The Muck Pond

[Snake_byte]

I see the fat toads and my mouth begins to water.
I stab two of the toads right through their backs with my nails and eat them. I crunch right through them, their juices running out and down the corner of my mouth.
I chase the others down using each nail on one of my hands to hold them.
"Those will keep me fed almost a full day..."
I wipe my mouth with the back of my and and then I lick it using the entire length of my tongue.
There is a short silence.
"Where are the wizards you spoke of and how can they help me?"

[AngelSpice]

Audirda swung the net a couple more times and reached out and finally grasped the small scaler. She starts using it to try to cut the net.

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

Resuso's tongue flickered quickly. "I'm afraid I don't involve myself in the affairs of wizards much. I do not know what evil methods they use to perform their feats, but I have heard a number of them like to gather near the base of Lomba mountain. Easiest way to get there is to follow that path that goes up past the Old Temple."

[Snake_byte]

"You have my thanks Resuso, God of food"
I turn left and follow the path past the Old Temple south-west, and head to the base of the Lomba Mountains slowly.

[Nixit]

"My oh my," thought Briker... "This path is getting tricky."

Briker then spoke to Vex and Xev, "Are you two able to keep going?"

[Fleegle]

(As far as the other players are concerned, Snake_byte's character is now passing the Old Temple)

[AoM]

Ao stares after Ilosep as he retreats to the inner cloister of his temple. The god's abrupt manner struck Ao as very rude, even for a god. Had he not given out fates for a reason? Were we not children of the gods and therefore beloved? Why should he not want to help us? Weren't we meant to help bring faith for the gods back?

These and many more questions began to form inside Ao's mind and they culminated in one frightening thought: Perhaps not all gods were perfect; perhaps the reason so many had forgotten them was because life was better without them... Ao shunted the thought quickly however. No, it could not be that way. Perhaps Ilosep had many other important things to attend to, and simply could not be bothered with Ao. Had he not said that Kikkik would answer all questions and lead him to Eriadina? Yes. And he was positive that the Goddess of Earth would have more time for him. For Ao was of her element, her child more than any other of the Muck. She would have patience for him and tell him what he must do in order to serve her better.

Ao turned to Tek and Kikkik and used mind-speech.

"Let us go to Eriadina." With that, he plodded out of the old temple assuming that the two of them would be coming right behind him. On the road in front of him walked a creature with long claws and teeth...

[Razorlance]

"I am right behind you Ao" Tek replied as he followed Ao out of the temple and onto the path. I wonder if I will find something to climb on this journey he thought.

[Fleegle]

(Global statement)
The moon was higher in the sky now, and had found a hole in the clouds where one could see it in all its glory.

(For Nixit and El_Skwidd)

The pair of creatures finally reached the clearing, and were presented with the choice between the left path and the right path. From the left path one could faintly hear music and a soft flicker of light. The right path remained silent and dark.

(For Razorlance, AoM, and Snake_byte)

Kikkik quickly hurried after Ao and Tek, buzzing his way onto Ao's rocky shoulder. "I shall guide you from here." he announced.

[AoM]

Ao nodded and grumbled in earth-speak, "We are headed towards the south then?"

He indicates the sprawling hilly terrain stretching towards the south.

[Snake_byte]

As I pass the temple in the dark everything lights up all of a sudden. I slowly stop and turn to tilt my head so I can see what lights up the night.
I observe the moon for a little while.
I change the direction of my stare to the Old Temple and decide to go see if I could talk to Ilosep.
I enter the temple.

[AoM]

Ao watches the dark grey man with red eyes walk past and into the temple. Perhaps it was a new creature from the Muck come to receive its fate. No matter now, he supposed and started to stride down the road towards the hills with Tek and Kikkik close behind.

[Fleegle]

(For AoM)

"Yes, off into the rocky hills... there is a path that runs through them, which eventually leads to Deep Valley." Kikkik replied.

(For Snake_byte)

The Old Temple was empty save for that mysterious dull blue orb hanging above. Ilosep was most likely in the inner chamber, for he was not in the reception hall nor had Beelzebub seen him outside.

[Snake_byte]

I observe the orb above for a while.

Then I continue to the inner chamber.

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

The inner chamber was completely dark, and apparently empty. There did not seem to be any sign of Ilosep here either.