A/N: And here's the next chapter! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Dungeons and Dragons. I only own my original ideas.
Chapter 82: Into the Cursed Barrens
The next day I regrouped with my allies, and shared what I'd learned the previous evening.
"The Cursed Barrens, huh? Sounds thrilling," said Lydratir sarcastically, "we should get on the road soon".
"We'll need to keep our wits about us," said Uxarix, "who knows what might await us in that place?"
We set out across the sands, the city of Dryvale vanishing from sight as the winds whipped up the sands. For several hours we pushed through the dust storm, but eventually we were clear of it. Further on, we encountered a worn stone marker emerging form the sands, covered in ancient sigils. As we approached it, a large green serpent emerged from under a stony ridge. It was a Naga, but this one's intentions seemed good.
"Hold, travelers," said the Naga, "you should turn back. Beyond this stone is a place of darkness. Those who enter often become corrupted by the power of this place".
"Thank you for your warning, but we intend to continue. We seek the Temple of the Justicars," said Uxarix.
"The Temple?" said the Naga, "A noble goal, but be warned, fiendish creatues inhabit it now, corrupting that sacred place. I shall not stop you, but remember my warnings".
The naga slithered back into its den, leaving us to our path. We continued past the stone marker, beyond whatever ancient ward guarded this place. As we continued deeper into the Cursed Barrens, we spotted two sinuous forms slithering across the sands. At first I though they might be more Nagas, but as the got closer I realized they were far different, much less pleasant creatures. They rose up, and with their scaly arms the pair of Yuan-Ti Abominations drew their weapons.
Uxarix charged into battle, and jabbed one of the Yuan-Ti. His rapier bathed in blinding light. The Yuan-Ti hissed in pain, and looked at him angrily. Krisyra drove the end of her staff against the ground, and in response the ground under the Yuan-Ti burst upwards, pelting them with sand and stones. The Yuan-Ti near Uxarix reataliated against him with its scimitar, but he raised his shield to deflect the blow. However, the Yuan-Ti was ready and struck Uxarix with its venomous bite. It continued by attempting to constrict him, but he evaded this attack. The other Yuan-Ti took aim at me with a bow, and fired twice. One arrow glanced off my hide, but the other found purchase. I snarled as the poison on the arrow entered me. Narcrath stepped to the side, channeled his magic, and fired a powerful lightning bolt at both Yuan-Ti, heavily damaging both of them. Lydratir took aim at the Yuan-Ti who'd shot me, and fired his own bow, the arrow sinking deep into the Yuan-Ti's eye. It recoiled, hissing angry words in every language it knew before Lydratir ended its rant with a second, fatal arrow. I approached the remaining Yuan-Ti, attempting to finish it off with claw and fang. However, despite its grevious wounds it evaded my strikes and tried to slither away, but ended up dodging right into the path of Charles' sword. With a single swing, he finished off the Yuan-Ti, leaving us to regather ourselves and continue on our way.
Some distance further on, we came upon a small campsite, consisting to three abandoned tents. There were no clues what might have happened to the occupants, the winds had blown away whatever footprints that might have been here. As the sun dipped towards the horizon, we came upon others wandering these wastes, these ones being a trio undead and lead by a gaunt human revenant.
"You are not the ones I seek, but you blade smells of their kin," said the Revenant, "do you know where these monsters reside?"
"They came at us from the north," I said, "perhaps their city is there".
"Indeed, I sense it is," said the Revenant, "I sense that you are on a mission of pure intentions. May your path lead you to victory over the dark forces you fight. Though you knew it not, you have aided me in my retribution. You have my thanks".
With that, the Revenant departed with its undead companions in tow, leaving us to our path. Further on, we came upon another interesting sight: a shiny, metallic object sitting in a glassy indentation in the ground. I looked closer and nudged it, noting that it was surprisingly heavy for its size.
"I think I know what this is," said Narcrath, "I think it's a meteorite".
"I think I'll keep it," I said, "We might find some us for it".
I stepped closer, and as I was reaching for it, I heard something absolutely massive moving through the air, diving towards me, prompting me to crouch low to the ground as an enormous bird just barely missed me.
"Roc!" shouted Charles, "Be ready to dodge if it dives at you!"
Uxarix clutched his holy symbol and spoke a prayer, radiant magics empowering us. Narcrath pulled out a small diamond, and fired off an orb of lightning at the Roc, singeing some feathers. Krisyra called upon her druidic magic, and the winds whipped up, transforming her into an Air Elemental. She flew up towards the Roc, striking it with her windy fist. I leapt into the air, and attacked the Roc with my claws and fangs. Somewhere deep inside, battling this giant bird felt familiar. Lydratir took careful aim with his bow, putting two arrows into the Roc, wounding it further. Charles shouldered his crossbow, and fired at the Roc, hitting it. The Roc struck back at me, pecking with its beak and piercing my hide viciously.
Uxarix took aim with own crossbow, putting another bolt into the Roc. Narcrath pointed at the Roc, and a dark pulse of energy sunk into it, causing the Roc to wither a bit as if dehydrated. Krisyra struck at the Roc again, and it wasn't looking to be in good shape. I tore into it with my claws and teeth again, once again feeling that strange recollection. Lydratir readied his bow again, and fired off two more arrows, one piercing right through its skill, causing the Roc to fall from the sky and crash, sending up a small shockwave.
I glided down, surveying our foe's fallen form. I landed, collecting the meteorite and put in the once of the punches I wore. Krisyra landed as well, morphing back to her normal elven form.
"Well, that was unexpected," said Krisyra, "We'd best make camp away from here; this thing is going to attract scavengers from miles around".
With that, we left the fallen form of the Roc behind, intent on finding a good place to make camp.
A/N: And there we go! For those unfamiliar with the lore, according to legends, Rocs were created by one of the gods of the Giants to be used as mounts so that they could challenge Dragons' aerial superiority. So, as a result Dragons and Rocs do not get along. With the defeat of this Roc, the party has reached level 11! Anyway, next time, the adventure continues! See you then!