Liberty Beguiling

With Xanathos's aid, Sval is able to scout out a well hidden campsite wedged in a grotto between two rocky hills. A nice bed of grass makes the area comfortable, and with only two viable entry points, the place is well defended.  After camp is set up, the group sets out to plan. "We can hope for the best all we want," Sval says. "But we need to scout that place out. The Temple of the Ibex...does anyone know anything about it?" He looks around to the Hellenians.

Xan snaps his fingers, his manner becoming a little more animated. "I remember the place the spirit spoke of, it was, or is, a temple to Pan. I can't imagine anything has been there for a long time. I heard the settlement failed, or never really took off. But yes, that is what it was. A temple to Pan..." his voice falls away a little as he reaches into one of his pockets absently. " We should definitely seek this place out, as soon as possible I think."

Sval looks curiously at Xan, an eyebrow raising slightly as the man trails off. "Your knowledge is vast, old man," he says, the corner of his mouth pulling to a small grin. "What should we expect there?"

As Zizi lets the others do the heavy lifting of setting up camp, the fairy can be seen once again talking to a spectral presence a ways off from the group. This ghost is singular, and materializes more fully than the previous spirits. It has a form similar to Zizi’s, with slender limbs though wrapped in a traveler’s cloak. In its hands is a staff crowned with carved wings. Zizi talks to the figure with the familiarity of an old friend or family member, and after a time the spirit fades and Zizi rejoins the others. “So I was asking about that temple but couldn’t really-“ they catch the tail end of Xan’s description. “Right, yes, a temple to Pan, totally knew that. Mm looks good!” They say as they disengage from the conversation and make their way over to whatever supper is being prepared.

" Vast indeed, kind of you to point it out though." Xan smiles at the Norscan, turning to Dawid adding " Wouldn't hurt for a young apprentice to chip in with some praise for his wise master every now and again you know?"  " The truth is though I don't know what we could expect to find there now. The attempt to settle this far north was a long time back, I have never been there since and apart from a vague idea of where it is and the notion that we might be able to build another base of operations there I have little to add. I suggest caution, but then I always suggest caution."

"OK.  So we'll scout it out then?  Let's find this place, tomorrow.  In the meantime, everyone sleep well.  Usual watch schedule ok with everyone?"

As Petros sleeps, dreams take him once more. He stands on the banks of the Shrike beneath dark skies and the fell silhouette of the revenant from the water points a withered hand towards a scene besides the house. The cabin is no longer ruined, but new. A young boy and an older man stand outside it. "Father, please! I looked for the herbs you asked for, there just weren't enough to-" "Silence! Did you forget the rules? You speak when I say. You do as I say. Disobedience leads to punishment and you have disobeyed twice." "But Father..." "Three times." Green magic surges around the man's wrist and he hurls a bubble of conjured acid at the boy. "E-enough... I c-can't... Enough!" The boy wails, falling to his knees clutching his face. The apparition fades, replaced by another. The man from before has aged and a younger man in his prime walks up to the house. On his head he wears a mask crafted from a goat's skull and horns. "Where have you been? I told you to prepare everything for the ritual," the old man snaps. "You will never give me orders again," retorts the other. "What...?" "Well, then, summon your power! Or maybe you'd like to try the acid?! I am not your slave any longer." The man in the goat mask strikes the older man, sending him sprawling in the dirt. "Not your toy," he grunts as he delivers a resounding kick to the ribs. "Not your son," he spits with another kick for emphasis. "Enough!"  Groans the old man weakly.  "I..." "I won't kill you. Your powers will be of use to me. From now on, you do as I say. You speak when I say. Disobedience leads to punishment. Always!" The vision fades and when Petros stirs he is still wrapped in his bedroll, the hills heavy with fog and mist.

Brim spends much of the early morning sparring with Rikrak, having given him her old buckler to even out his defense when focusing on his dagger. She playfully dances around the camp, bopping him with the head of her crook - always accompanied by a soft Boop!  when she successfully lands a strike. The kobold, meanwhile, dives into the training with vigorous fervor, barely masking his attempts to legitimately land a blow with the sharp of his comparatively sword-sized dagger.  After a few rounds of fun, Brim gives the kobold a nod and pats his shoulder. "You're really good with that blade Sir Rikrak! I can tell you've trained super hard."  She places the crook beside her as she takes a seat near her bedroll and takes a long sip from a canteen. "I'd love to hear all the stories of triumph you must have, one day."   _______________________________ After a few hours riding east, Brim glances over to a somewhat weary-looking Petros and the others and calls out, "Sir Rikrak tells me the fastest way to this temple of yours is straight to the east, so I say we head that way and go up a bit through the forest."  She pauses and looks back to her companion, who says something in her ear to which she nods profusely, and looks back up with a cheerful smile,  "Oh, he also mentioned that no kobold who has ever gone this way has returned, if that is important. Shall we get going?"

In the morning, Petros wipes a layer of sweat from is forehead.  That dream.  Was that revenant at the river Carpicornus's father? Breaking camp while Brim spars with Rikrak, Petros and Sval discuss their potential paths to the approximate location of the temple.  "Yes, Sval, I agree.  That would take us mostly through known territory.  Limits distractions and risks for now.  But do you think we should try to get input from Rikrak?  He might know these areas.  Actually, no.  Never mind.  He's just as likely to take us right into a dragon's den for the adventure of it.  We are on a mission after all," he says with a smile.  "Let's go." During the ride southeast, after a few hours, Brim calls out asking about their travels and informs them of Rikrak's preference.  Looking over at Sval with a knowing grin, Petros thanks Brim and says "Hmm.  Perhaps we should wait for whatever dangers lurk in those unknown forests until we are finished with Capricornus.  And with Sval here leading the way, that path will likely not be any faster.  But, when we are finished killing this git, I'd love for you and Rikrak to lead us into these unknown lands, Brim.  Deal?"

Brim consults briefly with Rikrak, and the two nod in unison after a moment. "Deal!"

After spending quite some time searching the region, Petros eventually stumbles upon a thick tangle of brambles that gives way to a large clearing in the woods, the border of which is partially defined by ruined stone pillars. The eastern face of the clearing is dominated by a looming, up-thrust ridge of rock, nearly three hundred feet across and rising to a moss-topped height of one hundred feet at the centre. The side of this towering boulder facing the clearing has been carved in the likeness of an immense Ibex, its horns drooping down from its weathered face to frame a fifty-foot-wide cave entrance. A flight of stone steps leads up to this cave entrance from the forest clearing - both the steps and Ibex's face feel quite old and are thickly encrusted with layers of moss. A fifty-foot-long oval pool sits in the middle of the clearing, its waters thick with algae. As Petros steps into the clearing, the familiar outline of of the nymph from his dream appears before him as a ghostly apparition. "I have been waiting for you. The flowers, birds and wind told me that you would come. Oh, my poor flowers. They will perish before long in this fog."

Petros quickly looks around at the others, and can immediately tell that he is not hallucinating this apparition.  Petros bows, formally to the nymph and says "Greetings.  I am sorry it has taken us so long to arrive.  I am told that this place holds the key to ringing down the fog that protects the tyrant Capricornus.  Can you guide us so that we may free your flowers and the rest of this land from his dominion?"

Zizi flies to Petros’ side and bows as well. “Yes don’t you worry, your beautiful flora and fauna are in good hands. The name’s Zizi and I’ve been sent from Lelistrel to assist these heroes in clearing the trash from these lands. Just point the way and we’ll make quick work of it.”

"You have found the right trail," the nymph assures Petros and Zizi. "The druid held his sinister ritual to create the fog here. You must enter and purge the temple of what evil still lingers, but be careful! A dangerous beast awaits you inside. It is both the guardian of this place and a token of the druid's evil magic. Take care! You are my only hope."

Sval looks back and forth from the strange shimmer to the rest of the group, who were speaking to it. "The fuck is going on here?" he says, his voice still a hoarse whisper.

Azul squints at the shimmering form and after a moments shrugs and looks at the Norscan with bewilderment. His hand resting on the pommel of his sabre as he watches Zizi and Petros have a one sided conversation with the shimmering air.

" What are you talking about...." Xan turns back to Sval in confusion then realsies what has happened, " You cannot see the spirit can you? It must be the celestial, or fey nature of Zizi, Petros and I that allow us to see her. It is a spirit of some kind, I think. She is telling Petros of an evil we must defeat to save these lands from the evil fog that is slowly killing it." The older man turns back to the nymph listening and then asking, " What type if creature is it, what can you tell us of it?"

"A mighty predator of the savanna," the nymph replies, turning her attention to Xanthos. "The beast has been twisted by the curse put upon this place."

Under his breath, Petros mutters, "we need to start bringing a sheep or two with us for bait."   Turning his head to take in the group, he says aloud, "I assume we are all up for this?  Good.  Suit up."   Turning back to the Nymph, he asks, "how long will it take us to reach him...or perhaps, how long will it take for him to find us?  And uh...any other tokens of evil in there we should be looking out for?"

The nymph merely stands aside and gestures with one arm in the direction of the cave, before fading away.

Sval looks at Petros. "Up for what? The temple? Sure."

Zizi watches, intrigued as the nymph dissipates before they turn to Petros. “This is exactly the kind of thing I was born for, darling. Let’s get on with it.” They ready their bow and begin to fly towards the temple, keeping a moderate distance between herself and the others.

"Yes, Zizi and Sophia, scout ahead.  Sval, Azul, and I will go next.  Eye's sharp, and keep tight."

Azul loses himself in Sofia's mind as the owl takes to the air, it's brass wings reflecting the suns light. Sofia dives into the cave, deftly avoiding the caves' stalactites as she surveys the area.  Azul in a distracted voice begins relaying information to those who stayed behind "It's a large cavern but there doesn't appear to be any tunnels or passageways within." At that moment Sofia notices an enormous lion crouching on the caves floor prepared to strike at any who enter. Azul uses their bond to force his familiar to flee, but it is to late. The Lion snarls and leaps at the bird. His last view of the Lion gleaming teeth engulfing the bird before his consciousness is quickly shunted back into his body.  Nearly falling over when he returns, he says in a distressed voice " I have found the guardian, it is a monstrous lion." His brass scales ruffling in frustration "It has taken Sofia."

Petros's eyes go wide and he places a hand on Sval's shoulder. "I am sorry, my friend."   Pausing, he looks around at all of his friends.  This foe sounds especially dangerous.  I can't allow any of these good men and women to come to harm.   He looks around for inspiration...something to give them an edge.  His eyes fall on his oldest friend: his horse.  He had been through a lot with him, and the horse represented a link to Apolis.  To the only home he had eve known.  To his old life.  A life he was now leaving behind.  A life of destiny he seemed to be called to.  Every night in his dreams he had been called to greatness and to give up his selfish life.  He had started to embrace that life, and as soon as he had, he had, for the first time in his memory, started to dream new dreams.  Dreams of portents and true seeing.  It was time to sever the last link holding him back to his old life.  To give up something he wanted for others.  Walking over to his horse, a tear clouding his right eye, he says,  "Say your prayers, call on your power...do whatever you need to do.  It's time to kill this thing."   Looking at his companion, he says,  "Hey boy.  We've got one more job to do together, ok.  We have to go through this cave together, you and I."   Stroking his mane and giving the majestic beast a hug around it's strong neck, he continued, "I'll see you on the other--"

Sval drops his saddle on the ground next to Petros and his horse with a leathery thud. Petros and his mount reminded Sval of the heartache he felt when Alvis had been killed by a similarly sized animal. For a moment, the witcher's heart twinges at the thought of sacrificing his own mount -- but he didn't actually  feel anything for this horse. It was simply his memory of Alvis -- affection developed before the mutations had stripped away his ability to do so. "Keep your steed, Petros," Sval says. He leads his horse toward the mouth of the cave.

"Thank you Sval, we've been through a lot together," Petros says as he walks right behind the Norscan tot he foot of the stairs, weapon drawn.  As they make their way to the stairs, Petros calls upon the gods, and his sword begins to glow a soft white as it is infused with holy power.  At the same time, he begins to hover off the ground as his eyes and feet radiate a coruscating golden energy.

As Sval and Petros approach the stairs up to the cave's entrance, a mighty roar echoes from within. Moments later, a lion bigger than either has ever imagined comes bounding out onto the crumbling ruins of the terrace that stands before the pillared entrance. It snarls at the invaders and lets out another bellowing roar.

By the time the others appear near the stairs of the beast’s lair, Zizi is already huddled behind a large rock, not wanting to share the same fate as poor Sophia. She gives them an eager nod as they close in on their prey. “Alright! Let’s do this!” she calls out with glee, swinging her bow up and over her cover and taking a moment to line up the perfect shot. Their arrow strikes true, embedding in the creature’s thick hide with a stream of crimson.

The lion's roar echoes in the ears of all nearby, dragging primal fears from the depths of their souls and drawing forth moments of loss and vulnerability. Simultaneously, tangled roots and vines erupt from the ground, ensnaring any not strong enough to break their grasp.

There is a moment as the mighty beast roars when Xanthos feels his blood turn to water but he consciously pushes it away, there is work to be done. A glance to his side sees that Dawid has not been able to shake the fear so easily, the half elf's eyes are bulging at the sight of the creature. " Let the heavenly powers keep us safe Dawid, have no fear." He calls as he channels a measure of his power to reinforce them both,the happy effect of the burst of power is that Zizi gets caught up in the blessing as it forms and the diminutive fey is bolstered too. Unwilling to close the gap, Xan calls forth another spell he favours, bringing into creation a spear of ethereal force which he hurls at the lion, his aim seems initially off but almost as if the gods themselves intervene it corrects and Xan smiles as it strikes home, its force doing little seemingly against the creature. Dawid raises shaking hands and hurls a bolt of eldritch might, the blessings of Xan's spell give him a little respite from his fears, just enough to keep his aim true, the spell  rashes off the creature, again to little apparent effect. He still seems terrified but a grim smile of satisfaction crosses his face.

With a mighty, bounding leap, the lion surges forwards towards Brimblebread and Zizi.

For a moment, as the lion roars, Sval hears not a predator's call, but a Norscan hunting horn. His brother's hunting horn. The sound sent a tremor of something Sval hadn't felt for a long time down his spine -- fear. His mouth coppery, he tears himself free from the vines and sprints up the stairs before the reality of the situation hits him. He turns back and nocks an arrow with still-shaky hands.

The beast leaps upon Brim as the vines grasp at her, seizing the goblin in its jaws and brutally mauling her with its claws, even as she breaks down in tears, screaming and wailing for help.

The monster's roar leaves Azul rooted in place, his body unable to take even a step closer to the beast that sprung from the cavern. Even as the lion mauls Brim and the goblin calls out for help, Azul cannot force himself to run to her aid. Fear is clearly evident in his amethyst eyes. Operating on natural instinct that has been forged into his people through years of survival, he leans his head back and unleashes a torrent of flame at the beast. Catching it flatfooted as the fire washes over it. The beast looks relatively unharmed though the smell of singed fur fills the air. 

The lion lets out a remarkably undignified yelp of surprise as flame erupts from Azul's mouth and dashes away from their source. As the beast moves, the tangled vines pull Brimblebread from its jaws.

Large, billowing tears stream down Brim's bloodied face, any shred of her usual cheer and joy utterly erased as she writhes in pain against the unbreakable restraining vines. It's all she can do to draw upon the minute bit of power her adherence to the qualities of redemption can offer to sooth some of the gashes across her body, though it does nothing to calm her as she resigns herself to her fate. Even Rikrak, in his state of utter shock and terror, attempts to pull her free, but the small kobold can do nothing but look on in horror as the beast bounds away, nearly ripping her free itself to keep her in its jaws.

As soon as it becomes clear that the flames are no longer a threat, the lion turns on its heel and bounds back towards Azul, its eyes burning with the need for retribution.

The Lion's fearsome roar washes over Petros, but his fear instincts had been honed over the years to react only to the yells of outrage from many an angry father.  This roar simply serves to Petros as a warning, spurring him to grin and leap into action. Unfortunately, as soon as he attempts to rush at the beast, he is caught in a writhing mass of vines, rooting him to the ground.  As the Lion pounces onto Brim, Petros yells out a helpless, "No!"   Then, seeing the lion react in fear to fire, only to come back, leaping at Azul, Petros calls on the gods to send their own fire to intervene.  Unfortunately, the lion, leaping to avoid slipping on Brim's blood, avoids immolation by the holy flames.

Now ignoring Brimblebread, the lion continues to charge towards the source of its ire until it is right on top of Azul and Petros.

"Oh no, Zizi is not going out like this!" the fairy tries to assure themself as fear and vines overtake them. Zizi wriggles and squirms, frantically trying to free their limbs while avoiding the ferocity of the monstrous lion, until finally they manage to escape and flee into the air.

The lion snaps at Azul, but the dragonborn is too fast for it and, moments later, a wall of tangled brush bristling with thorns springs into existence. The wall is sixty feet long, ten feet high, five feet thick and erupts exactly where Sval and Petros are standing. Fortunately, both manage to dodge the razor sharp thorns.

Xan sees the lion react to the fire and makes his choice, thel ight form his white eye surges violently and the effect ripples under all of his visible skin for a few moments before a pair of angelic wings appear at his back, coalescing into existence and flaring with the same light. The sorcerer suggested into the air, something more powerful and less human seeming to replace Xan's more gentle ways. " Dawid, now!" The apprentice with hands still shaking slightly gestures towards the lion which is covered with the Faerie Fire that runs across its body helping Xan focus on the creature. He raises one hand and the white light is replaced by a ball of fire, " You will not stand in our way beast, holy fire aid me!" The older man hurls the ball down without mercy, striking the lion in the neck, causing it to recoil in pain and burning it, the patches of blackened skin evidence of the pain Xan has caused it.

The Lion lashes out at Azul, viciously slashing at the dragonborn with it's claws. Fortunately Azul's hard earned instincts kicked in, cutting past the fear that threatened to keep him rooted in place. Allowing him to raise his sabre and deflect much of the blows impact, his armor absorbing the rest.

Sval fires an arrow that barely glances off the lion's thick hide. He looks about at his new companions. Brim was bloodied and nearly beaten. The lion was bearing down on Azul and Petros. Their new fey companion had simply rocketed away. Why was he at the top of the fucking stairs?  He shakes away his terror and steels himself, his bow replaced in his hands by his sword. 

The lion continues to snarl and thrash violently at Azul, seizing the dragonborn in its powerful jaws and battering him repeatedly through his armour.

The lion continued it's mauling of the dragonborn, his chain the only thing keeping his life intact. Blow after blow slashes into his armor, calling upon his arcane might he crafts a fiery shield that provides some protection but Azul know his time is limited.

Even as Azul struggles, the lion continues to savage him with its claws.

In the continuing chaos, as the ferocious beastie beats at the dragonborn, Brim remains affixed to the ground, pulled tight to it by the vines. Through the muffled ringing in her ears she can make out the screams of her companions and calls of her friends. She couldn't stay down. She wouldn't. Her arms trembling in exhaustion, she sucks in another ragged gulp of air, forcing herself to stop her cries for just a second as she grunts against the weight of the ensnaring foliage. With a triumphant cry the thick roots tear, freeing her at last. Unable to truly bring herself to her feet, she turns towards the fountain behind her, using her arms to drag herself forward, tears still running down her face. Seeing his friend pulling herself along, Rikrak extends his cloak outward like the frills of a lizard, shielding the goblin from view as she pulls herself behind cover, hiding herself from the lion.