Revision as of 00:52, 13 December 2015

Participants

• Bazalt
• Cara
• Fenris
• Rokarion
• Zuri

Date

12/12/478

Log

The youngin's are all safe, gathered together in the few buildings that have been reinforced with netting to block Krick from entering. Similarly all the livestock is kept in their barns, which have been boarded up for extra safety. Once you kick the Krick nest, they will likely kick back.

An hour later outside of the village proper another gathering begins. Villagers bring in supplies and mercenaries begin to gather while other figures stand by and plan. In the center of this improvised base camp stands Mayor Jillian, the leader of Summerford's brave salamanders who has chosen to be here for this day. Next to her are Malachi, the local alchemist, and Zane, the town's Bailiff. Opposite them is a odd fellow, a palm-tree being bearing the fine colours and markings of a Royal Ranger. He seems to be in argument with the other three, gesticulating wildly as he tries to get his point across...

"You don't understand, this is madness Mayor Jillian! You must leave the Royal Rangers to deal with this situation. This plan of yours is complete foolishness!"

Rokarion was among the beings who arrived into Sumerford from Firmament this morning. The plant being didn't even get enough time to settle after arriving from Cliffside today! Clad in his usual cloak, Rokarion stepped towards the village mayor. "Good morning mayor, and Mister Malachi." The youth said in his usual dour tone.

Cara walks directly over to Zane, dressed in robes rather than her usual clothing. "Okay, I'm here." She unsheathes her sabre and asks, "Okay, what exactly is the plan again? I'd like to know so that I know what to expect." The feline glances to Rokarion for a moment and smiles, "Well, I'm glad to see that you're here, Rokarion." Then she sets her attention back to Malachi, "Seriously though, what exactly is the plan?"

"The Rangers had their chance, Mister Emory," Fenris says, sauntering up to the gathering, "And I am afraid that you are responsible for ruining that. It took an old drifter to find the nest that you completely discounted. YOU told these people that it was none of your business and now it isn't. Though if you want to help you are welcome." The tiger rolls his neck and adjusts his long coat as a but if extra protection from the upcoming swarm fun. "My plan, Cara," he says, is to smoke the nest, cause an incredible amount of damage, then collapse the main hive." He looks at the leaders, "Sound about right?"

Bazalt Pads over to those gathered frownign slightly as he Checks his armor, Of course he towered over most there due to being in his Dragon form but today was not a day to do things in half-measures.... and...well he didnt wnat to risk what happened last time. "....Have i missed part of this conversation?.." he blinks and things blinks again "Huh-well Perhaps the spyguard can stay back, protect the village?, just incase?" he says witha shrug, appearing Far more relaxed than he actually felt.

Zane and Malachi turn to face the mercenaries as they approach, while Mayor Jillian continues her discussion with the palm-tree being, now identified as Tobin by Fenris. "'ey folks! Good mornin'!" The ever chipper Zane walks up to Cara and replies in Malachi's stead. "Well, we prepared as best we could for your plans from yesterday, some folks stayed up to gaaaaa-!" His sentence is interrupted by the sight of dragon-Bazalt, much taller than he recalls from the previous night. "Saints preserve us! This country air must have done you good. The heck?"

Tobin turns slowly to look at Fenris, blanching slightly at his words. "I assure you, the Royal Rangers have everything under control here! The hive has been quiet for months due to our efforts to contain the threat. Going in and kicking the nest again will only cause the hive to become aggressive once more!"

This time it's Mayor Jillian's time to intercede. "They have become aggressive, Mister Emory. And according to Clayton who's been monitoring the situation far closer than you have, they have grown in number and occupy even more of the caves all inside the mountain. You may have contained the threat as you say, but it seems to have done nothing but grow and fester instead of being properly treated." She waves him off dismissively. "You've done your duty, Mister Emory. Now let the mercenaries do theirs."

Malachi nods at Fenris appreciatively. "I believe we could make Lantana bonfires in the lower caves. The smoke will rise and fill in the nest from beneath. We also have enough Lantana that you can carry some with you if you can figure out a use for it."

Rokarion rubs his chin as he listens to the conversation, "Of course one should also keep in mind that smoking them all out might lead to the swarm rushing around aimlessly which could cause some collateral damage. But more to the point it is the Queen that we must make sure to kill."

Cara grins for a moment and gives a thumbs up to Malachi, "Thanks, that would be greatly appreciated. I can help with lighting the bonfires, but it would be very nice if we could just light them all at once." She stares at Rokarion and Fenris with a calm look in her eyes, "If you guys need someone to rush in there and kill the queen as they get drowsy, I think I can handle it if I have some one to back me up." She takes a look at Bazalt for a moment and her ears perk up, "Think you can help with that?"

Fenris ignores Tobin, the ranger already sidelined as far as he is concerned and looks to Malachi with a smile. "An excellent plan, Master Alchemist," he says, "I am sure I speak for all of us when I say that we are grateful for all the work your people have gone to to protect this town." He looks to the other Freeswords. "Shall we clear the way, then?" he asks, "Lots of kricks out in the forest, and we don't want our firestarters gobbled up along the way." He nods to Rokarion. "That is why we are going in from above as soon as the smoke comes up from below," he hefts a bale of lantana, "If my sources are correct," and they are, since he saw the thing himself, "This queen is like nothing we have seen before."

Bazalt nods slowly "Oh.. hey-ah.. Zane.." he blinks "Oh-right I'ma Dragon dedicant... Long story..sorta..." he shrugs again "Probally not the best time you kn-"he blinks and Looks to Cara. "I..Help-what what? I'm at a loss here, I've not heard everyone agree on ONE plan.. just lots of plans at once..." he frowns "so what ARE we doing?"

Malachi steps aside again, moving closer to Rokarion until he's standing next to the jasmine. He nods at his words. "We've asked all the villagers to take precautions. The children are being kept in reinforced buildings, the livestock has been evacuated, and all the villagers know they should hide when it all starts. We're also ready to enact anything you feel necessary to get this done safely and quickly." He turns to Fenris and nods. "The honor is ours, friend. You're risking your lives by going in there for us. More so than mercenaries, you'll be saviours for our little community."

Like Fenris, Jillian is done talking to Tobin, who mutters a few more words before stomping off angrily back to Summerford. The female turns to Cara and smiles. "We can arrange for all the bonfires to be lit at once. Also, some of our guards have offered to follow you in if you need extra backup. Clayton has.. specifically requested to be allowed in, but I'm not sure if would be the best idea to have him along. He's not quite been himself ever since going in there the first time all those months ago."

Zane looks at Bazalt incredulously. "A dragon.. huh.." He shakes his head and turns to the other salamanders. "Alright folks, show's over. Mayor, you need to get back to safety. Mister Malachi, you have kids to go reassure as well. Everyone else, get to your places and get ready to light the bonfires on my command." He turns to Rokarion and Fenris and nods at them. "The show's yours. Give that Queen a kick for the rest of us, will ya?"

Rokarion nods his head at Malachi, "That is good to hear." the plant being says before looking at Fenris, "I see that our mutual friend told you about the Queen then?" Rokarion asked before acknowledging Zane and looking at the forest, "Then I believe the plan is to smoke the krick, move into the cave and slay the Queen. I think it would be better if the village militia stayed here just in case things don't go as planned."

Cara cranes her head up to set her gaze on Bazalt, "Exactly what Rokarion just said. I figured that because you're a dragon, then having you at the frontlines might be best." With that, she nods to Rokarion as well, "That's a good idea, Rokarion." Then she smiles to the female salamander. "I'll do my best to make sure that they come back alive."

Fenris nods at Rokarion. "Agreed," he says, then calls out to Clayton, "Clayton! You are with me in the vanguard!" He looks to Jillian, "I'll keep an eye on him," he promises. The big tiger does a couple of little stretches, turns a quick backflip, cracks his knuckles, then saunters off toward the forest and the collapsed tunnel.

Bazalt Blinks "o-k.. this fills me wo-" he shakes his head "fine lets go..kill us some krick and all that-woo.." he says, tail twitching in annoyance behind him. "Ironically you think i'm good for the frount lines yet I perfer long range." he says, grabbing his bow. "though i suppose i could stab then in the face with arrows and smack then with my bow-well NORMAL sized things.." he shrugs again "let just go..."

The various salamanders get to their positions. Jillian and Malachi are escorted out while the militia go to set up by the bonfires in the lower tunnels. Clayton runs up to stand by Fenris, giving him an appreciative smile. He's wearing multiple layers of clothing for protection, and carries with him a long spear held in a defensive grip. The small salamander holds at Fenris' side, moving alongside him wherever he goes.

The trip up to the collapsed tunnel is short and quick. The slight incline of the forest gives way to a steeper climb, and the soft forest soil is replaced by rocky terrain. Just up the way two salamanders poke out from behind a rock, then gesture at the approaching group for them to come close. They're standing right next to the collapsed entrance into the tunnels, as well as several of the custom-made beekeeper style suits that the villagers cobbled together. "Hey Clayton." One says to the salamander. "So you're actually going in?" Clayton nods, walking past them to go fit on one of the beekeeper outfits. "Yeesh.." The guard comments before turning to Rokarion. "Uh.. so the tunnel collapsed when Clayton and that Spyguard guy were investigating. It's the only tunnel big enough to fit beings, so you'll have to clear the rubble away somehow. Figure tou guys could sort that.." He steps aside, letting them pass.

Rokarion shakes his head as the novice militiaman is invited to the charge. The plant being takes the one suit that looks most suitable for himself and puts it on, still slightly big, but such is the fate of not getting a custom job! "Don't worry we will make sure that Clayton will be back by dinner time." The plant being tells the guard before he nods and begins marching towards the caves.

Cara smiles for a moment and takes a look at one of the beekeeper suits before taking it for herself. "Thank you. This should make things somewhat easier." The feline groans for a moment as she sheathes her sabre and takes off her gloves. After taking a moment to remove her weapons, she takes a moment hide in a private area before she puts the suit on over her actual clothes. After taking a moment to put on the helmet, she puts on her gloves and she puts her weapons back on, "Okay, I'm good." With that, she runs off after Rokarion.

Fenris takes the offered hat and net, but waves off the rest, trusting his heavy coat to protect him. "On it," he says, stepping up to the ruined entrance. He looks around at the other beings and waits for the all clear. "Things are about to get hairy," he says with a grin. Then the tiger studies the rubble and puts his hands out before him, muttering a bit under his breath, then sending a surge of earth magic into the tunnel, willing the stone to part and form a new tunnel.

Bazalt Blinks "ugh.. none will fit.." he sighs. "lets hope scales do, eh?" he say, watching Fenris. "boy-oh-boy.. this is going to be crazy.." he sighs and rubs his head. "might as well live Crazy.. only got one life to live.." he nods and shifts, tail flicking some more.

With a loud churning of rock on rock, the boulders and debris that were blocking the passage grind and shove their way past each other, until finally exploding inwards with a loud crash. The cloud of dust and ground-up rock briefly obscures the utter darkness within the cave structure. Clayton stays by Fenris' side, showing a lot of surprise at the tiger's abilities. "Wow.." He mutters under his breath, but doesn't break rank.

The inside of the cave is dank and humid, and the scant illimunation that makes it past the first dozen meters is enough to make out various puddles and rivulets of stagnant water. Stalactites and stalagmites dot the ceiling and floor respective, and the floor of the cave looks somewhat slick and slippery, glistening with humidity.

Rokarion peers into the cave opening before looking at the group, "Well looks like this is it. Signal for the bonfires to be lit." the jasmine says as he turns around and begins moving into the cave, of note of course is how light is projecting from the clear piece on his helmet, as if Rokarion had a lantern underneath his suit."

Cara begins to get some fire magic ready as she aims for the outside of the cave. Once, the math has been completed, she sets it toward the entrance in the hopes that it forms the arrow needed to send the signal. Afterwards, she keeps her eyes out for anything that might seem out of the ordinary as she looks for any signs of either the krick swarms or possibly the queen and she unsheathes her sabre.

Fenris winks at Clayton. "You ain't seen nothing yet," he says and follows Rokarion. As he walks, he waves a hand, conjuring wisps of flame around his hands that quickly coalesce into the form of an enormous predatory cat that stalks along with the group. Fenris takes his bale of weeds and tosses it to the fiery feline. "That may not help much," he says, "But stay close."

Bazalt follows the otehrs, frowning "somehow I had expected to be attacked by now..." the dragon mutters as he grips his bow tightly and sighs walking along with the others, reamining silent for now, eyes watching teh cave carefully.

It only takes a few steps into the cave until cracks start to be heard underfoot with each step from the five adventurers. Clayton yips as one of his steps is met with a sickening crunch, and he lifts his foot to reveal he's crushed three strange-looking bugs with his boot. Each step in here is met with similar noises, and in the mixed, flickering low-level lights of Rokarion's bioluminescense and Cara's sabre one can see the floor just moving and squirming in bizarre ways.

It's Fenris' firecat that finally illuminates the room properly, until the bundle of Lantana is tossed at it and it begins to smolder and smoke. Darkness is replaced with a glowing smog of Lanana-smoke. The smoke is pungent and sweet, like oranges that have lost their texture. It fills the lungs of the adventurers as it spreads across the room, but the effect is quite immediate. The assorted small bugs that crawl around become visibly sluggish.

The cave continues on, narrowing at first, and then opening into a larger gallery of limestone formations that may have been beautiful to regard, were it not for the chitonous vermin crawling all over them. Further down the gallery continues, only a few narrow paths going along either side of the open area and further down into the darkness.

Outside, alerted by Cara's flaming arrow, the guard-salamanders begin lighting the bonfires. It's only a matter of time until the entire cave system is filled with Lantana-smoke.

Rokarion looks around the place as they continue walking, seemingly unfazed by the scenes he is witnessing, "Hmm, do you recall the location of the Queen Clayton?" the plant being asks as the fire elemental appears nearby, having another source of light, Rokarion decides to dim the weak light he was giving off, being less of a target is always better.

Cara looks at the two pathways for a moment as she stays low to the ground in order to avoid the smoke. She glances over to Fenris for a moment, "Could you tell us which path to take so that we can get to the Queen? You mentioned something about knowing where it is."

Fenris grimaces at the crunching of krick beneath his feet. "Straight on," he says, "I promise, you will know it when you see it." The tiger is pleased to see the effect that the lantana is having on all of these monstrous bugs, though he has no illusions about it slowing something as monstrous as the queen.

Bazalt Winces and Groans "shoes." he Mumbles, Atleast glad that it was Scales andnot pawpaws that he was standing on the krick with this time. "how big, exactly is the queen?"he asks, looking around and frowning as his dislike for bugs was very quickly growing. "and how do we plan on killing it?..."

The group move straight on, led by Fenris. The path they chose is somewhat akin to a goat path in a mountain, thin and treacherous. Many times the adventurers feel their feet begin to slide on the slick surface. Dissolved limestone is slick and slippery, and takes on a sloped and curved surface as water runs past it and dissolves it. Three of the adventurers manage to retain their footing in this dangerous place, but Fenris finds his feet slipping underneath him. "Fenris!" comes Clayton's yelp as he grips his friend's side and hits the ground, clinging onto him to keep him from falling

A plunge from this ledge would be painful at best, if not outright deadly.

The gallery opens up wider into what looks like an underground lake, but is actually shallow water over slippery and shiny limestone. It forms puddles in depressions, with only the occasional dry area to allow for safe footing. Squirming, slithering things are illuminated by the diffused light that manages to escape the cloud of Lantana smoke.

Rokarion pays extra attention to his footsteps in this cumbersome gear. The plant being eyes Fenris but looks back at the path a moment later when he notices that Clayton went to the rescue. Rokarion steps into the gallery and eyes the figures in the distance, "More krick, but no Queen yet."

Cara takes a look at Fenris for a moment, and walks over to the two. Cara immediately kneels down and reaches out for Fenris as she whispers, "I'll pull you guys back up and then we can get going."

Fenris grunts as he slams down on the slippery slope. "Thanks, Clayton," he says, "and don't worry, Cara. You can let go, Just caught a little off guard." The tiger takes a deep breath as he starts to slide down the sheer slope, using a bit of water magic to smooth the way, planning a cushion of air magic to slow his descent at the bottom.

Bazalt Blinks and Grunts "damni-Fenris!" The dragon growls only to hear the skittering, cauing him to Shakes his head and sighs, staring out at the skittering things. "everybody ok?" he asks, glancing around.

Fenris lets go of Clayto and Cara, and using a combination of water and earth magic manages to slide down the slick incline and land on his feet, and rather acrobatically at that. Clayton watches with wide eyes and jaw agape, before collecting himself and standing back up. His heavy gear and protective beekeeper suit clinks along as he makes his way to Fenris in the safe way.

Fenris is faced with a sight that might look familiar to him. The enormous 'lake' of shallow water is pockmarked with small islands that one could walk on without setting foot in the water, and even hop from island to island to stay completely dry.

The low level hum and buzz of the Krick is audible in the distance, but they do not seem to have responded to the group's approach just yet. Squirming and slithering forms crawl all over the walls and ceilings, and occasional shapes buzz past just off the corner of each being's vision. They are about to reach the heart of the swarm.

Oddly, no sight of any defensive effort just yet. No krick are moving to attack them, but rather they sit in the distance, hovering or crawling over the walls, waiting.

Rokarion continues on the path until he finally meets Fenris at the lower level, "Hmm, odd behaviour so far. This queen might be setting us a trap. A really interesting tactic for a krick." the plant being comments as he eyes the swarm, "Should we continue searching or thin her swarm a bit and lure her out?"