This post has the following content warnings:
fate meets ellie
Next Post »
+ Show First Post
Total: 7777
Posts Per Page:
Permalink

Hisame does not appear to have noticed.

The path winds down, past several staircases. There's a few pockets of explosive or poisonous gas, which Hisame handles from a distance fairly adroitly.

And then there's the distant sound of a waterfall, growing closer now.

Permalink

"We may perhaps wish to wait until the water finishes draining out."

Permalink

"Sensible. It sounds fairly weak, at least. Do we want to investigate any of the stairs?"

Permalink

"The wizard will be in the deepest part of this place. I do not think we should more thoroughly announce our presence until we are closer."

Permalink

"Sensible."

And then waiting for the last dregs of the waterfall to drain away it is. It takes a short time, but then not even Hisame can hear the trickle.

"Onward?"

Permalink

"Let us continue."

Permalink

"Very well."

And onward.

They reach the path for the waterfall soon enough. It's a massive sink hole. A chest is visible on a far ledge opposite them. The hole falls perhaps two hundred feet - nothing someone like Hisame can't just jump.

"Anyone want help down?"

Permalink

"I would appreciate the assistance."

Permalink

As would Eliana.

Permalink

Then Hisame can make clones, to carry both women (as well as Mora, the pet having been deposited back safely in Ellayania's temple somewhere off screen) down the hole.

There's only one really clear passage out, that looks like it's where the water drained to. This area's fairly humid, the walls muddy and slimy with algae.

Permalink

Then that seems the way to go. Which is not to say they ought to proceed carelessly.

Permalink

Of course.

The passage seems to end in a lake. The lake doesn't seem to be in any hurry to drain, and is massive, filling most of an enormous cavern. The ceiling is covered with chains and gears, many of them in loud motion. It's hard to hear each other. A gigantic motionless stone cog rises from the water, with two matching cogs connected to it. Rusty metal conduits stretch from the cavern walls to the cogs. The water of the lake is slimy, with pinpricks of phosphorescent light twinkling in the murk. At least one cog seems to have a pathway to it, though it isn't connected.

Map of the Tomb Lower Level

Permalink

Presumably the lake water is enchanted?

Permalink

Seems to be!

"Well, I can walk on water," Hisame says, "And probably avoid anyone I'm carrying getting into too much contact."

Permalink

"I can let the river go and move us all over."

Permalink

"Doesn't seem much point keeping it contained any more, with all this water. Unless we want to go back to those stairs at some point."

Permalink

"Let's not backtrack. Forward will do."

Permalink

"And you'll want to swap out for different powers at some point, anyways. We can figure another way out when we're done."

Permalink

The Keres' ghosts change out, and everyone swoops through the air to middle of the nearest cog.

Permalink

The cog's top is a slippery stone, but there's now a pier with rowboats visible on the other side, and a path leading into the cavern wall from the pier.

Permalink

Any sources of danger lurking nearby?

Permalink

There's something large and idly dangerous in the lake. The door from the pier into the cavern wall is dangerous. There's something mildly dangerous behind the cavern wall the door opens into, though not immediately after it. Some of the slime is dangerous. There's some dangers inside the stone cogs.

Permalink

And which way from here has the best chance of reaching the wizard?

Permalink

Mmrph.

She relays the information about the dangers to the others, and says that whatever wards against scrying the wizard has is preventing her from plotting a course to them.

Total: 7777
Posts Per Page: