The Muck Pond

[Fleegle]

(Global statement)

The sun rose over the horizon, spilling golden light across the land. It was a refreshing change from the previous day. The ground was still wet from the previous night, but it would not be long before the sun dried it all up.

(For AoM and Razorlance)

As the shape creeped towards them, it materialized into the wizard that had been following them before. The wizard suddenly looked about in panic, apparently just becoming aware that he had lost his invisibility. Realizing his mistake, he fumbled with a small device, pointing it at the rocks above the path before them. A high-pitched squeal was heard, and the mountain rumbled. Some rocks tumbled from the side of the mountain, forming an impenetrable wall across the path. The trio was cornered by the frantic wizard, who held the device out towards them in a threatening gesture.

[Razorlance]

Tek watched as the wizard appeared and the rocks fell, He backed away from the wizard and focused one limb briefly on the newly formed wall, trying to see if there was a way to climb it, then he mindspoke again, "Please we mean you no harm, what is it that you want?" He then wondered if the wizard could understand him at all.

[Pie]

*he looks at Shaakh, glances doun, and then looks back up* "Well, basickly, but.... but he dosen't give out just this one power.... he will...probably... give you a different power....."

[El_Skwidd]

Shaakh nods. "Ah, I see. I will go seek Ilosep right away, then. Thank you, Ithicus, for your help. I shall not forget it."

He gives a semblance of a smile on his hard-featured face, turns around, and slides off in the opposite direction (back towards the Muck Pond).

[Fleegle]

(For Lumin and El_Skwidd)

Gaela hung back as Squall proceeded towards the Old Temple. The place looked deserted, but she could see a fairly recent trail of mud leading into the place, so someone must have been here recently.
Shaakh slithered up the hill towards the Old Temple. He noticed Gaela standing off near some trees. She glared at him as he looked. Evidently she did not trust him.
Up ahead, he could see Squall at the foot of the Temple steps.

(For AoM and Razorlance)

"He cannot understand you, Tek. This wizard does not share the gift." Kikkik mind-spoke cautiously.
The wizard creeped forward, his hand trembling.

(For Pie)

The boulder-creature finished pushing the Tagus some distance into the field. Having completely its task, it retracted its legs and arms and fell back onto the ground, completely inert. Swirls of green misty light enrobed the boulder, and it disappeared much as it had come into the world. Ithicus was left alone in the Groff Fields. Wind passed through the tall plants, sending ripples across the field.

[El_Skwidd]

Shaakh gives Gaela a quick look as he passes her on the trail to the Temple. He twitches his thin lips a little, almost smiling.

[Razorlance]

Tek examined the wizard briefly, watching his wavering hand. Mmm, scared or just plain crazy he thought. He then decided on an action as he mindspoke to the others. "Play dead" With that he let himself fall to the ground, his limbs splayed across the ground, he twitched some of them slightly and ensured that one of them was still facing the wizard so he could see his reaction and then stayed motionless hoping that it might convince the wizard to leave.

[AoM]

Ao does his best to act convincingly... droping one large fist to the ground with a boom, then letting the other fall, trying to make it seem as if he was trying to resist falling down. He reaches up with his fist as if trying to grab onto something, and then with a moan in earth-speak, lets himself fall to the ground.

The "moan" however is not really a moan at all if one understands earth-speak. In reality, Ao spoke directly through Mt. Lomba, hoping that he was close enough to Eriadina now to receive a message from her. Ao had said, "Eriadina my goddess, a wizard hunts us on your mountain and threatens the earthen stone with his sorcery!"

[Leo Luncid]

Andrik, being not involved of all the events that has passed, only stood out of the others way, constantly observing with it's ever-turning helm. It then turned to one of the things it overlooked here somehow; pieces of wood that may be once a carved box ornament, with one the them bounded by a string. One may confirm that whatever contained in that box must've been taken from someone else. Nonetheless, Andrik could see that inscribed letters unknown to it are taken apart along with the pieces of the box. It crouched down began to attempt to carefully arranged the pieces together into one side of the box as best as possible so that it could have those letters put together, and did the same with the rest of the pieces. It seemed to never lose sight of the pieces as it examined one here and there.

[Schme]

MushBall, at long last, awoke, stretching his arms out and making a yawn-like mumble. He felt very wonderfully refreshed.

“Ah, devine favor is shinning upon me!” he thought. “I have been rewarded for my courage and piety! What a hero I must be! Indeed, a truly legendary figure am I!”

He lay there happily, stroking Yanisha’s head affectionately.

As he lay there, he pondered his life. “I’ve always known a great destiny was in store for me,” he thought, and reluctantly decided “and now, restored by the goddess of life, I must continue on my quest to fulfill it.” He hated too think of leaving his friend’s domain, which was really the greatest Kingdom he’d ever seen, but he decided it would be offensive too the gods were he too ignore his destiny, and he remembered what Urdast had said. If there were even greater and more wealthy and powerful rulers than Bassus, MushBall was very anxious too meet them. He it would be important to set off soon, he thought, especially seeing as Urdast had warned them of turbulent times ahead, and MushBall did not want to be slowed down by any trivial happenings that might arise from these. He was also afraid of running into “Hubris”, whover that was. From the way Urdast talked about him, he sounded like a very unpleasant character. “Probably a highway bandit” he thought “Out too steal silver teeth and feathers.”

He decided, after a few moments, that he’d better let everyone know he was awake, and greet everyone who was, and so, he mumbled in a cheery tone “Hello, my friends! Good morning!”

[Fleegle]

(For Lumin and El_Skwidd)

Shaakh caught up to Squall, who had stalled at the entrance to the Temple. As he slid in front of the doorway, he caught sight of a thin old man inside. The old man turned towards the movement.

"Oh! Hello there... I didn't realize I had guests again so soon... that little pond has been awfully busy lately hasn't it? Well, come on inside you two, I have to assign you your fates... oh, really it's not a big deal, don't be afraid. It's a good thing!"

(For AoM and Razorlance)

The wizard looked curiously at the scene before him. He must have quickly discerned that it was all a ruse, for he did not let down his guard for a moment.
"I don't think he's buying it..." Kikkik mindspoke.
With his other hand, the wizard drew out a perforated ball constructed of tin, danging on the end of a delicate chain. As he did so he was momentarily distracted.

(Leo, I got nothing for you... not much happening in that area right now.)

(For Schme)

Bassus appeared to be in better spirits that morning, for he smiled warmly and waved at the awakened MushBall.
"You gave us a scare last night! But dear Mother Anesek heard my plea and came to your rescue. She told me, not in so many words, you were almost a goner. Well, now, that's all done, and the forest is safe once again, thanks to you, Briker, and that oh-so-brave two-headed fellow, Vex and Xev! I shall erect a monument in their honour!"
Bassus thought for a moment. "Anesek tells me that they have been reincarnated... their essence has imbued itself in some kind of snake creature... oh, Resuso will be pleased!"
Yanisha smiled as MushBall stroked her head. "Good morning, love." she said, softly. Her hair seemed positively radiant in the morning light.

(For Pie)

The groff rustled as some kind of disturbance weaved its way toward Ithicus. An enormous serpent reared up from the groff, happening upon Ithicus and the dead monster.
"Oh, how wonderful! Another fantastic child of the Muck! Oh, but what's this rotten thing? It is not most wonderful... is this not the creature that was slain by Beelzebub? No matter, though it caused much harm and gorged itself on Anesek's precious gifts, what comes from the earth will go back again, and it will grow most wonderful things!"
The giant serpent paused. "How rude of me! I am Resuso, God of Food! And what do you go by, my wonderful friend?"

[AoM]

((ooc: The wizard is standing on the bridge right? How is the bridge secured to the mountainside?))

[Schme]

(No, he took a metal ball from his pocket that is attached to one of those little necklace chains. He didn't break the chain on the bridge. At least, that's how I read it.)




“Praise be too her!” said MushBall, upon hearing Bassus tell of his healing. “She is indeed a truly compassionate Goddess, one of the greatest divinities to be found anywhere!” Reflecting a moment, he then added “Much like yourself, my friend.”

MushBall strongly agreed that the forest had been saved through his actions. (And, of course, Briker and Vex/Xev’s.) “Yes, we really should honor the poor fellows who died.” He said. “True martyrs indeed, partisans too the last. A monument in their honor would be most appropriate.” MushBall personally thought that a monument to himself and his actions would be much more appropriate, but he supposed that there was still plenty of time for that, and besides, the gods surely had much greater things in store for him, so he might as well leave this for his departed friends.

“Where has Briker got off to anyhow?” asked MushBall “ Is he gone away? I haven’t seen him.” He looked around to see whether or not Briker was still there.

“I suppose you’ll be preparing your defense’s too fend of other attacks then, my friend?” he said to Bassus. “No doubt those godless heathens of the wooden dwellings will return, seeking revenge yet again. Have you launched a counter attack? If not, you really should. If those awful folk are not utterly defeated and put in their place, they’ll surely cause you further trouble.” He really hoped Bassus would take his advice, as MushBall knew that he was very right in what he said. He could only hope for his friend’s sake that Bassus would see that too.

“By the way” he added “How have things been going while I was asleep? Has anything happened?”

MushBall highly doubted that anything had happened, seeing as it would be folly for anyone to do anything of any importance while such an important person as himself had been unable to attend.


Seeing Yanisha was awake, and having spoken with his host, he decided to tend to her next. “Oh, good morning my beautiful forest nymph!” he said, continuing to stroke her hair. He was not surprised at her expression of love, as it was only normal that people should love Him, the Great MushBall, and naturally they’d express it.

[Leo Luncid]

Andrik took some deal of time at searching throughout the formed pieces of the sides of the box, then stood and shook it's head. It strode to place just across from the side of the Muck Pond where the spawned were usually came through. It then turned it's head at the many things physically surrounding it, sometimes turning back, sometimes eyeing on one object after another.

[El_Skwidd]

Shaakh looks around the dim temple, then at the thin old man.

"Very well, but I'm looking for Ilosep. Do you know him? He is apparently quite powerful."