Chapter 4 - "Contact"

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Chapter 4 - "Contact"

  [This is silly, I won’t let you kill this monkey with my trap for no reason!] Since the situation is escalating so fast, I don't have much time to react. I rush to the entrance and wait for the two Lizard-Men to drop the cage. The moment they let go of it, I catch it in its fall ...

Lizard-Men: " ... whhooaah .... "

A wave of surprise goes through the small crowd. Only now I realize, this is the first time I’ve actively shown them that I'm here, and willing to interact with them. [I guess there is no turning back now.] Maybe they planned this as at test ... did I fall for it?

As I'm standing there in front of them, unsure what to do next, with an angry monkey in my grip, a shadow flashes through my field of vision in an instant. The next moment, the cage is torn out of my grip and drops to the floor. [What the ...?]

It's the spider!

Maybe it sees the screaming ape as an intruder, maybe as prey ... maybe both - I don't know. The thing is: It drops together with the cage right on the pressure plate. The  trapdoor on the ceiling flings open, and the round boulder falls with a loud rustling noise right on top of them. While the spider manage to evade it with a side jump, the trapped monkey is totally helpless. It’s smashed into a gulp of meat, and the remains of the cage are sent flying through the whole room.

[That didn't go like planned ... ] As the boulder smashes onto the ground with a loud bang, the spider jumps another few times to the back of the room while avoiding the remains of the cage. It is now hanging on the wall and stretching its front legs out in defense. On the other side, some of the armed lizard-men intend to draw their weapons but are stopped by  Bonehead.

Lizard-Men: "Sha-ki go-armá! Roshrá sha-ki go-armá!

Bonehead: "Segésh nar sha-ki!" ...

While they seem to discuss something energetically, the spider retreats to another corner of the room. I just stand there, dumbfounded by the sudden development of the situation. After a few minutes, the smashed body of the little monkey starts to dissolve into little, yellow light particles, that are again absorbed by the core. The guys outside become silent for a moment.

Bone-Head: "... Segmár hog sha-ki!"

He hushes the others away with energetic gestures, takes another long look at the spider and leaves too. [This is getting out of hand ...] They really seem to worship this place. Maybe the Dungeon Lord of that ... "shag" here ...  is some kind of a "god" to them, and I'm just messing with their beliefs. [So what? I'm serving a God now?!] ... Hard to accept.

I'm also curious about the disappearing bodies. [It's a bit sad for the monkey, though.] Recalling the first time that phenomenon happened and the surprise in their faces, they didn't seem to be used to this. At that time, they didn't hesitate to rush in and kill the soldiers, but after that they haven’t dared to take a single step inside. So, if this is part of their religion, they must have decided upon it after yesterday's incident.

But why would the lizardmen do that all of a sudden? Why go through all that effort? [What are they expecting to gain from it!?]

After I calm down a bit, I open the map to see what they are doing, as if this would give me an answer to my questions. While I watch them, the spider  slowly retreats to the corner it was in before, which seems to be its favorite spot. While I'm sad for the monkey, I can't blame my roommate for attacking it. After all it's just an animal following its instincts.

Outside, the lizardmen are doing something weird again. In front of the unfinished hut, the two females are on their knees, while Mr. Bonehead uses a thick, white paste to draw strange patterns of curved lines and dots on their scaly skin. They clearly are preparing for something. [What is it now?] As I watch them, a very uncomfortable thought sifts into my mind, what if they think that this place is some kind of gate to the afterlife? I mean, bodies turning into light and disappearing inside a glowing orb, this "could" be interpreted as a divine event! [They don't plan to send these two to their ancestors, do they?]

[A divine light, huh?] ... I look back to the dungeon-heart ... [Nah, I just can't get myself to believe that!] As charming as a door to the heavens sounds, as long as I don't see where this portal (if it is one) leads, I won't accept that as truth.

My look wanders to the fresh blood on the floor, some of it is still dripping from the boulder. [Who is actually supposed to clean all that?] I guess this is what must have happened during my sleep. They must have been the ones who activated the trap. If I rearm the trap now, they might just do it again. [Paying DP for it each time would be a nuisance.] ... But this dangling bloody boulder is disturbing!

After a moment of considering my options, I decide to rearm the trap, but to switch off the activators first. The pressure plates signaled with a "click" that something happened, while the tripwire loosens up to a state where it just lays on the floor. When I finally open the window for the boulder trap to reset it, I notice something strange.

[... DP: 3628 ...]

I'm pretty sure that yesterday, the number was around 3500 plus something! After that I rearmed the trap, which costs another 10 DP. And now it's over 3600 DP. [So it is slowly increasing somehow?] Maybe it increases when I sleep? ... I should keep an eye out for that. [*Sigh* - Again, more questions ...]

Still in my thoughts, I rearm the trap. This time it doesn't attract any unnecessary attention. I check one more time on the lizard-people, but Bonehead seems not to be in a hurry with his body-painting project. Then I remember what I was doing before the recent excitement happened. I was going through the events, trying to figure out what is going on. [Let's continue there ...] The sooner I can figure out what’s happening here, the sooner I will know how to react to all this randomness.

[So, where was I? ... ] I woke up here without any knowledge of who or where I am. I opened the dungeon info screen for the first time. There I concluded that I must be a ghost, summoned by a dungeon master to guard the treasures of his dungeon. [Ah - The treasure!] I totally forgot about that. While I hover over to the place where I put it, I continue thinking:

[After that I noticed the shiny orb.] I gaze over to it. [... Why do I feel so comfortable around it?] ... One thing after another! I'll get to that in a minute. First the so-called "treasure". I inspect the small pile of mostly valuable looking items behind the rubble. Now, that I actually have the ability to create containers, I should probably put it in a chest. For a moment, I consider simply putting it in the small chest, where the few coins and some pieces of jewelry from the guards are, but decided to create a separate one for it, since that stuff is somehow special, because it was here "before" I arrived. After placing down another small chest, I put the items in there, one by one - closely inspecting each of them ...

The first one is a dark blue sphere that seems to be made of glass or crystal. It’s about the size of a child's head, with a lot of tiny gems embedded on its surface in a random pattern. It's surrounded by a metal construct of movable parts with a lot of symbols (characters, or maybe numbers) engraved on it. It somehow looks like a scientific device to me.

Then, there are three scrolls with strange inscriptions, which I can't read.

Also clothes, that appear to be made for traveling long distances, including heavy raincoats and leather boots. With the clothes, there are also purses with some coins, similar to the ones the guards had.

Next is a fancy dagger with a golden handle and sheath, complete with engravings and embedded gems.

There’s also a strange plate. It's engraved as well, but not for decoration, as it seems. There are symbols drawn on it in several places, that look like some kind of formula. Straight lines divide them from one another, and form by themselves a seven-pointed star.

Also a small wooden casket - but it's locked, so I can't tell what’s inside. And three small bottles with strange looking, glittering substances in them. [Better be careful with them! Who knows what that is ...]

Last is some jewelry: A ring with an insignia, the kind that a noble would possess. A plain amulet with a single blue gem in the size of an egg embedded in it [Something tells me, that it’s not just a decoration ...]. A precious diadem with a lot of - what I think are - diamonds carefully placed on it. And a necklace that actually  looks more like a small mechanical device, but I can't figure out what its purpose is.

Everything is carefully placed in the chest. [A lot of weird stuff ... ] Sadly, none of it answers any of my questions. Let’s say for now, that it's a piece of a puzzle, that is not connected to the big picture yet.

And with this we come to the next piece, that I can't connect to anything: The "dungeon heart" - as the soldiers called it. This thing is a special kind of mystery - while my intuition tells me that the orb is harmless, or even "friendly", my reason says that the way I "feel" about it is not normal at all!

Despite the feeling that I'm somehow attached to it, there is also those weird moments, when the dead bodies are absorbed by it. [I could actually "feel" it! And what’s more ... it felt "good", I would even say "satisfying"!] It was the same with the monkey today (not quite as strong as yesterday though). It felt as if "I" had absorbed it ... [creepy!] ... But let’s carry on with my investigation.

Well, the next thing that I encountered was ... I found out, that I'm bound to this place. I can't get out ... [Ghosts tend to stay in one place ...] So that would support the conclusion that I am a ghost. A not very comforting fact, but there is nothing I can do about it now. [Let's try and make the best of the situation.]

After that, the soldiers showed up. These guys were actually somewhat helpful, even if they were not aware of it. From them I learned that the yellow orb is called a "dungeon heart" and that the people who are outside right now are called "Lizard-Men". And that they were forced out of their previous home and migrated to this place after that. They also mentioned something about slaves and thieves. I think they were looking for someone.

[Ah! Now I remember ...] One of them said something about going back to the main unit, or something. [What if they don't come back?] I was probably wrong to say that they won't be missed. [What if more of them come to look for their friends?] Would the lizard men fight them again? Are they enemies? Would the soldiers raid this place too, because the lizards are friendly with me? Would the lizard men defend me, would I have to fight on my own?

My thoughts are starting to race again ... [What should I do?] My traps will not be enough to hold off more than a few people. I don't even know how to close the door. If they belong to a bigger unit, or maybe even an army, I couldn’t protect myself. [What will happen if they come here?]

???: [When they come - then Ashranie will hunt them!]

Me: [... What was that? ... ]

???: [If spirit of this place will protect Ashranie, than Ashranie will protect the spirit of this place!]

There is suddenly another consciousness present. Intuitively, I look around for its source, and there they are; Bonehead stands in front of the entrance and is waiting impatiently, while both of the female lizards have entered the room. They are standing there, facing each other and holding hands. Good thing, I deactivated the traps! I was so absorbed in my thoughts I didn't even notice them enter. Their eyes are closed and their heads raised high. In the back, the other four lizard men gathered and are watching, as if something big is about to happen.

  

Several moments pass, as my mind has gone blank from surprise.

Lizard woman: [Does the spirit of this place want Ashranie’s protection?]

Me: [Ahm ... Yes! ... I guess ...]

Not sure what to say, I decide to just play along.

Me: [You can speak with me? ... How?]

Lizard woman: [... Sari and Orsha were born with the gift to walk in dreams. Speaking with spirits is like walking in dreams.]

I don't get it ...

Me: [But ... I was sure that we don't speak the same language!]

Lizard woman: [To speak in dream, you don't need words.]

Now now, I don't care how it works, this is my chance to get answers!

Me: [ ... Say, why do you worship this place?]

Lizard woman: [... Orsha does not understand.]

I guess I need to rephrase my question ...

Me: [Why did you try to kill the monkey with my trap?]

Lizard woman: [The “small burning man” was an offering of friendship to the spirit of this place.]

"Small burning man"... that is certainly an apt description for that creature! I would probably also add "angry" to it.

Lizard woman: [The spirit of this place didn't like it?]

Actually, I did ... I could "feel" the absorption process of its body, and it was not ... bad. But it's to embarrassing to admit it. Let's change the subject for now ...

Me: [Ahm ... anyway, how do you even know that I am here?]

Lizard woman: [Orsog, the great hunter, has seen the heart of the spirit of this place, when he fought human hunters. He remembered the story of our ancestors, who bounded with the great spirit "Argos" in a time of great danger. He told Hassag what he saw. Then Hassag came to offer the friendship of the Ashranie to the spirit of this place.]

Me: [Wait, there is another one like me? "Argos", was it, right? Tell me about it! I want to hear that story!]

Lizard woman: [... Speaking with spirits makes Sari and Orsha tired very fast. We will speak again later if the spirit wishes so.]

Now that she says it, one of them doesn't look very good. Her hands are shaking and her breathing gets heavier by the moment.

Me: [Hey, are you alright?]

Lizard woman: [ ... What should Sari and Orsha say to Hassag? ]

The Link is getting weaker, I can feel it. [Crap!] I wanted to ask more questions, but this seems to be indeed very tiring to them. I guess this “Hassag” is the bonehead guy at the entrance.

Me: [Listen ... Tell him that I accept your offer of friendship! And that I want to talk more!]

They are at their limits.

Lizard woman: [What is ... name ... of spirit of this place? ...]

Me: [Now - that's ... ahm]

That's a good question, actually. But I have no time to explain. The link they established breaks down, as does one of the women. She trembles heavily, while desperately trying to catch her breath. The other one does not look much better either, but she still manages to help the collapsed one on her feet and drags her to the entrance, where they both are taken in the care of their tribesman.

Bonehead, who must be this "Hassag" they were talking about, seems to be quite restless. He tries to speak with the females, but they are too exhausted. The strong males carry them to the small hut and lay them to rest.

I was totally unprepared for such a surprise. If I knew what they are up to, I would have chosen my questions more careful, to make better use of the little time we had to speak. I certainly should think carefully about what to ask, when they come to speak again.

[Sari and Orsha, huh ... ] They seem to be simple minded, but I could sense a lot of pride in their words. They are certainly not someone to mess around with. As far as I can tell, they are totally serious about what they say. They wouldn't got to the extent to exhaust themselves to such a degree, if they just wanted to fool with me.

I guess, I have no reason to mistrust them anymore. At least I hope so. On the other hand, I talked with just one of them and have no idea of what the rest of their tribe is thinking. Before I trust them completely, I should wait and see if they are willing to keep their promise.

[They asked me about my name ... ] What should I tell them if they ask again? I confirm to myself that I really don't know about it. If I need to have a name, should I then just pick one? [Hmm, do I even know any good names?] How about the one on the metal plate outside. I remember that I kinda' liked the sound of it.

Opening the map, I confirm it: "Kalifos"! It's the name of the lord that ordered the construction of this tower.

[Well, Kalifos it is then!] It's also convenient that his name is already on the wall. I hope the guy doesn't mind. But judging by the state of this tower, he is probably long gone.

Chapter 3 < Chapter 4 > Chapter 5

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