DCC - The Forests and the Earth

Fourier · 28-01-2019 8:07pm #1

Loygar casts his head over his shoulders.

"Alright I'm bringing this Jeremy into land. We're heading to the palace of the Emperor of Madania. Let me get one thing clear.

BE RESPECTFUL!" he shouts loudly.

The large Jeremy beast dives out of the sky into the clouds, the massive Madanian palace emerging into view as they dive through. Enormous and dreary in equal measures. It must have over a hundred towers, every one a dreamy grey-blue.

The Jeremy lands with a thud outside one of the dozens of gates on the castle's circumference.

OOC: Nebel you'll be introduced soon

Necro · 28-01-2019 8:22pm

Thonrat and Aelrindel disembark from the Jeremy and Aelrindel dusts down his clothes.

'Seriously... master. You are going to have to learn how to speak properly. I don't understand your grunts most of the time. I never thought it would matter, if I'm honest. But now I suppose I'll have to look out for you - understanding you is the first part of that.'

Thonrat looks around him and surveys the area.

'Argh? GRRR... Grrrr... Argh?'

Fourier · 28-01-2019 8:28pm

"Aye" says Loygar "You could say that Master Dwarf, but what errant dreams of men would regard it as such?"

As Thonrat looks around he sees the entire area about the castle is a vast plain. Most of it is completely blasted, the ground bare rock.

Far in the distance, at least eighty miles, a giant forest encircles the plain. One sliver of trees, almost like an arm, extends from that forest across the plain and intersects the castle's Northern wall. Seemingly it continues into the castle itself.

This "arm" of trees is about a half mile from them about eight gates clockwise from where they are.

Banjo · 28-01-2019 8:32pm

Tana disembarks from the Jeremy, stretching her knotted muscles. What those things needed was a section at the front with more leg room. And maybe a meal.....

She looks around for a fanfare, a royal escort, a quartermaster with a large chest of riches.
"We destroyed your damned tower, is there even a thank you coming? Am I free to get out from under your filthy geas yet?"

Necro · 28-01-2019 8:33pm

'What? I don't understand this rambling. Tell us, Loygar - are we to head into the castle? I asked Thonrat but all I got was a GRR, an argh, and some sort of hybrid response. Someday I might learn what he means...'

Aelrindel looks exasperated.

Thonrat grins.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 8:41pm

Banjo wrote: »

Tana disembarks from the Jeremy, stretching her knotted muscles. What those things needed was a section at the front with more leg room. And maybe a meal.....

She looks around for a fanfare, a royal escort, a quartermaster with a large chest of riches.
"We destroyed your damned tower, is there even a thank you coming? Am I free to get out from under your filthy geas yet?"

"Oh yes"

He clicks his fingers and a quick green glow flows over them.

"There, the geas is gone.

The Madanians are very strict on ettiquette, they're probably determining which type of welcome reception you should receive at the moment..."

Three horns sound from the castle, each progressively deeper.

Necro wrote:

'What? I don't understand this rambling. Tell us, Loygar - are we to head into the castle? I asked Thonrat but all I got was a GRR, an argh, and some sort of hybrid response. Someday I might learn what he means...'

Aelrindel looks exasperated.

Thonrat grins.

"You lack a poet's soul Elf. Regardless it seems they've decided what kind of welcome you should get"

The gate in front of them pulls open slowly via giant pulleys operated by tens of small old women. Each was two foot tall at most.

Out of the gate a bunch of boys banging drums emerge, followed by dancing cooks with pastries and at the rear a giant bear with a golden shining horn. On top of the bear a man with a massive black beard extending to his knees sits.

The retinue stops and forms a semi-circle around the party.

Loygar whispers.

"You bow now"

Necro · 28-01-2019 8:45pm

Thonrat bows low and grunts to Aelrindel.

'What? Stop grunting and speak you... I mean, master - I can't understand you. Why are you bowing?'

He looks up and sees the retinue.

'Oh. That. Well I suppose.'

He gives a half bow and looks at the ground sullenly.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 8:59pm

The Madanians notice Aelrindel half-hearted bow.

A pastry chef approaches and hands him the doughnut of shame.

"The false Elf insults us" the bearded man growls.

"You dwarf are you false?" he asks Thonrat.

Necro · 28-01-2019 9:01pm

Fourier wrote: »

The Madanians notice Aelrindel half-hearted bow.

A pastry chef approaches and hands him the doughnut of shame.

"The false Elf insults us" the bearded man growls.

"You dwarf are you false?" he asks Thonrat.

Thonrat shakes his head, still bowing and grunts.

'GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

argh

ARGH?'

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:04pm

"A real dwarf then. You haven't adopted a human tongue. Bring out the Croissant of Pride" he shouts as a chef runs forth and offers the Croissant of Pride to Thonrat, a pastry as big as Thonrat's head.

"Is it true what you have to offer this group..." Loygar asks "...not many nations would permit such a being to live"

"The Banduin crises calls for desperate measures Othegretian. He is sealed in one of the towers. Follow me"

He turns, gesturing for the party to follow him.

Banjo · 28-01-2019 9:11pm

Fourier wrote: »

Loygar whispers.

"You bow now"

Tanaa spits at his feet.
"There . An Elfen bow. We reserve it for only the most distinguished company."

Necro · 28-01-2019 9:11pm

Thonrat follows, admiring his pastry.

Aelrindel sniffs his donut, wondering if it's edible. He frowns and follows his grunting master.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:19pm

Banjo wrote: »

Tanaa spits at his feet.
"There . An Elfen bow. We reserve it for only the most distinguished company."

The bearded man just smirks.

"As I expected, you were raised in the forests unlike this pampered fool then" he says gesturing at Aelrindel.

They arrive at one of the towers.

"Open the gate" he shouts to one of the nearby old women.

She slowly and painfully walks over and pulls open the door.

Within is a stone walled room with books on shelves and a large green metallic box with wards on the floor beneath it.

Banjo · 28-01-2019 9:27pm

Tanaa shouts back at the Jeremy
"Hey! Army! There are some wards that might explode, we could use a spare face to test them!"
After a few seconds she grows impatient and walks over to the box, looking to open it.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:31pm

Banjo wrote: »

Tanaa shouts back at the Jeremy
"Hey! Army! There are some wards that might explode, we could use a spare face to test them!"
After a few seconds she grows impatient and walks over to the box, looking to open it.

A bunch of hooded figures walk over to the metal box and help Tanaa release the clasps.

The walls of the box collapse to the floor.

Within is a figure bound to the floor with strange shimmering grey metal chains. His jaw has an iron covering over it with symbols, though he can speak through it.

Loygar gasps. "To think...I've never seen one up so close..."

"Yes.." the bearded man begins "...Took out an entire platoon of men. We needed help from Elves and Dwarves to capture him. The device about his jaw prevents his words from having their divine edge"

"Is he...doing it on purpose?" Loygar asks.

"Who can tell. Such power is a curse on the land itself. It chooses them so rarely, or perhaps I should say few reach its mind. Only in Madania are we cursed so"

He turns to the party.

"Behold a Priest of Cthulhu. Worst and most alien of all the outer beings"

OOC: You're in Nebel

Nebelwerfer · 28-01-2019 9:43pm

The priest stands up, and stretches till every bone has made a sound of cracking release before shuddering and turning to the group.

Muffled he speaks to the group. "If you wouldnt mind terribly..." he says as he signs to the manacles and chains around him.

"Absolute savagery, being held in there..." He coughs, letting loose a slight gag... "Uh... just not sure... *bleh* Just not... *Bleh*... Oh God! *Bleh* Just not sure what they kept in there before me..." he rushes through the remainder of his sentence before the gag kicks back in.

He holds his hands out, twisting his head slightly and repeats... "IF, you wouldnt mind terribly...".

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:47pm

The bearded official nods at the hooded figures.

Under the hood Tanaa notices they are like the old women outside but without eyes.

They present her with the key to the manacles.

Necro · 28-01-2019 9:49pm

Thonrat eyes the priest curiously.

'Grrargh? GRRR AR.... GRR?'

Aelrindel rolls his eyes and samples his donut. Just a small nibble, mind.

Banjo · 28-01-2019 9:51pm

"you dragged me all this way for this?" Tanaa hisses, unlocking the manacles. "He better not be the reward. Ok, Tentacleric, if you're going to suck everyone up into your tenebrous hole, best be quick - I've no patience left."

Nebelwerfer · 28-01-2019 9:53pm

Necro wrote: »

Thonrat eyes the priest curiously.

'Grrargh? GRRR AR.... GRR?'

Aelrindel rolls his eyes and samples his donut. Just a small nibble, mind.

The priest raises his thumb. And muffles through his facebrace "Grrargh Argrrr Grr Argh...".

He points towards the tiny women and shrugs.

"RrargarghRargh...".

The priest exposes his wrists then to the group.

"Be gentle, please.... tis but my first time".

Nebelwerfer · 28-01-2019 9:55pm

Banjo wrote: »

"you dragged me all this way for this?" Tanaa hisses, unlocking the manacles. "He better not be the reward. Ok, Tentacleric, if you're going to suck everyone up into your tenebrous hole, best be quick - I've no patience left."

The Priest scoffs at the idea of that.

"Everyone knows there is a separate hole for that... This one clearly knows nothing" he thinks to himself.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:55pm

Necro wrote: »

Thonrat eyes the priest curiously.

'Grrargh? GRRR AR.... GRR?'

Aelrindel rolls his eyes and samples his donut. Just a small nibble, mind.

The doughnut is fantastic.

The bearded man nods.

"It is as you fear. Cthulhu does not act as Patron, only those born or choosen by fate contact his mind in its watery prison. We should have burned his village to the ground when we heard of his birth...

My father is too soft"

Necro · 28-01-2019 9:56pm

Nebelwerfer wrote: »

The priest raises his thumb. And muffles through his facebrace "Grrargh Argrrr Grr Argh...".

He points towards the tiny women and shrugs.

"RrargarghRargh...".

The priest exposes his wrists then to the group.

"Be gentle, please.... tis but my first time".

Thonrat looks at the old woman sharply.

'GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

ARRRRRGHHHHH!'

Aelrindel points out matter of factly:

'Oh, that one I know - you made him mad old woman. Did you have your way with the priest when he was in chains? That's what I heard anyways.'

He turns to the main group.

'This woman did vile things to the prisoner. I know in my homeland that's worth at least a few lashings. Death, depending on the severity of the abuse.'

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:58pm

Tanaa loosens the manacles and the hooded woman release the device about his mouth.

"Now while he is here..." the bearded man slaps a seal on the Priest.

"Just so his prayers cannot be heard within these walls. When he leaves he'll have his powers back.

Come you must speak to my father and my nine mothers"

Fourier · 28-01-2019 9:59pm

Necro wrote: »

'This woman did vile things to the prisoner. I know in my homeland that's worth at least a few lashings. Death, depending on the severity of the abuse.'

The hooded woman balks in shock.

"Leave those wretches alone false Elf, they're not to be whipped and cannot do what you say"

Nebelwerfer · 28-01-2019 10:01pm

Fourier wrote: »

Tanaa loosens the manacles and the hooded woman release the device about his mouth.

"Now while he is here..." the bearded man slaps a seal on the Priest.

"Just so his prayers cannot be heard within these walls. When he leaves he'll have his powers back.

Come you must speak to my father and my nine mothers"

Upon the clasped release of the mouth guard, the priest tends this his slacked jaw ensuring its locked back in place.

"Thank you all, that was truly a terrible ordeal".

He nods, still pressing onto his jaw and cheek.

"Tis true what the old man said, I hold no power and am not here by choice...".

Necro · 28-01-2019 10:02pm

Fourier wrote: »

The hooded woman balks in shock.

"Leave those wretches alone false Elf, they're not to be whipped and cannot do what you say"

'Pfft, fine have it your way. I don't care. This doughnut is amazing by the way - I do feel shame. Ashamed I have to finish it that is.

Ok, let's go meet the parents. I'm sure they are as delightful as you lot.'

Fourier · 28-01-2019 10:06pm

The bearded man leads them toward the central tower.

"Do not linger long on my father, my mothers are jealous creatures. They covet him. As do I and my forty eight siblings"

The doors to the central tower open.

"I must leave you here" says Loygar "Help them if you wish for your own reasons. As I said what needs to be done requires adventurers, not forced slaves. To make you adventurers I had to enslave you though, yes I am aware of the irony"

He begins to mount the Jeremy beast.

Fourier · 28-01-2019 10:11pm

OOC: Down to two players so stopping there

Banjo · 30-01-2019 8:07pm

Fourier wrote: »

The bearded man leads them toward the central tower.

"Do not linger long on my father, my mothers are jealous creatures. They covet him. As do I and my forty eight siblings"

The doors to the central tower open.

Taking this remark and the pastries brought out earlier into consideration, Tanaa steps through the door expecting to be greeted by an exceedingly large cake person. Custard slice, hopefully. She'd heard stories about them when she was a wee slip of a girl in her 40s or 50s. (Custard slices, not cake people)

Fourier · 30-01-2019 8:38pm

Entering the king's chamber it's a very solemn affair.

The king himself looks old enough to be a corpse and sits on a chair made of glass. About him on nine large pedestals sit the nine queens. Their features cannot be seen as they are concealed behind golden masks from which emerge pitch black hair.

The room aside from this is completely bare, except for a large skylight letting in the light from the grey cloud covered sky above.

"You are here to help with our problems?" the queens say in unison.

"The greater the danger the greater the reward we offer, do you want us to offer the most dangerous first?"

Necro · 30-01-2019 8:50pm

'Grrrr argh? ARGH?'

Thonrat grunts.

Aelrindel looks at the queen.

'I think that means he wants the easiest...'

'GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR'

'Ugh, really? Can't we take it easy for once? Fine. Yes, he wants the hardest challenge first.'

Aelrindel shakes his head, muttering to himself about dwarves, speech and fools.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:04pm

The queens reply in unison.

"Our dearest son, Trotjika, was taken by the Dwarves for reasons we don't know. We ask you retrieve him from their caverns and bring him back to us.

If he is dead then use these..." they each hold up a gem "...we will give two, they allow you to go to the afterlife and retrieve a soul. Should he be dead do this"

They pause and seem to think for a bit.

"What say ye?"

Necro · 30-01-2019 9:07pm

'GRRRRR!'

Aelrindel rolls his eyes again.

'That means... oh I hate that word, it's so... dwarven. It means aye.'

Aelrindel shudders.

Banjo · 30-01-2019 9:09pm

"that's nice dear, but before we skip to 'any other business's there's the small matter of compensation due for kidnapping, compulsion to commit great acts of wanton destruction, loss of a favoured oaf. All we know if you do far is that you are inconsistent in your distribution of pastries to guests and you don't pay an honest wage for work done. I require convincing"

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:11pm

Banjo wrote: »

"that's nice dear, but before we skip to 'any other business's there's the small matter of compensation due for kidnapping, compulsion to commit great acts of wanton destruction, loss of a favoured oaf. All we know if you do far is that you are inconsistent in your distribution of pastries to guests and you don't pay an honest wage for work done. I require convincing"

The queen's look to each other and extend their hands.

Quentanaa drops to the ground in pain.

"You dare question us. The quest forced upon you woke your abilities and you ask for more payment. Is this the arrogance we know so well from Elven kind? Always seeking more, always above others"

Banjo · 30-01-2019 9:20pm

Fourier wrote: »

The queen's look to each other and extend their hands.

Quentanaa drops to the ground in pain.

"You dare question us. The quest forced upon you woke your abilities and you ask for more payment. Is this the arrogance we know so well from Elven kind? Always seeking more, always above others"

"There... Is .. no.... 'more'... Till .... There's....been.....'some'....stingy.....whore"

Nebelwerfer · 30-01-2019 9:30pm

The priest looks around.

"Scuse me... But, uh, I was brought here... Against my will...".

He hesitantly steps forward and points towards the spiffy elf.

"I think this one thinks I am a reward of sorts, surely, I have a say in all of this? Or am I to take part in this, as a payment of sorts, or...?".

He profusely bows, repeatedly as he steps back in line.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:34pm

Nebelwerfer wrote: »

The priest looks around.

"Scuse me... But, uh, I was brought here... Against my will...".

He hesitantly steps forward and points towards the spiffy elf.

"I think this one thinks I am a reward of sorts, surely, I have a say in all of this? Or am I to take part in this, as a payment of sorts, or...?".

He profusely bows, repeatedly as he steps back in line.

The queens turn all at once to the Priest.

"You have a reward, life. However you shall not use the name of your birth. To do so would be a smear on the family that bore you. From henceforth you are merely Pajac.

Do not concern yourself with this one" they say looking at Quentanaa.

OOC: Pajac in the language here means "The Rejected"

Nebelwerfer · 30-01-2019 9:39pm

Fourier wrote: »

The queens turn all at once to the Priest.

"You have a reward, life. However hence forth you shall not use the name of your birth. To do so would be a smear on the family that bore you. From henceforth you are merely Pajac.

Do not concern yourself with this one" they say looking at Quentanaa.

OOC: Pajac in the language here means "The Rejected"

A sting, sharper than from any dagger the priest had felt before, again provided him with the reaffirmation that he is but a blight that walks the earth.

While this pain was familiar to him, to hear these words from another, never ceased to have some impact.

The priest turns away from the group, if only to wipe away the tear from the corner of his eye in the hopes to maintain the little dignity he may still have left.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:40pm

Banjo wrote: »

"There... Is .. no.... 'more'... Till .... There's....been.....'some'....stingy.....whore"

The last word of the sentence wakes the king from his completely still state.

Orange liquid pours from his mouth as he stands, jerking forward with awkward motions almost in a zombified fashion.

"You...insult...you...demean...I WILL NOT STAND FOR THIS!!!!"

OOC: Rolz for Quentanaa and all willing to help her

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:54pm

Thonrat and the Priest get a very bad feeling as Quentanaa struggles to her feat. The entire air about them begins to light up, in fact the whole chamber does.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 9:59pm

The Priest gets even stronger feelings of dread. Visions of untold death and destruction in the next few seconds.

Necro · 30-01-2019 10:01pm

Thonrat grunts and shuffles towards the exit quickly. Aelrindel follows behind him.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 10:12pm

OOC: Just waiting to see Nebel's action

Nebelwerfer · 30-01-2019 10:49pm

Necro wrote: »

Thonrat grunts and shuffles towards the exit quickly. Aelrindel follows behind him.

With the feeling of dread upon him the priest looks for the nearest way out and makes a run for it.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 10:56pm

As Thonrat and the Priest run toward the tower's entrance Quentanaa's body bursts and a swarm of bees erupt from it, each cocooned in magic.

Arcs of power spark between the twenty nine bees as they hover like miniature stars in the chamber. Just as they run out they see the tower walls shake. The matter within changing suddenly. A sphere encompasses the bees and they both taste a sharp bitterness in their mouth.

The Priest knows running is not going to cut it, his link to the divine tells him something enormous is coming that they can't outrun.

Necro · 30-01-2019 11:26pm

Thonrat, not feeling anything but fear (and a little trickle down his left leg), looks for a place to hide.

Fourier · 30-01-2019 11:32pm

Necro wrote: »

Thonrat, not feeling anything but fear (and a little trickle down his left leg), looks for a place to hide.

He spots a tower up ahead with an open door and two floors.

Necro · 30-01-2019 11:37pm

Fourier wrote: »

He spots a tower up ahead with an open door and two floors.

Thonrat runs for the tower.

Nebelwerfer · 31-01-2019 5:19pm

Fourier wrote: »

As Thonrat and the Priest run toward the tower's entrance Quentanaa's body bursts and a swarm of bees erupt from it, each cocooned in magic.

Arcs of power spark between the twenty nine bees as they hover like miniature stars in the chamber. Just as they run out they see the tower walls shake. The matter within changing suddenly. A sphere encompasses the bees and they both taste a sharp bitterness in their mouth.

The Priest knows running is not going to cut it, his link to the divine tells him something enormous is coming that they can't outrun.

The priest feels increasing dread befall him, like he felt days earlier. This dread then, resulted in many casualties, when a platoon of soldiers made their first attempt to capture him.

Instinct kicks in and his hand moves onto his holy symbol, its fight or flight.

The priest kisses the symbol, raised in the air, then kisses it again aimed at the floor beneath him.

As he keeps running forward he starts chanting.

"In His House at R'lyeh dead, Cthulhu waits dreaming..."

The priest holds his symbol in front of him, gazing into it, while his steps remain steady.

He continues chanting, droning, repeatedly:

"Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn"

DCC - The Forests and the Earth

Comments