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

[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."

[aestrix]

"Oh, good. Don't worry, I'll hold the quiver steady," says Tamlen wryly.

[whatyoumayexpect]

Shiral grins at him and opens the door.

There is a bear on the other side. Shortly, it is a dead bear. Shiral steps carefully into the room to examine it. "Something is very wrong with this bear," she concludes. "Those spikes - they grew there. Naturally, if you can call it that. I think they're solid bone. I've never heard of anything that could do that to a living thing. I advise you not to touch it."

[aestrix]

"I wasn't planning to," agrees Tamlen. "That's. Not the definition of 'monstrous' I thought it would be, but now I don't blame the shemlen for running. Also my nightmares now have exciting new material."

There is not an exit, here. But there is a mirror. It's placed in the center of the room, and there are stairs leading up to it.

"... Right, so now I'm really confused as to how the monster bear closed the door. Or for that matter, opened it."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Yes... I don't like this," says Shiral. "I don't want to stay in this room any longer than we have to. Let me just check for hidden doors - after all those traps, I wouldn't be surprised to find one."

[aestrix]

"Yes," agrees Tamlen, eyeing the mirror. "That seems - ... does that say the word exit? Mm. No, 'depart.'"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"If the mirror was a hidden door, that would be amusing," she says, walking around the edge of the large circular platform where the mirror sits. "But I think it would take magic. Not that I'm willing to rule that out at this point. I do not, however, recommend trying to use it, hidden door or no."

[aestrix]

"I'm going to agree. But it seems worth checking. I'm not planning on touching the mirror, certainly. Any issues with me going up for a closer look?"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Hmm... be careful," she says. "But I trust your good sense. There aren't any pressure plates in the steps, at least. I wouldn't swear there's nothing hidden in the rest of that statue holding the mirror."

[aestrix]

"Right. No touching anything," agrees Tamlen. And then, slowly, carefully, he walks towards it and starts trying to read the writing.

".. Eyes? Sight. Mm, no, that implies with eyes, it's more of vision. That's disconcerting." Peer, peer, peer. "Oh. Yes. There it is, magic. I'm just going to back away now -"

[whatyoumayexpect]

"...Tamlen? I don't hear you backing away."

Shiral turns away from examining the wall and comes around to the front of the mirror again.

[aestrix]

"I. Can't actually seem to manage it," says Tamlen, only a faint quaver in his voice.

[whatyoumayexpect]

Well, that is just not allowed.

Shiral grabs Tamlen's arm and tries to haul him away from the mirror.

[aestrix]

He's hauled a step, and then stops.

"... The mirror's moving," he observes, faintly. "From the inside. We're being watched. Shiral. Do me a favor."

[whatyoumayexpect]

"Pick you up and carry you out of here?" she asks, although she doesn't believe that's what he meant. It's what she tries, nevertheless.

[aestrix]

"No. No, run. They're - the things outside, they're darkspawn. Go, please, now!"

He is, despite his protests, picked up.

[whatyoumayexpect]

"A lot of fucking use I am if I can't save my best friend from a magic mirror and some darkspawn," says Shiral, in that particular light playful voice she uses when everything has gone to hell and humour is her only recourse. The last time she talked like this, she was climbing out of a ravine with a broken leg. She turns to carry him out of the room.

The mirror—does something, as soon as Tamlen can't see it anymore. She wasn't looking; she can't tell what it was. All she knows is there's a flash of bright light and a terrible sound, and her vision blurs and her entire body hurts and she feels dizzy and weak and she grits her teeth and carries the now-unconscious Tamlen out into the corridor. She will fight her way past a band of darkspawn like this if she has to. And then carry him back to camp. She will.



She makes it as far as the elven statue before she collapses.