CHAPTER 1: First Steps into a Larger World

[tombowings]

“We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.”
- Socrates (as depicted in Plato’s Apology)


Sebastian, Cneve, Bruno, Tormon, and Carig the Rash awake to the familiar crackle, whose rhythmic snapping has marked the pass of time from birth to present. Shimmering illumination flits over the bare granite fore-wall. Their half-eaten bowls of tasteless gruel have disappeared, carried off during their slumber.

All is as it always has been. As it will ever be. Life: a single monotonous expanse stretching meaninglessly outward until death.

And yet something has changed. Their wrists are lighter. The rattle of their chains – nowhere to be heard. They look down to find their manacles, too, have vanished. Though the scars that mar their wrists remain.

A rush excitement flutters over them. However, an ominous feeling of dread the undermines the glory of their newfound freedom, like a silhouette lurking, eroding the foundation of their unconscious.

For good or ill, their world had suddenly expended beyond their cul-de-sac cavern, beyond the granite wall across which shadows dance. Potential, an infinite vastness, now faces them head on.

And how?

Had their imprisoners – grey maligned degenerates - released them from their bonds? Or had some mysterious force clicked the lock from afar? With what intention?

A pity the Hounds of Time had claimed Lamander's and Sevenus's souls. They were the ones whose minds had wandered farthest beyond the partition.

Cautiously, Sebastian, Cneve, Bruno, Tormon, and Carig the Rash rise and skirt around the barrier, ascending the rampart. At the landing, they catch their first sight of the world beyond their bare lifeless cavern. The brilliance stings their eyes. As their vision adjusts, the glaring blaze fades to a line of fire, perched upon a cobbled sandstone ledge. It extends left and right as far as their eyes can see, descending gently to the left and rising to the right. The warm, mesmerizing flames beckon them forth in either direction.

[dtspurrier1]

Bruno stretches and flexes to get himself loose. He sees the others and asks, " so who are you guys". Bruno also looks around for a weapon, a rock or a club

[chicagowiz]

(OOC: I've been DYING to ask questions since you posted the initial idea!)

Carig looks around him in confusion. Was he born to this place? How had he come to here? Were these all that there were? Who else had been born here? 

He'll ponder these questions as he looks around.

How far away is this ledge? What is in the immediate area? If we emerged from a cavern, what is it a part of? What is above us? 

I'll ponder the question of the person who just asked it. "I'm not sure. I'm Carig, but you do not know me? Do you not remember Lamander and Sevenus?"

[Blackcraft]

Tormon rubs his wrists, the skin marked by months – or was it years? – of wearing the shackles. Now, he is free. He looks around the cavern. Four other men. Who are they? Have they always lived a life in chains? Many questions, but, hopefully more answers to come.

The one called Bruno inquires first. Who were we?

"I’m Tormon," he said, realizing his voice was more raspy than he anticipated. "Do any of you have any idea what happened?"

[tombowings]

Though the ground is clear of rubble, Bruno's exceptional might allows him to dislodge a sizably stone from the ledge that bears the line fire.


OOC: To clarify, Sebastian, Cneve, Bruno, Tormon, and Carig the Rash have all known each other their entire lives. For as long as they remember, they have lived together in a small cavern, chained to a partition, which they have never so much as glimpsed the opposite side of. They know nothing of the world outside their cavern, except the gruel brought to them in clay bolds by gray, gibbering degenerates.

Lamander and Sevenus once shared our heroes' cavern, but died in their chains an indeterminable amount of time before. Their cause of death is unknown.

I hope this clarifies the environment:

[flightcommander]

"Friends," speaks Cneve in his uncertain voice, "we go up? This way? To see." He scratches madly at his wrists where the skin is raw.

[chicagowiz]

(OOC: Oh, so many more questions, but I fear that possibly could be out of bounds, so I'll hold off... or maybe ask privately, if that's allowed?)

"I don't." I say to Tormon. "I only remember live as a chained prisoner, alongside you all."

"That's a good idea, Cneve. Higher ground might show us more of where we're at."

[Blackcraft]

Tormon studies the faces of his four companions. It takes him a moment, but the recognition hits him like a lightening bolt. But of course, he thinks to himself. These men aren’t strangers; they’re companions. My mind must still be foggy from the long sleep.

Feeling slightly less confused, Tormon agrees with Cneve they should climb up to get a better view of their surroundings.

[tombowings]

OOC: chicagowiz - you can always ask questions. I might not be able to answer them immediately, but you can always ask. Both a private message or the OOC thread are perfect places.


The Sebastian, Cneve, Bruno, Tormon, and Carig the Rash turn right and ascend. The whisper of the flames clouds the sound of their footsteps. Soon, the fire's once-warm embrace turns to scalding heat against their bare forearms.

In imitation of fires that guide them, whose dance carries the ether from earth to sky, the newly freed savages creep steadily upwards. As their eyes adjust to the light, they begin to notice green, orange, and blue striations that flow like waves through the tunnel.

As they travel, Carig ponders the nature's of his existence. He realizes he knows not the place of his birth nor the location of his origin. Yet the world may be far larger than he once believed. Full of more mysteries than his ignorant minds can comprehend. Yet he yearns for knowledge of what secrets lay beyond.

After a time, they arrive at a junction, where a mural is crudely painted over the stone fore-wall in broad red strokes (see the image below). The ledge bearing the line of fire lighting the way turns left. The striations follow the righthand tunnel through a shroud of darkness, though which but a single bead of flickering illumination can be seen above, in the distance beyond the shadow.


1. Cave Painting



2. Junction Map

[chicagowiz]

Mar 31, 2023 2:07:11 GMT -6 tombowings said:

OOC: chicagowiz - you can always ask questions. I might not be able to answer them immediately, but you can always ask. Both a private message or the OOC thread are perfect places.

(OOC: Your last update showed that, like a good story author, you'll give us the info as we go along. (Re: not remembering birth, etc.) Nicely done!)

[chicagowiz]

I, Carig, stare at the picture for some time, struggling to remember anything that might help in interpreting. I eye the darkness with some suspicion.

"I do not trust the darkness. The picture shows a battle, with large figures at the enter and small figures being assailed. Although it is a bit warm (and I'll rub my left arm as it still stings from the fire), I suggest we stay with the fire for now. At least to see what else there might be."

[Blackcraft]

Tormon approaches the mural and inspects it closely. He digests Carig’s observation that the artwork might depict a great battle. "I disagree, friend," he says, "The painting looks like an appreciation of some deity." He points to the figures with outstretched hands. "They look like they’re praising the larger being standing on some kind of monster. Could we be nearing a place of worship? Perhaps we should continue upward."

[dtspurrier1]

Bruno comments, "let not find this church as they may kill us. Lets get out of here. Maybe kill some of our captives ."

[Blackcraft]

"If we need to use violence, we must be careful who and where we fight," Tormon cautioned. "If one goes missing, three others might go looking for him."

[flightcommander]

Cneve ponders the mural with wonder, mouth agape, then sees the pinpoint of light up the sloping passage. He points that way to the others.

[tombowings]

After some deliberation, Tormon and Cneve have out voted Carig. The troop has decided to ascend upward, through the shrouded tunnel, toward the flickering light.

The tunnel is wide enough for three men to stand abreast. Who will take the lead? Will it be Bruno, who has armed himself with a heavy stone? Will the vulnerable Cneve fall back behind the others?

[chicagowiz]

I, Carig, will not go in front through that darkness that I fear. I, Carig, will not lead the way to the flickering light that the mural clearly warns us against. I will fight and I will protect, but I will not lead into certain danger.

(OOC: Carig's not exactly the one willing to go into danger. He's a fraidy-cat. "the Rash" is apparently a sarcastic jibe at his unwillingness to enter into risk. If this is annoying y'all, I can adjust, as I don't want to be "that guy" but the thought of someone being afraid of shadows is kinda funny to me...)

[tombowings]

OOC: I'm perfectly fine with the party splitting up and going separate ways. Due to Mushgnome's sudden disappearance (my prayers be with him), Sabastian will accompany the group as an NPC, as least for the time being.

[flightcommander]

Cneve leads the way. How far away does the pinpoint of light appear?

[tombowings]

Cneve gazes up though the shadowy passage. It's difficult to tell the light's distance from the junction, partially due to his lack of experience perceiving depth. That being said, it certainly isn't nearby, but not so far away that the passage snakes in another direction.

Tormon, Bruno, and Sabastion depart into the gloom, with Cneve leading the way. Reluctantly, Carig follows behind. Darkness envelopes them. The rocks beneath their bare feet become increasingly sharp. The crackling of the fire disappears. Twice Sabastian stumbles. He bangs his knee against the rough sandstone. The light begins to grow. It flares orange, then red, then yellow. Two dark, hunched shapes pass by the flames, then disappear.

The savages continue upward. A flat landing comes into view. In the center of the round cavern, inside a wide sandstone well, burns an enormous bonfire, smokeless and vibrant. Passages branches off to left and right, both dark as night. Writing above the openings marks the way. Above the left passage the words, “The path to Paradise begins in Hell," have been chiseled. To the right: “O human race, born to fly upward, wherefore at a little wind dost thou so fall?" (The introspective Carig realizes he and the others can read.) Straight ahead, a large stone covers what appears to be a third passage. The opening is just narrow enough to squeeze through. Like the others, it emits no light.

---

As long as he can remember, Zinon has lived his life isolated in a crack. A large wrinkled stone covers the entrance to his chink. The hunched grey degenerates can barely squeeze through the open to Zinon's crevasse to bring the gruel and change his chamber pot. Since Abasire died, they have been his only company. Isolation has haunted him. Dreams haunt his dreams: a living abyss. The crackling fire and the chains around his wrist, his only companions. What a way to spend eternity.

Two pairs of footsteps scamper past the opening. Then Zinon hears a second set of footfalls. Louder this time. Less coordinated, but somehow stately. Approaching. Then they pause. Somehow unsure.

[Blackcraft]

Upon reading “The path to Paradise begins in Hell,” Tormon starts looking for a weapon, a long item he could use as a club, a decent-sized rock he could throw… something… anything.

"A fire that yields no smoke?" he asks. "What black magic is this?"

[chicagowiz]

Carig feels certain that either the left or right way lead to further danger.

"I, Carig, will go back to the wall of flame, Tormon, to gather a rock much like Bruno did. If you come, perhaps the two of us can match mighty Bruno in his strength to gain a weapon? Perhaps we all should arm ourselves?"

I motion to Tormon to come with me back down the passage to get weapons.

[dtspurrier1]

Bruno will follow to not be alone

[flightcommander]

Does the bonfire emanate heat, or only light? Cneve approaches, if required, to determine this (and to feel warmth).

[tombowings]

Apr 3, 2023 19:31:40 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

Does the bonfire emanate heat, or only light? Cneve approaches, if required, to determine this (and to feel warmth).

The bonfire emits heats sever enough to scorch arm hairs.

[flightcommander]

Cneve retreats to a comfortable distance from the bonfire. [Presumably the heat of the fire is why there is no smoke?]

Does Cneve know which way the shadowy shapes moved, vis-a-vis the open exits? In any case, he approaches the narrow entrance. Does it bear "writing" or is it unmarked?

[tombowings]

Apr 3, 2023 22:22:13 GMT -6 flightcommander said:

Does Cneve know which way the shadowy shapes moved, vis-a-vis the open exits? In any case, he approaches the narrow entrance. Does it bear "writing" or is it unmarked?

The hunched figures scampered from left to right.

Unlike the other two passages, the crevice is unmarked.

[Bastet1002]

At first, Zinon thinks rattling the chains might be the way to attract the attention of this someone new - this someone new who is not grey - this someone new who might actually speak rather than amble along gibbousness with the lifeless gruel.

"Abasire," he mutters with a dry throat, as it helps him to talk to his old friend even though he is decidedly long dead. "What thinks you of this sound I hear? Have they finally come release us from this inferno for some transgression committed long beyond what we can remember? If so, isn't is clear we must live our days from now marking each action as a part of redemption? Would that a bard would remember me long after I'm gone in song as that hero that helped someone. I'm sorry old friend, that I am here alone facing this..."

[tombowings]

Carig and Tormon trek back down the dark passage. Carig's keen eyes and Tormon's herculean strength, easily pry loose a pair of large stones. As they are about to return to their companions, Carigand Tormon's ears detect the sound of loose rocks being kicked across the floor from the passage leading back to the cavern where they were once chained.

"Far, they can't be," comes a grim hoarse voice.

"Slit our throats, he will, if another go missing," answers another.

[Blackcraft]

Tormon readies the stone and crouches low to muffle the sound of his steps. He motions Carig to do the same and hugs the closest wall.