Tzimisce Caverns
May 5, 2015 22:10:34 GMT -8
Barnaby Cuthbert, Blake Sterling Jr., and 1 more like this
Post by Harmony on May 5, 2015 22:10:34 GMT -8
I didn't quite know where we were going. All I knew was that I was ready to fight whatever it was we were going to fight. The Carnifex had talked to me about tracking down a sabbat pack earlier in the week, but what Jonathan was saying on the way over to meet up with some of the other Kindred of the domain didn't make it sound like it was the same thing.
Upon arrival, there were quite a few more Kindred than Carnifex had lead me to believe he had gathered, so right there, I assumed something was a bit off.
The Tremere, Charlemagne, began to talk tactics. Combat-fighters first, of course, makes sense... long range second, ok... magic users in the back... uh huh. Of course you want to lead this from the rear; higher-ranking officers made that switch post-WWI after so many generals died from leading their armies. However, according to the history books, the greatest generals (such as Alexander the Great and Napoleon) lead their armies from the front line themselves! That's why The Carnifex would be in front; and I would be beside him.
The park closed at dusk, so we had to be sneaky. With the exception of the Tremere, actually, we all did a pretty good job of it. Charlemagne just waltzed through the park, seemingly, without a care in the world.
A park ranger, of course, tried to stop him. I don't think I'd ever seen a man fall asleep quite so quickly or easily. The Lasombra picked the ranger up and slung him over his shoulder. Upon inquiry, he simply stated that we now had a portable blood supply. Rather intuitive, I thought.
When we got to the wooden doors of the sacristy, we found a chain and large padlock around the handles; probably to deter... well... actually, a thief would just pick the lock like the Lasombra was about to do. I helped prop the ranger up while the gentleman attempted to pick the lock, at least until one of the other clever folks with us picked the Ranger's pocket for his key ring.
Once inside, we realized that more rangers would probably come looking if they saw the doors unchained. I suggested that the Gangrel in our group, Ruby, could lock the doors from the outside then shift to get back in. Charlemagne, on the other hand, suggested that one of the members of the group be left behind to "guard the door". How preposterous! And, we lose a fighter. Whatever.
There is a sprial staircase that leads into the caverns. It is here that we split into our assigned "front, middle, back," formations. I find myself between The Carnifex and Ruby on the front line. There are broken stones littered along the staircase, but with the people pressing at my heels, I am unable to identify the rock. I am, however, able to pick up one of the yen that are also littered on the stairs for later study.
We come to a gigantic cavern, most likely of limestone, as there are gorgeous waterfalls coming from somewhere beyond the ceiling and trickling into pools so far down they can't be seen. The stone eyes of saints watch our progression though the cavern until there is a sudden rumbling and the ground drops from beneath our feet.
I'm thankful not to need lungs as the dust settles.
Ruby pulls the lantern out that was given to her as the only light source and I can't help but think how grateful I am that she fell along with me.
I look around. Along with Ruby, Carnifex also fell, the Sedite (whose name I can’t remember), the new Ventrue that was hanging out with Gyles, and the Gentleman who wears the flashy coat with a red collar. Not exactly the group I would have chosen to get stuck with. I have no idea what any of them can do; I really hope they don’t just need babysitting.
There are two sets of doors. One of them is swung open into darkness, the other door, behind us, has its doors closed. It seems the most logical means of escaping back up to the surface. So, I go over to look at the door and find scratches; scratches where some animal, or animals, must have tried to scratch at the door to free itself. And there’s more. I peel a blackened pebble from the door, and it turns out to not just be a pebble; it’s a human fingernail. There are a few of them embedded in the door, along with lines of blood that have dried as it dripped down.
Well… no way out that way… so, forward into the darkness we go.
There is a crunch beneath our feet as we enter into a large chamber. The room contains what I deem to be some of the most unusual things; cubbies of dried ingredients such as herbs, animal parts, oils. I, of course, do not use magic, so I have no use for “the eyes of a newt” or anything else of this matter. The room holds very little interest to me…
A hallway is carved out of the stone, leading to an arch over stairs that lead down and a worn out wooden plaque that says something about tactics. Don’t ask me; I never studied LATIN. So, without another option, we go down.
The path flattens out and becomes a hallway again, just in time for there to be a great barricade of crates and barrels in our path. The smell of charred rock, and flesh, permeates through the cavern. No doubt a battle was fought here.
I ask Ruby to see if she can see anything beyond the barricade via the gaps that archers must have used, but there is nothing in the darkness. So, we move the barrels and crates and continue on into a long room with poles topped with thick wooden slabs. As we cross, we find it to be a room for the practice of archery.
At the other side there is a large bronze door with a depiction on it of a god throwing a lightning bolt that splits the door. There is no sign of a handle or lock. Ruby pushed and the door slid open relatively quietly... which was a little odd.
This room brought me back.
It was a base camp. Not just any base camp; from the looks of the crates, supplies, and tents, it was a WWII base camp. There was a make-shift table with fans of cards like the men had been playing poker… before their camp was assaulted and everyone was killed. Bones were scattered and looked like they’d been gnawed on, tents were slashed, bullet holes bore into the rocks… but it was the blood splatter on the walls. I’d seen scenes like this before…
Carnifex plowed on ahead. The Sedite warned against picking anything up for fear of angry spirits… all I wanted to do was connect… to show my sympathy. I wanted to see what hands they’d had. The next thing I knew, Carnifex had his axes out.
Ruby and I went to see what had drawn his attention when five creatures shambled out of the darkness. Walking corpses! The Gentleman in the red coat had said something about zombies, and I knew the Giovanni dealt with the undead, but… I didn’t know zombies were real. It managed to scrape at me with its clawed fingers to help me believe just enough.
I wanted to tear its arm off! And believe me, I tried. I don’t know if I wasn’t strong enough, or if it was just too slippery a thing. So I thrust upward with my palm under its chin.
Nothing seemed to do any damage! The Carnifex had his hands full of the four of them that had jumped him, Ruby had dropped the lantern and was dancing just out of reach of the one that had attacked her, and the Ventrue and Toreador were firing round upon round into the creatures. The Sedite attempted a use of his magic, but it had no effect on the creature… so he did the most useful thing he could; he picked up the lantern.
The thing in front of me made a grab for me, but slipped and scratched at my leg instead. I stamped on its head, and still it wriggled and lived. The Ventrue managed to blow half of it away with his shotgun, but still it attacked!
Carnifex was in bad shape.
The zombie managed to get a hold of my leg and take a pretty good bite out of it. I smashed its head into the cave floor.
A retreat was called.
Carnifex grabbed the Sedite and Ventrue and ran toward a second opening behind us other than the one we’d come through. The Toreador, now brandishing a sword, was making a hasty retreat as well… but I had to make sure Ruby could get out.
I threw all my weight into the thing that was attacking her… and nothing happened. REALLY!?! What were these things??
It seemed to distract it enough, however, for her to chase the light into the other tunnel.
Without the light, the things seemed lost… which was VERY fortunate for me, because even WITH Celerity, I was not moving very quickly. I am so very thankful for my sure-footedness… I caught up with everyone else and we found a passage that led out of the caves…
I have come to two conclusions…
1) I need to do some research into the zombie mythos and try to figure out a more effective way to kill the creatures…
and 2) …I think I should get me a pair of combat boots…
Upon arrival, there were quite a few more Kindred than Carnifex had lead me to believe he had gathered, so right there, I assumed something was a bit off.
The Tremere, Charlemagne, began to talk tactics. Combat-fighters first, of course, makes sense... long range second, ok... magic users in the back... uh huh. Of course you want to lead this from the rear; higher-ranking officers made that switch post-WWI after so many generals died from leading their armies. However, according to the history books, the greatest generals (such as Alexander the Great and Napoleon) lead their armies from the front line themselves! That's why The Carnifex would be in front; and I would be beside him.
The park closed at dusk, so we had to be sneaky. With the exception of the Tremere, actually, we all did a pretty good job of it. Charlemagne just waltzed through the park, seemingly, without a care in the world.
A park ranger, of course, tried to stop him. I don't think I'd ever seen a man fall asleep quite so quickly or easily. The Lasombra picked the ranger up and slung him over his shoulder. Upon inquiry, he simply stated that we now had a portable blood supply. Rather intuitive, I thought.
When we got to the wooden doors of the sacristy, we found a chain and large padlock around the handles; probably to deter... well... actually, a thief would just pick the lock like the Lasombra was about to do. I helped prop the ranger up while the gentleman attempted to pick the lock, at least until one of the other clever folks with us picked the Ranger's pocket for his key ring.
Once inside, we realized that more rangers would probably come looking if they saw the doors unchained. I suggested that the Gangrel in our group, Ruby, could lock the doors from the outside then shift to get back in. Charlemagne, on the other hand, suggested that one of the members of the group be left behind to "guard the door". How preposterous! And, we lose a fighter. Whatever.
There is a sprial staircase that leads into the caverns. It is here that we split into our assigned "front, middle, back," formations. I find myself between The Carnifex and Ruby on the front line. There are broken stones littered along the staircase, but with the people pressing at my heels, I am unable to identify the rock. I am, however, able to pick up one of the yen that are also littered on the stairs for later study.
We come to a gigantic cavern, most likely of limestone, as there are gorgeous waterfalls coming from somewhere beyond the ceiling and trickling into pools so far down they can't be seen. The stone eyes of saints watch our progression though the cavern until there is a sudden rumbling and the ground drops from beneath our feet.
I'm thankful not to need lungs as the dust settles.
Ruby pulls the lantern out that was given to her as the only light source and I can't help but think how grateful I am that she fell along with me.
I look around. Along with Ruby, Carnifex also fell, the Sedite (whose name I can’t remember), the new Ventrue that was hanging out with Gyles, and the Gentleman who wears the flashy coat with a red collar. Not exactly the group I would have chosen to get stuck with. I have no idea what any of them can do; I really hope they don’t just need babysitting.
There are two sets of doors. One of them is swung open into darkness, the other door, behind us, has its doors closed. It seems the most logical means of escaping back up to the surface. So, I go over to look at the door and find scratches; scratches where some animal, or animals, must have tried to scratch at the door to free itself. And there’s more. I peel a blackened pebble from the door, and it turns out to not just be a pebble; it’s a human fingernail. There are a few of them embedded in the door, along with lines of blood that have dried as it dripped down.
Well… no way out that way… so, forward into the darkness we go.
There is a crunch beneath our feet as we enter into a large chamber. The room contains what I deem to be some of the most unusual things; cubbies of dried ingredients such as herbs, animal parts, oils. I, of course, do not use magic, so I have no use for “the eyes of a newt” or anything else of this matter. The room holds very little interest to me…
A hallway is carved out of the stone, leading to an arch over stairs that lead down and a worn out wooden plaque that says something about tactics. Don’t ask me; I never studied LATIN. So, without another option, we go down.
The path flattens out and becomes a hallway again, just in time for there to be a great barricade of crates and barrels in our path. The smell of charred rock, and flesh, permeates through the cavern. No doubt a battle was fought here.
I ask Ruby to see if she can see anything beyond the barricade via the gaps that archers must have used, but there is nothing in the darkness. So, we move the barrels and crates and continue on into a long room with poles topped with thick wooden slabs. As we cross, we find it to be a room for the practice of archery.
At the other side there is a large bronze door with a depiction on it of a god throwing a lightning bolt that splits the door. There is no sign of a handle or lock. Ruby pushed and the door slid open relatively quietly... which was a little odd.
This room brought me back.
It was a base camp. Not just any base camp; from the looks of the crates, supplies, and tents, it was a WWII base camp. There was a make-shift table with fans of cards like the men had been playing poker… before their camp was assaulted and everyone was killed. Bones were scattered and looked like they’d been gnawed on, tents were slashed, bullet holes bore into the rocks… but it was the blood splatter on the walls. I’d seen scenes like this before…
Carnifex plowed on ahead. The Sedite warned against picking anything up for fear of angry spirits… all I wanted to do was connect… to show my sympathy. I wanted to see what hands they’d had. The next thing I knew, Carnifex had his axes out.
Ruby and I went to see what had drawn his attention when five creatures shambled out of the darkness. Walking corpses! The Gentleman in the red coat had said something about zombies, and I knew the Giovanni dealt with the undead, but… I didn’t know zombies were real. It managed to scrape at me with its clawed fingers to help me believe just enough.
I wanted to tear its arm off! And believe me, I tried. I don’t know if I wasn’t strong enough, or if it was just too slippery a thing. So I thrust upward with my palm under its chin.
Nothing seemed to do any damage! The Carnifex had his hands full of the four of them that had jumped him, Ruby had dropped the lantern and was dancing just out of reach of the one that had attacked her, and the Ventrue and Toreador were firing round upon round into the creatures. The Sedite attempted a use of his magic, but it had no effect on the creature… so he did the most useful thing he could; he picked up the lantern.
The thing in front of me made a grab for me, but slipped and scratched at my leg instead. I stamped on its head, and still it wriggled and lived. The Ventrue managed to blow half of it away with his shotgun, but still it attacked!
Carnifex was in bad shape.
The zombie managed to get a hold of my leg and take a pretty good bite out of it. I smashed its head into the cave floor.
A retreat was called.
Carnifex grabbed the Sedite and Ventrue and ran toward a second opening behind us other than the one we’d come through. The Toreador, now brandishing a sword, was making a hasty retreat as well… but I had to make sure Ruby could get out.
I threw all my weight into the thing that was attacking her… and nothing happened. REALLY!?! What were these things??
It seemed to distract it enough, however, for her to chase the light into the other tunnel.
Without the light, the things seemed lost… which was VERY fortunate for me, because even WITH Celerity, I was not moving very quickly. I am so very thankful for my sure-footedness… I caught up with everyone else and we found a passage that led out of the caves…
I have come to two conclusions…
1) I need to do some research into the zombie mythos and try to figure out a more effective way to kill the creatures…
and 2) …I think I should get me a pair of combat boots…
