3 - 108: The Third Piece

[K Man]

Kysta, Girud, Mordrock, Galdren, Caelith and Garor - {I'll assume we're all assisting Caelith - who probably has the highest INT...which, anyone know where he is?}

Everyone piles into the strange empty Bulette-construct and begins to examine the different switches and levers. Between Nuppribo pulling and Mordrock slapping, the functions of the creature become fairly evident.

[Assist Checks (Successes); Garor, Krysta, Mordrock, Girud. Caelith INT Check = 24]

Between the lot of you, the Bulette clumsily springs to life. Steam vents from slits in the metal plated hide with a hiss and the jaw snap shut menacingly.

There is enough room for all of you within its confines, albeit a bit cramped, but it's possible. Even Nuppribo manages to flit inside, finding a nice little perch right next to a smokey glass orb of an eye.

With the hissing steam and slight hum of magical motion, the Bulette is strangely quiet - devoid of ideas.



"Umm....now what?"

COUNTDOWN - 09:48 Hours to Apocalypse Clock Chime...
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Yuri and Romar - Daniel, at first, is a bit frightened of Yuri's approach from seemingly nothing. He holds the staff before him as though to clumsily strike with it. It is only Romar's words that finally calm the young acolyte.

Keep in mind that he, like me, passed the tests that were laid out before us to enter the Hidden City and prove our intent.

He finally lowers the staff ineffectually, eyes drifting to meet Romar.



"And you lecture me on the necessary survival of evil..."

Brushing off the approach of the vampire, Daniel looks again to the cold, ebony crusted door. He nods to the recently arrived vampire.



"The demon was bound, but I have no doubt that if its strength is as great as legend says...the bonds would not hold long."

"Go ahead and open it. I'm not afraid."

He stands back and brings the staff up again before him, like a shield of sorts. You both take a similar stance, hearts pumping and mind racing with what the last few moments of your life will look like.

The handle of the door is cold, and it feels wrong to open it. You mutter the words of each god of good inscribed on the door - solidly and without a faltering voice, eventhough every inch of your body screams to do just the opposite.

With a click that pounds like a hammer on a forge, the door unlocks.

Still nothing from behind the door. You hold the handle firmly and give it a slight twist, breaking a seal that probably hasn't been broken in years. When the stench hits you - you immediately know that something is wrong...

Inside, the room is nearly pitch black and reeks of the most unholy of things. There is but one single column of light, in the center of the room casting a ghostly glow on the only thing in the room...

The body of a lithe female devil, her chest ripped open and talons bloodied - it is clear, from the position and blood present, she ripped her own heart out.

The body is crumpled in the center of the room, wings folded awkwardly behind her back. The black ichor once flowing in her veins is pooled into a dried disc in the center of the room. On the wall, barely visible in the halo of the column of light, is some scribblings on the wall, written in the tongue of the devils...

Daniel speaks what you are all thinking.



"This cannot be good for us..."
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[VemuKhaham]

After Daniel's remark at Romar's lecturing, Romar smiles, relieved to see Daniel is convinced. "I make exceptions, but never lightly." He adds amiably, but he can't help but marvel at the open spirit this acolyte must have, seeing how he realized Yuri's genuine intent so soon.

...

Once the door opens up and reveals a sight, but also a stench so horrible that it feels like the very senses perceiving them would be permanently damaged only by the mere contact with it, Romar immediately pulls his dark brown cloak before his mouth and nose to ward of the smell. He then closes his eyes for a few seconds, but not because of disgust, but because the knowledge sinks in that Daniel's words will probably prove all too true.

Stepping into the room carefully, Romar points to the scribblings. "Can anyone read that, for it could be a last message from this tortured horror to its mate or to the keepers of the prison. It might lead us somewhere."

[GeneralMHB]

Yuri enters the room and observes the fallen demon queen, unconcerned by the smell. Taking great interest in what was written on the wall, he puts a finger to his head and manifests a power. Suddenly, he knows the language of the devils. He reads the text to himself silently.

Give me a moment and I will translate this.

Yuri can only speculate as to what took place here. Grief probably overcame the queen, but only time will tell....

(OOC: Tongues of course to figure out what was written. I have a grand total of 3 power points left )

[Japic]

To put forth what I said in my last post:

If we can get this thing moving, sdo we really plan on combating the guardian? He's not gonna be an easy foe.

So, yah. Um, if you guys want to fight him we can try to maneuver this thing down there and see what happens. Then again, if you'd prefere to try and sneak by him, I have a suggestion for that (although sans the bulette-machine).

[Fangor the Fierce]

Krysta speaks up, saying, "If we are here to get Karn out, then I suggest we head to the Temple and rescue him. The quicker we get there, the quicker we can get back home. A proper service is in need, for our fallen warrior..."

OOC - Krysta is all for getting to the Temple and saving Karn. Whichever direction the imp says it is in, that's the direction she is intending to head for.

[BluSpecs]

Garor agrees with Krysta, they should go directly to Karn and rescue him if possible.

If we can avoid the Gaurdian all the better.