Log:Post-Apocalyptic Dwarves, Scene 1

Post-Apocalyptic Dwarves 2020/02/07 	 Ascendant Artemis Charm Fauna Ghost Moonshadow Titan Thunder Vanasse Firebeard The Mountain Stoutheart Stick-in-the-Mud

1

A call has gone out for (discreet) help from the Undermoon Embassy, on HeroNet.

Things have been pretty quiet for the Princess Guard as of late, and Titan has been working on another movie as a result. Thankfully he has some time off to be able to fly out to the embassy and see what he can do to help. He lands outside of the embassy and then heads inside.

Moonshadow arrives unseen, thanks to her Lunar Eclipse spell, becoming invisible once inside.

Ghost was actually on vacation because things were so quiet. She was traveling on Earth. Seeing the sights and wonders of the planet. A call from the Embassy has her hurrying back post haste.

When Ghost arrives, Moonshadow waves to the World's Biggest Tipper.

Moonshadow gets the sense the guards saw her and let her pass anyway.

Thunder, while not the most suitable, can't just refuse a call for help. He ends up at the Embassy and asking about the call at least. If he gets pointed in, he gets pointed in. The teenage hero, well... he's still a teenager.

The Mistress of Discretion, Artemis was already planning on exploring what Undermoon has to offer. Namely in the fae wine and alcohol division. She's looking for something strong enough to gut punch her considerable constitution so she can acquire booze to repay a debt to a favored friend. What better time to do so than when there may be a quest at hand! It takes a few times to get directions to the land of Undermoon. She arrives at the Embassy much earlier than planned with her Bloodbound Brother, Nohrbor, and they already somehow managed to procure several samplings of Fae Wine in the process before finally showing up to the arranged location at the arranged time. "Friend Titan! Have you heeded the call as well!" she calls out merrily as she sees him, wine goblet in hand already. She makes herself at home everywhere she goes.

The heroes are directed to an audience chamber, where they are met, not by the ambassadoe, Princess Liandere, as might be expected, but by Vanasse, who is most known as a translator and language teacher. She also happens to be a high-ranking member of the nobility.

Charm joins the other heroes at the gathering.

Ghost moves to stand by Titan's side. Waits to hear what events has caused her to be recalled.

Fauna had heard from her legal guardian that she might be of some use, and the moment she arrives she changes her style of dress to fit. She offers a quiet chirp to Nohrbor from very close by, the most familiar of the showing faces, quietly sounded as she notes the setting.

"Hail Titan of the Screens Silver!" Nohrbor says, lifting his goblet in salute to the man as well as a bottle floats behind him patiently. He takes a deep drink as he glides, looking for a suitable place to roost to endure this call to arms & get to the part any galactic gladiator would be looking forward to- well besides the drinking. That of course is proving thine mettle in glorious combat for a worthy cause!

Titan smiles as he sees Ghost, "Hey there..." Only to have that greeting cut off by Nohrbor's shouting. He turns and waves to Nohrbor as well.

Thunder looks perhaps a bit out of place, but gives a half-wave at Fauna before he looks to the others around, then to Vanasse when greeted. "Hello. I understand there was a call for help? I was looking at HeroNet at the time."

Vanasse, politely ignoring the uncouthness of certain gladiators, says. "Thank you all for coming. What I am about to say cannot be made public, at least until this matter is resolved."

"As you may well know, when the worlds were realigned in resolution of the disaster set in motion by the reckless actions of certain dwarves, the way between Undermoon and Earth was disrupted. It took some time to find new paths, and longer still to find good paths, back to Undermoon."

Artemis swirls the wine in her goblet, sips, and listens.

"If only if it were so easy for we of the Shining City to wander home..." The Ascendant Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says before taking another drink from his goblet. Drained he holds his hand to teh side and the bottle leaps into action, refilling his cup with the heady ambrosia.

Moonshadow says, "One might guess, from the gathering here, that some of those paths are not as safe as desired?"

Vanasse continues, "Indeed. We have had two reasonably serviceable ways for a couple of months now. One passes through five worlds, but is relatively short. The other is longer, although it passes through only three worlds."

Titan nods slowly as he listens, but doesn't interrupt.

"Eight days since, Princess Liandere was travelling to Undermoon with half a dozen guardsmen. They were taking the longer route, because that passes through unpeopled worlds only, and is therefore considered safer. They never arrived - at least, so messages from Undermoon indicated. On receiving this news, much of the force of the embassy - mages and guardsmen - set out on a rescue mission. Three days have passed, and they too have not returned."

Artemis commiserates with Nohrbor's words with a drink, momentarily homesick. It's a fleeting feeling.

Ghost gasps in shock.

"And so, I turn to you, heroes of this world: will you, with your uncanny powers, help us bring our princess and our forces back to safety?"

Moonshadow bows, "Such powers as I have, are at your disposal."

Charm says nothing. She knew the situation already, and has been trying hard to conceal how worried she is.

Titan nods slowly. "I am willing to help as well. We'll need someoen to help us follow the same path, of course."

Nohrbor is quickly on his feet now that the call for adventure has been called. "Fear not, Noble Faebloods! We, the /Mighty/ Godflora of Beta Orionis will heed your call and rush to the aid of princesses fair & warriors bold!" He lifts his goblet and downs that one too because how else do you accept a noble challenge?

Ghost drops to one knee, "I am pledged to ther Royal House. I shall return with the Princess or not at all." she tells Vanasse.

Now the time for drink has ended. Well, one more! Artemis drains her goblet as well, not yet feelign the affects. "As my Bloodbound has vowed, so too shall I."

From Fauna, the sound of a wolf's bark comes. Eager, but not entirely certain. Still, eager!

Titan smiles slightly as he sees not one...but three people immediately pledge like King Arthur himself is in the room.

"The one you call Charm will be going with you, and has skill enough as a worldwalker to show you the way. Our best worldwalkers, alas, went missing with the last party."

Charm nods to identify herself to those who may not know her.

Thunder considers, then nods. "I can go. It's the weekend and all, so no trouble. Unless you think this will take weeks or days?" He looks at the others, then shrugs. "What? I still got school."

"Thank you all," says Vanasse. "I give charge of the mission now to the Princesses' Guard, who, I am sure, are more expert on such matters than am I."

Ghost stands. Nudges Titan lightly in the ribs. "That's you, Field Commander." she says quietly.

"Time matters not to the Godflora," Artemis assures, completeing ignoring her day job issues as Althea Constantine, Paralegal assistant at Wolfram and Wolfram.

Titan glances to Ghost, "I had figured you would take over on this one. But...okay. I guess..if we already know the path taken, then let's get going. No time to waste."

Charm says, "The path starts under the bridge, as the old one used to. But it leads somewhere else now: to what appears to be one of the worlds lost in the Dragon Wars."

Fauna is soon at Charm, proffering hand after lifting her chin to show her necklace. It's merely the first. She stops at each person she does not yet know or recall introducing herself to. Ghost, Titan, Thunder, each are supplied with a similar greeting.

Ghost asks Vanasse, "Are there any recent reports as to the whereabouts and activities of War Leader Palanir, your Grace?"

Vanasse frowns. "There are not. And yes, I fear his hand may be behind this, though I have no solid ground for believing it is so."

Titan nods to Fauna and smiles. "Umm...Nice to meet you. I'm Johnathan Vasilikos. Also known as 'Titan'."

Ghost likewise acknowledges Fauna's introduction, "I'm know as Ghost. Thank you for assisting."

Fauna's legs change to something resembling that of a cat, leaping to match head level with Titan for a brief instant before gravity takes hold and she lands with a chirp sound, grinning playfully. For Ghost, there is no bounce, but a chirp is provided. Same bird, slightly different pitch.

Ghost whispers to Titan, "This isn't really a Princess Guard mission. I don't know most of these heroes. You do."

Charm says, "Are we ready to go?"

Artemis smiles as she notices the chirping Fauna. "Hello, Wild Youngling." She sets her goblet aside just anywhere, prepared to go at a moment's notice.

Titan nods to Charm, "I'm all set. Let's get going."

Nohrbor listens carefully now that they have something specific to do and awaits the not-quite-Mortals/Urthers to decide who will be leading the charge. He knows he and his Bloodbound are ready to ride out already, plus they even have an extra bottle. With any luck, upon a successful quest there might be more proper tribute offered the Godflora.

"Aye, let us depart." The Ascendant says boldly.

Charm curtseys to Vanasse and withdraws, leading the heroes out of the embassy and back over the bridge.

Presenting a smile to Artemis, Fauna brings her recorder to hand, and plays a gentle tune suitable to marching but not heard on this Earth before.

Thunder nods, "Unless we need supplies or the like, I'm good here." He gives a bow towards Vanasse, then moves to follow the others. Notably his bow is more martial artist with his hands at the side before he turns to the others. He offers a hand towards Titan once he gets caught up, "I don't think we've met? I'm called Thunder."

Charm says, "If you need any supplies, I am sure they could be provided."

Moonshadow says, "I can help there."

Thunder looks considerate, "Oh, and magic sword. I can teleport with it or cut things really well. Teleport's only long distances, I think?"

Artemis prior to departure, Artemis asks, "Have you weapons for the Hunt? In case we hunger for a fresh kill along the way? A bow and arrow, a skinning knife, mayhaps?"

Charm goes and requests these, and such supplies are soon found.

Once the heroes are suitably provisioned, Charm leads them across and then under the bridge, where a mist seems to have settled.

Titan nods at Thunder's explanation. "Ah. Gotcha. Thanks." He then follows Ghost's suggestion. "I'm...strong. I can fly. Nearly impossible to knock out. And I can...apparently grow to be about eight meters tall, if necessary."

Ghost summons up a Lesser Earth Elemental to carry the supplies so the heroes are not burdened. And as the LEE has plenty of carry capacity left over, she ridesw on its shoulder. Saves walking.

Fauna looks at Titan in bemused awe, her song uninterrupted but her genuinely happy smile growing.

Charm says, "I am an artist, and sway emotions, especially with my playing."

Charm says, "Hold hands, lest you go astray as we step between worlds."

Moonshadow says, "I am Laurel Talbot, also known as Moonshadow. I'm a Sorceress, with spells that deal with light and shadow, or are moon-themed."

Moonshadow grasps the nearest hand, which happens to be that of the LEE.

Fauna's song is interrupted! Her hand closes around Charm's, her grip gentle at first, then firming. Clasping recorder to her waist loop, she offers her other to be taken by someone.

Ghost directs the LEE to lightly rest a hand on Titan's shoulder. She repeats, "Lightly!"

"Oh, is this the time where we share ourselves?" Artemis realizes as the others start talking about their skills. She offers out her hands to whoever's near her and holds on as they go through.

Titan takes a hold of someone else's hand. He looks over at Artemis as she speaks, and he chuckles.

Charm leads the group under the shadow of the bridge, the shape of which seems to soften as you pass under it. And then the mist thins a little, and you seem to be under a different bridge, or what's left of it.

"I am Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx- Bloodlit Ascendant, born on the steppes of Doj'on Prime, hewn from the Living Stone of the City of the Archons in the Valley Ascendant. Born to be the ultimate soldier of Keter, the Emanation of the Crown Most High, reforged to be a mighty keeper of peace. Expurgated & rarefied in the fires of countless worlds, hammered in the deepest dungeons, & relentlessly honed in the gladiatorial pits of more than twenty-three dozen worlds. Now I seek Glory in Battle & hunger for conflict, pain & bloodshed- if only to stomp them out beneath my heel." The Ascendant says to the others by way of explaination of his powers and abilities- though that doesn't really say much despite saying sooo veyr much.

Titan says as they start heading through the gate, "If it's not Palanir behind this, it will be eventually. All roads seem to lead to him. Sort of like Loki. It's always Loki. So...it's always Palanir."

Ghost goes limp after the passage between worlds, trusting the LEE to hold on to her as she leaves her physical body and roams ahead astrally, scouting out the way and watching for danger.

Thunder looks at Ascendant and stares a little. "How much did you have to rehearse that?" He looks to Titan, then up at the bridge. "Think that's stable enough to support me and another? If someone has better eyes, I can at least get someone up there to scout."

The sense of being elsewhere shows first in the sound - it's a lot quieter than Colonial Bay. Too quiet. one might say. As you emerge from the mists you find that the river the ruined bridge crosses is now just a small stream. The land looks relatively barren - not full desert, but the dominant vegetation is a brown subtropical brush, and even that is fairly sparse. Crumbled walls suggest that there was once a city here.

Titan looks to the others, "Anyone good at tracking? We need to find both groups that have gone missing."

Fauna's arms change into wings for a moment, bat-like, and supported by an instantaneous change of her clothing to accommodate them. They return to being arms soon after, satisfied to have communicated what she wanted to. She can fly, it is implied.

Titan say to Thunder, "We can jst walk out from under the bridge. If we draw attention, so be it. My usual plan is 'be loud and draw attention'.

With a chirp to Titan, Fauna nods emphatically. Clearly she finds his style appealing. And his methods.

Artemis smiles at Nohrbor's introduction. She has learned some from her time amongst the Hoomans, and for now goes with something much shorter. "One shall know me by my deeds." This may break Norhbor's heart to hear her speak so plainly.

Artemis flashes a smile at Titan's methods. "So, the Warrior's Way it shall be," she says as she draws sword adn summons shield.

Ghost appears as a translucent hologram like image just ahead of the group, "I'm seeing and hearing no immediate threats. It's strangely quite though."

Charm looks about slowly and then points: that way. That's the way the princess should have taken.

Charm looks about slowly and then points: "That way. That's the way the princess should have taken."

Fauna takes to flight, providing her eyes and not much more in the direction so pointed.

Titan nods to Charm, "Well, in the absence of another option, we need to trace the steps they likely would have taken. Trouble will find us."

As you head in the way Charm indicates. there are certainly signs that a number of people have passed this way in the not too distant past - the first search party, likely. The most obvious evidence, here and there, was left by horses.

Titan chuckles a bit at Fauna's approval of his choice of plans. "Like that, I take it? Good to know. I think most of us here fall into the 'brash' kind of category."

Thunder nods as he looks at the different points. "Definitely lots of horse tracks, I take it? So... follow the tracks?"

Titan nods. "Especially if they're heading in the direction that they would have headed to seek out the first group."

Fauna circles high up, venturing just far enough to remain in sight, searching for really obvious stuff.

Artemis chuckles in amusement. "Yes, -Trouble- will find us. But cowards will run."

Thunder looks to Charm. "Where would the next ah... what do you call the whole thing going between worlds or whatever it is?"

The tracks indeed seem to be remarkably straight, even when it would be easier to go around some terrain.

"Aye." Nohrbor says gleefully, looking very much like he wants trouble. "Let it come, and break upon our might!" He laughs hautily, his eyes spotting taletell signs that someone passed through here recently.

"Aye Youngling. We shall follow the trail lead by the beasts of burden."

He plans to take to teh sky to scout from on high when he sees Fauna high above. He decides it best to stay clsoe to the action if it should come.

Charm says, "Stepping between worlds, or worldwalking, usually. I don't know how far: I haven't been this way myself. I just know which way."

Titan could fly, but is content to walk along, following the path of the prior contingent, making sure the group can stick together.

Thunder nods, "So is the next worldwalking point in this direction?" He asks Charm.

Charm says, "The one we are heading to, yes. Not the closest."

Artemis can't help but notice the vegetation looks a bit sickly. And Fauna has noticed sickness and deformities in some animals spotted.

Fauna sounds a hawk's cry when she takes notice, landing by the malaffected animals.

Artemis stops by one of the plants and reaches forth to grasp the leaves. She pulls the branch down closer to study. "The land is sickened here."

Thunder looks over, then frowns before he crouches and leaps over towards her direction. Long, large leaps to get there so he can see what she found. "What did you find, Fauna?"

Ghost returns to her body after hearing that comment from Artemis. And activates her force field's space suit function. "CBN?"

Nohrborn Nanuran Surryx nods glumly at the discovery made by Artemis. "Tis becoming a wasteland..." He says solemnly.

Charm doesn't go over to Fauna, but stays absolutely on the path.

Titan furrows his brow, "I wonder if it's a magic thing? Or is it something more scientific?" He also flies up into the air, just to get a better look around, to see the area Fauna is in as well as keep track of the main group.

Fauna sounds a mew followed by a weak and sickly sound of the animal she found, followed by a stronger variant. She keeps the creature calm by her influence over its spirit to prevent running off.

Ghost pulls out her mana=proofed PDA. Quickly writes a micro-app to scan the volatile memory space, an app that ignores the built in error correction. "If there is radiation, high energy photons will flip bits in mempry. The app I wrote will detect that.

The rather mangy fox lets Fauna approach.

Fauna gets into direct communication with the fox, soon discovering, by limited form of conversation, if the land changed within its lifetime.

Ghost frowns, "This is not a place to stay for long. There's a high radiation level. Depending on your tolerance, I'd suggest no more than 3-4 hours exposure."

The fox seems not to have know the world to be other than about as it is.

Ghost looks around, "Even in the Nebula with all our conflicts we never did this on the surface of a planet. The fools."

"These strange realms harness the power of the atom? Impressive and sad, both," Artemis comments as she releases the sickly plant.

Thunder looks to Artemis, "It's worse, actually. Nuclear weapons can even kill us that are incredibly tough. If we didn't have civilians around in cities and we made a massive threat, they would nuke us in a heartbeat usually."

Titan spots that the ground up ahead - on the path, as far as he can judge - has been rather burnt up, cratered, etc, as one might expect in a meta-level fight.

Undermoon has called upon Earth's heroes to help them retrieve a missing Princess, her retinue of royal guards, and then the sizeable search party sent to find them. The heroes (probably including Pendragon) have ventured forth via Charm's world-crossing ability to a world that does not look well.

Fauna lets the fox run off and find a safe place to hide from the scary giants.

Titan flies down closer to the group, "I think I spotted an area where a fight broke out. Up ahead on the path."

Artemis chortles at Thunder's explanation. "Spawnling, please go on about the dangers of these weapons," she says, though clearly she finds them...primative.

Hearing that the world is posioned, Nohrbor refocuses his inner spiritual energies to fuel his body & steel it from the invisible storm all around them.

He glows faintly and a wave of etheric, spirtual energy roils off of him before he opens his eyes which glow a bit brighter now that he's taken the Harbinger's Refuge upon himself.

Thunder shakes his head, "Only when you stop calling me 'spawnling'." He shakes his head, looking to Titan and nodding before he continues on towards where Titan indicated.

Artemis must weather the radiation, unlike her Bloodbound. Her feet lift off the ground and she flies ahead in search of the battleground.

Artemis smiles and chuckles at Thunder's retort. "Very well, Pup!" One of these titles will be right for the Urther.

Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx looks to Thunder quizzically before inquiring, "Do you prefer Youngling, Mortal of Thunder?"

Ghost smiles, tells Thunder, "The very old get cranky. Ignore the title. Actions speak much louder."

Titan flies onward to take a look at where it appears the fight went down. He hovers over the area briefly before setting down lightly.

The heroes, having traversed maybe 10km by this point, reach the apparent battle scene.

Fauna follows, taking flight again for ease of traversing.

Thunder frowns, then looks at Artemis evenly. "That's not funny. Tenrai, or as it translates to English, Thunder is my title and name I go by in this form technically. I didn't pick it. If you go by what I've been told, a dragon /god/ picked it."

Titan rubs his hands. "So...we have high radiation. And a fight. I bet...it's some kind of wasteland raiders who drove around and captured both groups of fae." Until he doesnt' find tire tracks. "Okay...maybe there's a different plot this matches."

Titan finds no tracks but those you're following - which seem to become very confused at this point - but does notice bullet holes. or something a lot like them, in the ground. The angle suggests they were fired from above.

Ascendant grows parched and pours himself a glass of faewine, sitting down on the air waiting for the clever mortals to do something clever.

While this area has several rocky outcrops. they aren't high enough to account for the angle.

Titan furrows his brow, "Bullet holes?" He looks over to Ghost, "Didn't Palanir give his outcasts guns last time we saw them?"

Titan points out what he found. "Looks like the result of some kind of gunfire. But from above. Something flying?"

Ghost digs into the ground at one of the 'bulletholes' seeking the projectile to determine what kind of qweapon was used.

Artemis flies up to where Titan is to view teh battlefield, then looks up and around. "Does this Palanir possess such vehicles?"

Ghost pull out of the ground a long slender projectile of tungsten tipped steel. "Railgun," she tells the heroes.

Titan blinks at the mention of a railgun. "Well..that definitely sounds like locals, then. If the locals also bombed themselves."

Flying up, Artemis notices one of the craters actually resembles a large boot print.

"Well, that might sting a bit... so we have apparently a lack of tracks, some crazed war leader type, and now high-tech weapons..." He sighs, then looks to Charm. "Can I recommend you guys go the other way next time?"

Artemis tilts her head. "Friend Titan, have you been to this land before," she asks as she holds a hand out to line up with the foot print. "I wonder how your footprint would measure to that at your full size?" she points out the boot print to him.

Charm nods. "THis world was thought uninhabited!"

Ghost says, "It might well be. Hardened radiation proof autonomous war machines are a likely possibility."

Artemis says, "Perhaps the ones we search for were seen as invaders..."

The bootprint is about 8' long.

Less surprising finds are arrows, presumably fired by the defenders. A lot of the area has been scorched by fire, too.

Unsurprisingly, patches of dried blood are also to be found.

Titan shakes his head, "I have not been here before. But we can compare the size, to get an estimate of the size of whoever that was." He heads out of the way and grows to his full 8 meter height briefly, to just make a footprint.

Titan shrinks back down. "I think that's the same size as taht fire giant I fought, now that I think about it more."

Artemis rubs her chin and smiles to herself at the footprint comparison. "Well, this beings' is certainly much more massive than yours, Friend Titan." Which makes it an extra challenge!

Fauna looks over the boot print, walking its perimeter in thought. She shrugs, smiling in a confident manner.

Artemis listens for any distant, heavy footfalls.

Artemis doesn't here the any distant earth-shaking footstep. What she does hear is the nearly silent whir of something mechanical, somewhere over in that rock outcropping.

Thunder looks curious, then it occurs to him. He calls up to the others, "Hey! Is there any more boot prints like this around?"

"I hear a mechanism of some sort," Artemis comments as she flies towards the rock outcropping.

Moonshadow flies up to look for more bootprints. Estmating 50 feet apart.

A pair of such prints can be found beyond the outcropping Artemis is heading for.

Fauna flies up after Artemis, for backup.

Titan flies up at well after Artemis to get a better look. He's back down to his normal size.

"More footprints!" Artemis calls back. She scans about with shield ready for the mechanized sound. "Hear you it too, Fauna?" she asks.

Thunder looks to the others of the group to see what they are doing. Can't have everyone running off, after all.

The sound has stopped.

Charm remains back, never taking a step off the path.

Ghost stays with Charm. For reasons.

A caw sound comes from Fauna.

Artemis lands at the rock, checking to see if it's rock with the prod of her sword. She raises her sword, winding up and preparing to bring her blade down with a shout.

Moonshadow returns to the others on the path. "I spotted more footprints that way," she says, pointing toward the outcropping, "On the other side of that rock."

The rock makes no defensive move against the blow.

Artemis reduces a huge chunk of the rock to rubble, revealing - more rock.

"Hmm. Mayhaps it is under it," Artemis proposes.

Fauna spots something shiny amid the rubble!

Fauna gets closer to the shiny, oblivious to danger. She does make another hawk's cry as she goes in to land.

Said shiny looks like it used to be sort of elecronicky. Maybe with a bit of optically.

Titan remains in the air for the time being, looking down at what teh others are getting up to.

Artemis knows little of electronics and has no idea what to make of what Fauna found. She shrugs.

Ghost spreads a hanky on the ground and lays down, ear to the hanky.

Fauna begins digging out the shiny. (Tunneling: 5 PD)

Ghost stands, "Titan, there's a underground transport system beneath this area. A 'train has just halted and I can hear matching feet."

Fauna offers the shiny up to Artemis, she who can fly with hands.

"Finally! Hopefully it is an army of evil doers who have yet to hear of our might!" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx says excitedly.

Artemis accepts the shiny and looks at it curiously. It's still not quite in her arena. "Thank you, Little One," she says warmly.

Titan looks confused. "Underground?" He flies back down, "Maybe the contingent was taken underground someplace? Do the tracks lead further on? Can we tell?"

Artemis hmms and flies towards the others, mechanical component in hand.

Fauna follows Artemis, flapping her bat-like armwings.

Thunder looks to Ghost and Charm, then to the others. He's maintaining near them for the time being. Guard at least. The others should be fine, or so he hopes, and otherwise seems to be trying to figure out what's what at the moment. He's not a tracker or the like, and this isn't like another case where the situation was a bit obvious to him, so... waiting.

Titan lands lightly, looking around for whether or not the tracks continued onward.

Moonshadow has already returned to the others on the path.

Ghost instructs the Lesser Earth Elemental to protect Charm at all costs.

The Ascendant follows Artemis, keeping pace easily with just a thought.

As far as Titan can see, the tracks don't go further - certainly not in such quantity.

Out of sight from where people now are, beyond the outcropping, there's another mechanical sound - this one rather louder and deeper.

And then, suddenly, a towering figure appears above the outcropping!

Titan nods. "So...doesn't look like they got any further. Any survivors were probably taken underground." He looks over in the direction of the rocks. "Ah."

A giant dwarf, for such it is, dressed in a tunic and carrying a warhammer looms over the outcropping. On the giant's shoulders, or flying about the giant, are thirteen dwarf soldiers in high-tech armour and two more with obvious powers - one with a huge long red beard, sheathed in flames, and one with a body seemingly made out of dirt.

One of the soldiers - who is carrying much more equipment than the others - points at the heroes and shouts 'Agh-azmad v agh-gomud norghes!'

Titan blinks. "Bless you."

Moonshadow says, "Can anyone understand that?"

"Ooh! They brought toys for us to break!" The Ascendant says cheerfully summoning his Spirit Brand to his eager hand.

Artemis boasts, "My Bloodbound is very skilled in tongues!"

Thunder looks at the others, then at the dwarf as he settles into a fighting stance. "So... any idea what they just said?"

Titan chuckles. "It'll be a fight."

"It would seem they are eager for battle as we are. They intend to 'hit us fast and hit us hard.'" Nohrbor Nanuran Surryxsays. "I like this saying. Perhaps we should teach them the width & breadth of it."

As the challengers appear, Fauna looks at first uncertain, then puts clues together in her mind, and then she looks excited! A loud roar that could be identified as a tyrannosaurus rex emits from her, if one were familiar with the royalty of terrible lizards.

Artemis grins with sword and shield ready. "I like these beings." She raises her sword in challenge.