In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 245):

When he hears Ohanzee say he's hungry, he reaches in to a pocket, "I've got some jerky, if you want some and I think there's a skin of Kumis on Stinky"

In reply to Earth Witch (msg # 246):

Looking around the company, Hoskar bows his head to the Earth Witch in respect.

Several things brought us back. At least two more tribes have come to know of the healing of this place so we wanted to know if they had passed by, and we saw Rainbow in the distance towards here as we were returning to our clan: we feared some harm might have befallen. Seeing this place, it appears our fears were groundless; but I for one was also pleased for the chance to return early. Your word to me, to look to the sky, has brought me great benefit: it is never too soon to render gratitude for the gift of wise direction.

Looking rather shy he briefly ducks his head as if examining his chest, then catches himself in the old bad habit and raises his eyes again.

As their eyes adjust they see that it is indeed the five Axe Sisters.

They aren't smiling and two hands shoot out to grab Melock roughly by his arms

"Not so fast sunshine."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk"

"What have we got here? Two naughty Ravens been causing trouble down below eh?"

"Orders are to see that you stay out of trouble for the rest of your stay. We've got our eyes on you" This speaker forks her fingers, points at her eyes and then at the two braves and then makes a cutting motion in her groin area.

"Or it's snip snip time."

One of them hands two hide buckets on long ropes and points to one of the smaller holes, which as Melock remembers is about forty metres deep.

"There's a pool in there, the water is good enough for our mounts. You'll be watering all of them."

She points at the large amount of animals spread out under the trees, Impalas, High Llamas, Bison, Rhino.....
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:40, Fri 15 Aug 2014.

In reply to GM (msg # 249):

He visably blanches and manages to stutter a reply, in a high pitch voice "Thats a bit harsh" he grabs one of the buckets and heads towards the well, "I'm glad I grabbed something to eat earlier" he mutters to Ohanzee

"We have been visited by only who you see here. Ashfoot Earth Healer from the Bright Tail Impala Clan, Serpent Tamer and her Axe sisters from the Blue Hide clan and Long Cast and his braves from the Black Shield Bison Clan.

The rainbow you saw was a message sent to Ashfoot who was nearby to return as we realised you were returning. She was on her way back to her Clan to inform them of what had occurred here."

The pygmy priestess smiles at the Rangers "It was a trip worth making, despite the attentions of Raven...."

On hearing his name mentioned an older man approaches

"I am Long Cast, warrior of the Black Shield Clan. I greet you once more, this time in our world. To be honest I am shocked to find you all so young, but no matter for I do not judge on age but on achievements. "

As he talks the world about them begins to shimmer and fade and the braves find themselves once more in the cramped and ruined room where they'd fought the ghouls. It is lit by spluttering lamps and the foul water is still ankle deep.

Walls and ceilings, covered in mould tumble this way and that, evidence of the mighty battle that took place above, resulting in the destruction of the once perfect palace.

It is hard to hide the shudders of revulsion, but at least the chaos runes are gone...

Coughing slightly the warrior watches as many of those present begin to file out, bowing to the priestesses, and heading up the tunnel that leads to the cavern system and the way to the surface.

"It is fortuitous that we have met you, as we are on our way South to pay our respects to your Khan, for it is our own Khan's wish to have a meeting of the Clans. To share our magic, trade our beasts and to make marriage arrangements for our youths.

Do you intend to go that way soon, for I and my men would accompany you home."

Behind him stand six tough looking braves, who nod their greetings.
This message was last edited by the player at 10:26, Fri 15 Aug 2014.

Ohanzee reflexively puts a hand across his groin "No, no need for that, the party is over, what more trouble could we get into watering the beast."

He sighs and then picking up a bucket can't resist as he walks off towards the pool "Besides, why refuse enjoyment to my wives to come?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 10:56, Fri 15 Aug 2014.

Their departure is met with loud laughter and many remarks about the likely size of their manhood.

Arriving at the Hole they find that a stone-lined depression has been made nearby for the water to be poured in. Both braves realise that they'll have to bring the mounts over in batches and that it was going to take most of the morning if not all day.

And to make things worse, as Melock peers down in to the pit he remembers that it was the one that the large snake like creature had been spotted in.

"Snake like creature you say?" Ohanzee says as he gathers up a handful of reins to lead the first batch over "Well in that case I'm going to bring my axe and put my armour on. I call Oglod Father of Lizards, but in truth he is the power behind more than just lizards, all manner of reptiles. If this thing is spotted then get behind me and don't attack it, I may be able to persuade it to move on if there is no violence towards it."

Leaving the beasts secured at the depression he grabs his armour and axe before heading down. "It was one hell of a party though wasn't it?" he grins at Melock "If you see any more of those mushrooms point them out to me won't you?"

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 255):

He'll make sure Stinky is in the first group, so he can get his last skin of kumiss and takes a swig, "Do you want some? chuck us one of you empty skins and I'll give you half" he checks the rope is long enough and that there is a weight attached so it sinks "I wouldn't go down there it was massive" he holds his hands as wide as he can, "about this wide, if its a snake, it might be a temple guardian or the one that pulls Emesh-Ga's chariot, but on the plus side the Storm Khan said it wasn't chaos" he walks to edge of the hole and lowers the bucket down, making sure he can let go quickly if the snake thing grabs the bucket.

Amara finds at her side the very tall Eirithan priestess Serpent Tamer

"Are you okay Tada Consort? We saw you fall and speak the words of two."

There is genuine concern in the woman's eyes.

"I think we should move back in to the caverns away from here. There is still much work to be done."

Ignoring his gear after the explanation he hands Melock his empty skin "Thanks. So, have you or anyone else been down there?" and he throws his bucket over holding the end of the rope tight.

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 258):

"me and Hoskar, when we were checking for any more followers of the banished one, which is when we saw it" he hauls up the first of many buckets and pours it for the animals, "what a night" he says with a big smile on his face "the others are going to be so angry with us when they next see us" he holds his skin of kumiss up "worth it though, cheers!" and takes a big swig

As they pull buckets up both braves spy movement in tunnel entrance and out come Nixa and Sand Fox, pushing their way through the foliage.

Perhaps they'd heard the buckets, which are now in both Raven's hands. what ever the reason they were now moving to examine the pool.

Amara paused trying not to show how sick she really felt. She'd no idea what the priestess was talking about, but she didn't feel good. "I'm not at my best and my name is Amara Brightsky." Amara skin paled as she tried to stand on her own, swaying as she wiped the beads of vomit from her face. She looked up to the tall Priestess, not flinching, her eyes flashing with respect but not deference. "While there remains much work to be done here, my brother braves and I will not be here for long. We're here to pick up what remains of our goods and head back to our tribe. While we'll be returning here later in the year to assist this place, there are other things needing to be done before the garden is restored. Before we leave I'd like to have the blessings of all of the priestesses here."

As the ceremony winds down Salen-as-Tada begins to feel rather tired - playing a God is no easy task. Yet he smiles upon seeing Noita again, the Earth Witch coming to address the rest of the Wandering Rangers. Fortunately for him Hoskar is able to tell her why they are back, even as Salen nods and smiles and bids farewell to all those who have gathered here. Once he is eventually done he has some time to gather his thoughts.

He nods in greeting to Ashfoot Earth Healer, Serpent Tamer and Long Cast. Salen could see the world around them return to it's (sadly) normal state, and the grandiose settings of the world beyond fade away. When Long Cast approaches and addresses them, Salen bows in deference to the older warrior, then looks at him with a strong, proud expression.

"Well met, Long Cast of the Black Shield clan. Not only a warrior of renown, but an ally indeed. We should be leaving here fairly soon, and it would be an honour to have the company of you and your braves on the way back."

Salen could see his Aunt Brinna visibly stiffen at this news, and although he smiled inwardly he gave no outward show. The Red Thorns would be put in their place now!

He looked around then and regarded the broken room that was still filled with water, with clear distaste. The chaos runes were gone, but it would take much more hard work to return the place to some semblance of its former glory.

He looks around for Amara, who had been badly affected by Raven's shenanigans. The Eirithan priestess Serpent Tamer was already at her side, but Salen had to find out for himself.

"How are you, Red? You looked to get it pretty bad there. Come, let us move back to the caverns, as the priestess suggests."

Salen offered his hand, or arm and shoulder, depending on what she needed (if anything) to move away.

"Look, isn't that Nixaand Sand Fox?" he said pointing. "Do they know about the snake thing? And for that matter, does the snake thing know not to attack visitors? Because we're bound to protect them and it would not be good for relations if anything happened to them here."

"MOVE AWAY!" he calls down as he ties off the end of the rope if there is anywhere for it to tie to.

Amara watched Salen saying nothing to him as she stood up on her own. "I can look after myself Salen." Amara winced as she used eh fingers to explore her skin where she fell. "I'll use some water to clean and freshen up and then we can be on our way."

"Oh, I'm well aware of that fact. But the offer stands."

Salen smiled, and waited to see Amara move.

In reply to Ohanzee Shappa (msg # 263):

"Crap, yes it is. I dont know it that thing is friendly or not, we didn't stay to find out" he picks up an ostrich egg sized rock and throws it towards the centre of the pool, in the hope that it will distract the snake from the kids and make the kids look up

The kids, in fact slightly older than both Raven Braves, look up when the rock hits the water.

"Hey there" shouts Nixa

"What are you doing?"

"What were you doing...Back there?" adds Sand Fox, throwing his thumb back in the direction of the Earth Complex

In reply to GM (msg # 267):

"come give us a hand, and we'll fill you in on what happened in there" he turns and grins at Ohanzee

Ohanzee throws the bucket down again to emphasis the explanation "It was the buckets."

"There's a snake the size of a bison down there, get out!"

Amara waved Salen away "I'm fine. Tend to yourself." her eyes narrowed suspiciously at Salen being helpful.

Splashing through the filthy water everyone leaves the ruined Earth Complex and moves back into the  caverns, once inhabited by the Red Thorn Shaman.

All signs of his and his ghouls habitation is now gone, with scores of candles and oil lamps illuminating the long cave. Before the tunnel leading to the ghost hole is an acrid fire with two young women keeping guard, chanting songs to help keep the spirits back.

Two other fires are near the exit to the main Finger Hole, before which sit a gaggle of Impala riders toasting meat on sticks and then assorted goods and bed rolls further up, closer to the hidden pool of water, in front of which stands another Earth initiate, her skin almost green from dyes and tight copper bands running up both arms and bare legs. Sightless eyes stare at the ceiling as she plays a small hand drum, humming a tune to her gods.

The place is filled with chatter and the accents of three of the main Tribes of Prax. Each allies in the war against the Lunar Empire.