The Golden City - Arrival - RPLOG
Participants
Date
22/7/478
Log
Rain drums down on the tarp covered cargo crates and well made tents that have been unloaded from the airship. Fenris is sharing a few parting words with the captain of the great air ship.
It is little wonder that no one has claimed or visited this island. It is just distant enough from normal trade routes to be uninteresting strategically and the sheer cliffs of yellowish stone make an ocean approach all but impossible! The land itself, high atop the cliffs is rolling and fertile, swaying golden grasses giving way to nearly jungle-like forest a stone's throw from the edge of the cliffs. A break in the foliage, along with some shattered paving stones jutting from the earth show where an old road once ran.
Aruc looks at the unloaded cargo with a look of worry on his face. he mumbles to himself " where did i put those bags? If the seals on the vials break...." he begins to frantically search among the cargo
Rokarion got out of the small tent he set up with Zuri, deciding to enjoy the deluge of rain outside as it showered his blossom. The plant being was clad in his usual heavy cloak, "Well, will have to set up my apparatuses later when it stops." Rokarion says as he looks around the camp, dour expression on his face once more.
Cassidy steps down from the shiop, umbrella held high. "Well. I suppose we should go unpack, hmm? I certainly don't want to carry -all- of this down into the ruins," she says towards Natska, offering up a smile as she starts for one of the tents. "And I need to change into something more appropriate."
For landfall, Natska was already dressed in her heavier armor set, blades at her side. She gives Cass a happy nod and sets to, helping everyone unload and move bags, then takes a moment to survey what she can see of the island.
Kazel has changed into her black leather armor and cloak, the hood pulled deep into her face to protect her from the rain. She surveys the campsite for a moment, before throwing her back on the ground and setting up her own small tent. The tent is quickly made and excess luggage stored in it.
Zuri emerges from the tent after Rokarion. The small salamander has truly dressed for the occasion today; From the lightweight cotton shirt, to the leather jacket over it, and the canvas trousers held snugly in place by a sturdy leather belt. He sidesteps around Rokarion and sprints off towards the center of the small camp, peering around at all the other beings.
Fenris waves a farewell as the air ship captain takes the helm once more and the ship rises from its moorings, leaving the party on their own for the next week. The big tiger turns and saunters back to the group. "Are we ready for a bit of adventure?" he asks with a smile. He seems to have made a way to keep the rain off with magic.
Aruc looks to the tiger, and says "Well I guess I have nothing better do do right now, Do you have any sort of a map of the place? Or are we just wandering?"
Rokarion looks upwards as the heavy rain turns into a shower, "How very convenient." he says before looking down and moving closer to the center of the camp, "I am ready personally." he says as he quickly inspects underneath his cloak.
Cassidy steps back out of her chosen tent after setting up all of her things within, having changed out of her dress and into her tail coated suit. "Ahh, yes, very good," she says, donning her top hat and stepping out into the rain, keeping her parasol held up.
Natska sticks close to Cassidy's side in a relaxed guard posture, grinning as she looks towards the jungle path. "Yes, Zuri, Fenris had a map. Are we heading straight to the vault? Without securing the island first?"
Kazel inspects her weapons and picks the ones that she will bring along with her for the trip, quickly strapping her bow and spear to her back and her axe and rapier to her sides, before walking up to the rest of the group and tilting her, still hood covered, head at Fenris.
Zuri packs light, little more than just his armor and weapons. Any other issues can be dealt with as we go there. "I couldn't be more ready! Let's head off!" He darts over to Rokarion again and offers the plant being a bright smile.
Fenris nods to Natska. "I am not especially interested in the island," he says, "It is beautiful and I am sure that when others hear of it, they will want to see it for themselves. But I am not here for scholarly inquiry. Not this time. And I am assured that the island is uninhabited." He takes a look around, seeing that everything is secure for the time being, then saunters off down the broken, overgrown path. "I've got the map in my head, Aruc. The Golden City awaits!" he says, stepping into the shadows of the jungle.
Aruc sighs and pulls out a small section of parchment from his satchel, he begins to draw a crude depiction of the island based what he has seen from the airship and begins to follow the tiger into the darkened jungle.
Rokarion finishes his check and looks down on Zuri, the cold faced plant leaning gently and patting his head before standing up and heading down the path as well, "Keep your eyes peeled, might find something interesting." he says to the salamander.
Cassidy nods at Natska, offering a smile. "Well, looks like we don't have much choice, and I'm not to be left behind. Shall we?" She asks, following after Fenris.
"Mmph," Natska agrees, falling into step. "Yes. Fenris?! Who is this source? It is just us now, after all."
Kazel makes her way to the front of the group, walking close to Fenris with her hand on the hilt of her rapier. The cautious bat lets her eyes wander about the surroundings, making sure there really is nothing here that is going to jump them.
Zuri pauses at Rokarion's words. "Keep an eye out, huh?" He skips forward a few more steps and closes his eyes, focusing a moment as he lets his dedicant form push out, the salamander's form slowly but surely changing into that of a pegasus, finishing with a flutter of his sprouting wings. He blinks his eyes open and smiles. "If we're going to scout, might as well scout from the air!"
"The Spirit who's warrior's sacked the place," Fenris says cheerfully, "He had quite a bit to say about the city. I look forward to finding out if I was actually here or if it was just a vision." The tiger grins over his shoulder at the group. "The city really is amazing!" he says, "I can only imagine what it was like in its prime!"
Aruc glances upwards and states "Hey tiger, you know what kind of wildlife is on the island? I think I just saw a bird or something"
Rokarion looks back at Zuri, now a pegamander, "Hmmm, well that would be a good idea." the plant being says as he eyes the sky, "Here get me a better sketch of the island from up there if you have time." Rokarion says as he takes out a small, and new, notebook and hands it to Zuri with a black pen.
Cassidy glances towards Fenris from behind her mask. "Sacked? A spirit with soldiers that sacked the city... Conquest? Is this where he resides? I've been eager to meet them," she says, before nodding up at Zuri. "Yeah, stay safe up there. Let us know if you see anything." She folds her hands behind her back, walking along at an even pace.
Natska remains quiet as she frowns thoughtfully, gaze locked on the back of Fenris' head. Her hand remains close to her blade's hilt and her fur bristles, the feline on edge.
Kazel is still firmly grabbing the hilt of her preferred weapon and her ears twitch as she listens to the conservation going on. A silent sigh escapes her lips, but she keeps watching vigilantly.
Zuri takes the notepad from Rokarion, nodding at him. "Okay, be right back!" The pegasus crouches down slightly then leaps up, wings flapping as he takes to the skies to survey the landscape around them. He flies up and past the canopy of trees, stopping hover in place briefly after bursting through. He pushes forward onto a gentle glide in the same direction as the party was moving, slowly coasting forward as he begins to scribble his best possible drawing of the landscape around him.
Zuri's high vantage point allows him to see quite a bit of the island. The party is moving through a narrow strip of jungle surrounding a pristine lake. Just beyond that lays some kind of gate where the land slopes downward into a valley. At the center of that valley is the city!
Back on the ground, Fenris shakes his head. "No," he says, "I don't think he actually lives here, but this was the first of the ancients' kingdoms to fall. It was really sort of amazing to-" The tiger cuts off mid sentence. "Did anyone else see tha-"
He does not get to finish his sentence as he is interrupted by a howling scream and two golden shapes drop from the canopy above onto the unfortunate feline while a third leaps from the brush at Kazel! The beasts seem almost feline, but are covered in dull, golden scales instead of fur and have six powerful limbs.
Aruc draws his blade and prepares for the worst , he shouts to the tiger "What are we dealing with here!"
Rokarion listens to the tiger before pursing his lips as the three animals suddenly jump out. Rokarion focuses on the two lizards on top of Fenris, quickly drawing a diagram with his hands, using air magic to attempt and blow the two reptiles on top of Fenris away.
Cassidy tilts her head to the side as she eyes the creatures. "Uh huh. Secure, uninhabited island, Fenris. Who needs to scout things out and ensure that we're alone!" She teases, setting her hands on her hips. "I hate to say we told ya' so, but..." She looks over at the creatures, watching to see what their intent is. "Told you so."
Expecting trouble, Natska is quick to respond. She draws steel as she quickly darts forward, a fluid motion, and then she takes up a defensive stance next to Fenris. "Kazel! Are you good?"
Kazel swiftly turns and evades the creature and in the same motion draws her rapier. "Yes, I am." A split second is used by the bat to check on Fenris before she takes a swift stab at the neck of the feline-lizard that jumped her.
Zuri turns around in his glide, still happily sketching away on the notebook. He peers down at the group, but it's hard to see anything with the thick canopy of trees in the way. He circles lazily around and glides along the treetops, blissfully unaware of the fight going on underneath until Natska's shout pierces through. He peers down and swoops, unslinging his bow from his back as he does so. The small pegamander stops a few meters off the ground, near the group, and observes the attacking creatures while drawing a bead with one arrow.
The beast attacking Kazel receives a long score along its side from her rapier for its trouble. The animal screams and turns tail, retreating into the forest.
Rokarion's wind is not especially effective, only whipping up bits of dirt and fallen leaves, though the gesture is bound to be appreciated, since everyone else just shouted and watched two tree beasts try to maul their guide. At least the tiger sort of saw them coming. One manages to score a hit, opening a thin line of red on the tiger's meaty shoulder, but Fenris manages to catch hold of the offending claw and fling the beast into it's companion. "I DID say there might be animals," he puffs, holding his wounded shoulder and watching the three predators retreat, "Wasn't expecting sandcats though."
Aruc readies his medical supplies, and begins to mend the tiger's wounds.
Rokarion rubs his chin as the lizards scurry back from whence they came. "Hmmm, indeed. One can't expect other forms of wildlife to not populate an abandoned island." the plant being says as he looks around for more trouble, trusting that the others will deal with their wounded friend.
Cassidy offers a little shrug. "We shall have to be more on guard, then," she says, drawing her sword. "So that they do not jump on anyone again. It's very hard for me to work my magic when they are so close to a friendly target."
Natska steps in to stab the jungle island sand cats with her sword, since she was already there to defend Fenris and keep herself between the animals and their fluffy, chewy tiger flavored treat.
Kazel has quickly sheathed her rapier once more, and drawn bow and arrow instead. The vampire bat takes a second to aim, before letting go off the arrow, aiming for the heart of one of the two remaining sandcats. "Fenris, are you okay?"
Zuri pulls the power on his bow to its fullest, aiming for center-mass on one of the sandcats, trying to predict it's movements. He looses the arrow and quickly notches another one, pulling it back to let it fly rapidly as well.
This meal is far too pointy and stabby for the island sandcats! The wounded creatures turn tail and flee into the ferny undergrowth, though the slowest of the three falls unter the arrows of Zuri and Kazel.
Fenris allows Aruc to tend to his wound briefly, then waves the wolf off. "It's just a scratch," he protests, "I'll be fine, let's keep moving." He looks at the felled reptillian creature. "I don't suppose anyone here wants to haul that carcass around?" he asks, then walks over to haul the dead beast onto his own shoulders with a wince. "Waste not, want not," he says, then leads the way forward.
Soon the party arrives at an ornately carved gateway that spans the road. It is still intact and quite impressive. The road descends down into a valley from here and the Golden city glitters down in the center.
Rokarion looks at the sand cat carcass and rubs his chin before crooking his neck and looking at Zuri, then with a shrug, Rokarion continues on the road with the rest. The moment the team reaches the city, Rokarion rubs his chin, quickly taking out his sketchbook and sketching the city and the surrounding area from their vantage point, "Well I bet this was an intentional architectural choice. Letting take in the full beauty of their city when it was still standing."
"I'd prefer not to," Cassidy says, eyeing the dead body as she resumes her walking, keeping close to Natska to watch her back. "Probably yes. It's a very nice looking city, I'm sure, even in ruins. Before? It would've been a sight to see."
Natska takes a moment to clean her blade, then slides the sword away. She keeps pace near the front now, ready to intervene should anything else think they looked edible, nodding as she listens to Rokarion and looking around the ruins.
Kazel straps her bow back to her back and looks over the group for a moment, giving a short nod to Natska, before she takes her position next to Fenris again and lets her gaze fall upon the ruins ahead.
Zuri takes flight again after the beasts are felled, keeping an eye out while the groups reforms and resumes their forward march. He continues his sketch of his surroundings, and flies back down to Rokarion when they reach the archway to return the notebook. The pegamander stands close to the plant being, taking in the vista before them with a big bright smile.
Fenris leads the way down into the valley, the dead sandcat slung over his shoulders. "It was the jewel of an empire," he says, reciting the same thing he had been told, "The city was so prosperous in trade and tribute that it grew no crops and had no actual industry on its own. I guess that is how it managed to survive on this little island." Soon, the road becomes a little more even as the group nears the actual gates of the city. They still stand, though one mighty door is bashed in and ruined, showing the buildings of yellow gold brick and plaster beyond. "What do you think?" Fenris asks, breathing a little hard from exertion.
Rokarion continues his idle work before Zuri finally lands down near him. Rokarion takes the book from him, patting him on the head as he inspects the doodles before storing the small notebook back underneath his cloak. When the group finally reaches the gates, Rokarion rubs his chin and looks around, "Well quite the battle." he comments idly, book still in hand.
Cassidy rubs at her chin, giving a little nod. "As long as critters are all that are about and no more serious threat," she says, returning her sword to its scabbard. She's reluctant to be near the front, but she keeps her magical support near Natska all the same. "Do you know how to open the vault, Fenris?"
Natska gives Cass a small smile. "I would hope so, he seems to have quite a lot of information about this place already." She looks back to the gates and falls silent, quietly appraising them.
Kazel grins widely. "He better have, I left my gunpowder at the camp and it would be a shame to have to blow a hole into this place. Must have been a great thing when it was in its prime indeed."
Zuri takes flight again, hovering a few meters above the group as he surveys their surroundings. He flits from side to side, going from shiny thing to shiny thing like a curious magpie.
"Battle?" comes a thick voice from just beyond the open courtyard and a massively obese boar in fine clothes waddles around a corner, "No, there was no battle here! Except maybe with the gate." The boar grunts as he takes a seat on a fallen bit of masonry. "Welcome to the Golden City! I heard you were coming, thought a welcoming party was in order. Hasn't been a party inside these walls since the city fell! Though there was a party that night too."
Fenris wearily lays his burden down in the dust of the street and takes a moment to catch his breath. He nods an affirmative to Cassidy. "Figured it out. . . HUFF. . . on my last. . . PUFF. . . visit." He raises a hand in lazy salute to the boar.
Rokarion rubs his chins and looks at the boar who just appeared from the gate, "A party followed by a slaughter I see." the plant being said, his voice as nonchalant as ever as he went back to sketching on his book, "So where is this vault of yours, Fenris?"
"So it'd seem," Cassidy says, agreeing with Natska as she comes to a stop in the street, eyeing the boar. "You're an interesting one. You rub shoulders with Beings more than any other I've seen. How curious."
Natska gives Olloch a small, respectful bow. "I see. That makes perfect sense." She nods at her wife's comment, then looks to the boar.
Kazel gives the boar a nod and Rokarion a grin. "Those tend to be the most interesting parties from my experience." She crosses her arms before her chest and raises her eyebrow at the spirit. "And yes, what did we do to earn this visit?"
Zuri pauses his examining of a particularly interesting bit of masonry when he hears Olloch's voice. The pegamander glances towards, spots, then flies over to the boar, stopping next to him gracefully. "Hi Mister Olloch! Funny to see you here too in this place!" He smiles brightly. "I figured we might meet a spirit or two here, but it's a nice surprise to see it was you!"
Olloch laughs, setting his huge belly jiggling. "What can I say?" he snorts, "I like people." The fat Spirit looks around the ruined courtyard. "And I didn't say there was a party BEFORE the city fell," he says, "There was a party WHILE the city fell. Pretty good one, actually. The Golden City. A beautiful whore and the finest of spoiled fruits. He was right to take this place first. Not even its patron Spirits were willing to step in to oppose Him." The Spirit smiles at Fenris. "Taken them to the keep?" he asks, "Figured you might be. You know, I'm probably the last person to see the inside of that vault you're looking for? Hell of a party in there before they all went."
Rokarion idly finishes his sketch of Olloch on the front gates before looking around again and moving closer to the spirit himself, standing right behind Zuri, "Well then, why are we dawdling? Let us go and inspect the city ourselves." the plant being said before glancing at the rest of the team, a hand set on the salamander's shoulder.
"I suppose if you're dying, you may as well go out happily," Cassidy says with a shrug, leaning against Natska. "Though I much prefer... Well. Not this. From the sounds of things, yes, this place did deserve to fall."
Natska slips an arm around Cassidy and gives her fennec a small hug, then inclines her head. "Let us go look, yes. Olloch, would you tell us of the people of the city?" she asks, curious.
Kazel bites her lip and crosses her arms, but then shrugs after a moment and gives a nod to Natska. "Yes, let us inspect this place."
Zuri looks back at Rokarion as he feels his hand over his shoulder, but his attention quickly snaps back to Olloch, that big bright smile never having left. "Yea Mister Olloch! Could you give us a tour of the place? That would be awesome if you could!"
Olloch laughs again. "Of course! Of course!" he says, "But not now. The sun is setting. Why don't we get you all settled in your camp and come back fresh in the morning." The obese spirit waddles over to where Fenris is finally catching his breath and slings the sandcat over his shoulder. "Come along all of you," he chortles, "I know how to cook this beast up a treat! And tomorrow you will see the Golden City for real!"
