Team Nippon [@VitaVitaAR][@PKMNB0Y][@Crimson Paladin] [hr] “Kadisht Enli is our...chief of sorts,” Akando replied rather matter of factly. “Though he dislikes being called as such. He lets most of the village operate as hands off as he can. He still has sway though, and has final say in what happens in more dangerous or urgent matters.” The large man frowned lightly. “I’m not sure what Lazhira has told you, but as you can guess things aren’t exactly going...well, for us right now, but Enli would be better at filling you in.” Assuming they followed, Akando would lead them further towards the north side of the village with the long house they had seen earlier. A short walk, though most people still kept stealing glances at the outsiders. They were also of course, free to keep asking questions as they traveled. Or perhaps they didn’t follow Akando, and elected to go their own way. Eventually they would reach the building, Akando slowly pushing open the door. Inside was for them, a warm relief. A large fire pit had been put in the middle of the room, smoke rising from it and out of a skylight in the roof. The walls were decorated with several tables, chairs, and a few what seemed to be hunting trophies. Several chairs were situated around the fire pit, along with tables. In the back of the room, was stacked bookshelves upon which various scrolls and other written texts seem to be stored. Perusing the shelves was an older man, not much notable in the way of physical appearances go. He was dressed in a long, red robe with patterns - notably having the same symbol embroidered on the front of it as Lazhira’s tattoo. He hadn’t heard them enter, in his hands was a scroll he was currently perusing. “Enli, I have bought visitors.” “Hm? Ah, I heard shouts from here. Another animal attack?” The mans voice was definitely aged. “Dealt with swiftly by our visitors here.” “I see, well, you have my thanks travelers.” He placed the paper on a nearby table. “Come, you must be cold with how you’re dressed.” The Roma Mob [@ERode][@Pyromania99][@Guy0fV4lor] [hr] “Kkrk, a-ceptable.” The creature gurgled, head tilting at an odd angle. ‘Octavia’ tilted its head up towards the smaller plant. A small tendril sprouted from the ground, briefly piercing the pup’s skin, but it didn’t seem bothered by it. It lasted only a moment, before the pup was released from its grip. “I have...released from this garden...Then...we have a deal.” Whether it thought they would betray it didn’t seem to matter, or perhaps it wasn’t capable of such deep thinking. Whatever the case may be, the smaller flower at the base of the flower shuddered. Large petals opened, a sweet fragrance wafting from the newly bloomed flower. Within was a hand sized seed. “Take. Leave. Hurry. Can only restrain...so long.” The creature the garden was puppeting fell lifeless. The vines around the small pool retreated, revealing a path around the other side of the flower, back towards the unexplored doorway as well as the way back they had come. Notably, the creatures were all now on the side they had been so it should be an easy, straight shot back towards the area they came supposing nothing stood in their way. Of course, it couldn’t exactly be so easy. Assuming they did go back the way they came, once they had reached the stairs they’d come to the sinking realization. The monsters that Nick left behind, were still alive and well, barring their path forwards. About five of them, in this cramped space. The ground rumbled beneath them, vines and tendrils reaching upwards from the ground. [hr] [@Click This][@Cu Chulainn][@Crusader Lord] [hr] Finally out of their ordeal, the group convened upon the beach. Making their way down the cliff and outcropping, they found themselves a serene vista. The beach gently crashing upon the land, the only thing breaking the peace was the sea birds loudly cawing and chirping from above, a siren call that could be heard from quite a ways away. They had some time to themselves, it seemed. The only question was what would they do with it? Make camp? Explore the area? Head to the mountains. The world now, as they say, was their oyster. [@PaulHaynek] The Traveler [hr] As expected, the creature made for a swing the moment Nick tried to charge it. It lunged forward with a blade, Nick deflecting it with his own. In the next instant his free hand grabbed the creature by the neck. It hissed, grunting angrily as a second blade on its other arm sliced into Nick’s shoulder. A deep, painful gash was cut into him, a mild burning sensation aside from the pain as Nick lifted the creature and tossed it aside. He was free, at last. Nothing else stood in his way, not between him and the exit at least. He would arrive back on the ground floor of the complex, but something had changed. The growth had started to visibly expand upwards, taking hold of the stone walls, finding any sort of crack or opening it could use to grow itself and slip into places. The ground rumbled, shifting as something seemed to be clawing its way up from the depths.