The Muck Pond

[AoM]

Ao spreads his rocky arms wide in a helpless gesture.

"But wise and just Ilosep, if the gods cannot convince these creatures that they exist, how can we possibly succeed where they have failed?"

"And another question... where must I travel to see my goddess Eriadina?"

[Fleegle]

(For El_Skwidd, Nixit, Snake_byte)

"Indeed I did suggest you avoid them," spoke Resuso. "and under different circumstances it would still be prudent. But, you may be the only chance your fellow creature has. Remember that fearful creatures can be the most dangerous, so I would not underestimate them. Still, I would say your odds are quite good that you will be successful."

(For AoM)

"My, my, aren't we just full of questions! The others barely said a word..." Ilosep replied. "Despite our great command over certain elements of nature, the gods are not all-powerful. The one you spoke of, Eriadina, she may be one of the oldest and most powerful, and yet she is easiest for many of these creatures to ignore. You do not fully comprehend the power of ignorance. You creatures, you are born of the gods but you are also mortal, and that is why you can succeed where we have failed. If you choose to, that is. Remember that it may take many different strategies to restore one's faith, and the same strategy may not work on everyone equally. I repeat, do not underestimate the power of ignorance."
Ilosep lowered his voice slightly and continued with Ao's second line of questioning. "Now, you say you want to seek out this Eriadina, Goddess of Earth? Her source is where else, but far beneath the ground. Kikkik has offered to lead you to her, has he not?"
Kikkik buzzed his wings. "Indeed I did. We shall need to pass through the Lomba foothills, Deep Valley and onwards to Lomba mountain before descending into her domain. It is a dangerous trek, but if a few of you travel together, with my guidance, you should be able to manage."

[Razorlance]

Tek listened to Briker then overheard Ilosep's reply to Ao's question before he replied to him. "Well good luck with that Briker, I hope to meet your friend if you return this way again, but for now I have other plans, bye" He then turned to Ao, "If you wish I could accompany you on your journey as Kikkik suggests it would be safer for us to travel in a group."

[Nixit]

"Hmm... a tough question, " thought Briker. "On one hand, treasures seem mighty exciting and fascinating, but at the same time, a person is in trouble, and I suppose I might feel a little guilty if I just ignored this person's need for help. Not to mention, that my fate is judgement, and helping this person would probably be what I should do, as I have the power to call upon justice, I should do justice myself as well." Briker sighed, but his mind was made up, though he was not sure if he had made the right choice.

"I think it would be just if we help this person in need, although I must say I really wanted to go find treasure." Briker paused for a moment, then brightened. "I'm sure we could get the treasure after, couldn't we?"

[Debsy]

Erake stared at Bassus with a confused expression on her face. "No...I don't know...What are you talking about?" She really had no idea what the creature was talking about, but he was starting to annoy her. Maybe she shouldn't have gone down the left path...

[El_Skwidd]

Vex groaned angrily, and Xev simply laughed.

"Of course that's the right choice, Briker. Vex is just too greedy for his own good."

Vex scoffed.

"Our fate is Resurrection," Xev continued. "So, if one of us gets in big trouble... the BIGGEST kind of trouble... maybe we can help."

[Snake_byte]

"The pink ones? What kind of a name is that!?... Don't underestimate them..." I slowly shake my head.
I look at the clouds passing the moon and begin to think.
"Where is this Audirda?" I ask Resuso

[Nixit]

"So we're decided then Vex and Xev?" Briker asks?

[El_Skwidd]

"Oh, yes, almost forgot. We actually have to walk," Xev says.

"Thanks again, Resuso, for helping us!"

The two, with Briker on their spiky back, start back off towards the forest.

[AoM]

Slowly, Ao nods.

"I must find my goddess. It doesn't matter how dangerous the road. Kikkik, I would be grateful for your guidance, and Tek, your companionship would be most welcome."

He turns to Ilosep. "Are there any dangers that you can specifically tell me of, besides the power of ignorant people in large numbers? You mentioned Garob... but is he the worst we have to fear?"

[Fleegle]

(For 3shyof30rats)

Seeing that he wasn't getting anywhere with this new female, Bassus returned to harassing the nymphs. He chased Jilly around the clearing, who playfully ran away from him. Bassus nearly ran into MushBall in the process.
"Whoopsie!" he exclaimed. "Heyyyy, wanna 'notha? Yanisssha.. ged 'im more wine..."
Yanisha obediently grabbed the decanter and offered a cup to MushBall, smiling at him provocatively.

(For Snake_byte, El_Skwidd and Nixit)
"The village where she is being held is off to the north, through the woods." Resuso addressed everyone. "Take the right path when you reach the clearing, if you decide to go."
Seeing that Briker and Vex/Xev had begun to head off in that direction, he called after them. "Goodbye wonderful creatures! I wish you great success!"
He returned to Beelzebub, who was the only one left. "Are you going too, most splendid creature?"

(For El_Skwidd and Nixit)
Briker and Vex/Xev entered the forest and saw the clearing up ahead some distance, a small amount of moonlight entering through the gap in the trees. It was much darker now, and difficult to move without tripping on the uneven path.

(For AoM and Razorlance)
Ilosep had a most irritated look upon his face by this point, having grown weary from the barrage of questions. "Kikkik would be better at telling you of specific dangers. I haven't been down that road for some time. I can tell you though, that a slew of unjust acts have been committed along that path! Garob is most dangerous, whether you fear him or not is up to you. It is his minions you must be most wary of. Garob rarely likes to get his hands dirty. That big thing rotting outside the cave over there... that was one of Garob's minions, though they come in many forms. Now really, I am growing tired of these questions... Kikkik will address any further concerns you have."
Ilosep shook his head and retreated to his dark room. By this point, the blue orb of light had appeared in the Temple again, filling it with dull light. It looked quite dark outside, and the partially obscured moon gave off very little light.

[Snake_byte]

I stand and watch the others leave as Resuso tells us the location.
When the other critters are far enough I stand straight and look at the moon.
My vioce just as deep and penetrating as always "I will but she means nothing to me and so can die unless, you know of a way I can get my wings back"

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

"Hmmm..." Resuso pondered. "Well I'm afraid there's not much you can do through ordinary channels, splendid one. You would have to find someone who delves into the supernatural. I have no power with respect to the sort of thing you're looking for, and you already seem to have alienated yourself from a few gods. I loathe to even mention this, but the only sure-fire way you can get your wings back is to offer your services to the one who took them away. Failing that, you might try one of the wizards, though their reputation is not much better. I myself am not friendly with the wizards... they have done much to harm my beloved soil."

[Snake_byte]

"I am NOT groveling to that little monkey!"
"The muck pond holds no special attributes?"
"This walking tires me" I pick some goff and eat it "and I need some wet flesh to eat" I swallow the dry grass and cough because it has trouble going down.
I look up in the night sky and am able to see bats flying aimlessly all over the place and eyes in the trees of the forests to the north.
"I'd be feasting on those bats if I had my wings..."

[Fleegle]

(For Snake_byte)

Resuso's eyes glittered, and all of a sudden seven large toads appeared before Beelzebub. "The wonderful toads I was telling you about. Try them!"