Epic - The Hidden Temple

Desert Trek

After a couple of weeks of hard training and dedication to Shang-Ti at the temple I finally visited the rulers of Marûn while my new companions searched nearby for the temple we had fallen from. When they returned it was with warnings of the harsh heat of the desert and the deadly creatures that lived there (Fulgar had almost died from the poison of one), but with no luck finding the temple itself. We resolved to search together, looking closer to the town as it could not have been that far for us to have traveled through the pipes and sewers from one to the other.

As we walked along the top of the ravine we noticed a pair of Harung following, although it was not our presence that brought them here. They were heading for an old, ruined guard post on the edge of the desert. We hailed them as they had been friendly with us so far, and they told us of a hermit living in the desert beyond the guard post and that if anyone would know of the temple we sought it would be him. They also warned us that there were lots of bad things between us and him! Usefully, though, they said that if we were to reach a certain large rocky outcrop, which they pointed out to us, then we had gone too far.

We discussed whether to seek him out despite the danger, and resolved that we might need a guide as the temple could be hidden from sight by magical means as well as its location. We also quickly realised that we should start the journey at night after resting properly, as the heat of the desert made travel through the day almost impossible. We returned in the cold of the night, setting out such that we reached the desert past the guard post in the early morning light.

Travel through the desert was difficult, the sand sapping speed and strength as we walked, but at least the worst of the heat hadn't arrived yet and we had brought plenty of water. Eventually as we crested another dune we saw a couple of creatures ahead - a large scorpion thing holding a huge sword similar to the one Garuk had brought back from his expedition with Fulgar, and a multi-armed insect thing that was also armed. Their attention was to the sides and they hadn't seen us so we paused for a moment. I brought by halberd into a position to attack and braced to run forward, but as I was doing so Fulgar dived back out of sight and whispered that the large creature was dangerous and poisonous.

Despite itching to challenge it, I was wary because we had no means of dealing with poison so I followed Fulgar and rolled back below the crest of the dune. Garuk started to fade in and out of sight in a manner similar to when we had first met him, which seemed to be some kind of defence mechanism for him, and joined us although peeking forward to track the creatures. I questioned Fulgar about his wariness, as I understood that they were a foe from his previous encounter, but he explained that (from his perspective) we were in their pack land and therefore they had the right to hunt. I had not looked on such monstrous creatures in such a light before, with their own code of honour as it were, but I had learned much from the Hengeyokai already so I respected his judgement and waited with him.

As we did, though, Garuk gasped and indicated that we should look. We also heard noises from ahead so risked raising our heads. A massive ant-like creature had pushed its way up from the sand and was in the process of snapping the (now comparatively small) scorpion creature in two, having sprung a trap from below. The pieces of what was left were dragged back under the sand, leaving just the sword sat on top. The many-armed thing ran for its life, coming up near us but continuing straight past without pausing, so we let it go. Now we understood the threat we could see that the dune was actually part of a circle with the sand below deeper than the desert around, and it was clearly created by the huge creature beneath to ensnare its prey.

In order to stay on our line of travel, Garuk and I moved around this circle of threat, staying on the outside, until we were opposite where Fulgar watched for us. He signaled when were in the right place and started his own trek around to join us. But just as he was setting off we saw a single camel rider about four hundred yards away up ahead. He did not seem like he was trying to hide, so we waved to him hoping that he would not be hostile.

Fairly plump camel with bright blue and purple clad rider with black turban. Pale skinned djinn with burning eyes. Two sickle swords and backpack. Camel laden with kit.

Legged snake thing pulls itself out of the sand near Fulgar as he runs to join us.

I run up to defend Batu, and snake's head darts forward to bite me but Fulgar punches it from the side and deflects it narrowly away.

Garuk flanks and attacks from behind with massive sword, cleaving a large part out of it and then I struck it in the head as it was writhing in pain and it died.

I tried to address the djinn but it doesn't speak our language. Garuk seems to speak its tongue, though. Seems sad that we had killed "her". Fulgar not convinced that it was not necessary.

Camel rider not impressed but might help if only to save desert creatures from our attacked.

Wants to see Fulgar's form and he was removing clothing anyway so he changes into hybrid form. Fulgar sees that Djinn is different - he has owl eyes. He is a desert owl.

Fulgar drops to knees - talking his tongue. Apologises for entering his land, did not mean to take prey from him.

Prophecy is true - Hengeyokai, Gith and Human enter the temple. A prophecy from the last war. (He is hooting at Fulgar and then howls back).

He laughs - the desert foxes know you're here. Scared but honoured by his presence. Shamed by presence and actions.

Fulgar seeks to follow Shang-Ti's path, and if it is within his gift to put him back on the path. If we need to pay tribute then we will.

We should be pack according to the prophecy. Fulgar tells us we are pack. We are to follow and eat together.

Struggle to follow through the sands as he rides ahead. Fulgar after a few yards starts to lightly jog across the sand as if it were a solid path.

After a while a huge worm like tube rises up and lays down for him to ride into. Fulgar follows into the darkness and we follow.

Walk though world and find a human and Hunter (Follower of the way), Spirit of the way? Understanding, and Protector of the way

Three challenges - elements as we know them, the paths between worlds and the heart of the Prime.

He changes into owl and flies back the way we had come. All see him separately.

Fulgar emerges from worm at a small opening. Emerge back into opening outside temple with three paths. Walks confidently towards opening ahead.

Garuk also emerges but doesn't see Fulgar. Goes to a knee and prays for guidance to follow the path. Sees golden fist rising out of the ground with ray of light through it up ahead just beyond opening.

I emerge and see nobody. I continue as we did before, so skirt around circles and move up to entranceway. Same bone filled room so come back to entranceway.

As others step on circle the temple seems repaired and full of people - all coming to temple with gifts for Shang-Ti and various animal symbols beneath his symbol.

When Fulgar steps out of circle, a platter appears in his hands and he is human - platinum snake on left, then ivory tiger in centre, and on right obsidian monkey. Heavy gold platter with Shang-Ti symbol at the fore.

Both together but separated.

Black tube, semi-translucent rises from next circle. People are moving around it.

Third circle is silver sparkling well.

I retrace and go for blue circle as it is more like day than night or absence of colour. Appear in full temple as the other did, but behind.

Fulgar has a companion (green eyes) notice he has the white tiger. Garuk causes a bit of a stir without an offering, and couples back away to allow him to pass alone.

Her plate - white owl, green dragon, wooden Shang-Ti

I get a platter Left jade eagle, obsidian rat, right precious metal chicken.