Nathan has been working on an evolving story: Path to Thsoling where elementals, intrigue, and adventure abound. Join Qoh and Rham in their quest as press deeper into the Shadow beyond the Light.
"Skrit," Rham spat as he tried to pick his way through the detritus filled tunnel. "I know they can't see this mess, but surely they can smell it!"
"I think they like it, Rham. And be civil, we're going to need their help -- you admitted as much." Qoh admonished and continued to follow their diminutive guide. Only as big as a large dog, the skrit that led them skittered forward on its six legs.
A bizarre creature that had skin, fur, scales, and chitin over various parts of its body, the skrit lived in small hive-like communities that sometimes established themselves near Freeholds, but they usually preferred the solitude of the deeper chasms. Simple beings, they ate stone and seemed to have no aspirations for their race beyond digging fanciful twisting tunnels and breeding. However, some skrit had gained a taste for the detritus of the Freeholds and hives began to grown around Freeholds. Such was the case with this hive.
"It was a moment of weakness. I can navigate us through the tunnels just fine." Rham pulled away from the wall as another skrit scurried past a few feet above the floor. Around the two the warren buzzed, hissed, and popped with activity. Many Children of the Light shared an aversion to the skrit, and most had a greater distaste than the warrior.
Qoh shook his head, but his companion couldn't see it in the gloom. "No, Rham, we need their help. They may live in the shadows, but they haven't fallen to the Other, and there are few better at navigating unknown tunnels." Rham grimaced but diligently continued.
The scrit led them into a large and intricately carved chamber. A female -- Rham could only tell because she was bigger than the handful of males around her -- chattered and popped as they stood before her. He glanced to his left and raised his eyebrows as Qoh began to squeak and pop in reply. The warrior sized up the warren matriarch.
If she stood erect, the matriarch would have been a head taller than him, and she was just as solid as the warrior. However, reclined as she was on a short dais, with a belly swollen full of eggs or skritlings, Rham decided she wasn't a big threat.
The exchange went on for some time, Qoh stopped and patted the earth as he 'spoke,' and the air grew heavy with skrit scent. Rham choked down a sneeze, and grimaced at the cloying smell.
Finally, the discourse concluded, Qoh bowed at waist, and the same skrit led them from the room. Tears streamed from Rham's eyes as they moved through the twisting warren. "Well?" the warrior asked, but Qoh remained silent.
At the branch of the tunnel that would take them back to Goh, a skrit waited. It stood as erect as it could at their approach, and it was taller than most of its kin, it reached Qoh's shoulder. "Qoh," the skrit chirped. It continued to pop and chip in its own language as it extended its hand. The priest smiled and took the skrit's hand.
Qoh popped and chirped back and then turned towards his companion, "Rham, this is Twelfth Strong Son, our guide."
"Rhamm," the skrit purred as it offered its hand. The warrior grimaced but shook Twelfth Strong Son's hand.
