The Forgotten City XVIII
General Summary
From the safety of their cave, Riven, Alex, Elissa and The Jiam packed two camels to cross the desert and observe from a distance one of the two villages they had seen around the rim of the lsot city. Theo spake a benediction of Cirea, Sodos and Speudon over the group as they packed, and once finished wished them safe travels but had disappeared to the back of the cavern where the statue of Ator stood to continue restoring it as a chapel fit for the god. Alex lamented once again the Ouranics limited religious interest in passing without being noticed and said his own prayers to Lysdar as they set out.
Their travel was made easier by the confluence of both moons being full, but their task of observation without being observed was much more difficult. The area around the tent city was chaotic and camel and humanoid tracks moved in all directions. They learned much about the strength of numbers housed there, but each felt that the group had been noticed as they left to return to the cave.
When they returned Theo and Teleptyon were arguing over the definition of family in the context of fatefinding on the day of Gerdia, but Theo saw the scouting band returned and yelled that he had news, he had found a scroll from an Inqueastor written in High Rexan written 200 hundred years prior during the great Marantic Plague. He had been in the cave, self-blinded in pious devotion to Ator himself, hoping to find a tome of immense ritual power to bind or destroy the followers of a figure described similarly to what La Compagnia knew as Reshpu. When Theo said the name out loud, Teleptyon and Theo each scratched mindlessly at their breasts. The Jiam noticed the identical gestures and cocked an eyebrow. He glanced around and saw discomfort on the faces of La Compagnia and gleaming interest in Khufu's eyes.
His faith invigorated guiding hand of Gerdia setting this scroll in his path when it was most needed, he cried out to the Sancti Advocati Dravian and Zetaris to interceed on his behalf with Lamos that Kegho would be strong enough to be the tip of the spear that would lead them into the city and find the book. He who had eyes to see would have seen Theo radiate theurgic energies as the saints worked through him. Kegho felt the labor of his breathing diminish as his ribs ordered themselves and healed. When he spoke thanks to the priest he realized that it was without the rasp of a dry reed which had attended him since being touched by Tef-Amen. He touched his restored face and neck was filled with joy.
Kegho took the first watch, still thrumming with new energy and considering whether all gods truly needed to be avoided when he heard the grinding of sole in sandy gravel and scrub. He slipped into one of the defensive trenches and watched while the party sat unaware inside. Soon an ugly, older man wearing the same human-skin style armor that Kegho had seen on Yafwadi raiders crept up the hill looking this way and that to find where there might be habitation. Kegho waited until he was close and loosed a bolt through his throat felling him where he stood. As the first fell, the Yafwadi behind him swarmed the position and Kegho shot another. The party inside hearing the tumult began positioning themselves to attack when Kegho fell in and turn the entry tunnel into a choke point, but Kegho was enjoying himself and slew more Yafwadi with Wraithcleaver.
Alex and Riven waited, weapons ready to fire on each Yafwadi who might enter, but Kegho held his own for a time, but the number of Yafwadi made it impossible for him to hold the position and he fell back; Theo, also brimming with optimisim raised the spiritual hammer to smite at the enemies of Ator currently outside their cavern entrance. Riven and Alex continued to wait for a clear shot.
Alex noticed the shield of the lead Yafwadi had a headless, nude human figure, male by the embelishments, holding a club and wondered what the sigil might mean. Riven moved far enough into the entry to get a clear shot and Kegho attacked again as they made their way further back. One of the crossbows Alex had rigged went off, its bolt sinking into a Yafwadi arm. "I'll have to adjust it a bit higher and center it next time" Alex thought dispassionately.
The clash of weapons and the smell of blood and adrenaline began to spook the camels. The Jiam and Yahi attempted to calm them, but they were too deep in their fear. Theo struck a mighty blow with the hammer of Ator and Teleptyon loosed a Magic Missile.
Khufu joined The Jiam to calm the camels all while muttering "I hate camels!" Both Teleptyon and The Jiam were offended by this.
Rewards Granted
- 1780XP - Exploration
- The Inquaestores Note
