[IC]Secrets of the Fire Swamp

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 5:50 pm

"They captured me during the Chaos Moon..." the rat looks at the sky, but shakes his head. "I can't see the stars. A long time, I think."

The rat looks around, and gets somewhat agitated when it sees the markers, and points them out with a claw.

"A long time, yes-yes. I remember when those were new, to keep people out of the Containment Zone."

CapnTthePirateG · Post by **CapnTthePirateG** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:26 pm

"Containment zone? That sounds ominous. Care to elaborate?"

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Sun Nov 15, 2015 8:54 pm

"Well, it was an industrial magic area you understand - already a fair bit of magical pollution. Strange things wandered the marshes in those days, and still might. So the scaly bastards redistricted it for magical research, thinking there wasn't much else damage they could do there. One or two major dimensional rifts later and they figured out what a mistake that was. After they got the worst of the rips sealed, things were still a bit...dangerous. So they cordoned it all off. Figured it would wear off in a while."

The rat picks up a stick and idly shapes it into a small cane with its claws. "Hopefully, the worst of it's gone off. Things used to get a bit unnatural in there."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 2:41 am

"Do you know anything about that egg?" Archimedes asks the rat, pointing to the black egg surrounded by markers.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 10:42 am

The rat takes a gander at it. "Nope. That's a new one. Markers around it are a general 'Keep Out' though. Could be anything from toxic waste to a fragment of the divine. They had this funny thing about eggs in their religion: every now and again the head goddess was supposed to squat out an egg that made anyone who ate it a demigod. Very protective of those eggs, they were. Kinda taboo, really."

radthemad4 · Post by **radthemad4** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 8:43 pm

"Would they have to eat the entire egg, or would just a bite or two do?

By any chance, do you know anything about the 'Bone Mother'?"

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Mon Nov 16, 2015 11:50 pm

"Whole egg. Oh, BM? Is she still around? Used to be the most beautiful thing that didn't have scales on two legs, if you get what I mean. Serious swamp witch, too."

CapnTthePirateG · Post by **CapnTthePirateG** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 12:37 am

"The egg sounds like something we might want to take with us."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:10 am

"I'll grab the egg, if you guys promise to cover me while I go to get it," Archimedes says, glancing at Orr and Malagos. "I'm probably the best suited to carrying it."

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:14 am

The rat, still standing on his rear paws, leans on the little stick he carved with is claws. "Not for nothing, but the divine eggs were golden in color. That one's black. Also, it's on the inside of those markers, see? I don't know what it's about, but if you're going to grab it, I hope you don't mind if I keep a safe distance."

CapnTthePirateG · Post by **CapnTthePirateG** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:14 am

Malagos shrugs. "Make whatever preparations you must. My spells are ready."

radthemad4 · Post by **radthemad4** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 1:40 pm

"Wait just a bit." Orr will start blinking again and rest for 18 seconds. He'll then take to the skies and remain around 20 feet away from it, both horizontally and vertically.

"Go for it."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 2:16 pm

Archimedes takes a deep breath, flies over the egg, and attempts to pick it up. Then he'll fly as far away from the markers as possible, lest he triggers a trap.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 4:09 pm

Nothing untoward happens as Archimedes flies above the markers, and his hands clamp around the egg finds it smooth - a gentle tug shows it is not exactly heavy, but there is a kind of resistance to moving it. It seems to give, slightly, and then a great crack appears, and in half a heartbeat the shell comes apart in his hands, goo dripping from his fingers to sparkle oddly in the sunlight...

There is a soundless, colorless explosion.

The egg is gone, little more than blackened bits of shell on the ground, the inner side covered with a flaky yellow solid. Where once Archimedes was is now a statue of iron, perfect in his every detail.

The sudden increase in weight ends the half-minotaur's flight prematurely as he lands beyond the markers, iron hooves digging furrows into the soft ground.

radthemad4 · Post by **radthemad4** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 7:52 pm

To Archimedes, "Can you hear me? Can you move?"

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:50 pm

Archimedes will try moving and responding to Orr, trying to figure out exactly what just happened to him:
"...I think so?"

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 8:58 pm

The rat raises one furry eyebrow at his now metal companion, who seems to be clearly moving - albeit sluggishly - under his own power.

"Huh. Reminds me of a golem I met once."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Tue Nov 17, 2015 11:59 pm

"Is said golem in this swamp?" Archimedes asks, telepathically if his new form hinders his speech. If he wasn't made of iron, he'd raise an eyebrow.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 12:15 am

"Other side of the river. Used to be an idol, then the goddess died...long story."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 2:12 am

You said you'd offer your services as a guide, right?" Archimedes asks, attempting to snort for emphasis (which may be hindered by his shiny new body--I don't know). "Well, we should probably head to the Bone Mother's. We were on our way to meet her, but came across this shrine and decided to investigate. Could you take us?"

Archimedes pauses for a moment, looking down at himself again, and then to the rat. "Do you know what happened to me? You're the most knowledgeable about this place, after all," adding telepathically, "No offense," to the other party members (i.e. everyone present but the rat).

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 2:34 am

The rat's nose twitches. "Well, I know a few of her old haunts we can try. Mind," he points his little walking-twig at Archimedes, "It's soft ground. You'll have to be careful to keep on the trail. You hit a patch of quicksand and I can't pull you out of it."

CapnTthePirateG · Post by **CapnTthePirateG** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 3:00 am

Malagos snorts a little. "I doubt any of us could pull you out. I doubt we could pull you out all working together."

Malagos focuses, trying to remember if any of his wizardly knowledge could be useful.

radthemad4 · Post by **radthemad4** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 6:31 am

"I might be able to pull the sand out, but yeah, let's try to avoid that situation. Best if you walk in the back I think."

Darth Rabbitt · Post by **Darth Rabbitt** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 1:45 pm

"Good idea," Archimedes agrees. He flaps his wings in an attempt at flight, unsure if they are still capable of carrying his weight.

Ancient History · Post by **Ancient History** » Wed Nov 18, 2015 8:11 pm

It takes considerably more effort, but the enhanced strength granted by his new form allows the half-minotaur to get airborne - though his speed now appears to be halved.