h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

ox?

*ox has been watching intently from the window into the forest's deep shadows broken by the brilliant light of the full moon. He is startled when the King calls his name and turns back to everyone in the room*
On we go! Foraging may be fine and I'm sure the elves will help, but we should take a few provisions. Water is probably accessible, and I'm sure that between the Mage and I there will be herbs and healing powders. We should probably travel as light as possible. I'll ask the elves to watch over the crocs and birds here, take an owl with me and have a falcon and eagle check up on us from time to time.
We should get a bit of rest and leave at dawn, I think. Anyone have any suggestions? For me, a cloak,leather jerkin and breeches, heavy boots...a short sword and dagger on my belt and my staff. I haven't the Mage's skills at magic so I want to be prepared...if we truly can be!

Hurrah! Everyone's in! Let's get going then?

Just before dawn, Ox closes the lodge and, with his companion owl perched on his shoulder, begins walking through the ground fog toward the forest. He stops and leans on his staff, trying to choose between several paths that lead into the long forgotten heart of the forest. Late the night before he had gone over what maps he had been able to find but none of them went past certain points...swampland and seacoast to the south, mountains to the northeast, unknown to the west, dense forest everywhere. Which direction?

*looks around and frowns, trying to remember where the ruins are*

It's been so long...

*Wakes up in the aviary, covered in bird excrement*

Whoah... That tea seems to have seriously disagreed with my digestive system, even though it was marvellously good... My time perception seems to have been altered. Not to mention other types of perception... I'm assuming those bespectacled geckos that climb on the walls wearing lederhosen are not real. What time is it? And where am I? Yuck! It's all over me!

'blunders out of the aviary and makes his way to the lodge*

Where is everybody? Let's see... there's a note on the door... "We're off to explore the ruins. Hope to be back by tea-time." Oh no! They have gone adventuring without me! And they know about the ruins! I didn't tell Ox and the others about them because it would have been too dangerous! I've got to find those guys... But first, I'll go and wash myself in a stream. This stuff stinks.

*disappears into the forest*

*after finally deciding to head west into the uncharted area of the forest, Ox stops by a small stream and has a lunch of bread and some fresh berries from near the water. The owl snoozes on his shoulder*
I certainly hope Greenman catches up soon...I'd like to follow this stream but I'm a bit worried about where it may lead.
*the sunlight barely breaks through the dense canopy of the trees*
It's kind of spooky in here...

Yes, spooky, and a little cold. *shivers a little bit* I am afraid we will have to wait for the Greenman, as this is not the stream that I get water from at the Gables, so I don't know where it leads either. *She tries to stand behind a tree to get out of the wind, but is not successful. She begins to wonder if this really is a dangerous mission, and hopes all is well. She looks around at all the other members of the party, and is comforted by their presence. 'After all,' she thinks, 'what could possibly happen?'*

*Ox wanders along the stream a bit and finds that although there isn't a path, the walking is fairly easy. There are large fish of bright metalic colours jumping about which makes him realize the stream is much deeper than he originally thought. As he pushes through a clump of reeds and bushes he is taken aback by the sight of a stone statue covered with moss. It has the figure of an elf, and the eyes are large and shining...almost like jewels...almost alive! Ox jumps straight up in the air and comes down running. He doesn't stop until he's back with Lady Anne and the others*

Hey! Did anyone say whether or not there was a spell on this forest?

Don't look at me!

*noticing the indecisiveness of the party, decides to make an appearance, having been secretly following them*
So, one and all, how goes the adventure? You don't seem to have found the ruins as yet....

*sounds of running from the forest, then a loud thump and some thrashing sounds*

Bugger these roots... I bet you grew that there on purpose...

*some more running, and then Greenman can be seen coming towards the party, following the stream*

Thank Goddess you haven't found the ruins as yet!

*pause*

What did you do to that elf?

*a short pause, bows to the King and Queen, and to Lady Anne*

Greetings Greenman! Tell us one and all, what is it that you have discovered about our ruins?

Nothing, my liege, for I have been too afraid to set foot there to make any discoveries. The trees warned me not to go there, telling it to be an evil place. I did go and have a look at the ruins, however, from a safe distance. They seem abandoned, but some... power lurks there, I'm sure of it. It can be felt in the air about the place. Not necessarily evil, but... foreboding. I have no reason not to believe the trees, however. Furthermore, the trees growing near the ruins are strange to me, whispering in odd ways, looking and feeling eerie.

Indded you are right Greenman, there is a power that lurks in those ruins, though it be not evil....it is older than time itself, it operates outside the bounds of normal morality....you were right to be afraid, but with all of us to make the journey together, we can safely make it through....what say you, one and all?

Indeed? Well, if you say so, my liege, then it must be so. You are King of this realm, after all. Then again, maybe something sinister has settled in the ruins of late? There must be some reason for the trees' uneasiness. From what they say, I have understood that they have not always felt that way. I know not, I am new to this kingdom and land, after all.

Be the ruins dangerous or not, I believe we need not fear if both King and Queen travel with us. Therefore, I am ready to follow you - or to lead the way, if needed. For I know the way: this very stream comes from the ruins, indeed, it is birthed by a spring deep below the place. The river-sprites have told me this much.

Then I say we follow the stream into the very heart of the darkness, so to speak. I'd like to see this power and try to contain it's energy. That may not be possible, I know. It did occur to me that the ruins may be several dimensions deep...there may be another world living within just the site itself.

Maybe we can get a clue from the stone elf...*ox goes over to the statue and, putting a hand on it's head, begins brushing the moss away. Suddenly the ground beneath the statue gives way and the the stone elf and ox quickly drop from sight. In only a moment, ox is shouting, and there's an echo following his voice*

Hey! Someone hand me a light down here! It's DARK!

*rubs his hands together*
Ah ha! Now we're getting somewhere....the tunnels....
*calls* Don't worry ox, just stay where you are for a minute and we'll get you some help!

*groping in the dark, ox digs a piece of flint from his pocket and wraps a torn length of his scarf around the point of his sword. Striking the flint with one of his daggers, he sparks the bit of cloth to a flame. Holding the sword high he is nearly blinded by the reflection of the light on the many crystaline formations on the sides of what seems to be a huge cavern. There seem to be several tunnels with well worn paths beyond the central cavern, and the veins of a mineral deposit gleam in the shadows*
*ox yells back to the others on the surface*
I hear water somewhere, and there's a cool breeze down here. I don't feel like I'm alone...like something's watching me...

*looks around at the others*
Well I don't know about all of you, but I'm going down there....who's coming?