Log:Post-Apocalyptic Dwarves, Scene 7

Post-Apocalyptic Dwarves 2020/03/20 Ascendant Artemis Citlali Ellbeth Fauna Moonshadow Titan Thunder Liandere Palanir

7

Princess Liandere, the Undermoon ambassador to Earth, and her retinue, went missing while travelling via the now-longer route to Undermoon. So did the first search party. At that point the embassy requested assistance from heroes to rescue both those parties from whatever danger befell them.

The groups were found to have been ambushed while travelling though a relatively barren world, which proved to be a sort of post-apocalyptic wasteland resulting from nuclear and biological warfare by high-tech dwarves. They were themselves ambushed, and after a mighty battle were also captured, except for Moonshadow, who was ordered by Ghost to return Charm to Earth for safety.

The heroes were placed in a dungeon/deathrap: a room surrounded by magma. After another fight and a very close shave with magma they escaped by the extraordinary means of flying! the entire room out of the mouth of the volcano. But not without cost: Ghost, who did the astral scouting necessary to achieve this, is comatose.

The heroes are collecting themselves outside the gate of the underground city, which still holds the prisoners they came to rescue (and the gear taken from the heroes). Meanwhile, Moonshadow, having returned, tracked the dwarves to their city, and is now sneaking through their underground railway station into it. 

Exploring modern day Earth has been depressing for Citlali. To think that so many years had passed, and this was the best tech they could come up with. Sad. Truly sad. Having some some tech work for Riddersholm, it just wasn't the same. She was alone. Truly alone.. her people all gone. Only she remained, and she would remain forever.

But.. a call to go help others... elsewhere. Somewhere that wasn't this depressingly mundane place? YES! So having heard the call, she comes floating to the front gates of the Embassy.. offering her assistance in any way that she might be able to help.

Titan is sitting, holding Ghost. "Is there anyone here who can help her? This is...not something I can do anything about." He sighs. "Please?"

Fauna tries to wake Ghost in the only way she really understands. Licking face.

Ellbeth doesn't rush forward before scanning with mind walking to see who is at the site of the flying obsidian cube erruoting from a volcanic cone. "That's our people," she says. "Let's go."

Inside the city, where Moonshadow lurks, alarms are sounding. Armoured dwarves are hurrying in a certain direction.

Moonshadow will follow, still invisible, staying close to the ceiling.

Nodding her head, Citlali has made no secret of her own psionic abilities. It's difficult to what with both her and Ellbeth being not only psionc, but mentally aware. She just follows, skin energized defensively as she stands watch. I mean there's plenty more that could be done, if she had any idea what needed doing. So she stands guard and monitors communication frequencies.

Ellbeth opens a henge gate for Citlali and herself to travel to where the escaped heroes are. "Found you. Reinforcements reporting."

The face-licking is momentarily interrupted, but then resumes.

Titan's hair in untied now, and his clothing is pretty well shredded at this point, though not indecent. (Due to the comic code) He sits and slowly pets Ghost's head. As Ellbeth and Citlali arrive, he looks up. "We have a casualty. Ghost is comatose. I think her astral self might be elsewhere. Is there anything either of you can do?"

Moonshadow manages stealthily to reach where the guard are converging. There, they have surrounded Palanir - who has a sword in one hand and the other around a bound Princess Liandere. He and the dwarves are arguing in their strange tongue.

"In previous eras, we had astral specialists. But alas, I am not among their number." offers Citlali with a shake of her head. "Are you skilled in such things?" she asks, turning to regard Ellbeth.

Ellbeth shakes her head. "I have some theoretical knowledge but no practical skills relevant to that."

Titan nods sadly, "Then...we should probably get her back to the embassy, I guess? I'm not sure what else to do."

Titan sounds significantly less sure of himself than he usually does.

Moonshadow switches her cloak from Shadow Wings (Flight) to Shadow Gate (XDM), and touches Liandere lightly on the shoulder (Not where Palanir is touching her). She whispers to Liandere, "Come with me if you want to leave."

Sighing Citlali asks, "Can you scan for her consciousness at least?" she asks. "Perhaps that will enable you to communicate with her." While she does not have such skills, psionics were the norm for her people. "At least we could verify whether it is in this realm before we leave it."

The argument seems to reach some conclusion. Palanir puts his sword away - and touches something on his belt while he does so. A swirling orange light suddenly appears and starts growing to envelop him and the princess.... At this exact instance Liandere tries to pull away from Palanir, as hard as she can under the circumstances. The dwarves, surprised, haven't fired quite yet....

Titan shakes his head and says to Citlali, "I certainly can't. I...well, punch things. My abilities are pretty much limited to that."

Moonshadow attempts to bring Liandere back to Steinburg tower with her, just as she did before with Charm.

Ellbeth turns to Citlali, "I already have. There's nobody home in there." Ellbeth points to Ghosts head.

"That is not what I meant. Can you -scan- for her consciousness in the area?" asks Citlali. She shrugs, "I know it is a large task. But is it even possible?"

Ellbeth shakes her head again, "As I mentioned I do have some theroretical knowledge. The Astral plane is separate but adjacent to the material plane we exist on. I cannot scan across planes. Sorry."

A soft 'ah' comes from Citlali's mouth as she shakes her head. "If we relocate her body, how will her Astral self find her?" she asks softly.

The Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx floats nearby, arms wide as he relishes his freedom once more.

Eventually he drifts back towards Titan and the others.

"Aye- you punch things magnificently! Like Regiel the Mountain risen amongst the Tauborn!" He says appreciatively.

"Take heart Titan of Hollywood, we shall revive your stalwart maiden no doubt." He adds confidently.

Moonshadow pulls Liandere from Palanir grasp before his portal can competely form, transporting her back to Earth - to the Traveler's Base in Steinburg Tower. There is massive resistance, but she persevere, slumping to the ground exhausted when they finally reappear.

Charm fogets herself in the moment."Grandmother!" she rushes to Liandere's side - then knees by Moonshadow. "Are you hurt?!"

Artemis has been quietly brooding, staring at the gates where her lost weaponry is. She only just now returns to the main group to realize something is wrong. "She still slumbers? Or has her spirit journeyed to Hod's Halls and beyond?"

Titan says to Artemis, "I think her astral self is...elsewhere. I dont' really know enough about it. Apparently no one here does. But I'm worried that if we take her back to the embassy that she won't wake up again."

Moonshadow takes a few seconds to catch her breath (2 phases recovering), then attempts to untie the Princess.

The princess's bonds will probably take some excellent cutting equipment. Or a top-notch lockpick. Still, there must be something that will cut them somwehere in the tower...

Artemis reaches gently to pat Titan's shoulder in consolation if he allows it. "Then we shall not leave until her spirit is recovered."

Liandere seems a bit out of it. Drugged as well as in magic-resistant bonds? They really weren't taking chances with her.

"Aye. We shall wait as long as is required." The Ascendant says firmly.

Titan doesn't try to shrug off Artemis's comfort. "We still need to rescue the other prisoners. I'm sure she wouldn't want us just...waiting her indefinitely while they were in danger."

The vast city get remains cold and silent. Have the dwarves perhaps not discovered the escape, yet?

Artemis nodding firmly. "She would want you to do your duty, then. Perhaps we can find a safe place to let her rest while we rain terrible fury upon them. They took your princess. Attacked us and took us prisoner. Insult atop injury. This shall not stand! So rise, Friend Titan, and let Ghost's sacrifice have meaning!"

"Well, I can stand watch over her while the rest of you do what you came here to do." suggests Citlali. "If that would help."

Titan doesn't move to get up. "I...feel like I should stay with her. This...feels like my fault."

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx divine forms glistens majestically in just about ny light, but the high radiation environment seems to have set his godly form ablaze. He seems uneffected by the dangerous conditions.

Artemis ponders Titan's inaction in such a case, wondering if she would do the same. She didn't in Bethran's case. "If that be your wish, Friend Titan. We shall forge ahead to retrieve your stolen princess." She turns to Norhbor. "Are you with me, Brother?" she asks, still injured, now unarmed, but ready to fight.

"You are far more useful in the fight to save the princess than I Titan." suggests Citlali. "If you allow me to stand guard over her, then you will be able to do what it is she came here -to- do. What would she wish you to do?"

Ellbeth tells Titan, "I shall stand watch over your fallen companion. I am told we are against dwarves? Those hard headed beings are immune to many of my powers. You will be needed. I can be spared."

Titan closes his eyes and hugs Ghost. He then nods slowly to Citlali, "You're right. I'll leave her in your care." He gently puts Ghost down and he stands up, "Palanir is going to pay."

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx pensively looks towards the city. His fingertips roil with the ghastly flames of his soulbrand as if he were just waiting to call his weapon into being.

"Aye! Let us charge a mighty tax and break Palanir with the toll seized!" He says excitedly.

Titan looks at Nohrbor, "You sound like a Shakespearean actor. You know that, right?"

"Ah! I thank you, Titan of Hollywood. As I walked the Earth I found much solace in the works of that particular playwright." Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says gleefully. "But perhaps another form and tone will strike fear into the hearts of these tiny mortals. Pray tell, what is it these Dwarves fear most?" He inquires curiously.

Titan smiles slightly, "I have no idea. But I know what they'll fear in the future."

"Ha! HA! Well said Titan of Hollywood! Let us tarry no longer so we might strike the fear of Gods into these lowly Mortals!" The Ascendant laughs boisterously before flying up a bit higher and towards teh city.

The flames lap at his hands faster and spread out, forging his spear into being right then and there.

Titan shakes hsi head, "There were other prison cells in the volcano. That's our target."

"Ah. I suppsoe you are right. WHat glory would there be in taking the city without our allies?" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says as someone gives him a reasonable next step. "Then let us fly and bring freedom to hese shackled hearts!" He exclaims, banking and flying otwards the volcano once more.

Artemis is eager that they're off to battle again. She hovers off the ground, but waits as Titan names their target. "Then we shall go forth to the Volcano once more."

As you start moving toward the city, a smaller gate, high above the huge main gate, opens...

... and half a dozen small craft fly out of the gate!

Inclining her head, Citlali glances upwards, "That is disconcerting." she mutters as she gestures, lifting Ghost's body and placing it somewhere with a modicum of cover.

"It seems our compatriots will ahve to wait a bit longer." Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says. "Perhaps it might be best if you all hurry. I shall attempt to divert them." Nohrbor says flying straight for the small craft without a further word, his soulbound weapon pointed ahead of him fiercely.

The craft begin spreading out - they look increasingly like drones on a search patten. Looks like your escape has been noticed!

Only two of the craft pose the risk of spotting the heroes immediately, as the others fly off in different directions.

Ellbeth quickly uses a digging ability to create a hiding place for Ghost, herself, and anyone else who wants to employ it.

One of the drones has apparently spotted the obsidian cube, which the heroes are no longer close to - it flies directly for it.

Artemis looks about for a boulder or something to use as a makeshift weapon.

Fauna once more becomes MegaFauna, carefully placing her massive feet away from the others so they don't get tramplified, stepping away from them to smash the flying pests!

Lowering Ghost into the hole Ellbeth made, Citlali stands at the lip. She will defend it rather than dive in and hide. But for now, she is a reserve force. She's not a heavy duty combatant after all.

Ascendant charges the nearest drone thats safely away from MegaFauna's massive strikes. He pulls his arm back and hurling a his soulspear at it. As soon as it leaves his hand it fades from view as it slides through the astral plane towards his target.

Fauna swats the one drone from the sky with ease: built for agility, not strength, it still isn't fast enough to avoid one so big!

The city is actually *inside* the volcano. The dungeons are at the back end of the city, near the heart of the volcano. (There are stoneworks to ensure that any lava flow will be directed away from the gates.)

Titan sees the others engaging the drones...and since he's not exactly a fast flier, he starts heading toward the volcano. He could leap there quicker, but he needs time to process things, too.

Titan sighs. Maybe they could negotiate for the release of everyone? Well, except Palanir, if he's now held.

The Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx summons his Soulbound Spear once again and charges the big gate straight away, looking for a dwarf to sway into his service.

The huge gate remains closed. No dwarf is visible outside.

Titan says to the others, "Rather than fight our way in...perhaps we should head to the door and...speak with them? If they would actually parley?"

Artemis feels the urge to follower her Bloodbound in battle, but he did it to be a distraction. She turns to Titan. "They attacked us first. And I assume did so with the Princess. You can try, but I doubt they will listen." She hefts up one of the boulders. "But very well. Let us try to parlay." With a boulder.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx bangs on the gate, likely out of earshot of Titan's much better idea. "HEAR ME MORTALBORN! SEND OUT YOUR STRONGEST WARRIOR TO FACE ME IN SINGLE COMBAT OR I SHALL RAZE YOUR CITY OR DIE TRYING UNTIL YOUR SUN FADES AWAY!"

Other drones turn to find out what happened to the first. But are easily swatted by Fauna.

Titan sighs a bit as he hears Nohrbor. He also lands nearby, and he calls out, "We wish to discuss the release of your prisoners! There are those among us who would like to tear your city down, but it does not need to come to that!"

An amplified voice comes from somewhere above you. "We are not fools, fae-friends. This city has withstood nuclear attacks. While you are outside and we are in, what threat do you pose?"

Titan takes a deep breath, "We have recently escaped from your prison through the volcano! We could, if we wished, bring the entire mountain down! From the inside! I do not wish to do so, but we are more of a threat than you realize!"

"CHALLENGE ME IN HONORABLE COMBAT YOU DWARVEN CURS!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx demands as he paces outside the large gate, at least until Titan speaks up.

He would protest, but honor demands that he heed the harmed in their time of need.

He falls silent until the voice speaks.

The he laughs. "Fools!" He exclaims. "YOU FACE ONE BEYOND MORTAL BIRTH! BEYOND YOUR LIMITATIONS! FREE OF FORM & FEAR! You would do well to send your champion out posthaste or I will haunt you for all of your days and a half dozen generations more if your people can stand so long! Heed me or heed the Mighty Titan of Hollywood- otherwise we will soldier through!"

There's a *long* silence. Then the voice says, "Very well. Let us talk."

Titan nods slowly, "We would like only two things. And we will then depart! We would like you to release the fae prisoners you captured from Undermoon! They did not know you had territory here, and blindly wandered into your home! Secondly, we would like to see Palanir brought to justice! But the prisoners are the more important point!" ....for now.

MegaFauna ceases the smashing of drones, but moves further away from the others. Just in case she falls over.

Again, there is silence for a moment. Then, "I must seek counsel. Await my answer."

Titan nods again curtly. "Very well! We shall wait!"

Titan turns to Nohrbor, and says more quietly, "That's a very good 'bad cop' you are playing. Well done."

Time passes...

The Ascendant Bloodlit smiles at Titan. "Why thank you Titan of Hollywood! Perhaps when this is done you can tell me more of this game!" He replies happily, leaning against his soulspear.

Artemis raises a brow at the playing comment. She opens her mouth to say something, then thinks better of it and closes her mouth. She cannot tell a lie and may ruin their parlay.

The voice returns. "Why should we give you what you ask? You are trespassers. And we are safer from the fae, and surer they will not return, if we hold hostages!"

Titan claps Nohrbor on the shoulder, "Absolutely. We should also discuss being careful about endangering more vulnerable people around you." He then turns back to the door. "Teh further expeditions came exactly BECAUSE you held the prisoners! I guarantee that if you continue to hold their royalty, you won't convince them to leave you alone! You will have war!"

Titan adds, "And that war would start in the next five minutes! So...tell me, why should you NOT give us what we ask for?! You're already the cause of my lover being in a coma! I will bring your entire city down myself if I have to!"

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx looks to Titan as if he suspects play time may be coming to a clsoe.

He nods at Titan and lets the man speak to the voice. He seems like he's got thing sunder control.

Ascendant hears some arguing among the dwarves in the background, though the main speaker says merely, "What terms do you suggest?" Some seem worried that Titan might make good on his threat. But it's the voice that says, "Nuke them now!" that might cause worry.

"It seems they'd like to 'nuke' us." Nohrbor says excitedly. he clearly doesn't know what that means.

Titan raises a brow. "The terms would be...you let the prisoners leave with us, and then we take a message back to Undermoon to guarantee you are not disturbed again by them! If you wish to also give up Palanir, we would take him as well to face justice, but that is secondary!"

"And how can we trust you?" says the voice.

"Like burritos?" Artemis asks. The question just sounds wrong coming from her, but the only context she knows of nuking is from Ivan: Worst guide to humanity ever.

Titan tilts his head, "If we wanted to attack you, we already would be doing so! Why would we warn you?!"

"Perhaps you are trying to stall!" suggests the voice. "While you prepare the real attack. Or perhaps you wish us to invite you in to negotiate!"

"You'd only thin our numbers and not even by half!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx laughs boisterously. "Imagine half a dozen Immortals weaving their way through our tunnels. We'll always rise again! I say bring this nuke and let us be done with the charade. We give these mortals too much leeway!" He says angrily.

MegaFauna takes a couple of steps toward the massive gates, looking them over but not yet reaching for them.

"Your companion shows your true intent!" says the voice, at Ascendant's words. "You are less trustworthy even than Palanir was!"

Titan rubs hsi forehead, "I can fly into the volcano, and be fine! Why would I bother to wait for you to let us in?! I understand that you're distrusting, but I assure you, if we attacked, the group of us would be THE attack. I certainly don't need to distract you."

Titan sighs. "You're clearly not going to trust me, apparently. What kind of assurance are you looking for?!"

Titan shakes hsi head, "We...would wait out here, for you to send the prisoners out! WE don't really want to go back inside!"

"Titan of Hollywood speaks true! We Godflora have come seeking Hod's Light- it is thee who have besmerched our honor on thsi day! Not the other way 'round!" NNS Exclaims.

"No. We will not trust you, outsiders," agrees the voice.

Titan folds his arms and tries a different tactic, "You...are afraid to trust us? I'm surprised to see dwarves acting so cowardly."

MegaFauna sits down in front of the gates.

"Have they shown us anything other than their bellies, Titan of Hollywood?!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx asks before laughing.

Titan just hears a mechanical sound - like something opening, and a faint alarm sound when it does so.

Titan looks to the others, "Did you hear that? There was like...a door opening? And an alarm?"

"Perhaps the Dwarves sound the alarm for their submission?" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx asks ignorantly.

"I hear...weapon ports opening. Large ones," Artemis comments.

MegaFauna moves to open the front gates.

"Two of them," Artemis adds.

Titan nods. "So, they're going to try to nuke us? Fine." He shouts at hte door, "You made your choice! Remember that!" He takes off, flying upward toward the top of the volcano.

"Can you tell where?" NNS asks his Bloodbound Sister.

And then the rockets engines begin to roar...

At the call by Titan, Ellbeth creates a barrier across the top of the pit, and adds a Sphere of Protection enclosing those in the pit.

Nohrbor flies straight for a nuke.

Artemis flies after her brother. There are two missiles she hears, after all. She'll try for the other one.

MegaFauna takes hold of the immense door, braces herself for an unreasonably powerful pull, and enacts the first of her two ideas.

Artemis points out to the missile bays. "There they are!" she warns.

First, there is silence as MegaFauna grips the gate's left side door. Then, a roar heard throughout the city and for many miles as the gate tears from its twin, and in MegaFauna's arms. With a snort, she begins walking away with it.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryxh hears the meat sheared from its place. "Surely we can prove our superiority now, Titan of Hollywood?! How much more must we endure for the sake of these tiny egos?" He inquires, lapping at the threat of violence the way flames lap at dry wood.

Some dwarves are outright parlysed with fear. And none that heard that are unmoved...

Titan hadn't gotten far when the door is opened by Fauna. He stops, "I guess we see waht they decide now?"

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx broils in his own skin.

Shortly beyond the huge gate is the first of a series of huge halls, leading back into the mountain. Though each has doors. they are open, and the first three halls can be seen clearly.

MegaFauna steps away from the gate that remains with her prize half-gate, resting it on the ground in front of her like a giant spade. Or shield. She just stares at the dwarven city exposed now, and her body language speaks of relaxation.

Meanwhile, the missiles, rising into the air, quickly turn toward the gate of the city....

Titan sighs as he sees the missiles rising. "Oh good. I guess they wont' be able to call them off, either." He grows and flies toward one of them, hoping to catch it before it can explode. Though the odds are poor if they move as fast as a normal missile.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx flies towards the nearest missle, planning ot impact with it before it can affect his friends

The good news is... the warhead is separated from the detonator, and falls harmlessly to Earth. The bad news is that the main body of the missile is knocked off course - straight twaord Citlali...

The other nuke keeps on toward the gate...

But at the last moment, self-destructs.

Hearing the missiles launch, Citlali turns her head. She sees them aiming for the direction her friends went in. Her eyes narrow. "Keep her safe." she says as she strides closer and takes aim. She takes a couple seconds to line up her shot, and then a golgen yellow burst of power erupts from her eyes, lancing out and striking one of the missiles.

And then.... "You have got to be kidding me." she mutters as she sees the results. But she glances back to Ellbeth and Ghost before she nods to herself and launches into the air to charge at the missile. She charges up her skin and the impact is pretty crazy. The aftermath shows a destroyed missile, and Citlali buried in a small crater... with an unconscious ancient Citlali... still moving a little bit.

MegaFauna stands ready to intercept the second missile, but then finds she has no need to do something about it. Another snort, and her gaze returns to the city she can see.