwarves have gotten the message as well.

Too long.

The tempo of the clapping picks up.

There is thunder. Iridescent wings fly before the storm.

One of the dwarves—Bren—turns to Burnbright, lifts his clapping hands, and nods at her… emphatically, in the rhythm, so much so that his entire body rocks, not just his head.

But I was supposed to—

Darin notices Bren, looks at the puzzled girl, and nods to her once, calmly.

That was to let her… go…? Out…? This is to… <gulp> …to bring her back.…

Burnbright lifts her hands, gives a few hesitant test-claps. Bren still nods, but now with approval, not impatience. Burnbright joins the beat.

Vihmakissas—whatever they are—are not built for clapping. Täplä can bring his paws together, sure, but they wouldn't make any noise. Instead, he is now kneading Hiljikki's shoulder, as a cat might, in time with the rhythm. Burnbright notes absently that he has retractable claws, as they are not in evidence at the moment. It occurs to her to wonder how long it has to be before they're added to the stimulus. Then hopes she doesn't learn: Hiljikki said to use the increased tempo to call her back from the spirit realm. She said nothing about slapping her to make her come around.

In fact, Burnbright now realizes that Hiljikki gave no contingencies whatsoever should the clapping fail.…

Taevataat might as well be one with the statue.

There is blackness.…

…the clapping and chanting. Hiljikkii did say not to change the song—not even if it needed sped up—but if… if extra hands might help, why not…? That wouldn't be changing it, just adding.…

Both dwarves are momentarily surprised when Burnbright's voice joins the chant. What? You think I haven't picked it up by now? Darin almost seems to read the thought from Burnbright's face, so much does he appear to be stifling a chuckle just then. Bren's face doesn't change… which, since he doesn't appear to be offended, Burnbright takes to indicate approval.

Did Täplä just laugh?

There is now.

•

The thunder rides at her wing. A glowing blue beacon calls to her.

Fascinating.…

There is no time. And time there must be. All life requires it.

The blue is eternal. It must await its own time.

She dives toward the blue, swoops past it. Thunder surrounds her.…

There is blackness.…

•

There is now.

Hiljikki stirs.

•

Once she has downed all the water she carries, has popped another Goodberry, and has stopped shivering, she reports.

"I did not succeed in reaching Drimmen-delve." The dwarves start to express dismay, but she continues: "The effort did bear fruit nonetheless. I was guided to a teacher. He has given me the abilities necessary to send a message physically. When I have recovered, I will be able to summon a messenger bird to bear a written note to Drimmen-delve, and to implant in its mind the directions necessary for it to reach the hold and the person it needs to find. So your warning will get through in timely fashion."

She is sagging, barely able to sit upright, in spite of the fact that she is now using a wall to assist her in the endeavor. Her eyes are a brilliant blue crystal, as light as you have yet seen them; they almost seem to emit a light of their own. They appear to be focused on nothing that is visible within the temple. Täplä has withdrawn within her cloak. Taevataat has flown off to pursue his own devices.

"Please forgive me. I must rest."

And without further ado, she slouches to the ground. curls into a ball, and does not respond to anything anyone else might have to say.

Her eyes, however, take a long time to close.

 

[Steerpike]

The dwarves are frustrated that the message didn't get through immediately, however they appear somewhat mollified by Hiljikki's words. Darin stands and rubs at his tired arms and legs. "Well, then, we will await the time to send the message by bird."

"For which you do not need me," says Bren. Though appearing somewhat fatigued, he walks back to the courtyard, grabs his hammer and pack, and stalks out of the courtyard, striking westward across the field that was the site of the battle from the day before. Darin stares after him, but makes no attempt to stop him.

Burnbright remains seated, seemingly lost in thought, eyes unfocused as she stares forward. Her face is pale, as though drained of blood.

 

[Ravana]

"For which you do not need me," says Bren.

((Aww, and here I thought Hiljikki ought to have become Bren's best buddy by now. After all, she's doing something he actually considers potentially useful, and she doesn't seem to care less whether someone's a dwarf or an elf.* And she flat-out offered to accompany them on their trek, while half of everyone else was discussing whether and how to stab them in their backs. I was just waiting to see what Bren would do to anyone who argued with her about clearing out of the temple.… ))

•

*((Of course, she also doesn't seem to care less whether someone's a toadstool, either, so that might not be her strongest recommendation.…))

 

[Steerpike]

((Bren has no problem with Hiljikki. He's probably grateful to her for what she's doing (hard to tell with dwarves sometimes). But after what Darin did, he's not sticking around any longer than necessary )).

 

[Ireth]

I nod to Cadell. "Perhaps you're right," I say. "Whatever's down there, we must be vigilant. I trust you're well rested. I slept all too well last night. Did you get enough rest?"

I smile somewhat ruefully and shake my head. "Not as well as I would like. My sleep was troubled at best." I do not feel that my dreams are of any concern right now, but if he asks, I suppose it is only polite to answer.

 

[Philip Overby]

I look around to see no one is...around. I follow them out to the temple where I see them all crowded around an entrance that seems to descend downward.

I shiver in my blanket, looking up at those gathered. "W-where are you guys going? Down there?"

Go, Nod.

 

[Phietadix]

I was just finishing the pair of swords when Mauve came and told us that a secret opening was opened. I walk toward it slowly, not letting Mauve out of my sight. Whatever is down there. it can wait.

 

[Nihal]

I sigh.

Okay, I need to do this. I need to earn their trust. I slouch against the wall.

But I don't want to cast...

I can clearly see his twisted face, his mad laugh ringing in my ears. No matter how hard I try to forget them those awful memories still haunt me, they will always haunt me.

But I need to use magic. Doing nothing is not an option. I've done it once. The scars on my face feel rugged against the tip of my fingers.

"Baldhart." I can't bring myself to look at them, they may see the hesitation in my eyes. I cross my arms instead. "Yesterday you asked someone about a cursed dagger. Being what I am, I couldn't help but hear it. I could look into it. If it has an magical aura I can make an attempt to feel it. But neither inside this temple, nor in the dark lands."

 

[Sparkie]

I smile somewhat ruefully and shake my head. "Not as well as I would like. My sleep was troubled at best." I do not feel that my dreams are of any concern right now, but if he asks, I suppose it is only polite to answer.

"Can't sleep? Funny, that's what Baldhart said. She said she was having nightmares or somthing, thought it had to do with the knife we found on the Bladnir. She wondered if I was having dreams like hers. I have not. You bore the knife for a time, right. Did you have strange dreams?"

 

[Ireth]

"I know, she told me the same thing."

I shrug. "Not when I held the knife, but only after coming here. Apparently I was talking in my sleep last night. I do not know if my dreams had anything to do with the knife, though they were none too pleasant for the most part."

 

[Sparkie]

"Really?"

Unpleasant dreams. Why am I exempt?

"Not to bring up a sore subject, but what did your dreams entail?"