Melock's fetish sends out tendrils of darkness which spread like spiders webs, the threads thickening and joining with each other to form a creeping night black net.

As the two Raven braves advance, intent on either passing through or circumnavigating the dome of brilliant light, the edge of the darkwall comes in contact with the Yelmalion magic, fizzing and spluttering as the two opposite elements touch.

Steam rises and for the briefest of moments it even looks like the shadows would prevail....

When he see's the steam start to rise, he has a sudden vision of his future, which is short and crispy. He grabs Ohanzee and pulls him towards the pool. "Hold your breath, brother." Following his own advice, he takes a big lung full of air and dives in to the murky water.

Ohanzee slips free of Melock's grip, but he does turn and run heading back to the tunnel to the Earth complex. As he passes Henal he suggests "Run!" and passing into the tunnels he shouts "Gasesha, I beg of you carry me to the surface!"

As Ohanzee runs off calling to Gadesha, he cant help but smile, Last time both of us where running in the Temple, we wanted to get away from Gadesha.

Melock immediately finds himself in difficulty, the surprisingly deep water filled with clinging plants and algae, tangling limbs and weighing his body down. Henal can see that he's in difficulties, a spear length from the shore.


Meanwhile Ohanzee finds himself running through the caves and tunnels back to where Gadesha was, calling for her as he runs. There's no answer as yet.

Sunlight burns and shadows curl in on themselves, frizzling away to nothing. It was a valiant try but one made in haste and lacking in mythical punch and experience.

Tarnessh, able to see someway into the blindingly bright bubble of magical energy, can see what looks like two gigantic entities engaged in complicated rituals. Approaching them, a servant, carrying in his hands a flaming disc.

Greeshar stays beneath the minimal shade offered by the small knot of dark grey clouds above, staring up at one point to shout out "The clouds are burning away."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:33, Thu 04 June 2015.

Amara felt powerless. If there was one thing she wanted it was the Earth to overcome the Sun in their own temple and now this place might forever have this moment burned into it. She sighed heavily, choosing to leave to see if she could find Whispers so that she might help them in this. She couldn't think of a single other thing to help.

As Rangers deliberate what to do, the magical dome of light begins to subside, revealing once more the two groups of people within.

There stands the Earth Witch, her copper skin gleaming, a snake wound about her neck and shoulders. Flanked by her guardians she looks regal, proud and victorious. Equally powerful stand the Yelmalions, who as one bow to the Rhino woman and turn on mass, intending to head back to the surface. Baring their way is the small knot of Wandering Rangers:Kobal, his brother Tarnish, Greeshar, Amara, Salen, Hoskar and Akala.

Overhead Bright treasure continues to burn, but at it's normal strength, the previous magic that had increased it's power now gone.

A cool wind comes in it's wake, as does the sound of Melock struggling in the deep pool....

Inside the Earth Complex Ohanzee finds himself standing alone in the entrance hall, his voice echoing about the empty space.

Able to see again Salen finds himself opposite a shining example of everything that he is not. An upright, prim and proper warrior of the sun, armour polished so that it's surface is like a mirror, weapons covered in gold, and a beard without a hair out of place. The man has most certainly never tried the Hazia that his land is famous for and looks like one of his spears is lodged up his arse.

A look of distain passes across his long face, and a twitch appears in one eye.

Henal sets himself strongly on the bank and extends his spear out towards Melock.

"Grab on and try and make your way back in to the shore. The sun worshippers have what they want so will not bother to trouble us now."

Melock is still smiling as he hits the water, but then he remembers two very important facts, the first being he's wearing his armour, though luckily he hasn't got his metal helm on and the second, arguably the more important of the two, is that he's a nomad and can't swim. Which causes a traitorous little voice in his head to ask him, What the hell were you thinking? The more he struggles the more the plants wrap round his limbs.

With the sun-kissed (blessed?) visage of a Sun Domer sneering down upon him, Salen replies in the only way he knows, the most typical of him. He smiles, a confident and disarming smile.

"Your day will come, Yelmalion. You can be sure of that."

Is that a threat? A promise? Both? Only the few know the ways and mysteries of the Condor...

As the patch of clouds gather near the sun dome, Kobal wonders whether he should try to walk towards the light, in the hope of blocking some of the dome.  But at Greeshar's warning, he sees that the dome will not be overshadowed.

When the dome dissipates, he walks towards the Earth Witch, largely ignoring the approaching Yelmalions, but not looking away from any who meet his eyes.

The Yemalion's eyes widen in surprise, then narrow, but he says nothing as he marches past. It's then than Salen gets a close look at the Yelmalion's leader. The one who'd clapped slowly at their rescuing of Ohanzee. He looks pleased with himself and as he passes the Condor brave fixes him with a stare.

A stare made with blind eyes...




Kobal gets the same treatment as the group of warriors pass, their hauberks and mail clinking softly. Those Rangers wearing bits of Yelmalion armour or carrying quivers of yellow tipped arrows are noticed, the facts stored for a later date. Greeshar only just manages to stop from assaulting them and then they're gone and Kobal is before the Earth Witch.

Managing to hold his breath, Melock begins to sink, but at the last moment one of his hands finds the proffered spear. Holding on he can only hope that Henal has the strength to pull him out

Those at the northern end of the Hole can not help but see and hear the splashes as Melock faces a watery doom.

Henal does his best to support Melock with the spear, the slender brave using his strength to the maximum.

"Help me get Melock out of the water" He yells seeking help.

In reply to Henal Longgrass (msg # 84):

Aye! Amara, ward him with javelins - something approaches down there! I'll help get him out!

Fearing for his comrade, Hoskar hurries to the hauling; his mind rehearsing the steps to make healing of any hurt that occurs if they're too slow.

Hosker's warning notifies the others present to the swiftly approaching ripple in the water. It's obvious target the struggling Raven brave.

The axe sisters surround the Earth Witch to ensure her safety. By her side is a very smug looking Red Thorn shaman, his own braves hovering in the background.

"Welcome Rangers" beams the Earth Witch, though her look changes to one of worry as all attention turns to the drowning Melock.

Standing in the half collapsed but tidy entrance hall, Ohanzee discovers that he is alone.

To one side is a set of heavy bronze doors, their surface inscribed with pictures of either Emesh-Ga or an earth god upon a strange contraption pulled by two giant snakes.

In other walls are a half dozen newly dug tunnels....

From one comes a voice singing.

Whispers from the Sky.

Henal is joined by Akala, the latter wading into the water, using his height to try and reach the struggling brave.

Hands thrash as Melock slips beneath the surface in an explosion of bubbles as his breath gives out. Twenty metres distant the surface ripple vanishes as whatever it is dives deeper intent on taking the Raven as it's next meal.

Oh seven sorts of hell.

Floundering behind Akala, shorter and less massive than the giant Ranger and not doing so well in the chase, Hoskar pauses to mutter a different charm - of rending of flesh - towards the unseen entity maybe that'll give you indigestion, you bugger  before yelling Rope, someone! Now! Got to go in after him properly!

Ohanzee moves towards the sound of Whispers singing, her voice a welcome and calming sound after the trials and tribulations of the last few days. Perhaps she can help with another way out or perhaps she can help with the ongoing struggle between Earth and Sun. As he passes the new tunnels he looks into the new tunnels to the side.

Hearing all the cries and shouts Salen comes running across to the pool, already unslinging his rope from over his shoulder and offering it to Hoskar.

"Tie it around me! I can swim a little."

Assuming he does so Salen dives into the water wearing only his skins and carrying his dagger, and makes to help Melock.

OOC: Will the River Eyes matrix work down here, or is the water too murky?

Henal goes to knot the rope using his quick knot charm. Then he takes a loose hold of the rope to allow it to play out while Salen swims.

Diving under water Salen opens his eyes to a murky, algae infested world. Even though his mouth is closed he can taste how filthy it is.

Kicking his legs and aiming for where he thinks Melock is, the condor brave prepares for the worse and he gets it...

His hands come into contact with a thrashing body and pulling it close finds himself face to face with a panicked looking Melock, out of air and by the looks of it out of luck too.


Up above Akala joins Hoskar and Henal, the former chest deep in the water, his weapon drawn ready to come to Salen's aid if needs be. All three braves have at least one hand on the rope.

On the shore Greeshar stands with his sister, javelins in hand, both waiting for a shot at whatever was hunting below the surface.


Struggling himself to get a grip on Melock, Salen suddenly sees his friend go rigid and then a look of horror spreads across Melock's face as the last remnants of air erupt from his lungs, followed by a cloud of blood.

Each tunnel is dark and foreboding except for the one that the voice of his Clan's shaman comes from. From it's depths comes a soft, far away light.