Thanks for the support, friends! Things have gone swimmingly well after the cavern escapade (thanks to the little sword I found), and Doren's adventures are already coming to a close. But let's not get ahead of ourselves, maybe destiny has something more in store for her yet.
Sword in hand, Doren Godsteel set off down the hill, breathing deeply of the fresh, clean air. She was curious about the hole that had originated her subterranean adventure, but couldn't find it among all the trees and ponds of the swampy lowlands. No matter, she was quite satisfied indeed to close that chapter behind her. At least for now, as there was a slight twinge of conscience whenever her blade cut a jungle vine or dismembered a wild animal – a portal to the netherworld had opened, and it was her fault. Fortunate that the caverns were so labyrinthine that the evils lurking underneath might never rise to bother the mortal sphere above. Unable to solve the problem on her own anyway, she set herself to finishing the mission she'd started, to destroy the Bronze Colossus, Ngaxa Freegorges the Contested Renowns, who plundered the peaceful and unassuming village that her family emigrated from years ago.
Traveling on land was fraught with its own set of dangers. Each evening, Doren would scout for a secluded place to shelter for the night, and could only sleep fitfully for fear of bogeymen and nocturnal predators. Bogeymen were the most dangerous, even though Doren's keen dwarven ears tended to wake her before they got close. They'd come in swarms, and she'd chant a rythm to herself while she cut and dodged and bled the monsters out. Knock one over, cut an artery, move to the closest standing and repeat. These almost nightly fights cost Doren teeth and broken cartilage, but her skills improved until she was sure she was a match for the Colossus. After defeating the bleak horror spouse Oda Echopack, the bogeymen seemed to avoid her for days at a time, greatly improving her mood.
It was far to go, indeed, and one day Doren hit upon another cave. A safe haven for rest, and perhaps another entry into the underworld. Definitely worth exploring. She didn't get far, however, before hearing a hiss emanating from eight throats. Hydra! It came in fast and bowled her over, crowding her into a corner. With nowhere to go, the sword flashed out, again and again. Heads rained down and the cave was soon slick with blood. Aleni the hydra was no more.
Doren's maps guided her east, through abandoned elven forests that surrounded goblin mountains, then following a river south through a wide valley. The river turned southwest, and Doren followed it to the coast, and followed to coast far to the south past another goblin civilization. She was getting close to her goal now, as evidenced by a goblin raiding party that crossed her path.
"Halt in the name of Emancipated Malice!", yelled Osta Ruthlessmuscles the goblin, standing proud in iron breastplate. That design seems familiar, mused Doren as she savaged the skinny creatures with bone-splintering kicks and ran them through with supernatural metal. Sure enough, the armor was dwarven-sized and bore the stamp of the Trade of Cats, her civilization! This was a most fortuitous find, for our heroine's leather dress and coat were in a sorry state.
A few days inland, at the foot of a small mountainrange, Doren encountered the signs of her ancestral home. Skeletons of livestock and work animals littered the ground, finished goods and furniture strewn about like a tornado had... *GROAN*
Doren barely had time to take stock of the situation before an enormous moving statue came around, twisting metal screaming with every movement.
The Bronze Colossus bore dents, cracks, and chips from the brave efforts of the ad hoc militia trying to defend their settlement. Bone bolts, copper picks and axes in unpracticed hands hadn't done much to dim the vitality of the abomination, however. With a sudden rush, it bowled Doren over before she got in more than a strike. The fight was grim and hard, neither opponent letting up their constant exchange of blows. While Doren turned blue from bruising, the adamantine sword slashed and cut cracks into the statue. She could barely stay upright under its overbearing bulk, and focused her efforts on the Colossus' legs. With a sound like a crashing church bell, it finally fell. Now, the tables had turned, and Doren's greater speed rapidly weakened the bronze being. Finally, with a tremendous chop, the Colossus' head broke off, rolled a short distance, and came to rest.
Ears ringing from the noise, Doren sat down in the grass, eyes tearing up at finally having avenged her people. All that remained of Ngaxa Freegorges the Contested Renowns was an inert bronze statue decorated with gouges and cracks, surrounded by blood, sweat, and chunks of bronze glinting in the sun.
(what's next? Kill the goblins nearby? Go to a human town, sell some stuff, retire? I think I'd like to rebuild this place soon now that the Colossus is gone.)
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Topic: Finally found an exit! (Read 3651 times)