The Muck Pond

[AoM]

"Then let's get going." he plods in the direction of the path to Deep Valley.

"Perhaps you might be able to tell me about the possible dangers on this path, for you have obviously travelled it in order to get here... and could you also tell me about Eriadina, and what she is like?"

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance)

The path into the foothills rose along a gentle incline. The vegetation quickly grew short and sparse, replaced by large jagged rocks.
Kikkik replied to Ao. "There are many dangers along this path. As Ilosep mentioned, the minions of Garob frequent this region, as do the wizards, many of whom are in league with dark forces. Being night-time, we are more likely to encounter them. But do not worry, I can help you avoid the more dangerous areas."
"Eriadina." Kikkik continued. "She is one of the oldest gods, one of the daughters of the sun god, Brunos. She is the great mother of all of the gods you have met so far. It is indeed a great honour to serve under her, and you are fortunate to be made of her primal element. She is kind but is unforgiving if you cross her. She is capable of terrific acts of wonder but also terrific acts of catastrophe."
"At the top of this hill is a plateau. We must be cautious. I noticed a demon hanging around there when I came this way. I was too small to be noticed, but if it is still around it will surely notice you fellas."

[Snake_byte]

Walking around I see nothing but I feel watched.
"where are you, Ilosep?"

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

Beelzebub is greeted with silence.

[Snake_byte]

I leave and head South

[Nixit]

"Which way should we go, Xev and Vex?" Briker asks with his mind as they approach the fork in the road.

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

Beelzebub reached the base of the foothills. It could see Tek and Ao in the distance, at the top of the incline.

(For AngelSpice)

After tirelessly sawing at the tough net, Audirda managed to create a hole wide enough to slip through. She was still stuck in the shack, however.

[AoM]

"Demon?" Ao rumbles in earth-speak, "Is a demon created by the gods as well? Or is there some other source of creation for monsters?"

As they reach the plateau, Ao swivels his head to look around, watching for the demon. As he does so, he notices the grey figure in the distance following them on the path.

Ao talks in mind-speak, loud enough for both Tek and Kikkik to hear. "This is the same one we saw at the temple. Do you know which god he serves, Kikkik?"

[Snake_byte]

I continue to walk on the path not heeding any company ahead. However I see one of them stop and glance at me.
In this radiant moonlight, it would be hard NOT to see them.

[Razorlance]

As Tek lumbers along he casually holds one of his rear limbs aloft to briefly get sight of the creature Ao talked of then continued walking. "He seems to be following us, perhaps he wishes to join us."

[AoM]

"Pehaps." Ao continues to plod along, his thoughts drifting away from the stranger and more towards demons and wizards on the road ahead. Glancing down at his rocky frame, he felt confident that he could protect Kikkik and Tek. But still, there was much about this world that he did not know... and it was the not knowing that scared him.

[Fleegle]

(Global statement)

The moon continued to climb higher in the sky, becoming partially obscured by clouds again.

(For AoM and Razorlance)

The path continued along the plateau, marked off by a gravel. A wooden sign had been beaten into the dusty ground. "Deep Valley" it said, pointing further along the path to where the plateau ceased. Another path diverged off to the left, towards higher ground, though it was unmarked. A mound of dirt lay some distance away, next to some large boulders.
Kikkik happily answered Ao's question, while keeping watch for demons. "Why that looks like the creature Ilosep was telling me about! As far as I know he doesn't serve any god. He crossed Garob and lost his wings as a result, I hear. No doubt he has come to seek the very ones we wish to avoid, the wizards, so that he might get his wings back. Unless he really does wish to join us, though from Ilosep's description I doubt that very much."
"Demons? They come in a variety of forms, but no, usually they are not created by gods. Truth be told, anyone can become a demon. To do so, one must give one's essence to a god in exchange for certain supernatural abilities. It is usually only gods of ill will that demonize. I, for instance, am not a demon, since I have not given my essence to Eriadina. Of course I would give it to her in a second if she willed me to."
"Garob has many demons, as does Dramnos, god of Death. Word has it Garob tried to force that creature behind us to become a demon, by offering to restore his wings in exchange for his essence. Obviously, it did not accept Garob's offer."

(For Snake_byte)

As Beelzebub ascended the path, a medium sized rock fell from the wall of rocks on the left, nearly hitting him. It rolled off down the path. Beelzebub detected some movement at the top of the rock face but could not discern what it was that had moved.

[AoM]

"Garob... Dramnos... I will remember to avoid these gods if I can," spoke Ao as he chose the path to Deep Valley. "There seem to be so many... how many gods are there? You mentioned Brunos before, Eriadina's father. Is he the top God?"

Ao looked up as a cloud drifted by and the moon once again shown bright. "There must be a god or goddess of the moon too, right?"

Ao feared he might be trying Kikkik's patience in the same way as Ilosep, so he held back from asking a few more questions and instead plodded on, waiting for an answer.

[Fleegle]

(For AoM and Razorlance. BTW, the cloud is still obscuring the moon until I say otherwise )

Kikkik answered. "Indeed, the Moon is governed by Eriadina's sister, Xunis. And yes, there are a great many gods. And yes, as far as most of us are concerned, you could say Brunos is the most powerful god. He has many, many siblings, though they are of no concern for any of us. His mother is Monon, god of Order, who made everything, and I mean everything, possible. You are never likely to meet her on a personal basis though. That is the way of things. Some gods insist on making regular contact with their creatures, while others prefer to leave them to their own devices for most or all of the time. My master is somewhere in between. I consider myself fortunate to have regular contact with her."
Something darted behind one of the large boulders by the dirt mound. Kikkik buzzed his wings and hopped over to Ao's left shoulder to get a better look. "There is something hiding behind that rock over there... could be that demon. Be ready to act!"

[Snake_byte]

I hear the rock falling and look up. While my attention is on avoiding getting my head concaved, the shadow at the top hides and I miss it.
I step aside to let it pass me by and then run to the cliffs side and begin to climb.
Digging my claws into it's side I begin my quick ascent.
Growling with every pull and every pull making it look as though I was running on all fours I make it to the top my eyes darting in every direction.