Bait...or just maybe non-threatening first contact.

Let's go.

Loukas shrugs taking one last look at the map to get a sense of where they need to go and handing it back to Miroslav, "Bait does not survive the trap where I come from. If you are certain you want to do this, move out. You have a one man parade to lead."

While Barmak moves out into the open, he nods to Heinrich and leads heads to a position from which they may carefully, stealthily move into the city. They'll try to keep Barmak in view as they keep their eyes open for traps, decrepit architecture that might be likely to fall into the street, etc.

Barmak indeed sets out, putting some weight on the staff, pausing to look around very much as if he were a puzzled tourist.

As the party sets out along the road it becomes clear to all that the place is unnaturally quiet. Not a single bird or insect can be heard, only the lapping of the waves against the ruined pier.

A'kos sends to the lion to await his arrival.

He communicates as such as to the scouts' actions to get an idea of where they've gone if he cannot see them.

The weird stillness is not unexpected given that this is a ghost town, but it is unsettling nevertheless, and raises the specter in the back of Loukas's mind that the "ghosts" who remain may not be friendly. This only raises his attentiveness as he moves forward with careful stealth.

Barak begins to sing

Look down, look down
That lonesome road
Before you travel on

Look up, look up
And seek your maker
'fore Gabriel blows his horn

Weary toting such a load
Heading down that lonesome road

Look down, look far
That lonesome road
Before you travel on

True love, true love
What have I done
That life should treat me so

You caused me
To walk and talk
As I never did before

Weary toting - such a load
Tredging down that lonesome road

Look down - look far
That lonesome road
Before you travel on

Balthazar smiles at the song.  "That's the spirit, lad!  It sure makes this place less depressing."

A'kos moves forward, with a whispered command to the lion to follow.  He too is cautious, though he offers a grin at the man's moxie as he looks all about for a trap or ambush.  In particular he pays attention to the lion's senses.

Barmak stops and declaims

I have traveled in an antique land
And saw two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them on the sand,
Half sunk, a shattered visage lay, whose frown
And wrinkled lip and sneer of cold command
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed.
And on the pedestal these words I read:
`My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings:
Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair!'
Nothing beside remained. Round the decay
Of that colossal wreck, boundless and bare,
The lone and level sands stretch far away".

And so it seems to be here, even so
With all forlorn and bare
Yet life endures, plants grow
If there be love, here may again be fair.

So, I wonder, what will it take
For this place to awake?

Heinrich sneaks along, doing his best to be observant and stay out of sight. Upon hearing Barmak's song a curious look appears on his face, as if he's smiling and wincing at the same time. He keeps scanning the area, looking for traps, hidden dangers, and anything Barmak may call down on himself.

When Barmak finishes the last word of his song a foul gust of wind whips down the ruined street. It smells of decay and things long dead. It only lasts a moment but all can smell it. The lion and the mounts seem particularly agitated.

Loukas feels the foul gust and then feezes. He glances to Heinrich, "Did you just see what I saw?" Given the horrible smell and sense of the scene he's just seen his instincts shout at him to stay where he is and remain hidden; however, he knows that he cannot.

To Heinrich, "Whatever that thing is, I'm certain that it touched Barmak. We may not know what it has done, if anything to him, so you stay hidden and cover us."

Time is of the essence, so rather than await the German's response he moves with the speed of Veles to the Arab's side and while moving quickly he also stands somewhat defensively just in case, "Barmak? Are you well? I saw that thing... Did it harm you?"

With the gust the Falcon pulls back the reins commanding Storm's Wind to halt.  He looks down at the lion quizzically, feels both animals' unease.  Looking forward, he searches the ruins for anything that might have caused such a smell.  Ruefully he shakes his head.

"Of such are heroes made or forgotten."

Releasing the reins, he gives a small nudge and quick whisper, urging his horse forward with caution.  He offers a nod of reassurance to the lion as well to join him.

Well, whoever or whatever you are, if you feel that way about it, touching me on the shoulder and all.... Barmack turns and walks back to where ther's a sideways crossing, and takes it.

Upwind is the place to be
Upwind to breathe free....

In an effort to escape at least some of the stench, Jaleh Covers her nose and mouth with a scarf tied around her neck. She then continues following A'kos from the side.

Barmak's behavior was somewhat odd before with his decision to march into the ghost town as if it was any other place, then he goes along singing (something he's never done before)... Well, that's a bit odder. But when he ignores Loukas and simply changes course and ditty as if the Brother of Veles hadn't addressed him? This is truly peculiar. Loukas is worried.

Putting a hand on Barmak's shoulder, "Wait, Barmak, sorry to interrupt the performance, but I asked you a question."

Balthazar casts detect invisible and moves up, does a 360, and sees what there is to see.

Heinrich stops to watch what transpires with Loukas and Barmak, observing events while continuing to scan for trouble.  He verifies that he has both his quivers secure, then continues to observe the area while standing silent and concealed with a pained look on his face.

Barmak is surprised, and shrugs. I did answer you. Anyway, this effort was fun while it lasted. We've seen, smelt, and felt things in this direction. I propose we circle around to discover what there is to discover before closing in on our goal.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:13, Thu 27 Oct 2011.

With an eyebrow raised, "You did? And what is our goal again?"

I did...the touching on the shoulder part. I do believe our currenht goal is to get to a place called the Library; but, before that, to approach as safely as may be.

With a wry smile, "Ah. Okay. Well, I'm glad you're suddenly with us on the matter of 'safe approaches'. And your idea of circling around is a good one. Why don't you join Heinrich and me?"

He turns returns to where the German awaits, "Barmak suggests that we circle around this area and attempt to determine the source of that deathly scent. I agree. We either confront it now or do so later when attempt to leave."

Heinrich nods to Loukas, then says quietly,"Yes, it certainly seems there are some surprises here. Any ideas on how to track this thing? Or what it is? Does Barmak seem ok?"

"He seems okay... We shall see. I also do not know anything about what that creature was. It seems likely that we'll find whatever it is if we follow our noses, so let us circle around and see where we are led."