Eluvian

[aestrix]

This isn't their forest. Well, it is, but it's further west than the clan's ever gone before, and it's got Tamlen twitchy. Because he doesn't know these woods. Because anyone could be lurking around the corner, ready to cause trouble at their camp, or drive them away entirely. He's got his hunting partner, though, so the odds are heavily in their favor that they'll spot anyone that comes within two miles, but it still makes him a bit nervous, not knowing everything about this part of the forest.

Within two miles, there are: three shemlen, running for their lives. Following them, there is a bear. Tamlen isn't aware of this, but his hunting partner might be able to figure it out.

Comments

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I don't know what it was doing in that cave," says the second human, shuddering. "It came after us and we ran."

"Yes," says Shiral. "You may continue running, if it pleases you."

The second human correctly interprets this suggestion before either of his friends, and says "Th-thank you!" and tugs on a sleeve to get his companions going. Shiral watches and listens to make sure they're not headed on a path that will take them anywhere near the elves' camp, and then goes back to examining the stone.

"This cave sounds very interesting," she says. "Want to have a look?"

[aestrix]

"It seems fascinating," agrees Tamlen. "Written Elvish. Should we tell the Keeper before we go, or go now in hopes of beating the bear back to its den?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"If we beat the bear back to its den, it will have us cornered there," she points out. "And I'm not convinced bears are the only danger in that place. One of those shemlen had a fragment of spiderweb clinging to his sleeve. But we might as well find the cave before telling anyone about it."

[aestrix]

"Fair," he snorts. "The Keeper would just say, 'Shiral, take Tamlen with you to carry the quiver while you find the cave, then come back and tell us about it' anyway."

He says this with affection. He's well aware which one of them's pulling more weight here, and he is completely fine with it.

[whatyoumayexpect]

She grins. "You're slightly more useful than that, Tamlen."

[aestrix]

"I know," he says brightly. "But the point remains."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes. All right. This way."

She hands him back the stone with writing on it and heads off in the direction the humans came from.

[aestrix]

Tamlen follows, switching between checking the surrounding area for anything that Shiral hasn't spotted (unlikely, but worth the effort) and trying to read the writing on the stone.

"I think," he pronounces, "that one word on it says the word 'sun.' Also another possibly says either 'lobster' or 'pearl' but I can't figure out which."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"See? You hold the quiver and decipher ancient writings," she says. "That must be the cave up ahead. I smell spiders. Bear, too, sort of."

[aestrix]

"I think the Keeper or the First could do a better job of deciphering, but thank you. 'Sort of'? Sort of in what way?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"In... an unfamiliar way. The shemlen called it 'monstrous'; I'm less and less inclined to doubt them."

[aestrix]

"... Diseased? Sick and monstrous from pain?" muses Tamlen. "Or monstrous from - some sort of other source, such as magic? Do you know?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I can't tell for certain, just from a bear that smells odd," she says. "But I think whatever is wrong with it goes beyond ordinary sickness."

[aestrix]

"That makes me nervous." Tamlen pockets the stone, and looks around suspiciously. Nope, no bears, but it couldn't hurt to look.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"I don't think it's nearby. It may have gone back into the cave, or it may be out wandering."

She stops at the cave entrance and peers in past tangles of dying thornbushes.

"Cheerful place," she remarks.

[aestrix]

"Very. Let's move the entire camp here, invite the shems for a party, maybe."

There's a sound. It's not a good sound. Like some sort of warped creature that's mocking sentient life.

Tamlen goes utterly silent. Obviously he heard the sound. He makes a little nervous hand motion that asks, 'Time to go?'

[whatyoumayexpect]

Shiral nods sharply, and turns away from the cave entrance—

And stops.

"Whatever made that noise, it's got us surrounded," she murmurs. "Two back the way we came, and another three at least to the south... either they know we're here, or that's just how they travel... wearing armour, leather and chainmail, and I just heard someone unsheath a blade. Giant cave spiders and monstrous bears seem pleasant in comparison. Let's get in the cave."

[aestrix]

Tamlen nods.

"Should we set a trap, if they follow us in...?" he proposes under his breath.

[whatyoumayexpect]

She gives him a quick smile, nods, and then leads him into the cave.

There are giant cave spiders, but the giant cave spiders aren't much of a threat to two accomplished Dalish hunters with bows. Once or twice, Shiral warns Tamlen not to step on a particular square of floor - apparently they're not the only ones who have set traps here. And it is indeed a proper ruin - the walls and floor and ceiling are all finished stone, no rough cave walls to be seen.

[aestrix]

One of Tamlen's strengths is his ability to actually listen to other people. He doesn't step on any squares that Shiral warns him against.

"Since this is a ruin, it stands to reason that there might be another exit. It's worth looking for, don't you think?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes," she agrees. "I don't hear the armoured creatures coming in after us, but it's possible they're moving quietly and haven't met any spiders yet."

[aestrix]

"Mm. Okay. Let's get moving, then."

They get moving. There's a statue of a god, which Tamlen notes and mentions, but doesn't linger on. They can come back later and study the place, but right now - get out of here before the whatever-those-were come.

And eventually, they come across a door. On the other side, is a bear.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"There is a bear in that room," Shiral notes. "The sick one. I'm impressed that it managed to close the door after it... and there's another trap in the floor here, too. Although a bear coming this way wouldn't tend to step in the center of that raised circle, so that much at least is explained."

[aestrix]

"Maybe it came in through another entrance, and didn't bother with the door at all," proposes Tamlen. "That could be our way out."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"It's possible. Doesn't explain everything, but it's possible. Well, let's disturb a sick bear, then."