Chronolark - Part 9

Log Info

• Title: Chronolark - Part 9
  
• GM: Whirlpool
• Characters: Thoth, Reithak, Tlanexhuani
  
• Location: The Badlands
  
• Summary: Adventurers are asked to go to Genrivia, in order to uncover magical artifacts that might help find temporal anomalies.

You're all outside the window, now, and back within the ruined city scape. There are still more of those miniature gargoyles inside, to say nothing of the kobolds in the city itself you need to escape from.

Still, there's plenty of cover for you to run to and throgh to try to shake any pursuit.

You just need to get there.

Vaulted over, Thoth hits the ground running. Its little metalic avian feet carrying as fast as it can. Notably, this isn't particularly fast, regardless of its rather lithe form suggesting it should be quick on its feet. Its broken wings jingle almost light small windchimes, metal clattering against eachother as it tries to get the heck out of dodge. "This one recommends we hurry to the surface."

Tlanexhuani has already proven that he is not especially quick on his feet, nor exactly nimble. That doesn't stop him from lunging out the window and attempting to keep pace with Thoth and the others. "Ssa!" he aggrees most eagerly, while also trying not to do so most loudly.

Reithak is at the very least, capable of running relatively quickly when the need arises, and the large egalrin is able to keep up with the others ducking out of the way for a moment. "All well and good, but, we probably need some sort of plan to get out of here, you know? I doubt those gargoyles are gonna leave us alone on the way out if they catch wind of us again." They respond quickly.

GAME: Reithak rolls athletics: (8)+2: 10

GAME: Reithak rolls stealth: (15)+10: 25

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls athletics: (14)+1: 15

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls stealth: (1)+-1: 0 (EPIC FAIL)

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (2)+0: 2

GAME: Thoth rolls Stealth: (9)+10: 19

Well, there's some good news.

The good news is that the gargoyles are definitely less active here, having gone into the house. The bad news is that they're starting to emerge in numbers to find you. Roughly half a dozen more of them.

And then there's OTHER bad news.

Down the way, you can hear sounds: familiar ones. It's the kobolds, and they're on their way into the area. No doubt they're trying to locate you. But you're not exactly ... well positioned at the moment. Reithak is well hidden, but didn't get too far, while Tlanex got far, but is thoroughly exposed, and Thoth is much like Reithak, though a bit further out.

Tlanexhuani is obviously motivated to move and does not rely upon his spear-as-stave, now. Instead, he takes full strides, which make good use of his size rather than any finesse. This is good, as he promptly proves the latter is ... lacking. Upon hearing the the sounds of creatures ahead, he does manage to not call out and reveal their position. He also remembers to stop just short of the intersection. Too short. Too abruptly. Also immiedately in front of Thoth whom he had passed.

Previously, the laws of gravity were well-demonstrated by the bluescale. Now it is time for the laws of momentum. There is no time for Thoth to halt on its own, so Tlanexhuani's backside does the work. Given their relative mass, this not only halts the avian but ricochets it rearward. As for Tlanexhuani, he only need take a step or two forward to balance himself, but that places him solidly in said intersection.

Tail between the legs, and suddenly a hard stop as Thoth's beak bends against Tlanexhuani's back and the bird falls back on its back. Its nose looking a bit crooked! It's dazed, but out of sight in that moment. Its beak the only thing peeking out from behind Tlanex's larger body.

Hearing the sounds of those Kobolds however, Thoth is quick to get back up, using Tlanex's tail as a support, and chirps to 'keep going'.

"This one is read to thunderstomp them all if they get too close."

Reithak was somehow in the middle of everything going on, as the egalrin was not the fastest, but was doing their best to remain not immediately discovered.

Unfortunately fate had other plans for that as there's a sound of clattering metal and throughout the streets and even more threats nearby. "Right, right, plan is to get as far away from here as possible, then." Reithak agees, moving to continue running once the others were moving. "What's the best way around them, then?"

Cries go up from elsewhere at that loud clang.

Voices. Speaking in draconic. Some of the gargoyles raise their heads.

... not good.

Tlanexhuani looks to the direction of voices and motions with his snout. "Not that way," he hisses firmly but (hopefully) quietly to the others. That leaves one less direction to choose froom, so he looks between Thoth and Reithak. "Which way best?"

GAME: Thoth rolls Knowledge/Geography: (8)+9: 17

GAME: Reithak rolls knowledge/geography: Trained Use Only: 0

GAME: Thoth rolls Perception+3: (14)+8+3: 25

GAME: Thoth rolls Survival: (2)+1: 3

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (19)+0: 19

GAME: Thoth rolls Stealth: (4)+10: 14

GAME: Reithak rolls athletics: (7)+2: 9

GAME: Reithak rolls stealth: (16)+10: 26

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls athletics: (19)+1: 20

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls stealth: (15)+-1: 14

Thoth quickly points in a direction. "This way." It chirps and tries to lead the group as best it can. As much as the little thing can. "Between those houses and down that alley." It chirps again.

Tlanexhuani curbs his zeal this time and aims for a better balance of speed and silence. That is to say, he takes more care to not walk into and/or step on anything or anyone in the process. By following Thoth, at least he won't bend any further beaks.

"I take it you've got an idea where they're going?" Reithak asks, not particularly waiting for an answer as they're already off and jogging down another street where Thoth was heading, trying to follow and make sure they went for the right houses and alley as instructed, which slowed them down some. That or just a hint of exhaustion setting in from all of the running and fighting so far.

JUDGE: Whirlpool summons Aznara away.

GAME: Aznara rolls stealth: (9)+10: 19

GAME: Aznara rolls athletics: (4)+8: 12

Good news!

You're on the move again, this time charting a path following Thoth who's memorized map is proving most handy.

Unfortunately, the map is *not* entirely accurate. Not entirely. Say, when you dive down a street, you find recent obstructions, collapses of walls and more that you have to clamber over or find a way around. Either way, these things are delaying, allowing the kobolds to get closer.

The good news is that the gargoyles now have their attention on the kobolds -- and you hear the clash of conflict even as more kobolds are being drawn to the area.

Hunting.

Hunting you. The question is, do you want to find a place to lay low and hope they move on, or keep running?

"This one learn, only have to be as fast as slowest target. If we are faster than Kobolds and Gargoyles, problem solves self." Thoth points out. "This one believes we should keep moving, and not hide." As the War Golem climbs over yet another piece of rubble and points down an alleyway to further have the Kobolds lose track of them.

Tlanexhuani looks back briefly in the direction of the kobolds, gargoyles and who knows what else. "This one want keep moving. Get out, not hide." Hiding is not something he does well. "Will follow."

GAME: Reithak rolls perception: (19)+13: 32

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls perception: (8)+10: 18

GAME: Thoth rolls Perception+3: (3)+8+3: 14

You move on, swiftly, then. Thoth's map is providing good directions, despite the difficulties, but there are several instances where only Reithak's sharp senses guide you away from exposing yourselves to more roving kobold patrols.

They seem to be intensifying, and you're not really sure how long you can avoid getting noticed by them. Kobolds on spiders, kobold foot patrols. Several times, you've nearly hit trip wires, stepped in pit traps, or even worse, triggered a deliberately undermined pile of stones that are meant to drop on you when passing by.

The kobolds have thoroughly *trapped* these streets you're now on, and the alley you're passing through.

Reithak follows along with Thoth's directions, at least until the first trap. "Let me go ahead. Like I said, my feathers are much more replaceable." The egalrin offers before taking the lead instead after a pause to study the map again. The egalrin even stops to remove their hat, after spying more than a few precariously and intentionally placed stones up above on the streets. "Those kobolds really want us dead, don't they? You'd think we salted their fields or something." They muse quietly while continuing on while remaining on lookout for any more traps.

"This one understands its limitations." Thoth answers Reithak as they move ahead and offer to take on the lead. Its movements slowing a bit, and it lines up to step where Reithak and Tlanexhuani step. Trying to follow Reithak's gaze for the various traps.

"This one believes the Kobolds wish for anyone other than themselves to die. They are individually weak. So traps give them an advantage." It chirps.

"Is like steps down?" Tlanexhuani has not forgotten the spots they almost fell down. Not the stairs he -did- fall down through, either, but he doesn't think that was the kobolds. "Better be slow, quiet and not fall in trap."

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (3)+0: 3

GAME: Thoth rolls Stealth: (7)+10: 17

GAME: Reithak rolls athletics: (10)+2: 12

GAME: Reithak rolls stealth: (3)+10: 13

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls athletics: (3)+1: 4

GAME: Tlanexhuani rolls stealth: (8)+-1: 7

Up ahead, you hear a lot of sounds. Chirping and whirring, like bugs.

You find out this is correct, as in your attempt to avoid it, you emerge out front of what appears to be something NOT on your map, and also in your way.

A field of moss grown over several buildings, yes, with kobolds working amongst them, collecting very large bugs off the moss and placing them in buckets.

Yes, you have just walked out in front of a kobold insect farm. They haven't seen you yet, thankfully, but they're *definitely* farming bugs here.

After they get to the insect-farm, Thoth ducks behind some of the moss. It knows it would be easy to sink into it if they step in the wrong spots. But what's more, there's Kobolds at work here. The avian War Golem is quick to grab into its backpack and lights up a Torch, then flings it as far away as it can - trying to set a patch of moss on fire - which it hopes the Kobolds will focus on - as it motions for them to move around via the opposite side and stay low.

GAME: Thoth rolls Stealth: (11)+10: 21

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (4)+0: 4

GAME: Thoth rolls Athletics: (14)+0: 14

There's a pause as the egalrin curses silently to themselves with such an unexpected obstruction in the way. Reithak hopes they haven't been spotted yet as they find a spot to duck out of the way, while Thoth seems to bring a torch to light. "Hope you don't burn down the city doing that." Reithak hisses, but they aren't too worried about a bit of fire for the time being, with how many traps had tried to kill them on the way out.

The place is busy. It's going to take a moment for the fire to ignire something flammable, but it does, and then it starts to spread. Before long, the Kobolds do in fact start to notice, and then start to yell and point and start bringing up water from their well. YEs, they have one in here. You get a move on, thereafter, making a run for it, guided by your uncanny bird senses that seem to sniff out a whole lot of traps.

... all but one. A deadfall that you missed. You know that well?

The one that they were using? It means that there's an underground water source.

Guess what you just landed in?

Thoth lands into the water with a bit of a wet crumpling sound, and looks dazed for a moment. It looks to make sure Tlanex and Reithak's landing wasn't too much worse, before it gets up and creates a set of small magical lights just beneath the ceiling so it would not reflect upwards.

"Let us proceed onwards from here. This one believes it knows the direction we are going." As it takes out a Compass.

Reithak was too concerned with making sure that they were not spotted to spot one of the many, many traps in their way, and the egalrin is sent tumbling down into the water with an undignified splash.

"That was in no way the bath I was hoping for here. Tlan, Thoth, you okay?" Reithak grumbles, looking like a sopping mess of feathers once they pulled themselves free. "Dunno if we're going back up that way, you saying we should follow this somewhere?"

It takes a moment, but it occurs to you that there's ... a current. This is an underground stream of some kind. But at least it's pulling you in the direction you were going anyway.

"This one is no more damaged than it was when falling here." Thoth calmly answers as it continues to trudge through the water. "If needed, we take a break a little ways up the tunnel, and this one prepares some earth digging spells." It adds for Reithak's purposes. "This should be safer than dealing with Kobolds on the short term."

"That's good, that's good, I'm not more banged up coming down here either." Reithak admits, continuing off down the stream as well. "Can you even swim? I hope you can, in case it gets any deeper. I know you're probably fine underwater, but I'd rather not have to worry about pulling you out at the end of it all."

Between Tlanex's ability to hold his breath and Thoth's *not* needing to breathe, two out of four of you can navigate the deepening waters fairly well. The current is beginning to pull you along, now, and deepning as well.

The tunnel you're in is definitely made by the stream but there are signs of artificial widening by the kobolds to make it flowm ore. You can see numerous gaps above you, wells set up, and diversions for irrigation like you saw at the mossy insect farm up above.

Soon, the sound of rushing water intensifies.

This isn't just a stream: it's an underground river, and you're going right towards it.

Fortunately, you're able to take one of the diversions than to join a more treacherous river route that you don't have a map out, anmd find yourself going down what appears to be a water slide instead.

Great.

Thoth is certain that Tlanex will help keep Reithak from drowning if need. Their Athletic abilities are far beyond their own - and it believes this Lizardfolk knows well how to swim. Thoth on the other hand, not a great swimmer! But doesn't have to be, seeing as it doesn't really need to breathe. It comfortably lets itself be swept up with the water, using its claws to grab at the walls now and again to slow itself down.

The moment they find the diversion, it heads that direction and... oh no, down they go!

Why is there suddenly the strange urge to lift its hands in the air?

Reithak is not having nearly as pleasant of a time as the water ended up in a steady current that carried them on. Their feathers were not particularly waterproof, and Reithak was one of the two concerned with such trivialities as 'breathing underwater', a task made more difficult trying to stay afloat. At least they're wise enough to not sputter too much, and pull out a length and loop of rope they keep on hand just in case.

...faster.

Faster.

Faster...

.. SPLOOSH! You're spat out into another tunnel.

... oh no.

The overpowering smell of the water you just landed in is not helpful. What, you didn't think Kobolds wouldn't have *cisterns* and *sewers* did you? The good news is, at least, that where you've landed the water rushing isn't so strong, and even if you're admist kobold ... waste it looks like it is dispensed with down the way, and there's natural light coming from it. You're near an exit, thank gods.

Just ... kobold waste. Everywhere.

When all is well and done, Thoth slowly steps out of the waters when they get to a slowly water area. It doesn't really 'smell' the waste, but it can register that there is acridness in the air. It understands that this is something biologicals commonly do not approve of. But it just clicks its beak, getting out of the water, and takes some time to wash itself off with a quick spell, and proceeds to do the same to the other two. Helping clean them off with Prestidigitation, before motioning towards the natural light, and preparing to depart.

Reithak is on their way out of the water, and they're stuck in place for a moment, debating between ducking underwater or not. Deciding any further time in the water is best avoided in spite of the smell, Reithak is squinting as hard as they can manage with only a brief nod spared to Thoth as they are already well on their way to what is hoped to be the exit.

It's no fun at all, but soon enough the four adventurers are able to make their way towards the sunlight, stepping out -- squeezing really as it's a very tight fit for everyone, especially Tlanex, out of a hole that water is pouring out into. Seems you've made io an exit from the Genrivian kobold sewers, and into the countryside it is dispensing into. Streams to carry away waste, disappearing down further underground.

Unfortunately, not really a good way *into* Genrivia.

Reithak is one of the first out, but unfortunately, they're left to pull Tlanexhuani out from the exit until they too are free. Once everyone is out, the egalrin wastes no time in stumbling off elsewhere out of site, finding a spot where they can lose their stomach in peace.