6: Monster Barn

[eris]

Yusuf will take the iron spikes that Karl had, then...good for keeping doors open (or shut)...and isn't that a 10 foot pole? We might need that, too.

OOC: If Karl had poked the giant with that pole instead of trying to poke him with his sword he might have survived.

"I am new to this party so I will defer to you on where we go next." says Yusuf, "but I do think we should be moving on to somewhere else soon."

Yusuf comments as he mounts the horse, "I still don't understand why you are planning to carry those dead bodies with us. As long as we carry them those vultures will follow us giving away our position to anyone who looks up, and as long as we are in this accursed wasteland there will be no consecrated place to lay their remains. One place would be as good as another to them for their souls have already departed, but, be that as it may, I will make no further comment on this subject...for now."

[eris]

OOC: So, where are we going next? 3102 is directly south of where we are now and closer to the Tower we were heading toward, but it is also further from the Oasis...and we haven't located a place of safety if we intend to "overnight" in the ruins. Not unless you want to stay in the barn with that monster and use the whip to keep it at bay, which *I* don't want to do.

OOC: I say 3102. Where is the sun in the sky, is it mid-late afternoon, early evening ?

[snorri]

"I fear my idea of finding a place of safety turned to a disaster. maybe we should have been stright to the tower, and the Gods punished us for our lack of heroism...", suggests Rollo - who has been the less heroic of all the gang.

[eris]

OOC: Are we all agreed that we move next to 3102? If so, let's do it!

[burke]

You move one southward. It soon becomes clear that Yusuf was right, the vultures keep circling after you. No doubt they hope to feast on your fallen comrades, who are beginning to bloat in the hot sun and smell quite ripe.

Over ahead you spot some ruined walls and towers rising above the rest of the debris. It looks like the upper reaches of some vast buried palace. Unlike all the other ruins you have seen, this is covered by thick growths of what looks like dark green ferns and moss. The ground around these structures is oddly bare except for some high pinnacles rising here and there from the sand.

It is now late in the afternoon, sunset is approximately four hours away.

[eris]

Nov 27, 2009 13:41:37 GMT -6 burke said:

You move one southward. It soon becomes clear that Yusuf was right, the vultures keep circling after you. No doubt they hope to feast on your fallen comrades, who are beginning to bloat in the hot sun and smell quite ripe.

Yusuf glances up a time or two, shifts uncomfortably on the horse, and keeps a close look out for anything more dangerous that might be attracted to the circling vultures or the smell of the dead bodies.

Over ahead you spot some ruined walls and towers rising above the rest of the debris. It looks like the upper reaches of some vast buried palace. Unlike all the other ruins you have seen, this is covered by thick growths of what looks like dark green ferns and moss. The ground around these structures is oddly bare except for some high pinnacles rising here and there from the sand.

"Ho!" Yusuf points and calls out, "Ruins, look there! And signs of water, too!"

Yusuf sits back and muses, "But so bare around the edges of the ruins..."

It is now late in the afternoon, sunset is approximately four hours away.

"What think you?" Yusuf looks at the others, "Shall we tarry here to explore, and perhaps to camp?'

[greenfielder]

Zulayman's brow furrows as he looks into the sky at the vultures. As the party approaches the ruin, he touches his hand to his turban and says, " Your departed comrades,though I am loathe to abandon them in this place, will cause us nothing but trouble. We must do something with their remains. They may attract something worse than mere scavengers in search of a meal."

He stops for a moment to study the fern and moss covered wall in the distance. "And to further complicate matters, the vultures announce our approach, to whatever may lie in wait."

"Despite the danger," he adds, "I also agree with Yusuf about this ruin ahead. Plants mean water... it is worth investigating. If not for treasure than for a possible oasis here in the ruins. And we may eliminate a hiding place for creatures that would block our line of retreat."

[eris]

Yusuf turns his horse toward the ruined walls and towers and heads slowly in that direction...hoping that the others follow him. He will pull up well short of the oddly bare area of ground and dismount. He scans the area intently, trying to discern why the ground ahead is so bare by sight.

[kesher]

Romeo swings down off his horse, draws his dagger, and cuts the ropes securing the corpses to the mounts. "Enough of this foolishness," he snarls. "Their ghosts will answer to me, as will any who touch the bodies. The Turk is the only one speaking sense---we move ahead to this building and find a defensible room."

Remounting, he jerks Romulus around and rides towards the ruins.

[tavis]

Jochi will ride after Yusuf without saying a word. He makes sure to note where the bodies fell, and whether the ropes that bundled up the corpses in their bedrolls were still knotted and in place.

[eris]

Yusuf asks, "Where is that 10 foot pole?" as he moves forward cautiously probing the sand ahead of him with his sword.

OOC: If I picture this correctly, there are ruins with plant growth on them ahead of the party. Yusuf and the others have stopped where the ground before the ruins become "oddly bare." How wide is the "oddly bare" stretch of ground leading up to the ruins? Are the pinnacles rising above the sand natural rock structures or spire like towers, like those along a castle wall? If the latter, do they have doors, windows, arrow slits, or other openings?

[burke]

As you move on from the discarded corpses of your fallen comrades, the vultures descend and begin their feast.

The towers and pinnacles are definitely man made and seem to be part of some fantastical buried palace. The larger structures closest to you feature great openings that once were vast windows, but now are more like portals, easily large enough to allow you and your horses entry. The outside of all the structures are covered with lush growths of sickly green plants.

The bare area begins roughly by the structures closest to you and extends far to the sides and beyond. Yusuf's wariness is proven justified as his pole suddenly sinks deep into the sand with no bottom in sight. The probing reveals that you should be able to reach the nearest structure safely, but that rest of the area is riddled with treacherous pits of quicksand.

[Sorry for the long pause in the game. I've been under the weather.]

[snorri]

"A ten foot pole, my friend, is the material face of the ancient wisdom. It is said when the Gods emerged from Chaos, they had a ten foot pole to explore it and find the Law. Some ancient lores says the entire world was build upon a ten millions foot pole, as a symbol of safety and wisdom. Please note the lenght of poles actually vary from people to people, and it is said, maybe our frenchmen will confirm, that French have the longuest poles", answers Rollo, happy to discuss such a philosophical subject.

[eris]

Dec 4, 2009 15:18:33 GMT -6 snorri said:

"A ten foot pole, my friend, is the material face of the ancient wisdom. It is said when the Gods emerged from Chaos, they had a ten foot pole to explore it and find the Law. Some ancient lores says the entire world was build upon a ten millions foot pole, as a symbol of safety and wisdom. Please note the lenght of poles actually vary from people to people, and it is said, maybe our frenchmen will confirm, that French have the longuest poles", answers Rollo, happy to discuss such a philosophical subject.

Yusuf grunts, "The french men will say they have the longest poles, but if you want the truth, you must ask the french women!

"Well, regardless of whose pole is longer, we can make it to that building there, but the rest of the area is a death trap." Yusuf says looking at the others, "Shall we?"

[eris]

Dec 4, 2009 11:59:31 GMT -6 burke said:

As you move on from the discarded corpses of your fallen comrades, the vultures descend and begin their feast.

The towers and pinnacles are definitely man made and seem to be part of some fantastical buried palace. The larger structures closest to you feature great openings that once were vast windows, but now are more like portals, easily large enough to allow you and your horses entry. The outside of all the structures are covered with lush growths of sickly green plants.

The bare area begins roughly by the structures closest to you and extends far to the sides and beyond. Yusuf's wariness is proven justified as his pole suddenly sinks deep into the sand with no bottom in sight. The probing reveals that you should be able to reach the nearest structure safely, but that rest of the area is riddled with treacherous pits of quicksand.

Yusuf staggers just a bit before extracting the pole, "That would suck down a horse and the man on its back. We must take care here!"

[Sorry for the long pause in the game. I've been under the weather.]

OOC: Sorry to hear you have been ill. Hope you are feeling better now.

[greenfielder]

Dismounting, Zulayman pulls his bow off his back and readies an arrow. Keeping a close watch on the walls beyond, he follows in Yusuf's footsteps

[snorri]

Rollo watches carefully, smiling and imagining how this place should have been wonderful... long time ago. Maybe hundred of thousands years.

[eris]

Dec 5, 2009 15:07:11 GMT -6 snorri said:

Rollo watches carefully, smiling and imagining how this place should have been wonderful... long time ago. Maybe hundred of thousands years.

Yusuf pauses and looks over his shoulder at his companions. He sees Zulayman following, Rollo smiling as he watches from his horse...and the others...

"Come on then!" Yusuf calls back to the party, "I have marked a safe trail with the pole. Just follow my footsteps. We can reach yonder structure without danger. What dangers lie there, or within, I can not say."

As Yusuf nears the structure with the gaping maw of an opening and covered with sickly green plants he stops.

"I know not these plants. Have any of you knowledge of these varieties?" from ten feet away he jabs at the greenery with his pole."

"I have heard tales of plants and vines that have a mind of their own. They will ensnare and consume a man if he is unwary." Yusuf says as he continues to poke at the plants with the pole, "And in this a'cursed land, we should not be unwary."

If there is no reaction from the plants, Yusuf will edge closer and use his sword to cut the plants to see if that draws a reaction. If the plants, or anything else looks, smells, or even feels 'wrong' to Yusuf he will back off and re-evaluate.

[burke]

The vines are quite tough and difficult to cut, but they do not evince any sign of malice. They are not blocking the entry into the ruins and Yusuf and Zulayman peer into the shadows beyond.

The inside of the ruin is a large hall, lit only by a few bright shafts of sunlight, penetrating from somewhere high above. The air inside is dusty and cool.

[salass00]

Iseul dismounts and follows Yusuf and Zulayman making sure to step in their footsteps only.

Iseul: "Do you need some light? Can you see anything of interest in there?"

Jacques dismounts and hands Leopold his reins before carefully following Iseul inside, testing the ground with the butt of his spear.

[burke]

The floor inside seems to be made of stone, but is covered by a few inches of loose sand. The air is noticeably cooler inside and more humid.

The room is large and circular, at least 100' across. Tall pillars, covered with vines, can be seen at its edges and you can make out the arches of the ceiling 60' above. There are portals similar to the one you came through all around the room. To the left is an old crumbled staircase leading up and to the right another leading down.

[Jacques, Iseul, Yusuf and Zulayman have so far entered the ruin.]

[eris]

Dec 6, 2009 4:03:57 GMT -6 burke said:

The vines are quite tough and difficult to cut, but they do not evince any sign of malice. They are not blocking the entry into the ruins and Yusuf and Zulayman peer into the shadows beyond.

Yusuf calls back to the party, quietly, "I will continue forward...carefully."

The inside of the ruin is a large hall, lit only by a few bright shafts of sunlight, penetrating from somewhere high above. The air inside is dusty and cool.

Yusuf examines the inside of the hall looking up, down and to each side. What type of flooring has the hall?"

He continues to use the pole to test the floor as he moves slowly forward.

[eris]

Dec 6, 2009 4:22:33 GMT -6 salass00 said:

Iseul dismounts and follows Yusuf and Zulayman making sure to step in their footsteps only.

Iseul: "Do you need some light? Can you see anything of interest in there?"

"Yes, bring a light forward." Yusuf says over his shoulder, "After the brightness of the day outside, the shadows of this room are very dark."

[eris]

Dec 6, 2009 14:39:22 GMT -6 burke said:

The floor inside seems to be made of stone, but is covered by a few inches of loose sand. The air is noticeably cooler inside and more humid.

The room is large and circular, at least 100' across. Tall pillars, covered with vines, can be seen at its edges and you can make out the arches of the ceiling 60' above. There are portals similar to the one you came through all around the room. To the left is an old crumbled staircase leading up and to the right another leading down.

[Jacques, Iseul, Yusuf and Zulayman have so far entered the ruin.]

Yusuf probes the floor through the sand all over the room making sure that the footing is safe in here. He pauses every few steps to look around. He examines the crumbled stairway leading up and then moves on to examine the stairway leading down.

Do the portals around the room all lead back outside, or do some of them lead to other rooms?

Is the room bare? No statues, no paintings (or markings) on the walls or ceiling, no ruined furniture, skeletons, or anything else in the room?

How do the stairways look to Yusuf? I assume both are dangerous, but are either of them usable if anchor ropes are used?

Yusuf is also looking for the source of water that must be here for the plants to grow. Water is a precious rarity in the desert and is required by plant, man and beast alike. If we are to remain here for an extended period of time we need access to water and a defensible camp site.

[snorri]

"Right, Yusuf, this plant can't be less thirsty as we are", admit Rollo - trying to conceal that, for the first time, he realized plants also drink water. No such questions in his native country...

[eris]

Dec 6, 2009 16:23:38 GMT -6 snorri said:

"Right, Yusuf, this plant can't be less thirsty as we are", admit Rollo - trying to conceal that, for the first time, he realized plants also drink water. No such questions in his native country...

Yusuf chuckles as he continues to closely examine the room, "The only difference between plants and animals, when it comes to water, is which end takes it in."

"Plants drink with their feet, so let us see where the roots of these vines are sipping.", he kneels on the ground where the vines are growing up the columns and scoops the sand away carefully, "Probably, growing up through cracks in the stone floor, and if it is so, then going down those stairs might lead to water...but let us see, for supposing without seeing is only fantasy..."

[danhem]

A lone rider appears from the east. He comes across a bundled mass covered by vultures. He rides into the mass of carrion birds and sends them scattering. Looking down at the tattered bundles he spots the upper half of a warrior. Muttering short curse followed by a prayer he rides toward the ruins.

Suddenly he spots others around the strange buildings and shouts a cautious greeting.

"Hail warriors...watch your footing there! There is quicksand about!"

[greenfielder]

Zulayman begins to grab a torch, then hesitating, stops and tightens his grip on his bow and arrow.

"Perhaps this place is all that remains of the verdant lands described in the documents from the barn." he posits to Yusuf. "But if the plants mean water, no doubt other things may have been attracted here.... Unless some enchantment keeps the plants alive." he adds sourly.

Zulayman stays a few paces behind Yusuf, covering him with his bow. He studies the vines from a distance, wondering if his training would help identify the plants.. and to see if the vines move in an unnatural way.