video; un: feywild

[imperceptus]

[ It's your friendly neighborhood drow, hanging out somewhere in the jungle. He's idly tossing a dagger into the air, then catching it, then tossing, and so on. ]

Good evening, my friends.

[ He hasn't met nearly so many of Riverview's population as he'd like, but he's comfortable speaking warmly, casually, as though they've all known each other for years. He leans against a tall, mossy tree, eyes on the dagger as it glints in the low sun's light. ]

I happened to be doing a little light exploring, a little minor surveying ... and I came across something interesting. Ruins of some sort, absolutely emanating with mysterious power. I couldn't quite map the shape of the place, unfortunately--as soon as I began drawing near, the jungle came even more alive than usual. Even the lovely birds were angry with me.

[ He catches the dagger for the final time, then slides it into some unknown recess of his jacket. ]

Now, I am of humble merchant stock, but I can defend myself, if I must. I progressed as far as I dared, but something began to feel wrong. I heard voices--strange, incomprehensible chanting. I felt dizzy, woozy. I took the wise path and retreated.

[ He shakes his head. ]

But, before I escaped, I saw a few artifacts scattered through the underbrush, marking a haphazard trail into the ruins. I dared not take one, but they were all inscribed with a certain symbol.

[ He steps aside from the tree he's been leaning against. This symbol is carved into the bark. ]

Not sure what it means, but I have an uneasy feeling just looking at it.

[ He seems thoughtful for a second, then shakes his head. Brightens up. ]

Anyway! I would very much like to get to the bottom of this, but, as mentioned, I'm merely a merchant. My meager skill is not enough to overcome those ruins alone. Any help would therefore be appreciated.

And--one more thing. If you see this symbol anywhere in town, I'd turn around and walk away.

Comments

video | un: redpaladin

[tempredmental]

More ruins with weird energy? I'm getting the impression of a theme around here.

I haven't seen that symbol anywhere else, yet. Is that the only place you saw it?

[imperceptus]

Cults these days! Always leaving their decrepit compounds out for everyone to randomly stumble into.

[ He shrugs. ]

Not yet, but this place isn't too far from the city--and it clearly wasn't as abandoned as it looked.

[tempredmental]

You mentioned the forest seemed to not want you to get too close. What happened? Were you attacked?

[imperceptus]

I felt some kind of oppressive aura ... something disorienting, nausea-inducing. And then--

[ Pause for dramatic. ]

--then a squirrel lunged out of the foliage and bit my arm. Terrible!

[tempredmental]

[Keith debated his next words, and whether or not to take this seriously.]

You should get checked for rabies.

[imperceptus]

I didn't notice any foam, and I don't think I'm any madder than usual, so I expect that wasn't quite it.

But your concern is heartwarming.

[tempredmental]

[There was something about this guy that was bothering Keith a little, but he pushed past it.]

So, this place... that the squirrel tried to chase you away from... it had those symbols all over, yeah? Have you seen them anywhere else?

[imperceptus]

Scribbled all over the place. Trees, earth, rocks, and so on.

[ He shakes his head. ]

No ... but admittedly, I haven't been looking. Seems like now might be the time to start.

[tempredmental]

Yeah. If there are other places that can have them, maybe there's something in common between the places that we need to be careful of.

[imperceptus]

You think like a detective, darling. That will take you far.

[tempredmental]

Mm?

[Keith looked curious at the comment. He wasn't sure how to take that, but he supposed it was a good thing, since he mentioned going far. He nodded slightly.]

I guess so. I just feel like we should know more.

[imperceptus]

And so we soon shall!

[ While hopefully also not dying in the process, but reward means risk, right? ]

I noticed a stairwell some ways into the clearing, going down--I expect the bulk of the ruins are underground. That's where the answers are.

[ And that's why he needs viewers like you. ]

[tempredmental]

You're likely right about that.

[Keith frowned a bit.]

Were you thinking of going in?

[imperceptus]

I'm absolutely going in. Not now, of course, and not alone. But if I can appeal to local generosity, I'll put everything else together in a few weeks.

[tempredmental]

Well, if you need anyone, it sounds like something that could be interesting. There might be a hint about this place in there.

[imperceptus]

I'd be all too happy to have you.

[tempredmental]

Alright. Let me know when you get things going and I'll come along.