An Excursion to Quicksand Caves
Small amounts of sand was falling from the top of the cavernous hallways of Quicksand Caves, home to the fearsome Anticans. I looked around, trying to find a place where I could stand without getting all drenched in dust. I shook my body to try to get some of the sand out of my fur, meowing in dismay. Aww, I never should’ve come here,
I said frustrated. I had just cleaned my fur and all, and now it was was covered in dust and sand. I swear, I’m like a magnet to these things.
In the distance I could hear a rumble, and the ground started to shake. Be careful,
I warned my party, it sounded like another tunnel just collapsed.
I couldn’t pinpoint the exact location, but I was starting to get a little worried that the roof would fall down on us—literally.
Stop whining,
Dutton said, nothing good will come from worrying.
I looked at him and nodded, mentioning it no further. We started walking slowly down the tunnel, and Yasko walked over to a corner leading into a bigger hallway. She peaked around the corner, and counted nine anticans and two spiders. Okay, sneak up from this point on or the roof will be the least of our worries,
she whispered to us. I quickly cast a spell on everyone to make our steps light as a feather so we wouldn’t attract any unwanted attention.
Yasko raised her hand and gave us a sign that it was clear. We quickly hasted across the hallway, trying to make as little noise as possible. The anticans don’t see very well, so we didn’t have to worry about being seen. Yasko gave the order to step on top of a weight controlled switch. The switch was of ancient galkan design, or at least that is what I was told. I suppose it was invented to lock out enemies, but a security feature based on weight alone is easily bypassed. It should come as no surprise that the beastmen were smart enough to operate such a device.
As we all stepped on the switch, it began to glow radiantly, and a faint hum could be heard in the background. A nearby gate started shaking before it started moving to the side, revealing an opening. We all snuck behind the gate and advanced further into the tunnel. A few anticans were looking through the remains of the ancient city, hoping to loot something nice. The anticans are like overgrown ants, and they are quite disgusting to look at.
We entered a new tunnel where a spider and a cactuar were roaming. This looks like a good place to fight,
Dutton said, telling the damage dealers to take care of the monsters in the tunnel. I covered everyone in a magical protective shell and sat down to meditate for a moment to regain some of my mana. My moment of silence was interrupted by an over~impatient damage dealer though. Yhaaa~,
he screamed as he charged toward Sabotender Bailarina and struck him with his sword.
Everyone picked up their swords and attacked the cactuar monster. Take that! Eat this,
the damage dealer screamed while continuing to pound the monster carelessly. The monster bowed down in an attempt to defend itself, before it jumped up, shooting a thousand needles in every direction. You idiot,
someone yelled. Do you see what you have done?
The impatient damage dealer just looked at the rest of the group and shrugged, having no idea what he was being reprimanded for.
The poor little cactuar didn’t stand a chance. I healed everyone’s wounds and prepared to depart for Jeuno as I had limbus an hour later. Wait,
Slugg said, can we kill the Proconsul XIII as well?
he asked. I looked at the others and told them I didn’t mind staying to help him. Thank you so much,
Slugg cheered.
We walked toward the entrance again, and found our new camp. Slugg explained how he wanted to obtain a Dainslaif, said to belong to a legendary hero of ancient times. Everyone prepared for a new round of fighting, and we took a moment to go over the strategy. Then, suddenly I realized someone was missing. I looked around but couldn’t see him, and I couldn’t hear him anywhere. But before I managed to tell the party, we suddenly heard a loud cry, take that, pesky numbered guy.
I sighed, here we go again.
Tags: nm
