RP:Fireriders

From HollowWiki

Volcanic Menagerie

In the world’s beginning, hot magma was vomited up from the molten depths of the earth. Cooled rapidly below the sea an aeon before ocean levels dropped to form these shores, the lava solidified into these twisted shapes that now offer travelers an eerie sense of being surrounded by a menagerie of petrified monsters. Sometimes local urchins, sons and daughters of Rynvalian seafarers, sneak out here to play at slaying gorgons, leviathans and other oceanic beasts, seeing those shapes quite plainly in the weirdly-formed slag. The stones themselves are said to be alive and on the march, moving so slowly along the trail that mortals cannot perceive their progress. It’s probably only a fishwife’s tale, but an ancient custom is for men to tip their hats at the gorgon-shaped rock as they pass by, so as not to invoke her ire. To the east the path all but vanished into a maze of monoliths, and to the west softens into a stretch of white sand.



Characters:


Fire Riders


Summary: The search for a mystical plant takes some unexpected turns.

Sophie brings out her notebook and shows the two a drawing of the plant they are seeking, it is small with five spiky white petals, she then begins to check her mountaineering equipment, trying not to get spooked by the, monstrous rock formations, her state of mind being very fragile. "So have you two, much experience of rock climbing?"


Poell grins, his little body seemingly beginning to tremble in little fits of excitement. He rubs his stubby hands together in anticipation. His black-leather satchel over one shoulder, his grappling hook over the other, formed an "x" over his body. He places his goggles over his piercing emerald eyes. Looking from Kumorohyou, to Sophie, "Not much, but I'm sure I'll learn a life's time here today.


Kumorohyou examines every detail of the drawing, before closing his eyes. The shaman's Spirit pressure can be felt, gently pressing in on all sides in an unseen embrace, the panther allowing it to perforate every nook and cranny in within the rock formations, covering the landscape and its flora and fauna. Opening his eyes again, Kumori says, "Yes, there is a mountain range that overlooks Jangal, acting like a barrier to keep the rain from reaching the desert beyond."


Sophie is glad to hear that Kumori is an experienced mountaineer, suddenly, the healer starts. "Did that rock just move?"


Kumorohyou turns to see where Sophie is looking, seeing and sensing a perfectly normal rock. Concern in his gaze, the panther walks up to the lycaness, placing a hand on her head, "Sofi-san, I think now is the best time to show you how to rebuilt your Spirit and Mind. We can use this search as a form of meditation, but I don't think it can wait."


Poell jumps with a start, scrutinizing the area Sophie indicated. "Well, I haven't known rocks to move very often, though, there was this one experiment that went terribly wrong. Though it wasn't terrible, because I got a pet rock!" He realized soon that he was getting far off topic, he closed his mouth and got his face closer to the ground, carefully examining its rough, volcanic surfaces.


Sophie nods to Kumori."Yes, sir, thank you. I would not have come but Mahri is in dire need of that herb. She is about to come to the conclusion that she had imagined the movement, when, a grey skinned beast, very much the color of the volcanic rock, leaps from behind one of the eerie formations and begins to swing it's spiked club at her head, she ducks. "What in Sven's name! These rocks are alive!"


Kumorohyou can indeed sense movement behind him, not seeing a moving rock, but an ogre attacking them. Gently pushing Sophie back, the shaman faces the creature as it swings downward. Rather than try to counter with brute strength, something Kumori lacks, the panther slides to the side, then maneuvers beneath the ogre's armpit, grabbing the beast's arm and twisting in a most unnatural way. The ogre howls in pain, dropping the club right into the feline's hands. Turning 360 degrees so that he's behind his assailant, Kumori utilizes his momentum to deliver a heavy blow against the ogre's head with its own weapon, rendering it unconscious.


Poell stands motionless at the sudden, and quick display against the assailant. He looked at Kumorohyou with new respect. Though he did not wait much longer, pouncing nimbly upon the ogres neck, bringing his gemmed dagger to its neck, another dagger, hidden in his vambrace, to other side of its neck. "Do we rid of its filth? Or carry on?" He looked from Sophie, to the amazing Feline. Trusting them as his superior in this position of uncertainty.


Sophie does not seem to have heard Poell's question, the healer screams "The rocks are alive, the rocks are alive, and drawing her steel club, from the scabbard, on the side of her boot, proceeds to start bashing the nearest rock with it." You must excuse Sophie, she has had, rather a difficult time, of late,she is not holding on to her sanity by much.


Kumorohyou moves to stop Sophie from damaging her blade, speaking to Poell as he moves, "It won't attack us again if it wakes up while we're still here. Leave it." Turning back to the lycaness, the panther places his forehead against hers, creating that Spiritual/Mental link between them. ~Sophie, relax. The rocks aren't alive. I need you to focus on me. Focus on my Spirit as it embraces you. You need to find peace, before your fear consumes you.~


Sophie finally relaxes feeling the peace of Kumori's sprit embracing her, she calms, the wild look fading from her eyes and looks rather embarrassed when she realised she has just been trying to protect them all from a harmless stone formation. The woman indicates the volcano. "We should begin the ascent."


Poell sheathes his daggers, pulling off from the ogre. He watches silently as the Feline counsels Sophie. He awaits the conclusion, standing stoically atop the ogre. Ready now, for the ascent.


Kumorohyou nods to Sophie, continuing to show her how to perform a Walking Meditation, "Try controlling your breathing. Time it with your movements, even if it slows you down. The exercise will amplify your senses, and prepare your Spirit."


Sophie focuses on controlling her breathing, as the shaman advises. She is very grateful for his help, just the hope, that the meditation may help her is better than drowning in despair. "We can walk, more than half the way to the summit, only for the later part of the ascent must we climb."


Kumorohyou walks with Sophie, his Spiritual pressure keeping her comfortable, despite the fact that it's engulfing anything within a large radius. It would offer her something to 'grasp' with her own Spirit, and help her get acquainted with how it moves. Like practicing and developing a muscle. "Synchronize your walking with your breathing, and open your senses to the world around you. Let them help you discover the truth of your surroundings, and your Spirit will soon follow."


Poell falls in behind the couple, allowing the Shaman to continue his work. The Pintfolk knew he was not the most intimidating guardian of the two, but he was a good shot with his bow, and this time much more attentive for large, living rocks. He stared hard through his goggles trying to make out any prowling Ogres, and such, ready for an ambush. Though his carefully, searching eyes spotted nothing on the dull, monotone color of the landscape. He resumed the tedious work of his getting his stubby legs to move up the mountain and keep pace. Another reason as to why he fell behind.


Sophie nods, trying to do as Kumori, asks, the earlier stages are familiar to her, from meditation she has practiced in the past, but she doesn't know how to grasp anything with her spirit, only how to send it out from her, suddenly, the healer gasps as she recognizes a rare plant, beside the mountain path. It is not the object of their search which only grows far higher on the slopes, yet the fruits, are rare and have magical properties, even in the bright sunlight, they can be seen to be glowing. She divides the fruit between the three of them advising the others. "Keep it in a silver box or flask, and it will remain fresh, for a century or more, it is needed for several powerful elixirs."


Kumorohyou places the piece of fruit inside a silverflask that was in his pocket. "Thank you, Sofi-san." They were walking slowly so the lycaness could get the most out of this exercise. "If you can, try and use your nose and eyes to pick out different plants that grow at the base of this volano. When you see one that interests you, try focusing on it, letting its sight, scent, and touch fill your senses. You could even try focusing on me if you're more comfortable." This activity is to give her a feel of her Spirit, for if it succeeds, she would receive a 'sixth-sense' from the plant or object she focuses on.


Poell takes the fruit, eyes wide. Taking a Silver Flask he had conveniently caught in his last fishing trip. His smile expresses his thanks at the gift. He mutters something regarding "samples" and "fruit," sticking the flask delicately in his bag. Poell knew the exercise was specifically for Sophie, though he made it his exercise to do the same for himself. Disciplining himself in this. Knowing that it would also aid in his search for new species of rare plants for some later experiments. He stuck his thumb through the top of the strap of his satchel, gripping it with his fingers and pulling. Sliding it to a more comfortable position on his shoulder. As they walked he scavenged for random little items. A volcanic rock, a rare plant, a random piece of something that some previous visitor had labeled litter. Whatever thing to keep him occupied for the walk up.


Sophie tries to do as Kumori asks, a few times she thinks she can feel something coming from the plants she focuses on, but she in not certain, it may just be wishful thinking on her part. She continues up the mountain track which is getting steeper now, the lycan finding it harder to keep her footing. A number of small rocks, and grey dust fall from above them, causing Sophie to cover her head and shout a warning to her companions. She scans the upper slopes in case more ogres are throwing rocks at them, only, to see they were dislodged by nothing more sinister than a mountain goat.


Poell cannot help but laugh at this, the imposing figure of the mountain goat being one of curiosity. Its soft brown eyes looking at them placidly. He moves upwards to Sophie's side. "Come. I can assume his only hostile intentions were to stare us down, to death." He grins. Motioning for them to continue. Taking her arm in his shorter one. Being 4' tall, much taller than most of his kin, he was able to accompany her with, relative ease.


Sophie smiles at her hobbit friend, glad of his support and Companionship as Kumori receives a summons by mindspeak that a patient urgently requires his attemtion, the panther nimbly, descends the volcanic slopes. "We will reach the point where we must climb soon."


Poell nods in comprehension. Letting rope, with grappling hook connected, slide down into his hands. "How are you at climbing, Sophie?" He looked at her through goggled eyes, "I'm a fair climber myself, being nimble and all. How are you with, your, er-hm. Your fragility of mind in this current moment?" He said the last part, quickly and nervously.


Sophie grins at her friend, looking rather embarrassed. "I've been better, sir, and that is the truth, I am terrified, each moment, but I don't think there is any risk of me so losing touch with reality, that I endanger our lives".She is wearing well gripped, spiked toes boots already she dons gloves, an puts a lightweight hammer and some spikes in her belt. She ties one of the ropes around her middle and instructs Poell to do the same, "I'll try to attach the ropes with spikes every few feet, as we climb, so if we do fall, it shouldn't be too far."


Poell follows her instructions explicitly. Talking as he equips himself for the incline, "I have no doubt you will manage. I was just curious. I shouldn't want anything terrible to befall us on our journey." He smiles, reassuringly, to dismiss the thought of anything bad happening.


Sophie laughs "Befall, us, that is something we don't want indeed," The healer is trembling with fear. Though she has no fear of heights. She begins to climb, hoping that once she has this task to focus on, her fears will fade.


Poell nods his agreement, initiating the climb. Taking hold of the rock before him. Feeling its cold touch against his sweaty, rough palms. He closed his eyes. Smelling the glorious ambience that rose up to meet him. Another adventure, another danger. He grins, accepting the challenge. Excited for the responsibility, and reward that this journey would offer. He began to climb, once they had gone a ways, he spoke, taking in breaths in between words, "So, this, plant? It's-uh-specifically medical in use?"


Sophie answers Poell's question as best she can. "There are rumours, that it has other uses, in powerful, magics, but I have never met anyone who has used it other than to treat serious nerve damage, such at that Mahri has is her hands." She stops to rest on what she at first thinks to a be a ledge, but on scrambling up onto it, she realises that it is in fact the entrance to a tunnel, leading into the mountainside. "What do you think? Should we explore? Perhaps it may lead to another opening further up, a route to to the summit without risk, of being carried away in the beaks of giant robins perhaps?"


Poell clambers up the last part of the mountain face, pulling himself up over the ledge. "I think-" He says between a huge exhale, liberating his lungs of air, only to gasp, in taking a large gulp of oxygen, "That it would be another wonderful addition to our adventure. The means do not matter, if we at last arrive at the intended destination eventually." He stood, evidently having caught his breath. Outstretching his hand, indicating their continuation. "I always love a little uncertainty, don't you?" He smiles, complacently, walking to the beat of his own drum. Slightly ahead of Sophie, though still close at her side.


Sophie shrugs, “There is no uncertainty, we are all damned to rot in hell, for all eternity.” She follows, him along the tunnel, unlike the hobbit, the elf must crouch a little in order to avoid catching her head on the ceiling, the floor is warm to the touch, and an orange glow is coming from up ahead.


Poell stares at her somewhat confused, unsure what to make of the suddenly heated words, coming from his normally soft, even-mannered friend. He let it alone, in full knowledge of her encounter just days before. Though he kept a watchful eye on her, now worried with the sudden conversation. Poell stares curiously at the glow emanating from further down the path in which they were traveling. The floor comfortably warm against his bare feet. He wiggled his toes absent-mindedly, enjoying the warmth. He turns to Sophie, suddenly, not wanting to continue forward lest she desired to do so herself, "What do you think it is?"


Sophie replies "It is probably naught but another of the fiery pits of hell." Sophie’s, theories may not be too accurate, just now, she cries out as she trips over a leather pouch..its contents spilling onto the floor, obviously they are not the first people to have traversed this baking tunnel. "Will you demons leave me be for a moment!"


Poell scrounges the spilled contents quickly, before turning now to Sophie. "Elf. Calm yourself" He tried to remember some of the things the Shaman had suggested earlier. "Hm, Sophie. Listen to me carefully. Erm, breath carefully? Yes, I'm sure that was it. Breath, in, out, in, out. Walk with your breaths." He wasn't sure if he was entirely accurate with his depiction of the Shaman's intricate knowledge, though he now worked out of instinct, just trying to help his friend. "The Demons have left you now Sophie. These devils shall haunt you no more." He looks her in the eye, taking off his goggles for a moment. Dark rings of soot encircling his brilliant eyes. He grins, a lop-sided, boyish smile. "It's only me, I'm hardly a demon meself. Let alone the things in this mountain. We can conquer Ogres. Even large birds. I think, perhaps, you just need to have faith, and enjoy your situation. In the unknown." He then remembered something else, a sour look adopting his features, "And please, disband your thoughts on the inevitable path towards Hell. It makes me nervous." His face returns to its normal state soon enough. He offers her his hand, to get up. Smiling, during it all.


Sophie smiles at her friend with soot around his eyes. "You look like a panda I never saw a panda in hell." She leads onwards toward the glowing orange light, the cavern they reach does indeed resemble a fiery pit of hell, there is a pool of orange lava bubbling alarmingly, built across it is a bridge, a finely built stone bridge, reminiscent of dwarf workmanship, though Sophie has never heard of dwarves living to the west of Rynvale.


Poell grins at himself. A panda indeed. He follows her, looking out onto the bridge with doubt. He coughs nervously. Looking up at Sophie. "Step of faith, here we come." Taking his first step onto the bridge resulted in only solid rock. Which he had not expected. He had thought it would crumble in its ancient appearing form. He continued, step by step. Seeing it was solid enough, until he reached the other side. Waving Sophie the rest of the way over. Insinuating it had been safe enough.


Sophie follows the hobbit across the bridge and into a huge cavern, she is able to extinguish her torch as the cavern is lit by daylight streaming into it from the huge gap in the ceiling, several stone buildings, all ruins, surround them.


Poell stares in awe at scene before them. Though the Pintfold had no true appreciation for architecture, he stared at the remnants of great dwarven structures. "Wow, who knew that this was here?" His face, filled with wonder looked to Sophie, "This is truly a discovery we have made! If not to encounter this mystical plant, then this, this is reward enough!" He laughs heartily. His chuckling echoing throughout the cavern, in bubbling bursts of merriment.


Sophie laughs with him, a good sign, she begins to explore the ruins, then calls Poell over to see what she has found, a ladder made of copper, now green with verdigris, leading to the hole in the cavern roof. "Perhaps it leads to a less, terrible region of hell? Maybe hell hounds can't climb." She gives it an experimental tug, it seems secure enough.


Poell lets his hand slide over the smooth surface of Sophie's find. He nods, "Yes! Let us venture upwards!" His heart raced at the adrenaline of adventure. He looks to her again, "Less terrible indeed, for upwards can only insinuate the heavens!"


Sophie begins to climb the copper ladder, it seems secure enough, then suddenly the whole, mountain shakes violently, so violently that Sophie is almost thrown from the ladder she dangles from one hand, for several minutes before managing to return safely to the ladder. "The demons are enraged." she comments.


Poell stares anxiously behind them, absently nodding at her comment. "Mmm. We'll see. Or the mountain just has the hiccups..." He motions for her to continue, a hastiness overcoming him.


Sophie manages to climb the rest of the ladder without incident, on exiting the cavern through the roof in the ceiling she finds they are on a plateau quite near the summit. "This may well be a good place to search for that herb." An enormous statue or piece of art, perhaps is carved from a huge boulder, in the centre of the plateau, Sophie goes over to examine it, it is a carved long boat..


Poell reaches the top of the ladder shortly after Sophie, he now began to realize how high up they were. He turns his attention to yet another of Sophie's interesting finds. A boat? He wonders why it would be in such a place as this. This in the back of his mind, subconsciously mulling it over in his head, he looks for the flower. The picture of its appearance more prevalent in his mind.


Sophie examines the huge stone boat. "They must have bad floods, and very dense seawater, for such a thing to be of use." There is an inscription carved upon it in the dwarven tongue. Sophie can read some of that language she learned it from the group of skilled dwarven architects and builders employed by Marcellus, Craughmoyle builders inc. It reads 'Life boat.'


Poell frowns at the thought of a flood reaching these heights. Though, at the mention of its name, Poell begins to formulate a newer possible purpose for the boat, that scared him tremendously. He spoke up, "Sophie, perhaps this boat was meant for, an overflow of lava?"


Sophie considers Poells suggestion. "I think you may be right, my friend, you may very well be right." She leaves the boat for now and concentrates on the task at hand, finding the herb which Mahri so desperately needs to be able to use her hands properly once more, scanning the surface of the plateau, seeking out the tiny white flower.


Poell shudders at the thought of an actual eruption occurring. So he lets that sit in his thoughts, cultivating dangerously in his passive mind. Letting his active thoughts be put to good use in search of the white flower. He didn't find it immediately, nor at all. Several other flowers caught his eye, in which he picked and placed in his bag. Though not the specific one he searched for.


Sophie is suddenly thrown to the floor as the mountain shakes again, the most violent tremor so far, she cries out in shock, but luckily, the healer is not badly hurt. Even more fortunately she falls with her nose just six inches from a patch of the very flower they seek. "Poell, I have found it! The gods are indeed looking out for us."


Poell grins at the find, though a worried expression overcomes his face. "Sophie, I think that this is a sign. We have found that which we searched for. It is time to go. Now!" He moves over the boat, motioning for Sophie to help him. "What ought we to do? Go down the mountain like a slide? Or wait for the lava to sweep us off and down?"


Sophie picks the rare flowers with great care, carefully storing the precious blooms in a crystal potion bottle she brought for the purpose. The mountain shakes again, and smoke begins to issue from the hole in the roof of the cavern, they recently climbed out from, followed by orange Lava. "Into the boat in any case, I'm not sure how we could get it moving like a slide, perhaps we should wait for the lava, and trust those who made the lifeboat knew what they were doing.


Poell nods, seeing it was a smart course of action. "I trust these dwarves with their craftsmanship more that I do for myself, which is saying something. So this, I am confident, will work splendidly!"


Sophie grabs hold tight of a carved stone hand rail with one hand and wraps her other arm around Poell, more because she is so nervous, than to keep him in the boat. The druid focuses the powers of nature and a large block of ice appears in the base of the boat. "Should prevent our feet being burned." The torrent of lava is approaching, Sophie begins to shake in terror.


Poell grasps Sophie's arm that is around him tight with one arm, the other on the smooth railing of the boat. His knuckles growing white with his tense hold on it. The lava was approaching rapidly, faster and faster. Poell felt the Druid trembling next to him, and realized he too was shaking. Just as the lava connected with the boat, Poell clenched his teeth hard, slapping his goggles over his eyes with a satisfying "snap!" Resuming his grip he did all that remained to do. Hold on for dear life, as the lava took hold.


Sophie lets out a cry of terror as the lava begins to sweep the boat down the mountainside, then as they accelerate, her attitude changes, perhaps she has finally lost her mind, following her trip to hell. Or perhaps this is a safety mechanism to help her retain what is left of her sanity, in the face of such a terrifying experience. She begins to laugh, and whoop for joy, enjoying the ride. "Fireriders! That is what we are, my friend!"


Poell chuckles nervously in lieu of Sophie's string of joyous laughter. The title bringing a satisfied grin to his scared, windblown face. "Indeed! Ah, Fireriders." He whispered the last part almost to himself, like a secret name he would hold on to. "We are approaching the end of our descent!” He screamed back at her. His high-pitched voice screeching from strain to try and yell over the ambient noise.


Sophie seems disappointed when the ride ends, she had been whooping and laughing with joy throughout. She almost leaps out of the boat, but stops in time realizing they are still surrounded by immensely hot, glowing molten rock. The edge of the lava flow is about 20 yards ahead of them. Poell exhales deeply as they stop at a surprisingly smooth pace. During the ride he was caught between nervous laughter, and concentrating on not dying. Though, now that they were done, his adrenaline spoke more than words as he jumped into the air. Pumping a fist of exhilaration. "Well that was, was, wow!" He profoundly proclaims, breaths coming out in short ecstatic beats.


Sophie grin to Poell "Pity we can't push the boat back up and go again." She draws more moisture out of the air and freezes it, making it snow onto the lava, in an area about a yard wide strip leading from the boat to the edge of the lava flow, it will take some time, but eventually enough heat will be removed to form a path of solid rock, cool enough for them to walk over.


Poell sits down in the boat waiting for the path to solidify. Nodding his agreement. "If only! I'm sure, if we hear about any volcanic activity in the area, we must rush to climb its peak and ride the flames once again!"


And so, after finding the desired plant, and having a rather splendid end to their adventure, the "Fireriders" went their separate ways.