ic Danger in the Lost World! (IC)

[Thevshi]

Giang listened to the exchange, or the translations of it, with a slight feeling of irritation, while doing her best to keep her outward expression composed.  Thus far they were not finding much in the way of allies, though given the apparent mistrust and hatred that existed between the principal power groups in this world, likely having existed for hundreds of years, she knew it should likely be of little surprise.

 

As John started to lead them away from the meeting with the city's senators, Subito stepped forward to address the first citizen and the gathered senators.  The Asian teen's gaze fell over those that had been addressed as the "Brothers of Apollo," and in particular the golden haired young man that was among them.

 

Shifting slightly so she was near John, Giang spoke in a low voice.  "One of those speaking out against us is the Serpent Person we saw yesterday tmeeting with those we followed.  It is likely some of the others are Serpent People agents as well."

[Ari]

GM

 

The English of the Nova Romans was quite good, and with a few words they managed to perfectly convey their lofty dismissal of Subito's offer. At the very least it took attention off Myrmidon's curt departure. The Princeps snorted, pacing around the circular oratory floor "Oh yes, bring back an illusory horn from a fake terrorbeast. Our comrades did give you the right passwords and words of address, so something must have happened, but to claim that it's the work of the degenerate, weak and crippled Serpents..." he shook his head vigorously "It defies all sense and reason, they've never been any threat before-"

 

"That's it! That's why they've been able to pull this off! Because you don't see them as a threat!" Kazra almost barked, the lean and wiry girl glaring up at the weighty and bemused Septissmerus past a few stray strands of thick hair fallen over one eye. The contrast between the rough and dingy Jungle Princess in her animal skins and the austere Roman wrapped in a pristine blue-edged toga was almost comical. Gripping the haft of her spear like she was trying to break it Kazra added "If the fact that someone could copy your flag-thing isn't suspicious enough for you, we'll get all the proof you could ask for. And more to boot!" she added through gritted teeth. The First Citizen stopped his pacing mid-step, looked over at the girl, then shrugged "What proof could you bring the poet-god's brothers?" he asked the group at large, a condescending smile spreading across his face "One of those reptiles confessing it all? That would be a wonder."

[Tiffany Korta]

Something about what the First Citizen said struck a cord, all they had to do was force the Serpent Person to reveal himself. If they were preparing an attack they would have someone inside this building watching it all. She had one chance to do, and it need a grandiose gesture to draw him out.

She strode forward acting for all the world like she owned the place her voice ringing out with an air of authority.

“We don’t need too exalted First Citizen, for one of those accursed beast’s is here in our very presence.†she made a large sweeping gesture around the hall scanning for anyone who showed fear, worry or just an alien body language.

“And these lenses will help me reveal the traitor.†she held up her Google's before slipping them on her eye’s “For they will allow me to see the magic’s concealing his form.â€

[Ari]

GM

 

The Romans clearly didn't expect this from foreigners. Watching Bloduewedd's grandiose actions and hearing her words with much more respect and interest, their reactions to what happened next were beautiful.

 

The world that the Chessboard revealed glowed and swirled into place over the pristine and austere Senate, revealing all the usual denizens, and one extra. The golden-haired boy sitting among the older Romans had visibly begun to shift and fidget in his seat as the mystic agent's words rang through the dome, and in the world of magic he still had his true form. The same creature that they had seen on the road was sitting there, the blond boy a mere mask around the savage Serpent Man! He seemed to know that he had been discovered, and almost before she had seen it for a few seconds the disguising spell seemed to try and solidify, to become more real...but it was too late.

 

Jumping to his feet the boy shouted at the other Senators "You see, Brothers, she tries to trick us! Everyone knows magic isn't real, just a trick of the Incas! It-it...GRARGH!" with a cry of anguish, the Serpent Man's concentration broke, and with a burst of golden light there stood a cowering lizard in the middle of the senate.

 

[Thevshi]

Giang had watched as Cerys had stepped forward to address the Roman Senate, stating that she had a means of revealing one of the Serpent People that was present.  The Asian teen's focus went back to the golden haired young man they had seen meeting with the other Serpent People, anticipating his unveiling. 

 

She was not disappointed, as the Serpent Person's concentration broke and his true form was reveled to the gathered senators, even as he tried to claim it was all a trick.  Giang did not hesitate once he was exposed.  Taking a slight step forward, the Asian teen brought one hand up in front of her and sent a blast of water streaking across the room.  The powerful jet of water slammed into the Serpent Man's chest, sending him flying backward into a wall before he crumpled onto the marble floor, very unconscious.

[Ari]

Starting backwards at the wet *crack* as the lizard man slammed into the wall and fell into a bloodied heap, the young paragon was momentarily lost for words. Blodeuwedd's skill at coming up with solutions to the seemingly impossible was something Subito deeply admired, but even he hadn't thought the serpentine spy would drop his disguise so fast!

 

Quickly getting a hold of himself, the muscular teen stepped forward, waving a hand at the unveiled spy he proclaimed "Behold! One of the Serpent People in the highest place of your government! Do you still doubt our claims, Brotherhood? If so, just ask Mr. Snakeface!" he folded his powerful arms across his chest and looked challengingly at the  Romans, neatly puffing a few stray curls from near his eyes. Glancing at Giang and Cerys he added with a sheepish grin on his handsome face "Thanks a lot. Next time I'll remember to just punch the bad guy when I see 'im, don't worry!" Turning to the Senators with especial attention to the Princeps he went on "We heard your army's been side-tracked, that they're stuck out in the jungle 'cause they saw a bunch of Incans? If you want, I can go get those guys for ya and bring back the horn of that ultra-dino that you think is a mirage. I can go fastest an' speak Latin," he pointed out to the others "we can't let a whole buncha Romans who want to attack Viracochasuyuns wander around, that'll totally screw everythin' up!"

 

Blushing slightly and glancing out a nearby window he mumbled "And this conspiracy thing is pretty much over my head." With a flourish and distant shout of greeting, the Bandera appeared in his hand and he let the pommel drop to the stone floor. The flag of Puerto Rico rustled and flapped in an otherwise nonexistent wind, its strong young bearer glistening gold at the edges.

[Ari]

GM

 

"That could be a good plan, boy!" Septissmerus agreed with his booming voice "Go forth, and do your thing!" Turning to the others he added "I am sorry for doubting you, children! And Princess of course" he added blithely to Kazra, who gritted her teeth. Gesturing to Myrmidon he called out "The Frumentarii will do their best to aid you in defeating this menace! Naturally I would beseech you to be discrete, but as this matter has progressed this far I can only ask that you cause as little panic as you can. Brothers, what do you think?" he asked the other senators brightly as the two who had carried the Serpent Man to the guards returned, wiping off the bloody water from their arms with their toga sleeves.

 

After a brief huddle the Romans extended their arms and answered "Ave, Commilitones!*"

 

"Well that settles it! We shall prepare to repel this savage invasion. Make what arrangements you need, your glowing boy has a speedy errand to do" he added, with a meaningful eyebrow waggle at the word 'speedy'. Waving a brawny arm the Princeps marched off for the exit. "I have things to attend to. Vale!"

 

*"Hail, comrades!"

Edited April 4, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

Giang was glad to see the Roman's quickly change their views once the Serpent Person spy was reveled.  As Subito volunteered to fly out to pass along a message to the Roman army that had been sent astray by the spy and try to bring back additional proof of the dinosaur army that was gathering, the Asian teen looked slightly skeptical.

 

"I agree the Roman army needs to be brought back to help defend the city and to prevent them from further escalating a conflict with the Viracochasuyuns, but is it truly necessary to provide more proof of the dinosaur army that we saw?  That seems an unnecessary risk at this point."

 

She then looked over at Ceyrs and John before continuing in a low voice, "Did not the Serpent People we observed along the road also mention that they had other agents among the Romans in this city?"

[Ari]

"Well, these guys are magic Giang" the young paragon explained quietly, the resplendent costume of El Heraldo swirling into being on his body "that big herd could be concealing something else, maybe something even nastier! I can go and return with ease and am more than a match for any reptile. You guys know more about this conspiracy stuff than I do, and I bet you can find the Serpents here no problem." he smiled confidently at his teammates, the golden aura lifting him into the air towards the skylight "Besides, it'll be a great souvenir! Way better than an Atom Family statue." he saluted the senators, declaring in a loud voice "People of Nova Celio! I shall be back with your brothers or not at all!" he called over his shoulder as he zipped off into the air, giving a cheerful wave to Cerys before he soared up into the sky, over the walls and out of sight.

Flying high over the treetops straight for the snow-capped mountains that lay in the west, the Herald of the Blue Dame kept his eyes and ears open for any sign of the Legion Celia. 'Those guys will be fine, these Serpents can't even put up a decent fight! They might not have to, they may well have other ways to strike. They are hidden, after all ....Oh. I should probably be on the lookout for trouble, yeah? Quite so, Herald, let us do our duty'

Edited April 17, 2013 by Arichamus

[Tiffany Korta]

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the Inca have similar infiltrator, or that there isn’t another among your own people. For now you need to gather your forces against any attack’s, I don’t mean to boast but you have here one of the finest tacticians I know I suggest you use his skills.â€

 

Having said her piece she then went to talk to one of many guards that guarded the chamber. She wanted to be crouched in front of the serpent person so that she would be the first person he saw. There was questions that needed answers and she was going to try and find them.

Edited April 18, 2013 by TiffanyKorta

[Ari]

GM

 

It didn't take long to convince the legionaries that the teens should be allowed to see the reptile, and after a quick meeting with the city's extremely shady Frumentarii captain Giang, John and Cerys were escorted to the dank city prisons where the Serpent Man had been thrown just a short time ago. Passing by the dark, echoing passageways lined with grated prisons was hardly a pleasant experience.

 

The golden-scaled lizard was in a particularly deep cell, still very woozy, slumped against a slimy wall and groaning. But from the dull light of defiance in its yellow eyes it was obvious that it was at least a little back to its senses. Snapping his jaws with a sharp click, Goldenhead muttered "I will tell nothing...the Army of Yig will gather no matter what you do now" it almost smiled, teeth catching the dull light from some far-off grate "Do whatever you wisssh."

"He is at your disposal, Commilitones." Domitius, the captain of the secret police declared, tossing them the keys and calmly setting off for the iron doors to the guard hall "Call for me, like clamps or a rack." the Serpent Man glowered, curling up into himself and watching the Claremont students very much like a snake.

 

[Tiffany Korta]

Blodeuwedd narrowed her eye but kept the disgust from showing on the rest of her face.

“We don’t us torture even on Serpent People, if you cross that line you’re no better than his kind.†she kept her voice low enough that the creature couldn’t hear, the threat could help even if they wouldn’t carry them out.

She strode into the cell confident and in control, crouching down to be at the same level, and looked in straight in the eyes. She did have her goggles on to hopefully block any influence he could wield, there was a fine line between bravado and stupidity.

“You going to tell me everything you people have planned, or else I’m going to get creative...â€

The mind if probably primed could cause more fear and terror than any torture device could ever achieve.

[Thevshi]

Giang had been still somewhat ambivalent about Subito flying out on his own, but it had quickly been apparent that nothing would convince him otherwise, so she had wished him good luck before he took to the sky once more.  The Asian teen then followed along with Cerys, John and Princess Kazra as they were lead down into the dungeons to try to question the captured Serpent Man.

 

Although she had accompanied the group, Giang was not certain what she might be able to contribute in this regard.  She did not have any particular skills at interrogation, and certainly was not about to be involved in torture.  Thankfully Cerys quickly indicated she had no intention of torturing the Serpent Man either, though she apparently was willing to at least let the creature believe she might do so.

 

So the Asian teen simply stood in the background, not wanting to distract from Cerys questioning, but also remaining watchful as there was the possibility there were still other Serpent People at large in the city. 

[Ari]

GM

 

It didn't take long for Subito to catch the sound of a thousand Romans marching through the jungle, and after only about twenty minutes of searching he quickly discovered the legion's impromptu campsite several miles from Nova Celio's villages. Contact between them was pretty quickly established, helped by Subito already knowing how to speak and understand Latin, though his accent and pronunciation was much more low-class than the soldiers expected from a messenger.

 

The Legate  was skeptical of Heraldo's message, especially of the idea that the Incans she had been chasing after weren't actually real, the dinosaurs were and the soldiers had been wasting their time.

 

<"If those monsters are flesh and blood,"> the burly woman snapped as she thrust a powerful arm in the direction of the procession of lizards <"then they're the real danger! We have to mobilize and destroy them before they kill anyone!">

 

<"They'll be taken care of soon, Legatus Adrasteia"> Heraldo assured her, folding his arms neatly behind his back <"But there's no need for you or your comrades to go and fight those Serpent slaves, you need to strengthen the city and keep it safe. I and my comrades are more than enough for them anyhow. No weapon in this world can hurt me! And Tsunami's watery power and grace, Myrmidon's sublime soldierhood and Blodeuwedd's skill can easily lay a perfect trap for those things!"> he added with a confident grin on his dark face. It withered under the woman's cold stare, but he held her gaze steadily and never shifted. At last she nodded slowly <"Very well. We'll do as you ask, but only to garrison the city. If we're attacked, we won't hang back and let them maraud the villages. Good day, Herald"> with that and a jangle of armor she went out to mobilize the troops, the legion quickly dismantling the camp and proceeding at a quick pace back for the city...

 

---

 

The Serpent Man was many things, but obviously he wasn't good at keeping his imagination in check. Paling at the threat he snarled "I-we wisssh to remake the world in our own image! Onccce again we shall crush the citiesss, lay low the junglesss, set the beassstsss againssst your people!" curling into a monstrous bundle on the floor it edged away from the agent and the three standing just behind her. Kazra lunged forward, furious again "Why?! What did we do you to deserve that?" she glared down at it, and the reptile looked up at her. "Yig...whissspersss to usss, offersss usss an empire to rule again. Thisss world isss oursss. The dwelling of Sssaturn...we leave messsagesss in it, the priessstsss follow usss, will ssspread chaosss before we ssstrike..."

 

"The Scepter is ours!" it cried in a much more human voice, glaring defiance, rising on one lean and scaly arm "Asss long asss the Master holdss it, we sshall not lose the army, and all sshall be crushed! He ruless the other throne already,"  it grinned hideously "The Sun-Worsshipers shall fall first!"

 

Kazra unlimbered the spear from her back in a fluid motion, aiming it straight for the lizard's skull.

Edited May 4, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

When Princess Kazra began interjecting during the interrogation, Giang became slightly concerned.  Thus far, the girl had proven to be rather impulsive and quick to act without thinking.  As Kazra quickly drew a spear, the Asian teen likewise moved quickly, reaching out to grab the girl's wrist.

 

But before she could secure her grip on the girl's wrist, Kazra managed to pull it free.  But at least the attack had been halted.

 

"You agreed to follow our instructions when we allowed you to accompany us."  Giang reminded the girl.  "Killing a helpless prisoner is not something we are going to condone."

Edited May 11, 2013 by Thevshi

[Ari]

GM

From the furious glare and whitened knuckles, it was obvious the jungle princess wasn't too inclined to listen. But when Tsunami brought up her earlier promise, the girl's tense muscles slackened, and looking down at the ground Kazra nodded dully. Shouldering her weapon she stepped back close to the Asian teen, standing stiffly and looking away from the gold-headed lizard, who looked unaccountably smug at this.

"What more do you wisssh to know? Perhapss how many of uss will crusssh this sscity?" It hissed jeeringly.

[Tiffany Korta]

Blodeuwedd gave the Serpent Person and glare, acting as if the young jungle’s girls action hadn’t had any effect on her. In truth she was quite pleased that Tsunami had dealt with the situation so well, but now she had to concentrate on what this creature actually knew.

“That would be a good start, but I’m not sure if you know anything of value...â€

 

Pride was almost as good a weapon as fear, and Serpent People were as a race nothing if not prideful. Which meant there was a good chance that this one Serpent knew the whole plan in full.

Edited May 13, 2013 by TiffanyKorta

[Ari]

GM

 

"Pah! I wass hidden in the Great Sssenate! Concealed amidsst thesse apes for a year!" the gold-scaled reptile would have raised its fanged snout into the air if it could have done so without looking stupid "The High Masssters told me everything of worth, for I was the lynchpin of the Highfang's plot. Ten hundred of our wild coussinsss will asssssssault thiss city from the Northern Paradise, with a hundred of our race from the West to ferret out the Romanss, the Serpent Scepter of Yig has brought usss an army none on thisss world can withsstand! Wait but one day, and you sshall sssee the wallssss burn!" His yellow eyes gleamed with evil delight at the thought, and the black slits in the middle slid nearly shut despite the darkness.Catching their eyes, its confidence faltered just for a moment, and the creature shivered.

 

Huddling against the wall it turned away from the teens. "Do what you wissh. It sshall get you nothing. I have no more wordsss to wasssste on you monkeyssss..."

 

 

 

[Thevshi]

Satisfied that Kazra would not try to attack the Serpent Person once more, Giang focused back on listening to what the creature had to say.  When it finally finished and dismissed them, the Asian teen started out of the cell block.  When her fellow students had left as well, she looked at them as she began.  "From what that one had to say, it sounds as if our object should be trying to locate this Serpent Sceptre of Yig.  If we can take it from them, or destroy it, then the Serpent Men should lose control over the army of dinosaurs they have gathered."

[Tiffany Korta]

Blodeuwedd stood up and brushed herself down, even allowing herself a tight little smile.

 

“I think you said more than enough, I’m afraid many of your kind will see you as a traitor. Help us stop all this and will try to protect you from the Roman’s.†now wasn’t the time to worry about how the Roman’s would punish the Serpent person.

 

She left the Serpent Person to consider his options and turned her attention to Kazra.

 

"I agree with Tsunami getting the Rod is our best bet to ruin their plans. Do you happen to know anything about where we’d find the thing?â€

Edited May 29, 2013 by TiffanyKorta

[Ari]

GM

 

Glancing up sullenly at Blodeuwedd, the lean Jungle Princess gave the question some thought before shrugging and replying carelessly "I s'pose if they already think they've beaten us in the Mountains of the Sun that's probably where their king is." Her dark eyes darted viciously to the nonchalant Serpent passing out of sight "They don't seem clever enough to make stuff like us, but smart enough to want it, and the palace of the Incas is made of gold, I hear" she added with a quiet note of awe, turning back to the passageway before them and falling into her loose-limbed stride.

 

Coming into the dark prison courtyard, the Frumentarii captain nodded shortly to them and signaled for the doors to be opened <"That spy won't escape, I promise you outlanders!"> he said with a grin <"Go find us the others and we can give him some company too.">  He passed laughing into the dark halls of the prison.

 

"I don't like that man" Kazra said crisply as they emerged into the blazing light of the Lost World's sun, shading her face and squinting into the dazzling city "So, where's that temple of Saturn we have to watch?" she asked curiously, adjusting the straps of her weapons.

[Thevshi]

Giang thought a moment as Kazra responded to Cerys' question about the location of the scepter.  "From what the spy said, it did not sound as if the Incan lands were already conquered, but it did sound as if the Serpent People were currently infiltrating there and ready to strike.  I do not think we should wait for that to happen, particularly if we can get to the staff there.  Waiting for the Serpent People to unfold their plan will not benefit us.  The Serpent People's plan has taken into consideration the Romans, Incans and your father's people.  However, we are not something they anticipated or planned on, thus we can potentially do more to disrupt their plans than anyone else.  But if we simply sit back and wait for their plan to unfold, our ability to disrupt it becomes more difficult."

 

Knowing any attempt to try to locate the staff mentioned by the spy would likely have to wait until Subito returned, the Asian teen turned to the task at hand of going to the Temple of Saturn.  "According to the directions provided by our hosts, it is in this direction."  She stated, before starting off though the ancient city towards the Temple.

[Tiffany Korta]

Blodeuwedd rapidly caught up with Giang, she admired the other woman’s enthusiasm but there was a time and a place to show a little caution.

“I’m just as keen as you to stop this whole plot, but the three of us alone won’t be able to stop a horde of Serpent People. Let’s at least go get John and put a call in for Subito to go meet us.â€

She turned back towards Kazra and gave her a not unkind look.

 

“We could still do with your help if you want to come along, this involves your world as much, or even more, than ours.â€

Edited June 10, 2013 by TiffanyKorta

[Ari]

GM

 

Kazra fidgeted uncomfortably as she walked beside the three Claremonters "Sure, and I would love to help, but...what can I do? You lot at least have powers and know how to fight armies, the biggest thing I've ever beaten was a raptor!" Glancing aside as a press of well-dressed Romans wandered past them, a few knots of chatting people who looked like something out of an old BBC series pausing a moment to look over the four with something like unease. "Wish I had more than these skins. Bet Zarana could make it look good though" she added with a roll of her eyes.

 

The temple of Saturn was conspicuous by its whiteness, the pillars and walls gleaming even brighter than the temple of Jupiter on the other side of the hill. At the large front doors they met with the high priest and the interpreter sent ahead of them, who upon finding out who they were and what the Senate required hastily agreed to let them hide in the temple and wait for the spy. He led the four into a narrow hidden passage leading to a shelf overlooking the main floor, leaving them quite hidden. "Nobody will think to look up here," he told them confidently "no matter how well they might know the place."

 

Then there was nothing to do but wander the town, and wait for nightfall.

 

Meanwhile, miles away...

 

While El Heraldo was flying back with the news of the army's return, and several letters the Legate had insisted he deliver to the city before her, movement stirred in the treetops below him, seconds before four massive brontosaurs burst out of the leaves, roaring defiance, green light blazing in their eyes!

Edited October 15, 2013 by Arichamus

[Thevshi]

Giang looked around the hidden area the high priest showed the teenagers.  She had to agree that the location likely would serve very well for looking for the contact passing information to the Serpent Person spy.  The Asian teen only hoped that they were not wasting time needlessly waiting to try to intercept the contact, when they could be instead trying to find the Serpent Staff.  In any event, they likely needed to wait until Subito returned before embarking on that goal.

 

Looking over at the others after the high priest left, Giang spoke up, "I believe I will wait here awhile just in case."