Blackburn's Crossing Chapter 4: Snake Eater

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Arissa paused for a moment as Bernard began to walk ahead of the group before sighing, and making a motion as if to draw a curtain, and stepping through, vanishing from sight. She quickly caught up to Bernard and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Too much death is far too accurate of an assessment. I will not allow you to join them.” She drew her sword and began to scan the fields, looking for any signs of danger.
 
Graveyard of Bones:

Traveling deeper into this place the party begins to hear moans, and high pitched whistling occasionally. It seems to come and go at an odd cadence only for those most perceptive of you to notice the wind blowing through the different sides of bones seems to be causing the noise. Eventually within about two hundred feet of the tower, you come across a brick wall about fifteen feet high extending in both directions halting the party's progress. The wind continues to clatter bones occasionally and the low howl of the wind generating eerie noises.
 
Bernard approached the wall, within fifteen feet he heard wailing and cries for help. Shaking his head, he mumbled, "No, this is not the way." He back tracked out of the large skull towards the group, "I don't want to go through that wall, we're going to have to go over." In a moment the Adaptive Weapon was a war pick which he used to scale the wall. Spotting a clearing on the other side he pointed, "There, we must need to make it there." He called back to the others as they used the broom to join him on the skull. When Arissa pointed out the strange creature Bernard called out "Hello" in every language he knew, the creature unresponsive he stepped forward toward the wall, no response. Seeing that there's not enough space on the skull, Bernard began working his way down on the other side as Yelcan scouted ahead with Hyde.
 
Arissa followed Bernard through the macabre landscape, drawing closer to him as they began to move through large bone structures. She raised an eyebrow in surprise as her eyes fell on a brick wall with a skull jutting through it. What in the name of the gods? What is this doing here?

Arissa watched as Bernard changed his weapon into a pick, and dug handholds into the side of the wall, and after waiting for him to scale it, rubbed her hands together to trigger the inert magical energy. If you do not work this time, I am selling you the next chance I get. Arissa put her hands to the wall and felt her grip tighten magically. Feeling a burst of energy, she scaled the wall in a matter of seconds. She smiled to herself, glancing back down at the wall. Perhaps there is a use for you yet. She lost her train of thought as her eyes fell on a strange creature that seemed to be... watching her? She glanced down at herself to confirm that she was still invisible before nudging Bernard and gesturing to the quadrupedal one eyed creature. “I... I believe it can see me. That hardly bodes well for what else lies within this place.” She kept her eyes on the creature as the rest of the party made their way up the wall, and then watched as Yelcan sent Hyde forward to scout ahead.
 
Safely at the top of the platform, Yelcan opened his pack and nudged Hyde, having him get out of his little hidey hole. Hey, while everyone is getting over this barricade let's see what were walking into, yea? And with that Hyde stretches his tiny wings and takes to the air. Flying high in the air, Hyde disappeared from sight, and Yelcan closed his eyes and concentrated on his connection with Hyde, and when he opened his eyes again they were a faded milky white. His vision snapped into extra clear vision soaring above the field of bones until Hyde neared the clearing.

Once he enters the clearing, Yelcan begins to report what he sees quietly. "Okay so in this clearing we got this large spire, its got a few undead uglies surrounding the base of it. There is this kind of, snake-man hybrid, it seems to be...sunbathing? But wait, there looks to be some kind of symbol in the ground, I can't quite see it." Connected as they were, Hyde felt Yelcan's confusion and began to swoop in for a closer look. "I can't really see what -- wait. The figure, it sees Hyde." Mentally Yelcan is overloading his mental connection to Hyde screaming Hyde! Get out of there now! But the damage had already been done. "Oh fuck, its got the torso of a man...he's got a bow, please Hyde, please run..." As he sees the figure pull back and release, he feels the connection sever and he is once again staring out from his perch.

Yelcan drops to his knees, at a loss for words, just seeing the face of this...thing as it killed his best friend. The tears began to flow, and Yelcan shut his eyes tightly to stop them, taking a moment to quietly compose himself, feeling the anger starting to flow though him. He wiped his eyes dry, then stood back up with a serious expression. "Ok, so we know they're hostile. A few undead, one monster. Let's get off this fucking skull." And with the help of his friends he begins to descend.
 
As the others climbed down, Bernard took a moment to grope around for Arissa's hand. Finding it he took it and squeezed. "I will always love you. We'll be fine." He smiled though he could not see her and began the walk toward the clearing, knowing she would follow. As the bones gave way to space, Bernard lowered his weapon and raised his shield, "Hello! Elder?! We come seeking knowledge, not war. Please meet us in peace!" He continued forward, repeating the plea.
 
Graveyard of Bones:

As the group walks out an arrow hits the ground in front of them. Looking to where it came from the figure lowers their large bow looking at the group gathered. The undead figures that had been around the tower had now moved to either side of the large snake man each having smaller bows and scimitars.

“That’s far enough. Peace is not the way of this land. A struggle to survive against the myriad of dangers is the truth seeded deep within these lands. And this is the place were all manner of beasts come to die. State you’re entire business for being here,” says the large snake man in a deep voice.
 
Bernard raised his hand to stop the others as he called out, "I am not of this land and peace is my way. My companions and I have come seeking knowledge of the Mate of the Undying One. The Great Serpent has grown unstable and aggressive in her search for revenge and she threatens the people of this land. We spoke with the Children of Blood, we learned of the tribe's part in trapping her mate, but that knowledge was lost to time. We come for answers, to give the Great Serpent rest and reunite her with her Mate. I believe, we are here to learn from you." Bernard kept his shield raised, turning back to the group, "Do not approach until we are sure it is safe, and watch your backs, there may be more beasts in that maze of bones." He turned again, toward the large snake man, and took a single step forward, "I am Bernard, and I trust that no one need die today. Are you the Elder who sought immortality? Or what remains of the Great Serpent's Mate?"
 
Graveyard of Bones:

The snake man seemed amused by your answer chuckling to himself as his body eases down a few inches. The undead creatures continue to stare on almost as if looking past Bernard to a hidden secret beyond.

“A man who carries with him weapons, does not peace seek. For he carries with him always the threat of violence, whether spoken or perceived,” says the Serpent man with a wide grin. “You ask of who I am? I am not who I was, and so the one you seek does not exist, but I do have his memories.”

The snake man puts his bow over his shoulder. “Unite her once more with her mate? Is that the belief you hold? We are all stuck in a cycle of dead and rebirth. Over and over into the ad infinitum, even you have lived countless life times before this. The Great Serpent’s Mate died here, for this is the Land of the Dying. One does not come back from this place,” he continues before his tongue flicks out for a moment as if tasting the air, and he nods. “I smell one of my people among you. Send them forward, and I will give the knowledge you seek.”
 
Guarding the rest of the group while Bernard led, Kallisto waited with the others to see where the conversation led.

Listening, she was slightly surprised at the ... snake-person and how he spoke, but was even more surprised when he spoke in Mordentish and appeared to call her out.

Stepping forward she bowed her head towards the man, "Hello ... I'm not sure what to call you. I have been told we all have a cycle, but I was given a weapon able to break that cycle. Perhaps if you have the Elder's memories you might recognize its name: Soul Devourer. I intend to break her cycle, and have paid with my own." Hesitantly she picked at her beads for a moment, "I ... apologize if it is improper to ask but ... is what happened to you a result of bringing the Serpent's mate here and killing him?"
 
"I do not raise my weapon against you but it is suicide to walk the swamps without protection. I do not instigate, only protect me and my companions. My sister allows us to pass in peace, but some dangers are persistent." Bernard strapped his blade to his back as the man lowered his bow. Looking back as Kallisto stepped forward, he sighed and gave her a tired smile and a nod. "We will not leave here without you, but be careful." He whispered as Kallisto moved closer. He looked back to the snake man, "This is Kallisto, the Lost One, a member of the Children of Blood and our friend."
 
Graveyard of Bones:

“The mere presence of a weapon is an instigation. When one walks into a room immediately the threat is perceived before the first words are even spoken. I find it curious to believe anything otherwise,” says the snakeman eying Bernard intently as if he subject for study. He continued for long moment before shifting his gaze to Kallisto. “You may call me Amarden.”

Amarden moves forward and shift’s his height to be equal with Kallisto’s own. “That weapon was made here, to deny those of the cycle. A weapon to consume the world, and end the pointless wheel but it has its work cut out for it. The rate at which the world continues to move is much faster than it can kill alone, but the souls of the world are finite, and it is a patient hunter,” says Amarden his slitted eyes passing up and down Kallisto as if making small observations. When she asks about his current state of being the snake like head shakes his head. “Does my guise bother you so? This form is not a consequence of killing the Great Serpent, but it is an improvement from my original form, but this is not what you have come for.”

Amarden motions around the area tracing some of the lines cut into the ground. “This is a glyph that will pull the Great Serpent to this location. It must be filled with swamp water and mixed with the blood of a native. Last time it was used Tanar’lin was lured and killed by me and others. Al’ocktalel will know what this means, and will not fall as easily to this trap. It will only hold her for a minute here, and only compels her towards this location. I have seen her newest children, killed one or two of them. You can expect any of her allies to come running as well.”
 
Kallisto bowed her head again as she watched Amarden shift his height to match hers ... in her mind she thought briefly of Legba when he had done similar. "Then, hello Amarden. I did not know the axe was created here, only that its prior wielder had left a path of blood in his wake and potentially 'lived' in the weapon after his death."

She shook her head as he spoke of his appearance, "Your ... guise does not bother me, no. I have learned much lately of costs, and was concerned your appearance was a cost of following this path."

Watching him as he motioned to the lines she tried to memorize the shape as best she could, "This glyph ... must it be used only here? Could we recreate it elsewhere if I use Xirtar Aemami to ... in a sense, mimic this Graveyard? If it was made here ..." Kallisto thought for a moment, "We've seen her 'Children' as well, we hope to deal with some of them before calling her to a trap. If you killed them, does that mean they came into this Graveyard tool? Did they try to speak to you as well?"
 
Graveyard of Bones:

"You could attempt to make it elsewhere, but I would advise against such a course of action. The swamp holds many allies to the Serpent, but not all those allies are willing to die in a place like this. Animals actively avoid this place, which is why I was surprised to see that creature I assume was one of yours to be flying around," says Amarden as he gestures around the area. "All who die to the weapon are gone to oblivion. Do not let it's sentience fool you. If you have indeed bonded the weapon then be assured that upon your death there will be no more you, as the blade hungers for all semblances of life."

"The Children came blinded by their master and sure of their new found abilities, and false immortality. They're new found forms were short lived, it seems," says Amarden sliding back and forth allowing most of his body to pile up beneath him.
 
Bernard watched Amarden as he coils under himself, "If this glyph will call Al'ocktalel to this place, could any who fell her here prevent her rebirth? Does the graveyard bring permanent death just like the axe? And what of you, Amarden, would you fight with us or against us when Al'ocktalel comes? This is your turf, which you eagerly protect." He looks sadly toward Kallisto before turning back to Amarden, "If the axe is destroyed, can it still claim a soul? Even if the wielder no longer possesses the weapon? And over any distance?" Bernard seems frustrated by the idea that Kallisto has no hope. He focused, trying to get back to the relevant questions, "Can you tell us how you became what you are, why you have these memories that you claim are not your own? And what is that wall we passed, it moaned and called for release, as one who is captured and tortured might do."
 
Graveyard of Bones:

"You are correct Bernard. Anyone could kill her here, which is part of why she'll be wary. If she does come, I unfortunately will not assist you in this endeavor beyond the fact that I may be able to give you a small advanced warning if she decides to bring friends, and their approaches to this place. I'm sure you've seen this land is a bit of a maze from the ground," says Amarden crossing his arms and shaking his head. At the mention of the weapon and he puts a hand to his chin and turns it.

"An interesting question of distance. Perhaps if it were to be taken very far away it might eventually loose connection if it has not grown too powerful... it is a thought. The destruction of the weapon would rend anyone who had attuned the weapon apart. It is as much a part of them, as they are of the weapon. Part of the attunement is handing over a piece of your soul. I can't imagine living with half a soul seemingly gone forever nor do I have an idea of what it might look like. Over time the weapon will begin to supplant the wielders thoughts, towards more and more acts of violence," says Amardan before shrugging his shoulders.

"The wall is from before, though I do not advise you to touch it. It had claimed many unwitting souls," says Amarden looking down at his scaled hand for a moment. "I have these memories because they were once my own, but they are not me now. I am no more the man's memories than another one's stories are your own."

"Cryptic, though I guess you like your privacy being out here," says Violette looking around briefly. "And you have such delightful company."

Amarden's tongue shoots out for a moment grasping the air. "Ah the tasty one, You are right. These undead are dull company, but they are not here for me, but the tower," says Amarden his gaze focusing on Violette. A slight shiver runs through Violette but she pushes through.

"And what's so important about this tower?" asks Violette putting a bit of iron in her voice. Amarden chuckles at this for a moment.

"This tower is what keeps those dead in the swamp from rising to over take the living. I suppose you might call me the tower's guardian."
 
Kallisto scratched at the scar on her chest, "Thank you for telling me more of the weapon, Amarden." She glanced towards Bernard, recalling his concern from before.

"We have seen some of the allies the Serpent claims -- and we have plans in place for them. However ... with the risk this Graveyard represents for us as well, I think we may attempt to build a trap around the glyph when we recreate it. Hopefully it manages to catch a few of the allies she brings and help shift the tide in our favor."

She picked at her beads for a moment, "The Elder told us when the mate of the Serpent was killed, the land was sundered ... would that happen again when the Serpent herself is killed? And ... Amarden ... you say you are no longer that man, but ... is there anything you wish for the tribe to know? Of what happened to you? Knowledge that was never shared? Actually ..." Kallisto paused, "your knowledge would likely reach back further than what's remembered still. I've heard the Lake of Blood mentioned, but only told it's a paradise -- the tribe seems keen to travel there once this is dealt with. Is ... it a place that actually exists?"
 
Graveyard of Bones:

"You might find hiding in the swamp more difficult with the long sight lines but it is ultimately you're choice. I hope for your sake you're able to re-obtain the lost weapon and that Al'ocktalel hasn't already removed it from her harms way," says Amarden as he listens to what Kallisto has to say. "The tribes are no longer who I am, and it is better that memory fade. Curiosity can so often get many creatures killed when they deal with something beyond their comprehension."

"A Lake of Blood. It's been mentioned in stories, though I've a feeling it only holds more relevance now that tribes feast on flesh and blood. It currently does not exist is all that I know, I believe it used to exist and perhaps it will exist once more," says Amarden.

"And what makes you so sure of that?" asks Violette crossing her arms. Amarden just shrugs. "Everything will be as it is meant to be. The heart of this land continues to thrum and creatures live and die until they no longer wish to repeat the cycle. It has been a broken thing this cycle ever since the death of Tanar'lin, perhaps Al'ocktalel's death will reset it. Or it may break so something new can be born from the ash."
 
Sighing, Kallisto nodded. "As you like, Amarden. If we do decide to use this trap, would we be able to leave and return with extra allies without causing too much concern here in the Graveyard? Or an easier route over the wall? The skeletons that help guard this area, would we be at risk for attracting their attention in our battle?"
 
Graveyard of Bones:

"As long as you give a wide birth to the tower nothing should attack you, as for the wall you should use the western approach to avoid it. It does not encircle this place entirely. If you do bring some of the tribe here you need not fear harm from me, but I do not control the beasts within the boneyards. Most of the time they stay away from large groups, or are only curious at those wandering in. I'm sure you'll have little to fear from them," says Amarden as he lowers to the ground and begins to slide along the ground back to the undead ushering them back to the base of the tower. They wordlessly comply heading that direction and then taking up positions around the spiraling tower once more.
 
Watching Amarden shuffle the undead back to their positions, Kallisto bowed deeply toward him. "Truly Amarden, your knowledge is appreciated, and if you speak true of what that spire does, then your guardianship is as well. I know we have asked many things, but the only question I think I have left is how much blood and water is truly needed for the glyph so that we can make sure we have it with us. Are there any words that need to be spoken, or actions done to activate it?"
 
Bernard looked back to the rest of the party, "Leone, you might want to take a look at this glyph, both for its history and its future." He smiled easily before turning back to keep attention on the conversation between Amarden and Kallisto.

So the tower is a sort of protection, interesting. I'm surprised that Isaiah didn't try to use that book on this place, try to destroy the tower or raise a larger army. It's possible that he tried and failed. It seems the Graveyard is a better place to fight the serpent, fitting that they will both come to rest in the same place. I would be more comfortable if we could get the axe back as well... a bit of insurance. On the way back to the tribe, I should mention the bird call, it might be worth a shot to summon Ialay hoping she bears the axe. We might even be able to break her Geas and return her to her family.

Bernard blinked looking around and off to the west then back to Amarden.

Ahh, there is a way through the wall, and the size of the tribe along with the party, I doubt we'll have any trouble. Though I worry that means the same for the Great Serpent. It might be worth considering secondary traps. Either way we'll need to collect the Children of Blood and bring them back here before we spring the trap.
 
Graveyard of Bones:

"You need enough water to fill the base of the glyph, and a small cut to the hand or somewhere else will do," says Amarden gesturing to the glyph, and then back to the group. "There are no magic words, but once the blood hits the water she will come, and you will need to be ready. I wish you all luck on this endeavor."
 
Graveyard of Bones:

The battle was fast and vicious. Within moments eight sentient beings laid dead driven through a wall of thorns conjured up by the Daughter of the Swamp. The Great Serpent still came on, first having thrown a pillar of fire at the Angel of Shadow and the Son of the Swamp who seemed not even singed. After it broke through the wall of thorns, screams from behind it as something tried to hold her back for the briefest of moments. The Undying One turns to the Daughter of the swamp slamming a lightning bolt straight at her, but a hand reached out catching some of the energy. The rest of it coursed down her arm burning marks down her arm and leaving it smelling of burnt flesh. The Angel of Shadow's rushes forward and her wings seem to momentarily cause the Great Serpent to recoil. Frustrated at the ineffectiveness of her attack she misses the Lost One coming in with an attack from low, two jabs to her chest followed by a claw to her body. The Son of the Swamp came forward seeming to glow with an inner light as he blow landed felling the creature in a crash.

The Undying one rolled over reaching out with her body stretching towards the tower where it saw.... Tanar'lin...? Had she finally come to meet him once more at last here at the end? Tears flowed from her eyes at the sight of him. The figure shook his head disappearing from view. The Undying One now the One bound for Death tried to crawl forward towards the tower her blood flowing out and mixing with the glyph's bloody water.... "Tan....ar...lin..." she manages to utter.

Ahretakan is lost in her tears over Ialay holding her to her chest in a frantic embrace, and giving out the moan of only a woman who has lost her child could. Takatar after running off with another of the tribesmen to try and assist with the hydra instead comes back holding one of the heads as Violette confidently walks out in front of them to get a sign of the scene. She is smiling at first but upon noticing Ahretakan her face grows grim, the success of her own battle falling suddenly hallow in the wake of events.

As the Axe is brought back into Kallisto's care, it speaks once more with the same line it had said at the ball. "Would you like to kill some Evil Today?"
 
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As soon as Amarden called out that the serpent was on its way, Kallisto felt her anxiety build ... but once it finally arrived, the battle seemed over so quickly. The screams of the Children as they were forced through the wall ... the Serpent didn't even look back as the wall of thorns fell and they all laid crumpled on the ground.

Moving forward Kallisto felt a cold rage take over as she swung at the Serpent, Arissa's wings in the corner of her vision as Bernard stepped up to swing as well. Between their blows the Serpent fell, mumbling deliriously.

Numbly Kallisto felt the axe placed in her hands, the voice returning smugly as she watched the Serpent slowly crawl away. With a low growl she frowned as she responded to it, "Shut up." The weapon seemed amused at her response as she moved towards Al'ocktalel, dragging the axe behind her before she kneeled next to the head, its eyes staring off towards the distance.

In a soft tired voice, "I promised you rest. I keep my promises." Hearing Ahretakan wail in the background, Kallisto stood, raising the axe in the air before swinging it down with all her strength towards the Serpent's head. Feeling the crunch of the bone, watching the rest of the body rest limply, in Kallisto's mind she heard the satisfied noise of another taken by the axe.

Pulling the axe out of the Serpent, she placed the blade in the ground, leaning on it as she watched everyone else tiredly.
 
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